Brush With Fame in the Big City

I happened to be in New York City last week and as I was walking past the Fox News Channel Headquarters, Eric Bolling was standing outside with his producer and a staff member, so for those of you who know me won't be surprised I walked right up to him, said hello, introduced myself and initiated a conversation! Had a brief chat with him right before "The Five" and I think he was glad when he found out we are of the same political persuasion. I appreciate the time he and his producer took to chat and for the picture. It's always nice to see when someone's on-air persona matches their real life persona!

If you happen to be around on weekdays at 5PM, do watch "The Five" on the Fox News Channel. It's quickly becoming one of Fox News's best and a great replacement for Glenn Beck!

Newt Gingrich Fires Back

In response to the Iowa attacks by Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich has released the following web ad, titled "Pious Baloney:"



The rough but effective ad (note the song playing throughout) examines the conflicting statements made by Mitt Romney about how consistent a Conservative he is, his behavior in the campaign, as well as his reasoning for not being a "career politician."

This may not have much of a positive effect for Newt in New Hampshire for dethroning Romney at the top of the pole position, but come South Carolina and Florida, the information presented in this ad will be relevant.

Happy Days are Here Again???

At the beginning of this election cycle, we can hear the leftists celebrating, we can also hear the media celebrating. UNEMPLOYMENT IS DOWN 8.5%. But like every month, and even more so this year, if you read deeper into the statistics, you'll find out that the books are being cooked and IT'S ALL A LIE! (Newt, Rick, Mitt, etc, can we all talk about this? I'll even send you all my research so you have the evidence!!!)

Again, the number being reported is the U-3 rate; those receiving unemployment from a government source. Because it has fallen, the government fails to take into account that benefits have run out, they fall into U-6. Also, remember this is the December report, which means there were temporary jobs created (about 42,000 courier/delivery) and other retail. In college, I sold men's clothing on the Nordstrom sales floor, at two locations, and have seen temporary holiday hires come and go. By the end of this week at the close of the Half-Yearly Men's sale, they're gone. Other retail establishments let them go after New Year's Day. The unemployment rate is still high among Obama voting blocs: blacks at 16%, 18-29 year olds at 45% (Not the best thank you gift from this president, and if they vote for him again, Millennials will have an "Oliver Twist" moment, to be sure). For the United States, this is a crime! And it could all be solved by cutting government spending, axing ObamaCare and cutting federal taxes, but we will not see this president move on those initiatives, especially in an election year. Just more blaming corporations, the rich, rallying around unions, etc.

And unless this administration continues to flub these numbers, the following evidence will be showcased on future first Fridays in 2012:

- The holiday hires, from retail to couriers, are temporary and after New Year's Day, those jobs end.

- Macy's Inc is closing various Macy's and Bloomingdales, including some in significant metropolitan areas and malls.

- Sears/Kmart is closing 150 stores.

- Kodak is entering Chapter 11.

- Obama is cutting the military.

These numbers are a travesty and I will do all I can to make sure that Americans read past the hype and come to the realization these numbers are nothing more than lies to promote the president's record in preparation for a possible second term!

Michele Bachmann is Out

With yesterday's result in Iowa, Michele Bachmann has stepped aside and suspended her campaign.

With coming in dead last (Huntsman didn't campaign, so I don't count him in the Iowa "pole positions"), this exit was inevitable. While a good conservative, Bachmann's inexperience in an executive position and recent transition of tone to reciting sound bytes, also led to her exit. Furthermore, history was against Bachmannn; not because she is a woman, but because she is a Representative in Congress. A transition from Congress to the Presidency has not occurred in the United States since James Garfield in 1881. A Congressional Representative not in the leadership of their party, making the transition to the presidency, has never occurred, so history was heavily stacked against Bachmann.

Bachmann can continue to serve in Congress and should seek re-election in 2012, even if her district is radically changed, as a result of Minnesota losing a Congressional seat after reapportionment. The fact that Dayton has been gunning to cut/slice up her district combined with her passionate brand of conservatism was enough impetus for her to seek the Presidency, and with this run, Michele Bachmann had nothing to lose. If winning re-election in 2012, by 2014, she should consider running for the governorship in Minnesota, against Mark Dayton.

And then there were six...

Lessons of Iowa and Moving Forward to the Next States

In watching the returns from the 2012 Iowa Caucus, it looks to be a photo finish, and at 1:25AM, Rick Santorum has won by 18 votes. Many are looking at this as an upset, yet because of his ability to retail politic, this victory should not be considered a surprise. With little organization and less money, he defeated Mitt Romney, who started late in the Hawkeye State, but still had more money and a deeper organization.

In moving through the primary process, there are important lessons to take from Iowa. First, spending time in a state matters. The candidate needs to take the time to meet the voters, talk to the voters, attend town hall meetings, kiss the babies and eat the local cuisine the right way (learn the lesson from John Kerry's mistake). I have previously noted Rick Santorum's strength in this and this is why he had what some consider a David v. Goliath victory.

Second, it looks as though being "safe" and "cautious" is not going to win this race. Time and time again, I have stated that the winning candidate will have campaigned with "No Fear" and in the general election, will defeat the president in the same manner. For Mitt Romney, he had better get the memo and make some changes. We've seen examples of this already and I must add one more: calling the president a "nice guy." This phrase accepts the premise of the left and the establishment moderates that the president is personally popular. This president is tanking and the winning Republican must capitalize on his low numbers. If Mitt Romney wants this nomination, he must sharpen his rhetoric and more consistently embrace conservatism. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are now more closely breathing down his neck.

Third, negative ads matter and the candidate being attacked must respond. By not responding, the candidate in question allows the opponent to define that candidate. And following my previous "S**t on a Wall" theory, everything will get thrown and without a response, some may stick. Newt was damaged in Iowa by his lack of response and that is the primary reason he came in 4th. As the campaign progresses, he is still alive in the future races. Apparently, Newt has learned his lesson and will be be switching back to offense, come New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.

Fourth, Republicans want a candidate who will endorse a foreign policy that won't be destructive to the safety and security of the United States and their allies. Ron Paul's positions make the United States more vulnerable from attacks by our adversaries. He peaked tonight, this was disappointing to his campaign as Paul was expected to finish 1st or 2nd, and as a result of his 3rd place finish, will not, thank goodness, come anywhere near winning this nomination. And I honestly doubt he will run third party. He may gain some traction, but doing so damages his son, Rand Paul, the US Senator from Kentucky, in both his position in the US Senate and the Republican Party.

If Iowa is any indication, the Republican primary race is still wide open.

NFC East Champs and Off to the Playoffs

The clip above is WR Victor Cruz's touchdown catch and "Salsa celebration." He was a major contributor to the Giants victory over the Dallas Cowboys, awarding them the NFC East Championship and a home playoff game next week, where they will face the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite the crazy roster moves of General Manager Jerry Reese in the truncated off season due to the lockout, the Giants were successful this season. It wasn't always pretty, but they won at key times.

For years, the media has pummelled Tom Coughlin and while part of me thinks the Giants management used Reese to set up Coughlin's firing (he is in the last year of a contract), it looks like that move was an epic fail.

Tom Coughlin, the consummate professional, has made quite the impression on his team. He doesn't talk so much that he puts his foot in his mouth, he doesn't boast, he goes to work and lets his team do the talking with their play. He was handed a relatively inexperienced Offense, due to Reeese's moves, and dealt with a Defense decimated by injury throughout the season. It got ugly at times, but he didn't blow up, he didn't melt down, he didn't pull any stupid media stunts, he explained the situation to his team, while making sure they play by the rules, and imparted the idea to them that it's their play which will result in the Giants having a winning season or a losing season. Coughlin laid down the gauntlet and the team responded.

Throughout his NFL career, Eli Manning has played under Coughlin and has taken his fundamentals into his play, doing what he can to win. Many a fourth quarter comeback this season, Eli marched the offense down the field to save the day. Eli Manning, as his career progresses, has built himself into the durable, elite quarterback that can carry a team on his back, leading to his statistically best season.

Coughlin's coaching leadership and Manning's leadership through play has inspired many on this team to step up when it counts. Victor Cruz, in his second season, came into his own as a player, WR Hakeem Nicks had a stellar season, even with injury, and TE Jake Ballard is stepping up to be a fine replacement to TE Kevin Boss (which I believe was Reese's dumbest roster move) On the Defensive side of the ball, Jason Pierre-Paul and Michael Boley are emerging to be the young leaders of this defensive unit, stepping up to not only plug the holes we saw against New Orleans, but to save Perry Fewell's job as Defensive Coordinator.

The Giants naysayers are already stating how they won't advance past the Atlanta Falcons, but with the heart this team has shown the past few weeks, I'm not writing them off. Let us not forget about the 2007 season; Coughlin was against the wall, they survived through a slump and ended the season on a high note. There are some similarities and the playoff journey begins next Sunday, 1PM at MetLife Stadium!

New Years 2012

From all of us to all of you, Happy New Year! The last year, 2011, proved to be quite the exciting year, and 2012 surely will not disappoint. While many across the fruited plain are recovering from their New Years Eve hangovers, Iowa is gearing up for Tuesday for the first in the nation caucus, which begins the long primary road to see which Republican will challenge President Barack Obama in November.

New Years Day is always a day of choices, as we examine the path our year will take, so it's only right the electoral cycle begins today, as the results in November will determine the path the United States will take for years to come. Buckle up, as it's going to be an exciting year! All the best for a happy, healthy and successful 2012.