CNN Helps Ron Paulvorkian Poke the Eye of Newt

By Jim "The Right Guy" Lagnese

Whatever you think of Ron Paul, CNN definitely gave Dr. Paul more time than he has received in the last debate and then some. In last night's debate, the true believers might see it as a vindication of Ron Paul and a chance to push his candidacy beyond the single digits he's been in all along. His detractors will say it framed him for the batshit crazy lunatic he is. Some fully expected not only the tin foil hat, but the matching aluminum foil gauntlets as well. Never say that Dr. Paul is sartorially challenged. Of course, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Ron Paul is 100% right on economic and domestic issues. Where I part with his adherents are that they think he's 100% right about everything. Ed Koch used to say, if you agree with me 75%, vote for me, if you agree with me 100%, you need a psychiatrist. So it goes with Dr. Paul. I believe he fails in two ways: One, his foreign policy principles and objectives are a little short sighted and naïve. The notion that somehow we had any complicity in the 9/11 attacks is insane. I also think he doesn't understand how to deal with real threats. It's not as if his positions offer some practical leeway in dealing with a panoply of situations, but rather they are subject to a set of principles that back him into a corner both philosophically and empirically. I really don't believe he has the depth to handle a situation that really would require some sort of legitimate use of military force, and I use the term legitimate in the context of what he believes.

By contrast we have Dr Newt, the ersatz narcissistic sociopathic professor that looks as if he's spent too much time at the Golden Corral while thinking it was the OK Corral. I don't think there are more polar opposites in this campaign than Drs Paul and Newt and CNN surely gave them both ample opportunity to prove it. Can we demonstrate even one area where they agree? Immigration? Gingrich promotes what is basically amnesty. Healthcare? No way. Earlier this year, Newt promulgated his own version of Obamacare.  I'd have to wonder what wonderful neocon scenarios Mr Gingrich would love to test out if he had the chance. He's a very bright guy, but I wouldn't trust him. I think there is a disconnect between what he believes, what he says and what he really wants to do. The problem with both of these gentlemen is that they do not have the polished people skills and amicability that would endear them to voters. I don't think most people like either of them. My wife tells me Dr Paul is more like Dr. Kevorkian and Newt is a cross between Professor Kingsfield and the Mucinex booger snot. No matter how good their ideas are, do people want to listen to them?

In the last few debates, there has been one candidate that has the ability to explain things more simply without being facile and has at least a more anodyne demeanor and that is Mitt Romney. I hate to admit it, as I have called him both a Sears and Nordstrom Mannequin in the past, but the man does his home work, tries to relate and explains things in a way most of us would understand without being patronizing or condescending. Is he the most ideologically grounded? No. Is he as avuncular as Herman Cain or Ronald Reagan? No. Would he do a good job? I think so and that is more than I can say about BO or most of the people on stage. I'll also add that Michelle Bachmann had a fantastic night at the debates and really showed some nuanced thinking in her analysis of our foreign policy issues.

So, in the battle of the Doctors, who won? You tell me, I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Why Does The Tea Party Not Like Mitt Romney?

The Andre Controversa Show Presents:

Mitt Romney

Judson Phillips of The Tea Party Nation will be discussing why the Tea Party doesn't like Mitt Romney and the presidential race in general.

Show time Tuesday August 23 8:00 PM CST

Host Andre Traversa


Co-host Jim Lagnese

Call in at 949-203-4821 or stream here.

The Two Faces OF Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney, on The Imus Show this morning, told us how Romney Care was a great thing for Massachusetts and how proud he is of it, yet how bad it is for the rest of the country. Huh? His argument was that for a s state to enact socialized medicine is ok, but not the federal government. Ok. But the idea he would say that socialized medicine for a state is a good idea shows his true beliefs or even the lack of them.

Mitt has a habit of changing his positions to fit the constituency of the moment. He is far worse than either Bush and probably a GOP version of Clinton at best. Clinton was also a politician that tried to be everything to everyone. He is pure Gangster. Look or listen at the disappointment with Scott Brown, another Massholechusetts socialist republican. East coast liberal republicans will always be a disappointment. We can do better than this and I hope we will.  A pretty face does not make a good president.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Cheney Rebuked in Rand Paul Win

Rand Paul kicked Grayson's ass in the GOP senate primary in Kentucky, with 59% of the vote. It's a landslide. While I am happy as a clam and it is great news, one thing came to mind. The Tea Party has rebuked the mainline establishment GOP again in this latest primary.

In the senate primary in Utah, Mitt Romney campaigned strongly for Robert Bennett. Bennett lost soundly in spite of Romney's effort, a mormon republican in a mormon republican state. Romney's insider status was repudiated for a fresh Tea Party start.

With the primary election in Kentucky, Cheney campaigned for Grayson, as did other mainline republicans, like Gingrich, to no avail. Remember Gingrich was the same moron that supported Dee Dee Scozzafava against Doug Hoffman. How did that happen Mr. Potato Head? I will assert here that the populace, the Tea Party people, have repudiated Cheney as well. Darth Vader loses, and now shares a spot on the bench with the Sears® Mannequin.

Look for this trend to continue. Machine GOP will have to understand, just like incumbent democrats, that being the GOP default, being anointed by the party oligarchs, by being an incumbent does not guarantee a seat back at the table. And I want the rest of you cowboys to know something, there's a new sheriff in town. And his name is Tea Party. So y’all be cool. Right on.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Sarah Palin Leads The Charge Of The Pink Elephants

Sarah Palin, speaking at the Susan B. Anthony List said that “emerging feminist coalition” will produce “a better America in this exceptional country” after the 2010 elections in what she said will become a remarkable tribute to the original feminism of the western frontier. 


Palin was the Keynote speaker at the “Celebration of Life Breakfast” of the Susan B. Anthony List, which is a pro-life organization. 


Palin continued:


“One action, one vote, one election, one American dream at a time,” ... bringing the crowd of more than 550 to their feet.


Palin compared the Susan B. Anthony List to the Tea Party encouraging the crowd that their endorsements would be important come November. 


Palin continued in her speech coining such phrases as “a stampede of pink elephants" and "Moms can be counted on to fight for their children’s future. Well, you don’t want to mess with mama grizzlies in Alaska. They rise up.”

One has to wonder where Palin is going with all of this. Obviously she has a strong pull in some demographics in spite of her negatives among others. You either hate her or love her. Some strategists see her too polarizing to be a serious candidate in 2012. If that were true, would she have stayed beyond her 15 minutes as she has done?


If there is any observation I can elucidate on, it's that Palin has a mind of her own, at times bull headed, and in spite of what some will advise, say or scorn, she will do what she wants to do. What does that mean? I have to think she's going to run 2012. I can't believe that she's putting all this energy into a process where she is only the warm up act for some Sears® Mannequin or the Tin Man. She clearly has more energy and drive than either put together and could easily paired with a half a dozen GOP candidates that could do well, some better than others. Question is, if she runs, who  runs on the top of the ticket, and who on the bottom (How about running with Gov. Christie?)? 


There's plenty of time for this to fall together, so in the mean time, expect the mama grizzly to lead the pink elephants to victory in 2012. At this point, she isn't going away, and she shouldn't. 


Thank you for reading this blog.

Romney Holds No Sway With Tea Party

Mitt Romney was campaigning for Robert F. Bennett, left, for the GOP nomination for senator from Utah. The 76 year old Mr. Bennett is a three term senator seeking a fourth term. Not any more.

Even though Romney pleaded with delegates “Keep the veteran on the floor when you’re playing a championship game," the delegates disregarded Romney and ousted him from contention in the primary. The two remaining candidates are Tim Bridgewater, 49, a businessman, and Mike Lee, 38, a lawyer, were also united in wanting Mr. Bennett out.

According to The New York Times, “Our anything-but-Bennett bond is strong,” said William Lee, the field director for the Lee campaign. Mr. Lee, who is no relation to Mike Lee, said some delegates for each side were pledged to switch to Mr. Lee or Mr. Bridgewater to keep Mr. Bennett from qualifying for the primary election on June 22, where Mr. Bennett’s advantages in name recognition and fund-raising could be decisive.

The New York Times also asserted that Bennett is "one of the first Congressional victims of the surging ferment of discontent from the Tea Party-infused Republican right".

If this is so, the Tea Party is challenging the GOP from within, Judson Phillips is correct then in that the Tea Party will not be co-opted by the GOP, but the other way around. This is good news and what this story also shows is that Mitt is on the outside looking in with Tea Party people, he's not the real deal, but a Sears® Mannequin. Things are really starting to shape up then. Now if we could only fix the Charlie Crist problem in Florida.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Romney/Palin 2012: You Betcha Not!

Sarah has great legs and broad appeal, but her and the Sears Mannequin (also known to Steve Deace as Willard) on the 2012 ticket? God I hope not. The progenitor of RomneyCare, which was the model for Obamacare and a disaster. The flip flop artist from Massachusetts...and I am not talking about John Kerry. At least Kerry in consistent on Life issues: He's pro-abortion. Romney has changed his mind on social issues more often than Obama is caught supplicating to another world despot.

Let's be clear here, I can hear it now: Ken and Barbie run for president. If this is what the feckless in charge of the GOP have in mind, may be Steele should take a long walk off a short pier and take Willard with him. Romney is pure gangster, and Palin was a crusader, but now a gangster in training. I thought the Tea Party was supposed to marginalize if not get rid of Team Geppetto. Such is not the case I guess. Thinking this is the only winning team, as proposed by the Boston Herald, is both short sighted and suspect at the same time.

If Sarah is truly open to running in 2012, she better not pick too early. There are better candidates than the Sears Mannequin, and we have some time to go. For me, I'd rather see Giuliani and Palin, or may be some other candidate not yet in the game, lie a Rubio, Perry, or Jindal. Or someone unknown at this point. What do you think?

Thank you for reading this blog.