After a long hiatus I am finally ready to put up round 3 of our Veep Madness poll. I have to apologize, but when real-life work calls I have to submit, and this is the busiest time of year for my work. I will make the final rounds of the tournament move much faster; round 4 will start on Tuesday, and the final round will begin next Friday.

Here’s the current bracket with Round 2 results included:

Round 2 recap: Most of the higher seeds won unscathed again this round, with only 2 minor upsets (according to my seeding.) Blowout victories were achieved a second time for (1) Chris Christie, (1) Paul Ryan and (1) Marco Rubio. Though they didn’t dominate quite to the extent that they did in round one I think all 3 faced must more staunch opponents, making their big wins even more impressive. We had the closest win in any competition yet with (2) Jim DeMint squeaking out a 51-49 victory over (3) Mitch Daniels by only a 22 vote margin.

Round 3: The Elite 8 contests feature two #1 vs #2 match-ups, and two #1 vs #3 match-ups. Will any of the #1 seeds fall or will all the #1′s be division champs? Which competition will be the tightest race? Will there be any blowouts? Feel free to comment below.

Please note the following:
-This is not an official Mitt Romney website
-This poll is simply for fun and has no bearing on the real selection
-We don’t seek to influence Governor Romney and his campaign with the outcome of our poll

The polls:

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Mr. Obama’s campaign recently announced its new slogan: “Forward”

Governor Romney asked the rhetorical question: “Forward, what, over the cliff?”

Credit: Getty Images

Yesterday’s WSJ published Daniel Henniger’s weekly column titled, “Memo to the Youth Vote” that challenges the notion there is anything progressive or forward benefiting the young voter.

Why would anyone under the age of 25 vote for Barack Obama in November?

Mr. Obama resumed his College Tour 2012 last week, visiting campuses in Iowa, North Carolina and Colorado for the purpose of replicating his 66% youth-vote total from 2008.

In 2008, he reeled them in with promises of hope and change. In 2012 he’s offering cash, promising to protect 3.4% interest on their college loans. We’re about to find out if it’s true that when you’re young, hope springs eternal.

Put differently, the past three years have been a Peter Pan presidency for Peter Pan voters. If you’re going to college, it’s good to vote for Barack Obama again, so long as you’ll never have to turn 23. But for many young Americans, there will be no Tinker Bell showing them how to land a job with lovely thoughts.

The youth unemployment rate for Americans has hovered around 16%. Anecdotal stories abound of college graduates living in the bedroom they grew up in, jobless. But hey, the president they voted for as freshmen is promising 3.4% interest on the average $25,000 or so of college debt they owe four years later.
[...]
Last May, the Nobel laureate economist Robert Lucas, an expert on economic growth, put together a lecture on the economy because so many people asked him why the U.S. economy’s post-recession growth rate was struggling around 2%.

He noted that in the years after World War II, both the U.S. and Europe grew at an annual rate of about 3%. But in the mid-1970s, Western Europe dropped below that growth rate and stayed there, creating a 20% to 40% gap in income levels between Europe and the U.S. Prof. Lucas suggested this had to do with the cost of maintaining the social-welfare commitments Europe accumulated in the postwar years.

He then looked at the levels of U.S. social-welfare commitments, including the new Obama health-care entitlement, and ended with a simple observation: “Is it possible that by imitating European policies on labor markets, welfare and taxes, the U.S. has chosen a new, lower GDP trend? If so, it may be that the weak recovery we have had so far is all the recovery we will get.”
[...]
For new American college graduates, there is an alternative to that job you thought you’d have: Join a union.

If your new goal in life is to join the United Auto Workers (saved by Mr. Obama with your parents’ taxes) or work for a government agency somewhere for the next 40 years, the president is your candidate. The modern Democratic Party from top to bottom is the party of all unions, hardly different than the European political parties whose union members and unemployed college graduates filled city squares Tuesday in forlorn May Day demonstrations. If a career inside an American union is what it’s all about, then an Obama vote (“Forward”) is a no-brainer.

But aside from the aspiring union lifers, what’s in an Obama vote for the rest of the youth vote? The U.S. annualized growth rate in the first quarter this year was 2.2%. Perhaps the life raft is that provision in ObamaCare that extends health-insurance coverage to children living at home until the age of 26. If Barack Obama wins another four years, you may need it.

By the way, Henninger’s social-welfare argument above might have a lot more truth to it when considering what many are saying is behind Mr. Obama’s one line slogan. Consider these three: Here, here, and here. Would any President of the United States employ a subliminal message such as these from history? Am I naive to think not?

Nah. This is what I think of Mr. Obama’s new slogan:

By Bill Fortune

Fmr MA Governor Mitt Romney and VA Governor Bob McDonnell (Photo / AP)

Today Bret Baier’s fourth installment of veep series Running With Romney aired on FOX News. Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) was the topic:

McDonnell joined America’s Newsroom this morning to weigh in on the visit. “We’re excited,” he said. “[Romney’s] talking about jobs and energy, and I want to be there to help him.”
[...]
He added that the only thing he can do is help the voters see who should be the president, because 30 to 35 percent of the Independent voters in Virginia will determine the outcome of the election.

McDonnell plans to help Romney in the next six months by talking about jobs, energy and taking care of America’s veterans.

“Mitt Romney is the guy to do it,” he said. “If we don’t convince people that he’s the best one for jobs with an 8.2 percent unemployment rate and debt reduction with a $15 trillion debt, we’re not going to have a stronger country going forward. So, that’s the role that I’m playing right now.”

(emphasis added)

“Today I join with people of all faiths to express devotion and gratitude to the Lord, who has so richly blessed us. On this National Day of Prayer, we are reminded of those who have sacrificed so much to give us the freedom to worship freely and to speak openly about our faith. As I travel across this country every day, I see God’s grace and faithfulness in the lives of so many Americans who share their stories. And it is my prayer that as we strive to better America and to protect her from those who would do her harm, the Lord will keep us strong and free and we will remain one nation under God.”

“The only easy day was yesterday.” ~ US Navy SEALs

“To win this fight for America’s future, we will have to rise above politics. When members of SEAL Team VI boarded their helicopters, they did so not as Republicans or Democrats or independents, they did so as Americans. And the final image that Osama bin Laden took with him straight to Hell was not a party symbol – not a Republican elephant or a Democratic donkey – but an American flag on the shoulder of one straight-shooting U.S. Navy SEAL.” ~ Mitt Romney, August 2011

Rep Paul Ryan (R-WI) answers a question as Governor Mitt Romney looks on during a Romney rally at an oil company in Milwaukee, WI. April 2, 2012 (Photo Steve Senne/AP)

The third segment of Running With Romney, a series of potential VP interviews by FOX News’ Bret Baier (Special Report) aired today. The spotlight was on House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan:

At age 28, Ryan was elected to Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district but he quickly moved up to become the youngest chairman of the House Budget Committee in 2011. Speaking about his budget plan, Ryan says, “We knew that if we offered solutions, that they were going to demagogue those solutions. But we feel that we have a moral and a legal obligation, that if we don’t like the direction the president’s taking the country, we should do something about it.”

Republican strategist Mike Murphy noted a downside if Romney chooses Ryan as his vice presidential nominee, saying, “Paul Ryan budget genius, very important in the Congress, good guy, Romney’s close to him, talks to him a lot. The downside is you nominate Paul, one, you take a real player out of the Congress. And two, you’re going to re-litigate the Ryan plan which has policy advantages but some political baggage.”

Ryan reiterated what he has previously stated when asked about becoming Romney’s running mate. “If they ask me to consider it, then I’ll consider it. But that’s months away from that kind of decision being made as far as I know. I like my job. I think I can make a big difference doing what I’m doing.”

Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) introduces Mitt Romney at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. Feb 20, 2012 (Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images)

As part of a series of potential VP interviews FOX News’ Bret Baier (Special Report) is promoting, the second installment of Running With Romney aired tonight. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) was showcased:

Republican strategist Mike Murphy weighed in on the possibility of a Romney-Portman ticket. “He can govern, he gets along well with Mitt Romney, and he’s from Ohio a very vital state… And he’s somebody the press knows and has vetted so you don’t get the shock effect.”

Portman was known as the “budget hawk” when he served under the Bush administration. Critics say bringing up those years will not be helpful in the current election cycle. He defended his credentials, saying, “I came in as you know in 2006, 2007 and the budget that I proposed actually was a balanced budget … So the year that I was there, 2007, the deficit was about 1/8 of the deficit today.”

As the general election has just kicked off, with the economy getting the main focus and attention, and Obama taking some hits on his record, it is also important to see how American voters view President Obama’s conduct and his handling of issues that matter to most Americans.

Let’s look particularly at a demographic that may play an important party in determining who becomes the next President of the U.S. in November 2012 – the Jewish American electorate. Since this race is going to come down to a battle over swing states, those that historically and demographically choose the President, the Jewish population in Florida, Ohio, Philadelphia and Cleveland could be the demographic giving Mitt Romney the edge over the President.

A new poll, conducted by Knowledge Networks for the AJC, shows the mixed political mind of the American Jewish community as the nation heads into general election season. It reveals Romney making significant inroads in the Jewish community, getting the support of 28 percent, 6 months before election day. In comparison, President George W. Bush, considered one of Israel’s greatest friends, got only 24 percent of the Jewish vote in his reelection bid in 2004. Senator McCain, also known as a strong supporter of Israel during his years in the Senate, got only 22 percent.

The poll also shows President Obama getting only 61 percent of the Jewish vote, a decline of 17 points down from the 78 percent he got in 2008. 11 percent are undecided, but when asked whom they are leaning towards, 5% picked Romney and 6% picked the president. Even before the Veep pick, the national convention, and the campaign effort which is expected to be aggressive and carefully area targeted in the months ahead, that gives Mitt Romney roughly 33% of the Jewish vote.

Based on this poll data, one could confidentially assume Mitt Romney getting around 39% of the Jewish vote in November. It matches President Reagan’s 1980-1984 support.

The analysis is based on poll data, which could be spinned and twisted brilliantly by both campaigns, but also gives us a glimpse of how the electorate is somewhat similar to 1980 when Ronald Reagan challenged President Jimmy Carter. When asked for the most important issues in deciding their vote, 80 percent of American Jews cited the economy, 57 percent health care, 26 percent national security and 22 percent U.S.-Israel relations. But among those who are more focused on national security concerns or U.S.-Israel relations, only 42 percent would vote for Obama. Forty-four percent of those who cite national security and 45 percent of those who cite U.S.-Israel relations would vote for Romney.

Regardless of how the respondents intend to vote, 60 percent think the Democratic Party is more likely to make the right decision in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program. 37 percent choose the Republican Party. The same is with national security issues and the economy in which 36% trust the Republicans compared to 60-62 that trust the Democrats.

Nonetheless, if this election is a combination of the economy and national security issues, based on the assumption these factors will be key in determining the support each candidate might get – the President’s record, his name recognition, his incumbency advantage and Mitt Romney’s aggressive campaigning mode, one could definitely expect Mitt Romney to pick up high support among Jewish voters. Consequently, that would create an opening and opportunity for the Republican party to open it doors, run competitive Jewish candidates, make Jews feel comfortable in the GOP party, and most of all, be just enough to tilt some highly contested Battleground states in Mitt Romney’s column.

Now that the Republican nomination is all but secured, I think it’s interesting to look back and see how Romney did it. 

An article published recently at The Hill caught my eye. The title was “Maybe Mitt Romney is Stronger Than We Think” and it then listed some of the enormous obstacles Romney had to overcome to get the nomination.

Some of Romney’s obstacles to the nomination included: 

1) Romneycare versus Obamacare debate
2) Romney’s a member of a religious minority – Mormon.
3) Not a Tea Party favorite
4) He is a Northeasterner in a party dominated by the South
5) Fox News was consistently harsh to Romney
6) The Wall Street Journal editorial board was often critical
7) Some conservative pundits (who endorsed him last time) did not endorse him this time
8. Effectively pro-choice during his early political years

Romney has to be feeling pretty good these days when he analyzes all the obstacles he has overcome. All of these groups are often the loudest voices in the conservative movement today. It is a real testament to the strength of Romney’s appeal that he was able to secure his party’s nomination. 

So just how did Romney do it? I believe that Romney won the nomination not by appealing to the loudest voices within his party, but by winning over the “silent majority.” The phrase “silent majority” has been used in the political campaigns of Ronald Reagan during the 1970s and 1980s, the Republican Revolution in the 1994 elections and during the Nixon era. Romney tapped into that same group during this election.

The silent majority is not easy to define because, by definition, they don’t express their views publicly, but they are the dominant force in American politics. The silent majority are a very diverse group whose views don’t align completely to one side’s point of view. Their views can be complex and nuanced, or they may simply want to live a life with as few restrictions from outside sources as possible. I believe they are a very pragmatic group who is more concerned with finding solutions to America’s problems than winning a political fight between Republicans and Democrats.

By focusing on the economy and leadership competency, Romney was able to capture the silent majority. Romney’s strengths far outweighed the obstacles placed in his path.

Attributes that helped Romney capture the silent majority:

1) Proven leadership success in many areas (Olympics, Business, Government)
2) Business expertise during a time of economic upheaval
3) A personal history that shows he knows how to create jobs
4) A person who has shown skill in solving tough problems 
5) A caring father and family man
6) Intelligence
7) Methodical, hard working and disciplined preparation
8. Calm, presidential demeanor under pressure

The silent majority understand that with Mitt Romney, we have a candidate who is uniquely qualified to address America’s dire economic problems. Who better to lead the country toward a turnaround than a guy who made his living as a turnaround artist working with struggling businesses? While there are still obstacles in Romney’s way, and there will undoubtedly be ups and downs in the months ahead, the silent majority will, as always, have the final say.