ROMNEY OBAMA SONG

Although my enthusiasm for the election has remained high, I am also tense, frightened at times about the prospects of getting the worse or worst guy elected as President. This is the first time I am deeply concerned and apprehensive about our nation’s next four years.

What I did not do; 4 TV spots and a Romney Obama Song
URL: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/11/romney-obama-song.html

Being a pluralist, I have come to value every individual, faith, race, ethnicity and culture. My friends include Atheists to Zoroastrians and every one in between on the faith side, and on the political spectrum I have Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians. I am a Republican, a moderate one like Schwarzenegger, Collin Powel, John Huntsman and a host of other Republicans who put America first. I voted the Democrat Obama for President, Republican Cruz for Senate, Republican Marchant for Congress, and a host of Republican and Democrat Judges and commissioners, but mainly Republican. Here is the list of whom I voted - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/11/today-i-voted-for-barack-obama.html

Obama has made a few mistakes, one of them is putting health reform bill ahead of job creation, otherwise, he has done most of the things right. Romney was my first choice, but I lost him when he conveniently switched from a moderate Republican to the right wing position and then again a liberal pandering simply to get elected. I am not sure what we will get from him. I have opted for the stabilizing Obama, against the chaotic repeal marathon on day one if Romney gets elected.

Deep down, I seriously doubt if the conservative Republicans trust him, but their desperation to have a Republican is making them make serious compromises they will come to regret. Romney has betrayed the moderates; conservatives and even liberals, and we can expect him to do the same to the American Public if he were elected. I promise you this; I will aggressively seek to reshape my GOP, I am sick of the extremist takeover of the party, just as I was sick of extremist takeover of Islam, a few years ago.  However, I will do my share of the work after November 7^th and seek support from the fellow Republicans.

I had plans to make the following commercial spots, but did not make it:

1.    A group of corporate leaders are in a huddle talking about the 47% and laughing about the moochers…then a veteran, an unemployed, a pregnant woman and a senior walk in - they stopped laughing, one of the actors playing Romney looks at them and starts defending.. no no , we were not talking about you… then the moochers (per Romney) walk out… Romney tells one of his employees to go shut the damned door… after locking the door they start laughing again on fellow Americans misfortune.

2.    A huge storm passes, the dust settles and calmness prevails… Obama sprints through it; Americans sigh deeply for the stability…and thank him. As Obama exits the field Romney walks in, kicking (repealing) the dirt, the dust is all over again, and no one could see a thing with clarity.

3.    Romney is president, a gigantic Tsunami hits the eastern sea board…. destroying everything east of Mississippi… Romney contracts out to private companies (no bids, as advised by the Bush advisors in his admin) like Halliburton… to do the clean up. They start the work, but deem unprofitable to go get the children, women and seniors trapped under buildings. The public complains and Romney slams - its tax payer’s money and I cannot blow it on you guys, I don’t like dependents, go figure out yourselves and save yourselves…if you are not fit to live, then don’t.

4.    Netanyahu calls President Romney - look, I need you to pull the naval resources in the gulf of Oman, and we will use your ships as base to bomb Iran... Romney, says, I need you to use a specific product, I am invested in it… go get them tiger. American economy collapses, people lose jobs, and deficit hits ceilings... Romney justifies, we have to take care of our Allies… while the Jewish Americans and Israelis Citizens appear on the horizon and say this in chorus, “President Romney, did you ask us what we wanted?”

Then this song to be fine tuned, it is a draft.

HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS

Convention videos for audience
Chorus- different groups -Christie first,

OBAMA - I am going get Bin Laden without collateral damage or loss of American lives and decimate Al-Qaeda terrorists.

CHORUS - he means what he says

ROMNEY - it's not worth hunting down one individual and should not do it without seeking permission from government of Pakistan.

CHORUS - he means what he says

OBAMA - we have to take care of FEMA
CHORUS - he means what he says

ROMNEY- will cut off FEMA
CHORUS - he means what he says
BACKGROUND - Romney laughing, government is not in the business of taking care of the dependents and moochers, they need to take care of themselves

OBAMA- health care for every one
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney - I will repeal health care
CHORUS - he means what he says
BACKGROUND - Romney laughing. Idiots, I just told that to calm my fellow conservative Republicans, you know we to tell, whatever it takes to get elected.

Obama - sanctions against Iran, dialogue is better than destruction
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney- sanctions against Iran
CHORUS - he means what he says
BACKGROUND  - Romney laughing. Idiots I don't mean it, I was losing, so I am going to tell what you independents want to hear, so you can vote for me.

Obama- Every American has his or her right to pursue their happiness including gays and lesbians with the same sex marriages.
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney - no
CHORUS - he means what he says,
Romney- I said that in privacy to appease my conservative support, in the public I will support you guys. My conservative supporters believe in me.

Obama- No one should dictate a woman what she can do in case of life threatening pregnancy, rape of incest.
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney - I will turn over roe wade
CHORUS - he means what he says
Romney - laughing, the American public is idiotic, they don’t get that, I told this to the conservatives to keep their support intact, idiots like the red meat.

Obama - Gradually, job situations is improving with more people to work on infrastructure based on proven models during the depression and during Marshall plan… it will create jobs and boost the economy
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney -12 million jobs
CHORUS - he means what he says
Romney- laughing -losers, lazy bums, let them go find it on their own, government is not in the business of hand outs, besides, no idiot from the media has every questioned me how did I come with 12 million, see how stupid they are, they believed me.

0bama - dream act
CHORUS - he means what he says

Romney - self deport
CHORUS - he means what he says...

Obama - firm, resolute, stable
Romney - wishy washy, chaotic, unsure

If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands for.

Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/chaotic-romney-and-stable-obama_b_1998900.html 

Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leaders
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for.html

60 Pieces on Barack Obama
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/08/president-obama-articles-since-2008.html

40 Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse.html

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national local TV, Radio and Print Media, and is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him. 

Today, I voted for Barack Obama

URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/11/today-i-voted-for-barack-obama.html

Don’t let your civility be ruined by politics. Congratulations if you have voted for either of candidate, passion is good, hate is not. Even though it is a private matter, a few of us share whom we voted for and I will share my list. Hate me or love me, I am an open book. If you can congratulate your friend who voted the candidate you did not like, then you are a person worth talking to.

Its worth mentioning that my friend Ken Scarborough and I are Republicans on the opposite ends of the spectrum, we see our differences and let it pass. I appreciate that. I urge you to read my piece - protect yourselves from politics at http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/protect-yourselves-from-politics.html

My voting is mostly Republican, a few Democrats, and certainly Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In the past, I was straight line Republican except the President and the Governor.

Ted Cruz is really not a right winger, he is more to the center and rationality does touch him, meaning he will listen to another point of view and can intellectually argue with you, unlike Michelle Bachman and a few others, who do not make any sense even to a high school kid.

Met the Democratic congressional Candidate Tim Rusk, really like him as a person, but he was not enthused about himself. So I stayed with Kenny Marchant, even though I have not agreed with Kenny on a few issues. If he gets out of hand, we can reason with him.

There were two more candidates in judicial district, I cannot recall their name but I voted for them. A few places were uncontested by either Republicans or Democrats. There were several libertarians… and unfortunately, I did not take the time to learn about them and I am sure they are doing their work.

Here is my list,

D Barack Obama Joe Biden
R Ted Cruz
R Kenny Marchant
R Craddick
R Commissioner
R Don Willett
R John Devine
D Michelle Petty
D Keith Hampton
_ Barbara Parker Harvey
_ Elsa Alcla
R Pat Hardy
R John Carona
D Rafael Anchia
R Carolyn Wright
D Dan Wood
R Jim Moseley
R David Lewis
R Molly Francis
R Doug Lang
R Bob Fillmore
D Eric Moye
R John Devine
R Mike Lee
R Tom Nowak
D Lupe Valdez

I was going to vote on the day itself, but in the last minute, I could not hold myself, I just had to go and do my duty to my nation.

If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands for.

Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama

Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/chaotic-romney-and-stable-obama_b_1998900.html 

Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leaders
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for.html

60 Pieces on Barack Obama
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/08/president-obama-articles-since-2008.html

40 Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse.html

MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national local TV, Radio and Print Media, and is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him. 

Protect yourselves from Politics

Congratulations to those who have voted for Obama or Romney and urge you to go vote. Don't let your friend's support for the other candidate make you angry... Let our attitudes be, “I'm fine with your choice and I hope you are fine with my choice.”

I have no problem if you eat well-done steak, and hope you won’t mind my medium rare bleeding steak. I am happy that you drive your Mercedes to work and I hope you envy me taking the bus to work. This is an example of pluralism in politics, learning to respect the otherness of others without having to agree with or dislike the other.

 
If you feel angry towards others for their choices, then it’s likely that you do not respect your own choices to believe that other’s choice is as half-ass as yours. Let’s not get the politicians to place a wedge between us, once the elections are over, we will have to live with what the larger public chooses or gripe for another four years.

 
If you think my choice is wrong or if I assume your choice is wrong, then we need to persuade each other with information, and not push each other to believe and get frustrated when we don’t respond. I am a Republican, a moderate one, and I have chosen Obama for my own reasons that I have enunciated in Huffington post, Dallas Morning News, Sean Hannity and at my own blog www.TheGhousediary.com. It’s good to share, but not good to ridicule. After the elections, we still have to work together, dine together and see each other, let's not lose the joy of life over election.


We should not accept any one cursing President Obama or Candidate Romney, no one needs to get low to show their support for their candidate.


Mike Ghouse,
Coach Pluralism and co-existence.

My blog www.TheGhouseDiary.com and my site www.MikeGhouse.net

 

 

Texas faith: What is the future of religion?

Texas faith: What is the future of religion?
Wayne Slater, Dallas Morning News

What is it that the institutions of religion are not providing a growing number of people? And if this younger generation remains unaffiliated as it ages, what’s the future of religion?

Our Texas Faith panel weighs in:

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism

Historically religious institutions had a monopoly in offering a sense of community, and a sense of unity that made families feel safe and at home. Indeed they were sanctuaries of peace, an affordable singular communal source of entertainment to a majority of families.

Do people feel the same going to a place of worship now? I am afraid not, its value as a place of solace is declining for a variety of reasons, and this is happening across the religious spectrum whether it is a church, mosque, synagogue or a temple.

As humans we are driven to where there is harmony and conflictlessness, and the religious institutions are failing to fulfill the very basic need that brought families to these institutions in the first place.

The Younger generation interacts with people of different faiths, cultures, races and ethnicities with least to no prejudice, and they reject the notion of a God, that showers his grace on a selected few and not their good friends at work or at school. The exclusive claim from the pulpit does not appeal to the young generation anymore, they may put up with it, but deep down, gradual distancing is set in motion.

Scammers like Robert Tilton, Jim Baker and a host of others, and sex abuse scandals are not helping keep the congregations either.

In a 2011Pew survey, 72% of Americans did not believe theirs is the only way to God, compared to 96% in a 1972 survey. The demographics have changed now, and it is hard to fathom their preacher’s claims of exclusivity.

The latest research from Barna Associates shows that only 32 percent of adults see hell as, “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go after death.” People have enough of it in their own lives to go listen to another one.

Future of religious institutions depend on the needs of the congregants, those places of worship that offer hope and solace with least conflicts will continue to attract membership like Joel Osteen, the non-denominational, spiritual, and meditation centers. Institutions where sermons focus on making enemies out of others to give a false sense of good feeling will wane. Deep down people want to feel good about themselves, and sermons of harmony and pluralism will give hope and will save the institutions.

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/texas-faith-with-number-of-americans-not-identifying-with-any-specific-faith-growing-whats-the-future-of-religion.html/

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

Actors wanted for 47% Spots

You don’t have to say a word, but just be visible in the shoot out for the 47% ers. Need Veterans, Retirees, ones on Social Security, Unemployed……and corporate guys… FOUR 3O SECOND SPOTS.. Volunteers only. If you are interested just send me your name,email and phone number to GhouseSpeaks@gmail.com 

1. Romney talks in private and public  
2. Romney flies where honey is 
3. Romney supports those who tell what a woman can do
4. Government to get the hell out of people's life

SHOOTING ON TUESDAY DURING LUNCH 11:00- 1:00 PM 

Address will be communicated to you from SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com  

I WILL BE ON HANNITY TO DISCUSS FOREIGN POLICY - THAT IS GOING TO BE A RIDICULOUS FIGHT WITH HIM. http://www.hannity.com/guest/ghouse-mike/10804 

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

2nd Presidential debate between Obama and Romney

2^ND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: OBAMA OR ROMNEY

It was a good debate. Although Obama has an edge over Romney in connecting with people, it was Romney who was actually connecting. Romney addressed the questioners by their names, in fact, he clarified the name one questioner, did I get that right? That was touching; Obama did catch up as an afterthought.

Neither one of them addressed Jeremy’s parent’s concern, they did not even referred to them, I was hoping they would. I am sure there was a gaping gap left with Jeremy's parents..

Romney was looking at the people where as Obama was staring at the floor, as if there was a hurdle placed in front of him, it was irritating to me, and not sure if it was for others.

Though Romney was good, he came across as a criticizer than a problem solver, where as Obama missed a few good opportunities that could have sealed him a clear victory. Obama will regain at least two points lead over Romney following this debate.

Romney’s come back on 7/11 was good, but Obama put the lid right back on it.

Romney blew it on Benghazi  he could have pushed for lack of intelligence, instead he was caught with falsity, and from that moment on, it was a downward slope for Romney. It is not just that Romney has been shooting  whatever is convenient to him, does he not think that he is watched by the same people over and over again to see and hear the different versions? He needs to stick to one version for he 2016 run. 

On the other hand, Obama could have nailed him on the immature and dangerous statement Romney made about our Embassies.Romney was clearly wrong there...

On the last question - Romney was asserting, and reasserting that he cared about 100% of Americans, clearly he did not mean it, I wish someone analyzes it, and that’s where Obama could have blown Romney away.  All Obama had to say was this, “Governor, I am glad you said that you stand for 100% of Americans here in public, but that is not what you say in private, what else have you said?”

Obama has brought stability over the four years, and Romney’s presidency will knock over that if he is elected. .

Romney has not matured in his convictions; he is in the experimentation stage, trying to see which statement will work. He has two different views, a private view that he shares with the ones who give him money, and the public view that gives the appearance of inclusiveness. How deep is either view? God only knows. I don't know which Romney I will get at the end. Even the GOP is not sure.

Obama is a sure thing; he will keep everything intact; he will not turn things upside down. Unemployment is steadily going down; Women can continue to feel secure, he will not repeal the Equal Pay Act, not repel equal insurance premiums for men and women, and will not repeal Roe v. Wade, will not do a flip on "Don't ask, don't tell", and he will keep the veterans' benefits intact… and a whole lot more. 

Full Article at Huffington post: :   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/america-first-tensions-conflicts_b_1959567.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities

America First - Go Obama, and not Romney for stability

HUFFINGTON POST

My fellow Republicans, let's put America first, party next. 

Romney has not matured in his convictions; he is in the experimentation stage, trying to see which statement will work. He has two different views, a private view that he shares with the ones who give him money, and the public view that gives the appearance of inclusiveness. How deep is either view? God only knows. I don't know which Romney I will get at the end. Even the GOP is not sure.

Obama is a sure thing,  he will  keep everything intact; he will not turn things upside down. Unemployment is steadily going down; Women can continue to feel secure, he will not repeal the Equal Pay Act, not repel equal insurance premiums for men and women, and will not repeal Roe v. Wade, will not do a flip on "Don't ask, don't tell", and he will keep the veterans' benefits intact… and a whole lot more.

Continued:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/america-first-tensions-conflicts_b_1959567.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities 

Texas Faith : Does President Obama need to “own God?”

Presidents need not wear God on their sleeves, if God is natural to them; it will come through, if not so what? We are looking at their ability to keep Americans together and not run a theological seminary. Neither are we looking for them to make laws to establish or prohibit the free exercise of religion.

TEXAS FAITH: Does President Obama need to “own God?”

Sally Quinn minced no words after the presidential debate Wednesday. She wrote on the Washington Post’s On Faith blog that Barack Obama handed Mitt Romney “the God vote.”

Said Quinn:

“When Mitt Romney mentioned the ‘Creator’ in the debate Wednesday, he owned it. ‘We’re all children of the same God,’ he said. That’s about 85 percent of the country he was talking to. That should have been President Obama’s constituency but he let Romney have it as he let Romney have the debate.”

In the rest of her commentary, she gets into how Republicans have tried to “own God” like they once tried to own the flag. You can read it at this link.

The most provocative part, I thought, was her conclusion:” There was Obama– grim faced, nervous, fumbling his words and wearing his American flag pin — letting Romney, confident and aggressive and in control, roll right over him at every turn. But the God thing clinched it. If Obama wants to win the next debate, he needs to wear God, as much as it offends him to do so, the same way he captured the flag for this one.”

What do you think? Does the president need to “wear God?”

MIKE GHOUSE, PRESIDENT, FOUNDATION FOR PLURALISM

What happened in the first debate was an aberration; it was neither Romney nor Obama we knew. Indeed, God is part of their daily lives, and both of them will invoke God in the next debate as a part of their routine and not as a monkey see monkey do thing.

As a pluralist, I was pleased with Romney’s clarity about God, ““We’re all children of the same God,” indeed, it was a breath of fresh air to hear him talk in that tone.

President Obama firmly believes in God, and his speech on Faith and politics delivered on June 28, 2006 as a Senator is a testimony of his pluralistic credentials. Indeed, he opens his God umbrella to accommodate varying beliefs, and it is natural for him to address God in the most universalistic terms that are acceptable to most Americans.

A few abstracts from Obama’s speech, “We live in a pluralistic society, that I can’t impose my religious views on another that I was running to be the U.S. Senator of Illinois and not the Minister of Illinois; I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people; I too came to realize that something was missing – that without a vessel for my beliefs, without a commitment to a particular community of faith, at some level I would always remain apart and alone; But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt I heard God’s spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.”

The religious crowd that wears God on their sleeves prefers to be lied to than to be truthful, they like their God to be their exclusive property, and find it hard to universalize God.

Presidents need not wear God on their sleeves, if God is natural to them; it will come through, if not so what? We are looking at their ability to keep Americans together and not run a theological seminary. Neither are we looking for them to make laws to establish or prohibit the free exercise of religion.

This is the first time in two years that I missed the article on time, it instead appears in the comments column this time.

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/texas-faith-does-president-obama-need-to-own-god.html/

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily

Obama's last but one chance to gain over Romney

Obama’s last but one chance to gain over Romney

Governor Romney delivered a good speech on foreign policy today, though it lacks substance, it has an appeal to those who may not want to take the time to think.

If Obama does not respond to this quickly, at least by tomorrow, Romney will close the gap and Obama will have to chase him.

This is one of the best statements Romney has ever made, “The blame for the attacks on our embassy lies solely with those who carried out,” referring to our Embassy in Libya. And that has been my focus all along; blame the criminal and not his affiliations like parents, siblings, spouse, friends, mayor, pastor, religion or the country.  Romney is speaking like a moderate, and has a good tone to appeal to the undecideds.

Are the Republicans desperate to rid Obama that they will compromise on their own (bullying) principles? I am really surprised for the pass.

Are the Republicans approving this turn around? Is Romney betraying the GOP? Republican leadership does not make sense, but this guy does make sense.

But the problem is who is this guy? I have seen three phases of him; I am not sure which one we will get if he gets elected.  

Romney delivers another good line, “I share this hope, but hope is not strategy,” refers to Obama’s ideal.

Romney's tone was different, he was not attacking Obama, but he wants Obama to see a sensible approach, that is hard hitting for the undecided voters, and the real battle is for the share from the undecided's.

I have lost enthusiasm for Obama after his dismal failure in the debate, I was rather angry for his demeanor. Reports show that the enthusiasm gap is greater with Obama than with Romney. Obama has to do 150% to be 100% now.  What the eff was he looking at the podium for, instead of looking at the camera and his opponent. I understand that, I have found myself dumbfounded a few times on Hannity and hated it, but Obama is running for the office and not me. 

Did Obama forgot one of the best lines he delivered on 60 Minutes? "Does he want to go to war with Iran? He can expand on that as share of his wisdom to lead the nation and beat Romney.

It’s time for Obama to give out a good response with wisdom.

http://www.politico.com/multimedia/video/2012/10/romney-criticizes-obama-on-foreign-policy.html

Full Script of Romney speech is appended below -courtesy of Politico.com 

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on the topics of Pluralism, Coexistence, politics, interfaith, Islam and cohesive societies. He is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. www.TheGhousediary.com chronicles his daily work, and www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all of his work and sites. 

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

I particularly appreciate the introduction from my good friend and tireless campaign companion, Gov. Bob McDonnell.  He is showing what conservative leadership can do to build a stronger economy.  Thank you also Congressman Goodlatte for joining us today. And particular thanks to Gen. Peay. I appreciate your invitation to be with you today at the Virginia Military Institute.  It is a great privilege to be here at an Institution that has done so much for our nation, both in war and in peace.

 For more than 170 years, VMI has done more than educate students.  It has guided their transformation into citizens, and warriors, and leaders.  VMI graduates have served with honor in our nation’s defense, just as many are doing today in Afghanistan and other lands.  Since the September 11th attacks, many of VMI’s sons and daughters have defended America, and I mourn with you the 15 brave souls who have been lost. I join you in praying for the many VMI graduates and all Americans who are now serving in harm’s way.  May God bless all who serve, and all who have served.

Of all the VMI graduates, none is more distinguished than George Marshall—the Chief of Staff of the Army who became Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, who helped to vanquish fascism and then planned Europe’s rescue from despair. His commitment to peace was born of his direct knowledge of the awful costs and consequences of war.

General Marshall once said, “The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it.”  Those words were true in his time—and they still echo in ours.

Last month, our nation was attacked again.  A U.S. Ambassador and three of our fellow Americans are dead—murdered in Benghazi, Libya.  Among the dead were three veterans.  All of them were fine men, on a mission of peace and friendship to a nation that dearly longs for both.  President Obama has said that Ambassador Chris Stevens and his colleagues represented the best of America.  And he is right.  We all mourn their loss.

The attacks against us in Libya were not an isolated incident.  They were accompanied by anti-American riots in nearly two dozen other countries, mostly in the Middle East, but also in Africa and Asia.  Our embassies have been attacked.  Our flag has been burned.  Many of our citizens have been threatened and driven from their overseas homes by vicious mobs, shouting “Death to America.” These mobs hoisted the black banner of Islamic extremism over American embassies on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

As the dust settles, as the murdered are buried, Americans are asking how this happened, how the threats we face have grown so much worse, and what this calls on America to do.  These are the right questions.  And I have come here today to offer a larger perspective on these tragic recent events—and to share with you, and all Americans, my vision for a freer, more prosperous, and more peaceful world. 

The attacks on America last month should not be seen as random acts.  They are expressions of a larger struggle that is playing out across the broader Middle East—a region that is now in the midst of the most profound upheaval in a century.  And the fault lines of this struggle can be seen clearly in Benghazi itself.

The attack on our Consulate in Benghazi on September 11th, 2012 was likely the work of forces affiliated with those that attacked our homeland on September 11th, 2001. This latest assault cannot be blamed on a reprehensible video insulting Islam, despite the Administration’s attempts to convince us of that for so long.  No, as the Administration has finally conceded, these attacks were the deliberate work of terrorists who use violence to impose their dark ideology on others, especially women and girls; who are fighting to control much of the Middle East today; and who seek to wage perpetual war on the West. 

We saw all of this in Benghazi last month—but we also saw something else, something hopeful.  After the attack on our Consulate, tens of thousands of Libyans, most of them young people, held a massive protest in Benghazi against the very extremists who murdered our people.  They waved signs that read, “The Ambassador was Libya’s friend” and “Libya is sorry.” They chanted “No to militias.”  They marched, unarmed, to the terrorist compound.  Then they burned it to the ground.  As one Libyan woman said, “We are not going to go from darkness to darkness.”

This is the struggle that is now shaking the entire Middle East to its foundation.  It is the struggle of millions and millions of people—men and women, young and old, Muslims, Christians and non-believers—all of whom have had enough of the darkness.  It is a struggle for the dignity that comes with freedom, and opportunity, and the right to live under laws of our own making.  It is a struggle that has unfolded under green banners in the streets of Iran, in the public squares of Tunisia and Egypt and Yemen, and in the fights for liberty in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and Libya, and now Syria.  In short, it is a struggle between liberty and tyranny, justice and oppression, hope and despair.

We have seen this struggle before.  It would be familiar to George Marshall.  In his time, in the ashes of world war, another critical part of the world was torn between democracy and despotism.  Fortunately, we had leaders of courage and vision, both Republicans and Democrats, who knew that America had to support friends who shared our values, and prevent today’s crises from becoming tomorrow’s conflicts.

Statesmen like Marshall rallied our nation to rise to its responsibilities as the leader of the free world.  We helped our friends to build and sustain free societies and free markets.  We defended our friends, and ourselves, from our common enemies.  We led.  And though the path was long and uncertain, the thought of war in Europe is as inconceivable today as it seemed inevitable in the last century.

This is what makes America exceptional:  It is not just the character of our country—it is the record of our accomplishments.  America has a proud history of strong, confident, principled global leadership—a history that has been written by patriots of both parties.  That is America at its best.  And it is the standard by which we measure every President, as well as anyone who wishes to be President. Unfortunately, this President’s policies have not been equal to our best examples of world leadership.  And nowhere is this more evident than in the Middle East. 

I want to be very clear:  The blame for the murder of our people in Libya, and the attacks on our embassies in so many other countries, lies solely with those who carried them out—no one else.  But it is the responsibility of our President to use America’s great power to shape history—not to lead from behind, leaving our destiny at the mercy of events.  Unfortunately, that is exactly where we find ourselves in the Middle East under President Obama.

The relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel, our closest ally in the region, has suffered great strains. The President explicitly stated that his goal was to put “daylight” between the United States and Israel.  And he has succeeded.  This is a dangerous situation that has set back the hope of peace in the Middle East and emboldened our mutual adversaries, especially Iran.

Iran today has never been closer to a nuclear weapons capability.  It has never posed a greater danger to our friends, our allies, and to us.  And it has never acted less deterred by America, as was made clear last year when Iranian agents plotted to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in our nation’s capital.  And yet, when millions of Iranians took to the streets in June of 2009, when they demanded freedom from a cruel regime that threatens the world, when they cried out, “Are you with us, or are you with them?”—the American President was silent.

Across the greater Middle East, as the joy born from the downfall of dictators has given way to the painstaking work of building capable security forces, and growing economies, and developing democratic institutions, the President has failed to offer the tangible support that our partners want and need. 

In Iraq, the costly gains made by our troops are being eroded by rising violence, a resurgent Al-Qaeda, the weakening of democracy in Baghdad, and the rising influence of Iran. And yet, America’s ability to influence events for the better in Iraq has been undermined by the abrupt withdrawal of our entire troop presence. The President tried—and failed—to secure a responsible and gradual drawdown that would have better secured our gains.

The President has failed to lead in Syria, where more than 30,000 men, women, and children have been massacred by the Assad regime over the past 20 months. Violent extremists are flowing into the fight.  Our ally Turkey has been attacked.  And the conflict threatens stability in the region.

America can take pride in the blows that our military and intelligence professionals have inflicted on Al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.  These are real achievements won at a high cost.  But Al-Qaeda remains a strong force in Yemen and Somalia, in Libya and other parts of North Africa, in Iraq, and now in Syria. And other extremists have gained ground across the region.  Drones and the modern instruments of war are important tools in our fight, but they are no substitute for a national security strategy for the Middle East.

The President is fond of saying that “The tide of war is receding.”  And I want to believe him as much as anyone.  But when we look at the Middle East today—with Iran closer than ever to nuclear weapons capability, with the conflict in Syria threating to destabilize the region, with violent extremists on the march, and with an American Ambassador and three others dead likely at the hands of Al-Qaeda affiliates— it is clear that the risk of conflict in the region is higher now than when the President took office.

I know the President hopes for a safer, freer, and a more prosperous Middle East allied with the United States. I share this hope.  But hope is not a strategy.  We cannot support our friends and defeat our enemies in the Middle East when our words are not backed up by deeds, when our defense spending is being arbitrarily and deeply cut, when we have no trade agenda to speak of, and the perception of our strategy is not one of partnership, but of passivity. 

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The greater tragedy of it all is that we are missing an historic opportunity to win new friends who share our values in the Middle East—friends who are fighting for their own futures against the very same violent extremists, and evil tyrants, and angry mobs who seek to harm us.  Unfortunately, so many of these people who could be our friends feel that our President is indifferent to their quest for freedom and dignity. As one Syrian woman put it, “We will not forget that you forgot about us.”

It is time to change course in the Middle East.  That course should be organized around these bedrock principles:  America must have confidence in our cause, clarity in our purpose and resolve in our might. No friend of America will question our commitment to support them… no enemy that attacks America will question our resolve to defeat them… and no one anywhere, friend or foe, will doubt America’s capability to back up our words.

I will put the leaders of Iran on notice that the United States and our friends and allies will prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. I will not hesitate to impose new sanctions on Iran, and will tighten the sanctions we currently have. I will restore the permanent presence of aircraft carrier task forces in both the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf region—and work with Israel to increase our military assistance and coordination.  For the sake of peace, we must make clear to Iran through actions—not just words—that their nuclear pursuit will not be tolerated.

I will reaffirm our historic ties to Israel and our abiding commitment to its security—the world must never see any daylight between our two nations.

I will deepen our critical cooperation with our partners in the Gulf.

And I will roll back President Obama’s deep and arbitrary cuts to our national defense that would devastate our military. I will make the critical defense investments that we need to remain secure.  The decisions we make today will determine our ability to protect America tomorrow.  The first purpose of a strong military is to prevent war.

The size of our Navy is at levels not seen since 1916. I will restore our Navy to the size needed to fulfill our missions by building 15 ships per year, including three submarines.  I will implement effective missile defenses to protect against threats. And on this, there will be no flexibility with Vladimir Putin. And I will call on our NATO allies to keep the greatest military alliance in history strong by honoring their commitment to each devote 2 percent of their GDP to security spending. Today, only 3 of the 28 NATO nations meet this benchmark.

I will make further reforms to our foreign assistance to create incentives for good governance, free enterprise, and greater trade, in the Middle East and beyond. I will organize all assistance efforts in the greater Middle East under one official with responsibility and accountability to prioritize efforts and produce results.  I will rally our friends and allies to match our generosity with theirs.  And I will make it clear to the recipients of our aid that, in return for our material support, they must meet the responsibilities of every decent modern government—to respect the rights of all of their citizens, including women and minorities… to ensure space for civil society, a free media, political parties, and an independent judiciary… and to abide by their international commitments to protect our diplomats and our property.

I will champion free trade and restore it as a critical element of our strategy, both in the Middle East and across the world.  The President has not signed one new free trade agreement in the past four years.  I will reverse that failure.  I will work with nations around the world that are committed to the principles of free enterprise, expanding existing relationships and establishing new ones.

I will support friends across the Middle East who share our values, but need help defending them and their sovereignty against our common enemies.

In Libya, I will support the Libyan people’s efforts to forge a lasting government that represents all of them, and I will vigorously pursue the terrorists who attacked our consulate in Benghazi and killed Americans.  

In Egypt, I will use our influence—including clear conditions on our aid—to urge the new government to represent all Egyptians, to build democratic institutions, and to maintain its peace treaty with Israel. And we must persuade our friends and allies to place similar stipulations on their aid.

In Syria, I will work with our partners to identify and organize those members of the opposition who share our values and ensure they obtain the arms they need to defeat Assad’s tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets. Iran is sending arms to Assad because they know his downfall would be a strategic defeat for them.  We should be working no less vigorously with our international partners to support the many Syrians who would deliver that defeat to Iran—rather than sitting on the sidelines.  It is essential that we develop influence with those forces in Syria that will one day lead a country that sits at the heart of the Middle East. 

And in Afghanistan, I will pursue a real and successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014.  President Obama would have you believe that anyone who disagrees with his decisions in Afghanistan is arguing for endless war. But the route to more war – and to potential attacks here at home – is a politically timed retreat that abandons the Afghan people to the same extremists who ravaged their country and used it to launch the attacks of 9/11.  I will evaluate conditions on the ground and weigh the best advice of our military commanders. And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation.

Finally, I will recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel.  On this vital issue, the President has failed, and what should be a negotiation process has devolved into a series of heated disputes at the United Nations. In this old conflict, as in every challenge we face in the Middle East, only a new President will bring the chance to begin anew.

There is a longing for American leadership in the Middle East—and it is not unique to that region.  It is broadly felt by America’s friends and allies in other parts of the world as well— in Europe, where Putin’s Russia casts a long shadow over young democracies, and where our oldest allies have been told we are “pivoting” away from them … in Asia and across the Pacific, where China’s recent assertiveness is sending chills through the region … and here in our own hemisphere, where our neighbors in Latin America want to resist the failed ideology of Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers and deepen ties with the United States on trade, energy, and security.  But in all of these places, just as in the Middle East, the question is asked:  “Where does America stand?”

I know many Americans are asking a different question: “Why us?”  I know many Americans are asking whether our country today—with our ailing economy, and our massive debt, and after 11 years at war—is still capable of leading. 

I believe that if America does not lead, others will—others who do not share our interests and our values—and the world will grow darker, for our friends and for us.  America’s security and the cause of freedom cannot afford four more years like the last four years.  I am running for President because I believe the leader of the free world has a duty, to our citizens, and to our friends everywhere, to use America’s great influence—wisely, with solemnity and without false pride, but also firmly and actively—to shape events in ways that secure our interests, further our values, prevent conflict, and make the world better—not perfect, but better. 

Our friends and allies across the globe do not want less American leadership.  They want more—more of our moral support, more of our security cooperation, more of our trade, and more of our assistance in building free societies and thriving economies.  So many people across the world still look to America as the best hope of humankind.  So many people still have faith in America.  We must show them that we still have faith in ourselves—that we have the will and the wisdom to revive our stagnant economy, to roll back our unsustainable debt, to reform our government, to reverse the catastrophic cuts now threatening our national defense, to renew the sources of our great power, and to lead the course of human events.
       
Sir Winston Churchill once said of George Marshall:  “He … always fought victoriously against defeatism, discouragement, and disillusion.”  That is the role our friends want America to play again.  And it is the role we must play. 

The 21st century can and must be an American century. It began with terror, war, and economic calamity. It is our duty to steer it onto the path of freedom, peace, and prosperity. 

The torch America carries is one of decency and hope. It is not America’s torch alone. But it is America’s duty – and honor – to hold it high enough that all the world can see its light.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

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