For the second year in a row, Ron Paul has taken CPAC's presidential straw poll. Is this a statement on the state of the conservative movement? Does this mean anything for Representative Paul?
Probably not. CPAC is a gigantic gathering of conservatives and libertarians that takes place every year. It attracts the most dedicated, but has in recent years been struggling to find its identity. Its economic conservatives and libertarians want it to go one direction and social conservatives prefer it would go another.
Poll results went as follows:
Texas Rep. Ron Paul: 30 percent
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: 23 percent
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson: 6 percent
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: 6 percent
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich: 5 percent
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: 4 percent
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann: 4 percent
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels: 4 percent
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: 3 percent
Former talk show host Herman Cain: 2 percent
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: 2 percent
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum: 2 percent
South Dakota Sen. John Thune: 2 percent
U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman: 1 percent
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour: 1 percent
Others: 5 percent
This list of names is definitely not exhaustive of those who can, or might contend for the presidency in 2012. Governors Jindal, Perry, and Perdue of Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia could still emerge. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is also stronger than his 1% might indicate.
Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are both heads of different organizations that send their supporters to CPAC, so they naturally will vote for their patrons and heroes. However, Romney is persona non gratis to much of the conservative movement for his support of government health care. Ron Paul's ideas on economics and domestic policy have gained favor. Most conservatives would not argue that the Federal Reserve needs greater oversight. Support for the gold standard has also picked up recently. However, his rigid stance on foreign intervention keeps him on the outside for a conservative movement that cherishes the liberator of Grenada. His son, recently elected in Kentucky, has emerged as a much more moderate voice on this subject. Eventually Rand Paul could make a much better libertarian Republican presidential hopeful after some seasoning.
In the next election, a Southern governor will probably step up and break from the pack. Perdue might be held back by the fact that Georgia's economy is currently much less than peachy. Jindal, however, has stood up to Obama. Rick Perry is perceived as soft on immigration, but has battled the EPA and the Department of Education. The economy of his Texas has outperformed most states. Economics and states' rights should be at the forefront in 2012, helping active and successful governors to potentially launch strong challenges for the nomination. Sarah Palin remains in any discussion, but the governors who stayed at the helm will always have an advantage over her.
In essence, CPAC's poll represents the different factions that are diehard enough to travel to Washington and spend money to have a great time and socialize with other up and coming conservatives. However, it is not accurate to see them as a true bellcow for the movement.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Considering Looking at Long Term Costs in Budgeting Rather Than Simply the Original Price of a Project
Too often when elected officials approve infrastructure projects they do not plan for the long-term cost (the life cycle budget), which leads to wasteful spending at all levels of government. Current infrastructure projects frequently are not cost-effective and often lead to crumbling infrastructure.
Ultimately these projects become more expensive to repair and maintain. If they were constructed and priced out correctly from the beginning (looking at the entire cost of the initial project, including the maintenance and repairs in the future) we would have a better idea of the costs and benefits in the long term instead of the original price of the project. In the long run this type of budgeting would save taxpayers money.
A road, for example, is not simply a road. Does it pass through higher elevations where we can expect more stress and wear from freezing temperatures and more salt treatments? Will it have more wear and tear because of its proximity to industrial areas that will require a lot more truck traffic? How many bridges will be built on a long stretch of highway? These factors all go into the long term considerations of cost. When we think about these issues, we might be able to even come up with alternative specifics that could cost more in the short term, but pay off over time.
A lack of transparency in infrastructure spending is creating budgetary uncertainty, which only furthers the fiscal challenges facing state officials. This kind of shortsighted infrastructure budgeting is jeopardizing economic growth
Congressman Nick Rahall (Democrat-WV03) should consider this new way to look at the funding of infrastructure projects. Below are a couple of examples where government leaders have scrapped projects or hidden the true cost of projects.
— In California, a study conducted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments found that routine repairs cost roughly $20,000 per mile of road per year. When roads break down, reconstruction is needed, costing up to $2 million per mile per year.
— In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie canceled a highly publicized transit tunnel project because he discovered the full costs of the project would exceed projections by as much as $5 billion. The tunnel would have eased traffic congestion among commuters in the nation’s most densely populated state.
When we fail to account for the maintenance costs from the start, repairs aren’t paid for and we are forced to spend more on major reconstruction earlier in the life of the road.
Today, we think it is imperative that governments consider the full life cycle cost of any investment it makes. That means not just how much something costs to build, but also how much it costs to operate and maintain decades into the future.
It is worth noting that the Congressional Budget Office reports that life cycle accounting will produce more cost effective infrastructure projects. According to the non-partisan CBO, accounting for the total cost of a project over its life cycle – that is, taking into account the initial costs as well as the long term operation and maintenance costs – is a key to ensuring that infrastructure projects are cost-effective.
With government doing more with less at every level, we urge Rep. Rahall and his colleagues in Congress to adopt this form of budgeting.
Ultimately these projects become more expensive to repair and maintain. If they were constructed and priced out correctly from the beginning (looking at the entire cost of the initial project, including the maintenance and repairs in the future) we would have a better idea of the costs and benefits in the long term instead of the original price of the project. In the long run this type of budgeting would save taxpayers money.
A road, for example, is not simply a road. Does it pass through higher elevations where we can expect more stress and wear from freezing temperatures and more salt treatments? Will it have more wear and tear because of its proximity to industrial areas that will require a lot more truck traffic? How many bridges will be built on a long stretch of highway? These factors all go into the long term considerations of cost. When we think about these issues, we might be able to even come up with alternative specifics that could cost more in the short term, but pay off over time.
A lack of transparency in infrastructure spending is creating budgetary uncertainty, which only furthers the fiscal challenges facing state officials. This kind of shortsighted infrastructure budgeting is jeopardizing economic growth
Congressman Nick Rahall (Democrat-WV03) should consider this new way to look at the funding of infrastructure projects. Below are a couple of examples where government leaders have scrapped projects or hidden the true cost of projects.
— In California, a study conducted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments found that routine repairs cost roughly $20,000 per mile of road per year. When roads break down, reconstruction is needed, costing up to $2 million per mile per year.
— In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie canceled a highly publicized transit tunnel project because he discovered the full costs of the project would exceed projections by as much as $5 billion. The tunnel would have eased traffic congestion among commuters in the nation’s most densely populated state.
When we fail to account for the maintenance costs from the start, repairs aren’t paid for and we are forced to spend more on major reconstruction earlier in the life of the road.
Today, we think it is imperative that governments consider the full life cycle cost of any investment it makes. That means not just how much something costs to build, but also how much it costs to operate and maintain decades into the future.
It is worth noting that the Congressional Budget Office reports that life cycle accounting will produce more cost effective infrastructure projects. According to the non-partisan CBO, accounting for the total cost of a project over its life cycle – that is, taking into account the initial costs as well as the long term operation and maintenance costs – is a key to ensuring that infrastructure projects are cost-effective.
With government doing more with less at every level, we urge Rep. Rahall and his colleagues in Congress to adopt this form of budgeting.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
From the Secretary of State's Office: Final List of Candidates For Governor
Clark
Barnes Republican 106 S. Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV 26253 Randolph 304-472-5608 cbarnes1950@yahoo.com
Earl Ray
Tomblin Democrat PO Box 11530 Charleston, WV 25339 Logan info@earlraytomblin.com
Rick
Thompson Democrat 4625 Route 152 Lavalette, WV 25535 Wayne 304-551-7425 Info@RickThompsonWV.com
Arne
Moltis Democrat PO Box 8373 South Charleston, WV 25303 Kanawha 304-395-0214 arne@suddenlink.net
Natalie E. Tennant Democrat P.O. Box 1063 Charleston, WV 25324 Kanawha 304-993-0874 info@natalietennant.com
Betty
Ireland Republican 948 Ridgemont Road Charleston, WV 25314 Kanawha 304-343-5033 votebettyireland@gmail.com
Mark A.
Sorsaia Republican P.O. Box 361, Hurricane, WV 25526 Putnam 304-546-3477 mark@sorsaiaforgovernor.com
Larry V. Faircloth Republican P.O. Box 558 Inwood, WV 25428 Berkeley 304-267-3949 faircloth4governor@frontier.com
John D.
Perdue Democrat 608 Virginia Street E Charleston, WV 25301 Kanawha 304-414-0880 John@johnperdue.com
Cliff
Ellis Republican 104 Sunset Drive Westover, WV 26501 Monongalia 304-680-5332 gellis104@comcast.net
Mitch B.
Carmichael Republican 2 Colonial Drive Ripley, WV 25271 Jackson 304-372-4667 mitch.carmichael@frontier.com
Ralph William Clark Republican Monongalia rclark376@comcast.net
Jeffrey V. Kessler Democrat 607 Wheeling Ave. Glen Dale, WV 26038 Marshall jeff@jeffkesslerforgovernor.com
Bill
Maloney Republican PO Box 18189 Morgantown, WV 26507 Monongalia maloneyforwv@gmail.com
PRECANDIDATES: Have filed a Precandidate Form and are authorized to raise and spend money for the 2011 election for Governor. Listed in the order in which received by the Election Division.
Name Party Mailing Address County Phone # Email Address
Jesse
Johnson Mountain Kanawha jesse4wvgov@yahoo.com
Patrick
Lane Republican Kanawha
Bob Henry Baber Mountain 526 Kanawha St. Glenville, WV 26351 Gilmer 304-462-0320 mayorbobhenrybaber@yahoo.com
Barnes Republican 106 S. Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV 26253 Randolph 304-472-5608 cbarnes1950@yahoo.com
Earl Ray
Tomblin Democrat PO Box 11530 Charleston, WV 25339 Logan info@earlraytomblin.com
Rick
Thompson Democrat 4625 Route 152 Lavalette, WV 25535 Wayne 304-551-7425 Info@RickThompsonWV.com
Arne
Moltis Democrat PO Box 8373 South Charleston, WV 25303 Kanawha 304-395-0214 arne@suddenlink.net
Natalie E. Tennant Democrat P.O. Box 1063 Charleston, WV 25324 Kanawha 304-993-0874 info@natalietennant.com
Betty
Ireland Republican 948 Ridgemont Road Charleston, WV 25314 Kanawha 304-343-5033 votebettyireland@gmail.com
Mark A.
Sorsaia Republican P.O. Box 361, Hurricane, WV 25526 Putnam 304-546-3477 mark@sorsaiaforgovernor.com
Larry V. Faircloth Republican P.O. Box 558 Inwood, WV 25428 Berkeley 304-267-3949 faircloth4governor@frontier.com
John D.
Perdue Democrat 608 Virginia Street E Charleston, WV 25301 Kanawha 304-414-0880 John@johnperdue.com
Cliff
Ellis Republican 104 Sunset Drive Westover, WV 26501 Monongalia 304-680-5332 gellis104@comcast.net
Mitch B.
Carmichael Republican 2 Colonial Drive Ripley, WV 25271 Jackson 304-372-4667 mitch.carmichael@frontier.com
Ralph William Clark Republican Monongalia rclark376@comcast.net
Jeffrey V. Kessler Democrat 607 Wheeling Ave. Glen Dale, WV 26038 Marshall jeff@jeffkesslerforgovernor.com
Bill
Maloney Republican PO Box 18189 Morgantown, WV 26507 Monongalia maloneyforwv@gmail.com
PRECANDIDATES: Have filed a Precandidate Form and are authorized to raise and spend money for the 2011 election for Governor. Listed in the order in which received by the Election Division.
Name Party Mailing Address County Phone # Email Address
Jesse
Johnson Mountain Kanawha jesse4wvgov@yahoo.com
Patrick
Lane Republican Kanawha
Bob Henry Baber Mountain 526 Kanawha St. Glenville, WV 26351 Gilmer 304-462-0320 mayorbobhenrybaber@yahoo.com
From the Secretary of State's Office: Final List of Candidates For Governor
Clark
Barnes Republican 106 S. Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV 26253 Randolph 304-472-5608 cbarnes1950@yahoo.com
Earl Ray
Tomblin Democrat PO Box 11530 Charleston, WV 25339 Logan info@earlraytomblin.com
Rick
Thompson Democrat 4625 Route 152 Lavalette, WV 25535 Wayne 304-551-7425 Info@RickThompsonWV.com
Arne
Moltis Democrat PO Box 8373 South Charleston, WV 25303 Kanawha 304-395-0214 arne@suddenlink.net
Natalie E. Tennant Democrat P.O. Box 1063 Charleston, WV 25324 Kanawha 304-993-0874 info@natalietennant.com
Betty
Ireland Republican 948 Ridgemont Road Charleston, WV 25314 Kanawha 304-343-5033 votebettyireland@gmail.com
Mark A.
Sorsaia Republican P.O. Box 361, Hurricane, WV 25526 Putnam 304-546-3477 mark@sorsaiaforgovernor.com
Larry V. Faircloth Republican P.O. Box 558 Inwood, WV 25428 Berkeley 304-267-3949 faircloth4governor@frontier.com
John D.
Perdue Democrat 608 Virginia Street E Charleston, WV 25301 Kanawha 304-414-0880 John@johnperdue.com
Cliff
Ellis Republican 104 Sunset Drive Westover, WV 26501 Monongalia 304-680-5332 gellis104@comcast.net
Mitch B.
Carmichael Republican 2 Colonial Drive Ripley, WV 25271 Jackson 304-372-4667 mitch.carmichael@frontier.com
Ralph William Clark Republican Monongalia rclark376@comcast.net
Jeffrey V. Kessler Democrat 607 Wheeling Ave. Glen Dale, WV 26038 Marshall jeff@jeffkesslerforgovernor.com
Bill
Maloney Republican PO Box 18189 Morgantown, WV 26507 Monongalia maloneyforwv@gmail.com
PRECANDIDATES: Have filed a Precandidate Form and are authorized to raise and spend money for the 2011 election for Governor. Listed in the order in which received by the Election Division.
Name Party Mailing Address County Phone # Email Address
Jesse
Johnson Mountain Kanawha jesse4wvgov@yahoo.com
Patrick
Lane Republican Kanawha
Bob Henry Baber Mountain 526 Kanawha St. Glenville, WV 26351 Gilmer 304-462-0320 mayorbobhenrybaber@yahoo.com
Barnes Republican 106 S. Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV 26253 Randolph 304-472-5608 cbarnes1950@yahoo.com
Earl Ray
Tomblin Democrat PO Box 11530 Charleston, WV 25339 Logan info@earlraytomblin.com
Rick
Thompson Democrat 4625 Route 152 Lavalette, WV 25535 Wayne 304-551-7425 Info@RickThompsonWV.com
Arne
Moltis Democrat PO Box 8373 South Charleston, WV 25303 Kanawha 304-395-0214 arne@suddenlink.net
Natalie E. Tennant Democrat P.O. Box 1063 Charleston, WV 25324 Kanawha 304-993-0874 info@natalietennant.com
Betty
Ireland Republican 948 Ridgemont Road Charleston, WV 25314 Kanawha 304-343-5033 votebettyireland@gmail.com
Mark A.
Sorsaia Republican P.O. Box 361, Hurricane, WV 25526 Putnam 304-546-3477 mark@sorsaiaforgovernor.com
Larry V. Faircloth Republican P.O. Box 558 Inwood, WV 25428 Berkeley 304-267-3949 faircloth4governor@frontier.com
John D.
Perdue Democrat 608 Virginia Street E Charleston, WV 25301 Kanawha 304-414-0880 John@johnperdue.com
Cliff
Ellis Republican 104 Sunset Drive Westover, WV 26501 Monongalia 304-680-5332 gellis104@comcast.net
Mitch B.
Carmichael Republican 2 Colonial Drive Ripley, WV 25271 Jackson 304-372-4667 mitch.carmichael@frontier.com
Ralph William Clark Republican Monongalia rclark376@comcast.net
Jeffrey V. Kessler Democrat 607 Wheeling Ave. Glen Dale, WV 26038 Marshall jeff@jeffkesslerforgovernor.com
Bill
Maloney Republican PO Box 18189 Morgantown, WV 26507 Monongalia maloneyforwv@gmail.com
PRECANDIDATES: Have filed a Precandidate Form and are authorized to raise and spend money for the 2011 election for Governor. Listed in the order in which received by the Election Division.
Name Party Mailing Address County Phone # Email Address
Jesse
Johnson Mountain Kanawha jesse4wvgov@yahoo.com
Patrick
Lane Republican Kanawha
Bob Henry Baber Mountain 526 Kanawha St. Glenville, WV 26351 Gilmer 304-462-0320 mayorbobhenrybaber@yahoo.com
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