New Hampshire Senator (again) Judd Gregg has been called many things in the past few weeks.   With Obama's courting, like a quarterback trying to get his hands in a cheerleader's blouse before never talking to her again, Gregg was placed in a national spotlight he would never attained by being mere Senator of one of our 57 States.  But now that he slapped away the quarterback's hand and fled the backseat, what now for poor Judd?

It seems there are only three ways to view him:  Devious Manipulator, Moral Statesman, or complete Dumbass.  Larry Kudlow, in National Review, takes the second view.  In "Three Hats Off to Judd Gregg", Kudlow argues that Dodd was Mr. Smith, putting partisan issues behind the greater good for the country.  That when he found the common ground was merly common ether, he respectfully withdrew.

This blog finds the other two alternatives more plausible.  The first, least likely,

If Judd Gregg plotted up front to be placed in a position where he could publicly ridicule the administration's pathetic economic stimulus plan, he is a Devious Manipulator of genius proportions.  In New Hampshire, Gregg's audience was paltry compared to the body-blow he was able to deliver via an international media throng.  He couldn't have predicted (could he?) that Obama would also make a run at the Constitution by yanking the census into Rahm's smoky pool hall.  But if he planned all along that he would "play tease," and would dump Obama on the night before the prom....he is a genius.   BUT...

The most plausible?   Judd Gregg, nearing the end of his run as a little-state Senator, saw his opportunity to grab the limelight.  He wouldn't go quietly into the night, and saw his opportunity to be a player.   He believed the President that he would have an equal seat at the table.  He believed Obama really wanted him there for the economic expertise (rather than the forfeit of a Republican Senate seat).   He was shocked when, once the morning came, even though he put-out, Quarterback Obama didn't want anything to do with him.  In short....a dumbass.

House Squeaker Nancy Pelosi tried to paint her visit this week with Pope Benedict as a meeting of the minds, but his holiness just  wasn't havin' it.  Pelosi's taxpayer-funded boondoggle, hatched to clear the air with those pesky pro-life Catholics, included a demand for a one on one with the pontiff.   Her office press statement of the visit tells one story:

"It is with great joy that my husband, Paul, and I met with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, today. In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the Church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger, and global warming, as well as the Holy Father’s dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel. I was proud to show His Holiness a photograph of my family’s papal visit in the 1950s, as well as a recent picture of our children and grandchildren."

Charming, right?  But the statement from the Holy See paints an entirely different picture about the Pope's view of Pelosi wanting to kill more babies.  Say what you want about the guy's hat, but he didn't play patsy to Nancy.

"Following the General Audience, the Holy Father briefly greeted Mrs. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage. His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception until natural death, which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists, and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of development."

Both statements and a great analysis by George Weigal are at Weigal--Natl Review    Weigal opines, He told Pelosi, politely but unmistakably, that her relentlessly pro-abortion politics put her in serious difficulties as a Catholic, which was his obligation as a pastor. He also underscored — for Pelosi, Joe Biden, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Barbara Mikulski, Rose DeLauro, Kathleen Sebelius, and everyone else — that the Church’s opposition to the taking of innocent human life, at any stage of the human journey, is not some weird Catholic hocus-pocus; it’s a first principle of justice than can be known by reason. It is a “requirement of the natural moral law” — that is, the moral truths we can know by thinking about what is right and what is wrong — to defend the inviolability of innocent human life."

More on this later, but wanted to get the name of the 7 dems who voted "no" on the embarrassing porkulus bill in the House.

D's No!
Bright (AL) Griffith (AL) Peterson (MN) Shuler (NC) DeFazio (OR) Minnick (ID) Taylor (MS)

Present: Lipinski (IL)


Flood the phones to Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins' offices!!!!

In breaking news, former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has lost his crown as biggest 'tool' to face questions from Helen Thomas (RIP, 1992).  In only two weeks, Obama-hack Robert Gibbs has adopted a press-handling style that makes Joe Biden and "The One" (without prompter) look positively articulate.  Gibbs, who never met a tired sports metaphor, uhh or um, or Fox News conspiracy he didn't try, is quickly wearing out his welcome with a sympathetic (sycophantic?) Washington Press Corps. 

In NY Magazine, Chris Rovzar complains of the undue harsh treatment Gibbs gets in his first days on the job.  Because after all, the White House is well-suited for on-the-job training, right? 

Where my press adulation went?

Watch the video.  Best and the brightest.  I don't know what else to say.....seriously. 

In a lesson for kids that would make budding reporters cry, former Clinton suckup-turned impartial journalist George Snuffleupagus is accused of hosting daily phone strategy sessions with White House COS/POS Rahm "Pauli Walnuts" Emanuel. 

Stephanopoulos, who gained his gravitas by being featured as "uber-dreamy" on a '90s Friends episode, has been operating for the last few years as an above-the-board, nonpartisan political commentator for ABC (no, nothing to see here).  In a letter by Media Research Center President L. Brent Bozell, ABC News President is asked to address the validity of the breach of journalistic ethics (only by pre-November 08 election standards). Link below:
 
Impartiality--kiss my Snuffleupagus!

Stephanopoulus, owner of the most annoying name of any former White House Press Secretary and the hairiest back since Dee Dee Myers, defended his standards.  "Sh*t, at least I paid my taxes.  What's the big deal?"

In semi-related news, no one tuned in to ABC News this week.

Tom Daschle hasn't always been driven around in corporate paid limos.  Once upon a time, back in the days of political expediency, Tommy D could barely afford floormats and Penzoil.  Before he began telling us how to treat our health lives, he was telling us how to live our financial lives.   In this timely YouTube recovery, Tom railed on the ills of Washington's limousine-elite, a mere decade before he became one. 

Get your dirty farm hands off my paintjob!

Don't hate Tom Daschle because he changed.   Hate Tom Daschle because he is didn't pay his taxes, tried to get his lobbyist boss appointed commerce secretary, and especially hate Tom Daschle because of those stupid-ass glasses.

Mrs. Hopie and I got our tax return back this week, providing a frightening opportunity to see our plummet into liberal-speak acceptance.  I'm guessing I'm not alone, because my friend and neighbors also have the twisted view of tax returns as manna from the Potomac.   But the initial excitement of our personal stimulus package (no, not in a dirty sense) soon waned as we reviewed this treasure given to the federal (and state) government to fund programs with which we wholeheartedly disagree.  

Look, I know paying taxes is my responsibility as an American citizen, and since I don't desire a cabinet position, I pay them with limited reservation.   But one look at the bloated stimulus package--filled with STD prevention, big labor benefits, ACORN funding, and money for squash production and sales--should give us all pause.

The Republican American (rep-am.com) is chronicling a disturbing list of nominees for senior level (including finance-related) cabinet positions who clearly don't see paying taxes as a populist duty...at least not for themselves.  One party--the party that brings you more government--wants more of your taxes to fund their pet projects, and in some cases personal extravagance.  Frighteningly, rep-am.com can't even keep up with the growing list, as their post doesn't even take into account highly touted OPM budget-scrubber-to-be Nancy Killefer.  Killefer (Obama's pick to combat government waste) reported today, withdrew her nomination after acknowledging she failed to pay taxes on the extensive staff of help hired to raise her children for her.  Here's rep-am's list, and the full text:
Rebublican American - DFL tax raisers/evaders

Now I don't begrudge these fine citizens for being fortunate enough to have a car, driver, housekeeper, nanny, another nanny, cook, etc., but SONOFA....!!!    Is there anyone in the DFL paying taxes...and if not, would you kindly get your hand out of my pajamas?
One suggestion:  review the tax returns of each federally elected (and appointed) official.  If they paid their fair due, how much stimulus would we really need?  

Thanks to all the dispirited curmudgeons out there, HopieChangie has received 6,124 hits in it's first 12 days since the inauguration.  That's significantly more than my pre-launch estimates, which consisted of (1- Mom, and 2-Dad).  Several folks have approached me about contributing (writing) to this blog.  Absolutely--send them to me.   Due to our surprising success, I will now pay 3-times more than I originally offered.

Keeping a blog going is a little time-consuming, but being able to make fun of Pelosi's herpes, Al Franken's rape threats, and BHO's Balls have made it all worthwhile.

For all readers..particularly to you folks over at FreeRepublic and our country's heroes at "From My Position...on the Way", thank you!

Fresh off trying to ramrod taxpayer-funded abortions into the stimulus package, House Squeaker Nancy Pelosi now believes that STD's, not babies, are the true evil drain on our nation's coffers.  Because we all can agree that it is hard to bring home a paycheck when you're oozing pus, STD prevention seems like a perfect landing point for stimulus treasure.    YouTube linked video below of Madam Squeaker trying to explain it all on CBS while courageously fighting through the shankers.  Tragic...I, for one, truly hope her stupid yap doesn't fall off and sink in San Francisco Bay.  That would be bad.   Bad like the clap.

What???

Senator John Kyl (R- AZ) proves he is smoking dope by lauding the potential choice of Republican Senator Judd Gregg for Commerce Secretary.  On Fox news Sunday, Kyl drooled,
 "It shows a great deal of perspicacity on the part of President Obama to select a guy like Judd Gregg, who is just a phenomenal senator, very bright."

Regardless of Greggs checkbook street-cred, his departure from the Senate would take the rolls one step closer to a filibuster-proof majority for the Dems.  Senior Republicans, however, believe there is no danger of Obama taking advantage of that opportunity.  If Gregg leaves, the Democratic Governor of New Hampshire would hold that decision.  Not to worry...nothing to see here folks.

Naked Emperor Mitch McConnell assured us on "Face the Nation,"  "Sen. Gregg has assured me that if it were to happen, it would not change the makeup of the Senate.  It would have no effect on the balance of power in the Senate.

Well, good, as long as you say so Mitch.  However, maybe rather than dropping the entire fate of the nation on the roulette wheel, perhaps you folks should assist Judd in politely declining?  Wouldn't you do the same if your buddy had beer goggles, and was hitting on a toothless chick?

I wonder, when faced with the opportunity to ramrod every fringe policy decision through without argument, would BHO choose to-- just maybe--take the opportunity to have four/eight years of smooth sailing?  

Senate GOP, could you at least give us a back rub or some flowers before you bend us over?  

No wonder Conservative Grapevine.com's website of the day is "Mitch McConnell Needs Some Balls"