2012 fundraising: Congressional races get more attention from GOP

No matter what any Republican thinks of the Presidential candidates, they need to be put aside the idea that they can stay home and not vote because they are mad.  Every last Republican needs to get out to support our Senate and House candidates.  If the trend continues for Obama like it has for a few weeks, we are going to need the House and Senate even more if Obama wins a second term.  That will be the firewall because who knows what he would do not facing election.  We hope that he would get even lazier.

Many Republicans share a renewed recognition, however, that the House is likely to be their party’s strongest bulwark against another four years of Democratic rule in the executive branch. If Obama continues to look more formidable as the economy improves, the party has to ensure that it doesn’t risk a shut-out by placing too much emphasis at the top of the ticket.

Those words on Politico are so true.  Republicans cannot afford to spend all their energy on the Presidential race which has so little enthusiasm for the front runner as evidenced in exit polling and how close most state races are for Romney.  There is no way to sugar coat it that conservatives have not warmed up to Romney and a good portion never will.  


Because of that lack of enthusiasm at the Presidential level after one nasty campaign thanks to Romney and his Super PAC, Republicans need to get the donors and the grassroots working in the House and Senate campaigns.  It is so vitally important that Republicans maintain control of the House in fairly large numbers and work as hard as we can to Take the Senate.  It is doable but we have to make sure that the Presidential campaign doesn't soak up all the funding and dampen enthusiasm even more.  After all the negative campaign commercials I have witnessed in my state which doesn't compare to FL or OH, I have no enthusiasm for the Presidential race and all the shenanigans that have been pulled on behalf of Romney.  


You need look no further for a prime example than look at Virginia where Republican voters stayed home in huge numbers after that debacle -- Governor McDonnell and his desire to help Romney win IMHO blew it big time.  Now it is time to get Republicans energized for George Allen for Senator.  He should have been our nominee in 2008 IMO but was taken out in the Senate general election with dirty tricks and voter fraud.  


All this negative advertising ($12.5 spent by Romney on negatives ads in Ohio) is not helping the Republican brand.  In fact, this primary is turning into epic fail with different rules for one state like Oklahoma compared to Florida.  The absolute disgust I feel about this orchestrated primary by the RNC for Romney is not going to get in the way of my enthusiasm to win back the Senate and keep our conservative House seats we won in 2010.  


Campaign ads are off my radio and TV so I am extremely happy today.  I just want other states to follow the same rules for proportioning delegates that Oklahoma is facing.  You would think the RNC would have all the states on the same page.  


I am so glad that RNC is not running the National Republican Congressional Committee or the National Republican Senatorial Committee or our chances of winning there might not be as good.  Cong Pete Sessions (R-TX) along with the Young Guns Program headed by Cong Eric Cantor (R-VA), Paul Ryan (R-WI), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) did a great job in 2010 in taking back the House.  They already have named some of the candidates who have gained Young Gun status which will be highlighted on here in the next few days.


The grassroots can make it happen in 2012 so don't let this nasty primary get to you -- just ignore it and move over to your House and Senate races.  They need and appreciate the help of the Republican grassroots who make up a good portion of the state/county tea parties in some states.

2012 fundraising: Congressional races get more attention from GOP

By ALEXANDER BURNS and MAGGIE HABERMAN | 3/6/12 5:13 AM EST

Republican fundraisers and strategists alarmed at the course of the 2012 presidential campaign are increasingly focusing their attention on congressional races, as the party’s chances of unseating President Barack Obama appear to grow more remote. 

Thanks to a long, damaging nomination fight and shifts in the Senate landscape, top Republican donors are becoming more concerned about their ability to hold seats in the House and recapture the majority in the upper chamber. 

Gone is the triumphalist thinking of a year ago, which imagined the GOP extending its 2010 wave and easily installing a Republican president. Even among Republicans who believe that remains possible, few think it is likely — or easy to achieve. Conservative commentator George Will gave voice to these concerns in his Sunday column when he urged his party to retrench and shore up congressional candidates. 

Leading Republicans are now pondering how best to head off a successful Obama reelection campaign that keeps the Senate in Democratic hands and allows the president’s party to gain ground in the House. 

“There’s little doubt that there is increasing focus on the House and Senate, given the fact that if you look back a year ago, I think most Republicans and most business people said, ‘We’re going to beat Obama because he’s going to beat himself and we just need a decent candidate,’” said Tom Bell, a top Republican donor and former Chamber of Commerce chairman. 

Bell, a Mitt Romney bundler who lobbied Mitch Daniels last year to run for president, said a “long primary cycle and all the debates” had been a reality check on GOP exuberance. 

“It’s pretty obvious that there is a significant portion of conservative voters who aren’t completely comfortable with Mitt,” Bell said. “If the presidential contest is going to be very close … We’d better make sure that we’ve got the House and in a perfect world we’d get the Senate too.” 

 Excerpt:  Read More at Politico

Today is Super Tuesday! Can One of the Four Democrats in the Oklahoma Primary Beat Obama?

Thought this day would never get here after the last few weeks of campaign ads on sports talk radio and on ESPN.  One thing I cannot tolerate is negative ads hour after hour on newsbreaks which is what was been happening as the Romney Super PAC seems to think putting negative ads on sports talk radio is going to get him votes.  Just the opposite.  Wednesday will be political ad free day here on my radio and don't expect any to return to Oklahoma in the general for President.  This is one Red State that Obama most likely will not be campaigning.  Understatement!

Newt decided to weigh in with some negative ads against Romney on my TV and radio.  The one on TV is an odd ad and not something I am used to here in OK where most of our ads are really good.  I don't know where they got the people for the ad but they might have wanted to look a little harder because it stereotyped Oklahomans.

Learned recently that the Libertarians have qualified for ballot access for the Presidential election this year:

OKLAHOMA LIBERTARIAN PARTY TURNS IN SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY FOR OKLAHOMA’S PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT

Oklahoma State Capitol 

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – February 29, 2012 – Over 51,000 voters in Oklahoma have signed petitions to put the Libertarian Party candidates for president and vice president on the ballot in November. Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Oklahoma Libertarian Party (OKLP) and RJ Harris, candidate for the LP presidential nomination and Oklahoma resident, will be visiting the Oklahoma State Capitol Room B-6 to turn in the signatures. This will be the first time the OKLP has been on the ballot since 2000. This comes on the heels of Americans Elect turning in their signature requirements just 48 hours ago to place their candidate on the ballot in November as well. It is clear that the citizens of Oklahoma want another option for president other than one of the two major parties. 

Excerpt:  Read More at RJ Harris 2012

That is a lot of signatures to gain ballot access which shows that Oklahomans are not too happy with their choices.   I still haven't figured out the media saying the Republican race is basically over when all those caucuses didn't count for delegates.  Can someone explain to me why we even have caucus and why they vote in front of primary states?  Makes no sense and doesn't give a true indication of who the people want for the nominee.  Tomorrow it is a wrap for the Republican Primary in Oklahoma for President for which I am grateful we are an early voting state.

One the Democrat primary ballot for President there are five people running including Obama:

Could someone besides Barack Obama win Oklahoma's March 6 Democratic presidential primary, or at least get enough votes to embarrass the president and the state party?  

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer

Published: 2/26/2012 2:33 AMLast Modified: 2/26/2012 7:42 AM

Probably not, but if it is going to happen any place, Oklahoma seems a likely spot.
To begin with, a good many Oklahomans - including Oklahoma Democrats - appear to be unaware there even is a Democratic presidential primary in the state this year, so turnout is likely to be low. 

Second, Obama's approval ratings are low, even among Democrats. Republican candidates have had a field day linking their Democratic opponents to the president. 

There are, in fact, four candidates besides Obama on the Democratic presidential primary ballot in Oklahoma, including one who has bought time for about 100 eye-catching (if gruesome) television spots and another who, despite no money and virtually no campaigning, won the 2010 Democratic U.S. Senate primary (and received 265,000 votes in the general election) and got 40 percent in the 2008 Senate primary against a relatively well-funded opponent. 

"Oklahoma is the perfect state to do this," said Randall Terry, the anti-abortion candidate who announced last week his intention to use the state as a springboard to becoming a player in East Coast swing states. "If I get double digits here, it will be a massive embarrassment to Obama."
Jim Rogers, the 76-year-old Midwest City man whose primary campaign mode is walking around in a sweatshirt with his name on it, has proved in the past two election cycles that anti-establishment - or at least non-establishment - candidates can do well in statewide Oklahoma Democratic primaries. 

But what does that mean for him, Terry and the other "non-Obama" candidates, Bob Ely and Darcy Richardson? 

University of Oklahoma political science professor Keith Gaddie said proportional distribution of delegates means someone other than Obama "might be able to win a delegate," but that on the whole it's difficult even for someone like Terry, who can afford television ads and has a niche following, to get very far. 

"When these guys set out to do this, they never have as much momentum or make as much of an impact as they expect," Gaddie said. 

Issue candidates such as Terry, Gaddie said, "have always been with us. Their thinking is absolutely rational, in terms of logic, but the problem is that ... there are just too many people along the way who can stop them." 

Gaddie said Terry is targeting voters who wouldn't vote for Obama anyway. 

"The problem with (Terry) is that he's trying to capture anger that's already been captured."
There's also the question of just how large a percentage would be necessary to cause the president's campaign discomfort or create a ripple nationally. 

Although Obama is not popular in Oklahoma, he may not be that much more unpopular than other recent Democratic presidential candidates. His 2008 share of the vote - 34 percent - was identical to John Kerry's in 2004 and Bill Clinton's in 1992 and only slightly less than Al Gore's 38 percent in 2000. 

In 1996, as an unpopular Democratic incumbent against token opponents, Clinton lost 24 percent of the state primary vote. Lyndon LaRouche, on parole from federal prison at the time, received 13 percent. Elvena Lloyd-Duffie, a Chicago woman who said God told her to spend a $120,000 disability settlement on a presidential campaign, got 11 percent. 

Losing nearly a quarter of the Oklahoma primary vote did not seem to hinder Clinton's broader campaign or do much for LaRouche or Lloyd-Duffie. 

Pollster Bill Shapard said it's possible one or more of the alternatives to Obama might win a substantial portion of the March 6 vote, but he doubts it will help any of them, including Terry, down the road. 

"I don't think he'll have much impact on the rest of the year," said Shapard. 

Source:  Tulsa World

Read the article from the Tulsa World earlier and saved it for today -- this could be an interesting primary after all.  It would be so funny if Obama had real competition here in Oklahoma tomorrow.  He is not the most popular person in Oklahoma.  Far from it from this total Red State.

My bet is on Rick Santorum to take the Republican delegates here tomorrow but would love to see a cliff hangar with the Democrats.  That would be too funny.

Weather will be nice tomorrow so people have no excuse not to vote although would bet if you asked Democrats probably 75% or more don't even know they have a primary tomorrow.

Wonder if CNN will declare OK for a candidate at 8:01 p.m., est which they usually do before any ballots are even counted.  If they don't, that will be a switch.  Should make for an interesting evening tomorrow night especially if Oklahoma goes for someone other than Obama.  Can you imagine what the mainstream media would do?  Makes me chuckle thinking about it!

Governor Perry is Moving Texas Forward -- How about the Moving America Forward Next?

Email from Rick Perry.org:

With another legislative session behind us, Texans can again celebrate yet another balanced budget under Gov. Perry's leadership—attained without raising taxes—despite the destructive fiscal policies of the Obama Administration and Congress. In addition, the session yielded legislation to protect the integrity of our elections and "loser pay" elements to our legal system that do even more to combat the frivolous lawsuits that kill jobs.

As Governor Perry stands on the wall, upholding Texas values and helping our state set an example for the rest of the nation, we hope you will remain in the fight to spread our conservative message.

While liberals across the country lash out with increasing venom, the larger portion of our nation is watching our state's example with ever-increasing enthusiasm. Is there anything more fun than reminding big government advocates what's been happening in Texas as we lead the nation in job creation and economic freedom?

Gov. Perry has provided a clear blueprint that other states could follow, including an unshakeable commitment to doing the exact opposite of the job-killing, overreaching policies of President Obama. Again, Gov. Perry has proven that higher taxes and higher spending are NOT the answer to our nation's fiscal crisis. Please take a moment to view the video below ighlighting some of the most powerful legislative successes championed and signed by Rick Perry this year.




After viewing the video, check out Rick Perry.org to see the latest news from the Governor!

Deroy Murdock: Run Rick Run

Had not planned to do another on Rick Perry today but this one from Human Events was too good to pass up as it shows the difference between President George W Bush who was also the Governor of Texas and Rick Perry the current Governor of Texas.  Governor Perry is his own person who shows his own individual compassion but doesn't believe in "compassionate conservatism" -- he believes in people helping people not the Government taking over and putting in new regulations and mandates to help people.  It is one thing for the Federal Government to get involved in natural disasters but another to get involved in our everyday lives.

Rick Perry really is that true West Texan with a backbone of steel when it comes to his beliefs that the Federal Government has way overreached in getting involved in day to day business of the states as more and more power is ending up in DC when it should be at the state level.  Seriously thought President Bush would fight the EPA after all the problems they gave Texas and Oklahoma but frankly didn't see any change.  Unlike his predecessor, Rick Perry is already standing up against the Government more regulations and mandates including standing up to the current occupant of the White House.  He is continually fighting the EPA so a Rick Perry as President should make things interesting for the EPA.  Maybe he should appoint Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to head the EPA or Department of Interior -- that would make some liberal heads explode!

Rick Perry didn't grow up in a wealthy family but came from the small west Texas town of Paint Creek about 60 miles north of Abilene.  He is a graduate of Texas A&M where he was a yell leader for the Corps of Cadets and upon graduation was commissioned in the US Air Force flying C-130's.  After four years, he left the regular Air Force with the rank of Captain and returned to West Texas to go into cotton farming with his Dad.  He was a Democrat until he saw the light in 1990 and ran for the statewide Agriculture Commissioner which he won.   My first time to vote in Texas and Governor Perry was the first state government candidate I voted for that won.

In the 2010 Governor's Republican Primary, Kay Bailey Hutchinson was heavily supported by President GHW Bush and his group of supporters along with Mitt Romney.  Perry won in a three-way primary without a runoff.   There is no better example than the 2010 race to show Rick Perry is not the choice of the Bush establishment but he is certainly the choice of many of us in the grassroots.

This article by Murdock shows what I keep hearing about the lack of satisfaction toward the current people in the race.  They don't inspire you to want to get out and work for them 24/7.  They are nice people but don't bring the experience or the passion of a Rick Perry.  He will hit the ground running the minute he announces and the whole dynamic of race will change from lackluster to one full of energy.  We couldn't agree more with RUN RICK RUN!

Run Rick Run
by Deroy Murdock  

June 17, 2011 

Four summers ago, 73 percent of Republicans were satisfied with the candidates seeking the 2008 GOP presidential nomination. Now, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll revealed on Wednesday, only 45 percent of Republicans are happy with today’s 2012 contenders.
Texas governor Rick Perry, 61, could cure the GOP’s ennui. As America’s economy slumbers, Perry tells a stimulating story about Texas’ pro-market growth and job creation, two subjects that top the American mind. 

Between January 2001 and June 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates, Texas’ non-farm employment grew from 9,542,400 in January 2001, when Perry took office, to 10,395,800 in June 2010 — an increase of 853,400 or 8.9 percent. Big-government California simultaneously lost 827,800 jobs. Employment in Texas grew more than in the other 49 states combined. 

Since June 2009, when the Great Recession officially ended, Texas has produced 265,300 net jobs, equal to 36.7 percent of the 722,200 positions created nationwide.
For seven years running, CEOs polled by Chief Executive magazine have rated Texas first in business development and job growth. Texas boasts 58 Fortune 500 companies — more than any other state. 

As America’s No. 1 exporting state, Texas shipped $206.6 billion in goods abroad last year, composing 16 percent of America’s $1.28 trillion in exports. California’s $14.4 billion in exports ranked it second, with 11.2 percent of U.S. outflow. 

Texas’ achievements so stunned Gavin Newsom, California’s Democratic lieutenant governor, that he flew a delegation to Austin last May to ask Perry how he lures defectors from the Golden State. Of the 70 companies that fled California in 2011, the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund reported last April, 14 relocated to Texas — these exiles’ primary destination. 

So, what is Perry’s secret? Texas taxes neither personal incomes nor capital gains, and Perry proposed a 2010 constitutional amendment to require two-thirds supermajorities to legislate tax hikes. Beyond that, as Perry told Manhattan Republicans Tuesday, “don’t spend all the money.” He advised “a regulatory climate that is fair and predictable” as well as “a legal system that doesn’t allow for over-suing.” Thus, Perry signed a ground-breaking “loser pays” tort-reforms and medical-litigation rules that caused malpractice-insurance rates to fall. Some 20,000 doctors since have flooded Texas. 

Texas is a Right to Work state, which Perry should trumpet nationally. He should demand a woman’s right to choose…whether or not to join a union. 

On December 21, 2000, while Illinois State Senator Barack Obama was casting some of his 129 “present” votes, Perry took over a state government that now features some 384,000 workers and a $172.5 billion biennial budget. While Obama’s oratory often soars, he sometimes seems disengaged and indecisive — as if the Oval Office were a training facility. As Texas’ governor for a record 10 years, Perry’s executive experience is quadruple Obama’s. 

Perry’s biggest challenge may be that he is the governor of Texas. Americans suffered through the mitigated disaster that was G.W. Bush’s presidency. They may recoil at electing another commander in chief from Austin. Perhaps more worrisome for Perry are his appearance and mannerisms. At a well-delivered speech to the Heritage Foundation’s Resource Bank in Dallas on April 28, Perry did not quite resemble Bush. However, he mirrored actor James Brolin’s portrayal of the 43rd president in Oliver Stone’s film W. 

Perry can overcome this potential handicap by loudly and explicitly distancing himself from the White House’s disgraced former occupant. 

Perry should remind voters of the aristo-socialist Bush’s LBJ-like spendaholism and Carteresque regulatory overreach (e.g. Bush’s repugnant 2007 ban on Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb, effective 2012). Perry should declare that his domestic agenda will not echo Bush’s, much beyond tax relief and school choice. 

As the un-Obama and un-Bush, Perry soon could emerge as a seasoned, competent, growth-generating conservative. This should unite the Republican base, make Tea Partiers boil with glee, and magnetize independents and sensible Democrats. If so, voters just might dispatch Barack Obama to design his presidential library. 

---

Mr. Murdock, a New York-based commentator to HUMAN EVENTS, is a columnist with the Scripps Howard News Service and a media fellow with the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.

This article nails it because for weeks we have been hearing how the people of New York would not be open to Texas Governor Rick Perry running for President.  All of a sudden that has changed as  comments from people at the event last night were very positive for Perry.  Could it be the fact that these are real people talking not pundits who are part of the Obama media?  Whatever the reason, Gov Perry had a great visit to New York City.  Would bet New Yorkers are going to see more of Rick Perry in the months ahead.

We are also learning that 20 Arkansas Legislators have endorsed Gov Perry to run for President.  Contact:  ArkansansforRickPerry@gmail.com , 501-420-4030 phone 

The Hispanic Republican Conference of Texas of which El Paso's state Rep. Dee Margo is a member, announced today that they will try to encourage Gov. Rick Perry to run for President.  The HRC touted itself as "the first political organization in the nation to endorse his candidacy."

Ads for Gov Perry in New Hampshire

The Draft Perry movement is in full swing. 

Perry Watch: Texas governor gets rave reviews on Broadway

★ ★ ★

You might not think that Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s hard-charging brand of conservatism would play well in Manhattan, the last bastion of the moderate Rockefeller Republicans.

But you’d be wrong.

Perry’s performance at the New York County Republicans’ annual Lincoln Day fundraising gala drew unanimous raves from the diverse crowd, including a few closet moderates.

Here’s a collection of reaction from Republicans in attendance at the New York dinner:

Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive:

“We in New York need to be more like Texas. The jobs are being created in Texas. In New York we’ve been going downhill for way too long. I cite states like Texas that we have to be more like.”

“I, for one, hope that Gov. Perry puts his name in the ring for president. We need straight talkers.”

Phil Caracci, district leader, 74th Assembly District North, New York City:

“He knows what he wants, he knows what he’s done, he’s able to communicate that and he gets his following that way. If not this time, next time. I suspect we’ll see him in the national spotlight soon”

Bryan Cooper, district leader, Assembly District 74 South, New York City:

“He is saying the right things right now. The question is, is he going to run for president? From his speech right now, I don’t think that he will, (though) we would like him to. If he runs for president, Barack Obama’s history.”

Susan Levy, attorney in New York City:

“I really appreciate his values. He really brought back core principles that the Empire State is built on. We want to balance our budget the way he has.”

Ed Cox, New York State Republican Chairman:

“I dated Tricia (Nixon) for eight years. Rick Perry dated Anita for 16 years. She must be something.”

“He is focused as governor on creating a Texas of unlimited opportunity and prosperity … He is an experienced leader — a principled leader, a champion of fiscal discipline.”

Isabel Pena, district leader, 74th New York Assembly District South:

“He seems to be in touch with his constituents. I think it’s important for the Republicans to get this good an exposure; we’re really not that far from the middle ground.”

Melanie Hague-Scala, member of Albano Republican Club in New York City:

“The people of Texas like him a lot. The Republicans are out there and we really need to step up to the plate again. We have to change our name and if it takes someone from Texas to do that, I say bring it on.”

Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a radio talk show host, New York City:

“Do us a favor: Don’t secede from the Union. We need Texas. The heartland of America runs through Texas. Thank God it doesn’t run through San Francisco or New York.”

“People here in New York like throughout the rest of the country are looking for leadership…You would not only play well here, you would hit the ball out of the park.”

Source:  blog.chron.com

Texas Governor Perry stresses record during N.Y. speech

If anyone had any doubts that Gov Perry will be getting in the race, after last night's speech, the NY interviews, breakfast this morning with Rudy Giuliani, they should be put aside.  There is no one can work a room better than Rick Perry and last night he hit it out of the ballpark.  NYC Republicans turned out to welcome the Texas Governor to NYC and gave him rave reviews. 
When you start getting state legislators to ask Rick Perry to run you know a Draft Perry movement is well underway.  These comments from Ed Morrisey at Hot Air pretty well sum up the debate and the field:

After writing a curmudgeonly rant (or two) about one of the worst debate productions ever seen, I suppose I owe a word or two about how the candidates did. Frankly, none of them turned in an inspiring or inspired performance, although all of them did at least a competent job. I spent two hours looking for a breakout candidate or a charismatic performance that would stand out and frame the rest of the primary race. Instead, perhaps as a result of the silliness and grunting foisted on us by CNN and its moderator John King, none of them stood out much from the others, and none of them did much damage to themselves or each other.

After the debate on Monday night, Rick Perry flies to New York for a round of interviews and a speech to the Manhattan GOP the next day and all the press is focusing on Rick Perry.  All you have to do is look at Rick Perry's record as Texas Governor to know he would make a formidable candidate when he gets in the race. 

The Texas legislature will adjourn on 30 June so can we expect an announcement he is running on the 4th of July?  That would be perfect.  He is keeping his word that he will not make an announcement while the legislature is in session.  The number of speeches he is being asked to make around the Country this summer is increasing.  People want to hear Governor Perry speak and they will not go away disappointed. 

Reactions to Perry's speech are pretty positive. The Spectator's Alex Massie writes that Perry has the advantage of a simple story and theme: that "Texas is working" and that "what's worked for Texas can work for the rest of America too." And the National Review's Rich Lowry is impressed by Perry, writing:

There are three things a presidential candidate generally needs: 1) presence (does he fill the room?); 2) a narrative (does his biography and/or record add up to something?); 3) a theme (does he have a point in running?). Based on tonight, I’d say Perry could well have all three.

So much for some of us hearing the media spin that another Governor from Texas won't be welcome in the race by a lot of people:

We in New York need to be more like Texas,” said Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive in suburban New York. “I, for one, hope that Gov. Perry puts his name in the ring for president. We need straight talkers.”

The big question on the mind of many is "When will Rick Perry announce for President?" and with last night's speech, he has done nothing to quell that expectation.  Looking forward to his address on Saturday to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.  Last year's speech was really good -- typical Rick Perry where he gets the people in the audience involved and hits the ball out of the park.

Perry stresses record during N.Y. speech

By RICHARD S. DUNHAM/richard.dunham@chron.com

Updated 08:15 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks at the Lincoln Dinner, an annual fundraising event for the New York GOP, Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in New York. Perry stirred speculation Tuesday that he would seek the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, telling a television interviewer he would engage in a "thought process" before deciding whether to join the field.
Photo: AP / SA

NEW YORK — Texas Gov. Rick Perry sounded very much like a presidential hopeful at a New York City Republican fundraising dinner Tuesday, blasting President Barack Obama’s economic policies and boasting of Texas’ economic growth during his decade-long tenure.

“The Democratic Party is now the party of record deficits, historic debt and failed spending measures sold as job creation programs that only ended up expanding government,” Perry told 250 Republican loyalists at the New York County GOP’s annual Lincoln Day dinner.

Appearing at a hotel at Grand Central Station, Perry bragged about presiding over “the strongest economy in this country.”

He cited government statistics indicating that 48 percent of the jobs created in the United States in the past two years have been created in Texas.

“We keep adding jobs while other states lose them left and right,” Perry said. “Those jobs flee other states because of factors like excess taxation, punitive regulation and frivolous litigation.”

Perry congratulated the Texas Legislature for balancing the state budget without raising taxes “to preserve our job-friendly climate and most of the state’s $6 billion in our rainy day fund.

“In Texas, we can’t defer today’s tough decisions for tomorrow’s generation,” Perry said, “and unlike Washington, we don’t have one of those Beijing credit cards to finance deficit spending.”

Perry didn’t mention a potential presidential campaign during his 25-minute speech, but he did ask the audience to support his efforts by texting him their contact information. Still, he was treated like a presidential front-runner by the audience.

New York state Republican chairman Ed Cox, the son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon, praised Perry as “a principled leader” and “a champion of fiscal discipline.”

The governor’s top political advisers downplayed the significance of his coast-to-coast speeches this week, which began Sunday in Los Angeles and end Saturday in New Orleans.

This is “just like any other week,” said Perry political consultant David Carney. “He does this quite often.”

“People are really intrigued about what’s going on in Texas,” he said.

Perry was a late replacement at the dinner, taking the spot of billionaire developer and reality TV star Donald Trump, who dropped out after he quit the presidential race.

The Texas governor said it was “pretty cool” to speak “instead of The Donald.”

“He’s known for saying, ‘you’re fired,’” Perry said. “We’re known for saying, ‘You’re hired.’ That’s what we do in Texas.’”

Perry talked a lot about one person he’d like to see fired: Obama. He condemned the president’s “abysmal leadership” and the “endless overreaching” of his administration.

“This administration considers profit to be a dirty word,” he said.

Perry’s rhetoric — and his record as Texas governor — left the New York GOP leaders mighty impressed and a little bit jealous.

We in New York need to be more like Texas,” said Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive in suburban New York. “I, for one, hope that Gov. Perry puts his name in the ring for president. We need straight talkers.”

Perry’s speech came hours after 20 Arkansas legislators wrote an open letter to the Texas governor pleading with him to enter the presidential contest.

And the Alabama Republican Party announced Tuesday that Perry would speak at its summer fundraising gala in the early-presidential-primary state.

Before his speech, Perry gave a round of interviews to national media outlets. Asked by Fox host Neil Cavuto about a possible presidential race, Perry said he was “giving it some serious thought.”

Six weeks ago, this was not on my radar screen,” he said.

Read more: San Antonio Express News 

Some analysts say signs point to Perry presidential bid

Must admit that it doesn't take rocket science to figure that out. We think Larry Sabato who comments in this article is out of touch with the people in a large portion of the Country with his comments about not wanting another Texan and Perry being to the right of most people in the Country.  Guess Sabato never got the message that this country is center right and the issues that make a lot of Americans support Rick are his conservative principles in believing in State's Rights.  That resonates with a lot of people who are tired of the Federal Government getting involved in our every day lives. We would like to know what is wrong with being from Texas or being conservative?  Large state, complex problems, and an economy that is booming under the leadership of Governor Perry.  He brings up President Bush as some kind of an anchor around Rick Perry which shows his lack of understanding of Texas politics.

In 2010 Kay Bailey Hutchinson was supported by former President GHW Bush, former Secretary of State Jim Baker, and their group against Perry.  They are Romney people for the most part and didn't want Perry having a chance to run in the GOP primary IMHO.  President GW Bush stayed out of the primary so knowing those facts, how could that hurt Rick Perry who is his own person.  The answer is that it won't and after 2 1/2 years of Obama, President Bush no longer is the menace of even some of the Democrats.  Anyone who wouldn't  vote for Rick Perry because he is from Texas wouldn't vote for him anyway.

What is interesting is the Lincoln Dinner of the New York Republican County Committee in Manhattan in NYC which Trump dropped out as the speaker.  After that, they asked Perry to be their speaker and all of sudden the tickets were a hot commodity which should tell you all you need to know.  This is New York not exactly the hotbed of conservatives.  Have to wonder if one Rudy Giuliani put a suggestion in their ear to ask Perry.  Rick Perry supported Rudy early in the Presidential race in 2008 even going into Florida to campaign for him.  We would bet money that Rudy would love to see Rick run for President this time -- you can bet that Rudy and law firm of Bracewell and Giuliani will be fully on board for Perry.  Pat Oxford keeping his powder dry says a lot.

Rumors are flying everywhere that everything is in place to run now with Rob Johnson back in Austin.  There is no way he and others would stay with Newt no matter if it was a smooth running campaign if Perry decided to get in the race.  Johnson would have been headed back to Texas as fast as he could get there once Perry decided to run.  Rick Perry getting in the race would be a game changer.  He is energetic, conservative, and not many can get a room on their feet applauding like Perry can.

Some analysts say signs point to Perry presidential bid 

By Maria Recio
mrecio@mcclatchydc.com 

WASHINGTON -- Gov. Rick Perry's strategy of sitting back and waiting to be asked to run for president seems to be paying off.

When presidential aspirant Donald Trump flamed out, Perry was the one asked to substitute as keynote speaker at next week's annual Lincoln Dinner of the New York Republican County Committee in Manhattan. And this week, some of Perry's former top aides abandoned the candidacy of Newt Gingrich, creating a buzz. 

"An observer of the Texas political scene, watching what he's doing, you would have to say he's running," said Pat Oxford, chairman of the Houston-based Bracewell & Giuliani law firm.

Perry's invitation to be the marquee speaker Tuesday at the high-profile fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the nation's biggest media market underscores the curiosity that Republican conservatives have about the Texas governor. "When Perry was announced, there was a lot more interest," said Marcus Cederqvist, executive director of the New York Republican County Committee. Ticket sales soared when Trump's replacement was announced, he said. "People were very excited about it."

"Gov. Perry is the perfect example that we in New York should be looking to," committee Chairman Daniel Isaacs said in a statement. "At a time when New York ranks at or near the bottom among states in every important metric, Texas is leading the way. By focusing on keeping taxes low and fostering a fair legal and regulatory environment, Gov. Perry has helped Texas attract business and residents at a time when New York has been hemorrhaging both."

Isaacs said he has organized a "meet and greet" lunch for Perry with 30 of Manhattan's top financiers and power brokers, after which the Texan will make several media appearances before the dinner speech.
When asked last month whether he intends to run, Perry said, "I'm going to think about it."

What other people are thinking about it took on new energy with Thursday's mass exodus of Gingrich's campaign workers, including longtime Perry advisers David Carney and Rob Johnson.
"All the signs point to" Perry's running, said Austin political consultant Bill Miller, who advises members of both parties. "It sure adds up to a guy who's going to be a candidate."

But Perry spokesman Mark Miner sustained the "sit back" strategy, saying: "Nothing's changed. Of course he's going to think about it. Right now, he's focused on the legislative session."

The state Legislature is completing unfinished business in a special session that could run through the end of June.

In an e-mail, Carney told the Star-Telegram that the Gingrich exodus "has no bearing on the thinking of the governor."

Besides the New York trip and Perry's consultants being "back in the fold," as Miller puts it, the governor's unexpected call for a day of "prayer and fasting" in Houston in August also fueled speculation of a White House run.

"He'd certainly be a good candidate," Fort Worth power broker and lawyer Dee Kelly said. "If they don't get one candidate to split the conservative vote, he can point to his track record creating jobs in Texas. In this economy right now, he's got credentials."

Texas has led the nation in job creation for 10 years, according to federal data. From February 2010 to February 2011, 254,000 jobs were created. California was in second place with 194,000.

Not all observers think Perry will try to follow his predecessor as governor, George W. Bush, to Washington. 

Larry Sabato, a presidential expert at the University of Virginia, thinks that despite all the signals, Perry is "having fun with it."

"I'd be surprised if he runs," Sabato said. "He's to the right of the country. I don't think there's any doubt about that."

And the country is not willing, he said, to go with another Texan so soon after Bush, especially one who is "right of Bush" and who has suggested that the Lone Star State consider seceding from the Union. 

"Being from Texas hurts anyone running," Sabato said, "but Rick Perry in particular."

For his part, Houston attorney Oxford is keeping his powder dry while waiting to see whether a New Yorker might make a presidential run -- his law partner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Looking at the field so far, Oxford said, "There's no Republican candidate who has caught any kind of supportive breeze."

In 2008, Perry, notably, supported Giuliani for president.

Maria Recio is the Star-Telegram's Washington bureau chief. 202-383-6103

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/06/10/3144098/some-analysts-say-signs-point.html#ixzz1P4b91lUb

As most of you who read this blog probably can tell, I have not be a huge supporter of any of the current crop of Republican candidates because frankly not sure they could beat Obama and unfortunately not the only who feels that way.  None of them make this conservative from the Sooner State want to support their campaign more than voting for them as being better than Obama.  That said, I am huge supporter of Texas A&M graduate Rick Perry and have been since the first time I had the privilege of hearing him speak and then voting for him for Agriculture Commissioner in 1990 after we had been transferred to Kelly AFB that summer.  He was the one bright spot for Republicans in an otherwise dismal election.  Even after the transfer to Oklahoma, continued to support Perry and his campaigns.  Rick Perry is conservative, an Eagle Scout, former Air Force Pilot, and a lot more experience then any other candidate with being Governor of Texas since January 2001.  Perry knows what it is like to have the Federal Government at your doorstep with regulations from the EPA, lack of support out of the Administration to fight the border problem, and the Feds stepping on State's rights for starters.

Texas economy is flourishing and you can it to the bank that oil and gas will be solidly behind Rick Perry as America needs to drill more to make our country more self-sufficient for foreign oil.  The blocking of permits for Gulf Oil Drilling will stop the day Rick Perry becomes President.  Obama has sought to put TX, OK, LA and other oil and gas producing states on their backs first with regulations and then his putting a moratorium on Gulf Oil Drilling which is still semi in place today as it almost takes an act of Congress to get a permit to drill.  Then we have the lizard problem in the Permian Basin that the EPA is trying to use to stop new oil drilling to protect the lizard.  That means the EPA doesn't want the San Antonio area which gets their water from Edwards Aquifer to have water to drink so the salamander and now a beetle they found can flourish or the Permian Basin to keep drilling in order save a lizard?  The problems with the EPA are legendary in this part of the Country.  It is like 'stop the insanity of the EPA!'

Would say that Rick Perry running would be a nightmare for Obama because Perry doesn't back down as all of us have witnessed in the past few years.  We need a candidate with a backbone who understands what it takes to get the economy moving again and it certainly isn't new regulations or finding a new species to protect at the expense of oil and gas drilling.  Rick Perry's experience as Ag Commissioner, Lt Governor, and now Governor gives him experience others don't have.  No one can question his Air Force time as he flew C-130's overseas.  That issue is off the table in case Dan Rather is wondering.

Then we have the people saying he was a Democrat before running for Ag Commissioner.  If anyone uses that against him, then they don't understand Texas or the South where to get elected at one time you pretty much had to be a Democrat.  He grew up in a heavy Democrat area, but he chose to become a Republican and run for statewide office in a year that Republicans were not doing well but he won.   In Texas there were a lot of Democrat Conservatives including Cong Ralph Hall who after all those years as a Texas Democrat switched to Republican when President GW Bush was in office.  I respected Hall as a Democrat conservative and I respect today because his principles are the same -- it is the Democrat Party who has been lunging left for years and left those Southern Conservative Democrats without a party.  I have seen it in my own area.  I prefer to say "they finally saw the light."

Another Republican throws their hat in the ring for President -- this time a person who is very much the social conservative but also while in the Senate was strong on defense and foreign affairs.  We have heard him speak and he kept our attention unlike a few people who almost put you to sleep.  Will be interesting to watch the field unfold but must say would rather have Santorum than a Huckabee.

One of the oddest things we saw today on a conservative website was touting a Ryan/Rubio ticket.  The same people who say that Obama is not a natural born citizen are touting Rubio who was born in this Country to parents who were still Cuban citizens as they were not here for the full five years.   Do some conservatives not know the Constitution requirements to be President any better than the Democrats?

Make mistakes from time to time on here and we thank the people who point them out so we can make the correction.  Before an article goes up, it is researched not just relying on the sites where we got the original information unless it is for humor.  Not afraid to pick up a phone and verify as well.  We actually thought there was so much information out in public about what constitutes a natural born citizen.

At least we know Santorum is a natural born citizen.

Rick Santorum 2012 Campaign For President Launches

AP/The Huffington Post
First Posted: 06/ 6/11 07:46 AM ET Updated: 06/ 6/11 08:07 AM ET 

Santorum, a favorite among his party's social conservatives, chose to confirm his plans during an appearance Monday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America" at the banner-draped site he chose in the western Pennsylvania coalfields for his formal announcement.

In the network interview, Santorum accused President Barack Obama of having a weak foreign policy, saying he doesn't feel he has stood up sufficiently to Iran and asserting he has done too little to speak out against Syrian President Bashir Assad for the violence there.

(snip)

The blunt-talking conservative lacks the name recognition and fundraising organization of his better-known rivals, but the two-term senator's advisers are counting on social conservatives who have huge sway in some early nominating states and have yet to settle on a favorite candidate.


So far, those social conservatives are weighing already declared candidates such as Pawlenty and potential contenders Bachmann and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Santorum, a lawyer by training, had been laying the groundwork for a presidential bid when he lost a bruising re-election bid to the Senate in 2006. His opposition to abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research makes him an appealing candidate for conservatives. But his sometimes abrasive style alienated voters in Democratic-leaning Pennsylvania, and they replaced him with Bob Casey, an anti-abortion Democrat.

Santorum's policy positions align with national conservatives who now are looking at many of the expected candidates with skepticism.

Romney's changes of heart on gay rights and abortion do little to help his second presidential effort. Gingrich is twice divorced. Huntsman, who worked for three Republican administrations, nonetheless accepted Obama's offer to be the U.S. ambassador to China.

Santorum, 53, has his own hurdles to overcome: He has been out of elective office since 2007 and lacks the robust fundraising or personal wealth of his likely rivals.

He is expected at next Monday's debate in New Hampshire, which is likely to include more of the expected field.

Excerpt:  Read More at Huffington Post

Gov Perry Press Conference from the Texas Capitol

Rick Perry reverses course after months of saying he's not interested

This is a headline we have been waiting to post -- all signs have been pointing to the fact that Governor Perry was going to consider running for awhile now as he changed from a definite NO to trying not to answer directly on his plans.
We love MSNBC calling Perry the "outspoken conservative" because that is what has endeared many of us to Perry running.  He tells it like it is and if you don't like it, tough!
Governor Perry in the race would give a lot of people reason to get excited about our chances including me.  Texas couldn't have a better Governor than Rick Perry who knows how to get companies and jobs to move to Texas.  Why not have him as President to get the economy running  with a sensible budget that encourages job growth.  He knows what it is like to have the federal government stick their nose in states business especially during these last two years where Obama and his people are basically shutting down the Gulf to new oil drilling and they are not doing much better on land.  Would expect one of Rick's first agenda items as President would be to tell the EPA to back off of this part of the Country.
Governor Perry reached out to the ideals of the Tea Party from Day One that Government has to do a better job of getting the budget under control and balanced by stopping runaway spending.  We cannot think of a better Republican to run than Rick Perry. 
Had the privilege of voting for Perry when he ran for Agriculture Commission in 1990 as one my first votes in Texas.  He was the one bright spot of the evening.  Perry is so good for Texas we could use him as President -- he has the experience, is conservative, and passionate about Texas and America.  Would be great to have a President who loves America once again in the White House.
Run Rick Run should be the mantra of Republicans from all over the Country.   This Texas Governor will not back down and would love seeing a debate between Rick Perry and Obama. 

Texas governor says he might run for president       
Rick Perry reverses course after months of saying he's not interested   

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving chief executive in the state's history and a politician who has never lost an election, said Friday he will consider seeking the Republican nomination for president.
The outspoken conservative, who for months said he wasn't interesting in running for the White House, said he will consider entering the race after the Texas Legislature adjourns Monday.

"I'm going to think about it," Perry said. "I think about a lot of things."
It was a stark reversal from his previous insistence that he would not seek the presidency, and one that could shake-up the GOP race. Perry would enter with unquestioned conservative bona fides and a proven fundraising record, adding a fresh voice to field narrowed by the decisions of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels not to run.
Perry has been the center of a presidential buzz during the past week, kicked up as many Republicans lamented the remaining slate of candidates vying for the opportunity to challenge President Barack Obama. The talk increased last week after his speech to Republican insiders in Dallas won rave reviews. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh spent 20 minutes on his talk show a few days later espousing Perry's appeal as a candidate. 
Excerpt:  Read More at MSNBC 

        

Gov Tim Pawlenty Announcement Video for President

Former Minnesota Governor's video is a preview of his campaign. With his plain spoken words and lack of cliche's, he is already at the top of the list for a roll out that is classy. He is right about one thing -- he is conservative and he governed the liberal state of Minnesota for 8 years bringing conservative values to state government. Minnesota is in much better shape then when he was first elected and in a few years it will be in much worse shape with the new Democrat Government.

Welcome to the race Governor!

Chris Christie Rates High in Latest Poll from Quinnipiac

The Republican primary will be adding another candidate tomorrow with Newt Gingrich announcing.  Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana is sounding more and more like he will be getting in the race soon probably in time for the next debate.  The first debate we had Herman Cain, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul, with Mitt Romney turning down the invite for South Carolina but is signed up for the next debate.  Donald Trump, Michelle Bachmann, and Rudy Giuliani are making noise they might get in the race.  The GOP field will be adding more in the days ahead which should make for an interesting spring and summer.  

Of the current slate of announced or ready to announce candidates we see Herman Cain as being the most popular. One of the funniest quotes of this campaign so far came out of Cain, ""I guess I am a racist" for opposing Obama which shows how idiotic Obama and his campaign are to accuse people who oppose him as racist. Talk about thin-skinned -- Obama goes to the top of the list.  Cain brings life to the campaign because he will stand up and be counted and by all accounts won the debate in South Carolina.  When you have a sense of humor it goes a long way in getting people on board because it means you don't take yourself too seriously like the current occupant of the White House whose number one word is "I."

Wish list of some Republicans who want different choices is led by Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, Governor Rick Perry of Texas, and recently added Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.

Chris Christie Rates High in Latest Poll

Peter Wehner 03.07.2011 - 3:23 PM

According to a Quinnipiac poll in which voters rated their feelings about politicians and other national figures, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is “the hottest politician on the thermometer.” (Of note: 55 percent of American voters said they don’t know enough about Christie to form an option.)

Former speaker Nancy Pelosi received the coolest rating from voters, while Majority Leader Harry Reid ranks next lowest, followed by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

I would place some people in the poll higher and others lower, but it strikes me that the person at the top and the people at the bottom are more or less where they belong. Beyond that, it should reassure conservatives that Governor Christie, much more than Ms. Palin, is the type of figure the public is looking for from its political class.

One can sense how much Palin has been diminished in the public’s esteem in recent months. Her endless Twittering, her lack of basic knowledge about public policy and inability to articulate a compelling case for conservatism, and her striking sense of grievances and resentments (some of which are understandable) have come at quite a cost.

Ms. Palin has also suffered in contrast to other Republicans, and most especially Republican governors, many of whom embody a maturity, a proper governing temperament, and a seriousness of purpose. Compared to what Christie, Mitch Daniels, Scott Walker, Bob McDonnell, Bobby Jindal, and other lawmakers are doing, Palin seems to be shrinking before our eyes.

Source:  Commentary Magazine

High negative numbers do not win elections for any one.  No matter what some people want to say, Republicans need those independents and Democrat conservatives to win the Presidency.

In the days ahead we are going to start looking at the pros and cons of each of the candidates.  Personally the candidates that have not announced are intriguing and think can energize the base better.  We are not enamored with anyone who ran in 2008 and couldn't beat McCain in the primary starting with Romney and Paul and maybe Huckabee and Giuliani who are the latest to make noise about running.

A quick look at 2008 candidates who have committees or thinking of running:

We like Rudy a lot but doubt he will never make it through the GOP primaries in some states because of his stand on abortion first and foremost.  We understand that he has backed adoption over abortion for years but that prosecutor comes out in him that until the law of the land is changed on abortion there is nothing that can be done.  He also opposes federal funding of abortions but that was missed by some conservatives in their constant attacks.  We also know he fell on his sword for McCain by going to Florida early the same thing Fred Thompson did in South Carolina.

Huckabee is the former televangelist who governed  at times to the left of Bill Clinton in Arkansas raising fees to bring in more money and as Governor was against home schools before being for them when he ran for President.  We don't seem him as a candidate this time around as he would have to give up his TV show on Fox News.

Romney is a non-starter for a lot of us.  During 2008 when he would hold Town Halls, he would only allow Mormons or state staffers to ask questions.  We oppose his stand on healthcare and frankly are not interested in his spin about Romneycare as we know people from MA who went to NH in 2008 to work for McCain as they didn't like Romney as Governor.  He is too closely tied to Bush 41 and Rove for us.  In fact we wish that Bush 41 and the people who surround him would stand down this time around and let Republican rank and file choose our candidate.  Rove's attacks on Trump who he perceived as a threat to Romney were way over the top and cost him credibility when you find out he most likely is going to be helping Romney.

Ron Paul is not a serious candidate that could challenge the leaders but it gets his message out and he makes debates interesting.  His support on the net and at events is very loud but does not transfer into a lot of votes in the primaries.

There is absolutely zero desire from a lot of us to support anyone who ran in 2008 and couldn't beat McCain even after some Romney people tried to tank his campaign.  McCain came back to win the nomination thanks to Rudy and Thompson people.  It is time for new blood to run who can beat Obama.  Do the announced candidates have the backbone to withstand the onslaught the media is about to throw at them?   We will find out soon enough.

Tim Pawlenty Announcement video for his Exploratory Committee

Visit his new website at TimPawlenty.com to learn more facts about the former Minnesota Governor. After eight years as Governor of Minnesota dealing with a Democrat legislature, he is more than qualified.

Background:

During his two terms as Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty has used innovative and conservative leadership to balance the state’s budget, cut spending, reform health care and improve schools without raising taxes. Under his leadership, Minnesota has nation-leading health care, the highest school test scores, and a leading economy.

Balancing the state budget against a Democrat legislature is no small feat and is very commendable. Was definitely not an easy task and took a backbone of steel to accomplish.

Pawlenty to file exploratory committee today

Wanted to learn more about Tim Pawlenty so I ordered his book, Courage to Stand, and found it very interesting reading following my completion of the George W. Bush book, Decision Points.  After reading Pawlenty's book, I can understand why some people I know support him for President.  I think as more Americans get to hear his message, they will start to understand why he is running for President.  He didn't have an easy road as Governor with the Democrats in charge of the legislature but he was successful and found ways to make it work. 

His Introduction in his book caught my attention and reminded me of how many times around the kitchen table, current events and politics were discussed when I was growing up.  It was refreshing to read his comments and understand a little more about the former Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty who has his feet planted on the ground and his priorities straight.  Below are a few paragraphs from his book:

America is in Trouble

People I talk to in every small town and big city across this great country of our recognize we're headed down a dangerous road.  Here's what I mean:

In the spring of 2010, the world watched in horror as Greece's financial system suffered a near-total meltdown.  There were protests and riots in the streets as a populace so addicted to entitlements and living the good life off the government dole faced the harsh reality that they might have to sacrifice what the government had promised them -- because the government simple had no more money to pay for it.  An entire population seemed horrified that they might to work past the common retirement age of six-one.  Imagine.

My family was eating breakfast one morning, discussion Greece and its financial trouble because it was in the newspaper.  Mara, my then-thirteen-year-old daughter, completely unprompted, with simplicity and clarity, looked at me and said, "That will be America soon."

That's a quote.  I didn't prompt her.  A thirteen-year old recognized America is spending blindly toward the edge of a cliff.  "That will be America soon."

If a child can see it, why6 can't the Washington establishment?  And yet here we are, face with the leadership at various levels of government -- especially the national level -- who are unwilling or unable to tack the real issues of our time.

Glad he is setting up the first step, an exploratory committee, to getting in the race in 2012 for President.  He completed his 4-year term as Governor and is ready to roll up his sleeves to run for President.  We have found him refreshing as some of the other potential candidates have been around too long and are so over exposed that we want someone new running against Obama in 2012. 

We are looking forward to learning more about the former Minnesota Governor who had a spine of steel against the Minnesota Democrat led legislature.

Pawlenty to file exploratory committee today

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will file paperwork today to organize his bid for the White House into an exploratory committee, he told supporters on a conference call today.

"We're filing the paperwork today to form an exploratory committee to run for president of the United States," he said on the call, to which POLITICO dialed in, he said, saying the committee would allow him to take the "initial steps" to run for president.

The bid, to be announced on Facebook later today, will be headquartered in the Minneapolis.

An aide, Phil Musser, asked donors to wait until April 1 to contribute to Pawlenty's campaign, in order to avoid the impression that he'd tried and failed to raise much money in his first quarter.

"With all due respect for President Obama, I think he's taken this country in the wrong direction," Pawlenty told supporters. "This is the greatest nation this world has ever known and it's in trouble and it needs a new direction and it ned new leadership."

Pawlenty's aides also made the case for his candidacy

"Tim Pawlenty is the conservative in this race who can unite all elements of the Republican party, and can beat Barack Obama in 2012," said Musser, who cast Pawlenty's obscurity as a potential advantage. "The good news is that the governor is still largely unknown to most Republican primary voters -- that's an opportunity and a challenge for us."

Source: Politico

A Human Events Exclusive Video Interview with Donald Trump

The following teaser from Human Events on You Tube is for their exclusive interview with Donald Trump from Trump Towers.

Sign up at Human Events to view the exclusive interview with American icon and potential 2012 GOP candidate Donald Trump sat down with Human Events for an exclusive 30-minute interview. See what he has to say about our economy, our military, and our future. Watch the first of 6 video segments. Visit HumanEvents.com for the other segments.

Can Donald Trump energize Republicans if he decides to run in 2012? Time will tell but we are not counting him out. At least he speaks his mind without spin which is very much of a positive because you know exactly where he stands.

In the first segment of his interview we agree that the United States should not be the world's policeman. We have always been told it is up to the United Nations to do the policing on the streets like in Iraq and Afghanistan but our recent Presidents have not stood up and told the UN to do its job. One thing I would love to see out of Donald Trump as President would be to take on the United Nations and demand they live up to their Charter.

From the interview, we are getting more of an indication that Donald Trump is serious about running.  As Trump pointed out airports in Third World countries are better than some of the major airports in the United States like LaGuardia in New York.  Couldn't agree more with Trump that our infrastructure is in bad shape after being ignored for years.  We have bridges in Oklahoma that are unsafe and just now are starting to be fixed.  Several bridges where I live shed concrete onto I-35, but are now in the process of finally being repaired.  Roads and bridges need to have constant supervision and fixed before they get so bad you have to tear up the whole road or replace an entire bridge.

We are looking forward to hearing more of what Donald Trump has to say in the months ahead as he will make his decision in early summer whether to run for President or not!

Courage to Stand by Tim Pawlenty

Washington Examinder: Why Mike Pence should run for president

When we first heard the name Mike Pence mentioned for President several years ago, had more of a who is this man and why would he be considered to run for President in 2012? Then over the last two years as Chairman of the House Republican Conference began to really notice him and started listening to the one minute speeches of him and his good friend Steve King of Iowa and thought that these two Congressmen are what this Country needs. People who are articulate and you can understand what they are saying.

Neither of them are stick your finger in the wind to see which way it is blowing type of Congressmen -- they know who they are and are not afraid to stand up for their principles. They have a clear vision of what is right for America -- less Government interference for one thing, a leaner Federal Government, and a tax code that everyone can understand for starters. It makes sense they are good friends.

This blog really helped me learn about the man Mike Pence as I started posting more and more of the articles he sent out as Chairman of the Republican Conference. Then at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans last spring, a lot of us saw Mike Pence in action as he gave a great speech that brought the crowd to their feet over and over again. Only two people were outstanding -- Mike Pence and Gov Rick Perry of TX. Most of the rest of the speeches were lackluster at best and some were pretty bad.

After that appearance, we started looking at various candidates who might run and kept coming back to Mike Pence as being someone who is articulate, intelligent, down to earth, and has a lot of common sense which comes from being raised in the Heartland of America and who is raising his family in Indiana.

Might be a 'wee bit' prejudiced after being raised in the Heartland, living on both coasts, and now permanently back in the Heartland, but believe the heart and soul of America is right here where neighbors still take care of neighbors and you are friendly to strangers who have just moved to your area or are passing through who just want some information or to see a friendly face. People are not afraid to show their religion or as they say in some parts, there is a church on every corner in some areas.

We have noticed Pence doesn't take himself too seriously but takes being part of putting America back on the right track very seriously.

We sincerely hope that he decides to run for President in 2012 and firmly believe he will be able to unite the various parts of the Republican Party because frankly he is not an 'in your face' type of person. He is comfortable with himself and not trying to be something he is not which is exactly what we need.

This is a very good article and another one in a long line of articles we have read in the past few months asking Mike Pence to get in the race for President in 2012 and let America see what some of us are seeing.

Why Mike Pence should run for presidentBy: Mark Tapscott 01/25/11 3:38 PM
Editorial Page Editor

One of my favorite moments from my seven years of toiling happily at the Heritage Foundation came in 2006 just before I introduced Rep. Mike Pence as a speaker. As we sat together chatting, I casually asked him if he would run for president.

His response was one of those “have you completely lost your mind” looks one rarely sees in public on the faces of politicians as cool, composed and competent as Pence. Then we both shared a laugh, I introduced him, and life went on, he to become chairman of the House Republican Conference and me to an humble position with this newspaper.

But I was serious when I asked the question because I’ve long thought Pence is one of those rarest of Washington figures – a man who says what he means and means what he says. There aren’t many such men in either party.

Remember, Pence is the guy who is “a Christian first, then a conservative, then a Republican.” The guy has his priorities in order. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an endorsement of Pence because honesty and having the right priorities are only two of the most important qualification for the Oval Office. There are others and we have not yet seen enough of Pence on the national stage to make judgments in those regards.

It is important for the Republic, though, that men like Pence stand for high office and especially so for the highest office. I think there are abundant reasons for thinking this Indianan could become the Republican leader for the 21st century. For now, here are three of those reasons:

First, there is his level-headedness. It’s both a blessing and a curse. When he speaks, Pence usually gives the impression of having thought it through, of knowing what he is talking about in that detailed way that can only be the product of genuine reflection. It is a curse when Pence comes across as a bit pedantic. This is far from a show-stopper.

Second, there are his convictions. He is a man of faith and a genuine conservative who understands that economic freedom produces the best results for everybody concerned when sown among consumers who are independent, trustworthy, family oriented and hard-working.

In his recent speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Pence offered this common sense observation:

“All I really know about economics is what you tax you get less of and what you subsidize you get more of. We need a tax system that will encourage income, savings, investment and growth, but our tax code does the opposite. It punishes savers and investors by taxing them twice and in some cases more times than that.

“To promote income, savings and investment, we need a system built on the principle that income should be taxed once and just once. We need a fair and effective method of taxation that will make doing your taxes easy and remove the confusion of the present tax code.”

To that end, he supports a flat tax. Me, too. End the complexity, end the confusion, end the cultivation of tax breaks for the politically influential. In short, Pence is a supply-sider on economics.

That makes Pence the closest thing on the GOP political scene that I know of to the kind of fusionist that Ronald Reagan epitomized. With adherents as diverse as they are within GOP, including everything from gold bugs and libertarians, to classical liberals and defenders of traditional marriage and family, it very likely will require a Pence to unify the party for the epic clash of 2012.

Finally, there is his normalcy. Pence doesn’t have to work at seeming to be comfortable with folks from all sorts of social, economic and political strata. He’s obviously comfortable with who he is and why he is where he is and could be, which is the most important ingredient.

I don’t see that “fire in the belly” ambition that disciples of the conventional political wisdom have been telling us for lo these many years are essential to the winning presidential race. That’s an attribute of the imperial presidency, not of the Constitution’s chief executive. Pence is thinking of running because he worries for his country and wants to help right the ship of state.

There is an old maxim that God protects drunks and the United States of America. I think that is mostly true, but He works through good men. That’s why Pence should run – we need to see how good he can be.

Mark Tapscott is editorial page editor of The Washington Examiner.

Source: Washington Examiner