Day398 Saturday 10/01/11

ran 3.4 miles
It’s been over two weeks since our president proposed his American Jobs Act, a bill with a $447 billion price tag on the backs of taxpayers. It is yet another stimulus package serving as one more ingredient in Barack Obama’s stew that is tasteless and hard to swallow. Even the Democrat-led Senate is reluctant to pass Barack Obama’s jobs bill. That is a statement that demands many questions on leadership. It is a given that the Republican-led House only wants to poke at this thing with a ten-foot pole, but the left appears to be imploding under Barack Obama.

Looking back at the mid-term elections, when so many liberal members of Congress were fired by American voters, based on their support of our president’s actions, one can only wonder how many Democrats are now willing to stand in the front lines to defend their president and quite possibly sacrifice their careers in Washington D.C. while the leader of their party sneaks off to Timbuktu for another extravagant vacation on our ticket.

On a lighter note, I have been compiling stats and facts about each individual state to use as a tool for when the 2012 presidential election finally arrives. Quick facts like how many electoral votes each state has, what their presidential voting history is, who their Congressmen and women are, stuff like that. So, here are some facts about the state of Tennessee:

• Tennessee was the sixteenth state to join the union on June 1, 1796, seven years before Ohio and four years after Kentucky.

• Population, as of 2010, is 6,346,105.

• Senators are Lamar Alexander (R) and Bob Corker (R).

• Representatives are Phil Roe (R), John Duncan (R), Chuck Fleischmann (R), Scott DesJarlais (R), Jim Cooper (D), Diane Black (R), Marsha Blackburn (R), Stephen Fincher (R) and Steve Cohen (D).

• Tennessee has eleven electoral votes. Historically, the state voted almost exclusively blue from Reconstruction until after World War II. Since the 1950s Tennessee has trended red with few exceptions. Since 1928 Tennessee has chosen the winning candidate in every election except for 1960 and 2008. John McCain defeated Barack Obama 57% to 42% in 2008.

892.7 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day33.

Day397 Friday 09/30/11

13 months!!!

ran 3.4 miles
Today marks 13 months of running against Obama. Yesterday I ran mile 1,200 and in 3 days I will hit day 400. I look at it as 13 months, 1,200 miles, and 400 days worth of reasons to get this guy out of the White House.

However, Barack Obama's departure from the White House may come earlier than scheduled. In an interview with Sean Hannity today, Dick Morris, Bill Clinton’s former campaign manager, speculated that Barack Obama will bow out of the 2012 presidential race under the pressure of Democrat leaders. Morris stated that Democrats no longer have confidence in Obama’s leadership skills.

“I asked a top Democratic strategist the other day and he thought that it was possible that, in January, Harry Reid comes to Obama and says, ‘Look you cost us control of the House last year, you’re going to cost us control of the Senate this year. For the good of the party you have to step aside’” said Morris.

Makes you wonder. This idea seems farfetched at this point in time, but it would certainly open up a whole new field of play for Democrats, especially Hillary Clinton, to jump into the presidential race.

Meanwhile, back in present times, Democratic Strategist (whatever that is), Cornell Belcher has accused Herman Cain of being racist. Belcher, a black man, accused Cain, another black man, of being a bigot and a racist towards black people for suggesting that the left has “brainwashed” the black community.

Belcher’s best argument in his interview with Anderson Cooper was when he compared Herman Cain’s words to a scenario in which Belcher might suggest that “all Jewish people are brainwashed”. He claimed that if he were to make a statement like that then he would not be invited back to CNN and the public would condemn him. The one blatantly obvious detail he is missing is that if he is not Jewish then of course he has no right to make such a claim because he has never walked in their shoes. But if he is then he has a right to express that opinion. Herman Cain is black and he is expressing his thoughts about the black community, as he has every right to do.

896.1 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day32.

Day396 Thursday 09/29/11

ran 4.2 miles

Today makes 1,200 miles!!! Thanks for reading and following the blog. You can follow Running Against Obama on facebook, too. Give it a “like”!

899.5 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day31.

Day395 Wednesday 09/28/11

ran 3.8 miles

Herman Cain has always been the Republican presidential candidate I have admired most and backed the most. He has advancing ideas, a proven track record, and, while his greatest weakness is foreign affairs, he advocates listening to appointed Generals and leaders who are actually in the trenches or in the nations where decisions need to be made and then reacting accordingly. Ronald Reagan did an astounding job with the U.S.S.R. and he was a celebrity, turned governor, turned president.

I see an aura surrounding Herman Cain as the man that brings this divided country back together. Barack Obama has literally zero to campaign on, based on his achievements, and all that is left is to further divide this country in order to get reelected. Telling blacks to quit grumbling and whining and to put on their marching boots is a form of dividing a national population that is struggling together. Not telling Hispanics, Asians, and whites to do the same is…one-sided for lack of a better term.

In a selfish way, aside from the many genuine reasons he deserves, I like Mr. Cain for the reason that he would eliminate the race card that sits so readily available in the sleeve of all who carry the liberal playbook in their back pockets. If Herman Cain were to become the National Republican Nominee, people like Van Jones, Cynthia McKinney, Sheila Jackson Lee, and even our own president would be unable to further divide this great nation with racial excuses instead of united goals to succeed.

One glaring example of incompetent rhetoric some of these above-mentioned individuals utter daily is the accusation that the Tea Party is racist and that it wants to weaken the middle class. For one thing, the Tea Party admires Herman Cain and, for another, the color of his skin has nothing to do with the highly productive problem-solving logic he brings to the table. Furthermore, those who oppose Barack Obama are, I think, as blind to his Caucasian half as they are to his black half, and they, and myself, simply see an inexperienced man who has no place in the Oval Office.

The picture at the top of the page is from the Berkeley Bake Sale that occurred today. Republican students at the university put this bake sale on and they charged cupcakes at different rates based on ethnicity and gender. On the surface, it appears simple to pull out the race card and to bobble your head around with assuming remarks. But if you dig a bit deeper it is actually a brilliant idea these students came up with. They made a small scale replica of our nation at large in regards to issues like affirmative action all the way to some states’ decisions to give illegal aliens huge tuition breaks. Here is the full story and you form your own opinion, but I think what they did was effective, brilliant, and extremely low budget in contrast to the immense message they were conveying.

903.7 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day30.

Day394 Tuesday 09/27/11

ran 3.8 miles

Let’s assume Barack Obama gets another four years. We are still a little over one year out from when that decision will be made but take inventory of the last three years. At this point, three years later, our president’s and his counterparts’ greatest excuse for America’s grim circumstances is to point out how much worse things could have been if he had not made the decisions he had. Mere speculation of a nonexistent present and future is his best argument to justify the further decline America has endured since he has been our president.

So, let’s fast-forward…two years. It is September of 2013. Barack Obama is still our president. What pictures come to mind of what is going on in America?

I see injury beyond repair on an American landscape that fought hard for a pivotal change in 2012, but unfortunately lost. I am speaking hypothetically, of course, but 2012 is a critical crossroads and Barack Obama is spending this presidential term either setting a stage for a real hero to emerge, upon his own dismissal, and to lift this country back up to where it belongs or he is spending these four years blazing a path toward an America that is due to arrive in Greece soon.

Barack Obama has shown through his actions that what he seeks is to level the American playing field, and the world playing field if he can find a way. His vision is not American. Everyone shoots par when they golf. No scores are kept. Second-graders and college students alike all receive “C”s regardless of how badly they might want “A”s. What drive is there to open a small business or to revolutionize an industry if there is no reward? Why pay for medical school and strive to be a doctor when the medical field lacks all competitiveness and quality? You can apply this theme to any situation. Why do anything above and beyond if the reward is always average?

If our president wanted to lift this country out of the rut it is stuck in he could easily achieve this goal by utilizing our natural resources, drilling in particular, untying the governmental straight jackets that stifle the private sector, quit giving so many tax dollars to nations that despise us, abandon this fifty-state blanket health care law that will have the same effect on our already weakened economy as tossing a ten-pound medicine ball on an ant, and just get out of the way, federal government.

Someone Else 2012!

907.5 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day29.

Day393 Monday 09/26/11

ran 3.5 miles
It looks like the constitutionality of Obamacare is finally going to be judged by the Supreme Court soon. The Obama administration deferred requesting the 11th Circuit Court re-hear the health reform case today. This gesture shows that Barack Obama wants to go straight to the Supreme Court to decide whether this law is constitutional. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case immediately then the ruling would more than likely be determined in the heat of next year’s presidential election.

This law suit was brought forth by 26 states, the National Federation of Independent Business, and several individuals. And, regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, even more states are working toward a health care compact, which would free individual states from having to participate in Barack Obama’s fifty state blanket health care law.

911.3 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day28.

Day392 Sunday 09/25/11

ran 4.0 miles
Today ends week fifty-six of running against Obama. I ran 23.7 miles this week, averaging 3.39 miles per day.

On Day380 I had posted about Obama’s new website AttackWatch.com, which exists solely for Americans to turn in their friends and neighbors any time they hear negative comments or ideas about Barack Obama. As soon as I heard about the site I checked it out and turned myself in, explaining to AttackWatch.com that I was doing everything I could to make Barack Obama a one-term president. I informed them that I was running 2,080 miles against our president over the course of two+ years because I don’t believe he is doing anything to help this country.

Consequently, since that day I have been receiving emails from Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters. At first, I was frustrated that I kept getting them but then I started reading them and found them to be somewhat amusing in how ridiculous the messages were that they contained.

Here is part of one from Ann Marie Habershaw, the Chief Operating Officer of Obama for America. The subject line reads “Yes or no, people”. All of these emails are essentially asking for donations. But this one goes on to explain how “Our field team has an incredibly detailed plan for a ground game that reaches voters in all 50 states. That means opening offices in some battleground states right now, and laying the plans to open others across the country next year. The campaign has plans to be the biggest grassroots movement this country has ever seen.”

Biggest grassroots movement this country has ever seen? Good luck with that. While the Tea Party, the biggest grass roots movement this country has seen in a long, long time, peacefully wields logic and constitutional principles, our president seems to define grass roots movements as organizing union thugs and encouraging black Americans to “Put on their marching shoes”. Why would a president of the United States of America tell blacks to put on their marching shoes? Are other Americans unaffected by the dismal economy we are weathering right now? Shouldn’t he be telling everyone to put on their marching shoes?

Here is another one from Jim Messina, Campaign Manager of Obama for America.

“The wealthiest Americans don't need further tax cuts and in many cases aren't even asking for them. Requiring that they pay their fair share is the only practical way forward. The Republican alternative is to drastically slash education, gut Medicare, let roads and bridges crumble, and privatize Social Security. That's not the America we believe in -- but many in the Republican leadership actually prefer those policies, which explains their refusal to act.

That's why they'll say ‘tax increase’ over and over again, trying to muddy the waters and trick ordinary Americans into thinking the Buffett Rule will hurt them. And if we don't speak out right now, they just might get away with it.”
The message here is that raising taxes is the only practical way to move forward. Ridiculous. Ask any of the Republican candidates running for president right now if there are alternative solutions. There are many. This is the only solution in Barack Obama’s world, which we have been living in stagnantly for nearly three years. Four more years of this? Someone Else 2012!

914.8 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day27.

Day391 Saturday 09/24/11

ran 3.1 miles

Some stats and polls from Rasmussen Reports:

• Barack Obama’s presidential index rating shows that 21% of American voters strongly approve of his performance while 42% strongly disapprove, giving Obama a presidential index rating of –21.

• Overall, 44% of voters at least somewhat approve of Obama’s performance while 54% at least somewhat disapprove.

• Among American voters, 56% favor repeal of Barack Obama’s Health care law.

Congratulations, Herman Cain! A landslide victory in a straw poll that is historically accurate in naming the Republican national nominee. Florida has spoken and this victory for Mr. Cain reflects both the frustration America has with Obama and how eager America is to turn our country right-side-up. Can you imagine how vindicating it would be to see and hear a debate between Barack Obama and Herman Cain?! How about Joe Biden and, oh, I don’t know, Marco Rubio, maybe?

Herman Cain, 37.1%
Rick Perry, 15.4%
Mitt Romney, 14.0%
Rick Santorum, 10.9%
Ron Paul, 10.4%
Newt Gingrich, 8.4%
Jon Huntsman, 2.3%
Michele Bachmann, 1.5%

What a blow out! Again, congratulations on a heck of a victory, Mr. Cain!!!

918.8 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day26.

Day390 Friday 09/23/11

ran 2.1 miles

I’m running a 5k early tomorrow morning so short post tonight. Chris Christie is having second thoughts about running for president of the United States of America. Receiving much pressure from Republican donors and fundraisers combined with his opinion that there are no formidable candidates on the stage to achieve the changes and leadership America desires, Christie is rethinking a presidential run.

After saying to an audience at New Jersey’s Rider University that the current Republican candidates are failing to answer America’s desire for real leadership, Christie had this to say, “I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, 'Here's where I want us to go to deal with this crisis.’”

Furthermore, “The fact that nobody yet who's running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask Daniels (Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels) if he'll reconsider and ask me if I'll reconsider."

I say the more the better and I don’t think Chris Christie will be the last presidential candidate to jump in, either.

921.9 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day25.

Day389 Thursday 09/22/11

ran 3.7 miles

Big debate tonight in Orlando, Florida. I’m trying to finish tonight’s post so I can watch it live. Here is some history on the Florida debate/straw poll and why it is so important. The Republican Party of Florida has a unique ability to successfully pick the final Republican Presidential nominee. Tonight’s debate is the fifth since 1979. Florida is arguably America’s most significant swing state making it an important battleground for presidential candidates.

On November 12, 1979, Florida had its first Republican Presidency straw poll and Ronald Reagan was named the winner. Reagan went on to receive the national party nomination and defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.

On November 14, 1987, Florida held a second straw poll. George H.W. Bush won and eventually went on to defeat Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Florida’s third Republican presidency straw poll took place on November 18, 1995. Bob Dole won the straw poll and went on to win the national party nomination. He was defeated by Bill Clinton in 1996.

For reasons I am unaware of, the fourth straw poll portion of the Florida Republican debate was nixed. The fourth debate included John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter. There was no straw poll but the debate was obviously instrumental on the campaign trail.

And here we are at the fifth Republican Presidential debate and straw poll. Tonight is high stakes and the candidate who wins this straw poll is going to emerge with a substantial lead if history continues to repeat itself.

924.0 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day24.

Day388 Wednesday 09/21/11

ran 3.5 miles

I cannot think of one single person I know who would want to sit and listen to a multi-millionaire entrepreneur explain to them why it is important for the federal government to not take so much of his or her money. I don’t know anyone who would have the patience to hear someone who lives in a mansion and appears to not have a care in the world, which is not at all true, explain that when the rich get richer wealth naturally redistributes itself and that when the rich get robbed wealth introverts itself and sits under mattresses while the struggling social class’s burden to find work increases.

Redistribution of wealth is a natural process. It is a subtle trickling and not a forced downpour. Even America’s federal government cannot force a square peg with inch-long sides into a circular hole with an inch-wide diameter. It just doesn’t work, much like Barack Obama’s tax increases will not work, especially in the face of a crumbling economy and depressing unemployment numbers that refuse to budge.

I am only one man and I am an average man. I am not rich. There is a very good chance I never will be. And that is just fine. But as I type these words and tell you that redistribution of wealth at the scale Barack Obama seeks through tax increases is wrong, wrong, wrong, you don’t have to take it from me or from someone far more enterprising than myself. It is strictly common sense. The critical condition our economy is in and the stubborn unemployment we face, just to name a couple of things, combined with the ludicrous idea that taking even more money from the people who create jobs, invest, and spend will somehow make things better is an illusion.

Our president has failed so miserably that this is his final desperate option and desperation tends to suck out all rationality from one’s ability to problem-solve. For starters, get rid of this ridiculous, pie in the sky health care law, drill, unleash the private sector, drill some more, and just simply get the heck out of the way from the progress you are stifling.

Someone Else, 2012!

927.7 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day23.

Day387 Tuesday 09/20/11

ran 4.1 miles

As promised here are some pictures from one of the last races I ran. This 5k was in Sugarland, TX a couple weeks ago. These runs make it all worth it being able to wear one of my Running Against Obama shirts among 1,000+ other runners. I wear shirts like this very often when I run and most people either agree with my message or say nothing at all, one way or the other. So it is hard to tell what exactly people may think. But I know what I think and I am more than ready to defend what I think.

The miles I run, the words I type, and the freedom I feel campaigning against Barack Obama are palatable. And I encourage anyone who is tired of the frustration they may express only behind closed doors and among close acquaintances to venture out and get involved in getting this country turned around and lifted to the potential it deserves. Thanks again for reading!

931.2 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day22.

Day386 Monday 09/19/11

ran 3.2 miles
“The last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession.”

Barack Obama, 2009

Here in September of 2011 our president is now calling for $1.5 trillion in new taxes. That is $1,500,000,000,000.00 in case you were curious how many zeros were in there. Here is an informative article with details on the plan. In a few words, he wants to tax the wealthy, tighten tax breaks for corporations, and put more of a tax burden on health care providers. President Obama’s plan calls for nearly $3.00 in new tax increases for every $1.00 in additional spending cuts. He is contradicting precisely what he stated in the video above and he is obviously out of ideas and credibility. The wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations, as well as, small businesses are obviously not hiring at a level that is lowering unemployment numbers, so the logic here is to tax them even more and to take away many of their business tax breaks. That sounds like a real winning idea to get things moving in a stagnant economy that will become even more threatened if this thing passes.

"Veto threats, a massive tax hike, phantom savings and punting on entitlement reform is not a recipe for economic or job growth-or even meaningful deficit reduction.”

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell

935.3 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day21.

Day 385 Sunday 09/18/11

Fading, fading, fading

ran 2.4 miles
Today ends week fifty-five of running against Obama. I ran 19.7 miles this week, averaging 2.81 miles per day.

938.5 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day20.