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Bring Fenty Back
July 11, 2012 | 63 comments
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Mitt W. Bush
May 7, 2012 | 29 comments
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Education’s Medicaid Problem
January 11, 2012 | 39 comments
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The NEA’s Progressive Turn
December 9, 2011 | 13 comments
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Taking Over Lousy Schools
December 2, 2011 | 29 comments
Political Hay
Romney’s Race From the Top
Is Mitt destined to remain more suit than substance?
Last Thursday’s Republican presidential debate made a few things painfully clear about how the current field of aspirants will deal with the role of the federal government in forcing the overhaul of America’s woeful traditional public schools — above all how front-runner Mitt Romney remains an artful dodger when it comes to his past and present views on everything.
The GOP field would rather ignore education altogether, even to the point of dismissing sensible, conservative ideas that could get better bang for taxpayers’ buck. This was particularly clear when Texas Gov. Rick Perry took aim at Romney for praising President Barack Obama’s school reform agenda. During a campaign event in Florida, Romney had praised U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for having “done some good things” and applauded the administration’s signature effort, Race to the Top, for spurring states such as California into expanding school choice. Romney’s dodge around the issue during the debate has now given the desperate Perry some much needed ammunition. In the past few days, Perry’s campaign has launched a series of ads mocking the former Massachusetts governor’s penchant for flip-flopping, reminding the public that “words have meaning.”
This isn’t surprising. The Texas governor has made his bones in recent years by opposing Obama’s school reform agenda, especially the effort to get states to embrace Common Core standards in reading and mathematics. From where Perry sits, states — especially his own — are more than capable of handling their own affairs on education. The fact that Perry himself has endorsed expansive federal education policy — including the No Child Left Behind Act crafted by former president (and Perry’s predecessor as governor) George W. Bush — makes much of his posturing rather suspect. So does his willingness to take federal money when it suits his purposes. So does the reality that No Child and the rest of federal education policy is modeled on efforts Bush undertook in the Lone Star State, and the reality that Texas has fallen behind Florida and other more aggressive reform-minded states.
But Perry, as much of a flip-flopper as Romney, has always been good at playing to the crowd — and these days, education is especially fertile ground. Less school reform-oriented Republicans, especially movement conservatives, are vocally rejecting anything that resembles the agenda of George W. Bush, whose legacy on education — including the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act — made him a darling of centrist and liberal Democrat reformers. The fact that Obama has adopted many of his predecessor’s education policy decisions (even as he attempts to gut the law in order to further his own agenda) makes Bush’s views even less palatable.
Movement conservatives may be generally supportive of expanding vouchers and charter schools, two of the most prominent elements of Bush’s education policy. But they regard any talk of a strong federal role in education — especially one that involves the Department of Education, a particularly favorite whipping boy — as heresy. In the mind of even otherwise sensible conservative school reformers, Race to the Top, like No Child, appears to be another bit of federal overreach.
Yet, as with No Child, Race to the Top has done little to expand the federal role or even increase Washington’s nine percent contribution to the nation’s $594 billion in spending on schools. If anything, Race to the Top, like No Child, has made states more accountable for the dollars they receive from the federal government because they have to compete for any additional federal subsidies. With its structure as a competition, states have had to make it easier to expand school choice, subject teachers to private sector-style performance management, force districts to fix their schools, and even adopt stricter curriculum standards. Even if the states didn’t get the money, they are taking on the very school reforms — especially school choice and weakening the influence of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers — that many conservatives and a growing number of Democrats support.
The results from Race to the Top can be seen not only in states that received funding such as Florida (one of several states that have launched teacher performance pay plans) and Tennessee, which followed up on enacting more-rigorous teacher evaluations by abolishing collective bargaining — and weakening the influence of the state’s National Education Association affiliate. It was Race to the Top that coaxed California into enacting the nation’s first Parent Trigger law, allowing for a majority of parents to force the overhaul of failure factories that their children are forced to attend (three states now have some form of Parent Trigger law on the books); the impact of the initiative remains ongoing, as 13 states this year either launched or expanded school voucher and voucher-like tax credit initiatives that allow families to get their kids out of failing schools, while states such as Florida have launched performance pay plans.
Race to the Top may have an even more influential impact if Obama succeeds in extending its underlying competition model to the rest of the $56 billion in federal subsidies ladled out annually to states and school districts. If federal spending can’t be eliminated altogether, at least states should actually be accountable for the dollars they receive and for actually making sure that they prepare students for success.
Meanwhile the Race to the Top fracas is one more reminder of Romney’s penchant for obfuscating his true positions in order to advance his political ambitions.
During his first run for the presidency three years ago, Romney proclaimed his support for No Child; his initial crew of campaign advisers included such big-name reformers as Harvard Professor Paul Peterson (who runs the education policy magazine Education Next), James Peyser of the New Schools Venture Fund (who was Romney’s appointee to the Bay State’s board of education), and John Winn, who oversaw former Florida governor Jeb Bush’s reform efforts.
But in this go-round, Romney has danced around what he would actually do on the federal education front once he got into office. Nothing in his 87-page economic plan addresses the importance of reforming schools, whose failures — including 150 students dropping out of school every hour — will be on the dole for the long term, becoming a drain on the nation’s economy and taxpayer dollars for decades to come.
But one can easily surmise what he will do just from his two terms as Massachusetts governor. While offering such school reform proposals as giving $15,000 performance bonuses to top-performing teachers, Romney also pushed to make it easier for the state to take over failing school districts. These efforts, along with his declaration in 2005 that “the failure of our urban schools and, in some cases our suburban schools… is the civil rights issue of our time,” pretty much shows that he will support the same sort of reforms for which the last four presidents — including Dubya and Obama — have advocated in one form or another.
Unfortunately for Romney, his obfuscating is nothing new. From his backtracking from the healthcare reform effort he undertook in Massachusetts that has been a model for the federal Affordable Health Care Act, to his abandonment of the environmental efforts he undertook as governor, to his constant effort to one-up Perry and others to be the most palatable conservative, Romney has been more suit than substance. Some of this lies with his own background as a traditionally centrist corporate executive; the flexibility of thought (and resulting lack of adherence to principles) needed to successfully turn around the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, as well as run firms such as Bain Capital, doesn’t serve him well in the political arena. Political chief executives must both combine a strong intellectual and ideological backbone, strong statesmanship, and an understanding that politics is the art of compromise, and of the mere possible.
Romney need not have bothered with the flip-flopping on Race to the Top. Whether it is he, Perry. or any of the other aspirants who wins the Republican nod to challenge Obama, the eventual nominee will not be able simply to mouth off about abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. He will have to embrace the very school reform formula — including holding states accountable for student progress, expanding school choice, and subjecting teachers to private sector-style performance management and compensation — that have been the hallmarks of Bush’s and Obama’s tenure.
About the Author
RiShawn Biddle the editor of Dropout Nation , is co-author of A Byte at the Apple: Rethinking Education Data for the Post-NCLB Era. He can be followed at Twitter.com/dropoutnation.
Michael Tomlinson| 9.29.11 @ 6:44AM
Looking Presidential does not make one Presidential. Mitt Romney had his chance in 2008, when he was clearly the better candidate than the eventual nominee and blew it. Now when we are on the cusp of a potentially transformative election that will move the country significantly to the right and away from the New Deal/Great Society the GOP is being told by the pollsters, pundits (many on the right) and MSM that the most electable candidate is Mitt Romney. If we had listened to the same sources in 1979 Ronald Reagan would not have been the GOP candidate in 1980.
There are two viable conservatives now leading the pack – Rick Perry and Herman Cain. While the former came on strong, but has stumbled the reality is Perry does best as an underdog just ask Kay Bailey Hutchison. Herman Cain despite his inexperience is genuine and smart, but the question is after 4 years of an inexperienced black guy in the White House will the electorate take another chance with a political novice?
Not to stray too far from the authors point if we want to elect a successful school reformer than Jeb Bush would be our candidate. That isn’t likely, but for those pushing the acerbic Chris Christie if we must have a moderate let’s at least have one that looks Presidential. But is a moderate worth the risk when what America needs is a total revamp and not merely a facelift?
Jack in Wi.| 9.29.11 @ 7:32AM
Rick Perry is a spectacular flop. Herman Cain is just another Stepin Fetch It to the neocon and countryclub elites. They are puffing old Herman as a stogap till they find someone else. Romney is disliked by two thirds of the party. Christie and Ryan have turned them down. Who's next General Petreaus?
Ron Paul beats Obama in the latest Harris Poll 51% to 49%. The issues he has brought to the table are the ones that the people want. They want out of the wars now, the troops home now, and end to foreign aid, an audit of the FED, and small constitutioanl government. He gets the biggest crowds. He raises a lot of money. He has a huge base of young committed supporters. He polls best among conservative Democrats, and Independents It is Ron Paul or ruin.
Education belongs to the states and localities. Get the Federal Government and it's noxious mandates out of their business. Schools are worse not better since Jimmy Carter caved to the teachers union and gave us the Dept. Of Education.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:55AM
Jack,
Please do us all a favor and explain, in vivid detail, what led you to become such an unbearable malcontent??
It's bad enough when you accuse Israel and the "Israel First" lobby (meaning "the Jews") of all kinds of nefarious and evil schemes, like controlling the banks and secretly directing our foreign policy, or even of being involved in the 9/11 plot.
But now you refer to self-made millionaire and Bonaparte fide Conservative Herman Cain as a "Stepin Fetchit"?!?!
Jack, you truly are a despicable, small-minded little creep. And you're a coward, too. Maybe the rest of us would have a tad more respect for you if you had the guts to say how you really felt about Jews and Blacks, instead if hiding behind "safe" code-words and phrases.
You want to know who the real "Stepin Fetcits" are, Jack??
They're the fools who blindly march along in lock-step, hanging on every word or phrase uttered by their "Dear Leader", carrying his water and reciting the same, pathetic talking points over and over and over, like a pathetic parrot.
Sound familiar, Jack? It should, because I'm talking about you and all the rest of you robotic, Paul-bot stooges.
Your brand of idiocy gives Conservatives a bad name. Please crawl back under your rock with your book of Ron Paul quotes and disappear.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 8:02AM
Why Don't You Try To Make Us, Dr.Reich.
Dr.Reich Is Scared Of The Tea Party & Our Co-Favorite Presidential Candidate Dr.Ron Paul.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 8:20AM
Another pathetic malcontent speaks.
Clint, it used to be fun having fun with you, but it's become an absolute bore.
You're a drone. You have ZERO insight into politics or current events. You have never expressed an original thought or idea.
You robo-post the same tired old posts day after day and recite the talking points. You possess no sense of self-awareness whatsoever. If you did, you'd realize that most if the people on this board use you as the punch-line to a joke.
In short, you're the perfect type of person to join a "movement" - someone of mid-level intelligence and low creativity who has experienced very little success in his life and wants to be led by someone who enables him toblame his failures on someone else.
In other words, you're a moron.
"Make you," Clint?
Oh, we will. When Ron Paul loses the nomination...again...fools like you and Jack will disappear voluntarily as you search for another Leader to tell you what to do, what to think, and who to blame.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 8:23AM
Dr.Reich Is The Chairman Of The Bores.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 8:26AM
And thus, Clint unwittingly confirms everything I just said about him.
Clint, would you like a cracker? For being such a good parrot?
LOL!
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 8:35AM
Apparently, Other Candidate Parrots Are Now Parroting What Dr.Ron Paul Has Been Focusing On For Years, Regarding The FED, Social Security, Big Government Intrusion Into States Rights.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 8:42AM
Oh, so before Ron Paul came along, NOBODY ever brought up the problems with Social Security funding, state's rights, or the fact that government is growing too large and intruding on our Cobstitutional rights????
Really??? Is that what you're contending, Clint??
Can you really be that clueless?? And do you really expect the rest of us to believe you???
...Here's another cracker, Polly...Sorry, I mean Clint...
Israel Firster| 9.29.11 @ 8:50AM
We Didn't Hear Perry Or Cain Discussing These Issues, When They Were For TARP.When Perry Was An Algore Cheerleader, When Cain Was Against Auditing The FED......
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 8:53AM
Uh Oh !
Even Israel Firster Agrees With The Tea Party.
We've Made A Convert.
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha !
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 9:53AM
Clint:
Ummmmm...WHY would someone who calls himself "Israel Firster" use YOUR sign-off ("The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here") to end his post???
That doesn't make sense, does it??
Man, you're dumb!
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 10:35AM
Because He's Shinin' You, Buffoon Dr.Reich.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 10:59AM
No.
It's 'cuz you're dumb.
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 11:28AM
It's Cuz You Ain't Gettin' It, Imbecile
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 12:31PM
I'm willing to bet that I "get it" far more than you do...
...at least with women, that is.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:20PM
Your Bitch Dog Fluffy Doesn't Count, Joisey Dog Humper.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:16PM
LOL!!!
I struck a nerve, didn't I, Clint-wit?!?!
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 9:22PM
No, You Humped Your Dog, Fluffy, Sad Sack.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 9:44AM
Have another cracker, Polly...
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 10:57AM
Have Another Candidate Du Jour, RINO-CINO.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 11:13AM
SQUAWK!!!!!!!
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 11:39AM
BLEAT !!!!!!!
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 8:37AM
I'm Clint and if Ron Paul said it, then I approve this message! But if anyone else said it then...then I don't!!!
Israel Firster| 9.29.11 @ 8:39AM
I like to Pretend Post As Clint.
hee,hee
Paul Bot| 9.29.11 @ 10:04AM
...I'm getting nervous.
Headquarters hasn't sent today's instructions yet.
Let's see...what do I have, what do I have..?
Ummm...OK..."Ex-CIA Chief Michael Scheuer..."
No, I've used that one too many times, and no one buys it anyway since Scheuer has been outed as a Jew-hater...
Darn! Oh, OK...here's one: "Ron Paul beats Obama in the latest Harris Poll..." No, can't use that one, either...it's from July!
Wait! Here's one! "Ron Paul thinks that Social Security is going to go broke"..! Yeah! Hmmmm...Well, no. Israel-lover Perry already beat us to the puch with the "Ponzi scheme" quote...Dang it!
OH! There's goes my fax machine!! Good thing I keep it running in good shape! Doctor Ron says NEVER to use e-mail! The Israelis are spying on our electronic messages, don't ya' know!!
Let's see! WHAT is today's message?
SUH-WEET!!
"Doctor Ron Paul is introducing a bill on the floor of the House today to officially declare that from now on, whomever comes in 3rd-place in the GOP nomination process MUST be declared the winner because the 1st and 2nd-place winners are obviously bought-and-paid for agents of the Pro-Israel lobby!"
I LIKE IT!!!! Time to fire-up the phone-banks!!!
Ron Paul! RON PAUL!!! RON-Freakin'-PAUL!!!!!!
...Whew! Got too excited there for a minute!! I'd better sit down...
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 10:21AM
LOL! I'm sure you'll get a reply from Dave Hitler Jr.(AKA Clint shortly)
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:13PM
You're A Slandering Liar Mickey D.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 6:26PM
I'll let the test of time decide that.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 11:52AM
" New Poll Shows Ron Paul Would Beat Obama in 2012
Wednesday, in a Harris Interactive released a poll of 2,462 adults from September 12 to 19;
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) defeated President Obama with 51 to 49 percent of the vote. Mitt Romney also defeats the president in that poll, with 53 to 47 percent. All other candidates trail the president to some degree."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
WJ| 9.29.11 @ 11:57AM
"No, I've used that one too many times, and no one buys it anyway since Scheuer has been outed as a Jew-hater..."
Your proof, other than the fact that he thinks that Palestinians should be treated like people also.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 12:41PM
Proof?
NO PROBLEM!
Here's a video of Michael Scheur on C-SPAN. He takes a call from a blatantly, openly anti-Semitic caller (Jack? Clint?), and then not only FAILS to call-out the caller's obscene comments, he proceeds to blame Israel for terror attacks and claims they're not worth US support:
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.c.....-with.html
Scheuer is an anti-Semite.
That is now PROVEN.
You lose, WJ.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 1:27PM
Sometimes silence tells all.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 2:35PM
Dr, you do know who WJ was?
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:24PM
Uh Oh !
Dr.Reich Reaches Into The Barrel Bottom Again & Attempts To Play The Anti-Semite Card On Dr.Ron Paul's Foreign Policy Advisor Michael Scheuer, FormerCIA Chief of The bin Laden Unit.
You're The Al Sharpton Of Israel Firster Hustlers.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:20PM
So are you going to try and refute the link I posted, Clint, you pathetic wuss??
Or are you merely hoping that no one notices you can't???
Like I said earlier, Clint...You're a joke.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 11:18AM
Hey, Clint!
Here's a video of you arguing with another Republican!
You did well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....A8D5A2C0E5
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 11:44AM
Dr.Reich At The Watermellon Festival
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....1/whoa.jpg
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 10:42AM
DR. I caught that "Stepin Fetch It " remark too. Our boy Jack seems more and more the "White Supremacist" every day doesn't he?
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 11:04AM
Since Jack's boy can't climb out of 3rd-place, Jack and Clint are feeling desperate.
In Jack, that manifests itself in racial and religious bigotry.
It makes Clint want to go and bash some gays so he can reaffirm his...manliness.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 11:59AM
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha !
The Anti-Catholic Nazi Dr.Reich Talks About Religious Bigotry.
This Is The Big Yellow Bus Callen A Lemon Pie Yellow.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Jack in Wi.| 9.29.11 @ 12:38PM
Jesse Ventura has just suggested that he an Ron Paul run as third party. Dr. Paul has discounted that. But maybe someone else will. If the Republicans continue to be the party of war and bailouts for the rich, they are done as a party anyhow. It is Ron Paul or ruin.
Even if Romney would get elected. It would be just more of the same. who needs that? Maybe we will have to pull Wahington down to it's foundations to save this country.
I am off for a few days. I leave the blog in the hands of all the truth tellers here. Keep up the fight it is just the beginning.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 2:40PM
Jesse Ventura? Damn, you paulbots are bring out the heavy artillery now. Maybe Lyndon LaRouche is ready for another go at it.
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 2:50PM
Hey at least the conspiracy theorist will have someone to root for other than Ron Paul if Jesse runs.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 11:38AM
Oh, he's the complete package alright.
Jack in Wi.| 9.29.11 @ 12:28PM
Stepin Fetchit is what most black politicians are, including Obama. I put that allusion in there on purpose. Mr. Cain is Mr. TARP, Mr. Federal, Reserve, Mr. Endless war for Israel. Anyone who goes to Israel to kiss the behind of Netayahu and Liebermann on the Glen Beck pilgrimage will never get my vote. Old Herman is bought and paid for, in my opinion.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 12:32PM
Thus spake Zarathustra...
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 1:18PM
Oh, I am pretty sure we know what you think about Jews and Jewish @ss kissers jackie. I think we have that part down by now. Those Jews got to Cain didn't they Jack? Dammit! There everywhere.
Jack in Wi.| 9.29.11 @ 12:21PM
Dr. wrong with all due respect: We are very malcontented. I have voted for the republican nominee for President in 11 straight elections. Most of my votes were wasted on the lesser evil. To me evil is still evil. Never again.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 12:33PM
Jack in Nuremberg:
I think you mean "discontented"..?
It's not good to admit being a malcontent.
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 12:40PM
Hey, at least he is finally admitting it.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 12:33PM
Jack in Nuremberg:
I think you mean "discontented"..?
It's not good to admit being a malcontent.
Jack in Wi.| 9.29.11 @ 12:40PM
Malcontent is my middle name. Have a good weekend.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 1:08PM
Oh.
I thought is was "Heinrich"...
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 1:23PM
Nah, I'm pretty sure its Amidinischad.
Alan Brooks| 9.29.11 @ 8:42PM
Extrapolating from this, can it safely be said we are both odious punks, Jack? like, say, it takes one to know one?
Alan Brooks| 9.29.11 @ 8:48PM
"Malcontent is my middle name. Have a good weekend."
Um, Jack: today is Thursday (as in Thor's day). The weekend officially begins tomorrow unless it is a three day holiday weekend (which it isn't).
You might want to wait until Friday before you wish us 'good weekend'.
And this weekend don't forget to polish your NSDAP badge.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 1:25PM
Watch it buddy, those Jews are using that line "never again" wash your mouth out, fast!
Alan Brooks| 9.29.11 @ 8:37PM
"It's bad enough when you accuse Israel and the "Israel First" lobby"
it might be because Jack lives in Wisconsin, a state filled with Nordic-types who think Jews want to "mongrelize" the races.
TrueBlue| 9.29.11 @ 5:12PM
So what exactly makes Cain a "Stepin Fetchit?" Is it the fact the he came up from practically nothing? His father a chauffeur and his mother a maid? The fact he has a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a Master's in Computer Science? Actual practical experience in the workforce? Dr. Ron Paul spouts ideas that Herman Cain has actual experience implementing, and has never worked in a competitive field. I salute Dr. Paul's AF and ANG service, but neither those nor his medical experience show any experience in how to fix a failing economic or education system. The man who worked his way up from NOTHING should be the candidate everyone wants, but instead Paul supporters have called him everything short of an Uncle Tom. Comments like "Stepin Fetch It" and various Anti-Jewish statements are why people continue to believe the Tea Party is full of racists.
Stick to actual facts and ditch the insults and slurs (that means everyone)!
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:24PM
PLEASE don't confuse Ron Paul's moronic followers like Jack and Clint with the Tea Party!
Ron Paul has nothing to do with the Tea Party. ZERO.
That's a lie that Paul's acolytes spin every chance they get.
TrueBlue| 9.29.11 @ 7:42PM
Yes, but it's a lie that many people across the country believe. "I" know there is a difference. I'm trying to get the Paul supporters to stop giving the Tea Party a bad name. Since they seem to think the movement is entirely their's it would be in their best interest to not trip themselves up.
If they dislike a candidate they need to produce facts, not slurs and insults; contrary to what people think Polls are NOT facts, they are targetted to give a make a particular viewpoint true, generally by only asking people the pollsters are reasonably certain support that view with a few outsiders thrown in to make it appear legitimate.
That said, insults and slurs from either side of the fence help nobody but the Dems, which was my other point. Let's stick to the facts.
Alan Brooks| 9.29.11 @ 8:40PM
"So what exactly makes Cain a "Stepin Fetchit?"
Cain is in fact a GOP token; the GOP isn't promoting Cain because they love blacks.
You wont even admit something so obvious as this that everyone knows?
Foxfier | 9.30.11 @ 4:17PM
"The GOP" isn't promoting Cain-- some conservatives are, because we LIKE him, and what he can bring to the party.
Unlike liberals, we don't think "a really good tan" is all that much of an asset-- we leave that to the leftists, who then project their racism and bad motives on to others.
John Navratil| 9.29.11 @ 8:02AM
Michael Tomlinson,
I generally agree with all you have written. Romney was the best candidate last time around, but that was then. The one issue with which I take modest exception is that of Cain being a political novice and being lumped in with Obama.
Obama was never a political novice. His entire life was political. He had no private sector experience to speak of.
Cain is his exact opposite. His executive experience (Romney's strongest asset, as well) will serve him well in an executive position.
I, for one, would have no difficulty voting for Cain.
Clinton| 9.30.11 @ 4:59AM
John,
Didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I like Herman Cain and would vote for him without hesitation though I do no support his 9-9-9 or the so-called fair tax (I prefer a flat tax).
Melvin| 9.29.11 @ 7:29AM
Herman Caine is one thing that Perry or Romney isn't, a Conservative. He message has been consistent, strong, and has never wavered from his core principals.
I keep hearing the whining, "Weeeeellllll, he is another Black man after all, and the one that we have in the office isn't doing so good."
Herman Cain is not just another Black man. He is a Conservative, he is a successful businessman, he is a husband and a father. And most important Herman Cain has a vision and a plan to get these United States back onto the path of prosperity.
Herman makes no bones about, if he is elected President Happy Days are Hear Again the day after he is sworn in.
Herman has been honest in his message that it isn't going to be easy, but if we follow his leadership we will come out of this malaise that we are suffering from.
All one has to do is listen to him, not just the sound bites but actually listen to what he is saying.
Then put Herman's message alongside Perry's or Romney's and the difference is startling. Perry and Romney briefly dance around a Conservative message, but they are far from of having Conservatism as a core value.
Romney and Perry are Establishment Republican Elites, and for the most part so is Chris Christie.
This is why Establishment Republicans are frantically begging candidates that will appeal to Conservatives.
Herman isn't pretty, and he doesn't tell you what you want to hear. Herman is sincere, and he has a plan that is viable and it will work.
I'm sure Mitt Romney and Rick Perry are nice men, but their lousy Conservatives who have Establishment Republican Elitists stamped right in the middle of their foreheads.
We need to send the Establishment a message. "You don't select who is going to carry the Republican banner in the upcoming Presidential election, we the people do, and don't you forget it."
By electing Herman Cain to run against Barrack Obama, that message will ring true and has hard as the message from the clarion call of Conservatism.
Melvin| 9.29.11 @ 7:32AM
Bad fingers, bad fingers. I meant to say "Herman makes no bones about, if he is elected President Happy Days are NOT Hear Again the day after he is sworn in.
Clinton| 9.30.11 @ 5:02AM
Perry is a conservative. His record is conservative and Governor of the most successful conservative state in the US. That he doesn't agree with you 100% doesn't make him any less conservative.
POST American| 9.29.11 @ 7:47AM
---Having learned, just days ago,
Romney's Mass was pushing a MANDATE
for injections accompanied by a aily
fine for NON-compliance of 1000 bucks,
we put this capstone cardboard aside.
---BTW---
As the FUKISHIMA fallout mixes with
those HAARP enabling CHEM-trails,
neither of which officially exist,
those of you at all interested in
----------REAL-EYES-zing---------
what's goin' down will CHECK OUT:
Jay Weidner (doc film-maker)
'Jay Weidner Explains His Theory of
the Downfall of America' video on Youtube
6 candid car seat minutes that will set
the stark nature and reality of the Globalist
RED China TREASON OP before your very
eyes.
---GO ----CHECK IT OUT and send it to everyone, and we mean EVERYONE,
that you know.
Election 2012 is NOT going to be biz nihilism
as usual.
--------------HUAC meets NUREMBERG------------
Mike Hawk| 9.29.11 @ 8:12AM
Got loose again, I see.
Dan Mathewson| 9.29.11 @ 4:52PM
Put down the bong and step away from the computer. The men in white coats will be along momentarily. There is a padded cell waiting just for you.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 7:51AM
" Herman Cain: My Support For TARP Could Be A Problem
Herman Cain was once one of TARP's strongest supporters. In fact, he still thinks the idea was a good one, in theory anyway. This puts Cain in direct opposition to the tea party followers largely responsible for his meteoric rise of late up the Republican presidential polls.
Cain acknowledges this could be an issue.
"If they want to nail me with my support for TARP -- you know what? I'm not going to be able to counter that."
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 11:09AM
And farther down in that article he states:
"But he said that anyone who thinks of him as a TARP advocate has the wrong idea. While he supported the idea of government pumping cash into banks during the darkest days of the financial crisis, Cain says he takes great issue with how the money was doled out.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.....roblem.php
Kind of changes the context.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 12:04PM
Let's Review Now.
Herman Cain Was For TARP, Before He Was Against TARP
Herman Cain Was Against Auditing The FED, Before He Was For Auditing The FED.
Herman Cain Was Against Appointing Muslims For His Cabinet, Before He Was For Appointing Muslims For His Cabinet.
This Guy's Mittens Romney Without The Mittens.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 12:43PM
Remind me where Ron Paul stood on that whole shrimp thing again?
According to the Houston Chronicle, Paul:
...leads the Houston-area delegation in the number of earmarks, or special funding requests, that he is seeking for his district. He is trying to nab public money for 65 projects, such as marketing wild shrimp and renovating the old movie theater in Edna that closed in 1977 — neither of which is envisioned in the Constitution as an essential government function
http://www.chron.com/news/hous.....837685.php
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 3:24PM
Do Your Homework & Don't Be An Uninformed Constitutional & Fiscal Useful Dupe.
Senator Ron Paul has never voted for an Earmark or an Appropriations Bill, as he makes his principled constitutional stance.
Dr. Ron Paul,
"But I think you're missing the whole point. I have never voted for an earmark. I voted against all appropriation bills. So, this whole thing about earmarks is totally misunderstood.
Earmarks is the responsibility of the Congress. We should earmark even more. We should earmark every penny. So, that's the principle that we have to follow and the — and the responsibility of the Congress. The whole idea that you vote against an earmark, you don't save a penny. That just goes to the administration and they get to allocate the funds."
"If you cut off all the earmarks, it would be 1 percent of the budget. But, if you vote against all the earmarks, you don't cut one penny. That is what you have to listen to. We're talking about who has the responsibility, the Congress or the executive branch?
I'm saying, get it out of the hands of the executive branch. Just listen again about what I have said about the TARP funds. We needed to earmark every penny. Now we gave them $350 billion, no earmarks, and nobody knows..."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 5:06PM
Ah yes grasshopper. But Paul says the goverment should only do what the constitution authorizes it to do. Where in the constitution does it authorize earmarks or the goverment becoming involved in any of the following?
1. $25,000 for the Brazoria County Sheriff to establish a “Children’s Identification and Location Database.”
2. $8 million for the marketing of wild American shrimp.
3. $2.3 million for shrimp fishing research.
4. $3 million to “secure the acquisition of the McGinnes tract, protecting its critical natural resources and helping consolidate refuge inholdings.”
5. $5 million to expand the cancer center at Brazosport Hospital.
6. $200,000 for the Matagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program to fund a “National Health Service Corp Scholar.”
7. $4.5 million to study the effects of the health risks of vanadium.
8. $3 million to test imported shrimp for antibiotics. (Does anyone think there is a big shrimp industry in Paul’s district?)
9. $10 million to repair the Galveston railways causeway bridge.
10. $1.18 million for “Personalized Medicine in Asthma”
11. $100,000 for a “data-driven automated system for nursing students on the Texas Gulf Coast.”
12. $257,000 to “prepare graduates from the doctoral program at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing to assume faculty roles in schools for nursing with a deficient number of doctoral level faculty.”
13. $1.4 million to buy buses for the Golden Crescent Regional Commission.
14. $2 million to buy buses for Galveston.
15. $5 million for highway spending.
16. $2 million to replace facilities for Galveston bus service.
17. $3 million to replace facilities for the Golden Crescent Regional bus facility.
18. $2 million to repair the Galveston trolley.
19. $2.14 million to renovate the Edna Theater.
20. $13 million for I-69 highway project.
21. $30 million the Texas Maritime Academy to refurbish a ship.
22. $4.5 million to maintain Cedar Bayou. Plus another $9 million
23. $15 million for “construction at GIWW Matagorda Bay.” Plus another $5.8 million
24. $100,000 to maintain Chocolate Bayou.
25. $2.5 million to maintain Double Bayou.
But using your logic I guess if its a earmark it doesn't have to be a Congressional duty under the constitution does it? Talk about cognitive dissonance!
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 8:27PM
I will put all that up against 750 billion for banks. Ron Paul votes against the spending bill. Not his fault your heroes vote for unbalanced unconstitutional spending.
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 9:48PM
Duuuuuuuhhhhh !
Asked & Answered.
Dr.Ron Paul Never Voted For An Earmark Or An Appropriations Bill.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 11:14AM
SQUAWK!!! RON PAUL! RON PAUL! CLINT WANNA' CRACKER! SQUAWK!!!!
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 12:06PM
BLEAT !!!!! Candidate Du Jour ! BLEAT ! Candidate Du Jour ! BLEAT ! RINO_CINO ! BLEAT !
JGwen| 9.29.11 @ 7:57AM
In view of the present state of the United States economy, education is but one of our major concerns. Education, in itself, does not necessarily lead to jobs these days.
With Mr. Romney we have a candidate who has said he believes there is global warming/climate change, that man may have something to do with it and that something needs to be done about it. Are we talking about more moneys being sunk in green jobs, as a venture capitalist - in cap and trade, and other of the economy and energy independence crushing initiatives?
We are also discussing a candidate who avers he can work with Democrats. I can only wonder which of the hard left progressives in the Democratic leadership he will be able to win over to capitalist solutions?
Not the least of our woes reflect the "legislative" impact taken on by our current bureaucracies, including the Department of Education. Among the candidates, which has the most extensive experience with the destructive impacts of today's federal bureaucracies and the most experience in accomplishing beneficial reforms of damaging bureaucracies? In view of the extensive damages being inflicted and the fact that federal bureaucrats survive elections, this issue also deserves careful voter consideration.
martin j smith| 9.29.11 @ 7:59AM
There are no perfect candidates and I would say Rick Perry and Mitt Romney of course have their problems. However, I blame the nature of the so called debates as the reason why Romney in particular has gotten away with murder so to speak.
But the good news is that the voters are highly cynical and highly motivated to send a message to these and others that this is not 2008. Thus I believe Herman Caine's recent dramatic upsurge reflects exactly that. " we aynt buyun yur kool Aid". This is a message not only to Romney and Perry but to the Republican Establishment as a whole--and in-directly to the Socialists.
As for Obama's educational reforms: One must be very skeptical of anything Obama does because he has earned so much distrust ( and this is of his own creation ) . The problems i our Public Educational system are so profound that they require as much focus on the communities and the home as they do with the students. This may well be an oversimplification but Propaganda
has replaced education. The very basics of reading writing and math have suffered as a result. Obama has ( but will not ) get off his race card,his class-warfare card and a real willingness to talk to those who disagree with him minimally in a civil manner. Then maybe something could be done. No Child Left Behind is a well meaning ( perhaps ) but lame attempt at reform. Facing the truth of the failures is more.
JimH| 9.29.11 @ 8:57AM
I still think a problem for Romney is that in his appearance he seems less a real leader or more like he plays one on TV; that or a FOX newsreader.
Mike D.| 9.29.11 @ 9:12AM
Romney is just the present person in a line of Republican RINO "its my turns". Dole, McCain, and the rest.
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 9:28AM
Real conservatives know that education is not one of the powers given to the federal government in the Constitution. Therefore any federal mandates are unconstitutional and are bad. This is a state issue. Anyone not for dismantling the Department of Education is not a conservative.
Dan Hirsch| 9.29.11 @ 9:47AM
Sean,
Don't forget the Department of Energy, the EPA, et al!
DTOM
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 10:01AM
Dan,
I haven't forgot.
Casey Abell| 9.29.11 @ 9:29AM
Okay, you guys may not like Romney because of politics. Fine. But will you stop the nonsense about the empty suit? You don't earn Romney's success in business on just a pretty face and a vacant head.
I'll leave aside Romney's academic career because I know you guys think the Ivy League is for candies like Obama. But Romney compiled that record with none of Barry's affirmative action help.
The real empty suit is the other guy in the picture. I'll vote for Perry in the TX primary because I think he's been a good governor of my state. But so far the debates have made the space between Perry's ears look like a laboratory-quality vacuum.
Dan Hirsch| 9.29.11 @ 9:51AM
Casey;
You wrote "..you guys may not like Romney because of his politics.."
We are talking about electing people to political office here. If we disagree with a candidate's politics, what on God's blue earth would induce a rational voter to vote FOR him? His hair? His pipes? His attractive wife and kids? The fact that he can name the 57 states?
THIMK, Casey, THIMK!
DTOM
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 10:04AM
An empty suit can be filled with anything. One day the person filling it is for abortion the next day he is against.
Casey Abell| 9.29.11 @ 10:00AM
"THIMK, Casey, THIMK!"
I thumked. You missed the entire point of my post. If Spectator writers want to rip Romney on politics, fine. But the subhead of this article was: "Is Mitt destined to remain more suit than substance?"
Which is just asinine. Romney is not an empty suit. If Biddle doesn't like Romney's views on education, fine. But he gets nowhere questioning Romney's smarts, by trotting out the dead and decayed empty-suit cliche.
Chuck| 9.29.11 @ 10:28AM
Romney is a complete fraud, that's a fact. His flip/flops were too numerous last time but this time his flips have resulted in less flops. The economy perceived as his strongest issue has trumped most others. Perry's discombobulating in policy and debate has given Romney the lead in Iowa. Victories in Iowa, NH and Fl means flipper has done it and GOP history has repeated itself loser last time/winner this time.
Gold BC| 9.29.11 @ 5:56PM
You have a good point. This Florida hurry up is no doubt a move arranged by Romney flunkies. It obviously benefits him by (1) moving up the other early primaries deterring other candidates from entering the race. (2) Romney's ahead in Iowa, the first step, New Hampshire a given leaving him just to split South Carolina and Florida. He doesn't care about South Carolina, the rednecks and bible thumpers won’t vote for him anyway so the emphasis on Florida. A victory there and he's the nominee.
Paul from SA| 9.29.11 @ 10:35AM
Romney is the establishment candidate, much like how John McCain and Bob Dole were chosen for us. Fox News is incredibly biased in favor of Romney and against Perry. Kristol, Krauthammer, Rove, Morris, et al are in favor of Romney.
The latest poll showing Romney in the lead is now breaking news on Fox News every fifteen minutes as each host reports the results with obvious glee.
Strange how they didn't report things the same way when Perry was in the lead. Fox News continually refers to Perry's entire immigration policy based on Texas' in-state tuition program for a select few illegals who qualify. Romney and other Republicans say Perry is for amnesty and the Dream Act. Still no mention that you can't build a fence in the middle of the Rio Grande, atop mountains or on private property.
No mention of the Mass. health insurance and medical care problems: average H-insurance premiums in Mass. are TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. Average wait times to see a doctor is one month; 6 weeks in the city. The Federal gov't is subsidizing most of their newly insured.
No mention of Romney's religion. What is a Mormon? Why isn't he a Christian?
Romney's been running for prez for 6 years, and I'm sick of seeing him campaigning.
When people learn more about Romney, he will drop like a hot potato.
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 10:55AM
Both Perry and Romney deserve to drop. Neither one of them is conservative.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 11:05AM
Neither is Ron Paul. Maybe he should quit, too...
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 12:12PM
Dr.Ron Paul Isn't A Quitter.
You're Scared Of The Tea Party & Our Co-Favorite Presidential Candidate Dr.Ron Paul.
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 12:36PM
Ron Paul is the most conservative candidate we ever had. I am sorry he wants to cut off welfare for your country, but the American taxpayer isn't here to support you.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 2:13PM
Ron Paul is NOT a Conservative.
Ron Paul does NOT claim to be a Conservative.
Ron Paul is a Libertarian.
There's a difference. It's BIG. Learn it.
Informed opinions are always better. Otherwise, you might end up like Clint...full of ideas, but short on actual knowledge.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 3:04PM
Do Your Homework.
Ronald Reagan,
" If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.
Now, I can’t say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who call themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy. I believe there are legitimate government functions. There is a legitimate need in an orderly society for some government to maintain freedom or we will have tyranny by individuals. The strongest man on the block will run the neighborhood. We have government to insure that we don’t each one of us have to carry a club to defend ourselves. But again, I stand on my statement that I think that libertarianism and conservatism are traveling the same path."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 3:09PM
That's a near 30-year old quote.
Reagan said it because he was on the campaign trail for GOP Congressmen, including Paul.
In other words, Reagan was doing his job.
NOWHERE in that quote - which, like the dolt you are, you've posted and re-posted ad nauseum - does Reagan say that Ron Paul is a Conservative
So again: It's not the same thing.
Once again, Clint...I'm right. And you're wrong.
You must be feeling frustrated...
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 3:39PM
Do Your Homework.
Reagan said exactly what he meant to say in an interview with Reason Magazine's Manuel Klausner.
Also, there are at least 10 types of libertarians and then many shades of libertarians, from Classical Liberals to Fiscal Libertarians to Neo-Libertarians, etc,....
Dr.Ron Paul is a Constitutional Conservative in the vein of The Founders & The Old Right.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 3:10PM
And, like the dolt that you are, I guess you didn't even read your own quote, Clint.
If you had, maybe you would have seen this part:
"...because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy."
That would be fools like you and Jack...
Man, you're dumb...
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 3:41PM
Asked & Answered Above, Bloviator Buffoon RINO-CINO Dr.Reich.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:30PM
Dum-da-dum-dum-DUMB!!!!
Clint...if I were you, I'd refrain from advising people to "do their homework", especially when the caliber of your posts indicates that you have barely an 8th-grade education.
Maybe YOU should have done more homework???
Then maybe you'd be as smart as me.
Maybe...
But I doubt it.
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 9:33PM
You Ain't Me, You Creepy Fixated Freak.
You're A Pseudo-Intellect Elitist Wannabe.
Aaaaaand, You're Scared Of The Tea Party & Our Co-Favorite Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron Paul.
Sean| 9.29.11 @ 8:29PM
Ron Paul defends the Constitution. Unlike your candidates. That is conservative.
Paul from SA| 9.29.11 @ 12:54PM
I consider Perry a conservative. The Garsisol mandate/optional vaccine fiasco was a major blunder from which he has learned from. He responded correctly to his mistake. For us Texans, that was a long time ago. The in-state tuition program is quite limited (I don't agree with it), but it has the majority support from the citizens of Texas.
Nobody is talking about the good stuff Perry has done. Malpractice liability reform. Voter ID. Tort reform -- loser pays. We have an $8-10 billion rainy day fund. Facing a $28 billion 2-yr budget deficit, Perry did no raise any taxes to balance it in the last session.
Perry is learning... and he is a fiscal conservative and states' rights guy. What he will do at the federal level will be different than as a state gov.
Drunken Sailor| 9.29.11 @ 1:56PM
Nice Job Paul, I agee. But it won't matter to some on this site. Most of them being the same ones screaming to put up a fence. Obviously they have never been to the southern border of Texas. Ask them how to put a fence up in the middle of the Rio, or how do you run a fence across a box canyon? How about across Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge? All you will get is crickets chirping.
Paul from SA| 9.29.11 @ 3:32PM
Thanks. The last Republican TX gov. state primary is a great indicator of who Perry is -- and especially from where he was. He trounced Kay Bailey Hutchison, the RINO. She began her campaign by attacking Perry like a liberal would with cheap shots and lies. The people of Tx did not like her, despite endorsements from Bush, Cheney and other establishment bigwigs. Perry has moved to the right, in response to the electorate and to Obama's policies. He is learning. He is not tea-sipper from Austin (not to be confused with Tea Party). Teasips are snotty libs looking down upon us from the Ivory Tower at tu.
One thing I'll say for a lot of commenters here: although many are semi-informed, it doesn't come close to how un-informed liberals are. I too have a lot to learn about Romney and what he did to Mass. Did he do anything good? I'd like to know.
Intelligent Design| 9.29.11 @ 12:05PM
Let's not forget that Romneycare in MA is the blueprint for and parent of Obamacare. Now Romney is trying to convince us that he is opposed to Obamacare, while at the same time telling us that Romneycare is Okay. Romney speaks with forked tongue. He's slick, but not slick enough.
W| 9.29.11 @ 1:27PM
We conservatives, libertarians, and Republicans are doing a great job destroying our declared candidates in search of the perfect candidate, which does not exist.
Any of our candidates are far better than Obama. We should nominate the most conservative candidate who can win. Period.
Remember Goldwater in 1964? He was the most conservative candidate who had a snowball in hell chance of winning. He got crushed and we got LBJ.
LBJ got 50,0000 plus killed in Vietnam and put in place the nanny state that conservatives here complain about.
Many conservatives still think it was right to nominate Goldwater and lose big as a way to "cleanse" the party. That is stupid considering it took 16 years to get to Reagan. In the meantime we had LBJ, Carter, Ford, and Nixon. I like Nixon but he gave us the EPA, price and wage controls, and Carter gave us the Dept of Education.
So now we want a candidate to get rid of the EPA and the Dept of Education, and the LBJ nanny state.
The bottom line is we have to beat Obama, and not spend another 12 to 16 years in the wilderness. It is almost impossible to now reduce, much less eliminate, the nanny state, with the EPA and Dept of Education as examples. Think of the new agencies that will sprout like weeds with another four years of Obama.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 2:18PM
I agree.
Are some candidates better than others? Demonstrably so!
But ANY of the people currently contending for the GOP nomination will be 1000% better than Obama, and for a myriad of reasons.
Additionally, the GOP will pick-up more seats in the House in 2012, and re-capture the Senate. And the Tea Party's influence will be omnipresent.
Not even the most moderate/liberal of the current candidates will buck his/her own Party on issues near and dear to the hearts of Conservatives after 2012.
So I will support - vigorously - whomever the GOP nominates.
That means anyone...EVEN Ron Paul, or Gary Johnson, whom I really only differ with on foreign policy.
Regardless of who the GOP nominates, unless Obama wins (and he won't), I don't see Gov't getting any bigger after 2012.
W| 9.29.11 @ 3:23PM
Please tell me you are not a Baltimore Ravens fan, since you are an Orioles fan, and I will retract any negative comment I ever made to you.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:32PM
JETS.
W| 9.29.11 @ 9:12PM
Good.
I've always liked the Jets since Joe Namath. Our best offensive lineman, Alan Faneca, left the Steelers for the Jets about 5/6 years ago. Jets v. Steelers is always a good game.
ABNCP| 9.29.11 @ 1:37PM
Clint first and foremost Ron Paul is a no hoper and has always been one. 3 to 5 percent when the actual nomination is in play. Look at the record.
Second, you claim to be a Tea Party man. I belong to a Tea Party group in Arizona. Clint with your belief system you would have been kicked out of any Tea Party group I know of in Arizona and I suspect in most of the rest of this country. I suspect you are really one of the 5th column types who worm your way into sites like this to spread confusion. As you can see by the replys y0u recieve is isn't working. Go back to the dark side y0u belong with.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 2:20PM
Clint...a 5th-columnist??
You don't know Clint very well.
To actually commit effective subterfuge, one would have to be clever AND cunning.
Neither of those apply to Clint.
Clint is MANY things...few of them admirable...BUT he is honest. He fervently believes ALL of the dumb, idiotic things he posts.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 3:50PM
Anytime You Wanna Come To A Valley Forge Patriots Tea Party Meeting & Tell That To All Of Our Ron Paul Supporters,You're Welcomed To Get Laughed Out Of The Meeting, Jerk.
"Associated Press-GfK poll: Ron Paul the most favorable GOP candidate
A new national poll of the general population has revealed that top tier candidate Ron Paul is the most favorable choice in the Republican Presidential nomination race.
Ron Paul 37% favorable vs 36% unfavorable = +1
Mitt Romney 39% favorable vs 41% unfavorable = -2
Rick Perry 33% favorable vs 36% unfavorable = -3
Michele Bachmann 35% favorable vs 43% unfavorable = -8"
Now, Let's See Ya Try To Physically Make Me Crawl In A Hole & I'll Help Ya Pick Your Teeth Up off The Ground, Sport.
Got It Asshole ?
Get It .
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:01PM
"Tea party activists are divided roughly into two camps, according to a POLITICO/TargetPoint poll: one that’s libertarian-minded and largely indifferent to hot-button values issues and another that’s culturally conservative and equally concerned about social and fiscal issues.
The survey, an exit poll conducted by Edison Research at the massive Tax Day protest on the National Mall, found that the attendees were largely hostile to President Barack Obama and the national Democratic Party — three-quarters believe the president “is pursuing a socialist agenda.”
Yet they aren’t enamored of the Republican Party as an alternative. Overall, three out of four tea party attendees said they were “scared about the direction” of the country and “want to send a message to both political parties.”
Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.
Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.
When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. "
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:38PM
Clint:
For the LAST time...
You're not in the Tea Party.
And you're NOT a member of VFTPP. You're using them to pimp your pathetic website. Your web-name is "ClintAir".
No one at VFTPP has EVER heard of you, and when I spoke to one of the Chair-persons about you, he was annoyed that someone such as yourself is giving them a bad name.
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 9:26PM
You're A Sneak & A Liar .
Adamski Said You're A Damned Liar.
You're One Screwed Up Creepy Asshole,Chump.
See A Therapist
Doctor Right| 9.29.11 @ 7:40PM
Link, please...
Clint | 9.29.11 @ 9:29PM
Get Bent Creep.
ABNCP| 9.29.11 @ 1:51PM
W. You are so right. I perfer Perry among those running. However if Romney wins the nomination I will back him with every thing I can do. We have to stop trying to think we can find the perfect man for the Republican nomination. This country CANNOT take another four years of Obama and the Democrat Party and survive as the country we all grew up in and love. This idea that we should judge a nominee on looks, how well they can stand in front of a crowd and give a speech, how well they speak, how glib they are. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! Isn't that how we got the incompetent boob, the unqualifiled twit this country has suffered with for over three years. They hope and change mantra we listened too over and over. We have to get behind any conservative that is nominated and stop the nit picking. None of them are going to be perfect to all of us. I mean for God's sake get real people the country is on line....
Bill S| 9.29.11 @ 2:40PM
Romney is a big-government socialist. He's for socialized medicine and says he believes in man-made global warming. Nobody should vote for him. Period.
ABNCP| 9.29.11 @ 4:21PM
Clint. Yeah right. Lot of tough talk. My experience is that people who talk tough usually are not. I asked you to check the record.
Tell me how well Ron Paul has finished the last few time he has run for the Republican nomination. Oh yeah, that would be no where. He will finish the same this time pal so go back to your Paul Bot dream world. Nobody with any sense of reality believes anything you post..
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:48PM
I'm As Tough, As The Occasion Calls Fo, Bub.
Tell Me How Ronald Reagan Did Against Gerald Ford.
Oh Yeah, That Would Be Nowhere.
The Tea Party Has Changed The Dynamics Of Electoral Politics.
From Dr.Ron Paul's Son Dr.Rand Paul To The 2010 Elections.
Let's See Ya Make Me Go Back Anywhere, Toughie Girl Cupcake.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Clint| 9.29.11 @ 4:59PM
" Harris Poll: Ron Paul, Mitt Romney Would Top President Obama.
Released on Tuesday, September 27, the latest Harris Poll surveyed 2,462 adults and was conducted between September 12 and 19. According to the poll, if Texas Congressman Ron Paul wins the Republican presidential nomination he would beat Obama by 51 percent to 49 percent in the general election. On the other hand, if former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney wins the GOP nomination he would top Obama by 53 percent to 47 percent in the general election."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
ABNCP| 9.29.11 @ 4:25PM
Bill S. So does that mean that in a race between Romney and Obama you would either not vote or vote for Obama. In other words you would be happy for the ruin of the country if the Won wins because too many people either do not vote or vote for the idiot we now have in office. Come on man get real.
Manny| 9.29.11 @ 9:35PM
Romney has a record or promoting gay & transgender programs in the schools as Governor. See Mitt Romney's Deception, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwwcAa6nHm4
He fully supported Kevin Jennings’ “gay” propaganda in the Mass. public schools, with his “Governor’s Commission on Gay Lesbian Bisexual Youth” and Dept. of Educ. "Safe Schools" programs. He issued proclamations celebrating GLBT "Youth Pride" events which brought adult perverts and GLBT activists together with young teens. In 2005, that event's keynote speaker was a transgender communist activist (and editor of Workers' World). He failed to uphold parents' rights on sexuality issues in the schools.
Nite| 9.29.11 @ 10:08PM
I will be voting for a staunch conservative Republican. He is a fiscal, social conservative, pro-life, defense hawk, and a good friend to Israel. These things are important to me. I would say that if the Tea Party is looking for a 100% pure candidate, you won't find one. I have voted for Governor Perry in the past 4 elections and will vote for him in the Primary.
Jose| 9.30.11 @ 2:26AM
Your brand of idiocy gives Conservatives a bad name. Please crawl back under your rock with your book of Ron Paul quotes and disappear.
http://www.besthandbagsshopping.com
http://www.winter-brands.com
Mike| 9.30.11 @ 2:28AM
No one at VFTPP has EVER heard of you, and when I spoke to one of the Chair-persons about you, he was annoyed that someone such as yourself is giving them a bad name.
http://www.wholesalehatsshop.com
http://www.wholesalesunglassesbrands.com
Mike| 9.30.11 @ 2:32AM
Clint is MANY things...few of them admirable...BUT he is honest. He fervently believes ALL of the dumb, idiotic things he posts.
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bhubbard| 9.30.11 @ 10:52AM
Yo Biddle -
Romney served only one term (thank God) as Mass. Governor. He also left the Mass. Republican Party in shambles.
Buck Ofama| 10.1.11 @ 2:34AM
NEWT. END OF DEBATE.