Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf, otherwise publicly apolitical, speaks up in support of Johnny McCain. For Norm, it is all about war. Too bad. He is smarter than this. For some voters, what Schwarzkopf says about McCain is enough.
It is true. McCain's credentials are great. He's a hero, but can he must post up more than memories and "go get 'em"?
The economy may define the election, not the war. This makes it hard for Republicans. Who do they push in the primaries? What about November? a good war. A bad war. Good economy. Bad economy. They have three viable candidates in John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, all with different takes.
Ron Paul might be running for vice president at this point, as is occasional candidate Rudy Giuliani.
Democrats however, have basically two candidates, and, depending how detailed you look, at a high level, they seem the same. No matter how much nose we heard in the debate, the issue isn't the issues, but who can capably lead. Both are prochoice, progay, antiwar, see economy as troubled.
The rest is race, gender, experience and how much corruption is perceived and/or tolerated.
Norman Schwarzkopf Endorses McCain
FOXNews
by FOXNews.com Schwarzkopf, who with McCain in 2004 was openly critical of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over his handling of the Iraq war, said in a statement the Arizona senator “has served our country with honor in war and in peace.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Will Fred Thompson Give His Support to Ron Paul?
No surprise here. Fred Thompson started with a "Eh?" and ended with a "whatever. No news yet on who he will support. Johnny McCain got his nod last time. Maybe Ron Paul will get Fred's good vibes.
Fred Thompson quits race
After a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states, the former Senator drops out. » Story
"Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," Thompson said in a statement.
Fred Thompson quits race
After a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states, the former Senator drops out. » Story
"Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," Thompson said in a statement.
Planned Parenthood Runs for President (For or Against Ron Paul?)
Everything is political, even the life of a child. Whomever Planned Parenthood supports should cause a shift in perspective. Their choice can no longer hide under the guise of "I wouldn't do it, but support the legal choice of those who do." No, no, no. Not that at all.
In fact, Planned Parenthood is doing pro-life voters a service. They are flushing out candidates they think are the most pro-abortion, and most worthy of their support. It clears things up. While we'll hardly know who is most likely to spare the life of a child the mother does not want, a few of the candidates will be winnowed away.
Remember that Planned Parenthood will not just be looking at the most pro-abortion candidate, but they have donor dollars to think about. Those donating to them do not have bottom-less wallets, but, just like pro-life organizations, like Focus on the Family, have a budget requiring efficiency.
That means the candidates Planned Parenthood supports are the ones who also are viable in a national or other main election. They might give a nod to third tier choices, but the big money and big speeches will go to the person with the skill set and popularity to do the most damage to human life in the womb.
Planned Parenthood to Push Candidacies
Wall Street Journal
By BRODY MULLINS WASHINGTON -- For the first time, abortion-rights advocate Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. is launching a major effort to elect pro-abortion-rights candidates to Congress and the White House in November.
In fact, Planned Parenthood is doing pro-life voters a service. They are flushing out candidates they think are the most pro-abortion, and most worthy of their support. It clears things up. While we'll hardly know who is most likely to spare the life of a child the mother does not want, a few of the candidates will be winnowed away.
Remember that Planned Parenthood will not just be looking at the most pro-abortion candidate, but they have donor dollars to think about. Those donating to them do not have bottom-less wallets, but, just like pro-life organizations, like Focus on the Family, have a budget requiring efficiency.
That means the candidates Planned Parenthood supports are the ones who also are viable in a national or other main election. They might give a nod to third tier choices, but the big money and big speeches will go to the person with the skill set and popularity to do the most damage to human life in the womb.
Planned Parenthood to Push Candidacies
Wall Street Journal
By BRODY MULLINS WASHINGTON -- For the first time, abortion-rights advocate Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. is launching a major effort to elect pro-abortion-rights candidates to Congress and the White House in November.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Martin Luther King and Ron Paul
Want to read Martin Luther King's Letter from the Birmingham Jail? I think, although Ron Paul is not known as a manof faith, he would agree in principle.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Ron Paul Shows His Darkhorse Skills
Fear not, oh ye Ron Paulians. The good doctor is showing he's just starting to surge, to breath forth new strength, and ready his effort to take the nomination. Where's Rudy? No one is watching, or looking.
Breaking News: A Ron Paul surge in Nevada
Los Angeles Times, CA
The results tonight will show whether Ron Paul's fine morning and afternoon turn into a nice all-around day or not. Either way, he was likely the top GOP ...
Ron Paul's Ceiling Slate
Meanwhile, in Ron Paul land, some supporters are in a tizzy that Fox News didn't show Ron Paul in second or third as the results came in earlier today. They've got a point, but there's a bigger question here about how the race changes if Paul finishes in second. As of now, Paul and John McCain are fighting for second, and CNN's entrance polls show Paul pulling in more votes than McCain.
As we've already discussed, Paul and Romney were the only two candidates campaigning in the state in recent weeks, so Paul should be expected to finish second. But he may not get there. As of now, McCain is widening his lead on Paul for second. The good news is that the three- or four-point bump from Iowa's and New Hampshire's results could confirm that Paul's libertarian message can do better out West than it can in the rest of the country.
But this probably won't matter much for Paul's momentum going forward. Paul already has a ton of money, so he doesn't need any of the added funds a solid finish will bring in. Plus, he's trailing badly in South Carolina and Florida, so any momentum out of Nevada would be lost very quickly.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Looking for a Ron Paul t-shirt, mug, or bumper sticker?
Looking for a Ron Paul for President
t-shirt, mug, or bumper sticker?
t-shirt, mug, or bumper sticker?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Press Releases › Paul Blasts Gas Tax Proposal as “OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”
Paul Blasts Gas Tax Proposal as “OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”
January 15, 2008 11:30 am EST
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul says a proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax is the last thing the American people need in a slumping economy. The recommendation comes from a panel made of corporate executives and government bureaucrats commissioned by Congress in the 2005 transportation bill. Congressman Paul was one of nine votes in the House against the bill.
“This is a great example of how out of touch big government and big business are with the American people,” Paul said. “With gas at three dollars a gallon and a slowing economy, the last thing we need is a tax increase to be paid by Americans who can least afford it.”
Paul called on the other presidential candidates to join him in opposing this and any other tax increase proposals that come down in the future.
###
January 15, 2008 11:30 am EST
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul says a proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax is the last thing the American people need in a slumping economy. The recommendation comes from a panel made of corporate executives and government bureaucrats commissioned by Congress in the 2005 transportation bill. Congressman Paul was one of nine votes in the House against the bill.
“This is a great example of how out of touch big government and big business are with the American people,” Paul said. “With gas at three dollars a gallon and a slowing economy, the last thing we need is a tax increase to be paid by Americans who can least afford it.”
Paul called on the other presidential candidates to join him in opposing this and any other tax increase proposals that come down in the future.
###
Duking It On In the GOP Campaign in Michigan
On the Republican side, the heat kicks in, despite the chilly weather.
Michigan further wrinkles close GOP race
By LIZ SIDOTI and GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writers
24 minutes ago
'08 race (according to Yahoo)
Michigan further wrinkles close GOP race
By LIZ SIDOTI and GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writers
24 minutes ago
DETROIT - John McCain sought to keep his momentum going. Mitt Romney looked to keep his candidacy afloat. Mike Huckabee simply wanted to keep defying expectations.McCain, Romney in tight race in snowy Michigan
No matter the winner, the Republican presidential primary in Michigan on Tuesday promised to add another wrinkle to a volatile nomination fight that lacks a clear favorite.
"It's going to be a very, very close race," predicted McCain, the Arizona senator hoping that independents and Democrats would join Republicans to help him repeat his 2000 win here.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and native son of Michigan whose late father once was the governor, was more confident, declaring in Grand Rapids: "Michigan is going to vote for a Romney again!"
'08 race (according to Yahoo)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Ron Paul Picks Up Leftist, Liberal Endorsement: Alexander Cockburn
Against Dullness: The Campaigns So Far
Alexander Cockburn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Cockburn
It's time to take stock of the landscape. The American political system, as conditioned by corporate cash, the corporate press and legal obstructions to independent candidacies, is designed to eliminate any threat to business as usual. In the case of the Democrats, the winnowing process is working well. Mike Gravel, by far the most vivacious and radical of the party's candidates on substantive matters of war and empire, was swiftly marginalized. I've seen very few Gravel buttons.
Dennis Kucinich seems to have a lock on those Democrats prepared to stay true to a hopeless outsider. I don't understand this loyalty to the Ohio Congressman. The point of hopeless outsiders is to give us hope. It's a dialectical thing. They convince us that their cause is not hopeless, is worth fighting for. Kucinich gives me no hope. He has barely shouldered his way into single digits. His signs and buttons and stickers already look as though they're collectibles on eBay.
The three major Democratic contenders for the nomination are all unalluring. John Edwards is offering us a populist package, with homilies on fair trade, gaps between rich and poor, corporate greed and so forth. Decent people, including many labor organizers, are working for him. I don't believe a word he says. His record on war and empire is bad. He has poor judgment. Why spend $400 to have a hairdo that makes you look like a slick lawyer with a fancy haircut?
CONTINUED BELOW
Barack Obama? I can't remember a single substantive statement he's made. In terms of political philosophy and pragmatic intention, his platform is like the Anglican clergyman's answer when asked for his conception of God: an oblong blur. When he's pressed, Obama's positions on war and empire are usually very bad. Talk about "moving beyond partisan differences" invariably ends with the Establishment's long-term goal of abolishing Social Security.
Hillary Clinton is the candidate for corporate power at home and empire abroad. She argued passionately in the White House for the NATO bombing of Belgrade. Two days after September 11, 2001, she was calling for a broad war on terror. She voted for the Patriot Act. When it came time for Mrs. Clinton to deliver her speech in support of the attack on Iraq, she reiterated some of the most outlandish claims made by Dick Cheney.
On the Republican side, I've liked Mike Huckabee. He had a decent record as governor of Arkansas and deserves support if only for his moral and political courage in his pardoning or sentence commutations of more than 1,000 convicted criminals. These acts of mercy and faith in rehabilitation have been predictably attacked by some chortling liberals because one of those whose parole he may have prompted subsequently killed someone. This is an unavoidable risk unless you achieve certainty by execution or a sentence of life without the possibility of parole--which will be the trend if states continue to abandon the death penalty. Juries will have less compunction in convicting if the penalty is LWOP rather than death. Of course, these days parole itself is harder and harder to win in all states. The release on New Year's Eve of the 77-year-old Sara Jane Moore after thirty-two years in prison for trying to kill our greatest President since Warren Harding is, alas, scarcely a precedent. This parole, incidentally, was won by two young attorneys from the Bay Area: Scott Fleming and Scott Handleman, the latter a close friend of mine and indeed my former intern here at The Nation. But Huckabee, particularly since he took on board a big-name political strategist, Ed Rollins, has made bad mistakes, flip-flopping on his enlightened position on immigration and invoking the awful John Bolton as a foreign policy counselor. Nonetheless, I have a soft spot for the guy, if only because he has real populist character and has panicked the Establishment into regrouping round John McCain as the Republican match to HRC, as the bipartisan candidate of choice. But my favorite remains Ron Paul, rock-solid against war and empire and the neoliberal corporate state. He's a principled fellow who's won passionate support (and millions in modest cash contributions) from ordinary Americans. I recently drove down I-5 from Washington through Oregon to Northern California, and "Ron Paul" signs were almost the only ones I saw. I like the look of the people behind them.
The case for Paul as a candidate leftists can and should support is powerfully made on our CounterPunch website by Jeff Taylor, a onetime Wellstone enthusiast. I encourage everyone to read the case Taylor makes at www.counterpunch.org/taylor01022008.html. As Taylor writes, "Not only does Ron Paul represent Jeffersonian values usually termed 'conservative' or 'libertarian' today (fidelity to the Constitution, frugal government, states' rights, Second Amendment, national sovereignty), but he is also a leading example of support for Jeffersonian positions nowadays described as 'liberal' or 'leftist' (e.g. opposition not only to the Iraq War but to war in general, anti-imperialism, ending the federal war on drugs, hostility to the Patriot Act and other violations of civil liberties). This accounts for the wide appeal of the Paul campaign. It's precisely the sort of trans-ideological, cross-generational populist-libertarian-moralist coalition that I was hoping to see with a Feingold presidential campaign."
Will there be other candidates? Bloomberg may run, but he certainly doesn't make my pulse beat faster. Ralph Nader? He told me on New Year's Eve that he'd make up his mind in a month. The same day he endorsed Edwards, which presumably helps Ralph's cred with the trial lawyers. So if HRC becomes the certain nominee, Ralph may run. If he does, he should campaign solely in Ohio and Florida. For now I hope Paul makes a break for it and runs as an Independent. That would be exciting. All great seasons in politics begin with excitement. Right now there's none.
Alexander Cockburn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Cockburn
It's time to take stock of the landscape. The American political system, as conditioned by corporate cash, the corporate press and legal obstructions to independent candidacies, is designed to eliminate any threat to business as usual. In the case of the Democrats, the winnowing process is working well. Mike Gravel, by far the most vivacious and radical of the party's candidates on substantive matters of war and empire, was swiftly marginalized. I've seen very few Gravel buttons.
Dennis Kucinich seems to have a lock on those Democrats prepared to stay true to a hopeless outsider. I don't understand this loyalty to the Ohio Congressman. The point of hopeless outsiders is to give us hope. It's a dialectical thing. They convince us that their cause is not hopeless, is worth fighting for. Kucinich gives me no hope. He has barely shouldered his way into single digits. His signs and buttons and stickers already look as though they're collectibles on eBay.
The three major Democratic contenders for the nomination are all unalluring. John Edwards is offering us a populist package, with homilies on fair trade, gaps between rich and poor, corporate greed and so forth. Decent people, including many labor organizers, are working for him. I don't believe a word he says. His record on war and empire is bad. He has poor judgment. Why spend $400 to have a hairdo that makes you look like a slick lawyer with a fancy haircut?
CONTINUED BELOW
Barack Obama? I can't remember a single substantive statement he's made. In terms of political philosophy and pragmatic intention, his platform is like the Anglican clergyman's answer when asked for his conception of God: an oblong blur. When he's pressed, Obama's positions on war and empire are usually very bad. Talk about "moving beyond partisan differences" invariably ends with the Establishment's long-term goal of abolishing Social Security.
Hillary Clinton is the candidate for corporate power at home and empire abroad. She argued passionately in the White House for the NATO bombing of Belgrade. Two days after September 11, 2001, she was calling for a broad war on terror. She voted for the Patriot Act. When it came time for Mrs. Clinton to deliver her speech in support of the attack on Iraq, she reiterated some of the most outlandish claims made by Dick Cheney.
On the Republican side, I've liked Mike Huckabee. He had a decent record as governor of Arkansas and deserves support if only for his moral and political courage in his pardoning or sentence commutations of more than 1,000 convicted criminals. These acts of mercy and faith in rehabilitation have been predictably attacked by some chortling liberals because one of those whose parole he may have prompted subsequently killed someone. This is an unavoidable risk unless you achieve certainty by execution or a sentence of life without the possibility of parole--which will be the trend if states continue to abandon the death penalty. Juries will have less compunction in convicting if the penalty is LWOP rather than death. Of course, these days parole itself is harder and harder to win in all states. The release on New Year's Eve of the 77-year-old Sara Jane Moore after thirty-two years in prison for trying to kill our greatest President since Warren Harding is, alas, scarcely a precedent. This parole, incidentally, was won by two young attorneys from the Bay Area: Scott Fleming and Scott Handleman, the latter a close friend of mine and indeed my former intern here at The Nation. But Huckabee, particularly since he took on board a big-name political strategist, Ed Rollins, has made bad mistakes, flip-flopping on his enlightened position on immigration and invoking the awful John Bolton as a foreign policy counselor. Nonetheless, I have a soft spot for the guy, if only because he has real populist character and has panicked the Establishment into regrouping round John McCain as the Republican match to HRC, as the bipartisan candidate of choice. But my favorite remains Ron Paul, rock-solid against war and empire and the neoliberal corporate state. He's a principled fellow who's won passionate support (and millions in modest cash contributions) from ordinary Americans. I recently drove down I-5 from Washington through Oregon to Northern California, and "Ron Paul" signs were almost the only ones I saw. I like the look of the people behind them.
The case for Paul as a candidate leftists can and should support is powerfully made on our CounterPunch website by Jeff Taylor, a onetime Wellstone enthusiast. I encourage everyone to read the case Taylor makes at www.counterpunch.org/taylor01022008.html. As Taylor writes, "Not only does Ron Paul represent Jeffersonian values usually termed 'conservative' or 'libertarian' today (fidelity to the Constitution, frugal government, states' rights, Second Amendment, national sovereignty), but he is also a leading example of support for Jeffersonian positions nowadays described as 'liberal' or 'leftist' (e.g. opposition not only to the Iraq War but to war in general, anti-imperialism, ending the federal war on drugs, hostility to the Patriot Act and other violations of civil liberties). This accounts for the wide appeal of the Paul campaign. It's precisely the sort of trans-ideological, cross-generational populist-libertarian-moralist coalition that I was hoping to see with a Feingold presidential campaign."
Will there be other candidates? Bloomberg may run, but he certainly doesn't make my pulse beat faster. Ralph Nader? He told me on New Year's Eve that he'd make up his mind in a month. The same day he endorsed Edwards, which presumably helps Ralph's cred with the trial lawyers. So if HRC becomes the certain nominee, Ralph may run. If he does, he should campaign solely in Ohio and Florida. For now I hope Paul makes a break for it and runs as an Independent. That would be exciting. All great seasons in politics begin with excitement. Right now there's none.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Quitter: Bill Richardson. Pressing on: Ron Paul
Bill Richardson, admitting he is a wannabe leader in a field of three powerhouses (John Edwards, Barack Obama, and, of course, Hillary Clinton, sometimes called 'Hillary Rodham Clinton'). Ron Paul, however, is pressing on among the Republicans, undeterred by the challenge in front of him.
Unable to compete with the big girls and boys, Richardson officially is bowing out.
He could not afford to throw donor money in a lost, futile cause. "His impressive credentials" apparently impressed too few, and, realizing he was losing on every front, quit what he could not finish.
Richardson to end 2008 presidential bid
AP - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.
Unable to compete with the big girls and boys, Richardson officially is bowing out.
He could not afford to throw donor money in a lost, futile cause. "His impressive credentials" apparently impressed too few, and, realizing he was losing on every front, quit what he could not finish.
Richardson to end 2008 presidential bid
AP - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Ron Paul Addresses New Republic Article
January 8, 2008
Today, as New Hampshire voters headed to the polls, The New Republic published an article carefully timed to hurt Ron Paul.
This article rehashes an old issue of quotations from newsletters published under Dr. Paul's name, but not edited by him. Dr. Paul takes full responsibility, as he has for over a decade, for failing to adequately monitor the words that went out under his name.
You and I know that Dr. Paul's message of freedom is about individual liberty, and that liberty is the best antidote to racism. If anyone has doubts, I would encourage them to read Dr. Paul's issue page on racism.
Dr. Paul's response to the article is posted here. As you would expect, Congressman Paul denounces racism and embraces instead, the hopeful message of freedom -- the message he has championed for decades.
Sincerely,
Kent Snyder
Chairman, Ron Paul 2008
related press release:
January 8, 2008 5:28 am EST
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – In response to an article published by The New Republic, Ron Paul issued the following statement:
“The quotations in The New Republic article are not mine and do not represent what I believe or have ever believed. I have never uttered such words and denounce such small-minded thoughts.
“In fact, I have always agreed with Martin Luther King, Jr. that we should only be concerned with the content of a person's character, not the color of their skin. As I stated on the floor of the U.S. House on April 20, 1999: ‘I rise in great respect for the courage and high ideals of Rosa Parks who stood steadfastly for the rights of individuals against unjust laws and oppressive governmental policies.’
“This story is old news and has been rehashed for over a decade. It's once again being resurrected for obvious political reasons on the day of the New Hampshire primary.
“When I was out of Congress and practicing medicine full-time, a newsletter was published under my name that I did not edit. Several writers contributed to the product. For over a decade, I have publicly taken moral responsibility for not paying closer attention to what went out under my name.”
###
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/125/ron-paul-statement-on-the-new-republic-article-regarding-old-newsletters/
Hillary Clinton wins Democratic primary in New Hampshire. (No Mention About a Cubs World Series)
Ron Paul was beaten by John McCain. No news yet at how close it was.
Unexpected, but that's why it is an upset. As for the Chicago Cubs, another miracle yet undone, Chicago's good citizens still wait.
Clinton and McCain pull off upsets in NH
By DAVID ESPO and PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writers
CONCORD, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night in a startling upset, defeating Sen. Barack Obama and resurrecting her bid for the White House. Sen. John McCain powered past his Republican rivals and back into contention for the GOP nomination.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_rdp;_ylt=AuVG.MMX8gDzws4OKN.FVfFh24cA
Seems the bold Barack Obama campaign might regret this:
Unexpected, but that's why it is an upset. As for the Chicago Cubs, another miracle yet undone, Chicago's good citizens still wait.
Clinton and McCain pull off upsets in NH
By DAVID ESPO and PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writers
CONCORD, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night in a startling upset, defeating Sen. Barack Obama and resurrecting her bid for the White House. Sen. John McCain powered past his Republican rivals and back into contention for the GOP nomination.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_rdp;_ylt=AuVG.MMX8gDzws4OKN.FVfFh24cA
Seems the bold Barack Obama campaign might regret this:
Ron Paul on Larry King 1-3-08 (Unaired Video)
Ron Paul on Larry King 1-3-08 (UNAIRED). Why unaired? I don't know. I suspect a great conspiracy of pro-Mickey Mouse voters. Seriously, I doubt any evil doing, but here's the video.
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