Neither Rudy nor McAmnesty are actually conservative so why would anyone care. Go Mitt!

I am sick and tired of FOX News pushing this McCain “surge.” Take a look at the 2 latest Florida polls - Romney is leading in BOTH by 5 points. It is time for some responsible journalism.

Romney stated he would spend 40 to 50 million dollars to buy the Presidency and some people call him conservative. Take a look at his campaigns in Mass, he is no conservative. Take a look at how badly he would lose to Clinton in a general election(can you say flip-flop).
John McCain is a real conservative he just has common sense. Romney supported the immigration bill that would have secured our borders but flip-floped when he campaigned against McCain. The Mac is Back!

The continuing distortion of the Mindless Minions for Mitt is truely a concern for those of us you can and do think for ourselves. To continue to distort other canidates postions on issues and then follow up the senseless comment with another Mittism only furthers the perception that Romney supporters are not willing to hear the truth. At the end of the day Mitt is an investment banker with no foreign policy or military experience and for those of you who don’t have contact with his kind I can tell you that his flipping around on issues is typical of his profession. They will say and do anything for a buck or an increase in power or postion. Lest we forget it is his ilk that has brought the whole sub-prime, SIV, CDO mess to bear. How can anyone with a morsel of fiscal sense think a $250 billion stimulus packge is good economics. Mitt does because he thinks like a leverage crazed banker, $1 in equity and $99 in debt.
I am a McCain supporter and I dont go batting around inane comments about the canidates. I do however take exception to people not doing any research before blasting anyone. Please, before you tout Mitt’s financial prowness look at how much leverage he used to do his deals at Bain and what the actual returns were. Check his balanced budget in Mass. and see that while he left taxes in check he inflated fees to pay for his spending. Taxes and fess are siblings that feed at the same table. That said I believe Mitt is a strong family man and for that alone I think he is to be commended.
I wont sit and enumerate McCains record or accomplishments here but I would encourage anyone to read avowed conservative talk show host Michael Medved’s article about McCain’s record. http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2008/01/23/six_big_lies_about_john_mccain

Finally, lets all be adults here and realize at the end of the day we need to be a party that reviews and discusses the pros and cons of the canidates and make a clear headed decision that at all costs stops the Hillary-Obama train from arriving aat the White house.

McCain can do whatever he want, but he is just wasting resources. Rudy will beat him in all those places. Rudy towers over McVain.

caMORON

this is pathetic, i am watching brit hume on jan 23 and i have noticed that this crackpot crew is using the same poll that caMORON reported.. they reported a poll conducted by a liberal newspaper(their first poll, by the way)…it has mccain 25—romney 22—giuliani—15….WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !! AREN’T YOU AGENDA RIDDEN pinheads reporting the actual last national poll…..it has mccain 25—-giuliani 22 and romney 18…i will tell you why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you dont want giuliani to show that he can beat mccain, because once he does, the feeble-minded sheep that drank the kool-aid and jumped ship to mccain will go back to rudy….have you ever listened to these 2 candidates speak…mccain is like a doorknob….giuliani will mop him up in a debate if rudy really wants to nail him…mccain has no substance!!! but fox is starting to remind me of msnbc

Thanks Jay and Key, you have proven my point beyond any shadow of a doubt. Name calling in absence of research is what makes the politics of lemmings go round. Rudy has been and is openly hostile to the 2nd amendment, he favors public funding of abortion, not what I would call conservative positions. Further I think he is the guy who recommended a guy facing 147 yrs in prison for the Director of Homeland Security, his excuse “I guess I should have done a better job checking his background”. Truely Commander and Chief material. Debate skills? Are we really going to place style over substance. If that is the quality that makes a good President then I guess we should just throw our hands up and vote for Obama or Edwards, both of whom are far better than any of the republicans for creating memorable sound bites. Rudy did a credible job as mayor of NYC but he cant beat any of the dem’s and he isn’t anywhere near qualified to be president.

Romney is the only candidate who has the leadership, experience, and morals we need to lead us. He is the man. He leads in delegates, popular vote, wins, and (TAKE IT TO THE BANK) will win Florida. He will be our nominee.
We support you overseas.

Senator McCain has picked up some prestigious endorsements in the last few days, including General Schwarzkopf. Nice to see. It appears to me the party and some commentators are pushing Mr. Romney.

J. Collins,

Hows the weather in Korea? My guess is that you are there on a mission and I don’t mean for the US military. I question your assertion that Mitt has the experience to be President unless of course those qualifications include leveraged buyouts. Leadership? certainly nothing that remotely qualifies for him as Commander and Chief. That is of course unless you consider his life long affection for hunting, what twice in over fifty years wouldn’t quite make muster would it? I do agree that from a standpoint of morals related to his family you certainly seem to be right, but I know alot of great fathers (McCain comes to mind) but they are not qualified to be President either. McCain understands the imperative of judgement when it comes to sending our sons and daughters to war, he has been there and tonight as we speak he has a son in harms way. Mitt does not in any way shape or form have that experience, but then again neither do ANY of the other canidates. Honor, experience, judgement and committment to Reagan’s legacy, there is only one canidate with those qualifications and it is not Mitt, Rudy or Mike.

This is a superb endorsement of Rudy Giuliani. Mitt and McCain would both lose in a general election.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUfAQYzgH8

Hey Todd Finney, have you noticed that your canidate will be 72 years old in November? If you listen to his speeches he loses track of what he is saying, makes many mistakes, such as calling Vladimir Putin the leader of Germany. Come on, he needs to be seriously thinking about retiring and not being the leader of the greatest country in the world. You may not like it, (because he is a mormon) but Mitt Romney is the best hope for this country. He will win so just deal with it!!!!!

Hi Kathy,

Mitts religion is not now nor has it ever been an issue in my mind it does however seem to matter to you and thats fine but it does not make him even marginally the best canidate for the job. I prefer to ook at his record and do the research to determine his attributes for preforming the job. He simply does not meet muster on many fronts not the least of which is his complete and utter lack of foreign policy experience. So while you may be concerned about McCain mistakingly calling Putin the leader of Germany I would tell you that is not nearly as important as the fact that Putin knows McCain personally and has dealt with him directly unlike Mitt who has absolutley ZERO standing in the world community. I think the person that needs to “just deal with it” is you. Do the research and then speak from a postion of knowledge and not on the basis of what you are are given to believe based upon Mitts or more clearly your religion. Thanks for taking the
time to show YOUR true colors.

Hey Todd, I don’t see you addressing the fact that YOUR canidate is almost 72 years old, as I said before he needs to be considering retirement, since he know Putin, he certainly should know what country he is a leader of. Boy we would sure be in trouble if McCain forgets who leads what country. GO MITT!!!!!!! Oh Yea, buy the way anyone that has a trophy wife if grounds for concern.

Key,

Youtube, classic dribble. I want to thank you again for proving what I contended earlier. It is easier to watch video than read and base thoughts on facts. And I can tell you without reservation that while I don’t support Mitt at least he is far closer to a Reagan conservative than Rudy will ever be. Like I said credible mayor yes, Presidential material not even close…

Mr. Finney,

Serving in the military does not make one any more a president than sitting in your garage every saturday makes you a chevrolet. Sure, we honor Senator McCain for his service, I myself served in Iraq, but use some critical thinking here. We disqualify Romney for being wealthy? Cetainly you can do better than insult our intelligence with such reasoning. As for judgment and commitment to the Reagan principles, seems to me McCain couldn’t even honor his marriage vows. He has called Mr. Romney a flip-flopper but has changed his stance on taxes and immigration the few weeks this circus has been going on. He seems to be getting a free ride from the press on his changed stances but we keep returning to Mr. Romney’s admitted change of opinion in a few areas.

Kathy,

Thanks again for your response. Nice try at the age dig again but clearly you are running on empty. Trophy wife, hmmmm. Let me see if you marry someone nearly 28 years ago, have four children with that person that qualifies for a “trophy”, curious I can only assume you are falling into the catagory of surrogate thinker. Given the fact that you have most certainly not spent two seconds to see the substance of his trophy then I would tell you have no standing to judge. Let me help you, that is if in fact you choose to know the truth about the substance of the woman you defame by referring to her as a trophy. Try reading this and then judge her. http://www.johnmccain.com/About/CindyBio.htm
It is a sad state of affairs when one woman denigrates another without care or concern for facts. I am embarrassed for you and I am certain a man of character like Mitt Romney would also be embarrassed to know someone as shallow as you are a supporter of his.

Texan,

I certainly would like to thank you for your service in Iraq and given that service I certainly believe you to be more than qualified to comment on ones service. I think you would agree that while being in the military does not make you a president knowing what the costs are first hand surely helps make a much better informed decision about deploying those who must do the hard work. If you will read my comments I did not in any way say that Romney should be dis-qualified for his wealth therefore I don’t believe I have insulted anyones intelligence on this matter. In fact I can assure you that if someone were to make that comment I would be first in line to say they were off base. I think if you will take the time to read Mr Medved’s column (he makes the case very clearly) you will see that McCain has not changed his positions. Further I did not make any comments on Mitts change of position, I merely called out the simple facts of his record both at Bain and as Governor. You may believe he is getting a free ride from the press but I would counter that Mitt is getting a pretty plush go from he majority of the republican commentators on both tv and radio. I appreciate your reasoned discourse and again thank you sincerely for your sacrifice to our country.

NEWSFLASH: Michael Medved is not a Conservative.

I can appreciate John McCain’s service in the military, and I can even appreciate his service in Government but I cannot support him as President.

McCain has worked against his own party for the last several years on many conservative issues. He has promoted legislation that has not only grown government but has been disastrous (McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, McCain/Lieberman etc.) He has abstained from voting on most conservative social issues stating they are too divisive. He has betrayed us by supporting amnesty. He has betrayed us by voting against tax cuts. He has betrayed us by voting for legislation that would raise our taxes (McCain/Lieberman as of late). He has promoted class warfare. I guess being a Maverick means betraying your political base.

I cannot support someone who has been in Washington as long as he has and done so much to hurt conservatism and the Republican Party. I cannot support him, even if he becomes the nominee. I cannot support him, even if it means Hillary gets the nomination.

Can anyone tell me why McCain is such a big deal? I consider myself a true conservative and as far as I’m concerned there is not one in this bunch. McCain, with his record, could run as a Dem.
So what gives?
Huck-a-b, really doesn’t stand a chance past southern states, Rudy is fair if he can get it roll’n again, McCain is a liberal (blah) and Mitt is pretty decent, I do like his business sense, obviously our country could use that right now. Maybe a Mitt, Rudy tkt?

John McCain, I believe is the only candidate among both parties that says what he believes, without worrying about the consequences. The McCain/Feingold Bill shows that he wants to do something about the influence big corporations and lobbyists are having in our legislators decision making. He only voted against the Bush tax cuts because they didn’t include porkbarrel spending cuts. McCain draws respect from both sides of the aisle, which I believe will result in compromise and getting things accomplished in Washington. He has never wavered when it comes to his beliefs regarding abortion, porkbarrel spending, and his commitment to seeing us succeed on the battlefield. Whom do you think bin laden would fear most ? Clinton? Barack? Mitt? Our soldiers are sacrificing everything to bring hope to Iraq and Afghanistan. Don’t you think the least we can do is give them a President who believes in their mission and will also give the Iraqi people a little “straight talk” about not blowing this golden opportunity? He’s the only Republican candidate that can beat Hillary or Barack. People need to think about that before they vote in their primary.

Dear Todd, (January 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm)

You write a good piece. A little condescending but that’s has a tactical merit and it gives a little spice to the exchange. I also appreciate the self imposed limits on some of the nonessential political points of the race.

Now down to business.

The spin you put on Mitt is that of an individual motivated by financial gain who would “say and do anything” to accomplish that end. You then assert that one should look at “how much leverage he used to do his deals at Bain and what the actual returns were”.

Do tell. It is your point, (with limited merit after all you do believe in capitalism) so defend it.
1. Tell me about this leverage. The returns I’ve been told are in the millions. You are the first to infer a negative. Proof source?
2. How is this economic experience a negative for Mitt the presidential candidate?
3. You do realize McCain admitted he hasn’t even read the book he bought. Disadvantage McCain because;
4. The economy is at present the most important issue on the voter’s mind. Foreign policy, a Romney weakness, is nonetheless down the list.

Declare your sources and enlighten us. At present you get no points for an empty unsubstantiated assertion.

Next:
You agree that Mitt was true to his commitment to the people of Mass. “. . . he left taxes in check, [but] he inflated fees to pay for his spending. Taxes and fess are siblings that feed at the same table.”

I like the analogy but reject inference based on the following.

Taxes are indiscriminately confiscatory on all who fall under the jurisdiction. Fees, while paid to fill the government coffers, are for privileges and therefore can be avoided. The distinction is, that one can choose not to pay and still enjoy the “staples of life” free from prosecution.
You want to drive then pay the fee. You want to advertise your restaurant on the interstate, pay the fee. Some of the fees had not been raised in ten years.
No one has discredited his accomplishment of turning a 2 billion dollar deficit into a positive rainy day fund. Fees are not taxes.

That’s enough for now because I did notice with interest that you said nothing in defense of your man from the post by LLB above.

Let me remind you:

McCain has worked against his own party for the last several years on many conservative issues. He has promoted legislation that has not only grown government but has been disastrous (McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, McCain/Lieberman etc.) He has abstained from voting on most conservative social issues stating they are too divisive. He has betrayed us by supporting amnesty. He has betrayed us by voting against tax cuts. He has betrayed us by voting for legislation that would raise our taxes (McCain/Lieberman as of late). He has promoted class warfare. I guess being a Maverick means betraying your political base.

You must respond!

Oh but wait . . . this just in . . . Dateline: Florida GOP campaign, January 22, 2008 . . .
Senator John McCain Just changed his position on all of the above. Talk about flip-flopping. This wholesale pandering fits your own statement:
“They [McCain] will say and do anything for a buck or an increase in power or position.”

Having moved to Arizona a few years ago, I can personally tell you what 20 yrs of McCain’t got a clue has done for border security. Zilch.

More people pour through the Arizona border than any other, and McCain has had 20 yrs to push help our way. I still don’t see a secure border.

When he touts his record, he brings up two or three instances of shooting down some earmarks, but his record shows that he will do whatever he wants, even when the overwhelming majority of his voters are against it and would rather have hime expend his efforts on something worthwhile.

Politicians need conviction, but they shouldn’t turn a deaf ear to those of us that put them in office.

I don’t care about McCain’s age, I care about his record. It is horrible. I regret casting that vote for him a few years ago before I had time to fully acquaint myself with his record. And I’m happy to be moving out of Arizona, so my kids can get a decent education while simultaneously staying away from the huge amounts of border related crime.

To Tim in Hershey, PA -

You hit the nail on the head. McCain doesn’t care about the consequences as evidenced in his most recent disastrous legislation with the Democrats. His judgment is frightening. We need a leader that will carefully weigh the consequences before he makes a move.

She cares and listens to those who are hurting? I called her office personally to discuss my ”pain”. I cannot walk. I cannot get disability BUT….the methamphedamine dealers and users who I used to live near DO receive disability. They can walk. But apparently they ”hear voices”…’’seizure while coming off drugs”….”are clinically depressed”….
She cares?!?!?!?!?’
Oh.
That’s news to me.

Hi Mark,

You certainly covered a lot of ground and thanks for the kind words.. Let me take a swing at some top line numbers and point you to where you can spend some time looking up the data. Lets start with your first question regarding returns and leverage. I will answer making the broad assumption that you have a pretty through understanding of structure as it relates to LBO’s and the fees and the profit holds by the firms.
Bain reports a return north of 100% gross average annual return to investors during Mitts time and the 4 or so years after his departure. Truely impressive but lets break it down some. Of the gross return we have to extract Bains 30% profit hold plus the (in round numbers) 15% management fee hold. That is a 45% of the returns to Bain without putting ANY equity in, there in lies the the primary leverage. That leaves 65% for returns to the fund holders, but wait there is two more layers of cost to the investors. First is the tax on the interest payments 28% on the average and then finally the state income tax loads which average 7%. So now we are down to 30% gross. From there you must take the present value of cash calculation of the gross investment over time vs. inflation which is 4% per year minimum. Remember that the fund holders in most cases are not seeing current pay so where the net returns to them come out is unknown. At the end of the day Bains returns to the investor on a basis of invested capitla is ok but not out of this world. One last thing Bains portion of the profits from its ventures have far different tax treatment than either Corporations or individuals get. I guess that comes from not having any influence in Washington. (pun intended). Now all of these numbers are simple to verify with a little reading after a google search of Bain Capital. Lastly on this subject, with the exception of Staples which was a great success by any measure, look at SEC.gov at the companies Bain invested in, pay particular attention to the balance sheets prior to investment and post investment. Look at the line items under “long term debt” and “current portion of long term debt”. Again takes some time but interesting non the less.

I would also encourage you to look at reports from the Mass Taxpayers Foundation, pay particular attention to line items in the budget for debt service both at the beginning of Mitt’s term and the end. I think you might be suprised how his investment banker roots translate in Gov’t. You will also see that job growth trailed all states except the Katrina states during Mitts term. He closed the budget gap by increasing Corp income tax rates. Not a business friendly idea and I dont think conservative. Also take a look at the shifting of some $400+ million in medicare cost from his last budget of record to 2007 nice accounting trick, used extensively in LBO circles.

Finally, to both you and LLB I respect the fact that you believe McCain has strayed from conservative quarters but his 83 rating from the Conservative Coalition seems to dispute your ideas. In my mind asking tough questions of your party and not mindlessly following in lockstep seems to be a virtue not a curse as you and others may think. Have a great day.

Romney takes Florida, the Rockies, and maybe California - Giuliani takes New York, New Jersey and the Northeast - Huckabee takes the evangelical South - and McCain goes home.

Where is McCain when it matters?

McCain-Feingold assault on political speech.

McCain-Kennedy illegal immigrant amnesty program.

McCain-Lieberman global warming tax.

McCain-Edwards for trial lawyers.

McCain opposition to Tax Cuts.

McCain Gang of 14.

Excuse me, do you know Rudy McCain?

http://preeedict.blogspot.com/2008/01/excuse-me-do-you-know-rudy-mccain.html