No health-care reform coverage for undocumented immigrants -- Obama

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / September 1, 2012

 

 The Miami Herald: August 30, 2012

  MIAMI — After President Barack Obama's administration declared in June that 800,000 young undocumented immigrants could remain and work in the United States, it quietly issued a rule this week that blocks these immigrants from taking advantage of the health-care reform law.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a rule amendment to clarify that the Affordable Care Act, which offers coverage to those "lawfully present" in the United States, did not apply to those covered by Obama's June declaration.

The amendment means that the undocumented immigrants will not be able to join the Pre-Existing Condition Plan for high-risk patients and the health-care exchanges being established to help people and small businesses obtain cheaper rates.

The immigrants will also not be able to get into state-federal programs such as Medicaid, the health insurance for the poor, or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"This certainly is a substantial financial issue in places like Miami, New York City and Los Angeles," said Alan Sager, a health-care policy expert at Boston University. He called the ruling "a relatively minor administrative clarification, a screwing down of something that was already nailed down."

The reason is that, in an attempt to get support from conservatives for the reform bill in 2010, Democratic lawmakers promised that undocumented immigrants would not benefit from the act.

Obama's June announcement affected immigrants under 31 who were brought into the United States illegally as children. His move did not formally grant them residency or permanent legal status, but allowed them to stay and work in the country.

That action, HHS decided, did not mean these immigrants were "lawfully present." On Monday, it issued a 12-page amendment to the reform act regulations "so that the program does not inadvertently expand the scope" of the act.

The issue of immigrant health care is huge for South Florida. As many as a third of the uninsured patients at Jackson Health System are believed to be undocumented.

State-federal funds pay for their emergency care until they are considered stable, but any other treatment falls on county taxpayers if they go to a government hospital. If they go to other hospitals, the facilities get reimbursed for their care by charging higher rates to insurers and paying patients, Sager said.

©2012 The Miami Herald

Verne Strickland recommends: 'The Left & the Wrong Side of History' by Jude Eden

New post on OFP

The Left & the Wrong Side of History by Jude Eden, Jane of Trades

In the buildup to World War II, many in Europe thought that the Nazi ideas of socialism could work, and that Hitler was a charismatic leader who meant them no harm.  Churchill was called a warmonger for his stance that Germany should not be able to arm and for his opposition to Hitler’s demonization of the Jews.  Hitler painted himself as an advocate for peace, even as he was drawing plans to take over Europe and exterminate the Jews.  After surviving the first World War, many were justifiably loathe to enter into another.  They didn’t want to believe that another war was impending, or that one rogue nation wanted to take over, subjugate and purge all the others.  They were soon to see how wrong they were.

1941 Anti-war poster

Anti-war advocates are apt to acknowledge that we had to fight the Nazis, and yet today cannot acknowledge that there are still the same legitimate reasons to fight real enemies of freedom.  During and after WWII, both conscientious objectors and Nazi sympathizers would have to answer to their unwillingness to fight or their sympathy toward the murderous enemy.  “Conscies” were often stigmatized in their communities, and Nazi sympathizers rightly treated with outright anger and disdain.

Hitler claimed to be offering solutions to the downtrodden, to be an advocate for peace and progress.  His actions showed that he was really a bloodthirsty dictator intent on being the head of a new master race.  Some saw him for what he was, the Nazis for what they were, but others said there was no threat.

History will look back on 21^st century and see, as many do today, that Ahmadinejad and jihadists are the Hitler and Nazis of our time.  Just so, all those who fail to stand against them, and more who defend Islam as a religion of peace will be seen like the Nazi sympathizers of World War II.  Our president and the Left are those sympathizers today.

Just as Hitler and the Nazis demonized the Jews as the cause of Germany’s economic woes, so Obama and his party demonize the entrepreneurs and any Republican or Conservative as evil and the source of our financial crises and social injustice.  And just as the Nazis came up with all sorts of lies and distortions to paint Jews as evil and inferior, so Obama and his party have tried to paint, whites, the wealthy and Christians (and Jews) as hateful, corrupt and backwards.

1930s Union Pledge Peace poster

The future will look back on the early 21^st century and see that while Liberals claimed to be for peace, they said nothing if the president making war was in their own party.  They will see that no matter how much Ahmadinejad proclaimed his genocidal intentions, the Left ignored him, just as Hitler’s words were ignored until it was too late, the bombs were already falling and the troops were already marching.

The future will see that just as Churchill was demonized as a warmonger for opposing Hitler and Chamberlain was championed as a broker of peace, the early 21^st century Left attacked those who were fighting for freedom and human rights against child-raping, suicide-bombing Islamists, soldiers even punished for fighting that fight, while Obama is lauded as some kind of peacemaker though he has done nothing to but disempower the United States and her allies to fight the real warmongers of our time.

They will see that while the Left claimed to be for women’s rights in particular and human rights in general, they studiously ignored the women and children who were subjugated, abused, raped, had acid thrown in their faces, and murdered according to the faith of Islam.

But History will see the Left as fools and hypocrites for much more than their defense of Islam in America and their claim that the US is the cause of Islamofascism.

The future will look back and see that while the Left claimed to be for the poor, they did everything they could to stop cheap and efficient energy production while forcing the world into inefficient and expensive energy sources that only the rich could afford.  And while their party controlled all branches of government, the whole economy continued its steep decline.

They will see that while the Left claimed to be against corruption and crony capitalism, their president favored his wealthy donors and tax evaders with cabinet and other political positions, gave billions to favored Big businesses and presided over the least transparent administration in the country’s history.

They’ll see that while the Left claimed to be against bullying, they had no problem with voter intimidation by groups like the New Black Panthers, and they had no problem bullying even children who criticized the president’s policies.

WWII Anti-Christian Nazi poster

They will see that though the Left claimed to want the “separation of church and state,” they had nothing to say about the Middle Eastern theocracies, nor the increasing drive toward implementing Sharia, Islam’s religious law, in America.  The future looking back will wonder how the Left could not oppose opening with the Islamic jummah prayer at the Democrat National Convention.  And while giving extremist Muslism a pass, the Left viciously attacked Christianity, the religion of "turn the other cheek," whose followers gave the most to help the poor and destitute.

As the future looks back on a scene like the Code Pink group absurdly protesting the Grand Old Party’s convention, they’ll wonder why the Pinkers didn’t go to a local Islamic center or the Democrat National Convention and sing their song about “where all the world has human rights.”

They will see that though the Left screamed about the intrusive wire-tapping of the  Patriot Act during the Bush years, they had nothing to say when Obama continued that same wire-tapping, and went further by taking away the citizens’ rights of habeas corpus.

They will see that though the Left mouthed the words of equal rights to life, liberty and happiness, they fought fiercely to ensure that women could deny their babies those rights, killing them at any stage of pregnancy and even after birth, and studiously ignored the Islamic theocracies that kill gays as a rule.

Obama bows to Saudi King, 2009

But this is 2012, where the Dalai Llama and the president of Israel, the tiny Democracy in the Middle East are made to go through the back door of the White House while our president bows to and kisses the hands of dictators and welcomes the Muslim Brotherhood into the Oval office.  The Muslim Brotherhood, who in Egypt recently tried to pass law based on the Quran that would allow men to have sex with their dead wives.

This is 2012, where the president’s followers adore him like a cult leader.  Just as Hitler was charismatic and persuasive, so is Obama, and just as some thought Nazi ideas of socialism should work, so does the Left today.  I’m not saying that Obama is a murderous dictator.  That position is squarely held by Ahmadinejad.  The future will see Obama more like the fool Chamberlain, a man who got the peace prize though he did nothing to earn it, a man who mouthed platitudes about peace who did nothing to stop war and everything to weaken his country to fight a bloodthirsty, anti-humanitarian enemy.

It doesn’t matter how corrupt Obama is, how many lobbyists he grants positions of political leadership to, how much he divides the country, how he supports those who subjugate women and children, how many people lose their homes and jobs and go on food stamps, or how many lies he tells.  The followers still bend their minds into pretzels justifying him.

Thankfully, a lot of folks are waking from their zombie fog.  They’re looking at their own bottom line, comparing what Obama said yesterday to what he says and does today.  They see that they’re not better off, that race relations are worse than ever in most of our lifetimes, that Obama is dividing and destroying the country.

For those who remain unconvinced, or twist their minds into pretzels convincing themselves that the clean-as-a-whistle Romney-Ryan duo is somehow worse, there is no hope.  They won’t be persuaded, they have to be defeated, just like Nazi’s and their sympathizers.

Jude Eden, Jane of Trades | August 31, 2012 at 11:03 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p2b545-7r

Campaign Update: Frank Williams, GOP nominee, Brunswick County Commissioner

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 1, 2012

 

CANDIDATE SAYS 'CRUNCH TIME IS HERE'

By FRANK WILLIAMS

Labor Day is this Monday, and we are between the two major parties' conventions.  This means that the campaign season is entering the home stretch.

Thanks to the support and help of you and countless others, we won the Republican Primary last May.  Now, I need your help to win the General Election on November 6.  I do have a Democrat opponent, and we will not take the election lightly.  Please read the rest of this e-newsletter to find out how you can help.  Additionally, please let me know of any events I should attend in your community.

Thank you for your past support.  I look forward to working with you over the next two months to ensure victory in November.

Sincerely,

Frank Williams

How You Can Help

Many of you have asked how you can help with my campaign.  If you live in or near Brunswick County, there are several ways you can get involved:

1. Volunteer with the Brunswick County Republican Victory Office.  They need help with Voter ID phone calls and door-to-door campaigning.  The Victory Office's efforts will benefit me and the entire Republican ticket.  The office is located at the Brunswick County Republican Headquarters, 971 Old Ocean Highway in Bolivia.  Jason Britt, our regional Victory Director, can be reached at 910-297-7402 or jason.britt@ncgop.org.  Please call or email him today to sign up and get involved. 
2. Serve as a Poll Observer or Precinct Official during Early Voting or on Election Day.
3. Put up signs.
4. Distribute literature for the Republican Party on Election Day. 

If you would like to help with items 2, 3 or 4, please click here and sign up volunteer with the Brunswick County Republican Party.

Thoughts on the RNC Convention

I posted the following on Facebook after Wednesday night’s convention proceedings:  "As I watched tonight's convention speeches, numerous speakers mentioned the American Dream. People from all across the world have long sought to come to the USA to try and achieve the AMERICAN dream. Not the Soviet dream. Not the socialist dream. Not the <insert any other country here> dream. The AMERICAN dream. We are a unique nation built on an idea, on an experiment. We are at a crossroads that will decide whether that dream continues to exist as we have known it, that will determine the outcome of the American experiment. Will we still be a nation of free people and free markets, or will we be a shadow of our former self? We are truly at a time for choosing."

RNC Convention Videos

• Mitt Romney’s Speech
• Paul Ryan’s Speech
• Clint Eastwood’s Appearance
• Jeb Bush’s Speech
• Marco Rubio’s Speech
• Condoleeza Rice’s Speech
• Mike Huckabee’s Speech
• Ann Romney’s speech
• Gov. Chris Christie’s keynote address
• John Kasich's speech

Events

Past:

• Photos from Aug. 21 Fundraiser at Caffe Luna in Raleigh
• Photos from Aug. 27 General Election Kickoff Reception in Leland

Upcoming:

• Monday, Sept. 17:  Luncheon in Shallotte with Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.  12:00 noon at Jerome's.  Click here to pre-register online.  Click here to RSVP on Facebook. 
• Monday, Sept. 17:  Reception at Wrightsville Beach with Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.  5:30 p.m. at BlueWater.  Click here to pre-register online.  Click here to RSVP on Facebook. 

Lefty media strike back after Dirty Harry dares to mock Obama.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / Sept. 1, 2011

 

---

by John Nolte 30 Aug 2012 

Obama can't take a joke. But we already knew that.

For four long years we've waited, hoped and prayed that some young comic would break free of the politically correct demands of The State and mock Obama the way all presidents and all people in power should be mocked. But for four long years (with a few exceptions) all we've seen instead are cowardly toadies of The State: Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Chris Rock, the cast of "Saturday Night Live"…

Since Obama won the presidency, comedy has pretty much gone straight to hell as our Entertainment Overlords morphed into pathetic lapdogs to The State; begging for scraps of attention and affection from Obama, and in the process becoming stale, lazy, dull, predictable, painfully unfunny, and like a needy poodle -- more than a little annoying.

Who would've ever thought that one of the men who would display enough backbone and "edge" to finally take it to Obama with wicked mockery on about 30 million live television screens would be 82 year-old Clint Eastwood?

Once we learned Eastwood was the night's mystery guest, no one knew what to expect. And anyone who took a guess most certainly didn’t guess that the Oscar-winning American icon would use his opportunity to relentlessly and hilariously mock Barack Obama in front of the entire free world.

It was glorious! And everyone I've talked to who was in the hall absolutely loved it.

Eastwood hit Obama in every sweet spot we've been waiting for him to get hit on: The incompetence; the lies; the empty, pretentious rhetoric; the inexperience; and that roaring blowhard of a moron Obama chose to be a heartbeat away.  

Oh, and the empty chair. Other than an empty suit, there is no sharper metaphor.

Eastwood also made one of the very best points of the night: WE own this country, and when someone doesn't do the job "we have to let them go."

The media, naturally, is furious. They don’t like to see Their Precious One mocked and they also understand the power of mockery -- which is why they keep Stewart and Colbert on such a tight leash. This is why the media has already written 25 stories (5 from Politico) mocking Eastwood.

Had Eastwood said the things the media likes to hear with the same nervousness and hesitation, they would've called him wizened and seasoned. But because he mocked Their Precious One, suddenly he's some kind of embarrassment.

And now Politico, Ben Smith and CNN are all talking about how they intend to use Eastwood as way to overwhelm Mitt Romney's speech in the coming days.

Like they wouldn't have found another reason.

All I can say in response is: Go to hell you Obama-shilling crybabies. Eastwood showed more grit and honestly in those few minutes than you water carriers have during your entire propaganda-for-the-collective careers.

What Eastwood did tonight was funnier, fresher, edgier,  and braver than anything those comedy cowards Chris Rock, Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert have done in 15 years.

82 years-old, and Dirty Harry is still pissing all the right people off.

My hero.

Follow  John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC

Romney energizes his base, cuts to the chase, makes his case: 'we need jobs, lots of jobs'

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 30, 2012
 
 









Aug 30, 9:16 PM (ET)

By DAVID ESPO and ROBERT FURLOW

VS: IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT FOR AMERICA, FOR AMERICANS, AND FOR MITT ROMNEY!

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Mitt Romney launched his fall campaign for the White House in a rousing Republican National Convention finale Thursday night, proclaiming America needs "jobs, lots of jobs" and promising to create 12 million of them in perilous economic times.
"Now is the time to restore the promise of America," Romney said in excerpts released in advance of his prime-time speech to a nation struggling with 8.3 percent unemployment and the slowest economic recovery in decades.
He muted his criticism in the advance excerpts of President Barack Obama, his quarry in a close and unpredictable race for the White House.
"I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed," he said. "But his promises gave way to disappointment and division."

(AP) Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney points to the photographer as he and vice presidential... Full Image

"This isn't something we have to accept ," he said, appealing to millions of voters who say they are disappointed in the president yet haven't yet decided to cast their votes for his Republican challenger. "Now is the moment when we can stand up and say, 'I'm an American. I make my destiny. And we deserve better! My children deserve better! My family deserves better! My country deserves better!"
Romney's remarks came after other speakers filled out a week-long portrait of the GOP nominee as a man of family and faith, savvy and successful in business, savior of the 2002 Winter Olympics, yet careful with a buck. A portion of the convention stage was rebuilt overnight so he would appear surrounded by delegates rather than speaking from a distance, an attempt to soften his image as a sometimes-stiff and distant candidate.
"He shoveled snow and raked leaves for the elderly. He took down tables and swept floors at church dinners," said Grant Bennett, describing Romney's volunteer work as an unpaid lay clergy leader in the Mormon church.
Following him to the podium, Ted and Pat Oparowski tenderly recalled how Romney befriended their 14-year-old son David as he was dying of cancer. "We will be ever grateful to Mitt for his love and concern," she said.

(AP) Michigan delegate Linda Lee Tarver from Lansing wipes away her tears during the Republican National... Full Image

Beyond the heartfelt personal testimonials and political hoopla, the evening marked one of a very few opportunities any presidential challenger is granted to appeal to millions of voters in a single night. The two-month campaign to come includes other big moments - principally a series of one-on-one debates with Democrat Obama - in a race for the White House that has been close for months. In excess of $500 million has been spent on campaign television commercials so far, almost all of it in the battleground states of Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada.
Romney holds a fundraising advantage over Obama, and his high command hopes to expand the electoral map soon if post-convention polls in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and perhaps elsewhere indicate it's worth the investment. In a speech that blended the political and the personal, Romney talked in his excerpts of the importance of the love he felt from his parents and that he and his wife Ann have sought to give their children and grandchildren.
"All the laws and legislation in the world will never heal this world like the loving hearts and arms of mothers and fathers," he said.
As for Obama, he said, "Many Americans have given up on this president, but they haven't ever thought about giving up. Not on themselves, Not on each other. And not on America."

Jeb Bush slams Obama for blaming problems on George W. Bush.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 30, 2012

Gov. Jeb Bush at convention

By Jordy Yager - 08/30/12 08:26 PM ET

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush vigorously defended the presidency of his brother, George W. Bush, to a full standing ovation at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

Bush centered his speech on education reform, but went off his prepared remarks to lash out at President Obama for attributing the broken economy to failings of his older brother.

“Mr. President, it’s time to stop blaming your predecessor for your failed economic policies,” said Bush. “You were dealt a tough hand but your policies have not worked. In the forth year of your presidency a real leader would accept responsibility for his actions and you haven’t done it.”

The packed crowd of the Tampa Bay Times Forum went wild with applause. Bush then switched gears to put teachers unions on the chopping block as he made Mitt Romney’s case for reforming the U.S. education system.

Bush said states would have to take the lead on improving the education system but that Romney would press hard for the rights of parents to choose the school their child attends.

“You can either help the politically powerful unions or you can help the kids,” said Bush. “Now, I know it's hard to take on the unions. They fund campaigns, they're well-organized.”

“But you and I know who deserves a choice. Governor Romney knows it, too.”

Romney has not spoken often of education reform on the campaign trail, with the primary focus revolving around jobs and the economy. Instead, several of his powerful surrogates, such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have taken hard hits at teacher unions as they pushed for school choice rights.

Bush got an awkward laugh from the Republican crowd as he made a comparison between a person’s ability to choose what type of milk they want to buy at a grocery store to a parent’s option to choose the type of school their child goes to.

“They even make milk for people who can't drink milk,” said Bush. “Shouldn't parents have that kind of choice in schools?”

“Governor Romney gets it. He believes parents - regardless of zip code or income - should be able to send their child to the school that fits them best.”

In a strange slight to Bush, current Florida Gov. Rick Scott was seen making his way down an aisle on the convention floor shaking hands, talking, and taking pictures with delegates during the first half of Bush's speech.

Many initially thought Bush was planning to speak about immigration. The Romney campaign has looked to Bush, as the governor of a state with more than 1.4 million registered Latino voters, to help deliver Hispanics, which Republicans will surely need in order to take the White House.

But Bush’s only two plays toward Latinos were in his opening statement when he welcomed the crowd to Florida in Spanish, and when he touted the vastly improved standings for Hispanic students in Florida.
This story was updated at 8:50 p.m.

Paul Ryan's warning in speech at national GOP session: 'We don't have much time.'

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 29, 2012

'AMERICA NEEDS A TURNAROUND, AND THE MAN FOR THE JOB IS GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY.'

By: Associated Press

August 29, 2012 11:06 PM est

Seizing the spotlight, Paul Ryan told the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night that Mitt Romney "will not duck the tough issues" if he wins the White House this fall, and their party will move forcefully to solve the nation's economic woes. 

Rep. Paul Ryan in Tampa

"After four years of getting the runaround, America needs a turnaround, and the man for the job is Governor Mitt Romney," the Wisconsin lawmaker told the gathering dogged by Tropical Storm Isaac. The storm, though downgraded from a hurricane, was still inflicting misery on millions along the nearby northern Gulf Coast.

To the cheers of the delegates, he pledged Republicans would save Medicare from looming bankruptcy, despite constant accusations from Democrats that the GOP approach would shred the program that provides health care to more than 30 million seniors. 

"Our nation needs this debate. We want this debate. We will win this debate," Ryan declared. But he offered no details of the remedy Republicans would propose should they take the White House.

His speech was part attack on President Barack Obama, part spirited testimonial to Romney, all leavened by a loving tribute to Ryan's own mother, seated across the hall in a VIP box. 

"To this day, my mom is a role model," he said while she beamed and exchanged smiles with one of his children and delegates cheered. 

As for Obama and the Democrats, he said they `have run out of ideas. Their moment came and went. Fear and division is all they've got left." 

Ryan's vice presidential acceptance speech marked not only his turn to address convention delegates but also a prime-time national debut by a 42-year-old lawmaker lauded by fellow Republicans for his understanding of the complexities of the nation's budget. 

In a secondary role if only for a moment, Romney accused Obama of backing "reckless defense cuts" amounting to $1 trillion. "There are plenty of places to cut in a federal budget that now totals over $3 trillion. But defense is not one of them," Romney said in remarks that referred elliptically to the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. 

Romney spoke to the American Legion in Indianapolis as his aides in Florida scripted an economy-and-veterans-themed program in their own convention hall and kept a wary eye on Isaac. The storm was threatening levees in the New Orleans area almost exactly seven years after the calamitous Hurricane Katrina.

If Ryan's selection was designed in part to appeal to conservatives, the convention was scripted to strengthen the ticket's appeals among women, Hispanics and others who prefer Obama over the Republicans, as well as veterans who supported John McCain in 2008.

"Republicans must acknowledge that not every dollar spent on the military is necessary or well-spent, and Democrats must admit that domestic welfare and entitlements must be reformed," he asserted.

In his speech, Ryan said, "The present administration has made its choices. And Mitt Romney and I have made ours: Before the math and the momentum overwhelm us all, we are going to solve this nation's economic problems. 

"And I'm going to level with you: We don't have that much time." 

As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan is the architect of a plan to curb long-term deficits by reducing taxes and making deep cuts in accounts ranging from farm programs to education. He also advocates saving billions from remaking Medicare and Medicaid, the government's health care programs for seniors and the poor. 

Senator Rand Paul at GOP Convention: 'Both parties must slay sacred cows'

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 29, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY 

August 29, 2012 

 

TAMPA -- Sen. Rand Paul urged GOP delegates tonight to embrace the Constitution and adopt the mantra of small government, as he urged them to elect Mitt Romney to the White House.

Paul is a Tea Party favorite and the son of the Texas congressman who was an adherent of the movement long before it had a name. For Tea Partiers, having one member of the Paul family on stage here onight might be small consolation.

 

The senator was applauded for his talk.

"Republicans and Democrats alike must slay their sacred cows," Senator Rand Paul said. "Republicans must acknowledge that not every dollar spent on the military is necessary or well-spent, and Democrats must admit that domestic welfare and entitlements must be reformed."

The Kentucky senator, elected in 2010, was preceded to the stage by a short video tribute of his father, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who fell short in his White House bid this year.

The Tampa Bay Times Forum erupted in cheers when the film began playing, and members of the denim-shirt clad Texas delegation began waving their hats in glee.

"Ron Paul was the only one I know who made a difference by making a point," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in the Paul tribute film.

Rand Paul defeated Trey Grayson -- a better-known Republican backed by party leaders -- to win the GOP nomination in the Blue Grass State two years ago. An ophthalmologist, Paul defeated Democrat Jack Conway to win the seat of retiring Republican Jim Bunning.

Paul was active in his dad's campaign and surprised some when he endorsed Romney after the elder Paul stopped campaigning actively for the nomination.

"To lead us forward, away from the looming debt crisis, it will take someone who believes in America's greatness ... someone who has created jobs, someone who understands and appreciates what makes America great," he said. "I believe that someone is our nominee: Governor Mitt Romney."

Last night, Ron Paul's supporters disrupted the GOP convention's proceedings in protest of party rule changes that would make it more difficult for insurgent presidential candidates to amass delegates at future conventions.

Ron Paul declined a speaking role at the convention, in part because he didn't want to give a "full-throated" endorsement of Romney or have his speech vetted by the Romney campaign. He and his supporters held a rally at the University of South Florida Sun Dome earlier this week.

The Ron Paul video featured tributes from Tea Party favorites such as Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan.

Mitt and Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, Chris Christie -- 2012 GOP Convention rolls on in Tampa.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 29, 2012

By KASIE HUNT, Associated Press
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press 

TAMPA, Fla. — His convention speech finished, Republican Mitt Romney planned to outline a "clear vision of a Romney presidency" in a Thursday night address that's likely to touch on the storm bearing down on the Gulf Coast.

Strategists described the speech in broad terms Tuesday and said they had not discussed contingency plans for changing the timing or content of the prime-time address. Hurricane Isaac was expected to slam the Gulf Coast late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Romney has largely completed work on the speech after months of preparation, according to senior aide Stuart Stevens, who worked closely with the presidential contender to craft what is likely the most important speech of his political career.

"It'll be a clear vision of a Romney presidency, and very much from his heart about America, and why he wants to be president and what his presidency would be like," Stevens told reporters traveling on the plane that brought Romney and his wife, Ann, to Tampa on Tuesday.

Stevens said the speech, about 40 minutes long, would also include some criticism of President Barack Obama.

"Overwhelmingly, a majority of Americans don't want to vote for this president. You see that over and over and over again," Stevens said. "It's still a choice. There will be an element of that."

Asked whether Romney would address the hurricane in his speech, Stevens said: "I think he'll speak to it, yeah."

Romney and his wife spent much of the weekend rehearsing their speeches near their New Hampshire summer home. Mrs. Romney addresses the convention Tuesday night and her husband will be on hand to watch. Mitt Romney speaks Thursday.

"We're always concerned about people's safety," Ann Romney said when asked about the storm.
Isaac, which delayed the start of the convention by a day, now threatens Louisiana and Alabama as Republicans are set to celebrate Romney's nomination.

Stevens acknowledged that the storm could affect whatever political boost Romney might get from the convention. Candidates typically receive a boost of public support after their party conventions. Polls suggest the race between Obama and Romney is very close.

"This convention's different because of the hurricane," Stevens said, adding that conventions are later in the year than they have been traditionally. "I think if the election were held tomorrow we'd win and win pretty easily."

Artur Davis "a light shining through the muck and mire of this year's election scene."

Verne Strickland blogmaster / August 29, 2012

Artur Davis, More Yes Please!

by Jude Eden, Jane of Trades 

There's a lot that makes me cringe about the GOP convention. Obese singers, John Boehner and twangy country songs don't exactly blow my dress up and don't do the Right's image any favors. The out-of-the blue Rule 15 battle the GOP started regarding who chooses the delegates is demoralizing and totally unnecessary. And among all the speakers there seem to be narry a real Conservative to be found besides the wonderful Mia Love.

Then comes Artur Davis, a light shining through the muck and mire of this year's election scene. This is the message and the messenger I've been waiting for. The choir needs a message it can wholeheartedly support, and the opposition needs a vessel that just might open its ears and hearts.

Listen and share!

Jude Eden, Jane of Trades | August 29, 2012 at 12:13 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p2b545-6I

GOP highlights America's future and jobs -- Democrats will celebrate the right to kill kids.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 29, 3012

Ann Romney will be a stellar First Lady

By: Erick Erickson Editor of RedState  |  August 29th at 03:30 AM  |  24

Last night in Tampa, FL, Ann Romney wowed the crowd. She was personable, personal, and did her best to make her husband relatable. At the same time, the Democratic National Convention was rounding out its list of speakers.

While Ann Romney, Chris Christie, and the rest of the Republicans are focused on the future of this country and the way to create jobs, the Democrats are turning their convention into a celebration of the right to kill kids.

Hiding behind the euphemism of “women’s health” and the “war of women,” the Democrats intend to trot on stage all manner of radical abortion supporters, from Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood to Nancy Keenan of NARAL to Sandra Fluke who still insists tax payers subsidize the sexual habits of Americans.

The Democratic Convention has turned into an abortion fest where speaker after speaker will try to convince Americans that Mitt Romney wants to send women back to the fifties, as Barack Obama’s campaign website claims, and will try to distract from terrible economic news that will be pouring out as third quarter economic results begin rolling out.

But here’s the most galling part — a media that has spent weeks portraying the Republican Party as fringe because of its nominee’s position on abortion, will totally ignore that more Americans agree with Mitt Romney than they do the abortion on demand position of Democrats.

The Speakers at the Democratic National Convention have opposed the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, and even mild efforts to ensure sanitary conditions at abortion clinics for those who do decide to kill their children.

But the media, I have no doubt, will dance around the fact that the Democratic Convention will pull out all the stops to convince women their vaginas are in danger as they celebrate their ability to kill kids and lament restricts on doing so.

America has an 8.3% unemployment rate, but don’t expect to hear much about that. Priorities, you see.

Tags: Democratic National Convention

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey packs convention punch ranking close to full-bore hurricane.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / August 28, 2012

 

The Hon. Chris Christie
Governor of New Jersey
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery at Republican National Convention
August 28, 2012
Tue Aug 28 2012 21:26:40 ET

**Exclusive**

This stage and this moment are very improbable for me.

A New Jersey Republican delivering the keynote address to our national convention, from a state with 700,000 more Democrats than Republicans.

A New Jersey Republican stands before you tonight.

Proud of my party, proud of my state and proud of my country.

I am the son of an Irish father and a Sicilian mother.

My Dad, who I am blessed to have with me here tonight, is gregarious, outgoing and loveable.

My Mom, who I lost 8 years ago, was the enforcer. She made sure we all knew who set the rules.

In the automobile of life, Dad was just a passenger. Mom was the driver.

They both lived hard lives. Dad grew up in poverty. After returning from Army service, he worked at the Breyers Ice Cream plant in the 1950s. With that job and the G.I. bill he put himself through Rutgers University at night to become the first in his family to earn a college degree. Our first family picture was on his graduation day, with Mom beaming next to him, six months pregnant with me.

Mom also came from nothing. She was raised by a single mother who took three buses to get to work every day. And mom spent the time she was supposed to be a kid actually raising children - her two younger siblings. She was tough as nails and didn't suffer fools at all. The truth was she couldn't afford to. She spoke the truth - bluntly, directly and without much varnish.

I am her son.

I was her son as I listened to "Darkness on the Edge of Town" with my high school friends on the Jersey Shore.

I was her son as I moved into a studio apartment with Mary Pat to start a marriage that is now 26 years old.

I was her son as I coached our sons Andrew and Patrick on the fields of Mendham, and as I watched with pride as our daughters Sarah and Bridget marched with their soccer teams in the Labor Day parade.

And I am still her son today, as Governor, following the rules she taught me: to speak from the heart and to fight for your principles. She never thought you get extra credit for just speaking the truth.

The greatest lesson Mom ever taught me, though, was this one: she told me there would be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected. She said to always pick being respected, that love without respect was always fleeting -- but that respect could grow into real, lasting love.

Now, of course, she was talking about women.

But I have learned over time that it applies just as much to leadership. In fact, I think that advice applies to America today more than ever.

I believe we have become paralyzed by our desire to be loved.

Our founding fathers had the wisdom to know that social acceptance and popularity is fleeting and that this country's principles needed to be rooted in strengths greater than the passions and emotions of the times.

Our leaders today have decided it is more important to be popular, to do what is easy and say "yes," rather than to say no when "no" is what's required.

In recent years, we as a country have too often chosen the same path.

It's been easy for our leaders to say not us, and not now, in taking on the tough issues. And we've stood silently by and let them get away with it.

But tonight, I say enough.

I say, together, let's make a much different choice. Tonight, we are speaking up for ourselves and stepping up.

We are beginning to do what is right and what is necessary to make our country great again.

We are demanding that our leaders stop tearing each other down, and work together to take action on the big things facing America.

Tonight, we choose respect over love.

We are not afraid. We are taking our country back.

We are the great grandchildren of men and women who broke their backs in the name of American ingenuity; the grandchildren of the Greatest Generation; the sons and daughters of immigrants; the brothers and sisters of everyday heroes; the neighbors of entrepreneurs and firefighters, teachers and farmers, veterans and factory workers and everyone in-between who shows up not just on the big days or the good days, but on the bad days and on the hard days.

Each and every day. All 365 of them.

We are the United States of America.

Now we must lead the way our citizens live. To lead as my mother insisted I live, not by avoiding truths, especially the hard ones, but by facing up to them and being the better for it.

We cannot afford to do anything less.

I know because this was the challenge in New Jersey.

When I came into office, I could continue on the same path that led to wealth, jobs and people leaving the state or I could do the job the people elected me to do - to do the big things.

There were those who said it couldn't be done. The problems were too big, too politically charged, too broken to fix. But we were on a path we could no longer afford to follow.

They said it was impossible to cut taxes in a state where taxes were raised 115 times in eight years. That it was impossible to balance a budget at the same time, with an $11 billion deficit. Three years later, we have three balanced budgets with lower taxes.

We did it.

They said it was impossible to touch the third rail of politics. To take on the public sector unions and to reform a pension and health benefit system that was headed to bankruptcy.

With bipartisan leadership we saved taxpayers $132 billion over 30 years and saved retirees their pension.

We did it.

They said it was impossible to speak the truth to the teachers union. They were just too powerful. Real teacher tenure reform that demands accountability and ends the guarantee of a job for life regardless of performance would never happen.

For the first time in 100 years with bipartisan support, we did it.

The disciples of yesterday's politics underestimated the will of the people. They assumed our people were selfish; that when told of the difficult problems, tough choices and complicated solutions, they would simply turn their backs, that they would decide it was every man for himself.

Instead, the people of New Jersey stepped up and shared in the sacrifice.

They rewarded politicians who led instead of politicians who pandered.

We shouldn't be surprised.

We've never been a country to shy away from the truth. History shows that we stand up when it counts and it's this quality that has defined our character and our significance in the world.

I know this simple truth and I'm not afraid to say it: our ideas are right for America and their ideas have failed America.

Let's be clear with the American people tonight. Here's what we believe as Republicans and what they believe as Democrats.

We believe in telling hard working families the truth about our country's fiscal realities. Telling them what they already know - the math of federal spending doesn't add up.

With $5 trillion in debt added over the last four years, we have no other option but to make the hard choices, cut federal spending and fundamentally reduce the size of government.

They believe that the American people don't want to hear the truth about the extent of our fiscal difficulties and need to be coddled by big government.

They believe the American people are content to live the lie with them.

We believe in telling seniors the truth about our overburdened entitlements.

We know seniors not only want these programs to survive, but they just as badly want them secured for their grandchildren.

Seniors are not selfish.

They believe seniors will always put themselves ahead of their grandchildren. So they prey on their vulnerabilities and scare them with misinformation for the cynical purpose of winning the next election.

Their plan: whistle a happy tune while driving us off the fiscal cliff, as long as they are behind the wheel of power.

We believe that the majority of teachers in America know our system must be reformed to put students first so that America can compete.

Teachers don't teach to become rich or famous. They teach because they love children.

We believe that we should honor and reward the good ones while doing what's best for our nation's future - demanding accountability, higher standards and the best teacher in every classroom.

They believe the educational establishment will always put themselves ahead of children. That self-interest trumps common sense.

They believe in pitting unions against teachers, educators against parents, and lobbyists against children.

They believe in teacher's unions.

We believe in teachers.

We believe that if we tell the people the truth they will act bigger than the pettiness of Washington, D.C.

We believe it's possible to forge bipartisan compromise and stand up for conservative principles.

It's the power of our ideas, not of our rhetoric, that attracts people to our Party.

We win when we make it about what needs to be done; we lose when we play along with their game of scaring and dividing.

For make no mistake, the problems are too big to let the American people lose - the slowest economic recovery in decades, a spiraling out of control deficit, an education system that's failing to compete in the world.

It doesn't matter how we got here. There is enough blame to go around.

What matters now is what we do.

I know we can fix our problems.

When there are people in the room who care more about doing the job they were elected to do than worrying about winning re-election, it's possible to work together, achieve principled compromise and get results.

The people have no patience for any other way.

It's simple.

We need politicians to care more about doing something and less about being something.

Believe me, if we can do this in a blue state with a conservative Republican Governor, Washington is out of excuses.

Leadership delivers.

Leadership counts.

Leadership matters.

We have this leader for America.

We have a nominee who will tell us the truth and who will lead with conviction. And now he has a running mate who will do the same.

We have Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan, and we must make them our next President and Vice President.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to put us back on the path to growth and create good paying private sector jobs again in America.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to end the torrent of debt that is compromising our future and burying our economy.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to end the debacle of putting the world's greatest health care system in the hands of federal bureaucrats and putting those bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.

We ended an era of absentee leadership without purpose or principle in New Jersey.

It's time to end this era of absentee leadership in the Oval Office and send real leaders to the White House.

America needs Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan and we need them right now.

There is doubt and fear for our future in every corner of our country.

These feelings are real.

This moment is real.

It's a moment like this where some skeptics wonder if American greatness is over.

How those who have come before us had the spirit and tenacity to lead America to a new era of greatness in the face of challenge.

Not to look around and say "not me," but to say, "YES, ME."

I have an answer tonight for the skeptics and the naysayers, the dividers and the defenders of the status quo.

I have faith in us.

I know we can be the men and women our country calls on us to be.

I believe in America and her history.

There's only one thing missing now. Leadership. It takes leadership that you don't get from reading a poll.

You see, Mr. President - real leaders don't follow polls. Real leaders change polls.

That's what we need to do now.

Change polls through the power of our principles.

Change polls through the strength of our convictions.

Tonight, our duty is to tell the American people the truth.

Our problems are big and the solutions will not be painless. We all must share in the sacrifice. Any leader that tells us differently is simply not telling the truth.

I think tonight of the Greatest Generation.

We look back and marvel at their courage - overcoming the Great Depression, fighting Nazi tyranny, standing up for freedom around the world.

Now it's our time to answer history's call.

For make no mistake, every generation will be judged and so will we.

What will our children and grandchildren say of us? Will they say we buried our heads in the sand, we assuaged ourselves with the creature comforts we've acquired, that our problems were too big and we were too small, that someone else should make a difference because we can't?

Or will they say we stood up and made the tough choices needed to preserve our way of life?

I don't know about you, but I don't want my children and grandchildren to have to read in a history book what it was like to live in an American Century.

I don't want their only inheritance to be an enormous government that has overtaxed, overspent and over-borrowed a great people into second-class citizenship.

I want them to live in a second American Century.

A second American Century of strong economic growth where those who are willing to work hard will have good paying jobs to support their families and reach their dreams.

A second American Century where real American exceptionalism is not a political punch line, but is evident to everyone in the world just by watching the way our government conducts its business and everyday Americans live their lives.

A second American Century where our military is strong, our values are sure, our work ethic is unmatched and our Constitution remains a model for anyone in the world struggling for liberty.

Let us choose a path that will be remembered for generations to come. Standing strong for freedom will make the next century as great an American century as the last one.

This is the American way.

We have never been victims of destiny.

We have always been masters of our own.

I won't be part of the generation that fails that test and neither will you.

It's now time to stand up. There's no time left to waste.

If you're willing to stand up with me for America's future, I will stand up with you.

If you're willing to fight with me for Mitt Romney, I will fight with you.

If you're willing to hear the truth about the hard road ahead, and the rewards for America that truth will bear, I'm here to begin with you this new era of truth-telling.

Tonight, we choose the path that has always defined our nation's history.

Tonight, we finally and firmly answer the call that so many generations have had the courage to answer before us.

Tonight, we stand up for Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.

And, together, we stand up once again for American greatness.