p o w e r f u l c o n s e r va t i v e v o i c e s

T h e N aT i o N a l C o N s e r vaT i v e W e e k ly | e s Ta b l i s h e d 1 9 4 4 Wa s h i N g T o N , d . C . | W e e k o f M ay 7, 2 0 1 2

Plan of Attack
EXCLUSIVE: GOP strategist Karl Rove says Romney can win in 2012, but he needs to absorb Obamas blows and counter decisively with how hell grow the economy and put America back to work. p. 16

T eCh Nol ogy & f r e e d oM

e N e rgy & e N v i roN M e N T

eCoNoM y & bu dgeT

key topic key topic

California to Middle Class: The Dream Is All But Over p. 19

Economist Joel Kotkin says the state is run for the benefit of the very rich, the very poor and public employees. As a result, growth has

Senate to Weigh Privacy vs. Security on Internet Bill p. 14

The bill would allow Internet service providers to turn over user data to government.

U.S. Unnecessarily Dependent on China for Rare Minerals p. 12

Leading-edge industries need rare minerals for components in iPods, hybrid cars, more.

Inspector General Ends Myth TARP Turned Profit p. 8

New report says it is a widely held misconception that TARP generates profit.

Senators, pass the bipartisan Wyden-Snowe Wireless Tax Fairness Act (S. 543). Its a grand slam for wireless consumers, who already pay on average more than 16% of their monthly bill in taxes and fees, compared to 7% on other taxable goods and services. S. 543 is the perfect pitch to fix that. It would put a five-year freeze on new and discriminatory state and local wireless taxes and fees. The House has already put a man in scoring position by passing H.R. 1002. Nows the time for the Senate to drive home the winning run for wireless consumers.

Pass the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, S. 543.

Paid for by MyWireless.org

SENATORS, plAy bAll FOR WIRElESS CONSUMERS!

Consumers should be safe from unfair wireless taxes and fees.

Week of April 30, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

Page Three
n This week

in Congress: Pipeline back for debate

By Audrey Hudson

Congress returns to work after a weeklong recess and begins the arduous task of passing annual spending bills to fund all federal agencies in 2013. Meanwhile, the senate will focus on legislation to stop rate hikes on subsidized stafford loans for college students, which are scheduled to double on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. The senate will also vote on the nominations of Jacqueline Nguyen to be circuit judge for the Ninth Circuit; Kristine gerhard Baker to be district judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas; and John Lee to be district judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Conferees from the House and senate will hold their first meeting Tuesday to begin hammering out the differences in the highway funding bill before the June deadline but the sticking point will certainly be language in the House version that bypasses the president to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project. The Hill reports that senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has already made it very clear senate Democratic conferees will not agree to include that provision in the final measure. Personally, Im notIm not one of the confereesbut I think Keystone is a program that were not going, that I am not going to help in any way I can, Reid said. The president feels that way. I do, too. Whether the Keystone language makes it will likely come down to final negotiations between Reid and House speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). Hearings of note scheduled this week include a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee event titled A Review of solutions to Reform, Reorganize, or Retire the general services Administration (gsA). A science, space and Technology subcommittee hearing will also examine spending at the National byline

Jerry Ensminger holds a portrait of his daughter, Janey, in this May 9, 2007 photo in White Lake, N.C.

AP IMAgEs

camp Lejeune Vets poisoned at Base Neglected by Administration

Marines and their families suffering from leukemia, kidney cancer and other serious diseases seek medical care from a reluctant, profligate Department of Veterans Affairs.
By Hope Hodge

erry Ensminger is one of more than 750,000 Marines and military family members who lived aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during a three-decade period in which serious contaminants, including chemical degreasers and organic solvents, seeped into the drinking water on base. Ensminger, a grizzled retired master sergeant, saw his 9-year-old daughter Janey die from Leukemia that he believed was caused by the contamination; others who lived on base were diagnosed with kidney cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and a host of other serious diseases. Over 70 men who lived or grew up on the base have been diagnosed with breast cancer so far. Ensminger and his advocates in Congress have proposed that the Department of Veterans Affairs provide survivors with medical care and hospice for their contaminationrelated illnesses, a plan that would cost an estimated $3.9 billion to fund. It seems a reasonable request, given these veterans and family members were unwittingly poisoned by government neglect; but in these days of budget uncertainty and looming fiscal cuts, perhaps a tough sell nonetheless. VA unilaterally spent its cash surplus Heres the thing: in a rare case of over allocation, VA officials found that cash in surplusthen they went ahead and unilaterally spent it on other things. Staff with the House Veterans Affairs Committee said the VA was required to submit a healthcare budget to Congress every year based on spending estimates for that year. In the spring, officials ran another model that shows the years spending rate to date and how much the department is likely to spend for the rest of the year. For Fiscal 2012, slower than estimated spending rates meant the VA was left with a $3 billion surplus for that year, committee staff said. For Fiscal 2013, it was $2 billion. (VA officials said the figures were $2.2 billion and $2 billion, respectively.) The problem here, committee officials said, was that they were not informed until early 2012, with the presidents FY 2013 budget proposal, about a surplus that had been discovered starting in 2011. And, by the time they were informed, the money had been reinvested into other VA projects, including activating new facilities, expanding mental health, and eliminating veteran homelessness, according to VA officials.

The command decision to reinvest the $5 billionrepresenting more than five percent of the departments annual healthcare budgetleft some lawmakers on the committee feeling snubbed. Rep. Bill Flores, a Republican freshman from Texas, said he wanted to work with the committee to organize a hearing on the issue to hold department heads accountable. It would have been better if they told us when they were [finding the overage] rather than after the moneys gone, he said. Committee chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) penned a letter in February to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki asking him to consider allocating the overage funds to healthcare for Camp Lejeune veterans, rather than the programs the VA had specified. Earlier in April, Shinseki responded, saying it was premature to make the decision to give the group healthcare, as studies to determine the full extent and effects of the contamination were ongoing. The letter did not mention that the agency performing the studies, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, had already stated that the water was clearly a hazard and the EPA had separately confirmed that two of the contaminants, Benzene and TCE, were known human carcinogens. The fact is that we were poisoned; the documents are there, Ensminger told Human Events. Its time to move. Its time to give these people their benefits. A couple weeks ago, Miller and three other lawmakers representing bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees elevated the matter to President Barack Obama in a joint letter.VA has existing resources which could be reserved without derailing other initiatives; we will work the legislative process to complement what VA can do on its own authority, they said. Miller told Human Events via email that he has requested a full accounting of overestimated funds from the VA and made it a priority to ensure Congress and the VA work together in the future on these matters. Miller said he was also working to get those affected by Camp Lejeune water their needed medical care as quickly as possible, whether by opening up a VA priority, passing legislation now in Congress, or drafting a new resolution. These men and women have been waiting too long to be recognized by our government, and should not have to wait another day, he said.
Hope Hodge is a reporter covering national security & defense for Human Events. She can be reached at HHodge@EaglePub.Com

HumanEvents.com | Week of April 30, 2012

CaPITaL BrIeFS
and letting the House work its will. Though Democrats abandoned the practice when they controlled the House, Speaker Boehner has previously endorsed bringing appropriations bills to the floor under open rules. Thus, the Republican Study Committee argues that move is non-controversial and would be a significant step in curbing spending and bringing about transparency and accountability.

pReSiDeNtS AFGHANiStAN ViSit oVeRDUe, SoMe Gopers SAy

President Barack Obamas surprise visit to Afghanistanhis first since December 2010prompted only tepid applause from conservative lawmakers and scorn from those who believed his timing, coinciding with the May 1 anniversary of the assassination of Osama bin Laden, represented inappropriate political grandstanding. The ostensible reason for the visit was a meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai to sign a partnership agreement projecting U.S. assistance in Afghanistan through 2024. While Karzai last week publicly demanded at least $2 billion a year from the U.S. to support Afghan security efforts, neither funding levels nor U.S. troop strength past 2014 were discussed specifically. In a speech at Bagram Air Base, Obama reiterated his plan to have U.S. troops turn the security of the coun-

DeFeNSe

try over to Afghan control by 2014 and said the goal of defeating al Qaeda was within reach. Several GOP members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees said the visit was long overdue.

Rep. Tom McClintock

AP IMAgEs

HoUSe

MccLiNtock URGeS RetURN to ReGULAR oRDeR oN BUDGet tALkS

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) is asking in a letter to House leadership to bring 12 appropriations bills to the floor independently and under open rules. McClintock argues in the letter to Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor that the move would create more transparency in the spending process and would be a return to the regular order, which was discarded during the four years of Democratic House control. McClintock, a member of the House Budget Committee, wrote the letter in conjunction with the Republican Study Committee staff. McClintock writes: The new Republican House majority came to Washington with a mandate from the American people to address this historic breakdown in spending controls and to stem the tide of spending and debt. We began that work by passing a responsible budget, bringing spending bills to the House floor individually and under open rules,

eNeMy AttAckS AGAiNSt U.S. tRoopS DecLiNe iN AFGHANiStAN

Ongoing challenges to U.S. troops in Afghanistan include IED threats, a corrupt national government, and greenon-blue violence, Defense Department officials said last week in its semiannual report to Congress. The report, which covered the period from last October to the end of March, did cite encouraging figures: enemy-initiated attacks are down by 16 percent in 2012 from last year, and reactionary violence in response to events, including a U.S. soldier killing 17 Afghan civilians, was minimal. But incidents of Afghan National Security Forces attacking U.S. and coalition troops are up from last year, and a corrupt and unbalanced Afghan government continues to challenge security gains. In an executive summary, the 134page report concludes: The insurgencys safe haven in Pakistan, as well as the limited capacity of the Afghan government, remain the biggest risks to the process of turning security gains into a durable and sustainable Afghanistan. According to the report, about 86,692 U.S. troops remain on the ground in Afghanistan, down from 97,795 on Sept. 30, 2011.

DeFeNSe

top epA oFFiciAL ReSiGNS AFteR HiS cRUciFiXioN ReMARkS

Al Armendariz was forced to resign his position as an EPA administrator this week after a video surfaced of a speech he made comparing his philosophy in enforcing oil and gas regulations to a Roman crucifixion. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) brought the video to light last week and began an investigation of the environmental activist and his activities at the agency against gas companies in several states. According to Bloomberg, Armendariz had a cameo in the anti-hydraulic fracturing movie Gasland and was promoted to President Barack

eNViRoNMeNt

Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, May 1

AP IMAgEs

Human Events
Frank C. Hanighen (1899-1964) James L. Wick (1897-1964)

the national conservative weekly

Established 1944 April 30, 2012 | Vol 68, No. 15 2012 by Human Events Publishing LLC

huMan EVEnts gROuP VP, group Publisher Joseph Guerriero cOntEnt Editor-in-chief Emeritus Thomas S. Winter Editor Cathy Taylor Managing Editor Adam Tragone senior Reporter, Economy & budget David Harsanyi senior Reporter, Energy & Environment Audrey Hudson senior Reporter, Political Editor John Gizzi Reporter, Defense & national security Hope Hodge Reporter, technology & Freedom John Hayward legal affairs correspondent Ann Coulter Web editor Karl Selzer Editor-at-large Allan Ryskind Regular contributors Jim Edwards, Steven Greenhut, Ken Hanner, Mark LaRochelle, John Seiler huMan EVEnts Digital OPERatiOns www.humanEvents.com Steve Miller, Todd Herman, Todd Van Etten, Jayson Manship, Patrick Klinetobe, Chris Pascuzzo, Tony Cane

DEsign art Director Amanda Larsen graphic Designers Amber Colleran, Stephanie Patience, Henry Pereira, Lisa Pulaski, Jason Sunde aDVERtising senior account advertising Managers Melinda Beatty, Scott Fowler, Chris McIntyre, Cheri DeLand advertising Operations Manager Patrick Klinetobe Marketing Director Elizabeth Setterlin Marketing Manager Jenna Geiger advertising Marketing Manager Jake Berube advertising traffic Manager Linda Jenkins sales administrator Holly Berggren Distribution Jim Zerr Production Sean Munns

EaglE Publishing, inc. chairman Thomas L. Phillips President Jeffrey J. Carneal cFO/VP Operations Jon A. Heimerman Regnery Publishing Marjory G. Ross Eagle Financial Publications Roger Michalski Eagle Wellness Chris Broussard
all mail correspondence for human Events or Eagle Publishing should be addressed to One Massachusetts avenue nW, Washington, D.c. 20001. human Events cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, either by email or postal mail. Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of human Events. Postmaster: send address changes to human Events, 1 Massachusetts ave., n.W., 6th Floor, Washington, D.c.

The Declaration of Independence begins: When in the course of Human Events In reporting the news, Human Events is objective; it aims for accurate presentation of all the facts. But it is not impartial. It looks at events through eye s that favor limited constitutional government, local self-government, private enterprise and individual freedom. These were the principles that inspired the founders. We believe that today the same principles will preserve freedom in America.
human Events (issn 0018-7194) is published weekly, except 2/27/12, 4/9/12, 6/4/12, 7/19/12, 8/6/12, 9/10/12, 11/26/12, 12/31/12 by human Events, 1 Massachusetts ave., n.W., Washington D.c. 20001. Periodicals postage paid at Washington,D.c. and additional mailing offices. single issue price $9.95. One year subscription, $129. copyright 2012 human Events.

to subscribe: 1 800-787-7557 customerservice@humanEventsOnline.com to advertise: 202 677-4462 To Contact Editorial 202 677-4518 202 216-0600 To Send a Letter, Op-eds ctaylor@EaglePub.com atragone@EaglePub.com
Because the Audit Bureau of Circulations audits the circulation of [name of publication], advertisers know that our audited information is accurate.

Because the Audit Bureau of Circulations audits the circulation of Human Events, advertisers know that our audited information is accurate.

Because the WERE PROuD TOAudit Bureau of Circulations audits the circulation of [name of publication], advertisers know BE A MEMBER information that our Of is accurate. audited AuDIT BuREAu Of CIRCuLATIONs

Because the Audit Bureau of Circulations audits the circulation of [name of publication], advertisers know that our audited information is accurate.

Because the Audit Bureau of Circulations audits the circulation of [name of publication], advertisers know that our audited information is accurate.

Week of April 30, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

5
NewS, ViewS, opiNioNS FRoM wASHiNGtoN

Obama by environmentalists, who said the civil engineering professor from Southern Methodist University would be tough on polluters. Armendariz is also an author of a 2009 study by the Environmental Defense Fund, which blamed the drilling of Barnett Shale for causing more air pollution in the Dallas/Fort Worth area than cars and trucks. Armendarizs exit at the EPA will not slow down a slew of burdensome regulations the agency is producing under Obamas leadership, Inhofe said. His investigation of the agency will continue despite Armendarizs resignation.

xx

xx

new Gallup survey, over the past 15 years, Americans have altered their expected retirement form the age of 60 to the age of 67.

FeDeRAL GoVeRNMeNt iS BiGGeR tHAN yoU tHiNk

A Brookings Institution study says that the federal government is even larger than conventional budget measures suggest. Conservatives might be tempted to nod their heads in agreement, but its doubtful they would agree on the studys reasoning. In the report, Donald Marron and Eric Toder at the Urban Institute and Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center assert that typically we understate both the size of spending and revenues. Media and wonks measure government as a ratio of spending to gross domestic product (GDP) or of tax revenues to GDP. But those measures leave out important aspects of government action, the authors say: For example, they do not capture the ways governments use deductions, credits, and other tax preferences to make transfers and influence resource use. So, for instance, when the federal government gives you a $100 refund check it is counted as spending. When Washington gives you a tax break it is not counted as deficit spending. So a tax break, argue the authors, is spending. A f iscal conservative, though, would probably argue that the government isnt giving you a tax break it is just taking less and should thus spend less. Unless there is a universally agreed upon baseline to work from, government is not entitled to taxpayer dollars.

SpeNDiNG

Scott wALkeR coMpeteS iN pRiMARy tHiS week

Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker has reported raising more than $13 million since January as part of his effort to avoid being recalled in the election scheduled for June 5. The recall election movement, instigated by union leaders after Gov. Walkers measures to close the deficit in Wisconsin took on public union entitlements, will see its first vote May 8 when Walker faces Arthur KohlRiggs in the Republican primary. Kohl Riggs finances, however, are minimal, with his campaign having raised only $2,045 since January, according to an Associated Press report. The Democratic contenders will likewise have their primary May 8. The two front-runners are Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. The funds raised since January for both Falk and Barrett total only $1.8 milliona meager sum compared to the $13 million raised by Walker.

wALkeR wAtcH
scott Walker
AP IMAgEs

The campaigns of Falk and Barrett both issued statements about Walkers finances, accusing the governor of spending more time raising funds rather than creating jobs, the Associated Press reported. Barrett, in a statement, accused Walker of putting an extreme, partisan agenda ahead of Wisconsins economy. Friends of Scott Walker Communications Director Ciara Matthews, however, responded that The City of Milwaukee, under Mayor Barretts failed policies, is an anchor weighing on Wisconsins ability to create jobs. Under Barrett, Milwaukees unemployment rate skyrocketed by 29 percent and the city stands as the ninth poorest in the nation. Falks campaign joined Barretts in accusing Walkerand New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has been recently campaigning for Walkerof extreme records. According to the Walker campaign, 96,292 (76 percent) of the 125,926 contributions since January have been donations of $50 or less. For more information or to find ways to participate, please visit www.ScottWalker.Org.

StAteMeNtS Go oNLiNe oNLy, SAVeS $70 MiLLioN A yeAR

Not exactly on the cusp of technological breakthrough, the Social Security Administration will now provide American workers with online statements of their estimated retirement benefits. The federal government, which has already been phasing out paper checks for benefit programs elsewhere, will offer online statements that will allow workers to see which benefits they would collect if they retired at ages 62, 66 or 70. By discontinuing these mailings, it estimates that the government will save about $70 million a year. Any citizen who is 18 or older can use the website www.ssa.gov, where they can create a secure account to see their information and regularly check out that 2% return on their investment. And just in time. According to a

SociAL SecURity

This Weeks Must Reads

This week marks the unofficial start of the presidential contest between President Barack obama and presumptive nominee Mitt Romney. We report the advice of superstrategist Karl Rove, as well as that of our own longexperienced editors and writers (Playbook, page 18). More to come in future issues, on money, social media and more. Cathy Taylor

WelcoMe to Human events.

10
De Fe N S e

Page

20 26
o p iN io N

War on Terror still threatens u.s., one year after the death of Osama bin Laden. By Hope Hodge

AcR o S S A M eRicA

21

Louisianas Bobby Jindal emerges as an education reform leader with new measures to transform schools. By William OBrien

JoHN Gizzi oN poLiticS

Nebraska senate primary highlights tea party vs. establishment within gOP. Whoever wins May 15 likely will win senate seat in November.

24
opiNioN

30

Rep. Jim Mcgovern has proposed a constitutional amendment that would undercut free speech. By George Will

Rep. Buck McKeon accuses the president of doing nothing to stop automatic defense cuts. By Bob Maginnis

tHe xx D eB UNkeR

The xxx president says the Bush capital gains tax cut should be permitted to expire. Heres why it shouldnt. By Mark LaRochelle

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

CaPITaL BrIeFS

Frozen cows to be Removed by Handsaw; Fire and explosives Dont Meet Green Rules
Ranch hands will hike in to remove the six dead cows piece by piece.
By Audrey Hudson

andsaws will be used to cut up six frozen cows discovered in an abandoned Colorado mountain cabin as opposed to fire or explosives the Forest Service was considering to remove the carcasses before the spring thaw. Federal officials are being forced to adhere to strict environmental regulations to dispose of the cows, which they say needs to be taken care of be-

fore bears come out of hibernation and sniff out the corpses, which are in a popular hiking area near Aspen. Forest Service officials initially said that blowing up the cabin or burning it down would be the fastest and most efficient means of meeting environmental regulations, which forbid the use of motorized vehicles or machinery in designated wilderness areas. But a Forest Service official told the Aspen Daily News last week that fire

and explosives would have required environmental assessment work and thats not the fastest way to go. Several ranch hands will make the nearly nine-mile hike to the cabin near the Conundrum Hot Springs, carrying the hand saws to cut up 6,000 consolidated pounds of frozen cow, and then will disperse the remains to speed up decomposition. The cows were discovered in March by hikers and reported to the Forest

Service, however another hiker is now telling reporters in Colorado that he saw the cows alive but trapped in the cabin after a November snowstorm. That hiker said he sent photos of the live cows to the rangers in hopes the animalswould be rescued, but Forest Service officials say they never got the hiwkers email or photos.
Audrey Hudson is senior reporter covering Energy and Environment for Human Events. She can be reached at AHudson@EaglePub.Com

DaTeBook
WAshingTon FAIR ImmIgRAtIon mEdIA EvEnt, HERItAgE FoundAtIon HoldS A numbER oF lECtuRES And dISCuSSIonS, And bRAdlEy FoundAtIon PRIzES AwARdEd. TuesdAyWednesdAy:

eVeNtS, HeARiNGS, MeetiNGS

ThursdAy: Senate Minority Whip FridAy: The Bradley Foundation

Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) sixth annual Hold Their Feet to the Fire immigration media event, to highlight the burden, cost and harm of illegal immigration. Phoenix Park Hotel, North Capitol Street, N.W.

Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) delivers the Heritage Foundation Annual Helms Lecture, on Why Conservatives Should Fund and Support a Strong National Defense. Heritage Foundation, 9 a.m.

Prizes awarded to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, York University Law Professor Richard A. Epstein, Harvard University Professor Harvey Mansfield and Carnegie Mellon Professor Allan Meltzer for their promotion and advocacy in the fields of liberal democracy, democratic capitalism, and a vigorous defense of American institutions. subcommittee hearing on Supporting American Jobs and the Economy through Expanded Energy Production: Challenges and Opportunities of Unconventional Resources Technology. 2318 Rayburn House Office Building, 9:30 a.m.

Congress botH HouSE And SEnAtE REtuRn FRom ConStItuEnt woRk wEEk. SEnAtE IS ExPECtEd to tAkE uP tHE StoP tHE StudEnt loAn IntERESt RAtE HIkE ACt oF 2012. HouSE CommIttEE HEARIngS ARE notEd.

TuesdAy: House Homeland

Security subcommittee hearing on Measuring Border Security: U.S. Border Patrols New Strategic Plan and the Path Forward. 311 Cannon House Office Building, 10 a.m.

WednesdAy: House Financial

Services subcommittee hearing on the impact the Dodd-Frank Act regulations are having on small banks lending and investment activities. 2128 Rayburn House Office Building, 2 p.m.

ThursdAy: House Science

oF inTeresT dEmoCRAtIC PRImARy In RECAll EFFoRt AgAInSt wISConSIn gov. SCott wAlkER, CtIA wIRElESS tRAdE SHow And dHS SymPoSIum on tRAdE.

TuesdAy: Wisconsin Democratic

Party holds gubernatorial primary election ahead of the June 5 recall election against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

TuesdAyThursdAy: CTIA Wireless, the largest and most comprehensive trade show in the wireless industry. Speakers to include former President Bill Clinton, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, Visa President John Partridge, Mozilla Corporation CEO Gary Kovacs and Spotify CEO and co-founder Daniel Ek. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La. ThursdAy: George Clooney hosts

ThursdAy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection 2012 West Coast Trade Symposium Harmonizing Trade for a Stronger Economy. Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Long Beach, Calif.

CAmPAign TrAil tHREE StAtES votE In tHE goP PRESIdEntIAl PRImARy; obAmA RE-ElECtIon CAmPAIgnIng And FundRAISIng ContInuES, wItH RomnEy tRyIng to PICk uP momEntum.

TuesdAy: Indiana, North Carolina

and West Virginia hold Republican presidential primary elections. Voters in North Carolina will also be deciding on an amendment to the State Constitution on whether to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

a fundraiser for President Barack Obama to raise money for the Obama Victory Fund. Tickets are $40,000-per-person, with expected guests to include Barbra Streisand and DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

sATurdAy: Former

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers the Commencement address at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. The Universitys Chancellor, Jerry Fallwell, Jr., is also expected to speak.

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

Economy & BudgEt

n What are

we to believe from the housing market numbers?

If youre confused by many of the economic signals being sent these days, youre not alone. Take the housing market: united states homeownership hit a record high in 2004. This was around the time President george W. Bush was celebrating the nations emerging Ownership societya philosophy that, in practice, was partly responsible for creating the housing bubble. Today, as everyone knows, the story is quite different, as is the trajectory of home ownership. On the scary side, according to the Census Bureau, u.s. homeownership rates have fallen to about 65 percent, after languishing at 66 percent for the past three quarters. The current rate matches the average rate held since 1965. That translates into the homeownership rate dropping to a 15-year low. On the bright-ish side, there are an estimated 132.6 million homes in the united states, of which nearly 14 percent (or 18.5 million) were vacant during the first quarterdown from last years 19 million. The apartment vacancy rate also fell to 4.9 percent in the first quarteran 11-year low. Then again, with historically low interest rates available and low prices creating a strong first-time buyers market, shouldnt houses be moving? According to experts, those most open to buyingrather than moving or rentingin this stormy market are having trouble accessing new mortgages. for those who want to sell? Well, Robert shiller, co-creator the widely used Case-shiller home price index, explains that housing prices have most likely hit bottom. The bad news: shiller told Reuters recently that he believes home values lost in the past five years would not be made up in our lifetimes.

inspector General Report ends Myth that tARp turned a profit

Treasury secretary Tim geithner testifies on June 22, 2010 before the Congressional Oversight Panel on TARP.

AP IMAgEs

Another report from Federal Reserve economists confirms that TARP encouraged high-risk behavior by insulating the risk-takers from the consequences of failure.
By David Harsanyi

id TARP save America from economic catastrophe? We hear a lot of counterfactual arguments and economic theories on the matter. Politicians, naturally, have definitive answers. The public, though, is left to focus on three questions that now matter: Was the money paid back? Did TARP turn a profit? Did the legislation stabilize the long-term health of the economy? A new report to congress by Christy Romero, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, says no on all fronts. Though the report asserts that TARP played an active role in the recovery (some of you may surely wonder what recovery?), it ends the myth that taxpayers turned a profit or were paid back by borrowers. How could this be? It was only in March when Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner claimed that while the overriding objective of TARP was to break the back of the financial crisis and save jobs, the fact that our investment in banks has also delivered a significant profit for taxpayers is a welcome development. Similarly, after the first-round of bank re-payments, President Barack Obama maintained that the government has actually turned a profit. Americans may be astonished to

hear that our debt-ridden government has the capacity to turn a profita significant profit, evenon taxpayer-funded emergency investments. After all, if TARP is a win-win policy that generates revenue, why doesnt government pour hundreds of billions of dollars into failing companies and troubled banks every year? how government defines profit The White House asserts that it will create $179 billion in profit by the fiscal year 2015. How does government make a profit, exactly? Well, the Federal Reserve undergoes a couple of rounds of quantitative easing (QE1, QE2and maybe another sequel), buying Treasury bills and distressed mortgage-backed securitiesor, in laymens terms, it prints money. Then it takes the interest made off of that printed money and deems it profit. Even using this brand of inventive accounting, the report notes it is a widely held misconception that TARP is generating profit. The most recent cost estimate for TARP is a loss of $60 billion. Taxpayers are still owed $118.5 billion (including $14 billion written off or otherwise lost), the report calculates. Though its tricky to track $700 billion of emergency funding that was haphazardly dropped into the economy by a panic-stricken government, when accounting for the Fannie Mae and Fred-

die Mac bailout, the American taxpayer is probably owed somewhere in neighborhood of $237.7 billion, though some estimates are far higher. And it will be more. The Treasury Department says that a large part of the money lost via TARP is the result of the housing and car bailouts, which wernt paid back, either. When the next Fannie and Freddie rescue comesas a number of reports have indicated will be neededtaxpayers will be on the hook. And lets not forget that many of the banks, and auto companies, had conveniently paid back their government bailouts using other government funds. The report also makes the case that TARP may be perpetuating future financial misadventures and bailouts. The issue is moral hazardhow companies embrace undue risks knowing full well they wont be held accountable. Most of the banks that were too big to fail when TARP was implemented are now even bigger. The report to Congress points out that a recent working paper from Federal Reserve economists confirms that TARP encouraged high-risk behavior by insulating the risk-takers from the consequences of failure. Risk a key component of capitalism. Government-backed risk is no risk at all.
david Harsanyi is a senior reporter covering the Economy and budget for Human Events. He can be reached at dHarsanyi@EaglePub.Com

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

10

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

DeFenSe & naTIonaL SeCurITy

war on terror Still threatens, one year After bin Ladens Death

President Obama, along with members of the national security team, in the situation Room, May 1, 2011.

AP IMAgEs

While some gains have been made in the war in Afghanistan, the projected U.S. drawdown of troops threatens any permanent success. And global terrorism has proliferated in the wake of the death of the terrorist leader, former Bush official John Bolton said.
By Hope Hodge

year ago last week, a nation learned about a valiant SEAL team, a situation room, and a compound in Abbottabad that became the setting of a notorious terrorists last stand. On the anniversary of Osama bin Ladens death, are we looking back on a turning point in the global War on Terror? Not by a long shot, a senior official of the Bush administration told Human Events. Former United Nations ambassador John Bolton, now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said that the U.S. assassination of the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was rightly celebrated when it took place, but should not be seen as a death blow to al Qaeda, or to the Talibans grip on Afghanistan. I dont think on net you can see

that much difference. (Bin Laden) had been pushed into a point from sustained pressure over a number of years where he was less relevant than he had been before, Bolton said. His death doesnt materially change the equation, I dont think. By the numbers, the night raid that took down the Taliban leader and al Qaeda kingpin may have had some positive effect on the trajectory of the war in Afghanistan, at least in the short run. U.S. and NATO casualties and the number of U.S. wounded were all down in a year-over-year comparison during the 12 months following bin Ladens death. Reports released by the International Security Assistance Force show a decrease in enemy-initiated attacks on ISAF troops in Afghanistan for every month since May 2011, compared to the same month the

previous year. Force officials added that the reduction in enemy-initiated attacks, the first such trend since 2008, was the longest sustained yearover-year downward trajectory recorded since ISAF began in 2001. Other war statistics, possibly more telling, are far less encouraging. insider attacks up Attacks on coalition troops from insidersAfghan police and soldiershave grown steadily. This year, so far, there have already been 13 such attacks, 10 of them fatal, compared with 21 attacks in total for 2011 and 11 for 2010, according to AP reports. Experts said one explanation for the abundance of these friendly attacks may be a concern among Afghan citizens that, as the U.S. telegraphs its intention to draw down troop strength in Afghanistan in 2014, Afghans must

once again form alliances with Taliban leaders preparing to assume control once again. Its bad enough that we will surrender Afghanistan to the people who brutalized it for decades before we overthrew them, Center for Security Policy Director Frank Gaffney said. Far from cutting our losses, I believe this will be a catalyst for far more intensive jihadist activity. And outside of Afghanistan, al Qaeda presence has proliferated, even in the wake of bin Ladens death, in regions including Iraq, Yemen, and Africa, and the terrorist organizations new leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, remains on the loose in Pakistan. Al Qaeda attacks in Iraq have actually increased since bin Ladens assassination, according to reports. Al Qaeda is not a corporate organization, Bolton said. It doesnt have an organizational charter on the wall. Its a loosely networked organization and it has grown substantially. The consequences of the Arab Spring have served not to undercut the appeal of al Qaeda, but simply to enhance it. As America faces the fractured end of a decade-long war and the proliferation of terrorism across the globe, celebrating the anniversary of eliminating a figurehead has seemed inappropriate for many. Killing Osama bin Laden happened while (Obama) was president, not because he was president, Bolton said. The analogy that I use is Richard Nixon taking credit for Aldrin and Armstrong landing on the moon. A group of former Navy SEALs came forward last week to protest President Obamas use of the Special Forces raid as a political gambit in his re-election campaign. And a veteran who maintains the popular military blog This Aint Hell compared Obamas grandstanding on the anniversary of the raid to President George W. Bush hanging out a Mission Accomplished banner in 2003: unwarranted and without real significance. Of course, Im glad (bin Laden is) dead and I wish hed been killed sooner. Other than that, I really dont see the value of bringing it up in an election year, Jonn Lilyea said. I think the initial death of bin Laden was a morale booster, but I dont think these anniversaries serve any purpose, not for troop morale.
Hope Hodge is a reporter covering defense and national Security for Human Events. She can be reached at HHodge@EaglePub.Com

The cost of taking down bin laden

sources: National Journal; Icasualties.Org; Count by Human Events

3 trillion 1,566 3,493

War spending up to the assassination of Osama bin Laden u.s. troops killed in Afghanistan before the death of bin Laden. since bin Ladens death: 389

Days between the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and elimination of Osama bin Laden

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

11

12

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

energy & envIronmenT

Mining permit Backlog Leaves U.S. Dependent on china for Rare Minerals

elements in everyday use

China accounts for 96 percent of the worlds rare earth element market, which are essential components for hightech products as well as renewable or green energy technology. Although 15 of these minerals are found in 14 states and have an estimated worth of more than $6 trillion, the federal government is dragging its feet in approving mining permits needed to move forward on obtaining some 13 million metric tons believed to exist in the u.s. some of the products used every day by Americans that depend on these minerals include energy-efficient light bulbs, which use europium, terbium, and yttrium. iPods use five rare earth minerals, including dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium and terbium. Camera lenses and high refractive index glass are made from lanthanum and self-cleaning ovens use cerium. Welding goggles use praseodymium and lasers use neodymium. Portable X-ray machines require thulium and fluorescent lamps need terbium. Minerals such as aluminum are used to make deodorant, clocks require iron, nickel and silica, lipstick and makeup uses clay, mica, talc, and limestone, and toilets require zinc, copper and silica. According to the u.s. geological survey, rare earth elements are obtained for use in the u.s. almost exclusively from China. Most rare earth elements are not as rare as the name suggests, according to the survey. They were named as such during the 18th and 19th centuries as oxide components within seemingly rare minerals. Cerium is the most abundant of the socalled rare elements, and is actually more common in the Earths crust than is copper or lead.

n rare earth

Rep. Mark Amodei says this bill would streamline the permitting process, and leverage resources, respect environment.

AP IMAgEs

leading-edge industries need these rare minerals for key components in iPods, hybrid cars and solar panels. But, government policies are stifling mining companies from developing local sources, thus increasing reliance on foreign suppliers.
By Audrey Hudson

trategic minerals that are essential components in green and high technology such as hybrid cars, iPods and solar panels are readily available in the U.S. but efforts to mine the elements are being stalled by bureaucrats for years, industry officials say. The United States is heavily reliant on foreign countries such as China for critical minerals that are the building blocks of our economy and imperative to renewable energy development, military technology and the manufacturing of nearly all of our electronic devices, said Rep. Doc Hastings (RWash.), chairman of the House Resources Committee. There are 15 such rare earth minerals worth more than $6 trillion, including terbium, yttrium and dysprosium that are found throughout the U.S. To increase access, Republican lawmakers are supporting legislation called the Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act that they say tackles the highest hurdle of getting the needed permits to begin mining operations. Hall Quinn, president of the National Mining Association, said at a recent House hearing on the bill that it often takes 10 years to get a mining permit.

The length, complexity and uncertainty of the permitting process are the primary reasons investors give for not investing in U.S. minerals mining, Quinn said. Delaying permits for mining projects is not a new problem. What is new is the growing awareness of its implications for our nation, particularly in a highly competitive world economy in which the demand for minerals continues to grow, especially in fast growing economies led by China and India, Quinn said. Amodei bill introduced The bill authored by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) would reverse a 30-year trend of increased reliance on foreign countries and fierce competition to gain access to the needed resources. In the 2012 ranking of countries for mining investment, the United States ranked last, tied with Papua New Guinea, in permitting delays, Amodei said. Decade-long permitting delays are standing in the way of high-paying jobs and revenue for local communities. This bill would streamline the permitting process to leverage our nations vast mineral resources while paying due respect to economic and environmental concerns, Amodei said. Lawmakers say the United States

is completely reliant on China, and in addition to the threats to national security of not being self-reliant in this area, the delays in approving mining permits also costs good-paying jobs that are instead being filled overseas. The risk of scarcity is expected to rise so significantly that it will lead to supply instability and potential disruptions in the next five years, says the National Mining Association. If that happens, price increases will not be far behind. The U.S. Geological Survey reported in 2010 that 13 million tons of known deposits of rare earth elements have been located in 14 states including Alaska, California, Florida and New York. However, China accounts for 96 percent of the worlds supply. The Toyota Prius uses more of the mineral than any other consumer product, including lanthanum and cerium in the battery, yttrium in the component sensors, dysprosium and terbium in the motor and generator and neodymium in the headlight glass. The new bill is just getting off the ground in the House and it is unclear how much member support it will garner.
Audrey Hudson is a senior reporter for Human Events covering Energy and Environment. She can be reached at AHudson@EaglePub.Com

Featured species: Johnstons Frankenia

J AMEs HENDERsON, BugWOOD.ORg

Reports of the Johnstons Frankenias demise were greatly exaggerated when it was listed as an endangered species in 1984. later surveys of the Texasbased plant showed a population greater than 9,000,000.

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

13

Regnery Publishing
G r e at Co n s e rvat i v e B o o k s G r e at Co n s e rvat i v e au t h o r s

Targeted for Death by Islamic Terrorists, Geert Wilders is a Marked Man.

I have been surrounded by police guards and stripped of nearly all personal privacy. I wear a bulletproof jacket when I speak in public Why do I need protection? Because Ive become part of a rapidly growing group of individuals who have been marked for death
Features a foreword by Mark Steyn.

for criticizing Islam. Geert Wilders

A vA i l A b l e M Ay 1 s t, 2 0 12
i n b o o k sto r e s e v e r y w h e r e , o n A m A z o n, A n d At r e g n e ry. c o m.

202-216-0600 | One Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 | www.Regnery.com

14

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

TeChnoLogy & FreeDom

Senate to Struggle with privacy Vs. Security on New internet Bill

sen. John McCain and sen. Joseph Lieberman, shown here in a 2011 photo, are proposing alternate senate versions of CIsPA.

AP IMAgEs

This time around, big online companies favor a bill that would allow Internet service providers to voluntarily turn over data to the government upon threat of a security breach. But, opening the Internet to government could harm user privacy, create unforeseen mischief.
By John Hayward

he Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which passed the House of Representatives last month on a 248-168 vote that featured both bipartisan support and opposition, now moves to the Senate, also conflicted about the measure. The White House has threatened to veto CISPA, saying the bill effectively treats domestic cyber-security as an intelligence activity, and thus significantly departs from longstanding efforts to treat the Internet and cyberspace as civilian spheres. Internet companies and banks favor the legislation, while many online user communities, libertarians, and civil rights organizations such as the ACLU are opposed. Some believe that amendments passed by the House address their concerns about the bill,

while others say those amendments made it worse. In the Senate, alternative proposals are being advanced by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). Most of CISPAs strongest critics dont think the McCain or Lieberman bills are much of an improvement, however, over the House version. These divergent views rather neatly capture the nature of the electronic security debate. How can cyber-security not be an intelligence activity? But if we must treat it as such, how can we also guarantee online privacy? CISPA enables Internet service providers to forward certain confidential user information to government security agencies when a cyber-security threat has been identified. At the moment, various privacy laws prevent this kind of information sharing. Furthermore, CISPA shields the ISPs from legal

liability for violating customers privacy while combating national security threats in cyberspacean umbrella many found uncomfortably broad, even before some last-minute amendments broadened it even further. Privacy concerns Detractors call CISPA the Son of SOPA, a reference to the Stop Online Piracy Act. SOPA died in Congress after massive public outcry over the damage it would have done to online privacy, and to the free flow of Internet communications. They are differentCISPA addresses national security issues, rather than SOPAs focus of intellectual propertybut critics are raising similar privacy concerns. Proponents of CISPA say that effective online security, particularly against large-scale coordinated attacks by enemy governments or large hacker

groups, requires timely involvement by the intelligence communitywhich must have some way to gather the intel needed to track down electronic terrorists and defeat viral attacks. The debate is an extension of the long-running tension between security and privacy. The Internet intensifies the debate because of its enormous reach and speed. Some data CISPA makes more readily available to government agencies can already be obtained with a warrant, but the time required to obtain a warrant could hamstring efforts to deal with a rapidly evolving online threat, supporters say. On the other hand, no one can be blamed for feeling nervous about the prospect of Internet service providers handing private data over to the government. This would happen largely at the discretion of the ISPstheyre allowed to hand over data they believe pertains to a security threat, but they are not required to do so. CISPA was designed to override almost all other privacy laws, as well as the Terms of Service agreements consumers sign, causing opponents to fear it is fraught with unintended consequences. Like every large bill, CISPA picked up a raft of amendments during the final day of debate. One of them added the protection of children from pornography as a valid reason for the government to harvest personal data. This did nothing to reassure those who thought national security was already too broad of a mission. Children are often victimized by online predators, but that has nothing to do with cyber-security. The front door of CISPA was already disturbingly large, but now it has a huge back door, too. The CISPA debate has not occurred strictly along partisan lines, although the Republican caucus in the House strongly favors it. However, 28 Republicans voted against the bill, and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) abstained. The White Houses preferred alternative legislation in the Senate was authored by Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.). Fox News explains it would give the Department of Homeland Security authority to set new cyber-security standards. Thats not exactly reassuring to those who worry about the 18-wheel truck of government power barreling toward the intersection of privacy and security.
John Hayward is a reporter for Human Events covering technology and Freedom. He can be reached at JHayward@EaglePub.Com.

FBi cyber-security chief believes most major companies have already been breached
fBI cyber-security chief shawn Henry (left) described the dimensions of the cyber warfare threat to a House Homeland security subcommittee as follows: I believe most major companies have already been breached or will be breached, resulting in substantial losses in information, economic competitiveness and national security. Many are breached and have absolutely no knowledge that an adversary was or remains resident on their network, often times for weeks, months or even years.

AP IMAgEs

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

15

The Bradley Prizes will be presented on Thursday, June 7 at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
The Bradley Prizes recognize outstanding achievements that are consistent with the Foundations mission statement. Founded in 1985, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation is devoted to strengthening American democratic capitalism and the institutions, principles and values that sustain and nurture it. Its programs support limited, competent government; a dynamic marketplace for economic, cultural activity; and a vigorous defense, at home and abroad, of American ideas and institutions. Learn more at www.bradleyfdn.org.

16 Cover Story

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

Plan of Att

Mitt Romneys

eXCLuSIve: goP strategist karl rove tells human events romney can win and outlines strategies and tactics, beginning with flipping five key states that went for President obama in 2008.
uman Events Reporter Hope Hodge spoke with Karl Rove, senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, about presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney and key tenets of a winning strategy for the 2012 presidential campaign. She also captured his key points in an address last Tuesday to a Young Americas Foundation event at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. romneys prospects Karl Rove: Sure he can [win]. Will he? I dont know; thats what the election is all about. romneys biggest roadblocks I think the question is going to be

how strong and powerful is (Romneys) argument going to be for economic growth. How strong is his emphasis going to be on reform. If he comes across as a reform conservative whos focused on growing the economy and putting America back to work, then hes going to be in good shape. And weve seen in the last couple of weeks very strong strains of him. Talking about how we need to put America back to work, talking about how we need to reduce tax rates and simplify the code. Having him talk candidly about the problem with entitlements and endorsing things like premium support, those are all good signs.

issues in romneys favor The economy, the deficits, spending, entitlements. The [Patient Protection and] Affordable care act is a big issue. This is something that really matters to a lot of people, and him being able to go on the offense not only to say lets repeal it, but to say, heres what Im going to do [that] is going to be really useful. states romney needs to take Three, two, oneIndiana, Virginia, North Carolina. Three historically Republican states that went Democrat; Florida and Ohiotogether they have 49 electoral college votes. Swung into the Democratic column in 08, but were Republican in 04 and swung by a smaller margin. And if Republicans win

those five states, then all they need to win is one more stateNew Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico, or Nevada. President obamas present position in the minds of the American people Were right at the end of a really ugly Republican presidential process; its not over yet. Today [Tuesday, April 30] in the Gallup, it is Obama 46, Romney 47. Shouldnt be that way. We have a popular incumbent. They like him; the American people like him. They dont agree with a lot that hes done as president, but he came into office with the best wishes of the American people and they like him. And hes personally popular.

WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012 | HumanEvents.com

Cover Story 17

tack

states to watch States

President Barack Obama faces a challenge winning some of the swing states he carried in 2008. Tossup states for the last three presidential elections:

Obamas margin of victory in swing states in 2008

More than 10% Nevada 5-10% Iowa Less than 5% Wisc. N.H.

13.91%

9.61%

Penn.

12.5%

Colo.

8.95%

9.54%
Ohio N.M.

10.32%
Va.

4.58% 15.13%

6.3% 0.32%
Fla. N.C.

2.8%
NOTE: Alaska and Hawaii are not to scale

Margins of victory in recent elections

Swing state Florida Ohio Nevada 2000 0.01% Bush 3.51 3.54 8.36 4.17 0.22 0.06 0.32 1.27 Bush Bush Bush Gore Gore Gore Gore Bush 2004 5.01% Bush 2.10 2.59 4.67 2.50 0.38 0.79 0.67 1.37 Bush Bush Bush Kerry Kerry Bush Bush

Colorado

Pennsylvania Wisconsin Iowa New Mexico New Hampshire

Kerry
2012 MCT

Source: Dave Leips Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections Graphic: Julie Sheer, Doug Stevens, Los Angeles Times

goP targets states obama won

But, they dont like what hes done in office. They expected something different. He had one of the best-run presidential campaigns, and you step back and take a look at the message of the 2008 campaign, it was like, you know, just watching Mickey Mantle pounding it out of the park. Some of the best lines of modern American politics: I dont want to be the president of red states or blue states, but the United Statesthats a brilliant line. The American people were just ready to turn the page, and along came this guy who sounded like a centrist: Im going to cut taxes for everybody who makes less than 250K a year. He spends roughly four words devoted to cutting taxes ... for every word devoted to raising taxes. Also [he was] was really smart in how he talked about the deficit. Also talked about the deficits under the Bush years, saying Im going to cut them in half by the end of my first term in office. People had been led to believe (Obama) would be a centrist, and he has not been. And thats the first and most important thing that Romney needs to understand. romney should focus on three key strategic ingredients He needs to take President Obama on his own words and own actions, get him on video saying these things and hold him to account for it in a respectful manner. This is not about getting angry, this isnt about getting belligerent, it isnt about pounding the table. This is simply about saying, this is what the president said he was going to do when he was in office, and heres what hes donethe facts. The second [key strategic ingredient]: Mr. Romney needs to understand that hes going to have to absorb a lot of blows. This is not going to be the normal presidential re-election year. The presidency is a powerful presence in American minds. You have a lot of
Continued on page 18

Republican strategists view 9 states that went to Bush in 2004 and Obama in 2008 as crucial to the GOP hopes in 2012.
Electoral votes in 2012 and previous presidential winners: 2004 Bush Kerry McCain 47% 48% 52% Florida 29 49 47 51 Ohio 18 44 49 North Carolina 15 56 46 46 54 Virginia 13 39 49 60 Indiana 11 47 45 52 Colorado 9 49 44 50 Iowa 6 48 43 51 Nevada 6 49 42 50 New Mexico 5 2008 Obama 51% 52 50 53 50 54 54 55 57
AP AP

Re and

Ele

Flo Oh No Virg Ind Co Iow Ne Ne

sOuRCE: AP reporting SOURCE: AP reporting

SOUR

90

<AP> ROAD TO 270 061911: Graphic sho 2012 election and their number of electoral breakdown of presidential winners by state 96 mm x 70 BottoM LiNemm; with BC-US--Road To 270

This is the number of additional electoral votes Romney needs to win, assuming he carries all of McCains 2008 states.

18 Cover Story

HumanEvents.com | WEEK OF MAY 7, 2012

election playbook 2012

The Human events staff compiled this quick checklist as the presidential race gets under way. New polls show President obama slightly ahead of Mitt Romney.

At the starting gate

Sen. John McCain won 22 states against Barack Obama in 2008. Assuming Mitt Romney wins them all back in 2012, a strong possibility, he will start with 180 electoral votes (seven more were allotted to these states due to redistricting). That means he needs to capture 90 additional electoral votes270 in allto beat Obama.

States Romney can win

The most likely states he can win are Florida (29 electoral votes), Ohio (18), North Carolina (15), Virginia (13), Indiana (11), Colorado (9), Iowa (6), and New Hampshire (4). Total: 105 additional electoral votes, 15 more than the 270 Romney needs.

A good shot at pennsylvania

Romney strategists believe they also have a good shot at Pennsylvania (20), Michigan (16) and Wisconsin (10). The Romney camp mentions several reasons, including the fact that George W. Bush lost these states narrowly in 2000 and 2004. But others note that such optimism flies in the face of recent history, since Republicans havent captured any of these states in the last five presidential elections.

Romneys ohio worry

Trailing Obama narrowly in the state, Romney is thinking seriously about making Rob Portman, the popular Ohio Republican senator, his vice presidential pick. The key reason: No Republican candidate has won the White House without winning the Buckeye state. Portman has a great public service resume, having served in the House, the Senate and in the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. A budget and tax expert, he is also liked by social conservatives and the tea party people in his home state. Nor is he identified with the state statute that weakened collective bargaining rights for public unions. Though backed by conservatives, the law was overturned by voters in November, 62 percent to 38 percent.

the Hispanic vote issue

Gov. Romney is deeply concerned about whether Hispanics will be inspired to go to the polls en masse and vote for Obama. He recently told an audience in Palm Beach, Fla., that if this group goes overwhelmingly for the president, this spells doom for us. A Washington Post poll shows that only 32 percent of Hispanics have a favorable view of Romney while 39 percent give him an unfavorable rating. Obama is seen in a positive light by 67 percent of Hispanics. Romneys Hispanic problem is why hes also thinking of putting Floridas Republican senator, Marco Rubio, on the ticket. Some believe Rubios dynamic personality, personal story and rising national profile could give Romney the lift he needs in the Hispanic community and beyond.

Mitt Romneys Plan of Attack

Continued from 17

authority and prestige in office and if you use it effectively, it makes it relatively easy for a president to get re-elected. But President Obama has not used the power and prestige of the office to prepare for his re-election. Last yeardo you remember what the topics of the State of the Union were last year? Three of them. The most compelling and centered issues in Americas life as a nation: High speed rail, high speed Internet, and countless green jobs. The last one doesnt sound too good after Solyndra. The first two are just plain weird. I defy you to tell me what the theme of this years State of the Union was. You think what are the two biggest signature accomplishments of president Obama the stimulus bill, which got not one word in this years State of the Union address, and the Affordable Care Act,

which got 44 words and two sentences. Obama campaign strategy: Kill Romney. Were going to see this. Were going to see it every day of the campaign. And it is not going to work to President Obamas advantage unless and until Mitt Romney stops replying to it. They want to see where these attacks are going. Were going to have this constantly throughout the campaign. Third key strategic ingredient for Romney campaign: understand its not merely enough to set the record straight or to use the presidents own words and own statements and his own pledges and promises and statements to hold him accountable, but its also very important for the American people to get a sense of who Mitt Romney is and what it is that hell do. They want to know what hes going to do in office. They want to know that hes got an idea of what he wants to achieve.

Romneys going to be tested. Whats he all about? How authentic is he? Who is he? You dont have to agree with someone 100 percent of time to kind of cave and say, you know what, I trust him. Romney needs to lay out an agenda. And it needs to be what he believes. This is not just about Obama did or didnt deliver. Its not just about going toe to toe with Obama, as he throws a punch at me I can defend myself and push back. Its going to have to be what is it am I going to do if I get elected. And thats really tough for people to do. Thats conventional politics. The stuff of laying out a vision sometimes comes across to the media as prosaic. Thats strategic. A few useful tactics First of all, (the Romney camp) has to worry about money. I add it all up, Obama is likely to have $1.2 billion dollars. So Romney has to worry about

Karl Rove

COuRTEsy yOuNg AMERICAs fOuNDATION

money and close the gap. He cant be like McCain... Obama vs. McCain $850 million to $525 million. So Romney needs to narrow that gap. Romney also needs to be careful about his travel and what states he focuses on. One way to look at this is 12thats how much closer the electoral college is going to be in 2012 if Romney only wins the states that McCain carried. Because between 08 and 12 we reapportioned the electoral college. This is going to be one of the most interesting contests in recent memory.