Michelle Bachmann Speaker Of The House? You Bet’Cha!

As usual, our friends at HillBuzz have hit on a provocative idea.

If you're not a regular reader of HillBuzz you are missing out on some great reading. I discovered this group during the 2008 election cycle. The guys over there a lifelong democrats who got really fed up with the direction the party has gone. As the site’s name implies, they are huge supporters of Hillary Clinton, but let me tell you, you won’t find any stronger a group of Sarah Palin supporters out there.

I enjoy HillBuzz because they bring an entirely new perspective to the debate, a while different line of critical thinking. Classify the group any way you wish, but they certainly understand Conservative principles and values, and articulate them in they own unique style.

Anyhow, they have a very interesting idea here that many on our side would not have thought of: Michelle Bachmann as Speaker of the House. Now if you are a strong Conservative, you’re a fan of Micelle Bachmann. Like Sarah Palin, Bachmann is a tough, strong woman. Bachmann is absolutely fearless in her position as a Congresswoman. She has zero reservations when it comes to standing up for the Constitution, and taking on those who would run afoul of it’s intent.

Here’s what HillBuzz has to say:

Today we had an interesting breakfast at Nookie’s Tree (pumpkin pancakes, yo) with a friend of ours deeply involved in local Democrat politics here in Illinois. He’s a firm backer of Governor Quinn, and wants Hoffman to win the Dems’ Senate nomination (and is working hard behind the scenes to take corrupt mob banker Alexi Giannoulias down before he can win the Dem primary next year). Because of our support of McCain/Palin and the other stances we’ve taken since the takeover of the Democrat Party and its occupation by Utopian radicals, we’ve had little contact with this friend because the lot of us here have become "toxic" in Dem circles in Chicago. That’s fine with us, honestly, because we can’t in good faith work for a party that behaves the way it does, and treats women and gays the way it so enjoys doing.

But, our friend is a great conversationalist, and enjoys scrying into the future as much as we do. He believes Democrats will hold the Senate in next year’s midterms, but that Harry Reid will be defeated, by Sue Lowden most likely, and Dick Durbin will be installed as the new Senate Majority Leader (which will be a Christmas present to Republicans, since Durbin is a truly stupid and bumbling man, worse than Reid if that is even humanly possible).

He also thinks Democrats will indeed lose the House, as he’s hearing of more House members deciding not to seek re-election, knowing their votes on Utopicare will doom their careers. They have all been promised highly lucrative post-government jobs by Nancy Pelosi, however, so many of these Dems are willing to take the bullets for Utopiacare so that they can make millions in the coming years by working as "consultants" and then lobbyists, with Pelosi and the DNC’s employment agency placing them into golden parachutes (more like golden showers, if you ask us. Google it.).

What’s unclear to us is who the GOP has lined up to take Pelosi’s place if they get control of Congress.

Someone like Michelle Bachmann would be incredible, but our friend insists she’s not even on the long list, let alone the short list for the job. "Remember, Republicans are all about "whose turn it is" and "who has been waiting longest for the job". There is no sense of timeliness with them, and never any consideration for who would be best to lead the party. They just get in a line and years later it’s their turn to be the nominee or the Speaker or whatever. That’s how Republicans do things, and that’s why they are so beatable usually".

Every day, we want to know more and more about Michelle Bachmann because, like Sarah Palin, we are witnessing someone at the start of her national career who will be around for a very long time, with the potential to change American politics as we know it.

The Tea Parties could install Bachmann as Speaker, we believe, if the Tea Party Movement itself grows, buckles down, and becomes a larger force to be reckoned with going into 2010.

Palin herself could help deliver Bachmann unto the Speaker’s chair, if the candidate Palin campaigns for next year mostly win, and the next Congressional majority owes a lot to Palin. It appears Palin and Bachmann are friendly, if not already allies. Palin would be well-served with one of her own as Speaker. That could help Palin’s groundgame in 2012 immensely.

Speaker Boehner seems to be the way Republicans would go, because he looks like he’s next in line, but he’d be such a bad choice in our opinion. He’s not bold enough, not gutsy enough, and not memorable enough.

Whoever replaces Nancy Pelosi needs to be a firecracker. We also think the GOP needs to put a woman in that Speaker’s chair. Because of the misogyny the Democrats have wallowed in for the last two years, many women are open to voting Republican for the first time in their lives. Republicans, thus, have the once-in-our-lifetime chance to be seen as "the party for women". Some of you might not like identity politics, but a great deal of independents sure do.

Independents decide elections…and many former Democrats are now independents who would like to see a woman succeed Pelosi.

Bachmann would make a dynamic, relevant, and capable Speaker, in our opinion.

A firecracker like that tossed into the top spot in the House would light a fuse that could blow Dr. Utopia from office in 2012, taking the rest of the Liberals in Congress with him.

What are your thoughts on Speaker Bachmann? Could it happen? Should it happen?

What happens if it happens?

Obviously, I have to echo their questions to the reader. Could it happen? Should it happen? And, what happens if it happens!

Sean Hannity calls Michelle Bachmann the "second most hated Conservative woman in America," a title she seems to relish. (We ALL know who the most hated Conservative is!)

Michelle will be a featured speaker at the first annual National Tea Party Convention. Sarah Palin, of course, is the Special Keynote Speaker at this event.

I’m not sure just how well Sarah and Michelle know each other, but the folks over at HillBuzz are certainly on to something with this idea. People already mention a Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachmann ticket for 2012 often. If you spend any amount of time on Conservative websites, you’ll see this mentioned constantly. I think what HillBuzz is saying though makes a lot of sense, and would certainly be beneficial to Sarah Palin, and a Palin presidency.

Look, I like John Boehner. I also like my own Congressman, John Carter, he’s a great Conservative leader. But the idea of someone bold like Michelle Bachmann as Speaker of the House is fascinating. And bold leadership is what we need right now. Ronald Reagan used to caution against the temptation to "paint in pale pastels." Reagan always championed "painting with bold colors." What Reagan meant was we need bold leadership, bold leaders who will strive to do great things.

Sarah Palin is obviously someone who fits the bill, but what of Michelle Bachmann? I think one has to look no farther than the dressing down she gave Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to see she is all business:







Here Michelle gives an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she takes to task our new "total gangster government."







Look, I have been one of those who has been on the Palin/Bachmann for 2012 bandwagon. I think it would be a superb ticket. You have two strong, bold women. Both mothers who are raising a large family.

Michelle, like Sarah has 5 children, and has also been a foster parent to 23 other children. Personally, I think motherhood has given both of these great women a perspective the "good old boys" will never have on things. And I say this as a typical, old fashioned "good old boy."

Here’s where it makes sense to have Michelle Bachmann as Speaker, rather than Vice President to Sarah Palin. If Sarah runs, and I know all of us will do everything in our power to encourage her to, she is going to want to bring sweeping changes to government.

We all know her philosophy. We all know she wants to shrink government, cut waste, and usher in great reforms. Sarah will also have a strong domestic energy agenda, as well as an economic growth agenda, and a very aggressive national security agenda. Michelle Bachmann would be a strong ally. She could easily help Sarah’s agenda, which is America’s agenda.

Having a strong, bold leader like Michelle Bachmann as Speaker of the House would be of great benefit to a President Sarah Palin, and of great benefit to the nation. Our next Congress and next President are facing the herculean task of dismantling the failed democrat/communist quagmire that has been created by allowing "progressives" to have a foothold in government. Budgets will have to be slashed, certain programs eliminated.

We need a bold energy policy, one that actually creates energy, and makes America independent from the whims of other nations. We also must retake our rightful roles and responsibilities as the world’s only superpower.

Both Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann get it. They both know what lies ahead. Most Conservatives think these two would make a great team, and now, thanks to our friends at HillBuzz, we see just how that team might look!

Sarah Palin To Headline First National Tea Party Convention

Tea Party Nation has announced they are holding the first of it’s kind National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee February 4-6 at the Opryland Hotel.

Sarah Palin will be the Special Keynote Speaker at the event:

Tea Party Nation is pleased to announce the First National Tea Party Convention. The convention is aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement leaders together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' multiple organizations principle goals. This event will be co-sponsored by other national groups that believe in a responsible and limited federal government that is responsive to all the people. National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Smart Girl Politics, and SurgeUSA are just a few of the organizations who will be on hand to contribute their time and talents to this convention.

Special Keynote Speaker for the event will be Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee.

The convention will feature well-known speakers, workshops, seminars, information centers, and organizational tools for leaders to take back to their respective local Tea Party organizations.

Popular Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann will be one of the breakfast speakers at the convention as well.





Tea Party Nation, according to their website, is "a user-driven group of like-minded people who desire our God given Individual Freedoms which were written out by the Founding Fathers. We believe in Limited Government, Free Speech, the 2nd Amendment, our Military, Secure Borders and our Country!"

This is obviously a major step for the nation. The Tea Party movement has been gaining steam since it’s beginnings, and is now turning into a serious political movement. On September 12, 2009 Tea Party members along with those from the 912 Project converged on Washington, D.C. Somewhere between 1.5 and 2 million patriots met up to rally against our radical, out of control government.

This national convention is the next logical step in the progression of this movement. This will strengthen the movement, and help coordinate all of the local Tea Party groups.

From Sarah Palin’s standpoint, this is obviously a good move. No one embodies the American Spirit, that rugged individualism, as well as Sarah Palin. Sarah is already favorite of Tea Party and 912 Project members, this will only solidify her standing. As we roll into 2010, and Sarah starts helping Conservative candidates nationwide, the support of Tea Party activists will be vital. The Tea Party groups will be the ones who will help run the ground game, who will knock doors and get out the vote.

Of course, as 2012 nears, having the support of the Tea Party groups will give Sarah a strong advantage over all others should she choose to run for President.

For more information on the National Tea Party Convention and Tea Party Nation, check here and here, respectively.

Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue is an Enjoyable, Insightful, and Engaging Read.

by Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts 

My copy of Governor Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue: An American Life came a week ago.  I’m typically not a fan of autobiographies or political memoirs.  When I go into a bookstore that type of book isn’t what I usually leave with.  So this book purchase was solely due to my being a supporter of the Governor’s.

I found Going Rogue to be an enjoyable, insightful and engaging read.  Palin gives readers a peak into her life, her record, her priorities and her policies “unfiltered.”  You also get a sense of her heart to serve.  She recounted a friend saying to her that in politics, “you either eat well or you sleep well.”  She chose the later which led to making tough choices that were not necessarily comfortable or easy, but were made in the best interest of her state.  Those decisions ranged from challenging corruption to her decision to resign as Governor.

One of of the things I was struck by was her sense of humor.  Such as in her description of when her first child, Track’s birth (talking about Labor and how her family took her to the hospital entrance that said “Deliveries”) to watching Vice President Joe Biden’s pre-debate stretching.  Also, while she has certainly lived an extraordinary life, you do see how mainstream her life really was from her childhood to even as a Vice Presidential candidate (changing her son’s diaper right before the VP debate).

Also you can see throughout her book the role her faith in Christ plays in her life.  Describing at an early age when she placed her faith in Christ at a Bible Camp, attending Wasilla Assembly of God, her involvement in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, her Bible study habits growing up,  how she relied on Him through two miscarriages, learning that Trig had Down Syndrome, pointing out God’s providence throughout her life (in good and bad), and readers get a glimpse of her prayer life.  At the end of her acknowledgements she encourages readers to do what she did when she was a kid.

And I do know there is a God.  My life is in His hands.  I encourage readers to do what I did many years ago, invite Him in to take over… then see what He will do and how He will get you through.  Test Him on this.

This book isn’t a tell-all.  She doesn’t seek to name names or “get even.”  She does try to set the record straight in several instances – like “Troopergate,” accusations about her being a diva & the $150,000 wardrobe.  As much as the interviews she gave would make you think she talked a lot about the Katie Couric interview, she really doesn’t give it that much space.  She was highly complementary of her “B Team,” those assigned to the VP end of the ticket.  Her critiques with the campaign mainly dealt with 1. her being kept from the press, especially the Alaska press.  2. Being overly scripted.  3. Leaks/rumors from within the campaign.

She was also disappointed on how the political environment changed when getting back to Alaska.  The ethics reform act for the executive branch was something that was lauded by the Palin administration.  There were real ethics breeches.  There were people from the prior administration who were fined, and others who were on their way to prison.  You get a sense of how ludicrous the misuse of the ethics act and FOIA requests became.  Throughout the campaign and afterwards Palin also expresses her disappointment with the press who would often commit the “sin of omission.”

Going Rogue isn’t a policy book per se, as that wasn’t the sole purpose of the book, I disagree with those who say the book is policy light.  You could see Governor Palin’s principles & priorities woven throughout the book as her belief in free market principles, small government, sanctity of life, and hard work were instilled from an early age.  They were further developed throughout her life, and fleshed out in policies that she implemented as a member of Wasilla’s city council, as Wasilla’s mayor, an oil and gas regulator, and then as Governor of the State of Alaska. 

You also see a common theme in her service as an executive.  Cut spending, lower taxes, and put government on the side of the people instead of in their way.  She accomplished much in the 2 1/2 years she served as Governor from ethics reform, budget cuts (before the recession when they didn’t have to), gasline development, forcing Big Oil to honor their leases to they would develop, restructuring taxes for oil and gas companies in order to encourage development and exploration, as well as, increased value to resource royalties that Alaskans received.

In the last chapter of the book she engages the theme of common sense conservatism, she describes it this way:

At it’s most basic level, conservatism is a respect for history and tradition, including traditional moral principles.  I do not believe I am more moral, certainly no better, than anyone else, and conservatives who act “holier than thou” turn my stomach.  So do some elite liberals.  But I do believe in a few timeless and unchanging truths, and chief among those is that man is fallen.  This world is not perfect, and politicians will never make it so.  This, above all, is what informs my pragmatic approach to politics.

I am conservative because I deal with the world as it is – complicated and beautiful, tragic and hopeful.  I am a conservative because I believe in the rights and the responsibilities and the inherent dignity of the individual….

…Conservatives believe in the “constrained” political vision because we know that human nature is flawed and that there are limitations to what can be done in Washington to “fix” society’s problems.

Commonsense Conservatives deal with human nature as it is – with its unavoidable weaknesses and its potential for goodness.  We see the world as it is – imperfect but filled with beauty.  We hope for the best.  We believe people can change for the better, but we do not ignore history’s lessons and waste time chasing utopian pipe dreams, (pg. 385-386).

She harkens back to Ronald Reagan as a model we should look at as we proceed further – fiscal discipline, small government, strong national defense, traditional values, and energy independence.  Things that she doesn’t just talk about, but has also lived out.

My respect for Governor Palin has been deepened as a result of reading this book, and I think that those who are undecided about her will come away with a positive opinion after reading this book.  You will certainly finish the book being challenged and inspired “stand up and fight” for commonsense conservatism (unless you’re a liberal).  I highly, highly recommend Going Rogue: An American Life.

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He loves connecting with other Palin supporters so feel free to follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.

Pictures of Governor Palin at Red Cross Turkey Trot

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

On Thanksgiving Day, after a week-long grueling Going Rogue book tour schedule, no one would have faulted Governor Palin for hiding out or sleeping all day. In fact, some of us would have liked for her to do just that so she could just recuperate and build up some strength for the next leg of the tour, which begins Sunday in Richland, WA. The governor, however, participated yesterday morning in the Red Cross Turkey Trot in Washington, where she is spending the next few days with family.

Here are some pictures (H/T Kenton).