Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Poll: Bob McDonnell regaining lead over Creigh Deeds in Virginia

(POLITICO 44).Bob McDonnell, Virginia’s Republican nominee for governor, has increased his lead over Democrat Creigh Deeds to nine percentage points, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll out Wednesday.

McDonnell leads Deeds 51-42 percent according to the Tuesday poll of 500 likely voters. The new survey shows a significant jump for McDonnell, who led Deeds by only 2 percentage points in the same poll two weeks ago.Rasmussen is the first major poll in recent weeks to show McDonnell expanding his lead over Deeds.

A Washington Post poll last week showed McDonnell leading by only four percent, as did a InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll last Wednesday. McDonnell led by as much as fifteen percentage points earlier this year in the Post poll.

McDonnell led by double-digits in most polls through the summer, but Deeds gained ground during September in part because of the hit the Republican took after his 1989 master’s thesis was revealed to advocate a number of controversial social conservative positions.

Video: Sarkozy thinks Obama “incredibly naive and grossly egotistical”

Romney raises $125,000 at Salt Lake City fundraiser

(Deseret News). Utahns continue to open their wallets for Mitt Romney.

The former leader of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City raised about $125,000at a Tuesday dinner held at the Little America Hotel, according to his spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom. Fehrnstrom said 150 people attended the event, which cost contributors $1,000 a plate or $5,000 for special access to a VIP reception before the dinner.



"Mitt Romney appreciates the support, and the money raised will allow him to stay active politically and help the Republican Party come back strong in the 2010 elections," Fehrnstrom said. The money will go to Romney's "Free & Strong America" political action committee, which funds his appearances on behalf of GOP candidates and issues as well as direct campaign contributions.

The Fearer - Dem. Grayson compares Republican Health care plan to Holocaust

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Mittrail - Romney's road to 2012 may make stops in Afghanistan, Iraq

(Goptoast).Looks like Mitt Romney's 2012 contender status is going to be gearing up even more soon, with Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney adviser, telling CNN that the former Massachusetts governor plans to make return trips to Afghanistan and Iraq.

(CNN's Political Ticker):"I'm going to Afghanistan and Iraq in a couple of months," Romney declared in an interview published Sunday in the Washington Examiner. "I'll get an assessment of what's happening there and what the prospects are. But I certainly would support our troops with the additional troops which are being called for by General McChrystal, and provide the equipment and the manpower and the budgetary support which our troops deserve."

Via the Washingtonexaminer
Mitt Romney's Marathon Run:
Mitt Romney has the look of a man who's running for president. And if you're running for president, three years before your party's nominating convention, it's absolutely essential to say that it's way too early to think about running for president. So the former Massachusetts governor demurs when asked his intentions.

"It's way too early to make that consideration," Romney says. "Who knows what the future holds?"

On Inauguration Day 2013, Barack Obama will be barely into his 50s, while Romney will be nearly 66 years old, placing him in the historical upper reaches of presidential newcomers. But after a life of exercise, no alcohol, no tobacco, no caffeine and a happy marriage, Romney looks exceedingly fit and far younger than his years...

Romney dodges questions on 2012 but lights up when asked about his 2008 run. "It's hard work," he says, "but you get to know the American people in a way I never would have imagined." Running was an "expanding" experience, Romney says, introducing him to new friends all around the country.

"Let me tell you," Romney adds with a broad smile, "if you get the chance to run for president, do it."

Where is Their Future? Unemployment for Youth is at 52%

(NYpost).The unemployment rate for young Americans has exploded to 52.2 percent — a post-World War II high, according to the Labor Dept. — meaning millions of Americans are staring at the likelihood that their lifetime earning potential will be diminished and, combined with the predicted slow economic recovery, their transition into productive members of society could be put on hold for an extended period of time. . . .

A study from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a government database, said the damage to a new career by a recession can last 15 years. And if young Americans are not working and becoming productive members of society, they are less likely to make major purchases — from cars to homes — thus putting the US economy further behind the eight ball. Angrisani said he believes that Obama’s economic team, led by Larry Summers, has a blind spot for small business because no senior member of the team — dominated by academics and veterans of big business — has ever started and grown a business.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Romney slams Obama on Foreign policy: Obama acting ‘above’ world stage

(CNN) – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had sharp words for President Barack Obama’s handling of foreign relations Saturday, saying that the president is “above” the world stage and acting too much as a “neutral arbiter” who uses only words to tell other nations what’s right and what’s wrong.

Referring to the first months of Obama’s presidency, the former Republican presidential candidate said there’s been a “dramatic shift,” with that shift going in the wrong direction. “America has always been a ardent supporter of democratic efforts and protecting and defending American values and western values,” Romney said, “but this president seems intent to step back to — if you will — lift himself above the world stage and say we’re not a player down there with everybody else between the democracies and the autocracies.”

“Instead we’re going to become the neutral arbiter,” Romney continued. “We’re going to be above everybody. Almost like the United Nations, sort of telling people what’s right and what’s wrong, instead of coming down firmly, solidly, and vehemently in favor of democracy.”

Romney pointed to Obama’s handling of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya’s return to Brazil last week to illustrate one example of the president’s poor judgment when it comes to world affairs. “Honduras…tosses out their president who’s trying to violate the constitution,” Romney began. “This was a person who was a pro-[Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, anti-American president. And then they installed instead an acting president [Roberto Micheletti] who will follow a democratic process, [a] pro-U.S. individual. Barrack Obama comes out for the pro-Chavez president and says put him back in charge.”

Romney was speaking at the biennial Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Romney has been widely suspected to be laying groundwork for another run at the White House. A few of his comments were aimed at the specific economic woes of Michigan — a state Romney’s father governed.

Romney, and his wife Ann, heaped love on the state, saying he was “heartbroken” to see so many people out of a job but that it “doesn’t have to be that way.” He said one of the first things needed is a “Giuliani-style” cleanup of Detroit One of the bigger applause lines of the night came when Romney said the state should do a few things to help attract more business folks, including lowering business taxes. “Another thing to do would be to say we’re going to make this a state which is a right to work state,” he said to thunderous applause. “Of course the most convincing thing you could do would be to throw the democrats out of [the capital city of] Lansing.”

Friday, September 25, 2009

Israeli PM Netanyahu goes Nuclear at UNGA address

"To those who refused to come and to those who left in protest, I commend you, you stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your country. But to those who gave this Holocaust denier a hearing I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people and decent people everywhere, have you no shame? have you no decency? a mere 6 decades after the Holocaust you give legitimacy to a man who denies the murder of 6 million people while promising to wipe out the state of Israel, the state of the Jews, what a disgrace...what a mockery of the charter of the United Nations....



For more coverage of Netanyahu's speech visit my blog BIBI REPORT...

Limbaugh having fun on Jay Leno



Hitting Al Gore twice.....

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Biden on 2010: If GOP Succeeds, It’s ‘The End of the Road for Obama agenda'.

(ABC News). Vice President Joe Biden said today that if Democrats were to lose 35 House seats they currently hold in traditionally Republican districts, it would mean doomsday for President Obama’s agenda.

“If they take them back, this the end of the road for what Barack and I are trying to do,” the vice president said at a fundraiser for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) today in Greenville, Delaware.

Republicans need to pick up 40 seats next November to take back control of the House. There are 49 seats currently held by Democrats in districts that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) won in last year’s presidential election.

Biden said these House seats are Republicans “one shot” at breaking the Obama administration’s agenda. But if Democrats can hold on to those seats, “the dam is going to break,” he said, and a new era of bipartisanship will begin.

“All the hidden Republicans that don’t have the courage to vote the way they want to vote because of pressure from the party … it will break the dam and you will see bipartisanship,” Biden said.

Republicans welcomed the vice president’s assessment of the 2010 landscape.

“What didn’t seem possible just a few months ago, appears to be the topic of conversation even within the upper echelons of the Obama White House,” said Ken Spain, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “It is interesting to hear Vice President Biden admit that the administration’s effort to double down on a partisan agenda of government takeovers could possibly mean the ‘end of the road’ for their political viability.”

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mitt Romney’s speech unites conservatives

(The Hill).At the 2009 Value Voters Summit this past week, Mitt Romney directly addressed President Barack Obama’s incomprehensible and fatally flawed decision, unprecedented in the American political tradition, to tax future generations. "Putting such a spirit-crushing, back-breaking debt burden on our children is unworthy of our national character," Romney said. "That is why I believe that this spending and borrowing is not just economically irresponsible, it is morally wrong."

Blame it on Glenn Beck, blame it on Sarah Palin, blame it on Rick Perry, but that Romney has endorsed these efforts, as he did this weekend, changes the political scenario. Because if Glenn Beck is a demagogue, then now Mitt Romney is a demagogue. If Sarah Palin is a threat to the republic, then so is Mitt Romney.... Questions will rise now it the hearts and minds of networks chiefs: Whom do we stake our political future on now, Mitt Romney or Tina Fey? Who will market our heroic charade for this just one day today? Mitt Romney or David Letterman? And how will we be remembered when the moment is recalled?

As The Hill reports, Romney called the tea party protesters “patriots” who have often been derided by Democrats, and said they could block the president’s agenda.

“Thanks to millions of Americans who have stepped up in town halls and tea parties across the country, he’s not going to get his way,” Romney said.

The Romney speech is an auspicious beginning. The Christian Science Monitor called the conference “a more genteel anti-Obama tea party.” Prior to this there was a division between what might be called Western Republicans like Rick Perry, who supported, endorsed and participated in the April 15 tea parties, and what might be called the traditional, culturally conservative Eastern Republicans who opposed.

The question since February 2009 was how mainstream conservatives like Romney would respond to this movement. The question since August 2008, was how mainstream conservatives would respond to the rising spirit in the heartland personified by then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. This week Romney, possibly the smartest and most capable conservative politician since Eisenhower, closed the gap.

Obama: Unemployment a problem at least 1 more year

(AP).President Barack Obama says he expects unemployment will be a "big problem" for at least another year.

Speaking during taping of "The Late Show" with David Letterman, Obama called the $787 billion economic stimulus program that Congress enacted earlier this year a "tourniquet" that stopped the economic bleeding. Without that spending, he said another 1.5 million jobs, or more, would have been lost.

But Obama said it's going to take time for the economy to become whole again. As he put it, "Unemployment is going to be a big problem for at least another year." The nation's unemployment rate hit 9.7 percent in August. Most economists expect it to top 10 percent next year.

Obama: looking up in a dictionary is called "stretching a bit".



(canticle4leibowitz).In a discussion that centers on the meaning of the word "tax" President Obama tells us that relying on the definition listed by Merriam-Webster is "stretching." Instead, we should just accept his position: the dictionary is wrong, let's move on.

RNC raises close to $8 million in August

(CNN) — The Republican National Committee reported Monday raising $7.8 million in the month of August, besting its Democratic counterpart by $1 million over the same 30-day period.

During a month of heightened GOP attacks against President Obama's health care reform proposals, the RNC also reported averaging 9,306 donations for each day of August and an average individual contribution of $41. The committee said it has $21 million cash on hand and $0 in debt.

According to a weekend filing with the Federal Elections Commission, the DNC raised $6.8 million last month, and has just over $15 million cash on hand. The organization is also carrying more than $5 million in debt.

If history guides, Obama will face Romney in 2012

(Michael Stubel-theeagleonline).The time is ripe to discuss the 2012 election. While roughly 1,140 days is not looming per se, whispers of potential match-ups will surely dominate Washington in the coming months. Despite the split in the Democratic Party over health care reform and spending priorities, President Barack Obama maintains a favorable standing among the American people and can rely on a vast grassroots network when it comes time to hit the campaign trial. ...If cooler heads prevail, however, Republicans will no doubt nominate former Republican Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney for president.

Republican politics rests on the eternal tradition of rewarding patience. Then-Republican California Sen. Richard Nixon bit his tongue and played a secondary role to the shining star, Dwight Eisenhower. Republican Governor of California Ronald Reagan inherited the mantle in 1980 after having nearly upset Gerald Ford four years earlier. The story goes on, from then-Council on Foreign Relations Director George H.W. Bush to Republican Kansas Sen. Bob Dole to Republican Arizona Senator John McCain. The tendency towards an orderly precession of nominees speaks to the ingrained characteristics of the Republican Party. Leaders, activists and loyalist voters prefer an accelerated process because they value discipline and predictability. Furthermore, the party’s winner-takes-all distribution for convention delegates limits the chances of protracted contests. In 2008, Mitt Romney and former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee represented the clearest alternatives to McCain.

What places Romney in a league of his own among 2012 contenders goes well beyond the “next in line” theory. He is in the best position to campaign as a national candidate with an array of resources at his disposal — not unlike Obama. Romney retains close contacts within in the party through his political action committee and travels the country to boost Republican candidates running for House and Senate seats. Such activity allows Romney to amass future favors and possible friends in Congress, serving two key purposes. The public relations campaign waged by Romney is also unrivaled among his peers. Appearing on every major station and saturating the Sunday morning talk shows, he has spoken out on issues from the bailouts to Iraq. Romney is courteous and statesman-like towards President Obama while he attempts to straddle the moderate and conservative spheres of the electorate.

Romney, barring any surprises, will challenge Obama in 2012 because he has too much going for him not to win. His is the smooth sailing ship waiting out the troubled waters of his wayward party. Although Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a worthy opponent, the remaining candidates have glaring flaws. Divisiveness will trip up the aspirations of Gingrich and Palin... For Romney, business and economic experience spells victory.

Mitt Romney Speech at 2009 Value Voters Summit:"I’d rather see a president greeted abroad by complete silence,as long as he is defending our country"


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Romney: Don't Dictate to Private Sector



Interview from Friday, Sept 18 on Fox Business Network

Friday, September 18, 2009

Romney rather to focus on the Future,then debate the Past

(GOP12). Wolf Blitzer asks Mitt Romney about Mike Huckabee's slam of Massachusetts' health care program in his speech at today's Values Voter Summit.

BLITZER: He [Huckabee] sounds like he's going after you personally, because of what you did as Governor of Massachusetts. Listen to Huckabee.[Video clip of Huck saying health care plan bankrupted Massachusetts, and that the only inexpensive thing about it are $50 abortions]

BLITZER: Wow, that's a pretty strong statement from a Republican basically going after a fellow Republican.

ROMNEY: Well, first of all. I agree on abortion. But the abortion decision was made by the courts. There was nothing in our bill in terms of health care reform that dealt with abortion.

BLITZER: But did your health care legislation, your program in Massachusetts bankrupt the state?

ROMNEY: Of course not. The program in Massachusetts is working well. The cost is precisely in line with what was forecasted by the conference committee. It cost the state a little over 1% of the state budget, and we have 98% of our citizens covered...

BLITZER: ... so you're satisfied with the way it's working?

ROMNEY: It's not perfect. And we can learns lessons from it. The key lessons are these: you can get everybody insured without a government option and without having to break the bank.

BLITZER: So what are you saying to the former Governor of Arkansas?

ROMNEY: Well, I'm saying to the American people "Come look at Massachusetts, learn what worked and what didn't. And what worked is: you don't have to have government takeover of health care to get people insured, and you don't have to have an expensive back-breaking tax increase to do it.

[Later]BLITZER: ... so you're ready to debate him on the value of the Massachusetts...

ROMNEY: ... I'm not talking debates yet.

[Later]BLITZER: Political pundits, based on what Huckabee said today, are already suggesting, you know what, he's thinking about 2012, you might be thinking about 2012. There could be a little rivalry going on for the Republican Presidential nomination.

ROMNEY: I'm actually thinking about this year.

Romney's sticking to the adult stuff - Picks his spots on Debate

(Ben Smith-Politico).There's nothing like having run for president before to give a candidate a sense of the rhythms of a campaign.

So it's been very interesting to watch Mitt Romney pick and choose the spots on which he tries to inject himself from the debate. He's been notably absent from the recent small-bore scandals over Van Jones and ACORN, for instance, where rivals like Tim Pawlenty angled for a piece of the action.

But he's all over the missile issue today, calling the move "alarming and dangerous."

The metapoint, a colleague points out: Romney's sticking to the adult stuff, leaving the downmarket attacks to rivals.

Via Mittromneycentral:
Romney is not here to become the guy who attacks Obama relentlessly driving down his poll numbers. We have people for those purposes, and they’re doing a fantastic job. No, Gov. Romney’s role is to be president in 41 months. In order to be that person, he needs to think beyond the next angle of attack for now. There will be time for close-quarters fighting with Obama in 2012, oh Lord will there be time. But today, waiting for his turn to come up. Romney’s fulfilling his role perfectly....

Obama back to campaign style - Get out your voice for Change tactic to cover up failures

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Romney: Obama on Missile Defense: Alarming and Dangerous

(NRO).It is with good reason that the American people are focused on the economy and domestic issues — we continue to lose jobs, amass record-breaking deficits, and the president is promoting a plan to add a trillion dollar health burden. But foreign-policy actions by the Obama administration deserve immediate attention.

President Obama has made a dangerous and alarming decision to shelve our missile-defense system in Europe. Facing the growing threat from Iran’s nuclear ambition, the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency has worked long and hard to secure a site for the system to thwart a potential strike against our European allies. Developing the missile shield could also have important implications for U.S. security. His decision is wrong in every way, despite his rationale:

* The administration says that our intelligence believes the threat from Iran is not as far advanced as it had originally estimated. First, our intelligence regarding Iran is far from reliable and certain. Our window into the country is cloudy, at best. Other foreign intelligence agencies have reached very different conclusions. And second, it makes no sense to try to time the construction, testing, and deployment of a defense system to the very hour when one might guess the nuclear threat will arrive. No one is that prescient. Using the most rosy scenario of Iran’s nuclear capabilities to schedule the establishment of our defense is dangerous in the extreme.

* The administration believes that by giving such a gesture of goodwill to the Russians, they will be more willing to give in to our request that they join in sanctions against Iran. Here, the president’s lack of negotiation experience may have come in to play. Yes, sometimes in a negotiation you give up something that is important to you, but you do that only when the other party has agreed to give you something you want even more. You don’t give before you get. But here it’s even worse than that: The president has taught Putin that when he blusters and threatens, America caves.

* The administration is also teaching our friends some very unfortunate lessons; the Eastern Europeans who have stood so valiantly with America and who took political heat for backing the missile-defense system have simply been brushed aside. They have to wonder why America is treating its foes better than it is treating its friends. It’s a question that also is surely being asked in Israel and Honduras.

* The administration’s discounting of Iran’s nuclear progress tells Israel that if it is to stop what its own intelligence may believe is an imminent threat, it may have to act alone — and precipitously.

Iran is not cooperating with the IAEA. It is rushing headlong towards nuclear capability — it may already have enough enriched uranium to build a bomb. And it may well have secured access to missile technology from other nations. North Korea is, of course, much further along. And Pakistan, a state threatened from within by jihadists, has extensive nuclear capabilities. In such an environment, it is alarming and dangerous for the president to walk away from our missile-defense commitments.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

While Obama is running over the scenes,Mitt Romney is running behind the scenes - Romney plans busy weekend in DC

(CNN) – Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has planned a flurry of appearances in the Washington area this weekend, an indicator of the kind of hectic schedule he's been keeping as he looks ahead to a possible presidential bid in 2012.

His D.C. itinerary will be dominated by fundraisers, but Romney has planned a pair of high-profile speeches to conservative groups that are sure to draw attention: On Saturday he is slated to address the Values Voters Summit, and on Monday he'll deliver remarks to a luncheon at the Foreign Policy Initiative, a neoconservative think tank founded by William Kristol.

The former Massachusetts governor has four finance events planned — including a Thursday night gathering dubbed "Sundaes with Mitt" that will benefit his own political action committee, Free and Strong America PAC. The confab will held at the Washington home of Charlie Spies, who was Romney's top money man during his presidential bid.

He'll also raise money for three GOP candidates in Virginia. On Friday he's hosting a fundraiser in Alexandria for Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, now running for re-election. On Sunday, he heads to Great Falls to help former campaign staffer Barbara Comstock, who is seeking a House of Delegates seat in Virginia.

Romney's visit to the area will be capped off on Monday, when he will host a fundraiser for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell at the American Gas Association, a trade group representing the gas industry. The event is expected to pull in $100,000 for McDonnell.

Rangel: Health bill harder after Obama speech

(AP).A key House committee chairman says proposals President Barack Obama set out in his health care speech are causing problems for Democrats trying to finalize health legislation in the House.

Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel of New York says House Democrats would have to slash subsidies to the poor to get their bill to the $900 billion, 10-year price tag Obama specified.

Rangel also noted that the president didn't mention the new income tax on the wealthy that House Democrats want to use to pay for their bill, favoring a different approach instead. The congressman said "the restrictions that the president has given in his speech as well as the proposed discussions in the Senate has caused us more problems.

Joe the Truther raises over $1.7 million in "Stand for Truth" campaign

Instead of working on the important issues facing our nation, the Democratic leadership has proven once again that they would rather play political games on the taxpayer's dime than work to create jobs or reform health care.

The liberal supporters of a government takeover of health care are using my very vocal opposition as an excuse to muzzle the American people who have been outspoken against their risky plan. But I will not give up and I will not back down from our fight. I will continue to speak the truth.

Latest Numbers are: $1,731,732.00


'No more Games' changer - Opposition to Health Care jumps back to New High at 55%

One week after President Obama’s speech to Congress, opposition to his health care reform plan has reached a new high of 55%. The latest Rasmussen Reports daily tracking poll shows that just 42% now support the plan, matching the low first reached in August.

A week ago, 44% supported the proposal and 53% were opposed. Following the speech last Wednesday night intended to relaunch the health care initiative, support for the president’s effort bounced as high as 51% , But the new numbers suggest that support for health care reform is now about the same as it was in August.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Democrats now support the plan while 80% of Republicans are opposed. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 67% are opposed.

The latest figures show that, overall, 23% Strongly Favor the plan and 44% are Strongly Opposed. In late August, those figures were 23% and 43% respectively.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Boehner: Wilson resolution a 'diversion'

(CNN) – House Minority Leader John Boehner told CNN a resolution of disapproval against South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is a "diversion" to help Democrats avoid talking about health care.

"This tactic on the floor today is nothing more than a diversion so that they don't have to talk about their government run health care plan," Boehner told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I just think we ought to be talking about what the American people sent us here to do, and that's to solve the issues they're concerned about."

Boehner said that if a Democrat had shouted the same thing during one of former President Bush's speeches and later apologized to the White House, "that would be the end of it."



Boehner's speech in the House:

Wilson Truth House debate - Wilson: It is time to move forward and get to work for the American people

3 Day Bounce over....Support for Health Care Plan Falls Back To Pre-Speech Levels

(Rasmussenreports).Following President Obama’s speech to Congress last week, support for his health care reform plan increased steadily to a peak of 51% yesterday. However, the bounce appears to be over. The latest daily tracking shows that support has fallen all the way back to pre-speech levels.

Forty-five percent (45%) of all voters nationwide now favor the plan while 52% are opposed. A week ago, 44% supported the proposal and 53% were opposed.

Overall, 50% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Yesterday, the President’s numbers reached a two-month high at 52%. Today’s overall approval is the same as it was just before the President’s speech last week. Fifty percent (50%) now disapprove.

Zogby Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Oppose Obamacare on Key Points

(Newsmax).In the wake of President Barack Obama's recent address to Congress on healthcare, a new poll reveals he may not have the support of most Americans on his reform plans.

The Zogby International/O'Leary Report survey of more than 4,200 likely voters found that a large majority oppose key provisions of Obama and the Democrats' healthcare reform proposals, including plans to extend health insurance to as many as 50 million uninsured Americans and to incorporate a form of healthcare rationing in the reforms.

Zogby International and The O'Leary Report asked respondents several questions relating to the healthcare reform issue. Some results:

# Asked if they agree or disagree that the federal government should require all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a fine — a provision favored by Democrats — 70.2 percent said they disagree, and only 18.5 percent agree. The rest are not sure.

# A resounding 75 percent of respondents said that taxes should not be raised to fund a government-run health insurance program for Americans who do not have health insurance.

# The pollsters stated: "President Obama is promoting a new government agency called the 'Independent Medicare Advisory Council,' and some people believe this agency should use its powers to deny payment for procedures it deems unnecessary or futile."

Critics say such power would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, the pollsters noted, and many consider it a form of healthcare rationing. Nearly 59 percent said they oppose the creation of the council, and just 30.6 percent support it.

# Some Republicans have called for provisions allowing Americans to purchase health insurance from providers outside their state as an alternative to Obama's proposed government-supported "public option" insurance plan. Respondents said they favor such provisions by an overwhelming margin, 82.8 percent to 6.9 percent.

Also, 78.5 percent of those polled believe tort reform is needed to lower the cost of medical malpractice insurance, an issue that Obama has not seriously addressed. And 77.3 percent oppose plans to tax employer-provided healthcare benefits.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Congressman Ted Poe: This Used To Be The Land Of the Free!

Stephanopoulos ABC: Obama Healthcare Speech No Game-Changer

(ABCnews).A new ABC News/Washington Post poll out this morning shows that the President’s joint session speech may have stopped his summer slide, but it doesn’t appear to have been the “game-changer” Democrats were hoping for.

No doubt Obama’s passionate presentation energized his partisans and began to unify Congressional Democrats, but this poll is the best evidence yet of where the public stands – and it demonstrates how difficult it will be for Obama to shape the debate and overcome skepticism about his plan.

Bottom line: right now, voters are almost exactly where they were before the speech.

Referring to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll released moments earlier, Stephanopoulos shared numbers with host Diane Sawyer indicating the President's speech wasn't the game-changer Democrats and the Obama-loving media had hoped.
Split on Obama's handling of health care: 48-48 (46-50 August 17)
Support Obama's health care reforms: 46-48 (45-50 August 17)
President Obama's job approval is at 54 (57 August 17)
Deficit: 65% think health care reform will make it worse
Medicare: 56% of seniors think it will weaken Medicare

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Skinny legs - Nobody is afraid of Barack Obama...

(Politico)....It’s got some people in both parties wondering whether there really is a steel fist inside Obama’s velvet glove.

Democrats in Congress told POLITICO they've been surprised that there seem to be no obvious consequences for sharp criticism of the White House. Cheerleaders on the left are beginning to urge him, in the words of Maureen Dowd, to be "more Rocky, less Spocky."

"One of the few areas of agreement on the right and left is that both sides want to see more strength of leadership from him," notes Dan Gerstein, a Democratic political consultant. "There has to be respect - and fear."

"His problem has been almost from the beginning that while Democrats on the Hill appreciate him, they're occasionally inspired by him, they're not all that impressed with him," said Bush political advisor Karl Rove. "They appreciate his diffident attitude, but I'm not sure it's one that inspires either fear or respect."

Democrats, on Capitol Hill or the White House, aren’t likely to be swayed by taunting from the likes of Rove.

But it is true that as the health care debate reaches its denouement, Obama is almost certainly going to be pressuring liberals in his own party to accept less than they once expected, and conservative Democrats to spend more than they want.

When this moment comes, Obama will likely need find the power of reason is more effective when backed by a demonstrated willingness to crack heads.

"One of the things you lose the ability to do when you step back from the legislative process is to jump in there and be beefy when things don't go the way you want," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who has criticized the White House's plans from the left at no apparent political cost.

The question is where this personal and strategic blurriness turns into a more dangerous political sense of weakness, a dangerous perception for American presidents George H.W. Bush learned when Newsweek labeled him a "wimp" on its front page. His son labored to avoid that mistake, his obsessions about projecting strength sometimes coming off as swagger.

Wilson: 'Not going to apologize again'



Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) said Sunday that he does not plan a second apology to the White House for his "liar" outburst, meaning that House Democratic leaders plan to pursue a resolution of disapproval this week.

"I am not going to apologize again," Wilson told Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday. "I apologized to the president on Wednesday night. ... I believe that is sufficient."

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Watch a Black man speak without teleprompter-Mason Weaver: "We are proud to be Americans...decide today to be Free or Slave..."

At DC Tea party rally:

Only 39 Million Watched Obama Healthcare Speech

(Newsmax).Obama's congressional address Wednesday drew just 32 million viewers, an audience 39 percent smaller than for his first address to a joint session of Congress in February, which drew 52.4 million viewers.

The speech did pull in seven million more viewers than tuned in for his July 22 news conference, the last time he made a prime-time pitch for a healthcare overhaul, the Associated Press reports.

According to the Los Angeles Times, most people watched Obama's most recent speech on NBC, which averaged 8.16 million viewers for the hour, while ABC had 7.4 million and CBS had 5.63 million.

Fox was the only major network that didn't air the speech, choosing to go with the season premiere of the popular "So You Think You Can Dance." It was the third time this year Fox has taken a pass on a prime-time presidential appearance. Fox News Channel, the company's cable news network, aired the address.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in the GOP Weekly Response: "Obama has paid lip service to bi-partisanship"

Tens of Thousands Tea Party Protesters March in Washington

(ABCnews).Thousands of conservative protesters from across the country converged on the Capitol Saturday morning to demonstrate against President Obama's proposals for health care reform and voicing opposition to big government, what they say is over-the-top spending.

Carrying signs depicting President Obama as Adolf Hitler and the Joker, and chanting slogans such as "'No big government" and "Obamacare makes me sick," approximately 60,000 to 70,000 people flooded Pennsylvania Ave, according to the Washington DC Fire Department.

Organized by FreedomWorks, a conservative activist group led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, many of the protestors were affiliated with the Tea Party movement, grassroots demonstrations that began across the country last spring to protest Democratic tax policies, and government bailouts of the banking and auto industries.

"Mr. Obama, you try to instill socialism into this country. Our message to you is "No you can't," said Debby Dooley, a Georgia woman who riffed on Obama's "Yes We Can" campaign slogan.

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., also spoke at the rally. DeMint said he'd had enough of "Alice in Wonderland" politicians promising more programs at the risk of financial disaster.

"The president has warned us if we disagree with him he's going to call us out," DeMint said. "Well, Mr. President, we are out."


You Lie.. We Pay.. Wilson winning.. Raises over $1 Million in 48 hours

(BenSmith-Politico). A source on Rep. Joe Wilson's campaign says his fundraising has broken $1 million -- and surpassed that of his Democratic rival, Rob Miller -- since his outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's address to Congress Wednesday. The source said Wilson's current tally is $1,005,021 from 18,859 donations amid a high-profile campaign on the Drudge Report and elsewhere telling conservatives that Wilson is "under attack" for his willingness to take on Obama. Wilson, who initially apologized for his words, is now riding a reaction that has surpassed the liberal backlash to his words: Miller has raised less than $900,000, according to the Democratic fundraising site ActBlue -- though still more than enough to envigorate his challenge

Friday, September 11, 2009

23% say Obama's policies make Country less safe

As the country marks the eight-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans are giving the Obama administration a mixed report card on the issue of terrorism, according to a CBS News poll.

A quarter of Americans thinks the policies of the Obama administration have made the U.S. safer from terrorism, though nearly as many – 23 percent - think they have made the country less safe. Forty-two percent think the Obama administration's policies have made no difference.

Democrats are more inclined to think the policies of the Obama administration have made the country safer while Republicans are more likely to say they have made the country less safe, though a large number of both groups – as well as 44 percent of independents – think they have made no difference.

Americans Prefer Republicans for Combating Terrorism,Majority of independents favor GOP on the issue

(Gallup).Americans continue to give the Republican Party a slight edge over the Democratic Party -- 49% vs. 42% -- in their perceptions of the party that will better protect the United States from international terrorism and military threats. The Republicans' edge on this issue is unchanged from last year but has diminished from earlier in the decade.

Gallup instituted this question in September 2002, a year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States. At that time, with President George W. Bush's approval rating approaching 70%, the Republicans had a substantial advantage over the Democrats as to which party would better protect the country from terrorism, 50% to 31%.

Since 9/11, the Republicans have led the Democrats in most yearly updates of the question on terrorism, with the exception of 2006-2007 (periods when Bush's approval rating was below 40%).

91 percent of Republicans say the Republican Party will do a better job of protecting the country from terrorism.Independents choose the Republicans by a wide margin, 52% vs. 31%.

GOP base fired up - "Joe Wilson is under attack" - Wilson raises more than $200,000 after outburst

(CNN) — Less than a day after Rep. Joe Wilson formally apologized to President Obama over his "you lie" outburst, a campaign aide confirms to CNN the South Carolina Republican has raised "more than $200,000″ in the wake of the now-infamous moment.

News of that cash haul comes after Wilson directly asked in a Web video for campaign cash to fend off attacks from political opponents and said he's standing by his opposition to Democratic efforts at health care reform.



"On these issues, I will not be muzzled, I will speak up and speak loudly against this risky plan," Wilson said in a YouTube video released Thursday evening. "The supporters of the government takeover of health care and the liberals who want to give health care to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan."

The congressman disbursed the video via Twitter and asked his followers to "please watch and pass on."

"[Democrats] want to silence anyone who speaks out against it," Wilson also says in the video. "They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan. I need your help now… contribute to my effort to defeat the proponents of government-run health care."

Wilson also sent a fundraising appeal via e-mail, saying he is confident "my voice is serving as the voice for Americans across the country who are tired of irresponsible government programs that have only worsened our situation."

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Sabato Predicts Sizeable 30 seat GOP Gains in 2010

(Newsmax).Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball published today its initial U.S. House race rankings, detailing district-by-district the likely outcome of the 2010 midterm elections. In a preliminary projection, the Crystal Ball predicts the Republican Party will pick up between 20 and 30 seats in that election, a sizeable gain, but insufficient to retake the majority.

The Crystal Ball reached this conclusion after intense analysis of all 435 U.S. House districts, rating each race on a scale ranging from “Safe Democratic” to “Safe Republican.” The full article can be read here: http://bit.ly/HouseRatings

In 2006, the most recent midterm election, the Crystal Ball predicted that Democrats would pick up 29 seats, the exact number of their actual gain on Election Day. The Crystal Ball was the only publication to correctly predict the pick-up, leading the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism to label the Crystal Ball as the most accurate political website in the nation. Over its lifetime, Sabato’s Crystal Ball has a 98% accuracy rate in predicting U.S. House races, which is unrivaled among political prognosticators.

The Crystal Ball’s race ratings also identify 13 “toss-up” races which will likely be the most fiercely contested in the country: AL-2, ID-1, IL-10, MD-1, MS-1, NH-1, NM-2, NY-29, OH-1, OH-15, PA-6, PA-7, and VA-5. The complete ratings chart, with all 104 competitive races, is available here: http://bit.ly/HouseChart

Larry J. Sabato says, “In 2010, a Republican wave may well eliminate many of the Democratic gains in 2006 and 2008. This explains why the Obama administration is pushing as hard as it is to accomplish healthcare reform and other major goals before the 2010 midterm election. If the economy comes back strongly and President Obama’s approval ratings begin to rise substantially before November 2010, the current Republican tide may recede a bit, enabling some of today’s tenuous Democratic House incumbents to hold on.”

Crystal Ball House Race Editor Isaac Wood adds, “The upcoming midterm election looks to be a reversal of recent Democratic gains, potentially in a big way. In spite of all their optimism, however, Republicans will probably fall short of the crucial 40-seat pick-up they need to retake the majority.”

Romney: Obama claim he pulled Economy from the brink, like the kid who thinks he's responsible for sun rising in the am"

Listen to Mitt Romney on Hannity radio show - On Obama Fantasy Care

Rove: Obama Speech Was "Bitterly Partisan"

Flashback: Democrats Boo Bush At 2005 State Of The Union

YES YOU LIE!! FACT CHECK: Obama uses iffy math on deficit pledge

via Yahoonews-AP:
*OBAMA: "I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future. Period."

THE FACTS: Though there's no final plan yet, the White House and congressional Democrats already have shown they're ready to skirt the no-new-deficits pledge.

House Democrats offered a bill that the Congressional Budget Office said would add $220 billion to the deficit over 10 years. But Democrats and Obama administration officials claimed the bill actually was deficit-neutral. They said they simply didn't have to count $245 billion of it — the cost of adjusting Medicare reimbursement rates so physicians don't face big annual pay cuts.

Their reasoning was that they already had decided to exempt this "doc fix" from congressional rules that require new programs to be paid for. In other words, it doesn't have to be paid for because they decided it doesn't have to be paid for.

*OBAMA: "Don't pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut. ... That will never happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare."

THE FACTS: Obama and congressional Democrats want to pay for their health care plans in part by reducing Medicare payments to providers by more than $500 billion over 10 years. The cuts would largely hit hospitals and Medicare Advantage, the part of the Medicare program operated through private insurance companies.

Although wasteful spending in Medicare is widely acknowledged, many experts believe some seniors almost certainly would see reduced benefits from the cuts. That's particularly true for the 25 percent of Medicare users covered through Medicare Advantage.

*OBAMA: "There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage."

THE FACTS: Obama time and again has referred to the number of uninsured as 46 million, a figure based on year-old Census data. The new number is based on an analysis by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, which concluded that about two-thirds of Americans without insurance are poor or near poor. "These individuals are less likely to be offered employer-sponsored coverage or to be able to afford to purchase their own coverage," the report said. By using the new figure, Obama avoids criticism that he is including individuals, particularly healthy young people, who choose not to obtain health insurance.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Wilson apologizes: 'I let my emotions get the best of me'


(CNN) — GOP Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina issued a statement Wednesday night apologizing for his outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress:

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

Is Hillary stepping down to Run for NY Governor?

(weeklystandard).The boss hears from two sources that Hillary Clinton is considering stepping down as Secretary of State this fall in order to run for Governor of New York.

John Mccain pays back a defense to Obama for mentioning his name 2 times in Speech

Appearing on CNN following President Obama's speech to Congress Wednesday night, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) lashed out at a member of his own party for interrupting the president's speech.

Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst - the South Carolina Republican shouted "lie" after Obama claimed his reform plans would not fund health care for illegal immigrants - was "totally disrespectful," McCain told CNN's Larry King."No place for it in that setting or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately," McCain said.

Rep. Boustany Delivers Republican response to Health Care Address



"Our country is facing many challenges. The cost of health care is rising. Federal spending is soaring. Were piling huge debt on our children. And families and small businesses are struggling through a jobless recovery, with more than 2.4 million private-sector jobs lost since February. Its clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right".

"I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion. And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors. The President had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table. Unfortunately, he didnt do it".

Obama says "Time for bickering is over" in Partisan Speech to Congress - "The only full, formal definition of liberalism"(Maddow-MSNBC)

President Obama outlined his vision of a 10-year, $900 billion health care plan on Wednesday, challenging Republican critics to drop their "bogus claims" about his proposals and help address the problems of rising medical costs and Americans who lack insurance.

"The time for bickering is over," Obama said. "The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action."

"There are now more than thirty million American citizens who cannot get coverage.” Obama went on to claim, While at a presser in Mexico,on 8/10/09 he claimed: “We've got 46-47 million people without health insurance in our country.”

Obama attacked "bogus claims" made about his plan. Calls the allegations of "death panels" nothing more than "a lie, plain and simple." Says it is "false" to claim his plan would provide insurance for illegal immigrants, or would create a "government takeover" of the health care system.

Obama addressed another touchy issue: How to pay for his plan. He pledged not to add a single pennyto the deficit. Says he will seek spending cuts in other areas if his health care plan doesn't realize projected savings. That includes saving waste and inefficiency in Medicare, Assures seniors their Medicare benefits will not be cut, attributing "scary stories" from those who "have fought against Medicare in the past, and just this year supported a budget that would have essentially turned Medicare into a privatized voucher program."

The bottom line financially: Around $900 billion over 10 years -- "less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans that Congress passed at the beginning of the previous administration."

Obama pledges to work with Republicans -- but also issues them a warning: "I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it ... If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now."


‘You Lie!’: Loud Shout From GOP Rep. Wilson Interrupts Obama Point in Address to Congress



South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" after Obama had talked about illegal immigrants.

It wasn't the only interruption during Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives. Earlier, Republicans laughed when Obama acknowledged that there are still significant details to be worked out before a health overhaul can be passed.

Wilson's outburst caused Obama to pause briefly before he went on with his speech. Overhead in the visitors' gallery, first Lady Michelle Obama shook her head from side to side.

Drudge/ WHIP COUNT: DEMS LACK THE VOTES - 44 democrats oppose bill, 57 liberal Dems oppose without Public option

(Drudgereport).At least 44 more moderate Members of the Democrat Caucus have gone on the record in opposition to the current health care bill in the House, a Hill source claims. Likewise, at least 57 liberal Members of the Democrat Caucus have gone on the record saying they will vote against a health care bill without a strong public option.

Unless multiple Democrats flip on their stated position on health care, Speaker Pelosi lacks the votes to pass a bill through the House on the strength of Democrat votes alone.

read here more....

Obama disapproval on health care up to 52 percent

(AP).An Associated Press-GfK poll says that public disapproval of President Barack Obama's handling of health care has jumped to 52 percent.

The same survey shows that 49 percent now disapprove of his overall performance as president. In July, just 42 percent disapproved of how he was handling his job.

The poll was released hours before a nationally televised speech before Congress in which the president plans to make a renewed case for overhauling the nation's health care system. The survey, conducted Sept. 3-8, underscores how the political climate shifted against Obama during the summer.

Dan Burton On The Senate Floor Hits Obama For His Appointee Van Jones

23 Dems have said they will vote ‘no’ on healthcare reform

(The HILL).At least 23 House Democrats already have told constituents or hometown media that they oppose the massive healthcare overhaul touted by President Barack Obama.

If Republicans offer the blanket opposition they’ve promised, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) can afford to lose only 38 members of her 256-member caucus and still pass the bill.

Most Democrats opposed to healthcare reform argue it costs too much, imposes a new tax and fines businesses that don’t provide insurance to employees. Some fear that the bill would subsidize abortion.

Many other Democratic members, including those berated by protesters at raucous town hall meetings in August, are still undecided.

Voting against a president from your own party is starkly different from defying a Speaker or a committee chairman, and Obama is stepping up his involvement, starting with a speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

Newt: Obama's speech will give him 3 days

(GOP12).Newt Gingrich tells National Public Radio's, Renee Montagne, how much time Barack Obama will buy himself with a good speech tomorrow.

I think that he's going to discover, as Bill Clinton did, that a really good speech gives him about three days.

It literally took about four days for the Clinton joint session address to disappear, because people said no. They looked at — they said nice speech; really well delivered; articulate guy. And then he said, "What do you think about the policy?"

They said, "No. We're against it."

How Republicans will respond

(POLITICO 44).Looking to score points in the immediate aftermath of President Barack Obama’s speech Wednesday, Republicans have readied a response strategy that they hope will steal some of the president’s thunder.

Republicans are prepared to take on the president following the speech no matter what he unveils Wednesday night and will attack Obama for supporting a public option even if he backs off from such a program in his speech.

“Even if Obama says that he doesn’t support a public option, Republicans still expect him to work towards one, whether in the form of [an insurance] co-op or through another way, and we will continue to hit him on it,” a Republican National Committee official told POLITICO.

The Republicans also are pushing hard to frame the Obama’s speech in the hours leading up to its delivery.

Tuesday night, RNC Chairman Michael Steele kicked off a series of national and regional television and radio interviews with an appearance on Fox News host Sean Hannity’s show, criticizing the president’s anticipated remarks.

Steele also has an op-ed in POLITICO Wednesday accusing the president of not being “serious” on health care reform, in which he jokingly writes that Obama will tell Americans “that if you like your current health care plan you can keep it, that no one will interfere with the doctor patient relationship, there will be no threat of rationing care for seniors, there will be no cuts to Medicare, the Cubs will win the World Series and gravity is no longer a factor.”

Conservative opponents of health reform dominated the month of August, showing up at congressional town halls to criticize the Democratic plans as a big-government solution to the health care. The White House tried to strike back at some of the criticisms – labeling GOP talk of “death panels” and coverage of illegal immigrants as outright falsehoods – and in the op-ed, Steele steers clear of some of the more incendiary language used by conservative supporters.

On Thursday, Steele will counter the president with appearances on CNN’s “Situation Room,” Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” and Florida television stations where the RNC is pushing its so-called “seniors’ bill of rights.”.

The RNC will also live-blog the speech, which House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced Tuesday will be rebutted by Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany, a career thoracic surgeon

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Obama gets praised for School speech: "Quitting in School Is Quitting on America".

"We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country."

(Newsmax).In a pep talk that kept clear of politics, President Barack Obama on Tuesday challenged the nation's students to take pride and ownership in their education — and stick with it even if they don't like every class or must overcome tough circumstances at home.

"Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer," Obama told students at Wakefield High School in Washington and children watching his speech on television in schools across the country. "And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is."

Obama preceded his broad-scale talk with a meeting with Wakefield students, where at one point he advised them to "be careful what you post on Facebook. Whatever you do, it will be pulled up later in your life."

"When I was your age," Obama said, "I was a little bit of a goof-off. My main goal was to get on the varsity basketball team and have fun."

*Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich defended President Barack Obama’s speech to school children Tuesday, urging “every child” to read the remarks.

“President Reagan did it, President George H.W. Bush did it,” he said. “I read the speech yesterday when it was posted and I think the White House was smart to post it.”

“It’s a good speech,” Gingrich added. “I recommend it to everybody if you have any doubts. I would love to have every child in America read it, think about it, and learn that they should stay in school and they should study.”

“If he can give a speech tomorrow night in the tone of his speech to the students, this country would be much better off,” Gingrich said.

* U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey called President Obama’s speech today to school children in Arlington, Virginia “an inspiring and moving speech for students across America.”

“Education is the cornerstone of our country’s future,” Mr. Toomey said, “and it is important that we relay that message to our young students. The President’s emphasis on responsibility and the personal stories about his own education are exactly the kind of inspiring messages our children need to hear from our country’s leaders.”

Hardball: Odds Improving For GOP Takeover Of The House

Per Online traders - a 30% chance that the GOP will take over control of the House in 2010

Watch Chris Matthews on hardball

Obama's tactic: Just One more Speech and it will be Done

"The President has a big megaphone, and he intends to use that megaphone,"(David Axelrod) .

(news.yahoo.-Time).This is what Barack Obama does. Back him into a corner, get the press all wee-weed up, send his polls ratings plummeting and the aging basketball player responds again and again with the same move: he delivers a major speech. And why not? It keeps working. It's the thing that first introduced him to the nation, at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. It is what extricated him from the Jeremiah Wright mess during the campaign. It has become the central method of his foreign policy push, in Prague, Cairo, Moscow and Accra.

It's also been the method of choice in his push for health-care reform. In just the last two months, he has held six health-care town halls and a prime-time news conference. But public support for his plans has been declining through the summer. So the answer, he believes, is one more speech, Wednesday night in front of a joint session of Congress.

So Obama will take his case for health-care reform directly to the American people - again - and compete head-to-head with the 8 p.m. season premiere of America's Next Top Model. The speech is less a recalibration of his health-care effort than a restatement of purpose. Aides caution that he will neither demand a so-called public-health-insurance option nor abandon his desire to see one achieved. He will not give up his quest for a bipartisan compromise in the Senate, nor will he vow to abandon the possible use of parliamentary procedures that would allow Democrats to pass major portions of reform with just 51 Senate votes.

He will make clear, as he has before, that the time for action is now. On Monday, at a fiery Labor Day rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, Obama offered a sneak peek. "Debate is good, because we have to get this right," he told the crowd. "But in every debate there comes a time to decide, a time to act. And Ohio, that time is now."

Obama's mission, when he takes the podium in the House, flanked by his Vice President and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, will be less about forcing the hand of Congress than re-energizing public support for reform, something that is essential for members of Congress to feel they have the cover to vote yes.

It's the kind of message Obama has delivered many times before - as a state legislator from Chicago, as an embattled presidential candidate and as a victorious newly elected President. The question this time is: Will sweeping oratory still carry the day?.

Is He running for President or is He President? Obama To Health Care Opponents "What's Your Solution?"



If he would only be so aggressive and forceful on creating new jobs, fixing the economy and winning the war in Afghanistan, American people would have at least benefited from it.

UPDATED:(Politico). Gingrich:“Yesterday’s speech was fine if you’re a candidate, it was a terrible speech if you’re president,” he said. “For the president to suggest that his critics do not have alternative solutions is simply factually false.”

Monday, September 7, 2009

Frankly He Can! Sen. Al Franken draws amazingly accurate map of the United States

Former Gov. George Pataki: Obama is Jeopardizing U.S. Security

(Newsmax).Eight years after the worst-ever terrorist attack on American soil, the man who was Governor of New York at the time, George Pataki fears that President Obama has weakened U.S. security.

In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Pataki says: “There is no question in my mind he is jeopardizing our security. You cannot turn terrorists loose, turn them back to where they came from and not expect them to engage in that activity again. We’ve already seen the example of a number of Guantanamo detainees who were released and returned to the battlefield, fighting our troops, fighting others who are trying to uphold the rule of law and defend freedom. So that clearly places us in jeopardy”

The three-term Republican governor also warns the investigation and possible prosecution of CIA terrorist interrogators by Obama’s attorney general will undermine America’s national security.

“When CIA officials, CIA agents and others who play a critical role in trying to gather the intelligence we need to prevent further attacks have to look over the shoulder about investigations and possible criminal charges, it certainly hampers our ability to get the necessary intelligence to protect ourselves,” he says.

Pataki suggests Obama is repeating the mistakes of the previous Democratic administration.

“Using the FBI and by derivation our criminal justice court system to look into this, this is exactly what happened in 1993,” he says.

“We had the towers bombed by an Islamic terrorist and rather than seeing it as an act of war by those who would attack us any chance they would get, we treated it as a criminal case, we had a trial, the trial went forward, the sheik was convicted, but it sent all the wrong messages to those who would attack us again.”

“The fact that the FBI and the CIA couldn’t share information I think in retrospect clearly was one of the major problems because the terrorists, the hijackers were here in the U.S. and the FBI had some information, the CIA had different information, but they could not coordinate. And that was a self-imposed Clinton administration restriction that had tragic consequences. I fear that too many of the actions of this Obama administration have the potential, let’s hope it never happens, but have the potential to open us up to further attacks.”

By contrast, he notes that since the 9/11 attacks the Bush administration prevented any more terror attacks on the U.S. homeland.

“So take a look at the past eight years,” Pataki says, “For all the uncertainty in the world, we were safe, we were not attacked again. I fear that the Obama administration’s policies are jeopardizing our security going forward.”

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Trippi: GOP trying to turn Obama into another Jimmy Carter

(CNN) – A prominent Democratic strategist said Sunday that Republicans are trying to turn President Barack Obama’s administration into another “failed presidency” like that of former Democratic president Jimmy Carter.

“They’re going to keep gunning,” Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, referring to conservatives’ recent — and ultimately successful efforts — to target Obama’s green jobs adviser Van Jones over controversial comments he made before becoming a part of Obama’s White House team.

“This administration has the potential to be FDR or Jimmy Carter and I think the Republicans are going to do everything they can to make him Jimmy Carter, to create a failed presidency. That’s, unfortunately, what many of them want.”

Trippi, who served as the campaign manager for Gov. Howard Dean’s bid for the White House, also said he believed that Obama was genuinely interested in bipartisanship but that Republicans are not likely to respond to Obama’s efforts to reach across the aisle.

Obama has to “realize he’s sticking his hand out but many Republicans are just not ready to embrace it,” Trippi told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.

Republican strategist Ed Rollins disagreed with Trippi’s assessment of Obama’s relationship with the GOP.

“Presidents don’t come down by what the opposition party [does] and that’s what we are, we’re an opposition party,” Rollins said on State of the Union, “There are many things that Obama is offering that we don’t believe in, so why should we compromise on our principles? [Democrats] have got all the votes, you can do whatever you want.”

Americans like Bibi, Love Israel

(Bibireport).A new opinion poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for The Israel Project has shown a sharp rise in support for Israel in the United States. The poll also showed an extraordinary level of support for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and for many key policies endorsed by his party, Likud.

Among the most striking findings of the survey are the following:

** 95 percent of respondents say that the Palestinians must recognise Israel as a specifically Jewish state, something that the Palestinian leadership has adamantly refused to do.

** 63 percent say the United States should take Israel’s side in the conflict — up 19 percentage points from a similar poll in June — compared to just 8 percent for the Palestinians.

** Asked whether their feelings towards various political leaders were warm or cold — where scores above 50 percent indicate warmth and scores below it indicate coolness — Netanyahu got a score of 56 percent, just 3 percentage points below Barack Obama.

** 72 percent believe that Netanyahu is right to call a halt to settlement while allowing for natural growth.

** 90 percent agree with President Obama that the Palestinian leadership must do more to stop anti-Israeli incitement across Palestinian culture

Friday, September 4, 2009

Romney to Obama:Be careful not to cross the line to discuss political or policy matters; Pawlenty: its disruptive and uninvited

(CNN) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is adding his voice to the growing conservative chorus criticizing President Obama's scheduled address to public school children next week.

"At a minimum it's disruptive, number two, it's uninvited and number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children," he told reporters at the Minnesota State fair.

The governor also objected to the Department of Education's initial encouragement of school children to write the president with their thoughts on what they can do to help him. Amid criticism, the proposal was dropped.

"There are going to be questions about — well, what are they are going to do with those names and is that for the purpose of a mailing list?" Pawlenty said.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, thought to be another potential White House hopeful, issues a more measured statement to Obama's planned address.

"If the president wants to encourage students to stay in school and study, that's appropriate," he said. "However, he should be careful not to cross the line to discuss political issues or policy matters."

CNN Poll: Republicans make gains, and close the gap

(CNN) — Despite the drop in President Barack Obama's approval ratings, Republican policies are still not as popular as Democratic policies, according to a new national poll.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday morning indicates that the GOP has gained some ground in polls in recent months, but Democrats still hold the advantage on key issues like the economy and health care.

Fifty-two percent of people questioned say the president's policies will move the country in the right direction. An equal percentage feel the same way about the polices of the Democrats in Congress. What do Americans think of Republican policies? Forty-three percent say the GOP's policies will move the country in the right direction. Nearly half of those polled said congressional Republicans would move the country in the wrong direction.

But the percentage of people who think Obama will move the country in the right direction has dropped 11 points since May, while congressional Democrats have seen a 5 point dip. Congressional Republicans have seen a 4 point rise over the same period.

Polls in recent weeks have shown Obama's approval rating in the mid-to-low 50s — a significant drop from early summer, when most polls had his rating at 60 percent or higher.

"Barack Obama's drop in the polls has not made the Republican Party more popular than the Democrats," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. Still, he adds, "the GOP may be in a more competitive position — a comparison with poll results from May suggests that the gap between the parties has been closing."

Olbermann: Obama could face primary challenge in 2012 if Public Option is dropped

With Obama out of sight, 'Acting' President I Biden finds success in Stimulus

(washingtontimes).There's no "I" in "team," but there is definitely one in "Biden."

With President Obama off on vacation, his second in two weeks, unofficial Acting President Joe Biden has stepped into the vacuum, claiming credit Thursday for the successes of the administration's $787 billion stimulus package and fielding questions on health care reform -- something his boss hasn't done in nearly two weeks.

The vice president, borrowing Mr. Obama's teleprompter for a speech before a friendly audience at the Brookings Institution, said "I" more than a dozen times as he pointed repeatedly to progress on the economy and to his lofty role in the process.

"Every week -- with notable exceptions -- I hold a Cabinet meeting. And most of the Cabinet secretaries attend," he told the audience in Washington.

"I made it clear that our focus had to be, in the first 100 days, accountability, transparency and responsiveness. I wanted each of those Cabinet secretaries to set up systems where they would have a high degree of confidence that as they implemented what they were in charge of, it would be done effectively and efficiently."

Mr. Biden said he had also talked to "every single governor except one, who's now a former governor." The crowd laughed, getting the reference to former Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin. "By the way, it wasn't by design. She was going to be on a couple of times and couldn't for other reasons," he said defensively.

In a presidential-like declaration, Mr. Biden said the buck stops with him. "I take responsibility for mistakes that were made," he said at one point.

Unemployment Rises to 9.7% - where are the Jobs?

(Bloomberg) -- The pace of U.S. job losses slowed in August as signs emerged that the recession is ending, while the unemployment rate reached a 26-year high, underscoring threats to consumer spending gains in the recovery.

Employers cut 216,000 from payrolls, fewer than forecast, after a 276,000 drop in July that was larger than previously reported, Labor Department data showed today in Washington. The jobless rate jumped to 9.7 percent from 9.4 percent.

“What we’re learning is that the pace of job declines is subsiding,” David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates Inc. in Toronto, said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio. “The economy is no longer detonating, but we are still losing jobs, and the unemployment rate is going up. It’s going to be a very tough environment for the consumer.”

Rising joblessness underscores Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s judgment that it’s “too early” to start exiting from the unprecedented stimulus measures helping stabilize the economy. AMR Corp. and Whirlpool Corp. are among the companies continuing to cut staff to lower costs and revive profits in the aftermath of the deepest recession since the 1930s.

The latest numbers brought total jobs lost since the recession began in December 2007 to 6.9 million, the biggest decline in any post-World War II economic slump.

Payrolls were forecast to drop 230,000 after a 247,000 decline initially reported for July, according to the median of 79 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Estimates ranged from decreases of 365,000 to 100,000. Job losses peaked at 741,000 in January, the most since 1949.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Obama and the Perfect Political Storm - Change voters do not believe in

(KARL ROVE-WSJ).August was the worst month of Barack Obama's presidency. And he seems to know it—he is now planning to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress 232 days into his administration in a desperate attempt to save his biggest domestic priority, overhauling health care.

He has already had the budget-busting $787 billion stimulus package, a budget that doubles the national debt in five years, an earmark-laden appropriations bill that boosted domestic spending nearly 8%, and a cap-and-trade energy tax that limped through the House with dozens of Democratic defections (and which has stalled in the Senate). These achievements are unpopular, so they are boomeranging on him.

Mr. Obama's problems are legion. To start with, the president is focusing on health care when the economy and jobs are nearly everyone's top issue. Voters increasingly believe Mr. Obama took his eye off the ball.

In addition, Mr. Obama is trying to overhaul health care without being able to tap into widespread public unhappiness. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans say they have coverage—and large majorities of them are happy with it. Of the 46 million uninsured, 9.7 million are not U.S. citizens; 17.6 million have annual incomes of more than $50,000; and 14 million already qualify for Medicaid or other programs. That leaves less than five million people truly uncovered out of a population of 307 million. Americans don't believe this problem—serious but correctable—justifies the radical shift Mr. Obama offers.

Moreover, he's tried to sell it with promises Americans aren't buying. He says ObamaCare will save money, but American believe it comes with a huge price tag because the Congressional Budget Office has said it will.

Workers are also rightly concerned they won't be able to keep their current coverage. Many businesses will drop their health plans and instead pay a fine equal to 8% of their payroll costs, which is less than what they pay for employee coverage...

Sen. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.) was inartful but basically correct when he said if Mr. Obama loses on health care, "it will be his Waterloo." It would destroy confidence in the ability of Democrats to govern. Mr. Obama knows this, which is why he will stop at nothing to get a bill, any bill, on which the label "health-care reform" can be stuck.

Given the Democratic congressional margins, Mr. Obama has the votes to do it, but at huge costs to him and his party. Legislation that looks anything like the bill moving through the House will contain deeply unpopular provisions—including massive deficit spending, tax hikes and Medicare cuts—and create enormous ill will on Capitol Hill. This will be especially true if Democrats rely on parliamentary tricks to pass a bill in the Senate with 51 votes. The public's reaction in August showed that the president is creating the conditions for a revolt against his party in the 2010 elections.

On the other hand, if Mr. Obama jettisons the public option, he may spark a revolt within his party. The Democratic base is already grumbling and could block a bill if it doesn't include a public option.

Presidents always encounter rough patches. What is unusual is how soon Mr. Obama has hit his. He has used up almost all his goodwill in less than nine months, with the hardest work still ahead. At the year's start, Democrats were cocky. At summer's end, concern is giving way to despair. A perfect political storm is amassing, and heading straight for Democrats.

Back to Rhetoric - Obama to address Congress next Wed.

President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress on health care reform in prime time on Wednesday, Sept. 9, a senior official tells POLITICO.

Obama will receive House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the White House the day before for a previously scheduled sit-down.

The last time a president addressed a joint session of Congress that wasn’t a State of the Union, or the traditional first address by a new president, was Sept. 20, 2001, when President George W. Bush spoke on the war on terrorism following the 9/11 attacks.

After plans for the session had been reported, Reid and Pelosi released a letter of invitation to the president: "Our nation is closer than ever to achieving health insurance reform that will lower costs, retain choice, improve quality and expand coverage. We are committed to reaching this goal. We would like to invite you to address a Joint Session of the Congress on Wednesday, September 9 on health insurance reform. Thank you for considering this invitation to speak to the Congress and the nation."

Obama plans to give lawmakers a more specific prescription
for health care legislation than he has in the past, aides said.

PPP: GOP leads generic Ballot 45-41; Voters Unhappy with both Parties favor the GOP 50-14

(PPP)....When voters are mad at Washington it tends to be the party in power that pays the price and our first look at the generic Congressional ballot for this election cycle reflects that. 45% of voters say they would choose a Republican if there was an election being held today, while 41% say they would vote Democratic.

That result is largely a function of independents saying they would vote Republican by a margin of 40-31. Democrats and Republicans are mostly committed to their parties, as you would expect.

Among voters who are unhappy with both Congressional Democrats and Republicans, the GOP leads on the generic ballot 50-14, a reflection of the fact that even if people don't like you they might turn to you as the alternative when you're the party out of power.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" (Churchill)