It’s time for the GOP to get a new playbook & use its powerful young bench

 It is apparent the GOP has been outmaneuvered in the message department when they try to convey what they stand for to the general public.

It’s no secret that President Obama and his advisers have tapped in to the popular main stream media and skillfully used it to their advantage when it comes to getting their version of the “truth.”

The GOP has been outplayed in this department for the past 4 years.

Claims from President Obama and his administration go unchallenged in the popular media and eventually become the “truth” because the GOP has lost the ability to challenge them. 

The GOP needs to immediately replace its present leaders who have presided over one failure after another and have allowed their message to be hijacked.

Speaker of the House John Boehner has proved repeatedly he is no match for the negotiating skills of Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.  His previous pledges of forcing fiscal sanity on this administration have proven to be hollow…He needs to be replaced with someone who has better negotiating skills.

The House has the power of the purse strings and has never used this power to get concessions out of this administration.  Get someone in there who is not afraid of using this power to extract concessions from this administration.

Minority Leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell has been at the helm for 4 years of concessions, it is time for him to step down and let a fresh face in there.

The Republican Party has many powerful, articulate and younger faces in their stable of talent and should use them to their advantage….NOW. It is not the time to go along to get along & let whoever is next in line to step to the forefront, it is time for bold moves.

But these key changes in leadership should be coupled with a new PR campaign by the Republicans to get their message to the citizens.  The GOP needs a designated spokesman who can relate to the vast majority of the middle class Americans and speak their language....not another perceived country club Republican, or plutocrat.

The GOP should have several of its younger, articulate members at the ready, to stand up and answer President Obama the next time he has a one way conversation with the American public.

Of course, the media will most likely not cooperate in helping to level the playing field in the field of ideas, so the Republicans should be ready to buy millions in prime time ads to speak to the public. They should also aggressively get involved in the new political battlefield of ideas in Twitter/Facebook.  They are woefully behind the curve in the new media.

The GOP could show it’s depth by highlighting Senator Marco Rubio, let him be a main spokesman. He is comfortable in the media and can articulately explain complicated issues in a simple way.  Senator Rubio also has a star quality about him that can be tapped into and he would be welcomed in popular media venues.

The GOP has many other young articulate spokespersons that can be thrust into the media spotlight to counter the unanswered barrage of information coming from the left.  Names like Martinez, Cantor, Cruz, Ayotte, Haley and many others, including Darrell Issa & Rand Paul…The GOP  bench is wide and deep.....use it now

If Republicans want to take the high ground they should be bold and put corporate welfare on the table

Obama has maneuvered the narrative of the fiscal cliff talks as being a war between the rich and the middle class.  Obama claims to be on the side of the middle class and the GOP, the party of the “rich."

The mainstream media of course, always on the look out for a simplistic headline to rally around, can carry this message forward to further marginalize the Republican Party.

It’s time for the party to be bold and call Obamas bluff. Instead of going through the death of a thousand cuts, come out and put something on the table that all Americans can get behind: Call for the end of all corporate welfare. These “entitlements” are costing taxpayers an estimated 100 billion dollars per year. See Cato report

Entitlement programs/the welfare state is the driver behind the huge debt of America... Corporate welfare IS an entitlement.

If the Republicans can be bold enough to put this on the table, they can then demand from Obama, cuts to other entitlement programs.  This will deflate the class warfare meme that has worked so well against the Republicans.

After all, why should the American middle class be paying for huge subsidies to corporations that hire thousands of lobbyists who shower politicians of both parties to vote more corporate loopholes?

At the same time all of the billions of dollars in “green subsidies” can be ended, including the subsidies for the rich who buy expensive electric cars.  Why should the middle class pay for the rich when they buy their toys?  Average income for an electric car buyer is $174,000.  Why should a middle class taxpayer put up 7,500 per car to entice a wealthy person to buy an electric car?

Why should the middle class by paying 26.00 per gallon for “green” fuel supplied to the military when they can get that same fuel for 3.50 per gallon?

The giant retailer Wal-Mart has more workers enrolled in many state Medicaid programs—which are supposed to be reserved for poor people—than any other employer. Why should the middle class be subsidizing Wal-Mart?

Instantly the Republicans will gain credibility with Americans.  They can stand toe to toe with Obama, look him straight in the eye and say:  “We are willing to put Americas future first are you?”

Nothing short of boldness will work now, otherwise it will be another kick the can down the road and Americans will be more disillusioned than ever with their leaders in Washington.

Final debate showcased Mitt Romney’s presidential demeanor -- Governor failed to fall into any of Barack Obama's traps over foreign policy

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama during their final presidential debate

Governor Mitt Romney was building momentum going into Monday's third, and final debate, and remained unchanged in the debate aftermath.

Debate polls will show it is about an even split, possibly even a few points in Barack Obama’s favor, but again, like the first and second debate, voters gave Romney overwhelming marks for their confidence that he could fix the economy.

Although supposed to be exclusively focused on foreign policy, Governor Romney cleverly shifted the discussion over to his strong suit, by saying a strong American economy will make us powerful in the foreign policy arena.

The Governor always had a pleasant smile on his face while he discussed the issues, in stark contrast to the glare and occasional scowl that president Obama had on his face. Compared to the first debate where President Obama barely looked at Mitt Romney, this time the President rarely took his eyes off of him. In someway this might have backfired on the President and made him appear too aggressive.

But Governor Romney was not going to fall into any of President Obama's traps and get mired in small wonkish details, he stayed focused on the big picture, as Dr, Charles Krauthammer noted shortly after the debate.

Krauthammer proclaimed “It’s unequivocal, Romney won.” 

He went on to observe that “Romney won, both strategically and tactically.”  Romney went large while Obama went small, amazingly small, by attacking Romney on in consequential charges that he invested in companies in China.  It made President Obama look petty and un-presidential.

Read more on the US Presidential Election 2012 here

But while Obama threw these petty charges his way Romney never got ruffled and kept an amused smile on his face.

At one point in the debate Romney said that our navy was at its lowest ship strength since 1917, far below recommendations by the navy to carry out its worldwide missions.  Obama leaped at the opportunity to try to demean Romney by saying “governor we now have ships that planes land on called aircraft carriers and we have boats that go underwater.” We can do more with far less. 

Of course the President overlooked the fact that Romney was quoting from present day naval experts on the need for a larger fleet than what we have presently.  But it was an example of the pettiness and personal insults the President used throughout the debate.

But Romney delivered a devastating blow to Obama when he criticized the Presidents apology tour to the Middle East, shortly on the heels of his inauguration and noted that the President visited all of those countries but neglected to visit our number one ally: Israel.  With the kicker: “They noticed.” 

President Obama had no coherent comeback to defray the bad taste his apology tour left in many Americans mouths and what a slap in the face it was to our friends and allies, the Israeli’s.

To sum it up, Dr. Krauthammer put it best: “Obama’s attacks were something you would expect in a race for “city council.”

“That’s not what you expect from the president.”

 Read more on the US Presidential Election 2012 here

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Why Mitt Romney won the debate despite what the media says -- Romney polled much better on key economic issues after stand-off

President Barack Obama and Republican presidential
candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (Credit: AP)

President Barack Obama showed up ready to rumble on Tuesday night at the Hofstra University. Unfortunately for him, so did Mitt Romney. 

But Romney had to debate the President and a mediator, who thought she had to pitch in to help out the President if he appeared in trouble.  Candy Crowley interrupted Romney 28 times, while she only admonished Obama nine times for exceeding his time.

There are analysts that say President Obama scored some debate points.  there are others who critiqued Romney for not taking advantage of clear openings to land a knockout blow on Obama.  But when the “fog of the debate” clears, polls will show that Mitt Romney has picked up more support from the American electorate.

After the debate flash polls showed that Obama had an edge in the debate.  But the question asked was who was the most improved from the Denver debate, of course that was Obama….and who performed close to expectations: Romney.

The left leaning CNN poll shortly after the debate, showed  Romney had a 58-40 edge on the issue of economics/ best plan for righting our economic ship.

Additionally Romney had the edge in the following 3 key areas:

Taxes                                   51-44

Solving budget deficit         59-36

Healthcare                           49-46

President Obama still had a slight edge on Mitt Romney when it comes to foreign policy.  But ominously for President Obama, the Benghazi attack is becoming a big issue.  Additionally it seems,  Al Quaeda and terrorism didn’t disappear from the scene when Osama Bin Laden was killed.

Another key item that will vex President Obama, is the sky high cost of gasoline plaguing Americans. Last night Mitt Romney was able to lay that blame squarely on the shoulders of Obamas last four years of energy policy.  

Political scientist Frank Luntz monitored a panel of 21 voters, many of whom previously voted for Obama in 2008.  After the debate, a majority of them said they will be voting for Romney.

A newly released Gallup Poll showed that Mitt Romney has jumped to a national lead against President Obama 51-45.  Thursday it increased 52-45

Romney’s popularity in the national polls is making a difference in swing states formerly assumed to be President Obama’s.  They are now very close or leaning Romney.

Pundits might say they give the edge to Obama in points in this last debate, but the points that really matter to Americans all belong to Mitt Romney.

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Clint Eastwood masterfully unmasked Obama, but the left missed the subtleties

 The left was thrown for a loop last night, when one of their own, (they think EVERYONE in Hollywood is one of their own),  had the temerity to come out on stage in front of a national audience and express his unvarnished opinion about President Obama.

The mystery speaker for the closing night of the GOP convention in Tampa, is now only a mystery to those unsophisticated, humorless pundits on the left.

Clint Eastwood came out on stage at the Republican National Convention last night, in front of millions and had a conversation with an empty chair.  The chair sitting next to him on the dais, (that’s a stage for those on the left) is a common prop used in one man shows in comedy routines as well as lectures and speeches.

Of course for most of those in the Tampa audience and those who have the mental acuity to know these things, the empty chair (with a teleprompter in front of it) had an imaginary President Obama sitting in it.  To many in the US,  it is symbolic of President Obamas leadership. He hasn’t had a budget in 3 years, played more golf than any sitting president in history, but met only once with his council of economic advisers, even though the economy is in dire shape.

But there was a teachable moment which put the spotlight on how some subtleties escape the left.  Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow and Al Sharpton , in a post convention wrap up. criticized Clints performance.   Calling it a bizarre performance, saying Clint had lost it and they shouldn’t allow an 82 year old out on stage.  It was almost hysterical to listen to them…Hey you little whiners isn’t that age discrimination?

But of course they were extremely sensitive and aware of any perceived slight that Clint might direct towards any of their herd of sacred cows, bending themselves into pretzel like contortions to find any slight, imaginary or real.

Eastwood said to the audience, “we own this country,” the politicians are our employees and when they don’t do their job, we fire them.”

Now this really got their liberal panties in a wad and one of the hapless trio saw an entitlement mentality message wrapped up in what Clint said….At that point I was actually laughing out loud with incredulity and wondering just who actually watches MSNBC and believes anything emanating from it…My teachable moment was: I actually understood why many in the media refer to MSNBC as MSLSD.

Of course Clint meant that all American citizens own this country, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, etc. and we deserve the best…When we don’t get it, it is time to make a change….If that’s an entitlement mentality, then I want more of it on a massive scale.

Eastwood, praised Romney as a "stellar businessman.  Referring to Obama saying  “it's never a good idea for attorneys to be president.  They are always devil's advocating this and bifurcating this and bifurcating that.  But, I think it is maybe time -- what do you think -- for a businessman.  How about that? A stellar businessman... And I think it's that time.  And I think if you just step aside, Mr. Romney can take over.  You can maybe still use the  plane.”

Of course Eastwood threw away the subtlety and used a sledge hammer a few times like when he said  Joe Biden was the intellect of the Democrat Party.

How, in just a few months, can Clint Eastwood slip from hero down to zero for the left?  They were hailing him as a genius and a hero when he narrated the GM/Obama Super Bowlcommercial extolling the benefits of having a Government Motors.

This morning the cacophony from the left is making my ears bleed as they find ways to criticize Clint Eastwoods ad lib performance…The more they criticize, the more they reveal their ignorance…Go ahead, "make my day."

But the noise on the left is also a smokescreen to hide the fact that speaker after speaker on the RNC stage last night, was a superstar of intellect and accomplishment.....Leading up to to a masterful acceptance speech by Governor Romney.

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For a refreshing change visit Tea Party Cheer

The "war on women" backfires on Democrats, but media silent

New polls show there has been an eight point shift in Mitt Romney s favor ability with women.  Previously President Obama had the momentum with women scoring 49-43% over GOP challenger Mitt Romney. But there has been a tremendous swing towards Romney showing he is ahead in this key demographic, being favored 48-46%, over President Obama.

The months of portraying Republicans as "waging a war on women" by keeping them, metaphorically and literally, barefoot and pregnant, has backfired on Democrat strategists.  Todays polls show their "chickens are coming home to roost."

The reason their scheme has failed?  Because there is no war on women, real or imaginary by the GOP, or Mitt Romney.

No matter how many Sandra Flukes, get set up to testify how unjust life is because they might have to pay something for their birth control pills.  Or how many imaginary "Julias" are portrayed by the Obama re-election committee showing how, through state planning, they are cradle to grave government dependents......There are millions of women who deny these ploys and see where the real war is these days.

The real war on women is a failing economy under policies by the present administration. This administration who thinks more government is the answer to any problem. 
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 Women are welcome to the highest level of achievement by the GOP,  there are no glass ceilings to stop them from achieving any goal they may want. Women are looking at Mitt Romney s success as a businessman, Governor, humanitarian and architect of a hugely successful Olympic Game and see that his leadership could turn the economy around.

You would think this important seismic shift in public opinion would gain headlines with the main stream media, but there is barely a mention of it.  After months of aiding and abetting the Obama re-election campaign by hyping the "war on women," Obama and the mainstream media have little to show for their efforts.

The facts is, the economy and the deficit are of main concern to Americans and that is where their focus is, no matter how many sideline issues, or shiny objects are thrown out by the Democrats.

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Dick Cheney unchained - calls Barack Obama unmitigated disaster

Dick Cheney

Fresh off life saving surgery which gave him a new heart, former Vice President Dick Cheney wasted no time shedding the hospital gown for a sports coat,  in order to lambaste current occupant of the White House, Barack Obama.

Walking onstage unaided, appearing strong and healthy,  Dick Cheney was able to give a talk for over an hour to a gathering of the Wyoming State Republican Convention in Cheyenne Wyoming. 

He sat on a chair as he chatted with his Daughter Liz Cheney talking about various subjects from his health to concerns for the country under the leadership of President Obama.

He said "I won't be running any foot races yet, but it won't be long" to the crowd of approximately 300, who gave him a long standing ovation.  He added "he owed a huge debt to the unknown donor of his new heart and to medical technology".

Vice President Cheney didn't wade into the wonders of Americas present health care system that makes miraculous cures to once fatal illnesses commonplace and how he thinks Obamacare will change all of that. That will be dealt with in upcoming speeches as he gets his strength back. But he did wade into the Presidents handling of our country and in his typical fashion, didn't mince words:

"He has been an unmitigated disaster to the country," referring to President Obama. "I can't think of a time when I felt it was more important for us to defeat an incumbent President today with respect to Barack Obama.."  "I think to be in a position where he gets four more years in the White House to continue the policies he has, both with respect to the economy, and tax policy, and defense and some other areas would be a huge, huge disappointment."
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Vice President Cheney also waded into GOP politics and called for a uniting behind presumptive nominee Mitt Romney saying: "He (Romney) is going to do a 'whale of a job."  "It has never been more important than now to defeat a sitting president and the Republican Party should unite behind Romney."

It wasn't long ago Dick Cheney was in a medically induced coma for over a month as Doctors worked on his frail heart, while attaching him to a machine that would forever be a part of  his life if he was to survive.  During an interview he was asked if he had any memories of that time while he hovering near death and he responded: "I never knew I was in a coma, I thought I was at an Italian Villa the whole time enjoying life."

Many people who go through the health challenges and near death experiences Dick Cheney has, mellow to turn to other pursuits and Mr. Cheney still loves to fly fish the great trout streams near his home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.   But as Mr. Cheney recovers from this latest health challenge, I see him fired up more than ever to see the country he loves set in a good strong direction. Dick Cheney is just starting to roll up his sleeves and get back in the battle to retake our country. 

Current American medical care is the best in the world, look at the medical miracle we have with Vice President Cheney.


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Would President Mitt Romney give Russia space?

The hot mic incident that caught President Obama asking Russian President Medvedev for space, has many in the American space industry saying the same thing. They want space back from the Russians and feel President Obama has ceded that frontier to them.  The Russians brag, saying they own space and can arbitrarily charge us whatever they want to bring our Astronauts to the Space Station.  The Russians are correct, America has no manned space flight program and it seems, there is not one on the horizon under the Obama administration..

60 Minutes News hour did a special  report on Florida's "space coast" where there have been massive layoffs in the NASA space industry. The name of the piece was called "Hard landing",  it focused on Brevard County, the heart of space exploration that  has been devastated by cutbacks to manned space flight.  Highly skilled technicians, specializing in space flight are no longer employed and wonder what the future holds for them under the Obama administration.

Ironically in 2008, Brevard County was visited by then candidate Obama who criticized President Bush for cutbacks in the space program. He promised them that if he were elected president he would protect the space industry. In a speech to those space workers he promised:

"We're going to work with Bill Nelson to add at least one flight after 2010 by continuing to support NASA funding, by speeding the development of the shuttle's successor, by making sure that all those who work in the space industry in Florida do not lose their jobs when the shuttle is retired because we cant afford to lose their expertise. But more broadly, we need a real vision for the next stage of space exploration"

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But recalling that flowery speech by candidate Obama, 60 Minutes host Scott Pelly said:

"Take a look around today, and you'll see the results didn't match Obama's rhetoric."

"Fifty years of liftoffs are becoming eight months of layoffs. Have a look around Brevard County. It's shrinking. Lots of people are moving away, taking businesses down with them,"

Even if it is a temporary grounding of the manned flight program,, that is a few years too many. . A wise visionary leader would find the money and rally the people around the idea of pushing the space envelope.

I was on Fox News commenting on the ramifications of letting manned space flight come to an end as the shuttle landed. Somehow I don't think a competent visionary leader would let our space program be relegated to back seat status.  As I have discovered about Governor Romney over the years, he sees a problem and finds a way to solve it.  I am sure if he were President, America would be again at the leading edge of space exploration,  he knows space is Americas future.

A President Romney would not ask for space from the Russians...He would take it by outworking and outsmarting them


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Hot mic catches President Obama making deals on our national security

Just like the Rorschach psychological test takes a snapshot into the real personality and character of the testee, an open mic offers the same glimpse into the person who inadvertently speaks off script into an open microphone.

The latest "hot mic" slip shows again, it's all about the politics.  You can firmly place bets that any strategic moves made by the White house up until Novembers elections, will be made for the best interests of the candidate and not the country.

According to ABC News in  SEOUL, South Korea - At the tail end of his 90 minute meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev Monday, President Obama said that he would have "more flexibility" to deal with controversial issues such as missile defense, but incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to give him "space."

Here is the exact exchange according to ABC News:

President Obama: "On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space."

President Medvedev: "Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you…"

President Obama: "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

President Medvedev: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."

It makes you wonder what sort of "December surprises" will be in store for America if President Obama gets re-elected in November.  Instantly a lame duck President, for 4 years if elected, for 2 months if defeated, immune from  pressure to stay on center, he will be free to pursue many of the goals he has had to temporarily give up due to re-election pressures.

As far as concessions to Russia, he has already given them more than they could ever dream.  President Obama, presided over our final manned space flight in the Space Shuttle and now we pay the Russians whatever they decide to charge to send our Astronauts to the Space Station.

Just how many more "concessions" are we going to make to the Russians, before they play nice with us? We already stopped deployment of our missile shield in 2009 in part of Europe for a vague  promise that the Russians would put pressure on the Iranians to stop development of their nuclear weapons quest. How is that working out for the world?

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Syrian President Assad is slaughtering his own citizens in the streets of his country with the help of Russia.  The Russians have sent in special forces, armaments and technology, brazenly without fear of repercussions from the USA. Meanwhile Syria's neighbor, Israel, is being forced to restrain itself by the Obama administration.

Of course you hear not a peep of protest from the Russians now that oil is steadily hovering around the 107.00 per barrel mark, a crippling price for the world economy.  The Russians are reaping windfalls of dollars from their oil industry, while President Obama and his windmill/solar panel administration put roadblocks on our energy industry. It makes you wonder how many more Solyndra-like fiasco's are in store for us in an Obama 2nd term?

Would there ever be a budget under a 2nd term President Obama? Our nation has not even had a budget for the last three years of his term, it is unprecedented for our country not to have a budget. Also unprecedented is our nations credit downgrade and a spiraling, out of control 16 trillion and growing national debt.

What sort of Supreme Court Justices would a 2nd term president Obama appoint to the nations highest court?  Justices Kagan and Sotomayer offer a glimpse into what a 1st term President Obama would select, unfettered by re-election pressures, who would he choose?

In the meantime social issues such as free birth control pills, Viagra for men, an unfortunate shooting of a young black man in Florida, a trumped up "war on women", gay marriage and religious "freedom"  take center stage.  Just where the politicians want us to be focused.

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Super Tuesday shows unrest in GOP as Sarah Palin fans the flames

Palin: I'd help with brokered convention

Super Tuesday is the day a dominant GOP Presidential candidate can lock up the nomination.  But this one seemed to magnify a division in the party factions who are fighting for the soul of the Republican party. 

Out of the 10 states up for grabs yesterday,  Mitt Romney won 6, but by barely eking out a win over Rick Santorum in the key state of Ohio, it exposed an unrest in the GOP electorate. Romney won his home state of Massachusetts and neighboring Vermont as expected.  He also won Virginia where he ran basically unopposed with only Ron Paul on the ballot to challenge him, as  Gingrich and Santorum failed to qualify for their ballot.  He rounded out Tuesday with wins in Idaho and Alaska.

But Newt Gingrich won big in Georgia, his home state, signalling he still has skin in the game and is ready to continue on with his battle for the hearts and minds of the GOP. 

Super Tuesday seemed to firmly ensconce Rick Santorum as the "not Romney" alternative which many voters seem to be searching for.

Although Santorum lost to Romney in Ohio, it was only by the narrowest of margins and not until late into the night was the election called for Romney. Santorum won key segments of the popular vote in Ohio, by taking rural voters and winning big with the evangelical vote.  Santorum outright won Oklahoma, burgeoning energy behemoth, North Dakota and the key state of Tennessee, to round out the night.
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There are now calls from the Santorum camp for Newt Gingrich to withdraw from the race, so the conservative vote is not diluted and Santorum can face Romney 1 on 1.  Ironically this is exactly what Newt Gingrich was calling upon Santorum to do just a few weeks back, when Gingrich was riding high.

To add to the fun, hugely popular Sarah Palin has waded into the arena by announcing she voted for Newt Gingrich in yesterdays Alaska Primary.  This is a de facto endorsement on her part, which dovetails with husband Todds previous endorsement of Gingrich. Sarahs not one to go along with the GOP establishment so it comes as no surprise.

But interestingly, Sarah has previously said she would not rule out a run for the Presidency, saying anything is possible.....she did not directly say she would run.  What dos that mean?  She has previously told voters to not rubber stamp a candidate and that it is good for the GOP primary to continue on. 

At the rate this season is going, if the field continues on with the front runner not being able to achieve the necessary delegates going into the Tampa Bay convention, it could mean trouble for the GOP

 If a clear winner does not emerge from these primaries, it is very likely the GOP convention in Tampa Florida could turn into a "brokered" convention.  If after the first round of voting a candidate is not chosen, the delegates are freed up to vote for whom they chose on the 2nd round.  That opens the door for some interesting possibilities...Would Sarah Palins name be among those mentioned?

Hopefully for the country, the primary process can deliver a clear winner to face President Obama in the upcoming general elections. We need a clear and open debate between the GOP candidate and the sitting President, not clouded by the circus of a brokered convention.

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Rick Santorum brings a bootstrap work ethic to the GOP campaign

Senator Rick Santorum

The GOP primary campaign blasted  through the states of Michigan and Arizona, blazing its way to the the epic 10 state battle of Super Tuesday, coming up in less than 6 days.

Mitt Romney won Arizona and all of its delegates with a solid win, but barely eked out a victory over Rick Santorum in Romney's native state of Michigan. As a result the Michigan delegates will be shared evenly between Romney and Santorum.

At the beginning of this whole GOP contest, Rick Santorum was not given much of a chance.  He was always at the back of the pack when it came to poll numbers and his campaign war chest was barely big enough to keep gas in his pick up truck as he drove  around Iowa, meeting personally with thousands of Iowans.

But what Rick Santorum lacked in campaign funds, he made up in hard work and perseverance....He ended up winning the Iowa Caucuses to most of the professional pundits surprise.

Many of these same professional pundits have been surprised throughout this GOP contest. After votes are counted, once underdogs and those called out of the race, end up winners.

The only pundit who seems to be consistently accurate in his predictions so far is Dick Morris, who jokingly said he covers the whole field when he makes a prediction of who will win, so he is always right
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Since Iowa,  Santorum again slipped to near back of the pack and even Newt Gingrich suggested he quit his campaign, since he was so far behind.  Undeterred,  Santorum continued using his dogged determination to slog it out in States where he had little built in infrastructure, describing himself as the real conservative of the race.

 But then Santorum surprised the field with victories in 3 states, Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri. He was able to gain momentum to become the front runner in the polls leading up to yesterdays elections.

Having poll position in the GOP race has proved dangerous for everyone who has occupied first place so far this campaign and Santorum had to absorb the scrutiny and the brunt of millions in negative attack ads.  As a result his popularity started to slip on the eve of yesterdays elections.

Santorum helped some his downward drift in popularity by making statements that some of the electorate found to be harsh.  His judgement on birth control, women in combat positions and his comment on John Kennedy's speech regarding the separation of church and state, alienated some voters.

As a result,  Rick lost some of his popularity, especially from women due to his birth control statements. His loss to Romney by a thin margin was probably due to his own gaffes. 

But last night it sounded  like Santorum learned his lesson. In  Michigan he softened his speech and reached out to women, signalling a different tack.

The tension is building up to Super Tuesday and no one is making any solid predictions as to what the outcome will be.  But there is one certainty; all of the candidates will be working hard to claim victory and among them will be Rick Santorum.  Rick Santorum who just a month ago was being urged by some in the GOP to get out of the race, fought his way to the top of the heap.  With hard work and determination can he do it again?

Ed was on air this afternoon with Radio Clare FM, talking to Gavin Grace and his audience about the important developments in American presidential politics.


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Irish American GOP contender Karen Harrington takes on top Democrat in Florida race

Karen Harrington campaign poster

Karen Harrington has no qualms when she speaks about her intentions of unseating the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from her 20th District Congressional seat in Florida.  Ms. Harrington took time out of her busy campaign schedule to sit down for a 1/2 hour chat with me/Irish Central to fill in some of  her history and what motivated her to get into politics in the first place.

A business woman with 3 family owned Rickeys Restaurants and over 100 employees, Ms.  Harrington, was very busy doing just that.  However she was so dissatisfied with the job Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was doing for her district in Florida and for the country, Karen looked to see who would best go up against the nationally powerful, incumbent Congresswoman, Debbie-Wasserman -Schultz.  Finding no one she could back, Harrington set about to go into politics herself, for the first time in 2010.

She had no political background when she ran against the incumbent Wasserman-Schultz in that 2010 election.  Yet in a surprise to all of the political pundits, she amassed almost 40% of the vote  in a heavily Democrat area. This 2012 election, sees a more seasoned and focused campaign with national recognition and national backing.
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Besides having more experience in campaigning, Karen's  team is enhanced with veteran  Anthony Bustamante as her campaign manager, a seasoned pro who was Senator Marco Rubio's statewide field director in his successful Senatorial campaign.  Karen has also found herself endorsed by nationally syndicated talk show host Mark Levin, who favored her strong conservative views.  Congresswoman Michelle Bachman has also lent her name to Karens campaign as well.  Due to recent redistricting in Florida, the 20th Congressional district demographics have changed and favor Karen Harrington a bit better than in the 2010 elections.

Yet Karen doesn't refer to her effort as a campaign, she refers to it as a movement as her efforts are picking up momentum around the country.  She has been getting donations from 38 different states so far, as people become aware of her and start to rally even this early in the political season. She is slowly building up a groundswell of support and has received positive Tea Party recognition in her state and nationally too.

Her conservative credentials are impeccable and basically the opposite of what her political adversary stands for, so there are no fuzzy differences between them. This election will offer a clear and stark choice between her and opponent Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.

Karen Harrington is for smaller government, more personal responsibility and using our own energy resources to become energy independent.  She says today's skyrocketing gasoline prices are a reflection of Obama's failed energy policies. She favors a hybridized solution on immigration, using some of the Newt Gingrich plan with a blend of Mitt Romney's. However her first priority is to seal off our borders first and then address the problem of illegal immigrants in this country, but self deportation is high on the list of her solutions.

One thing for sure, Floridians in the 20th District will have clear choices between their congressional candidates this upcoming election. This fight will have the national spotlight on it and a lot of political firepower will be zeroed in on this race.Of course the Presidential campaign will overshadow all other elections, but the congressional elections will be where the work in the political trenches will happen. Whichever party controls the House, will control the purse strings.

 Karens original name before marriage is Mitchell, with O'Malley and O'Sullivan in her family background, accounting for her red hair and fair skinned Irish looks.  But more importantly, that Irish bloodline gives her that strength and determination needed to take on such a formidable political opponent.

Anyone in the area of Florida should visit one of her Rickeys Restaurants around St. Patricks Day, in Silver Lakes, Pembroke or Hollywood.  They will be featuring corned beef with cabbage and of course you can wash it down with green beer.

Of course you can visit Karen Harrington's election headquarters and find more about her at: Karen Harrington for Congress

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Aspirin joke makes left go mad and gives Santorum a headache

There is a din in the main stream media today because a main backer of US Presidential candidate Rick Santorum, made a joke about birth control practices in America.

The left leaning press smelled blood when they heard the "not politically correct"remark made by a man named Foster Friess. Like hungry sharks drawn to a bleeding hemophiliac in the ocean, they pressed in for the attack on Mr. Friess.

The offending statement that brought the level of cacophony from the liberal press to ear bleed level? Friess said "The form of birth control used when he was younger, was called an aspirin and women kept them between their knees to avoid pregnancy".

Taken in context, Mr. Friess is from previous generation, where there were few options, but lets get serious folks, what is wrong with abstaining from sex as a form of birth control? Are those that choose to be celibate to be condemned because they chose not to have sex? Where is the liberal tolerance?

But of course this fits in well in the left leaning media's coordinated character assassination of Republican candidates. Recent revelations by the news organization Daily Caller, has exposed the cozy connection between Media Matters & Center for American Progress with the White House. What gets pushed in these publications seems to get parroted by many members of the main stream media.

Even famed far left champion of liberal causes Alan Dershowitz spoke out against this unholy alliance when he recently said in a radio interview on Jay Severins Boston talk radio 1200 :

“These two organizations have been found to be anti-Semitic by many of the objective monitoring groups,” he said. “And now they are closely associated with the Democratic Party and I have said very clearly there is no room in this tent for me on the one hand, and for Media Matters and for this other group on the other hand. We can’t be in the same tent. I will not be in a tent with fascists"

Those are powerful accusations from a man of such standing in the very liberal wing of the Democrat Party. His warnings should be heeded.

This drummed up din, is willfully and purposely being used to detract from the failures of the Obama administration and designed to drive a wedge between Americans, a form of divide and conquer.

Mr. Friess and his wife Lynn, through their Friess Family Foundation, are major benefactors to many charities around America and the world. They are also known for their great works in helping disaster victims in New Orleans, Haiti, Indonesia and Malawi. They are the epitome of true America heroes that give America a good name around the world.

Mr. Friess made an apology saying the "joke bombed," and "many didn't recognize it as a joke but thought it was my prescription for today's birth control practices."
"In fact, the only positive comments I got were from folks who remembered it from 50 years back. Birth control pills weren't yet available, so everyone laughed at the silliness on how an aspirin could become a birth control pill. To all those who took my joke as modern day approach I deeply apologize and seek your forgiveness."
Can we now get back to the business of choosing the next President?
The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Donald Trump puts his logo on the Mitt Romney's US presidential campaign

Donald Trump with Mitt Romney on stage

Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney for president this morning & gave his Trump seal of approval.

Always the promoter and showman, rumors swirled last night that he was going to endorse Newt Gingrich. The Gingrich camp had been so confident of winning the real estate mogul's backing that it had leaked word Trump would support the former House speaker.

But those Gingrich rumors were quashed as Trump made his announcement this morning.

Speaking from the Las Vegas Hotel which bears his name, "The Donald", characteristically got maximum PR effect, using the occasion to get his own brand out there.
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"It's my honor to endorse Mitt Romney," Trump said, with Romney and his wife standing nearby. He then said Romney is "tough, smart, and he's not going to continue to allow bad things to happen to this country."

Never one to hold back, Trump has been a harsh critic of the Obama administration over the past couple of years, calling Obama's policies stupid and hurtful to America. He has also said that America will not survive another 4 years of Obama at the helm of this country.

Trump, who had also publicly been a less than enthusiastic supporter of Romney in the past, said his past comments were a reflection of not knowing the former Massachusetts Governor very well.

"I never knew him. I knew of him and respected him, but I really got to know him over the past few months," Trump said. "I've had numerous meetings with him."

Trumps enthusiastic endorsement of Romney should close the door on his own Presidential aspirations this campaign season. Donald Trump said he won't run as a 3rd party candidate if Romney gets the GOP nomination.

This endorsement will bring more momentum to the Romney campaign as it comes off it's huge win in the Florida Primary and now heads into Romney friendly territory.

As the GOP Presidential race lands in Nevada, the Romney campaign looks like it is starting to consolidate more power. It is still a long campaign to go until the GOP Tampa convention in August, but Romney is making all the right moves at this time.

For the most unique gifts, time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: www.carrollstandard.com

Newt Gingrich on fire at South Carolina Republican debate - VIDEO

GOP Presidential candidate hopefuls

Whether or not Newt Gingrich secures the GOP nomination for President, he has given America a lesson on what debates are all about.

Like the legendary Phoenix rising, Newt Gingrich rose to the occasion in South Carolina last night to bring his most fiery debate performance to date. For the first time since 1980, when Ronald Reagan electrified the crowd with his debate performance, the audience stood and gave Gingrich a standing ovation. The ovation only ended as the TV cameras cut out and went to a commercial break. No telling how long it really continued.

During the two hour televised Fox sponsored debate, Gingrich was questioned on the sensitivity of his previous remarks saying poor children don't have a good work ethic, or a role model to guide them. One of the Gingrich solutions to this was to offer part time jobs to kids in school to let them earn money and learn how to work. Moderator Juan Williams questioned the sensitivity of this statement and implied it belittled minorities.

Gingrich trained his oratorical guns on Williams and replied, in a most un PC way: "No, I don't see it that way. They'd be earning money, that is a good thing if you're poor. Only the elites despise earning money. I believe every American of every background has been endowed by their creator with the right to pursue happiness. And if that makes liberals unhappy, I'm going to continue to find ways to help poor people learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job and learn some day to own the job."

So articulate was the Gingrich statement, Juan Williams may not have known it at the time, but he had been carved up and left wounded on the stage.
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Gingrich also had an opportunity to address some of Ron Paul's dubious answers to foreign policy challenges.

Paul had compared America's foreign policy to the golden rule and used a hypothetical instance to compare America's stealth operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, to that of the Chinese invading our country to capture a Chinese dissident.

Gingrich fired back saying, "Bin Laden plotted to bomb American embassies, attack our ship the Cole in Yemen and kill 3,100 Americans on 911. The only regret OSL had was that he didn't kill more Americans. Bin Laden is NOT a Chinese dissident and the analogy that Congressman Paul used was utterly irrational". This drew great applause from the audience and for the first time in the many debates, the crowd started to boo Ron Paul.

Even in a post debate interview, Gingrich expressed surprise at the audience reaction to his performance saying: "We've done 15 debates, I frankly am very pleased, but also more than surprised. I think everybody was surprised by it."

Gingrich will keep up his heavy campaign schedule and try to sway voters in South Carolina to vote for him in this Saturdays primary. He just picked up the endorsement of South Carolinas Lt. Governor and hopes to win other endorsements this week. He also gets one more shot at debating his fellow candidates this Thursday evening.

Although Gingrich is behind in the polls, many voters are still undecided and are looking for a conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, the frontrunner.

He said this morning in an interview, "Voters are looking for a candidate who can go toe to toe with Obama in debates this fall and defeat him". Gingrich thinks he has proven his debate prowess and expects voters will remember that as they cast their ballots this Saturday.

Newt has previously stated that if he were the GOP Presidential candidate, he would allow Barack Obama to use his teleprompter on stage during the Presidential debates. There is an edge to Gingrich that many admire and respect but others find he is too self assured. Of course, whoever becomes President is going to need every ounce of self assurance and belief in his abilities to head this country in the right direction.

Looking forward to next Thursday's GOP debate fireworks.

For the most unique gifts, time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: www.carrollstandard.com

Here's some clips from the debate:

Iowa race turning into exciting photo finish

Ed will be interviewed by Gavin Grace, who hosts the Today show on radio Clare FM. Time of the interview will be 1:45pm Irish time, 8;45 am est., January 4. Tune in for a conversation about the USA's 1st Presidential primary race.
 

Latest poll numbers in the Iowa GOP Presidential primary race, show three candidates are running neck and neck: Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. In fact poll numbers are so close and within the margin of error, it can be called a dead heat at this time. By tomorrow evening results should be in and we'll be able to see who places first.

Although Iowa is a small state, it claims a premium on money and attention from Presidential hopefuls. Its early primary is a week ahead of the next state of New Hampshire and approximately 3 weeks ahead of the following states of South Carolina and Florida. But the winner of Iowa will gather prestige and momentum as he enters the next round of primaries. GOP hopefuls have been spending months here, knocking on doors, talking to residents face to face, as well as spending millions of dollars in advertising.
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But the race has been volatile, with contenders having meteoric rises in popularity, then falling just as quickly. A few weeks ago Newt Gingrich surged to the front of the pack and even declared he would win, but a barrage of unprecedented negative attack ads hacked away at his image and going into tomorrows voting, he seems to be in 4th place.

Mitt Romney has been a consistent campaigner out of the rest of the field, he has never surged in popularity , but always seems to have a mid 20% base of support. Many voters who have been interviewed say the reason they support Romney is because they think he has the best chance to beat Barack Obama in the general election.

Ron Paul seems to have caught fire lately with the independent voters. Since Iowa is an open primary state, independents and even Democrats can vote in this election to determine who the winner is. Ron Pauls unwavering message of strict constitutional principles and a balanced budget seems to be connecting with many. Ron Paul seems to be appealing to younger voters who like his ideas of no foreign entanglements of war and his idea of not burdening them with massive debt. Of course Ron Pauls attractiveness to some voters, is a turn off to others, as many say they don't like his isolationist views when it comes to protecting Americas interests overseas.

Rick Santorums recent surge in popularity seems to be a combination of Newt Gingrich's fall from grace and the fact that Santorum is viewed as the latest"un Romney" candidate. But this is not to take away the hard work and effort that Rick Santorum has brought into Iowa. His dedicated groundwork is the reason many people in Iowa are beginning to notice him and take note of his conservative stands.

But the polls have also brought to the forefront one very important fact: 44% of the voters polled said they have not made up their minds over who they will vote for. This just adds one more wild card to the race tomorrow.

But while the Republican race has been raging, President Obama has set up 8 campaign offices in Iowa, setting the stage for a showdown later in this battleground state. With billions of PAC dollars ready to be spent by Republicans and Democrats, this years Presidential race will probably be one of the hardest fought campaigns in US history.

For the most unique gifts, time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: www.carrollstandard.com
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