Archive for February, 2016

Day 6 – This Was Our Finest Hour

Bush Quits Race for President

After receiving only 7.8% of the vote in the South Carolina primary, Jeb Bush announced that he was suspending his campaign for President.  It ends several days of wild speculation that his campaign was at an end. The Resurgent reported earlier in the week that a conference call had announced that payroll for staff was ending today.  The report was picked up by Politico with the addition that staff members were circulating resumes.  In an interview with Megyn Kelly Friday night on Fox News, Jeb dismissed the report but did not deny it.

Jeb was the original favorites among Republicans and many expected a Clinton-Bush rematch in the November election.  Jeb was the favorite target of Donald Trump and Jeb was one of the few Republican candidates to attack back.

In his farewell speech, he thanked family and staff who had stuck with him and congratulated the remaining candidates “on the island.” (no doubt a reality TV smack).  He made no reference to any endorsements, but simply spoke going home to sleep with his best friend and in a touching moment kissed his wife Columba.

At Marco Rubio’s headquarters in Colombia, Governor Nikki Haley congratulated the governor on his campaign.  Likewise, Marco Rubio referred to Governor Bush as “the greatest Governor Florida has ever had” and hoped that his career of public service would continue.

Donald Trump Wins SC Primary, Rubio 2nd, Cruz 3rd

Donald Trump managed to translate his lead in the polls to voting booths. He secured a double digit winning margin at 34% compared to 22% for both Rubio and Cruz.  Rubio came in ahead of Cruz for second.  No other contenders were in double digits. Bush 7.8%, Kasich 7.6% and Carson 7.2%.

In terms of delegates, Trump will receive the lion’s share as South Carolina awards delegates by winner take all by congressional district.  Trump won in all counties except 2 – Richland (Colombia) and Charleston which were both won by Rubio.  It remains to be seen how those delegates will be counted.  However, Cruz will not receive any delegates.

Hillary Clinton Wins Nevada Democratic Caucus

Hillary Clinton narrowly beat out Bernie Sanders to win the Nevada Caucus.  This race was carefully watched after Clinton was shellacked by Sanders in New Hampshire.  Clinton is expected to do well in South Carolina in the Democratic primary there next Saturday.  The question now is whether this slows the momentum of Sanders who has now eclipsed Clinton in national polling.

Day 5 – We Fight for Our Children and their Future

Day 4 – He’s Going to Win

Smoking Gun Found – Trump Lied About Opposing Iraq War

In a major find by Buzz Feed’s Andrew Kaczynski, Donald Trump was interviewed  by Howard Stern on September 11, 2002 in which Stern asked Trump if the United States should invade Iraq.  He answered “Yeah, I guess so,” Trump replied. “I wish the first time it was done correctly.”

Buzz Feed Report and Interview

 

Pope Denounces Trump as “Not a Christian”; Trump Calls Pope Disgraceful

The Pope remarked today that Donald Trump was not a Christian.  The remarks came in response to questioning by a reporter asking him about proposals to deport undocumented aliens. He answered. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the gospel.”  The Pope declined to call on Catholics to not vote for Trump.  He said, “I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and I will give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Trump of course, fired back in response, “”For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. I am proud to be a Christian,” Mr Trump said. “No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith.”

In typical Trump conspiratorial fashion, he blamed the Mexican government for the Pope’s statement.  “[The pope] said negative things about me. Because the Mexican government convinced him that Trump is not a good guy,” he said.

My readers will recall that earlier I had posted an article that Donald Trump is not a Christian and explained the theological reasons for my conclusion.  I now feel validated after being berated by some that I had “unfairly judged” Trump.

For more information:

BBC Story

CNN story

Day 3 – The Haley Moment

Governor Nikki Haley (R-SC) Endorses Marco Rubio

The Charleston Post and Courier broke today that Governor Haley will endorse Marco Rubio tonight at a Rubio rally in Chapin.  There has been much speculation as to whether the governor would make an endorsement.  News broke yesterday that she would favor anyone by Donald Trump.  However, she has now decided to endorse Rubio.

Haley is a popular governor in South Carolina, and popular among Republicans nationwide.  She was chosen by the Republican party to provide the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address as one of the party’s “rising stars.”