There was another Republican debate in Florida. What is left to know about these candidates? Is someone going to confess to a murder?...Kimmel
- Allow me to throw out a theory regarding the head-to-head battle with Romney and Gingrich. What if Newt is simply taking on the role of sparring partner for Romney? It appears the Republican elite and insiders are behind Romney if reports are to be believed. "The Republican establishment might not be wild about Mitt Romney, but they're terrified by Newt Gingrich, " said Dan Schnur, a former Republican campaign strategist." (AP). Just yesterday, Bob Dole wrote of Newt's tenure as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1998, Gingrich "had a new idea every minute and most of them were off the wall." (National Review). And it's interesting that Newt tries to portray himself as an "outsider" even though he's been a beltway insider his entire political career. John Deehery, another former GOP staffer, said, "He's in one sense attacking the establishment he said he helped lead." (AP). Many other former and current Republicans have been implying Newt would be hammered by Obama in the general election (LA Times). So circling back to my question about Gingrich acting as the establishment's sparring partner to Romney, does the theory make sense to anyone but me?
- If my theory is true, it might be borne out in the current polling in Florida. Major polls released this week showed Romney edging out Gingrich in the state (Quinnipiac, Reuters). In addition, those polls also show Romney has a 2-1 lead over Gingrich with the Tea Party. He's also looked upon more favorably with the Cuban voting block. (LA Times).
- Has anyone asked why Newt's wife has not come out publicly in defense of her husband?
- If the Democrats and Buffett keep exploiting and trotting out his secretary for political gain (as they are doing in my opinion), why haven't we heard anything about exactly what her salary is? Why haven't we seen if she owns stock in her portfolio considering who she works for? Where are the investigative reporters on this issue?
- This week Pres. Obama took his class warfare strategy to the University of Michigan. He said, "We are putting colleges on notice" to hold down tuition costs. As anyone whose been reading my work knows, I've been criticizing higher education for scamming students with high tuition costs for years. I sincerely believe it's one of the biggest scams in America today. So, at first glance, I would support the president's threat to them. But I'm uncomfortable for two reasons. I don't like the government overreach into private education. In addition, the government aid in the form of grants actually encourages colleges and universities to raise tuitions. Once again, this might be an example of the Obama's administration's smoke and mirrors approach to solving problems considering in the same appearance he also implied the rich should help students pay for their tuitions.
"Nation's Ninetysomethings Gear Up For Last Year Of Their Lives." From The Onion's National News in Brief
- I've written this before and I'm going to write it again today: Rick Santorum is the only genuine conservative remaining in this race for the Republican nomination. In addition to his solid conservative credentials, he's actually been the only guy running who exhibits some class and grace as well as spirited and aggressive debating (when the moderators give him a friggin chance). He showed that aggressiveness in taking on Romney at last night's debate (While I didn't watch all of the debate---really, who can?---I caught his hammering of RomneyCare. I believe he did a good job too).
- Romney appeared to take my advice too. Someone did inject him with a can of woop ass. He was much more spirited and aggressiveness last night than in previous debates. Newt had called Romney anti-immigrant and Romney shot back at that slam. Romney also continued his attack against Newt's association with Freddie Mac.
- I, for one, would prefer the Republican campaign go one for months to come. If one of these candidates emerges as the solid front-runner to early, it will give the Obama campaign a clearer picture of who their target will be. For example, if the Republicans go with Romney by March, that means the Obama campaign can start their specific attacks on Romney that much earlier. But if the candidate emerges later in the spring, that's several months less he will be a target or the Democrat opposition machine. However, I can also understand the other side of the argument. If the Republicans can put someone out there earlier, than they can start hammering Obama earlier rather than bloodying themselves. Both arguments make sense, but I contend, if you stick your head up from the fox hole too early and too long---you're going to be shot. So why not just wait until you have as good a chance at taking the opposition out as they have taking you out. Just sayin'.
- How well did our economy do in 2011? How does 1.7% sound? Business Insider characterized the best: "That's the final, pathetic growth number for 2011." In 2010, the GDP actually grew 3.0%. So if anyone wants a clear snapshot of what to expect from Obamanomics, it's in that 1.7%. This clearly shows that the economy slowed down last year. It did not grow as we've been told by the administration.
- Investors.com is also reporting that 46 million Americans are getting food stamps now or 45% higher than when Obama took office.
You know why Pres. Obama chose Disney World? It was the only place with longer lines than the unemployment office, so it looks better....Leno
- Pres. Obama is schizophrenic. I don't mean that in the psychiatric sense (although many probably would). I mean that in this sense: He's a walking contradiction. For example, as most of my readers know, I hammer his policies often. But they also know, I've given him credit in going after terrorists whether in Afghanistan or Pakistan or Somalia. As Commander in Chief, I sincerely believe he does a good job in that one respect. He unleashes our best and finest special operators to kill the bad guys. He also slingshots our drones into the air to take out the bad guys. You gotta give him credit where credit is due. In going after scumbags, he'll pull the trigger.
- A simple lesson from our military for the terrorists: Sooner or later, we will get you. Your leaders have learned that and now your little twirpy scumbags are learning that lesson too.
- It's also no surprise that I'm not a big fan of Gingrich. In fact, I've been on record saying I don't like the guy, and I don't trust the guy. My convictions about him have been further reinforced with reports coming out just this week that he repeatedly dissed Ronald Reagan. He didn't criticize him, he insulted him. He's been on the campaign trail trying to convince Republicans and conservatives that he's like Reagan. He's tried to cloak himself in Reagan's leather presidential flight jacket. The fact his; he's not even close. And what I find even more disturbing about this man, the National Review reported yesterday that Gingrich "spewed insulting rhetoric at Reagan, his top aides, and his policies to defeat Communism." In retrospect, Newt really got that one wrong. In 1983, he said Reagan lost control of the national agenda. Again, he was proven wrong as history now shows very clearly. In reading what he's said about Reagan, it's clear Newt is delusional.
From The Onion's "American Voices" in response to The State of the Union last night: "I'm surprised he didn't take some time to mention the great strides made by Domino's in improving their cheesy bread."----Connor Braunohler, Systems Analyst
- I was planning on starting my piece today with yesterday's State of the Union, but first things first. NBC News and other outlets are reporting that Navy Seals rescued American and Danish hostages in Somalia in an overnight raid in Somalia. Early reports indicate SEALS approached the compound where the hostages were being held. Gunfire broke out and several of the terrorists were killed. There was no mention of any American casualties. The SEALS loaded up the hostages onto awaiting helicopters and flew them to safety at an undisclosed location. Nothing more I can add to this story. The actions of our SEAL Teams speak for themselves.
- Regarding the State of the Union last night, I want to get one item out of the way first. What the f^%k is it with this president and Buffett and that secretary? They keep trotting her out like she's on food stamps or something. Truth Break: She's the secretary to one of the planet's richest men. Yo!---she's doing fine. I'm sure she makes a decent buck (if not, then Buffett is more of a hypocrite than he already is). Give us a break with the secretary already.
- Back to the State of the Union. First of all, I didn't sense that much enthusiasm as last year's presentation.
- Last week, I predicted the strategy of this president and the Democrats will be class warfare. Pres. Obama proved my prediction was spot on target. Did anyone bother to count how many times he used the word "fair?" I didn't, but it came up a lot. For example, he said, "We can restore an economy where everyone gets a FAIR shot, everyone does their FAIR share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules." (Pardon the interruption: Of course, he does not include himself or most of his staff or the democrats in this statement. Because if he did, why on earth would he have hired a man as the Treasury Secretary who didn't pay his taxes?).
"Romney Cements Status As Candidate Who Can Somehow Lose To Newt Gingrich."---The Onion.
- How is the guy above, Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General, getting away with it? This is a man who recommended President Clinton offer clemency to 16 members of The Boricua Popular Army, designated by the FBI as a Puerto Rican terrorist organization. This group of thugs and killers have been responsible for murdering police officers and American military personnel (Clinton granted the clemency). This is the same man who ended the civil suit of voter intimidation against the New Black Panther Party (during the 2008 election, members of this group of thugs and creeps stood outside a polling station with billy clubs and yelled racial slurs at white voters. It was all caught on videotape). This is the same man who filed a lawsuit against the great State of Arizona's new immigration laws (He famously said he had not read the law but would likely sue the state anyway). And this is the man who should be held directly responsible for the Fast and Furious scandal and fiasco. So I ask the question again? How is this man getting away with it?
- Romney disclosed a partial summary of his income last night. His income for 2009 and 2010 totaled over $40 million, all from investments. He and his wife gave $7 million to charity, over half of that to his church. His effective tax rate was just over 13%. You can read the rest in The Washington Post.
- In last night's boring debate, Romney said Gingrich had resigned as Speaker of the House in disgrace. I have to take this moment to correct Mitt. Newt did not resign. He was forced out of office by members of his OWN party.
- As of yesterday, even Romney's national lead over Newt was dropping according to Gallup. Ditto for the issue of electability. 43% said Gingrich would be a stronger candidate while 39% said Romney would be.
- It appears the strategy of using class warfare will begin with the president's State of the Union speech tonight. He almost has to take that course considering his record is not that good. Yes, he can (probably will) point to the economy picking up some steam. He might mention the overhaul of health care, pulling troops out of Iraq (it was the deadline set by George Bush) and the whacking of bin Laden. But beyond those; there not much there there. We're facing yet another deficit of a trillion dollars. Twenty three million Americans are either unemployed, underemployed or have just given up looking for work. A record number of people in America are on food stamps. Median household income has fallen. Speaking of Obamacare, even the CBO reported the plan will grow the national debt by more than $700 billion over ten years (that means it will be at least 3 to perhaps 10 times that. They always underestimate). And health care will cost the average American more according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. So he has very little wiggle room left.
President Obama aired his first political ad of 2012, which promotes his record on clean energy. Obama is a big environmentalist. In fact, for his election he plans to recycle the same promises he made four years ago...Jimmy Fallon
- The political autopsy by the pundits why Mitt Romney lost in South Carolina is fascinating. Some, like Peggy Noonan, have it half-right. She wrote, "Deep down, conservatives are not certain he is one of them. Deep down they're not sure he has a deep down." Others point to Newt's debating skills and taking on the media. Still others point to "late deciders," religious voters, Tea Party voters, etc. who jumped on Newt's bandwagon (in fact, Gingrich won every demographic pundits said he couldn't win). There's truth in those too. But, in my opinion, it's much more simple and what I've been writing about for years now: Conservatives and Republicans are looking for their candidates and their politicians to grow a set of balls (They thought they had it in Boehner until they watched him break down in public like a 4 year old who was just told Santa Clause is really Billy Bob Thorton ). Newt appears to be the guy who fits that criteria. Last week, when Romney was asked about his taxes, he ducked. Romney just can't or is unable to construct a narrative to explain himself. (amazing, considering he's been preparing for this moment for 8 years now. And he or his political geniuses didn't know the issue of his wealth and taxes would come up? Excuse me!). On the other hand, when Newt was asked about his ex-wife's accusations, he picked up a an old M-60 machine gun and just mowed sown the messengers. It's the kind of behavior many conservatives and Republicans have been looking for since the last election. And, as the S.C. exit polls also showed, even women supported Newt over Romney (Perhaps it was also because it was reported his ex-wife began dating Gingrich when HE WAS STILL MARRIED TO HIS FIRST WIFE. A little bit of information she failed to disclose earlier that week).
- But for Gingrich to win in the long run, he can't continue to exploit the anger of conservatives and Republicans toward the media. That strategy, in my opinion, has no legs. Republicans and conservatives, in addition to wanting someone with a set of brass ones, also want someone who demonstrates stability, discipline, leadership skills (now sadly lacking in the Oval Office) and good judgement. Personally, I don't see that happening with Gingrich. He has a long history of doubling-down at the wrong moments. Then again, I'm the guy who said months ago he'd never get this far. I still have a suspicion I might be proven right in the long term. However, if we learned anything in these last 4 weeks, we learned politics is a tough game to predict. And this campaign just might be settled at the convention. After all, it comes down to delegates anyway. Remember, "Super Tuesday," March 6, involves primaries or caucuses in 11 states including Ohio.
- More bad news for Romney. Two weeks ago, he had a 22 point lead over Gingrich in Florida (the next primary). Gingrich now is ahead at 41% to Romney's 32% according to Rasmussen. Only 9% remain undecided.
- By the way, this garbage being peddled that these campaigns are so negative, so destructive, so nasty is exactly that garbage. Thomas Jefferson accused John Adams of being a hermaphrodite. Affairs with other women were often exposed even then as well as accusations of illegitimate children. John Qunicy Adams accused Andrew Jackson of being a murderer. And more recently, the media questioned George W. Bush and his Air National Guard record. This stuff has been going on since the beginning of politics and will continue.
- So, as Andrea Peyser illustrated so well this week, Americans come fact-to-face with their own hypocrisy on "matters of the heart and other organs." Most Americans still hold John F. Kennedy and even Bill Clinton in high regard even those both men were pigs when it came to their marriages. In other words, as Peyser stated, "The nation is deeply schizophrenic on matters of sex."
- So I'm left with a question. Does character count anymore? Because if it does, you have to take a closer look at Romney. Yes, like anyone he has his flaws. But, unlike many, the guy is generally rock-solid when it comes to defining his character.
- How tasteless is Carnival Cruise Lines? The Costa Concrodia is a subsidiary of Carnival. And they made an offer survivors of the shipwreck can't pass up---a 30% discount on future cruises. They even proclaimed, with pride, they will refund the passengers. How pathetic?
- A word about Joe Paterno. I don't know and I don't think anyone knows the full extent of what he did and didn't do in response to the Penn State scandal. We'll know more in the months to come. But I do know this. Yes, he was a flawed man like most of us. I also know his legacy is worth more than the final two months of his life. So I'm left with this: Rest in Peace Joe Pa.
