Jerry Brown calls it a day, with 108 bills to go before deadline

◼ Gov. Jerry Brown has 108 bills left to dispatch before tomorrow night's bill-signing deadline, all of which will come on Sunday, his office said. - David Siders/Sacramento Bee

The Democratic governor announced signing or vetoing about 90 bills today, before his press secretary, Gil Duran, said on Twitter, "That's all for bills today."

Of the 659 bills he has had handled so far this month, the Democratic governor has vetoed 84.

Libya proves that killing bin Laden is no substitute for a coherent foreign policy. What recent events have shown is that Obama’s weak leadership and politicized judgment is leading to disaster in the Middle East. If even the New York Times understands this, one suspects that the American public may be starting to think about it too.

◼ Obama Played Politics On Libya, Not Mitt - Jonathan S. Tobin/Commentary Magazine @tobincommentary

... the Times headline makes clear, this is no small scandal. What’s really troubling here is not so much that U.S. intelligence failed to prevent the attack but the sense, reinforced by the weeks of deceptive statements about these events, that no one in the Obama administration was prepared to talk about terrorism because doing so undercuts the Democratic campaign narrative about bin Laden’s death and victory over al Qaeda. It was bad enough that this message was being conveyed to the country before the Libya attack, but the stubborn persistence with which the president’s foreign policy team and spokespersons continued to claim that the trouble was an Internet video critical of Islam rather than an al-Qaeda offensive fatally undermines their credibility....

The plot sickens: Benghazi Worse than Watergate

◼ Watergate caught numerous public officials lying, including the president of the United States, but Benghazigate has all that and more. - Roger L. Simon/PJM

It involves the terrorist murder (not an electorally irrelevant burglary) of government officials, their reckless endangerment, the undermining of the Bill of Rights and free speech by our own administration in response to Islamist threats, and, ultimately, the complicity of that same administration, consciously or unconsciously, in the downfall of Western civilization.

◼ US consulate attack in Benghazi 'disrupted major intelligence operation’ - Richard Spencer, Benghazi/The Telegraph

...As the attack on the consulate was under way, around 30 Americans were driven at high speed to an accommodation block – sometimes referred to as a “safe house” though it was no better protected than the consulate itself – but came under renewed attack there.

They were then taken to the airport and flown directly to Tripoli and out of the country. According to the New York Times, they included at least 12 CIA agents who are now “scattered across Europe and the United States” – something which is hindering the FBI investigation into the killing of the ambassador, Chris Stevens, and three other staff.

The paper said the CIA team had been playing a “crucial role in conducting surveillance and collecting information on an array of armed militant groups”. It quoted an official as saying its enforced withdrawal was a “catastrophic intelligence loss”.

Similar reports in the Wall Street Journal said that the Libyan government had only been informed of the extent of the intelligence operation after the attack....

◼ Discussion at Lucianne

The plot sickens. This important article was published last Monday and apparently completely ignored.



◼ The Benghazi Timeline: Special Report details an up-to-date extensive time line of events (MUST WATCH VIDEO) - The Right Scoop

◼ DEVASTATING REPORT SHOWS OBAMA ADMIN'S CHANGING LIBYA NARRATIVE - Breitbart TV (same report, but better copy of video at Right Scoop)

◼ BENGHAZI-GATE: A TIMELINE OF GOVERNMENT DECEIT, DECEPTION, AND OUTRIGHT LIES - John Nolte/Breitbart MUST READ

The statement comes from Shawn Turner, director of public affairs for National Intelligence -- the office that speaks for the intelligence community as a whole:

As we learned more about the attack, we revised our initial assessment to reflect new information indicating that it was a deliberate and organized terrorist attack carried out by extremists. It remains unclear if any group or person exercised overall command and control of the attack, and if extremist group leaders directed their members to participate.

This is not news. In the last few days, the White House and State Department have both made statements saying exactly that.

This, however, is news and should be read carefully:

In the immediate aftermath, there was information that led us to assess that the attack began spontaneously following protests earlier that day at our embassy in Cairo. We provided that initial assessment to Executive Branch officials and members of Congress, who used that information to discuss the attack publicly and provide updates as they became available. Throughout our investigation we continued to emphasize that information gathered was preliminary and evolving.

There's no question that what we have here is the DNI (Obama appointee James Clapper) attempting to fall on his sword and to put an end to the drumbeat of scandal coming mostly from Republicans and right-of-center media. What's been exposed, just weeks before a presidential election, is the fact that in the aftermath of the Benghazi attack, the White House and State Department knowingly misled and lied to the American people about what they knew and when they knew it.

But what the DNI statement is really meant to do is muddy the waters.

The statement deliberately omits any information as to exactly when the determination was made that Benghazi was indeed a terrorist attack. Most importantly, nothing in the statement contradicts numerous news reports that U.S. officials were certain within 24 hours that they were dealing with a terrorist attack and not a spontaneous protest gone bad.

In other words, the DNI statement is so intentionally vague that it could read as confirmation that our government knew within 24 hours that Benghazi was a terrorist attack and still lied about it for days afterward.

And this, my friends, is how a cover up works.

And so, the only response to this cynical muddying of the waters is a 30,000 foot approach that might help connect some dots.

Standing on the shoulders of those who have done the admirable work of digging into and investigating this story (most notably, Brett Baier of Fox News, Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard, Jake Tapper of ABC News, and the Daily Beast's Eli Lake), what I want to do is lay out a timeline of known facts that answer a very simple question:
What did our government know and what were we told when they knew it?

What you'll see below was inspired by the vitally important video-report Brett Baier closed "Special Report" with last night, but this will hopefully go into even greater detail. We'll also look into three specific areas: 1) Security failures. 2) The lies. 3) The attempted cover up of numbers one and two.... READ THE REST AT THE LINK

◼ The Obama administration’s Libya lies - W. James Antle III/Daily Caller

Obama Media Neglects To Report Credible Threat To Female Missionaries In Egypt

◼ ...it took the Times of Israel to report what American media should have but didn't as they continue to cover Obama's ass time and time again. - Wake Up America

The US Embassy in Cairo issued a terrorist threat warning on Friday stating there are credible threats of terrorists targeting female U.S. missionaries.

The Embassy has credible information suggesting terrorist interest in targeting U.S. female missionaries in Egypt. Accordingly, U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance, taking necessary precautions to maintain their personal security. U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

A roughly 20-minute YouTube video analyzing President Obama’s relationship with Israel, narrated by a 23-year-old former Obama supporter, has gone viral. In just three days, the little-reported on video “Absolutely Uncertain” has logged roughly 650,000 hits.

◼ Irina, the 23-year-old “Jewish New Yorker” who narrates much of the documentary, explains that she has always seen American-Israeli relations as a cornerstone of American politics, reaching into both parties. - Erica Ritz/The Blaze

“So when it was time for me to vote for the first time in 2008, I didn’t doubt for a moment that the strong relationship would continue, no matter who won,” she states.

Adding that many of her fellow students also had “confidence” in President Obama, Irina explains that the more she learns about politics and the Middle East, the more she doubts President Obama‘s ready commitments to Israel’s security.

“I don’t know how many people realize this, but today, Israelis are lining up for gas masks and cleaning out their bomb shelters,” Irina begins.

On Obama’s promises that Iran will be stopped and the Middle East is becoming more “democratic,” the young woman simply says: “I’m not sure I believe it anymore.”

CFRW Capitol Update: Prop 35: YES!

Prop 35: YES!

The California Federation of Republican Women SUPPORTS Prop 35 which would increase penalties for human trafficking. Prop 35 would increase prison terms for those convicted for human trafficking, would require those convicted of human trafficking crimes to be put on the registered sex offenders list as well as require that all registered sex offenders disclose their internet accounts and activity. Why hasn’t California been requiring this all along? California has three cities that the FBI cites as “high intensity” for child sex trafficking- San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Other California cities are just as dangerous such as Fresno and Stockton. Prop 35 would help train law enforcement officers specifically on handling human trafficking cases and protect women and children from this most heinous exploitation. We SUPPORT Prop 35!

CFRW Official Ballot Positions and Talking Points!

◼ Prop 30 - NO
◼ Prop 31 - NO
◼ Prop 32 - YES
◼ Prop 33 - YES
◼ Prop 34 - NO
◼ Prop 35 - YES
◼ Prop 36 - NO
◼ Prop 37 - NO
◼ Prop 38 - NO
◼ Prop 39 - NO
◼ Prop 40 YES

For all the props and their talking points on one PDF document, ◼ CLICK HERE.
__________________
(RELATED: ◼ McClintock on the Propositions (+CRP & CFRW)

SHARE using the E-mail, Blog, Twitter, Facebook and Google+ buttons below.

Governor Brown Bill Frenzy

Governor Brown has until midnight Sunday to decide the fate of hundreds of bills still on his desk. This week he signed into law SB 1221 (Lieu, D), which outlaws the use of dogs in hunting bears and bobcats and also AB 1436 (Feuer, D) which allows voters to register to vote on election day and then cast a provisional ballot that will be counted upon the certification of the voter’s registration. This bill would take effect in 2014. If you think that is bad, there are still three awful bills on Governor Brown’s desk waiting for his action. AB 2109 (Pan, D) would make it more difficult for parents to “opt-out” of certain immunizations despite their personal or religious beliefs. AB 1527 (Portantino, D) would ban the open carry of unloaded rifles in public. Finally SB 9 (Yee, D) would allow certain juvenile murderers to petition for resentencing. These bills need your voice! Call the Governor at (916) 445-2841 or ◼ write him an email by clicking HERE!

CFRW FALL CONFERENCE!

Our annual CFRW Fall Conference is being held at the Downtown Fresno Holiday Inn. Please join us October 19th-21st as we rally to elect our Republicans in November! Friday we will have a Propositions 2012 workshop given by our CFRW Advocate, Allison Olson. Friday night we have a special Ambassador’s event, “Singing in the Rain” dinner theater! Saturday will be filled with enthusiasm as we gear up for Election Day. Saturday at lunch our speaker will be former California Secretary of State Bill Jones. Then that night our banquet speaker is author and American Spectator editor John Fund. You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to get motivated about working for our Republican candidates and electing President Romney! ◼ For the official Call to Conference, click HERE.

Hugs and love to all of you. ONE TEAM, ONE PURPOSE, ONE GOAL.
Carol Hadley
CFRW President

41 MILLION TEA PARTY SUPPORTERS SET TO VOTE

◼ The Tea Party is regularly ridiculed and declared "dead" by the mainstream press and their elitist allies in Washington and Hollywood. Not surprisingly, when Tea Partiers show up and rally by the thousands, they get all but ignored, while 30 Occupy Wall Street crazies in masks will always get wall-to-wall coverage and admiration. - Dustin Hawkins/Breitbart

TV shows and movies take cheap shots at Tea Party conservatives, often linking them to murder-of-the-week cases on insipid crime procedurals or dismissing them as “birthers.” But a new Associated Press poll shows tea party supporters may have the last laugh in November.

The AP/GFK poll shows that 31% of likely voters consider themselves Tea Party supporters. With 131 million votes cast in the 2008 elections, that translates into an incredible voting bloc of 41 million Tea Party supporters waiting to cast ballots.

These voters have already made their voices heard in Wisconsin earlier this year, as well as in Republican primaries in Texas and Nebraska.

That 31% of likely voters figure is greater than the 19% who described themselves as either strongly or somewhat liberal. Surprisingly, liberals have escaped media characterization as being a small, fringe-like group with little power or influence. At 19% of likely voters, self-described liberals would have a turnout of 25 million voters, some 16 million fewer voters than the Tea Party.

Mitt Romney still holds a double-digit lead over President Obama in Arizona.

◼ Arizona: Romney 52%, Obama 42% - Rasmussen

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Arizona Voters shows Romney with 52% of the vote to Obama’s 42%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are undecided.

EX-MILITARY MOCK OBAMA FOR SPIKING FOOTBALL ON BIN LADEN WITH TOON

◼ Today, Special Operations Speaks, a PAC formed by ex-Special Ops officers from four branches of the military, released a cartoon mocking President Obama for spiking the football on the Osama Bin Laden kill - Breitbart News

OBAMA PLANS $450 MILLION CASH FOR EGYPT

◼ The Obama administration notified Congress on Friday that it intends to give Egypt’s new government an emergency cash infusion of $450 million, but the move immediately encountered resistance from lawmakers wary of foreign aid in general and of Egypt’s new course under the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. - Steven Lee Myers/NYT

The aid is part of $1 billion in assistance that the Obama administration has pledged to Egypt to bolster its economy and its transition to democracy following the overthrow last year of Hosni Mubarak, the country’s autocratic president.

Its fate, however, was clouded because of concerns over some of the new government’s policies and its handling of anti-American protests two weeks ago that overwhelmed the American Embassy in Cairo.

The United States Agency for International Development notified Congress of the cash infusion on Friday morning, prompting renewed protests over the foreign aid and the administration’s handling of crises spreading across the Islamic world.

Of the many regulated-policies created in the past four years during the Obama presidency, this one should be the top of the “repeal-it” list. Scratch that – it ought to be number 2, after Obamacare.

◼ Stop, Michelle Obama! The Children Are Hungry CBS local LA

The good news is that high school students don’t bow down to a liberal government and get pushed around without expressing their concerns – at least when it comes to getting their fill at lunch time. Their voice is loud and strong when they are rebelling for the right to eat. The bad news is that the United States Department of Agriculture and First Lady Michelle Obama may be a tough team for the young people to cross. But from reports, there is a sizable group of high school athletes expressing their concern regarding the food they are being denied every school day.

The high school students are complaining that their school lunches are just too small this school year, and they’re hungry. While reports have focused on students at a school in Wisconsin, it is now found that complaints are being voiced throughout the country at the start of this new school year. The new school lunch regulations being enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture via First Lady Michelle Obama’s healthy eating initiative are just not satisfying many of the nation’s youth.

Ironically, it has been reported that school lunches now cost 20-to-25 cents more per plate or tray, but students are tremendously dissatisfied with what is being put on their plates or trays.

According to various online comment threads, young people are fighting back by basically “going lunchroom rogue”. One Internet site reports that some students are sneaking in items that will liven up the lunches – items that are neither USDA-approved nor Michelle Obama-approved – such as chocolate syrup which students are selling on the black market by the squeeze.

Such entrepreneurs must be Romney-leaning, wouldn’t you think?

Republicans blast California's move to hype healthcare law on TV shows

◼ Republican lawmakers want to know why California hired a PR firm to promote the Affordable Care Act law on popular television shows such as "Modern Family" and "The Biggest Loser." - Elise Viebeck/The Hill

The Golden State made headlines when its insurance exchange — created by the healthcare law — hired Ogilvy Public Relations to pitch TV shows on story lines involving President Obama's signature law.

On Friday, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) pushed the Obama administration on whether the $900,000 Ogilvy contract is the right use of taxpayer dollars.

Jerry Brown Tells Californians They Can 'Eat High Speed Rail'

◼ To add insult to injury, rather than make its recovery Brown’s highest economic priority, through true market reforms and more water, Brown has chosen to push high-speed rail – the construction of that system will destroy farmland in its path. - Tom Del Beccaro/Forbes

California has long been a national leader. In industries such as aerospace, entertainment, agricultural and hi-tech, to name just a few, the Golden State has historically led the way. Today, however, California is the trendsetter in such statistics as unemployment, foreclosures, deficits, unfunded pension liabilities and government workers.

Rather than concentrate on bringing back private sector jobs for distressed Californians, Governor Brown and the Democrats are doubling down on the policies that caused the problems in the first place: more taxes, more regulations and more government jobs....

The costs of California’s regulations yearly exceed 25% of the state’s GDP. Even though those regulations have driven away manufacturing jobs, California is ready to implement a gargantuan anti-carbon global warming law. Included within it is a new billion a year tax on manufacturing and energy producers.

High regulations are not the only story, though. If your taxable income is over $48,000 per year in California, then you get taxed at the same rate as someone with taxable income greater than a million dollars in 47 other states.

Even though high tax rates have driven away small business entrepreneurs outside its confines, Governor Brown is pushing voters to approve an increase in the state’s top income tax rate from 10.3% to 13.3%.

Most people understand that without private sector jobs, you cannot support public sector jobs or services. Nevertheless, Jerry Brown literally has no plan to restore California’s private economy. He appointed a jobs czar who might as well be in the FBI’s witness protection program; residing alongside the private sector “jobs” that Brown’s policies have created. Both would be near impossible to find!

Brown has pushed one program, however: high-speed rail and the government jobs he says it will bring. The program’s costs have featured wild estimations ranging from the original $34 billion to over $100 billion. The train is initially set to run far way from the state’s major population areas between two small towns in what was once the thriving bread basket of the world, the Central Valley. Hence the name: the high-speed train-to-nowhere.... More, at the link

Go large, Mitt

◼ link - Charles Krauthammer/Washington Post

Romney has accumulated tons of cash for 30-second ads. But unless they’re placed on the scaffolding of serious speeches making the larger argument, they will be treated as nothing more than tit for tat.

Make the case. Go large. About a foreign policy in ruins. About an archaic, 20th-century welfare state model that guarantees 21st-century insolvency. And about an alternate vision of an unapologetically assertive America abroad unafraid of fundamental structural change at home.

It might just work. And it’s not too late.

◼ ROMNEY MUST GO ON OFFENSE ON MEDIA, MIDDLE EAST - Pat Caddell/Breitbart

They Speak

◼ Obama, Netanyahu Discuss Iran in Phone Call - Wall St. Journal

The Democrats, however, are still in fantasy land.

◼ Morning Examiner: Democrat delusions driving Obama bounce - Conn Carroll/Washington Examiner @conncarroll

Are Republicans losing faith? Are independents leaning to Obama? Nope. Obama’s entire bounce seems to be coming entirely from a surge in Democratic enthusiasm. Gallup, who currently shows a six point Obama lead, reports: “Voter enthusiasm in [swing] states has grown among members of both political parties; however, Democrats’ level has increased more. Thus, whereas equal percentages of Democrats and Republicans were enthusiastic in June, Democrats are now significantly more enthusiastic than Republicans, 73% vs. 64%.”

And why are Democrats so enthused? Well, apparently, they think the economy has suddenly become awesome. Gallup also reports: “Democrats’ economic confidence continues to grow in the second half of September, building on a sharp increase that coincided with the Democratic National Convention. … Democrats’ 10-point increase in economic confidence last week contributed to the overall Gallup Economic Confidence Index’s holding steady near the highest level seen this year....” More at the link.

39 days

What can YOU do to make a difference in the next 39 days?
Call Humboldt GOP HQ at 442-2259 - sign up to VOLUNTEER!

We have a lot going on:

The chips are down. Thirty-nine days from today, the nation will elect its 45th president and 113th Congress. We can contribute to victory here in Humboldt County by turning out a maximum Republican vote. Here is what we will do -- with your help:

First, come to the one-time-only Get-Out-The-Vote orientation session
from 10-11 a.m., this coming Saturday, September 29 at Republican headquarters, 311 Fifth Street, Eureka. You will learn about the elements of the GOTV program:

◼ Walking Key Precincts. On Saturday morning, October 6, we will cover the
precincts with the greatest concentrations of Republican voters.

◼ Rush Hour Signs. On Monday November 5 and election day, the 6th, we need
volunteers to hold signs at major traffic points at morning and evening rush hours to urge votes for Romney-Ryan.

◼ Ride Pool. We need volunteers who will stand by on Election Day to take voters
to the polls who lack transportation.

◼ Poll Checking. Volunteers are needed on Election Day afternoon to check the
postings outside polling station doors to see which Republicans have not voted;
then to go home and telephone these voters.

Come to the meeting Saturday, then decide where you can do your party the most good.

GEORGE SOROS PANICS ABOUT ROMNEY WIN, MOTHER JONES SCRUBS STORY

◼ On Thursday, Mother Jones reported that billionaire financier George Soros was "panicked" that Mitt Romney would win the election--and then scrubbed the story without explanation. Mother Jones--the left-wing outlet that published the incomplete "47 percent" video of Romney--was reporting on Soros's reasons for donating $1 million to the Paul Begala / Bill Burton run Priorities USA Action PAC on Sep. 27. - RB/Breitbart (image source)

Read the whole thing at the link

‘Women for Obama’ e-card begs mom for $18,000 birth control

◼ link - Twitchy

President Obama’s official campaign site features ◼ this precious e-card from a terrified young lass who fears the villainous Mitt Romney will do away with a lady’s God-given right to 18 grand in taxpayer-funded birth control. Why does Romney hate women? And diamond-encrusted diaphragms?

◼ Kemberlee Kaye helpfully translates the e-card. She’s a giver:

“Hey Mom, how’s it going? So, I was hoping to get laid this weekend and was hoping you’d spot me $18,000 to buy birth control. I’ll like totally pay you back.” SAID NO ONE EVER.

Senate Democrats join Republicans demanding answers on Benghazi attack

◼ A White House that claims to always want both parties to work together is starting to see its wish come to fruition, just not in a manner they’d prefer. The search for accurate information regarding the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi is becoming a bi-partisan affair: - Doug Powers

The Obama administration clearly had been hoping that the Libya attack would fade in the public's consciousness, said James Carafano, a defense expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation. With congressional Democrats now also questioning how events unfolded, however, that's not likely to happen.

"Their hope was that on Monday, when the facts started to come out, everyone would have moved on, and that was a miscalculation on their part," Carafano said. "The one thing you can't do is have people intentionally lying to Congress or withholding information from Congress and then think you are not going to pay a price for that."

◼ Dems join chorus questioning Obama on attack - Susan Ferrechio/Washington Examiner

Senate Democrats joined Republicans Thursday in questioning the Obama administration’s handling of the fatal Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya and why the administration refused for days to acknowledge that it was a terrorist attack linked to al Qaeda.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., circulated a bipartisan letter addressed to Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, asking for an “accounting of the attacks against U.S. missions in Egypt, Libya and Yemen,” according to a copy obtained by The Washington Examiner.

The lawmakers are also demanding to know whether the administration had any advance warnings of the Libyan attack and, if so, whether it had shared that information with U.S. personnel on the ground.

The letter marks the first time congressional Democrats have so directly expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration’s response to inquiries about the attacks, which resulted in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others and raised questions about U.S. security throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.

◼ Senators Demand Answers: Why Did Susan Rice Insist Video Caused Benghazi Attack? - CNS News

Timeline of administration statements two weeks ago:

Sept. 14 (late morning): White House press secretary Jay Carney tells a daily press briefing: “Let’s be clear, these protests were in reaction to a video that had spread to the region.” Asked whether that applied to Benghazi, he replied, “We certainly don't know. We don’t know otherwise. We have no information to suggest that it was a preplanned attack.”

Carney went on during that briefing to say repeatedly that the violence was a response to the video:

--“It is in response to a video, a film that we have judged to be reprehensible and disgusting.”

--“This is in response to a video that is offensive to Muslims.”

--“The unrest we’ve seen around the region has been in reaction to a video that Muslims, many Muslims find offensive.”

--“Again, what we have seen is unrest around the region in response to a video that Muslims find offensive.”

--“The reason why there is unrest is because of the film; this is in response to the film.”

--“But the unrest that we’ve seen is in reaction to a film with which the United States government had no involvement.”

Sept. 14 (late afternoon): State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland tells a daily press briefing: “I am going to frustrate all of you infinitely by telling you that now that we have an open FBI investigation on the death of these four Americans, we are not going to be in a position to talk at all about what the U.S. government may or may not be learning about how any of this happened – not who they were, not how they happened, not what happened to Ambassador Stevens, not any of it – until the Justice Department is ready to talk about the investigation that it’s got.

“So I’m going to send you to the FBI on any of those kinds of questions, and they’re probably not going to talk to you about them while the investigation is open.”

Sept. 16: Rice does the round of Sunday talk shows:

On ABC’s This Week:

“First of all, It's important to know that there’s an FBI investigation that has begun and will take some time to be completed. That will tell us with certainty what transpired. But our current best assessment, based on the information that we have at present, is that, in fact, what this began as, it was a spontaneous – not a premeditated – response to what had transpired in Cairo. In Cairo, as you know, a few hours earlier, there was a violent protest that was undertaken in reaction to this very offensive video that was disseminated.

“… What happened this week in Cairo, in Benghazi, in many other parts of the region was a result – a direct result of a heinous and offensive video that was widely disseminated, that the U.S. government had nothing to do with, which we have made clear is reprehensible and disgusting.”

On CBS’ Face the Nation:

“Based on the best information we have to date, what our assessment is as of the present is in fact what began spontaneously in Benghazi as a reaction to what had transpired some hours earlier in Cairo where, of course, as you know, there was a violent protest outside of our embassy – sparked by this hateful video. But soon after that spontaneous protest began outside of our consulate in Benghazi, we believe that it looks like extremist elements, individuals, joined in that – in that effort with heavy weapons of the sort that are, unfortunately, readily now available in Libya post-revolution. And that it spun from there into something much, much more violent ... We do not have information at present that leads us to conclude that this was premeditated or preplanned.”

On NBC’s Meet the Press:

“Putting together the best information that we have available to us today our current assessment is that what happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of – of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, which were prompted, of course, by the video. What we think then transpired in Benghazi is that opportunistic extremist elements came to the consulate as this was unfolding.”

On Fox News Sunday:

“But what sparked the recent violence was the airing on the Internet of a very hateful very offensive video that has offended many people around the world.”

Sept. 17: Nuland tells a press briefing: “Ambassador Rice outranks me, as does my own boss, so she is often at liberty to say more than I am … the comments that Ambassador Rice made accurately reflect our government’s initial assessment.”

N.J. High School Students Planning Cafeteria Boycott To Protest Obama Guidelines

◼ Parsippany Hills Students Ask, Why Should We Pay For The Obese's Problems? - CBS Local New York

Students at Parsippany Hills High School held a strategy session on Thursday to discuss a potential lunch strike, on Friday, over what they have called inadequately sized meals.

“This year you’re eating lunch and you’re like ‘Did I even eat?’ You’re not even full,” senior Brandon Faris told CBS 2′s Derricke Dennis.

New federal guidelines stemming from first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign have resulted in limits on protein and bread, and an increase in vegetables and fruits. The changes have also come at an increased cost.

All of it has also sparked a student campaign that has included online parody videos of students falling sleep in class and performing sluggishly in sports.

They hope to further their efforts with a cafeteria boycott that will cost the school money, and students like Faris said they want to know why they are paying the price for other people’s problems.

“If somebody’s obese why should someone like me who’s not obese have to suffer, and eat a small meal when I’d rather have a bigger meal?” he said.

No more Nick. Nick is sick.

◼ Meet Nickelodeon’s Trash-Mouthed Misogynist Jason Biggs - Michelle Malkin

...This weekend, the Viacom-owned children’s network will debut a reboot of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” TV series. One of the lead characters (“Leonardo”) will be voiced by actor Jason Biggs. On August 29, Biggs published vile, lewd messages on his public Twitter account attacking the wives of the GOP presidential ticket during the Republican National Convention.

The Nickelodeon TV star joked about digitally sodomizing GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s wife, Janna, and sexually degraded Mitt Romney’s wife, Ann, by referring to her body parts in a similar pornographic manner. He also mocked Christians and their faith. Wrote Biggs: “Clint Eastwood talking to a non-responsive stool sorta sums up Christianity in a nutshell, huh Republicans?”

Biggs then publicly re-tweeted (shared) his actress wife, Jenny Mollen’s, own misogynist jab at Mrs. Ryan: “People are cheering off screen because Janna Ryan is showing her t*ts.”

Biggs cravenly attempted to erase the evidence by deleting his X-rated tweets without apology or acknowledgment. But the Internet is forever. My editors at Twitchy.com, the conservative Twitter curation and aggregation site, preserved the twisted messages and pressed Nickelodeon for corporate accountability.

On September 1, Nickelodeon ignored swelling parental outrage over Biggs’ shocking vulgarity. Instead, the network promoted Biggs’ public Twitter account on two of its official social media outlets. The “@TMNTMaster” account run by the network promotes “all things Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” and has more than 2,500 followers — including parents and children. The “@NickelodeonTV” account has nearly 700,000 followers — including parents and children.

Both official Nickelodeon accounts, which have been peddling the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” program debut with a nonstop ad blitz rivaling a presidential campaign, encouraged fans to check out “@jasonbiggs” — making access to Biggs’ filth just a click away....

Nickelodeon has the nerve to boast about its many “corporate social responsibility” campaigns, including a project encouraging children to stand up to bullies. But when confronted with a garbage-spewing, misogynistic cyberbully within its own lucrative kiddie TV lineup, Nickelodeon is a craven enabler.
No more Nick. Nick is sick.

f you’d like to contact Nickelodeon, you can do so via Twitter ◼ here or ◼ here or by calling 212-258-7500 (ask for viewer services). You can also contact its parent company Viacom ◼ here, via ◼ Twitter, and at (212) 258-6000.

If not for sports champions and terrorists, President Obama’s public schedule for September would be nearly empty of official events, as he devoted most of his time to campaigning for re-election

◼ Obama focuses on campaigning, fundraising, Official presidential duties are few and far between - Dave Boyer/Washington Times

On Sept. 6, Mr. Obama accepted the Democratic Party’s renomination in Charlotte, N.C. In the 21 days since then, the president has had a total of 14 events on his White House schedule, not including regular daily briefings and occasional lunches with Vice President Joseph R. Biden.

In the same period, Mr. Obama’s other two “jobs” — campaigner and fundraiser — crowded out his White House schedule. As the first incumbent president to forgo public financing, Mr. Obama has held 24 campaign events this month, from Colorado to New Hampshire, from rallying auto workers to raising millions of dollars with pop diva Beyonce.

Six of the president’s official events were the result of terrorism — four on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and to pay respect to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He also held two events, on Sept. 11 and Sept. 14, in response to the deaths of four Americans in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens....

Quinnipiac Pollster Admits: ‘Probably Unlikely’ That Electorate Will Feature Massive Dem Skew

◼ With no manufactured outrage to hammer Mitt Romney at the moment, liberal journalists are now eagerly touting a series of polls which appear to show President Obama pulling away from the GOP nominee in several key states. - Matthew Sheffield/Newsbusters

Unfortunately, these polls are relying on sample sizes which are skewed tremendously leftward with far more Democrats than Republicans and as such, they are unlikely to be good predictors of actual Election Day turnout. Do the pollsters themselves actually believe in their own sample sizes though? At least one appears not to.

Netanyahu, Romney to Speak Friday

◼ THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scheduled a phone call for late morning Friday with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. - Daniel Halper/Weekly Standard

...Apparently at the request of both principals, neither of their offices has put a hard-stop on their schedules for this call, so the discussion is likely to be both substantive and substantial.

It will be interesting to hear the readouts tomorrow from both the Netanyahu and Romney camps after the "principals only" phone call—and to see the White House reaction, as well.

In the summer, Netanyahu hosted Romney in Israel for dinner, hours after Romney delivered an address in Jerusalem....

Netanyahu and Romney have known each other for almost 35 years, having worked together at Boston Consulting Group in 1976.

Businesses, residents continue to flee California for other states

◼ The Golden State lost some of its luster in the last decade as an average quarter-million residents a year fled California for other states, according to a study released Tuesday.

The report cited the usual business complaints about California: government regulations, high prices for residential and commercial real estate, costly electricity, the power of organized labor and high labor costs.

It exacts a financial toll, too.

The institute said that California lost a total of $18.55 billion to four state - Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Oregon - between 2000 and 2010.

Gov. Jerry Brown's office did not respond to an email and phone calls about the Manhattan Institute study.

◼ Campbell Soup announces closing of Sacramento plant - Sacramento Bee

Campbell Soup Co. today announced the closing of its south Sacramento plant, where the company has made canned soup for more than 60 years.

The plant will be phased out, with final shutdown coming next July. It will eliminate 700 full-time jobs, a devastating development in one of the region's most hardscrabble neighborhoods. The plant's workers, who are members of the Teamsters union, earn as much as $20 an hour, said Troy Givans, interim economic development manager for Sacramento County.

"They were very good jobs, they're very important jobs in the community in south Sacramento, and in the region," Givans said....

The company said it plans to shift most of Sacramento's production to Campbell's remaining plants in Maxton, N.C.; Napoleon, Ohio; and Paris, Texas. "Within that plant network, we have excess capacity," said Campbell's spokesman Anthony Sanzio in an interview outside the Franklin Boulevard plant this morning.

◼ h/t: Fred's Humboldt Blog

Pat Caddell: "Media Have Become an “Enemy of the American People”

In recent remarks to an AIM conference, "ObamaNation: A Day of Truth," former Democratic pollster and analyst Pat Caddell said, "I think we're at the most dangerous time in our political history in terms of the balance of power in the role that the media plays in whether or not we maintain a free democracy." Caddell noted that while First Amendment protections were originally provided to the press so they would protect the liberty and freedom of the public from "organized governmental power," they had clearly relinquished the role of impartial news providers.

Nowhere was this more evident than during the tragic death of a U.S. ambassador in Libya that was lied about for nine days, because the press and the administration did not want to admit it was a terrorist attack.

Jerry Brown signs two social media privacy laws

◼ Gov. Jerry Brown signed two measures this morning to block California universities and employers from seeking access to applicants' social media accounts. - Sacramento Bee

"The Golden State is pioneering the social media revolution and these laws will protect all Californians from unwarranted invasions of their personal social media accounts," the Democratic governor said in a prepared statement.

Assembly Bill 1844, by Assemblywoman Nora Campos, D-San Jose, prohibits employers from demanding user names or passwords from employees and job applicants.

Senate Bill 1349, by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, prohibits public and private universities from requiring students or prospective students to disclose their user names or passwords.

The legislation comes amid growing questions about the legal and privacy implications of employee and student presences on social media. In a release, Brown's office said SB 1349 "is designed to stop a growing trend of colleges and universities snooping into student social media accounts, particularly those of student athletes."

Netanyahu: 'Future of world at stake over Iran'

On September 27, 2012, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on Iran and Radical Islam. He laid out a clear danger of radicalized Islam and the regime of Iran to the world, raising Bernard Lewis' comment that mutually assured destruction is not a deterrent for Iran, but an inducement.



Obama's address.

◼ Netanyahu at the UN: “Red lines don’t lead to war; red lines prevent war” - Erika Johnsen/HotAir

The Obama administration has steadily resisted publicly announcing a precise “red line” on Iran’s nuke program, insisting that they’ve been standing tough with diplomacy and sanctions, but Netanyahu was plenty frank in relaying that he doesn’t think that’s quite good enough. It’s too bad President Obama didn’t have any time to discuss all this “noise” with Netanyahu while he’s in the country this week — but I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to the president’s phone call on Friday.

◼ Benjamin Netanyahu warns future of world at stake over Iran's nuclear programme - The Telegraph

"The only way you can credibly prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is to prevent them from enriching enough uranium," he added.

◼ Krauthammer’s Take: Israel’s Red Line ‘Vague’ No Longer - Eliana Johnson/National Review

Humboldt Young Republicans Chapter Forming

◼ Humboldt County’s new group of the California Young Republicans held a reception for registered Republicans between the ages of 18 and 40 at 5:30-7:00 p.m. last night at the Sea Grill in Eureka. A new chapter is in the process of being formed. - John Chiv/Words Worth

The new chapter will be a focal point for young Republicans to socialize and create their own programs to advance the party and aid its candidates according to the organizers....

All age-eligible Republicans are invited to attend the next meeting which will be held at the same location on October 17, 2012 and there is no charge. If you plan to attend, please send an e-mail at contact@humboldtgop.org or go to the group's Facebook page for further information. More at the link.

IT WAS AL QAEDA... AFTER ALL

◼ Hillary Clinton Suggests Link to Qaeda Offshoot in Deadly Libya Attack - Steven Lee Myers/NYT

◼ 15 days after Benghazi attack, FBI still investigating from afar - CNN Wire Staff

◼ The Libya Debacle: The more we learn, the more Benghazi looks like a gross security failure - Wall Street Journal

In his United Nations speech on Tuesday, President Obama talked about the September 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya and declared that "there should be no doubt that we will be relentless in tracking down the killers and bringing them to justice." What he didn't say is how relentless he'll be in tracking down the security lapses and intelligence failures that contributed to the murders. Let's say there's some doubt about that.

None of the initial explanations offered by the White House and State Department since the assault on the Benghazi consulate has held up. First the Administration blamed protests provoked by an amateurish anti-Islam clip posted on YouTube. Cue Susan Rice, the U.N. Ambassador and leading candidate for Secretary of State in a second Obama term: "What happened initially was that it was a spontaneous reaction . . . as a consequence of the video, that people gathered outside the embassy and then it grew very violent...."

Cell phone video footage and witness testimony from Benghazi soon undercut the Administration trope of an angry march "hijacked" by a few bad people. As it turned out, the assault was well-coordinated, with fighters armed with guns, RPGs and diesel canisters, which were used to set the buildings on fire. Ambassador Chris Stevens died of smoke inhalation. Briefing Congress, the Administration changed its story and said the attacks were pre-planned and linked to al Qaeda.

You'd think this admission would focus attention on why the compound was so vulnerable to begin with. But the Administration wants to avoid this conversation....

What are Americans on the “left” afraid of learning about Obama?

◼ It’s Obama’s Turn To Release Some Documents - CBS DC

The “left” has loud-mouths like Harry Reid making false, unsubstantiated – near-slanderous – comments about Mitt Romney on the nation’s Senate floor, and the “right” has basically given up even muttering a word about Obama’s academic records, because Obama is –believe it or not – getting away with running this country without revealing hidden information about himself. Though the “left” would never admit it, it makes putting the name “Obama” and the word “transparent” in the same breath nothing more than an absolutely ludicrous.

OBAMA’S AMERICA: VERSION 2012… (VIDEO)

◼ This is Obama’s America VERSION 2012 – and if it doesn’t scare and depress you, then you are beyond hope already… - Ulsterman



Obama Protesters at Romney Rally admit that they are from SEIU and Paid by SEIU at $11.00/hour.

◼ Where do “Obama phones” come from? - Charlie Spiering/Washington Examiner @CharlieSpiering
◼ How much do they cost paying cellphone users? - The Daily
◼ Obama’s “Truth Team” denounces supporter’s “Obama phone” claim - Charlie Spiering/Washington Examiner @CharlieSpiering

◼ 1 million Ohioans using free phone program - Dayton Daily News

...the size of the program in the state — and profits to the increasing number of cellphone companies involved — has exploded in recent months, according to a Dayton Daily News analysis of program data.

The program in Ohio cost $26.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, the most recent data available, versus $15.6 million in the same timeframe in 2011. Compared to the first quarter of 2011, the number of people in the program nearly doubled to more than a million....

Ann Romney on Tonight with Jay Leno

A Crisis of Leadership

Why I Refuse to Vote for Barack Obama

◼ I don't see how anyone who confronts Obama's record with clear eyes can enthusiastically support him. I do understand how they might concluded that he is the lesser of two evils, and back him reluctantly, but I'd have thought more people on the left would regard a sustained assault on civil liberties and the ongoing, needless killing of innocent kids as deal-breakers. - Conor Friedersdorf/The Atlantic

Nope.

...The whole liberal conceit that Obama is a good, enlightened man, while his opponent is a malign, hard-hearted cretin, depends on constructing a reality where the lives of non-Americans -- along with the lives of some American Muslims and whistleblowers -- just aren't valued. Alternatively, the less savory parts of Obama's tenure can ◼ just be repeatedly disappeared from the narrative of his first term, as so many left-leaning journalists, uncomfortable confronting the depths of the man's transgressions, have done over and over again.

Keen on Obama's civil-libertarian message and reassertion of basic American values, I supported him in 2008. Today I would feel ashamed to associate myself with his first term or the likely course of his second. I refuse to vote for Barack Obama. Have you any deal-breakers?

How is ◼ this not among them?

◼ The Ongoing Effort to Sanitize Obama's Image - Conor Friedersdorf/The Atlantic

Romney: Obama Doesn't Want People To Know What Happened In Libya

◼ In an interview with Carl Cameron of FOX News today, Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan implied that President Barack Obama is attempting to cover up the details of what happened during the assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. - Real Clear Politics

"I think they want to do their very best to keep the people of America from understanding exactly what happened. We expect candor, we expect transparency, particularly, as it relates to terrorism," Romney said.

UnskewedPolls.com

◼ The skewed polls issue and why it is important - Dean Chambers/examiner.com

The difference is the weighting and/or sampling of Democrats, Republicans and independents in each survey....

The recent Pew Research Poll showed Obama leading 48 percent to 43 percent based on a sample that over-sampled Democrats by 3.8 percent and under-sampled Republicans by 7.0 percent. Unskewed, this poll's data indicated Romney leading 54 percent to 44 percent....

The recent NY Times/CBS News poll showed Obama leading 49 percent to 46 percent based on a sample that over-sampled Democrats by 10.7 percent and under-sampled independents by 11.2 percent. Unskewed, this poll's data indicated Romney leading 51 percent to 44 percent....

The infamous CNN/ORC poll showed Obama leading by six percent, 52 percent to 46 percent, almost the margin by which he won in 2008. But the survey sample was doubly-skewed, over-sampling Democrats 17.1 percent and under-sampling independents 25.0 percent. Unskewed, the data from this poll would reveal a 53 percent to 45 percent Romney lead.

◼ Is the latest Washington Post/ABC poll skewed for Obama?

In this survey, the sampling is based on only 24 percent responding as Republicans, while Democrats were 33 percent, Independents were 36 and the remaining 7 percent responded otherwise. No serious observer of American politics or pollster believes that Republicans make up only 24 percent of the population. Is it precisely this under-sampling of Republicans, and proportional over-sampling of Democrats, that skews this survey.

◼ Poll Watch: Mitt Romney’s Leading in Swing States - Nice Deb

7 Incredible Personal Stories About Mitt Romney That You May Not Know

◼ “...Friday comes, and the milkman comes,” Glenn continues. “This is what the vets needed – they needed 7,000 pints of milk a week. Milkman shows up, 7,000 pints. The head of the V.A. hospital asks, ‘Where did all this come from?’ He [the milkman] said ‘an anonymous donor...’ - John Hawkins/Townhall

Over the last few months, it has been absolutely stunning to see Mitt Romney, of all people, portrayed as some sort of greedy, ruthless, unfeeling corporate raider who plows over everyone who gets in his way so he can make a few dollars more. Of all the criticisms you could aim at Mitt Romney, there is none that has less validity than that one. In fact, the vast majority of people who read this column -- whether they're liberal, conservative, or moderate -- probably don't personally know a single person who has proven to be more generous and compassionate than Mitt Romney. Yes, really. It's okay if you're skeptical -- but, you won't be after you finish reading this column.

You're invited! Humboldt Young Republicans Kickoff September 26th at the Sea Grill 5:30 -7:30

Chapter Kick off event and you are invited to join
September 26th at the Sea Grill 5:30 -7:30

Lets meet and start talking about the future of this country. Can't get anything done sitting at home. Join Humboldt Young Republicans

Your nation needs you to become active, meet people in the community who are interested in fiscal sanity.

Meet business people, college students, parents, friends, and create a dialogue of political activism in Eureka and be apart of it.

◼ AND Join HUMBOLDT YOUNG REPUBLICANS on FACEBOOK

ROMNEY RALLY IN TOLEDO: Huge Crowd Stands in Line in the Rain!

◼ Here’s a look at the crowd inside the rally: - The Other McCain on site in Ohio

NYT op/ed: Death Panels coming

◼ The claim comes from a former Obama advisor, Steven Rattner, who claims that too many Medicare resources are wasted on the elderly in their last year of life. - Glenn Beck

Remember when President Obama and the left mocked conservatives, especially Sarah Palin, for warning that Obamacare would bring death panels along with it? A former Obama administration official took to the NYT recently to advocate for - death panels. Huh, how bout that.

◼ Beyond Obamacare: WE need death panels. - Steven Rattner, former Obama advisor

...in the pantheon of toxic issues — the famous “third rails” of American politics — none stands taller than overtly acknowledging that elderly Americans are not entitled to every conceivable medical procedure or pharmaceutical.

Most notably, President Obama’s estimable Affordable Care Act regrettably includes severe restrictions on any reduction in Medicare services or increase in fees to beneficiaries. In 2009, Sarah Palin’s rant about death panels even forced elimination from the bill of a provision to offer end-of-life consultations....

Emken v. Feinstein

A few weeks ago I sent out an alert regarding the need for Federated Women to support Elizabeth Emken in her race for U.S. Senate against Diane Feinstein. Today, I urge Republican Women to go to ◼ Elizabeth’s Web site (http://www.emken2012.com/) and click on the link that shows Diane Feinstein walking out of an interview when she was asked why she would not debate her opponent. Elizabeth needs to get this video to more and more people so that it is clear that Feinstein assumes that this office is hers. This race is not a done deal.

Feinstein’s numbers are below 50%. We need to get the word out that Feinstein is the only Senator running for reelection who refuses to debate her opponent.

Thank you for all your work.

Edelweiss Geary
Legislative Issues Chair
Northern Division - CFRW

◼ California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, in the midst of a 2012 re-election campaign, said today that she has no intention of debating her GOP opponent - SF Chronicle
◼ Feinstein shouldn’t have taken umbrage at the question, which was an obvious one. It’s one The Times has put to the senator as well, as Emken points out. - Michael McGough/LA Times
◼ Here's the link. It doesn’t show Feinstein to advantage.
◼ Elizabeth Emken: Running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and the odds - Patt Morrison/LA Times
◼ Face your rival, Sen. Feinstein, It would benefit voters to hear both candidates articulate their positions on important issues. - LA Times
_______________

Elizabeth Emken is endorsed by the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee, ◼ More__________________
Elizabeth Emken

NFRW Legislative News: 1,246 Days and Counting Since a Budget Has Been Passed in the Senate

According to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, Congress is required by law to annually pass a budget. It has been 1,246 days since one has been passed, and the fault lies with the Senate Democrats. According the the Senate Budget Committee, April 29, 2009, was the last day the Majority brought a budget plan to the floor, even though the deadline for passing a budget out of committee is April 1st. By contrast, the Republican-led House passed their budget for next year on March 29, 2012, ahead of schedule. However, since Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, refuses to set up a legally required mark-up and Sen. Harry Reid states it would be "foolish" for Senate Democrats to offer a budget, nothing will be done if the Democrats continue to control the Senate after the elections in November. The following are talking points adapted from the Senate Budget Committee:

Federal spending has reached over $10.4 trillion since a budget was last passed.

No Democrat budget plans were brought to the Senate floor in 2011 and 2012.
President Obama's FY2012 budget plan did not garner a single vote, Republican or Democrat, in the House or Senate.

According to the Congressional Budget Act, a budget only needs 51 votes in the Senate to pass, but on February 12, 2012, White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew wrongly claimed that a budget needs 60 votes to pass the Senate.

Sen. Conrad was reminded by every Republican on the Budget Committee on March 14, 2012, that the committee is required by law to pass a budget by April 1st. Instead, he canceled the required mark-up on April 17th.

On November 9th, 2011, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that Democrats did not offer a budget because "Republicans would have filibustered it" even though budget resolutions cannot be filibustered.

For more reading on the failure of leadership in the Senate majority, read ◼ Sen. Jeff Sessions' Politico op-ed here.

For more information on Obama's disastrous budget proposal, check out ◼ The $4 Trillion Deceit by the Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee and ◼ By The Numbers: Three Full Years Since Senate Democrats Last Adopted A Budget
__________________◼ National Federation of Republican Women

◼ Budget deficit tops $1 trillion for fourth time - Washington Times
◼ Democrats punt on Senate budget bill for third year - Washington Times
◼ May 16, 2012: President Obama's budget suffered a second embarrassing defeat Wednesday, when senators voted 99-0 to reject it. Coupled with the House's rejection in March, 414-0, that means Mr. Obama's budget has failed to win a single vote in support this year. - Washington Times
◼ CBO: Obama budget will hurt economy - The Hill
◼ $73,000 Debt Per American Under Obama's Budget Plan - Weekly Standard
◼ March 29, 2012: Obama budget goes down in House -- 414-0 - Washington Times
◼ link

“Look, if he met with one leader, he would have to meet with 10,” and “in this election year, campaigning trumped meetings with world leaders.”

◼ Ramirez on “bumps in the road” - Ed Morrissey/HotAir

While this ◼ new editorial cartoon from Investors Business Daily’s Michael Ramirez uses Barack Obama’s “bumps in the road” comment from last Sunday’s interview on 60 Minutes as its main motif, the message is actually somewhat different. Ramirez points out the tone-deafness in that offhand remark, coming so soon after the deaths of four Americans in what has now been widely recognized as a successful terrorist attack on the anniversary of 9/11 — in a region “liberated” by American and NATO military force under Obama’s direction. Those are the graves of the four dead Americans, as well as another for the global reputation of the US. However, the real message from the two-time Pulitzer winner focuses on Obama’s lack of attention to his job, including references to The View and the Eastwoodian empty chair, as well as the golf cart Obama just can’t quit...

◼ Obama Skips Diplomacy With World Leaders, Makes Time For 'The View' - IBD Editorials

Feinstein shuts door to debating her GOP opponent: “I haven’t seen the point”

◼ California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, in the midst of a 2012 re-election campaign, said today that she has no intention of debating her GOP opponent - SF Chronicle

Just weeks ago, California’s senior senator walked out on ABC 7′s Mark Matthews when he asked her about her decision this time to sidestep a debate. (“Some reporters get under your skin,” she laughed, when we noted that.)

Still, we pressed her again. Here’s her answer to the SFChronicle/SFGate.com Shaky Hand Productions videocam:



_______________

Elizabeth Emken is endorsed by the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee, ◼ More__________________
Elizabeth Emken

Howard Stern Interviews Obama Supporters 2012

◼ Stern and his crew ask denizens of Harlem various outrageous questions, including if they believe Obama will find and kill Osama bin Laden; if Romney is a Muslim and if Obama is a Mormon; if Obama made the right choice by picking Paul Ryan as his running mate and if he did it because he is black. - real Clear Politics

Romney in Hollywood outraises Obama in NYC with Jay-Z and Beyonce

◼ Turns out Mitt Romney is a big fan of Hollywood. After pulling in $6 million in a fundraiser Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, the GOP candidate could be back in town soon. “This weekend’s event was very successful and there are plans to try to get the Governor back in Los Angeles again after the first or second debate for a similar occasion...” - Dominic Patten/Deadline.com

The event pulled in about $2 million more than what President Obama raised at his most recent celebrity-hosted event last week in NYC with Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
__________________
MittRomney.com

The Great California Exodus: A Closer Look

◼ For decades after World War II, California was a destination for Americans in search of a better life. In many people’s minds, it was the state with more jobs, more space, more sunlight, and more opportunity... However, this golden age of migration into the state is over. - Tom Gray & Robert Scardamalia/Manhattan Institute

What has caused California’s transformation from a “pull in” to a “push out” state? The data have revealed several crucial drivers. One is chronic economic adversity (in most years, California unemployment is above the national average). Another is density: the Los Angeles and Orange County region now has a population density of 6,999.3 per square mile—well ahead of New York or Chicago. Dense coastal areas are a source of internal migration, as people seek more space in California’s interior, as well as migration to other states. A third factor is state and local governments’ constant fiscal instability, which sends at least two discouraging messages to businesses and individuals. One is that they cannot count on state and local governments to provide essential services—much less, tax breaks or other incentives. Second, chronically out-of-balance budgets can be seen as tax hikes waiting to happen.

The data also reveal the motives that drive individuals and businesses to leave California. One of these, of course, is work. States with low unemployment rates, such as Texas, are drawing people from California, whose rate is above the national average. Taxation also appears to be a factor, especially as it contributes to the business climate and, in turn, jobs. Most of the destination states favored by Californians have lower taxes. States that have gained the most at California’s expense are rated as having better business climates. The data suggest that many cost drivers—taxes, regulations, the high price of housing and commercial real estate, costly electricity, union power, and high labor costs—are prompting businesses to locate outside California, thus helping to drive the exodus.

Population change, along with the migration patterns that shape it, are important indicators of fiscal and political health. Migration choices reveal an important truth: some states understand how to get richer, while others seem to have lost the touch. California is a state in the latter group, but it can be put back on track. All it takes is the political will. Extensive information at the link.

55% Of Small-Business Owners Would Not Start Company Today, Blame Obama

◼ Fifty-five percent of small business owners and manufacturers would not have started their businesses in today’s economy, according to a new poll that also reports 69 percent say President Obama’s regulatory policies have hurt their businesses. - Joel Gehrke/Washington Examiner @Joelmentum

“There is far too much uncertainty, too many burdensome regulations and too few policymakers willing to put aside their egos and fulfill their responsibilities to the American people,” said Jay Thomas, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, which commissioned the poll along with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. “To fix this problem, we need immediate action on pro-growth tax and regulatory policies that put manufacturers in the United States in a position to compete and succeed in an ever-more competitive global economy.”

The poll reports another ominous statistic for job creation: “67 percent say there is too much uncertainty in the market today to expand, grow or hire new workers.” Why? Because “President Obama’s Executive Branch and regulatory policies have hurt American small businesses and manufacturers,” according to 69 percent of the business owners surveyed.

◼ Low-wage work force grows 30% as number of jobs shrinks - Francine Knowles/Chicago Sun-Times
◼ Household Incomes Down 8.2% Under Obama - IBD
◼ Health Premiums Up $3,000; Obama Vowed $2,500 Cut - IBD

We are pleased to offer, through Magnolia Pictures, “Occupy Unmasked” on Video on Demand (VOD) beginning September 25th.

◼ CLICK HERE for info

CNN: Obama Looked "Foolish" Yesterday While Secretary Clinton Met With World Leaders

From today's Times-Standard

Republicans enjoy a sunny day picnic - From Left: A statue of the iconic GOP elephant sits in the foreground as Barbara Hecathorn helps herself to some scrumptious potluck goodies. Local Republicans gathered at Rohner Park in Fortuna on Sunday for their annual picnic with plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas filling in the gap for the potluck. The event sponsored by the Humboldt Republican Central Committee and the Humboldt chapter of Republican Women Federated, featured an auction, political speeches, voter registration and a campaign literature table. (Photos by Jose Quezada)

Madonna, Off-Message: Obama's a Muslim and I'll Get Naked if You Re-Elect Him

◼ Obviously, content warning for F-bombs, Madonna. - Ace of Spades

(S)he says "We have a Black Muslim in the White House."

EGYPT HONOR KILLING CAUGHT ON FILM

◼ Warning. Disturbing Video.

CA Prop 32 - Special Interests

__________________
◼ OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN VOTER GUIDE
◼ TOM MCCLINTOCK ON THE PROPOSITIONS
◼ All of our posts on the Propositions

In the last 24 hours we've learned the president considers dead ambassadors "road bumps", Israel "noise", and himself "eye candy."

In the last 24 hours we've learned the president considers dead ambassadors "road bumps", Israel "noise", and himself "eye candy."

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) September 25, 2012

.......Iowahawk on Twitter

'2016: Obama's America' Filmmakers Claim Organized Disinformation Campaign

◼ UPDATED: The movie showed up on YouTube over the weekend as rumors spread it would also be shown free on the Fox News Channel.

The Stunning, Sudden Reversal of Economic Freedom In America

◼ Built up over more than two centuries, America’s “irreversible trend toward more freedom” has been suddenly (and stunningly) reversed over the last decade – with tragic consequences for business owners, taxpayers and citizens alike. - Howard Rich/FORBES

Once a bastion of free market ideology and unprecedented prosperity, America’s ongoing descent into dependence-inducing command economics is fast approaching terminal velocity.

According to the Cato Institute’s latest Economic Freedom of the World report –– which incorporates more than forty “objective components” related to each country’s government size, property freedom, monetary policy, trade policy and regulatory climate – the United States has seen its economic freedom plunge “precipitously” in recent years....

“Subsidies, grants and other forms of political favoritism directed toward well-organized interests providing large political contributions have become the primary business of both parties, undermining economic freedom and retarding economic growth,” they note. “Unless American voters and the politicians they elect reverse course, our future will be one of stagnation, dependency, broken promises and increased political corruption.”

McClintock on the Propositions (+CRP & CFRW)

Prop 30: Your Wallet or Your Kids - NO
Either approve $36 billion in higher sales and income taxes or else Gov. Brown threatens to shoot the schools. Don't worry, the income taxes are only on the "very wealthy," but it turns out the "very wealthy" include many small businesses filing under sub-chapter S, meaning lower wages, higher prices and fewer jobs. California already has one of the highest overall tax burdens in the country and yet has just approved a budget to spend $8 billion dollars more than it's taking in. Moral of the story: it's the spending stupid.
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
__________________

Prop 31: Rotting Mackerel by Moonlight - NO
This one shines and stinks. On the shiny side, it moves us toward performance-based budgeting, restores certain powers to the governor to make mid-year spending reductions and requires new spending to be paid for. On the stinky side, it provides a two-year budget cycle that makes fiscal gimmickry all the easier and locks into the Constitution an incredibly anal process for local communities to adopt "Strategic Action Plans" serving such open-ended new age objectives as "community equity" and nudges them into establishing regional governments to push this agenda. The purpose of local governments is to provide basic services, not to pursue utopian four-year plans.
CRP: SUPPORT
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 32: Cutting The Piggies Off From The Trough - YES
In the "It's About Time" category, this measure would finally prohibit unions, corporations, government contractors, and state and local governments from deducting money from employees' paychecks for political purposes without their express written consent. As Jefferson wrote, "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." This puts an end to this despotic practice.
CRP: SUPPORT
CFRW: SUPPORT
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Prop 33: Rewarding Responsible Drivers - YES
Here's a no-brainer: should car insurance companies be allowed to offer a discount to drivers who maintain continuous coverage? No, it's not a trick question. Under California's convoluted law, if you switch auto insurers you can't qualify for the continuous coverage discount. This measure says you can.
CRP: SUPPORT
CFRW: SUPPORT
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Prop 34: Lifetime Room and Board (and Sex-Change Operations, too) for Murderers - NO
This abolishes the death penalty for first-degree murder. Enough said.
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 35: Red Light on Human Trafficking - YES
Prop 35 greatly expands the definition of "Human Trafficking" (already illegal), and greatly increases existing penalties. The problem is real and growing and needs stronger sanctions, although there are some provisions in Prop 35 that make it ripe for prosecutorial abuse, including limiting the ability of defendants to cross-examine witnesses and broadening the definition of trafficking to include those who never had contact with the victim. On balance, though, the good outweighs the bad.
CRP: SUPPORT
CFRW: SUPPORT
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Prop 36: Gutting Three Strikes - NO
After many years of rising crime rates, Californians finally struck back with the three-strikes law. It is actually a two-strikes law: after two serious or violent felonies - in which one has murdered, assaulted, raped, robbed or pillaged his fellow citizens - he is on notice that any further misconduct will remove him from polite society. Prop 36 would require that the third strike also be a serious or violent crime, giving dangerous criminals yet one more opportunity at atrocity. The Left predicted that "Three Strikes" would have no effect on crime - in fact, crime rates have plummeted. When it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 37: Spit it Out - NO
This is the latest effort of the Nanny Left to tell us what to eat. It requires foods that contain any ingredients resulting from biotechnology advances to carry the scary warning: "GENETICALLY ENGINEERED." There is not a shred of evidence that biotechnology is the least bit dangerous - it often reduces the need for pesticides. To avoid branding their products with the Scarlet Warning, food processors would have to prove that every scrap and crumb in their fare is devoid of biotechnology or face crushing lawsuits. Grocery prices high enough yet?
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 38: Pay More, Get Less - NO
Not to be outdone by Prop. 30, this measure heaps $120 BILLION of new income taxes on those earning more than $7,316 (the new millionaires and billionaires of California's impoverished economy). It's for the schools, of course. No doubt these dollars (which families would just waste on necessities) will be as well spent as the staggering fortune that we're already shoveling into the sclerotic school system.
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 39: Tax Us Before We Hire Again - NO
This is a $1 billion per year tax increase on California businesses to subsidize a whole new generation of Solyndra scams. But remember, businesses don't pay business taxes; they only collect them from employees through lower wages, from consumers through higher prices, or from investors through lower earnings. Prop 39 might be bad news for California's employees, consumers and investors, but it's great news for the Nevada Chamber of Commerce.
CRP: OPPOSE
CFRW: OPPOSE
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Prop 40: Your GOP Donations At Work - YES
This is a monument to the stupidity of some Republican Party leaders, who spent nearly $2 million of party funds to qualify - and then drop - this referendum to overturn the Senate reapportionment because several state senators didn't like their new districts. They had hoped to run in their old seats, but after qualifying the initiative found out they couldn't anyway. A "Yes" vote affirms that the new non-partisan Citizens Redistricting Commission works.
CRP: SUPPORT
CFRW: SUPPORT
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◼ CRP AND CFRW: REPUBLICAN BALLOT POSITIONS
◼ CFRW ANALYSIS AND VOTING GUIDE Each week, CFRW provides analysis of the Propositions. When complete we will put them into one post. For now, find them at the link.

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