Where Does Today Take Us
If you listen and watch the media about yesterdays three state sweep by Rick Santorum you would think it really didn't matter. It seems the media, especially Fox News, was trying to down play the results keeping Mitt Romney as the "presumptive" nominee. But to be honest nothing could be further from the truth. The truth that the media is hiding is that the wheels are coming off of the Romney bandwagon. If that is indeed a fact as I believe then you have to ask yourself...where does today take us?
There has been a lot of ups and downs in this Republican nomination election. It is so odd to watch everyone rise to the top for a brief moment only to tumble shortly after. Mitt Romney and his staff, with the backing of the Republican establishment truly believed that all the other candidates would have rolled over and played dead by now allowing Romney to walk away with the nomination, but there is one slightly large problem...Romney cannot bring the base together much less attract Independents, but we have to disregard Independents for now. So then where does today take us?
Rick Santorum swept three states yesterday, but the delegates are uncommitted until the convention so it really didn't matter who won yesterday except that it gives a candidate momentum. With the new found momentum Santorum could easily start to pick up some donations to help him push through a couple more states. The main problem comes for Santorum with delegates and not being on the ballot in at least five states. The delegate count after Super Tuesday will be more of a litmus test and I believe soon after Super Tuesday Mr. Santorum will see the writing on the wall and drop out, in my humble opinion that is. But the delegates from Super Tuesday may or may not be as they appear. So where does today take us then?
Speaker Gingrich did not place well in the three state contest but he does have the backing to push through to Tampa. He has picked up some major endorsements and it has been reported that Gov. Rick Perry and Herman Cain will start stumping more aggressively for Newt. This will show broader big name support and could definitely shore up support and votes for Mr. Gingrich here in Texas. Texas is a winner take all state contest on April 3rd with 155 delegates at stake. With Romney's current problems solidifying the base and Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum gaining momentum this campaign for the nomination is just getting started, so where does today take us?
Today takes us to the Republican National Convention. By virtue of Rick Santorum's sweep of the three contest pulled delegates pledged or unpledged from Romney and sends a clear message that this nomination cycle will be a fifty state contest. The delegate count per Real Clear Politics shows Romney 87, Santorum 35, Gingrich 32 and Paul 13. Nearly everyone interested in this election cycle knows it will take 1,144 delegates to win the nomination but can that happen before the convention...well not really. Romney's delegate total may be adjusted to 62 and Gingrich's count could go up to 48 should Florida be classified as a proportional state per RNC rules. Now we must start to focus solely on the delegates and how they operate.
There are three different types of delegates, RNC delegates, At-Large delegates and Congressional district delegates. There are 117 RNC delegates who can vote for whomever they choose at the convention. The most important part of delegate allocation are whether delegates are pledged or unpledged. Pledged delegates are lawfully bound to vote for a certain candidate during the first vote at the Republican National Convention. Unpledged delegates are a different matter, as the name implies the delegates are free to vote for whomever they believe is the best choice; however, there are only about 340 unpledged delegates available. Should there be no consensus after the first vote at the convention then all delegates are free to vote for whichever candidate is remaining on the ballot. If the candidates continue to push to Super Tuesday and they continue to divide the delegates it should all come down to the convention. The Republican establishment is so very afraid of the nomination coming down to the convention because they would not be able to control the outcome.
So where does today takes us? All the way to the Republican National Convention.
As always this is In My Humble Opinion.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Of Courage And Conviction
The political environment of late has gotten so negative and so ugly it drives all of us to basic core values to justify how we feel about this election. The environment is so disturbing at times we begin to question the support of those we trusted to help us see the nation as a whole. People like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin to name a few, as for the media they can be discounted as a whole simply for their bias. When I hear Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin the first thing that I begin to think about is courage and conviction, who has it and who doesn't and why.
One of my first few lessons in the military were courage and conviction. They are simple principles that when combined create an atmosphere in which integrity can thrive. I used to tell my troops that integrity has two "i"s (eyes) and they're watching you all the time. But back to courage and conviction and who of those I listed above have those qualities and who does not. It would be easy to discern simply that Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin all have courage and conviction because they are considered hard core conservatives. While being a conservative may be a good quality it's the actions of individuals that determine whether they have courage and conviction. It would be easiest to make an assessment based on each quality separately but I believe that in order to see true integrity one must combine them to test the quality.
While Rush Limbaugh has been the standard bearer of the conservative movement he too has fallen into the quicksand that the main stream media has and he is sinking fast. While Rush continues to beat the conservative drums against tyranny and Obama's administration he falls a little short on the current Republican candidates. It appears that Rush chooses to side step the issue to openly state the case of which candidate is a true conservative and which candidates fall short. He has not endorsed a candidate and that is understandable, he wants to be in a position to support the nominee and I believe he takes the proper stand in that regard. I believe Rush has fallen short on his courage and conviction. While he still lends his microphone to support conservative causes he has not helped to identify which candidates would portray the values of the conservative movement and move America forward. Rush Limbaugh shows a lack of courage and conviction to defend candidate conservativism by pandering to his radio show, his employer and his pay check. He has failed his listeners and the conservative movement by not showing the courage to demonstrate contrast in candidates records or a conviction to those who demonstrate the values that represent true conservatives. As I stated earlier integrity is deeply rooted in courage and conviction and if you are lacking in one area you are lacking in both.
I see Sean Hannity much like Rush Limbaugh with the exception that Sean Hannity has two opportunities to drive home the true conservative values. Mr. Hannity has a chance for 3 hours on his radio show and 1 hour on cable television to show the true contrast of the conservative candidates and those that do not represent conservative values. He, much like Rush, takes the same "high road" to not openly support any candidate, which I do support but to disregard the obvious contrast between the candidates is the wrong path. He has shown his true colors to guard his lifestyle by parroting the medias so-called non-committal approach. Mr. Hannity continues to talk about defending conservatism, he speaks about defeating Obama continuously but falls short with the complete truth. He constantly says that beating Obama is the number one priority and he is somewhat right...but who do replace him with? It is imperative that we replace Obama with someone who is a true conservative and in order for the people in Mr. Hannity's audience to know who the conservatives running for President are he must show contrast. He has failed to demonstrate courage to openly contrast the conservatives from the non-conservtives and failed in his conviction to stand fast with his conservative audience, thereby failing too in a show of integrity. He has, as Rush Limbaugh, chosen instead to protect his radio and television show, his employers and his pay check and he too has failed his audiences.
As a recent listener to Mark Levin it is apparent there is only one radio show host or any host for that matter who has true courage and conviction. Mr. Levin demonstrates the highest level of integrity by choosing to show courage and stand his ground on his convictions. He has the courage to let his audience know the truth, regardless of how much it may sting...Rush and Sean fall way short. Mr. Levin has also taken the "high road" and is not trying to sway anyone toward a specific candidate but rather wants those who believe in true conservative values to see a contrast. He spends a lot of his air time to show how each candidate has some conservative values, which one has more and in which areas. Mr. Levin has the courage to identify which Republican candidates have conviction in conservative values and which are not quite there yet. If all radio and television host would take time to study Mr. Levin I believe the integrity of the media wold increase.
It is time for Americans to stand together and pushed aside all the political correctness, it is imperative that those who have the ear of conservative Americans show the truth of what choices we have. The radio hosts such as Rush and Sean who condone the glaringly obvious lies told by one candidate without repudiation, are feeding the media drone syndrome. The media is expected to be biased, even so with Fox News, but the main stream media has been force feeding the American people the idea that there is only one candidate to defeat Obama for so long most people have come to believe it. It is time for true conservative Americans to show courage and conviction by standing by our conservative values...do not settle for the Republican establishment's choice for you, make your own choice.
Of course all In My Humble Opinion.
The political environment of late has gotten so negative and so ugly it drives all of us to basic core values to justify how we feel about this election. The environment is so disturbing at times we begin to question the support of those we trusted to help us see the nation as a whole. People like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin to name a few, as for the media they can be discounted as a whole simply for their bias. When I hear Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin the first thing that I begin to think about is courage and conviction, who has it and who doesn't and why.
One of my first few lessons in the military were courage and conviction. They are simple principles that when combined create an atmosphere in which integrity can thrive. I used to tell my troops that integrity has two "i"s (eyes) and they're watching you all the time. But back to courage and conviction and who of those I listed above have those qualities and who does not. It would be easy to discern simply that Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin all have courage and conviction because they are considered hard core conservatives. While being a conservative may be a good quality it's the actions of individuals that determine whether they have courage and conviction. It would be easiest to make an assessment based on each quality separately but I believe that in order to see true integrity one must combine them to test the quality.
While Rush Limbaugh has been the standard bearer of the conservative movement he too has fallen into the quicksand that the main stream media has and he is sinking fast. While Rush continues to beat the conservative drums against tyranny and Obama's administration he falls a little short on the current Republican candidates. It appears that Rush chooses to side step the issue to openly state the case of which candidate is a true conservative and which candidates fall short. He has not endorsed a candidate and that is understandable, he wants to be in a position to support the nominee and I believe he takes the proper stand in that regard. I believe Rush has fallen short on his courage and conviction. While he still lends his microphone to support conservative causes he has not helped to identify which candidates would portray the values of the conservative movement and move America forward. Rush Limbaugh shows a lack of courage and conviction to defend candidate conservativism by pandering to his radio show, his employer and his pay check. He has failed his listeners and the conservative movement by not showing the courage to demonstrate contrast in candidates records or a conviction to those who demonstrate the values that represent true conservatives. As I stated earlier integrity is deeply rooted in courage and conviction and if you are lacking in one area you are lacking in both.
I see Sean Hannity much like Rush Limbaugh with the exception that Sean Hannity has two opportunities to drive home the true conservative values. Mr. Hannity has a chance for 3 hours on his radio show and 1 hour on cable television to show the true contrast of the conservative candidates and those that do not represent conservative values. He, much like Rush, takes the same "high road" to not openly support any candidate, which I do support but to disregard the obvious contrast between the candidates is the wrong path. He has shown his true colors to guard his lifestyle by parroting the medias so-called non-committal approach. Mr. Hannity continues to talk about defending conservatism, he speaks about defeating Obama continuously but falls short with the complete truth. He constantly says that beating Obama is the number one priority and he is somewhat right...but who do replace him with? It is imperative that we replace Obama with someone who is a true conservative and in order for the people in Mr. Hannity's audience to know who the conservatives running for President are he must show contrast. He has failed to demonstrate courage to openly contrast the conservatives from the non-conservtives and failed in his conviction to stand fast with his conservative audience, thereby failing too in a show of integrity. He has, as Rush Limbaugh, chosen instead to protect his radio and television show, his employers and his pay check and he too has failed his audiences.
As a recent listener to Mark Levin it is apparent there is only one radio show host or any host for that matter who has true courage and conviction. Mr. Levin demonstrates the highest level of integrity by choosing to show courage and stand his ground on his convictions. He has the courage to let his audience know the truth, regardless of how much it may sting...Rush and Sean fall way short. Mr. Levin has also taken the "high road" and is not trying to sway anyone toward a specific candidate but rather wants those who believe in true conservative values to see a contrast. He spends a lot of his air time to show how each candidate has some conservative values, which one has more and in which areas. Mr. Levin has the courage to identify which Republican candidates have conviction in conservative values and which are not quite there yet. If all radio and television host would take time to study Mr. Levin I believe the integrity of the media wold increase.
It is time for Americans to stand together and pushed aside all the political correctness, it is imperative that those who have the ear of conservative Americans show the truth of what choices we have. The radio hosts such as Rush and Sean who condone the glaringly obvious lies told by one candidate without repudiation, are feeding the media drone syndrome. The media is expected to be biased, even so with Fox News, but the main stream media has been force feeding the American people the idea that there is only one candidate to defeat Obama for so long most people have come to believe it. It is time for true conservative Americans to show courage and conviction by standing by our conservative values...do not settle for the Republican establishment's choice for you, make your own choice.
Of course all In My Humble Opinion.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
IN THE BEGINNING
As my first post I thought it appropriate to introduce myself and give some background.
I come from humble beginnings, hence the name of the blog. I was born in south Louisiana and grew up there in a stable and loving home. When I was 23 years of age I made a decision that changed my life enormously...I enlisted in the Air Force. I was married at the time with one child, a daughter. The Air Force provided me with many great life lessons and situations, some I may cover over time on this very blog. I am currently married to a wonderful and beautiful Thai woman who literally saved my life.
During my Air Force career I had a second daughter, got divorced, got remarried and traveled the world, quite literally. I have had some exciting adventures and some not so exciting. I had had some close calls but mostly the 25 years, 8 months and 17 days (but who's counting) was well worth it and I would not change a thing.
When I say I traveled the world I literally mean the world. I have been to places like Mogadishu, Belet Huen, Oddur and Baidoa Somalia delivering humanitarian relief supplies. I have also been to England, Germany, Japan, Korea, Australia, Philippines, Palau, Africa...and so many other places. Having spent my entire career in C-130 aircraft maintenance was great but it was my time as a flying crew chief that I enjoyed the most. There is something about having the responsibility of maintaining a multi-million dollar government asset that is exciting and at times scary.
While all the places my wife and I visited where awesome in there own way it is Okinawa, Japan we truly loved the most. We met some amazing friends and families, one of our best family friends lives in Oklahoma now as he finishes out his career there, one of our friends, whom is a musician that now plays the Reno, Nevada circuit. Okinawa is a beautiful island with so much to do that you can never get bored. The variety of cuisine is simply astounding as well as the Okinawan people, they were always very kind to me...not so much to some of my other friends though.
I retired from active duty in June 2011 and do not regret the decision. It was a long and distinguished career but there is always a time to call it quits and I knew it was my time. Now I do odd projects around the house while my wife finishes her Business Administration degree, she already has a Political Science degree from Thailand...she is one smart cookie.
Well thats the beginning but there will be more to follow. I am certain with the current political climate and on-going strive of day to day living I will not run out of topics.
Then again that's In My Humble Opinion.
As my first post I thought it appropriate to introduce myself and give some background.
I come from humble beginnings, hence the name of the blog. I was born in south Louisiana and grew up there in a stable and loving home. When I was 23 years of age I made a decision that changed my life enormously...I enlisted in the Air Force. I was married at the time with one child, a daughter. The Air Force provided me with many great life lessons and situations, some I may cover over time on this very blog. I am currently married to a wonderful and beautiful Thai woman who literally saved my life.
During my Air Force career I had a second daughter, got divorced, got remarried and traveled the world, quite literally. I have had some exciting adventures and some not so exciting. I had had some close calls but mostly the 25 years, 8 months and 17 days (but who's counting) was well worth it and I would not change a thing.
When I say I traveled the world I literally mean the world. I have been to places like Mogadishu, Belet Huen, Oddur and Baidoa Somalia delivering humanitarian relief supplies. I have also been to England, Germany, Japan, Korea, Australia, Philippines, Palau, Africa...and so many other places. Having spent my entire career in C-130 aircraft maintenance was great but it was my time as a flying crew chief that I enjoyed the most. There is something about having the responsibility of maintaining a multi-million dollar government asset that is exciting and at times scary.
While all the places my wife and I visited where awesome in there own way it is Okinawa, Japan we truly loved the most. We met some amazing friends and families, one of our best family friends lives in Oklahoma now as he finishes out his career there, one of our friends, whom is a musician that now plays the Reno, Nevada circuit. Okinawa is a beautiful island with so much to do that you can never get bored. The variety of cuisine is simply astounding as well as the Okinawan people, they were always very kind to me...not so much to some of my other friends though.
I retired from active duty in June 2011 and do not regret the decision. It was a long and distinguished career but there is always a time to call it quits and I knew it was my time. Now I do odd projects around the house while my wife finishes her Business Administration degree, she already has a Political Science degree from Thailand...she is one smart cookie.
Well thats the beginning but there will be more to follow. I am certain with the current political climate and on-going strive of day to day living I will not run out of topics.
Then again that's In My Humble Opinion.
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