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.

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 Champion of Distortion and Failure

On Sunday, the inevitable announcement came that Hillary Clinton will be running for president, seeking the Democratic nomination that slipped through her fingers in 2008 when a dashing community organizer with spiteful disdain for America appeared as the one the progressive left has been dreaming about stole it away.

Although this has the look of a coronation, even with the Clinton's setting the rules of engagement for the media and potential primary opponents, it is hard to imagine that no other Democrat wants this job.

Almost immediately, her campaign is full full of missteps and mistruths.  For example, she went on a bus tour stopping along the way at a Chipolte (owned by huge Democrat supporters ) for a bite to eat, just like the common man does each day.  Except, this is activity she simply does not engage in, having not paid for a meal in decades and reportedly not having driven a car since 1996.  Hillary is far form a normal person, in fact loathing the little guy she purports to wake up every day to make life better for.

Hillary Clinton in staged Iowa event.

Today, she met with common folk for a chat, even though the "common folk" were driven to the location by campaign operatives. "Everyday" Iowans outside looking in had a rough day, but for those on the inside, it was sunshine and lollipops. For the Clintons, it is all a fabrication, and the joke is on us.

While she has logged many a mile, as prospective GOP candidate Carly Fiorina so appropriately pointed out, flying is an activity, not an accomplishment.  Clinton operatives are out touting her record, recently evidenced by Howard Dean noting she is the only candidate with foreign policy experience.

New flash to Dean; the experience is far from anything to brag about.  While she was Secretary of State, the situation in the middle wast has completely collapsed due to horrendous polices with the middle east left in ruin having become a major national security threat with Iran gaining legitimacy and strength.

Her reset with Russia have left us with Vladimir Putin invading countries and with our relationship with Russia at its lowest point since the conclusion of the cold war.  At best, her lack of attention to detail in Benghazi resulted in our Ambassador being murdered, along with three other heroes with nobody held in account for the tragedy.

Clinton lied about the incident to the American people, and made no mention about the real reason for the firefight, which was illegal gun running. But hey, what difference does it really make?

Recently, she lied about email accounts during her tenure as Secretary of State, where she destroyed emails of her experiences, skirting federal law. While due to this matter she should be facing jail time, it becomes evident that Clinton does not have to live by the same rules, or laws, you and I, and most other elected officials, do.

On a side note, I get real torqued when politicians think they are above it all and destroy documents that belong to the people and sever the preservation of the historical record., where the Clinton clan has along history, inclusive of Sandy Burglar.

We have informed you of the danger of Hillary Clinton in previous posts, most notably in this piece.  Hillary Clinton is a liar, far more interested in self promotion than the health and welfare of America, a country she has disdain for as evidenced by her close associations over the years with anti-American activists inclusive of Saul Alinsky and Frances Fox Piven.

Hillary Rodham Clinton wants to be your champion. I want individuals across the fruited plain to all be champions, forging their own path unencumbered by a controlling government. As Senator Rick Santorum recently said, "Clinton believes government is the solution to the challenges our nation faces, not the underlying cause of many of those problems".

She is an arrogant hypocrite, an intellectual progressive operative with disdain for the blue collar working families she professes to support, an individual who dreams of squelching free markets through taxation and regulation championing crony capitalism in support of self promotion and her political advocates all the while welcoming opportunities to abuse power.

In no way, shape or form is this an individual we should even remotely consider for our highest office.  She is a champion of distortion and failure.

Not In A Pickle

One of my guilty pleasures over recent years has been Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. I like Trump, business, competition and New York City, so for me, it works. During the competition, winning players each week have opportunities to raise money for a charitable organization of their choosing, which is a real good thing.

This past season was interesting to be sure, with Arsenio Hall edging Clay Aiken for the title. Cheers for Arsenio, who was competing for his charity, The Magic Johnson Foundation.

Among this seasons contestants, I noticed that several of the celebrities had gay associated charities as their charity. The number was disproportional to the amount of contestants who were known to be gay. Star Trek's George Takei, a gay gentleman, chose the Japanese American National Museum. Clay Aiken, known to be gay, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, Comedian Lisa Lampanelli and singer (?) Aubrey O'Day each had gay associated charities they were playing for. Arsenio is a close buddy with Magic, so that makes perfect sense. So of all the charities of the world, approximately 23% of the players were competing for gay associated charities.

These groups have very strong representation across America, and I am not quite sure why, particularly since the gay population is quite small. Some of these groups, who preach tolerance, will attack you if you exercise your freedom to not participate in advancing, or publicly supporting, their cause.

Ask Chick-fil-A Founder Dan Cathy, who after declaring his support for the traditional family, was targeted for criticism and attacked. Boston and Chicago have spoken of their intent to prohibit construction of future restaurants. The Jim Henson Company has announced they will cease business with Chick-fil-a. Boycotts and demonstrations are taking place.

Indeed, Chick-fil-A is now a centerpiece of a much wider culture war. Larry Kudlow visits with Nick Gillespie of Reason Magazine and Rick Santorum to dicuss this situation: Take a listen:



The left is flexing far too much muscle these days, and many of those on the center-right are buckling due to political correctness.  In an effort exercise economic freedom while we still have the opportunity, for lunch on Saturday, not in a pickle about where my support of the traditional family lies, look for me at Chick-fil-A.

Heck, I may even attend the Spicy Chicken Dance Party!



For the record, had I been playing on the Celebrity Apprentice, my charity would be The Victory Junction Gang Camp.

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!

The Will of the People

Back when I was in college, before cable networks had a 24 hours news cycle, ABC's World News Tonight was my preferred source on national news matters. Man, have times changed.

Washington Post opinion writer and ABC's George Will has some advice for Republicans as the 2012 presidential election draws near. With the likely nominee for the GOP being Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum, Will thinks both would lose to Obama, so he thinks the GOP should go with Plan B.

"If so, there would come a point when, taking stock of reality, conservatives turn their energies to a goal much more attainable than, and not much less important than, electing Romney or Santorum president. It is the goal of retaining control of the House and winning control of the Senate."

"Several possible Supreme Court nominations and the staffing of the regulatory state are among the important reasons conservatives should try to elect whomever the GOP nominates. But conservatives this year should have as their primary goal making sure Republicans wield all the gavels in Congress in 2013."

Will is among the most respected mainstream media pundits who lean right. That respect is held by many Americans who have not come around to recognizing who slanted the big three news organizations are. In the absence of this knowledge, these folks continue to respect the major network evening news programs, and this includes editorial commentator George Will.

Will is far off the mark on this line of thinking, and Americans had better come to know it and recognize the narrative being presented.

Barack Obama cannot be re-elected. Better stated, our country as we have known it all our lives will cease to exist should Obama win re-election.

The goals Will sets forth are only a part of what needs to occur to prevent our our freedoms from becoming significantly constricted. The goal is much larger than Will visualizes, and it must be, for a myriad of reasons. Sadly, Will obviously has no clue of the many reasons why, with sovereignty at the top of the lengthy list.

The most important action that must take place is to control the next Supreme Court Justice nominees. Presently, we are one Supreme Court justice from game over. This cannot be understated. If Obama were to place perhaps the next two justices, the balance of the court would tilt to a radical left court which would serve the interests of unions, anti-capitalist, entitlement friendly anti government loyalists. Freedom would then be lost to darkness.

While gaining control of the Senate, and keeping control of the House, is critical, that would only minimally prohibit Obama from harmful action. An Obama victory against a GOP Congress will damage his ability to win legislation, but he will just continue to operate outside the Congress through executive order, as he has been doing for some time. In an ongoing example, the inability to get cap and trade going legislatively only resulted in increasing burdensome regulatory actions being handed out by the EPA.

Sadly, there are Progressives in both parties. Many in the GOP unfortunately do not grasp the grave economic position Uncle Sam is in, and think it is just a normal political year where they may gain control the purse strings for their pet projects. Instead, all the purse strings need to be violently yanked back.

For Will to provide the false narrative in the mainstream media that it would be acceptable for Obama to win the presidency if the GOP could control the Congress is slap in the face to Americans out of work, a brake applied to economic growth, energy independence, and entrepreneurship across the fruited plain.

If members of the mainstream media presented the truth to the American people about how dreadful the Obama tenure has been, a ham sandwich could defeat him. Most folks are working their fingers to the bone to keep afloat, and spend time with their families when they get home. They do not have time to search alternative media outlets seeking the truth the mainstream media does not provide them. Therefore, these false narratives create far more harm than imagined.

If they knew, they would shout from the roof tops in support of whoever Obama's opponent is, Foghorn Leghorn included. No one could care about which companies or academic institutions offer birth control when the very existence of the country hangs in the balance.

Will should well know that. I suspect he does, and given that, he is no longer to be considered an honest broker. Patrick J. Buchanan thinks Will should have his pundit's license suspended. I quite agree.

Will will be at play in November. The will of the American people, that is.

Five Forgotten

When Glenn Beck left FOX News Channel after smashing rating numbers for the 5PM EST time slot, FOX rebounded nicely with the new show The Five, with five rotating panelists discussing the events of the day. This show is outstanding, with excellent co-hosts Eric Boling and Kimberly Guilfoyle. Anything that puts the lovely Guilfoyle in front of the camera will be a ratings success.

Even so, this week I was following five stories, or in the case of Rick Santorum's sweep, variations of, that The Five did not cover. As good as this show is, and as good as FOX is, many very important stories do not get proper coverage, if they get covered at all.

Below are five that I focused on this week, and I wonder is any of the readers knew about these stories. They are important, so have a look

NANEX

I was over at Zero Hedge and found an alarming story on high frequency trading. On the day Uncle Sam was downgraded back in August, a staggering increase in high frequency trading ensued and has continued since. Check out the story and the chart over on Zero Hedge HERE.

It seems to be that algorithmic trading between computers is taking place at a highly increased level, and while there is a place for such trading, this type of activity is dangerous. You got any ideas about what is happening?

RICK SANTORUM

Rick Santorum had a big night this week, winning Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado. They picked Rick! Although the pundits discussed the momentum perhaps gained by Santorum, and the problems perhaps exposed by his opponents, I focused on his outstanding victory speech.

Santorum spoke truths about the Obama administration, that they seek to rule over the people rather than listen to them, that they wish to rule over them and run their lives with a lengthy list of central planning programs because they think they know better than you.

Obama really does look down on the people, with soaring rhetoric about helping the people while actively reducing the freedom of the people. Santorum has the right message, and it would do America well to hear him!

BORDER CALAMITY

On GBTV, Glenn Beck presented an incredibly alarming program on the activities taking place on the border. Although there are a handful of Americans who have some level of understanding about the high level of national security issues taking place along the border, most have no clue how serious this problem is. Unfortunately, the problem is worse than ever, and our government, on both sides, is for the most part sitting it out. Why, I do not know.

Although I could not get elected dog catcher in my community, if I were President, with a thorough understanding of the severity of the problem, I would have the US Military seize the day immediately, using any force necessary.

Hearing the facts presented is a depressing indictment of the failures of our government, but unfortunately, something you must become knowledgeable about. The video is not for the faint of heart, so viewer discretion is advised. However; knowledge is power, so have a look on Glenn Beck HERE and HERE.

HOUSING PLAN

Stupid is as stupid does. President Obama has yet another plan to punish banks and reward bad behavior in an effort to boost the housing market. Jimmy Petholoukis leaked that Obama was ready to release the plan, hitting banks with punitive punishment and forcing them to refinance some home owners. Should the banks fail to comply, a newly appointed Czar will seek them out for punishment. Of course, costs force upon the banks will be passed on to the consumers. This will raise the cost of capital, reduce the amount of mortgage activity and prolong the crisis.

Obvious to just about everyone not involved with wealth redistribution, this program will only hamper any recovery in the housing market. As we have repeatedly said, for the housing market to improve, a growing job market must be in place allowing free market principles, free from government interaction, to form an efficient market where buyers compete with sellers in arms length transactions. Under such a market, price will be established a normal market can resume.

Obama will not allow this to take place, as his principles center around wealth redistribution directed by a government who picks winners and losers. This creates an inefficient market, is not free market capitalism, and will restrict the pace of any recovery.

CME GROUP

On Wednesday, the S&P cut the CME Group Inc.'s credit rating in the aftermath of the debacle involving the collapse of MF Global. The has been under fire since MF files for bankruptcy. Under normal market conditions, this news would some kind of spook the markets.

Be advised there is much more here than meets the eye, and the fallout could be mind boggling. Customer funds were stolen, and with this type of activity taking place, the integrity of the market is zero. Ann Barnhardt, of Barnhardt Capital Management, has been leading the way in covering the real story going on here from a birds eye view.

Slow Creep of Socialized Medicine

In the past, way back, like a year ago, both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, were supporters of a mandate to force the purchase of individual health care. Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida, expresses how Mitt Romney will implement a state run system of mandated health care. Take a listen:
While many claim to be Reaganites, especially Gingrich, back in the early 60's Reagan stood firm against the slow creep of socialism through individual health care mandates. Take a listen:



Romney does not claim any association with Reagan, problematic to be sure. Gingrich did carry buckets of water during Reagan's presidency, but unfortunately, he has been for the health care mandate for over 20 years.

Free market capitalism is in favor of the private sector providing such health care options. Where there is demand, there will be supply, with risk appropriately measured and priced into the yield curve.

AP reports Rick Santorum is tired and back in Pennsylvania for the Florida primary. Too bad, since he has been outspoken against the implementation of socialized medicine.

Florida voters, it is time to send a big message. Join me in doing so!

A Sleeping Lion

The Florida primary is Tuesday, and once again, I will be choosing from a less than desirable list of candidates.

Among the four left, I find the choice to be clear, selecting a conservative with fiscal discipline and a comprehensive command of the global war on terror, and that choice is Rick Santorum.

Unlike Gingrich or Romney, Santorum is not a supporter of national health care and global warming, the two main vehicles for the transformation of wealth. Implementing policy regarding these two items will further lead our country to socialism.

Santorum is the limited government candidate and has a superior understanding of the grave dangers we face in the middle east to that of the other candidates.

I can think of many preferable candidates to Santorum, but they are not on my ballot. But among those on the ballot, my choice is the Nittany Lion from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum.

The Road to Recovery

The GOP field of candidates has been put under green to begin the process of finding the candidate to defeat the the anti-American tyrant who is presiding under the unparalleled decline of our nation.

I have been asked for some thoughts on the field, so much like the folks over at Political Derby, I'll handicap the field in order of my preference, not who I think will be the nominee or who would be able to win.

Contrary to the mainstream media, this is a strong field and each of the candidates would be far superior to Obama. So would Foghorn Leghorn, Heath Barkley or Jim Rockford.

1. Michele Bachmann--- Unlike Obama, she would lead from the front, not the rear. Bachmann is former federal tax attorney, real estate investor and Congressional leader of the Tea Party. Bachmann is a friend to free markets and well recognizes the motives of Obama's oppression.

2. Rick Santorum---Santorum got trounced in his home state by speaking the truth nobody wanted to hear. Santorum is clear about the threat of Islamic terrorism and is sound across the board.

3. Herman Cain---A strong business background without having held public office is a major plus given the antics we commonly see in DC. The former Godfathers Pizza CEO's line of attack in solving our nations lengthy issues resonates, and his experience at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank under Thomas Hoening cover the ever so important financial angle.

4. Mitt Romney---The establishment choice, Romney should really have won in 2008. Few can match his business experience, and the former governor knows how to govern. There is lot to like with Romney, and he can no doubt win if he gets there. He does have big issues, however, with respect to Romenycare and global warming.

5. Tim Pawlenty---Pawlenty is nothing if not solid. He well could be the last guy standing and has demonstrated his ability to govern and make measureable progress in a blue state. Pawlenty also has global warming issues, and a flirtation with some Sharia law tolerance.

6. Newt Gingrich---Newt is well described as an idea factory and knows government better than most. For all his intelligence, he departs often from the Reagan principles he claims to hold dear. Attacking the Ryan Roadmap and supporting a progressive lefty in NY 23 come to mind, not to mention a global warming commercial with Nancy Pelosi.

7. Ron Paul---While everyone was snickering at him in 2008, he turned out to be correct on a slew of items. Paul has the FED figured out, and is a leading mouthpiece on the damage monetizing the debt is doing to our country. Paul is outside the box on many other issues, relegating him to remaining a horse fly on the back of overspending progressives on both side of the isle.

Sarah Palin seems content to sit 2012 out, comfortable in hammering Obama at very turn. Rick Perry looks like he is about to jump in, and although he tends to govern left of his campaign rhetoric, he has the border issue in his back pocket to hammer Obama on. If in, both would immediately contend with Bachmann for the top spot.

Jon Huntsman jumped in Tuesday, announcing from New Jersey with the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty in similar fashion to when Reagan announced in 1980. Hunstman once called Obama a remarkable leader. Thank you for coming.

The media loves Huntsman, thus informing the GOP of who to pick to lose in 2012. Huntsman also declared he will pick up where John McCain left off in defeat in conducting a civil campaign.

In his brilliance, Rush Limbaugh spent much of the day Tuesday hammering Huntsman, and much of the other GOP candidates, for listening to consultants who think it would be damaging to attack Obama personally, only his policies. For all those who think this is Reaganesque, Limbaugh took us back to 1980 to hear Reagan blast Jimmy Carter.



America hangs in the balance. Grab the Reagan playbook and run with it and make Obama a one term President. Hit Barack Obama square in the jaw from every unguarded agnle, from his associations to his treatment of our allies to his utter failure in economic principles to his arrogance in operating outside the Congress. In fact, just quote Reagan and replace Carter with Obama and go with throttle up! The time is now. Right now!

Raising Cain

Last Thursday night, the GOP held their first 2012 presidential debate and gave America a glimpse of what cold be considered the second tier as many of the estimated front runners skipped the event.

The evening provided an opportunity for someone to emerge, as has happened in years past. Quite a bit of money was placed on Tim Pawlenty, the former Governor of Minnesota, while many others just knew former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum would stand tall. Texas Congressman Ron Paul has a strong following, as we all know.

Unless you got the fever from examining a dark horse for he weekends upcoming Kentucky Derby, you may not have considered Georgia businessman Herman Cain might steal the show.

Although the other candidates held steady, it was Herman Cain that positioned himself as a candidate that could move up to the first team. Cain, a former military man who began his business career at Coca Cola, has had quite a distinguished career as the former CEO of Godfathers Pizza, Chairman of the National Restaurant Association and a position on the board of directors of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank.

Cain spoke common sense, something America is clamoring for. I think America wants to eject from the tainted political process with an outsider who is free to run the country like an efficient business. This was evident in the overwhelming reaction by a Frank Luntz focus group, who came away in full support of Cain. The Wall Street Journal came away impressed also.

Recently, at the Tax Day TEA Party in Orlando, Cain was the headline speaker, and I quite like him. I am not sure if he can win the GOP nomination, but given the way Republicans give away the minority vote, Cain could give the GOP opportunities it could only dream of. Employing the business background Cains brings to the table, I think in this plain spoken Georgian you may have just met the GOP VP candidate for 2012.

Did you miss Cain dominate the debate? Take a listen as Cain recaps the evening in a discussion with CNBC's Larry Kudlow.



Cain is expected to formally announce his candidacy on May 21, 2011.

West Swinging Big Stick

Florida Congressman Allen West recently visited with FOX News Greta Van Susteren on her show "On The Record" and spoke the truth in calling out the Thug in Chief, President Obama. Take a listen:



In my estimation, West is right on target in his assessment of President Obama. A low level socialist agitator indeed! I appreciate West speaking out, and I wonder why many of the potential GOP candidates are refraining form doing so.

The President continuously dodges the truth, uses Sal Alinsky concepts in his treatment of those in opposition to him and takes actions which are in contrast to his public statements. He is simply disgraceful, and should be soundly defeated in the 2012 campaign.

Speaking of 2012, a recent Gallup poll indicated a tie among potential GOP contenders between Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump.

Mike Huckabee, 16
Donald Trump, 16
Mitt Romney, 13
Sarah Palin, 10
Ron Paul, 6
Newt Gingrich, 6
Michele Bachmann, 4
Mitch Daniels, 3
Tim Pawlenty, 3
Rick Santorum, 2
Haley Barbour, 2
Jon Huntsman, 1
Gary Johnson
Herman Cain

Charles Krauthammer has weighed in on 2012 as well, and I share his holding of Paul Ryan in high regard.

Among these contenders, for me, at this juncture, I'll throw Palin, Bachmann and Santorum in my "A" group. I think Allen West joins fellow Floridian Marco Rubio on the list of future stars on the political horizon. West is not playing games, rather focusing on the truth, which has no agenda. This is the type of individual I hope emerges victorious politically.