Clinton Campaign Underestimated Sanders Strengths; Watch for the Big Leftward Shift

NY Times

. . . "According to Democrats close to the Clintons and involved with her campaign, Mrs. Clinton and the former president are also unnerved by the possibility that Mr. Sanders will foment a large wave of first­time voters and liberals that will derail her in Iowa, not unlike Barack Obama’s success in 2008, which consigned Mrs. Clinton to a third­place finish. They have asked her advisers about the strength of the campaign’s data modeling and turnout assumptions in Iowa, given that her 2008 campaign’s predictions were so inaccurate." . . .

QUESTION: Will We Really Have A New President In 2016?

. . . " In Obama’s mind, who would be best to carry on his legacy?  Barack Obama, of course.

"Think this can’t happen?  On March 16, 2012, Obama signed The National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order.  In times of national emergency, this order gives the president practically unlimited power over we the people and our property.  And the president essentially decides what constitutes a national emergency.

The White House stated that the purpose of the executive order is to delegate authority and address national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950.  Sounds reasonable enough, but there are very astute analysts that believe this gives the president unilateral authority to declare a national emergency, suspend elections, and seize control of every aspect of our society." . . .

Women in combat units: Iran’s Capture Of A Female American Sailor Reveals Feminism’s Foolish Double Standard…

Weasel Zippers

"Feminists avoid reality at all costs.

"Via NRO:

As cable news chewed over Iran’s capture of ten American sailors in the Persian Gulf just hours before President Obama’s final State of the Union address on Tuesday night, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews pointedly observed that one of the captured Americans was female.

Now, perhaps Matthews was just being comprehensive in his reporting. But the all but unmistakable implication of this detail was: The situation was all the more urgent.

Now why should that be so? Feminists declare that men and women are equal in all respects. They petulantly decry any atavistic male courtesy towards females as a relic of a still oppressive patriarchal culture. According to that absolutist equality principle, it should be of no greater concern if a female soldier falls into enemy hands, including those of Islamic terrorists, than if a male does.

As the Pentagon moves inexorably to put females into combat units, let’s hope for the sake of our military capabilities that this abstract ideology holds firm. But it almost surely won’t. The enemy capture of female soldiers during a hot war will in fact provoke even greater than usual political pressure to quickly rescue them, if necessary overriding sounder but more time-consuming strategies. The prospect of a female soldier being raped by her captors or, say, “merely” being beheaded will sideline all other military considerations. If two platoons are captured, the one with females in it will undoubtedly take precedence in any rescue effort, thus jeopardizing unit morale and cohesiveness.

The Obama Pentagon’s Disastrous Decision on Women in Combat

. . . "A public and political class largely insulated from the realities of ground combat has become ignorant of its excruciating and unforgiving physical demands. Prolonged infantry operations — including operations common in the War on Terror — place immense strains on the mind and body. Unit cohesion is critical, and physical breakdowns can be costly both to combat power and to unit morale." . . .

"Moreover, given how beholden the administration is to the Left, there is no reason to believe that it will hold firm on physical standards if few women prove capable of joining and — crucially — thriving in the infantry environment. Experience with less demanding jobs in law enforcement and firefighting shows that the legal and political pressure to lower standards will be immense. Under the best of circumstances, combat effectiveness will be degraded."

Kurdish fighter Rehanna

 Obama’s Military Ignores the Facts in Its Eagerness to Put Women in Combat   . . . "It appears that the Army may have fixed its Ranger school to guarantee that at least some women would succeed. Reporter Susan Keating spoke to a number of sources who recalled a general declaring, “A woman will graduate Ranger school.” This bald admission allegedly “shocked” his subordinates and created a “ripple effect” that led to women receiving multiple forms of assistance not available to men." . . .
This Kurdish woman soldier will not be returning home to her family.

The Terrorists Freed by Obama

"In a quest to burnish his record by fulfilling a campaign promise to close Guantanamo, President Obama is courting a dangerous legacy."

By STEPHEN F. HAYES and THOMAS JOSCELYN

Mr. Hayes is a senior writer for the Weekly Standard. Mr. Joscelyn is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"Ghana’s government portrayed the deal as an act of “humanitarian assistance,” likening the Yemeni men to nonthreatening refugees from Rwanda and Syria, noting that they “were detained in Guantanamo but have been cleared of any involvement in terrorist activities, and are being released.”

"That description isn’t true for either of the men. Mr. Atef, in particular, is a cause for concern. Long before his transfer, the intelligence analysts at Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) assessed him as a “high risk” and “likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies.” . . .  It is easy to understand the analysts’ worry about Mr. Atef. He was, they said, “a fighter in Usama bin Laden’s former 55th Arab Brigade and is an admitted member of the Taliban.” He trained at al Farouq, the infamous al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan, “participated in hostilities against US and Coalition forces, and continues to demonstrate his support of UBL and extremism.”

"Most ominously, the report warns that he “has threatened to kill US citizens on multiple occasions including a specific threat to cut their throats upon release.' ” . . .

. . . • Guantanamo is not a “recruitment brochure” for jihadists.

"We reviewed more than 200 videos produced by Islamic State and al Qaeda since 2014 and failed to find a single one that focused on Guantanamo. " . . ."If anything, Inspire highlights the dangers of Mr. Obama’s policy. Guantanamo has held far more terrorists than it ever created." . . .

 Special Report video with Bret Baier and Steve Hayes

LIES OF GUANTANAMO

"According to Obama, Guantanamo is a recruiting tool for terrorists. However, Obama is more of a recruiting tool than Guantanamo."

Paul Shanklin

Power Line

"In the Age of Obama, we are living by lies. Prevarication seems to be the operative principle. President Obama’s declared goal of emptying our detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is supported by many lies, including one he reiterated during his State of the Union remarks earlier this week. According to Obama, Guantanamo is a recruiting tool for terrorists. However, Obama is more of a recruiting tool than Guantanamo. Senator Tom Cotton refutes this and other Guantanamo related lies in this FOX News column.

"Today’s Wall Street Journal delivers the column of the day, by Steve Hayes and Tom Joscelyn: “The terrorists freed by Obama”* (accessible here via Google, I hope). Subhead: “The president has misled the American people about the detainees released from Guantanamo: Dozens are jihadists ready to kill.” The devil is in the details and the details are devastating."

*The Terrorists Freed by Obama

So who’s going to watch Sunday Dem Debate instead of NFL Playoffs?

Legal Insurrection
The Democrat pattern: 1. moderator question; 2. quick blow-off 3. three minutes of canned Democrat talking points. Repeat, repeat, repeat.  TD

"This tactic of hiding their debates is fooling no one.

"A new editorial from the Las Vegas Review-Journal addresses the issue:

Democrats hide presidential candidates in weekend debates

While the Republicans have debates scheduled for the Saturday nights before the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries — when big audiences are expected — their six debates to this point (out of 12) have been held during viewer-friendly weeknight time slots.

The Democrats, on the other hand, have scheduled only four debates. While the first one in October was on a Tuesday, the last two have taken place on Saturday nights when far fewer people have been watching. The November debate drew roughly a third of the viewers of the first Republican debate, and the only December debate took place on December 19, smack-dab in the middle of holiday shopping season and (even worse) the opening weekend for the latest “Star Wars” film.

. . . 

Even left-leaning publications such as The Nation have pointed out that the DNC’s poor strategy has kept its candidates out of the limelight, and says the party “needs to schedule more debates on more nights when more Americans are watching.”

That won’t happen in time for the next Democratic debate, in Charleston, S.C., on Sunday night. That day features two NFL playoff games and is a full month before the South Carolina primaries.

"In their effort to shield Hillary Clinton from further public scrutiny, the Democratic Party is sending a loud message to the American people.

"They have something to hide."

Warren Buffet and Keystone: Friend or Foe?

Buffett and Shultz, allies of Obama and Steyer, endorse Keystone pipeline  . . . "Buffett, a close ally of President Obama said during a CNBC interview Monday he thought the controversial project was a "good idea for the country.' " . . .

Warren Buffett Profits Hugely from Obama Keystone Decision  . . . . . . "With the permit denied, the only option left to transport the oil is via railroad. One of the key railroads which will be running this oil is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, a railroad which Buffett acquired in 2009. As Krista York-Wooley, a spokeswoman for BNSF, put it, if Keystone XL “doesn’t happen, we’re here to haul.' ”

Warren Buffett Is Still Bullish On Rail--And Keystone  MAR 3, 2014. . . "BNSF has ramped up its operations there dramatically, now moving 600,000 barrels of oil per day (once refined, that’s enough to fill the gas tanks of 1.35 million cars), more than ten times the amount moved in 2010.

"Rail has emerged as an alternative to pipelines, offering a faster means of shipping crude–though perhaps more risky, as a recent spate of oil car accidents has shown.

"Despite his stake in the railroad business, Buffett still expressed support for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline." 

“ 'I think probably the Keystone Pipeline is a good idea from the country,” he posited. As to if and when it would be completed, his answer was less definitive: “I have no idea.”

"Buffett’s BNSF, along with rival Union Pacific and others, stand to profit either way. Even if plans for the pipeline go ahead, locomotives will be needed to lug out much of the raw material needed for its construction; Buffett says Keystone is “not that big a competitor.' ” . . .

This can't work out well (UPDATED)

This Happened In America: American Muslims Stone Christians in Dearborn, MI   
But I do fear these "Christians" were not all like the gentle sheep Christ calls us to be, but contentious and angry. I hate to see taunting done in the name of Christ. TD

"If this extremely disturbing video does not result in a Federal investigation into the human rights violations of those Christians physically attacked at the 2012 Dearborn Arab Festival then we are watching the beginning of a new America, a MUSLIM AMERICA. "In this new America, a MUSLIM AMERICA, shariah-compliant Muslims have succeeded in striking fear into the hearts of the infidels. In the case of the Dearborn Arab Festival, you will see that the infidels are NOT the few, brave Christians who withstood the physical attacks by the blood-thirsty Muslims, but the fearful are those who have taken an oath to protect Americans. The fearful, are the Dearborn Sheriff and Police. Sadly, you will see the Police fearful of confronting the criminals and enforcing the law as they stand by watching "Muslims Gone Wild," attack the helpless Christians." . . .

German Gangs Are Beating Up Immigrants After Syrian Refugees Sexually Assault Germany’s Women

"Days after the sexual assaults on German women in Cologne city came to light, local gangs are uniting in a “manhunt” of foreigners.  And just this weekend, two Pakistanis and a Syrian man were injured in attacks by gangs of people in Cologne, German police said. On New Year’s Eve, Cologne was the scene of dozens of assaults on women, a number that has grown into hundreds as more and women have come forward to register complaints." . . .

UPDATE: The Crisis Of Our Time

. . . "I admire the attempts by disarmed Europeans to fight back against the “refugees” in Germany and elsewhere. But I think their attention is misplaced by only going into the streets. A much more effective tactic would be to target the traitors among their own political ruling class. They need to be taught that treason bears a high price." . . .

Al Roker Learns How Muslims Feel About Black People

Debbie Schlussel

. . . "Back in November, when Al Roker said he and his son were refused service by a New York City cabbie–who passed them by and picked up a White customer instead–I pointed out that Al Roker was now officially learning all about Islam . . . and that he must be tolerant of the “Religion of Peace” and stop whining. After all, we know who the cabbies in New York (and many other places throughout America) are: Muslims." . . .

Rahman

"But I was attacked by a ton of people who e-mailed, etc. and said that I was “assuming” and other BS. Uh-huh. Sure, I was. That’s why it’s now come out that the cabbie who wouldn’t serve Al Roker because of his race is named Mahabur Rahman (average Southern White Protestant name, right?)." . . .

Mahabur Rahman, New York taxi driver accused of refusing Al Roker is fined

The High Cost of a Bad Reputation

"Life lessons that Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz should have learned decades ago."

WSJ  . . . "For Mr. Cruz the lesson hit home with the damage, however small or significant, caused by Mr. Trump’s putting forward the issue of Mr. Cruz’s constitutional eligibility, due to birth in Canada, for the presidency. Mr. Trump was particularly devilish: He didn’t insist Mr. Cruz was ineligible but simply said, with an air of mock concern, that a President Cruz could bog the country down in years of court challenges. This was primo Doubt-Casting, aimed at giving potential Cruz supporters reservations.

 "As for Mrs. Clinton, she has clearly been rattled by Mr. Trump’s merciless resurrection of her alleged complicity in the sometimes brutal handling of women involved in her husband’s dramas. This reminds everyone of—and introduces young voters, who were children during the Gennifer Flowers through Monica Lewinskystories to—the whole sordid underside of Clintonism. Mrs. Clinton clearly wasn’t expecting it, and she bobbled. She has never gone up against a competitor like Mr. Trump." . . .

After 23 years at the highest levels of public life, Mrs. Clinton has become encrusted by scandal, from her part in her husband’s dramas straight through to Benghazi, the Clinton Foundation and the emails, in connection with which she may be indicted. She brings scandal with her, always has. I would be surprised if many people were not thinking: “Do we really want to go back to all that again, knowing it never ends, knowing there will be another scandal, that all we have to do is wait?”

 

Walmart To Close 100s Of Stores…

Weasel Zippers

"Liberals finally got their wish. Now thousands of people don’t have jobs."

"Via AP:

Wal-Mart is closing 269 stores, more than half of them in the U.S. and another big chunk in its challenging Brazilian market.

The stores being shuttered account for a fraction of the company’s 11,000 stores worldwide and less than 1 percent of its global revenue.

More than 95 percent of the stores set to be closed in the U.S. are within 10 miles of another Wal-Mart. The Bentonville, Arkansas, company said it is working to ensure that workers are placed in nearby locations.

The store closures will start at the end of the month.

Read more

Is Your Wal-Mart Closing?   "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is closing 154 locations across the U.S. at the end of the month as part of a broader restructuring. Most are smaller Wal-Mart Express locations, but it’s also closing some Supercenters and Sam’s Club stores. See if your local Wal-Mart is on the list:" . . .

Charles Krauthammer: The state of the Obama presidency is spent

comicallyincorrect

WaPo, via the Wisconsin State Journal  "President Obama’s Tuesday night address to Congress was less about the state of the union than the state of the presidency. And the state of this presidency is spent.

"The signs of intellectual exhaustion were everywhere. Consider just three. After taking credit for success in Syria, raising American stature abroad and prevailing against the Islamic State — one claim more surreal than the next — Obama was forced to repair to his most well-worn talking point: “If you doubt America’s commitment — or mine — to see that justice is done, just ask Osama bin Laden.”

"Really? Five years later, that’s all you’ve got?

"Indeed, it is. What else can Obama say? Talk about Crimea? Cite Yemen, Libya, Iraq, the South China Sea, the Taliban’s return?" . . .

America's mother-daughter team: Hillary and Chelsea. Horrifying update.

Oh, before we begin, let's set the stage: Dem Panic: Hillary’s Catastrophic Collapse In One Chart  More at the link.

Now back to the Clinton team:

Hillary campaign throws Chelsea under the bus  "Chelsea Clinton’s debut as a campaign attack dog was disastrous.  As disastrous as her mother’s attempted quip about wiping a server “with a cloth.”  As disastrous as her stint as an overpaid NBC correspondent.  It was so bad that her mother’s campaign is distancing itself from her comments."
. . . 

"In response, the campaign is disclaiming any responsibility for Chelsea’s blunder:

Asked if she would continue to attack Sanders and whether she’s suited for the role, [campaign spokesman Brian] Fallon called Chelsea Clinton “policy-obsessed” and said the attack lines had not been planned.

Hillary Was Interviewed on Lifetime and It Was the Worst Thing Ever

. . . "Last night, Hillary Clinton was interviewed on a Lifetime show called “The Conversation” by host Amanda de Cadenent and a bunch of “YouTube stars,” and I must admit that it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. 

"It was much, much worse."

Earlier this week, Politico touted the interview as something that would be “showing off a softer side” of Mrs. Clinton. In other words: It would be her campaign’s 9 billionth attempt at humanizing her, an attempt to get voters excited about Hillary the Gal and not just Hillary the Candidate.

. . . 

"In any case, the quote was far from the only thing that had de Cadenet freaking out as if she had just had her first kiss with the most popular guy in school. At one point, she was so unable to contain her excitement that she suddenly burst out “I could sit and talk to you for so long!” to which Hillary replied “This Is So Much Fun!”

. . . 

"Whoa! The little boys she grew up with wanted to play with other little boys instead of girls when they were children? How traumatic – and to think that she probably grew up believing that this devastating experience was a normal one! 

"Oh wait. It is."

 

UPDATE from WaPo: The case for Jerry Brown to run for president  Maybe we should root for Hillary to be the Dem candidate after all.

"Amid the breathless speculation as to whether Vice President Biden will get into the Democratic presidential race -- and, if not Biden, then who else? -- there's one name that's consistently overlooked: Jerry Brown."

Hat tip to Harley Standlee, Placerville, CA