Proven Leadership - Rick Perry's first campaign ad

These movie trailer-like campaign ads seem to be all the rage these days. It is pretty easy to see why, they are attention getting and Perry's ad is no exception. The stark contrast between the Obama images (monochromatic and foreboding) and the Perry image (colorful and inspiring) is quite effective.

However, I think this ad would be far more effective if Perry was already the nominee, rather than competing to become the nominee. The type of ad Perry needs now is one that states his record and define himself. That is what is needed by Republicans who are looking for their candidate in 2012.

Since I have not yet given my opinion on Perry yet, I shall do so now.

On paper Rick Perry looked very promising to me (several terms of chief executive experience from a solidly conservative job creating state and buckets of vibrato to stand toe to toe against Obama's arrogance). However, the reality is a little bit lacking (past associations with con man Al Gore, that Gardasil executive order, illegal immigration and two mediocre debate performances). Given these issues, it is not surprising that Perry no longer holds double digit leads over Romney.

At tomorrow's debate, Perry is going to have to bring his A-Game and then some. Otherwise, he may find himself fighting it out with the conservatives he leapfrogged over when he entered the race.

Video h/t: The Blaze
Via: Rasmussen

The Gardasil Gambit: Better Bachmann today than Obama tomorrow

I have been reading the reaction from the right regarding Michele Bachmann’s attack on Rick Perry over his HPV injection executive order. I have read a lot of commentary and comments that seem to show that many conservatives are down on Bachmann for doing this.

While I do have a problem with some of what Bachmann has done, I generally think her attack is a good thing. Here is why.

First, Bachmann is absolutely correct to drag Perry over the coals for issuing the executive order in the first place. Have we not all spent the last three years railing against government overreach? Well, Perry’s executive order is text book government overreach and Perry’s saying "my bad" doesn’t change the fact.

Second, Bachmann is also correct to raise the issue of crony capitalism. Just the fact that it is coming out today that Perry has received more than the $5,000 from Merck (as he said in the debate) should be enough for use to dig deeper into this issue. If there was a quid pro quo, then let’s sniff it out now and not have such a thing come back and bite us later.

Finally, Bachmann’s demagoguery of the Gardasil issue by retelling this story about a mother who claims her child became mentally retarded because of the injection, is in excusable. Bachmann is damaging her own credibility in the process. However, by unfairly attacking Perry on this ground, Bachmann is providing us a glimpse of how Perry will respond to the unfair attacks that are sure to come in the general election. Let us not forget that Obama and the media will employ all kinds of dirty attacks against whomever the GOP nominee is. It is far better to learn now if Perry has glass jaw than to find out after we are stuck with him.

While we may all cringe at the sight of Republican’s trampling Reagan’s 11th Commandment, a rough and dirty primary is exactly what will be needed in 2012. We need to be absolutely certain that our nominee will be able to withstand “The Palin Treatment” that is sure to come during the general election.


Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Right Scoop
Via: National Review
Via: Hot Air

Notes on the CNN/ TEA Party debate

Tonight’s CNN/ TEA Party debate was a vast improvement over the NBC/ Politico debate last week. While Wolf Blitzer did get the candidates to mix it up, he was subtler in his approach than NBC’s Brian Williams and Politico’s John Harris. Kudos to CNN for allowing actual TEA Party members to ask question. Unfortunately, Blitzer did not allow all the TEA Party questions to be answered by all candidates. (I really wanted to hear everyone’s answer to that young man’s question about how much should he be taxed).
Here is how I saw each candidate’s performance.

Mitt Romney: Mitt did nothing to regain his front runner status. His attack on Perry on Social Security, sounded like Mitt was willing to go with the status quo. The cat is out of the bag on Social Security, we all know it needs to be reformed. Simply saying that you will fix it, sounds like the failed promises of the past that has led us to the current problems.

Rick Perry: John Podhoretz sums it up best when he says Perry had better get better. Perry needs to really have some solid answers for the Gardasil question and illegal immigration. You could drive a truck through both answers. On Gardasil, simply saying you made a mistake and your emotions got the better of you, leaves you open to the question of will it happen again. On the immigration question, Perry’s answer for Texas’ mini Dream Act, sounds like Romney’s weak answer on RomneyCare. The 10th Amendment is not a Band Aid for past lapses in conservative judgment.

Michelle Bachmann: I think she drew blood with her tangle with Perry over Gardasil. It wasn’t with her accusation that Perry was engaged in a Crony Capitalism with Merck (that was sloppy), but her response to his answer of being bought. Bachmann took the higher ground and sounded like she had her priorities straight.

Herman Cain: I really loved Cain in the beginning, but his answers are sounding way too sound bite-ish at this point. We are well past the stage for sound bites. Meat is needed on the bone of his answers, otherwise it is impossible to take him seriously. My advice to Cain, get Wonkish, like yesterday.

Ron Paul: Given his answers tonight on foreign policy, it is clear the Ron Paul has zero chance of winning the nomination. When Rick Santorum can school you on foreign policy and American Exceptionalism, you have a problem. This is sad, because so much of Ron Paul’s economic views are correct for the times.

Newt Gingrich: I love feisty Newt who has shown up to these debates. Even tonight, Newt looked like he was ready to bust Wolf Blitzer in the mouth if Wolf got out of hand. All of the candidates would do well to take a page out of Newt’s books when it come to handling a biased media. Unfortunately, for Newt, being feisty isn't enough to overcome his early major gaffs .

Rick Santorum: Santorum’s attempts to tie all his action’s of the 1990’s to today is getting very old. Let’s fact it, the political landscape has changed so drastically on the right since the 90’s, that references to the 90’s seems like comparing apples to oranges. Rick needs to find a reason why he is relevant today or he is going to have to make an early exit.

Jon Huntsman: Why is this guy still around? He is polling worse that Tim Pawlenty ever did and I cannot stop detecting the condescending attitude in all of his responses. There is nothing about Huntsman that resonates with today’s conservative base. Excluding him from the next debate would be a wise move.

Overall, I would have to say Rick Perry was the winner tonight because he did just enough to hold on to his front runner status. He will have to do a heck of a lot better in the next debate, because both Romney and Bachmann are sharpening their attacks. Even Palin seems to see an opening. Perry need an air tight A-Game if he wants to stand any chance against Obama, the Bully Pulpit and a complicit media.

Via: Commentary

Via: The Right Scoop

Via: The Right Scoop

The Big Announcement? Palin to keynote Tea Party rally in Iowa

Real Clear Politics: In the latest indication that her sights are still set on a presidential run, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has accepted an invitation to keynote a Tea Party rally in Waukee, Iowa, on Sept. 3, RealClearPolitics has learned.

The Labor Day weekend visit to the nation's first voting state comes after Palin indicated during an appearance on Fox News earlier this month that she would make her decision about whether to launch a campaign in August or September.

All signs now point to September as the month when Palin would throw her hat into the ring, as logistical concerns ranging from fundraising to getting her name on the ballot in various states would likely preclude further delay. [MORE]

As my regular readers know, I have always believed that Palin would run in 2012. For me the question has always been what would she run for. Will she run to win the White House or will she run just to shape the GOP field? She has the power to do both, so time will actually tell.

I cannot think of a better time or venue for Palin to announce. A TEA Party rally with the theme of "Restoring America" is tailor made for Palin who constantly works in themes or restore, renew and revive. As everyone knows, September 3rd would be cutting it close for throwing in your hat for 2012.

While a Palin announcement would be sure to generate wall to wall coverage on any given day, an announcement on September 3rd would guarantee she would dominate a slow news weekend for three days. Three crucial days when Americans are actually getting together with family and discussing things like politics. This would be a classic Palin media manipulation.

One way or another, Palin will have to make her 2012 intentions clear by Labor Day.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Real Clear Politics
Via: Conservatives 4 Palin

Would the last person at Team Newt please turn off the lights

Associated Press: ATLANTA — Newt Gingrich's top two fundraising advisers resigned on Tuesday, and officials said the Republican candidate's hobbling presidential campaign carried more than $1 million in debt.

The departures of fundraising director Jody Thomas and fundraising consultant Mary Heitman were the latest blow for the former House speaker who watched 16 top advisers abandon his campaign en masse earlier this month, partly because of what people familiar with the campaign spending described as a dire financial situation.

These people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the campaign inner workings, said the former Georgia lawmaker racked up massive travel bills but money had only trickled in since he got into the race earlier this spring.

These officials said that he is at least $1 million in debt. The current fundraising quarter ends June 30, and Gingrich will have to disclose his campaign finances by July 15. He is personally wealthy and could fund his campaign out of his own pocket, at least in the short term, to keep his campaign afloat. [MORE]

This is just so sad. Newt's campaign reminds me of a mortally wounded animal that does not have the good sense to lay still and quietly accept its inevitable fate. If this level of chaos and drama is what Newt Gingrich brings to the table,  then he really needs to pack it in now. This sad sack performance will never be able to withstand the onslaught Obama and his media minions have in store for the GOP nominee.

Thankfully, if the survival of Team Newt means Newt has to dip into his own pocket, then there maybe hope this wounded beast will find the good sense to lay still and accept his fate. Stick a fork in this guy, he is done.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Associated Press

Jon Huntsman makes it offical

RINO Jon Huntsman was in my neck of the woods today (sorry no pictures I had to be in New York today). Huntsman chose Liberty State Park in Jersey City in order to conjure up fond memories of Ronald Reagan by using the Statue of Liberty as a back drop. Like that could possibly remove the stench of RINO from this guy.

CNN: Liberty State Park, New Jersey (CNN) - Not known for throwing out red meat to conservative audiences, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman warned voters the country is facing an "un-American" future in his campaign kick-off speech Tuesday.

Huntsman took aim at the sluggish economy and mounting national debt in his remarks.

"We are about to pass down to the next generation a country that is less powerful, less compassionate, less competitive and less confident than the one we got. This is totally unacceptable and totally un-American," Huntsman said.

And Jon Huntsman would certainly add to the unacceptable and un-American downward spiral.

2012 is a serious as a heart attack. It is no time for posers, the self indulgent or small bore closet liberals. Huntsman needs to teach his staff how to spell his name and then close up shop for 2012, because this guy is going to go no where and fast.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN
Via: Verum Serum
Via: ABC News

That's Sarah Palin® to you! Sarah Palin trademarks her name

The Atlantic: A few months ago, an attorney for Sarah and Bristol Palin put in an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark their names. (One of many things that suggests that profit, and not the presidency, is what's motivating Palin.) For Sarah Palin, the intent was a little less clear cut than it was for her daughter, as this article in Politics Daily made clear:

For Sarah Palin's application, there are two classes of commercial service for which her name would be a registered trademark. One is for "information about political elections" and "providing a website featuring information about political issues." The second is for "educational and entertainment services ... providing motivational speaking services in the field of politics, culture, business and values. 

The "Bristol Palin" application is for "educational and entertainment services, namely, providing motivational speaking services in the field of life choices."

According to the same reporter, the deadline to challenge Palin's application passed on Friday and -- amazingly -- nobody seems to have challenged it. So it looks like the Patent and Trademark Office will award both patents trademarks in the near future. Better hold off on those bootleg Palin T-shirts you were thinking about printing up. For anyone who's curious, here's Palin's trademark application.

I beg to differ. While most see a profit motive, I see a very crafty way to kill a lot of that anti Palin crap floating about the net. If Palin is trademarked, all those anti Palin websites, tee shirts and other nasty things will be infringing on her trademark. Either they pay up or they shut down. If you are running for president, what better way to protect yourself and your image from the hoards of lefties who will try to smear you?

The media and the left won't see it that way because they are locked into the idea that Palin is not running and that she is all about the money. However, if Palin is running she just bought herself one powerful weapon against those who want to smear her. Just take a look at what trademark infringement entails.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Atlantic

Michele Bachmann to Ed Rollins: Apologize to Team Palin

Behold the power of Palin.

Hot Air: When you’ve got a puppy with a habit of crapping on the carpet, you may need to rub his face in it to set him right.

Serious candidates require serious message discipline, and as of last Monday’s debate, she’s most definitely a serious candidate:

“We need Mrs. Bachmann out front and we need the campaign to be a real campaign with one spokesperson and a disciplined message,” said one Bachmann adviser granted anonymity to speak candidly about strategy…

Bachmann’s newly installed political team has had its own battles with message discipline — typified by campaign manager Ed Rollins’ recent comments alleging that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin hasn’t been “serious” over the last few years.

After the incident, Bachmann was “very firm” with Rollins, according to an adviser to the congresswoman, telling him this should not happen again and that there should be “no more press”. Bachmann also demanded that Rollins call the Palin people and apologize. “She is definitely not tone deaf,” the source added.

Bachmann’s move to limit her exposure in the wake of her debate performance is a smart strategy designed to avoid accidentally trampling on the momentum she built with that performance.

You knew this had to come sooner or later. If Michele Bachmann wants any chance of being "the" conservative candidate, she is going to have to be in good graces with Palinistas. As pundit after pundit tries to write off Palin 2012, it is clear Palin will play a major role in this election whether she runs of not.

I still think Palin is running in 2012 (have you seen this SarahPAC letter?). I still think the real question everyone should be asking is if Palin will run to win the nomination or run to shape the nomination. Either way, consider Ed Rollins officially spanked.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Hot Air

Via: Conservatives 4 Palin

Rick Perry at RLC - A preview of Perry 2012?

CNN: New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) – As speculation mounts about his presidential ambitions, Texas Gov. Rick Perry delivered a rousing and unapologetic defense of conservative principles on Saturday at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

Perry repeatedly brought an audience of hundreds of Republican activists to their feet with a small government message reminiscent of the one that helped him win an unprecedented third term as governor last November.

Perry said there is "too much spending, too much interfering and too much apologizing" in Washington.

"Stand up!," Perry thundered. "Let's speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our effort to elect more conservative Republicans. Let's stop this American downward spiral!"

Perry made no mention of his political plans and avoided the media by slipping out the back of the hotel where the conference was held following his speech.

But it was clear that the governor was positioning himself as a conservative heavyweight with a credible economic record should he decide to join the crowded Republican presidential field. [MORE]

I watched the speech and I really did like what I heard. However, I have to admit, I have not done my homework on Perry's record, so I cannot say whether or not I believe he is the real deal. (Texas readers, help me out. What should I start looking at regarding the Perry record?)

From the speech I get the impression that Perry is a fighter who won't wither under the Obama and the left's assault. (Again, Texas readers help me out, is Perry a barroom brawler or just another lightweight with a big mouth?).

I am already hearing some of the left's attacks on Perry (secessionist and "another Texas governor" = Bush). I don't see these arguments holding much water in the face of the current state of the nation. (Seceding from an out of control Washington sounds quite sane and who care where the guy is from if he really has a record of creating a job friendly environment).

If Perry's record is the real deal, he could easily become the conservative candidate the base is looking for.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN
Video h/t: The Right Scoop

So, Mitt Romney thinks he is unemployed too

The New York Times: TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney sat at the head of the table at a coffee shop here on Thursday, listening to a group of unemployed Floridians explain the challenges of looking for work. When they finished, he weighed in with a predicament of his own.

“I should tell my story,” Mr. Romney said. “I’m also unemployed.

He chuckled. The eight people gathered around him, who had just finished talking about strategies of finding employment in a slow-to-recover economy, joined him in laughter.

“Are you on LinkedIn?” one of the men asked.

“I’m networking,” Mr. Romney replied. “I have my sight on a particular job.” [MORE]

HA-HA, very funny, we get. But you know what? This type of joke leaves the same bad taste in the mouth as Obama's shovel ready joke. Everyone on the planet knows that Romney's heart aches for the job of POTUS. Everyone also knows that Romney is a very rich man and unemployment for him isn't quite  the same affair as the average Joe. Joking about unemployment, jobs and the economy at a time like this always takes away from the real struggle real people are facing.

If I were Mitt, I would start doing a little more listening at these coffee stops and fine tune that tin ear of his. Otherwise Mitt will find himself giving Obama the perfect soundbite he is looking for.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The New York Times

Obama: My family would be fine with just 1 term

Associated Press: WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says his wife and daughters aren't "invested" in him being president and would have been fine had he decided against running for re-election. But he says they believe in what he's doing for the country.

Asked about his family's reaction to his wanting another term, Obama said: "Michelle and the kids are wonderful in that if I said, `You know, guys, I want to do something different,' They'd be fine. They're not invested in daddy being president or my husband being president."

He says first lady Michelle Obama would be the first one to encourage him to do something "a little less stressful" if she no longer thought that what they were doing was worthwhile for the country. Obama's interview aired Tuesday on NBC's "Today" show.

I got a newsflash for Obama, his family isn't the only ones who would be cool with him being an OTP (One Term President). I think it is safe to say all those folks who are watching their home values shrink to nothing are cool with Obama being an OTP. All those unemployed speed bumps are probably down with some OTP. I am pretty sure the next two generations of Americans who are looking at a mountain of debt are probably way cool with OTP.

While Obama was selling that idea to the Today Show, Michelle Obama was telling a fundraiser in Southern California quite a different tale.

Politico: First lady Michelle Obama on Monday told a fundraiser in Southern California of the toll the presidency has taken on her husband Barack Obama.

"I see the sadness and worry that's creasing his face," she said to a crowd of about 500 at the Pasadena luncheon organized by the Southern California Women For Obama. She described his worth ethic as “tireless,” according to pool reports.

"He reads every word, every memo, so he is better prepared than the people briefing him," she said. "This man doesn't take a day off."

She said the next two years of campaigning would be difficult for the Obamas and their supporters. "It is not going to be easy, and it is going to be long," she said. "Now more than ever we need your help to finish what we started."

Doesn't take a day off? WTF? Unless homeboy carries a Kindle in his back pocket, I am pretty sure he ain't reading jack on those endless golf outings.

Unlike 2008, the Obama's cannot fill their resume with tons of empty rhetoric. Hope and Change has a record this time and it stinks to high heaven. Simply saying things and not having the media call you out, won't work this time. If I were Michelle, I would stop telling lies at fundraisers and start measuring drapes for their new home, because their OTP wish is about to come true.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Associated Press
Via: Politico

The thrill is gone: Obama fundraiser underwhelms

Politico: MIAMI, Fla. -- A low-dollar fundraiser here Monday felt like a throwback to the 2008 campaign. 

There was the same old soundtrack – including “City of Blinding Lights” by U2, the president’s 2008 anthem -- the enthusiastic organizers and the abundant appeals for supporters to rally behind President Obama. 

The one missing element? Overflowing crowds. 

Granted, it was a fundraiser, not a free rally. But the empty seats were hard to miss. 

The top level of the 2,200-seat concert hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts was entirely empty, as were the seats along the side of the second and third levels. 

"The expectation was 900," a Democratic official said, and more than 980 tickets were sold.

Tickets for the Gen 44 event started at $44, the official said. 

Are you buying that excuse?  If they were only expecting 900 why the heck did they get a hall for 2,200? Perhaps it is just more wasteful spending from this administration. Sarah Palin would have had no problem filling 2,200 seats at twice the price.  Something for the left to think about.

Whatever the case maybe, the magic of Hope and Change is dead and bury.  Obama's record is starting to stink up the joint.  It is only at short matter of time before public opinion solidifies and he is pronounced a universal failure.   

Via: Politico

A few notes on the CNN New Hampshire debate

I just finished watching the debate and I have one major complaint.  What was the point in asking so many questions?  By asking so many question, the candidates were forced to give the most perfunctory answers.  It was really stupid to ask questions like; "what would you specifically do to fix entitlements" and then expect a decent answer in 30 seconds or less. For future debates, I really wish moderators would learn that the quality of the questions is far more important than the quantity on the questions.

Oh and those completely asinine questions from John King like Coke or Pepsi?  Our nation is three steps from going to hell in a hand basket and this dumb MoFo wants to know who likes Coke or Pepsi! American journalism is dead, dead, dead!

Here are my notes on each individual's performance.

Mitt Romney:  Was it just me or did Romney seem a little tired tonight.  He did not come off as the man to beat to me. I thought he got a little hung up on the auto bailout question.  He certainly got off easy on the RomneyCare questions.  Despite CNN's over abundance of questions, they totally did not ask Mitt about climate change.

Tim Pawlenty:  I think Tim did himself a lot of favors tonight.  He seemed more like the front runner than Romney. If I were an establishment type, I would be switching from Romney to T-Paw now. Pawlenty totally wimped out on ObamneyCare.  If he is unwilling to clean Romney's clock, how is this guy going to mix it up with Obama and his leftist minions?

Newt Gingrich: Newt looked like a little boy who just found out his dog died.  What was up with that?  Despite the depressed look, he did give some very solid answers on the need to build majorities in Congress next year and fighting false assumptions on immigration.  Did he do enough to undo his self inflicted wounds?  I don't know.

Rick Santorum: Someone really needs to tell Santorum that every answer does not require an angry forceful answer.  The key to getting looking passionate is allowing your natural emotions to temper your response.  You cannot be angry and forceful over everything.  I think Santorum was clearly lost in this crowd and did not really distinguish himself in anyway, especially against his true rivals Cain and Bachmann.

Ron Paul: New Hampshire might not be Ron Paul country.  None of his Fed Reserve, or anti war rhetoric seem to have resonated with the audience like in past debates.  Perhaps CNN screened the Ron Paul supporters at the door.  Tonight, Paul seemed like nothing more than the crazy old man in the corner.

Michele Bachmann:  The gal stood out.  Aside from making her presidential bid formal at the debate, Bachmann came off very crisp, polished and sharp.  Dare I say first tier quality?  Again, despite CNN's flurry of questions they failed to ask Bachmann about her campaign manager's remarks about Palin.  They actually gave Pawlenty a Palin question.  Did her performance overcome Rollin's damage?  Time will tell, but sooner rather than later Bachmann needs to address that.

Herman Cain:  I was really hoping to see Cain run away with this thing like he did the last time.  However, Cain seem to fade to behind Bachmann.  Perhaps it was the questioned he got or perhaps at this stage of the game people are looking for deeper answers.  Whatever the case, I don't feel Cain held court. Cain had better start getting really tight on the Muslim question, because judging from how much time CNN spent on that issue, the left smells blood in the water.

Winners:  Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty.  I feel they both came off better than their poll numbers suggest.  Pawlenty came off much more aggressively than Romney.  Clearly, Pawlenty was working on not being dull.  Bachmann out shined her two conservative rivals Santorum and Cain. Her current Congressional experience easily trumped Santorum's past deeds and provided the details that Herman Cain lacks.

Losers:  Mitt Romney and Herman Cain.  Romney allowed Pawlenty to look far more aggressive than he did. As the supposed front runner and the  establishment's choice, that was a bad thing.  Herman Cain failed to build on the momentum he had from the last debate and allowed Bachmann to look more substantive.  Time to hit the books Herman, more details will be required.

What are your thoughts?  Who did you think were the winners and losers?


NOTE:  If you missed the debate, Left Coast Rebel has the full video up on his site.

The New Hampshire Debates - What will you be looking for?

Tonight CNN is hosting the Republican debate in Manchester New Hampshire.  The field will include Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann,  Ron Paul,  and Rick Santorum.


Here is what I will be looking for:


Herman Cain:  I want to see how Cain handles himself with Bachmann and Romney in the mix.  Right now Cain is the strongest declared conservative.  He is way out ahead of both Bachmann and Santorum.  In the last debate, Cain easily out shined Santorum and establishment favorite Pawlenty.  Can Herman do it again with Romney and Bachmann in the field?


Michele Bachmann:  I want to see how she handles the debate and matches up against Herman Cain.  Of course I am dying to see how she will handle the inevitable Palin/ Rollins debacle. Her response will be quite telling.


Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty: This should be the source of all the friction in this debate.  Romney is the front runner thus far so all the others will try to knock him down.  Pawlenty has a lot to gain by knocking off Romney so I expect he will be throwing the most elbows.


CNN's behavior:  CNN is no friend to conservatives.  They have had plants in some of their past debates.  I suspect they will be extra unfriendly to both Cain and Bachmann.  Let's watch and see just how much bias CNN  exhibits tonight.


Newt Gingrich: I will be watch this clown purely for entertainment value.  I cannot imagine him saying anything that could resurrect his disastrous campaign.  Look for CNN to ask Newt all the ugly questions.


What will you be watching for in this debate?  Sound out.


Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN

Leader of the pack: Romney widens lead in new Gallup poll

Gallup: PRINCETON, NJ -- Republicans' support for Mitt Romney as their party's 2012 presidential nominee has increased significantly to 24%, compared with 17% in late May. As a result, Romney has widened his advantage over Sarah Palin in the latest update on rank-and-file Republicans' nomination preferences.

These results are based on a June 8-11 USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted on the eve of a candidate debate in New Hampshire that will be the first to include some of the better-known candidates.

Romney appears to have gotten a boost in recent weeks after the official announcement of his candidacy. Gallup's prior update of May 20-24 came just after former co-leaders Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump announced they were not candidates for the nomination; that poll showed Romney and Palin in a virtual tie. Since then, Romney's support has increased and Palin's has been flat, leaving Romney with an eight-percentage-point advantage. [MORE]

This is rather surprising. Romney has increased his lead despite having his announcement overshadowed and his new embrace of Global Warming. I think there are two factors going on here.

First, I believe Republicans are desperate to see Obama thrown out of office in 2012 and right now they are willing to turn a blind eye to ideological impurities. Currently polls show that Romney can beat Obama. How long will this attitude will last is hard to say. It is one thing to say you will accept any Republican over Obama in the abstract, it is quite another when you actually contemplate what that means.

Second, I believe that Romney's narrative of turning around failed businesses grows more and more appealing as our economy looks like it is beyond repair. This has always been Romney's strongest argument and unless other candidates can prove equally competent on the economy, Romney will own this issue.

Despite these advantages, I do believe Romney's support is only an inch deep. I say this because the establishment is hell bent on not nominating a true conservative. If Romney falters against any of the conservatives, I do believe that the establishment will swing behind Pawlenty, Huntsman or any other moderate Republican. I do believe Romney knows this too. This is probably why he isn't taking any chances with the Iowa Straw Poll.

Tonight's debate will be very telling of how strong Romney's support is. All will be gunning for him for sure. Pawlenty looks like he ready to tangle with Mitt and it will be fascinating to see how Romney does against the strongest conservative in the field, Herman Cain.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Gallup Poll

Via: The Washington Post

Via: Hot Air

KA-BOOM! Newt 2012 implodes- senior aides resign enmass

Talk about a vote of no confidence.

Politico: Newt Gingrich’s top staff quit en masse Thursday, throwing into question whether his already troubled presidential campaign can continue.

Two sources close to the situation confirmed that campaign manager Rob Johnson, strategists Sam Dawson and Dave Carney, spokesman Rick Tyler, and consultants Katon Dawson in South Carolina and Craig Schoenfeld in Iowa have all quit to protest what one called a "different vision" for the campaign.

The sources said Gingrich was staying in the race.

The mass resignation was, one source said, “a team decision.”

Politico also points out that Newt's cruise to the Greek Isles, played a role. I think these guys simply realized that Newt simply could not wash away the stench of loser. Hot Air points out that Dave Carney may smell a winner in Rick Perry.

The Right Scoop points out that Team Newt's implosion is contagious and has spread to the Iowa team too.

Newt is determined to fight on, but I really don't see much reason why. This is now the umpteenth major debacle since Newt announced and we haven't even had a single primary yet. If I were Newt, I would go back to Fox News and quietly beg for my job back.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
Via: The Right Scoop

Via: Hot Air

New SarahPAC video: American Foundations

There is a new video out on SarahPAC. It uses video from Palin's One Nation tour.

Our family has been blessed with an opportunity to showcase all that is good and strong and free about our exceptional nation.

Even though the media too often sadly chose sound-bites over substance, they did get lots of substance during our “One Nation” tour from the nearly two dozen opportunities I got to speak candidly with them and talk about policy, politics, history, and everything in between. More importantly, I got to talk with countless everyday Americans who want to get our country back on the right track.

It’s been an extraordinary honor to meet so many fellow patriots who care deeply about this country, who want a brighter future for all of us, and who recognize the undeviating line that connects our history to our future.

Not surprising, some members of the media missed a lot of this due to their relentless and futile search for scuttlebutt. So, we assembled this video to capture the amazing Americana spirit of the places and people we visited. I invite you to enjoy this recap of last week’s east coast bus tour.

Please remember we must learn about our past – our great successes, our bitter struggles, our enduring strength – in order to navigate through the challenges ahead so that we might remain a shining city on a hill and the abiding beacon of freedom.

As we look to our Charters of Liberty and our strong foundation to fundamentally restore America, we’ll keep moving forward… and we’ll keep reporting on it ourselves.

- Sarah Palin

I don't care what Sarah says, this is a campaign video if ever I saw one. This video could easily be chopped up into several rather effective campaign ads. If I had to guess, it seems like Sarah is already fighting the general election. Not a bad idea considering she has proven she can rain all over the unofficial frontrunner's campaign at will.

I like the concept of using America's founding as theme for a campaign. It idea dovetails flawlessly with TEA Party principles and I have always thought of Palin as the reset button to Obama's fundemental transformation of America.

Via: SarahPAC

Nice guys finish last - Jon Huntsman's stupid strategy

As the old saying goes, "nice guys finish last" and in the case of today's politics, nicer guys get torn to pieces. 

Get a load of this foolishness:

Politico: Jon Huntsman is trying out a novel strategy: running for president without criticizing the incumbent by name.

Since returning from his post as ambassador to China last month, Huntsman has made scant mention of the man who appointed him in May 2009—President Barack Obama. And his would-be campaign officials say that won’t change when the former Utah governor officially launches his campaign.

Obama’s political team has so far returned the courtesy. Even as they blast out a seemingly endless stream of attacks on Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, Huntsman’s two establishment GOP rivals, the DNC is issuing few press releases and pushing little opposition research about the man who until the end of April served in the administration.

It amounts to a de facto non-aggression pact that is as unconventional as it is tenuous. With a Republican primary electorate convinced Obama is doing grave damage to the country, it’s difficult to see how bloodless rhetoric about the administration and generalized talk about America’s challenges are the recipe for victory. And if Huntsman emerges as a strong contender, it’s improbable to think that a White House that affirmed his political potential by dispatching him to far-off Beijing would let him rise unchecked. [MORE]

What a friggin' loser! This sounds every bit as stupid as John McCain's refusal to use Rev. Wright against Obama. Why do so many Republicans insist upon using these silly Mr. Nice Guy rules when fighting Democrats? Democrats have been using dirty underhanded Saul Alinsky rules for decades and have now moved that practice into hyper drive. So why do Republicans cling to this failed high minded approach?

What perplexes me even more about this loser strategy is that the media will paint Huntsman as an evil meanie no matter how much he try to be Mr. Nice Guy.  If you are going to painted as a meanie, you might as well reap all the benefits of it and bash your opponent's brains out.

Huntsman's civility strategy will end up being like a man attacked by a pack of rabid dogs and doing nothing more than saying "down boy". 

In 2012, Obama and the left are going to tear into the GOP nominee with the same level of nastiness the use on Sarah Palin.  When the Republican establishment decided to let Palin fend for herself, they allowed the left to set a new standard to attacking Republicans.  This Mr. Nice Guy stuff will only make the left's dirty work that much easier.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Rudy Giuliani 2012? Bill Kristol says yes

Bill Kristol from the Weekly Standard claims that two reliable sources have told him the Rudy Giuliani may very soon jump into the 2012 race. Kristol explains Rudy's reasoning as thus:

Rudy's theory of the race: In the fall of 2007, he decided he couldn't compete with both Mitt Romney and John McCain in New Hampshire, and disastrously decided to try to pull back there and pitch his tent in Florida. This year, he'll commit everything to New Hampshire, where he thinks he has a good shot at beating Romney—whom he criticized there earlier this week. He then thinks he can beat whichever more socially conservative candidate(s) is left by winning what are still likely to be winner-take-all primaries in big states like California, New York, and New Jersey.

Rudy's message: I'm tough enough to put our fiscal house in order and to protect us from enemies abroad. The U.S. in 2012 is in bad shape—like New York in 1993. The budget crisis is as severe—and seemingly intractable—as the crime/welfare crisis was in New York then. Rudy dealt with that when people said it couldn't be done. He'll deal with this.

Giuliani was my second choice in 2008, right after Fred Thompson went no where. I do believe him when he says he is tough enough to take on the heady challenges of 2012. Unfortunately, many of those challenges require someone with strong conservative principles to guide them in undoing the damage Obama and the Dems have made. I am not sure if Rudy fits that bill.

Furthermore, in 2008 many of the conservatives did not flock to Rudy because he has RINO qualities. In 2012, conservatives are even more dead set against RINOs. I just don't see how Rudy thinks he can over come that problem this time around.

I do think he has what it takes to knock off Romney, Pawlenty and definitely Huntsman, but I think Rudy with struggle mightily against conservatives like Palin, Cain and Bachmann. Especially against Palin and Bachmann who both have records of being every bit as tough as Rudy.

Given how unhappy so many Republicans are with the choices at hand, it still is possible for Rudy to make his case. Time will tell.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Weekly Standard

Bachmann 2012 - The damage is already done

Yesterday, Michele Bachmann's new campaign manager Ed Rollins let fly so pretty crude attacks on Sarah Palin. Of course, the media jumped at the chance to trumpet that the Palin-Bachmann cat fight is on. However, the way I see it, it is already over.

First, the blow back from Rollin's comments are already rolling in and Team Palin is demanding a retraction. Second, and most importantly, the very voters who would support Bachmann are completely turned off by Rollins and his comments. Without these voters, Bachmann is going to get very far in this race.

But the biggest damage Rollins did to the Bachmann campaign, is that he gave Sarah Palin the very line of attack she was looking for against Bachmann.

On Sunday, when Chris Wallace interviewed Sarah Palin, Wallace asked Palin about Michele Bachmann. Palin hinted that her executive experience trumped Bachmann (see the 23:15 mark).

What better way to point out Bachmann's lack of chief executive experience than to say that she did not know how to pick the right campaign manager? You cannot get a better example of that then with Ed Rollins.

While it maybe very unfortunate that Bachmann is sunk before she even sets sail for 2012, it does help conservatives to narrow their choice for 2012. If Bachmann is out, then the two real contenders for 2012 will be Herman Cain and Sarah Palin (yeah, she is going to run).

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico

Via: Legal Insurrection

Via: Politico