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 Romney's Favorable Numbers on the Rise 
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 9:57 AM | permalink here
 Rasmussen Reports notes that Mitt's favorable ratings are up 6 points (from 29% to 35%). Unfavorables dropping from 34% to 31%. 34% of voters still don't know Mitt Romney which give the Governor a distinct advantage to lay out his case without a political biases. Granted there are other biases afoot as this NY Times article notes. Elsewhere, the influential Club for Growth lauded Romney's speech Wednesday in Detroit: The other presidential candidates should follow Governor Romney’s lead and propose similar, if not more extensive, measures to protect American taxpayers and promote continued economic expansion.
In case you missed it here's a quick excerpt from Romney's speech: It is time to make saving easy in America. I believe people should be allowed to earn interest, dividends and capital gains up to a certain amount a year, tax free and without restrictions on how or when their savings and investments are spent. As an example, let's say we chose $5,000 for joint filers as the annual tax free figure for dividends, interest and capital gains. This would help middle class families to be able to save and to invest - and spend their savings the American way: any way they want. Labels: event, fiscal policy, mitt romney, poll, Polls, Taxes
Recap of Romney's Major Economic Speech in Detroit
posted by: Dave | posted at: 7:26 PM | permalink here
 Governor Romney today delivered a thorough economic address to the Detroit Economic Club. An excerpt: "One hundred years ago, Golden Jubilee for Queen Victoria, unthinkable England would ever be surpassed as a superpower. But 50 years later, America roared passed.
"Inconceivable to us today that America could ever be passed. We've been competing with Europe for so long that we've gotten a little over-confident. But look east. Asia is emerging as an economic powerhouse. Great news, can buy our goods and products - I was pleased to see all the Buicks when I was in Beijing in December. But also a real challenge. Will Rogers: 'even if you're on the right track, if you don't move, you'll get run over.'
"Standing still isn't a viable option. The question for America is this: what direction should we take?" Afterwards, the Club for Growth issued a press release containing the glowing approval of Club President Pat Toomey: “Governor Romney outlined today an economic platform that is, generally speaking, very pro-growth despite the surprising limit he suggests for tax-free savings,” Toomey said. “As the governor develops the specifics of his economic policies, we hope he will boldly build upon the limited government, free-market policies he discussed today.” Finally, the Governor appeared on CNBC's Kudlow & Company for a detailed interview on economic policy. Here's a segment on YouTube.It's clear that no Presidential candidate on either side of the ballot is as prepared to discuss issues of economic importance as Mitt Romney is. Labels: economy, event, Taxes
Mark Steyn, Jonah Goldberg, and Rob Long at the NRI Summit
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 4:46 PM | permalink here
You will die laughing. Again and again. MP3 File photo from NovaTownhallLabels: audio, event, nri
Video: You look a lot like Ronald Reagan!
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 10:52 AM | permalink here
On January 27, 2007, Mitt Romney gave the main address over dinner to the National Review Institute's Conservative Summit.
We've broken the speech down into snippets for easy digestions:
Of course, here was one of my favorite pieces, a questions from the audience On a funnier note: After Romney's keynote, Rob Long, Jonah Goldberg and Mark Steyn sat down to discuss, well... whatever entered their minds. Here was a quick exchange between Rob and Jonah at the beginning of the session just minutes after Romney had left the building (thanks goodness!): Labels: event, mitt, mitt romney, nri, video
Lunch with Jeb
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 1:22 PM | permalink here
 Jeb Bush gave a very good speech. You can hear the whole thing here: Later I will point out a very sharp rebuttal against the conservative Achilles heal, immigration. I've made the journey and I'm with Jeb. And here is the exchange that really shocked the crowd. Jeb's plea for the Conservatives to rethink their strong anti-Immigration tendencies: Labels: audio, event, nri
Session 3: A Conservative Agenda on Foreign Policy
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 1:13 PM | permalink here
Bring out your brains! John O'Sullivan, Clifford May, David B. Rivkin, Moderated by Andrew McCarthy! Great discussion dominated by O'Sullivan's first comments. I'll have a blurb on that shortly. Here's a picture:  Here are some opening remarks by Johnny O! Labels: event, nri, video
Session 2: The Role of Religious Conservatives
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 11:22 AM | permalink here
Now we're onto the "debate" about Religious Conservatives. The title of this session was "Resolved: Religious Conservatives are Critical to Building a Republican Majority"
The debaters are Ralph Reed (one of the founders of Christian Coalition) and Ryan Sager, the author of The Elephant in the Room.
 This is an interesting debate... not calling into question whether or not the Christian base is vital to our coalition (which Sager did not dispute) but rather trying to gauge what elements of the electorate we need to curry favor with. The most prominent issue was same sex marriage, not as a constituency... but as an issue that Sager believes will hurt us in the end. Sager cites some very stark numbers about who we lost and by how much. Reed, in contrast, cited the absolute lock of activism we have among conservative Christians. Sager says you have to look at the reality that the issue of homosexuality and immigration is that we don't like it. It's an ugly political reality. Reed counters and says that supporting marriage is not biggotry. Sager clarifies and says he's not saying bigotry. Reed: People make moral choice with which we disagree because we are in a free society. It's not an issue of heterosexual. It's called America. All we are saying is that the institution should be preserved. The other thing is that we have a council of timidity and retreat. "If it's such a liability why the left has tried to get religion. If imitation is the highest form of flattery...." You can finish the sentence. It's a good argument. Sager: One tactical point. The reality is that the more they do that the less we can use that as our one of our issues. (See Laura's comments from last night about a Michael Novak, the moderator, had a great line: Conservatives come in all vintages. Some quick videos: First Ralph Reed: Next, Mr. Sager: ">Labels: event, nri, religion
Session 1: Is "Small Government" a Big Joke?
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 9:19 AM | permalink here
Newt opened the event today (Mitt ends it tonight!). Here's Newt on a roll talking about International Affairs:
Marvin Olasky spoke first from the panel. The eminent scholar, who along with Newt Gingrich, is the reason I'm a conservative.  Salient Points: - The only way to small government is to embrace compassionate conservatism
- People want to do SOMETHING. Helping people is a crucial issue and we cannot shy away from it
- Compassion is a phrase that some think the left has taken. We need to take back the language
- Compassionate Conservatism is the alternative to Big Government
- Like Reagan, we need to recognize the great potential of the people
- Two things we can do: 1) $500 tax credit that you can assign to any charity and 2) Social services vouchers
Congressman Paul Ryan spoke next. He sits on the several prominent committees such as the Ways and Means.  Salient Points:
- At the GOP getaway. He indicated that the crowd was split in thirds 1/3 thought we lost because of Iraq, 1/3 because of corruption and 1/3 for spending
- 3 problems: competence, corruption, and hypocrisy
- We need big ideas!
Former Congressman Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania. Awesome guy. Everybody loves his approach.  Salient Points:
- Understand 3 things 1) the default setting of government is bigger government, 2) Almost all bad things come from government and 3) Fighting big government still works!
- We have squandered the brand but the opportunity to get it back is still there
Labels: big government, event, video
National Review Summit: The Anti-View Videos
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 7:36 AM | permalink here
Justin is live blogging at the National Review Summit. To make things easier, we've devised a special page that for the event.. You can visit it by clicking on the graphic below: Before I head downtown I wanted to post some quick videos of the event for you to view. Hope you enjoy. The first discussion out the gates was immigration. I had to leave the auditorium. More on this later... After I gained my composure the '08 elections came up. Here's Laura Ingraham on Newt and his "tardiness" to the race (by the by, Newt is the lead speaker at today's first session): Then, immigration came up again. I decided to record it this time. Here's Kate on whether or not the elections had an anti-immigration backlash and a great little quip at the end: K-LO on Senator Reid's moving tribute to John Kerry: Laura on James Webb's response: Laura on what would happen if they become pro-life. Mona on corruption: Laura: Do elections have consequences? Michelle/Laura on Immigration (again...): Laura: on blogging from the military field and the lack of comms capability at the white house: Laura: Hillary beyond the woman thing: Kate/Mona: What's better the first woman...: Labels: event, video
National Review Summit - Opening Reception
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 11:11 PM | permalink here
 Saturday kicked off with a ballroom full of conservative adherents and platefull of lobster ravioli (or, at least, I think that's what I ate?). I arrived a bit tardy to the event so I missed the quick appearance of our honoree John Bolton. Which is disappointing because I really wanted to see that mustache up close and personal. Instead, I had to settle to Jonah's goatee. Actually, Jonah's looking pretty trim (the waste not the goatee)... kudos to him. I caught him outside the main ballroom during the main event... which was, of course, the anti-View: Kate O'Beirne, Mona Charen, Kathryn Lopez, Michelle Malkin, and Laura Ingraham. (see pic above) I'll have more details tomorrow. I've gotta hit the hay (or, more specifically, at least the select comfort king bed upstairs) Labels: event
Reaching the Summit
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 8:30 AM | permalink here
Justin will be taking a brief hiatus today as he prepares himself in meditation to attend the National Review Institute Conservative Summit. He'll be live blogging from the event. Here's a quick rundown of the agenda. Needless to say. I'm excited. FRIDAY, January 26
6:00 PM Cocktail Reception Honoring John Bolton
8:00PM Night Owl Session — the State of Conservatism
Kate O'Beirne, Kathryn Lopez, Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, Mona Charen
SATURDAY, January 27
8:00AM BREAKFAST, Rich Lowry convenes
Speech: Newt Gingrich
9:00 AM Panel Session: Is "Small Government" a Big Joke?
Pat Toomey, Marvin Olasky, Paul Ryan
Moderated by Ed Feulner
10:00 AM Debate
Resolved: Religious conservatives are critical to building a Republican majority.
Ralph Reed versus Ryan Sager
Moderated by Michael Novak
11:00 AM Presentation: A Conservative Agenda on Foreign Policy
John O'Sullivan, Cliff May, and David B. Rivkin
Moderated by Andrew McCarthy
12:00 PM LUNCH
Jeb Bush introduced by Ed Gillespie
1:45 PM Editors and the Leaders
Rich Lowry and Kate O'Beirne Q&A with Rep. John Boehner and Rep. Eric Cantor
2:30 PM Presentation: A Conservative Agenda on Social Issues
Robert P. George, Maggie Gallagher, Ed Whelan
Moderated by Robert Bork
3:30 PM Debate
Resolved: Bush’s planned “surge” of troops into Iraq is a mistake.
Lawrence Korb versus Bill Kristol
Moderated by Rich Lowry
4:30 PM Panel Session: Trumping the Race Card
Michael Steele, Ward Connerly, and Abigail Thernstrom
Moderated by John Miller
6:00 PM RECEPTION
7:00 PM DINNER
Speech by Mitt Romney, Master of Ceremonies Mark Steyn
10:00 PM Night Owl Session
Mark Steyn, Jonah Goldberg, and Rob Long
SUNDAY, January 28
9:00 AM Debate
Resolved: President Bush has, as the White House puts it, found a “rational middle ground between a program of mass deportation and a program of automatic amnesty.”
Mark Krikorian and Tamar Jacoby
Moderated by Byron York
10:00 AM Remarks by Mike Huckabee
10:30 AM Debate
Resolved: The Federal government should act to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
James Woolsey vs. Jerry Taylor
Moderated by Quin Hillyer
11:30 AM Presentation: A Conservative Agenda on Domestic Policy
Ramesh Ponnuru, Charles Murray, Charles Kesler
Moderated by Terry Jeffrey
12:30 PM LUNCH
Speech by Tony Snow
Master of Ceremonies, Larry Kudlow Labels: event
Videos: March for Life and Blogs4Life Events
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 12:20 AM | permalink here
Yesterday's rally on the Mall, the 2007 March for Life was a tremendous success in my mind. I thought perhaps the first snow of the winter here in the DC area would dissuade some of the marchers but that certainly wasn't the case.  I haven't heard the numbers but there were certainly thousands upon thousands of marchers coming down 8th street to the Mall where a good forum of speakers were assembled to address the crowd. One of my favorite Congressmen is Mike Pence. He addressed the crowd and as he was making his way back to the Hill with his staff I stopped him for a quick interview. After the rally I headed back up to the HQs for the Family Research Council for the Blogs4Life event. Ramesh Ponnuru spoke first. He's the author of "Party of Death", an excellent treatise on the culture of death that the Left had engendered over the past three decades.  After his keynote, which addressed the major biases in the media I asked Ramesh what he thought about Hugh Hewitt's remarks about the media admitting their biases upfront so we can get the lie of the green. He thought it made sense and that it would basically bring us back to 19th centry letters where everyone already knew and admitted each others biases. Ramesh is incredible articulate and full of one-liners. Like this one: "Students at Hogwarts speak the name of Voldermort more frequently than the press mentions partial birth abortion." Next we listened to a panel of bloggers discuss the issues of the day. These bloggers included: Jonathan and Deborah Flora, A Distant Thunder David All, media strategist/President of The David All Group Rob Bluey, Heritage Foundation Mary Katherine Ham, blogger at TownHall.com LaShawn Barber, blogger at LaShawnBarber.com Tim - blogger at Pro-Life Blogs After some good discussion about the websites for 2008 Presidential aspirants, Mary Katherine Ham discussed the risks that candidates face when getting into the blogging fray: Next, the discussion turned to Democrats vs. Republican online fundraising. Robert Bluey had this to say: Labels: event, video
FRC: Blogs for Life
posted by: Justin Hart | posted at: 3:42 PM | | |
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