Contraception Mandate Is A Republican Straw Man

Leave it to Republicans to once again create a problem where no problem exists. As the economy improves, and unemployment falls to 8.3%, suddenly jobs and the economy are taking a back seat to a renewed culture war. We have Rick Santorum pulling out the guillotine, demonizing the President like some kind of secular tyrant crying "let them eat cake!" The Republicans are masters at seizing on these kind of controversies and exploding them out proportion. In this case, turning access to contraception and birth control for women in institutions that serve the "Secular Public Good", under the protection of religious affiliation. Republicans have attacked the Presidents religious authenticity from day one. In March of 2010, A poll of Republicans told us this.

67% Think President Obama is a Socialist.
57% Think President Obama is Muslim.
45% Think President Obama was not born in this country.
38% Think President Obama "is doing many of the things Hitler did."
24% Think President Obama may be the Anti Christ.

THE ANTI-CHRIST???!!! Really??!! These are the same people calling this mandate an attack on religious freedom. Is Rick Santorum running for President or for Pope?! When a women in his audience not long ago called the President a Muslim, did Mr. Good Catholic Boy Santorum correct the woman? Of course not! Because it doesn't play to the Republican narrative that America is THEIR country, and THEIR country is Christian! Again, these are the same people who brought us the "War on Christmas" and whatever other non-sense they can get to resonate with all the radical right wing religious fanatics like Rick Santorum.

This mandate is NOT an attack on religious freedom. It's a labor issue, not a religious one. It doesn't effect a single church in this country, but Republicans would have you think Obama is coming for your Bible's. If you are a school, a hospital, or social services provider that operates in the real world, and the real world is SECULAR, than you are no different than anybody else. All these institutions are screaming religious infringement, while taking federal money in the form of Medicare and Medicaid, or education funding, or social welfare assistance. Why isn't anybody screaming about that? Churches in this country are making Billions of dollars in this country and don't pay one thin dime of it in taxes. The Catholic church alone could balance the national debt overnight! They are the biggest abusers of the avoiding paying taxes in this country, because they can hide behind the pillar of Religious Freedom. I for one am tired of driving by multi-million dollar mega church complexes all over the city of Atlanta, only to come home and listen to them bitch about providing birth control for women, who have just as much right to have these services, as anyone who works anywhere else. If the religious entities in this country want to operate "Secular Public Services" and avoid these kind of mandates then they need to start paying taxes just like everybody else, PERIOD. You STILL can't have it both ways.

Santorum's Three State Sweep Illuminates Republican Discontent

Just when you think you have this whole Republican primary thing figured out, a new surprise keeps us guessing. The latest coup compliments of Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, in what were supposed to be walk aways for Mitt Romney, turned into yet another indicator Republicans just don't like the former Massachusetts Governor. In Missouri, where Senator McCain won in 2008, Santorum won with an 18 point margin of victory, and carried all of the states 114 counties. The states delegates will be apportioned next month. In Minnesota, a state Mitt Romney carried big in 2008, he lost to Santorum here by a whopping 30 points, and with 4 counties yet to be decided, Romney didn't carry a single county here either. Finally, and probably most impressive, is Santorum's win in Colorado. The important western swing state gave Santorum a 5 point win here.

So in what was supposed to be a quiet February, where Mitt Romney was going to put a little distance between his fellow contenders, has turned into a real scrap for delegates. Where did this come from? Three things as I see it. First, the tidal wave of negative advertising between Romney and Gingrich has been instrumental in highlighting the flaws of two candidates who were heavily flawed to begin with. Second, Santorum's consistently weak showings up to this point, has allowed him to stay out of the firestorm of negative advertising and focus on his message. He also spent a great deal of personal time in these states, contests I think Romney took for granted. Third, The recent contraception mandate issued by the Obama administration is an issue made for Rick Santorum, and he has exploited it to the fullest, and I assume will continue to do so.

So lets look at the Republican Primary Map. PINK - Santorum RED - Gingrich DARK RED - Romney WHITE - Upcoming Contests through March 3rd.


The next contests on the list Maine's Caucus Feb. 11th, followed by the Arizona and Michigan Primaries on the 28th, and then the Washington State Caucuses March 3rd. All this leading us up to Super Tuesday on March 6th. In what was supposed to be a fairly uneventful primary process has turned into a scrum, and the biggest loser is Mitt Romney. This race is as fluid as ever, but look for a few things going forward. Rick Santorum has now become a real threat, so look for a new boatload of negative ads to come his way. Mitt Romney is not going to walk into this nomination, it's going to be a knife fight all the way down the line, and with Santorum surging in the bible belt, and Gingrich licking his chops for the contests in the bumpkin belt, this race is going to get very interesting in the coming weeks. Now here is the good part, the more people know about these candidates, the less they like them. So with a battle for the Republican nomination slugging it out until August, and each state proving how unhappy the electorate is with their choices. The result will be a battered nominee to weak to compete in November, while the whole time independents are running to Obama, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Religious Contraception Mandate Reveals You Can't Have It Both Ways

Oh God a religious issue, for those of you who know me read on at your own discretion. Health & Human Services Director Kathleen Sebelius announced plans this week to push forward with a plan to mandate coverage for contraception, and other related services, that primarily, but not exclusively effect catholic based health care providers. The Obama administration says all religious hospitals, charities, schools must pay for employees' birth control. Roman Catholic bishops and institutions across the country are mounting their defenses against the Obama administration's requirement to include contraception in employees' health benefits, a mandate they have been able to avoid for years. Nonprofit employers, who do not currently provide contraceptive insurance coverage based on religious beliefs, will have until Aug. 1, 2013, to comply with the new regulations. Although the mandate doesn't apply to churches, it does affect affiliated colleges, schools, social service agencies and hospitals. The majority of those effected are Catholic charities, and the narrow caveat for these groups is they can side-step this mandate if they solely employ Catholics, and treat Catholics who cling to what would be considered standard church dogma regarding contraception. However, in the real world scenarios in which these entities function daily, that would prove highly unlikely.

So the question is should these "religious" institutions be forced to operate under the same standards as everybody else? To which my answer is "Yes, absolutely." Why does Any town Hospital USA have to uphold these contraceptive mandates, and Catholic Any town USA Hospital not? Because they put the word "Catholic" before hospital? In houses of worship nationwide, not just Catholic ones, the basic tenants of church beliefs are taught week after week, without interference from the government to their congregations. It's called freedom of religion, and those beliefs remain untouched by this mandate, as they should be. Whatever your religious affiliation you have the freedom to worship, assemble, and teach your religious beliefs until you turn blue, and this is all done in a place we affectionately call "Church". Sanctuaries where you can explore and espouse your individual religions unabated by government.

However, I take issue with those "religious" entities who have for years practiced under the guise of helping the collective "public" good, while being exempt from "public" funded regulation, because they can hide behind the blanket of religious freedom. If you operate in the real world as a hospital, school, or social service, just because you put your religious affiliation before that hospital, school or social service's name doesn't make you a "Church". If you want the protections, tax exceptions, and other benefits religions in this country are afforded on a daily basis, then you must make hospitals, schools, and social services an extension of that "Church". You must serve catholics, with catholics, to provide for catholics. The very concept, is the definition of discrimination. Let's face facts here, the only difference between a bed in a public hospital and a catholic one, is the crucifix. Nobody who works for these institutions should be denied the same opportunities, that everyone else gets, because they add a word to their title that implies a religious affiliation, and if you think the Catholic church, or any other church for that matter, is a non-profit organization, I have some swamp land you may be interested in? You can't have it both ways.

We are all individuals, and no hospital, school, or even church, has the right to dictate how you live, or be given the power to encumber your choices. If you don't believe in abortion, don't have one. If you oppose birth control don't use it, if you hold these beliefs as part of your devotion to the teachings of the catholic church then practice them with all your might. However, organizations cannot continue to hide behind the hypocrisy of bogus religious ties in order to discriminate against individuals who may work for them, in a public context, at any level. If a low income agnostic woman is working for a catholic school as a janitor, should she be denied birth control because she does not believe in the catholic belief to the contrary? If so, then who is discriminating against who? If she had excellent credentials as a hard working professional in her field, but wasn't catholic, should that disqualify her for employment? Again, isn't that religious discrimination? So before we all get on our religious high horses, understand the real world implications of what these organizations are asking for and realize, you can't have it both ways.

The Establishment Strikes Back

In what will certainly be one of the top three battleground states of 2012, Mitt Romney pulled off a very convincing 14 point victory over Newt Gingrich in the Florida Primary. In what is essentially a two man race now, Romney pulled out all the stops, after suffering a big defeat in South Carolina to the former House Speaker. How did he do it? In a word "Money", something Governor Romney has plenty of, and is using quite effectively to smear Newt Gingrich into submission. He outspent Gingrich 5 to 1. His ads were 92% negative, and just as he did in Iowa, he has overpowered his opponents by sheer force in dollars. In this post "Citizen United" campaign world we find ourselves in, he spent $16 Million dollars in Florida alone.

However, there is still something missing from the equation. When Gingrich won South Carolina, the Republican establishment had a stroke. As a result, they threw everything but the kitchen sink at Gingrich to slow his momentum, and it worked. They took his 9 point lead and turned it into a 14 loss in 10 days. I thought it particularly ironic that John McCain, and Bob Dole, were the ones rallying to Romney's standard. They are the last two best examples of unpopular establishment candidates that were forced on the party faithful, only to lose big in the general election. All that aside, Florida is a big win for Romney. His biggest problem as I see it, is he doesn't know how to close the deal. This morning coming off his big win he said, "...I don't care about the poor, they have a safety net. I'm concerned about the heart of America." At a time when 1 in 2 Americans are at or below the poverty level, it's statements like this one that reveal just how disingenuous this guy really is. Again, the everyman putting his foot in his mouth, proving time and time again he has no clue about the middle class in this country. Why should he care about the poor? They can't contribute to his campaign, they can't possible garner the influence of his Wall Street contributors at AIG or Goldman-Sachs? Very strong words from a guy who makes $57 Thousand dollars A DAY, don't you think? The harder he tries to connect in someway to the middle class, the more he reveals himself as the spoiled man of privilege, that had everything handed to him on a silver platter, who pays himself $20 Million dollars a year from investment accounts in Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands, and hasn't got the slightest clue what middle class America is dealing with right now.

So where do we go from here? Well, Gingrich has vowed to fight to the end. This is excellent news for President Obama. The longer Gingrich battles Romney, the harder he has to pull to the right, and the more damaged he becomes for the general election. After only four contests, Independents are fleeing Romney in droves, and as I have always said, Independents decide elections. If he is this badly damaged after just four states, just think what he'll look like after fifty? Now, make no mistake about it, Romney is going to be the Republican nominee. There is no viable way for Newt Gingrich to win the nomination, it's just not going to happen. However, he has opted to crusade for the forgotten conservative base, those unwilling to stand behind another establishment loser, in the same vein as McCain and Dole. So the contest is joined, and will likely last until at least May. February is going to be a difficult month for Gingrich. The eight upcoming contests broke this way in 2008. Dark Red Romney won out rite, Red McCain won. These are the contests that lead up to March 3rd, Super Tuesday being March 6th.


These are all establishment states, and with only one establishment candidate, Romney should win all these contests handily. So it is going to be a long five weeks before Gingrich has a chance to garner some more delegates in the south, which is basically his only strong suit. However, Gingrich still has some powerful allies in radical right wing radio broadcasters, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, and the like. This pit of vipers will be relentlessly attacking Romney through this entire period. A pretty hard core attack machine that won't cost Gingrich a dime, while he regroups for Super Tuesday. Bottom line, it's on, and if Gingrich can somehow keep it going, keep raising money to stay in the fight, and drag this out until the convention, the better it will be for Democrats and the President.

Finally, I want to mention Rick Santorum who is out of this race, and remains in it for one reason, he wants to be Vice President. So he is trying to play the "Sane" alternative to Gingrich's slash and burn conservative campaign. He too says he wants to continue to the end, but I predict he will be out by Super Tuesday, and then endorse Mitt Romney as his final play to get the number two spot. So it's on to Nevada and five more weeks of infighting. Thank You Newt Gingrich!

Romney Coronation Postponed, After A Rough Week For The Massachusetts Governor

Hold the phone people, we may just have a race on our hands for the Republican nomination. What was suppose to end as a 3-0 sweep for Mitt Romney, has turned into a 1-2 Free for all. Starting off, Romney finds out he has in fact, lost Iowa to Rick Santorum. Next, he is still struggling hard to connect with conservative Republican voters. This was evidenced by his 12 point shellacking in South Carolina. A victory that came just 2 days after polls put him up by 10 points. So how did he do it? By whipping up hard right conservative rubes, attacking the media elite, and in general tapping into a deep seated hatred for President Obama. The vision he paints for America is not conciliatory, or hopeful, or based on pragmatic substance of any kind. In the case of South Carolina, he won because he played to the baser dog whistle issues that gather great enthusiasm, particularly in the south. I found this incredibly evident while trying to make his victory speech in Columbia last night, while being constantly assailed by a handful of drunk rednecks in the audience. I almost felt bad for the man.

So what does this do for the race? Well, it makes it a lot longer, which is good for the Democrats. Three contests, and three winners, does not bode well for Romney in particular. He is the establishment pick, but the people STILL are not buying. The next contest in Florida now plants a crossroads. Does the establishment regain control with a Romney win? or does Gingrich pull off another win, which will begin, I believe, Romney's collapse. However, Florida is NOT South Carolina, make no mistake about it, and I think it will take more than a few good debate performances, and angry rhetoric to win there. He likes to demonize the President, but his vision for America gets lost in his hubris. There is a reason 60% of the American people don't like him personally, and those numbers come from FOX!

The other consideration to note now is Rick Santorum? Despite his 75% support from a meeting of evangelical leaders in Texas last week, Gingrich beat him by more than 2 to 1. He says he's staying in, but so did Rick Perry. If Santorum folds before the Super Tuesday primaries in March, all bets are off, because those voters will go overwhelmingly to Gingrich. I also don't see Santorum keeping pace in the cash race, not to mention his primary message is only resonating with a fraction of the conservatives he needs to continue. Faith, Family, and Freedom, would have played a lot better in 2004, than in 2012. Yes conservatives think family is important, but jobs and the economy are more important. If Newt Gingrich can take the issue of entertaining an open marriage, and go from Judas to Jesus in 6.5 seconds, while vilifying the liberal media at the same time, I think it's fair to say people just don't care about those issues as much in this election cycle.

Will conservatives be able to buck the establishment candidate they want, which is Romney? The question is more in doubt than ever, but if they do, you can bet Democrats will be saying "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause!" Why? Because Newt Gingrich will hand the Republicans the candidate they may want, but he will also hand them the biggest Democratic presidential victory since Johnson beat Goldwater. The man is loved by the far right, but he cannot win a general election. In South Carolina for the first time, polls suggested Republican voters thought Gingrich was the better man to beat President Obama. It's game on people! Now if you'll excuse me I have to put my new "Gingrich for President" sign in the yard.

Mitt Romney The Republican Everyman

I think it's time we took a look at Governor Romney the presumptive Republican favorite, in a light which is he doesn't care for, but portends some truths. Romney likes to go around the country and play the everyman. He pretends he's unemployed, tells his audiences how he has feared the pink slip many times in his life, that he understands the middle class of America. In this self made reality, he tries desperately to connect to regular people. However, his actions speak louder than his words, and no one else can see the reality HE is talking about.

Again, I not out to impugn anyones success, but lets face facts, if you come from money the chance that you will lose that status is incredibly weak. Mitt Romney comes from money, his father was very successful in the auto industry, and a former Governor of Michigan. Romney is the product of private boarding schools, and an Ivy League education. Upon college graduation he "got a job" (was handed a job) at Bain Capital, and his first home was purchased by his father. I think it is fair to say that this man has never worked a hard day in his life. He's never worked in construction, farming or agriculture, manufacturing, as an educator, first responder, or served in the military.

Today he has a net worth of roughly $250 Million dollars. Most of his money does not come from work, but things like tax shelters, dividends, and capital gains. The majority of these based in the Cayman Islands. he freely admits paying only 15% in taxes on these profits which make him anywhere from $9 to $30 Million dollars a year. Most middle class working Americans who make a minute fraction of that, pay around 32% in taxes. Romney will be the first to tell you "this is the way our tax system is set up." He will also tell you with regard to his income that "I get money for speaking fees, but not very much." He made $375,000 in speaking fees last year, not very much indeed. None of what I have mentioned is illegal, or suspect in its acquisition. It is a very clear view into what is known today as the 1%. In defense of his "living" he likes to throw around the term "The politics of envy", that the system is what it is, do not blame him. "I will not apologize for my success!" I suppose being born with a silver spoon in your mouth could be viewed as success, but I'm not sure mainstream Americans are buying that.

If you make $10 Thousand dollar bets like it's pocket change, and profess wanting to help the middle class housing situation, while proclaiming the housing crisis should collapse, so more people can rent their homes. If you advocate letting the American auto industry fail, and that it should not be bailed out by the government. Then look back to 1991 when Bain & Co. took a $10 Million dollar government bail-out which eventually made him millions. If you accuse the President of crony capitalism, while your biggest Super-Pac contributors are tied to companies like AIG, as well as, some of the biggest Wall Street offenders who only survive today because of a massive taxpayer funded government bailout. While none of which have been prosecuted, and who today are reaping record profits and bonuses. Then your credibility suffers as a result. I'm not sure, but I don't think most Americans enjoy a shoe shine on the tarmac, before they hop on their private planes? If this is how you live, and you balk at releasing your tax returns, I have a problem? If you have made millions over the years as a corporate raider who's destroyed peoples lives, so you and your company could turn a profit, I have a problem? If your tax policy for people who make $20 Thousand dollars a year or less, increases their taxes 60%, I have a problem? If your tax policy for those who make $1 Million dollars or more a year, cuts their taxes by 15%, I have a problem? If you think this kind of policy should be discussed in "quiet rooms" away from the public eye, right again, I have a problem?

Mitt Romney wants us all to embrace him as the everyman, yet nothing could be further from the truth. At a time when income inequality, and the divide between the Mitt Romney's of the world, and the rest of us, is growing exponentially, take a moment to see the real Mitt Romney. A very rich man in the 1%, supported by big money interests in the 1%, to promote public policies that favor the 1%, and be the nominee of a Republican party that vows to protects those interests. So don't be fooled, the next time you hear Romney invoke the poor, the working people, the middle class, recognize he hasn't got a clue what he's talking about. The only everyman people see in Romney is the one who shows every position on every issue, and only God knows how many that is.

Money, Money, Everwhere, Takes Away OUR Voice

As South Carolina approaches, and with it the probability that Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee, I think the money at play in this election cycle deserves a look. Everyone by now is familiar with the "Citizens United" case, that has opened the flood gates to a sea of money in our political campaigns. You can contribute as much as you want, as often as you want, and do it all without disclosing who, or where the money came from. America will now be at the mercy of the highest bidder. Now some of you may be asking yourself "So what's changed?" Well let me tell you. While it is true we have been at whim of lobbyists for big business, corporations, unions, banks, insurance giants, big oil, and the rich in general, and Congress has operated like puppets to these entities for decades; something new has been added to this mix. In the simplest form, in the most convenient definition, and on top of and including the laundry list I have noted above, lets introduce unlimited money. The big money interests of this country were declared "people" by the Supreme Court in 2010. So, no matter what you represent foreign or domestic, corporate or individual, if you have big money, American style politics has become your new best friend. There are no limits, no disclosures, and no stopping the wealthy enterprises of America to buy our elections outright.

At a time when 1 out of 2 people in this country are living at, or below the poverty level. At a time when the middle class is shrinking, and incomes are flat. At a time when the disparity between rich and poor has never been greater. Isn't this just another indictment that our country is in fact a plutocracy? Do public employees, the elderly, the middle class, the working poor, all those who the Occupy folks would call the 99%, can we the people, run million dollar ads to promote the candidates of our choice? I certainly can't, can you? For the huddled masses all we have is our vote. A vote that record breaking billions will attempt to buy this year by trying to influence your choice. The ads will be nasty, bleak, nonfactual in most cases, and be poured out on the airwaves ad nausea until November, and somewhere under all this money, is our democracy drowning under the weight of a Tsunami of big money interests.

I will not pretend that both parties will not profit from this new spoils system, but make no mistake, the Republicans are the ones who pander to the majority of these interests. They are the ones who protect all those entities I mentioned before, and they are the ones who will profit most from this new money take all election cycle. Make no mistake, the Republicans are about to nominate a multi-millionaire, who was a corporate raider, and made his living on the backs of the very people he now claims he understands, and sympathizes with. Just because you use middle class in your speeches doesn't make you an advocate. Just because you claim concern for the poor, even though you haven't got the slightest idea what that is, certainly brings no comfort to the poor.

If you are wealthy, if you have means, good for you, I'm not out to impugn any ones success. Richard Nixon addressing his staff for the final time said something to this affect "...only when you have been in the deepest valley can you appreciate how glorious it is to reach the highest mountain." We have alot of people running our government right now that have always lived on that highest mountain, and as a result have lost touch with what it means to be in the deepest valley. Here in lies our great dilemma. We have become a country of haves and have nots, and the division is growing. Many people suffer under the delusion that because our leaders and big money interests live on the mountain, that one day they can live on that mountain too. The shinning city on the hill is reserved for a select few, they hold the power, and they choose who gets into the neighborhood. They hold out their hands at election time promising to pull us up to allow us to see what they see, but they never quite reach, and those poor people will vote against their own personal interests just to to get a glimpse at the mountain top. In the meantime, those of us in the valley strive for the day when everyone can climb that mountain, through hard work, a decent wage, take care of our children, give them an education, and retire in comfort after a lifetime of labors, that is the American Dream, and we are losing it. Losing it to a select few with the most influence, the most power, the most money. So when Mitt Romney wins South Carolina this Saturday ask yourself, is a corporate millionaire the person who can restore our American Dream? ...or is he part of the problem?

Romney Takes New Hampshire While Conservatives Founder

Mitt Romney has won his second contest, and first primary of the season. He is also the first non-incumbent Republican to win both Iowa and New Hampshire. So where are we now? First, Romney has finally broken the 25% ceiling capturing about 37% of the vote. Second, Ron Paul's number two finish couldn't make the Romney camp happier. Paul's libertarian 25% are a real spoiler for conservatives, not to mention Jon Huntsman who put all his eggs into New Hampshire, and came away with a third place finish. All in all, Romney should feel pretty good about heading into the next contest in South Carolina. How did this happen? Well when you have a Republican electorate that believes you can have an amorphous position on any issue, can't tell the difference between fact and fiction, and lives on a steady diet of pablum from FOX News, and Rush Limbaugh, you get Mitt Romney. He's done his time, it's his turn at bat. As the saying goes, Republicans don't fall in love, they fall in line.

As for the conservatives, they are in chaos. Why Rick Perry is still in this race is anybodies guess? However, after a poor showing in Iowa, and a somber speech to re-evaluate his candidacy, less than 12 hours later "We're on to South Carolina!" I have no proof of this, but my hunch is Romney made a phone call promising Perry a place in his new administration if he stayed in. In any event the turn around was rapid, and highly suspicious. Gingrich who got carpet bombed by Romney ads in Iowa, is going to return the favor in South Carolina, and once again this is probably just going to help Obama in the long run. Gingrich continues to drop in the polls, and is going to launch as many torpedo's as he can at Romney, before he goes down on his own ship. The question is will the Gingrich attacks work? possibly, but he certainly won't reap any of the benefits personally. Santorum's faith, family, and freedom message will probably resonate in South Carolina. This from the man who said in last Saturday's debate, "their are no classes in America." OMG! really Rick? He is also still battling the money and organization problem. Huntsman is planning to continue his challenge to Romney in South Carolina, but to what effect? You have 3 conservatives, a libertarian, and a moderate all still thinking they can steal S.C. from Romney, and nothing could be further from the truth. All they are doing is continuing to fracture the electorate, insuring that Romney wins.

There is something else worth mentioning here. Romney's fervor to portray himself as the everyman. A multi-millionaire, with million dollar homes dotting the landscape, who says he's unemployed, and has feared the pink slip, is offensive in the extreme. To paint himself as a standard bearer for the working middle class of this country is nothing short of hysterical. The man is the living embodiment of Gordon Gecko. A man who has slashed and burned companies at the expense of the workers, in order to bolster his investors bottom line. It is Republican hypocrisy in its purest form. An independent evaluation of his economic plan said taxes on those making $40,000 a year will increase, while Millionaires will get a %5 tax cut, that's your REAL everyman. Of course this doesn't bother all the hard line, right-wing, free market, capitalists, they live to make money off the misfortune of others. You know, survival of the fittest, Wall Street personified. New Hampshire's motto works great here: Live Free or DIE! At any rate, if he can sustain the next barrage of attacks leading up to South Carolina and pulls off another win, its probably game over. However, if by some miracle one of the conservatives pulls off a win, we'll have a whole new ball game. Personally, Romney seems to have a Teflon coating that his opponents just can't get past. He puts plenty of shit out, but nothing his fellow candidates throw his way seems to stick. My money is on Romney, but I'd love to be wrong.

As Iowa Goes, So Goes Iowa

Finally, the dog and pony show that is the Iowa Caucus is over, and once again we're left with more questions than answers. Even with a razor thin victory for Mitt Romney of only 8 votes, I think it's safe to say evangelical social conservatives, are clearly still not on board. I also think it's clear that if the evangelical social conservative vote wasn't fractured by Perry, Bachmann, and maybe even Gingrich, Rick Santorum would have run away with Iowa. So the first Republican contest was decided by those fine folks who brought you the climate change hoax, evolution, creationism, and anti-abortion domestic terrorists. These people beleive you put your hand on the Constitution to uphold the Bible. Be that as it may, despite their best efforts to pick a President instead of an ideology, Iowans just couldn't help themselves. Those 8 votes that carried the state for Romney may well have saved Iowa's relevance, as the first in the nation contest, and then again maybe it won't.

So what happens next? Well Romney still has the 25% glass ceiling problem. Ron Paul's libertarians also seems stuck at around 20% So that leaves 55% of conservative voters still clamoring for a candidate other than Romney. Has Rick Santorum become that man? (God I hope so), If Perry and Bachmann bail out this week, does Santorum get those votes? Does he have the money and organization to go the distance?

Well lets see, If Perry and Bachmann bail, or better yet endorse Santorum, we may have a contest on our hands. Does Santorum have the organization and money to go the distance? No, plain and simple. He may get a money boost in the coming weeks, but the next 3 contests are coming on to fast for any new found gains to make an impact. Lets not forget Newt Gingrich waiting in the wings for a come back of his own. He has vowed to take the gloves off against Romney, whose negative adds in Iowa cut his support in half. So for the next few weeks, or at least until South Carolina, Gingrich is out to damage Romney any way he can. This won't help Newt, his negatives are just to great, but it might help Santorum. So it's gonna be a nasty couple of weeks I'd say, and the real winner here is President Obama. They are creating his re-election commercials for him.

I'm still standing by my prediction that Mitt Romney will get the nomination, and despite a weak 8 point victory in Iowa, it still goes in the "W" column. He has a comfortable lead heading into New Hampshire next week. So, the issue now is can he hold onto it under the whithering fire he no doubt is going to feel in the next 6 days. New Hampshire will be his first opportunity to shatter the 25% barrier, unless the coming wave of attacks impacts that lead. Six days is an eternity in politics, and if conservatives can begin to consolidate around Santorum, and he makes a top 3 showing in the granite state, South Carolina will be lining up to be a real battle royale.

In a nutshell, Perry, Bachmann, Huntsman, and Gingrich are finished. Some will drop sooner than others, but trust me their all done. Ron Paul will go the distance with his 20% and hopefully run as an Independent (but I doubt it), and Rick Santorum will be the Mike Huckabee of 2012, but will be unable to compete long term. His money and organization will be unable to keep up with the pace of the contests, and eventually he too will fold. So once again the mainstream moderate conservative will win the nomination, and over half of the Republican electorate will be pissed off about it. Keep your T.V.'s on, its going to be a bumpy ride the next 2 weeks, and should also prove very entertaining.

Iowa Still Fluid Four Days From Caucus

Well the real voting is about to begin for Republicans, just 4 days away from the Iowa Caucus's. Yet the field remains wide open, and it will most likely not solidify until to voting begins on Tuesday. As predicted, Newt Gingrich has dropped like a rock, withering from the weight of his personal, and political past. As the only social conservative not to have taken the lead yet, Rick Santorum is now surging, but like his social conservative rivals Michelle Bachmann, and Rick Perry, they are fracturing that vote. Which leaves us with Ron Paul's die hards, and Mitt Romney's establishment voters.

However, there is something brewing late in the game that my prove interesting. Many of the pundits left, and right, have been quick to ring the death nell for Iowa as the first contest in the nation. Its mostly white, evangelical, agrarian communities are not representative of the nation as a whole, and many are calling for Iowa to relinquish it top spot. This has not fallen on deaf ears in Iowa, and its people are anxious to remain relevant. So late in the game, many people are concentrating on picking a President, not a candidate. The thought being I like him/her, but can they win?

This has produced a bit of a bump for Romney, as people begin to realize, despite all his shortcomings, he is going to be the nominee. Exhausted social conservatives who still can't embrace Romney, will probably go for Santorum, and the wack-a-doodle libertarians will vote for Paul. The question is will Iowa voters come around to Romney fast enough to snatch victory away from Ron Paul? It's hard to say, check with the Des Monies Register's Poll due out Saturday night, it has been a pretty reliable tell tale of how the caucuses pan out.

If Mitt Romney pulls out a win in Iowa, a state that until recently he gave little credence, he will be well on his way to the nomination. He has New Hampshire locked up, and even a challenge from Gingrich in South Carolina won't slow his momentum. As Gingrich continues to implode with each passing day, he my be out of the picture by the time South Carolina rolls around. Gingrich himself has called South Carolina his Waterloo, question is will he be able to take the field when the battle comes? So will Iowans vote their principals or the inevitable? Tune in Tuesday, it should prove interesting.

Republicans Prove You Can't Fool All Of The People, All Of The Time

So here we are 3 days from the Christmas holiday, and once again Republicans have walked out on the American people, and the middle class. We've seen this movie before time and time again. This summer during the debt crisis, Republicans walked out. The Presidents jobs bill, Republicans walked out. Now 9 days before years end, and a tax increase looming for 160 Million Americans, the Republicans have walked out again. Once again House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) looks like a horses ass because he seems united with Senate leaders on a deal, and then the Tea Party people pull the rug out from under him. He has no control over his own Republican Caucus, which has once again put the Speaker in a tough spot. The latest softball Republicans have turned into a pumpkin, is the payroll tax extension, and unemployment benefits extension, but to be fair lets start at the beginning.

Just 2 weeks ago House Republicans didn't want a payroll tax extension. In fact, they passed a bill that was riddled with items they knew Democrats wouldn't accept. Finally, the Senate works out a bill that passes 89-10 to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance into the new year, but House Republicans balked. Why? Because the payroll tax cut is working. Unemployment is under 9% and economic growth is weak, but steady, and they know passing this bill will help Obama, and the economy. They have put all their chips into the theory that if you sink the ship, the captain (Obama) will go down with it. They could care less about the middle class, all they want is to get Obama out of the White House, the people and the country be damned. They are so wrapped up in their principles, they have lost the ability to govern, and forgotten what they do should be for the people.

So John Boehner sits at a big table and says lets have a conference committee to iron out the details. When 90% of the Senate and %80 of Senate Republicans already approved this bill, it shouldn't need a conference committee. You can't get this Congress to agree the sky is blue with %90, let alone a tax cut. Republicans are always screaming for tax cuts, whats the problems here? These cuts don't help their constituency, corporations, big business, and the rich. These tax cuts are for working people in the middle class, so they could care less how this effects the country. Well the House Republicans aren't fooling anybody this time, the people are tired of the political games and brinkmanship, they want action. Is it any wonder Congressional approval is at 11%, the lowest ever! Oh by the way, the 8 people Boehner picked to compromise this bill in committee ALL VOTED AGAINST IT ORIGINALLY.

So if your a family making $50,000 a year, $40 a week EXTRA is coming out of your paycheck every 2 weeks starting January 1st. We get the shaft, and the Republicans have their principals. So during this holiday season, remember who gave you the gift of hardship, during already hard times, your friends the Republicans. A gift that will give the whole year through, just remember you can return the favor next November when you can send all these principled Republicans packing.

Is Presidential Hopeful Newt Gingrich For Real

After careful consideration the answer is "No". So why does he have commanding leads in Iowa, South Carolina, and Florida? It's because he is just another flavor of the month for the Republican faithful. He is getting a closer look, because he is peaking just as the real voting is about to begin. Why is he on fire right now? Simple, for the same reason Trump, Bachmann, Perry, and Cain were on fire before him, he excites the extreme right. As I have said many times before, the hard core, right wing, social conservative Tea Party types are so angry, they are desperate for a fighter that can take Obama to the political woodshed. Bill Clinton felt our pain, Newt Gingrich feels their anger, and they love it.

The problem is, while he is ruby red meat for the right, he is toxic to the center, and therefore unelectable. Conservatives are still screaming for anyone but Romney, and simply can't bring themselves to embrace the fact that he is their best chance to win next November. In a recent NBC/WSJ Poll, 50% of those polled would not vote for Gingrich under any circumstance, %50! Independent voters have a big problem with Newt Gingrich too, and without Independents you cannot win the White House.

He is well versed, but unpredictable, outspoken, yet abrasive, a fresh breeze for the right, and a cold wind for the rest of us. He has made a very disciplined effort to keep his cool, and not fight fire with fire. He has resisted any and all efforts to show his true self to voters, a real task, considering his not so distant past has plenty of examples. However, he cannot escape that past, one that since 1994 has rubbed a lot of people in Washington the wrong way. Those that knew him and served with him in Congress, and those that have long carried the banner for the conservative media (with the exception of FOX), all remember the arrogant former speaker who was ousted by his own party. In fact, they are in a panic at the prospect of a Gingrich nomination, and are saying so with alarming urgency. The Republican establishment is scared to death of Newt Gingrich, because the last candidate to cry "...extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." lost by a landslide. My apology's to Barry Goldwater, who would be spinning like a lathe at the current Republican Party.

I submit to you that by the end of January, and probably sooner, Gingrich's star will have gone the way of those that came before him. He is morally bankrupt, ethically challenged, touts ideas way outside the mainstream of America, and is so pretentious as to make you cringe when he speaks. He has no political organization to speak of, and is not equipped to carry his somewhat twisted vision to the masses. He is leading in the Iowa polls, but it's a caucus. He does not have the boots on the ground to turn that into a victory. My money is on Ron Paul to win Iowa, but let's face it while Iowa is the first in the nation contest, it's last in predicting who will be President. So for all the media hype and attention Iowa draws, politically it's a non-starter for whoever wins there. The Republican right is running out of alternatives to Mitt Romney, and unless they draft someone at the convention, which won't happen, Romney is going to be the man. The question now is, can the hard right take him for real?

Why Mitt Romney Is Going To Win The Republican Nomination

As we come down to the beginning of the Republican primary season, only two men seem to be standing upright when the real voting begins roughly 30 days from now. Let see what Republicans are working with, and what we can look forward to as the first contest approaches. First, lets look at 2008 to see who carried what then.

The maps are described as follows Dark Red Won, Light Red 2nd, Cream 3rd or Lower, Black No Data Available.

Lets first look at the overall winner John McCain who I think it is fair to say represented the Republican establishment, before the rise of the Tea Party's influence. He won most of the states, with a few exceptions, that would be considered home to the mainstream Republican Party.

Now lets look at 2008 candidate Mitt Romney who basically carried the west, with the exception of Michigan and Massachusetts where he has close personal ties.

Then finally Mike Huckabee, who won primarily in the deep south or where ever evangelical social conservatives hold sway like the bible belt.

Now, the two front runners fighting for the nomination are Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Why will Romney prevail here? Look at the maps again. In 2008, McCain and Romney were for all intents fighting for the same people. Mike Huckabee was fighting for the far right christian conservative voters. They tend to be more volatile, angry, ignorant, birthers, harsh on immigration, against gay rights, against abortion. These are the people who bring guns to political rallies, call Obama a Muslim, a socialist, a communist, (all code for nigger), they want to take America back, (from the nigger), these are the people Newt Gingrich appeals to. He is belligerent, he takes on issues that appeal solely to these people, he has no respect for the mainstream media and points it out at every opportunity. He is intellectual, articulate, and just the kind of pit bull this constituency is looking for to take it to Obama. However, like all candidates he has some glaring flaws as well. He is pompous, arrogant, egotistical, He has been married 3 times. His first wife he left in the midst of cerebral palsy, his second in the midst of cancer, his moral character is extremely damaged. He was the only Speaker of the House to be fined $300,000 for ethics violations. He was forced not only from the speakership, but Congress, by his own beloved Republican Party, and like his opponent has flip-flopped on several issues.

On the reverse we have Mitt Romney, the Republican Republicans love to hate. He has yet to break the 30% mark in any poll, he has captured the die hard silent keepers of mainstream Republican thought, but the Tea Party and evangelical social conservatives can't stand him. They won't say it, but being a Mormon makes them crazy. His political views depend upon the audience to which he is speaking, and or the political expediency that will best serve him at the moment. As a result you have a candidate that has been on every side of every issue, and the media has the videotape to prove it. He is not the darling of Rupert Murdoch's FOX News, who have turned on him in recent days, because they want Gingrich the pit bull. However, what he does have going for him is this: He has a national organization, He has money, and lots of it. He is unoffensive, and much less prone to the gaffs and obnoxious brain farts Gingrich puts out, with much to much frequency. Gingrich has no national organization, he is practically broke and he lives day to day, and the main reason he won't win the nomination, He is an abrasive prima-donna who may fire up the far right, but will quickly turn off the rest of the country, including Independents.

Take a look at the maps again. Romney gets his old states along with McCain's plus or minus. Gingrich gets Huckabee's states plus or minus, it's no contest. The best part is that the Republicans will have a nominee that they don't like, or better can't stand. The last time they had a candidate like that was... well 2008, and we all know how that story ended.

Some Post Thanksgiving Political Observations

So the plot thickens, a few more debates, a few more gaffs, a new man at the top, lets have a look shall we? First, how many women does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of Herman Cain? One, tahoo, three, four, five, *(CRUNCH)* five. After dismissing 4 women who accused him of sexual harassment enter Ginger White. She claims having a 13 year affair with the former Godfathers CEO. While the harassment charges already had him dying on the vine as his poll numbers plummet, now this latest alligation has him re-evaluating if continuing his campaign is viable. Hey Herman let me save you some time "your finished pack it in, the Cain Train has derailed, forget 9-9-9 call 9-1-1." So much for everybody else being the liar, and that damn liberal media digging these people up. Herman, you've just about tied the moral turpitude of Newt Gingrich congratulations, by the way nice hat.

Rick Perry, How this man has served 10 years as Governor of Texas is totally beyond me. You know why you don't mess with Texas? Because they're all morons. How else do explain this man? A few days ago he not only got the date of the November election wrong, he thought the voting age was 21. How this guy doesn't get laughed off every stage he steps on is the 64 dollar question? Hang it up Tex making arguements that make sense isn't your bag. The man has been reduced to comic releif, he is pityful.

Mitt Romney, the man for all seasons. The man for all issues. The man who will say or do anything to get elected. He has the political conviction of an ameba. His bigger problem is, he can't seem to break the 25% mark anywhere. While he still stands as the best man to face off with the President, Newt Gingrich has caught wind in his sails at just the right moment to give Romney a run for his money; whether he can or not is still to be seen.

Newt Gingrich the new man on top, still has his own baggage to deal with. His 3 wives, his hypocracy of leading a crusade to impeach President Clinton, while he was cheating on his own wife. Divorcing wife #2 while she had cancer, his questionable ethics, his less than stellar moral center, and being run out of the House of Represenatives, and Congress, by his own party. However, he does have a few things going for him. He is a very angry man, he appeals to those on the right who are pissed off all the time. He is articulate and a good debater. he is not easily rattled by the media, and would be the kind of pitbull conservatives want to take on Obama next year. Yet, when cornered on an issue or arguement he has no answer for, he crumbles quickly. When matched against the President he does much worse than Romney.

So just some thoughts, the next debate is December 10, they are painful to watch, but remember Iowa is only a month away. So send in the clowns and lets get this party started. ...enjoy!

Republican Over-Reach May Energize The Left For 2012

This last Tuesday was an off year election that produced some challenges for conservatives. In a number of states, attempts by Republicans to solidify their agenda against the middle class met some serious push back. In Arizona, State Senate President Russell Pearce author of the states hard line immigration law was ousted in a recall election. In Maine, voters repealed a law requiring voters to enroll at least two days before an election, restoring a four-decade policy of allowing registrations as late as Election Day. In big red Mississippi, a measure to declare life at the point of conception was defeated, in the pro-life lobby's most recent attempt to undermine Roe v. Wade. The measure not only would have made abortion illegal in all circumstances, it would have seriously hindered couples seeking a family through invetro-fertilisation, as well as other similar technologies. Finally, in Ohio the vote Tuesday night to repealed a Republican-backed law that restricted collective bargaining for public workers, was a victory for Democrats and labor organizers both nationally and in the state. Issue 2 as it was known, was repealed by a whopping 62 to 38 percent. New challenges for the right lie ahead. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker will be facing a recall election shortly after the first of the year, after his attack on public employees and labor there. Earlier this year 2 Republican State Senators were recalled, one short of Democrats retaking control of the legislature.

If any of this portends a message, I'd say people are tired of being dumped on by the big money interests that are the driving force behind Republican efforts. The increased tensions in cities large and small nationwide, perpetuated by the "Occupy" movement has led to increased clashes with police, and lets say some weak attempts to poison the movement by some local government officials. I think it fair to say the "Occupy" movement is here to stay, and the longer it stays, the more focus it will bring to the rights attempts to keep stepping on the neck of the middle class.

The Republican field for President doesn't help matters. You have Herman Cain who is fighting sexual harassment allegations. Mitt Romney who has covered every side of every issue, which undermines his political integrity on every issue. Rick Perry who can't remember his own talking points in a debate, goes hunting on his "niggerhead ranch" and with each passing breath reveals himself as the clueless rube he really is. Newt Gingrich who thinks he's the intellectual leader of the conservative world, with the moral integrity of a man who walks away from his dying wife with cancer. Michelle Bachmann whose whole campaign is repeal Obamacare. Their base cheers executions, cheers letting uninsured people die, boos gay soldiers on active duty, and boos women who bring sexual harassment claims against their candidates. The whole group is completely out of touch with reality. They lie away the facts, back up there policy ideas with bogus information, and as a party since 2010, have effectively shut down the legislative branch of government. Will somebody tell me what the appeal is here? At any rate the mood of the country is shifting, and it's not in their direction, the people are fed up... and it's about time.

The American Political Reform Act

Never heard of it? Well your about to, it is my three part solution to give power back to the people. We are supposed to be a democracy, sadly that definition hasn't applied for some time. So here are three common sense ideas to give the government back to the people.

First, Total reform of the way money currently influences our political system. Legislation is needed to destroy the impact of the "Citizens United" case. Any business, manufacturing, corporate, or labor organization should not be recognized as "people" and thus be banned from contributing to political campaigns, candidates, or media produced on their behalf. Therefore, lobbying efforts by all those entities listed would also be considered illegal. Any private attempt to promote a campaign, candidate, or party organization by political action committees, would be severely limited to a pre set maximum amount not to exceed 1 million dollars, and be subject to full disclosure of who contributed what, when, where, and how. This would also include but not be limited to trips, air travel, hotel accommodations, or any perks of monetary value given to members of Congress for political favor which would be considered a major breach of ethics and an impeachable offense under the law. Individual citizens political donations would be capped at $1000. Both campaigns would function under equal public funds to be determined and administered by the Federal Elections Committee.

Second, The drawing of Congressional districts every 10 years according to the U.S. Census, and as dictated in the Constitution, would be removed from the state legislatures and given to a politically independent organization. This body would be bound to create as many politically competitive districts as possible within each given state. This body would be totally free of any arbitrary action by the individual state legislatures, or the Governor, and when completed would give their maps to the Federal Election Committee, who would notify the state of its new districts. This undermines the spoils system, and eliminates gerrymandering which has allowed the same people to be elected over and over again.

Third, A cloture vote in the Senate should be changed from 3/5ths or 60 votes, to a simple majority of 51 votes. This rule has been abused by both parties (but most recently Republicans), and is a systemic indictment of the gridlock we currently have in Washington. The intransigence of the Tea Party Republicans has effectively shut down the nations ability to legislate. It has become a political tool that has become initiated in situations that would have been unheard of a just 20 years ago.

Simple enough don't you think? If it was ever introduced you would probably hear the screams at your house from Washington. The point I guess I'm trying to make is this, there is to much dirty money, lack of competition, and hand shackling rules in our political system. While this may fly in the face of some of you political purists who think the founders got it right, I would tend to agree. However, it only works when you have a level of civility in your political discourse, it worked for about 220 years, but the civility is gone now, and I don't see it coming back anytime soon. At any rate I hope this made you think a little bit about what we as citizens are up against, discouraging as it may be. The "Occupy" groups are on to something, lets hope they thrive long enough to effect some positive changes that we as a nation desperately need.

We Need To Re-Invent The American Community

In the midst of this high stakes political season there is something missing from mix that desperately needs to be added. We as individual Americans need to take more stock in the political personalities, and policies that help define our individual lives, and communities. So many people have disengaged from the political process because of its inherent dysfunctional nature. The fact of the matter is we as a people, as a national community, need to be engaged now more than ever. Some of this comes from an unwillingness born of frustration, but more often than not, is the result of a general inability to comprehend the issues in a way that they can see the effects in there daily lives. As increasing cuts to education across the board contributes to an already wanting educational system nation wide, it begs the question of what this portends for our future as a nation? In the era of political polarization, where black and white has considerably shrunk the gray areas of our political discourse, now more than ever we need to abandon our labels of left or right, conservative or liberal, and simply be Americans again. There was a time when the primary label people associated with themselves was "American" not Republican or Democrat, those labels were secondary. It was in this era that compromise was possible, and the work of the people was the foremost imperative. It wasn't that long ago, but the increasing influence of rich and big money interests has undermined this. We need to be an American community again, and we need to do it now.

Is it to late? Honestly, I'm not sure. Like global warming the actions being taken now, may be to late to avert a major disaster in our future. If we use history as our guide, the prospect does not look promising, I'll give you some examples. Several of the current or former Republican candidates who are running now, or had run in the past offer this. Sarah Palin thought Paul Revere rode to warn the British. Michelle Bachmann thought Lexington and Concord was fought in New Hampshire, and that the founding fathers abolished slavery. Rick Perry thought the United States was founded in the 1500's. Ron Paul thinks the Constitutions sole purpose was to restrain the Federal Government. How do they get away with comments like this, even after media attention? Because the bulk of the American electorate doesn't know any better. These people are/were running to become President of the United States, don't you think they should know the basic fundamentals of our history, and the proper interpretation of our Constitution?

This week on the news I watched as some iphone service provider held a contest for pre-teens on who could be the fastest texter. There were several contestants, but only one winner, a young lady from someplace in the midwest. Her prize, $50,000. What a fitting commentary to prove my point. We give young people who travel through the world with their heads down, tapping out how they just arrived at the mall, $50,000. In the meantime, Republicans block time and again, the Presidents Job Bill which would hire more teachers and other public employees. We are raising a generation of social media savvy intellectual illiterates. Is this the best we can do? There are thousands of jobs in this country right now, that can't be filled, because they can't find the people with the skills needed to fill them. The American community we need, needs education. Without it the American Dream will continue to slip away from the increasing ranks of people who don't know, or worse, don't want to know. John F. Kennedy said "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." Stop, take a look around, become aware of what others would do to obstruct your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, your country depends on it.

Obama's Problems

The first and most lethal threat the President faces at the moment is that he is increasingly being seen as well meaning, but inconsequential. What do I mean by that? In recent weeks the President has taken a much stronger demeanor in attacking Republicans for failing to pass his jobs bill. He is looking at polls showing 16% approval ratings for Congress, that most people blame Republicans for our legislative intransigence, that 63% Support his jobs bill, that 75% agree with taxing the rich. Being backed by those kind of numbers, you would think positive movement toward his arguments would be a given, but they're not. His message, albeit a good one, is not resonating because people realize this is not going to change the current atmosphere in Washington. The "Occupy" movements across this country are a direct result of this. They realize that despite whatever plan, or good intentions the President may offer for jobs, there will be no action. Wall Street got back on their feet and are growing fat, while Main Street continues to suffer. They have come to realize the system is deadlocked, and believe President Obama is either a victim of the Republican House, or not a powerful enough leader to break the impasse. In either case the result is the same, a dramatic loss in confidence that the President can achieve anything with regard to jobs and the economy.

Democrats in general are beginning to look impotent, in spite of the fact they continue to put forward the Presidents jobs bill as a whole, or in parts. Are they winning points with the American people because they try and fail? ...or do they look weak for continuously offering legislation that's going nowhere? Another thing that plays into this is the fact that Republicans are consistently united in their efforts to block everything, while getting Democrats unified is like herding cats. Which again makes the President look weak. The people are not listening to the arguments any more. They don't care who is right or wrong they want ACTION, which is why the President's message is falling short. You can point at a million bridges, roads, schools, teachers, or first responders, but if all you can do is point, the question is moot.

The other increasingly alarming statistics coming out are the fact that Independents in state after state have abandon Obama. In the early primary states Independents have left the President by a consistent margin of 2 to 1. As I've said before without this group, the Presidents hopes for re-election are dim. The amazing thing about all this is that Republicans shoot fast and loose with the facts, stand proud as the party of "NO", and continue to sit back while Rome burns, and the people don't care. Why? Again because they're tired of the arguments, the rhetoric, the politics, the positions, the policies, they want jobs. They want to keep their homes, to feed and educate their children, somehow hold on to that increasingly elusive American Dream that they have been promised, but is slowly eroding away. Unless President Obama can find a way to re-connect with American people, and hand them something tangible, his current message will continue to fall on deaf ears.

Perry And Cain And Romney, Oh My

Upon entering the Republican field Texas Governor Rick Perry rocketed to leader status, and then, he opened his mouth. After quickly taking the top spot he made several controversial comments that he refused to back off on, and then capped them off with four dismal debate performances which dropped him in the polls 20 points. He has subsequently admitted he is a poor debater, (no kidding), and this week introduced his economic policy. You ready for this? Drill for more oil, that's it. I wonder how long it took him to come up with that one, about ten minutes? I can see him now sitting in a big room with a deer head on the wall, in his Nigger Head ranch, stack of "highlights" magazines on the coffee table, polishing his gun, drinking beer with some big oil executives, asking what do think? In return getting a quorum of nodding heads and thumbs up. I've been hearing for a few months now how formidable Rick Perry is a candidate. Well I don't know who these people are, but frankly I don't see it. As a self appointed "poor debater" if he was to go up against President Obama as the Republican nominee next Fall, Obama would eat his lunch. The one thing he has going for him is money. He raised 17 Million dollars last quarter to current leader Herman Cain's 2.3 Million. Which tells me even though he's a rube, he's white, evangelical, and a Tea Party favorite, message be damned.

Herman Cain the new Republican flavor of the month has caught fire with his 9-9-9 Plan, which is a 9% personal income tax, a 9% corporate tax, and a 9% national sales tax. Most economists agree the major flaw is the 9% national sales tax which would hurt poor and middle income people worse than others. There's a shocker, a Republican tax plan that hurts the poor and working class. What happens to that sales tax when you add State and Municipal taxes to it? How about a potential 18% sales tax on a loaf of bread, or better a gallon of gas? It's easy, clear, and transparent, and it sucks! Mr. Cain's current appeal is the fact that he is a Washington outsider, with a simple message. He is personable, articulate, and well prepared against media scrutiny, but now under the spotlight, like Perry, once they decipher what he's really saying will probably go back to the end of the line like Trump, Bachmann, and Perry before him. He has no national organization to speak of, and to be blunt, if you think the Republican party is going to rally around a black man for President of the United States, guess again. So let him have his 15 minutes and lets move on.

Mitt Romney the tortoise who slowly moves toward the nomination, has been static at his high water mark of about 23%. A recent poll of Republicans said they would rather have a candidate that "shares their values" as a opposed to "can beat Obama". More evidence that the Tea Party and social conservatives are reluctantly slogging toward Tampa waiting for Romney to be nominated. Once the Primaries kick in and the field thins the choices will become clearer, but make no mistake Romney polls better against Obama than anyone. This includes new front runner Herman Cain who Obama beats by double digits. The hard right hates Romney, because they are being dragged kicking and screaming to the center because of him. The question is once he is the nominee will that same hard right support him at the polls, or sit home? No matter, its going to take a while for Tea Party and social conservatives to come around, and they will continue to search in vain for a viable alternative to Romney just as long as they can. The problem: the pickings are slim and so are any efforts to undermine Romney in the long run. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the show. The longer they fight each other, the better for the President.

Romney Steams Ahead, While Obama Has New Worries

Last night I suffered through my fourth Republican debate in as many weeks, and found no new evidence to convince me that Mitt Romney will not be the Republican nominee. He took the most hits from the other candidates, and continued to present his plan for America, confidently and unshaken. He clearly was the winner last night. Boosted earlier in the day by the endorsement of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Romney is beginning to solidify his mainstream Republican backers. However, he continues to struggle to attract Tea Party, and evangelical social conservatives. I suspect their difficulty will slowly vanish, as the remainder of the Republican field continues to prove their un-electability. Herman Cain seems to be the new Right Wing flavor of the month, and for all the talk about his 9-9-9 plan, he lacks depth, and did not perform well in the spotlight last night. Perry admitted he was a poor debater, and backed that up with another poor showing. The rest of the field continued to do what they do, but lit no sparks that would change any one's opinion of them other than what current polls predict.

There was one glaring change that took place last night that had not happened in the three previous debates, and it came from Mitt Romney. He not once, but several times, mentioned the middle class. The rest of the field was silent on the middle class, as usual, but Romney made a concerted effort to make them a focus of his economic proposals. He is clearly attempting to appeal to Independents, and with good reason.

In a recent CNN poll for the first time, 53% of Independents disapprove of the President, while 43% said they approve. Let's make this crystal clear, if Obama loses Independents he's finished. However, I'm not ready to run around the school yard crying the sky is falling just yet, there is plenty of time to turn this around. Other signs don't bode well for the President either, polls in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Iowa put him in a statistical dead heat with Romney, and losing to him by 9% in New Hampshire.

So how does Obama get a second term in our current toxic political environment? The Occupy Wall Street, and other similar groups protesting across the country hold contempt for both political parties, and with good reason. In the Senate yesterday two Democratic Senators voted against President Obama's Jobs Act. In the House Leader John Boehner (R-OH) can't control the Tea Party caucus, as much as he would like us to believe he does. When party leaders on both sides can't control their own people, you get the kind of political gridlock people are simply fed up with, and as much as I would like Democrats to profit from this uprising on the Left, they profit only by sentiment and not action.

There is a debate out there as to whether Obama should run Left in a Truman-esk fashion against a do nothing congress, or like FDR who called a spade a spade and told Republicans to basically go for it, I stand with the middle class. Or run to middle like President Clinton did in 1996. The problem with both of these strategies is that the American people don't trust either party to fix things. Since Romney is a mainstream guy right of center, I think Obama has to do the same. Independents are the key to the castle. While my heart says go hard left, the pragmatic choice is to move to the center. Oh there is just one other small problem... the economy remains in the tank, unemployment remains above 9%, despite Obama's good intentions, the Republicans are going to make sure it stays that way for another year, a major strike against the incumbent President. It's an uphill battle, and current strategy doesn't seem to be resonating, quite frankly the President has his hands full, and unless he catches a break somewhere, things have the potential to go very ugly, very quickly.