So Americans have their final Presidential debate to look forward to tonight. We wonder how many will actually tune in. If what is put out on the media it would seem that many Americans and plenty of people in foreign lands will tune in. For some it will be a taster, for others they will watch it glued to the TV. How much will really be achieved is also debatable.

There is always a lot of spin. There are always facts and figures, some accurate others more vague. Then there is who is behind each man. When in the first debate Romney appeared to out debate Obama we wondered who had been training him. After all failed GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich, more adept at debating, had said that he would help out.

This is of course is the point. Are these debates really showing the true candidate or not? They could simply be showing a well rehearsed speaker who has been coached to the hilt.

People need something to utilise to choose their new President but is this the way? For more than a year the USA  has been in election mode. The new Presidential hopeful has in some ways a better chance. After all he or she does not have to run the country whilst fighting an election. In the end though at times it all seems like a slanging match. A fight where the seconds out is about to be called.

Both sides have tried to name call the other. As the GOP faithful try to claim that Romney has been demonized by Democrats we wonder what planet they have just arrived here from. They have played everything form Birther Issues to Damning 47% of the population. Of course the 47% comments were not meant for general consumption. They however surely show the true nature of Romney and his followers. Hate and racism are rife.

In a debate Romney can and no doubt will say anything to come up trumps. In truth though will any of it be meaningful. If different words are spoke behind closed doors you have to wonder what actually is the truth.

All of sudden GOP campaign managers, Tagg Romney and Mitt's supporters want us to feel sorry for the guy. They want us to know that he is not how he has been painted. That from a group of people who have painted President Obama almost as the devil incarnate.

Soon this tiring political trek will end for Americans. Either Romney or Obama will reign supreme. Will either be able to easily cure America's ills? No.

The final debate is on foreign policy. President Obama must by now have had his fill of foreign affairs, wars and conflicts. Would Romney have tackled them in a better way? Probaly not. He may have done some things differently but in the end he would have followed America's path. Never forget that GOP President G W Bush took America into Iraq and Afghanistan. President Obama simply inherited an already unwinnable war.

Americans will have many concerns overseas but in the end it will be policy at home that will win or lose the election. Most voters when all is said and done look to their wallets. Can Romney a fully paid member of the Elite offer ordinary Americans a better future? You decide.

America's election is a war of words. The campaigns of Obama and Romney centre around undermining each other. Expensive Ads and more are all aimed at belittling the opponent. Little real political debate is evident. That may come at the end as Americans prepare to go to the polls but for now words matter.

Mitt Romney has put his foot in his mouth on more than one occasion already. His latest gaffe could ensure that floating voters finally decide to opt for President Obama. Those who are merely heartless and selfish will no doubt stick with Romney.

Romney's foolish words have been widely reported. Shown on youtube as Part One of a Mother Jones video there presumably is more to come. Expect a follow up to be equally damning.

Romney has now attempted to clarify his words. It is true that words taken out of context can be twisted any which way a manipulator wants. Romney knows this all too well having used such tactics. There is however no way of softening his words to make them acceptable.

He damned 47% of Americans as people who pay no tax, choose entitlements over working and have no intention to ever improve their lot.

His words show a careless disregard for the struggles many people face in this world. They showed a generalisation which has no place in government. If elected he will be employed to represent the people. That is all the people. This does not mean 53%.

If his words have been misconstrued then that leaves some worries. Is Romney not capable of expressing himself clearly? What did he actually mean to say? Is he going to represent a small section of America and not the country and its people as a whole?

Romney when he offered appeasement following the first video release did not instill confidence. He seemed unable to know exactly what he was talking about when his words were taped. No doubt the fundraiser which was held behind closed doors was taped in full and carefully edited afterward. Why is he holding fundraisers behind closed doors though? What promises are made at such events? Maybe all politicians raise money at times this way. If they do, you would think that security would be tight. Too tight to allow snooping by the opposition.

It will soon be up to the American people to decide who they have faith in running their country during such troubling times. This latest Romney fiasco will not improve his electability, surely.

In the last few hours more damning videos from the same event have been put up on youtube.

The 2012 Presidential Campaign seems to have dragged on forever. What it must be like for US citizens heaven only knows. Of course if you are a 100% Democrat voter you may have bypassed the apparently everlasting election for the GOP presidential hopeful. At least now Americans know that it is a straight forward election between Republicans with Mitt Romney at the helm or incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama.

Each Party's campaign has been costly and full of propaganda. As always election hopefuls negatively portray the opposition, more than they explain what they will do should they be elected.

As The Romney Election Machine continues to secure huge funding President Obama is going to be outspent. Should that matter in an election? No. Will it matter in the US election? Yes. 

Money allows the candidates to run advertising campaigns which latch onto any flaws in the other side. Clever editing will be utilised meaning that in reality the ad campaigns are useless to would be voters. They will however play a part in deciding the winner. Voters will choose to believe slick ads rather than seeing them for what they are.

Today July 16, 2012, Mitt Romney has asked that the Obama camp back off. He claims they are making false allegations regarding his time at Bain Capital. As you sow so shall you reap though. The GOP candidates slated each other with unreliable truths. It was a sorry sight. Each in an attempt to secure the nomination verbally attacked the others. It is hardly surprising then that the proper opposition follows suit.

The Romney camp has attacked President Obama and intends to continue doing so until the November election. Politics is a dirty business. It is far from honourable.

This weekend Romney has called Obama's attacks "dishonest". He went on to say "What does it say about a president whose record is so poor that all he can do in this campaign is attack me?"  "I think when people have accused you of a crime, you have every reason to go after them pretty hard."

But they are both playing the blame game. Remember those words Mitt when Obama hits even harder.

President Obama's response today July 16, 2012, was that "No" he would not apologise. As Obama said if you want to run an election on your record in business expect that to be scrutinised.

In truth America deserves better than what is on offer in the 2012 Election. We in the UK deserved better than what was available for us in the 2010 election. Western democracy is floundering under a swathe of fat cats attempting to buy leadership for their own ends. Fact.

As the 2012 election predictably plunges into child like tit for tat nastiness huge amounts of money will be wasted. It must surely be time to re-think how western elections are played out.

In the meantime expect some ridiculous, far-fetched name calling to follow, in a anything goes attitude as Romney and Obama race for the White House.

Tags: Romney claims Obama dishonest, US 2012 election, US politics, Bain Capital

Barack and Michelle Obama kicked of the 2012 Election campaign with a rally in Ohio yesterday, May 5, 2012. They have been in election mode for the last 13 months with a series of fund raisers being held in the US and no doubt beyond. Political ambition in the US is expensive. This may be true of many other countries but it does limit the candidates. Perhaps it is ever increasingly true that most candidates are much the same. Maybe those voters who fail to participate in elections one iota are correct when they use the reason "they are all the same".

For those who still have faith in Democracy voting remains important. It is one of the few ways to make your voice heard, albeit slightly.

President Obama has admitted that the November election is by no means signed, sealed and delivered. Two years ago he could maybe have been more confident but during such difficult times people react in different ways. Many will view the incumbent Obama as responsible for US woes. This can mean that any positives are swept aside.

Obama's first official rally featured attacks on GOP nominee, in all bit name, Mitt Romney. He may have not been every Republicans election dream but he is what they now have. Most of the GOP voters will rally behind Romney in an attempt to oust Obama. For them it is almost anyone but Obama.

The President's attacks on Romney mainly centred on the belief that Mitt will legislate to help the rich, reduce spending on education, set back Medicare and give the Banking Sector a huge lift. According to the President, Romney will enhance the big banks powers in a way that will hit ordinary citizens. With the amount on Super PAC, and its source, funding Romney that is probably a fair assumption.

Mr Obama reminded the cheering crowd that Mr Romney and "friends in Congress think the same bad ideas will lead to a different result, or they’re just hoping you won’t remember what happened the last time you tried it their way.’’ 

For many politicians the problem is that people are fickle. There will always be some hard line Democrats and Republicans but many people vote with the times. If times are good they compliment the President and when times get tough they blame the President.

Particularly during the last year Obama has been attacked on many fronts. His place of birth, contraception and more. The real issues have often been sidelined. Americans IMHO need to look at their lives and see how things are panning out and how they may or may not change under Romney.

They should also remember that too many times the President has become ineffective because of Republican input. No doubt if Romney wins the Democrats will do the same to him, unless of course he sweeps the board. Whilst they ALL play their political games though life for many people gets tougher.

The Boston Globe reported, "Romney has staked his candidacy on his ability to create jobs, but Obama said his rival was merely doing the bidding of the conservative powerbrokers in Congress and has little understanding of the struggles of average Americans. ‘‘Why else would he want to cut his own taxes while raising them for 18 million Americans,’’ Obama said of his multimillionaire opponent."

Opinion: This is why to all of those who say "I won't vote because" this blogger says get out there and vote. Remember that those who have a vested interest in a particular party winning will vote in their droves. The disillusioned and disaffected may consider voting a waste of time. However it is all you have to stop those who manipulate elections doing so once more.

Tags: US election, Ohio rally, Obama rally, Mitt Romney attacks, 2012 US election

Some hours ago several media sources reported that Jon Huntsman is set to resign from the US GOP nomination race. Whilst his campaign was slightly invigorated in New Hampshire it was not enough for the Huntsman team to consider carrying on. It is so often about knowing when to quit and perhaps now is the right time for Jon.

Americans have seen Republican politicians name calling one another in an attempt to secure the overall nomination. This does not better their cause in any way. At times they have all come across as bumbling dolts. 

Whilst Jon Huntsman's Conservative beliefs may not suit all he certainly did look leader material. It should not simply be about being an electable looking person though, but it too often is. In the UK famously Neil Kinnock became peronsa non grata in his election campaign due to his appearance. The one major sticking point was his red hair. Currently in the UK such a damaging personal campaign is being waged against Ed Miliband. It is best to judge politicians on their track record but having the necessary charisma is important, especially in the US where the opponent will be Barack Obama.

Love him or loathe him there is no disputing that President Obama has charisma. He has it by the bucket load. He has an easy grace and charm which is endearing. He does however still retain a strength which occasionally shows as a glint in his eye. Republicans will not agree with this, who would expect them to? However I imagine that most Democrats would.

Jon Huntsman had some of that same sense of style. Easy on the eye he looked presidential material. Whether politically he was the right man for the job is unknown. It seems he has already decided that to continue would be futile. Media sources have reported the Huntsman team as saying that, "He's going to endorse Gov. Romney tomorrow( Monday January 16, 2012) and urge the party to come together. He decided to drop out to clear the way for the person who is clearly the best suited to beat Barack Obama". This makes it sounds as if Jon has stepped down for the good of all, not least the GOP and Mitt Romney.

Huntsman has been categorised as a lightweight Conservative by many . In the past he has been known to express admiration for Barack Obama. In an adult world that does not seem wrong to me. In some ways it lifts him above the crowd. To be able to see someone's shining points without necessarily agreeing with the person carte blanche.

The fact that Huntsman only last week said that Mitt Romney was unelectable will however seem odd to many people. It will smack of hypocrisy and more. He said of Mitt, "When you have a candidate who talks about enjoyment in firing people, who talks about pink slips, who makes comments that seem to be so detached from the problems that Americans are facing today, that makes you pretty much unelectable." Hmm.

Of course he may yet fool the pundits and decide to continue. It has been reported via many mainstream news sources though that resign he will. It has been reported that Huntsman will make the announcement Monday January 16, lunchtime, in Myrtle Beach S.C. This will be around 17.00 GMT in the UK. Republican candidates are gathering there today for another of those televised debates they are so fond of. One of those where they can say anything but not have to stand by it. One where style will win out over substance. One where if predictions are right there will be one empty podium, that of Huntsman.

Maybe finishing with Mr Huntsman's words as he launched his 2012 campaign less than a year ago would provide a fitting end:-
“For the first time in our history, we are about to pass down to the next generation a country that is less powerful, less compassionate, less competitive and less confident than the one we got. This is totally unacceptable and totally un-American. And it need not, must not, will not be our permanent condition! We will not be the first American generation that lets down the next generation. What we need now is leadership that trusts in our strength.  Leadership that doesn’t promise Washington has all the solutions to our problems, but rather looks to local solutions in our cities, towns and states. Leadership that knows we need more than hope, leadership that knows we need answers”

“Behind me is our most famous symbol of the promise of America.  President Reagan launched the 1980 general election here in an earlier time of trouble and worry.  He assured us we could “make America great again,” and under his leadership we did. I stand in his shadow as well as the shadow of this magnificent monument to our liberty. We’re not just choosing new leaders.  We’re choosing whether we are to become yesterday’s story or tomorrow’s.  Everything is at stake.  This is the hour when we choose our future.”

As political pundits had predicted Mitt Romney score a comfortable home win in New Hampshire. All of this voting does see peculiar to this Brit. Each primay result will influence the next and so have a marked result on who is ultimately successful overall. If all voted at the same time the result could be completely different. It is however the American way and this comment is not meant as a criticism. In the UK our leadership votes leave a lot to be desired.But back to Mitt Romney. His New Hampshire win is a resounding victory. No narrow lead this time The results at time of writing are:

1. Mitt Romney   39.4%
2. Ron Paul   22.8%
3. Jon Huntsman 17%
4. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum tied at 9%

These could change slightly which may affect the tied fourth position. Gingrich and Santorum brought up the rear as Rick Perry is already campaigning for the next stage of the contest. He did not contest New Hampshire, knowing that for him it was a lost cause.

South Carolina January 21, 2012 is the next important date in this republican nomination race. Expect the candidates smiles to become more fixed and less sincere as times get tough.The campaign is set to get dirty. Romney's team has already run expensive ads aimed at damaging the Gingrich campaign. They seem to have done the trick. Next's shining star has begun to dim. He is said to be furious and the gloves are off.

Will Romney ultimately win the nomination? Probably. It is still a little too soon to say definitely,