That's what David Freddoso thinks. Give it a read, this primary season is shaping up to simply be the best...primary...ever. At least for historical purposes.
As many others have said, Freddoso believes that a lot of the Huckabee vote in the South (and Giuliani vote overall) hinge on how well Fred Thompson does in South Carolina.
Also, as Freddoso points out, money may become a factor if this becomes a total national slugfest. This is where Romney's ability to self-finance and raise funds will come into play, as he will be able to sustain himself much longer than most of the other candidates.
I haven't seen fundraising numbers for Huckabee or McCain, but I do know that Giuliani is in trouble (asking for campaign workers to voluntarily stop receiving paychecks), and Fred Thompson's fundraising has picked up to the point that current fundraising challenges have had their limits increase due to the fact that donations have picked up recently.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Obenshain Introduces Title Loan Regulation
Sen. Mark Obenshain (26th-Harrisonburg) pre-filed SB565 on 01/09, which regulates "Car Title Loan" lenders, such as LoanMax. Here is the summary of the bill from RichmondSunlight.
Regulates motor vehicle equity loans, which are closed-end loans secured by an interest in a motor vehicle. The measure caps the interest on such loans at 20 percent per month for the first two months and three percent per month for the balance of the term. If such a loan is repaid in full within 48 hours, the loan shall not bear interest. The maximum term of such a loan is 12 months. The maximum amount of a motor vehicle equity loan is 50 percent of the value of the motor vehicle. Lenders are required to be licensed with the State Corporation Commission. A violation of the measure is a prohibited practice under the Consumer Protection Act. Violators are subject to civil and criminal penalties. Making unlicensed motor vehicle equity loans, or arranging or brokering motor vehicle equity loans, is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Not a bad deal, really. It caps the interest, but does so that is more advantageous for these companies to profit in the short-term. It also requires them to be licensed with the State Corporation Commission, which should've happened already, and provides penalties for making unlicensed vehicle equity loans. Fairly sensible legislation.
Read the full text here.
Finnegan at hburgnews has a good post on this.
Regulates motor vehicle equity loans, which are closed-end loans secured by an interest in a motor vehicle. The measure caps the interest on such loans at 20 percent per month for the first two months and three percent per month for the balance of the term. If such a loan is repaid in full within 48 hours, the loan shall not bear interest. The maximum term of such a loan is 12 months. The maximum amount of a motor vehicle equity loan is 50 percent of the value of the motor vehicle. Lenders are required to be licensed with the State Corporation Commission. A violation of the measure is a prohibited practice under the Consumer Protection Act. Violators are subject to civil and criminal penalties. Making unlicensed motor vehicle equity loans, or arranging or brokering motor vehicle equity loans, is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Not a bad deal, really. It caps the interest, but does so that is more advantageous for these companies to profit in the short-term. It also requires them to be licensed with the State Corporation Commission, which should've happened already, and provides penalties for making unlicensed vehicle equity loans. Fairly sensible legislation.
Read the full text here.
Finnegan at hburgnews has a good post on this.
Financial News: Bank of America Purchases Countrywide Financial
Countrywide Financial, the new symbol of the housing market downturn and subprime mortgage crisis, will be purchased by Bank of America for a fairly modest $4 billion. The purchase will be complete by the 3rd Quarter of this year, and is expected to provide a boost Bank of America's stock in 2009.
Interesting, because Bank of America has some rather large coffers, which may save Countrywide from filing bankruptcy.
In other stock market news, in case you haven't kept up, today is another one of those "market correction" days, as the Dow is down over 285 points as I type this. I'm going to hate looking at my 401K tomorrow...
Interesting, because Bank of America has some rather large coffers, which may save Countrywide from filing bankruptcy.
In other stock market news, in case you haven't kept up, today is another one of those "market correction" days, as the Dow is down over 285 points as I type this. I'm going to hate looking at my 401K tomorrow...
An Anti-Huckabee Evangelical...?
This comment from the South Carolina Debate thread at Michelle Malkin caught my eye. Unlike much of the thread, she doesn't praise Fred Thompson (although she espouses some love for him at the end, she is a Mitt Romney supporter, first), but this person, whose handle is "RealImmigrantChick", brings up some interesting points in her comment...
I am an evangelical and I will NEVER vote for the Huckster. I will also not vote for McCaine. I would rather sit it out in 2008 if either of these guys is our nominee. Why do so many Christians (I am sorry if I offend my brethren) fall for someone just cause they can quote the Bible? Look at his fruit: 1) misplaced compassion for the criminals, not the victims; 2) misplaced compassion for the illegals, not legal immigrants and citizens whose wages have plummeted cause of illegals; 3) raising taxes for social programs and big government (the Bible leaves good works to us, as Christians, not government. It also says, those who do not work, should not eat (St. Paul)- i.e., no welfare, etc., and Huckster sounds like a goverment services type of guy). No way to him or McCaine. I will hold my breath with Rudy, since he is a bit more bearable, but never these 2. I like Mitt. I believe his change on abortion. I have chaned my position too, I used to be pro-choice, now I am vehimently against it. So, his change does not bother me, I APPLAUD IT!!!!! More people should since that is what we want, changed hearts on this issue. I love Fred also.
A lot to digest, there, but I found it to be rather interesting. An anti-Huckabee evangelical...could we be seeing a bit of a backlash?
I am an evangelical and I will NEVER vote for the Huckster. I will also not vote for McCaine. I would rather sit it out in 2008 if either of these guys is our nominee. Why do so many Christians (I am sorry if I offend my brethren) fall for someone just cause they can quote the Bible? Look at his fruit: 1) misplaced compassion for the criminals, not the victims; 2) misplaced compassion for the illegals, not legal immigrants and citizens whose wages have plummeted cause of illegals; 3) raising taxes for social programs and big government (the Bible leaves good works to us, as Christians, not government. It also says, those who do not work, should not eat (St. Paul)- i.e., no welfare, etc., and Huckster sounds like a goverment services type of guy). No way to him or McCaine. I will hold my breath with Rudy, since he is a bit more bearable, but never these 2. I like Mitt. I believe his change on abortion. I have chaned my position too, I used to be pro-choice, now I am vehimently against it. So, his change does not bother me, I APPLAUD IT!!!!! More people should since that is what we want, changed hearts on this issue. I love Fred also.
A lot to digest, there, but I found it to be rather interesting. An anti-Huckabee evangelical...could we be seeing a bit of a backlash?
Rasmussen Polls on Both Sides of the Mason-Dixon...
Head-to-head matchups between Republican candidates and Democratic candidates, courtesy of Rasmussen Reports.
Maryland (as if we expect surprises here)
Obama 48%, McCain 42%
McCain 45%, Clinton 43%
Obama 55%, Romney 34%
Clinton 52%, Romney 39%
There is a surprise in Maryland...McCain has a lead over Clinton. Maryland is one of the "bluest" states in the nation, so for McCain to make a crack in the Dem foundation here is encouraging.
Oh yeah, and Martin O'Malley has a 33% approval rating as Governor, which is lower than President Bush's 36% approval rating amongst Marylanders...HA! Bring back Bob Ehrlich, Maryland, he was good for you. Moving on...
Pennsylvania
McCain 48%, Clinton 42%
McCain 46%, Obama 38%
Clinton 49%, Romney 39%
Obama 43%, Romney 38%
Clinton 46%, Huckabee 44%
Pennsylvania is a very odd state. They like their Democrats conservative and their Republicans liberal (well, to an extent). That would explain Huckabee's ability to hang with Hillary. Romney isn't doing well here, either...but his gap between himself and Obama is half of what it is with Hillary. Once again, that's The Keystone State's tendency to buck the trends, as Romney tends to match up better with Clinton than Obama.
I previously examined the battleground states, and I did not include Pennsylvania because of recent trends. However, given that McCain and Huckabee are doing so well up there, I may soon include Pennsylvania as a swing state if this trend continues.
Maryland (as if we expect surprises here)
Obama 48%, McCain 42%
McCain 45%, Clinton 43%
Obama 55%, Romney 34%
Clinton 52%, Romney 39%
There is a surprise in Maryland...McCain has a lead over Clinton. Maryland is one of the "bluest" states in the nation, so for McCain to make a crack in the Dem foundation here is encouraging.
Oh yeah, and Martin O'Malley has a 33% approval rating as Governor, which is lower than President Bush's 36% approval rating amongst Marylanders...HA! Bring back Bob Ehrlich, Maryland, he was good for you. Moving on...
Pennsylvania
McCain 48%, Clinton 42%
McCain 46%, Obama 38%
Clinton 49%, Romney 39%
Obama 43%, Romney 38%
Clinton 46%, Huckabee 44%
Pennsylvania is a very odd state. They like their Democrats conservative and their Republicans liberal (well, to an extent). That would explain Huckabee's ability to hang with Hillary. Romney isn't doing well here, either...but his gap between himself and Obama is half of what it is with Hillary. Once again, that's The Keystone State's tendency to buck the trends, as Romney tends to match up better with Clinton than Obama.
I previously examined the battleground states, and I did not include Pennsylvania because of recent trends. However, given that McCain and Huckabee are doing so well up there, I may soon include Pennsylvania as a swing state if this trend continues.
Fred's Debate Domination
Jim Geraghty dishes out his winner from last night's debate...
Winner: Thompson. This performance was so commanding, I wanted his last answer to echo back to the lights in the back of the auditorium, blow out all the lamps and spotlights, for the theme to “the Natural” to play, and for him to trot around the stage in slow motion while sparks showered down in the background.
Commanding...such a great adjective. According to Geraghty, even the infamous Frank Luntz focus group is coming around
For once I’m in total agreement with Frank Luntz’s focus group – they loved Fred. They’re saying he showed passion.
First he dominated the last Iowa debate with his leadership skills and firm stance, then he won the New Hampshire debates by being deep and solid on the issues, and now he won the South Carolina debate by displaying his passion.
Most of the liveblogging of the debate that I've seen has noted Fred's dominance, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Other sentiments echo the opinion that Fred really took it to Huckabee and had him reeling badly from it.
In other Fred news, the "big, big" conservative endorsement came from the periodical Human Events. While a great endorsement from one of Ronald Reagan's favorite magazines, not quite as "big" as some of us thought it was. Still, it's another solid endorsement from the conservative flank of the GOP.
Winner: Thompson. This performance was so commanding, I wanted his last answer to echo back to the lights in the back of the auditorium, blow out all the lamps and spotlights, for the theme to “the Natural” to play, and for him to trot around the stage in slow motion while sparks showered down in the background.
Commanding...such a great adjective. According to Geraghty, even the infamous Frank Luntz focus group is coming around
For once I’m in total agreement with Frank Luntz’s focus group – they loved Fred. They’re saying he showed passion.
First he dominated the last Iowa debate with his leadership skills and firm stance, then he won the New Hampshire debates by being deep and solid on the issues, and now he won the South Carolina debate by displaying his passion.
Most of the liveblogging of the debate that I've seen has noted Fred's dominance, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Other sentiments echo the opinion that Fred really took it to Huckabee and had him reeling badly from it.
In other Fred news, the "big, big" conservative endorsement came from the periodical Human Events. While a great endorsement from one of Ronald Reagan's favorite magazines, not quite as "big" as some of us thought it was. Still, it's another solid endorsement from the conservative flank of the GOP.
U.S. At Risk of Losing Triple-A Credit Rating Within a Decade
And guess why? It's the fact that our government is spending way to much on health care, social security, and welfare.
These are the programs the Democrats are looking to spend more money on. This is also some of Fred Thompson's best issues in terms of how we should tackle these problems.
- Create a free-market approach towards health care.
- Individualize and optionally-privatize social security.
- Increase welfare effectiveness so only those that need it get it.
- Decrease number of people on welfare through stimulating economic and employment growth.
That, in itself, would save our credit rating...which is the same rating we have held since the rating was first applied in 1917. In other words, can literally cannot afford to have a tax-and-spend, social-program increasing Democrat in office.
Fiscal prudence is key, and Fred Thompson knows it.
These are the programs the Democrats are looking to spend more money on. This is also some of Fred Thompson's best issues in terms of how we should tackle these problems.
- Create a free-market approach towards health care.
- Individualize and optionally-privatize social security.
- Increase welfare effectiveness so only those that need it get it.
- Decrease number of people on welfare through stimulating economic and employment growth.
That, in itself, would save our credit rating...which is the same rating we have held since the rating was first applied in 1917. In other words, can literally cannot afford to have a tax-and-spend, social-program increasing Democrat in office.
Fiscal prudence is key, and Fred Thompson knows it.
Snow Falls in Baghdad
For the first time that anyone can remember, snow is falling on the streets of Baghdad. This seems to be causing a serious lift in spirits amongst the citizens within the city.
"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished," he said.
"A few minutes ago, I was covered with snowflakes. In my hair, on my shoulders. I invite all the people to enjoy peace, because the snow means peace," he said.
Traffic policeman Murtadha Fadhil, huddling under a balcony to keep dry, declared the snow "a new sign of the new Iraq."
It's a sign of hope. We hope Iraqis will purify their hearts and politicians will work for the prosperity of all Iraqis."
That seems to be the general feeling, that snow is an omen of peace. Maybe this omen will mean that the Iraqi government will finally start to get itself straightened out, and we can finally end the rebuilding process and our soldiers can come back home, proud of the work they've accomplished.
Also...anyone else find it odd that, during this period of supposed global warming, it's snowing in Baghdad...
"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished," he said.
"A few minutes ago, I was covered with snowflakes. In my hair, on my shoulders. I invite all the people to enjoy peace, because the snow means peace," he said.
Traffic policeman Murtadha Fadhil, huddling under a balcony to keep dry, declared the snow "a new sign of the new Iraq."
It's a sign of hope. We hope Iraqis will purify their hearts and politicians will work for the prosperity of all Iraqis."
That seems to be the general feeling, that snow is an omen of peace. Maybe this omen will mean that the Iraqi government will finally start to get itself straightened out, and we can finally end the rebuilding process and our soldiers can come back home, proud of the work they've accomplished.
Also...anyone else find it odd that, during this period of supposed global warming, it's snowing in Baghdad...
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