comMITTed to Romney!

Domestic and International Influences

Romney and the merits of the V.P. Slot

(pht. d.yming.com)

In Ron Kessler’s latest Newsweek Washington Insider article he writes a column, covering the Capital scuttlebutt, on why Andy Card, President Bush’s Chief of Staff, thinks that Mitt Romney would be the top pick Senator John McCain.

Andy Card and President Bush (pht - cnn.net)

Card’s statement that Romney “is appropriately respected for his understanding of the economy and how it works and what decisions must be made that complement the ability for people to have jobs.” He adds that Mitt is also “filled with integrity, and he’s a proven winner in a Democratic state.”

“He’s attractive, he was knowledgeable, he didn’t stumble too many times, so I don’t think that he suffers from foot-in-mouth disease,” Card says. “He is appropriately respected for his understanding of the economy and how it works and what decisions must be made that complement the ability for people to have jobs. He’s filled with integrity, and he’s a proven winner in a Democratic state.” 1

1. Washington Insider with Ronald Kessler, Andy Card: Mitt Romney for VP Monday, March 31, 2008 8:09 AM By: Ronald Kessler (http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/romney_vp/2008/03/31/84290.html)

Of course, there are some delicate issues such as Romney’s religion that Card discusses, yet the over riding issue for the Republicans, appears to be economic and the long wars: Iraq and Afghanistan.

In an earlier posting was Conrad Black column on the Presidential election, which parts of it are worth repeating. Black wrote, “If the present administration can’t straddle to November with interest rate cuts that steady the stock market and the economy generally, but continue to depress the dollar, the Democrats should win.”

Conrad Black (pht.News.com)

“If Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson can keep the ball in the air to Election Day without China breaking its currency’s peg to the U.S. dollar, McCain should win.” This is most likely the key factor for the Presidential elections.

Paulson and Bernanke (Pht. PublicRadio)

As the Iraq and Afghanistan wars continue many people have gotten used to the notion, much as they did during the Cold War, that this could be a multi-generational series of conflicts and wars between extremists and nation states.

Joe Scarborough (Pht. MSNBC)

Perhaps, this is what Joe Scarborough was sensing in his prognosticating this morning on Morning Joe, when he stated that the Democrats would win in a landslide much like the Republicans did in 1980. Scarborough has said this on several occasions and believes that the external conditions on the national front will influence and trump the success of 2004, and be more reminiscent of 2006.

Since the Afghanistan and Iraq wars have started, many people have adapted to the ever-present conditions of the highs and unfortunately cruel lows that war brings to a nation and its families, especially those who have lost loved ones. However, for others concentrating on other matters can provide for a welcome relief. For this reason, focusing exclusively on the ongoing wars may prove problematic and not offer the political safe harbor it once did for the Republicans.

Scarborough, who is not known for his liberal views, believes that much of the core fiscal conservative, and basic fiscal principles that were in vogue in the 1980’s and parts of the 1990’s have either been ignored or largely forgotten. Unfortunately, this problem appears to be systemic in politics for either party when in power. It gives way to the famous line written by Lord Acton that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

In congress, the lapse of judgment may be as simple as a case of going along to get along. Belonging to such an exclusive club with its systems of privilege can overwhelm many of those whose insight, after a time, becomes limited to the views of Washington D.C. and a select group of constituents.

Are the former congressman Joe Scarborough and Conrad Black right on thier predictions? Will the pressing international responsibilities and winning the wars trump domestic perceptions and provide an advantage for the Republicans, or would Romney’s appointment as the V.P. candidate be enough to sway fiscally minded Independents, Democrats and Republicans?

Government Bail Out

Thomas Sowell (Pht. enterstageright.com)

Thomas Sowell in his latest National Review column writes about the Federal Reserve and its creation. For those of you who wonder why your collective tax dollars are being used to keep Bear Sterns out of bankruptcy Sowell’s article covers the reason that the Fed was created and the part it plays in the national economy. 2

2. Irony on the Street: A lesson in Economics 101, by Thomas Sowell (http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=Njc2ZmZhNWM1NjI3MWQyMGM4NmZkNGIwYWVlOGMxZGU=

John J. Miller (Pht. encounterbooks.com)

Another article that is worth reading is by John J. Miller who writes for the National Review. In ‘He’s No Jeb Bush’, Miller details some of Crist’s views and influence on the primaries.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (pht. timeinc.com)

You may recall Crist was thought to be one of the key factors in sinking Romney’s rise in Florida. “Many Republicans believe that Crist’s last-minute endorsement allowed McCain to nip Mitt Romney in Florida, putting the Arizona senator on a glide path to the GOP nomination” Miller writes.

Despite Crist’s demonstrated political talents and knack for “spotting and exploiting niche issues” many conservatives have harbored doubts about Crist. “He’s no Jeb Bush,” says one Republican congressman who isn’t from Florida. “There’s no way you can be as popular as he is and be doing anything hard.” Some of Crist’s biggest fans don’t belong to his party. Democratic state senator Dave Aronberg has called him “one of the best Democratic governors Florida has ever had,” according to the St. Petersburg Times. Last year, at a gala sponsored by the legislature’s black caucus, state representative Terry Fields exalted Crist with language that echoed a phrase often used to describe Bill Clinton: “Don’t you think he’s Florida’s first black governor?” The Associated Press reported that “the crowd erupted in applause.” 1

“A main reason for this left-leaning group’s celebration of Crist was his support for what was one of its top legislative priorities: the restoration of voting rights for felons. During the recount controversy of 2000, many liberal civil-rights organizations argued that a law denying the vote to ex-cons was discriminatory, in that it disproportionately affected blacks (and perhaps even played a decisive role in George W. Bush’s defeat of Al Gore). Restoration of voting rights was possible for non-violent offenders by a special process of petition. Democrats, however, sought to make it more or less automatic, and Crist helped them meet their goal. “I believe in forgiveness and atonement,” he says. Polls suggest that most of the public opposed the reform. “I don’t know many people who would say that the problem with our democracy is that there aren’t enough ex-criminals voting,” says a major Florida conservative.” 1

Another area that Crist favors is global warming. Miller writes that “Some global-warming enthusiasts have tried to connect the prevalence of hurricanes with human-induced climate change. Crist has gone along, making the link in his 2007 “state of the state” address. The governor has pushed for a series of caps on greenhouse gases. He wants a 22 percent reduction in auto emissions by 2012, for instance. As a result, he has become one of liberalism’s pet Republicans. Crist goes out of his way to discuss the environment with the likes of Sheryl Crow, whose hit songs include “My Favorite Mistake.”

”He also sponsored a major conference on global warming in Miami last year. On its first day, environmental crusader Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a keynote address. He blasted Republicans who have “torn the ‘conserve’ out of ‘conservatism’” and praised Crist for his “leadership.” Kennedy’s speech — along with remarks by activists from the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sierra Club — are viewable on Crist’s gubernatorial website. “Look at the geography and topography of our state. We’re a giant peninsula,” says Crist. “Rising sea levels would impact us. We have to address this problem.”

On March 11, Crist explained the source of his passion: “Do you know who first introduced me to the idea of climate change? It was John McCain.”

”Conservatives are likely to want a little more balance on the GOP presidential ticket. If McCain decides to spurn them, he would be smart to buy some disaster insurance beforehand.”

1. (http://nrd.nationalreview.com/article/?q=NTc5NDA4MjkxNDdjNDhmMjQyZDcyZGZjYTI4ZDQzMDQ) He’s No Jeb Bush’ - Charlie Crist — ambiguous conservative, potential Vice President by JOHN J. MILLER

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