I'll Take Florida to Block

Still Redneck After All These Years.

Congratulations to South Carolina for proving that despite electing TEA Party favorites, such as the likes of Tim Scott and Nikki Haley, the good ol' boy voting block is as dense as ever. And I don’t mean dense in a nice way. Last week, after losing to Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich boasted about his Georgian roots and ability to connect with voters in SC. Well, connect he did, claiming 40+% of the vote. Perhaps the only other tactic that could have garnered more favor would have been adding a Confederate flag to his logo. Yeehaw!

In recent years, SC's TEA Party has broken through both gender and race barriers, ousting politicians that were stereotypical thugs whose personas were likely used to model authority figures in Burt Reynolds films…if you're old enough, you might remember Buford T. Justice, or the warden from the original Longest Yard. Yup, the self-serving, corrupt, power-abusing, fox-in-charge-of-the-hen-house white guys. Oh, well, SC, so long as you ain't votin' for no moderate Yankee, you kin be proud when yer 'ol boy scares off that thar independent-thinkin' group in the general election.

OMG, and did he really say that?!?! Gingrich, on Meet The Press yesterday, positioned himself as the Washington outsider and Mitt Romney as the "establishment candidate." Really? That's like barrack hussein obama positioning himself as life-long, self-made, businessman success story. We all want to see obama handed his ass in a Newt-style debate smackdown, but every vote for Newt is a shortsighted expression of anger. Just sayin', who is more likely to fix the economy once in office, a politician that barks harsh words at the house and senate, or a Dale Carnegie-style approach of winning friends and influencing people?

Still Batshit Crazy After All These Years

What could Ron Paul possibly be thinking? He has no chance of doing anything more than securing his rabid 20% anywhere he goes. So, why spend millions on an ultimately go-nowhere campaign? 

Here's a thought…Rand Paul. Could dad be gearing up to be a spoiler? Now, if Newt gets the nomination, most Republicans will fall in line to support him, but the centrists, moderates and Independents will likely not vote, or go back to obama. Should that be the case, then Paul need not do anything further to help his kid. So, if Newt wins in Florida, my bet is that Paul will drop out, because obama is in for four more and Rand makes his run in 2016 to a decimated country...assuming we still have the right to vote.

If, however, FL goes to Romney, Ron Paul runs as an Independent, splitting the vote, a lå Ross Perot, obama wins and Rand is again set to run in 2016. In this scenario, though, Paul is counting on America's short memory, and that he won't tarnish his family name. But considering how quickly people in this country reverted to a 9/10/01 mentality, it's not a huge gamble.

Still Mitt After All These Debates (Better Not Be)

If Romney wants to stand any chance moving forward, he has to get aggressive. Big time. First, he has to release a decade or more of his tax returns and get ready for the heat he'll take for being rich. Second, this goofy country has to wake up and realize that being rich is a GOOD thing! We should celebrate success, not apologize for it, but here comes the politically correct 99%er police to stomp on any notion that one person should have any more then someone else.

C'mon, Mitt, grow a pair, and take a lesson from the Reagan playbook…communicate. Gingrich has an outstanding staff of writers, and crafts sound bytes that bring moments of astounding clarity. For example, equating 99 weeks of unemployment benefit handouts to earning an associates degree. And while you're at it, Mitt, find a way to give a simple tax lesson that explains the difference between 15% capital gains and 35% federal income tax. Simple being the operative word—I used to live in FL, trust me on that tidbit of advice.

Still Milquetoast After All His Life

Rick Santorum simply isn't a factor, but Newt will enjoy a speedbump of a swell when he receives Santorum's endorsement. Yawn.

Lovin' the Spin you're In

If you think Romney's tax issues are a moot point, because he's promised to release 2010 and an estimate of 2011 tomorrow, just tune into the liberal media bias flagship of morning programs, the TODAY Show. Chuck Todd already pointed out that it appears Romney has something to hide. Considering Chuck can't keep his eyes open during his reports, if he can see it, odds are other left-wingers can, too. The fat lady isn’t singing about this one yet.

Breaking the 11th Commandment

Glass Houses
Much to the delight, no doubt, of the obama reelection machine, the Republican field is redistributing its wealth. With every attack line, sound byte, image and video clip belittling Mitt Romney and Bain Capital, David Axelrod and company must feel like they've been handed a fortune in Republican hide for doing nothing more than letting the MSM manipulate and bully.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with contrasting differences between yourself and your opponent—it's an absolute necessity during a campaign. In recent days, however, superPAC and candidate-endorsed attack ads have become downright vitriolic. We all heard Newt Gingrich seemingly whine about the Romney superPAC ads heading into New Hampshire, and now Newt, as well as Rick Perry are airing ads attacking Romney as a "vulture capitalist" and "untrustworthy."

One of the more popular images to help portray Romney as a corporate raider is from his days at Bain Capital. The image, according to the Boston Globe, as reported by The Atlantic.com, states, "After posing for a company-brochure photo, Romney and his Bain associates snapped [the photo] again with $10 and $20 bills. Romney led Bain Capital to grow from a staff of seven managing $37 million to a staff of 115 managing $4 billion." 

A Picture Speaks
Now, the image is an obvious tongue-in-cheek moment of a successful group of professionals capturing a light-hearted moment at a peak of performance…who hasn't seen the stereotype image of someone rolling in a pile of cash after hitting a jackpot? Venture capital is big bucks. Big rewards follow big risk. So here's a celebratory moment illustrating the business savviness of the group.

Were this an image of Romney while serving as Governor of Massachusetts, or any of the career politicians in the race, I'd have a problem with it, because in that circumstance, it'd be taxpayer (yours and mine) dollars in their mouths, hands, etc. So lambasting a businessman for money seemingly falling out of his ass is a stupid argument. Period.

Glass Houses Part Duex
Our favorite obamaites were back on their MSM stump this morning, this time highlighting the Homes of the Rich and Infamous. The TODAY Show news reader turned anchor, Ann Curry introduces a segment she calls, "an unusual look at the GOP presidential field," asking the question, "What can you tell about them from their current homes?" Curry then introduces NBC Contributor, Barbara Corcoran, who has compiled her report, based on idea from New York Times Magazine…so you just know it's gonna' be good.

Before even delving into the segment, Barbara spoils the ending by giving Curry the answer which she seeks…"You can learn that they're all very, very rich" says Corcoran.

In brief, the segment highlights Mitt Romney's $10 million, lakeside home, though Curry points out it's only one of six homes…and Corcoran points out that the $10 million price tag is "…just for this one home."

On to Ron Paul's relatively modest 4/5 ranch in Texas, which he is offering for sale at $325k, for which Barbara offers the analysis that its statement on Ron Paul is, "Hey, I'm just a regular guy." She then goes on to point out that he mustn't be a very good delegator, since he has time to sell it himself and gives him some tips on curb appeal to boot.

And make no mistake, Jon Huntsman's home, a beautiful brownstone, is a mansion…again, Corcoran was emphatic on that point. Then, as if it has anything to do with anything, she goes off on a tangent about his parent's opulent home in Utah.

Newt? Well, high praise for his real estate savviness, as Newt bought his home for under $1 million in 1995 in an area of Virginia that touts itself as the land of high influence, surrounded by power brokers.

Rick Santorum lives in, as Barbara puts it, "the most affluent town in America, bar none." And she's quick to point out, in a house that says, "I am rich."

And poor displaced Rick Perry, having to endure temporary digs while the Texas governor's mansion undergoes renovation…his flat? Only a $10k/month, three-acre estate that is so exclusive, even Barbara couldn't get a photo, though she showed one nonetheless.

Lovin' the Spin You're In
Okay, so NBC, we get it….every soul in the Republican field is Rich, with a capital "R." Now, aside from Mitt Romney and Dr. Ron Paul who both worked for a living outside of the government, what does that tell us about the remaining field?

Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and even the almighty b. hussein obama, all got capital "R" Rich as public servants! None of them have worked a day as a professional in any career—not a day—in their adult lives to earn a dollar. Every penny in their coffers has come from your pocket, or mine….assuming you're one of the 53% of Americans that actually pays taxes.

Welcome to 2012 Reelection Palooza

obama Cheerleaders—Um um um
Media bias is hugely entertaining, so long as you're able to decipher what's news and what's opinion in any given report. This is particularly true of the "Mainstream media" (MSM). In particular, NBC is at the top of the deception game.

In this morning's political review on the TODAY Show, Ann Curry—former news-reader made co-anchor of the program—bantered with Carl Quintanilla about the strengthening economy and jobs recovery. In a classic "heads, I win; tails, you lose" fashion, Curry beat the drum of an 8.5% unemployment number showing obama-nomics (intentionally lower case "o") as the answer to the nation's woes.

While there was a brief mention that the lower number may be the result of holiday seasonal hiring and/or millions of people having dropped out of the job market, both commentators made clear that the economic news is ultimately good. Furthermore, it was suggested that should unemployment numbers worsen in days to come, it's merely another sign that obama is fixing the economy. For, you see, when those that have simply given up on finding a job realize that the economy is indeed fixed, they'll be back on the job hunt, artificially swelling the unemployment percentage.

And get ready...this is only the tip of the re-election iceberg. In the wings is a housing bailout that will dwarf any welfare program in the history of mankind. The obama administration is gearing up to forgive mortgage debt. Big time.

Buying 2012
The plan will allow for every homeowner with a Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) mortgage to refinance his or her mortgage with a new mortgage at a current fixed of 4.20 percent or less. To qualify, the homeowner must be current on his or her mortgage or become so for at least three months. Other than being current, there are no other qualifications or applications—no appraisal, no income verification, no tax returns. Period.

Remember before the 2008 election, the uneducated expected to line up to receive their "obama money" once he was inaugurated? Those same ones that walked into clinics demanding healthcare the day he signed obamacare into law? Well, now you get to pay for the homes of those who purchased outside their means and have managed to stay afloat…for three consecutive months, anyway. Who wouldn't vote for the promise of a free mortgage reduction? The good news is that once again, the Nanny State steps up to prevent the masses from having to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

The MSM has yet to report on the "mortgage forgiveness," but when they do, it surely will be made to sound as innocuous as a school lunch program change. In the meantime, TODAY and Nightly News will continue to interweave stories of global warming and Christian nut-jobs and the Royal Family (can anyone tell me why they're even in the headlines daily?) into the "news" they report.

It's hard to fathom that there are those out there who believe what they're told by the likes of Lauer, Currey, Guthrie, Mitchell, Williams, Holt, etc., and take their word as fact-based truth. However, if you rely upon multiple sources for information, the bias becomes easier and easier to pick out…to the point that it becomes comical, at least for me.

Changeless and Hopeless
Back to the 2012 election—another favorite tactic of the MSM is to portray the Republican field as weak and divided. Not true. First, though the field has narrowed, we have some excellent choices, from moderately conservative Romney, to far-right Rick Perry. It's unfortunate Michele Bachmann decided to drop out, and I respect her for not allowing the MSM to catch her in a single "Palin moment." Despite the best efforts of the MSM to belittle her, when they couldn't, they resorted to the lowest of tactics…an unflattering image with the caption "Queen of Rage" on a Newsweek cover. Obviously, despite their best efforts, it just didn't stick.

For all of the hoopla from the MSM about a rift between GOP and TEA Partiers, they seem to forget the chasm between obama and Hillary a few years ago. The next few weeks will be interesting as events play out. I will say that I am slightly disappointed in Newt for whining about attack ads…despite the violation of Reagan's 11th Commandment, they're par for the course. And though I like Newt and could easily back him for president, if his baggage is going to be his undoing, then better to have it happen now, than in the general election.

Lovin' the Spin You're In
In wrapping up this first commentary, I'll close by saying I'll be fascinated to see how the MSM spins the premature troop evacuation and subsequent increase in violence in Iraq, the gutting of the US military budget (well, we already know part of the spin here…we're a lean, mean fighting' machine), and especially the increasing threats of both North Korea and Iran.

Last week, Iran issued a direct threat to the US, stating that they would take action if the U.S. Navy moves an aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf. Thus far, the official reaction from D.C. has been to dismiss the threat. Well, maybe, if like the terrorists and War On Terror (a.k.a. Overseas Contingency Operation) we just ignore it, it'll go away.