Debbie Wasserman Schultz Blames George W. Bush For Hamas' Rise To Power

"Here’s the thing about democracy: you never know what you’re going to get"



newsmax

Liberal Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is blaming the Bush administration for the rise to power of Hamas, the fundamentalist Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip and wants to eradicate Israel.

In an appearance at the Jewish Community Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Wasserman Schultz said that Hamas came to power because of President George W. Bush’s push for democracy in the region, and said “the rise of Hamas is thanks to quote, un-quote democracy,” according to The Shark Tank political blog.

“Here’s the thing about democracy: you never know what you’re going to get,” she said. “We have to be careful what you wish for.

So remember that President Bush pushed for democracy in Gaza and the West Bank and you got Hamas, in charge of Gaza… The rise of Hamas is thanks to quote, unquote, democracy

Gov. Haley Barbour Says He's 'Very Surprised' by the Cain Story: "I've Never Seen Any Indication of Anything Like This"

"I've known him for 15 years"..."I'd be surprised if there's more to it"

Bachmann ‘Out of Money and Ideas’ in Iowa, Says Former Campaign Manager

Gee, take a guess who this is again? Ed Rollins. You have to wonder why this guy feels the need to continually go to the lib media and trash Michele Bachmann's campaign and her chances running for president. He used to be the campaign manager and now all we hear is stories of him taking swipes at Bachmann. Give it a break.



abcnews

Michele Bachmann has “run out of money and ideas” and can no longer expect to win in Iowa, her former campaign manager told ABC News on Monday.

Ed Rollins, who left the campaign in September, said the Minnesota congresswoman had backed off earlier comments by her campaign that Iowa was a “must-win” state because she lacked the finances, campaign structure, and ideas to win the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

“She’s still saying the same things she said in the first the debate. There’s no substance. She says, ‘I’m going to repeal Obamacare.’ But she’s been saying that from Day 1. I told her: That’s your Tea Party speech, now you have to say what you’re going to do next.”

In an interview Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Bachmann refused to say whether Iowa was a “must win” state as her current campaign manager, Keith Nahigian, had said. Nahigian took over after Rollins left.

“Of course, we’re focused on Iowa. We’re focused on the schedule and the primary process. Iowa is the first caucus. Then on to New Hampshire. And after that, the first in the South, which will be South Carolina. So we’re focused on the schedule that the states are now agreeing on, and that’s our order,” Bachmann said.

Home Prices Heading For Triple-Dip

Down 35% from the peak in early 2006





cnn money

NEW YORK -- The besieged housing market has even further to fall before home prices really hit rock bottom.

According to Fiserv a financial analytics company, home values are expected to fall another 3.6% by next June, pushing them to a new low of 35% below the peak reached in early 2006 and marking a triple dip in prices.

Several factors will be working against the housing market in the upcoming months, including an increase in foreclosure activity and sustained high unemployment, explained David Stiff, Fiserv's chief economist.

Should home values meet Fiserv's expectations, it would make it the third (and lowest) trough for home prices since the housing bubble burst.

The first post-bubble bottom was hit in 2009, when prices fell to 31% below peak. The First-Time Homebuyer Credit helped perk prices up by mid-2010, but by the time the credit expired, prices fell again.

In the second dip, which was reached last winter, prices were down 33%before staging a mild rally that was artificially spurred as banks slowed the processing of foreclosures following the robo-signing scandal, which found that loan servicers were rapidly signing foreclosures without properly vetting them.

Now that the scandal is mostly resolved, lenders are speeding more cases through the foreclosure pipeline and back onto the market, weighing on home prices even further.

Earlier this month, RealtyTrac reported the first quarterly increase in foreclosure filings in three quarters. Even more discouraging: new default notices were up 14%.

Krauthammer: Herman Cain "Is Winging It," He Needs To Get The Story Straight or He's In Deep Trouble (Video)

From Fox News Special Report a short time ago

Occupy Wall Street Lingo: Harry Reid Brings Up "The 1 Percent" During Speech on The Senate Floor (Video)

Twice.

REID: "Republicans showed new interest in the gulf between rich and poor that has motivated thousands to occupy parks across the country and make their voices heard. Apparently they believe the staggering income inequality makes a good talking point, while Democrats fight for jobs for the middle class Republicans fight for tax breaks for the 1 percent of Americans who don't need our help"

Congressional Calls For Holder’s Resignation More Than Double to 17

thedc

Nine more members of Congress have told The Daily Caller that they’re calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to resign over his handling of Operation Fast and Furious, more than doubling the number on record before the weekend calling for his ouster. A total of 17 members of Congress have now called for Holder to step down.

The latest group of members includes Republican Reps. Dan Burton of Indiana, Allen West of Florida, Lynn Jenkins of Kansas, Trent Franks of Arizona, Tim Huelskamp of Kansas, Mike Pompeo of Kansas, Duncan Hunter of California, Devin Nunes of California and Dennis Ross of Florida.

Burton, who once chaired the House oversight committee that is currently investigating the Justice Department over Operation Fast and Furious, said he has always opposed Holder and didn’t believe he should be confirmed as attorney general in the first place, based on his record of deceiving Congress.

“I think he’s been a mistake from the very beginning,” Burton told TheDC in a phone interview.

“When I was chairman of government reform and oversight during the Clinton administration, we had Holder before my committee a number of times and he misled the committee.

In fact, he lied. During his confirmation in the Senate, I sent a letter to the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, [Sen. Patrick] Leahy, and I sent it to the other members of the committee as well, and I cited specific cases where Holder had not been straight with the committee and I said he should not be confirmed

Video: Herman Cain Sings at the National Press Club

"Since it's an opportunity for me to share a little bit of my faith, I will"

U.S. Cuts Funds To U.N. Agency Over Palestinian Vote

foxnews

U.S. Will Withhold Funds For U.N. Agency After Vote to Grant Membership to Palestinians


The United States will not pay $60 million to a U.N. cultural and educational agency after it voted Monday to accept the Palestinian mission as a full member, triggering a U.S. requirement to cut off funds.

"We are not going to be able to continue contributing to the budget," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. "Palestinian membership as a state in UNESCO triggers longstanding legislative restrictions which will compel the United States to refrain from making contributions to UNESCO."

Washington is required by law to cut off funding to any U.N. agency if the Palestinian Liberation Organization is granted membership in any group at the international body.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization voted 107-14 with 52 abstentions on Monday granting Palestinians full membership in the organization. The U.S. voted against the nomination. Eighty-one votes of the 173 UNESCO members were needed for full membership to be approved.

"Long Live Palestine!" one delegate reportedly shouted in French at the meeting.

The U.S. funds about 22 percent of UNESCO's budget, or roughly $80 million annually. Nuland said the $60 million was scheduled to be sent in November.

Rick Perry Leads Obama in Wisconsin

Interesting.

rasmussenreports

Barack Obama carried Wisconsin easily in the 2008 presidential election, but he is slightly behind Texas Governor Rick Perry and runs just ahead of two other top Republican hopefuls in Rasmussen Reports’ first Election 2012 look at the Badger State.

Perry earns 46% support from Likely Wisconsin Voters to Obama’s 42% in a new statewide telephone survey. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and another six percent (6%) are undecided.

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on October 26, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

Interesting because Perry leads Obama and Romney and Cain trail. (This is likely voters)

FBI Releases Video of Russian Spy Ring

Video released today of a decade-long FBI undercover operation that brought down Anna Chapman and the Russian spy ring operating in the United States


abcnews

The FBI video is remarkable: Russian spies digging up payoff money in New Jersey, handing off a bag in a New York train station and passing information in furtive meetings and “brush bys.”

It’s all part of the surveillance video released today of a decade-long FBI undercover operation that brought down Anna Chapman and the Russian spy ring operating in the United States.

The videos were released as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by ABC News and other news outlets.

In conjunction with the release of the videos, the FBI has also released more than 1,000 pages of highly redacted documents from the case that was dubbed Operation Ghost Stories because it was reminiscent of the Cold War’s cloak-and-dagger spy games.

The FBI tracked the spy ring known as the “Illegals” program across the United States with FBI agents and the Justice Department arresting the 10 spies June 27, 2010.

The case captured international attention with Russian bombshell Chapman providing an undercurrent of sex appeal and international intrigue in one of the biggest spy cases since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Chapman covertly communicated with Russian government officials from the Russian Mission to the United Nations by using private wireless networks sent from her laptop computer.

Rush Limbaugh: Bill Clinton Must Be Laughing Himself Sick Over This Hit-Job From The Politico on Cain

RUSH: "If this story were about Bill Clinton the left would be circling the wagons doing everything they can to fend off the charge...This story is a joke that can only be truly appreciated by Clinton and other sexual predators

Herman Cain: "It Is Totally Baseless, Totally False, Never Have I Committed Any Sort Of Sexual Harrassment" (Video)

Herman Cain in a Fox News Exclusive earlier

I have never sexually harassed anyone," Cain told Fox News' Jenna Lee.

Cain explained he was accused of harassment while at the National Restaurant Association, saying, “Yes, I was falsely accused while I was at the National Restaurant Association. And, I say falsely because it turned out, after the investigation, to be baseless.”

When Jenna Lee asked whether there was any sort of settlement, Cain stressed that if there were, he was not aware of it. If the Restaurant Association made a settlement, Cain said, “I wasn’t even aware of it and I hope it wasn’t for much because nothing happened

Another Solyndra? Electric Car Battery Maker Facing Financial Hardship

EnerDel got an Energy Department grant in early 2010 for battery manufacturing in Indiana but the stock of EnerDel's parent company, Ener1, fell from $4.04 in 2010 to just 9 cents on Thursday. By Friday NASDAQ had pulled the company from its listing leaving the stock at $0.00. This is that green economy that's gonna create millions of jobs Obama keeps telling us about




cbsnews

A company whose subsidiary received $118 million in stimulus grant money from the U.S. Department of Energy to build new electric car batteries has now been removed from trading on NASDAQ.

EnerDel got an Energy Department grant in early 2010 for battery manufacturing in Indiana but the stock of EnerDel's parent company, Ener1, fell from $4.04 in 2010 to just 9 cents on Thursday. By Friday NASDAQ had pulled the company from its listing leaving the stock at $0.00.

NASDAQ took action after sending the company a notice saying it was out of compliance for failing to file its June 30th financial quarterly filing. The company notified shareholders back in August that two of the company's quarterly filings "should no longer be relied upon" and the company would have to re-do their financial statements.

"Once we get our financials restated, we'll look at what our options are for getting re-listed," Ener1 spokesperson Brian Sinderson told CBS News. Sinderson says the company is now traded on the over the counter market.

In late September, Ener1 replaced its CEO Charles Gassenheimer. Sinderson said the company felt it needed to change leadership due to the stock's performance.

The company says they have about 250 employees working at their three facilities in the Indianapolis area.

EnerDel reported to the Energy Department in their latest stimulus report that they had spent $53 million in taxpayer funds to date. At its peak, in the summer of 2010, the company employed 253 people with federal funds according to government records. Today the company reports that stimulus funds support 33 jobs.

Coulter on Cain: "The Is Another High-Tech Lynching...There's Nothing Liberals Fear More Than a Black Conservative" (Video)

From Geraldo's show on Fox News last night shortly after the Herman Cain story hit the Politico. Coulter responds by saying liberals fear a black conservative. "Just ask Allen West, ask Michael Steele and ask Clarence Thomas"..."This is an outrageous attack on a black conservative who's doing extremely well"



Video: Politico reporter asks Cain about the story. Cain replies, "I'm not gonna comment on that." This was outside the CBS studio in Washington Sunday

New Perry Ad: "If You're Looking For a Slick Politician or a Guy With Great Teleprompter Skills, We Already Have That-And He's Destroying Our Economy"

"I'm a doer, not a talker. In Texas, we created 40% of the new jobs in the entire country since June of 2009, and we cut a record $15 billion from our state budget.

Now they say we can't do that in Washington. Well, they're wrong, and they need to go."

Iraq Can't Defend Itself Fully Before 2020 -General

reuters

Iraq's defense chief has said his military will not be fully ready to defend Iraq from external threats until 2020 to 2024, according to a U.S. inspector's report released on Sunday.

Lieutenant General Babakir Zebari has repeatedly warned that Iraq's security forces, rebuilt after the 2003 invasion that ousted strongman Saddam Hussein, would not be ready for years.

President Barack Obama announced on October 21 that American troops would fully withdraw from Iraq by year-end, as scheduled under a 2008 security pact between the two countries.

Both Iraqi and U.S. military leaders have said the army and police are capable of containing internal threats from Sunni insurgents and Shi'ite militias that launch scores of attacks monthly, but that they lag in external defense.

"General Zebari suggested that the Ministry of Defense will be unable to execute the full spectrum of external-defense missions until sometime between 2020 and 2024, citing ... funding shortfalls as the main reason for the delay," said the report from the U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR)

Zebari said the air force would not be able to defend Iraqi airspace until 2020 and is not capable of supporting ground combat operations, citing a long-delayed deal to buy F-16 warplanes from the United States, the SIGIR report said.

Politico: Two Women Accused Herman Cain of Inappropriate Behavior **Update** Geraldo Speaks With Cain Campaign Spokesman About Allegations (Video)

"This is just an attempt by people to drag him down" -Cain spokesman

Geraldo talks to J.D. Gordon, the campaign spokesman for Herman Cain a short time ago. New Video




politico

During Herman Cain’s tenure as the head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, at least two female employees complained to colleagues and senior association officials about inappropriate behavior by Cain, ultimately leaving their jobs at the trade group, multiple sources confirm to POLITICO.

The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.

In a series of comments over the past 10 days, Cain and his campaign repeatedly declined to respond directly about whether he ever faced allegations of sexual harassment at the restaurant association. They have also declined to address questions about specific reporting confirming that there were financial settlements in two cases in which women leveled complaints.

POLITICO has confirmed the identities of the two female restaurant association employees who complained about Cain but, for privacy concerns, is not publishing their names.

Cain spokesman J.D. Gordon told POLITICO the candidate indicated to campaign officials that he was “vaguely familiar” with the charges and that the restaurant association’s general counsel had resolved the matter.

The latest statement came from Cain himself. In a tense sidewalk encounter Sunday morning outside the Washington bureau of CBS News — where the Republican contender had just completed an interview on “Face the Nation” — Cain evaded a series of questions about sexual harassment allegations (more at link)

Fake Oakland Mayor Website Pops Up Offering Statement of Support For 'Occupy Oakland'

The exact replica says the Oakland Mayor now supports the strike which she does not


cbs5.com

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — A website claiming to be the official site of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan appeared recently, mimicking the official Oakland website entirely, but adding a statement of support for “Occupy Oakland” demonstrations that did not come from Quan, according to officials in the mayor’s office.

The website at www.oaklandmayor.com is almost an exact replica of the city’s official website at www.oaklandnet.com, including previous statements the mayor has made on the Occupy Oakland protests.

But the website has added a fabricated letter purportedly from Quan apologizing to protesters for the police response to protests Tuesday, where the Occupy Oakland encampments at Frank Ogawa Plaza were raided, resulting in dozens of arrests, and police used tear gas, rubber bullets and smoke grenades to keep protesters away from the plaza later that night.

“I offer my sincere apology for ordering the violent repression of the Occupy Oakland encampment in front of city hall,” the fake statement stated.

The letter, which was also distributed at Occupy Oakland demonstrations, went on to say that Quan endorsed Occupy Oakland’s calls for a general strike in Oakland on Nov. 2. The mayor’s office released a statement Saturday clarifying that the letter was “bogus.”

The document -- posted on a fake-but-professional-looking website (http://oaklandmayor.com/) says she heartily endorses the general strike.

"It is completely fabricated," the statement read. "Any official announcement from the Mayor or city of Oakland is posted on the city's website at www.oaklandnet.com and sent directly to the media."

Fake website (screen grab)


Mayor's official website

Cokie Roberts: Herman Cain is Just This Week's 'Not Romney' (Video)

Christiane Amanpour asks the panel on ABC This Week if Herman Cain can go the distance


ROBERTS: "Herman Cain is just this week’s or this two week’s 'not Romney,’ We have had an entire season of ‘not Romney, whether it was Rick Perry or Donald Trump or Herman Cain or Chris Christie, this is this week’s."..."Until the Republicans decide it’s the not Romney or Romney is the nominee, we are going to have these people pop up."

Roger Simon: Being Racist Helps in Republican Primaries (Video)

Politico's Roger Simon, appearing on CNN's Reliable Sources, said being "being extreme perhaps and a little bit racist perhaps, gives you good bona fides in a Republican primary. It shows them you're on the same side as they are"


newsbusters
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Obama: Pelosi Was One of the Best Speakers We've Ever Had

thehill

President Obama on Saturday said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was a great House Speaker and that she will get that job back after the 2012 elections.

"I am biased, but I think Nancy was one of the best Speakers of the House this country ever had," Obama said after Pelosi had introduced him at the National Italian American Foundation gala.

"She was no doubt the best Italian American Speaker of the House we ever had. And I believe that she will be the best Speaker of the House again in 2013."

Pelosi, the veteran lawmaker from San Francisco, was the House's 60th Speaker and the first woman to hold that position.

Now the minority leader, Pelosi handed the gavel to John Boehner (R-Ohio) after Republicans trounced Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections.

In the past, conservative campaigns have tried to paint Pelosi -- and her leadership role in the Democratic Party -- as the threatening face of the left.

As Republicans try to take the White House from Obama in 2012 and keep their majority in the House, they will likely pounce on the president's desire to have Pelosi back in power in Congress.

Video: Obama says Nancy Pelosi will be Speaker again in 2013. He also praises Janet Napolitano. "We could not be prouder of Janet Napolitano who is keeping us safe everyday single day." This comedy show from Obama was last night in Washington.

Rick Perry: Obama 'Has Lost His Standing From the Standpoint of Being Commander-in-Chief' (Video)

Perry slams Obama's waivering approach to foreign policy. He responds to the president's decision to pullout troops in Iraq on Fox News Sunday.

GWP video

David Plouffe on Meet the Press Asked About Herman Cain, Responds By Attacking Mitt Romney (Video)

The question from David Gregory -"Is Herman Cain for real as a candidate?"
Plouffe says "I'm really not an expert on Republican primary politics" then launches into a rant against Mitt Romney

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Plouffe: "I make two points about him. one is, he has no core and you know, every day almost, it seems to be we find another issue. you know, he was supportive of doing things like cap and trade agreement. now he doesn't think that, you know, climate change is real. he was to the left of Ted Kennedy on gay rights issues now he wants to amend the constitution to prevent gay marriage pep was an extremely pro-choice governor. now he believes that life begins at conception and would ban roe v. wade, you look at issue after issue after issue he's moved all over the place. I can tell you one thing working a few steps down from the president, what you need in that office is conviction. you need to have a true compass. and you've got to be willing to make tough calls. and you get the sense with Mitt Romney that, you know, if he thought he -it was good to say the sky was green and the grass was blue, to win an election, he'd say it"

Plouffe asked about Obama's support for Occupy Wall Street. "Does he stand in solidarity with the protesters?"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rick Perry to Attend at Least 5 More Republican Debates

Texas Gov. Rick Perry plans to participate in at least five more presidential primary debates, his campaign said Saturday, dismissing speculation that the lackluster performances so far would lead him to skip future GOP debates.

Pizza Workers Burn Down Rival Store In Hopes To Boost Business

Mega-dumb. The manager of Dominos Pizza in Lake City, Florida who was arrested and charged with arson told police he had believed his restaurant would attract more customers if Papa John’s was closed



ocala.com

Two managers of a Domino's Pizza restaurant in Lake City have been charged with arson in connection with a fire that gutted a Papa John's Pizza location.

Late Friday, police said they were still looking for an ignition device that the men claimed they made but did not use to start the fire. Instead, the possibly still active device may be lying alongside Interstate 75, police said.

The fire was discovered Oct. 20 shortly before 3 a.m. at the Papa John's Pizza at 2815 NW U.S. 90. By the time the blaze had been brought under control, the business had been gutted, according to Lake City Police Department spokesman Capt. John Blanchard.

Police investigator Paul Kash immediately began working with the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the fire was ruled an arson a short time later, police said.

As leads about the fire began filtering into the police department, investigators Kevin Johns and Patrick Ross began working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the case.

On Thursday, police arrested Sean Everett Davidson, 23, of 1623 SW Brim St. in Lake City, on an arson charge. In a news release about Davidson's arrest, police said he confessed to setting the business on fire.

Investigators interviewed another Domino's manager on Friday, Bryan David Sullivan, 22, of 2372 W. U.S. 90 in Lake City, and then arrested him on an arson charge.

Police said Sullivan's motive was that the Domino's location he was managing would see an increase in business if the Papa John's restaurant was put out of business

Iowa 2012: Mitt Romney 23%, Herman Cain 22%

Cain +13 from the last poll. Michele Bachmann, who won the Straw Poll in August drops 14 points from where she was in June (22 down to 8). Perry at 7 in today's poll from the DMR

desmoinesregister

DES MOINES, Iowa – Herman Cain and Mitt Romney top The Des Moines Register’s new Iowa Poll, with the retired pizza executive edging the former Massachusetts governor 23 percent to 22 percent in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Cain has surged 13 percentage points since the first Iowa Poll of the caucus cycle, conducted in late June. His rise has come despite spending little time in Iowa recently, campaigning here just once since the Aug. 13 Iowa straw poll, where he placed fifth.

Likewise, Romney has campaigned in Iowa just three times this year, but he retains a core network of supporters from his near-constant presence in the state during his first presidential bid four years ago.

In the new poll, Congressman Ron Paul of Texas is the only other candidate in double digits, in third place with 12 percent.

The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Jan. 3. The Iowa Poll, a Register exclusive since 1943, is a much-watched indicator of how candidates are faring in the nation’s leadoff caucus state.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, winner of the Iowa straw poll, has seen her popularity wane. In the June Iowa Poll, she enjoyed support of 22 percent of respondents, trailing poll leader Romney by a single percentage point. She has dropped to 8 percent and fourth place in the new poll.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was not yet a candidate when the June poll was conducted. But he soared to the top of national polls when he entered the race in August. However, after a string of much-criticized debate performances, his star dimmed nationally. He’s at 7 percent in the new Iowa Poll, tied with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich for fifth place

Intrade prices (midnight). Romney still in the high 60s. Still no movement from Herman Cain who has been between 7 and 9 the last 3 weeks. Perry at 11 down from 38 at the beginning of September
Republican Nomination 2012

Syrian President Bashar Assad Warns of "Earthquake" if West Intervenes

Assad interview with the Telegraph






reuters

Western powers risk causing an earthquake across the Middle East if they intervene in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad said, after protesters called for foreign protection from a crackdown in which 3,000 people have been killed.

Assad's warning came ahead of Syrian government talks on Sunday with the Arab League aimed at starting a dialogue between the government and opposition and ending violence which has escalated across Syria in recent days.

Activists said Syrian forces killed more than 50 civilians in the last 48 hours and one activist group said suspected army deserters killed 30 soldiers in clashes in the city of Homs and in an ambush in the northern province of Idlib on Saturday.

Assad's suppression of the seven-month uprising has drawn criticism from the United Nations and Arab League. Western governments have called on him to step down and imposed sanctions on Syrian oil exports and state businesses.

Western countries "are going to ratchet up the pressure, definitely," Assad told Britain's Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

"But Syria is different in every respect from Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen. The history is different. The politics is different."

"Syria is the hub now in this region. It is the fault line, and if you play with the ground you will cause an earthquake

Raw Video: Obamas Welcome Trick-or-Treaters at the White House

Barak Obama and first lady Michelle Obama stood in the orange glow of the White House's northern portico and handed out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters from capital area elementary schools and children of military families -AP


According to a press release, the White House gave out 'Special Edition' M&Ms, a proprietary sweet butter cookie and dried fruit.


Video

"Are You All Gonna Let Me Give My Speech or Not?" Cain Heckled By Ron Paul Supporters During Speech in Alabama (Video)

"With all due respect I'm gonna give this speech today thank you very much" -Cain

freedomslighthouse
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MSNBC Contributor: Herman Cain Makes The White Republican Base Feel Like They are Not Racists (Video)

Dem Strategist Karen Finney on MSNBC

FINNEY: One of the things about Herman Cain is, I think that he makes that white Republican base of the party feel okay, feel like they are not racist because they can like this guy. I think he's giving that base a free pass. And I think they like him because they think he's a black man who knows his place. I know that's harsh, but that's how it sure seems to me."

Sean Hannity vs. Austan Goolsbee on the Obama Economy

Hannity: "Since Obama's been president, we have a net loss of nearly 3 million jobs"
Goolsbee: "That's highly misleading because he takes office in the middle of a free-fall"

Hannity shootout with former Chairman of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee on his show yesterday.

Syrian Jets, Tanks Pound City of Homs, Several Deaths Reported (Video)

This video shows Syrian tanks pounding the city of Homs. This is following a demonstration in support of an international no-fly zone. I wonder what the Obama Adm's response to this will be? We had to act in Libya over a Qaddafi threat of a crackdown. Here you have now 3,100 civilians slaughted and now they're getting pounded by tanks and the only response will probably be a statement of condemnation (if that).


cnn.com

Syrian forces pounded the western city of Homs Saturday with jets and tanks, sustaining fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, activists told CNN.

At least seven people were killed in the clashes in Syria Saturday, six of them in Homs, according to the Local Coordination Committees (LCC) of Syria, an opposition group that organizes and documents protests in Syria.

Rami Abdel Rahman, president of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported at least four deaths in Homs Saturday. He said the fierce fighting has been ongoing between armed military defectors and loyalist forces.

For weeks, the military has parked tanks at the entrance to Bab Amer, a Homs neighborhood known as the epicenter of anti-government activity, an activist told CNN Saturday. After the Saturday morning crackdown, the military established new checkpoints and a much heavier presence, the activist said.

The youth of the Arab Spring He said he heard jets overhead around 9:30 in the morning. A few minutes later, tanks began firing into buildings and homes.

Joe Biden: ‘We Can’t Win Without Florida’

If that's the case, they probably won't win because I don't see them carrying Florida this time around. But our side still has our work cut out for us, because Obama/Biden got 365 electoral votes in 2008, there are a few states they can lose in 2012 and still get to 270.

thehill

Vice President Biden said Friday that President Obama cannot be reelected without again winning Florida, a pivotal swing state that carries 29 electoral votes.

The comments, in a speech at the Florida Democratic Party convention, are an acknowledgement that the 2012 race will likely be far tighter than Obama’s 2008 victory.

“You all are going to be seeing an awful lot of me, because the states I am going to be concentrating on are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire and Iowa, and I am going to be here a lot, so I am looking forward to working with you all,” Biden said.

“We plan on winning Florida. We can’t win without Florida,” Biden added.

He also took aim at the GOP’s economic record, noting the deficits created under the Bush administration and the housing market collapse.

“I find it absolutely bizarre, Republicans moralizing about deficits. That’s a little like an arsonist moralizing about fire safety. These guys have zero credibility,” Biden said.

“Their vision of economic policy and their plan for prosperity lay in creative financial instruments, credit default swaps, collateralized debt obligations, subprime mortgages,” Biden said.

He touted the Obama administration’s economic initiatives – Biden cited 19 straight months of private-sector job growth – and steps to stabilize Wall Street and tighten financial sector rules, aid to the auto industry and other programs

13 Americans Killed in Kabul Suicide Bomb Blast

Three separate incidents target members of the US-led coalition

Associated Press

A Taliban suicide bomber rammed a van into an armored NATO bus Saturday in Kabul, killing 13 American troops and four Afghans, U.S. and Afghan officials said, in the deadliest attack on coalition forces in more than two months.

The explosion, which occurred as the convoy was passing the American University, sparked a fireball and littered the street with shrapnel. Heavy black smoke poured from burning wreckage at the site.

The armored personnel carrier, known as a Rhino, was sandwiched between of a convoy of mine-resistant military vehicles traveling on a four-lane highway frequently used by NATO forces in a southwestern section of the city.

Pentagon spokesman Jim Gregory confirmed to Reuters the 13 service members killed were Americans.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior said three Afghan civilians and one policeman also died in the attack. Eight other Afghans, including two children and four other civilians, were wounded, said Kabir Amiri, head of Kabul hospitals.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, as well as for another suicide bombing outside a government intelligence office in the northwest province of Kunar

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rick Santorum Ad: "Family"

"You gotta pray, you gotta examine if this is what God wants you to do in your life"

Bachmann on 'Tea Party' Telling Her Quit Race: These Are Perry Supporters, This Was a "Stealth Move" To Make It Look Like They Were Tea Party (Video)

Whether or not these are Perry supporters (or Perry campaign), we'll have to find out. But tea party? I put tea party in quotes because what kind of tea party calls Michele Bachmann a "back bencher" and a "back bencher congressperson?" Bachmann has been reliably tea party and conservative for years, she led a tea party rally in Washington, 40K strong to try to stop Obamacare. So the calls from some 'tea party' for her to pack it in just don't make sense.



cnn.com

Michele Bachmann accused Rick Perry's presidential campaign Friday of a "stealth" political attack - a charge the Texas governor's campaign flat out denied.

"If Gov. Perry has something to say to me, he can come out to the debates and say it," Bachmann said in an interview with CNN. "But this is egg on the face unfortunately for the Perry campaign."

At issue: tea party sponsor American Majority's urging for Bachmann to drop out of the presidential race. On Thursday, the group's executive director Matt Robbins told CNN that Bachmann's White House bid "is not a serious presidential campaign." His comments coincided with a blog statement from American Majority president Ned Ryun, who outlined reasons why "it's time for Michele Bachmann to go."

Among other claims, Ryun wrote that Bachmann's emphasis on social issues was damaging the tea party movement.

In an interview with CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," Bachmann fired back, targeting the Texas governor.

"Well, of course, we found out that this is really a misstep on the part of the Perry campaign because these are Perry supporters that came out," Bachmann told CNN. "This was a clumsy move."

Bachmann continued: "This was meant to be a stealth move to make it look like this was tea party."

Video: Bachmann saying these tea partiers are really "Perry supporters." From The Situation Room

Huntsman Daughters Parody Herman Cain Campaign's Smoking Video

Huntsman daughters version of Mark Block, everything but the smoking at the end. Bubbles instead.


Fox News

Presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's daughters have been his most visible advocates on the web and now they're resorting to a parody video making fun of a video released earlier this week by frontrunner Herman Cain's campaign.

"We are shamelessly promoting our dad like no other candidates' family has," Mary Ann Huntsman says in the video that features her and her two sisters wearing fake moustaches to imitate Block. All three adult Huntsman daughters address the camera in the video with some statements selling their dad's candidacy and others being sarcastic.

In a nod to the cigarette drag in Cain's video, the Huntsman girls all three slowly blow bubbles and glare at the camera as the same song that ended Cain's ad plays in the background.

Al Sharpton Pronounces "Magna Cum Laude" (Video)

Obviously he's never heard of it. From tonight's Politics Nation on MSNBC

Press Sec. Jay Carney Says White House Still Backing Occupy Wall Street

"The president has said that he understands peoples' frustration, he understands that those frustrations are are felt very broadly by the American people" -Carney Friday afternoon


politico

In the early days of Occupy Wall Street, the simple if loosely-defined notions that propelled the action made it safe and relatively easy for political leaders, including President Obama, to express some solidarity.

Occupy Wall Street is costing cities millions in security and cleanup. The movement still has public support, but violent clashes in spots like Oakland and prolonged urban camp outs in cities including Washington create a potentially awkward scenario for some who were quick to embrace it.

"Look, people are frustrated," President Obama said earlier this week of the protests on "The Tonight Show."

Earlier, ahead of his most recent bus tour of North Carolina and Virginia in support of the American Jobs Act, the White House touted the movement's "99 percent" slogan, as part of a larger message about the economy and joblessness.

On Friday, White House press secretary Jay Carney did not distance the White House from the movement, but was careful to define Obama's support as within certain parameters.

"The president has said that he understands peoples' frustration, he understands that those frustrations are are felt very broadly by the American people -- at least those frustrations that have to do with the fact that the economy isn't strong enough, the fact that unemployment is too high and the fact that Washington is dysfunctional," Carney said.

Here's another flashback. What did the same people say about the tea party's peaceful non-violent protests? The DNC called them a "right-wing extremist mob"
Flashback August 2009: Roll tape

White House to Review Energy Department Loans After Solyndra Scandal

Too late...




foxnews

The White House has ordered a review of the Energy Department's loan guarantee program in the wake of a growing scandal over Solyndra, a California-based solar company that went bankrupt after receiving a $528 million federal loan.

Congressional Republicans have been investigating the bankruptcy of Solyndra Inc. amid revelations that federal officials were warned it had problems but nonetheless continued to support it. The House Energy and Commerce Committee could vote as early next week to subpoena White House records related to the loan.

White House chief of staff Bill Daley says the new independent review will evaluate the condition of other loan guarantees made by the Energy Department and make recommendations to the administration about how to improve the process. There are more than two dozen of these to a variety of clean energy companies.

"The president is committed to investing in clean energy because he understands that the jobs developing and manufacturing these technologies will either be created here or in other countries," he said. "And while we continue to take steps to make sure the United States remains competitive in the 21st century energy economy, we must also ensure that we are strong stewards of taxpayer dollars."

Daley said he's tapping Herb Allison, a former Treasury official, to conduct the 60-day review. Following the review, Allison will issue a report to the administration.

Missing Virginia Autistic Boy Found Alive After 6-day Search

A mile from where he disappeared, the boy found alive by a volunteer in a creek bed in the fetal position





cbsnews

DOSWELL, Va. - Police say the Hanover County autistic boy who was missing for six days has been found alive.

Police say 8-year-old Robert Wood Jr. was found Friday afternoon near the park where he was separated from his family.

At a press conference this afternoon, Hanover County Sheriff David Hines said the boy was found in a creek bed in the fetal position around 2 p.m. Friday and reunited with his family. Wood was in good condition but taken to a hospital.

The boy is in the emergency room being evaluated and treated, according to CBS affiliate WTVR.

Adam Warman of the Faison School for Autism told WTVR that students at the school were overjoyed when the announcement that their classmate had been found was made over the loudspeaker.

"They started yelling and cheering, and crying," said Warman.

The boy, who does not speak, was reportedly found by a citizen volunteer at a quarry about a mile from North Anna Battlefield Park where he disappeared Sunday, Oct. 23. Police say Robert had been hiking with his father, younger brother and his father's girlfriend.

Wood was the focus of an intense search involving thousands of volunteers around the park

Sheriff with the good news

Herman Cain: "Today, I Don't Have to Sit in the Back of the Bus, I Own the Bus and My Picture is on the Outside" (Video)

"And I'm running for president of the United States, it doesn't get any better than that"

Great interview of Herman Cain on Fox Business today, FBN's Peter Barnes catches up with him on the Cain bus

Charlie Rangel: It's Necessary For Obama To Use His Executive Power Because of the Gridlock (Video)

Rangel on Obama's end-run around congress

dailycaller

New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel told The Daily Caller that “gridlock” in Congress has made it “necessary” for President Barack Obama to unilaterally implement mortgage refinancing and student loan programs without congressional authorization

TheDC asked Rangel if he thinks there are other areas where Obama should bypass Congress. “I do, but I don’t want it to be interpreted that I welcome the executive branch using their powers instead of having the legislative branch do it. It’s necessary now because it’s a gridlock between the president and the United States. I hope that is just so very, very unusual,” Rangel told TheDC after a rally on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Flashback May 2008: Candidate Obama promises to not do an 'end-run around congress' if he becomes president

"You don't want a president who is too powerful" -Obama
.

Dick Morris: "Stupid" For Rick Perry To Skip Republican Debates (Video)

"Everybody knows the reason he's skipping the debate is because he got clobbered in the last 4 debates. If you're not in the debate, you're not in the race...Nobody cares how many babies they kiss in Iowa, they look at the debates and decide who to vote for...These debates are really an audition. We're asking them all to audition for the role of the guy who debates Obama. If you say you can't cut it, you're not gonna get nominated" Dick Morris tells Fox News.

I agree with Morris here. Rick Perry skipping the Republican debates will hurt him. Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson can skip debates, Rick Perry cannot.

Local Fox Reporter Threatened At Occupy Wall Street (Video)

"He threatened to stab me in the throat"...."He was arrested" Fox 5 reporter John Huddy says. They capture some of what happened following the threat at the 2 minute mark. This is in Zuccotti Park

Fox 5 News Reporter Assaulted At OWS:

MYFOXNY.COM - A protester, angered by the presence of a news crew inside Zuccotti Park Friday morning, threatened to stab Fox 5 News reporter John Huddy.

What has been an otherwise violence-free period during his six weeks covering the Occupy Wall Street movement, took a turn for John Huddy. He explained what happened during Good Day New York:

"This is somebody I've come across several times for the last few days. He threatened to stab me in the throat with a pen. He ripped the mic out of my hand," said Huddy.

"I have a meeting with Bloomberg," said the incoherent protester. The man was soon arrested by the NYPD.

Huddy had gone into the park to find out what protesters were doing to fight the significant drop in temperatures.

"I don't think this person represents the whole. One of the media representatives asked me not to categorize this one person as representative of the whole group. Most of the folks I've dealt with have been accomodating. There is an element here that we've seen that has caused problems. Overall, it has been peaceful in the park," added Huddy.

Obama's Health Care Law Penalizes Married Couples -Analysts

'The marriage penalty comes storming back.' Fox News Jim Angle reports


foxnews

A new wrinkle has surfaced in the implementation of the federal health care law that critics argue will impose a significant penalty on women and marriage.

The law includes generous subsidies for the uninsured so they can afford to buy coverage in the new insurance exchanges that are part of the legislation.

But several analysts told Congress Thursday the nature of the subsidies has an odd effect.

"The way this bill is structured, there are disincentives for women to marry and disincentives for women to work," said Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. "And for a bill that's supposed to make Americans healthier, these disincentives are truly startling."

Critics say that beginning in 2014, Americans will find it more advantageous to stay single than marry because it will be easier to afford health coverage.

Why? The new law provides generous subsidies for those without insurance so they can buy it on the new exchanges, but the subsidies are tied to one's income level and there's the rub.

The income measure for subsidy purposes are not based on individuals but rather on families. And that creates a perverse incentive.

"Two singles would each be able to earn $43,000 and still receive help to purchase health insurance, but if they got married and combined their earnings to $86,000, they would be far above the limit," Furchtgott-Roth explained.

Herman Cain's 'Now is the Time For Action' Ad Gets 1 Million Views in 4 Days

Viral. That doesn't count the other times the video was reposted by others (about 7 times) for an additional 200K hits total.

VIDEO: David Freese Game Winning Home Run In Bottom of 11th Inning of the World Series

Video of St. Louis Cardinals David Freese homer tonight to send World Series into Game 7. It looks as if the other players rip his jersey off as he comes into home

**Here's a new video, MLB is taking some of these down from YT**
**Update2** That one was removed also. So here's one more, this should stay up.
**That one is gone also. Here's a video from the stands**

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- David Freese homered to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals forced the World Series to a Game 7 by rallying from two-run deficits against the Texas Rangers in the 9th and 10th on Thursday night.

Freese hit a two-run triple just over a leaping Nelson Cruz to tie the score 7-7 in the ninth inning against Neftali Feliz. Then, after Josh Hamilton put Texas ahead with a two-run homer in the 10th off Jason Motte, Ryan Theriot hit an RBI groundout in the bottom half and Lance Berkman tied it 9-9 with a single.

Freese's shot to center came off Mark Lowe.

Game 7 is Thursday night

#OccupyChicago Occupies City Hall: 'Revolution Will Require Collapsing the American Government' (Video)

City Hall in Chicago


rebelpundit

On Tuesday, militant, Marxist, anti-war, and gay-rights activists–including some suspected of providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations–led the Occupy Chicago protesters into City Hall to stage an “in your face” protest directed at Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

We caught up with one protester, Roger Fraser, a retired Palatine, Illinois school teacher. Fraser is a proud member of the “99%” who earns a modest $7,792.75 a month from his pension.

Fraser is also known as a militant gay rights activist and a member of the Gay Liberation Network–the same organization founded by Chicago G-8 and NATO protest organizer–and militant, anti-war, social-justice radical–Andy Thayer

When asked what he thought it would take to achieve the activists’ goals, he remarked: “This kind of thing on a massive scale.“ He also answered in the affirmative as to whether or not the revolution would require collapsing the American government, and explained: ”Because….the resistance against this will be overwhelming…very strong….and relentless

Only 28% Give Obama Good or Excellent Marks on Economy, Another Record Low

Into the 20s!....They told us the Obama presidency would be historic


rasmussenreports

Perceptions of President Obama’s handling of the economy – the most important issue on voters’ minds – have fallen to a new low.

The latest national telephone survey finds that 28% of Likely Voters believe the president is doing a good or excellent job on the economy. While this finding has been hovered around 30% since early August, it’s the lowest level measured of Obama’s presidency.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 24-25, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Returning Soldier Surprises Wife at Chick-fil-A (Video)

Stafft Sgt. Chris Reed told his wife he'd be returning from Afghanistan, he didn't say when. Out with family, she orders at Chick-fil-A and waits for the employee to bring it back. All caught on camera.

wesh.com

EUSTIS, Fla. -- A Central Florida wife got a surprise she never imagined while dining at the Chick-fil-A in Eustis.

Amy Reed, 24, knew her husband, Staff Sgt. Chris Reed , would be returning home from service in Afghanistan soon, but what she didn't know was when.

Amy's dad hatched a plan to stage a reunion at Chick-fil-A on a Tuesday night. The Reeds say Tuesday family nights at the restaurant helped Amy survive her husband's third deployment.

On Oct. 14, Amy thought an employee would bring out the meal she had ordered, but instead, it was her husband, Chris.

"I was so speechless. I started screaming," Reed said.

Just about everyone in the family was in on the plan, except for Amy. She reacted with a loud scream that had the whole restaurant turn in applause. The whole reunion was taped and posted on YouTube.

"I honestly could not believe it. I thought it was a dream. I thought if I screamed I would wake up," she said.

"It started off with her just screaming and her shedding tears. Then everyone started shedding tears. There wasn't a dry eye in the place," said Chick-fil-A's Kevin O'Leary.

Karl Rove on Herman Cain: "He's Got Such Passion and Energy, He Gets More Than the Normal Number of Mulligans" (Audio)

HANNITY: Cain got mad at you for saying his poll numbers were going down
ROVE: "He actually used me for a fundraising purpose, he sent out an email saying I was part of a gigantic conspiracy. Look, here's the deal...Fox wants me to call balls and strikes, that's what Mr. Murdoch sends me my paycheck for"

From the second hour of the Sean Hannity Show

Speaker Boehner: Leave Military Spending Alone, "They've Taken More Than Their Fair Share of the Hits"

Associated Press

Top congressional Republicans, Democrats and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta are united in a single message to the special bipartisan committee looking for ways to cut the deficit: Leave military spending alone.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters Thursday that the Pentagon budget was cut more than enough in the debt accord this past summer by President Barack Obama and Republicans.

That deal calls for cuts of $350 billion in projected spending over 10 years. The Pentagon is planning on reductions of about $450 billion.

"I would argue that they've taken more than their fair share of the hits," Boehner said.

His comments echo the argument made by others lawmakers as well as Panetta, who in recent speeches and congressional testimony insisted that the Pentagon be spared further cuts.

Rising deficits and deep debt have forced the federal government to slash spending, even at the Pentagon.

The Department of Defense's budget has nearly doubled to $700 billion in the 10 years since the Sept. 11 attacks. Those numbers do not include the trillion-plus spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 12-member supercommittee has a mandate to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in overall spending cuts over 10 years. If it fails to do so by Nov. 23 or if Congress rejects its plan, then automatic, across-the-board cuts of $1.2 trillion kick in, with half coming from defense.

Panetta has called that the "doomsday mechanism" and lawmakers have warned of the dire consequences of such reductions that would mean about $1 trillion over 10 years.

Muslims Say Crosses at Catholic University Violate 'Human Rights'

foxnews radio

The Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights confirmed that it is investigating allegations that Catholic University violated the human rights of Muslim students by not allowing them to form a Muslim student group and by not providing them rooms without Christian symbols for their daily prayers.

The investigation alleges that Muslim students “must perform their prayers surrounded by symbols of Catholicism – e.g., a wooden crucifix, paintings of Jesus, pictures of priests and theologians which many Muslim students find inappropriate.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Human Rights told Fox News they had received a 60-page complaint against the private university. The investigation, they said, could take as long a six months.

The complaint was filed by John Banzhaf, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School. Banzhaf has been involved in previous litigation against the school involving the same-sex residence halls. He also alleged in his complaint involving Muslim students that women at the university were being discriminated against. You can read more on those allegations by clicking here.

Jay Sekulow: Napolitano Trying to Establish Plausible Deniability on Operation Fast and Furious

"Nobody wants to get near this because it's a disaster...For the head of the Dept. of Homeland Security [Napolitano] to not acknowledge the problem and go to the Attorney General and say I wasn't aware of this...What were you doing? Why were you doing this? But to simply say the Inspector General is handling this from the Dept. of Justice, I just don't find that plausible" Sekulow says on Fox News this afternoon. This is from Happening Now with Megyn Kelly. Her other guest is Julian Epstein, he makes a bunch of excuses for Secretary Napolitano. But Sekulow hammers her here.

Tsunami Debris From Japan Bound For the United States (Video)

5-20 million tons of "stuff" headed for the U.S. Video report CNN

The devastating tsunami that hit Japan in March created lasting images of houses, boats, cars and entire neighborhoods pulled out to sea.

Now, seven months later, that debris is on a direct collision course with the Pacific coast of the United States.

Up to 20 million tons of the debris, all of it potentially toxic, is floating across the Pacific Ocean in an area estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

And it might be coming sooner than expected.

“Across the wide Pacific, the drift rate is about five to 10 miles per day,” oceanographer Curt Ebbesmeyer told ABC News.

Early computer models predicted that the debris would not hit the United States for two to three years.

But a Russian training ship, the STS Pallada, following a map of the computer models, hit an extended field of debris in mid-Pacific, close to Midway Island, a U.S. territory about 1,700 miles from Hawaii.

The ship’s encounter with the 1,000-mile-long mass of tsunami debris came in September, 300 miles ahead of schedule, and nearly 2,000 miles from the site of the tsunami in Japan.(abcnews)