Chris Stewart, Politician - But Not that Great of One

Sitting here tonight in thunderstorms grateful for the water on my lawn and gardens, my mind wanders a little south to the outdoor amphitheater where Glenn Beck is to be holding his 'man in the moon' extravaganza. He declared a miracle, a sign of approval from above, when a flock of geese flew over his last rally in DC. I know it would be really, really wrong to pray for a lightning strike. And I suppose if he lucks out and he doesn't get washed out he'll claim the miracle again. But my issue is with Congressman Chris Stewart, Utah 2nd Dist.

Why bring up Beck? Well, the problem is Congressman Stewart is a good ol' buddy of Beck's.

Chris Stewart - old buddy of Glenn Beck

A Mormon in the White House: It'll Be Close, But No Cigar

I've been trying to draft up an update on the current state of the Republican field for President 2012. But it's been by fits and starts. It's been especially difficult, with the crazy Bachmann win in the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, Pawlenty dropping out for being less than boring, and Governor Rick "Anti-Mitt" Perry fresh off his latest Evangelical Prayer Crusade now announced for the race.

I am ready to go out on a limb, even if a limb with an option. It's will be either Perry/Huntsman or Romney/Bachmann.  That's my limb, there will be a Mormon on the ticket. And I'm not promoting this either as both of those tickets would have serious problems not likely to get my support. My preference for Huntsman is well stated. But Perry is beyond the pale.

Huntsman Pledges not to sign any Pledge

Jon Huntsman, with no chance to be the Republican nominee in 2012, still might just possibly be a VP candidate and could be the Republican standard bearer in 2016 when the party stops steeping in dogmatic tea. He recently said that he would not sign all the popular pledges among the Republicans trying to out do each other on their litmus tests and creeds. The only pledges he is concerned about is the one he made to his wife at marriage and the pledge he makes to the flag. Now there's a true American!

Congressman Bishop and I Agree on Something!

Wow!  Usually I call Congressman Rob Bishop's Office to disagree or complain. And when I see him in parades (4th of July, Pioneer Day, etc.), I just yell at him (if Linda doesn't clamp her hand over my mouth first). Tomorrow, I'm going to call his office and thank him for a vote.

Apparently he joined today with a tea party faction to vote against an extension of certain aspects of the so-called "Patriot Act." This is big. At least it's something on which I think my friends who are Libertarians, Liberals, or true "small-government" Conservatives, and I can all agree.  It's one area where I disagree with our President.

Sadly, I think it may just be a symbolic vote as the the Washington Post explains.  The Republicans apparently can change the rules from a super-majority requirement to a simple majority vote on this which they will likely win.  But still, maybe I won't yell at him at the next parade.