Jessica Yellin Covers GOP Rally in Anaheim

Update on my earlier report: "Sarah Palin Rallies GOP at 'Victory 2010' in Anaheim."

CNN's Jessica Yellin was reporting from the far left side of the media stand. As the rally wrapped up, I cruised over for a picture just as she finished up with a live report. I don't see a video, but CNN's blog post is here.

Comparative Crowd Analysis and the Left's 'Overwhelmingly White' Tea Party Smear

One of the characterizations I noticed with the reporting on yesterday's Sarah Palin rally was that the crowd was "overwhelmingly white" (at the O.C. Register). Kevin Drum of Mother Jones picked up on that. He lives in the O.C., but didn't know there was a GOP rally. Hence, he wasn't even there. But as a radical leftist of "white" ethnic background, he jumped at the chance to sling around the distorted "overwhelmingly white" concept as a smear against the tea parties. White guilt much? Plus, left-wing extremist Blue Texan at Firedoglake once again attempts a "racist" slur against the tea parties, alleging that the grassroots citizen protesters are the same as Timothy McVeigh and the stereotypical "Angry White Men":

Polls have shown that Teabaggers are lilly white and well off. They’re not the people getting kicked out of their houses by the banksters. They’re not unemployed. They’re not bearing the brunt of the Great Recession. They’re just doing what they do when Democrats are in charge. Obama’s death panels and FEMA camps have replaced Clinton’s black helicopters.

And of course, the fact that this president’s middle name is Hussein and he’s Muslim and black, well, that’s just a few extra scoops of nuts on the wingnut sundae.

Interesting.

The Washington Post just reported the other day on the virtually non-existent expressions of racism at the tea parties, but leftists ignore the facts, since they have nothing but hypocrisy and lies.

And on a more personal level is the evidence from my own reporting this weekend. I attended two major party rallies, and I posted two reports: "President Bill Clinton in the O.C. — Stumps for Loretta Sanchez, Blames George W. Bush for Economic Crisis," and "Sarah Palin Rallies GOP at 'Victory 2010' in Anaheim."

And we therefore have two roughly identical crowd photographs we can use for comparative purposes:

The picture at top shows the crowd in attendance at the start of the Democrat Party rally for Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Former President Bill Clinton was the marquee speaker. It's safe to say that this is about as close as one comes to a "mainstream" Democrat Party rally. And look at the crowd: White people are over-represented if we adopt the left's "overwhelmingly white" tea party slur. Or put another way, not enough DeShawns and Joses kicking it for Clinton. Oh sure, as I walked up at 3:00pm both blacks and Latinos were there in significant numbers, so stereotypically we could say this was indeed a Democrat demographic. But picture this same group of people above at a tea party in Missouri or Texas, etc., wearing more red-and-blue apparel and sporting some anti-Obama signs, and we'd be hearing cries of RAAAAACISM!! faster than you can say John Lewis, André Carson, and Emanuel Cleaver.

And checking the bottom photo from the Palin rally above, is that an "overwhelmingly white" crowd? Perhaps. But not so much more "white" than those gathered to hear Bill Clinton speak. And not shown at the GOP rally are the Latino couples standing next to me (out of the picture), or the Vietnamese-American activists supporting Van Tran. Here's another shot as well, taken a little earlier, showing some more folks of diverse backgrounds.

And what would be the response from a leftist to this argument? Well, they'd count the black and brown faces and decry the RAAAAACISM!!. Of course, only the GOP rally would be RAAAAACIST!! Meanwhile, there are 14 black conservative congressional candidates running for election around the country, but they're all Republicans so the MFM is conveniently ignoring them amid its constant whining about the party being "overwhelmingly white."

Everybody knows that RAAAAACISM!! is all the Dems have left. But that card's all played out. People just need to look around. We're all Americans. We have different philosophies on the role of government in society. One key difference among Republicans is they seek a color-blind America, not one divided along lines of racial tribalism. Or as Chief Justice John Roberts has argued: "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."

Obama Supporters Defecting to GOP

They're joining the patriotic resistance to take back our country.

At ABC News, "Many Obama 2008 Supporters Defecting to GOP":

President Barack Obama's winning coalition from 2008 has crumbled and his core backers are dispirited. It's now Republicans who stand to benefit from an electorate that's again craving change.

Nearly two years after putting Obama in the White House, one-quarter of those who voted for the Democrat are defecting to the GOP or considering voting against the party in power this fall. Just half of them say they definitely will show up Nov. 2, according to an Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll released two weeks before Obama's first midterm elections.

Yet in a reflection of broad dissatisfaction with politics, just as many people who backed Republican presidential nominee John McCain are either supporting Democrats now or still considering how to vote.

Still, McCain voters — to borrow Obama's campaign rallying cry — are far more "fired up, ready to go." Two-thirds say they are certain to vote next month.

It's a wide enthusiasm gap that's buoying Republicans, who are poised for big electoral gains, and worrying Democrats, who are seeking to hang onto majorities in Congress as well among governors. Obama's party hopes its superior get-out-the-vote operation, updated from his groundbreaking campaign, can overcome Republicans' energized supporters to mitigate expected losses across the board.

Who's Got Fear and Frustration?

Politico reports that "President Barack Obama said Americans' 'fear and frustration' is to blame for an intense midterm election cycle that threatens to derail the Democratic agenda."

Right.

And here's this from a video report from another same-day event in Massachusetts: "AIDS Activists In Boston Heckle An Angry President Obama."

It's hard out there for a pimp.

AR-15 Modified to Shoot a .50 BMG Round — UPDATE!!

An update from Glenn Reynolds:

HERE’S MORE on that Zel Custom .50 rifle I mentioned Friday. Considering its immense power and impressive size, it’s really pretty easy to shoot. Shouldering it is work, since it weighs something like 35-40 pounds. On the other hand, all that weight smooths out the recoil, too, so the felt kick isn’t so bad — roughly comparable to a 12 gauge shotgun, I’d say. And, of course, it’s not really meant to be fired from the shoulder. Note that it’s actually a bolt-action, with a side-mounted box magazine. Here’s a closeup:

For contrast, notice that "little" round there, a .45 cartridge, which is large for a handgun.

I posted Glenn pictured with the full AR-15 previously: "AR-15 Modified to Shoot a .50 BMG Round."

Stop Calling Him Honey and Start Having Sex

Ha!

What a book: Stop Calling Him Honey and Start Having Sex: How Changing Your Everyday Habits Will Make You Hot for Each Other All Over Again.

Via Glenn Reynolds.

That's cracking me up because my wife and I call each other "honey" exclusively.

Harry Pelosi

Andrew Breitbart's slip of the tongue was perhaps the most memorable thing about Saturday's Palin-GOP rally. The crowd howled and Andrew ran with it.

And iOWNTHEWORLD wastes no time in memorializing it, and the Breitbart speech is at the post: "Harry Pelosi."

RELATED WHISTLING PAST THE POLITICAL GRAVEYARD: "Nancy Pelosi Fires Back: The Woman Speaker Targeted by the GOP Does Not Believe Democrats Will Lose Control of the House" (at Memeorandum).

Clueless? Meghan McCain Slams the Old Fogey Tea Party Movement

It's hard to top Christiane Amanpour for damaging the brand at ABC News, but the producers there sure worked overtime in bringing on Meghan McCain as an "analyst" for Sunday's show. See, "Meghan McCain: Christine O'Donnell 'Seen as Nutjob': 'Donnell 'Making Mockery of Running for Public Office,' John McCain's Daughter Says."

Check at about 3:00 minutes. Ms. McCain talks in sweeping generalizations about how the tea party is out of touch with "my generation." Of course, it doesn't take a political scientist to know that young people aren't normally as engaged in politics as older Americans. And not only that. The huge wave of youth enthusiasm in 2008 may well have been a historical anomaly. Ms. McCain might have done better by explaining why the Democrats are in fact losing the young people who joined their cause a couple of years ago: "Fewer Young Voters See Themselves as Democrats." I remember Ms. McCain's first few columns at the Daily Beast back in the day. She made some good points about the GOP not connecting with young people via social media. But as the Twitter revolution has taken over political networking, and as the more hip techies become more integrated into the GOP electoral infrastructure, the old assumptions are being blown away. Ms. McCain's schtick is getting old. If she's looking to have a future as a network commentator, she's gonna need to update her drill. Her views are looking kinda dowdy, and that's ironic for someone attacking her opponents as dowdy:

Breathe

Linkmaster Smith delivers early with this Sunday's Rule 5 entry. And pulling back the cobwebs of my mind is Proof Positive, who posted Faith Hill for his Friday night entry. She's a good woman.

AR-15 Modified to Shoot a .50 BMG Round

At Instapundit, where a reader writes, 'Good heavens … law professors clinging to their guns!'"

RELATED: At New York Times, "A Kind of Hunt That Even Deer Can Get Behind."

Obama 'Sho Be Looking Ugly'

Hey hypocritical leftist assholes: SaQuinta Bentley is RAAAAACIST!!

Yeah.

Because, you know, it's totally racist if black people use "derogatory" ethnic slang. Whatever. Let's just say the mofo Obama is f**ked up in da hood:

Hat Tip: Weasel Zippers, "Feeling The Love From That Black Vote."

Sarah Palin Rallies GOP at 'Victory 2010' in Anaheim

The Republican Party is fired up and determined to take back America. That was the message repeated by every speaker who took the podium Saturday at the Victory 2010 Rally in Anaheim. Sarah Palin headlined an event that doubled as a major fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. RNC Chairman Michael Steele focused the message on California, indicating that November's election would not only turn the country back toward liberty, but would begin to restore the American dream for the people of California.

The O.C. Register has a report: "Palin Rallies Faithful in Anaheim":

Sarah Palin brought her bold brand of folksiness and ferocity to Orange County on Saturday, telling a throng of admirers that Republican success on Election Day is their only hope of "saving our republic as we know it."

Ear-splitting applause erupted from the 2,000-person audience as Palin, sporting a gray pantsuit, took the stage inside an Anaheim Marriott ballroom.

"Tell 'em Sarah!" one man shouted shortly after the start of her 25-minute stem-winder.

Though billed as a benefit for state and local candidates, Palin's appearance at the "Victory Rally" consisted largely of a broadside against Democratic policies and a paean to "American exceptionalism."

"There is nothing wrong with America that a good old fashioned election won't fix," she said.

There's a report up at CNN as well, "Palin Rallies California Republicans." And at ABC News, "Palin Tells Supporters 'Soon We'll All Be Dancing'."

Neither article mentions Andrew Breitbart, shown below talking with Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle:

And there's no mystery there: Breitbart brought the crowd to cheering roars when he went straight at the press corps on top of the media stand beyond the crowd. Check it out on video at The Right Scoop: "Andrew Breitbart at GOP Rally in Anaheim, CA." Watching the clip I'm laughing again because Breitbart slammed the congressional leadership as "Harry Pelosi," and as the crowd screamed in approval, he spread his arms and said with a laugh, "Hey, Harry Pelosi!" Breitbart warned members of the press that after the election "you will not divide us again." He also warned that "we can play this game too --- we can be the media," yelling to the crowd: "Show them your cameras!" It was Breitbart in his prime. He's been around media politics for a long time, but after seeing him speak numerous times since April 15th, 2009, he's just better than ever.

With the exception of John Campbell (my Congressman), the rest of the county's GOP delegation was on hand. And there's a good chance that Assemblyman Van Tran will be joining them in Washington in January. A September poll found Tran running within two points of Representative Loretta Sanchez, and Bill Clinton campaigned for Sanchez in Santa Ana yesterday (a sure sign of desperation). That's Van Tran below. He gave great speech, rallying the crowd with predictions that Republicans would take back the House. Tran, who is Vietnamese, moved the crowd, saying "I know what freedom feels like."

Michaele Steele is not my favorite, for reasons folks are well familiar with by now, but he's our guy and he's going to be able to claim some credit with the huge GOP pickups next month. Steele's full speech is at The Right Scoop: "Michael Steele at GOP Rally in Anaheim, CA." I liked his pledge that the RNC was putting California in the win column. (Although we'll see how well that goes in 2012). Anyway, Steele introduced Sarah Palin to wild cheers. The Right Scoop has it: "Sarah Palin’s powerful speech at GOP Anaheim Rally":

She looked great --- happy and enthusiastic.

And folks on hand weren't holding back either:

Neither Carly Fiorina nor Meg Whitman showed up for the event, and the New York Times wants everyone to know about it, "2 Top Candidates Skip G.O.P. Rally" (via Memeorandum). Hey, it's a big blue state, and it's going to be black and blue for the Dems on November 3rd.

More on that later.

Sprint to the Finish Rally With Sarah Palin

I'm heading out to the Anaheim Marriott for the Victory 2010 rally with Sarah Palin:

I have no idea what kind of access I'll have for pictures, but no matter. Look for a report later tonight.

Helen Mirren in 'Red'

I think Dana Pico posted only one Rule 5 entry, on Helen Mirren. (And took some heat for it in the comments.) Well, maybe he can get away with this trailer. Helen Mirren is hot.

Think You Know Sarah Palin?

If so, test your knowledge against Matthew Continetti's piece, "Five Myths About Sarah Palin." (Via Instapundit.)

Polls Probably Underestimating the Coming Epic DEMPLOSION!!

And that's from the netroots numbers guy, Nate Silver, "Consensus Points to 50-Seat G.O.P. Gain in House, But May Understate Uncertainty" (at Memeorandum):

FiveThirtyEight’s projection for the U.S. House shows little change from last week. Republicans are given a 73 percent chance of taking over the House, up incrementally from 72 percent last week. During an average simulation run, Republicans finished with 227 seats, up from 226 last week; this would suggest a net gain of 48 seats from the 179 they hold currently.

However, there is considerable uncertainty in the forecast because of the unusually large number of House seats now in play. A gain of as large as 70-80 seats is not completely out of the question if everything broke right for Republicans. Conversely, if Democrats managed to see a material rebound in their national standing over the final two weeks of the campaign, they could lose as few as 20-30 seats, as relatively few individual districts are certain pickups for Republicans.

WHOA NELLY!!

I'll be stoked with a gain of 60 seats. Larry Sabato's not even that optimistic on GOP chances. But sheesh, coming from Netroots Nate, this must be just killing the Democrat fever swamps nihilists.

RELATED: At WSJ, "Democrats Retrench as GOP Pulls Away."

'The Way We Were: Starring Jerry and Bill'

The Whitman campaign is having a little fun with the Bill Clinton/Jerry Brown rapprochement: "GOP counters Bill Clinton - Jerry Brown LA rally with a little movie magic (VIDEO): "The Way We Were" starring Jerry and Bill":

Previously: "Bill Clinton Stands In for Barack Obama So Voters Will Forget They Hate Democrats, Or Something."

Bill Clinton Stands In for Barack Obama So Voters Will Forget They Hate Democrats, Or Something

I was thinking about this yesterday, on the way home from covering the protest against Loretta Sanchez: We sure haven't seen President Barack Obama out an the hustings much this season. But former President Bill Clinton is all over the place, stumping for candidates from East to West. The Los Angeles Times has a write on up Clinton's appearance last night at UCLA, where he tried to fire up the crowd for gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown and lieutenant governor's candidate Gavin Newsom:

Former President Clinton campaigned across Southern California on Friday, urging Democrats to shake off their moribund mind-set and head to the polls so the Obama administration can finish the job it started.

Clinton told thousands of listeners at an evening rally at UCLA that they bear responsibility for the nation's future.

"It is not enough to have voted for a new president if you will not help him govern and stick behind the members of Congress who stood for him," Clinton said as a light drizzle began to fall. "I am pleading with you, you need to go out and tell everyone who is not here tonight that any college student in the state of California that doesn't vote in this election is committing malpractice on your own future."

It's an odd campaign strategy, but sensible in the end. Clinton was out trying to get voters to take their minds off the failed Obama administration and the disastrous Democrat Congress. Clinton naturally blamed Bush administration policies and told the crowds to think of wonderful "ideas" of how big government really works, really!

At the John King video clip (at about 3:00 minutes), Gloria Borger says it must be wonderful for Bill Clinton, "because suddenly he is in more demand than the President of the United States."

Ouch.

PHOTO CREDIT: Left Coast Rebel.

Saturday Morning Rule 5 Preview

I received a nice note in the mail from the fine gentleman over at The Real United States:

Mr. Douglas,

Your blog is great! I wish you taught at WVU when I was in school. My political science professor was horrible (couldn't speak English).

Amazing.

Anyway, here's a bit of Saturday linkaround (in the hopes of generating some reciprocal linkage, hint! hint!):

As always, Linkmaster Smith will be highlighting the week's hotness for Sunday Rule 5. But check out fabulous conservative Opus 6, and get some hot Florida blogging at The Practical State. And The Blog Prof is always on target, for example, " Video: Obama, Can You Spare a Dime?."

**********

And be sure to visit some of the other friends of American Power:

* Another Black Conservative.

* Astute Bloggers (Honorary).

* Blazing Cat Fur.

* The Blog Prof.

* Bob Belvedere.

* Classical Liberal.

* Daley Gator.

* Kathy Shaidle.

* Left Coast Rebel.

* Mind Numbed Robot.

* Not a Sheep.

* POWIP.

* The Other McCain.

* Reaganite Republican (Honorary).

* Right Klik (Honorary).

* Saberpoint (Honorary).

* Serr8d (Honorary).

* Snooper's Report (Honorary).

* Stormbringer.

* Theo Spark.

* Washington Rebel.

* WyBlog.

BONUS: Don't forget Instapundit.

And drop your link in the comments to be added to the weekly bikini roundups!

The Enemy Within: Those Totally 'Imaginary' Communists

At No Sheeples Here!, "Democratic Socialists Of America: The Special Interests Behind Congressional Policies."

The Heritage Foundation was sent the video embedded below which shows Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) speaking to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) before the One Nation Rally on the Washington Mall on October 2, 2010. Socialists comprised the largest contingent attending the hatefest.

DSA National Director Frank Llewellyn introduces Conyers to the group and he focuses in on the notion of a “one-world concept” in which every nation is responsible for one another, and beholden to international regimes or multinational organizations. Conyers says: “We understand the significance of it. We know that when unions, political ideology, clergy, labor, civil rights, come together, and just people that are progressive enough to see in this one-world concept, that we’re all in this together. It makes certain things pretty easy to understand where we’re coming from.”

Conyers then turns his attention to the political forces opposing the errand boy sent by grocery clerks. He says: “In 2012, there is a highly organized effort to make sure he (Obama) is a one-term president. It started even before he was sworn in. It’s grown. I only mention the Tea Party, because they are small and dismissible. But there are much more serious and affluent sources behind this effort to interfere with a re-election campaign of Obama.”

This is a glaring example of the enemy within.