BackyardConservative

What Now? Newtmentum

2012-01-25T08:49:00.000-06:00

First, God bless and keep Sen. Mark Kirk, fighting his way to recovery.

I don't know about you, but I was sure hoping that was our President Barack Obama's last SOTU, about the only thing that made it bearable.

Gov. Mitch Daniels Issues Response To Obama's SOTU

Rubio: Obama "Blatantly Trying To Divide Americans Against Each Other"

Newt Gingrich: The real state of the union. Human Events

Byron York: What really happened in the Gingrich ethics case. Washington Examiner

Now Newt:

NEWT NOTES....
4,000 PEOPLE IN SARASOTA AND 6,000 IN NAPLES: The headline from the Palm Beach Post: "Gingrich draws thousands in Fla. while Romney's, Santorum's crowds number in hundreds."
A park official called the Naples crowd the biggest he'd ever seen there.
Reuters writes about Deborah Schmidt, a Tea Party member: "She said she felt Gingrich best understood the pain that most Americans are feeling, something the 'Republican establishment' might not understand."
NEW FLORIDA POLL THIS MORNING: The portion of the new Quinnipiac conducted after the South Carolina Primary shows Newt leading in the Sunshine State, 40-34%, over Mitt Romney.
NEWT TAKES THE NATIONAL LEAD, SAYS GALLUP: In their daily update to their rolling average poll, Newt took a 31-27 lead over Mitt Romney on Tuesday.
FUNDRAISING: Since Saturday's victory in South Carolina, Newt 2012 has raised $2.3 million.
"WHY IS MITT ROMNEY TIMID ON TAXES?": After criticizing Romney's timid approach -- only eliminating the capital gains rate for some, for example -- Aaron Goldenberg writes:
"Newt Gingrich is the only candidate that eliminates taxes on investment, makes our corporate tax rate competitive with the rest of the world so large companies will want to relocate to the world's largest market, and flattens and lowers the personal income tax rate for everyone."
NEWT'S MEDIA APPEARANCES: NBC's Today Show, 7:00am ET.
Bill Bennett's radio show, 7:30am ET (listen here).
America's Newsroom on Fox News, 9:45am ET.
Hannity on Fox News, 9:00pm ET.
Wednesday, January 25th

US Hispanic Chamber/Univision Candidate Forum
9am - 9:30am ET
Univision Studios
9405 NW 41st Street
Doral, FL 33178
Latin American Policy Speech at FIU
10am - 11am ET
Florida International University
Wertheim Performing Arts Center
10910 SW 17th Street
Miami, Florida 33190
Broward Grassroots Meet & Greet
11:45am - 12:30pm ET
Wings Plus Restaurant
9880 W. Sample Rd.
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Space Coast – Space Industry Roundtable
3:30pm - 4:15pm ET
Brevard Community College
1519 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922
*Media Avail
Space Coast Town Hall Meeting
4:30pm - 5:30pm ET
Holiday Inn
301 Tucker Lane
Cocoa, FL 32925

Offline for a few days. Debate Thursday night.

NBC's Dead Audience Debate

2012-01-24T10:07:00.001-06:00

That's what they want, so America will tune out the GOP. They'll take one for the Obama team, since most politicos who watch MSNBC are crazed left anyway--they're not going to keep us as viewers.

The pundits are tracking twitter where we're expressing ourselves in full force--let the audience respond, otherwise the debate might as well be held in an empty room.

Romney tried to wound Newt by making over the top suggestions that he was a lobbyist, while today we learn of Mitt's investments in Fannie and Freddie, albeit in a blind trust. Kind of a draw on that one, but this is the crux of that back and forth:

The release of the tax information is unlikely to end a problem that has dogged Mr. Romney on the campaign trail. Rich Galen, a Republican strategist who used to advise Mr. Gingrich, said the Romney release puts him ahead of his rivals' disclosure, "so the number of years isn't the issue; the issue will be the sophisticated use of the existing tax code."

Couple that with Mitt's timid tax reform and you see why conservatives have deep reservations about the guy despite his private sector success.

Good ole Mitt tried one more time to connect with voters, rattling off lousy Obamanomics stats in a perfunctory manner. Mitt Romney, Talking Point Man.

But the moment that stuck with me was the question on what have you done for conservatism. Mitt thinks just raising a family and working in the private sector counts as conservative. Kind of like having to buy government healthcare just for existing. Funny, though, I know lots of flaming liberals with families and private sector experience.

Ron Paul had it right, defining conservatism as smaller government and protection of bedrock individual liberty. As did Newt. And Newt said this too: I ask Americans to be not for me, but with me.

The old Obama cheerleader media may wish the Tea Party and conservative movement were dead.

But to hearken back to another great American, we have just begun to fight:)

P.S. Black Rush caller who finally abandoned Obama over Keystone

Multiple Gang Memberships in Chicago...Dysfunctional Dem City

2012-01-23T08:30:00.000-06:00

Doesn't this sound like an exercise in insanity--presumably murdering over turf but what gang are you acting for? Weis: Chicago murders up 25 pct last 4 months of '11

Swarming buses.

As far as advice from Rahmbo goes...

Mr. Obama's change in tone from four years ago reflects the current political reality: At a time when the country is steeped in anti-Washington sentiment, Mr. Obama is no longer the outsider looking in, but the one leading a dysfunctional political system and a still-sour economy. [snip]

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's first White House chief of staff, suggested last week that the president's plan to run against an unpopular Congress risks suggesting that he has accepted nothing more will get done legislatively this year. "It undermines the inspirational 'here's what we're going to do,' " Mr. Emanuel said. "That's a problem."

I think our President Barack Obama should make a speech--scrap the State of the Union--come on back to Chicago and say, can't we all get along?

More.
How Illinois Lawmakers Failed You - Chicago Tribune
HT RCP: Welfare State Is Destroying America - Philip Klein, Washington Examiner

Related posts: Sun Times Not Endorsing Any More , Flash Mob Chicago:Beats Kid, Yells Racial Slurs , CTA super: $66k salary, $84k OT balloons pension

Sun Times Not Endorsing Any More

2012-01-23T07:52:00.001-06:00

Which seems fine to me, voters can make up their own minds, and perhaps they're smarting from their repeated endorsements of the Bizarro Blago and the disaster, even to the insatiable, kleptocratic left, that is Barack Obama. But then they go on to say, as reported by old news station CBS:

Ironically, it was complaints of bias on the part of the Chicago Tribune that in part motivated Marshall Field III to found the Sun-Times in the first place, the editorial said. Field felt it necessary to push for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and the entry of the U.S. into World War II, in contrast to Col. Robert McCormick and his isolationist and anti-Roosevelt Tribune, the editorial said.

However, the editorial is quick to point out, that was a bygone era “when many American newspapers were unabashedly partisan, and not necessarily only on the editorial page. Not unlike news shops on cable TV and the Web today, they catered to a core of readers who thought very much like them.”

Today, newspapers’ goal is to appear to the widest readership they can with unbiased news coverage.

Your laugh of the morning.

South Carolina Sweet for Newt!

2012-01-22T09:11:00.000-06:00

Palmetto State pushback, voting decisively for a better candidate to carry the common sense conservative banner into the fall contest against Barack Obama.

Newt swept the highland and the lowland, rural and exurban alike. He won among women, he won among men, he won independents, and every age group but for youth which went for Ron Paul:)

And it turns out Team Newt had a better ground game than Romney--volunteers coming out of their ears:)

Newt is cerebral and grounded, passionate and blunt, with the perseverance to prevail against the PC media PAC in the tank for Barack Obama and persuade the American people the GOP will get us back on track. And who can forget the biting wit of this ad?:)

Barack Obama's job approval in the dumps.

Now on to the Sunshine State... in the winter of our Dem discontent:)P.S. Tweets of the night:)

Palin for Newt in South Carolina

2012-01-18T08:22:00.001-06:00

Is this a game changer?

Well, added to Newt's own tremendous performance at the debate, she's giving him and her fellow conservatives a fighting chance to topple a wooden Romney.

...Am on the run the next few days so will put up as picks some of my favorite bloggers.

Debate Thursday night on CNN 7 central, South Carolina primary Saturday.

P.S.

HillBuzz.org

GREAT MERCIFUL ZEUS: John McCain’s 200-page Oppo Book on Mitt Romney Released.

Flash Mob Chicago:Beats Kid, Yells Racial Slurs

2012-01-17T09:20:00.000-06:00

This is in Bridgeport, former Mayor Daley's old family neighborhood. ABC7Chicago: Chicago residents are already worried about the NATO/G8 summit coming to Chicago this May, in a Days of Rage rerun. And Occupy Chicago is revving up, given political cover by the Dem publication of record, FBI, what FBI, the Chicago Sun Times.

Is it any wonder Chicago is a bit subdued these days about the reelection of "hometown hero" Barack Obama? The heartland mucked up, hometown companies are bailing, Bill Daley bailing on Barack. The city and state bankrupt and jobless (well, some have jobs) soon to be more broke and beaten up.

More on the video. Trib accepts police bland PC statement:

Police were questioning six youths this morning about the beating and kicking of a 17-year-old boy in a Bridgeport alley that was captured on video and posted on the Internet.In a brief statement, police said the attack did not appear to be racially motivated and that no charges have been filed.

Sun Times for some reason on it:

The beating was captured on video by an accomplice and later posted on YouTube. The video shows the mob of young men yelling the n-word more than 25 times as they punched and kicked the victim — who appeared to be of Asian descent — in the face and body. They dragged the victim near metal Dumpsters in the alley behind the 2800 block of South Princeton. There they hit him with chunks of ice and choked him. One attacker used a stolen shoe, a sliver and black Nike sneaker, to pound the victim in the face.

Newt's Moment, Newt's Night, Renew America!

2012-01-17T08:13:00.000-06:00

More later after more coffee.

Key Debate Tonight in South Carolina

2012-01-16T14:28:00.001-06:00

8 pm central, FoxNews, WSJ. Am doing stuff and walking the dog, then buckling down to catch up. In case you missed it, Andrew McCarthy. And the good Professor Jacobson.

P.S. Why Is Andrew Sullivan So Dumb? - Joel Pollak, Big Government
And Valerie Jarrett, Obama's commie crony capitalist brain. [Update: RCP discussion and link to the blog here]

Is Mitt really the guy that can take on this crowd? I'm for Newt. More. Newt Is Vindicated, But Nobody Knows It : MRC (1999)
Santorum: Romney’s Super PAC lying about me too: Scoop

Jolie

2012-01-16T09:50:00.003-06:00

I didn't watch the awards, didn't even know if she was up for one, but this is truly lovely. Timeless elegance.

The lady in winter.

CTA super: $66k salary, $84k OT balloons pension

2012-01-15T09:34:00.003-06:00

Your mad as hell "public servant" story today. Emanating from O's Chicago, naturally. Tribune.

Snowy Morning...Get your Mittens

2012-01-13T08:24:00.000-06:00

We haven't had any to speak of until now so people are almost enthusiastic about using their snow blowers. You'd think we were cheeseheads. Me, with my little patch, I rely on a shovel.

An Anne's eye view.

...Some francais to start your day

Related posts: Oh, yeah, Mitt's consistent,That fool Romney defends auto bailouts

in order to raise less cash than Bush, Obama had to attend twice as many fundraisers

2012-01-12T09:08:00.004-06:00

I saw the copters over the city as I was on the expressway, the sunset reflected on Chicago behind me--Obama's direction. So, Bill Daley has bailed on this administration, Rahmbo's talking about "national" support. From the taxpayer-funded public radio station:

President Barack Obama flies into Chicago Wednesday for a quick fundraising trip. He's relied often on his hometown for financial support as the 2012 election ramps up.

The president last raised money in Chicago in August, and before then in April. One of Mr. Obama's former chiefs of staff is Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who on Tuesday said re-election fundraising will be a 'national' responsibility.

"I know this - the president can rely on his friends and deep supporters in the city of Chicago to play its role in that effort," Emanuel said.

LOL. The shakedown list is tapped out. What's going on with the vaunted O campaign, hmm, mmm, mmm: Context-Challenged Media Doesn’t Tell Full Story About Obama’s Fourth-Quarter Fundraising

Oh yeah, O had to go motivate the young skulls full of mush at his occupy the office campaign HQ

Meanwhile, his look at the worm priceless asset Michelle O is on the air telling us we're confused. (HT Pundit & Pundette)

I don't think so. We can do the math.

Related post: she didn’t understand or care what sort of message it would send to a public enthralled by the new first family

Oh, yeah, Mitt's consistent

2012-01-12T07:29:00.001-06:00

A consistent mush, a consistent tone-deaf vanity candidate--with the bucks to keep running after loss upon loss, a consistent flip-flopper. Via RCP: Where are the jobs, Mitt?

Gov. Perry took questions about where the jobs in his state came from. Answer the question--the American people deserve to know, and now. Former Gov. Sarah Palin: Sarah Palin To Mitt Romney: Prove You Created 100,000 Jobs

And what about this:

rcpvideo RCP Video

Gingrich Super PAC: Government Bailed Out Pensions After Bain Raided Them: "Right here in South Carolina there i... bit.ly/wUOkg5

8 hours ago

More news--Newt surge:

****'Newt Surges - New SC poll places him within Error Margin of Romney' on @Ricochet shar.es/WKt3r #tcot #hhrs

8 hours ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Buy low sell high RT @fivethirtyeight: Google searches for "romney bain" are up 10x over the past few days. bit.ly/z5OesR

Tremendous New Newt web ad! Tweaks Romney:)

2012-01-11T13:24:00.003-06:00

This ranks with McCain's Obama celebrity ad: The right tone. The right message, on the trail in South Carolina. Newt for President!

Previous post: That fool Romney defends auto bailouts, MF Global Chicago Treasurer Person of Interest, Romney's no Fat Lady

That fool Romney defends auto bailouts

2012-01-11T12:26:00.000-06:00

Good Lord. Obama didn't bail them out to save the business, he did it to save porky, unsustainable union pension funds and keep his megabucks donor stream coming at the expense of rank and file union members.

When he did it he stiffed little old ladies, retired teachers, firemen and cops from Indiana who held senior claim through their bonds.

What's more--
Isn't there a difference between being pro-market and pro-business?

Newt makes this point today in South Carolina: 'Crony capitalism ... is not free enterprise'

More. Rush is talking about this now: Mitt's Masquerade

More. Legal Insurrection with the Romney clip--and comments:Starting to count the price of defending Bain

***

Imean it's not like this is the first time Romney has beencriticized in this manner. It was Mike Huckabee who said thatRomney "looked like the guy who laid you off." As I recall thishelped Huckabee defeat Romney in Iowa four years ago.
Let me put it another way. If Newt & Perry's criticisms ofRomney (and for that matter Huckabee's) are anathema to Reaganconservatism then Romney should have no problem winning SouthCarolina in ten days time.

But South Carolina's currentunemployment rate is 9.9%. Granted the unemploymentrate fell by 0.6% in November, the state's largestmonthly drop in 35 years. But that's still far higher than Iowa's unemployment rate of 5.7% and New Hampshire'sunemployment rate of 5.2%. If Romney can convince SouthCarolinians he can bring about prosperity then he can win.But Romney won't win if they believe he will bring them pinkslips. Romney has his work cut out for him.

We need you as never before, South Carolina
omg Newt, yes!!!!
Previous post: MF Global Chicago Treasurer Person of Interest. And here.

MF Global Chicago Treasurer Person of Interest

2012-01-11T10:12:00.002-06:00

While prosecutors and regulators have jointly conducted dozens of depositions with former and current employees, a senior official in the Chicago office of MF Global recently declined to meet with the federal authorities, people briefed on the investigation said.
That official, Edith O’Brien, a treasurer at MF Global, is considered a “person of interest” in the investigation, the people said. Federal authorities suspect that she transferred about $200 million to JPMorgan Chase in London on the eve of the bankruptcy of MF Global, money that turned out to be customer cash. [snip]

The investigators are deposing employees as they search for the missing money. Some authorities are now examining whether MF Global used money from futures customers to pay securities customers who were closing accounts as the firm began to collapse, according to a person briefed on the matter.

So did they rip off farmers to pay Wall St or overseas obligations? You think this doesn't have an impact on this election? Think again.

P.S. In the wake of NH, my tweet stream. Here are a couple:

backyardconserv Anne Leary

@freddoso gingrich wasn't my first choice, Sarah was.Idon't like fan&fred.But Romney has zero political courage Phil Klein quote.Newt does

13 hours ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

@freddoso no. He's attacking insiders. He's redressing the bias toward Wall St vs Main St, toward products vs financl overkill.

Romney's no Fat Lady

2012-01-11T08:15:00.002-06:00

The race goes on, though I hope now that we're past this open primary in NH Ron Paul slips low, and wish Huntsman and Perry would drop out before South Carolina.

Not gonna happen so I imagine they will siphon off some more votes from Newt, the only serious alternative to Romney, as Brit Hume pointed out last night.

So it may come down to Florida, the Sunshine State, where Gov. Rick Scott is at the helm this time, rather than that moderate Obama-hugger Charlie Crist.

In that we have Mitt Obamneycare, O's crony-capitalist heir apparent.

More:
From Bain to Main - William Kristol, Weekly Standard
"How Many Cheers for Bain?
Ryan Streeter: "Do conservatives really want to defend Mitt Romney’s finance capitalism?"
Private Equity President Romney? Don't Bet on It - Robert Lenzner, Forbes
RINO Romney Is Unelectable - Peter Ferrara, The American Spectator

And, via Legal Insurrection, with a fine post or two of his own:

The Bain of Romney

Why do you hate capitalism?

Obama's Rump Support

2012-01-10T05:43:00.001-06:00

Well, Valerie and Michelle only in part.

backyardconserv Anne Leary

As Barack cowers in the closet: The Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama Presidency… theulstermanreport.com/2012/01/09/the…
9 hours ago

You'll have to read the whole thing.

...I couldn't resist. Enjoy your day.

Pear-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Will Huntsman knock out Romney in NH?

Will Newt finish him off in South Carolina?

Will I be wiping up a few crumbs...

Palins Weigh In!!!

2012-01-09T12:18:00.001-06:00

TODD PALIN ENDORSES NEWT... via Drudge

Sarah America hits Mitt. YES!!!!! [video]

El Rushbo is talking about this too.[update: transcript]

Mitt is not our best shot. Come on GOP get bold and WIN

Newt for President.

P.S.

club4growth The Club for Growth

Press Release: FACT CHECK: Santorum a “big-government conservative”?: bit.ly/xBaCow

8 Jan

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Santorum is backwards land RT @freddoso: . @conncarroll argues that Santorum is not the conservative alternative: bit.ly/zNnnLw

14 hours ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Santorum backed Pittsburgh stadium tax hike - Washington Times: wtim.es/AoWPui via @washtimes

2 hours ago

Still Green This Winter?

2012-01-09T09:20:00.000-06:00

Let's not rush this race. Plenty of states have time to vote--we want a choice.

There's Bain and there's Bain. Oh, and Mitt Romney is somehow a poor Welsh miner. Reality check.

What else this morning. God bless Tony Blankley, a wonderful man, a spirited writer is gone.

Not news but sickening. Cook County wastes money.

Project Shield was supposed to make citizens safer. But in the end, the $45-million Homeland Security program more resembled a disaster, wasting taxpayers’ dollars and failing to make a single citizen more secure.

The failed Cook County initiative was replete with equipment that failed to work, missing records and untrained first responders according to a report by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This is what Barack Obama wants for America. The costly and useless patronage model.Moody's cuts Illinois' credit rating, again

After three years of President Obama's term, Americans have become wary of his Cook County style of governing.

Not green that way any more.

...we don't need another crony capitalist phony in the White House:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Morning Coffee Debate. Ramp Up NEWT!!!

2012-01-08T09:50:00.001-06:00

We got light snow, now sun burning it off in Chicago. Watched on shudder MSNBC since local programming on. I am confirmed Newt for President, last night breakthrough, this morning--I think he was EXCELLENT taking on Mitt right off the bat--GO NEWT soften him up in NH ramp up to South Carolina. Tweet stream. Sorry, you'll have to read bottom to top:

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Sununu attacks ok but shows he knows Romney bombed debate RT @trscoop: Wow Matthews just got scolded on air

8 minutes ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Romney ends his protestations of innocence on PAC by saying politics is not beanbag. Oh yeah, Romney is above the fray.He's just underhanded

10 minutes ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Romney caught out in a lie on his PAC ad says not watch but quotes nearly word for word. Illustrates Newt's point he's a phony.

12 minutes ago

MelissaTweets Melissa Clouthier

Newt gives a good answer to the working with opposition. Mitt worked with the liberals well, because he was one of them.

15 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Msnbc running the challenging Romney clips. Mitt prissy with Santorum but Newt lands the telling blow--Romney's a perennial pol--& a loser

15 minutes ago

LizMair Liz Mair

But setting aside the NYT referencing, the Bain stuff is still unnerving to voters, and not just Ds and Is, either. #nbcfbdebate

27 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

iowahawkblog David Burge

For equal time, Obama should be allowed 30 hours to answer 200 questions from Rush Limbaugh about Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.

25 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

LegInsurrection Legal Insurrection

Best part 4 Newt - free advertising 4 27 minute movie #WhereDoWeBuyTickets

26 minutes ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

@stephenfhayes broadens references to WSJ,Barron's &Bloomberg.That's legit and effective.Will be core Dem attack vs Mitt. GOP critique:crony

22 minutes ago

Jenfidel JLT

Oops! RT @jonward11: romney detailing the ads he says he hasn't seen

27 minutes ago

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jmartpolitico jmartpolitico

Why did mitt start his answer saying he hadn't seen his SuperPAC ad and then just recite from memory every detail from the spot?

28 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Newt vs Mitt wins on facts

28 minutes ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

@kathrynlopez he sits on his lead he loses ground. Also why he's a bad general election candidate.No guts no glory. Too distant out of touch

31 minutes ago

LarrySabato Larry Sabato

If Newt is The Professor, then Huntsman is The Schoolmarm.

36 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Barf RT @PunditMom: Interesting that Huntsman's themes/definitions of trust and leadership are at odds w/ others on GOP stage. #mtpfbdebate

33 minutes ago

JonahNRO Jonah Goldberg

Bleh. Hated Huntsman's "trust deficit" answer. You solve the trust deficit by doing your job. Not by "tackling the trust deficit."

36 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

LoserRT @kathrynlopez:so basically gregory got fireworks in the first ten and then had romney sit out a good part of the rest of the debate?

34 minutes ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

@BobMacAZ defies common sense. And what a waste of precious water

35 minutes ago

BobMacAZ BobMacAZ

@backyardconserv The dust control regulations here in AZ are unbelievable...the cost is astronomical & the fines for violations are high!

38 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

philipaklein Philip Klein

Perry's strong debate performance is bad news for Santorum in South Carolina.

39 minutes ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Paul makes strong point on liberty. Right of individual. Not this group entitlement stuff, rewards insiders

38 minutes ago

DickMorrisTweet Dick Morris

#nhdebate #hannity #tcot #gop @talkmaster Newt's answer on EPA is excellent. gReat examples. Funny. Insightful

42 minutes ago

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philipaklein Philip Klein

No matter how many times Romney describes his record in Massachusetts as conservative, it will never be true.

41 minutes ago

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tobyharnden Toby Harnden

Santorum in 5th MT @fivethirtyeight: New Suffolk poll has Romney falling 4 pts to 35. Paul 20, Huntsman 11, Gingrich 9, Santorum 8.

42 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Newt mastery of what's going on in states. Slams EPA for going after dust in IA and telling NV to water down the desert

42 minutes ago

JimPethokoukis James Pethokoukis

Romney would make a great TV weatherman

44 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

trscoop Right Scoop

Newt to Mitt: Drop the pious baloney - is.gd/X1jf2e

45 minutes ago

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iowahawkblog David Burge

Next Democratic debate should be moderated by Ron Paul's newsletter.

45 minutes ago

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BenjySarlin Benjy Sarlin

Romney, who said don't run for office if you need the money, proudly touted Christine O'Donnell's endorsement recently #NBCFBdebate

47 minutes ago

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philipaklein Philip Klein

Strong energy answer by Gingrich

47 minutes ago

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tobyharnden Toby Harnden

RT @kirstenpowers10: I'm sure Obama is going to get 40 questions about gay marriage in the debates, since after all he opposes it too.

47 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Specific and takes it to O on energy RT @LarrySabato: Newt on his game: policy strengths, praise for rivals, historical references.

46 minutes ago

PattiDurk Patti Durken

Hey moderator! What if you had a son who was conservative?????? :)

53 minutes ago

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jonward11 Jon Ward

suffolk overnight trackig poll has romney dropping 4 points to 35 percent. his lead in NH has declined 8 points since Tue

54 minutes ago

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Talkmaster Neal Boortz

Santorum couldn't even get reelected in his own freaking state. Get serious here folks.

53 minutes ago

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Conservativeind Kimberly Morin

Santorum you voted AGAINST Nat'l Right to Work you bastard!!! #NHDebate #FITN #nbcfbdebate

53 minutes ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Santorum defensive on right to work

52 minutes ago

JimPethokoukis James Pethokoukis

Great Romney pivot to government unions: Bad for budgets, killing education and American economic future

53 minutes ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Perry good on right to work for NH

53 minutes ago

philipaklein Philip Klein

RT @evanmc_s: "Drop the pious baloney" -- the video: bit.ly/yAAnjM

55 minutes ago

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LizMair Liz Mair

See here's the thing, though. Romney was for civil unions in 2002. And since he ran for the nomination in 2008, he hasn't been. #nbcfbdebate

56 minutes ago

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Jenfidel JLT

Word to Romney: Homosexuals already enjoy same full rights everyone else does. They want special rights.

57 minutes ago

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JonahNRO Jonah Goldberg

Overheard at Diane Sawyer's house: "Yes! Finally back to the issues 'real viewers' care about!" #2012isaboutgays

57 minutes ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Home heating question. Huntsman and Paul good on energy independence and subsidies compounding the problem, wasting $

59 minutes ago

kathrynlopez Kathryn Jean Lopez

there is a complaint in corner about santorum being 2 detailed, 2 substantive. this is what reporters have been complaining about on trail.

1 hour ago

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GarrettQuinn Garrett Quinn

Of all the GOP candidates Rick Santorum is a libertarian's worst nightmare. #fitn

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

This local NH anchor a hack

1 hour ago

TeamRickPerry Team Rick Perry

.@GovernorPerry: The biggest problem facing this country today is out-of-control spending in Congress #nbcfbdebate

1 hour ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Good for Perry. It's true, there are some big spenders on that stage. Romney, Santorum.HisStrong outsider record of success--low tax hi jobs

1 hour ago

DanKotman DanKotman

Newt's bipartisanship got welfare reform and balanced budgets. Mitt's bipartisanship got Romneycare. Advantage: Newt. #NBCFBDebate

1 hour ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

trscoop Right Scoop

Ron Paul's "we don't accept overseas elections" was about Hamas.

1 hour ago

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LarrySabato Larry Sabato

Newt's experience talking. His best side.

1 hour ago

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LizMair Liz Mair

It's true, Romney does know how to work w Democrats. By getting on board w, and advocating for, their ideas. #nbcfbdebate

1 hour ago

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JimPethokoukis James Pethokoukis

Huntsman should have talked about his tax plan in more detail: 23% top rate, no cap gains, not crony capitalism

1 hour ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

RyanLizza Ryan Lizza

The Romney don't go into politics unless you are wealthy line is the new $10,000 bet.

1 hour ago

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LizMair Liz Mair

Yes RT @JohnJHarwood In q'ing dad abt not running if u need to win to pay mge was Romney saying u shldn't go into politics unless u're rich?

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Newt has an impressive record, worked across aisle but got principled reform done. Trumps Mitt on this

1 hour ago

JonahNRO Jonah Goldberg

Newt's absolutely right. McConnell's "sin" was to say what is completely obvious.

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Need to take opening to get Mitt

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Ok now we're getting into healthcare

1 hour ago

StevenErtelt Steven Ertelt

Perry: Americans want the dignity of a job, not government assistance #nbcfbdebate

1 hour ago

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JimPethokoukis James Pethokoukis

GOPers needs a full-spectrum growth policy: taxes, regulation, education, trade. Growth, not IMF-style austerity

1 hour ago

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StevenErtelt Steven Ertelt

Perry brings up the three departments he would do away with that he forgot about in previous debate, gets audience cheers.

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Housing?!!! Santorum wants to block grant to states? SCRAP it

1 hour ago

philipaklein Philip Klein

Strong by Huntsman to bring up fact that he endorsed Ryan plan

1 hour ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

LizMair Liz Mair

.@stephenfhayes Also, the "keep my seat warm at Bain" line kinda de-emphasized the point Romney was purporting to make. #nbcfbdebate

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

RT @philipaklein: Why is nobody bringing up that his record as governor includes big government health care?

1 hour ago

LizMair Liz Mair

Romney is really bringing up his book? Yeah, let's talk about the edits to it between different versions. #nbcfbdebate

1 hour ago

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philipaklein Philip Klein

RT @ByronYork: If Romney knew he was going to lose to Kennedy in '94, why didn't he just run as his true conservative self?

1 hour ago

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trscoop Right Scoop

Perry could attack Mittens. Instead he attacks them all except huntsman

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Yes.ConventionalRT @mckaycoppins:This is Romney's biggest downfall in debates. He's obsessed with the rules and can't resist enforcing them.

1 hour ago

JamesRichardson James Richardson

Romney: "I put in place the things I wanted to do" and split from governor's mansion. Like the harbinger to Obama's health care reforms.

1 hour ago

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philipaklein Philip Klein

Great attack from Gingrich on Romney's "pious baloney" on somehow not being a politician.

1 hour ago

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stephenfhayes Stephen Hayes

Newt Gingrich's attack on Romney devastating. Romney's response - "citizenship has always been on my mind" - ineffective.

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Score big RT @tobyharnden: Ooh. Gingrich to Romney: "can we drop a bit of the pious baloney?" #NHdebate

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Romneymakes a career of running unsuccessfully.Vanity cndidateRT @LegInsurrection: Romney has been in politics longer than in private sector

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Newt nails Romney on this--Romney been running since the 90's.

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Romney says he's not a career pol. So why does he keep running unsuccessfully for office

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Lol RT @JimPethokoukis: Romney: Massachusetts? Fixed.

1 hour ago

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Santorum goes after Mittasks him why he didn't run for reelection if his record was so great.Of course this brings up Santorum's final loss

1 hour ago

StevenErtelt Steven Ertelt

Gingrich: Only a bold Reagan conservative can beat Obama in November.

1 hour ago

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JimPethokoukis James Pethokoukis

RT @DrewHampshire: "Massachusetts moderate!" Morning Newt is stronger than Evening Newt. #fitn

1 hour ago

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maggiepolitico maggie haberman

Tougher Newt.

1 hour ago

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backyardconserv Anne Leary

Great opener for Newt. Emphasizes his conservative record vs Mitt's mushy moderation

1 hour ago

trscoop Right Scoop

NOW--> 9AM: Watch NBC Meet the Press debate dlvr.it/1440vy

1 hour ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Newt with another breakthrough moment: Romney always hedges, plays it safe--oh yeah, he's "unscathed", above the... bit.ly/xlLv7f

2 hours ago

CSteven C. Steven Tucker

.@NewtGingrich enlists Conservative leaders in all #Illinois Congressional districts bit.ly/wWENXo #Chitpp #tcot #ocra #sgp #teaparty

11 hours ago

Retweeted by backyardconserv

Newt with another breakthrough moment

2012-01-08T07:17:00.000-06:00

Romney always hedges, plays it safe--oh yeah, he's "unscathed", above the fray--well maybe that's because he doesn't know what the fray is. "I've lived in the economy" he says. I don't play class warfare but Romney implicitly accepts Obama's and the left's premise with his defensive, timid tax policy. He's going to challenge Obama as another phony warrior for the middle class populist?

Paul goes after Santorum on his big government compassionate conservative spending and he's right.

And then we had Clinton hack ABC's All About Condoms George Stephanopoulos and a doped up Diane Sawyer fouling our living rooms with their bias and bile. Only Newt questioned the premise, only Newt rose above the petty distractions they posed all night long. Only Newt rose to defend millions of Americans who are disparaged every day, yet get up and do the work of the country.

Newt actually cut the size of government when he had a chance--ratcheting back spending and reforming entitlements.

Newt for president.

P.S. Another debate this morning, 8 central on NBC.

And remember Obamneycare.

she didn’t understand or care what sort of message it would send to a public enthralled by the new first family

2012-01-06T18:53:00.004-06:00

Does this surprise most of us? FLOTUS wanted to stay in Chicago

No.

But it's still appalling.

An insular and surly White House, president, and spouse.

...And Michelle's Private Hell provokes Gibbsy (couldn't happen to a nicer guy):

After the book incident, he “stopped taking her at all seriously as an adviser to the president,” Mr. Gibbs said, adding, “Her viewpoint in advising the president is that she has to be up and the rest of the White House has to be down.”

That's the message from these two.

Previous post: The sordid story of a Chicago community organizer

The sordid story of a Chicago community organizer

2012-01-06T08:45:00.001-06:00

This is where it all went wrong:

When Finney started as a civil rights activist during the 1960s, Woodlawn was filled with taverns and run-down graystone buildings, many of them burned out in "insurance fires."

Back then, Finney was poised to take over his father's Leon's Barbecue chain of restaurants.

But, as part of what The Woodlawn Organization co-founder Bishop Arthur Brazier dubbed "a revolution of rising expectations," Finney instead helped beat back plans by the U. of C. to tear down those buildings and expand its campus south into Woodlawn.

The organization also chased out local grocers who price-gouged their African-American customers and, for a brief period, convinced the Blackstone Rangers gang to contribute toward neighborhood improvements. That effort dissolved in 1972, when four of the gang's leaders were found guilty of using $1 million in federal grants for a phony job training program.

At inception.

Presumably a price-gouger and his security get their due. Another price-gouger I'm sure.

Enough is enough. Cut all this stuff off. And let an honest man or woman make an honest living without having to compete with crooks and pols and curry favor.

This is where Barack Obama chose to live when he got out of school. This cesspool of leftist thugs he has systematically elevated in his administration:

But perceptive African-Americans see things differently than do Jesse Jackson, Jeremiah Wright, Al Sharpton, and perhaps Barack Obama. Brilliant thinkers such as Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell have written many books and columns decrying the harm that comes to blacks because of government programs that are supposedly designed to help them. Families have been destroyed because of poorly-designed welfare programs. Minimum wage laws have devastated black job figures. Government programs to help blacks may well have widened the wealth gap. [snip]

The greatest single impact devastating black wealth was the program that pushed financial institutions to grant mortgages to unqualified borrowers who, when they defaulted on mortgages they could not afford, lost their equity and ruined their credit histories.

Perhaps, Barack Obama might listen to the sage advice of one of America's greatest thinkers, Shelby Steele. He was asked by playwright David Mamet what could be done to help black Americans. In the saddest voice Mamet had ever heard, Steele answered "leave us alone".

...blue Chicago

Related posts: Chicago Sub Teacher Shows Porn, Bribes Kid with Snickers, O what a tangled web we weave..., Valerie Jarrett, Slumlord's Grove Parc Gets Fed $, Crony Capitalism Shores Up ShoreBank, Will (Obama) Bail out ShoreBank?, Obama's Chicago Way Avenues to Power, Valerie Jarrett, Slumlord, AH Insiders Subpoenaed, Barack Obama (D-Fannie Mae), ACORN Fells Obama Tree, Follow the Money

Hipster President?...and Power Belts

2012-01-05T20:33:00.003-06:00

Skinny jeans cool? Come on, Barack has a record.

Looks kind of grade school to me. Advanced coloring book.

I'd say most Americans view him like this:

And his campaign like this: Occupy the office.

P.S. I'd say Michelle wins the midsection look. A power belt. Who knew.

...but who can play the monarch best?

Chicago Sub Teacher Shows Porn, Bribes Kid with Snickers

2012-01-05T09:11:00.000-06:00

More double-dipping by retirees and worse. Sun Times behind a pay wall. From my print edition:

Retired Chicago Public Schools teachers working as substitutes racked up $1.13 million in improper benefits between 2007 and 2011, while in a separate case, a teacher showed students how to bypass filters so that they could view pornography on school computers.

This is the caliber of a public school teacher in Chicago. Don't tell me this isn't representative of the union system Dems blindly defend. Two abusive findings among dozens, with children coming in last again. Another incident:

A teacher allegedly "touched the genital area of a male student by running his fingers down the zipper of the student's pants." To "buy the student's silence", the teacher gave him a bag of Snickers.

They let the teacher resign rather than prosecute. Of course. Probably the guy works at TSA now, but maybe not, as he clearly prefers to prey on just kids.

There's more. Public funds used for champagne, condoms and a king size mattress. Does anyone think this will change materially? I heard about the vodka in the coffee pot thing in the 80's, it's probably progressed since then. And does anyone think this is limited to Chicago? Well maybe with the scale of looting and depravity.

This is our president Barack Obama's mobocracy home town. No wonder both he and Rahmbo send their kids to private schools.

Meanwhile, up near the Wisconsin border, fleebagger central, spoiled rotten teachers are going on strike. One reaction:

SaukLeader at 8:52 AM January 5, 2012 The Union wants to refuse eliminating one of the health insurance plans, The Blue Cross PPO Plus and just offering the Blue Cross PPO. In my opinion the ladder is an excellent plan, try an HMO and see what you think. Also, Obamacare is going to tax the PPO+ (Cadillac Plan) out of existance in 2018 anyway. Another Reason for the strike is to curbing pension costs via the payroll step modifications, of which teachers contribute nothing to. Probably the reason why the pension fund is insolvent in the first place. I just want to know why the high school math teacher hasn't spoken up to the Union Leaders and say that this just doesn't add up!

Could it be cuz they're teaching porn not math, or showing rape movies to nine year olds. The horror stories mount, as do the myriad of costs.

More. Free lunch fraud for teachers' own kids. Here's another horror story: Boy with broken leg forced to crawl to class, suit says

And parents protest strike in Zion.

Walker of Wisconsin

2012-01-05T07:54:00.000-06:00

Withstanding the union boss juggernaut? And since concealed carry passed, joining 48 other states (left in the cold, Illinois), gun ownership has soared. A good indicator for Walker? I noted over the New Year my small town, home town, swing district had a front page story on the phenomenon in the local newspaper.

Walker's strongest argument is that he did what he said he'd do--save individual jobs rather than the bloated boss hog public union contracts and unsustainable pensions--and it's working.

Next door in Illinois, same old sorry and broken story.

HT Powerline.

Related post: State Museum Guards Hazardous Pay? , Small Business Strides in Wisconsin

Newt a tour de force on CNBC this morning

2012-01-04T11:57:00.001-06:00

Was away from my laptop earlier so made do with twitter. Video:

@newtgingrich very, very succinct and impressive this morning on CNBC. Will link to the clip later. Newt renders Podesta inarticulate:)

4 hours ago

@newtgingrich nails Romney in compare and contrast.Devastating summation of Mittwit's moderate MA record.SteveForbes likes Newt flat tax

4 hours ago

Steve Forbes goes after Romney on his weak tea tax plan and Romneycare.

3 hours ago

Another reason Romney is untrustworthy.Won't rule out the open door to Big bucks Big Gov socialism--a VAT tax http://on.wsj.com/zMzFkH via @WSJ

2 hours ago

Romney Vulnerable

2012-01-03T23:22:00.001-06:00

No I am invincible! No, no, no.

A determined conservative opposition.

Santorum slipped in toward a win, having campaigned in 99 counties, as Romney barraged Newt with millions in negative ads.

Paul has peaked, his message resonating domestically but foreign policy is crazy. Santorum has no legs to go on, Bachmann is essentially out and Perry looks like he's headed home. But Newt is in it to win it.

Newt: I reserve the right to tell the truth

Engage.

P.S. Recall the NH Union Leader endorsement of the Newtster.

Not in Hawaii

2011-12-30T14:54:00.000-06:00

Made it once. Happy New Year, y'all:) Here's to a better one.

they’re sizing up a cozy little investment in Mitt Romney

2011-12-30T08:34:00.001-06:00

Repo Men

Sarah Palin was right. On this and so many things.

You’d think that after the Lehman debacle, all that would have changed. In fact, you’d think that would be practically the first thing to be changed — not credit-card swipe fees or executive-compensation rules or any of the rest of it. But it wasn’t. Corzine’s firm, MF Global, used something called “repo to maturity” — basically Repo 105 with a facelift — to accomplish the same goal: making the books look better by hiding bad assets, in this case a bunch of losing investments in European government bonds. The bigger problem is that while MF Global was both acting as a broker for its customers and making its own bets, it failed to keep the customers’ money segregated from its own, which is why some $600 million in customers’ money went missing. Now there’s a whole bunch of people wanting to get paid back and not enough money for everybody to get made whole, and the big Wall Street banks want to make sure that they’re first in line, with the government rewriting the rules of bankruptcy to put them ahead of the local-yokel customers out in the sticks. If you don’t think that the government can just arbitrarily rewrite the bankruptcy rules to suit its political preferences, revisit the General Motors bailout, when it did just that, shortchanging bondholders in favor of the union goons who act as Democratic footsoldiers and dues-collectors.

“At the risk of oversimplifying it,” one Wall Street insider explains, “imagine a bank went bankrupt. Then the regulators came in and cracked open all the customers’ safe-deposit boxes, even though they knew for certain that none of the contents belonged to the bank. Then they tossed those assets into the pile for the creditors to pick through and told the box holders to get in line as well. That’s what folks are saying is happening here. And in a situation like that, who wants a safe-deposit box?”

Our The One % Dear Leader Lady O

2011-12-29T07:33:00.000-06:00

Fresh from her celebrated Most Venerated Jumping Jack world record (video below), hanging next to The One's Nobel Peace Prize in her mind, (and ours), can anyone doubt our Dear Leader Lady O aspires to be more?

Rivaling Imelda Marcos in her attire, Evita Peron in her demagoguery, and Elena Ceauşescu in media adulation, First Lady Michelle Obama prepares for her triumphal return from Asia. I mean, who needs elections P.S. Let them eat butter

P.P.S. Shut up, Michelle. The science is against you.

All eyes on Iowa

2011-12-28T10:11:00.002-06:00

I don't know about you but I feel like this is the most wide-open race in my lifetime, and the most pivotal for the country.

Post-Christmas gatherings of family and friends reveal a split among the Romneys and the nons.

My vote's for Newt as the best of the bunch, someone who actually took a stand and won substantive conservative success. But then, I don't get a vote in Iowa.

To you and yours, near and far

2011-12-19T17:32:00.001-06:00

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas

Rahmbo Goes WSJ

2011-12-19T08:17:00.002-06:00

In an op-ed this morning: Chicago's Plan to Match Education With Jobs

This dovetails with Milwaukee's experience, but, given the overall tax and spend, and borrow like there's no tomorrow climate, which state is more likely to grow?

Seriously, what sector will Rahmbo shake down next? Or foolishly favor at our expense. Because you always have to ask that question with these guys.

And, uh, Rahm. Working to update community colleges are all very well, but we need school choice down the line.

...If we got the government out of the way all across this country, America would be better off.

The cherub in the neighborhood

2011-12-16T13:07:00.000-06:00

Merry, merry:) Have a great weekend

Wassail!

Keystone Moment

2011-12-16T08:31:00.002-06:00

To me this was the soundbite of the night, expressing the utter disbelief and frustration of the American people at the job-killing actions of the Obama administration in this dismal economy. Newt engages the battle. RCP video: Gingrich: Obama's Decision On Keystone Pipeline Is "Utterly Irrational"

Larry Kudlow

Barack Obama is a rigid, radical ideologue who wishes an exceptional America ill.

He's a big gov President Ebenezer Scrooge putting shackles on productive America--are there no prisons?

That's not the spirit that built this country, and Newt gets it.

More. The WSJ is kinder with their literary figure:

To give Mr. Obama a spinal implant, the House passed a provision that would give TransCanada a permit to start building in 60 days if the President does nothing. He can still kill the pipeline if he objects. But at least Hamlet of Pennsylvania Avenue would have to make up his mind.

The Keystone codicil is now being negotiated in the Senate, where at least eight Democrats have said publicly they hope the project goes forward: Jon Tester and Max Baucus of Montana, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mary Landrieu of Lousiana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Claire McCaskill of Missouri. Perhaps they're among the few Democrats who still care about blue-collar voters, as opposed to public unions and Mill Valley hedge-fund greens.

The making of an anti-Romney

2011-12-15T10:51:00.003-06:00

I supported him last time against McCain but I'll be damned if I'll suck it up this time and accede to the Republican establishment beltway bullies' pick of Mitt, when they told us last time McCain was the only one who could win.

I started this blog as a conservative first, not a Republican, and I entitled it Backyard as a jab to the pundits on both coasts, left and right, who dismiss the heartland. The Tea Party started with an open outcry by Rick Santelli that electrified the outrage in this country over elitist conventional wisdom which has looted and despoiled America now, and for future generations.

Let me take this opportunity to join with Legal Insurrection in expressing my further outrage today.

My spouse and I have been subscribers to National Review for over 30 years, I believe. We have signed books and a framed letter from the late great William F. Buckley.

That relationship is in jeopardy, by me.

The voters, Iowa and otherwise, will pick our nominee.

And as someone who lives in one party-run corrupt and bankrupt Illinois, the president's Dem and doomed home state, I'll be damned if I'll be dictated to in the Republican primary process.

Vote with your heart, folks, vote with your mind.

Vote your gut feel on who can best lead America.

Northern Lights over Teepees, Hallelujah Alaska:)

2011-12-14T15:46:00.000-06:00

Yellow Knife, Canada, from an email circulating around. And this, if you haven't seen it: This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Christmas concerts wrapping up the next few days, may mostly tweet, and will be tuning in to the Fox debate tomorrow night. Cheers!:)

Axis of Crony Capitalism: Corzine & Goldman Sachs alums

2011-12-14T11:30:00.001-06:00

Charles Gasparino lays it out, and it's not pretty.

More: MF Global Employee Says Corzine Knew Funds Were Taken From Customer...

Related posts: MF Global Mucks Up Heartland, Bill Clinton Tied to Corzine's MF Global Fiasco, Jon Corzine STOLE the customer cash at MF Global

Rocking Horse Traffic Jam. IL Tuition Scam

2011-12-14T07:53:00.000-06:00

She enrolled her daughter at birth but no go. Another state of Illinois program going bust, half a billion shortfall going going gone as the gap will widen to billions, but the state sends out this statement:

In a letter to contract holders this week, commission officials said the program's funded status "is much stronger than any of the state's pension plans and many corporate pension plans."

A disingenuous and useless claim, as Illinois pension plans are among the worst funded in the nation. In this college fund, Illinois had misrepresented the guarantee and assumed a ridiculously high rate of return, and this is the result.

Add to that the government student loan-generated tuition bubble and you have yet another big gov disaster our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay for.

'The higher a monkey climbs on the pole, the more you can see his butt'...

2011-12-13T16:17:00.002-06:00

Gee, David Axelrod, what if we'd said that about Barack.

Or your whole O administration, for that matter.

You're kind of O-verexposed these days, I'd say.

Resurgent Republicans close gap in key states

2011-12-13T11:33:00.001-06:00

Fear of Big Gov at all time high. Gallup. Even Democrats. So what's the fallout? This: USA Today with cool interactive map of swing states:

Since the heady days of 2008, a new USA TODAY/Gallup Swing States Poll finds the number of voters who identify themselves as Democratic or Democratic-leaning in these key states has eroded, down by 4 percentage points, while the ranks of Republicans have climbed by 5 points.
Republican voters also are more attentive to the campaign, more enthusiastic about the election and more convinced that the outcome matters. [snip]
In swing states, Obama trails former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney among registered voters by 5 points, 43% vs. 48%, and former House speaker Newt Gingrich by 3, 45% vs. 48%.

O supporters hit hardest by his Obamanomics recession, and the number of independents rise.

Obama thinks he can run as a middle class warrior--get real, those you called bitter clingers aren't fooled. One of the few Blue Dog Dems left tells it like it is. And unions in the real world ask--where are the jobs?

P.S. Michelle does jumping jacks, she's proud of her country now, Romney sends in his spouse too:

backyardconserv Anne Leary

Yup RT @PunditMom: Is your Prez. campaign over when they send in your wife? nyti.ms/t79FxD

2 hours ago

Will Obama bow to Iran next?

2011-12-13T11:03:00.002-06:00

Iran says Obama should apologize for downed drone

They know this president well. Iran goes on. "radical youths"? Read Ahmadinejad's goons. Remember, he was a "radical youth" who stormed our embassy over 30 years ago. During the Carter administration. Deja vu all over again, n'est-ce pas? :

In response to tightened economic sanctions against Iran, radical youths stormed the British embassy in Tehran on November 29, causing London to recall all its staff and close its mission.
Republican presidential candidates in the United States have upped rhetoric on a possible military strike against Iran, something Israel says it may carry out as a last resort to stop the Islamic Republic getting the bomb.
"It's better that they don't use phrases like 'all options are on the table'," Mehmanparast said, referring to the stock phrase used by Israeli and U.S. leaders about the military option.
"The phrase has been used so often it has become tiresome," he added.

You know what's tiresome? Death to Israel, Death to America. Death to women. Death to boys. Death. Death to children:

Watching Newt and Huntsman talk about Iran.Really shocking.What kind of a country builds nukes not only under their mosques,but their cities
14 hours ago
#LDdebate Newt is sure this regime will use nukes--after all, they train their children to be suicide bombers.Start by cutting them off
14 hours ago

#LDdebate I mean,how much does Iran care about its people--swimming in oil for energy but spending big bucks on nukes for"peaceful" purpose
14 hours ago

Those handicapped motorcyclists...

2011-12-13T09:42:00.001-06:00

I think that the United States needs to revoke all the parking placards and handicapped plates and start fresh. First, there should be a photo on the placard to identify exactly who the handicapped person is that's using it!
There is just so much abuse with those that it is crazy. Walk down any downtown street and most of the cars have placards. I especially love the one car I see every day with the birth year of 1906; it's amazing that that person still goes to work each day!
But my bigger problem is why do they get free parking in the first place? Just because someone is handicapped does not mean they can't afford to park. Makes no sense to me whatsoever. And judging from some of the cars with the placards, all the money they save on no parking fees helps pay for the fancy cars/trucks/suvs (I especially love a placard on a 'racing' type car like a Corvette with a stick shift....or the one I saw on a motorcycle....give me a freakin' break).

Related post: Using granny's handicapped pass

...More: Those handicapped Attorneys General:

That's why we must persuade Lisa Madigan to stop worrying about those terrifying robocalls and the scary sauna guys and start looking at the political class. They could teach her so many things.

So I'm inviting her to a special party on Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. in Room 4017 of the DuPage County courthouse.

That's where Carmen W. Iacullo, 58, a top boss in the Illinois Department of Transportation, is scheduled to appear on drunken driving charges. He was arrested shortly after midnight on Nov. 20 in Wood Dale. In the past, he's represented IDOT at events promoting driver safety.

Earlier, a few miles away in nearby Addison, the Italian American Executives of Transportation had held an annual dinner dance. Theirs is a philanthropic group that provides scholarships and honors prominent and worthy members.

Iacullo himself was the group's Man of the Year in 2010. At this year's dinner, an Iacullo friend, former state Sen. James A. DeLeo, D-How You Doin?, received the "Special Recognition Award."

But the Man of the Year of 2011 was the legendary Liberato "Al" Naimoli, boss of the Cement Workers Local 76. And what a man.

Kneecapped expert.

Honor killing case? Gunmen hiding in Liege cathedral

2011-12-13T08:12:00.003-06:00

So they take refuge in a cathedral after attempted murder. Did they mistake it for a mosque?

The attack took place around noon on Saint-Lambert square, home to the town's courthouse and located near a busy Christmas market, Belga news agency said.
A two-year-old child is reportedly fighting for life in hospital. Six other victims are said to be gravely injured.

More here.

...Meanwhile, back at the ranch: Obama to Iran: Pretty please

Related posts: That Erotic Islamist Carrot, Honor Killing: Groomed for sex at 12, stabbed to death at 17, Let the men cover their faces too

Get your phony Durbin dollar here

2011-12-13T07:42:00.000-06:00

Senator Dick Durbin has a truly backwards view of how capitalism is supposed to work. Thanks to price controls produced by his amendment to the infamous Dodd-Frank legislation, now consumers have to pay for the privilege of having access to their own money.

Why? Because America’s retail stores would rather squeal to Big Government’s authority figures like schoolchildren than negotiate the cost of doing business with banks and credit unions themselves. The Durbin Amendment is the fruit of their cowardice. And card-issuers, stuck with the bill, have to pay for it using money from the only group that doesn’t have an army of paid lobbyists in Washington: ordinary American consumers. Is your checking account no longer “free”? Is your bank introducing monthly debit card fees? Have you seen your card’s reward program benefits dry up? Thank the Durbin Amendment.

Get your worthless Durbin dollar here. Let him know how you feel.

P.S. Other jerky Durbin news: Durbin Tries to Trade Thomson Prison for Independent International Religious Persecution Watchdog’s Existence

Durbin Taking Heat for Thomson Prison Trade for Religious Freedom Commission’s Continued Existence

U.S. religious freedom commission prepares to shut down: lack of funding under Obama admin

Illinois thinks the Earth is flat, cliff at its borders

2011-12-12T21:38:00.001-06:00

This dunce of a Dem state:

The Illinois legislature proposed a tax package that is designed to keep the $CME and $CBOE from leaving the state. Is it enough? Indiana governor Mitch Daniels has said that being next to Illinois is like living next door to the Simpson’s.

The bill they will pass will tax roughly 27% of exchange transactions. The rationale for taxing them is the transactions initiate and take place within state borders. That assumption is incorrect. While 15% of the exchanges transactions take place using open outcry on the floor, most of those transactions initiate from all other points in the world. If I were a floor trader, I’d be ticked at Democrats in Illinois. They just gave CME and CBOE an extra incentive to try and close the floors.

The second concept being tossed about is that CME and CBOE shouldn’t be given tax breaks because they are profitable. Does that mean we only give tax breaks to companies that are poorly run and losing money? Profitability of a company shouldn’t ever be a consideration for a tax break.
The core problem is that Illinois is one of the most expensive places to do business in the nation.

And to be a bleeped taxpayer.

Earth to Illinois--you're the one who has fallen off the cliff.

HT the Instapundit.

Century Hill Street Lighting District & Pension

2011-12-12T16:34:00.001-06:00

Cronin has had the temerity to ask why DuPage has more than 400 units of government, such as the Salt Creek Drainage Basin Sanitary District and the Century Hill Street Lighting District. A private firm is evaluating the cost and functions of dozens of taxing districts in the county and will report its findings in January.

Illinois has almost 7,000 units of government, yet the defenders of the bloated status quo across the state just can't imagine how that number could ever be reduced.

What would we do without 44 regional school superintendents, who process teacher certifications and push other paper around? [snip]

A recent Better Government Association investigation of the 20 largest townships in Cook County found that township officials stockpile millions of dollars in property taxes and overpay for repairs and maintenance on a small number of roads.

Townships exist to preserve political jobs. Townships spend almost $1 on salaries and administration for every $1 in services they deliver, about twice as much as other local governments, according to a 2008 report by Roosevelt University professor David Hamilton.

And they all probably have fat pension benefits.

The schools are run for patronage, not the kids, state and local government is run for the employees and pols, not the taxpayers. The whole place is one big fat corrupt bankrupt system.

And it's been this way for more than a century.

The last time Illinois was honest was probably when Honest Abe was alive.

P.S. Gingrich Huntsman Lincoln-Douglas style debate rebroadcast tonight on C-Span.

State Museum Guards Hazardous Pay?

2011-12-12T08:02:00.002-06:00

An unsustainable benefit gets worse:

Special retirement benefits once reserved for police, firefighters and others with dangerous jobs are now being given to tens of thousands of state workers employed as park rangers, foresters, dispatchers, coroners, even highway laborers, museum guards and lifeguards.
The trend will add heavily to the $70 billion that state taxpayers owe state retirement funds each year and is costing states such as Florida and Maryland $15 million to $30 million annually, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
Thirty-one states have passed laws since 2000 that expand the range of workers who can retire when they turn 50 or 55 or after working 20 or 25 years, then collect special pensions that will pay some an extra $1 million or more in retirement. The pensions are enhanced because they are usually based on a higher percentage of a worker's salary than pensions for ordinary state workers.

It's a triple whammy for taxpayers, who typically get much less in the private sector. Of course the failed, bankrupt state of Illinois' profligate pols and their public union porkers are in the mix:

In Illinois, where highway maintenance workers earn up to $148,000 a year with overtime, early enhanced retirement can pay a $75,000-a-year pension at age 50 after 25 years on the job. That adds up to $2.2 million if the retiree lives to age 80 — or $1.2 million more than if the person had been in the state's regular retirement plan.

What's the solution? Well, Gov. Walker in Wisconsin had the right idea. It's up to us and the rest of the country to tackle this ruinous inequity.

P.S. In Florida (USA Today):

Zapata sought in 2010 to shift thousands of workers from the special-risk class to the regular class, but quickly withdrew his bill after getting threatening phone calls. "You try to explain, look, what's happening here is unsustainable," said Zapata, who retired last year due to term limits. "Unfortunately, the conversation didn't go too far because the (state-worker) unions did a great job of shutting everything down."

In Wisconsin: Mother and her Children Harassed and Terrorized By Recall Scott Walker Mob More:
Scott Walker recall supporter brags 'I think I signed about 80 times' More leftist shenanigans in Wisconsin as the Recall Scott Walker campaign embraces the Chicago Way. Sign early, sign often.

Cute & Red

2011-12-09T16:47:00.001-06:00

And something cute, red & yummy:)Have a great weekend!

Wright Home For Sale by Vet Disabled in WWII, now 92

2011-12-09T10:05:00.001-06:00

A beautiful home, a life well-lived. Your good news story of the day.

...I've always been a fan of Wright, his Prairie-style designs suit the Midwest, bringing in landscape and light. My home in the suburbs is a compact bungalow, Craftsman variant. The 90 year-old leaded glass windows still shine, even with the storms on for the new snow.

Obama: More jobs in jobless benefits than Keystone

2011-12-09T07:42:00.001-06:00

Seriously. He thinks he can get away with brainless statements like this, (RCP video) but then he has the WH press corpse to cluelessly cover for him. Oh, noooo, we may not get to go to Hawaii...

Even his usual union allies know the real score.

Brent Booker head of the construction arm of Laborers International Union of North America said that because of the jobs it would bring “this project is not just a pipeline, it is in fact a lifeline,” for his members.
Construction industry unemployment reached 27% in 2010 and hovered around 20% for much of last two years, he said. The pipeline would create 20,000 jobs, Pourbaix and union members said.
“They would have started a couple months from now” without the delay, Pourbaix said. “Americans were hired and ready to go to work.”

All you have to do is look at the success that is North Dakota, but not Barack Obama, no, no, no. Meanwhile, food stamp recipients multiply--by the O definition, more jobs!!! For bureaucrats, I guess. Charles Krauthammer:

"Obama lamented that millions “are now forced to take their children to food banks.” You have to admire the audacity. That’s the kind of damning observation theopposition brings up when you’ve been in office three years. Yet Obama summoned it to make the case for his reelection! ... This is populism so crude that it channels not Teddy Roosevelt so much as Hugo Chavez

Yes, the real answer is to pay more and more people not to work--that's the Obama plan for our future, and that of our children.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus and his name is The One.

P.S. President Obama lights all the Hanukkah candles at once, two weeks early. No doubt to make way for his 17 day Hawaii vacay: Obama: 'We Never Need an Excuse For a Good Party'

More. Michael Ramirez cartoon, IBD editorial. And Rich Lowry: Obama Blames the Rich He does not understand economic mobility.

Holder Smirks, Invokes McCarthyism

2011-12-08T18:34:00.001-06:00

Fast and Furious Lying Eric Holder was at it again, parsing words and smirking at serious questions--people have died. Behold the chief law enforcement officer of the Obama administration. And this:
Fast and Furious hearing 12/8/11 from Water Cooler on Vimeo.
More here.

If the Obama administration did arrange for the shipment of arms to Mexican drug gangs, not for any legitimate public purpose but in order to advance a left-wing political agenda, and those guns were used to murder hundreds of Mexicans and at least one American border agent–which they were–then we are looking at a scandal that dwarfs any in modern American history.

One more. Wow: