Apparently the new attack on Mike Huckabee is for him and his wife Janet using biblical references during campaign stump speeches. Jim Geraghty writes on National Review's Campaign Spot how it "rubs him the wrong way:" when both Janet and Mike Huckabee talks about Jesus feeding 5,000 with two fishes and 5 loaves.  Here's the paragraph from National Review:

     "Readers can draw their own conclusions on Huckabee’s meaning. As you probably can
     guess, this rubs me the wrong way. If Huckabee’s rise in the polls is the result of a factor
     that is not human, how about the declining poll numbers of his rivals?  It reminds me of a
     comedian’s joke about football players who point to the sky and thank God and/or Jesus
     when they score a touchdown. Nobody ever hears a defender say, “well, I thought I had
     him covered pretty well, but then Jesus got in my way.”

What Jim doesn't understand, that for a large amount of people in this country, faith is very important and they use biblical references to talk about what is going on in life.

Of course, what the Governor said requires the instant "clarification" from his staff. That's the game of campaigning now. But it is important to know that in June of this year, Mike Huckabee had this to say when questioned about faith and its role in his run for the Presidency during an interview with News Talk 660 KSKY:

       Gordon Griffin: At one time you were a Baptist Minister and many view that as a
       calling, do you view the office of the Presidency as a calling?

       Mike Hucakbee: I wouldn't try and pretend that God wants me to be President, that he's
      going to vote for me. I think that's something he and I would leave up to the voters. But I
      think the choice to run is something that I feel is a deep conviction.  We need people in 
      public office who understand that this is a special nation, that has a special place on this
      earth. But it is only special if we remember our roots and our heritage, we don't abandon
      our landmarks that made it a great nation. One of those landmarks is that we are a people
      unapologetically of faith that believe we are "One Nation Under God" and if we are "One
      Nation Under God" then we are indivisible and have justice for all.

When you listen to this interview, back when he was on no one's radar, you get an understanding of where he is with his faith and it's role in his life...but that God is not picking Mike Huckabee it as implied by those who don't understand the role faith plays in people's life. As a believer, I understand that God has mapped out my journey...just I don't know at the time where exactly I am at.

On a day when Mitt Romney delivered a well needed speech on the history of religion and America, it's also well needed to have an respect for those of us in America that give glory to God for all the wonderful things that happen in our life. Jesus never gets in the way, and nor should it be a joke. I have to admit I have been on the "Huck Bandwagon" in the past but have several questions now about certain aspects of his platform that have me scratching my head.

ABC News is reporting that a group called "Some Semblance of Christian Decency"  dropped a flier underneath the door of reporters in Des Moines saying Huckabee isn't a Christian. Remember, Huckabee is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister. The organization lists the phone number for Arkansas' Eagle Forum Director Betsy Hagan, however, she said she is not a part of this group. It's interesting that Huckabee was slammed for the push phone calls, will the media dig and find out who is behind this?

Before the call of bias comes out, check out this survey of undecided Florida voters and a mix of Iowa immediately following the debate:

The Florida survey conducted with the Florida Chamber of Commerce showed the following results:

Huckabee: 44%
Giulani: 18%
Romney: 13%
McCain: 10%
Thompson: 5%
Paul: 4%
Hunter: 1%
Tancredo: 1%
Rest: undecided 

The survey of 341 Republicans who stated they were undecided, intended to watch the debate and agreed to phone in their opinion immediately after the ending was weighted for age and gender.  It has a margin of error of +/- 6%. 

A survey of Iowa Republicans of over 1,035 Iowa Republicans taken in the last twenty minutes of the debate showed Huckabee the winner in that state as well.  The numbers virtually mirrored Florida.  They were:

Huckabee: 32%
Romney: 16%
Giuliani: 12%
McCain: 10%
Thompson: 7%
Paul: 6%
Tancredo: 2%
Hunter: 0%
Rest: undecided

Interestingly, the Iowa poll did not survey only undecided voters.  Yet, both a survey of undecided voters in Florida and a general survey in Iowa showed Huckabee the winner.

Other Reaction:
http://kevinmccullough.townhall.com/blog/g/706aa746-e0da-41 18-be0f-522525002dbb

and Mary Katherine Ham, "I'm giving it to Huckabee. He's always good in debates, always well-spoken. He parried attacks on his fiscal record well, deflecting with a lot of talk about the Fair Tax. He also got the chance to point out that he had signed the no-tax pledge, which is better than several others have done. He's riding a high, he came across as sensitive and smart."

and Matt Lewis on Romney, "Mitt Romney was probably was the one who most under-performed tonight. He didn't seem "on." In addition, he often seemed holier than thou. Some of his answers seemed to be pandering. Other questions reminded us of his past record. And some of his answers -- like the one about the King James Bible and gays in the military -- just seemed odd ...

Dick Morris Tackles the Current Attack of Huckabee being a Liberal Republican:
As Mike Huckabee rises in the polls, an inevitable process of vetting him for conservative credentials is under way in which people who know nothing of Arkansas or of the circumstances of his governorship weigh in knowingly about his record.

As his political consultant in the early ’90s and one who has been following Arkansas politics for 30 years, let me clue you in: Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative. A recent column by Bob Novak excoriated Huckabee for a “47 percent increase in state tax burden.” But during Huckabee’s years in office, total state tax burden — all 50 states combined — rose by twice as much: 98 percent, increasing from $743 billion in 1993 to $1.47 trillion in 2005.

In Arkansas, the income tax when he took office was 1 percent for the poorest taxpayers and 7 percent for the richest, exactly where it stood when he left the statehouse 11 years later. But, in the interim, he doubled the standard deduction and the child care credit, repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate, expanded the homestead exemption and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition.

Most impressively, when he had to pass an income tax surcharge amid the drop in revenues after Sept. 11, 2001, he repealed it three years later when he didn’t need it any longer. He raised the sales tax one cent in 11 years and did that only after the courts ordered him to do so. (He also got voter approval for a one-eighth-of-one-cent hike for parks and recreation.) He wants to repeal the income tax, abolish the IRS and institute a “fair tax” based on consumption, and opposes any tax increase for Social Security.

And he can win in Iowa. When voters who have decided not to back Rudy Giuliani because of his social positions consider the contest between Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, they will have no difficulty choosing between a real social conservative and an ersatz one. Romney, who began as a pro-lifer and switched in order to win in Massachusetts, and then flipped back again, cannot compete with a lifelong pro-lifer, Huckabee.

But Huckabee’s strength is not just his orthodoxy on gay marriage, abortion, gun control and the usual litany. It is his opening of the religious right to a host of new issues. He speaks firmly for the right to life, but then notes that our responsibility for children does not end with childbirth. His answer to the rise of medical costs is novel and exciting. “Eighty percent of all medical spending,” he says, “is for chronic diseases.” So he urges an all-out attack on teen smoking and overeating and a push for exercise not as the policies of a big-government liberal but as the requisites of a fiscal conservative anxious to save tax money.

Dr Jack Graham leads the 25,000+ member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX (where I am a member) and recently gave a very warm reception to Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (from November 4, 2007) Click here to View now:

     Dr. Graham: We are a congregation that we want to say to [Governor Mike
     Huckabee] that you are fighting battles that many of us will never fight that
     we want you to know that the Lord is your strength. I know you trust in him,
     he is your fortress and your helper. Just as he is the lifter of our heads, he is
     lifting up those who would serve our country and raising of leaders for of our
     nation in this day. I believe among those God is lifting up his favors upon is
     Mike Huckabee. These days he is sensing God’s leadership in his life and
     most likely you know he is a candidate for the Republican Nomination for
     President of the United States. It is very important that we vote our values
     that we select those and nominate those who stand by principle and who
     live and proclaim and legislate according to the values that we cherish. And
     Mike I am thankful for the man that you are, I am thankful for your principled
     politics and the character of your life. We need a revolution in America and
     Mike Huckabee come tell us how we, you, all of us can revolutionize America.

While Dr. Graham didn’t make an endorsement, you can tell he supports Governor Hucakbee. Remember, Dr. Graham used to be head of the Southern Baptist Convention and is very influential in the evangelical community – his words carry a lot of weight.

The US House of Representatives voted to pass the HR 3685 Employment Non Discrimination Act  (click here to see how each individual voted) which creates special rights for homosexuals by unconstitutionally adding “sexual orientation” to be a protected civil right.

Rudy Giuliani Campaign (212) 385-9449
Mitt Romney Campaign (857) 288-6400
Mike Huckabee Campaign (501) 324-2008
John McCain Campaign (703) 418-2008
Fred Thompson doesn't list his phone number

Please call your candidate and ask them "Would you VETO ENDA?" This is an important conservative barometer. Send a comment with their response, we'd love to hear what they had to say!

In one of the most deplorable acts by the Veterans Administration, it has now banned the flag-folding recitations given during military funerals due to one complaint at the Riverside National Cemetary in California. Yes, it's true.  This one hits very close to home, my father served in the United States Navy for over twenty years that included tours in Korea and Vietnam. Over the 2006 holidays, we learned that he has stage four mesothelioma cancer and couldn't breath because fluid kept building up around his lung...you see it sits dormant in the body for about thirty years and all of sudden hits like a ton of bricks. I started looking into certain things because I know my father wants to be burried at the D/FW National Cemetary. Well, through the Grace of God and prayers from a large network, the cancer treatments have worked and he is no longer on chemo and simply goes in for checkups/test every 60 days. So, that being said, when I read this I hit the ROOF!

It's also important to understand what the issue here is. The flag is folded 13 times at a military funeral and each fold has a meaning:

1. Symbol of life.

2. Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3. In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

4. Represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

5. A tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

6. Represents where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

7. A tribute to our armed forces.

8. A tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

9. A tribute to womanhood.

10. A tribute to father.

11. In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

12. In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

It was #11 that caused the complaint and so the VA threw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. This attack on religion has to stop. "It is a perfect example of government choosing to ignore religion in order to avoid offending some religions," says Rabbi Yitzhak Miller of Temple Beth El "To me, ignoring religion in general is just as problematic as endorsing any one religion."

Please contact Acting VA Secretary, the Honorable Gordon H. Mansfield or the Undersecretary for Memorial Affiars which includes the overseeing of the National Cemetary Administration. I'm working on a phone number to voice a complaint.

There's a movie out there that you won't hear much about and which will not receive very much support, it's called Bella and trust me - you will want to go see it. It has won the People's Choice Award from the Toronto Film Festival, which includes past films such as Chariots of Fire and Hotel Rwanda. It's a story about compassion, courage, love, tragedy, and most importantly - the importance of life. I was lucky enough to be invited by George P. Bush and his wife Amanda to the red carpet Dallas World Premier of the movie Saturday night, equally lucky to have the beautiful Kristin Jones of the Texas Alliance of Life as my guest for this special screening. It was my first time to walk a red carpet, and I am so glad this movie was the reason.

The movie centers around three main characters: Nina, who after being a few mornings in a row, is late to work because she finds out she is pregnant. Jose, who we later find out was part of a tragic accident that changed his life, proves that there still is a good in this world. Manny, Jose's brother, who owns the restaurant that Jose works at and fires him when he walks out to help Nina the day she losses her job and finds out she is pregnant. It demonstrates over and over again how important life is in many different ways, not just the abhorent practice of abortion, but every life is valuable.

One review by Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel has already caught my ire, it's written as if he had not even seen the movie but simply watch the trailor. Sadly, the Dallas Morning News has not reviewed the movie but published Mr. Moore's odd version of what he thought of the movie. It failed to mantion any of the awards he has received, which begs me to think there was a motive to the review. A letter to the Editor James Moroney III will be in the mail this upcoming week.

Perhaps the best review is from Tony Bennett, yes THAT Tony Bennett, when he said “This film is an artistic masterpiece that every American must see! To create something at this level is nearly impossible and these young guys did it. The Timing, cinematography and music is amazing. Bella is timeless and made for this time in our country when Mexicans and Americans are divided. This movie builds a bridge of healing and reminds everyone of what's most important in life.”

Bella is in a limited release, but has the potential to really surprise some people. This is a can't miss movie. It's not a chick flick, it's a life flick!

UPDATE: "In narrower release, Roadside Attractions' "Bella" opened solidly with $1.3 million. The film stars Eduardo Verastegui as a former soccer player who hooks up with a pregnant waitress (Tammy Blanchard)." Good news is an outstanding weekend for a film that was only on a select amount of screens across the country. Bad news is how By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer chose to characterize it as guy hooks up with pregnant girl. That's like saying guys in America defeat guys from England in 1776. There is so much more to this film but you take the good with the bad.

Not many people have noticed this story, but I think it is important to be out there considering how heated the debate currently is on the building of a Trinity River tollroad. First, let me say I am 100% against additional toll roads. I drive on them to and from work right now, and I am moving because $80-$100 a month tolls is ridiculous! 

But this story by David Schecter of WFAA Channel 8 shares with us that a freeway has been part of the plan since 1969.

   "Records show a major freeway along the Trinity River has been part of
   the Dallas plan for 40 years. The Open Space Development Plan of 1969
   clearly calls for a "River Freeway" that runs alongside a major Trinity Park." 

   "The land the road would be build on was donated to the City of Dallas in
   1972 by the Stemmons family. That is the same family who donated the
   land to build Stemmons Freeway. The deed stipulates that the land be
   used in a way "consistent to the concept" of the Open Space Development
   Plan, and that plan clearly calls for the road."

   Nesbitt believes the Stemmons family knew exactly what it wanted.

   "Now, why would a benefactor donate choice property to the City of Dallas?
   Because they liked what they saw in the Open Space Development Plan of
   1969." Toll road opponents declined an on-camera interview for this story,
   but some say the Stemmons family intended to let the people of Dallas
   decide how best to use the land in the Trinity. The truth is the land was
   donated to be used as a park and a road."

I have a little tie to this, you see it was my family who donated land in Downtown that became Harwood Street. Yes, my great great grandfather William Alexander Harwood helped establish Dallas. While I am opposed to a road being a toll road, I have to say that if the family wanted a road there, that is should be considered in this debate - and I don't think that it is.
It's a tough decision, I'll let you know what I do November 7th.

Mikal Watts has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for US Senate and challenge John Cornyn for that seat next fall.

In a statement, he said "For the last five months I have been exploring a race for the United States Senate because I believe that our junior senator, John Cornyn, has let Texas down and is more concerned with his cronies and friends in Washington than with what’s best for Texas." I would challenge Mr. Watts to explain how John Cornyn has let the citizens of Texas down and who these "cronies" are? While it is admirable to decide to be with your family, that is the standard canned response. If it's true, wouldn't it be nice to see a politician say that then work to make sure there are more two parent families in our community as well as to work to grow the economy so both parents don't have to work. Otherwise it's just political speak, isn't it?

Does this open the door for Chet Edwards to run for the Democratic nomination. He isn't well liked by the "liberal" establishment because he is perceived to vote with the President too much. His district is a safe Republican district, home to the President's Crawford Ranch, yet he continues to win over GOP voters. The Democrats would be wise to get him to run, not that he would win, but he would be their best hope. And it would open up the door for a Republican to win that district.

The Endorsements keep coming form Texas, this time it is for Mike Huckabee. Walker Texas Ranger star Chuck Norris announced his endorsement of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for President in his World Net Daily column today: 

   "Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough
   to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism,  and
   Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who
   has all the characterisitcs to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas
   Governor Mike Huckabee," says Norris. 

   "Mike is a compassionate Christian conservative. "The one question that remains is:
   Can Huckabee win the nomination? The presidency? I was thinking about these types
   of comments the other day when I recalled another leader in ancient times that didn't
   match up in the line up: King David. Seven men were poised and paraded for the
   position of king, but David was left in the field shepherding because he wasn't "a
   frontrunner in the polls." They overlooked the best because they were too busy
   judging by outward appearance. But God appointed David king. "

   Keep Hope alive! Join my wife Gena and me by electing Mike Huckabee in '08!"

I don't think I am going out on a limb by saying Chuck Norris popularity is higher than Governor Perry in Texas and this will surely benefit Mike Huckabee. He did very well at the Values Voters conference, geting 5 out of every 6 votes cast on-site and just barely finishing second to Romney PLUS another strong performance in the debates. Don't be surprised to see Huckabee get many more endorsements in the coming weeks.

Whether or not you are in favor of the Trinity River Project toll road or against it, what was said by Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer in his cover article is just another example of a liberal slant:

   "The state judge ruled against the antis...both rulings seemed to be based 
   on narrow, technical readings of the law and not on fairness or common sense."

Not on fairness or common sense, Excuse me? This, my friends, is a classic case between liberalism and conservatism. Liberals want judges to make up the law on the bench while conservatives strictly go by the law as written.  It's funny how liberals want judges to be legislators and not impartially read the law and rule. Regardless of how you will vote on this issue, you should be outraged on this bias in the press.

Debate is over. It will help that Thompson had the last laugh of the night, will wash away some of the lackluster performance. Rudy did well with the audience on policy, but still he has to be stinging over the values voter reaction over the weekend. Huckabee speaks from the heart the most. Romney just seems he has to prove something and he doesn’t speak from the heart.

 

Rudy 8.5

Huckabee 8

Romney 5

Thompson 5

McCain 4

 

9:00 - Frank Luntz post shows again, Huckabee gets high marks. When he wasn't even asking about him, a few focus group members featured him as the winner...and they were Fred supporters going in.  My recap had Rudy and Huckabee close, and it looks like the focus group agreed. One person said concise answers. I agree.

9:05 - Gotta love John McCain on Fox Post Debate Coverage.  I gave him credit for this line about being tied up at the time, but come one, when Colmes asks him was that planned and he says no...no one believes him. Speaking of no one believing him he then said he is the most conservative candidate in the race. Senator, with all due respect, the spin isn't working and you I would have a hard time finding one poll that says you are the most conservative.

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

Live Blogging during the debate…

 

Chris Wallace comes out with questions to Rudy and Mitt saying Thompson says they aren’t conservative enough. I think he wanted to cause a controversy but polls say they don’t want the candidates fighting amongst each other. Get people interested early as we battle the Sunday Night Football Game and Game 7 of the ALCS.

 

Thompson when asked if Romney switches his positions too much “We’ve got an hour and a half maybe they can work on it.” Thompson draws first laugh. “Mitt I didn’t know there was any room to the left of Ted Kennedy. Thompson talks about how Rudy agrees with Hillary more and more.

 

Giuliani “Fred has his problems too.” Rudy talks about lawsuit reform that Thompson has been against.

Does any of the other candidates get a voice? Seems so far Chris Wallace wants more show than anything else.

 

Finally a question to someone else… to McCain, but same line, who is more conservative….it’s getting old quick! McCain just goes talks about the past and not the future.

 

McCain: “Gov. Romney you’ve spent the last year trying to fool people on your record and I don’t need you trying to fool people on my record.”

 

Finally a question to someone other than Romney Thompson Giuliani, but to Paul? On Gay Marriage.

 

Huckabee, “I am not interested in fighting these guys I am interested in fighting for this Country” Seems he was speaking from the heart about America. Good answer and well received by the crowd.

 

Hunter, “You’ve spent the last ten minutes dividing the country, let me unite the party…” good line.

 

Finally a move to a different round of questions that talk about issues.

 

Ron Paul, he’s just annoying in his speaking. Reminds me of Mr. Hand from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

 

Hunter saying Romney’s plan added mandates and Romney says he tried to get as many reduced and reduced the individuals cost of health care.

 

Huckabee We have it backwards, we have a reactive system and not a proactive system. “When all the old hippies realize they get free drugs, just wait..” More laughs from the crowd.

 

Thompson was he wrong on voting the No Child Left Behind. Wasn’t clear if he felt like the vote was wrong, was he?!?!?  Good line about we need more fathers to be involved and raising their children.

 

Giuliani on teachers, “there are bad ones, good ones, and great ones, but I care about the children more.” Good line.

 

It’s a break.  Quick take Rudy answers are crisper, Romney still doesn’t seem to be personable, Thompson isn’t impressing and Huckabee seems to communicate with the crowd the most.

 

First question from Chris Wallace is basically she is beating everyone, to Romney is she fit to be President of the United States. A good response on this resume…there are times to talk what you’ve done. Wallace says he didn’t answer and gives him another shot and hits it out…No, she’s not. Then asks the crowd. Finally, speaking to the crowd and not over.

 

Wallace says that on social differences, they are the same and asks if it’s true: Giuliani “You’ve got to be kidding.” “I grew up a Yankee fan in NY and she did it in Chicago.” Brings up the quote from Hillary “We can’t afford you Hillary.” Great lines, major points to Rudy. Problem is, he agrees too much with Hillary and that is a valid point of criticism.

 

McCain has a great line about Hillary wanting spending earmark for Woodstock “I am sure it was a cultural an pharmaceutical event (with laughs) but I was tied up at the moment” that brought a standing ovation. Great answer.

 

Huckabee “Hillary brings a bigger emotion more noise than an Aerosmith concert” “nothing funny about Hillary being President”  

 

Thompson Still seems like everything is scripted, he continues to look down at notes, pauses and too much. Message is good, but that bar is so high he can’t live up to it.

 

Cong. Paul, Senator Clinton is against the war, and you’re against the war, What’s the difference? Paul brings boos again when he attacks the war.

 

Thompson Bush isn’t the best public speaker but he was never expected to be. Thompson is doing a better job here because it seems it is coming from the heart and not the notes.

 

Romney it gets old hearing about his resume “I did this, did that” It’s like he’s trying to prove he deserves there. I understand a lot of America doesn’t know him, but it is still old.

 

Huckabee “the actuarial tables were designed for people to retire at 65 and die at 67. They’re not dying. Short of taking them out…” another good line. Putting it in human terms.

 

Ron “Mr Hand” Paul sounds like we are lecturing again.

 

McCain “I’m glad we’re not dying at 67, Governor” brings a laugh

 

Hunter I feel sorry for Cong. Hunter, he is a good man who really cares about America and he just can’t get any traction. He is very presidential. Brit says “You think we can solve Social Security and medicare entitlements with the Trade Deficit?” Good answer by Hunter understanding that it is part of a fiscal puzzle that when we fix one it helps others.

 

Break again. Again Giuliani connected with the crowd, still winning but Huckabee doing very well. Romney and Thompson still seem to be losing. McCain does well in spots.

 

McCain “When I looked into Putin’s eyes, I saw K G B.” Good line, but he had to start over so you could tell it was something he wanted to get in. Too scripted.

 

Thompson too many uh’s. Again, President Bush is not a articulate speaker but everyone thinks Fred Thompson is and it is an artificial bar he has to live up to.

 

Tancrerdo Good line about Pelosi being a bad Speaker of the House but a worse Secretary of State, but why is he there?

 

Huckabee, like Rudy, have a good understanding about PKK and Turkey.

 

Paul Sometimes I understand what he is saying and trying to be good to what the Founders wanted, but it’s like finger nails on a chalk board. He garners a round of boos, he’s just so isolationistic.

 

Romney  good talk about the failings of the UN and what Bill Clinton did, reducing our military.

 

Paul gets the question whether the GOP has left Paul or the candidates on the stage have changed the GOP where he has to leave. Again some of what he says is right but the rest is so overwhelmingly wrong that he just like that strange Grandpa that no one wants to be around. Mr. Hand!

 

Thompson gets the question of being lazy, taking time off, and such…I can’t wait for this answer. Good job on using this to talk about his resume, strongest point in the debate for him. “If a man can do all that and be lazy, I recommend it.” Great line, except then he interrupts Brit Hume as he is closing…not smart.

 

As Dean Barnett of the Weekly Standard points out, Rasmussen is the gold standard of polling and screens likely voters which is a big difference. The latest Rasmussen Poll in Iowa is very interesting:

Romney - 25%
Thompson - 19%
Huckabee - 18%
Giuliani - 13%
McCain 6%

Imagine a Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-Gun Southern Baptist Preacher winning Iowa? It is important to note that in the fund raising race, Governor Huckabee is not doing well. There are a variety of factors for that. I know, having spent time with [and to be fair, currently supporting] the Governor, he is fond to saying people tell hime they will support him when he gets traction...and winning Iowa would certainly gain him some very important traction. His answer is if you support him now, he will have that all important traction.

IMHO, this just shows that there is no solid ground in this race that it is all built on quick sand and some dominos will fall. One prominent Republican has been told by another prominent Republican and current Governor "sit this one out for now." Perhaps the wisest advice of all.

INCREDIBLE VIDEO HAS BEEN FOUND - YOU CAN STILL VIEW IT

This has to be THE WORST job of television reporting short of Geraldo's uncovering Al Capone's vault. KDFW Reporter Rebecca Aguilar confronted James Walton as he was leaving a sporting goods story. See, Mr. Walton has had someone break into his welding shop twice in three weeks (not to mention the 40+ times before when nothing was done to catch the criminals) and each time he used his shotgun to kill the burglar. He is, lawfully I might add, protecting himself and his business and this person who calls herself a reporter attacks HIM!

Just some of the lines that show just how biased and despicable she is:
Walton: "I'm not satisfied (he talking about not being pleased her showing up and attacking him)"
Aguilar: "What about killing two people?"

More great lines from Aguilar....
"Are you a trigger happy kind of person, is that what you wanted to do, shoot to kill?
"You think you were scared for your own life? I just want the viewers to know."

but the best exchange was the beginning:
RA: "What's in the box [as she taps the box]?"
JW: "Shot gun, new one, I'd hate to have to use it already."

This isn't the kind of journalism I was taught in college and certainly isn't the kind of journalism the viewers expect out of their television reporters. You can call KDFW at 214-720-4444 or contact Ms. Aguilar directly at rebecca.aguilar@foxtv.com and let her know how utterly wrong she is!

Update: KDFW has requested and You Tube has taken down the video.  Sad!

ANOTHER UPDATE: I found the video from another site, thanks to Malagent's Domain, as he has it up on Live Leak.

Is Mormonism a Clut? Dr. Robert Jeffers, who recently was named Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, has weighed in by saying in a sermon "Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult." The question is how will this hurt Romney's recent endorsement from Bob Jones III, considered a leading evangelical leader in the South. When I asked a close friend of mine about Governor Romney, whose is a very devout Evangelical, his response was: "I'd vote for Him before I'd vote for a liberal."  I have also spoken with other Evanglicals from a prominent megachurch who have said the same thing Dr. Jeffers has.  The FBC Pastor's statement will carry a lot of weight through Southern Baptist churches and is something Romney has to be concerned with and address in a way that doesn't linger throughout the primaries. Remember, Sam Brownback is going to withdraw from the race and that support could become huge to Mike Huckabee who is closing the gap on Romney in Iowa.

Note: Story is from the Dallas Morning News reporter Gromer Jeffers.