The Unengaged President

Mark Steyn - National Review - speaking about President Barack Obama

He doesn’t seem to know, and he doesn’t seem to care that he doesn’t know, and he doesn’t seem to care that he doesn’t care. “It can seem that at the heart of Barack Obama’s foreign policy is no heart at all,” wrote Richard Cohen in the Washington Post last week. “For instance, it’s not clear that Obama is appalled by China’s appalling human rights record. He seems hardly stirred about continued repression in Russia. . . . The president seems to stand foursquare for nothing much.

“This, of course, is the Obama enigma: Who is this guy? What are his core beliefs?”

Gee, if only your newspaper had thought to ask those fascinating questions oh, say, a month before the Iowa caucuses.

To return to Cohen’s question: “Who is this guy? What are his core beliefs?” Well, he’s a guy who was wafted ever upward from the Harvard Law Review to state legislator to United States senator without ever lingering long enough to accomplish anything. “Who is this guy?” Well, when a guy becomes a credible presidential candidate by his mid-forties with no accomplishments other than a couple of memoirs, he evidently has an extraordinary talent for self-promotion, if nothing else. “What are his core beliefs?” It would seem likely that his core belief is in himself. It’s the “nothing else” that the likes of Cohen are belatedly noticing.

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2010 Washington State Republican Party Platform

WAGOP — June 22, 2010 — The 2010 WSRP Platform read by committee members who helped draft it.

Confidence Waning in Obama, U.S. Outlook

Wall Street Journal
By PETER WALLSTEN And ELIZA GRAY

Americans are more pessimistic about the state of the country and less confident in President Barack Obama's leadership than at any point since Mr. Obama entered the White House, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The survey also shows grave and growing concerns about the Gulf oil spill, with overwhelming majorities of adults favoring stronger regulation of the oil industry and believing that the spill will affect the nation's economy and environment.

Click here to read more.

Whatcom Republicans energized about upcoming elections

Very good media day for Whatcom Republicans

MICHELLE NOLAN / FOR THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Luanne Van Werven, the chair of Whatcom Republicans, said she's "excited and gratified to see how energized we've become."

About the organization: "The Republican Party is for citizens who care about limited government, lower taxes and individual rights," Van Werven said. "Our members obviously don't agree on all issues, but we don't have to.

"There's no litmus test; not everybody has to be pro-life, for example," she said. "What's important is that we agree on the fundamentals."

A lifelong resident of Whatcom County and a graduate of Lynden Christian High School, Van Werven served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2008 in Minneapolis.

"Interest in our local party organization ... has grown so much in the past year that we've had to move to a larger meeting space," she said. "I am so happy to see our phones ringing off the hook, and so many people coming in to our headquarters asking to support our Republican candidates for the upcoming elections."

Major events: The annual Lincoln Day Dinner in February is a major fundraiser, live and silent auctions.

"Rob McKenna (state attorney general) gave a barnburner of speech," Van Werven said.

This year's celebration was held for the first time at the Ferndale Events Center. Next year's dinner will be held Feb. 26.

Another major event, the annual GOP summer picnic, will be held July 17 at state Rep. Doug Ericksen's home in Ferndale.

Why she joined: Van Werven became a precinct committee officer about six years ago, although she had always been involved in Republican politics while working on campaigns and initiatives.

"My uncle and grandfather definitely inspired me to a life of civic involvement," she said. "I feel Republicans have the best solutions."

Member stories: "Kathy Kershner decided to step out and run for County council and won," Van Werven said. "She has a servant's heart."

Vince Buys, 31, is an "up and coming precinct committee officer in the Everson area," Van Werven said.

Even before the earthquake in Haiti, Buys had made six trips there to help dig wells for impoverished communities.

"He's planning a seventh trip this November," Van Werven said, "and plans to run for state representative in the 42nd District."

CLUB AT A GLANCE

Name: Whatcom Republicans.

Purpose: Support and elect Republican candidates.

Meets: 10 a.m., second Saturday of the month, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, 1650 Baker Creek Place.

Number of members: 83 precinct committee officers; about 1,300 on mailing list.

Affiliation: Washington State Republican Party.

Contacts: 734-5215 or whatcomgop.com.

Leadership: Luanne Van Werven, chair; Larry Helm, vice chair; Brenda Hofherr, secretary; Bill Crawford, treasurer; Charlie Crabtree, state committeeman; Barbara Del Wraa, state committeewoman.

Romney wows GOP delegates in Vancouver

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney takes aim at President Barack Obama while giving the keynote speech at the 2010 Washington State Republican Party Convention at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on Saturday.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, sounding very much like a presidential contender, lambasted President Barack Obama on Saturday on issues from his economic policies to his handling of the Gulf oil spill. Click here for more.

2010 Republican State Convention Smashing Success!

Republicans from all over Washington State surged into Vancouver, WA on June 10 for the 2010 state convention. The attendance was the largest ever for a non-presidential convention.

Hundreds of delegates and guests attended the Thursday evening kick-off reception at the Pearson Air Museum. Thanks to Cindy's eagle eye I captured this very appropiate sign (above).

Whatcom County sent a full delegation of 46 individuals of which more than half were first time convention attendees. Having so many first-time delegates made it fresh and exciting for everyone.

Whatcom delegation at the convention hotel and below on the convention floor.

The sold-out Friday evening banquet featured conservative writer and investigative blogger Michelle Malkin.

Special dinner guests: Doug Roulstone and 2nd Congressional District candidate John Koster

Whatcom friends Kathy and Patti

Rock Star blogger Cindy from Clearly Conservative meets adoring fan

First time Republican delegate Ramona meets other convention Rock Star, Attorney General Rob McKenna

Yours truly and gracious hospitality host Rob McKenna

Whatcom friends Chet, Joe and ?

Jeralin and 2nd Congressional candidate John Koster

John Koster with Whatcom sisters Jo and Carol - second best endorsement to Sarah Palin!

Kirby Wilbur, former radio talk show host and current Washington Director for Americans for Prosperity, chaired the Saturday convention proceedings. There was vigorous debate but delegates left unified around a platform that articulates the Constitutional principles that best represent Washington voters.

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave a rousing speech on how to keep American strong and free.

Delegates, alternates and guests also enjoyed hearing from the three front-running candidates for U.S. Senate: Dino Rossi (above), Paul Akers and Clint Didier.

Paul Akers

Clint Didier

Republicans left the beautiful city of Vancouver invigorated and eager to elect Republican candidates who will fight for the values that made America great.

Shark!

Stephan Sharkansky is the famous blogger from Sound Politics. "Shark" exposed the King County fraud in the 2000 governor's race when Dino Rossi initially won the election. The results were overturned when King County "found" enough additional ballots to overturn the results and hand the race to Christine Gregoire.

What a PARTY!

The Republican Party, that is!

I am in Vancouver this weekend for the Washington State Republican Party Convention. What an amazing event! The grassroots workshops are phenominal and helpful. The energy is palatable and I don't think I have ever seen anything like it.

Hundreds of Republicans showed up for the Thursday evening reception at Pearson Air Museum.

Whatcom delegates Don and Eileen Sobjack and Ramona Stumpf

More Whatcom delegates: Luanne, Eileen, Ramona and Cindy

Whatcom guests Addison and Isaiah

WSRP Chair Luke Esser

Boehner to Bashing Beatle: Apologize!

Sir Paul McCartney's cheap shot aimed at former President George W. Bush at a White House event on Wednesday has prompted House Minority Leader John Boehner to demand an apology from the Beatle.

McCartney literally gushed over President Obama throughout his East Room concert. “Getting this prize would just be good enough, but getting it from this president…” McCartney said letting his praise trail off as if there were vast volumes left unsaid. The prize McCartney was given is the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, a lifetime achievement award bestowed by the Library of Congress.

McCartney ended the evening taking a baseless cheap shot at former President George W. Bush.

“After the last eight years, it’s great to have a President who knows what a library is,” McCartney quipped.

When did decorum go out of style? “Like millions of other Americans, I have always had a good impression of Paul McCartney and thought of him as a classy guy, but I was surprised and disappointed by the lack of grace and respect he displayed at the White House,” Boehner told HUMAN EVENTS. “I hope he'll apologize to the American people for his conduct which demeaned him, the White House and President Obama.”

McCartney is the third recipient of the Gershwin Prize. Hailing from England and having earned no university degrees of his own, the Beatle may not know W. was the first American president to earn a master’s degree in business administration. (The fact the MBA is from Harvard really irks the left.) Not to mention Bush is married to a librarian.

Link to video here.

Connie Hair is a freelance writer, a former speechwriter for Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and a former media and coalitions advisor to the Senate Republican Conference.