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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



The battle for Michigan

Posted: Monday, January 14, 2008 9:37 AM by Domenico Montanaro

Tuesday, January 15 (R)
- 30 delegates up for grabs that night
(Note: Michigan originally had 60 delegates but because it moved its primary before Feb. 5, the RNC stripped it of half its delegates.)
- Type of contest: open primary: Democrats, independents and Republicans can all vote.
- Polls open-close: 8:00 am ET to 9:00 pm ET
- Delegate allocation: hybrid (mostly winner-take-all by congressional district)

Another note: The Democratic primary in Michigan on the same day is of NO CONSEQUENCE, because the DNC stripped Michigan (as well as Florida) of ALL of its delegates for attempting to hold their primaries before Feb. 5. The candidates even signed a pledge to not campaign in either state. In addition, each of the Democratic candidates (except Clinton, Kucinich, and Gravel, requested in writing to have their names pulled from the ballot. Theirs, along with Uncommitted, will be the only names to appear. There is also a write-in option.

A new MSNBC/McClatchy/Mason-Dixon poll of Michigan released Sunday morning has Romney up eight points over McCain, 30%-22%, with Huckabee at 17%, Thompson at 7%, Giuliani at 6%, and Paul at 5%. McCain's chances of topping Romney rest entirely on the amount of indies that decide to vote in the GOP primary. In our MSNBC/McClatchy poll, indies made up 30% of the sample, which wasn't enough to propel McCain into the lead.

The Los Angeles Times curtain-raises tomorrow’s GOP primary in Michigan. “Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the son of a popular former Michigan governor and auto executive, needs a win to counter growing perceptions that he can't do better than his second-place finishes in the first two significant nominating contests. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who won here in 2000, needs a win to keep his New Hampshire-born comeback alive. And a first-place showing by Mike Huckabee could help propel the former Arkansas governor through the South Carolina and Florida primaries heading into the coast-to-coast balloting Feb. 5, on which former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, who is not campaigning in Michigan, has pinned his hopes for the nomination.”

More: “The significance of the vote here can be read in the candidates' schedules. With South Carolina and the Feb. 5 states looming, McCain and Romney focused exclusively on Michigan over the weekend, each arguing in town halls, drop-ins and party dinners that he is better suited to end Michigan's economic slide.”

More evidence that Romney connects to Michigan very well. The New York Times: "In Michigan, his campaign style is less robotic than it has been elsewhere. Gone are the PowerPoint presentations and the 12-point to-do list, replaced by an embrace of his family ties and his empathy for hard-up autoworkers and homeowners. He never fails to mention that his father and his mother, Lenore, who ran for the Senate in 1970, are buried here. 

The best thing about Michigan for the GOP field is that it is forcing the candidates to address the economy a lot sooner than they would have. 

And the Wall Street Journal’s Calmes notes how both Romney and McCain are trying to refine their economic pitches. "Both are sounding more like Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, who said here Friday, ‘There was a time in this nation's history when Michigan saved America, and now it may be time for America to help save Michigan.’”

“Until now, Mr. Huckabee had been mostly alone in the Republican pack in speaking to middle-class Americans' angst about the economy in general, and their own insecurities about jobs, health insurance, energy prices and college costs. His populist rhetoric against Wall Street and for a national sales tax, together with his Christian conservatism, has powered his rise in Republican polls past better-known figures such as Mr. Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and unnerved the Republican establishment and its corporate allies."

All three major candidates hit a Detroit auto show today, putting a spotlight on the state's struggling economy.

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Romney's Grand List of "Accomplishments:"

*Thousands of Americans out of work due to Romney's grand Forced Buy-Outs of American grown companies. Thousands More Americans Forced to take cuts in pay to keep their jobs after Romney's Forced Buy-Out's new owners take over.

*Massachusetts left as ONLY STATE to post ZERO GAIN IN EMPLOYED RESIDENTS during Romney's 4 years as governor, 3RD from the Bottom in Creating New Jobs during the same time span, would have been 2nd from the bottom except Katrina blew Louisiana away.

*Romney allowed his office as governor to fund Gay/Lesbian SEX-ED to GRADE-SCHOOL CHILDREN as young as KINDERGARTENERS--with NO PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OR CONSENT! NO U.S. POLITICIAN SHOULD ASSUME SUCH CONTROL OVER CHILDREN/THEIR PARENTS!!

*While claiming to be PRO-LIFE "Romney's Healthcare Plan" has $50.00 co-pay for elective abortions.

*Just months before announcing his campaign, Romney 'donated' $100s of $1000s of dollars to Major Conservative Groups, Groups Romney NEVER donated to prior, nor ANY GROUP like them, according to record. Kevin Madden, Romney's spokesman, claimed it "demonstrated his convictions." Right, Romney's convictions that his money could buy endorsements. Some of the organizations include: Federalist Society, Heritage Foundation, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, National Review Institute, Family Institute-associated with Family Research Center and Focus on the Family (New York Times, 03/11/07).

*While claiming to be against Embryonic Stem-cell Research, Romney is investing in it. He could have sold his stock or placed limitations on his trust (Boston Herald, 08/15/07).

*Just recently, before a crowd of strangers and reporters, Romney claimed his loyal wife, possible "First Lady" of the United States, is "HOT" licking his finger and making the "sss" sound ("First Read," MSNBC.msn.com). Unbearable SEXIST!

* "Human Events" named Romney as the most pro-abortion, pro gay-rights in the nation for the last decade.

* Romney made the TOP 10 (#8) RINO LIST (Republican in name only). (Human Events)

*Romney continually loses it when asked questions by voters that he doesn't like. He has gotten hot under the collar and stood to leave the room, walked away--just leaving voters standing there, stammered--shaking--waving his arms around, spewing forth vile name-calling and accusations of voters. We can expect NO better from Romney if he gets the chance to deal with foreign dignitaries who ask him questions he doesn't like, or that he doesn't want to answer...and he blames Huckabee of being irritable and testy???

* While thousands of Americans are forced out of their jobs, or forced to take cuts in pay, due to the actions of Romney's Forced Buy-Outs of American grown companies, analysts who track Buy-Out Firms' compensation claim Romney's likely exceeded 500 Million $$$. (New York Times, 03/11/07--that should buy Romney a few more attack ads).

* While Romney NOW touts his plan to "strengthen American families/homes, just recently, as governor of Massachusetts, Romney's office funded 'dances' where CHILDREN as young as 12 YEARS OF AGE, could 'meet-up' with ADULT Gays/Lesbians/Transgenders/Bi-sexuals...NO, I am NOT homophobic. I just don't agree that THIS was in the best interest of "family values." If Romney chose to do no better than this as governor, we can expect no better from him as president.

* Check out YouTube's flick from the Log Cabin Republicans, a Gay-Rights group, for how Romney has treated them in his bid for the presidency.

* Romney chose, for advisors, J.Cofer Black--vice chairman of BLACKWATER, chairman of THE BLACK GROUP LLC. Black--who failed America miserably in his appointment to get rid of Taliban/Bin Laden BEFORE/DURING 911. Black--who has already been criticized for wanting to give TOO MUCH POWER TO 'PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS.' And, Hoekstra--On the Inteligence Committee while FBI/CIA were playing 'keep-away' with vital information BEFORE/DURING 911. And Romney wants us to trust him with our the lives of our military??

* Romney has continually frustrated both Christians and LDS with his remarks about his religion. While claiming he believes in God,Jesus and the Bible, Romney makes NO clarification that LDS-God is "MAN" of flesh and bones (eg Moses 6:57, 7:35; LDS Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). LDS-Christ is "spirit-brother of Lucifer" (eg Moses 5:13, [LDS]Gospel Principles,revised 1979,ch3 and throughout LDS teachings).

Yeah, Romney's really accomplished a lot. Too bad this isn't all of it.  
I sure hope that John McCain wins!
With Michigan meaning basically nothing to Democrats this contest would be great for democrats to get out and vote for a republican candidate like Paul.  Democrats need to be looking forward to the November election and helping to cause confusion in the republican race would work well.  Might as well make your vote count for something.
If any Michigan voters have sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or friends serving in Iraq I'd like them to take just one minute to think about how funny John mccain thought it was when he went on national TV in the middle of the Iraq war and made a joke about bringing an IED back from Iraq as a souvenir.

Is this really the guy we want to be president?
here's the real Romney:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5_vRceixGqw

And not only did he cause enormous layoffs at Armpad in Indiana.  Generous guy that he is, Romney offered to rehire for lower wages and fewer benefits!  Bless his soul!
Never has America been so depleted of Leadership. We have created a monster in Washington ""congress""!  The hallways and chambers are filled with "" power hungry greedy self serving paper hangers. There is no longer a quest to bring any future, the quest is domain power! Some call it grid lock, in reality a dysfunctional congress! Hobbled by the little meaningless loss of leadership.

The Election of a new President, is there a future to instate one who serves self, one who will mask issues with the face of no change, one who will employ more immoral issue, one who professes "yet has hidden agenda of more tax burden, one who twists law and rejects reality, one who dominates and never enlists, the endless list of ""?"".

We Americans have that at present, non functional, non progressive, stale dialogue, conjecture, war, fractured national security, hateful crimes against our national being, industrial strife.

Has our Congress taken away the reason America has stood strong? A new President Is one ""1"", Yet there are over three hundred million more voices which 70%  demand change, and those demands have fallen upon deaf ears.

There is no leadership present by the DNC, Baseless grand promise,  The "" I  " factor, the "" ME  "" factor is not reality nor is it leadership!  It is more of the same and the SAME is """SHAME"""!

If one has no more leadership quality than to attempt to smear another, your not qualified to lead this nation!  
When it comes to the Economy Romney seems to be the choice for the job. We need a president that will keep us safe so we can go to work and achieve the "American Dream". We need a President that can bring Jobs to America. We need a President that can encourage the private sector to reinvest in America and give our youth coming out of school a paycheck. We need to reinvent America as the breeders of world leaders what produced: Bill Gates, Micheal Dell, Mitt Romney. We need a president that can make American made products a commodity irresristable to the world. Who best to lead us to the rebirth of America than one that has archive this. We need to be the worlds leader in military, economic growth and a exemplar society with strong families. Who better than Mitt Romney.
Nothing against McCain, he is strong in notional defense, he proved that in Vietnam. But we need more. McCain has been around forever not much has changed. We need someone who is the complete package, who can bring the efficiency of the private sector to Washington. We need an outsider with new ideas, a leader that can take America and make it the most desirable product in the world market. Mitt Romney is this man. He has done it over and over again.
America Invest in your future! We need Mitt Romney for president.
Rememeber Michigan voter's, Vote Uncommitted!!!!! Send Hillary Clinton to Defeat in an Uncontested race & let  her campaign explain That LOSS.

" DELUSIONAL THINKING BY COMMON SENSE AMERICAN'S IS OVER "
Jeff Hanning's remarks are a compendium of "half-truths" and mischaracterizations regarding Mitt Romney.

Fact:  The $50 co-pay for abortion services in Massachusetts was a result of a court order.  Governor Romney could not stop abortion services from being covered.

Fact:  Mass. had the lowest unemployment rate in the country, so its not surprising that Mass. would have smaller job growth, i.e., everyone already has a job!!

Fact:  Romney ran as a moderate in a communist state.  I don't mind that he masked his conservatism to get elected, since there has NEVER been a conservative governor of Mass.  He cut taxes, balanced the budget, and governed like a conservative.

Fact:  Mike Huckabee looks like Gomer Pyle, and John McCain must be 88 years old.  Was he in a Japanese prison camp?
Unfortunately, McCain will not live long enough to finish his term if he were elected president.  I do not think his body can take four years with the stress of the presidency.  Romney seems like the best alternative.
Do you want a President that belives this, if Mitt Romney want's to lead this country and all of the people we ask that he tells us Bringham Young was a false prophet.

Mormons are a Cult

Mormons believe Blacks are Cursed people they are the decedent of Cain.

Bringham Young stated the following: "For instance, the descendants of Cain cannot cast off their skin of blackness, at once, and immediately, although every soul of them should repent, obey the Gospel, and do right from this day forward. . . . Cain and his posterity must wear the mark, which God put upon them; and his white friends may wash the race of Cain with fuller’s soap every day, they cannot wash away God’s mark; The Lamanites, through transgression, became a loathsome, ignorant and filthy people, and were cursed with a skin of darkness … yet, they have the promise, if they will believe, and work righteousness, that not many generations shall pass away before they shall become a white and delightsome people; but it will take some time to accomplish this at best. Source: The Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star, vol. 14, p. 418

1848, Brigham Young, as President of the Mormon Church, first preached the "Curse of Cain Doctrine". He said that Negroes, whom he considered to be children of Cain (son of Adam and killer of Abel) had the "mark of Cain" (black skin and kinky hair and flat nose) and they could not hold the priesthood until Abel was resurrected, had children, and all of Abel's children were given the opportunity to receive the priesthood first, then the Curse of Cain would be taken off his posterity (Negroes) and they would have the priesthood like everybody else. Brigham Young started the "priesthood-ban" in 1848, banning all Negroes, and even white men with Negro ancestry, from the two orders of priesthood, and banning all Negroes from the House of the Lord (the Mormon Temple). Mormon Church leaders
Now you are probaly asking yourself well back in those day's everyone was a racist, the blacks where not able to hold the priesthood until 1968 and many LDS faithful still believe in the curse of cain.
READ MORE CLICK LINK

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/sermons_talks_interviews/brigham1852feb5_priesthoodandblacks
I pretty much consider this an unconstitutional effort on the part of the Democrats (and both parties in Florida) to disenfranchise voters in those two states, because the party headquarters didn't agree with them.

Parties shouldn't have the power to decide who gets to vote, and who doesn't.  The Constitution controls that.  


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