Tuesday, August 30, 2011

"In My Time" by Dick Chaney********


I just bought my second Kindle book for my iPad. The first was "How the West Was Sung: Music in the Westerns of John Ford". I still find it strange not having a book in my hand but it doesn't weigh as much and it's cheaper. Book review to follow.....



* After Chaney gets kicked out of Yale he moves back to Wyoming and works in construction. He gets two DUII's and then decides to make something of himself. He moves out of the apartment he shared with a fellow construction worker and lives on the job site away from his drinking buddies and "After dinner I began reading Churchill's six-volume history of World War II by the light of a Coleman lantern."

Were Chaney's hawkish views shaped by his reading of Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm" detailing how weakness and appeasement by the democracy's only encouraged Hitler and led to war at the worst possible time???

* After he got to Washington D.C. Chaney was working long hours and he tried to give his wife, Lynn, a break from taking care of their daughters, Mary and Liz, by taking them "for daylong outings ... to Civil War battlefield and once or twice to reenactments. We lived in an area rich with history and went to Antietam, Manassas, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and Harpers Ferry. After we'd been at this awhile, Liz and Mary started greeting Sundays by groaning "Daddy, do we have to do another Battlefield?" He goes on to say the are now avid readers of history and have even been know to take their children to visit Civil War sites.

* Can't put it down except to watch his interview on Sean Hannity's show on FOX NEWS !

* #1 Book on Amazon.com

* It's my experience reading autobiographies by Presidents and other high ranking politicians is they try and be very milk toast in talking about their contemporary colleagues. Everybody was a "great guy".... "great to work with".... and words to that effect,always accentuating the positive. As a result they often are boring. Not so here !

* Got to love this guy. After George H.W. Bush loses his bid for reelection to Bill Clinton, Chaney loses his job as Secretary of Defense and then drives a big U-Haul truck full of furniture and congressional papers from Washington DC to the University of Wyoming in Laramie so he could drop off his papers for safekeeping at the American Heritage Center. "The staff seemed surprised when we pulled up in the U-Haul to deliver the materials personally, but it never occurred to me to get them there any other way." He then during his first summer out of office takes a 8 thousand mile road trip across America and Canada ALONE !

* During the build up for the Second Gulf War Chaney and Lynne visit Tony Blair in London and "That afternoon Lynne and I took a brief side trip to visit Winston Churchill's war rooms, the underground complex used by the prime minister and his cabinet during World War II. The modest rooms, their walls hung with yellowed maps, were a powerful reminder of Churchill's brave leadership and the heroic fight of the Allies against Hitler.I remember first reading Churchill's account of World War II nearly forty years before when I'd been building power line in Wyoming during the day and reading his volumes by a Colman lantern at night."

*During the 2004 campaign "one place I spoke was at Cabela's, a large sporting goods store, in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.We held a town hall meeting in front of a large array of stuffed mountain sheep and, best of all I got to do some shopping afterward."

My son took me on a tour of that store when he was a grad student at the University of North Dakota across the river in Grand Forks.The display of mountain sheep is indeed impressive.

* I have now finished the book. What a trip down memory lane. It's a great review of the events of the last 40 years with a great man. My major disappoint is after reading the book I now realise how lacking in substance our current leaders are both Democrat and Republican.

* Watched Cheney's interview on Fox New Sunday and while I hope he lives a long long time I consider this book as his parting gift to America. I have always thought of myself as a "Reagan Republican. From now on I will think of myself as a Reagan-Chaney Republican. Thanks Mr. Vice President.

The Last American Lion


Monday, August 29, 2011

Is The Politico Dumb ?



No, Just Liberal. Have you noticed how many of their former reporters go to work for liberal politicians after they leave The Politico. As if we don't notice.

UPDATE
John Nolte:

Rember Joe the Pulumber ?

Well, the left-wing hitman who wrote the “Is Rick Perry Dumb?” piece is the same Jonathan Martin who savaged that private citizen, and the reason he wrote the Perry piece is for exactly the same reason. This is all about protecting Barack Obama, all about creating a negative narrative around any threat to Barack Obama; and if Politico and Martin were willing to slime a private citizen to elect Barack Obama in 2008, what do you think they’re willing to do to see their investment re-elected in 2012?....


One by one, the left-wing media will attempt to pick off our candidates using their boilerplate racist/stupid/crazy narratives. These narratives are intentionally designed to plant seeds of doubt in voters, smother the candidate’s message, distract from their records, and most importantly, to take the spotlight off of Obama’s endless list of failures.


(Click on the title for more)

Last Week of Summer


I always hate to see Summer come to an end. I know the calender says summer will not end till September 23 but for me the Labor Day weekend and the kids returning to school is for practical purposed the end of summer.

For my wife and me this has not been a quiet or restful summer. We have had a home improvement/maintenance project for almost every weekend. We had our large garage sale in July,cleand out the garage, refinished the front door,cleaned blinds, repainted one side of our house and this last weekend I washed every window inside and out on our three story home. My wife has had similar projects. For example, this last week she made new curtains for our living room. For Labor Day weekend I will be steam cleaning all of our carpets and sofas. I want to get everything done so that I will have my weekends free for college football in the fall.



Thursday, August 25, 2011

ANTICIPATION


Dick Cheney's new book .... due out August 30th.

An American Hero !

(Click on title to order from Amazon.com

Press "bloodlust" To Bring Down Gov. Perry



By David Zurawik

The Baltimore Sun

I doubt this modest request will be heard over the fevered roar for the scalp of Texas Gov. Rick Perry that the media has been sounding since he announced his candidacy for president. There is almost a palpable bloodlust to bring this guy down -- and it is being sounded by parts of the mainstream press that should know better.....

And let's not forget the swooning that so many in the press did over Obama. I remember in June of 2009 writing a column urging the press to "step back" and re-evaluate the free pass we were giving the new president


To read the rest of this excellent article click on the title for a link.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Perry Leads Romney Big Time.


A new Gallop Poll:

Perry 29
Romney 18

Click on title for link to full Gallop Poll.

We have a new front runner. Will it last ..... the next few debates will be fun to watch.

The Fall Debate schedule:

September 7th, 2011 Air time TBD on MSNBC –
Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA

September 12th, 2011 8pm EST on CNN –
Location: Florida State Fair Grounds in Tampa, FL

September 22nd, 2011 Air time TBD on Fox News
Location: Orlando, FL


October 11th, 2011 Air time TBD on Bloomberg Television
Location: Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH

October 18th, 2011 Air time TBD on CNN
Location: Las Vegas, NV

November 9th, 2011 8pm EST on CNBC
Location: Oakland University in Rochester, MI

December 10th, 2011 Air time TBD on ABC
Location: Des Moines, IA

Lots of Debates! I wonder if they will hold all of them.

Go to www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com for more info on the debates.

Looks like there will be more than college football to watch this fall.

The Case for Governor Rick Perry


Over at The Weekly Standard there is an nice analysis by one of their columnist on why Rick Perry is the man. I don't necessary agree with everything the author writes but he does give a reasonable scenario on how Perry can win the Presidency:

while Perry entered stage right, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, my previous choice among the announced candidates in the field, exited stage center-right, leaving the choice - to me - an obvious one: Rick Perry for President, y'all.


To read the rest of the extensive column click on the title for a link. He even gives a state by state review of how Perry can get to 270 electoral votes.

Dream Ticket ?


I still want to watch Governor Perry in the debates. Maybe Perry/Romney ? Perry could catch fire in the Republican primaries and a Perry/Romney ticket would not be bad.

The Earthquake in D.C.


After yesterdays historic earthquake in Virginia and Washington D.C. they found a fault under Washington D.C. It was "Bush's Fault" :)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Senator Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library


Senator Rubio:
"The free enterprise system has lifted more people out of poverty than all the government anti-poverty programs combined"

Do yourself a favor and watch this video...... maybe the "road to serfdom" is not inevitable.

2011 Duck Football Schedule Poster


Each year, one of the high points of my summer, is the issuance of the Ducks new football schedule poster. I always but one on the back of the door leading into my office. After the season is over I take it home and put it on the ceiling of my "man cave" in the "Duck Shrine" area where I now have posters going back over 20 years to the 1990 "Everybody Duck" poster with QB Bill Musgrave. I am running out of space because I won't let it intrude into my "Movie Room". I may have to move some to the garage. In any case this is this years poster. Go Ducks beat LSU.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Ryan Will Not Run !


The final word is Congressman Paul Ryan will not run for President in 2012 ! This is the second potential candidate, who I wanted to run, decide against it. The first was Mitch Daniels the Governor of Indiana. That basically leaves me with Mitt Romney and Rick Perry the Governor of Texas. Right now my head is for Romney for practical reasons of electability in the General Election and my heart is with Rick Perry.... as my hero's have always been Cowboys and he is a small government conservative. I will wait to decide until after the first debated between them at the earliest. I will support the nominee of my party but it's hard to see me voting for any of the other candidates in the Oregon primary. That also applies to any of the other candidates who are likely to get in to the race at this late date.

This is a very important election. I don't want to be apocalyptic; but,I don't think this country can reverse course after another four years with Barack Obama as President. We will become another European style social democracy. The exceptionalism that was the U.S.A. will be gone and individual freedom and initiative will have made their last stand. The West will enter into a new "dark ages" made more dangerous by the proliferation of nuclear weapons and Islamic extremest.

UPDATE;

Here’s the Ryan statement:

"I sincerely appreciate the support from those eager to chart a brighter future for the next generation. While humbled by the encouragement, I have not changed my mind, and therefore I am not seeking our party’s nomination for President. I remain hopeful that our party will nominate a candidate committed to a pro-growth agenda of reform that restores the promise and prosperity of our exceptional nation. I remain grateful to those I serve in Southern Wisconsin for the unique opportunity to advance this effort in Congress.”

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Economy: "High Anxiety"


A Fox Business News commentator said we are in a period of "High Anxiety" regrading the economy and stock market. Reminded me of a Mel Brooks comedy ..... but I fear it's more serious.

The Marvelous Wonderettes


Last night my wife and I for our anniversary drove over to Ashland to attend a performance of "The Marvelous Wonderettes" at the Oregon Cabaret Theater. We stoped at Louies Bar and Grill and eat outside next to Lithia Creek. I had my usual Jack Daniels Burger which is to die for.It was very pleasant night to sit by the creek and enjoy people watching. We then walked to the plaza in front of the Elizabethan Theater of the Oregon Shakespearean Festival and enjoyed a fun rock band on our way to the Cabaret Theater.

"The Marvelous Wonderettes" was a fun piece of fluff. Here is how Wikipedia describes it:

The show, which uses pop songs from the '50s and '60s as a vehicle to tell its story, pays homage to the high school Songleader squads of the 1950s. When called upon to perform at their senior prom as a last minute replacement, Springfield High Songleaders, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, rally together to entertain their classmates in four-part harmony.

The songs they sing during the course of the musical include: "Lollipop"; “Dream Lover”; “Stupid Cupid”; “Lipstick on Your Collar”; “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”; "It’s My Party"; and "It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)".


The second act is set at their 10 year reunion in 1968 with new costumes, decorations and 1960's songs.

The music was great and the 4 members of the Wonderettes where great in their comedic performances.The plot was paper thin and just an excuse to string the music together...... but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I was highly impressed with the set ..... recreating a high school gym from that era. To read more click on the title for a link.

Made in the Shade




Spending my summer with ice tea and Fox News.

Click on the title to order your button.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Enjoy your Vacation Mr President


The Rogue River 'Hellgate" Jetboat Lunch Excursion.



Yesterday, my wife and I played hooky from the the office and drove to Grants Pass for a jet boat lunch trip on the Rogue River. We got to Grants Pass and got our tickets and looked around the large gift store with home decoration items
We then got on the boat with about 50 other people and headed down the Rogue River to "Hellgate." It was a nice day but not too hot.

Once on the river and into the "wilderness" the Presidential campaign and recession seemed a million miles away. The boat captain kept up a constant commentary we had heard before.( We have taken this trip many times) At the start of the trip you see the "Million Dollar" homes that have river frontage in the Grants Pass area. At least at one time they were worth that much.You then head into the "wilderness" area and the captain does some "circles" with the boat to get everyone wet. I got very wet sitting on the outside seat. My shirt was drenched but dried by the time we go to the OK Corral for lunch.We saw an American Eagle and other birds.

We then sailed through "Hellgate" and saw where a number of movies have been made including John Wayne's "Roster Cogburn" with Katherine Hepburn. We then turned around and went back through "Hellgate" again and stopped at a lodge type building high above the river called the "OK Corral" for a lunch of BBQ chicken.

We then headed back to the boat for the trip to Grants Pass and of course got wet again as the boat captain caused the boat to stop quickly or turn on a dime. When we got back to Grants Pass we bought a picture of all of us on the boat taken by the Excursion Company.

Get your Obama "Magical Misery Tour Shirt


Get your Obama "Magical Misery Tour Shirt".Earlier this week, President Obama once again left behind his leadership duties in the Oval Office to embark on his Magical Misery Tour, which has taken him through three states important to his re-election campaign. During his campaign swing,(at taxpayer expense) President Obama met with hundreds of voters, not to discuss his plans for economic recovery, but rather to point fingers and blame others for high unemployment and a consumer confidence level that hasn't been this low since the Carter Administration. Yet the Obama Magical Misery Tour rolls on. It even may be headed your way.

The Romney campaign has produced limited edition "Magical Misery Tour" t-shirts. I hope you'll get your t-shirt today: http://mi.tt/MiseryTour

Click on the title for a link to order yours. Nice picture of Obama, Reid and Palosi.






Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Who said this?

Talking about the political party's: “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.”




Yes, is was Barack Obama

Get your Paul Ryan Gear


Click on the title for a link where you can order your Paul Ryan gear for the 2012 Republican nomination. Be the first in your neighborhood.

The worst kept secret in D.C.: Conservatives trying to get Ryan to run


Click on the title for Washington Post conservative blogger Jennifer Rubin and the reasons why.

“this is a match between the man and the moment. What I mean by that is that we’re in a particularly perilous situation economically. In most instances, what we hope for in a president is someone who is capable of making wise and informed decisions that lead to economic growth. Competence and good judgment are enough. But if we are in a period of unusual hardship and unusual challenges — which I believe to be the case — then we need to find someone of unusual gifts and talents.” He adds, “The one public figure who is comparable to Paul when it comes to this skill set is Governor Mitch Daniels. But his decision not to enter the race means we’re now down to one. And Ryan is the one. It’s true that he’s young, that he has no executive experience, and that the hour is growing late. But not too late. The stars, I think, are aligning his way. And now is his time.”

I love this line from Jim Petholoukis of Reuters
Ryan’s youth, vigor, likability and Jimmy Stewart persona — well, a wonky version of George Bailey — would be an immediate shorthand signal to voters that he’s a different kind of Republican. He also has a compelling life story to tell.

Jimmy Stewart...... I like that !

Liberal Media Storm Warning


The liberal media is about to unleash one heck of a barrage of attacks on Texas Governor Rick Perry. You saw it when they attacked Sara Palin and then Michelle Bachmann; but, this time they will pick a fight with someone who will fight back. It will be ugly. They are very afraid of Perry. Standby for action !

Read Rich Lowry's column titled "Let the Perry Hatred Begin" by clicking on the title for a link.


RUN PAUL RUN!!!!


Lots of rumors this morning that Congressman Paul Ryan is vacationing in Colorado and seriously thinking of running for President. Developing......

Click on the title to a link to Stephan Hayes post on The Weekly Standard blog.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Obama's “Magical Misery bus tour"



From Mitt Romney:
During his Magical Misery bus tour this week, it is unlikely President Obama will speak with unemployed Americans, to near-bankrupt business owners, or to families struggling to survive in this economy. He is more interested in campaigning in swing states than working to solve the economic crisis that is crushing the middle class. Turning this economy around will require real leadership and the experience of someone who has actually worked in the private sector.
........


Click on the title for link to a video of Minnesotans welcoming President Obama to Minnesota

On the campaign again
Just can't wait to get on the campaign again


Yes, campaigning is more fun than governing. Mr. AA+

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Three Person Race



So long Tim Pawlenty. Bachmann looked good on Meet the Press this morning.She kept her cool and held her own. Click on the title for an interesting article from an Economist reporter stationed in Texas on Perry. One paragraph from the article"

What does get Perry going is economic issues. His strongest ideological commitment is to small-government conservatism--although he's not pure on that either, because he will engage in some tacit industrial policy if it's a matter of boosting job creation. He is first and foremost a business conservative, and once you understand that about him, everything else makes more sense. That’s why, for example, he’s a big booster of renewable energy even though he’s a climate change sceptic and doesn’t want the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why he wanted to build the Trans-Texas Corridor and why he is so enthusiastic about tort reform. That’s why he seems to spend most of his workday trying to poach jobs from other states. That’s why he doesn’t have a very aggressive stance against illegal immigration. That's why he'd rather cut education spending than close tax loopholes.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Fun Weekend in August



AND


Fun weekend for this political junkie. No I am not supporting Rick Perry..... I want to see how he does in his first debate. At the very least he will make this already fun race even more exciting.

Morning Jay: Obama Has No Clue What To Do With Himself


Jay Cost from the Weekly Standard Blog:

Obama started going wrong from the get-go. Far from offering the economic boost that was promised, the stimulus was instead the single largest payoff to the Democratic clientele in political history.......

How can the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue credibly campaign as a Washington outsider? Surely he must understand the obvious problem with this approach: By complaining that the political system is broken, the president is admitting that he cannot fix it! This is no way for Obama to climb back to political relevance. After all, if the president admits that he has failed to fix Washington, then why should voters keep him around for another four years?

Clearly, the president has no idea what to do with himself. Yesterday's campaign-style address was a pathetic spectacle indeed.


To read the rest click on the title for a link.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Winner is....


He probably will not get the Republican nomination but tonight Newt won the John Wayne real man award when he stood up the Chris Wallace and called the super committee that Congress established to solve the budget crisis a bunch of bunk or words to that effect.My wife can't stand him but vanilla he isn't.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Republican win in Wisconsin


The Republicans were able to hold on to 4 of 6 Senate seats in the Wisconsin legislature to continue to be the majority after a recall vote today. The public employee unions spent millions of dollars in an attempt to recall enough Republicans to allow the Democrats to control the state senate and they failed. There were a lot of long faces on MSNBC tonight. The Democrats and public employee unions were upset because the Republican governor and legislature had cut back on their ability to bankrupt the state of Wisconsin.

Gettysburg & Gods & Generals on Blu- ray




This last weekend I did something I have been wanting to do for some time I watched in chronological order the movies Gods & Generals (2003) followed by Gettysburg (1993) both in blu-ray. The movies were actually made in reverse order. I have had Gods & Generals for some time in blu-ray but just recently bought Gettysburg in blu-ray as soon as it was released. I have owned it in VHS, DVD and now blu- ray. I never tire of watching it.

Both movies were financed by Ted Turner and if for nothing else America owes Ted a big thanks. The movies are based upon a three book trilogy of the American Civil War written by Michale Shaara. The three books are Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels (Gettysburg)and The Last Full Measure. Jeff Shaara, Michael's son, completed "The Last Full Measure" after his father died. The third book has not yet been made into a movie but the IMDB shows that it is "in production"; however, Jeff Shaara says it is not true on his web site!

The blu ray on Gettysburg is fantastic ! I loved it. The night scenes with the soldiers gathered around their campfires are fantastic. The campfires seem so real. You also see much more detail in the large battle scenes and see more expression in the faces of the actors. Blu-ray was made for these kinds of movies with casts of thousands.After watching both movies together I believe Gettysburg is the better movie.

BIG UPDATE:

After spending the weekend watching both of these movie the only disappointment I felt was the fact so much was cut out of "Gods & Generals" before it's theatrical release.
The movie was 6 hours long and had to be cut to 3 for release to theaters. The battle of Antietam was cut from the movie and left a big gap in the continuity of the movie. Other than Gettysburg, Antietam was the most important battle of the American Civil War. It was Lee's first invasion of the North (Gettysburg was the second) and was the single most bloody day of the war. Gettysburg was three days. Filming it and cutting it out left many civil war buffs heartbroken. There was also a plot line involving John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln and Shakespeare that was edited out of the movie. None of this was in my blu-ray I purchased several years ago.

Then, Monday night I had to drive to Shady Cove to preform a wedding ceremony and on my way back my wife and I stopped at my favorite Wall-Mart in Eagle Point. I always stop there to look at their blu-ray movies because they have a large selection at good prices. To my big surprise they had the "Extended Director's Cut" of Gods & Generals in blu-ray. It adds an entire HOUR to the movie including the battle of Antietam and the John Wikes Booth story line. I couldn't believe it..... I was holding it in my hand ! I didn't know it existed. I pointed it out to my wife but her enthusiasm was muted ! I bought it! It was only $15.00 but I would have paid twice that. The following is a description from Wikipedia on Gods & Generals Extended Directors Cut:


The Director's Cut was released for Blu-ray Disc on May 24, 2011. It runs 280 minutes. For the theatrical release, almost two and a half hours of footage were removed to get the length down to approximately 3 hours, 39 minutes.

Among the footage edited includes a sub-plot which follows John Wilkes Booth, the famous actor who would eventually become the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. One scene towards the end of the extended cut of the film features Chamberlain and his wife, Fanny, attending a production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in which Booth plays Brutus. Chamberlain and his wife have a conversation with Booth and his fellow actors following the end of the play. Another scene cut from the film features a performance in Washington, D.C. in which Booth plays the role of Macbeth, which is being seen by President Lincoln. When he gives the famous "dagger of the mind" soliloquy, he looks directly at Lincoln while reciting it. Later, when Booth is offered the chance to meet with Lincoln, he refuses.

One scene that historians were sad to see removed from the film was the sequence dealing with the Battle of Antietam. The battle was seen mostly from the perspectives of Jackson (who played a major strategic role in the battle) and Chamberlain (whose brigade was held in reserve). A few minutes of footage from this scene were available online, but since appears to have been removed. In the Director's Cut the entire sequence at Antietam is shown.


I hope now that the Shakespeare, Lincoln and Booth plot line has been added our son, the historian, will like the movie better. He has even published an article on Lincoln and Shakespeare and how Shakespeare influenced Lincoln. He hates the movie for it's sympathetic portrayal of the South. He even went so far as to time the segments allocated to the North and the South to prove his point. I must admit the "lost cause" sympathies are there. I can empathise with my son because for many years I refused to watch Gone With the Wind for the same reason. I hope this new cut of the movie will somewhat correct it. Now I need to find 5 hours to watch the new cut without interruption.

For a much more detailed review of the changes to the movie click on the title for a link.

Monday, August 08, 2011

"The Debt Man Walking"


You can't talk yourself out of the massive debt you have piled upon America.

SEASON TICKETS


The UPS man just delivered my Oregon Duck Football season tickets. Go Ducks!

Today, Fall Football Practice Starts for Oregon Ducks


It's been a long off season, so it's good to be back to college football and my Ducks. I received an email from the Ducks that my season game tickets have been mailed. Let's Go Ducks!

Saturday, August 06, 2011

31 American special forces dead in Afghanistan


31 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan commandos dead in a helicopter crash. My heart goes out to the family's and friends of those 31 boys who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Oh Boy, Is this GREAT"



2012 Republican race for the nomination !

The Rick Perry I Know by Matthew Dowd, National Journal



My favorite two sentences from the article.
"My guess is that Perry’s trajectory will go in one of two opposing directions: He will march consistently and strongly and become the nominee, or he will crash in a spectacular manner. I don’t see any middle ground. Either way, this is going to be great theater."

State of the GOP Presidential Race


Stanley Kurtz at National Review Online has a very good review of the Republican race for President.

As for Romney, I don’t think conservatives have the luxury of dismissing him, Romeycare notwithstanding. If Perry crashes and burns, and Pawlenty fails to catch on, we’ll be down to Bachmann and Romney. At that point, given his current lead, Romney would likely take the nomination. Even if I’d prefer another nominee, I’d be thrilled to see Romney defeat Obama. Conservatives need to get their heads around that scenario, even as they fight for another.


Click on the title for a link to read the rest.

The down grade by the S & P helps Romney against the rest of the GOP field because of his experance in helping buisness in trouble and the United States is in trouble.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Standard and Poor's Report


Click on the title for a link to the report. Some quotes:



The outlook on the long-term rating is negative. We could lower the
long-term rating to 'AA' within the next two years if we see that less
reduction in spending than agreed to, higher interest rates, or new
fiscal pressures during the period result in a higher general government
debt trajectory than we currently assume in our base case....

Our opinion is that elected officials remain wary of tackling the
structural issues required to effectively address the rising U.S. public debt
burden in a manner consistent with a 'AAA' rating