Free Republic

A swarm of right-wing loyalists with intimidation on their minds can be expected to descend on polling places in minority neighborhoods this November, two public interest groups warned government officials Monday. In a new report titled, “Bullies at the Ballot Box,” Demos and Common Cause describe campaigns by conservative groups—particularly the tea party-affiliated True the Vote—to train and deploy as many as 1 million persons to police the polls. Demos, based in New York City, and Common Cause, based in Washington, D.C., are public interest groups that have targeted right-wing voter law revision and monitoring efforts. “As we approach the...

If the Republicans had been victorious in 2008, today would you be: A. Better off - 48% B. Worse off - 49% C. No different - 4% Total Votes: 334

(CNN) -- Controversy continues to swirl around the comments made by Todd Akin, Missouri Representative and Senate candidate, that "legitimate rape" would only rarely lead to pregnancy. Initially, the media focused on the fallout of his remarks concerning issues of abortion, sexual violence and the effect on women voters. While Akin has vigorously recanted his remarks, and both Mitt Romney and President Obama have lambasted his statements, only more recently has attention been paid to the fact that Akin sits on the House Committee for Science, Space and Technology. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's petition for Speaker of the House...

Mike Huckabee rallied hundreds of Southern Baptists on a conference call Friday night in support of Todd Akin, offering advice about how they can help the embattled Missouri Senate candidate stay in the race — while acknowledging Akin still may have to bow out. “This could be a Mt. Carmel moment,” said the former Arkansas governor, referring to the holy battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in the book of Kings. “You know, you bring your gods. We’ll bring ours. We’ll see whose God answers the prayers and brings fire from heaven. That’s kind of where I’m praying:...

Pelosi: Spirit of Susan B. Anthony Spoke To Me at White House By Eric Scheiner August 8, 2012 (CNSNews.com)- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told a recent gathering of the Women’s Political Committee that the ghosts of suffragists Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul and others spoke to her at the White House. She claims to have heard them say, “at last we have a seat at the table”. A video recently posted on Youtube shows the House Minority Leader talking to the Women’s Political Committee in May of this year describing her first meeting with President George...

During an interview with CBS's Charlie Rose that aired on Monday morning, President Obama said his proudest achievement over the past three and a half years is stabilizing the economy, not his signature health care reform law. “My proudest achievement is actually stabilizing the economy to avert a great depression, because if I don’t do that nothing else matters,” Obama said. “And the central question becomes building on what we've done. Where do we go from here?” ....

So for those of you who don’t know me I posted at Free Republic as Dengar01 from September 15th 2001 till I opused and 2 months later after questioning the finances of Free Republic my account was zotted. When I first came up with the idea of this thread I emailed TBL, NOTA and a close friend here for their opinions. I then expanded to email some ex-FReepers who were run off the site by some of the most vile creatures on the planet. Some who made up handle’s at TBL to continue their cult like obsession. I was stalked...

Mitt has been pushed on us by the GOPe. Mitt = Obama. Who would be a good alternative to Obama? Let's rally around someone to support.

Predictably, Nancy Pelosi applauded Rep. Bobby Rush when he donned a hoodie on the floor of the House to show his solidarity with the likes of Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the Black Panthers, in their calls for George Zimmerman’s head on a platter. Meanwhile, back in Chicago’s 1st congressional district, home to Mr. Rush, during one recent Thursday night, 13 people were shot, two of them fatally. I understand that the shooters all wore hoodies. I trust that Mrs. Pelosi can provide Bobby Rush with an alibi. In the meantime, in the NCAA basketball tournament, the Final Four consisted...

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Thursday that the 2012 election will be a "fun debate" over two competing visions for the nation, referring to Mitt Romney as the Republican "front-runner" who has backed policies that would undermine middle-class families. At a fundraiser held at a Washington hotel, Obama told supporters that his administration had spent the past three years "cleaning up after some of that mess, and I don't want to have to do it again."

The Most Rev. John D'Arcy, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, in a statement which may be found here, asks, "What is wrong with the text of this play [The Vagina Monologues]? It distorts the beautiful gift of human sexuality, clouding its richness so it becomes merely the seeking of pleasure. Sexuality in the Catholic tradition is always related to the gift of self to another. 'Sexuality is an enrichment of the whole person — body, emotions and soul — and it manifests its inmost meaning in leading the person to the gift of self in love.' (Familiaris Consortio, Pope John...

Californians must love $4 gas, enroute to $5. And a stubbornly high unemployment rate. Now, if only the Golden state could become the official ATM for Campaign Obama. So the overworked guy wouldn't have to deal with any real issues, citizens or media on his regular trips to the left coast. He could just fly his 747 into LA or San Francisco, tie up traffic, squeeze $35G's out of awed supporters for the same predictable fundraiser speech (change is hard, there's more to do) and head out to milk Western boosters elsewhere. Oh, wait! He's already doing that every couple...

Check out this amazing image from Rick Perry's ad, instructing voters to believe in... Mitt Romney??? I was arguing on FR that Perry always seems to attack Romney's rivals, but never Romney. Apparently, Romney learned from McCain that to win the primary, you have to get a tool to attack your enemies FOR you. But I figured before making the assertion that Perry doesn't attack Romney, I'd better confirm what 1,000 bloggers have previously complained about. I did quickly find an ad from Perry attacking Romney, but was amazed at what I found. The video ends with the question, "Change...

Obama is certainly the most arrogant president in American history. This clip from the end of the entire 60 Minutes Obama interview didn't make it on air.

As conservatives look over the field of candidates we have been provided this election cycle, one thing becomes abundantly clear: most of these candidates will lose to Obama in 2012. But Rick Perry is the only guy that can show why he is the one you want to have a beer with while Obama is the one upset that the price of arugula is has risen at Wholefoods. If you’re reading this, you may not care who the most likable presidential candidate is, but the voters who decide elections do. The simple truth is that Perry is likable, Romney and...

Rick Perry may be stuck near the bottom of the polls among those vying to become the Republican nominee for president, but he might still enjoy a second act, according to veteran journalist Cokie Roberts. “He’s got the resources and nobody else does,” she said during a press conference before the “A Conversation with a Legend” fundraiser for the MD Anderson fundraiser in San Antonio Tuesday. “If we do see Newt Gingrich self-destruct, which I think is highly likely, and Romney continue to sit there at 23, 25 percent, then people will start looking around again. Roberts, a political commentator...

DERRY — Texas Gov. Rick Perry may be dropping in the polls, but some New Hampshire voters are confident he'll still be a viable candidate in the presidential primary Jan. 10... Voters who listened to Perry speak at the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce event last night said they were impressed with what they heard. The voters, who came from across the state, also said they think Perry can weather the criticism his candidacy has received and still play a vital role in the first-in-the-nation primary. Those in the crowd included Salem Selectman Michael Lyons and Salem Budget Committee member...

Colin Powell on Sunday blamed the media as well as the Tea Party for the divisive political tone in Washington. Not surprisingly, neither the class warfare stoked by President Obama and his Party nor the resulting Occupy Wall Street movement was mentioned during this seven minute interview with Christiane Amanpour on ABC's This Week (video follows with transcript and commentary): CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, HOST: What about this tone in the country right now? It's still very divisive. It's still very sort of brash, some say poisonous. I mean, you can barely get anything done on Capitol Hill, just behind me there....

First Thoughts: Romney's Clear Path By NBC’s Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Brooke Brower *** Romney’s clear path: After Herman Cain’s defiant news conference on Tuesday and after Rick Perry’s brain freeze at Wednesday night’s CNBC debate, Mitt Romney’s path to the GOP presidential nomination is now WIDE open. In fact, not since Bob Dole in 1996 has a candidate been such a clear front-runner right before the primaries and caucuses begin. The ’96 comparison is also instructive: Dole still lost New Hampshire to Pat Buchanan. What this all means: While Romney looks to be on his way...

Numerous preemptive obituaries are being written for Governor Rick Perry’s campaign. These efforts are premature because they fail to understand and appreciate the fickle winds of political fortune. Governor Perry has substantial political assets that make him a potent candidate and that will give him another chance to prove himself to Republican voters. Each candidate brings their own set of positives and negatives to the game: Mitt Romney has money to burn, establishment support, business experience, and passable debating skills. He also has a record far to the left of the majority of Republicans, a history of changing his position...