Showing posts with label Republican Presidential Debates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Republican Presidential Debates. Show all posts

Monday, April 16, 2012

Aren't We All 'Incompatible With Life?'

My title today includes an intriguing question! Before we get into a discussion about that particular question, I would like to share some thoughts about Rick Santorum.

Even though I'm a bit late in doing a blog post on Rick Santorum's exit from the Republican Presidential Candidate race, I wanted to share an essay that I received from Capitol Resource Institute that was written by Tim LeFever. The article goes beyond a discussion about Rick, and shares an idea regarding just whose disabled baby might be considered "incompatible with life" and therefore, recommended for termination via the ugly murderous practice of abortion.

But before we get into that part of the article, I would like to say that I was disappointed that Rick dropped out of the race. He must have had good reasons to do so, but I'm sure that all of his supporters were deeply disappointed. The way I see it, he was the last genuine conservative candidate in the race who does not waver from his core convictions. He obviously and unapologetically lives the Christian kind of life that believers could highly relate to.

 Of course, like all human beings, he isn't perfect. None of us are. Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on this earth and as a result, was, is, and continues to be THE ONLY ONE worthy for all eternity to be the Savior of the world!

In politics, it appears that genuine Christians often are rejected as candidates for office because those who hold to "political correctness" often follow worldly values that unsaved humans think outweighs the truth, wisdom, knowledge and application of the Bible in life. It is a shame to need to admit this, but it is unfortunately true.

Well, here is Tim LeFever's excellent essay about Rick, who happens to be a parent of an "imperfect" child where both parents decided to birth her and not take the easy way out utilizing abortion. There is an awesome link included of a post written by Tim's daughter about a cousin who has Trisomy 18.

First, here is Tim LeFever's article:
When Rick Santorum came to the microphone to announce the suspension of his campaign for the presidency, he preempted his detractors that might now mock his phrase of "game on". He suggested that some would be tempted to declare "game over". Santorum was right in noting how wrong they would be.

Santorum's campaign came to a premature end weeks before many voters would be asked to vote, and to the surprise of many, months before delegates would be selected in places already showing in the delegate count. But the rush to move Santorum off stage so the country might concentrate on the featured fight will not be so successful in pushing aside the issues raised by the former senator of Pennsylvania.

It is an understatement to say that Santorum ran a different type of campaign. He confessed that he did not have a pollster and that most of his speeches were off the cuff. He spoke about issues in a way that made many uncomfortable and did not limit himself to talk of how he would govern. He often discussed how he lived, and how he hoped others might live.

Some never got past that all-too-personal approach. They dismissed it as "judgmental" or brushed it aside as a preoccupation with social issues. Santorum saw it differently. In a small lunch gathering with conservatives in February, the Senator noted that he had been a little preachy in his earlier career. That was the result of early success.

He had a string of wins starting at a young age, first to the House of Representatives and then to the US Senate. But then came a devastating loss in 2006. And after that the birth of Bella. He had been humbled. But he also became more determined in elevating those most vulnerable in society. It is ironic that a secondary player in this and the last presidential battle will be remembered so much for their personal example in valuing life, and lifting up those that society would discard. In 2008, Sarah Palin and son Trig played this role now filled by Santorum and daughter Bella. Trig was born with Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome, where Bella has Trisomy 18, Edwards Syndrome. Both syndromes have been labeled as "lethal" or "incompatible with life", and both often result in a medical recommendation to terminate the pregnancy.

Here I will steal the words of my daughter who wrote about the pre-birth Trisomy 18 diagnosis of her cousin. She asks, "Aren't we all 'incompatible with life'?...We don't get to be life connoisseurs, claiming to know what life is worth trying - and what life is not. Children with disabilities will know life differently than you and I, but their lives are not worth less than our own." Santorum's campaign reminded us of this truth.

In a campaign that will necessarily be remembered for an unprecedented battle over the role of government and conflicting diagnoses of how to cure an ailing economy, Santorum also reminded us of our humanity. And in a partisan battle this often proved the lie of the left regarding heartless conservatives.

That message and the sincerity of its messenger attracted an unprecedented amount of support, registered in votes throughout the country. The campaign is suspended but the message will continue to resonate.

Tim LeFever is Chairman of the Board of Capitol Resource Institute

Readers, be SURE to click on this link to read Lucy LeFever's post at Live Action.org entitled, "Words That Kill."

One more story to tell. At The Rock Church's Easter service, a man by the name of Nick Vujicic shared about his struggles in this life and how the Lord Jesus Christ saved him and made him a whole person, despite the fact that he has no limbs! Read about him and his incredible story of his journey to Christ and how he inspires so many people through his ministry work at Christian Examiner: Limbless to Limitless [PDF].

Despite all the turmoil surrounding us in this world, be of good cheer! Because Jesus Christ has overcome the world!!

In Christ,

~ Christine


Jhn 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will [fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Footnote:
(16:33) NU-Text and M-Text omit will.

Hat tips to all links.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Rick Santorum: Faith, Family and Freedom

As a Christian Conservative (note what comes first in that label), it is true that I cannot expect to have the luxury of voting for the perfect candidate in 2012. As I had stated previously, I wanted to cast my vote for Michele Bachmann in the Republican primary here in the state of California, but she has since dropped out of the race. I also liked a lot of what Herman Cain was saying in the earlier debates, but the scandal (true or untrue) shoved him out of the race. I am now left with a choice between four men - two of which are now considered "front runners," and two others who have night and day differences (Santorum; Paul) in many policy issues.

I have hated seeing the bickering at the last two debates between Romney and Gingrich. They should be aiming their fire against Obama - not each other!!

I am now leaning towards voting for Rick Santorum. I love the slogan he chose for his campaign: Faith, Family and Freedom.. I think that he holds many of the views that I and the TEA Party Patriots (at least those that I protested with against Obama in 2009) hold dear in our hearts, minds, and souls.

The thunder of success for Santorum wasn't realized immediately after the Iowa Caucuses because Romney was incorrectly announced as the winner. Romney appeared to squeak by in first place with just 8 or 9 votes over Santorum's tally. But after a recount, Santorum was declared the winner with a much larger vote margin.

I watched Rick during an interview with Sean Hannity last night. I liked everything he said during the recent CNN debate and I personally think that he won the debate - hands down. Even though the bickering front runners always seem to get all the publicity, Rick trudges along and has no intention of dropping out of the race. He was so excited to announce that his campaign had recently raised $250,000.00. He has had the least amount of money, but has done, and continues to do, all the hard work (like in Iowa) to get people at each primary stop to listen to his message. I have been listening all along, too, and I like what I am hearing from him. He is straightforward, truthful, and unafraid to express his conservatism on social issues (e.g. pro-life, pro-traditional one man and one woman marriage) no matter how much the leftie lunatics tear their hair out and scream their bigotry at him.

Some of the television pundits are saying that Mr. Santorum doesn't have a chance to win the nomination. Really? What's more, they claim that if he did win the nomination he would lose to Obama. Is that so? How do they know?

Living in the state of California is a surreal experience. There are many Christian Conservatives in my area, but other parts of the state are so virulently progressive leftist, our state always turns out handing our electoral votes to the Democrat. Some of these "I will vote for Obama no matter how much he has trashed our country these past 3 years" can be spotted because they still have Obummer stickers from the 2008 election on their cars.

Back when Gray Davis (Democrat) was ousted as governor, so many Republicans voted in Arnold Schwarzenegger. I just could not pull the lever in the booth for him. I knew he was a RINO - or even worse a Democrat in RINO clothing. I voted for Tom McClintock, even though people said, "he doesn't have a chance." They were correct. People were going for the 'celebrity' on the ballot and look at what a absolutely awful financial catastrophe that clueless 'celebrity' ended up causing in our state! His personal life as a dirt bag cheating husband was awful, too.

I look back at that time and can STILL say that I am still proud of my vote for McClintock.

Ironically, I was reading some comments in a thread about Newt Gingrich over at Legal Insurrection, and found some people discussing Arnold and McClintock:

Rose | January 27, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I would add that we elected Schwarzenegger in California because he was ‘electable’ and look what happened… Dem light. No strength. None of the principles he articulated so beautifully in his speeches. We thought he was one who ‘got it.’ But – in the end, nothing.

We missed our chance to have elected McClintock – who was the real deal, who had the actual knowledge and commitment to do the right thing. Who had walked the walk and done the work in the trenches.

I have no doubt that Mitt Romney is a good and honorable man, and a good businessman – but Newt knows how Washington works, and how to get things done, and he has enough personal arrogance to stand up to any who try to derail his efforts to reform the government to actually get the job done.

I’m not in favor of voting in another Schwarzenegger.

Like or Dislike: 16 1

Log in to Reply JimMtnViewCaUSA | January 27, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Oh man, that brings back painful memories.
I still wince when I think that I voted for Ah-nold instead of Tom McClintock when I had the chance. Ouch, ouch ouch!

When I recall voting for Ah-nold vs voting for the Dem hack-of-the-month, I don’t feel regret though.

Like or Dislike: 2 0

Log in to Reply Sherlock | January 27, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I voted for Arnold too, not because I didn’t like McClintock better but he really had no chance. In retrospect, Grey Davis wouldn’t have been worse..

Like or Dislike: 1 0

Log in to Reply Rose | January 27, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Gray Davis was way worse, another nasty campaigner. Schwarzenegger had potential, but he turned – into a Democrat.

But we can’t blame the governor – any governor – it is the fault of the legislators who have driven the state into bankruptcy. They set the budget, they decide on the spending, they decide to steal the money from counties and then dole it back in the form of grants, raking off the top, and decimating county budgets, pass spending mandates that cannot possibly be met… and yet they get reelected over and over again.

The Democrats should be run out of office on a rail, not to return for 50 years, as punishment for what they have done here.

Like or Dislike: 2 1

danihgh | January 28, 2012 at 3:22 pm
That is what happens when you accept liberals who are pretending to be conservatives in order to get into power. Schwarzenegger was never a conservative and didn’t turn in to a democrat he was always a democrat, just pretending to be something else.

When I look as Mitt Romney, I see Arnold Schwarzenegger. I big government progressive who is playing conservative until he gets in office and then his true colors will come out.

I will not vote for Mitt Romney, the GOP establishment needs to be taken out, even if that means 4 more years of Obama.

If Mitt Romney wins the nomination everything we fought for in 2010, all the rallies, all the establishment Republicans we defeated in the primaries, etc.. will be for nothing.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

Log in to Reply MadCon | January 27, 2012 at 4:03 pm
And then California tried to run the “electable” Meg Whitman against “Moonbeam” Jerry Brown and Whitman got beaten by 13 points.

Romney=Whitman and Moonbeam=Obama.

Ahh yes! The Whitman vs. Brown election will now inflict even MORE taxes on our heavily burdened (and one of the highest levels) state. *Sigh*...no wonder the state is so "blue" - matches the sadness of our residents when the fruits and nuts of this state continually lead us in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah, death to unborn babies, and financial crisis year after year after year!!

Back to a happier topic - my discussion about Rick Santorum.

I also think that Rick Santorum's wife would be a wonderful First Lady!

No matter what happens, I pray for a special blessing upon Rick Santorum, his lovely wife, their children, and their campaign efforts in this volatile election year of 2012. May God continue to bless them, may God bless and save our beloved nation, may God bless our military, and may God bless our nation's people - even though we don't always deserve His great mercy and grace!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sarah Palin: I'd Vote For Newt Gingrich

While cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, I was watching, the Sean Hannity show. Sat down to blog about Sarah Palin's newsworthy statement, "If I was in South Carolina, in order to keep this thing going, I'd vote for Newt," but Legal Insurrection already posted about it:

Sarah Palin on Hannity just stated that if she were in South Carolina she would vote for Newt to keep the election from being declared over if Romney wins.

She emphasized that we need answers to questions, and can’t risk October surprises.

I’ll get you the full quote and video when available.


I think that Sarah is right! What's the rush? We don't need to have a Republican nominee until April!!

Newt would absolutely demolish Obama in debates. I think that he would be a better pick than Romney.

Just noticed that Politicons has a post up too:

Will include additional links as they become available.
Hat tips to all links.

Republican Debate Blog Essays

Newt Gingrich's debate answers were some of the best in his career! The Fox News Channel debate was by far, the best of all of the previous debates.


The Legal Insurrection blog asks Who do you want taking on Obama, the Honey Badger or the kitten?
A good video to see on the Honey Badger!

More of Ron Paul's lunacy when it comes to foreign policy was exposed:


Ron Paul gets booed in debate:Southerners don’t want hands off approach with Islamic terrorists. - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2cb27SDmk0 Darn, I missed a really good moment in last nights debate. It’s about time that an audience let Ron Paul know how they...

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Rick Santorum unleashes a devastating ad against Romney:

Although I'm leaning against voting for Perry, his answer to this topic in the debate was great:

Rick Perry: TinkleGate – Beheading Daniel Pearl - In last night’s debate, Fox News moderator Bret Baier asked Rick Perry about Marines urinating on dead Taliban. Perry had a strong, strong answer that drew...

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And here is some information about Mark Levin's new book release today.  It will be a great textbook to alert the public exactly why Obama MUST BE DEFEATED in 2012!
Juan Williams GOT COMPLETELY OWNED by Gingrich!

Rick Santorum: Staying out of Poverty – How its Done: Obama Regulates At-Risk-Girls: GOP SC DebateVideo - Fox News moderator (Democrat operative) Juan Williams just can’t stop his continual blaming of the poor on Republicans. In South Carolina’s GOP debate last...

Newt Gingrich to Juan Williams: Capitalism Is Not Racist - A funny thing happened in the GOP debate in South Carolina last night. FOX NEWS’ Juan Williams implied racism in Speaker Newt Gingrich’s defense of capita...

 
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Michele Malkin thought that Romney "deflects" and "stumbles" in the debate:
South Carolina: The final five; Update: Non-Romneys attack, Romney deflects, stumbles - Another Republican debate showdown. Fox News Channel hosts the final five GOP in Myrtle Beach, S.C. starting at 9pm Eastern. The hosts: Bret Baier of Fox N...
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American Thinker asks the appropriate questions:

Mitt Romney: The Last Republican President? - If ever a candidate mirrored the mindset and approach of George H.W. Bush, it is Mitt Romney. This is the last hurrah of the Republican establishment.
Excerpt:

Because of the failures of the Obama regime, the world has become a much more dangerous place with the Middle East is now fully dominated by the radical element of Islam. As in the Balkans in the early part of the twentieth century, a minor misstep or misunderstanding in this region could ignite another global conflict. China, despite its own internal fault lines, is determined to exert its power and influence not only in the Far East but throughout the globe. A worldwide financial meltdown in the next 12 to 18 months is not out of the realm of possibility.

At no time in the past 150 years has the nation needed a bold and decisive leader that could not only initiate change but be honest with the American people.

Yet the current governing class and in particular the Republican establishment is treating this election cycle as if it were no different from any other during the past sixty years. Their reaction to the Tea Party movement is indicative of this mindset, as they choose to denigrate and dismiss this grassroots uprising as just another passing crusade by conservative ideologues. They fail to understand that the appeal of Ron Paul is that he is willing to stick it to the ruling class. The primary concern of the establishment, either Republican or Democrat, is to retain power through the control of the purse strings, and to put off any difficult decisions while "compromising" with the opposition.

The campaign strategy of Mitt Romney mirrors that of all the past moderate nominees chosen by the Party. The formula: speak the language of the conservative majority in the Party, claim only a moderate can get elected, divide the vote among the conservatives running for the nomination, mobilize the media to destroy any real conservative challenger, and overwhelm these same challengers with money from the deep-pocket establishment contributors.

The only criterion for people running for president should be: what have they actually done and accomplished in their previous jobs or positions? If there is one lesson to take from the Obama 2008 campaign, it is that relying on words and image can result in choosing a man that is a disaster for the country.

Mitt Romney, by his actions in Massachusetts both campaigning for the U.S. Senate and as Governor, has shown himself to be more than willing to compromise with the Left and the Democrats. He has proposed and passed the socialist RomneyCare policy, pro-abortion regulations, and gun control, and raised numerous taxes and fees while increasing spending dramatically. During the current campaign he refuses to call Barack Obama what he is; instead Romney refers to him as just "being over his head."

If ever a candidate mirrored the mindset and approach of George H.W. Bush, it is Mitt Romney.

This is the last hurrah of the Republican establishment. The conservatives and libertarians will vote for Romney in November, but only because he is not Barack Obama. There will be no enthusiasm, which will hurt the down ballot contests for the U.S. Senate, the House and state governorships. Despite the factors weighing against Obama in this upcoming election, it will be a much closer contest that it should be; perhaps a razor thin victory for Romney.

If Romney were to lose the election, there will be a grass-roots revolt against the Republican Party which will spell its demise. If he wins and the nation, through the mis-directed policies of Romney and the Republicans in the Congress, continues on its current path of compromising and nibbling around the edges of the nation's problems, then Romney will be the last Republican president and the specter of the Democrats re-assuming power will be a reality.

This is not only the most important election for the nation in over a century but also one that will determine the fate of a political party founded in 1854 in opposition to slavery and the corruption in the Democratic Party.


Hat tips to all links.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate

Several blogs have already posted on the CNN broadcast of The New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate and I have included links below. I watched the entire debate and thought that Michele Bachmann did the best job in answering all of the questions given to her, as well as expanding upon them by showing specifics of the horribly failed "leadership" of the Obama Administration.  It was exciting to learn that she has officially entered the race!


Some of the questions were unnecessary, IMO.  It seemed to me that the questions were geared towards what could have been "gotcha" questions, designed to get the candidates to choose between something Obama stood for vs. a preconceived notion of a former failed policy. I thought that was a waste of time and took away from giving the candidates an opportunity to expand on the broader issues.  The "this or that" questions were downright silly!  They didn't give us much insight into the candidates personal lives.  However, some strategically got in important information for the record (e.g. Michele Bachmann's background and her children and foster children  that she and her husband raised). 

I must say that the moderator, John King, was SO ANNOYING at the beginning when he kept interrupting the candidates because he wanted them to answer every question in 30 second sound bites.  How ridiculous is that???  Who in their right mind thinks that these critical issues can be answered in half of a minute?  Thankfully, he learned his lesson (or maybe got a note from management?) and gradually stopped the constant interruptions.

I thought that everyone held their own in this debate, but obviously some came across better than others.  Personally, I thought that Rick Santorum did well but didn't get any credit for his performance at the end of the debate.  I thought Gingrich had some good answers but appeared crabby in demeanor.  Ron Paul was the loon that he always has been.  He had a few good answers but he was the one person on the stage that I thought didn't do as well. I found it ironic that John King chose to interview him after the debate.  Herman Cain was OK.  I've seen him do better (like on the Glenn Beck show). Some of his answers were real good, but others were a bit of a disappointment in comparison to the answers of others. 

Although Mitt Romney is considered the front runner in the race (so far), I thought that Tim Pawlenty matched him on some issues.  But Pawlenty doesn't have the name recognition that Romney has.  I thought it was very strategic of him to show the ineptitude of Joe Biden; while giving Sarah Palin a gracious thumbs up when comparing the two as former rivals in the 2008 Vice Presidential race.

~Christine

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posted by nicedeb at Nice Deb - 3 hours ago
The candidates participating in the debate: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, Ron Paul. CNN Livestream, here. I liked Ron Paul’s answer to the questi...
posted by Jim Hoft at The Gateway Pundit - 3 hours ago
The CNN Republican Presidential Debate in New Hampshire– Seven Republicans will be on the stage Monday night at the CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader presidential debate. Best intro– Newt

One of the best comments at Gateway Pundit:

"#57 June 13, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Mad Hatter commented:
John King should be asking (this or that) Capitalism, or Socialism? That’s what we’re facing."


Ha!!!   REALLY!!!!


posted by William A. Jacobson at Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion - 5 hours ago
Despite the hype, I suspect many people will be thinking about some current and former Governors who will not be there, and who have not yet declared, or who may never declare. I'll be traveling tonight s...
***more to come***
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Also, Nice Deb has the video up about the discussion between Congressman Darrell Issa and Fox news anchor PattiAnn Brown regarding AG Eric Holder facing contempt charges for obstructing justice in Operation Fast and Furious (part of the Gunrunner scandal - see my last post):
posted by nicedeb at Nice Deb - 7 hours ago
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, discusses the constitutional authority of Congress when issuing a lawfully issued subpoena to the Executive Bra...