Condoleezza Rice steals the show

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 30, 2012 — Rep. Paul Ryan was effective, Gov. Susana Martinez was compelling, but on the second night at the Republican National Convention, Condoleezza Rice stole the show. Who knew that she could deliver a rousing political speech?

The former Secretary of State gave the best speech of the Republican National Convention so far. It was both substantive and inspiring. It wasn’t filled with just red meat for the Republican base. She spoke to the entire country, and she did it passionately and persuasively. 

She spoke about foreign policy and domestic policy, and about opportunity, self-reliance, upward mobility, the American Dream, and America's role in the world. “America has a way of making the impossible seem inevitable in retrospect. But … It took leadership, and it took courage, and it took belief in our values,” she said.


Read more: Condoleezza Rice steals the show | Washington Times Communities

Is there still a strong Republican Party Establishment?

WASHINGTON, DC., August 21, 2012 — Gone are the days when the Republican Establishment could effectively control its caucus and dictate the direction of the party. That Republican Establishment, to the extent that it still exists, lacks the clout, force, and political muscle needed to rein in some of its misguided members. Missouri Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin is yet another case study.

When asked in a local television interview if he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, Akin said, “from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare … If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
The level of ignorance and sheer stupidity of this statement is appalling.


The full article is located here: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/elections-fastbreak/2012/aug/21/there-still-strong-republican-party-establishment/

Mitt Romney is a lousy politician

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 19, 2012 — The opportunity for a Republican to win the White House could not be bigger, and the path could not be easier. But the Republican nominee for president may blow it because he is really bad at politics.

He may be a skilled manager with a great understanding of how the economy works, but he’s a lousy politician. You’ll be hard pressed to find very many voters that can tell you Mitt Romney’s life story or background. They know he worked in a private equity firm, and was governor of Massachusetts.
They know he is really, really rich. But that’s all they know.


The full article is located here: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/elections-fastbreak/2012/aug/19/mitt-romney-lousy-politician/#.UDFWk6qZz38.twitter

For the Romney campaign, 'Ryan & Risky' is the new bold

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 15, 2012 — What a difference a vice-presidential nominee makes. Forget all the talk about a lack of enthusiasm for Governor Romney. Republicans are now, dare I say it, fired up and ready to go.

On Saturday, August 10, in Norfolk, Virginia  Governor Mitt Romney announced Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate. Within hours, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul announced on twitter that the Romney campaign had raised over $2 million.
As Romney made the announcement, he exuded an aura of assurance. For a moment, he wasn’t stiff and awkward. He had a confident swagger.

A native of Janesville, Wisconsin, Ryan, age  42, was elected to the House of Representatives at 28 years of age (1988). In 2011, he became the  Chairman of the House Budget Committee.While his conservative bonafides are not in question, he has voted in favor of legislation that put him at odds with many in his party. For example, he voted for the Troubled Asset Relief Program as well the Auto Bailout. He also voted to raise debt ceiling last year much to the chagrin of many Republicans in his own caucus.

 The full article is located at: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/elections-fastbreak/2012/aug/15/romney-campaign-risky-new-bold/

Obama and Romney: The Milquetoast Presidential Candidates

WASHINGTON, D.C.,August 15, 2012 — Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski is right. The 2012 presidential campaign is a like a Seinfeld episode. Except that a Seinfeld episode is actually fun to watch. This campaign is not. In fact, it is stupefyingly boring.

Both candidates regurgitate the same old slogans and phrases that have been excessively polled and focus-group tested. Their talking points are littered with applause line after applause line.
Their speeches are filled with an avalanche of buzz words solely aimed at eliciting a desired emotional response from certain demographic groups.

The full article is located at: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/elections-fastbreak/2012/aug/15/milquetoast-presidential-candidates/