2012 GOP 10-18 CNN Debate - Battle of the All-Stars – Cain Stands Ground, Romney-Perry Chew Up Time, Bachmann, Gingrich Benefit – Opinion

The CNN-Western Republican Leadership Conference GOP Debate held last evening in Las Vegas was a debate worthy of two bags of popcorn and a front row seat – Anderson Cooper’s CNN appeared to have lost control of the candidates at several points – and Cain and Romney were targeted, with Cain coming out no worse for the wear, and Romney with some explaining to do as Rick Perry consistently hammered home barbs on both immigrations issues and the Massachusetts Mandated Health Care Plan.

The entire video is below via www.rightscoop.com worth watching as it beats the “sound bite” videos that don’t always tell the full story (and leave off an important point or two being made by one candidate or another).

In brief, and from this perspective, the biggest winners of last night’s debate were the so-called lower tier candidates, Bachmann, Santorum, Cain and yes, Ron Paul, while Herman Cain held ground, and Mitt Romney and Rick Perry dominated the debate time and appeared to be having their own debate within a debate – Rick Perry shot back at Anderson Cooper at one point: (paraphrased): “You asked the question, I get to answer it any way I want” – then hammered away at Mitt Romney.

What this debate, from a Massachusetts Perspective tell us, is that Mitt Romney is still in denial over the mess that is the Massachusetts Health Care Program, or otherwise known as “Romney’s Albatross”. There were several discrepancies between reality and Romney’s version of how this plan works, and how it has evolved. The fact that the original concept may have been somewhat innovated, is not the end result. Firstly, Romney noted that the his plan allowed only private carriers, not the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to get involved in the insurance game – he must have forgotten Commonwealth Care – which is state run, and which tells individuals that they either buy the right dollar amount of insurance coverage and/or face penalties (the program is tied to the Department of Revenue). If one cannot afford insurance (and that’s a growing percentage of Bay Staters, one is made to pay a fee, to the Commonwealth’s IRS equivalent.) The only way out is if one’s employer does not offer insurance, and if one is an employer, one faces fines if one does not carry enough insurance (standards set by the Commonwealth) for each employee. It is a socialist nightmare, one which has prompted a call to action to remove the program that is the largest line item expense on the State Budget, with additional funds from the Federal Government, all the while unable to cover all uninsured, (those who are assessed fees), and those that are insured through private carriers, realized a minimum of a 30% increase in premiums over the past three years (source: this bloggers health insurance premiums). The move to http://repeal-romneycare.com is building steam across the state.” Romney is, of course, not responsible for all of the problems faced by those left behind in Massachusetts, but he needs to own up to the fact that is it a program that is far from perfect, and should be replaced. (There are options, such as the opening the state up to more than three carriers for instance – thereby dropping premiums and making health insurance more affordable. Tort reform at the state level might not be a bad idea either.

Rick Perry cannot hold his own in a debate – he loses his train of thought, and until and unless he can get enough sleep or get off the one issue answer, he is going to see his poll numbers continue to drop.

Which leads us to the fact that money and politics is, unlike the constant drumbeat of the press, the end all.

Herman Cain came out, although purloined for his 9 9 9 Plan, (which granted may raise a few questions, but it is a plan, one that has extremely good points, and should be read by everyone) unscathed – As a tax conscious blogger, the Cain Plan makes sense, it is not a simple as Cain suggests, however, some of the accusations leveled at Cain over the plan were not correct (Read plan here: at www.hermancain.com/999plan for perspective and questions.) but is any plan perfect? Ask Mitt Romney.

Michelle Bachmann came out confident and also had the most level answers of the evening, and one would have liked to see more of Bachmann’s common sense answers, if, and only if, the two schoolboy could have been controlled by Anderson Cooper long enough to hear responses and give time to both Bachmann and Gingrich – to this mind two underrated candidates that have the potential to rise above the fray. The most insulting part of this debate, the obvious ending where Bachmann, and Gingrich had to fight to give a closing statement – time was up, granted, but the time management of the debate, (with a heavy focus on beating up Cain, and then the Romney – Perry ad nauseum mini-debate,) left the American Public short.

Therefore, from this perspective, one is encouraged to give to the campaigns of the following candidates in order to ensure that their voices are continued to be heard, as they all offer the American public solutions and options that are not currently forthcoming from the White House.

To Anderson Coopers’ questions as to which one felt they could best President Obama in 2012, the answer is obvious: any one of those standing on that stage (ok, maybe not Rick Perry – unless he goes to teleprompter school with the President). The fact of the matter is, as Mike Huckabee proved in 2008, money isn’t everything – with Huckabee’s campaign in single digits, he blocked Romney and his millions from moving beyond Super Tuesday. The difference between these “lower tier” candidates of 2012, and Mike Huckabee, is that they all have a willingness to raise funds – whereas, Mike Huckabee, who would have, in this opinion made the best option for 2008, (once they removed Hillary Clinton – who was strongest on defense of all candidates running), is known for his lack of fundraising ability. It is not the millions, but it is the ability to go to donors and ask – not just the grass roots but the bigger donors, many of whom are still not committed. Therefore, in theory the field is complete, but as to calling out one right now who would best the balance of the eight – hard to tell.

Technical winner: Tie: Bachmann, Gingrich, for substantive answers. Losers: Romney and Perry. The one man who will benefit in the national polls: The ever likable Herman Cain. (Despite the fact that Romney will be immediately called the winner, as he is best loved by the Republican Establishment – something this blogger feels is a negative at times.

Best line of the night goes to: Newt Gingrich: (on the budget negotiations currently underway: via NYTimes “Now the idea that you’ll — the idea that you’ll have a bunch historically illiterate politicians who have no sophistication about national security trying to make a numerical decision about the size of the defense budget tells you everything you need to know about the bankruptcy of the current elite in this country — in both parties. (Followed by)… I’m a hawk, but I’m a cheap hawk. But the fact is — (laughter) — the fact is, to say I’m going to put the security of the United States up against some arbitrary budget number is suicidally stupid.”

Therefore, keep the voices of reason and those that hold the entire field accountable and intimately still stand to rise above the fray in business:

Donate:

hermancain.com/donate
michelebachmann.com
http://www.newt.org



Full GOP Debate from www.tehrightscoop.com

You Know Herman Cain is a Contender when: He’s Skewered by the Press Using former Bush Staffers to quote!

Herman Cain’s rise in the polls ‘and his ability to connect to the individual, has both the media and those who on the Republican Side of the Street (Washington, Pundits, etc.) in fits as he has taken the lead on favorite son, Mitt Romney, in recent weeks.
Therefore, it’s time to mess with Herman:

From: Reuters headline: “Cain to face tougher scrutiny at Republican debate”

From CBS: ” Does Herman Cain really have a chance?”

From CNN: ”Why Herman Cain can't be president” (as well as negatives on balance of GOP field


There are about 500 more, but herein lays the problem for Herman Cain – he is liked, capable, and smart, he has the support of the grassroots conservatives, which includes those who do not care one whit about what Washington, or those inside the Republican Elite want. Those inside the Beltway and the Republican Elite want Mitt Romney. Here’s the skinny: Although Romney and Perry have amassed millions, their campaigns are still struggling (Romney honestly not at all), and yet, Cain is besting them in the polls. They ask if he’s serious, as he scrabbles to add staff in New Hampshire, and Iowa, due to the Republican Party moving up the primary schedule! (Almost as if by design to impede candidates that have no cash (no real basis for that statement, other than observation). So, can Herman Cain go the distance? Yes. Not everyone is going to like Herman Cain, and no, we don’t know enough about him - yet, but as a nation, we need to see all candidates, especially the candidate that is backed by a party, not the members of the Party and that includes both major political parties.

The CNN Debate is on tonight, begins at 8 eastern.

Occupy Wall Street Uninformed – Protestors and Organizers Paid by PAC (Political Action Committee) Occupy begun by PAC’s Hired Help.

The Craig's List Job Opportunity that Started Occupy Wall Street


Usually, “grassroots movements” are not begun by Political PACS (Political Action Committees) – a True Grassroots movement begins, like the Tea Party, in a disorganized manner, and may at some point either form a PAC or take donations. That said, the original TEA (Taxed Enough Already), Party’s debut was built by individuals based on radio talk show hosts (conservatives) crying out against rising taxes and huge spending bills – specifically TARP. The Occupy Group, however, began as a paid organization, not a grassroots movement as it is seen in the press. Political Action Committees such as the Progressive (i.e. Socialist) Working Families Party took out ads prior to the first protests, on Craig’s list: (see image from Early September above click to enlarge). This particular PAC, although centered in New York State, has had a history of working for and supporting Democrats, and receiving funds from individuals associated with the Democrat Party. The Party heavily supported the Obama Campaign in 2008, and in turn was supported by PAC’s such as: Nadler for Congress, Crowley for Congress, Nita Lowey for Congress, Communications Workers of America, Carolyn's PAC, Mason Tenders District Council of NY, Building Roads & Infrastructure PAC, Steve Israel for Congress, Tim Bishop for Congress, CAP PAC, Defending America's Future PAC, Jerry's PAC, Impact, Sheet Metal Workers Union, American Federation of Teachers, Transport Workers Union Local 100, Maloney for Congress, Cmte to Re-Elect Nydia M Velazquez, Serrano for Congress, Cmte to Elect Gary Ackerman, Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Rangel for Congress 2000, Friends of Carolyn McCarthy, Friends of Weiner, Brian Higgins for Congress, Friends of Dan Maffei, *Based on data released by the FEC on July 13, 2009 (Open Secrets). The organization also received funds from individuals Open Secrets.org, and basically can be seen as supporting one political party and one political agenda.

Therefore to those who are protesting and “Occupying” from Wall Street to Springfield, MA (who’s turnout was described by a local NBC affiliate as Few Show Up to Occupy Springfield and rightly so.) they need to re-examine in this might be the best "Grassroots" organization to "join".

If the program, begun bay a pack with major donors being Unions, other Progressive PACS and Democrat elected officials on both a State and National Level, has an agenda, it would be to ensure that an election go their way. Given their involvement in the Obama Campaign, and his content praise for the Occupy Wall Street Protestors, it is not hard to make the leap from paid protestors to paid campaigners.

What is sad about the meddling from political groups to form a “grassroots” organization that one would hope, most of the attendees are there because they believe that the economy is in trouble, and want to help in a manner that is one of America’s best feature - the right to assemble. The problem is they may not be aware that they are being used for political purposes. Understanding that there are one or two factors where the Tea Party and the Occupy Party can meet, perhaps they might feel more at home, those who are not strictly committed Communists and Socialists, by joining with a Tea Party: the goals of making the government accountable for spending scads of cash is shared by both organization. Otherwise, they are nothing but paid rabble rouser's – one might add, a job is a job – but they are being presented as “mainstream” when clearly they are not. Time to find the information on this PAC and follow the money and job postings: 25 minutes – one would think those News outlets with huge resources would be able to do something similar and report truthfully on the founding of this organization, and the fact that it did not just spring out of nowhere.

It is one thing if individuals who have joined the melee in the New York Parks are true Progressive Democrats and this is what they believe, but it is entirely another if some of those are independents under the impression that it is a “grassroots” “save the world” organization – those individuals are being done a disservice by news organization who should be standing by with camera’s and several hundred gallons of Kool-Aid.

One issue of concern that the group has that may be valid: the call for the inclusions of Student Loans in bankruptcy filings. When one has a student loan one cannot discharge that loan through personal bankruptcy – that stays on the books, and the Federal Government can absolutely collect, through wage garnishment, and the courts. There are options for forbearances, however, those tend to increase the length and interest on loans – so those who have purchased the goods and services of a college or university, and yet find themselves without a job, in this opinion, should be able to include student loans in the mix, if they are in danger of losing a home, or there are other circumstances that make it impossible for the individual to pay the debt to the satisfaction of the debtor (the IRS).

In Closing, as the whole focus in on the evil corporation and its role in politics, a few more links to interesting tidbits may be helpful: Barack Obama’s corporate donors listed here at opensecrets.org

On the flip side of the aisle, one can check who gave to which Republicans so far in 2012 at opensecrets.org/pres12/index. Here on will find the eight GOP candidates with the Obama Campaign. Click on Herman Cain, then the tab indicates industries: and one finds similar categories, yet, in amounts that are quite less than (so far) other Republicans and Democrats.

There is a reason for the Tea Party, corporate cronyism's (see Sarah Palin), overspending by the government, and high taxes to pay for high government waste (in the Billions, and not Defense, or Social Programs, but duplicate programs and clerical errors!)
Occupy Wall Street appears to be a campaign front, whether those involved are aware or simply frustrated over the state of having to face an economy that is less than stellar.