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Our Friend Sen. DeMint Playing Well With Others |
One of Gov. Romney’s earliest and biggest supporters is making waves in the Senate. Glad he’s on our side.
Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) speedy ascension to de facto leader of the Senate’s conservatives may have won him a number of fans among fiscal hawks, reform-minded watchdogs and some fellow Republican Senators, who applaud the first-term Senator for his willingness to buck the chamber’s “Old Boy” traditions. But DeMint’s tactics have started to chafe GOP leaders and prompted private warnings that their tolerance has worn thin.
DeMint led a small group of Republican conservatives who successfully killed immigration reform in June and has openly dueled with Democratic leaders over earmark reform, calling them out for refusing to adopt Senate-specific earmark rule changes before going to conference on a broader ethics bill that includes them.
That willingness to sidestep his leadership on immigration last month, and his ongoing fight with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) over earmarks reforms, has begun to irritate Republican Senate elders, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Minority Whip Trent Lott (Miss.).
According to several Republicans, party leaders have made it clear to DeMint that while they may give him some running room over the next few appropriations-laden weeks, they will not tolerate what they see as repeated efforts to hijack the Senate floor and the public spotlight.
DeMint declined to comment directly on any warning leadership may have delivered to him regarding his increasingly high-profile crusades. But he did say it is up to McConnell and other GOP leaders to take up the mantle of reform if they do not want others to do so.
“I have a lot of respect for our leadership, and we work well as a team,” DeMint said. “But there are enough of us who believe this is where we need to go as a party. And we hope our leadership will take us there. But we’ll take up the banner if we need to.”
Publicly, many Senate Republicans applauded DeMint’s courage to take on the normally decorous chamber and for sticking up for conservative principles at a time when the party is struggling to regain its footing. But several Senators and high-level aides also privately noted that DeMint needs to be careful not to go too far, with several saying he runs the risk of being marginalized as he carves out a reputation of a flame-throwing, first-term Senator who casts aside legislating altogether.
“You have to always be careful around here not to overplay your hand,” Lott warned last week.
Sen. DeMint is one of the handful of Republicans in that chamber that realizes that the Democrats aren’t in the Senate to play games. They’re there to win. If it weren’t for Sen. DeMint’s leadership the Immigration Bill would likely be passing in the House right about now, President Bush would have his bill signing with Sen. McCain and Sen. Kennedy right behind him.
If that angers Sen. Lott, well balls to him. His way of doing things is one of the key reasons the GOP has lost its way. Sen. DeMint and his allies are the last hope of the conservative movement in the Senate. If Sen. Lott wants to pick a fight, why doesn’t he start by going after the Democrats hard on their blocking of Southwick for the crime of not being black instead of being miffed at a good conservative for dissing his leadership.
~~~Thomas
Personal Plug |
If you’d like to read some of my stuff, sans Romney go to The Musings of Ann Marie. The tagline is My thoughts on life, love, politics, sports, and anything else. I used to blog personally about 3 or 4 years ago, and circumstances got in the way from me doing it anymore. So, I’m pretty happy to get it going again. It should be interesting. If you want the password to my protected posts, feel free to drop me an email and I’ll send it to you.
I look forward to having you visit.
To Know Romney is to Love Him? |
The biggest headline from this poll is that Romney increased his total poll numbers by 50% (as noted prviously on this blog) from 10% to 15%. However, I find the favorable/unfavorable trends for the GOP top-three to be the real story . . . and they are good news for Team Mitt!
McCain’s “favorables” went DOWN from 39% to 33% and his “unfavorables” went UP from only 20% to 31% while the “undecideds/haven’t heard enough” decreased from 41% to 35%.
Giuliani’s “favorables” went DOWN from 60% to 53% and his “unfavorables” went UP from only 10% to 18% while the “undecideds/haven’t heard enough” stayed pretty stable (decreased from 30% to 28%.)
In contrast Romney’s “favorables” went UP from 20% to 28% and his “unfavorables” were fairly stable (slightly up–9% to 11%).
The real story here is that AS his previously huge “undecided’s/haven’t heard enough” figure of 71% went down to a still very large 60% his favorable/unfavorable percentages broke strongly in his favor (8% higher favorable and 2% higher unfavorable—-NET PLUS 6% for Romney compared to a NET MINUS 17% for McCain and a NET MINUS 15% for Giuliani . . . Put another way, Romney GAINED 23% in net favorability on McCain and 21% on Giuliani). Assuming that this postive shift for Romney represents the opinions of the new 11% that no longer were “undecided/haven’t heard enough” about him, that would mean that 4 out of 5 of these likely Republican voters formed a favorable view of Romney and only 1 out of 5 formed an unfavorable view of him.
Granted, it’s probably not the best assumption to think that this shift is all just from the new 11% people now feeling informed about Romney. Why? By comparison, that would have been a statistically impossible way to explain the negative shift in the “undecided/haven’t heard enough” numbers for Giuliani and McCain. The only mathmatically possible explanation for the strong negative shift for these candidates is that A SIGNIFICANT PORTION WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD FAVORABLE OPINIONS OF MCCAIN AND GIULIANI FLIP-FLOPPED ON THEIR OPINION OF THEM. Looks like “flip-flops” may be a bigger problem for Rudy and John than for Mitt, eh?
Now, if that’s not over-analysis of one little poll, I don’t know what is. Still, I thing that these figures play into team Romney’s belief and mantra that “those who come to know Romney almost invariably break his way.” His strong move in the early states lends credence to this belief. So, is Romney the political embodiment of the phrase “to know him is to love him?”
Jeff Fuller
CBS NY Times Poll - Romney rising! |
HT: The Mitt Report
From: CBS News
Things are continuing to look good for Governor Romney.
Do you want to know the future? |
The best why to predict the future, is to have a group of experts bet on it.
The best way of knowing who is going to win a football game is to ask Vegas.
Here is the theory. A average group of people will be closer to predicting the correct outcome, than the average person. Now if you give an economic reward for guessing the right outcome, the results become even better.
Those who have knowledge about the subject will tend to invest more money in the right answer. I do not know what the Vegas Odds are on the Republican nomination, but I would be interested if any of you has that…
But I do know a little bit about Robin D. Hanson“. He is an economist from George Mason University. He worked for DARPA trying to create a system that would continuously tell the intelligence community what they should be putting time into… but congressmen were cowards…
But what does this have to do with Mitt Romney? Hang on!
Robin Hanson calls his idea, “Idea Futures”. You can read about it here.
I created a website called “Idea Stock Exchange” and try to explain it here.
Anyways, these things exist, they are just extremely boring, and difficult for anyone to read who doesn’t have a PhD in Economics. But if you go here you can see that Mitt Romney has the most expensive “stock”.
Anyways, my idea is to merge this forum that allows you to invest real money into things like “who is going to win the republican election” with a discussion board. The discussion board will bring people to the site, so they can bet on the idea as they get interested.
Anyways I think I have a better format for discussion boards. Instead of just letting people add messages chronologically, they could classify their response as a reason to agree or disagree. Then I have all sorts of way of moving the best ideas to the top of their columns (1 column for reasons to agree and a column for reasons to disagree).
So, if you come to my site, if I ever make it, you will see the belief that Mitt Romney is going to win the next election, the price of that idea, you would have the ability to purchase that idea through pay-pay, and sell it for a profit, if the idea gains in popularity, when it has exceeded the price that you think is accurate. Then below you would have the best reasons to agree or disagree that Mitt Romney will infact receive the republican nomination, with the “best” reasons at the top.
Until then, this is the best you are going to get.
The most recent price for Romney was .244, Rudy: .242, and McCain: .186. You can see that people are selling their stocks in John McCain, and they can’t get red of them fast enough.
To learn more about this market go here.
Basically it is ran by the university of Iowa. Like I say, “These markets are small-scale, real-money futures markets where contract payoffs depend on economic and political events such as elections.”
~ Mike
To learn more about my idea go to these fine websites:
Idea Stock Exchange
Algorithm Discussion Group
Idea Stock Exchange Google Group
PS: Got some great comments!
One of them pointed to : http://intrade.com/ and this one.
I just could not resist…Matt Romney at the San Diego Great Strides Walk for CF. |
Matt Romney and his son Nick
Perusing FIVE BROTHER BLOG I found this post. The same day we were doing our Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Matt Romney and his family was doing another one in San Diego. I think it’s absolutely sweet! Here is a picture of the three of our four children with CF from our walk.
Jessica (10), Abe (11), Erin (almost 8).
We got there late, so we missed out on the Tshirts (we’re hoping to pick some up from the CFF office soon). I just figured it was cool!
Gov. Romney: Edwards Wrong On Terror |
Great new video. What do you think of Romney going after Ewards?
~ Mike
Meet Ella Grace |
Just to take a quick break from Gov. Romney for a moment. I’d like to congratulate my little sister Katie on the birth of her first child (and my first niece). Miss Ella Grace was born 5/23/07 at 4:08pm weighing 8lb, 9oz.
Way to Go Blogosphere |
Apparently many readers had the same reaction that I did after reading to a completely ridiculous commentary piece entitled “Sharpton, Romney and Mormon Church: Not a Happy Marriage” by Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the New America Media . The article is based on some outrageous and easily refuted premises (e.g. Romney may be racist because the LDS church didn’t allow blacks to hold the priesthood). Ironically, the real bit of “news” here was the quick, thorough, and convincing counter-arguments that flooded in from concerned readers and Romney supporters all around the country. Don’t bother spending much time on this absurd article, but take note of the great talkback section.
Once again we see that Romney has the most informed, motivated, and articulate grassroots team of any candidate running. What can we say… great minds think alike. Keep up the great work everyone!
One-Day Blog Silence |
http://www.onedayblogsilence.com
On April 30th 2007, the Blogosphere will hold a One-Day Blog Silence in honor of the victims at Virginia Tech. More then 30 died at the US college massacre.
But its not only about them. Many bloggers have responded and asked about all the other victims of our world. All the people who die every day. What about them?
This day can be a symbol of support to all the victims of our world!
All you have to do is spread the word about it and post the graphic on your blog on 30th April 2007. No words and no comments. Just respect, reflect and empathy.
Mass Shooting at Virginia Tech Deadliest in U.S. History |
http://www.pbs.org/newsho…tech_04-16.html
In light of the events of today, I would like to offer the prayers and support from all of us at Elect Romney in 2008 to the families and friends of the victims and to the Virginia Tech faculty and community at large.
Ann Marie
From The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer:
At least 32 people were killed and over two dozen were injured Monday during a shooting rampage in a residence hall and a classroom on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. Two reporters give the latest on the situation.
JEFFREY BROWN: The day began with an emergency call to police just after 7:00 a.m. reported shots fired at a residence hall on the Virginia Tech campus. West Ambler Johnston Hall is a co-ed dormitory that houses 895 students at Virginia Tech, a 135-year-old land grant school in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, some 250 miles from Washington, D.C.
Two people were killed in the dorm. More than two hours later, and while the campus was supposedly under lockdown, the shooting began again in an engineering building, Norris Hall, on the other side of the sprawling 2,600-acre campus.
A student witness outside the building, using a cell phone video camera to tape the scene, recorded a hail of gunshots. Late this afternoon, Virginia Tech’s President Charles Steger and University Police Chief W.R. Flinchum spoke to reporters.
CHARLES STEGER, President, Virginia Tech: I want to repeat my horror and disbelief and profound sorrow at the events of today. People from around the world have expressed their shock and their sorrow and endless sadness that has transpired.
I’m really at a loss for words to explain or to understand the carnage that has visited our campus. I know no other way to speak about this than to tell you what we know. And let me do that now.
It is now confirmed that we have 31 deaths from the Norris Hall, including the gunman; 15 other victims are being treated at local hospitals in the Roanoke and New River valleys. There are two confirmed deaths from the shooting in Ambler Johnston dormitory, in addition to the 31 at Norris Hall.
We have not confirmed the identity of the gunman, because he carried no identification on his person. And we are in the process of attempting that identification.
Norris Hall is a tragic and a sorrowful crime scene, and we are in the process of identifying victims and in the process of notifying next of kin.
CHIEF W.R. FLINCHUM, Virginia Tech Police Department: The information we had on the first incident led us to make the decision that it was an isolated event to that building, and the decision was made not to cancel classes at that time. We had information from witnesses and the evidence at the scene that led us to believe the shooter was no longer in the building and more than likely off-campus.
JOURNALIST: More than likely. Why?
CHIEF W.R. FLINCHUM: I’m not going to release that at this time.
JOURNALIST: Could you tell us if you believe that the shooter was, in fact, a student here?
CHIEF W.R. FLINCHUM: From the first incident? We do not know at this point.
JOURNALIST: From either incident.
CHIEF W.R. FLINCHUM: We do not know at this point.
JEFFREY BROWN: Back in Washington, congressional leaders led moments of silence in memory of the dead. In the House…
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), Speaker of the House: And we ask for a moment of silence to be observed in this body. Would we all please rise to observe the moment of silence?
JEFFREY BROWN: … and in the Senate.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader: I’ll offer my condolences for this unspeakable tragedy to which the majority leader has been referring and join him in calling for a moment of silence.
JEFFREY BROWN: President Bush addressed the nation late this afternoon.
GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States: Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community.
Today, our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today.
JEFFREY BROWN: Classes at Virginia Tech have been canceled through Tuesday, and a convocation ceremony will be held in memory of today’s victims.
66-year old man leaps White House fence |
I guess I’m a bit too “politicized” lol…When I first read the title of this, I read it as someone else got into the Presidential race. Although, I found it peculiar that they just identified him as a 66-year old man (without giving a name). Anyway, I just figured you’d all get a bit of humor at my expense. BTW: Everything was fine at the White House, and you can read at the link.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Ann Marie
Happy Birthday Governor Romney |
I’ve been spending time in the hospital with my daughter today so I’ve been unable to tell him this yet, but better late than never right?
Happy Birthday To You…
Happy Birthday To You…
Happy Birthday Dear Future Mr. President…
Happy Birthday To You…
Hope it’s been a great 60th Governor Romney…I wish you many many happy ones in the White House in the future…
Ann Marie
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