America faces exceptional challenges. Mitt Romney is an exceptional man with unique qualifications to lead our country through perilous times, restoring our strength at home and abroad.
Mitt was born in Detroit on March 12, 1947. His mother, Lenore, gave up an acting career when she met and married his father, George. Mitt’s father came from humble origins and never graduated from college. He apprenticed as a lath and plaster carpenter and sold aluminum paint before beginning a career that brought him to the head of American Motors and then the governorship of Michigan.
Mitt married his wife, Ann, in 1969. They first met in elementary school when he was a Cub Scout; he remembers tossing pebbles at her when she rode by on a horse. When they met again years later at a friend’s house, he was smitten. Between them, they have five sons and sixteen grandchildren, who are the center of their lives.
Like any family, the Romneys have faced hardship: Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, and more recently fought a battle with breast cancer. She credits her husband’s unwavering care and devotion to her for helping her through these ordeals.
Mitt is not a career politician. He has spent most of his life in the private sector, giving him intimate knowledge of how our economy works. But he has also been an outstanding public servant. In one chapter of his distinguished career, he reversed the decline of a state mired in recession. In another chapter, he salvaged the 2002 Winter Olympic Games from certain disaster.
When Mitt was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 2002, the state was in severe disarray, its budget was out of balance, spending was soaring, and taxpayers were being required to pay more and more in taxes for diminishing services. The state economy was in a tailspin, with businesses cutting back on investment or even closing and unemployment ticking up. Mitt made hard decisions that brought state spending under control. He restructured and consolidated government programs, paring back where necessary and finding efficiencies throughout.
Facing a state legislature dominated by Democrats, Mitt cast more than 800 vetoes as he brought conservative principles to state government. He cut red tape for small businesses, signed into law job-creating incentives, and fought hard to bring new businesses to the state. He eliminated a $3 billion deficit without borrowing or raising taxes. By 2007, at the end of Mitt’s term, the state had accumulated a $2 billion rainy day fund in its coffers. This stringent fiscal discipline provided an essential backdrop for economic recovery. When Mitt came into office, the state was losing jobs every month. When he left office, the economy was generating new jobs by the thousands.
In 1999, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics was on the verge of collapse. Thanks to his reputation as a superb manager, Mitt was asked to take over. The event had been bogged down in a bid-rigging scandal, sponsors were fleeing, and the budget was bleeding red ink. The attacks of September 11, 2001, just months before the start date, created a security nightmare. Some were contemplating scaling back the competition or even moving it out of the country.
Mitt set to work. In a remarkably short period, he revamped the organization’s leadership, trimmed the budget, and restored public confidence. He oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization to assure the safety of the athletes and millions of international visitors, staging one of the most successful games ever held on U.S. soil.
Mitt’s impressive skills did not come out of nowhere. He began his career in business.
After graduating from Brigham Young University in 1971, he earned dual degrees from Harvard Law and Harvard Business School. After working as a business consultant for several years, Mitt founded the investment firm Bain Capital in 1984. Under his leadership, Bain Capital helped to launch or rebuild hundreds of companies, including household names such as Staples, Domino's Pizza, and The Sports Authority. As Bain Capital was growing in prominence, Mitt returned to his old consulting firm, Bain & Company, as CEO. In a time of financial turmoil at the company, he led a successful turnaround.
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Thursday, June 2, 2011
Could Obama Be Headed For Electoral Disater?
Nigel Gardiner at Britain's Telegraph reports on the continuing slippage in President Obama's poll numbers and the unease felt by most Americans as the economy fails to recover.
Here's an excerpt from Gardiners's latest column:
The latest Rasmussen Presidential Tracking Poll shows just 25 percent of Americans strongly approving of Obama’s performance, with 36 percent strongly disapproving, for a Presidential Approval Index rating of minus 11 points. In a projected match up between Obama and a Republican opponent, the president now trails by two points according to Rasmussen – 43 to 45. The RealClear Politics poll of polls shows just over a third of Americans (34.5 percent) agreeing that the country is heading in the right direction, with nearly three fifths (56.8 percent) believing it is heading down the wrong track. That negative figure rises to a staggering 66 percent of likely voters in a new Rasmussen survey, including 41 percent of Democrats.
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Here's an excerpt from Gardiners's latest column:
The latest Rasmussen Presidential Tracking Poll shows just 25 percent of Americans strongly approving of Obama’s performance, with 36 percent strongly disapproving, for a Presidential Approval Index rating of minus 11 points. In a projected match up between Obama and a Republican opponent, the president now trails by two points according to Rasmussen – 43 to 45. The RealClear Politics poll of polls shows just over a third of Americans (34.5 percent) agreeing that the country is heading in the right direction, with nearly three fifths (56.8 percent) believing it is heading down the wrong track. That negative figure rises to a staggering 66 percent of likely voters in a new Rasmussen survey, including 41 percent of Democrats.
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Mitt Romney Announces - Excerpts From Address
"When Barack Obama came to office we wished him well... Now we have more than slogans to judge him by. Barack Obama has failed America,"
"These failing hopes make up President Obama's own misery index, Mr. President, you've had your chance. We the people on this farm and the citizens of this country are just getting started,"
[I see} "An America of freedom and opportunity...a land secured by the greatest military ever seen. Obama sees a different America and he's taken us in a different direction,"
"He rams through a disastrous national health care plan . . . This president's first answer to every problem is to take from you."
"Turning around a crisis takes experience and bold action. For millions of Americans, the economy is in crisis today. Unless we change course, it'll be a crisis tomorrow."
"My No. 1 job will be to see that America is No. 1 in job creation,"
"I refuse to believe that America is just another place on the map with a flag. We stand for freedom and opportunity and hope. The last two years have not been the best of times. While we lost a couple of years, we have not lost our way. The principles that make this country great have ... not lost our meaning."
"I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America and I'm running for president of the United States."
"These failing hopes make up President Obama's own misery index, Mr. President, you've had your chance. We the people on this farm and the citizens of this country are just getting started,"
[I see} "An America of freedom and opportunity...a land secured by the greatest military ever seen. Obama sees a different America and he's taken us in a different direction,"
"He rams through a disastrous national health care plan . . . This president's first answer to every problem is to take from you."
"Turning around a crisis takes experience and bold action. For millions of Americans, the economy is in crisis today. Unless we change course, it'll be a crisis tomorrow."
"My No. 1 job will be to see that America is No. 1 in job creation,"
"I refuse to believe that America is just another place on the map with a flag. We stand for freedom and opportunity and hope. The last two years have not been the best of times. While we lost a couple of years, we have not lost our way. The principles that make this country great have ... not lost our meaning."
"I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America and I'm running for president of the United States."
Penn State Women Poised For Rugby Matches
The Penn State University Women’s Rugby team, recovering from a Division 1 National Championship loss delivered to them by the United States Military Academy, eagerly awaits the start of the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC). The Women’s Collegiate Invitational begins Friday, June 3 at the pitch at Drexel University with quarterfinals, semifinals and championships at PPL Park on Sunday, June 5.
Penn State battled Army in the National Championship held at Steuber Rugby Stadium at Stanford University’s campus on May 14, and lost to the Black Knight 's 33-29.
“We have players who had never lost before," said Penn State women's coach Pete Steinberg, of a team that won back-to-back championships in 2009-2010.
Army’s head coach, Rich Pohlidal says “Penn State is a very skilled team. They have excellent back line players who can shift the ball, have great feet and play solid defense. It is a tough task for anyone to play them.” Pohlidal says his team is training hard for the tournament and that they are not sitting on their laurels, what he calls “the West Point determination.”
The Nittany Lions first round opponents are Temple, Virginia and Brown. Penn State hopes to win all three of their games on June 3 in order to be prepared for their potential rematch.
Depending on the results of the opening round, the Lions could attempt their redemption as early as the Quarter Finals on Sunday, June 5 at PPL Park. For Penn State, the rematch can not come soon enough.
Single-day and weekend tickets for USA 7’s CRC are available exclusively through ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the PPL Park box office. Group discounts are available by calling 215-389-9543.
USA 7’s Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) at PPL Park in Chester, PA will feature 16 of the top collegiate rugby clubs in the country battling in a two-day tournament for the USA 7’s CRC title and CRC Cup. 38 matches with 14 minutes of play each in round-robin format will construct the two-day contest. The CRC event presents a two-day Philly-style Block Party, where sports fans will have the opportunity to participate in rugby clinics, meet international rugby legends, enjoy live entertainment from Dropkick Murphys and local bands and feast on specialty fare from critically acclaimed gourmet portable food establishments on the East coast.
USA 7’s owns and operates America’s premier rugby event, the USA 7’s Rugby Tournament. Held annually, the event is one of the eight international stops in the HSBC 7’s World Series. With an attendance of over 50,000 during the two day event, it is the largest annual rugby event in North America and one of the fastest growing rugby events in the world.
Penn State battled Army in the National Championship held at Steuber Rugby Stadium at Stanford University’s campus on May 14, and lost to the Black Knight 's 33-29.
“We have players who had never lost before," said Penn State women's coach Pete Steinberg, of a team that won back-to-back championships in 2009-2010.
Army’s head coach, Rich Pohlidal says “Penn State is a very skilled team. They have excellent back line players who can shift the ball, have great feet and play solid defense. It is a tough task for anyone to play them.” Pohlidal says his team is training hard for the tournament and that they are not sitting on their laurels, what he calls “the West Point determination.”
The Nittany Lions first round opponents are Temple, Virginia and Brown. Penn State hopes to win all three of their games on June 3 in order to be prepared for their potential rematch.
Depending on the results of the opening round, the Lions could attempt their redemption as early as the Quarter Finals on Sunday, June 5 at PPL Park. For Penn State, the rematch can not come soon enough.
Single-day and weekend tickets for USA 7’s CRC are available exclusively through ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the PPL Park box office. Group discounts are available by calling 215-389-9543.
USA 7’s Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) at PPL Park in Chester, PA will feature 16 of the top collegiate rugby clubs in the country battling in a two-day tournament for the USA 7’s CRC title and CRC Cup. 38 matches with 14 minutes of play each in round-robin format will construct the two-day contest. The CRC event presents a two-day Philly-style Block Party, where sports fans will have the opportunity to participate in rugby clinics, meet international rugby legends, enjoy live entertainment from Dropkick Murphys and local bands and feast on specialty fare from critically acclaimed gourmet portable food establishments on the East coast.
USA 7’s owns and operates America’s premier rugby event, the USA 7’s Rugby Tournament. Held annually, the event is one of the eight international stops in the HSBC 7’s World Series. With an attendance of over 50,000 during the two day event, it is the largest annual rugby event in North America and one of the fastest growing rugby events in the world.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Photo: Controversial Crotch Shot Revealed
The photo on the right may or may not be a crotch shot of Weiner.
What we do know is this: The photo on the left is reportedly the photo of himself that Weiner uses on his Twitter account. And the weiner photo on the right was sent over the weekend from Weiner's Twitter account to journalist student Gennette Cordova, who lives in Seattle
According to media reports the 46-year-old married New York Congressman has long had a reputation as a player, has dated a string of glamorous women and follows lots of "babes" on Twitter (and many of them seem to follow him as well).
Now, Weiner has reportedly told Luke Russert of NBC News that he "can't say with certitude." that the photo on the right is not him. But he also says he did not send out the picture.
At the beginning of this episode, Weiner's office seemed to claim that he was the victim of a hack. But even though that would be a federal offense, it appears that no reports of the incident were made and that Weiner may not have asked authorities to investigate. The Capitol Police, the force charged with protecting Congress, has said it is not investigating the Weiner incident.
We'd say the aptly-named Weiner is in quite a pickle.
Below is a photo of Weiner today.
How One Man's Vision Transformed City, Region
He was a man with a vision. He dreamed big dreams and he knew how to make them happen.
And when he became Governor and arrived at what was a largely sleepy, out-of-the-way state capital he foresaw a transformation that would forever change the city and the region.
The man was Nelson A. Rockefeller, Governor of New York from 1959 through 1973.
The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is the result.
It's a unique architectural masterpiece which houses 11,000 New York employees in a complex of ten buildings. The Plaza offers a world-class modern art collection, New York State's Museum, Library and Archives, a distinctive performing arts center (The Egg), a convention center and more. It serves as a monument to the diversity and significance of New York, and also as a testament to Governor Rockefeller, whose determination and foresight brought about its creation.
Art historians have called the Empire State Plaza Art Collection “the greatest collection of modern American art in any single public site that is not a museum.”
The Collection was formed under the direction of Governor Rockefeller during construction of the Empire State Plaza (1966–1978). Ninety-two works of Abstract Expressionist art are on permanent display throughout the Plaza.
We visited the New York State Capitol Building recently and marveled at its majesty as we looked out over the Empire State Plaza which frames the ornate Capitol Building much like the national mall in Washington. It is a grand and inspiring public place that is amply worthy of your time and attention.
Photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.
Economists Agree: GOP Spending Cut Plan Best
Roll Call is out with a great story on support from the nation's leading economists (more than 150 of them) for the Republican proposal that any increase in America's debt limit be accompanied by greater reductions in spending. It's a sensible proposal and one can see why economists would support it. One also wonder why the Obama Administration cannot see fit to embrace this idea.
Here's an excerpt from the story:
Speaker John Boehner added to his political firepower Wednesday ahead of a morning meeting with President Barack Obama.
The Ohio Republican released a letter signed by more than 150 economists who support his stance that any debt limit increase be attached to spending cuts that exceed it in size.
“It is critical that any debt limit legislation enacted by Congress include spending cuts and reforms that are greater than the accompanying increase in debt authority being granted to the president,” the economists wrote.
Click here to read the full story.
Here's an excerpt from the story:
Speaker John Boehner added to his political firepower Wednesday ahead of a morning meeting with President Barack Obama.
The Ohio Republican released a letter signed by more than 150 economists who support his stance that any debt limit increase be attached to spending cuts that exceed it in size.
“It is critical that any debt limit legislation enacted by Congress include spending cuts and reforms that are greater than the accompanying increase in debt authority being granted to the president,” the economists wrote.
Click here to read the full story.
NJ State Senator Praise Confirmation Of Patterson
New Jersey state senators have heartily praised the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation of Anne Patterson for a seat on the New Jersey State Supreme Court. Patterson is Governor Chris Christie's first nominee to the high court.
Here's a roundup from leading state senators.
Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s confirmation hearing for Anne Patterson, nominated by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Supreme Court:
"Anne Patterson is more than qualified to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has a rock-solid reputation as one of the brightest legal minds in our state and is highly respected by her peers in the legal community.
" Today's confirmation hearing was a year in the making, but the delay cannot deter from the significance of the moment. Ms. Patterson's appointment to the court would mean that for the first time in New Jersey history, we would have a majority of women on the State Supreme Court. New Jersey would become only the fifth State in the nation to have such a balance.
"Because of Ms. Patterson's education, experience and reputation, I am optimistic she will be confirmed by the full Senate and be the next member of New Jersey's Supreme Court."
Senator Gerald Cardinale, the senior Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the release of Anne Patterson from the committee:
“Anne Patterson has unshakable credentials as a legal scholar with high ethical standards and a demonstrable judicial deportment. I am pleased that her conformation hearing has finally been held and look forward to voting for her conformation in the full Senate.”
Senator Beck's Statement on Today's Confirmation Hearing for Anne Patterson
Senator Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth/Mercer) issued the following statement after Anne Patterson's nomination to fill a vacant seat on the New Jersey Supreme Court was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"It has been more than a year since Anne Patterson was nominated by Governor Christie," said Beck, "and it is time that she was heard. In her interview in front of the Judiciary Committee today, I found her to be articulate, intelligent and professional. I believe she will make an excellent addition to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Her background in the New Jersey Attorney General's office under Governor Christie Whitman, as well as the accolades she has earned from her peers in the legal profession, makes her well suited for the bench."
Anne Patterson will have to be confirmed by the State Senate in order to take the bench. The next voting session is scheduled for Thursday, June 9th. "I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this exceptionally well qualified individual, and in so doing make history by confirming a female majority to this state's highest court."
Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, offered the following reaction to today's confirmation hearing for Anne Patterson to be an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court:
"Ms. Patterson said something today that I have never heard from a nominee to our state's highest court- that she would bring humility to the job. She is to be commended for that promise, as the decisions she will make as an Associate Justice have very real consequences for the people of New Jersey."
"Anne Patterson showed today not only that she is qualified to be a jurist, but that New Jersey needs her on the Supreme Court. Her testimony and answers to the Committee's questions were thoughtful, ethical, and demonstrated a piercing intellect."
"The Majority's failure to consider her nomination last year was wrong and unprecedented, and ultimately delayed confirmation of an exceedingly qualified nominee. I am, however, pleased that these confirmation proceedings have finally arrived, and encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting yes on her nomination."
Here's a roundup from leading state senators.
Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s confirmation hearing for Anne Patterson, nominated by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Supreme Court:
"Anne Patterson is more than qualified to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has a rock-solid reputation as one of the brightest legal minds in our state and is highly respected by her peers in the legal community.
" Today's confirmation hearing was a year in the making, but the delay cannot deter from the significance of the moment. Ms. Patterson's appointment to the court would mean that for the first time in New Jersey history, we would have a majority of women on the State Supreme Court. New Jersey would become only the fifth State in the nation to have such a balance.
"Because of Ms. Patterson's education, experience and reputation, I am optimistic she will be confirmed by the full Senate and be the next member of New Jersey's Supreme Court."
Senator Gerald Cardinale, the senior Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the release of Anne Patterson from the committee:
“Anne Patterson has unshakable credentials as a legal scholar with high ethical standards and a demonstrable judicial deportment. I am pleased that her conformation hearing has finally been held and look forward to voting for her conformation in the full Senate.”
Senator Beck's Statement on Today's Confirmation Hearing for Anne Patterson
Senator Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth/Mercer) issued the following statement after Anne Patterson's nomination to fill a vacant seat on the New Jersey Supreme Court was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"It has been more than a year since Anne Patterson was nominated by Governor Christie," said Beck, "and it is time that she was heard. In her interview in front of the Judiciary Committee today, I found her to be articulate, intelligent and professional. I believe she will make an excellent addition to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Her background in the New Jersey Attorney General's office under Governor Christie Whitman, as well as the accolades she has earned from her peers in the legal profession, makes her well suited for the bench."
Anne Patterson will have to be confirmed by the State Senate in order to take the bench. The next voting session is scheduled for Thursday, June 9th. "I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this exceptionally well qualified individual, and in so doing make history by confirming a female majority to this state's highest court."
Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, offered the following reaction to today's confirmation hearing for Anne Patterson to be an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court:
"Ms. Patterson said something today that I have never heard from a nominee to our state's highest court- that she would bring humility to the job. She is to be commended for that promise, as the decisions she will make as an Associate Justice have very real consequences for the people of New Jersey."
"Anne Patterson showed today not only that she is qualified to be a jurist, but that New Jersey needs her on the Supreme Court. Her testimony and answers to the Committee's questions were thoughtful, ethical, and demonstrated a piercing intellect."
"The Majority's failure to consider her nomination last year was wrong and unprecedented, and ultimately delayed confirmation of an exceedingly qualified nominee. I am, however, pleased that these confirmation proceedings have finally arrived, and encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting yes on her nomination."
Tea Party Leaders Greet Palin In Philly
A dozen members of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association were on hand yesterday afternoon to greet the Palin family during their "One Nation" bus tour stop at the Liberty Bell Pavilion.
"We are pleased that Mrs. Palin is highlighting our national historic sites on this bus tour," said Association President Teri Adams. "Obviously, as the Independence Hall Tea Party, we deeply value the symbolic significance of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall."
Don Adams, co-founder of the Independence Hall Tea Party, spoke to Palin just a few feet away from the Liberty Bell.
"We invited Governor Palin to our July 4th Energy Independence Day Tea Party. I told her that the theme was "Drill, Baby, Drill" and she high-fived
me.
"Governor Palin elaborated on the theme of our tea party, saying that the US was pumping billions of dollars into foreign economies due to our energy dependency--money that could be invested in America and used to create jobs--if only we were determined to become energy independent."
"Of course, we agree with her message and hope that she might attend our July 4th Tea Party."
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