The current race for Kay Bailey Hutichson’s seat in the U.S. Senate is quite crowded on the Republican side.  Division within the party itself has become evident between Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s and former solicitor general Ted Cruz’s campaigns. However, some Republicans may differ on what ‘conservative’ actually means.  

“A belief in the patterns of government that have existed and worked in the past,” Jim Cardle with Texas Insider said.

Jonathan Saenz, with the Liberty Institute, says a true conservative believes in what some would say are the core values established at America’s birth.

“Where do you stand on the issue of the role of government? Where do you stand on religious liberty and Founding Fathers?” he said.

Most would say the candidates for U.S. Senate wouldn’t differentiate a whole lot on those, but what about today’s Texas conservative?

“It is, anymore, becoming a personal agenda, or something divisive, where you have to answer a score card or something like that,” Cardle said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry, who’s been considered one of the Tea Party’s loudest voices, is coming to Dewhurst’s ‘conservative’ defense in one of the lieutenant governor’s latest ads.

“The fact of the matter is, they’re all conservative. They all believe in less government. They all believe in individual freedoms. They all believe in states’ rights,” Cardle said.

“They’re conservatives, but again, their problem is differentiating themselves when they’re running in a conservative primary.”

The U.S. Senate race will be among the topics during our weekly political show “Capital Tonight” this Thursday at 7 p.m.

Karina Kling is an on-air video journalist with News 8 Austin.

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education ranks behind only the economy and jobs as the most important consideration among likely Latino voters in five battleground states, according to a survey released today by the American Federation for Children (AFC) and the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO).

A total of 85% of voters and 91% of Latinos think vouchers and scholarship tax credit programs should be available in some form, while majorities of likely voters and Latinos also support specific school choice proposals as well. Support is especially high for special needs scholarship programs, which are favored by 74% of voters and an astounding 80 percent of Latino voters.

The poll results revealed that improving K-12 education — and not issues related to immigration — is the second-most important issue in the minds of Latino respondents, and education ranks in a near-statistical tie as the second most important issue among all likely voters.

Voters in five states — Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Nevada — were surveyed by the Democratic-leaning polling firm Beck Research on a host of education and other issues that will prove critical to deciding the 2012 presidential election. A majority (58%) of Latinos surveyed expressed a desire to hear more from both presidential campaigns on how the candidates will improve education, and large proportions of respondents also voiced strong support for:

• private school choice initiatives
• vouchers
• scholarship tax credit programs
• education savings accounts
• and special needs scholarship programs

“The support for making education a fundamental part of the campaign discourse over the next six months is remarkably strong across demographic, geographic, and ideological lines,” said Kevin P. Chavous, a senior advisor to the American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice.

“The message to the candidates is clear: expanding educational options for parents, and education reform generally, should be a priority in 2012. It not only makes good political sense, but it’s the right thing to do, too.”

Latino respondents particularly supported arguments in favor of school choice because of the immediate help it provides to children from low-income families, and their positive effect on graduation rates, academic achievement, and parental satisfaction.

“No voting bloc is more important to this election than Latinos, and it’s clear that education is among the most important issues,” said Julio Fuentes, president and CEO of HCREO (www.hcreo.com). “Latino families want their children to have a chance to prosper, and that opportunity best exists through access to a quality education.”

In a campaign season dominated by talk of the economy, more than half (53 percent) of Latino voters also cited education as central to improving our country’s economic situation.

The Beck Research survey interviewed a total of 1,050 likely November voters, including an oversample of 300 Latinos. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 3.6 percent.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas –

UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen said he is thrilled and excited to have someone of Gonzales’ caliber joining the University.

“Veronica Gonzales has been a major ‘mover and shaker’ in the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas for years,” Nelsen said. “She is committed to UT Pan American’s mission of reaching out to the Valley and transforming the Valley through higher education. Veronica is a proven fundraiser with a brilliant mind and will make a difference at the University, just as UT Pan American is making a difference in the Valley.”

Gonzales, who will join UTPA July 1, said she is excited to serve her community in this new role and to tell the impressive story of this University, which is among the top five public universities in this state (Forbes, 2011) and one of the most affordable in the country.

As vice president of University Advancement, Gonzales will oversee the Office of Development, which is responsible for fund raising for the University, as well as the Department of Marketing and Communications, which comprises the Offices of Alumni Relations, Public Affairs and Studio Twelve01, the University’s marketing office.

Gonzales said she is looking forward to working with the advancement team to further the University’s current fundraising efforts and its renown.

“The same skills I developed in elected office – networking and fostering relationships to garnish support – will be instrumental in working for the University.  The story I want others in our state and nation to know is that we are doing great things here in South Texas, that we are a growing University, one with extremely high rankings and that an investment in this University is a sound one that will reap benefits for generations to come.”

Gonzales graduated cum laude from her hometown university — Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos — in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish. She earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1991.

Upon graduating from law school, Gonzales moved to McAllen, where she began practicing law at Jarvis & Kittleman, P.C., now Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, LLP.  She became a partner in four years and is currently a name partner.

As a first-generation college graduate, Gonzales said she feels a connection with many UTPA students and alumni.

“I went to my hometown university, in large part because it was convenient, because we did not have the money for me to attend elsewhere and not knowing much about college — being the first in my family  to go — it seemed like the right choice, ” Gonzales said. “I know I have that in common with many students in the Rio Grande Valley, so we want local students to know they do not have to go away to get an affordable and quality education.  We also want to appeal to students from all over Texas and the nation. When they learn of the University’s accomplishments and how welcoming the Valley’s residents are, I know they will love it as much as I have.”

Since moving to the Valley, Gonzales has served her community and the legal profession as a member of numerous professional, civic and charitable organizations, including the Children’s Defense Fund and Texas Rural Legal Aid.

She was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004, becoming the first female to represent District 41, and has gone on to serve four terms in the House, where she authored or co-authored 82 bills, several of which have benefitted higher education, including ones to help curb dropout rates and allow students to pay for their tuition in installments.

During her tenure in the House, Gonzales distinguished herself by passing the highest percentage of bills by any Democratic legislator in the House and was recognized as Freshman of the Year by the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.

Currently, Gonzales serves as chair of the Border and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and is a member of the Public Health Committee.

Over the years, Gonzales has shown her support for UT Pan American, speaking at HESTEC and other events.

Gonzales has received numerous awards for her work as a public servant. In 2010, she received the Ultimate Latina Award from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for her legislative accomplishments. Earlier this year, Gonzales was awarded the Texas State University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award and the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce Women of Distinction Award.

The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) in Edinburg is the 10th largest university in the state and the fifth largest in The University of Texas System. The four-year public university is located in South Texas, and serves more than 19,000 students. UTPA’s student population is more than 88 percent Hispanic, one of the largest enrollments of Hispanic students in the United States, and is second in the nation in awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanics, according to The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine. UTPA offers 56 bachelor’s degree programs, 57 master’s, 3 doctoral and 2 cooperative doctoral programs.

Kirk also noted that the U.S. and Colombia will continue to work together on the Action Plan Related to Labor Rights. He was joined by Colombian Ambassador to the United States Gabriel Silva and House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady who also made remarks highlighting the value of the Agreement for workers in both countries.

“This is good news for U.S. entrepreneurs, workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers who are ready to export more U.S. goods and services to Colombia’s growing market. 

“Similarly, it’s good news for Colombia, which stands to gain in terms of economic growth, jobs, and permanent access to the world’s largest market here in the United States,” said Kirk.

“This historic trade agreement also affirms the strong and deep relationship between the United States and Colombia, one of our closest friends and allies in the hemisphere,” he continued.  President Obama and President Santos were unwavering in their shared commitment to secure a historic trade agreement that boosts trade and jobs and that works for businesses and workers in both our countries.”  

Ambassador Kirk’s full remarks may be found here. 

Detailed information about the immediate benefits of the agreement for American workers and businesses is available here.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – 

Said Combs,

“I am pleased to support J.M. Lozano for re-election to the Texas House.  J.M. understands that the private sector is the engine of growth and job creation, not the government. 

“Texas has regained more jobs than we lost because we have been fiscally prudent and have created an environment that encourages business growth and success.  I look forward to work with J.M. as we continue to promote a fiscally conservative agenda that will keep Texans working.”

“Comptroller Combs and I have worked together to bolster jobs and the economy here along the Coastal Bend,” said Lozano.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Comptroller, a conservative leader who has brought greater efficiency and transparency to government.  As a family man and business owner, I share the concerns facing our community and will work to promote conservative policies that will leave Texas strong for future generations,” Rep. Lozano said.

Lozano continues to be recognized as the leading candidate in this race, earning endorsements from:

• Governor Rick Perry
• Attorney General Greg Abbott
• Texas Farm Bureau
• Texas Medical Association
• Texas Alliance for Life
• Texas Association of Realtors, and
• Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Lozano is serving his first term as State Representative for House District 43. He is the successful business owner of three Wingstop restaurants and is active in the Kingsville Economic Development Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and Lions Club.

He and his wife Abby are the proud parents of three young children.

Texas Insider Report: PLAINVIEW, Texas –

“It was no coincidence that my first piece of legislation was a resolution recognizing that life begins at conception. Life is the most fundamental right we are granted by our Creator, and I will fall on the sword to defend it. During the 82nd Legislative Session, I cut $86 million of your taxpayer dollars from abortion clinics. To date twelve Texas Planned Parenthood offices have been closed, and I will continue to ensure that tax dollars will not fund abortions,” stated Landtroop.

A “Gold All-Star” Life Award recipient, Representative Landtroop continued,

“Playing a key role in the most pro-life session in history was a blessing. Passing the Sonogram Bill and having Comptroller Susan Combs trust me to carry her amendment to strengthen life on the House Floor was an honor.”

Landtroop is a member of the:

• House Republican Caucus Policy Committee
• House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
• the Defense & Veteran’s Committee
• is Vice Chairman of the Rural Caucus
• and serves on the Energy Council

The 4th most conservative member of the Texas House, Landtroop was recognized as a “Taxpayer Champion” by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, “Fighter for Free Enterprise” by the Texas Association of Business, “Gold All-Star” by Texas Right to Life and “True Grit Texan” by the Tea Party.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – 

Senator Patrick made the following statement regarding Pineda’s campaign:

“I’m endorsing David Pineda for the State House of Representatives because he will work with me to stand up to Barack Obama and the liberals in Washington, D.C. David has served our country with honor in the Marine Corps, including time in Afghanistan, where he fought to defend our freedoms. Now, he’s returned home and has been called to serve our state in the Legislature. Join me in supporting David Pineda in the May 29th Republican Primary election.”

“I am honored to have the support of Senator Patrick.  He is a strong conservative voice in the Senate who has been an effective leader for his district.  I look forward to working with him to keep our economy strong through fiscally responsible policies that keep taxes and government regulations low,” Pineda said.

House District 144 includes Pasadena and portions of Baytown, Deer Park, and LaPorte.

David is a highly decorated Marine Corps veteran who served from 2002 to 2008.  He rose to the rank of corporal and was selected to serve in the Special Duty Marine Embassy Guard.  He was posted at several U.S. Embassies, including Kabul, Afghanistan, Sofia, Bulgaria and Muscat, Oman.  He was honored to guard Vice President Cheney during a visit to Abu Dhabi.  Pineda is a native of Pasadena, where he was educated in the same local public schools where he now serves as a substitute teacher.  He is completing his studies at the University of St. Thomas.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) political action committee, the Manufacturers PAC of Texas (MPACT), today announced its endorsement of State Representative Kelly Hancock for the State Senate District 9 election in 2012.

“Manufacturing is a driving engine of the Texas economy and we proudly support candidates who consistently work to keep manufacturing in Texas strong,” said Warren Mayberry, chairman of MPACT.  “Representative Hancock has been tireless in his efforts to advance a strong manufacturing climate in Texas and he’s the right choice for this Senate district.”

For a complete list of the Texas Association of Manufacturers’ policy principles, please visit http://www.manufacturetexas.org/TAM_principles.

MPACT is the Political Action Committee for the Texas Association of Manufacturers, which represents over 400 large and small companies from every manufacturing sector, employing more than 838,000 Texans with an average compensation of $76,000 a year (the highest in the private sector). Texas Association of Manufacturers is online at www.manufacturetexas.org.  Join TAM on Facebook.com/TXManufacturers. 

When two white newspaper reporters for the Virginian-Pilot were driving through Norfolk, and were set upon and beaten by a mob of young blacks — beaten so badly that they had to take a week off from work — that might seem to have been news that should have been reported, at least by their own newspaper. But it wasn’t.

“The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News Channel was the first major television program to report this incident. Yet this story is not just a Norfolk story, either in what happened or in how the media and the authorities have tried to sweep it under the rug.

Similar episodes of unprovoked violence by young black gangs against white people chosen at random on beaches, in shopping malls or in other public places have occurred in Philadelphia, New York, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Los Angeles and other places across the country. Both the authorities and the media tend to try to sweep these episodes under the rug as well.

In Milwaukee, for example, an attack on whites at a public park a few years ago left many of the victims battered to the ground and bloody. But, when the police arrived on the scene, it became clear that the authorities wanted to keep this quiet.

One 22-year-old woman, who had been robbed of her cell phone and debit card, and had blood streaming down her face said: “About 20 of us stayed to give statements and make sure everyone was accounted for. The police wouldn’t listen to us, they wouldn’t take our names or statements. They told us to leave. It was completely infuriating.”

The police chief seemed determined to head off any suggestion that this was a racially motivated attack by saying that crime is colorblind. Other officials elsewhere have said similar things.

A wave of such attacks in Chicago were reported, but not the race of the attackers or victims. Media outlets that do not report the race of people committing crimes nevertheless report racial disparities in imprisonment and write heated editorials blaming the criminal justice system.

What the authorities and the media seem determined to suppress is that the hoodlum elements in many ghettoes launch coordinated attacks on whites in public places. If there is anything worse than a one-sided race war, it is a two-sided race war, especially when one of the races outnumbers the other several times over.

It may be understandable that some people want to head off such a catastrophe, either by not reporting the attacks in this race war, or not identifying the race of those attacking, or by insisting that the attacks were not racially motivated — even when the attackers themselves voice anti-white invective as they laugh at their bleeding victims.

Trying to keep the lid on is understandable. But a lot of pressure can build up under that lid. If and when that pressure leads to an explosion of white backlash, things could be a lot worse than if the truth had come out earlier, and steps taken by both black and white leaders to deal with the hoodlums and with those who inflame the hoodlums.

These latter would include not only race hustlers like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson but also lesser known people in the media, in educational institutions and elsewhere who hype grievances and make all the problems of blacks the fault of whites. Some of these people may think that they are doing a favor to blacks. But it is no favor to anyone who lags behind to turn their energies from the task of improving and advancing themselves to the task of lashing out at others.

These others extend beyond whites. Asian American school children in New York and Philadelphia have for years been beaten up by their black classmates. But people in the mainstream media who go ballistic if some kid says something unkind on the Internet about a homosexual classmate nevertheless hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil when Asian American youngsters are beaten up by their black classmates.

Those who automatically say that the social pathology of the ghetto is due to poverty, discrimination and the like cannot explain why such pathology was far less prevalent in the 1950s, when poverty and discrimination were worse. But there were not nearly as many grievance mongers and race hustlers then.

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute and author of The Housing Boom and Bust. 

Barack Obama went on the business talk show The View to talk about how banks need more stringent regulations on trading activities in light of trading losses at JP Morgan.

Reports Reuters:

“JPMorgan is one of the best managed banks there is. Jamie Dimon, the head of it, is one of the smartest bankers we got and they still lost $2 billion and counting,” Obama said on ABC’s “The View,” according to a transcript released by the network.

“We don’t know all the details. It’s going to be investigated, but this is why we passed Wall Street reform,” Obama said.

Well then I guess Obama’s version of Wall Street reform apparently isn’t working by Obama’s own working definition.

Maybe the coffee klatch ladies at The View can help us formulate better bank regs.

The can hardly do worse than Obama and the Democrats have done by passing Dodd-Frank- the most expensive legislation in the history of Main Street, after Obamacare.

So what exactly has Obama’s signature Wall Street reform package, Dodd-Frank done?

Supposedly it was passed to curb abuses in origination of consumer mortgages.

But more importantly, it was passed to make sure that a bank failure did not involve the risk of failure in the entire financial system so that the government wouldn’t have to bail out the banks again.

But as Obama himself admits, the Wall Street reform package that Democrats passed, and Obama signed, doesn’t do that.

“This is the best, or one of the best managed banks. You could have a bank that isn’t as strong, isn’t as profitable making those same bets and we (the government) might have had to step in,” Obama said according to Reuters.

Even for a president, Obama’s a pretty shoddy economist- and that’s a pretty startling admission.

Because while Wall Street reform that Obama talks about might be the most expensive legislation ever passed after Obamacare, it doesn’t even begin to address the issue of systemic failure in the banking industry- the very issue Wall Street reform was supposed to address. .

In fact, because the federal government under Obama concentrated more assets in fewer banks through forcing banks like Bank of America to buy toxic assets like those from Countrywide Mortgage rather than allowing the market to do its proper job, bank failures have likely been postponed rather than averted.

And to add insult to injury, the Obama administration then turned around and sued Bank of America for the mortgage practices of Countrywide, the very company the administration forced BofA to buy.

To put the JP Morgan affair in proper context, he’s a clip from our bank expert Mark Calabria from Cato.

John Ransom is the Finance Editor for Townhall Finance. You can follow him on twitter @bamransom and on Facebook: bamransom.

America is not the social issue fixer-upper in disrepair Progressives make her out to be. Instead, America is the “world’s last great hope,” and will continue to be, just as soon as we are able to get our head above the water economically.

The wave upon wave of “wars” on race, women, class and now gay marriage — were devised to sink this magnificent “city on a shining hill” into the depths of the sea and replace her with a European-style socialistic utopian theme park I affectionately call “Progressive World.”

Progressives, there is a much simpler way to get to that happy place filled with e-ticket rides and no work: Hop on a plane to Greece and send us a postcard to let us know how it’s working out for you.

God bless them, it seems Progressives honestly thought the sun, moon, and planets had lined up just for them that magical Greek column-themed Inauguration night in 2009 when Democrats owned Washington.

President Obama and Democrats had two years to do something about gay marriage, if they wanted to. Instead, the president waited to make his “public service announcement” until now. Obama made no promises; he simply stated his opinion. The shrewd politician he is, Obama understood the power of words and threw out a few to rally his base and raise Hollywood big-dollar campaign donations — which goes to show you intelligence is not a prerequisite for fame.

Rally, he did; within days, Newsweek canonized Obama as America’s “First Gay President,” and plastered his face on their front page, rainbow flag colored halo and all. I shall bite my tongue here for further comment, and leave the editorializing to readers.

Especially during these days of pending economic ruin, the “war” on gay marriage is a waste of time. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that as long as gays stay within the same legal boundaries we are all bound to; they can do whatever they want behind closed doors. It’s their business. I’m sure the GOP would be happy to accommodate them with reasonable things like hospital visitation rights. Sexual activity is between an individual, God, and the fly on the wall and has nothing to do with civil rights.

Conservatives must sit this one out and let nature take its course. If liberal men marry men and liberal women marry women and those who want to abort their babies do so, it won’t be long before liberals will “social right” themselves out of existence. In this case, patience is a virtue conservatives should wholeheartedly embrace.

Meanwhile, our ship is sinking, and Democrats are dressing themselves for dinner.

Focusing on nonissues intended to pit Americans against each other rather than acknowledging the iceberg we’re about to crash into was an exercise in futility. How far this one, who once promised to bind us together, has fallen.

It truly is “still about the economy, stupid.” Maybe someone needs to declare a war on “stupid.”

Susan Stamper Brown’s weekly column is nationally syndicated. She can be reached at writestamper@gmail.com or via her website at susan@susanstamperbrown.com. Her Facebook page can be found here.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas –

“That’s too many, but when we do see that happen, we want to make sure they are honored, that their families are honored & taken care of, and that we memorialize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.  

“It’s quite a sight to see, a very emotional event.”

– State Rep. Sid Miller of House District 59, Chairman of the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee

Texans, families & friends traveled from across the state to the Police Officers Memorial on the Capitol Grounds, and paid tribute to those Officers killed in the line of duty during the past year.  Texas Insider covered the ceremony & service.

Recently, the Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) and other statewide organizations recognized Miller for his efforts, announcing their endorsement of his re-election to Texas House District 59.

“Representative Sid Miller is a leader who doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. Other Representatives boast about their legislative accomplishments, Sid Miller is truly an effective legislator,” said Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) Senior Vice Chairman, Tony McDonald.

Along with being a longtime pro-life, pro-family leader, Miller has fought to keep taxes low and to secure the Texas border.

“Representative Sid Miller is the best candidate to represent the values of the hardworking residents of District 59,” commented Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman.

“He truly represents the voters’ conservative values and they should send him back to Austin next session.”

As The Daily Caller reports, according to Gutierrez, Barack Obama told him back in December 2010 that comprehensive immigration reform “could not be achieved legislatively because of fears Democrats would lose future election” and that the president suggested exploring “administrative options.”

Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen, maintained that Morton’s memo was written and issued by ICE for purely professional reasons.

Following the success of the June 2011 memo at granting de facto amnesty, Gutierrez and La Raza spokeswoman Clarissa Martinez are expecting the Obama administration to do more to provide legal residency to illegal immigrants through a tool called “parole in place” – an immigration initiative that can legalize illegal immigrants on a case-by-case basis.

Congressman Gutierrez’s comments are in stark contrast to prior Obama administration statements as to whether he and the National Council of La Raza were even remotely involved in the crafting and implementation of a controversial Obama administration memo that many conservatives believe amounts to a policy of amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.

The memo established priorities for tracking and removing suspected illegal aliens. It directed the ICE agency to focus only on illegal immigrants who pose a threat to national security and endanger public safety.

The memo was said to have been written by Immigration & Customs Enforcement Director John Morton in June 2011.

ICE, Morton wrote, would provide no resources to tracking other illegal immigrants now and in the future — extending them a sort of administrative amnesty, and removing all threat of deportation, unless they committed a serious crime.

Since a controversy arose over the memo last summer, the administration and ICE have insisted it was written by career ICE professionals in response to logistic realities on the ground.

If there is a day to finger for Barack Obama losing the Presidency in 2012, it will be Sunday, May 6, 2012. On that day, Joe Biden* went on national television and proclaimed himself in favor of gay marriage. It started a media spiral for the President.  

Two days after Biden spoke, North Carolina voters voted by overwhelming margins to leave marriage alone. The next day, Barack Obama went on national television to devolve back to the position he held prior to running for President.

To a majority of Americans, Barack Obama’s devolution back to earlier years makes no difference. But this is a fifty-fifty nation. Every vote counts. And of those whose are concerned about this issue, at least 20 percent and maybe as high as 25 percent of people say it makes them less likely to vote for Barack Obama — that’s more than those who will be more likely to vote for Barack Obama (and who are probably going to vote for him anyway).

The most recent CBS News – New York Times poll suggests 67% of voters believe the economy is “fairly” or “very” bad, and Barack Obama would rather talk about gay marriage and wars on women than the economy.

This does not bode well for him.

I have long maintained that Mitt Romney has no prayer without a flailing economy. The public thinks it is flailing.

Greece is about to cause a cataclysmic chain reaction. Barack Obama will need every vote he can get. He just took a sizable portion of votes off the table for himself.

The media and the White House would love to talk about anything and everything other than the economy. This is a sign that they all are in on the joke of what a bad economy we are in right now.

The President’s team wants to ignore it.

After years of accusing the GOP of focusing on cultural issues instead of other issues, the President and press are single minded on cultural issues. And the one they’ve spent the most time on lately? In most polls it polls at majority support.

But those are opinion polls. In actual polls (as in people voting), it loses every time.

And all thanks to Joe Biden, Barack Obama, in a very close election, decided to come out on the side that loses every time.

* Okay, in fairness, we could arguably say August 23, 2008, was the day Obama lost his re-election. That’s the day he chose Biden to be veep and we all knew it was only a matter of time . . .