New American Republican Mom

Back from the end of the campaign season

2008-12-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

New blog observation posted....soon

Women at the Republican Convention

2008-09-05T09:45:00.001-07:00

Jennifer DeJournett of Maple Grove, Minn., went to the convention for Ms. Palin's speech. "My energy level has gone from 2 to 200," she said. "I am so grateful to Senator McCain for putting a woman on the ticket."

Photo: Todd Heisler/The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/04/us/politics/09042008WOMEN_5.html

Gov. Sarah Palin has a supporter _ NEW AMERICAN REPUBLICAN MOM MAKES THE AP WIRE

2008-09-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

Photo Gallery

Thu Sep 4, 7:10 PM ET

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Jennifer DeJournett, of Maple Grove, Minn., makes a sign showing her support for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Gov-Sarah-Palin-Maple-Grove2C-Minn-Republican-presidential-candidate-John-McCain-Sarah-Palin-Republican-National-Convention/ss/events/pl/082908govsarahpalin/im:/080904/480/6b428d89b86643d6ad0415fdd53543f4/

Palin strikes back at critics - WORD FROM THE UK

2008-09-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

From FERGUS SHANAHAN (THE UK Sun) in Minnesota

Published: Today

A WEEK ago nobody had ever heard of her.

Today she is the most talked-about woman in the world. And with good reason.

Sarah Palin's sensational performance at the Republican Party Convention may turn out to be the tipping point of this rollercoaster American election.

Obama fans hoping she would fluff her big night were in for a nasty shock.

This speech has turned the election upside down. It was simply stunning.

Democrats and their Lefty media backers had been sneering that she was a small town nobody, a hick from the Alaskan sticks put into a job way beyond an inexperienced woman.

Believe me, you will not be hearing that again.

Palin turned out to be an electrifying mix of intelligence, passion, energy, optimism and plain speaking.

Full of self-assurance and aggression, she popped Barack's balloon big-time.

From the moment she walked on stage in this cavernous bear pit, bandbox smart in cream jacket, trim black skirt and black heels, she proved that John McCain knew exactly what he was doing when he picked her as running mate.

Hair piled into a slight beehive – more Sarah White House than Amy Winehouse – she blinked and smiled behind her geeky spectacles as the vast crowd went ballistic.

For an unpopular party divided over Iraq and struggling to compete with Obama's Messianic glamour, the choice of Palin looks absolutely inspired.

Main Street America will have loved her performance.

And it was seen by 30million voters – the greatest number ever to watch a candidate for the much-derided VP post.

She is popular with voters for the very reason America's snooty political establishment despises her: She isn't one of the Washington gang.

She's a moose-hunting mum of five with a sledge-load of problems behind her own front door that workaday Americans can relate to.

A child with special needs. A daughter of 17 pregnant. A constant juggle between family and career.

As she said, her family has had its ups and downs like any other.

Last night her first task was to introduce herself and her family to an American public incredulous that the unknown Alaska governor could within weeks be a heartbeat away from being their commander in chief.

Compared to the journeyman career politicians dominating both parties here she seemed fresh, natural, one of us and not one of them.

She spoke to America as one mum to another. She cracked good jokes.

What's the difference between a hockey mum and a pit bull?, she asked.

Answer: One wears lipstick.

What will have scared the enemy camp most is the devastating series of prime-time punches she landed on the jutting Obama jaw.

Showing steel beneath her magnolia jacket, she slaughtered his lack of experience, his vanity, his emptiness beneath the windy waffle.

It was the most powerful demolition of the Democrat hero I have heard in two weeks on the US election trail.

The St Paul audience adored her.

When she duffed up the Lefty media commentators for their sexist sneers, the vast crowd roared approval and pointed in anger at the titans of the American press aloof in their special enclosure.

And quite right too: who ever asked whether Obama could still be a good dad if he became president?

The irony, as Palin pointed out, is that liberal media sniping has only succeeded in uniting Republicans behind her.

The wagons have been drawn up and the Republicans are ready for battle.

The McCain-Palin ticket now looks in exciting shape.

A war hero and a heroic mum. Experience and optimism. A man and a woman.

And when McCain joined the Palin gang – babies and boyfriends and all – on stage after her speech there was a sense of cheeky fun absent from last week's solemn Obama coronation.

How the Democrats must be regretting Hillary isn't running with Obama. Barack's sidekick Joe Biden looks a dull old dog compared with the ball of fire that is Palin.

But most fascinating of all, consider this: If Obama loses, Hillary Clinton will run in 2012. Opposing her is sure to be Sarah Palin.

That would guarantee America its first woman president.

And my fistful of dollars, having seen both in action here, would be on Palin.

Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party

2008-09-04T11:46:00.001-07:00

Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party

GOP Candidate's Acceptance Speech Defends Experience, Targets Barack Obama

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepts the GOP vice presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Palin and Sen. John McCain will face Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden in a battle for the White House.

(The Associated Press)
More Photos

Full remarks as prepared for delivery and provided by the McCain campaign of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as she accepts the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomination on Sept. 3, 2008, at the Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States...

I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America.

I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election... against confident opponents ... at a crucial hour for our country.

And I accept the privilege of serving with a man who has come through much harder missions ... and met far graver challenges ... and knows how tough fights are won - the next president of the United States, John S. McCain.

It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves.

With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost - there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.

But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off.

They overlooked the caliber of the man himself - the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Senator John McCain. The voters knew better.

And maybe that's because they realize there is a time for politics and a time for leadership ... a time to campaign and a time to put our country first.

Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by.

He's a man who wore the uniform of this country for 22 years, and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who have now brought victory within sight.

And as the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief. I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.

Our son Track is 19.

And one week from tomorrow - September 11th - he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country.

My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.

My family is proud of both of them and of all the fine men and women serving the country in uniform. Track is the eldest of our five children.

In our family, it's two boys and three girls in between - my strong and kind-hearted daughters Bristol, Willow, and Piper.

And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That's how it is with us.

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Todd is a story all by himself.

He's a lifelong commercial fisherman ... a production operator in the oil fields of Alaska's North Slope ... a proud member of the United Steel Workers' Union ... and world champion snow machine racer.

Throw in his Yup'ik Eskimo ancestry, and it all makes for quite a package.

We met in high school, and two decades and five children later he's still my guy. My Mom and Dad both worked at the elementary school in our small town.

And among the many things I owe them is one simple lesson: that this is America, and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.

My parents are here tonight, and I am so proud to be the daughter of Chuck and Sally Heath. Long ago, a young farmer and habber-dasher from Missouri followed an unlikely path to the vice presidency.

A writer observed: "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty, sincerity, and dignity." I know just the kind of people that writer had in mind when he praised Harry Truman.

I grew up with those people.

They are the ones who do some of the hardest work in America ... who grow our food, run our factories, and fight our wars.

They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America. I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town.

I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better.

When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too.

Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.

And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.

We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment.< br> And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.

Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.

The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

No one expects us to agree on everything.

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart.

I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor's office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau ... when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network.

Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve.

But with the support of the citizens of Alaska, we shook things up.

And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people.

I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.

That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.

I also drive myself to work.

And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending - by request if possible and by veto if necessary.

Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest - and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.

Our state budget is under control.

We have a surplus.

And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes.

I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.

I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.

If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged - directly to the people of Alaska.

And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.

As governor, I insisted on competition and basic fairness to end their control of our state and return it to the people.

I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.

And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.

The stakes for our nation could not be higher.

When a hurricane strikes in the Gulf of Mexico, this country should not be so dependent on imported oil that we are forced to draw from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

And families cannot throw away more and more of their paychecks on gas and heating oil.

With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies ... or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia ... or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries ... we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.

And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we've got lots of both.

Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already.

But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.

Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines ... build more new-clear plants ... create jobs with clean coal ... and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.

We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers. I've noticed a pattern with our opponent.

Maybe you have, too.

We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.

But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger ... take more of your money ... give you more orders from Washington ... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight ... he wants to forfeit.

Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay ... he wants to meet them without preconditions.

Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America ... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big ... he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much ... he promises more.

Taxes are too high ... he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses.

How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio ... or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia ... or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.

How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election.

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.

They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.

Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things.

And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They're the ones who are good for more than talk ... the ones we have always been able to count on to serve and defend America. Senator McCain's record of actual achievement and reform helps explain why so many special interests, lobbyists, and comfortable committee chairmen in Congress have fought the prospect of a McCain presidency - from the primary election of 2000 to this very day.

Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd.

He's a man who's there to serve his country, and not just his party.

A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.

And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, "fighting for you," let us face the matter squarely.

It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.

But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made.

It's the journey of an upright and honorable man - the kind of fellow whose name you will find on war memorials in small towns across this country, only he was among those who came home.

To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless ... the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome. A fellow prisoner of war, a man named Tom Moe of Lancaster, Ohio, recalls looking through a pin-hole in his cell door as Lieutenant Commander John McCain was led down the hallway, by the guards, day after day.

As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" - as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.

For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

If character is the measure in this election ... and hope the theme ... and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause.

Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States.

Thank you all, and may God bless America.

The Natural - SARAH PALIN a NEW AMERICAN REPUBLICAN MOM - my hero!

2008-09-04T09:21:00.001-07:00

To my blog friends:

I WAS THERE WHEN HISTORY WAS MADE! I am so thrilled with Sarah! Go Sarah Go! The convention is great! I have been there for all (4) days.

I love her style (political).

Just tell it like it is and people will believe you. Be honest and straight forward - be truthful and do what you say. People expect you to do what you say and that is what you need to do.

GO SARA GO. You are my hero today.

You are the Queen Bee of us NEW AMERICAN REPUBLICAN MOMs! Chart the way for us to follow you into the New America!

Thank you Senator McCain for picking outside the box! THANK YOU! I commend you for your leadership and being a maverick to the end!

To Victory in 2008

The Natural

Sarah Palin connects with people in a way that few politicians can. by Fred Barnes

St. Paul

That was easy. Sarah Palin delivered what may have been the most important speech ever by a vice presidential candidate and made it look like she'd been performing on the national political stage for years. And she made John McCain look good for having picked her as his running mate.

Yet, as governor of Alaska, Palin had never addressed as large a crowd as she did last night at the Republican convention. She'd never before given a nationally televised speech in prime time. And she'd never had to deal with a situation filled with such political peril for her, McCain, and the Republican party.

So how in the world could this 44-year-old woman with no national political experience handle the whole thing with poise and composure and seeming effortlessness? Simple. She's a natural, gifted with the ability to connect with people in a way that few politicians can and to perform under extreme pressure. She has star quality.

Political figures like this don't come along very often. And heaven knows Republicans haven't seen anyone like Palin emerge from their ranks since Ronald Reagan first attracted national attention in 1964. That's a long time to wait. They've been starved for a leader with charisma and a knack for leadership. Now they have one.

Palin shouldn't be shackled by her conservatism. True, she's a committed social conservative strongly opposed to abortion. But the portrait of her as a right-wing zealot painted by the mainstream media isn't accurate. In her short career, Palin has raised taxes,

bailed out a failing state-run milk enterprise, and worked to keep federal money flowing to Alaska. She's conservative, but not that conservative.

As anyone could see last night, she can rise to the occasion. Had she flopped by looking nervous or flighty or unserious by flubbing her lines or failing to project a confident presence, the McCain-Palin ticket would be in deep trouble. Now the opposite is true: It's energized and ready for the two-month campaign for the White House.

It also helps that Palin is ambitious and driven and very tough. And to invoke the latest cliché in political parlance, she has a great "narrative." It's this: Small town girl makes good and challenges the corrupt special interests and defeats the big boys. And she does it while tending to a lovely family with five kids and a devoted husband and still finding time to hunt. Hard to beat that story.

Given the unmitigated hostility of the mainstream media since McCain announced his selection of her as his running mate five days ago, Palin had a big task to achieve in her speech. She had to introduce herself to a curious nation in a way that would erase the unfavorable image of her the press was creating. She had to sell her narrative, and she did.

That was her first big test as McCain's partner on the Republican ticket. Two more loom. The second is the media itself. She'll have to meet with reporters and TV questioners, answer legitimate questions and a lot of dopey ones, and never get flummoxed or visibly irritated. The press can be tough. I suspect Palin is tougher.

The third test is Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's running mate. Palin and Biden will meet in the lone vice presidential debate on October 2. Biden is formidable. He's been a senator for decades, a Washington stalwart who gets along with the press and nearly everyone else.

Palin, however, made her name in politics by her performance in gubernatorial debates in Alaska in 2006. She was a newcomer with little following in the Republican party and no strategists or handlers to give her guidance. Nonetheless, she knocked off a sitting governor. So Biden may have his hands full.

No doubt the most relieved person of all after Palin's dazzling speech was McCain. He took a huge risk in choosing someone not only from outside Washington but from outside the orbit of the national political conversation. He's been vindicated.

Fred Barnes is executive editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD.

JENNIFER IS ATTENDING THE RNC Convention - YIPEE!

2008-09-01T19:40:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Prayers and thoughts to those in the Gulf! I think it is great that the convention is fundraising for all of victims of the Gulf. I hear they are dong service projects. I think keeping the focus on those that are in need is very important.

I am attending the RNC convention as a guest of Catholics for McCAIN!

I had so much fun. I saw some protestors. I also some crazy attendees. There was some guy dressed up as the July 4^th guy!

The reception for the Catholics for McCain was very nice. I had some appetizers and some great conversation. I met a reporter from a catholic paper, a VIP from Spain and Sweden. It was really great.

The seating was okay. I did get on the convention floor and took some great pictures. I am very excited for tomorrow’s events.

I didn’t run into my Minnesota friends but the place is so huge.

Oh, I have YouTUBE video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqvjEzRcl0 I think I will make another one tomorrow.

I also saw the protesters earlier in the afternoon. However, there was were so many police officers in riot gear. The protestors really couldn’t keep up with the police. What I didn’t understand is the protestors who just danced but had no position. I AM SO CONFUSED by their protest.

TO VICTORY in 2008,

PS:

To see some other blogs, follow this link: http://vote.kstp.com/article/11076/

GO SARAH GO SARA GO! GO SARAH GO! GO SARAH GO!

2008-08-29T17:03:00.001-07:00

I am so excited about Sarah Barracuda!

Go Sarah Go! Let’s break this ceiling! Let’s crash through it.

There aren’t many Structural Engineers that are woman. Every day, I know that. I applaud any woman that can be the “first” of anything.

What cute kids! I have a 6 month old. Her baby is even younger! 5 kids, Gov, wife and leader! You are my hero!

For all of us TOUGH woman, who want the best for our country! I am SO EXCITED about a tough as nails woman who is strong and can meet any level!

Go Sarah Barracuda, go get them! Win ONE for all of us that want to follow you to the top of the heap!

Thank you Senator McCain! Thank you very much for picking someone that can get us excited to be part of HISTORY TOO!

GO SARAH GO SARA GO! GO SARAH GO! GO SARAH GO!

Sarah Barracuda – you’re my hero!

To victory 2008,

GO MCAIN

2008-08-29T08:18:00.001-07:00

YIPPEE!

I am so excited about a woman on the McCain ticket! YEAH!!!!!

More to come after details emerge!

To Victory in 2008,

Lawn signs are more trouble than they are worth

2008-08-20T10:03:00.001-07:00

All I have to say is that I know lawn signs are a necessary. However, they are a nightmare. First you have to find locations, then you have to buy them, then you have to put them out! Now you think you are all done!

WRONG! You have to then field calls with the ones that have "walked to new locations" and placed themselves in right-a-ways. You also have to figure out that different streets, have different right-a-way set backs. Each city also have different rules of conduct.

I am telling you, lawn signs are hard work. Especially, if you are running a low-budget little campaign. They are important because you need to get your name out there.

Lawn signs, stakes and right-o-ways....OH MY!

To Victory 08,

McCain - Please pick someone Unique Obama - Please pick someone experienced

2008-08-19T08:08:00.001-07:00

Senator McCain:

Please pick someone new, who can inspire. Remember we all want to be apart of history. We want to be excited about change too.

If you pick the same old, same old - need I say more.

For the sake of our Country, please consider the different because we want to be a part of change too.

Senator Obama:

You need someone seasoned to help you. Please don't pick the same old thing either. Pick a work horse, pick someone that will let you shine. Your side may not like the current Vice-President but you have to give him credit, he never competed with Pres. Bush. He let Pres. Bush have the moment and he worked behind the scenes, where the real work is done.

Your experience can't complete with Senator McCain's lifetime of service to his country. Senator McCain gave everything he had and more in support of Country. You may disagree with his positions but his belief and support of his country is unmatched.

You need someone experienced to be your right-hand person. For the sake of our country, sir, please consider my suggestion.

To Victory in 2008

"I'm Paris Hilton, and I approve this message - because I think it's totally hot."

2008-08-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

What is wrong with the McCain campaign? SEE ARTICLE BELOW!

Hate Paris for the fact that she is the epitome of "stark, no talent" culture, but she is a SAVVY business woman. She owns multiple lines of shoes, clothes, accessories, etc. She is a stellar marketer of HERSELF! She has a team of people behind her and she is continually looking to advance her name. People see her as a dumb society party gal. Alas, she is not She makes money, making you think she is dumb.

Yes, she is an heiress. BUT by all accounts of her wealth, she has made more millions in her own right by pushing the "Paris Brand".

She is a smart enough to know who she has to hire to advance HER IMAGE, and her BRAND. If have watched her speak, she knows she has a BRAND and is shameless regarding the fact that she pushes her BRAND!

Senator McCain,

Anyone who is 30-something or younger could have told you that Paris would have mocked you back. It gets her headlines, it makes her money. She loves the press. I can hear her, "Let's do an ad, that will be so HOT."

Britney on the other hand is someone who is mentally ill. She is ill. Why would you make fun of a mentally ill person? Not Smart! And NOT HOT!

Finally, can I take a moment to implore the McCain campaign to pick someone fresh and unique. PLEASE don't pick the standard candidate. Isn't there someone that will be unique? Someone, ANYONE?

To Victory in 2008

______________________________________

Paris Hilton Gets Even With McCain, Releases ‘Ad’ of Her Own

by FOXNews.com

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Paris Hilton says she's 'like, totally ready to lead,' in a Web video released in response to John McCain's ad that used her image. (FunnyorDie.com)

Socialite Paris Hilton is getting even with John McCain, after he used her image last week in an ad mocking Barack Obama as an international celebrity.

Hilton released a Web video of her own Tuesday saying her inclusion in McCain’s ad must mean she’s running for president.

“So thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude,” Hilton says in the ad, while sitting outside in a skimpy, leopard-print bikini. “And I want America to know that I’m, like, totally ready to lead.”

The tongue-in-cheek video is laced with age-based insults. Hilton may not be known for her trenchant wit, but the two-minute spot is a satirical blend — part “Daily Show,” part “Legally Blonde.”

In it, Hilton lays out her point-by-point energy proposal, after reading an article on where to get the best tan. She muses about painting the White House pink, and then signs out with a semi-traditional campaign disclaimer.

“I’m Paris Hilton, and I approve this message — because I think it’s totally hot.”

The Web video was posted on the site Funny or Die, after Hilton’s representative and her mother both criticized McCain’s campaign for using her image in his ad.

After getting a chuckle from the video, McCain’s campaign released a statement.

“It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain’s ‘all of the above’ approach to America’s energy crisis - -including both alternatives and drilling. In reality, Paris Hilton may have a more substantive energy policy than Barack Obama,” spokesman Tucker Bounds said.

Open Letter to Senator McCain

2008-07-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Senator McCain:

Please select a running mate that will inspire Young America.

My generation is looking for a new way, a new hope if you will. We are looking toward the future. Many of us think, that if we select a President that will appear to be historic we can drop the burden of the past. However, another group of us (myself included) know that history for the sake of making history is a mistake. We need a leader that will lead and be sturdy in tough times.

We want to join our brethren in the excitement of an “Historic Moment” but we know that false promises are always the most tempting. We know that the false promise, twinkles the brightest. It isn’t until you have been enticed by its shine do you realize that it burns to bright and then is no longer provides you light.

My generation asks, “Can’t you find someone qualified and seasoned that can give us an alternate Historic moment? Can’t you find someone that will serve our Country with the same vigor that will give us means to get excited about the new America to come? Must we always fall into the same standard? Isn’t there someone else that is qualified?”

We want to feel like we are making history. Give us an alternate to Senator Obama that will swell our hearts with pride.

To Victory in 2008,

FW: THE IRISH - SUCH CLEAR THINKERS

2008-07-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

I wish I could take credit for this but I cannot! It is one of those fwd, fwd, fwd emails that SPAM our electronic mail boxes.

But since I am IRISH, I will post it because it is to funny!

To Victory in 2008,

THE IRISH - SUCH CLEAR THINKERS

Leave it to the Irish to cut through the crap and make the whole issue crystal clear...
Thoughts from across the pond.

An email from Ireland to the brethren in the States...a point to ponder despite your political affiliation:

'We, in Ireland , can't figure out why people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States .

On one side, you have a pants wearing lawyer, married to a lawyer who can't keep his pants on, who just lost a long and heated primary against a lawyer who goes to the wrong church who is married to yet another lawyer who doesn't even like the country her husband wants to run.

Now...On the other side, you have a nice old war hero whose name starts with the appropriate "Mc" terminology married to a good looking younger woman who owns a beer distributorship.

What in Lord's name are ye lads thinking over there in the colonies??

***********************************************************************

Could it be a depression?

2008-07-16T12:53:00.001-07:00

They are now calling a DEPRESSION (1930era) if they try to protect the dollar.

If they raise rates to protect the dollar, the analysists are saying that that the Recession will deepen and drop us into a Depression.

That Bennie is a student of the 1930s and is talking "tough" to appear to raise the dollar, but in reality he is actually going to drop rates, in order to keep us out of a full blown depression.

They are saying that the what is going on is a classic fall into a depression.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS TRUE?

I will have to reflect on this concept and write more later.

CNBC HEARING COVERAGE

2008-07-16T09:28:00.001-07:00

If you aren't listening to the hearings on CNBC regarding the Freddie Mac / Fannie Mae situation.

The potential of socialization of our mortgage industry. The gov't buy-out of the situation is important to us all.

Unlimited coverage versus a finite amount of money. What is best, it is an interesting discussion?

More comments to come. If you have comments, feel free to respond.

It's a recession: 75% of Americans say

2008-07-08T08:44:00.001-07:00

I am not sure why it is surprising to the those that report that the economy is edging out the Iraq war.

Every time we fill up our tanks or forgo going out to eat, we are reminded of the economy.

To Victory in 2008,

JD

___________________________________

(according to CNN, see article below)

It's a recession: 75% of Americans say

Vast majority of Americans believe economy is still in a recession with no signs of recovery, though negative views are dwindling, according to a recent CNN poll.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) --

Most Americans still think the economy is in a recession, but the number who feel that way has declined, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday.

In a telephone poll of over 1,000 adult Americans, 75% said they believe the nation is now in a recession. That figure fell from 79% in April. In March 74% believed the U.S was in a recession.

This decline is the first time the number - which had been steadily rising since October - has fallen. Then, the poll showed only 46% thought the economy was in a recession.

"From a consumers's perspective, the economy is bad, and the environment is going to be tough for a while," said Wachovia economist Mark Vitner. "That's pretty accurate."

The traditional definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. Though growth was sluggish in the last quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, the U.S. economy has not yet shown retraction in the current slowdown. The advance GDP numbers for the second quarter of 2008 are due to be released on July 31.

"Whether the economy technically meets the definition of a recession matters more for economists and policy makers than it does for consumers," said Vitner. "Consumers' frame of mind is pretty simple: it's a bad economy."

It's evident that times are tough: More than 324,000 jobs have been lost so far in 2008, and the mortgage and credit crises have crushed consumer confidence. Also, rising food and energy costs are hurting Americans in the pocketbooks.

Of those who think the economy is in a recession, 27% said they believe we are in a serious recession, down from 29% who said so in March. Slightly more people -19% - believe the economy is in a mild recession than the 16% who said so in March.

Americans are less confident in the future of the economy than the were in March. The poll showed that 23% believe the downturn will last more than two years, up from 19% in March. Only 2% think it will end in six months.

Economists also think the economy is due for a long rebound. Though the economy in second and third quarters of 2008 are expected to grow due to a boost from the stimulus checks, experts expect consumer spending and the economy to decline in the fourth quarter.

In a section of the poll released last week, 93% of voters say the economy is "extremely" or "very" important to their vote for president this November, edging out the war in Iraq as the biggest issue on voters' minds.

The poll was conducted between June 26 and June 29.

Stagnation

2008-07-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

_____________________________________

Stagnation

A period of little or no growth in the economy. Economic growth of less than 2-3% is considered stagnation. Sometimes used to describe low trading volume or inactive trading in securities.

Investopedia Commentary A good example of stagnation was the U.S. economy in the 1970s.

______________________________

Listening to the commentary on the financial channels, they are telling us that our country is in Stagnation. Gas prices are rising, people's salaries are increasing a slower rate than in the past. Stock market is not increasing.

I am not sure how we are going get out of this mess, until gas prices start declining. How can we spend if it costs all of our pennies to get to the store.

To Victory in 2008,

Oil Prices Spike Again

2008-06-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

Oil Prices are hitting all time highs. I heard on the radio that if oil prices are $200.00, then gas prices will be over $6 / gallon.

My oh My, what will happen to our economy?

I know that I have cut back on my "Extras" to offset the increases in gas and food prices. I have tried to limit my work-day lunches. I still have to drive to work but I am trying to cut back on other areas.

Obama isn't really coming up with a plan to bring gas prices back in line. McCain needs to come up with a louder message to fill the silence.

To Victory in 2008,

Another Enviromental Engr questions Global Warming Theories

2008-06-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Dr X and I were at a dinner reception for an Environmental Firm. During the dinner, Dr. X was talking to another experienced Environmental Engineer. This Environmental Engineer (lot of experience) mentioned his theory that global warming was attributed to fluctuations in solar radiation. He has tried to write articles for peer reviewed journals.

However, there seems to be a black-out for alternate theories. He said there is research that can validate solar radiation is more significant than CO2.

So, my personal conclusion: The scientist need to debate Global Warming in a peer reviewed setting. I do not think we should conclude as fact, that Gore is leading the world in the correct direction. I think this is all about money and who is benefiting by forcing one thought process down our collective economies.

To Victory in 2008,
JD

RNC looking for Volunteers

2008-06-23T10:42:00.001-07:00

The RNC needs volunteers for the convention. Go to www.msp2008.com/volunteer in order to volunteer

Obama Adviser: Pooh Bear, Luke Skywalker Hold Lessons for Foreign Policy

2008-06-18T12:16:00.001-07:00

We are totally doomed! Obama's people are referencing Pooh Bear and Star Wars on how to handle foreign affairs. (see article below)

America's security is not a children's book. The problem has been we haven't been making the difficult choices. He wants us to make even less difficult choices.

Maybe Danzig answered the question of why people are drawn to Senator Obama....we live mundane lives and have no ambition.

Internet Friends:

"I can tell you my life is not mundane and I have ambition. Maybe that is why I am not interested in Obama and his so-called Winnie the Pooh world of change. "

To Victory in 2008,

JD

by FOXNews.com

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Foreign policy architects could benefit from studying Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars, according to a Barack Obama adviser who is set to attend a meeting of the Democratic candidate’s national security work group Wednesday.

Richard Danzig, former Navy secretary under President Clinton, drew several creative and unusual analogies to explain the challenges America faces overseas during a foreign policy conference in Washington, D.C., last week, according to an article in the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

In arguing that the country should back off a policy that causes too much pain, Danzig said, “”Winnie the Pooh seems to me to be a fundamental text on national security.”

He read a section from the children’s book where Pooh Bear hurts himself going down the steps because he hasn’t stopped to think of another way.

During his address to the Center for New American Security, Danzig also said much can be learned about the motivations of terrorists by looking at, for instance, soccer fans who become absorbed by violence or even the Star Wars movies.

According to the article, Danzig said a terrorist from the 1995 Tokyo nerve gas attack once told him: “We have been raised on a theory of superheroes. We all want to be like Luke Skywalker.”

Danzig argued that anyone who leads a “mundane” life and loses his or her ambition can be tempted by the promises of an extremist group or leader.

Danzig was expected to meet Wednesday as part of Obama’s 13-member Senior Working Group on National Security.

It includes former members of Congress and high-ranking Clinton administration officials.

Prayers to our friends in Iowa

2008-06-18T08:37:00.001-07:00

Dr X and I met at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Ia. I went to Engineering School at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Needless to say we have friends in Iowa and Iowa holds a special place in our hearts.

We are sending our prayers to those impacted by the floods, with extra prayers for our friends in Iowa. Our adopted home-away-from home!

I ask that prayers be offered to those impacted and please visit the Red Cross for information on how to help our Iowa friends.

To Victory in 2008,

GUEST BLOGGER Dr. X Speaks: Is there really a correlation between global warming and carbon dioxide?

2008-06-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

New American Republican Mom is pleased to introduce a Guest Blogger, Dr. X. Dr. X has a PhD inEnvironmental Engineering.

I convinced him to share his thoughts on Global warming. It is my hope to have him blog in the future about this topic and other Environmental topics. Comments are encouraged.

___________________________________________________________

Recent years have seen the widespread promotion of the hypothesis that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion has lead to an increase in the global mean temperature. Additionally, a wide variety of actual or perceived phenomena, including the breakup of polar ice, changes in the behavior and ranges of various wildlife species, and increased frequency and intensity of severe weather events has been attributed to global warming. Proponents of this hypothesis point to numerous computer models and historical data which exhibit a correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and the increase in mean global temperature, both corresponding with the beginning of the industrial revolution. The hypothesis has been promoted to such a degree that many politicians, academics, and lay people across the world now accept it as fact. However, an hypothesis cannot be accepted as fact unless supporting data lead to acceptance of the hypothesis and rejection of all possible other alternative hypotheses. It is my opinion that, while data collected to date do not support rejection of the carbon dioxide hypothesis, neither do they support rejection of any number of alternative hypotheses.

For example, none of the global warming models I have seen predict that carbon dioxide alone is capable of creating the temperature increases that have been observed. In all of the models, water vapor is required as an additional insulating gas. An incremental increase in carbon dioxide causes an incremental increase in temperature, which causes an incremental increase in atmospheric water vapor, which causes a further incremental increase in temperature, which causes a further incremental increase in water vapor, and so forth. Thus, carbon dioxide just starts the flywheel in motion, but water vapor does the heavy lifting.

Additionally, the notion that any impact humans had on the environment may be correlated to the onset of the industrial revolution shouldn’t be surprising to anyone. However, we started doing lots of other things besides just burning fossil fuels during the industrial revolution. We started using more of all our natural resources during that time. Most notably, we began using larger quantities of water in different ways than we had before. In fact, shortly after the industrial revolution came the agricultural revolution, with increased crop production and much greater use of water resources for irrigation. Our increasing population required greater infrastructure in terms of paved roads, buildings, and parking lots, all of which limit the infiltration of water back into the ground. All of these activities would lead to an increase in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and, potentially, modification of the hydrologic cycle in some areas. As fossil fuel powered the industrial and agricultural revolutions, it shouldn’t be surprising that any environmental effects of these activities, whatever the direct cause, could also be correlated to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

So, if our models suggest that water vapor is a more important greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and we know that much of the industrial and agricultural revolutions involved the conversion of water into water vapor, why do we focus on carbon dioxide as the root cause of global warming? From a pragmatic standpoint, water vapor has a much shorter half-life in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, meaning that it is rapidly cycled between the liquid and gaseous states. This makes water vapor concentrations very difficult to track, and any trends in water vapor concentrations difficult to observe. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is subject to less dramatic variation, and trends in carbon dioxide concentrations are easier to track. Scientists would therefore tend to focus on a master parameter that they can accurately measure, because an unmeasurable master parameter is virtually worthless.

That explains why the scientists are focused on carbon dioxide, but why have the politicians promoted this hypothesis so fervently? Certainly, placing limits on water usage in the largest contributor of water vapor, agriculture, would not be politically expedient. In particular, agriculture industries in tropical or arid locales would be disproportionately large contributors of water vapor to the atmosphere, and would be subject to the greatest restriction on water usage, further impeding the advancement of developing nations.

The prospect of placing limits on fossil fuel consumption, the basis of economic power in the developed world, however, presents an opportunity to level the global economic playing field. There is also the added benefit that we lack sufficient data to reject the carbon dioxide hypothesis, and that nobody knows how to identify or measure any success of our carbon curtailing efforts. Do we measure success as a decrease in the loss of polar ice? If so, which pole?

I liken the current climate of the global warming debate to the discussions that must have occurred among the ancient inhabitants of volcanic islands. When the volcano erupts, the local witch doctor hypothesizes that the gods are angry. He further hypothesizes that, in order to appease the gods, a tribesman must be sacrificed to the volcano each month. After months of successful implementation of this practice, the volcano erupts again. When confronted by confused and angry tribesmen, the witch doctor of course concludes that the gods must require the sacrifice of two villagers instead of one. And so goes this cycle until either all the tribesmen have been tossed to the volcano, or somebody begins to suspect that there is some other cause and, therefore, solution to the problem.

We are currently at the point where the witch doctor is urging us to begin throwing tribesmen into the volcano. I hope we can identify the root cause and solution to this alleged problem before we fill up the volcano with tribesmen.

DR X, 2008

(please credit www.newamericanrepublicanmom.blogspot.com)

It's a dog-gone sad day - Leona Helmsley's Dog Loses $10 Million of Trust Fund

2008-06-16T08:22:00.001-07:00

Monday, June 16, 2008, Source: AP

Leona Helmsley's beloved pooch, Trouble, will have to live the high life on a lot less.

The Maltese, 9, lost $10 million of her $12 million trust fund to charity after a judge signed off on a deal that gives the late billionaire's disinherited grandchildren a piece of the Helmsley fortune, the New York Post reports.

The deal, approved by the New York State Attorney General's Office and Surrogate's Court Judge Renee Roth, reduces Trouble's trust fund to $2 million, placing the rest of the money into Helmsley's multibillion-dollar charitable foundation, the paper said.

Disinherited grandchildren Craig Panzirer, 40, and Meegan Panzirer Wesolko, 37, will now receive $4 million and $2 million respectively, the Post said.

Trouble is living in Florida with Carl Lekic, the general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel, the paper said.

The dog's annual expenses are around $190,000, he said.

______________________

I think the Dog needed a better advocate! How will the DOG live on a mere $2,000,000. The pittance! $190,000 a year in annual expenses, the shame of it all.

I think this is another example of another attorney that wrote a trust document and will that was worthless. And an example of another wealthy individual that was out of her mind, with to much time on her hands to think of ways to make people argue about her after she died. But maybe that is the point, she didn't get along with her grandkids in life. After she died, who would talk about her if she didn't make it a special?

I am glad to see that most of the money went to charity and it seems like everyone resolved it.

It is likely that the attorney that wrote the crazy documents, made money on both ends (during the drafting and the contention phase).

Which might be the point.......

To Victory in 2008,

______________________

FW: In Passing: Tim Russert

2008-06-16T05:09:00.001-07:00

When I started to get into politics, Tim Russert was my idol. He was thoughtful in his commentary and he had a perfect job. Sometimes, I thought he could have been tougher, but maybe he he eased off the gas in order to get the individuals in front of him to lower their guard and give you a sliver of their real thoughts. It has been over a decade since I started watching Meet the Press. Getting up on Sunday and turning on his show was a mainstay of my morning routine. (Yes, I realize most of you are shaking your heads!)

I will miss Tim’s viewpoint the remainder of this season and in political seasons to come. I send my sympathies to his family.

Dr X tells me that oil will hit $7 a Gallon

2008-06-11T08:15:00.001-07:00

Dr. X and I had a conversation this morning. He tells me that they are now claiming oil will hit $7 a gallon. My Kate in Chicago tells me that gas in Chicago is $4.25 / gallon for regular gas. In the past year, the cost of gas has doubled and the barrel cost hit over $138. Did you know they developed Iraq's budget assuming a $30 barrel of oil. There is something amiss folks, something is wrong!

UNBELIEVEABLE.

The typical American will be broke and not out consuming goods and services. They are not going to be able to put gas in their cars and are not going to be able to fund the endless busses that will be required. (Busses will need more funding, I.e. more tax dollars. There will not be the funds to do it, so they will raise rates.)

There are those that are looking forward to this day because they long for an America that uses less cars to transport themselves to the retailer of their choice. They say we should crowd into more sustainable communities in the City. Umm, America works in the suburbs in most places. A more dense population has its own difficulties, yet, they don't acknowledge those realities. They are mistaken in that dream of a less mobile America.

A less mobile America will mean we spend less on gas but also less on retailers, dining, service fields, construction, etc. Basically less consumption. If we consume less, our economy will fall further into recession (gasp, depression). Our economy (and the world's economy) is driven by America consuming goods and services. We do not make hairdryers, toasters, etc here anymore. We staff stores, sell gas, go out to eat, see movies, etc. If one segment falls, then the next person can't do their part in Consumption America, and so on and so on.

We have outsourced our manufacturing, we are outsourcing our Engineering (yes, we our outsourcing our Engineers). We are becoming less self-dependent and becoming more dependent on disposable services/trades. We are losing valuable and useful skill-sets because we changed our focus to consumerism. (Yes, Sergio you are correct. We spent ourselves to prosperity and will spend ourselves to default. I agree it isn't sustainable.)

So, America we are in a pickle. We need to drill or at least build some refineries. Yes, we need renewable energy too. Why can't we have both? We need to stop the madness! Darn those polar bears, do they pay our bills all they do is swim and sleep. They are not helping us resolve our issues. We should care about the environment but we need to think of a solution that is not contained in a one-stop solution.

America needs to stop playing in the sun, winter is coming. We need to prepare what will happen to our economy if Dr. X is correct.

Grasshopper, start following the ants and start preparing your house.

To Victory in 2008,
JD

Taxes for Oil Companies = Higher gas prices for us!

2008-06-10T18:51:00.001-07:00

They just don’t get it. If they raise taxes on the Oil companies, the Oil companies will pass the taxes on to you and me!

What is complicated about this concept?

To Victory of 2008,

Potential Guest Blogger

2008-06-09T10:36:00.001-07:00

I might be having a guest blogger.

Dr. X has agreed to write a piece regarding Global Warming, if I can think of an interesting name for him to post under. Dr. X is an Environmental Engineer and has some interesting thoughts on the topic.

It was quite a feat trying to get him to agree to blog. First, I had to explain the concept of a blog and how you blog. He likened it to Smurf village where everything is "smurfy".

For example: My guest Blogger will be blogging on the Blog regarding Global Warming.

He was quite frustrated that the word "Blog" is being used as a Noun, Verb and descriptive article.

Blog Thoughts by Dr. X to be forthcoming...once a name is settled upon.

To Victory in 2008,

Don't try to out sell the Used Car Salesman!

2008-06-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Neil C on Fox had a good point. He said that McCain should just be who he is, the comfortable grandpa. Don't try to be hip and cool, McCain can't do it. Just be who you are.

I completely agree. Obama is the Used Car sales person. He promises us the car he is selling is great. The family just wanted to trade up. Nothing wrong, it is freshly washed. The interior is cleaned up and fresh. Has that new car smell. No reason to think it is anything but what he say it is, a great new-used car.

But you know the story, the moment you pay him the money, the car gets messy and then that click-clank noise starts and you find out the transmission is bad. You take it back to him, and he then tells you "It was a used car. What did you expect?" And then you are left on the side of the road, Wondering why did you fall for the same song and dance.

McCain can't be someone who he isn't. He can't be shinny and new. He can't be the cool guy who people flock to rub his head (Yes, they are rubbing Obama's head at rallies). He can be what he is. He can be the grandpa that we love, he can be the grandpa that give us timely advice and tell us things our parents can't tell us.

McCain can lead us home even when we aren't sure we still want to be there. He can be a great leader. He just needs to be himself, and even though he seems uncomfortable in the spotlight.

America will follow someone real because we know the what the Used Car salesman will give us in the end.

To Victory in 2008,
Jennifer D

Ps:

Anyone have any good suggestions for a VP pick for McCain or Obama? And Why?

"Secret Meeting" with Obama and Clinton by the fireplace and McCain Question

2008-06-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Gosh, hearing Diane F speak about facilitating the Obama / Clinton meeting sounded slightly like a date. She said they had drinks by the fire. She left them alone to discuss their issues.

Is this how we run politics in 2008? The first woman who ran for President is resorted to being comforted by the fire? I am ill at the thought. This is exactly the opposite of the image that the first woman candidate needed to project. Lose with dignity, lady. Lose with dignity and leave the trail clear for the next woman!

And where the heck, is Senator McCain? Speaking about the new ad, it is a little too dark lighted for me. The lighting was to hide the right side of his face. He really didn’t tell us anything in the new political AD. Yes, you hate war. BUT what are you going to do? Is there going to be a follow-up to tell us more? What is the plan, Senator? We can’t surrender, we will regret it if we surrender! So, tell us where you will take us. Tell us what America will be like if you are our President.

Obama is telling us, that life will be all Peaches, Roses, and happy days are here again. There will be no problems, life will be fully of “bobby-pops” (lollypops, for those over the age of 2).

What will Senator McCain take us? Maybe we should give him some suggestions because he isn’t telling us!

Something to ponder!

To Victory in 2008,

Jennifer D

Luxury Home builder CEO declares 'depression' in housing

2008-06-06T12:53:00.001-07:00

Toll Brothers head says market could fall by 20% and recovery could be up to three years away.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The chief executive of Toll Brothers Inc., the nation's largest luxury-home builder, said Wednesday the housing industry is in a "depression" and any recovery could be two or three years away.

In candid remarks at the JPMorgan Basics & Industrials Conference a day after reporting a second-quarter loss, Robert Toll said he's not ready to call a bottom yet since the housing market could still get worse.

"Can the market go down another ten or twenty percent? Sure," said Toll, whose Horsham-based company will sit on cash unless a bargain land deal comes along.

He said the current housing crisis is the worst he's seen since the mid-1970s, but back then the decline was relatively short-lived. The current downturn started in late 2005.

"Maybe '74 and '75 was just as bad, but it was so short," Toll said.

Buyers' lack of confidence that home prices will stop sliding is what's keeping them out of the market, rather than lack of access to credit, he said.

He said the underpinnings for a healthy housing market are still in place: low interest rates, a low jobless rate, increases in population and accumulation of wealth. Moreover, home prices have fallen to levels seen around 2002 and 2003, making them more attractive to buyers.

When the market recovers, home prices will march right back up, Toll said.

In the meantime, builders face another headwind as the cost of materials rises - and there aren't a lot that can still be cut.

"Labor has gone along with us and squeezed themselves to the bone," Toll said.

As for materials, he added, "there's a whole bunch of them that's oil based... I see costs going up from here. So we're caught in a squeeze. Certainly, our clients aren't going to pay more money because our costs our going up."

Shares of Toll Brothers (TOL, Fortune 500) were up 29 cents to $21.89 in midday trading.

McCain runs new ad in battleground states

2008-06-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

Associated Press

TITLE: "Safe"

LENGTH: 30 seconds

AIRING: Fifty-four markets in 10 states: Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

SCRIPT: McCain: "Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war. When I was five years old, my father left for war. My grandfather came home from war and died the next day. I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. Some of the friends I served with never came home. I hate war. And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe. I'm John McCain, and I approve this message."

KEY IMAGES: McCain speaks directly to the camera against a black background, his face lit from his right and his left side in shadows. The ad starkly displays black and white photos of McCain's father and his grandfather, followed by images of the wreckage of his shot down A-4E Skyhawk and of a wounded McCain in captivity in Hanoi. A disclaimer states: "Military images do not imply endorsement by DOD or service branch."

ANALYSIS: The McCain campaign ramps up its general election television presence with an ad that portrays McCain as the reluctant warrior. The ad blends McCain's military biography with a cautionary message designed to blunt his support for the war in Iraq. McCain has been trying to undo whatever damage he may have caused when he speculated that U.S. troops could remain in Iraq for 100 years. He was talking about non-combat troops, envisioning a scenario akin to South Korea. But his remarks, from a New Hampshire town hall, have been made into ads by Democrats and liberal groups.

McCain, who wrapped up the GOP nomination in March, has since said he envisions victory with most U.S. troops coming home by January 2013 if he's elected.

McCain has already been running ads in some battleground states, particularly Ohio and Pennsylvania. This ad represents an expansion — a recognition that he now has in Democrat Barack Obama an identifiable general election rival. Obama clinched the nomination on Tuesday.

The ad serves both as McCain's reintroduction to voters in key states and as a palliative to those who might object to his support for the war. Indeed, while a majority of Americans are pessimistic about the war in Iraq, some polls show that they split evenly between Obama and McCain over who would better handle the conflict.

Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, called the ad campaign "a significant buy" but would not disclose the dollar figure. "This will run through the course of the campaign and we don't anticipate coming down now until Election Day," he said.

___

Analysis by Associated Press writer Jim Kuhnhenn and Liz Sidoti

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/19604094.html?location_refer=Homepage

The Democratic Gamble

2008-06-06T10:57:00.001-07:00

In a year so tilted toward Democrats, Hillary Clinton might have represented a safer bet to accumulate the bare minimum of 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

by Ronald Brownstein, National Journal Magazine

It’s difficult to overstate Barack Obama’s achievement in wresting the Democratic presidential nomination from Hillary Rodham Clinton—or the magnitude of the gamble he represents for his party.

Obama is the first true insurgent to win either major party’s nod since Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976. In the modern primary era, the only other insurgents to capture nominations were Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964 and Democrat George McGovern in 1972. And none of those three defeated a front-runner as formidable as Clinton. Obama’s campaign will likely be remembered as the most successful primary insurgency ever.

That itself defines some of the Democratic gamble. An insurgent campaign inherently upsets existing arrangements and assumptions. It trades the comfort of the familiar for the exhilaration and unpredictability of the new. Obama’s campaign is no exception. He offers Democrats new electoral opportunities with the enormous passion and activism he inspires. But his hold on some voting blocs and states that the party traditionally targets looks shakier than Clinton’s might have been. Obama almost certainly presents Democrats with a better chance to redraw the electoral map and expand their coalition if all goes well. But, in a year so tilted toward Democrats, Clinton might have represented a safer bet to accumulate the bare minimum of 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House. Compared with Clinton, “Obama has a much bigger upside,” says Robert Borosage, co-director of the liberal Campaign for America’s Future. “And a much bigger risk.”

That’s evident on every front, starting with demographics. Obama’s magnetic appeal to young people offers Democrats a chance not only to generate a big winning margin in November but also to cement a generation’s lasting allegiance, much as Ronald Reagan did for Republicans in the 1980s. Obama should also inspire a huge African-American turnout. And with a message focused on transcending partisan divides, he could help Democrats solidify their 2006 gains among independents, especially the well-educated ones who flocked to him in the primaries. “He could really consolidate that movement,” Borosage says.

But cumulatively through the primaries, exit polls found that Obama won only 35 percent of the Latino vote, 35 percent of the Catholic vote, 30 percent among whites without college degrees, and 28 percent among white seniors—groups that the party typically relies upon. He also faces doubts among Jews, a small bloc that might nevertheless tip the scales in Florida and Pennsylvania. Early polling diverges on whether Obama could run as well as Clinton among those constituencies against presumptive GOP nominee John McCain. Even if the answer is no, Obama could offset any erosion by posting gains in his demographic strongholds. But his struggles with such groups as Latinos and working-class whites increase the odds that he will need to assemble a new coalition to win, probably one tilted more upscale than usual for Democrats. “At the beginning, I thought we would rather run against Hillary,” one top GOP operative says. “But it is more of a challenge for him than for her to put together a coalition.”

Obama may need to construct a new geographic model, too. Either Obama or Clinton would have pursued Iowa and New Mexico. Her next tier of targets would have included Ohio, Arkansas, and even West Virginia, lunch-bucket states that all voted for Bill Clinton twice. Obama’s difficulties among blue-collar whites make him a tougher sell in those states. That makes it more likely he will need to win Virginia or Colorado, which are trending Democratic but between them have voted for the party’s presidential nominee just once since 1964.

The same contrast extends to their personal profiles. Both Clinton and Obama are history-making candidates, but electing the first African-American president might be an even greater leap than electing the first woman. Obama is stronger thematically: As a young, mixed-race candidate, he uniquely embodies his core messages of change and reconciliation. But Clinton, with her eight years as first lady, might have more easily crossed the experience threshold.

The common theme here is that Clinton’s potential route to the White House was one that Democrats have followed successfully before. For Obama to win, he probably will need to blaze new paths. That doesn’t mean he can’t, or won’t, do exactly that. It just means that in a year that Democrats might have been tempted to play it safe, they have opted for a candidate who could transform American politics—or leave his party second-guessing itself for ages.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/politicalconnections.php

Clinton will formally back Obama tomorrow

2008-06-06T09:37:00.001-07:00

by Star Tribune

www.startribune.com

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton met rival Barack Obama face-to-face with no one else present, hours before her campaign formally announced she would endorse him Saturday at an event in Washington

Who will be Vice-President from the Republicans

2008-06-06T05:38:00.001-07:00

The rumor is that McCain is going to select Mitt R.

Can we please have someone else?

Seriously, Mitt looks like a TV televangelist. I am sorry but that isn't going to work with the electorate. Surely, there is an intelligent person who isn't the "Winner's Way" guy.

Outside the box people, if we want to win, outside the box!

To Victory in 2008,
JD

PS:

Hillary still hasn't dropped but she appears to be closer.

Begging to be Vice-President is sad!

2008-06-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

Watching Clinton beg to be Vice-President is just SAD! Why do women always resort to begging when they do not get what they want?

Hillary, put down the microphone, you lost. Take it like a leader, step away from the microphone and fight another day. Hillary, just move to this end of the stage, nothing to worry about. Sure, you can go back to the microphone later........Yes, you have votes. Great. I am sorry but you still lost!

(Pss, can someone go get the hook from the back room? No sudden movements, we don't want to startle her. Get the large cage to put her in, when we get her off the stage.)

The Clinton Machine FALLS

2008-06-03T21:49:00.001-07:00

Months ago I called it that the Clintons would fall. But it is still shocking when the giant falls, with a loud thud. The echo of the fall is still making the floor vibrate.

I think McCain has a tall mountain to climb. There are a great many individuals on the fence for him. His VP choice will be a critical. He must not go to the regular watering hole to select his mate.

He must think outside the box and pick a fresh face. Many of the fence sitters, comment on his age and the fact that his male. McCain, have you considered a woman? Is there not one qualified woman out there for you to consider? Someone younger (not to young), someone fresh and idealistic.

Whatever you think about the Big Talker from Illinois (Obama), he bested the Clintons. Underestimate him, we can not!

Clinton Countdown Clock

2008-06-03T05:12:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that the Clintons are going to conseed the nomination to Obama! Giving up is just not their style. I was fairly confident that the Clintons were going to go to the Convention. Honestly, she is can’t get the number but it the big picture she isn’t that far away either. I am surprised.

I am not sure who would be the easier candidate for McCain to run against. Hillary is a known candidate. Obama is unpredictable. I guess we all will have to wait and see.

To Victory in 2008

Jennifer

Republican State Convention

2008-06-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

My 3 month old daughter (Claire) and I attended the Minnesota Republican State Convention. I was running for Alternate Delegate to the National Convention.

In general it was a fun experience. I enjoy having a part in the process and meeting other people who are active in political events. I met some interesting people.

I arrived Thursday in order to interview with the Nominating Committee. Claire and I drove about 2 1/2 hours from Maple Grove. They asked me several questions regarding why I thought I was qualified to run for an alternate delegate position, who I intended to support in the general election, how old was the baby, did I intend to stay with the Delegation in the hotel and did I have the funds to pay. I was aware from the proceedings in the 3rd district that I needed to be deemed qualified in the Nominating Committee process to be placed on the ballot. The Nominating Committee were professional and kind.

Let's see, the convention was fairly interesting. I was deemed "qualified" by the National Committee and placed on the ballot. Those that were not deemed qualified were fairly upset. Those that had interviews had to arrive a day early to the event. I wish they would have deemed some of those unqualified by the application and interviewed second round candidates in person. From what I hear, there were a great majority of candidates that would not have passed the application process. This step would have saved them the expense and the disappointment. Because they were new to the process (or not paying attention to the start of the proceedings), they did not get their act together to not pass the rules at the start of the Convention (Yes, this means you Ron Paul supporters). Had they organized to not pass the rules or amend the proposed rules, they could have solved their heartache later in the day.

I gave my speech and I felt it was well received. (Will post a copy later) I received over 66% of the vote (over 1100 votes). I received many supporting comments from those that talked to me after the convention.

My general thoughts regarding the Paul-ites and how they were handled. I felt that they were generally hard-headed regarding their positions. I tried to talk to some of them about their positions and what they were trying to accomplish. Several of them were determined to yell and were very angry. I tried to get them to see a different perspective. It was very difficult.

I understood their position that they felt pushed out by the party and were not respected during the process. They felt the rules were set specifically to leave them out of the process. They were correct in that regard. We have a presumptive nominee. I think the Paul-ites are still trying to argue this point and are not going to rally behind McCain.

I understand that the party did not want to be embarrassed by the situation. I do think they were a little heavy handed during the process and annoyed McCain supporters with some of the tactics. Why treat everyone as if we were the enemy? The Paul-ites were in the minority. Let them have their say and then vote them down. Would it have really been horrible to let them have a write-in vote. Numerically, they could not have sent any more delegates. They would have felt more respected during the process and your slate still would have won (just as what happened in the 3rd District).

The whole situation was difficult. I also thought it made us look a little foolish. Why make this the story? I thought it could have been handled in a less confrontational way.
.
Fun parts of the convention:

- I liked the McCain hats.
- I thought the Yes/No signs were silly.
- I thought that being on two jumbo-trons was amazing! I was basically two huge talking heads!
- I managed to not fall off the stage!
- I met Karl R. and he was very nice. He took a picture with me and Claire. He also laughed at my joke.
- I met some great people.

Welcome to New American Republican Mom

2008-06-02T16:47:00.001-07:00

Welcome to New American Republican Mom.

I am a 30-something mom with three children under 4 years of age. Both my husband and I work full-time as Engineers. Needless to say our lives are very busy. The New American Mom is a very busy woman trying to balance family and work-life.

I am a Republican for a variety of reasons; less taxation, border security, national security and I am pro-life.

Since this is an important election year, I thought I would restart the New American to post my musings and thoughts on this election and politics in general from the perspective of a New American Mom.

I recently attended the Minnesota State Republican Convention. I have some observations and thoughts that I will share shortly. It was a long two days, especially with my 3 month old daughter.

(FYI: I ran for Alternate National Delegate to the Republican National Convention. I fell just short of being elected, 15th place. 14th place and I would have made it. More Details later....)

Feel free to add your comments to the blog during this election cycle......

To Victory in 2008
JD

New American Republican Mom

Back from the end of the campaign season

Women at the Republican Convention

Gov. Sarah Palin has a supporter _ NEW AMERICAN REPUBLICAN MOM MAKES THE AP WIRE

Photo Gallery

Recommended

Palin strikes back at critics - WORD FROM THE UK

From FERGUS SHANAHAN (THE UK Sun) in Minnesota

A WEEK ago nobody had ever heard of her.

Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party

Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party

GOP Candidate's Acceptance Speech Defends Experience, Targets Barack Obama

The Natural - SARAH PALIN a NEW AMERICAN REPUBLICAN MOM - my hero!

JENNIFER IS ATTENDING THE RNC Convention - YIPEE!

GO SARAH GO SARA GO! GO SARAH GO! GO SARAH GO!

GO MCAIN

Lawn signs are more trouble than they are worth

McCain - Please pick someone Unique Obama - Please pick someone experienced

"I'm Paris Hilton, and I approve this message - because I think it's totally hot."

Paris Hilton Gets Even With McCain, Releases ‘Ad’ of Her Own

Open Letter to Senator McCain

FW: THE IRISH - SUCH CLEAR THINKERS

Could it be a depression?

CNBC HEARING COVERAGE

It's a recession: 75% of Americans say

I am not sure why it is surprising to the those that report that the economy is edging out the Iraq war.

Every time we fill up our tanks or forgo going out to eat, we are reminded of the economy.

To Victory in 2008,

JD

___________________________________

(according to CNN, see article below)

It's a recession: 75% of Americans say

Stagnation

Oil Prices Spike Again

Another Enviromental Engr questions Global Warming Theories

RNC looking for Volunteers

Obama Adviser: Pooh Bear, Luke Skywalker Hold Lessons for Foreign Policy

We are totally doomed! Obama's people are referencing Pooh Bear and Star Wars on how to handle foreign affairs. (see article below)

America's security is not a children's book. The problem has been we haven't been making the difficult choices. He wants us to make even less difficult choices.

Maybe Danzig answered the question of why people are drawn to Senator Obama....we live mundane lives and have no ambition.

Internet Friends:

"I can tell you my life is not mundane and I have ambition. Maybe that is why I am not interested in Obama and his so-called Winnie the Pooh world of change. "

To Victory in 2008,

JD

by FOXNews.com

Prayers to our friends in Iowa

GUEST BLOGGER Dr. X Speaks: Is there really a correlation between global warming and carbon dioxide?

It's a dog-gone sad day - Leona Helmsley's Dog Loses $10 Million of Trust Fund

FW: In Passing: Tim Russert

Dr X tells me that oil will hit $7 a Gallon

Taxes for Oil Companies = Higher gas prices for us!

Potential Guest Blogger

Don't try to out sell the Used Car Salesman!

"Secret Meeting" with Obama and Clinton by the fireplace and McCain Question

Luxury Home builder CEO declares 'depression' in housing

Toll Brothers head says market could fall by 20% and recovery could be up to three years away.

McCain runs new ad in battleground states

The Democratic Gamble

In a year so tilted toward Democrats, Hillary Clinton might have represented a safer bet to accumulate the bare minimum of 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

Clinton will formally back Obama tomorrow

by Star Tribune

www.startribune.com

Who will be Vice-President from the Republicans

Begging to be Vice-President is sad!

The Clinton Machine FALLS

Clinton Countdown Clock

Republican State Convention

Welcome to New American Republican Mom