Christie and Fiorina Quit GOP Presidential Race

Christie doesn't surprise me, but Fiorina said she'd stay in the race all the way to the convention. She must be strapped for cash, and after such a promising surge for a while last year.

At the New York Times, via Memeorandum, "Chris Christie Drops Out of Race After New Hampshire Flop."

And at Politico, "Carly Fiorina quits 2016 race."

Ted Cruz Iowa Backer Steve Deace Apologizes for Tweet Saying Carly Fiorina Went 'Full Vagina' in #GOPDebate

Heh, now that's a pretty wild story.

From Jennifer Jacobs, at the Des Moines Register, "Iowa Cruz backer Steve Deace apologizes for 'full vagina' tweet."

Lexi Oliver Fretz, Mother of Baby at Center of Planned Parenthood Investigation, is Strongly Pro-Life

Leftists have gone on a lying spree in a desperate attempt to discredit and destroy the Center for Medical Progress, the group behind the investigation of Planned Parenthood's baby-part harvesting operation, as well as the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, the organization which provided the footage of the baby kicking its foot in the video segment, "Human Capital - Episode 3."

Lots of leftist deception at Memeorandum, especially, Raw Story, "'This wasn't an abortion': CNN forces anti-Planned Parenthood group to admit Fiorina was wrong."



Also at Fusion, "The latest anti-Planned Parenthood video uses an unrelated photo of a stillborn infant." And idiot asshole Scott Lemieux, at Lawyers, Guns, and Money, at Memeorandum, "Fake but Inaccurate."

The key to this deception is a selective account of views of the mother of the infant in "Human Capital -Episode 3," Lexi Oliver Fritz. All these far-left reports are claiming that Ms. Fretz didn't consent to the use of her son's image in the investigative videos, and the taping of the clip itself was allegedly illegal. What the despicable leftists are not reporting, because they can't, is that Ms. Fretz is strongly pro-life, and in fact has spoken with the relevant parties and does not object to the continued use of her deceased son's image in the investigative coverage.

See Live Action, "MSNBC’s attempt to tarnish undercover Planned Parenthood videos backfires." It's a long post, which includes an interview in which the mother indicates she didn't give consent for her son's image to be used, but then says she's fine with it now, and that she's strongly pro-life. At issue is an interview Ms. Fretz gave with Thomas Roberts yesterday at MSNBC, seen here, "MSNBC Got a Big Surprise While Pushing the Abortion Agenda." And as noted at the entry:

MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts interviewed Lexi Fretz, a photographer and mother who shared images of her son Walter, born prematurely at 19 weeks, on Facebook. One of the photos of Walter was used in a Center for Medical Progress video, depicting what a child at approximately 19-20 weeks looks like.

Lexi’s photos of her son have now saved countless lives and helped change people’s minds about abortion.

In an interview with Live Action in March, Fretz said:

For someone who survived so few minutes outside of me, he’s left such an impact, more than I ever could. For someone so tiny, he’s touched so many. I hope he keeps educating the world and the masses as to what the preborn looks like on the inside – that it’s not just a blob – it’s not a clump of cells.

But Roberts must not have been aware of this. He asked Fretz, “How do you feel about Walter’s picture being used to discredit Planned Parenthood?”

Fretz replied, “Well, my husband and I are actually extremely pro-life so we were a little shocked at first and surprised […] but we are extremely proud of our son and the path that the Lord has put us on, just to help. I mean, he has saved many, many unborn lives.”

Fretz then shared stories of people walking out of abortion appointments, or finally learning what a preborn child looks like thanks to Walter’s photographs. She also told Roberts – who kept referring to Walter as ‘stillborn’ – that Walter was born alive, with a beating heart, and lived for a few moments.

Roberts then said:

I know that Walter’s story is very precious for you and your family. This has been really distorted out of context in this larger political conversation. Have you felt betrayed in any way by Walter’s life being used and mischaracterized in such heavy — and in some ways mischaracterized political debates?

Fretz replied:

I was a little surprised at first. Not being directly asked. But at the same time, […] our lives are in God’s hands. Me and husband are trusting God and the ultimate perfect plan and if this is happening, we are trusting that He is going to take care of us and use Walter for His good.

Roberts again pressed Fretz, asking her if anyone from CMP reached out to ask for permission to use Walter’s image in the “anti-abortion video”. Fretz confirmed that no one had asked for permission. Roberts repeated again that no one from CMP had reached out to tell Fretz that CMP would be using Walter’s image to attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. Fretz confirmed this.

Then Roberts asked Fretz if she expects an apology from CMP and Fretz shocked him with her reply:

No. I have talked to them directly and we’ve cleared the air and my husband and I are fine that it’s being used.

That’s when Roberts ended the interview.

But the best moment from the interview with Fretz was her quote about being pro-life. She told Roberts, and all MSNBC viewers:

I just believe that every child should have a chance, a chance to be alive, to make a difference. We have so many little lives being lost and thrown away each day and I wish so much that my son was here. We miss him and the short time we had was precious with him. But I know his purpose; his purpose was to help to educate the world as to what a child really looks like. You know, you say fetus, baby, whatever you want to call it, he was very much alive. And I just believe that every, every little baby should have a chance.

As they say, context is everything.

And note, Ms. Fretz deceased son, Walter, is said to have been a premature baby, and thus was not in the stainless steel bowl as a part of a fetal harvesting operation. If that's so, then the Center for Medical Progress needs to correct the record.

Note further, though, that none of this changes the facts of the investigation at Planned Parenthood's Mar Monte mega-clinic, in San Jose, California. Technician Holly O'Donnell of StemExpress, the biotech company that partnered with Planned Parenthood in northern California, indicated in the videotape statement that she witnessed born-alive infants with hearts beating at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. Further:

O’Donnell also tells how her StemExpress supervisor instructed her to cut through the face of the fetus in order to get the brain. “She gave me the scissors and told me that I had to cut down the middle of the face. I can’t even describe what that feels like,” she says.

So, perhaps Carly Fiorina did not fully appreciate the totality of "Human Capital - Episode 3," particularly that the kicking infant was apparently not an aborted baby at a Planned Parenthood clinic. If so, it's unfortunate, since a reasonable mistake on Fiorina's part has become the foul fodder of a diabolical campaign of far-left deception to smear the investigators behind the Planned Parenthood investigation. It's especially unfortunate, because this debate is not the debate we should be having, which is whether the American public supports Planned Parenthood's genocidal program of extermination of society's most vulnerable. See, "PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC CUT THROUGH DEAD BABY’S FACE TO GET HIS INTACT BRAIN."

Still more at Memeorandum.

Photo Credit: Steve Ertelt, "BREAKING: House Votes Again to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After it Sells Aborted Baby Parts."

Lies, Carly Fiorina, and Abortion

From Ross Douthat, at the New York Times.

Plus, from Mollie Hemingway, "A Quick and Easy Guide to the Planned Parenthood Videos."

At this point, folks are going to believe what the want to believe. But let's face facts, if you're defending Planned Parenthood, you're defending the cruel extermination of human life. You're defending the devil's work and you've got to mount diabolical deceptions to do it.

Still more at CBS News This Morning, "Planned Parenthood showdown in Congressional hearing."

Outsiders Surge in New Poll

Especially Republican outsiders. I don't consider Bernie Sanders an outsider. His surge is based in his unabashed socialism, which is catching the Obama disaffecteds.

At WSJ, "Carson, Fiorina, Sanders Gain Ground in Their Parties’ Primary Races, Poll Shows":

Republicans Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina and Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders have gained significant ground in their parties’ presidential primary races in recent weeks, the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and real-estate developer Donald Trump continue to lead the fields for their parties’ nominations. But Mr. Trump is now essentially tied with Mr. Carson, and significant movement has occurred among candidates just behind them. Mr. Carson is backed by 20% of GOP primary voters, compared with 21% for Mr. Trump. Mrs. Fiorina and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, both have 11% support. Other Republicans register single-digit support.

In the prior Journal/NBC News poll, conducted in mid-July, Mr. Carson had only 10% support, compared with 19% for Mr. Trump. The retired neurosurgeon overtakes Mr. Trump in the new survey, conducted Sept. 20-24, when voters’ first choice is combined with their second.

No candidate in the race has enjoyed a swifter ascent than Mrs. Fiorina, who barely registered in the July survey. She has since taken the spotlight in the GOP race after a strong performance in a televised Sept. 16 candidate debate.

Some 28% of Republican primary voters picked her as their first or second choice in the September survey, up from 2% in the July poll.

By contrast, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush lost the most altitude since the prior Journal/NBC News survey.

Some 7% of Republican primary voters named Mr. Bush as their top pick for the GOP nomination, down from 14% in July and 22% in June.

Like Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Bush was an early front-runner whose pedigree and famous last name is proving to be as much of a liability as an asset. The former Florida governor boasts the biggest war chest in the field, but his continued slippage has donors nervous at a time when candidates with little or no experience in politics have stolen the spotlight.

Mr. Bush, however, said on Fox News Sunday that he remains confident he’ll win in New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary in February. He noted his campaign just began an advertising offensive.

“It is a marathon,” he said. “These polls really don’t matter.”

Still more.

Third GOP Debate Sets Off Wave of Anxiety

From Hadas Gold, at Politico, "The prospect of a reduction in the number of candidates on stage is a life-or-death matter for some campaigns":

The uncertain terms of the next Republican debate are setting off a wave of anxiety among middle and bottom tier campaigns, with several lashing out at the Republican National Committee for failing to provide clarity on how many candidates will appear on stage.

The campaigns fear the entry criteria for the Oct. 28 debate is being designed to reduce the number of candidates on stage for the third primetime debate -- a life-or-death matter for White House hopefuls on the bubble.

While the RNC doesn’t set the rules, it does have a voice in working with the networks running the debates. The committee has not said how many candidates will be allowed into the primetime debate, which will be held in Boulder, Colorado, and broadcast on CNBC. Nor are there any indications there will be an undercard event, as there have been in the first two debate showdowns of the primary season.

“With the next debate a month away, it is maddening that the RNC has yet to provide any guidance to campaigns regarding the criteria that they and CNBC plan to use to exclude candidates,” said Curt Anderson, an adviser to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who appeared in both undercards. In the spin room after CNN recent debate, Jindal spokesperson Gail Gitcho said they already had plans to speak with CNBC in order to keep Jindal on the stage.

Well, it's not just Jindal who's freaking, but keep reading.

Mark Steyn Explains Presidential Primary Politics

At Fox News:

Carly Fiorina Rockets to No. 2 in Latest CNN Poll (VIDEO)

At CNN, "Poll: Fiorina rockets to No. 2 behind Trump in GOP field."

And here's the video from Jake Tapper's Sunday roundtable, "Fiorina and Rubio surge in new CNN poll."

Also, at Hot Air (via Memeorandum):

Is this finally the beginning of the end for Trump which everyone has incorrectly predicted over and over and over again? Or is this just where the tough sledding starts and he has some real competition in his lane from Carly? And on the establishment side of the house, has Marco just hit the moment where the student passes the teacher and sent Bush to the bench?

Sunday Cartoons

At Flopping Aces, "Sunday Funnies."



More at Randy's Roundtable, "Friday Nite Funnies," and Reaganite Republican, "Reaganite's SUNDAY FUNNIES."

Also at Theo Spark's, "Cartoon Roundup...", and Lonely Con, "Saturday Funnies."

Cartoon Credit: A.F. Branco.

'Is the media trying to get rid of Trump and seizing on Fiorina only because she's useful for that and because their real aim is to cause the Republicans to lose the election in the end...?'

A long entry from Ann Althouse, "'I'm interested in the Althouse reaction to Rush on Friday, about Fiorina being the agreed Trump destroyer between both establishment Dems and Republicans...'":

I do think that much of the media (but certainly not all), wants to help Democrats win in the end. But the general election is a long way away, and for now, the media want ratings, and Trump has been great for ratings. He's very exciting and entertaining, but a lively challenger to Trump is also good for ratings, and Fiorina is a feisty, forcible speaker, unlike all the others, some of whom are almost ludicrously low key. In the end, I think the party is better off with someone who seems normal and has normal credentials — probably Bush, Kasich, or Rubio. But these people aren't much fun for now...

Still more.

Changes to Republican Party Primary Rules May Backfire

Seems to me this isn't a new problem. The GOP doesn't want a conservative. Party leaders wanted a streamlined caucus and primary schedule to quickly produce a nominee (a centrist nominee), as they always do. And of course Donald Trump's throwing a monkey wrench into the process.

See, "Party Rules to Streamline Race May Backfire for G.O.P.":

In the starkest sign of how unsettled the situation is, what once seemed unthinkable — that Mr. Trump could win the Republican nomination — is being treated by many within the Republican establishment as a serious possibility. And one reason his candidacy seems strong is a change by the party in hopes of ending the process earlier: making it possible for states to hold contests in which the winner receives all the delegates, rather than a share based on the vote, starting March 15, two weeks earlier than in the last cycle. Ten states have said they will do so.

If Mr. Trump draws one-third of the Republican primary vote, as recent polls suggest he will, that could be enough to win in a crowded field. After March 15, he could begin amassing all the delegates in a given state even if he carried it with only a third of the vote. And the later it gets, the harder it becomes for a lead in delegates to be overcome, with fewer state contests remaining in which trailing candidates can attempt comebacks.

“Somebody like Trump, who is operating in a crowded field, could put this contest away early if the crowd doesn’t thin out,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, who was a senior adviser to Mr. Romney...

Keep reading.

House Votes to Strip Planned Parenthood Funding

At the Hill, "House votes to freeze federal funding for Planned Parenthood." (Careful the auto-play video.)

And watch, at CBS News 2 Los Angeles, "House Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood."

And ICYMI, "Death-Cult Leftists Spew Lies Attacking Carly Fiorina After Wednesday's GOP Presidential Debate (VIDEO)."

Death-Cult Leftists Spew Lies Attacking Carly Fiorina After Wednesday's GOP Presidential Debate (VIDEO)

They're diabolical death-cult leftists, spewing despicable lies attacking Carly Fiorina for her comments --- her 100 percent accurate comments --- criticizing the Democrats on abortion during Wednesday's debate.

Here's the clip of Fiorina's comments, "Fiorina: Shame on us if we don't force Obama to veto Planned Parenthood."

Okay, now, you can see a 19-week-old baby placed in a metal surgical bowl after a botched abortion, kicking his legs, clearly still alive, kept there while technicians prepare to cut his face off to extract his brain. Watch, at 5:56 minutes, "Human Capital - Episode 3: Planned Parenthood's Custom Abortions for Superior Product." (Also at the Fresno Bee, "Anti-abortion video claims wrongdoing at Fresno, Stockton clinics.")

That's the left for you, the lying diabolical left.

At the Federalist, "Who’s Really Lying About the Planned Parenthood Videos? Carly Fiorina or the Factcheckers?"

And some of the links to the left's hateful, diabolical liars:

* At RH Reality Check, "Debunking Five Absurd Comments About Planned Parenthood From the GOP Debate."

* From the disgusting feminist slut Amanda Marcotte, "What Was Up With Carly Fiorina’s Grisly Abortion Rant?"

* From Caitlin MacNeal, at Josh Marshall far-left stink hole TPM, "Fiorina Stands by Her Bogus Debate Description of Planned Parenthood Vids."

* And from the congenitally stupid Sarah Kliff, at that other far-left stink hole, Ezra Klein's Vox, "Carly Fiorina is wrong about the Planned Parenthood tapes. I know because I watched them."

Now, see Mollie Hemingway, "The aborted baby the media claim does not exist."

And she writes:

The media have consistently failed to cover the Planned Parenthood footage, and now they are covering up the truth. The reality is that babies of the same gestational age are having their organs harvested every day. These videos feature graphic footage of abortionists mangling babies to harvest organs to sell. They feature abortionists admitting that babies often survive those abortions. They show high-level Planned Parenthood officials encouraging this organ-harvesting scheme, acknowledged that it is happening, and attempting to skirt scrutiny from it.

The videos Carly Fiorina referenced do indeed exist, and they reveal the barbaric realities of the abortion industry.

 Lots more at Memeorandum.

Carly Fiorina Jumps Out to First-Place, Tied with Donald Trump, in Post-GOP Debate Poll

This is not unexpected, at all.

From Nice Deb, at Pajamas, "Post-Debate Poll: Fiorina Surges to First Place, Tied With Trump":

A post-debate poll conducted by Gravis Marketing for One America News Network (OAN) shows Carly Fiorina jumping to first place at 22%, tied with Donald Trump. In their previous poll, Fiorina ranked 7th with 2.7% of the vote.

The poll, taken immediately after Wednesday night’s GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Library, has Marco Rubio rising to third place with 15 percent...

Keep reading, via Instapundit, who writes, "It’s a real (robo-)poll, not an online poll."

PREVIOUSLY: "Carly Fiorina Should Expect Greater Scrutiny After Powerful Debate Performance (VIDEO)."

Carly Fiorina Should Expect Greater Scrutiny After Powerful Debate Performance (VIDEO)

At the Los Angeles Times, "Carly Fiorina's post-debate moment is just a start: She needs support but faces more scrutiny":

Carly Fiorina fought and scraped her way to the top of the male-dominated business world, becoming chief executive of one of the tech industry's iconic companies.

She fought and scraped her way from an afterthought in the crowded Republican presidential field to the hands-down winner of Wednesday night's Reagan Presidential Library debate.

The question, now that Fiorina is having her moment: Does her underfunded campaign have the capacity to reap the benefits of her newfound momentum?

“We'll see if she capitalizes ... meaning raising some money so she can go out and begin making her case in the early states and beyond,” said Scott Reed, a veteran GOP strategist who is neutral in the Republican race. “The calendar has not changed. This is still a marathon and only candidates with the financial means are going to be able to go the distance.”

The first nominating votes in the contest are set for just over four months from now in Iowa, followed by New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Then comes a sprawling succession of primaries and caucuses.

Larry Gerston, a longtime Fiorina watcher and emeritus professor of political science at San Jose State, said after her widely acclaimed debate performance that the hard part is just beginning.

“This will be her moment. Not [Wednesday] night, really, but the next two-three weeks, assuming the next few polls show she's moved up,” he said.

Fiorina had won positive reviews after the first debate in August and has been well-received in the early-voting states. But that has not translated into strong fundraising, key endorsements or the organizational strength needed to seriously compete for the nomination.

Republican donors, notably in California, have been intrigued by Fiorina's rise from an asterisk in the polls to the top tier of candidates, but many have held off on opening their checkbooks. Her debate performance could convince them to donate.

Fiorina's campaign declined to provide details about fundraising, but the candidate headlined a fundraiser Thursday night in Los Angeles hosted by notable GOP donors, including former Univision chief Jerry Perenchio.

“Mr. Perenchio is very proud of her; he thinks she won the debate and he will continue to support her,” said Cassandra Vandenberg, a political advisor to Perenchio, who has donated more than $1 million to the super PAC backing Fiorina.

The super PAC, Carly for America, said Thursday that it had already seen an uptick in donations since the debate.

“We have definitely seen an increase in fundraising, an increase in Web traffic and an all-around surge of support,” said spokeswoman Katie Hughes, though she declined to provide details.

For all the raves, there is the risk of getting too carried away...

Keep reading.

While the Getting's Hot: Carly Fiorina, Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey

She made mention of the themes in her book at last night's debate, but if you haven't read it you wouldn't pick up on them.

So, since she'll no doubt be dominating the news today, here's another plug for her book, at Amazon, Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey.



IMAGE CREDIT: O.C. Register.

More blogging tonight.

Will Donald Trump's Poll Ratings Collapse After Second #GOPDebate?

Personally, I think Carly Fiorina won the debate, and I'm not the only one. See Mark Hemingway, at the Weekly Standard, "Carly Fiorina, The Anti-Hillary."

And while Fiorina's going to get some kind of bump in the polls, the $64 million question is whether Donald Trump's going to take a dive. Some folks thought he gave a fine performance, at WaPo, for example, "Fiorina emerges in GOP debate, but Trump still dominates conversation."

In any case, let's see if the polling trends I mentioned yesterday hold firm. See, "No 2012 Frontrunner Polling Collapse Problem for Donald Trump."

Fiorina's been in single digits so long I'm skeptical that her moment on the big stage, no matter how impressive it was, will launch her up into Trump's territory. If anything, Ben Carson will fade a little bit, with Fiorina picking up some of his supporters. But well see. We'll see.

BONUS: Still more at the New York Times, "Candidates Use Second GOP Debate to Taunt Donald Trump."

Donald Trump on Carly Fiorina: 'I think she's got a beautiful face and she's a beautiful woman...' #CNNDebate

Ms. Fiorina looked spectacular last night, even regal.

She didn't go as hard at Trump as some media reports indicated she would, but she did get in a zinger.

Here's the video of the exchange. Trump praises her beauty, which I think was the right thing to do, even a bit classy, considering that Trump's not known for being classy. Watch, "Trump on Carly Fiorina: 'She's got a beautiful face ..."

Substance Made a Comeback in Second #GOPDebate

Following-up from earlier, "Donald Trump Goes Quiet When #GOPDebate Turns to Substantive Issues."

At WSJ, "Candidates fielded questions ranging from immigration and national security to the economy":

Very substantive #GOPDebate. #CNNDebate.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) September 17, 2015

Attitude met substance on a California debate stage Wednesday night. And if substance didn’t win, it at least made a comeback.

For two months, the Republican presidential race has been dominated by Donald Trump, whose approach has been to boast about his leadership style—“I’m a winner, I’ll negotiate great deals”—while skirting past detailed policy discussions.

The remainder of the field was left fuming, talking about Mr. Trump and seeing media coverage flow his way. What they weren’t doing was talking about their agendas.

That changed in the debate at the Reagan presidential library in California. While many of the questions posed by the CNN moderators began with a recitation of comments Mr. Trump has made, which left him still at the center of the conversation, his competitors managed to launch a conversation that, for the first time in weeks, got beyond the Trump orbit.

Sen. Marco Rubio got limited face time but made the most of it, explaining, for example, why he wouldn’t support President Barack Obama when he proposed limited airstrikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s troops: “If the United States military is going to be engaged by a commander-in-chief, it should only be engaged in an endeavor to win. And we’re not going to authorize use of force if you’re not put in a position where they can win.”

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush got his first chance on a debate stage to explain his immigration plan in detail and talk about judicial appointments. Ohio Gov. John Kasich got to explain his record in Ohio, as well as his determination to run an upbeat campaign that will give people “a sense of unity” in which he won’t attack others. Retired surgeon Ben Carson got to explain his health plan. Sen. Ted Cruz got multiple chances to strike a tough tone on Iran.

Indeed, the other candidates seemed to relish the chance to not talk about Mr. Trump. And, after having endured his criticisms of their records, energy, styles and even appearances, to begin striking back. Mr. Bush asked Mr. Trump to apologize to his Mexican-born wife for saying she influenced his thinking on immigration. (Mr. Trump declined.)

Still more.

Carly Fiorina Speaks Truth to the Depravity of Drug Abuse at #CNNDebate (VIDEO)

Watch, at CNN, "Carly Fiorina gets personal discussing drugs."

BONUS: ICYMI, Ed Gogek's new book, Marijuana Debunked: A Handbook for Parents, Pundits, and Politicians Who Want to Know the Case Against Legalization.