Posts Tagged ‘Michelle Bachmann
Gary Johnson Slaps CBS with FEC and FCC Complaints Over Debate Shutout
As the media bias commentator here on HillBuzz, I try to help voters understand how media bias works, how to recognize it, and how to tell if your opinions actually belong to you, or if you’re just repeating a meme planted in your head by the Democrat-Controlled Media.
I tend to use the Ron Paul campaign coverage to illustrate this, because bias against his campaign is the most obvious. (Ron Paul is third in fundraising, has won more straw polls than all other GOP candidates, #1 in donations from active duty military, and is polling #2 in Iowa and New Hampshire, and yet, is dead last in media coverage.)
There are two broad categories of media bias: sins of commission and sins of omission. Both are equally effective, but they’re used differently against different GOP candidates.
If a candidate’s closet is stuffed full of skeletons, or even just rumors of skeletons, the Democrat-Controlled Media will go over those skeletons with a microscope, and blast “news” of those skeletons into the ears of GOP voters with bullhorns 24/7 (See Herman Cain).
If a candidate is skeleton-free, and has a powerful message, the Democrat-Controlled Media simply pretends they don’t exist (see Michelle Bachmann, Ron Paul and Gary Johnson.)
The most recent example of this kind of exclusionary bias was delivered to us via CBS “News” last week. As has been widely reported, Ron Paul was asked only one question, and got only 89 seconds of airtime, during the one-hour televised portion of the debate. Michelle Bachmann received several more questions, but was rudely cut off during several answers, whereas other candidates (Mitt Romney, Rick Perry) were allowed to speak as long as they cared to. And Gary Johnson was excluded from the debate altogether, despite polling numbers that are similar to those of Rick Santorum, who was included.
This obvious bias has inspired Gary Johnson’s presidential campaign to file official complaints with both the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). His complaint styles the CBS debate as an “illegal campaign contribution”–essentially, an under-the-table in-kind donation to the candidates who were included in the debate and got the most air time. As reported on TheHill.com,
Johnson’s complaint charges that debate sponsor CBS significantly contributed to the candidates who were allowed to participate in the debate, “directly and significantly supporting those candidates it favors, and advocating the nomination of one of their favorites and opposing the nomination of [Johnson], whom CBS evidently disfavors.” [...]
Saturday’s debate, co-hosted by CBS and National Journal, was the first debate to air on broadcast television. According to Johnson’s complaint, “the public owns the airways over which CBS broadcasts, and the public deserves to be free from bias — favoring some candidates over others — as well as illegal support of certain presidential candidates on national network television.”
Given the fact that CBS “News” Political Director John Dickerson knew in advance that Michelle Bachmann wouldn’t get many questions, it does tend to confirm Gary Johnson’s charge that the CBS debate was stage-managed to favor certain candidates over others.
This is just the latest and most obvious effort by the Democrat-Controlled Media to nominate Mitt Romney. As CNN’s Howard Kurtz notes in this segment after the Iowa Straw Poll, “We are in the business of kicking candidates out of the race.”
Sarah Palin on Ron Paul Media Blackout, CBS Debate
H/T LambdaChi.org
The Democrat-Controlled-Media’s bias against GOP candidates who can beat Barack Hussein Obama is getting more apparent every day.
The most blatant recent example was the CBS/National Journal debate in South Carolina, where GOP Frontrunner Ron Paul was allowed to speak for only 89 seconds during the televised hour of the debate, receiving just one question. And Michelle Bachmann’s campaign was inadvertently copied on an email from CBS “News” prior to the debate, in which CBS “News” Political Director John Dickerson admitted that Michelle Bachmann “is not going to get many questions” in the debate (though she did get far more time than GOP Frontrunner Ron Paul).
This effort at media manipulation was so transparent that it became a story unto itself. The best exposé was probably this editorial in the New York Sun.
“A controversy has erupted over the fact that in the CBS debate on foreign policy Congressman Ron Paul got only 90 seconds….We’re not with Dr. Paul on all of his liberty campaign; as a general matter, he’s far too loath to levy the war on terror. But we have covered him on and off for more than 30 years and have come, even when we disagree with him, to respect him, particularly for his tendency to reach deep into the Constitution. He has done this on foreign policy in several important ways, starting with a bill he introduced in Congress within days of the outbreak of the war that erupted on September 11, 2001.
The bill was the first bid in generations to unleash one of the most important of the constitutional war powers, the letter of marque and reprisal, which is an instrument for bringing private parties into the war. The thinking that went into Dr. Paul’s bill deserves a hearing in any debate in which the GOP contenders are going to be grilled on foreign policy….”
The media blackout was even the topic of discussion the next morning on Fox News:
http://youtu.be/PqvvzqB3jsI
In an appearance with Greta van Susteren on Fox News, GOP Frontrunner Sarah Palin notes that Ron Paul, Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum have all been the subject of media blackouts. And she also encourages GOP Frontrunner Ron Paul to keep educating Americans about economic issues:
http://youtu.be/gv1Tn8iSwFg
I have a fantasy that involves Sarah Palin running as Ron Paul’s VP…because the Democrat-Controlled media would tear itself apart in an effort to destroy the ticket.
On the one hand, the Democrat-Controlled Media’s strategy to marginalize Ron Paul’s campaign demands that they downplay the huge crowds he draws at events, the fact that GOP Frontrunner Ron Paul is polling in the top 2 in Iowa and New Hampshire, the constant wins at straw polls, the fact that he’s #3 in fundraising among GOP candidates, and the #1 recipient of donations from active duty military.
However, we all know that the Democrat-Controlled Media is obsessively fascinated with Sarah Palin (remember the bus tour?), and is bent on destroying her. How could they give Sarah Palin enough coverage to destroy her, on the one hand, while simultaneously maintaining radio silence about the top of the ticket on the other?
The more I think about it, the more I love the idea of a Ron Paul/Sarah Palin ticket…
GOP Debate Watch Thread: Dartmouth, WaPo, Bloomberg
H/T The Washington Post
Tuesday, October 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Dartmouth College
Twitter hashtag: #econdebate
Moderators: Charlie Rose (PBS), Karen Tumulty (WaPo), Julianna Goldman (Bloomberg)
From the Dartmouth Debate website:
The Republican Presidential Debate at Dartmouth College, and a special pre-debate panel featuring prominent journalists and Dartmouth professors called Leading Voices: What’s at Stake in the Republican Debate, will be broadcast live on multiple digital platforms on Tuesday, October 11. The Debate begins at 8 p.m., and the Leading Voices panel will run from 5 to 6 p.m.
Watch the Leading Voices Panel
Debate at Dartmouth website
Dartmouth’s YouTube channel
Dartmouth’s Facebook page
Watch the Debate Online
Washington Post Live
Bloomberg
Watch the Debate on Television
Find a Bloomberg station in your area
Find WBIN-TV coverage in your area
Listen to the Debate
Bloomberg Radio
Invited candidates include: Jon Huntsman, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, GOP Frontrunner Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, GOP Frontrunner Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum.
In an effort to influence the outcome of the debate, and boost Establishment GOP Cocktail Party candidates, GOP Frontrunner and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson was excluded. According to TheHill.com,
In order to participate in the debate hosted by Bloomberg News and The Washington Post, candidates must meet four requirements, including measurable popular support in national polls, at least half a million dollars raised in the second-quarter reporting period, and participation in at least three nationally televised Republican presidential debates during the 2012 election cycle.
Of course, this would exclude Rick “I Heart Illegals” Perry from this debate, since he has only participated in two nationally televised debates.
But what’s a little media bias between friends?
Please watch the debate and report your impressions in this thread.
UPDATE: This debate is focusing exclusively on the economy, which is the #1 concern of likely voters according to most polls. A mole inside the Washington Post has supplied Hillbuzz with several of the debate questions in advance.
“Michelle Bachmann, you claim to understand the plight of businesses, having started a business with your husband. How long has your husband been a right-wing homophobe?”
“Herman Cain, at the age of 36 you were managing over 400 Burger King stores as an executive with Pillsbury. You later rescued its Godfather’s Pizza subsidiary from bankruptcy and became its CEO. You also served as CEO of the National Restaurant Association. With this transparent lack of real-world experience, you’re clearly a shill for the Tea Party. So do you prefer to be addressed as “Uncle Tom” or a “house slave?”
Newt Gingrich, while you were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congress passed welfare reform, a capital gains tax cut and the first balanced budget since 1969. You were also the co-author of the Contract with America. Why do you hate puppies?
“Mitt Romney, you’ve been the GOP frontrunner since before I was born. How do you keep looking so distinguished and presidential? And a follow-up, can I have your autograph? Do you need a speech writer? Or a massage therapist? I just emailed you my resume. Thanks. I love you!!!”
Rick Santorum, your critics say you’re a big spender because you supported No Child Left Behind, the new Medicare drug entitlement, and the Bridge to Nowhere twice. And you’ve been both for and against ethanol subsidies. Have you ever thought of running as a Democrat?
“Ron Paul, you’re the best-selling author of several books on the economy, including End The Fed, The Case for Gold, and Pillars of Prosperity. And you serve as Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology. So tell me, Ron Paul, what’s your favorite color?–wait, I’m sorry, we’re out of time.”
UPDATE: I’m shocked to discover a substantive discussion happening. The moderators have mainly asked economic questions as promised. There is a sense that you’re finally dealing with adults, as far as these candidates are concerned. It’s an incredible contrast with the current regime.
GOP Debate Watch Thread: Fox News, 9:00 PM EST
The Fox News/Republican Party of Florida debate is tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Fox News.
The GOP candidates who will be on the stage are:
- Michelle Bachmann (Theocrat, Tea Party candidate)
- Herman Cain (Tea Party candidate, CEO, Gospel Singer, Full of Awesome)
- Newt Gingrich (Establishment Cocktail Party Republican, but oh, so fun to watch when he gives the LSM the smackdowns they so richly deserve)
- John Huntsman (RINO, Obama Regime Plant, Disturbingly Life-Like Except When Speaking–See Mitt Romney)
- Gary Johnson (Libertarian, Budget-Cutter, Full of Awesome, kicked ass as governor of New Mexico)
- Ron Paul (Tea Party candidate, Full of Awesome, 10th Amendment Devotee, #1 in Active Duty Military Fundraising)
- Rick Perry (Establishment Cocktail Party Republican who occasionally goes slumming with the Tea Party)
- Mitt Romney (RINO, Annointed Media Darling, Epitome of Entitled Cocktail Party GOP, Disturbingly Life-Like–See John Huntsman)
- Rick Santorum (Big-Spending Theocrat who needs to go run an anti-abortion non-profit)
In an effort to provide the most fair and balanced debate possible, Fox News announced unique new debate rules today:
- Because “it’s his turn,” all questions will be directed to Mitt Romney. (However, half of those questions will accidentally be directed to John Huntsman, Mitt Romney’s animatronic stunt double.)
- Mitt Huntsman will have up to 30 minutes to respond to each question, with other candidates except Rick Perry allotted up to 10 seconds each for rebuttals, except for Ron Paul, who will get no time for rebuttals, and in fact, will not be allowed to speak at all, because “everybody knows he’s not ‘top tier.’”
- Rick Perry will have unlimited time for rebuttals whenever he’s fighting with Mitt Huntsman.
- All questions will be prefaced with the false choice, “Do you agree with Mitt Romney or Rick Perry about….” to subliminally emphasize their pretend “top tierness”
Las Vegas oddsmakers have laid the following odds for the debate:
- 10,000 to 1: All candidates get equal time
- 1 to 1: Viewer questions will be chosen to emphasize social issues and divide libertarians and Tea Party supporters from Establishment GOP voters
- 5,393 to 1: Michelle Bachmann will give Rick Perry a pass on Gardisil
- 1397 to 1: Herman Cain will answer a question about Islam by singing “Nearer My God To Thee”
- 1 to 1: Ron Paul will be asked NO questions about the Federal Reserve, sound money, the gold standard or the national debt, or any other economic topic about which he has written a book
- 1 to 1: Newt Gingrich will point out the obvious: the LSM is dead
- 50,000 to 1: Bret Baier will ask no “gotcha” questions about abortion
- 1 to 1: Mittens defends Romneycare; is identified as John Huntsman in the closed captioning
- 486 to 1: Gary Johnson will be asked, and given time to answer, an intelligent question about the War on Drugs or border control
- 15 to 1: A bug will develop in John Huntsman’s speech unit, requiring the White House to power him down and reboot him via remote control during a commercial break
- 3 to 1: No questions will be asked about Fast & Furious, Solyndra, or other Obama Regime scandals
I’ll be watching the debate on Fox News tonight at 9:00 p.m. Chime in with your comments.
Any of these candidates (with the exception of Mittens Romneycare and John Huntsman, who are not Republicans) would be a better president than Barack Hussein Obama, who is not a Muslim.
(Damn…and I went nearly a whole day without having to report myself to AttackWatch.)
DEBATE LIVE BLOGGING…
Shocking! Perry and Mittens get the first questions. Perry does well. Mittens deftly avoids answering the question and defining the word “rich.” God, he’s slimey.
Q: Michelle Bachmann is asked, “out of every dollar I earn, how much do I deserve to keep?” Great answer. She says everyone should be able to keep every dollar. AMEN.
Q: Santorum gets a “right to work” question. I watched it live, moments ago, and yet I still can’t remember what he said. I may have nodded off.
Q: Newt gets a question about unemployment. Newt thinks unemployment should be given in exchange for attending business-led job training. AMEN. Big applause. Newt wants all 50 states to experiment with this. People should never get money to stay at home and do nothing. Applause.
Q: The Huntsman Android gets a question about Solyndra and tax subsidies for alternative energy!!! He starts by sucking up to debate organizers. We’re 90 seconds in…still waiting for an answer… He’s advocating natural gas as a “bridge.” Time’s up. Huntsman flip-flops, says he would not subsidize alternative energy as he said back in June after all.
Herman Cain gets huge applause for his 9/9/9 plan. Q: Isn’t there a danger in having the income tax & sales tax at the same time? His answer is no–throw out entire current tax code & replace with 9/9/9 okab. Treat all businesses the same. Huge ovation for Herman! Crowd is showing the love.
Mittens Romneycare wants to help the people who have been most hurt. His plans says that middle income people get a tax break. Tepid applause. Weasel.
Video that got the most votes: How will 10th amendment be restored if you are elected President? Asked of Ron Paul. Ron Paul: I would veto every single bill that violates the 10th Amendment. Still has time left. Government has gotten totally out of control. There is no authority in Constitution to run schools, control economy, control individuals. He would restore constitutional government. HUGE OVATION.
Q for Gary Johnson: What makes Gary Johnson a better choice for libertarians than Ron Paul? Refuses to take Ron Paul-bashing bait. Talks about his history as governor of New Mexico. He vetoed more bills than all other governors combined. Advocates Fair Tax. BIG ovation for Fair Tax.
This seems to be a much bigger Tea Party crowd than was present at the Tea Party debate on CNN.
Message from Rick Scott.
Perry: Romney has been hammering you on your idea of turning Social Security over to the states. How will 50 separate systems work? Perry: people on SS and approaching SS have nothing to worry about. Not first time Mitt has been wrong. Perry–people should have option to go to state plans. In Mass. almost 90% of state employees aren’t in the SS system.
Romney: different than what Perry said in book & interviews. Seems petty. SS is responsibility of federal government. We’re gonna have 1 plan. Committed to keeping SS. RINO weasel answer. Perry sucks!
Perry responds: Mitt’s economic advisor talked about Romneycare…blah blah blah blah blah. Blah, blah, blah. Blah….blah. Romney sucks!
Complete waste of time. MOVE ON. NO ONE CARES.
Question for Romney: Is Obama a socialist? Romney: Weasel… weasel… joke… weasel… Never answers question. Obama’s a big-spending liberal. Takes inspiration from Europe. I believe in America. I believe in free enterprise and capitalism. Govt. is too big. I love this country. I spent my life in the private sector. Except when I was Governor Romneycare.
Question for Mittens. No, wait…that’s Huntsman. Crowd is silent. We need to create jobs…we need to fix economy…talking points…talking points…talking points. Golf applause.
One of top 10 questions: Q: If you were forced to eliminate one department from Fed government, which one and why.
Herman Cain: Will start with EPA and start all over. That makes some nervous. EPA has gone wild. Regulation goes into effect Jan. 1 to regulate DUST. Offers solution for Social Security. Chilean model. Been around 30 years and it works. 30 other countries have privatized. Don’t banter about what you call it. FIX IT. Crowd cheers.
Q: Every day Federal government brings in 6 billion dollars but spends 10. How can we slash spending by 40%.
Newt: The way you described the question, you can’t. It’s all hopeless, we may as well buy Greek bonds and go down together. Big applause from crowd. This month in the Reagan admin, we created 1.1 million new jobs. Under Obama we created ZERO. Went from 2.2 trillion deficit to 2 trillion surplus when he left office. We can do it. Big applause.
Q: School administrators focus more on teaching to test. What as president would you do about massive overreach of government into classroom.
Johnson: Promises to submit balanced budget that includes abolishing Fed Dept of Education. American doesn’t understand that it is a negative to take Fed money.
Santorum: Schools doing worse with Fed interference. Customer is parents. Schools don’t serve customers. Parents have been convinced they don’t have that responsibility.
Gingrich: Profound state reform. Get rid of Dept. of Education regulation. K-12 Pell grants direct to parents.
Ron Paul: If you care about your children you will get the federal government out of the business of educating them. Get the government out completely. Everyone hates No Child Left Behind. Tax credits for people who opt out. HUGE APPLAUSE.
Perry: Lots of good ideas up here. Promote school choice. Vouchers. Charters. Dig against Romney for being in favor of Obama race to the top.
Romney: Education has to be held at local & state. Smaller classroom size driven by teacher unions. Hire best and brightest to be teachers. Will stand up to NEA.
Q: Did Perry say something that wasn’t true? Romney: Sect of Education doing a good thing by saying teachers should be evaluated. Better than what Obama did. Crowd is silent.
Bachmann: got involved in politics because of foster kids. Repeal all federal laws re education. Send all money back to states and local.
Cain: Cut all federal programs…remove strings. Get federal government out of trying to educate kids.
Huntsman: I signed 2nd voucher bill in US. Worked on early childhood literacy. Cut unfunded mandates. Localize. Tepid golf applause.
Q: Would you support each state enforcing immigration laws if federal government doesn’t?
Bachmann: Reprehensible that Obama has sued Arizona for trying to protect the people of Arizona. Would uphold sovereignty of USA. Build a fence along entire southern border & secure it, and enforce laws on books. Not allow taxpayer funded benefits for illegals or their kids.
Q: US workers have to compete with illegal aliens. Do you support E-Verify? Do you support penalties against employers who don’t?
Newt: Outsource E-Verify to American Express, Mastercard or Visa…they know how to run something like that. Easy as swiping card. Favor 100% control of border. English as language of government (huge applause). Modernize legal immigration.
Q: About illegal aliens and in-state tuition. Romney: in-state tuition for illegals is wrong. Costs $22,000 a year per student in Texas. Crowd applause. Repeats other GOP immigration talking points. Applause.
Q for Perry: You’re the candidate whose name came up most often about immigration. You have not tried to stop the illegals from coming. Are you going to exert an effort to stop the abuse of US citizens by illegals. 16,000 illegals’ children took advantage of in-state tuition in Texas.
Perry: No one on this stage has spent more on border security than me. Texas Ranger recon teams there now. Joined AZ in suit against Feds. Kids in Texas brought there by no fault of their own. Must educate them or they will become a drag on our economy. LOTS OF BOOS!
Q: Is Perry soft on illegal immigration?
Santorum: Perry is saying that unless we subsidize illegals’ kids, they can’t go. We’re saying they can go. They have to borrow money like anyone else. Don’t give them special treatment. Perry weak on border security.
Perry: Put the boots on the ground. Aviation assets.
Scuffle between Santorum & Perry. Crowd is turning on Perry.
Q: to Ron Paul on border fence. Do you know a lot of Americans who want to take their money out of the country? Ron Paul: There are trillions of $ overseas already because of tax policy. When countries destroy a currency, it leads to capital control and people control. Databanks…leads to national ID card. Attack BENEFITS for illegals–they are a magnet. No welfare, no in-state-tuition, no free healthcare (big ovation). That will solve immigration problem–illegals will have no reason to come here. Don’t ignore fact that in tough economic times, people and money want to leave the country. More applause.
Google poll: majority (47%) want to eliminate Department of Education.
Q: How would you approach middle East with threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Authority.
Romney: President all wrong to apologize for America. Stand shoulder to shoulder with allies. Don’t negotiate for Israel. Support and defend Israel. Unacceptable for Iran to become nuclear nation.
Q: How would you respond to unilateral declaration of Palestinian state?
Herman Cain: Peace through strength and clarity. Met with Dept. Prime Minister of Israel. Israel will defend itself. DPM wasn’t sure how Obama Regime stood with Israel. If you mess with Israel, you are messing with U.S. If it was clear where U.S. stood they might have had second thoughts.
Q: About Pakistan–what if there were a coup. Build a relationship in region. To have a relationship with India. Know they are an ally with the U.S. Had chance to sell India upgraded F-16s. Allies must know we are their friends. Today we don’t have allies in the region.
Santorum: would keep U.S. troops in Iraq & Afghanistan until national security objective met. Work in concert with allies in region.
Q: Foreign aid: top question. When are we going to get someone in the White House and tell other countries they aren’t getting money from us anymore?
Gingrich: Couple of good reasons to review foreign aid. Encourage American jobs that make US and other country wealthier. Don’t give government to government money. Why give money to countries that vote against us in U.N.? May be 100+ nukes in Pakistan.
Q: Charter flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Cuba have resumed. How do you feel about that?
Gary Johnson: Biggest threat to national security is that WE’RE BANKRUPT. Trade promotes friendship. Establish those kinds of flights.
Michelle wants to weigh in. Michelle: State Dept’s website, 4 nations are state sponsors of terror. Cuba is one. We shouldn’t go there.
Huntsman: Difference of opinion on Foreign Policy. We must fix our core…blah blah blah. Bring home troops from Afghanistan. Polite applause. Yawn.
Santorum: Just because economy is sick doesn’t mean our country is sick. We should be fighting wars to win, not for politics.
Huntsman. Only Pakistan can save Pakistan. Only Afghanistan can save Afghanistan. America must save America. Good lord, I actually agree with the Hunstman animatronic. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Q: What is the limit of government injecting religion.
Michelle: We believe in freedom of conscience. Foundational principle. Shouldn’t prevent people from expressing personal beliefs.
Q from soldier in Iraq: In 2010, I had to lie about being gay. Do you intend to circumvent progress made by gay and lesbian service people.
Santorum: Sex has no place in military. DADT removal injects social policy into military. Should only be about national defense. Going forward, would reinstate DADT. Sex should not be an issue. Keep to yourself whether gay or straight.
Q for Ron Paul: if you believe life begins at conception, how do you support abortion for rape, incest, use of morning after pill in those cases?
Ron Paul: This should be a state issue. If someone is treated 24 hours after a rape, you have no way of knowing if she’s even pregnant. How will you police the day after pill? No one can outdo me on respect for life. The law doesn’t solve the problem. Only the moral character of the people will solve this problem, not the law. HUGE applause.
Q: Bad blood between Perry and George W. Bush. Perry: highly respects GWB. Differences in various issues.
Yawn. Who cares. Non-issue.
Herman Cain gets lovely applause for surviving Stage 4 colon and liver cancer.
Herman Cain: I would be dead under Obamacare. March 2006 was detected. Got all the tests, CAT scans, surgery, chemo, tests, and was cured in 9 months. Under Obamacare I would have died waiting for treatment. Treatment based on MY timetable not bureaucrat’s timetable. I had 30% chance of survival. Big ovation.
Q: Huntsman gets top question on heathcare from college kid who wants to stay on mommy & daddy’s insurance until he’s 26. I think of my daughter who has diabetes. Obamacare creating uncertainty. Let states experiment to find solutions. Do what we did in Utah. We don’t have affordable policies. Doesn’t answer question. Virtually no crowd response.
Gardisil question for Michelle Bachmann: You said it could cause retardation and other side effects. Do you stand by statement. Michelle denies making statement–was repeating what a mom told her. Michelle says issue is Perry mandating shot for 12-year-old girls for STD. Perry gave parental rights to a drug company. Problem was cronyism. Applause.
Perry: I got lobbied by 31-year-old to had stage 4 cervical cancer. Admits should have had opt in. Erred on the side of life. Will always err on side of life. Some applause but a LOT of boos.
Q for Perry: Texas has 25% uninsured residents. Feds treat TX like all other big states. TX has imposed toughest eligibility. Rank 49th in Medicaid coverage.
Perry: disagrees with analysis. Has tried to get waiver from Feds for years.
Q for Romney–Perry says we shouldn’t nominate Obama Lite (Romney).
Romney responds. Blah, blah, blah. Romneycare is good and bad. Different from Obamacare.
Perry: Americans just don’t know which Mitt they’re dealing with. 2nd Amendment, social programs, abortion, race to the top, Obamacare. Wait till tomorrow to see which one we’re talking to. Romney sucks! Tepid applause.
Romney. BLAH. Blah. Blah. Blah! No, you suck! Tepid applause.
Another useless catfight that tells us nothing.
MOVE ON, CHRIS!
Q: Obama promised Hope & Change. How will you turn this country around?
Huntsman: Human tragedy. Tax reform. Regulatory reform. Energy independence.
Herman Cain: Economic growth. 9/9/9 plan. LEADERSHIP. American people will develop confidence. Reagan. We were a shining city on a hill. We have slid down. Need leader to build back up.
Michelle Bachmann: Reach for brass ring of liberty. #1 reason no hiring = Obamacare. Will repeal.
Romney: Blah blah blah blah. Tough times. Blah blah. We’re patriotic. Blah. Out of time.
Perry: Americans want a leader in job creation. Kill Obamacare and job-killing regs. Lower tax rates. Make US energy independent.
Paul: Government destroys jobs, market creates them. Understand where business cycle comes from, how Federal Reserve has destroyed economy. Has warned for 20 years. Get rid of government interference & let free market work. HUGE ovation.
Gingrich: 32 years ago we were in same place. A leader came along. When your brother in law is unemployed it’s a recession. When you lose your job it’s a depression. Then Jimmy Carter loses his job, it’s a recovery. Barack Obama’s losing decisively will turn around economy.
Santorum: Reagan’s farewell address….blah blah.
I nodded off again.
Gary Johnson: My next door neighbor’s 2 dogs have created more shovel ready jobs than this president. Biggest ovation of night. Balance budget NOW. Not 10 years from now or 20 years from now. Throw out entire federal tax system and replace with Fair Tax. Huge ovation.
Q: Who would you choose as your VP among the others on stage?
Johnson: Ron Paul. The notion that this country is about liberty and freedom. Facing extraordinary crisis. Must face now, or we will be left with nothing. We must avoid it by acting NOW.
Santrorum: Newt. I agree with him more.
Gingrich: I have no idea. Won’t play this game show. What I do know–someone capable of being president. I won’t hurt any of their feelings by choosing one.
Ron Paul: I don’t plan to make a choice at the moment. I’m in 3rd place in national poll. As soon as I’m in top 2 I will start thinking about it. Too early right now.
Perry: Staying with game show idea. Herman Cain & Newt Gingrich’s love child. Applause.
Romney: Will have hard time getting that image out of my head. That & dogs. If you pick a VP you have to give a lot of thought. These people would all be better than what we have now.
Romney: We all have problems. Gov. Perry & I disagree. We all agree Obama needs to be former Pres. Obama.
Bachmann: Strong constitutional conservative. Every 4 years we are told we have to settle. I don’t think that’s true. Obama has lowest public approval of any in modern time. Choose conservatives.
Cain: This is a game. It’s hypothetical. I’ll play. If governor Romney would throw out his plan, he has a shot. I would otherwise go with Speaker Gingrich.
Huntsman: Romney & Perry won’t be around, will bludgeon each other to death. Herman Cain because of his selection of ties and 9/9/9. Shakes Herman’s hand.
Palmetto Freedom Forum – Sept. 5, 2011
I spent the past two hours watching this fantastic event. This is how we should be learning about candidates…not via “gotcha” questions and soundbites.
Highly recommended viewing.
This video has been posted in 8 parts. You can start viewing with the first segment, and following segments will load automagically.
My instant analysis:
Any one of these people would be a vast and dramatic improvement over the current occupant of the white house. I trust Ron Paul the most, and I think he has the best ideas, though he’s the worst at public speaking. I feel the biggest emotional connection with Herman Cain, who is an electrifying speaker, very comfortable on the stage. I have an intellectual crush on Newt Gingrich, who is clearly a highly educated man with a great grasp on history. Mitt was Mitt. He says some of the right things, but radiates a lack of integrity and an “it’s my turn” mentality. Michelle performed very well, though she comes off as somewhat theocratic. But she’s very clean and articulate, for a woman. 
What’s your reaction?
Gallup Poll: GOP Top Tier = Romney, Perry, Paul & Bachmann
To defeat the Left, it’s important for libertarians and conservatives to understand how media coverage works to shape the debate. And it’s vital that we be able to recognize when a RINO candidate (such as John Huntsman or Mittens “Mood Ring” Romney) is being shoved down our throats, lest we get a repeat of Bob Dole and John McCain.
However, it’s just as important for us to recognize when the media is using sleight-of-hand and misdirection to keep us from seeing what’s behind the curtain.
Although this story was posted on Drudge today, I doubt that you will see this headline anywhere:
Gallup Poll: Romney, Perry, Paul & Bachman In Dead Heat With Obama Among Registered Voters
A survey of 879 registered voters conducted August 17th and 18th reveals that the Top Tier of GOP candidates is Mitt “Mood Ring” Romney, Rick Perry, Ron Paul and Michelle Bachmann. The margin of error is +/- 4%.
When considering the 4% margin of error, all four GOP candidates would be in a statistical dead heat with Obama if the election were held today.
- H/T Gallup
And Mittens, Perry and Ron Paul all beat Obama among Independents, which Michelle Bachmann not far behind.
And another interesting statistic: Herman Cain has incredibly high “positives,” beating out all the other GOP candidates.
Now, why is this important?
Because you WILL NOT see this voter preference reflected in media coverage.
If you’re a new reader, some background for you. I’ve been a Ron Paul fan for at least 10 years. I know Ron’s positions on the issues inside and out. I’m pretty familiar with his voting record. And because PR is my profession, I pay a LOT of attention to media coverage and bias.
Yes, there is bias against all GOP candidates. But because my focus has been Ron Paul, I’m in more of a position to notice bias in coverage of his campaign. And the bias against him has been outlandishly obvious. It used to take the form of complete fabrications about his policy issues or voting record. But now, it’s most often a bizarre, near-total news blackout. As John Stewart asked on The Daily Show, since when does the second-place finisher in the Iowa Straw Poll become the 13th floor in a hotel?
Of course, this frustrates me, as a Ron Paul supporter. But what frustrates me more is GOP voters continuing to get their candidate information from the lamestream media.
And just to clarify…I don’t care whether or not you like Ron Paul! I know that Kevin will work tirelessly for Sarah Palin once she enters the race. And I would be thrilled with a Sarah Palin presidency.
What I’m urging you is to do your due diligence on EVERY GOP CANDIDATE.
Do not let the overwhelmingly Leftist Washington Press Corpse tell you who is “electable” or “top tier” or “serious.” That’s YOUR decision to make. We will only know who is electable after the election.
Put the pejorative “unelectable” in the garbage with “polarizing,” where it belongs.
And remember, when the Lamestream Media calls a GOP candidate–ANY GOP candidate—”polarizing” or “not serious” or “unelectable,” that’s code for “Oh sh*t…this one could beat Teh Messiah.”
UPDATE: The Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism conducted a study of news coverage in the days after the Iowa Straw Poll. The word “shocking” is perhaps overused when referring to blatant media bias…but kids, it doesn’t get much worse than this:
H/T PRC Project for Excellence in Journalism
Barack Hussein Obama, who is not a Muslim, has received the bulk of media coverage since January 1st.
Pew’s analysis of three network Sunday morning shows on August 14, the a.m. and p.m. network news programs on August 15, and four hours of prime-time cable and one hour of daytime from each of the three major cable news networks on August 15 revealed that Ron Paul was mentioned just 29 times.
By comparison, the LSM covered Rick Perry 371 times, Michelle Bachmann was mentioned 274 times, and Mittens Romneycare was mentioned 183 times.
Media Spin Watch: Who’s Today’s Frontrunner?
I can’t watch all the channels all the time, but I am finding it amusing how the LSM is falling all over themselves to prop up Mittens Romney’s campaign and avoid reporting the Tea Party landslide wherein the top two Tea Party candidates (Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul) swept the Iowa Straw Poll.
Unfortunately, even Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked one of his guests this morning, “Wouldn’t you agree that Bachmann, Romney and Perry are now the frontrunners?”
WTF?
There has been ONE major campaign event–the Iowa Straw Poll–so far. Bachman won with 28.55% of the vote. Ron Paul was in a virtual dead heat with her with 27.56%. Until yesterday, new media darling Rick Perry was a non-candidate, and got 3.65% of the vote. Because “it’s his turn,” and earning the nomination is beneath him, Mittens Romneycare couldn’t be be bothered to even show up (and finished in 7th place with a truly satisfying 3.36%).
And somehow Perry and Romneycare are frontrunners?
Another observation… Tim “Media-Declared Frontrunner Until This Morning When He Quit” Pawlenty got more coverage for dropping out of the race today than Ron Paul has received for coming in just 152 votes behind Bachmann, after spending just one-tenth as much on campaigning at the Straw Poll.
Hmmmmm.
Actual Conservatives Trounce Cocktail Party GOP in Iowa Straw Poll
Michelle Bachmann, winner of the Iowa Straw Poll
The results are in from the Iowa Straw Poll, held today in Ames, Iowa. Minnesota representative Michelle Bachman squeaked out a 152-vote victory over Texas representative Ron Paul.
Michelle Bachmann: 28.55%
Ron Paul: 27.65%
Tim Pawlenty: 13.57%
Rick Santorum: 9.81%
Herman Cain: 8.62%
Rick Perry: 3.62%
Mitt Romney: 3.36%
Newt Gingrich: 2.28%
John Huntsman: 0.41%
Thaddeus McCotter: 0.21%
It’s almost their worst nightmare…a WOMAN evangelical Christian TEA PARTY candidate in an almost dead heat with a STRICT CONSTITUTIONALIST pro-life tax-cutting Fed auditor TEA PARTY candidate in second, between them earning 55% of votes cast. And a (God forbid) BLACK CONSERVATIVE TEA PARTY candidate with a microscopic campaign organization won 9% of the vote.
Now, I graduated from government schools, so pardon my math, but I think means that TEA PARTY CANDIDATES WON 64% OF THE VOTES CAST IN THE IOWA STRAW POLL.
My favorite statistic? MSNBC favorite John Huntsman got 69 votes. Total.
Just to inject a bit of reality–the Straw Poll is a fundraiser for the Iowa GOP. Candidates have to pay to participate, though the GOP eventually allowed several non-paying pols to appear on the ballot. And the kinds of voters who participate in the Straw Poll tend to be more energized and more conservative than the GOP at large.
But no matter how you slice it, it’s safe to say that the GOP establishment got its @ss handed to it today in Ames.
I imagine that the blue-blazered minions at Chez Mitt aren’t too happy.
I imagine that the Lamestream Media and Leftists (redundancy alert) won’t waste time in spinning the Straw Poll as meaningless in tomorrow’s Sunday shows.
Unless the GOP wants to re-enact the political equivalent of Jonestown, it’s time to stop fighting the Tea Party movement.
It’s time to wake up. It’s time to stop negotiating like losers. Time to stop using the Bill of Rights as toilet paper. Time to realize that this country is STARVING for leadership that recognizes American Exeptionalism, which is rooted in the rule of law, individual liberty and personal responsibility.
America Will Be Saved By Moms and Other Awesome Women
Just an observation — but as our current effete and blundering socialist president tanks our economy, insults our friends and allies, and bows and cowers before Islam and our other foreign enemies, it’s amazing to see the American Resistance to anti-exceptionalism coalesce around a valkyrie brigade of tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners, get-it-done, God-Bless-America, moms and other awesome women.
Sarah Palin, our nation’s greatest hope, Momma Grizzly in Chief.
Michele Bachmann, who should be our next Speaker of the House.
Liz Cheney, firebrand and truthteller.
Jan Brewer, the most courageous member of the GOP, standing up to Liberalism and protecting her people the way no man before her had the guts to do.
Nikki Haley, who should be the next Governor of South Carolina.
Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, Mercy Otis Warren, and Betsy Ross would be very proud indeed.
When America needs it most, the ladies are answering that clarion call.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, John Thune, Jon Hunstman, Mitch Daniels, and the other wimpy men the Lamestream Media keeps trying to foist upon us as the 2012 GOP nominee are gathered at a lacy-tableclothed table, sipping lukewarm tea and eating soggy cucumbers-and-mayonnaise sandwiches discussing ways they could bend over more flexibly and serve as further appeasement to this president and the insane things he’s hellbent on doing to our nation. ”Pass the skim milk, my tea is too hot,” Romney whispers. “Don’t burn yourself, tea can be very dangerous. Sometimes, I blow on my tea to make it safe for me to drink, and then I sip it,” cautions Pawlenty. “Can you show me how to do that, I don’t want to burn myself. I already took too big of a bite of my sandwich and I almost couldn’t swallow it!”, exclaimed Thune. ”We sure are a lot of wimpy, lame, boring-as-Hell, little do-nothings, aren’t we?”, realistically appraised Daniels.
We sure won’t disagree with that.
What other women should we add to our list of new American heroes, who you think are really doing their part on the national scene to save this nation?
Mercy Otis Warren. Abigail Adams. Betsy Ross. Dolley Madison. MICHELE BACHMANN.
American Hero
It’s an amazing coincidence of fate that the most un-American, unpatriotic, and unappealing woman we can think of is named Michelle — and happens to be our current First Lady — while the most pro-American, patriotic, and wonderful woman we can think of is also named Michele. One less “L” in a name sure makes one “Hell” of a difference.
Obama vs. Bachmann.
Crass vs. CLASS.
One woman from Minnesota. A mom. Leading the charge where her male counterparts are afraid to tread.
She is a warrior queen with a Blackberry. Artemis in Ann Taylor. The modern day equivalent of Mercy Otis Warren, Abigail Adams, Betsy Ross, Dolley Madison, and every great, patriotic woman from the past — and then some.
The Leftist media has ordered a complete blackout of all coverage relating to the illegal maneuvers Pelosi is making in the House, just as the MSM blacked-out all coverage of the collapse of the Church of Anthropogenic Global Warming. They refused to cover Climategate because it would hurt Democrats. They refuse to cover the unconstitutional “Slaughter Slam” end-run on the Constitution because that would hurt Democrats too.
Well, Michele Bachmann is a modern-day Paulette Revere.
Help her.
If you love your country, you love your children, and you love your life as you know it, help her.
Email this article to everyone you know. Get off your butt and go door to door in your neighborhood and tell everyone you can what Democrats are doing, how they are ripping up the Constitution. Call everyone in your phone. Head down to the grocery store and start talking to strangers. Call your local TV stations and demand they start covering this story.
We believe whatever great and cosmic force flowed through our Founders when they created this nation — the force that has reappeared time and again in all of our great heroes whenever America needed them — is alive and strong in Michele Bachmann.
She is one voice of reason in a sea of fools, lunatics, and impotent, weak men. She’s a mighty force, but she cannot do this alone.
Help her.
Reinforce her.
Spread her message.
SAVE OUR COUNTRY.
