I don't have a dog in this fight, but...

[Lamplighter]

A few talking heads are saying the time has come for the first real test of Romney's campaign organization.
Since Newt Gingrich (pronounced "Ging-rick", not "Ging-rich") has taken the lead in polls,
Romney's attention is on bringing down this next contender. But how could that happen ?

Have you noticed that in the recent GOP presidential candidate debates, Romney and
Paul are strikingly friendly and supportive of the other's attacks on Gingrich ?

Mitt's calvary-to-the-rescue may be lurking among his opponents and their supporters.

ABC News
Matt Negrin
Dec 9, 2011

In Texas, Romney’s Rich Fans Wait for Perry to Bow Out

Friends and associates of the Texas governor who want to support Mitt Romney for president
are living by a certain credo: Don’t mess with Rick Perry.

Major fundraisers for Romney’s campaign in the Lone Star State say that even though Perry
has fallen in national polls since entering the GOP primary, prominent lawmakers,
businesspeople and other Texans are afraid to sign a check for Romney
out of fear that Perry will turn on them when he returns as governor.

For these major donors, say the fundraisers, it’s a waiting game until Perry loses the contest
for the nomination — then they’ll be free to give to Romney without fear of repercussion.<snip>

There is a common thread of remarks among the fund-raisers who spoke to the reporter:

Leticia Van de Putte, a Democratic state senator, said Perry
has a “solid track record of finding disfavor with those who support his opponents” in elections.

“What is not tolerated, and he does exercise selective enforcement,
is when they give to another candidate who he’s running against,” she said.

And then there are the Ron Paul supporters...
San Francisco Chronicle
KASIE HUNT, Associated Press
December 9, 2011

Paul strength may help Romney in Iowa

The Texas congressman's allies and others say that he drains support from the rising Newt Gingrich,
and, if that turns out to be the case during the Jan. 3 caucuses and Paul manages to triumph here,
the theory is that Romney would benefit in the long-run.

"If Ron Paul can chip away at Gingrich just enough, he could conceivably win the caucuses,
but he doesn't have the longevity of Gingrich" because Paul has trouble expanding his support
beyond his libertarian-leaning base, said Tim Albrecht, an Iowa operative who worked for Romney
during his failed presidential bid four years ago.

Some Republicans say a victory by Paul — who many Republican operatives doubt can win the race
— could help curb the perception of a crushing loss for Romney, who has tried to tamp down expectations
that he'll do well here even as aides operate an under-the-radar Iowa campaign and TV ads
intended to help him are starting to flood the Iowa airwaves.<snip>

"The reality," said Steve Schmidt, who ran Sen. John McCain's campaign in 2008, "is that candidates
who are not going to win the nomination play a very important role in determining who does."
Paul, to be sure, is a factor in the race.

He raised $5 million between July and September, and supporters say Paul will be able to stay in the contest
as long as he wants because of a loyal following that sends him cash when he asks and new GOP rules
that award convention delegates proportionally.

And he's not being shy about trying to bloody his rivals
— particularly Romney's chief challenger.
This week, Paul's on the air with a blistering commercial hitting Gingrich for "serial hypocrisy."

And besides all that:

If anything, the TV show "Survivor" has shown
is that coalitions are two-headed snakes...

When Romney believes he is in control but holds only one head,
the other can turn to bite him, just when he least expects it or needs it most.
.

[tw]

All those polls and public debates were classic examples of money wasted. Serious nominees are not apparent until Iowa and New Hamspire. About that time, we will begin to see who was really running for president.

Well, so many also waste their time watching Barabara Walter's celebrity interviews, People Magazine, and Entertainment Tonight as if it was entertaining, informative, or relevant. Same for that Republican campaign this past year while they wasted bandwidth and made themselves all look silly. Why did Sarah Palin have better integrity to not be associated with them?

In the next few months, we will learn who among that rabble really has integrity.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by tw

Serious nominees are not apparent

Not at all, I'd say.

In the next few months, we will learn who among that rabble really has integrity.

... and a new bike, and a toy racing car, and a tree-house ... what? this wasn't your Christmas wish list?

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by tw

All those polls and public debates were classic examples of money wasted. Serious nominees are not apparent until Iowa and New Hamspire. About that time, we will begin to see who was really running for president. <snip>

Unfortunately, the polls are a major part of the way people vote.

"Vote for front runner, and I'll be a winner", or
"Vote for last place, cause I'm against everything"

Then come the litmus tests that are most persuasive, such as:
abortion, race, party, religion, age, gender, spouce's hair style, veteran, sense of humor, etc.

Last, and often least... the candidate's stand on important political and economic issues, such as:
the candidate's hair style, ability to debate, family values, place of birth, number of children, style and color of underwear, etc.
.

[classicman]

Huntsman’s Tax Proposal Gets Think Tank’s Highest Grade

Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, who has focused his campaign strategy on the New Hampshire primary, received top marks in a scorecard rating the tax plans offered by each of the Republican candidates.

The Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank, said Huntsman’s plan rated a B+ grade for its “wipe the slate clean” approach to tax expenditures, which “knocks out preferential taxation in one fell swoop,” according to the report, which will be released today.

“Gov. Huntsman is running on his consistent, conservative record that took Utah to number one in the nation in job creation. He has put forth the most pro-growth tax plan in the field, and it is based on his experience passing the largest tax cut in Utah history,” campaign spokesman Michael Levoff said when asked about the report card.

Huntsman, who moved his campaign headquarters to New Hampshire, has already been lauded by The Wall Street Journal and several other publications and think tanks for his tax plan.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry received a B for his optional 20 percent flat tax on individuals and proposal for a 20 percent tax rate on corporations. Businessman Herman Cain, who was included in the report card even though he’s dropped out of the race, received a B- for his 9-9-9 plan for flat taxes on individuals, businesses and sales. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also received a B- for his plan to cut corporate taxes to 15 percent and eliminate the estate tax and taxes on capital gains and dividends.

Rounding out the report card were former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with a C+, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota with a C, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with a C- and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with a D+.

Link

[SamIam]

But just WHAT is Huntsman's proposal? Your link to Huntsman's own campaign site gives no specifics which makes me extremely curious as to why not. As I have stated elsewhere, the burden of Huntsman's Utah tax cuts, at least in part, were taken on by the Mormon Church. That's fine for Mormon Utah, but it won't work for the nation as a whole.

[classicman]

Google gave me this
Outlined by one guy here

Simplify The Personal Income Tax Code And Lower Rates. Rather than nibble around the edges of the existing tax code,
Gov. Huntsman will introduce a revenue-neutral tax plan that eliminates all deductions and credits in favor of three drastically lower rates
of 8%, 14% and 23%. Eliminating deductions and credits in favor of lower marginal rates will yield a simpler and more efficient tax code,
decreasing the burden on taxpayers.

Eliminate The Alternative Minimum Tax.
Under the new simplified plan, Gov. Huntsman will eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is not indexed for inflation
and is penalizing an increasing number of families and small businesses.

Eliminate The Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends In Order To Eliminate The Double Taxation On Investment.
Capital gains and dividend taxes amount to a double-taxation on individuals who choose to invest. Because dollars invested
had to first be earned, they have already been subject to the income tax. Taxing these same dollars again when capital gains
are realized serves to deter productive and much-needed investment in our economy.

Reduce The Corporate Rate From 35% To 25%.
The United States cannot compete while burdened with the second-highest corporate tax rate in the developed world;
American companies and our workers deserve a level playing field.
With high unemployment, it is important that we not push corporations and capital overseas.
We need employers to be based in America if they're going to provide jobs to Americans.

[ZenGum]

If the 9-9-9 plan got a B-, then getting a B+ is not very impressive.

Eliminating deductions and credits in favor of lower marginal rates will yield a simpler and more efficient tax code,
decreasing the burden on taxpayers.

"Decreasing the burden" means less revenue. How is he going to balance the budget?

Capital gains and dividend taxes amount to a double-taxation on individuals who choose to invest. Because dollars invested
had to first be earned, they have already been subject to the income tax.

Total BS. The capital GAINS were never taxed, only the starting capital. Why should a speculator's income not be taxed like everyone else's?

Still, it is the least silly plan I have seen yet. Huntsman is the only one who seems to be taking this seriously.

[Lamplighter]

Eliminate The Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends In Order To Eliminate The Double Taxation On Investment.
Capital gains and dividend taxes amount to a double-taxation on individuals who choose to invest. Because dollars invested
had to first be earned, they have already been subject to the income tax. Taxing these same dollars again when capital gains
are realized serves to deter productive and much-needed investment in our economy.

This "double taxation" is a Republican myth

For an investment in stock, any dividends paid to the investor are "new $" income to the investor.
When the investor sells that stock, the "capital gain" is the selling price
minus the purchase price and fees incurred during the transaction cycle.
The same is true on purchase of equipment, real estate, REI's, etc.

Anyone that proposes that "capital gain" is different from ordinary income
is saying one $US dollar is different from another $US dollar,
... and guess who says that... the people that don't earn their living or extra $ from salaries or wages.

Capital gains should be taxed at the same rate and right along with ordinary income.
.

[Lamplighter]

I am embarrassed to say I first opened this article when I misread it's title.

But it turns out there are two interesting aspects to the article.
First Gingrich's camplaign plans, and then there is the sausage-making aspects
of a candidate even getting on various states' ballots for the primaries.

NY Times
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
December 20, 2011, 4:26 pm

Gingrich Heads to Virginia for Ballot Push

The Virginia presidential primary is not until March 6,
but Newt Gingrich is suddenly veering off the campaign trail
and heading there Wednesday with urgent business:
...get on the ballot. The deadline is Thursday.

On Tuesday, he hastily added two events in Virginia to his schedule
— a rally in Arlington on Wednesday night and a “meet and greet”
with volunteers in Richmond on Thursday morning.

He needs at least 10,000 signatures to get on Virginia’s Republican presidential primary ballot,
but the state has the steepest ballot requirements in the country.
It is not clear how many signatures he has now.

The signature-gathering exercise is where Mr. Gingrich’s lack of field organization shows;
Mitt Romney has been gathering signatures in the state since the summer and has met the goal.
Mr. Gingrich’s campaign went dark this summer and is scrambling to catch up.<snip>

and then there are the challenges to get on the state ballots...

In Virginia, candidates face the further hurdle of having to show support
across the whole state, with at least 400 signatures in each of the state’s 11 Congressional Districts.

Apart from Virginia, other difficult states are: Indiana, which requires 4,500 signatures;
Illinois, which requires 3,000; and Pennsylvania, which requires 2,000.
In Pennsylvania, signatures can come from Republicans only, and only in a three-week period.
The other states require more signatures, but they are open to all registered voters and have a longer collection period.

and besides all that:

Gingrich is slipping in the polls, and racking up negative comments from conservatives
who say he is:— a man who can “bring us together, and alienate the hell out of us,”.

Meanwhile, Ron Paul may actually be looking for a win in Iowa...Romney, not so much.
.

[Undertoad]

Gingrich to gay Iowan: Vote for Obama

“I asked him if he’s elected, how does he plan to engage gay Americans. How are we to support him? And he told me to support Obama,” said Scott Arnold, an associate professor of writing at William Penn University.”

done and done mr gingrich

looks like somebody doesn't want to represent all Americans...

[classicman]

Wow!

[glatt]

I admire his honesty. I wish more politicians would show their true colors like that. It would make our job as voters much easier.

[BigV]

How to determine a politician's "true colors". Wow, that is really our job as citizens if we are to make an informed choice. I think they're all honest, that is, even if they're making contradictory statements, then they're honestly flexible/nuanced/flipfloppy/openminded--fill in the blank. I find Gingrich's statement surprisingly plain, but I wonder how it will be spun. And the spin matters. I can imagine that it could be ignored, or dismissed as joking or otherwise discounted.

[Lamplighter]

V's post above is appropriate to both Gingrich (above) and Ron Paul (below)

Now, as Paul appears heading towards a win in the Iowa caucuses.
several headlines are appearing with derogatory subtexts.
But it appears to me that these articles are based on controversial
Newletters published under Ron Paul's name in the 1980's.

The Atlantic
Michael Brendan Dougherty
12/21/11
The Story Behind Ron Paul's Racist Newsletters
Dec 21 201

So as Ron Paul is on track to win the Iowa caucuses,
he is getting a new dose of press scrutiny.

And the press is focusing on the newsletters that went out
under his name in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
They were called the Ron Paul's Political Report, Ron Paul's Freedom Report,
the Ron Paul Survival Report and the Ron Paul Investment Letter.
There is no doubt that the newsletters contained utterly racist statements.

Some choice quotes:

* "Given the inefficiencies of what DC laughingly calls the criminal justice system,
I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city
are semi-criminal or entirely criminal."

* "We are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, it is hardly irrational."

* After the Los Angeles riots, one article in a newsletter claimed,
"Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks."

* One referred to Martin Luther King Jr. as "the world-class philanderer
who beat up his paramours" and who "seduced underage girls and boys."

* Another referred to Barbara Jordan, a civil rights activist and congresswoman
as "Barbara Morondon," the "archetypical half-educated victimologist."

Other newsletters had strange conspiracy theories about homosexuals, the CIA, and AIDS.

When the newsletter controversy came up again during the 2008 campaign,
Paul explained that he didn't actually write the newsletters but because
they carried his name he was morally responsible for their content.
Further, he didn't know exactly who wrote the offensive things and they didn't represent his views.

But it is still a serious issue. Jamie Kirchick reported in The New Republic
that Paul made nearly one million dollars in just one year from publishing the newsletters.
Could Paul really not understand the working of such a profitable operation?
<snip>
Winning the Iowa caucuses would change all that instantly.

Undoubtedly the movement that Paul inspired has moved far beyond
the race-baiting it engaged in two decades ago.
Young people from college campuses aren't lining up to hear him speak
because of what appeared in those newsletter about the 1992 L.A. riots
Rand Paul tried his hardest to place Paul-style libertarianism into the context of the Tea Party.
And he will likely carry on the movement without this 1990s baggage.

The article goes on to discuss how others view those Newletters,
particularly as they are not now as "relevant" as they were in the 80's.
.