UPDATE: Illinois already sensitive on the economy--we're close to the cellar in economic performance among the states. And to illustrate, bottom right front page story Chicago Tribune--homeless pets! (Rush is having fun with this today.)
Chicago Tribune story on the GOP race in Florida, with the print edition featuring a graphic of Mitt Romney's lead in the Rasmussen poll, as Rudy Giuliani drops. The key of course, is whether John McCain can attract conservatives, as this is an all Republican primary. RCP average here.
The same dynamic holds true for Illinois, as presumably the RINO mush-heads will vote for the Big O in the Dem primary leaving the GOP race to the rest of us. Thankfully. So while most of the Congressional pols in Blue State Illinois have endorsed Giuliani or McCain, and with Thompson presumably out of the race, Republican voters should come home to Mitt.
After Florida of course, this may all become more clear. Debate Thursday night on FoxNews.
P.S. I would also add, for what it's worth, Romney won the straw poll at the Illinois State Fair.
UPDATE: Jeff Fuller has the results of two online polls, from RedState and HotAir, showing Fredheads prefer Romney if they can't have Fred.
UPDATE: One other thought--you would think McCain, given his quirky character, would be attracted to the libertarian message articulated by Ron Paul, but in fact he leans toward big government solutions. Romney is the one who has the free-market track record and the affinity for free-market solutions, even in government.
UPDATE: Election guru Michael Barone would not bet $1,000 that Rudy wins Florida. (Could be he's just not a betting man, but he did at least feel strongly enough to make the statement.)
Related posts: NY Times Long Knives out for Rudy, Romney: Road-Tested
--crossposted at BackyardConservative
Please Help
I need a writing partner!
This is a rough draft, but I think I am on to some ideas that I want to complete, but I want someone else to take a look at it, and see if they want to add anything to it, or offer any suggestions.
There is a big fight going on over at National Review about who is most electable.
This is a rough draft, but I think I am on to some ideas that I want to complete, but I want someone else to take a look at it, and see if they want to add anything to it, or offer any suggestions.
There is a big fight going on over at National Review about who is most electable.
KLO says this;
Adler also makes the improbable claim that Romney has been revealed as a very weak candidate, even though the information is right there on The Corner that Romney has garnered more votes so far than anyone else in the race.
(Read more if you want to read a non-spell checked rambling rant on the National Review, and were Romney stands).
I like that. Looking at the total number of votes for a candidate. Of Course Romney leads in the elector count, and from just a practical standpoint that puts him in the lead.
But then do you look at states as wins? Romney and McCain both have two states. Romney has a win in Nevada and Michigan. But people say those were not contested as hard as the other states. Yes, but Romney was very close in New Hampshire were McCain won, and very close in Iowa, were Huckabee won. So you have the contested vs. non contested way of evaluating the "worth" of a "win" but if you look at who came in 2nd it changes things…
But people at the national review are trying to draw lessons from what these different states are telling us, but it could be very easy to draw the wrong conclusion.
I'm not just saying this because Romney is winning in this catigory, but I think it makes sense to look at the total number of votes… What do you think?
I think it is very silly to give McCain an important "win" in SC when there were 4 people with at least 15%, and McCain only got 33%.
Jonathan Adler asks, "Is Romney Viable?". He is a Rudy fan, and so I really don't think he has any room to talk. Jon says; "Romney leads in the delegate count, but .." BUT? BUT? Jon says; "Where Romney has made a major investment (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina) he has failed."
Really? Is coming in a very close second considered "failing"? Sure, most years it might be. But most years you have a vise president running for president, or a clear front runner. Do we really have to go over this again?
McCain Lost big time in Iowa, Michigan, and Nevada. Huckabee lost big time in Michigan, and New Hampshire, Nevada. But I'm probably not arguing with Jon about Huckabee. So this is were arguments really need to go somewhere. Jon says Romney is week. OK, Jon, so who is strong? You can't just make an empty argument that goes nowhere. How about telling us why someone else is stronger than Romney, if you can? But it is all kind of a waste of time. Does Romney's strong showing in Nevada mean that he is going to do well in California? Who freaking cares! Lets stop wasting our time understanding the votes of people who know very little about the candidates, or trying to predict the future, and start figuring out who IS THE BEST CANDIDATE, who will help our party move forward, win the Senate, House, and White house?
We get so lost in the trees that we can't even see the forest. We try to pretend that we can learn something from the un-educated voter, who knows very little about the candidates, their positions, what they are actually going to do, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We can't pretend that we can get into the white house, and that is all that matters. If we send a guy in their, based on what un-educated voters think, all these things that people who are paying close attention to, will eventually come out.
You think people make fun of Bush? Just imagine looking at Rudy for 4 years doing that weird bug eyed thing that he does, were he bobs his head and opens his eye lids as far as they can go. I'm not saying this eye thing is important, but at least talk like this is focusing our attention on the candidates. The average voter is not that educated. We should not listen to them. We should re-watch all of the debates, and figure out who is the best candidate, who will help us win in the future, and be proud to be republicans. Because we are going to be stuck with these guys, and the un-educated voters, will find out all the things they wish we would have told them about, instead of us re-telling them, what we think their vote means.
We the voters have a right to be mad at the pundits when they focus on the wrong thing. Like when they focus on what they voters are telling us, when they should be giving us actual info about the candidates. But we have even more of a right to be mad, when they say things that are not accurate. Jon says; "…The blatant pandering to the auto industry in Michigan in a way that suggests some very unconservative views." Is that accurate? You know people listen to Jon, and he is an opinion setter. Perception is reality, and Jon and people like him might affect who becomes president. But we have a right to be angry if he gets us a president because he miss-lead us. But was it accurate of Jon to say that Romney "pandered" to people from Michigan when he said that he would fight for their jobs? Is it wrong for a president to say that he is going to fight for jobs? Is that pandering? Be honest Jon. I know you like Rudy, but don't be a journalistic hack. I know you want Rudy to win, and Romney to loose, but if you have to lie in order to win, you are going to end up with the guy who is not best.
So ANYWAY the case can be made, if you ignore the rest of the picture, and cherry pick information, about any of the candidates. So what is with these people, at National Review, who support a particular guy (like Rudy) being so intellectually dishonest in the pictures they paint? Is Jonathan Adler unaware of the arguments on the other side?
But the war of ideas goes on, and this is a great post:
I am an utter Mark Steyn sycophant, but… [Michael Graham]
…tell me again how McCain is winning?As I predicted here at NRO, John McCain came out on top in South Carolina by getting the same 1/3rd of the vote in the Palmetto State that he got in New Hampshire and Michigan. But did he "win?"
In 2000, running against George W. Bush and the entire Carroll Campbell machine in South Carolina, John McCain got 42% of the vote, and 240,000 votes out of 573,000 or so cast.
Tonight, he got 33% of the vote in a field where his top challengers—Romney and Giuliani—aren't even running, and 135,000 actual votes. If just the same people who voted for McCain in 2000 had voted for him today, he would have won 50+% of the South Carolina vote. That would have been truly impressive.
Instead, John McCain LOST the support of 100,000 people—and he's the winner?
McCain had the same "success" in New Hampshire (McCain, 2000: 48%, 116,000 votes; McCain 2008: 37%, 89,000 votes) and Michigan (2000: 50%, 600,000 votes; 2008: 30%, 257,000 votes).
Yes, overall participation in the GOP primaries is down this year—a fact that should concern Republicans regardless of who they choose as their nominee. But that doesn't mitigate McCain's overall weakness. In fact, as the one person who's run for president before and who is touted as a crossover candidate with broad appeal, his slice of the electoral pie should have MORE impact as the number of challengers rises and the number of voters declines.
McCain is a weak candidate by any measure. Only once in his two presidential races has John McCain ever won a majority of the vote, and that was Michigan in 2000. He has yet to crack 40% of the vote this year, and he's done even worse among self-identified Republicans (as opposed to independents and crossover Democrats).
If you really want to see McCain's weakness, however, try this thought experiment:
It's October, 2008. America's economy is in a recession. People are demanding change and new ideas, someone to give them optimism and hope on domestic issues. On stage, facing off in their final presidential debate to discuss jobs, economic policy and hope for the future are John McCain and Barack Obama.And be sure to imagine how it will look on television, and to people who don't really follow politics (they are, after all, the swing voters who will pick the next president).
Now, tell me again how any Republican won tonight…?
And this all got me thinking about how shallow they can sometimes be over there at the National Review. They are paid to tell us what to think, but they sit around trying to figure out what we should think based on how people vote. Should we really on how people vote to figure out what is the best thing for our party, or who is the best leader? Perhaps we should focus on the record and actions of those running for president, and stand by our principals and beliefs of who would be best for our country, and party.
Jon, and others at the national review keep going on and on about how Romney is not catching on in the South, and maybe we should not support Romney. Well do you think that it might actually be good for the republican party to have evangelicals have to choose between a religious minority and 4 more years of Clintons. There is all this weird calculation over their at NRO but very little talk about the long term future of the party, America, and I am disappointed with their short term focus on figuring out what voters think, who know very little about the candidates, instead of them spending the time to get to know the candidates, and telling us what we should be worried about if we have to look at them for 4 years, and think about what that will do to our party.
From the bard
In the South Carolina Debate, when asked about the recent encounter
with the Iranian navy, Huck made the statement effectually warning
others to not mess with the "most powerful military the world has ever
known" He then said that if they do engage us, take a long look at the
gunboats because their next view will be of the "gates of hell"
.
It may have curried an applause from an emotionally charged audience,
but there are a few assumptions here that really bothered me.
Firstly, It is assumed that to fight against the U.S. is to sin
against God. So either God is an American or he is on their side
because the Americans are "good"
This is very close to the prevailing sentiment of Roman goodness
( regardless of the rampant licentiousness and greed) that was extant
during those final years leading up to the fall of Rome. There was an
'us' vs 'them' sentiment also between east (asiatic) and west (greco-
roman) that during the decline was used as a force to try to unify
roman citizens because loyalty to Rome seemed to be crumbling as fast
as their morality. Each side felt that the fastest way to unify the
people was to oppose a negative outside force... so they re-created
the other as the devils to be opposed.
I see the same blind force of 'us' vs 'them' (eastern vs western)
being used today and in that statement as an ignorant banner to rally
behind. It is an unsettling comparison to me.
It is also an unsettling assumption to me that after the magnificent
expense of the current conflicts that we will continue to have the
"most powerful military the earth has ever known". I really don't
think we are in the position that we want to be issuing such
inflammatory challenges for the enemies of the U.S. (whoever they are)
to take us up on.
Well, I hope that wasn't too hard to follow...It's finally good to
have it all said!
On to Florida
http://floridaformitt.blogspot.com/
Governor Mitt Romney and Florida
Can someone help me keep this Florida page updated?
Romney in the Florida News
- Feb 06, 2007; Romney Heeds Call Of Florida
- Apr 24, 2007; Romney Stresses Conservative Values In Speech To Florida GOP Lawmakers
Press Releases
- Mar 28, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Names Former Secretary of State Glenda
- Mar 28, 2007; Jacksonville Leaders Endorse Governor Mitt Romney
- Feb 22, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Names Florida Statewide Finance Committee
- Feb 01, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces Expanding Florida Field Team
Nevada
Throughout the state of Nevada this morning, people gathered at their local caucus site and cast their vote for change in Washington. With this important victory in the heart of the West, Governor Romney will continue traveling across the country calling for change in a Washington that is fundamentally broken. Governor Romney issued the following statement concerning his victory in Nevada:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Nevada_Victory
"Today, the people of Nevada voted for change in Washington. For far too long, our leaders have promised to take the action necessary to build a stronger America, and still the people of Nevada and all across this country are waiting. Whether it is reforming health care, making America energy independent or securing the border, the American people have been promised much and are now ready for change.
"The need for change is even more apparent today as our economy faces challenges both here at home and abroad. For decades, we have talked about the long-term economic challenges confronting our country but still the tax burden is too high, business is stifled by regulations and more money goes to defending against junk lawsuits than promoting research and innovation. Now, Washington must act and take the steps necessary to strengthen our economy. With a career spent turning around businesses, creating jobs and imposing fiscal discipline, I am ready to get my hands on Washington and turn it inside out."
And here are some fast facts and demographics information on Nevada:
Swing state: Nevada is a key swing state that has been decided by 4 percentage points or fewer in each of the last four general elections.
General election: Winning presidential candidates have carried Nevada in every election since 1976, and in 23 of the last 24 presidential elections.
Large Hispanic block of voters: Nevada is the first GOP primary state with a significant Hispanic population—10% of all votes cast in 2004 were by Hispanic voters, and the number of Hispanic voters will likely be even higher this year.
Fastest growing state in the nation: According to the US Census Bureau, Nevada is the fastest-growing state in the nation—its population grew 2.9 percent in the past year, and has more than doubled since 1990. By 2030, Nevada is projected to have almost as many residents as Iowa and New Hampshire combined.
Demographics:
The median household income in Nevada is $52,998, slightly above the US average of $48,451 (Census Bureau)
19.1% of Nevadans were born outside the US, significantly higher than the nationwide average of 12.5% (Census Bureau)
12% of Nevada voters say they are "white conservative Protestants" (2004 VNS Exit Poll)
By comparison, just 7.4% of Nevada residents belong to the LDS Church (Churches and Church Membership in the United States, 1990)
Nevada ranks 47th in the US in percent of married couples as a proportion of all households, at 47.4%, compared to the nationwide average of 49.7% (Census Bureau)
The Romney Economic Stimulus Plan
Today, Governor Romney has released details of his proposed economic
stimulus plan, designed around pro-growth principles that will help
lower taxes for individuals and businesses and help guide the economy
through the current housing crisis.
stimulus plan, designed around pro-growth principles that will help
lower taxes for individuals and businesses and help guide the economy
through the current housing crisis.
Here's a link and the details of Governor Romney's plan:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Agenda_1.19
STRATEGY FOR A STRONGER AMERICA: THE ROMNEY ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN
Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Washington Must Act Now:
Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan Would Provide Much-Needed
Relief To Taxpayers, Businesses And Homeowners. Today, our economy is
facing unprecedented challenges both here at home and abroad. Our
economy needs pro-growth stimulus, but Governor Romney believes any
stimulus package should return money to American taxpayers, not
increase already out-of-control government spending. To promote
economic growth, Governor Romney is proposing an economic stimulus
plan that would lower taxes on individuals, reduce taxes for
businesses and help homeowners through the current housing crisis.
· Individuals: Governor Romney would permanently reduce the
lowest income tax bracket, permanently eliminate payroll taxes on
seniors and make middle-class savings tax free.
· Businesses: Governor Romney would institute immediate 100%
expensing of equipment for two years and permanently reduce the
corporate tax rate.
· Homeowners: Governor Romney would reform and expand Federal
Housing Administration (FHA) loan portfolio limits to allow larger
loans to homeowners.
Governor Romney Urges Our Leaders To Work Together And Immediately
Debate, Pass And Sign A Stimulus Package For The American People. If
our representatives in Washington can work together and demonstrate
the leadership that the American people deserve, Governor Romney is
optimistic that we can still turn this economy around. Washington
must get to work immediately and pass a bill no later than February
19, a month from today, in order to stimulate our economy.
INDIVIDUALS: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth
Tax Cuts For Individual Taxpayers:
Permanently Reduce The Lowest Income Tax Bracket to 7.5%. Permanently
cutting taxes for all taxpayers will put more money in workers'
pockets and stimulate consumer confidence and spending.
· Cutting The Lowest Tax Rate From 10% To 7.5% Will Provide Up
To A $400 Tax Cut To Each American Taxpayer.
· Governor Romney Proposes Providing An Immediate Retroactive
Tax Credit Reflecting The Lower 7.5% Tax Rate For 2007 Earnings To
Employees Who Earned Less Than $97,500 In 2007. This tax cut would
immediately stimulate the economy as taxpayers with the highest
propensity to consume receive their increased 2007 tax refunds.
· Permanently Reducing The Lowest Bracket Is A Pro-Growth Tax
Cut For The Tens Of Millions Of Americans In The Lowest Income Tax
Bracket.
Permanently Eliminate Payroll Taxes On Employees Over The Age Of 65.
It is not fair that seniors that have worked their whole life and
earned their full Social Security benefit continue to owe payroll
taxes to the federal government.
· In This Uncertain Economic Environment, More And More Seniors
Are Returning To The Workforce. Governor Romney's proposal will
provide an immediate tax cut to working seniors.
· Governor Romney Believes That Seniors Have Already Earned
Their Full Social Security Benefit And Should Not Owe Additional
Payroll Taxes For Income Earned After Age 65.
Make Middle-Class Savings Tax Free. Governor Romney's plan will allow
middle class Americans to save tax free by changing the tax rate on
interest, capital gains and dividends to absolutely 0%. By helping
more Americans save and invest, we can meet the challenges of an aging
population and ensure the financial security of America.
· Allow Over 95% Of American Families To Save And Invest Tax
Free: Any taxpayer with Adjusted Gross Income under $200,000 would
pay a tax rate of absolutely 0% on all of the income they earn from
their savings, capital gains and dividends.
· Expand The Investor Class: In recent years, over
half of adult Americans have participated in the stock market either
directly or through pension plans and mutual funds. Tax-free savings
will encourage more families to build wealth by saving, investing and
participating in the stock market, which will help grow the economy.
BUSINESSES: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth Tax
Cuts For Businesses:
Institute Immediate 100% Expensing Of New Equipment Purchased By A
Business For A Two-Year Period Retroactive To January 1, 2008. This
plan would allow both large and small businesses to immediately invest
in new equipment and capital improvements, which would immediately
stimulate the economy and create new jobs.
· Boost U.S. Manufacturers And Vendors: Accelerating and
increasing capital investment in equipment and other qualified assets
in the U.S. will immediately provide a boost to U.S. manufacturers and
vendors.
· Encourage Additional Business Investment: Entrepreneurs and
small businesses, such as S corps and LLCs, which often face cash flow
difficulties, will benefit greatly by the reduced cost of investment
in equipment under this plan. Additional investment and expansion by
these growing businesses will drive economic growth.
Reduce The Corporate Tax Rate To 20% Over Two Years. Governor Romney
believes we should immediately act to reduce the corporate rate to 25%
for 2008 and 20% in 2009. A permanent U.S. corporate tax rate of 20%
will attract capital, stimulate investment, and increase American
competitiveness with the rapidly growing economies of the world.
· A More Competitive Corporate Tax Rate: Governor Romney has
spoken throughout the campaign about the need to reduce our corporate
income tax rate in order to compete more effectively against other
countries with lower rates. The United States currently has the
second-highest corporate tax rate in the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development.
· Encourage New Capital Flows Into The United States: Cutting
the corporate tax rate will cause new capital to flow to the U.S. and
make our U.S. companies more competitive by providing additional funds
for research, development, innovation, and hiring of additional
employees.
HOMEOWNERS: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Helping Homeowners:
Reform And Expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loan Portfolio Limits:
· Lower The Amount Of Upfront Down Payment A
Borrower Must Make, Allowing FHA To Help Nonprime Borrowers Who May
Not Be Able To Meet The Current Requirement.
· Raise The Maximum Loan Amount Eligible For FHA
Insurance, Allowing FHA To Serve More Borrowers In Higher-Priced
Areas.
· Expand NeighborWorks America's Foreclosure Avoidance
Initiative: Governor Romney proposes expanding NeighborWorks
America's Foreclosure Avoidance Initiative to help American homeowners
stay in their homes. NeighborWorks America assists homeowners by
offering foreclosure counseling and identifying refinancing
opportunities for U.S. homeowners.
Governor Romney's Pro-Growth Tax Agenda:
Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan Is In Addition To His Tax
Proposals Which Will Provide A Sound Economic Framework For Long-Term
Growth:
· Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent: Making the Bush Tax Cuts
permanent is the first step to ensuring that Americans are able to
keep more of their hard-earned money.
· Roll Back Tax Rates For All Americans: As President,
Governor Romney will cut marginal tax rates across the board, allowing
all Americans to save more money.
· Kill The Death Tax: It is unfair to tax Americans three
times: first when they earn their money; second when they invest it
and receive income from those investments; and third when they die.
· Make The Research And Development Tax Credit Permanent To
Encourage Capital Investment And Innovation: Governor Romney believes
that we must encourage companies to invest more in research and
development to produce the innovations our companies need to win in
the global economic competition.
· Oppose Any Increase In Social Security Taxes: We can
strengthen Social Security without resorting to higher Social Security
taxes that will impact all Americans. Governor Romney will oppose any
proposed increase in Social Security taxes.
· Prevent The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) From Hurting More
American Families: At the very least, Congress must pass a patch to
the AMT that will prevent this tax from affecting more and more
families in America.
In South Carolina, Governor Romney Highlights Strategy For A Stronger Economy
Columbia, SC – Today, at a Staples Store in Columbia, South Carolina, Governor Mitt Romney discussed his strategy for building a stronger Economy. At this time when our Economy is so fragile, Governor Romney believes that we need an economic stimulus package that will help companies and workers alike. Washington knows the challenges our Economy confronts and now must take action. Below are excerpts of Governor Romney's remarks:
"I continue to believe that the issue that people are focusing on is the issue of jobs and our Economy and how we make sure this Economy stays strong. I will be releasing soon my economic stimulus plan to give the Economy a short-term boost, but I also want to point out that the long-term growth of our Economy is essential. We're in a competition with other parts of the world that we've never competed with for good jobs and we're going to see jobs continue to leave this country unless we have a President who understands how the Economy works and is willing to fight for every single job. I know there is a defeatist, pessimist attitude that says, 'Hey, those jobs are gone, they're gone forever.' Well, I'm not going to sign up for that. I'm going to always be optimistic. I'm going to fight for every job.
"I'm going to make sure we do everything we can to preserve and protect the best jobs in this country. It means we're going to be bringing technology back to the country that will allow us to be more competitive in places we have lost our competitiveness, and we'll also invest in new industries. Of course, there's dynamism in our Economy and there are sectors of the Economy which grow and change over time, but we can always be the nation which leads the dynamic, which leads in the development of new technology and which leads in the creation of new jobs. I hope that I can be the President that will do just that."
...
"I'll be talking about my short-term economic plan within the next day or two, and we'll give you those particulars. I do believe it makes sense for Congress to take immediate action. The consequence of the Economy falling into a recession is one which can be calculated in large numbers for the government, but in very important, heartfelt changes for the families of America, and preventing recession is an important responsibility of government. There is an opportunity to do that, and I believe that an economic stimulus plan is in order, and that it should be acted upon immediately. And that is something which I'll be releasing in the next day or two."
To read more about Governor Romney's economic strategy, please click here.Political scientist says anti-Mormon bias finds cover
Vanderbilt poll explains why Romney's flip-flopper label sticks; Political scientist says anti-Mormon bias finds cover 1-18-2008 
John Geer
Bias against Mitt Romney's religion is one of the reasons that the tag "flip-flopper" sticks with the former Massachusetts governor but not his Republican opponents, according to Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer. "There is no question that Romney has changed his positions on some issues, but so have some of the other candidates," Geer said. "Why does the label stick to Romney but not his opponents? At least some of the answer lies in Romney's Mormon beliefs."
Geer and colleagues Brett Benson of Vanderbilt and Jennifer Merolla of Claremont Graduate University designed an Internet survey to assess bias against Mormons, how best to combat it and its potential impact on the nomination process and general election campaign.
"We find that of those who accuse Romney of flip-flopping, many admit it is Romney's Mormonism and not his flip-flopping that is the real issue," Benson said. "Our survey shows that 26 percent of those who accuse Romney of flip-flopping also indicate that Mormonism, not flip-flopping, is their problem with Romney." Benson noted that the pattern is especially strong for conservative Evangelicals. According to the poll, 57 percent of them have a bias against Mormons.
The poll, which was conducted by Polimetrix, included an oversample of Southern Evangelicals that Geer said measured bias with far more precision than previous efforts. The survey shows that 50 percent of conservative Evangelicals evaluate a moderate Christian candidate more positively than a conservative Mormon candidate.
The study's findings suggest that criticizing Romney for flip-flopping is an effective campaign strategy because it sticks with two different groups: those who are genuinely concerned about Romney's shifts on certain issues and those who use the label as cover for the fact that they do not want to vote for a Mormon for president.
"As the campaign continues to unfold, these data become increasingly relevant as the Republicans choose a presidential nominee," Geer said.
Media Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu
Are you sure Johnson was typing? He was dressed to play virtual Dungeons & Dragons.
This is why people hate the media, especially AP
Posted January 17th, 2008 at 4:20 PM by Jon HamCheck out AP reporter Glen Johnson badgering Mitt Romney in South Carolina. He's slouching in a chair like Jabba the Hut. pecking at his laptop, and being as obnoxious as he possibly can. Go to the every end where the man tells him to just "be professional," which he certainly was not.
If you want to read some of Johnson's "objective" stories on Romney, here's a good example. Once a reporter uses the verb "rail" when characterizing a politician, you know where he stands.
And here's an "analysis," which is newspaper speak for "I get to say any damn thing I want." Too bad you don't see this kind of AP coverage of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
And here's a cute one trying to smear Romney with the polygamy practiced by his great-grandfather. (Sorry, but the link to the original story seems to be bad.)
It must have killed him to have to report Romney's win in Michigan. Check out his tortured lede (emphasis added):
Mitt Romney scored his first major primary victory Tuesday, a desperately needed win in his native Michigan that gave his weakened presidential candidacy new life. It set the stage for a wide-open Republican showdown in South Carolina in just four days.
UPDATE: If you want to know what AP's agenda is, read this piece of drek from Ron Fournier.
The former Massachusetts governor pandered to voters, distorted his opponents' record and continued to show why he's the most malleable — and least credible — major presidential candidate.
And it worked.
More proof that liberals hate achievement, I guess. And then he added:
The man who spoke hard truths to Michigan lost.
That man, according to Fournier, is John McCain, the liberal media's favorite Republican.
2 Responses to "This is why people hate the media, especially AP"
SC
I saw it quoted on Fox News this afternoon (I think on Special Report with Brit Hume) . . . Lee Bandy (honored veteran political journalist of The State in SC) predicted that this year South Carolina will not choose the GOP nominee.
Romney bloggers and the campaign should be pushing this far and wide. Who would know better than Bandy?
Lee Bandy is basically the Dean of Political Journalism here in SC.
Romney bloggers and the campaign should be pushing this far and wide. Who would know better than Bandy?
Lee Bandy is basically the Dean of Political Journalism here in SC.
Great interview with Glenn Beck this morning
Highlights -
GLENN: Right. I will tell you, Mitt, that something that we have talked about before, the economy. I have been very concerned about the fundamentals in our economy for quite some time and you have been my economy guy the whole time. If somebody's got to deal with the economy, because of your experience of, you know, building companies and great turnarounds, you are the guy. In a way, I mean, it's going to be real bittersweet for you because you know what's coming with the economy but you also know you're the guy to fix it. So it's good for you.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, there's no question but that the economy is the issue people face, short-term or long term. You really do want to have somebody who knows something about how jobs come and go, how we stay competitive with other countries, where our dollars lie and how you rein in Washington waste and push Washington to do those things which actually builds our economy stronger. So, you know, it is what I do, as they say, and that would suggest that I'll get a boost and I think I got a bit of a boost in Michigan because I was willing to talk about the economy and say, look, we don't have to be pessimistic and look at our shoes here. We can see a return of American strength and there's no reason to think America can't lead the world.
They also talk about social security
McCain vs Romney flip-flopping
GLENN: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait. That's not evolution. I mean, if there's a clear case to be made some case for flip-flop, it's John McCain. He was just trying to hand free amnesty out to everybody and was like, wow, you know, that was a bad idea; we shouldn't do that. That, at least with your abortion thing, you had an explanation. I don't understand how McCain's not being labeled a flip-flopper.
Regarding Romney
GLENN: The first time we spoke, I don't know if you remember this, I said to you -- I was very, very skeptical and I said before you came on the air, I'll going to ask this guy for his pivot point and if he can't tell me the moment that it crystallized in his head on abortion, if he can't tell me the wallpaper color of when he realized, "Wait a minute, I'm on the wrong side of this issue," he's lying to you. And you told the story about when you changed and you didn't hesitate at all and I knew it was a valid pivot point. I'm a pivot point guy because I'm a alcoholic. I knew -- I can tell you the moment I said I've got to change my life. That's not the case with John McCain. That's a flip-flop. When it comes to taxes, you don't support them back then and now, "well, I'll make them permanent but I'm not really sure if I would do more tax cuts now." That's a flip-flop. He doesn't even understand what tax cuts do.
Follow the link below for the transcript:
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/4356/
Karl
This was a drubbing. [Henry Payne]
Yes, Romney has superior organization. Yes, he outspent McCain 2-1. Yes, he’s a native son. Yes, weather likely played a factor (how about the irony of global warming-panicked McCain losing voters because of cold, snowy weather?).
But Michigan plays to all McCain’s strengths. He won it over a Romney-esque Bush in 2000 because the state has a large independent vote, plenty of Reagan Democrats ready to cross over, and a primary where only the Republican vote mattered.
Yet, McCain stepped all over himself with a careless, “straight-talking” strategy of telling Michiganians their jobs weren’t coming back. And then he stubbornly stuck to the line despite its obvious damage.
The comment came across as callous and out-of-touch, independents stayed home, and Romney rode it all the way to a nine-point shellacking. Even Huckabee, who had been playing tag team with McCain against Romney, couldn’t resist jabbing at McCain’s defeatism.
Once again, the question is whether McCain likes the sound of his own voice more than winning.
Sounds Like Victory [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
Winning sounds good.
Listening to Romney people this morning – on the phone, over e-mail, on the radio (Vin Weber just now on Bennett’s radio show), they sound like people I haven’t talked to, frankly, in months. They sound reenergized and determined. (Have you ever seen the governor himself that revved up?)
They also have that lucky-to-be-here and in-love-with-America tone I heard in Jeri Thompson’s voice on Mark Levin’s show last night, too.
I have no real point here, other than they’re encouraging sounds from the Right. That and maybe we have encouraging days to come in this primary season.
Did Romney family nostalgia play a role?
NO!
Not among those voters old enough to remember George Romney. McCain won voters over 65 by 39-38%.
Mich. GOP Congratulates Wrong Candidate
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Republican Party mistakenly sent out a news release Tuesday night congratulating John McCain for winning the state's GOP primary.
It quickly issued a second statement praising Mitt Romney for his win.
"Heading into tonight, this race was too close to call, so we prepared a release for either scenario," state GOP spokesman Bill Nowling said. "We simply pushed the wrong button."
The Associated Press named Romney the GOP winner when polls closed in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula at 9 p.m. EST.
The first GOP release went out just minutes later and stated, "In a close-fought victory, Senator John McCain succeeded again (in) the Michigan Republican primary, winning over a traditionally unpredictable voter base in Michigan."
from karl
This maybe old news and if it is I apologize, but I've never heard any of this regarding Mike Huckabee's ethic issues in Arkansas and if it is true the DNC will eat him alive.
The article is by Ms. Kimberly Strassel, written 21 Dec 07, a member of The Wall Street Journal's editorial board. Here are some highlights:
In Arkansas, Mr. Huckabee was investigated by the state ethics committee at least 14 times. Most of the complaints centered on what appears to be a serial disregard for government rules about gifts and outside financial compensation. He reported $112,000 worth of gifts in one year alone, nearly double his $67,000 salary.
Five of the 14 investigations resulted in admonishments: Two for failing to report gifts (one was later overturned), the other three for some $80,000 that Mr. Huckabee and his wife received but failed to initially report. One of these admonishments involved a $23,500 payment to Mr. Huckabee from an opaque organization called Action America that he helped found in 1994 while lieutenant governor, and that was designed to coordinate his speeches and supplement his income.
Mr. Huckabee caused an uproar when he used a $60,000 account intended to maintain the governor's mansion for personal expenses, including restaurant meals, dry cleaning and boat supplies. He also faced a lawsuit over his assertion that $70,000 worth of furniture donated to the mansion was his to keep. Sprinkled among all this are complaints about the misuse of state planes and campaign funds, mistakes on financial disclosure forms, and fights over documents related to ethics investigations.
OH and check this out!
Here's an interesting statistic: Since the beginning of 2007, the Democratic National Committee has released 102 direct attacks on Mitt Romney. Rudy Giuliani has warranted 78; John McCain 68; Fred Thompson 21. Mike Huckabee? Four. The most recent of these landed back in March. GOP voters may not have examined Mr. Huckabee's record, but the left has--and they love what they see.
Again, if this is old new my apologies, but this is the first I've heard of it.
The link is below
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/12/mike_huckabee_little_rock_ethi.html
Karl
NV vs SC
From Jeff:
Most of us are/were pretty peeved about how downplayed the WY victory was. But I can see how it was easy to ignore them as the least populous state and due to the odd caucus system they used (mostly party insiders and/or major activists) However, their 12 delegates were as many as NH awarded.
But Nevada should count, however we're already seeing how downplayed it is in the national media coverage.
They're covering it for the Dems, but relatively ignoring it for the GOP. Figures, since most think Romney will win it and win it big. But it's the same day as the SC primary and that is monopolizing the media's coverage.
But is SC inherently more important than NV for this nomination?
OK, so we know that in recent history, no GOP candidate has won the nomination without winning SC. But this year is very different with at least three candidates still with very credible claims to taking it all, and two others who are still considered "top-teir" candidates. Usually, someone has established themselves after IA and NH and races into SC with the mighty momentum. Or, the race has been winnowed down to two people and SC has been the final elimination round for one of them.
But lets look at them objectively.
Both on Jan 19th
NV: 34 delegates up for grabs
SC: 24 delegates up for grabs
NV: Important swing state/purple state (i.e. we need someone who can show strong in such a state for the general election)
SC: Solid Red state . . . whoever the nominee is will win SC and most of the south.
NV: First western/mountain state on the docket (and much of that region are swing states)
SC: 1st southern state primary . . . and the south is pretty much locked up for the GOP.
from BG
U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona:
Why have you allowed the mass invasion of illegal immigration through your southern state since you pledged your oath of office in the late 1980's?
Each and every year since the late 1980's as U.S. Senator and "Sheriff" of Arizona, you have promised to protect and defend our U.S. boarder's from the foreign invasion of other nations.
Sen. John McCain: You have failed miserably as a national U.S. Senator and Republican leader.
Why is the real top Sheriff of Arizona, Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, supporting and voting for Mitt Romney?
AMERICA - WAKE UP!
Mitt Romney at the Detroit Economic Club
Today, Governor Romney addressed the members of the Detroit Economic Club about the steps we need to keep Michigan and America economically strong.
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/DEC_Remarks_1.13.08
Speaking to Michigan leaders, Governor Romney laid out his vision for strengthening our economy to the benefit of Michigan and all American families.
Below Are Governor Romney's Remarks As Delivered:
Governor Romney: "Thank you. This is quite an institution. It's good to be back here with you. It's good to be back in Michigan.
"You know, somehow everything just seems right here. In the winter, of course, the skies are cloudy all day. Most of the cars you see on the roads are made here in the good old U-S-of A.
"People know that pop is not a relative, it's a soft drink, and they know that Vernors is the best ginger ale in the world.
"And of course, for me, I have a lot of memories here. This is where both Ann and I were born. It's where I met her. We were in our senior year when we went to a party together. I was in senior year, she was a sophomore. She came with someone else. I noticed her at age 16. She was very interesting. I went to the guy who brought her there and said, 'Look, I live closer to Ann than you do, can I give her a ride home?' We've been going steady ever since.
"So we know each other real well. I said to her after we made the decision to get into this race, and you've probably heard it before, I said, 'Ann, in your wildest dreams did you see me running for President of the United States?' And she said, 'Mitt, you weren't in my wildest dreams.' She'd be here today, but she's in Lansing, by the way, speaking at another event for me.
"First, one of the things I like best about coming back to Michigan is the memories I have in my heart of my Mom and Dad.
"One of my favorite stories, and you may have heard this because they told it more than once, was about my Dad's visit to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, on the 4th of July. He got up and spoke before the town. He said, 'It sure is great being here in Mt. Clement.' There was this big ooooh in the audience and my mother leaned forward and said, 'George, it's Pleasant, Pleasant!' He said, 'Yeah, it sure is pleasant here in Mt. Clement.'
"Now I have to tell you, if I'm elected as President of this great land, I will not need a compass to tell me where Michigan is.
"And I won't need to be briefed on what's going on in the auto industry or what's happening to Michigan's economy. You see, I've got Michigan in my DNA. I've got it in my heart and I've got cars in my bloodstream.
"When I was living here, Michigan was the pride of the country and really the envy of the entire world. Detroit was the Motor City to everybody in the world. Of course, the Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade was one of the grand traditions my family enjoyed.
"And perhaps the biggest day of the year for me was being able to go to the Detroit Auto Show. This was really something. My Dad was head of a car company, you know, he made Ramblers. And we were escorted from the hotel with a police escort, motorcycles, awfully cool, even though we had to go in a Rambler. So exciting.
"But a lot has changed since then, as you know, and not all of it is good. Michigan is enduring a one-state recession, and the problem has only been exacerbated by poor choices made by some of the leaders in Lansing to raise taxes and take that course instead of cutting spending.
"Unemployment, now you know these numbers, unemployment at 7.4% is in the basement of the entire country. A state agency just this week forecast that next year it's going to go to 8.2% and after that 8.7% the year after.
"And the question is, what has Washington done with this looming, not looming, this existing crisis, this recession, what has Washington done to help? The answer is not very much at all.
"In fact, in face of all of the existing burdens that weigh down our domestic auto industry, instead of throwing over a life preserver, Washington has dropped yet another anvil on Michigan with higher CAFE standards. And now, it's passively sitting back to see if the car companies can swim. And the answer is: just barely.
"A lot of Washington politicians are aware of the pain, but they haven't done anything about it. And of course, I hear people from time to time say, 'Well, that's Michigan's problem.' Or, they say something like, 'Well, it's the car companies. They just brought it on themselves.'
"But that's where they're wrong. What Michigan is feeling will be felt by the entire nation unless we win the economic battle here. Michigan is a bit like the canary in the mine shaft. What's hurting Michigan, if it's left unchecked, will ultimately imperil the entire nation.
"What's at stake here, in fact, is even larger than that. It's even larger than an industry and a state. The world is seeing the beginning of a global competitive struggle. It pits at least four major economic strategies against each other, and each of them has far reaching consequences for the peace of the planet, the prosperity, and security of America and the world.
"Our strategy – the American strategy – you know well. It is economic freedom combined with personal freedom. That's our strategy.
"China's strategy is Communism combined with an unbridled morphing of free enterprise. China doesn't flinch at buying oil from the genocidal Sudanese government or selling nuclear technology to the Iranians who threaten genocide. Today, China alone accounts for one-third of our trade imbalance as a nation.
"There's a third strategy; it's based on the control of energy and oil. It's pursued by a resurgent Russia, by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, by Iran's President Ahmadinejad. Today, as you know, our energy purchases account for another one-third of our trade imbalance.
"The fourth strategy that's being pursued is radical, violent Jihadism. It is a very different campaign. It wants to return the world to the economy and the human condition of the Dark Ages. Violent Jihadism has cost America this year more in our treasure than even our purchases of oil. And, of course, much more, it has cost the lives of our countrymen, and other people throughout the world.
"We're accustomed as a people to measuring our national security in terms of missiles and aircraft and defense spending. But I would suggest that as we look down the lane for this next century, a better measure of our national security is the health of our economy. You cannot have a first-tier military and have a second-tier economy. The Soviet Union learned that the hard way and Ronald Reagan taught it to them.
"Michigan's economic worries should be America's worries. I don't know about the Washington politicians, but I can tell you this: if I am President, I will not rest until Michigan has come back!
"I am convinced that Michigan can once again lead the world's automotive industry. But it means we're going to have to change things in Washington. We're going to have to go from politicians who say they are 'aware' of Michigan's problems to have a President instead who will actually take action to do something about them.
"Let me tell you some of the places where I'd start.
"First of all, we have to be honest about the problems we have and tackle them head on. If I'm President of this country, I will roll up my sleeves in the first 100 days I'm in office, and I will personally bring together industry, labor, Congressional and state leaders and together we will develop a plan to rebuild America's automotive leadership. It will be a plan that works for Michigan and that works for the American taxpayer.
"And as part of this, we will directly address and rectify the enormous product cost and capital cost disadvantages that currently burden the domestic automakers. From legacy costs, to health care costs, to increased CAFE standard costs, to the cost of embedded taxes, Detroit can only thrive if Washington is an engaged partner, not a disinterested observer. The plan is going to have to include increases in funding for automotive related research as well as new tax benefits including making the Research and Development Tax Credit permanent.
"I am not open to a bail out, but I am open to a work out. Washington should not be a benefactor, but it can and must be a partner.
"But that's only one step. Washington also has to stop loading Detroit down with unfunded mandates. Of course, we all want fuel mileage to rise, but discontinuous CAFE leaps, uncoordinated with the domestic manufacturers, and absent consideration of competitiveness, kills jobs and imperils the entire industry. Washington dictated CAFE is not the right answer.
"We also have to stop Washington politicians from imposing enormous unilateral energy costs on American manufacturing, including automotive manufacturing. For example, the McCain-Lieberman bill pending in Congress unilaterally imposes new high energy costs on U.S. manufacturers, with no safety valve. The Energy Information Agency estimated that this bill would raise electric rates by as much as 25% and gasoline by as much as 68 cents a gallon. And their estimate of the cost in U.S. jobs — 300,000 jobs. So it's not just a job killer, it would also make it harder for families to make their ends meet.
"Now of course we have to tackle the threat of climate change. But we don't call it America warming, we call it global warming. Placing caps and taxes on the U.S. alone just drives manufacturers to China and India, and does little more than make Washington politicians feel welcome at the embassy cocktail parties.
"Next, and you've heard this before, there is more healthcare cost in an automobile than steel costs. We got healthcare insurance premiums down in my state and we got everyone on track to be insured. We will work to do the same here and for the rest of the nation.
"And then a final burden, it's time to fix the tax code. Corporations, like individuals, need lower and simpler taxes. Embedded taxes put our products at a disadvantage in our home market and wherever they compete around the world. When we send for example, a Ford Mustang overseas, it's not just loaded with accessories. It's loaded with our excessive healthcare costs, our excessive regulatory burdens, our excessive legal liability burden, and the taxes paid by every single automotive supplier to help put product into that car. You take off those burdens and let's show them how fast a Mustang will actually go.
"Of course, taking off those burdens is only part of the solution. If we're going to be the world's greatest economic power, we also have to invest in the future. It's time for us to be bold. I will make a five-fold increase – from $4 billion to $20 billion – in our national investment in energy research, fuel technology, materials science, and automotive technology. Let's invest in our future.
"As you know, research spins out new ideas for new products, from both small businesses and large businesses. That's exactly what's happened in healthcare. We spend what $30 billion a year in NIH, and we lead the world in healthcare products. In defense, we spend even more. We lead the world in defense products. We also spend money in the space industry. And we lead the world in products coming out of space. Look how industries in these other states that have those advantages that thrive from the spin of other technologies, from our investment there. So if we can invest in healthcare, and defense, and space, why not also invest in energy and fuel technology right here in Michigan?
"Michigan can be a laboratory, just like other states – a drawing board, from which we can invent the future.
"Second, we'll turn government workforce training programs that are managed by bureaucrats, into personal accounts that can be managed by the workers themselves so they can gain education at community college or they can pay for on-the-job training in real jobs.
"There are currently some 40 different workforce training programs in government spread out all over the entire federal government. Now let's replace the bureaucracy and the bureaucrats with personal responsibility and individual ownership.
"Long term, we're only going to lead the world only if our students coming in now are the best-educated in the world. And you know this, almost every independent group that's looked at our public schools has said that we're falling behind international standards. And their number one prescription time and again – treat teachers like the real professionals they are. Better teachers should be better paid. Teachers should also be evaluated and promoted. And, here's a novel idea, education of our children should come ahead of the interests of the teacher's union.
"And finally, we have to shape America's trade policy to open markets for our goods and level the playing field across the world. For America to remain the world's superpower, we have to remain the world's economic superpower. And that requires us to successfully compete everywhere in the world.
"However, as we pursue new trade agreements, I'm far less interested in just getting an agreement signed than I am in getting an agreement signed that is good for America. I promise you that any nation that unfairly manipulates its currency, steals our patents and designs, dumps unsafe products in our markets, or stifles the American goods in their market place, will face a very aggressive President across the negotiating table.
"Now let me be clear, I strongly support free trade, but free trade has to be fair in both directions. And when the playing field is level, America can compete with any country in the world. And we will win.
"I came here about a year ago and talked about a number of actions which I thought were necessary to keep our national economy strong. I talked about cutting spending in Washington, about across the board tax cuts, about national tort reform liability, and I also talked about entitlement reform. But these aren't enough. What we face here in Michigan and what we face around the country if we don't take action here in Michigan, is a far more complex set of problems than most politicians have been willing to acknowledge.
"There is no one silver bullet. When it comes to getting Michigan back on track and building a strong America, we have to address every single problem I've spoken about. And I will.
"And by the way, that's what I have done all my life. I've taken on complex situations, led tough negotiations, found solutions, and then gotten things back on track. That was the job that I had as a leader in the business world, and then as the head of the Olympics in Salt Lake City, and of course as Governor of Massachusetts.
"And I am the only candidate with that kind of experience, and frankly, that's exactly the kind of experience that Michigan and America needs in the White House today.
"Now, I know that there are some people who don't think that there's a future for the domestic automobile industry. They think that the industry and its jobs are gone forever. And they're wrong.
"Innovation and change present the opportunity for transformation. And the burdens on American manufacturing are largely imposed by government, and new leadership in Washington can lift the burdens and lift the industry.
"Washington politicians look at Michigan and they see a rust belt. But the real rust is in Washington.
"The pessimist will point to an empty factory and a laid-off worker and say they have no future.
"Instead, I see vital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an innovative spirit, all worthy of an optimistic vision, and deserving of a leader who will work tirelessly to deliver the power and potential of Michigan and the American people.
"The pessimist says that the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been lost, have been lost forever. That logic of course says that the 200 jobs that were lost last week at Willow Run, they're lost forever too. And by the way, that logic would also say that all the rest of the jobs in the auto industry will one day be gone forever, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
"Well, the pessimists are wrong. The auto industry and all its jobs do not have to be lost. And I am one man who will work to transform the industry and save those jobs.
"Now, after this speech, I am going to do with my son Tagg, who's sitting right there, what my Dad did with me 50 years ago. We're going to go to the International Auto Show where I will show him the best of today and the vision of what we can be tomorrow.
"And the next time I visit the Auto Show here in Detroit, I hope it will be as the President of the United States. Thank you so much. Thank you!"
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/DEC_Remarks_1.13.08
Speaking to Michigan leaders, Governor Romney laid out his vision for strengthening our economy to the benefit of Michigan and all American families.
Below Are Governor Romney's Remarks As Delivered:
Governor Romney: "Thank you. This is quite an institution. It's good to be back here with you. It's good to be back in Michigan.
"You know, somehow everything just seems right here. In the winter, of course, the skies are cloudy all day. Most of the cars you see on the roads are made here in the good old U-S-of A.
"People know that pop is not a relative, it's a soft drink, and they know that Vernors is the best ginger ale in the world.
"And of course, for me, I have a lot of memories here. This is where both Ann and I were born. It's where I met her. We were in our senior year when we went to a party together. I was in senior year, she was a sophomore. She came with someone else. I noticed her at age 16. She was very interesting. I went to the guy who brought her there and said, 'Look, I live closer to Ann than you do, can I give her a ride home?' We've been going steady ever since.
"So we know each other real well. I said to her after we made the decision to get into this race, and you've probably heard it before, I said, 'Ann, in your wildest dreams did you see me running for President of the United States?' And she said, 'Mitt, you weren't in my wildest dreams.' She'd be here today, but she's in Lansing, by the way, speaking at another event for me.
"First, one of the things I like best about coming back to Michigan is the memories I have in my heart of my Mom and Dad.
"One of my favorite stories, and you may have heard this because they told it more than once, was about my Dad's visit to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, on the 4th of July. He got up and spoke before the town. He said, 'It sure is great being here in Mt. Clement.' There was this big ooooh in the audience and my mother leaned forward and said, 'George, it's Pleasant, Pleasant!' He said, 'Yeah, it sure is pleasant here in Mt. Clement.'
"Now I have to tell you, if I'm elected as President of this great land, I will not need a compass to tell me where Michigan is.
"And I won't need to be briefed on what's going on in the auto industry or what's happening to Michigan's economy. You see, I've got Michigan in my DNA. I've got it in my heart and I've got cars in my bloodstream.
"When I was living here, Michigan was the pride of the country and really the envy of the entire world. Detroit was the Motor City to everybody in the world. Of course, the Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade was one of the grand traditions my family enjoyed.
"And perhaps the biggest day of the year for me was being able to go to the Detroit Auto Show. This was really something. My Dad was head of a car company, you know, he made Ramblers. And we were escorted from the hotel with a police escort, motorcycles, awfully cool, even though we had to go in a Rambler. So exciting.
"But a lot has changed since then, as you know, and not all of it is good. Michigan is enduring a one-state recession, and the problem has only been exacerbated by poor choices made by some of the leaders in Lansing to raise taxes and take that course instead of cutting spending.
"Unemployment, now you know these numbers, unemployment at 7.4% is in the basement of the entire country. A state agency just this week forecast that next year it's going to go to 8.2% and after that 8.7% the year after.
"And the question is, what has Washington done with this looming, not looming, this existing crisis, this recession, what has Washington done to help? The answer is not very much at all.
"In fact, in face of all of the existing burdens that weigh down our domestic auto industry, instead of throwing over a life preserver, Washington has dropped yet another anvil on Michigan with higher CAFE standards. And now, it's passively sitting back to see if the car companies can swim. And the answer is: just barely.
"A lot of Washington politicians are aware of the pain, but they haven't done anything about it. And of course, I hear people from time to time say, 'Well, that's Michigan's problem.' Or, they say something like, 'Well, it's the car companies. They just brought it on themselves.'
"But that's where they're wrong. What Michigan is feeling will be felt by the entire nation unless we win the economic battle here. Michigan is a bit like the canary in the mine shaft. What's hurting Michigan, if it's left unchecked, will ultimately imperil the entire nation.
"What's at stake here, in fact, is even larger than that. It's even larger than an industry and a state. The world is seeing the beginning of a global competitive struggle. It pits at least four major economic strategies against each other, and each of them has far reaching consequences for the peace of the planet, the prosperity, and security of America and the world.
"Our strategy – the American strategy – you know well. It is economic freedom combined with personal freedom. That's our strategy.
"China's strategy is Communism combined with an unbridled morphing of free enterprise. China doesn't flinch at buying oil from the genocidal Sudanese government or selling nuclear technology to the Iranians who threaten genocide. Today, China alone accounts for one-third of our trade imbalance as a nation.
"There's a third strategy; it's based on the control of energy and oil. It's pursued by a resurgent Russia, by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, by Iran's President Ahmadinejad. Today, as you know, our energy purchases account for another one-third of our trade imbalance.
"The fourth strategy that's being pursued is radical, violent Jihadism. It is a very different campaign. It wants to return the world to the economy and the human condition of the Dark Ages. Violent Jihadism has cost America this year more in our treasure than even our purchases of oil. And, of course, much more, it has cost the lives of our countrymen, and other people throughout the world.
"We're accustomed as a people to measuring our national security in terms of missiles and aircraft and defense spending. But I would suggest that as we look down the lane for this next century, a better measure of our national security is the health of our economy. You cannot have a first-tier military and have a second-tier economy. The Soviet Union learned that the hard way and Ronald Reagan taught it to them.
"Michigan's economic worries should be America's worries. I don't know about the Washington politicians, but I can tell you this: if I am President, I will not rest until Michigan has come back!
"I am convinced that Michigan can once again lead the world's automotive industry. But it means we're going to have to change things in Washington. We're going to have to go from politicians who say they are 'aware' of Michigan's problems to have a President instead who will actually take action to do something about them.
"Let me tell you some of the places where I'd start.
"First of all, we have to be honest about the problems we have and tackle them head on. If I'm President of this country, I will roll up my sleeves in the first 100 days I'm in office, and I will personally bring together industry, labor, Congressional and state leaders and together we will develop a plan to rebuild America's automotive leadership. It will be a plan that works for Michigan and that works for the American taxpayer.
"And as part of this, we will directly address and rectify the enormous product cost and capital cost disadvantages that currently burden the domestic automakers. From legacy costs, to health care costs, to increased CAFE standard costs, to the cost of embedded taxes, Detroit can only thrive if Washington is an engaged partner, not a disinterested observer. The plan is going to have to include increases in funding for automotive related research as well as new tax benefits including making the Research and Development Tax Credit permanent.
"I am not open to a bail out, but I am open to a work out. Washington should not be a benefactor, but it can and must be a partner.
"But that's only one step. Washington also has to stop loading Detroit down with unfunded mandates. Of course, we all want fuel mileage to rise, but discontinuous CAFE leaps, uncoordinated with the domestic manufacturers, and absent consideration of competitiveness, kills jobs and imperils the entire industry. Washington dictated CAFE is not the right answer.
"We also have to stop Washington politicians from imposing enormous unilateral energy costs on American manufacturing, including automotive manufacturing. For example, the McCain-Lieberman bill pending in Congress unilaterally imposes new high energy costs on U.S. manufacturers, with no safety valve. The Energy Information Agency estimated that this bill would raise electric rates by as much as 25% and gasoline by as much as 68 cents a gallon. And their estimate of the cost in U.S. jobs — 300,000 jobs. So it's not just a job killer, it would also make it harder for families to make their ends meet.
"Now of course we have to tackle the threat of climate change. But we don't call it America warming, we call it global warming. Placing caps and taxes on the U.S. alone just drives manufacturers to China and India, and does little more than make Washington politicians feel welcome at the embassy cocktail parties.
"Next, and you've heard this before, there is more healthcare cost in an automobile than steel costs. We got healthcare insurance premiums down in my state and we got everyone on track to be insured. We will work to do the same here and for the rest of the nation.
"And then a final burden, it's time to fix the tax code. Corporations, like individuals, need lower and simpler taxes. Embedded taxes put our products at a disadvantage in our home market and wherever they compete around the world. When we send for example, a Ford Mustang overseas, it's not just loaded with accessories. It's loaded with our excessive healthcare costs, our excessive regulatory burdens, our excessive legal liability burden, and the taxes paid by every single automotive supplier to help put product into that car. You take off those burdens and let's show them how fast a Mustang will actually go.
"Of course, taking off those burdens is only part of the solution. If we're going to be the world's greatest economic power, we also have to invest in the future. It's time for us to be bold. I will make a five-fold increase – from $4 billion to $20 billion – in our national investment in energy research, fuel technology, materials science, and automotive technology. Let's invest in our future.
"As you know, research spins out new ideas for new products, from both small businesses and large businesses. That's exactly what's happened in healthcare. We spend what $30 billion a year in NIH, and we lead the world in healthcare products. In defense, we spend even more. We lead the world in defense products. We also spend money in the space industry. And we lead the world in products coming out of space. Look how industries in these other states that have those advantages that thrive from the spin of other technologies, from our investment there. So if we can invest in healthcare, and defense, and space, why not also invest in energy and fuel technology right here in Michigan?
"Michigan can be a laboratory, just like other states – a drawing board, from which we can invent the future.
"Second, we'll turn government workforce training programs that are managed by bureaucrats, into personal accounts that can be managed by the workers themselves so they can gain education at community college or they can pay for on-the-job training in real jobs.
"There are currently some 40 different workforce training programs in government spread out all over the entire federal government. Now let's replace the bureaucracy and the bureaucrats with personal responsibility and individual ownership.
"Long term, we're only going to lead the world only if our students coming in now are the best-educated in the world. And you know this, almost every independent group that's looked at our public schools has said that we're falling behind international standards. And their number one prescription time and again – treat teachers like the real professionals they are. Better teachers should be better paid. Teachers should also be evaluated and promoted. And, here's a novel idea, education of our children should come ahead of the interests of the teacher's union.
"And finally, we have to shape America's trade policy to open markets for our goods and level the playing field across the world. For America to remain the world's superpower, we have to remain the world's economic superpower. And that requires us to successfully compete everywhere in the world.
"However, as we pursue new trade agreements, I'm far less interested in just getting an agreement signed than I am in getting an agreement signed that is good for America. I promise you that any nation that unfairly manipulates its currency, steals our patents and designs, dumps unsafe products in our markets, or stifles the American goods in their market place, will face a very aggressive President across the negotiating table.
"Now let me be clear, I strongly support free trade, but free trade has to be fair in both directions. And when the playing field is level, America can compete with any country in the world. And we will win.
"I came here about a year ago and talked about a number of actions which I thought were necessary to keep our national economy strong. I talked about cutting spending in Washington, about across the board tax cuts, about national tort reform liability, and I also talked about entitlement reform. But these aren't enough. What we face here in Michigan and what we face around the country if we don't take action here in Michigan, is a far more complex set of problems than most politicians have been willing to acknowledge.
"There is no one silver bullet. When it comes to getting Michigan back on track and building a strong America, we have to address every single problem I've spoken about. And I will.
"And by the way, that's what I have done all my life. I've taken on complex situations, led tough negotiations, found solutions, and then gotten things back on track. That was the job that I had as a leader in the business world, and then as the head of the Olympics in Salt Lake City, and of course as Governor of Massachusetts.
"And I am the only candidate with that kind of experience, and frankly, that's exactly the kind of experience that Michigan and America needs in the White House today.
"Now, I know that there are some people who don't think that there's a future for the domestic automobile industry. They think that the industry and its jobs are gone forever. And they're wrong.
"Innovation and change present the opportunity for transformation. And the burdens on American manufacturing are largely imposed by government, and new leadership in Washington can lift the burdens and lift the industry.
"Washington politicians look at Michigan and they see a rust belt. But the real rust is in Washington.
"The pessimist will point to an empty factory and a laid-off worker and say they have no future.
"Instead, I see vital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an innovative spirit, all worthy of an optimistic vision, and deserving of a leader who will work tirelessly to deliver the power and potential of Michigan and the American people.
"The pessimist says that the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been lost, have been lost forever. That logic of course says that the 200 jobs that were lost last week at Willow Run, they're lost forever too. And by the way, that logic would also say that all the rest of the jobs in the auto industry will one day be gone forever, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
"Well, the pessimists are wrong. The auto industry and all its jobs do not have to be lost. And I am one man who will work to transform the industry and save those jobs.
"Now, after this speech, I am going to do with my son Tagg, who's sitting right there, what my Dad did with me 50 years ago. We're going to go to the International Auto Show where I will show him the best of today and the vision of what we can be tomorrow.
"And the next time I visit the Auto Show here in Detroit, I hope it will be as the President of the United States. Thank you so much. Thank you!"
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January 17th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Are you sure Johnson was typing? He was dressed to play virtual Dungeons & Dragons.
And Fournier has had some odd columns in his day.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Right now ABC News video (via Yahoo) is advertising the video under the heading: "Riled! Angry Romney rips reporter."
To the depths with ABC for making me defend Romney, but I've watched the video twice, and as best I can tell, the only two words in that heading that are accurate are "Romney" and "reporter." Romney did not show anger, he wasn't riled, and if that's what ABC defines as getting ripped, they wouldn't last five minutes on the sidelines at a Pee Wee football game.
If anything, Romney looked incredulous and annoyed that anyone could be that dense. A more accurate heading would have been "Dunderhead! Rude reporter badgers Romney."