ROMNEY CAMPAIGNS IN SOUTH CAROLINA Coming off of his razor-thin victory in the Iowa caucuses, tomorrow's New Hampshire primary is Mitt Romney's for the taking, but it is South Carolina's January 21 primary that will determine whether a man who a year ago appeared to be the inevitable Republican nominee can finally leave the competition in the dust. This is because if … [Read more...] about Looking Beyond New Hampshire To South Carolina, The Real Showdown State
Tea Partiers Against Government Before They Were For It?
Tea Partiers claim to support smaller government but are most enthusiastic about Rick Santorum, who hearts earmarks and right-wing nanny state paternalism, and Newt Gingrich, who would use big government to finance colonies on the moon. How to explain this contradiction? First of all, I suspect that many Tea Partiers really don't know what they stand for other than … [Read more...] about Tea Partiers Against Government Before They Were For It?
A GOP Circular Firing Squad?
WINDHAM, N.H. -- It isn't every day that political candidates are asked whether the 10th Amendment allows states to nullify federal laws, but that was precisely the question Rick Santorum faced at a forum here a few days ago organized by a libertarian-leaning group. To his credit, Santorum did not pander to the nullifier. "We had a Civil War about nullification," … [Read more...] about A GOP Circular Firing Squad?
A new chapter in Middle East history – a time to realign allies
For 4 decades America could count on Egypt as a reliable ally in managing Middle East affairs. For 4 decades American military aid guaranteed Egyptian government would stick by its western allies. Well that chapter in history is over and a new chapter begins. As Islamic movements grab power across the Middle East, the US can no longer count on Egypt as a reliable ally. When … [Read more...] about A new chapter in Middle East history – a time to realign allies
Ron Paul, GOP’s Satchel Paige
With a double-header debate this weekend, memories arise of the legendary Satchel Paige who, before baseball was integrated, was the greatest pitcher in America, often starting two games in a day and was considered by Joe DiMaggio et al the best they never had to face in the big leagues during his prime. Satchel pitched well into his sixties, famously saying, “Never look … [Read more...] about Ron Paul, GOP’s Satchel Paige
Huntsman And Patriotism
A great response from Huntsman put into a campaign ad. If only he could get the nomination. … [Read more...] about Huntsman And Patriotism
Newt Gingrich: ‘Chickenhawk,’ or just Missed an Opportunity to Serve?
The only people I have more contempt for than those who would send our young men and women to get shot at, get maimed and get killed in unnecessary wars, are those who support sending our young men and women to get shot at, get maimed and get killed in unnecessary wars while they themselves refused to, declined to serve, had “other priorities,” or had all kinds of excuses for … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich: ‘Chickenhawk,’ or just Missed an Opportunity to Serve?
Social and 2012 Presidential Race
Who's doing the best job? Which technologies are most important? Who's the new kid on the block to watch? What makes you say/believe that? #MittRomney | #RickSantorum | #RonPaul #NewtGingrich | #BarackObama … [Read more...] about Social and 2012 Presidential Race
Romney Under Fire in “Meet the Press” Republican Presidential Nomination Debate
And yet another debate. But this time former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney is not getting off quite that easy: Mitt Romney found himself under fire early in a Sunday GOP debate, with conservative candidates piling on Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum went on the attack at the outset of … [Read more...] about Romney Under Fire in “Meet the Press” Republican Presidential Nomination Debate
Personal Note
There will be events going on today (including a debate now being shown on NBC) that yours truly will not be able to write about. Today I pack and leave for a three month tour. I will be offline except for short instances where I may do some posts. If major events occur and no one on TMV covers them, they will be dealt with later. My drive today will be 10 hours. … [Read more...] about Personal Note
Quote of the Day: New Hampshire Is All About Independents
Our political Quote of the Day comes from CNN independent analyst John Avlon who notes that New Hampshire is all about independents. Some quotes from his post that needs to be read in its entirety: New Hampshire is all about the independents. And that's why it's the best test of general election electability. While Iowa's caucuses are disproportionately dominated by … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: New Hampshire Is All About Independents
Selective Memory
In his song,The Boxer, Paul Simon sang, "A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." Frank Bruni points out, in this morning's New York Times, that this human frailty is particularly true in the case of the Bushes -- father and son -- and the place they hold in the present Republican narrative: In the case of Bush the Younger, Bruni writes that: … [Read more...] about Selective Memory
Gingrich Super PAC Finds Billionaire Donor Angel
Don't think former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will go way quietly. His PAC just got a $5 million donation: Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has given $5 million to an independent committee supporting GOP presidential aspirant Newt Gingrich, the first of what is expected to be many millions the Las Vegas billionaire plans to spend this election year. The check from Adelson … [Read more...] about Gingrich Super PAC Finds Billionaire Donor Angel
Hawk in a Clown Car Field
WASHINGTON -- Before there was the tea party to define the phrase "far-right fringe," there was Rick Santorum. He's a nice-guy zealot who should never be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. It's understandable that progressives would be tempted to cheer Santorum's sudden rise as a viable candidate for the Republican nomination. The likely nominee, Mitt Romney, would … [Read more...] about Hawk in a Clown Car Field
Iowa Votes (Guest Voice)
Iowa Votes by Michael Reagan Iowa caucus results show it's still early in the game and nothing's certain. So what happened on the way to the Republican presidential nomination? Well, even with a slim official win, Mitt Romney did no better in practical terms this year than he did four years ago in 2008 because of the level of competition. This proves that the road to … [Read more...] about Iowa Votes (Guest Voice)
Newt – Hobsons Choice
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Newt – Hobsons Choice
The Log Cabin-Abe Lincoln, Anyone Can be Prez. Was It A Lie?
Was it ever the truth? Or a form of blind idealism our teachers wished for us. Many of us were taught, we too could grow up to be president. Even us rag-bag kids in handmedowns either too small or too big, scuffed shoes that would never shine cause they were down to the bone of the leather, crowded in 65 to a classroom, sharing desks, not enough books to go around, never … [Read more...] about The Log Cabin-Abe Lincoln, Anyone Can be Prez. Was It A Lie?
If Ten Jews Were Gassed….
Imagine a math problem that asked if there were 20 jews and 10 of them were gassed, how many jews were left ? Well in Georgia there was a math worksheet not far off that mark. In an attempt to mix math and history the teacher chose one of the most offensive possible ways to do it, using questions like "If 8 slaves picked 56 oranges, how many oranges did each one … [Read more...] about If Ten Jews Were Gassed….
Live Blogging the ABC News Republicans’ Debate Tonight
I've been offline most of the day but I will live blogging the remainder of the ABC News Republican Presidential debate. As usual, many of my comments should be taken as the impressions of an independent voter about how the candidates are coming across. END OF DEBATE: Sort of considered a blah debate. Mitt Romney came out unscathed. Look for the band wagon to begin. 6:48: … [Read more...] about Live Blogging the ABC News Republicans’ Debate Tonight
New Hampshire is the First
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about New Hampshire is the First