N.H. Debates

The Republican debate was all about ganging up on Romney, who handled it well at times, and not so much at other times. Fred was like the patient father shaking his head at all the nonsense around him. Fred says all the right things. Why can't he gain traction? Huckabee seem to lose some steam and McCain was presidential (but you knew I would say that) Rudy was Rudy.

The Democratic debate was interesting because Hillary did so terrible. Which I find so great. She got ticked at one point, and that mood just doesn't work for her. Since it is difficult for me to be objective about her I wandered over to the left side of the web to see what they were saying. Can you say "harsh?"

From the liberal American Prospect:

R.I.P., THE CLINTON ERA, 9:34 P.M. EST.

Wow.
Get your kids out and put them in front of the TV: The Clinton Era officially ended at 9:34 p.m. EST when Edwards paired with Obama to bury Hillary as a non-agent of change.
Wow, again.
--Tom Schaller

Nice. Even the Kos Kids didn't have nice things to say about her. Could it possibly be true?

I may enjoy this political season more than I ever imagined.

Oh yes, and one more thing. If one was playing a drinking game during the debates and took a drink every time someone said the word "change," one would be drunker than cooter brown right now.

A Leader

A dirty bomb. Millions dead in a U.S. city . Chaos. Panic. Immeasurable grief. The images of destruction and death on TV news replayed over and over.

Tell me this never entered your mind after 9-11. Tell me that somewhere in the back of all our minds we did not wonder if something like that could happen. Tell me you didn't think about it. I won't believe you. We all did.

If, in the 90's, Hollywood had made a movie about planes of people being flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, we would have shook our heads at the imagination of the writers. We never imagined it, we never saw it coming.

Now we do imagine it. We think about some thing put in a water system in a big city, poisoning millions. We think about radical Islamists taking over several elementary schools, like they did in Beslan. We shudder at the horror the parents would feel. We wonder what actions we would take. We think about suicide bombers in the subways and in malls. We don't think about those things much. Just in moments. When something on TV reminds us. We push it out of our minds. We can't live in fear.

But we know. We know it could happen.

This isn't about fearmongering. It's about the "what if." If any of those things happened, would you be shocked? Or would we know deep in our hearts that we knew all along it was possible.

Now close your eyes and see those things for a moment. In your mind's eye you see the bombed out buildings of downtown LA. You see the people brought in on stretchers to hospitals from poisoning. You see the military and swat teams as they surround the elementary schools. You see our fighter jets in the sky. Do you see it?

Dramatic? Yes. Impossible? We all know the answer to that.

Now think about who you would want to be President if any of this happened.

Would you want a small time Governor from Arkansas with no experience, but a really great guy?

Would you want a Congressman turned actor?

Would you want a pretty rich boy who knows how to run a business and a state, but not our military?

Would you want a liberal woman with no military experience or an inspiring black man with even less?

No, I'll tell you who you would want. John McCain. A man who knows war. A man who understands a brutal enemy.

Because if any of those things happened, no one would care about McCain/Feingold or granting amnesty to illegal aliens. Those concerns would vanish. All we would focus on is a leader.

A leader.

Obama Wow

I just watched Obama's speech after winning in Iowa.

Wow.

It was one of the best political speeches I have heard In a long long time. It was inspiring and electric. When Obama is fired up, he delivers.

For the first time I felt some hope that Hillary might not win the Democratic nomination.

Obama's speech was excellent. It was all about "uniting" and "hope." That all sounds good, but you can't unite a people who disagree with just about everything you believe in.

Make no mistake about it, Obama is as liberal as Hillary. He is the same big government big spender. He is the same mindset that doesn't understand this war and he doesn't understand the horror that is abortion.

But for now, I pray he stops Hillary. And it looks like he just might.

It's done for Iowa

No surprise that Huckabee won. But get this at First Read (msnbc):

In an unusual expression of faith at a political party headquarters, supporters are standing in circles, holding hands and offering prayers in the middle of the Huckabee ballroom. They appear to be families with adults and children standing together. This is happening amid the piped in rock music, media standups and giant screen coverage.
We are shooting tape. Lots of still cameras buzzing around the group too.
We'll find out who they are when they're finished praying.

"Who are these strange creatures that pray???

This is the kind of thing that is going to keep Huckabee on a roll. The media acting like Christianity and prayer is some sort of bizarre custom from another planet. Give me a break.

Also no surprise, Obama won. But even sweeter is Hillary coming in third. Bill, watch the lamps in the hotel room tonight!

Romney came in 2nd, but it's gotta hurt with all the time and money he put in. Fred coming in third will keep him in the running.

Btw, I copied the pic from Fox News and you know how when you "save picture" it gives you a file name? The file name given on this was "doomsday1." Heh.

Oh dear, oh dear.....

I just watched Huckabee on Leno (2 parts). This guy is good. Likable and down to earth. No wonder he has come from nowhere to lead in Iowa.

As opposed to the more libertarian rightwing bloggers like Ace and Allah, I think Huckabee is sincere. They see something sinister about him, but they are wrong. He really is a nice guy that tries to do the right thing. People are responding to that.

The problem is that he cannot possibly win the general election. He has no foreign policy experience at a time where it is imperative that our leader can lead from a global perspective. We are at war and we need someone who understands that fight.

When it comes to tax hikes and spending and crime Huckabee isn't so conservative, but I don't think that is what the public is focusing on right now. Right now they are looking for someone they can relate to and Huckabee connects with people, there is no doubt.

For a pretty harsh look at his record from what should be an ally, go here.

I may have spoken to soon before. There may yet be more of Huckaboom. But imo, the person who loses the most here is Romney. Those flocking to Huckabee probably would have voted for Romney.

The Leno show was a gambit that paid off for Huckabee.

Oh dear, oh dear.

Sex will get you every time

After the Clinton/Lewinsky affair, nothing surprises me when it comes to politicians and sex. Nothing. Even the most powerful intelligent men on the planet will lose their minds for a little on the side. It's completely crazy that a man will risk his reputation and legacy (as Clinton did) in a haze of lust and desire. But it happens over and over.

We are seeing that here in Texas. District Attorney Charles A. Rosenthal Jr., one of Texas' most powerful prosecutors for 30 years, was forced by leaders in the Republican party in Houston to ditch his re-election plans for a third term as district attorney because of some sexy e-mails he wrote on office computers to his secretary that came to light. (yes, he's married)

People. Please. Use some common sense. E-mail, instant messages, message boards, EVERYTHING you write on the net, whether private or not, can be accessed and read by everyone. It can happen. Even to you.

Here is a man, like Clinton, who had everything going for him and now, like Clinton, he will be remembered with giggles and jokes.

Is it worth it?

via LST

What could have been

Fred Thompson entering the presidential race was like getting a birthday present a month late, and it wasn't what you asked for.

When asked why he didn't do this or that in this race, I've heard Thompson say, "That isn't how we do things in Tennessee."

Well, the way they do things in Tennessee doesn't fly in a Presidential race. We were all disappointed in the way the campaign has been run. Thompson has all the conservative creds, but none of the passion or desire (or money) to be President.

HotAir has linked a Politico article that says if Thompson finishes poorly in Iowa, he will drop out, give his support to McCain and perhaps in exchange for that, McCain will name him Attorney General in his administration.

Not a bad deal.

If all this happens, and that is a big if, could the winds of luck be blowing any harder for McCain these days?

Fred is denying any truth to the Politico article.

I suppose it's all speculation and hearsay. Either way, I think this is the beginning of the end for Fred. It also shows how important it is know what your doing when running for President. Staff, money, and organization all matter a great deal. You can't just mosey into a Presidential race.

We will always wonder what could have been with Fred.

For the far left, Obama is too conservative

Which goes to show you how insane they are. But, thank goodness they spend more time blogging their anger than actually voting.

So while the code pinkers, Kos, and the like continue to spit, rage, and gnash their teeth, the reasonable middle America Democrats in Iowa will vote for who they see as the most honest and refreshing candidate.

Obama will win Iowa, which will be sweet. Not because he isn't as wrong on every issue, he certainly is, but because it would be sweet to see Queen Hillary's crown snatched from her carefully coiffed head. But I fear the political machine that is the Clintons will roll over those good folk in Iowa, and win in the later states.

I could be wrong. I hope I am.

Objective interviewing?

Please!

Take a look at the Today's show this morning as they interview Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

Mitt gets a grilling and Obama might as well be having coffee with his grandma.

Caucusing for Dummies

Just in case you were wondering about the exciting fun that is Caucus. They actually made something pretty boring into a cute video and got in a few funny lines.

via Slate

Why McCain?

I started to read Victor Davis Hanson's column about McCain this morning hating and worrying about the fact that I would disagree with someone I have so much respect for.

Hanson is probably the most intelligent thoughtful informed writer out there writing about politics today.

He started off his column today describing all the ways McCain has made us angry. He described McCain's setbacks and even his age and looks.

Just as I was really starting to feel uncomfortable, Hanson started describing why McCain is who he is and why is the most qualified to be President.

And I began to smile.

Second, McCain has the most diverse experience of any of the candidates in either party. Sens. Obama and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., may bicker over whether being first lady or growing up in Indonesia constitutes the better foreign-policy background. But no one would question McCain's far greater breadth of service: carrier aviator, combat pilot, wounded veteran, tortured while a prisoner of war for five and a half years, U.S. congressman and senator for a combined quarter-century, 2000 presidential candidate. And the list only goes on.
..........

In this war, having a veteran fighter and savvy old statesman as commander-in-chief makes a lot of sense.
I don't know whether plain-speaking John McCain will win the presidency. But so far he's proved the most experienced of the candidates, and he's run the most principled and honest of the campaigns. Other candidates may be younger, better financed and more charismatic; none has more earned America's trust.

In the end, this is why we will forgive McCain for the things we disagreed with him. His service, his experience, and his honesty.

Read Hanson's column. It does describe the good, the bad, and the ugly about McCain, and why people are taking a second look.

*note: I promise to try to keep my McCain crush posts to a minimum. I know many of you are like "yeah, we get it, you like McCain."

Iowa college newspapers endorse Obama and McCain

Naturally I'm happy about the McCain endorsements, but Hillary has to be feeling the pain of rejection, not only from the Iowa young, but from her own alma mater.

Who is America's BFF??

If they are fighting over it, maybe our "reputation around the world" isn't as bad as the Democrats want it to be:

After decades of Anglo-French rivalry, in which France has vehemently deplored the global influence America and Britain have attained and what every president of France since Charles de Gaulle has described as "Anglo-Saxon culture," Mr. Sarkozy claimed during his visit to Washington last week that France, not Britain, is now America's best friend and partner.

via Instapundit

New Mitt Romney Ad

Who would have thought that Chuck Norris, of all people, would be front and center in a primary fight?

Crazy.

via Ace

New National Poll

From the Pew Research Center.

Wow, look at Rudy. How the mighty fall. As all of you know, I just couldn't wrap my mind around Republicans nominating a pro-abortion liberal from New York. I mean, that is what the Democrats are going to do. Maybe my instincts were right. The closer the primaries came, the more people thought about it, the more they realized that we need a leader to beat a NY liberal, not nominate one.

Let's get ready for Iowa

Happy New Year to everyone! Let's look at Iowa. It's coming down to the wire.

Political Wire got an advance look at a new Strategic Vision poll in Iowa that shows Sen. Barack Obama leading the Democratic presidential race with 32% support, followed by John Edwards at 29% and Sen. Hillary Clinton at 27%.

On the Republican side, Mitt Romney leads with 30%, followed by Mike Huckabee at 28%; Sen. John McCain at 16% and Fred Thompson at 13%.Like other polls we've seen in the last week, both races are essentially statistical ties.

Interesting:

"What if at the end of Thursday, the three leading Democrats — former Senator John Edwards and Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama — are separated by a percentage point or two, leaving no one with the clear right of delivering a victory speech (or the burden of conceding)? A number of polls going into the final days have suggested that after all of this, the Democratic caucus on Thursday night could end up more or less a tie."

Maybe I'm the only goober who watches C-span when the candidates and their wives go to people's homes in Iowa and speak to small groups. I think it is a wonderful thing. Just normal everyday people. No designer dresses or handmade suits. No catered dinners or arranged place settings. Just finger foods spread out in the kitchen and people bundled up in coats waiting to hear how the candidates will serve their country.

Watching these things makes me appreciate the process a bit more. I think it grounds the candidates to the task before them. I think it makes them see that what they do will affect real people, living and working in America.

I think the people in the early primary states take this very seriously. I don't think anything should change in that regard. These are people like you and me, and maybe they won't vote for the eventual winner, but they do make us think. They do make us consider someone we might not have before.

It looks like Iowa will be pretty exciting for the Democrats. For Romney, it's extremely important. Huckabee may keep Romney from the early roll he counted on, or...maybe not.

Stay tuned.

Here is the early primary timeline:

3 Jan - Iowa caucus
5 Jan - Wyoming caucus (Rep)
8 Jan - New Hampshire
15 Jan - Michigan
19 Jan - Nevada caucus, and South Carolina primary (Rep)
26 Jan - South Carolina primary (Dem)
29 Jan - Florida primary

Update: I thought this an interesting turn of events for the Democrats from the AP:

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich on Tuesday asked his supporters to make rival Barack Obama their second choice if he doesn't meet a cutoff point for voting in Iowa's caucuses.

Update 2: Huckabee will be on Jay Leno tonight instead of being in Iowa. Good idea? Maybe, maybe not. On the one hand, Huckabee is very good in these venues. He's funny and this is a perfect outlet for him. But on the other hand, will more people in Iowa watch him on Leno than will get out of their cozy homes to vote for him? We shall see. I think Huckabee will win Iowa. But I think that is where the Huckaboom ends.

Hillary mis-steps?

Hillary has spent her whole life preparing for this moment. She didn't take a breath that wasn't calculated in the Senate for the campaign for President. As I have said many times before, I didn't think she could mis-step.

Maybe I was wrong.

In related news, awesome.

Also, good news.

Go Anyone But Hillary!!!

The Million Nerd March

In the kingdom of Azeroth in the World of Warcraft, brave Ron Paul supporters will rally and march from Ironforge to Stormwind on New Years Day.

It's true my friends, you can't make this stuff up.

Some players are not happy:

"We play World of Warcraft to get away from the real world … So whether you're a Republican or Democrat, blue-stater or red-stater, liberal or conservative, let's leave the sloganeering and yelling on Rush Limbaugh's show and in Michael Moore movies where they belong. In World of Warcraft, we should all come together for just one political purpose – beating the snot out of the gnomes,"

Well, in defense of the Ron Paul supporters, they are technically at least, rallying for a gnome.