Round 3 & Down to the Wire

Trick or Treat

 Sooner the better!!!

 Early voting has begun.

Polls & Ads

7 Days to go until real hope & change!!!

Romney was up 2 points in tracking polls overnight after the 3^rd debate.

The New York Time’s “Swing State Tracker” – last 5 months tracking polls in each swing state – show all of them have improved for Romney & nearly or more than closed the gap.  http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/swing-state-tracker?ref=politics  Other polls tend to show Romney doing better than whatever poll(s) NYT used.

I hear Obama's about given up in Florida & VA, and focusing on Ohio.  But Pennsylvania is in play, etc.  Yes, miracles happen, and prayers are answered.  Similarities w. 1980 (& a similarly disastrous president was defeated).  Morris & some others are even predicting a bigger victory by Romney.  Keep the faith.  The alternative is unthinkable.

As of the other day, it was dead even in the very important Ohio (49-49).  The Des Moines Register endorsed Romney – it had endorsed Obama 4 yrs ago, as well as every Democrat candidate since 1972 (40 years).  I’ve heard of some other surprising newspaper endorsements – they’re breaking ranks.  The Daily Breeze endorsed Romney (last time Obama).

There is discussion about the potential effect of Hurricane Sandy – the “perfect storm” -- on the election.  Presumably a week of clean-up should enable everyone who wants to (and hasn’t already voted absentee) to vote next Tues.  But it did hit the blue states especially hard.  One pundit said taking the focus off of Obama’s bad record for a few days, and giving him an opportunity to look presidential in coordinating/leading relief efforts, may work to his advantage.  I heard a report that Romney was out working some relief efforts.

Miscellaneous – Videos, Op-Eds, Quotes, Encounters, etc.

People still don't know Romney well enough -- or they'd no doubt give him much better grades on the very things Obama likes to tout about himself -- leadership, honesty, integrity, and compassion.  Here's a short news story/interview on CBS that someone sent me that makes a dent & discusses why that side of him is not well known: Click on the link below and get the first glimpse of a change in the thinking of the CBS News team....this is the most positive segment that CBS has ever had on an opponent of Barrack Obama.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7405692n&tag=api

Jennifer Griffen’s investigative report on the events in Benghazi on Fox News (www.FoxNews.com) are highly damning of the administration.  Their ineptness at not pulling out or protecting the consulate despite recent events and pleas, their lack of response in the 7-hour battle, and their inept/dishonest cover-up and buck-passing afterwards.  The more we know, the worse it looks.  As Thomas Sowell said in an op-ed today, it’s a “confidence trick, a “delaying process called ‘cooling out the mark.’” http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2012/10/30/cooling_out_the_voters

Obama accused Romney of wanting auto companies to die!!?  He’s really getting desperate.

Obama – “Trust is important.”  [Yes, it is – and you’ve lost ours]

Biden – “You can’t run from your record.”  [Yet another case of projection – Obama’s miserable record is not remotely comparable to Romney’s – try as they do to put lipstick on a pig]

Someone in the administration apparently leaked (true or not) that talks w. Iran were imminent.  Obama later denied it, but even if true, what good ever came of the years of talks w. Saddam?  Just more stalling.  And it just points out another broken promise of Obama – that he’d sit down and talk w. them – still hasn’t 4 years later.  Of course, “after the election, [he’ll] have more flexibility.”

I was in the CA delegation listening to this account by Chris Christy (a visit to the White House, involving an apparently Republican Marine & Barbara Streisand), and described it briefly in my convention report:  http://bcove.me/16b9xatn

Obama scoffs at Romney’s concern over Russia (& China?), but look at Mr. KGB & dictator-for-life Putin and this link (a 30-minute video)......

http://www.trevorloudon.com/2012/10/an-urgent-message-for-america-please-help-this-go-viral/

And in the same vein of unmasking the agenda & impacts of the Left, a link to a free (until the election), full-length (90 minute) documentary sent by a fellow delegate:

Dear Family & Friends,
If you have not seen it.  A MUST SEE Documentary.  Our Kids & Grandkids' future are at huge risk!!
How America became what it is today. How we were all asleep.  How we don't learn from world history.

Americans need to see this film before November Election!!

May God continue to bless America!! 

Sophie

AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) 
http://vimeo.com/user2695043/agenda

AGENDA is now on Vimeo to watch for FREE until the election.
Please forward and share this everywhere, and encourage your contacts to do the same.
 

Copybook Heading Productions LLC shared this with you:http://vimeo.com/user2695043/agenda AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) http://vimeo.com/user2695043/agenda Forward this email to your friends and family so that they can watch the video too

Another story of prayers & the election.  I was precinct-walking on Saturday to get out the vote of less-frequent voters, & the last Republican on my list was a woman at the Lovers of the Holy Cross convent (Vietnamese) a couple blocks away.  I'd never really noticed it -- had just assumed the bldg was part of the Serra Catholic high school.  A young sister answered the door and said the woman in question was over 100 yrs old (the sheet says 102!), and she came out shortly with a walker.  She has an absentee ballot.  They were both saying repeatedly they were praying for our country, and would pray for me/us. 

I'd guess so -- with various Catholic institutions suing the Obama administration over the contraceptives rules, etc.  And as the Tampa stk. public affairs rep. said in a sacrament mtg. w. the Calif. Republican delegation, there's concern that our temple marriages may be affected by any ruling that any institution performing marriages would have to make them open to gay couples.

Two young Black SEIU members (man & woman) came through our neighborhood & knocked on my door, promoting prop. 30 (higher taxes for the wealthy) & against 32 (banning mandatory union dues going to political contributions).  We had quite a discussion as I’m voting the opposite.  With their reputation for thuggery, I thought twice about quoting FDR as being against government employee unions.

Obama has been lately appealing to the thinking voters – MTV, Rolling Stone, the View....

Oct. 27 at a gigantic rally in Pensacola, Florida, Romney spoke of Obama’s incredible shrinking campaign – moving from the big issues to small ones like word choices, Sesame street characters.  Romney’s campaign is talking about bigger things & the crowds are growing.  He spoke of being a Boy Scout leader years ago, and being at an Eagle Scout court of honor.  Another Scout leader told of how their troop had a fancy American flag they’d sent to fly w. the Challenger shuttle which blew up.  They kept asking for many weeks if they’d recovered any of the flag, and finally it was returned in perfect condition – it had survived.  He described a feeling like electricity when he touched it.  He said the American spirit is that of those astronauts who gave their all – heroes, like single moms, his widowed sister who continues to care for her 43-year-old Down syndrome son, etc. 

The 3^rd Presidential Debate – at Boca Raton, Florida

Spin

Romney played it cool -- too many lies thrown at him to respond to w/out sidetracking his main messages.  Obama had some zingers that didn't amount to much, and certainly don't distract from his failures.

One woman’s opinion (and one reason the gender gap has closed):  “I thought Romney's closing statement last night was WAY stronger and more inspirational than Obama's... And he just comes across as so much more sincere, genuine, and likable than Obama... Obama sounded whiny and defensive last night, IMHO.”

Sarah Palin – Romney couldn’t keep up with all the lies Obama was throwing at him.

Obama made a number of verifiably false statements as proved by fact-checkers.  And some noted noted that Romney sounded very substantial & better reading the transcript.  Obama’s delivery masks his poor content.

The focus group – most thought Obama won on points, but most thought Romney would be better on the economy.

Polls narrowly give debate points to Obama, but the affect on the vote favored Romney w. independents (his tone, presidential, etc.)

Rove – Obama clearly dislikes Romney, and if Romney dislikes Obama, then he has a pretty good poker face for a Mormon.  Romney was calm, Obama not. 

Romney won on the big, important points, Obama the little, more petty ones.

Biden – Romney’s clearly not ready to be president/commander-in-chief. [and Obama was?????  Or is?????]

Here’s an editorial responding to Obama’s childish comment to Romney about horses and bayonets.  Obama’s mocking is typical of tactics that sidestep discussion of the meaty issues & try to discredit the opponent.  And they accuse us of oversimplifying issues???

EDITORIAL: Obama, horses and bayonets - Washington Times http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/23/obama-horses-and-bayonets/#ixzz2AELeGRmT

My Notes

Q. Libya – the cause of the killing of the ambassador & others – intelligence or policy failure?  Romney said American policy failure.

R. – Upheaval in the Middle East is a long term threat.  We need a comprehensive strategy to deal with it.

O. – My job is to keep Americans safe [like ambassadors?].  We’ve decimated Al Qaida’s leadership.  Romney’s strategy is all over the map.

R. – My strategy is straightforward – go after the bad guys, but broader – coordinate w. friends, promote gender equality,...

O. – R. said the biggest threat is Russia – an old foreign policy.  He wanted us to go into Iraq & to have more troops in Iraq still.

R. – Attacking me is not an agenda that addresses foreign policy issues.  Russia is a geopolitical foe, Iran.... I won’t say “I’ll have more flexibility after the election” to Medvedev/Putin. [right on!]

O. – We need to assure others are helping our counterterrorism

Q. Syria – 30,000 dead in civil war.  Should we reassess our policy?

O. – We’ve organized the international community, sanctions, humanitarian assistance.  Giving heavy weapons is not a good idea. 

R. – Syria is Iran’s only ally & major concern to Israel.  Need to help organize rebels & arm them – Assad must go, and we need the friendship of those who replace him.  O. said let the UN deal w. Libya, Syria – we need to play a leadership role.

O. – We did give leadership.

R. – We don’t need US military involvement in Syria.  This has been going on for a year.  Our purpose is a more peaceful planet – that’s our mantle.  It begins with a strong economy here.  Admiral Mullen said the biggest threat to our national security is our national debt.  We need strong allies & to stand by our principles, then our influence will grow.  Nowhere is it stronger now than 4 years ago.  It’s our responsibility and privilege.  We can’t have 23 million jobless, graduates jobless.  We need to be ready for an uncertain future.  Israel can’t rely on us, missile defenses in Poland were pulled out without consultation, we didn’t support the green revolution in Iran....

O. – We are stronger today than 4 years ago [huh??!  Not militarily or economically]

R. – I know what it takes to create jobs.  We’re 9 million jobs short of 5% unemployment.  We need N. American energy independence – coal, oil & gas.  We need more trade agreements, esp. in Latin America.  We need parents in charge of their children’s schools.  Otherwise we’re headed for Greece.  He’d champion small businesses.

O. – We need to support education.

R. – Massachusetts has the best education in the country – due to bipartisan efforts incl. when he was governor.

O. – Not in / due to your administration.

R. – We can achieve a balanced budget in 8-10 years, get rid of Obamacare & other programs that are not needed, and give some of them to the states to run more effectively.

O. – now says...(?)

R. – I balanced the MA budget.  The president hasn’t balanced [or had] a budget yet [not a single Dem. even voted for his last poor attempt].  We’ve dropped from the ability to fight 2 simultaneous conflicts to only one.  Sequestration cuts are unacceptable.  Cuts to the number of Navy ships is unacceptable.

O. – Numbers aren’t the only story.  In WW I we had more bayonets & horses, but our weapons are more capable now.  [sarcastically, pedantically, condescendingly] We have things called aircraft carriers where you can land planes on them, and ships called submarines that go underwater....this is not just a game of “Battleship” where numbers matter.

Q. Israel & Iran – where is the red line?  Are you willing to declare an attack on Israel an attack on the US?

O. – Iran’s economy is in shambles due to sanctions.  Iran won’t get a nuclear weapon while I’m president.  [but after January 20?]

R. – We have Israel’s back.  I called for crippling sanctions 5 years ago.  We need to indict Ahmadinejad for genocide.  Military action is a last resort.

Q. What deal would you accept w. Iran?

O. – The goal is to get Iran to abide by international rules – it’s hard work.

R. – Iran saw weakness when Obama said he’d sit down w. Iran, Chavez, etc.  Then came the apology tour, silence at the green revolution.  10,000 nuclear centrifuges are still spinning.

O. – Nothing Romney said is true [!!??]  I was clear against Syria [just as clear as about terrorism at Benghazi?]

R. – We’re 4 years closer to a nuclear Iran.  The apology tour skipped Israel.  America hasn’t dictated to other nations [an O. statement on the apology tour], but has freed them from dictators.  The China trade deficit is growing, our influence receding due to the economy, withdrawals.  30 Democrat senators asked O. to repair Israel relations.

Q. America’s longest war – Afghanistan.

R. – The commanders are on track to bring our forces out by the end of 2014.  Pakistan influences Afghanistan – Taliban, nukes – need to rebuild relations and move them in the right direction.

O. – We decimated Al Qaida leadership, transition to Afghan troops

R. – We need to tie support to Pakistan to their actions.

Q. What is the greatest future threat?  [One woman in our debate-watching party shouted out “4 more years of Obama!”]

O. – We’ve filed and won more trade case suits.

R. – It’s not government that makes business successful.  China doesn’t want war or protectionism – we can be a partner if they’re responsible.  The secretary of defense called trillion-dollar cuts “devastating.”  Our companies are shutting down because of China’s practices.  On day one I’d label China a currency manipulator.  They’re hacking our computers, counterfitting our products, stealing our intellectual property. 

Q.    Would you start a trade war on day 1?

18. – No – it’s not in their interest – it hurts them more than us.  We certainly don’t want to go back to the policies of the last 4 years – more debt, food stamps, unemployed...

O. – I want to cut the deficit,.....blah, blah, blah.... [gee, didn’t he promise to cut the deficit in half 4 years ago?  And we’re supposed to believe him now?]

R. – I’m an optimist about the future, opportunities, peace.  We can get the economy growing – to do it we need someone who can work across the aisle.  This nation is the hope of the earth.  It’s our turn to take that torch.