What multi-millionaire that you know of frequents a small restaurant that serves food on paper plates and with plastic utensils?

While reading a somewhat interesting article called “Mitt Romney takes to life in new California home” I found this intriguing little nugget in the closing paragraphs that speaks volumes:

While the streets of La Jolla are filled with emblems of capitalism, from exotic car dealerships to pricey retailers and high-end restaurants, Romney has decidedly lowbrow tastes.

He said one of his favorite meals is the turkey burger at the Burger Lounge. Another favorite place is the Marketplace Grille, where he orders the chicken bowl — chicken served with tabbouleh, a choice of white or herbed rice, and lavash bread. It is served on paper plates with plastic utensils.

“He comes in with his grandchildren,” said Mehran Izadi, the restaurant’s co-owner. “He’s very down to earth. You don’t expect that from a politician.“

No, you don’t expect that of politicians, nor of millionaires. Oh that we could have such frugality in Washington these days. Also, I particularly like the mention of him taking his grand-kids out to eat.

Just recently I posted a video of a long “discussion” with Mitt at Emory University’s business school. There were many interesting topics in the discussion, but one that perhaps stuck out to me the most was the topic at the end about which of Mitt’s accomplishments made him the most proud. His answer was his relationship with his wife and kids. He even counseled the business students that they never let business or career get in the way of what brought true joy – family life. To build on his point he stated that getting up in the morning and doing meaningful work is an important part of a healthy family relationship, but that the work his wife did in the home was much more important to their happiness than what he did. That video can be viewed by clicking here. The segment about family begins at the 40:15 mark.

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Some time after losing the ’08 GOP nomination Governor Romney sold his homes in Massachusetts and Utah and bought a beachfront property in La Jolla California (near San Diego). Romney has spent a lot of time in La Jolla while writing his new book No Apology. The Romney family stills claims residency in Massachusetts and are said to be purchasing a condo in Belmont that they’ll close on in June.

Spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the Romneys are buying their own home in Belmont, but a March closing was pushed back to June because of “contractor delays.” That has put forced the Romneys to watch the number of days they spend in California, ensuring they do not raise questions about their primary residency for tax, voting or other legal purposes.

A few months ago I chatted with Josh Romney when his dad spoke at a local event in my home town. I asked Josh how his parents were enjoying La Jolla. He said that they loved it, particularly Ann Romney, but that his dad wanted to make sure they didn’t spend more than six months there during the year or they’d have to pay taxes in California. Who wants to pay taxes in both CA and MA?

Exit trivia: This AP story was written by a particular reporter who had a little dust-up with Romney regarding lobbyists during an interview in a grocery stores. Can anyone name the reporter without googling it? (That doesn’t mean use yahoo or bing.) Anyone have a link to the video?

~Nate Gunderson

Source: AP story “Mitt Romney takes to life in new California home”

Just for fun here is the google streetview of the Market Grille in La Jolla.

You will learn more about Mitt Romney from watching this video than you will watching all of the 2012 GOP debates combined.

Debates are very interesting, but as they progress you tend to hear just more of the same, but each time with a different audience. With so many candidates and so many vying for time one can hardly demonstrate a lifetime’s worth of experience and skills developed. The time to answer is simply too short.

This video is different….

In this video Mitt discusses heavily the topics of economy, innovation, health care, and family. The format is such that he is not rushed in 1 minute encapsulations of profound issues. He takes time to explain his views with effective elaboration. The video does not cover every single issue important to the GOP today, but it gives a clear view of his character, his philosophies, and his general approach to solving problems.

If I could get everyone voting in the GOP primaries to do one thing it would be to read his book. If I could get them to do one thing that required less than an hour it would be to watch this video.

Discussion with Mitt Romney At Emory University in Atlanta, GA

~Nate G.

to an extraordinary lady,

Ann Romney!


*Note: Time of posting was 11:28 PT on April 16, 2010

Is it possible that the Republicans meeting in New Orleans for the SRLC are geographically challenged? Former congressman Vin Weber seemed to think that might be the case. A U.S. representative during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidencies, Weber noted that although fellow conservatives were having a get together on the correct river, they were on the wrong end of it. The reason? Two high profile GOP members, and possible 2012 presidential candidates, were in his home state of Minnesota on Friday night to give their thoughts about the current issues and political climate facing this country.

Governor Tim Pawlenty gave a brief, but warm welcome to Mitt Romney at the sold-out Freedom Foundation of Minnesota event in Bloomington. I was fortunate enough to be among the audience members who witnessed these two stars of the Republican Party. Mitt did not disappoint, as he once again displayed his superior knowledge of the challenges facing our nation and how to solve them applying conservative principles. Here is a summary of the evening’s events, as observed from table 26 in the Sofitel ballroom:

Pawlenty shared how he and Romney had enjoyed the opportunity to work together after their respective victories in 2002. The Minnesota Governor praised Romney as being an effective leader, but more than that, “a great person.” He then took time to criticize the current administration and the unprecedented growth of government that has taken place over the past year. A more charismatic-than-usual Pawlenty, exhorted audience members to be “constitutional conservatives.” There was no mention of MassCare during Pawlenty’s talk as he appeared to be positioning himself for a possible vp spot in 2012.

Mitt received a standing ovation as he made his way to the podium and then regaled the audience with stories of people who had mistaken him for John Kerry and even Barack Obama. These instances of mistaken identity had the crowd roaring with laughter. Mitt was clearly at ease behind the podium, even without a teleprompter (take note Mr. President).

Romney hit on several key points from his book No Apology: The Case for American Greatness, beginning with the culture of the United States. This culture of hard work and free enterprise, which has led us to the unprecedented prosperity we enjoy, is now under attack from politicians in Washington D.C. He expounded on how the Obama administration and congress are killing the economic engine of our great country with the laws they have passed and policies they support. The former Massachusetts Governor spoke about how President Obama has alienated our allies and appeased our enemies, thus making us weaker and more exposed to international threats.

Mitt also recalled stories from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, which he rescued from financial disaster. He told the story of speed skater Derek Parra, a gold medal winner and one of eight athletes chosen to carry in the United States flag. Parra’s highlight of the Olympics was not winning the gold medal however. Instead, it was carrying in the flag which had flown over the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. A breeze had lifted up the flag and Parra thought it must have been the spirits of those who had died on that terrible day. It was a story which brought tears to the eyes of many of the audience members.

Governor Romney ended on an optimistic note, declaring that we can overcome the many challenges we now face. He closed by saying that the United States is truly “the hope of the earth.” The 400 or so people in the room gave him a rousing standing ovation and many headed into the hallway to get their copies of No Apology signed by Mitt.

I was extremely impressed with the Governor’s substance and delivery, as were those around me. He once again managed to come across as presidential, yet quite personable at the same time. It was just further proof that I am supporting the right man!

On Saturday morning, Governor Romney went to The Bookcase in Wayzata, Minnesota for an hour and half long book signing. I was fortunate enough to be a volunteer for this event and it ended up being a fantastic experience. This was put together last minute and word had not really gotten out to people, but nearly 200 still showed up to have their books and rally signs signed by Mitt. Those I spoke with were excited about a possible 2012 run and the opportunity to support him again. State Senator Gen Olson and state Representative Connie Doepke also came to offer their support. There were even a couple of Democrats who showed up! Mitt had a wonderful rapport with all of the folks who came through the line and was kind enough to sign my book and take a picture with me at the end of the session. Did I shake the hand of the next President of the United States? I certainly hope so. No matter what happens in the future, it was an experience I will never forget.

~Update by Ross

To our Christian friends across the world…

We wish you gladness and peace on this jubilant holy day.

 

Happy Easter!

 

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;
Death is strong, but Life is stronger;
Stronger than the dark, the light;
Stronger than the wrong, the right.
~ Phillips Brooks, An Easter Carol

To all our Jewish friends…

We wish all the joys of the Passover holiday to you and those you hold dear!

May you be blessed with
happiness, prosperity and peace
and good health on Pesach and always.

Passover is a Jewish religious holiday, which is celebrated to commemorate their emancipation from slavery under the Egyptian pharaoh. The Exodus from Egypt and the freedom won by the Israelites, as mentioned in the Hebrew bible, is honored with the celebration of this festive occasion. The holiday extends over a week and Jews across the world get together with their respective families to revel in the glory of Passover. It is one of the most beloved Jewish festivals and is marked with merriment that continues for an entire week.

The story of Passover:

The willingness to sacrifice is the prelude to freedom. ~ Unknown

Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.
~ Morris Joseph

History remembers her… a wee Irish lass. With her two younger brothers, Anthony and Philip in tow, young Annie Moore from County Cork, Ireland, courageously stepped onto the Isle of Hope on New Year’s Day 1892 – her 15th birthday, and became the first immigrant to be processed through the newly opened Ellis Island Processing Centre.

On this St. Patrick’s Day, we take a brief breather from the contentious, ever-changing health care debate to remember the courage and fortitude of Annie Moore and the more than 17 million immigrants from many nations who, seeking freedom and opportunities to work, passed through the portals of Ellis Island to become… Americans:

It is estimated that over half of all Americans have an ancestor that passed through Ellis Island. Legal immigration is the rainbow that leads to America’s pot o’ golden opportunities. Inspired by his first visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Dustin James presents America:

“America, sweet land of liberty, I hear you calling me. I’m on my way.”

Now, on to the party! Sure and begorrah, on this day of shamrocks, shillelaghs, and shenanigans, in our nation of immigrants, everybody is Irish! Celtic Thunder – a rousing group consisting of four Irish lads and one Scot, kick things off. Launching their family-style entertainment three years ago performing at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City, these five male vocalists are currently promoting their new show ‘That’s Entertainment’ on PBS. Celtic Thunder was named Billboard’s Top World Album/Artist in 2009. The group consists of George Donaldson, Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly, Keith Harkin, and young Damian McGinty. At the time of their debut, McGinty was just 14 years old. In this video, while singing a solo line, on the last note, he playfully motions downward – signaling that his voice has changed. Turn up the volume and try substituting ‘Romney’ or ‘America’ for ‘Ireland’ and you’ll feel like marching all the way Capitol Hill! Here is Ireland’s Call:

“Hearts of steel and heads unbowing, vowing never to be broken… We will fight until we can fight no more, ’til our final requiem is spoken.”

While Obama, Pelosi, and Reid spread their blarney this week, today is the time for the wearin’ o’ the green! How thankful we are for ALL who sacrificed so greatly to immigrate to America and for their work ethic, talents, and traditions. Here’s hoping for some of that Irish leprechaun magic… Now, back to work to defeat Obamacare!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MITT!

As you greet fellow Americans and sign copies of your new book in
Sacramento, CA today, we send best wishes and love across the miles for
a joyful, jubilant day!

A metaphorical birthday video for an extraordinary man who truly is
Mr. Fix It:

Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake. ~ Anon

Happy birthday to…the next president of the United States!

Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of ‘you’ to the world.
~ Anon

Want to read one of the first reviews offered on Mitt Romney’s highly anticipated new political book? James R. Holland handily summarizes Romney’s instructive, solution-based reader: No Apology: The Case for American Greatness. Holland reveals that Romney offers ‘pretty decent’ solutions to today’s problems and is surprised by personal stories that evoked a few tears. Romney will be making the rounds on NBC’s “Today” show, ABC’s “The View”, Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” program, and CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman” on March 2nd, the day of No Apology’s debut. If you haven’t pre-ordered your book, better hurry!

Can Mitt Romney Save America?

The answer to that question is why most readers will bother buying, borrowing or reading this book by the former Massachusetts Governor and 2008 Presidential primary candidate. In this time of national and international recession, the voters and affected non-voters around the world are looking for a leader who can actually solve the major emergencies facing America, freedom and capitalism itself.

As the son of a third generation American Immigrant whose family was run out of Mexico by Mexican revolutionaries angry with American expatriates, Mitt grew up as part of a family that worked themselves up from desperate poverty to live the American Dream. His father worked as a wall plasterer while he supported his family and worked his way through college. He eventually earned his way into the presidency of American Motor Corporation (AMC) and bet his house (or at least the money he’d made from selling his home) on the successful development of the Rambler compact car. He later became three-time governor of Michigan.

Mitt grew up in a family that had strong core values and he discusses those core values throughout this book. This reviewer actually met most of Mitt’s family including Gov. George Romney when Mitt ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate in Massachusetts. The whole family was part of that campaign and the lessons they learned with that loss served Mitt well a few years later when he successfully won election for the Governorship of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Romney managed to do a good job managing that state even though he didn’t have enough Republican legislative votes to uphold a veto and therefore had to reach across the aisle to the Democrats controlling the State House in order to accomplish his agenda.

Romney believes that if America becomes a victim of socialism that freedom throughout the world will be lost. If the nation is not careful, it will become a second rate world country–still strong enough to survive, but not strong enough to defend freedom anywhere else in the world.

“There are three pillars that sustain a free and strong America:

l. A Strong Economy

2. A Strong Military

3. A free and Strong People.”

Romney then provides an agenda for a free and strong America. His list of goals includes 64 separate items and even Romney admits that his is not a complete list of changes needed. Studying that agenda will provide the reader with a decent idea of how Romney would tackle the nation’s problems.

The book’s second chapter “Why Nations Decline” is also instructive. Mitt briefly examines the reasons the Ottomans, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Chinese, the British, the Soviets—these were all super-powers of their respective eras “and they were all surpassed.” The reasons for these nation’s failures were eerily similar to much of what is occurring in the USA and Western Europe.

The book examines many of the reasons for today’s problems and provides some pretty decent ideas about how to solve them. Romney also describes why many people prefer to live in denial of the facts and why in past civilizations that failure to face undeniable facts led to the destruction of those great civilizations.

In the book’s eleventh and last chapter this reader was surprised by some personal stories that brought tears to my eyes. Since I was reading while seated at the Prudential Center Food Court Terrace, it was a little embarrassing to suddenly find my eyes tearing up and salty streams trickling down my cheeks. That anything in this volume might require having tissues available was a total shock. Surprise, surprise, because the previous 99% of the book had been straight-forward logic and business-like explanations of Romney’s beliefs and ideas on how to solve the nation’s rapidly expanding and very dangerous problems, this ability to bring forth tears in an audience was enlightening.

The text was not boring and there was a little humor such as Mitt’s description of the fall his wife Ann experienced when the stage they were speaking from in Dubuque, Iowa, collapsed. When she got up, “dusted herself off, and later ad-libbed, ‘Well, I fell on de butt in Dubuque.’” The man obvious isn’t just a cool-headed, unflappable, maybe sometimes seemingly unfeeling man; he is an experienced leader and is well schooled in the workings of Capitalism, industrial production and job producing economics. He is also amazingly well spoken and as Bostonians know, he used to sometimes substitute as a host on a popular conservative talk show in order to keep in touch with the Massachusetts public. He wasn’t afraid to talk to the general public, but he relished the opportunity that only talk radio provides for contact with typical voters. He loved that form of give and take communication.

This is a good read for this political genre. It will provide the information that many people will need to decide if years of leadership experience should triumph over hope.

Romney reads from No Apology: The Case for American Greatness

Described as ‘Mardi Gras for the Right’, CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) opened this morning at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C. Excited GOP power players, power player makers, and everyday citizens concerned about the abuse of political power are streaming through the doors. The three-day conference will be filled with speeches, exhibits, forums, panel discussions, book signings, networking, hospitality suites, banquets, and entertainment.

Among official bloggers attending is our own Nate Gunderson. He will be posting blog updates and sending live tweets. We’ve already received several tweets today from Nate, including one received this morning: “Governor Romney just dropped by to tell some jokes.” Tonight, Nate will be tying on his bowling shoes as he joins Romney’s ‘bowling for bucks’ to support Romney’s PAC. We eagerly anticipate more of Nate’s coverage of CPAC goings-on and especially, Mitt Romney!

Lisa De Pasquale, CPAC Director:

As CPAC director, De Pasquale spends all year planning and organizing the annual three-day conference that is the largest gathering of its kind in the country. The event has become so huge that it was moved this year from its longtime home at the Omni Shoreham Hotel to the larger Marriott Wardman Park, just off Connecticut Avenue near the Woodley Park Metro station.

“We’re at a larger facility this year, but it looks like we’re already going to be bursting at the seams,” said De Pasquale. “Right now, we’re about 20 percent above pre-registration for last year. So we’re expecting between 9,000 and 10,000, if on-site registration is on pace with last year.”

Not only will this be the biggest CPAC ever, but it is likely to be the most energized conference in several years. This year’s conference will bring the added enthusiasm of hundreds of new attendees who have been active in the Tea Party movement. In fact, one of the movement’s first events took place during last year’s conference, when about 200 CPAC attendees gathered for a rally in front of the White House that featured Michelle Malkin.

That February 2009 LaFayette Park rally was mocked by liberal bloggers — “puny,” sniffed the Village Voice — but the grassroots movement swelled into a force that made a real political impact. Tea Party activism helped conservatives score big wins in last fall’s Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections, as well as Republican Scott Brown’s stunning victory in Massachusetts, capturing the Senate seat held for nearly four decades by Ted Kennedy.

The Tea Party movement will be represented by speakers and panelists on this year’s CPAC agenda, including Jenny Beth Martin of the Tea Party Patriots and Dana Loesch of the St. Louis Tea Party. And the final keynote speech on Saturday will be given by Glenn Beck, who helped spur on the movement with his 9-12 Project.

“I think he’s someone who’s going to energize the conference,” De Pasquale said of Beck. “I expect him to give a call to action that will help our attendees take the energy from CPAC into the 2010 mid-term election.”

This will be the first-ever CPAC appearance for Beck. Also making their CPAC speaking debuts at this year’s event will be Allen West, an Iraq war hero and congressional candidate, and Marco Rubio, whose Florida Senate campaign has ignited a grassroots uprising against the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which backed Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP primary.

Liz Cheney and Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter will make their first CPAC speaking appearances this year, said De Pasquale, while Internet news entrepreneur Andrew Breitbart (who has previously participated in panel discusses at the conference) will give a main-stage speech Saturday. Breitbart will be introduced by Hannah Giles, who became famous in a series of videos exposing the community organizing group ACORN. Giles will also be a participant in XPAC, a series of events for younger conference attendees — and there will be lots of them.

“As in years past, we’re expecting that more than 50 percent of our attendance will be college students,” De Pasquale said. “It bodes well for the movement that there are so many young people who are energized about attending CPAC.”

Attendees young and old will hear from a stellar list of conservative speakers, including South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, House members Steve King, Mike Pence, Jason Chaffetz, Darrell Issa, Scott Garrett, Eric Cantor, Dan Lungren and Ron Paul, and numerous commentators including Andrew Napolitano, John Fund, George F. Will and Ann Coulter.

Beyond the speeches and panel discussions, the conference features numerous book signings, receptions and an enormous exhibition hall.

“The official schedule is just one part of the CPAC experience,” De Pasquale said, adding that the chance to meet with fellow conservatives is a major attraction of the annual conference.

Governor Romney will fire up the crowd tomorrow (2/18/10) when he speaks at 1:30 PM Eastern Standard Time in the Marriott Ballroom. Dr. Jay Sekulow, (American Center for Law and Justice) will introduce him.

National Journal:

Romney, who has won the last 3 CPAC straw polls, has a crucial leg up on other contenders, according to many who think he will win a fourth. His team’s ability to organize around the event in previous years is likely to give him some residual good will among attendees.

“Everyone knows how good his organization was in the lead-up to the 08 primaries, but not everyone realizes how sneaky-good that organization remains,” said one respondent. Added another: “Mitt bears the high expectations of having won CPAC three years in a row. While this establishes him as the clear favorite of mainstream conservatives, it also keeps the pressure on for him to win every time he shows up.”

I have a hunch this new ad from Senate Republicans will be shown at CPAC:

CPAC runs today through Saturday when it will adjourn at 6:45 PM EST. We’ll keep you informed on the latest from CPAC and news from Nate Gunderson.

Additional info:
CPAC Agenda
CPAC Exhibitors

Update: CPAC coverage for 2/18/10:
Townhall.com – UStream live stream click here.
C-Span online stream click here.
C-Span network TV coverage of CPAC begins at 9:45 – 4:30 PM EST. TV schedule here.