Religion In Politics Or How Things Change In 4 Years

Religion In Politics Or How Things Change In 4 Years — A supporter of Texas Gov. Rick Perry said something nasty about the religion of Republican presidential primary opponent Mitt Romney, namely that it was a cult.

Romney, along with fellow moderate Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman, are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. The institution is often called the Mormon Church.

The church uses the acronym LDS when required albeit not as its proper name.

The supporter who said the nasty thing was Robert Jeffress, the pastor of  the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, while he was introducing Perry at a convention.

The old media has taken an unusual interest in theological matters and began writing about it and grilling other candidates regarding Jeffress claim.

Perry, who does not attend Jeffress’ church, has said he does not think Romney’s church is a cult.

Now, just suppose Perry, or any of the other candidates regularly attended a church at which the pastor said things like:

The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color.
The government lied

And

We have supported state terrorism against the
Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because
the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own
front yards. America’s chickens are coming home to roost.
 
You think they would mention it? I dunno. Four years ago they didn’t think it was a big deal.

On a lighter note, did you hear about the Occupy Philadelphia protestor who became a Mormon? He was dyslexic.

Hopes High For Successful Pittsburgh RINO Hunt

Tea Party activist Bob Guzzardi is enthused about Evan Feinberg’s chances to unseat go-along-to-get-along, establishment-Republican Congressman Tim Murphy in the  primary election looming for April 24.

Murphy has represented the 18th District, which is near Pittsburgh, since 2003.  RedState.org points out that he has voted for just about every big spending bill that has come his way, and has consistently opposed reforms to combat waste and fraud.

Guzzardi notes that the  district voted 65 percent for Pat Toomey and “is a plus 6 or plus 8, that is, tends ‘conservative’.”

Feinberg told Guzzardi this morning, Oct. 4,   that he will be able to tap into national money to challenge Murphy.

“Evan Feinberg has filed his FEC papers and will be opening a bank account tomorrow,” Guzzardi says. “His website will be up in a few days.”

Christie Uncertainty Harming GOP

Christie Uncertainty Harming GOP


Here’s a message to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: Take care of
business or get off the pot. The “Is he running for president?” story
has to end, right now.

Your indecision is hurting the Republican Party, and, ironically, giving
Barack Obama a much needed reprieve. The time for games is over. It’s
in or out.

Christie is a firebrand, an extremely effective governor who has done
what few thought possible: reform bloated pensions, institute
public-sector union reforms, and balance the budget without raising
taxes. And all that was accomplished with a Democratic legislature. It
doesn’t get any more bipartisan, and miraculous, than that.

But more than anything, Christie’s hallmark is his brusque,
straightforward style. He tells it like it is, from state finances (“the
state is going to go broke” without reform) to yelling at people to
“get the hell off the beach” before an impending hurricane.

Sure, some view him as “in-your-face,” but Christie is far from rude. He
simply expresses himself in a concise, matter-of-fact way. And in
politics, that is rare.

Most endearing is that Christie speaks from the heart — no teleprompters
or note cards. His passion and sometimes aggressive style belies a very
articulate leader, one whose charisma has won over more than a few
adversaries.

People may not agree with Christie, but they always know where he
stands. As a result, he has achieved national status because he embodies
what Americans crave: a leader refusing to dance the Political Two-Step
to avoid tough issues.

Until now.

The governor made a speech this week which was covered by the national
media. It provided the golden opportunity to end speculation about
ambitions for 2012.

In one fell swoop, Christie could have revealed his intentions, and in
that unmistakable Christie way, put an exclamation point on his decision
so that questions would cease.

But he didn’t. Instead, he left the door wide open.

In doing so, for the first time, he looked political. Dare we say it,
but it almost seemed like he was doing the Trenton Shuffle.

And that’s not the Chris Christie we know.

His past statements that he is not running are meaningless. All
politicians say such things, and it was too early for even Christie to
be wholly believed. But it’s a different ballgame now. The primaries
begin in four months, which is barely enough time to organize a
campaign.

Could Christie overcome such obstacles? Absolutely, but only if he
announces within days. Should he ultimately not run, however, the
problem with his nondecision is that it’s hurting the only two viable
Republicans: Rick Perry and Mitt Romney.

Because of the Christie factor, significant uncertainty remains among
Republican powerbrokers, donors, elected officials, and the grass roots.
Instead of a clear-cut race, the battle lines remain blurred, so many
of these folks are sitting on the sidelines, withholding money, effort
and endorsements until Christie makes a decision.

As a result, the front-runners have lost momentum as donations and
support stagnate, and they have been taken off message. Because of the
Christie buzz, anything Perry and Romney say is simply white noise.

Most damaging, however, is that Barack Obama has been given a reprieve.
As president, he is driving the ship, which is listing badly. So any
opportunity that takes the political focus off of himself is greatly
welcomed.

Until the Christie rumor mill is shut down, the president will be able
to regroup and attempt to stabilize his situation. It’s not a panacea,
but it certainly helps.

While that was not Christie’s intention, it is reality.

One of several things is true:

1. Christie has no intention of running, but is badly underestimating how closely people are hanging on his every word.

2. Christie is definitely running, taking advantage of millions in free
media coverage. While a brilliant strategy, its shelf life is measured
in days, and will backfire if played too long. One cannot run a stealth
campaign for president.

3. He really hasn’t made up his mind yet.

The last scenario is most troubling, because if a candidate’s heart is
not in a race, but he chooses to run anyway, it will be a total failure.
The American people can sense such insincerity immediately.

Need proof? Ask Fred Thompson. (And conversely, a tip of the hat to Mike
Huckabee and Mitch Daniels, who both admitted they were lacking the
fire in the belly in deciding not to run).

I have been fortunate to have had a front row seat covering some of Gov.
Christie’s triumphs, seeing firsthand the progress one man can make. It
would be a shame to see that legacy tarnished by indecision.

So with all due respect, Mr. Christie, given the impending political
hurricane, let me paraphrase a popular governor by saying, “Get the hell
in or out of the race!

 Christie Uncertainty Harming GOP

Pa GOP Tea Party Trouble

Pa GOP Tea Party Trouble — Pennsylvania’s Republican establishment has a Tea Party problem.

As indicated in an earlier post, establishment fav Steve Welch is not warming the hearts of those whose votes he needs.

Now, Paula Stiles of the Chester County Patriots is sounding the call for the common folk to attend the General Republican Meeting of the State Committee, which is 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Sept. 17, at Harrisburg Hilton, 1 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg.

“We are asking constituents from every county in Pennsylvania to attend. . . and personally experience the disdain that PA GOP leadership has for their fellow Republicans,” she says. “Please understand, the”leadership” is not elected.”

She says she already has at least one van-full of those attending this rather inconveniently scheduled event.

She asks that those planning to attend to RSVP at terminatorgop@hushmail.com.

 

Pa GOP Tea Party Trouble

 

Pa GOP Tea Party Trouble

 

 

Guzzardi Says Say No To Welch

Guzzardi Says Say No To Welch — Montco Tea Party activist Bob Guzzardi has come out swinging against businessman Steve Welch as a GOP candidate to take on Little Bobby Casey in the 2012 Senate race.

“Steve Welch is a businessman, not a constitutional limited government advocate, (and is) supported by the business-as-usual establishment insiders getting rich from government,” said Guzzardi, who further described him as a “self-funding establishment insider suck up.”

So how do you really feel about him, Bob?

Guzzardi notes that Welch has not been seen at any Tea Party events but has been seen courting the GOP chairman of the counties surrounding Philadelphia.

“Only leftists and liberals equate ‘businessman’ with ‘free market conservative,'” says Guzzardi.

Better-vetted names have been floated as potential challengers to Little Bobby including Bucks County war hero and news commentator David Christian  and, my favorite, former state rep Sam Rohrer.

We certainly don’t need any more I-think-I’m-smarter-than-you types in government.

 

Guzzardi Says Say No To Welch