2012 PRESIDENTIAL RACE EARLY POLL NUMBERS

We know that for some of you it is too early to be handicapping the 2012 Presidential race, however for all you political junkies out there I am sure the news is welcome. Polls are beginning to surface as to who may or may not being running against President Obama in his 2012 bid for re-election. While polls taken this far out from the election are rarely accurate, they are a good gauge of how the primaries might go for Republicans.


In a head to head match up with any of the Republican candidates, Obama seems to still have a significant edge. Even six months into his first term in office, with a mounting stack of foreign and domestic problems, Obama has not lost his popularity among many key voting groups. Although Obama's approval ratings have been slipping, most Americans seem willing to give him more time before they make a definite decision as to whether they would re-elect him or not. Check out the head to head match ups.

2012 General Election Matchups

Obama 50 (-2 from April)
Gingrich 42 (+3)
Not Sure 9

Obama 48 (+1)
Huckabee 42 (unch)
Not Sure 10

Obama 51 (-2)
Palin 43 (+2)
Not Sure 6

Obama 49 (-1)
Romney 40 (+1)
Not Sure 11

*Poll data from Rasmussen, taken July 13-16.

'FOOD INC.' LIFTS THE VEIL ON AMERICA'S FOOD INDUSTRY

Written By: Jason Gallimore

Renowned documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner has given what may be one the best documentaries about food to come around in a long time. 'Food, Inc.' is a film that seeks to give its audience a better understanding of how our foods in America reach our kitchen table and how our choices in food have consequences far beyond our health and pocketbooks. The film highlights the major corporate conglomerates that mastermind our national food chain and the ramifications of such a system. Graphic depictions of the meatpacking industry and farming practices are likely to make you think twice before you buy that next package of ground beef at your local grocer. Why? Many of the films revelations are of no surprise to many of us, however it is a tool in re-educating those who do not know. 'Food, Inc.' is a brilliant documentary that doesn't come off as social propaganda, but rather lifts the veil on America's food industry. Check out the preview below, 'Food Inc.' is currently playing at theaters nationwide.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD CLAIMS THAT GOD WILL MAKE HIM BETTER

Written By: Jason Gallimore
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain

Republican Governor Mark Sanford is turning to his religion as a crutch as he faces mounting allegations stemming from extramarital affairs and lavish spending on state accounts. Many thought Sanford would have resigned weeks ago, however the embattled Governor has stuck it out and intends to stay in office as long as he can. Sanford now says that he knows that God

"It's in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience to both trust God in his larger work of changing me, and from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader," Sanford wrote in a SC newspaper.

Although no criminal wrong doing is alleged in regards to the Sanford's lavish spending of taxpayer dollars, perhaps Sanford appears more hypocritical than most. You see, Governor Sanford had built his now damaged reputation on being frugal with the people's money. Sanford was a critic of the federal stimulus and chastised other lawmakers for overspending, yet we now know that Sanford was doing that himself. Sanford routinely stayed in exclusive luxury hotels while forcing staffers to stay in lower budget lodging. Sanford also routinely spent thousands of dollars per trip on first class airfare, all the while making his minions fly coach. A double standard to say the least.

First lies, now hypocrisy. What could be next from Mark Sanford? Are the people of South Carolina really happy to have such an unsteady captain navigating their ship? Apparently not. The wave of those who feel that Sanford should resign is growing by the day.

"His love letters show he's a helluva writer," said SC State Sen. Jake Knotts. "He's a helluva writer and a promise maker, but he doesn't keep promises to the state of South Carolina like he doesn't keep promises to his wife."

LEGENDARY JOURNALIST WALTER CRONKITE DIES AT 92

Written By: Jason Gallimore
Photo: CBS

Legendary broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite died today at the age of 92. Cronkite spent much of his career at CBS news and was the lead anchor for the CBS Evening News during the 60's and 70's. Cronkite built a flawless reputation which followed him throughout his career in a way that most journalists are never able to do. Even in recent years Cronkite is still regarded by many as "the most trusted man in America". Such phrases are increasingly rare when describing any public figure these days, yet Cronkite retained the ability to somehow rise above it all.

"Walter was truly the father of television news...The trust that viewers placed in him was based on the recognition of his fairness, honesty and strict objectivity." Said Morley Safer, correspondent for 60 Minutes and a long time colleague of Cronkite's.

Walter Cronkite helped to mold television news in such a significant way and from that success he became the most recognizable media figure of his time. Cronkite was the first to report on some of the 20th century's most prolific stories. The assassination of JFK, the Apollo 11 mission and the landing on the moon. Cronkite provided comfort to living rooms across America as he guided us through the Vietnam War. In fact it was in 1968 that Cronkite used his influence as the nations most prominent newscaster to demand a stop to the war in Vietnam. Cronkite gave a rare commentary during his evening newscast in which he declared the war unwinnable and said that the U.S. should pull out immediately. President Lyndon Johnson was said to be shaken by Cronkite's commentary and a watershed moment occurred; in that the administration realized immediately that if they had lost the confidence of Walter Cronkite then they had lost the confidence of middle America. Never before had an anchorman been so powerful and so compelling.

Walter Cronkite will forever be an example by which the best among us will set their paths. A beacon of journalistic integrity in a world that is now full of anything but. So many words could be used to describe such a man but perhaps above all Cronkite was passionate about all that he did. Passionate about the news, passionate about storytelling, passionate about people and passionate about America. There will never again be another journalist with such influence and longevity as we saw in Cronkite. A true American treasure.

The video below shows Cronkite talking about the day he was fortunate enough to report on the moon landing.

PRESIDENT OBAMA TELLS NAACP THAT THERE ARE 'NO EXCUSES'

President Obama addressed the national NAACP convention this week in his first major speech on race since taking office. The fiery and passionate speech recieved thunderous applause and agreement from the audience and further proved Obama's supreme talents as an orator and communicator. The speech outlined the path for how African Americans can resurrect themselves from poverty and the social ills that face a large majority of miniorites in this country. Check out the speech below.

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION (ACU) ATTEMPTS A 'PAY TO PLAY' DEAL

Corporate greed often plays a role in political back room deals and a conservative political group is showing us exactly how that works. The American Conservative Union asked FedEx for more than $2 million in return for its endorsement during a legislative dispute. However, FedEx did not agree to the bribe and the American Conservative Union decided to endorse UPS, their arch nemesis. "Pay for play" is the term that most in Washington refer to when referring to such deals and the practice is alive and well.

Read more here!

RNC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE TALKS WITH BLOGGERS ABOUT GAY REPUBLICANS AND FRIED CHICKEN

The Young Republican convention was held this week in Indianapolis and a group of bloggers were able to sit down with RNC Chairman Michael Steele for a one on one. From "fried chicken and potato salad" to answering questions about diversity in the Republican party, Steele has proved to be quite comical when he campaigns for the RNC. However he will have to bring more to the table than fried chicken if he wants to increase the youth and minority vote in 2010.

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON SPEAKS CLEARLY ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY GOALS

Photo Credit: AP

After a brief hiatus to recover from an elbow injury, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back into the swing of things as the United States' top diplomat. Clinton was originally scheduled to accompany President Obama during his travels to Russia last week, however her injury prevented her from doing so. In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, Clinton made her first major address outlining the administrations policies abroad, particularly Iran. The following was taken from that very speech.

"We will remain clear-eyed about our purpose...Not everybody in the world wishes us well or shares our values and interests. Some will seek to undermine our efforts. In those cases, our partnerships will help constrain or deter their actions...And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say: You should know that our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal. You should never see America’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness to be exploited. We will not hesitate to defend our friends and ourselves vigorously when necessary with the world’s strongest military. This is not an option we seek. Nor is it a threat; it is a promise to the American people."

As you can see, Secretary Clinton is leading the charge that nuclear proliferation will be at the top of the Obama administrations foreign policy agenda. Clinton has only been in her current position for 6 months and has already done more travelling than two of her predecessors James Baker and Henry Kissinger. Thus far she has logged more than 100,000 miles and visited more than two dozen countries. Secretary Clinton has travelled to the Middle East three times already and has firmly established herself as a leading voice on the issues there. Clinton's upcoming schedule will send her to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Africa and Russia. Clinton is also scheduled for an Asian tour in which she will meet with Indian leaders to discuss US-Indian relations. Clinton will also visit Thailand to discuss strategies being developed to deal with North Korea.

No doubt, Secretary of State Clinton has a lot on her plate at the moment. However, judging from her job performance thus far, she handles it all in stride, with confidence and competence.

"We have the right strategy, the right priorities, the right policies. We have the right president," she says in her text. "And we have the American people, diverse, committed, involved and open to the future." Clinton said.

POLL FINDS AMERICANS THINK SARAH PLAIN RESIGNED ONLY TO HELP HER CAREER

A clear majority of Americans believe that Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska to selfishly benefit her political career according to a new CBS poll. This could not be good news for Palin's political prospects and further goes to brand Palin a "quitter" which is not an attribute that Americans look for in modern leaders. Even Republicans are suspicious of Palin's hasty exit.

***IN FURTHER PALIN NEWS***
Levi Johnston, the father of Sarah Palin's first grand-daughter, gave an interview this past week in which he shed light some light on Sarah Palin and her political career. He also mentions that money played a significant role in her decision to resign.

RACIST REPUBLICAN SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS BECOMES CHEIF HYPOCRITE IN THE SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION OF SOTOMAYOR

Written By: Jason Gallimore
Photo Credit: UPI

Republican Senator Jeff Sessions is leading the charge against the confirmation of Supreme Court justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Although Sotomayor's confirmation is almost certain, Sessions has decided that he will be the lead bully for the small group of Republicans who would love nothing more than to block her nomination. On day one of the nomination hearings, Sessions brought up the topic of race and stated in no uncertain terms that he felt that Sotomayor had a race problem. These allegations made by Sessions stem from a brief comment made by Sotomayor that was completely taken out of context. Well isn't that 'the pot calling the kettle black'. While Sotomayor likely doesn't have a racist bone in her body, Senator Sessions has several of them.

You see, Jeff Sessions was once in the very seat in which Sotomayor finds herself. Sessions was a Supreme Court nominee during the Reagan years and was not confirmed. There were a number of reasons that Sessions was never confirmed after being appointed, however racism played a significant role in that decision. Sessions himself admitted to saying some horrific and racist things related to race. This is the man who thought the KKK was okay, until he found out that they smoked pot. This is the man who called white civil right lawyers "race traitors". This is the man who referred to a local black lawyer as "boy".

No doubt, Sessions is likely still very bitter about his failed journey to the highest court in the land. Nevertheless, he should leave his jealousy and racist rhetoric at home. Not that race isn't an appropriate issue to discuss with any nominee, but it should be addressed in the proper context. And above all else, why on earth did Republicans appoint Sessions of all people to lead the Supreme Court Judiciary hearings? The current committee protocol made it Sessions turn to lead the committee, so more than anything it is a twist of irony. It doesn't really matter in the end, because Sotomayor will be confirmed. However, what does matter is Jeff Sessions' behavior. It was very unstatesman-like of Sessions to approach these hearings with such a thorny and hypocritical slant to his arguments. We shall see if the coming days bring even more in terms of race or if the Republicans decide to walk back their thus far insensitive opposition. What should matter here folks is judicial philosophy, not race or gender. Let's get on with business.