This is a critical bellwether race.   The Dems have sunk more cash into defeating Allen West than any other House Member.    Allen West is holding strong.

(WPTV) — Rep. Allen West (R-FL) is leading his Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy by nine points, according to a new FLDemocracy/WPTV/ TCPalm poll released Thursday.

Among likely voters surveyed, 51 percent support West and 42 percent back Murphy. Eight percent are undecided.

The same poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP), found Mitt Romney leading President Barack Obama in District 18 by a 50 percent to 45 percent margin.

The battle for the 18 th congressional district, which includes Martin, St. Lucie and northern Palm Beach counties, is one of the closest watched races in the country. The race has been characterized by a flood of advertising–most of which is coming from West who has outspent his Democratic challenger by 4-1. (more…)

Many people jumped on this comment snippet as soon as it was tweeted by the media. I sensed something was off with the media lead on the comment itself, so I witheld opinion until I could see and hear the context.   Having said that the term “optimal” was placed into the conversation by Jon Stewart.

However, Jon Stewart was talking about the poor presidential response, and the confusing explanations from the White House, Spokesperson(s), the larger administration per se’, and the President himself.   In essence the “confused messaging” was not optimal.

If President Obama was responding to the poor “messaging” descriptive then any outrage would have been seriously misplaced, because we all agree the confusing messaging was far from optimal. Heck, it was absurdly ridiculous.

BUT…

…. When President Obama responded to Jon Stewart Obama was not talking about the “messaging”, he was talking about the “event”.

So therefore EVERY CINTILLA OF BACKLASH for this horrifically worded response is ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATELY PLACED. (more…)

Gallup poll showing Mitt Romney taking a 52-46 percent lead over Barack Obama nationally. “It’s over. If these numbers are true, it’s over,” Beckel said.

A really awesome speech tonight at the Alfred E Smith dinner by Mitt Romney. This really is not only funny, but the points are absolutely well placed. I had no idea they could script something so well. It really is incredibly well written and executed. Enjoy…

(From Complex ) Earlier today, [actually two days ago now] a website claiming to have potentially damning information about one of the presidential candidates appeared on the web: Calling itself An October Surprise, the site is pretty bare save for the text, “One of your presidential candidates isn’t being honest with you. Stay tuned to find out which one it is,” and a timer counting down to exactly 5:30 pm ET on October 22nd, which is when whatever possessed “evidence” the person behind the site has is set to be revealed. An official Twitter for the page, @OctSurprise, was set up as well to add more intrigue and mystery to the site, with tweets assuring users that the info they have is “rock solid” and “irrefutable.”

Turns out, however, the website may not be exactly what it seems. (more…)

Diffusing The Weapons of Misdirection

This is a follow-up to our previous outlining of intentional media manipulation during the last Presidential Debate – Specifically with CNN and the Obama Campaign.   Their coordination is beyond refute at this point.   Backstory Here and History Here.

Previously I shared:  Occam’s Razor –  Ladka is a NY Dem minded ideologue.   However, if he was “registered as a Democrat” the Alinskyites would have chosen a different front man.    Bottom Line Ladka aligns himself ideologically with Dear Leader.   Hence, his “handlers”, while known or unknown, will carefully guide him into the spotlight…..  

Water follows the path of least resistance.   So does ideology.   This Kerry Ladka guy is beyond a doubt a David Plouffe coordinated OFA strategic manuever.   Just watch…..

Many readers and commentators posted discussion about the Libyan questioner “Kerry Lakda” and the ideology behind the approach.   Initial research into Ladka is available HERE.

As the days advance, the cloud covering intentions are removed.   Today is no exception.

Why would random undecided voter, Mr. Kerry Ladka, of Long Island NY, be calling media outlets, media pundits, and requesting to be on their shows? (more…)

Two weeks ago the Obama/Bill Burton SuperPac pulled resources from Florida and Wisconsin which was viewed as resetting the fire line.   Now the Obama campaign hints at shifting focus away from NC, FL, VA and potentially CO.

(Via National Journal)  […] What also became clear after the dust began to settle from the rumble on Long Island was the electoral map has narrowed and Obama’s team, while conceding nothing publicly, is circling the wagons around Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. Plouffe said that Obama remains strong in all four states, but he would not discuss the specifics of internal polling or voter-contact analytics, saying only that Obama has “significant leads” in all four places. (more…)

Joe Biden says he sits with President Obama every day for four to six hours. Granted they are probably not sitting, but the fact Biden could state he is “with” the President for four to 6 hours a day is profoundly disconcerting.

Last year I read the Reagan Diaries, which, by the way, I highly recommend. One of the key takeaways I noted was how important it was to Ronald Reagan, and his Vice-President George Bush, to coordinate a two-hour lunch together every Thursday no matter what.

Both Reagan and Bush’s schedules were so busy with executive management challenges they rarely were able to see one another and discuss events, policy, and strategy. They made their Thursday lunches a central component of their cohesion. It was their time to catch up, plan, coordinate and organize their approach to challenges. (more…)

Will President Obama go on Television and denounce his own movie? If not, why not? The Obama administration gave film producer, Harvey Weinstein, the inside intel, support, and confidential access for the production of the movie.  Hmmmm?

[…]  The movie was produced by Harvey Weinstein, a  major Obama supporter. In August, the Hollywood heavyweight hosted a lavish  $35,800-a-person fundraiser for the president at his oceanfront Connecticut  compound.

Weinstein was joined by actress Anna  Hathaway, director Aaron Sorkin and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at the  event which was attended by about 50 wealthy donors.

(The Daily Mail)  The National Geographic Channel’s Washington, DC headquarters has increased security after being inundated with terror threats over the upcoming release of the film Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden, according to a source. (more…)

We noticed this Update over at TheUlstermanReport from WH Insider.   I think he has the name misspelled, but the right guy the Obama Admin is targeting.   We have outlined before and are familiar with a Benghazi terrorist named “Ahmed Boukhatala“.   First their tip:

(Via Update from White House Insider)  Have a heads up for you.  This comes directly from the Old Man.  Military intelligence may have tracked location of a guy called “Khattalah” who apparently organized the Benghazi attack.  Check media reports for name.  Obama to order drone strikes or possible all out bombing operation.  Says it appears imminent.  Obama will then make claim “perpetrators brought to justice” to squash Benghazi questions and play part of hero.  “Bin Laden Version 2 “  If accurate, this scenario would fit with the earlier rescue operation scenario you had sent me earlier.  That went to sh-t so now they are recalibrating the same general idea with an updated version of it.

I have not heard anything resembling something this specific.  Doing double time trying to confirm.  Nobody in Romney camp aware of this.  Or if they are, not tipping their hand. (more…)