White House Lectures US on 'Jihad'

The White House's Counterterror Advisor lectured the people of the United States on the derogatory usage of the word 'Jihad' - one which they say is a legitimate tenant of Islam and thus should not be targeted or diminished by the US government or her people. In a move that is both an example of political correctness nuttary AND more evidence of the absolute disconnect of the Obama administration from reality, many across the nation and world are left wondering - WTF?

Brennan said that the word "jihad" should not be applied either. "Nor do we describe our enemy as 'jihadists' or 'Islamists' because jihad is a holy struggle, a legitimate tenet of Islam, meaning to purify oneself or one's community, and there is nothing holy or legitimate or Islamic about murdering innocent men, women and children,"

The word Jihad was first used by the Al Qieda group, as a call for a Holy Struggle, or a Holy War to cleanse the Holy Lands of infidel - the tactic was to bring war to the infidels - the the West.

The technical, broadest definition of jihad is a "struggle" in the name of Islam and the term does not connote "holy war" for all Muslims.

The key words of the last statement being: "FOR ALL MUSLIMS". Nay, Mr Brennan, not for all, rather for the ones determined to return the Middle East to a strict Muslim prison, and extent the tenants of Islam to everyone else, by force.

Maybe I should wait for the White House's next great lesson on Islam: that freedom can only come to a man who submits entirely to Allah!

Next thing you know the US Vice President will address a foreign league of leaders in a foreign city and declare that place the world's true capitol of freedom... oh wait - Biden already made that Declaration in Brussels.

How do we the people opt out of our 'obligatory servitude' to these idiots?

Quid Pro Quo: Powell's Job Application

Simply stated, Powell's endorsement of Obama was nothing more than a job application - which got Obama's attention. Obama made a statement to the effect that he would gladly make Powell an advisor in his administration.

Powell - Mission Accomplished. Looks like you have got the job.

Unfortunately, I am still convinced that you bet on a losing horse.

The significance of a Powell endorsement - none. Anyone with half a brain can determine that this was a quid-pro-quo: something for something - You help me finish off McCain, and I'll give you a job.

But Secretary of Defense aside - it appears that there is a mad rush for Press Secretary, and 95% of mainstream journalists are applying for the job!

For instance, standing in the checkout line at the grocery store yesterday, I noticed a cover of Time Magazine which read: The Economy Trumping Race in Election, with a picture of Obama in two colors. I had to read the cover three times to make sure I was reading this right... Race is an issue in this election? I have YET to hear a Republican bring up race as an issue in this campaign...

In fact, it is the LEFT who is making statements like "Western Pennsylvania is Racist" - Democratic Representative Murtha.

Reading some of the other articles and/or questions on the cover of the magazine, I was further amazed: Why White Voters are Flocking to a Black Candidate on Economic Issues... etc, etc...

The issue of RACE is being injected into this election by the LEFT, not by the RIGHT - even though if we were to comment on it there would be an outcry by the left of the GOP doing the race bating!

The attempt, especially by placing it on the shelves in checkout counters is a horrible attempt to play on White Guilt - making "whites" believe that if we don't vote for Obama then our judgement was somehow related to repressed racist thoughts/feelings.

Journalists from coast to coast are attempting to paint this race 9pun intended) as being over - with Obama being the victor. What they don't tell you is that Reagan was down 13 points a month out against Carter, and George W Bush was down by 10 points with two weeks to go in 2004 elections.

The polls are in error - read my next posting for the complete story!

Blog Buzz - Biden Dumped for Clinton?

A simple Google Search of "Biden Dumped for Clinton" gives a stream of blog buzz regarding Barry Hussein's major flop in selecting Joey "Hair-Plug" as his Vice Presidential Running Mate - beginning around the time of Joe Biden's "Hillary would have made a better choice" comment.

Of course Biden is the Gaffe-master, but is he really setting the stage for a VP switch, as suggested by the blogging world? If so, what would that look like, and what legalities would have to take place? Surely an October 5th bait and switch would not leave ample time to change ballots in the 50 states plus territories voting...

The DNC's bylaws simply describe one of the committee's responsibilities as "filling vacancies in the nominations for the office of President and Vice President." (See Page 7 of this document [PDF].) The bylaws do not, however, explain how the DNC would go about making its decision or how all ~400 members of the committee would be allowed to vote.

The most recent case was in 1972, when Thomas Eagleton withdrew from the ticket under George McGovern after disclosure of previous shock therapy brought into question the seriousness of his depression. In this case, a "mini-convention" was convened on Aug 8th (as the conventions of that election were held MUCH earlier than the 2008 election), 275 DNC members attended, and had to formally elect a new candidate for VP - in that case, Shriver.

Simply put, Obama cannot "simply" replace his VP pick... though Biden may withdraw of his own accord - but it may be political suicide for him... it is notable, however, that he is running a re-election campaign for the senate in conjunction to the Vice Presidential bid - as allowed by Deleware state law. A withdrawal for severe health reasons may hinder the Obama candidacy, but it may bring into question his ability to hold a Senate seat for an additional 6 years.


That being said, the DNC would have to officially reconvene in some extent to reconfirm a new Vice Presidential nominee.

Politically, such a move by the Democratic Party would be seen as a last-ditch move on the part of the Democrats. It would demoralize the Democratic Party. Although a decent number would welcome an Obama-Clinton ticket, an equal number would see it for what it is: sheer desperation.

The Republican backlash across the nation would result in an overwhelming Republican turnout and Republican landslide not seen since Nixon defeated the McGovern/Shriver ticket in 1972.

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 in the Polls - the Palin Bump is Killing Obama

Barack Obama's moment in the limelight may quickly be coming to an end. 30+ Million viewers watched his historic acceptance speech in his extravagantly constructed Greek Theatre on Thursday August 28th.

But then came August 29th - what will likely be known as Obama's Black Friday.

McCain made an announcement that would send shock waves through the political world - He named a little known, but highly effective reform Governor from the "tiny" state of Alaska as his running mate.

Instead of replaying the Obama speech on a loop all day Friday, Obama's speech was nowhere to be found. Instead, the news media was frantically trying to cover a HUGE story about someone they knew NOTHING about. They were left grasping at straws, trying to make a story - any story... and they ended up feeling the big hurt because of it. Their anointed one was no longer the story.

Sarah Palin, the first woman on the GOP ticket, gave her acceptance speech after 5 days of constant press coverage - to an audience of 30+ Million... even though she was covered by four less networks.

It would appear that McCain chose correctly.

And McCain's acceptance speech - one week after Obama's visual and oratory dream - received more viewership than Obama.

The game had clearly been changed - and all of Obama's attacks about making a poor choice for VP, and a week of comparing his record to that of the GOP VP nominee eliminated a commanding lead in the polls and in the headlines of all the major news outlets.

Obama's choice of Biden was intended to show strength through experience - but it showed a poor choice in planning for the future of the Democratic Party.

McCain's choice of Palin was intended to show reform through ethics and values - and hit the nail on the head.

Obama's failure to foresee McCain's strategy, and his clamoring in the week and a half since Palin was named as the VP have weakened his standing with the independents, the youth, the experienced - pretty much anyone outside of the "tow-the-line" Democratic Party.

Gallup reported yesterday on the swing heard around the world - a 9 point gain for McCain and a 4 point drop for Obama in two weeks - that is a 13 point swing in McCain's favor since the conventions kicked off. Gallup is not alone. As you can see in the attached graphic, McCain is tied or leading Obama in the selection of polls making up the RCP average, giving McCain a 1.2 point national advantage over Obama, representing an average swing of 8 points nationally in McCain's favor.

Sarah Palin represents a few things -

1. The strength of the "Every Woman" movement. This is different than the other wing of the feminist movement, where-in women have to become men to compete with them. The 'Every Woman' feminist is one who represents strength AND femininity. This is the Hockey Mom/Soccer Mom crowd.

2. Vitality. Her youth and endurance represent the future of a party - one who is capable of growth and leadership over a lengthy term of service.

3. Reform. When McCain picked Palin, he made the message loud and clear - The Republican Ticket was a reform ticket! Palin has cut the throats of corrupt Republicans with the ease of a warm knife in butter, and with a smile on her face. It is this same drive for a clean government that invigorates the voters who are desperate for a different kind of politician. They feel that they have that more with Palin on the GOP ticket than the duo of Obama/Biden.

For the time being, the Underdog campaign of John McCain has been boosted with the strength of Wonder-Woman. Scoring 54% in the USA/Gallup poll indicates that the independent voter may be willing to make a bet on the future by way of a reformed conservative movement, rather than a party representing the changing style of our society.

The Palin Bump has hit the polls - and even though she is number two on the ticket, there are many voters now decidedly supporting a "Palin/McCain" White House.

McCain/Palin: It's Official - GOP Runs Reform Ticket

John McCain made it official tonight - he has accepted the call to duty as the candidate for the Republican Party!

But he did not do it quietly. John McCain issued a warning to all politicians and lobbyists - "A Change Is Coming". That change is in the form of a new deal, a break from Partisan Politics and a break from corruption and business as usual in Washington DC. John McCain promises to lead the nation in a much needed reform of her leaders and their corruption.

How better can John McCain, Republican Candidate for the Presidency, show the citizens of this country that his promise of actual change - of actual reform in DC - is true? Sarah Palin.

John McCain and Sarah Palin represent the most frightening duo to the status quo in the District of Columbia, quoting John McCain:

"I’m not in the habit of breaking promises to my country and neither is Governor Palin. And when we tell you we’re going to change Washington, and stop leaving our country’s problems for some unluckier generation to fix, you can count on it. And we’ve got a record of doing just that, and the strength, experience, judgment and backbone to keep our word to you.”

For years I have held a disdain for Senator John McCain - for his often liberal legislation that struck at the very core of what I believed. And I will make the admission now that this ill feeling was partisan in nature... McCain broke ranks with the Republicans on one too many issues.

However, with the selection of Sarah Palin and the message delivered tonight, I believe that I can truly support the mission that John McCain is taking on - a mission of reform.

The GOP needs reform from her ranks swollen with corruption.

The Democrats need reform from their corrupt dealings within the once highly respected offices in the federal government.

Washington DC needs reform from it's Pork Barrell ways, aimed at encouraging lobbyists and providing a breeding ground for scandal and corruption.

And the federal government needs reform from a set of rules and regulations put in place in a time when business and the world worked much differently under very different technologies.

John McCain is taking the mantra from Obama - and promises to deliver true Change.

Obama's change is that of increasing government influence in our daily lives - changing from a libertarian based society to a socialist based society.

McCain's change is that of fixing the ills in the government, reducing it's size, and ensuring that the citizens are released from the authoritarian society we fear, and are allowed to live locally under more personal responsibility - the way this country was intended in it's founding.

Sarah Palin was the ticket for me. John McCain has won my endorsement and my vote!

The Bold and the Beautiful… and the Pitbull!

Consider Sarah Palin officially introduced to the nation! Now the voters of America know what I have been trying to explain for nearly a year – Sarah Palin is the future of the Republican Party, and the Democrats’ worst nightmare!

Her speech last night was feminine, but firm; showing that a Hockey Mom from small town America truly does have what it takes to lead this nation. For all the slander and slime that the liberal left has attempted to throw her way over the last five days, Sarah Palin delivered a bold “Shame On You!” with her cheeky yet inspiring address at the RNC.

"I think Sarah Palin can do a one-two punch better than Muhammad Ali," Kansas state Sen. Karin Brownlee said after the speech. "And I think she delivered it just square on the opponents' face. I think she has energized the Republican Party like we haven't seen in a long time."

Where the GOP was left with cracks and concerns after a John McCain nomination – a general level of unease in selecting a centrist maverick who openly toyed with the thought of appointing an Independent Democrat to share the ticket – Sarah Palin has repaired those cracks. Sarah Palin stood with the grace of royalty and celebrity, but delivered a speech with the strength of a no-holds-barred hitman ready to take on the media and the left. Sarah Palin has successfully united the GOP – and now she is reaching out to independents and inviting them back into the large tent of the Republican Party.

And for all the inspiration and energy she brings to the Republican Ticket, she is instilling the same amount of fear in the hearts of the Democrats. Left wingers in the blogosphere are attacking her speech now for lack of substance and mean-spiritedness, not realizing that it was a shot across the bow of the national press and DC insiders – warning them to back off of her and her family. Her strength and poise are inspiring to the GOP, and drawing attacks from the left. The GOP has a shiny beacon on the hill, and her name is Sarah Palin. She has the power to ensure that the change in America is a conservative one, and that we get back to being Americans – not Socialist European wannabees.

The left have got their hands full now! The Republicans are ready to fight, ready to reform, and ready to lead!

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)

Clinton Addresses Supporters

When I heard the Hillary Clinton was addressing supporters in West Virginia at 12:30 ET, I thought that we would finally see the Democratic race wrap up, and head into the primaries.

Unfortunately, Clinton is looking for that come from behind win... which, at this point is little more than a pipe dream.

Neither Clinton nor Obama will have the delegates necessary to end this thing prior to the convention... so, with Clinton's claims of victory yesterday, we can look forward to three and a half more months of Democratic bickering... which is fine by me... McCain is working on VP picks, visiting world leaders, and starting to consider transitions from Bush to McCain. He's looking very presidential while the Democrats are stuck in a mudslinging competition that will ne'er be matched.

So, again, the democratic primary remains unchanged...

Glenn Beck Sums up Palin

Glenn Beck recently aired a snippet about Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, whom I believe would be thebest choice for Vice President for so many reasons. This piece discusses the birth of her 5th child... Watch it, and learn more about why Palin is clearly the best choice for Veep.

For more information on why I am supporting Palin, visit here or see my previous posts:

Palin - Contender for VP
Palin - 45th President.
The Case for Palin

Democrats Debate - Government the Answer

I was watching the Democratic debates last night, and wanted to share a few comments today.

During the first hour, the theme of the debates was "Integrity" and "Electability". Obama made reference on a few occasions that these topics were distractions, and the real discussion in the campaigns should be "the issues".

The fact that Mr. Obama doesn't seem to think that integrity is an issue MAKES it an issue!

When a candidate for president lies about being fired at and having to run for cover, but then gives a statement that she mis-remembered... well, it has the same integrity of a president asking what the actual definition of "IS" is... There needs to be a new occurrence in US politics: If a politician lies, it should be our duty to reply, "That sir (or ma'am) is a lie!"

Imagine the flashbulbs going off as they try to fix the statement on the spot... I'll tell you what, holding our elected officials accountable to their words is a great way to truly find out who the characters of substance are, versus the trash we see today.

In fact, Obama's lies are worse than Clinton's... Clinton at least knows that she is a liar... Obama believes that he is actually telling the truth. And if you believe it, it must be true... Ask Kucinich about his UFOs.

For instance, Obama should come out and say, simply, that the speech he gave in SF was meant to be heard only by those in the city. He was simply trying to tell the city folks that he believes they are living a better life for deciding to live blissfully in dense urban areas... meanwhile, he believes that those who live a rural lifestyle are bitter and angry that our lives do not amount to that of the city-folk... and as such, we cling to the bare-bone, knuckle-dragging basics of sentient beings: religion and guns. If he told the truth, THAT is what it would sound like.

Unfortunately, there is not an honest or moral bone between the two of them... IMHO.

The common theme in the second hour was that "government is not doing enough to make life better". Government is the answer. There is no way that the people can be trusted to improve their own lives... the government needs to step in and help.

I saw a great sign in front of a church last weekend, which read: God does not promise a smooth flight, just a soft landing.

That is wisdom! The trials and tribulations of day-to-day living ARE life! As people of high moral fiber, we should take the challenge of the storm and sail on, learning the lay of the land, and becoming wiser as we fail and try again.

But to be at a point where you can no longer stomach the fight, and you beg for mercy from government, you are no longer a citizen... you are a subject.

A citizen tells the government how it is going to be.

A subject is told by the government how it is.

To expect the government, an entity that is fastly becoming uncontrollable, to be the savior of the people is the suicide of liberty.

Hillary Clinton and Barry Obama both stated last night that the answer to the woes of the country is bigger government. Economic crisis - More government regulation and intervention. Fuel prices - more government regulation and intervention. Mortgage issues - more government regulation and intervention. Higher Taxes, more government social programs... rob from the rich to house, clothe, educate, feed, bathe, enrich the poor... Give to those in need from those who have the ability. The very basic principle of Socialism.

The summary of the debate: We cannot, as Conservative Americans, stand by and let one of these two Socialists step a foot inside the White House.

The Search for Freedom

Today's post is a major hat-tip to Matt at Search For Freedom, now #1 in my blogroll...

Matt has two excellent videos posted on his site, and I am going to post them here because I think they are essential videos to our conservative foundation and to our political future.

The first is the 1964 Speech made by Reagan. It was supposed to be a pro-Goldwater speech, but it turned into something more. The great communicator, indeed! Had Huckabee used his orator skills to deliver such a moving and strong speech, we would be looking at Huckabee in 2008 instead of McCain.



However, since we have McCain, I am impressed by the next video, a McCain ad. I have been hesitant in endorsing John McCain, until I watched this ad. This ad sends a great message: He gets it! John McCain gets what we are doing for America, where we are at in world politics, and what we need to give conservatives in America a fighting chance at survival and longevity. I've already watched the video a few times... I'm impressed.



Thanks Matt. Two great videos! Two very important messages!

The Case for Palin as VP

A year ago, I was an early part of the Mike Huckabee for President movement... despite the 2% rating, the "he's got no name recognition", and the "he's a preacher" arguments, I held my ground and made a great case for Huckabee as President of the United States. He was largely ignored until the Iowa Straw Poll... then the mud came. The old news that was clearly explained in his book, Hope to Higher Ground, was suddenly front page gossip. Mike Huckabee raised taxes, Mike Huckabee granted clemency, Mike Huckabee has no foreign policy experience. But what was little reported was that Huckabee pulled his state up by the boot strings, turned education around, fixed the highway system, offered the best relief of any of Louisiana's neighbors for storm victims along the Gulf Coast, and all this while a Republican in a Democratic state.

Now I started looking into Palin as a VP for Huckabee some time ago, but now I am looking at her for a VP for McCain.

And the same anti-Huckabee arguments are being used against Palin: She raised taxes, she supports benefits to same-sex couples, she is anti-oil. Behind every headline there is a truth waiting to be discovered. So before folks start talking about her taxes, or her stance on business, let's look at the facts behind the headlines.

Let's look at her ethical conduct in cleaning up Alaska's government. Let's talk about her no-nonsense approach to setting an example for the highest ethical conduct expected out of every leader in our great nation. This includes selling the state's jet that was costing taxpayers unnecessary funds, and instead put that money where it is most effective - in the taxpayer's pocket. Let's talk about her support from the Club for Growth.

Let's talk about her fight against pork-barrel spending. She was part of the team of politicians who killed the "bridge to no-where". Fiscal Responsibility.

She is a lifetime member to the NRA, and would surely secure their endorsement. She is an avid outdoorsman, a weekend fisher, and her husband is a professional fisherman. She is an advocate for big game hunting, and an environmental conservationist.

Let's talk about her pro-education stance, as a politician and as a mother. Let's talk about her support for traditional marriage and family values in a world of political sex scandals. Let's discuss her consistent pro-life stance.

Let's talk about her unwavering support for the American Soldier, and the Alaskan National Guardsman. About how she goes out of her way to give special thanks to soldiers at home and abroad, and has travelled to Kuwait to personally thank Alaskan soldiers abroad. Let's talk about her having more foreign policy experience than Obama and Clinton put together, dealing with Mongolian military and Iceland's government regularly.

Let's talk about her understanding that politics is not being part of a ruling class, but a serving class... and how she regularly volunteers at community building events, and serves her community.

Sarah Palin is a class act. She is young, energetic, and a well rounded conservative. Sarah Palin may have merely 2 years of experience as Governor of Alaska, but Obama has 2 years as a Senator (and he will likely be the Democratic Nominee)... Palin is more qualified to be President than Obama. Palin's history of community service goes back beyond her governorship... she has made a point to stay involved... no matter how small the task, or how little it would impress a New York big city urbanite...

Palin has the ability to be the new face of the Conservative Republican movement. She is a young and talented woman in our ranks, with the experience and ethical ability to hold such a prestigious office as Vice President and President of the United States. Placing Palin on the forefront of the conservative movement will help energize the women within our ranks, and diminish the false perception that the GOP is a "Good Ol' Boys Club". She is fresh, and that freshness is backed with a conservative message. This alone will squelch the Obama Change Train... because we have a substantive message.

Palin represents consistent conservative values, with a CHANGE in perception... that is the kind of change that we need in Washington... an emboldened conservative message, and the talent to move it forward.

The conservative movement is not dead... McCain can pull in the independent voters... Palin can pull in the conservatives. With Palin on the ticket, we can guarantee a strong future of the Republican Party, and of the Conservative movement.

I encourage you to look into Palin... read the headlines, but then investigate the facts... you will see what I saw in Huckabee. Truth, conscience, and consistency.

We need not pick a governor from a swing state for VP... we need to pick a conservative who represents a change for the party. The time for conservatism is now... the time for substantive change is now.

GOP: So, Who Has the Momentum Again?

It is January 24th, 2008... Five days before the Florida showdown... Twelve days before Super Tuesday. A number of contests have cleared the field of candidates who failed to materialize, leaving behind a race that is as out of the ordinary as a San Francisco Conservative.

Huckabee claimed first blood in Iowa, taking the state from the long time favorite there, Mitt Romney. The Huckaboom had paid off, and Huck's momentum was back.

Fast on his tail was John McCain, perhaps in anticipation of his contest in New Hampshire, where Independents were able to rally behind their man as they did 8 years prior. John McCain's win in New Hampshire helped further propel his numbers in the positive direction, giving him the highest level of support since entering the race over a year ago.

Meanwhile, smaller and less contested races were taking place in states like Wyoming, Michigan, and Nevada... Victories out of these states heralded little notice by the press, but the delegates counted just the same as in the traditional early states. Mitt Romney's victories in these widely uncontested states did little to add to his momentum, though there is something to be said for leading the delegate count before Super Tuesday, and that is the headline he was hoping for.

Rudy Guiliani has yet to break 10% in a contest in the early states. His strategy of "Go Big or Go Home", where he is playing in states with only sizable delegate counts, has done little more than employ an army of campaign eulogy writers... but for Rudy, there is always Florida, right?

And all the while, Ron Paul and his supporters, after stacking every online poll in an attempt to appear as a front-runner, has been unable to muster more than 5% nationally in the polls, and has had his best showing in an uncontested Nevada, where he placed a very distant 2nd.

So I ask the question... Who has the momentum again?

The answer is simply: No One!

Fred Thompson's drop from the race, and lack of an expected endorsement, has left a large field of undecided voters hesitant to join any one campaign. The lack of a McCain endorsement has further served to help add gravity to McCain's falling national numbers, as voters remember why his campaign imploded over the summer: Immigration.

Duncan Hunter, yesterday, in an attempt to help swings some momentum in the direction of the Social Conservatives, endorsed Mike Huckabee... unfortunately this endorsement received little fanfare from the media, as they have all but declared the Huckabee campaign a bust. Huckabee is doing little to help his own campaign by not aggressively pursuing Thompson's supporters. Instead his campaign released a short press advisory welcoming support... while at the same time his campaign Chairman Chip Saltzman took a hit at Fred Thompson on the Mike Huckabee Campaign Blog. Huckabee missed an opportunity to claim victory in SC after the contest, by claiming that Fred's withdrawal, had it happened prior to the race, would have made him the clear victor.

Rudy's numbers have flatlined, which for him is a good thing at this point. A flatline is much better than the nose-dive he was seeing. This hesitation in the plummet may be temporary, unless he can pull off a come from behind win in Florida. Rudy's only source of momentum is anticipation of Florida... but all the momentum leads up to is a simple "no change".

Mitt Romney seems unable to break the invisible barrier of 16% in the national polls. His campaign had surged in the past, only to hit 16% and fall... rising again, only to fall again... he is at 15.8%, but the trend is ominous for his campaign!

It is hard to say what will happen in the debate tonight, but easy to see what must be done. There is a new flood of undecided Thompson voters that could cling to a new campaign and propel that campaign to the White House. Every person left on that stage needs to spend tonight aggressively wooing the ex-Fred-heads. The candidate who stands to pick up the votes MUST be conservative socially (this excludes Rudy and potentially McCain), must be strong, and must actually ASK for their support... no subtleties... now is not the time!

With no momentum from any candidate, no clear front-runner, and all candidates within 10% of being the leader on a very fluid scale... We start tonight at square ONE!