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.”

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.

To our United States military and our soldier allies who so courageously sacrifice in untold ways to protect us, and who never falter to defend freedom-seekers across the world, Mitt Romney Central sends grateful thanks and Valentine wishes.

(Wait for what happens at :30 seconds…)

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. ~ General Douglas MacArthur

You have our profound gratitude and admiration. May you stay strong, safe, and successful!

Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC month-in-review for January 2010:

Scott Brown Wins Massachusetts Senate Race:

For the first time in decades, a Republican has been elected to a Senate seat in Massachusetts. Senator Scott Brown ran a grassroots campaign based on cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes and getting tough on terrorists. The election sent shockwaves around the political world.

As supporters of the PAC, you deserve a thank you. Your support made it possible for Governor Romney to get behind Senator Brown from the very beginning, when polls showed him a 30-point underdog and everyone assumed the outcome was pre-ordained in favor of the Democrats.

Governor Romney asked his entire political team to help the then-unknown Brown, and he raised early money for him at a time when very few people would give him a second look.

At his January 19 victory speech at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Senator Brown told the entire country: “I’m grateful to all those from across Massachusetts who came through for me even when I was a long shot. I especially thank a friend who was there with encouragement from the very beginning, and helped show us the way to victory — former Governor Mitt Romney.”

Exclusive Audio: Governor Romney Reads from “No Apology”

We wanted you to be the first to hear this clip of Governor Romney reading a selection from his new book “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness” courtesy of the book’s publisher, St. Martin’s Press.

Click here to listen to the clip.

The paper version of the book hits shelves on March 2nd, but you can pre-order a copy today. In the book, Governor Romney outlines his views on how to create a stronger economy, military, and families, and his vision on jobs, education, health care, energy, and citizenship.

Free and Strong America PAC Raises Nearly $3 million in 2009

The PAC’s contributions included $9,000 in early “seed money” to U.S. Senator-Elect Scott Brown, who went on to win a special election in Massachusetts to become the state’s first Republican Senator in decades. The PAC also gave $5,000 each to Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Republican Whip Eric Cantor (VA-07), Missouri Representative Roy Blunt who is running for U.S. Senate, Jim Tedisco who ran in a special election in New York’s 20th congressional district, and David Harmer who ran in a special election to represent California’s 10th congressional district.

CNN: Romney’s PAC Raises Nearly $3 Million in 2009
AP: Mass. Health Model, Not Obama’s, Pleases Voters
WASH POST: How Massachusetts Was Won
BOSTON GLOBE: Romney Will Hit Key Primary States on Book Tour
BOSTON GLOBE (1/1/10): Romney Says Brown Can “Make History“

 

 

(emphasis mine)

After the knock-out senatorial election of Scott Brown (R-MA), President Obama blatantly declared, “The same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office.” Obama’s 71-minute State of the Union speech to the nation last night signaled he’s ignoring  Massachusetts’ cold-water-in-the-face message. He’s quickly toweled off and plans to keep slugging. With an overall combative tone, peppered with patronization and huge doses of hypocrisy, here are just a few jabs from last night’s speech:   

“We have the largest majority in decades and people expect us to solve problems, not run for the hills.” (Obama warns Democrats to stay in the ring with him. 78% of Americans believe the Democrat super-majority loss is a positive for America.  22% feel it is a negative for America.)

“Let’s try common sense. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the people who sent us here.” (Obama’s policies have put us on a road that will triple our national debt to $22 trillion over the next ten years. The fiscal policies of the United States are unsustainable.)

“And what the American people hope — what they deserve — is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences, to overcome the numbing weight of our politics… Just saying ‘no’ to everything may be good short term politics but it’s not leadership.” (Capitol Hill doors have been locked – figuratively and in actuality - to prevent policy negotiations with Republicans. Update: House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH-8) said today that it had been over a year since he has been contacted by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel or anyone in the Obama administration.)

“One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by a severe recession, financial system on the verge of collapse and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted — immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.” (Of Obama’s controversial $787 billion Stimulus Bill, only $264 billion has been spent. That leaves $523 billion more for Obama’s pay-backs and pet projects. He promised us that passing the Stimulus Bill would hold unemployment at 8%. It’s now over 10%. The Labor Dept reports today that for the week ending Jan. 23, another 470,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits. UPDATE: Dr. Frank Luntz conducted a poll today among an equal number of Republicans and Democrats in Philadelphia, PA. This statement polled as the WORST MOMENT in Obama’s speech.)

“…I’ve proposed a fee on the biggest banks. Now, I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea. But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.” (TARP funds prevented our entire financial system from collapsing. Obama wants banks who have paid back TARP money – with interest – to now pay a fee. Obama ignores the federal government’s part in contributing to our economic crisis and is deflecting from the bonuses his own administration allowed.)

“Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be America’s businesses.” (Where has Obama been the last year? Government employees feel more optimistic about the economy than private sector employees. Hmm. Could it be because most job growth this past year has been in the government sector?)

“You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China is not waiting to revamp its economy.” (Of course China isn’t waiting.  They own us! Just a couple of months into Obama’s presidency, the Chinese were expressing concerns over his penchant for trillion dollar borrowing from them. U.S. taxpayers pay the Chinese government $50 billion per year on interest – alone.)

“Still, this is a complex issue [health care], and the longer it was debated, the more skeptical people became. I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people.” (Does Obama really believe 61% of Americans want him to move off the health care issue and focus on job creation because he didn’t explain it well enough? 81% of Americans believe Obamacare will raise taxes.)

“Let’s put aside the schoolyard taunts about who is tough. Let’s reject the false choice between protecting our people and upholding our values.” (Obama foreign policy gobbledy gook.  The Commander-in-Chief conveniently forgot to mention his policy of giving U.S. constitutional rights to terrorists and trials in U.S. courts.)

“And, yes, it [clean energy] means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America. I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy. I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change.” (Obama is willing to cripple our economy further by refusing to even consider real science and the scandalous suppressing of evidence regarding climate change. Cap-and-Trade legislation isn’t global warming/climate change. It’s about creating profit – money out of thin air.)

A jaw-dropping breach of decorum occurred last night when Obama scolded the Supreme Court regarding the reversal of the McCain-Feingold bill. Watch Justice Alito mouth “that’s not true”:

Like us, Harry Reid has heard it all before: 

Governor Bob McDonnell’s (R-VA) response to Obama’s State of the Union Speech:

Obama’s condescension and arrogance doesn’t bode well for 2010. The President’s  hoped-for left hook last night may cost him seats in the mid-term elections. Will Blue Dog Democrats go to the ropes for him?  We’ll see.

Obama may have bloodied our noses this past year, but I feel a whopping right-hook coming on. The American people refuse to be his punching bag any longer.  

Read full text of Governor Bob McDonnell’s (R-WA) rebuttal speech here.
Read full text of President Obama’s State of the Union Speech here.

Before Obama turns on the teleprompters and clears his throat to speak before a State-of-the-Union joint session of Congress tomorrow evening, it’s worth highlighting the ONE campaign promise he DID keep this past year.

Peppered throughout his presidential campaign were pronouncements that he, the community organizer, would meet with tyrannical leaders of nations that are antagonistic toward the United States. As a new president, he would proudly go eye-ball to eye-ball with them – without pre-conditions.

April 17, 2009: At the ‘Summit of the Americas’ on twin-island nation Trinidad and Tobago, an eager-as-a-puppy Obama met, chatted, and back-slapped Marxist Hugo Chavez. Chavez sweetened the meeting by gifting Obama with a copy of The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent. Written by Eduardo Galeano, the book portrays U.S. and European economic and political interference in the region.

A promise fulfilled.

Let’s examine dates of note that have taken place since President Obama’s meeting with Chavez.

April 19, 2009: Obama referenced the Chavez meeting:

The whole notion was that if we showed courtesy or opened up dialogue with governments that had previously been hostile to us, that that somehow would be a sign of weakness,” Obama said, recalling his race for the White House and challenging his critics today. “The American people didn’t buy it,” Obama said. “And there’s a good reason the American people didn’t buy it — because it doesn’t make sense.”

 May 7, 2009: News broke that well-known Venezuelan nongovernmental organizations were warned that a bill was being drafted by loyal Chavez  lawmakers that would be used to financially cripple entities that criticized Chavez.

May 8, 2009: The next day, Chavez seized the assets of foreign and domestic oil contractors in his country to control more of Venezuela’s oil industry:

“They come with their soldiers from the National Guard, and they take what they want,” he [oil industry official] said, “and you, as the owner of your company, can do absolutely nothing.”

June 3, 2009: Referencing the U.S. government’s taking 60% ownership in a once-powerful symbol of American ingenuity – General Motors, Chavez was haranguing the ‘curse’ of capitalism and praising socialism. He joked on live television:

“Hey, Obama has just nationalized nothing more and nothing less than General Motors. Comrade Obama! Fidel [Castro], careful or we are going to end up to his right!”

July 10, 2009: The Irish Examiner reported: President Hugo Chavez’s government was imposing tough new regulations on Venezuela’s cable television while revoking the licenses of more than 200 radio stations.

July 29, 2009: Obama appointed Chavez-admirer Mark Lloyd ‘Chief Diversity Officer’ at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to a position specially formed for him.  Back in 2006, Lloyd authored Prologue to a Farce: Communication and Democracy in America – a book outlining how leftist activists can oust commercial broadcasters (conservative talk radio) off the airwaves and replace them with public broadcasters.

The National Conference for Media Reform (NCMR) unearthed a 2006 a tape of Mark Lloyd praising Chavez:

“In Venezuela, with Chavez, is really an incredible revolution – a democratic revolution. To begin to put in place things that are going to have an impact on the people of Venezuela.

“The property owners and the folks who then controlled the media in Venezuela rebelled – worked, frankly, with folks here in the U.S. government – worked to oust him. But he came back with another revolution, and then Chavez began to take very seriously the media in his country.”

August 4, 2009: The White House issued a call for informants to report on Americans who publicly opposed the President’s health care plan ASAP – even those speaking against it in casual conversation. (What a coincidence this happened six days AFTER Mark Lloyd was appointed FCC Commissioner!)

From the White House website: 

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

August 14, 2009: The Miami Herald revealed that an unclassified report listed examples of Venezuelan government efforts to crack down on or seize control of media outlets to stifle criticism.

November 25, 2009: Reuters news agency reported the arrival of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Caracas as part of a South America tour. Ahmadinejad hailed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a fellow anti-US ‘brother’:

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez used a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday to brand Israel as a murderous agent of Washington. Chavez and Ahmadinejad, on the last leg of a tour of three left-leaning South American nations, hugged, held hands, and praised each other as fellow revolutionaries.

The Venezuelan singled out a comment by Israeli President Shimon Peres, during a visit this month to South America, that his and Ahmadinejad’s days in power may be numbered.

“We know what the state of Israel stands for — a murderous arm of the Yankee empire,” Chavez told joint news conference. “What the president of Israel said, we take as a threat.”

Chavez broke relations with Israel this year. He won praise in the Muslim world after branding an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip as genocide.

December 18, 2009:
Obama met with world leaders, including Chavez, and addressed the Global Warming Summit in Copenhagen (in the middle of a blizzard). After our president spoke, Chavez stepped to the podium. Referring to the ‘sulfur’ stench at the pulpit, Chavez mockingly referred to Obama as “Obama Nobel War Prize” and chastened him for his lack of commitment to climate change and lack of transparency.

Chavez: “If Obama, Nobel War Prize, said here -by the way, it smells of sulfur here. It smells of sulfur. It keeps smelling of sulfur in this world.” 

January 20, 2010: American-hating Chavez declared that the United States Navy, incognito and in the dark of night, launched a weapon of such colossal capacity that it triggered the massive, deadly earthquake in Haiti. Chavez also warned the world that it was only a drill for the United States THIS time, but the final target is destroying and taking over…Iran:

January 25, 2010: Six TV stations forced off air in Venezuela.

An opposition TV station in Venezuela along with five others were taken off the air early Sunday for violating rules issued by President Hugo Chavez’s government, a station spokeswoman said.

The new rules require stations to air Chavez’s speeches, among other mandates. Chavez critics view many of those speeches, which can last for hours, as government propaganda

We’re going to hear powerful language from the President tomorrow night. Populist language - language meant to disguise philosophies and failings. Language to deflect and delude. Language punctuated with big smiles, broad gestures, stern gazes, varying volumes, clipped sentences, and a jutting jaw.

In spite of the political theater on display, let’s never forget the many reasons Obama won’t mention the one promise he kept.

.

It’s rousing! It’s reminiscent Paul Revere! It’s real!

Backlash is coming… backlash is coming.

In the deepest blue of states, overwhelmingly controlled by Democrats, contesting a sacred 50 year senatorial tradition, on the eve of Obama’s one-year anniversary as president, and against all odds…Senator-Elect Scott Brown triumphed yesterday. Trailing by 30 points just a month ago, a focused and vigilant Brown ascended to win by 5 points over favored-to-win opponent Democrat Martha Coakley.

Senator-Elect Brown’s victory speech 1/19/01 Part 1:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEeLxPW1Mik&feature=player_embedded

I’ll bet they can hear all this cheering down in Washington, D.C.

And I hope they’re paying close attention, because tonight the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken.

From the Berkshires to Boston, from Springfield to Cape Cod, the voters of this Commonwealth defied the odds and the experts. And tonight, the independent majority has delivered a great victory.

I thank the people of Massachusetts for electing me as your next United States senator.

Every day I hold this office, I will give all that is in me to serve you well and make you proud.

Most of all, I will remember that while the honor is mine, this Senate seat belongs to no one person and no political party – and as I have said before, and you said loud and clear today, it is the people’s seat.

Brown’s victory speech Part 2:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB7_xPU161U&feature=player_embedded

Raising taxes, taking over our health care and giving new rights to terrorists is the wrong agenda for our country. What I’ve heard again and again on the campaign trail, is that our political leaders have grown aloof from the people, impatient with dissent, and comfortable in the back room making deals. And we can do better.

Across this country, we are united by basic convictions that need only to be clearly stated to win a majority. If anyone still doubts that, in the election season just beginning, let them look to Massachusetts.

Fellow citizens, what happened in this election can happen all over America. We are witnesses, you and I, to the truth that ideals, hard work, and strength of heart can overcome any political machine. We ran a campaign never to be forgotten, and led a cause that deserved and received all that we could give it.

I go to Washington as the representative of no faction or interest, answering only to my conscience and to the people. I’ve got a lot to learn in the Senate, but I know who I am and I know who I serve.

I’m Scott Brown; I’m from Wrentham; I drive a truck, and I am nobody’s senator but yours.

The epic upset of Brown’s election can’t be overstated. The referendum on Obamacare, taxes, terrorism, transparency, Washington bullying, bribery, and back room deals is a message that will be perilous to ignore. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) broke rank yesterday to end the pursuit to vote on health care in the senate before Brown is seated:

In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process. It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Brown is seated.

President Obama will address our nation a week from today in his State of the Union address. That gives him seven days to determine if a political pivot on his dangerous policies is prudent or if he’ll continue his course for 2010. Either way, we, the people, witnessed a Massachusetts miracle yesterday and will move forward to take back America.

Gas up the truck, Scott! You’re going to Capitol Hill!

Editor note: No doubt Mitt Romney’s encouraging Brown to run for the MA senate seat, along with his endorsement and untiring efforts to help Brown win are a huge credit to Romney and a great ‘save’ for America.  This topic deserves elaboration in a post of its own.

Scott Brown wrote a straightforward op-ed piece for the Boston Globe today. He shares his thoughts on the three topics that are the focus of his campaign: taxes, terror, and health care. Referencing the Massachusetts health care program, he concurs with Mitt Romney that there is always room for improvement, but he likes the plan. He also emphasizes that MA residents are insured through PRIVATE health insurance companies.

A new day is coming: restore faith and balance
By Scott Brown
January 14, 2010

I DIDN’T grow up with all the advantages in life. My mom was on welfare for a time, but I had the support of a loving family and good friends and neighbors. I don’t have all the advantages in this race either, and that’s fine by me. Being the underdog has taught me to work harder, and to appreciate the opportunities of our state and our country.

I’m running because more of our people are unemployed today than ever before. Public debt has reached $12 trillion and counting, and Washington politicians want to borrow trillions more. Terrorists want to strike our country again, and they will do so if we let down our guard. We have fighting forces in two theaters of war, and those men and women need our support.

Like everyone else, I want to see more Americans with good health care coverage. I like what we achieved in Massachusetts. It’s not perfect, but nearly everyone is now covered by a private insurance policy – not a government policy. I hope other states follow our example.

But the healthcare bill under discussion in Washington is not good. It will raise taxes and increase spending. If you are a senior on Medicare, it will lead to a half trillion dollars in cuts to your care. Since we are way ahead of the rest of the country with our own state reforms, we will get nothing in return. My opponent, Martha Coakley, will vote yes on this bill. I will insist we start over.

Failure should be admitted in Washington, and not repeated. With last month’s news that we lost another 85,000 jobs, and with unemployment stuck in the double digits, it’s time to admit that while the $787 billion stimulus had the best of intentions, it failed to create one new job. We shouldn’t pass yet another stimulus that adds to the debt without adding jobs.

My plan for the economy is simple: an across-the-board tax cut – in the tradition of John F. Kennedy – for families and businesses that will increase investment and lead to immediate new job growth. More tax increases will hurt our recovery. That’s why I have taken a no-new-tax pledge. My opponent will raise taxes.

Amid all our domestic challenges, our nation is still at war with radical Islamic terrorists determined to destroy our way of life. The Christmas bombing attempt on a Northwest Airlines plane is a wake-up call. But instead of being interrogated by military professionals at Guantanamo, the plane bomber has been given taxpayer-funded lawyers in a US courtroom. Because he’s been granted constitutional rights, he’s invoked his privilege to remain silent. Would-be killers should be treated for what they really are: enemies of a country at war, not ordinary criminals.

My opponent would accord such terrorists all the rights our Constitution grants to citizens. I will treat them as enemy combatants who should face military justice.

As this special election draws to a close, the enthusiasm from everyday citizens has been remarkable. To those who have lost faith in their elected leaders, I say: Don’t lose heart. One-party dominance in our state has led to bad decisions and a culture of corruption, but we can restore people’s faith by restoring balance to our political system.

They call me a long shot. But I’m betting that a new day is coming in Massachusetts. I am running in the name of all independent-thinking citizens, whether they are Democrats, Republicans, or unenrolled, to take on one-party rule, and the Beacon Hill bosses, and their machine, and their candidate. With your help, I intend to win.

Massachusetts Miracle

Brown’s new ad ‘Momentum’

Let’s do all we can, to enlist as many as we can, to keep the momentum rolling and make the Massachusetts Miracle happen.

Go here to help Scott Brown (scroll to bottom of article).

For frequent updates about Mitt Romney’s upcoming book release, including tour dates, book signings, and media appearances, Go Here.

For those scanning the horizon for bold solutions to America’s problems, our ship is about to come in. With a cargo load of forward-thinking ideas contained in his new book No apology: The Case for American Greatness, Former Governor Mitt Romney’s book tour will begin in March and stop in 18 key primary states. Just when conservatives will need someone to take the helm, Romney demonstrates the wisdom, steadiness, and vision needed to solidly captain the United States back to greatness.

Boston Globe
By Sasha Issenberg – January 3, 2010

WASHINGTON – Later this winter, Mitt Romney will strike out on a national book tour, but unlike his party’s most successful recent author he does not expect to make headlines with bits of fresh gossip from the 2008 campaign, see his fans camp overnight outside bookstores, or chat with Oprah Winfrey about his family.

“Inevitably there are going to be comparisons with the Sarah Palin book,’’ said Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman. “We’re not going to match her crowd size or sales. These are two different people with different ways of expressing themselves.’’

The March 2 release of “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness,’’ will kick off a month long tour taking the former Massachusetts governor to at least 18 states, including Iowa.

But Romney, considered by many in the party to be the default Republican front-runner for the 2012 nomination, is approaching the book tour with the patient, workmanlike mien that has distinguished him from other probable contenders who seem far more eager for attention.

“Romney is playing things very methodically and deliberatively,’’ said Mark McKinnon, a former media adviser to President George W. Bush and 2008 Republican nominee John McCain. “I think he understands the physics of this game very well now and is carefully calibrating his approach to 2012.’’

“No Apology’’ will be Romney’s second book. The first, “Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games,’’ a narrative account of Romney’s stewardship of the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, was published in 2004, while he was governor. At the time, Romney held a book party at the Boston Public Library, signings in Massachusetts and Utah, and conducted a series of radio interviews.

This time Romney has assembled a far more ambitious itinerary, organized by his publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and the Macmillan Speakers Bureau, which represents Romney in speeches before nonpolitical groups. In Iowa, Romney will visit Des Moines and Ames, where he will speak at Iowa State University. (Romney has yet to confirm appearances in New Hampshire and South Carolina, two other early primary states.)

St. Martin’s will print 200,000 copies of Romney’s book, far less than HarperCollins’s 1.5 million-copy first printing of Palin’s “Going Rogue,’’ which reportedly sold 1 million copies within its first two weeks. Romney has not disclosed the amount of his advance, but a spokesman says he will contribute his earnings to a charity he has yet to name.

St. Martin’s has no plans to purchase print ads promoting Romney’s book, but will rely on promotional e-mail messages to a supporter list maintained by Romney’s political action committee and online advertising targeted at his backers, including more than 118,000 registered fans on Facebook.

“A lot of the outreach we’re going to be doing is based on his channels,’’ said Jeanne-Marie Hudson, associate director of marketing for St. Martin’s. “He has a very strong and organized base of supporters that are going to get his word out just as they did in the campaign.’’

Romney has been working on the book for much of the last year, convening groups of friends and advisers to discuss the material in it. Fehrnstrom describes it as “an ideas book,’’ with a focus on US standing in the world and away from the social issues that dominated Romney’s 2008 campaign. The title refers to what Romney describes as President Obama’s pattern of apologizing for American behavior in speeches abroad.

“The book is more than a critique of the Obama presidency,’’ said Fehrnstrom. “The book itself is primarily forward-looking.’’

Romney’s efforts to cut a statesman-like profile have included a new focus on foreign policy. He is working to schedule a January trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan with his former lieutenant governor, Kerry Healey, and Mitchell Reiss, a retired diplomat who was a foreign policy adviser to Romney’s campaign. The trip, organized by the International Republican Institute, will be Romney’s second visit to Afghanistan and first to Pakistan.

With America awash in deep waters, we need someone experienced and proven in steering things right. Let’s do all within our power to make sure, come 2012, that Mitt Romney is at the helm. Full steam ahead!

*Don’t forget to pre-order No Apology: The Case for American Greatness.

(Hat tip to Luke.)

On November 20th of this year (day of Global Warming infamy) scientists’ emails stored on a computer network at Hadley Climate Research revealed the junk science of doomsday climate change. Curiosity was immediately raised on the effect these revelations would have on the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Summit (COP-15) and more particularly, the position to be taken by President Obama and global-warming-guru Al Gore.

Overnight, climate warming became Climategate. Discussions on the manipulation of evidence and massive cover-up involved with global warming became front-page news. Prior to the scandal, Al Gore was scheduled to attend COP-15, but post-scandal Gore cancelled his Copenhagen appearance. Obama was also slated to attend, but changed his mind. Subsequently, and not surprisingly, on December 7th, the two of them met in the Oval Office. When they emerged, it was announced that Obama would go to Copenhagen. He held a press conference to declare that U.S. carbon emissions reductions would be on the table – in the range of 17% below 2005 levels. Although we hoped that, at the very least, our president would acknowledge that global warming data had been compromised, we now knew the direction he was headed. But, what of Gore?

This week, the “mystery of Al” was answered. As ministers of the world’s countries began to arrive in Copenhagen for the final week of nitty-gritty negotiations, Mr. Gore magically appeared at a Climategate pulpit on Monday, December 14th, to protect his turf. Making an astounding new claim, he announced that new computer modeling shows that polar ice may be entirely melted by summer 2014. Gore elaborated:

“These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 per cent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years. It is hard to capture the astonishment that the experts in the science of ice felt when they saw this”

In response, climatologist Dr. Maslowski briskly responded to Gore’s headline-grabbing declaration: 

“It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at. I would never try to estimate the likelihood at anything as exact as this.”

Al Gore’s icicle nose just keeps on growing. It’s getting frosty and chaotic in Copenhagen and Obama is next. Emissions agreements… will he chill?

Phelim McAleer, journalist/filmmaker (Mine Your Own Business, Not Evil Just Wrong) tries to question Al Gore (author of An Inconvenient Truth) about Climategate emails at the U.N. Climate Change Conference: 

Mr. McAleer: “It seems you’re not allowed to ask inconvenient questions of Al Gore.”

Third Day of Christmas: Climate alarmists say it’s vanishing, but we know the stuff Christmas dreams are made of is here to stay. Here’s Tony Bennett singing Snowfall:

See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below. Hail thou ever-blessed morn!
 ~ Edward Caswall

Here’s a question being bandied about: Is there room in the Grand Old Party for “Sam’s Club” Republicans AND “Whole Foods” Republicans? Should “conservative lifestyle/conservative politics” folks join hands with “progressive lifestyle/conservative politics” Americans? Read one man’s opinion here.

Iran – a topic of twists, turns, and angst. We learn today documentation exists proving that four years after Iran was believed to have abandoned its weapons program, they launched an aggressive effort to test a key component of nuclear weaponry that triggers the most important part of the process – the explosion. It’s called a neutron initiator.

The technical document describes the use of a neutron source, uranium deuteride, which independent experts confirm has no possible civilian or military use other than in a nuclear weapon. Uranium deuteride is the material used in Pakistan’s bomb, from where Iran obtained its blueprint.

“Although Iran might claim that this work is for civil purposes, there is no civil application,” said David Albright, a physicist and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, which has analysed hundreds of pages of documents related to the Iranian programme. “This is a very strong indicator of weapons work.”

Now, to those in Copenhagen who can’t cope… Why? Because 135 developing nations are in a tizzy have brought negotiations to a halt because their extortion demands for more money to atone for allegedly heating up the globe aren’t being met  alleged fat-cat countries haven’t agreed to reduce enough supposed greenhouse emissions to satisfy them. But, never fear, Obama has promised to distribute sun-powered lanterns and ozone-friendly appliances to the world’s poor nations.

Meanwhile, our president’s falling-brick approval rating is at 42% and as Democrats scheme to dilate America’s debt by TWO TRILLION, I invite you to cast care aside for a moment and enjoy the first installment of The Twelve Days of Christmas at Mitt Romney Central. We’ll start things off with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performing Christmas Processional: Carol to the King.

‘Tis the season…

Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas still a shining thing. Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. ~ Grace Noll Crowell