SANTORUM HAS HUGE NIGHT – Cleans Up In Missouri & Minnesota, UPDATE: Colorado

◼ Caucus night open thread: Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri - Michelle Malkin
◼ The first returns in Missouri, where Gingrich failed to make the ballot, showed Santorum with a lead over Romney with 1% of the total votes counted -- a turnout far too small to be considered a trend. - CNN
◼ Results - CBS
◼ Rick Santorum eyes conservative Republicans to fuel his revival in Tuesday caucuses - The Star
◼ MO-MN-CO - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ SANTORUM HAS HUGE NIGHT – Cleans Up In Missouri & Minnesota - Update: Santorum Winning in Colorado, Too - Gateway Pundit
◼ UPDATE: With 30% reporting in Colorado, Santorum is winning 42% to 30% over Mitt Romney. - cnn
◼ Missouri primary, Minnesota and Colorado caucuses results: Santorum wins Missouri and Minnesota - Politico (image source)
◼ Santorum Surge Returns: Wins Missouri, Minnesota; UPDATE: Wins Colorado - The Other McCain
UPDATE II: With the Associated Press reporting just 67% of precincts in Colorado, and Santorum leading Romney 39%-35%, the chairman of the Colorado GOP just called into Fox News to say that he has results from 99% of precincts, and Santorum has definitely won there.
UPDATE III: The results from Missouri:
Rick Santorum ………..138,957 — 55.2%
Mitt Romney ………….. 63,826 — 25.3%
Ron Paul ………………… 30,641 — 12.2%

SOMETHING IS REALLY REALLY REALLY FISHY WITH THIS ! This story has everything! MEXICO, OBAMA, CALDERONE, politics, violence and 1998 QUASHED INDICTMENT? WEIRD…

◼ ...there are some really peculiar parts of this New York Time story that warrants further investigation. - Greta Van Susteren

◼ Obama to Return Major Donations Tied to Fugitive - Mike McIntire/New York Times

The President & The Prophet: Obama’s Unusual Encounter with Eric Metaxas

◼ If the organizers of the national prayer breakfast ever want a sitting president to attend their event again, they need to expect that any leader in his right mind is going to ask — no, demand — that he be allowed to see a copy of the keynote address that is traditionally given immediately before the president’s. - Mark Joseph/National Review

That’s how devastating was the speech given by a little known historical biographer named Eric Metaxas, whose clever wit and punchy humor barely disguised a series of heat-seeking missiles that were sent, intentionally or not, in the commander-in-chief’s direction.

Obama has been under pressure for some time now to somehow prove his Christian bonafides for it’s no secret that millions of Americans doubt his Christian faith....Obama came to the prayer breakfast with a tidy speech that was clearly designed to lay those doubts to rest....

But before the president could utter a word, it was Metaxas who delivered a devastating, albeit apparently unintentional critique of such God-talk, recounting his own religious upbringing which he described as culturally Christian yet simultaneously full of “phony religiosity.” ...“Keep in mind that when someone says ‘I am a Christian’ it may mean absolutely nothing,” Metaxas added for good measure, in case anybody missed his point....

By the time he wrapped up his speech with a rendition of Amazing Grace, one got the feeling that this was a modern-day, and perhaps more humorous version, of what Old Testament prophets regularly did to Kings of Israel: deliver brutally honest messages from Yahweh with little regard for their personal safety. Only this time, there were no beheadings, only the difficult-to-watch spectacle of seeing a president forced to uncomfortably read a speech which had just been shredded to pieces by a man who couldn’t possibly have known what was coming. And as he did so, the audience in that room likely left with Metaxas’s four-word condemnation, intentional or not, of the 44th president of the United States ringing in their ears:

“God is not fooled.”

Rush Limbaugh's Clint Eastwood "Halftime in America" Parody

"That's the Clint Eastwood ad that I would expect to hear at halftime if somebody tells me that there was one."

Reason TV's parody - (◼ Found at HotAir:)



The original piece of Propaganda:



◼ The Untold Obama Connection - Hollywood Reporter
◼ Firm That Made Clint Eastwood Ad Has Obama Ties - Newsmax
◼ Eastwood: Chrysler ad wasn't about Obama. It was about America ... - The Right Scoop

John Kerry: "I am alarmed by the attacks against civil society in Egypt"

◼ Egypt arrests 'slap in the face' for US: Kerry - Agence France Presse

Top US Senator John Kerry warned Egypt's military rulers on Tuesday that the planned trial of pro-democracy activists was a "slap in the face" for America that could damage a vital relationship.

Egyptian justices have announced plans to put dozens of pro-democracy activists, including 19 Americans, on trial over alleged illegal funding to foreign aid groups.

The row has led some US lawmakers to openly question the crucial Egypt-US partnership that has anchored America's Middle East policy for a generation and helped keep the peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

POLL: Ron Paul moves into 2nd place...

◼ Romney's lead dips despite wins: Reuters/Ipsos poll - REUTERS

Feinstein challenger Elizabeth Emken

◼ For the first time since she was elected in 1992, more Californians do not want Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein re-elected than do, and her likely Republican opponent hopes to capitalize on that desire for change to oust the three-term senator. - Alexis Levinson/Daily Caller

Elizabeth Emken, a former efficiency expert at IBM and Vice President of Government Relations for Autism Speaks, believes that 2012 is her year.

“When you look at a Congress that has an 84 percent disapproval rating, that means that for the most part, the people of this country and certainly California are looking for new leadership,” Emken said in an interview with The Daily Caller. “It’s really, when you think about it, very sensible and logical to say look, we have got to shake out the existing environment.”
__________________
◼ emken2012.com

Maybe it’s dawning on Wisconsinites — even some who don’t like Walker’s policies — that it would be a disaster to cut his term in half at the behest of a special interest group. That would confirm Wisconsin’s public-sector unions as the state’s de facto rulers, which really would be the end of democracy.

◼ The 2012 U.S. elections could be the most exciting and consequential in years. In Wisconsin, we might be looking at political Armageddon. - Charles Lane/Washington Post

For public-sector unions, the Walker recall is no mere exercise in payback. The unions, upon which Democrats depend heavily for funding and foot soldiers, say Walker must be ousted and his reforms reversed for the sake of the middle class. Progressive values — even democracy itself — are in mortal danger.

Actually, the opposite is true. The threat to such progressive goals as majority rule, transparent government, a vibrant public sector and equality comes from public-sector unionism.

Prop. 8: Gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules

◼ A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year. - LA Times

The 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that limited marriage to one man and one woman, violated the U.S. Constitution. The architects of Prop. 8 have vowed to appeal.

◼ Read the Proposition 8 decision - Sacramento Bee
◼ 9th Circuit holds Prop. 8 violates 14th Amendment - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

The Court essentially used a bootstrap argument — that since there was a prior right to samesex marriage (based on a California Supreme Court decision which gave rise to Prop. — the taking away of that right without justification violated the 14th Amendment. Judge N.R. Smith filed a 35 page dissent from this finding.

The Court also held that (i) the supporters of Prop. 8 did have standing to defend the law, deferring to the Certified Opinion of the California Supreme Court, and (ii) trial court Judge Walker did not have to recuse himself based on his own longterm samesex relationship. These two findings were unanimous.

◼ Document drop: Lib 9th circuit panel rules Proposition 8 unconstitutional - Michelle Malkin
◼ Calif. court declares Prop 8 unconstitutional – Updates coming in - HotAir

California Republican Party Announces GOP Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich to Speak at State Party Convention

◼ Gingrich appearance signals California Primary may play key role in 2012 Presidential Election

SACRAMENTO, CA – State Republican Party chairman Tom Del Beccaro announced today that GOP presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will headline an event at the State Republican Convention this month.

"It is my privilege to welcome one of the most dynamic figures in GOP politics over the last 50 years," said Chairman Del Beccaro. "Speaker Gingrich brings energy and vision to the Convention during a critical election year."

Gingrich will be the keynote speaker at Saturday's lunch event during the Convention which will run February 24th through 26th in the Bay Area.

"Speaker Gingrich's appearance at this month's Convention illustrates the importance of California as a key Primary state this election cycle," said Eric Beach, California Finance Chair to Gingrich. "There are more delegates in California than have been awarded in all of the other States’ primaries to date."

For more information on the Convention, visit ◼ CAGOP.org.

Project Veritas: Registering Tim Tebow and Tom Brady to Vote in Minnesota

◼ On the day of the Minnesota Caucus, shocking video from James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas – broken here first at PJ Media – shows how easy it is to register NFL stars Tim Tebow, Tom Brady and practically anybody else to vote in that state. - Roger L Simon/PJMedia

The expected bill is the latest attempt by the Democrats to broadly expand the authority of executive branch agencies over the Internet. Details about the bill remain shrouded in secrecy.

◼ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, following a recent anti-piracy legislative debacle with SOPA and PIPA, will lead his second effort of 2012 to push Internet-regulating legislation, this time in the form of a new cybersecurity bill. - Josh Peterson, Tech Editor/Daily Caller

In California: The new voter registration statistics are bad news for Republicans, and the closer you look, the worse it becomes for the GOP.

◼ Here is the number of counties, coastal or inland, where Republicans are a majority: zero. - Ethan Rarick/Fox&Hounds

When the Secretary of State released the new report the other day, plenty of people noted that statewide Republican registration is now at an all-time low of 30.4. But even more striking is GOP registration in the 20 coastal counties (those that touch either the Pacific Ocean or San Francisco Bay). It’s down to 27 percent.... (Even in more conservative areas of the state, Republicans can muster only a plurality, not a majority.)

The Coming of the New Ice Age: End of the Global Warming Era?

◼ I just finished reading a terrifying new book about climate change. - Zombie at PJMedia

I realized: The solution (commit civilizational suicide) always remains the same; all that differs are the wildly divergent purported “crises” proffered up to justify the imposition of the solution....

Turns out my choice of reading material (discovered recently at a rummage sale for 25¢, in case you’re curious) was fortuitous, as climate change — and ice ages — are suddenly back in the headlines this past week. And the news is not good for the crisis-mongers.

First we learned that the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is actually helping us stave off the next inevitable ice age by a few years. Yes, you read that right: the “runaway global warming” scenario is now off the table; a new ice age is coming for sure, and whatever human warming effects there may be will only make our descent into the deep freeze a little more comfy.

Then, in a different breakthrough, leading scientists announced the discovery of a heretofore undetected type of molecule in the atmosphere which spurs cloud formation and negates global warming effects. Thanks to something called “Criegee biradicals,” the more we pollute, the more clouds form, and the cooler the planet becomes. Thus, the cumulative effect on the climate due to mankind’s activity: zilch. So for the second time in a week, the entire Anthropogenic Global Warming theory was fatally undermined....

◼ In blaming mankind for causing snow across Europe, Greens sound eerily like 16th-century witch-hunters - Brendan O'Neill/Telegraph

Missouri Presidential Primary, and Minnesota and Colorado Republican Caucus today

◼ A Political Math Problem - The Other McCain

Between now and Super Tuesday on March 6, the calendar looks like this:

Feb. 7
Colorado (caucus) ……………………. 36 delegates
Minnesota (caucus) ………………….. 40 delegates
Missouri (non-binding primary) … 0 delegates
Feb. 11
Maine (caucus) …………………………. 24 delegates
Feb. 22 — Arizona Debate (CNN)
Feb. 28
Arizona (primary) ……………………… 29 delegates
Michigan (primary) …………………… 30 delegates
March 1 — Georgia Debate (CNN)
March 3
Washington (caucus) …………………. 43 delegates

So there will be 202 delegates awarded before Super Tuesday, 100 of which will be awarded before the next debate on Feb. 22.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers Could Be the Dark Horse GOP VP Pick

◼ Although largely unknown outside her district in eastern Washington state, Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers could be the next U.S. vice president. - The Swash
◼ Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Our Next Vice President? - Moms4SarahPalin
◼ Cathy McMorris Rodgers could be the fall vice presidential surprise - Daily Caller

Fisker Automotive, which was granted a $529 million US Dept. of Energy loan guarantee and then announced they would assemble the first line of cars in Finland, has announced layoffs at a Delaware plant that has yet to produce a single car:

◼ The company says 26 Fisker employees have been let go from the Delaware factory where renowned automotive engineer Henrik Fisker promised to one day begin producing affordable electric sedans. - Michelle Malkin

A Delaware newspaper also reported that subcontractors working on the car venture have been let go.

Life With Trig: Sarah Palin on Raising a Special-Needs Child

◼ He’s nearing his fourth birthday. He has Down syndrome. And he greets every day with a round of applause.

Last week, Rick Santorum and his family offered us a reminder of what really matters. When his 3-year-old daughter, Bella, born with Trisomy 18, was hospitalized with pneumonia, Rick left the campaign trail to be by her bedside. In the middle of this very heated campaign season, many of us prayed through tears for Bella’s health and added prayers of thankfulness for a public example of someone’s sacrifice made with the right priorities.

It’s a sacrifice every parent and caregiver of a child with special needs sympathizes with. Families of children with special needs are bonded by a shared experience of the joys, challenges, fears, and blessings of raising these beautiful children whom we see as perfect in this imperfect world.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, on rope lines at rallies across the country, my husband, Todd, and I met so many of these families and caretakers, and I’ll never forget them. There was an instant connection—a kind of mutual acknowledgment that said, “Yes, these children are precious and loved. Yes, we face extra fears and challenges, but our children are a blessing, and the rest of the world is missing out in not knowing this.” More...

Pete Wilson endorses Mitt Romney, to serve as California co-chairman

◼ Former California Gov. Pete Wilson endorsed GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney today and will serve as the candidate's honorary co-chairman in California, the Romney campaign announced - Sacramento Bee

Wilson critics immediately trashed the choice. Eliseo Medina, international secretary treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, said Romney's association with Wilson will hurt him with Latino voters.

Obama Freezes Iranian Government, Central Bank Assets in U.S.

◼ President Barack Obama ordered a freeze on all Iranian government and central bank assets held in the U.S. or any foreign branch of a U.S. entity, the White House announced today. - Newsmax

Previously, only assets belonging to sanctioned Iranian entities or individuals were frozen. The order signed by the president yesterday blocks all property and interests in property belonging to the Iranian government, its central bank, and all Iranian financial institutions, even those that haven’t been specifically designated for sanctions by the U.S. Treasury.

Santorum’s got game

◼ From the Santorum campaign: Polls have provided empirical data to this trend in the key battleground states of Minnesota and Colorado, where Rick Santorum has emerged as the clear conservative alternative to moderate Mitt Romney. - Michelle Malkin
◼ Rasmussen: Nationally, Rick Santorum is the only Republican contender to beat President Barack Obama head-to-head. - Rasmussen
◼ Santorum Only GOP Candidate Beating Obama, Rasmussen Daily Poll Finds - CNS (image source)

Andrew Breitbart and Tucker Carlson's Dinner with Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn

◼ Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn auctioned off an evening for dinner in their home in Chicago and Tucker Carlson of “The Daily Caller” took advantage of the opportunity. For $2,500 Tucker and a few of his friends secured an evening with the radical couple. - The Victory Sessions

Tucker invited along Andrew Breitbart who called into Stephen K. Bannon’s “The Victory Sessions” on KABC and gave a play-by-play of the meal. Breitbart said that they had “no game plan” going in to the evening, and that strategy produced an unforgettable event that the Ayers won’t soon forget. ◼ FULL INTERVIEW with Andrew Breitbart

California Supreme Court Chooses Citizen Redistricting Commission Senate Maps

◼ This is the fourth legal decision which has upheld the work of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. - Huffington Post

...not only do the Commission-certified Senate districts appear to comply with all of the constitutionally mandated criteria set forth in California Constitution, article XXI, the Commission-certified Senate districts also are a product of what generally appears to have been an open, transparent and nonpartisan redistricting process as called for by the current provisions of article XXI.

◼ Back to the campaign drawing board for California Republicans. - CalWatchDog

The immediate fallout: State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, told his hometown paper that he wouldn’t seek reelection, due to the unfavorable maps approved by the court. In another swing seat, Republicans have yet even to field a candidate. State Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Moorpark, announced that he wouldn’t seek reelection in order to run for a new seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

If Republicans lose both state Senate seats, their Senate caucus will be reduced to fewer than 14 members, the all-important two-thirds threshold that gives Republicans the ability to block tax increases. At 13 Republican and 27 Democratic state senators, Democrats in the Senate could vote to impose infinite tax increases.

“It’s going to be seriously difficult for Republicans to stay above one-third in the Senate because of this,” California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro complained to the Mercury News. “It puts the two-party system in the Senate in jeopardy.”

Republicans can now put a cost on their defeat: $2.1 million.

Senator Marco Rubio Defends Life

On Feb. 1, 2012, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) rallied pro-life supporters at the Susan B. Anthony List's (SBA List) fifth annual Campaign for Life Gala in Washington, D.C., saying that the country "can never truly become what it fully was intended to be unless it deals with [abortion] squarely...it's that important." Rubio also noted that America can do nothing more important than show the world that "all life is worthy of protection."

◼ Marco Rubio Gives Amazingly Powerful Pro-Life Speech - Life News

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to achieve orgasm during sex: Match.com survey

◼ It’s the G-OHHHHH-P! - NY Daily News

Republicans are more likely to have better sex than Democrats, according to a new, 5,000-subject survey released by Binghamton University and Match.com on Friday.

"Hidden" mortgage fee paying for payroll tax cut

◼ Just before Christmas, American workers got a rare gift from Washington politicians - the current payroll tax cut would be extended for two more months. - CBS

At the time, both President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner lauded the move to avoid a tax increase for millions of working Americans.

But there's something the politicians weren't bragging about - the fact that they're paying for the two-month tax cut with what has turned into a brand new fee on home buyers.

The new fee is a minimum of one-tenth of 1 percent on Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed loans, and is likely to go much higher.

It will be imposed for the next 10 years on most mortgages and refinancings and it lasts for the life of the loan.

For every $200,000, it amounts to an extra $15 dollars a month.

It's bad news for Patty Anderson, who's buying a home in Virginia.

Anderson will save a couple hundred dollars from having her payroll tax cut extended but her mortgage broker told her the new fee would cost her almost $9,500.

"I was absolutely startled that it would add up to that much," she said.

The $35.7 billion collected in fees won't go into the Social Security fund to replace the lost payroll tax. It goes to the general treasury where Congress can spend it however they please.

◼ Surprise! Borrowers get to pay for payroll-tax holiday - HotAir

So you think you got a payroll-tax holiday for free? Think that the big fat-cat mortgage lenders will foot the bill as part of Obama’s promise to make the cut pay for itself? CBS’ Sharyl Attkisson delivers the wake-up call to home buyers, who will pay a pretty penny for the latest gimmick of Obamanomics:



◼ Middle Class Payroll Tax Cut Extension Comes Courtesy of Mortgage Fees on Home Buyers - Michelle Malkin

During the clamor to pass an extension of the payroll tax cut, President Obama asked “What does $40 mean to you?”

His opponents of the way the extension was handled might now be able to counter with, “What does $9,500 mean to you?”

Obama's isolation leads to skewed decisions

◼ It's unusual when a reporter sympathetic to a politician writes a story that makes his subject look bad. But Ryan Lizza of the New Yorker has now done this twice. - Michael Barone/Washington Examiner

The first time was in an article last April on Obama's foreign policy in which he quoted a "top aide" (national security adviser Tom Donilon? It sounds like him) saying that the president was "leading from behind" on Libya. Not what most Americans expect their presidents to do.

Now, in an article based on leaked White House memos marked up by Obama, Lizza has done it again.

Contrarian liberal blogger Mickey Kaus sums it up: "The president's decision-making method--at least as described in this piece--seems to consist of mainly checking boxes on memos his aides have written for him."

A $60 billion cut in the stimulus package? "OK." Use the reconciliation process to pass the health care bill? A check mark in the box labeled "yes."

Include medical malpractice reform in the health care bill? The man who as an Illinois legislator often voted "present" writes, "We should explore it."

According to Lizza, Obama prefers getting information and making decisions by staying up late and reading memos rather than meeting with people -- a temperament that's a liability because face time with the president is one of his major sources of political capital.

Worse Than Death Panels

◼ During the debate over ObamaCare, more than one critic charged that government panels would make life and death decisions affecting patient care. - John C. Goodman /Townhall

Now it seems the Obama administration is contemplating something that is even scarier: doctors would be given immunity from malpractice lawsuits, but only if they practice medicine according to government guidelines. The pressure would be enormous. Have you ever met a doctor who wanted to be sued?

Romney turns guns on Santorum

◼ The campaign has sent out three press releases attacking the former Pennsylvania senator in the past 24 hours — and is trotting out lead-surrogate former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to attack Santorum in a conference call this afternoon. - HotAir
◼ Romney Shifts Targets To Santorum - Buzzfeed
◼ Romney vs. Santorum? - Bill Kristol/Weekly Standard

If Mitt Romney wins all three contests tomorrow, it's not the end of the race—but it might be the beginning of the end. Winning three out of five (the current situation) is good for a candidate; winning six out of eight is commanding. Are you convinced of the case for Romney? If so, vote for Mitt.

◼ It’s hard to know how strongly the Romney campaign will go after Santorum. Everything will be driven by internal polling as to whether Santorum represents more than a localized problem. - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Krauthammer: Leak indicates Israeli attack on Iran ‘certain’

◼ Last week in his Washington Post column, David Ignatius wrote that Israel was preparing to attack Iran to prevent it from being able to build a nuclear bomb. - Daily Caller

According to his Post opinion page colleague Charles Krauthammer, based on the source behind Ignatius’ claim it is likely an attack will occur.

On this weekend’s broadcast of “Inside Washington,” Krauthammer explained his thought process.

“I think it’s fairly certain the Israelis are going to attack or you would not have had this leak, deliberately coming this week from secretary of Defense through David Ignatius of The [Washington] Post saying that he thinks there is a high likelihood Israel is going to attack, and then he went ahead and specified when. He said three months, April, May or June. And you don’t say that unless there is obviously indications from the Israelis that they are going to do this even if they get and they are getting a signal from the United States not to do it.”

"If Romney sweeps February, the arc of his effort will be so strong... it will be over."

◼ Analysis: Romney Win Leaves Rivals Few Options - AP

Mitt Romney's big win in Nevada four days after his breakthrough victory in Florida spells big trouble for his remaining rivals. Simply put: Is there any way to stop Romney now?

There is no question now that Republicans have begun to coalesce around the former Massachusetts governor's candidacy in earnest. He swept nearly every voting group in Nevada including those that have been slow to come aboard, such as tea party activists and voters who describe themselves as extremely conservative....

A handful of states hold caucuses this week, including Maine, Minnesota and Colorado. Then comes a three-week lull until primaries on Feb. 28 in Arizona and Michigan, where Romney grew up and where his father served as governor.

It's takers versus makers and these days the takers are winning

◼ “Fifty thousand for what you didn’t plant, for what didn’t grow. That’s modern farming -- reap what you don’t sow.” - Glenn Harlan Reynolds/Washington Examiner

That’s a line from a song about farm subsidies, “Farming The Government,” by the Nebraska Guitar Militia.

But these days it applies to more and more of the U.S. economy, as Charles Sykes points out in his new book, A Nation Of Moochers: America’s Addiction To Getting Something For Nothing.

The problem, Sykes points out, is that you can’t run an economy like that. If you tried to hold a series of potluck dinners where a majority brought nothing to the table, but felt entitled to eat their fill, it would probably work out badly. Yet that’s essentially what we’re doing.

In today’s America, government benefits flow to large numbers of people who are encouraged to vote for politicians who’ll keep them coming. The benefits are paid for by other people who, being less numerous, can’t muster enough votes to put this to a stop.

Marco Rubio pushes back at Obama contraception rules under healthcare plan

◼ Sen. Marco Rubio, a Catholic who has always opposed abortion, has emerged as one of the leading national warriors in the politically explosive cultural war over birth control. - Miami Herald

Sitting in his pew at St. Louis Catholic Church in Miami one recent Sunday, Sen. Marco Rubio heard the same homily as other parishioners who were urged by church leaders nationwide to contact Congress about the use of contraceptives.

Uniquely positioned to act, the Republican senator last week filed legislation that would repeal part of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law requiring some religious institutions to offer their employees contraceptives and family planning services as part of their health insurance coverage....

Rubio defended his legislation Friday in an op-ed in the New York Post.

“From a practical standpoint, this will force Catholic organizations to make an unacceptable choice: Ignore a major tenet of their faith, or not provide any insurance to their employees and be punished with a federal fine for violating ObamaCare’s mandate on employers,’’ Rubio wrote. “As Americans, we should all be appalled by an activist government so overbearing and so obsessed with forcing mandates on the American people that it forces such a choice on religious institutions.’’

◼ Obama plays his anti-Catholic card - Hugh Hewitt/Washington Examiner

◼ Obamacare vs. the Catholics, The administration’s breach of faith. - Weekly Standard

◼ The battle is joined on religious liberty - Kathleen Parker/Washington Post Writers Group

At the heart of recent cases is the right to act on one's moral beliefs without fear of intimidation and/or government coercion.

These immediate battles may be about abortion or contraception, but ultimately they are about whether we stand firm on our nation's core beliefs in freedom of conscience and religious liberty. The stakes could not be higher and, though surely political, the endgame shouldn't be about Republican or Democratic war spoils.

The fundamental question is: Who are we? As we individually search for the answer, we know this much: Coercion and intimidation are the tools of mobs and tyrants and have no place in this calculus.

◼ Democrat Party Is Losing Christian Voters in Droves - Obama's attacks on religion is turning away believers. - Jim Hoft/Human Events

Happy 101st Birthday President Reagan

◼ Reagan’s birthday prompts Obama comparisons - Daily Caller

The above video — which juxtaposes Reagan’s and Barack Obama’s “two visions of America” — was produced by American’s for Prosperity (AFP). “On Reagan’s birthday, I can’t help but miss the President more than ever,” said AFP president Tim Phillips. “His vision for America contrasts so sharply with the big-government waste and cronyism that will be the legacy of the Obama Administration.”

Mexico conservatives back Josefina Vazquez Mota, woman presidential candidate

◼ Voters from Mexico's ruling conservative party selected their first woman presidential candidate on Sunday, choosing a former education minister to battle the opposition's nominee, who has a big lead in the polls. - Reuters (image source)

National Action Party (PAN) voters threw their support behind former party congressional leader Josefina Vazquez Mota, pushing aside Ernesto Cordero, a close ally of President Felipe Calderon.

Jose Espina, who organized the vote, announced Vazquez Mota was ahead with 55 percent support with around 87 percent of the votes counted, more than enough to secure the party nomination. Cordero came in second with 38 percent.

The Gore Effect kicks in, plus ça change …

◼ (T)he “Gore Effect”, which says that wherever His Nobelity Albert Gore III might hold a Climastravaganza to remind the world of the critical and imminent climate overheating that we can only avert by sending him some more money, it will be way below the average temperature for that location and time. - Watts Up With That?

Heck, even Antarctica can’t resist the Gore effect. Case in point? Big Al, along with the failed serial doomcaster James Hansen and billionaire Richard Branson, are currently in the Weddell Sea, off the Antarctic Peninsula, just chillin’ with the penguins.... if you look at Figure 1, you’ll see that the area right where they are is running about 15°C (27°F) colder than normal … and normal even in the summer is kinda cold to start with.

◼ Europe's cold snap spreads west - CNN

The cold snap that wreaked havoc on eastern and central Europe this week moved west on Saturday, triggering a rare snowfall in Rome and prompting Heathrow Airport to cancel some flights.

Ukraine appears to be the worst affected so far, with Poland, Romania, Serbia and Belarus also suffering much more severe winter conditions than usual.

A total of 122 people have frozen to death in Ukraine since the cold spell started more than a week ago, the state-run news agency Ukrinform reported, citing government ministries. More than 1,500 people have been hospitalized, it said.

In Rome, residents woke up to snow for the first time since 1985. The rare precipitation caused traffic jams and left some people stranded.

While further west, in London, Heathrow Airport said it would cancel approximately 30% of its flights on Sunday in response to the winter weather.

◼ Tragic winter weather in Europe doesn’t fit the Mannian narrative... a bitterly cold winter in Europe with snow reaching into northern Africa which has caused nearly three hundred deaths. You can decide who’s committing “journalistic malpractice”. - Watts Up With That?

◼ Heaviest snow ever in Bosnia - News24

#Occupy Protesters Heckled Outside Super Bowl

◼ Fail. Only around 50 Obama-endorsed #Occupy protesters turned out today to protest the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.... - Gateway Pundit

They were heckled by spectators who told them, “Get a job!”

Rick Santorum With Dr. James Dobson

◼ Santorum: If GOP Voters Pick Romney or Newt...We Lose - FOX

The Maine Republican Party is encouraging all municipal committees to hold their caucuses between February 4th and 11th.

◼ MAINE G.O.P. 2012 CAUCUS INFORMATION

Gingrich on ‘Meet the Press’

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

◼ The morning after the Nevada caucuses, the GOP presidential candidate discusses his path forward, why he believes Mitt Romney can’t beat Barack Obama, and the “war against religion” he believes is being waged in the United States.

Next President could alter stance of federal appeals courts

◼ A second term for President Barack Obama would allow him to expand his replacement of Republican-appointed majorities with Democratic ones on the nation's appeals courts, the final stop for almost all challenged federal court rulings. - AP/Seattle PI

Despite his slow start in nominating judges and Republican delays in Senate confirmations, Obama has still managed to alter the balance of power on four of the nation's 13 circuit courts of appeals. Given a second term, Obama could have the chance to install Democratic majorities on several others.

Fourteen of the 25 appeals court judges nominated by Obama replaced Republican appointees.

The next president, whether it's Obama or a Republican, also has a reasonable shot at transforming the majority on the Supreme Court, because three justices representing the closely divided court's liberal and conservative wings, as well as its center, will turn 80 before the next presidential term ends.

The three justices are Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the leader of the court's liberal wing, conservative Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy, who leans conservative but on some issues provides a decisive vote for the liberals.

Already, the jockeying for 2016 has begun

◼ DISTANT as it may now seem, with the Republican race dominating the news and President Obama sitting in the White House, the Democrats are not all that far from the tumult of another nominating contest themselves. - NYT

No matter what happens on Election Day in November, when Mr. Obama wakes up the next morning, he will no longer be the future of his party. If he loses, attention will immediately turn to which Democrat might be able to pick up the pieces from the deep disappointment of his one term. If he wins, the party will begin turning to who might be able to accomplish the difficult task of winning a third straight term for one party. Already, the jockeying for 2016 has begun.

Local: Campaign finance disclosure forms filed for Humboldt County supervisors race

◼ Campaign finance disclosure forms filed for supervisors; Rex Bohn leads on contributions in all races with more than $93,000 - Donna Tam/Times-Standard

Recently filed campaign finance forms (California Form 460s) show 1st District supervisor candidate Rex Bohn surpassing the candidates of every district by tens of thousands of dollars.... Aside from Bohn's sweep on contribution totals -- he raised nearly $94,000 -- the challengers in the 2nd and 3rd district races raised more money than the incumbents by several thousand dollars.

Fellow 1st District candidate Annette De Modena raised $1,105 in contributions, with no nonmonetary contributions. De Modena has loaned herself $13,000, leaving her with a total of $14,105 this period. Her fundraising efforts for the entire 2011 year netted $17,655. She has spent $17,412 so far. This leaves her with a current balance of roughly $242.

...Second District supervisor candidate Estelle Fennell raised a total of $31,972 with $30,598 in monetary contributions. In nonmonetary contributions, she raised $1,374.... The race's incumbent, 2nd District Supervisor Clif Clendenen, raised roughly $6,096 this period -- $5,977 in monetary contributions and $118 in nonmonetary contributions.

...Third District supervisor candidate Karen Brooks raised a total of $20,327 with $19,827 in monetary contributions.... Incumbent 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace raised $625, with a $500 monetary contribution from himself and $125 in contributions from various individuals who gave contributions that were less than $100.

SCOTT WALKER SUPPORTERS TAKE UP EFFORT TO WRITE IN GOV’S NAME IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

◼ According to the Menomonee Falls Patch, the write-in effort started as a conversation on Facebook, but in little more than a week the page “Operation: Write in Scott Walker in Democrat primary“ garnered more than 900 ”likes.” - The Blaze

“If we can gain a majority of the votes in the [D]emocratic primary we will have defeated the [D]emocrats at their game and save [sic] the tax payers millions of dollars,” the page states. In addition to Wisconsin-related news, recent postings on the page include anti-Obama and anti-Nancy Pelosi links.

Such a write-in effort is possible under Wisconsin’s open primary system, which allows voters to vote in a party’s primary even if they do not share its political affiliation.

◼ Facebook: Operation: Write in Scott Walker in Democrat primary

MITT TAKES NV; RON, NEWT FIGHT FOR DISTANT SECOND

◼ Romney holds large lead in Nevada - CNN

Meet The Florida Federation of Republican Women

◼ The FFRW has a long, proud and distinguished history of grassroots activism and GOP leadership that spans decades. We count among our membership empowered women leaders, Florida State Senators and Representatives, elected officials at every level of government, and the Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee, Sharon Day.

Our members were also instrumental in electing Marco Rubio to the US Senate, Rick Scott as Florida’s “Lets Get to Work” Governor, Jeff Atwater as Florida’s CFO and Adam Putnam as Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner. We are also proud of our work in helping retain and also elect many new GOP Congressional seats including Congressman Allen West, Sandy Adams and Steve Southerland.

A map of results from the 2012 GOP nomination contest in Nevada

◼ Nevada GOP Caucuses - Los Angeles Times

Nevada GOP caucus results have begun to arrive. The rural polls close now at 5pm, but big Clark County stays open until 7pm PST. Follow the votes as they arrive on our interactive map.

Allen West: Obama's Jerking Us Around With Falsified Unemployment Numbers

◼ West said: "Can someone tell me how employment in the black community has improved at a rate three times the national average in just a few months?? With numbers like today, urban communities should be well on their way to economic recovery then! There is something suspicious about the job numbers released today and it has me very concerned," West wondered Friday. "Is this dramatic supposed decrease in black unemployment a result of job creation or is someone playing around with the census numbers?" - Ace of Spades

◼ Rep. West: Someone's 'playing around with' unemployment numbers - The Hill

Economists reached by The Hill for comment couldn't fully explain the unemployment rate change for the black community. William Darity, a professor of public policy at Duke University specializing in African-American studies and economics, wrote in an email to The Hill that the decline could have been due to a smaller labor force. He called the drop an "unbelievably dramatic drop" but didn't rule out the possibility of someone tampering with the numbers; he said there was no evidence one way or the other.

◼ Payrolls Jump Casts Doubt on Fed’s Rate Pledge: Economy - Bloomberg

◼ U.S. Stocks Jump on Upbeat Reports
◼ Obama to Congress : don't 'muck up' recovery - Breitbart
◼ Romney: Obama DOES NOT Deserve Credit - Bloonberg
◼ Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles To Fresh 30 Year Low - Zerohedge
◼ SANTELLI: Here's What's Wrong With Data - CNBC

Senate Democratic leaders on Friday said they do not intend to bring a fiscal 2013 budget up for a floor vote.

◼ "We do not need to bring a budget to the floor this year — it's done, we don't need to do it," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters on Friday. - The Hill

Republicans have attacked Democrats for failing to bring a budget to the floor. Last week, they marked the 1,000th day since Democrats have passed a budget, accusing the majority of shirking its duty while the deficit soars.

House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who is working on his own budget plan, tweeted Friday that Senate Democrats "‪confirm they’ve given up on budgeting. What a disgrace. Reid's refusal to budget is a recipe for crisis.‬"

Bad News for Obama in Latest Rasmussen Polls of Uncommitted Voters

◼ Obama's approval number among uncommitted voters is only 20 percent. His disapproval number is an enormous 76 percent. - Mark Whittington/YahooContributor

That suggests that among people who have yet to make even a tentative decision on who to vote for president, Obama is extremely unpopular and will be hard for the president to win back over.

On the other hand, as much disdain as the uncommitted have for Obama, they have yet to decide on an alternative. This is a problem for Romney, as the front runner. He has to figure out how to attract these undecided voters, who have already rejected Obama, over to his corner.

The head to head match ups have bad news for Obama as well. Both Rasmussen and Gallup have the president tied with Romney at 45 percent and 48 percent respectively. Rasmussen also has Obama just two points ahead of Santorum, a candidate who has been an also ran since his razor thin victory in Iowa. Obama is eight points ahead of Gingrich, however.

Each of the polls consistently shows Obama at below 50 percent, a bad place to be for any incumbent. The rule of thumb among pollsters is that the undecided voters, the ones whom Rasmussen shows holds Obama in great disdain, usually break for the challenger.

Powerline: Doorbell

Nevada Caucuses

◼ Nevada Caucuses Open Thread - Michelle Malkin

So far there seem to be no real surprises in Nevada — especially since three of the four GOP candidates aren’t even currently in the state

◼ Romney looks to boost front-runner status in Nevada - Reuters

With a huge lead in polls, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney appeared poised for an easy win in Nevada on Saturday that would put him in firm command of the party's see-sawing presidential nominating race.
A Nevada victory would be Romney's second win in a row and his third in the first five contests in the state-by-state battle to find a Republican challenger to President Barack Obama in November's general election.

◼ Gingrich to Hold Post-Caucus Press Conference - National Journal

Wisconsin: State and local savings from the Governor's reforms now top $900 million, and counting.

◼ http://www.reforms.wisconsin.gov/

Meanwhile, in California: ◼ California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Friday allowing the state government to borrow from internal funds to build up its cash, which the controller earlier this week said was quickly dwindling. - Reuters/SF Examiner

California: Governor Brown signs bill that allows state to borrow from itself

◼ California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Friday allowing the state government to borrow from internal funds to build up its cash, which the controller earlier this week said was quickly dwindling. - Reuters/SF Examiner

The legislation allows the state to tap up to $865 million, part of a plan crafted by Controller John Chiang, Treasurer Bill Lockyer and the finance department to address the cash shortage.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin: State and local savings from the Governor's reforms now top $900 million, and counting.

McConnell: Obama is the most divisive president in my lifetime

◼ In a wide-ranging interview on Senate Democrat’s blockade to stall major pieces of legislation from becoming law, set to appear in an upcoming HUMAN EVENTS’ print edition, McConnell also addressed the negative impact President Obama’s campaign is already having on the country. - Jason Mattera and Audrey Hudson/Human Events

“None of this has anything whatsoever to do with accomplishing anything. It’s not having any positive impact on the country. This is all about the campaign,” McConnell said....

“And, it was all about demonizing people who’ve been successful, trying to make people who have been less successful envious of those who have been. And of course there is nothing liberals like more than taking your money and spending it the way they want to spend it. You know, the government doesn’t need any more money; we’re awash in revenue. The problem is we’re spending way, way, way, too much. He’s going to have over a trillion-dollar deficit every one of the four years he’s been in office,” McConnell said.

Roseanne Barr Seeks Green Party Presidential Nod

◼ Roseanne Barr said Thursday she’s running for the Green Party’s presidential nomination — and it’s no joke. - CBS

Barr has submitted paperwork to the Green Party for her candidacy. The party’s presidential nominee will be selected at a convention in Baltimore in July.

Rally today in support of cleaning up the Humboldt County courthouse

◼ A rally organized by community members who say they want the front of the courthouse cleaned up and unfenced is scheduled for this afternoon at the Humboldt County Courthouse.

Organizer Julie Salminen said the purpose of the rally is to show the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and the Eureka City Council that people want the area restored.

”We want it cleaned up over there,” Salminen said.

More than 250 people are anticipated to attend the rally from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Salminen said people are tired of the Occupiers that have taken over the courthouse entrance. She said people should be allowed to protest but that things have gotten out of control.

...Interim Eureka Police Chief Murl Harpham said his office spent $8,600 in overtime for officers in October and that the amount of patrol hasn't changed at the courthouse.

”We're there six to seven times a day. Over the weekend, we were called out 11 times,” Harpham said. “It's an every day thing.”

He said the police have logged close to 100 arrests and about 70 citations since the start of the Occupy Movement in front of the courthouse, dating back to late September.

Alert from Alert from Northern Division Legislative Issues Chair

Under the guise of doing good for the downtrodden, the Obama administration has reaffirmed a rule under Obamacare that requires many religious employers to provide health care coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures and related education and counseling. Many groups believe that certain FDA-approved contraceptive methods can sometimes cause the demise of embryos both after and before uterine implantation and therefore that the rule forces them to cover abortion.

Many religious groups object to the requirement and believe that providing these services is an attack on freedom of religion. The Becket Fund For Religious Liberty has filed a lawsuit on behalf of an interdenominational Christian College that objects to providing these services in its health care insurance.

The rule provides a narrow exemption for “houses of worship” but it burdens their affiliated institutions, schools and hospitals with the rule. If no exemption is provided from this mandate, many religious institutions will have no choice but to stop making group health plans available to their employees and pay any fines for failure to do so.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has introduced Senate Bill 2043 in Congress. The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to respect conscience protections for religious institutions and not force them to carry abortifacients and other drugs as part of their health coverage.

If the administration can get away with this rule, who knows what else is in Obama care that will restrict everything we do.

I recommend that you contact our Senators and Senator Reid. He needs to know that this bill must come to the floor for a vote.

Senator Barbara Boxer - (202) 224-3553 - Fax: (202) 224-0454
Senator Diane Feinstein - (202) 224-3841 - Fax: (202) 228-3954
Senator Harry Reid - (202) 224-3542 - Fax: (202) 224-7327

Thank you for your work.

Edelweiss Geary
Legislative Issues Chair
Northern Division - CFRW ◼ www.cfrwnd.org
www.cfrwnd.org

AG Holder Testifies on DOJ’s Response to Operation "Fast and Furious"

◼ Live on CSPAN

◼ Did DoJ approve “a different approach” to gunwalking in 2010? - HotAir
◼ Fast and Furious showdown: Holder/Obama defend bloody culture of contempt; Update: Fortress Holder, Stonewall City - Michelle Malkin
◼ Holder: No One Disciplined for 'Fast and Furious' - FOX
◼ Issa Subpoenas Holder, Justice for 'Fast and Furious' Documents - FOX
◼ Brian Terry's Family Files $25M Lawsuit Against ATF - JWF
◼ Fast and Furious: Issa threatens Holder with contempt charges - Letter from Issa says Holder's DOJ "is actively engaged in a cover-up." - John Hayward/Human Events

House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) has grown tired of the foot-dragging from Eric Holder’s Justice Department. On Tuesday, he fired off a scathing letter to the Attorney General, pronouncing himself dismayed that the Justice Department waited an entire year to produce “documents that provide startling new details about the involvement of senior Department officials in what appeared to be the Fast and Furious cover-up.”

By the end of the four-page letter, Issa isn’t talking about “appearances” any more:

Since the Department initially misrepresented the facts and misled Congress, it is necessary to investigate the Department’s response to our investigation. Your actions lead us to conclude that the Department is actively engaged in a cover-up. It is essential for the Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs to facilitate the production of documents we have requested so we can complete our investigation. The Department’s persistent delay tactics make this task increasingly and unreasonably difficult.

◼ Holder to Issa: I’ll hold people accountable … for whistleblowing - HotAir



◼ The Fast and Furious Cover Up - Reince Priebus at RedState

Rasmussen in AZ: Romney 48, Gingrich 24

◼ Rasmussen focuses on the Arizona primary that will take place in less than four weeks and act as a springboard for Super Tuesday. - HotAir

WISCONSIN RECALL FRAUD: Racine Man Finds His Name 4 Times on Wanggaard Recall, Never Signed

◼ On Wednesday, Citizens for Responsible Government in Racine reported that Racine native Jeff Demet’s name was found four times on the petition to recall Republican Senator Van Wanggaard. - Mediatrackers

Finding the same signature four times is bad enough, but when Demet was contacted about the four signatures, he claims he never signed the Wanggaard recall petition at all!

This week, Ken Brown of CRG Racine was perusing the recall petitions for names he might recognize and came across his friend Jeff Demet. Brown thought this was interesting because not only does Demet not support the recall of Senator Wanggaard, but Demet even signed up with Verify The Recall to ensure his name was not on the recall petition....

According to Ken Brown of CRG Racine, the current theory is that Jeff Demet’s brother Mark may have signed Jeff’s name since he is a circulator on page 2755 and the handwriting is remarkably similar....

Mary’s (Mary Demet, Jeff and Mark’s mother) signature as recorded above on form # 2755, is also located on form # 3428, which was also circulated by Mark Demet! Not once but twice he knowingly either forged, or allowed to have forged his own Mothers signature!!

Also recorded twice was a “Jackson Demet”, who is the son of Mark..and is signed with 2 different addresses. One on Arlington…the other on Buckingham, in Sturtevant I believe. Mark also signed twice as himself on form #2509 with Sergio Angliano; and secondly on form #241, where Laura Betker was the circulator.

Dan Lungren measure passes to cut House spending

◼ Committees in the House of Representatives will cut their spending by an average of 6.4 percent, under a resolution passed Wednesday night. - Sacramento Bee

"All of our constituents need us to do more with less and to rein in government spending," Lungren said during the evening debate. "Families have been required to tighten their belts, and they constantly ask us to do the very same thing."

Some House Democrats opposed the measure... The resolution does not need Senate approval.

The Stop Special Interest Money initiative on the November ballot will stir up public employee unions in a frantic effort to defeat it.

◼ The measure would require union members to declare they want some of their dues to be used for political purposes and set up similar rules for corporation employees, as well. - Fox&Hounds

Why do unions feel they would be completely stripped of power if this measure passes? After all, members supporting the unions’ political action could still agree to donate to the political fund and engage in campaigns for candidates and ballot measures. True, union leaders would have to sell their membership on the positions they want to take. If done successfully, the union would have the resources to conduct a campaign.

If the union leadership believes its members support the political positions the union takes they should have no difficulty raising funds. If they do have problems raising funds the leaders will be forced to re-think their agendas to satisfy members in a true democratic fashion.

Trump to Endorse...

◼ Donald Trump to endorse Mitt Romney - Rachel Weiner and Philip Rucker/Washington Post
◼ Egomaniacs R Us: Trump to pick Newt - Jennifer Rubin/Washington Post
◼ Donald Trump Set To Endorse Mitt Romney In Las Vegas - Michael Falcone/ABC
◼ Conflicting reports emerge on Trump's 2012 endorsement - Daniel Strauss/The Hill

Happy Groundhog Day

Call and make your reservation for lunch!

FEBRUARY 16th MEETING
PLEASE RSVP by FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10
By PHONE: Laura 839-5538
or by EMAIL: Margaret Stafford tom-marg @ suddenlink.net

◼ Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair to "see" his shadow on Thursday, in the process predicting six more weeks of winter. - AP

OVERSEAS COUPON PROJECT UPDATE

Because our military families living overseas live at, or just above, the poverty level, HRWF decided to help support our troops by clipping 'manufacturer's coupons' for food and household items from newspapers and magazines and mailing them to an overseas military base. These coupons are honored at PXs on American bases around the world and help defray the cost of family living. (They are even honored several months after the expiration date.) This is a very worthwhile program we are proud to support.

As my late husband Bill was in the Air Force in WWII, in his memory, I chose a U.S. Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan, which had few sponsors. We may soon have to add another base or two as recipients due to the constantly growing volume of coupons we collect.

In November of 2009, the face value of our first mailing was $5,988; our three mailings in 2010 totaled $45,011; 2011 mailings totaled $54,184; our first 2012 mailing was $30, 504, for a grand total, to date, of $135,690.

◼ If you would like to help, here are the GUIDELINES FOR COUPONS:

1. Cut out and trim Manufacturer's Coupons only.
[NO store coupons (like Target, Rite Aid, Safeway) and
NO restaurant coupons (like Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc.)]
2. Sort into 2 piles: Food and Non-Food
(use 2 baggies or envelopes; label each).
3. FOOD includes: all food/beverages for humans,
candy, gum, mints, diet drinks, baby formula, drinks.
4. NON-FOOD includes: vitamins, drugs, dog food,
cat food, cosmetics, cleaning products, etc.
5. Add up the face value of coupons in each category.
For FREE items, check coupon for amount, such as
"Up to $2.99," etc.; otherwise, estimate.
6. Write total on each envelope. Bring to me, GOP
Headquarters, or the President at or before our next
meeting.

Thank you all so much for your invaluable help with this project. It is greatly appreciated by our troops, by HRWF,
and by me. Chris Wennerholm 725-2020.

THREE CHEERS FOR ROMNEYCARE! Coulter, and Levin

◼ What went wrong with Romneycare wasn't a problem in the bill, but a problem in Massachusetts: Democrats. - Ann Coulter
◼ Mark Levin’s rebuttal of Ann Coulter’s “Three Cheers for RomneyCare” article (Audio) - The Right Scoop
◼ A Different Take on What Ann Coulter’s Been Up to Lately - Kevin Dujan/Hillbuzz

Indiana becomes 23rd "right-to-work" state

◼ Indiana's Republican governor Mitch Daniels signed the legislation into law immediately after it was given final approval in the state Senate, making Indiana the first state to adopt such a measure since Oklahoma did so a decade ago.

Indiana became the 23rd state to pass anti-union "right-to-work" legislation on Wednesday and the first in the nation's manufacturing heartland, dealing a blow to organized labor by allowing workers to opt out of paying union dues.

House votes to repeal part of health care law

◼ The House voted Wednesday to repeal a part of President Obama’s health care law deemed unsustainable by his own administration, sending the bill to the Senate, where Democrats have indicated they aren’t ready to kill the long-term care program. - Washington Times

More than two dozen House Democrats broke party ranks to join Republicans in a 267-159 vote to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act - a part of Mr. Obama’s signature health care reform aimed at providing long-term coverage for the elderly and those with disabilities.

But putting together a filibuster-proof majority to repeal CLASS in the Senate is another matter...

Election Resources: Defeat Obama – Info You Need

◼ Here is a first attempt to provide links to the last three years under Barack Obama. - Maggie's Notebook

There is an abundance of revealing information on Conservative blogs about Barack Obama’s Oval Office tenure – the information you and I need to be reminded of, and to use to educate our Lefty friends (assuming you have some – surely you have Lefties in your family) and to nudge those acquaintances who may sit-out the voting process at the primaries or the general election in November 2012.

A new Republican National Committee rule says that no state holding its presidential contest before April is allowed to award its delegates to the national convention on a winner-take-all basis, unless it is one of the four early carve-out states (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada).

◼ But here’s the catch: Florida is already in violation of RNC rules because it moved its primary into January. And the RNC, which has already docked Florida half of its delegates for moving its primary up, says it cannot punish a state twice.

Therefore, the states that are already in violation of RNC rules for setting their primaries too early (Florida, Arizona and Michigan) were allowed to go winner-take-all....

This is why, when former RNC chairman Michael Steele said on MSNBC today that Florida was not a winner-take-all state, eyebrows were raised.

“Florida’s proportional,” said Steele, who opposes Florida’s winner-take-all status. “Florida violated the April 1st rule of the RNC, Rule 15, and their delegates, whatever number’s apportioned to them, will be proportional for the candidates.”

Alas, the RNC says it’s not true, and Florida remains winner-take-all, at least until this situation can be hammered out at the convention.

"Every Level"

◼ Another ad smartly attacks the president on Solyndra - HotAir

Gallup state numbers predict huge Obama loss

◼ Gallup released their annual state-by-state presidential approval numbers yesterday, and the results should have 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue very worried. - Conn Carroll/Washington Examiner

◼ And Rasmussen: The number of Republicans in the country inched up half a percentage point in January, while the number of Democrats dipped to the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports.

OBAMA’S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WIN LEADS TO FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF AWARD

◼ The investigation comes after persistent complaints by a Norwegian peace researcher that the original purpose of the prize was to diminish the role of military power in international relations. - The Blaze

If the Stockholm County Administrative Board, which supervises foundations in Sweden’s capital, finds that prize founder Alfred Nobel’s will is not being honored, it has the authority to suspend award decisions going back three years – though that would be unlikely and unprecedented, said Mikael Wiman, a legal expert working for the county.

Internet porn and creepy videos are little match for virginity tests, stoning women and beheading Jews — all for the fun of it.

◼ ‘Islamist Firster’ president not what he claimed - Charles Hurt/Washington Times

...In both foreign and domestic matters, Mr. Obama had unique credibility to change things as few presidents ever had.

Despite his background as a liberal street organizer, he campaigned on tax cuts and personal responsibility and preached that the government simply cannot be the answer to every problem. Republicans would have no choice but to go along with an agenda to shrink the tax burden and get the federal government out of our everyday lives.

Instead, Mr. Obama has devoted his administration to raising taxes, adding to the byzantine structure of the federal government, and has created a whole new massive bureaucracy he claims really will cure our every little boo-boo.

As for the rest of the world, Mr. Obama promised to devote himself to healing the grave injustices and halting the atrocities that have afflicted the world since the rise of radical, violent jihadism. With his Muslim roots, Mr. Obama was positioned better than any leader on the global stage to speak with authority to radical Islamists and finally bring about permanent peace.

Instead, Mr. Obama chose to unilaterally alienate perhaps our most strategically important ally in the world and do all he can to cozy up to the very people who are dedicated to destroying not only Israel, but America as well.

Leading Democrats have been in the news lately sliming Americans who stick up for Israel as being “Israel Firsters.” Well, Mr. Obama has become an “Islamist Firster.”...

Clearly, Newt Gingrich has his work cut out for him. The road from primary headquarters in Orlando Jan. 31 to the Republican National Convention in Tampa this summer can be hiked -- but few will argue that journey ahead for Newt Gingrich is rocky and uncertain.

◼ What Gingrich must do to go 'all the way to Tampa' - John Gizzi/Human Events

Twelve Ways Obama Could Lose

◼ (I)f ever there was a time to avoid overconfidence, Democrats, this is it. - PJM

(A)nyone who says this election is in the bag is crazy. How could President Obama lose? Let us count the ways. (at the link)

Why Romney won -- Why Gingrich lost

◼ Coming off a decisive loss to Newt Gingrich in South Carolina, Mitt Romney needed to do three things to win the Florida primary: 1) attack Gingrich with a level of ferocity not yet seen in the already-contentious Republican presidential campaign; 2) raise the level of his performance in debate; and 3) improve his on-the-stump message to give voters more substance and fewer platitudes. - Byron York/Washington Examiner

For his part, Gingrich had two must-dos: 1) deal with Romney's attacks in a calmer, more seasoned way than Gingrich handled the last Romney barrage, during the campaign in Iowa; and 2) keep up the solid message he rode to victory in South Carolina.

Over the past week in Florida, Romney did nearly everything right; his ads hit hard and his debate performance was dominating, even if he improved only marginally on the stump. And Gingrich did nearly everything wrong. The result was a decisive 14-point victory for Romney, who now has two primary victories to Gingrich's one.

Waiting for Senate Democrats' Full-Year Payroll Tax Relief Plan

Obama Fundraising Advantage Disappearing

◼ With the emergence of American Crossroads, Crossroads GPS and Restore Our Future, a well-stocked Romney super PAC, the Obama fundraising juggernaut no longer looks so imposing. - Josh Kraushaar/National Journal

If Romney is the Republican nominee, he won't be overwhelmed with a wave of negative advertising, and will have the resources to fight back.... The Obama campaign ended the year with $81.8 million cash-on hand - a very strong total. But the outside Democratic groups, especially the party's newly-created super PACs, haven't given him much in the way of reinforcements. The Democratic National Committee has $12.6 million cash-on-hand to assist. But Priorities USA banked a meager $1.5 million, receiving money from just 42 individual donors in the last six months. The party's congressional super PACs -- Majority PAC and House Majority PAC -- also didn't bank much, $1.3 million and $1.17 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Romney campaign ended the year with $19.9 million in the bank, far less than the president's cash haul. But when you add in the outside groups, he's about at even strength. Romney's super PAC, Restore Our Future, banked $23.6 million at the end of the year, thanks to funding from venture capitalists aligned with Romney. American Crossroads, which is poised to play an outsized role in the presidential race, ended the year with $15.6 million cash-on-hand. And the RNC ended the year with more cash-on-hand than the DNC, banking $20 million. All told, that adds up to $79.1 million - and it doesn't include the cash-on-hand from Crossroads GPS, which doesn't file with the Federal Election Commission. But based on Crossroads' announced fundraising totals, it's logical to assume that they have around $15 million on-hand.

That brings the combined Obama and Democratic outside group totals to $98.3 million cash-on-hand, with the GOP groups tallying $94.1 million. Take out the Democratic groups strictly devoted to congressional activities, and it's a virtual financial tie. With labor and environmental groups poised to help Obama's re-election, Democrats still could hold a narrow edge. But it's hardly the cash advantage that would allow Team Obama to run negative advertising uncontested against Romney, without an aggressive response.

GOP governors are slashing taxes, cutting debt, reducing spending

◼ link - Bob McDonnell/Washington Examiner

In an election year, Americans may wonder what the SOTU might have included if we had a Republican president. Perhaps the best way to consider that potential is by looking to the State of the State addresses where Republican governors are in charge today, and comparing their records with those of their Democratic counterparts.

More than half of the nation's Republican governors have already delivered their State of the State addresses, and reviewing them reveals common themes. In these Republican-led states, you will find leaders who are balancing budgets, reducing taxes and making job creation their top priority. They are leading and getting results.

Many of the Republican governors who have given their State of the State speeches announced plans to ease the tax burden in order to make their states more competitive....

Democratic governors are doing just the opposite. At least six Democratic governors have proposed raising taxes this year....

Over the past two fiscal years, Republican governors have eliminated $65 billion in deficits, while the federal government borrows $5 billion a day just to stay afloat.

Obama has mastered the art of political rhetoric, but records are what matter. In Washington and state capitols, it has never been clearer that Republicans and Democrats have two distinct visions for America.

Republican governors are putting forth a positive, competing vision for America that establishes a strong and sustainable foundation for our country. It's this results-oriented conservatism that will restore America.

If the CBO estimate is correct, it would mean that the United States recorded a deficit of more than $1 trillion for every year of Obama’s first term.

◼ ANOTHER OBAMA RECORD!… 4 Straight Years of TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICITS - Jim Hoft/Gateway Pundit

Back in February 2009 Barack Obama promised to cut the $455 billion deficit in half in four years.

Instead, Barack Obama tripled the US deficit his first year in office.

The Top 150 Conservative Websites

◼ Using Alexa's traffic rankings - a tabular view of the top 150 conservatively focused news and blog sites. compiled by Doug Ross