Heh.

“First a couple of rules in politics,” he said. “One: no whining. And number two: you get them to vote for you and so I want them not to vote for Mike Huckabee and not to vote for John McCain and to vote for me … that’s not voter suppression. That’s known as politics.”

Team Romney after Huckabee wins West Virgina.

“Unfortunately, this is what Senator McCain’s inside Washington ways look like: he cut a backroom deal with the tax-and-spend candidate he thought could best stop Governor Romney’s campaign of conservative change.

Ramesh Ponnuru:

Now team Romney is just getting silly.

The first results from Super Tuesday are in, and Mike Huckabee draws first blood:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Mike Huckabee won the first contest declared on Super Tuesday, picking up all 18 national delegates awarded at West Virginia’s state GOP convention. Huckabee bested Mitt Romney, who entered the Mountain State event with the largest bloc of pledged convention-goers. Both men and Ron Paul made in-person appeals to the more than 1,100 convention delegates attending Tuesday’s convention.

But the former Arkansas governor beat his Massachusetts counterpart after delegates for John McCain defected to his side.

It appears McCain people jumped ship to Huckabee to block any chance Romney had in this state.  (I’m sure Romney’s folks will try to return the favor somewhere.)  And Ron Paul was eliminated on the first ballot when he came in last.

Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi has a good piece on conservatives’ legitimate questions/criticisms/dislike when it comes to McCain.   He also makes these sobering observations about how quickly and completely political fortunes can change:

Who knows? The mood of the country might be swinging towards John McCain pragmatism. Conservatives might be an ideological minority in the Republican Party, once again. But things change.

After all, one day Karl Rove is planning a permanent Republican majority, the next day he’s a Fox News analyst, pondering whether Democrats will have a veto-proof majority in the Senate in 2009.

Hillary Clinton and a veto-proof Democratic Senate.  Does that send a shiver up your spine?

Most folks cannot make an argument for why we should vote for Mitt Romney other than that he is not John McCain.

The Anchoress has a great post up begging readers to convince her to vote for Mitt.

I heard Rush say today that McCain didn’t support the Bush tax cuts, that he denigrates profit and that he is bad on immigration, as the issue is defined by the hard right.

Okay. But…he is consistently pro-life. He is consistently pro-troop. Do those things - the former backbones of the GOP - no longer matter, when profits and taxes are on the line? Are those “principles” just not as important as the ones you’re telling me will have you voting for a Democrat in November?

For crying out loud, tell me the God’s honest truth, here: do you REALLY think Mitt Romney is going to do what you want on Immigration? Of course he won’t. Nothing I’ve seen of Mitt tells me this is a passionate issue for him.

What does Romney passionately stand for, besides getting Romney into the White House? I do not see tremendous commitment to anything besides Mitt.

So, I’m asking respectfully - all you Suddenly Romney! fans - convince me: tell me why I should vote for Mitt “and like it,” and do it without using the words “John McCain.”

And the readers are making some really good arguments FOR Mitt.

(h/t Professor Bainbridge)

The battle between John McCain and conservative “pundits” in talk radio and other media rages on.  Now Bob Dole has written Rush Limbaugh to argue that McCain is, well, conservative.  Dole laid it out for Limbaugh thusly:

In a bill of particulars numbered 1 through 8, Dole wrote that McCain has a “Consistent pro-life record,” was a “Strong advocate for strict constructionist judges,” “Supported voluntary school prayer,” supported a balanced-budget amendment, was a strong advocate for cutting spending, consistently defended Second Amendment (gun-owner) rights, “opposed ‘Hillary Care,’ ” and was “Probably the Senate’s strongest advocate for strong national defense.”

Dole, who revealed he wore McCain’s P.O.W. bracelet (??), used this comparison to sway Limbaugh:

Dole adds a table from the Senate Library showing that McCain’s voting record — as measured by support for the president — mirrored that of the ultra- conservative former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).

As most of you probably know by now, Limbaugh has been on the warpath against McCain, hoping to derail this McCain Train to the nomination.  Limbaugh has said McCain “lied” and “stabbed” the GOP in the back repeatedly.  He went so far as to suggested that, if McCain was the nominee, he would rather the Democrats win the Presidency than Republicans suffer the consequences of a McCain tenure.

Mitt Romney has apparently become the default choice of many conservative Republicans.  Limbaugh has made his position clear:

After McCain won the New Hampshire primary last month, Limbaugh served notice that if either McCain or former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee got the nomination, “it’s going to destroy the Republican Party. It’s going to change it forever.”

Others also have staked out an anti-McCain position:

Laura Ingraham endorsed Mitt Romney last week, saying, “There is no way in hell I could pull the lever for John McCain.” Sean Hannity, who also endorsed the former Massachusetts governor, regularly rips McCain. Hugh Hewitt is urging the audience for his syndicated radio show to fight for Romney against what he calls a media-generated “McCain resurrection.”

(Hewitt’s voice is unconvincing, as he his a long-time and shameless shill for Romney, having become a virtual full-time spin machine.)

Others, like Bill Bennett (who said it took nearly 2 hours for him to get a supportive call on his radio show after he defended McCain, adding that he has taken a lot of “flak”), have remained neutral in the race, though he has seemingly been suggesting his audience do what was required to support the GOP nominee, whoever he is.  Dole, invoking the “C” word, told Limbaugh the same thing:

“Whoever wins the Republican nomination will need your enthusiastic support,” Dole concludes. “Two terms for the Clintons are enough.”

Still others, like Fred Barnes and Michael Medved have voiced outright support for McCain.  Barnes is too much of an insider, quite comfortable with McCain, and Medved sometimes seems too enamored of his own cleverness and intellect for his arguments in favor of McCain as a conservative to make much sense.

Nonetheless, this represents a fascinating power struggle within the GOP.  There are now three camps:  (1) No McCain under any circumstance; (2) We prefer another, but will vote for any Republican candidate to keep the Democrats out of office; and (3)  Go John McCain, Conservative!

Neither Dole nor the other McCainiacs are likely to change Limbaugh’s mind, especially when you consider recent Rushisms like these:

On Monday’s broadcast, Limbaugh said in an audio clip posted at “The Page” on TIME.com: “He stabbed his own president in the back on legislation, a number of times. He doesn’t support his party or his president when the chips are down. He called people who want to protect the border racists, nativists, protectionists, and worse. And what kind of character is it that tries to slide all that through under cover of darkness, in a back room.”

During a broadcast last week that is transcribed on Limbaugh’s Web site, he said McCain enjoys the affection of the left and the media: “I think one of the reasons they’re able to embrace candidates like Senator McCain is that he’s been so willing to cast conservative principles aside when it makes sense for him politically, socially, or what have you.”

Surprisingly, the volatile McCain has not blown up and suggested Limbaugh take a trip to a hot place.  In fact, his spokesman appears intent on not burning that bridge:

“We don’t expect Rush to fall in line. We know he’s an independent guy, just like McCain. And we know he and McCain will continue to have differences, and we respect those differences.”

But McKinnon said he hopes “a respectful relationship can be established” if McCain wins the nomination.

McCain, meanwhile, seems to be keeping his sense of humor about the dust-up.  When asked what he thought of Limbaugh’s on-air remarks, McCain said, “I don’t listen to him. There’s a certain trace of masochism in my family, but not that deep.”

ADDENDUM:

Perhaps Dole was spurred to action because his “preferred” candidate McCain has had a political resurrection this campaign season.   Just last summer, Dole said that though ”my heart has always been with my good friend John McCain,” he saw Big John’s campaign fading (because it was), and predicted Fred Thompson would pick up McCain’s supporters.  See the story here.  So much for Bob Dole’s prognostication skills.

ADDENDUM:

Here is the complete text of Dole’s letter to Limbaugh.

Regardless of what you think about Bob Dole, Mitt Romney’s response to Dole’s letter to Rush Limbaugh supporting John McCain is classic.

First, he says this on Fox News this morning about Dole.

Well, it’s probably the last person I would have wanted write a letter for me.

Then McCain issues this statement.

Governor Romney’s attack on Bob Dole is disgraceful, and Governor Romney should apologize. Bob Dole is a war hero who has spent his life in service to this nation and nobody has worked harder to build the Republican Party. Bob Dole deserves the respect of every American and certainly every Republican.

Governor Romney denounced Ronald Reagan in the mid ’90s while Bob Dole was working tirelessly to elect Republicans across the country. Governor Romney was missing from those fights when I was standing with President Reagan and Senator Dole to build the Republican Party.

Which causes Mitt to “clarify” his remarks while in West Virgina later this morning.

Romney said he’d “love” to have Dole’s support and recalled going to several of his fundraisers.

Heh. From “last person I’d want” to “love to have you Bob” in a couple of hours. Sweet. This one probably tops them all though.

“I believe I was a contributor to his presidential campaign,” said Romney. “If I wasn’t, I should have been.”

That, mi amigos and amigas, is Mitt Romney in a nutshell.

Can’t really lay this one at the feet of GW. This one goes straight to Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Tom Craddick. R’s all.

Illegal immigrants are flowing into Texas across its long borders. But they aren’t just swimming across the Rio Grande from Mexico or making dangerous treks through the rugged desert. Instead, there’s a new rush of undocumented immigrants driving down Interstate 35 from Oklahoma or heading east to Texas from Arizona to flee tough new anti-illegal immigrant laws in those and other states.

Why?

The growing exodus is a result of dozens of new state and local laws aimed at curbing illegal immigration. The two toughest measures are in Oklahoma and Arizona.

Unlike our Texas legislators, Oklahoma and Arizona passed tough laws designed to discourage illegal aliens from living there.

So far, results of the new laws have been dramatic.

In Oklahoma, one builder estimated 30 percent of the Hispanic work force left Tulsa. Reports out of Arizona indicate that several restaurants have closed in Phoenix because of a shortage of workers, and vacancies at apartment complexes are increasing, in part because of departing immigrants.

Experts predict immigrants will flock to Houston and other cities in Texas because of the state’s reputation as a welcoming destination.

Tough laws work. Just ask this guy.

“I was working there in September, but they passed a law that allows the local police to act like immigration agents,” Fernandez said. “I came here 25 days after they passed the law — I wasn’t going to let them experiment on me.”

And yet Phoenix resident and Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt says no to training for Houston cops. Any wonder why they are flocking to Houston?

Still, the blame lies at the feet of the Texas legislature and governor.

And so far, Texas has not passed any statewide law targeting the employment of undocumented workers.

Thanks guys.

As a courtesy to those of you who didn’t have pen and paper ready this morning, here’s the details on the fund-raiser for Hendee-endorsed border Sheriff Rick Flores:

WHEN
Thursday, February 7th, 2008

WHERE
Taste of Texas restaurant

LUNCH
11:30 am requires a $100 minimum contribution
Call Lacey Schultz at 713.932.9215 to make required reservation

RECEPTION
3 :00 to 5:00 pm, $25 minimum contribution
No reservation required

If you cannot make the fund raiser and would like to contribute to Sheriff Flores campaign, donations may be sent to c/o Taste of Texas.  Make checks out to and mail to:

“Rick Flores Campaign”
C/O The Taste of Texas
10505 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX  77024 

Some of you will recall Sheriff Flores from this exchange with incumbent Democratic Congressman from that part of Texas, Henry Cuellar:

Flores’ opponent in the primary, btw, is… Congressman Cuellar’s brother.

Supporters of Ron Paul are proudly trumpeting the news that the Presidential candidate has the overwhelming support of the military. This belief is based on information contained in a press release by the Paul campaign that shows donations from those people self -identified as being associated with the military outpaced donations to all other candidates combined. Indeed, that does seem to be the case. What is not stated in the press release is that those donations include civilian employees of the military, a substantial percentage of military employees.

Ron Paul campaign chairman Kent Snyder even said this: “The latest numbers make it clear: the troops support Ron Paul.” The numbers in no way make that statement clear. In fact, just the opposite is clear. It is against Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, plus specific military regulations for active duty military personnel to participate in partisan political activities. “The troops” do not support Ron Paul because to do so would be illegal.

It was suggested what was really meant by the Paul campaign was that Veterans support Ron Paul. There are a substantial number of veterans in that list (side note: there are a few supporters listed as “active duty”; they should reconsider allowing their names to be published on that list as it is illegal to do so). Since we have had several primaries and caucuses, support among vets has actually been measured. The results show Dr. Paul has very little support among veterans:

	Giuliani	Huckabee	McCain	Paul	Romney	Thompson
Michigan	4%	14%	41%	7%	32%	1%
South Carolina	1	29	36	3	17	14
Florida	12	7	42	4	35	-
Nevada	4	4	15	14	48	13

It is clear that neither Veterans nor active duty military personnel support Ron Paul in substantial numbers. What about the large amount of money? The numbers appear to be generated by the Ron Paul campaign themselves so I would expect them to be biased. Strangely enough, the Paul campaign used the excuse that it would set a dangerous precedent to track donations when asked to do so last year, but I digress. Open Secrets is a non-partisan organization that tracks money in politics. Here’s a comparison of military donations identified by them compared to the Ron Paul campaign numbers:

Candidate	Open Secrets	Ron Paul Campaign
Ron Paul	$111,261	$249,000
John McCain	31,077	83,000
Mike Huckabee	24,535	37,000
Mitt Romney	8995	24,000

I arrived at these numbers from Open Secrets by searching for donors who identified their employer as Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard. The numbers are quite a bit lower than those from the Ron Paul campaign but the ratios between the candidates are basically the same – Ron Paul leads in donations from those identified as military personnel. While I was searching I decided to compare the numbers to Bush in the 2004 election. To my surprise, Bush’s total from military personnel was $48,312, less than half that of Ron Paul’s total this year.

Do veterans and/or troops support Ron Paul? Looking at the numbers for veterans the answer is yes - in about the same numbers as in the general population, between three and five percent. But the bottom line is this: it is fallacious of the Ron Paul campaign to take these numbers and pronounce “the troops support Ron Paul”.

As you probably have heard, the City Council of Berkeley, CA, has approved a resolution that basically tells Marine recruiters to leave their fine city.

The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday to tell the Marines that if its recruiters choose to stay in their rented downtown space “they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests.”

Obviously, the Marines have been told to leave far more hostile places and well, you can guess how well that’s worked. And they aren’t leaving this time either.

Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin said Friday that while the Corps respects city officials’ right to free speech, the Marines would not be leaving.

What hasn’t been reported much is that the council also voted on a few other things that will make life hard for the recruiters.

They voted 8-1 to encourage Code Pink to disrupt the recruiting office on a weekly basis but giving them a designated parking space in front of the recruiting office on Shattuck Avenue, from noon to 4 p.m. every Wednesday for six months, as well as a free sound permit during those same hours.

That pretty much sucks. But Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, has a little surprise for the red city.

DeMint said he would draft legislation to strip the city of federal money, including funds destined for UC Berkeley, for school lunches in the Berkeley Unified School District, and public safety.

“The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money,” DeMint said in a statement.

Well done.

“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds”
 Samuel Adams

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