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.