Obama Craters in Florida

It's time to ratchet up the class warfare and scare the daylights out of granny.

Whether it’s in a crowded field or one-on-one, Rick Perry is the man to beat in the party’s race for the White House, a new poll shows.

The Texas governor leads rival Mitt Romney by 9 percentage points in the crowded race for president, according to the survey from Quinnipiac University that also found Perry would best Romney if Sarah Palin hopped in the race or if the contest was a simple head-to-head matchup. The other seven candidates poll in the single digits.

The poll also suggests Romney won’t get much political mileage out of attacking Perry for calling Social Security a "Ponzi scheme." More than half of Republicans — the only ones who can vote in the upcoming winter primary — say it’s "fair" to describe the entitlement program that way.

Perry’s comments, though, could prove more problematic in a general-election race, with 58 percent of all voters saying the comment comparing Social Security to a criminal-funding swindle is "unfair." Also, voters in Florida — where more than half of the electorate is older than 60 — aren’t sure if he wants to end or fix Social Security, which they don’t want changed.

Romney’s relative weakness in the eyes of Republican voters — that is, his perceived moderation — would be a strength in a matchup against President Obama, whom the former Massachusetts governor bests by a 47-40 percent spread thanks to the support of independent voters.

Perry is statistically tied with Obama, who earned his lowest job approval rating ever in a Quinnipiac poll. Only 39 percent approve of the way Obama’s doing his job, while 57 percent disapprove. More than half of voters say Obama does not deserve a second term. Only 41 percent say he should be re-elected.

“Gov. Rick Perry has the lead — and the momentum — among Florida Republicans, while former Gov. Mitt Romney can point to a better general election showing,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a written statement.

Tonight's debate should be a barn-burner as Romney tries to make up ground on Perry. At this juncture it matters little that Perry is in a statistical tie with Obama. If Obama's numbers remain anywhere near as low as they are now he can kiss Florida, and likely his presidency, goodbye.

Quinnipiac: Obama Tied With Romney, Leads Perry by Three

Fourteen months out from the 2012 elections and the president is in deep trouble. Meanwhile there's some good news for both Rick Perry and Mitt Romney in a new Quinnipiac national poll. Perry has surged to the head of the GOP pack but Romney currently fares better when matched against Obama.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has zoomed to the front of the line of GOP presidential candidates with a 24 - 18 percent lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney among Republican voters, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Romney and President Barack Obama are in a dead heat while Perry trails the president by 3 points in 2012 matchups.

Republicans and Democrats are tied 38 - 38 percent when the independent Quinnipiac University survey asks American voters who they would vote for in the 2012 races for U.S. Congress - the so-called "generic ballot."

The percentage of all registered voters who say President Obama deserves a second term in the Oval Office has fallen to a negative 42 - 51 percent, matching a 41 - 50 percent all-time low reading on whether he deserves another four years in office from a March 30 survey.

"Gov. Rick Perry has sprinted out of the gate as a candidate for the GOP nomination," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Being the new kid on the block has benefitted Perry. But with prominence comes scrutiny and both his Republican competitors and the Democrats are doing their best to convince voters he's not Mr. Wonderful. The next few months will be a race between Perry and his Republican and Democratic opponents to define him for the vast majority of the American people."

Among Republicans and independent voters leaning Republican, Perry gets 24 percent to Romney's 18 percent, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's 11 percent, Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's 10 percent, Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's 9 percent and businessman Herman Cain's 5 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich gets 3 percent, while former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, former Sen. Rick Santorum and Michigan U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter get 1 percent each.

If Palin doesn't run, Perry leads Romney 26 - 20 percent with Bachmann at 12 percent.

Let's be blunt: Things are bleak for this failed president.

"The president is now dead even with one top Republican and just inches ahead of the other. He needs to improve his standing among men, whites and independents to ensure his re- election," said Brown.

He'll be going 0-for-3 with those groups.

Gallup: Obama Losing to Romney, Tied With Perry, Leads Ron Paul By Two Points

Please, lamestream media, keep reminding us how Obama is a shoo-in come 2012. He's already losing to Mitt Romney, is tied with Rick Perry a week after Perry entered the race, and is barely edging Ron Paul. Ron Paul!

The grim news for King Putt:

President Barack Obama is closely matched against each of four possible Republican opponents when registered voters are asked whom they would support if the 2012 presidential election were held today. Mitt Romney leads Obama by two percentage points, 48% to 46%, Rick Perry and Obama are tied at 47%, and Obama edges out Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann by two and four points, respectively.

Bachmann has been demonized from day one, and she's within four points.

These prospective election ballots -- measured Aug. 17-18, well over a year before the Nov. 6, 2012, election -- indicate that the race for president at this point is generally competitive, with voters fairly evenly divided in their preference for giving Obama a second term or electing a Republican candidate. Even though the four Republican candidates tested have varying degrees of name recognition, they all fare roughly the same.

He's under 50% against all of them, which spells almost certain defeat. No wonder we're already seeing stories that Obama is the conquering hero of Libya.

Rasmussen, meanwhile, has some very unfavorable news for Sarah Palin.

Update: Forget Paul Ryan running.

Rasmussen: Perry Surges To Big Lead in GOP Field

Well, that didn't take long.

Texas Governor Rick Perry, the new face in the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, has jumped to a double-digit lead over Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann with the other announced candidates trailing even further behind.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary voters, taken Monday night, finds Perry with 29% support. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008, earns 18% of the vote, while Bachmann, the Minnesota congresswoman who won the high-profile Ames Straw Poll in Iowa on Saturday, picks up 13%.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who was a close second to Bachmann on Saturday, has the support of nine percent (9%) of Likely Primary Voters, followed by Georgia businessman Herman Cain at six percent (6%) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with five percent (5%). Rick Santorum, former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, and ex-Utah Governor Jon Huntsman each get one percent (1%) support, while Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter comes in statistically at zero.

Ron Paul has 9%? Really?

Romney Leads Obama in ABC News/WaPo Poll

Knowing how notoriously skewed toward Democrats, this news must have the White House in panic this morning.

An announcement bump for Mitt Romney and a bus-tour boost for Sarah Palin put the pair atop the field for the Republican presidential nomination. But while their primary standings are similar, their broader prospects for election look vastly different.

Romney appears formidable: In a general-election trial heat in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll he runs evenly with Barack Obama among all Americans, and numerically outpoints him, 49-46 percent, among registered voters -- not a statistically significant lead, given sampling error, but a clear reflection of Obama's vulnerability to a well-positioned challenger.

Romney, though, is the only Republican to run that well; Obama leads all other potential opponents tested in this poll -- Palin, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman. Palin fares worst, trailing Obama by 17 points among all adults, 15 points among registered voters.

Results here, and they're not good across the board for the failed Obama presidency.

One thing to keep in mind which should tell you how bleak Obama's prospects are is this poll was just random adults, not registered or likely voters.

In the link at the Washington Post we discover the breakdown: Democrats 31%, Republicans 25%, independent 39% and have no clue 4%. Buried deep in there is a question about the Tea Party, and they actually increased in favorability, which is now at 46-44%

Uh, No, Media Pinheads, Romney Doesn't Really Want to Hang Obama

I guess using the wond hang in the same sentence as "Obama" will now be off limits. Talk about a non-story.

A comment about figuratively "hanging" President Obama with poor economic news has no alternate meanings, a spokeswoman for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) said Saturday.

"It is not what the governor meant and that was very clear in what he actually said," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement to The Hill on Saturday. "It's a ridiculous exaggeration of his actual comments."

At the conservative Americans for Prosperity dinner on Friday, Romney, a highly likely presidential candidate, referred to the so-called "misery index" Ronald Reagan used to criticize President Jimmy Carter's economic record -- a familiar theme in Romney's nascent campaign -- but the former governor tripped on his words.

"We're gonna have to hang the Obama misery index around his neck, and I'll tell you the fact that you've got people in this country really squeezed with gasoline getting so expensive, with commodities getting so expensive; families are having a hard time making ends meet. So we're gonna have to talk about that," Romney said. "And housing foreclosures and bankruptcies and higher taxation -- we're gonna hang him with that..."

Indeed, Obama should have his entire miserable record hung around his neck. Figuratively, of course.

Talk about taking his comments entirely out of context.

'Me and Mitt are Homeboys'

It's quite a relief to see that Mitt Romney's got his street cred back. Obviously he'd be going nowhere fast in 2012 with the hip-hop vote.

Rapper Sky Blu told Boston he and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are now “homeboys” once they reconciled after their mile-high dust-up.

“Me and Mitt are homeboys,” he said between sets last night with his Grammy nominated band LMFAO. “I think it’s time to celebrate that a rapper and politician can come together. . . . We want to celebrate the Vulcan-grip counter move.”

He then launched into “Shot,” a celebratory song. LMFAO opened for the Black Eyed Peas last night at the TD Garden.

Oh My: Huckabee Leads Obama in 2012 Poll

This one comes from PPP and let's give them some credit where due: They nailed the Scott Brown victory over Martha Coakley. As a result of that race Tuesday the air of invincibility surrounding Barack Obama has been shattered, perhaps irrevocably.

For the first time in one of our monthly polls looking ahead to the 2012 Presidential election Barack Obama trails one of his hypothetical opponents, albeit by the smallest of margins.

Mike Huckabee has a 45-44 advantage over Obama, aided largely by a 44-38 lead with independents. There continues to be no evidence of any negative fallout for Huckabee after murders of police officers committed by an ex-Arkansas inmate whose sentence he had commuted. His 35/29 favorability breakdown is actually slightly better than it was in November before that incident.

Mitt Romney does the next best, trailing Obama 44-42. His favorability is 36/32, and he's the most popular Republican among independents (41/32). Romney actually matches Huckabee with GOP voters this month and gets over 50%, ending a trend in his numbers that had seemed to spell difficulty for snagging a Republican nomination.

Sarah Palin trails Obama 49-41 largely because she loses 14% of the Republican vote to him, making her the only one of the GOP candidates we tested who Obama could get double digit crossover support against. At the same time Palin continues to be the most well liked potential GOP candidate within her party- at 71% favorability. Her problem appears to be that the Republicans who don't care for her will go so far as to vote for Obama instead of her.

Those 14% of Republicans who would vote for Obama over Palin no doubt are the pundits who slobber of his creased pants and others who think Palin is just so beneath them.

Whatever the case, independents have abandoned Obama in droves. He's shown no sign of even approaching the center and at the going rate is doomed to one term before he returns to his real calling as a community organizer. Just think: Less than a year from now we'll already have entered 2012 election cycle. It can't come soon enough.

Bad News For Mitt Romney, Democrats Like Him

This should be bad news for Romney and any plans he might have for running for president. It seems that he is the choice of not only Republican insiders but Democratic political insiders too.

I think John McCain was the last self identified Republican who managed that feat.

One thing conservatives should have learned from the last election cycle is if there is a candidate that the Democrats favor then it just might be a bad idea to push them to the top of the ticket.

A pity too. I never thought Mitt was the most conservative of the bunch, but he did have a certain appeal.

In a survey of 109 party leaders, political professionals and pundits, Palin finished 5th on the list of candidates most likely to win the party's '12 WH nomination. Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) was the overwhelming choice.

Romney garnered 81% of the vote from the Republican so called insiders. I wonder if that is sort like the David Brooks "educated class"?

Meanwhile, Dem insiders too think Romney is the most likely candidate to run against Pres. Obama next year. The results, from interviews with 111 Dem insiders:
Romney 29%
Thune 15
Pawlenty 13
Daniels 11
Gingrich 6

But we have 2 years before we have to worry about that. Who knows who will come out of the shadows to suddenly be the champion of conservatives, and therefore hated by the Republicans. I think the way to look at this is whoever is near the bottom of the Dems list ought to be a little higher on the Republicans list.

But who am I to question the experts?

Romney Tied With Obama in 2012 Polling

Just what we need over three years away from the next presidential election. Granted, this is a good sign right now, however. For all the relentless Palin-bashing in the media, it's remarkable she's within six points of media darling Barack Obama.

If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.

In both match-ups, seven percent (7%) like some other candidate, with three percent (3%) undecided.

Palin is second only to Romney as the presidential candidate Republican voters say right now that they’ll vote for in 2012 state GOP primaries. But she’s also one of two candidates they least hope wins the party’s nomination.

Romney may well turn out to be the best candidate if the economic picture doesn't improve any time soon. He made plenty of mistakes in the 2008 primaries and if he gets out there now and pushes alternative economic policies to those disastrous policies of Obama's, he can really pick up steam the rest of this year and into the 2010 midterms.

Countdown to McCain VP: Is It Palin? Update: Why, Yes It Is

He could do a lot worse. At least she's a full blown conservative Republican.

Tim Pawlenty says he's out. Same for Romney. Leaving us with a relatively obscure, for now, Governor of Alaska.

John McCain kept his vice presidential pick a closely guarded secret hours before the high-stakes announcement Friday as a top prospect, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, seemed to scratch his name from the list.

"I'm not going to be there. I plan to be at the state fair. You can draw your conclusion from that," Pawlenty said on his weekly call-in radio show on WCCO-AM in Minneapolis. He also called it "a fair assumption" that he will not be McCain's running mate.

Associates close to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney were saying the same thing, telling The Associated Press that the former presidential candidate had not been offered the job by McCain.

As the political community turned desperate for any clues, speculation moved toward several darkhorse candidates including Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the so-called "hockey mom" credited with reforms of her out-of-the-way state.

A Gulfstream IV from Anchorage, Alaska, flew into Middletown Regional Airport in Butler County near Cincinnati about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, said Rich Bevis, airport manager. He said several people came off the plane, including a woman and two teens, but there was no confirmation of who was aboard.

"They were pretty much hustled off. They came right down the ramp, jumped in some vans here and off they went," Bevis said. "It was all hush, hush."

Still, more mystery.

We'll know soon enough.

Update: Sure enough, meet Sarah Palin.


Ed Morrissey has the analysis.

With multiple media outlets confirming now that Governor Sarah Palin will indeed join the Republican ticket as John McCain’s running mate, McCain has clearly chosen to play offense rather than defense. Instead of a safe choice, such as closest runner-up Mitt Romney or genial Everyman Tim Pawlenty, McCain took some risk with a relative newcomer to national politics. Palin will inject risk, excitement, controversy, and an unexpected historic note to the Republican convention.

Ace likes the pick, for obvious reasons.

Michelle Malkin is impressed.

Update: It's hard to imagine a more petty reaction from Obama.

Barack Obama's campaign is blasting John McCain for putting "the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."

The scathing description of Sarah Palin, from Obama spokesman Bill Burton, comes as Democrats scramble to gather a response to a selection that nobody in the political world expected.

"Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," added Burton.

Via Ed Morrissey again.

More reaction here. Mark Levin approves.

She's being very well received.

Update: Whoops. Damage control time from a bitter Team Obama.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden issued a joint statement a few moments ago welcoming Sarah Palin to the WH contest:

“We send our congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the republican nominee for Vice President. It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign."

Sorry. You blew it the first time, assholes.

'Obama: A Mile High and an Inch Deep'

Nice to see the Republicans are prepared to answer back during the Democrat Convention. Of course, it will all be drowned out in a sea of sycophantic coverage of The Messiah, but hopefully they'll manage to distract the Democrats enough.

There are a couple of dozen people in Denver trying to crash the party.

Not just any people, but Republican people, set up in a two story building about a mile and half from the Pepsi Center.

So who invited them?

“We invited ourselves,” says Danny Diaz, the communications director for the Republican National Committee.

“We want to provide an opportunity to contrast,” says Diaz, “because ultimately that is what it comes down to.”

Inside their Denver headquarters is a room filled with TV monitors, and busy staffers working their e-mail and the Internet. There is a press conference room set up where the likes of Carly Fiorina, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani will all hold court. They even have their own satellite truck to help facilitate getting their message out.

Their first feat: The release of a new Democratic Convention slogan. The office is filled with posters that say, “Obama: a Mile High and an Inch Deep. Not Ready to Lead ’08.”

When Running Unopposed McCain Enjoys a 50% Approval

I decided to go crunch some numbers--well because I could--to try and find some of rhyme or reason to this years political season. I like a universe that well ordered and works within a specific set of rules, and this year has been anything but that. I think the term "conventional wisdom" can now be thrown out the window.

When compiling some data in regards to the Republican primaries I began to notice a disturbing pattern. In the early portion of the primaries it was a slugfest with the only candidate getting double digit wins over his opponents being Romney. The percentages shown below show how far the margin of victory was between 1st and 2nd place.

I cannot explain the West Virginia vote. McCain got double digit margins of victory on the first Super Tuesday only in strongly Democrat states, like New York and New "The fix is in" Jersey. Romney was still enjoying decent double digit wins, hell the Maverick only won his home state of Arizona by a 13% margin over Romney.

Then people started dropping out. It was not until the March 4 primary in Vermont that McCain was able to get 58% of the vote, when for all intents and purposes he was basically running unopposed! All other primaries that day he was still below 50%.
After that he was able to get up into the 60% group, but still a Republican candidate running unopposed can only get 60 - 70% of his parties vote?

These are the numbers that should be causing sleepless nights for the McCain campaign. I think it is too late to try and make nice with conservatives. They have been sold out for the last time. But if you can only get 60 - 70% of your parties vote on a one person ticket how the hell are you going to win a general election? You had better hope that difference is made up with PUMA (Party Unity My Ass) voters coming over from the Dems, or Mav, you are going to crash and burn and their ain't no ejection seat this time.

STATE DATE OF PRIMARY WINNER MARGIN
IA 1/3/2008 HUCKABEE 9%
WY 1/5/2008 ROMNEY 41%
NH 1/8/2008 MCCAIN 6%
MI 1/15/2008 ROMNEY 9%
NV 1/19/2008 ROMNEY 37%
SC 1/19/2008 MCCAIN 4%
FL 1/29/2008 MCCAIN 5%
ME 2/1/2008 ROMNEY 30%
UT 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 84%
WV 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 66%
AR 2/5/2008 HUCKABEE 40%
CO 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 40%
NJ 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 27%
NY 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 24%
AK 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 23%
IL 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 19%
MN 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 19%
MT 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 14%
DE 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 13%
ND 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 13%
AZ 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 13%
MA 2/5/2008 ROMNEY 10%
CT 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 9%
CA 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 7%
AL 2/5/2008 HUCKABEE 3%
GA 2/5/2008 HUCKABEE 3%
TN 2/5/2008 HUCKABEE 3%
OK 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 3%
MO 2/5/2008 MCCAIN 2%
KS 2/9/2008 HUCKABEE 26%
LA 2/9/2008 HUCKABEE 2%
MD 2/12/2008 MCCAIN 26%
VA 2/12/2008 MCCAIN 10%
WA 2/19/2008 MCCAIN 27%
WI 2/19/2008 MCCAIN 18%
VT 3/4/2008 MCCAIN 58%
RI 3/4/2008 MCCAIN 43%
OH 3/4/2008 MCCAIN 29%
TX 3/4/2008 MCCAIN 14%
MS 3/11/2008 MCCAIN 66%
PA 4/22/2008 MCCAIN 57%
IN 5/6/2008 MCCAIN 67%
NC 5/6/2008 MCCAIN 61%
NE 5/13/2008
HI 5/18/2008
OR 5/20/2008 MCCAIN 69%
KY 5/20/2008 MCCAIN 64%
ID 5/27/2008 MCCAIN 46%
NM 6/3/2008 MCCAIN 71%
SD 6/3/2008 MCCAIN 54%

BTW: It would be nice to actually be able to import a spreadsheet into Blogger. Think you geeks can work on that?

Trust me, that data looks really good in a spreadsheet

Expected outcome of MA mandatory health insurance

Have you heard about that mandatory health insurance, for liberals there is a difference between healthcare and health insurance, plan that Mitt Romney pushed through in MA while he was governor? Well, as expected here comes the fall out.
Massachusetts Teacher Facing Unaffordable Mandatory Health Insurance Speaks Out Against CA Mandate Proposal

Ron Norton, adjunct professor of radiology at Massachusetts community college who is classified as an "independent contractor" and does not have insurance from his state employer. He makes about $40,000 a year, too much to qualify for an exemption from the state's requirement that individuals buy private insurance policies. But he can't afford the high combined premiums and deductibles of the policies that state is calling "affordable." He will discuss the unaffordability of such private insurance, in Massachusetts or under the proposed California health insurance legislation, for middle-class workers.

I hate to be an old "told 'ya so" but told 'ya so.

Giuliani Defends Patriot Act, Dogged by Paul Kooks

Details at The Swamp.

Attempts to cut back on government surveillance and "aggressive questioning" of suspected terrorists are irresponsible and undercut the country's war on terrorism, Republican Rudy Giuliani said this weekend.

"Talking about cutting back on the Patriot Act, talking about cutting back on electronic surveillance, talking about cutting back on aggressive questioning -- not torture, but aggressive questioning -- wanting to remove our soldiers from Iraq in a way that would require them to give the enemy a time table of their retreat," Giuliani said. "I don't know that I've ever seen anything more irresponsible than that."

The remarks came late in a Saturday of campaigning in the state of New Hampshire, the first of a two-day tour through the early primary state. Shortly after that address, Giuliani headed out for the Holiday Stroll in downtown Nashua, where supporters of GOP candidate Ron Paul accompanied him for most of his visit.

As Giuliani walked down Main Street shaking hands and wandering in and out of shops, the Paul supporters encircled his entourage and waved their candidate's signs as they walked.

These people are a true nuisance who have a deep pride in their astounding ignorance. I see they're still busy stuffing online polls. Just pathetic.

Giuliani also pointed out the ignorance of Democrats.

As he made his way around the state on Saturday, Giuliani's rhetoric on the point of terrorism grew stronger. In the morning, at a stop in Laconia, Giuliani complained that Democrats' failure to use the phrase "Islamic terrorist" exposed a failure to fully comprehend the threat.

By the end of the day, he was telling an audience in Nashua that the mere use of the phrase was a powerful weapon against "tyrants, bullies and terrorists."

"They won't even say the word 'Islamic terrorist,'" Giuliani said of the Democratic candidates. "Tell me who you're going to insult when you say 'Islamic terrorist.' You're going to insult Islamic terrorists.

"You're also going to say to them, 'We understand who you are, and we're going to stand up to you . . . We're not going to beg you to negotiate with us. That's the beginning of making yourself safe against tyrants, bullies and terrorists. Standing up to them."

Some people object to use of the phrase "Islamic terrorism," arguing that it emphasizes the terrorists' religion instead of their cruelty and violence as the reason for objection.

Some people are really naive.

Meanwhile, Giuliani and an actual GOP contender, Mitt Romney, took off the gloves Saturday.

Rudy Giuliani attacked Republican rival Mitt Romney as weak on crime Saturday as both tried to rally support for the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary on Jan. 8.

Giuliani was among those who questioned the former Massachusetts governor about his appointment of a judge who released a convicted killer. The ex-con was arrested Monday in a double-murder case.

Romney has called on the jurist he appointed last year, Superior Court Judge Kathe Tuttman, to resign, saying she showed an "inexplicable lack of good judgment" in freeing Daniel Tavares Jr., who is now accused of slaying a newlywed couple in Washington State.

More from The Politico.

Iowa Straw Poll Results (Update: Romney Wins, Huckabee Second)

Well, it's still pending.

Drudge links this blog, which is drawing its share of Ron Paul kooks, saying the results are delayed.

AMES -- The announcement of tonight's straw poll results has been delayed due to what one informed source says was a voting machine malfunction. About 4,500 ballots had to be re-run. We are waiting....

Supposedly, results are to come at 9 ET.

Appears to be a very low turnout.

UPDATE: Partial recount. Some Paul chumps failed to get a judge to intervene Friday. A Diebold thing.

UPDATE II: Romney wins, Huckabee second.

Gov Mitt Romney won the 2007 Ames straw poll, receiving 4516 votes, or 31%.

In a surprise, Gov. Mike Huckabee finished second with 2587 votes at 18.1%

11. John Cox with 41 votes.
10. John McCain with 101 votes.
9. Duncan Hunter with 174 votes.
8. Rudy Giuliani with 183 votes.
7. Fred Thomson [sic] with 231 votes.
6. Tommy Thompson, 1,009 votes, 7.3%
5. Ron Paul with 1305 votes, and 9.1%
4. Tom Tancredo with 1961 votes, 13.7%.
3. Sen. Sam Brownback with 2192 votes and 15.3%

Iowa state auditor David Vaudt unofficially certified the results.

14,203 ballots were cast.

I'd call for John Cox to end his campaign, but I have no idea who the hell that is.

In a mild surprise, Ron Paul managed to scare up 1305 votes. Can't you just feel the momentum building?

I'm really beginning to warm to Mike Huckabee. A genuinely nice guy.

Ron Paul Kooks Hitch a Ride With Mitt

No good deed goes unpunished. In an effort at getting out some votes, GOP hopeful Mitt Romney is providing free transportation for potential voters.

But leave it to Ron Paul and his band of blithering idiots to sneak onboard.

Ron Paul’s Camp May Catch Romney’s Bus

Ron Paul’s supporters are actively encouraging Iowa voters to take advantage of Mitt Romney’s offers of free transportation to the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames on Saturday and then, once they are there, to vote for Mr. Paul.

“Some say if Mitt is willing to bus Iowans to Ames for the straw poll, they should take him up on his offer!” says a flier in Iowa and on the Internet in advance of the straw poll for the Republican presidential candidates. The flier says that after riding the Romney bus to Ames, and allowing the Romney campaign to pay one’s $35 entry fee, Iowans should then carefully weigh their options and “they may decide to vote for Ron Paul.”

The flier is topped with a banner that says “2008 Ron Paul News,” but Jesse Benton, a campaign spokesman, said it was the handiwork of independent supporters over whom the campaign had no control. “We can’t tell our supporters what to do or not do,” Mr. Benton said, adding that the campaign did not want to get “entangled” with federal finance regulations involving potential in-kind contributions.

But he conceded that infiltrating the Romney bus could certainly help Mr. Paul. It is his first visible attempt at converting his popularity online into success offline, which, alas, is where it counts.

Mr. Paul, a relatively obscure Congressman from Texas who caught fire online after appearing on the televised presidential debates, has only just started campaigning in Iowa. Mr. Benton said the fact that Mr. Paul was a full-time member of Congress prevented him from campaigning in Iowa sooner, although other candidates have been swarming over the state for months.

Seeing how this odd straw poll is vulnerable to who can pretty much buy votes, it opens the door for all sorts of mischief.

The Paul campaign has bought the minimum of 800 tickets to give to Iowans to vote. Other campaigns have bought thousands. Simple math would suggest that to do passably well, the Paul campaign is relying on Iowans who buy tickets from other candidates to vote for Mr. Paul. The suggestion that Paul supporters catch Romney buses and vote for Mr. Paul is being widely debated on the Internet; some see it as smart while others see it as dishonest.

Mr. Benton would not speculate where Mr. Paul might finish, but said he expected most of the candidates to receive between 1,500 and 3,000 votes. “If we can be somewhere in the middle of that pack, that would be a big success for us,” he said. “Our goal is to prove that we can translate our online support into bodies in Ames and prove we can run with the pack. We feel we have a lot of room to grow, while other campaigns might have reached their peak.”

Keep dreaming.

Still, no matter where he finishes, the wild-eyed Paul acolytes will claim it a success, and they'll still flood online polls as a mean of showing how "deep" his support is.

Newsweek Poll: Giuliani 59-34 Over McCain

Some staggering numbers, if this is indeed accurate. I have a hunch those ancient photos of Rudy in drag at a press dinner aren't going to make any difference.

Maybe it is Giuliani time, after all. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has pulled far ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain in a hypothetical head-to-head GOP presidential primary matchup, according to the latest NEWSWEEK Poll—beating McCain 59 percent to 34 percent. Giuliani's lead over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is even more formidable (70 percent to 20 percent).

But perhaps the best news for the man once dubbed "America's Mayor" for his role in seeing New York through the 9/11 attacks is the lead he's opened up on his potential Democratic rivals for the White House. According to the survey, Giuliani outpolls Illinois Sen. Barack Obama by 5 points (48 percent to 43 percent), former senator John Edwards by 2 points (47 percent to 45 percent) and Sen. Hillary Clinton by 1 point (47 percent to 46 percent). Last month Clinton led Giuliani by 3 points (49 percent to 46 percent), as did Obama (47 percent to 44 percent). Thirteen percent of registered Democrats say they would cross party lines to support Giuliani, while only 4 percent of Republicans say they would do the same for Clinton. Perhaps more important, among independent voters, Giuliani leads Clinton 49 percent to 42 percent.

Inside the numbers.

Meanwhile, CPAC straw poll numbers are in, but take them with a huge grain of salt.

In the end, the first real primary ballots aren't cast for over 10 months anyway, an eternity in politics. But Giuliani is resonating with the party faithful, social issues notwithstanding.

UPDATE: More at Hot Air.

Obama Family Tree Includes Polygamists

Of course, all the headlines are breathless in reminding us about Mitt Romney's background, but you have to dig a little deeper if you want to know anything about the Democrat candidates.

Sweetness & Light does just that.

And speaking of fathers, how is it none of this was ever mentioned when Mitt’s father George ran for the presidency in 1968?

Was it because he was adamantly against the Vietnam War, and therefore a far preferable choice to Richard Nixon — at least in the eyes of our watchdog media?

And how often was Mo Udall’s Mormonism mentioned when he ran for president? What were his great grandparents up to?

Or for that matter, who has ever brought Harry “Pinky” Reid’s Mormon ancestors during his campaigns?

Well, since the AP is going to delve into the background and go back a couple hundred years, what headlines might we see if they did the same with Democrats?

Pantsuit Predecessors Include Polyester

Whirlaway Secretly Fathered Edwards

Spock Illegitimate Half-Brother of Kucinich

Romney in 2008 Race

I doubt this announcement will cause as many media Obasms as we saw this past weekend, but at least this guy has substance and a proven track record as a leader.

Of course, the media will relentlessly harp on the fact he's a Mormon, as if they're some other-worldy beings brought forth for our amusement. I could care less what his religion is, so long as he doesn't worship at the altar of liberalism. Though I will note the AP somehow managed to avoid mentioning his religion until the ninth paragraph.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Mitt Romney officially entered the 2008 presidential race Tuesday, a former one-term Republican governor of Massachusetts suggesting that his record of leadership inside and outside government uniquely positions him to tackle the country's challenges.

"I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by lifetime politicians," Romney said, seeking to turn a potential liability, his limited political experience, into an asset. "There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements - and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading."

The comment was a veiled swipe at his top rival for the GOP nomination, four-term Sen. John McCain of Arizona. In elective office only four years, Romney is not nearly as well known nationally as McCain and former two-term New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, political celebrities who consistently lead popularity polls.

A serious contender even though he is little more than a blip in such surveys, Romney is seeking to convince Republican primary voters that his record of success in the private, public and voluntary sectors proves he has the know-how to lead a country at a crossroads