CPAC Week and the Dark Horse Candidates

This is CPAC week, and even though some potential 2012 candidates are not speaking, other lesser potentials are using the CPAC event as a continued institution for networking and furthering the political dialogue. Huckabee and Palin are not scheduled to attend or to speak, but the likes of Bachmann, Ron Paul, and Luis Fortuño are expected to take a moment on stage.

We are one year away from the Iowa caucuses, and I believe that the usual attendees at these events do so in hopes to stay current, maintain or gain name recognition, and wait for their chance to jump into the race (or at least receive a draft movement on their behalf).

The 2008 campaign was changed by two dark horse candidates - Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. They both could now enter the 2012 race as established figures in the party with a clear direction and message. 2012 still leaves much room for a dark horse candidate... for someone with a message or movement that could unite the country and fix this economic, foreign, and otherwise general disaster we have in there now...

Keep an eye on Luis Fortuño, Puerto Rican governor. He just got a Bob Barr endorsement in the Atlanta Journal, and the Associated Press just interviewed me for a story they are going to run about a potential Puerto Rican President of the United States. Like I said, there is plenty of room for a dark horse candidate to establish himself over the next year... with the rate of progress in Puerto Rico, and their rebounding economy, one has to wonder how much longer before Fortuño becomes a household name...

The Burden of the 2012 GOP Race - Being First

By the end of January 2007, roughly all major candidates had entered the race for the GOP nomination for President; a move that lead to a mudfest / bloodfest and ruined the political futures of a few individuals. It was a situation that provided a tough lesson, a lesson being strictly and seriously taken by all potential candidates in 2012: For God's Sake, Don't Be First!

The usual cast of characters, those left over from 2008, are expected to enter the race. Being first, however, means becoming a target. If Palin goes first, the other candidates enter as a common sense alternative to the Hockey Mom who has no experience (regardless of her message). If Romney goes first, the others enter the race as small government alternatives without a history of failed state healthcare systems. If Huckabee goes first... well, you see the pattern.

Make no mistake. February will be the month where the staring contest comes to an end. Someone is going to make the first gesture toward the podium. And like Rudy Guilliani in 2008, who went from a sure thing to a has-been, the targets have already been pre-manufactured and the bloodbaths will ensue.

That being said, the RCP average has a neck-n-neck tie between Romney, Huckabee, and Palin, with Newt Gingrich, Chris Christie, and Ron Paul rounding out the field. No one candidate is clearly dead or alive. And the field looks to explode once the usual suspects have thrown their names in the ring.

Who I am most interested to see enter the race: Lou Dobbs and Michelle Bachmann.

Lou Dobbs because we, the people, may actually get a straight answer from our commander in chief. We may actually see an end to the destruction of the US borders. We may have a fiscal strategy that will drastically reduce the national debt, strengthen the dollar, and secure our interests at home. With a Dobbs administration we can expect a post Wilsonian Foreign Policy, a reduction in foreign influence on America, and a period of internal healing and soul searching.

Michelle Bachmann because strong, conservative, and Libertarian leaning women not only get my heart pounding, but because the American people share a special place for that feminine strength. It says something about our nation, and the equal footing provided to all genders or creeds. The message is important, but there is a tactical advantage in picking the right messenger. Someone like Bachmann has the influence and the recognition to put real, hardworking conservative women into the political spotlight... and hopefully remove the spotlight from less experienced celebrity conservatives, such as Palin.

Alas... the race cannot start if all the horses refuse to enter the gates... so they circle in the backfield, waiting... gritting their teeth and honing their sights on the finish... Who is going to define the field? Who is going to be first? Who is ready to become dog meat?

C'Mon guys... let the games begin... we're ready for the entertainment to begin!

My Official 2012 Presidential Endorsement

I was going to wait until AFTER tomorrow night, but I cannot wait.

Please check out my new blog, Draft Luis Fortuno 2012.

Please head over to the site, read the initial articles I have linked, and some key words of praise for Fortuno. Take a moment to see what a conservative Republican has done in a liberal Carribean island, and US territory (Puerto Rico).

Luis Fortuno is the underdog, the dark horse, and just what this country needs - a strong man cabaple of looking his constituents in the eyes and saying 'get off the government payroll and into the free market!'

Luis Fortuno represents the voice the GOP has been missing, and it is time to spotlight a worthy member from the conservative ranks who, quite literally, speaks the language of the Hispanic voting bloc - a core group of social conservatives who the liberal media is courting on behalf of the liberal Democrats.

Mr. Fortuno sees Hispanics as a natural GOP constituency. The University of Virginia Law School graduate and father of triplets says what he missed most while serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives was weekly lunches with his extended family. "Hispanics put family first, and from that stems all else," Mr. Fortuno says. "We are mistrustful of government, own family-sized businesses, and value basic social principles. All of that is aligned with my party."

Governor Fortuno is more than a talking head, or a game-piece in the battle for votes. Fortuno finishes the job, stands firm on Conservative principles, and represents a want and will to preserve and grow the strength of the Union - as the leader of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico (The Republican Party on the island aimed at pushing for statehood).

This guy is the one we have been waiting for - a small government fiscal conservative, a catholic social conservative, and a fiery leader with a record of strong finishes!

Swing States: Swinging for McCain/Palin!

Rasmussen/Fox polls in key swing states shows the change in momentum between the two presidential campaigns. The poll indicated that McCain closed the gap on 3 point Obama Lead, to come out ahead by 2% - a 5 point swing toward the McCain campaign in the state of Colorado.

Real Clear Politics also shows that the PPP (D) poll, favoring Obama by 4 points now favors Obama by only 1 point in Colorado - well within the margin of error of that poll.

Obama's campaign is losing steam in many key swing states - most notably Pennsylvania, with 21 electoral votes. If McCain can swing Pennsylvania, Obama will be unable to catch him in the electoral count. Taking a look at the breakdown in Pennsylvania, Obama is holding the core Democrat vote, but losing with unaffiliated voters by 23 points (55% - 32%). What is most notable in this state is that McCain is making his gains while Obama is holding steady, indicating (as noted above) that unaffiliated voters are swinging for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the Keystone State.

Another key state in this race, Florida, has moved from the "toss up" category, to the "Leaning McCain" category, indicating a favor for McCain of more than 5% on the average - a great number for McCain!

A look at other swing states shows a trend that should have the Obama campaign moving into crisis mode.

Minnesota (10) - Obama's 12 point lead dwindles to a tie in the latest polls - Obama lead by 1% on average.

New Mexico (5) - CNN poll indicated Obama's lead post Palin was 13%, now Rasmussen indicates a McCain 2% lead in the state. Unable to determine the average in that state.

Michigan (17) - An Obama 5 point spread has been cut to a 2 point spread for Obama - indicating a McCain surge in that state.

Missouri (11) - The "Show Me" State is showing a liking for McCain/Palin, moving from the toss-up category into McCain's category, indicating 11 electoral votes for the Big Mac and the Cuda.

Washington (11) - Though Obama is still leading this state, McCain is showing a surge in the Evergreen state, while Obama is showing slipping poll numbers. Is Washington going to end up in play in 2008?

The fact of the matter is that, even with the media squarely supporting Obama - and making no secret of it - the Obama campaign is in disarray. The LA Times' Jonah Goldberg suggests that Obama's inexperience is beginning to show, indicating that Obama has never run a successful campaign against a Republican opponent. He also reports that the Obama camp has vowed 4 other times to face off and fight dirty against McCain, but come up short and with the same message that is not working: McCain is too close to Bush - making him McSame. This message is a good talking point for Democrat Core voters, but it is not catching on with Independent and unaffiliated voters. Why?

Lieberman's endorsement indicates that McCain is appealing to independent voters, and continually stumps that McCain stood up against Bush on issues, like the surge.

The Palin pick indicates that McCain is ready to embark on a reform conquest in Washington, picking the most popular Governor in the US, who is a known outsider and reformer. The attacks on Palin by the media and the left (I repeat myself) have backfired, showing significant support for the Alaskan Governor - indicating that the media is not only in Obama's camp, but out of touch with the voters.

If the 2008 Republican Primary taught us anything, it is that McCain is a strong finisher, bringing out the big guns when it matters. He has done that with the Palin pick, and he is doing that with the direct push towards Obama's inexperience.

If the McCain Palin bump is over, like the MSM reported yesterday, it is definitely not a burst bubble, but a new plateau. The Obama campaign, however, continues to plummet in national and state polls. With 49 days left to go, anything can happen - but the outlook is not so good for Obama.

McCain's Ad Strategy - a Gem!

John McCain's team is 100% effective at hitting Barry Obama where it hurts - his ego. He has effectively used an ad campaign telling a story of an Obama so sure that he is the chosen one that he doesn't have to have any actual experience or substance at all.

In fact, his team is effectively doing so with the words, not of Republicans, but of angry democrats - including Biden and Clinton.

Here is the latest ad - in which Hillary Clinton admits that McCain has life experience, while Obama has a speech in 2002.

The barrage of ads against Obama have given rise to "Obama Doubt" - not necessarily amongst the Obamanites (who would surely drink the Kool-Aid for Obama in order to catch the UFO Comet) - but rather amongst Independents who are undecided. The tactic makes experience the issue, makes Obama the issue. It asks, literally, what the experts think about Obama's ability to lead...

The answer throughout the primaries, and now into the general election is simple: Obama is inexperienced.

This gem of an ad campaign has worked to pull McCain and Obama to a dead tie - 47% - 47% in the latest CNN poll - and that was AFTER Obama's VP bump...

More importantly, McCain has hyped up a huge bump for Obama after the convention - which if it does not occur further tarnishes Obama's perception (or deception) of perfection.

And to round out the new McCain ads - a Hillary supporter and delegate officially and publically defects to McCain - stating that "it's OK - really" to vote for McCain if you are a democrat. Like I said - a gem!

Democrats Angry Over McCain Tactic - Exposing Obama

In talking with Democrats and Independents who are starting to take notice of the presidential campaign, there is a general sense of unease regarding "the same old political moves" - which is how Obama is countering McCain's attacks.

But is McCain attacking, or using satire to finally get people talking about Barack? Obama has been given a free pass by the MSM News Corps who have been unwilling and unwanting to question Obama's ability to lead, his political gaffes, his personal acquaintances, the things he says, the things his wife says, etc etc. There has been no debate of substance... only a pre-anointing.

Also, whereas Obama refuses to meet McCain one-on-one to discuss the issues in a town-hall style debate, McCain is forced to bring the debate to Obama. And this tactic is working. Obama has lost a major lead in the national polls (see daily tracking graph), and Rasmussen's daily poll is showing McCain leading Obama 47% to 46% (including those "leaners" who are yet undecided).

McCain is attempting to show how bizarre the love relationship is with Obama and the media, and Obama with himself. Watching this McCain ad, titled "The One", shows a series of Obama speeches in which he declares himself the savior of the nation and the savior of the world. Someone who believes that he does no wrong, and can do no wrong is someone we should all fear as a leader of this nation.

Specifically, Obama and his supporters are outraged that McCain would release an ad suggesting that Obama is responsible for inflated fuel prices. The ad asks who is responsible, then a chanting crowd yelling "Obama... Obama" with Barack's picture comes up... The question is not if Obama is directly responsible... it is the politics of him and his party... the very party willing to let gas prices reach $10 a gallon without any action to allow the free market to provide supply in an attempt to stabilize speculation. Obamanites don't see that Obama is wrong on energy - taxing "windfall profits" for distribution to the people. This plan will increase fuel prices - taking money away from oil companies who need profit to expand production, and distribute the money in the form of a rebate - ultimately making it impossible for the oil companies to increase production in the US.

Look - I have not been a huge fan of George W. Bush recently, setting a precedent for "rebate entitlements"... giving money where no money is earned... and doing nothing to curb spending in DC or to minimize the growth of government. He has dropped the flag of the Republican Party, and forgotten the marching orders of limited government and lower taxes. But where Bush stops, Obama is going to continue... using big government ideas (and the battle-cry of entitlements) to solve the problems in this nation. Never have I witnessed the government solving a problem better than the innovative free market... It is impossible... Unless that task is to tax and regulate thought and action through taxation.

So if McCain is forced to bring Obama out of the media shadows and into the light by using satire and controversial methods... so be it. The tactic is working. Americans are starting to educate themselves, and they are noticing that the textbook of Obama is clearly lacking content!

(Take a look at some of the other McCain ads currently being released)



and finally, my favorite:

Housing Bail-out? Time to Pledge Allegiance to a Different Flag!

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson

The United States of America has hit an iceberg, and she is quickly taking on water. Our government has run this ship to her demise.

With a 9% approval rating, an economy in the tank, a lame duck president at the helm, Freedom and Liberty have been the first casualties of this New Union... and now the very people whom we so carelessly elected into office have begun sealing the coffin of the greatest experiment in the history of man.

The treasury is being plundered to the thunderous applause of the masses. The burden to bail-out the vain and covetous leeches of our society is being placed on our own pocketbooks... We are being given marching orders by a government that won the vote, but represents no more than 1/4 of the population respectively - that marching order is "On to the Gallows!" - for in this day we are seeing the death of the last best hope in the world.

If George Bush and the Republicans in Congress are no more willing to stop the Socialist Dictum in the United States, then perhaps we deserve a President Obama - who makes no attempt to disguise his vision for the socialisation of the United States. In fact, the afore mentioned parties are PUSHING the dictum!

Thomas Jefferson, the man who explained that the Tree of Liberty requires nutrients in the form of blood (from tyrants and patriots), also prognosticated that happiness in our society was directly linked to the separation of the people from government meddling! President Reagan understood this: "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

However, today we find ourselves at a crossroads in this great experiment.

Two branches of the US government are in gross violation of the Contract with America - The US Constitution. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court will likely be unable (or unwilling) to rule as such before the checks are handed out... checks from a treasury that is already absolutely void of funds.

See the fire on the horizon... smell the smoke... it is not the blaze in California - it is the Federal Reserve printing out monopoly money adorned with the faces of dead presidents.

Somehow in America we have lost the ability to do what is right over what is expedient or easy. We have lost the resolve to push through the hardships of our own misfortunes, in favor of wallowing at the robes of the powerful, begging for mercy. And mercy they shall deliver - for it is the vote of the pitiful that is keeping them in power. Promises of deliverance, handouts, freedom from their poor choices guarantees their vote - quid pro quo.

Little do these blind beggars realize that they steal from the left hand to satisfy the right... they are undoing their own great society, and ensuring the slavery of their children and grandchildren...

Am I being melodramatic - or am I being real? Are these words hard to read? Why - because they are true?

Free healthcare - free education - free housing - free soup?

When the government became an entity feared by the people, the society was lost... now it is an entity separate from the people (less a short voting season which makes no promise of actual change or restoration of liberty). When the government separates itself from the people, and works towards it's own ends - it is in violation of contract and stands to be recalled.

I can no longer pledge allegiance to a flag that represents the rape of my liberty, of my labors, of my life! I now make it my effort to remove any individual from office who supports socialist legislation such as the housing bail-out. I refuse to support a union of socialist republics - empowered by the slothfully covetous and vain masses undulating for that orgasm of government expediency in funding their ill-gotten goods.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the original intent of this nation, and to the individual liberty endowed upon us, for which IT stands, representing a nation free from tyranny, a people banded together against such, under Nature's God, indivisible, ensuring the continued struggle for liberty and true justice under the rule of natural law, for all.

Colorado: Obama or McCain?

The Quinnipiac University polls shows McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, the top choice among 46 percent of likely Colorado voters. Democrat Barack Obama is the top choice among 44 percent of likely voters. A month ago, Obama had an easy 5 point lead over McCain.

This is at the same time when Democratic candidate for Senate in Colorado blew a 10 point lead in the polls to Republican Bob Schaffer, now polling within the margin of error of Udall.

"Not surprisingly, Obama's strength is in the Denver/Boulder precincts where he leads almost two-to-one, while he trails everywhere else in the state. As the presidential race has tilted a bit toward McCain, GOP Senate candidate Bob Schaffer has moved into a dead heat after trailing Democrat Mark Udall by 10 points a month ago," Brown said. "

The poll shows that Democrats are taking hits because of the price of gasoline... This may or may not be the case (see my previous post on "who is to blame"), but the continuous Democratic talking points stating that high gas prices are good for us because it is demanding alternative means of energy production does not sit well with the voters - however true that statement is. The Democrats are coming out as "out-of-touch" with the reality of the voters, that it is impossible for us to maintain this gas spending even after we have cut back to driving to work only... it hurt at $2.00 a gallon - it kills at $4.00 a gallon... and when some are saying that they wish the prices would continue to increase (droping consumption, and stopping Global Warming). Meanwhile, the price of oil has dropped $20 a barrell since President Bush announced the repeal of the Executive Order banning deep sea offshore drilling. If Congress followed suit, I could foresee oil futures dropping well below $80 a barrel within weeks of such an announcement. Current oil prices are a result of lack of exploration, and the fact that all known sources of oil are going to be depleted within 40-60 years...

But this is not just a Colorado trend. Across the nation, Democrats are taking big hits in these early polls, which they usually do well in up to about November 3rd... Other swing state results in which McCain is closing the gap are:

• Colorado: McCain is up by a nose 46 - 44 percent, compared to a 49 - 44 percent Obama lead June 26;
  
• Michigan: Obama tops McCain 46 - 42 percent, compared to a 48 - 42 percent lead last time;
  
• Minnesota: Obama edges ahead 46 - 44 percent, compared to a 54 - 37 percent Obama lead;
  
• Wisconsin: Obama leads McCain 50 - 39 percent, compared to 52 - 39 percent.

Democrats were winning on the energy issue as recently as April -- convincing voters that their recipe for alternative fuels, wind and solar energy, was the best solution for America's future, public opinion guru Floyd Ciruli said this morning.

"Then it shifted in April, when gasoline hit $4 a gallon," said Ciruli, who heads Ciruli & Associates of Denver.

Suddenly, the pain at the gas pump was so acute that most voters moved away from the idealistic view of an American energy diet and looked for who to blame for the high prices, he said.

They chose the Democrats, who've opposed drilling off shore and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, in the name of environmental sustainability.

Voters in each of the four battleground states support off-shore drilling and drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge — activities that McCain supports but Obama opposes. In Colorado, the margin is 52 percent to 44 percent.

This is great news for Republicans, and shows a trend that favors economics and energy issues beginning to dominate the political spectrum - namely because of the successes in Iraq. If the GOP can put a stamp on the success in Iraq, claim it as their own, put the emphasis back on Osama Bin Laden and Afghanistan with a security policy in that region - the Democrats will surely lose. Their success since 2006 has been based on a referendum on Iraq... With Iraq off the table, the GOP stands to bounce back - for the following reasons:

- We have the best policy for plausible energy alternatives, and ending the immediate energy crisis
- We have the best economic recovery plan, one that does NOT include raising taxes (Mr Obama)
- We have the best plan for active conservation of our national parks, as opposed to the radical policy that has lead to the death of large percentages of forests, etc
- We have the best plan for foreign policy - Peace through strength
- We have the best plan for education

Applying small government solutions to these problems is the best way to solve problems.

Did Hillary Just Endorse McCain?

It appears that Hillary Clinton's campaign firm has just purchased the domain name HRC2012.com - a site possibly reserved for a 2012 Presidential bid. (Though it may be a parked site for her 2012 NY Senate re-election bid... merely coincidental)

If Hillary is planning for a 2012 bid, is it an attempt to outmaneuver Obama with an "I told you so" to Democrats who will lose the presidency to John McCain... Could she be pulling for an Obama defeat so she can roar back into the primaries in 2012?

I suppose we will have to wait and see... this may be a first... A presidential bid 4+ years in the making.

Keep your eyes on the site:






(ugh)

Maneuvering Iraq out of the 2008 POTUS Race?

I have noticed a trend in headlines regarding Iraq - The Conflict is Nearing End.

It may be so much so that by the end of the summer, should we continue down the path we are on (no major offenses by militants), the final plan for US presence in the country could be set.

I recently posted regarding a story that the Iraqi government is asking for a planned end to combat forces in their country based on the end of the UN Mandate requesting the US forces for security reasons. While this is taking place, Iraq and the US are working out a long term plan allowing some sort of bases and freedom to engage Terror Organizations within the country. This plan is due to be completed by the end of July... Two weeks from today.

Once this plan is established, all the debates regarding timetables, etc. are moot. Could it be that George Bush is effectively taking the wind out of the sails of the Liberal Warships by eliminating this topic as a major need to be filled by the next President? Possibly.

Barack Obama is attempting to claim success (and a win) in the Iraqi request for a planned troop withdrawal after the UN mandate expires. However, it has been the policy of the Republican President, GWB, to finish this conflict and secure the region.

Bush's policy has caused much consternation in the liberal ranks... however, the same policy has freed the country to democracy, free market, foreign investment, and security in the face of radical threats. Let's take a look at some advancements in Iraq that are being hushed by the left, but on day one of an Obama Presidency, victory will be claimed along these same lines (effectively taking credit for Bush's successful policy in Iraq):

*Iraq's economy: Foreign investment is on the rise, coming from Europe and Asia - the stability in Iraq is leading private investment firms to begin flocking to the country, bolstering the fledgling democracy.

*Iraq's economy: The UN is encouraging neighbors and world partners to forgive the Hussein debt of Iraq, allowing the country to start fresh on the world stage... The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took the lead and forgave $7 Billion (roughly 1/5 of Iraq's entire debt). The UAE has taken the additional step in reconnecting ties politically to the country, giving legitimacy to the government in the region.

*Iraq's Security: 15 of the 18 benchmarks set forth by the US Congress in relations to Iraq's security have been met. "The embassy judged that the only remaining shortfalls were the Baghdad government's failure to enact and implement laws governing the oil industry and the disarmament of militia and insurgent groups, and continuing problems with the professionalism of the Iraqi Police." The current plan for Iraqi oil is privatization - though Iraqi oil unions are fighting against that end.

I firmly believe that the mission in Iraq is complete... We have eliminated the country's ability to make war with their neighbors and with the US, we have built and backed a democratic government representative of the people of Iraq, and we have trained and prepared the Iraqi people for security of their own country. The rest is up to them.

Now that we are in the phase of long term planning for troop deployment, the successes will have to be weighed and announced - and the results must indicate that combat is over, and the troops should be brought home (Less the necessary non-combat troops required to populate bases to ensure lasting security in the country - similar to Germany's bases post WWII). Continued combat missions should be halted, and the Iraqi police should conduct such missions. The US presence should be limited to strengthening the Iraqi military by way of continued training.

We will ultimately have to see the outcome of these security discussions (Status of Forces Agreement has been abandoned and replaced with this "bridge agreement"). But in the meantime, the successes in Iraq are evident. The need for US troops elsewhere are evident. The draw-down of US troops in September is evidence that Bush is planning to end this war, effectively removing it from the issues needing to be handled by the next President.

Will it be enough to remove it from the minds of the voters?

Iran - US: Battle in Hormuz

As the war of words heats up surrounding Iran's defiant nuclear program, both countries are beginning to unveil what a war between the two countries would look like.

Israel will clearly make the first blow, striking the nuclear sites of Iran in hopes that they can curb their nuclear weapons development. This is going to happen sooner rather than later, and is going to be a massive country wide attack, necessary to destroy all of the nuclear development. As well, Iran's nuclear sites have been built in reinforced bunkers to avoid an Iraq-style destruction (the Israeli's destroyed Iraq's above ground nuclear sites in the early 80's), so these bombs would have to be of some substance.

Iran has declared that if they are attacked by Israel, they will retaliate by destruction of Israel. One would assume that they would push the button and activate their army of suicide bombers to cause civil unrest in the Hebrew nation. Israel's response would be nothing short of total destruction of the Palestinian territories as a reminder that they exist at the pleasure of Israel.

Meanwhile, Iran has declared that any attack on their facilities would cause a closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a 21 mile waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and all her oil resources to the Indian Ocean. The Strait lies pinched between Iran and Oman. Iran closing the shipping lanes in the Strait would prohibit the shipment of 40% of the world's oil supply - a move that is not going to be taken lightly by the world community.

As well, Iran (who is counting on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as their main
defense against attack), has been studying US military ship operations in the waterways in an attempt to face the foe off their own shores. Iran has developed a "stealthy" sea plane (see picture) that is intended to deliver torpedoes and other anti-ship weapons. (The plane is not stealthy, as the top-mounted rotor would light up any radar detector)

The Untied States reminds Iran that the Naval 5th Fleet is based in Bahrain, just on the Persian Gulf side of the Strait, and that any attempt to engage the Navy militarily would be met with "Captains who are ready to defend their ships".

Let's analyze this situation for a minute. The most dangerous foe is one who has nothing to lose. George W Bush is out of office in less than 6 months, with no concerns of re-election. After the November election, regardless of the outcome, Bush has absolutely nothing to lose. November 5th is a day that Iran should circle on their calendars. With the elections behind him, George Bush has a blank check of power that he could use to unleash hell on Iran, especially if Obama becomes president... a legacy ended with an exclamation point!

Should Israel attack prior to US election day, there would be some politicking, but the Iranian Navy would see instant and utter destruction at the hands of the US forces before one missile was fired from their Naval Missile Boats. The Iranians are outgunned, outclassed, and outnumbered in their own waters. Any threat to the US vessels would be seen as an act of war and would be cause for annihilation. The Iranian Navy would last less than 24 hours as we hit them with everything we have got.

On the ground, a campaign of bombing training camps for military and terrorists, as well as military and nuclear bases, would ensue. The US would not need to put boots on the ground. Our goal would merely be to take away Iran's ability to make war. Their infrastructure would not be able to stop the cruise missiles, and other bombs.

The Iranian Air Force would be eliminated while their planes were still on the ground. Bases would be struck overnight. Any plane that did manage to scramble would have no friendly territory to land... and without an enemy actually in the air to dogfight, they would be forced to land at their own peril.


The POTUS has the ability to take military action without the approval of congress for a period not to exceed 90 days. This would make an attack on Iran legal and legit by American Law.

The Iranians talk as if they have a big stick... but what a whiffle bat has in size, it lacks substance. The Iranians are being permitted to exist at the pleasure of the United States... If we decide that they have crossed the line, and actually pose any sort of a threat, there would be hell to pay.

disclaimer: "Iranians" refers to the government of Iran, the military infrastructure, and the other than friendly citizens of that country... all others are exempt.