Many economists and a number of leaders in the Democratic Party continue to utter words of caution regarding Senators Obama and Clinton's increasingly protectionist stances on international trade.  In addition to concerns that re-negotiating previous trade deals could harm the economy, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that this behavior could have significant diplomatic and security ramifications as well.

Freedom's Watch President and CEO Brad Blakeman was a guest on Rightalk-Radio (Stand Up America) today discussing Freedom's Watch and the presidential election.

Special thanks to CPT Smith, LT Acosta, CPT Reinke, TSGT Anthony, TS Huffey and A1C Callaway for the bird’s eye view of Baghdad.

Reporting from Doura

Doura is located in Rasheed, a district in southern Baghdad, and before the Surge was a case study on insurgency and asymmetrical warfare.

The Wall Street Journal criticizes the Democratic presidential candidates this morning for bullying U.S. allies on NAFTA to gain an advantage in the Ohio primary. 

The Wall Street Journal runs an editorial this morning about Senator Barack Obama’s support for something called the Patriot Employer Act – a bill that would punish employers who don’t abide Big Labor’s radical agenda for America.  According to Senator Obama’s bill, also co-sponsored by other liberal Senators, if you’re an employer who opposes union organizing, guess what? You’re not patriotic!  But if you are a “patriotic” employer – i.e. if you capitulate to Big Labor’s agenda – you are rewarded with a 1% tax credit on your profits. 

Freedom's Watch was saddened by the death of Bill Buckley, Jr. this morning, at his home in Connecticut.

In an editorial printed today, the Washington Times is claiming that with yesterday's vote to cut Iraq funds for our troops within 120 days, liberals in Congress are "Clinging to Defeat."  This bill, supported by MoveOn.org and the SEIU (a staunch supporter of Sen. Obama), ignores the gains made in Iraq by the surge strategy over the last year.

Reporting from a U.S. military base in Kuwait

Private Ryan is a name most Americans associate with Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning picture about a fictional paratrooper from the 101st Airborne Division; his three brothers are tragically killed in WW II and General George C. Marshall orders a grieving mother’s last son to be returned home from France.

Paul Gigot hosted a written forum in today's Wall Street Journal about the economic populism of the liberal presidential candidates.  The panelists took on issues ranging from Obama and Clinton wanting to raise taxes, to their various forms of mandated health care coverage, to Obama's ultra-protectionist trade stance.  Some highlights:

Last week, a prominent member of the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU) resigned in a blistering letter to the union's President, Andy Stern.  The official, Sal Roselli, complained that the union wasn't Democratic enough - recently national union management has been eclipsing local workers in an apparent power grab.

Muqtada al-Sadr, the powerful Shiite cleric in control of a militia in Iraq, has once again extended a ceasefire for an additional six months.  This has long been considered one of three necessary steps toward bringing down the death toll in Iraq - the other two being the surge strategy in U.S. forces, and Sunni Iraqis turning against al Qaeda and aligning with U.S. and Iraqi government forces.

The Wall Street Journal examines Senator Obama's Teamster "diplomacy" in an editorial this morning, questioning whether a key endorsement is related to Mr. Obama's recent opposition to a pending U.S. - North Korea free trade agreement.  The editorial questions possible hypocrisy in this opposition, as Obama has frequently criticized President Bush's diplomatic style, saying he would openly engage with enemies of America.

Reuters is reporting that big labor unions are preparing to campaign over "the long haul" to ensure a Democrat is elected to the White House this fall.  Unions see 2008 as their best chance since 1964 to have a Democratic-controlled legislature and a liberal in the White House that is beholden to their agenda - and they're willing to do almost anything to see this happen.

A Wall Street Journal editorial discusses Speaker Pelosi's cynical strategy of blocking FISA legislation renewal.  The Journal argues that since liberals are unable to outright block the President from conducting anti-terror surveillance, they are using a back-door strategy of forcing phone companies to not cooperate by exposing them to liability.

A Washington Times editorial outlines concerns regarding Senator Clinton's health care proposals.  The Times argues that Americans shouldn't be forced to buy a service they may not want and might not be able to afford.  Clinton's plan relies heavily on mandates and penalties to achieve her goal of universal coverage.

Iraq's parliament passed three more important pieces of legislation today, continuing the political progress made since the adoption of the surge strategy has increased security around the nation. 

If I were a headline writer I would describe the situation as CHAOS AND ANARCHY IN BERKELEY today.
 
Not by our side –by the Marine haters and American traitors.

The New York Times that small businesses could be the biggest beneficiaries of the economic stimulus package that was recently passed by Congress and is expected to be signed by the President this week.  Businesses from bars and restaurants to retailers are expecting a direct increase in consumer spending due to the rebate checks, expected to be mailed out later this spring.  Other small businesses that have less direct consumer interaction are also expected to benefit from two new provisions in the legislation.

The City Council of Berkeley, California is expected to reconsider a declaration passed last month that set off a national firestorm of opposition.  The original declaration called the Marines "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" and contained several measures aimed at driving the Marine recruiting station from the city.

Nancy Pelosi yesterday said several times that the surge strategy in Iraq has been "a failure, ignoring the blatant facts that violence is down and political reconciliation is occuring. 

Freedom's Watch President and CEO Brad A. Blakeman appeared on a CPAC panel this afternoon called "Forward for Freedom: Looking Ahead to Conservative Victories in 2008."

Texas Governor Rick Perry spoke today about the assualt on conservativism by elements of the far left.  Perry discussed his conservative record in Texas, cutting over 8 billion dollars out of that state's budget to put it on the track to renewed fiscal health.

Mike Huckabee spoke this morning to an ethusiastic crowd.  The Governor, in a good-humored speech, assured the crowd of supports that, contrary to rumors, he would not be backing out of his candidacy for the presidency.

Amb. John Bolton gave a speech this afternoon during which he touched on several points of foreign policy, and also spoke regarding Senator McCain being the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party.

If you've never been to a CPAC event - it is quite the affair.  Conservatives from all stripes and from all areas of America, coming together in one location in Washington to share ideas and hear from prominent politicians and major conservative thinkers.

Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) said this morning that while he enjoyed being Majority Whip much more than Minority Whip - he still believes that conservatives in the House are effectively stopping the ultra-liberal agenda, and have been making gains for conservatives.

Jim Nussle, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, followed President Bush this morning and spoke about the administration's 2009 proposed budget, and spending priorities for the President's final year in office.

President Bush addresses an overflow crowd very early this morning, but the time of his speech didn't interfere with the crowd's enthusiasm at hearing him speak.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced Senator John McCain for his speech to CPAC this afternoon.  Coburn placed heavy emphasis on McCain's fiscal conservative record, saying that America is headed for a looming fiscal crisis, and Senator McCain is the best candidate to lead us through this challenge.

Today at CPAC, Megan Ortagus sat down with blogger Ed Morrissey of Captain's Quarters Blog for an interview.  Megan is the Iraq Project Director for Freedom's Watch, and also discusses the broader mission of our organization.  Click here to listen to this interview on BlogTalkRadio now.

Governor Mitt Romney just wrapped up his speech to the CPAC crowd, and wrapped up his campaign for President.

Vice President Cheney just wrapped up his speech to a welcoming audience here at CPAC. 

Today begins the annual CPAC conference in Washington, D.C.  The three day conference brings together the brightest conservative luminaries from across the nation; President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Senate and Congressional leaders, and conservative personalities like Newt Gingrich and Ken Blackwell will all be in attendance.

Events of the past week have once again shown that al Qaeda remains ruthless in it's attempts to kill as many innocent people as possible. 

There’s good news today for lawmakers negotiating an economic stimulus package.  A USA Today poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly support the bill and are very supportive of many of the proposals that have been introduced; including infrastructure investment, lowering income tax rates, and extending jobless benefits. 

In a television interview on Sunday, Hillary Clinton said under her health care plan workers who choose not to buy insurance could have their wages garnished.  This would mean that in addition to paying higher taxes to support government controlled coverage, working Americans could actually be penalized for choosing to remain uninsured - regardless of their financial situation or circumstances.

In last night’s Democrat debate, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton discussed their positions on driver’s licenses for illegal aliens.  Clinton offered perhaps the most bizarre rationale for her opposition (for now, anyway) to letting illegal aliens have a license, saying:

The Virginia General Assembly is considering legislation that would limit welfare benefits for those who test positive for illegal drug use.  Under the proposed law, all welfare participants would be asked periodic questions regarding substance abuse.  If the screening indicates drug use, the recipient would then be required to take a drug test to continue receiving full benefits.