US Election 2012
Indiana Republican governor Mitch Daniels was hit in the forehead by a swinging door [What's that meta phor?]
With Mike Huckabee out of the race for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, three well-known politicians, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, and Newt Gingrich, emerge as leaders in Republicans' preferences. Republicans, however, have less intensely positive feelings about these three than they did about Huckabee. Two less well-known potential candidates, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain, generate high levels of enthusiasm among Republicans who recognize them. ... Republicans' nomination preferences at this point largely appear to reflect name identification. ... Romney and Palin are essentially tied; Gingrich does slightly less well even though he and Romney have nearly identical name identification. Ron Paul and Bachmann are the only other potential candidates with name recognition above 50%....
Is Tim Pawlenty the Process-of-Elimination Candidate? [quick answer... no.]
"I want a government that is much more humble about it's ability to tell you what to do whether it's people on either side of the ideological spectrum," Gingrich said on Limbaugh's radio show. "And by the way it was not a reference to Paul Ryan, there was no reference to Paul Ryan in the answer." Gingrich apologized to Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, on Tuesday and said he regretted calling the Wisconsin Republican's Medicare plan "right-wing social engineering." But when asked Thursday by Limbaugh why he apologized to Ryan if he was not referring to his plan, Gingrich said, "It was interpreted in a way which was causing trouble, which he doesn't need or deserve and it was causing the House Republicans trouble."
The Gingriches were participating in a book signing before the Minnesota Family Council's annual dinner in Minneapolis when a protestor by the name of Nick Espinosa opened a box containing glitter and dumped it over the two of them. "Feel the rainbow, Newt," Espinosa said as he poured the box of glitter over Gingrich's head. "Stop the hate. Stop anti-gay politics. It's dividing our country and it's not fixing our economy.
Patrick Layton "Pat" Paulsen (July 6, 1927 — April 24, 1997) was an American comedian and satirist notable for his roles on several of the Smothers Brothers TV shows, and for his campaigns for President of the United States in 1968, 1972, 1980, 1988, 1992, and 1996, which had primarily comedic rather than political objectives, although his campaigns generated some protest votes for him. [In honor of Newt Gingrich's presidential bid, RIP]
Today's first, and highly visible, self-immolation features Newt Gingrich. Readers will recall Newt attempted to make himself the face of the Tea Party movement when it first arose. It seems that getting hit with glitter was the high-point of his day yesterday, as he had to go on an apology tour regarding his comments about Paul Ryan's innovative entitlement reform program. Today, his spokesman said: THE BELTWAY LITERATI ARE TRYING TO DESTROY HIM!
Twenty percent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters say they'd support the former Massachusetts governor, while 18 percent say they'd support the former Alaska governor. Newt Gingrich comes in third place with 11 percent.
NEWT GINGRICH: I didn't do anything to Paul Ryan. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, you did. You undercut him and his allies in the House. You're an embarrassment to our party. GINGRICH: I'm sorry you feel that way. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why don't you get out before you make a bigger fool of yourself? [Video]
The former Alaska governor's political action committee, 2012 Can't Come Fast Enough, has reportedly sent out a mailing to South Carolina Republicans. "Taking back control of the House last year was only the first step," Ms. Palin writes in the mailer first reported by The Fix. "Now you and I must fix our eyes on 2012. Our goal is to take back the White House and the Senate." The move is the first indication that Ms. Palin remains interested in seeking the Republican presidential nomination. [First indication... heh!]
Mitt Romney, usually cautious and measured in describing his nascent campaign, allowed himself a minor indulgence in describing to reporters the fundraising call-a-thon that netted his presidential bid $10.25 million here Monday. "That's a terrific start," Romney began, in typical expectation-setting mode, before catching himself: "Actually it's more than just a start — it really gives us the boost that we need at this early stage in my effort."
Bachmann's penchant for earmarks dates back to her days in the Minnesota state Senate. Despite her reputation as a fiscal conservative, from 2001-2006, then-state Senator Bachmann proposed more than $60 million in earmarks... when Republicans sought an earmark moratorium, Bachmann pushed to exclude transportation projects from the ban.... Bachmann may also be plagued by her involvement in a controversial pardon. In 2007, Bachmann wrote a letter requesting a presidential pardon for a convicted drug-smuggler and money-launderer named Frank Vennes. ...
"with allies like that, who needs the left?"
On his radio program Monday morning, former Education Secretary Bill Bennett, who knows Gingrich well but is also close to Ryan, reacted angrily to Gingrich's remarks. Referring to Ryan's Medicare plan as "right-wing social engineering" is, Bennett said, "an unforgivable mistake, in my judgment." Bennett went on to say that Gingrich "has taken himself out of serious consideration for the [2012] race." [Full disclosure: I appear on, and sometimes serve as guest host of, the Bennett program.] Gingrich's remarks rankled for three reasons. One, they hurt the Republican plan. Two, they were particularly disdainful; Gingrich didn't just said that he disagreed with Ryan, he referred to Ryan's plan as "right-wing social engineering." And three, they contradicted what Gingrich himself has said about Ryan's budget. To make that last point, Bennett played a clip of an interview he conducted with Gingrich on April 5, barely more than a month ago. At that time, Gingrich was full of praise for the Ryan budget. "Paul Ryan has stepped up to the plate," Gingrich said. "This is a very, very serious budget and I think rivals with [what] John Kasich did as budget chairman in getting to a balanced budget in the 1990s, just for the scale and courage involved…" "Paul Ryan is going to define modern conservatism at a serious level," Gingrich continued on April 5. "You can quibble over details but the general shape of what he's doing will define 2012 for Republicans."
White House hopeful Newt Gingrich called the House Republican plan for Medicare "right-wing social engineering," injecting a discordant GOP voice into the party's efforts to reshape both entitlements and the broader budget debate. [NEWT is SO out]
After a low-key announcement on television, Republican congressman Ron Paul of Texas was drowned out by cheers and applause as he kicked off his third presidential campaign yesterday in the state with the earliest primary.
"I think things could have been done somewhat differently," Paul said this week. "I would suggest the way they got Khalid [Sheikh] Mohammed. We went and cooperated with Pakistan. They arrested him, actually, and turned him over to us, and he's been in prison. Why can't we work with the government? ... "I think respect for the rule of law and world law and international law. What if he'd been in a hotel in London? We wanted to keep it secret, so would we have sent the airplane, you know the helicopters in to London, because they were afraid the information would get out?" [Oof! Why Ron Paul should never be President.]
DC Troll on HillBuzz: ...Bottom line — Sarah controls this election decision — her process and her timing — so all please stop falling for the trap by the those above — as Sarah has said repeatedly it is WAAAY toooo early to jump in — the rule have changed folks!
Not for Cain is the dialect of programmed candidates controlled by Republican Party hacks or "up-and-coming political stars." As was obvious during the debate, Cain does not require handlers and consultants. No political consultant would ever tell a candidate to answer a question, to which he cannot truly give an informed answer, as Cain did on a question of national security, "I don't know all the facts." Few, if any, would encourage a candidate to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu's view on the ultimate aims of the jihadists. Cain speaks with total self-confidence born of ability and achievement, not the unearned laurels of sycophants. Cain speaks blunt truths about how far we have fallen from our charters and the necessity to restore them and revere them again. As he recently told Neil Cavuto when refusing to walk back comments about a ban on Muslims in a Cain administration, he only wants "true patriots" around him, committed and dedicated to the Constitution, the Declaration, and the laws of this country. What else matters? [Mindful H/T to HillBuzz for the link.]
"The nice thing about this is we're doing this for a cause, for special needs, which, of course, is near and dear to my heart," Palin told POLITICO. "A nice social event combined with helping to raise awareness and funds for special needs. We're honored to be here." And is Palin looking forward to bumping into Donald Trump, another of the weekend's most-buzzed-about guests, at some point? "He's our buddy! We appreciate and respect Donald Trump," she said. Once inside, guests of all stripes angled to get a picture with Palin, including astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The hubbub was enough to cause one reporter to quip: "Look at all these reporters who typically rip her a new one mosey on up to her, desperate to get a photograph."
The leftists were and are gung-ho on promoting their own kind. They don't use the word eugenics anymore, they engage in "political satire" and when challenged ask "are you too stupid to get it?" Trig Palin's existence must irk them to no end. The so-called champions of the dispossessed, the marginalized, and the weak can't hide their eugenic roots when a real bona fide "strain on society's resources" shows up. Couple that with the fact that his parents didn't attend Princeton or Yale and it's no wonder they feel emboldened.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, once embarrassed by CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric when asked what newspapers and magazines she reads, offered the CBS Evening News anchor well wishes tonight when asked about Couric's forthcoming departure from her broadcast. "I think I read that in a newspaper, one of many newspapers that I read online...."
Sarah Palin is running for president, and she's been saying so for years.,,, It is obvious that Palin has been telling everyone who would listen that she is running in 2012. It's just a matter of when she is going to make the announcement.
Yesterday, I chose the top ten clues that Sarah Palin has been giving that she is running for President. Today, I give the top 10 things the Republican establishment and the mainstream media say to dissuade Palin from running. Somewhere in Alaska, Palin is probably laughing at these figures who seem to think they have the power to convince her or speak on her behalf.... By mocking her and treating her as a lightweight, the GOP establishment risks alienating her fervent supporters. It is ironic that the GOP establishment, which tries to dissuade Palin from running because they think she would be catastrophic in the general election, does not see that their anti-Palin candidate of choice would not be able to win a general election if Palin's voters stay home in protest.
But our media has been too wimpy and pathetic to investigate. [Apparently, this moron and the pool of vicious leeches who comment think that Sarah's daughter was able to produce two babies in one year. They also go on about Trig's birth certificate! Didn't know there was any question he was running for President.]
Braving snow showers and a frigid wind outside the state Capitol building, the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate told tea partyers she's glad to stand with Gov. Scott Walker. Hundreds of labor supporters surrounded the rally, trying to drown Palin out with chants of "Hey-hey, ho-ho, Scott Walker has got to go!" and "Recall Walker!" "Hey, folks! He's trying to save your jobs and your pensions!" Palin yelled into the microphone. "Your governor did the right thing and you won! Your beautiful state won! And people still have their jobs!" ... The tea partyers appeared clustered in front of the building, waving "Don't Tread on Me" flags and signs that read "Public workers — the party is over," "Thank you, Scott," and "Tax and spend brings the end." Counter-protesters surrounded them, banging drums, bellowing into bullhorns and ringing bells. [Do those howler monkeys include the fine people who teach Wisconsin kids about respect for free speech and the right of peaceable assembly? Article bonus: counterpoint quote from random rube, "an iron worker" saying Palin "is ill-infomred. She's biased." Well, everybody's got one (an opinion, too), and at least that iron worker quote wasn't as crude as most of these folks' remarks.]
according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. Real estate tycoon, television personality and possible presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the 'Dressed To Kilt' fashion show to benefit the Friends of Scotland Organization at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday n New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) Among Republican primary voters, Mr. Romney captured the support of 21% in a broad, nine-candidate field. Mr. Trump was tied for second with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with 17%. House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 11%, just ahead of former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's 10%. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a strong contender by political handicappers, remains largely unknown, with just 6% support. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota had 5%, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum 3%, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour with just 1%
Sarah Palin wrote a note titled Setting the Record Straight on State's Film Production Tax Credit. Read the full text here.
Palin took it to Obama in analyzing his Libya speech tonight, saying that the speech was 'profoundly disappointing' and that the Obama doctrine is still full of 'chaos and questions', and is 'dodgy' and 'dubious'. She makes it very clear that U.S. interests should be to take Qaddafi out or to capture him....
Jim Geraghty writes on NRO: It isn't too hard to imagine this becoming problematic for Sarah Palin on the campaign trail, as noted by the Tax Foundation: In case you missed it, small government crusader and Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin's TLC reality show "Sarah Palin's Alaska" received a $1.2 million subsidy from the state of Alaska. . . .
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