Should Obama ask Mitt Romney to Run GM?

Marc Ambinder poses the question should Obama install Mitt Romney as GM's chairman. Obama has said

The government can't hope to fix G.M. and sell it off without getting under the hood. Over decades now of restructuring plans at the company, two things have demonstrably not helped get much done: Money and time. The government can't simply give more of each to the automaker. What's needed is forceful, even ruthless, leadership to insist on the changes that everyone--the managers, the union leadership, the dealers, everyone--has known were necessary for about 20 years now.[...]

Here's a modest proposal to drive things along: Obama should install Mitt Romney as GM's chairman. Romney grew up outside Detroit and around cars; his father, George W. Romney, saved American Motors from collapse in the 1950s--by killing failing brands and focusing on compact cars! George Romney successfully took on the Big Three with a "dinosaur fighter" strategy. The son would bring to GM that legacy, the turnaround expertise and credentials he developed at Bain & Company, and the outsider's eye that GM desperately needs. He would also usefully jack up even further the stakes and the drama of the undertaking.

And he would create a political firewall for the turnaround. An alliance with Romney to save GM would give Obama and Henderson the protection they need to move briskly to shrink the company. Why would Romney do it? Maybe because the chance to renew an American icon, preserve America's manufacturing capacity, and save tens of thousands of jobs would mean something to him. Maybe because it would give him a platform to demonstrate what an effective leader he can be. Maybe because, along the way, it would allow him to save the Republican Party by proving that it stands for something besides...whatever it is that it stands for right now.

It would be a win for Romney because if he leads GM back he would be a top candidate in 2016. It would be a win for Obama cause it shows his bipartisan approach and would patch over a possible issue in 2012.

With all that said, it probably would never happen because it makes sense.

Romney Flips Flops on Move to New Hampshire

I posted a couple months ago about Mitt Romney moving to New Hampshire. Well, I guess Romney is denying that he is moving.

Mitt Romney rejected reports "that he is planning to make his permanent residence in New Hampshire to position himself for the state's first-in-nation presidential primary,"Politico reports. 

Said Romney: "No, my residence is still in Massachusetts. That is my home. That's where I vote. And I'm going to continue to be a Massachusetts resident -- I can't tell you how many years that's the case -- but for the indefinite future."

So Romney was first pro-choice now he is against abortion.  He was for gun control now he is in favor of small varmint hunting.  He was for gay rights now he is anti-gay.  He was for immigration reform now he is against amnesty.  After this news, Romney was for moving to New Hampshire, now he is against it.

Romney and Palin: Ken Attacks Barbie for Being Plastic

I wish I could claim the line, "Ken attacks Barbie for being plastic," but that comes Daily Kos. 

Here's video of Romney's comment on Palin's looks...

Romney Sells 2 of His Mansions

From Political Wire...

Mitt Romney is selling mansions he owns with his wife in Utah and Massachusetts, according to the Boston Globe.

However, he will keep his other two homes; one in California and, of course, another in New Hampshire.

Looks like Romney learned that having a lot of homes can be a liability on the campaign trail. Though, Romney owned three fewer than McCain did, so maybe he is over reacting.

When is Romney Coming to Iowa?

The Boston Globe is reporting Mitt Romney is laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2012.

From Political Wire...

Mitt Romney "is laying the groundwork for a possible White House campaign in 2012, hiring a team of staff members and consultants with money from a fund-raising committee he established with the ostensible purpose of supporting other GOP candidates," the Boston Globe reports.

"The former Massachusetts governor has raised $2.1 million for his Free and Strong America political action committee. But only 12 percent of the money has been spent distributing checks to Romney's fellow Republicans around the country."

"Instead, the largest chunk of the money has gone to support Romney's political ambitions, paying for salaries and consulting fees to over a half-dozen of Romney's longtime political aides."

That leaves the obvious question. When is Mitt Romney coming to Iowa?

Michigan Democrats for Romney

There is push for Michigan Democrats to crossover and vote for Mitt Romney since not all the Democrats are on the ballot in Michigan. Here's a hilarious video about why Democrats should do this...

2008 New Hampshire Primary Predictions

I posted my predictions for the Iowa caucuses right before I left work. On the home I started thinking about how ridiculous it would be for Obama to beat Edwards by 8%, so I decided to change them to make it closer. However, when I got home my internet wasn't working and I couldn't.

As it turns out, my predictions were darn close, getting the top 2 exactly right (though I had Richardson and Biden way too high and Clinton too low). My Republican predictions weren't bad either, except I gave McCain too much support and not enough to Fred Thompson.

So here are my predictions for New Hampshire...

Democrats
1. Barack Obama 42%
2. Hillary Clinton 27%
3. John Edwards 24%
4. Bill Richardson 9%

Republicans

1. John McCain 32%
2. Mitt Romney 29%
3. Mike Huckabee 16%
4. Ron Paul 11%
5. Rudy Giuliani 9%
6. Fred Thompson 3%

Huckabee and the Catholic Vote in Iowa

Matthew Yglesias had an interesting post today that shows Mike Huckabee had a poor showing in Iowa counties with a high Catholic population.

Here are the maps...

Huckabee won the counties in blue, Romney won the counties in red.


The redder the counties, the more Catholics.

Republican Caucus Guide

The Cornbelt Blather Boys have a pretty nifty caucus guide that outlines the pros and cons of the Republican candidates.

As the January 3rd Iowa caucuses approach, it has been reported that many voters are still undecided as who to vote for. Enter CBB’s handy dandy pocket, blog voting guide:

Mike Huckabee: Former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister.

Pros: Lost over 100 pounds, meaning there is less of him to dislike. Figuratively speaking.

Cons: Mike has over a thousand cons, as in he pardoned over a thousand convicts.

Mitt Romney: Former Massachusetts governor and Mormon.

Pros: America can always use another elitist, politician from Massachusetts to govern our lives.

Cons: How many lawyers does it take to invade a nation? Believes a lawyer should be consulted before he would take military action as President.

Ron Paul: Congressman from Texas

Pros: Maybe you missed the part where he’s from Texas? As a bonus, he’s an angry Texan.

Cons: As a strict Constitutionalist surely Ron Paul has observed his Presidency is not mentioned anywhere in the US Constitution.

Rudy Giuliani: Former mayor of New York City.

Pros: He’s been through two nasty divorces which, of course, makes him over qualified to handle diplomatic relations with rogue states like Iran and North Korea.

Cons: He is a Yankees fan.

Fred Thompson: Former senator and actor.

Pros: Starred in such movies as Days of Thunder and Aces: Iron Eagle III.

Cons: Starred in such movies as Days of Thunder and Aces: Iron Eagle III.

Good luck finding a good candidate in that bunch.

Celebrate New Year's Eve With the Candidates

Candidates are criscrossing the state and many are holding New Year's Eve parties tonight. Iowa Politics has compiled a list of where the events are taking place...

The candidates are holding New Year's Eve gatherings throughout the state. Here's where they're scheduled to be:

-- Barack Obama is holding a New Year's Eve rally at 8:30 p.m. at the Iowa State University Memorial Union in Ames. The doors open at 7:30 p.m.

-- Hillary Clinton will be joined by husband and former President Bill Clinton at a New Beginnings Celebration at 9:45 p.m. at Capitol Square in Des Moines.

-- John Edwards' New Year's Eve festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. at his Mason City campaign office.

-- Chris Dodd is holding a New Year's Eve party at Happy's Place in Dubuque.

-- Bill Richardson and wife Barbara will hold a holiday event at 8 p.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites Event Center in Des Moines.

-- Mike Huckabee and his family are meeting with supporters at a New Year's Eve gathering at 5:30 p.m. at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines.

-- Mitt Romney and his family are attending the GuideOne ImaginEve celebration at 7:15 p.m. at the Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

Romney's 2nd Anti-Endorsement

Things aren't going well for Mitt Romney in New Hampshire. The 2nd newspaper in the past week has come out with anti-endorsements of Romney's campaign. First it was the Concord Monitor and now it is the Union Leader...

THERE IS A reason Mitt Romney has not received a single newspaper endorsement in New Hampshire. It's the same reason his poll numbers are dropping. He has not been able to convince the people of this state that he's the conservative he says he is....

In this primary, the more Mitt Romney speaks, the less believable he becomes. That is why Granite Staters who have listened attentively are now returning to John McCain. They might not agree with McCain on everything, as we don't, but like us, they judge him to be a man of integrity and conviction, a man who won't sell them out, who won't break his promises, and who won't lie to get elected.

With McCain climbing in recent polls in New Hampshire, Iowa is becoming a must win for Romney now.

Romney's Anti-endorsement

The Concord Monitor came out with an anti-endorsement of Mitt Romney where they highly criticize his campaign and urge New Hampshire primary voters to not vote for Romney.

From Blue Hampshire...

In the 2008 campaign for president, there are numerous issues on which Romney has no record, and so voters must take him at his word. On these issues, those words are often chilling. While other candidates of both parties speak of restoring America's moral leadership in the world, Romney has said he'd like to "double" the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, where inmates have been held for years without formal charge or access to the courts. He dodges the issue of torture - unable to say, simply, that waterboarding is torture and America won't do it.

When New Hampshire partisans are asked to defend the state's first-in-the-nation primary, we talk about our ability to see the candidates up close, ask tough questions and see through the baloney. If a candidate is a phony, we assure ourselves and the rest of the world, we'll know it.

Mitt Romney is such a candidate. New Hampshire Republicans and independents must vote no.

The Ads Huckabee and Romney Don't Want You to See

Here are a couple hilarious parodies of ads from Huckabee and Romney...

Huckabee's Message to Iowans


Mitt Questions Huckabee's Values


**Update**
Here's one for Rudy...

Anti-Romney Ad

Here's an anti-Romney ad that shows his flip flopping on the abortion issue...



As Jon Stewart says about Mitt Romney while showing a pictures of John Kerry on the screen...

....a patrician flip-flopper from Massachusetts... good luck with that.

Romeny Calls Barack Osama, Obama Responds

First, Romney calls Clinton's health care plan socialist and something Karl Marx would be proud of when her plan is very similar to his health care plan in Massachusetts and now this.

Mitt Romney today, in Greenville:

Actually, just look at what Osam, uh, Barack Obama, said just yesterday. Barack Obama calling on radicals, jihadists of all different types, to come together in Iraq. That is the battlefield. That is the central place, he said. Come join us under one banner."

Bill Burton, Obama's campaign spokesman, responds:

"Apparently, Mitt Romney can switch names just as casually as he switches positions, but what's wrongheaded is continuing a misguided war in Iraq that has left America less safe. It's time to end the divisiveness and fear-mongering that is at the heart of Governor Romney's campaign."

When you don't have any ideas to run on, I guess you resort to name calling.

Right-wing Facebook

My addiction to Facebook peaked over the summer. Now I only check it once a day. However, I still found this Republican Facebook parody site pretty hilarious.

Here's a taste of what's on the site....

Fred Thompson added "Convincing everyone my presidential run isn't really Method-style research for a movie role" to his Interests.

John McCain is appealing to Ron Paul for fundraising tips.

Rudy Giuliani is wondering how he can fit 9/11 into a speech about agriculture policy.

Mitt Romney is shredding some old speeches.

Mitt Romney joined the group "Pro-Lifers."

Mitt Romney left the group "Pro-Choicers."

Romney Plans to Bully Teens to Not Have Out-of-Wedlock Babies

I was watching CSPAN and saw some of Mitt Romney's speech at the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit on Friday. Romney talked about the need for people to have babies when they are married and said that he would use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to solve this issue. He said it would be his wife, Ann's mission to reduce the number of out-of-wedlock babies born.

Romney didn't mention any ways he would accomplish this except to use the bully pulpit, as if teenagers listen well to strict parents who tell them what they should or shouldn't be doing.

At the forum, which was sponspored by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family, Romney had negative things to say about teaching sexual education in schools, saying that should be left to the family. Romney also failed to mention anything about the importance of using contraception.

I totally agree that we are better off if children are born in a stable family environment. Young people having children before getting married isn't good for the child or the young person because it makes it more difficult for them to go onto college. To solve this problem you either have to change the culture or provide the resources so teens can make better choices. This can be done through education and the use of contraception.

However, if you are against sexual education and against contraception, then how are you planning on reducing the number of out-of-wedlock babies?

Romney's Campaign is Broke, Luckily the Candidate is Rich

From Political Wire...

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign announced "it is expected to report over $18 million in total receipts" for the third quarter, but that includes a loan to the campaign from the candidate of $8.5 million.

However, the campaign also announced that it has just $9 million cash on hand, so without the loan the campaign would essentially have no money left.

In total, Romney has lent the campaign approximately $17 million so far and has pledge to spend as much of his personal fortune as needed.

Romney's campaign is basically broke. They are lucky Romney's net worth is estimated to be at $250 million.

Marc Ambinder has more...

Romney's spending is lavish. He has 9m in the bank now. (In comparison, John Edwards has 12m without his federal cash infusion).

Carve the Candidates This Halloween

The Des Moines Register has templates for some of the top presidential candidates to carve on pumpkins.

So if you want a John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, John McCain, or Rudy Giuliani pumpkin then check it out.

A Look at 3rd Quarter Fundraising Numbers

Political Wire has a rundown of the 3rd quarter fundraising numbers that have been reported so far.

• Sen. Barack Obama reports $19 million raised from 93,000 donors, according to The Politico.
• John Edwards raised $7 million and has $12 million in the bank, according to Marc Ambinder.
• Sen. John McCain reports $5 million raised -- beating expectations -- but the campaign is still more than $2 milliion in debt, according to The Politico.
• Gov. Bill Richardson reports $5.2 million, keeping him in the second tier of Democratic candidates, as noted earlier on Political Wire.
• Craig Crawford on Fred Thompson: "It looks like Republican White House hopeful Fred Thompson could flub yet another campaign test this week -- at least in the eyes of the national media and other Beltway junkies. Word is that the former Tennessee senator, who is getting tepid reviews for his stump performances, will post unimpressive results for his first official fundraising quarter, just ended."

MyDD reports some numbers from the top Republicans...

Fred Thompson will raise at least $8 million.

Mitt Romney is expected to raise about $15 million.

Rudy Giuliani's take was expected to run about $10 million.

Daily Kos wrote that Romney again loaned himself $5 million from his personal fortune.

It will be interesting to see if Huckabee's surprising finish at the Iowa Straw Poll will give him a fundraising bump.