Quinnipiac: dead heat between McCain, Giuliani; Clinton leads by 17 points

FROM WASHINGTON POST TODAY: Grading Stimulus Plans
Obama: A-, Clinton: C-  JohnE: B-  Mc:  D Rudy: Inc  W: B-
Ms. Marcus grading starts with Barack Obama (HIGHEST GRADE) A- I criticized his previous tax plan, but Obama is at the head of the class with an intelligently designed, $120 billion stimulus plan. He would speed a $250 tax credit to most workers, followed by another $250, triggered automatically, if the economy continues on its sour path. Obama would direct a similar rebate to low- and middle-income seniors, who are also apt to spend and could get checks quickly. One demerit: Obama omits any increase in food stamp benefits, which Moody's estimates would have the greatest bang for the buck, $1.73 for every dollar spent.

Hillary Clinton: C- Clinton, too, raised the issue early, then turned in a faulty first draft with a $70 billion stimulus plan that didn't provide much immediate stimulation. It included a $25 billion increase in the program to help low-income Americans with heating costs -- an excessive amount (the current program is under $3 billion) that probably wouldn't kick in until next winter. Even worse was her housing plan, including a five-year freeze on subprime mortgage rates that could produce higher interest rates and reduce liquidity.

Four days later, Clinton said she would immediately implement a $40 billion tax rebate plan she had put in reserve in her first draft. Fine, but overall, the Obama plan devotes a far greater percentage to spending that is more likely to jump-start the economy.

John McCain: D plus The senator should have his plan sent back with "Did you read this assignment?" scrawled in red ink.

President Bush, sets the curve.
George W. Bush: B-

Mitt Romney: D Romney's plan is way too big ($233 billion) and badly constructed...

Mike Huckabee: D- Huckabee understands economic anxiety better than economic principles...

Rudy Giuliani: Incomplete. His position is too internally contradictory to grade...

See Full Story: marcusr@washpost.com

I do not know who is polled for these polls and how many actual voters, who will show up at the polls on February 5 answer these questions. However, I do think that Mike Huckabee will surprise a lot of status quo Republicans in NJ. The theory that Giuliani would be the best for NJ Republicans because of his popularity here must be flashed down the drain by now. Mac is back slogan for McCain does not move me much. I like Mike. I feel that his direct and honest talk can connect with a lot of voters in NJ similarly to Ronald Reagan. Let's vot for Mike.

Just curious why so many of these "polls" fail to offer Ron Paul as a choice in the questions..

Are they afraid that he may actually do better than most of the other candidates?

He did finish Second in the Nevada Caucus, although the event was overshadowed by the South Carolina Primaries. 

And why is the Republican Party so willing to sacrifice everything to hold onto these Neo-Conservative ideals that is costing our country billions of dollars a day? (not to mention the lives of many of our citizens as we try so dearly to hold onto our American Empire across 130+ Nations.)

Are they willing to sacrifice the office of the Presidency and perhaps a few more seats in both houses of Congress before they get it that the party is dead unless they return to their core principals? 

I'm going to predict right now, unless Ron Paul is the Republican Nominee, brace yourselves for a Democrat President, watch as the economy continues its downward spiral, taking the value of the dollar along with it, and pray to god that Charles Rangel doesn't get his Draft Bill out of the "House Ways and Means Committee" and back onto the floor for debate.

I know generally speaking that once a bill goes to committee, it tends to die there, but that doesn't prevent it from being resurrected and thrown into another bill. Hell, everyone signed the Patriot Act, without even reading it (except Ron Paul). Thats  how the "Real ID Act" was passed, it died in committee only to be reconstituted word for word and stuck inside a military appropriations bill, which of course, few read, and passed. 

How many people here are willing to send their children off to fight silly, unconstitutional wars, to die in foreign lands, all in the name of "Democracy"? 

For me personally, this is unacceptable.

J. Douglas Fisher 

Check Out: http://www.murraysabrin.com