As Mitt Romney Returns to NH, It's Time For Some Difficult Questions
Mitt Romney is returning to the FITN primary state Tuesday night, launching his general election campaign in the state where it all started.
By now, most Republicans have either embraced, or at least accepted, the state of the race. For those who have not, it’s time to ask some difficult questions. Whether you identify with the Tea Party movement, the 9/12 organizations or any other liberty effort, it’s time be honest about what you stand for and why.
Before there was a nationwide movement called “Tea Party” there were millions of conservatives who fought to preserve a free and prosperous America for future generations. In 2008, I, like many conservatives, ran a Congressional campaign based on the founding principles of freedom, individual liberty and unlimited opportunity.
Conservatives stood proudly with the Tea Party, giving it strength and depth, as the movement swept the nation because it embodied all that we held dear: freedom, liberty, limited government, a love of God and country, and a recognition that America was truly an exceptional nation, unlike any other conceived by man. And we stand united with those who continue the fight to bring an end to the most arrogant, incompetent and unconstitutional administration in modern times.
It is the eternal struggle to preserve freedom and prosperity that defines this presidential race. It is a choice between a President who believes that government dependence and generational entitlement breeds an America that will be kept in check, and a candidate who believes, in his own words, that the American economy is fueled by freedom and that free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality.
We have the choice between an arrogant, self-important and yet entirely incompetent president and an accomplished, competent, modest and measured leader who has the experience to confront the most pressing issues our nation faces today.
People of good intentions can disagree about policy and politics, but those who are still waging a fight against Mitt Romney, rather than focusing on the greater, more essential principles that are at risk, must make a choice as he returns to the Granite State.
Will you stand in protest, side by side with the “Obama For America” sign-wavers? Or will you stand with those of us who stood with you as we fought to preserve constitutional principles and freedom in America?
If we truly believe in what we have fought for, if we are genuinely dedicated to the founding principles that have united us in past efforts, then we must stand together now and recognize that there is no moral victory in defeat. The democratic process has unfolded. With genuine respect for Rep. Paul and all who ran, we have a nominee, and now we must win – for our children, for our nation, for freedom.
Hocus
4:33 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Not difficult at all. Dump Obama.
Weezer
4:42 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
patch should have "america the beautiful" play in the background when this page comes up
jrmetalman
5:46 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
He should beat "Big-Gov Oh-Bankrupt" hands down!!!
-Paul-
5:57 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
This is the same tripe that got us GW Bush ... who, by the way, was every bit as anti "freedom" and "liberty" as Obama has been. Words are cheap -- doubly so from politicians -- and triply so when they comprise broad empty platitudes about "freedom", "liberty", "justice" etc.
TSA: Obama and Romney both support it
NDAA indefinite detention, even of American citizens, with no trial: Obama and Romney both support it
Unconstitutional, unilateral, agressive presidential war-making: Obama and Romney both support it.
Handouts to foreign governments: Obama and Romney both support it.
Federal reserve manipulations of the money supply: Obama and Romney both support it.
The failed war on drugs: Obama and Romney both support it.
Warrantless wiretaps/surveillance: Obama and Romney both support it.
Secret prisons: Obama and Romney both support them.
Government control of healthcare: Obama and Romney both support it.
Government control of education: Obama and Romney both support it.
Increased government gun "control": Obama and Romney both support it.
Concentrated power in the executive, especially through executive orders: Obama and Romney both support it.
Proposed significant cuts to the federal budget: Neither Obama nor Romney.
History of increasing government spending, taxes, and mandates: Both Obama and Romney.
I could go on, but I'm running out of characters.
Romney is Obama with an R slapped on him.
-Paul-
6:35 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
This "lesser of two evils" nonsense is exactly what has gotten us in this mess.
I will not vote for people who represent ideas which are antithetical to fundamental human liberty, and I'm finished playing this two party shell game.
If we allow politicians to repeatedly win who simply throw out empty nice sounding phrases, try to scare people into believing that the other guy is the devil incarnate (when he's really very similar), then grow the size and scope of the government regardless of any past promises (while blaming the other guy), we'll have no actual reform, nor any decent people in office.
They apparently think we're all chumps. I'm hoping they're wrong.
I'll most likely be voting for Gary Johnson. I'd love to see him pull a very large percentage. I won't be sad at all if Romney loses.
Also, at least then we'd have a chance at someone decent in '16, rather than looking at a choice between a second Romney term, and a democrat.
ObserverNH
6:57 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Launching his general election campaign? Who crowned him the nominee already? He's bleeding delegates and very worried because he won't have enough by the time of the convention.. perhaps this is why he's meeting with 60% of NH voters who won't support him. He fails on so many important issues. The corrupt GOP will never learn.
ObserverNH
7:19 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
One of the most difficult questions is, why is Romney's campaign so corrupt? First he's buying people off, then the caucuses are shutting down when he doesn't see himself in the majority, and now this: robocalls being made in NY claiming everyone has dropped out of the race but himself. Has the Republican Party no shame??
http://bit.ly/IrABr0
ForThePeople
7:52 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Voting for Obama with other sane individuals.
No candidate fits me perfectly, but I'm not going with the party that brought us super pacs. Republicans (Plutocrats) go on and on about food stamps for people that can't afford the basic necessities, but when it comes down to giving tax cuts to the superrich, game-freaking-on, right? It's only "socialist" when poor people get a meal, but when fatcats get multimillion dollar bonuses, it's deserved? Oh come off it.
For the record, I'm middle class, and I don't hate on folks who are poor nor who are rich. What I want is a society where everybody gets a fair chance and nobody is left to die because they are too poor. That kind of social engineering is shameful.
You can dress it up with all the flowery words you want, talking about freedom and the Constitution, religion, all sorts of conservative propaganda techniques… but it's just lipstick on a pig. There's no justification for selling out real people.
One last word: I'm willing to be centrist. I'm willing to say that there should be reforms on both sides. I'm willing to compromise, taking the best ideas from all parties (notice I didn't say both parties, there are more than one). The only thing I'm not willing to do is make people homeless, hungry, or get cancer and no treatment because they're too poor.
What we have right now in New Hampshire doesn't reflect that at all.
-Paul-
11:12 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
- Your criticism of hypocrisy by R politicians is legitimate. That said, I would criticize bailouts, regulations meant to block competitors, etc. Tax breaks are not handouts -- that idea is based on the assumption that the federal government owns everyone and everything. Refraining from taking people's property is not a handout.
- In my opinion FTP, it's the notion of "helping people" that's the lipstick on the pig of federal government programs. They would never attract voluntary support, because they're so inefficient and ineffective. Often, much more than half of the money goes into bureaucrats' pockets, and never sees a poor person -- and the money that does reach the target is often distributed in a way that encourages dependence (often generational dependence, including destruction of the family unit), rather than empowering people. So, they force people to pay, by threatening to throw them in jail if they don't. I am happy to help the poor -- I just want to donate to real charities (which often have 95% efficiency ratings or better), not these godawful, often counterproductive federal programs.
Poverty is a real problem, but threatening to harm people in order to extort money from them, then handing it to a giant, centralized, wasteful, often corrupt and unaccountable bureaucracy, is neither a moral nor expedient solution.
-Paul-
11:24 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I also think far more of us should be taking creating solutions to societal concerns into our own hands, rather than waiting on the government to make someone else do it.
The people who really help the poor do so with their own money and time. Some of these dedicated people have accomplished truly extraordinary, world changing things.
I think this is true about a lot of issues -- environmental protection, for example, as well as stronger local economies, better conditions for foreign workers, etc. If people stopping sitting around waiting for big brother to make someone else do something, and did something themselves, the world would be a much different, much better place.
I'm not saying you fit this category, but I do think it's a big problem (and opportunity).
Truth B. Told
8:02 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I think it is time for a President that represents all the people and not the extremists of the democratic party. When Mr Obama was elected I never expected him to declare war on anybody that disagreed with him or his agenda. This will never sit well with myself nor the American People. I reject this and his supporters.
Go Mitt.
Underwater Couple
8:12 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
House Values dropped again by 3.5%. I (we) just cannot afford to cross our fingers with the current resident of the White House.
Tom Linehan
9:21 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I just watched Romney's speech. The Romney of today is a much better candidate than the one I met a number of times four years ago. He not only said all the right things. He believes them now.
ForThePeople
9:38 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The guy has flip-flopped so many times, it's more than clear he doesn't believe in anything more than what he has to say to get elected. He has ambition, not conviction.
Tom Linehan
5:07 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
@ForThePeople, you are partially right. One point you should consider is that his flip flops are consistently to the conservative side. I almost never get my first choice in most elections. I consider the alternatives. And in this case there is no alternative to Romney. Obama is not an option.
Jan Schmidt
8:39 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Why in the world does how he says something make you believe he's telling the truth NOW??? This is amazing! No one can actually believe him!
Yes, he's going to be easy for the powerful-right to manipulate, so they'll push him as the candidate - but that my neighbors actually believe the words coming from his mouth??
Come on people!
ForThePeople
8:46 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tom, well that's a more honest way of putting it, if a bit close-minded. Why not just say that you vote for Republicans no matter what and be damned the issues?
Tom Linehan
9:06 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
@ForThePeople. I vote Republican by default. I am not particularly enamored with some of the positions of many Republicans on a wide variety of issues. But I have absolutely no common ground with most Democrats. I vote and work for Republicans because I want a seat at the table. I do not want to be on the menu. That is why many businesses give to both parties. .
News Flash
9:48 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Hey June Grads how are your job prospects?
Seamus Carty
9:36 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Depends on the degree. Bright: Bio-medical engineering, environmental engineering, etc. Not so bright: philosophy, French, art history, etc.
News Flash
10:03 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Obama's Administration is full of corruption, Scandals and Incompetence.
Don Duston
11:23 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The difficult question for Romney will be whether or not he should hire Heidi Fleiss to run the Secret Service.
Tom Linehan
5:28 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvN-v4n6leM"; A Better America Begins Tonight.
Kevin Kervick
9:08 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Romney is like the rich kid in high school that paid other kids to like him and tell the other kids how cool he was.
Jan Schmidt
9:46 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Right, how much did he spend on Ayotte in 2010? Both directly and indirectly...
And that was just the top of the ticket! He poured $$$ into NH.
-Paul-
10:05 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I shouldn't have dismissed the idea of a democratic presidential nominee who respects liberty in '16 ... but I have to say, I don't see it as likely.
Tom Alciere
12:39 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I just got back from Philadelphia, where thousands of Ron Paul supporters turned out in the pouring rain. Mitt Romney is not the nominee yet.
http://ronpaulquotes.com/rally.html
Citizen Jones
12:07 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
As a life long Independent and Ron Paul voter, I maintain the same position I held in 2008 - Anybody but Obama!!!
Concerned Man
12:53 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
How does it feel to have the media decide not only the nomination but ultimately, the presidency for you? Them along with the corporations that count the votes from electronic machines, with no paper trail, in private, for profit.
Our elections are manufactured fan-fare and in reality, the presidency, the congress, the courts, the states, the towns and cities, are bought and paid for. They are selling land and assets to not only foreign corporations but also to foreign governments.
I can say since at least 1980, United States domestic and foreign policy has not changed at all. Our "public policies" trump the Constitution every time. Even former CIA Director, now Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, told Congress to their face if they want to bomb Iran they will work with the United Nations and NATO and give Congress a report after they decide.
If you think 1 man or woman, especially a democrat or republican man or woman, to put the country in the right direction, then you have been duped to believe in a lie.
Just because a majority believes something, does not mean it is the truth. The truth exists whether you believe it or not. America get it together...we are better than this...
Citizen Jones
9:50 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Concerned Citizen -> How do I feel about our electoral/campaign process you ask. Well I "feel" the same as ever about it, but how I "feel" is of no importance. People that employ their "feelings" at the voting booth are what compounds our nation’s problems. It's time to say it straight out – people that want to “feel” their way through the political process, especially in the voting booth, should attends to their matters on the psychiatrist’s couch until they have their “feelings” under control enough to THINK.
Ignorant voters, especially the willfully ignorant, should be shamed into staying away from the polls.
This Nation health is so seriously ill, that we most assuredly cannot survive by repeating the error of electing President Obama again. Repeating the same actions and expecting different results is insane!!!
(cont)
Citizen Jones
9:51 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Concerned Citizen (cont) ->It is obvious that the practical choices on November’s ballot are Romney or Obama. That the truth!
I voted for Ron Paul in the primary to send a principled message. I voted for Ron Paul in the general election in 1988 knowing Dukakis could not win to send a principled message. The only principled message this November is to reject national insanity.
Clearly, electing Obama again is the very definition of a nation gone insane.
I have no expectation from Romney to “save us”. Maybe he is part of the solution, or a step in the right direction, maybe he will be no better. But voting for Romney is not a step toward insanity.
A vote for Obama is a National step off the cliff into the abyss of the wacky world of insanity - where those who “think” will not need a couch but “re-education camp”.
You assert we are better than “this”, if so then we would not be suffering from “this”. That is the truth, whether you believe it or not.
We should be better than “this”, we must demand better than “this” of ourselves and our fellow citizens – if not then we are indeed INSANE – and THAT’S THE TRUTH.
Concerned Man
12:01 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Obama and Romney are not practical choices. They are an illusion of a choice. Democrats and Republicans are the same party; corporate fascism is the game and they both play ball. These are not choices for anything but more of the same in different packaging.
Concerned Man
11:59 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
Citizen Jones thank you for the response; however, you didn't address the fact of the matter--the media and corporations are deciding for you.
Obama wasn't elected. He was selected and fraud was used for the charade we call Presidential Elections. George W. Bush was selected and stole two consecutive elections.
Obama has already been selected. Romney is just a fall guy like John Kerry and John McCain.
Since at least 1980 the United States "public policies", both domestic and foreign, has not changed. Democrat and Republican presidents have pursued the same policies for at least 30 years. A policy of gutting America and building a globalist economy, in reality a world government, all while usurping and destroying the United States Republic.
Citizen Jones
2:51 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Concerned Citizen -> I also didn't address the point that you and I are oxygen addicts. The reason; the universally obvious is not worth stating.
While your point is not as universally obvious as your oxygen addiction, based on the audience I perceived here I considered it sufficiently obvious. However I do acknowledge my perception could be wrong. So I will address it now.
You think it the media and corporations; however I prefer to think of it in more generic terms. Thus I call it the “propaganda machine”. However like oxygen addiction, the propaganda machine has always, and I do mean always, been in play; at times more potent than at other times – but always potent.
When I referred to the “practical choices” I was referring to the “choice among those that stand a chance of winning”. Ya it stinks. Tough -that’s just the way it is.
When I voted for Ron Paul in 1988 I knew he could not win. The worst result would be Dukakis winning, but I knew he would not win so there was no reason to vote for Bush to avoid the larger disaster of Dukakis. Thus I was free to vote in full alignment with my thinking, so I voted for Ron Paul.
Yes, it is the lesser of 2 evils. Throughout my life, and throughout election history, it is always the same formulation. I don’t like it, it ought not be that way, but it is. Tough sheet for me, and perhaps you – perhaps everyone. But it is what it is.
Seafus McCarthy
12:32 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
All these "Citizens" -- what is this the French Revolution? If being a citizen is so important to you, consider this. As recent at one year ago 1 in 4 Americans thought Obama is not a real US citizen: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20056061-503544.html
But more to the point. You will find Obama speaks untruth on nearly every topic: http://open.salon.com/blog/pontevedraman/2012/03/22/all_things_obama_and_the_continuous_lies
Citizen Jones
2:49 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Seafus, whatever that means. We need to promote more citizenship in this country, and start rejecting, or at least diluting, such monikers as "folks", or still worst being called mere "residents". We are more than that - we are indeed Citizens. I reject any association with the French revolution and request you do not draw any similarly with my moniker and the French Revolution. If you desire a history lesson on the point, you will find ample material available at your fingertips from credible sources on the web.
To your point of Obama’s untruths; I believe an objective analysis would reveal that, like all con-men he relies on much truth to cloth his lies and fallacies. It is the essential ingredient to any con job!
Make no mistake America, we have been conned!!!
Citizen Jones
2:52 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
The choice in November is Obama, a proven failure and incompetent and still worse a con-man, or Romney, proven to be who knows what. But Romney is not incompetent. So for me it’s Romney.
Obama is certain destruction for what remains good in America, or Romney who might stop the destruction and might even restore some of the good in America. He ain’t much of a chance, but he is the ONLY PRACTICAL CHANCE that can win.
A drowning man will grab at anything at hand to stay afloat, even if only for one more breath, and be glad at least momentarily that something was at hand.
America is drowning, metaphorically on a number of matters perhaps most especially debt, Romney is the only thing at hand to grab ahold of, even if he only gives us one more breath I will reach out and grab him and at least momentarily be glad he is at hand.
Seafus McCarthy
4:46 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Well then Citizen Jones. If THAT is your position. How do you explain the half-face next to you in your Twitter profile photo? Hmmm? Answer me that. http://twitter.com/#!/citizenjones76
Citizen Jones
5:14 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Seafus -> You got me. I can't explain it. The fact that is not my account is probably a good reason why I don't know, at least for most people.
In any case, the question is not on topic.