OPINION: Primary Rules

Why is it that only two of seven major contenders will be on the ballot in Virginia’s Republican presidential primary?

It’s because our federal system allows each state and each political party to design their own method on picking a nominee for President.

The qualifications are set by the Constitution — You must be 35 years old and a natural born American citizen. But each national party tells each state how many delegates they can send to their national conventions that actually make the nomination.

Then, to pick those delegates, each state party creates its own system. If that involves an official election, then state campaign laws also come into play.

That’s how Virginia can require 10,000 signatures, divided among 11 congressional districts, as a pre-condition to get on the ballot. Doing well in the polls doesn’t count; you’ve got to be well-organized and plan ahead to qualify.

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

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OPINION: Groped Over The Holidays

While Louise and I said “No” to the Chertoff Porno X-Ray Scanners this past weekend - and so were punished by waiting and getting groped - the TSA’s “security theater” has hit the road.  TSA Security teams are now roaming the country setting up shop at other transportation depots besides airports.  Over 9,300 unannounced checkpoints were set up this year at places like train stations, subways, ferries, and other mass transit hubs – costing taxpayers 110 million bucks.  While they left the Chertof x-ray porno scanners back at the airports – the TSA teams do arm themselves with radiation detectors and dogs.  There’s no proof that the random checkpoints are working to prevent any sort of terrorist attack – but they are doing one heckuva job trampling on the rights of Americans to be presumed innocent for just wanting to get on a bus, train, or plane. 

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Retiring

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday, according to various media reports.

Nelson’s decision to leave the upper chamber bodes poorly for Democrats, many of whom fear that his seat in the heavily conservative state will likely be taken by a Republican, thus decreasing Democrats’ chances of keeping the Senate. Five Democrats and one independent, the Democratic leaning Joe Lieberman, have already announced that they will not run in 2012.

Nelson, a former Nebraska Governor, was elected to serve in the Senate in 2000. He has gained headlines in recent years for being at odds with his party over key pieces of legislation, particularly health care reform.

Nelson is expected to formally make the announcement during a press conference Tuesday.

OPINION: The Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas,
And all ‘cross the land
All the people were saying,
“Wasn’t Christmas just grand?”

The children were joyful,
The parents were tired,
And grandfolks, aunts and uncles
Had been really inspired.

The stockings still hung by the chimneys with care
But the toes were now empty; there was nothing left there.

All the presents were opened
The carols all had been sung
We’d enjoyed our big gathering
Where we’d seen everyone.

But beneath all the clutter, the leftovers and toys
Was the meaning eternal, and the source of our joys.
For we’d focused our time not on gifts, not on food
But on the true source of our holiday mood.
We read verses, we sang songs, we remembered and smiled
For the cause of it all was the holy Christ Child.

So may we proclaim ‘ere the year starts again:
Let’s promote peace on earth, and good will to men.

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

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Poll: Romney Holds Strong NH Lead

With the official start of the primary season just days away, Mitt Romney appears to hold a strong position in one of the first battlegrounds of 2012.

According to a new Boston Globe/University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, the former Massachusetts Governor leads the GOP field in the Granite state with 39 percent support among likely Republican voters. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul trail far behind with 17 percent each. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, whose campaign has failed to gain steam nationally, follows with 11 percent. No other candidate breaks double digits.

The poll also shows that Romney’s often-questioned Conservative credentials may do little to slow down his campaign. Among those in New Hampshire who identify themselves as members of the Tea Party, Romney leads Gingrich 44 to 24 percent and among indepdents.

The poll was conducted among 543 likely voters between December 12th and 19th.

The full report can be read here.