SANDERS KEEPS WINNING DELEGATES TO ASSURE HILLARY'S 2016 VICTORY (DELEGATE COUNTDOWN)

BERNIE SANDERS KEEPS WINNING DELEGATES TO ASSURE HILLARY'S 2016 VICTORY

I TOLD YOU SO.

Sources: CNN, Fox News, YouTube

For months I have been saying that U.S. Senator (I-Vt) is not a real challenger to 2016 Democrat party presidential front runner Hillary Clinton.

Anyone with half a brain can easily determine that Sanders was obviously recruited by key party leaders to help attract and fire up Undecided voters who aren't really feeling Hillary.

Thus regardless of the number of states Sanders wins, all Delegates are awarded to Hillary.

In essence, a vote for Bernie is actually a vote for Hillary.

I told you so!

**** Is Sanders doing Clinton a favor?

Story highlights

• Sanders is keeping it competitive, but even if he loses, he will have a powerful effect in November, writes Julian Zelizer
• He says Sanders has forced Clinton to adopt stances that will appeal more broadly to the Democratic base

Bernie Sanders' campaign gained new momentum with three commanding victories this weekend in Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. While Hillary Clinton maintains a comfortable lead in the delegate count, it looks as though it's going to be a long time before she can close this race. Sanders continues to excite, to inspire and, most importantly, to win. 

A key test will be the April 19 primary in New York, a state with a large population of minority voters, a group that has favored Clinton in other big contests.

The success of Sanders has been a huge surprise and disappointment to Clinton and her supporters. The once inevitable nominee has been forced to run in an extremely competitive primary against a challenger who has exposed many of her flaws and weaknesses.

Still, in the long run, Sanders may turn out to have been one of the best things to have happened to Clinton's campaign.

Assuming that she does win the nomination, Clinton will emerge as a much stronger candidate and her campaign operation will be in a better position for the fall, thanks to Sanders' insurgency. Unlike divisive primaries that hurt a political party -- such as Sen. Ted Kennedy's challenge to President Jimmy Carter in 1980 or, most likely, the internecine battle that is ravaging the GOP this year -- the Democrats will benefit as a result of the past few months.

How has Sanders helped? How could it be that the constant attacks on Clinton's domestic record, her connections to Wall Street and her judgment as a leader leave her in better shape than when she started? How can the sweeping wins in the West be anything but bad for the front-runner?

Economy and inequality are front and center

Thanks to Sanders, economic issues are now front and center in this campaign. While Sanders may be a single-issue candidate focused on inequality, it's a really big issue that he has dealt with. And it's one which, as the campaign in both parties has revealed, really resonates at this moment in history. Americans are tired of, and scared by, the growing economic divisions in our society as well as the insecurity that faces middle-class families.

In response to Sanders, Clinton has taken a stronger stand on these economic issues and worked harder to demonstrate her commitment to addressing these challenges if she should be elected president. Sanders has created room for Clinton, who has been a centrist Democrat, to be more unabashedly liberal in response to this problem, and this will help her.

Economic security is an issue that Democrats have historically done well with. This issue was at the heart of the New Deal, the formative period for the modern party.

Clinton has also responded to Sanders by clarifying other kinds of issues that will be central to her presidency. In her effort to distinguish herself from the senator, she has spoken much more about other issue areas that she would address, including the central questions of racial and gender inequality. Even if the government addressed economic inequality, she said, "we would still have racism holding people back. We would still have sexism preventing women from getting equal pay. We would still have LGBT people who get married on Saturday and fired on Monday." 

She has slowly crafted a set of arguments around a potential presidency that would address the multiple sources of division within this country. Doing so offers a path toward building a broad and diverse political coalition.

Building on Obama's gains

While Sanders offers a much more coherent political vision, Clinton has slowly developed an argument about her belief in pragmatic liberalism, which will hold considerable appeal to voters who are seeking real gains in the coming four years. With Sanders offering bold ideas like single-payer health insurance, Clinton has positioned herself as a liberal Democrat who understands that she will have to operate in a very conservative political world. 

This has pushed her to champion an argument about the ways that she would solidify and expand the gains that have been made under President Obama and move into new policy areas with specified and realistic measures. For many constituencies that are desperate to keep the programs that Obama achieved and hoping for more assistance, this argument can resonate.

For instance, Clinton proposes strengthening Obamacare with measures like a $5,000 per family tax credit to reduce the amount that Americans have to pay for premiums and out-of-pocket charges. She also would like to ensure that Americans could have three sick visits every year to their doctors without having to meet a deductible. She would also continue Obama's policy of providing federal money to match the spending of states which expand Medicaid, while investing in outreach programs to help individuals enroll.

Sanders took the high road

One of Sanders' biggest decisions was to keep the debate focused on policy rather than personality and character. Although some of his supporters have been frustrated that he has not gone after issues like the Clinton email scandal, the net result was to elevate the quality of the discourse within the Democratic Party. 

With the GOP embroiled in a low-level discussion that has even degenerated into comparing the photographs of spouses and the size of a candidate's hands, the Democrats have appeared as the adults in the room (even if not as much fun to watch) with a series of debates over policy. Democrats debate whether the regulatory approach of the Affordable Care Act or a single-payer health care system is more effective, at the same time that Donald Trump and his rivals engage in debates that are as far from presidential as they can be.

The ability of the Sanders campaign to mobilize Americans who have been alienated from politics can have very positive ramifications in the fall. He has inspired the progressive coalition of the Democratic Party -- which is a powerful, mobilized and motivated group that Democratic candidates have too often ignored in recent decades.

Key test for Clinton

If Clinton can find a way to sustain the support of the movement that Sanders has built, and if Sanders is willing to join forces with Clinton in the fall, this can be an extraordinarily effective electoral tool, particularly in swing states like Ohio and Florida. In 2008, Obama showed just how powerful new voices could be in determining the outcome of an election. If Clinton and Sanders can prevent voters, like younger Americans, from leaving the system once again, they could become part of a winning coalition in November.

This won't be easy. Clinton will have to work hard, reaching out to Sanders supporters and working with the senator himself to avoid squandering this opportunity. Through her vice presidential selection and word of potential cabinet picks, as well as concessions in the party platform, she will have to convince his followers that her appeals to his issues are more than campaign rhetoric. 

Finally the Sanders campaign was an early wake-up call for the Clinton team which, as in 2008, was running an incredibly sloppy and unstructured operation that was counting on Clinton's experience and intellectual skill to be enough to win the race. 

Sarah Palin & Glen Rice Hooked Up New Book Claims! Rice Confirms! Palin Is Silent

Sarah Palin had sex with basketball player, snorted cocaine and cheated on husband, book claims

Sarah Palin bedding a budding NBA star, snorting coke and cheating on the First Dude?

You betcha!


The scandalous details are revealed in the highly-anticipated tell-all "The Rogue: Searching for The Real Sarah Palin," written by best-selling author Joe McGinniss.

Palin bedded future pro hoops player Glen Rice while he was playing at the University of Michigan, the about the McGinniss book.

The sharp-shooting Rice - who spent one season with the Knicks - was playing in the annual "Great Alaska Shootout" while Palin was a sports reporter with Anchorage television station KTUU, the Enquirer said.

Their one-night stand over Thanksgiving weekend 1987 reportedly occurred in the dorm room of Palin's kid sister at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Palin was described by a friend as the aggressor, with the pal reporting "she hauled his ass down," the Enquirer said.

Less than a year later, Palin was pregnant by husband Todd and the couple eloped.

The book also repeated allegations - denied in the past by Palin - that she had a six-month affair with her husband's business partner in the mid-'90s.

The dalliance put a chill on the Palin marriage, with Todd complaining to friends about the loss of intimacy in their relationship, the Enquirer reported.

McGinniss, the author of "Fatal Vision" and "The Selling of the President," rented the house next door to the Palins in Wasilla while researching the bombshell book.

His agent, David Larabell, declined to comment on the Enquirer excerpts.

"As this is an embargoed book I can't comment on the specificity of its contents," Larabell wrote in an e-mail.

"Also, I haven't seen the National Enquirer article. I don't know about this instance, but they often get these reports right."

The book also reports that Palin was once seen snorting cocaine off the top of a 55-gallon drum while snowmobiling with friends. She also smoked pot with a professor while at Mat-Su College, the book says.

And it quotes a Palin family friend as saying that husband Todd Palin also snorted coke, describing him as "on the end of the straw plenty."

The Enquirer quoted a publishing source about the explosive stories contained in the 320-page book, due in stores next week.

There was no immediate response from the Palin camp.



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Sources: Miami Herald, National Enquirer, NY Daily News, Youtube, Google Maps

Romney Slapped By Palin's Revenge & "Romney Care" (New Hampshire)

Today On A Beautiful, Spring Day In New Hampshire, Former Massachusetts Governor & Author Of The "Romney Care" Health Care MANDATE, Mitt Romney Officially Announced His Bid For President In The 2012 Elections During A Press Conference.

Romney Who Stood Smiling, So Tall & Handsome, Seemed Enthusiastic As He Spoke Before A Small Audience Of Waiting Spectators.

Little Did He Know That Sarah "Barracuda" Palin (Same One Who QUIT Her Job)
Would Show Up To Ruin His Shining Moment With Her Empty, Ugly Rhetoric.

Palin Openly Attacked The ONLY GOP Candidate Who Might Actually Have A Sliver Of Chance Of Beating Pres. Obama In 2012.

I Personally Don't Believe Romney Can Beat Obama But If Romney Thinks He Can, Well That Remains To Be Seen.

Now Back To Sarah "Barracuda" Palin's New Hampshire Antics.

As I Was Saying While Mitt Romney Was Officially Announcing His Bid For President, Anti-GOP Establishment, Tea Party Queen, Job Quitter Sarah "Barracuda" Palin Also Held A Press Conference.

During Palin's Press Conference She Literally Blasted Romney For His Universal "Romney Care" Health Care Mandate & Cast Lots Of Doubt On Whether Or Not He's Tough Enough To Whip Pres. Obama In 2012.

By Tough Enough I'm Referring To Using Ugly, Racially-Divisive, "Southern Strategy" Rhetoric When Addressing Or Mentioning Pres. Obama's Name.

The SAME Ugly, Racially-Divisive Rhetoric That Cast Senator John McCain The 2008 Presidential Election.

Wait A Minute!

Didn't Romney Help Palin When She Was Campaigning For Alaska Governor's Seat Back In 2006?

Where's The Gratitude Sarah??

(Excuse Me But Isn't "Obama Care" The Same As "Romney Care" Except On A Much Larger Scale?)

Palin Claims She Is Against "Romney Care" & ALL Forms Of Invasive Government.

Now Since She Claims To Hate All Forms Of Invasive Government, I Wonder If Sarah "Barracuda" Palin Filed Her 2010 & 2009 Federal & State Income Taxes.

Today Palin Stole Romney's Limelight.

That's Right!

The SAME Palin Who Despises Barack Obama ONLY Because He's BLACK!

Now Why Would She Attempt To Destroy The GOP's ONLY Possible Republican Candidate For 2012?

Simple: Sarah "Barracuda" Palin Is JEALOUS!

Yeah I Said It!

She's Jealous!

Of What You Ask?

Although Palin Did Graduate From College (Took Her About 6 Years), She Still Appears To Lack Basic History, Foreign Policy & Geography Knowledge. i.e., GENUINE INTELLIGENCE!

While Its True She Was Elected Mayor Of Wasilla, Alaska & Later Governor Of Alaska, She Did So ONLY Due To Showmanship, Charisma & Her LOOKS!

NOT Due To GENUINE INTELLIGENCE!

(For The Record It Doesn't Take GENUINE INTELLIGENCE To Win Political Elections.)

In Fact Her Lack Of Intelligence, Along With Her Use Of Ugly, Racially-Divisive Rhetoric Is What Took Down McCain's 2008 Campaign.

Palin's Lack Of INTELLIGENCE Is Why She's JEALOUS Of Both Barack Obama Who Is Extremely INTELLIGENT & Skeptical Of Most GOP Establishment Politicians.

Now Do You Understand Why Palin Hates Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski?

Murkowski Is An INTELLIGENT, GOP Establishment Politician!

Something Sarah "Barracuda" Palin Wishes She Were But Will NEVER Be!!!

In Essence Because Most GOP Establishment Politicians Are Ashamed Of Palin's Lack Of INTELLIGENCE, They Have Sort Of Shut Her Out.

Oh Sure They Are Polite To Her But Do They Respect Her?

NO! Again I Say NO!

She's Kind Of An Embarrassment To The Republican Party.

(Remember Her Interview With Katie Couric?)

And This Explains Why She Helped Formed The Tea Party.

A Political Party Made Up Of Misfits, Hand-Me-Downs, Non-Establishment People Who Feel Just As Rejected As She Does.

Please Don't Get It Twisted!

I'm NOT Saying Tea Party People Are Stupid By Any Means!

To The Contrary!

Instead What I'm Referring To Is That Most Tea Party People Feel As Though They Have Been Ignored & Rejected By Mainstream, Establishment Politicians On Both Sides Of The Aisle, And Such Rejection Has Made Them Angry!

Sadly Enough Some Of Those Angry People Are Racist But NOT All.

But What Sarah "Barracuda" Palin Has Done Is Used The Anger & Sincerity Of Those Citizens For Her Own Evil Devices.

Palin Doesn't Care If She Ruins The GOP's Chances Of Offering Pres. Obama A Formidable Republican Opponent, One Whom He Will STILL Beat But Nevertheless At Least Give The Man Someone Worth His Time To Debate With On An INTELLIGENT Level!

Palin Doesn't Care Because She Seeks Revenge!

Who Benefits From Her Foolish Schemes?

Pres. Obama, Democrats & Independents!!

I LOVE IT!!

All Obama Supporters Love It!

I Leave You With This:

SO PALIN GO!

Please Keep Destroying The GOP's Chances Of Nominating Mitt Romney To Run Against Pres. Obama In 2012!

Please Keep Doing What You Do Best!

Creating DIVISION Within The Republican Party & Spewing Ugly, Racially-Divisive Rhetoric Against Pres. Barack Obama!

I Can Just See Myself At His 2nd Presidential Inauguration Ceremony & I Can Hardly Wait!

Thanks Sarah "Barracuda"!!

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

Romney opens 2012 White House bid challenging Obama

Republican Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama has failed the United States and is pitching himself as an alternative who can fix the nation's ailing economy.

The former Massachusetts governor on Thursday made official his White House run and offered a blistering critique of President Barack Obama. Romney says he would rein in Washington spending and put the country on a course toward economic recovery.

Romney, the closest thing to a frontrunner in a Republican field that lacks one, made his announcement in New Hampshire, a state crucial to his strategy. He came in second place in New Hampshire during his 2008 bid and has invested heavily in the state since.

During a farm visit, Romney said his first priority will be to make America the world's top job creator.

His pitch was tailored to the conservatives who hold great sway in picking the GOP's presidential nominee in Iowa and South Carolina — and the independents who are the largest political bloc in New Hampshire. And it is as much a thesis on his viability as it is an indictment of Obama's leadership.

"A few years ago, Americans did something that was, actually, very much the sort of thing Americans like to do: We gave someone new a chance to lead, someone we hadn't known for very long, who didn't have much of a record but promised to lead us to a better place," Romney said, describing the man he hopes to meet head-to-head in November 2012.

"At the time, we didn't know what sort of a president he would make. ... Now, in the third year of his four-year term, we have more than promises and slogans to go by. Barack Obama has failed America."

In the speech, the former Massachusetts governor launches into a scathing critique of Washington, a place where he has never served.

Decrying federal spending, the one-term governor promised, "My generation will pass the torch to the next generation, not a bill."

Romney comes to a presidential contest that lacks a front-runner. In the past week, the still-forming field became less certain with hints that Texas Gov. Rick Perry was considering a bid. Tea party darling Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is inching toward a run, perhaps giving the anti-tax,libertarian-leaning grassroots movement a candidate to rally around.

Romney sought to claim a slice of that constituency when describing families struggling to get by.

"It doesn't matter if they are Republican or Democrat, independent or libertarian," Romney said. "They're just Americans ... an American family."

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, her party's 2008 vice presidential nominee, continued a bus tour that not only highlighted her potential to upend the race but also served as a contrast to the lackluster enthusiasm for those already running for president. She was set to appear in New Hampshire at a clambake Thursday, although her aides and advisers were not providing schedules and her supporters in the state were left looking for guidance.

Shift in strategy

Romney has built an experienced political team, collected serious campaign cash and crafted a campaign that is ready to go full-bore. While his likely opponents have jostled for the spotlight, Romney largely has worked in private to fine-tune his political machine. He has chosen to weigh in through statements and editorial pages instead of interviews with journalists or town hall-style meetings with voters.

On Friday, Romney starts to shift that strategy. He has scheduled his first town hall meeting for Manchester and later planned to speak at a Faith and Freedom forum in Washington.

Party leaders have yet to rally around him. Romney hopes his tough talk will inspire support.

"We are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy," he said, decrying Obama's health care overhaul — a federal version of the one Romney signed into law for Massachusetts.

"From my first day in office my No. 1 job will be to see that America once again is No. 1 in job creation," he said.


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Sources: ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NY Times, Wikipedia, Youtube, Google Maps

Palin's Possible 2012 Run: "Southern Strategy" & Katie Couric Interview

As it relates to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) jumping into the GOP's 2012 Presidential Bid Circus to run against Barack Obama, I'll believe it when I see it.

But for right now I don't see it!

Why?

Because she resigned from her official state job as Governor to go on book tours, why would anyone in their right minds want to support her or believe she is Committed to helping govern an entire country?

In addition let's not forget her foolish answers in 2008 to Journalist Katie Couric's Interview questions regarding Foreign Policy, U.S. Supreme Court Justices & What types of books she reads.

You know the SAME interview which earned Entertainer Tina Fey an Emmy or two for mocking Palin.

Man that skit was so funnnny!

So do you really think she is intellectually capable of winning a debate against Barack Obama or beating him in a General Election?

Please People!

Hold It!

Sarah Palin may Not be the most Intelligent Woman on the planet, however she isn't Stupid by a long stretch.

In fact she's the Queen of Cunning & Subtle Racist Tea Party Rhetoric!

Sarah Palin has made it no secret what her plans are for 2012 & that she absolutely despises Pres. Barack Obama.

Simply because he's BLACK!

Not Because of "his Policies" as she so often claims when granting interviews to the Fox News network.

What are her plans for 2012?

To stir up as much Racial Hatred in the South & within the state of Arizona as possible!

Sarah Palin truly believes that if she can stir up Racial Hatred in Southern States & Arizona, she will help the GOP win big time in 2012.

Now how do I know her devious scheme is being fueled by Racism?

Because when George W. Bush was in the White House I NEVER heard a peep out of Sarah Palin about Bush's Policies.

NOT even about his "War On Terror", Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wall Street Deregulation, etc., NOTHING!!

However suddenly Barack Obama comes on the scene & she becomes this raving Political idiot!

And who cost Senator John McCain the 2008 Presidential Race?

Sarah Palin's Racially Divisive "Southern Strategy" tactics.

Yes she's the reason why so mannnnnny Young White Voters decided to cast their ballots for Barack Obama.

For some dumb reason both Sarah Palin & Newt Gingrich think that Richard Nixon's Racist, Southern Strategy plan STILL works today.

Well guess what?

It doesn't!!

Not Many Registered Voters Support or Endorse that Crazy, Racist, GOP Tea Party Rhetoric anymore.

People want Solutions NOT Division!

Just as long as they can provide EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS, who cares if the person best suited to help provide those solutions is Black Or White?

So if anyone thinks Sarah Palin will actually run against Barack Obama in 2012, perhaps you need YOUR head examined!

But if Palin thinks that by continuing to exercise Richard Nixon's Ineffective, Racially Divisive, Southern Strategy Political tactics the Republican Party will win back the White House, perhaps she needs HER head examined!

Remember NY-26 & VOTE OBAMA IN 2012!











She's Back!

As if on cue, Sarah Palin announced Thursday that she is launching a multi-state bus tour this weekend that will have her visit a number of states with important presidential primaries.

The trip will begin in Washington, D.C., on Sunday and then move on to New England, where Palin is expected to make her first stop in New Hampshire since running as the Republican VP nominee in 2008.

From Palin’s new SarahPAC website:

"The 'One Nation Tour' is part of our new campaign to educate and energize Americans about our nation's founding principles, in order to promote the Fundamental Restoration of America."

Original post at 9:49 a.m.: And just like that, she’s back in the headlines.

For the past several weeks, Sarah Palin had been largely relegated to the pile of possible-in-theory-but-unlikely-in-reality Republican candidates who were mentioned in passing as political pundits and journalists speculated on the 2012 GOP field. But, at least for now, the former Alaska governor has squeezed back into the conversation.

The fresh round of media speculation built quietly over the past several days, but by Thursday had broken through to the front page of the New York Times (“Recent Moves by Palin Hint At Candidacy”). The Wall Street Journal, likewise, offers its own take in an A7 article that leads with news about Palin’s new Arizona home.

The latest batch of articles – which also included an Associated Press story, as well as ones by Politico, the National Journal and a number of regional newspapers – are pegged to a string of recent Palin developments.

First, there was last week’s declaration that she does, indeed, have the “fire in the belly” needed to stage a bid. Then, there is her reported new $1.7 million Scottsdale home, which would give the former Alaska governor a more ideal travel hub from which to base a campaign. Throw in the rehiring of a few key staffers, the launch of a new SarahPAC website, and news of an upcoming feature film about her set for a June premiere in Iowa, and the speculation certainly seems warranted.

While Palin is unlikely to provide clarity any time soon, the renewed focus on the former Republican VP nominee will continue to cause headaches for the current crop of GOP candidates, as well as the party establishment that is hoping to rally support around them.

A Palin run would face plenty of obstacles, but her name recognition and strong base of supporters is undeniable. In the most recent Gallup poll, completed after Mike Huckabee and Mitch Daniels officially dropped out of the race, Palin trails frontrunner Mitt Romney by only two percent, 17-15. Of course, as Slate’s David Weigel notes, 15 percent is about half of what she got in the very first survey of this primary season.


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Sources: CBS, NBC, Slate, Wikipedia, World Socialist Web Site, Google Maps

Obama Admin. Oks Domestic Oil Drilling In Alaska; Palin's Turf!

On Today's Weekly Address Video Pres. Obama Announced His Administration's Policies & Plans To Expand Safe Domestic Drilling For Oil In Alaska.

I Bet Sarah Palin Is Probably Fuming & Cursing Up A Storm Right About Now! Ha Ha Ha!


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Sources: White House.gov, Youtube, Google Maps

Sarah Palin Plagued By Death Threats After Tucson Shooting

Death Threats Against Sarah Palin Spike After Tucson, Arizona Shooting


It's not just the criticism of Sarah Palin that's increasing in the wake of the Tucson shooting -- death threats against her are too. according to the former Alaska governor's aides.

"There has been an incredible increase in death threats against Gov. Palin since the tragedy in Arizona, since she's been accused of having the blood of those victims on her hands," Palin aide Rebecca Mansour told USA Today.

"When you start to accuse people of having the blood of innocent people on their hands, it incites violence," she added.

Shortly after the shootings, Palin's critics drew a correlation between the deadly massacre and a map Palin had posted in the fall showing crosshairs over opponents' districts including Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot during the rampage.

Dozens of Twitter users called for Palin's death, shortly after the bloodbath in Tucson, the Daily Caller reported.

Calling herself a victim of "blood libel," the former vice-presidential candidate blasted claims that she was to blame for the violence in
Arizona.

"After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event," she said in a video posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday insisting the bloodbath was the act of one "deranged" man.

Both sides of the political aisle have tried to blame the other for alleged gunman Jared Loughner's act of violence.

Fox News host Glenn Beck suggested on Monday that Palin increase her security in light of the anger fueled toward the 46-year-old, who is rumored to run for President in 2012.

"An attempt on you could bring the Republic down," he said.


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Sources: ABC News, CBS News, NY Daily News, Twitter, Youtube, Google Maps

Wikileaks Release Obama's Fault? Palin Says Yes

Serious Questions about the Obama Administration's Incompetence In The Wikileaks Fiasco



We all applaud the successful thwarting of the Christmas-Tree Bomber and hope our government continues to do all it can to keep us safe. However, the latest round of publications of leaked classified U.S. documents through the shady organization called Wikileaks raises serious questions about the Obama administration’s incompetent handling of this whole fiasco.

First and foremost, what steps were taken to stop Wikileaks director Julian Assange from distributing this highly sensitive classified material especially after he had already published material not once but twice in the previous months?

Assange is not a “Journalist,” any more than the “editor” of al Qaeda’s new English-language magazine Inspire is a “journalist.” He is an anti-American operative with blood on his hands. His past posting of classified documents revealed the identity of more than 100 Afghan sources to the Taliban. Why was he not pursued with the same urgency we pursue al Qaeda and Taliban leaders?

What if any diplomatic pressure was brought to bear on NATO, EU, and other allies to disrupt Wikileaks’ technical infrastructure?

Did we use all the cyber tools at our disposal to permanently dismantle Wikileaks? Were individuals working for Wikileaks on these document leaks investigated? Shouldn’t they at least have had their financial assets frozen just as we do to individuals who provide material support for terrorist organizations?

Most importantly, serious questions must also be asked of the U.S. intelligence system. How was it possible that a 22-year-old Private First Class could get unrestricted access to so much highly sensitive information?

And how was it possible that he could copy and distribute these files without anyone noticing that security was compromised?

The White House has now issued orders to federal departments and agencies asking them to take immediate steps to ensure that no more leaks like this happen again. It’s of course important that we do all we can to prevent similar massive document leaks in the future. But why did the White House not publish these orders after the first leak back in July? What explains this strange lack of urgency on their part?

We are at war. American soldiers are in Afghanistan fighting to protect our freedoms. They are serious about keeping America safe. It would be great if they could count on their government being equally serious about that vital task.


- Sarah Palin




Palin Slams Obama Administration Over Wikileaks "Fiasco"



High ranking members of the current administration are not the only ones criticizing the dumping of hundreds of classified U.S. government documents by the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks - possible 2012 presidential contender and former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin is also venting her frustration.

In a post published on the social networking site Facebook on Monday, Palin slams the Obama administration over the document leak saying,"...the latest round of publications of leaked classified U.S. documents through the shady organization called Wikileaks raises serious questions about the Obama administration's incompetent handling of this whole fiasco."

Since this weekend, Wikileaks has published hundreds of classified U. S. diplomatic messages, the first of what the organization says is a quarter million similar documents.

In addition to being published on Wikileaks website, the documents were acquired in advance by five major newspapers in Europe and the U. S. (The New York Times, The Guardian of the UK, El Pais of Spain, Le Monde of France, and Der Spiegel of Germany.) CNN declined a last minute offer to discuss advance access to some of the documents because of a confidentiality agreement requested by Wikileaks that CNN considered unacceptable.

(CNN is committed to carefully and responsibly reporting on the documents already published by Wikileaks and the five newspapers, focusing not only on what the leaked documents say, but also what their publication means for global relations and U. S. diplomacy.)

Earlier on Monday, Palin sent a tweet in which she intoned that preventing the leak was possible, and compared it to an order by a U.S. federal court judge which stopped the gossip website Gawker from publishing excerpts of her book online prior to the book's official release date.

"Inexplicable: I recently won in court to stop my book "America by Heart" from being leaked, but US Govt can't stop Wikileaks' treasonous act?" Palin said in the tweet.

The jurisdiction for Palin's case against Gawker was the American court system; Wikileaks, an international entity whose site is hosted overseas, is not subject to the same jurisdiction.

In her Facebook post, Palin cited issues with the security of military intelligence following the Wikileaks release of 76,000 classified U.S. government documents in July.

"Most importantly, serious questions must also be asked of the U.S. intelligence system. How was it possible that a 22-year-old Private First Class could get unrestricted access to so much highly sensitive information? And how was it possible that he could copy and distribute these files without anyone noticing that security was compromised?," Palin said in the post.

She also criticized the White House for a "lack of urgency" in preventing future leaks.

"It's of course important that we do all we can to prevent similar massive document leaks in the future," Palin said. "But why did the White House not publish these orders after the first leak back in July? What explains this strange lack of urgency on their part?"

Palin did give the government credit for one thing: stopping an Oregon teen who was arrested, law enforcement officials said, after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near a tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday.

"We all applaud the successful thwarting of the Christmas-Tree Bomber and hope our government continues to do all it can to keep us safe," Palin said.


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Sources: CNN, Facebook, NY Daily News, Google Maps

Barbara Bush vs Sarah Palin: "I Hope She'll Stay In Alaska"

George, Barbara Bush: "Palin Stay Home; We're No Political Dynasty"


Jeb Bush would make a good president, but the former Florida governor has no intention of running for the Oval Office in 2012, according to his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

The elder Bush made the comment in an exclusive interview to be broadcast Monday night on "Larry King Live."

In the hour-long interview, Bush and his wife, Barbara, discussed their lives and their relationship with another son -- former President George W. Bush. While the Bushes spoke with obvious pride of their family and accomplishments, they rejected talk of a Bush political dynasty, even when reminded that they are one of only two father-son presidential families in American history.

Asked if Jeb was thinking about running for president in 2012, his father responded: "I don't think he is. In fact, I know he's not."

"But would he be a good president? Absolutely," Bush continued. "And don't just take that from a father's prejudice view. I mean, he's a good man, he performed as governor, he's well-spoken, he's not an extremist, he's not a wild guy that attributes bad motives to those that disagree with him, and he's good. And people that know him and hear him say the same thing. I think the bottom line is, he just doesn't want to try, doesn't want to do it."

Both Bushes mentioned former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as a possible Republican contender for a likely race against incumbent President Barack Obama two years from now.

"He's a reasonable guy," George Bush said of Romney. "He's a Conservative fellow, that's good. But no, I think he'd be a good president, a very good president."

Barbara Bush also mentioned Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour as a possible GOP contender, and made clear that she doesn't favor former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the running.

"I sat next to her once. Thought she was beautiful," Barbara Bush said of Palin. "And she's very happy in Alaska, and I hope she'll stay there."

Both Bushes agreed that a woman president is a certainty for the United States, with George Bush saying: "That's what they call a 'gimme' in golf, I think. It's going to happen. I don't know who, or when, but I would say fairly soon."

The former president seemed uncertain when asked about the conservative Tea Party movement, which has taken the Republican establishment by storm.

"I don't know what it really is," Bush said. "Some of the ideas make a lot of sense. But ... I noticed in the paper today they were talking about what the Tea Party would do to get the Republicans in Congress to do something. Well, these people have all been elected whether they're Tea Partiers or not. So I'm confused by it, frankly."

But, he quickly added, "I think it's all right."

The former first couple also talked about George W. Bush's new book, "Decision Points," which details some of the crucial moments of his eight years as president.

"I loved the book," Barbara Bush said. "I thought it was very frank. He's not trying to write a biography, he's trying to tell how it is in the White House."

Her husband agreed that it was "good" and "from the heart."

"I think he's done a good job selling the darn thing, he's been out there all over the place," the former president said.

History will be kind to his son "because he's a man of principle, did what he said he was going to do, kept our country safe in the first time we were really attacked" on September 11, 2001, Bush said.

In particular, he praised one of his son's most controversial decisions -- to invade Iraq in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

"Saddam Hussein is no longer around, and that in itself makes it the right thing," Bush said. "Now, do you worry about the large loss? Of course, you do. But I think he made a courageous decision, proper decision, and we forget that Congress and many people in the press wanted to bring down Saddam Hussein, and George stepped up to the plate and did something about it."

At the same time, the former president acknowledged that the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a main reason for the invasion, "was a great disappointment" to his son.

"But that doesn't mean that the mission itself isn't worthwhile," Bush said.

The Bushes also discussed rarely mentioned events in their lives -- the loss of a daughter to leukemia as well as a later miscarriage -- which are included in George W. Bush's new book.

"He wanted to point out -- barely a child -- but he wanted to point out how close we were," Barbara Bush said of her son, who asked her permission to include the miscarriage story in his book. "And I must say, he was the cutest guy you ever saw. Just 14, no socks on, drove me to the hospital like a grown-up man and paced the hall and some woman said, 'Don't worry, your wife will be fine.' "

While the Bushes have undergone some physical problems in recent years -- Barbara Bush revealed in the interview she has recovered from heart troubles and a perforated ulcer, while George Bush said he has leg problems -- the former president made clear that he intends to skydive once more on his 90th birthday in 2014.

"It's all set," he said. "We go with the Golden Knights and they've committed to it."


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Sources: CNN, Google Maps

Gawker vs Sarah Palin: Left Wing Media Loses!

Gawker Loses Round With Sarah Palin



A Federal Judge on Saturday ordered the website Gawker to pull down unauthorized excerpts from Sarah Palin’s forthcoming book, “America by Heart,” until a hearing scheduled for Nov. 30.

On Saturday evening, the link was broken to Gawker’s scoop, “Sarah Palin’s New Book: Leaked Excerpts,” which included 14 images of partial pages from the book, scheduled for publication Tuesday.

A two-page order signed Saturday by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Griesa, who sits in Manhattan, says: “Gawker is temporarily retrained and enjoined from continuing to distribute, publish or otherwise transmit pages" of the book.

See the order here.

POLITICO has asked Gawker for a comment about the judge’s order, and will add it.

On Tuesday, the former Alaska governor begins a book tour of 16 heartland cities. The book, "America by Heart : Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag," is described by her publisher, Harper Collins, as "an intimate and personal look at the woman behind the public servant," including "selections from classic and contemporary readings that have moved her — from the nation’s founding documents to great speeches, sermons, letters, literature and poetry, biography and even some of her favorite songs and movies."

Palin's previous book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," was a No. 1 best-seller. Her new book comes as speculation increases about the possibility she will run for president in 2012. She told The New York Times Magazine that she was "engaged in the internal deliberations" about a race. When asked by ABC's Barbara Walters whether she could beat President Barack Obama, Palin replied: "I believe so."

HarperCollins said in a statement after the judge's ruling that on Friday, “HarperCollins sued Gawker for copyright infringement after Gawker posted several pages from Sarah Palin's as-yet unpublished book, 'America by Heart,' on its website. [On Saturday], Judge Thomas Griesa of the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Gawker from posting pages of the book pending a hearing on HarperCollins' motion for a preliminary injunction, to be held on Nov. 30.”

HarperCollins had announced the litigation in an earlier statement: “We believe that the reprinting of pages from Gov. Palin's book without permission constitutes a blatant infringement of copyright. HarperCollins sent a cease and desist letter to Gawker, which was ignored. Accordingly, HarperCollins has filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York to stop the infringement and to protect our legal rights in the content of the book.”

The disputed Gawker post began: “Well, look what popped up five days early: leaks from Sarah Palin's forthcoming memoir/manifesto, America By Heart, in which the reality TV matriarch rants against ‘talent deprived’ reality TV stars, lauds daughter Bristol's chastity and celebrates not aborting Trig. … The book is currently in distribution centers, awaiting its official release on Tuesday. We got our hands on some of the pages … Here's an annotated guide to our favorite parts, featuring rants against the media and new material about Bristol and Levi.”

Gawker later taunted Palin in a post titled, “Sarah Palin Is Mad at Us for Leaking Pages From Her Book.”

“Did you catch the excerpt we posted yesterday from Sarah Palin's new book? Sarah did. She tweets with rage: ‘The publishing world is LEAKING out-of-context excerpts of my book w/out my permission? Isn't that illegal?’ [Sarah: If you're reading this — and if you are, welcome! — you may want to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the law … ].”

Gawker showed the dedication page, which says “For Trig: I’m glad you’re here.” The page also quotes Thomas Paine, “Founding Father,” as saying: “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”


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Sources: AP, Facebook, Gawker, MSNBC, Politico, Youtube, Google Maps

Lisa Murkowski Makes Write-In History; Miller Asked To Concede

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Lisa Murkowski Salutes 'Miracle' Win


At a news conference in Anchorage on Wednesday evening, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski declared victory for her historic write-in campaign to keep her seat.

In a speech to supporters, Murkowski frequently invoked that man she called her political mentor, the late Sen. Ted Stevens, as she described her “miracle” of a comeback campaign.

“Ted’s motto was ‘To hell with politics, let’s do what’s right for Alaska,’” Murkowski told supporters. “And that’s what we did. We let that be the driver.”

Murkowski leads Republican Joe Miller by more than 10,000 votes. The Associated Press has declared Murkowski the victor — however, Miller has yet to concede, citing voting problems in several precincts and saying he might request a recount if the margin is close.

Yet fresh off a plane flight from Washington, Murkowski confidently said her campaign made history as the first victorious write-in bid for Senate in 56 years, since Strom Thurmond prevailed in South Carolina.

“They told us this could not be done and we all heard it,” said Murkowski. “What a wild, wild thing that we were doing. What a chance, what a risk, but for the right thing.”

In what Murkowski described as an age of voter “apathy,” she hailed the more than 100,000 people who wrote her name down on their respective ballots. She said Alaskans “showed their intent with every letter” they wrote in the ballot – a veiled knock at Miller, who has filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that voters must spell her name correctly, instead of election officials judging ballots based on voter intent.

Murkowski leads Miller by 2,247 votes among uncontested ballots, plus there are an additional 8,153 votes for the senator that have been challenged by the Miller campaign for reasons such as incorrect spelling and arguably illegible penmanship. The fate of those ballots could end up in court, although that is highly unlikely given what appears to be an insurmountable lead for Murkowski among unchallenged ballots.

Murkowski declared her victory just hours before Nov. 18 — the first official “Ted Stevens Day” in Alaska – and with some members of late senator’s family present. She recalled what Stevens, who died in a plane crash two weeks before the Republican primary in August, said was his motto for his squadron in World War II: “We do the impossible immediately; Miracles take a little longer.”

“Well tonight, after eight weeks, I think we can say our miracle is here,” said Murkowski.





Joe Miller Asked To Concede To Lisa Murkowski By Alaska GOP

History, the GOP, the tea party, Sarah Palin and her own mouthful of a name worked against her. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski conquered them all Wednesday, becoming the first Senate candidate in more than 50 years to win a write-in campaign.

The victory is a remarkable comeback for Murkowski, who lost to political newcomer Joe Miller in the GOP primary, and a humbling moment for Palin, the former Alaska governor, 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate and Murkowski nemesis whose support was not enough to get Miller through an election in her own backyard.

The outcome became clear after a tedious week of counting handwritten ballots. Alaska election officials confirmed they had only about 700 votes left to count, with Murkowski ahead by 10,400 votes. Miller has challenged 8,153 of the ballots counted for Murkowski, but he would still be behind even if he won every challenge.

Murkowski declared victory after flying from Washington, D.C., to Alaska on Wednesday, exactly two months after announcing her write-in bid.

"Doesn't it just feel like, wow," she said at an Anchorage rally. "It feels a little bit mind-boggling."

She called for Unity and wished Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams, who conceded last week, well. Then she called for a night of celebration, telling supporters that "against all odds, we as Alaskans, together, made history."

Miller said he may ask for a re-count. Miller has maintained he'll stop fighting if the math doesn't work in his favor, and his spokesman, Randy DeSoto, said late Wednesday that Miller will discuss matters with his campaign and legal teams, and "decisions will be made shortly."

The state GOP, which backed Miller, called the race for Murkowski and asked Miller to withdraw. Murkowski's run caused a rift, and state GOP chairman Randy Ruedrich – whom Miller once tried to oust – said the party "stands ready to embrace Lisa Murkowski as Alaska's only Republican U.S. senator."

"We call on Joe Miller to respect the will of the voters and end his campaign in a dignified manner," Ruedrich said.

Murkowski will return to Washington owing nothing to tea party activists, who largely opposed her, or to the Republican Party, which supported Miller after the primary. Though she plans to caucus with Republicans, she said she won't be beholden to any special interests or party – an initial sign that she may not try to reclaim her leadership post within the GOP conference. She voluntarily resigned it in deciding to make her outsider run.

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She's already standing against the tea party on one hot issue – earmarks that allow lawmakers to steer federal spending to pet projects. Former GOP defenders including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell now want to ban earmarking, but Murkowski say a ban won't do much to reduce federal spending and would leave bureaucrats to decide spending priorities.

Murkowski's write-in bid almost didn't happen. After losing to Miller in August she went back and forth before deciding to run, saying she had been encouraged by Alaskans who wanted an alternative between the conservative Miller and the little-known Democratic nominee.

The last Senate candidate to win as a write-in was Strom Thurmond in 1954, and no write-in campaign on this scale had ever succeeded in Alaska. But the long-shot nature of Murkowski's campaign seemed to invigorate the senator and her team.

She showed a fire she'd lacked during the primary, when she referred to Miller as "my opponent" and fell victim to aggressive last-minute attack ads by the Tea Party Express.

This time, she pounced on Miller's every misstep. While she still stressed her seniority and her willingness to be a voice for all Alaskans, her speeches sounded more like rallies than lectures, generally ending in her leading a raucous chorus of supporters in spelling her name: "M-U-R, K-O-W, S-K-I."

"She just had a fire in her belly to do this not for herself but for the large number of people, literally hundreds, who begged her to do this," said John Tracy, who worked on her ad team.

Murkowski wasn't the typical write-in candidate: She enjoyed widespread name recognition as Alaska's senior senator and daughter of a local political dynasty, and had a $1 million-plus bank account.

Miller, meanwhile, had several missteps after the primary. Court documents were released showing that he had been suspended as a government employee for using work computers for partisan political work and lying about it. In other miscues, his security detail handcuffed a journalist asking questions at a town hall meeting, and it was revealed his family received many government handouts that he railed against as a tea party candidate.

Murkowski's victory became apparent after days of ballot counters and observers scrutinizing the handwriting of more than 100,000 ballots bearing her name.

It was a process unlike any Alaska had seen, with the rules for conducting the election written as the race went on. That provided the crux of Miller's federal complaint – that the determination of votes was subjective and not strictly in line with election law. The law calls for write-in ballots to have the oval filled in and either the candidate's last name or name as it appears on their declaration of candidacy written.

Miller observers, seeking to hold the state to that standard, objected to thousands of ballots, including ones with a cursive letter or two, slight misspellings or mangled lettering. The campaign even challenged ballots that read "Lisa Murkowski Republican" or "Murkowski, Lisa."

Murkowski told supporters at Wednesday night's rally that "after eight weeks, I think we can say our miracle is here."

"I promised during this campaign that I would do everything, everything that I could do to best represent you," Murkowski said, her voice shaking at times. She added later: "I pledge to you today and from this day forward that I will do everything that I can to keep that commitment to you all."

There's no threshold for demanding a re-count, but if Miller is more than roughly 950 votes behind Murkowski, he will have to pay for it himself. The state hopes to certify the race Nov. 29; the deadline to then request a re-count is Dec. 4.

Murkowski, 53, was appointed to the Senate seat long held by her father when he became governor in 2002; she won the seat in her own right two years later, in a narrow win over Democrat Tony Knowles. Her father was ousted in the 2006 gubernatorial primary by Palin, contributing to the icy relationship between the two families.

Levi Russell, a spokesman for the California-based Tea Party Express, told The Associated Press that Murkowski's failure to win a majority in the race "demonstrates a rejection of her well-known policies."

While disappointed in the race's outcome, Russell said the group stands behind its strategy and Miller. "We continue to feel that Joe Miller is more in concert today with the people in Alaska, who are concerned about the growth and intrusiveness of the federal government with the higher taxes, deficits and national debt," he said.

The win comes a day before what would have been Sen. Ted Stevens' 87th birthday. Stevens, a legend in Alaska for bringing home billions in federal aid and projects during his 40 years in the Senate, was one of Murkowski's biggest supporters, and a mentor. He died in a plane crash two weeks before the primary. Members of Stevens' family were at Wednesday night's rally.

Murkowski invoked his legacy during her write-in campaign as something she wanted to carry on.


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Sources: Huffington Post, MSNBC, NY Mag., Politico, Google Maps