Author: Fritz Pettyjohn

Two years ago, on the eve of the first anniversary of the Benghazi attack, Jeb Bush, Chairman of the National Constitution Center, awarded that group’s Liberty Medal to Hillary Clinton.  This was the culmination of years of cozying up to the Clintons by the Bushes.  Maybe Jeb thought Hillary would cut him some slack down the road.

On Friday, at the meeting of the Urban League, Jeb found out just how wrong he was.  While waiting to give his speech, Jeb got to listen to Hillary trash him.  Rather than respond, when he took the stage he thanked her.  I guess he’s seen Trump’s rise in the polls and has decided to become the anti-Trump, a wimp.  Jeb, remember, is the smart one.  The only question for Bush is how much of a fool he makes of himself before he quits.  Since Jeb thinks illegal immigration is an act of love, maybe the Donald can ask him about Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez.  After being deported for the fifth time, Juan decided to come back to the U.S., no doubt as an act of love, and then randomly murdered Kathryn Steinle in sanctuary San Francisco.  Love makes the world go round, right, Jeb?  Come on, Donald, show us a pair.  Bush recently said, “It’s completely unAmerican to require people living in the shadows (sic)”.  So opposing amnesty is unAmerican.  Who knew?  He also said he’ll govern like LBJ.  The man’s intelligence is overwhelming.  He’s just got that touch.  Like when he says he’ll be willing to lose the primary to win the general.  How the hell do you win a general election you’re not in?  One of the imponderables is what he’s going to do with all his money when it’s clear he’s losing.  Will he go negative on the leaders?  Or will he stick with joyous?  Only Jeb knows for sure.  It’s possible he’d show a little class, but don’t count on it.

Campaigning joyously might not be such a good idea this cycle.  Trump’s rise demonstrates, above all else, that the American people are royally pissed off.  They want somebody who understands their anger and is prepared to do something about it, like seal the border.  Now.  No ifs ands or buts.

My moderator question for Hillary:  “Mrs. Clinton, your intervention on behalf of banking giant UBS, and their subsequent donations and speaking fees to your Foundation, may not be a violation of the law, but isn’t it important that high government officials avoid even the appearance of impropriety?  Doesn’t it just look bad for America’s Secretary of State to appear to be profiting from their actions in office?”

Hillary’s entire candidacy is based on name recognition, money, and gender politics.  It’s not enough.  Millennials will be her undoing, along with black and Hispanic men.  Her digs at Uber won’t help.  He support of the FCC’s “net neutrality” will hurt as well.  If there’s one thing millennials like it’s the freedom of the internet.  Women will stick with her when she starts tearing up, as she did in New Hampshire eight years ago.  It won’t be enough.  If I’m wrong I’ll throw this computer in the dump and go live in the desert, eating roots and bugs.  For over 40 years Hillary has watched her husband bullshit his way through life, knowing full well that she’s smarter than he is.  She figures if he can pull it off so can she.  But Bill’s special.  As former Nebraska Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey said, he’s a truly great liar, a virtuoso of falsehood.  Hillary tries the same shtick and falls flat.  Life’s not fair.

I think I may be in a little bit better health than Bill.  I hope so. He’s on my bucket list.  I want to outlive him so I can piss on his grave.  It’s personal.  Maybe I can do an internet campaign for a group of guys to all get together and we all piss on it en masse.  A good way to bond with fellow patriots.  We can even pass out commemorative bumper stickers, “I pissed on Clinton’s grave.”  It could start a trend.

The worst political analysis I ever did was 1996, when I thought Dole had a chance to beat Clinton.  Dole wasn’t much of a candidate, but Clinton had been revealed as a sexual predator, and I couldn’t believe he’d get away with it.  But the American people held their noses and voted for him, because we had peace and prosperity.  Most people vote in their own self interest, by and large, even if they don’t even like or even trust the candidate.  Are the people of this country so dimwitted that they can be convinced that Hillary Clinton can lead us to peace and prosperity, going down essentially the same path we’ve been on for the last eight years?  They say no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.

If you believe that, bet on her.

In my American Thinker piece I stated that Amendment Conventions were not subject to “external controls.”  Rob Natelson points out that the States are external to the Convention but can “control” it through control of their delegations, that Congress could refuse to specify a mode of ratification for an ultra vires Amendment, and that the Courts might declare an ultra vires Amendment void.  Rob’s correct, of course.  My language was imprecise.  Next time I’ll see if Rob can review my stuff before I send it out for publication, at least on legal issues.

Lou Marin says there’s a better chance of him getting hit by lightning than moving Sen. Biggs.  Well, lightning strikes about 600 people a year, so there’s hope.

Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore is #17, and on Special Report yesterday disqualified himself by calling for a Middle East NATO.  Craziest idea yet.  American soldiers are going to die defending the borders of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt?  Crazy isn’t strong enough.

For the moment the polls separate the field into three groups  — the Big Three, the Middle Six, and the Rest.  Trump, Walker and Bush are in the lead.  Trump is not a serious candidate.  Bush is going nowhere but down.  So Scott Walker, as of today, is the man to beat.  The Middle Six (Rubio, Huckabee, Carson, Paul, Cruz and Kasich) contains three sure losers, Huckabee, Carson and Cruz.  I include Cruz because people don’t like a smart ass.  Paul’s star seems to be fading.  He won’t kiss up to donors  — he’s not all in.  I think he’s running, in part, because of Daddy issues, just like Romney was.  When he decided to hang on to his Senate seat it was a tell.  His heart’s not in it.

If you count Paul and the Rest out, as I think is reasonable, it gets down to Walker, Kasich and Rubio.  I like Kasich, but any of these would be fine.

The debate to watch is Democratic.  Sometime in August or September the DNC will have the first debate in Iowa.  That will be a kick.  Lincoln Chafee was in the Senate with Hillary when she voted for the Iraq war.  He knows it was a politically calculated vote, and it really pisses him off.  He looks kind of goofy, but I think he’s got balls, like his war hero dad.  I’m betting he goes after her on that vote, as he should.  Bernie Sanders also carries a set, and all the people who turn out for his rallies want him to separate himself from Hillary.  The big question that begs to be asked is the Clinton Foundation corruption.  The moderator has to ask that one.

If esprit d’corps is worth anything the Task Force seems to be going strong.  Everyone is happy with San Diego, and ready to get back to work.  Loren Enns deserves recognition for his work in getting prepared in our target states.

In an ideal world, when the filing deadlines for running for the state legislature in 2016 start up, every legislative candidate, of any party, who files for office should get a letter explaining Article V, and their responsibility under it if elected.  The trick is to get them to read and understand it.  When I filed for the State Senate in 1982 I’d never heard of Article V.  I read everything people sent to my campaign (not much) and I would have read an explanation of Article V with great interest.  You want the letter to arrive right after the filing deadline, so that it will be one of the first such letters they get.  This is what the Bradley Foundation should do with all their money.

Sometimes I ask myself, If you’re so smart, how come you don’t have any money?

I never have an answer.

Why did the financial collapse of 2008 happen right after McCain, with his pick of Sarah Palin, had opened up a small lead on Obama?  Do the George Soros’s of the world have the power to make something like that happen?

After the dismal Presidency of his brother, why does anyone think Jeb Bush is the best Republican candidate?  Aside from his money, what’s so special about this guy?

Does anybody really like Ted Cruz?  Why?

There are, apparently, a few people who think Chris Christie could get the nomination.  This is curious.

How long can the federal reserve continue to print money to cover our deficits?

Why would any normal, sane person spend $60,000 a year to send their kid to these ridiculously left wing liberal arts colleges?

How can there be so many abnormal, crackpot people in this country?

When will Caitlyn Jenner try to enter a women’s beauty contest?

Why would anyone pick someone other than Marco Rubio for the Vice Presidential nomination?

Why doesn’t John Kasich realize that one of Reagan’s greatest political strengths was his humility, and try to emulate it?

When do the Democrats realize Hillary is toxic, and abandon her?

Why are Dave Guldenschuh and I the only people who realize that it’s going to be either Kasich, Walker or Rubio?

Why wouldn’t Joe Biden run?  It was his son’s dying wish, for Pete’s sake.

When will people understand that the solution to most of our political and economic problems is with the states, the people, and Article V?

Why would a beautiful grey vixen walk up to me in the woods last evening, close enough to touch, and look at me?

What does the fox say?

Three months ago in Anchorage I went to a dinner at Dave and Kathy Cuddy’s house to talk politics.  I did my best to convince the group that Alaska can get its land in a Supply Side BBA.  One of those present was Dick Randolph, a former legislator who ran for Governor in 1982.  Dick was in favor, naturally, but maybe a little skeptical.

Today I find out that the Alaska Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas has appointed a group to advise it on the subject of transferring federal lands to the state.  It’s called the Alaska State Lands Advisory Group, chaired by Mead Treadwell.  Dick is a member.  They meet on August 19th.  I’ll bet a dollar to a doughnut that I can convince them to endorse the Supply Side BBA.

The government of the State of Alaska is going through difficult times.  Half their budget is coming from reserves.  They need hope.  Maybe, just maybe, people up there will get behind this idea, accept it as real.  Then they have a huge and vested interest in a BBA Convention.  Maybe enough to put some money into it.

The stakes, for Alaska, are huge.  If they got their land their worries are over, and they’re back in fat city, where they’ve been accustomed to be.

Dr. Ben Carson may not have a real chance at the nomination, but I hope he lasts long enough for the American people to get to know him.  I just saw him on Special Report, and he comes across as the nicest man.  It’s impossible not to like and admire this man.  With all the racial issues swirling around it’s a joy to see such a nice, normal, intelligent, well spoken black American.

Gov. Perry should preface any answer he gives by rattling off the three federal Departments he wants to eliminate.  The ones he couldn’t remember four years ago.  Self-deprecating humor works.

Kasich came up with a good line.  He said preparing for a debate that includes Trump is like preparing for a NASCAR race that includes a drunk driver.

When Trump exits who gets his votes?  I know who won’t get them  — Jeb Bush.  Speaking of whom, how the hell does he stand out at the debate?  He’s got nothing on these guys.  I haven’t seen much of him, but I think he’s weak.  And a little self-reverential, holier than thou.  Prissy.  But I’m sure he’s a good person.  I know a lot of good people, none of whom belong in politics.

Kathleen Willey’s got a website, Linda Tripp has broken a long silence, and Paula Jones is giving interviews.  The yutes of America are going to learn a few things about Bill Clinton the sexual predator and the wife who enabled him.  If their story is heard Hillary is toast.

I think the left is intellectually exhausted.  They’ve got nothing left.  They’re the party of government, and nobody likes or trusts the government.

How can we lose?