White House Releases Bush Record of Reform on Financial Issue

Posted by: Mike's America @ 10:36 am in FloppingAces

And he was blocked at every turn by Democrats taking cash from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!

Just the Facts: The Administration’s Unheeded Warnings About the Systemic Risk Posed by the GSEsWhite House News
For many years the President and his Administration have not only warned of the systemic consequences of financial turmoil at a housing government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) but also put forward thoughtful plans to reduce the risk that either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would encounter such difficulties. President Bush publicly called for GSE reform 17 times in 2008 alone before Congress acted. Unfortunately, these warnings went unheeded, as the President’s repeated attempts to reform the supervision of these entities were thwarted by the legislative maneuvering of those who emphatically denied there were problems.

2001 April:
The Administration’s FY02 budget declares that the size of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is “a potential problem,” because “financial trouble of a large GSE could cause strong repercussions in financial markets, affecting Federally insured entities and economic activity.”2002May: The President calls for the disclosure and corporate governance principles contained in his 10-point plan for corporate responsibility to apply to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (OMB Prompt Letter to OFHEO, 5/29/02)

2003 January:
Freddie Mac announces it has to restate financial results for the previous three years.
February: The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) releases a report explaining that “although investors perceive an implicit Federal guarantee of [GSE] obligations,” “the government has provided no explicit legal backing for them.” As a consequence, unexpected problems at a GSE could immediately spread into financial sectors beyond the housing market. (”Systemic Risk: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Role of OFHEO,” OFHEO Report, 2/4/03)

September:
Fannie Mae discloses SEC investigation and acknowledges OFHEO’s review found earnings manipulations.
September: Treasury Secretary John Snow testifies before the House Financial Services Committee to recommend that Congress enact “legislation to create a new Federal agency to regulate and supervise the financial activities of our housing-related government sponsored enterprises” and set prudent and appropriate minimum capital adequacy requirements.

October:
Fannie Mae discloses $1.2 billion accounting error.
November: Council of the Economic Advisers (CEA) Chairman Greg Mankiw explains that any “legislation to reform GSE regulation should empower the new regulator with sufficient strength and credibility to reduce systemic risk.” To reduce the potential for systemic instability, the regulator would have “broad authority to set both risk-based and minimum capital standards” and “receivership powers necessary to wind down the affairs of a troubled GSE.” (N. Gregory Mankiw, Remarks At The Conference Of State Bank Supervisors State Banking Summit And Leadership, 11/6/03)

2004 February:
The President’s FY05 Budget again highlights the risk posed by the explosive growth of the GSEs and their low levels of required capital, and called for creation of a new, world-class regulator: “The Administration has determined that the safety and soundness regulators of the housing GSEs lack sufficient power and stature to meet their responsibilities, and therefore…should be replaced with a new strengthened regulator.” (2005 Budget Analytic Perspectives, pg. 83

February:
CEA Chairman Mankiw cautions Congress to “not take [the financial market's] strength for granted.” Again, the call from the Administration was to reduce this risk by “ensuring that the housing GSEs are overseen by an effective regulator.” (N. Gregory Mankiw, Op-Ed, “Keeping Fannie And Freddie’s House In Order,” Financial Times, 2/24/04)

June:
Deputy Secretary of Treasury Samuel Bodman spotlights the risk posed by the GSEs and called for reform, saying “We do not have a world-class system of supervision of the housing government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), even though the importance of the housing financial system that the GSEs serve demands the best in supervision to ensure the long-term vitality of that system. Therefore, the Administration has called for a new, first class, regulatory supervisor for the three housing GSEs: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banking System.” (Samuel Bodman, House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Testimony, 6/16/04)
2005

April:
Treasury Secretary John Snow repeats his call for GSE reform, saying “Events that have transpired since I testified before this Committee in 2003 reinforce concerns over the systemic risks posed by the GSEs and further highlight the need for real GSE reform to ensure that our housing finance system remains a strong and vibrant source of funding for expanding homeownership opportunities in America… Half-measures will only exacerbate the risks to our financial system.” (Secretary John W. Snow, “Testimony Before The U.S. House Financial Services Committee,” 4/13/05)

2007 July:
Two Bear Stearns hedge funds invested in mortgage securities collapse.
August: President Bush emphatically calls on Congress to pass a reform package for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, saying “first things first when it comes to those two institutions. Congress needs to get them reformed, get them streamlined, get them focused, and then I will consider other options.” (President George W. Bush, Press Conference, The White House, 8/9/07)

September:
RealtyTrac announces foreclosure filings up 243,000 in August – up 115 percent from the year before.

September:
Single-family existing home sales decreases 7.5 percent from the previous month – the lowest level in nine years. Median sale price of existing homes fell six percent from the year before.

December:
President Bush again warns Congress of the need to pass legislation reforming GSEs, saying “These institutions provide liquidity in the mortgage market that benefits millions of homeowners, and it is vital they operate safely and operate soundly. So I’ve called on Congress to pass legislation that strengthens independent regulation of the GSEs – and ensures they focus on their important housing mission. The GSE reform bill passed by the House earlier this year is a good start. But the Senate has not acted. And the United States Senate needs to pass this legislation soon.” (President George W. Bush, Discusses Housing, The White House, 12/6/07)

2008 January:
Bank of America announces it will buy Countrywide.

January:
Citigroup announces mortgage portfolio lost $18.1 billion in value.
February: Assistant Secretary David Nason reiterates the urgency of reforms, says “A new regulatory structure for the housing GSEs is essential if these entities are to continue to perform their public mission successfully.” (David Nason, Testimony On Reforming GSE Regulation, Senate Committee On Banking, Housing And Urban Affairs, 2/7/08)

March:
Bear Stearns announces it will sell itself to JPMorgan Chase.

March:
President Bush calls on Congress to take action and “move forward with reforms on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They need to continue to modernize the FHA, as well as allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to homeowners to refinance their mortgages.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks To The Economic Club Of New York, New York, NY, 3/14/08)

April:
President Bush urges Congress to pass the much needed legislation and “modernize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. [There are] constructive things Congress can do that will encourage the housing market to correct quickly by … helping people stay in their homes.” (President George W. Bush, Meeting With Cabinet, the White House, 4/14/08)

May:
President Bush issues several pleas to Congress to pass legislation reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before the situation deteriorates further.

•”Americans are concerned about making their mortgage payments and keeping their homes. Yet Congress has failed to pass legislation I have repeatedly requested to modernize the Federal Housing Administration that will help more families stay in their homes, reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure they focus on their housing mission, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance sub-prime loans.” (President George W. Bush, Radio Address, 5/3/08)

•”[T]he government ought to be helping creditworthy people stay in their homes. And one way we can do that – and Congress is making progress on this – is the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That reform will come with a strong, independent regulator.” (President George W. Bush, Meeting With The Secretary Of The Treasury, the White House, 5/19/08)

•”Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration, reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure they focus on their housing mission, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime loans.” (President George W. Bush, Radio Address, 5/31/08)

June:
As foreclosure rates continued to rise in the first quarter, the President once again asks Congress to take the necessary measures to address this challenge, saying “we need to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks At Swearing In Ceremony For Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Washington, D.C., 6/6/08)

July:
Congress heeds the President’s call for action and passes reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as it becomes clear that the institutions are failing.
And during this time Republicans in Congress were also proposing reforms which Democrats blocked.
John McCain warned us this would happen when he cosponsored a Senate bill in 2005 that might have averted the current crisis:
“If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.” –John McCain, May 26, 2005

Where was Obama during this time? He was at the bank cashing checks from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Shearson Lehman brothers. All of whom went bust due to bad management and poor oversight leaving the taxpayers stuck with the bill.

Shouldn’t Obama be called upon to return those millions in campaign contributions to the stockholders of these companies?

McCain calls a Halt to Campaigning and the Debate this Friday

John McCain today called a halt to campaigning today, including this Friday's debate with "the messiah", to be in Washington to help craft legislation for the financial bailout of Wall Street companies

Obama said, he'll be there

Another bold move by McCain?
Will voters think he did the right thing? Will they think he is just stalling because he has been down in some recent polling?

The Obama camp will certainly spin it that way and more

Meanwhile the CPD announced;

OXFORD, Miss., Sept 24, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- "The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is moving forward with its plan for the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. this Friday, September 26. The plans for this forum have been underway for more than a year and a half. The CPD's mission is to provide a forum in which the American public has an opportunity to hear the leading candidates for the president of the United States debate the critical issues facing the nation. We believe the public will be well served by having all of the debates go forward as scheduled."
SOURCE The Commission on Presidential Debates

Will McCain be debating from Washington while Obama is in Mississippi?

My initial reaction?
Brilliant move by McCain once again. He famously said, "I would rather lose an election than a war" He can say it again, "I would rather lose an election than see America's economy destroyed"

Country First.

And his disagreement of the legislation that is being pushed by Bush further portrays him as an independent reformer willing to break with his party.

We live in very interesting times...stay tuned

After Action Report: McCain/Palin Grand Rapids, MI

Don't you love it when a plan comes together? Well it came together for me yesterday in Grand Rapids with a once in a lifetime ringside seat at the nest president and Vice President town Talk meeting at Ford Field house. I arrived around 5:00pm with my VIP ticket in hand (thanks Eileen:-) this put me in the smaller and faster moving VIP line.

A large crowd waiting outside, including the "usual suspect" protestors, college kids, anti-war, old hippies etc. screaming out. Since I had brought signs I took a front line position and countered with my UAW Supporters for McCain-Palin, chanting "American workers for McCain-Palin" which as you can imagine whipped them up to a frenzy. Illustrated by the girl in the picture, who almost came over the barricade. Security was tight with barricades separating the attendees from the protestors and with this group, it was probably necessary.
VIP ticket holders at this point were ushered to the balcony. After sitting for a while, I notice a lone seat, on the floor, second row that was vacant. Figuring what I have to lose, I made my way down and claimed the seat. About 4 ft from where Senator McCain and Governor Palin would speak and answer questions. Yeah me!

Then the music starting playing, Senator McCain, and Govenor Palin entered the building to wild applause. I was about to witness the "Palin effect" first hand as shouts of "Sarah, Sarah!" filled the Field house. I have never seen Govenor Palin in person however I will say that she is an extremely attractive slender woman dressed in a form-fitting suit with pumps (bye bye pantsuits!)

After speaking, questions were taken from the audience. This was a true Town Talk meeting as questions were randomly taken. Questions ranged from, drilling for oil, health care, Russia. My question was co-opted by a gentleman who asked Senator McCain,"Govenor Palin said she is working on you about drilling in ANWAR, how successful has she been? It brought a laugh with McCain admitting she has and then said,"This town hall meeting is adjourned."

There were a couple of surprises appearances. One was Governor Palin's husband, Todd who judging by later comments from some of the ladies in the audience I spoke with, is now sharing the title of "Artic Fox" with his wife. The other was from a questioner, a self-proclaimed member of P.U.M.A, wearing a "Democrats for McCain" T-shirt. I blogged about P.U.M.A. about a month ago here Shenanigans in Denver. This is well funded, (Hillary & co?) large group of virulent Hillary supporters that consider "the messiah" to be "an arrogant interloper, a stupid teleprompter-reading idiot, with his illegitimate nomination! We will NEVER forget what Obama has done to our party." P.U.M.A. promised a "big surprise" in November. I believe we saw a glimpse of that surprise, millions of P.U.M.A. members voting for McCain. Take that DNC!

Governor Palin, when both speaking and taking questions was confident, poised, and impassioned. John McCain was well John McCain however he appears to be energized by the "Palin effect" himself
As Governor Palin helps him to retain and resurrect his beloved "maverick" image and gives him a partner in pursing reform and fighting pork barrel.

However the highlight of my evening was when, already being with feet of Govenor Palin, I made by way (was that me shoving the annoying AP photographer out of my "path to Palin?") Gov. Palin loved and signed my" Sisterhood of Sarah" T-shirt. Insert here shameless promotion of my "Sisterhood of Sister" Store. Featuring clothes, buttons, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, and other item with the Sisterhood of Sarah logo. I will make a donation with proceeds from sales to the National Association of Down Syndrome in honor of Governor Palin's youngest son, Trig.

My first hand overall impression last night was that Senator McCain has made a brilliant choice for his running mate and that people absolutely LOVE Governor Palin. She has become the missing piece to the McCain campaign's formula to win the White House.

It was wonderful night and a great night for McCain/Palin

Sarah gets a bounce and then some

Crossposted on RightMichigan

I just heard a VERY interesting tidbit of news on Fox News. The latest Gallup Poll has McCain 50% to "the messiah" 46%.

Big (Sarah) convention bounce however the BIG news buried inside this info is that an element that Barry's campaign
always pointed out, was that the poling on who Americans thought was best able to handle the economy always favored Barry 19%.
No more, THAT number has dramatically dropped to 3%!

Ha! Wait till Americans can get more of Sarah!
She will interviewed by Charlie Gibson, Fox continues to play Greta's show about Sarah, CNN is playing her debate with the boys when she was running for governor (be afraid Biden, be very afraid) she is due on Meet the Press and of course she's on the campaign trail continuing to draw thousands!!!!!!

The left is so desperate because they just don't know to counter the juggernaut of Sarah, they have operatives in Alaska trying to dig up any dirt. The latest act of desperation is chasing down a "rumor" that Sarah cheated when she won the beauty contest. Yeah because she is so unattractive and untalented LOLOL!

Oh btw there is a blogger on Fox right now and they are acknowledging how us bloggers have affected news, and how its reported because bloggers are now scooping the media on stories! :-) Speaking of bloggers...separating fact from fiction on Sarah Palin HERE

The Most Popular Governor

More on Sarah Palin from an article written for the THE WEEKLY STANDARD a year ago

The Most Popular Governor
Alaska's Sarah Palin is the GOP's newest star.
by Fred Barnes
07/16/2007, Volume 012, Issue 41

Juneau
The wipeout in the 2006 election left Republicans in such a state of dejection that they've overlooked the one shining victory in which a Republican star was born. The triumph came in Alaska where Sarah Palin, a politician of eye-popping integrity, was elected governor. She is now the most popular governor in America, with an approval rating in the 90s, and probably the most popular public official in any state.

Her rise is a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle--especially to transparency and accountability in government--can produce political success. And by the way, Palin is a conservative who only last month vetoed 13 percent of the state's proposed budget for capital projects. The cuts, the Anchorage Daily News said, "may be the biggest single-year line-item veto total in state history."

As recently as last year, Palin (pronounced pale-in) was a political outcast. She resigned in January 2004 as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to the office of Governor Frank Murkowski and to state Attorney General Gregg Renkes about ethical violations by another commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was also Republican state chairman.

State law barred Palin from speaking out publicly about ethical violations and corruption. But she was vindicated later in 2004 when Ruedrich, who'd been reconfirmed as state chairman, agreed to pay a $12,000 fine for breaking state ethics laws. She became a hero in the eyes of the public and the press, and the bane of Republican leaders.

In 2005, she continued to take on the Republican establishment by joining Eric Croft, a Democrat, in lodging an ethics complaint against Renkes, who was not only attorney general but also a long-time adviser and campaign manager for Murkowski. The governor reprimanded Renkes and said the case was closed. It wasn't. Renkes resigned a few weeks later, and Palin was again hailed as a hero.

Palin, 43, the mother of four, passed up a chance to challenge Republican senator Lisa Murkowski, the then-governor's daughter, in 2004. She endorsed another candidate in the primary, but Murkowski won and was reelected. Palin said then that her 14-year-old son talked her out of running, though it's doubtful that was the sole reason.

In 2006, she didn't hesitate. She ran against Gov. Murkowski, who was seeking a second term despite sagging poll ratings, in the Republican primary. In a three-way race, Palin captured 51 percent and won in a landslide. She defeated former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election, 49 percent to 41 percent. She was one of the few Republicans anywhere in the country to perform above expectations in 2006, an overwhelmingly Democratic year. Palin is unabashedly pro life.

With her emphasis on ethics and openness in government, "it turned out Palin caught the temper of the times perfectly," wrote Tom Kizzia of the Anchorage Daily News. She was also lucky. News broke of an FBI investigation of corruption by legislators between the primary and general elections. So far, three legislators have been indicted.

In the roughly three years since she quit as the state's chief regulator of the oil industry, Palin has crushed the Republican hierarchy (virtually all male) and nearly every other foe or critic. Political analysts in Alaska refer to the "body count" of Palin's rivals. "The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who crossed Sarah," says pollster Dave Dittman, who worked for her gubernatorial campaign. It includes Ruedrich, Renkes, Murkowski, gubernatorial contenders John Binkley and Andrew Halcro, the three big oil companies in Alaska, and a section of the Daily News called "Voice of the Times," which was highly critical of Palin and is now defunct.

One of her first acts as governor was to fire the Alaska Board of Agriculture. Her ultimate target was the state Creamery Board, which has been marketing the products of Alaska dairy farmers for 71 years and wanted to close down after receiving $600,000 from the state. "You don't just close your doors and walk away," Palin told me. She discovered she lacked the power to fire the Creamery Board. Only the board of agriculture had that authority. So Palin replaced the agriculture board, which appointed a new creamery board, which has rescinded the plan to shut down.

In preserving support for dairy farmers, Palin exhibited a kind of Alaskan chauvinism. She came to the state as an infant, making her practically a native. And she is eager to keep Alaska free from domination by oil companies or from reliance on cruise lines whose ships bring thousands of tourists to the state.

"She's as Alaskan as you can get," says Dan Fagan, an Anchorage radio talk show host. "She's a hockey mom, she lives on a lake, she ice fishes, she snowmobiles, she hunts, she's an NRA member, she has a float plane, and her husband works for BP on the North Slope," Fagan says. Todd Palin, her high school sweetheart, is a three-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks. It's the world's longest snowmobile race.

Gov. Palin grew up in Wasilla, where as star of her high school basketball team she got the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" for her fierce competitiveness. She led her underdog team to the state basketball championship. Palin also won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, in which she was named Miss Congeniality, and went on to compete in the Miss Alaska pageant.

At 32, she was elected mayor of Wasilla, a burgeoning bedroom community outside Anchorage. Though Alaskans tend to be ferociously anti-tax, she persuaded Wasilla voters to increase the local sales tax to pay for an indoor arena and convention center. The tax referendum won by 20 votes.

In 2002, Palin entered statewide politics, running for lieutenant governor. She finished a strong second in the Republican primary. That fall, she dutifully campaigned for Murkowski, who'd given up his Senate seat to run for governor. Afterwards, she turned down several job offers from Murkowski, finally accepting the oil and gas post. When she quit 11 months later, "that was her defining moment" in politics, says Fagan.

Her campaign for governor was bumpy. She missed enough campaign appearances to be tagged "No Show Sarah" by her opponents. She was criticized for being vague on issues. But she sold voters on the one product that mattered: herself.

Her Christian faith--Palin grew up attending nondenominational Bible churches--was a minor issue in the race. She told me her faith affects her politics this way: "I believe everything happens for a purpose. In my own personal life, if I dedicated back to my Creator what I'm trying to create for the good . . . everything will turn out fine." That same concept applies to her political career, she suggested.

The biggest issue in the campaign was the proposed natural gas pipeline from the North Slope that's crucial to the state's economy. Murkowski had made a deal with the three big oil companies--Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips--which own the gas reserves to build the pipeline. But the legislature turned it down and Palin promised to create competition for the pipeline contract.

She made three other promises: to end corruption in state government, cut spending, and provide accountability. She's now redeeming those promises.
Palin describes herself as "pro-business and pro-development." She doesn't want the oil companies to sit on their energy reserves or environmental groups to block development of the state's resources. "I get frustrated with folks from outside Alaska who come up and say you shouldn't develop your resources," she says. Alaska needs to be self-sufficient, she says, instead of relying heavily on "federal dollars," as the state does today.

Her first major achievement as governor was lopsided passage by the legislature of the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, which is designed to attract pipeline proposals this summer. The state is offering $500 million in incentives, but the developer must meet strict requirements. The oil companies have said they won't join the competition.

Palin's tough spending cuts drew criticism from Republican legislators whose pet projects were vetoed. But her popularity doesn't appear threatened. "It's not just that she's pretty and young," says Dittman. "She's really smart. And there's no guile. She says her favorite meal is moose stew or mooseburgers. It wouldn't shock people if that were true."

Fred Barnes is executive editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD.

McCain in the News

Fox News

As speculation grows around who John McCain will select as his vice presidential running mate next week, Republican National Committee officials said Tuesday that McCain is no longer considering former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge... Conservative commentator David Limbaugh went even further Tuesday, labeling a McCain-Ridge ticket “political suicide.” “If McCain picks a pro-abortionist, he will forfeit his moral authority and political advantage on the issue and might very well be conceding the election to Obama,” Limbaugh wrote.

Evidently cooler and wiser heads prevailed (and e-mails from the base) as McCain has backed off the thought of choosing a pro-abort VP

And...
Fox News

National polls show John McCain and Barack Obama on nearly even footing as they prepare to announce their running mates and attend their respective conventions in the next two weeks.... Surveys consistently show McCain holding Obama to a narrow lead since Obama returned from his high-profile trip abroad last month.

It appears that most Americans don't cotton to a presidential candidate "campaigning" in Europe. Add to that the fact that the emotional " messiah" mentality can not be maintained except by the most rabid Bush haters that make up the core base of "the messiah's" voters

And add to that, the facts that continue to expose Obama for what he is..a inexperienced empty suite controlled by his leftist owners and handlers.

However, Obama states, "I don't intend to lose" so hang on to your seats as this campaign is about to become real ugly with the ugliness coming from the left as it struggles to prop up its candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, aka,"the messiah" aka Barry Soeroto

12:00
Just in...

Reuters/Zogby Poll: McCain Makes a Move, Takes 5-Point Lead Over Obama

Obama loses ground among Dems, women, Catholics & even younger voters http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1541

McCain leads Obama by a 46% to 41% margin.

And McCain not only enjoys a five-point edge in a two-way race against Obama, but also in a four-way contest including liberal independent candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian Bob Barr, the poll reveals. In the four-way contest, McCain wins 44% support, Obama 39%, Barr 3% and Nader 2%.

This latest Reuters/Zogby poll is a dramatic reversal from the identical survey taken last month – in the July 9-13 Reuters/Zogby survey, Obama led McCain, 47% to 40%. In the four-way race last month, Obama held a 10-point lead over McCain.

McCain Says He’d Consider Pro-Choice VP

Cross posted on RightMichigan

FOX NEWS

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Wednesday floated the prospect of picking a running mate who supports abortion rights and cited former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge as someone worth considering.

I think that the pro-life position is one of the important aspects or fundamentals of the Republican Party,” McCain said in an interview with The Weekly Standard.

“And also I feel that — and I’m not trying to equivocate here — that Americans want us to work together,” McCain added...

Ridge, McCain told the magazine, would be more palatable to social conservatives who make up the base of the Republican Party.

“I think it’s a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice,” McCain said....

I think someone needs to buy McCain a clue. Social conservatives are the party base? Those are called Libertarians, Senator

Evangelical Christians and conservatives are your party base. President Bush could not have won in 2000 without them and you certainly can't today!

Furthermore, your "hands across the aisle" stance will continue to alienate from your base who don't want kumbya with liberals but the triumph of conservative ideals and polices over liberalism!

Good Grief!

Tell John McCain Not to Get Suckered into Liberal Propaganda on Global Warming

CLICK ON LINK TO SIGN THE PETITION


When it comes to perpetrating the MYTH of Global Warming, former Vice President Al Gore may be dispensing the Kool-Aid, but Senator John McCain is certainly swallowing it. The Left is using the MYTH of Global Warming as an excuse to raise taxes on American families, bash business, expand government regulation and revive their discredited socialist ideology.

And John McCain -- a man we respect and honor -- has been falling for it.
This is what The Wall Street Journal says about McCain's stance:
"This is one of those issues where Mr. McCain indulges his 'maverick' tendencies, which usually means taking the liberal line. That was the case yesterday... His plan... requires an expensive, invasive government bureaucracy to interfere with the market."

More on the phoney man-made global warming and other enivromental wackos here
GreenWatch


Americans for Prosperity Crashes Al Gore's Speech