Electability seen as key to McCain's rising support

Electability seen as key to McCain's rising support

PHOENIX (Reuters) - John McCain has vaulted from long shot to the front-runner to win the Republican nomination for U.S. president. The reason? Voter confidence he can beat the eventual Democratic candidate in November's election, according to interviews with some of his supporters.

McCain defeated close rival Mitt Romney comfortably in a hard-fought nomination vote in Florida this week, giving him crucial momentum going into the big round of votes on "Super Tuesday."

Twenty-four states are holding nominating contests for one or both parties on February 5 to pick their candidate for the November election.

I think that McCain rose from out of no where because of his determination and hard work i dont believe it was anything else other than that and his experience.

Obama collects $32 million in January

Obama collects $32 million in January

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama raised a staggering $32 million during January, providing an infusion of money to pay for costly television advertising in next week's Super Tuesday Democratic presidential primary elections and for the states that follow, his aides said Thursday.

The Obama campaign has led the Democratic field in television advertising so far, with the Illinois senator airing $22.7 million worth of television ads to $18.7 million for rival Sen. Hillary Clinton through Jan. 27, according to a study to be released Friday.

But while the Clinton and Obama campaigns have maintained a rough parity on the Democratic side, Mitt Romney dominated the airwaves on the Republican side, spending more on television commercials than all of his rivals combined.

I personally believe that commercials dont even make an impact on voters because usually they just say mean things about the rival competition and just in the end make them selves look bad.

Clinton, Obama Set New Tone in Democratic Debate

Clinton, Obama Set New Tone in Democratic Debate

Leaving behind the acrimony that marked an earlier on-stage encounter in South Carolina, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton held a cordial one-on-one debate Thursday at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

The rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination answered questions on health care, Iraq and even the possibility of an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket in the general election.

Obama set the tone with a far warmer approach than the candidates have been using in recent appearances on the campaign trial.

"I was friends with Hillary Clinton before we started this campaign," he said. "I will be friends with Hillary Clinton after this campaign is over."

But Obama and Clinton did clash on who offers the better leadership style. Obama stressed his ability to inspire and bring people together. Clinton pointed to her experience and ability to get things done.

I think that the democratic debate that they did have would help the voters choose between one or another because they both took their stands and their viewpoints and now it is up for the voters to decide who they think is best.

Fred Thompson's Momentum

Fred Thompson's Momentum

First it was the bus tour in South Carolina. Then, last night, came one of Fred Thompson's best debate performances to date. And now comes an endorsement by the popular and very conservative Human Events magazine. Read below on what they say about FDT:

We make this endorsement on the basis of much research, having interviewed Sen. Thompson and some of his opponents, as well as examining what they have all said and done. We conclude that Thompson is a solid conservative whose judgment is grounded in our principles.

In his Senate years, Mr. Thompson compiled an American Conservative Union lifetime rating of 86.1, which is higher than both Sen. John McCain (82.3) and Rep. Ron Paul (82.3). The Club for Growth has praised Thompson as someone who has a strong commitment to limited government, free enterprise, and federalist principles.

On the issues that matter most to conservatives, Sen. Thompson's positions benefit from their clarity. He is solidly pro-life. He said that he was in favor overturning Roe v. Wade because it was "bad law and bad medical science." As the National Right to Life Committee said in its endorsement of him Nov. 13, 2007, "The majority of this country is opposed to the vast majority of abortions, and Fred Thompson has shown in his consistent pro-life voting record in the U.S. Senate that he is part of the pro-life majority."

I think that it Thompson is making a good impact on the voters now because he is definately very pro life and is against abortions. He is taking a stand on issues and showing the people that he does care.

Ron Paul: Get Back to Gold

Ron Paul: Get Back to Gold

Ron Paul is correct, monetary authorities around the globe have been conspiring to suppress gold prices for decades.

Not convinced? Don't tell that to his followers. Because partly as a result of this view, Paul, a Texas congressman and Republican presidential hopeful, has become the champion of gold bugs who see him as the best friend of their precious metal, and, they hope, the next occupant of the White House.

"Our central banks around the world colluded over the last 10 to 20 years and have been dumping gold to keep gold down," Paul said in an interview with TheStreet.com when he met with voters in Concord, N.H., late Tuesday. "But finally, [the price] broke loose, and gold is soaring again to historic levels."

I think that Ron Paul is just trying to touch apon as many topics as he can to get publicized. Personally i dont think gold is that big of a deal to todays society.

Fred Thompson, missing in action in N.H.

Fred Thompson, missing in action in N.H.

Thompson's absence was his final bow to what long had been apparent -- he didn't take to the Granite State, and it most assuredly did not take to him. Indeed, the Tennessean pretty much sealed his poor political fate here on the day he officially entered the Republican presidential race.

As you may recall, Thompson traveled to beautiful downtown Burbank in early September to announce his candidacy during an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Problem was, from the point of view of many New Hampshirites, his gambit meant he wasn't on stage for a GOP debate that night in the state.

He made a few forays into New Hampshire during the weeks that followed, but his message, his style and his drawl never gained traction. As his campaign proceeded -- and the weather turned cold in Iowa (where he also put his efforts also were somewhat cursory) and New Hampshire -- Thompson increasingly focused on the South, occasionally joking to his listeners that he felt more comfortable stumping in places where voters sounded like him.

I personally think that if Fred Thompson really wanted to become president he would be making a bigger effort to be liked all across America not just in one place so i think he is making a big mistake just spending his time in the south.

Mike Gravel's offensive

Mike Gravel's offensive

With the most recent Times Poll showing Democrat Mike Gravel's standing at 0% in both Iowa and New Hampshire, the former senator's surge to the front of the political pack has yet to emerge.

Yes, he's gotten some ink recently and even not so recently when The Times' Tomas Alex Tizon followed him on his simple campaign trail.

He's still trekking around the countryside, alone, staying at friends' houses and talking to anyone who will listen. He was in Colorado this week where he got some free publicity in a Denver Post article. And hoped he could convince maybe 70 people to show up at his niece's house in Boulder and pay $50 apiece to hear him speak.

I think that Mike Gravel isnt doing what is needed to be done in order to become elected president and that if he even wants a chance he is going to need to step up his game and start finding places that will listen to him and agree with him.

Biden Calls for Preschool Expansion

Biden Calls for Preschool Expansion

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden unveiled an education plan Wednesday that would provide free preschool to every child and bonuses to teachers who work in poor neighborhoods.

The presidential candidate said the U.S. education system needs an overhaul because its students are lagging behind their peers in other countries. He cited recent test results from the Program for International Student Assessment that showed U.S. students' scores in math and science were lower than the average of the 30 countries involved in the study.

"The numbers are very disturbing," Biden told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "But we've known this. ... We're not investing in our kids the way we should."

I think that his plan to create preschool free for everychild would be a very good idea but i dont see how that would increase test scores overall in the United States, because you dont learn Math or Science in preschool anyways. But overall it is a pretty good idea.

Spotlight turns to Edwards

Spotlight turns to Edwards

Saunders is the rural strategist for former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who now is seen as having found new momentum in Iowa, where Edwards, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) are deadlocked.

It's not so much that Edwards is surging 15 days before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus; he's been strong all along, but the media was paying more attention to front-runners Obama and Clinton. Now he is growing as a factor. Everything is fluid.

"At least early on, there was a lot of glitz associated with Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama," Edwards said Tuesday on "Hardball." "I think that's faded some, to be honest with you, and now I think we're getting down to the nitty-gritty."

I think that this is true that in the beginning it was all about Obama and Clinton but now everyone is out and running the spotlights are changing some and the other runners are getting a lot of view too.

Huckabee rises in Iowa but faces tougher road ahead

Huckabee rises in Iowa but faces tougher road ahead

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Republican Mike Huckabee's quick rise to the top of the presidential pack in Iowa may be the 2008 campaign's most improbable success story -- but staying there could be even tougher.

Huckabee's surge, fueled in part by growing support among the state's sizable bloc of religious conservatives, was accomplished on a bare-bones budget with few paid staff, nominal advertising, and without the candidate visiting the state from early November to early December.

But a strong showing in Iowa on January 3 could be the easy part for the former Baptist minister, who will face a contest five days later in New Hampshire where there are far fewer religious conservatives.

I think that this means that Huckabee will probably have more of a chance at becoming president now because he is getting a lot more support now and he is on a bare minimum budget.

Romney: No Religious Test for President

Romney: No Religious Test for President

Republican Mitt Romney, confronting voters' skepticism about his Mormon faith, declared Thursday that as president he would "serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause," and said calls for him to explain and justify his religious beliefs go against the profound wishes of the nation's founders.

At the same time, he decried those who would remove from public life "any acknowledgment of God," and he said that "during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places."

In a speech prepared for delivery less than a month before the first nomination primaries, Romney said he shares "moral convictions" with Americans of all faiths, though surveys suggest up to half of likely voters have qualms about electing the first Mormon president.

I believe that his faith will affect his decision making no matter what he says but I dont think it will make a big change in the reason people would not vote for him. The reason they would vote for him is because they think he will make the decisions they think are right not because of his choice in religion.

Newspaper: McCain is 'the man to lead America;' Will voters agree?

Newspaper: McCain is 'the man to lead America;' Will voters agree?

"What is most compelling about McCain, however, is that his record, his character, and his courage show him to be the most trustworthy, competent, and conservative of all those seeking the nomination," the newspaper said. "Simply put, McCain can be trusted to make informed decisions based on the best interests of his country, come hell or high water."

On Monday, Union Leader publisher Joseph McQuaid said it decided to back McCain because he was the most conservative candidate running in that race.

The newspaper announced the highly coveted endorsement in a front-page story Sunday.

Does the Union Leader's endorsement have an impact? Sometimes.

The newspaper has endorsed six Republican candidates in the past 30 years.

Twice, the endorsed candidate won.

I think that the newspaper has chosed McCain because they personally believe that he is the best choice but I dont think that will have any impact on the voters decision and personally I dont think you hear enough about him to even be popular enough to become president.

Bendinelli: Who is Duncan Hunter?

Bendinelli: Who is Duncan Hunter?

Hunter's experience on the committee has given him more hands-on experience in dealing with the war in Iraq than most other candidates for president right now. Similar to John McCain, whose sons are enlisted in the military, Hunter's son will be returning for a third tour of duty in Iraq. His Web site contains a video explaining his ideas for preparing Iraqis to take responsibility for their own security.

Hunter believes that a primary element of the United States' national security policy should be a stronger missile defense program. He has also been one of the strongest advocates for more intense border security. The Congressman was a sponsor of the bill that established the border fence project last year.

I think that Hunter is a very experienced person but i dont think he is right for the position of "President" I think he would be a good secretary of defense.

Obama Casts Self As Civil Rights Successor

Obama Casts Self As Civil Rights Successor

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) cast himself Sunday as a natural and necessary heir to the civil rights greats, appealing to black worshippers to show the courage of their forerunners and back his candidacy for president.

In an unannounced appearance that startled most in the African-American congregation, Obama cast his campaign in historic and even divine terms.

He said that, like Moses, the civil rights pioneers had been to the mountaintop but did not reach the promised land, leaving it to today’s generation to finish the job, much as Joshua succeeded Moses

I feel as if he is just trying to appeal to the public with this because he really didn't suffer like other African Americans did but I do agree that he is probably struggling getting voters because of his race but I personally do not think that is the right way to go about getting votes.

Hillary Clinton promises more funds for autism

Hillary Clinton promises more funds for autism

Clinton has pledged $700 million a year towards research and education should she be elected President.

The Democrat is promising to boost funding for research into the causes of autism, to improve education and early detection and investigation of autism treatments and provide training for teachers to help them deal with children suffering from the condition; she also promises increased support services for families caring for an autistic person.

I personally think that this article about how Clinton pleged $700 million a year towards research and education is a very good idea but I doubt that she will remember to do it even if she is elected president.