Where's the 'Change' ??

Obama's State of the Union speech: Full of class warfare, blame and empty promises

By BRIAN DARLING

Last updated at 7:40 PM on 25th January 2012

According to Brian Darling, Obama's State of the Union speech contained three central elements: Class Warfare, Blame and More Empty Promise.

He feels that the theme for Obama's 2012 campaign will be "Getting Stronger." This is depressing in comparison to the 2008 campaign theme, "Hope and Change." Depressing does not win reelections.


<----   Where is it??


The President started off his speech attacking free market capitalism. He proposed the the government should act as a referee for the large companies and make sure that play 'by the same rules.'

Obama was blaming George W. Bush for America's crisis. Obama argued that Bush and Republicans were the cause of 'a crisis that put millions our of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hard-working Americans holding the bad.'  Darling believes that though Obama was a senator during the crisis, he took no actions to stop the crisis before it happened.

Overall, Darling believes that Obama has proposed many ideas during the Union address Tuesday night. However, they are all empty promises. He seems bitter that he has not seen much change in America since his inauguration in 2008. The author seems totally biased and does not give Obama much credit. He is trying to persuade many Americans that Obama should not be elected and that we should look for new leadership.

Fell Asleep during Obama's State of the Union??

State of the Union Address 2012: Summary of Obama's Speech

By IBTIMES STAFF REPORTER January 25, 2012

President Obama delivered his 2012 State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. The speech was essential because it was a way to help Obama ensure reelection. The hour +  long speech was very thorough and informal. Many of you probably could not withstand the extensive speech and probably fell asleep. Luckily, I have summarized Obama's speech and I am going to list some of the major topics that he mentioned.

* Obama started off his speech on the military. He reminds America that the war in Iraq has succesfully ended, with the defeat of Osama bin Laden and other top al Qaeda members.

*We need to keep the promise of the American Dream alive - that is you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college and have money left over for retirement.

* A proposed economic blueprint consisting of an economy build on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values.

*GM is back on top, Chrysler is blossoming and Ford has invested billions in U.S. plants and factories.

*Emphasized that we should focus on American products and manufacturing:
-manufacturing must be brought to American stores. This would start eliminating tax breaks for going overseas and give tax breaks to companies that keep jobs in the U.S.
-The Trade Enforcement Unit will investigate unfair trading practices in China to ensure that no foreign companies will have an advantage over American companies
-inform Americans in trade

*The essence of education -reward the nation's best teachers and extend the tuition tax credit for college students.

*Tackle illegal immigration

*Extend tax breaks to help small businesses grow

*Natural Resources - spur energy innovation with incentives like clean energy standards and elimination of energy waste

*pump money into local infrastructure

*Financial Crime Units will crack down on large-scale fraud and protect investments so 2008 will never happen again

*everyone must pay their fair share in taxes, no loop holes

*prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power

*create jobs for veterans

*work together in bipartisan effort

Urinating on Taliban??

Perry: W.H. has 'disdain for military'

January 15th, 2012  CNN State of the Union with Candy Crowley 

Recently, there was a video released showing a group of Marines urinating on dead bodies, who are thought to be of the Taliban. This video has been very controversial and Obama's administration handled the situation and punished those Marines. Candy Crowley sat down with Rick Perry and asked him what his thoughts are on the whole situation.

She asked him, "If you were President, Perry, what would you do about that?" He understands that 19-18 year old kids make stupid mistakes. He says that similar things like this has happened many times, especially in times of war. His example, there is a picture of General Patton urinating in the Rhine River in Germany (World War II).

Candy responds by saying that this isn't similar. The picture of Patton, was before youtube and other social media. This could hurt the United States and could give off a bad impression of Americans not respecting religion and other parts of the world. She believes that no matter what age they are, is this tolerable?

He believes that though these kids made a mistake, calling it a criminal act, is over-the-top. He says that they should be punished by going after them as a criminal is a bad call in the Obama's administration.

This video was before Perry dropped out of the Presidential race. However, this could have affected his polls. Many voters would probably be disappointed that Perry would show such tolerance to this act. Many Americans find this disrespectful and though they are young, it is unacceptable. This could have back-fired on Perry because he is supposedly a religious man with morals. Doesn't having high morals mean having zero tolerance for such an act??? For him to disagree with the punishment given to them does not make sense, in my opinion. I would expect such sympathy from a social liberal. 

Disney World Loves Romney??

Sound off on the Florida Primary GOP candidates

January 20, 2012

I always knew Cinderella and those Disney Princesses were conservatives. They are sick and tired of the government taxing their high income. Just kidding....

According to this article, there are a numerous amount of people who believe that Romney is the best choice to be president.

Alex Lee of Orlando says the Romney is the right choice. He believes that America's economy is under assault from President Obama's efforts to transform it into a European-style welfare state. While other candidates have spent their lives in government as the beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars, Romney is the only one who helped companies get started and produced thousands of jobs.

Joe S. Regala says that Romney's Mormonism should not discourage voters to pick him. John F. K was a Catholic, Obama's father was a Muslim and Mitt is a Mormon. So what?

Adam Putnam - He believes that Obama broke the promises that he made. He asks, "Where is the jobs that we were promised?" Florida has a 10% unemployment rate, meaning that nearly a million men and women can't find work. There is a tidal wave of home foreclosure. "We can't afford four more years of Obama," he says. He is a perspective voter. They formal qualifications he believes that Romney has is that he has spent his career in the private sector, starting up companies and helped rescuing businesses that were headed for bankruptcy. He believes that Romney would bring an end in Obama's runaway federal spending and borrowing. He claims that Romney also would bring new ways to open foreign markets for American exports, which will certainly benefit Florida's 15 deepwater seaports.

We will see how Florida will vote during its primary on Jan. 31. This article seems totally biased. It only puts people who are Republican and makes it seems like the whole Florida is discontent with Obama. Simply put it, three opinions does not accurately reflect Florida's opinion on the President.

Winners and Losers: South Carolina Debate

South Carolina GOP debate: Winners and Losers

By

Corbett B. Daly

 January 20, 2012 

The South Carolina debate could be the last factor that voters would take into consideration when voting in the primary, which is less than 24 hours away. In cased you missed the South Carolina debate, here is the list of winners and losers. 

Winners: 

Newt Gingrich - The South Carolina debate sponsored by CNN started off with an attacking question to Gingrich in regards to the open marriage with his second wife before divorcing her. Newt with a mild aggression responded back. He said that he was "appalled" that moderator, John King, would begin the debate with the marriage question. He claimed that the story was false. "Every personal friend I have who knew about us in that period said the story was false." He added that they had also offered ABC prove that it was false and claimed that they did not accept it because they were so interested in attacking any Republican. He said that he is tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans. Bashing the media worked in his favor. Gingrich's applause came when he changed the topic pertaining to tax returns. He showed that he paid a 31% rate, in contrast to Romney who only paid 15%.  

Rick Santorum- Santorum was thought to have his best debate yet. This was because he had to attack his best pal Gingrich. He gave his opinion, "I don't want a nominee that I have to worry about going out and looking at the paper the next day and figuring out what is he --worrying about what he's going to say next... Newt's a friend but at times, you've just got, you know, sort of that, worrisome moment that something's going to pop." He believes that though he does not get the biggest applause lines here, he is steady and solid. With Gingrich, he says that "there is an idea a minute. there is no discipline, no ablility to be able to pull things together." Santorum also attacked Romney on his health care law he signed while he was governor of Massachusetts, later used as a model for President Obama's signature legislative acheivement of his presidency. 

Losers:

Romney - Romney is usually smooth when it comes to the debate floor but he had some many awkward moments Thursday night. In regards to his tax return, he could not contemplate on whether he would release them or not. He first said he would not, then said maybe. He was booed for his answer. This nervousness is due to him being uncomfortable talking about his wealth. Is Romney trying to be modest or is there a secret he is hiding? 

Paul - Paul did not play a role in the debate. He was really ignored by moderator John King and the audience had to shout his name to remind King to give Paul a chance. 

In conclusion, it seems that Newt is quickly gaining favor. He has now surged twice this campaign and each time, his poll number is rising. In addition, he now has Perry's support after he dropped out. Is Romney losing his momentum? Will he prevail? We will see tomorrow. 

Baby, Come Back!!!

Huntsman quits GOP race

By KASIE HUNT 1/17/2012

Way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, huh? Monday, Jan. 16th, Jon Huntsman withdrew his candidacy for the GOP presidential race. Afterwards, he decided to endorsed Mitt Romney, saying that he is the man "best equipped to defeat Barack Obama."

The former Utah governor left a message to the remaining candidates. He believes that the remaining contenders should stop attacking each other in TV commercials. "At its core, the Republican Party is a party of ideas, but the current toxic form of our political discourse does not help our cause."

Many questions arise. Why did he decide to withdraw? Why was he so behind compared to the other candidates?

Huntsman has always had a huge disadvantage. His decision to withdraw probably became finalized when he realized that his name would not appear on the South Carolina ballots. In addition, he lacked the money to pay for TV commercials or other essentials of a modern campaign. While Romney and other candidates were drawing media attention, Huntsman was half way around the world serving as ambassador to China until late April. Huntsman entered because he believed that he had many formal qualifications being: a businessman, a diplomat, a governor, a veteran of four presidential administrations, and an expert on China and foreign trade. However, I guess they weren't good enough.

Now pressure arises for Rick Perry to also drop out in order to allow South Carolina's influential social conservatives a better chance at winning - Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich. Santorum worked over the weekend to consolidate conservative support. "I think it's important that we eventually consolidate this race." He stopped short of urging Perry to quit the race.

This affects public policies, though it may not be drastic. Many of Huntsman's supporters, seeing that he has endorsed Romney, will also follow their him and support Romney too. Knowing this, Romney seems to have a huge advantage and support over the others. Do the others even stand a chance now?

"Vulture Capitalism" - Did Rick Perry go TOO FAR??

Interview with Rick Perry   

01/15/2012 ABC News This Week with George Stephanopoulos 

Governor Rick Perry visits ABC News This Week with a host, whose last name is too long to mention, so I just call him by his first name George. Rick Perry tells George that he is going around South Carolina, persuading voters that he is the ideal candidate because he is both a fiscal and social conservative.
However, George drops the news on Perry, saying that a big group of social conservatives meeting is Texas actually sees him as a non-electable candidate. Perry responds by saying it is not over. He compares this opinion on the opinion on Ronald Reagan, that he was thought to be unelectable, yet he became president.

His message is about getting jobs back. He implies that he has the formal quantification because he was governor for 11 years in his home-state of Texas. He said that he has created plenty of jobs in Texas, keeping the taxes low, which is important because "Texas has the 13th largest economy in the world."
George then tells Perry that he has taking some heat from Republicans about his statements on Mitt Romney. He used the phrase, "vulture capitalism." The question is, is Perry sabotaging his on party? Will this help the Democratic Party?

As many of you may know, vultures are scavengers that feed on rotten carcasses. The term, "vulture capitalist" means people who spot a dead or dying business and uses it for profit. This creates distortions in the economic food-chain and would affect a free market economy.

Perry says that it is best to bring that flaw up now rather than in the fall. "We are going to get tested by Obama's groups. Better to be prepared now than September."

George concludes with a final question. He asks Perry if he does not come out to be successful in South Carolina, will he drop out? Perry says that he cannot answer that question and he will have to wait on Saturday to figure out. I guess we all will have to wait...

Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich BROMANCE??

Santorum: I'm a threat to the GOP establishment 

CBS Sunday Talk show with Bob Schieffer 01/15/12 

Gay activist, (just kidding) Rick Santorum appeared today on CBS's Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer. The interview starts off with Schieffer quoting what Santorum's best friend, Newt, said about Mitt Romney. Newt said that, "Mitt would not just be a bad choice, but a real problem for Republicans."

As what any other good friend would do, Santorum agreed with the statement. His reason is: Health Care. He says that Romney's plan  was based on Obama's health care, he was for individual mandate and government control of health care. He continues by saying that it increased taxes, including the taxes on a federal level ecause he says that "we've been pumping billions of dollars in the state of Massachusetts for Romney care." Overall, he says that it would be a disaster for both Obama and Romney to run against each other when their views on health care are the same, a view that Santorum believes is ridiculous.

Santorum says that some people want a president that will bring little to no change because they want to feel comfortable. He adds that when someone like him, who is a reformer, wants to shakes things up, especially when he was in DC, they feel that he is a threat to the GOP establishment.

Schieffer then asks why Santorum is a better candidate than others like Ron Paul and Newt. Santorum says that he agrees with some of their views.

For Paul: he agrees with Paul's view on the amounts of cuts they need to make and reforms of things like the federal reserve. The problem is his democratic view on national security. He wants to withdraw the troops and that would not keep America on good terms with its allies.

For Gingrich: This must be so HARD for Santorum to bash on his BFF, but he's gotta do it if he wants to win. He begins by saying, "Newt  is a friend and someone that I have a lot of respect for." But he believes that Newt has a bad record of leadership. He says that the US Senate Leadership, every group like NRA could depend on Santorum for conservative agenda items. 

Throughout the GOP races, I have noticed a bond between Santorum and Gingrich. They are always backing each other's views and attacked Romney together. This may be a strategy and could seem like a serious threat on the other candidates when they know that their opponents are in a small allegiance. Santorum and Gingrich do not have to worry about negative aids about them from the other because of this somewhat friendship that they have going. 

Looks Like It's Only *Romney vs. Paul* in Virginia

Perry Won’t Appear on Virginia GOP Primary Ballot, Judge Rules 

January 15, 2012, 9:38 AM EST By Tom Schoenberg and Bonnie V. Winston 

Virginia's primary is scheduled to be taken place on March 6, but, I guess the Virginians will only see Mitt Romney and Ron Paul on the ballots. Too bad for Gingrich, Perry, Santorum and Huntsman.

GOP candidates argued that Virginia's primary rules, that required 10,000 signatures from valid Virginia voters, improper and unconstitutional. However, U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. denied those challenges. Though he agrees that Virginia's rule requiring petition circulators to be eligible voters is probably unconstitutional, the candidates waited six months from the day signatures are to be collected, making it "unreasonable."

Perry argues that Virginia's rule requiring petition circulators to be eligible voters in the state violates the 1st and 14th Amendments.

Gingrich seems to have taken this news in an optimistic matter. He says that "Life goes on... I think we'll be fine." The question is, will "they" be fine? Romney has already won in Iowa and New Hampshire already. Right now, he is also ahead in the public opinion surveys in South Carolina, primary on Jan. 21. As of now, Romney has a huge advantage over the other candidates and all Gingrich has to say is "Life goes on..."

Donald Palmer, secretary of Virginia's election board, said that almost all 134 Virginia jurisdiction already had printed the Republican primary ballots. He added that the total amount for Virginia's primary costs $3 million/ If Perry and the others are to win their lawsuits, the change at this point would cost Virginia several hundred thousand dollars.

This news is totally relevant because it involves the GOP candidates and the courts, executive and judicial branches in a clash. This could really affect the candidates and give Romney a huge lead in the GOP races. I believe that this could be the end for the other candidates and that Romney has already won.

Ron Paul on Civil Liberties - "Can a private owner not serve Blacks?"

Will Republicans Vote for Ron Paul?

January 8, 2012 

Fox News Sunday - Talk Show

This week on Fox News Sunday, Ron Paul stops by and talks with Chris Wallace. One topic they touched on was: Civil Liberties.

Back in 2004, Ron Paul gave his view on the 1964 Voting Rights Act. He said that, "The rights of all private property owners, even those whose actions decent people find abhorrent, must be respected if we are to maintain a free society."

Chris Wallace asked, "Are you saying that it is okay for a private restaurant should be able to decide whether or not to serve Black people?"

Ron Paul wants people to distinguish between what private property means. His believes that government enforced laws - like the forced integration laws were evil. He says that one's civil liberties are protected by his/her properties. One example he gives are bedrooms. "If you want to protect sexual preferences, you protect the property of the bedrooms."

Chris Wallace then again asked the questions that was not answered. Is it okay to not serve Blacks in a private business? Ron Paul says that it is okay because of property rights, but it is morally wrong. If you want to get into that, you need to change people's minds and views, he basically says.

Wallace asked if he wanted to go back a century where government did not intervene -like enforce racial integration. Ron Paul laughs at the remark. He does not want to go back where there was slavery and Jim Crow laws - imperfect gold standards. He wants to build back the rights that the Founders gave us.

He concludes that America is losing its Civil Liberties - National Defense Authorization Act: the arrest of American citizens, all civil liberties will be endangered if we don't reverse this.

Ron Paul's view on Civil Liberties could be viewed in many ways. He is against government intervention - government does not have the right to tell a private business to not discriminate. He believes that the owner should just have better morals.

I totally disagree with him on this example. Government should be allowed to set standards for anti-discrimination in private properties. Sometimes, people put their racism ahead of money - and thus would tell a specific race group to not enter. Government intervention controls those views and ensure equality, one of the rights guaranteed by the government. However, is he saying that one could win the fight for gay rights by defending property rights? If so, this may be a new way / path in fighting for not just gay rights, but others as well.

Huntsman Defending His Service as Ambassador to China

Huntsman fires back at Romney for knocking his service as ambassador to China

By

Kevin Hechtkopf

January 8, 2012

I rarely hear Jon Huntsman's name being mentioned. It wasn't until recently that I found out why. Jon Huntsman seems to be unpopular due to his affiliation with Obama - he served as an ambassador to China, and he has been criticized by his work. Well, Jon Huntsman decided to put his foot down and fight back at the people who criticizes his services - one of them being Mitt Romney.

During a Sunday morning debate, a question was asked to Huntsman regarding austerity (budget cuts), job crisis and government spending in D.C. David Gregory asked Huntsman what he would do to say to Americans that these cuts, though sacrifices, are good for the people. 

Huntsman did not answer the question. Instead, he decided to call out Romney. "I was criticized, for putting my country first." Jon was explaining why he was associated with the Democrats two years ago. He was trying to say that it was for the country. His job to maintain peace is like his two sons serving under that Navy. Serving the country does not relate to party affiliation. 

Romney responds by saying, "I think we serve our country first by standing for people who believe in conservative principles and doing everything in our power to promote an agenda that does not include President Obama's agenda." He does not agree with Huntsman decision and continues, "I think the person who should represent our party...is not someone who called him a remarkable leader and went to be his ambassador in China." 

Huntsman fired back with a dignified response. "This nation is divided...because of attitudes like that." His says that the American people are tired of the partisan division. He suggest that we come together first and find solutions to our problems. He was highly praised for his response and received applause. 

The problem that this debate relates to is foreign policy. Huntsman believes in unity to help solve the nation's problems. I totally agree with Huntsman and he is winning my favor. However, how does New Hampshire feel about this?

According to the latest Suffolk two day tracking poll, he now sits at 11% in New Hampshire, putting him third place.  

BOOOO You Santorum!!

Rick Santorum booed by college students in New  Hampshire after comparing gay marriage to polygamy 

BY ALIYAH SHAHID / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Friday, January 6 2012, 9:34 AM

Yesterday, Republican traveled to New Hampshire, the next state in the contest to find the GOP presidential nominee. Mitt Romney also flew to South Carolina, the third state to vote. The biggest shock of the day was when Santorum got booed during his campaign.

The tension began when a student asked Santorum why his definition of equality did not include same-sex marriage.

The second-place Iowa winner then asked a question in return. "So anyone can marry anyone else? So anyone can marry several people? Well what about three men? If reason says that if you think it's okay for two, then you have to differentiate with me as to why it's not OK for three." He had just compared gay marriage to polygamy!


After several students tried to give an explanation to answer the response, he obnoxiously tried to end the debate and said, "I'm going to give people one more chance then we are going to move on."

According to Bloomberg News, the former Pennsylvania senator is fine with the state's decision to legalize gay marriage because it was decided by the state Legislature. However, if gay marriage was a federal issue, we all know Santorum would be the first to veto any proposed bill on gay rights passed by the Legislature, if he were President.

Santorum concluded by saying that marriage should be between a man and a woman because it allows reproduction and keeps civilization going.

As Santorum left, several members in the crowd loudly booed him.

New Hampshire's primary is scheduled to take place next Tuesday. Based on what happened, we know very well that Santorum will not pull much support. Do not expect a jump in the polls as he did in Iowa. As of right now, Mitt Romney has a lead with 40%.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/rick-santorum-booed-college-students-hampshire-comparing-gay-marriage-polygamy-article-1.1001802

The End for Bachmann

After poor Iowa caucus showing, Bachmann ends presidential bid

Published January 04, 2012

By: Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau

Bachmann made the decision early today after receiving only 5% of the Iowa caucus vote on yesterday. She failed to win a single county, including Black Hawk, in which she was raised in. She decided to withdraw from the race and canceled the campaign that she scheduled for in South Carolina. She says that "The people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice and I have decided to stand aside that." Who knew that .04 % of the nations population could affect Bachmann's decision. This goes against people who believe that Iowa caucuses play no significant role. It sometimes acts as an "eye-opener" for a candidate and let them see that they are not popular. This is not the end of Bachmann. She says, "I will continue to fight to defeat the president's agenda for socialism."  She believes that Barack Obama's Health Care's reform "endanger the very survival of our republic." “I ran because I believe since Day 1 Barack Obama’s policies based on socialism are destructive to the very foundations of the republic.” 
Members of a Minnesota women's group were sad to see Bachmann go. “Congresswoman Bachmann is a leader,” said Voices of Conservative Women President Jennifer DeJournett. “We were proud to see her break yet another barrier for women in politics. Congresswoman Bachmann never failed to make her voice heard on the issues she cared about and fought to defend.”
Bachmann's dropout could will definitely work in favor for the candidates. The question is, which candidate will Bachmann's supporters back-up now?? 

John McCain Endorses Former Rival

(A Combination of 2 Articles - Both published on Jan 4) 

John McCain endorses former rival Mitt Romney in New Hampshire  &

John McCain endorses Mitt Romney, his bitter rival from four years ago By Holly Bailey 

It was only four years ago in the early primaries where two men stood next to one another calling each other names. McCain called Romney "a manager, not a leader" and criticized his speeches and said that they were "memorized and not heartfelt." However, need I remember that once the political fight is over, rivalries fade. This is an example. 

In Manchester, both men had a reunion and McCain looked at Romney modestly and said, "...I am here for one reason and one reason only, and that is to make sure that we make Mitt Romney the next president of the United States and New Hampshire is the state that would catapult him to the victory." 

McCain endorsing Romney will help Romney a great deal. McCain was very popular in New Hampshire in the primaries of 2000 and 2008. The citizens of that state will see that there once chosen official is endorsing a candidate and this will persuade them to swing and support Romney also. Surprisingly, Romney does not need the win. Romney holds a 27 point lead over Ron Paul in the state according to a tracking poll. 

Because McCain is now endorsing Romney, it means an end to his ties with Jon Huntsman. The former Utah governor was one of McCain's earliest supporters. Many of Huntsman's staffers have worked for McCain. His did not respond well to the news and says, "People are looking for a new generation of leadership. You can get all the Doles and McCains in the world, but in the end nobody cares."

Why The Iowa Caucus Matters

The overhyped, unrepresentative Iowa caucuses

By

Brian Montopoli

January 2, 2012 7:00 AM

 In 2008, about 120,000 participated in the Iowa Republican caucus. That is about 4 percent of the Iowa population and .04 percent of the United States'. Though the numbers are so small, they play a significant role. That is because this is the "first-in-the-nation" voting event and therefore the candidate who wins gets a great deal of media attention and the ones who do poorly usually drops out.
Iowa caucus goers are predominantly white. The state has less than 10% Hispanics and Blacks combined compared to 28% of the nation. It is also mostly rural and has a 6% unemployment rate, 2.6% lower than the rest of the country.
The reason behind the low number of voters is because Iowa has caucuses as opposed to primaries. This means that people gather in an evening event and listen to speeches then cast their votes. (What if they have a job? TOO BAD!!) The caucuses attract only the most committed voters.
Though the winner of the caucuses gets a ton of media attention, it sometimes could be misleading. This does not mean that they will be the presidential nominee for their party. For example, in 2008, Mike Huckabee won the Iowa caucus and McCain finished in fourth. However, McCain was the Republican presidential candidate, as you all may know.
If Ron Paul wins, it will make some GOP political observers reconsider the Iowa's "first-in-the-nation" status. Paul's Libertarian views, like limited engagement stance on foreign policy, make him different compared to modern GOP. The party sees him as a long shot no matter what goes down in the Hawkeye State.

Ron Paul's New Years

Post: CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley
Date: Jan 1, 2012

While Santorum was on a talk show with NBC's Meet the Press, Paul also spent his new years on a Sunday Talk show with Candy Crowley. Candy gets into the talk show by telling Paul that many people in Iowa believe that he is unelectable. In the poll, she reads, 29% of Iowa caucus goers found him the least electable. Paul is baffled by the comment. He responds that he has been elected 12 times by his district. Crowley then quotes what many others have thought. "Paul is not electable, he is too far out the mainstream, his views on foreign policy, etc, etc." She then gives him a video on Newt Gingrich talking about him to watch. Newt Gingrich says as a potential president, a person who thinks that the United States was responsible for 9-11, a person who wrote in his newsletter in 93' that the World Trade Center was a CIA plot, a person who doesn't care if the Iranians sell nuclear weapons, Ron Paul is not facing reality. Therefore, how could he be a good president?
This video of Gingrich on Paul shocked me. I never knew much about Paul and his policies. If those views that Gingrich had mentioned were true, I believe that those views would be shocking to hear for Americans. I think that he has a tremendous amount of audacity to make such conspiracy theories. I always thought that government officials were not allowed to attack CIA and secret organizations. (based upon TV shows like Nikita)
Paul argues that his theories come from actions. He responds, "He is pretty mainstream. Why are so many Republicans wanting to cut back and nobody is offering any cuts? People who are attacking are flip-flopping and do not know their issues. My views are attracting independent voters!"
Crowley then goes on and asks Paul to explain his views on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He believes that the bill destroyed the principal of private property and civil liberties.
At first, I was shocked that they mentioned an act that happened so long ago. However Paul then explained that this affects society today. For example, the problems today are like discrimination in the court system and the death penalty out of proportion to their population.

How Rick Santorum Spent New Years Day

Title: One on One with Rick Santorum
Date: Jan. 1, 2012
Post: MSN's Meet the Press - Sunday Talk Show with David Gregory

Rick Santorum starts off his new years on MSN's Meet the Press talk show with David Gregory. Before the interview started, the talk show gave some brief facts about the candidate. The two-term senator from Pennsylvania spent more time in Iowa than any other candidate and was the first to visit all 99 counties in the state. Earlier this week, CNN time poll showed that, for the first time, he was in the top three in the Iowa race, behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. The show then begins and I have divided it into segments based on the topics:
Santorum's Thoughts on Primary: Many people have doubted Santorum for the past weeks. He says, "10 days ago, I was at 5%  and every question I got was, 'Why don't you pack it up?' and 10 days later, they say, 'Oh, you gotta win!'" Santorum believes that the race is not over and he is waiting for Jan 3 to see what the people in Iowa thinks.
Santorum on Abortion: Santorum says he supports the "Height Amendment." This provides exceptions to abortions that would endanger a woman's life. Overall he says that he supports a "partial-birth Abortion ban Act" which does not ban all abortion but "moves the country in the right direction," Santorum quotes.
Santorum on Obama: Santorum is very critical on Obama in terms of foreign policy. Santorum is critical because Obama did not support the pro-democracy movement in Iran in 2009. Obama did not help the people in the streets of Iran to make Iran a democracy government as opposed to a theocracy.
Santorum Concludes: Rick feels good about the election. He is trusting and depending on the people of Iowa and New Hampshire. He says that he has a solid team in New Hampshire, with about two dozen state legislators who have signed on his team. Unlike Bachmann and Perry, he his going to to New Hampshire.

I believe that this talk show was not biased. David Gregory called out Santorum on discrepancies with his policies and questioned him. I learned a great deal within this talk show. I have not heard of Santorum and his policies because he was not mentioned a lot, probably because he was behind in the polls. However, he now could be a potential threat and is not far from Romney and Paul. I learned that the voting is set in Iowa on Jan 3rd ( tomorrow ) and that Bachmann and Perry are not planning to go to New Hampshire which could affect their game. Overall, Santorum is confident in where he stands and has always remained optimistic, then again, all candidates act like they are.