RNC: Obama's 2012 New Year's Resolutions

Postcards of Obama's New Year's resolutions via the Republican National Committee. I grabbed just a few. This is great.












This one is funny.


They throw in Holder

see the rest at Obamaresolutions.com
.

Des Moines Register Iowa Poll: Mitt Romney 24%, Ron Paul 22%, Rick Santorum 15%

Almost identicle to the Rasmussen poll earlier in the week


desmoinesregister

Mitt Romney tops the latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll in the closing days before the Iowa caucuses, but Ron Paul and Rick Santorum are poised within striking distance.

The poll, conducted Tuesday through Friday, shows support at 24 percent for Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts; 22 percent for Paul, a Texas congressman; and 15 percent for the surging Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania.

But the four-day results don’t reflect just how quickly momentum is shifting in a race that has remained highly fluid for months. If the final two days of polling are considered separately, Santorum rises to second place, with 21 percent, pushing Paul to third, at 18 percent. Romney remains the same, at 24 percent.

Earlier polls out of Iowa this week:
Rasmussen 12/29
Romney 23, Paul 22, Santorum 16, Gingrich 13, Perry 13

Insider Advantage 12/29
Romney 17, Paul 17, Santorum 13, Gingrich 17, Perry 11

CNN Poll 12/28
Romney 25, Paul 22, Santorum 16, Gingrich 14, Perry 11

PPP Poll 12/28
Paul 24, Romney 20, Santorum 10, Gingrich 13, Perry 10, Bachmann

Iran Backs Off Threat to Close Strait of Hormuz

A U.S. naval ship is pictured during the Velayat-90 war game in the Sea of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran December 29, 2011


Fox News

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran backed down Saturday from its earlier threats to block the strategic oil route through the Strait of Hormuz, apparently confirming U.S. assertions that such threats packed more "bluster" than bite.

Talk of blocking the strategic oil route through the Strait of Hormuz is a discussion of the past, a commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Saturday, but he said Iran had other, unspecified strategies for reacting to any Western aggression.

"Discourse about closing the Strait of Hormuz belongs to five years ago. Today's debate in the Islamic Republic of Iran contains new layers and the time has not come to raise it," Gen. Masoud Jazayeri said in comments posted Saturday on the Guard's website, sepahnews.com.

The latest developments came on the same day that the country's top nuclear negotiator announced Iran is proposing a new round of talks about its controversial nuclear program with the six world powers. The West recently imposed new sanctions over Tehran's uranium enrichment program, which is a potential pathway to making nuclear arms.

U.S. military officials had warned Wednesday that any attempt by Iran to disrupt oil shipments at the mouth of the Persian Gulf "will not be tolerated"

Rick Santorum Gets Glitter Bombed in Iowa (Video)

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum was greeted with a fistful of glitter as he arrived at his final campaign event Friday night in Johnston, Iowa. An unidentified man shouted "Stop the hate, Taste the rainbow." Santorum laughs it off. Here's the video

Freelance Journalist Inside Syria Reports on Government Snipers Prowling The City of Homs (Video)

An unnamed (very brave) journalist reporting for CNN shows the struggle inside of Homs, Syria with government snipers from the Assad regime posted everywhere, shooting anybody who chooses to cross the street in certain areas. The residents are shown tossing food and goods from one side of the street to the other to keep from being gunned down

Gingrich: Attorney General Eric Holder Should Resign Over Fast & Furious

"Eric Holder is just a junior version of President Obama"



washingtonexaminer

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Newt Gingrich this morning said that Attorney General Eric Holder should resign due to the consequences of the Fast and Furious program, in which the Obama administration intentionally allowed thousands of guns to flow into the hands of Mexican drug lords without tracking them. At least two of the guns showed up at the murder scene of a U.S. border agent.

At an appearance here at Trish's Restaurant, Gingrich was asked why Holder was still running the Department of Justice.

“Well, because Barack Obama is still in there,” Gingrich replied. "Eric Holder is just a junior version of President Obama. So he’s allowed to have the attorney general he wants, who is some guy who to most of us is way to the left and not very competent."

He continued, "For example, on Fast and Furious, the gun sting that went bad and killed an American agent, Holder either didn’t know, which means he ought to resign, or he did know, which means he ought to resign. It’s hard to understand the case for him not being held accountable. But I think that goes back to President Obama

Coffee Shop Owner Kicks Occupy Iowa Out Of Campaign Event (Video)

Occupiers were shown the door when the owner of an Iowa coffee shop had heard enough.

"We all have our rights," said Amy Brehm, who runs Java Joe's, where MSNBC had set up broadcast facilities in Des Moines, "but not in my place."..."I'm not one to sit by and watch things happen"

4 Arrested For Burning American Flags at Occupy Charlotte

wbtv

CHARLOTTE, NC - Four protesters, including the spokesman of Occupy Charlotte, were charged after setting fire to two American flags early Friday near the Occupy camp in Center City, police said.

But, WBTV has learned that one of the men is the media spokesman for the Occupy group and has been the contact person listed on press releases from Occupy Charlotte.

The fires happened with in feet of the group's encampment. Earlier reports indicated one flag was burned, but a police report says that 2 US flags were burned.

Officers said they noticed the suspects lighting something on fire directly in front of the Occupy camp along Trade Street around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning.

Police swarmed the area, and detained the men while firefighters were called in to knock down the flames. About $30 worth of damage was caused to landscaping at the site.

It was only after the fire was out did officials figure out what was burning, the American flag.

Police said the men claimed they were burning the flag in protest. Burning the flag is not illegal, however doing it outside of a fire pit, and within ten feet from flammable tents poses a problem

Iowa: Romney Overtakes Ron Paul on Intrade

Four days ago. This was Intrade Iowa GOP 2012



Tonight: Iowa Caucus GOP 2012. Romney leads Paul 51% to 37%, Gingrich also losing 10 points, Santorum +8

Iraqis Cheer Departure of U.S. Forces, Chant Anti-American Slogans

Sickening, when you consider all the sacrifice made in Iraq

Protesters waving Iraqi flags chant anti-U.S. slogans during a demonstration in the Azamiyah neighborhood of Baghdad, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. Hundreds of Iraqi Sunnis have celebrated the departure of the American forces from Iraq, amid sectarian tensions. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

cbsnews

BAGHDAD — Hundreds of Sunni Muslims gathered in Baghdad Friday to celebrate the withdrawal of American forces, but in a sign of the sectarian divisions that re-emerged immediately after their departure, Shiite Muslims did not join the event.

The celebration took place near the Abu Hanifa mosque, the main house of worship in the primarily Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah in northern Baghdad. To secure the event, Iraqi troops blocked traffic on roads leading to the mosque and searched people approaching the area.

During the rally, men and children waved Iraqi flags and raised banners praising those who resisted the U.S. presence in Iraq.

"Baghdad is the castle of resistance," one banner read. "The deeds of the heroes are stronger than the weapons of the occupiers," read another banner. Women threw chocolates to the crowd as a sign of joy.

In his sermon, the mosque's preacher, Sheik Ahmed al-Taha, accused the Americans of stirring up sectarian tension among Iraqis.

"The occupiers created the sectarian conflict as an exit from the quagmire they found themselves in when they were facing 200 military operations against them every day. By dividing Iraqis, the Americans made Iraqis attack each other instead of attacking them," al-Taha told worshippers.

The preacher also called on the government to demand compensation from the Americans for the loss of lives and damage caused during the occupation

Here's some of the comments from the story:

"Some Iraqis are dumb enough to believe the manure that were fed to them by their clerics, failing to realize that sectarian violence existed way before the U.S. even in the picture.
The ungrateful bunch would be kissing sadamm behind right now if it wasn't for the courage of American armed forces......if their heads are still attached"

"Wow, What a bunch of A Holes , These people are amazing. They want freedom. But when given dont want it"

WH Releases New Photos of the Day Osama Bin Laden Was Killed

They put this montage of photos together [click to enlarge]

This is a composite of several images of the President and his national security team during a series of meetings in the Situation Room of the White House discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden on Sunday, May 1. We put this together so in addition to the previous, now iconic image of this day, people might have a better sense of what it's like in presidential meetings of historic significance."(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Later that night. (It looks like they are watching NBC)

"The President was ready to announce the news about the mission against Osama bin Laden and was putting the finishing touches on his statement in the Outer Oval Office. As he did so, the networks broke in with bulletins confirming that bid Laden had been killed and a photograph of him appeared on the television screen in the background near the Vice President and Press Secretary Jay Carney." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Rick Perry: "A Fiscal Conservative"

The latest ad out this evening from Rick Perry. This one is a minute and a half. Again, not a bad spot but he really needs to lose the 'we need a part-time congress, cut their pay, send 'em home' clip that is again used at the beginning of this video. That has been used way too many times IMO. Here's the new video

In 2011, The Average American Household Spent $4,155 Filling Up Their Gas Tank, The Highest in 30 Years

That would be higher than any year during the Bush presidency. $3.50 average for 2011. 8.4% of the median family income. The highest since 1981. Funny how we can't seem to find the same outrage we all witnessed in the summer of 2008



cnbc

When the gifts from Grandma are unloaded and holiday travel is over, the typical American household will have spent $4,155 filling up this year, a record. That is 8.4 percent of what the median family takes in, the highest share since 1981.

Gas averaged more than $3.50 a gallon this year, another unfortunate record. And next year isn't likely to bring relief.

In the past, high gas prices in the United States have gone hand-in-hand with economic good times, making them less damaging to family finances. Now prices are high despite slow economic growth and weak demand.

That's because demand for crude oil is rising globally, especially in the developing nations of Asia and Latin America. But it puts the squeeze on the U.S., where unemployment is high and many people who have jobs aren't getting raises.

The trap has caught Michael Reed of Charlotte, N.C. He hasn't been able to find work since he lost his computer-support job in 2009. Now high gas prices are claiming more of what he has left. He and his wife won't exchange gifts this Christmas.

"I try to drive as little as possible so it doesn't take such a chunk out of my wallet," he says.

In 1981, when the economy was sliding into recession and oil prices were high because of Middle East turmoil, gas ate up 8.8 percent of the typical family budget, says Fred Rozell of the Oil Price Information Service.

Obamanomics: Only 55% of Americans Between Ages of 16 And 29 Have Jobs

weaselzippers

In 2008, the youth vote helped sweep Barack Obama into office. Americans 18-29 spread the word on social media, energized fundraising and went to the polls.

In 2012, the youth vote is moving on and throwing those omnipresent “Hope” bumper stickers and t-shirts in garbage bins.

Not because of apathy. Not because another candidate generates more enthusiasm. Not because of his character. Not because they think voting is pointless. The 18-29 vote is up for grabs in 2012 because youth can’t afford cars to put bumper stickers on and those t-shirts are worn out from too many days sitting on the couch unemployed.

The sobering reality: just 55.3 percent of Americans between 16 and 29 have jobs. And earlier this year, Americans’ student loan debt surpassed credit card debt for the first time ever.

Rather than develop a lasting initiative to help young unemployed Americans, the President launched “Greater Together” — a campaign tool that offers community forums rather than jobs. Rather than provide a bailout to those crushed by the burden of educational loans, his student debt relief program was pathetic — only reducing interest rates by a measly 0.5 percent.

How they voted in Election 2008

Verizon: Never Mind on That $2 Fee

Verizon scraps the $2 "convenience charge" for those customers who make one-time bill payments using a debit or credit card, either online or by telephone. CNN reports

Video: Chris Matthews Asks Michele Bachmann if She Could Back Ron Paul If He Became the Nominee

Very short video of Matthews chasing Bachmann at a campaign stop in Iowa. She doesn't answer his question and says it will never happen (Ron Paul becoming the GOP nominee)

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

Flashback: Here's Matthews calling Bachmann a 'balloon head' on his Hardball program a few months back

Sick.

Can the left go any lower?

Electric Car Company That Received a $529M Federal Loan Recalls Vehicles

The hits just keep on coming





thehill

An electric vehicle manufacturer that received a $529 million loan from the Energy Department is recalling 239 vehicles.

The Transportation Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday that the company, Fisker Automotive, will recall its Karma vehicles made between July 1, 2011, and Nov. 3, 2011, because of a faulty electric battery component that could cause a fire.

“Within the high-voltage battery, certain hose clamps may have been positioned incorrectly during assembly. If positioned incorrectly, the batter compartment cover could interfere with the hose clamps, potentially causing a coolant leak from the cooling hose,” NHTSA said in its recall notice Thursday.

“If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possibly resulting in a fire.”

The Energy Department issued a $529 million loan to Fisker in April 2010 for the development of its plug-in electric vehicles.

The administration has come under fire for issuing the loan after ABC News reported in October that Fisker is making its vehicles in Finland because it could not find a contractor in America to manufacture them

Huntsman PAC: New Hampshire Can Stop The Chameleon

The ad says the race is down to just 2 candidates.


politico

Our Destiny PAC, the outside group supporting Jon Huntsman’s presidential campaign, is going on the air in New Hampshire with an ad that implores voters there to “stop the chameleon.”

That “chameleon” would be Mitt Romney — one of two candidates the super PAC says is still viable in the 2012 primary.

“Two serious candidates remain. One willing to say anything, be anything. One who can actually do the job,” the narrator says, praising Huntsman’s economic and foreign policy record. “One state can stop the chameleon. Vote Jon Huntsman.”

A strategist for Our Destiny PAC confirms — as The Associated Press first reported — that the ad is running at a strength of $300,000. The strategist said that includes both broadcast and cable airtime.

This is the first ad of the GOP primary that attacks Romney, and only Romney, head on. While Rick Perry and Ron Paul have both jabbed at the former Massachusetts governor in their ads, neither has run direct Perry-vs.-Romney or Paul-vs.-Romney spots yet

Newt Tears Up At a Town Hall While Talking About His Mother

Des Moines, Iowa


businessinsider

Newt Gingrich teared up while addressing a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa while on the campaign trail there today.

The Iowa caucus is next Tuesday, and a recent poll reveals Gingrich has plummeted to fourth place behind Rick Santorum after a few short weeks of being the GOP favorite earlier this month.

Gingrich became emotional speaking about the role his mother had played in his life and her healthcare needs before her death in 2003.

As Buzzfeed's Ben Smith notes: "These guys are truly exhausted, and that's part of it."

DES MOINES, IA - DECEMBER 30: Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich wipes away a tear while speaking about his deceased mother during a question and answer forum put together by Moms Matter 2012 at Java Joe's (Getty)

ABC Joins NBC in Citing Outdated Poll Showing Obama Approval Up

It's ABC's turn to use Gallup numbers from a survey that ended on Dec. 23rd, today is the December 30th. Gallup's 3 day rolling average has changed twice. ABC News knows that the numbers have changed, but they need the old survey for their report. This is gallup's approval/disapproval that was used on World News Tonight Thursday evening


newsbusters

On Thursday's World News on ABC, substitute anchor David Muir brought up the Gallup Daily Tracking Poll numbers from Monday which at that time showed President Obama with a 47 percent approval rating and a 45 percent disapproval rating, the first time in recent memory that his approval number was higher than his disapproval.

But, since Monday, the Gallup tracking poll numbers have turned further against Obama each day, with today's poll showing that the President's approval rating is back down to 41 percent with his disapproval up to 50 percent. As Muir referred to the Gallup survey as "one poll," he did not inform viewers that this same poll had trended away from Obama since Monday

Here's the video from last night's World New tonight:


These are the numbers that came out Tuesday


Another new set of numbers yesterday showing Obama at 41%, but the lib media is not going to let new data get in the way of their report

Art Laffer on Fox Business: Why I'm Supporting Newt Gingrich (Video)

"One man can get America back on its feet"

"Newt has a comprehensive proposal that covers monetary policy, trade policy, tax policy, spending, regulatory policy...It's supply side economics right down the path"

Santorum: No Cuts To The Defense Budget If I’m Elected

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum speaks to supporters at a campaign stop at the Button factory restaurant in Muscatine, Iowa December 29, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Wilking


desmoinesregister

Davenport, Ia. – Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Thursday night he will cut trillions of dollars from the federal budget if he’s elected president, but he won’t cut a dime from overall defense spending.

“If you liked Ronald Reagan, you will like Rick Santorum,” said the Pennsylvania Republican, noting the former president’s commitment to a strong military. “The number one responsibility of the federal government is national security…and we are not spending exorbitant amounts on the military.”

Santorum spoke to a crowd of about 150 people here in a town hall meeting at the CASI Center for Active Seniors. He said the bottom line is that American needs to be strong to protect its own economic interests and its own national security interests.

Only about 20 percent of the federal budget is currently spent on defense, compared to more than 50 percent during President John F. .Kennedy’s administration, he said.

Santorum said in an interview after the meeting that there would “lots of defense items that we would eliminate and that we would re-prioritize.

For example, one of the areas that we need more of is higher troop complements if we are going to keep the commitments up, which I suspect we will have to do. And the operational tempo of our active-duty units is too high

Ron Paul on WHO Radio: I Wrote a "Certain Portion" of the Newsletters, The Economics Part (Audio)

Ron Paul interviewed on the Jan Mickelson show on WHO Radio in Iowa today. About mid-way through the interview, Paul gets a question about the newsletters from a caller to the program. This is not a very good answer from Ron Paul

"There were many times when I didn’t edit the whole letter, and other things got put in. And I didn’t even really become aware of the details of that until many years later when somebody else called and said, you know what was in it?"...

"I was not an editor, I'm like a publisher" Paul says. After his answer, the caller slams Ron Paul on his conspiracy theories

Ron Paul interview on the Jan Mickelson show on WHO Radio

Two Killed, Sixty Injured in 40-car Pile-up Near New Orleans

"Beyond belief." Here's video from WWLTV



reuters

A 40-car pile-up near New Orleans in an area that has been blanketed by fog in recent mornings killed two men and injured dozens of other people on Thursday, tying up traffic for hours, police said.

The early morning chain-reaction crash took place on Interstate 10 just east of New Orleans, killing a 54-year-old man who was a passenger in a truck and the driver of another truck, police spokesman Officer Garry Flot said.

Both men, residents of Louisiana, died on the scene but were not immediately identified. Another 25 people were transported to a hospital with injuries ranging from minor to critical, while 37 more declined treatment, Flot said.

The injured included a New Orleans firefighter who sustained a small cut to his face while assisting in the incident.

Flot said the pile-up occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday, closing the interstate in both directions for more than 10 hours. By late afternoon, eastbound traffic had resumed but westbound lanes remained closed

DNC Back To Attacking Romney (Video)

"What is Mitt Hiding?" is the first ad from the DNC in 8 days.

Iran Rejects U.S. Warning on Strait of Hormuz

"Iran does not ask permission to implement its own defensive strategies"


cbsnews

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran continued to suggest it may block the Strait of Hormuz in response to greater international pressure over its nuclear program, rejecting a U.S. warning that any attempt to choke off the key oil supply route would not be tolerated.

"The U.S. is not in a position" to affect Iran's decisions, Gen. Hossein Salami, the acting commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard told the semi-official Fars news agency Thursday. "Iran does not ask permission to implement its own defensive strategies."

Iran had previously threatened the close the strait if Washington imposes sanctions targeting Iran's crude exports. On Wednesday, Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based U.S. 5th Fleet, said the Navy was "always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

Meanwhile, official IRNA news agency reported an Iranian surveillance plane has recorded video and photographed a U.S. aircraft carrier during Iran's ongoing navy drill near a strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf.

The report did not provide details and it was unclear what information the Iranian military could gleam from such footage. But the announcement is an indication Iran is seeking to cast its navy as having a powerful role in the region's waters

Fox News Wendell Goler on the escalating tensions


Krauthammer: "Iran could be making a huge mistake here...If the bluff is called...The United States Navy will reopen the Straits and it could destroy the Iranian Navy"

Man, 99, Divorcing Wife of 77 Years Over Affair in the 1940s

She's 96.

Couple set to become the world's oldest divorcees


today

A 99-year-old Italian man is divorcing his 96-year-old wife after discovering that she conducted an affair in the 1940s, reports the Telegraph.

The couple have been together for 77 years, but time was no healer when the husband, referred to by Italian lawyers as Antonio C, found evidence of the affair while rummaging throw a chest of drawers. Having confronted his wife, who confessed to the affair, he is now seeking a divorce.

According to UPI, Antonio came across letters his wife had received from an old lover more than 50 years ago, making him suspect an affair.

It is also reported that the couple have five children and 12 grandchildren along with a single great grandchild.

Pelosi's Office Disputes Daughter's Claim That She Wants to Leave Politics

Not a surprise that they would dispute daughter Alexandra's claim. The daughter now says, "I was merely projecting my own personal opinions." (good one)

I believe the initial report that Pelosi would like to retire, why would the daughter say that to a website if it was not true?





politico

Nancy Pelosi's office says her daughter is wrong when she says the California Democrat wants to leave politics.

Alexandra Pelosi, a filmmaker, said in an interview with Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government, that her mother is staying in Washington only for her donors.

“She would retire right now, if the donors she has didn’t want her to stay so badly,” Alexandra Pelosi told Big Government. “They know she wants to leave, though. They think she’s destined for the wilderness. She has very few days left. She’s 71, she wants to have a life, she’s done. It’s obligation, that’s all I’m saying.”

Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for the House minority leader, said it’s simply not true.

“This may be wishful thinking on the part of a right-wing blog, but it is totally untrue,” Elshami said. “When the day comes and Leader Pelosi’s work is done, she won’t be announcing it there.”

Alexandra Pelosi didn’t deny uttering the remark but declined to expand in an email to POLITICO.

“I don’t speak for Nancy Pelosi — I was merely projecting my own personal opinions,” Alexandra Pelosi wrote in an email.

Either way, speculation about Pelosi’s future is always rampant in D.C., and these comments — made from fact, or not — will only serve to add fuel to the fire

Former Bachmann Campaign Staffer Kent Sorenson Explains His Reasons For Jumping Ship to Join Ron Paul's Campaign

He sounds like he's had a lot of contact with Ron Paul and Ron Paul supporters in the past based on what he says in this interview on CNN. Listen closely to the beginning of this clip. Michele Bachmann says that she had a conversation with Sorenson. "He told me that he was offered money, he was offered him a lot of money by the Ron Paul campaign" [to join Ron Paul] Bachmann says. Sonrenson says the conversation never happened. It would be really hard for me to believe Michele Bachmann would be lying about a conversation she had with Kent Sorenson. He the interview from CNN today

New Perry Ad "Game Show" Hits Santorum on Earmarks

"Wheel of Washington with Wink Taxandspend"

"If Rick Santorum wins, you lose"

Iranian Likely to Face Fine, Jail Execution for Tossing Shoes at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Rashid Shahbandi, who had recently lost his job, hurled a shoe at Ahmadenijad during a speech earlier this month.


Fox News

The man who was arrested for tossing his shoes at Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a speech earlier this month could face execution for his act of defiance.

Rashid Shahbandi, who has been in custody since his arrest at the time of the incident, has been tortured and is facing heavy punishment with a strong possibility of a death sentence, opposition groups told the Iran Khabar Agency, an independent news service.

The former textile worker, who had recently lost his job at the factory in the city of Sari, was in attendance there when Ahmadinejad was speaking to workers about the great achievements of his government.

Sources say Shahbandi, who is under financial distress due to the high medical cost of his son’s burn injuries, grew angry while listening to the speech and hurled his shoes — considered an ultimate insult across the Middle East — at Ahmadinejad.

Shahbandi has a history of defiance; he has previously insulted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and thrown eggs at former President Sayyid Mohammad Khatami when he was in office.

It was not immediately clear when and if Shahbandi will have a trial

Obama 2012 Campaign Manager Jim Messina: 5 Pathways Obama Gets To 270

He begins with the Bush/Kerry map from 2004 where Bush got 292 and Kerry ended up with 246 electoral votes, calling it the 'baseline,' (states they don't think they can lose). He then looks at 5 ways Obama can pickup 24 electoral votes.


Here's the video that was released earlier today


Here are the 9 states Obama picked up in 2008 that went for Bush in 2004. From Red to blue. The Republican nominee (Romney, Newt, Santorum or whoever) will have to win (just about) all of these back in 2012 to win the White House.

Colorado
Florida
Indiana
Iowa
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Virginia

These states will account for 112 electoral votes in 2012
.

Book: Petraeus Almost Quit Over Obama Drawdown in Afghanistan

usatoday

A new book says Gen. David Petraeus almost resigned over President Obama's decision to quickly withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

The Associated Press, which obtained an early copy of the insider biography of Petraeus, reported that he decided that resigning would be a "selfish, grandstanding move with huge political ramifications"and that now was "time to salute and carry on."

Petraeus, now CIA director, is the subject of All In: The Education of General David Petraeus, due from Penguin Press in January.

The AP notes that "author and Petraeus confidante Paula Broadwell had extensive access to the general in Afghanistan and Washington."

read the rest here
.

Rick Santorum Scrambling To Buy Television Time in New Hampshire

Santorum has not run a single television or radio ad in New Hampshire to date

Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks to the media during a campaign stop at the Coralville City Hall, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Coralville, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

politicalticker

Des Moines, Iowa - On the heels of a new CNN/TIME/ORC poll showing him surging among Republicans in Iowa, Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign is scrambling to buy television time in New Hampshire.

A source familiar with the move told CNN that the campaign started to make media buys in New Hampshire on Thursday, and is planning run television and radio ads statewide beginning next Monday.

Santorum has not aired a single television or radio ad in New Hampshire to date.

The Iowa caucuses are next Tuesday, January 3. New Hampshire’s primary is on January 10.

The media buys reflect a new reality for the former Pennsylvania senator, who has scraped by throughout his campaign with little money for television ads or direct mail.

But if Santorum’s threadbare campaign captures a top three finish in Iowa and catches fire, his momentum could quickly stall without a respectable presence on the television airwaves in New Hampshire and later in South Carolina, where he has been courting social conservatives at the grassroots level for more than a year

Rick: I can attract Democrats and Independents

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

Nancy Pelosi’s Daughter: ‘My Mom Wants to Leave Congress’

Please God.

biggovernment

Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of House Minority Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, told Big Government this week that her mother wants to leave Congress–and that she remains in Washington only at the behest of her campaign donors.

During a telephone interview, Ms. Pelosi–speaking from a friend’s home in New York City–described her mother’s predicament:

"She would retire right now, if the donors she has didn’t want her to stay so badly. They know she wants to leave, though. They think she’s destined for the wilderness. She has very few days left. She’s 71, she wants to have a life, she’s done. It’s obligation, that’s all I’m saying"

Minority Leader Pelosi’s departure would make room for her deputy and former rival, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who currently serves as Minority Whip.

Hoyer is widely seen as more moderate than Pelosi. She opposed his election to the party leadership in 2006, choosing instead to back the late Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA), despite his ethical challenges.

Election 2012: Romney Jumps Out To Biggest Lead Yet Over Barack Obama, 45% To 39%

One week ago, Obama led Romney 44%-41%


rasmussenreports

Mitt Romney has now jumped to his biggest lead ever over President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. It’s also the biggest lead a named Republican candidate has held over the incumbent in Rasmussen Reports surveying to date.

The latest national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the former Massachusetts governor, while 39% prefer the president. Ten percent (10%) like some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

A week ago, Romney trailed Obama 44% to 41%. The week before that, he held a slight 43% to 42% edge over the president. The two candidates have been essentially tied in regular surveys since January, but Romney remains the only GOP hopeful to lead Obama in more than one survey.

Despite Romney’s current six-point lead, his latest level of support is in line with the 38% to 45% he has earned in matchups with the president this year. However, Obama’s 39% is a new low: Prior to this survey, his support has ranged from 40% to 46% in matchups with Romney.

John Bolton Grades Obama's Foreign Policy

On Iran: "The Iranians see a very weak president in Washington, somebody that they do not believe will use military force against their [nuclear] program"

On Iraq: "This withdrawal of American forces was a catastrophic move by president Obama...It is already having effects inside Iraq, all of them negative from the U.S. perspective. It sends a signal of weakness to Iran"

Bolton also talks about Ron Paul in this interview with Mark Steyn on Fox News

Procession Photo Distributed by North Korea State News Agency Was Doctored

This photo was transmitted by the Associated Press via Kyodo News (the real photo)


This is the same photo from the European Photo Press Agency, via Korean Central News (North Korea's state news agency). In a perfectly choreographed Communist stage production, you can't have a group of men out of line. They are erased.


lens.nytimes

The funeral of Kim Jong-il on Wednesday called to mind the best stage-managed Communist state productions: the falling snow, the wailing mourners, the perfectly spaced limousines and rows of chest-beating men.

So perhaps it was because the scene was so nearly impeccable that someone — an overzealous North Korean photo editor? — appears to have taken issue with an errant group of men, barely noticeable in a sweeping photograph of the procession in central Pyongyang, and removed them.

According to an analysis by The New York Times and the digital forensics expert Hamy Farid of Dartmouth University, a photograph distributed by North Korea’s state news agency and transmitted by the European Pressphoto Agency was altered using Photoshop to remove the men after the picture was shot.

Another photo, taken from the same high vantage over the funeral route only seconds earlier by Kyodo News, a Japanese agency, and distributed by The Associated Press, revealed the changes.

In the Kyodo photograph, which appeared in Wednesday’s Pictures of the Day, six men are standing near a camera behind the assembled crowds. In the North Korean photo, the men — as well as the camera and their tracks in the snow — are gone.

Rick Santorum: I Could Vote For Ron Paul But "I'd Have to Take a lot of Antacid When I Go Into The Voting Booth"

Rick Santorum said he would "absolutely" vote for Ron Paul if he were the alternative to President Obama.

Rick Santorum said Wednesday he would "absolutely" vote for rival Ron Paul if he were the GOP presidential nominee, but admitted he is "nervous" about the possibility.

"I'd have to take a lot of antacid when I go into the voting booth and vote for him," Santorum said.

The former Pennsylvania senator said ultimately he would vote for Paul in order to have anyone other than President Obama in the White House, with the hope that if Paul won the office, "enough pressure could be brought to bear on him that he won't make these horrific [decisions]."

Santorum said he has "serious concerns" that the Texas lawmaker would be a danger to national security, and fears he would bring home all U.S. troops if elected president.

"A second term with Barack Obama I'm not sure will look that different from a Ron Paul administration," he said, when it comes to foreign policy

Gingrich Communications Director on CNN: If We Finish Anywhere in the Top 5 In Iowa, We Survive (Video)

What? Top 5? Are you kidding? We are really tamping down expectations now. Newt's Communications Director, Joe DeSantis on CNN a short time ago is now talking about the top 5 in Iowa. Candy Crowley asks him about Newt's 19 point drop. DeSantis attributes the drop to millions of dollars in negative advertising against Gingrich. DeSantis says South Carolina and Florida is where Newt's strength is.

Let me say if Newt finishes 4th or 5th in Iowa, it would be a blow to his (or anybody's) campaign, especially when they were leading previously. Take a listen to this interview from CNN this evening.



He wasn't done. Gingrich Communications Director Joe DeSantis says at the end of the day, Newt will be on the ballot in Virginia because "the legislature and the Governor of Virginia will err on the side of democracy and give the people of Virginia a chance to vote for the candidate they want"

Huh? What is he talking about? There's no evidence of that whatsoever. I think Joe DeSantis is Newt Gingrich's Mark Block. Here's the video

National Retail Federation: $41 Billion Worth of Gift Cards Have Not Been Redeemed Since 2005

80% of shoppers bought gift cards over the holidays. The average shopper spending $155 dollars.

Gift cards have become increasingly popular gifts, especially for hard-to-buy-for people, 80% of shoppers buy them.

Unfortunately, a huge number of those cards are never even used. The national retail federation says $41 billion worth of gift cards have not been redeemed since 2005.

Holiday shoppers were expected to spend an average of $155 on gift cards, the highest amount since 2007.

The survey states that most gift cards purchased are either not redeemed or lost.

"Why let them go to waste, I think it is such a great way to go out and get the things that you did not get for Christmas that you really really wanted so get out there and use those gift cards," says Honey Bolton, Place on the Point Manager.

There are even web sites now where you can sell your gift cards you don't want for cash.

Rick Perry Blasts Obama For Not Hosting Parade For Returning U.S. Troops

"Mr. President, our soldiers come first"



thehill

GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry criticized President Obama on Wednesday for not arranging a parade to welcome U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq.

The Texas governor, who has struggled since entering the GOP primary, accused Obama of not properly thanking the military.

"It really disturbs me that nearly after nine years of war in Iraq that this president wouldn’t welcome home our many heroes with a simple parade in their honor," Perry said at a campaign stop in Iowa.

"Maybe it’s because this war is unpopular with the Democrats. I don’t know. But Mr. President, our soldiers come first. And it comes before party politics. We need to welcome our soldiers home. Give them that parade. Give them that pat on the back. Tell them thank you for the freedom that we have."

Mitt Romney, Perry's rival for the GOP presidential nomination, expressed a similar concern earlier on Wednesday on Fox & Friends, saying "a welcome home ceremony of some kind makes a lot of sense.

"The men and women who sacrificed so extraordinarily over the years in Iraq, the families of those that have lost loved ones, I think deserve recognition," he said. "And so whether that's a ticker tape parade or special ceremony somewhere else welcoming our troops home is something they deserve

Chris Matthews Compares GOP Race to a Clown Car (Video)

Exactly what I expect from Obama's #1 cheerleader in the lib media.


washingtonexaminer

"It does remind me of 1964, after Kennedy was killed, the Republicans didn't know who they were." said Chris Matthews on Morning Joe this morning, discussing the chaotic Republican presidential primary race in Iowa.

Matthews compared then Governor Rockefeller with Newt Gingrich suffering from marital problems and then Henry Cabot Lodge with Jon Huntsman trying to win in New Hampshire.

Matthews compared the race to a "clown car."

"Think about the clown car and who was in it." Matthews said, referring to Herman Cain and Donald Trump. "When your Republican party campaign candidate list looks like a gag reel, you're in trouble. . . that's not funny if you want to win this election. There's a lot of clowns in this car"

Newt Gingrich: "Main Street"

New from Gingrich this afternoon (touts Laffer endorsement from yesterday)

"If you hear high unemployment is our new normal, just say balogne! We can create millions of jobs right now. My plan includes repealing laws that raise taxes and strangle business. Cutting taxes so America is once again the best place to invest and create jobs. And unleashing the power of our energy industry. That's just a start. Working together, we can rebuild the America we love and get people working again"

Ron Paul Ad Calls Gingrich and Romney 'Serial Hypocrites and Flip-Floppers'

"Ron Paul, the one we've been looking for" is the latest from the Paul campaign


The latest poll (posted yesterday) out of Iowa shows Ron Paul with a 4 point lead over Romney

publicpolicypolling

The last week and a half has brought little change in the standings for the Iowa Republican caucus: Ron Paul continues to lead Mitt Romney by a modest margin, 24-20. Newt Gingrich is in 3rd at 13% followed by Michele Bachmann at 11%, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum at 10%%.

Paul's strength in Iowa continues to depend on a coalition of voters that's pretty unusual for a Republican in the state. Romney leads 22-20 with those who are actually Republicans, while Paul has a 39-12 advantage with the 24% who are either independents or Democrats. GOP caucus voters tend to skew old, and Romney has a 34-12 advantage with seniors. But Paul's candidacy looks like it's going to attract an unusual number of younger voters to the caucus this year, and with those under 45 he has a 35-11 advantage on Romney. The independent/young voter combo worked for Barack Obama in securing an unexpectedly large victory on the Democratic side in 2008 and it may be Paul's winning equation in 2012.

Iowa 2012


Question 14:

16% caucused with the Dems? 29% didn't vote at all in 2008? This might not be the best poll about the GOP race in Iowa

Video: North Koreans Weeping Hysterically During Kim Jong Il’s Funeral Procession

Fox News Greg Palkot, reporting from Seoul, South Korea, says it was an "incredibly choreographed scene." This might be more hysterical than the other day. Here's video from Fox News. BTW, I think they should maybe get rid of the 1976 Lincoln Continental and get something newer.

.

NBC Nightly News Does Story On Obama's Rising Poll Numbers

This should remove any doubt there is about how in the tank the lib media are for Obama. Tuesday's NBC Nightly News does a complete puff piece on Obama new high poll numbers. There's only one problem, they are the old Gallup numbers. The new Gallup poll posted yesterday (before they did their report) showed Obama back underwater. Here's what NBC showed in their report (you can clearly see Dec. 21-23 in the upper right corner)


Here are the new numbers. Posted 5 hours before they did their report on the evening news. Obama was back underwater. But they decided to only show the above poll. The report mentions a "new Gallup poll shows a small decline" but they never show the new numbers. Gallup's survey is a 3 day rolling average and the numbers changed., -1 on Approval, +3 on disapproval, but they went right on with their report.



Here's their video report praising Obama for his new (old) numbers. They are not gonna pass up an opportunity to make Obama look good because of some new data that's out

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

Redstate's Erick Erickson: 'I Am Comfortable Supporting Newt Gingrich'

A few weeks ago I said I wasn’t sure I could get comfortable with the idea of supporting Newt Gingrich. I laid out my case then and there is no reason to go back into it now.

I still find it incredibly hard to believe that the two guys at the top — excluding the 9/11 truther nut — both support the individual mandate.

I continue to hope Perry surprises in Iowa and Huntsman surprises in New Hampshire. At least then we’d have a pretty awesome race with two governors with conservative records we can all be proud of.

But as between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, I have to take this one moment away from my first vacation from RedState in four years...and my cigar and rocking chair to say I am comfortable with Newt Gingrich now if I must choose between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich

read the rest at Redstate

Clock Runs Out On $77 Million Winning Lottery Ticket

Nobody came forward.




One hundred and eighty days apparently wasn't enough time for the buyer of a winning $77 million lottery ticket to come forward.

That's if the (un)lucky buyer still has it.

The Powerball ticket from a June 29 drawing was not turned in by Monday's deadline, said J.B. Landroche, spokesman for the Georgia Lottery.

Winning numbers from the drawing were: 24-30-45-57-59. The Powerball was 26, according to the lottery. Not that it matters now.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Pilot Travel Center in Tallapoosa, Georgia, near the Alabama line.

Unclaimed Powerball jackpot prize funds are returned proportionately to each participating state based on that state's sales for the particular drawing, officials said. Forty-two states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in Powerball.