Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda - Mitch Daniels "I could have beaten Obama"

Politico: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has taken himself out of the running for president, but he says he believes he could have defeated President Barack Obama for a second term.

“Yes, I think so,” Daniels said when asked whether he could have beaten Obama on ABC’s “This Week.” “I mean no one can know.”

Daniels said that his decision to not run was based on his family’s desire for privacy and security, which he said would inevitably have been lost in a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

“We've got young women, three of them that have been married not too long,” Daniels said. “They're looking forward to building lives, starting families and this was just a - a disruption that - that they were very, very leery of. And who wouldn't understand that?”

Is it just me or does this sound like cheap talk? Honestly, I could not imagine Mitch Daniels beating Obama in 2012. As I have said time and time again on this blog, Obama and the left are going to tear into the GOP nominee with every dirty trick in the book. Does anyone really believe that wimpy Mitch Daniels would have been able to overcome that?

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico

Video: Sarah Palin at Rolling Thunder

From the New York Times we learn that media was could not get enough of Palin.

Ms. Palin climbed aboard a chopper, assisted by a member of the Rolling Thunder staff, but was unable to move because there were so many members of the press snapping photos. Organizers eventually brought in police, also on motorcycles, to clear a path.

Not bad for someone who was declared politically dead after the media's attempt to blood libel her a few months ago. Even that ingrate John McCain, who has been rather stingy with his praise for Sarah, had to admit today that Palin could beat Obama.

On visuals alone, Palin has already beaten Obama. Compare and contrast:





If I were Obama's handlers, I would start looking into ways to "butch him up" for 2012 ... just in case.

Associated Press has an awesome slide show of images from the Rolling Thunder event. Check them out here.

Via: Memeorandum
Video h/t: Gateway Pundit and Weasel Zippers
Via: The New York Times

Via: The Hill

Did Anthony Weiner tweet a pic of his wiener?

Big Government: Hacked or hung?

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY 9″) finds himself in a late night online pickle.

This evening a photo surfaced on Congressman Weiner’s yfrog account and in his verified Twittertimeline of a man in his underwear with an erection. The photo was reportedly sent to a woman on Twitter. We’ve protected her name and her account, which was at one time verified to be active but has since been deleted after the photo in question was deleted. Coincidentally, the rest of the photos in the congressman’s alleged yfrog account were also deleted around 11 p.m. eastern.[...]

Weiner, who married Hillary Clinton’s longtime assistant, Huma Abedin, last year, has been Tweeting about hockey this evening. Confusion reigns online as puzzled Weiner followers wonder what occurred to Weiner’s timeline.

The photo, stored at Weiner’s alleged yfrog account, is connected to his verified Twitter account. Were his yfrog and Twitter accounts hacked as well?

If you want to see the picture in question click here.

Anthony Weiner is a major jerk, but if he is already cheating on his new drop dead gorgeous wife, he is a brain dead major jerk. This is where all those years of being a jerk is going to come back and bite Weiner in the butt. I can hardly wait for his next match up with Megyn Kelly, she will be merciless.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Big Government

Via: The Gothamist

Rick Perry 2012?

Austin American-Statesman: Gov. Rick Perry today gave his strongest indication yet that he may run for president.

“I’m going to think about it” after the legislative session ends Monday, Perry said. He added, “But I think about a lot of things.”

For years, Perry has said that he would not run for president and that he had no interest in the job. He has often said that he has said no to the presidential question in as many ways as he could.

But he and his advisers have inched closer to saying he may run all week, following the announcement that Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels would not enter the GOP field. A couple of days ago, he told Greta Van Susteren on Fox News that a run was tempting.

Many conservatives have called on Perry to enter a field which could have room for a social and fiscal conservative with Perry’s energy and charisma. And, intentionally or not, the governor has set himself up for a run over the last couple of years, making a Texas/Washington contrast the focus of his 2010 re-election and writing a book called “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington. [MORE]

I think Rick Perry getting into the 2012 would sure make things exciting. He would certainly outshine all of the establishment bore snores. I can almost see Perry calling out Mitt Romney on his crazy mixed and muddled message on healthcare reform.

I can also see Rick Perry causing trouble for conservatives like Palin and Cain. Perry is every bit as charming, charismatic and dynamic as Palin and Cain. Plus his three terms as governor from a state leading is job creation certainly trumps both their records.

The downside for Perry would be winning the general election. It would be all to easy for the left to come up with themes of Perry as the crazed Texas cowboy secessionist (given Washington's extremely poor performance of late, secession may not be the crazy idea it use to be). Granted, the left tried this theme with George W. Bush and it went no where, but in 2012 Obama needs distractions and Perry's secession stuff might be too much of a distraction.

At any rate, I say Rick Perry should jump in just to bring some much needed excitement to a thus far dull election.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Austin American-Statesman

Rudy Giuliani tops CNN poll- Huh?

Washington (CNN) - Call it a sign of how unsettled the GOP presidential field remains: Two of the three people at the top of new national poll in the battle for the Republican nomination may not even run for the White House. And a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey also suggests that there is not a lot of enthusiasm about any of the major candidates.

According to the poll, which was released Friday, 16 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP say they would most likely support Rudy Giuliani as their party's nominee. One point behind, at 15 percent is Mitt Romney, with Sarah Palin coming in at 13 percent. [MORE]

I find this poll rather surprising. Rudy Giuliani? Really? Perhaps the people polled think that since Giuliani turned New York City around, he might just be the man to turn America around.

Believe it or not, in 2008 Giuliani was my first choice (Thompson second and finally had to settle for Mitt). I picked him because I knew he would fight the War on Terror with gusto and he has no problem with making the biggest liberal crybabies twist in the wind. But that was 2008. The world is quite different now. I cannot see myself rolling the dice on anything but a true fiscal conservative. he

In the end, I don't see Rudy getting a campaign together and going for the gold off of this poll. The stakes are much higher that 2008 and the problems Rudy faced with the conservative base are even greater today.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN

Mitt Romney to make it official- will announce candidacy next week

CNN: (CNN)–Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will formally announce his intentions to seek the GOP nomination for president in 2012 next Thursday, a campaign spokesperson tells CNN.

And the soon-to-be-announced candidate confirmed it himself on Twitter late Wednesday.

“Making it official next week at the Scamman Farm in New Hampshire,” he tweeted.

New Hampshire is a critical state for Romney, who also announced his presidential exploratory committee in April from the first-in-the-nation primary state.

He suffered a loss there during his previous run for president in 2008 to John McCain, who went on to win the Republican presidential nomination. But he’s banking on a boost from the crucial state to propel him through the primary season. [MORE]

If anyone is surprised by this, you have not been paying attention. Romney was going to run in 2012 come hell or high water. For this reason, I think Romney and many of the establishment favorites are poor choices. I get the impression that these men want to run for president simply because their resumes dictate it and not because they truly have a vision that is right for America at the right time.

Mitt Romney's time was 2008. Despite his organizational advantage he was unable to dispatch either John McCain or Mike Huckabee. This time around Romney, with a huge money advantage, is still going to struggle because he is a man out of time. The Republican grassroots are looking for a rock ribbed constitutional fiscal conservative with kick ass street fighter skills. Cookie cutter pedigreed politicos of yore simply will not do and Mittens fits the cookie cutter bill to a tee.

Even the establishment is wobbly on Mittens. Why else do you think they are constantly bringing up other losers like Mitch Daniels and now Jon Huntsman? It is because deep down inside the establishment knows that Romney will struggle against the likes of straight talking sharp shooting conservatives like Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin. Case in point, this major announcement by the supposed front runner was buried by news of Palin's bus tour.

My prediction is that Romney will have a very poor showing in New Hampshire and the establishment will abandon him in droves for either Huntsman, Pawlenty or whomever the RINO of the month is.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN

Via: Politico

The ever growing signs of Palin 2012

The race for 2012 is underway with several GOP contenders launching exploratory committees or outright declaring their bids for the White House.  During this time, some possible contenders have bowed out (Mike Huckabee and Mitch Daniels), a new face has name for himself (Herman Cain) and an old face has made a complete fool of himself (Newt Gingrich). There even was a flash in the pan (Donald Trump).  Throughout all the excitement, Sarah Palin has been taking quiet little steps toward running.


First there were subtle steps like hiring a new chief of staff, trips abroad and the beefing up of SarahPAC. But these last two weeks Sarah Palin has been making some rather serious moves showing she is going to make a run in 2012.  First, there has been a change in Palin's tone.  Starting with her admission that she has a fire in her belly for 2012 and then her goal to make sure Obama is not reelected in 2012.


The subtly is gone and now Palin is making some rather bold and obvious moves. First there was the purchase of a home in Arizona  (an essential move given Alaska's logistic and climatic challenges). Then came the announcement that there will be a movie highlighting her career as governor, that will premiere in Iowa no less. Finally today we learn that Palin will embark on a national bus tour. 

Our nation is at a critical turning point. As we look to the future, we are propelled by America's past. It's imperative that we connect with our founders, our patriots, our challenges and victories to clearly see our way forward. A good way to do this is to appreciate the significance of our nation's historic sites, patriotic events and diverse cultures, which we'll do in the coming weeks on our "One Nation" tour.'

We'll celebrate the good things that bring Americans together; those things that will give us the needed strength to meet the heady challenges ahead. I’ve said many times that America doesn’t need a "fundamental transformation," instead we need a restoration of all that is good and strong and free in America! So, together let’s prepare ourselves for the days ahead by reminding ourselves who we are and what Americans stand for.

We'll celebrate the meaning of our nation's blueprints, our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which are the threads that weave our past into the fabric necessary for the survival of American exceptionalism. Our founders declared "we were born the heirs of freedom", and despite our difficulties and disagreements, we remain one nation under God in freedom, indivisible. Through visits to historical sites and patriotic events, we'll share the importance of America's foundation.

We encourage you to support the pro-America events we'll be privileged to participate in during these coming weeks. Discover the ties that bind Americans, our history, our traditions, and the exceptional nature of our country!

Follow the One Nation tour at www.SarahPAC.com

-Sarah Palin

While there are explanations for all her actions other than a run for the White House, the cumulative effect says otherwise. Recent polls by both Gallup and CNN show Palin moving the top of the list just behind Mitt Romney. To me this indicates that Republicans who may have once been dissuaded from Palin are beginning to realize that she is what we are looking for in 2012.  For those in doubt about whether or not Palin can beat Obama in the general election, remember that Palin, saddled with a hapless and hopeless John McCain, was able to pull ahead in the polls against Obama at the height of his Hopey Changey magic. In 2012 Palin will not have McCain's dead weight and Obama's magic is completely gone.  Something to thing about.


Via: Memeorandum
Via: LA Times
Via: Gallup
Via: Real Clear Politics Video
Via: Conservatives 4 Palin
Via: Conservatives 4 Palin
Via: SarahPAC
Via: CNN

Newt Gingrich - A Loser By Any Other Name

If you ever wanted to know how to lose a presidential campaign before it has even begun, look no further than Newt Gingrich. The GOP primaries have not even begun and Newt Gingrich has basically imploded before he has even started to seriously campaign.


Before even announcing his candidacy Gingrich inflicted several wounds upon himself.  First, there was that nonsense about shrugging off conservative purists. Then there was his pig headed support of uber RINO Dede Scozzafava.  Finally, the was his asinine excuse for his infidelity.


If that was not enough to sink his ship, Newt has decided that more damage was in order and has now inflicted his most fatal wound with his brain dead comment about Paul Ryan’s plan for Medicare being social engineering.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

After hearing this absolute foolishness, conservatives were swift and brutal in their rebuke of Newt and rightfully so. Newt's statement is just the kind of thing that Obama will use to defend his pitiful record on failing to tame the deficit. The backlash against Newt seems unabated. Even Paul Ryan gave Newt a slap.  Newt exacerbates the problem by trying to backpedal and apologize. 


Newt made this mistake because he is still working off the 2008 play book.  In that play book, slapping the principled members of your party to gain traction with fickle independents was the way to go.  However in 2011, fickle independents are not driving the bus, sound commonsense fiscally conservative principles are.


Newt is a loser plain and simple. Watching Newt trying to spin and spin and spin his way out of his self inflicted wound should send shivers down every Republican's back.  This is because this is exactly how Newt would handle himself against the onslaught Obama and the left have in store for whomever the GOP nominee will be.  It is a losing position because any candidate who has to take the time to spin their own words, isn't spending time hammering Obama and getting out the conservative message. Since Newt is now stuck in this spinning position, his candidacy is effectively dead.


When that gay rights activist doused Newt with glitter, he really should have used dirt, because Newt's presidential hopes are dead and buried.


Via: The Right Scoop
Via: The Blaze
Via: The Last Tradition
Via: The Atlantic

Trump's won't run in 2012

ABC News: After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.

I want to personally thank the millions of Americans who have joined the various Trump grassroots movements and written me letters and e-mails encouraging me to run. My gratitude for your faith and trust in me could never be expressed properly in words. So, I make you this promise: that I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to shape our politician’s thoughts. My ability to bring important economic and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can provide to this country. I will continue to push our President and the country’s policy makers to address the dire challenges arising from our unsustainable debt structure and increasing lack of global competitiveness. Issues, including getting tough on China and other countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the forefront of the country’s conversation. They are now being debated vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an initiative that should be this country’s top priority and something that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the opinions that so many of you share yet don’t have a medium through which to articulate.

I look forward to supporting the candidate who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country’s most important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs.

Thank you and God Bless America! 

Donald J. Trump

I certainly hope none of you dear readers were surprised by this news. Donald Trump was a poser who was using the Republican primary season as a vehicle to push his brand. He has done it before and I suspect he will do it again.

Trump simply isn't a serious person. On one hand he went around saying that the nation is in dire straights and he is the only guy to right the ship. Yet, he backs out of saving the nation for Obama's agenda for what, another season of Celebrity Apprentice? Give me a break.

For any Republican who was fooled by the Donald, my advice to you is to buckle down and start doing some serious homework on the potential GOP candidates. Otherwise you will be take by yet another poser *COUGH*Gingrich*COUGH*

Via: Memeorandum
Via: ABC News

Mike Huckabee won't run in 2012

Fox News: Mike Huckabee said Saturday there would be no sequel to his surprisingly strong 2008 White House bid, in which he won the Iowa Republican caucus and finished second in the primaries to Sen. John McCain.

"All the factors say go, but my heart says no," Huckabee, who was considered the GOP frontrunner in several national polls, said on his Fox News Channel show.

The show is normally prerecorded before it airs at 8 p.m. ET, but Huckabee saved the last 10 minutes of tonight’s broadcast to make his announcement live. [MORE]

I think Huckabee made a wise decision. Unlike Mitt Romney, I think Huckabee realizes that he just doesn't have what it takes for 2012. The base is much more savvy than 2008 and far less forgiving about spotty records.

Despite the media's love of early polling, I believe Huckabee would have struggled to match his 2008 performance. People are looking for far more than witty rhetoric and are clamoring for real fighter. Huckabee's "soft" approach simply will not do.

Without Huckabee in the race, conservatives can continue to focus their attentions on real conservative candidates like Herman Cain, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Fox News
Video h/t: Mediaite

Bull, Baby Bull: Obama to open Alaska petroleum reserve to new drilling

 

LA Times: Reporting from Washington— President Obama will open Alaska's national petroleum reserve to new drilling, as part of a broad plan aimed at blunting criticism that he is not doing enough to address rising energy prices.

The plan, unveiled in Obama's weekly radio address Saturday, also would fast-track environmental assessment of petroleum exploration in some portions of the Atlantic and extend the leases of oil companies whose work in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic Ocean was interrupted by the drilling moratorium after last year's BP oil spill.

The measures come as high gasoline prices and the resulting popular anger threaten the fragile economic recovery and, possibly, the president's reelection chances in 2012. Congressional Republicans and some Democrats have been clamoring for increased domestic production in response to the rising prices, which economists say vary with global demand. [MORE]

If you think Obama is channeling his inner Sarah Palin and has now embraced her Drill, Baby Drill philosophy, guess again. This is just more of Obama's naked political ambition. If it weren't for the fact that high gas prices will sink his election chances, Obama would say anything like this.

Since we know that oil cannot be extracted from any of the places Obama mentioned before election day, this is just more cheap talk. If Obama is reelected in 2012 (God forbid), he will go back on his word faster than he failed to close Gitmo safe in the knowledge that no drilling actually occurred.

The time for America to increase its own oil production is dangerously overdue and playing reelection games with this issue is just plain cruel.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The LA Times

Well, well, well Osama Bin Ladin was a porn dog

Reuters: (Reuters) - A stash of pornography was found in the hideout of Osama bin Laden by the U.S. commandos who killed him, current and former U.S. officials said on Friday.

The pornography recovered in bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad,Pakistan, consists of modern, electronically recorded video and is fairly extensive, according to the officials, who discussed the discovery with Reuters on condition of anonymity. [MORE]

Imagine that, Osama sitting around in his undies watching porn and plotting Jihad! 

Like every totalitarian system, the leaders never quite live up to the standards they want to impose on everyone else. I bet if they searched the compound further they would have found a bag of pork rinds and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

As more and more info of how Bin Ladin was living comes out, he shrinks as a figure to fear and terror. Instead we begin to see him for what he alway was a pathetic joke of a psychopath.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Reuters

Huck 2012? Tune in tomorrow

ABC News: UPDATED: Former Arkansas governor and potential presidential aspirant Mike Huckabee is telling a radio audience on Friday that he plans to make “a very important announcement” over the weekend.

“This weekend be sure to catch my Fox News television show,” Huckabee says. “A very important announcement coming this Saturday.”
Huckabee did not elaborate on the nature of the announcement, which he teased on his syndicated radio program “The Huckabee Report.”

“I’m not exactly sure what the content’s going to be,” Hogan Gidley, the executive director of Huckabee's political action committee, told ABC News. “He doesn’t go around throwing around a big announcement for nothing.” [MORE]

I am hoping he is going to say NO. Huckabee has always struck me as a Republican Bill Clinton. A crafty politician who is often too cute by half. A look at Huckabee's record as governor and it is pretty clear he is not a staunch conservative. The last thing we need in 2012 is a president without solid principles or convictions.

The only upside to Huckabee running in 2012 would be to see him do his damnedest to undermine Mitt Romney. Romney could not dispatch Huckabee in 2008 and I doubt he could in 2012. Huck might just be the thing to make sure Romney loses the nomination.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: ABC News
Via: Politico

Contortion Conservatism: Mitt Romney's speech on healthcare reform

First there was George Bush's Compassionate Conservatism, a cute name for small bore progressive policies. Then came Sarah Palin's Commonsense Conservatism which is just good old fashion plain old conservatism. Yesterday, Mitt Romney introduced us to a new brand of conservatism... Contortion Conservatism.

Contortion Conservatism is basically twisting yourself and conservatism into a pretzel as you try to unapologetically explain away your very un-conservative past deeds. In Romney's case, he is trying to make the support of individual mandates and RomneyCare look like sprang forth from a TEA Party movement.

Needless to say, Romney's debut of Contortion Conservatism was VERY unsuccessful. Even, the National Review (many Romney fans there) panned it.

National Review: Mitt Romney just gave a more articulate defense of Obamacare than President Obama ever has. He continues to believe that the individual mandate is a good idea, despite the fact that the “free-rider” problem is a myth. His effort to make a distinction between Romneycare and Obamacare was not persuasive: If anything, he convincingly made the opposite case, that Romneycare and Obamacare are based on the same fundamental concept.

In recent months, Romney has claimed that Romneycare was a specific solution for the specific needs of Massachusetts. But in his remarks, he did not name one specific aspect of the Massachusetts health-care environment that is unique to that state. If there are no important differences between the Massachusetts health-care system and that of other states, why shouldn’t he believe that Romneycare should be the model for every other state? [MORE]

In a sane and commonsense world, Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations should have died a slow and painful death yesterday. Unfortunately, Mitt Romney knows all too well that in politics, sanity and commonsense have long ago left the building. Romney knows that so long as conservatives cannot concentrate their votes on one candidate, he has more than a real shot at winning the nomination. This is because the establishment and many moderate Republicans are willing to overlook the foolishness of Contortion Conservatism and give him the nod.

So to my conservative friends I issue a warning. If you do not want to enter the battle of 2012 under the banner of Contortion Conservatism, then start doing your homework on candidate now.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The National Review

Curse you Blogger!

Well I am back. Blogger seems to have had a meltdown. Since yesterday evening I have not been able to log into Blogger and was horrified to see that Another Black Conservative would not even load at times.

William from Legal Insurrection explains what happened:

For those of you who have wondered what is going on, Blogger had a system-wide failure beginning sometime yesterday, which froze blogspot.com blogs as reader-only.

The failure resulted from a maintenance upgrade on Wednesday. (Small quirk of fate, the blog manager at Google who was responsible for the maintenance upgrade was a high school friend. I realized this when checking Google's entries on the outage. So the silver lining is that I may reconnect with someone who knew me when.)

Google reset the system to just before the upgrade, meaning that all posts and comments from around 11 a.m. Wednesday were taken down. Google says that it backed-up that data and will restore the posts and comments, but that hasn't happened yet. [MORE]

William is going to launch a .com version of Legal Insurrection soon. I think it is time for me to take similar steps. While I cannot afford to have Another Black Conservative hosted as a .com, I can create a mirror site over at Wordpress just in case this happens again.

In the mean time , if you posted any comments on my latest missing posts, please be patient. Supposedly, Blogger is going to be reposting them shortly.

Thanks for being patient.

More Mitt Mandate Madness

Poor Mittens, he is just a few hours away from giving an important speech on healthcare reform and the left has dug up new examples of his support for mandates on the Federal level.

Blue Mass Group: [...] back in 1994 when he was running for Senate, Romney said he would support a federal individual health care mandate. Yes, yes, he did.

See, in 1993, then-Senator John Chafee, a Republican from Rhode Island, floated a health care bill that was supposed to be an alternative to the Clinton administration’s proposal. It never really went anywhere, but it did garner 20 co-sponsors in the Senate, including a couple of Democrats (Boren of OK and Kerrey of NE). And a key feature of that bill was that, if it passed, the bad ol’ federal government would have required every American (with the usual hardship etc. exceptions) to purchase health insurance.

Subtitle F: Universal Coverage – Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005.

Pretty straightforward, right? And yes, at least according to Kaiser Health News, this provision of Chafee’s bill was indistinguishable from President Obama’s plan.

The Wall Street Journal adds a little more rain to Mitt's parade with a very unflattering editorial today showcasing the failures of RomneyCare in Massachusetts.

Romney's problems with RomneyCare and the 2012 election really took off when he tried to have it both ways. On one hand Romney wants to condemn ObamaCare on the federal level and then on the other hand wants to claim success for RomneyCare on the state level. All while the two plans are basically identical. Romney might not be in such a jam, if he took a page from Tim Pawlenty and simply admit he made a mistake.

As I have repeatedly said on this blog, Obama and the left will be looking for distractions in 2012. They will use anything to avoid focus on Obama's failures with the economy, jobs, debt and the deficit. Romney's mixed and muddled excuses for RomneyCare offer up some really fine distractions that will keep him from hammering away at Obama's weak spots.

Unless Romney comes up with a clear and strong way to move RomneyCare off the table in 2012, he is a hopeless flawed candidate that is sure to lose to Obama.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Wall Street Journal
Via: The LA Times
Via: Blue Mass Group

Via: The Hill

Here comes Newt: Newt Gingrich running for president in 2012

Politico: Newt Gingrich formally launched his long-expected presidential campaign Wednesday, saying “we can return America to hope and opportunity.”

“I want your help, because no one person in the Oval Office can get this done,” Gingrich said in a YouTube video after announcing his candidacy on Twitter. “We Americans are going to have to talk together, work together, find solutions together and insist on opposing… those forces that don’t want to change.” [MORE]

Well, we all saw this coming, so this should not be a surprise for anyone. For me, Newt is completely off my radar. His shrug off conservative comments made him a non starter for me. His pig headed support of Dede Scozzafava and his outrageously stupid excuse for his affairs only adds to my reasons for rejecting Newt.

To me, Newt's candidacy is just like Mitt Romney's. Both men seem oblivious to the fact that their "political time" has come and gone. Plus both men also seem completely unable to explain their greatest flaws.

Newt will provide some nice arguments here and there and will no doubt catch a few headlines when he puts his foot in his mouth. Ultimately, Newt's campaign will be another distraction in a very crowed field.

Via: Poilitico

If at first you don't succeed...: Obama to renew Muslim outreach

The Wall Street Journal: WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama is preparing a fresh outreach to the Muslim world in coming days, senior U.S. officials say, one that will ask those in the Middle East and beyond to reject Islamic militancy in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death and embrace a new era of relations with the U.S.

Mr. Obama is preparing to deliver that message in a wide-ranging speech, perhaps as early as next week, these officials say. The president intends to argue that bin Laden's death, paired with popular uprisings sweeping North Africa and the Middle East, signal that the time has come to an end when al Qaeda could claim to speak for Muslim aspirations. [MORE]

Here we go again with reaching out to the Muslim world. From day one in office Obama has tried to reach out to the Muslim world. Heck, Obama even turned NASA into a Muslim outreach program, but to date we have yet to see any results. 

Yes, there has been uprising in the Middle East, but no where in those uprising can we definitely point to anything that is leading to a Western style democracy. There is ample evidence that extremists are gaining footholds.

It would be beyond wise for Obama to examine what the payoff has been for his first round of Muslim outreach before he embarks on a new one.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Wall Street Journal
Via: Bild.de
Via: Gateway Pundit

Coming to a predatory government near you: Ireland taxes private pensions

Some of you maybe wondering what does Ireland's politics have to do with us? Well consider this a glimpse into our possible future.

Business Insider: The Irish government plans to institute a tax on private pensions to drive jobs growth, according to its jobs program strategy, delivered today.

Without the ability sell debt due to soaring interest rates, and with severe spending rules in place due to its EU-IMF bailout, Ireland has few ways of spending to stimulate the economy. Today's jobs program includes specific tax increases, including the tax on pensions, aimed at keeping government jobs spending from adding to the national debt.

The tax on private pensions will be 0.6%, and last for four years, according to the report.

From the jobs initiative release:

The various tax reduction and additional expenditure measures which I am announcing today will be funded by way of a temporary levy on funded pension schemes and personal pension plans. I propose that the levy will apply at a rate of 0.6% to the capital value of assets under management in pension funds established in the State.

It will apply for a period of 4 years commencing this year and is intended to raise about €470 million in each of those years. The levy will not apply to pension funds established here and providing services and benefits solely to non-resident employers and members. Further details regarding the proposed application of the levy are set out in the Summary of Initiative Measures. [MORE]

I know some of you might be tempted to think that .6% isn't a whole lot, but remember these are pension funds. Calculate the amount taken in taxes over 20 or 30 years and you will see just how much the government robbed you.

Ireland's move is basically what happens when a government cannot come to grips with spending. When starving for revenue the so called "benevolent" government that was out to save every citizen from any and all struggles in life morphs into a predator. This predatory government no longer sees bright red lines that should not be crossed, instead it only sees untapped sources of revenue. Tax private pension - no problem, tax the middle class - no problem, outright confiscate private wealth - you betcha.

So as you watch Republicans and Democrats fuss and fight over cutting a few billion here and there while our debt just piles up, know this: sooner or later they WILL be coming for whatever you got.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Business Insider

Video: Condolezza Rice vs. Lawrence O'Donnell

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Lawrence O'Donnell was badly out gunned and out matched by Condolezza Rice.  At times it was like watching an old fashion school teacher discipline a wayward child.  It is a shame more Republicans don't know how to argue like Rice does. Then again most Republicans don't have a bachelor's degree at age 19.


The best part of the interview is when Rice mocks the idea that Sadam Hussein could have been toppled by Egyptian style protest.  O'Donnell totally set himself up with that question.


As brilliant as Condolezza Rice is, I do have to question her intelligence for wasting her time doing an interview with MSNBC.  Given MSNBC's tiny audience and O'Donnell's hyper partisanship, what was Rice hoping to accomplish?  Then again, one of the Bush administration's biggest failings was their complete inability to handle the biased media.


Via: The Blaze

Notes on the South Carolina GOP debate

I just got through watching the debate.  I think this debate was Fox News' attempt to kick start the nomination process early. From a political standpoint, there really isn't a good reason to start early.  Starting the process early increases the chance of a candidate tripping up and giving Obama and the left their much needed distraction issues.


I tuned in mostly to watch Herman Cain's performance to finally see Gary Johnson speak publicly (I know his record, but never seen him speak).  Below are some of the notes I jotted down while watching.


Pawlenty's opening greeting and thanks seems so typically politico and tiresome.  I liked how the other just answered the question put forth without all the fanfare.


Fox has decided to do "The Hand Show"?  I thought Fred Thompson killed The Hand Show back in 2008.  I hate The Hand Show, because it leaves you clueless as to why a candidate does or does not support an issue.  Case in point, I would have love to have heard why Herman Cain would not release the Osama Bin Ladin photo.


Ron Paul is getting wild applause for getting out of Afghanistan.  Is that truly Republicans coming around to his position or did Ron Paul pack the house with his supporters.  My money is on the latter, especially after Ron Paul's answer to close Gitmo.


Gary Johnson finally speaks, my first impression -"mousy" ,"pipsqueak", "geeky", not good.  Johnson whines (rightfully) about the distribution of questions.  Seems like Pawlenty is getting the lion's share.


Santorum not apologizing for "English Only" stance, instead gives a very strong explanation and example.  Kudos.


Gary Johnson on giving out work visas easily.  With jobs drying up in this country, do we really want to hand out work visas like Halloween candy?  That certainly seems at odd with his believe that we are headed for economic collapse. If the economy collapses, wouldn't Americans want every possible job available even the menial ones?


Pawlenty busted for his enthusiastic support for Cap and Trade! Pawlenty fesses up and admits a mistake. Seems like a smarter way to go than what Romney is trying to pull with RomneyCare.


Lightning Round on absent candidates - this is Fox News indulging itself. Very bad idea, this could lead to nasty sound bites that the left would surely use.  Thankfully, none of them stepped in it. Gary Johnson tries a little bit of a Palin dig.  Foolish, she could eat his lunch while making breakfast for her family.


Here is my overall impressions of the various candidates.


Tim Pawlenty - He was the perfect first tier candidate - if this was 2008.  His style seemed so typically scripted from the faux aggressive tone to the robotic hand gestures.  This may have been the standard back in the day, but for 2012 we need authenticity.


Rick Santorum - The perfect 2008 second tier candidate.  Aside from his refusal to back track on his English Only comments, I wasn't really impressed.


Herman Cain - In this field of candidates, I expected Cain to completely blow these guys out the water.  Maybe I have seen too many of his speeches, but I was expecting a tad more. Judging from the focus group after the debate, Cain ran way with the show, so maybe I am being too critical.  He is still on my short list.


Ron Paul - Ron Paul was Ron Paul. The only thing new here, is that I think Republicans have moved a little closer to where Ron Paul has always been.


Gary Johnson - This guy will never do.  I have repeatedly warned on this blog that the GOP nominee is going to get the full Palin Treatment.  Does anyone think for one hot second that Gary Johnson could stand up to 10 minutes of that?  Hopeless! Pack it in Gary.


Via: Memeorandum
Via: Fox News
Via: The Other McCain