If Obama were to face former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in November 2012, 68 percent of Hispanics polled would cast ballots for the Democratic incumbent, according to the survey carried out by the Pew Hispanic Center. Romney would earn just 23 percent of the vote in a head-to-head contest with Obama, the poll showed. If Obama were to face Texas Governor Rick Perry, another Republican hopeful, the split would be 69-23. 

TPJ: That's what happens when you demonize all Latinos as "illegal" and/or less American because they speak Spanish as well as English. In the rest of the world, being able to speak two languages is a good thing, but diversity is a bad thing to many Republicans.Of course, not all Republicans do this or feel that way toward Latinos, but apparently enough do to drive Latinos into the Democratic party in droves. Democrats are usually more toward "non-whites" because we understand that America isn't just for one ethnicity. America is stronger for the influence of varied cultures. We benefit from the best ideas, traditions and people that the world has to offer. 

 As a Democrat, I believe that everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or language deserves the same rights and respect as any other American. I am proud of our Latino brothers and sisters. They usually come from strong families who have good values, and are extra hard workers. In my opinion, that is everything America holds dear!! Therefore, I think Latinos are in keeping with America's traditions more than those who are biased toward them, who often tend to be Republican. Bigotry, non-inclusiveness and disrespect are not American values. 

In the end, It's just no secret the Republican party isn't very welcoming toward Latinos. But, an America that is hostile toward immigrants is foreign to the traditional idea of America being "The Land of Immigrants." As a Democrat, I believe in immigration and that it makes us stronger, not weaker. Welcome Latinos!! 

 ---End of Transmission---

The Payroll Tax Cut, Republicans and "It's a Wonderful Life."

We've been doing everything we can, over the last few weeks, to make sure that 160 million working Americans aren't hit with a holiday tax increase on January 1st. We've also been doing everything we can to make sure that millions of people who are out there looking for work, in a very tough environment, don't stop losing their unemployment insurance on January 1st. Now, on Saturday, we reached a bipartisan compromise [...] nearly every Democrat, in the Senate, vote for that compromise. Nearly every Republican, in the Senate, voted for that compromise. Democrats and even some Republicans in the House, voted for that compromise. I am ready to sign that compromise into the law the second it lands on my desk. So far, the only reason it hasn't landed on my desk, the only reason, is because a faction of House Republicans have refused to support this compromise. Now, if you're a family making about $50,000 a year, this is a tax cut that amounts to about a $1,000 a year. - President Barack Obama

The compromise bill to give a tax cut to the middle-class didn't just barely pass. It was voted for by the vast majority of Senators -- Republican and Democrat. The vote total was 89 for the bill and only 10 against the bill. That's a major landslide for the middle-class payroll tax cut. Usually the Senate barely passes measures. So, the House Republicans are holding up everything by opposing the tax cut, right before Christmas. They are the Grinch Party. And they're threatening to ruin everyone's Christmas. I think they need to watch the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." I think in particular of the scene between Jimmy Stewart's character and that of the greedy banker, old man Potter who heartlessly doesn't care if people don't have any money for homes and other essentials:

Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you'll ever be! 

The Republicans are acting like that greedy banker in the movie who ruthlessly takes advantage of people who are facing hard times financially. I'm glad the president is holding their feet to the fire because he's about the only one in Washington D.C. who seems to remember who the politicians are working for, the American people!! I emailed my House of Representative, who is Republican, asking why he favors scoring political points over helping the American people because that's what it looks like to me.

Thank-you, President Obama for standing up to Mr. Potter (House Republican Leader, John Boehner).

---End of Transmission---

We Have a Strong Leader in President Obama.

Newt Gingrich wants to put your children to work, Mitt Romney doesn't know what he believes and President Obama got Osama bin Laden. Is there any doubt who looks like the leader here? While Congress festers from Tea poisoning, President Obama is leading. If Congress won't work with him then he'll use his other powers. He has kept government working for the people by using presidential executive orders.

Newt Gingrich is the Grinch of the Republican Party while Mitt Romney thinks buying distressed companies and firing the employees to make the company profitable again is "business experience." Mitt Romney doesn't look like the kind of guy would would hire you, but he does look like the guy who will fire you!!

It's because of "business leaders" like Romney that everyone is mercilessly being cut from their pensions, forced into early retirement or having their job shipped over-seas. Now, do we really want to hand the keys of the country back to the very people (Romney and the Wall-Street vultures) who drove our country into the ditch? Or, do we keep going with the man who saved the auto industry, and thus, a major source of American, middle-class jobs?

These are rocky times to be sure, and President Obama will never say he doesn't make mistakes but he won't stop going to work every day exhausting himself on one thing -- helping the American people recover from the economic earthquake that rocked America the year he won the presidency. President Bush presided over the economy that tanked on us in 2008 and just like turning around a giant tanker ship, it takes several years for an economy to recover from a near-depression. And, in the meantime, President Obama is one of the best ambassadors we've had abroad since Bill Clinton. He (and thus America) is respected the world over. In these uncertain and fast-paced times we need someone who's cool, calm and focused under pressure, as president.  I just don't see that happening with "Newt the Clown" and "Mitt the Out-of-Touch Billionaire!!"

---End of Transmission---

Elizabeth Warren VIDEO: "Nobody Got Rich on His Own."

Elizabeth Warren is one of the brightest, most promising up-and-coming leaders in America today. She speaks the language of the middle-class. Massachusetts should elect her to the Senate because her experience with consumer protection and other financial issues would be invaluable right now. I appreciate her down-to-Earth, logical way of explaining complex issues. She doesn't sound or act like in insider but as your neighbor who is tired of the system enough to do something about it.

I sure hope she wins because we need real people in Congress today. Real people who understand the daily challenges of living in the middle-class or lower. She understands where the American spirit is today, and she has the passion and courage to lift us on her wings and carry us into a brighter future. I admire her wonderful mix of compassion and boldness. Vote for Elizabeth Warren for Senator of Massachusetts!! You'd not only be doing Massachusetts a great service, but your neighbors in the rest of America.

We need a real person with a sincere desire to look out for the average American by making government work for them more than for the rich person who already has their security and needs covered.

In Honor of a Legend Lost: A Tribute to Christopher Hitchens.

In honor of the recently deceased Christopher Hitchens, I decided to post my favorite Hitch quote:

"Exceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.” -Christopher Hitchens

In a world of ignorance and irrational thought, his was a voice of reason that cut through the bullshit like a high-powered blowtorch cuts through unyielding steel. I admired his unwillingness to shrink away from challenging the well-entrenched forces of religious domination. He held his head up high in the face of ridicule and scorn to defend the rationality of science in a world all-too hypnotized by superstition and hearsay. I was proud that he kept his dignity about him to the very end. His bold and intelligent mind will be greatly missed but hopefully it will live on through those of us committed to finding the truth, where ever it may lead us.

---End of Transmission---

Mitt Romney the Progressive.

Did you know that Mitt Romney saw himself as a "progressive" just a few years ago while running for governor in liberal Massachusetts? But now he claims to be a committed conservative? He's such a fraud. For those that don't know, "progressive" is another label for "liberal" which isn't going to help Romney with an increasingly conservative base. It's these kind of changes on core principles that make him untrustworthy to many Republicans.

The revelation of this video (above) couldn't have come at a worst time for Romney. A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows just 29% of Republicans see Mitt Romney as a conservative. Whereas his main opponent, Newt Gingrich, is seen as a conservative by 57% of Republicans. I don't like Newt Gingrich any more than Romney but at least with Gingrich you know what you're getting--a hardcore conservative. Mitt Romney has tried to be too many things for too many people to be taken as credible by either political party.

---End of Transmission---

Newt Gingrich Wants to Bring Back Child Labor.

Newt Gingrich reminds me of a character from a Charles Dickens novel. He's completely out of touch to be talking about "Guilded Age" era solutions. I've done a janitors job before and it's a lot of work. It tires out even the strongest adult, so the idea that a growing 10 year old should do the schools cleaning and plumbing while having to do homework is outrageous. Do we really want to have a president who would put our kids to work?!!

---End of Transmission---

Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich: A Liberal's Perspective on the Current State of Republicanism.

THE RUNDOWN: As someone who likes neither Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney, I have been watching the Republican debates with a philosophical eye, and this is my opinion on what I think is happening in their party:

It seems like the hardcore conservatives are voting for Newt Gingrich. And, It seems Romney is nearly as distrusted by the conservative base as much as President Obama. I don't blame them. Mitt Romney reminds me of an actor trying to portray a conservative politician, rather than actually being a traditional conservative. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't vote for either Gingrich OR Romney. I support a leader that supports the middle-class over the rich. In other words, President Obama.

---End of Transmission---

Newt Gingrich Caught Supporting Obama's Individual Mandate in Health Care Plan.

In opposing the individual mandate, these Republican candidates are all contradicting traditional conservative ideology to favor personal responsibility. It's all about a blind, seething hatred of Obama whom they consider to be an "illegitimate" American. They fear the diverse America that he represents. An America that seeks co-operation over domination.

---End of Transmission---

Mittsant Replay Video Clearly Shows Romney as a Flip-Flopping Opportunist.