Symbolically speaking, this month's Michigan's primary may be the most important of the GOP presidential race to date. It's the state where Mitt Romney grew up, and his father was a beloved government and business leader. And now, Romney seems to have a real chance of losing the state to Rick Santorum.
‘Core Values’ Help Santorum In Michigan Polls
On February - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is leading Michigan-native Mitt Romney in polling ahead of the state's Feb. 28 primary. At stops in Michigan on Thursday, Santorum spoke of economic rival through lower taxes, fewer regulations and commitment to conservative family values.
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The Great Obama Kowtow
On February - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Wikipedia defines “kowtow” as “kneeling and bowing so low as to have one’s head touching the ground . . . the ‘full kowtow’ is three kneelings and nine knockings of the head on the ground.” Wikipedia adds that “in modern times, usage of the kowtow has become much reduced.”
Have they been watching the Obama administration?
Keep reading this post . . .
Glitter-Bombing: A Sparkly Weapon Of Disapproval On The Campaign Trail
On February - 16 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
All the Republican presidential candidates still in the race have been hit with glitter by protesters. The first glitter bomber says it's a "harmless but sensational way to bring attention to serious issues," but others have called it assault.
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We Vastly Overrate Education’s Economic Worth
On February - 16 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Louis Woodhill, Forbes
Barack Obama hardly ever gives a speech without mentioning the need to “invest more in education”. Many so-called “Conservatives” voice agreement with this notion. The unstated assumption on both sides of the aisle is that “investment in education” produces an attractive return. But is this true?No, it’s not. The numbers strongly suggest that, at least in economic terms, America has gotten nothing for the enormous increase in educational “investment” that we have made over the past 60 years.
Barack Obama hardly ever gives a speech without mentioning the need to “invest more in education”. Many so-called “Conservatives” voice agreement with this notion. The unstated assumption on both sides of the aisle is that “investment in education” produces an attractive return. But is this true?No, it’s not. The numbers strongly suggest that, at least in economic terms, America has gotten nothing for the enormous increase in educational “investment” that we have made over the past 60 years.
House Republicans Mull Ways To Fund Public Transit
On February - 16 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
It's estimated the nation faces a $3 trillion backlog in unmet road and transit needs. Since the Reagan administration, public transit has been funded from the same revenue stream as roads and bridges. Now there's a movement to fund public transit with revenue sources other than the gas tax.
Romney Family Legacy Lost On Younger Mich. Voters
On February - 16 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney is campaigning in Michigan, where he was born. Romney's father was beloved — both as president of a car company, and as Michigan's governor. But that was decades ago, and a new generation feels less devoted to the Romney name.
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How Does Mitt Romney Stop Rick Santorum’s Rise?
On February - 16 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The latest threat to Mitt Romney's front-runner status in the Republican presidential field is Rick Santorum, who is tied with Romney in national polls. Ads from the Romney team define Santorum as a friend of K Street, but the former U.S. senator's conservative credentials may help him with Republican primary voters.
House-Senate Deal Reached On Payroll Tax Measure
On February - 15 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Montana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus announced the agreement late Wednesday, capping a long day of wrangling over final details of the measure, which is a top priority of President Obama. The announcement paves the way for votes in both House and Senate this week.
Elie Wiesel Shines Spotlight On Romney Over Controversial Mormon Practice
On February - 15 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel's name and those of his father and grandfather appeared on a list used to select people for posthumous Mormon baptisms. Wiesel is calling on Mitt Romney to use his stature as perhaps the nation's most prominent Mormon to condemn the practice. Romney has not commented.
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As GOP Race Shifts, SuperPAC Mega-Donors Weigh Next Moves
On February - 15 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The SuperPAC supporting Rick Santorum has a mega-donor of its own who says he is in it for the long haul — opening up a race for which superPAC can receive the most help from wealthy donors.
Poll: Obama Hits 50% Approval, Leads All GOP Rivals, For Now
On February - 15 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The poll, released Tuesday, found President Obama's approval rating had bounced back up to 50 percent from 47 percent in January. Not a huge improvement but in presidential politics, getting to at least 50 percent approval is key for an incumbent seeking re-election. The recovering economy gets much of the credit for his rising approval rates.
The TV Battle in Mich.: Santorum’s True Conservative Vs. Romney’s Native Son
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Santorum makes the case that not only is he an authentic conservative but the most electable GOP candidate versus President Obama. Romney's ad, on the other hand, is more biographical, intended to reinforce his Michigan roots for voters. His ad, called "Growing Up," also aims at leveling Romney with average voters by showing him driving a car around what appears to be Detroit or its suburbs.
GOP Leaders Support Payroll Tax Extension
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Congress only has two weeks before inaction would result in a tax hike for 160 million Americans. The payroll tax cut extension passed in late December is set to expire at the end of the month.
Romney’s Hard Line On U.S. Auto Industry Good For Primary But Trouble Beyond
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
In a state so auto-industry dependent, it would seem dubious to call for GM and Chrysler to go through the regular bankruptcy process with all their uncertainties and pain. Experts inside and outside the industry at the time and since said bankruptcies would have meant millions of jobs lost. But Romney's position could appeal to many Michigan conservatives who opposed the bailouts.
Can Congress Ever Restore Payroll Taxes To Their Usual Levels?
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
What was once considered a normal rate will now be considered a tax hike. Reverting to the status quo is now politically dicey. That could affect Social Security's financing over the long haul.
Obama Promotes Job Training At Community College
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
President Obama unveiled his fiscal 2013 budget at Northern Virginia Community College Monday. His proposal includes $8 billion for community colleges to partner with businesses to provide training in job skills that are in demand. Students there were pleased to hear the president call for more support for their type of school.
Digging Deeper Into Obama’s 2013 Budget
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
President Obama laid out his proposed federal budget for 2013 at a community college in Virginia on Monday. The $ 3.8 trillion plan calls for new government spending, including stimulus-style spending on roads. It also seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade
Study: 1.8 Million Dead People Still Registered To Vote
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
A new report finds that about one in eight U.S. voter registrations are invalid or inaccurate. While there are few documented cases of voter fraud, the study finds that cooperation among states could improve the accuracy of voter registration lists nationwide.
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Study: 1.8 Million Dead People Still Registered To Vote
On February - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
A new report finds that about one in eight U.S. voter registrations are invalid or inaccurate. While there are few documented cases of voter fraud, the study finds that cooperation among states could improve the accuracy of voter registration lists nationwide.
Pew Poll: Good News For Santorum, Better News For Obama
On February - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
In some fairly horrible news for Romney, he's not just having trouble persuading Republican voters he's conservative; the more he professes his conservatism, the less they apparently believe him.
Romney’s Small, Weekend Morale Boosts Don’t End His Santorum Troubles
On February - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The new week starts essentially where the old one ended. Santorum continues to lay claim to an important part of the Republican Party as Gingrich recedes and Romney struggles to recapture the aura of inevitability he and his campaign have counted on carrying them to the nomination.
Health Care In Massachusetts: ‘Abject Failure’ Or Work In Progress?
On February - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
President Obama's health care overhaul was largely based on one that then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed into law in Massachusetts in 2006. Now, more than 98 percent of state residents have health insurance, and the law has drawn unexpected supporters. But controlling costs remains a challenge.
Strong In 2010, Where Is The Tea Party Now?
On February - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The Tea Party rallies that raged in cities across the country in 2009 have died down. As the Republican presidential race wraps up, and the GOP get closer to selecting a nominee, many Tea Party activists acknowledge that the days of the big rallies might be on hold. But some say that their ideas are now very much front and center.
