GOP Debate Update

The main event GOP presidential candidates debate took place in Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH, and it did not disappoint; highlighting the fine field of top candidates there are to choose from.

The under-card GOP debate winner was Carly Fiorina, who continues to impress, exhibiting broad knowledge of the issues. Particularly astute of her was to note the movement of money within the global financial system. Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry round out our final four first round performance, although it would seem Perry was in need of a stronger performance to leave his misfortunes in 2012 behind him.

The main event featured a very impressive field. For the GOP debate on this evening, Dr. Ben Carson was the winner. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee round out the final four in first round performance.

Jeb Bush seemed to get caught in a lie on the issue of Common Core, but otherwise did no harm. John Kasich looked good to the viewers and Scott Walker was steady as she goes successfully navigating away from any potentially rough seas.

Nobody blew up, but it appears Rand Paul and Donald Trump failed to gain any ground while others did.

Chris Christie and Rand Paul got in quite a dust up over surveillance.  Each candidate has a long list of support for their position, and while I am on the opposite side of many folks I generally am in agreement with, including of note Kimberly Guilfoyle, I stand with Rand Paul on this topic.

FOX News was horrible and clearly aimed to diminish Trump.  Megan Kelly, whom I generally think highly of, was way off base in some questioning of Donald Trump and she seems to be paying quite a price for her odd and suspicious line of questioning of Trump.  Among those who are hammering her is The Great One, Mark Levin.

It should be clearly noted that these GOP debates were inclusive of some very fine candidates, each having a long list of impressive credentials, and any candidate on the either stage on this opening evening of debates would be far superior to anyone the Democrats have to offer.

Play To Win Again

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is in.

Announcing his candidacy this afternoon, Jindal struck several chords in the performance of an excellent speech in front of jubilant supporters.

I recognize the impressive record Bobby Jindal has put together, and I will be giving Jindal a thorough look.

 

I agree with Jindal.  It is time for America to play to win once again.

The Candidates Cruz

The copy of the painting below is outstanding, and may be foretelling as we approach the 2016 election.

There are several candidates seeking the GOP nomination, and I would support each and every one of them in a battle against Hillary Clinton.

Many candidates have officially jumped in, while others are waiting around, raising money and sizing the electorate.

Commentary about the candidates will be held back at this time as the field settles in but will come at a later date.

For now, I will rank them in four tiers as I see the field right now. Tier 4 are candidates that I am not crazy about. Tier 3 will include some I am intrigued by and want to hear more from. Tier 2 includes those who are positioned to perhaps gain some traction, and among the group a VP candidate may come from. Tier 1 will include those that I am strongly considering and among the group my choice will likely come from.

The list only includes individuals that appear likely to jump in the race.

Tier 1:   Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio

Tier 2:   Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Allen West

Tier 3:   Carly Fioirina, Dr. Ben Carson, Bobby Jindal, John Bolton, and Donald Trump.

Tier 4:   John Kasich, George Pataki, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Peter King and Lindsey Graham

I am looking to eject from the status quo, which as Ronald Reagan said, is Latin for "the mess we're in".

Stay tuned!

A Libertarian Leaning

Much is being written about the fracture we are witnessing in the Republican party, resulting in the left being stricken with glee.  In the aftermath of two losing presidential elections, both closer than publicly thought but losses none the less, the reasons for division in the GOP are seemingly appropriate.

Much more so than you may know.

Observing the fisticuffs with a box of popcorn from their box seats, left wing organizations, political players and their media arms are engaging in the fray attempting to distort facts and discredit and diminish the power positions of those who are presumed to potentially be a player on the 2016 stage.

Before admonishing the left for their usual low class misrepresentation of the truth; (remember Mitt Romney being labeled, by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D:NV) no less, as not having paid his taxes); those not entirely engaged must become informed that GOP operatives are acting in concert in this effort.

Although the anticipated rivalry is not currently fluid, the media is presenting America update after update on the battle between New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. This potential battle is illustrative of the major battle taking place behind the scenes, those old guard GOP progressives who welcome big government versus the Libertarian leaning GOP members who embrace the Constitution and seek personal freedoms and limited government.  It may be noted as another chapter in the fight Ronald Reagan had with the Gerald Ford supporters in 1976.

It was my honor and pleasure to cast my first presidential ballot for Ronald Reagan, and I thought his presidency was representative was how things were supposed to be with respect to America's position on the world stage with economic prosperity at home.  But know, I recognize Reagan was an anomaly in history applying an approximate decade long brake on the progressive movement seemingly began with the Wilson administration.

As we look around to day, we can be so proud of our crumbling economy, racial strife, poverty, sinking public school system, crony capitalism and corruption of a welfare and nanny state.  It ain't working properly; obviously.  USA; Detroit Rock City!

Superior interest in continuing their positions of power rather than working tirelessly to put America back on a prosperous track, progressive GOP members are sadly joining left wing organizations, political players and their media arms in efforts to diminish those presumed to be potential 2016 players. 

Just this week, Texas Senator Ted Cruz felt compelled to produce his birth certificate, although anyone who questioned Obama on this subject was considered extreme and not credible.  Funny how that hypocrisy works.

Speaking of that, the government has been shut down numerous times in recent history.  Instead of applauding the very few Republicans who dare to utilize every tool at their disposal to stop Obamacare, with the latest effort being to defund it, progressive GOP members are attacking these brave souls.  Nicole Wallace, who worked for McCain and leaked false and demeaning information about Sarah Palin, is not calling Ted Cruz “intellectually dishonest” in his mission to shut down the government in order to defund Obamacare. Good Grief!

The knives are still out for Sarah Palin by everyone.  This is quite amusing, given she is labeled completely incompetent by most after having been relentlessly smeared by the media and political machines.  GOP pundit Bill Kristol, of the National Review, had to be called on the carpet by Herman Cain today after a condescending slam of Palin by claiming she had a need to rehabilitate herself.

NJ Gov. Chris Christie

Chris Christie (R:NJ), and individual who exhibited such promise as a take no prisoners opponent of unions, engaged in a love fest Breaking the Boardwalk with President Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, elevating the stature of our weak President from a damaged position to a perception of bipartisan strength helping him to defeat Mitt Romney.  Christie rejects that premise, but I don't.  In addition, Christie has gone after Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, although he is perceived as weak on the national stage.

These progressives, and make no mistake Christie is one, fear Governor Palin, but they do not think she will enter the race.  Given that, it is Kentucky Senator Rand Paul who they think can return the party to Reagan principles away from big, bloated government controlled by the ruling class, and the attacks on Paul have begun.

Christie has verbally hit Paul on numerous occasions, referring to Paul as dangerous.  To whom? The status quo of decline, debt and historically high unemployment? 

As reported by Mediate, speaking at a governors forum in Aspen, Colorado, Christie said “This strain of libertarianism that’s going through parties right now and making big headlines I think is a very dangerous thought,” the outspoken Garden State governor said. “You can name any number of people and [Paul is] one of them.”

Dangerous to whom?  America?  No, dangerous to Christie and the members of the ruling class.

Even Rep. Peter King (R:NY) a progressive who sits on numerous committees enabling our decline, went hard after Paul on the illegal surveillance the government is engaged in.  King told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley that a recent libertarian streak in the GOP threatened to weaken what he said was the party's traditional strength.

Paul, thankfully, is not about to operate from a position of weakness, and has utilized the truth in thwarting the mounting attacks coming his way.

Many Americans are coming to the realization, despite what they are being told, the current economic doldrums are not a new normal, rather an orchestrated decline triggered by a massive transfer of wealth.  Millennials are recognizing what the rest of us know; that our privacy is being violated in stark violation of the Constitution.  In fact, all of our rights have been restricted to some degree under this oppressive government. The progressive mindset of the government compulsion to implement a nanny state due to the distrust of the citizenry to adequately lead their lives.

This thought process does not represent the founding principals and values of our nation.  The impact of the the progressive policies, already felt, are about to be fully comprehended.  When that occurs, the people will be clamoring to turn to individuals who have been steadfast in opposition to the current path, those who offer opportunities of expanding freedom through prosperity.

KY Sen. Rand Paul

With the GOP looking Democrat light, and with disgruntled young Democrats reluctant to embrace the GOP, it may be Constitutional Conservatives from the Libertarian wing Christie referred to that can become a large tent for those who embrace freedom.

The public figures who represent this platform, the ones the progressive ruling class fears, are the individuals currently being attacked with a full complement of Saul Alinsky tactics.  Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Sen. Mike Lee (R:UT)  have their attention, but the one most likely to return the power to the people, Rand Paul, is the most feared.

With very good reason.

Lane Change

In the aftermath of the results of the election, there has been plenty of gloating and commentary floating around.  Much of the discussion has centered around the Republican Party, in efforts to identify and outline the GOP deficiencies.

Seemingly everyone has weighed in. Karl Rove offered excuses and Bill Kristol wants to join Democrats and raise taxes.  Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal came out swinging earlier today.  In my view, most of these folks cannot see the forest for the trees.

A longtime respected friend and associate of mine, and Obama supporter, immediately called for the restoration of the Republican party to national relevance; by casting off the Tea Party.  It should be noted that Mitt Romney, considered by almost everyone a superior candidate to John McCain, got a decidedly lower vote total.  In my analysis of what could have caused this difference, the diagnosis centers around Sarah Palin.

Certainly, the GOP should not take direction from progressive arm chair quarterbacks like my friend.  The conclusions they draw make sense to those aiming to continue the transformation of America, but to those who remain true to the foundations our country was founded upon, they should be strongly rejected.

My aforementioned friend thinks the Tea Party wing of the Republican party, of which Palin is affectionately associated with, is extremist.  Among the tenants I have observed at the numerous Tea Party rallies I have attended are fiscal sanity, limited government, personal accountability and responsibility, opposition to increasing entitlements, the rejection of the Obamacare and the love of God, family and country.  God heavens, if this is extremist, we lost the country a long time ago.

Old school Democrats have lost their party to elite extremist progressives, and out previous post "Knowing Kennedy" points out a significant example with respect to taxes. Regrettably, the post race analysis tells us many GOP folks sat the election out. 

I conclude that this is because the GOP at the top levels is too close to the Democrats in positions.  Mitt Romney is a fine man, and many thought, including me, he ended up being better suited to go up against Obama at this time.  But, that thought process was incorrect.

Contrary to my friends opinion, the GOP needs to further embrace the Tea Party, not distance itself from it.  Free market principles are indeed the best path to prosperity, and it is all-inclusive.  Massive entitlements and controlling governmental influence reduces opportunities and incentives, curbs economic freedoms  and reduces economic output, all the while robbing individuals of their hopes, dreams and dignity.

With Obama winning 51% of the votes, far from a mandate, many on all sides are calling for major GOP compromise, including progressives who masquerade as republicans.  No. 

The GOP must do a much better job of selling ideas and promoting the all inclusive promise and rewards of free enterprise.  When coupled with the tenants considered important by the Tea Party, a platform for prosperity can be embarked upon by all. 

This platform would be similar to the ideas and principles put forth by Ronald Reagan. At this time, with calls for compromise ringing loud, we should stand on our principles. Our differences with the progressives need to presented be in stark contrast; a time for bold colors, no pale pastels.

As Reagan said, on these principles there will be no compromise.



No time for lane changes. Lets get the message clear, and win the day on the battlefield of ideas.

Sea of Red

When George W. Bush had his approval rating hit news lows, this was breaking news over on CNN. Wolf Blitzer was beset with glee!

A recent CBS poll showed a record low number of Americans approve of the job President Obama is doing. The number is reported to be 41%. It is much worse than that, and rightfully so.

Unless there is exponential levels of voter fraud, which is possible with dead people voting, or our country has morphed into a collection of village idiots, there is no way Obama will win re-election.

I could go into the thousands of negative things Obama has done and continues to do, but by the time I would finish, the NCAA tournament would be over and we would be turning our attention to the NFL draft.

The economy is not getting better. Revenues may have stabilized or perhaps experienced a dead cat bounce off historic lows, but costs through regulation, inflation and taxation are rapidly increasing, and when coupled with $5 a gallon gas, revenue slowdown is imminent. Recent stock market highs are great for companies, like Coca Cola, of which I am a shareholder, who have international exposure and have access to low cost capital, but Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob are scared about retaining employment and have limited access to cheap capital.

Below is my prediction for the final electoral college tabulation. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum or Foghorn Leghorn, it does not matter. This country does not appreciate top down government control being exercised on our citizens by elites who think they know better.


We will see how if shakes out, but America looks like a football Saturday in Nebraska, a Sea of Red.

Listening to the mainstream media forecast, or better stated cheer lead, Obama for his accomplishments most of the country is too absent to comprehend is a waste of time. Out here in the real world, those working the streets know better.

If Obama wins, freedoms you enjoy our ancestors fought and died for will quickly contract. The government, who knows best, will rule your decisions. If not, we have a chance.

That being said, 2016 will be the real battle. Assuming Obama loses, the decisions he made will bear down on America and whoever is Commander in Chief will have their hands full. Debt is debt, and it must be paid. There is no free lunch.

Even left wing pundits are contemplating this, as evidenced by a recent editorial in Investors Business Daily.

Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton lead the Progressive bench, but they are up in years. Andrew Cuomo is fooling a lot of folks in New York, but the reality is he is the Architect of Ruin and is in deep with and among those who crashed the housing market. Perhaps others among Martin O'Malley, Ed Rendell, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Cory Booker, Claire MaCaskill or maybe Howard Dean would try again. Anyhow, at this juncture, this looks bleak for the Democrats.

Provided we have a country left, either Romney or Santorum will likely be primaried. Although things will be improving, it will not seem like it. Who could be among those that could challenge? I suspect Marco Rubio will be VP, so his time will come later. That would leave a bench consisting of Paul Ryan, Rick Sanotrum (if he loses to Romney), Chris Christie, Sarah Palin, Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal and re-runs potentially by Michele Bachmann or Mike Huckabee.

Top down government control against free market capitalism. Let freedom ring!

Time for Impeachment

We are now 80 days since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and sinking, which killed 11 workers and continues to cause an environmental, ecological and economic catastrophe.

Unfortunately, instead of promptly exhausting all options for stopping and containing the spill, amongst several concerts, political campaign stops and the presidential golf association tour, the administration is openly combating the very folks, like Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who are working feverishly to contain the damage. Astonishingly, this includes muzzling what few media outlets are actually attempting to cover the continuing story. Sean Hannity discusses this with Kate Obenshain and Sandra Smith of the FOX Business Network.



In an obviously unconventional way, this is an attack on our shores ruining perhaps forever the lives of many along the Gulf Coast. A prime directive of our President is to protect us from such attack, and the failure of President Obama in this regard is staggering, and for this dereliction of duty, impeachment proceedings should begin.

And just when you thought it could not get worse, the Mighty Mississippi is now in jeopardy as oil is now showing up on the Pontchartrain, in the light of day and in the heart of the night. The nightbird is crying!

Water Hazard A Top Flite Crisis

Everyone from Foghorn Leghorn to Wile E. Coyote recognizes we have a economical, environmental and ecological catastrophe taking place in the Gulf of Mexico with this oil spill.

While BP certainly appears to be criminally negligent and throwing darts on what to do regarding the capping of the well and and the cleanup efforts, they are not alone. Our Federal Government is failing miserably as well, led by our inexperienced leader Barack Obama and his team of librarians, professors, authors and global warming alarmists. Conspicuously missing from the team is anyone with any experience in offshore drilling, or running a business for that matter. Although Obama has reached out to Hollywood director James Cameron and actor Leonardo DeCaprio (???) for their vast experience, if he had to engage the entertainment community he could have called country singer Trace Adkins, who actually worked on these rigs.

But no problem. “I will not rest until the leak was stopped“ Obama said on May 14, 2010 as reported by Gateway Pundit.



Not the least bit embarrassed, Obama continues to take in entertainment in various forms while untold damage continues to evolve in the gulf coast. Just this weekend, Obama found time to golf with VP Joe Biden ( could not one of these idiots even act like they are attempting to solve the problem ) and take in a Washington Nationals baseball game. Meanwhile, LA Governor Bobby Jindal continues to battle the Federal Government in his effort to contain the oil.



One would think most all Americans are torqued at the incompetence of our government in the slow and weak response to this crisis, from the inability to establish a chain of command to the Coast Guard checking oil skimmers for life jackets. Even with a news media cheering Obama on, it is quite obvious he is in the weeds on this. But in an incredible demonstration of media bias, note the Washington Post, who threw out this opening paragraph to an article: "After hunkering down for several weeks to deal with the oil spill, President Obama finally made it out of the house for some fun - and showed up at the Nationals game on Friday night."

Hunkering down? Are you trying to fricking kid me? What a terrible insult to Larry Munson and the junkyard Dawg defense of the Georgia Bulldogs, and all Americans for that matter. Between the concerts, campaign stops, the NBA Finals, several rounds of golf, Broadway plays, knocking back a few cold ones and attending baseball games, Obama begrudgingly had to take time to deal with this spill. Our citizens along the gulf coast have had their lives perhaps forever altered negatively and our President thinks it is a good opportunity to push cap and trade. By the way, did the administration know how vulnerable this rig was?

Did I mention the oil is still gushing? Not only is the leak still gushing, containment efforts are holding serve at best, no thanks to Obama, and the damage is adding up quickly, certain to exceed the market cap of BP. Additional potential issues, health concerns, the spill hitting Florida's beaches to oil impacting shipping up the Mississippi River, remain. And dare I even mention the Doomsday scenario being discussed?

Diary of a Wimpy President

Americans are watching with extreme sadness the effects of the ongoing BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, the Obama administration is treating the spill as a political event and not the economic and environmental catastrophe that it is for America. It is immoral for our government to not treat this spill as an emergency extending every imaginable effort to plug the hole and contain the spill.

There will be time for pointing fingers, but in thinking how our President ran off at the mouth at every opportunity to berate George W. Bush during the response to Hurricane Katrina, his response to this spill as our Commander and Chief is appalling.

Reflect back to Obama running his mouth:



Amongst all the basketball games and concerts, even some of the strongest supporters of the anointed one have called his competence into question, including Peggy Noonan and James Carville.



HT/GatewayPundit

The areas of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi are already unnecessarily damaged, and Florida is next. What is immediately needed is some leadership, something that is quite obviously lacking with President Obama. Leadership is something America's Mayor knows something about, and he indicates that the response to the spill by Obama has been horrendous. Take a listen:



As the good ole boys often say heading down the backstretch; lead, follow or get out the way! Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal should have sideswiped Obama and gotten busy weeks ago on his strategy, letting the chips fall where they may. Florida Governor Charlie Crist had better urgently get to work as well. Someone needs to display some intelligent leadership immediately. Our President, who is busy engaging in sports, partying, concerts and assisting political partners while the oil just keeps gushing, is seriously lacking in leadership and given his propensity to blame everyone else for the problems, is a wimp.

Entries in many diaries, and/or blogs, will document this disgraceful behavior during a real American crisis. Think folks are pissed now, wait until the economic effect of this , along with all the other moronic economic decisions, becomes apparent in the form a double dip recession.