'Joe the Plumber' Gets His Revenge

It was an historical moment in the history of cable news channel viewing. 'Joe the Plumber' Wurzelbacher got his chance to exact his revenge on the mainstream media and Barack Obama for the proctoscopic examination he has received at their hands of late.

Wurzelbacher appeared on the Fox News Channel's 'Mike Huckabee Show' over the weekend, and the Ohio plumber had plenty to say about the media scrutiny and smear campaign launched by the Obama bandwagon.

As reported in The Toledo Blade (h/t to Matt Drudge), Joe the Plumber is pretty upset about the manner in which he has been treated in the aftermath of a question he asked Barack Obama.

Since that time the Obama campaign and the mainstream media has launched a smear campaign against Joe, reporting his problems with tax liens in Ohio, among other issues--all for merely challenging a Presidential candidate on his tax proposals.

Joe wants to know why all of a sudden it is unacceptable to question the positions of a person who could be the next President of the United States.

The answer to Joe, of course, is that now we have a a self-proclaimed and media-proclaimed 'Emperor in waiting,' even before the Election, who has a distinct distaste for being challenged on anything.

We mere peons in the electorate can't be paid attention to unless we bow to the almighty pronouncements of the One with the divine light emanating from his being.

And if we refuse, we just may get ruined by the gang of thugs that surrounds the new Emperor.

Media Spin in South Carolina on Presidential Race

The moguls of the mainstream media are at it again with their latest smear tactics against Fred Thompson in the GOP Presidential race.

In Sunday's Spartanburg Herald-Journal, a major Upstate S.C. newspaper which, by the way, is owned by the New York Times, an article appeared on the front page of the local news section which stated several times that Fred Thompson had 'gone negative' in his campaign strategy.

Not only did the article state that Thompson had 'gone negative' about Mike Huckabee but that he had adopted negativity as a campaign strategy for the rest of the way to Super Tuesday.

First, let's get this notion out of the way at the very outset. Thompson did not 'go negative.' Since when did pointing out someone's very public record as a Governor constitute 'going negative?'

This is Huckabee's definition of going negative. The Governor does not want his record discussed, since the record proves that his rhetoric concerning his days as Arkansas's Governor is at best grossly exaggerated and at worst contains some outright untruths.

That the mainstream media has adopted Huckabee's definition of the term is very telling.

A clear-headed, rational attempt to contrast one's views with another's is NOT 'going negative.' The opponent's views must be pointed out in order to differentiate those views from one's own.

Second, Huckabee himself has contrasted his record with that of other GOP candidates, yet to date no mainstream media outlet has described this tactic as 'going negative.'

Yet Huckabee went far beyond merely contrasting his record with the others. In Mitt Romney's case, for example, Huckabee went out of his way to attempt to portray himself as the 'Christian' candidate, the Baptist minister, in the very areas where there is yet a marked religious bigotry against Mormons.

This is, no doubt, exceeding the boundaries of discussing political differences by personally attacking an opponent's religion.

Yet Huckabee to date has gotten a free pass on his religious bigotry in the mainstream media in South Carolina. In fact, in Sunday's article in the Herald-Journal, no mention was made of Huckabee's ever going negative.

Further, the article not only focused on Thompson's supposed 'negative campaign' but Romney's as well. And the rift between Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani certainly did not escape the scrutiny of the writer.

In short, Huckabee came out smelling like a rose. The rest were portrayed as nasty ogres who say nasty things about poor little preacher Huck.

And, mind you, this was NOT on the editorial page. This was supposedly a news article.

The article also failed to mention that as an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, Huckabee is not getting much support from the denominational leadership. SBC conservative icon Judge Paul Pressler of Texas has endorsed Thompson. Richard Land, powerful head of one of the SBC's major agencies, has also expressed reluctance to support Huckabee but speaks in positive terms about Thompson.

Agency heads in the SBC do not officially make 'endorsements.'

The mainstream media, particularly anything affiliated with the New York Times, would naturally promote Huckabee. After all, he is widely viewed by Democratic insiders as the one GOP candidate that would be most easily defeated in the general election.

FRED HITS GRAND SLAM IN S.C. DEBATE

Republican Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson hit a grand slam during Thursday night's GOP debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. An animated, assertive Thompson came out swinging, and apparently it paid off handsomely.

Fox News, which co-sponsored the debate, put together a focus group made up of highly likely GOP primary voters to watch the forum together by television in Charleston, SC.

Before the debate, only 3 of the roughly 30 citizens who made up the focus group stated that they supported Fred Thompson. After the debate, the overwhelming majority stated that Thompson won the debate and that they liked what they saw.

When asked who was the biggest loser in the forum, almost every single one said, 'Ron Paul.'

Small focus groups made up of Republican voters are much more reliable in their assessments than the unscientific and asinine polls that are taken immediately following the debates, polls which are open to persons who may not be Republican and who will not be voting in the primary.

Thus, no matter what Fox's poll or anyone else's poll may say, the people who count--those most likely to vote in the GOP primary on Jan. 19--are the only ones who matter.

And these are the very ones that Fred Thompson won over on Thursday evening.

One of the reasons cited by the focus group as a factor in giving Thompson such a favorable rating in the debate was the manner in which he went after Mike Huckabee's record as Governor of Arkansas.

In our view, such a thing was long overdue. Huckabee has essentially misrepresented himself around the country in many various ways, including his background--claiming he 'has a theological degree.' We have already totally discredited that claim right here on the Liberty Sphere.

But beyond that, Huckabee has a penchant for glossing over the bare facts that he raised taxes, increased the size and scope of government, and supported giving tuition breaks to illegal aliens.

Thompson outlined each of these aspects of the Huckabee record, making it clear that although the former Baptist preacher can turn on the charm and make people think he walks on water, he actually has a very public record from his days as Governor of Arkansas that anyone can research for themselves if they are interested in the truth.

And that record shows that Huckabee is no Ronald Reagan conservative except for abortion and gun rights. Outside of those two issues, Huckabee is a big government Republican who will raise taxes and increase the size of government at the drop of a hat if he thinks it is 'necessary to improve lives.'

That philosophy is called 'liberalism.'

But it took Fred Thompson to bring the ugly truth about Huckabee to the national stage, since nobody else was willing to do so.

The South Carolina Republican Primary is still 9 days away, and it is still way too early to tell who will win. But if the skeptical GOP focus group is any indication, Fred hit a grand slam on Thursday night that may well propel him to the top of the heap on Jan. 19.

It's about time.

Thompson Launches 11-Day S.C. Campaign Blitz

Skipping the New Hampshire primary where he received very little support, GOP Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson is launching an 11-day campaign blitz by bus in South Carolina leading up to the Republican primary on Jan. 19.

The former U.S. Senator from Tennessee did much better than expected in Iowa and Wyoming, picking up 3 delegates to the GOP Convention in the summer, but the candidate had trouble connecting in New Hampshire.

South Carolina, however, represents a ray of hope for Thompson. He has polled well in the state, and his visits to the Palmetto State have been very well-received.

Thompson hopes that his 11-day blitz will shore up his support and gain new supporters just prior to the South Carolina primary.

Mike Huckabee, however, has been a problem for Thompson ever since the former Arkansas Governor began his surge in popularity. South Carolina is home to a significant number of conservative evangelical Christian voters who are smitten by Huckabee's status as a Baptist minister and his views on abortion and so-called 'family values.'

A closer look at Huckabee would reveal that the candidate is no conservative at all except for his views on the social issues that resonate with conservative Christians. As Governor, Huckabee consistently promoted higher taxes, bigger government, more government spending, and a shocking callousness to the desire of the American people to stem the tide of the flow of illegal aliens into the country.

He also exhibits an alarming lack of knowledge on foreign policy issues.

Thompson hopes to cash in on these glaring weaknesses of the Huckabee bandwagon. It is to be hoped, for the sake of the nation and South Carolina both, that conservative Christians in the Palmetto State are smart enough to understand that a smiling personality and a pro-life stance are not the only credentials necessary to being President.

After all, Fred Thompson has a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Campaign.

Huckabee is not the only one whose values mirror those of conservative Christians. With Thompson not only do we get someone who is pro-life and pro-family, but we get a staunch defender of gun rights, small government, lower taxes, and a strong U.S. defence and foreign policy to boot.

In short, Thompson is the total package. Huckabee is a big government wolf in sheep's clothing.

BREAKING NEWS: HUNTER TO STAY IN RACE

At a special called news conference at 2 PM today, GOP Presidential hopeful Duncan Hunter, R-California, announced that he is staying in the race.

There had been widespread speculation that perhaps Hunter would announce today his withdrawal from the race due to his dismal showing in the polls in New Hampshire.

However, Hunter came in 3rd in Wyoming on Saturday and picked up one delegate to the Republican National Convention in the summer.

Stating that 'the voters will decide when the race is over,' Hunter vowed to march on to South Carolina following the New Hampshire primary.

South Carolina is one of the states where Duncan Hunter did very well early in the campaign. The U.S. Representative from California's San Diego district announced his Presidential bid in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the spring of 2007.

However, Hunter has suffered from Fred Thompson's entry into the race and Mike Huckabee's late surge, appealing to the large number of evangelical Christians in the state.

Huckabee is by no means a shoe-in, however. Polls in S.C. have been all over the map, indicating great fluidity. Fred Thompson has polled very well in the state and still has a good chance of winning.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/26/07

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas...

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Red's Trading Post says that opponents to Michael Sullivan as head of the ATF have found an unexpected ally:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/sullivans-office-criticized-again-by.html

The War on Guns has an update on the sentence of Wayne Fincher:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/fincher-makes-top-ten.html

Snow Flakes in Hell has more on Congress' ban of the incandescent light bulb, which apparently includes Halogen bulbs as well:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2247

Nicki has an excellent read today on Mike Huckabee and religion. Read it all:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/church-of-huck-growing-government-in.html

Nicki also provides a stark example of what happens when people are disarmed:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/dont-you-want-to-be-disarmed-too.html

Traction Control serves up some important commentary on 'we're the only ones':
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=873

Being a lover of canines, I simply had to include this from Tam. Be sure to click on the link she provides:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/12/spirit-of-giving.html

Of Arms and the Law alerts us to a new book on the Founders' views on the right to bear arms:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/12/the_founders_vi.php

Mike McCarville reports some interesting Oklahoma poll numbers for both Republicans and Democrats running for President:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/clinton-huckabee-oklahoma-favorites.html

Blogstitution enumerates all the reasons he is not supporting Mike Huckabee:
http://www.blogstitution.com/2007/12/24/why-i-am-not-supporting-huckabee/

In case you missed it, Born Again Redneck has an interesting read contrasting Mike Huckabee with Fred Thompson:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/huackabee-hare-vs-thompson-tortoise.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association has good reading today entitled, 'Thank God She WASN'T A Security Guard':
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4110.html

Limbaugh Responds to Huckabee's Olive Branch

As reported days ago on The Liberty Sphere, GOP Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee asserted that he is running as the 'anti-Rush Limbaugh candidate'--a statement that raised eyebrows and stirred the ire of many conservatives across the country.

The rift started when a Huckabee campaigner stated in essence that the campaign did not need Limbaugh since he is, after all, nothing more than the mouthpiece of the so-called 'Manhattan chatters-D.C. axis.'

Limbaugh responded on Friday's broadcast that he is anything but a mouthpiece for the Manhattan-D.C. axis, but is rather a part of the Cape Girardeau-Middle America axis who has consistently stood for conservative principles for 19 years on the radio.

Limbaugh is a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Michelle Malkin came to Rush's defense on Friday on her blog, which is read by millions. Malkin described Huckabee as the anti-Rush Republican, which no doubt left the candidate wondering if he had made a major blunder.

He did.

No GOP candidate is going to gain ANY traction at all with most GOP voters if they bash Limbaugh.

Thus, on Sunday Huckabee offered an olive branch to Limbaugh, stating that he had no interest in criticizing Rush and that the radio host 'should get in touch with me.'

Limbaugh responded by accepting Huckabee's words as sincere and genuine, but added that he doesn't need to talk to the candidate. In fact, Rush contends that Huckabee's campaign staff in Arkansas knows full well how to get in touch with him, which they have had ample opportunity to do but as yet have refused to do.

But there is one thing that Rush stated on his radio program on Friday that is a simple fact which needs no apology. The attack against him was very 'Clintonian' and designed to dumb down conservatism until it squares with Huckabee's record.

This was not an attack against Huckabee. This was the truth.

Thus, it appears that if Huckabee is to gain some airtime with Rush, then he is going to have to make the first move, which is only fair. After all, it was the candidate and his campaign team that opened this rift to begin with.

Religious Questions Surface During Campaigns

As regular as clockwork political campaigns evoke the inevitable religious questions that are bound to come up as the electorate attempts to determine which of the candidates they prefer to be President.

That the voters would ask these questions is as natural a part of being human in civilized society as, say, wanting to know if a candidate has Nazi tendencies once it has become known that he/she once stated they admired Adolf Hitler.

Religion and spirituality are all-pervasive aspects of human life. One's views on the subject tell us much about their character, their values, how they view humanity, and how they would react in a crisis.

Thus, John Kennedy's Catholicism became an issue in the 1960 election until the candidate reassured the populace that although his religious views inform his decisions and provide solace, they would in no way usurp his oath of office to uphold, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

Contrary to these questions being tantamount to a 'religious litmus test' as Mitt Romney suggested during his now-famous religion speech, they are merely attempts by the voters to get at the heart of just who is this person who is asking for their vote. Are they trustworthy? Can I relate to them at all on a personal level? Will they understand the feelings and views of someone like me?

Thus, it is only natural that the American people would have questions concerning the Mormon faith if they are considering a vote for Mitt Romney, particularly in light of the fact that most Protestants and Catholics have been taught at some time or another that Mormonism is a 'cult.'

And the answer that most are looking for is whether or not the Mormon faith that Romney espouses is too big a hurdle for them to get past. They may well decide that the candidate appears entirely reasonable and that there is nothing to fear. On the other hand they may well decide that they are entirely uncomfortable with a President who believes the teachings of the Mormon church.

But this is part of the process, and it is entirely reasonable, just as it was reasonable for Americans to inquire into Jimmy Carter's membership in a Baptist Church during the 1976 Presidential campaign. As it turns out, it was not Carter's Baptist faith that ruined him but his utter inability to lead effectively, not to mention his horrendous foreign and domestic policies.

In like manner, it is reasonable to expect Americans to have questions concerning Mike Huckabee both as a Baptist and as an ordained minister within the Baptist denomination. Are Americans comfortable with a Baptist minister as President? It may well turn out that this is totally a non-issue, since Baptists form the single largest non-Catholic denomination in the U.S.

On the other hand, the issue may be a sticking point for Huckabee. He claims, for example, that giving children of illegal aliens college tuition breaks, allowing them to move ahead of many of our own people, is the 'good and right thing to do.'

Religiously oriented people often let their emotions dictate their stance on issues which demand purely rational views. Thus, we have Catholic churches providing safe haven for illegal aliens. We have liberal Protestant churches sending money to Mexico, supposedly for 'missions,' but in actuality their generosity is only used to promote causes that hurt our own country.

It is for this reason that I could vote for an agnostic who believes in the Constitution and Bill of Rights over a liberal Baptist who espouses statism or socialistic solutions to problems. I could vote for an atheist who doesn't have an ax to grind with religious folk, provided he/she espouses views similar to the Founders, over a deeply committed Christian who believes that it is somehow 'moral and ethical' to commit robbery (through higher taxes) in order to 'help the poor children of illegal immigrants.'

As Walter Williams often quips, 'For me to voluntarily reach in my pocket to help the poor is an honorable act of compassion, but for you or government to reach into my pocket and take my money for that purpose is stealing and should be punished by law.'

I fully relate to Huckabee as a Baptist, though I suspect that my brand of Baptist is much different from his southern-evangelical brand. I tend to be a Baptist in the classic, Calvinistic, reformed, non-conformist tradition--that sector of Christianity that began in England in the early 1600s as a congregational protest movement against the highly organized hierarchy of the Church of England.

These hearty souls saw no problem with alcohol, or tobacco, or some of the other so-called 'vices' that some groups identify. Huckabee's brand of Baptist comes out of southern evangelical Christianity which views 'al-kee-hol,' 't'bacee,' and 'dayncin' as horrible sins (if you recognize the three words you qualify as a bona fide southerner).

Yet I fully understand the mindset, and I am thoroughly familiar with its ramifications. Most of these folk are the salt-of-the-earth types who wouldn't hurt a flea, in spite of their rather restrictive moral standards.

It is therefore not Huckabee the Baptist that bothers me.

What bothers me is that Huckabee leads with his religion, just as did Jimmy Carter. Both have made it a central issue. At least Romney doesn't talk about his Mormonism and did so only after being hounded about it.

Fred Thompson is the perfect role model on the religion issue. In response to reporters' questions he stated, 'I am a Christian who was baptized into the Christian Church, and who believes in Jesus Christ. And that is really all that needs to be said about the matter.'

The way I see it, this was answering a legitimate question without turning the religion issue into some sort of litmus test.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/21/07

NOTICE! The Second Amendment News Roundup will take a break for Christmas. There will be no roundup on Monday or Tuesday (Christmas day). We will resume next Wednesday.

Be sure to visit the Liberty Sphere throughout the holidays. We will, as always, provide provocative reading every single day of the year.

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Another Congressional idiot has gone berserk. 'Leaky' Leahy, D-VT, has blocked the plan to require passports at the northern and southern borders:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200712/NAT20071221b.html

Mike McCarville posts Lee Bandy's assessment of Fred Thompson in South Carolina. Of course, I disagree with Bandy's assessment, as I have provided extensive evidence that Thompson is much more of a force here than is commonly recognized:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/in-south-carolina-thompson.html

A Keyboard and a .45 tells us about an afternoon at the gun shop:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/afternoon-at-gun-shop.html

Armed and Safe says 'dump 'em' rather than 'reform 'em.' We fully agree:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/id-rather-see-them-dumped-rather-than.html

Through the years I have become convinced that you can't put ANYTHING past the Clintons, even promoting Mike Huckabee because they know Hillary can beat him. Born Again Redneck has the story:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/todays-conspiracy-theory-clintons.html

For the sake of fairness, Sebastian presents the opposing viewpoint (on this blog anyway) concerning the passage of H.R. 2640, which we strongly opposed. Many within the NRA opposed it as well. This shows that gun rights advocates can disagree and still work together toward the same ultimate goals:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2216

Nicki responds to some recent balderdash by laying out the facts, including some jabs at the Brady Gang:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/pathetic-little-twerp-responds.html

Traction Control has the best endorsement for Fred Thompson ever, from a man who says that Christians don't have to support Huckabee just because the Huckster is one. It's Fred all the way:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=868

Of Arms and the Law reports that Mitt Romney has once again endorsed assault weapons bans:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/12/mitt_romney_end.php

Not only is Jack Pribek a musician but he is quite a good writer. Here he has an interesting read on the problems with ethanol and the possible solutions:
http://pribek.net/2007/12/20/the-ethanol-proble-and-some-possible-solutions/

Red's Trading Post reports the latest news on the new ATF reform act:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-atf-reform-act-introduced.html

Say Uncle has today's MUST-read on 'incrementalism':
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/21/incrementalism/

Robb Allen has the quote of the day and the essential commentary to go with it!:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/21/Quote-of-the-day--The-puzzled-immigrant-edition.aspx

Now we can safely say that Mike Huckabee has completely lost his mind. He is now attacking Rush Limbaugh and running as the 'anti-Limbaugh' candidate...not exactly a brilliant strategy for winning the conservative Republican vote. Michelle Malkin has the story:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/21/mike-huckabee-the-anti-limbaugh-candidate/

The Buckeye Firearms Association reports that a political parody has sparked a pre-Christmas buying rush on guns:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4105.html

The GOA issues its alert concerning the bill passed yesterday by Congress with backing of Brady and the NRA:
http://www.gunowners.org/a122007.htm

The NRA gives its take on the passage of H.R. 2640:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=3321&issue=

From the NRA: More Proof Americans Support Gun Rights and NRA Has Clout in Elections:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3328

The Volokh Conspiracy has excellent reading today on ignorance and the Iowa Caucuses:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_16-2007_12_22.shtml#1198221838

Huckabee Misrepresents Background

GOP Presidential contender Mike Huckabee has been caught misrepresenting his background. The candidate claims that he 'has a theological degree,' and that therefore he is well-qualified to deal with religious conflicts on the world stage.

As it turns out, Huckabee never graduated from theological school, which is considered graduate degree status requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for admission.

Huckabee has a B.A. in Religion from a Baptist institution in Arkansas--a degree that is NOT considered a 'theological degree' due to its undergraduate status.

The candidate then was admitted to a graduate level program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, but he only completed one year. A theological degree is a three-year program requiring at least 120 hours of graduate level work.

Since Huckabee attended only one year and never graduated from the institution, he by no means has a 'theological degree' as he claims.

This kind of thing may fly with most of 'the brethren' in Arkansas who may not know any better, but in the rest of the country it is considered 'resume padding' and playing fast and loose with the truth.

Among certain ranks of evangelicals these things simply do not matter. All they need to know is if the minister in question can affirm a 'call of God' to the ministry. If they get some education along the way, that's all well and good. But this isn't the main thing they are looking for.

And thus, some of the brethren are woefully ignorant concerning educational designations, prerequisites, and requirements.

Others within the evangelical community, however, place a very high premium on an educated clergy. The bare minimum is four years of college and three more years (at least) of theological education at the graduate level.

And even then, the most prestigious churches prefer a theological doctorate, which is one of the most stringent and taxing doctorates among the various disciplines.

Most accredited theological doctorates require extensive knowledge of at least five languages--Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, German, and Latin.

Individuals who bite the bullet and subject themselves to such a rigorous program of study resent someone who has a bachelor's degree and one year of theological training referring to their educational level as a 'theological degree.'

And rightly so.

Not only has Huckabee done a disservice to those who have acquired such a stringent degree but he has 'outed' himself as one who will flagrantly misrepresent his background for political expediency.

South Carolina Suddenly Up for Grabs?

A brand new poll indicates that the race for the GOP nomination in South Carolina--a key early pivotal state--is up for grabs.

Bear in mind, however, that the poll was conducted by the Clinton News Network (CNN) which has a vested interest in playing up Huckabee due to the fact that he is the ONLY GOP contender that Hillary can beat.

The CNN poll shows that Huckabee has suddenly skyrocketed into first place by 7 points over second-place contender Fred Thompson

Here are the results of the poll:

Huckabee 24%
Thompson 17%
Giuliani 16%
Romney 16%
McCain 13%
Paul 11%

This polling data, however, is very different from an in-state poll that shows Thompson up by 2 percentage points, but with Huckabee moving up fast.

Our most trusted and experienced poll watchers inform us that these particular poll numbers can be safely disregarded at this point in the campaign, especially the nationwide polls.

In addition, the state-by-state poll numbers are highly misleading and volatile, pointing to the vast uncertainty that still exists among a large portion of the electorate.

Suppose, for example, that we take at face value that the CNN poll listed above is accurate. Our sources tell us that with 5 candidates polling between 10 and 20 percentage points, any of them could win. In addition, the fact that Huckabee is showing a 7 point lead when just a few days ago he polled sixth in the field of candidates is highly suspect.

With three weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses and four weeks to go until the South Carolina primary, widely variant and volatile polls such as these can change in a hurry.

The bottom line is that Thompson is still very much in this ball game and Huckabee is not necessarily the front runner.

Major Conservative Mag Issues Major Endorsement

The venerable National Review has done its part to stop the Huckabee surge. One of the oldest and most trusted conservative magazines, founded by William F. Buckley over 30 years ago, the National Review may not have made the choice we would have made, but they make a strong case for their endorsement.

National Review has endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for President.

Surprised? I was too. But the magazine lays out a very logical, reasoned argument to back up their choice.

Social conservatives will reject Rudy Giuliani and thus split the GOP vote. Fiscal and traditional conservatives in the Goldwater tradition will reject Mike Huckabee, resulting in a split as well.

Thus, according the editors of the Review, Mitt Romney is the logical choice due to his embrace of both social and fiscal conservatism.

The editors acknowledge that the candidate has changed his mind on some issues. Yet they point to a little-publicized fact about Romney that is very telling. When Romney ran against Ted Kennedy for the U.S. Senate back in the early 1990s, he rang all of the bells that are important to Buckley-Reagan conservatives both in terms of social and economic policy.

Thus, it is the contention of the editors that Romney was forced to move to the center when he became Governor of the State in order to work with an overwhelmingly liberal and Democratic legislature. But they believe that in his heart of hearts he is a sincere social and fiscal conservative.

Romney's record supports a great deal of that notion. He has consistently stood for tax cuts, balanced budgets, fiscal restraint, small government, a healthy private sector, and family values.

The magazine believes that there are two other GOP candidates who could potentially unite fiscal and social conservatives in the GOP--Thompson and McCain. McCain has his own baggage, however, on his consistent support for limiting the First Amendment right of free speech. And Thompson seems to be in a free-fall due to a poorly run campaign, according to the editors.

National Review does state, however, that Thompson is the one who has delineated clear positions and detailed proposals on a variety of issues that other candidates will not touch.

While I do not agree with the magazine's endorsement, I understand why they would do it. My hope is that Fred Thompson can surprise everyone and pull it back together as we head ever so close to the first round of primaries.

Click below for the full article in the National Review. It is well worth your full consideration even if you disagree with their endorsement:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmMxYTUyYzA1YTk2YzE5NGVmNjc0OGFjYWJmNzMzNjI=

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/11/07

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The Volokh Conspiracy has essential reading today on Mike Huckabee vs. dual citizens:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197356514

From the NRA: Sheriff Ken Furlong has misled Nevada gun owners:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3309

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has an interview with Len Savage on the latest atrocities committed by the ATF:
http://www.jpfo.org/alerts/alert20071211.htm

The Buckeye Firearms Association comments on the ban by the state of Ohio on church members defending lives at services of worship:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4086.html

From Michelle Malkin: 'Hillary and the Truth--Like Oil and Water':
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/11/hillary-and-the-truth-like-oil-and-water/

John Lott posts Jeanne Assam, in her own words, on how she stopped the deranged church killer:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/jeanne-assam-on-how-she-stopped.html

Tam has the quote of the day:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/12/quote-of-day_11.html

Snow Flakes in Hell points to some vital information on the history of guns in church. (Hint--at one time in our history it was considered a matter of routine for men to carry their guns in church):
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2115

Red's Trading Post has the written response of B. Hussein Obama to the possibility of Mikey Sullivan's confirmation as head of the ATF:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/barack-obama-response-on-atf.html

Sharp as a Marble takes us on a trip to Thug University, and it is well worth the time to explore it:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/11/Thug-University.aspx

Squeaky reports that the coroner has ruled that the church shooter died by his own gun. This is a clear attempt to keep an ordinary armed citizen from getting any recognition or gratitude:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2007/12/11/i-call-bullshit/

Breda has a link to a Viet Nam vet who saw the whole thing at the church and says that it was Jeanne Assam who stopped the killer, contrary to the revisionism of the coroner!:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/chick-with-gun-and-prayer.html

Should this man be disarmed? Read the story at The Liberty Zone:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/hmmm-what-say-you-paul-helmke.html

The MUST-read of the day is at The War on Guns, and it is entitled, 'The Road to Hell':
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/road-to-hell.html

Traction Control has a link to the video of Colorado's hero in action:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=844

A Keyboard and a .45 provides an entry from the dumb crook files:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/from-dumb-crook-files.html

You absolutely HAVE to see this over at the Adventures of Roberta X:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2007/12/whirled-poly-ticks.html

Alphecca lowers the boom on Mike Huckabee:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=568

Born Again Redneck gives the best reason of all to nip the Huckabee surge in the bud before it goes any further:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/poll-huckabee-would-lose-to-top.html

Armed and Safe blasts a freakin' g-d idiot in Australia who belittles Americans for our rights:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/advice-from-land-of-kangaroos.html

Dustin's Gun Blog posts a Christmas greeting that has Santa contending for the right of teachers to carry guns in schools, for the protection of the children:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/santas-gift-safety-for-our-children-in.html

Of Arms and the Law informs us of a move to pass laws that would make gun-free zones liable for the mayhem that occurs on the premises due to their ban on self-defense:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/self_defense/index.php

Rapidly Shifting Poll Numbers Reveal Surprises

Rarely in the history of modern politics have poll numbers shifted so rapidly within one month of the first Presidential primary. With less than a month to go until the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, and only 53 days to go until 'Super Tuesday,' brand new polling data reveals just how fluid this race has become in both Parties.

First, the big news is on the Republican side as out of nowhere Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, has taken a big lead in Iowa and is in a statistical tie nationally with Rudy Giuliani, according to the latest Rasmussen figures.

Rasmussen reports that Huckabee has skyrocketed in Iowa ahead of former front runner Mitt Romney and now leads the former Massachusetts Governor by 20 points.

The national numbers reveal even more surprises. Huckabee is in a statistical dead-heat with front-runner Rudy Giuliani. The figures are as follows: Giuliani--24%, Huckabee--23%, Romney--13%, and Fred Thompson and John McCain are tied at 10%.

The momentum with which Huckabee has emerged as a top tier candidate may well signal that he is poised to assume single front-runner status by the next round of polls.

Second, on the Democratic side we find that although Mrs. Clinton is still ahead, her polling numbers have been in a constant free-fall for the past two months...and the trend is continuing. Obama is ahead in Iowa and John Edwards is within striking distance of moving into second place, pushing Hillary back to third.

The same thing is happening in New Hampshire, and the fluidity of the polling figures has been so rapid that if the present trend continues she will lose New Hampshire as well.

South Carolina's new polling numbers indicate that support for Mrs. Clinton has slipped to a statistical tie with Barack Obama. And the reason is not the Oprah Winfrey factor.

Disturbing information has surfaced among Democratic voters that indicates Mrs. Clinton is in deep trouble regarding her character. What makes such information even more damning is that it is not coming from Republicans but from loyal voters in Democratic primaries.

Democratic voters indicate that Hillary cannot be trusted, that she is perceived as dishonest and corrupt, and that she is wearing a facade when she paints herself as a moderate although her views are actually very liberal.

These comments by Democratic voters indicate that very few of Mrs. Clinton's supporters feel passionate about the candidate, and the few who do exhibit such passion are just as likely to view her very negatively as positively.

A possible scenario is that Hillary loses Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. She then goes limping into Florida, except by then voters will have had enough time to actually THINK about Obama's lack of experience and decide to come back to Hillary. At that point Hillary wins most of the other primaries, gains the nomination, but comes out of the fight a very weakened candidate.

On the Republican side there are at least a half-dozen scenarios at play, one of which is a Huckabee sweep of Super Tuesday after winning Iowa and placing second in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

And what about Fred in the middle of all of this? Stay tuned. Thompson is going to spend nearly the entirety of the remainder of December in New Hampshire where he will criss-cross the state during the holidays making contact with voters.

The latest state-wide poll in South Carolina shows him ahead of the pack by 2 percentage points.

Thompson is popular in South Carolina. But so is Mike Huckabee. The question becomes, will the 'Huckabee surge' sweep up Thompson supporters in South Carolina? We shall see.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/6/07

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Born Again Redneck has the full scoop on Huckabee the Huckster...read it all:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/huckster.html

Red Neck also has this updated piece on Fred Thompson's visit to S.C. and some very well-chosen words that the candidate delivered about government while eating some fried chicken at Wade's restaurant:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/get-government-out-of-my-bedroom.html

Alphecca reports that the Legislative Black Caucus in Pennsylvania walked off the House floor in protest of the lack of any meaningful gun control legislation:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=557

As a Pennsylvanian, Snow Flakes in Hell comments further on the hissy fit tantrum thrown by the Legislative Black Caucus:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2066

Snow Flakes in Hell also has a very special message to suicidal people, and they are words fitly spoken:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2068

A Keyboard and a .45 alerts us to a series of radio interviews in Texas on 'the gun issue':
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/shots-in-city.html

Mike McCarville has the latest on the immigration issue in the Oklahoma legislature:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/cargill-puts-brakes-on-illegal.html

The War on Guns has the imbecilic quote of the day from one of the antis:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/it-is-frightening.html

Concerning the Omaha shooter, Nicki at The Liberty Zone blogs on 'why they do what they do':
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-do-they-do-what-they-do.html

Breda has the MUST-read of the day. This is the price we pay for citizens being unarmed:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/gun-free.html

The Bitch Girls comment on a story about a controversy at a major university on the color pink:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7725

Say Uncle points to the new low reached by one of the 'authorized journalists':
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/06/a_new_low-3/

John Lott has written a new op-ed showing that media coverage of the mall shooting fails to reveal that the mall was a gun-free zone:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-op-ed-media-coverage-of-mall.html

The latest op-ed from our favorite intellectual, Dr. Walter Williams, repudiates the contention of John Edwards, Mike Huckabee, Lou Dobbs, Hillary Clinton, etc., that there is income stagnation in the U.S. As Williams points out, the record shows there is great income mobility...upward:
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/07/IncomeMobility.htm

Xavier Thoughts has something that you absolutely have to see. This is the story of a woman who became a well-trained gun owner after her nightmare at a florist shop:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/12/beths-got-gun.html

Rev. Huckabee and His Congregation

Much has been made over the past few days about the 'Mike Huckabee surge' in the polls both locally and nationally. Huckabee has surged to the top of the field in Iowa, and a recent national poll shows that he has moved into second place behind Giuliani and ahead of Thompson and McCain, who are tied for third.

Huckabee is going to have a tough time getting the GOP nomination despite his recent and soon to be shortlived surge.

As an ordained Baptist minister and former Governor of Arkansas, Huckabee has run into skepticism among the GOP base. At the top of the list of concerns is the Governor's record in Arkansas, which can hardly be portrayed as a shining example of conservative Republican policy.

The Party faithful are skittish on Huckabee's record on taxes and immigration, with immigration being the looming issue that is sure to eventually doom his surge.

As we have seen repeatedly in the past year, politicians in both Parties who show signs of supporting amnesty of any kind, or who support giving tuition credits to illegal aliens or their families, receive a swift and sharp kick to the behind from the voters.

Hillary Clinton is the most recent recipient of the backlash in Iowa over immigration policy.

Others who have suffered due to their stance on the issue are John McCain, Mitt Romney, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and others.

Huckabee is, without doubt, highly vulnerable on the immigration issue simply because the Republican base won't stand for a candidate whose views are so geared toward granting special privileges and exceptions to people who break our nation's laws by coming here illegally.

This is not to mention the fact that it is extremely unfair to immigrants who come here legally and become citizens through the provisions of the law.

But the factor that is perhaps the most damaging of all is that Huckabee tends to appeal only to a certain type of person within the Republican base--the religious conservative. In a sense he has built his own congregation of sorts across the country made up of people who believe that the nation's President must be closely akin to a church Pastor.

To be sure, voters are looking for men and women of character, honesty, and integrity. They want plain-talking straight-shooters. However, I highly doubt that they are ready for a Baptist preacher as President, particularly one who has advocated for the belief that the Earth and Universe are only a few thousand years old.

Huckabee's congregation tends to be homogeneous. There is not enough diversity within the ranks to satisfy Jews, Catholics, spiritual agnostics, and the like. Racially and socioeconomically the congregation is almost exclusively white middle class married couples with children. Single parents and singles without children are likely to feel left out.

The final deal-breaker, however, is the fact that polls show that among the potential GOP nominees, Huckabee is the one that Mrs. Clinton would likely beat. In fact, she would trounce him in the general election.

My hunch is that the latest national polls cannot be counted upon to present a reliable picture of Huckabee's true level of support. In spite of the fact that he now polls second, it is still only Thompson, Giuliani, and Romney that would beat Mrs. Clinton if the election were held today.

Speaking of Mike Huckabee...

Since Fox News and the other major networks seem to the think that the former Arkansas Governor is a rising phenomenon who overshadows even Fred Thompson, it is important to remember several vital pieces of information.

First, I am not too keen on someone who believes that the Earth was created in 6 literal 24-hour periods becoming President...or Vice President, for that matter. And this is not to mention that Huckabee believes that the planet and the entire universe are only a few thousand years old.

Having said that, I happen to know many good, honest, and even intelligent people who believe the same thing, and it never seemed to prevent them from making rational decisions.

But for a President? Let me say it at least causes me some concern.

Second, Huckabee's record in Arkansas on immigration and taxes is not very admirable, despite all his rhetoric about 'doing the right thing.' The Governor should know that doing the right thing does NOT entail granting in-state tuition discounts and scholarships to illegal aliens and their children.

It is clearly NOT an automatic, God-given right to go to college. Many American citizens can't even attend college. So why should illegals or their children?

Huckabee further defends his record on raising taxes by pointing to how poverty-stricken Arkansas was when he was first elected. Tell me again how poverty is any justification for raising taxes? If anything, it should be the supreme reason to CUT taxes.

The fact is that Huckabee is not a real conservative. His stance on social issues does not in any way negate or blunt the blow from his blatantly liberal tax and fiscal policy or his entirely indefensible views on illegal aliens.

Maybe Ron Paul Needs a Second Look

A faithful reader of The Liberty Sphere, whose opinion I have come to value, has made up his mind to support Ron Paul for President. Normally I would simply chalk up such a thing to differences of opinion and move on.

But perhaps Ron Paul deserves a second look.

This is not to say I am on the brink of endorsing Mr. Paul, though I would not hesitate to vote for him if he is the GOP nominee. I simply believe that such a prospect is a long shot at best.

Mr. Paul, no doubt, has some credible ideas that have their basis in Jeffersonian thought. And there is no doubt that he is perhaps the lone voice of Constitutional reverence and adherence in American politics today.

No doubt Mr. Paul appeals to a broad cross-section of American voters in both Parties who want us out of Iraq. But most of those respondents state that they want our withdrawal contingent upon a plan to make the region stable and America the clear winner.

Mr. Paul does not hint that he is willing to give us such a plan. The only thing he has said, essentially, is that just as we entered Iraq we can simply leave Iraq.

It is much more complicated than that, however.

Further, Mr. Paul receives high marks for his contention that the Constitution mandates a declaration of war by Congress before U.S. troops can be sent into battle. Generally this is true, but the War Powers Act gives Presidents more leeway than that in a world in which split-second decisions can make the difference between life and death for millions of Americans.

Fred Thompson has also stated he would go to Congress before committing the U.S. military to war, but Thompson recognizes the prudence of the provisions of the War Powers Act in the modern era.

It is unclear if Mr. Paul grasps the extreme importance of a U.S. President being willing to act quickly under the provisions of the War Powers Act without being given the go-ahead from Congress first. In a world filled with terrorism it is unrealistic to expect the President as Commander in Chief to wait until Congress deliberates and gives its approval in the event of a major terrorist attack against Americans.

Those wasted hours could mean the horrifying loss of thousands, if not millions, of lives.

In addition, Mr. Paul gains much support due to his support of the Second Amendment. But he is not the only GOP candidate who has the credentials to speak with credibility on the subject of gun rights. Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, and Fred Thompson in particular are staunch supporters of the citizens' right to keep and bear firearms.

As I have often stated, I am by no means anti-Ron Paul. There is much about the candidate that can be praised and admired. Yet there are numerous pitfalls as well. Until I get answers to my questions about the issues raised here, I am still unconvinced that he is the best candidate to go head-to-head against Hillary Clinton.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/25/07

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The McCarville Report has the latest news on the now-nation-wide story of the Quran being given to Oklahoma lawmakers. It seems that Council that is behind the thing has a Muslim agenda:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/blogger-bates-examines-councils-muslim.html

The Jet Pilot has an update on the officer who inappropriately touched a female high school student:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/10/guilty.html

Alphecca tells us about the idiot of the day:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=488

Armed and Safe reports the latest drivel from a writer in the New York Daily News:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/10/due-process-we-dont-need-no-steenking.html

Of Arms and the Law says that the 'Empty Holster Protest' is getting good national coverage from Fox News:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/10/empty_holsters_1.php

Oscar Poppa has a critically important and sobering question to consider:
http://oscarpoppa.us/?p=739

Red's Trading Post says that the ATF has been rebuked for shutting down dealers due to record keeping errors:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/10/atf-is-rebuked-for-shutting-down.html

Say Uncle posts more ATF woes here:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/10/25/more_atf_woes-6/

You just gotta see this! Sharp as a Marble posts, 'Who Needs Rights, Anyway?':
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/25/Who-needs-rights-anyway.aspx

Snow Flakes in Hell posts a video of Mike Huckabee coming on strong on the Second Amendment:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=1780

Breda has an interesting read entitled, 'Grocery Store Submission':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/grocery-store-submission.html

Nicki at The Liberty Zone takes to task a clueless bitch:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/this-bitch-needs-clue.html

The Ninth Stage makes an excellent point about PSH at college campuses--'we only allow guns on campus for murder and mayhem':
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/10/25/i-keep-reading-these-statements/

Take a look at a post entitled, 'Compromise,' by David Codrea at War on Guns:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/10/compromise.html

Tam at a View from the Porch has a confession of a 'heartless weasel.' I agree, so I guess that makes me a heartless weasel too:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/confession-of-heartless-weasel.html

Michelle Malkin reports that the Democratic sons of bitches are using the California fires to resurrect SCHIP....and the certified lunatic stated that 'a vote against SCHIP is a vote against Jesus.' I need so quit right now before I go on a tirade that will convince all my friends that I have truly lost all my religion:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/24/playing-fire-with-s-chip/

Bill O'Reilly Blunders

Whether you like the guy or not, you have to admit that he is quite a force with which to be reckoned when it comes to political and social commentary. Sometimes I find myself agreeing 100% with him, and sometimes I cringe at his comments. Yet I keep watching and listening because he matters.

But Bill O'Reilly is certainly far from perfect, and sometimes when he misses it, he misses by a mile.

O'Reilly's blunder came on the radio this evening. In commenting on the various political campaigns, he stated that Mitt Romney would be a good running mate for Rudy Giuliani should Giuliani get the GOP nomination, of which O'Reilly is certain.

The reason cited by O'Reilly? Because 'Romney is a true conservative, and Giuliani will need a bona fide conservative on the ticket.'

Now let me get this straight. O'Reilly would place on the GOP ticket two northeastern liberals, Republicans in Name Only. My question is, does he wish to hand the election to Hillary?

It will be bad enough for many parts of the country for Giuliani to be the nominee. Many have already vowed to stay home on election day if he is. But some of these could be persuaded if there is a solid REAL conservative on the ticket.

Put Romney with Giuliani and you have immediately lost the entire South and Southwest, along with the Rockey Mountain States.

No Republican will ever win the White House without the South. Period, end.

O'Reilly's contention that Romney is a conservative is based upon his indefensible philosophy in taking a candidate at his/her word and totally ignoring that person's record. The record shows that Romney is no conservative.

It should be noted that ever since the campaigns began in earnest Fox News and their conservative pundits have all been in Giuliani's hip pocket just as CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN have been in the hip pocket of Hillary Clinton.

This fact shows just how thoroughly Fox wishes for the GOP to be dominated by politicians in the northeast corridor.

The people out in the heartland want none of it.

Should Giuliani get the nomination, he will need Fred Thompson or Mike Huckabee. But let's hope such a scenario will never become a reality. Giuliani is simply not a viable alternative to Hillary Clinton.