Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has been shown to be a full scale demagogue, and Mitt Romney showed Gingrich’s hypocrisy again and again in last night’s debate, leading to the belief that Romney has recovered from his defeat in very conservative South Carolina, and now is more likely than ever to be the GOP nominee.

Gingrich is a demagogue on the level of Joseph McCarthy and Richard Nixon; he is a bully; he is a narcissist par excellence; he is a man without any morals, ethics or scruples, except his own aggrandizement!

Newt Gingrich is willing to victimize the poor; he is willing to behave as a racist; he is willing to lie without any shame; he is willing to stir up anti Islamic hatred; he is willing to stir up trouble in the Middle East by claiming that Palestinians do not exist; he is willing to sacrifice wives as disposables for his own ambitions; and he is willing to use incendiary language against the President of the United States, and in so doing, encourage lack of respect for the person holding the office, in a way that no other President has EVER been treated!

The people he has worked with in the Republican Party and in Congress have turned against him, and the conservative ideologists have mostly abandoned him, with the major exception of Michael Reagan, Ronald Reagan’s adopted son, and conservative talk show host.

It cannot be soon enough for Newt Gingrich to be removed from the attention of the national news media. Maybe Florida will be the place of his “Waterloo”, and if so, NOT soon enough, as he makes the word “politician” a dirty word, which it should not be!

Barack Obama · CNN Florida Republican Presidential Debate · Florida Primary · Islam · Joseph McCarthy · Michael Reagan · Middle East · Mitt Romney · News Media · Newt Gingrich · Palestinians · Poverty · Presidential Election of 2012 · Racism · Republican Party · Richard Nixon · Ronald Reagan · South Carolina Primary · US Congress · US House Of Representatives

After having a bad week and poor debate performances recently, tonight Mitt Romney came back with a roar, being very strong against Newt Gingrich, putting the former Speaker on the defensive. Romney had a lot of applause from the audience on a regular basis.

Also performing very well, possibly the best ever for him, was Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who made a good case for the end of foreign intervention, and made clear what he considered to be the mistakes and shortcomings of the other three candidates.

Rick Santorum also had moments of outstanding responses, with Newt Gingrich overall having the poorest performance.

The one thing that stands out most is that this debate in many ways was the most substantive yet, and the audience, while reacting, was still much more disciplined and responsible in its responses, unlike earlier debates, particularly those sponsored by Fox News Channel.

Still, all of the candidates have major weaknesses, and will have difficulty challenging President Obama for re-election.

Barack Obama · CNN Republican Florida Debate · Fox News Channel · Mitt Romney · Newt Gingrich · Presidential Election of 2012 · Republican Party · Rick Santorum · Ron Paul

The issue of wealth has come up in the Presidential campaign, and there is a need to make some points VERY CLEAR!

Barack Obama was not born to wealth, and the essence of his present wealth is his sale of his two best selling books, which has earned him a few million dollars. He also has WORKED his entire adult life, and has served in public office since 1996.

Mitt Romney, despite his protests to the contrary, came from wealth, and has spent his life creating more wealth for himself, without ever really understanding what work is all about, beyond associating with wealthy people. He has not created anything new, made any major contribution to society, other than his brief stint with the Salt Lake Olympics, and only has had four years in public office, so that he could claim public service without making a commitment to it. He has not given any great philanthropy, other than to his church, the Mormon Church.

Newt Gingrich had a career as an unsuccessful college professor, and then twenty years in public service, making great connections and associations, so that when he left public office under a cloud, he could manipulate and deceive in many different ways so as to enrich himself as a lobbyist, despite his protestations to the contrary, and get paid for making speeches and writings that promoted mostly propaganda and character attacks on others. He enriched himself by millions of dollars, and has lived the good life while assuring that most of his earnings were taxed at the same low rate as Mitt Romney, but portraying himself as “one of us” with a $500,000 Tiffany expense account!

Barack Obama is wealthy through his own books and hard work. Mitt Romney is super wealthy through his manipulation of money in his career at Bain Capital and avoiding work so as to be taxed at a very low rate, lower than most Americans. Newt Gingrich is wealthy because of his manipulation of his contacts and associations, and having no scruples, ethics or morals!

Is everything clear now, regarding comparing these three men’s wealth?

Bain Capital · Barack Obama · Mitt Romney · Mormon Church · Newt Gingrich · Salt Lake City Olympics · Tiffany's Expense Account · Wealth

It is a well known fact that Ronald Reagan has been mythologized by conservatives and Republicans to be an icon, a God like figure.

Therefore, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney are competing to try to show themselves to have been supportive and worked with Ronald Reagan during his Presidency, when the record is extremely clear that both men during and after the Reagan Presidency were constantly critical of Reagan and his domestic, economic and foreign policies on a regular basis. It makes one wonder how ANY Republican could back either Gingrich or Romney,and also why Michael Reagan, the President’s adopted son, is so in favor of Gingrich, when most conservatives are running away from him.

But also, there is the image out there that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was extremely close to Reagan during the 1980s, but now a new book shows just the opposite, how often Thatcher and Reagan clashed on many issues, particularly in foreign policy.

So the voters of Florida and elsewhere are being lied to on a regular basis by both Gingrich and Romney, and they are making fools of themselves in their quest for votes. Their pandering to Cuban American voters about their intentions to rid Cuba of Fidel Castro has led to the Cuban dictator, now age 86, commenting that the GOP Presidential race involves candidates who are both “ignorant and idiotic”!

One does not have to endorse Castro to say, that on this matter, he is absolutely correct!

conservatives · Cuba · Cuban Americans · Fidel Castro · Florida Primary · Great Britain · Margaret Thatcher · Michael Reagan · Mitt Romney · Newt Gingrich · Presidential Election of 2012 · Republican Party · Ronald Reagan

We hear so much talk about how IF a person is out of work for more than one to two years, that he or she loses their work skills, their talents, their expertise, by the long layoff from getting up daily and going to work.

Well, if that is the case, and many companies have made clear that they will NOT hire anyone who is unemployed for more than a short time, then Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor, should be disqualified, as he has not “worked” in six years, and much of his life, he has lived off his wealth WITHOUT contributing to public service.

One might say: “Hey, rich people often do not work, as they make money on their investments”! Well, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George H. W. Bush, Nelson Rockefeller, Jay Rockefeller, Ted Kennedy, and even George Romney, among other very rich people, all WORKED their entire lifetime, some of it in private enterprise, but much of it in public life and service!

Mitt Romney, on the other hand, never produced any products in his corporate experience; and only served one term as Governor of Massachusetts, choosing not to run; and had a brief involvement with the Salt Lake City Olympics. He did not choose to run for re-election in Massachusetts, because he was looking to create as “mimimum” a public service as he could do, and be able to run for President.

This man does not know what the work ethic is, and has lived a privileged life with very minimal commitment to public service, and no commitment to creating new jobs, but rather simply to enrich his own pockets!

Romney sees the Presidency as something he is “entitled to”, because his much harder working dad was unable to reach that pinnacle. He has no plans or agenda other than his own aggrandizement, both in ego and in wealth.

Being a good family man is no big virtue either, as Barack Obama easily fits that image.

So, Mitt Romney, a wealthy person who has not worked most of his life, and not recently, is not “entitled” to become our 45th President. That will come to someone else in January 2017, when Barack Obama leaves the Presidency after two terms in the Oval Office!

Barack Obama · Franklin D. Roosevelt · George H W Bush · George Romney · Jay Rockefeller · John F. Kennedy · Massachusetts · Mitt Romney · Nelson Rockefeller · Presidential Election of 2012 · Republican Party · Salt Lake City Olympics · Ted Kennedy · Theodore Roosevelt

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, now seeking the Presidency, has had a confrontational relationship with many people in his career, among them all living former Speakers of the House.

Three Democratic Speakers, Jim Wright (1987-1989), Tom Foley (1989-1995), and Nancy Pelosi (2007-2011) have crossed paths in difficult ways with Gingrich. Wright was brought up on ethics charges by Gingrich in 1989, and forced out of the Speakership on grounds far less than Gingrich, who himself was involved in ethics violations pursued by Nancy Pelosi in 1997-1998, and pushed out of the Speakership by his own party at the end of 1998. Foley was the Speaker facing the attacks of Gingrich as he built the GOP majority that finally ousted Foley in the 1994 Congressional elections.

But even the two GOP Speakers have no love lost regarding Gingrich. Dennis Hastert (1999-2007) was picked to get away from the theatrics of Gingrich, and Hastert now supports Mitt Romney for President. And the present Speaker, John Boehner, is known privately to oppose Gingrich, who he helped to push out of the Speakership in 1998. It is believed he will make his view public IF Gingrich continues to surge, to attempt to prevent what he and many other Republicans believe would be suicide to have Gingrich heading their ticket in 2012 against Barack Obama.

Barack Obama · Dennis Hastert · Jim Wright · John Boehner · Mitt Romney · Nancy Pelosi · Newt Gingrich · Presidential Election of 2012 · Republican Party · Speakers Of The House Of Representatives · Tom Foley

Hull House, the original “Settlement House” founded by Jane Addams in Chicago in 1889, is “biting the dust” in difficult economic times.

Founded as a model for others, Hull House had middle class and wealthier people operating and contributing to a place where immigrants and the poor could come and receive services, much of it gained by private contributions, but also with the growing involvement of government as a commitment to those less fortunate.

With the Great Recession doing its damage, even when the Great Depression of the 1930s did not impede its work seventy years ago, Hull House becomes another victim of the lack of commitment to the poor and deprived, at the same time that the wealthy become wealthier than ever before.

Instead of spending millions of dollars on trying to “fix” political results in the White House or Congress or the states, as Sheldon Adelson and the Koch Brothers and innumerable others are doing, as a result of the Citizens United Case of the Supreme Court two years ago, it would be so much more productive if wealthy people gave aid to what today would be called “community or neighborhood centers”.

But, of course, the fact that Barack Obama was a “community organizer” in Chicago is portrayed as if the future President was a Marxist, a Socialist, a radical, or a much maligned follower of Saul Alinsky, who has been demonized so much by Newt Gingrich, that if Alinsky was alive, he would have grounds to sue Gingrich for defamation of character.

In the midst of great deprivation, we seem to have no time to consider what poverty in America is like, what it is like to be an immigrant, what it is like to be stereotyped.

So Hull House’s demise is only a symptom of the crisis we face in an America that supposedly believes in equal opportunity and the “American Dream”, but does not practice it! Social Justice is the loser!

"American Dream" · Barack Obama · Chicago · Citizens United Case · Community Centers · Equal Opportunity · Great Depression · Great Recession · Hull House · Immigration · Jane Addams · Koch Brothers · Marxism · Newt Gingrich · Poverty · Radicalism · Saul Alinsky · Settlement Houses · Sheldon Adelson · Social Justice · Socialism · US Supreme Court

President Barack Obama reminded us tonight of how he inspired us when he ran for President in 2008.

His speech was powerful, inspirational, and visionary, and he made it clear that he was willing to fight for what he believed in, if the Congress continued to stand in the way of progress and change. He would take action in areas where there is stalemate, by use of his Presidential powers.

He pointed out how the economy is improving; how we are more respected around the world; how we have greatly lessened the danger of terrorism; and the work that must be done, regarding education, infrastructure spending, and other initiatives to continue the expansion of the American economy.

He gave tribute to Americans who have sacrificed for our country, particularly in the military, and called for “fairness” when it comes to tax rates and to share in the responsibilities of being American citizens. And he called for opportunities for young immigrant children who only want the chance to prove their commitment to the only country they remember, by getting a university education or serving in the military,and thereby gaining the chance for citizenship.

He called for a sense of renewed commitment, and a shared one, in the future of our nation, which he said can never be regarded as having passed its peak, but still has greatness in its future if we all do our part in advancing America.

The speech made one proud that Barack Obama has been our President for the past three years, and it marks the inception, more formally than before, of the Presidential Election campaign of 2012!

"Fair" Taxation · American Economy · American foreign policy · Barack Obama · DREAM Act · education · Infrastructure Spending · Presidential Election of 2008 · Presidential Election of 2012 · State Of The Union Address · Terrorism

Two years ago this week, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, decided that corporations were “people” and had a right to “freedom of speech”, meaning unlimited ability of groups and individuals to spend money and form Super Political Action Committees.

As a result, the Koch Brothers (Charles and David) spent enough money in contributing to state and congressional races to be able to bring about a Republican House of Representatives and many Republican state governments in 2010, leading to the turmoil of the Tea Party Movement in the past year.

Now Sheldon Adelson, an extremely wealthy casino owner in Las Vegas, along with his wife, have contributed $10 million to the Newt Gingrich candidacy, so that he can compete against Mitt Romney, and it has led to the Gingrich success in South Carolina.

Our political campaigns are being “bought” by wealthy people, and distorting the concept of American democracy, making our political system a mockery!

Action must be taken as soon as possible to overcome this horrible Supreme Court decision, but even if it occurs, this year’s election has already been besmirched by the corruption of the extremely wealthy who are doing everything they can to make the government their private possession!

American Democracy · Charles Koch · Citizens United Case · Corporations · David Koch · Midterm Elections Of 2010 · Mitt Romney · Newt Gingrich · Presidential Election of 2012 · Sheldon Adelson · South Carolina Primary · State Governments · Super Political Action Committees · Tea Party Movement · US House Of Representatives · US Supreme Court

As a result of Newt Gingrich’s smashing victory in South Carolina, the panic and hysteria within conservative ranks and in the Republican Party establishment has grown by leaps and bounds. Critics suggest that Newt as the potential nominee, with an almost 60 percent unfavorable rating in national public opinion polls, about the same as when he was Speaker of the House fifteen years ago, and was on his way out as a result of a conservative Republican move against him in the House of Representatives, will lead to a massive defeat and bring down Republicans in both houses of Congress.

The list is long who is against Gingrich, with an incomplete list following in no special order.

George H. W. Bush, former President of the United States
Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security and Pennsylvania Governor
Chris Christie, New Jersey Governor
Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Senator
Nikki Haley, South Carolina Governor
Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota Governor
Haley Barbour, former Mississippi Governor and Republican National Chairman
Jon Huntsman, former Utah Governor and Ambassador to China
Mark Kirk, Illinois Senator
John McCain, Arizona Senator
Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Senator
Joe Scarborough, former Florida Congressman and MSNBC Talk Show Host
Susan Molinari, former New York Congresswoman
Rush Limbaugh, Conservative Radio Talk Show Host
Ann Coulter, Conservative Activists
Charles Krauthammer, Conservative Activist and Fox News Channel Contributor
Bill Kristol, Publisher of Weekly Standard and Fox News Contributor
David Brooks, NY Times Journalist
Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal Journalist and Reagan Speechwriter
George Will, Conservative Journalist and ABC News Contributor
Peter King, New York Congressman
Glenn Beck, Conservative Radio Talk Show Host
Brit Hume, Fox News Channel Contributor
Jonah Goldberg, Conservative Author and Activist
Roy Blunt, Missouri Senator
Scott Brown, Massachusetts Senator
Orrin Hatch, Utah Senator
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Senator
Rob Portman, Ohio Senator
John Thune, South Dakota Senator
Bob McDonnell, Virginia Governor
Dan Quayle, former Vice President
Bob Dole, former Kansas Senator and Presidential Nominee in 1996
Norm Coleman, former Minnesota Senator
John Danforth, former Missouri Senator
Elizabeth Dole, former North Carolina Senator and Cabinet Member
Judd Gregg, former New Hampshire Senator
John Sununu, former White House Chief of Staff and New Hampshire Governor
Gordon Smith, former Oregon Senator
Jim Talent, former Missouri Senator
John Sununu, Jr, former New Hampshire Senator
David Frum, conservative journalist and former aide to George W. Bush
George Voinovich, former Ohio Senator
Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the House of Representatives
Rick Lazio, former New York Congressman
James Baker, former Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff
Robert Bork, former Reagan Supreme Court nominee
John Bolton, former United Nations Ambassador

This list of critics, all supporters of Mitt Romney, fear a calamity in the making, but the battle to overcome Gingrich seems likely to be a long, and possibly, unsuccessful one.

Some predict that a Gingrich candidacy will be similar to Barry Goldwater in 1964, causing a split that will not easily be healed in the short term future.

"Establishment" Republicans · Barry Goldwater · conservatives · Mitt Romney · Newt Gingrich · Presidential Election Of 1964 · Presidential Election of 2012 · Public Opinion Polls · Republican Party · South Carolina Primary · US House Of Representatives