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This classic "Mr. 1 Percent" who loves Wall Street brokers is wide open to questions about how he assembled his own fortune by siphoning off the top after buying, merging and selling companies, resulting in the firings of working men and women who made those companies. He'll have to explain how that will create jobs. And with his contributions and political action committees, it's like he's holding up a "For Sale" sign.
Newt Gingrich
Don't count this guy out, not yet. He's done well in the dozen debates up to this point. He's smart, and at least can spell "hypocrisy" as he discusses his Republican positions. He talks too much like a professor wanna-be, but for conservatives, he's appealing.
Ron Paul
The man who would like to put a "Going Out of Business" sign on government gets his votes from those who don't understand there's a reason for government. He speaks of individual freedom and liberty. But how come not for women's choice? Or equality for gays and lesbians?
Rick Santorum
This guy has run a campaign against gay equality. That's about it. Every campaign stop, he bashes gays. I guess he's figured we're easy targets because very few of us show up at his events. But what's he for? Oh yes, tax cuts for the wealthy and doing away with corporate regulations. How's that for hypocrisy? Nice platform. And he tries to claim God is on his call list of supporters. The God I believe in doesn't hate His children.
Jon Huntsman
Actually, of all the Republican candidates, he seems one of the better ones, but his idea of government is as selfish as the rest of them. Make the rich richer, and they'll trickle down a few dollars for the rest of us. Drip, drop.
Buddy Roemer
He's got the most potentially powerful message of all the Republicans: Government is corrupted by the influence of big money contributors and corporate campaign spending. But he hasn't had a chance to make his case because he's been shut out of most debates. I guess Republican powers-who-be and media-types don't want him heard. Why?
Fred Karger
Imagine, a Republican who really is a "compassionate conservative"? He wants his party to leave people alone, and on social issues believes in personal choice and supports gay marriage. He believes in freedom and liberty, no kidding - no fluff, no puff.
Rick Perry
I just love seeing this guy wipe out. At first, this death-penalty lover from Texas seemed like he was the go-to person by right-wingers and corporate greedsters who saw dollar signs if they could get him elected. But then he talked.
Michele Bachmann
A campaign based on hate in every speech, she showed she really doesn't like America's concept of "with liberty and justice for all." She tried to make a campaign message of conforming people's sexual orientation to her own beliefs because she thought that would solidify support among the born-againers. In Iowa this past Tuesday, she learned people, even tea partiers, can see through ignorance, so she went home. Thank you.
President Herman Cain?
OK, he's out of it, but I can't resist asking the simple question: What was this guy thinking by running at all?
President Sarah Palin?
Alright, she never got in, but I can't help wonder how much fun all this would have been if she had.
President Donald Trump?
He couldn't even get the candidates to agree to let him moderate a debate. How has this guy become a billionaire? Oh, yes. Thanks, Daddy.
WINNER: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
The real winner of all this is President Barack Obama, who continues to stand above the Republicans by showing courage, care and vision. Despite three years of being slammed and bashed by those who hate him, he has stood firm to become one of our nation's finest leaders in foreign affairs. And his efforts to turn around an ailing economy that he inherited after eight years of Republican rule are beginning to work.
While accomplishing that, he's created the most meaningful health care reform in our nation's history so our population will be healthier during the coming uncertain decades of the 21st century as we face unknown international challenges. He's also had time to fight government corruption, work to protect consumers from big business and Wall Street, and stop discrimination in our military and our workplaces by understanding America's gift of diversity. Democrats can proudly vote for him on Tuesday.
Today's Quotes: "The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter." - Dwight D. Eisenhower; "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." - John F. Kennedy.
Today's Thought: "Romney defeats Santorum by 8." Imagine the different headline if the citizens of just three or four homes on a dirt side street in some small Iowa town hadn't voted on a cold day last Tuesday. Yes, voting matters. There's power in each one.
Next Time: A Portsmouth Story: The Real North End.
Jim Splaine is a former longtime Democratic state representative, state senator and assistant mayor from Portsmouth. His political column appears every other week in Seacoast Sunday. He can be reached at jimsplaine@aol.com.
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