[NeedKarma]

Third... and this is something that was pointed out by Ann Coulter...

Dude, she's a step away from being certifiably insane:
Ann Coulter wants Jews "to be perfected
YouTube - Ann Coulter wants Jews "to be perfected"

Her view on US schools: "at worst they are criminal training labs where teachers sexually abuse the children between drinking binges .."
YouTube - Ann Coulter Is A Complete Idiot

Want more 'cause there's lots.

[tomder55]

Here is the complete text of the Coulter interview. FOXNews.com - Columnist Ann Coulter Shocks Cable TV Show, Declaring 'Jews Need to Be Perfected by Becoming Christians' - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Regardless about how over the top you think her comments may have been (and in context she was only simplifying a theological divide between Jews and Christians) ,that does not discount the validity of her observation about Rudy succeeding as a conservative mayor in a very liberal city. I think it is a valid point made about both Rudy and Romney.

[Emland]

Tom, do you truly believe Rudy is conservative?

[tomder55]

I go by what a leading conservative columnist (Geroge Will) says ;that Rudy led the most conservative government in the last 40 to 50 years.

He was speaking in terms of fiscal conservatism of course . If I were to use the Romney analogy of a 3 legged stool I would say Rudy only fails regarding social conservatism . Fiscal and foreign policy he is rock solid... and it is debatable at this point how much the executive influences social policy anyway . The best they can do is appoint originalists to the courts ;and Rudy has promised to do that .

[Emland]

Rudy Giuliani 1996: “Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to mine.”

Even his mother doesn't believe he is a Republican.

I was so hoping Thompson was going to come out swinging, but he has been a great big nothing. Ron Paul can at least prove he has read the constitution and has an understanding of individual rights.

[tomder55]

There is no denying that Thompson is my 1st choice. We will know in the next few weeks if his unique strategy is working . Certainly he is defying conventional wisdom by running his campaign this way .But if he is right he will redefine the grueling expectations on candidates . He is right ;who in their right mind would want a job that requires this much campaigning ;this much begging for money ? The whole process is undignified.

More George Will on Rudy :

Will noted that the mayoralty of New York City carries specific challenges, calling it "liberalism's laboratory" and a center for "learned dependency". He spoke about Giuliani's conservative instincts -- such as when he declared fatherhood the best social program, or raising taxes a "dumb, stupid, idiotic, and moronic idea". Will assured the CPAC activists that Giuliani's conservatism is the same flavor as Lady Thatcher's, and that pugnacity is his political philosophy.

Captain's Quarters

[Emland]

When Giuliani left office NYC was facing a 4.5 BILLION dollar deficit.

[RubyPitbull]

These are the main reasons I like Ron Paul!

Emmy, I posted that because I have a pretty good idea of excon's political leanings and thought some of Paul's positions might not be in line with excon's. excon, have you looked at Mike Gravel's platform? If so, what differences between the two candidates would prompt you to pick Paul over Gravel?

[excon]

Excon, have you looked at Mike Gravel's platform?

Hello again, Ruby:

No I haven't.

What?? You expect intelligent stuff to come out of me ALL the time?

excon

[RubyPitbull]

Of course! Do you want me to post his platform here?

[Skell]

First, Rudy has proven crisis management leadership skills, whereas Fred does not. That's not to say that Fred doesn't possess such abilities, but he hasn't had to show them, and Rudy has.

Elliot

But Elliot if the country is going along as well and as safely as you would have us believe why would you need a president with "proven crisis management leadership skills". Hasn't Bush and his government crisis-proofed the US with its tough policies? There has after all been no terrorist attacks against the US on US soil since his election. Crisis management leadership should be low on your agenda. :)

[RubyPitbull]

Skell, that would be a very bad way to approach this In my opinion. Crisis management is actually high on my agenda and always has been. I believe we very much need to elect a President who is capable of handling himself in any crisis even if we were living during a time of peace. That is always an expectation I have of any person elected to that office. With the current climate, it could very well translate into a disaster if we don't. Although we haven't experienced another major terrorist attack on US soil since 2001, we haven't secured our borders. I refuse to live my life in fear but I won't turn a blind eye to the very good possibility that we will be attacked again. Right now, due to Bush's decision to enter Iraq, he created, whether intentionally or not, a situation in which the terrorists have flocked to that region to kill our people. Logistically & financially, it is easier for them to do so than to attempt to kill us here. Also, they would rather attack our military forces and try to wipe them out rather than civilians who don't pose as big a threat to them. They don't need to travel to U.S. soil to inflict damage upon us. If we pull out our troops completely, as the Democrats are promising to do when they are elected, we can't assume they won't come after us here again. To elect someone who might not be capable of holding it together and making the right decision during a major crisis, would be a serious mistake on our part.

[Skell]

Skell, that would be a very bad way to approach this IMHO. Crisis management is actually high on my agenda and always has been. I believe we very much need to elect a President who is capable of handling himself in any crisis even if we were living during a time of peace. That is always an expectation I have of any person elected to that office. With the current climate, it could very well translate into a disaster if we don't. Although we haven't experienced another major terrorist attack on US soil since 2001, we haven't secured our borders. I refuse to live my life in fear but I won't turn a blind eye to the very good possibility that we will be attacked again. Right now, due to Bush's decision to enter Iraq, he created, whether intentionally or not, a situation in which the terrorists have flocked to that region to kill our people. Logistically & financially, it is easier for them to do so than to attempt to kill us here. Also, they would rather attack our military forces and try to wipe them out rather than civilians who don't pose as big a threat to them. They don't need to travel to U.S. soil to inflict damage upon us. If we pull out our troops completely, as the Democrats are promising to do when they are elected, we can't assume they won't come after us here again. To elect someone who might not be capable of holding it together and making the right decision during a major crisis, would be a serious mistake on our part.

I agree with you Ruby. I also agree with Elliot. I was just having a little go at him regarding previous comments about Bush making the US a safer place. I tend to disagree with him and I think it is definitely wise to elect a president with good crisis management skills. The US (and Australia) in my opinion are less safe now than they have ever been! That's where my off topic argument was heading.

[Skell]

Just a quick one I was thinking about. On the basis of crisis management you would have to say that Bush is a failure given the shambles that was New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

[RubyPitbull]

LOL! Unlike others here, I never stated I was a Bush fan. ;) Although I lay a good amount of blame on the mayor of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana, along with the Federal government.

[Skell]

LOL! Unlike others here, I never stated I was a Bush fan. ;) Although I lay a good amount of blame on the mayor of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana, along with the Federal government.

LOL! I know you haven't Ruby :)
And of course there are many parties that are responsible. Not just the chief.

[kp2171]

I'm in Iowa. Have been long time ind who always voted GOP (except once) and now I'm registered R... my observations...

No longer surprised about the evangelical push here... (pat robertson 2nd place in 88)... you don't feel it as part of the daily scene, but man, they turn out for the vote. Huck spent a FRACTION of the dollars here than romney (like a couple million to something like 55 mil, give or take a few) and he did really well.

Thompson is the best for the gop based solely on his being transparent in his beliefs. I may not agree with him on some issues, but I trust what he says is what he will do. He is clearly a man of integrity and clear conviction. He clearly represents the "typical" gop platform. I don't think there's any pretense about him, and he's one of very few who isn't a talking head that speaks to whatever room he's in.

Hell, and anyone who says they hate to campaign but they think they'll be a good prez has half their wits about them.

But I'm not sure hed get and energize the reagan dems... he might be close to him in beliefs, but I just don't see him drawing over people. Maybe I'm wrong.

Not that we in Iowa represent the rest of the country (lets not talk about the first in the nation crap... I don't get it... its nice for our economy every four years, but its whacked... makes no sense to me), but when I walked into the polling site I had to stop at a table where they were registering people for the caucus... at this particular one several people were changing party affiliation.

While there I saw three R's switch to D's. They came together and were in support of obama. So here, at least, in one little school in one little precinct, not only did independents show but it seems some gop'ers jumped ship in the other direction.

Isn't it interesting how bill is now all of a sudden a part of the clinton campaign, speaking out and starting to take shots? Seems pretty desperate to me.

[Skell]

isnt it interesting how bill is now all of a sudden a part of the clinton campaign, speaking out and starting to take shots? seems pretty desperate to me.

I noticed that when I was reading today's new that he had some negative comments about Obama and the way the press treats him compared to his missus. Tough toenails.. It didn't look good as far as I was concerned considering how far she appears to be falling behind.