Newt 2008?

The informal poll for 2008 Republican Presidential candidates is below with the post regarding a possible Giuliani candidacy. Remember, you have five votes to assign to any potential GOP candidate or candidates.

Since Giuliani got first mention, I thought it only fair to give some equal time to another potential candidate, former Speaker of the House, and probably the smartest man in the bunch, Newt Gingrich.

From an interview with Newsweek, posted at Newt.Org:

Newsweek: Are the Democrats squandering their opportunity?

Newt: Somebody from the [Washington] Post called me today and said they were very struck that the Democrats had just lost the language war over this debate on . He said, "What would your advice be?" I said, "Change policies." This is a core problem they have. ... I don't think you can write a Contract with Vermont and San Francisco . I think the problem the Democrats have right now—you see it in the most important primary this year, the Joe Lieberman election. Al Gore has refused to endorse his vice presidential running mate. A party which is so driven by its left that—I don't know if you saw the blogger meeting in Las Vegas ? From the standpoint of an average American, some of that stuff was weird. Candidates out there run a risk of resembling the people they're trying to appeal to. Normal people I think become distanced by that stuff. I think the Republican Party has few allies more effective than the Daily Kos. It puts them into an echo chamber of listening to each other. There was a reason [2004 Democratic presidential nominee John] Kerry looked normal—because Howard Dean looked so strange. So you have Dean as national chair, you have Gore coming back as a true left winger to Hillary's left, you have Lieberman unacceptably pro-national security, you have Nancy Pelosi from San Francisco... Let's drop Nancy Pelosi into a typical exurban swing district and see how she does. You listen to her talk and it's all about the counterculture, unilateral disarmament type of babble.

You will want to read the rest here.

Thanks to The City Troll for suggesting this particular gem.

Giuliani to Run for President in 2008?

From Robert Novak at TownHall.Com:

Well-connected public figures report that they have been told recently by Rudolph Giuliani that, as of now, he intends to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

The former mayor of New York was on top of last month's national Gallup poll measuring presidential preferences by registered Republicans, with 29 percent. Sen. John McCain's 24 percent was second, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich third at 8 percent. National polls all year have shown Giuliani running either first or second to McCain, with the rest of the presidential possibilities far behind.

Is Giuliani Too Liberal for Conservatives?

Many pundits wonder if Rudy isn't too liberal for conservatives, especially when it comes to primary voters in my home state of South Carolina. I would ask: Is a mayor who cleaned up New York city, dropped the crime rate at the same time he dropped the tax rate, kept a lid on wasteful city spending AND kept his city going at a time of it's greatest peril not a conservative? (Rudy's Record here.)

The only candidate with whom I have absolutely no disagreement would be if I ran myself.

During the past year, Mike's America has undertaken numerous reflections on the qualities of leadership displayed by the late President Reagan. I invite you to watch the speeches of Rudy Giuliani online here. In his speech to the United Nations shortly after September 11th what qualities of leadership do you see? He has consistently displayed the same Reaganesque qualities in all of his public speeches, including his address to the Republican National Convention in 2004.

For more on Rudy, visit Draft Rudy Giuliani.Com.

Mike's America Straw Poll: Your Vote Counts!

Now, it's still early goings. It's difficult to know how many GOP candidates will declare themselves over the next year. Polling Report.Com has a multitude of early preference polls. But let's do it a bit differently. Each reader is assigned five points to award to candidates in any allotment they desire. For example, you could award all five points to a single candidate or one to each of five, or three for one, two for another. Got it?

The following is the top list of names for possible candidates. You may of course assign your points to names not on the list (though Mike's America will decline the nomination, so please do not vote for me):

Condoleezza Rice
John McCain
Rudy Giuliani
Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Bill Frist
Jeb Bush
George Pataki
George Allen
Tom Tancredo
Sam Brownback
Chuck Hagel
Mike Huckabee

What Kind of Man is President Bush?

He was called an idiot by John Kerry, even though President Bush got better grades than Kerry at Yale. He's called another Hitler by left wing fascists who are out to use any means to overturn the results of multiple elections to get their way.

So, just who is this man we have twice elected to lead this nation? As we close out the week of extended celebration for his 60th birthday (see below) the following story from the 2004 election reveals the real man. From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Bush pauses to comfort teen
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11'

In a moment largely unnoticed by the throngs of people in Lebanon waiting for autographs from the president of the United States, George W. Bush stopped to hold a teenager's head close to his heart.

Lynn Faulkner, his daughter, Ashley, and their neighbor, Linda Prince, eagerly waited to shake the president's hand Tuesday at the Golden Lamb Inn. He worked the line at a steady campaign pace, smiling, nodding and signing autographs until Prince spoke:

"This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11."

Bush stopped and turned back.

"He changed from being the leader of the free world to being a father, a husband and a man," Faulkner said. "He looked right at her and said, 'How are you doing?' He reached out with his hand and pulled her into his chest."

Faulkner snapped one frame with his camera.

"I could hear her say, 'I'm OK,' " he said. "That's more emotion than she has shown in 21/2 years. Then he said, 'I can see you have a father who loves you very much.' "
"And I said, 'I do, Mr. President, but I miss her mother every day.' It was a special moment."

Special for Lynn Faulkner because the Golden Lamb was the place he and his wife, Wendy Faulkner, celebrated their anniversary every year until she died in the south tower of the World Trade Center, where she had traveled for business.

The day was also special for Ashley, a 15-year-old Mason High School student, because the visit was reminiscent of a trip she took four years ago with her mother and Prince. They spent all afternoon in the rain waiting to see Bush on the campaign trail. Ashley remembers holding her mother's hand, eating Triscuits she packed and bringing along a book in case she got bored.

But this time was different. She understood what the president was saying, and she got close enough to see him face to face.

"The way he was holding me, with my head against his chest, it felt like he was trying to protect me," Ashley said. "I thought, 'Here is the most powerful guy in the world, and he wants to make sure I'm safe.' I definitely had a couple of tears in my eyes, which is pretty unusual for me."

The photo has been circulating across the country, Faulkner said. Relatives have passed it on to friends, bosses and acquaintances. As they tell the story, they also share in Wendy Faulkner's legacy, which her family continues through the Wendy Faulkner Memorial Children's Foundation.

"I'm a pretty cynical and jaded guy at this point in my life," Faulkner said of the moment with the president. "But this was the real deal. I was really impressed. It was genuine and from the heart."

You have only to look at President Bush's face in this photograph taken by Ashley's father to sense the honest and caring nature of the man we elected. It's not a photograph that the news media, or a campaign P.R. machine could take. There is a spiritual depth which comes to the surface at moments like this which has been seen in person by many who have shared more private moments with the President.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

China Playing Both Sides in N. Korea Missile Threat?

From Bill Gertz at the Washington Times:

Pentagon officials tell us China's government failed utterly to come through on private pledges to the Bush administration to halt North Korea's missile tests.
Worse, some officials say, it is likely Beijing deceived the United States about its efforts to dissuade North Korea from the apparent tests and that China may have tacitly backed the seven missile launches earlier this week.

"This demonstrates how impotent the Chinese are and the incredibly low level of influence they have over their North Korean brethren," one official told us.
A second official suggested that China deliberately misled the United States into thinking that it had prevailed on North Korea not to conduct the launches, which have triggered a regional crisis, led by concerns that Japan may impose sanctions.
Chinese government officials "at the highest levels" directly asked North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on several occasions during the past two weeks to turn off plans for missile launches, including the long-range Taepodong-2 that ultimately failed after 42 seconds into flight, the first official said.

"The North Koreans basically stuck their finger in the eyes of the Chinese and went ahead with the tests," this official said.

The official said the failure to stop the launches contrasts with China's efforts to take credit for negotiating the interim Sept. 19 joint statement in the six-party talks on North Korea, which the Chinese saw as a matter of "personal pride."

Now, however, the missile tests have all but scuttled any chance for resuming the stalled six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear arms program.

Officials told us that another failure involved the staff of the White House National Security Council. Acting NSC Asia director Dennis Wilder stated in a classified assessment for President Bush and National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley that China would come through and prevent the North Korean launches.

The failure highlights the continuing intelligence shortfalls on China that often are based on the wishful thinking of pro-China analysts and policy-makers who insist China is a friend of the United States and is supporting U.S. policy objectives.

That last sentence says it all. Too many in the foreign policy establishment want to believe that their rational view of the world scene is shared by other nations. But just as the fools who think that allowing North Korea to pull the wool over our eyes once more is a good idea, the folks who value the process of diplomacy far above the results necessary for our national security are also dangerously misled.

Quick Takes: North Korea, Global Warming, NY Terror Thwarted, London Terror Anniversary, SWIFT Treason..

I'm musing on larger posts on the subject of North Korea, and also a reflection on Winston Churchill. So in the meantime, a couple of quick news items to spur discussion:

• Today it was announced that an international terror plot targeting New York City transit was uncovered with foreign assistance. No word on whether the effort to stop the terrorists was leaked by Al Queda Times, otherwise known as the New York Treason. News Reports describe "A significant development in this investigation was the arrest of a key suspect by Lebanese authorities." Anyone think this "significant development" would have taken place if Syria still controlled Lebanon? One more advantage to the Bush Keystone Strategy in Iraq that keeps Americans safe in the War on Terror.
• And speaking of the New York Treason, The American Spectator's "Prowler" has an inside source which reveals that reporters covering the disclosure of the SWIFT terror funds monitoring program sought to uncover additional details of an ONGOING investigation. Also, investigators looking into the leak feel that it must have been "fairly high-ranking, former officials who want to make life difficult for us and what we do for whatever reasons." Have they talked to Former Clinton Justice Official Jamie Gorelick yet?
• And you may wish to add this 1986 editorial by the late Washington Post Publisher Katherine Graham to your file on responsible journalism in a time of war. In it, she describes how irresponsible reporting of sources and methods may have led to the deaths of 241 Marines in the bombing of the barracks in Lebanon.
• This is the one year anniversary of the terrorist attacks in London that killed 52 and injured 700. In the wake of that atrocity, have the British become more stronger in their resolve to fight terror? Melanie Phillips, the author of Londonistan describes the British disease. Did these attacks bring the United States and the British closer together? Gerard Baker, writing in the Times of London worries that the impulse by some to blame America may trump the reality check necessary to fight and WIN this war. Our friends at A Tangled Web, one of the best "Brit-blogs" have more.
• And in the Global Warming portfolio, an excellent commentary by John Stossel. In few words and clear language, Stossel, from ABC News, does an excellent debunk of global warming baloney.
• As for North Korea, isn't it interesting that those who decry U.S. efforts to "go it alone" with unilateral action are now demanding we do just that in regard to North Korea? And of course the Clinton revisionist machine is working overtime to convince those who do not pay close attention to these matters that the last time such a unilateral approach was tried it was anything but a total disaster landing us directly in the worse situation we find today.

Happy Birthday President Bush!

President Bush turns sixty today, July 6, 2006. He's having one of those extended birthday celebrations which started last week in with a casual party in the White House (photo above). Look at that giant chocolate cake!

On July 4th President Bush as at Fort Bragg to celebrate Independence Day. He had lunch with the troops and was treated to another cake:

At the conclusion of his East Room press conference with visiting CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister Stephen Harper, The President learned that it was also the birthday of two members of the White House Press Corps, whom he invited to join him at the podium to celebrate a very special day.

Happy Birthday
Mr. President!

Independence Day Tributes

Photograph by Mike's America

Time to share your thoughts on American freedom and the 4th folks. Drop a link in the comments or a trackback and I'll highlight as we march up to the big day.

For those who enjoy audio tributes, Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be an American" should be playing in the background on this page (use your browsers "X" Stop button to cancel play). If you're using an Apple Computer, this feature may not work on your commie Macintosh system. But you should be able to play the music by clicking on this link to hear the mp3 file.

Music is a great part of our Independence Day tradition. The Nation's Capital on that day is alive with music. The National Symphony extravaganza on the lawn of the Capitol is something that is shared nationwide via television and in person for resident's and tourists alike.

Throughout the year, there are also numerous opportunities to enjoy the bands belonging to our Armed Services. The term "bands" does them a disservice. They are some of the most professional and innovative musical organizations in the country. And they are unequaled when it comes to the patriotic music which celebrates this special day.

New Audio Tribute: The "Duke" Takes the Pledge & Battle Hymn of the Republic

As a special 4th of July audio tribute, I offer this. It's composed of clips starting with"Pershings Own" the United States Army Band Bugler issuing his call "To the Color" followed by the truest of American patriots, John Wayne reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. To close, a jazzy, tour de force rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" from the United States Air Force Band which you just do not want to miss.

The tribute is here for playback. If you wish to download a copy, please feel free to do so from this link. If anyone wishes to host the tribute on a server that allows hot links, please let me know.

If you would like to enjoy this and other audio at it's highest quality, I recommend visiting the following:

Patriotic Tribute MP3 Sources:

• The United States Air Force Band online music collection.
• The United States Army Band "Pershings Own" online music collection.
• The "President's Own" United States Marine Band online music collection.
• And let's not leave out the United States Navy Band.
• John Wayne's Patriotic Tributes.

Graphic thanks to Always on Watch.

Blog Friend's Tributes, Thoughts & Reflections.

Scarlett, the Mike's America Poet Laureate emerges from her secret undisclosed location to offer the following tribute in verse:

Bring on the sparklers
Bring on the beer,
Let's all celebrate
the fourth is here.

Remember dear friends
Our enemies are rife,
They seek to destroy
our way of life.

Let's all celebrate
They shall not prevail,
As long as Mike's America
Is hot on their trail.

• Always On Watch shares my appreciation for John Wayne's tender words "America, Why I Love Her" in this audio and visual treat from Sage Brush Patriot. Like Peace Through Strength, A.O.W. finds inspiration in the founding document which we celebrate today, The Declaration of Independence.
• A.O.W. inspired The City Troll to post The American's Creed, a famous set of principles that are sadly seldom recalled today.
• The Further Adventures of Indigo Red continues on this theme with The Declaration of Freedom for Humanity.
• Remembering the sacrifice of those who founded this great nation is something that seems to slip between the cracks now and then. Both Woman Honor Thyself and Grizzly Mama give us a short history lesson to remind us that freedom isn't free.
• The City Troll underscores those points in his original July 4th post by reflecting on the atrocities of September 11th.
• Speaking of history, Sparks from the Anvil has outdone his usual excellence with a review of America's first war with Islamic terrorists: the Barbary pirates.
• And Conservative Intelligence Report has a beautiful aerial photo of Fort McHenry which provided the backdrop to the events which inspired our National Anthem.
• Chatterbox Chronicles reminds us that of the Christian foundation upon which the greatness of our nation rests.
• Crush Liberalism continues with the theme of our nation's Christian foundation with his discussion on George Washington.
• Love America First has this visual reminder of the importance of our flag.
• And L.A.F. isn't the only one appreciating Old Glory. My Republican Blog has the words to "It's a Grand Old Flag" (instrumental music here from the U.S. Air Force Band).
• Chicken Hawk Express has more personal reflections in When I Look at the American Flag.
• Like so many others around the nation, A Rose By Any Other Name will be attending an Independence Day concert, this one at Blossom Music Center.
• Insisting that " Philly is the place to be on the 4th of July" Midnight Blue describes more than a week of events in this city which continues to play such an important role in our history.
• Trucker Philosophy takes pride in 230 years of pride in a great nation, a great people and the 4th as a great day to celebrate.
• Starting her celebrations off on a humorous note, Razor Sharp Claws has the latest Taliban threat to cut off America's supply of convenience store clerks and cab drivers!
• Anna's Clue Tank points out that even North Korea got into the mood by firing off a couple of rockets and one dud.
• Assorted Babble has a great fireworks photo, and rounds up more 4th of July bloggers.
• Even our former Colonial masters, the British, are getting into the act. Mike's America favorite U.K. blog A Tangled Web comes on board.

And let us not forget that while we celebrate our freedom, there are men and women overseas fighting for our freedom today and everyday. In a comment here, Old Soldier, whose first blog effort is slated to begin shortly, brings to mind those who will not be watching fireworks on Tuesday. Patriotic Mom, who has her house decked out in fine patriotic style also reminds us that we should not forget those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, or who lie wounded and recovering. Special Agent Utah has a collection of video tributes to our brave men and women, including three of the Toby Keith tributes and the moving "Final Salute."

We owe those brave men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom for over 230 years our most heartfelt thanks and eternal praise.

And as the fireworks fade, time for some quiet reflection with the United States Air Force Band's instrumental rendition of "America the Beautiful."

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless the United States of America!

Space Shuttle Salute

YEAH!

Happy 4th of July!

Bush at Fort Bragg, NC

From White House Transcript:

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to visit Baghdad and visit with some of Fort Bragg's finest soldiers, the special operation forces who helped bring justice to the terrorist Zarqawi.

They were the first coalition forces to arrive on the scene after the bombing of Zarqawi's safe house. They administered compassionate medical care to a man who showed no compassion to his victims. And when this brutal terrorist took his final breath, one of the last things he saw was the face of an American soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

4th of July: Honoring America

Update: Independence Day Tributes Below!

Last year, I described my White House 4th of July here. Having a good old-fashioned American 4th of July on the White House lawn with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band for entertainment is the equivalent of spending Christmas eve at the North Pole. (See the Marine Band web site to download a few of those patriotic tunes.)

Photo by Mike's America

2006: "If Not for America, who...?"

The last few years have been pretty rough on Old Glory. We've had to endure endless, mostly mindless, criticism of the great goals this nation continues to stand for. And what do we stand for? A couple of weeks ago, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking at the convention of Southern Baptists (video) answered that question by asking this question: "If not for America, who...?"

It seems we're always the first one called when there is trouble around the world. The first to rush in to help whether it's a natural disaster, disease or war. And yet as we continue to shoulder the heavy burden that God has placed upon this land, along with his generous blessings, we don't always get a word of thanks, either from overseas or many in our own country.

Honoring America: The Classic Canadian, Gordon Sinclair

I'm reminded of the classic broadcast by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian broadcaster at Radio CFRB in Toronto. On June 5, 1973 he woke up to the news that the American dollar and economy was in trouble. This was the era of Vietnam and Watergate. He went to his broadcast job and sat down to compose a few words (full story here). Twenty minutes later the short two page speech was written which has now become a classic.

The original text and mp3 audio file are here. The audio of the speech and many variants with musical accompaniment have sprung up over the years. My personal favorite is here.

Here's an excerpt:

I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name to me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They'll come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they're entitled to thumb their noses at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles.

On Sinclair's death in 1984, President Reagan said:

"I know I speak for all Americans in saying the radio editorial Gordon wrote in 1973 praising the accomplishments of the United States was a wonderful inspiration. It was not only critics abroad who forgot this nation's many great achievements, but even critics here at home. Gordon Sinclair reminded us to take pride in our nation's fundamental values."

And it is again this 4th of July that we may allow ourselves a brief respite from the trials, difficulties and disagreement, which beset us the remainder of the year and focus on the fundamental values that President Reagan spoke of.

We're a nation that's free, strong and sound in our dedication to help make this country, and our world, a better place. Most of us have learned the lessons of history and understand our unique role. We can be proud on this Independence Day that we were born here and have that birthright of freedom to pass along.

Happy 4th of July!
God Bless the United States of America!

Mohamster Dance

Here's a Danish inspired take on the classic "Hamster Dance." Visit Mohamster Dance for the full effect with music.

Heck, can't be serious ALL the time can we?

Another Ann Coulter Home Run: Liberal Treason!

Another good one from Ann Coulter. She begins:

When is The New York Times going to get around to uncovering an al-Qaida secret program?

In the latest of a long list of formerly top-secret government anti-terrorism operations that have been revealed by the Times, last week the paper printed the details of a government program tracking terrorists' financial transactions that has already led to the capture of major terrorists and their handmaidens in the U.S.

In response, the Bush administration is sounding very cross — and doing nothing. Bush wouldn't want to get the press mad at him! Yeah, let's keep the media on our good side like they are now. Otherwise, they might do something crazy — like leak a classified government program monitoring terrorist financing.

National Review has boldly called for the revocation of the Times' White House press pass! If the Times starts publishing troop movements, National Review will go whole hog and demand that the paper's water cooler privileges be revoked. Then there's always the "nuclear option": disinviting Maureen Dowd from the next White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Meanwhile, the one congressman who has called for any sort of criminal investigation is being treated like a nut. Don't get me wrong: Congressman Peter King is nuttier than squirrel droppings — but he's right on this.
...
Maybe treason ended during the Vietnam War when Jane Fonda sat laughing and clapping on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun used to shoot down American pilots. She came home and resumed her work as a big movie star without the slightest fear of facing any sort of legal sanction.
...
Thanks to The New York Times, the easiest job in the world right now is: "Head of Counterintelligence — Al-Qaida." You just have to read The New York Times over morning coffee, and you're done by 10 a.m.

Read it all here.