Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) Wins CPAC Presidential Straw Poll in a Landslide … 2nd Sen. Ted Cuz (TX), 3rd Ben Carson

Look for Democrats and their liberal MSM minions to go after the rising new anti-establishment star of the Conservative movement, Rand Paul.

Rand Paul wins the presidential straw poll at CPAC going away. Paul received 31% of the vote, while his fellow anti-establishment Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz finished in second place with 11%.  Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who came to prominence when he let America and Barack Obama know what he felt about Obamacare at the 2013 National Prayers Breakfast, finished third with 9%. Paul is a very dangerous and formidable opponent for Democrats as he energizes the GOP base and brings in the young and libertarian vote.

Rand Paul handily won the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday, one gauge of the Republican base’s mood less than two years before the 2016 primary season kicks off.

The Kentucky senator received 31 percent, far ahead of second place Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who received 11 percent. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson finished third with 9 percent, ahead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who received 8 percent.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum tied for fifth place, with 7 percent.

Um, Chris Christie who? The Republican that the media just drools over, including Fox News, finished distant 4th.

1. Sen. Rand Paul – KY (31%) – Although I do not agree with all of his policies, Paul is a Conservative and breath of fresh air from the power-elite GOP establishment.
2. Sen. Ted Cruz – TX (11%) – A Conservative rock star, who if he can run, would make a great President and follow the US Constitution.
3. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson (9%) – From out of nowhere Carson has taken the Conservatives by storm. I would vote for Ben in a heartbeat.
4. Gov. Chris Cristie – NJ (8%) – RINO has no chance of winning GOP primary if Republicans ever want to be anything more than Democrat-light.
5. Gov. Scott Walker – WI (7%) – A solid GOP governor who will one day be a president.
6. Former Sen Rick Santorum – PA (7%)
7. Sen. Marco Rubio – FL (6%) – His stance on immigration amnesty has made Rubio toast with the base.
8. Rep. Paul Ryan – WI (3%) – The base not enamored with establishment Republican and 2012 VP nominee.
9. Gov. Rick Perry – TX (3%) – His performance in the 2012 GOP primaries may be too much to overcome.

Four others pulled 2%: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Rand Paul energizes the faithful at 2014 CPAC.

The Hill:

While other addresses at this year’s CPAC focused on specific policies and red-meat issues like gay marriage and ObamaCare, Paul spoke in broad metaphorical terms of the need to “stand together for liberty.”

“It isn’t good enough to pick the lesser of two evils,” he said. “We must elect men of principle and conviction and action who will lead us back to greatness. There is a great and tumultuous battle underway, not for the future of the Republican Party, but for the future of the country.”

Paul framed the libertarian-ideas that have gained prominence within the party in recent years in historical terms, positioning his values as descending from the nation’s Founding Fathers. Paul name-dropped foundational American thinkers ranging from Daniel Webster to John Adams, James Madison to Montesquieu, but also quoted Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.

One of his biggest applause lines seemed specifically geared toward the digital generation that has special resonance in the wake of the ongoing debate over privacy and NSA surveillance.

“I believe what you do on your cellphone is none of their damn business,” he said, to extended cheers from the crowd.

Rand Paul released the following statement touting his win:

“The fight for liberty continues, and we must continue to stand up and say: We’re free and no one, no matter how well-intentioned, will take our freedoms from us,” he said. “Together we will stand up for the Constitution. Together we will fight for what is right. Thank you, and onwards to victory.

Daily Commentary – Thursday, January 16, 2014 – Chris Christie Now Facing a Federal Investigation

• Into the use of Sandy relief funds stemming from an AD that ended up starring him and his family during an election year

Daily Commentary – Thursday, January 16, 2014 Download

Bridge-gate, Lessons in Leadership: NJ Gov. Chris Christie Apologizes for His Staff’s Conduct with Bridge Scandal and Fires Two Staffers … “I am Embarassed & Humiliated by Some of the People on my Team”

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AMERICA AS TO WHAT REAL LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY LOOKS LIKE …

Let me first preface this post with two things, I am no Chris Christie fan for presidential nominee for the GOP, and this is all predicated on the fact that he is telling the truth and he had no knowledge of this sophomoric and pathetic attempt at political retribution against the Mayor of Ft. Lee.

Yesterday in a press conference that went on for 1 hour and 7 minutes,  Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey apologized for members of his staff’s conduct in their part of the closing of lanes of the George Washington Bridge that caused massive traffic delays in Fort Lee, NJ. This was done as the media would find out as a pathetic and ridiculous way to get back at the Mayor of Ft. Lee for not backing Christie in the recent New Jersey governors race in 2013. Christie apologized for the incident, took complete responsibility for his staff members actions and then fired Bridget Anne Kelly, the deputy chief of staff who sent an email approving the lane closings, whom he called “stupid” and “deceitful.” Christy also asked two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to step down as a consultant to the Republican Governors Association and to withdraw his name from consideration to lead the state’s Republican Party.

In a remarkable day of swirling political drama, Gov. Chris Christie tried on Thursday to control the damage from revelations that his administration ordered the revenge-closings of traffic lanes at the George Washington Bridge by firing a top aide, cutting ties with a longtime political adviser and repeatedly apologizing in a nearly two-hour news conference.

Sounding somber and appearing contrite, the normally garrulous Mr. Christie said he had no advance knowledge of the lane closings and had been “humiliated” by the entire episode.

“I am a very sad person today,” he said. “I am heartbroken that someone I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the past five years betrayed that trust.”

 CNN: Christie drops swagger amid heat of scandal.

Christie’s tone and message represented a valiant attempt to disconnect himself from the embarrassing events that have attracted the attention of federal prosecutors, simultaneously pleading ignorance and accepting responsibility.

He said the buck stops with him but emphatically intoned that he had no knowledge of any aspect of the bridge controversy.

“I am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here regardless of what the facts ultimately uncover. This was handled in a callous and indifferent way,” he said.

As previously stated, I am not a Christie fan for president because of his stance on policy and the GOP does not need another moderate running. One would think they would have learned with the two failed campaigns of John McCain and Mitt Romney. That being said, how refreshing that a political leader come out and take responsibility for a scandal, then fire those individuals responsible. Hey Barack Obama, maybe you could learn some thing about what actual leadership looks like.

Charles Krauthammer Says Hillary Clinton Will Be “Relatively Weak” Presidential Candidate & Republicans Going to Have “a Really Good Shot at the White House”

Krauthammer Says Hillary Clinton Will Be “Relatively Weak” Presidential Candidate …

Yesterday, syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer has some interesting things to say regarding Hillary Clinton as a Democrat nominee for 2016 and how she would fare in the general election. Much like a recent CNN poll and many others, Krauthammer believes that, should she ran and he believes she will, Hillary Clinton will have a cake walk thru the Democrat primaries. Krauthammer stated that the status that Hillary has with Democrats is semi-devine, the primaries are “not going to be a coronation, it is going to be a worship service.”  And we all know how that worked out with the Obamamessiah. There will be no serious challenger against her in the Democrat primaries. But where Charles differs from many is that he believes that that in the general election … Hillary will be  “a relatively weak opponent. And, Republicans are going to have a really good shot at the White House.”

“I think she’s going to be a rather weak, if she decides to run which she likely is, a relatively weak opponent. And, Republicans are going to have a really good shot at the White House.”

As it is, in a hypothetical match-up between NJ Gov. Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton, Hillary trails. It is not a draw as the Politico headline says, Christie leads 48-46. So even with all the popularity and exposure of a Hillary Clinton without even delving into the real Hillary, she is behind.

Hmm, I am not sure if I would call her a weak candidate; however, I will say that she will be weakened by many factors that did not even exist when she was stunned by Barack Obama in the 2008 Democrat primaries.

1. Hillary Clinton is going to have to defend Benghazi and why she did nothing to protect Americans where individuals begged for extra security in the run up to the anniversary of 9-11.
2. How is the black vote going to rally when Clinton most likely is going to have to distance herself from a toxic Obama?
3. What accomplishments did she ever do as a US Senator or Secretary of State … Hillary is not Bill Clinton.
4. How is she a change from the policies of Barack Obama?
5. Obamacare! … Can you say Hillary Healthcare?
6. Her husband campaigned and said that no one could have fixed the economy, so why should anyone think Hillary could?
7. A shift in the electorate against Democrats due to Obama fatigue.
8. Trying to defend the comments, “What Difference Does it Make!”
9. Duck Dynasty voters
10. Did we say Obama and Obama scandal fatigue?

Poll Says Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is 3rd “Most Influential” World Leader, Behind Pope Francis, Barack Obama

Well looky here,  Ted Cruz is listed at #3 “most influential” world leaders …

As reported at the Washington Examiner, it would appear that Conservative Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has been chosen the third most influential world leader behind only Pope Francis and President Barack Obama. Imagine that Dems.  According to a Rasmussen poll, the Tea Party Conservative ranked far above GOP establishment leaders like Speaker John Boehner, the lefts favorite Republican and Obama pal NJ Gov. Chris Christie and even Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Senator Ted Cruz, Part 1 – The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Ted Cruz truth to power in discussing current day Tea Party politics and Ronald Reagan … must watch VIDEO

“The trouble in Washington is a bipartisan problem
The biggest problem we have is not between Republicans and Democrats
it is between entrenched establishment] politicians in both parties in Washington and the American people.”

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has had the best year of any Republican and virtually anyone in the world, ranking third in Rasmussen Report’s new poll of the of the “most influential” people in the world, behind Pope Francis and President Obama.

In the new poll, Cruz, who made headlines for trying to dismantle Obamacare, was the pick for the most influential of 11 percent. The pope was tops at 23 percent, Obama second at 21 percent.

Rasmussen poll: 1* Whom do you consider the most influential person in 2013?

23% Pope Francis
21% Barack Obama
11% Ted Cruz
8% Edward Snowden
4% Vladimir Putin
3% John Boehner
3% Chris Christie

more …

How fitting that Barack Obama is #2.