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Despite the main stream media already calling the race in favor of his opponent Patrick Murphy, Allen West has said that he won't be conceding the race. The vote count has come in and while West is trailing by a mere 2,500 votes, he won't give up.

West campaign manager Tim Edson issued this statement Wednesday morning:

"This race is far from decided and there is no rush to declare an outcome.  Ensuring a fair and accurate counting of all ballots is of the utmost importance.  This race is far from decided and there is no rush to declare an outcome.  Ensuring a fair and accurate counting of all ballots is of the utmost importance.  There are still tens of thousands of absentee ballots to be counted in Palm Beach County and potential provisional ballots across the district.

Late last night Congressman West maintained a district-wide lead of nearly 2000 votes until the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections "recounted" thousands of early ballots.  Following that "recount" Congressman West trailed by 2,400 votes.   In addition, there were numerous other disturbing irregularities reported at polls across St. Lucie County including the doors to polling places being locked when the polls closed, in direct violation of Florida law, thereby preventing the public from witnessing the procedures used to tabulate results.  The St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office clearly ignored proper rules and procedures, and the scene at the Supervisor's office last night could only be described as complete chaos.   Given the hostility and demonstrated incompetence of the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections, we believe it is critical that a full hand recount of the ballots take place in St. Lucie County.   We will continue to fight to ensure every vote is counted properly and fairly,  and accordingly will pursue all legal means necessary."

West will not back down in the face of pressure form the media or the Democrats. 

Read more at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/07/us-usa-campaign-florida-west-idUSBRE8A625020121107

Rick Santorum and his organization Patriot Voices has officially stepped forward to endorse Todd Akin in his bid for the senate seat form Missouri. 

In a statement sent out to supporters, Mr. Santorum said:

"If Republicans are to win back the Senate and stop President Obama's liberal agenda, we must defeat Senator Claire McCaskill in Missouri.  Her support of President Obama's job-killing, big-spending policies are sending our country into an economic abyss.  And her passionate support of ObamaCare is ensuring healthcare costs go up while quality of care goes down.  Simply put, we cannot afford six more years of Senator McCaskill.

"Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the U.S. Senate. Todd will work to stop reckless spending, stop the out of control debt, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, support our military and defend life at every stage.

"We support Todd Akin and hope freedom-loving Americans in Missouri and around the country will join us so we can save our country from fiscal collapse."

In a fundraising email Wednesday, Akin said the Santorum and DeMint endorsements "are huge for our campaign and show that real conservative leaders are stepping up, because they know how important it is that we defeat Claire McCaskill and take back the Senate."

We are not stupid! That's one of Herman Cain's favorite catch phrases. He uses it to point out the falsehoods he perceives from the Obama campaign and administration. Mr. Cain is currently still working on his most recent endeavor, the internet TV station at http://www.caintv.com/. He is slotted to break back into radio next January when he'll take over Neal Boortz' show. He's no Glenn Beck, I'll say that much. As for his CainTV, I think there's something to be said about those that will settle for mediocrity over content...

All of that is besides the point, as the man whose stupidity is in question is Mr. Rick Santorum. I'm sure he would chime along with Mr. Cain about his own lack of stupidity. Rick Santorum's post-primary project is Patriot Voices, which among other things, is a "grassroots and online community of Americans from across the country who stand together to affect change." One of their most recent projects is a film collaboration with Citizens United called "Our Sacred Honor." A trailer to the film has been added to the end of this post. 

The opposite chorus in the ballad of smarts and stupid is an editor over at The New York Times. Now. in his defense, the article does not say that Mr. Santorum or any conservative is stupid. Rather, it says that "Social conservatives have given up on smart people," which as it points out, is kind of what Santorum had been saying. He talked about how conservatives would “never have the elite smart people on our side.” 

The author of the article went from this point on to talk about Romney's reaction to Obama's handling of the crisis around the storming of the US embassies in Egypt and Libya. Specifically he questioned the allegations that what Obama said amounted to an apology. The author also questioned why an apology might be so bad. He insinuated that conservatives in general were out of touch with reality, and that they seemed happy to go that way, as with Rick Santorum. The article said that conservatives and "the Romney campaign has given up on what Karl Rove once called the 'reality-based community.'"

Herman Cain says that we are not stupid, Rick Santorum says that the smart people aren't ever gonna be on our side, and The New York Times questions Romney's campaign's grip on reality. How does that make you feel? Real Smart? 

Well, here's the preview to Santorum's new project:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rand Paul haven't always seen eye to eye, but last Thursday, they forever cemented in their political relationship.
Some see this move as another example of Senator McConnell's political savvy and survivor skills. Others see it as a sign of the Paul Clan selling out to a more main stream Republicanism.

Says Aaron Blake of the WashingtonPost:

"McConnell announced Thursday that his 2014 Senate campaign will be run by Jesse Benton, who just happens to be a former top aide to Ron Paul — the libertarian congressman that has tangled with the Republican Party establishment— and his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who trounced a McConnell-endorsed candidate in a primary just two short years ago.

It’s a bold, outside-the-box move and, at least at first glance, a win-win situation for McConnell.ent for years — and his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who trounced a McConnell-endorsed candidate in a primary just two short years ago.

Benton is very well regarded in Washington as a grassroots strategist with an ear to the ground of the tea party movement. McConnell, meanwhile, is the leader of the Republican establishment who wants to avoid the kind of tea party uprising that brought down his protege, former secretary of state Trey Grayson, in the 2010 Senate primary. (Rand Paul trounced Grayson in that race.)"

Rand Paul has made it clear that he will be supporting McConnell in 2014, and his support, as well as the hiring of Benton, is seen as a way for Sen. McConnell to ensure he can have Tea Party support needed to ensure no primary challenger can oust him, such as with Dick Lugar earlier this year. It helps that Benton is also family to the Pauls—  he's married to Ron Paul's granddaughter. 

Some have looked to this move as a sell out from the grassroots friendly Pauls to the republican establishment. Whatever one feels, Sen. McConnell probably is now confident he's got those grassroots all behind him now.

As for Paul, his family is (by all accounts) slowly but surely climbing toward a Presidential run in the near future for Rand. 

Texas Judge Tom Head came under criticism and heard calls to retire following comments he made on FOX34 regarding needed funds to increase police forces in response to possible uprisings should Obama win reelection in November.

“He's going to try to hand over the sovereignty of the United States to the U.N., and what is going to happen when that happens?” Head asked. “I'm thinking the worst. Civil unrest, civil disobedience, civil war maybe. And we're not just talking a few riots here and demonstrations, we're talking Lexington, Concord, take up arms and get rid of the guy."

Head came under criticism not only for the proposed tax to counter the potential violence he sees, but also the implication that he might join in.

"Now what's going to happen if we do that, if the public decides to do that? He's going to send in U.N. troops. I don't want 'em in Lubbock County. OK. So I'm going to stand in front of their armored personnel carrier and say, 'You're not coming in here,'" the judge said. "And the sheriff, I've already asked him, I said, 'You gonna back me?' He said, 'Yeah, I'll back you.' Well, I don't want a bunch of rookies back there. I want trained, equipped, seasoned veteran officers to back me."

Letters came into Lubbock's newspapers, one reading "Message for Tom Head: Please resign now."

The majority of the outrage at Head's comments is the impression that he is advocating, or at least instigating violence against Obama. He strongly believes that Obama will use UN troops to implement control of his policies, and that that will result in an outraged lashing back from the American people. Main stream media sources see this sentiment as an irrational anti-Obama rant. Head has as of yet not backed down.

From The Avalanche-Journal:

As emergency management director I have to think of the worst-case scenario, and I used that as an example,” Head said.

In his opinion, the judge explained, the worst-case scenario, politically and financially, is if Obama and the Senate Democrats stay in power.

“Does that mean that I think the U.N. is going to come rolling into Lubbock? No, that probably is not going to happen,” Head said.

As a response to people who argued the county judge used his personal opinions to make political decisions, Head said all public officials bring their value systems into office.

“I cannot divorce my theology and my philosophy from my office,” Head said. “I am pro-life, I’m pro-gun rights and if you’re gonna vote for me and if you’re not for gun rights, then you probably don’t want me in office.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in Tampa later this month, while Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) will introduce Mitt Romney.

“I’ll try to tell some very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we’re in and the fact that fixing those problems is not going to be easy for any of them,” Christie told USA Today in an interview announcing his speech. He said he will describe his experiences in New Jersey as evidence that “the American people are ready to confront those problems head-on and endure some sacrifice.”

"As governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie has proven how bold Republican leadership gets results. He has fearlessly tackled his state’s most difficult challenges, while looking out for hardworking taxpayers,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, in a statement announcing the governor’s selection.

In terms of importance, the keynote speech is seen as second only to the speech of the presidential or vice-presidential nominee. It was the keynote speech in 2004 at the DNC that propelled Obama into public view, which should emphasize the importance many attribute to the keynote speaking slot. 

Christie is a very popular figure in the GOP. Some have even gone so far as to nick-name him a "rock star of the republican party." His popularity has not however been enough to stave off complaints about his being picked for the keynote position. These complaints have revolved around others who certain conservatives
believe are better suited to speak at the convention, namely, one Sarah Palin.

The former governor of Alaska remains a Tea Party favorite, but still seems to be out of place with the GOP establishment. Some have discussed the idea that perhaps Palin is simply too conservative for the establishment of the Republican Party, and so some conservative bloggers have cried out to 'Let Sarah Speak.' 

Palin is seen by 'grass-roots' conservatives as an electrifying figure that would excite the party base. Her not speaking at the Republican National Convention is seen by these same conservatives as a signal from the party establishment that they do not truly represent their interests in Washington. Some see her not speaking as a signal that party officials are not comfortable with the former governor.  Whatever the case, Palin fans are certainly upset.

“As I’ve repeatedly said, I support Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in their efforts to replace President Obama at the ballot box, and I intend to focus on grassroots efforts to rally independents and the GOP base to elect Senate and House members so a wise Congress is ready to work with our new president to get our country back on the right path," said Palin in a statement to Fox News’s Greta van Susteren. 

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79699.html#ixzz23eHzl9XY http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/14/whats-chris-christies-next-political-move/ 

Upon first look at the budget put forth by Congressman Ryan, Former Speaker of the House (and at the time presidential candidate) Newt Gingrich had some harsh words as to what he thought of the budget. He has amended his statement, voicing his support of changes and the congressman/now vice-presidential pick.

He said this on Sunday:

"The basic thrust of (Ryan’s budget plan) is the right direction for the country. The one thing I objected to back in May of 2011 was that he eliminated Medicare for everybody. He came back with Ron Wyden. He met my only objection.”
Newt Gingrich has been campaigning aggressively for Mitt Romney over the past few weeks.

Ron Paul is still in the running (kind of).

His supporters love him, there's no doubting that. He's got a bunch of people excited about his 'We are the Future Rally' set to take place in Tampa in tandem with the RNC. His main goal seems to be to try to set party platforms with the delegates he collected and support he's garnered across the country. 

You can see details about his rally here: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/07/06/ron-paul-tampa-rally/

I don't know that he'll have a large impact on what Romney and Ryan set out to do. Whether he runs as a Libertarian or a Republican, he does have some strong ideals that he's consistently clung to over his career, and for that consistency he has many people's respect, including my own (this does not mean I think I will vote for him instead of Romney).

Some people think he'll try to wedge in a speaking spot for his son Rand, as they try to gain favor with party leaders so that they can further their national goals in the coming elections. I guess we'll see. 

Whatever the outcome is for Paul post-convention I think he's an interesting and noteworthy political figure to keep track of. If he does not go on the ballot officially for the national election in November, which I think is unlikely, it will also be interesting to see how many people write him in in order to spite the establishment political parties and candidates. 

I don't know that voting for Ron Paul is a productive vote, but is is a way to signal the establishment parties of your discontent. 

This morning, Mitt Romney announced his selection of Paul Ryan to be his running mate for the Republican Party's presidential run in 2012. It was one of the final moves left to Romney in his presentation of his campaign to the American public. Following that decision, now it is left to the American people to examine and ponder their coming decision vote in less than 90 days. The choice is now laid out before them: Barack Obama and Joe Biden, or Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, each set of candidates coming with their own party baggage and history, each coming with their own political histories and policies. 

Which ever of the two political parties you closer adhere to, although I don't think its wrong to assume most of you reading this are probably not Democrats, people always seem to want a third option. Maybe it's because they're tired of the establishment (who isn't?) or maybe they don't feel represented well by polarized partisan debates, people yearn for an alternative, something to latch onto. Perhaps the establishment seems controlled or influenced by the same sources, so people want something fresh and unspoiled.

One of the more widely known third parties is the Libertarian Party, which calls for small government. If you remember, Ron Paul was their candidate in 1988. This year, their candidate is former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico.

I don't know that any of the things people look for in third parties are really true about the Libertarian Party, but certainly they would like to be that alternative for people. The main line of their political philosophy is anti-big government. They do not want the government prying into or disturbing their lives in any way. While this is certainly a view many can grab onto, their ideals are not entirely attractive to everyone.

Their policies are well outlined in this video:

Whatever you think of Gov. Johnson and the Libertarian Party, but it is an alternative to the main political parties. If you views toward the establishment GOP have soured as of late, or over the past 20 years, then maybe Gary is your man.

Maybe not, but there you go. I don't necessarily agree with a lot of what he says, but then again I disagree with Romney too. At least I've still got 87 days to decide. Maybe Ron Paul will stick around until then. 

I should say that I do not think Libertarians are very Tea Party-esque, but I wanted to share the option that will be on the ballot. 

Tomorrow the big day for Sarah Steelman!

Check out http://www.teapartyexpress.org/ for their list of supported candidates.

Also, check out their 'Tea Party Supports Sarah Steelman' ad here:

It'll be interesting to see if Palin's endorsement makes a difference for her like some seem to think it did for Ted Cruz in Texas, and also to see if the anti-incumbent vote keeps on rolling nation wide, which is a noteworthy thing whether you support Steelman or not.