APLEblog.com

Boehner-WashPost.com

After the Republicans lost the last presidential election, their focus shifted from attempting to make President Obama a one-term president to being hell bent on opposing everything his administration attempts to do. Although this strategy has backfired, it seems like the GOP has not taken note.  Instead of implementing a strategy of opposition, obstructionism and partisanship, the GOP should focus more on inclusion and getting rid of or neutralizing the very far right, conservative bloc in the Party.

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Former Speaker of the House (AP)

Many of Newt’s critics including the respectable Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) are concerned that Newt’s statements concerning President Obama and food stamps are a part of the “Southern Strategy,” and a play on racial undertones reminiscent of the Black Ghetto Queen. If these connotations were true, it would imply the former Speaker is actually saying that he will bring back jobs to Blacks. Considering the disparately high unemployment rate amongst Blacks, why is this not a good thing? It is a fact that Blacks are disproportionally affected by the 2008 economic collapse more than any other racial group. According to the recent December 2011 job report, Black unemployment is approximately 15.8%, compared to 7% for Whites and 11% for Hispanics. Thus far, Newt seems to be the only Republican candidate that has made it a point to address joblessness within the Black community. Why unemployment is significantly higher for Blacks is a different discussion for another post, but whatever the theory it is a subject that needs much attention. (more…)

Ron Paul supporters are the most dedicated of all the candidate supporters in the 2012 Republican Primary. They are known by their constant insistence that a mix of government debt, Federal Reserve policies and a departure from the Constitution will destroy America. The Apostles of Paul speak with confidence, and they are prepared to handle every party-affiliation on the political spectrum by the script. Like Jehovah Witnesses they are constantly seeking to convert unbelievers, providing a litany of Youtube docudramas to back it up. In all fairness, the Youtube docudramas are used with the utmost care, reserved for only the toughest, but slightly susceptible voters. And when asked why no other candidate is speaking about these topics, they point to conspiracies and rich families controlling the media. Nonetheless every conversation ends with some sort of variation of, “Ron Paul is the only one.”

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