Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog

According to the latest Gallup Poll.

Republicans nationwide are closely divided between those preferring that their party’s 2012 presidential nominee be the person with the best chance of beating President Barack Obama and those favoring someone who shares their views on the issues they most care about. Given this choice, slightly more prioritize electability over issue agreement, 50% vs. 44%.

This sentiment appears to differ from what was the case leading up to the 2008 presidential election. Two Gallup polls conducted in late 2007 found the slight majority of Republicans saying issue agreement would be the more important factor to their vote, while about 4 in 10 chose electability.

The June 8-11, 2011, USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted with 851 Republicans and independents who lean Republican, shows Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin leading Republicans’ vote preferences for 2012, with 24% and 16% support, respectively.

Are most Republican content with the current field of candidates?

Answer: YES.

Republicans are generally satisfied with the current set of candidates that Gallup considers likely contenders for the GOP 2012 presidential nomination, including Gary Johnson and Jon Huntsman, in addition to Romney, Palin, Cain, Paul, Pawlenty, Santorum, Bachmann, and Gingrich. Two-thirds, 67%, say they would be satisfied if this list ultimately represents the full group of candidates running for the nomination, while 27% say they would not be satisfied.

Notably, there is no difference in satisfaction with the field between Republicans who favor nominating the best candidate to beat Obama vs. those favoring someone who closely shares their views.

So, what does this all mean?

Mitt Romney is well positioned as the front-runner in this race. He is polling well against the current field and if voters are content with the field, it is his election to lose. Also, economic issues play to Romney’s strength with his business and executive background.

Romney currently leads the GOP presidential field, with an eight-percentage-point edge over Palin in second place. He also performs a bit better in several recently reported trial heats against Obama than do his Republican competitors.

Much of the political speculation about whether Romney can maintain his front-runner status and win the primaries, however, centers on his ability to convince primary voters that he is an authentic conservative — in other words, one of them. The new USA Today/Gallup poll suggests that half of Republicans may be less concerned about Romney’s conservative credentials than about how he compares with other GOP candidates in general-election trial heats against Obama. Furthermore, 7 in 10 predominantly issue-focused Republicans are primarily concerned about fiscal issues — either the economy and jobs or government debt — both of which may play to Romney’s business background.

Romney will likely take some heat from his rivals on the campaign trail as he tries to reconcile his healthcare policies as governor of Massachusetts with his more recent criticism of President Obama’s healthcare law, as well as explain his past positions on gay rights and abortion. However, in addition to enjoying a modest lead at this early stage of the campaign, Romney appears to have as much potential as Palin, Cain, and others — if not more — to expand his lead by appealing to Republicans on the issues as well as to their pragmatism about nominating the strongest candidate.

Note well, California Legislators because if current legislation becomes law, then this will happen to your state.

Amazon has shut down its affiliates program in Connecticut and Arkansas over the controversial issue of collecting state taxes.

The company announced the move in letters to affiliates Friday, noting that contracts with all Connecticut residents who participate in the Amazon Associates Program would be terminated effective immediately, while contracts with affiliates in Arkansas will be terminated on July 24.

Affiliates of the Associates Program are typically Web site owners and bloggers who link to Amazon on their sites as a way of driving traffic to the online retailer. In return, they receive a commission if a sale is made.

Though Amazon isn’t required to collect taxes in states where it has no presence, many cash-strapped local governments have tried to force the company to pay taxes in states where affiliates are located. Amazon naturally has challenged that requirement, a move that has forced the company to shut down its affiliate programs as it fights the tax regulations.

The retailer has terminated similar agreements in other states, including Illinois, Colorado, North Carolina, and Rhode Island, and has threatened to do the same in other states where affiliates are located.

In its letters to Connecticut and Arkansas affiliates, the company blamed the budgets signed by the governors of those states that force it to collect tax from online purchases even though Amazon has no physical presence in the states. Because of the new state tax laws, Amazon said it was “compelled” to shut down the affiliates programs.

Great, it looks like I will no longer be an Amazon Associate (if and when Jerry Brown signs the legislation), although I have not realized any revenue yet. But, what about the Californians that do derive their livelihood from Amazon? Well, they lose their jobs.

While federal litigation continues, up to the United States Supreme Court more than likely, the states will add little revenue while hurting its working citizens.

In a recent interview, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos condemned the drive to collect sales tax, arguing that Amazon is no different than big retail chains that don’t collect sales tax in states where they don’t have what’s known as a “nexus,” or presence. The CEO said Amazon’s point of view is that the collection of taxes among the states should be simplified, referring to a plan called the Streamlined Sales Tax Initiative.

Previous:

Updated: California Assembly Passes Amazon Internet Sales Tax Legislation – Lawyers Get Rich; PMA Sues Illinois Over Internet Sales Tax Nexus

Cell phones these days…….really.

I guess the race for Jane Harman’s Congressional seat in the South Bay is closer than one would expect.

Now, the Democratic Party is bringing out the “Big Dog” himself, former President Bill Clinton, to help defeat Republican Craig Huey.

Bill Clinton endorsed Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn on Monday, the latest big-name Democrat to formally support her House bid.

Hahn faces businessman Craig Huey (R) in the special-election runoff for former Rep. Jane Harman’s (D-Calif.) seat. Democrats have moved to circle the wagons around Hahn after Huey finished a surprise second in the May 17 jungle primary. In endorsing Hahn’s bid, Clinton joins a list that includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, among others.

“America is at a crossroads, and we need to decide whether we are going to pursue a path of right-wing extremism or one of compromise and common-sense solutions,” the former president said in a statement. “Janice has proven herself to be a champion for creating jobs, cleaning our environment, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and expanding access to healthcare. We need people like Janice Hahn in Congress, and I’m proud to endorse her.”

Note that this endorsement is aimed at moderate Democrats who might not be too happy about the California economy and who may stay home on special election day, July 12th. Clinton will also be writing a fundraising letter for Hahn but will not travel to campaign in the district prior to the election.

If this election tightens, don’t be surprised to see Vice President Biden or Michelle Obama make a campaign appearance. The Democrats do not want to take this seat for granted, particularly since the district will change in 2012 due to redistricting.

Yeah like Iraq will ever repay the American people for our sacrifices to get rid of THEIR tyrant. But, nice try Dana.

The suggestion by a California congressman that Iraq repay the United States for the money it has spent in the country has stirred outrage, with an Iraqi lawmaker ridiculing the idea as “stupid” and others saying Iraqis should be compensated for the hardships they’ve endured.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican from Huntington Beach (Orange County), suggested during a trip to Baghdad with fellow lawmakers Friday that once Iraq becomes a rich and prosperous country, it could repay the United States.

That comment triggered fury among an Iraqi public and political establishment that had little or no say in the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. Iraqis are largely glad to be rid of Saddam Hussein but blame the United States for the chaos and sectarian violence that followed the invasion.

“We as a government reject such statements, and we have informed the American Embassy that these congressmen are not welcome in Iraq,” government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Sunday.

President George W. Bush made a BIG mistake invading Iraq and deposing Saddam Hussein. The war was eventually “not lost,” but the peace has NOT really been won.

I imagine most Americans would want us to pull out completely from Iraq and not give the country another thought.

And, as far as foreign aid, their oil is pumping so they can pay market price for American goods and services, otherwise – no.