Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts appear to be neck-and-neck in the Republican primary. If McCain wins in Florida, his status as the national front-runner will be cemented.

If Romney comes out on top, the battle for the GOP presidential nomination will be up in the air.

Now, I’m not math student — so check me — but I think CNN is off just a bit in their calculation. See, Mitt Romney has 67 delegates locked down; John McCain has 38. It would seem then, that if Johnny McLiberal — I mean, McCain — nabbs Florida’s 57 delegates is total would be 95. On the other hand, if Mitt Romney captures the state, his total would be 124.

Neither of these margins is insurmountable, but 28 is far more easily erased than 86. Let me clear it up:

I love reading the Constitution. It is one of my favorite ways to pass the time. Yet, every time I arrive at the 16th Amendment, I almost have to stop. I’m perplexed as to why on earth We the People of this nation would allow politicians of all people the right to direct taxation. The language of the text is enough in itself to scare me.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Basically, it says without rhyme or reason, Congress can withdraw an unlimited amount of money from the pockets of We the People; add to that, they don’t even have to ask.

What is important to realize is the problem this amendment has caused. I am of the belief that givign our congressmen and women access to unlimited funds provides them with the belief they have access to unlimited spending.

As proof, realize that in the 90 plus years since the passage of the Amendment, our nation has racked up trillions of dollars in debt; and our nation has developed an oppressive tax system that makes We the People the second most taxed people in the world. This amendment has led to a system that has generated revenue beyond imagine – all of it, and then some, spent.

There is no better way to say this, but money burns a hole in the pockets of government. For however long We the People continue to provide, the government will continue to take. This attitude of government take all has led to our spending crisis, and if any solution is to be derived, it will not come from Washington. For the greatest strengths and the greatest solutions of America have never come from Washington, but they always been products of We the People.

We the People have an obligation to those who are set to follow behind us. We the People have an obligation to stop this nonsense, stop this irresponsible spending, and to stop this ludicrous system of taxation. We the People need to take back our pocketbooks; We the People need to close the vaults; We the People need to tighten the purse-strings once and for all. It starts by repealing the 16th Amendment.

http://www.mittromney.com

More progress from Iraq, this time on the economic front…

From the Washington Times: 

According to a just-released report by the IMF, Iraq may see as much as 7 percent economic growth this year, and 7 to 8 percent next year. According to Mohsin Kahn, director of the fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, this minor economic miracle is tied mainly to Iraq’s growing production of oil — which again reflects an improved security situation. Iraq is currently pumping 2 million barrels per day, a figure that could rise by 200,000 barrels by next year. In the last quarter of 2007, Iraqi oil production rose by 250,000 barrels per day, mainly due to the improved security situation in Kirkuk in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq.

Not only that, but due to the macroeconomic policies and reforms over the past year by the Iraqi government, it was able in December to repay early its entire outstanding debt to the IMF, amounting to some $470 million. As a consequence, the fund approved a new stand-by package for Iraq of $740 million on December 20.

“The Iraqi authorities have succeeded in keeping their economic program, on track, in 2006-7, despite the difficult security situation,” stated Takatoshi Kato, deputy Managing Director of the IMF when the new package was approved. The IMF also commended the Iraqi government for its plans to keep up the good works in 2008.

Let’s see.

Security Progress - CHECK
Political Progress - CHECK
Economic Progress - CHECK

“I believe … that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything… ” - Harry Reid

The surge of U.S. forces has created an opening for Iraqi leaders, and now they are moving to exploit it. Things are not happening as fast or as well as we would like - but they are happening.

I am of the opinion that if history is written with any accuracy, President Bush will be praised for remaining true to the battle against terrorism in Iraq. In the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity, he stuck it out.

Two weeks ago, there were two candidates who fit that mold. One, as compared to the other, had an impeccable track record. With that candidate gone, conventional wisdom tells us we must settle for the other. As a firm believer in the cliche “don’t settle for the one you can live with,” I plan to do none of the sort. The shift of my support to any candidate comes with one pre-condition (outside of the candidate actually being a Conservative): the candidate must take fully and completely admit to any erroneous past positions, and must be open and honest about their rhetoric regardless of how newfound it may be. Perhaps it is oxymoronic, but the candidate who best meets my condition, gets my unconditional support.

Mitt Romney is a strong substantive candidate, rooted in the core principles of conservatism, and Mitt, without a doubt, has a desire to lead. He has proven himself worthy of leadership positions, and has been successful in every challenge he has taken to task. As for my condition, Mitt Romney is the only candidate who has flat out admitted he was mistaken in his previous position in regards to abortion. While the other candidates played politik, and cried misconception - Mitt Romney manned up. This sets him apart from the rest of the field.

It has not been easy over the past few days, coming to grips with the failed candidacy of Fred Thompson. Without a doubt though, there is still hope. There is a candidate who respects our conservative principles, and has solid plans for the future. There is Mitt Romney. On the assumption Mitt Romney meets my condition, I can, without reservation or hesitation, support his bid for Presidency of the United States.