Ok, I’m back.  Looks like a lot happened in my absence, but I’m not going to dwell on it very much simply because I really don’t have the time.  If you’re interested in Larry Craig’s wide stance problems, you’ll just have to search elsewhere.
 
The Boston Globe’s Lisa Wangsness reports on the Bay State Democrats’ Romneyfacts.com (no, I won’t link to it – go find it yourself) website like it’s something brand new.  Its not.  Add to that the fact Howlin’ Mad Howie Dean’s Head Mitt Hit Man Damien LaVera loves it and you already know more than you need to.
 
The Washington Times’ Julia Duin pens a piece which takes a look at all the people waiting for Mitt’s “JFK” speech.  Looks like some people might be kept waiting.  Kudos to Evangelicals For Mitt’s Nancy French for some good quotes.
 
The AP’s Philip Elliott has Mitt’s statement on the accusation he’s “too nice” to be President.  Now there’s a new angle.
 
The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder chronicles and encounter between Mitt and Obama.
 
Dick Ahles came out of retirement to take a shot at the Romney 5.  He should have kept playing badminton and shuffleboard.
 
I have to admit, this Spoof piece is pretty damn funny.
 
The Boston Herald’s Howie Carr doesn’t think much of Mitt.  It would be so much simpler if he just put that on his byline and saved me the time of having to read his column.
 
Here’s a newsflash:  Mitt used a police escort in South Carolina and they [gasp] exceeded the speed limit.  Last time I checked cops were allowed to speed.
 
John “Breck Girl” Edwards is taking shots at Mitt’s Bay State health care plan.  Keep in mind that Edwards has never actually done anything about health care – everything about the man is hypothetical – including his campaign.
 
Evidently, the arbiter of who and who is not Christian is now the former Wonkette turned Time Magazine editor Ana Marie Cox.  I was unaware of this revelation, and because it came via MSNBC, so is most of the world.
 
Human Events’ Monica Crowley writes about Mitt’s rising poll numbers.  Good analysis.
 
So, you think religious beliefs should be part of any job interview process – especially a presidential one?  Well, see how you feel about this.
 
I’ve written before about Tricia Erickson.  Looks like she found a place to vent her spleen.  I was going to link to it, but the content is so blatantly offensive and irreverent that I won’t do her the honor of sending her any traffic.  I will, however, again call into question Ms. Erickson’ Mormon street cred.  Yes, I know she was raised in the LDS Church and is a “former bishop’s daughter”.  Those facts shouldn’t give her any more credibility as a Mormon than an Army brat has credibility as a military strategist.
 
This is what happens when Cheap Shot Sam shows up to a New Hampshire campaign event and nobody cares.

The Boston Globe’s James Pindell has a follow up to the Red Arrow waitress story.  Not much new there actually. 

The LA Times’ Andrew Malcom has some Golden State polling data.  Rudy leads but Mitt has some good trajectory. 

LifeSite’s Peter Smith takes yet another look at Mitt’s stance on abortion.  Sigh.  I’m not sure Smith’s shilling for Cheap Shot Sam could be any more obvious. 

Mitt won another straw poll, this time in Illinois.  The Chicago Tribune’s Pearson & Garcia don’t think much of it. 

The AP has a write up of Mitt’s commitment to education.  He refers to education as a “civil right”.  This will put him in conflict with the Teacher’s Unions, which are more concerned with protecting teachers than they are teaching students. 

The last time I checked, public opinion polls don’t decide who gets sent to war – much less a poll run on the left-winged, Bush-Derangement Syndrome infected fever swamp commonly known as Doonesbury.  That’s one of the last groups of people I’d ever take advice from. 

Here’s yet another shocker – Mitt has been known to vacation in [gasp] Canada!  

The Providence Journal’s Froma Harrop isn’t impressed with the Ames results.  Like it or not, Froma, Ames was the only contact candidates and actual voters will have until the Hawkeye Caucai.  Everything else is just talk. 

WorldNetDaily’s Joseph Farah sounds the alarm about Mitt.  Too bad for Farah, but most people know the World Net Daily isn’t worth the bandwidth it occupies on the net.  Memo to Farah:  Get some new talking points.  End Memo. 

Movin’ on up! 

Article VI’s John is right.  Yawn. 

And finally, in the name of irreverant religious humor, read the whole thing.

Bostonist’s Caroline Roberts has a crush on Mitt.  It would be so much easier if she’d just come out and admit it.
 
The Boston Globe’s James Pindell has good Mitt polling data coming out of New Hampshire.
 
CBN’s David Brody has some reaction to Mitt’s Ocean ad.   RCP’s John McIntyre has some more – most of it negative.  McIntyre sees an underlying strategy in releasing the ad now and I can’t argue with his logic.
 
The Examiner’s Bill Sammon has Mitt responding to MSM “concerns” about how he’s spending his money.
 
The Deseret Morning News’ Suzanne Struglinski informs us that not all Mormon politicians are flocking to Mitt’s fold.  Surprise, surprise, surprise.  Mormons can, and often do, think for themselves when it comes to politics.  Sigh.
 
The Article VI Boys devote most of today’s discussion to a post by Richard John Nehuaus.  Neuhaus thinks a Mormon president would give legitimacy to a religion other than his own, and this troubles him.  Concludes Neuhaus:

The question is not whether, as president, Mr. Romney would take orders from Salt Lake City. I doubt whether many people think he would. The questions are: Would a Mormon as president of the United States give greater credibility and prestige to Mormonism? The answer is almost certainly yes. Would it therefore help advance the missionary goals of what many view as a false religion? The answer is almost certainly yes. Is it legitimate for those Americans to take these questions into account in voting for a presidential nominee or candidate? The answer is certainly yes.

He goes on to say that anti-Catholicism is “an unreasonable prejudice” whereas anti-Mormonism is “not unreasonable.”  Memo to Mr. Neuhaus:  Actually, the answer to every single one of those questions is a most certain “NO”.  Please provide a list of the candidates about whom you hold the same concerns.  If it’s just Mitt, then you – not he – have a serious problem.  Congratulations.  You’re a bigot.  Here’s your sign.  End Memo
 
Brian Ross over at ABCNews’ The Blotter has some interesting insights into some nasty YouTube clips targeting Republican candidates.  The origins are a mystery, but as long as no Democrats on the list, I don’t think you have to wonder about the impetus behind the videos.

The AP reports that Mitt (along with several others) gave some sage advice to the City of Chicago as it prepares to bid on the 2016 Olympic Games.  No word as to whether or not Jimmy Malone had anything to add to the discussion.

The National Journal’s Gate takes a look at Mitt’s rising poll numbers and thinks there might actually be some “there” there.  It’s about time.

Transworldnews.com has discovered YouTube video postings don’t translate to actual public support.  This is bad news for Ron Paul.  The post’s author doesn’t seem to understand that Ron Paul doesn’t have public support because Ron Paul is a complete nut.   And no, I’m not saying that in a good way.

Every now and then a paper will publish a Letter to the Editor which is actually worth reading.  I give kudos to SeacostOnline for publishing Donald A. Moskowitz’s letter stating what I try and say here most every day.  Well said, Donald.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Thomas Burr gives his take on Time Magazine’s declaration that Mitt is the most religious of all the current presidential candidates.  Not much news there.

The Albany Times Union’s Casey Seiler (syndicated in the Wichita Eagle) tries (and fails) to take the Dog Story around the block one more time.  Memo to Casey Seiler:  the story has about as much life in it as Old Seamus.  Wreck Romney?  Puhhleease.  In your wildest dreams.  Find something else to write about.  End memo.

The AP’s Mike Glover writes of Cheap Shot Sam Brownback’s “quiet” courting of conservatives.  Currently the only way Brownback makes headlines is if he takes a shot at Mitt.  That’s why he is, and will remain, in the second or third tier of Republican candidates.

TPM Café’s M.J. Rosenberg declares Mitt to be the “Least Bad Republican”.  I always say you takes the compliments you gets.

The Boston Globe (picked up at the Salt Lake Trib) has some inside baseball on the way delegates are apportioned in the Bay State.  I’m sure this has some importance, but none that I care to dissect at present.  Its written as bad news for Mitt, which is the most likely reason why the Trib picked it up.

Blogfather Hugh gives his take on whether or not Mitt should give The Speech and if so, what The Speech should contain.

Update:  I decided today to experiment with the hypothesis that if you mention a nut, the nuts come out to defend him.  Ron Paul supporters have proven me right - as indicated by the comments below.  I thought about moderating them, but decided to let them stand on their own - un-edited.  Thanks for showing up and proving my point guys.

Update #2: And thanks to Ron Paul himself for removing all doubt about the question.

It has come to my attention that tomorrow, the infamous Soxblogger and fledgling Blogfather Hugh pinch hitter Dean Barnett will become an Old Man.  Somebody gave him an ego stroking for his birthday.  Congratulations, Old Man.

Now back to the regularly scheduled program:

The endorsements keep piling up.  This has got to amaze pollsters like Earl DeBerge who are ready to write off Mitt just as soon as McCain finishes his flame out.  Memo to DeBerge:  It might help if you looked at data where Mitt is actually campaigning.  End Memo.
 
Time’s Amy Sullivan looks at faith in today’s presidential race.  She singles out Mitt as someone who

has gone to great lengths to avoid talking about his Mormonism

Which makes me wonder:  Has Amy Sullivan actually read anything Mitt has said lately on the subject of religion?  If she has, she’s ignored it.  Memo to Amy:  My archives are open for perusal.  Mitt has said more on the subject of faith than any other presidential candidate to date.  Better luck next time.
 
DMNews’ Melissa Campanelli reports that Mitt is starring in his own DVD.
 
Mitt takes direct aim at John “Silky Pony” Edwards in his Union Leader editorial.

Today’s new generation of challenges includes threats to our national security. Violent jihadists are determined to replace moderate Muslim governments with a caliphate or imam. They seek the collapse of our economy, government and military. Most recently they sought to maim and kill innocent civilians in London and Glasgow.
 
All this talk of jihadists, Salafi Muslims, and the War on Terror makes Democrats like former Sen. John Edwards uncomfortable. He says the War on Terror is only a slogan. Tell that to the people in London, Glasgow, Bali, Malaysia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Tanzania, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Israel, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. If there is a war being waged by the terrorists, there will be war waged on the terrorists and we will win.

Ouch.  That’s gonna leave a mark.  First Edwards loses the hair primary, now this.
 
CBSNews’ Joel Roberts reports in The Skinny that the top tier Republican candidates are backing off support for The Surge.  He says they are doing this “quietly”.  While I can’t speak for the other candidates, I do know that Mitt has but one goal in Iraq and that is Victory.  If he sees a better way to accomplish that other than The Surge, he might do it.  Failing that, Roberts’ report doesn’t hold water.
 
MassResistance.org has put out a press release announcing a forthcoming letter “signed by 22 conservative leaders” denouncing the NRO’s “puff” treatment of Mitt.  I’m sorry.  I was suddenly overcome by a stifling yawn.  Any organization that puts out a press release announcing a letter knows that nobody will read either.
 
Cheap Shot Sam Brownback lashed out at Mitt on taxes.  Memo to Cheap Shot Sam:  If your press release quotes the Boston Globe it isn’t worth the time it took to read.  Second Tier, Sam.  Get used to it.  End Memo.
 
Politico’s Jonathan Martin reports Mitt is “reaching out” to McCain supporters in the wake of McCain’s slow motion flame out.
 
NBC’s Carrie Dann looks at Mitt’s occasional gaffe and decide that he may just be human after all.

At the risk of venturing into territory usually covered by the Article VI Boys, I’ll point you to a Michael Luo New York Times story on Hillary’s faith.  Compare and contrast the kid glove treatment Hillary gets compared to the brickbats reserved for Mitt’s Mormonism.  Cal Thomas dissects Hillary’s statements and ends with this zinger:
 

Sen. Clinton is entitled to whatever faith she wants to practice, but when she uses it as an election tactic, she should not be allowed to alter classic Christian theology.

Now that’s gonna leave a mark.
 
Vermont’s WCAX would like you to know that Mitt has a huge vacation home in New Hampshire – and you don’t.
 
If for no other reason than the chance to say AAARRRGGGH, I’ll point you to the most recent ARG polling data.  Hillary lost four points, Mitt gained one, which puts the current hypothetical matchup at 46-42 for Hillary.  Factor in the margin of error and you have a statistically tied race.  Mark Penn hasn’t gotten this memo yet.
 
CBN’s David Brody has a great line about the potshots Mitt has taken over the past few months:
 
But you know what, at the end of the day, it may not matter. 
 
Yes, Mitt’s “Frontiers of Freedom” speech is pretty powerful, but c’mon David – cheesy Donny & Marie clips?  Oi vey.
 
Howlin’ Mad Howie Dean’s Head Mitt Hit Man Damien LaVera strikes again.  Still blissfully unaware about the irony of his “Smooth Talking Mitt” moniker, LaVera decries Mitt’s lack of a “clear plan on Iraq”.  Obviously LaVera can’t read and doesn’t bother to listen to Mitt’s stump speech.  Add that to the complete lack of comprehensible Iraq policy within what passes for today’s Democratic party and you have yet another press release that is worth less than the bandwidth it took to read it.
 
US News’ Kenneth Walsh has a Q&A session with Mitt.  One zinger for your reading pleasure:
 

Q: What did you learn from studying the presidential campaign of your dad [George Romney, who ran in 1968]?
A: I got a master’s thesis by a fellow who worked in my dad’s campaign. His thesis was “Why George Romney Lost,” and it was the best analysis I had seen—20 reasons. By the way, one of them was not his Mormon faith.

NRO’s Jim Geraghty tries (and fails) to respond to Blogfather Hugh’s broadside about Geraghty’s “Mitt is weird” piece.  Nice try, Jim.  Next time, try harder.
 
Mitt released the latest edition of The Romney Agenda today.
Red State’s Erick Posted has four reasons why you should vote for Mitt if he’s the eventual republican nominee.  Pretty good reasons if you ask me.

I’ve been on the road for most of the week, so here’s the 4^th of July Mitt Highlight (and Lowlight) Reel:
 
The New York Times’ Michael Luo followed Mitt to Council Bluffs where Mitt again had to confront “the Question”.  Mary Van Stennis wanted to know if Mitt would look first to the Book of Mormon or to the Bible when he sought inspiration.  Mitt went to great lengths – more so than any other candidate of either party – to answer her, yet she remained unimpressed.  Frankly, I’m unimpressed with Ms. Stennis, so there.
 
The Raw Story has some good quotes from Senator SlowJoe Biden.  He calls Bush “brain dead” and Mitt “crazy”.  This is really something coming from a senator who hasn’t had an original thought in nearly three decades.
 
The AP’s Amy Lorentzen reports from Houston where Mitt participated in the 4^th of July parade.
 
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza profiles Mitt’s data cruncher, Alex Gage.  Gage knows his numbers.
 
Mitt and Ann parade with Bill and Hillary.  Stranger things have happened.
 
CBS’s Hanna Storm interviewed Mitt and Ann for the Early Show.  Contrast how Ann looks at Mitt with how Hillary looks at Bill.  There’s more of the interview here, though nothing new or interesting.
 
The Des Moines Register’s Grant Schulte writes about Mitt’s comments on Iran.  Mitt showed he has some spine – something which is sure to draw the ire of his democratic opponents.
 
The LA Times’ Dan Morain has the latest in the fundraising race.  Its important to note that Mitt is raising only primary money while most of his opponents (Republican and Democrat) are raising money for the primary and general elections.  This means they’ve already tapped out most of their donor pool while Mitt’s pool still has more to give.  Of course, there’s always that small amount of spare change Mitt can loan himself.
 
ARG pollsters have Mitt gaining four points since May in New Hampshire.
 
Forbes’ Andrew White has the advertising statistics for the overall race.
 
The Boston Herald’s Jessica Van Sack has Ann’s comments on the dog story the media simply won’t let die a natural death.
 
The North Star Writer’s Group’s Alan Hurwitz thinks Mitt should tell him every single detail of his decision making process.  Says Hurwitz: