He didn’t let reporters interrupt him. That’s a good point and a sign of a leader.

Now, would he be the best leader for USA?

Would his vision be the best for American citizens?

Do Americans need a shepherd, a perpetual father, or do they need to grow up and go on their own following the spirit of the Constitution?

The Founding Fathers of America breathed much more a certain spirit (through the Constitution) into the American society than imposing their yoke on it.

The original source of America might feed and inject new life into citizens much better and deeper than any new paradigm.

A real leader would have to embrace into his vision not only the future, but also the past: the original energies that spread out during the first moments of America…

Poor John McCain, he just does not get it.
There is NO WAY that his GOVERNMENT POSITIONS come even close to giving him the understanding of what PROFIT is, although he does understand LOSS……

GO MItt! we need your abilities in DC, and throughout our Country!!

Malini,

Just recently our leaders made a speach calling on Pres Bush to renounce use of waterboarding in interrogations, close Guantanamo Bay to detainees and outine new policies toward Pakiston and Iran.

Sounds like Senator McCain doesn’t it.

It was Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Inorder to keep the american people safe maybe we need a NEW MANAGER.

GO MITT!!!!!!

How terribly disengenous. A better question is, What current Republican Presidential candidate was interested in being the V.P. on John Kerry’s ticket? You guessed it, John McCain. Go to http://www.conservativesformitt.blogspot.com to see the video and John’s own words.

The REAL COMPARISON IS:

CEO Vs SQUADRON LEADER!

If you think a ‘Squadron Leader’ that has been part of the Good Old Boy Washington Establishment is what’s needed, the same bunch that have been in Washington for the last 16-20 years, then McCain is your man!

If you want AN OUTSIDER, a SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MAN and GOVERNOR with NO FAVORS TO PAY and with a track record for turning poorly run businesses and a State (MA) around, then ROMNEY is YOUR MAN!

For me, the CHOICE IS CLEAR!

VOTE ROMNEY!!!!!

I JUST KEEP ASKING MYSELF, THIS GUY IS NUT’S IF HE THINKS THIS REPLUBLICAN IS GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM, MCCAIN THAT IS. I WOULD VOTE FOR CASTRO BEFORE I VOTE FOR HIM.

Let’s face it, he’s just a pro-war liberal like Lieberman.

Immigration.
Taxes.
Judges.
Environment.
Campaign finance.
Energy tax.
Marriage amendment.

On all these issues, he’s adopted the ideology of Ted Kennedy and George Soros, rather than Reagan or George HW Bush.

Juan McCain is loved by the Clintons, the New York Times, Lieberman, Ted Kennedy and the entire liberal media.

He’s absolutely despised by basically every big-name conservative thinker.

Don’t let this liberal version of Bob Dole make it as our nominee. He’ll get torn apart and his fragile health will probably wither.

Vote Romney to save our party.

McCain inspires, are you kidding me!!!! It’s actually kind of scary.. He talks about inspiring americans to serve, what, does he anticipate needing a draft in the future or something? This guy is really losing it, and unfortunately has had to turn negative b/c he obviously reaching for straws.. John, go back to Arizona, it’s over. If this is not clear, i don’t know what is. Mitt is head and shoulders above McCain and truly inspires because he has SOLUTIONS! McCain only seems to have “endorsements”, which he conveniently touts everytime someone asks him why he thinks he’s conservative, or good with economics, yadda, yadda, yadda.. Go MITT

What is the FairTax plan?
The FairTax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment.

The FairTax Act (HR 25, S 1025) is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.

The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend on new goods or services, not on what we earn. The FairTax is a fair, efficient, transparent, and intelligent solution to the frustration and inequity of our current tax system.

The FairTax:

Enables workers to keep their entire paycheck
Enables retirees to keep their entire pension
Refunds in advance the tax on purchases of basic necessities
Allows American products to compete fairly
Brings transparency and accountability to tax policy
Ensures Social Security and Medicare funding
Closes all loopholes and brings fairness to taxation
Abolishes the IRS

How is the Social Security system affected?

Like all federal spending programs, Social Security operates exactly as it does today, except that its funds come from a broad, progressive sales tax, rather than a narrow, regressive payroll tax. Employers continue to report wages for each employee, though, to the Social Security Administration for the determination of benefits. The transition to a reformed Social Security system is eased while ensuring there is sufficient funding to continue promised benefits.

Meanwhile, Social Security/Medicare funds are no longer triple-taxed as under the current system: 1) when payroll taxes are initially withheld; 2) when those withheld payroll taxes are counted as part of the taxable base for income tax purposes; and 3) when the promised benefits are finally received.

How does the FairTax affect Social Security reform?

FairTax.org is a one-issue organization: Tax replacement. However, its proposal does benefit any Social Security reform proposal. The FairTax.org plan does not change Social Security benefits or the structure of the Social Security system. All it does is replace the current revenue source (narrow, regressive payroll taxes) with a new revenue source (broad, progressive sales taxes paid by all consumers).

Additionally, research shows that consumption is a more stable revenue source than income. If Social Security is reformed or privatized in a way that reduces the government’s need for revenue, then the FairTax rate can be reduced. For example, if a mandatory private savings program is implemented where people must save ten percent of their income and Social Security benefits are curtailed, then the FairTax rate can be reduced just as payroll taxes would be reduced.

Why is the FairTax better than our current system?

Our present tax system is one of the reasons that people are finding it so difficult to get ahead these days. It is one of the reasons the next generation may not have a standard of living as high as this generation. Cars replaced the horse and buggy, the telephone replaced the telegraph, and the FairTax replaces the income tax. The income tax is holding us back and making it more difficult than it needs to be to improve our families’ standard of living. It makes it needlessly difficult for our businesses to compete in international markets. It wastes vast resources on complying with needless paperwork. We can do better and we must.

Is the FairTax fair?

Yes, the FairTax is fair, and in fact, much fairer than the income tax. Wealthy people spend more money than other individuals. They buy expensive cars, big houses, and yachts. They buy filet mignon instead of hamburger, fine wine instead of beer, designer dresses, and expensive jewelry. The FairTax taxes them on these purchases. If, however, they use their money to build job-creating factories, finance research and development to create new products, or fund charitable activities (all of which help improve the standard of living of others), then those activities are not taxed.

How does the FairTax protect low-income and lower-middle-income families and individuals?

Under the FairTax Plan, poor people pay no net FairTax at all up to the poverty level! Every household receives a rebate that is equal to the FairTax paid on essential goods and services, and wage earners are no longer subject to the most regressive and burdensome tax of all, the payroll tax. Those spending at twice the poverty level pay a tax of only 11.5 percent — a rate much lower than the income and payroll tax burden they bear today.

Under the federal income tax, slow economic growth and recessions have a disproportionately adverse impact on lower-income families. Breadwinners in these families are more likely to lose their jobs, are less likely to have the resources to weather bad economic times, and are more in need of the initial employment opportunities that a dynamic, growing economy provides. Retaining the present tax system makes economic progress needlessly slow, thus harming low-income people the most.

In contrast, the FairTax dramatically improves economic growth and wage rates for all, but especially for lower-income families and individuals. In addition to receiving the monthly FairTax prebate, these taxpayers are freed from regressive payroll taxes, the federal income tax, and the compliance burdens associated with each. They pay no more business taxes hidden in the price of goods and services, and used goods are tax free.

What about senior citizens, retired people, and anyone on a fixed income?

As a group, seniors do very well under the FairTax. Low-income seniors are much better off under the FairTax than under the current income tax system.

Some erroneously believe that people who live exclusively on Social Security pay no taxes. They may not know it, but they are paying hidden corporate income taxes and employer payroll taxes whenever they buy anything. Under the FairTax, seniors pay $0.23 out of every dollar they choose to spend on new goods and services.

Plus, seniors, like everyone else, receive a monthly prebate, in advance of purchases, for taxes paid on the cost of necessities which more than pays for all of the taxes they would pay if they received the average Social Security benefit amount and spent it all. If seniors choose to work, they are freed from regressive payroll taxes, the federal income tax on wages, and the compliance burdens associated with each. They pay no more hidden taxes on goods or services, and used goods are tax free. There is no income tax on their Social Security benefits.

The income tax imposed on investment income and pension benefits or IRA withdrawals is repealed. Pension funds, IRAs, and 401(k) plans had assets of $12 trillion in 2004. An income tax deduction was taken for contributions to most of these plans. All beneficiaries and owners of these plans expected to pay income tax on them upon withdrawal, but are not required to do so under the FairTax.

All owners of existing homes experience large capital gains due to the repeal of the income tax and implementation of the FairTax Plan. Seniors have dramatically higher home ownership rates than other age groups (81 percent for seniors compared to 65 percent on average). Homes are often a family’s largest asset. Gains are likely to be in the range of 20 percent.

The FairTax makes the economy much more dynamic and prosperous. Consequently, federal tax revenues grow. This makes it less likely that federal budget pressures require Medicare or Social Security benefit cuts.

How does the FairTax help seniors who have paid taxes on their retirement savings or invested in Roth IRAs?

Simply put, the FairTax is a revenue-neutral proposal, raising no more money than does the current system. The FairTax only changes where the money is raised, not the amount.

Additionally, some erroneously believe that people who have invested in Roth IRAs will never pay taxes on this money again. They may not know it, but they are paying corporate income taxes, employer payroll taxes, plus the associated compliance costs that are hidden in the price of every retail purchase they make. Under the FairTax, these hidden taxes are driven out of retail prices. And note, they can determine the amount of tax they pay through their own lifestyle choices.

Furthermore, used goods are not taxed because they have already been taxed once — when they were new. Therefore senior citizens, like all Americans, do not lose purchasing power, but gain it instead. Moreover, the FairTax preserves the purchasing power of Social Security benefits, and seniors receive a monthly prebate so they don’t pay taxes on the purchase of necessities. Tax-deferred investments get a one-time windfall. Savings invested in any long-term, income-generating asset such as a stock, real estate, or a long-term bond that can’t be called, increase substantially in value. Finally, complex estate planning is an artifact of an earlier age.

What about the home mortgage deduction?

The FairTax has positive effects on residential real estate far beyond this narrow question. Today’s homeowners, if they itemize (and 70 percent do not), pay their interest with post-Social Security/pre-income tax dollars. They then pay their principal with post-SS/post-income tax dollars. Those who do not itemize get no advantages at all. Under the FairTax, all homeowners make their entire house payment with pre-tax dollars.

With the FairTax, mortgage interest rates fall by about 25 percent (about 1.75 points) as bank overhead falls; this is a huge savings for consumers. For example, on a $150,000, thirty-year home mortgage at an interest rate of 7.00 percent, the monthly mortgage payment is $999.12 for principal and interest. On that same mortgage at a 5.25 percent interest rate, the monthly payment is $830.01. Over 30 years, the 1.75-percent decrease in interest rates in this instance results in a $60,879 cost savings to the consumer. Finally, first-time buyers save for that down payment much faster, as savings are not taxed.

Under the FairTax, home ownership is a possibility for many who have never had that option under the income tax system. Lower interest rates, the repeal of the income tax, the repeal of all payroll taxes, and the prebate mean that people have more money to spend and have an increased opportunity to become homeowners.

Does the FairTax improve compliance and reduce evasion when compared to the current income tax?

The old aphorism that nothing is certain except death and taxes should be modified to include tax evasion. Tax evasion is chronic under any system so complex as to be incomprehensible. As a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), tax evasion in 2001 is beyond 2.6 percent, compared to 1.6 percent in 1991. This represents over 16 percent of taxes due. Almost 40 percent of the public, according to the IRS, is out of compliance with the present tax system, mostly unintentionally due to the enormous complexity of the present system. These IRS figures do not include taxes lost on illegal sources of income with a criminal economy estimated at a trillion dollars. All this, despite a major enforcement effort and assessment of tens of millions of civil penalties on American taxpayers in an effort to force compliance with the tax system. Disrespect for the tax system and the law has reached dangerous levels and makes a system based on taxpayer self-assessment less and less viable.

The FairTax reduces rather than increases the problem of tax evasion. The increased fairness, transparency, and legitimacy of the system induces more compliance. The roughly 90-percent reduction in filers enables tax administrators more narrowly and effectively to address noncompliance and increases the likelihood of tax evasion discovery. The relative simplicity of the FairTax promotes compliance. Businesses need answer only one question to determine the tax due: How much was sold to consumers? Finally, because tax rates decrease, tax evasion is less profitable; and because of the dramatic reduction in the number of tax filers, tax evaders are more easily monitored and caught under the FairTax system.

Is there any provision in the FairTax bill to prevent both an income tax and a sales tax?

The short answer is that there is no provision in the FairTax bill (HR 25) that would prevent having a national sales tax and the income tax. However, the FairTax legislation does three things that effectively dismantle the income tax: (1) it abolishes the IRS, (2) it repeals all statutory language having to do with taxing income and payroll (i.e., the Internal Revenue Code), and (3) it eliminates the filing of annual income tax returns to the federal government for over 140 million Americans. The 16th Amendment does not “require” an income tax, it only “allows” one, and the FairTax will have broken that egg in a million pieces. It would be extremely difficult to put that egg “back together again.” Once the FairTax is enacted it would be an extremely daunting task for Congress to make people start filing income tax returns again. There would be a public uproar. Once the American public has experienced the freedom from filing income tax returns it’s hard to imagine them tolerating going back.

Furthermore, the sponsors of the FairTax are totally dedicated to the permanent repeal of the income tax. No current supporter of the FairTax would support the FairTax unless the entire income tax is repealed. There is a separate bill, HJR 16, which repeals the 16th Amendment to the Constitution but it must go through a different adoption process than HR 25. HJR 16 has to be passed by a two-thirds vote of members of both the House and the Senate and be approved (or ratified) by three-fourths of state legislatures (38). We are currently laying the organizational groundwork for this push and have already started the educational process at the state level.

Finally, the reality is that we already have both an income and a type of sales tax today. All of our U.S. produced goods and services are burdened with an “embedded” tax due to the cascading of income and payroll taxes paid by U.S. employers to the U.S. Treasury at every step of production. Of course, these costs are passed on to the ultimate payer, the customer. It’s fair to call these embedded taxes a “sales tax” because we pay it every time we buy any goods or services — we just don’t see it. The FairTax eliminates these embedded taxes, resulting in a single-rate national sales tax visible to all.

Good posts DB….I agree we HAVE to change the current system. and the Fair Tax ROCKS!!!!

Huckabee is the ONLY fighting for it, so he has my vote 100%

If business don’t remove the built in Taxes from the cost of these goods and services, their competitor will and will take ALL of their business!!! the Market will ensure this happens.

ITS AWESOME!!!!!

EVERYONE!!!!

Mike is willing to fight the IRS for US!!! LETS FIGHT FOR HIM.

Go to :
https://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Contribute.Home

and CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!!

EVERY little bit helps!!!!

STOP the rich elite from buying the presidency!! They can’t outspend us if we all come together and give a couple bucks!!

GO HUCKABEE!!!!

this particular blog is about Mccain and Romney. Sorry DB, although thanks for your thesis on the fair tax which I’m not convinced would actually work as well as you/Huckabee make it sound.
Back to this blog. McCains radical turn toward negative campain and stealing the surfer dude add from 2004 is clearly an act of desperation, in fact he could put his own face on that add. He is simply not bright enough to devour all the information a president is faced with in order to make the best decisions for the country. Romney clearly is and I’m still undecided about Huckabee. Lets get McCain and Rudy out of this race so we can focus on the two best candidates.

John McCain is a Washington Fraud!!!

Leadership, has it taken leadership to sit in the Senate for 3 decades?? How is that leadership!

This guy can’t be for real!

“I am a leader, you know I am a leader, GOSH DARN IT, AMERICA KNOWS I’M A LEADER! I mean it, you guys know I’m a leader! Someone who’s been an executive for 25 years, lead thousands of volunteers and a successful Olympics, and a state for 4 years has nothin’ on me-YOU BETTER CHOOSE ME-CAUSE I AM A LEADER!!! AND IF YOU DON’T I’M GONNA CRY!!”

John McCain is running for President for John McCain. He’s been running for years and years and desperately wants the power of the Presidency!

Mitt Romney is running for President because he sees the problems with Washington and the nation, and knows that his experience in being able to turn around failures into successes is what this country needs right now! He’s a man who will continue to lead this country to greatness, and will get us back to our conservative principles!

My vote is for Mitt Romney!!

Leader’s listen to their constituents. Compromise and balance the best interests of their people, and follow the principles they have run on. John McCain is NONE of these things. He is liberal and feels he “deserves” the presidency. I have personally talked to him after an open forum he had my previous employer, Intel. He stanuchly believes that his liberal principles overide what is important to the American People.

Case in point, we discussed the limiting of encryption technologies to 128bits. His argument was that law needed to be left in place, because it helped to protect children and undermine organized crime. In his opinoin, if something is over 128bit’s law enforcement would never be able to read the law breakers mail. My argument was as was the argument of the very intelligent engineers of the room was all this law will do is drive encryption software developers outside of the country, where law enforcement would have even LESS control over the technology.We were right, John McCain was wrong. Encryption developers moved offshore, law enforcements job got harder.

McCain was wrong about the Bush tax cuts, immigration reform, about how to fix an ailing economy, etc…, etc…, etc….

We want a Leader that knows how to Manage a business and government, and make REAL effective change. Go Mitt Go!!!

What a hypocrite!!!!

Watch this video to see John McCain praising Mitt Romney:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/01/mccain_endorses_romney_in_2002.html

John McCain is neither a leader nor a manager. The orginal definition of “maverick” was an unbranded calf, particularly one that had lost its mother. These are not animals that led the herd. They occasionally followed and at other times just wandered. John McCain has embraced the “maverick” label, and unfortunately, the original definition is most descriptive of him. Americans should not choose (or nominate) a lost, unbranded calf to be our leader.

To quote another writer whom I agree with:

“But people, please, do you want a person who is an economic expert, a leader, a conservative, a problem solver and a genius who can bring in experts on foreign policy and make the right decisions for our country. Or do you want someone with 30 years in the senate, with owed favors and commited ties, who voted against tax cuts, voted for amnesty, and has a history of being anything but conservative. No leadership experience, no governing experience, no executive experience, no experience solving problems and getting things done, who just happens to have some (questionable) foreign policy experience.”

McCain claims that he’s a “leader” and Romney’s just a “manager”.

McCain’s entire lifestyle has been lived on the public purse. If he wasn’t a senator someone else would be, and that someone else might be a real conservative.

Sorry John, you don’t inspire me and I do NOT want you as my “leader” telling me what to do. Your lifetime of “service” is just a job you chose to take. Your salary is paid by the American people. Your “foreign policy” junkets and experience has been gained at my expense. You are the manager, not Mitt Romney.

(Maybe you, John McCain, would fit in as one of the many foreign policy experts who could provide data for the President to consider before making an informed executive decision in the interests of the American people and the American way of life.)

Contrast McCain’s record and his proud claims with Romney’s MBA and doctorate from Harvard, Romney’s proven record of success in making the right business and financial executive decisions time after time, Romney’s commitment to secure our borders, and Romney’s lifetime devotion to the family values cherished by most Americans.

Clearly Mitt Romney is the man for the Whitehouse. Romney’s the person most capable of standing up to the insider lawyer/policiticans like McCain and the Hillbilly Duo who would only perpetuate the broken system Washington has become.

Mitt Romney is the candidate best qualified to and most likely to bring real change to Washington, and a better safer environment for Americans to live their lives uninterfered with by big government, and raise their children in.

Vote Mitt Romney for real change in Washington.

http://justamere10.blogspot.com

Something all you John McCain supportes should know. Many people don’t know, that in Arizona, John McCain’s home state, right before 9-11, John McCain was going to be recalled by petition, because of his liberal positions and his votes against the Bush tax cuts. Essentially people in Arizona felt that John McCain was going directly against what he said he would do when he ran for Senate for his upteenth time, as a “Conservative” Senator from Arizona.
The Arizona polling data showed he was going to lose if the recall election occured. John McCain took the position, that he was “above Arizona Law” any recall election really couldn’t take away his Senate possition away. He SNUBBED his nose at his own State’s laws as well as the constituents who put him in office, and now wanted him out.
John McCain stands for John McCain. If you believe that somehow now he is a staunch supporter of “conseravtive” or even “moderate” values, you are fooling yourself. Never forget who he will stab in the back, his supporters are always FIRST on the list!

Look at what Juan McAmnesty is doing now–check out Michellemalkin.com and look into Juan Hernandez, Presidente Vincente Fox’s government official who was tasked with helping illegal aliens get in to America and then helping them to get free stuff from America…while here illegally

This guy is a high-level “volunteer” who is in McCain’s green room at debates and works for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s organization….

This guy is for 100% north american union type stuff…does not believe in seperate governments…

He is on board with John McCain. Please, look it up, verify this. I realize that Rambo’s endorsement is on the headlines, but having this guy back you up is 10000 times worse than the New York Times endorsement. even if he is ‘only’ a ‘volunteer’ (highly unlikely), his support of John McCain is enough to make me vote for anyone else.

Fortunately, the GOP has other excellent candidates, especially the executive Mitt Romney…who will control our borders, build the fence and thwart illegal alien invasions…McAmnesty will do everything he can to help ‘his friends’ Juan Hernandez and others.

McCain = open border amnesty…z visas…not right for America.

Like Frist, John McCain, the Republican senator with the highest national profile, has reversed his position on the issue and now supports an expansion of the research.

“It’s a very complex scientific issue,” McCain (Ariz.) told NBC’s Tim Russert earlier this year. “But for us to throw away opportunities to cure diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and many others I think would be a mistake.”

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), another possible presidential contender, is a longtime critic of the House approach.

“The vote in the House to allow taxpayer-funded destruction of young human lives is deeply troubling,” Brownback said. “We all have a duty to protect the innocent, and this vote represents a failure to recognize the scientific fact that stem-cell research that destroys embryos kills young human children.”

TheHill.com - October 2005

That doesn’t sound like a 100% Pro-Life voting record to me.

In 2004, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he opposed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage:

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke forcefully with President Bush and the Senate GOP leadership Tuesday evening over the issue of same-sex marriage, taking to the Senate floor to call a constitutional amendment that would effectively ban the practice unnecessary — and un-Republican. “The constitutional amendment we’re debating today strikes me as antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans,” McCain said.

But yesterday, ABC reported that McCain confided to Jerry Falwell that he would support such an amendment:

McCain “reconfirmed” to Falwell that he would support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman if a federal court were to strike down state constitutional bans on gay marriage.

ThinkProgress.org - March 2006

So which is it Senator McCain, for or against an amendment???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2eZ4-8a3zA

Taxes and Fees

A survey of states by the National Conference of State Legislatures found Massachusetts led the nation during Romney’s first year, raising fees and fines by $501 million. New York was second with $367 million. Nine other states raised fees and fines by more than $100 million.

“We renamed him ‘Fee-Fee.’ He was so unwilling to raise taxes that he was wanting to put all these fees in place instead,” Hachey said.

“It’s a shell game,” said Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. “He (Mitt Romney) can still say he didn’t raise taxes, but fees are taxes by another name. It’s a trick.”

Romney’s fees could also grate on some of those he is courting as he seeking the GOP nomination, including gun owners.

Under Romney’s plan for Massachusetts, the cost of registering firearms would have jumped from $25 to $75. He also called for increases in the cost of firearm identification cards, application fees for a license to carry firearms, and gun dealer fees.

Gun owners said they felt unfairly targeted by Romney’s proposed increases. Democratic lawmakers applauded Romney’s proposal — ultimately raising the cost of gun licenses to $100.

“We certainly shouldn’t be paying anything for our Second Amendment right, because it’s a civil right,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owner’s Action League.

Boston.com - August 2007

2nd Amendment

In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons.

“That’s not going to make me the hero of the NRA,” Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.

At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: “I don’t line up with the NRA.”

And as the GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2002, Romney lauded the state’s strong laws during a debate against Democrat Shannon O’Brien. “We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them,” he said. “I won’t chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety.”

Today, as he explores a presidential bid, Romney is sending a very different message on gun issues, which are far more prominent in Republican national politics than in Massachusetts.

He now touts his work as governor to ease restrictions on gun owners. He proudly describes himself as a member of the NRA — though his campaign won’t say when he joined. And Friday, at his campaign’s request, top officials of the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation led him around one of the country’s biggest gun shows.

Boston.com - January 2007

Abortion

The National Review article, by John J. Miller, also noted that Romney said during his gubernatorial campaign that he would “fully protect a woman’s right to choose” abortion but now says his “political philosophy is pro-life.” And it quoted Romney adviser Michael Murphy as saying: “He’s been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly.”

WashingtonPost.com - June 2005

When he ran for US Senate in liberal-leaning Massachusetts in 1994, Romney said abortion should be ‘’safe and legal.” As a candidate for governor in 2002, he said he would keep the state’s abortion rights laws intact and has since said that he kept that promise. But this year, as he began preparing a potential run for president, Romney said he is ”in a different place” than he was when he first ran for office in 1994 and has stressed that he is ”personally prolife.”

Boston.com - July 2005

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43TVmSoaQ7c&feature=related

A good manager would be a great leader…go Romney!!!

I have an in depth analysis of John McCain and Mike Huckabee, if anyone is interested.

http://excellenceinamerica.com/2008/01/17/Video1.aspx

Jason

My reading of the late Peter Drucker and Jim Collins would incline me to believe that they would disagree with Senator McCain’s notions of leaders versus managers. From their decades of research, I daresay they would conclude that Governor Romney is far more typical of truly “effective” leaders than is Senator McCain.

Doug,

I agree, it’s not hard to “manage” in government. They seem to favor seniority rather than leadership. So, being in the Senate since 1986, I can see John McCain being “put” in charge of some panels and legislation. Unfortunately that model doesn’t work very well… I.E. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Leiberman, McCain-Kennedy, etc. etc.

Wake up America (especially FLORIDA)!!!!!!!!

I wish Fox news would wake up too and stop doing everything but endorsing McCain.

Jason Bradley
http://www.ExcellenceInAmerica.com

From my readings of the late Peter Drucker, Jim Collins and others, I would have to conclude that they would disagree with Senator McCain’s notions of leaders versus managers. Their decades of research would no doubt cause them to conclude that Governor Romney is by far the better exemplar of a truly “effective” leader.

Sincerest apology. There was a hiccup with Fox’s server when I first attempted to submit my comment and it said it was lost. So I attempted to reconstruct it, only to see now that the first one actually did post. Oh well! Sorry about that.

His elitist view of “managers” being “someone you hire” is condescending.

Fallacy: Managing and leading are not mutually exclusive.

This fundamental misunderstanding communicates his understanding of leadership and management.

Caution: People are not occasionally or selectively condescending. As seen also by the way he treated the reporters.

Wisdom comes through humility, equality, and a mutual feeling of respect. Not from a superman’s undescribable ability to inspire.

McCain is a leader,
just not a wise one.

The logician

McCain is a liberal … how do they say ‘posturing’ as a conservative… Huckabee as well.

Another thing Huchabee, something that is really beginning to bother me… there are many denominations/faiths and it seems you act as though you are the only man running that emraces God and has faith. That is not true by any means. Seems you are the only man of ‘faith’ that is using ‘religion’ to manipulate the people for votes… and that just isn’t right. The more you talk about it, the more offensive it becomes - but I guess you continue because you realize that what votes you do get seem to depend on it.

Mitt Romney is the only candidate that has high standards. He’s never been divorced (I think the only candidate), is true to his wife and family and will be true to his country. He has proven that he is responsible, dependable, true and has high standards. I am sure this will hold true with his Presidency. I trust him.

I appreciate very much the way Romney sticks to the issues and tries his best always to stay away from personal attacks - like Huckabee’s attack on McCain about his age through Norris. As much as I dislike McCain I think that jab was totally uncalled for - but typical of Huckabee - pretty sly that one.

Romney is successful as a family man and a business man. Something that a couple of other candidates have shown jealousy over - which is unbecoming of a Presidential candidate.

Romney has proven he is smart and has the know how, stamina and courage needed to bring this country together. We need someone on the government who will really care about us, and I believe him when he described how he felt horrible when it was necessary to call lay offs if a business venture happened to run into trouble. He’s the same man that shows up at the opening of a new business venture with pizza in hand for all the floor workers and joins in with them anticipating what the day would bring. He loves his family, he loves his job and he loves people.

I have no doubt that in his heart he wants us all to do well and have a good life.
Romney knows - and he cares - and I want him on our side fighting the fight for us.

Romney is an honorable man. I know that there would be nothing to be ashamed of if he represented the us as President of the United States. We could stand proud once again.

Mitt Romney believes in a nation under God - By the People and For the People…. there is no doubt.

God help us… Vote for Mitt Romney!!!!

Whatever respect I held for John McCain before today IS GONE!!!

I am absolutely disgusted at the dirty politics he is playing on the verge of losing Florida!

He has been coming out with statements all day saying “will Mitt Romney withdrawl troops within 60 days?” “Mitt Romney should apologize to our fighting men and women”

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!

I hope that the people of Florida and the rest of the country will see this man for what he truly is: a power hungry fraud!!!

WATCH THESE VIDEOS FOR THE TRUE STORY ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/01/romney_democrats_favorite_repu.html

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/01/mccain_endorses_romney_in_2002.html

AND WATCH THESE THAT SHOW WHY DEMOCRATS ARE WORRIED ABOUT ROMNEY:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/01/how_romney_will_run_against_th.html

MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT!!!

“John McCain is Bob Dole minus the charm, conservatism and youth. Like McCain, pollsters assured us that Dole was the most “electable” Republican. Unlike McCain, Dole didn’t lie all the time while claiming to engage in Straight Talk.” –Ann Coulter

“If nominated, John McCain will destroy the Republican Party.”- Rush Limbaugh

“Florida will be the beginning of the end of Juan McLame’s career of fighting for amnesty, teaming up with liberals against tax cuts and being the single biggest backstabber to the conservative movement.”- Me

Jasmine,

Get your facts straight. Gov. Huckabee, has never been divorced (and he has no plans to take on additional wives in the afterlife either). Also, you mention Huckabee’s frequent references to his religion. Should he shy away from his faith or be ashamed of it (like Romney)? When, in every debate without exception, he is asked about his faith, should he stick his fingers in his ears and act like he can’t hear the question?

Don’t let Jasmine’s dribble bother you, Wendy. She’s copied and pasted the same nonsensical rantings all over this website.

Pres. Romney. Smart. Integrity
v.p. C. Rice. Genius
Sec. def. McCain. Knows the military
Just a thought. What you think?

McCain, the war hero, earned our respect, but NOT our votes.
He is wrong on immigration, wrong on tax cuts, wrong on campaign finance, wrong on judicial nominees, and wrong on Guantanamo Bay.
The McCain/Kennedy Comprehensive Immigration Act left our borders open and threatened to overwhelm our schools, hospitals, jails, and budgets.
McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts…twice! He cannot learn that cutting tax rates stimulates economic activity which increases government revenue.
The McCain/Feingold Campaign Finance Act inhibits free speech rights during the final days before elections.
McCain’s “Gang of 14” blocked the up-or-down votes for judicial nominees.
McCain stated that Guantanamo prisoners should have access to attorneys and courts. They are POW’s–not common criminals!
Finally, the NYT endorsed McCain. If he is their man; then, Republicans, you can be sure he is not yours.
Vote—but do NOT vote for John McCain.

Okay, Pat, but only because you say so.

the s. car. exit polls are interesting. Hillary got the older women and less educated. ha.

McCain doesn’t even know what a leader is!

Sorry, more ‘dribble’ Mikey….

Like I said…

Another thing Huckabee, something that is really beginning to bother me… there are many denominations/faiths and it seems you act as though you are the only man running that emraces God and has faith. That is not true by any means. SEEMS YOU ARE THE ONLY MAN OF ‘FAITH’ THAT IS USING ‘RELIGION’ TO MANIPULATE THE PEOPLE FOR VOTES… and that just isn’t right. The more you talk about it, the more offensive it becomes - but I guess you continue because you realize that what votes you do get seem to depend on it.

Umm… obviously you didn’t read or hear Mitt Romney’s statement about faith.

“There are some for whom these commitments are not enough. They would prefer it if I would simply distance myself from my religion, say that it is more a tradition than my personal conviction, or disavow one or another of its precepts. That I will not do. I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers - I will be true to them and to my beliefs.

“Some believe that such a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy. If they are right, so be it. But I think they underestimate the American people. Americans do not respect believers of convenience.

Americans tire of those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world.

Doesn’t sound like he’s ashamed of his faith now does it, Wendy?

Romney does have high standards and I admire him a great deal for it. He is honorable that he does not use religion to get votes.

Romney put it well… “We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America - the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

He respects people of all faiths … and that to me is a true man of principle, integrity and honor. One who practices his faith in deed and not just lipservice.

“It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions.”

Amen Romney… Amen

Here’s what the CEO of one of the businesses Romney helped said today about Romney’s LEADERSHIP:

Boston, MA – Today, Staples Founder Thomas Stemberg released the following statement regarding Governor Romney’s record of growing businesses and creating jobs:

“At this critical time for our economy, the United States needs a leader in Washington who actually has a record in the private sector of creating jobs. That leader is Mitt Romney. He knows what it takes to create jobs because he has done it time and time again. As a businessman, Governor Romney took a chance and invested in the first Staples store. Today, tens of thousands of Staples employees across this country have jobs because of that decision. That’s a clear record of action that Mitt Romney repeated time after time. Washington needs leaders who can do more than just talk about creating jobs.”

I hope McCain’s irresponsible lie today about Romney will result in a lesson that leadership requires followership - and when you can’t trust McCain, you certainly won’t choose to follow him!

As for me and my house, we choose to follow Romney, a great LEADER!

Let’s all repeat it in unison, with Jan . . .

We choose to follow Romney…We choose to follow Romney…We choose to follow Romney…

Does your brain feel clean? ‘Cuz it’s just been washed!

Leader.. What a joke.. this coming from a paranoid shizophrenic.. lay off sly’s HGH McAmnesty to stay awake. try some no doze and develope an economic plan for revitalization of this economy instead of name calling.
I too am a viet nam vet and I wouldn’t follow you anywhere. You’ve got no integrity, distort the facts and are losing respect faster than an illegal slipping over your “open borders”. There’s too many skeletons in your old closet and frankly when you stop listening to your local constituents in arizona, figuring you know best. well then ? You got to go !!!

Romney for President!

As a voter in McAmnesty’s own state of AZ, let me just say that this guy wouldn’t know leadership if it ran over him. Further, he wouldn’t know how to enact any good legislation if his life depended on it.

For someone who is “an expert on the border because I’m from a border state”, the guy hasn’t demonstrated an ounce of leadership in hisbody towards fixing our immigration problem. Sorry, going against the wishes of 70% of the country and trying to force through amnesty for 12 million illegals is not “leadership”.

McAmnesty’s MO is to lie in bed with the Democrats and try to linger in the Senate cloak room long enough to find someway he can make somebod owe him something so he can call in political favors. If that doesn’t work, he lets his temper fly and uses foul lanuage (hardly a leader).

Enough! His gaggle of friends in Washinton are the same ones who haven’t gotten anything done in the last eight years. Goodness, McAmnesty has been there for 24 years and all he’s accomplished is writing a few pieces of horrible legislation with a bunch of Democrats.

If you want more of the same, McCain is your man. If you want someone free from political paybacks. someone who manages to accomplish more than one piece of legislation every six years, then Governor Romney is your man.

Past vs. the future. Empty promises vs. results and accomplishments. Liberal legislation vs. conservative leadership. Political debts vs. freedom to do what’s right because it’s right. The choice is clear.

Mitt Romney - a PROVEN LEADER with the EXPERIENCE to CHANGE WASHINGTON

Hey Floridian! How was Mikeys ding dong? Ha ha jk I think the brain wash is gone there president died today “mormons” My best wishes to there Mormon Faith! But put everything aside we do have good people running for president But I think theres good and best looks like Mitt Romney is BEST for president!

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article vs. Manager « FOX Embeds « FOXNews.com, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.