What to Read, Todays picks (1/30/2012)

1/30/2012

Obama to the nation: Onward civilian soldiers by George Will - Washington Post

From one of my favorite writers is a wonderfully written piece about how Obama used the military in his State of the Union Address, comparing the plight of the Armed Forces to the situations facing civil society. Will is one of the best of deconstructing a liberal argument, and that is exactly what he does here. I do not want to ruin it, but let us just I simply love the piece, and really, really, think you should read it. It has everything it needs to show the average reader how the liberal argument is so fundamentally flawed, and how the progressives see people as tools, used for a larger game of power. It is necessary read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Gingrich Vows Long Fight and Gets Cain’s Backing by Katharine Q. Seelye -  The New York Times

In this article we learn that yesterday Herman Cain endorsed Newt Gingrich, and the despite all the signs that Gingrich will lose Florida, that he plans on fighting on until the convention. Newt has been buried under negative ads from both the Romney camp, and Romney's Super Pac; add this to the fact that a coordinated effort from the establishment is slamming Gingrich daily, it would be hard for any candidate to not drop in the polls, plus there seems to be talk of keeping Santorum in the race in order to help dilute Gingrich’s share of the conservative vote.

GOP Insiders Rise up to Cut Gingrich Down to Size by Charles Babington AP & abc News.

The GOP establishment has done its job, well at least what they feel their job is. They have gone and picked the nominee for us, they do not feel the voters should have that choice. Heck, why not go back to the days of smoke filled rooms, and that is where I am at with this. The establishment had come out in force on Newt Gingrich, and like I told many of my fellow conservative friends, after Iowa, I knew this would happen in each state right before it voted. South Carolina was different for some reason, but the message worked in Florida. Gingrich has to hope something happens before the Florida vote, or the Santorum drops out. It is still not over yet, but it will be one step closer for Gingrich if he does not find a way to beat back these attack.

It's Not About Newt by Joseph M. Koenig - American Thinker

This interesting piece explain the reason that Gingrich had even threatened Romney's path had to do more with the anger at the Republican establishment than the affection for Newt Gingrich. I would agree with that, and it looks like the Party elites have not learned the lesson of 2010. Oh, what a shame that is.

Davos and Disconnected Elites by David Ignatius - Washington Post Writers Group

This article is very interesting in a few ways. First, the point of the post is to point out that there is a growing anger at the world elites, and despite that fact that the world’s most prominent businesses are starting to network, back home there are protest. This article talks about how the organizers at the World Economic Forum developed panels on topics such as “Is Capitalism Failing?" and "Global Risks 2012: The Seeds of Dystopia." And while the global elites all connect into a grid of their own, the rest of the world is at home pissed off. From this atmosphere we are starting to see a new phenomenon, those who are the angered, have started to mix with those who are the privileged.

Long story short and I would suggest you read the longer form, we are seeing a troubling sign of the times. After the protest in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood filled the power vacuum. These folks would have never occupied the same room with those who would partake in the World Economic Forum; but that is exactly what is now happening. I'll let you read the rest if you want to, but what scares me is that these people are coming into power.

In Florida, Romney vs. Gingrich is a fight for GOP's direction By Mark Z. Barabak and John Hoeffel-Los Angeles Times.

This is more than a fight to pick a nominee; the Republican race is a fight for the direction of the party as a whole.  These two comments pretty much sum up the thinking of the two sides of this debate.

Why do some not want to take a risk by nominating Newt Gingrich?

"Mulberry, 53, owns a small business manufacturing souvenir T-shirts, so she appreciates Romney's moneymaking skills and thinks critics should stop attacking him simply because he's rich.  As for Newt Gingrich, Mulberry is certain the thrice-married former House speaker would lose in November."
“  She can hear President Obama now: "Well, I've been married to Michelle for all this time....  If he can't run his own personal life, then how's he going to run a country?"

And then there are those who see Romney as being the problematic one (this is where I am).

"But Jeff Cloud, 59, who makes a living doing yard work in Florida's rural interior, questions whether Romney has the toughness it takes to sit in the Oval Office.  For that reason, he leans toward Gingrich.  "He's fought a lot of battles," Cloud said, sitting at a picnic table outside the public library in Brooksville.  "With Romney, I just don't know if his background is strong enough to be what we need as a leader."

Before Super Tuesday, a Romney-friendly lull  By Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post

You can pretty much sum this whole piece up by Cillizza by saying if Romney wins Florida, he is in good position, because for the whole month of February will consist of states that will be friendly to Romney.  Two because of their heavy Mormon populations, and one because it is Romney's home state: Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona; but if Gingrich can make it to Super Tuesday, he may still have a chance.