New Hampshire

Michele Bachmann And Hollywood Celebrities: John Wayne And Elvis Presley!

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Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is running for the Republican Presidential nomination, but she has shown herself to be a total embarrassment when it comes to having accurate information both about American History and Hollywood celebrities. One has to wonder how one could trust her economics knowledge if she fails to have basic understanding and knowledge of what a President should know!

As is well known, Bachmann claimed that New Hampshire was the birthplace of the American Revolution with the military events at Lexington and Concord, rather than Massachusetts!

She also claimed that the Founding Fathers ended slavery, seemingly not realizing that it continued until the Civil War, and that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and other Southern Presidents all owned many slaves throughout their lifetimes.

But even more shocking is her lack of awareness about Hollywood celebrities. She earlier claimed that John Wayne, the actor, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, as she was, rather than the mass murderer John Wayne Gacy!

Now, yesterday, on the 34th anniversary of the DEATH of Elvis Presley, she wished him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How can she NOT know the difference, and one can imagine Elvis fans, and even those who are not Elvis fans, rolling their eyes and sighing!

Bachmann praised Elvis, which is also interesting, as it is Evangelical Christians, which she says she is, who CONDEMNED Elvis, his clothes, his gyrating hips, and his music 55 years ago, when he first appeared on the musical scene.

Having visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland two weeks ago, and seeing the film footage of evangelical Christian ministers saying Elvis was in league with the Devil and other things more horrible, it makes one laugh at their bigotry, narrow mindedness, and backwardness, and makes one wonder how well Michele Bachmann understands her own religious beliefs, or is she simply propagandized, and now wishes to perpetrate her propaganda on the rest of us with her holier than thou statements on gay rights, abortion, and many other issues–and in the process taking away personal freedoms as those ministers 55 years ago wished to do in the field of music!

The State Of The Republican Presidential Race

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Here we are at the end of June 2011, and Michele Bachmann is gaining all of the attention in the GOP race for the Presidential nomination, due to her excellent performance in the New Hampshire Presidential debate two weeks ago!

It seems clear now that the race is down to a choice of Mitt Romney or Jon Huntsman vs. Michele Bachmann!

Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty have self destructed, and Herman Cain, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum are not going anywhere!

Rick Perry and Sarah Palin are NOT going to enter the Republican race, and Chris Christie has made it very clear that he will not, while the former two continue to play games but take no moves toward running!

So we are in a situation similar to 1964 when the “Rockefeller” wing of the GOP could not take away the nomination from Senator Barry Goldwater, and the GOP had a landslide defeat!

Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman represent the equivalent of that old wing, although far less liberal than Nelson Rockefeller, while Michele Bachmann actually makes Barry Goldwater seem more moderate by comparison!

So IF the Republicans allow themselves to be hijacked by social conservatives and Tea Party activists, Michele Bachmann will be the Republican nominee and Barack Obama will win a landslide victory!

If they come to their senses and run either Romney or Huntsman, either has a real chance to defeat Obama, but upon taking office, either would be dogged by extremists that neither one would feel comfortable with, so they might wish they had lost, rather than won, as a President Romney or a President Huntsman would have a “shotgun marriage” with extremists in their own party!

Michele Bachmann As A “Serious” Candidate For President?

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Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has emerged as a “serious” candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 2012, based on her performance in the New Hampshire Republican Presidential debate two weeks ago.

With a weak GOP field, with no one else at this point inspiring, Bachmann comes across as charismatic, attractive, and with recognition that she really is NOT another Sarah Palin, but rather is a woman with real credentials as an attorney and an actual public record to assess.

Bachmann is very appealing to social conservatives, the Tea Party crowd, and fiscal conservatives, and she comes across to the average American as someone to watch.

But despite the above statements about Bachmann, she also comes across as highly ignorant in so many ways, and with views on social and economic issues that are literally scary!

Her ignorance has been shown in many ways, including a couple of months ago when she was referring to Lexington and Concord from the American Revolution being in New Hampshire, rather than Massachusetts.

Now, just yesterday and this morning, Bachmann has referred to her birthplace–Waterloo, Iowa– as the birthplace of John Wayne, the actor, rather than the birthplace of John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer!

She has also referred to John Quincy Adams, the sixth American President, as having been deeply involved in the American Revolutionary era, even though Adams was only NINE years old in the year of the Declaration of Independence, and 14 when the war ended, although at that young age, he did accompany his father, John Adams, to the peace negotiations in Paris for the Revolutionary War!

Bachmann is one gaffe after another, and while it is understandable that anyone can make mistakes, Bachmann has a history of showing ignorance often, and her view of economic, social and world issues is literally terrifying to thoughtful people!

Being a “true believer” motivated by evangelical Christianity makes one believe that Bachmann, were she to win the nomination of her party and the election, would be a total tragedy to American traditions and history, and a barrier to American progress!

A Massive Victory For Gay Rights: Gay Marriage Becomes Law In New York State!

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Late today, the New York State Senate, with a few Republican supporters, approved gay marriage rights in the Empire State, although allowing religious institutions to opt out of the requirement to marry two people of the same gender.

This is a massive victory in the march toward civil rights for gays, as New York is the largest state to allow gay marriage. Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Iowa, as well as Washington, DC, now allow gay marriage, and California is still involved in litigation over the issue, after having allowed it for brief periods of time.

It is clear that gay marriage is becoming more acceptable, as shown by public opinion polls, as well as by legislative action, and while it may not be available everywhere anytime soon, we are involved in an irreversible course toward greater human rights!

It is the appropriate time for President Obama, who is said to be “wrestling” with the issue, and had earlier in the mid 1990s seemed to be in favor of gay marriage, to have the courage, finally, to endorse it, and stop worrying about a counter reaction by opponents!

If Obama came out squarely for gay marriage rights, his odds of winning re-election would increase dramatically, and he needs to show conviction on this issue, because speaking up for human rights is always the right thing to do, even if it were to lead to defeat.

There are more important things than just winning an election, Mr. President, so show some leadership and assert yourself, and you will have millions of people to back you up!

The Republican Division On Afghanistan Policy: Could It Affect 2012?

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The Republican Party is bitterly divided over foreign policy as the Presidential campaign develops.

Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have both called for cutting back US involvement in Afghanistan, and may be, theoretically, to the left of President Obama in this regard.

At the same time, Tim Pawlenty came out today for a hard line view on that war, joining the camp of John McCain and Lindsey Graham in calling such a viewpoint of Romney and Huntsman “isolationist”!

Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann have also sounded “isolationist”, with Paul for sure, and Bachmann speaking in that fashion at the recent Presidential debate in New Hampshire.

Who would have thought that foreign policy would divide the GOP, when many believed it was domestic policy, the budget, taxes, and spending that would dominate?

But, actually, it is the spending for the war in Afghanistan, and the involvement in Libya, which is causing the rift in the party, as House Republicans, led by Speaker John Boehner, are pushing a resolution challenging our involvement in Libya under the War Powers Act, something that McCain and Graham have bitterly denounced, and want modified, which may happen!

So this just complicates the battle for the Republican Presidential nomination, and for the Presidential Election of 2012!

Mormon Vs. Mormon: The Real Battle For The Republican Presidential Nomination of 2012!

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This morning, at Liberty State Park in New Jersey, at the foot of the Statue of Liberty, former Utah Governor and former Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman announced his candidacy for President, and made it clear he wanted to mount a high level campaign without personal attacks, but just arguing that he can do a better job than his former boss, President Barack Obama. He plans to focus on New Hampshire and Florida as the way to gain an early lead in the race against Mitt Romney, his major rival.

Huntsman begins his campaign with many assets: good looks, good speaker, nice family, outstanding record and popularity in Utah when he was Governor of the state, knowledgeable in Mandarin Chinese, great experience in foreign policy in Asia in his role as Ambassador to China and Singapore as well as being a missionary in Taiwan, business background in his billionaire father’s chemical business, and image of being a moderate in a field of extremely conservative opponents except for Mitt Romney, a fellow Mormon.

Huntsman’s negatives are that in a right wing party he is a moderate by comparison; is also seen as very much a clone of Mitt Romney, but with less public exposure; he is, like Romney, a Mormon; and he worked for President Obama, and now wants to criticize him in a gentlemanly manner after having raved about his leadership, and the fact that he worked for Obama is seen by many as a reason to reject him.

It seems to the author with Huntsman recently repudiating the Obama Health Care reform, the Economic Stimulus of 2009, stating his opposition to abortion, and asserting he supports the privatization of Medicare proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan, all points that upset the author and led to his statement a few weeks ago denouncing Huntsman’s changes of heart, that he has lost credibility.

And yet, Huntsman could very well bend on these statements, as all politicians do, and is still saying he believes in climate change and global warming, and supports civil unions for gays.

In other words, Huntsman is not preferable to Barack Obama, but among all Republican candidates, he offers the best hope for someone who will be, if elected, acceptable within the mainstream, but with a critical eye on his evolving views.

It is said that Barack Obama is most concerned about Huntsman, and it is clear that Mitt Romney is also very concerned about Huntsman.

Face the facts: Huntsman has the backing of “Establishment” Republicans led by the Bush family, and by implication, Senator John McCain, and Romney is seen as unacceptable to them.

So Huntsman has some major advantages, including in addition, being almost a generation younger then Romney (13 years) and being “newer” as compared to Romney who ran and lost the nomination in 2008, and gained the enmity of both John McCain and Mike Huckabee, his major rivals.

So, the contest may well be Mormon Vs. Mormon, unless the evangelical Christians are able to stop both dead in their tracks, to the detriment of the Republican Party!

Chinks In Mitt Romney’s Armor

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Mitt Romney, the frontrunner for the Republican Presidential nomination, has some chinks in his armor, that are starting to be noticed.

Romney is applauded as a great businessman, but most of his economic accomplishments in business came from cutting employees and saving money to make more profit.

Also, as Governor of Massachusetts, his state was dead last in employment growth coming out of the 2001-2002 recession, and the growth in his four years was only one percent, as compared to five percent nationally.

Also, Romney made a mistake in his debate remarks this past week, in referring to the people of Afghanistan as “Afghanis”, which is the name of their currency. The people of Afghanistan are known as “Afghans”!

This reminds one of John McCain constantly talking about Czechoslovakia in 2007-2008, when that nation broke up amicably in 1993 into the Czech Republic and Slovakia!

Of course, anyone can make mistakes, or have negative developments in his record, but the point is that Romney has a long list of shortcomings, all of which will certainly be exploited by his opponents for the nomination, and by Barack Obama, if Romney indeed is the nominee of his party for the White House!

Tim Pawlenty And “Co-Conspirators” Mitt Romney And Barack Obama

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Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is striking out in his Presidential campaign, rapidly becoming the second Republican in the race to implode, after Newt Gingrich.

Pawlenty was critical of Romney on “Obamney Care”, as he calls the former Massachusetts Governor’s health care plan, in a Fox News interview.

But then, in the New Hampshire Presidential debate, when given an opportunity to say the same thing to Romney face to face, Pawlenty came across as weak and ineffective, as he refused to do just that.

This past few days, Pawlenty has been trying to undo the damage, but instead he has made things worse.

His new statement is that Romney and Obama are “co-conspirators” on health care!

What a ridiculous and preposterous statement, and all it does is make it ever harder for Pawlenty to make progress from the depths of public opinion polls, where he resides, and is unlikely to emerge from!

Mitt Romney: Will He Sell His Soul To Be President?

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Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney may be in the lead in public opinion polls for the Republican Presidential nomination, but it is clear that many Republicans are desperately seeking for someone else, whether it is Governor Rick Perry of Texas or Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey or others.

The Tea Party Movement does not like Romney, and neither do evangelical Christians who are suspicious of Romney’s Mormon faith.

Plus, Romney’s health care plan causes discontent, and the feeling that he does not really relate to Republicans voters, or in reality, maybe to ANY voters!

The latter is shown by his insensitive comment in New Hampshire that he is unemployed too, said as a joke to unemployed people he was meeting with. Could he truly commiserate with them, when he has at least $200 million personal fortune behind him?

Also, he made a comment not much noticed right after the New Hampshire debate, but recognized in the aftermath. Romney criticized the federal intervention by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the days after the floods and tornadoes in the Midwest in April and May. He termed the intervention and spending as “immoral”, said FEMA should be privatized, and declared that deficit spending to help the victims made no sense at all, and burdened future generations with extra debts!

If we pursued what Romney has now advocated, it would mean only wealthy, well connected people would be guaranteed food, shelter, clothing, and protection if a disaster struck. How moral is it for someone to be so heartless and unconcerned about the tragedy of natural disasters?

This is Tea Party Movement extremism to the level of crazy and loony, and is obviously Romney’s attempt to appeal to the extreme right wing of his party, but if he were to win the nomination and become President, would he really pursue such narrow minded views, defying the history of the United States regarding the “general welfare” of the population, as enunciated in the “Elastic Clause” (Article 1, Section 8) of the Constitution? Romney NEEDS to clarify this matter, as an issue to consider regarding voting for him to be our President!

The Extreme Radicalism And Looniness Of Michele Bachmann: A Real Threat To America’s Future!

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Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann gained a lot of attention by her performance in the Republican New Hampshire debate last Monday.

Many people are starting to notice her, and many social conservatives are ecstatic about her, and think she might have a shot at the GOP Presidential nomination.

Before we go any further along the road to President Michele Bachmann, let’s look at her record of statements and actions!

1. She said in 2004 that the LION KING was promoting gay propaganda. She is extremely anti gay, despite the fact of having gay relatives.
2. She claimed that many jobs would be created if the minimum wage was abolished, something that clearly is preposterous.
3. She asserted that “intelligent design” was supported by Nobel Prize winning scientists, a total falsehood.
4. She stated that carbon dioxide is not a dangerous gas, while it is well known that in large amounts, it is causing climate change.
5. She accused Democrats in Congress of being anti American and called for an investigation of their backgrounds, a new McCarthyism.
6. She advocated that her constituents refuse to fill out the 2010 Census, until she realized that if that was done in her Congressional district, she would lose her seat, as her constituents would not be counted as part of the population.
7. She has stated the belief that talk show host Glenn Beck could solve the issue of the national debt.

Is anything else necessary to say about Michele Bachmann?

She is crazy, loony, against anything that would improve the lives of the middle class or poor people, an ally of the corporations and the religious right, a mean spirited bigot whose attractive looks belie the truth: She would be a total disaster for America’s future!