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Romney: The Cost of On-The-Job Training

A must read!
Romney's Op-Ed about Afghanistan on Politico:

During the presidential campaign, many Americans thought that Barack Obama’s lack of leadership experience would not prevent him from being an effective president. His eloquence, his insistence that, yes, he could solve any problem and his image, so artfully crafted by his advertising team, led by David Axelrod, convinced many that hope could trump demonstrated ability. It has not. Nowhere is the evidence more apparent than in his mismanagement of the conflict in Afghanistan.

>> keep reading

A $hattering $uccess

Jacksonville Observer:

Duval GOP’s Romney Event Shatters Fundraising Records

Jacksonville was the place to be for Florida Republicans Monday night. The Duval County Republican Party announced today that the November 9th event, “An Evening with Governor Mitt Romney Honoring Tom Petway”, was an unparalleled success, topping all previous such events in Northeast Florida.

“The local Republican Party is on fire! Everyone is energized and prepared to turn out the vote in 2010. Thanks to the generosity of our donors – many of whom have never given to the local Party before – and of course our mighty grassroots, we exceeded our goal and raised more $250,000 even in these tough economic times.

State Committeewoman Cindy Graves, who chaired the event, reported record ticket sales. “Republican grassroots leaders from five counties turned out a sell-out crowd of more than 750 and still others clamoring for tickets on Monday.

Curry also praised the unique draw of the event’s keynote speaker and honoree. “Tom Petway is a legend both for his generosity to the GOP and his unwavering support of Jacksonville. Governor Mitt Romney has a unifying message of a strong economy and military coupled with a patriotic view of America. Joined by Republican leaders and elected officials from all over Florida, we celebrated our collective goal of an overwhelming victory for fiscally conservative Republican candidates throughout our state and our nation in 2010,” Curry said.

ROCK STAR!

John posted this article earlier, with these comments:

While some in the second and third tier of possible Presidential candidates are engaged in ad hominem attacks on fellow Republicans, Gov. Romney is moving the ball down the field and quietly rebuilding the Party from the ground up.

Kudos to the the Duval County Republican Party for organizing a very successful fundraiser for Tom Petway.

~~John Cronin~~

Romney on CBS 'The Early Show'

Watch CBS News Videos Online

>> CBS: Romney: Obama Suffers a Hamlet Complex

Oops! I missed this one - interview was on Nov. 2nd!
Although, my friend Jayde did post it over at MRC last week.
But, in case you missed it, like I did, here is the interview...
Just had to post it! Another strong interview by The Mitt.

'Conservative to the Core'

Governor Romney, Welcome Back - to Florida!
>> read entire editorial here

Monday night at the Duval County R.E.C. Lincoln Day Dinner, over 750 North East Florida Republicans gave a warm welcome to their number one 2008 Presidential primary favorite, Gov. Mitt Romney.

Romney’s speech was principled, impassioned and conservative to the core. He spoke about the dire effects of big government spending and taxpayer funded bailouts crippling an already frail economy, versus limited government which spurs economic growth and empowers Americans to pursue greater opportunities.

Like President Reagan, Romney is a free market, economic supply-sider. He believes in the greatness of the American people to overcome the economic challenges we face, not by mortgaging trillions of dollars in debt to future generations by expanding government bureaucracy.

Our nation and Florida are facing the worst economic crisis since 1975. Florida’s unemployment rate is at a staggering 11% and growing. Mitt Romney is a full spectrum conservative and as such is a natural ally on the life issues. He has the moral fortitude, record, and intelligence to steer this country back on course.

Though the 2012 election may seem a long way off, people are looking to the future for hope. In several of the latest polls, former governor Mitt Romney is the front runner for the Republican nomination. It’s time to start paying attention to what he has to say.

>> Also read: Romney sells out the house at Republican dinner in Florida

Romney to Speak at the Ronald Reagan Ranch

via CNN:

Mitt Romney is heading to Reagan country.

The former Massachusetts governor is scheduled to speak this Friday to the Young America's Foundation at the Ronald Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California. Romney is expected to be the dinner banquet speaker for the foundation's West Coast Leadership Conference, which consists of young conservatives from 44 colleges and universities across 12 states.

"Young people provide much of the energy in the conservative movement, and if we are going to be successful as a party we need to harness that energy and put it work on behalf of the principles we all believe in – more freedom, lower taxes and limited government," says Romney Adviser Eric Fehrnstrom.

Since February, Romney has made a series of moves that could aid in any 2012 reprise of his 2008 presidential bid: He has attended nine events for senatorial candidates, appeared at more than a dozen rallies or fundraisers for those running for governor this year or next, and spoken at almost two dozen meetings of Republican Party groups or conservative organizations. He's also finished a new book, due out next year.

"From now until November of 2010, I will be working to help conservatives across the country," Romney told CNN last week. "The country, in my view, is being taken a direction that is very damaging, and I think people want to see a strong return of fundamental American principles."

>> Also see: Romney the favorite of young conservative students

Visit the Young America's Foundation: The Reagan Ranch

FYI: Keep up with Mitt!
Check out the Calendar at Mitt Romney Central
for upcoming Romney events and appearances.

Romney Statement on Veterans Day

Mitt Romney's statement on Veterans Day:

"As Americans pause to reflect on the service of veterans, I want to express my appreciation for our active military stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world, separated from families and loved ones, who dutifully carry out the mission of keeping the nation safe from its enemies. The Fort Hood massacre is a reminder of the threats we face, both at home and abroad. On this day of remembrance, we are called to remain vigilant, thankful for the contributions of so many who once wore the uniform and mindful of the sacrifices currently being made in defense of freedom and liberty."

CNN: Romney a Power Player

>> Also read from CNN:
Romney builds political capital while biding time on 2012 run

Mission Remission: Now that we have lost the battle, how can we win the war?

I don't agree with the NRO on one point. I don't think we have lost the battle, I think we got some Congress critters on record for having voted for this power grab/tax increase in a time of 10% unemployment, with 20% unemployment being the real number.

This vote makes it easier to identify the Representatives who need to be swept out of Congress.

~~John Cronin~~

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmVlMzdmNGFmNGU0OGM
4ODhlNWI5MWI5ZmU1MDQ3ZjA=&w=MQ==

An NRO Symposium

Pelosicare may have passed the House,
but the debate on health care is far from over. What should conservatives be
doing to influence the next phase? We contacted a few of National Review
Online’s health-care experts and asked them for their recommendations.


JEFFREY H. ANDERSON

As the health-care
debate moves to the Senate, Obamacare opponents should emphasize that the Senate
bill is not remotely moderate. It would cost $1.7 trillion in its real first
decade (2014–23), according to the Congressional Budget Office — 95 percent as
much as the House bill.

Two points should be hit particularly hard: One,
the Senate bill would provide tremendous incentives for people not to buy
insurance until they are already sick or injured — which would raise most
Americans’ insurance premiums substantially. Two, it would brazenly pay for
Obamacare by siphoning hundreds of billions from Medicare. The bill even says it
would cut Medicare Advantage benefits, and would cut doctors’ Medicare payments
by 25 percent and never raise them back up. If it didn’t follow through, it
would become a massive-deficit bill.

Crucially, we should also advance —
and persuade Republican senators to champion — a clear alternative. To avoid the
criticism that the House GOP bill got for not doing enough to address the number
of uninsured, GOP senators should basically take the House Republican bill and
add a targeted tax break — finally ending the unfair tax on the uninsured
(without touching employer-provided insurance or its tax status). Unlike the
$1.7 trillion Democratic bill, the CBO says, the $61 billion House GOP bill
would lower Americans’ premiums. The GOP Senate bill would also significantly
lower the number of uninsured — and could do so in a deficit-neutral manner.

Americans’ choice would be clear: massive cuts to Medicare benefits and
doctors’ payments, or none; $1.7 trillion, or one-tenth of that; government
control or private control; mandates or choice; higher premiums or lower
premiums. The GOP bill would accomplish more, cost less, and destroy less. It
would highlight the core weaknesses of the Democratic bill while bringing
Americans into the GOP camp.

— Jeffrey H. Anderson is a senior fellow in
health-care studies at the Pacific Research Institute and was the senior
speechwriter for Secretary Mike Leavitt at the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services during Pres. George W. Bush’s second term.


GARY ANDRES

— The House bill is a
target-rich environment from both a policy and a political perspective. It’s a
bloated, partisan government takeover of the health-care system that doesn’t
address Americans’ central concern, affordability. Moving forward, conservatives
must continue to highlight its many shortcomings, including higher taxes and
increased health-care premiums, a $1.3 trillion price tag, $505 billion in
Medicare cuts, and a long list of new mandates. But conservatives can also
confidently appeal to the most salient concern Americans express in poll after
poll: how much health care costs.

On this point, the House-passed bill
and the Republican substitute offer a stunning contrast. The GOP alternative
makes health care more affordable; the Democratic bill makes it more expensive.
This radical difference alone should be a game-changer.

According to
CBO, the Republican substitute reduces premiums by 10 percent for small groups
(50 or fewer employees), 8 percent for individuals without employer-based
coverage, and 3 percent for those employed by large companies. CBO says the
government-run plan in the Democratic bill would result in higher premiums and
costs for individuals and businesses.

Reducing frivolous lawsuits and
offering more choices are two other ways the Republicans apply conservative
principles to contain costs. The Democratic bill fails on these fronts as well.

Conservative policies produce more affordable health care, for
individuals, businesses (small and large), and the government. This should be
conservatives’ mantra moving forward.

— Gary Andres is vice chairman of
research and policy at the Dutko Group Companies and a frequent NRO contributor.

SALLY PIPES

Conservatives must focus on the
Pelosi/Obama bill, reminding Americans that this is what happens when Democrats
have total power. They talk center and legislate left — raising taxes, building
bureaucracy, and limiting freedom. A battle has certainly been lost, but the war
may yet be won. Conservatives should highlight the absurd details of the House
legislation and communicate the issue in terms that resonate with moderate
Americans. The issue is too important to lose.

Conservatives must
compare the massive costs of the bill to the modest benefits. Deficit neutral
does not mean household-budget neutral. Democratic health reform will cost
trillions, much more than the CBO estimate of $1.3 trillion.

We must
remind Americans that the bills contain nothing but wishful thinking —
discredited and disliked ideas — to control costs. As Thomas Sowell points out,
shifting costs to taxpayers is not the same as controlling them. Price controls
always lead to rationing. As for government being more efficient than the
private sector, a recent 60 Minutes exposé on Medicare shows it efficiently pays
$60 billion a year to fraudsters.

Most important, these people cannot be
trusted to tell the truth or keep their promises. Candidate Obama campaigned on
no middle-class tax increase. He lambasted Hillary Clinton for endorsing an
individual mandate and McCain for wanting to tax health insurance. Today, he’s
endorsed bills that will punish the middle class, tax health insurance, and
mandate that people purchase a government-approved form of it or pay fines.

This all seems so obvious to those of us tracking the issue. Yet we
obviously haven’t clearly communicated it to the public.

— Sally C.
Pipes is president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is
The Top Ten Myths of American Health Care: A Citizen’s Guide.

PLEASE PASS ALONG

PLEASE PASS ALONG

IMPORTANT!

I almost never pass along these "add your name" lists that appear in my email, but this one is too important. This one has been circulating for months. So, PLEASE keep it going!

To show your SUPPORT for Obama's health care reform, please go to the end of the list, add your name to the rapidly growing list below, and send it on to your entire email list.

1. Nancy Pelosi

2.

SOLID PRINCIPLES PODCAST: Episode 15

>> Click here to listen to the podcast

SOLID PRINCIPLES PODCAST: Episode 15

The Maine Event: With Democratic Governor John Baldacci term limited out of office, the 2010 Gubernatorial race is an open field. As part of our 2010 Contenders Series on Solid Principles, we speak to Maine Republican State Senator Peter Mills about his candidacy for Governor.

Visit John and Craig at www.SolidPrinciples.com
>> and check out their blog here

Center Goes Right

Full column: Obama Cedes the Center
by Michael Gerson

Both McDonnell and New Jersey's governor-elect, Chris Christie, were blessed with opponents who combined weakness and viciousness in equal measure. But the ideological atmosphere for the election was determined by Obama himself. When I interviewed McDonnell in September, he saw the first signs of an anti-Democratic backlash among Virginia businesspeople who were concerned about the "card check" bill (which would allow union organization without a majority vote). Then a broader resentment about the level of spending and new burdens imposed by cap-and-trade climate legislation. Then the summer of health care reform discontent.

The White House now dismisses Tuesday's losses as the reflection of "local issues" -- as though the Virginia outcome was determined by zoning disputes on the proposed site of a new 7-Eleven. When one of the primary concerns of the electorate is the direction of the economy, all politics is national.

By creating deficits unequaled as a percentage of the economy since World War II, by proposing to nearly triple the national debt in the next 10 years, by using the economic crisis as an excuse for the massive expansion of government authority over health care, Obama has become a polarizing figure. Of course, some Republicans thrive on ideological combat and would seek it even if unprovoked. But it is Obama's tax-and-spend ambitions that have united Republicans of every stripe in opposition, put fiscally conservative Democrats in an impossible bind, and ceded the economic center to Republican candidates in Virginia and New Jersey.

The Republican candidates who won on Tuesday were generally conservative, but not angry. They were supported by the Republican base, but spent most of their time reaching toward the middle. It was a center-right victory in a center-right country.

Add to all of this, today's big number: 10.2
See: Unemployment Rate Soars Past 10 Percent

High unemployment is likely to become a political liability for Obama and Democrats in Congress. ... “More debt, more spending … clearly has not worked — particularly in a time of double-digit unemployment,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Meet the USS New York

Built with 7 1/2 tons of WTC steel



She is a beauty!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Complete with a 21-gun salute - (AP story here)

Never forget...

Romney on Kudlow Report

Interview begins at the 3:38 mark

via Kudlow's Money Politic$:

Here's former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's take on last night's Kudlow Report discussing President Obama's handling of the economy, stimulus programs, healthcare and much more.

See: Romney: Obama economic stimulus plan is a failure

'Dignified'

Tweeted by Beachroses:

Thought the way Romney handled campaigning in NJ, VA & NY showed respect for the candidates, people in those states & his party. Dignified.

'The Voice of Reason'

The Fix says:

To our mind, former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) may have come out of the special election in New York smelling the sweetest -- he avoided getting involved at all and now looks like the voice of reason.

*As Jeff noted below, he did give $5,000 to Hoffman

** (Jeff here) To be clear, the PAC gave the donation supporting Hoffman once he became the Republican Party's candidate. Mitt Romney really is the adult leader in the party.

Mitt Romney's Statment on Tuesday's Elections

Got this email update from Mitt Romney this morning... was excited to see that his PAC made a maximum possible donation of $5000 for Doug Hoffman in NY-23!

What a great election yesterday! It's exhilarating to wake up to headlines of conservative victories in the battleground elections in Virginia and New Jersey. The American people have sent a very strong message to the liberals in Washington, DC that big government is not the answer, and that conservatism is still alive and well.

With your help , we've been working hard at my Free and Strong America PAC to spread the core principles that are at the heart of making America a stronger nation and which fortify our party -- that a competitive America is one where taxes are low and government is small, that our military superiority must never be compromised, that our cultural values need to be cherished and that unleashing the power of the free market is key to our economic future.

We worked extremely hard on behalf of Bob McDonnell and the entire Republican ticket in Virginia, and helped him close strong with a full day of campaigning in the final week; in New Jersey, we endorsed Chris Christie early and made sure he had the resources to be competitive against his better-financed opponent; in Michigan, we raised money for Republican Mike Nofs, who captured a key State Senate seat previously held by a Democrat; and we worked tirelessly for our friend and ally Barbara Comstock, a leading fixture in the conservative movement, who won an uphill fight for a House of Delegates seat in Virginia, where she'll be a reliable vote for Governor-elect McDonnell's conservative agenda.

We didn't stop there. So far in 2009, my PAC has donated nearly $120,000 to candidates and conservative causes around the nation, including a last-minute $5,000 donation to Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd congressional district. I've given speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the Club for Growth, the Values Voter Summit, the Heritage Foundation, the Foreign Policy Initiative conference and the AIPAC National Summit. Each of these events helped promote our shared conservative ideals and hopefully influenced the debate on the critical issues facing us.

We should be proud of what we have accomplished together; but this is no time to rest on our laurels. We must begin building upon these victories today to ensure that we have the resources we need to take back the Congress in 2010. Next year I'll also be traveling the country talking about my upcoming book, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness," which will be published in March. I believe that the decisions we make today will determine what course America takes, and I want to make sure we remain the world's economic and military superpower.

Vote for Mitt in Bill O'Reilly's Poll

This is a great opportunity in a very high profile venue to weigh in on behalf of Gov. Romney.

Go to www.billoreilly.com and vote for Mitt on O'Reilly's website. The winner will be announced on FOXNEWS, THE O'REILLY FACTOR.

PPP says Christie Leads 47-41!

One more poll to get you motivated to start making some real change in 2009! From PPP again, the New Jersey Governor race is turning back to Christie in the final 48 hours.

Chris Christie leads Jon Corzine 47-41 in PPP's final poll of the New Jersey Governor's race, with Chris Daggett at 11%

Christie's advantage is due largely to his support from independents and because he has Republicans more unified around him than the Democrats are around Corzine. Christie leads Corzine 52-29 with indies, as Daggett's support with that group has declined to 16%. Christie is getting 82% of Republicans to Corzine's 72% of Democrats.

Corzine could still win with an exceptional Democratic turnout on Tuesday but there aren't a lot of factors in the race pointing to that as a strong possibility.

Follow Mitt's lead and go get out the Republican vote on Tuesday!

Latest NY-23 Poll - "Hoffman Primed for Dominant Victory"

Public Policy Polling just released the new poll on NY-23 and their headline is "Hoffman Primed for Dominant Victory"

They polled thru the weekend of one surprise event after another, but here's the net net:

The bottom line though is that Hoffman led by double digits during every segment of the poll, an indication that he may have been headed for a definitive victory regardless of Scozzafava's actions over the course of the weekend.

So much for Dede's little fit of pique.

Do you think she'll flip in the assembly to caucus with the democrats next? Unbelievable.

NY-23: Independence Party Chair Flips to Hoffman

Well the fireworks in the special election for Congress just keep on coming!

Just read in the NY Observer that Hoffman has picked up more Independence Party support. Another chairman up in NY-23 who was backing Scozafava is now backing Hoffman. Not sure what happens next, but John Rice is hoping that a lot of other Independence Party chairs will declare their independence.

Rice is the chairman of Franklin County, one of the major population centers in the district, so it will definitely add to Hoffmans margin of victory.

UPDATE: The newly elected NYGOP Chairman Ed Cox slammed the liberal republican's endorsement of the Democrat candidate as "betrayal" of the people in the district, and the party. How many candidates could take nearly a million dollars from the GOP and then endorse a Democrat?

Chris Christie for Governor Television Ad: "Changing Governors"

Hoffman's consolidating support, 20 points ahead of Owens

Public Policy Polling was tracking the NY-23 race right after the 3-way debate and found that Hoffman was crushing both opponents by 20+ points.

This was before Dede released her supporters, which at that point was down to 17% of voters.

Some folks have been hemming and hawing about where Dede's supporters might go. Fact is, even if they all went to vote for a liberal Pelosi democrat (seriously think even 50% might do that? are you kidding me?) Hoffman would win.

From the pollster Tom Jensen:

I'm not going to throw away the first set of interviews, but we'll provide a crosstab for when people got surveyed. I expect Hoffman will win easily now, but if our early numbers were any indication what Scozzafava did doesn't make much difference- he was going to win easily with or without her in the race.

If you are in NY now we have local elections Tuesday too. If you don't have a campaign close to home that needs your help, and are looking for a race where your efforts can really make a difference, head to New Jersey and go get out the vote for Chris Christie!

Romney Goes to Bat for Brown

SUN CHRONICLE
BY: JIM HAND

WRENTHAM - Former Gov. Mitt Romney Friday declared that Washington is being run by "neo-monarchists" and the country needs a second revolution to restore power to the people.

Romney, speaking at a fund-raising event for state Sen. Scott Brown, urged those in attendance to send Brown to Washington to help the revolution along.

The Republican and former presidential candidate compared the current political situation to the conditions that existed in 1776.

Back then, he said, monarchists believed in a "strong central leader" while revolutionaries wanted to hand government over to the people.

The people won and the result was a "stronger nation and the land of opportunity," he said.

Currently the country is being run by those who believe in "government telling us what to do," including government-run health care and deficit spending.

Romney said the first signs of change may come Tuesday in races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia.

Republicans are running well in both races, he said.

"We'll win there if there is no cheating," he said after repeating a joke that the races "are within the margin of cheating."

The former governor spoke at Luciano's at Lake Pearl in Wrentham to help raise money for fellow Republican Brown, who is running to replace the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

More than 200 people attended, some paying $75 for a general reception and others shelling out $1,000 for a private meeting with Romney.

Romney also attended an event for Brown earlier in the day in Needham.

Brown said the Senate needs more Republicans because Democrats now have the 60

Scozzafava suspends NY-23 campaign

Today the field has been cleared for conservative victory in New York! Doug Hoffman will now be able to consolidate the republican votes, and with the registration breakdown in NY-23 that means a certain win.

I was hopeful that this split could be settled before next Tuesday. As more and more heavy artillery started moving and backing Hoffman it became clear that he was going to win this race but it was going to be close.

Now instead of a nailbiter, Tuesday will be a landslide.

Thank you Dede, this was very gracious of you.

Everyone, get the message out that we are united behind Hoffman... at this point with 3 days to go, the ballot can not be changed to remove candidates who are no longer running.