Some Gossip

Looks like John McCain will win Florida.

Supposedly Rudy Giuliani will be pulling out and endorsing John McCain.

Of course Huck and Ron Paul are sticking in the race, sorta like the time when I was a little kid and took a nap while I was chewing gum. The gum got stuck in my hair and my mom got ticked off, trying all kindsa ways to get it out.

Something needs to give. Mitt needs Fred. I really hope Fred Thompson can come out and endorse Mitt Romney.

For the Democrats, so far Hillary Clinton has 50% of the vote. She won't be getting any delegates, from Florida.

Sorry I have not been posting like I had been. This whole thing makes me want to puke.

Thompson's Exit Seen as Boost to Mitt Romney

• Ex-Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson’s departure from the race for the Republican presidential nomination is already helping former Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney and according to one top Thompson adviser, Romney will continue to reap the rewards.
• “Thompson leaving the race helps Romney,” said Rich Galen, a Thompson adviser and frequent traveling companion. “Everyone has a hole in their conservative credentials except Romney.”
• As Romney steadily rises in polls in winner-take-all Florida ahead of Tuesday’s primary, a new Field Poll of California voters released yesterday shows at least 30 percent of “Fred heads” will pick Romney as their second choice.

• “Anybody who ran for office in this field is a very strong individual and should be considered as a VP nominee whether for me or for somebody else,” Romney said, according to CBS News. “He’s a terrific and highly capable guy and anyone would think that having Fred Thompson as a VP would be a good thing.”

• Of Thompson supporters, Galen said, “They (would sooner) not vote rather than back (Arizona Sen. John) McCain, and (former New York City Mayor Rudy) Giuliani is just a non-starter.” [more here]
  

What to Do?

I know my past couple posts have been Czech related. Don't despair. I will soon be posting about politics and Michigan again. After having supported Mike Huckabee, then supporting Fred Thompson I do not want to jump into things on the national race. I found out that Mike Huckabee was not who he portrayed himself to be. While I had been supporting Mike Huckabee I was also checking into Fred Thompson. During this time I found out that while supporting Mike Huckabee I was allowing my conservative beliefs and principles to be dumbed down. When I looked into Fred Thompson my beliefs and principles came back. I was devastated when Fred Thompson pulled out of the race.
Currently I am checking into Mitt Romney. Maybe I will look into Ron Paul. I am not that overjoyed with his views on some things. There is no way I can support Rudy Giuliani or John McCain. I can not find anyone I believe to be truly conservative. When I look into the attitudes of supporters, Mitt Romney has the best supporters, bar none. While I can not just choose to support someone just based on supporters, I do believe supporters along with endorsers can give a glimpse into the candidate themselves.
I will keep a button to the side for Mitt Romney's website. Any reader is welcome to click this on and check out Mitt Romney and make their own decision. I am currently not ready to post about Mitt Romney. I may provide links to articles about him, but no commentary, yet.

Rush Suspects McCain-Huckabee Deal

From a Newsmax emailing

Rush Suspects McCain-Huckabee Deal

Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh suspects that John McCain may have cut a deal with GOP presidential rival Mike Huckabee to have Huckabee siphon off votes from Mitt Romney.

Rush said that on the day after McCain’s victory in the New Hampshire primary, McCain told reporters that Christian conservatives should back him, saying: “A very large portion of the evangelical community is becoming more and more concerned about climate change because of our biblical obligation to be good stewards of our planet. That clearly is an issue that I’m in complete sync with the evangelical community on.”

Noting that Huckabee was thought to control the evangelical vote, Rush told listeners: “Governor Huckabee, at this stage, in my opinion, is in the race to take Romney out of the way for McCain…

“The thing Huckabee’s got to understand is if you have made a deal with McCain behind the scenes, under the table, understand it’s one way, because McCain is going to throw you overboard as soon as he has to, Governor, when the time comes — and he’ll not remember the deal or it will get reshaped in his mind or somehow changed.”

McCain also reminded reporters that he has voted the anti-abortion line during his entire career.

Said Limbaugh: “In that way he’s going to take out Rudy [Giuliani, who has expressed support for abortion rights],” Rush said.

“So he’s going to try to get the Huckabee vote with the global warming route and try to get the evangelicals. He’s going to try to take Rudy out with his consistent abortion stand, which he is not fabricating.”

Email Update from the Michigan Republican Party

I got this email yesterday from the state party regarding the upcoming primary in MICHIGAN ON JANUARY 15.
All your questions will be answered here.

Victory Update :: News from the Michigan Republican Party

MICHIGAN MATTERS IN A BIG WAY

On Tuesday, one million Michiganians - or more - will head to the polls to vote for their candidate to be the next president of the United States. That's more than the number of people who voted in the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire Primary combined. Michigan is positioned to be a make-or-break state for Republican candidates. Michigan is a better test of a candidate's general election appeal than most of the early primary states. Michigan is a perennial bellwether political state. Its citizenry is extremely diverse and it has a long tradition of independent-minded voters. A Republican who does well in Michigan will do well across the country. The early states set the tone and tenor of the primary elections. That is why I pushed so hard to move up Michigan's GOP Primary. With our single-state recession, higher-than-average unemployment, recent population losses, and the largest tax increase in state history that Governor Granholm recently shoved down our throats, Michigan faces unique economic challenges the next president must help address. Making sure the Republican contenders spend time in Michigan getting to know its people and issues will make sure we have a friend in the White House next January. American Spectator Editor Bill Kristol said Michigan will be "ground zero" for Republicans seeking the nomination. You can hear his interview with WJR-AM's Frank Beckmann here. Political pundit and former President Clinton advisor Dick Morris told FOX News Channel that Michigan will determine who is the GOP presidential nominee.

GET OUT AND VOTE TUESDAY, JAN. 15

The best way to defeat Senator Clinton and the Democrats is to get out and vote for one of our Republican candidates for president. A strong GOP turnout will energize the grassroots and will show that Michigan will be a state to be reckoned with come November. You can find out where you vote by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State's Web site at www.michigan.gov/vote. Voters across America are repudiating Senator Clinton and the Democrats rhetoric of retreat, pessimism, and blaming America for the world's troubles. All of the Republican candidates on the Michigan ballot have a better vision for American than Senator Clinton and the Democrat also-rans who want to be Commander-In-Chief.

A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN NEAR YOU

It will be hard to go anywhere in Michigan in the next few days without running into a Republican presidential candidate. The GOP candidates have released full and vigorous Michigan campaign schedules through Primary Night. We are witnessing history in the making and this is our chance to be part of it. I will be attending many campaign visits and stops over the next few days and I look forward to seeing you there. For an up-to-date calendar of MI GOP Primary Events, visit our website at www.MIGOP.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOP PRIMARY

Q: When and where will the election be held? A: Tuesday, Jan. 15 at all normal polling locations. To locate your polling location, visit www.michigan.gov/vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Q: Who is administering this election? A: This is a state-run primary election and will be administered by county, township and city clerks. Q: Can I vote by absentee ballot? A: Yes - per Michigan law, if you expect to be out of town, are age 60 or over, or are disabled, unable to vote without assistance at the polls, are in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons, or are appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence, you may vote by absentee ballot. Simply call your city or township clerk to request an absentee ballot application. Q: I've heard people refer to this as a "closed" election - do I have to register with either party in order to vote? A: No, party registration is not required. When you arrive at your polling location you will request either a Republican or a Democrat ballot and a record will be kept as to which ballot you requested. You can only vote in the Republican primary or the Democrat primary - not both. You vote will be kept private as in all elections. Q: Which candidates will appear on the Republican ballot? A: Nine Republicans will appear on the ballot: Sam Brownback, Rudy Giuliani, Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo. Please note: the ballots were printed prior to the date that Sam Brownback and Tom Tancredo dropped out of the race. There is also the option of voting for "uncommitted," which is a vote to send to uncommitted delegates to the National Convention.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT THE MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY ONLINE STORE!

Our secure, user-friendly site offers a variety of Republican items, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, travel mugs, and more! Perfect for personal use, holiday presents, or volunteer gifts, our items will allow you to confidently display your Republican pride. Visit www.migop.org/store to view, purchase, or comment on our selection of unique Republican items.

JOIN SAUL'S A-LIST!

Not getting Saul's daily Articles of Interest? Not getting the Michigan Republican Party press releases? Join Saul's A-List now to get updates. Sign up today at http://www.migop.org/ExactTarget/A-list.asp

UPCOMING EVENTS

Click here to view all the events in your county for the year.

BLOG

Don't forget to check out the MIGOP blog at http://migop.blogs.com/blog/

Up Next...

...Michigan Primary! Woo-hoo! The Red-headed step child will be getting attention on Jan 15, like it or not. Take that, you MSM, like it or not. I have noticed that since the Iowa Caucus, when the media is talking to pundits they keep saying up next is New Hampshire, which is now over, and then on to Florida (whose Primary is on Jan. 29). The pundits interrupt to say Michigan is between New Hampshire and Florida. The media seems to wave that with a slight of hand.
To all you Michigan citizens out there, I want you to go vote. But, you must go to your local polling place informed. I do not want you embarrassing this great state. I don't want to hear on the local news or major news media about exit polls that any of you said the most important reason for voting for your candidate was that "he shares (your) values," gag. I do feel values are important, but in this post 9/11 world, values should not be the most important thing. Keeping America safe and illegal immigration and domestic issues are the most important thing.
The buzz word going around seems to be "change." Would someone please tell me what this means? For the life of me, I can't figure it out. I have been hearing that some of the candidates are trying to take down the "establishment." But again, what does that mean? What are the motives behind that? I admit I fell for that in the beginning. But here is the deal. Are they trying to "bring down the 'establishment'" to include all or are they trying to "bring down the 'establishment'" to install their own "establishment"? If the latter is true then we are in no different place. Perhaps this is what "change" is. If this is what change is, I don't want it.
Back to the original reason for my post about the Michigan Primary. Here is some factoids from the New York Times regarding the Michigan Primary.

• Republicans

• John McCain and Mitt Romney are competing heavily, with Mr. Romney hoping that a victory in the state where his father was governor will restore momentum. Mr. McCain was in fourth place in an early December poll, yet some predict that independents or Democrats may vote for Mr. McCain, as they did in 2000, when he beat George W. Bush in an upset victory. The Detroit Free Press notes that evangelical Christians, Mr. Huckabee's primary supporters in Iowa, make up no more than 20 percent of the Republican base here.

Delegate selection

• Republicans

• January 15, 2008 Winner-take-all primary (Open) 30 delegates at stake

• Based on the voting in the Jan. 15 primary, 57 of Michigan’s 60 delegates to the national convention are allocated to the candidate receiving the most votes. Forty-five of those 57 are allocated to the candidate receiving the most votes in each of the state’s 15 Congressional districts; 12 are allocated proportionally to the candidates based on the statewide vote. Three additional unpledged delegates are selected from among party leaders at a state convention Feb. 15-16.

Since I am a Republican, plus the Democrats (candidates) are boycotting Michigan I have only included Republican details. For all the info, including Democrat details click here.

Check out some of the Republican Candidates that will be making stops in Michigan, from Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis, on "That's Saul Folks." I will give info that regards the Michigan First Congressional District.

Thursday, Jan. 10

6:00PM Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Montmorency Republican Parties
Presidential Gathering
Confirmed Speakers: State Senator Allen
State Representative Casperson
Stoney Creek Restaurant
19011 East M 68
Onaway, MI

Saturday, Jan. 12

6:00PM Charlevoix, Emmet, Antrim, Otsego Republican Parties
Reagan Day Dinner
Confirmed Speakers: Congressman Hunter
Senator Brownback on behalf of
Senator McCain
Congressman Hoekstra
State Representative Casperson
State Representative Hoogendyk
U.S. Senate Candidate Raczkowski
Attorney General Cox
State Senator Allen
State Representative Elsenheimer
Castle Farms
5052 M 66 North
Charlevoix, MI
Contact: Wes Dilworth (231) 582-6886

Monday, Jan. 14

7:30AM Grand Traverse-Leelanau Republican Parties
Presidential Breakfast
Confirmed Speakers: Rev. Keith Butler, former U.S. Senate Candidate
Park Place Hotel
300 East State Street
Traverse City, MI

Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Michigan GOP Primary

8:15 AM McCain for President

Traverse City Get-Out-The-Vote Rally

Northwestern Michigan College Haggerty Place

715 East Front Street

Traverse City, MI

If you are not from the First District and would like to see if a candidate is coming to a town near you, check out all the info here. I know, I am a Thompson supporter and there is nothing going on for Thompson, in Michigan. But most important, I am a Michigander before I am an American. Oh, before I forget. A presidential candidate is giving the Upper Peninsula attention. From First District email update Mitt Romney will be making an appearance in Marquette, Michigan. Here are the details.

SPECIAL EVENT

Governor Mitt Romney in Marquette, Sunday 1/13/08

Governor Mitt Romney has scheduled an Upper Peninsula stop in Marquette. The event will be held this Sunday (January 13^th) at The “W” on Sawyer International Airport at 2:45 PM and open to the public.

This is the first Presidential stop we’ve seen from the campaign trail and honored to host. More details to come soon but feel free to email with any questions.

Joel Westrom

Chairman

First Congressional District

Keep checking this blog throughout the week to see Michigan related updates regarding the Jan 15 Primary and other Michigan related content. I am trying to get guest posters. If you would like to be a guest poster, regarding the Michigan Primary, please email me at gypzychik (at) yahoo.com. Send your info at any time before or on January 15. Michiganders preferred but anyone from any state is welcome, so long as it is Michigan related content. Fred Thompson posts will be accepted at any time and will be posted as soon as I receive them. There will be a Michigan Primary marathon here at Michigan Redneck on January 15, possibly on the 14th also. If you have come to this particular post through a search engine click on my blog name and you will be taken to the home page.

World Leader Wanted

The Frederalist has a post from December 29 on why Foreign Policy Cred is a must and why Fed fits that cred.

World Leader Wanted: Foreign Policy Cred a Must

When the world isn't experiencing some major upheaval or another, domestic issues tend to rise to the top of voters' lists of concerns. But when a crisis arises in some foreign land, especially a situation which could seriously impact the United States, priorities get reordered. And so recent events in Pakistan are having an impact on the American presidential campaign. Foreign policy expertise just became a hot commodity in the race for the White House.

For Republicans, the list of viable candidates with foreign policy experience of any substance has only two names - John McCain and Fred Thompson. The word "Senator" on their resumes has suddenly become more important than the title "Governor" on the portfolios of Romney and Huckabee and the descriptive "Mayor" on Giuliani's. Isn't it interesting how an assassination in a nation possessing about a hundred nuclear weapons and sharing borders with Afghanistan and India can have that effect?

Of the two, McCain's Senate career is longer, but Thompson's more broadly based. With 21 years experience, McCain's involvement with foreign policy is mostly related to his membership on the Armed Forces Committee. Thompson spent 8 years in Congress' upper chamber, serving on several Senate committees, including the Select Committee on Intelligence, where he was also on the National Security Working Group, which observes and monitors executive branch negotiations with foreign governments. He was a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Committee, serving on the Technology, Terrorism and Gov't. Information Subcommittee. Finally, Thompson was a member of the Committee on Finance and served on its International Trade Subcommittee. [more here]

David Limbaugh wants Fred to Step Up

Rush Limbaugh's brother talks about why he thinks Fred Thompson is the best conservative in the GOP field.

It's time to step up, Fred. Conservatives need a leader about whom we have no major reservations. The only one looming out there about you is your failure, so far, to persuade voters you want the job. All of the GOP candidates are vastly superior to all of the Democrat candidates, but here's the way I see the field now. Rudy is a strong leader and very good on national security and the war. But he is a social-issues liberal, whose pledge to appoint originalist judges is encouraging — but not completely convincing. John McCain is a war hero and a patriot. He has been strong on Iraq but disappointing on Guantanamo, tough interrogation techniques, and other war-related issues. He is not a supply-sider and is abysmally bad — obviously — on campaign finance reform and thus free speech. My problems with Huckabee concern his political agenda. Huckabee is probably the strongest social-issues conservative, and since his views are driven by his strong faith, I don't fear he'll change for expediency or other reasons. But it does bother me that he appears to believe, erroneously, in my opinion, that his faith requires him to endorse an unacceptably expansive role for government. Mitt Romney is a man I've warmed to as the campaign has unfolded. I began with great skepticism because of his major, far-too-recent flips on major issues. Certain aspects of his record — even after his conversion — cast doubt on his commitment to the unborn and traditional marriage. He also strikes me as a bit too coiffed, too robotic and too much of a politician. But I do see Romney as a very likeable man who is saying almost all of the right things, pun intended, and who, if he is the man he holds himself to be, will make a great president. Now about Fred. I must confess that Fred is the only one I don't have major reservations about — apart from his electability. Yes, I worry that he supported McCain-Feingold and that he might not be a strong supply-sider. But on most issues, he seems reliably conservative and appears to have a solid and strong character. I do believe that with Fred, we know what we are getting. I find his lack of "fire in the belly" refreshing. He strikes me as one of the few presidential candidates since Ronald Reagan whose primary motivation is not personal aggrandizement but rather serving and leading the nation in very troubled and dangerous times. I see him as almost being drafted into this project, and his refusal to drool publicly over the prospect of becoming the most powerful man in the world is positively delightful. That said, he needs to make a more convincing case to the voters, which will require a greater display of enthusiasm that he views these as both perilous and promising times and that he is the best man, overall, to navigate the ship of state through these times. So, Fred, please, as distasteful as it may be to you, it's time to step up and prove you want it. Time is short. David Limbaugh is a writer, author, and attorney. His book "Bankrupt: The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of Today's Democratic Party" (Regnery) was recently released in paperback. To find out more about David Limbaugh, please visit his Web site at www.davidlimbaugh.com. [more here]