What about Mitch Daniels in 2012?

(official picture from www.in.gov)

A lot of people have asked me what I think of Mitch Daniels--the Governor of Indiana. He gave an interesting speech at CPAC with his "raison debt" quip. If he won, as a short, bald man, he would defy conventional odds. Mitt Romney would probably feel cheated after all the years of maintaining perfect hair,and a perfect, Presidential appearance.

Daniels won by 18 points in a year when Indiana turned Blue for Obama (2008).
He is recognized for competence. And he is remembered for his tour across the state
during the campaign staying in the houses of Hoosiers across the state.
He definitely appeals to the average man more than Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, and others in the Presidential field.

But he also lacks the necessary charisma and excitement.
These are huge factors in a Presidential campaign. If people don't get excited about you, you generally lose. (See McCain in 2008; see Dole in 1996). Obama is not good at many things, but he is certainly good at energizing his base. Before long, he will be in front of his fans, shouting "Si se puede" and "You fired up?"

Indiana might be balancing budgets (?-help me out here readers), but the state has tons of problems. It is a state built on manufacturing (whether RV's or automobiles). And with those loss of jobs, came a comcomitant increase in crime especially in the cities. Daniels, as chief executive of the state, needs to crack down on criminals and robbers. Indiana is also known for its underground meth industry. He needs to work better with federal authorities to crack down on the meth labs popping up left and right.

How will Daniels do in the debates? Well it depends on who else is there. He will fare well against Sarah Palin. His knowledge about government and budget details (mainly from his time as head of the Office of Management and Budget under George W. Bush)will confuse Sarah Palin who cannot even recall what newspapers she reads on a daily basis (see interview with Katie Couric).

But compared to other possible candidates like Gingrich, Santorum, and Mitt Romney, he will come across as a nice, smart individual---but very unexciting.

Mitch Daniels, we would love to hear more from you. Welcome to the 2012 field. But we suggest you show up to the debates on your motorcycle. You need to increase your excitement level. But we like how you relate to the common man.

The End of the American Dream

Official White House Photo: By Lawrence Jackson


Health Care Reform passes in the House using the dubious Reconciliation method.
President Barack Obama signs.
The entitlement culture flourishes. The American dream dies.

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year everyone. We didn't blog as much in 2009. Hopefully we find more time to contribute in 2010. Obama has lost his popularity this year. His Health Care Reform efforts have created a huge Republican movement. Tea Parties have erupted across the country.

Now even in MA, a Republican, Scott Brown is about to be elected on Tuesday to "Ted Kennedy's" Senate seat.

2010 looks to be a great year for Republicans. It's possible for us to take back the House and the Senate.

In 2009, we also took the Governor's offices in NJ and VA.

Obama Tries to Push Aside Governor Paterson

For Barack Obama, it's about politics and not losing. In New York, Paterson's low approval ratings and a viable GOP challenge (either by Rick Lazio or Rudy Giuliani) have given Obama pause and have compelled him to gently nudge Paterson out of the race.

If Paterson is like any politician, he will not take this lightly. It will be harder to cry racism here, but he might still put up a fight.

Now, Andrew Cuomo can seriously gear up. Will this give Eliot Spitzer the green light to run for Attorney General? His scandal already has worn off.

Barack Obama: An Unexceptional President for an Exceptional Country

Well, the election is over and Barack Obama has prevailed. Many conservatives like me have feared this outcome. Obama has quickly picked the "pitbull," Rahm Emanuel, as his Chief of Staff and has his economic advisors all lined up.

Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, and Florida have become blue states.
The Northeast doesn't have a single Republican Congressman now.

The stock market has continued to torpedo--probably in reaction to this heinous election news. The only identifiable silver lining is that Republicans regained Florida Congressional District #16, which Mark Foley had lost to the scandal several years back. Another silver lining is that as Barack Obama plucks elected officials for his cabinet, seats might open up.

Ideally, Barack would pick Deval Patrick in MA for Attorney General. The MA Governor's Office is definitely a winnable office and the Republicans should gear up for a tight race there.

Republicans will look back at the Bush years with fondness. We at least knew we were safe. Capitalism would not be impeded too aggressively. And the White House would have honor and at least some concern for morality.

What Barack Obama said at the Saddleback forum when asked about the issue of life, "it's above my paygrade," says it all. He views the Presidency as a job to put on your resume, instead of an exceptional opportunity to change and shape history. As Stan Lee said through his character, Spider-Man, with great power must come great responsibility.

Voting is like Catholic Confession-Important thoughts about John McCain and Barack Obama election

(Picture from the AP)

Election day is rapidly approaching and the intensity of the campaigning will continue to escalate until every single vote is counted. The polls right now are generally more favorable to Obama, but besides the Bradley Effect, a more common sense factor will be in play that polls are not taking into account: I will dub it here, the Confession factor.

When you show up to the polling place, and get behind the curtain to cast your ballot, it's just you and your conscience. There is no more CNN or Fox News blaring in the background. You don't have friends at your side, opining incessantly. It's just your conscience and deadly silence.

At the end of the day, I can't help but think that people might change their mind at the last minute. They will think about the grave challenges that face our nation. And for the first time, they will think seriously about which candidate is truly more qualified. The contrast will be so stark that many Obama supporters might flip the switch for McCain. And when they leave the booth, still tell their friends that they voted for Obama.

On election night, they will sit up with their friends until the wee hours of the morning, cheering on Obama. And when McCain wins, they will outwardly show disappointment, but in their hearts, they will be content and their conscience will be at ease.

Obama's campaign copying Karl Rove's strategy

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5014706.ece

Joe Biden Can't Play Hardball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQXcImQfubM

After facing some tough questions, Joe Biden proves he should stay with wiffleball. Channel 9's Barbara West refused to worship at the altar of Obama, and instead did her journalistic job of asking tough questions to all candidates. She threw some fast pitches to Biden.

After the interview, the Obama campaign cancelled Jill Biden's scheduled interview on the same station. Campaign spokeswoman Laura McGinnis did what any teenage reporter would do. Cancel and refuse to show up at any institution that still shows journalistic integrity.

"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election,"

-- Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign.

Constitutional Crisis: Barack Not Born in America?

This, my friends, is the question of the hour and the mainstream media has refused to cover it. Thankfully Matt Drudge put the recent court ruling up on his website.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081025/D941NCJG0.html

Basically, there are serious questions about where Barack was born and Barack has refused to cooperate and furnish his birth records. If he wasn't hiding anything, one would assume he would furnish the records, prove attorney Phillip J. Berg wrong, and move on with the campaign. But instead, Barack is trying to obfuscate and stall.

If Barack is in fact, not a natural born citizen, the Constitution bars him from running for President. Hillary Clinton would have to step in as the Democratic nominee.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Barclay Surrick dismissed the suit brought by Berg, for lack of standing. In other words, it sounds like Judge Surrick doesn't want to irritate the next possible Commander in Chief. As a result, Americans are being failed.

We have the right to know if Barack is or is not a natural born citizen. And the burden of proof, isn't on Phillip J. Berg or anyone else, it's on Barack. Stop lying. Stop trying to hide things.

Here is the relevant Constitutional text. It's Article II.
"No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

Colin Powell's Endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama

The media and liberals are praising Colin Powell for being "intellectually honest" and supporting Barack Obama. It's a sign of his impartiality and fierce anti-partisan independence, right?

What about Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary? He also has stated his support for Barack. It's odd that a onetime Bush loyalist is now supporting the Democratic Presidential nominee, especially one as unqualified as Barack.

Powell and McClellan both have something in common: They both left the Bush administration on less than friendly terms. Powell left after admitting that he was pressured into overstating the WMD case to the United Nations, in the leadup to the war in Iraq. Somehow a grown man like Powell couldn't stand up for himself. The media also forgets that it was Powell's deputy, Richard Armitage, that admittedly leaked Valerie Plame's identity to the Press. Powell did nothing to punish Armitage for this breach of security. And also said nothing when taxpayers were pursuing Scooter Libby for the same leak.

McClellan also claimed to have been pressured to say untrue things at the microphone. He admits to having been caught in the "permanent campaign culture" that has dominated politics for the last twenty years. The late Tony Snow replaced McClellan and did a hell of a better job as Press Secretary. Snow was more eloquent, better spoken, and got along better with the press. McClellan on the other hand, stuttered, stammered, and acted nervous.

It's no wonder that both of these individuals, Powell and McClellan, both support Barack Obama. They feel betrayed by the Republican Party. They blame The Republican Party for their own inadequacies and their own failures. Barack might be the one they have been waiting for, but this opportunism will not be forgotten when the Republicans take back the White House in 2012 with a Romney/Petraeus Presidential dream team ticket.

Latest poll

McCain 46%
Obama 41%

Reuters/Zogby Poll

New McCain Ad is a Mistake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHXYsw_ZDXg&eurl

The new ad produced by John McCain's campaign is supposed to portray Obama as a hollywood celebrity, not a Commander and Chief. It shows images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Unfortunately, it was poorly constructed. The images of fans in Europe chanting Obama's name are only going to help his image. When people see others chanting, they often learn to like that person as well.

It shows that Obama is popular in Europe, which to many people means increasing the "world standing" of the United States.

This ad is going to backfire.

This is very disappointing too because for the most part, I have liked John McCain's ads, especially "Man in the Arena."

Obama's brother is Muslim

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/the_real_american_idol/article1472877.ece

Obama Campaign Disrespects Military

Unless the cameras are allowed, Obama refuses to visit U.S. troops in Germany.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0708/DoD_spokesman_says_Obama_camp_was_reminded_of_political_rules.html

Rush Limbaugh points out that this reveals a lot about Barack's character. It shows that Obama doesn't truly care about the young men and women serving abroad.

All Barack cares about is the "photo shoot" and his self-aggrandizing campaign.

The Media Loves Me

Maybe Barack Obama Doesn't Have An Ego Problem

Maybe his press office staff does instead.

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=6e9f4a42-9540-4d99-aba2-25adc276c25d

Since they have been spoiled with positive press coverage since the campaign started, they have found it's much harder to receive anything slightly negative.

Instead of taking it like mature adults, they act like 6th graders and shoot some angry e-mails off.

Adam Nagourney was the recipient of some of these because of an article he wrote in the New York Times entitled, "Poll Finds Obama Isn't Closing Divide on Race."

This could just be the beginning of Barack's divorce with the media. Love doesn't last forever in Barack Obama's world.

Quote of the Week: Barack Obama's Stale Political Rhetoric

"Anyone with a long memory and the patience to listen knows that Obama is truly shameless in this regard. Sometimes his stump speeches sound like a Time-Life greatest-hits compilation of Unforgettable Classic Political Baloney from the '70s, '80s, and '90s, with one cant phrase after another lifted from speeches by Ronald Reagan, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, John Kerry, Ross Perot, George Bush--yes I said Elizabeth Dole-- Jesse Jackson, Howard Dean, Newt Gingrich, everybody."

(From Andrew Ferguson's "Self-Interest Is Bad?" as seen in the 7/21/2008 edition of the Weekly Standard)

Barack Sanitizes Website as his positions are refined

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0708/Surge_meets_purge.html

Once upon a time, Senator Barack Obama criticized the troop surge in Iraq. His negativity was well chronicled on his website.

Now that the surge has proven to be successful, Barack is afraid to say that he was wrong. (Admitting mistakes is a virtue by the way)

Instead of admitting his ignorance, Obama is sanitizing his website and erasing all his negative comments about the surge.

He thinks Americans are stupid and don't have a memory.

Islam and Barack Obama

You decide.

Barack Obama Liberalism

(Pic from the AP)

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080702/D91LJQN00.html

Gavin Newsom, the current mayor of San Francisco, is pondering a bid for governor in 2010. Like Barack, Newsom is flashy and rules on style rather than substance.