Sure, Let's Throw Away Another General Election

This guy, Newt Gingrich, is the GOP's key to losing the general election, again.  With the tea party movement, rage and frustration with Washington at an all time high and a President who has no good economic record to run on, the GOP is currently flocking to support a man who embodies everything they despise.  Do anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?  It doesn't make sense.  Of course, some would argue, it's a GOP primary; it isn't supposed to make sense.  

In a way, it seems as though everyone has forgotten who Newt Gingrich is.  This man has a record in public life longer than most of his rivals, filled with the very things he preaches are wrong and need to be changed.  What's his excuse for his serial adultery, ethic violations, evident lobbying...errg "history consulting," and influence pedaling?  Every time he is asked, he shrugs it off, calls it a mistake, changes the topic, etc..  That is a good enough excuse these days?  So if someone robs a bank in American, all they have to say is "meh, it wasn't a good idea, whatever, let's talk about something else," and in turn America loves them.  Come on my fellow republicans.  I hear constantly people like Newt because he has "big ideas."  Ideas are great.  When they're good ideas.  Newt has had plenty of "bad ideas" in his past, so since when are all of his fluently spoken ideas of a 2011 primary (the greatest time for pandering in any politicians career) so great that he could be the republican nominee and will even try to get things done that don't directly help him?  What's worst is the media protecting Barack Obama by not addressing some of these major issues with Gingrich as a candidate and a person.  Herman Cain was publicly destroyed by almost every news outlet and now Newt is getting a free pass.  Just scroll through any political ticker on any political news source.  How many articles do you see about how toxic and vile Newt Gingrich is?  It would appear that literally, all you see is "Newt's Surging!" "Newt's taken the lead," "Yay! Polls Love Newt!" blah blah, etc.  

Newt Gingrich is full of hot air and can and will be easily beaten by Obama and the Dems and the news media love that idea.  They are going to keep Newt on his pedestal until he can clinch the nomination and then, mark my words, the assault will come.  Newt will be annihilated and with him, our chances of re-taking the white house.  The price we will pay for ignorance.

Obviously, the only real reason Newt is surging is because the Republicans and the Tea Party just hate Romney THAT much more.  But that must also mean they hate him more than Obama since not nominating Romney would be a grand 'ole victory for the Dems.  Romney may not be perfect, but in no way is Gingrich the alternative.  Consider Gingrich the sleazier, even less consistent, attention hog (pun intended) who loves his private jets and making $60,000 speeches while saying F-you to ethics and morals.  What is so bad about Romney that the republicans will settle for NEWT GINGRICH, and in-turn, BARACK OBAMA?  

It's non-sense.

Get a grip, GOP.  

That's coming from one of your own. 

 

"The Smartest Man in the Room" has Quite the Baggage

I may not be a Ron Paul supporter and will not be voting for him in the primary, however, I thank you, Dr. Paul, for this:

 

The Spectrum Endorses Mitt Romney

The 2012 election will say a lot about us as a people and how much we really care about the state of our nation.  The economy has not been improving for the past decade and it would be a mistake to continue that trend.  It is hard to believe that, with a President that has not helped in any significant way and has opted to blame everything and everyone under the sun but his own administration for the stagnant growth, anyone would be willing to give him a second chance.  President Obama has installed a monster of a healthcare reform law that is not only disliked among the people but even the Obama Administration itself is finding things not to like about it.  The President in his giant tax-payer-funded bus is traveling the country touting another stimulus bill, and when it doesn't get passed (for good reason) will pass the blame.  What exactly could make him think that America will rally behind another stimulus when STIM #1 failed to work so brilliantly?  What's worst is the whole approach of stimulus in general.  What good does a bunch of temporary jobs and regulations do for our nations employment?  I don't think the 25 million unemplyed/underemployed are looking for jobs for a couple of years and then plan on being unemployed again.  Do you Mr. President?

One of the major reasons President Obama has failed to deliver is perhaps because he has never run anything in his life.  We the people elected a Chicago Lawyer and Senator (the cream of the crop of debate all day, get nothing done occupations)  and then expected great things, mostly because of the hype he created (which actually is coming back to bite him).  Well the good news is, we have a chance to fix our mistake.  Of the current 9 major choices for leader of the free world, there is one truly viable option.  He may not be the flashiest candidate or even the most energizing, but you know what, that is not what we need right now.  When you forget the stuff that doesn't matter like how a candidate feels about abortion or his or her religion or conservativeness, there is one appealing option.  And that is Mitt Romney.  You can call him slick, flip-flopper, coreless, or whatever you like but no one can deny success and a solid and fundamental understanding of the way stuff works.  I don't think the Salt Lake City Olympics called Governor Romney because he didn't know what he was doing.  And as history now has it, he did know a little something about running a few major enterprises, and did so without even taking compensation.

Mitt Romney is a man of numbers, of math, of technique.  Put his politics aside and understand that Barack Obama is out of his depth and Mitt Romney may be the only one who can really get us anywhere near solid footing.  Think about it.  Mitt Romney is already worth a quarter billion dollars, do you really think he needs/wants more money?  No one can possibly assume he is running for office for money or even for fame.  What does he need fame for?  Now I could go on and on about his solid record when it comes to understanding of economics but let's put politics and the silliness aside and give the man with an actual proven record of turning things around a real shot.  After all, if it doesn't work out, I will be the first person to say in 2016, it's time for a change.

All the talk and criticism about flip-flopping and insincerity are a waste of time.  For me, at this time in history, I don't care if my candidate once supported abortion rights or not, I need to know that what he has done in his life and in his career means something because there are results.  No candidate in this day and age is perfect.  Let's stop putting our faith in lawyers and politicians and try out something more suitable.  When you understand the way the government works, you understand it is literally the world's biggest enterprise.  Why not have it run by someone that has run an enterprise or two in his lifetime?  

For these reasons and countless others, The Spectrum and I would like to formally endorse, Former Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.  I hope some of this insight will help you make your decision when you enter the voting booth on November 6, 2012.

 

Only in Vegas

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? 

Just how messy is this primary going to get.  If last night's Las Vegas debate is any indication of the current state of affairs, it could get worse.  I think it's safe to say, that we learned that the "field" may be settled but the candidates are not ready to settle in their respective polling positions.  

As a viewer, a voter and a real human being (not the MSM), I would like to express my take on the 7-ring circus of last night.

Mitt Romney is on defense

As much as we could have expected the random overplayed flying attacks at Romney as usual for any of the past debates, I don't think many could have predicted the onslaught that occurred last night.  Several times Mitt was put on the extreme defense but even then he could barely get his rebuttal in edgewise thanks to over-zealous rivals who made it their mission to not only attack Romney but to make sure he didn't have the opportunity to defend himself properly.  It all began with Santorum, launching what was at its base, another prepared attack on Romney's healthcare plan in Massachusetts.  To me, these attacks on "Romneycare" are really getting old; it's always the same old points.  This time, however, Santorum took it upon himself to go at it with a little more spirit, which for a split second, rattled the frontrunner.  When Romney tried to respond though, Rick Santorum decided he would not give the Governor the chance to make his case, which may have worked against the attack.  A second attack over Romney's plan came from Newt Gingrich, the man who rarely takes shots at other republicans.  Now, I must add the reason for my belief that these attacks are ineffective.  "Romneycare" was put in place in Massachusetts several years ago.  What was done, has been done.  Romney has admitted there are things about it he doesn't like and would change if he could and there are strong elements of it that helped the state and it's people.  Romney has also said he would not implement something like that on the national level and would fervently repeal Obamacare.  So to constantly attack Governor Romney on a plan that is not relevant to this day and this race is just bollocks.  Romney has made it clear that as president he would repeal Obamacare and return the healthcare plan making business to the states.  'Nuff said.  What more do they want? 

Clearly there is still some major, even personal, bad-blood between Perry and Romney.  A lot of it comes out of desperation however on Perry's end.  No other candidate has seen such a dramatic and damaging slump as he has so it was time for Perry to pull out anything he could to be noticed, and that, he tried.  Perry whipped out an ancient story about Romney's contracted company he hired to do his lawn-work at one of his homes.  Governor Perry used this piece to frame Mitt as a hypocrite on immigration (I guess Perry didn't pay attention to the 2008 GOP race since he didn't know this was already covered).  Does Perry really believe that that story, which was presented incorrectly by Perry, is going to make Romney look bad on immigration, when as Romney points out, Texas has seen an increase of 60% in illegal immigration since Perry's been in office?  Really Rick?  As we found out later, the audience had had enough of Perry's petty attacks on Romney and booed him when he brought it up again later in the debate.  All-in-all, I think Perry's choice to desperately attack Romney may end up hurting him more.  Have you ever noticed it's always Perry who incites these exchanges?  Mitt is perfectly fine just expressing his views but Perry makes it obvious he just wants to fight.  Maybe that's his Texas-style.

Rough ride on the Cain-Train

Herman Cain didn't get off completely unscathed last night either.  Within the first twenty minutes his 9-9-9 tax plan came under fire from all sides.  Bachmann led the assault which brought in Santorum, who may have made the strongest case against it, and then Perry, Romney and Gingrich and Ron Paul dubbed it "dangerous."  Romney, to much applause, pointed out how people would be paying the new 9% sales tax in addition to their current state and local sales taxes.  A point Mr. Cain didn't fully convince would not be a tax increase.  Even with such a punching bag as the 9-9-9 plan, Herman's spotlight on the stage faded as the others went at Romney.

Bachmann is Bach

Congresswoman Bachmann made it her mission to not fade into the background last night and it was clear she was sticking to that.  She delivered a few good lines and made some solid clear points, particularly on taxes and got the audience excited about how even the Obama Administration doesn't exactly like Obamacare.  She let everyone know that it is unpopular across the board and repealing it will not be an impossible challenge.  Unfortunately for Michelle, it is likely too late and her supporters are too split for her to gain her spot back near the top of the pack.

Dr. Paul?  Are you there?

It's such an interesting phenomenon that when the sparks are flying on stage, Ron Paul fades into the background.  Dr. Paul had some solid responses to several questions last night but because of all the in-fighting happening around him, many of his points will go unnoticed by viewers who are not already Ron Paul supporters.  It's hard to say where this will leave him in the post-debate polling.

It's not over.

Without another debate for about a month, watching the poll numbers and commentary over the next few weeks will be interesting.  I expect Governor Romney will remain the frontrunner but right below/next to him will be some significant changes.  Perry, Bachmann and Cain all share virtually the same support base in many ways.  That may translate into notable shifts in their polling.  If Perry has done well by undecided or fluid voters in last night's debate then his numbers will likely go up.  But that means Herman may see some of his supporters (who were likely Perry supporters prior) return to Perry.  Most likely it will even them out and tie them for second place but still fairly distant behind Romney.  Romney, with consistent growing support among big figures with endorsement power may see his numbers climb very slowly but steadily.  As for the rest of the pack, one day they'll be up, the next day they'll be down. 

Sound off on your take.