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The Morning Flap: March 22, 2012
These are my links for March 15th through March 22nd:
- Romney advisor says his conservatism can be erased – Ever since he launched his first bid for the presidency over five years ago, critics have argued that Mitt Romney’s conservative positions aren’t sincere, and that he would start to abandon them once he was no longer trying to appeal to the Republican primary electorate. I just never expected one of his chief campaign staffers to openly admit it. Yet feeling cocky after Mitt Romney’s strong victory in Illinois, top advisor Eric Fehrnstrom did just that.
Here’s the stunning exchange on CNN (via Greg Sargent):
HOST: Is there a concern that Santorum and Gingrich might force the governor to tack so far to the right it would hurt him with moderate voters in the general election?
FEHRNSTROM: Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again.
- ‘Etch A Sketch’ Latest Gaffe From Romney Campaign – For a candidate who has spent months battling the title of “flip-flopper,” perhaps the last thing he would want associated with his name is an Etch A Sketch, those do-over drawing boards that let you shake your scribbles away with the flick of a wrist.
Unfortunately Mitt Romney won’t be able to shake away this comparison any time soon. When his campaign spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom was asked this morning on CNN how the GOP frontrunner would make the pivot to the general election, Fehrnstrom compared Romney’s primary campaign to an Etch A Sketch, a gaffe that spread like wildfire to Romney’s rival’s stump speeches.
- Jeb Bush: It’s time to support Romney as Republican candidate – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has earned the right to take on President Obama in November.
“It is time to get behind the nominee,” Bush told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday during a visit to Pittsburgh. “And it is time for the country to focus on the most important thing, which is to elect a president who will create a climate for high growth and job-creating abilities for our country.”
Bush called for the Republican Party to unite behind the former Massachusetts governor, who won the Illinois primary this week with 46.7 percent of the vote to 35 percent for Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania.
GOP strategist Bruce Haynes said the Bush endorsement is worth a lot to the Romney campaign.
“It’s literally the sound of the referee’s whistle calling the game to an end,” Haynes said.
Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas have declared that they will remain in the race until the Republican National Convention in August in Tampa.
- Jeb Bush: Romney should pick Sen. Rubio as running mate – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who endorsed Mitt Romney for president on Wednesday, wants Romney to pick Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his running mate if the former Massachusetts governor wins the nomination.
Bush, speaking to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, said that the junior Florida senator is “dynamic, joyful, disciplined and principled.”
- Obama’s Speedy Keystone Review Won’t Accelerate Cushing Pipeline –
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-22 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-22
- Los Angeles Marathon 2012: Race Report | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Los Angeles Marathon 2012: Race Report
- Basno – 2012 Honda LA Marathon Finisher Medal – Gregory Flap Cole – I love L.A.
- AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McKeon Declines » Flap’s California Blog – AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McK…
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube – Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube - Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube – I uploaded a @YouTube video Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start - Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21
- Former Rosemead mayor pleads guilty to federal bribery charge – Former Rosemead mayor pleads guilty to federal bribery charge
- El Monte Union board selects educator for seat vacated by Tran – El Monte Union board selects educator for seat vacated by Tran
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21
- Holtz-Eakin and Smith: ObamaCare’s Flawed Economic Foundations – Holtz-Eakin and Smith: ObamaCare’s Flawed Economic Foundations
- Flap’s Dentistry Blog: ObamaCare Dental Regulations Issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – ObamaCare Dental Regulations Issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Assembly candidate John Tran agrees to plead guilty to bribery – Whittier Daily News – Assembly candidate John Tran agrees to plead guilty to bribery – Whittier Daily News
- President 2012 Virginia (VA) Poll Obama Back On Top In Virginia – Quinnipiac University ? Hamden, Connecticut – President Barack Obama leads all the Republican presidential candidates in Virginia, with his 50 – 42 percent margin over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney his biggest lead over Romney in this election cycle, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Putting Gov. Bob McDonnell on the ticket as the GOP vice-presidential nominee does not help the Republicans carry the state, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. In a matchup of President Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden against Romney and McDonnell, the Democrats win 50 – 43 percent.
Obama wins head to head against other Republican contenders:
54 – 35 percent over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; 49 – 40 percent over former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum; 49 – 39 percent over Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
- Republicans Attack Health Law as Supreme Court Hearing Nears – NYTimes.com – RT @chucktodd: GOP seems a lot more organized on the P.R. front re: health care SCOTUS focus than the Dems.
- Republicans Attack Health Law as Supreme Court Hearing Nears – NYTimes.com – GOP seems a lot more organized on the P.R. front re: health care SCOTUS focus than the Dems.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20
- El Monte Union Board of Trustees to interview, select replacement for Tran – El Monte Union Board of Trustees to interview, select replacement for Tran
- El Monte Union appoints new board member to fill vacancy – El Monte Union appoints new board member to fill vacancy
- “Higher Costs” (TV Ad)
– YouTube – MUST WATCH: New RNC TV ad on Obamacare — #tcot #RS - @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20
- Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green Bay, Wisconsin | greenbaypressgazette.com – Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green …
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/tv_shows/killing?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – On Demand works for me while I heal up from marathon. @GetGlue @TheKilling_AMC
- Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green Bay, Wisconsin | greenbaypressgazette.com – 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette |
- 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com – 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette |
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18
- On the way home from San Diego to run @LAMarathon tomorrow and then to return – On the way home from San Diego to run @LAMarathon tomorrow and then to return
- In San Diego where my daughter Allison just delivered my first grandson James Phillip – In San Diego where my daughter Allison just delivered my first grandson James Phillip
- Why Your Company Is Screwed If You Don’t Go Social – Why Your Company Is Screwed If You Don’t Go Social
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17
- Gregory Flap @ TAIX French Restaurant – foursquare – After LA Marathon Expo lunch with the LA Roadrunners gang (@ TAIX French Restaurant)
- Re: Sen Ted Stevens: Report Details Inner Workings – Re: Sen Ted Stevens: Report Details Inner Workings
- Hatch Supporters Make Strong Showing in Utah Caucuses – The Tea Party-inspired drive to oust Senator Orrin G. Hatch, a six-term Republican, got a bit more complicated on Thursday night.
Supporters of Mr. Hatch turned up in strong numbers at some packed Republican caucus meetings around the state, where delegates were elected to next month’s state party convention.
And here in Utah County, a deeply conservative area in the backyard of Brigham Young University, and hotbed of anti-Hatch sentiment, some prominent opponents of the senator failed to win delegate seats.
“It’s going to be a very good night for Hatch,” said Dave Hansen, Mr. Hatch’s campaign manager.
- Dick Lugar vows to appeal ruling – For the moment, Dick Lugar can’t even vote to save himself.
A local election board ruled Thursday that the six-term senator has abandoned his Indiana home and cannot cast a ballot in the state he represents. The Indiana Republican is up for re-election this year and faces a conservative challenger in the state’s May 8 primary.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/Fullosseousflap/stickers/cbs_sports/2012_ncaa_second_round?s=ts&ref=Fullosseousflap) – I unlocked the 2012 NCAA Second Round sticker on @GetGlue! #MarchMadness @MarchMadness
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/topics/p/2012_ncaa_mens_division_i_basketball_tournament?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – Hoosiers! @GetGlue #2012NCAAMensDivisionIBasketballTournament
- Race Weekend Details & Cold Weather Plan – Thank you @LAMarathon for your rain and warming station plan for runner safety!
- AD-38: Ventura County Lincoln Club Endorses Republican Scott Wilk for California Assembly » Flap’s California Blog – AD-38: Ventura County Lincoln Club Endorses Republican Scott Wilk for California Assembly
- Romney advisor says his conservatism can be erased – Ever since he launched his first bid for the presidency over five years ago, critics have argued that Mitt Romney’s conservative positions aren’t sincere, and that he would start to abandon them once he was no longer trying to appeal to the Republican primary electorate. I just never expected one of his chief campaign staffers to openly admit it. Yet feeling cocky after Mitt Romney’s strong victory in Illinois, top advisor Eric Fehrnstrom did just that.
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President 2012: Jeb Bush Says Indiana Governor is the “Anti-Obama”
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
It’s starting – the mainstream GOP abandoning Mitt Romney and finding another horse.Jeb Bush, brother of one former president and son of another, isn’t going to seek the White House for himself next year, he says, but he likes what he’s seen so far from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Daniels, in his second term, is among a slew of Republicans considering a presidential campaign next year.
“Mitch is the only one who sees the stark [economic] perils and will offer real, detailed proposals,” Bush told Jacksonville business leaders, according to the Florida Times-Union.
“He would be the anti-Obama, at least socially,” Bush said in the newspaper’s account of a private gathering. “He is not good on a teleprompter, but if my theory is right that would work well for him.” Daniels, a Midwesterner with an understated sense of humor, also told the conservatives in Washington the next president will have to consider revamping entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
Jeb Bush’s good will stopped far short of any endorsement for Daniels, who first must decide whether he is going to take the plunge in 2012.
Mitch Daniels is not only the anti-Obama but also the anti-Sarah Pain and anti-Mitt Romney.
Mitch is recovering in Indianapolis from rotator cuff surgery yesterday but he has definitley NOT ruled out a run for the White House.
Stay tuned……
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FL-Sen Poll Watch: Sen. Bill Nelson Vulnerable to GOP Challengers
Democrat Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
This is a likely pick-up seat for the GOP in 2012.Florida Sen. Bill Nelson falls short of the 50 percent mark against five potential Republican opponents, according to a poll commissioned by Ron Sachs Communications and conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research.
The survey, which was shared exclusively with POLITICO, shows former Gov. Jeb Bush as the most powerful Republican challenger for Nelson. Bush leads the senator by 8 points, 49 percent to 41 percent.
But Bush is not considered likely to run, and the polling memo notes that a challenge from the former governor is a “bullet [Nelson] will likely get to dodge.”
That means the Democrat will face off against a Republican who lacks Bush’s high profile and statewide popularity, such as Rep. Connie Mack, former Sen. George LeMieux, state Senate President Mike Haridopolos or former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.
Nelson fared better against all four of those candidates in the Sachs/Mason-Dixon poll, though he failed to win a majority of the vote in any match-up.
The closest race would be between Nelson and Mack, whose father – Connie Mack III – Nelson replaced in the Senate. Nelson would have just a 5-point advantage over Mack, leading 45 percent to 40 percent.
Against LeMieux, Nelson’s lead widens to 14 points — he’s ahead 49 percent to 35 percent. Nelson has a 23-point lead over Haridopolo (48 percent to 25 percent), and a 22-point lead over Hasner (46 percent to 22 percent).
The poll was taken from Feb. 9-10 and tested 625 registered voters.
If former Florida Governor Jewb Bush EVER wanted to re-enter the political arena, this is the race. It is Jeb’s for the taking.
If Jeb declines, then I would consider his political career over.
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President 2012 Poll Watch: Obama 48% Vs Romney 41%; Obama 56% Vs. Palin 35%
The latest Fox News Poll is out and President Obama is doing well against all GOP contenders (Pdf).
- 48% Obama Vs. 41% Romney (41% Vs. 40%, September 2010)
- 49% Obama Vs. 41% Huckabee (43% Vs. 40%)
- 56% Obama Vs. 35% Palin (48% Vs. 35%)
- 55% Obama Vs. 35% Gingrich (53% Vs. 29%, January 2010)
- 54% Obama Vs. 34% J. Bush (45% Vs 37%, September 2010)
The current crop of GOP Presidential hopefuls have been making no inroads into defeating President Obama. It may indeed be time for the Republican Party to look to the future and nominate some new and different candidates.
Fox News / Anderson Robbins Research (D) / Shaw & Company Research (R)
2/7-9/11; 911 registered voters, 3% margin of error
Mode: Live telephone interviews
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President 2012: Should Jeb Bush Run for President in 2012?
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush
Not if the Republican Party wants to win.
John J. Miller has a cover story in the new issue of National Review that’s a compelling portrait of the accomplishments of Jeb Bush. Four years after leaving the Florida governor’s mansion, he remains one of the most impressive Republican politicians in the country, a formidable policy mind with the political chops to drive conservative reforms even out of office. So why isn’t he running for president? Bush told Miller what he’s said to others, too — he won’t run in 2012, but he’ll consider 2016. This is a mistake. Bush should run now for at least eight reasons…..
Rich Lowry makes the case for a 2012 run in this piece this morning. But, the Bush brand is in the toilet and took the GOP down with it from 2006-2010.
If Jeb wants to run for President, he should run against Florida Democrat Senator Bill Nelson in 2012, serve in the Senate with distinction and then run. Otherwise, forget about it.
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FL-Sen Poll Watch: GOP Favors Jeb Bush to Face Dem Senator Bill Nelson
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush
If Jeb Bush would let them, Florida’s GOP faithful would crown him their Senate nominee in 2012 without a contest. When given an eight-candidate list of potential nominees, they give Bush almost three-quarters of the vote, and no one else gets more than 6%.Unfortunately for the party, he is unlikely to run, and in his absence, almost a third of respondents are undecided. In that case, their primary is likely to be a large and wide-open race, with the top four candidates bunched in the mid- to low teens.
Bush is the preference of 72% of the hardest-core Republican voters in the Sunshine State. The next closest option is outgoing Attorney General and Gubernatorial primary loser Bill McCollum at 6%, with George LeMieux, Connie Mack IV, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, and state Rep. Jennifer Carroll each at 3%, Mike Haridopolos at 1%, and Adam Hasner at less than 1%. 10% are either not sure or prefer someone else.
With Bush eliminated from the field, though, any one of the lesser options could win at this point. A full 31% have no idea who they would support, and of the remaining voters, 15% choose Mack, 14% McCollum, 11% LeMieux, 10% Carroll, 9% Haridopolos, 7% Buchanan, and 3% Hasner. Considering the margin of error, almost all of them are statistically tied for the lead. Tuesday’s release showed that Haridopolos, Hasner, and even LeMieux and Mack are essentially unknowns statewide, and that is still the case with these most dedicated partisans who ought to know them best. So all of these possible nominees have plenty of time to make a name for themselves and fill the Bushless void.
But, alas, unless someone persuades him, it is unlikely Bush will run.
Really a shame since Bush, despite his open-borders mentality would certainly be a better Senator than Democrat Bill Nelson.
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Day By Day December 1, 2010 – Spin
Chris, what Americans have to remember is that Karl Rove is a stalking horse for Jeb Bush and the Bush family “Blue Blood” GOP dynasty. President George W. Bush, as his father did, drove the Republican Party off of a cliff and should NEVER be allowed to have any real power within the party again.I don’t think Sarah Palin spends too much time worrying about what Karl Rove and his minions say. Her basis is support are grass roots Republicans who will vote in GOP Primary caucuses and elections.
The voters will decide the next Republican nominee for President – not Karl Rove and the Bushes.
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