Friday, July 3, 2009
Alaska is broken... impressive speach leaves Nation wondering
(From Hotair)..Quin Hillyer, senior editor at the Spectator, calls the resignation an “appalling dereliction of duty.” What Sarah Palin did today was get out before the real challenges of the job (whatever challenges there are for such an easy job) really rear their heads. The going got tough in terms of spurious ethics charges against her, and she took off. That’s cowardly. That’s not sign of staying power. It’s a sign of wanting to get out while the getting is good, in order to become a full-time candidate for a presidential race that won’t culminate for 3 1/2 more years. It’s a little too calculating, by half — or more. I just listened to her speech announcing her decision, and found it singularly unimpressive. “This was a rambling, bombastic, self-centered, ‘poor me’ kind of speech.” That’s how Mike Carey of the Anchorage Daily News just described her speech on Fox News. I agree. He then said it was, darn, I already can’t remember if he said it was “pitiful” or “pathetic,” but it was some word like that. Again, I agree. It was a speech in which she clearly made a bit for a national audience — not a very effective bid, but a transparent one — but didn’t adequately explain to the people of Alaska why she was relinquishing her duty…
Andrea Mitchell: Sources Say Palin "Has Had It" With Politics
VIDEO:Real Clear Politics
Andrea Mitchell say her sources that she has "had it" with national politics and is sick of it. Mitchell says she does not plan to pursue the Republican nomination in 2012.
Andrea Mitchell say her sources that she has "had it" with national politics and is sick of it. Mitchell says she does not plan to pursue the Republican nomination in 2012.
SURPRISE..MYSTERY OR RISKY DECISION? - Sarah Palin to resign as Governer of Alaska .."keeping a eye on the Ball"...
(ktuu).Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her home Friday morning.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor's Picnic at the end of the month, Palin said,Palin made the announcement flanked by Parnell and most, if not all, of her cabinet.
CNN reports:Palin said she feels she can be more effective when she's outside Government.
Palin:"We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction."
OFA note : MYSTERY OR RISKY DECISION? If she is considering a '12 Presidential run , this could be from one side a smart and strategic move , where she quits out of the spotlight and takes herself personal privacy time where she will be able to put in all her effort to reshape her image,to learn the issues and get herself ready for National stage... and maybe this is a advantage as this is a difficult time for incumbents and being out office is could play out as a better position, (and giving the media a shock and being the only news in a Holiday weekend gives her exclusive coverage for 3 days until everything returns back to normal,analyzing and debating her decision can turn out to be a brilliant move), but from the other side this could be a risky decision as David Schuster said on MSNBC: “If she’s leaving the governorship before her first term is complete, her national political career is done, or as Ace writes “It’s over. You can’t resign from a governorship and then run for higher office", You dont quit from politics if you are tired from all whats going on and return Later on to take on a massive and bigger position that will not lower the attacks rather raise them, and the tone and environment she announced it raises some serious questions, what are her plans,what is her message ,and what is her strategy?
Or is it her decision to step out of Politics because she is sick and tired of all the trash that is being thrown on her from both sides, and she had enough of all of it, so why didn't she say it open and clear: i am done with it, i want to go back to my personal life , plus the timing is a shock and a mystery.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor's Picnic at the end of the month, Palin said,Palin made the announcement flanked by Parnell and most, if not all, of her cabinet.
CNN reports:Palin said she feels she can be more effective when she's outside Government.
Palin:"We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction."
OFA note : MYSTERY OR RISKY DECISION? If she is considering a '12 Presidential run , this could be from one side a smart and strategic move , where she quits out of the spotlight and takes herself personal privacy time where she will be able to put in all her effort to reshape her image,to learn the issues and get herself ready for National stage... and maybe this is a advantage as this is a difficult time for incumbents and being out office is could play out as a better position, (and giving the media a shock and being the only news in a Holiday weekend gives her exclusive coverage for 3 days until everything returns back to normal,analyzing and debating her decision can turn out to be a brilliant move), but from the other side this could be a risky decision as David Schuster said on MSNBC: “If she’s leaving the governorship before her first term is complete, her national political career is done, or as Ace writes “It’s over. You can’t resign from a governorship and then run for higher office", You dont quit from politics if you are tired from all whats going on and return Later on to take on a massive and bigger position that will not lower the attacks rather raise them, and the tone and environment she announced it raises some serious questions, what are her plans,what is her message ,and what is her strategy?
Or is it her decision to step out of Politics because she is sick and tired of all the trash that is being thrown on her from both sides, and she had enough of all of it, so why didn't she say it open and clear: i am done with it, i want to go back to my personal life , plus the timing is a shock and a mystery.
Regrets or fitting in consensus? Powell already concerned about Obama's agenda
(CNN)In a wide-ranging interview set to air Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, one of President Barack Obama's most prominent Republican supporters says he is 'concerned' about the new president's ambitious agenda and the high price tags accompanying many of Obama's initiatives.
"I'm a little concerned," former Secretary of State Colin Powell says. "I'm concerned at the number of programs that are being presented, the bills associated with these programs and the additional government that will be needed to execute them."
Powell also seems to sound a note of warning to the young president.
"I think one of the cautions that has to be given to the president — and I've talked to some of his people about this — is that you can't have so many things on the table that you can't absorb it all. And we can't pay for it all."
"I'm a little concerned," former Secretary of State Colin Powell says. "I'm concerned at the number of programs that are being presented, the bills associated with these programs and the additional government that will be needed to execute them."
Powell also seems to sound a note of warning to the young president.
"I think one of the cautions that has to be given to the president — and I've talked to some of his people about this — is that you can't have so many things on the table that you can't absorb it all. And we can't pay for it all."
Romney Emerges as National leader as Top Issues Play to His Strength
(WSJ).Most Republicans have just finished what might be called the spring of their discontent. Not much went right in the first half of the year; not much to cheer about.
But not Mitt Romney. For this unsuccessful 2008 Republican presidential contender, it is hard to imagine how events could be moving more decisively in his favor in 2009. One can almost hear him wondering: Why didn't things break this way last year?
Let us count the ways that the world has conspired to help Mr. Romney. At a time when the Republican Party is straining to find new leaders, other prominent party members who aspire to that role -- Govs. Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal and Mark Sanford, and Sen. John Ensign -- have stumbled, Mitt Romney now looks by comparison like the serious adult in the room.
Beyond that, the national agenda is squarely focused on the economy -- which plays to Mr. Romney's strength as a successful businessman -- rather than on national security, which benefited Sen. John McCain in last year's primaries, or on the social issues where Mr. Romney's tendency to shift about has caused him so much trouble.
And beyond the economy, what are the other big items on the agenda? Well, one is the auto industry, which happens to play nicely to the Romney background as a Michigander and son of an auto-company executive. The other is health care, which tees up Mr. Romney to talk about the health overhaul he led in Massachusetts while that state's governor. All this leads, inevitably enough, to talk of Mr. Romney already emerging as a leading contender for the party's next presidential nomination.
Besides, talk of a presidential candidacy misses the more relevant point. Republicans are looking for a voice to speak for the party in exile, and Mr. Romney is starting fill the role quite nicely.
More broadly, Mr. Romney has developed a well-modulated critique of President Barack Obama, one that is tough without sounding harsh.
Yet the most important thing Mr. Romney is doing may lie elsewhere, in the air miles and shoe leather he is investing to help fellow Republicans. That is the kind of loyalty-inducing investment that can come back to benefit a presidential candidate.
But not Mitt Romney. For this unsuccessful 2008 Republican presidential contender, it is hard to imagine how events could be moving more decisively in his favor in 2009. One can almost hear him wondering: Why didn't things break this way last year?
Let us count the ways that the world has conspired to help Mr. Romney. At a time when the Republican Party is straining to find new leaders, other prominent party members who aspire to that role -- Govs. Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal and Mark Sanford, and Sen. John Ensign -- have stumbled, Mitt Romney now looks by comparison like the serious adult in the room.
Beyond that, the national agenda is squarely focused on the economy -- which plays to Mr. Romney's strength as a successful businessman -- rather than on national security, which benefited Sen. John McCain in last year's primaries, or on the social issues where Mr. Romney's tendency to shift about has caused him so much trouble.
And beyond the economy, what are the other big items on the agenda? Well, one is the auto industry, which happens to play nicely to the Romney background as a Michigander and son of an auto-company executive. The other is health care, which tees up Mr. Romney to talk about the health overhaul he led in Massachusetts while that state's governor. All this leads, inevitably enough, to talk of Mr. Romney already emerging as a leading contender for the party's next presidential nomination.
Besides, talk of a presidential candidacy misses the more relevant point. Republicans are looking for a voice to speak for the party in exile, and Mr. Romney is starting fill the role quite nicely.
More broadly, Mr. Romney has developed a well-modulated critique of President Barack Obama, one that is tough without sounding harsh.
Yet the most important thing Mr. Romney is doing may lie elsewhere, in the air miles and shoe leather he is investing to help fellow Republicans. That is the kind of loyalty-inducing investment that can come back to benefit a presidential candidate.
Dick Morris:If Obama becomes radioactive,Hillary will challenge him in 2012
(HotAirpundit,wcbstv).Former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser for New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who is challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in New York's Democratic primary. A spokesman for Clinton, Matt McKenna, said Clinton's attending a July 20 fundraiser.
Clinton has not endorsed in the race, but his attendance could be seen as a snub to White House-backed Gillibrand. Gillibrand was appointed by New York Governor David Paterson to the Senate seat to fill the vacancy left when Clinton's wife was named Secretary of State. She was appointed after Caroline Kennedy abruptly withdrew.
Yesterday, it was reported that Hillary would not be making the trip to Russia with Obama because of the injury to her arm, last week it was reported that Hillary tried for 2 days to get Obama to toughen his stance on Iran.
...and we're starting to see cracks in the Clinton/Obama relationship more and more, Bill and Hillary see the possibility of Democrats gets crushed in next year's mid term elections.
Dick Morris: "If Obama becomes radioactive, there's a significant possibility that she challenges him in 2012"
"Is Hillary going to give up running for President? Yeah, when she stops breathing"
Clinton has not endorsed in the race, but his attendance could be seen as a snub to White House-backed Gillibrand. Gillibrand was appointed by New York Governor David Paterson to the Senate seat to fill the vacancy left when Clinton's wife was named Secretary of State. She was appointed after Caroline Kennedy abruptly withdrew.
Yesterday, it was reported that Hillary would not be making the trip to Russia with Obama because of the injury to her arm, last week it was reported that Hillary tried for 2 days to get Obama to toughen his stance on Iran.
...and we're starting to see cracks in the Clinton/Obama relationship more and more, Bill and Hillary see the possibility of Democrats gets crushed in next year's mid term elections.
Dick Morris: "If Obama becomes radioactive, there's a significant possibility that she challenges him in 2012"
"Is Hillary going to give up running for President? Yeah, when she stops breathing"
Thursday, July 2, 2009
AP: Woman Obama Hugged at Town Hall Was His Volunteer
(spectator).The AP is reporting that Debby Smith, the woman who President Obama hugged during yesterday's town hall meeting and promised to help after she described her difficulties getting treatment for a tumor, "is a volunteer for Organizing for America, Obama's political operation within the Democratic National Committee" who "obtained her ticket through the White House."
OMG he's starting up with Putin now... Obama: Vladimir Putin is 'living in the past'
(Telegraph).Barack Obama yesterday accused Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, of "living in the past" and indulging in Cold War thinking on the eve of his first trip to Russia as US president.
Mr Obama described the former president, who remains the country's dominant political force, as someone who still has "one foot in the old ways of doing business and one foot in the new".
He said one reason he will meet Mr Putin, as well as Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, during his visit next week is that he wanted Mr Putin to know that "the old Cold War approaches" to relations with the United States were "outdated".
Mr Obama described the former president, who remains the country's dominant political force, as someone who still has "one foot in the old ways of doing business and one foot in the new".
He said one reason he will meet Mr Putin, as well as Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, during his visit next week is that he wanted Mr Putin to know that "the old Cold War approaches" to relations with the United States were "outdated".
Gallup: Americans Expect Security in Iraq to Worsen After Pullout
Gallup polling conducted on June 30, the deadline for U.S. forces to withdraw from urban areas of Iraq, finds Americans largely pessimistic about the likely impact of this change. Overall, 58% of Americans believe the security situation in Iraq will worsen now that much of it is in the hands of Iraqi security forces; only 36% believe security will stay the same or improve.
Obama: America and Iraq will be more secure when the terrorists are being taken out by the Iraqi gov't...
Obama: America and Iraq will be more secure when the terrorists are being taken out by the Iraqi gov't...
PM Netanyahu Addresses 4th of July Party in Israel:US is Freedom's greatest champion
transcript of the PM’s remarks at BIBI REPORT:
“The United States was a defender of freedom in the 20th century as it confronted and defeated history’s greatest tyrannies, and above all else, the Nazi tyranny. And over the last 233 years, the United States has been freedom’s greatest champion, all the while insisting that freedom is not something that only a privileged few countries can enjoy, but the birthright of every nation and every people. It’s not surprising therefore that our own birth of freedom would resonate so powerfully with the American people. After all, this was the reemergence of the Jews as a free and independent nation in our ancestral homeland, in the original Promised Land, the original Zion. This was why it took President Harry S. Truman only eleven minutes to recognize the newly born Jewish state, and this is why every American president since then, has expressed the deep friendship between our two countries, a friendship anchored not in transitory interests, but in eternal values and timeless ideals. And these common ideals of liberty and democracy, are the foundation of the deep and enduring bond between the United States and Israel”......
Krauthammer: Romney - the guy who is as clean as clean can get
(NRO).Krauthammer’s Take From last night’s “All-Stars.”:
Romney really is the frontrunner. He has done himself well. He is a grown-up. He knows economics. He's trusted on that.
There is also a tradition among Republicans of nominating the next in line, as we did with George Bush, Sr. in 1988, Dole in '96, and McCain in '08, sort of the last grown-up who was left over from the last campaign.
And I think that Romney has done well. Look, he is the guy who is as clean as clean can get. You are not going to wake up in the morning and discover he is crying in Argentina. This is a solid guy and he's got a record.
Romney really is the frontrunner. He has done himself well. He is a grown-up. He knows economics. He's trusted on that.
There is also a tradition among Republicans of nominating the next in line, as we did with George Bush, Sr. in 1988, Dole in '96, and McCain in '08, sort of the last grown-up who was left over from the last campaign.
And I think that Romney has done well. Look, he is the guy who is as clean as clean can get. You are not going to wake up in the morning and discover he is crying in Argentina. This is a solid guy and he's got a record.
Washington is Broken.. 45% of Voters Say One-Party Rule Bad for U.S.
(Rasmussenreports).Forty-five percent (45%) of U.S. voters say it’s better for the country if the White House and Congress are each run by a different political party.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree and say it’s better to have one political party running both branches of government, as is currently the case, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But slightly more (28%) aren’t sure which is best.
This marks a seven-point drop in support for one-party rule from a survey just before last November’s election when it seemed clear Democrats were going to win the presidency and strengthen their control of Congress.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Republicans and 51% of voters not affiliated with either major political party say it’s better for America to have the White House and Congress run by different parties.
Since Democrats now control the presidency and both houses of Congress, it’s not surprising that they disagree, but they’re far more closely divided than one might expect. While 39% of Democratic voters think rule by one party is best, 27% like the idea of divided government, and 34% are undecided.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of populist or Mainstream America say it’s better for the country to have the White House and Congress in the hands of different parties, but the Political Class is evenly divided on the question.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree and say it’s better to have one political party running both branches of government, as is currently the case, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But slightly more (28%) aren’t sure which is best.
This marks a seven-point drop in support for one-party rule from a survey just before last November’s election when it seemed clear Democrats were going to win the presidency and strengthen their control of Congress.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Republicans and 51% of voters not affiliated with either major political party say it’s better for America to have the White House and Congress run by different parties.
Since Democrats now control the presidency and both houses of Congress, it’s not surprising that they disagree, but they’re far more closely divided than one might expect. While 39% of Democratic voters think rule by one party is best, 27% like the idea of divided government, and 34% are undecided.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of populist or Mainstream America say it’s better for the country to have the White House and Congress in the hands of different parties, but the Political Class is evenly divided on the question.
Obama's approval rate is less the Election results... disapproval growing
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 33% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-five percent (35%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. This is the third straight day the Approval Index has been below zero .
A Rasmussen video report notes that . That's his lowest rating to date .Thirty-seven percent (37%) say the country is heading in the right direction .
Overall, 53% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far. Forty-six percent (46%) disapprove
A Rasmussen video report notes that . That's his lowest rating to date .Thirty-seven percent (37%) say the country is heading in the right direction .
Overall, 53% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far. Forty-six percent (46%) disapprove
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Obama uses the Public's money i'll use my own,says Romney;Cameron:Romney most candid about his desire to run
(GOP12).In a new segment for Fox News, reporter Carl Cameron says that Mitt Romney's "by far the most candid about his desire to run again".Presumably, that would refer to Mitt acknowledging the possibility he might spend some of his own money in a 2012 race.
"I am amazed at you people calling it a townhall meeting" - Gibbs under fire from WH reporters
CBS' Chip Reid and Helen Thomas double teamed Robert Gibbs today at the daily press briefing on the "tightly controlled" town hall meeting President Obama will hold on health care. Gibbs kept saying lets have this discussion AFTER the meeting. Helen Thomas accused the White House of "controlling the press." She said almost all White House/Obama events are "prepackaged." She accused the White House of not "having any answers."
Scott Rasmussen :Obama's Popularity Plunging,People begining to look at his policies
The latest Rasmussen daily tracking poll shows that President Barack Obama for the first time has a negative approval index — more Americans disapprove of his job performance than approve.
In an exclusive Newsmax interview, pollster Scott Rasmussen also disclosed that, if the economy does not improve over the next year, Obama's numbers will deteriorate even further — and Democrats will suffer in 2010.
"The raw numbers are pretty straightforward — 31 percent of Americans strongly approve of the way Barack Obama is handling his job, 33 percent strongly disapprove," Rasmussen said.
"Before the last week we never had a circumstance where the number who disapprove outweigh the number who approve. So we're in new territory. Right now the approval index, at minus two, is as low as it's been.
"What we've seen in the last month is a growing number of people who strongly disapprove, and we're seeing it at a time when the president's honeymoon is coming to an end and people are beginning to look at the policies that he's promoting."
The closeness of the approve/disapprove numbers are "yet another indicator of how evenly divided our nation is," he added.
"If the economy responds negatively over the next year, it is going to hurt the Democrats in 2010.
"What the passage of legislation will actually do is bring ownership of the economy and economic performance more and more into Barack Obama's camp
In an exclusive Newsmax interview, pollster Scott Rasmussen also disclosed that, if the economy does not improve over the next year, Obama's numbers will deteriorate even further — and Democrats will suffer in 2010.
"The raw numbers are pretty straightforward — 31 percent of Americans strongly approve of the way Barack Obama is handling his job, 33 percent strongly disapprove," Rasmussen said.
"Before the last week we never had a circumstance where the number who disapprove outweigh the number who approve. So we're in new territory. Right now the approval index, at minus two, is as low as it's been.
"What we've seen in the last month is a growing number of people who strongly disapprove, and we're seeing it at a time when the president's honeymoon is coming to an end and people are beginning to look at the policies that he's promoting."
The closeness of the approve/disapprove numbers are "yet another indicator of how evenly divided our nation is," he added.
"If the economy responds negatively over the next year, it is going to hurt the Democrats in 2010.
"What the passage of legislation will actually do is bring ownership of the economy and economic performance more and more into Barack Obama's camp
Early for GOP to cry..early for Dems to celebrate...Dems Senate Supermajority Not as Strong
(Foxnews).Yes, former comedian Al Franken is now Minnesota's senator-elect -- thanks to the state Supreme Court's ruling Tuesday -- giving Democrats enough members in the Senate to hit a filibuster-proof majority. This is no laughing matter.
But that's on a really, really good day. For all intents and purposes, Democrats don't truly have 60 votes in the Senate.
With the addition of Franken, they technically have 58. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., caucus with Democrats but don't define themselves that way.
But the Democrats aren't even at 58 votes on most days.
Two of the most revered members of the chamber suffer from poor health. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., has rarely visited the Senate for more than a year because of a struggle with brain cancer. Sen. Robert Byrd, 91, of West Virginia who has been slowing down in the past few years, recently suffered a staph infection and spent several weeks in the hospital before his release Tuesday. Depending on the day, the Democratic "supermajority" could be as scant as 56.
And then there are the moderate-to-conservative lawmakers who populate the Senate Democratic Caucus: Sens. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.; Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; Ben Nelson D-Neb.; Bill Nelson, D-Fla.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Arlen Specter, D-Pa.
This crowd is known to oppose the Democratic leadership on critical issues and often requires special courting. With them, the big Democratic majority could work against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., since it gives these moderates the perceived opening to bolt the party on key votes and freelance -- or act as holdouts that Democratic leaders must woo.
Despite Franken's reputation as an unabashed liberal commentator before his Senate run, he insisted Tuesday he's not an automatic 60th vote.
"I know there's been a lot of talk about the fact that when I'm sworn in I'll be the 60th member of the Democratic caucus, but that's not how I see it," he said. "The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator. I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota, and that's how I'm going to do this job."
But that's on a really, really good day. For all intents and purposes, Democrats don't truly have 60 votes in the Senate.
With the addition of Franken, they technically have 58. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., caucus with Democrats but don't define themselves that way.
But the Democrats aren't even at 58 votes on most days.
Two of the most revered members of the chamber suffer from poor health. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., has rarely visited the Senate for more than a year because of a struggle with brain cancer. Sen. Robert Byrd, 91, of West Virginia who has been slowing down in the past few years, recently suffered a staph infection and spent several weeks in the hospital before his release Tuesday. Depending on the day, the Democratic "supermajority" could be as scant as 56.
And then there are the moderate-to-conservative lawmakers who populate the Senate Democratic Caucus: Sens. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.; Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; Ben Nelson D-Neb.; Bill Nelson, D-Fla.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Arlen Specter, D-Pa.
This crowd is known to oppose the Democratic leadership on critical issues and often requires special courting. With them, the big Democratic majority could work against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., since it gives these moderates the perceived opening to bolt the party on key votes and freelance -- or act as holdouts that Democratic leaders must woo.
Despite Franken's reputation as an unabashed liberal commentator before his Senate run, he insisted Tuesday he's not an automatic 60th vote.
"I know there's been a lot of talk about the fact that when I'm sworn in I'll be the 60th member of the Democratic caucus, but that's not how I see it," he said. "The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator. I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota, and that's how I'm going to do this job."
Good news for Christie - Obama's approval rating in NJ drops to 53%
PPP finds Barack Obama's approval rating at 53% in New Jersey, a level below that found in any other public polling since he took office, and a result fitting the trend of his slowly declining numbers nationally.
As is the case in most places Obama's numbers are highly polarized on party lines, with 88% of Democrats but only 13% of Republicans giving him good reviews. Independents are pretty much split down the middle with 46% viewing his performance unfavorably and 43% giving him positive marks.
As is the case in most places Obama's numbers are highly polarized on party lines, with 88% of Democrats but only 13% of Republicans giving him good reviews. Independents are pretty much split down the middle with 46% viewing his performance unfavorably and 43% giving him positive marks.
Why Mitt Romney should be our next Commander-In-Chief
(Brandon Brice-hiphoprepublican).In the era of Obama, America has taken a major step forward by electing an African American as our current Commander-in-Chief. So what America has proven is that anyone can be elected, despite race, background, creed or religion. So what about a Mormon?
The fact can be the same for Romney who exeplifies everything that is supposed to be “American”, the emphasizes on family, service, sobriety, hard work, innovation, emphasis for a strong military defense and supporting a healthcare plan that actually works and is affordable. However, Mitt Romney will have to make the average American voter comfortable with his religion, addressing the issues of the past and exposing the United States to a religion that has remained silent for many years to the genenral public.
What’s interesting is that 2012 will remove the religion question off table,So if the religion question is removed off the table, then what’s left for the American voter to evaluate; appearance and substance of merit.
Romney understands that the average American want’s a person of faith to lead the United States, but more important someone who cares about the issues and is able to fix the problem.
Just looking at Romeny’s track record as someone who fixed Massachusett’s healthcare problem in a democratic majority in the Massachusetts legislature is an accomplishment alone. Romney, as a Republican, became the Governor of the most liberal state in America.
Americans has become more tolerant of our elected officials, as the dynamics of america is changing. America should be a nation of innovation and diversity, granting opportunities for all races and religious creeds. In 2008, the United States took a chance by voting in a black man to the highest office in the land, the next challenge in 2012 will be for the United States to vote it’s first Mormon in the highest seat in the land. As a republican strategist who see’s the potential in Romney’s candidacy, I see the american people putting faith and “real change” back into the ballot box.
The fact can be the same for Romney who exeplifies everything that is supposed to be “American”, the emphasizes on family, service, sobriety, hard work, innovation, emphasis for a strong military defense and supporting a healthcare plan that actually works and is affordable. However, Mitt Romney will have to make the average American voter comfortable with his religion, addressing the issues of the past and exposing the United States to a religion that has remained silent for many years to the genenral public.
What’s interesting is that 2012 will remove the religion question off table,So if the religion question is removed off the table, then what’s left for the American voter to evaluate; appearance and substance of merit.
Romney understands that the average American want’s a person of faith to lead the United States, but more important someone who cares about the issues and is able to fix the problem.
Just looking at Romeny’s track record as someone who fixed Massachusett’s healthcare problem in a democratic majority in the Massachusetts legislature is an accomplishment alone. Romney, as a Republican, became the Governor of the most liberal state in America.
Americans has become more tolerant of our elected officials, as the dynamics of america is changing. America should be a nation of innovation and diversity, granting opportunities for all races and religious creeds. In 2008, the United States took a chance by voting in a black man to the highest office in the land, the next challenge in 2012 will be for the United States to vote it’s first Mormon in the highest seat in the land. As a republican strategist who see’s the potential in Romney’s candidacy, I see the american people putting faith and “real change” back into the ballot box.
Waking up - Grassroots Republicans Like Mitt Over Palin
(Jennifer Donahue-Huffingtonpost).Republicans get hungry fast. Having just digested the lack of leadership in the GOP, mainstream Republicans appear to be coming out of denial. The shock and awe of the election of President Obama, unease over Senator McCain, the leadership of Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich has all come fast. But the Sanford and Ensign stories have woken Republicans up.
In discussions with Republican men and women, something has replaced the head shaking of a few weeks ago. The have a reply now. And it has nothing to do with Sarah Palin saying if she runs she can beat Obama. It has nothing to do with her at all.
The word is this: Mitt. Tried and true in 2008, getting comfy like the baseball "mitt."
He's running a quiet campaign, the underground kind the national press is not supposed to notice, but reminding voters he is in the hunt. Romney is living largely out of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
"If Mitt had been there when the economy went down last year, we'd be in a much better position," or some variation, is what Republicans are echoing now.
Republican loyalists acknowledge that while they liked his family values, they were concerned about how the country would react to a Mormon candidate,"I like his values and couldn't care less what religion he is," says a mother in her 40's. "But it's true, I didn't know how it would play in the South and in other places. Now that seems like a small thing."
Having elected an African American President, many Republican voters are wondering if they let the perfect become the enemy of the good when they passed Romney over. Romney's campaign for president was better executed than McCain's, for sure. But McCain was a known entity, a choice made when foreign policy seemed like the main event.
Many of the Republicans who support Romney now liked him in 2008 but talked themselves out of it.
They weren't ready for him; he couldn't close the deal with them. But in a shrinking field, he now seems the elder statesman. He knows it too: not talking about the sensational stories of late. Waiting out the silly season.
If you listen early and hard, you can hear what a party wants. In New Hampshire, Republicans are looking at an opportunity they haven't seen in a long time. A wide open Senate seat as Sen. Gregg exits, an open house seat as Rep. Paul Hodes runs for Gregg's seat, and a seat Republicans feel they can pick up in Rep. Carol Shea-Porter's district.
Add to that the recent passage of gay marriage in New Hampshire, legalization of medical marijuana, and economic pain that is only getting worse as companies let go of hundreds of workers at at time, and you have Republicans seeing red.
In discussions with Republican men and women, something has replaced the head shaking of a few weeks ago. The have a reply now. And it has nothing to do with Sarah Palin saying if she runs she can beat Obama. It has nothing to do with her at all.
The word is this: Mitt. Tried and true in 2008, getting comfy like the baseball "mitt."
He's running a quiet campaign, the underground kind the national press is not supposed to notice, but reminding voters he is in the hunt. Romney is living largely out of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
"If Mitt had been there when the economy went down last year, we'd be in a much better position," or some variation, is what Republicans are echoing now.
Republican loyalists acknowledge that while they liked his family values, they were concerned about how the country would react to a Mormon candidate,"I like his values and couldn't care less what religion he is," says a mother in her 40's. "But it's true, I didn't know how it would play in the South and in other places. Now that seems like a small thing."
Having elected an African American President, many Republican voters are wondering if they let the perfect become the enemy of the good when they passed Romney over. Romney's campaign for president was better executed than McCain's, for sure. But McCain was a known entity, a choice made when foreign policy seemed like the main event.
Many of the Republicans who support Romney now liked him in 2008 but talked themselves out of it.
They weren't ready for him; he couldn't close the deal with them. But in a shrinking field, he now seems the elder statesman. He knows it too: not talking about the sensational stories of late. Waiting out the silly season.
If you listen early and hard, you can hear what a party wants. In New Hampshire, Republicans are looking at an opportunity they haven't seen in a long time. A wide open Senate seat as Sen. Gregg exits, an open house seat as Rep. Paul Hodes runs for Gregg's seat, and a seat Republicans feel they can pick up in Rep. Carol Shea-Porter's district.
Add to that the recent passage of gay marriage in New Hampshire, legalization of medical marijuana, and economic pain that is only getting worse as companies let go of hundreds of workers at at time, and you have Republicans seeing red.
Hugh Hewitt presses Michael Steele to close Primaries to avoid Dem interference
via GOP12:
"HH: Well, what about closing primaries?
MS: So yeah, we want to engage on the ground as effectively as our opponents. But we also, to the extent that certain changes can be made before we get to that point, we want to fight to shut down those efforts to open up these primaries to that kind of craziness as soon as possible.
HH: But what about, you know, bringing up some closed primaries to compete with Iowa and New Hampshire, say you know, we’re only going to allow you to vote at the same, so that they don’t have the disproportioned impact that they have right now?
MS: Well, we’re looking, we’ve started the review of the 2012 primary process last week. We’re going to have a first set of hearings at our summer meeting in July. And we’re beginning to look right now at all the critical steps that we need to take to protect our primaries, to be competitive, and to allow for a process in which, again, the vote is not hijacked by the Democrats, and you know, as some Republicans feel we get a candidate that we don’t want or deserve or whatever.
OFA note: And as i mentioned numerous times, the 2012 primaries are going to make out a lot if its open or closed, because at the other side, the democrats will not have any primaries as no challenge for Obama is expected, so all the Democrats will want to interfere in the GOP's choice and help elect or a weak candidate or a divisive candidate that will assure them Victory over us in the general Elections, and that must not happen.
"HH: Well, what about closing primaries?
MS: So yeah, we want to engage on the ground as effectively as our opponents. But we also, to the extent that certain changes can be made before we get to that point, we want to fight to shut down those efforts to open up these primaries to that kind of craziness as soon as possible.
HH: But what about, you know, bringing up some closed primaries to compete with Iowa and New Hampshire, say you know, we’re only going to allow you to vote at the same, so that they don’t have the disproportioned impact that they have right now?
MS: Well, we’re looking, we’ve started the review of the 2012 primary process last week. We’re going to have a first set of hearings at our summer meeting in July. And we’re beginning to look right now at all the critical steps that we need to take to protect our primaries, to be competitive, and to allow for a process in which, again, the vote is not hijacked by the Democrats, and you know, as some Republicans feel we get a candidate that we don’t want or deserve or whatever.
OFA note: And as i mentioned numerous times, the 2012 primaries are going to make out a lot if its open or closed, because at the other side, the democrats will not have any primaries as no challenge for Obama is expected, so all the Democrats will want to interfere in the GOP's choice and help elect or a weak candidate or a divisive candidate that will assure them Victory over us in the general Elections, and that must not happen.
Romney:Republicans have to STAND UP to Obama and say 'NO'
Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney called on Republicans to "stand up" to President Obama and his policies on the economy, health care and energy, in a wide-ranging interview with FOX News.
At a time when Republicans desperately are searching for a unifying leader and message, and Democrats add to their ranks in Congress, the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential candidate took a no-excuses attitude toward his party.
"I think Republicans have to stand up and make it very, very clear that we run the risk as a nation of having the entire world lose confidence in the currency of the United States and that would lead to something worse than a recession -- that would lead to an extraordinary slowdown globally that would hurt us more than any other," Romney told FOX News Tuesday evening.
He said the GOP has a responsibility, however thin their numbers, to stand up to stimulus spending and excessive government intervention in health care.
"When the stimulus bill is wrong, when it wastes money and threatens the viability of our currency long-term, you have to stand up and say 'no.' When a health care plan says we're going to have the government take over health care which is roughly a fifth of our economy, Republicans are going to have to say 'no' to that," he said.
With the ranks of GOP rising stars thinning as a result of recent scandals and missteps, Romney is frequently talked about as a 2012 contender. Though not playing it up, Romney isn't ruling out another run at American politics' biggest prize.
"At this stage it's too early to try to see what's going to happen down the road," he said. "I haven't closed the door on my future, but I'm not walking through it either."
Romney said he thinks the GOP needs to keep reaching out to a broader range of voters, and that it would be "unfortunate" for the party to box itself in.
"I think we have to make it very clear that our principles are right and that what we believe will create a stronger more prosperous America, and we have to make sure to communicate that more effectively to a broader audience than we have," he said.
Netanyahu’s government is “under assault” by the U.S. and Europe
Aaron Klein, Jerusalem bureau chief for World Net Daily, reports from Tel Aviv:
The composition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s (right) government is “under assault” by the U.S. and Europe, believes a top minister in the Israeli government.
“It seems there is a coordinated assault between the U.S. and some European countries to remove Foreign Minister Avigdor Leiberman and his party and to replace them with the Kadima party,” said the minister.
The minister spoke on condition his name be withheld due to possible political fallout from his comments.
He said he was expressing his belief and does not have any proof of possible U.S.-European collusion to influence the composition of the Israeli government.
The composition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s (right) government is “under assault” by the U.S. and Europe, believes a top minister in the Israeli government.
“It seems there is a coordinated assault between the U.S. and some European countries to remove Foreign Minister Avigdor Leiberman and his party and to replace them with the Kadima party,” said the minister.
The minister spoke on condition his name be withheld due to possible political fallout from his comments.
He said he was expressing his belief and does not have any proof of possible U.S.-European collusion to influence the composition of the Israeli government.
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