• President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Rudy Giuliani Poll Watch: Rudy 25% Huckabee 16% McCain 15% Thompson 15% Romney 12% Paul 4% in Latest USA Today/Gallup GOP Poll

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tWUQDGxAeE[/youtube]

    KTTV News in Los Angeles reports on Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s warm reception as he stumped in Greeland, New Hampshire this weekend. Rudy talked about his proven record of cutting taxes 23 times and his commitment to lowering taxes and excess regulation to create new jobs.

    USA Today/Gallup Poll:

    • Rudy 25% (28%, 11-11 thru 11-14 – 2 weeks ago)
    • Mike Huckabee 16% (10%)
    • John McCain 15% (13%)
    • Fred Thompson 15% (19%)
    • Mitt Romney 12% (12%)
    • Ron Paul 4% (5%)

    Mike Huckabee has risen to second place but Rudy maintains an almost double digit lead. Mitt Romney continues in fourth place.

    Survey of 425 Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents was conducted November 30-December 2. The margin of error is +/- 5 percentage points.

    Stay tuned……..

    Previous:

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudy Assails Huckabee on “FAIR TAX”

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Meaning of Fiscal Conservatism

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: New Hampshire Troopers Endorse Rudy

    California Young Republicans Endorse Rudy Giuliani For President

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Team Rudy

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: What Are You Going to Do About Putin?


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  • Iran,  Iran Nuclear Watch

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Stopped Nuclear Weapons Program in 2003

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks at a ceremony in Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran, Monday April, 9, 2007. Iran halted its nuclear weapons development program in the fall of 2003 under international pressure but is continuing to enrich uranium, which means it may still be able to develop a weapon between 2010 and 2015, senior intelligence officials said Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.

    Iran halted its nuclear weapons development program in the fall of 2003 under international pressure, but is continuing to enrich uranium and could be capable of developing a weapon as early as late 2009, the U.S. intelligence community has concluded.

    The nuclear clock is set back from the precipice of WAR. But, Iran continues to enrich uranium with 3,000 centrifuges spinning as we wait for the IAEA and United Nations to take action.

    But, what has changed since the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE).

    “Tehran’s decision to halt its nuclear weapons program suggests it is less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005,” states the unclassified summary of the secret report. “Our assessment that the program probably was halted primarily in response to international pressure suggests Iran may be more vulnerable to influence on the issue than we judged previously.”

    Officials said the findings show diplomacy is effective in containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

    “This is good news in that the U.S. policy coupled with the policies and actions of those who have been our partners appear to have had some success. Iran seems to have been pressured,” one official said. “Given that good news we don’t want to relax. We want to keep those pressures up.”

    The key judgments conclude with “high confidence” that:

    • Until fall 2003, Iranian military entities were working under government direction to develop nuclear weapons
    • In fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program
    • The halt lasted at least several years
    • Iran has the scientific, technical and industrial capacity eventually to produce nuclear weapons if it decides to do reverse course
    • The halt, and Tehran’s announcement that it has suspended its declared uranium enrichment program and signed additional safeguards relating to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are “primarily in response to increasing international scrutiny and pressure resulting from exposure of Iran’s previously undeclared nuclear work”
    • Iran will not be technically capable of producing and reprocessing enough plutonium for a weapon before about 2015.

    The United States must continue the pressure on Iran – economic and political. This is “good news” but America must be positive that Iran has not resumed a nuclear weapon program.

    Stay tuned…..

    U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) announces economic sanctions on Iran to pressure it to halt its nuclear program as U.S. Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson stands next to her at the State Department in Washington October 25, 2007.

    Update:

    Britain says pressure on Iran justified.

    “The report’s conclusions justify the action already taken by the international community to get to the bottom of Iran’s nuclear program and to increase pressure on the regime to stop its enrichment and reprocessing activities,” a British Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told AFP.

    Previous:

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Will Israel Strike Iran?

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Boasts of 3,000 Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges


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  • Mike Huckabee,  President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudy Assails Huckabee on “FAIR TAX”

    Republican presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is seen on a video screen while he speaks at a ‘North Carolina Women for Rudy’ event at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.

    Rudy Giuliani today speaking before a “North Carolina Women for Rudy” event criticized Mike Huckabee over his “fair tax” proposal.

    Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani criticized the “fair tax” proposal of rival candidate Mike Huckabee on Monday, saying it could hurt home buyers.

    The former New York City mayor cited the struggling U.S. housing market as a reason to avoid the plan, which would eliminate all taxes on income and investments in favor of a hefty federal sales tax.

    “I think there are several tax deductions that are vital to our economy,” Giuliani said. “This would not be a good time—I don’t know if there would ever be a good time to do this—to advocate ending the home mortgage deduction. The home mortgage deduction is considered by many critical to the ability of people to buy a home and keep their home.”

    He also said deductions for charitable contributions and state and local taxes were important tax breaks that Huckabee’s plan would eliminate. The plan calls for getting rid of the Internal Revenue Service and giving taxpayers a monthly rebate on taxes on purchases up to the poverty line.

    “Why waste our time trying to do this if we can’t actually accomplish it?” Giuliani said. “I try to put my time into things that we can actually accomplish.”

    Let’s face it. Mike Huckabee’s plan to eliminate the Internal Revenue Service is “NUTTER”. And, so is the elimination of the progressive income tax in favor of regressive sales taxation.

    Won’t be done – EVER.

    The Democrats would grasp onto this proposal and ride it all of the way to the White House.

    Mike Huckabee is a good man and alot better than some. But, the “FAIR TAX” is not realistic and shows how Huckabee REALLY is not ready for prime time.

    Stay tuned…..

    Republican presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani greets supporters after speaking at a ‘North Carolina Women for Rudy’ event at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.

    Previous:

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Meaning of Fiscal Conservatism

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: New Hampshire Troopers Endorse Rudy

    California Young Republicans Endorse Rudy Giuliani For President

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Team Rudy

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: What Are You Going to Do About Putin?


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  • Mike Huckabee,  President 2008

    Mike Huckabee Watch: HUCKABOOM

    huckabeedecember3aweb

    Mike Huckabee is a booming. Look at the latest Rasmussen Daily Presidential tracking poll:

    • Rudy Giuliani 20%
    • Mike Huckabee 17%
    • Fred Thompson 14%
    • John McCain 13%
    • Mitt Romney 11%
    • Ron Paul 7%

    Daily tracking results are from survey interviews conducted over four days ending last night. Each update includes approximately 750 Likely Democratic Primary Voters and 600 Likely Republican Primary Voters. Margin of sampling error for each is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

    And, look at this:

    Not only that, new polling data released today shows that Huckabee has pulled to within a single percentage point of Hillary Clinton in a general election match-up. Huckabee is also a frontrunner in Iowa and essentially tied for second in New Hampshire.

    But, and there is a BIG BUT:

    Rudy Giuliani is still seen as the most electable Republican. McCain, Romney, and Huckabee are essentially tied for second in this category.

    Who are the BIGGEST LOSERS:

    Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney whose poll strength has declined.  It is too early to say this is a two person race but it is moving that way: Giuliani and Huckabee.
    Watch for the attacks to bring Huckabee’s poll numbers down – and FAST.

    Stay tuned……..

    Previous:

    Mike Huckabee Watch: Huckabee to Address Iowa Pastors

    Mike Huckabee Iowa Poll Watch: Huckabee Leads Romney By 5 Points

    Mike Huckabee Poll Watch: Moving on UP in Iowa, NH, SC

    Mike Huckabee Watch: The New Iowa GOP Frontrunner

    Mike Huckabee Watch: Dead Heat with Romney in Iowa

    Mike Huckabee Targets Iowa Christians – Plays Mormon Card?

    Mitt Romney Slip Sliding Away to Mike Huckabee in Iowa

    Mike Huckabee a Threat to Mitt Romney in Iowa?


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  • President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Meaning of Fiscal Conservatism

    Republican presidential hopeful, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, shares a laugh with customers after refusing to sign a Boston Red Sox hat Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at the Country View Restaurant in Greenland, N.H.

    Rudy Giuliani pens this op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal today:

    With economic uncertainty weighing on the minds of many Americans, Congress is preparing to recess after another year of profligate spending, protectionist talk and promises of higher taxes. No wonder some people feel like we’re moving in the wrong direction. But I’m optimistic as I look to the future. It’s not our country that’s moving in the wrong direction — it’s Congress, and Washington’s culture of wasteful spending.

    Over the last decade, nondefense spending has increased by 65% — the federal government currently spends $24,000 per household — while the number of earmarked pork projects rocketed from close to 1,000 to a height of nearly 14,000. This year, with only one appropriations bill enacted, earmarks already number 2,161.

    A return to fiscal conservative principles can put America back on the right track, while giving Washington a much-needed dose of discipline.

    Fiscal conservatism is based on two fundamental principles — cutting taxes and controlling spending. In recent years, the Republican Party has successfully cut taxes, but we have fallen short when it comes to controlling spending. The next president will need to strengthen both sides of the fiscal conservative equation, while reforming the culture of wasteful government spending with transparency and accountability. I believe I can do it because I’ve done it, and in a place that might even be more difficult than Washington.

    We need to keep taxes low for our economy to grow. It’s not just a theory for me. I cut taxes 23 times as mayor of New York City with a Democratic City Council and State Assembly, and saw that lower taxes can result in higher revenue. Amid fears of an economic slowdown, now is the time to cut taxes, not raise them. But the Democratic presidential candidates all seem determined to impose an unprecedented $3 trillion tax hike on the American people.

    Republicans have a clearer understanding of how our economy works. This summer, I unveiled my tax plan, which committed to making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, while aiming for still-lower marginal rates. We’ll give the death tax the death penalty, index the Alternative Minimum Tax for inflation as a step toward eliminating it entirely, expand tax-free savings accounts, and expand health-care choice through tax reform. We also need to reduce the corporate tax rate — which is currently the second highest in the industrialized world, behind Japan — to at least the average of the other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations, or 28%. These actions will protect American jobs, empowering us to compete and win in the global economy.

    Controlling spending must be a chief executive’s priority or it doesn’t get done. That’s a lesson I learned from Ronald Reagan, and put into action when I was mayor. Real per capita spending actually fell during my administration. We cut the city bureaucracy by 20%, excluding cops on the street and teachers in the classroom.

    We can do the same thing in Washington. Over the course of the next two terms, 42% of the federal civilian workforce is due to retire. We’ll only hire back half, taking the opportunity to right-size government by taking advantage of technology like the private sector did in recent years, and ultimately save taxpayers $21 billion annually.

    We also need to return to spending controls and caps, a proven way to make Washington set priorities. As president, I will direct all federal agency heads to find 5% to 10% efficiency savings. If they come back to me and say it’s impossible to find 5% savings in a $2 billion agency, I’ll call on the Office of Management and Budget to identify the cuts. It’s time to put the “M” back in OMB.

    Reforming a culture of wasteful spending requires standing up to special interests and insisting on transparency and accountability. Congress spent $29 billion on earmarks last year alone. Earmarks are the broken windows of the federal budget, signs of dysfunction and distress. Recent examples range from the absurd ($1.1 million in 2005 for researching baby food made from salmon) to the self-congratulatory ($2 million for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service). The American people want us to end earmarks once and for all.

    But more needs to be done. We need to root out wasteful spending and fraud in benefit payments and contracts by convening a Government Waste Commission, such as the one that closed military bases. It can require Congress to vote up or down on a whole package of recommended cuts, beginning by considering the 3% of programs currently rated “ineffective” by the federal government itself.

    Finally, we can both save money and provide better services by consolidating duplicative programs. We don’t need 342 economic development programs or 130 programs serving at risk youth or 72 federal programs dedicated to ensuring safe water (according to a 2004 report). No doubt many of these programs are worthy, but citizens shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of overlapping bureaucracies. Digital one-stop-shop centers will provide better citizen service at lower cost, while transforming industrial age bureaucracies to fit the information-age citizen.

    Returning to principles of fiscal conservatism is not an end to itself. We believe these ideas ultimately help government work better for all Americans. Cutting taxes and controlling spending creates a government that is smaller and smarter, more efficient and more effective. It can help balance the budget and reduce the deficit. Most of all, a healthy combination of pro-growth policies and fiscal discipline unleashes the genius of America’s free-market economy — empowering not government, but the citizens it exists to serve.

    **********

    Update:

    Here is Rudy yesterday in Georgia where Rudy told them about his optimistic vision for keeping America on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us, securing our borders, and leading America toward energy independence.

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSvBaEd4SoE[/youtube]
    Previous:

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: New Hampshire Troopers Endorse Rudy

    California Young Republicans Endorse Rudy Giuliani For President

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Team Rudy

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: What Are You Going to Do About Putin?


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  • Mike Huckabee,  Mitt Romney,  President 2008

    Mike Huckabee Watch: Huckabee to Address Iowa Pastors

    Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, signs autographs at a campaign stop in Manchester, N.H. Saturday, Dec.1, 2007.

    As Mitt Romney heads to Texas to deliver his “MORMON FAITH” speech Thursday, Mike Huckabee is addressing Pastors in Iowa tomorrow.

    Another trump by Huckabee over the Romney campaign in Iowa. And, this is an event that money cannot buy.

    Today or tomorrow, Huckabee is a featured guest at the latest pastor briefing of the “Iowa Renewal Project,” which aims, in the words of an e-mail Don Wildmon sent to pastors, to “encourage pastors and their congregations to take a stand for morality in their daily lives.”

    Don Wildmon, is, of course, the president of the American Family Association, one of the Project’s key sponsors. He’s also endorsed Huckabee.

    Stay tuned…..

    Previous:

    Mike Huckabee Iowa Poll Watch: Huckabee Leads Romney By 5 Points

    Mike Huckabee Poll Watch: Moving on UP in Iowa, NH, SC

    Mike Huckabee Watch: The New Iowa GOP Frontrunner

    Mike Huckabee Watch: Dead Heat with Romney in Iowa

    Mike Huckabee Targets Iowa Christians – Plays Mormon Card?

    Mitt Romney Slip Sliding Away to Mike Huckabee in Iowa

    Mike Huckabee a Threat to Mitt Romney in Iowa?


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