Mitt Romney Speaks Out Against the "Temptations of Populism"

Well said Gov. Romney:

LEXINGTON - As Mitt Romney sets out this week to promote
his new book, “No Apology,’’ he is also auditioning for a rapidly
disappearing role in American politics: a politician who is
speaking out against the “temptations of populism.’’

“The populism I’m referring to is, if you will, demonizing
certain members of society: going after businesspeople,
going after Wall Street, going after people who are highly
educated, people who are CEOs,’’ Romney said in an
interview. “That kind of ‘All of our problems are due to
that group’ is something that is unproductive.’’

The former Massachusetts governor and highly successful
businessman says his critique of populist politics applies to
both President Obama, who is battling bankers over Wall
Street rules, and Republican leaders who have courted the
“tea party’’ movement by turning their anger on corporate
leaders along with government.

This is basically a critique of Gov. Sarah Palin. She's always talking
about those Washington "elitists." To me it is a form of class warfare,
which I absolutely detest. Eventhough the Republican primary for
president is years away it looks like it maybe already shaking up.

Romeny VP?

After reading this article, I might be on my way to winning a notebook :)

Mitt Romney Kind of Funny

Link: sevenload.com

Better than any David Letterman top ten list.

Romney Suspends Presidential Campaign

Today Romney bowed out. McCain is unofficially the Republican nominee
now. I think Gov. Romney should have given more speeches like this
and maybe he would still be in the running:


Link: sevenload.com

Too Much Like Hillary

I think comparing Hillary Clinton to John McCain is stretching
it a bit. They do agree on some things but there are obvious
differences in their policies. One example, is one saying they
would start with drawing troops within 60 days, the other isn't.

Mitt and the Religion Speech

Here is the speech Romney gave this morning:



AP has excerpts. It wonderfully balanced. On the one hand he acknowledged
the need for keeping church and state separate while also praising the important
role faith has in American society. I think the following two excerpts exemplify
that:

"There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe
and explain his church's distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable
the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution.
No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he
becomes president he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths."

He later states:

"But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and
state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning.
They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment
of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in
public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion
in America — the religion of secularism. They are wrong."

This speech is an example of why religion has prospered in this country.
Americans have a well-balanced view of faith. Most of us realize the
importance of practicing our faith while also respecting others beliefs.
The majority of Americans are neither religious zealots nor do we abhor
public expressions of faith. Thus, cultivating a place where are free to
practice our faith (or lack of) as we choose without any hindrance from
the government or society for that matter.

They Said What !?!

As always some truly nutty stuff is being said on the campaign trail
so I'm going to introduce a new 'series' called, "They Said What!?!"
Today's edition includes quotes with bad analogies to relationships
in them.

My first quote is from Sen. Clinton:

"I want a long term relationship," she said. "I don't want to just have
a one night stand with all of you."

Reminder to Hillary: You're a Clinton ex-nay on the one night stand
analo-jay (hey, I was having a hard time rhyming).

My second is from Mitt Romney:

"There is an initial infatuation and people take a close look on a person's
issues and decide whether they want to support them or not," the
former Massachusetts governor told CNN.

Um, I don't think there's much school girl giggling when it comes to
politics.

Romney is productive

During an interview with NPR, Romney refused to answer a Bible
question dealing with creationism. I say, "Good for him!" Like I said
last week these questions are getting ridiculous. It's just not productive
for candidates continually having to answer these questions.

Romney to give Mormon speech

There had been much speculation if Romney would or would not
give a speech similar to the one John F. Kennedy gave in 1960 about
his Catholic faith. Here is a clip of the historic speech:



Romney has decided that he will give the "Mormon speech" this week.
Here is some more info from the article:

The address, planned for Thursday at the George Bush Presidential
Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, will focus on the role
of religion in American society.

Romney's staff announced the speech Sunday, after months of debate
at his Boston headquarters over whether to make a public address
about his religion. They insisted the decision was made by Romney
last week, before the latest polls were released.

ThinkChristian.net posted several resources for understanding the Mormon
faith so I'm relinking some here and also adding the link from the commentator
on the site. Here are the links:

• Mormonism vs. Traditional Christianity
  
• Mormonism: A Survey and Biblical Critique
• Mormon.org
  

Some of the links are critical of Mormonism but I want to make it clear that
I think it's highly unfair not to vote for someone because you disagree with
their religious beliefs. I think too much has been of candidate's particular
religious views during this campaign. Notice in the AP article Romney
describes how religion wasn't an issue for his father in his political career:

The former Massachusetts governor said religion wasn't a factor when his
father, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, ran for the White House in
1968.

"But, you know, times have changed and particularly in a state like Iowa,
there's been interest in religion generally and I think religion does have a
very important role in our society and therefore it's important to talk about
our religious heritage," Romney said.

To think our society made less of issue this topic during the 60s, which was such a
culturally divisive period, than today is ironic. However, I must add that the field of
candidates we have right now is much more diverse mostly due to the changes made
during this time period. I'm curious to hear what others think is the reason religion
has been such a topic of discussion during this election? Is it helpful or a hinderer to
the political process? I think that people really don't care what religion the candidates
adhere to. I think it's the media trying to find something to talk about in a very long
election.

Blue Staters

I'm getting a real kick of hearing a former Mayor of New York
and a former Governor of Massachusetts argue who's the most
conservative. It's like a Oklahoman debating a Texan on the issue
of which state supports the liberal arts more.

I must say though, the chances of us having a Northerner win
the '08 election are looking really good.

This Election Just Got Really Drrrty

You didn't think we would get through an election without some dirty
political plays, did ya? Well, these past few days have just seen the '08
get really filthy. It started when New Hampshire and Iowa residents
started receiving "push polling" calls attacking Romney's faith. It is still
a mystery who hired the firm to do this but there is much speculation
in the blogosphere. Romney called this act "un-American":



Now Robert Novak, major gossiper, is now saying that 'agents' of Sen. Clinton
have the goods on a scandal involving Sen. Obama but will not disclose it. The
surprising thing is Obama has responded to the whole thing. Here's a portion
of Obama's statement:

"During our debate in Las Vegas on Thursday, we heard Senator Clinton
rail against the politics of 'throwing mud.'

"At the very same time, in Washington, Robert Novak was publishing a
column in which he reported the following: 'Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton
are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous
information about her principal opponent for the party's presidential
nomination, Sen. Barack Obama...'

So this whole election is now getting extremely gossipy and dirty and that's
because I didn't even get the time to talk about all the planting of questions
going on. Heh. But can we really expect a clean campaign with a Clinton
running? Like that Christina Aguilera song says, "If you ain't dirty, you ain't
here to party."

One issue voting

Yesterday James Dobson had a piece in The New Yorks Times
basically saying that if the major parties don't nominate a pro-life
candidate he is going to take his vote elsewhere. Also, yesterday Log
Cabin Republicans, a group more moderate in social issues, put out this
yesterday:



It perplexes me how abortion keeps on being such an important
issue in elections. I will quickly disclose my personal views on
abortion. I use to be a strong pro-lifer but not so much anymore. I still
believe abortion is immoral but I don't think it should be illegal. I don't want
us to go back to when abortions were done in unsafe conditions. Ironically,
I don't think the conservative judges in the Supreme Court want that to
happen either.

Many evangelicals, like Dobson, will absolutely not vote for a pro-choice
candidate. Understandably, they feel passionate about the issue. It seems
like you can't have a dispassionate view on abortion these days. However,
I maintain that it is not wise to be a single issue voter especially on a issue
that is not likely to change any time soon.

I want a president who is strong on terrorism and stands for fiscal responsibility.
These are dangerous times and I want a president who can deal with national
security issues most importantly. There are other social issues Christians should
also be concerned about besides abortion. Poverty and injustice are dealt with in
the Bible too. Where's the moral outrage on those issues? We can't be selective.

Going somewhat off topic for a while. Sarah Silverman believes abortion is
funny (hat tip: Hotair). Look at this:



I'll repeat what I sarcastically wrote on Hotair: I’ve noticed lately
women comics are making more abortion jokes. You know like Carlos
Mencia talks about race. Well, now women comics have to add an abortion
joke to their repertoire so when VH1 does a special on them they can say,
“I not only did jokes but I did social commentary.” I makes the silliness they
are doing seem more important. Thanks, Sarah Silverman, for your
enlightening social commentary. Here is another unfunny abortion
joke example from network television:

Amy Schumer Last Comic Standing

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Ok, wow, I made it through my first complete 'abortion' post. Hope no one
is offended.

Agent of Change?

According to an AP report, in a new ad Romney
is critical of the GOP party. Quote from the article:

The media push casts Romney as an agent of change,
a recognition that even Republicans have grown weary
of their government.

Hold on where have I heard this whole 'change' talk. Wait
I remember now:



When I run for a political office do you think I can run
on keeping things the same? Nah, I don't want to improve
national security, our economy, education, etc. I just want things
to stay the same. Oh, I can see my campaign slogan now:

Terry Ann '30- Keeping things the same