Western Civilization is being led by "Cave" Men

Everywhere you look today, men who are entrusted with great political power, are caving. In 2006, President George W. Bush caved when CAIR pressured him to never again use the phrase 'Islamic fascists'. Just last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caved when Barack Obama pressured him to apologize to Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan for defending itself in the 2010 Gaza flotilla. There have been countless examples in between.

Before we get to some of them, consider what was taking place about this time nearly 2000 years ago. A man named Jesus was being arrested, thanks in large part, to elders and politicians, who on more than one occasion, attempted to get Jesus to cave. Had it not been for them, Pontius Pilate would have left Him alone. Even then, Jesus could have employed the desire for 'dialogue' with Pilate and the elders. He could have caved; he did not.

And he was even free of guilt and sin.

When it comes to Jesus' tortuous death, people reflect on His willingness to die for the salvation of all who believe in Him by rising again but there is another aspect to his death that is often overlooked. Consider the tremendous courage He had, standing there in front of Pontius Pilate, who was looking for a way to avoid what was coming. All Jesus had to do was cave and agree to the terms, which likely would have involved Pilate brokering a deal between Him and the Jewish elders and politicians.

Think of it. Pilate must have been beside himself. The Roman leader thought he had all the power! Human nature dictated that Jesus cave but Jesus transcended human nature because he was God in human form. Ultimately, it was Pilate who caved when he washed his hands.

This is not to say that the world's leaders today should be expected to have the same level of courage but if they're Christians, they are supposed to be as "Christ-like" as they can. These leaders are also not standing in front of Pontius Pilate, facing floggings and crucifixion if they stand their ground. If they can't be expected to have the same level of courage that Jesus exhibited then, shouldn't they at least be expected to follow the example of Joseph of Arimathea.

Via Catholic Encyclopedia:

He was a wealthy Israelite (Matthew 27:57), "a good and a just man" (Luke 23:50), "who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43). He is also called by St. Mark and by St. Luke a bouleutes, literally, "a senator", whereby is meant a member of the Sanhedrin or supreme council of the Jews. He was a disciple of Jesus, probably ever since Christ's first preaching in Judea (John 2:23), but he did not declare himself as such "for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38). On account of this secret allegiance to Jesus, he did not consent to His condemnation by the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:51), and was most likely absent from the meeting which sentenced Jesus to death (cf. Mark 14:64).

Before one points to Joseph of Arimathea's "fear", consider that he did NOT succumb to groupthink and paid great honor to the Truth in the Flesh. Read on...

The Crucifixion of the Master quickened Joseph's faith and love, and suggested to him that he should provide for Christ's burial before the Sabbath began. Unmindful therefore of all personal danger, a danger which was indeed considerable under the circumstances, he boldly requested from Pilate the Body of Jesus, and was successful in his request (Mark 15:43-45).

While we're on the subject of the Catholic Church, let us consider the caving of its newly elected Pontiff, Pope Francis I, on two very significant fronts. First, in 2007, he signed a document which stated, in part, that elected politicians who are pro-abortion "cannot" receive holy communion. Yet, at his inaugural Papal mass in Rome, perhaps the two most prominent pro-abortion politicians who claim to be Catholic - Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic Minority leader Nancy Pelosi - received communion. There are only two possible conclusions we can draw. Either Pope Francis did not mean what he said in 2007 or fear took charge in 2013.

A few days later, Pope Francis said that he wished to "intensify... dialogue with Islam". An important distinction must be made here. He didn't say that he wanted to intensify dialogue with Muslims so that they could be converted. This would be an example of what the role of the pope - any pope - is. No, he said that he wanted to intensify dialogue with Islam. In a word, he advocated caving. In essence, the pope appears to have succumbed to Chrislam.

Consider some other examples of what appears to be caving due to varying degrees of pressure...

House Speaker John Boehner: This is perhaps the most obvious example. Ever since taking control of the gavel in early 2011, Boehner has lost practically every showdown with his opposition. In several cases, he simply chose not to fight. Whether it involved not aggressively pursuing major scandals like Fast and Furious or Benghazi; expressing solidarity with Michele Bachmann over the latter's concern about Muslim Brotherhood infiltration; or choosing not to de-fund Obamacare.

Chief Justice John Roberts: When the Supreme Court handed down its ruling on Obamacare, Roberts twisted himself into knots by saying the law was unconstitutional but that it was constitutional under taxing provisions. Obama administration operatives did all it could to intimidate the court into ruling in its favor. There is no proof that Roberts was intimidated but his ruling was so bizarre that many believe he caved to relentless left-wing pressure.

Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney: Those unwilling to admit what really happened will say that Mitt Romney simply had a flawed strategy but that's not what happened. Romney took a dive at the third and final debate. He never challenged Obama on Fast and Furious, Benghazi, or on why the Obama administration labeled the Fort Hood jihad attack as 'workplace violence'. Romney refused to fight Obama. Simply looking at the third debate confirms the cave.

Secretary of the Army, Gen. George Casey: Three days after the Fort Hood jihadist Nidal Malik Hasan murdered 14 and injured 32, Case went on ABC This Week and told George Stephanoplous that the loss of "diversity" would be a "greater tragedy" than those 44 casualties. In short, Casey caved.

House Homeland Security Committee Chair, Michael McCaul: When the sale of Current TV to Al Jazeera was announced at the beginning of this year, Rep. McCaul (R-TX) had a duty to investigate it. He was sent a letter requesting that he convene hearings on this egregious act. He has chosen to ignore that letter and appears to be looking the other way, possibly because of a full-scale lobbying effort but then again, that's just another way of saying "cave".

For the most part, the Democratic Party has thrown in with wickedness; it is a party that went over the cliff years ago. At best, a controlling majority of the Republican Party has decided - consciously or otherwise - to follow the Democrats. At worst, that majority is an overwhelming majority. Nonetheless, there are individuals who are part of it.

Joseph of Arimathea is remembered today for choosing the right side at great personal risk. There are only a precious few who are willing to do so today. Unfortunately, none of them have enough power.

Video: Joe Biden says Gabby Giffords suffered 'mortal wound'

In the immediate aftermath of the near fatal shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) on January 8, 2011, there were news outlets that erroneously reported she had died. Now, more than two years later, Joe Biden has made the same mistake, saying that Giffords was "mortally wounded" on that day.

Here is the definition of a "mortal wound":

A mortal wound is a very severe and serious injury (almost always a form of penetration or laceration) whether accidental or inflicted intentionally (by either suicide or homicide), which leads directly to the death of the victim.

Ladies and gentlemen, your vice president...

Via Right Pundit:

Did Pope Francis Cave at his Inaugural Mass?

When the likes of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, who consider themselves to be pro-choice pro-abortion Catholics, receive communion, it's about control. Every time they do it, they're challenging the Church not to give it to them.

First, take a look at an excerpt from a document Pope Francis signed in 2007:

“...we should commit ourselves to ‘eucharistic coherence’, that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated.  This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals.”

Now, fast forward to Pope Francis's very first mass as Pope. Guess who was in attendance and received communion.

Via POLITICO:

Vice President Joe Biden and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both strong pro-choice advocates, took communion during the papal mass Tuesday in Rome, according to a pool report.

The move could potentially reignite a passionate debate about the propriety of participating in the ritual without fully abiding the Catholic Church's teachings.

Pope Francis has said he is clearly against the practice, particularly by pro-choice politicians.

It would seem the new Pope blew a chance to establish a new standard and did not meet the standard he himself set. This all happened at his very first Mass as Pope.

Disappointing.

Despicable: Biden still exploiting Sandy Hook; still silent over Fast and Furious

Twenty-six people - including twenty children - lost their lives at Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012. Hundreds of Mexicans (and counting) have lost their lives as the result of Operation Fast and Furious, an operation led by the Obama administration's ATF. Vice President Joe Biden continues to exploit the former for gun control while ignoring the latter, which was exposed more than two years ago and continues to be stonewalled by the administration to this day.

Why? Because Sandy Hook can be exploited to push for gun confiscation while Fast and Furious not only makes the opposite case but it also makes the case for dissolving the ATF, the prosecution of the Attorney General for contempt of Congress, and the possible impeachment of Barack Obama.

Biden's latest faux-display of emotion took place at Leesburg, VA.

Via Huffington Post:

Biden invoked the slaughter at Sandy Hook Elementary School, at one point choking up as he told of the 20 children, ages 6 and 7, who perished after being "literally riddled with bullet holes." He argued that the U.S. government has an obligation to the families and victims of the massacre to act.

"I can't imagine how [the parents] deal with it," Biden said. "But I can imagine how we will be judged as individuals, judged as a Congress, judged as a nation, if we do not. ... It's simply unacceptable."

At the heart of Biden's speech was a plea to Democrats who may be weighing political consequences of backing contentious pieces of gun-control legislation, such as bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Biden's message -- delivered with his signature passion, growing louder as he argued for urgency -- was that public opinion had shifted.

"The ability, because of all this happening, to misrepresent our positions no longer exists as it did in 1994," Biden said. "The world has changed. The American public has changed.

Then this from Biden:

"Don't tell me, 'Because we can't solve it all, we can't act at all,'" Biden said.

Yeah, well don't tell me that you don't have ulterior motives, especially in light of your continued silence over Fast and Furious. You support Obama's use of Executive Orders to push gun control and apparently also support his use of Executive Privilege to prevent the truth about Fast and Furious from coming out.

That truth? Gun Control.

The Truth about the shooting of Democratic Congresswoman on Joe Biden Gun Control task force

In 1978, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) was a legal aid to Rep. Leo Ryan (D-CA), the only U.S. Congressman to be murdered in the line of duty. In 2011, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) almost became the second. Speier barely survived the trip to Jonestown, where an insane preacher had moved his insane Temple, but not before she herself had been shot five times.

Incredibly, not only is she still a Democrat but the Joe Biden gun control squad appears to be enlisting her help in developing a plan of action, as she is one of twelve Democratic congressmen who make up the House Democrat Task Force on Gun Violence. The group met with Biden yesterday.

Make no mistake. Speier's presence on that Task Force has to do with her very real and personal history when it comes to being on the wrong end of a gun. After the meeting, CNN interviewed Speier and asked her about her experience at Jonestown in 1978 (beginning at the 2:00 mark). Conspicuously absent from the exchange is any mention of Jones' ideology and who he was in bed with - the Democratic Party. Jones was a Marxist. More on his relationship with very prominent Democrats after the video.

Via Daily Caller:



Jim Jones was a professed Marxist and moved up through the ranks of political power in San Francisco with the aid and assistance of several Democrats. He helped Democratic Mayor George Moscone get elected. In fact, through the use of Community Organizing, Jones and his Temple were very much responsible for Moscone's victory. As a result, Moscone rewarded Jones with a seat on the San Francisco Housing Authority, which oversaw more than $14 million, and later enlisted the help of then California State Assemblyman Willie Brown (D) to introduce legislation that would ensure Jones would become chairman.

Ralph Nader has a little known legacy of disgrace when it comes to Jim Jones as well. An extremely terrified couple who had defected from Jones' cult reached out to Nader for help, in confidence. He betrayed them. Their plea for assistance found its way from Nader to Jones.

Jones also ingratiated himself with other Democrats like then Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, who once said of Jones:

"I am really pleased and inspired by what I have seen. Here is truly a man - Pastor Jim Jones - who is touched by God."

How about then Democratic Governor Jerry Brown (yes, the one who is in office today)? Brown made several visits to Jones' Temple and clearly turned a blind eye to what was going on. Jones also rubbed elbows with Rosalyn Carter and Walter Mondale (see video below). Speaking of that video, note how Jones boasts about the fact that he was a Marxist (Obama has a history that very much involves studying Marxism and associating with Marxists). Also keep in mind how more than 900 people died in Jonestown; Jones was responsible but it wasn't done with guns:



In a book entitled, Six Years With God, written by Jeannie Mills (a pseudonym), the woman who was betrayed by Nader and ultimately lost her life, wrote:

"Just a few doors down the street from the San Francisco temple the Black Muslims had their temple. Jim made strong overtures of friendship to this strong group, even sending large contingencies of our membership to attend their services, to which they responded by sending their members to our services."

Two more ironic realities about Jim Jones that should raise bold red flags with Speier...

Jones attempted to buy favorable California media coverage - to some degree, successfully - with payoffs labeled as "commendation" awards to show support for the first amendment. Laughable, isn't it? Not surprisingly, the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle received the largest amounts. Eerily salient today, isn't it?

The other reality the mainstream media will not touch is the fact that just prior to the mass murder / suicide in Jonestown, the group bequeathed all of its assets to the Soviet Union.

I cover all of this (and more) in much greater detail in Chapter five of Unsung Davids: Ten Men who Battled Goliath without Glory. The Unsung David in that chapter is a man named David Conn.

Instead of playing defense, the Republican leadership should be exposing the truth behind the groups and individuals responsible for Speier's shooting. In fact, it was the Democratic Party that enabled Jim Jones to acquire the power he did.

That Speier is still a Democrat defies any and all logic, unless one believes that Stockholm Syndrome is a real condition.

Parting thought: In an interview Speier gave last year, she talked about how many people approached her delegation in 1978 to SECRETLY ask for escape from Jonestown. If Speier were honest, would she ask for escape from the Democratic Party?

Sandy Hook vs. Fast and Furious: The tale of two Bidens

On January 9th, Vice President Joe Biden told reporters that 'it's critically important that we act (on gun control)' and that 'the president is going to act with Executive Orders'. Seated immediately to Biden's right was Attorney General Eric 'gunwalker' Holder. That would be the same Eric Holder who was found in both criminal and civil contempt of Congress for not honoring a lawfully issued subpoena for documents that would help get to the bottom of an operation led by the Department of Justice and the ATF.

The gall of Holder to willingly become one of the faces of gun control today is incredible. This may be the Obama administration at its most audacious - and it thrives on audacity.

For two years, the DOJ stonewalled Congress, culminating in the President asserting Executive Privilege to prevent the subpoenaed documents from being released.

With that as a backdrop, ask yourself if it would have been more appropriate for the likes of Biden to turn to his right in this video and address Mr. Holder instead of reporters:

Whenever gun rights advocates rightfully claim that Operation Fast and Furious was about the DOJ and the ATF intentionally putting thousands of assault weapons into the hands of bad guys so they could murder innocent people, the left claims it's a conspiracy theory. Yet, the facts are in. The ATF ran an operation that did put assault weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, who then used them to kill hundreds of innocent people.

All that's left to ascertain is motive but for two years, the administration stonewalled. Why is the urgency with which Biden is advocating gun control now, nowhere to be found for two years relative to the DOJ and the ATF? Why wasn't Obama demanding action be taken when the ATF was caught engaging in egregiously criminal behavior? Instead, he deferred to an Inspector General, who took well over a year to issue its final report.

Again, why didn't Obama demand action on gun control when it was learned that the ATF had placed thousands of assault weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels?

Remember this interview with Univision's Jorge Ramos more than three months after the shooting death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry? Compare Obama's stance then to Biden's stance less than one month after the Sandy Hook shootings:



A silver lining to the administration's stance today - enunciated by Biden on January 9th - is that the truth about the motivation behind Fast and Furious becomes even more clear. The actions of this administration today are 180 degrees from its actions in the wake of Fast and Furious being exposed that it is even easier to see why the ATF armed the cartels.

It was an effort to create the climate that would facilitate gun control, just like the Sandy Hook shootings are being exploited for the EXACT. SAME. PURPOSE.

Operation Fast and Furious blew up in the administration's face. Had it gone according to plan, I have no doubt that Biden or someone else from the administration (perhaps Holder) would have been sitting in front of reporters just like Biden did on January 9th and demanded action on assault rifles because of all the deaths in Mexico.

In this excerpt from Biden's comments to reporters, notice how he accentuates the fact that the children of Sandy Hook were 'riddled' with bullets. Yeah, Joe, hundreds of innocent Mexicans have been - and continue to be - riddled with bullets from assault weapons your administration intentionally gave to hardened criminals.

In the video below, Biden says:

"Every once in a while, there's something that awakens the conscience of the country."

Mr. Vice President, the only reason Fast and Furious didn't do that to a greater extent was that the administration for which you work covered it up and stonewalled attempts to uncover it.

Utterly. Shameless.

Does Obama's relationship with Bill Ayers bolster Hitler / Stalin comparisons?

Comparisons of Barack Obama to Hitler and Stalin appear to be going somewhat mainstream in one respect, thanks to Vice President Joe Biden's announcement that 'the president is going to act' on gun control. The implication was clear - the road to confiscation includes Executive Orders, which are unconstitutional, especially when they do not enforce existing laws enacted by Congress. Such orders are beyond unconstitutional when they target the second amendment itself.

After Biden's comments, it wasn't difficult to make the connection to Hitler and Stalin in this regard - both confiscated guns before committing mass murder by the millions.

Fast forward to the 2008 election campaign. One figure from Obama's past whom he attempted to distance himself from was Bill Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground. Despite the successful attempts by Obama to dismiss his relationship with Ayers - coupled with media complicity in suppressing it - the fact remains that these two men had a rather lengthy and cozy relationship. That's not only relevant based on Ayers' terrorist background but it's also relevant based on his plans, conveyed in 1969.

Ayers remains unrepentant, which means that Obama worked closely (yes, closely) with someone who had no regrets about his actions or his intentions.

Consider the only man to successfully infiltrate the Weather Underground for the FBI. His name is Larry Grathwohl and video of him from 1982 surfaced just before Barack Obama was elected in 2008. In that video, Grathwohl said the plans of Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground included the elimination of 25 million people who 'could not be re-educated into the new way of thinking'.

Sound familiar? Here's the relevant excerpt of Grathwohl's interview from 1982:



The typical argument from the left is that Ayers and Obama were nowhere close to being friends; they just coincidentally served on boards together and handled hundreds of thousands of dollars between them.

As I've written in the past and go into detail in my book, Unsung Davids, which includes a chapter on Grathwohl, perhaps the most damning evidence that connects Obama with Ayers was a find by the Verum Serum blog in 2008. Through a series of screen shots and tax records, it was unequivocally proven that Ayers and Obama shared a business address for at minimum, three years (1995-1998).

That address was 115 South Sangamon Street, third floor, Chicago, IL. Here is a screen shot of that building. Note how the word H-O-P-E is spelled out in four windows... on the third floor.

People may be inclined to compare Obama's desire to confiscate guns to that of Hitler and Stalin but they should also be willing to compare Ayers' desire to commit mass murder to the desire of Hitler and Stalin to do the same thing.

Then, for good measure, consider how close the relationship between Obama and Ayers must have been if they shared an office for at least three years.

Video: 9 Year-old black boy in Daytona thinks Romney would send him to 'Crop Fields'

While in Daytona Beach, FL to see Michelle Obama, 9 year-old Brandon was asked why Obama needs to win on Tuesday. His response?

"If Mitt Romney wins, we'll be going back to the crop fields."

Via RightNewz:



Gee, I wonder where Brandon got that idea...

Video: Joe Biden appears mentally unstable (no, seriously)

This RNC ad highlighting Joe Biden's debate performance is not taken out of context. If you saw the debate, this is only a small sampling of his behavior. Biden appeared to be either mentally or emotionally stable, laughing and smirking throughout. On top of that, the state of both the world and our country doesn't warrant much laughing at all, especially from the vice president.

Perhaps the reason for so many gaffes might have something to do with his mental stability.

This ad from the RNC is spot-on:

Joe Biden finally diagnosed

Increasingly, many of Vice President Joe Biden's gaffes have something to do with him not knowing where he is along the space / time continuum or having a completely distorted view of history. In 2008, he said that FDR "got on television" during the Great Depression. In 2010 and again last month, he thought the 20th Century was in the future. He also explained how Rep. Paul Ryan was elected in 1988 but didn't take office until 1999.

This past week, he had three choices when making reference to when Michelle Obama gave her "elegant" speech; he got it wrong twice.

That leads us to what could be the correct psychological diagnosis. Generally, there are 15 common psychological defense mechanisms people employ to deal with uncomfortable realities. One of them is known as Dissociation, which is what I believe Mr. Biden may be afflicted with.

Via Psych Central:

Dissociation is when a person loses track of time and/or person, and instead finds another representation of their self in order to continue in the moment. A person who dissociates often loses track of time or themselves and their usual thought processes and memories. People who have a history of any kind of childhood abuse often suffer from some form of dissociation. In extreme cases, dissociation can lead to a person believing they have multiple selves (“multiple personality disorder”). People who use dissociation often have a disconnected view of themselves in their world. Time and their own self-image may not flow continuously, as it does for most people. In this manner, a person who dissociates can “disconnect” from the real world for a time, and live in a different world that is not cluttered with thoughts, feelings or memories that are unbearable.

Pretty much nails it:

Video: Biden so loved Michelle Obama's speech that he didn't know it was 48 hours earlier

As I've written before, Joe Biden's gaffes are increasingly sharing one thing in common; he always seems to be lost somewhere in time. The latest example comes during his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night (that part is relevant). During that speech, he alluded to Michelle Obama's speech 'last night' (that would have been Wednesday). He then corrected himself and said, 'Monday night'.

The problem? Michelle's speech was Tuesday night. Biden had three choices and the two that he picked were both wrong.

See if you can read Michelle's mind after this latest Biden gaffe. If you look closely, she is saying to herself, That @!#%$#@'n A*&%$$%.

Via GWP:

Biden Video: Paul Ryan assumed office eleven years after getting elected

If Joe Biden wasn't a perpetual gaffe machine, this one might have slipped under the radar. While his comment in Wisconsin yesterday, that Paul Ryan was elected to Congress in 1988 and took office in 1999 is factually inaccurate, it might have been overlooked if not for Biden's penchant for not knowing where he is along the space / time continuum. In particular, his comment about America striving to be the world's leading auto manufacturer in the 20th century helps to contribute to this gaffe being a bit more relevant.

In 2008, Biden thought television was around during the Great Depression; last month (and two years ago) he thought we had just come out of the 19th century; and this weekend he revealed that Ryan had to wait more than a decade after being elected, to be sworn in. The term 'parallel universe' is often used in a figurative sense but when it comes to the synapses firing in Biden's mind, there may be reason to apply it to him in quite the literal sense.

Via Freedom's Lighthouse:



In 2008, Biden said FDR got on television during the Great Depression:



Biden made the news last month when he suggested that the U.S. can lead the world in automobile manufacturing in the "20th Century" but he actually made a very similar gaffe in February of 2010. Here's that clip:



Biden repeated that gaffe last month:



Just keep talkin' Joe - please.

Video: Biden strikes again - 'Caspy the Ghost'

I guess one could overlook the fact that Joe forgot to mention that Casper is 'friendly' but to call him 'Caspy'?

tsk, tsk, tsk

Via Washington Free Beacon:



Joe, may I suggest you watch this over and over before you are summoned to another accountability lunch by Obama?

Klein: Valerie Jarrett's meeting with Hillary Clinton

According to Edward Klein, author of "The Amateur", Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had lunch with Obama's closest advisor Valerie Jarrett recently and when the subject turned to Clinton's interest in a VP slot, there wasn't any. In fact, if Klein is correct, the only reason she's not on the ticket already is because she doesn't want to be, not because Obama wouldn't do it.

Klein has benefited from increased credibility based on the contents of his book. He has demonstrated an uncanny knack for getting sources - even from opposing camps - to talk to him; his audio recorded interviews with Jeremiah Wright went a long way in this regard.

Via Daily Caller:

Pundits and talking heads have discussed in recent weeks the possibility of Vice President Joe Biden being replaced on the Democratic presidential ticket, particularly with news of his brief hiatus from the spotlight this weekend.

“Up until just a couple of weeks ago the White House was putting out feelers to see if Hillary would accept the vice-presidential nod and replace Joe Biden,” Klein said. “Bill Clinton was, I’m told, urging his wife to accept the number two slot. He saw this as a great launching pad for her for running in 2016.”

“But then Hillary had lunch in the White House a couple of weeks ago with Valerie Jarrett — Michelle [Obama]’s best friend, senior adviser to both the first lady and the president … and she told Valerie that she would not accept the vice president’s spot. The lunch was ostensibly about other matters, but it came up. … Hillary felt burned out after four years as Secretary of State. But I’m told there were more important reasons for her not accepting.”

Those reasons, Klein explained, involve the former first lady being put in positions that would make her vulnerable if she should decide to run for president four years from now.

So, Bill wants Hillary on the ticket; Obama - through Jarrett - appears to believe that teaming up with Hillary gives him the best chance in November. If Klein is right, Hillary is the reason it isn't a done deal yet. As Kudlow and Klein discuss in the exchange below, Obama only has about three weeks to change horses. Depending on how relentless the pressure on Hillary gets, coupled with how sweetened the pot gets, things could change.

If Obama continues to drop and Romney / Ryan continues to rise, look for the president's campaign to treat Hillary like every major college treats the nation's top recruit before National Signing Day.


For some reason, this clip from 2008 just came to mind:

Will Hillary replace Biden as VP today?

As Vice President Joe Biden continues to deliver gaffes on a daily basis, speculation is mounting that Obama will drop him for Hillary Clinton. Adding to that speculation are a series of scheduled meetings between Obama, Clinton, and Biden today.

Via Weekly Standard:

10:15AM        THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing

                        Oval Office

                        Closed Press

10:45AM        THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton

                        Oval Office

                        Closed Press

12:30PM         THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet for lunch

                        Private Dining Room

                        Closed Press

Question: Will the selection of Hillary bring increased attention to Huma Abedin?

**UPDATE** If White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is to be believed (I know, believing Carney is always a tall order), Hillary will NOT be replacing Biden:

Video: Biden wants to lead the world... in the 20th Century

At a campaign rally, Vice President Joe Biden urged people to dream big; he wants them to imagine a future in which the United States leads the world in being the 20th Century's largest automobile manufacturer.

Via WS:



Earlier in the 21st Century, Joe told us FDR "got on television" during the Great Depression:

Was Biden's mad rant related to his gay marriage gaffe?

Barely more than a week after Joe Biden's gay marriage gaffe on Meet the Press, he came unhinged in Ohio and went on an incoherent rant, saying among other things, "they don't get us." You're right, Joe. If I'm in the "they" to which you refer, I don't get insane.

In any case, if Biden's gaffe was actually a gaffe and not an Alinsky-style distraction concocted by the likes of David Axelrod, this rant makes a bit more sense. Reports are that the administration was livid with Joe after he told David Gregory that he supports gay marriage because it forced Obama to come out in support of it too. The president has been dropping in the polls ever since, so it's quite possible that Biden is the object of increasing daily ire from the inner circle.

It's speculation, yes, but if Biden is getting beaten like a dog behind closed doors, lashing out at straw men in Youngstown, OH could be one way for him to deal with it.

Got any other ideas?

Via The Blaze:

Video: McCain Rips Biden but has No Room to Talk

For John McCain to rip Joe Biden for saying that the Taliban is 'not our enemy' should be like shooting fish in a barrel. In fact, the story almost wouldn't be worth posting it's such a slam dunk.

Yes, McCain is right but that's not the point. The Republican senator from Arizona should look in the mirror before pointing the finger at Joe Biden. It was less than a year ago that McCain referred to the Libyan rebels as his 'heroes.'

Those 'heroes' are al-Qaeda.

Great message here but wrong messenger.

Via Hapblog

Video: Jay Carney Attempts to Explain why Taliban not our Enemy

This is the kind of thing that happens when an enemy isn't defined. The enemy is not identified as an enemy. During an interview with Newsweek, Vice President Joe Biden said the following:

"Look, the Taliban per se is not our enemy."

During a White House press briefing, ABC's Jake Tapper called Jay Carney on that particular Biden quote and gave Carney the opportunity to walk it back. He did not. The response was absurd and is proof positive that our enemy should have been identified long ago as the Muslim Brotherhood and any group that aids or abets. That would include the Taliban.



h/t Freedom's Lighthouse

Video: Biden calls for Syria's Bashar al-Assad to Step Down

I'm sorry, as tempting as it may be to argue that Joe Biden is this stupid, I just can't do it. While in Turkey, which is rapidly acquiring more and more power with each Middle Eastern dictator that falls, Biden called on Syria's Bashar al-Assad to step down. Once again, the United States is playing right into the hands of the extremely Islamist government of Turkey.

As clear-thinking American citizens warned before Mubarak fell, the Muslim Brotherhood will take over. They have. As clear-thinking American citizens warned before Gadhafi fell, the Muslim Brotherhood will take over. They have. In fact, al-Qaeda flags are flying all over those countries right  now.

Once again, clear-thinking American citizens are warning that when Assad goes, the Muslim Brotherhood will take over.

Well, Biden may personally be this stupid but those directing him certainly are not.

h/t Hapblog