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Republican presidential candidates former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) pose for photographers before their debate at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire September 5, 2007.

Winners:

John McCain reasserted himself in tonight’s debate as an experienced politician. Remember McCain beat George W Bush in New Hampshire in 2000.

Rudy held his own (despite Fox’s Frank Lunz’s New Hampshire focus groups) made NO errors and looked Presidential. He remains the national frontrunner. There is NO DOUBT that Rudy has the executive leadership that will keep America SAFE.

Mike Huckabee schooled Ron Paul on the Iraq War and American resolve.

Losers:

Mitt Romney looked befuddled and indecisive. The question about his sons not serving in the military was devastating. Flap will be surprised if the race doesn’t tighten and Romney loses his lead.

Fred Thompson for not being present.

This should be the last debate for the remaining candidates unless they poll more than 5% in any national poll.

What are others saying?

Marc Ambiner – The Atlantic: “My gut instinct: Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani won. John McCain did very well, too.”

National Review’s Kate O’Beirne: “[G]iuliani scored a hit … by raising importance of executive experience.

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “[Giuliani] is so good in these debates.”

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This video image provided by Senate Television shows Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. left, greeted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnelll of Ky., on the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. Johnson returned to the Senate on Wednesday physically weaker but saying he anticipates running for re-election next year.

Sen. Johnson welcomed back to work

Dozens of staffers, photographers and reporters greeted Sen. Tim Johnson outside his Capitol Hill office Wednesday morning, his first day back at the office since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December.

Amid applause and cheers, Johnson mouthed the words “thank you,” as he moved along in a motorized wheelchair.

The South Dakota Democrat paused for photos with his wife, Barbara, and told the crowd, “I’m anxious to get back to work.”

Johnson, 60, was rushed to the hospital Dec. 13 after becoming disoriented during a late-morning conference call with reporters. He had emergency brain surgery hours later after being diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large and sometimes break.

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D,, right, accompanied by his wife, Barbara, left, arrives at his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007.

Apparently, the Senator WILL run for re-election this next year which poses a dilemma for Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada), Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Will the GOP be able to recruit and aggressively contend a Senate seat with such a sympathetic politician? Also, Johnson has amassed a re-election campaign fund of over $1.2 million.

Flap thinks it is overly optimistic that Senator Johnson will be able to serve, run for re-election and serve an additional six years in the Senate without some physical duress on the Senator.

Flap questions that when the filing period opens whether the Senator indeed runs.

Others feel otherwise and say he is a GO for another term.

We will see……..

Previous:

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: I’m Back

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson To Head Home to South Dakota

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Tim Johnson’s or Tom Daschle’s Return?

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Condition Improves

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senator’s Condition Upgraded From Critical to Fair After Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson is Improving But Still Requires Ventilator at Night

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson Remains in Critical Condition

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senate Back to 50-50 Split?

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Critical Condition After Late Night Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senator Undergoes Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Democrat Spokesman Says Johnson Did Not Suffer Stroke

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson Hospitalized with Apparent Stroke

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Norman Hsu, a convicted felon fugitive and Democrat Fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton

Fox News et. al. are reporting that Norman Hsu was a NO SHOW for court and that he was not required when he surrendered last week to turn in his passport.

Hsu forfeits $2 million in bail he posted last week. An arrest warrant has been issued.

Hsu’s lawyer says he doesn’t know where he is.

Hsu has been a fugitive in California for 15 years during which time he became a top donor to Democratic candidates, including presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Hsu pleaded no contest in 1991 to a felony count of grand theft, admitting he’d defrauded investors of $1 million in a bogus investment scam.

Prosecutors say he was facing up to three years in prison when he skipped town before being sentenced.

Federal Election Commission records show Hsu donated $260,000 to the Democratic party and candidates since 2004.

So, where is Norman Hsu?

Previous:

Michael Ramirez on Democrat Fundraiser Norman Hsu and the ClintonsMichael Ramirez on Democrat Fundraiser Norman Hsu and the Clintons

Idaho’s Senior U.S. Senator Larry Craig takes a moment before he announces his resignation from the senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho Saturday morning Sept. 1, 2007. Craig is reconsidering his decision to resign after his arrest in a Minnesota airport sex sting and may still fight for his Senate seat, his spokesman said Tuesday evening Sept. 4, 2007. ‘It’s not such a foregone conclusion anymore, that the only thing he could do was resign,’ Sidney Smith, Craig’s spokesman in Idaho’s capital, told The Associated Press.

Senator Larry Craig’s accidental voicemail

Listen to the accidental voicemail here:

“Yes, Billy, this is Larry Craig calling, you can reach me on my cell. Arlen Specter is now willing to come out in my defense arguing that all he know that I’ve been railroaded and all that. Having all that we’ve reshaped my statement to say it is my intent to resign on September 30. I think it is very important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon. I hope you could make it in front of the cameras. I think it would ride the story that I am willing to fight that I have quality people out there fighting in my defense and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape, it has that potential. Anyway give me a buzz, or give Mike a buzz on that, we are headed to my press conference now. Thank you, bye.

Flap does not mean to sound cynical but was Senator Larry Craig’s resignation on Saturday a SHAM?

The Idaho embarassment that keeps on giving.

Senator, you GOTTA GO.

From Hotline: The Damage to the GOP and its Presidential candidates:

WashingtonPost.com’s Cillizza: “That is not going to be met with a lot of smiles, I don’t think, in the Republican leadership, who were, frankly, glad to see him go.” More: “Every person who is running for president and every member of the Republican leadership is going to get asked 1,000 times between now and when Larry Craig makes this clear, what should Senator Craig do. Is it right for him to rethink resigning. It’s just a problem the Republicans frankly don’t want to have right now” (“Countdown,” MSNBC, 9/4).

Pat Buchanan: “My guess is his family said, If you didn’t do this, why are you resigning? Why didn’t you fight this thing?” (“Live with Dan Abrams,” MSNBC, 9/4).

Previous:

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Reconsideration?

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Craig Resigns

Senator Larry Craig Watch: News Conference Saturday – Will Craig Resign?

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Resignation Today?

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Senator Ensign Sends a Message

Senator Larry Craig Watch: McCain and Coleman Call for Craig Resignation

Michael Ramirez on Senator Larry Craig

Senator Larry Craig Watch: I am NOT Gay

Senator Larry Craig Watch: When Does He Go?

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Idaho Senate Replacements

Senator Larry Craig Watch: Should Craig Stay or Go?

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Technorati Tags: Larry Craig

Cox & Forkum: Checkup

FOX News: John Edwards’ Universal Health Care Plan Would Make Regular Checkups
Mandatory.

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.

“It requires that everybody be covered. It requires that everybody get preventive care,” he told a crowd sitting in lawn chairs in front of the Cedar County Courthouse. “If you are going to be in the system, you can’t choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK.”

‘NHS should not treat those with unhealthy lifestyles’ say Tories

Failing to follow a healthy lifestyle could lead to free NHS treatment being denied under the Tory plans.

But heavy smokers, the obese and binge drinkers who were a drain on the NHS could be denied some routine treatments such as hip replacements until they cleaned up their act.

Those who abused the system – by calling an ambulance when a trip to the GP would be sufficient, or telephoning out of hours with needless queries – could also be penalised.

The report calls for a greater emphasis on the “citizen’s responsibility” to be healthy and says no one should expect taxpayers to fund their unhealthy lifestyles.But heavy smokers, the obese and binge drinkers who were a drain on the NHS could be denied some routine treatments such as hip replacements until they cleaned up their act.

Those who abused the system – by calling an ambulance when a trip to the GP would be sufficient, or telephoning out of hours with needless queries – could also be penalised.

The report calls for a greater emphasis on the “citizen’s responsibility” to be healthy and says no one should expect taxpayers to fund their unhealthy lifestyles.

Do these systems, one proposed and one in practice sound like BIG BROTHER?

Well, when the government pays, the government will mandate and regulate.

Another link from the Ayn Rand Institute: No Right to “Free” Health Care

There is NO free lunch in health care. Health is a PERSONAL responsibility NOT a government obligation.

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Technorati Tags: Universal Health Care, Socialized Medicine, NHS, John Edwards

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A very plausible pick.

Or not?

Check out his Rudy introduction from yesterday’s Mississippi speech on being prepared for natural disaster and terrorist attack and make up your own mind.

Previous:

Will McCain Back Rudy?

Rudy Giuliani Wins California Straw Poll

Giuliani Poll Watch: Romney and Rudy Locked in Battle for Michigan

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Running with Rudy

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudy Leading Hillary 47% to 44% in Latest National Rasmussen Poll

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Today’s Presidential Polls

Rudy Giuliani Watch: National Review – Rudy Gets an “A” on Health Care

Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Florida Firewall

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudy Leads Thompson By 15 Points in Latest Fox News Poll

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Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani

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Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Thompson is airing a 30-second ad on Fox News Channel Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007,during the broadcast of a Republican presidential debate from New Hampshire encouraging viewers to visit his Web site Thursday when he will announce his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Jim Mills is OUT and Karen Hanretty is IN.

A fair trade but will Thompson’s campaign FINALLY decide on their staff?

Flap says their campaign is unfocused and in disarray as it starts.

When McCain endorses Rudy put a fork in Thompson – he’s done.

Previous:

Fred Thompson Scores “Direct Hit on Romney”

Fred Thompson Watch: Thompson to Announce September 6 – Ducks GOP Debate

Fred Thompson to Announce for the Presidency Today

Fred Thompson to Announce an Announcement Date Today?

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