Showing posts with label Sarah Palin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah Palin. Show all posts

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Long Awaited Decision from Sarah Palin

After months of speculation, Sarah Palin announced her discussion regarding a prospective run for president of the United States. She issued a statement today that after much prayer and thought, she has decided not to run, but will instead work to elected strong conservatives to Washington in 2012, including the president.

I am sad that she will not be one of the candidates as I greatly admire her and would have supported her, yet I respect her decision and realize at the same time that she is capable of doing more in promoting conservative values as just an American citizen then as a candidate.

With her decision today, and recent repeated statements from Chris Christie stating that he is not running, it appears that the GOP field of candidates is now set. Many people are tempted to just sit back and watch the primary season unfold, especially with several primaries getting moved into January. I, however, will soon be deciding on which candidate I support.

While I understand why some people are going to wait and watch, I feel this is a grievous error. The 2012 Presidential election is one of the most important in the history of our nation. And while we need to remove President Obama from the White House, we cannot afford a moderate, establishment Republican to replace him.  We need a strong conservative to lead our country.  Thus, each person needs to NOW research the candidates and support, in whatever fashion they are able, a specific candidate in the primaries.  If voters sit back and just watch the process unfold, then we are likely to have a nominee, such as Mitt Romney, who is not a conservative but has most the money. But if we are active in the primary process, then we THE PEOPLE can choose the conservative candidate WE want, not who the Republican establishment dictates. So PLEASE, do what you can to support a candidate now, whether by volunteering your time or financially. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Iowa Straw Poll

This week was the first time that I ever paid attention to, and followed the Iowa Straw Poll.  I found it interesting, though I do not know enough about it to fully understand its significance in the long term scope of things. Michele Bachmann as winner was no surprise to me.  I excepted it, as did most the media. 

What I did find interesting was Ron Paul coming in second.  I really do not like the guy, never have and never will.  In the debate, his stance on foreign matters was so far left that I am surprise Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid did not come out in support of it. I also expected him not do well in the straw poll either because of those comments.  I am shocked at the number of duped American who support him.  Thankfully they are a small minority who only seem to show up at straw polls and are not large enough for him to win at a national level.

The other outcome that I found to be the most surprising and delightful of the day was Rick Perry. For someone who until the day of the straw poll was not an official candidate, had not previously been to Iowa, and was a write-in, he did extremely well. Especially considering that he ranked higher then Mitt Romney who is leading in the national polls.

The final interesting result to me was that Sarah Palin did not registrar in the rankings. I do realize that she has not stated her intentions one way or another as to her candidacy, but I did except some people to vote for her in hopes that it could cause her to run and to show their support.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Enter Perry...

Another candidate officially announced his run for president today -- Rick Perry, Governor of Texas.  I have been waiting all summer for this day and am so glad it is finally here.  I feel that he is one of the best candidates out there and one of only two people who can beat Obama, the other being Sarah Palin (who I hope still enters). 

Welcome to the race, Governor Perry, America needs you.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/13/perry-to-announce-candidacy-for-gop-presidential-nomination/

Friday, August 12, 2011

Iowa GOP Presidential Debate

I have been slacking the last couple of week in writing. Partially because I haven't felt like there was as much to write about, but mostly because I was busy preparing and doubling up on homework for the wedding of my best friend and "adopted" sister last weekend in Oregon in which I was a bridesmaid.

I spent my evening tonight like many other Americans, watching the GOP presidential debate. It was the first one of this presidential race that I had the chance to view. Overall, I felt it was good and very revealing as to where the candidates stand and their personality in the heat of a race. I felt the moderators could have done better at giving all candidates an equal amount of questions and time to talk. Chris Wallace's questions came across to me as seeking to stir up animosity between candidates. The debates are not to be about the candidates themselves, but about their views and stances in order enable the people to make an educated decision on who they feel is best able to represent our country in the White House.

Each of the candidates had some stellar and not so stellar moments.

Michele Bachmann - Frankly, I was not overly impressed with her tonight. Up until this point, she has been one of my favorites of the declared candidates. I felt that she was warding off a lot of attacks, that were more personal than policy. Thus, she was not able to express her stance as much as she needed to. Her performance was neutral for me.

Herman Cain - I like him a lot and he has many great points, especially regarding the economy and the private business sector. However, he has absolutely NO political experience at any level, thus, in today's age of politics, I feel that he is unqualified and would not make an excellent president. Again, I feel his performance tonight was neutral.

Newt Gingrich - If only he would just a tad bit more handsome. =) As the commentators afterwards mentioned, Newt had one of those memorable debate moments when he took Chris Wallace to task about the media coverage and "got 'em" questions. He was by far the strongest candidate tonight. His answers weren't about him, but about the country and how to turn it around. He gave honest, practical, real solutions to our problems. He was the winner of the debate, but I am afraid he can not win the national election.

Jon Hunstman - I feel like he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He attempts to spout conservative rhetoric but I am afraid he is a moderate liberal. He is completely full of himself and his record and accomplishments. The fact that he worked under Obama in any capacity is an immediate red flag for me (and he wasn't a hold over from Bush either). He gave no real solutions. All he could say is "I am proud........." He was a loser tonight.

Ron Paul - Another candidate who is filled with his own ambitions and rhetoric. He is a has been. It seems that every election cycle he enters just to voice his isolationist opinions. He is wrong on most of what he says.He claims to be the voice of liberty and constitutionalism but does not seem to have any understanding as to the real desires and motivating factors of our Founding Fathers and what the Constitution means. Every now and then he has a good point, like the broken clock which is right only twice a day. He needs to drop out for the sake of everyone else. He was even quite rude to Santorum at one point, not shutting up himself, yet not allowing Santorum to voice his thoughts. He also was a loser tonight.

Tim Pawlenty - And the final loser, not because of his policy like the other two, but his attitude. He attacked Michele Bachmann in an extremely unprofessional manner going almost after her as a person and tearing down her record and stances left and right. Any time he could slip in an attack at another candidate, he did. He appeared to be desperately holding on by any means possible. Plus, he was wrong on numerous policies stances, such as the 10th Amendment, implying that states could pass whatever laws they deemed fit.

Mitt Romney - A little too moderate for me, but was the most presidential of all candidates tonight. He was cool, calm, and collective, not allowing attacks by others to get to him. He did have some great points. At one point he defended his controversial mandated health care law, which, he is right on that the Massachusetts Constitution did give him the authority to pass it. I feel that his religious beliefs are a hindrances to him winning the election. He was definitely a winner as well though.

Rick Santorum -I felt sorry for him because he was not getting as many questions or the opportunity to speak as much as the other candidates. However, when he was given the opportunity, I really appreciated what he had to say. For me, his stellar moment came when he was discussing the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, which states that any powers not directly given to the federal government are reserved for the states. Many people take that to mean that the states can pass whatever law they desire. Santorum made an excellent point however, that our nation and Constitution were founded on Biblical principles and thus, if a state seeks to pass a law that violates the Bible, then it is wrong and should not be allowed. His performance was a plus for me.

Overall, I was very much impressed with the candidates. I wish Rick Perry and Sarah Palin had been part of this debate. I would have enjoyed hearing their thoughts on the different issues, particularly Perry. Romney and Gingrich were a close tie for winner, but I think in the end I'd have to give it to Gingrich.

At this point in the race I do know who I will not support (Pawlenty, Hunstman, Cain, and Paul). Still analyzing the other candidates as to who I feel is best qualified and electable. As you consider who you will support and vote for, don't just take what the news stations, websites, blogs, radio talk show hosts, etc., say about a particular candidate, but research them for yourself. Listen to when they are interviewed live. That is the best way to know each one of them so that you can make an educated choice.