The Republican primaries show that the GOP is still looking for Superman to beat President Obama, with Rick Santorum winning all 3 Caucuses in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota. In case anyone is counting, Rick Santorum has now won 4 states to Romney’s 3 states. Heavily supported by Evangelicals, Santorum stunningly pulled out an upset victory in Colorado, winning 40 % to Romney’s 35%--a state where Romney handily won in 2008 with 60% of the vote. Even the Republicans and particularly Romney are learning that 2012 will not be the same as 2008. And as for that enthusiasm gap, it exists in the Republican party where low voter turnout has been the norm throughout the primaries –so far. Santorum has propelled himself to the chief conservative rival alternative to Romney. And Newt Gingrich was non-existent with his dismal performance in all states. He didn’t even qualify in Missouri. I guess the Herman Cain endorsement didn’t help Newt Gingrich. And that goes ditto for Romney with the … [Read more...] about GOP Is Still Looking for Superman
Archives for February 2012
Commemorating National AIDS/ HIV Day – Valerie Jarrett
In Black History month, Valerie Jarrett writes about the 12th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day...saying I remember my sister-in-law's fight with the disease. Tragically, she did not win that fight -- she left behind a devastated husband and five-year old daughter. But it is in her memory, and the memory of all the friends and loved ones we have lost, that we vow to keep working toward the day when HIV/AIDS is history. This past December, on World AIDS Day, President Obama spoke about the United States' commitment to ending HIV/AIDS. In a speech at George Washington University, he told the audience, "Make no mistake, we are going to win this fight. But the fight is not over ... not by a long shot." To read more of Valerie Jarrett's article, click here For more information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and this Administration's efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the Black community, visit www.aids.gov. … [Read more...] about Commemorating National AIDS/ HIV Day – Valerie Jarrett
Why Is It Harder to Vote Than Fly?
Republican influenced photo voter ID laws enacted in fourteen states now make it harder to vote than to get through security screening at airports. Voter ID laws in over half the states, require voters to present some form of identification but fourteen states require a government issued photo ID. Voters in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin must present the exact photo ID prescribed by the state or be precluded from having their vote count. Six other states requiring photo ID’s allow some flexibility in the type of photo ID, but still require a photo ID. The GOP insists that the photo voter ID laws are necessary to protect against alleged voter fraud. A comparison of these strict state photo voter ID laws to the Transportation Security Administration’s (“TSA” ) requirements to fly show it is harder to vote than it is to fly. Republican proponents of strict photo voter ID laws argue that the same documents are needed to fly. Everyone … [Read more...] about Why Is It Harder to Vote Than Fly?
Is Mitt Romney Human?
Mitt Romney is winning Republican primaries but many Republicans still wonder if Mitt Romney is human. Democrats don’t want Mitt Romney to be president and neither do many conservative Republicans who think Mitt Romney is not human. I don’t mean to imply that Mitt is an alien. But, he doesn’t have the common touch for many of his fellow Republicans. And trying to find it is making him appear even less human. Being human shows there is a human side to your back story. President Obama spoke about being raised by a single mother; having a grandfather who fought in World War II, having a mother die of cancer without health insurance and being a compassionate community organizer upon graduating from law school.What is Mitt Romney's human story? Mitt Romney has a back story except it is not appealing to his constituency. So he changes his story to fit his base. Romney, a Mormon was a missionary during his early years. Being a missionary, I assume means he helped some poor folks. Yet, … [Read more...] about Is Mitt Romney Human?
Komen Foundation Brews Up Cancer Cure With Politics
The Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure entered the field of politics with its recent decision to deny future grants to Planned Parenthood of America. Within a day of Mitt Romney saying that he’s not interested in helping the poor, apparently the Komen Foundation has come to the same decision. Komen has reached irreconcilable differences with its supporters’ pro-life stance and Planned Parenthood’s abortion services. Planned Parenthood provides 750,000 breast cancer exams a year. Susan G. Komen’s grants have made it possible to provide 170,000 breast cancer exams and 6,000 mammogram referrals over the past 5 years. And 97% of Planned Parenthood’s services for the poor are not related to abortion services but to education, screening and prevention. Komen says it’s not a political decision. That’s like someone ending a romantic relationship and saying it’s not about you. Finding a cure for breast cancer should not be about politics, political party or position on abortion. Yet, … [Read more...] about Komen Foundation Brews Up Cancer Cure With Politics
Why Blacks Will Be Disenfranchised in November, 2012
As we remember Black Suffrage day on February 3, the day in 1870 when black men were granted voting rights with women following later in 1920, a move is now affront to take back those rights with new voter ID laws. Although, blacks were granted suffrage, it took almost another 100 years before blacks living in the south were able to exercise their rights without disenfranchisement. Blacks were systematically denied the right to vote in many southern states, due to poll tax laws. Poll tax laws requiring black voters to pay a tax to vote remained on the books until January, 1966. Today there is a Republican led move to revive them in the form of a modern day poll tax known as the new voter ID laws. In 2012, it is estimated that many blacks could again be denied the right to vote by having to pay money to vote—this time due to many new voter ID laws. Voter ID laws enacted now in over half the states, require voters to present some form of identification and fourteen states require a … [Read more...] about Why Blacks Will Be Disenfranchised in November, 2012