The one true word to describe Romney: Arrogant

Voter misconceptions about a candidate can carry a lot of weight in elections.
No matter how much momentum and money a candidate has, it's important to at least acknowledge any misconception voters might have and for them to correct it. Unfortunately for Mitt Romney, who is still the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, it's a message he still doesn't get and I hope it comes back to bite him hard.

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney

CNN held the final scheduled debate for Republican presidential candidates in Mesa, Arizona. Toward the end of the debate, moderator John King asked the candidates what voters' biggest misconception about them was.
Ron Paul acknowledged that voters had the misconception that he couldn't win the general election against President Barack Obama. He blamed myths being perpetrated by media outlets and insisted that polls showed him beating Obama head-to-head in a general election compared to his Republican opponents. At least he was honest in his response.
Newt Gingrich, for his part, wanted people to know about his work on welfare reform and balancing the budget. The misconception is that he could do it quickly, when in reality, it took a while to accomplish.
But then things got a little murky. Neither Romney nor Rick Santorum offered any misconception voters might have of them but insisted they were the best candidates to beat Obama. Although Santorum showed he was thin-skinned at times, at least he wasn't arrogant or dumb enough to offer a response like Romney.
Romney, who had earlier described himself in one word as "resolute", began talking himself and would not offer any misconceptions voters had about his campaign. When King interjected by trying to get him to answer the question, Romney's response was: "You get to ask the questions you want. I get to answer them however I want."
Romney then continued to praise himself insisting that he had the background and the skills to be President of the United States. But he offered no misconception of what voters might have of him heading into next week. In fact, he wouldn't even offer a cop-out response like, "That's a question for voters to answer."
Sure, a cop-out response is weak. But it's a lot more forgivable compared to the arrogant response he provided to King – something Santorum should have pointed out while responding to King's question.
Romney's response showed me that he is not a candidate who holds himself accountable for his actions or words. More importantly, Romney doesn't seem concerned about "changing the way Washington works" – a familiar line we often hear from candidates running for national office but rarely see.
Could you imagine if Obama would have offered a similar response like Romney had he been asked the same question? I would be willing to bet that it wouldn't sit too well with conservatives, nor would it sit well with independents and even a few liberal voters who hold Democrats accountable for their actions.
My guess is that the Romney campaign will be able to diffuse this issue quickly. But if I was a candidate running against Romney, I would play that sound bite over and over again in negative campaign ads to point out how arrogant and out of touch he is with the public. If he's not willing to show a little humility and answer a great question, it makes me wonder how many questions he would dodge if he becomes the next commander-in-chief.

Celebrity endorsements: Do they matter?

I hate to admit this, but I enjoy reading what celebrities have to say during the election season. Whether it's tabloid trash or intelligent conversation with news reporters, any endorsement or words of praise can go a long way for candidates in today's society.

The other day, my brother sent me a link to a Politico story about eight celebrities endorsing Republican candidates running for president.

Megadeth singer Dave Mustaine is a supporter of Rick Santorum for President.

The story included endorsements of Ron Paul from pop singers Kelly Clarkson and Michelle Branch, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and singer/actress Juliette Lewis. It also included a light-hearted endorsement of Mitt Romney from Kiss bassist Gene Simmons.

At the bottom of the article was what seemed like an endorsement for Rick Santorum's campaign from Megadeth singer Dave Mustaine. Politico cited a Feb. 14 article on MusicRadar.com in which Mustaine said, "… You know, I think Santorum has some presidential qualities, and I'm hoping that if it does come down to it, we'll see a Republican in the White House... and that it's Rick Santorum."

But the following day, he sent a statement to Billboard saying he was not ready to vote for any candidate just yet. "Contrary to how some people have interpreted my words, I have not endorsed any presidential candidate," he said in the statement. "What I did say was that I hope to see a Republican in the White House. I've seen good qualities in all the candidates but by no means have made my choice yet. I respect the fact that Santorum took time off from his campaign to be with his sick daughter, but I never used the word 'endorse.'"

That's an interesting reversal from Tuesday and that he chose to hone in on the key word "endorse" as his excuse to un-endorse Santorum. But it was newsworthy nonetheless and made me wonder if celebrity endorsements truly make a difference in any election.

Not so, according to a 2010 study from North Carolina State University. In the university's news release, researchers did two separate studies involving more than 800 college students and evaluated whether endorsements from celebrities would affect voting behavior if they endorsed a political candidate. The studies concluded that celebrity endorsements do not help political candidates - but they can hurt them and the celebrities themselves.

However, researchers also noted that celebrity endorsements can help candidates distinguish themselves from a crowded field of candidates during the primary season. That prompted me to look up celebrity endorsements of current Republican presidential candidates for the upcoming election in November.

Singer Barry Manilow is a big Ron Paul fan, but is backing Obama in 2012.

I spotted a handful of endorsements on Wikipedia for each of the remaining candidates, along with others who supported former candidates like Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, and Rick Perry. I was amused and even puzzled by some endorsements of political candidates. They included actor Kelsey Grammer's endorsement of Bachmann, singer Barry Manilow's praise of Paul (although he has since clarified his remarks and plans to support President Obama's re-election campaign), and country singer and self-proclaimed "Jewish Cowboy" Kinky Friedman's endorsement of Perry.

The same Google search resulted in a Facebook page detailing endorsements of Paul. I doubt the Ron Paul campaign has anything to do with the site, but at least it gives his supporters more excitement about his candidacy.

In the photos section, there is an album titled "Celebrity Praise, Support & Endorsements" listing 51 photos of celebrities from numerous backgrounds and links to support that claim. It's broad enough to fool even the most naive of Paul's supporters to believe these are endorsements of his candidacy. Unfortunately, the photos and even subsequent links show the problems of exploitation of celebrities words to fool those who can't distinguish praise from endorsements.

Take, for instance, "endorsement" from David Letterman. Sure, Letterman said he was going to vote for Paul in 1988. But how about now?

There's also praises from the likes of actor and martial artist Chuck Norris (who wound up endorsing Newt Gingrich) and Bachmann, who hasn't even endorsed anyone yet. Sadly, some Paul supporters took those as endorsements and the site gave them false hope that their candidate had a shot at winning the Republican nomination.

Finally, there was Paul's endorsement from the late Ronald Reagan. The site's creator pulled a Reagan quote in 1978 stating that,“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” An article that accompanied the photo has a video boasting Paul's candidacy and mentions praise from "The Gipper" for extra support to his congressional candidacy that year.

What's interesting to know is that Paul essentially cut ties with Reagan and the rest of the Republican Party in 1987 over what he saw was growing deficits and little effort reducing the size of government, according a Washington Post article. I doubt Paul would receive such an endorsement from Reagan if he were alive and healthy today.

Now I don't factor in endorsements from celebrities and hope you don't either. But if you do, make sure the celebrity is informed on all the issues and instead of reciting catch phrases like "hope and change", "take our country back", and "vote for freedom". 

Also, make sure you look at websites like the Facebook page with a critical eye. Just because the creator says there is an endorsement or support for a particular candidate doesn't necessarily mean it's true.

Editor's note: I commented on the Michele Bachmann picture pointing out she hadn't actually endorsed anyone and asked when the video was made. The site's administrator replied that it didn't matter when the video was made, but that she had already spoken very favorably of Paul. So much for integrity.

Santorum wins Minnesota, gains momentum against Romney

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum banked on Minnesota becoming a game-changer for his campaign and got more than he bargained for.

Santorum was declared the winner of the Minnesota caucuses Tuesday night, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's website. As of this writing with only 73 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum was leading with 45 percent of the votes, followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul with 27 percent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at 17 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 11 percent. According to the Associated Press, Santorum also won Missouri.

Rick Santorum was the big winner in Tuesday's elections.

In 2008, Romney won the Minnesota caucuses with 41 percent of the vote while the eventual nominee John McCain only garnered 22 percent. Even though Santorum won Tuesday's contest, delegates to the Republican National Convention won't be decided for several months. But pundits and political junkies can expect this to be the game-changer Santorum needs to be a serious contender against Romney and President Barack Obama.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I don't stand here to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. I stand here to be the conservative alternative to Barack Obama," he told a crowd in Missouri Tuesday night.

Since the eve of the Florida primary, Santorum made seven campaign stops in Minnesota, including one in Blaine earlier Tuesday. Meanwhile, Paul made five campaign stops and Romney and Gingrich only visited once.

Folks, this race is anywhere but over. If you would have asked me who would have won the Minnesota caucuses a week ago, I would have said Romney based on the political machine he has. But speaking to voters and Republican activists on the campaign trail this week, many said they were not convinced Romney could beat Obama because he's too moderate. And each candidate made drove that point home during their campaign swings in Minnesota.

Another point that a friend of mine posted Tuesday night is that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is no longer the political heavyweight in this state he perceives himself to be. After Pawlenty dropped out of the presidential election in August, he endorsed Romney and has been campaigning for him ever since. He even tried convincing voters that Santorum lacked fiscal discipline and was once a supporter of health mandates - something Santorum denied.

It's also worth noting that Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a former candidate in the field who also proclaimed herself last week to be the best candidate to defeat Obama, did not offer an endorsement to any candidate prior to the caucuses. I doubt she will place her bets on Gingrich the way former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin did during the South Carolina primary two weeks ago.

Gingrich takes aim at Obama, Romney during campaign swing

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich believes he is the only a true conservative can defeat President Barack Obama in November, and wants to prove it. And he's not afraid to wage a little class warfare of his own.

During a campaign rally Monday night in Bloomington, Gingrich spoke to more than 400 people about his vision for the country and took aim at Obama and his main Republican rival, Mitt Romney. He said they were essentially the same candidate - accepting donations and other support from who he considered "the elite."

Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista at a campaign rally in Bloomington.

"You cannot stop the decay without very serious, difficult political concepts in Washington," he said.

Gingrich made his appearance on the eve of the Minnesota caucuses, a nonbinding straw poll voted on by Republican activists and potential delegates. Gingrich was believed to be a frontrunner among Republican voters in January, but is now trailing Rick Santorum and Romney by a few points according to the latest Public Policy poll.

In his speech, Gingrich compared himself to the late Ronald Reagan and urged Republicans and activists to nominate a conservative instead of a moderate like Romney. He argued that Republicans nominated moderate Republicans in 1996 and 2008 and lost because of that.

In order to do that, Gingrich said Republicans need bold ideas that will shake up Washington - even if they are made fun of on programs like "Saturday Night Live." His vision for the country would include smaller government, lower taxes, and

Gingrich laid out his vision for the country by shrinking the size of government, promoting job creation, and lowering taxes. He said that his bold ideas are needed even if they are made fun of on "Saturday Night Live"

"I'm really going to double down on my bet. I want to see 'Saturday Night Live' broadcast from the moon," he said.

The event not only attracted Gingrich supporters. It attracted opponents like MSNBC host Ed Schultz who smiled and waved at Gingrich at the conclusion of his speech, and a gay rights activist who briefly heckled Gingrich before being escorted out by security.

Santorum discusses faith with public life

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is not ashamed to take on controversial social issues and claim that it's God's will. God, he said Sunday, is his role model and his teacher.

"That relationship with him and the mission...that  I ask him to help guide me on is why I am on the journey I am on," he said.

Rick Santorum and the Rev. Troy Dobbs discuss faith in public life.
Photo by Jeff Cagle

During an appearance at Grace Church in Eden Prairie Sunday, Santorum participated in a 15-minute question and answer session about his faith in public life with the Rev. Troy Dobbs leading the discussion. His appearance comes on the heels of the Minnesota caucuses scheduled Tuesday.

According to the latest poll data from Public Policy Polling, Minnesota is up for grabs with no clear cut leader. The poll showed Santorum with 29 percent, current Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney with 27 percent, New Gingrich with 22 percent, and Ron Paul with 19 percent. The margin of error is 4.8 percent, and 37 percent said they could change their minds before Tuesday.

Santorum didn't criticize President Barack Obama or any of his Republican rivals. Instead, he focused on his faith in public life and said it was his faith that has guided him through his years serving in the U.S. Senate and overcoming personal hardships like the death of an infant son in 1996 and his youngest daughter's recent illness.

"I don't know how people survive what life deals with you without and understanding of grace, an understanding that the suffering and hardship has meaning beyond the suffering and hardship," Santorum said. "The longer you embrace that cross, the easier it is."

Santorum said that the United States was founded "under God" and called the country "a moral enterprise." He also proclaimed he's a [Pittsburgh] Steelers fan and didn't care who won the Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

"I do find it hard to root for [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady, and that's all I have to say," he quipped.

After a prayer, Santorum left Grace Church and was scheduled to make campaign appearances in Bemidji and Lake Waconia. As of this writing, Romney and Gingrich had not scheduled any more campaign appearances in Minnesota. But Paul will make a swing through the state again Monday with campaign stops in St. Cloud and Minneapolis.

Paul rails against government, promotes liberty in speech at Bethel

Ron Paul began and ended his speech welcoming people to "the revolution."

Ron Paul speaking at Bethel University Saturday. Photo by Jeff Cagle

Speaking to a packed audience at Bethel University in Arden Hills Saturday, Paul spent 40 minutes connecting the U.S. economy, foreign policy, and liberty to chastise what he labeled "big, intrusive government." The audience, which consisted mainly of college-age students, cheered on as Paul railed against government spending and the Federal Reserve in the run-up to the Minnesota caucuses, which will take place on Tuesday.

"This election is changing the tone and this is the first time the Federal Reserve has become an issue in this campaign," he said.

This is Paul's third time running for President of the United States. He ran as the Libertarian Party's nominee in 1988 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 2008. He is currently behind Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney, along with Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum.

Instead chastising President Barack Obama and his Republican rivals, Paul's message focused on attacking the government and policies that have been implemented. He believes the government has spent too much, gotten in too many wars, and is taking away people's civil liberties.

"Authoritarianism is not humanitarianism. It doesn't work," he said.

Paul believes cutting $1 trillion to the federal budget and doing an audit of the Federal Reserve is a first step to get the country moving financially. Another step would be to bring the troops home from Afghanistan and compared U.S. military actions similar to the Soviet Union's when they invaded the country during the Cold War.

"I wonder if that could happen to us if we don't wise up soon," he said.

Finally, Paul said people need to continue fighting for liberty through "volunteerism, not force" and become more sophisticated, virtuous and self-reliant.

"We need to put up the pieces and then improve upon them," he said.

Prior to his appearance at Bethel, Paul participated in two townhall forums in Rochester and Chanhassen. Adam Baker, president of the Bethel College Republicans, said the group put out a request to all the candidates in November asking them to speak on campus. Paul's campaign was the only one to accept the invitation.

Paul will return to Minnesota Monday with campaign stops in St. Cloud and at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Paul, Santorum to campaign in Minnesota this weekend

Republican presidential candidates Ron Paul and Rick Santorum are still trailing Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in polls and the number of delegates.

Ron Paul

But both are scheduled to make a number of appearances in Minnesota this weekend in the run-up to the Minnesota caucuses Tuesday.

Paul, who is the most libertarian-leaning candidate in the field, is scheduled to host two townhall meetings in Rochester and Chanhassen, before ending the night with a rally at Bethel University in Arden Hills on Saturday. The first townhall meeting is scheduled at 11 a.m. at Mayo High School, followed by a townhall meeting at the Auto Motorplex at 2 p.m. The rally at Bethel is scheduled to be at Benson Great Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Santorum, perhaps the biggest social conservative still in the race and eeked out at win in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, made his first state appearance as a candidate in Luverne Monday evening. He will be making campaign stops in Eden Prairie, Bemidji, and Lake Waconia.

His first event will be at Grace Church in Eden Prairie at 9:30 a.m., where he is scheduled to speak for 15 minutes to the congregation. His next stop will be at a campaign breakfast at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Bemidji at 12:30 p.m., followed by a tour of Bemidji Woolen Mills at 1 p.m. (His website noted that they're the official manufacturer of Rick Santorum for President sweater vests). He'll then end the day at a party at Sovereign Estate Wine at Lake Waconia at 5:30 p.m.

Rick Santorum

Romney, meanwhile, made an appearance in the Twin Cities Tuesday, while Gingrich has yet to schedule a campaign stop.

I plan to cover the Paul and Santorum events, along with any events from Romney and Gingrich when they are scheduled. I am also trying to get quick Q&As with the candidates, but so far it hasn't happened.

More to come!