Fred Thompson in '08

He has my vote on the Republican side.

Credit C-span.org

He just may be what the Republicans need to maintain the Presidency. His only problem is trying to steal votes away from the three main GOP candidates Romney, Giuliani, and McCain. Will he be the 2nd coming of Ronald Reagan? We'll see.

Yahoo

- J

Obama suggests a Universal Health Care Plan

It's like we're becoming Canada more and more everyday.

Next we're gonna be able to legally steal cable, smoke pot, drink at 18, and play hockey.

Credit: www.washingtonpost.com

Article

Obama said it was unacceptable that 47 million are uninsured while others are struggling to pay their medical bills. He said the time is ripe for reforming the health care system despite an inability to do so in the past, most notably when rival Hillary Rodham Clinton pursued major changes during her husband's presidency.

Obama's plan retains the private insurance system but injects additional money to pay for expanding coverage. Those who can't afford coverage would get a subsidy on a sliding scale depending on their income, and virtually all businesses would have to share in the cost of coverage for their workers.

Miss Universe 2007

I wish all international affairs were held through Miss Universe contests. Man these girls are gorgeous.

Credit: Miss Universe 2007

- J

John Edwards Proposes Mandatory Military Service

John Edwards recently has stated that he would like all young people should serve their country, "not just poor kids who get sent to war."

I think that doing so, would make our strong nation, even stronger militarily. I think that people would be more patriotic and have more pride for the country they live in. We'll learn to have a real sense of freedom. Although, I do feel that my opinion is rather unpopular, I also understand that having mandatory military service would be unconstitutional as each person has a right do do as they please.

- J

Ron Paul assigns a reading assingment to Giuliani.

Source

Upset at Giuliani's stance on foreign policy, Ron Paul asked that Rudy Giuliani read a list of foreign-policy books to back up his contention that attacks by Islamic militants are fueled by the U.S. presence in the Middle East.

During his speech, Paul stated, "I don't think he's qualified to be president, if he was to read the book and report back to me and say, 'I've changed my mind,' I would reconsider."

Paul advocates a limited U.S. foreign policy, including an end to the war in Iraq and a reduction in troop levels abroad.

- J

Nathan Petrelli

Credit: www.heroestv.com

I'd vote for him for office. I mean how cool would it be if we had a flying president. He would be his own personal Air Force One.

Iowa Caucus

CNN.com reports on the Iowa Caucus.

They can say it better than I ever could.

The Thompson, Gingrich effect

A Research 2000 poll of Iowa Republicans, also taken last week, has McCain, Giuliani and Romney all bunched together for first place (18, 17 and 16 percent, respectively). McCain and Giuliani do the same in both Iowa polls. Why does Romney's support fall by nearly half in the Research 2000 poll?

That poll includes two potential Republican candidates, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who together get 15 percent of the vote. Just about what Romney loses.

Romney seems to be making headway with Iowa conservatives. He sounded tough on terrorism at the latest Republican debate. "Some people have said we ought to close Guantanamo. My view is, we ought to double Guantanamo," Romney said.

Thompson or Gingrich could challenge Romney for conservative votes in Iowa. But they're not running right now.

If Romney wins Iowa, that could vault him to victory a week later in New Hampshire -- just as John Kerry's Iowa victory did in 2004. Romney, like Kerry, is well-known in New Hampshire. He's from next-door Massachusetts.

Edwards leads Democrats

What about the Democrats? Same thing.

In national polls of Democrats, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has a big lead. The average of the five national polls of Democrats taken this month show: Clinton, 40 percent; Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, 25 percent; and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards placing third with 15 percent.

But in Iowa, it's different.

Both polls of Iowa Democratic caucus participants show a close race among all three candidates. The Des Moines Register poll has Edwards in first place with 29 percent, followed by Obama at 23 percent and Clinton with 21 percent. The Research 2000 poll has Clinton and Edwards just about tied for first (Clinton 28 percent, Edwards 26).

For Democrats as well as Republicans, in Iowa, the third shall be first.