Ballsy Boston Broad

After months of neglect and inactivity, I have decided to resurrect my blog.  I figured I would mark my entry back into the blogosphere by simply commenting on a few items that dominated the news cycle this past week.

First up…Snarlen Arlen Specter jumping ship to join the Democratic Party. 
What bothers me the most is not Specter leaving the GOP, but simply the thought of the smirk on Harry Reid’s face and the sound of Nancy Pelosi’s cackling when the announcement was made.  If the Democrats were not so close to attaining a 60 vote filibuster proof majority in the Senate, most Republicans would be jumping with glee that the unpredictable, left-leaning Specter flew the coup. In fact many, most notably, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would have held the door for him on his way out.  If Specter had switched parties prior to the 2004 election when Republicans were firmly in control of Congress, conservative lawmakers would have been skipping down the halls of the Capitol shouting the words to Kelly Clarkson’s song “Since You Been Gone.”

In an Op-Ed in the NY Times titled, “We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter,” Sen. Olympia Snowe argues that the demise of the GOP in recent elections can be attributed to its hard-line stance and accentuation of social issues, as well as the party’s lackluster attempts to reach out to independent and swing-vote moderates.  She writes, “There is no plausible scenario under which Republicans can grow into a majority while shrinking our ideological confines and continuing to retract into a regional party. Ideological purity is not the ticket back to the promised land of governing majorities — indeed, it was when we began to emphasize social issues to the detriment of some of our basic tenets as a party that we encountered an electoral backlash.”

There is no doubt Snowe is right on with her assessment of the Republican Party.  However, I don’t think that the current state of the GOP had anything to do with why Specter pulled a Benedict Arnold.  Specter did not leave based on principle.  He left solely because of political viability.  Let’s face it, that right-wing nut Pat Toomey would have kicked his skinny ass in the GOP primary.  Specter left for his own political interests.  He would have joined the Bull Moose, Green or hell even Constitutional Party if that is what it would take for him to win in the general election.  It was a low blow move that exposed him for the spineless bastard that he is.  In his official statement, Specter claimed he made the switch because he is “deeply concerned about the future of the country.”  (laughing uncontrollably) Puh-lease, that is complete bullshit.  I believe that as much as I believe O.J. Simpson is innocent. He made the switch out of pure political expedience.

The bottom line, as this ballsy broad from Boston sees it, is this: the Republican Party will be better off without Arlen Specter. And soon enough, so too will the United States Senate if the voters in Pennsylvania can see that the emperor has no clothes on.

Next up…Justice David Souter announces he will be retiring from the Court. 
Well, I will admit this came as a bit of a surprise.  Given her highly publicized battle with pancreatic cancer,I figured poor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be the first to leave.  If not her, then my money would have been on Justice John Paul Stevens, at least he is in my death pool.  No doubt, Souter was a disappointment to conservatives during his tenure on the Court.  Clearly the team that vetted Souter was about as competent as the team that is charged with vetting Obama’s Secretary of Commerce picks.

It’s only been one day and I already have a headache from Sean Hannity’s bitching and moaning.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Hannity, but he needs to get it through that thick head of his that Republicans are in the MINORITY now.  When Justice Rehnquist died and Justice O’Connor retired, former President George W. Bush got to hand pick Justices Alito and Roberts, two individuals who prescribe to a similar judicial philosophy as he does.  That is one of the major privileges of being President.  So for Christ sake, let President Obama choose whoever the hell he wants.  I certainly do not want to see some Ginsburg clone on the Court, but it is Obama’s privilege to appoint whoever he damn well wants.  If he appoints friggin Gloria Steinem or Keith Olbermann to sit on the Court, that is his right to do so.  So can Republicans just shut the *&%# up!  If the GOP wants to have more influence in future Court appointments, it will first have to go back to winning elections.  And if you look at the results of NY-20, it is clear the Party has a lot of work to do!

On that note, reports this week highlighted the GOP’s efforts “re-brand” and “reenergize” itself given its pathetic state right now.  CNN, Fox News and Politico all highlighted the first of a series of forums and town hall meetings titled, “the National Council for a New America” to engage the American public in policy discussion.  What a friggin joke!  Just look at the headliners of the Council…former Gov. Jeb Bush?!?  Umm, if I were in charge of the GOP, I would not let a member of the Bush family 20 feet near any attempt to revamp the Party.  God love the Bush family, but the American people are tired of them.  No one wants another Bush to be President…..EVER.  Just go away.  Jeb was not a bad Governor in any sense of the word, but unfortunately his father and brother tainted his political career.  Please Jeb, just go clear some brush with Dad and Georgey boy on the ranch….As for Sen. John McCain…please people are more interested in what his daughter Megan has to say.

Miss California rocks the boat in Hollywood
Listen, let me be clear.  Despite being a Catholic and a Republican, I am 100% for gay marriage.  The union between a man and a woman is about as sacred as the divorce rate in this country.  But with that said, I believe that Miss California has every right to express her opinion on the matter just like Hollywood celebrities have the right to express theirs. Boob job aside, leave the poor girl alone! Let her believe what she believes. As far as Perez Hilton goes…buddy, how is your “ghost writer” these days?!?! You sham!  My point is Hollywood would not be attacking her if she gave a poorly worded argument in favor of gay marriage. Miss California is a beauty contestant not a public policy advocate.  Criticisms of her evening gown are warranted, criticisms of her political viewpoints are not.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Dad Caught with other woman
Normally, I would harshly condemn any man for allegedly sneaking around on his wife. But in this instance, I have sympathy for poor Jon. Cmon, let’s be real. Kate is an over controlling, nagging, bitch. Wouldn’t you cheat on her too? Hell the guy is a friggin saint for having to put up with her and their 8 rugrats.  Can you say “Kate minus 1?”

Swine Flu Panic
Eh, wash your hands.  I am tired of hearing about it.