The Religious Litmus Test

It's sad that in this country we need to have a religious litmus test for a Presidential candidate, at least in the Republican Party.

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign should be judged on his ideas, his stances on policies and his record as Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007, not on whether or not he worships at a temple or a church. Today's speech by Mitt Romney, where he almost seemed desperate, is a sad event in our history.

I found this part of Romney's speech especially titilating;

Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin. As governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution - and of course, I would not do so as president. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law.

See Mitt blew it there in my opinion. He's right to respond to the fears of the Christian fundamentalists that his religion would have some say in his presidency. The problem is, the reason these nuts are so worried are because they want THEIR religion to control the decisions of the next President. These zealots see their religion, their Bible, their version of the story, as the rightful ruling doctrine of the United States, and Mitt Romney cannot be President because he does not belong to that doctrine, he belongs to another doctrine. It's a scary thought, that our country is really like that, but it's even scarier that I'm defending Mitt Romney.

I sort of want him to win the nomination now, just to spite the fundamentalists.

GOP Debate Open Thread

Mike Huckabee stood out like he was standing five feet higher and forward than the rest of the GOP candidates. He seemed less antagonistic than the rest of the religious right candidates. Duncan Hunter's response that the military is a Judeo-Christian institution is just plain insulting to any non-Christian, non-Jewish, and/or liberal thinking soldier, plus I don't think that's what Colin Powell meant, but nice job hiding behind one of the few popular Republicans nowadays. I would normally say he should apologize, but there is too much calling for politicians to apologize. Politicians need to stand by their comments and people need to either not vote for them or deal with it. Mitt Romney's response to the question was even more stupid.

The two candidates who stood out were Huckabee and McCain who seemed to reclaim his maverick streak when talking about torture and the fair tax.

The one thing that surprised me was the audience's response to the retired gay general; the booing. It's embarassing. It reminded me a little of the 2002 Georgia Senate race, when instead of respectfully disagreeing with a man who lost half his body in Vietnam, they labelled him a traitor and dragged him through the mud. That seems to be the GOP way nowadays, standing behind the soliders when it's convienent, but if they disagree with us, throw them off a cliff.

Nice

Monday Afternoon Amusement

-Ok, now everyone in Georgia can stop worrying, the Governor is praying, that should solve everything.

-The Pope is coming to America to stop priests from touching little children...and say a mass or two.

-Conservatives like Fox News, country music and movies where things blow up, Liberals like everything else.

-Max out your credit card at the Woodfield Mall or Sherman Oaks Galleria, put yourself into thousands of dollars in debt, or the terrorists win.

-McCain's mom tells us Mormons bribe people, even know the Mayor of Salt Lake City who was accused of doing it, was a Catholic.

-I'm the King of Spain BITCH! Don't make us colonize your sorry ass again!

-Gordon Brown, haven't you learned from your predecessor, the British Prime Minister is supposed to obey his lord and master in Washington, D.C. C'Mon, man, even the French are taking orders from us now.

Polls vs. Mood

Conventional wisdom points to an inevitable Clinton vs. Giuliani race, which seems to lean ever so slightly to Hillary, but when you feel the true pulse of America, it's hard to find anyone who is truly behind one of the other.

I've heard many times in conversations with family and friends that a vote for one is against the other "Giuliani's a fascist, so I'll have to vote for Clinton" or "Clinton is wishy-washy, so I'll have to vote to Giuliani, even though he's just like Bush"

Why not vote for either? This election is a year from being over, and a lot can happen in a year. Remember, if you will, of the inevitability of Edmund Muskie in 1972, Ted Kennedy in 1980, Gary Hart in 1984, Paul Tsongas in 1992 and Howard Dean in 2004.

Andrew Sullivan feels the pulse of America;

There are only two candidates who effectively respond to this desire for change of direction abroad and repair at home. They are Barack Obama for the Democrats and Ron Paul for the Republicans. The voters most engaged with this campaign so far - as measured by fundraising and enthusiasm - are clearly favoring these two change agents.

An Obama-Paul race, which in my opinion leans heavily to Obama, would truly be an indication of a united America wanted something different than what it's been fed for the last decade or so. (I'm including Clinton's years in that as well) These two candidates have hit on the idea that America needs to do a 180 and fast the most. Obama's excellent fundraising and Paul's one-day fundraising marathon yesterday indicates to me that there is plenty of support for these two underdogs out there in their respective parties. Doesn't it seem odd that the one major point these two people agree on is that we need a less aggressive and more responsible foreign policy? Will they win the primaries? I think it's unlikely, but they sure can make the eventual nominees sweat a bit. Perhaps those polls that make Clinton and Giuliani seem evitable aren't really touching the pulse of America. Perhaps we're in for a surprise come the New Year.

Despite this, I still say we're looking at a Clinton vs. Romney race out there.

The Liberals Won't Take It Anymore

The right wing of America enjoys winning their victories by attacking those on the left. You've heard their talking points; The lefties want America to be defeated because they hate it. They want soldiers to die because they hate them, and so on. It's the simplistic way the right wing wins, inspire fear and hatred in their base. Those who aren't educated enough about the world to understand it's not so simple after all.

The left does not wish to see America "defeated," and they defenintely don't want to see Islamic fundamentalists win. We're the party who opposes religious fantaticism, Christian, Islam, any religion, we certaintly don't want to see a world governed by Islamic fundamentalism.

Those on the right see the world in black and white. The was made apparent in President Bush's "you're either with us or with the terrorists" speech back in 2002. If you don't see eye to eye with the way our leadership is fighting Islamic fundamentalists, they you obviously want Al-Qaeda and their lackeys to win.

The genius of the left (and some on the right like Ron Paul) is that we know the world isn't black and white. The world isn't that simplistic. It's not our way or their way. Those on the left still believe that our leadership isn't perfect and are not right all the time just because they make decisions to oppose our enemies. We are not required to stand by our President, even when he's wrong because we don't want him to look "weak" to the world. Just because our leadership acts against terrorists or "enemies of America" does not make him infalliable. Our leadership made a blatantly wrong decision on Iraq, a decision that the left (and some on the right) would argue was counterproductive toward our fight against Al-Qaeda. Perhaps there is more to this "war on terror" than military might. Perhaps dropping bombs from planes or rolling tanks through the desert aren't the only ways to fight terrorism.

Those on the left see little difference between the Islamic world and the world the right wing wants America to live in. Both are authoritarian to totalitarian where there would be little dissent or criticism of our leaders. Both inject religious doctrine in our society. Both force their populations to live under the microscope of their governments, who track every move you make and word you say. The right wants to bring "freedom and democracy" to the Middle East, but want to sanction warantless wiretapping, elimination of habeus corpus and oppression of dissenters in the United States. They want to free these countries from the hardline Islamic sharia law that allows them to oppress women, execute homosexuals, and force Islam into every aspect of society, but the same people want to force prayer in public schools and legislate archiac biblical laws oppressing homosexuals and women's rights.

The right likes to think they're strong because they act like warriors. They think supporting military action against anyone who disagrees with us is warrior-like. They see weakness as wanting dialogue and not war. They see the American military as a means to scare Islamic populations into supporting our side. They see the American military as a means to show strength and bravery, The truth is, it was the right that has inspired the cowardly insecurity that has enveloped our nation since 9/11. We cower at the first threat of an attack. We live in a world where a panic ensures in ourselves if we see an Arab-looking man get on the subway with a backpack. We live in a society where we have to get molested before we get on an airplane. We live in a nation where we're ready to give up basic rights that we had for over 220 years because of a bunch of cave dwellers. We survived more dangerous threats; Fascism, Communism, Anarchism, a Civil war, without having to give up our basic freedoms. The right uses the military and war as a cover to hide their fear.

No matter who the Republican nominee is next year, whether it's Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, or John McCain, expect their campaign strategy to focus around the slogan "Vote Democrat and Die." Expect them to paint the Democrats as Anti-American, cowardly, and "against us" because they're not "with the President." Expect it to work.

New Jersey Not In Play?

Debunking the theory that a Giuliani candidacy puts blue states like New Jersey in play, Rasmussen releases a new poll showing Hillary Clinton way up on Giuliani 51%-40%.

Clinton had been tied with Giuliani in other polls from the Garden State. She's way up on the other GOP candidates, leading Fred Thompson by 18%; 53%-35%, John McCain by 16%; 52%-36% and crushes Mitt Rombey by 24%; 55%-31%.

Interesting fact; Giuliani's positive ratings are the same as Clintons. He can't carry New Jersey with numbers like that.

The Republican Oxymoron

"As Republicans we must oppose discrimination and defend traditional marriage: one man, one woman,"

-Mitt Romney

How is that opposing discrimination, I'm confused, who is being discriminated against by allowing gays to marry.

This is why I don't vote for them.

Romney Wins Iowa Poll

Helps when the top three frontrunners choose not to take part.

Romney won decisively, followed by Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul.

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson finished a disappointing sixth, followed by no-shows Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani. Even Duncan Hunter beat John McCain.

Romney: My Sons Don't Need To Serve

That's the type of President we need...one who thinks putting your life on the line for your country in a far off land is exactly the same as putting on a suit, going to a $2,000 a plate gala and talking up your dad.

I wonder if he thinks the same about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama's staff...or is just him for whom campaigning is patriotic.

2008: It's The Dems To loose

Clinton and Obama beat everybody, even the Lord Almighty Rudy Giuliani and especially the Second Coming Fred Thompson. Mitt Romney, who I still believe will get the GOP nod, gets killed by Clinton.

More grim news for the GOP from the latest NYT/CBS poll;

If the 2008 election for President were being held today, would you probably vote for the Republican candidate or would you probably vote for the Democratic candidate?

Democratic: 47%
Republican: 32%

In general, is your opinion of the Republican party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable: 38%
Unfavorable: 56%

In general, is your opinion of the Democratic party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable: 52%
Unfavorable: 41%

Bush's approval rating is 29%, his approval on Iraq; 25%.

Presidential Race: All Over The Place

The common consensus seems to point to a Clinton vs. Giuliani race as they are the frontrunners, right?

wrong?

When you look at the race state by state...It's all over the map...literally.

On the Democratic side, John Edwards has consistently held a small lead in the first caucus state of Iowa, Hillary Clinton is comfortably ahead in New Hampshire, Barack Obama has opened out in front in South Carolina and Bill Richardson is looking to pull off an upset in Nevada.

On the GOP side, John McCain appears to be doing well in Iowa...and only Iowa, Mitt Romney has staged a surge in New Hampshire, Fred Thompson, assuming he's running, is out in front in South Carolina, while Giuliani still holds a lead in Florida.

Although Iowa, New Hampshire, and the rest are early, they don't mean everything in this race. In 1992, Tom Harkin won Iowa and Paul Tsongas won New Hampshire and Bill Clinton ended up winning. Steve Forbes came in second in Iowa in the GOP race in 2000.

However, with the primary season altered completely this year, there is little chance for a candidate blown away in the early states to resurge as a certain former Arkansas Governor did in 1992.

Still, it's far from a certain Hillary vs. Rudy race.

Romney Surges In New Hampshire

Bringing everyone back to my theory that Mitt Romney will be the GOP standard bearer next year, I give you the latest post-debate CNN poll.

The poll has Romney at 29%, nine points ahead of Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, who are tied at 20%. Fred Thompson comes in next at 11%, while Newt Gingrich comes in a 4%, Ron Paul at 3%, Mike Huckabee and Sam Browback both at 2% and Tom Tancredo at 1%.

Romney is complementing his surge with a major Ad push according to the New York Times.

"He increased his advertising in a huge way last month, spending more than $2
million, much of it on national cable advertisements. This month, he added a run
of television commercials in South Carolina, another early primary. His
aggressiveness this early over the airwaves stands in contrast to his Republican
competitors, who have yet to broadcast any television spots."

I'm in New York and so far the only campaign ads I've seen for ANY Presidential candidate, Democrat or Republican, have been for Mitt Romney.

McCain Is Back

John McCain blew everyone else out of the water. I disagree with him on most of what he says, I won't vote for him, but he stood his ground when attacked and kept to his positions, even if it (and it will) costs him the Presidency.

McCain's one laughable moment was on Don't Ask, Don't Tell . He said the policy was working, but obviously it's not. We are short on linguists and it is mostly because of the policy. That's the reason it even came up. McCain has an issue; he thinks policies are working when clearly they are not. This is why I wouldn't vote for him.

I want to quote Rudy Giuliani for a moment, because I thought what he said here was fantastically idiotic;

The problem with this immigration plan is it has no real unifying purpose. It's a
typical Washington mess. It's everybody compromises -- four or five compromises.

Giuliani has conveniently forgot that politics is about compromises. Do we really want a President who will not compromise? More and More Giuliani, despite being a social liberal, is becoming the Bush neocon candidate.

Giuliani also completely turned me off when he called Libby's sentence "excessive." Here's a man who supports torture, warantless wiretapping, and the suspension of habeus corpus, and he thinks serving 30 months for three counts of perjury and obstruction of justice is excessive?!

Romney remains a flip-flopper. Is there something about Massachusetts?

The rest of the yutz parade still does not stand out to me.

Frontrunners in Third

A new Des Moines Register Iowa Poll for the Democratic and Republican caucuses put John Edwards and Mitt Romney on top of their respective party's caucuses.

Edwards leads by six over second placer Barack Obama, followed closely behind by Hillary Clinton; 29%-23%-21%. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is at 10%

On the GOP side, Mitt Romney leads the pack with 30%, while John McCain follows far behind at 18%. Rudy Giuliani is in THIRD with 17%.

Giuliani and Clinton are supposedly the front runners, both in third according to this poll.

Zogby: Romney leads in Iowa, N.H.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who I still believe will end up as the GOP nominee, has opened a lead in the GOP race in the two crucial first caucus and primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire according to Zogby.

In Iowa, his lead is small, leading Giuliani and McCain by 1%; 19%-18%-18%. However, this is up from 5% in January, while Giuliani has lost all the ground he's gain since then.

In New Hampshire however, the state to the north of the one Romney was governor of until January, he has opened a substanial lead over Giuliani and McCain; 35%-19%-19%.

Perhaps Republicans and beginning to realize the most "conservative" candidate out there in Romney and maybe it's better to loose with a "conservative" than win with a fake.

Or maybe Zogby is pulling my leg again.

Romney: Iraq Is All Bush's Fault

In the most scathing criticism of President Bush from a member of his own party, Presidential candidate and former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) Romney admitted the administration has made a "number of errors" and was "not adequately prepared for what occured" after the fall of Saddam's regime.

Romney's blatant criticism makes me wonder how and if George W. Bush will be received at the Republican National Convention next year in Minneapolis/St Paul.

This is going to be fun to watch.

Governors' Endorsements

A list of Presidential candidates and the Governors who have endorsed them;

DEMOCRATS;

Hillary Rodham Clinton;
Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-New York)
Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Maryland)
Gov. Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey)

Barack Obama;
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois)
Gov. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia)

Bill Richardson;
Gov. Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico) Well obviously

REPUBLICANS

John McCain;
Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-Indiana)
Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-Utah)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minnesota)

Mike Huckabee;
Gov. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota)

Mitt Romney;
Gov. Matt Blunt (R-Missouri)
Gov. Don Carcieri (R-Rhode Island)

The Reagan Wannabes

At one time he carried 49 of the 50 states, including Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and California, states Republicans only fantasize about carrying these days. He won nearly 60% of the popular vote and helped create a coalition of the opposition party who voted for him.

He's Ronald Reagan and to prove their desperation, the Republicans went to debate near his final resting place; in hopes to relive a time when the Republican Party was widely respected by the entire nation. The key words in last night's Republican debate were "Ronald Reagan" and "9/11"

19 times the name of Ronald Reagan was uttered by the candidates.

Sadly, none of them are anything like Ronald Reagan. The spirit of the kindhearted, sensible, tough, sly, friendly, conservative President who won the hearts of Americans for most of his term wasn't in any of these men.

The Republican image Reagan worked so hard to create and successfully sold to Americans has been dismantled.

Edwards Beats Everyone

Maybe it's just a bounce of sympthany after his wive's recurrance of cancer.

Or maybe the Republicans are REALLY in deep caca

John Edwards, #3 in the polls for the Democratic nomination, is leading ALL Republican candidates;

Edwards- 49%
Giuliani- 43%

Edwards- 50%
Fred Thompson- 36%

Earlier polls showed Edwards to be leading everyone else;

Edwards- 47%
McCain- 38%

Edwards- 55%
Romney- 29%

If Edwards is ahead, I can't wait to see where Obama is. I'd be amazed if Clinton too is ahead of everyone.

Republican Candidates React to Virginia Tech Massacre

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, (R-Massachusetts): "The entire nation grieves for the victims of this terrible tragedy that took place today on the campus of Virginia Tech. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Virginia Tech community. Our full support is behind the law enforcement officials who are involved with stabilizing the situation and conducting an investigation."

Rep. Tom Tancredo, (R-Colorado): "I can only offer my thoughts and prayers to those kids, their family and friends at Virginia Tech today. This senseless violence cannot be justified nor the motives of the monster who committed it ever be fully understood. This is a dark day in our history as the lives of so many promising young kids have been cut short by a disturbed and evil person. From experiencing our own tragic event (Tancredo's district includes Columbine High School) whose anniversary is only a few days away, I can say with some encouragement that in time, wounds do heal." (Issued statement) *

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-New York): "On this day of national tragedy, when we lost some of our finest to a senseless act, we stand together as a country to mourn those who lost their lives. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the survivors and the many friends, colleagues and family members of those who perished. May God bless them all."

Sen. John McCain, (R-Arizona): "I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of today's events. This inconceivable tragedy was a horrific act of cruelty that took the lives of so many innocent young people, cutting their lives short and inflicting tremendous pain on all of those who loved them. Cindy and I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the students, faculty, friends and family of the Virginia Tech community."

Sen. Sam Brownback, (R-Kansas): "This is an unbelievably tragic time for the Virginia Tech community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. This is a sad time for the country, and we will remember all the people who have been touched by this tragedy." (Issued statement)