Thursday, November 30, 2006
Frontrunner...
Picking up on the frontrunner issue discussed on Evangelicals for Mitt, I don't think there is any indication that Giuliani is currently a front runner. Being a front runner involves much more than polling good numbers. The willingness of important republican strategists to join a team is part of being a front runner. Donations from important figures is an indication. Complex signalling amongst party elite about who they will support is important. In all, I think it a complex thing to figure out who is the front runner at this time but I would be placing my money on Romney or McCain. If Giuliani is able to quickly mobilize a team as formidable as Romney's is turning out to be, then I might reconsider this opinion.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bill Frist out of Presidential Race...
Bill Frist explains his reasons for not running for President in 2008...
"In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close. I do not intend to run for president in 2008," Frist said in a statement.
Of course, we had all seen this coming since the Republicans did so poorly in mid term elections this month. In addition, Bill Frist seemed to be a sphinx of sorts in the Republican Presidential mix. He did not have the hero status of Giuliani, he did not have the "Rebel Against Republican Causes" persona of John McCain, and he couldn't run against Mitt on core Republican social issues.
His failure to be a true conservative is exemplified in his support for federal spending on stem cell research. People who morally oppose stem cell research should not be forced to give money to the government to spend on it. The same holds true for abortion. In addition, the private market is a better way of judging the merits of any such research. I wrote him a letter saying as much sometime after his announcement of support for stem cell research. Of course, I received a form letter back about how many benefits may one day come from such research. For some reason, the market doesn't think its that promising yet.
Frist goes on to explain his plans for when he leaves office...
"I will continue to be a strong voice to fix what is broken in our health care system and to address the issues of clean water and public health globally."
I suggest the first appropriate move would be to endorse Governor Mitt Romney for President then. Governor Romney has shown he is committed to working for sensible health care solutions in our country without socializing all medicine.
"In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close. I do not intend to run for president in 2008," Frist said in a statement.
Of course, we had all seen this coming since the Republicans did so poorly in mid term elections this month. In addition, Bill Frist seemed to be a sphinx of sorts in the Republican Presidential mix. He did not have the hero status of Giuliani, he did not have the "Rebel Against Republican Causes" persona of John McCain, and he couldn't run against Mitt on core Republican social issues.
His failure to be a true conservative is exemplified in his support for federal spending on stem cell research. People who morally oppose stem cell research should not be forced to give money to the government to spend on it. The same holds true for abortion. In addition, the private market is a better way of judging the merits of any such research. I wrote him a letter saying as much sometime after his announcement of support for stem cell research. Of course, I received a form letter back about how many benefits may one day come from such research. For some reason, the market doesn't think its that promising yet.
Frist goes on to explain his plans for when he leaves office...
"I will continue to be a strong voice to fix what is broken in our health care system and to address the issues of clean water and public health globally."
I suggest the first appropriate move would be to endorse Governor Mitt Romney for President then. Governor Romney has shown he is committed to working for sensible health care solutions in our country without socializing all medicine.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Religion and Discrimination...
Religion is a recurring theme when speaking about Mitt. Time magazine has an extensive article this past weekend about Mitt dealing with the religion question.
Why is the religion question so intriguing to reporters? Evangelicals for Mitt seeks to give some insight here.
I do think the religion question is an interesting one. To me, the question is whether or not bigotry is going to triumph over reason. Whether prejudice will outweigh sound judgment.
It seems to me that to vote against or for any candidate on the basis of religion is horribly unreasonable. After all, I am of that group of people sworn to uphold the laws of our country and my state that say religious affiliation is a protected status. Why is it a protected status? One approach is merely a freedom of religion approach which might say that it is merely a matter of making sure we are not infringing other's rights to worship however they please. Another approach would say that it is inherintly unreasonable, unfair, and inefficient for prejudice to exist in our society. Whatever the background logic, we don't want discrimination in our society.
If we don't want bias in our society at large, we wouldn't want it in our elections. People get to vote however they please but votes based on a person's religion are not very informed, just as hiring decisions based upon religion aren't reasonable. Without taking a look at an individual for who they are, decisions based on religious stereotypes are inherently unsound.
Many people think that old biases against Mormons will be a significant factor in a Mitt Romney candidacy. To what extent they are is an interesting question. It will be a telling indication of how far we have come from a country that openly attacks Mormons for the sake of being Mormon to a country that generally accepts various religious creeds.
Like President Kennedy, I believe our country will make the right choice and judge Romney based on his own credentials and ignore the merits or faults of his religion.
Why is the religion question so intriguing to reporters? Evangelicals for Mitt seeks to give some insight here.
I do think the religion question is an interesting one. To me, the question is whether or not bigotry is going to triumph over reason. Whether prejudice will outweigh sound judgment.
It seems to me that to vote against or for any candidate on the basis of religion is horribly unreasonable. After all, I am of that group of people sworn to uphold the laws of our country and my state that say religious affiliation is a protected status. Why is it a protected status? One approach is merely a freedom of religion approach which might say that it is merely a matter of making sure we are not infringing other's rights to worship however they please. Another approach would say that it is inherintly unreasonable, unfair, and inefficient for prejudice to exist in our society. Whatever the background logic, we don't want discrimination in our society.
If we don't want bias in our society at large, we wouldn't want it in our elections. People get to vote however they please but votes based on a person's religion are not very informed, just as hiring decisions based upon religion aren't reasonable. Without taking a look at an individual for who they are, decisions based on religious stereotypes are inherently unsound.
Many people think that old biases against Mormons will be a significant factor in a Mitt Romney candidacy. To what extent they are is an interesting question. It will be a telling indication of how far we have come from a country that openly attacks Mormons for the sake of being Mormon to a country that generally accepts various religious creeds.
Like President Kennedy, I believe our country will make the right choice and judge Romney based on his own credentials and ignore the merits or faults of his religion.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Romney for Conservatism...
The Examiner has a good article online based on an interview with Mitt wherein he compares himself to the other possible candidates...
“We’re in a different place on immigration; we’re in a different place on campaign reform; we’re in a different place on same–sex marriage; we’re in a different place on the president’s policy on interrogation of detainees,” Romney said.
“We’re in a different place on immigration; we’re in a different place on campaign reform; we’re in a different place on same–sex marriage; we’re in a different place on the president’s policy on interrogation of detainees,” Romney said.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Romney for Democracy (Part II)...
When 170,000 people petitioned the MA legislature, they decided to recess rather than vote on whether to place a protection of marriage amendment on the ballot (USA Today Story).
Now, Romney fights back...
"A decision not to vote is a decision to usurp the Constitution, to abandon democracy and substitute a form of what this nation's founders called tyranny, that is, the imposition of the will of those in power, on the people," said Romney.
Governor Romney understands that when the social contract ceases to be based upon the consent of the governed, the rule of the sovereign loses legitimacy. Only, he said it a lot better than I did.
Now, Romney fights back...
"A decision not to vote is a decision to usurp the Constitution, to abandon democracy and substitute a form of what this nation's founders called tyranny, that is, the imposition of the will of those in power, on the people," said Romney.
Governor Romney understands that when the social contract ceases to be based upon the consent of the governed, the rule of the sovereign loses legitimacy. Only, he said it a lot better than I did.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Romney for Democracy...
Romney is sticking up for democracy:
"No matter how you may feel about the marriage issue, people have a right to participate in their own government."
Read article here.
"No matter how you may feel about the marriage issue, people have a right to participate in their own government."
Read article here.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Strength of the Mitt Position...
A nice explanation of the strength of a Mitt Romney candidacy...
"Suppose the GOP candidate in ‘08 were a conservative who communicates better than George W., has excellent executive experience, knows how to appeal to a wide range of voters, and runs on constructive conservative ideas? Of all the current candidates, only Governor Mitt Romney fits that bill. "
Read the rest here at The American Thinker.
Thanks to Texans for Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney for President in '08 for pointing the article out.
"Suppose the GOP candidate in ‘08 were a conservative who communicates better than George W., has excellent executive experience, knows how to appeal to a wide range of voters, and runs on constructive conservative ideas? Of all the current candidates, only Governor Mitt Romney fits that bill. "
Read the rest here at The American Thinker.
Thanks to Texans for Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney for President in '08 for pointing the article out.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Mitt Romney Video...
Nancy French has linked to a great YouTube Video about Mitt.
Of course, if I was a better person, I would have actually linked to the video as well. But then, you wouldn't get to see her web log.
Of course, if I was a better person, I would have actually linked to the video as well. But then, you wouldn't get to see her web log.
Staking out Ground in Arizona...
One election closer to being President, Mitt Romney, was in Arizona staking out political ground on McCain's home territory this week. I expect that Romney will find many supporters in Arizona who elect McCain ad infinitum to the Senate because they do not have someone more conservative to vote for.
Romney noted some key points on the need to secure our borders and have an immigration policy that does not favor those who break the law. This, just a week after voters in Arizona sounded their displeasure with McCain's Washington regarding their failure to do enough about illegal immigration.
One point on immigration that seems to be lost among many people who discuss it...
One of the greatest burdens on state and local governments in regards to illegal immigration is the amount of crime associated with many of these individuals. While many decent people may be lured into sneaking into the U.S. in order to come here and try and make more money for their family, many, many people who come here are not law abiding types. They end up committing all types of crime, they end up in the criminal justice system, and they end up in our jails. We provide police, sherrif's, officers, and others to patrol them. We provide DA's, Public Defenders, Judges, and Courtrooms to get them through the legal system. We provide facilities to jail them.
All of these things cost a lot of money. Resources continue to be stretched thinner and thinner. We need to make sure the people we let into our country are not making it a more dangerous place to live. By securing our sovereign territory and making individuals go to the back of the line to apply for citizenship and work visas, as Mitt has suggested, we can make sure we are properly screening those who come in and keep out those who shouldn't be here.
Romney noted some key points on the need to secure our borders and have an immigration policy that does not favor those who break the law. This, just a week after voters in Arizona sounded their displeasure with McCain's Washington regarding their failure to do enough about illegal immigration.
One point on immigration that seems to be lost among many people who discuss it...
One of the greatest burdens on state and local governments in regards to illegal immigration is the amount of crime associated with many of these individuals. While many decent people may be lured into sneaking into the U.S. in order to come here and try and make more money for their family, many, many people who come here are not law abiding types. They end up committing all types of crime, they end up in the criminal justice system, and they end up in our jails. We provide police, sherrif's, officers, and others to patrol them. We provide DA's, Public Defenders, Judges, and Courtrooms to get them through the legal system. We provide facilities to jail them.
All of these things cost a lot of money. Resources continue to be stretched thinner and thinner. We need to make sure the people we let into our country are not making it a more dangerous place to live. By securing our sovereign territory and making individuals go to the back of the line to apply for citizenship and work visas, as Mitt has suggested, we can make sure we are properly screening those who come in and keep out those who shouldn't be here.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Voting and Trial...
Regrets that I haven't been able to post. I am in the midst of trial 75 miles from my home. I almost didn't make it home to vote last night. I am glad to report that I contributed to an Arnold landslide, even if every other Republican got trounced in California.
I don't understand why the Washington Times thinks McCain has new capital for '08, but fails to talk about Romney in the article at all. Interesting.
I don't understand why the Washington Times thinks McCain has new capital for '08, but fails to talk about Romney in the article at all. Interesting.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Bush Brothers and Mitt...
The Organization for Mitt Romney reports on a possible Romney/Bush (that is Jeb Bush) Presidential ticket.
Would a Mitt Romney/Jeb Bush Presidential ticket be a good idea? That depends on what you think of George W. Bush. Unfortunately, his approval ratings seem to be consistently in the gutter and he may be facing a divided government for the last two years of his term in part related to how voters feel about him.
Now, I am one of the 38% or so people who think George W. Bush is doing a good job. I like his tough approach to terrorists and criminals who would do us harm. I think he was right to take the fight to them. However, I think one of Mitt Romney's greatest strengths is that he is not part of the current establishment. Americans want change and that doesn't include Senators they have met before.
Among many of the issues the country is facing right now is the war in Iraq. Mitt brings fresh intellect and problem solving skills to this situation. At the same time, I can trust him that he will do all he can to help those people in Iraq who need us to help them help themselves; just like Bush has done.
Jeb Bush is his own man in much the way it is apparent George W. is from their father. I would absolutely vote for him for office, even President, against anyone other than Mitt Romney.
However, there are a couple of tough strategic questions that need to be asked...
Would voters who want a change from Bush 43 associate Romney with him if Jeb Bush was his running mate?
Would that be good or bad for Romney in the long run?
Would a Mitt Romney/Jeb Bush Presidential ticket be a good idea? That depends on what you think of George W. Bush. Unfortunately, his approval ratings seem to be consistently in the gutter and he may be facing a divided government for the last two years of his term in part related to how voters feel about him.
Now, I am one of the 38% or so people who think George W. Bush is doing a good job. I like his tough approach to terrorists and criminals who would do us harm. I think he was right to take the fight to them. However, I think one of Mitt Romney's greatest strengths is that he is not part of the current establishment. Americans want change and that doesn't include Senators they have met before.
Among many of the issues the country is facing right now is the war in Iraq. Mitt brings fresh intellect and problem solving skills to this situation. At the same time, I can trust him that he will do all he can to help those people in Iraq who need us to help them help themselves; just like Bush has done.
Jeb Bush is his own man in much the way it is apparent George W. is from their father. I would absolutely vote for him for office, even President, against anyone other than Mitt Romney.
However, there are a couple of tough strategic questions that need to be asked...
Would voters who want a change from Bush 43 associate Romney with him if Jeb Bush was his running mate?
Would that be good or bad for Romney in the long run?
Huntsman Wants to be Different...
Run Mitt Run has linked to the news report wherein Governor Huntsman of Utah (a member of John McCain's PAC) talks about the Boston Globe stories that the BYU Business School sent out an email on behalf of Mitt Romney's PAC. Recently, my opinion of Governor Huntsman has gone down as I watch him play politics on the LDS Church's and Mitt's reputation to attempt to score cheap points for John McCain.
Apparently, he just wants to be different, as his statement about supporting McCain to reflect diversity indicates (as if that is a good reason). Interestingly, he does seem to be perfectly suited to McCain in that respect.
Two peas uncomfortable in their pod.
Apparently, he just wants to be different, as his statement about supporting McCain to reflect diversity indicates (as if that is a good reason). Interestingly, he does seem to be perfectly suited to McCain in that respect.
Two peas uncomfortable in their pod.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)