The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Pre-Caucus Night Nap Time

The rented Mustang convertible I got for the price of a Toyota JOHNSTON, Iowa Just got back from the Stony Creek Inn, across the highway from my hotel, where they’re setting up for tonight’s big victory celebration for Rick Santorum. Just so you know: Election Night events are always billed in advance as “victory” parties, because […]

Remember the Crying Girl?

JOHNSTON, Iowa Last night I called my wife and told her I loved her, after listening to Rick Santorum’s speech to his supporters at the final town hall meeting before Caucus Day here in Iowa. Santorum paid tribute to his wife, Karen, and also to his children, who have worked so hard and sacrificed so […]

Santorum Attacked in Iowa With Same Smear Used Earlier Against Gingrich

Steve Ertelt of Life News reports: For the second time, people opposed to one of the Republican presidential candidates have misappropriated the name of a prominent Iowa pro-life organization attack the candidate in the state that holds the fist caucus tomorrow. In December someone used the name of Iowans for Life on fliers distributed at […]

Shorter Cuccinelli: Forget That I Was Trying To Re-jigger The Rules For 2012

by Smitty January 1, 2012 Dear Friends and Fellow Virginians, As many of you read yesterday in the news (link here for the story) I was considering supporting an effort to change the rules to allow the full range of presidential candidates on Virginia’s ballot on March 6th. I obviously feel very strongly that Virginia […]

Don’t Underestimate Rick Santorum’s Campaign Strength in New Hampshire

“Ten days ago I was at 5 percent [in the polls] and every question I got was ‘Why don’t you pack it up and endorse another candidate?’ And now they’re saying ‘You’ve got to win [in Iowa] to exceed expectations.’” — Rick Santorum on NBC’s Meet the Press JOHNSTON, Iowa One of the stupid assumptions […]

Rick Santorum Talks Steelers Football

JOHNSTON, Iowa My friend Dan Collins insisted that I must interview the candidate about his favorite NFL team, which I did Friday night: SANTORUM: “We will beat the Browns this week. My prediction is, both the Patriots will lose to the Bills and the Ravens will lose to the Bengals and we will be the […]

Ah, Yes: The Wallet, Plus Two More Predictions For Next Year

by Smitty Mark Mardell at the Beebs: The other major factor in whether or not Obama survives in office is the state of the economy. There are glints of light, indications it is getting a little better. But another set back in Europe could blow the US further off course. And whatever story of slight […]

SANTORUM SURGE SUNDAY: Final Poll Makes Front-Page News in Des Moines

JOHNSTON, Iowa You’re looking at the front page of Sunday’s Des Moines Register, which I just bought this morning at a convenience store down the street, and which carries the results of their final poll: Mitt Romney tops the latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll in the closing days before the Iowa caucuses, but Ron Paul […]

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