Let’s start with the CNN-YouTube Circus. 

Rick Moran pulls no punches.  I think calling CNN “spectacularly inept” is being too kind. 

Blogfather Hugh has the spin round up. 

The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz has a fairly decent summary.  Yes, Anderson Cooper did a decent job, but CNN is still a Democratic Party shill.  Nothing short of a sinkhole swallowing Atlanta can change that. 

Liberals masquerading as “undecided” Republicans were on parade.  Hillary! – not content to plant questions at her own events, sent a shill to prod the candidates on “don’t ask, don’t tell”.  Yep, that was CNN.  Now you know why I seldom if ever link to that site.  If I wanted to read Hillary! press releases, I’d go to the source rather than her PR channel. 

Silliness abounded from the YouTube questioners. I’d love to see how Hillary! , Obama, or Edwards would have answered that question.  Don’t hold your breath.  It’ll never be asked of them. 

Mitt and Rudy slugged it out over immigration.  Rudy tried (and failed) to revive the already debunked charge that Mitt employed illegal aliens as landscapers.  Although the “Sanctuary Mansion” was a good throw away line, Rudy got hammered by Mitt’s response.  I think that exchange takes the edge of the claim that Mitt is “too nice”.  The audience didn’t like Rudy’s persistent shots at Mitt and booed him for doing so.  Memo to Rudy:  Badgering the witness might work in the courtroom but doesn’t play well on stage.  End memo. 

Mitt and McCain mixed it up over “torture”.  Mitt was right – a debate stage is not the place to declare exactly what methods will and will not be used in interrogations.  You don’t print your playbook for use by your opponent.  Sorry, John – I respect your service and honor your legacy, but you’re wrong on that issue.  By the way, thanks for smacking Ron Paul upside the head with a 2×4.  He’s been needing that for some time. 

HuffPo’s Will Thomas shows his ignorance as it relates to Mormon doctrine. 

I don’t buy David Brody’s post-debate analysis.  Mitt skewered Huckabee on immigration.  The fact that it didn’t phase Huckabee doesn’t matter.  The people now understand he’d give illegal immigrants a better deal than he would citizens.  That’s gonna leave a mark.  The Bible question was silly.  It should not have been asked and has no place in a presidential debate. 

And one I missed yesterday – Mitt visited a NICU in St. Petersburg.  Touching story. 

Today’s “Raging Bigot” Award goes to none other than the Atlantic Free Press’ Stephen Pizzo.  The RBA reward?  No, link, no reference, nada.  Memo to Mr. Pizzo:  Go. Pound. Sand. 

Townhall’s Rich Galen jumps into the No Muslim in Mitt’s Cabinet fray.  Ladies and Gentlemen, there simply is no “there” there.  Mansoor Ijaz is the only person who has claimed Mitt made such a statement. 

HuffPo’s Sam Stein attempts to add kerosene to the embers by trying to link another “alleged” Mitt quote from a Talking Points Memo piece.  The only problem with either Stein’s or Sergeant’s reporting work is they can’t get their quotes straight.  Either Irma Aguirre (former finance director of the Nevada Republican Party) quoted the exchange between George Harris and Mitt this: 

His question was something to the effect of, `Considering the problems that we have with the Jihadist movement and the problems we have with the Middle East, would you consider having a Muslim as an adviser that can guide you as to what kind of decisions to make with regards to the Middle East?’ 

Or she reported the exchange this way: 

I was curious to listen to Romney, I was very impressed by him and I’m kind of undecided about whom to support. Well, at one point, they opened questions to the audience and a gentleman who was with me… raised his hand and posed a question. ‘Being that Muslims do not really trust America’s leaders, do you think it would be prudent, or would you consider having a Muslim in your cabinet as an adviser to lend credibility to the administration? His response was ‘probably not’ or ‘most likely not’. 

Which one is it, Sam?  Either way, you (and Ms. Aguirre) are reading far too much into the response.  Mitt was asked whether or not he would put a Muslim in his cabinet either to “lend credibility” to his administration or serve as an “adviser” in regards to the Middle East. Mitt’s answer that he would “probably not” appoint a Muslim based solely on the fact that the person is Muslim meshes perfectly with the response he gave CBSNews.  Mitt doesn’t fill slots based on the need to check a box on a diversity sheet. It really irritates me that most of the MSM is taking Ijaz’s word on the facts of the exchange.  This guy had an agenda and heard what he wanted to hear.  It really is that simple. 

The Washington Post’s Media Guru Howard Kurtz gives the blow by blow about Mitt, Mormonism, and the media circus.

Still no word from Christopher Hitches as to his underwear preference. 

Newsbuster’s PJ Gladnick dissects the LA Times’ “Mitt’s Too Perfect” article. 

Bruce Wilson thinks that Romney needs to connect more emotionally with America.  While he may have a point, I don’t want emotional basket cases (eg. John Edwards) running this country.  Leadership is about the ability to make hard decisions and live with them.  Gannett News Service’s Chuck Raasch has a preview of tonight’s CNN/YouTube Circus. 

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Thomas Burr says the Mormon Question is fair game for the Circus.  personally, I have no doubt as to the political leanings of CNN.  Any religious questions that get posed to Mitt rather than the rest of the field will remove all doubt as to CNN’s credibility as a somewhat honest debate broker.  Let’s just say I’m not holding my breath.  I figure the Mormon Question should come as the second or third question. 

The AP’s Steve LeBlanc fact checks Rudy’s crime hit on Mitt’s record.  Rudy ends up on the short side of the deal.  The Washington Times’ Joseph Curl interviews Mitt and focuses on [surprise] the Mormon Question. MSNBC’s Scoop Courtney Hazlett dug up a “source” that has Marie Osmond close to endorsing Mitt.  And I’m supposed to find this interesting because why? 

The New York Times’ Michael Luo manages to find bigoted Iowans who are lining up behind Huckabee.  Seems to me Mike is being defined by his followers – and they aren’t a group I’d like to have on my side anyway.

Really, Governor Huckabee, is this the best you can do?  You really need new sound-byte writers.

The Boston Globe’s Foon Rhee crunches the South Carolina numbers – they look good for Mitt and downright gloomy for Rudy.  If Rudy goes 0-3 – meaning he loses Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan – the Big Mo Doctrine dictates he’ll have a very rough time using Florida as a firewall.  Losing begets losing.   

 

There is a slight brou-ha-ha on the campaign trail today regarding the Christian Science Monitor’s Mansoor Ijaz alleged conversation he had with Mitt regarding the possibility of a Muslim in Mitt’s cabinet.  Mr. Ijaz claims Mitt said there aren’t enough Muslims in America to justify having one in the cabinet.  Well, the Blogosphere’s best have been hard at work on Mr. Ijaz.  Captain Ed has some details left out of Ijaz’s resume – namely he’s a hardcore Democratic shill and prolific fundraiser.  Mitt answered some questions on the story today as well. 

Here’s the bottom line:  Mr. Ijaz has an agenda – one which few Americans support.  He tried to play ‘gotcha’ with Mitt and has been summarily slapped with a brickbat for having done so.  Ijaz asked a question, but he had already written the answer.  In short, I’ll believe Mr. Ijaz’s version of the exchange only when I see or hear evidence of what was said – excluding Mr. Ijaz’s written account.  In short, as far as I’m concerned he made it up till proven otherwise. 

The New York Times’ Michael Luo chronicles Thanksgiving with Mitt. Glad you made it home for Turkey Day, Mike. 

Hmmm.  It seems that Hillary loses to, well, everybody. 

The Salt Lake Tribune has Mitt’s reading list on the campaign trail. 

Politico’s Jonathan Martin has Mitt’s Iowa direct mail piece. 

There are some days when I respect what Christopher Hitchens has to say.  Today is not one of those days.  Memo to Mr. Hitchens:  Your statement that Hemingway’s NRO piece was “very well argued” calls into question your very understanding of factual information.  I’d give you your religious bigot sign, but you’ve already got more than a few of those.  By the way, as long as you’re content to question Mitt’s choice in underwear, might I ask you about yours?  Boxers?  Briefs?  Heaven forbid!  Please don’t say “thong”.  End Memo.

Back to the News after the Thanksgiving Break. 

First off, I’m thinking about putting Howlin’ Mad Howie’s Head Mitt Hit Man Damien LaVera’s picture on milk cartons.  He’s been awful quiet lately. 

The New York Daily News’ Errol Louis shows both arrogance and ineptitude as it relates to religion and politics.  His attempted broadside lands well short of the target as he attempts (and fails) to use Mormon doctrine as a rhetorical weapon against Mitt.  Memo to Mr. Louis:  A Bishop presides over one (1) congregation.  A Stake President presides over a group of congregations.  Even a light understanding of Mormon organization would teach you that.  Having missed that obvious difference, the rest of your diatribe lacks in both substance and style.  Better luck next time.  End Memo. 

The LA Times’ Fay Fiore declares Mitt to be “too perfect”.  Call it an after effect of an Eight Year Clinton Presidency.  Anybody who has lived a scandal-free life is deemed unfit for public life. 

Peggy Noonan has an excellent piece on Mitt at the WSJ. 

More good stuff from NRO’s Kathryn Lopez: 

If you are not going to support Republican Mitt Romney for president because you don’t think he is the guy to win the war on terror, that is your call. If you are pro-life and you do not buy his abortion conversion story, it’s a free country. But if you are not going to support Mitt Romney for president because he is Mormon, or because you think he will not be elected president because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, say your prayers for America. 

Amen, Kathryn. 

The Eagle Times’ Melissa LaFlamme reports on Mitt’s visit to Newport. 

Memo to Rudy:  Remember the parable of the Man in the Glass House?  You might want to re-read that one. 

The AP’s Amy Lorentzen chronicles a tit for tat battle with Mitt and Obama. 

The Harvard Crimson’s Jarrat Zafran writes about electability…I think. 

The Union-Leader carries a Jay Ambrose column which cuts through the Mormon question and gets to more important issues. 

The American Spectator’s Paul Chesser is fully prepared to let Hillary! waltz into the Oval Office rather than let a Mormon sit in the big chair.  Memo to Mr. Chesser:  You’re a bigot.  Here’s your sign.  End Memo. 

According to Andrew Cline, Duncan Hunter is now Mitt.  Who knew? 

The Concord Monitor’s Meg Heckman writes about Mitt’s call for a judge he appointed to resign because she issued an incredibly stupid order that resulted in a the murder of a newlywed couple.  Mitt is taking heat from both sides of the political spectrum because of his effort to hold this judge accountable for her actions.  Look, people, this is how its done in the private sector.  If you royally screw up and can’t be fired, you’re expected to quit.  That’s what we call “accountability”.  Look it up.  The public sector needs more of it. 

Ace of Spades is taking a second look at Mitt. 

And finally, when did satire become reality?

Reuters’ Ed Stoddard flogs the Mormon Question and comes up with the conclusion that Baptists are upset that Mormons keep stealing members of their congregations.  Now that is an old argument. 

IowaPolitics’ Chris Dorsey quotes Mitt as calling Hillary out to defend her bloated healthcare plans – both versions 1.0 and 2.0. 

Media Nation’s Dan Kennedy has a lukewarm profile of Mitt published by the UK’s Guardian.  I’d comment further, but it’s the day before Thanksgiving and I’ve got turkey on my mind. 

Paul Strickland gives a first hand report from the 2007 California Republican Assembly where Mitt won yet another straw poll. 

Mitt stars in a Hillary! ad.  Just what experience is she talking about? 

Human Events has a broad and deep interview with Mitt on a wide range of subjects.  Read the whole thing. 

David Lightman pens a Sacramento Bee piece that rehashes much of the normal Mitt fodder.  The opening paragraph about Eisenhower’s dinner visit was pretty interesting. 

Mitt and Rudy trade immigration barbs. 

The AP’s David Pitt writes of Mitt’s desire to reign in medical malpractice lawsuits.  Stand by for John Edwards whining. 

The mightily irreverent Dean Barnett (now of the Weekly Standard) has a schizophrenic question and answer session which neatly sums up the push poll controversy.   Actually, Barnett’s conversation is a lot like a Hillary! press conference. 

And finally, here’s a transcript of Mitt on Hannity’s radio show yesterday. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

RedState’s Leon Wolf has “thrown in with Romney”.  Don’t worry, he’s issued a pre-emptive apology for having induced and coronary events by doing so. 

Politico’s Jonathan Martin has Huckabee’s response to the push poll scandal.  I’m not sure I’ve ever read a weaker piece of denunciation in my life. 

Somebody once chided me for referring to the former Arkansas governor as The Incredible Shrinking Huckabee.  Here’s one reason why I refer to him in such a manner. Here’s another.  The Article VI Boys do their usual phenomenal job in parsing the details. 

All Da King’s Men provides some much needed comic relief. 

Everybody beats Hillary in Florida. 

The Atlantic’s Ross Douthat makes some interesting points on “faith based” politics.  It’s worth the read, but take time to read the whole thing thoroughly. 

Check out the “Presidential Cribs”.  Mitt has some fine residences, and it looks like John Edwards clear cut an area about the size of Wyoming for his monstrous home. 

Politico’s Allen and Martin have a good piece on the nano-second news cycle. 

The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mark Naymick writes on the state of Ohio politics. 

Mitt, along with most of the Presidential field, will be home for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Expect light posting. 

I’m fairly certain the term “9/11 Conspiracy Nutter” was left out of Ron Paul’s description for this poll. 

The Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson proves Mitt can’t give money to charity without catching some flack for having done so. 

One would think The New Republic would try and improve the quality of its content in the aftermath of the Scott Beauchamp debacle – to say nothing of the previous TNR scandals.  Evidently, TNR has no such goal as they saw fit to print a dubious article by Josh Patashnik where the author tries (and fails) to persuade the reader that there are many people who believe a Mitt presidency would be bad for the LDS Church. 

Sigh. 

I guess the only good thing about Patashnik being published in TNR is the fact that few people will read it, fewer still will understand what they read, and those that do understand what they read don’t matter much anyway. 

Yesterday, the NRO’s Byron York flogged the Mormon Question.  Today he’s flogging the abortion issue – yet again.  I’m not sure York will get many more Mitt interviews simply because York seems to be growing denser by the article.  Memo to Byron:  Here’s the bottom line:  The NRLC endorsement of Fred won’t matter much, because Fred is out of gas and has the glide ratio of a brick.  Who do you think they’ll line up with in a Mitt vs. Rudy race?  End Memo. 

And finally, you have to be very familiar with Mormon culture to understand the humor behind the Deseret Morning News’ Doug Robinson.  Well done, Doug.

Are you worried about the effect the Writer’s Guild strike will have on your favorite TV show?  Do you need a heavy dose of fiction in your day?  Well, if you’re prepared to willingly suspend belief in this universe we call “Reality”, feel free to take a gander at the NRO’s Mark Hemingway.   Evidently, Mr. Hemingway has taken leave of his senses and glommed on to the latest web based rumor that Mitt is behind the anti-Mormon push polling in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. 

There are, according to Hemingway, a “web of connections” supporting his conclusion – which would be laughable if it weren’t so pathetically thin.  Evidently, Western Wat’s founder Ron Lindorf has ties to BYU’s Marriott School of Management.  Mitt is a Marriott school alumnus and must therefore be in cahoots with Lindorf – who by the way has divested himself of all Western Wats holdings.  Some Western Wats employees have also donated money to Mitt’s campaign.  Hemingway also makes several other thinly shrouded references to Mormons being employed by Western Wats – another sure sign of a dark conspiracy. 

Memo to Mr. Hemingway:  I’m also an alumnus of BYU’s Marriott School of Management.  I’m also a Mormon.  I (obviously) support Mitt’s campaign for the Oval Office.  With all those common factors, I’m offended that you didn’t find a way to include me as a co-conspirator in the push polling scandal.  End Memo. 

Hemingway concludes with a statement that “the Romney campaign, ultimately, has the power to clarify any misconceptions.”  Clarification need not come from Mitt.  It needs to come from Western Wats generally, and Hemingway specifically.   

Also taking leave of his senses is George Washington University’s Jonathan Turley has somehow come to the conclusion that religion is now “fair game” in America’s political landscape.  Memo to Mr. Turley:  Exactly how did expressing a fondness for the Gideon bible leave “Mormons and non-Mormons wondering about his faith values.”?  End Memo. 

Townhall’s Douglas MacKinnon sums up the push poll issue quite nicely.  Cowardly gutter snipes indeed. 

The Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson looks at Mitt’s 2002 gubenatorial race and finds similarities to what might happen in a Mitt vs. Hillary cage match. 

Bostonist’s Caroline Roberts wins today’s Really Bad Photoshop Award.  Uggh. 

The Weekly Standard’s editor Fred Barnes has a good article highlighting Mitt’s business skills and matching them up with his White House ambitions. 

CNBC’s Larry Kudlow pens a Townhall piece on Mitt.  It’s a good article – Kudlow knows his stuff.  That said, the comments on the article show why I seldom leave comments anywhere. 

Mitt’s largest donating zipcode is Provo’s very own 84604.  Maybe Hemingway has some ground for his conspiracy theory. 

Gannett News’ Chuck Raasch breaks out the whip to flog the dead horse – again.  The NRO’s Byron York flogs the same horse, but with much better flair. 

Two words can best describe Hillary’s bid for the White House:  Remarkably Unqualified. 

According to the NRO editorial board: 

Martin Luther apocryphally said he would rather be governed by a wise Turk than a foolish Christian. Voters should judge Romney on how wise — and trustworthy, and courageous, and competent — he is; not on his religion. 

Amen.

Apologies to my SiteMeter rated 45 readers.  Your regularly scheduled Roundup has been delayed due to my sojourns in hotels with questionable wireless connections. 

With that said, on with the show! 

By far the biggest Mitt related story you’ll hear about today is the “Push-Polling” calls conducted in Iowa and New Hampshire over the past few days.  The object of Push Polling has little to do with polling but everything to do with planting negative images in the minds of prospective voters. 

As to who is behind the calls – Western Watts refuses to say – as of this writing it’s really anybody’s guess.  Western Wats has ties to the Tarrance Group which has done work in the past for Rudy’s campaign.  Politico’s Jonathan Martin has all the inside baseball on this developing story.  According to the AP’s Philip Elliott, some New Hampshire laws may have been violated by the callers. 

What’s the bottom line?  Blogfather Hugh sums it up nicely.  There are too many people in the ‘Sphere these days who love nothing more than connecting the dots the offending campaign swore never would be connected.  Somebody at Western Wats will talk, the dam will break, and somebody’s campaign (not Mitt’s) will implode.  Check the Vegas odds makers for the over-under on how long it will take. 

The New York Times’ David Kirkpatrick takes a look at Mitt’s missionary service in France during the late 1960s.  All in all, not a bad effort – an improvement on Kirkpatrick’s earlier efforts, but that wasn’t very hard.  If the MSM were to focus on three years of any other candidates adolescent life, I think they’d find a lot more interesting stuff than three years of door knocking in France. 

CBS’s Skinny Blogger Keach Hagey cherry picks nuggets from the aforementioned NYT piece and comes up with [drum roll] Not Much.  Originality, Keach.  Try it some time. 

That thud you heard at the Box Office over the weekend was Robert Redford’s latest attempt at film making.  Turns out Redford also bombs at the interview box.  Bad form, Bob.  Really bad form.  Not even worth my time to comment. 

The Concord Monitor’s Lauren Dorgan pens a lengthy piece on Mitt’s interview with Monitor editors and reporters and produces one valuable quote from Mitt as he confronts (yet again) the Mormon Question: 

John F. Kennedy gave the landmark speech on the topic. He said what needs to be said.  I don’t know that there’s something different that needs to be said than what he said. I guess I could go back and reprint it! 

Hopefully the staffer who keeps on stringing the press along with hopes of the Mormon speech has been dutifully sacked. 

Mitt got mentioned by Obama in the latest Democratic Presidential Candidate Joint Press Conference.  Mitt has facts and figures to back up his platform.  The Democrats? Not so much. 

Speaking of the Joint Press Conference in Vegas, Mitt summed it up quite nicely:

The only place you can lose more money than in the casinos of Las Vegas will be in that debate tonight. 

George Will looks at the political map and sees good harbingers for Mitt while at the same time declaring Hillary “less than inevitable.” 

Even the Sith Lord has good things to say about Mitt’s campaign. 

Paul Weyrich writes an Op-Ed in the Washington Times on why he’s thrown his support behind Mitt. 

Time Magazine’s Michael Kinsley has doubts about the value of consultants.  I think Mitt’s consulting has far better results than Kinsley’s writing and punditry ever will. 

Today’s Read The Whole Thing Award goes to Jay Ambrose.  Well done, Jay.  Brains have to count for something.

CBS Horserace blogger David Miller tries to make Mitt look wishy washy by creating controversy where there isn’t any.  Surely there must be some issue more important for Miller to follow. 

The AP’s Liz Sidoti reports on Mitt’s taking Huckabee and Rudy to task on their immigration stance. 

CNN’s Mark Preston breaks down Mitt’s advertising budget.  Yes, it is a lot of cash.  That’s what a start up operation with little to no name recognition takes.  Anyone who has a remote understanding of marketing understands that. 

More endorsements for Mitt. 

The Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson reports on Mitt’s “methodical” style of campaigning.   That’s how ground games are won – methodically at three to four yards every play. 

The LA Times’ James Rainey takes a skeptical look at Mitt’s attitude towards his Bay State health care plan.  Here’s the bottom line – Mitt can’t control what Deval Patrick does with the program he started. 

California Conservatives (I guess there are still a few left) have thrown their cards in with Mitt. 

The AP’s Glen Johnson writes up some ideas Mitt has for helping Veterans. 

Sigh.  Is this kind of reporting really necessary? 

RealClearPolitics’ Jay Cost rounds up the various sources on Mitt and the Mormon speech.  Personally, I think Mitt has nothing to gain and lots to lose by giving such a speech – and it looks like Mitt’s advisors agree with me. 

Mitt’s rising in Iowa and New Hampshire. 

The Union Leader’s Gary Rayno has a piece on Mitt’s walk through Manchester. 

Townhall’s Kevin McCullough takes on the disingenuous Mitt haters. 

Some time ago, Martin Frost wrote an excellent column on those people who use Mitt’s Mormonism as a principal reason for opposing his run for the Oval.  Well, today he published some of the email responses he received to that column – each one filled with virulent anti-Mormon diatribes.  Frost states these were only a minority of the responses he received, and I guess this begs the question:  Why, Mr. Frost, did you lend voice to such a hate filled minority voice?  Did you really need to give a megaphone for them to vent their spleen?  Your first column was exceptional.  This column is a waste of space.  End Memo.

The New York Times’ Sarah Wheaton has a link to a CNN story on Mitt discussing – don’t hold your breath – his religion.  Here’s the real non-surprise – Mitt and Bob Jones disagree on most things religious.
 

Yes, John McCain’s Mom made some statements on Mitt and Mormons that made it past her internal sensor.  She’s in her 90s.  That happens.  Next. 

Howlin’ Mad Howie Dean’s Head Mitt Hit Man Damien LaVera has come up with a new fundraising idea which should keep the DNC in paper clips for a week or so.

I’ll start today with Townhall’s Greg Jackson as he breathlessly reports on the “secrets” the MSM is “hiding” about Mitt.  If Jackson’s writing wasn’t so pathetic it would be laughable.  Look, I read his column and my only reaction was – “Where’s the news?”  Not one of Jackson’s baseless accusations holds water.  Not a single one isn’t something the MSM hasn’t already trumpeted.  Every single one of them have been shot down – several times.  So much for secrets.  Better luck next time, Greg.
 
The AP’s Glen Johnson has an inside look at Mitt’s Granite State HQ.
 
Some Mormons are supporting Romney in Arizona.  Shocking.  Truly shocking.
 
CNN’s John King calls Mitt’s work in South Carolina “methodical”.  Ground games work that way – three to five yards at a time.  Eventually, you score.
 
Today’s “Read The Whole Thing” Award goes to Barry Cleveland of The Carmi Times.  Well said, Mr. Cleveland.
 
NRO’s David Freddoso looks at the polls and asks a very good question.