THIS IS A BIG DEAL. . .

"I support the line item veto. . . so the president must account to the entire nation." - Ronald Reagan

ON GIULIANI'S CHALLEGE TO THE LINE-ITEM VETO:

This is a big deal to your Mittiot, and it really should be a big deal to you as well.

Your Mittiot first stepped to the right while in junior high school. I had a friend - Jason Dewland - who's parents were fairly liberal, and as is often the case so was he. It was about in 6th grade when Jake and I became friends and he asked me one day if I was democrat or republican. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it - my father always voted (as did my mother, when my father reminded her) but politics wasn't focused on at the ol' dinner table - so I said, "I don't know, what are you?" "I'm a democrat." Jake responded. "Good enough." Then and there I was a democrat. (If I recall, we had a republican running for governor about that time named "Richard Headlee" - Now, when your in junior high you're not making your political decisions based on "personal responsibility," "states' rights," or "taxes and spending," so when someone gives to you a newspaper clipping that say's "Dick Headlee" this or that, it's kinda tough to align yourself with the victory cry, "Go Dick Headlee" - petty, I know, but so goes junior high). That lasted two weeks - and your Mittiot has never looked back. I cut my teeth on Reagan - supported Bush, Sr. - pert near cried when Clinton carried Michigan - and reveled in jubilation when the GOP took the US House (which had been held by the dems for the 40 - THAT'S FOUR ZERO - years prior) and Senate in 1994. I worked in the State Senate at the time and I remember the "Contract with America" coming to the capitol steps pre election - and credit the simple message (led by Newt Gingrich) of 10 common sense doable items as a big contributor to the sweeping GOP victory.

To me and many others, the KEY ITEM OF THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA WAS THE LINE ITEM VETO. Legislators are going to do what legislators are going to do - but the President of the United States has to consider the nation as a whole (as noted by Reagan). The same power is exercised by most State Governors to curbe pork barrel spending and earmarks - AND IT WORKS. Congressional "term limits" didn't pass, the balanced budget amendment didn't pass, but the line-item veto that individuals in the GOP had wanted since the Judiciary has stripped the "impoundment power" from the President did. . . AND THE "REPUBLICAN" RUDY GIULIANI SUED THE UNITED STATES THE FIRST TIME IT WAS USED.

I had known since the power was opined to be unconstitutional that it was an ear-mark for New York that got nixed - I thought it was New York State who sued, and I could see a state objecting. . . but it was New York CITY - a city that didn't get it's pork and sued. . . and it turns out "Republican" Rudy was at the helm.

''What I'm concerned about is that New York City is being treated fairly and that we get the money we are entitled to,'' - Mr. Giuliani

I'm a Mittiot - maybe thee Mittiot - but more so, I'm a Republican. To me this is unconscionable and raises grave questions as to the idea of whether Giuliani would push for the reformed line item veto requested by G. W. Bush and currently being kicked around. This should really give the true conservative pause. . . how can Rudy support our push to restore a line item veto?

For some time now your Mittiot's been bothered by a Giuliani candidacy (and having to support it should the capitulating fools make it so) but I couldn't really put my finger on it until now. Now, personally, as an individual, I don't have any problem with Giuliani - I really respect that he says what he means. . . the problem is, I don't like what he says.

As I pondered Rudy as our GOP candidate it dawned on me that what gnawed was that he reminds me so much of Clinton. WAIT - hold your fire. Not Hillary Clinton, he reminds me of Bill Clinton. I'm seeing stark similarities between Bill Clinton and Rudy Giuliani: Both are lawyers, both lack any real business experience, both are pro-abortion, both are anti-2nd Amendment, both come up a bit wanting in the area of "family values," both are the kinda guy you could have a beer with (as long as your wife didn't find out), etc. etc. and this is buggin' your ol' Mittiot. BUT, as of today I can now say, "AT LEAST Bill Clinton supports the line item veto!" And in that regard, your Mittiot would be hard pressed to choose Rudy over Bill if those two were running head-to-head.

The Republian Contract With America

On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government. . .

Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny.

1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description)

. . .

"Joining the city as plaintiffs in the suit are 1199 National Health and Human Service Employees Union, District Council 37, the largest union of New York City's municipal workers, and the Greater New York Hospital Association." - New York Times

Background on City of New York v. United States [Giuliani Plans To Challenge Line-Item Veto]

. . .

"I line-item-vetoed hundreds of items as governor of Massachusetts, hundreds, and that vehicle is the most powerful tool a president of the United States could have to rein in unnecessary pork barrel, earmarked spending." - Mitt Romney

Romney's position on the line-item veto v. Rudy's [Romney Hits Giuliani on Line-Item Veto]

[Mittiot's Note: To be fair, within the two articles listed above, Mr. Giuliani does state he supports the line-item veto (article 1) and it reported to support it if President (article 2). In my opinion, you're a day late and a dollar short as your actions speak loudly.]

~ so sayeth the Mittiot

RELIGION, AGAIN?

ON THE NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE ARTICLE:

Fellow Mittiots I, for one, like to consider the bottom line of a man's faith - as in, "does he have it?" - rather than the particulars of a religion - BUT, the MEDIA, including the Hufficrats, searching for any way to derail the all-but-certain Romney nomination, just keep tweakin' the issue.

Case in point: From the Boston Globe [Magazine has Good/Bad News for Romney]

". . . But the survey also suggests that Romney's Mormon faith remains an issue. While 72 percent of Republicans and 63 percent of Democrats said they themselves would be willing to vote for a Mormon, only 45 percent of Republicans and 33 percent of Democrats said they think America is ready to elect a Mormon as president."

Hmmm. Does everyone - including the democrats - know that Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader - yes, Harry Reid A#1 top dog democrat - is himself a devout MORMON! Say it isn't so! How could we have allowed this to happen???? (That's sarcasm for the context-challenged).

[Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, exhibiting his strategy for exiting Iraq]

Do you really think THE DEMOCRATS, with their top dog member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, will attack Mitt on his being a Mormon Christian.

Not to mention the dems are well aware the only candidate running for president who happens to be Mormon is REPUBLICAN Mitt Romney. Your Mittiot's surprised any percent of DEMOCRATS would condiser the country ready for a Romney Administration.

Get real - and get off the religion angle, it's Media-made hype that just is not taking hold.

~so Sayeth the Mittiot

IT'S ABOUT TIME

ON ANN ROMNEY'S WEBSITE:

[ANN'S WEBSITE]

One of the greatest assets to GWB's image while running for Prez was his absolutely enchanting wife, Laura. I can't think of a single individual who has ever said a mean-spirited thing about our First Lady (the same cannot be said about the former First Lady. . . you know, the one seeking to run the country). So, your Mittiot joins the minions in stating the obvious, "our next First Lady, Ann Romney, will only help Mitt distinguish himself in the GOP race and the race for the White House." Yet one more reason to become a Mittiot.

ON MITT ROMNEY AND ENTREPRENEURS:

Many "Thanks" to fellow Mittiot Doug Campbell (Romney Chair, Branch Co) for sending me the following article from NEWSMAX:

Entrepreneurs Like Romney — and Hate Hillary

Republican Mitt Romney is the preferred presidential candidate among small-business owners — while Democrat Hillary Clinton is by far their least-favored White House hopeful, a poll reveals.

Asked to choose their favored candidate, 21 percent of respondents chose Romney, 19 percent selected John Edwards, and 13 percent opted for Rudy Giuliani.

In the Zogby e-mail poll of nearly 2,000 small-business owners/operators, 9 percent named Clinton as their favorite, 9 percent chose Barack Obama, and just 1 percent named John McCain. But the biggest vote getter was “not sure,” with 28 percent.

While Clinton got as many or more votes than Obama and McCain, she was chosen as the entrepreneurs’ “least favorite” candidate, with 36 percent of respondents naming her. That was twice the number of votes tallied by the second-place finisher, Giuliani with 18 percent. Romney was named “least favorite” by 15 percent, Edwards by 12 percent, McCain by 6 percent, and Obama by 5 percent, with 9 percent not sure.

In a somewhat surprising result, health insurance was cited by the most entrepreneurs as the key issue they want the next president to tackle, according to the poll results reported by Fortune Small Business magazine.

When asked to name the two most significant issues, 47 percent of respondents cited health insurance in first or second place, followed by income taxes at 40 percent, immigration reform at 32 percent, and rising energy costs at 28 percent. A similar poll in 2004 found that income tax was then the most cited issue, at 49 percent, followed by health insurance at 42 percent.

The poll also disclosed that while President Bush remains more popular among entrepreneurs than among the general population, his support has dropped sharply since a 2004 poll. Today 57 percent of small-business owners give Bush an unfavorable rating, compared to 46 percent in 2004.

Your Mittiot just watched a commentator on CNBC choke his way through stating the "fact" that "businesses like Hillary Clinton." KUDO's for keeping the straight face. The "FACT" is businesses may like Hillary over the other dem candidates BUT THEY DO NOT FAVOR A DEM IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

From Open Secrets [http://www.opensecrets.org/]:

All PRO-GOP BUSINESS SECTORS. You know who likes the DEMS though?

So, WHY would the GOP want to nominate a LAWYER for President?

ON THE RECENT MICHIGAN DEBACLE:

Our state is crumbling and to hold it together Democrats (and a couple Hufficans) voted to raise the income tax - and even worse - extend sales tax to "certain" services.

"Let's see, I could graduate from college and be a, let's say, financial consultant anywhere in the U.S. Oh, let's look at Michigan. . . NOPE, I'll be put at disadvantage to the those brokers, insurance salesmen, and mutual fund companies doing the same thing but not subject to the 6% sales tax. I guess I better move. . . I hope I can rent a moving van - I hear you have to reserve them way ahead of time. . . "

As the saying goes (and grows): "Don't blame me, I voted for DeVos!"

OH, and by the way who else is exempt from the "service tax?" LAWYERS. Looks like it pays to pay the Governor.

~so sayeth the Mittiot

The List To Remember Come '08:

[My good friend, and future fellow Mittiot, Nick of RightMichigan.com has posted a Tax-Hikers Hall of Shame at his blog - check it out]

House Bill 5194: Increasing income tax This bill would allow the state to increase the income tax from 3.9 percent to 4.35 percent, effective Oct. 1, 2007.

Michigan House Vote: 57 YES; 52 NO; 1 NOT VOTING Voting YES Frank Accavitti Jr., D-Eastpointe Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee Joan Bauer, D-Lansing Doug Bennett, D-Muskegon Steve Bieda, D-Warren Terry Brown, D-Pigeon Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga Marsha Cheeks, D-Detroit Brenda Clack, D-Flint Ed Clemente, D-Lincoln Park Paul Condino, D-Southfield Bob Constan, D-Dearborn Heights Marc Corriveau, D-Northville Andy Coulouris, D-Saginaw George Cushingberry, D-Detroit Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak Kate Ebli, D-Monroe John Espinoza, D-Croswell Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms Matthew Gillard, D-Alpena Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Township Ted Hammon, D-Burton Morris Hood III, D-Detroit Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit Bert Johnson, D-Detroit Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo Michael Lahti, D-Hancock Kathleen Law, D-Gibraltar Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland Gabe Leland, D-Detroit LaMar Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit Steven Lindberg, D-Marquette Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale Tim Melton, D-Pontiac Fred Miller, D-Mount Clemens Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids Bettie Scott, D-Detroit Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch Alma Smith, D-Ypsilanti Virgil Smith Jr., D-Detroit Dudley Spade, D-Tipton Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores Chris Ward, R-Brighton Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor Coleman Young, D-Detroit Voting NO Daniel Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township Fran Amos, R-Waterford Richard J. Ball, R-Bennington Township Darwin Booher, R-Evart Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township Brian Calley, R-Portland Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba Bruce Caswell, R-Pittsford Bill Caul, R-Mt. Pleasant Craig DeRoche, R-Novi Kevin A. Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills Kevin Green, R-Wyoming Martin Griffin, D-Jackson Goeff Hansen, R-Hart Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Jacob Hoogendyk Jr., R-Texas Township Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township Rick Jones, R-Oneida Township Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy Philip LaJoy, R-Canton Township David Law, R-West Bloomfield Jim Marleau, R-Lake Orion Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Kimberly Meltzer, R-Clinton Township John Moolenaar, R-Midland Tim Moore, R-Farwell Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham Neal Nitz, R-Baroda Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt Brian Palmer, R-Romeo David Palsrok, R-Maninstee John Pastor, R-Livonia Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township Tom Pearce, R-Rockford John Proos IV, R-St. Joseph David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell Mike Simpson, D-Liberty Township John Stahl, R-North Branch John Stakoe, R-Highland Township Glenn Steil Jr., R-Cascade Howard Walker, R-Traverse City Lorence Wenke, R-Richland Lisa Wojno, D-Warren NOT VOTING David Agema, R-Grandville

Michigan Senate Vote: 19 YES; 19 NO; 1 TIE BREAKER Voting YES Jim Barcia, D-Bay City Ray Basham, D-Taylor Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor Deb Cherry, D-Burton Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit Tom George, R-Kalazmazoo John Gleason, D-Flushing Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit Gilda Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek Martha Scott, D-Highland Park Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit Gerald VanWoerkem, R-Muskegon Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing Voting NO Jason Allen, R-Traverse City Glenn Anderson, D-Westland Mike Bishop, R-Rochester Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township Nancy Cassis, R-Novi Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt Valde Garcia, R-Howell Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood Mark Jansen, R-Gaines Township Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau Dennis Olshove, D-Warren John Pappageorge, R-Troy Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township Randy Richardville, R-Grandville Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Tony Stamas, R-Midland TIE-BREAKER VOTE Lt. Gov. John Cherry

House Bill 5198: Imposing sales tax on services

This bill would impose a 6 percent sales tax on a wide variety of services, including various personal services and a number of services used primarily by businesses

Michigan House Vote: 56 YES; 53 NO; 1 NOT VOTING Voting YES Frank Accavitti Jr., D-Eastpointe Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee Joan Bauer, D-Lansing Doug Bennett, D-Muskegon Steve Bieda, D-Warren Terry Brown, D-Pigeon Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga Marsha Cheeks, D-Detroit Brenda Clack, D-Flint Ed Clemente, D-Lincoln Park Paul Condino, D-Southfield Bob Constan, D-Dearborn Heights Andy Coulouris, D-Saginaw George Cushingberry, D-Detroit Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak John Espinoza, D-Croswell Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate Matthew Gillard, D-Alpena Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township Martin Griffin, D-Jackson Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Township Ted Hammon, D-Burton Morris Hood III, D-Detroit Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit Bert Johnson, D-Detroit Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo Michael Lahti, D-Hancock Kathleen Law, D-Gibraltar Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland Gabe Leland, D-Detroit LaMar Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit Steven Lindberg, D-Marquette Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale Tim Melton, D-Pontiac Fred Miller, D-Mount Clemens Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids Bettie Scott, D-Detroit Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch Mike Simpson, D-Liberty Township Alma Smith, D-Ypsilanti Virgil Smith Jr., D-Detroit Dudley Spade, D-Tipton Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor Lisa Wojno, D-Warren Coleman Young, D-Detroit Voting NO Daniel Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township Fran Amos, R-Waterford Richard J. Ball, R-Bennington Township Darwin Booher, R-Evart Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township Brian Calley, R-Portland Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba Bruce Caswell, R-Pittsford Bill Caul, R-Mt. Pleasant Marc Corriveau, D-Northville Craig DeRoche, R-Novi Kate Ebli, D-Monroe Kevin A. Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills Kevin Green, R-Wyoming Goeff Hansen, R-Hart Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Jacob Hoogendyk Jr., R-Texas Township Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township Rick Jones, R-Oneida Township Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy Philip LaJoy, R-Canton Township David Law, R-West Bloomfield Jim Marleau, R-Lake Orion Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Kimberly Meltzer, R-Clinton Township John Moolenaar, R-Midland Tim Moore, R-Farwell Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham Neal Nitz, R-Baroda Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt Brian Palmer, R-Romeo David Palsrok, R-Maninstee John Pastor, R-Livonia Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township Tom Pearce, R-Rockford John Proos IV, R-St. Joseph David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell John Stahl, R-North Branch John Stakoe, R-Highland Township Glenn Steil Jr., R-Cascade Howard Walker, R-Traverse City Chris Ward, R-Brighton Lorence Wenke, R-Richland NOT VOTING David Agema, R-Grandville

Michigan Senate Vote: 19 YES; 19 NO; 1 TIE BREAKER Voting YES Jim Barcia, D-Bay City Ray Basham, D-Taylor Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor Deb Cherry, D-Burton Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit Valde Garcia, R-Howell John Gleason, D-Flushing Gilda Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek Martha Scott, D-Highland Park Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing Voting NO Jason Allen, R-Traverse City Glenn Anderson, D-Westland Mike Bishop, R-Rochester Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township Nancy Cassis, R-Novi Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt Tom George, R-Kalazmazoo Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood Mark Jansen, R-Gaines Township Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau Dennis Olshove, D-Warren John Pappageorge, R-Troy Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township Randy Richardville, R-Grandville Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Tony Stamas, R-Midland Gerald VanWoerkem, R-Muskegon TIE-BREAKER VOTE Lt. Gov. John Cherry

THE BIG "MO"

ON KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING:

Mitt continues to attract the financial support necessary to keep on running at a front-runner's pace. A fifty dollar gift (or more) by hitting the Romney "Contribute" link on the right of this blog will ensure our fight to bring change to Washington (and our party) continues. COME ON - CLICK THAT BUTTON! Do it for your Mittiot, and I'll do it, too. In fact, I'm going to put $100.00 in the kitty right now. . . and I'm a Michigan public education employee.

ON THE RECENT NH POLL:

Your Mittiot tips the ol' chapeau to those doing phone-polling - it ain't easy. But the recent CNN-WMUR NH GOP poll is a bit light on statistical significance. Though CNN reported a poll of 307 "likely" GOP Primary voters there were actually 324 survey (according to the poll-data from the SOLID University of New Hampshire). My question is, guys, "why not survey another 76 people?"

Less than 400 respondents will give you a pretty large sampling error - as in 5.5%. This fact, of course, when spread over 6 or so individual variables (candidates) gives some pretty flexible data. For example, much has been made over Mitt and Rudy getting tight in NH - 25% to 24%, respectively. However, with 5.5% sampling error, the poll could have just as easily been 30.5% for Romney and 18.5% for Giuliani. OR, 29.5% for Rudy and 19.5% for Mitt. Or some combination where, say, McCain gains 3.5%, Giuliani losses 5.5% and Romney gains 2%. The point is, another 76 respondents and the poll would have been a lot less flexible - as in 2.5% sample error. All in all, your Mittiot's not complaining and nobody should concede New Hampshire. . . Iowa, on the other hand. . . but those out there making a big deal over this one poll might want to catch a breath.

AND, in case you missed it - CNN did a great job reporting (enter the sarcasm) that those of the GOP in New Hampshire are, indeed, satisfied with their candidates. . . but then again, that type of news doesn't fit CNN's idea of a "good headline."

ON FOX WATCH:

God knows your Mittiot loves FOX News, it is at least balanced. But, your Mittiot's not lovin' the Romney diss. I understand the Fred factor (Kristol's daughter is working Fred's campaign) and the "Giuliani is a New Yorker" angle, but COME ON you'd need more than a tanker truck of lipstick to gussy up this pig of a campaign. Maybe, maybe, $8 million in this quarter of campaigning? What the heck was he doing while he was "testin' the waters?" You mean he wasn't lining up donors? Your Mittiot knows a spin when he sees one, FOX, you might want to let O'Reilly edit your wire.

"WASHINGTON — Fred Thompson's fundraising in his first go-round as a declared presidential candidate could offer some surprisingly strong numbers (? emphasis mine) as the entire field of 2008 candidates gets down to counting up their booties in the third-quarter money chase.

FOX News has learned that Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, will report having raised in excess of $8 million dollars in this quarter of the fiscal year. That's in addition to $3.5 million he raised in June."

Wow. . .

[Full article here]

~ so sayeth the Mittiot