Gingrich: A Man Who has Never been a “Leader” — A Person Without a Core

By Victor Lundquist | January 23, 2012 - 4:49 AM | 2012 Election, Ann Romney, Arizona, Barack Obama, Capitalism, Character, Chris Christie, Conservatives, Democrats, Economy, Endorsements, Family Values, Florida, GOP, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Nevada, Newt Gingrich, Op-eds, Political Cartoons, Polls, States, Tea Party, Values 1 views

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Nobody believes that Newt Gingrich was ever serious about a run for the presidency. So why did he enter the race you ask? Think about it. The man loves the limelight. It is all about Newt. Have we ever seen any man on the world stage, in any era, with such an insatiable love of self? Is there any person even close in comparison to Mr. Gingrich in self absorption?

Photo Credit: Drudge Report

One man comes to mind: Hugo Chavez. I insert that name here because the man’s ego and self-love is enormous, but even Chavez does not compare with Gingrich. As dangerous as Chavez is, hobnobbing with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he is not as dangerous as Newt Gingrich.

The world knows Chavez as a corrupt dictator (non-leader); a dictator of a third world country — Gingrich would have the world believe his “core” is now different; that character is not important. Chavez is a known entity. Gingrich has the world fooled; to this point — today. Gingrich was literally kicked out of the Speakership by those he was “leading!” And hit with a huge fine! As Speaker, 84 ethics violations were filed against him. He was kicked out of the House leadership with a vote of 395 to 28! Mr. Gingrich is seeking power of the greatest nation on Earth.

Try to imagine what would be written in the elementary school history books about all the “firsts” that a Gingrich presidency would usher in. Need I list them all? Just think about all the character lapses in marriage, numerous unethical decisions, the many times he has said, “Yeah, that was a mistake” (about 10 times in the last three months alone), etc.

Did you hear what Gingrich said Saturday night during his speech? He said something like, “You know, it is not my ability to debate that brought this win; it is my ability to articulate the values Americans want to see in their President . . . “ He said that! Gingrich actually believes that of himself! (have I ever mentioned arrogance in reference to this person?)

What does he tell us? “Forget all that stuff in my past, “I have matured. I am 68 years old. I am a grandfather now. I sought redemption . . . ” “I”, “me”, “I”, “I”, “I” — What? I remember maturing from age 15 to 25. Gingrich tells us he is still maturing as he pushes 70 years old?! You know what that is code for? They are the words of a two-timer — a person who is used to wanting his cake and eating it too. Are they not? Have you ever compared the number of self-described pronouns used by Gingrich vs. Governor Romney in any of the debates? There are too many to count.

Gingrich hates the “elite media” right? He said so with conviction by yelling at John King at the debate. He has everybody fooled on this front too. Consider this from MailOnline, speaking for the press:

Gingrich loves the press. In some respects we are, as John McCain famously noted, his “base”. He craves the media. I’ve never seen a man so happy as Gingrich was when he ambled into the spin room in Myrtle Beach last Monday night and about 200 of us swarmed around him hanging on his every word.

Romney would have rather been anywhere else in the world than that in the middle of that heaving, sweaty scrum. But Newt was in pure heaven. He loves the game.
[...]
At the end of the Charleston debate, Gingrich warmly thanked CNN and afterwards he spoke cordially with King.
[...]
In South Carolina, it was an open secret that the press were rooting for Gingrich, not out of bias or any belief that he would be a weaker candidate against Obama but simply because the press wants a good story and a knock-down, drag-out battle for the GOP nomination to cover.

Let’s face it, Gingrich loves the “destructive, vicious, negative” news media. He knows how to play the game. And the press loves him for it.

[emphasis added]

Gotta love how Governor Romney is peeling away layers of the gloves in Florida. The world has not yet seen even a glimpse of Mr. Gingrich’s sullied, hidden career. Well, we are about to find out a lot more than we ever thought existed about Mr. Gingrich. Frankly, I was surprised that more than a handful of people voted for the guy. But I think it is because of what Ann Coulter said yesterday; that voters don’t think more than “three seconds” about the man’s past.

Jayde’s great article below refers to the reporting of Reid Epstein of Politico. In my opinion, Governor Romney was generous in his reference to Gingrich by using the term “leader” in any form:

“Speaker Gingrich has also been a leader,” the former Massachusetts governor said. “He was a leader for four years as speaker of the House. And at the end of four years, it was proven that he was a failed leader and he had to resign in disgrace. I don’t know whether you knew that, he actually resigned after four years, in disgrace.”
[emphasis added]

It is only my opinion, but based on what I have learned about Gingrich’s “leadership”, his style is more like that of a dictator. He has the reputation of giving his word to one person on a specific direction and then taking a wholly different tack without blinking an eye. A true leader is above reproach and does not exhibit any ethical lapses.

Gingrich would have us believe these major character flaws were “mistakes” of his past. They are not mistakes at all. They are actions which serve as spotlights on major core character weaknesses. A true leader is honored by those whom he leads. A true leader puts the team he leads before self and deflects credit to those members of the team that follow his lead. A true leader knows how to execute (Gingrich is not an “execute”ive). Gingrich has always struggled to keep a team in place. Why is that?

Consider the hundreds of sincere testimonials that have been published from people that have been “led” by Mitt Romney throughout his career. How do those compare to what people say about Gingrich when he has had power? Is it possible to find any testimonials in support of Gingrich that even compare? Are there any? I have yet to hear of any or read any of them.

There are those around Hugo Chavez that would like to kick him out of office like the House did with Gingrich, but Chavez has the power to rule with an iron fist to keep them from the insurrection.

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Sununu: “Worry About Gingrich’s Ethics Problems” – Cavuto: “Character Counts”

By Jayde Wyatt | January 20, 2012 - 6:32 PM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Character, Conservatives, Debate, Family Values, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Political Cartoons, South Carolina, Taxes, Videos 1 views

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Did you catch former NH Gov John Sununu on America’s Newsroom with Martha MacCallum this morning (FOX News)?

With all the Gingrich hoopla swirling around today, Sununu deftly drove home very good points that the news media is missing:

John Sununu Says People Should Worry About Gingrich’s Ethics Problems Instead of Romney’s Income Taxes

Mitt Romney’s GOP rivals have been hammering him about releasing his income tax numbers even after he promised to make them public in April, but during CNN’s GOP debate he had quite a talking point saying, “I’m not going to apologize for being successful,” to which he explained that he doesn’t want to give President Obama any early ammunition.

(emphasis added)

Three of the four GOP candidates haven’t released their tax returns; Gov Romney and Rick Santorum will and Ron Paul won’t. Sununu says this shouldn’t be an issue:

Specifically, he explained why people should worry about Newt Gingrich’s ethics problems instead, saying, “Three out of four Republicans on that ethics committee voted against Mr. Gingrich and the issues were so bad that his own leadership kicked him out of the leadership and it’s important to note that Nancy Pelosi was one of the members of that group that has those records on file and whatever Nancy Pelosi knows, Barack Obama knows, so Newt Gingrich better release that now … so the voters know what they know.”

Sununu points out that all the media ballyhooing about Romney’s answer regarding how many times he’ll share his tax returns in the future and the subsequent “booing in the audience” came from two Ron Paul guys who were sitting in the Paul cheering section. He said the two stood up – ready to make noise – as Romney was asked the question.

Greg Gutfeld (Fox News’ The Five, Jan 20, 2012):

“There’s something that Newt said that really bugged me, when he looked at the audience and talked about how everyone knows personal pain, and that everyone has someone close to them who knows personal pain — you can’t conflate people who inflict pain with people who receive pain. There are people who do bad things; there are people who do good things. You cannot look at the audience and say ‘you know my pain,’ because there are a lot of women out there who will say ‘No, I didn’t do that; you did that’.”

UPDATE – Pawlenty says Gingrich’s infidelities ‘concern’ him
The Hill – By Cameron Joseph
Jan 19, 2012

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Newt Gingrich’s infidelities were fair game in the campaign and that they concerned him personally.

In a post-debate interview in which he defended Mitt Romney’s record, Pawlenty said that voters “are going to have to decide for themselves” what they thought of the issue.

“When I see his ex-wife Marianne on TV expressing those kind of concerns it certainly concerns me,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a very big news story and one that voters are going to have to judge for themselves what that says about these candidates, what that says about the race, and what that says about their suitability,” said Pawlenty …

Neil Cavuto (FOX News – Your World) really bucked the popular Newt-is-so-right media fest today by sticking his neck out with this question:

What’s fair game at presidential debates?

“Character Counts”

BEWARE the grandiose, wily Newt. He’s a master at making himself look like a victim.

Speaking of grandiose, check out what’s below the fold:

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Obama Shame — Results of a Novice Leader: Not Learning on the Job

By Victor Lundquist | December 30, 2011 - 12:03 AM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Capitalism, Conservatives, Debate, Debt, Deficit Spending, Economy, Foreign Policy, Iowa, Iraq, Mitt Romney, National Security, New Hampshire, Obama Isn't Working, Obamacare, Op-eds, Political Cartoons, South Carolina, Spending, States, Unemployment 1 views

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To this day, I continue to be stunned that any significant number of Americans would choose a man as President of the United States that not only had no executive leadership experience but who had virtually no leadership training or skill-set.

Political Cartoonist, Michael Ramirez (Investors.com)

Then, to even consider reelecting such a person after his incredible failure of trial and error completely defies rational thinking.

“Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.” — John Adams

Newt Gingrich’s Imitation of Michael Jackson

By Victor Lundquist | December 28, 2011 - 2:08 AM | 2012 Election, GOP, Health Care, Iowa, Issues, MassCare, Mitt Romney, New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich, Political Cartoons, RomneyCare, States 1 views

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By now, everybody has seen the news yesterday about Gingrich stating he wholeheartedly supported major parts of the healthcare plan Governor Romney designed when he was Governor. Gingrich has been quoted as recently as May 2011 in support of key elements of the plan. Well, Gingrich is now starting to do the Michael Jackson moonwalk on us. Doesn’t this video remind you of Gingrich in the news lately?

To be completely candid, I think Newt is better at the Moonwalk than Michael Jackson was! What do you think?

Do you die hard Romney fans remember Kevin Madden? He was Governor Romney’s spokesman in the 2008 campaign. This Reuters article just about says it all:

“What has to worry voters most is that Newt and his campaign are failing even the most basic tests,” said Kevin Madden, a former spokesman for Romney and an informal adviser to the campaign.

“How can you argue that you’re equipped to take on Obama’s billion-dollar attack machine when you can’t even get on the ballot in your home state of Virginia,” Madden said.

Many conservative Christians in Iowa are wary of Gingrich because of his marital infidelities and two divorces.

I think Gingrich is getting desperate. Watch him closely these next few days before caucus Tuesday. I believe we will see the true Newt emerge. Aside from the whining of late, and his Michael Jackson imitations, we will see his temper flair. Mark my words. He is simply outgunned and his team doesn’t know how to handle it.

By the way, I predict we will observe Gingrich continue to fumble along and we will see him refer to those missteps as he always does by saying, “Well, that was a big mistake.”

Please, if you have not read this article by Dave, please read it and pass it along to voters in Iowa and South Carolina. Thank you!

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.” — Albert Schweitzer

Mr. Gingrich’s Lack of Humility is Killing Him

By Victor Lundquist | December 21, 2011 - 2:31 AM | 2012 Election, Conservatives, GOP, Iowa, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, On-site Polls, Op-eds, Political Ads, Political Cartoons, Polls, Race to the Top, States 1 views

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Newt Gingrich by Michael Ramirez

Some have said that arrogance and narcissism are present in every presidential candidate. I strongly disagree. Every viable candidate for office of President of the United States of America must have a healthy ego just to survive the tremendous rigors of the process and there must be a core conviction that one’s service to the nation is needed — no question about that! But I believe that a person whose predominant character attribute is that of narcissism, constantly projected as arrogance and condescension, is a seriously flawed character. The imbalance to self-love can easily eclipse judgment and wisdom. Think about it. How many times have we heard Mr. Gingrich apologize in the last three weeks alone for bad judgment? Many times. It is almost a daily occurrence. It happened again just yesterday. And this is just his campaign!

How would it be if a President Gingrich were to launch a large, hastily planned military operation that ended in disaster? Would it then be acceptable for him to step out on the balcony and tell us, “I am sorry…I screwed up.”? There are myriad scenarios in which a President’s wisdom and sober judgment will be needed to protect our nation from within and from outside enemies. Gingrich is sorely lacking in character. I believe his lack of good wisdom and judgment is eclipsed by simple narcissism — at 68, he has “matured” to a point where he cannot help himself — nor can anyone else.

Mr. Gingrich’s plummeting poll numbers are not due to advertising, though the medium is the conduit of truth to expose the true nature (character) of the man. Just today, an average voter in Iowa had this to say to Mr. Gingrich, to his face:

“You did an ABC interview where you said ‘I’m going to be the nominee.’ I’m for you, I’m a big fan, but that felt a little bit presumptuous,” Turner said.

What was Gingrich’s reply to her? “It was a mistake.” And then he goes on to give a nuanced answer to top it! There you go. He gets a pass? No! The voters don’t like it! This voter continued to press him:

“Do you think perhaps you’re viewed as, and I mean this in the nicest way, as narcissistic or arrogant?” she asked…“Some people think that,” Gingrich said…“But do you think that?” Turner asked…“I don’t,” Gingrich said…“Do you think you need to be a little bit more humble?” she said…Gingrich told Turner that he is assertive, but sometimes being too assertive, and admitted: “It’s not too smart.”…Turner told Gingrich he just needs to be more humble on the campaign trail…“Just the spirit of humility is all, that’s why when you say, ‘Be with me, not for me,’ that means a lot, I just want it to be in your heart,” Turner said. “I just want you to be humble, that’s all, but I think you’re great.”

This request is so pathetic. Her pleading feels like the beaten woman crying for her drunken husband to become a sober man and abandon his abusive ways. It just is not going to happen. He cannot help himself. He has become accustomed to effectively apologizing.

This Reuters article clearly shows that Mr. Gingrich is not only on the defensive, he is on the ropes. Once a major candidate kicks into bunker-defensive mode, and without adequate funding or organization, it is just a matter of time before it is over.

“Long before the caucuses, you’ll know every answer to every single negative ad,” Gingrich told a crowd of about 300 on Monday night at Level Ten, an apparel business in the Iowa town of Hiawatha….Voters said they wanted to see Gingrich respond more forcefully to the attack ads….”The elephant in the room for Newt is he has so much excess baggage, and that stuff gets hammered home,” said Jerry Marietta, 62, from Davenport.

Finally, in this “Gingrich Fades” article:

“Newt Gingrich’s campaign is rapidly imploding and Gingrich has now seen a big drop in his Iowa standing two weeks in a row,” Public Policy Polling, which is affiliated with the Democratic Party, said in a statement.

From the very beginning, Gingrich was never really serious in his efforts to run for the office of President. If he were as bright and knowledgeable as he is trying so hard to tell all of us, he would have prepared for a major, national campaign to run for President.

“But it’s hard when you’re trying to build infrastructure when you’re behind the eight ball,” (said, John Gilliland of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry).

Rather, Mr. Gingrich possessed supreme confidence that he would be carried atop the shoulders of the electorate to the victory podium at the steps of the Capitol.

We don’t need more apologies. We have had far too many from Mr. Obama.

My only request of Mr. Gingrich, as he experiences the light of day over his character, is that he stop whining. Eating a little humble pie in the next two to three weeks is good for the soul and is in the Spirit of Christmas.

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” — Confucius

“Cleverness is not wisdom.” — Euripides

Obama Says Americans “Lazy”, Romney Disagrees, Speaks to SC Workers (AUDIO)

By Jayde Wyatt | November 16, 2011 - 2:26 PM | 2012 Election, Ann Romney, Barack Obama, Card Check, Deficit Spending, Economy, Jobs, Mitt Romney, Obama Isn't Working, Obamacare, Political Cartoons, Regulations, Right-To-Work, South Carolina, Spending, Unemployment, Unions 1 views

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We’ve been a litle bit lazy over the last couple of decades.” ~ Barack Obama speaking to CEOs at annual APEC meeting in Hawaii. Nov 12, 2011

Mitt Romney strongly disagrees with President Obama’s questionable campaign messaging that we Americans are ‘lazy’, have ‘lost our ambition’, and have become ‘soft’.

Workers at Colite International, an international sign-producing company in Columbia, South Carolina, heard Romney’s strong objections to Obama’s new campaign meme yesterday when he and wife, Ann, toured the facility.

Romney was introduced to employees by wife, Ann:

“We need a leader who knows how to turn things around,” she said. “Mitt’s a turnaround guy.”

It was that simple exchange, their well-worn lines about being high school sweethearts and the details about their five children and 16 grandchildren that allowed Justin Mims to see the former Massachusetts governor as more than a two-dimensional political candidate.

Mims, a junior economics major at the University of South Carolina, said Romney seems to be a family man, and he likes that.

After the introduction from his wife at Colite International, Romney jumped into all the missteps he said President Barack Obama has made. Romney said they include the $787 billion federal stimulus package, cap-and-trade legislation, new regulations on the banking and finance industry, the federal health care law and appointing pro-union “stooges” to the National Labor Relations Board.

As president, Romney said he would repeal the heath care law signed by Obama in 2010, cut the federal workforce by 10 percent through attrition, and hand over control of Medicaid to states, among other measures he said would restore America to a “job-creating machine” and cut spending.
[…]
Mims was one of several college students and new graduates who came out to support Romney. Matt Mancini, a 23-year-old new University of South Carolina graduate, said he likes that Romney comes from a business background. Romney’s plan to downsize the government is something that will bring him a lot of support in South Carolina, Mancini said.

The White House hopeful spoke for about 15 minutes and was swarmed afterward by the press and supporters. He signed signs and bumper stickers and posed for pictures before heading off to the next stop on the campaign trail.

(emphasis added )

After touring the production floor at Colite, Intl in Columbia, SC, Mitt Romney speaks to employees. Nov 15, 2011 (AP photo)

A few highlights from Romney’s excellent speech (no teleprompter needed):

“The things we make per person in America exceeds that of any other country in the world.”

“Our problem is not that the private sector isn’t productive enough. The problem is the government sector is too heavy and too burdensome and is keeping the private sector from growing and thriving like it should.”

“President Obama doesn’t understand it is NOT government that makes America strong. It is the free people of America that provide our future and our strength.”

American workers deserve a number of rights:
1. Right to a secret ballot
2. Right to at least 30 days notice before a union election
3. Right to work in a non-union state
4. Right to know if they are members of a union, they shouldn’t have dues taken out their paycheck to go to politicians they disagree with.

Listen to Romney’s complete speech (13:36):

Poll after poll in South Carolina reveals Romney in first or second place. A few days before his visit to Colite Intl, The Gov was in Mauldin, SC where he held a roundtable for veterans and he recently participated in the GOP debate in Spartanburg.

Here’s more on Obama’s attempts to draw attention away from his miserable job performance by claiming that we’re lazy Americans…

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Romney Campaign Releases New Video “STOP THE SPENDING”

By Jayde Wyatt | September 28, 2011 - 6:28 AM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Economy, Jobs, Mitt Romney, Political Cartoons 1 views

2 Comments

Today, Romney for President released a new web video, “Stop The Spending.” The video highlights the failure of President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus to create jobs and help small businesses.

In 2009, President Obama’s $787 billion dollar stimulus bill passed. Here is what he said the bill would do (shovel-ready jobs):

“Over the next two years, this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90% of these jobs will be in the private sector - jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit.” (President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 2/24/09)

Oops! Remember when Obama jokingly admitted this back in June?

“Shovel-ready was not as shovel-ready as we expected.”

“Stop The Spending”

● Since the Stimulus passed Passed 1.7 million jobs have been lost. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 9/27/11)

● “The persistent weakness of the U.S. economy has left 14 million people unemployed and more than 25 million unable to find full-time work.” (“Obama Plan Would Make Small Dent In Jobless Rate,” The Associated Press, 9/24/11)

● President Obama: “On Thursday, we are going to lay out a new way forward on jobs to grow the economy and put more Americans back to work right now. I don’t want to give everything away right here, because I want you all to tune in on Thursday. But I will give you just a little bit.” (President Obama, Remarks, Detroit, MI, 9/5/11)

● President Obama: “First, I won’t sign a bill that adds one dime to our deficit — either now or in the future. Period.” (President Obama, Remarks, College Park, MD, 9/17/09)

Now, Obama’s latest jobs bill contains another $447 billion to stimulate economic growth. It didn’t work last time and won’t work now. And, may I just say Solyndra?

► Jayde Wyatt

Obama in NC: ‘Pass This Bill’ Tour, Disagreeing Democrats

By Jayde Wyatt | September 14, 2011 - 5:55 PM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Economy, Jobs, Mitt Romney, North Carolina, Political Cartoons 1 views

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President Obama gestures while touting his $447 billion jobs plan at N. Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC today. It was his third road trip since unveiling his jobs plan last week. 9/14/11 (photo/AP)

“Pass this bill now… pass this bill now… pass this bill now…”

While President Obama visited North Carolina today on his ~~re-elect me~~ ‘pass this bill’ tour – where unemployment is over 10% and hundreds of thousands are out of work – some of his fellow Democrats confirm his ‘Jobs Plan’ won’t help the economy.

President Obama’s failed policies have not worked for North Carolina:

• In July, The Unemployment Rate In North Carolina Climbed To 10.1%. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 9/14/11)

• Over 450,000 North Carolinians Were Unemployed In July. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 9/14/11)

• North Carolina Has Lost More Than 140,000 Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Since President Obama Took Office – Including 22,000 Jobs Since April. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 9/14/11)

As Obama leaves Washington for the day, Senate Democrats reveal their feelings about his Jobs Plan:

• Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA):

“Terrible … We shouldn’t increase taxe on ordinary income. … There are other ways to get there.” (Manu Raju, “Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

• Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA):

“Maybe it’s just for his election, which I hope isn’t the case.” (Manu Raju, “Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

• Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE):

“I think the best jobs bill that can be passed is a comprehensive long-term deficit reduction plan… That’s better than everything else the President is talking about – combine.” (Manu Raju, “Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

• Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE):

“I’ve made it clear I’m looking for [tax] cuts, so I’m very hopeful there will be cuts.” (Manu Raju, “Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

• Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK):

“On The pay-fors, I have a problem.” (Manu Raju, “Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

As President Obama campaigns for a jobs plan that some Democrats openly disagree with, nearly eight in ten Americans believe the economy is getting worse:

• Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index released on September 14th is at its lowest point since February 2009.

“Americans’ confidence in the U.S. economy is now at its lowest point since February 2009 – near the conclusion of the recession that officially ended in June 2009. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index was -52 in August, above its financial crisis lows, but much lower than the -21 to -35 range measured from June 2009 to June 2011.” (Lymari Morales and Elizabeth Mendes, “Three Years After Crisis, Little Sign Of Economic Relief In U.S.,” Gallup.com, 9/14/11)

• 77 % of Americans polled by Gallup in August said the economy is getting worse.

“Americans’ current level of economic confidence – which represents their views on the current state and future direction of the nation’s economy – is decidedly negative. Seventy-seven percent said the economy was getting worse in August, the highest – by far – since February 2009, the month in which Congress passed a $787 billion stimulus bill in hopes of lifting the U.S. economy out the depths of the recession.” (Lymari Morales and Elizabeth Mendes, “Three Years After Crisis, Little Sign Of Economic Relief In U.S.,” Gallup.com, 9/14/11)

► Jayde Wyatt

Send a Worker to the White House: The Romney ‘Engine’

By Jayde Wyatt | September 13, 2011 - 2:36 PM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Family Values, Mitt Romney, Obama Isn't Working, Political Cartoons 1 views

2 Comments

You want to get things done in Washington D.C.?

Send a worker to the White House.

Romney supporters have long recognized that Mitt is a doer. His capacity to accomplish so much is driven by his passion for conservative values, to truly make a difference, his ability to focus, and his love and loyalty for America. Another significant reason he accomplishes so much is his work ethic.

Real Clear Politics’ Scott Conroy takes a look at the Romney engine:

Romney’s Motor Could Provide Edge Over the Long Haul

When Mitt Romney’s aides told him last month that the main reason they were skipping Sen. Jim DeMint’s Labor Day forum was that he had already committed to attend an event in New Hampshire that day, the candidate was not pleased.

“So you’re telling me the reason we’re not doing this is logistical?” Romney asked, according to one aide. “That’s not good. We’re going to the DeMint forum. Make it so.”

In addition to the New Hampshire stop, Romney had a flight scheduled later on Labor Day to Nevada for the unveiling of his jobs plan, and aides were leery of overloading him with an event in another corner of the country — and in South Carolina, no less, which has not figured significantly in his campaign’s strategy.

But Mitt Romney has never been the kind of candidate who’s especially concerned about the negative repercussions of doing too much.

And so just after the sun rose on Sept. 5, Romney’s bags were already waiting on the front step of his Belmont, Mass., home when director of operations Will Ritter arrived to pick him up. It was 6:45 a.m. His day would end at 11 p.m. in Colorado, since the private campaign jet did not have enough fuel to make it all the way to Nevada without a layover.

Presidential campaigns are not endeavors that treat laziness kindly, and all of the Republican contenders have packed and demanding schedules.

But over the course of his last White House run and through the first few months of this one, Romney has proven himself to be a particularly hardworking campaigner who never seems to lose focus, no matter the hour of the day. This tirelessness is a potentially significant asset that could pay major dividends as the candidates’ already taxing days become even more arduous.

“He’s the kind of guy who will see a hole in the schedule and instead of thinking ‘long lunch,’ he thinks of doing a campaign headquarters stop-by or a radio interview,” Ritter, who has been a fixture at Romney’s side since 2006, told RCP. “He can’t be stopped, and you almost have to trick him into not doing as much.”

Kevin Madden, Romney’s 2008 Natl Press Secretary:

“I still marvel at the energy he has,” said Kevin Madden, Romney’s 2008 national press secretary who remains in frequent contact with the candidate’s top aides. “When I worked on that campaign in 2008, I was 34 years old and I couldn’t keep up with him. I would need half a pot of coffee in the morning, and I was dragging by night. I lost my temper once or twice a day, but I saw him lose his maybe once or twice throughout the whole campaign.”

A hard-charger throughout his life in business and during his four political campaigns, the effects of Romney’s clean-living lifestyle are self-evident. As one aide put it, “He’s not the guy who gets a beer at the end of the night, so you save that hour-and-a-half.”

During his 2008 presidential run, it was not unusual for Romney to regale a breakfast crowd in Iowa with an anecdote about his run through the local neighborhood before the early-morning event began or for him to leave aides scrambling to keep up as he jogged through another New Hampshire parade.

Jim Merrill, NH Senior Adviser concludes:

Romney’s New Hampshire consultant Jim Merrill noted that the candidate has already engaged directly with voters at 10 town-hall meetings in the state, while other contenders have thus far relied more on quick meet-and-greets and scripted speeches.

“It’s not only the amount of events he does, but it’s the nature of events he does, which are demanding,” Merrill said. “He’s doing that and no one else is doing it. I think it’s a testament not only to his character but his stamina. It’s Vince Lombardi football — three-and-a-half yards in a cloud of dust — and that’s what he’s doing up here and will continue to do.”

(emphasis added) Continue reading here.

Romney’s work ethic was no more evident than the time leading up to mid-term elections last fall. It’s a prime example of his patriotism and indefatigably. Behind the scenes, he racked up many, many miles and wore out shoe leather to help Republicans – through appearances at campaign events, speeches, donating money, etc. It was a surprise to some to note that The Gov traveled coach and pulled his own suitcase. That’s who he is, an earnest, devoted man who doesn’t require fanfare to motivate him. He simply wants to do the job – get results.

While Romney focuses on accomplishing, he is also a guy who eats and breathes family life; carving out time for wife, Ann, and his five sons, daughters-in-law, and all of his beloved grandchildren. Ann also says her husband isn’t a loafing layabout at home, that he is helpful and always working on a project around the house. That quality alone should send droves of female voters his way…

Send a worker to the White House. Mitt Romney 2012.

► Jayde Wyatt

Gallup Poll: It’s Romney Over Obama

By Jayde Wyatt | August 23, 2011 - 4:32 AM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Democrats, GOP, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Political Cartoons, Rick Perry, Ron Paul 1 views

5 Comments

It’s been a while since we’ve posted a presidential poll, so we’re checking in with Gallup today:

Gallup – Obama trails Romney, ties Perry

Aug 22, 2011

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) would beat President Obama among registered voters, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) would tie the president if the election were held today, according to a new Gallup Poll.

Obama leads GOP Reps. Ron Paul (Texas) and Michele Bachmann (Minn.) among registered voters, but by 2 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

The numbers reflect a worrying slide for Obama heading into the 2012 campaign season[...]

Obama leads each Republican among national adults, but his lead narrows or disappears among registered voters.

Romney is the only candidate leading Obama among registered voters, 48 percent to 46 percent, with 6 percent undecided, according to the new Gallup poll. Perry and Obama are tied at 47 percent among registered voters, also with 6 percent undecided.

Obama would beat Paul, 47 percent to 45 percent, and best Bachmann by a 4-point margin, 48 percent to 44 percent.
[...]
Just as worrying for the president is that all the Republicans except Bachmann lead Obama among registered voters who consider themselves independents. Romney leads among independents 47 percent to 44 percent, Perry leads 46 percent to 44 percent and Paul leads 46 percent to 43 percent. Bachmann trails Obama, 48 percent to 42 percent.

(emphasis added)

Gallup.com At a glance:

Additional details here.

Speaking of Rick Perry, a fellow Texan thinks he isn’t suited to be president…

► Jayde Wyatt

~UPDATE from Ross
This morning, Rasmussen is reporting that Obama’s Presidential Approval Index rating of -26 is the lowest Approval Index rating yet measured for President Obama.