The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

A letter from my aunt:

"Read, Get Mad and Pass On.

If an immigrant is over 65 they can apply for SSI and Medicaid and get
more than my mom gets for Social Security, and she worked from 1944
till 2004. She only gets $791 per month because she was born in 1924
and there is a "catch 22".
It is interesting that the federal government provides a single refugee
with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00 and each child can also obtain an
additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of $2,470.00/month.

Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!

Consider sending this to all your friends in this great country, so we can all be
ticked off and maybe get the refugees cut back to $1,012.00 and the
pensioners up to $2,470.00 and enjoy some of the money we were forced
to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 or 60 years.

Please forward to expose what our elected politicians have been doing over the past 11 years to the over-taxed American"

I say not to Amnesty and no to McCain.
Yes to change and yes to Romney.

Let's see... McCain: 1) McCain/Feingold - first amendment be damned, 2) Voted to give illegals citizenship, borders be damned, so what if they sneak into the country ahead of everyone waiting in line 3) Voted to give illegals social security benefits, sure - we're a rich country we can afford it - NOT. 4) 71 years old with an open contempt for Christian Conservative Republicans and fights with a majority of his own party, 5) Talked to Daschle and other dems about switching parties 6 years ago but Jeffords beat him to it; 6) Thinks Alito is too conservative for Supreme Court and would appoint more "open minded" judges..... and I could go on. No, sorry, McCain is not for me; however, he apparently is what liberals and independents want; looks like conservatives will have to go elsewhere. I'll be sitting out my first election since Ronald - I just can't vote for him and be true to myself. Let the chips fall where they may.

Romney misplayed it. He thought just hard right was going to work. He should have challenged McCain as a centrist and he would have got the northeast and California. Huckabee was going to take the South anyway, because Southerners like Southerners. A little less 'Islamofacism' (AIPAC isn't backing you man) and more trusty management and compassionate, populist conservatism. Mitt would have made some headway with a little more right wing populism and playing up his religion, quoting the Bible like his Dad (the reason they attacked him on being a Mormon isn't because people think Mormons aren't Christian but because people thing they're goody-goody Bible thumpers.) Roll up the shirt sleeves, talk economy, quote the Bible. Oh well.

Why does everyone think Huckster had a great night yesterday and Romney should drop out? Mitt won more states and, more importantly, still has more delegates. Huck consistently finished a distant third outside of the evangelical south, while Romney and McCain made it competitive in virtually every southern state.

After WV, I smell a backroom deal between McCain and Huck, who must think there's some upside to being VP to a 72-year-old president.

I am unhappy that none of the southern states went to Romney. I will still vote for him in Virginia. I was very encouraged by the exit polls in CA. They show that Romney is well ahead with the conservative vote. I was also happy that Romney won MN, ND, AK, and CO very handily.

All last night really proves is that the southern republicans aren't full-fledged conservatives, they are social conservatives that follow a swift talking baptist preacher wherever he wants to lead them (do you really want to abolish the IRS?). Open up your eyes and actually research the issues. Look at Huckabee's record when compared to Romney's record combined with his history of bringing change. Please. Huckabee will not get above third place again (except Louisiana) based on the states that remain but he will certainly take the votes aways from Romney. Please, reconsider and vote for Romney--he is wounded but could still do it if the conservatives rally behind him.

Those who comment that Senator McCain has "low character" are despicable people. I would say "shame!" but you obviously have none. Try "quando scopri qui es tuo padre, saluto melo"- Italian, for you monolinguals.

Those who sit out the election will no doubt enjoy four or eight years of Hilary Clinton. I won't, but you're probably stupid enough to sulk in this way. What a bunch of spoiled brats!- Oh, and by the way, so is Romney- the "Change" candidate indeed, based on his flip-flop on issues.

if Romney wins I am voting democrat if McCain wins it will be hard to decide but could go republican. I am an independent and personally Romney talks about the same old people who put us in the worst deficit in history as hero's. I mean we are still in debt from Ronald and Bush. I mean Bush Jr is now putting us in 400 billion more in debt. We have never fought a war with a tax cut in history. 1 Trillion to go fight some country that has done nothing to us. We should spend that one trillion re-building our own country and developed alternatives to oil so we no longer have to buy any oil from the middle east. I thought the republican party stood for less government less debt and less taxes. Do you really thing we can have less taxes for every while the debt balloons to 9 trillion. Who is going to pay this money back the tooth fairy? I hope McCain can stop the spending if not maybe Clinton or someone else can. They at least dropped it some in the late 90's.

If McCain gets in, it's the same as Clinton or Obama, there's no difference, he's as far left as you can get. (Big Gov.), open boarders, etc:, I'll sit this one out if he gets it.
P.S. He,s also anti-family

As for "how much better Huckabee did than Romney", CNN has Romney at 265 delegates and Huckabee at 169 delegates -- obviously both are far behind McCain -- as between Romney and Huckabee, though, please define "better"?

oryssman:

I am a conservative as well -- are you REALLY that sure the lesson is worth four (or eight) years of Clintons back in the White House -- kiss the Supreme Court goodbye too.

JoeDon writes,

All of you people who say that you will not vote if John McCain is the Republican nominee had better wake up! I disagree with aspects of every one of the Republican candidates' platforms, however, I'm not stupid enough to sit out the election and not cast my vote for whoever the Republican nominee is...McCain, Romney, or Huckabee. Who do you people want in the White House...a Democrat!?! Wake up!!

oryssman replies,

You asked the question, so I will answer it...Yes, I would rather see a Democrat in the White House!!! There is a reason I am a *CONSERVATIVE* Republican, and not a Republican conservative. At least with a Democrat everyone knows what they are getting...a liberal.

Besides the fact that McCain is too old, there is his name on that campaign finance "reform" law that remains one of the most egregious violations of the First Amendment ever (and McCain is going to change colors and protect and defend the Bill of Rights as President when he failed to do so as a US Senator???). I could go on, but if he is the GOP nominee the Democrats will tear him to shreds, starting with his involvement with the Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal. There were 4 Democrats and 1 Republican that were involved...the single Republican being John McCain.

McCain, his family and baby-sitter made at least nine trips at Keating's expense, sometimes aboard the American Continental jet. After learning Keating was in trouble over Lincoln, McCain paid for the air trips totaling $13,433.

The Republican Party will be taught an important lesson by the defeat of a John McCain candidacy: conservatives will not be ignored, and if they are, conservatives will not support the party.

All of you people who say that you will not vote if John McCain is the Republican nominee had better wake up! I disagree with aspects of every one of the Republican candidates' platforms, however, I'm not stupid enough to sit out the election and not cast my vote for whoever the Republican nominee is...McCain, Romney, or Huckabee. Who do you people want in the White House...a Democrat!?! Wake up!!

"look how much better Huckabee did than Romney" Wow, who would have guessed that right-wing evangelicals would vote for a Southern Baptist? Who would guess that barely-republicans in New York and Cali would vote for McCain. Amazing. But look at normal Americans in the middle of the country - Romney supporters. Minnesota, Colorado, Montana, Utah, etc. Rational, real, Republicans for Romney.

McCain is clearly part of the problem with Washington politics, and Huckleberry is clearly electable only with people who think lynching is cool and cars belong on blocks in your front yard. Romney has Hucklberry beat in pledged delegates, and the calendar going forward favors Mitt. He may not win, but he's the only GOP candidate that doesn't make me want to shower after I hear him speak.

If McCain gets the nomination, I will not vote.

John McCain doesn't "reach across party lines" he switches sides and bullies people around. He is arrogant, angry and lies frequently.

He may have been a war hero 40 years ago, however, he has been a self-serving politician for the last 25 years and his major legislative efforts have all been horrible upon implementation. Don't even get me started on the damage this country would have endured if McCain-Kennedy's S.1348 Amnesty for Illegals bill passed.

John McCain is a war-mongering, illegal aliens loving, open borders-supporting, egotistical politician who has been in washington for over 20 years. If you think he will change anything for the positive, then I have waterfront property in the everglades to sell you.

This situation is difficult for Romney. I was certainly suprised this morning that Huckabee is saying that a vote for him is for him only, and not McCain. This gives the hint that he's trying to ward off media that's posting otherwise. In the middle of all this, Romney has gone out of a lot of mainstream publicity, which would explain why no one is paying attention to him. I still think that he has the electibility. The people only need to see it.

"Spoilers"--You're kidding. This is the United States of American and the candidates have the right to run for president. Romney said that Huckabee should drop out of the race prior to yesterday and look how much better Huckabee did than Romney. Huck should suggest that Romney drop out of the race. It is important that there be competition and discussion of ideas. If one person has it sewn up early, its not as interesting and informative.

And let the republicans fight it out anyway. I think its funny that the pundits can't stand the candidates. That's what they get for supporting the most incompetent president in US history.

"I would never vote for John McCain. He is a person of poor character and low morals."

Amazing. I wonder what standards you have for ethics and conduct. Putting your fellow soldiers ahead of yourself, in the face of years of torture? I guess not. Drafting and enacting legislation to remove the lopsided influence of money in elections? Nope. Resisting the "group think" of the party and standing on your own feet? Pass.

If that's what you consider poor character and low morals, then I agree. McCain shouldn't be your choice.

Hey conservatives! Frustrated with the "vote splitting" and spoilers? Maybe NOW you will learn about Instant Runoff Voting. Check it out. Way superior method of voting. The more developed democracies use it. Maybe it's time we became one?

My support stays with Mitt Romney. If he is not the nominee I will sit out this election. I would never vote for John McCain. He is a person of poor character and low morals. If this is what the GOP wants to stand behind then they can do it without my vote. I have no doubt that there are a large number of voters who will do the same. McCain already is fracturing the party and it will get worse with him as president. So very sad to sell this happening to our country.

Dee

Survey's going in out voting everybody's concern is economy and amnesty yet they are voting opposit their concerns.
I am wondering if they know how to read.
or if they know one candidate from another.

I only wish it was just a two person Race. Huckleberry and Dr.NO are just sinking the real agent for Change with their Wrong-Headed and stubborn Persistance.

By the time it finally dawns on the fools they are not going to stop the RINO Amnesty McPain, they will have given him the Victory!

So much for their empty rhetoric about wanting "Change"!

Unless they mean towards Socialism!

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