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Huckabee - GOP Derailment Eminent

Former Governor and Presidential candidate Mike (I love Fox News) Huckabee is warning the GOP flock that they are at the crossroads of extinction as a political species. His theory or thesis of the ultimate evolution end result of his political party is based on the fact that the GOP can not ignore the extreme right wing of the Republican Party. If you need to know who good old Reverend Mike is talking about I can explain it for you. All of the folks that were screaming out hate at the John McCain for President rallies. You might recall those nice folks that suggested that then Senator Obama was a Muslim, the folks that offered to buy the rope to hang him from the nearest tree, and the folks that believed that George W. Bush was God’s gift to America.

Here is what the Governor or Reverend has to say about the GOP and evolution but he doesn’t really believe in evolution so… Um, here is what he had to say over at CNN…

From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Huckabee says the GOP must not lose social conservatives.

(CNN) — Days after national Republicans launched a new campaign to broaden the party's outreach, former upstart presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says the GOP is at risk of becoming "irrelevant as the Whigs."

In an interview with the California newspaper The Visalia Times-Delta, Huckabee said the GOP would only further decline in influence should it alienate social conservatives — largely considered the most energetic and loyal faction of the party.

"Throw the social conservatives the pro-life, pro-family people overboard and the Republican party will be as irrelevant as the Whigs," he said in reference to the American political party that largely disbanded in the mid 1800s.

"They'll basically be a party of gray-haired old men sitting around the country club puffing cigars, sipping brandy and wondering whatever happened to the country. That will be the end of the party," he said in the interview published Thursday.

Just between you and I, I honestly think that Reverend Huckabee has been hitting the sauce if you know what I mean. His reason for hitting the sauce hard is most likely due to the fact that he sees the railroad wreckage that is the Republican Party today. The party of “NO!” is barreling down a dead end track and at the end is a cliff that there is no return from. The GOP is past the point where they could have jumped off the runaway train but instead they tossed more coal into the boiler and tore the handle off of the break. Just ask Rush Limbaugh (I am the King of the GOP) as he so valiantly tossed Colin Powell off of the train this week to safety into a bed of roses planted by moderate Democrats along the tracks. Arlen Specter of PA jumped off the train himself but that was only because he dropped his paycheck while on a smoking break.

This leads me to wonder what common sense Republican or moderate right wing voters are thinking? If I were in their shoes, and I’m not, I would be pissed as hell over the hi-jacking that has been going on since the November election of the Republican Party.

I seem to recall that Senator John McCain was the Republican candidate for President and not Rush Limbaugh or Mike Huckabee, or any other blow hard with a microphone. I seem to remember that many moderate Democrats liked John McCain but at the last minute just couldn’t vote for him based on the “Antics” of his rally supporters. I also recall very well a Republican Party that was imploding on itself under “I am the Deciderer”, George W. Bush. A leader that coined the phrase “You are either with us or against us” and then proceeded to ignore the very same laws he swore on the holy bible to defend. President Bush wasn’t alone in this adventure of unbridled political passion to manipulate and bastardize the Constitution, Dick Cheney was there, so was Tom Delay, so was Denny Hastert, Trent Lott, Scooter Libby, Jack Abramoff and the list of possible and actual indictments goes on and on. There wasn’t a Democrat drug dealer enticing them to break the law, they did it of their own volition.

I just need to be clear in my thoughts here, Democrats, Liberals, or even Moderate voters from both parties did not bring about the demise of the GOP, the leaders of the political party did. And they were voted out of power in America for it.

Papamoka

*****GUN TOTING LIBERAL has a very unique and must read second amendment look at this same issue.

Huckabee wants U.S. To Be "Arsenal of Theocracy"

By Michael Linn Jones

From The Firesign Theater’s “Don’t Crush That Dwarf; Hand Me The Pliers”:

The Hymn For the Church Of The Presumptive Assumption Of The Blinding Light:

“Oh blinding light,Oh light that blinds,I cannot see,Look out for me!”

Prior to the involvement of the United States in World War II, President Roosevelt made the claim that the U.S. could be “the arsenal of democracy.” This was said at a time when isolationism was quite strong in America; there was opposition to Americans fighting in foreign wars, but no one could really argue against producing the armaments needed to keep the nation safe.

Almost exactly 70 years later we have a candidate for the presidency going right off the rails in his well-intentioned fervor. By stating that the Constitution be amended to bring it more in line with his God, Huckabee proposes fighting Islamic fascism with a Christian-based government.
Next thing you know, we’re going to have young knights, scribes, and pages storming the gates of Jerusalem. Or maybe not; those doing the assailing will be, as is custom now, members of the peasantry utilizing M-16’s, Abrams tanks, F-16’s, F-18’s, and Humvees.

Recently I wrote politely (for me, anyway) about Huckabee’s use of his particular faith in his quest for the presidency. This may be a little more blunt. Pandering to certain fears and suspicions is normal fare in some elections, but what is going on in South Carolina is a bit much.
We are still in the month of January, named after the Roman god Janus. Janus had two faces; one looking forward and one looking backwards. It’s an appropriate way to start the year, but not a presidential primary season.

I say this in light of Huckabee’s recent comments about the Confederate flag, and where the pole should be stuck if any “outsiders” want to tell South Carolinians where to put it. Like Janus, South Carolina can look either forwards or backwards, and it is sad to see someone pandering to the past. The argument about the Confederate flag can go on forever, but what cannot be disputed is that such a contraversy is NOT going to solve or address housing, healthcare, wars, economics, or anything else.

It is possible for a southern white male to see the point of view that the Confederate flag represents the best of southern ‘heritage’ without being inclusive of rascism. That same southern white male can look upon Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King with equal admiration. Lee was a military genius who made the decision to help re-unite his nation rather than tear it apart with endliess guerilla warfare. King was a gift to America, a rare true philosopher who delivered a message that we still, nationwide, don’t pay much attention to.

However, such a perspective took years of experience and thought. What anyone proudly waving the Confederate flag must acknowledge is that Dr. King is as much a part of southern heritage as any confederate. On the other hand, waving that flag as a token of resistance to non-whites being recognized as equal citizens appeals to some.

But not all, and to ignore those who choose to look forward is an insult to a region and a state. I am not a great admirer of Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina. He’s too conservative for me in many ways, but recently he made an observation that underscores the insult of Huckabee’s remarks.

Sanford made the point that while he would never vote for Barack Obama (as a Republican and a conservative he could not endorse his policies), he said that South Carolinians had a unique opportunity to welcome Obama’s candidacy. This is so because for the first time in history, the cradle of the Confederacy may, in its Democratic primary, select a black American as its candidate.

Sanford deserves credit for stating something that needed to be said. A generation ago he would have ended his career by saying such things. Time marches on….forward always…and so has South Carolina. Gov. Sanford is a fine example of that, no matter how misguided his views on economic policy are, and I say that with respect.

But Gov. Huckabee? No. He has lost all credibility. His appeal for a new Crusade and his veiled pitch to the Klan are not in step with an America aching for a positive change.

You’re offering us a sweet-smelling crap sandwich, Mr. Huckabee. How about something with a little beef?

Originally posted at Michael Linn Jones.com

Who Would Jesus Endorse?

BY MICHAEL LINN JONES

It is, of course, a ludicrous question. And somewhat offensive. I'm not the one asking, though. It seems to be permeating the candidacy of Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In this AP article by Libby Quaid, Huckabee eschews politics for preaching , there is a clear pandering to what are known as "conservative Christians."

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Republican Mike Huckabee spoke from the pulpit Sunday, not as a politician but as the preacher he used to be, delivering a sermon on how merely being good isn't enough to get into heaven.

Huckabee is vying for support from the Christian conservatives who dominate the GOP in South Carolina, which chooses a Republican presidential nominee on Saturday. A former Baptist minister and Arkansas governor, Huckabee is competing for their votes with fellow southerner Fred Thompson.

As in Iowa, where he won the Jan. 3 caucuses, Huckabee is rousing pastors to marshal their flocks for him. He pitches himself as someone who not only shares their views against abortion and gay marriage but who actually comes from their ranks.

On Sunday in South Carolina, Huckabee avoided politics entirely, instead preaching about humility and trusting in Jesus to open the gates of heaven.

"The criteria to get into heaven is you have to be not good, but perfect. That's the real challenge in it," he said at First Baptist North Spartanburg, a megachurch with 2,500 members.

"On that day, when I pull up, I'll be asked, `Do you have what it takes to get in?'" Huckabee said. "And if I ask, `Well, what does it take to get in?' 'Gotta be perfect.'"

"Well, I'm afraid I don't have that, but you know what, I won't be there alone that day. Somebody is going to be with me. His name is Jesus, and he's promised that he would never leave me or forsake me," he said.

Huckabee did NOT avoid politics at all. He brought politics into the church. And he'll bring the church into politics.

I'm reminded of the time my father was speaking to an elderly man in rural West Virginia. The subject came up about the different churches in the area, and the old curmudgeon used his 1st Amendment right rather bluntly.

"Ain't go no time for no preachers 'round here. Seems to me ever' time you see one of 'em coming out onto someone's porch they're either pickin' their teeth or zippin' up their pants."

A harsh judgment delivered harshly I suppose, but essentially the man was saying that preachers are human just like the rest of us. As a disclaimer I will freely admit to having been raised a Baptist. Belonging to what many would consider the Treasonous side, I do not believe in placing my beliefs on someone else. And I am very leery of those who do. And I am terrified of those who do and use the power of government to carry out their fervent wishes.

In my otherwise fruitless experience at the University of Florida, I retained a few nuggets. In a political science class, the professor asked, "Why do we have a Bill of Rights in the Constitution?" A very enthusiastic student answered immediately, "Because we believe in the rights of others."

"WRONG," said the professor, "We have them because we do NOT believe in the rights of others."

My own personal experience with this was in of all places, the Republic of Ireland. It is a wonderful nation with wonderful people. As an immigrant I learned enough of the culture to understand why Irish Catholicism is so strongly adhered to by the majority of the population. For centuries Roman Catholics were persecuted by the English. With independence being achieved only in the 20th century, the constitution reflected that struggle.

Problem was, and is, that there are many native Irish who are NOT Roman Catholic, yet must live as such in many ways. Granted, there never was the level of discrimination and resulting violence as in Ulster, but fair is fair. If you are not a Roman Catholic you can be made to feel foreign in your own birthplace. One example is the custom of have the Church Hierarchy review any social legislation before it proceeds in parliament.

So, with that in mind I think of the pitfalls that Gov. Huckabee is leading himself and his flock towards. I could speak for a long time about my beliefs as a Christian; how lousy a one I am and the imperfections of my soul and all the bad and sinful decisions I have made in my life. My faith tells me that Jesus will forgive me of much, if not most, of my transgressions.

But I could not forgive myself if I let stand unchallenged the preposterous notion that Christianity belongs in the White House; that Christians need to control any political party. I believe Jesus once said, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

Mike Huckabee apparently wants to use the beliefs of a particular group of Americans to render Caesar's unto the "chosen few."

The whole point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to spread His Word; to promote the teachings of Jesus. Outside of government I think that's fine. With government, there is a huge problem because, aside from that pesky Constitution, many Americans are NOT Christians. Many are atheists, or Buddhists, or Mormons, or Muslims. Christianity is not their faith but the United States is THEIR nation, too.

Seems odd now when you consider a little history of early America. Massachusetts was run by Puritans. Maryland was a Catholic colony. Pennsylvania was for Quakers. And so on. Yet Roger Williams, a Baptist minister of all things, established the city of Providence and later the colony of Rhode Island. Williams' unique attitude ensured that Rhode Island became a haven for religious freedom. Rhode Island's example was the prime reason the Bill of Rights prohibited the establishment of a state church.

Gov. Huckabee might reflect a bit upon Roger Williams. Four centuries is an understandable amount of time to forget a hard-won lesson. But that's the magic of print; you can read and learn.

As elections approaches each primary state, and in particular the general election in November, I would advise Christians to do the following about those whose llves are not in accordance with what they believe to be righteous. This includes gays, non-Christians, adulterers, liberals, opponents of school prayer.........

Forgive them.

Now vote on some earthly issues.
**************************
Cross-posted at Michaellinnjones.com

*****The Chicago Sun Times has picked up this post...

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White House for Sale

Somebody check the Century 21 listings, I swear that 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is on the market. By the looks of the offers in on this pristine address the price for the this strategic location is going into the hundreds of millions of dollars. In political home ownership it is all about location, location, and location.

As much as I love politics I detest the way it is paid for. Most of us political junkies that actually vote in large numbers can not attend a $500 or $1000 a plate dinner to support any candidate. We have to settle for the best that we can do and nuke a frozen dinner while flinging a stream of expletives at the opponents commercials on the boob tube.

One thing is certain though, some of these candidates have grass roots behind them and some of them have large, huge, mega huge businesses supporting them. For the most part they are all guilty of taking big money donations but that is part of the process that is built into being elected President. Is it not ironic that the upper classes of America (Royal’s) are donating so much to the probable winners of the election process. Even hedging your bets is not out of bounds when it comes to getting influence at the White House with the next President of the United States of America.

What is a political realtor to do but follow the money and the New York Times has this to say about it…

Iowa Victories Scramble the Money Game, Too

By LESLIE WAYNE
Published: January 6, 2008

Victories by Senator Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in Iowa have not only upset political calculations, they have also upset the money game and spurred a growing flood of donations for these candidates while making fund-raising trickier for the rest.

Mr. Huckabee, a former Republican governor of Arkansas who ran a campaign with minimal resources, now finds more money flowing his way. As he jetted to New Hampshire from Iowa, money began to show up, click by click over the Internet — a total of $350,000 by the time he had landed at dawn. By Thursday, the campaign hopes to have an online total of $1 million in fresh cash.

The one-day surge comes on top of a rise in donations that has coincided with Mr. Huckabee’s improving political fortunes. In the last quarter of 2007, as his campaign began to take off, Mr. Huckabee took in $5 million, after raising $2.3 million in the first nine months of the year. Mr. Huckabee has scheduled fund-raisers in Texas and Florida, and his campaign has said it is getting so many requests from supporters to hold fund-raisers that it cannot schedule them all.

“I have a feeling that after tonight,” Mr. Huckabee said on Fox News on the night of his Iowa victory, “we’re going to see a huge surge in fund-raising because up until now, people said, ‘Well, we would give to you but we’re not sure you can win.’ Now they’re thinking, he already has, and he is winning.”

Snip a contribution

In some cases, Democrats who supported Mrs. Clinton out of loyalty or conviction or because they felt she could win are now taking another look at Mr. Obama, Mr. Kramer said. Donors with enough resources can hedge their bets by giving the maximum $4,600 for the primary and general races to both Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton. - New York Times

First thought I have is for Governor Huckabee. Don’t sell that double wide trailer yet Reverend. If you win the office of President you might be able to park it on the front lawn of the White House but the neighbors over at the Smithsonian might complain. Snobby know it alls are like that in the nations capitol. Then there are those busy bodies over at the FBI and CIA that are always looking in your trailers windows. Very poor neighbors but great for neighborhood security. Most of the time good for neighborhood security if you take 9/11 out of the equation.

As for Barack Obama the race is not over and do not get a big head over winning Iowa alone. New Hampshire is not Iowa. Live Free or Die isn’t on the license plates of every car just because it is a catchy phrase. They actually believe in it and live it. Big government is bad and not a reflection on your liberal agenda. You sure you want the White House Barack? Latest trends are that the place has gone down hill with little support from the American people who own it to fix it up or even renovate. Absentee land lords are like that from what I hear. Are you sure Barack that you want to move into this house with all the problems it has now?

We can not discount the Co-Presidency attempt by Hill and Bill Clinton. Why they want to buy the Presidency back again is beyond belief. Didn’t they sell it out to the current slum lord? Some reports say that Hillary wants her damn drapes back and that is the only reason she is running for the office. Other rumors are that Bill thinks Monica still works there. I can not confirm either rumor but that is the way things go in politics.

Al Gore was looking to buy it from the Clinton’s some years ago but some legal problems at the last minute had his hopes dashed. Apparently, the Supreme Court decided he could not afford the mortgage even though his vote income more than met the criteria for home ownership. Al Gore, the first victim of our nations mortgage lending crisis, bookmark this page because you heard it hear first. He and Tipper were evicted and foreclosed on. Al Gore packed up his truck and moved back to Tennessee to forget America forever.

Getting back to my rant, it is simply disgusting that it will take two hundred million dollars plus to occupy the oval office at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. That price is a direct reflection on who really owns our nation and it is no longer Joe Six Pack and his 2.3 kids. Next time you fill up your tank start humming “Hail to the Chief” and fork over the $3.00 a gallon with a smile. Tell me which one of any of the candidates has pumped their own gas recently and then you have someone that knows what Joe Six Pack and his 2.3 kids are trying to budget for but can not.

Maybe we need rent control for the White House because nobody ever stays more than eight years? Then again maybe we need to get private funds out of our election process and put candidates that will actually serve all of the people in office. Take the money out and you will actually have people elected to the Presidency that are not beholden to the money that elected them. Would that not be a true change in American politics. This post courtesy of and thank you George W. Bush aka King George W who sold us all out to the highest bidder and enriched his inner circle! Change is coming and its one election away.

Papamoka

Originally posted at Papamoka Straight Talk

Cross posted at Michael Linn Jones and Bring IT ON!

Feel free to link to or steal this post…

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United States of Jesus Christ

In this little experiment that we call America there is the freedom of religion as one of the many foundation blocks of our entire society. Added to that foundation is our freedom of speech. Toss in the Bill of Rights and you have a firm base to build your nation on. Then you add in all the decisions by the Supreme Court that becomes the support beams to hold up the roof.

When it comes to the Presidency in the Unites States it is not a bad thing for the President to have a strong sense of faith and belief that there is a higher power but you can not govern by it. Square peg, round hole. With such a diverse population we are not a society of one size fits all and when it comes to religion that little theory can or should implode a candidacy for President. We may be a nation under God but we are also one nation with many variations under God. Over at the Washington Post they have this interesting piece of Reverend Huckabee’s version of faith and the Presidency.

Huckabee Stands by 'Christ' Comment

By LIZ SIDOTI
The Associated Press
Sunday, December 30, 2007; 5:19 PM

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Mike Huckabee, a Republican relying on support from religious conservatives in Thursday's hard-fought presidential caucuses, on Sunday stood by a decade-old comment in which he said, "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ."

In a television interview, the ordained Southern Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor made no apologies for the 1998 comment made at a Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Salt Lake City.

"It was a speech made to a Christian gathering, and, and certainly that would be appropriate to be said to a gathering of Southern Baptists," Huckabee said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

He gave the speech the same year he endorsed the Baptist convention's statement of beliefs on marriage that "a wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ." Huckabee and his wife, Janet, signed a full-page ad in USA Today in support of the statement with 129 other evangelical leaders.

Snip - Cut - Co-Pay

In the NBC interview, Huckabee, a longtime opponent of legalized abortion, said he does not believe that women should be punished for undergoing the procedure, but that doctors might need to face sanctions.

"I don't know that you'd put him in prison, but there's something to me untoward about a person who has committed himself to healing people and to making people alive who would take money to take an innocent life and to make that life dead," Huckabee said.

He also argued that his emphasis on his Christian beliefs does not mean he's alienating atheists. He said, if elected, he would have no problem appointing atheists to government posts. - Washington Post

Where do I start when it comes to Governor Reverend Huckabee? I’m just guessing that Mike Huckabee believes that God made women with smaller feet than men so they could get that much closer to the kitchen sink to do the dishes. For that matter all of you woman that were beaten or abused by an abusive testosterone bag of bones should have pulled a Tammy Wynette and stand by your man. Bruises heal, bones mend and you probably did something wrong anyway. In his mind or in his teaching woman are and will always be second class citizens and that is just simply wrong. Then there is the added point that if Hillary is elected then Bill is really the President. That hurts my head to even think how that would work.

Roe vs. Wade, under Huckabee, nope. Kiss it good bye under the cause of the Christian Right. All you pro choice people that think your body is your own will need to line up for womb inspections under Das Fuhrer Huckabee. You better start praying that your babies didn’t have sharp finger or toe nails. Any scratches on the sacred chalice and life building organ will be cause for lethal injection. He isn’t totally against the death penalty but I could be wrong.

Then he pulls a Paul Pot from Cambodia and locks up all of the OBGYN doctors that might have performed an abortion. Then they can focus on all of the Lawyers that fought for and defended Roe vs. Wade and lock their asses up too. He will pay for it first by the added tax on one bedroom trailer home sales for back alley locations that will skyrocket as Planned Parenthood and other such medical offices are shut down. Then he might just add a wire coat hanger tax but that is a little to graphic to explain.

Mike Huckabee is standing by his statements on bringing America back to Christ but he can’t see the difference between Americans and America. No two American’s are alike and where one person finds abortion totally disgusting and wants the law changed, that same person believes that the death penalty is appropriate for crimes against our citizens. Pick one but you can not have it both ways if you swear to God above to be righteous.

As for all you Atheists or other icky religious persona non grata, the Post Office will be plastered with Huckabee appointees. Don’t even think about SCOTUS. Those positions will be reserved for zealous religious proponents of bringing America back to Christ.

By the way, screw all you Jew’s too from the Huckabee campaign. Merry Christmas, Happy Easter and all of the other religious holy days we as Christians will stuff down your throat under a Huckabee administration.

Thomas Jefferson is rolling in his grave at about fifteen thousand RPM’s right now. Look up for yourself on Google why he wrote the separation of church and state. Then look up whom he wrote it for and against.

Voting for Mike Huckabee is voting against all that America was founded on. Your right to believe in the choice of faith you want or to ignore faith entirely. Huckabee is hoping that many people will take their faith to the poll and elect him as America’s beacon of light back to Christ but I personally do not believe Jesus ever wanted a political office that proposed hate or judgment on anyone he loved. All you non believers included.

Our nation and the foundation it was built on will stand strong when we have a President that believes that his or her faith can not come first when governing. We are a house built with many products called faith and the roof needs to be replaced. Mike Huckabee is not Jesus Christ, I know Jesus Christ Sir. And you Sir are no Jesus Christ.

I’ll probably go to hell for that last one but I could not resist.

Papamoka

Cross posted at Michael Linn Jones.com and Bring It ON!

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Iowa and New Hampshire Decision

All of the main stream media is in a buzz and so are all of the candidates running for President. This is the time of the last dash to the finish line and it is not a time for stupid mistakes by anyone associated with any campaign. Iowa and New Hampshire can pull any single campaign up out of the dust and propel them into super stardom in the next week. Mistakes, errors in judgment, or even a comment taken off the record could kill a campaign.

One thing that is certain in this election is that the people of Iowa and New Hampshire will get a better look at any of the candidates than you and I could ever dream of. Being able to size the candidates up by actually meeting them one on one is the best possible way to cast a vote for the most powerful office in the world. Somehow the actual person in the same room with you and being able to actually interact with them is by far a better way to form an opinion on their ability to serve as President of the United States. Personal chemistry is funny like that.

The next obvious question is if we should trust Iowans or the good folks of New Hampshire with this process of vetting our next political parties choice for President? Peggy Noonan is somewhat asking that same question over at WSJ Opinion Journal…

Be Reasonable
As Iowa sizes up the candidates, so do I.

Friday, December 28, 2007 12:01 a.m. EST

By next week politically active Iowans will have met and tallied their votes. Their decision this year will have a huge impact on the 2008 election, and a decisive impact on various candidacies. Some will be done in. Some will be made. Some will land just right or wrong and wake up the next day to read raves or obits. A week after that, New Hampshire. The endless campaign is in fact nearing its climax.

But all eyes are on Iowa. Iowans bear a heck of a lot of responsibility this year, the first time since 1952 when there is no incumbent president or vice president in the race. All of it is wide open.

Iowa can make Obama real. It can make Hillary yesterday. It can make Huckabee a phenom and not a flash, McCain the future and not the past. Moments like this happen in history. They're the reason we get up in the morning. "What happened?" "Who won?"

This is my 2008 slogan: Reasonable Person for President. That is my hope, what I ask Iowa to produce, and I claim here to speak for thousands, millions. We are grown-ups, we know our country needs greatness, but we do not expect it and will settle at the moment for good. We just want a reasonable person. We would like a candidate who does not appear to be obviously insane. We'd like knowledge, judgment, a prudent understanding of the world and of the ways and histories of the men and women in it. - Opinion Journal

Putting our faith in the folks living in Iowa and New Hampshire is not the issue. We live in a world of bombardment news and advertisers that simply cash the checks from the political campaigns. Iowans I’m sure are sick to death of the non stop political ads as much as the people of New Hampshire are. And in that respect the advertisement are not the candidates.

We should be thankful that our election process is not full of the blood boiling hate that is found in some parts of the world. Places where a candidate is shot at and a suicide bomber detonates his opinion maker that kills the candidate as well as anyone in close proximity. My heart goes out to the people of Pakistan with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Her candidacy could have had a huge impact on the much needed changes in that part of the world if she were elected.

If elected is a key point for all of the candidates running here in America as well. America needs substance in our next President and not someone that gives a great speech. We need someone that knows the world issues just as well as they know the street map of our nations capitol. They will need to know how to drive from the White House over to the House to get the job done as it should be done. Selling ideas is not about who can stand the firmest on their soap box, its about who is willing to move that soap box over to the folks that will listen and actually think about your ideas, be convinced about your ideas, and vote for them. That has been the mistake of the house of Bush and the house of Clinton.

One of things mentioned to me over and over again is the thought that our nation has been taken over by two families for more than two decades. Starting with Papa Bush with one term of four years and then moving on to Bill Clinton and eight years, followed by Junior W Bush with another eight years. Can America truly survive if ruled by two families for close to thirty years if Hillary Clinton is elected President and possibly serves two terms?

So what are the choices facing the people of Iowa and New Hampshire?

From the Democrats, something isn’t right about Hillary and her having Billy take over her campaign. It screams of “I’m not really doing this, Bill is!” but I could be wrong. Then again, if she could not keep an eye on what his sexual tensions were as first lady then what the hell is she going to do as President. I don’t think we need the FBI to be renamed FBB or FIND BILL’s BABES. Enough with the Clinton legacy of endless political scandals.

Barack Obama, probably a nice guy. Most likely one of the most highly educated people in the run for President but being book smart does not always make you common sense smart. During every single debate he was slapped down by people that actually know about world events on the same stage. Vice President, hell yes! President, not this go round.

John Edwards… No! Your wife is dying of cancer and you have something better to do? God bless his wife Elizabeth for letting him go out and play while she is facing her last days. The character of a man is shown on how he treats his wife no matter her wishes. If he bowed out of this race, in four years he would have a solid chance at the Presidency because he bowed out simply to care for the love of his life, his wife. Huge family values bump.

Meat and Potatoes of this election is in Joe Biden’s campaign. He isn’t running on dollars from the political elite contributors in the Democrat Party. He’s running on the same gas as Ron Paul. Grass roots and people to people. He isn’t counting on anyone in the media to support him because he is not sending them all checks to cash. He has however criss crossed all of Iowa to talk to the people one on one. One of things I like about Joe Biden is that he is not owned by any special interest group. His personal wealth of knowledge on anything happening here at home or abroad is not delegated to a staffer on what he should say, he just speaks his mind. That is the best you could ever get. When it comes to crossing party lines, if it is right then Joe is Right! That fact is something that will sell come the general election come next November that will be the deciding factor. No other candidate can do what he does and win the Oval Office in the Democrat Party.

But I’m sure that the people of Iowa and New Hampshire already know that simply because they have met Joe Biden one on one all across their states.

Do not be surprised if the good people of Iowa and New Hampshire vote for substance over spin. I have faith that they will vote for a realistic choice for President.

As for the Republicans, umm, over at the Gun Toting Liberal he has this latest melt down from the Giuliani campaign. Crooks and Liars has it too… Muslims are bad people? I didn’t say it the Giuliani camp did!

Papamoka

Cross posted at Michael Linn Jones and Bring IT ON!

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Beware Candidates Speaking On God's Behalf

BY MICHAEL LINN JONES

The Iowa Caucus is soon approaching, and it's getting ugly. Mind you, while Hillary and Barack are poking around for the jugular, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney seem involved in a religious war for the religious vote. Whatever that is. And they're not poking, but using Medievil battle gear.

I have to admit that God has never spoken to me directly. By my religious upbringing I hold firm to the belief that I can talk directly to God anytime I want. Governor Huckabee is a Baptist. So am I. Sort of.

Growing up we attended a small church regularly. One day my Old Man and the pastor got into it about a mutual acquantance who was Jewish. The pastor held to the belief that Jews were not white people (???) so that was the end of our attending church. The Old Man and my Mom made it quite clear that as we grew we would encounter people of many different faiths. That to condemn someone different from us was NOT what the Lord had in mind. Mom lost a brother fighting the nazis and held very strong feelings about Jews having had enough mud thrown at them.

So I evolved in the sense that is actually the most accurate description of the difference in faith and denomination:

Jews don't recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Protestants don't recognize the Pope as Christ's representative on earth.

And Baptists don't recognize each other in a strip joint or a liquor store.

Now Governor Huckabee is going after Mormons just to drive a wedge into the candidacy of Mitt Romney. Something about Jesus and satan being brothers according to the Latter Day Saints. When I read that I thought "eww boy" here we go again.

Here's what I have to say about Mormonism; something that Mitt Romney should have said himself in his recent speech but dared not to. It is this: Mormonism is a legitimate faith. It addresses that which we cannot see here on earth; that greatest of mysteries as to what lies on the other side of earthly death.

Huckabee seems to be making it clear he will bring HIS faith into the White House, while Romney doing the same poses a dire threat to us all. Huckabee frightens me because to garner support from what is known as the "religious right" he must exclude those who are not.

With all due respect, we've had 7 years of that bullshit. As one who never had much desire to drink alcohol the liquor store issue never arose. As for the strip joints, well that's kind of pointless too since I couldn't see what was on display anyway. Nevertheless, in true Baptist fashion I believe I'm being punished just for WANTING to have all the fun I never did.

A President Huckabee assures voters that he is a pious man who would follow the Lord. I'm not doubting him personally, but as the saying goes, I've seen that movie already. In fact I'm still being forced to watch it.

For a man to swear on the Bible that he would preserve, protect, and defend something that he refers to later as "nothing but a goddamned piece of paper" goes beyond political rhetoric. It is a betrayal of an oath. What words can be used to describe a "compassionate conservative" who is blind to little things like wounded soldiers being charged for meals in a military hospital, or wounded soldiers living in conditions that would shame most decent people?

Preaching one's own piety poses challenges to reality sometimes. With Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggart we've had good examples of the preacher falling for the very sins they rail against on Sunday.

With President Bush we've had a man who professes a deep belief in God yet believes in expediency (and the advancement of his economic class) more. So be it. That's political reality, etc.

Just don't turn to Jesus or God at election time and claim that He is in your corner. If you want to preach about something, how about a plan to wean us off oil and finding alternative sources of clean energy? Or how about restoring some semblance of what Lincoln said about a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people?"

After 8 years of one "deeply religious" man the nation is in need of something beyond smoke and mirrors. We want the real McCoy, not some glad-handler walking into the White House, wrapped in the American flag and carrying a Cross.

Just get on with it, boys, and leave God out of this. I can speak for Him as well as you can, and I figure He's getting tired of being dragged into schoolyard brawls.

Oh yeah....and stop offering us goodies. Offer us challenges; it'd be a nice change. The challenges are there awaiting someone with the gumption to actually address them.

The people might be more ready to tackle them than you think.
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Cross-posted at Michaellinnjones.com

Volatility of the Iowan Principal

When it comes time to sorting out the wheat from the chaff in presidential politics I’m having a little more faith in the people of Iowa lately. While the main stream media is declaring Hillary or Mitt the winner in Iowa I have it in full confidence that the people of Iowa have their own opinion.

Daily polling numbers are changing and those that were on top for months are finding themselves sliding into the cheap seats at the opera. I chalk it up to the people of Iowa are slowly coming close to a decision on whom is real and who is Memorex.

Those pesky Iowans are ruining this election for all of the people that should be on top. I’m thinking and dreaming of life in the homes of the candidates that are now no longer number one in the polls and it is so very clear to me. Damn it they spent freaking millions on you farmers (Stereotype) and this is how you show your appreciation.

Hillary has probably beaten the day lights out of Bill every single night of the week for his comments on Iraq. Spousal abuse knows no boundaries and this isn’t the first time she’s kicked his ass.

Mike Huckabee is running from one shopping center to the next like a madman stuffing dollar bills in the Salvation Army kettles to show his thanks. Whispering all the way “Holy Crap, I can’t believe these idiots are buying the minister routine.”

Mitt is off to his hairstylist because only she knows him. Maybe he can spill his guts on the whole Mormon issue while he gets that unibrow finally dealt with. Then again the nails are looking just atrocious and that girl is a great listener.

Barack Obama is going to have a heavy hangover because the truck load of Champaign and Sam Adams (Harvard thingy) will be flowing heavy as he surpasses her Majesty Clinton in the polls. That and the fact that somebody stole the hubcaps off Hillary’s limo and she immediately blamed the Obama camp. Real story is that Bill Clinton did it to get back at her for the kick in the groin just for good measure for the Monica incident.

Joe Biden is still flipping burgers over at the local diner in Des Moines because he needed the money. Don’t laugh, Bill Richardson is one of the nastiest customers, he likes his burgers cooked just so. For the record, Joe did not spit in the special sauce. Don’t believe everything you read.

Speaking of tempers, Johnny McCain is probably still reciting one hundred times a night… “I will not show anger, I will not show anger, I will not show anger… Oh screw them bastard’s!” He made it to three tonight and that is an improvement. He’s calling Don Imus to see how the hell he handles anger management issues.

Don’t even start me on Denis Kucinich and his babe of a wife. Lucky. She must like guys with big thoughts and stuff like that. Either that or she likes how he can pull anything out of his pockets. How does he do that? Then again there is that alien from outer space theory out there. Denny is from Mars and she is from Venus thingy. I think I read that in the National Enquirer or something.

Ron Paul is surfing the net. He is a Ninja of Google and the art of hanging ten with his grass roots organization. He’s responding at this very minute to email number 29,873,478 if he is actually running for President of the United States. He answers all of his emails personally.

Rudi is back at the hotel blaming wife number three and number two and of course he can’t leave out wife number one. Then again maybe he can get some real dirt on Huckabee. Did he ever get drunk off the communion wine and did he pay tax on it? There has to be an angle to nail that so called minister on. Nobody in New York City has secrets and Arkansas can’t be all that different.

The screams of terror from the Dodd household can be heard from blocks away as he once more proves that men in his position should not be changing diapers if he is to be truly taken seriously.

Damn cat woke me up from my dream again. Why does he always attack my feet when my REM sleep is at its peek? Anyone have a Tums? Apparently, the indigestion of the evening meal gave me night terrors and Hillary Clinton was winning in Iowa. No matter I liked the Gene Kelly episode of Huckabee dancing in the rain with all of those bells ringing.

***** This post was comedic in content and none of the situations dictated actually happened in real life. Allegedly! I’m a Blogger and I have dreams. Some people sleep walk, I sleep type.

Papamoka

Cross posted at MichaleLinnJones.com

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