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Washington Prowler
Analyze This
Luncheons With Mitt Romney. Plus: NPR’s progressive reasons for firing Juan Williams. Also: Giants ball girls.
MEETINGS WITH MITT
Back in the 2008 primary season, Mitt Romney’s
staff ran a tight and close-knit shop, and when meeting with
prospective donors felt confident enough in their campaign to lay
it on the line bluntly. “I remember being at a meeting of [Gov.
Jeb] Bush alumni here in D.C.,”
says a former Bush staffer, “and the Romney people who organized
the meeting telling us something along the line, ‘You need to make
your decision soon; either you join us or you’re out of luck. I
left there joking about finding a horse head in my bed if I didn’t
sign up right away.”
So perhaps Romney and his fundraising team didn’t intend to make a recent donor recruitment luncheon feel like an organized crime meeting, but the all-expenses-paid lunch they hosted at Carmine’s Italian eatery in downtown Washington had that feel, according to several attendees. The lunch, attended by about 25 men and women who were active fundraisers for candidates in 2008 and 2010, was one of several Romney and his team are holding around the country to recruit new people to Romney’s money team.
Aides to Romney cautioned attendees that their candidate had not made up his mind about running 2012. “We thought given the layout and the kinds of people who were there that that was intended as a joke,” says one attendee.
The luncheon featured a detailed PowerPoint presentation that laid out a case that Romney has been raising more money and supporting more Republican candidates than others in the prospective 2012 field. He explicitly targeted Newt Gingrich, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, but had nice things to say about Sen. John Thune, whom Romney insiders say the former Massachusetts governor regards as not a serious threat to win a GOP presidential nomination that Romney believes is rightfully his given his failed run in 2008.
“It was an impressive road show,” says another attendee. “He had answers for everything, and clearly is going to run on the economy and his finance background. He even had a better answer for why Romneycare isn’t like Obamacare. He’s clearly running, so why they make it seem like he isn’t makes the whole exercise a bit of a farce.”
It’s a good thing Romney finally has an answer for the Romneycare/Obamacare comparisons, which are valid. Both plans share similar policy approaches, and both have led to rising healthcare costs for businesses and individuals and reduced services. Romney has taken a pummeling for more than year because so many Democrats claimed that his approach to mandatory healthcare insurance in Massachusetts was the model for Obamacare.
NPR PROGRESSIVELY MEAN AND
HIP
According to a source inside
National Public Radio’s Washington office, NPR senior executives
and outside consultants believed that while the blowback from
firing long-time employee Juan Williams might
prove a distraction during the loosely affiliated network’s fall
fundraising, it might actually help with NPR’s funding drive, which
was taking place nationwide when Williams was fired.
“You actually had people in the office saying that they were talking to friends and our radio consultants who were saying the firing might be a good thing for us, because the Republicans and what they called the ‘tea baggers’ would get so ugly and aggressive by calling for public radio to be defunded that our traditional progressive base would come to our aid,” says the NPR source.
The decision to can Williams comes about six weeks after Public Radio executives gathered in Fort Worth, Texas, at the annual “Public Media Marketing and Development Conference,” where executives once again heard from their consultants that NPR and its programming were not attracting the younger audiences they need to sustain the network.
“That whole swath of young Obama voters who were willing to donate money to his cause? Public radio isn’t attracting them,” says one consultant. “They want to be engaged, they want news and features that appeal to them. Public Radio — at least nationally out of Washington and Los Angeles and New York — isn’t giving it to them. They want progressive and politically engaging programming or music programming that appeals.”
Other consultants have pushed for more programming to appeal to what is now considered the more traditional NPR listener: “The folks who listen for classical music or the arts tend to skew older,” says the consultant. “Frankly, if we could have two stations in one city, I’d recommend that one target younger listeners and the other one target older ones.” To “youth up” NPR, the network has spent the past several years attempting to hire senior executives with backgrounds in what it would consider “mainstream media,” including the hiring of former CNN and Discovery executive Vivian Schiller as its President and CEO and Deborah A. Cowan as its new chief financial officer. Cowan was formerly a senior vice president at “urban radio” network, Radio One. She also serves on the board of the National Education Association Foundation.
BALL GIRLS
Nancy Pelosi and
Barbara Boxer have never been known as a San
Francisco Giants fans, but that may be changing now that the Giants
are in the World Series and both women are desperate to be
associated with a winner. Both women’s campaigns have reached out
to the Giants seeking opportunities to be at the first two Series
games, which are Wednesday and Thursday in San
Francisco.
“The Speaker was a huge booster of the Giants all year long, and she has long supported the team,” said a Pelosi staffer in San Francisco. Perhaps in private.
Pelosi over the years has managed to do very little either in support of or opposition to the Bay Area teams, though she was known to attend a 49er game or two during the championship years when owner Eddie DeBartolo would host extravagant parties before and during the games.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (135) | Leave a comment
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cats1cowboy| 10.25.10 @ 6:40AM
Mitt "no nutritional value in a cheesesteak" Romney is STILL! out of touch with Americans.
CB| 10.25.10 @ 6:41PM
Romney is my first choice for president. He inspires confidence. He’ll perform strongly in the debates with Obama. And he will have more credibility with independents.
Romney/Jindal or Romney/DeMint 2012!!!
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 8:03PM
Myth Romney inspires loathing and distrust. We ran an elitist RINO in 2008, how's that workin' out for us?
RomneyCare = ObamaCare
No thanks!
Gran Torino| 10.25.10 @ 11:16PM
Romney is a freakin' Mormon! Right now we have a possible Muslim in the White House and we're going to replace him with a Mormon? No thanks!
Dan Brown's fictional novel (emphasis on fictional) The DaVinci Code insists that Jesus was married and that he had a child named Sarah with his wife Mary Magdalene. Such a theory is hardly unique. Several Mormon leaders insisted that Jesus was married, but like Brown, none of them offered any more than pure conjecture to support such a claim. Unlike Brown, LDS leaders have gone on record saying Jesus was not only married, but that he was a polygamist as well.
If Romney couldn't beat John McCain, why would we want to put him up against Obama? NO WAY!!!
Willey| 10.26.10 @ 1:17AM
Nice try, Romneybot. Mitt's religion isn't objectionable, his liberal RINO policies are.
Typical liberal: Obfuscate the REAL objection by whining about phony religious bigotry.
Ain't gonna work, moron.
amy| 10.27.10 @ 3:51AM
We lost because the GOP picked McCain rather than Romney.
"Romneycare" was at the state level - that's what conservatives support. Reform at the state level is a good thing. Voters want reform.
Willey| 10.27.10 @ 4:36AM
Sorry, Amy. Big government RINOs like you and Myth Romney like Progressive, overbearing Big Brother government. That's why true Conservatives like me want to purge you worthless RINOs from our party.
You and Myth should become democrats--it's who you really are.
Nelson H.| 10.25.10 @ 11:10PM
Let it be known that while San Francisco Giant fans are probably among the most liberal fans in the nation, as a group they would probably vote for Sarah Palin over the incumbent, especially now, with California wallowing in unemployment and debt. Baseball fans everywhere are an conservative demographic! I can guarantee lusty and prolonged booing if Boxer or especially Pelosi come to the ballpark, much like the reception HRC got when she last visited Yankee Stadium.
UpChuck.Liberals| 10.26.10 @ 6:15PM
Let's hope your right. I guess we'll see Nov. 3rd. BTW Carly is in the hospital with an infection from her surgery. We need her to clean Babs' clock.
aeare| 10.25.10 @ 6:51AM
"Romney and his fundraising team didn't intend to make a recent donor recruitment luncheon feel like an organized crime meeting"
But being a member of the professional criminal class(politician) running for the top job(president) in the most successful criminal organization(government) on the face of the planet, it couldn't help but look that way.
The usual suspects vying in the usual way to pull the wool over the eyes of the usual dimwits. Depressingly predictable.
aware| 10.25.10 @ 6:54AM
Sorry, combination bad cold and bad attitude leads to typing mistakes. This is from the seditious aware, so let the sniping begin.
Alphred| 10.25.10 @ 6:52AM
"He even had a better answer for why Romneycare isn't like Obamacare."
Looking forward to that explanation, but not until after next week Tuesday.
Hope is starts with "I was wrong..."
Mike Rogers| 10.25.10 @ 8:39AM
He can't and won't admit that Romneycare is a disaster. I like the slogan "No Apology" when talking about the USA, and especially compared to Obama, but that's not how Romney works.
At a recent face to face encounter, I introduced myself as a local activist, praised his integrity and business acumen, and then asked the blunt question - was he ready to clear the air and gain supporters by admitting that the MA healthcare program was a debacle?
Well, No Apology was what I got - he leaned forward, got intense, and asked if I knew how much it really cost (1.25% of the budget, if my memory is correct), and how it was providing coverage to many people that previously did not have access.
If the man thinks like this, he's basically aiming to be king of the RINOs in an environment where the people are out RINO-hunting.
Unapologetically Clueless would be my description.
So, AmSpec - please publish that explanation - it better be good :)
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 10.25.10 @ 6:55AM
The irony is that Mitt Romney may be able to turn his experience with health care dictatorships into a plus as in "Who could understand it and fix it better then I?"
As far as NPR it's simply a propagandist movement funded by the taxpayers. The only difference between NPR and ACORN is that NPR has microphones and cameras. ACORN doesn't want the cameras because they can be utilized to record suggestions of criminality which when revealed to the public by everyone but NPR can prove embarassing.
As far as Boxer and Pelosi their shrillness precludes their pitching or fondling any balls at the game. That's done behind closed doors as men man up and refer to them as Senator or Speaker.
Old Soldier| 10.25.10 @ 7:41AM
I don't want it fixed - I want it gone.
A Romney nomination ends the Republican Party.
Anthony| 10.25.10 @ 8:29AM
"Our traditional progressive base". That's what the lefties over at NPR really admit to one another as to who they really are. So much for the crap about being open and receptive with American's tax dollars. Talk about corruption!!
Well, I'm not one to disappoint, so let us conservataive troglidites step up and call for defunding NPR immediately upon the Rs taking office in January.
In less than two weeks, we take back America!!!
Mark James| 10.25.10 @ 4:13PM
Sorry, but we can't begin the actual "Taking Back" until January. The danger is what the Dems have planned in the meantime.
Sue| 10.25.10 @ 11:51AM
I agree with you.
logmank| 10.25.10 @ 7:26AM
If Republican candidates for President in 2012 are limited to the ruling class elites listed in this article, conservatives will stay home - again.
Anthony| 10.25.10 @ 2:05PM
logmank, Do you mind if we kick ass first in two weeks and then worry about ruling class elite Rs in 2012?
One kick ass moment at a time. Is that ok with you, or do you need to obsess about 2012 before we take care of business in 2o10?
If we don't kick ass on Nov. 2, you don't have to worry about 2012; you can say sayanara to America. GEEEZ, Louise.
Old Soldier| 10.26.10 @ 9:08AM
No, we won't stay home. We will walk away from the GOP and create an actual conservative party.
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:24PM
+1
TRUE conservatives will not "stay home" - they will fight, and if necessary to get the GOP national committee's attention - mount a full scale write in ballot initiative. I'm not packing it in because Steele et all can't find their asses in a phone booth. I'm also not going to accept another McCain, Bush "best we can offer you" candidate. I'm done with that crap.
Kenny| 10.25.10 @ 8:01AM
Romney and the rest of the GOP estabishment better watch out for Ron Paul, not to mention Sarah Palin. That's al I have to say.
Ryan| 10.25.10 @ 8:10AM
Sorry, but Ron Paul - rightly or wrongly - will only be seen as the "crazier" side of the GOP. Too many bad associations last go round, too much baggage.
Patrick| 10.25.10 @ 2:52PM
I agree. Now things would be much different if say...Paul Ryan were mentioned instead.
Dai Alanye | 10.25.10 @ 10:41AM
Bad as I believe Romney would be for this nation, Ron Paul would be worse. Romney at least operates in something above a fantasy world, and would probably maintain an active foreign policy.
Mark James| 10.25.10 @ 4:18PM
Sorry but Ron and Sarah have too much negative baggage that was ginned up by the Left to be serious candidates before 2016. By then hey will have had time to prove themselves well beyond the leftist BS. What we need in 2012 is a new face on the Presidential scene with the leadership and communication skills to turn on the voters like Reagan did. Maybe Governor Christie??
Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 8:28AM
We Tea Party Rebels are urging Our Tea Party Kingmaker Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina to run for The Presidency in 2012.
DeMint has time & again been the point man for Conservatives.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Rise Up In Rebellion !
RCV| 10.25.10 @ 11:46AM
Tim is president of Anti-Semites for DeMint.
Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 8:27PM
We note that ObamaBoys like RCV LawBoy, Alan Brooks and Israel Firsters like Tool Job & Crank lAdy Victor-Margie are working hard in tandem to get the discussion away from Jobs & The Economy and work hard to smear Tea Party Rebels, who don't hold The Israel Firster Agenda as a Priority Issue.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Rise Up In Rebellion!
RCV| 10.26.10 @ 11:47AM
Tim, you're not Queen Victoria. No need to use the royal "We" when speaking about yourself.
Jeremiah| 10.26.10 @ 10:51PM
The only "Queen" around here is you, libtroll.
RCV| 10.27.10 @ 6:53PM
Another closeted right-winger with homosexuality obsession.
Occam's Tool| 1.28.11 @ 6:21PM
Actually, I am a Tea Partier. I just don't believe in kneeling to terrorist scum, like Ron Paul. I don't smear any tea partiers, and would cherrfully vote for Bachmann on the ballot. Not everyone is an antisemite like Clint/Tim.
Troy Riser | 10.25.10 @ 3:05PM
I heard DeMint might be part of that vast underground Zionist conspiracy you're always going on about, Tim. You and your Stormfront buddies might want to check him out first.
We're everywhere, you know: waiting, watching, hatching plots against Aryan supermen such as yourself. You know that good-looking brunette who works the cash register at Walmart on Sundays and Wednesdays? The who won't give you the time of day no matter how hard you try? We pay her to ignore you. Yes, we are that evil. It's who we are, what we do.
Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 8:20PM
We Tea Party Rebels don't place Your Israel Firster Agenda as a Priority Issue.
Tough Shit Pussy .
Anti-Semite : Any American who doesn't Asskiss The Israel Firsters' Agenda.
Get Bent Cupcake.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 10:14PM
No reason to be crude, Tim; it's beneath you.
Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 10:27PM
I'll consider the advice & the source of that advice.
Willey| 10.26.10 @ 1:22AM
You should, I have your best interests at heart.
Tim*| 10.26.10 @ 5:25AM
I'll decide that Willey. not you.
Willey| 10.26.10 @ 10:53PM
Why look for more enemies when you already attract them so easily?
Occam's Tool| 1.28.11 @ 6:22PM
Because, Willey, he's a bloody antisemitic nitwit.
Occam's Tool| 1.28.11 @ 6:22PM
No, just people who have StormFront subscriptions.
dave| 10.26.10 @ 11:26PM
Tim,
I agree with the tea partiers, I am conservative, but Jim DeMint is a dick!
True American| 10.27.10 @ 4:40AM
No one is as big an asshole as Obama--and you.
Louis Jenkins| 10.25.10 @ 8:36AM
NPR is too wrapped up in public money to give a rat's patootie about what America thinks. Far better to defund the who debacle and clear up some channel space for real radio stations.
Romney had best stay home. While he may be a Morman and a Republican, he reeks of higher caste politicians. Truly, his candidacy would rend the GOP in two.
Polosi will be dead meat after next week, at least she will no longer be head of the house, and the swamp will at last be drained. Time for some real house cleaning.
P.Smith| 10.25.10 @ 8:40AM
I can’t trust anyone that is a member of a cult. But beware; Romney is invincible with his magic pants on…
Patrick| 10.25.10 @ 3:01PM
Thankfully we are not required to trust the government. This is not an endorsement, of course.
I am less worried about Mitt Romney's Mormonism than Al Gore's Gaeaism.
Fred| 10.25.10 @ 8:46AM
The only candidate in that field that is a threat to Romney is the one he said isn't a threat.
Sue| 10.25.10 @ 11:53AM
Good observation, Fred. I agree with you on this.
Chalkdust| 10.25.10 @ 8:56AM
The last presidential election conservatives stayed home. Obama won by 3% of the popular vote. Was that a good deal or what? The object is too fight like hell to keep the republican-lite candidates (Huckabee, Romney, McCain, the creepy, lispy little dude from S.C., etc.) from winning the primary.
Patrick| 10.25.10 @ 3:12PM
The primaries are where it counts. Of course, in Soviet Wisconsin, the race is always too late to make a difference. Perhaps after tomorrow, I should move to Iowa...
Cris Worth| 10.25.10 @ 9:23AM
This upcoming primary season is simple: Romney wins both Iowa and NH he's the nominee otherwise nope. Romney is perceived as an economic guru so he is the current frontrunner. So all you anti-Romney forces out there including Tea Partiers start laying the groundwork for his defeat in these two states and do it now.
Ryan| 10.25.10 @ 10:28AM
Actually, Romney is perceived as the "frontrunner" because he is handing out freebies and such to buy elections at strawpolls.
RCV| 10.25.10 @ 1:38PM
Romney was the frontrunner last time, too. His style of politician has come and gone.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:44PM
Just like the corruptocrat democrats.
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:29PM
Romney reminds me of the insurance salesman type. Loud pretty-boy, backslapper - the kind of guy nobody in his right mind would buy a used car from.
Michael L. Hauschild| 10.25.10 @ 9:47AM
Anyone who would we willing to repeat spending forty million dollars on an unsuccessful campaign, try to intellectualize "Romneycare," or successfully reverse carpetbag into the Massachusetts governorship WILL NOT GET MY VOTE. I have spoken my piece and counted to three.
Wes in MT| 10.25.10 @ 10:44AM
Funny how he claims to have supported more candidates than any other. . . . . but the only one I see out there is . ... Sarahcuda. She has been taking to the left - she reloaded and has been visible and has drawn alot of flak but has also energized the base. Watch out for that alaskan, we could be so lucky to have her for President in 2012. And who does Drudge feature the other day at the top of the page as a foil to Obama's frantic efforts to whip up the base? Sarah Palin.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:45PM
Hear hear!!
UpChuck.Liberals| 10.26.10 @ 6:21PM
I'll second that.
Mitt the mistake hasn't quite figured out that he is a toxic waste site that is awaiting cleanup. I don't care what his 'religion' is, I do care about the person and he isn't on my radar at all.
Mit MASS Milquetoast | 10.25.10 @ 10:49AM
Romneycare???? Obama deathcare will be seen by Mr Mass Blow Dry as an opportunity to get the MASS Monstrosity right, undoubtedly. This guy wants to run on ECON after birthing that Turd??
Angel Johnson| 10.25.10 @ 11:20AM
Republicans need to find better candidates. If they nominate Romney or Palin they could wind up losing to Obama. Romney didn't poll well enough among Republicans to beat McCain, and McCain was a very weak candidate. Palin appeals more to the Republican base, but her negatives are high and independents may not be enthused.
chris| 10.25.10 @ 11:42AM
so it had the feel of an "organized crime" meeting because it was at carmine's italian eatery? and this in the same article about npr being insensitive to juan williams?
Mutatis Mutandis| 10.25.10 @ 12:02PM
Williams lost his job for expressing an unpopular opinion. Your comment makes it seem like you want more people fired for speaking up.
chris| 10.25.10 @ 12:09PM
is it "speaking up" or is it an "unpopular opinion"
to use slurs against italians, implying it is an "organized crime" meeting because it was held at camine's italian eatery? i want to be clear what you and the writer mean, don't care if he gets fired.
Bob S| 10.25.10 @ 12:59PM
So... "La Cosa Nostra" isn't Italian? The average Italian certainly is not a member, but, with very few exceptions, all members are italians. (Note: I've been to Italy several times, and without exception, all the locals I've spoken to consider La Cosa Nostra as a Sicilian, not Italian, thing, and what's more, consider Sicily as part of Africa, not Europe).
chris| 10.25.10 @ 1:10PM
what is your point? sicily is a province of italy. what do you mean it is part of africa? are you implying africa is somehow not as good as italy? maybe the people you speak with share your
bigotry.
Mutatis Mutandis| 10.25.10 @ 1:48PM
I think you're being overly sensitive about some perceived slur. Thinking that all Italians are part of organized crime makes about as much sense as thinking that they all sing opera or wear togas.
People say stupid things from time to time. It's not worth getting wound up about.
chris| 10.25.10 @ 3:05PM
not upset with you. upset with the writer of this article who should have more sense writing for an excellent publication like american spectator. he also uses the movie title "analyze this" from that ridiculous robert deniro/billy crystal movie about a mob guy seeing a shrink.
Clemenza| 10.25.10 @ 6:05PM
Dear Chris,
Leave the gun, take the cannoli.
Clemenza
chris| 10.25.10 @ 7:26PM
hey fat clemenza,
liked your sauce recipe. any more friends with a nice carpet?
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:33PM
And what negatives would that be, pray tell us? Unless you are referring to the ones manufactured by the leftist swine.
Rebel Without A Pause| 10.25.10 @ 11:51AM
I would back Jim DeMint in any office in which he chooses to run.
Bob| 10.25.10 @ 12:38PM
Romney's chief rival unmentioned in this article is the FAT MAN NJ Governor Crisco. The Trenton Two Ton is popular amongst fiscal conservatives hence a threat to his nomination.
fat man| 10.25.10 @ 1:14PM
very intelligent comments. since you have nothing to say, you comment on his weight. you must be one of the liberals against Christie.
Are you one of the teachers union reps?
Julie| 10.25.10 @ 1:16PM
I agree with Bob, Governor Christie is too FAT. I'm supporting Romney for the nomination.
Mormon Girl| 10.25.10 @ 1:19PM
Second the motion!
Angel Johnson| 10.25.10 @ 1:52PM
Richard Simmons could get Governor Christie back in shape.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:47PM
Mitt's too cardboard phony and Christie's too fat!
Daniel | 10.26.10 @ 12:08PM
Despite all of his lies and all of the damage that Oblahblah has done, I do not regret voting against John McStain, the socialist with an R next to his name. If Romney gets the nomination, I will vote against him too. Speaking as an ex-mor(m)on (Daniel is my temple name, suck on that), I would rather suffer four more years under B. Hussein Oblahblah than have the nuclear football in the hand of a member of that psychotic cult (e.g. Mountain Meadows Massacre, then naming their belioved BYU after a mass murderer).
Patrick| 10.25.10 @ 3:07PM
I prefer sense over physique. Even so, there are plenty of idiots out there who only care about what the president looks like...and they are allowed to vote.
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:36PM
Mores the pity - and we have a few of those commenting above.
On the other hand, as much as I like the way Christie has gone after the criminal enterprises known as "unions" in NJ - he is in no way a solid conservative.
Warrior | 10.25.10 @ 3:42PM
If I were to use your criteria for picking a candidate, we should just use the next Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for our list of primary candidates.
Occam's Tool| 1.28.11 @ 6:24PM
Janine Turner is a Conservative.
Ryan| 10.25.10 @ 1:25PM
Nah, what we're seeing is 1-2 staffers from the Romney campaign trolling these boards, attacking the other candidates, agreeing with each other, and posting under multiple names.
aware| 10.25.10 @ 2:12PM
Total agreement.
Patrick| 10.25.10 @ 3:08PM
Kinda like the gay marriage hacks a couple weeks ago.
Margie| 10.25.10 @ 2:30PM
Everyone knows by now that there's the "good fat" and there's the "bad fat", and Chris Christie's the "good fat", the kind that is actually healthy for us, and that we can't live without. Well, Chris Christie is the kind of healthy that our country can't live without, and we need more of him.
And he's not just "fiscally conservative" which is only PART of what being a conservative is all about. He's pro-Life and and for keeping illegal drug use illegal.
Here's a sample of his coool attitude:
http://www.youdecidepolitics.c.....l-reality/
And here:
http://biggovernment.com/kolso.....-christie/
Margie| 10.25.10 @ 2:31PM
I'd also like to add that being a conservative isn't only about being fiscally responsible, but also being pro Israel. In fact did you know that there is a House TEA Party Caucus of whom Michelle Bachman is a member? They recently wrote a resolution to this effect:
http://elenaives.com/2010/07/2.....rael-iran/
More about it here:
"Last week, a Tea Party-affiliated grassroots organization launched a nationwide campaign to build popular opposition to the administration's nuclear reductions treaty with Russia, called New START. The group is led by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's wife Ginny and it dovetails with similar efforts by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
The resolution also continues a theme among Tea Party leaders, such as Sarah Palin, who are seeking to separate the movement's domestic policies, which call for small government and fiscal restraint, from libertarian views on foreign policy, promoting instead an aggressive, unilateralist view of world affairs and unchecked military spending."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy......ck_on_iran
aware| 10.25.10 @ 3:31PM
Completely agree about Christie. Who cares what he looks like if he can cut government.
However, if we give Israel 114 billion in aid, then we give the Saudis a 60 billion arms deal(not to mention 8 billion to Pakistan), plus we rebuild and retrain an Iraqi army, would this be an example of playing both ends against the middle?
Is it possible that if we weren't arming everybody in the region they wouldn't even be able to fight at all? Except with slingshots and insults.
No offense, but what sense does it make to "support" Israel while arming her potential enemies? This is what I mean by saying we aren't really helping Israel with our interference.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:49PM
Christie looks unhealthy for himself. He needs to lose a lot of weight before I would seriously consider him a candidate for president.
I wouldn't want to see him have a heart-attack on the campaign stump.
aware| 10.25.10 @ 7:17PM
I had a grandfather that was a barrel chested 300 pounder. He drank 90 proof bourbon at a rate of a half gallon a week(started with bootleg in Prohibition). Smoked the rankest cigars and ate all the wrong things. Slept about 5 hrs a night and worked a business and a farm 7 days a week his whole life.
At 82 the doctors told him he had bone cancer and would die in agony in a year without treatment. He refused any such.
He died 14 years later peacefully of pneumonia without changing any of the things I've listed(and more besides).
What the hell kind of "guarantees" do you think you have? The only difference between him and the bike riding, healthy eating, non smoking, doctor worshiping types of today is the latter don't know why they end up dead too. And often way before 96 too!
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 7:52PM
Apples and oranges unless your obese grandfather undertook an extremely strenuous and stressful campaign for POTUS.
Christie would be a fool to pursue the presidency without getting in shape first.
aware| 10.26.10 @ 5:54AM
You miss the part about running a business AND a farm? Successfully, for 70 years.
What do you think a president is? A warrior king?
The main "stress" a president faces is finding out how hopeless the situation really is once he gets to the inside. That and learning he isn't actually "in charge", the bankers are.
Willey| 10.26.10 @ 11:06PM
Try reading my post before you respond. "Campaign for POTUS" is what I said. Presidential campaigns are extremely stressful and stress kills.
Besides, your grandpa sounds like he was quite an extraordinary specimen of a man (lucky you!) and Christie may not be as fortunate!
Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 8:39PM
Aaaand , Sarah Palin Endorses Tea Dr.Rand Paul Crank Lady Margie .
So Does Tea Party Kingmaker Jim DeMint .
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Rise Up In Rebellion !
Shamus| 10.25.10 @ 2:40PM
It takes a big man to stand up to the unions.
Margie| 10.25.10 @ 2:47PM
Short, sweet & to the point comment!
Bob| 10.25.10 @ 6:07PM
Since when is fat good for you? You're talking like a mealy mouthed liberal. Besides in Governor Crisco's case its blubber.
Margie| 10.25.10 @ 6:27PM
Heh, I thought I was talking TO a mealy mouthed Liberal.
http://www.healthcastle.com/goodfats-badfats.shtml
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 7:02PM
Christie does not look healthy. He needs to lose a lot of weight.
aware| 10.25.10 @ 7:20PM
Good one Margie! Touche! LMAF!
Margie| 10.25.10 @ 8:03PM
Thanks aware, glad I made SOMEBODY laugh around here. :^)
Jeremiah| 10.25.10 @ 10:17PM
You always make people laugh, Margie, AT you.
I'm sure you're used to it by now.
idalily| 10.25.10 @ 2:59PM
For Romney to have a rival, he'd have to have a chance. He doesn't.
Kishego| 10.25.10 @ 3:10PM
Christie/Jindahl for 2012, now that would be a great ticket.
Warrior | 10.25.10 @ 3:38PM
Bob, has anyone weighed Obama's ears?
chris| 10.25.10 @ 4:45PM
they weigh much less than his ego.
Anthony| 10.25.10 @ 2:20PM
NPR's Nina Totenberg made the comment in the '90s that Jessie Helms should worry about God's retributive justice, in that Helms might get AIDS from a blood transfusion, or his grandson might develop AIDS.
May I suggest that instead of worrying about Gov. Christie's weight, and how thin he might be in 2012, that we kick D ass next week and impose some retributive justice on Totenberg and NPR!! NPR needs to lose some taxpayer weight, to the tune of $400 M of our $$$$.
Nina could use a Richard Simmons work out as well.
Niemsters| 10.25.10 @ 3:32PM
McCain lost not becuase conservatives didn't vote but because Obama won the independents. No exclusivly 'Tea Party' candidate can win the General Election.
If Conservatives/Republicans/Tea Partiers keep fighting we don't stand a chance against Obama.
The only thing worse that drinking someone's Kool-Aid is drinking your own Kool-Aid.
Doug| 10.25.10 @ 7:27PM
To get my vote, I only require that the guy (or gal) make one pledge: to repeal Obamacare. That's it. If he's of the mind that O-care "only needs to be tweaked," as Romney clearly does, then I'll be content to sit it out again, as I did in '08.
If a republican pres candidate supports this massive government mandate, how can he claim to be a republican? I threw in the towel on McCain when he loudly proclaimed to be in favor of a government handout to put the people who defaulted on their mortgages back in those same homes.
Elizabeth| 10.25.10 @ 5:59PM
Governor Christie is good on the issues but his personal appearance is a big turn off. Women voters want a handsome charismatic President. Romney fits that template and has a better chance to win a general election though ironically Christie has a better chance of winning the nomination. If Christie runs the media and Hollywood will lampoon his weight and knock him out of the race.
c| 10.25.10 @ 7:21PM
"Women voters want a handsome charismatic President" . explains how we got such competent, honest presidents, like clinton and obama. this may explain how liberal women vote. of course, this is real, it is like saying this statement was the reason women were not allowed to vote until 1920.
c| 10.25.10 @ 7:21PM
meant to say "NOT REAL"
Doug| 10.25.10 @ 7:32PM
"The sun glinted off chiseled pectorals sculpted during four weightlifting sessions each week..."
Yep, this is why women vote for a guy. Who cares about his policies. Only that he might sweep me off my feet in my dreams!
Indeed, Woman's Suffrage was a dumb idea.
Jeremiah| 10.25.10 @ 7:58PM
"Elizabeth" is probably gay guy like you.
Nelson H.| 10.25.10 @ 11:04PM
Yes, Elizabeth, and men voters want sexy supermodels to be President, and to heck with the issues.
Your remarks only underscore what men have long suspected: that women are hard-wired very differently and make political choices based on the most whimsical of reasons. Mencken said that women were the ultimate hard-eyed realists while men were impractical dreamers, immersed in petty vices and having minds that work like rubber stamps. After reading your comment I gather there has been a cultural role-reversal and now the feminine frame of reference is the romance novel and it is up to men to ride to the rescue and deliver us from decades of Mommy-Party malfeasance.
Renee| 10.26.10 @ 1:27AM
Get off your high horse, Nelson--especially after all of the cat calls and untoward remarks men have made toward Sarah Palin.
Don't bust out your white horse just yet.
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:43PM
Hmmmm... seems to me the majority of anti Sarah remarks have come from catty women.
Renee| 10.26.10 @ 11:13PM
The catty women I know don't hurl catcalls at good looking women, Bruce--but I know men who do. I sure don't want to know your women-friends.
somnolence| 10.25.10 @ 6:09PM
I continue to reserve my enthusiasm for Palin/Demint for the GOP team in 2012. Palin will still have more endurance than any male or female in the running.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:51PM
Hear hear!
CB| 10.25.10 @ 6:40PM
Romney is my first choice for president. He inspires confidence. He’ll perform strongly in the debates with Obama. And he will have more credibility with independents.
Romney/Jindal or Romney/DeMint 2012!
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:54PM
Sorry, but Romney does not inspire confidence, he inspires distrust and apathy. A Romney candidacy will destroy the Republican party.
We ran a RINO in 2008--how'd that work out for us?
jstwndring| 10.25.10 @ 6:52PM
Get off of our side Romney. You may look good to the idiots out east, but, not out here in fly-over country. If he gets the nod in 2012, i'm not voting.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:56PM
Agreed. The elitist RINO twit will never get my vote.
Proud Mormon| 10.25.10 @ 6:55PM
Romney's defeats in Iowa and New Hampshire back in '08 tripped up his campaign for sure. But this time Mitt is laying the ground work for victory. Door to door, mail, email, town halls, phone calls, TV and radio appearances, pressing the flesh, one on one discussion, etc. in both states, the kind of stuff that wins elections. After a sweep of these two states Romney will finish off the competition in California and win the nomination.
Willey| 10.25.10 @ 6:58PM
You'll vote for Romney because he's a Mormon like you, I'll never vote for Romney because of his elitist RINO policies.
Identity politics is for liberals.
RomneyCare = ObamaCare
Niemsters| 10.25.10 @ 9:12PM
RINO is a title that is NOT applied consistently. Is Cristie called a RINO for currently being PRO-CHOICE? NO. Is Romney for formerly being PRO-CHOICE? YES. Is Palin a RINO for raising taxes on Oil Companies? Is Huckabee for giving clemency to record numbers? Or is DeMint for trampling on the consitution by saying that homosexuals and Co-habitating women shouldn't be allowed to be teachers?
By current standard Regan and Nixon would be RINOs as well.
Bruce | 10.26.10 @ 9:45PM
"Or is DeMint for trampling on the consitution by saying that homosexuals and Co-habitating women shouldn't be allowed to be teachers?"
Uh ... want to run that by us one more time? "trampling on the Constitution"? How so?
Jeremiah| 10.25.10 @ 10:10PM
RomneyCare will forever tar Romney with the RINO brush. That's a done deal and Romney has only himself to blame for it.
Romney's lack of charisma and personal warmth further serve to alienate him from the people. Many if not most of Conservatives will not vote for him. This is not business as usual.
Bank on it.
e cowan| 11.2.10 @ 2:34PM
On radio interviews broadcast on a Reno, NV radio station, I recall hearing Mitt Romney, and on another program, Mike Huckeby BOTH say that we NEEDED illegal immigrants - that they kept our economy going. I wonder if either of them still hold that position given our actual unemployment rate of 17+%?
You can have both of these RINOs !
ec