by Philip Martin, BOR

Last week, I argued that Debra Medina was set-up by Glenn Beck and Rick Perry (“Gut Reaction: Team Rick Perry Used Glenn Beck to Attack Debra Medina”). As you’ll recall, Medina was skyrocketing in the polls — it was certain she would force a runoff, and becoming increasingly possible that she would be in that runoff herself. For Medina, a quick appearance on Glenn Beck’s radio show probably seemed like a terrific idea — Beck’s constant promotion of extreme right-wing views appealed to the type of people who were supporting Debra Medina.

But Medina was not talking to Glenn Beck the activist — because there is no such thing. Especially not when Beck’s boss is such a major supporter of Rick Perry. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, Clear Channel CEO and Chairman Lowry Mays has donated almost $300,000 to Rick Perry.

Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and countless other right-wing radio station personalities are owned by Clear Channel. Beck is paid $10 million by a Clear Channel subsidiary for his radio show (Source: Forbes). Is it any surprise, then, that he ambushed Medina the way he did — and subsequently told all of his radio listeners to support Perry? After he finished his interview with Medina, Beck went on to pronounce his love for Rick Perry (Source: Radio Interview Transcript):

GLENN: I think I can write her off the list. Let me take another look at Kay Bailey Hutchison if I have to. Rick, I think you and I could French kiss right now.

PAT: Let me tell you something. He’s a damn handsome man.

GLENN: He’s a damn handsome man.

PAT: Looks good in a pair of jeans.

GLENN: Wow.

PAT: He’s a handsome man.

GLENN: Wow. The fastest way back to 4%.

The set-up by Beck was quickly echoed throughout the mainstream media. The Dallas Morning News went on to immediately call it a “game-ending-gaffe.” Few in the media, however, noted Perry’s financial ties to Clear Channel and Glenn Beck — or took any moments to repeat the absolutely bizarre conspiracy theories Beck puts out on his own. After all, this is Glenn Beck:

It sadly is not surprising that violence can result when Beck proclaims that our government is marching towards fascism, or when he salivates at the thought of the rising up of a militias, or when he warns that “we are a county heading towards socialism, totalitarianism, beyond your wildest imagination”. Distrust and hatred of government are not unforeseeable results when Beck tells his audience that “everything” reported on by the traditional media “is a lie”, or when he claims that the AmericCorps bill “indoctrinates your child into community service through the federal government”. When Beck muses aloud about the various ways he could kill Michael Moore, or lashes out at the “the war against the American way”, and when he claims that the president’s budget is enslaving and “out and out evil”(more evil than extraordinary rendition, according to Beck), he cannot feign surprise if and when the seeds of hatred and panic he sows bear fruit.

When he flatly and unequivocally states that the “destruction of the West is happening”, or when he shows photos of the president transitioning to photos of Hitler, Lenin, and Stalin and asks “is this where we’re headed?”, he is not merely playing the role, as he puts it, of the “rodeo clown.”

Debra Medina’s gaffe — set-up by a suspicious line of questioning from an employee of one of Rick Perry’s top contributors — could end up being the turning point from the election going to a runoff to Perry winning the primary outright.

by Bill McCarthy, Tribune-Eagle

Republican Ron Micheli says the greatest threat to Wyoming’s sovereignty is the federal government.

CHEYENNE — Fort Bridger rancher Ron Micheli sees opportunity in the problems that Wyoming faces.

“Our way of life, our opportunities, and so many of the things that we love about Wyoming are being challenged today,” he said Wednesday.

Micheli, 61, announced that he is a Republican candidate for governor in the State Capitol rotunda amid some 150 supporters.

He said his experience serving in the Wyoming House of Representatives for 16 years and as director of the state Department of Agriculture for eight years gives him insight into the workings of government.

As a fourth-generation rancher, he said he has 40 years of experience running a small business that gives him insight into economic and job growth.

Wyoming not only faces problems with a sluggish economy, less state revenue and rising unemployment, however.

The state’s sovereignty also is threatened by the federal government, Micheli said.

“I believe the greatest threat facing Wyoming today, and quite frankly the country we all love, is coming from Washington, D.C.”

Micheli said programs “concocted by a liberal president and his accomplices in Congress” add to the national debt, stifle freedom and make it more difficult for states to balance budgets.

He also sees the federal government creating more power for itself at the expense of the states.

“We need a governor who will fight for the Constitution, who will join with other governors and fight the infringement on the rights of states,” Micheli said.

He said he will be that governor, and the problems provide “the opportunity to return to the principles of good government that our Founding Fathers recognized.

“We will demonstrate to the rest of the country that smaller, more efficient and properly restrained government is the best protector of economy, society and our liberties

“My highest priority as your governor will be to maintain an environment where it is easy to do business in Wyoming, so that we can provide the conditions that will encourage job creation and steady growth,” Micheli said.

Micheli is anti-abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, and he is against homosexual marriage.

“We need a leader who will protect traditional family values, understands the sanctity of marriage, and who will protect the sanctity of life and has the record to prove it.”

As a legislator, Micheli sponsored legislation to prevent state funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. He also supported legislation to require parental notification before an abortion could be performed on a minor.

Wyoming State Auditor Rita Meyer and former U.S. Attorney Matt Mead have already announced that they are seeking the Republican nomination.

Speaker of the House Rep. Colin Simpson, R-Cody, has registered Simpson Exploratory Committee 2010 with the Secretary of State’s Office but has made no announcement.

Democrats are waiting to see whether Gov. Dave Freudenthal will challenge term limits and seek a third term.

The primary election is Aug. 17. The general election is Nov. 2.

One of our favorite guests, and champion of State’s Rights, Randy Brogdon, a State Senator in Oklahoma, has announced he will be running for governor in the OK state.  The following video is his official campaign video:

The sound is a little off. To view the video in full screen, as a website, click here.