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Friday, January 20, 2012

The Foundation

"Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be." --John Adams

Government & Politics

The Campaign Trail: GOP Race Is Still a Race

For a week with no presidential primary contests so far -- South Carolina's is on Saturday -- this week sure saw a lot of action in the GOP field. Two governors dropped out, the frontrunner took a beating, and the challenger took the lead in a South Carolina poll while another woman went public with her grievances against that candidate. Oh, and we learned that certain Iowans can't count. Nothing like another week in politics.

First, the dropouts. Jon Huntsman ended his campaign for the White House on Monday, further winnowing the GOP field. Huntsman, whose most recent government gig was as Barack Obama's ambassador to China, never gained momentum despite (or rather because of) the positive attention he received from the Leftmedia. His record as Utah governor was respectably conservative, but for some reason he spent his time belittling the conservative base with various offensive remarks seemingly designed to distance him from the very voters whose support he needed. It worked, and that's why he's going home. He quickly endorsed Mitt Romney, something the latter hasn't been quick to tout.

Rick Perry added his name to the former candidate roster on Thursday, acknowledging that his dismal showings in Iowa and New Hampshire and similar prospects in South Carolina and Florida left him with "no viable path to victory," as he put it in a gracious concession speech. The conservative Texas governor threw his support behind Newt Gingrich, calling the former House speaker a "conservative visionary who can transform our country." It's not at all clear, however, that Perry's supporters will rally around Gingrich. What his pullout does is leave Gingrich and Rick Santorum battling for the same conservative votes. Ron Paul, of course, remains a factor, but Perry's withdrawal helps him least of all.

In Iowa, the vote certification process became a certified disaster. Santorum lost to Romney by eight votes on Jan. 3, but it turns out that in a district-by-district tally, he now leads Romney by 34 votes and could ultimately come out ahead. Yet the results from eight precincts are missing and will never be recovered and certified, meaning we'll never know who really won. What we do know is that this episode further highlights the absurdity of Iowa having so much weight at the beginning of the primary process. It also means that if Gingrich can pull off a win in South Carolina, Romney will have truly won only in New Hampshire.

Speaking of Gingrich, his ex-wife -- the second one -- interviewed with ABC to give her side of their divorce story. We'll spare readers the sordid he-said-she-said details here, but suffice it to say that the ugly and hypocritical picture she paints of Newt is coming from a very hurt ex-wife, who also happens to be a sympathetic figure giving a believable account happily exploited by the Leftmedia. But there is little we haven't heard before, and it remains to be seen how it will affect Gingrich's run. For his part, Rick Perry had this to say: "The fact is, there is forgiveness for those who seek God, and I believe in the power of redemption, for it is a central tenet of my own Christian faith."

Finally, the slate of candidates pursued Romney to release his tax returns. Romney says he will release them in April, and that he paid a tax rate "probably closer to the 15 percent rate than anything," because most of his income is on investments taxed as capital gains. Contrary to media mythology, however, IRS data show that's still more than 97 percent of Americans pay. Romney doesn't "owe" an explanation for the size of his fortune. However, if he wants to defeat Barack Obama's classist rhetoric, he best get this information on the table now, and frame it in the proper free-enterprise context, though he has failed to do so in any remarks or debates thus far. It creates a problem of perception for a "rich white guy" taking on the president.

That said, the administration's pre-emptive attacks on Romney's record at Bain are ringing hollow. Obama's new Office of Management and Budget director is a Bain alumnus, and Democrats are the recipients of the vast majority of donations from Bain employees.

All in all, the race appears to be more fluid this week than last, and there wasn't even a primary. It's had more than its fair share of twists and turns, so stay tuned for more.

Share your thoughts on this busy campaign week.

News From the Swamp: SOPA/PIPA Draw Big Opposition

Members of the House and Senate are looking to put the brakes on new Internet anti-piracy legislation that may do more harm than good. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) bill in the House, and its Senate companion, the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), were drawn up to prevent the theft of intellectual property over the web by foreign entities. Both bills have strong backing from Hollywood and other media companies, but there is growing concern that they go too far in enforcing their mandate.

The legislation would give the government unchecked power to shut down domestic websites alleged to have committed or even enabled online piracy. The ability to illegally distribute someone else's content over the web is a genuine problem, but this legislation would change copyright law so as to hold websites accountable for third-party content posted on their sites through comment forums and the like. Think Facebook or YouTube, and you can understand that these bills are a solution worse than the problem.

In the face of widespread Internet backlash -- numerous websites "blacked out" Wednesday in protest -- several senators did an about-face. So far this week, 16 Republicans and two Democrats, including seven co-sponsors, announced new opposition. Even the Obama administration expressed reservations.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a former cosponsor, said there are "legitimate concerns about the impact the bill could have on access to the Internet and about a potentially unreasonable expansion of the federal government's power to impact the Internet." He urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to "avoid rushing through a bill that could have many unintended consequences." Reid actually listened and postponed the vote. The House is doing likewise.

(For a fascinating "SOPA 101" explanation, go here.)

Hope 'n' Change: Reorganizing for Re-Election

Barack Obama launched his latest effort to bolster his re-election bid this week when he asked Congress for even greater smoke-and-mirror authority to "reorganize" the government. The would-be government organizer is seeking "consolidation authority" for six agencies related to the economy and business, including eliminating the Commerce Department and replacing it with a new unnamed department -- which doesn't get rid of anything. He also plans to make the Small Business Administration a cabinet-level agency. See, he does care about small business! Obviously, Obama realizes that his unprecedented expansion of government through the health care takeover, financial overregulation and an explosion of spending that dampened the economic recovery are contributing to his poor poll numbers, and, therefore, a little tidying up is in order. In reality, his proposal is little more than lipstick on a pig.

New & Notable Legislation

"The House voted Wednesday to reject President Barack Obama's request to raise the federal debt limit by $1.2 trillion," reports The Wall Street Journal, "a symbolic act designed to let lawmakers oppose the increase while letting it take effect." In August, the White House and Congress reached an agreement under which the debt ceiling automatically rises incrementally. The latest increase requested by the president will kick in despite the House's vote because opponents needed to reach a two-thirds majority in both houses, and failed to do so. The Senate will likely pass the increase.

From the Left: Newsweek Wonders Why You're So Dumb

The latest issue of bird-cage-liner, Newsweek magazine, features a cover story by foul-mouthed faux-conservative pundit Andrew Sullivan entitled, "Why are Obama's Critics So Dumb?" The gist of the piece is that anyone who disagrees with the president must be intellectually inferior. Readers may recall that Sullivan wrote a hit piece during the 2008 presidential campaign suggesting that Sarah Palin's son Trig was actually her daughter Bristol's baby. There was never any proof to substantiate the wild claim, but proof meant nothing to Sullivan then, and neither facts nor sound analysis are stopping him now. This time he gleefully pushes the leftist orthodoxy that Newsweek has embraced since 2008, namely that Obama is above reproach. In fact, Obama as a candidate and president has been featured so many times on the magazine's cover that people now often refer to it as "Obamaweek."

Second Amendment: The 'Fast and Furious' Excuse

More evidence that the "Fast and Furious" weapons scheme was simply a cover for more draconian gun laws came last week as a federal court upheld onerous reporting requirements imposed on nearly 9,000 firearms dealers in four states that border Mexico. These regulations went into effect last July.

We also learned that a similar operation to Fast and Furious was conducted around the same time, and with similar results -- weapons smuggled into Mexico, where the government lost track of them. Operation White Gun targeted nine members of the Sinaloa drug cartel when it was first rolled out in the fall of 2009. Despite the fact that cartel members were willing to fall into the trap set by ATF agents, however, only three arrests and convictions were made in the case and none of those convicted were among the nine original targets.

Yet the botched operations still had their intended effect of providing a perfect excuse for the new reporting requirements. On the other side, two congressional efforts were made to relieve gun shop owners, and one is still in play. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) couldn't prohibit the use of funds to enforce the reporting requirements via an appropriations amendment in the House, but Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Richard Burr (R-NC) still have a bill pending that would prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking certain gun sales. S.570 is currently languishing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by socialist Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Economy

Regulatory Commissars: Keystone Cop Out

Team Yes-We-Can said "No we can't" this week to the Keystone XL pipeline. Well, make that, they kind of, sort of did -- but more on the "no-that-means-yes-maybe" rejection in a moment. First, recall that this is a proposed $7 billion, 40,000-job-producing pipeline from Canada to Texas refineries and the Gulf of Mexico that would help reduce America's dependence on oil from our Middle East "friends." In typical parliamentary sleight-of-hand that a weary American public has seen too often, the administration through its State Department vassals kicked the can still further down the road on that application. Citing "environmental concerns" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the rejection nonetheless permits the Canadian firm, TransCanada Pipeline, to reapply after developing alternate routing in Nebraska to remedy "sensitive-habitat" concerns.

The interesting wrinkle is that Barack Obama, still firmly beholden to envirofascists, continues proving himself greasier than even the pipeline's oil, by giving Congress the Heisman stiff-arm (more accurately, the stiff finger) on its law requiring him to make a decision on Keystone. Since the rejection is technically a "rejection," the Executive Clown Act has technically "decided," fulfilling the letter of the law. However, since the door remains open for reapplication pending development of the alternate route, the rejection is really just semantics, not substance. In other words, Obama voted "present" yet again.

Of course, this Road Runner-vs-Wile-E-Coyote escape perfectly highlights how Republican leaders in Congress continually demonstrate their keen ability to never blow an opportunity to blow an opportunity. The vain hope that caving on the 60-day "payroll tax holiday" bill in exchange for a bill provision that would force the president to make an up-or-down call on Keystone XL proved once again how pathetically malleable these "leaders" are in Obama's hands. Now if Republicans want to force Obama into a decision on the new application, they will have to do so through yet another bill -- one unlikely to pass through both chambers and be signed by the president without more concessions and unchecked Democrat spending, if history is any guide.

All of these antics have underwhelmed a nonplussed Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who will travel to China next month to discuss "Northern Gateway" options to export oil to China in light of continued U.S. stall tactics (so Canadian oil will likely end up in China rather than America). Harper noted that the U.S. should prefer to deal with a "friendly neighbor" to help meet its energy needs and to create thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, it's obvious we're in an election year, as the administration just released a report touting its ardent support for natural gas "fracking" and fossil fuels. Apparently, however, the Hope-&-Changelings have lost their fracking minds, because for the past three years they have done nothing but try to destroy these industries, from $40 billion tax hikes to EPA over-regulation and meddling to Interior Department foot-dragging on permits. In any case, one thing is for sure: this is yet another Keystone Cop Out.

How will rejecting Keystone affect jobs and energy?

Quotes of the Week

"[T]he fact is that more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history. Now, I know among the politically correct, you're not supposed to use facts that are uncomfortable. ... I believe every American of every background has been endowed by their creator with the right to pursue happiness. And if that makes liberals unhappy, I'm going to continue to find ways to help poor people learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job and learn some day to own the job." --Newt Gingrich in the debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Since Obama's inauguration, the food stamp rolls have increased by 18 million to a total of 46.2 million people. The annual cost in 2011 was $75.3 billion. The rolls increased dramatically under George W. Bush as well, but Obama's increase is almost four times Bush's rate. The White House characterized Gingrich's assertion as "crazy," but the culture of dependency fostered by this administration is not crazy. It's despicable.

In Thursday night's debate, Gingrich had another zinger: "Why is President Obama for young people being allowed to stay on their parents' insurance until 26? Because he can't get any jobs for them to go out and buy their own insurance. I have an offer to the parents of America: elect us, and your kids will be able to move out because they'll have work."

European Downgrade

After warning 15 of the 17 euro-zone countries of potential downgrades, last week Standard & Poor's dropped debt ratings for nine of these nations, including France, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. "In our view," S&P said, "the policy initiatives that have been taken by European policy makers in recent weeks may be insufficient to fully address ongoing systemic stresses in the euro zone." In France's case, not only does the dip from triple-A to AA+ mark the second time in fewer than six months that S&P downgraded a major triple-A nation (the U.S. in August marking the first) but it also portends poorly for the euro zone's bailout fund, which is reliant on member nations for its own triple-A rating.

French Prime Minister Francois Baroin tried to downplay the downgrade, announcing, "It is not ratings agencies that dictate French policy. It is clearly [related to] the governance of the euro zone and to its instability." Perhaps. But still, the "from each according to his abilities to each according to his needs" philosophy that's had the stronger euro zone nations propping up the weaker ones falls short when the stronger nations themselves face mounting debt. Also, as The Wall Street Journal points out, none of this is particularly shocking: "Like the U.S. downgrade last summer, the rating changes themselves don't tell the world or the markets anything they didn't already know." What the changes do tell the world, though, is that policy makers still refuse to make the budget decisions required to avoid the nosedive towards economic catastrophe.

Income Redistribution: Fed to Print Even More Money?

After two unsuccessful attempts by the Federal Reserve to revive the U.S. economy through quantitative easing -- i.e., printing more money -- there is a plan on the table to do it again. As the Fed prepares to fire up the printing presses, we are reminded of its original plan to save the housing market by keeping interest rates low. The plan was flawed in that it overlooked the sea of uncertainty surrounding the high unemployment rate, taxation and health care reform. To expect people to buy homes in such a climate, regardless of interest rates, is absurdly hopeful; yet the government is willing to continue throwing good money after bad.

Some might say that the federal government does not understand that it is hurting, not helping, Americans when it buries businesses and individuals under mountains of regulatory red tape and oppressive bureaucracy. Others, however, make the case that the current administration knows exactly what it's doing: breaking the back of free enterprise to ensure that we are more dependent on the federal government. Throwing cash at us is just another attempt to lull us into complacency.

Security

Department of Military Readiness: Stealth Space Treaty in the Works?

The Obama administration this week appeared to reverse its previous declaration that it would not enter into an EU-proposed "Code of Conduct" for outer space. Just last week Ellen Tauscher, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, said bluntly, "We're not going along with the Code of Conduct," explaining that it was too restrictive on the United States. This week, however, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States will join the Europeans in forming a new Code of Conduct. Clinton didn't specify what changes were required before the United States would sign on, leading many to suspect a new Code of Conduct's fine print might be a backdoor to a cherished liberal dream: "de-weaponizing" space, i.e. preventing the United States from using space for any military purpose.

We are cautiously optimistic that the administration will live up to the terms of its own Space Policy, which says inter alia the United States shall: "Develop capabilities, plans, and options to deter, defend against, and, if necessary, defeat efforts to interfere with or attack U.S. or allied space systems; Maintain the capabilities to execute the space support, force enhancement, space control, and force application missions; Develop, obtain, and operate space capabilities to support strategic goals, intelligence priorities, and assigned tasks." (The full text of the 2010 Space Policy can be read here.) And we note the Senate is unlikely to ratify any treaty that might include backdoor language or loopholes that could be used to cripple the military use of space (notwithstanding its 2010 ratification of the abhorrent New Start Treaty). Nonetheless, this is an issue that requires close scrutiny, lest the Obama administration intentionally hamstring U.S. space options in the name of "peaceful use of space."

Warfront With Jihadistan: Taliban Takeout

Even as the Obama regime continues its withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, the U.S. military continues to take the fight to the jihadis. Reports surfaced this week that the Pakistani Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, may have been droned to death by a U.S. missile strike. The claim that Mehsud was sent to his virgins came from officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. They said that a number of Taliban radio conversations had been intercepted, and in a half dozen of those intercepts the jihadis openly discussed whether Mehsud was killed on Jan. 12 in the North Waziristan tribal area. In the conversations some terrorists confirmed Mehsud was dead while another criticized his comrades for talking openly about it over the radio.

This is not the first time that we have had reports of Mehsud's death. Two years ago, the U.S. believed that it had killed Mehsud in a drone strike only to have him resurface in Taliban videos in 2010 and 2011. Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told reporters that reports of Mehsud's death were false, saying, "There is no truth in reports about his death. However, he is a human being and can die any time. He is a mujahid and we wish him martyrdom." Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Mehsud's undeadness. Still, we do agree with Ehsan and truly hope that this time U.S. forces helped Mehsud attain his "martyrdom."

TSA Comes Clean ... Sort Of

Last December, we reported that an elderly woman was humiliated by TSA screeners at New York's JFK airport when they insisted that she pull down her waistband to show her colostomy bag. TSA's initial response was to deny everything but also claim that agents were just following protocol.

This week, however, the feds finally admitted that their agents went too far. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Betsy Markey wrote to New York State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), "It is not standard operating procedure for colostomy devices to be visually inspected, and [the TSA] apologizes for this employee's action." While Markey still maintains that the agents didn't conduct a strip-search, the woman disagrees. "It's obvious that something went wrong, so its nice to see the TSA admit that their procedures were violated," Gianaris said, "but they're still falling short of admitting that [her] dignity was violated."

Share your favorite TSA experience.

Culture

Faith and Family: Roe v. Wade Turns 39

Sunday marks the 39th anniversary of the most tragic Supreme Court decision in American history, Roe v. Wade. The primary issue remains the right to life affirmed in our Declaration of Independence -- a right tragically denied to the more than 50 million unborn babies who have been sacrificed on the altar of "choice" since 1973.

It has always been evident to us, scientifically, morally and logically, that life begins at conception. For the last word on the matter, we consult our Creator's guidebook. The Psalmist wrote, "For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother's womb." He then noted, "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Imago Dei!

Around the Nation: OWS Like the Rest of Us -- Broke

Just as they're exhorted to prepare for a spring series of protests of Republican-sponsored budget cuts, it seems that the 99 percenters of Occupy Wall Street are burning through their cash so quickly that they had to make cuts of their own, electing to freeze spending on new projects but continuing to pay basic expenses. In short, the Occupy movement is facing the very problem that will be vexing the legislators they're urged to protest against. Funds donated for their use, once in excess of $700,000, are now down to about $170,000.

If that isn't enough to bring a chuckle, consider this: Nancy Pelosi recently claimed "[Democrats] don't really have much of a connection with the Occupy [protesters.]" Pelosi belongs to the same group -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- that last fall urged its backers to sign a petition supporting the goals of the Occupy movement.

So in the winter of their discontent, as law enforcement across the country evicts them from their squalid encampments in public squares and cold weather drives all but the hardiest of their group indoors, the Occupy movement is also learning the hard truth that most of the rest of us already know: eventually you run out of other people's money. Using that fresh cadre of volunteers willing to spend days or weeks camping out (and doing other less savory things) is motivating groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America to figure out ways to occupy the Occupy movement and use it to hasten the statist utopia of their dreams. Act two is certain to be performed this coming spring, but time will tell if the sequel does as well as the original.

Do you buy what Nancy Pelosi is selling?

From the 'Non Compos Mentis' File: A Change to King's Legacy

Apparently the cause of civil rights is bigger than one man, except when Martin Luther King's memory is needed to bash the opposition. At an MLK celebration in Columbia, South Carolina, Attorney General Eric Holder blasted Republicans who believe that voting should be added to the list of everyday actions requiring a photo ID. Holder's Justice Department recently blocked a South Carolina law requiring ID for voters, calling it an unfair burden on minority voters. He also vowed to fight measures he deemed would make voting "less accessible."

Fellow Obama administration official Valerie Jarrett was more blunt in her criticism of the GOP -- from a church pulpit, no less -- singling out Republicans in Congress for placing the jobs of teachers, firefighters and policemen "in jeopardy." Rev. Raphael Warnock, the pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church where Jarrett spoke at the Sunday service, added that he anticipated another campaign that would feature "race baiting" by Newt Gingrich and other Republicans against Barack Obama.

Nor was the King Memorial in Washington, DC, exempt from the burnishing of King's memory. Opened in August, it came under fire for featuring a truncated quotation from its subject: "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness." In the words of one critic, that made King sound like "an arrogant twit," because the actual quote was "if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar ordered the National Park Service to consult with the King Memorial Foundation to consider changing the memorial. However, any change will be difficult given that the quotation is chiseled into the granite monument -- a monument that cost $120 million to build. Considering the constant changes to King's legacy to suit the Left's agenda, the revised quote might be better written on a chalkboard.

And Last...

We've recounted how Barack Obama wants to increase the national debt again while feigning an attempt to organize the government more efficiently. We've told you about yet another gunrunning operation gone bad and a drastic increase in food stamp recipients since 2009. We've told you how the president's supporters think his detractors are merely dumb. The obvious conclusion is that Obama is in Fantasyland. No, literally, he's in Fantasyland at Disney World, where he gave a speech Thursday about the economy in general and tourism in particular. Adding to the image of his failing presidency, however, was that his speech in front of Cinderella's Castle prompted the closure of "Main Street USA." Our job now is to send him off to retirement, so the rest of us can live happily ever after.

Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis!
Nate Jackson for The Patriot Post Editorial Team

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Comments

Viking

I love the articles today, but isn't it a shame that we still have to use racial comments (rich white guy). Disgusting, and I'm white !!!!!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:23:49 AM

Mike

Unfortunately, the was the first debate I really watched. However, (1) I felt certain that I could vote for any one of the four candidates (even Ron Paul) over Obama; and (2) Santorum is being underestimated (and ignored) by Republican pundits. comments about his sweater vests and youthful looks aside, he comes across as a real person who believes what he says...something lacking in both Romney and Gingrich (well, he believes anything he says at the moment).

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:25:10 AM

Viking

This'll just make America more dependable, and continue destroying us from within. We have to put our people to work, using every means we can. IMPERATIVE !!!!!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:26:09 AM

Mac

Leahy is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, not Sanders.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:27:10 AM

Viking

I want to be nice, so I'll just say that Nancy should take my tax dollars she already has in her bank account, and go home. I'm afraid she's been allowed to destroy more than her share in my America.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:29:32 AM

Joseh

Who cares what the Democrats think of any GOP candidates? Are they voting for them? They will? Democrat party is aparty of liberals and the left. They have a double morals like all the different socialist parties had along the history. They are the creators of "useful fouls", perfectly expendables, they allowed the party to be dominated for the most radical and red faction of their mass of politicians. Some of their politicians using the poor and foul mass as their steps for the perfect and permannet job: Senate and Congress.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:29:45 AM

stephen cotyysoma@msn.com

when are the democrats going to pay for all the travel expenses by obama and his crews for campaigning...the taxpayer shouldn't be subsidising his campaign for re-election

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:30:44 AM

Stuart

Why do elected officials need to release their personal income tax returns? We know most of them are crooks - do we think they are stupid enough to document their theft in the tax returns? How much personal information is legitimately required? I would rather hold them accountable to supporting the Constitution.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:31:43 AM

Jiggs

The ex wife needs to evaluate both sides - every argument has two sides, and I am sure she is not squeaky clean either. She may not forget him, but she needs to forgive and move on. Newt has been in this race for quite some time, yet she has just now come forward with these accusations. Why has she waited so long? What's in it for her, is it that old "I don't get mad, I get even" thing? One more time on my take on this campaigning mess - Americans want the best man to run, but he won't, because he doesn't want any part of this crap. People, if you are looking for the White Knight, Dudley Doright, or someone who is squeaky clean, you will wait until pigs fly. So, no matter the baggage, pick the best Constitutionalist and Rule of Law man out there, and be done with it. Here's a maxim for you all: Brilliant people talk about ideas; Average people talk about things; but Mediocre people talk about other people. Which category do you fall into?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:43:56 AM

Jim Schmidlein

Your comments on the carving in the MLK monument didnt mention(this time )that it(the stone for the monument) was fabricated in China. And it was still $120 million.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:44:36 AM

Michael Patterson

Why is Ron Paul being intentionally ignored by most media? He has more experience and credentials as a constitutional conservative than any remaining candidate. While I don't agree with all his views on diplomacy, his free enterprise, laissez-faire views on most things rings truer than anything I've heard in a long time.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:46:28 AM

Bill DeFelice

All of this in-house bickering,just makes the Republicans look week.

Why would the GOP use Commie Network News,to have the debate?Why didn't cnn,ask the former speaker,how the Contract With America,helped Americans?!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:46:53 AM

Bill

At least the media will not get a free pass this time for acting as an arm of the Obama campaign.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:47:58 AM

Robert A. Hall

Do I buy what Nancy Pelosi is selling? I wouldn’t buy a used broom from her.

Robert A. Hall

Author: The Coming Collapse of the American Republic

All royalties go to help wounded veterans

For a free PDF of my book, write tartanmarine(at)gmail.com

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:57:17 AM

Harry

I wouldn't trust Nancy Pelosi for any reason whatsoever.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:57:24 AM

Bill DeFelice

I have never bought into what that Botoxed female coyote,was selling.

She should have been charged with child abuse,when she smashed her grandson's hand,with her gavel,the night she took speaker.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:59:30 AM

Jiggs

Geez, Mr. Sullivan, you think I'm dumb? Here's how dumb I am: I cancelled my subscriptions to Newsweek, Time, and US News ten years ago, because they were too snotty, arrogant, and Liberal to stomach. I want solid, transparent news reporting, not the egregeous, arrogant slop you put out.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 11:59:51 AM

Joe Longino

Ron Paul remains the singular voice of liberty and actual (as opposed to lip-service) adherence to the Constitution and principles of the Founding Fathers. If we forsake these things as a nation, we are doomed...in one way or another. I cringe and am discouraged when I remember what George Bush said, "Don't give me that Constitution cr-p. It's only a g-- d----- piece of paper."

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:01:08 PM

Honest Abe

If Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party claim they are not socialists, why are they acting like ones?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:01:10 PM

Joe Williams

As long as Newt keeps lying about his known affairs, he is not going to win in SC.

Face it Newt. The truth hurts, but lying about it hurts your campaign and your supporters more.

Man up!

Joe

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:02:33 PM

Cicero

Dr Paul in 2012! The _ell with Santorum,Romney and Gringrich, all pro-war RINOS and crooks

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:03:39 PM

joe f.

Gingrich's inconstancy in marriage is bad enough no matter what the latest revelations show, but what makes it worse is that it matches his inconstancy in policy positions. If he just wasn't that bright it would be one thing, but given his claims to being especially intelligent, you can only attribute his actions to opportunism and a lack of a moral center other than his own interests.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:04:20 PM

Jim

It really doesn't matter, as a conservative voter I have absolutely no one to vote for, and all to vote against

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:09:16 PM

tarymelon

Let's not send him off to retirement--why should we pay him to leave and keep paying him to waste our money? Let's fire him already!!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:11:18 PM

Don

I personally beleive that Ms. Gingrich is trying to derail Newts chances to be president, with the help of Mrs. Green ( money ) This is'nt the last of her, though it should be.All the other so called news outlets will have her on . Sorry lady, the people already know of Newts trangressions, and, if God forgives him, i do too. Newts daughters have apparently taken the high road and forgiven their Dad, so, piss off.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:13:33 PM

millerized

The shipping of the MLK statue back and forth to China is going to cost just as much as the inscription change. But at least we're keeping the Chinese in business.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:17:02 PM

WarzoneB52

OK, so let me get this straight, "At an MLK celebration in Columbia, South Carolina, Attorney General Eric Holder blasted Republicans who believe that voting should be added to the list of everyday actions requiring a photo ID. Holder's Justice Department recently blocked a South Carolina law requiring ID for voters, calling it an unfair burden on minority voters". Is Mr. Holder implying that minority voters don't have any identification on them while they go about their daily business? Or is it that for "minority voters" getting an identification card is more difficult than for white folks, (by the way white women are considered a "minority" as well, interesting no?). Perhaps he is implying that "minority voters" are too stupid to obtain some sort of identification with a photo on it? I reject all those assertions and I think if "minority voters" pay attention to what he's really saying they will be as offended as I am by this Moron masquerading as an intelligent "gubmint" official!!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:19:42 PM

jim s

I wouldn't believe Nancy Pelosi if she told me the sun came up this morning.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:24:06 PM

Alton

Maybe if the Republicans would fight fire with fire and investigate Democrat presidential candidates with the intensity as the Democrats, maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. There is and was alot of information on Obama, no one in the GOP seemed to have the desire to vett him. I realize his records are sealed but alot has been written about him and the questions alone may have been enough to delay his coronation. I hope to see some tough questions as we get the GOP candidate solidified.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:27:43 PM

Tom Manning

I pray this will seal Obama Almighty's fate in the coming Presidential Election. Maybe Canada ought to never again support us in any future Military action in the Mid-East.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:33:02 PM

Gator

Joe Longino, the thing that bothers me about Ron Paul as his unusual comments. He is lucid has good ideas and probably good intentions, then in the next breath, he goes off the cliff. We cannot afford to have another loose cannon sitting in the White House. There may be bats in his belfry.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:36:28 PM

Joe in Mt Juliet TN

Bachmann & Pawlenty did to each other what Neut & Rick are doing to each other. How well did it turn out for them? The same thing is happening to Neut & Rick, and then we will be left with Romney! How does that make you feel?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:38:03 PM

sheepdog

The governmental duplicity is building to a head of steam in the electorate. Huge road/bridge building contracts given to China.

Refusal to allow drilling of our own oil. Refusal to allow Canada the means to enable us to buy their oil while providing thousands of jobs. Literally forcing Canada to contract to sell their oil to China.

Anyone not seeing through the deliberate, wanton, intentional destruction of this country by its own government is either very stupid, a profiteering criminal, or part of the government (I repeat myself). Do not these acts combined with others over the past three years fit the definition of treason? How long do we wallow in cowardly acceptance of the status quo? What will be the straw that breaks the camels back? Patriot internment in FEMA camps or the implementation of a (promised) peace corps the equivalent to our military forces for the purpose of controlling the populace? Check out "Oathkeepers"! Do something! I remained silent when Sharia Law began usurping the Constitution. I remained silent when Muslims were appointed to key positions in Homeland Defense. I remained silent when the government stole General Motors from shareholders and gave it to their cronies. I remained silent when our debt became unmanageable. I remained silent when masked, government thugs murdered American civilians at Ruby Ridge. I remained silent when masked government thugs murdered American civilians in Waco. I remained silent while the president took multi-million dollar vacations as he bankrupted the country. Will I remain silent until it is "too late" and there is no one to hear?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:45:13 PM

Lisa from MD

We will see higher prices not only in energy cost but also the food that we eat because of gas prices that are going up daily. Thanks Obama!!!! What an idiot.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:46:41 PM

Robert A. Holloway

I think the political scene would be more palatable if the news media would not chase after it like silly school children, ready to jump on every tidbit they hear, whether true or just gossip.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:51:34 PM

David Waechter

Regarding tax returns: Please candidates, do not release anything unless its required by law! The stock response by any Republican candidate should be - "I will happily release my tax returns one week after Obama releases his college transcripts." They need the week to make sure anything released by the Obama camp is not bogus.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 12:54:39 PM

John

It would be laughable,if it wasn't so sad the way the MSM totally and willfully ignore Ron Paul. Here's a man that has never flip-flopped on his message. If anyone thinks any of the"Status Quo" empty suits are going to do anything to Really help America They are sadly mistaken. Just one point RP said that as President,He would abolish the Department of Energy,created in 1976 to"Free" America from foreign oil. How's that working out???

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:08:46 PM

Nick Petrucela

My TSA experience...Flying out of San Francisco with my son (4 years old at the time) I was told he needed further inspection in the isolation box. I politely requested to be at his side while they wanded and patted him down....TSA said that was not possible, he had to go alone...after a discussion with the TSA officer, then the supervisor, I was "allowed" to stand beside my son while they frisked a 4 year old.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:22:20 PM

ALFRED E. NEUMAN

THE ORIGINAL QUOTE:"PATRIOTISM IS THE LAST REFUGE OF A SCOUNDREL"!

NOW IT IS "POLITICS IS THE LAST REFUGE OF A SCOUNDREL"!

DOUBT THAT? LOOK AT THE SOCIOPATHIC MISFITS OF ALL PARTIES, COMMUNIST, SOCIALIST, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN, LIBERTARIAN,FASCIST, NAZI, ALL OF WHOM ARE ABLE TO "CON" PEOPLE IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR INTELLIGENCE, OR LACK THEREOF! LOOK AT WHAT IS PRESENTLY IN THE WHITEHOUSE, HE SHOULD BE EXAMPLE ENOUGH!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:22:40 PM

JC

How about this TSA experience? On vacation with my wife several years ago, we passed through San Francisco (SFO). She asked if she needed to remove her shoes. The agent replied, "No." As soon as she was through the metal detector she was pulled aside for additional screening. When she asked why, the agent replied, "Because you didn't take your shoes off." Apparently, you didn't HAVE to take your shoes off, but if you didn't you got gate raped. It was typical gate rape with an agent violating my wife's breasts, but the best part was using the handheld metal detector to scan my wife's lower legs and feet. She was wearing a skirt with no shoes at this point - but the security "professional" was wanding bare feet to check for subcutaneous contraband I presume. Our tax dollars at work ...

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:25:08 PM

Diane in Michigan

Is there a None of the Above option? Frankly, I am disgusted that the Republicans cannot find even one

person that would outshine this mediocre cast of

candidates. Ron Paul would have my support were it not for his pro illegal immigration, anti- Israel and isolationalitst foreign policy stances. I am sick to death of the big government RINO's that are more concerned with lining their own pockets with ill-gotten gains from we the taxpayers than actually

reigning in the out of control spending frenzy currently going on in DC & around the country.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:27:00 PM

Robert A. Holloway

About 99.99% of Nancy Pelosi's sales products can be scraped up off the turf in any cow pasture.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:27:05 PM

"Kid Richie"

The Establishment as well as the TV Pundits are pushing for Romney. I believe they think he'd be more manageable than a Gingrich or Paul. Paul is the most true Constitutionalist but the public has been so inured to violations of the Constitution that when Paul speaks 'Constitutionally' he sounds "radical".

It appears to me that Newt's fiestiness appeals to the public notwithstanding the Romney propaganda and is believed to be the best opponent to Obama.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:35:48 PM

Jon Savage

Is it not, or should it not be, obvious that this muck-raking of those that oppose the Cinderella Man is birthed in the Party Democrat? Sure the "press" spreads it, but the impetus has to come from higher up, say, Wasserman-Shultz?

Herman Cain was in the political arena in 1994. Not a peep heard. When he opposed BHO, the termites came out of the woodwork. He caved. This tactic seems to have backfired in SC. The former Mrs. Gingrich had to be courted by the "investigative reporter", and her comments dressed to suit. That effort seems to have bombed. Newt is still with us, and running strong. More of history revisited and revamped, just as is being done with the MLK memorial. It has become obvious that Obama (Negro by choice), Holder, et al, are about creating a black elite in a Moscow-like framework. They are about destroying the Constitution and the Framers intent for this Republic. Which, if successful, will fail as all other such endeavors have failed. Though we will still lose our beloved Republic. He really must go, and we should ask,"Can we, the People, afford to wait for November?" For even if he is defeated, he will still have authority for nearly three months, a quarter of a year. We really cannot afford this mischief!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:36:38 PM

Rob Holland

Re the Keystone pipeline project, why not (1) build some refineries near Gret Lakes ports, then (2) build the pipeline from Alberta across Canada to those Great Lakes ports? In other words, what is the rationale for sending the Canadian crude to Texas?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:39:29 PM

Marvin W. Inglis

I don't beleive anything that Pelopsi has to say.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:40:35 PM

HAMBONE

That mountain climber game on Price is Right was my favorite game when I was a kid. LOL Good work!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:42:07 PM

Mac

WHY has there NEVER been a request from either Teddy or any of the younger Kennedy s for their income taxes? There is a whole family that lived off of trusts, not to mention ill be gotten gains that funded them.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:47:15 PM

Tom

Actually, Mitt Romney talked about making his tax records public after he gets the nomination if he does, which would not be this year at all, but next year, when the interest in them will have died down. He meandered around the subject and fooled people into thinking, if they weren't listening carefully, that he would do it this year.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:49:27 PM

PatriotMom

Has anyone thought of Alan Keyes running? He would be one I would definitely vote for; as well as his being the most conservative.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 1:55:33 PM

Jill

First off, I was dismayed at how votes were counted and ballots handled at the caucus I attended. There has got to be a more rigorous system place for counting and handling ballots in any future caucus. What I saw was digusting.

As regards the campaign. Gingrich knew, going in, that his ex-wife would most likely choose the opportune time to air her grievances.She's had 12 years to do this but has waited until he began to do better in the polls. Gingrich has laid his cards on the table and came right out and confessed his past sins; he said that he sought reconciliation, (I believe this is through his church) and has made reparation for those past sins. He hid nothing. Now, putting the personal baggage aside, Gingrich has balanced the federal budget 4 times, wrote the Contract with America, passed the only modern welfare reform-which, by the way, created jobs, he has experience on the national level and certainly know the Constitution. His debate skills are unequaled. Wouldn't mind seeing this guy debate the present occupier of the Oval Office. At this point, it appears that Gingrich might be the best candidate. The fact that he came forth with all his personal past, acknowledged his responsibility, and his repentence, means a lot.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:12:46 PM

Raymond F MacMahon

Fantasyland at Disney World was the perfect venue for Obama to announce yet another "Mickey Mouse" solution to America's problems.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:13:29 PM

John Leonard

Ron Paul is still the ONLY candidate with unwavering integrity. The rest have no clue about the constitution and could care less. In a one on one debate with Obama, Dr. Paul will destroy him. It is the Dems worse fear.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:29:08 PM

Robert E8 USN, Ret

Where is it written that a political applicant must reveal his tax returns to the public? What's to be revealed that might antagonize his effort? The comment that very few such demands are made of Democrats has merit. Not just tax returns, either! Citizens entering public places, flying, registering vehicle, home, use of credit card, and other events, are required to show pictorial identification. Try to cash a check without such display! And that such display would be an infringement on civil rights---to vote? There was an instance, last national go around, that a man in Ohio voted 74 times! Ten bucks an x! Nothing further on that, hmmm? Maybe because the man was a black citizen? One of the posters made a comment concerning a black elite class being created by the mulatto in charge and the AG. May be some sense there. The pair would not last past the mid-watch on an American war vessel! Deep six, quick! Why are they still in charge here?

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:29:49 PM

Dawson

Pelosi now, as before (we have to pass it to see what's in it) is a LIAR. The leftists fully back the occupy movement; some occupiers were even paid to demonstrate.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:55:04 PM

Jill

Nanny Pelosi can not be trusted; she tells lies...like with obamacare...what was her infamous statement: "We have to pass it to see what's in it." What an ignorant comment. The "occupy" movement is totally embraced and supported by the liberal addministration now reeking havoc on our country.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 2:58:48 PM

Robert E8 USN, Ret

Reading the comments, and the many bouquets for Ron Paul is fascinating. I agree with Mr. Paul on several points. Indeed he does affirm the Constitution. There was a comment that his views have become archaic. I disagree, and believe he is exactly correct. I also see that he is a persistent candidate for the Oval Office. As Mr. Romney, he is in repetitive motion. I admire the persistence! There is a whisper from his supporters that he should create a third party. Add Mr. Trump to that concept. Bad news! Very bad news! Neither man would win the Oval Office as a splinter party. The only success in that effort would Mr. Obama's. It would absolutely guarantee his re-election. Just as it won for Clinton in '92. I have long had bouts of sea sickness with the Republican Party, been Independent for years. Should Mr. Paul get the gold ring, I will gladly and cheerfully vote FOR him! As opposed to voting against the Democrat and making an X for the opponent. I, we, each and every one that loves this Republic should vehemently oppose any third party split off. Semper Fi!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:03:10 PM

Jerry

Why not build refineries in Montana?...no problems transporting the oil across any state, and reduce the price of transportation, not only of the crude, but the fear of bothering populated areas!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:04:20 PM

Zeke

On the surface it seems that the Patriot Post is ignoring Ron Paul's Presidential bid. You mention the others but not Ron.

Are you part of the Anti Ron Paul media bias?

Just wondering if this could be true. Just let me know one way or the other. After all it's a free press country.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:04:30 PM

Merry Colin

Mark,

You quote the Declaration of Independence as your argument on the "right to life" issue. Bad move. The SUPREME and ONLY controlling law of the land is the U.S. Constitution. Just consider how the Declaration could be manipulated to advance another "cause" of the liberals and their useful idiot sheeple. You simply cannot have it both ways. The founders were quite concise and very thoughtful in their discussions about creating the new Constitution. Yes, abortion did not come up as it wasn't an issue at the time. However, they also purposely did not SPECIFICALLY condemn slavery which was a scourge at the time. They knew the States would address the issue in the future. As much as I feel that Ron Paul is the wrong man for the office of President, mostly due to SOME of his foreign policy ideas, he most certainly answered the question on right to life better than any candidate last night. The single issue voter is absurd and an idiot...and I don't care what the single issue is.

Many of the people in this country are in dire financial condition, on the verge of living on the street within weeks because foreclosures are continuing. Honestly good and hard working people cannot pay a mortgage without a JOB! Many of those honorable people are eating from food banks rather than taking food stamps because the thought of public welfare versus charity rightly appalls them. They are scraping together what used to be pocket change to put gas in their tank so they can get to the job interview they just might be lucky enough to get. They get their clothing from thrift shops and consignment stores. They are doing every damn thing imaginable to hold on to their dignity and feed their children and/or parents.

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE that you are doing ANYONE a service by pounding this single issue? Don't tell me it's for the unborn. If the mother cannot eat the baby will die. Just like the airline tells you, adults put on the oxygen mask FIRST and then help their children. No matter how deeply anyone feels about the right to life, it simply CANNOT be a primary focus to right a sinking ship and create a future for those already born as well as the unborn. Please consider that this is, no matter how deeply you feel about it, is an issue that cannot dominate a Presidential election. Imagine an incompetent like BO--- should this candidate have been elected on ANY single issue? (BTW, Hope & Change is plural.) You also give people the impression that the President is so all powerful which is not true. Please, touch on subjects as a piece of the whole picture. I do and so should you and all readers. I wouldn't be happy if abortions were outlawed and everything else went to hell in a hand basket. Nor should anyone else be.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:06:13 PM

Elle

As far as Obama trying to increase tourism, we are already a great mecca for tourists. Just ask any illegal. You get to apply for jobs and work, you can drive without a license, you qualify for food stamps, and free health care. Your children are given a a free education and even scholarships to college all on the taxpayers.

The last thing we need is more of these "tourists"!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:07:39 PM

bikerbill

So once again we have a sad field of flawed candidates who have about as much chance of beating Obama as I do ... Newt and his parade of women, sometimes two at a time ... that should resonate with middle America! Romney's business issues and his religion and his ice-cold demeanor. And then there's Santorum, probably my choice but so far to the right I'm surprised he hasn't tipped over ... Paul is too old and has so many wacky ideas ... Why can't the Republican Party actually find somebody with class and ideas who might actually appeal to voters? Here comes four more years of Obama, and if he gets one more vote on the Supreme Court, we can kiss the 1st and 2nd amendments good-bye, for starters ... so disappointed ...

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:21:38 PM

Mike

As a conservative who believes that character matters I could not in good conscience vote for Newt. As someone who believes in a strong national defense I could not vote for Ron Paul. That leaves me with Romney, or Santorum. I believe that Santorum is the only true conservative and that he is of strong moral character, so he is my choice for the republican presidential candidate.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:45:30 PM

Gator

Every candiate especially the Republicans always get whacked about everything small or large. Clinton carried it on in the White House, his indiscretions finally caught with him, got impeached by the House, the Senate had no stomach to deal with it. Perhaps Biker Bill, the things they are saying about Newt are not correct, but if they are, O.K. deal with it in your way. Bet you won't hear Newt say it was a left wing conspiracy. Hillary blamed all of Bill's problems on a right wing conspiracy. Have you wondered at all why we don't hear any old stories of women in Obama's past,

or maybe old boy stories. As far as Obama's concern everything is sealed.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:50:22 PM

Alton

Mike don't believe everything you hear. Job one is to defeat Obama. Santorum can't. Nice guy but no cigar. As bad as I hate to say it, we may be holding our noses again, but no one and I mean no one is bad as Obama. READ THE DAMN BOOKS, then you might understand we need to win, not make a good showing with a squeaky clean guy. Obama slid right in and his background quite frankly was a disaster, not enough people cared. Every question he was asked about his past associates he giggled, showed his toothy smile and lied like a rug. If you don't this administration stinks, reada the background on a few of closest advisors, i.e. Axelerod and Jarrett,if this doesn't jolt you back into reality, you are a lost child.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 3:58:18 PM

TEX

Yep Zeke, I am one of those anti Ron Paul people, He's a fruit cake, plain and simple, living out of reality in a bad ass world. He's an unqualified isolationist that doesn't work in the real world.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:03:26 PM

idaho mom

Good analysis of the candidates that I agree with, pretty much, between Glenn Beck and Bill OReily. http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-ron-paul-osama-bin-laden/

I don't know where Romney stands on the Fed. I still go with Romney totally! He's balanced and I like that he wants to restore America rather than like Newt "transform" America. That sounds too much like Obama and I don't trust it. Transform according to who? I think Romney will lead well and get us out of financial disaster. From the debate last night I think Santorum was heavy on the cut throat politics and I don't think he's experienced enough to lead a country. I like his standards and principles but he seems so junior needing to prove something. Newt is big government and he's a good debater. He's a good debater. That's about it. I don't trust him.

Ron Paul is always Ron Paul. I like his ideas, don't think he's President material.

That's my take. Voting for Romney.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:03:59 PM

Fred

Any time Queen Nancy deems it necessary to open her pie hole I immediately start chuckling. Those who buy into her nonsense need to have their sensory and psychological apparatus sent in for reprogramming.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:15:06 PM

Martha

NO! Even if she said the grass was green and the sky blue I would not believe that woman. She does not know what the truth is,if it came up and hit her in the ass!!!!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:28:31 PM

Major Stu

I read the Newsweek article. James Taranto summarized the Andrew Sullivan hit piece very succintly:

Right-winger critics are dumb because they think Obama is a Leftist.

Left-wing critics are dumb because they think Obama isn't a Leftist.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:30:23 PM

Jack M

Looks like Ebenezer Baptist Church should lose it's tax exemption for preaching politics... You can bet if Sen. Lugar stood on a pulpit and "discussed" politics, the news would be all over it

Posted January 20, 2012 at 4:36:22 PM

emkkahn

If Obama was serious about promoting tourism, he would start by approving projects that lower the price of gas (IE: The Keystone Pipeline). Nothing does more for tourism than cheaper gas for the car and cheaper airline tickets due to lowered fuel costs. I guess he expects us to drive across country in our $40K Volts? Fantasyland. So apt...

Posted January 20, 2012 at 5:12:27 PM

D ee

I wish they would stick to their core values and say what they will do to improve the state of the economy and quit picking on each other.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 5:46:19 PM

Joe Hebert, Jr.

Once again, all we see here is that the race is now

between three phonies, and Ron Paul. And after

last night's debate, a lot more people know it.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 5:47:26 PM

Dee

By not okaying the Keystone Pipeline will give the jobs and oil to the chinese thus keeping Americans from getting much needed jobs.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 5:53:06 PM

KN

"... Attorney General Eric Holder blasted Republicans who believe that voting should be added to the list of everyday actions requiring a photo ID."

Interesting that I had to renew my library card two weeks ago. It's an annual requirement at our library. I've been doing this every year for the 30 years we have lived here and I STILL have to show a picture ID for approval.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 6:29:41 PM

Gary

Although I suspect this is like Congress having a 13% approval rating but still 95% of incumbents will get re-elected, nevertheless, … “More than two-thirds of Americans would consider voting for a third-party presidential candidate, while nearly half of all voters think a third-party is needed, a new poll shows.” — Washington Post-ABC News poll 1/20/12. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/behind-the-numbers/post/is-a-third-political-party-a-viable-option/2012/01/03/gIQAy2MuBQ_blog.html)

Posted January 20, 2012 at 7:07:12 PM

Robert

In October, 2011, I took my adopted 9 year old son to North Carolina to visit his biological family. Going through security in Raleigh for our return flight, I had my son go through the metal detector first. As he headed through, I was requested to remove everything from my pockets, and directed to the new scanner. Waiting for my turn, I observed my son in conversation with the TSA supervisor, who was visibly perturbed. She couldn't figure out why my son kept indicating that I was his father - he's black, and I'm white. After clarifying with me that I did not asked to be scanned, but was directed, she had what I would guess would be some choice words with the agents who, contrary to policy, separated a parent from his child. Good on her, but bad for the agents.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 7:08:41 PM

enemaofthestatistquo

Yesterday, I heard a press conference, by British Prime Minister David Cameron. Previous to the question period he made an impassioned speech for small representative government, entreprenuerial initiative, and capitalism. I would like to vote for him as our President, but he is not a natural born citizen, an therefore Constitutionally ineligible. Oh, Wait...!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 7:27:56 PM

Gordy

Democrats must be having a ball laughing at the antics of the Republican's. All of this just adds fuel to the Democrats re-taking the WHITE House and the down-fall of our country.

Perhaps our system of government, imperfect as it is, will be replaced by Socialism. Soviet Premier Khrushchev said they would bury us without firing a shot. If we don't wake up and fight for our freedom, at this time in history, perhaps his prediction will come true. We will be deserving of what what we get.

God, who is being ignored more and more these days, help us.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 8:08:30 PM

Barbara

At the debate on January 19th, someone forgot to tell the man to duck when he asked Newt about his marriages. I almost felt sorry for the man.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 8:13:46 PM

Jim Leigh

For more than two years I have been an avid and loyal reader and supporter of The Patriot Post, even sharing its existence with many friends and family in order to propel this conservative message to many, many more eyes and ears. HOWEVER, not until today have I been so painfully disappointed!

To the point: The obvious rejection of Romney and the cheering for Gingrich on the part of TPP leaves me cold. Why? Because Gingrich is a flawed candidate and would be a re-run of McCain in '08 - way too much baggage and a progressive to boot! Obama is not going to agree to "3 hours of Lincoln/Douglas style debates" who is Gingrich kidding? Conservatives, especially those at FOX news (Fox & Friends, Bret Baier, Hannity, O'Rielly, etc.) as much as I love FOX and everyone there, I am just sick at how they have turned their collective noses up at Romney. Why? It's obvious!

Romney is a Mormon, which is really an antiquated and sometimes derogatory term for a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Looking for the 'Anti-Romney Candidate' was nothing more than code for anti-mormon, which is simple, ignorant, religious bigotry. And, to scrape the bucket to find whatever tiny and miniscule fault with Romney, the critics have had to really scrape!

As a very conservative Republican and as a devoted member of the LDS Church, and as someone who absolutely wants to BOOT Obama from office this coming November, I ask my fellow right-minded, freedom-loving, anti-socialism, pro-legal immigration, and God-loving Christian-believing patriots to THROW-AWAY the prejudice against Romney and consider that he is the ONLY GOP candidate that can and WILL defeat Obama in the general election.

Please don't make a mistake... there is much to much at stake to wake-up November 7th to learn that Obama has beaten Newt Gingrich on election day. For those of us who lived through the Carter era and who barely survived the Clinton catastrophe, we do NOT want four more years of Obama. Romney is the best hope we have to defeat socialism!

Posted January 20, 2012 at 8:31:05 PM

Gary Chanbers

Is the flavor of the month beginning to fade? Dill pickle is not my favorite flavor and it appears that many people are beginning to say "YUCK" to Rino Romney. If we have any luck then Flip Romney will be the next candidate to drop out.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 8:55:21 PM

D. Cleveland

Romney is not electable. Romney-Care and his historically consistent anti-2nd Amendment stance make him a non-starter. The Libertarians and independents, as well as large numbers of life long Republicans - such as myself; won't vote for Romney. Romney is the ultimate big-business, insider RINO. The RNC and the DNC don't care which of their two boys gets elected. Obama or Romney- either one is good with both Party establishments. Rhe RNC and the DNC are a lot like All Star Wrestling - bitter antagonists in the ring; drama, soap-opera theatrics, noise and flash to keep the rubes entertained & separate them from their money. Then best buds and drinking partners after the match; telling each other how stupid the rubes are, before getting their payday for another well run con-job. It's not that hard to figure out - there is really only one "Party"; kinda like in gym class, except here the "shirts and skins" are in on the scam of playing the voting public for fools.

We need a clean break from the RNC anointed jabber-wonkies that keep getting dished up to us every election cycle. A Gingrich/Paul ticket would give the RNC, and their buddies at the DNC, a stroke - and that would be a good thing. Anything that can be done to frustrate the RNC is a good thing. The same old crappy choices won't save this Nation from the scrapheap of history.

Posted January 20, 2012 at 10:02:27 PM

Craig Kinard

Re: Romney's 15% income tax rate. Maybe Romney should go public with the DOLLAR amount he paid in income taxes. That might be a revelation for your average taxpayer.

My tax bill will probably be $50,000. I'll bet Mitt's annual income is in the range of $10,000,000. So, that's $1,500,000 in taxes each year. Oh, and by the way, since Mitt is a good Mormon, he tithes another 10% (at least) of his annual income to his church. So, that might be $1,000,000. What has he got to be afraid of?????????

Posted January 20, 2012 at 10:13:55 PM

Morning Glory

I think Ms Pelosi SHOULD continue to stand and to support OWS. After all, isn't that where all the RATS seem to be congregating? I, for one, feel she fits right in--with OWS AND the rats.

Next question...............??????

Posted January 20, 2012 at 10:27:28 PM

stop the DOJ

Patriot Post, I am dismayed that your piece on internet piracy left out a few details everyone should be aware of. The day after sites such as Wikipedia closed for a day of protest, the dishonorable DOJ arrested 7 CEOs in NEW ZEALAND for running a website called MegaUpload. Why no mention if this? And why no mention of the DOJ getting immediately hacked and shut down themselves? Along with other sites including fascist propagandazing Universal Music. You do a disservice to your readers. Readers: pay attention to what is really going on!

Posted January 21, 2012 at 8:27:10 AM

Anthony Harkin

From 1859 book, "Life of Webster": "Mr. President: When the mariner has been tossed, for many days, in thick weather, and on an unknown sea, he naturally avails himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glance of the sun, to take his latitude, and ascertain how far the elements have driven him from his true course. Let us imitate this prudence, and, before we float farther, refer to the point from which we departed, that we may at least be able to conjecture where we now are." Daniel Webster, in the U.S. Senate, January 26, 1830.

Posted January 21, 2012 at 11:20:39 AM

Allyn Kemp

The most interesting thing I have seen all week occurred this morning. Neil Cavuto was interviewing Ron Paul on Fox News, and I started watching too late to get the original question but Ron Paul replied that the other candidates had been mentioned 97 times, and he had only been mentioned once.

This kind of reporting is normal; the top two or three candidates get all of the press, and the other candidates aren't mentioned at all.

Cavuto's response was amusing, he tried to change the subject, shut Ron Paul up, and having failed, immediately went to a commercial break; ending the interview.

What we the people want are just the facts, please. We don't want our news managed by Fox News, or the liberal media.

If a network is going to report on the race, report on ALL of the candidates, not just the favorites.

Posted January 21, 2012 at 12:42:16 PM

Brian Dempsey

Ron Paul still is the most like true conservative American He hasn't burned thru wives like fast food He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth he is a vet a doctor and as a patriot who has ALWAYS defended the constitution even if I have to write him in as a candidate myself he has my vote I blame the republican party on obamas cert-en victory in November

Posted January 21, 2012 at 1:17:07 PM

Jim Branch

I never buy what Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid says.

They are among the worst LIARS in the Congress.

If anyone with any common sense looks at what they say they would discount it.

Posted January 21, 2012 at 4:34:25 PM

Mike Dudis

I won't fly because of these abuses. I don't even like going into federal buildings because you have to remove your shoes. Guilty before being charged?

Welcome to AmericaUSSR!

Posted January 21, 2012 at 7:06:48 PM

Allen

CORRECTION: Mac is correct.

In Second Amendment: The 'Fast and Furious' Excuse, you incorrectly identify Socialist Bernie Sanders as the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Actually the other Socialist from Vermont in the Senate, Pat Leahy, or as I affectionately call him Little Lord Leahy, is the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Here's a link to the assignments of that committee. http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm

Don't be fooled by the D after his name, he has a worse record of voting against America than Bernie does.

Posted January 22, 2012 at 1:01:31 AM

A N Hardin

In 2003, on a one-way flight from one South Central City to another, this 64 yr-old grandmother was pulled out of a line, seated, and asked to remove her boots. The screener apologized, and visited with her about unrelated matters. Meanwhile, they were surrounded by elbow-to-elbow passengers watching their every move. This was in the days before rude body-groping was mandated. I will not fly so long as this government's airport policies exist. Never will I consent to have my personal space invaded by a perfect stranger who, by law, are free to grope my body at will. Personal dignity is something this government does not understand. (Many people have been slapped on a date for less than airport examiners are doing.) I drew the line after the boot exam. Homeland Security (a misnomer, for sure) and this federal government are ruining the airline industry with its over-regulation - and I deeply mourn the passing of what was once a very pleasant and sometimes exciting adventure: to fly our friendly skies.

Posted January 22, 2012 at 2:38:43 AM

hamilton thomas

your comment makes no mention of Ron Paul, his message, his organization or the long road to the nomination...ignore it at your own risk...there are people and there are sheeple...those that think,listen,watch and remember actions and those that are lead by the hype of the moment,spin and proaganda

Posted January 22, 2012 at 1:31:26 PM

mario barrera

while going thru security an elderly woman ahead of me was having trouble walking. She was using an aluminum-rubber tipped cane. The TSA man insisted she put her cane thru the scanner. Now this old white haired woman was having trouble walking WITH her cane and now this man took it away and forced her to grab onto anything she could as her cane went on the conveyor and came out at least 25 ft away. Now since when can the scanner penetrate an aluminum metal cane anyway? I have one more...ON another trip my wife had her purse scanned and after it came out the TSA guy said he had to check it. In her purse she had one of those envelopes that the bank gives you when they give you cash. She had approx $600.00 and this man opened it up and went thru the whole stack bill by bill. When my wife questioned what he was doing he said he was checking her purse and quickly closed the purse and handed it back to her. Of course we had not heard about the bomber who hid the bomb between two dollar bills!

Posted January 22, 2012 at 9:53:01 PM

Chip Wehling

I was encouraged that Newt Gingrich won the SC contest. Though he doesn't exemplify all the characteristics of a candidate I would like to see [as if anyone does], I think he has the cunning and smarts, true experience and knowledge of how the government works and what it will take to get us [maybe not totally] but headed in the right direction with debt reduction and stabilization in the goverment spending. I think he can beat BO also, and THAT is even more important.

Posted January 23, 2012 at 10:46:27 AM

MKBUC

This administration could not tell the truth if their life was dependent on it. The latest of their deceit is this pipeline. The Energy(less) Department should be screaming for this approval. This is the reason the Dept. was established to begin with. Yet,it is politics once again trumping the good of the country. jobs, taxes, friendly oil importer what more could you want? For once the unions are on the side of the Republicans. Can they see where they stand in the pecking order? I doubt it, they will still pour millions into Zeros' campaign coffers. The day will come where they will see the error of their ways.

Posted January 23, 2012 at 2:07:13 PM

Jim Qualls

Ti is my beleif that Romney has already peaked and it will be a downhill slide from here on, his liberal past and mormon beleif being against him, he will definately NOT get the N.R.A. vote, nor the Evangelical Christian vote, and most Athiests are Democrats, and therefore liberal Socialists.

Posted January 24, 2012 at 10:51:47 AM

John Jaeger

Obama did not kill the Keystone Pipeline as a sop to his radical environmental hypocrites. He killed it to make his campaign contributor, George Soros, even wealthier. Soros has invested heavily in Brazilian oil, and so Obama did the same, loaning the country $10 billion for oil exploration. Obama then traveled to Brazil where he publicly stated, "We want to be Brazil's biggest customer." Sure, and make Soros wealthier, at the 15% tax bracket, of course. That's fine for George Soros and John Kerry, but not for Mitt Romney.

Posted January 24, 2012 at 12:04:04 PM

Larry Gremillion

No Keystone is just adding a few more billions into George Soros' Petrobras. Just follow the money.

Posted January 25, 2012 at 9:57:55 PM

Timothy Chilman

You mention that Andrew Sullivan wrote that Sarah Palin did not excrete Trig. The case was made strongly here:

http://theoriesofconspiracy.com/2011/08/this-child-did-not-emerge-from-the-vagina-of-this-woman.htm

Posted February 5, 2012 at 2:53:46 PM

h. thomas

she is an idiot, to actually talk about her is wasting energy,,whew am getting tired allready

Posted February 10, 2012 at 12:31:13 PM

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