And the Winner Is…

by Colonel Bob Pappas, USMC, Retired

As the hours wind down to the “fateful” Iowa Caucuses, one is inundated by images, sound bites and poll results claiming such a variety of information that it is difficult to assess the real situation.  No doubt, there will be a winner. Just who that will be is yet to be determined, but if one is supposed to take one’s clue as to who to for vote for, Romney will win hands down. Check the buzz words in relation to the Romney campaign: “he remains above the fray allowing supporting PACs do his dirty work;” “He looks Presidential” (well, so do a lot of other actors); “He’s the presumptive Republican nominee:” “Gingrich makes Romney better;” and, etc.  The list goes on.

As one journalist openly admitted of the journalist community, they are doing their best to determine who is nominated.  The journalistic community wants Romney because in the aggregate Romney would be the easiest for Obama to defeat.  For those readers who are quick to abandon any front runner then move on to the next, one must keep in mind that the best Romney has been able to do is 25%. In a national race that would be catastrophic; but of course the assumption is that everyone thirteen clicks to the right of Obama (which would be about 86% of the population) would get on board because of their antipathy toward him. One hopes that logic would hold, but in today’s environment it may not.

It is disappointing to have to admit, but given that 95% of voting age blacks voted for Obama in ’08 and despite some disaffection in the black community for some of his policies, blacks will vote again as a Democrat block in favor of Obama if for no other reason than the color of his skin. That reflects racism of monumental proportions and is a sad reflection on the black community notwithstanding a growing number of blacks who have their eyes open. Oh, that more would recognize that Obama is keeping them on the Democrat Plantation with his “spreading the wealth around” bait, and is essentially telling them that they can’t succeed without him or some other socialist (ever hear of social justice?) to take care of them. Tragic, but true.

Here’s another admission, Obama looked good, had a great smile, lovely family and was articulate and except for the fact that I took the time to read his books, to do the research into his background, to the extent possible examine his associations, his Illinois political connections, his voting patterns as an Illinois Senator and his lack of activity as a US Senator, his fundamental belief system, his anti-American bias, his religious connections, his use of illicit drugs and other aberrant behavioral patterns, I might have done as some of my friends did who wanted to be “a part of history,” I might have voted for him. But, I took the time to study and those things have galvanized my opinion, an opinion which has since been borne out as correct by his behavior while in office.

What I learned about Obama beforehand and his behavior since he took office including: his manifestly anti-American behavior while in office (epitomized by his world apology tour); his corrupt, crony capitalistic connections; his cavalier attitude about spending taxpayer money; his “struck it rich” attitude about using taxpayer money to fund his recreational lifestyle (the most recent of which cost taxpayers a reported four million dollars); his duplicitous political patterns and his divisive rhetoric; his embrace of what might well be Soros funded protest groups; his obscene connection to labor thugs; his duplicitous backstabbing attitude toward Israel: his open embrace of everything Islam and at the same time his not so subtle anti-Christian bias; his divisive class warfare political strategy which includes abandonment of working class taxpayers; and his crony capitalism makes him anathema, a leadership revulsion and political if not a domestic enemy (in the Constitutional context) to Americans.

Back to the Republican nomination, here’s an educated opinion:
•    Santorum will win Iowa, fourth in New Hampshire, fourth in South Carolina and Florida.

•    Paul will come in second in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire, second in South Carolina and third in Florida.

•    Romney will come in third in Iowa, first in New Hampshire, third in South Carolina, second in Florida.

•    Gingrich will come in fourth in Iowa, third in New Hampshire, win South Carolina and Florida.

•    Bachman will come in fifth in Iowa, last and drop out after New Hampshire.

•    Huntsman will come in last in Iowa, second in New Hampshire last in South Carolina and Florida.

Santorum has spent too much time in Iowa that he lacks the strength elsewhere to continue on. Paul has enthusiastic followers but lacks broad based support to go forward with strength beyond Iowa. Romney can’t get past 25%, no matter what he does, even as Gingrich makes him better. Gingrich has the vision, message, will and tenacity to overcome the negative campaigning in Iowa and rebound in South Carolina and Florida. Bachman is in the hyperventilating mode, and Huntsman is gasping for political air.

The strong horse in the race despite the negative campaigning is Newt Gingrich, and I stand with him.

Semper Fidelis


Copyright ©  January 2nd, 2012, by Robert L. Pappas. With proper attribution, this essay may be quoted and redistributed, except it may not be used in conjunction with any advertisement without the author’s expressed written permission.