Blog @ MoreWhat.com

When the report of a federal grand jury investigating a donor of Gov Bill Richardson’s was published at Bloomberg’s financial website on Dec 15th and posted on the forum at MoreWhat.com the first thought was The Gov may get some mud on himself from a donor who may be in trouble. Now that the Governor has withdrawn his name as the nominee for Commerce Secretary three weeks after the report some questions arise.

First there is the funny question of the previous post here includes commentary by James Carville that Dems will have more scandals because there are more of them in office currently and was that commentary’s timing simply coincidence? Richardson says in a statement that the investigation would delay the confirmation process and that is a reason to withdraw. Is that a sincere concern or is it that he expects to be indicted when the investigation concludes? If he does not expect to be indicted then why does he state he will remain in office ‘for now’?

Certainly one could make the obvious leap from the original report that a donor gave Richardson money and in return Richardson made sure the donor was awarded a fat state contract. But if that was so obvious to the federal grand jury you might think indictments would have been served already. But then it has only been several weeks, court proceedings take time and maybe the list of indictments is growing and it will take more time to complete.

The most interesting question about scandals that may burden the incoming Presidential Administration is who will be next? That can be followed with how many scandals will there be? Not even inaugurated yet and trouble on the horizon is growing for President-elect Obama.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name for nomination as U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s commerce secretary.

Governor Richardson said Sunday his decision stems from a federal grand jury investigation into a company that contributed to his political activities and won a contract with the state he leads.

In a statement, Richardson said he and his administration have acted properly in all matters. But he said the ongoing investigation could take weeks, or months, and could delay his Senate confirmation to Mr. Obama’s Cabinet.

Mr. Obama said he accepted Richardson’s withdrawal with “deep regret.” The president-elect said Richardson’s decision is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first.

Richardson was a rival to Mr. Obama for the Democratic Party presidential nomination last year. Richardson says he will remain in his job as governor of New Mexico for now.

Mr. Obama selected Richardson to head the Commerce Department in December. The New Mexico governor was the first Hispanic named to Mr. Obama’s Cabinet.

The governor is a former congressman and served under former President Bill Clinton as energy secretary and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog
Faultline USA
Conservative Thoughts

The ink is barely dry on Biden and Dodd dropping out of the 2008 race and you know that Senator John Kerry’s endorsement of Barack Obama was planned with the Senate candidate from Illinois. Is this a slick move to woo undecided voters, the 2008 version of the 2004 anointing of the Dems party elite and do Biden, Dodd and Kerry stand to profit politically and otherwise by winning cabinet posts if Obama would be successful?

Below are reports from Kerry’s 2004 cabinet plans and strategy as well as a post from Michelle Malkin on the topic. The only part of this campaign strategy that is compelling points to the possibility that the Democratic party elite is shunning Hillary Rodham Clinton and her former President husband Bill. When Katie Couric interviewed HRC this week to help her continue to market the tears thing and further the network’s desire for another Clinton White House she noted the house they were at as Hillary’s home in NY. With some reports suggesting Bill has tried to sabotage Hillary’s campaign and the living arrangements being what they are, how does anyone consider them married other than technically? Excuse the spontaneous thought please. Can’t help but wonder about these things and worse, why so many choose to ignore all of what is wrong with the Clinton clan.

One last note, that may explain why John Edwards is still in the race. He sold out to the Dems party elite by caving to their anointing of John Kerry in 04. So he may only be in it to get the nod for VP on HRC’s ticket if she would end up with the nomination. Any way you slice it, with the Dems you get the same old c__p. And they want you to believe they are change agents. Maybe quick change artists but not change agents.

It would appear the Dems party elite does not believe Clinton can be the GOP. It is also quite possible that the cold, calculating queen of cringe cannot be trusted to attend to party business. So the party is grooming the ‘naive and irresponsible’ other rookie Senator to do the party bidding.

Kerry Exploring Cabinet Options

By Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 22, 2004; Page A23

If he wins the White House, John F. Kerry will immediately confront a difficult, divisive and deeply personal decision: which close friend will he have to stiff for secretary of state?

Kerry, who would name a national security team a few weeks after the election, is said by campaign sources to be under a fair amount of pressure to pick Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) or Richard Holbrooke to help repair global alliances and attract new allies to assist in Iraq. Both men are seasoned diplomats, ambitious and close friends and political advisers to Kerry. And both clearly want the job.

Next: Kerry’s key Cabinet choices

By Peter Grier | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

But picking through advisers and matching them up with possible Cabinet roles reveals a lot about candidates themselves. A US administration is a joint effort, after all. Undecided voters might find it easier to make up their minds if they consider what personalities a challenger would install in office for the next four years.

A relative unknown to much of the voting public, Mr. Kerry might particularly benefit from helping this process along.

Michelle Malkin » John Kerry tries to make himself relevant; “Let …

I fear Kerry might be selected to fill a cabinet post if one of the Dims is elected. Hope I am wrong, but could you imagine him as SecDef or Homeland …

And who could forget Bill Richardson, his withdrawal and resume’ items in the Clinton cabinet. If you read the 911 Commission report that the Dems love to mention, you can relive the 911 mistakes of Bill and Hillary as well as Mr Richardson in failing to eliminate Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. Maybe Richardson gets his pick if either Obama or Clinton make it to the White House. Certainly buying off Vilsack earlier in the campaign ensures a post election job for him too. These people are more like job service than public service. So where are the change agents? Don’t kid yourself this is business as usual in Washington. But the Dems take it to a whole new level. And if you add Pelosi and Reid to the equation as well as Boxer and Feinstein and their money connections and Clinton’s criminal campaign contributors, this country could be in a world of hurt come 2009.

According to the Rasmussen report Giuliani and Thompson lead the national polls for the GOP at 23 and 25% respectively near the beginning of October 2007 while McCain and Romney essentially shared second at 10 and 13% and Huckabee was not a factor in mid-single digits. For the Democrats, Clinton held a whopping 44 or 45% with Obama trailing in the 20’s and Edwards in the teens.

What a difference a couple of months can make. Currently, at Rasmussen Reports, Huckabee has nearly the first place numbers held by Giuliani and Thompson earlier at 22%. Giuliani and Romney are in second with mid teens as McCain and Thompson follow in third in the lower teens. While McCain has been mentioned in news reports as gaining some strength of late, for example, the Peter King endorsement, his 13% is representative of the last months. Giuliani and Thompson have slipped while Huckabee and Romney have gained. The Dems, nationally have not changed, but Clinton is faltering in the early state polls while Obama continues to climb and Edwards appears the same and steady. For the GOP, Huckabee and Romney lead Iowa.

With the religious questions still lingering in the campaign a recent poll indicated eight out of ten likely Republican voters said religion was not a factor in their vote. Of those voters the support for each candidate may be reflected in the other polls. For the twenty percent who say religion is a factor most suggest support for Huckabee. A related story suggest Romney has much ’silent’ support in addition to what the other poll numbers show in Iowa. Huckabee is thought to have much support in Iowa but that has not translated to strength in other early states. A first for Huckabee in Iowa may give him competing strength in subsequent early state contests while less than second may see his recent surge fade. For the Dems, less than first in Iowa may signal the beginning of the end for Clinton while a first for Obama could build a breakout leading into the New Hampshire and other states.

At USA Election Polls one could say Iowa is a statistical tie for each party. As most people know, Huckabee and Romney are a tie as well as Clinton and Obama are tied. Several delegate count listings have what one would expect based on national polls through the campaign to date. But when averages or proportional distribution of state delegates are considered the game changes dramatically.

In New Hampshire it is Romney and McCain or Romney, McCain and Giuliani for the GOP. At one time Giuliani was stronger but his strategy of focus on the ‘big’ states has seen the numbers change. Clinton and Obama for the Dems mirrors Iowa. With the NY connections for Giuliani and a NY Senate seat for Clinton, they were much stronger in the Northeast early on but things are changing.

But all this is just a snapshot in time and too much should not be read into it. Just like Huckabee’s recent rise, two months ago, who’d a thunk it? The view from this blog sees Giuliani conceding early states. The Huckabee surge is only a factor in one state thus far. Clinton continues to decline. Obama continues to climb. Edwards in holding steady and leads in at least one poll in Iowa for the Dems. Thompson has slid some while McCain and Romney have maintained or increased strength, the exception has been the tie for Romney and Huckabee in Iowa.

If forced to pick only from the Democratic party offerings this blog would recommend Obama or Edwards. Only because they are not Clinton and are the only other Dems candidates with a chance to win. But then Biden, Dodd or Kucinich would not be selected here, under the conditions mentioned, or under any other circumstance. That would be why this blog would not vote for a Democrat in 2008. Oh, did Richardson get overlooked? Yes.

On the GOP side, this blog has always supported Mitt Romney for President and will continue to do so. Based on some of the positions of Giuliani and Huckabee, this blog could only support them if they were the last ones standing. While some concerns remain about an outstanding American named Senator John McCain, primarily due to his support of amnesty last summer, if he was nominated he would get this blog’s full support. Nearly the same can be said for Fred Thompson. While some of the early criticism appears to have been a lame attempt to discredit him, since entering the campaign, his performance is a bit puzzling and an aura of almost hesitation causes some questions. But again, if he was the nominee for the GOP he would get this blog’s support.

That brings it back to Mitt Romney. Romney possesses the attributes required to be successful. The criticism voiced about Romney may be more a matter of political gamesmanship and the strategy of rivals. Questions about his faith are a distraction. Questions about his positions may reflect a willingness to respond to the will of the electorate or the strength to do what is right on behalf of them. People do change their minds for good reason although it is popular in politics to highlight that fact as a flaw.

On the practical side, Mitt Romney is credited even by some of his critics for successfully correcting a massive budget shortfall in Massachusetts. He successfully repaired a failing Olympic organization. He has successfully rebuilt million or billion dollar companies. He can do the same for a debt ridden nation. He has the knowledge to surround himself with a team to produce results and strengthen this country. With the economy taking over first place as the most important issue for the 2008 election, Mitt Romney is the one superior choice for President. Not only can he deliver leadership to our economic troubles but the remainder of policy matters are well within his grasp. His faith and family values can also restore some of the traditional concepts that have made this country great. These are not campaign tricks. The man has demonstrated throughout his life that intelligence, discipline, hard work and values have driven his success. He can apply those attributes and principles to leading this nation and getting it done.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, third world county, Faultline USA, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Big Dog’s Weblog, Cao’s Blog, Wolf Pangloss, Conservative Cat, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The only aspect of failing Presidential campaigns of the Democratic party that is interesting is their latest plea to their own national committee and the desperate strategy to blame their failures on someone else. It is understandable from a political perspective that there would be a typical complaint that the opposition party is responsible for your failure. But to blame your party for your failures is another pathetic failure to admit your own mistakes.

If you are a Democrat and you bought into your party’s strategy to use surrender in Iraq as the focal point for your Presidential bid you have no one to blame but yourself. Or perhaps you would like to include the US Military in your complaining for not losing. The success of the troop surge that the Dems have criticized from its announcement becomes difficult to oppose but that has not stopped Bill Richardson from doing so.

His complaints against his own party begin with reaffirming his position to surrender in Iraq. It is followed by an appeal to the NEA calling for abandoning NCLB and spending more tax dollars on health insurance. While his criticism of the debates on executive power and interrogation techniques draw unsupported conclusions to mimic the left’s ideology and is again to be expected, his belief we are ’slipping into recession’ is also not supported by facts. Simply using the definition of recession as two or more quarters of falling GDP, his statement might have been acceptable in 2006 but not in 2007. The second and third quarters of 2006 were consecutive decreases followed by a fourth quarter increase. No such experience occurred in 2007. The economy is currently growing at an annual rate of 4.9%.

John Edwards provided the most entertaining criticism while making his plea to the party for his failure. He predictably continued his ‘two Americas’ argument and the entertaining part was his description of Washington insiders as ‘the powerful, well-connected and the very wealthy.’ It can be argued that John Edwards is not powerful or well-connected outside of the trial lawyers association but he is certainly very wealthy if you exclude the Forbes 400.

Aside from blaming both major parties for problems in Washington, Edwards critique offered nothing new.

Barack Obama’s plea to the party for his contribution to failure seeks recruiting independents and ‘disaffected’ Republicans and then blames election losses on the system. Apparently he views his competitor, Clinton, as a failure waiting to happen that will favor the opposition party. But what takes the cake is his attributing election losses to ‘electoral maps’ that sounds like another call for redistricting if you don’t like the outcome.

None of the Democrats support the troops as indicated by the unanimous and continuous call for surrender even in the face of a successful troop surge and related developments in Iraq and the Middle East in general. They missed a golden opportunity to win over the independents and Republicans Obama mentioned by not casually admitting the surrender strategy mistake and climbing onboard for victory in Iraq.

The absence of Hillary Rodham Clinton at the affair is another indication she is using recent news stories about the hostage incident at one of her campaign offices for political gain. The media again offered their help to the Queen of Cringe by calling her response to the incident as ‘calm.’ Oh please, was she in the room with the intruder? No, the media saw an opportunity to help out HRC just like CNN did with the GOP debate last week. And HRC will take every opportunity to scam the public.

The campaign talk most often uttered by Democratic party candidates is spending. The GOP has spent too much which the Dems are eager to point out. But that is not stopping HRC from offering $50 to the evangelicals to fight AIDS in exchange for their votes. Obama offered billions to the NEA earlier this year. Richardson is onboard with that and spending more on health insurance as he stated above. And Edwards can’t find enough targets to spend money on, your money.

Finally, Biden, Dodd and Kucinich were mostly predictable. This time Kucinich failed to entertain and Biden merely repeated his worn out and only available campaign statement of being electable. Dodd may be borrowing from the Clinton strategy of not showing up.

Dems fault own party in pitch to leaders
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press WriterSat Dec 1, 6:42 AM ET

Democratic presidential candidates faulted their own party as well as assailing Republicans as they pitched their candidacies to the staunchest of Democrats on Friday.

Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich addressed officials who make up the Democratic National Committee, their last opportunity to speak to such a gathering before the first presidential voting begins in January. Hillary Rodham Clinton was scheduled to speak, too, but canceled after a man took hostages at her office in Rochester, N.H.

Richardson did not go easy on the party, assailing the Democratic-controlled Congress for its failure to accomplish more and calling on the party to win back people’s confidence.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Mark My Words, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Right Truth, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Chuck Adkins, The Uncooperative Radio Show! Special Weekend!, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, DragonLady’s World, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, Stageleft, Church and State, AZAMATTEROFACT, 123beta, Adam’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Cao’s Blog, Big Dog’s Weblog, Conservative Cat, Nuke’s, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Global American Discourse, CORSARI D’ITALIA, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Nearly in unison the Democratic party Presidential candidates promise older Americans more health and retirement enhancements. The victim search is alive and well in the Democratic party and is not lost on their candidates. Like Hillary Rodham Clinton working on her southern accent to speak in the south or John Edwards touting his poverty tour. Could it be any more obvious?

Edwards criticizes Clinton again for her close ties with lobbyists as hindering health care reform even though his money sources have recently exposed a ‘tainted lawyer’ whose donation he relinquished but kept the rest of the bundle. A fine example of do as I say, not as I do.

Clinton again reinforces the idea that her experience in health care reform makes her the best choice on the issue. That may be true if failure is what interests you. The same crew that developed her nineties initiative that failed also assembled her latest proposal. One Wall Street Journal opinion panned the current initiative. Another report indicates all the Dems health reform proposals are modeled on the Clinton plan yet Edwards claims Clinton copied his. Who cares, John, they are all flawed.

Both Biden and Richardson had nothing substantial to contribute to the discussions so they did not disappoint by not offering anything substantial. And Senator Dodd just can’t resist touting his involvement in the Family and Medical Leave Act which is not really on point. And his version of history may not be entirely accurate based on Congressional records available online.

Barack Obama may have been the most honest of all the Democratic candidates for he did not bother to show up. You have to believe a candidate chooses the most beneficial use of their time in a campaign. His strong suit is prepared speeches and not prepared debates. Seems odd since both activities are choreographed and staying on message should not be difficult but apparently Obama has trouble responding to the debate environment.

Since the Dems are repeating campaign performances this post can do the same. On supporting the troops and victory in Iraq and elsewhere plus national defense, security, border and immigration control as well as health care issues the Democratic party candidates fail miserably. The Dems being more afraid of MoveOn than disrespecting the very people who directly protect this nation is yet another current revelation that exposes their true agenda. Motivate the far left fringe Democratic party base regardless of how destructive it is to this country.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Five Democrats discuss health care in IA
By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press WriterThu Sep 20, 10:57 PM ET

Five Democratic presidential candidates pledged during an AARP forum Thursday night to spend more on health care and bolster retirement programs crucial to politically potent seniors.

All five pledged to protect Social Security, revamp Medicare’s prescription drug program and expand home health care programs. They also promised to provide universal health care but rejected a Canadian-style single payer plan.

About as funny as the Dennis Kucinich remark about praying to God to be called on, Bill Richardson tried some humor with a two for one pitch.

“Senator Obama provides change and Senator Clinton experience. With me, you get both,” Governor Richardson stated. “We’re going to need change to become energy independent. We’re going to need experience to deal with foreign leaders. I’ve met already with most of them. All my life I’ve been a diplomat and from day one I will be ready.”

With the other Democratic candidates softening their Iraq surrender positions, why does Governor Richardson’s claim of dual skill sets oppose the wisdom that an abrupt withdrawal of American forces from Iraq would send the country into chaos and put US troops at higher risk? A contradiction on its own and certainly when paired with the report below.

Analysis: An assured Richardson brings his‘A’ game in Iowa debate
By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican
August 19, 2007
Governor gets aggressive, takes rival presidential candidates to task on Iraq
Could it be that early morning is the best time for Gov. Bill Richardson to debate?

Understandably, a source from New Mexico supports Governor Richardson’s performance in Sunday’s ABC Democrats Debate. It does not, however, make sense to take a long shot on war strategy while touting your experience in foreign affairs and other executive tasks. Even among his rivals there are no longer any takers on the surrender as fast as you can mentality.

Richardson Stands Out In Latest Democratic Debate
The governor broke from his competitors by calling for a quick and complete U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq in the next 6 to 8 months. But all of the other Democratic candidates said Richardson’s plan was too ambitious and it would not work.

Probably not the kind of standing out you would want to do especially when it is wrong. Mistakes are piling up for Bill Richardson as noted in the excerpts/links below.

Richardson on Richardson
By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican
September 25, 2005
George W. Bush had A Charge to Keep. John Kerry had A Call to Service: My Vision for a Better America. John Edwards had Four Trials. Richard Nixon had Six Crises. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life

While much of the 348 pages consists of Richardson justifying his political actions, there are moments in which he admits mistakes.

It is admirable that one would be honest enough to admit mistakes. But at the rate that Richardson is racking them up his demonstrated skill for being President is overpowered by his propensity for mistakes. He declared in the debate that he believes he’s been averaging one mistake each week. But the mistake below is probably one caused by pandering. Say what you feel and when criticized by the audience stumble around for a day on damage control. Like criticizing Obama for what he say’s on foreign policy, Richardson suffers from the same lack of discretion that would be equally detrimental in foreign and domestic affairs.

August 10, 2007, 7:34 pm
Richardson Clarifies Gay Gaffe
By Michael Falcone
After stumbling through a question at a forum Thursday night about whether people choose to be gay or are born that way, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson spent part of the day trying to regain his footing by reaching out to prominent members of the gay and lesbian community.

Mr. Richardson’s initial response — “it’s a choice” — angered many gay rights activists who hold the opposite view. After the forum, the Richardson’s campaign issued a statement essentially taking back the remark.

Of the Democratic candidates, Richardson is the most extreme on the Iraq war presently while no one objected to Edwards speaking for the group saying they all would leave Iraq. What that means is all but Richardson have come to understand the Democrats surrender now strategy is not working. But the flimsy kabuki dance being performed by Dems on Iraq signals their across the board refusal to protect this nation through strength rather than appeasement.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

By Michael Bowman
Washington
15 August 2007

Bowman report (mp3) - Download 776k audio clip
Listen to Bowman report (mp3) audio clip

A new poll of likely U.S. voters shows New York Senator Hillary Clinton maintaining her frontrunner status among Democratic voters in next year’s presidential race, with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani leading the Republican field. VOA’s Michael Bowman reports from Washington.

The Quinnipiac University poll shows Senator Clinton with 36 percent backing among Democrats, up one percent from a survey in June, with strong support among women and working class voters. Illinois Senator Barack Obama is holding steady in second place, at 21 percent, and is favored among Democrats with college degrees.

Former Vice President Al Gore, who has stated he has no intention of running for office, polled third with 15 percent support, ahead of former North Carolina Senator John Edwards at nine percent.

Mrs. Clinton may lead the Democratic field, but the news is not all positive for the one-time first lady, according to the head of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, Maurice Carroll.

“Trailing her is a big ‘Hillary hostility’ factor which does raise questions, feeds those doubts about [whether she] can win in November [in next year’s election],” he said. “Forty-eight to 43 percent, Americans tell the poll they have a favorable impression of her. But 43 is a big number, the negative side, and that is the highest of any of the candidates.”

Months ago, some analysts predicted that Senator Obama, whose father was Kenyan, would eventually receive overwhelming backing from black and other minority voters. But the Quinnipiac poll shows no such trend to date, with Senator Clinton doing well among all racial and ethnic groups within the Democratic Party.

Among Republicans, Rudy Giuliani leads with 28 percent support, up one percent from June. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney comes in second with 15 percent, followed by actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson with 12 percent and Arizona Senator John McCain with 11 percent. Mr. Thompson has yet to formally announce his candidacy.

Carroll notes that Giuliani is pro-choice on abortion and favors legal rights for homosexual couples - positions that do not endear him with the socially-conservative base of the Republican Party. But he says the former mayor has one great strength that propels him to the top of the Republican field:

“It’s 9/11. Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City when the terrorists attacked and destroyed the World Trade Center. His performance then in rallying the city, reassuring the city - and to an extent the nation, earned him all sorts of plaudits and that is his big pitch. Of those who are for him, more than a third cited his performance after 9/11, his anti-terrorist credentials,” he said.

How would top Democratic and Republican contenders fare if the presidential election were held today? The Quinnipiac poll shows Hillary Clinton edging Rudy Giuliani 46 to 43 percent, and a draw between Giuliani and Barack Obama at 42 percent each. The poll did not pose a hypothetical match-up of Mitt Romney against a Democratic challenger.

Such polls provide only a snapshot of public opinion at the time they are conducted. The first contest of the presidential primary season is still months away, in January, and the general election is more than a year off.

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog

FaultlineUSA

Conservative Thoughts

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Rasmussen Reports for August 14th has the Dems with Clinton 40%, Obama 24%, Edwards 16% and Richardson at 4%. The GOP side is Giuliani 25%, Thompson 21%, Romney 15%, McCain 10% and Huckabee 4%.

With the GOP it was not that long ago that Fred Thompson’s numbers were several points higher, McCain was in third and Giuliani was about the same as now. While Huckabee has received a boost at the Iowa Straw Poll, Romney has been in double digits nationally for some time and has settled in the mid-teens even before Iowa. It looks like Giuliani is holding, Thompson and McCain have lost some strength and Romney plus Huckabee have enjoyed the most improvement from their work. You can still look at polls and scratch your head due to the occasional crazy variations between pollsters or inexplicable changes over short periods of time.

The Dems have the Queen of Cringe not ready to give up much of her lead. Over the past month with the three events attended by Democratic party candidates, Hillary Rodham Clinton received more criticism than one would expect from a liberal leader. Her fondness of lobbyist money and characterizing the practice as acceptable when challenged at the last YearlyKos drew a negative vocal response from the crowd. Locking up her White House docs this week until after the 2008 contest was met with suspicion as well. The upside to a long campaign season is voters may have enough time to view all the baggage she would bring to America’s top job. Her numbers may in fact be slightly lower than in the past.

Obama has fallen in recent weeks while peacenik, poverty tour, let my wife do the work, multimillionaire Edwards seems to be enjoying a bit of an upward bump. He may in fact be taking numbers from Clinton and Obama. The only noticeable change is less John and more Elizabeth. But these are only poll numbers with limited value in analyzing the 2008 race.

The left side of the spectrum appears to have been quiet or at least not as vocal on items related to Iraq. With the exception of the heat Obama took over his foreign policy statements, the surrender strategy has subsided somewhat. Another indication of improved conditions related to the war effort. No conclusions are being drawn here, it is just an observation.

Giuliani’s lead with Republicans has not been negatively affected by his stand on social issues. That may be explained by his ability thus far to avoid any significant discussion on the subjects. Leaning pro-choice, gay marriage and anti-gun has been softened by his campaign but may be seriously challenged later this fall. Thompson’s current plan to announce is for Nashville on or after Labor Day. Which direction his numbers will go when he actually does something is anyone’s guess. You might think Romney was leading the pack as one of his staffers suggested earlier with all the interrogations to which he has been subjected. It may be better to wear out the media on their assaults before the campaigns get serious. If Thompson actually enters the race in September the media focus will at least for a time be on him. That may be a benefit for the others since he will be under the microscope if and when he announces. The bet here is their will be one more delay and more reports that Gingrich is still thinking about it.

With Congress on vacation, candidates currently holding office are free to do more campaigning. Not like voting in the Senate has interfered with their plans before with all the ‘not voting’ tallies they generated. After the Iowa Straw Poll, those attending have stepped up work on the trail also. Interested voters can take a dog days of summer break until things heat up this fall or some candidates make headlines before then. Most likely any headlines would only reflect reports not flattering to any campaign.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Perri Nelson’s Website, Rosemary’s Thoughts, third world county, DeMediacratic Nation, Right Truth, The Pink Flamingo, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The Romney Vision: Seeing Is Believing - The Romney Agenda Trumps Dem Liberal Debate Pandering

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007

“[Democrats] think about big government, big taxes and Big Brother. That’s the same course Europe has taken over the last couple of decades that has led to a level of growth far below our own.” – Gov. Mitt Romney (Lisa Rossi, “Romney Blasts Obama, Others,” The Des Moines Register, 7/21/07)

Romney’s Vision Of A Stronger Defense Vs. Defeatist Democrats

Gov. Romney Stresses The Importance Of Winning In Iraq And Defeating Radical Islam Globally. “The congressional debate in Washington has largely, and myopically, focused on whether troops should be redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan, as if these were isolated issues. Yet the jihad is much broader than any one nation, or even several nations. … The jihadist threat is the defining challenge of our generation and is symptomatic of a range of new global realities.” (Gov. Mitt Romney, “Rising To A New Generation Of Global Challenges,” Foreign Affairs, July/August 2007)

But Sen. Hillary Clinton Claims The U.S. Has Already Lost In Afghanistan To Al Qaeda And Bin Laden. SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: “We’ve got to figure out what we’re doing in Iraq, where our troops are stretched thin, and Afghanistan, where we’re losing the fight to al Qaeda and bin Laden.” (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

While Sen. Barack Obama Would Jump At The Chance To Meet With Dictators In Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba And North Korea. YOUTUBE QUESTION: “…would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?” … SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: “I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them — which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration — is ridiculous.” (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

Romney’s Vision Of A Stronger Economy Vs. Tax-And-Spend Democrats

Gov. Romney Believes Lower Taxes Lead To A Stronger American Economy. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: “Raising taxes will slow down the economy, will make it more and more difficult to create jobs here. It’s the wrong direction. The right direction is always to bring tax rates down. If you believe that the strength of America flows from government, then you want more taxes. But if you believe that the strength of America flows from the American people, you want to hold their taxes down for themselves and for the employers that employ them.” (Fox News Channel’s “Hannity & Colmes,” 4/4/07)

But Sen. Joe Biden Would Raise Taxes, Rolling Back The Bush Tax Cuts. SEN. JOE BIDEN: “First of all, change the tax structure. We are giving people tax breaks who don’t need it. The top 1 percent got an $85 billion a year tax break. It is not needed. My dad used to have an expression — don’t tell me what you value; show me your budget. And the budget we have here is we all dance around it. We need more revenue to be able to pay for the things the governor and everybody else talks about. And there’s only one way to do it. You either raise taxes or take tax cuts away from people who don’t need them. I’d take them away from people who don’t need them.” (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

While Sen. John Edwards Would Create A Big Government-Run Health Insurance Program, Paid For By Taxpayers. SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: “No, because the only way to provide universal coverage is to mandate that everyone be covered. But I want to say, you know, I came out with a universal plan several months ago. A couple of months later, Senator Obama came out with a plan. He’s made a very serious proposal, and I’m not casting aspersions on his plan. I think it’s a very serious proposal. It just doesn’t cover everybody. The only way to cover everybody is to mandate it.” (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

Romney’s Vision Of Stronger Families Vs. Out-Of-The-Mainstream Democrats

Gov. Romney Believes A Stronger American Family Leads To A Stronger America. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: “How is the American family made stronger? With marriage before children. With a mother and a father in the life of every child. With healthcare that is affordable and portable. With schools that succeed. With taxes that are lower. And with leaders who strive to demonstrate enduring values and morality.” (Gov. Mitt Romney, Presidential Announcement, Dearborn, MI, 2/13/07)

But Sen. Barack Obama Supports Sex Education For Kindergarteners, And Wrongly Claimed That Gov. Mitt Romney Does, Too. CNN’s ANDERSON COOPER: “Senator Obama, Mitt Romney has accused you this week of saying that 5-year-old children should be getting sex education. Was he right?” SEN. BARACK OBAMA: “Ironically, this was actually a proposal that he himself said he supported when he was running for governor of Massachusetts. … I’ve got a 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old daughter. And I want them to know if somebody is doing something wrong to them, encroaching on their privacy, that they should come talk to me or my wife. And we’ve had that conversation, but not every parent is going to have that conversation with their child, and I think it’s important that every child does, to make sure that they’re not subject to the sexual predators.” (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

- In Fact, Sen. Obama Specifically Called For Sex-Ed In Kindergarten, Which Gov. Romney Did Not Support. “The Romney campaign is saying there is a difference here. Kevin Madden, Romney’s national spokesman says, ‘Obama specifically advocated sex-ed for small children in kindergarten.’ Undaunted today, Romney said the following in South Carolina about Obama: ‘Senator Obama is wrong if he thinks science-based sex education has any place in kindergarten.’” (David Brody, “Kindergarten Cop: Romney Versus Obama,” CBN’s The Brody File, www.cbn.com/CBNnews/198676.aspx, Posted 7/19/07)

- The Legislation Sen. Obama Voted For In Illinois Went Even Further – Calling For STD Prevention To Be Taught In Kindergarten. Illinois Senate Bill 99, which Obama supported in the 93rd Assembly (2003-2004), reads, in part: “…whenever such courses of instruction are provided in any of grades K through 12, then such courses also shall include age appropriate instruction on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV.” (IL General Assembly Website, www.ilga.gov/legislation/, Accessed 7/24/07)

Alright, this week’s news for Bill Richardson could be the political kiss of death. A publication largely viewed as left leaning disses the former governor on his ties to big oil and suggests he is only a VP candidate for the number two spot on the Dems ticket. Eight former members of Congress offer their endorsements and USA Election Polls dot com says they’re going out on a limb to call him the winner in Iowa ‘for this election cycle’.

Bill Richardson: In Big Oil’s Pocket?
He’s got the credentials, the background, and the Western bona fides to be VP material. He promises a “man-on-the-moon program” on energy. There’s just that small matter of who he used to do business with.
James Ridgeway
July 26 , 2007

Despite his populist appeal and a recent bump in the polls that saw him surpass John Edwards in New Hampshire, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, once considered a potential running mate for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, seems destined to find himself once again in the running for the number two job.

Assuming that Richardson’s lackluster debate performances and campaign trail gaffes—during one stump speech he forgot that France was a member of the U.N. Security Council, even though he once served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N.—don’t make him a non-starter, he could be prove a valuable asset to the Democratic nominee.

Ties to oil, money from oil and all the while touting green energy and alternative fuels. Is there a chance hanging around with Al Gore and John Kerry as well as the UN and other corruption building enterprises has made Richardson just another scandal waiting to happen. Being lax on security and favoring amnesty is not a crowd pleaser either. And what’s up with the endorsements and crazed prediction from USA Election Polls?

Former Members of Congress Endorse Governor Bill Richardson for President
For Immediate Release
July 26, 2007 Contact: Pahl Shipley
(505) 982-2291

SANTA FE, NM — Governor Bill Richardson’s campaign momentum continued to rise today with the endorsements of eight distinguished former Members of Congress.

“These distinguished and influential former Members of Congress will help lead my campaign to victory,” said Governor Richardson. “I was honored to serve with many of them when I was in Congress and I am honored to have them join my campaign for a stronger America.”

Together, these former members of Congress represent a large and diverse swath of the country. Their service to society, both in the public and private sectors, is broad and extensive.

“Having represented Arizona in Congress, I know that Governor Richardson shares our Western values. He stands for fiscal responsibility, protection of our environment, and an aggressive move towards energy independence,” said former Congressman and former Arizona Democratic Party Chair Sam Coppersmith of Arizona. “I am excited to help Governor Richardson win in Arizona and across the West.”

“Not only does Governor Richardson have the strongest record on the issues and the boldest vision for the future, he can also win in every part of the country. In his last campaign, he earned almost seventy percent of the vote in the red state of New Mexico. People of all political stripes are attracted to his extraordinary record of public service and his common-sense vision of governance,” said former Congressman Buddy Darden of Georgia. “I will work tirelessly to make sure that the great state of Georgia is with Bill Richardson.”

“Governor Richardson is the strong, decisive leader that our country needs so badly. Of all the candidates, Richardson has the best combination of vision for getting us out of Iraq and turning around our public schools, with the experience and record of accomplishment to implement these important policies,” said former Congressman Bob Carr of Michigan. “He knows how to bring people together to make real progress on the issues that count.”

Please find a list of the former Members of Congress endorsing Governor Richardson today below:

Sam Coppersmith (D-AZ)
Elizabeth Furse (D-OR)
Ken Holland (D-SC)
Ronnie Flippo (D-AL)
Bill Hefner (D-NC)
Buddy Darden (D-GA)
Don Bonker (D-WA)
Bob Carr (D-MI)

from Sam Coopersmith’s blog header:
It’s a wry heat; reality-based commentary on Arizona and national politics. LiberalDesert: Fighting right-wing dry rot for years now. Comments? Email the author, Sam Coppersmith, at scoppersmith at cgsblaw dot com.

One term in the House followed by an unsuccessful bid to the Senate for Arizona in the 90’s.
It appears he ran against Senator Kyl. He of course is a Democrat and expresses his dislike for Senator McCain on his blog. Why would anyone get excited about this endorsement, including Bill Richardson?

some information on:
FURSE, Elizabeth, a Representative from Oregon; born in Nairobi, Kenya, October 13, 1936; B.A., Evergreen State College, 1974; director, Oregon Legal Services restoration program for Native American tribes, 1980-1986; co-founded the Oregon Peace Institute in 1985; co-owner and co-operator of a vineyard; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1993-January 3, 1999); was not a candidate for reelection in 1998 to the One Hundred Sixth Congress.

There was nothing to indicate the remainder of the endorsement list contained any individuals ‘bringing it’ for the candidate. Unless these endorsements represent some power in the Democratic party in terms of delegates or other nomination support, there is nothing in a casual search that would indicate this is any big deal. So what’s the point?

If no one can show me the error of my ways on this topic, the endorsements are window dressing.

For comedic value there is the following information mentioned earlier.

Bill Richardson - Likely to Win Iowa 2008
We are going to go out on a limb six months in advance of the Iowa Caucus to predict that Bill Richardson will win the state of Iowa in this election cycle.

Bill Richardson was at 1.0% in both Iowa and New Hampshire six months ago. Now he is hovering around double digits.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

An earlier post on this blog emphasized the pro-partial birth abortion stance of Obama, Clinton and Edwards. In that post any complication posed for voters on reducing the candidate field to a short list for 2008 was partly simplified. If you oppose the skull crushing procedure known as partial birth abortion, Obama, Clinton or Edwards are not your candidates. Based on the following press release from Bill Richardson, you can take him off the possible list too.

For Immediate Release: 04/18/2007

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Calls Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Ban a “Dangerous Step Backward”

SANTA FE, NM- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s today joined with Americans across the country in criticizing the US Supreme Court decision in the Federal Abortion Ban cases.

“Today the Supreme Court took a dangerous step backward in regard to Americans’ rights to personal choice and privacy,” said Governor Richardson. “In doing so, the Court disregarded the opinion of experienced and respected medical professionals who oppose the ban because there are no exceptions protecting women’s health. While not unexpected, I believe this unfortunate decision is a clear signal that the Supreme Court is opening the door to further challenges to personal medical decisions between patients and doctors that should not involve the government.”

Governor Richardson has consistently opposed any attempt to limit women’s reproductive rights, and as a Congressman voted against similar proposed bans and restrictions on a number of occasions.
“I am concerned, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated so clearly in her dissenting opinion, that this vote could be the beginning of ‘an effort to chip away a right declared again and again by this court’,” added the Governor. I sincerely hope that is not the case.”

More recently, Richardson indicated he has no problem with activist judges as long as they agree with him. In fairness to Richardson it is proper to note the judicial nomination process is full of political maneuvering and no claim of non-partisan nominations would stand. But Richardson’s position takes the absurdity to a new level.

Richardson would ask court nominees about abortion

Associated Press | 06/22/2007
DES MOINES — If he were president, Democrat Bill Richardson said he would ask potential Supreme Court nominees about their view on abortion and reject those who believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

Presidents typically say they don’t ask potential justices about their views on specific cases, but Richardson said Friday that he would make an exception for the landmark 1973 case, which legalized abortions nationally.

“I know I am going to upset some people, but this is what I would ask them,” said Richardson. “I would say, ‘Do you believe that Roe vs Wade is settled law?’ If they say yes, they have a good chance of being picked. If they say no I will not pick them.”

Richardson’s antiwar position as well as a global warming stance rivaling Gore are problematic. His amnesty stance may not even help him with the Latino vote since many Latino Americans have expressed displeasure with illegal immigration and those who unfairly cut in line by breaking the law.

If you don’t support the troops and are in a panic over the idea of global warming, Richardson’s your guy. If you don’t mind crushing the skulls of babies, just like Obama, Clinton and Edwards, Richardson’s your guy. A generic stand on other issues and a preference for amnesty would also make Richardson your guy.

But if you believe in the rule of law, supporting the troops giving unborn babies a chance, take Richardson off your short list. Any one reading this post may wonder why a statement saying all Democrats fall in this group on their positions was omitted. That’s because there is always the chance some Democrat will fall outside the left fringe. Not likely, but it’s possible.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The filing deadline for 2nd quarter campaign finance reports is July 15th. Already there is the pre-deadline chatter about who raised what and candidate reactions or lack of them. One headline said the Democratic candidates were quiet about their 2nd quarter numbers. A quick visit to their campaign sites found Obama’s news section referring to a report that his campaign raised $32.5 million through the small donor strategy. Without analyzing, debating or arguing the details, if that is accurate one must say that Barack Obama’s campaign turned in a stellar fund raising performance for quarter two.

The Clinton website had no such announcement or news item. The reasons for that are unknown but one has to imagine if her money machine had done better the news would be out there. Richardson had no announcement or news item but a headline indicates he came in fourth in fund raising. Coming in fourth in a three person race speaks for itself. But Richardson can take heart that Edwards did report results on his website and $9 million compared to Richardson’s $7 million adjusts the relative strength of the lower tier money game.

The first quarter results had Mitt Romney out front which he won’t be this time according to reports. His $23 million numbers last quarter included a loan of about $3 million so the net raised is more like $20 million and this quarter’s estimate is just short of that meaning a flat trend line. McCain will miss his $10 million goal which puts him in the Edwards and Richardson club. There’s not much out there on Giuliani’s 2nd quarter but his first was around $15 million and unless he surprises like Obama this quarter his numbers will likely be about the same as quarter one.

If Obama’s large cash pile for quarter two is truly from small donors does that mean deep pocket contributors are not interested? If he in fact relied on small donors this time around can he expect a similar result for quarter three? At an average of 50 bucks per donation and 250000 donors would raise 12 1/2 million. He raised $32.5 million so the breakdown would be interesting to see. A wild guess would suggest a mixed bag of large and small donors.

It is no surprise that Edwards, McCain and Richardson are in the single digit millions category. As predicted here before, those three won’t make it to the conventions. Similarly, it is only a matter of time before the Brownbacks, Dodds and other lower tier candidates fall off the 2008 landscape. It is still a battle for supremacy between Clinton and Obama on the left and Thompson, Romney and Giuliani on the right. Nothing else really matters and is only the sideshow in this circus.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Friday, June 29, 2007
New York Senator Hillary Clinton, the front runner for the Democratic Presidential nomination is viewed as politically liberal by 47% of American voters. While that’s down from 55% a month ago, it’s still higher than the percentage of voters who see her major opponents as politically liberal. Just 42% say that former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is politically liberal while 41% say that label applies to Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

from MoreWhat.com:
This is strange enough but the entire report at Rasmussen rates how conservatives, ‘moderates’ and liberals view the Queen of Cringe in terms of political leanings. It would be more accurate to rank her as not conservative, moderate or liberal. HRC is not concerned with the agenda of any political persuasion. She is only concerned about HRC. To say whatever is deemed necessary to enter the White House is it. There is no other agenda. Get in the White House and try to rule the planet HRC style.

For 2008, the GOP in Congress is probably going to lose some more members in light of events since the midterms. The Democratic majority has been so pitiful since the midterms they will lose some members also. Net effect, to early to tell who will be the majority next time.

For President, your choices on the Dems side are too risky. No explanation should be necessary in terms of HRC. The personal and political history are enough of a reason for an informed voter to reject Hillary Rodham Clinton. While Barack Obama has some staunch support from a wide audience it is probable he will not be able to win enough key states to win the nomination. Plus it is his first time out and coupled with the limited experience chances are slim. Edwards and Richardon will suffer from fund raising difficulties indicating their limited support. Edwards will do better than Richardson in the first primary or two. But they will both fail.

So your only choice is on the GOP side of the world. McCain’s bid is essentially over though he denies it and never really got started after a pathetic open with little attention paid to fund raising. Alienating deep pocket contributors from the past and taking hard stands on Iraq and illegal immigration were the stake in the heart. Giuliani will likewise succumb to liberal attitudes and history shortcomings after an intense attempt to rebuild his image and look Presidential. Brownback and others will go the way of most 2nd tier candidates and the final contest will be between Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney. If Thompson’s strategy does not betray him he may have an edge over Romney. If the success of his strategy does not launch him to the stars after the annoying delays of an announcement, if it ever comes, Romney may have won enough from early spending, continued fund raising success and victories in the early states to make it a convention fight for the nomination.

Barring a massive scandal or two on either side of the Presidential race for 2008, Romney or Thompson will likely face Clinton or Obama in the election. The Dems will lose again and begin the mourning and another allegation of voting fraud and a stolen election. The GOP victor will face a first term with another slim Democratic majority in Congress. But the GOP members of Congress will have seen the error of their party ways and provide even more difficulties for the Dems and retake the majority in the midterms following the 2008 election.

Go ahead, suggest that this is not a probable outcome over the next few years.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Richardson for President, Inc.
June 28, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At tonight’s Democratic Presidential debate moderated by Tavis Smiley, Governor Bill Richardson showed again that he is the candidate with the boldest vision and the strongest record to lead America forward. This was the first Democratic Presidential debate that the important issue of education was specifically discussed by each of the Presidential candidates and in Richardson’s response he made it clear that as President he would make it a priority.

from MoreWhat.com:
‘Richardson Gives Strong Debate Performance at PBS Debate in Washington, DC’ is what you say?
Not if you listened to Shields and Lowry on the day following this press release. Imagine that. The ‘debate’ was on PBS and so are Shields and Lowry. There impression was unfortunately that Hillary Rodham Clinton turned in the best performance. And that it wasn’t a debate, more like a group press conference but that is not a direct quote but the meaning is the same.

The upside on the Hillary Rodham Clinton appraisal is that it wasn’t a debate and it was more like a speech or press conference and that is why scripted HRC was in her element and ‘appearing’ better than the others. She is good at presenting scripted campaign messages that alone are worthless.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

June 28, 2007
SANTA FE, NM — Democratic Presidential candidate Governor Bill Richardson released the following statement today on the failure of the Senate to push the immigration bill forward:

“I am deeply disappointed. You can’t solve a problem by ignoring it. We have got to find a way to bridge the divide and bring people together to address the critical problems facing our nation — immigration, energy, healthcare, education.

“This is the price America pays for divisive leadership. Congress should continue to work on passing immigration reform.”

Paid for by Richardson for President, Inc.

from MoreWhat.com:
You’re disappointed? And who ignored the problem? Possibly the single largest public response to legislation on both sides of the issue since the seventies. Being unable to reach agreement for a legislative solution is not ignoring the problem. After the ‘holiday’ recess and no further action you can call it ignoring the problem. Bridge the divide? You don’t seriously expect to find consensus on this issue, do you? This is one of those we win, you lose contests, genius. The idea being illegals need to remove themselves from this country or have it done for them. You’ll bring people together in their countries of origin as well as Americans in this country once that is done. Other suggestions merely cater to business greed disguised as an economic problem.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com