OBAMA, BIDEN, IN TEXAS AND OHIO TODAY............

President Obama and Vice President Biden are visiting the Southwest and the Midwest on this Friday before the opening of the Democratic National Convention next week.  The Commander in Chief is visiting soldiers at Fort Bliss Texas, near El Paso; on the second anniversary pf the end of deployment of troops in the Iraq War.  Biden, in Lordstown, Ohio challenged Paul Ryan's statement Wednesday night in his Vice Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech blaming President Obama for the closure of a GM auto plant in Wisconsin in December 2008, a month before the Inauguration of the Obama-Biden Administration.  At this hour news coverage of next week's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina; is showing the unveiling of the Hall in the Time Warner Cable Arena, where the three days of Democratic Party nominating activities will take place.  I will be continuing to blog about all the proceedsings as well as the campaigning by the four candidates over the next week from my Update Election 2012 vacation............tdp

NEWLY NOMINATTED AND GENERAL ELECTION ACCEPTED ROMNEY-RYAN RETURN TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL............

Having shared in and celebrated their Nominations for President and Vice President as the Republican Candidates to oppose Barack Obama and Joe Biden for re-election, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan fly off in new campaign planes today to rallies ion several of the swing States to continue the momentum and first evidence of a bounce their Convention brings them.  Giving what is being described as the best speech Romney has given in connecting with others, he spoke less in specifics about plans or policies and seemed more intent to try to relate to the middle class in the first half of the speech while continuously questioning and nailing President Obama for his failures.  The second half of the speech was more strident, and neo conservative sounding, in regards to Defense and the role of the American military in world hotspots.  Damage control from any diversion or fallout from the Clint Eastwood rambling appearance is being handled this morning by the Romney-Ryan campaign by having Ann Romney appear to laugh it off and put the focus back on her husband's Acceptance Speech.  The morning shows are pointing out that during the Romney and Ryan families looked tense during the enigmatic Eastwood exercise.  The crunch question being why would the campaign staff choose not to show the Romney set up video in that period in time instead stepping on their candidate's pivotal moment in the spotlight ?   As the GOP Standardbearers go forth from Tampa, Florida into the 67 days of  the General Election the Democratic Incumbents and their Party Delegates and supporters arrive in Carlotte, North Carolina for their own National Nominating Convention starting Tuesday............Fr.  Troy

CNN ROMNEY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH INSTANT POLL............

CNN polling just after the Mitt Republican Republican Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech finds :
33% of respondents More likely to Vote for him;  39% Less likely to Vote for him;  27% Not sure;.

MITT ROMNEY PROCLAMATION OF ACCEPTANCE AS THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE 2012............

Mitt Romney comes to the extended out Podium nearer to those present in the Convention hall in Tampa, Florida closer to the crowd than it has been until now.  82 year old  Clint Eastwood delivered a comedy routine talking to an empty chair supposed to be seating an invisible Barack Obama, he questions and responds to as though he is repeating the most infamous of curse words.  That is followed by a barrage of insults castigating the President.  Closing with him leading the Convention in his famous Dirty Harry movie line, Go ahead.  Make my day.  He exits stage right and Senator Rubio walks out and talks about what he says is what this Election is about, and goes on to telling his family story.  He intertwines this with references to Mitt Romney and the need to have him replace President Obama   Governor Romney is in the wings and makes his way from the Convention floor near the Utah delegation,. shaking hands as he makes his way to the stage.  Romney takes the podium and is waving to the cheering crowds.  He wastes no time accepting the nomination for President of the United States.  Commends Ryan who will walk with him for hius commitment to public service and his family/.  Complimenting him on his speech and his family.  Freedom,. freedom of religion, fredom to live our lives, and freedom to build a business, are his first proclamations.  Compares that to the doubts caused in this country since the last presidential election.  The hope and change he sayts Americans voted for and deserved.  That remark sets off a clamorous, chanting, demonstration of USA, USA...  He speaks of how much harder Americans have worked because of the economic and debt problems, saying he wanted President Obama to succeed, because he wants America to succeed. Vows we can do better and that now is the time to help the country do better.Goes into his personal life story.  States the President didn't fail because he wanted to, but didn't have the essential experience of running a business before he came to the White Houyse/   Shifts to JFK and the Mission to the Moon as an example of American success.  Neil Armstrong is remembered and blessed by Romney.  Concluding when the world needs big stuff  done you need an American.  Tells his father's story.  Mentions they are Mormons.  Speaks of his and Ann's love which they have tried to pass on to their children and grandkids.  Says all the laws and legislation in the world cannot replace the love of parents for children.  Pays tribute to his parents love story, his father's death, and especially his mother, incorporating the names of this Convention's women speakers.  Of his chosen Massachusetts Lt. Governor, a woman.  Left MI for MA to make it on his power, not because of his father.  Talks about raising 5 sons in that away setting.  Say's Ann's job at home was far more important than his job.  When she could have succeeded at anything else she wanted to do.  Finding friendship and support with family, community, church.  With  family, community, faiths, being the bedrock of America.  Says the President didn''t want to fail but didn't know how to lead as he didn't have the essential experience working in business.  Talks his business experiences, American success stories.  In America we celebrate success, we don't apologize for success.  Says every President since the Great Depression except Carter and Obama seeking reelection, could say Americans were better off than 4 years before.  What America needs is lots of Jobs.  Obama has crushed the middle class, with healthcare, food, gas, housing, are all higher costing.  Obama's's policies won't create jobs, but eliminate them, and goes into a litany of what Obama won't do and he will as President.
Romney has a plan to create 12 million new jobs he says unlike Obama.  Goes into the Romney-Ryan  5 point plan.1.) Energy. 2.) Skills/ School choice.  3.) Trade.   4.) Cutting the Deficit / Balancing the Budget  5.) Repeal and Replace Obamacare.
Support Women in starting Businesses.  Will not raise Taxes on  the Middle Class like President Obama has.  Romney saiys he believes in  Sanctity of Life.  Freedom of Religion.  Promises to help Americans and their families.  Will begin his presidency with a jobs tour, not an apology tour.  Commends Obama for killing Osama Bin Laden. but criticizes him on Iran, Syria, Russia.  Free world more peaceful world.  the bipartisan foreign policy of Truman and Reagan, Romney will restore.   A united America can unleash an American economy that puts the United States back to work and gives it military might not to be tested. That preserves freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.  That future is our destiny.  Thanks the Convention.  Finishes God bless you and God bless America.  Is joined by Paul Ryan to the cheers, balloon drop, and confetti, swirling.  Their wives come out onto the stage followed by their children and the Romney grandchildren.

I will flesh out this contemporaneous synopsis of the Romney Nomination Acceptance Speech later............tdp

READY FOR RUBIO'S ROLE IN PRESENTING ROMNEY TO THE CONVENTION AND THE WORLD............

The RNC video salute to Mitt Romney has begun, and then Clint Eastwood will appear on stage, to be followed by Senator Marco Rubio who will introduce Mitt Romney for his Acceptance Speech.  Stand by for my blogging about it.............tdp

CNN ROMNEY SKILLS POLL FINDINGS TONIGHT............

In a poll commissioned to gauge Mitt Romney's strengths and weaknesses as to his ability to solve the nation's current problems and whether he identifies with the American middle class, CNN finds by a six point margin Romney is thought better able to solve the problems before us, 45% - to 39% who think Obama does; and for being able to understand the struggles of the middle class, he has a fourteen point deficit to Obama, with 39% responding Romney understands their problems, compared to 53% who think Obama does.  It is interesting both Romney percentages are the same, at 39%.  Is there perhaps a current cap for him on these concerns.  I will be eager to follow this poll result up in coming days after he speaks tonight............tdp

RNC 2012 FINAL SESSION..,...........

A videotape tribute to President Ronald Reagan, which includes a live presentation adbout Reagan's Presidency, led by Newt and Callista Gingrich, who herald the economic accomplishments of President Reagan while contrasting unfavorably the Adminitrations of both President Carter and President Obama; is followed by a video salute to Latinos, and now a speech by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.  Bush is very enthusiastically welcomed as he appears at the dais.  He then announces he before he begins, he has something else to say.  After referring to his grandfather and father, and their inspiring public service, he feats his brother, and his Presidency and tells President Obama as he said on Meet The Press last Sunday, to stop blaming his brother for the problems he has failed at fixing and will not admit to, and lauds President George W. Bush, for, in very challenging times, keeping us safe.  Jeb Bush proceeds wiuth his speech on Education and conducts a multi person series of brief presentations and a salute to teachers, students, Governors, after having spoken in favor of quality student testing, excellent teachers, and school choice, (vouchers) using the analogy of the wide variety of milk now available in any grocery store.  He states parents should have the same kind of option when choosing a school or opportunity scholarship for their children............tdp

SPEECH EXCERPTS INDICATE A MULTIFACETED REVEAL AND APPEAL AS TO WHO MITT ROMNEY IS............

Excerpts of the Acceptance Speech Mitt Romney will deliver three hours from now, released by the Romney-Ryan campaign will have him sharing more of his personal and family story than he has to date, making illustrative references to his father and mother, his business success, his community, including church involvement.  He will make direct appeal to those who proudly voted for Barack Obama four years ago, but are less proud of President Obama today, than they were of candidate Obama they day they helped elect him.  A strong pitch to women is also included, as he chronicles his mother's campaign for U.S. Senate, his selection of a woman Lieutenant Governor, and the number of women he appointed as Governor.  How convincingly he succeeds in generating a positive response to the narrative and oration he shares, now depends on his effective delivery and the authenticity of the message in the minds and hearts of the viewing audience beyond the Tampa Bay Times Forum arena, who are either undecided, unsure, or softly supportive of the President.  The bar is set high, and was elevated last night by the style and likeability / comfortability with which Paul Ryan delivered his speech last night.  Ryan was introduced on videotape by his wife.  Romney will be introduced live, in person, by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is young, handsome, telegenic, and will be doing his most to maximize not only an effective introduction of Mitt Romney, but a present and future furtherance of his own political and governmental (dare I say, presidential ) life.  More continuing soon............tdp

ROMNEY GOES INTO HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH 12% BEHIND OBAMA IN USA TODAY POLL............

When Governor Mitt Romney gives his Republican Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech five hours from now, one of the challenges he will need to meet and arrest, is a twelve point deficit in Americans view of him regarding his Trustworthiness and Honesty, versus President Barack Obama.  A USA Today Poll asked which Presidential Candidate is more Trustworthy and Honest; and the finding of the respondents is  Romney - 36%;  Obama - 48%;.  So if the Republican Nominee is to gain necessary favorability / likeability with voters for President he starts tonight with the need to increase his believeability The same poll shows by a margin of 9%-15% more; the respondents think Romney will handle the Economy and the National Debt / Deficit better than Obama.  Bay Buchanan, sister of Patrick Buchanan, and the former Treasurer of the United States in the Reagan Administration and a Romney supporter; told CNN this afternoon that tonight Mitt Romney will come across as, "competent", "courageous", "good", "decent", as he lays out his vision for America as Presiden,t in his Acceptance Speech.  She also says Romney will show the reason he chose to run for President is, "To make the USA a better place for all Americans".  As I continue to argue, not squaring with the American public about his personal values and life experiences in an enlightening and unguarded way, that exudes authenticity; is why I think even after nearly a half dozen years of campaigning for the highest political and governmental Office in the history of our Country and the World,  ambivalence and uncertainty among numbers of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, continue to dog him............tdp

WHO WILL THE MITT-STERY MAN BE ?............

A surprise, special guest, is expected to appear at the Republican National Convention in the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Florida tonight, probably just before or after Governor Mitt Romney gives his Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech.  Most speculation centers around it being Clint Eastwood, who endorsed Romney for President earlier this month.  However, some are suggesting it may possibly be a hologram of the late President Ronald Reagan, but a videotape tribute to Reagan, will already have put his image in the convention hall, so not likely it will be Reagan's image.  After weeks of saying he would have a very special role at the Republican Convention, and then supposedly having been told not attend, it could be Donald Trump, who there has been internet scuttlebutt about the past week might appear at the RNC with an Obama impersonator and standing before the assemblage and the cameras, tell him, "Your Fired".  A photograph that was temporary posted on the internet picturing Trump and the impersonator fueled this speculation......CNN has just confirmed CLINT EASTWOOD will be the Mitts'-tery  Guest !............tdp

DOES PAUL RYAN'S FACT STRETCHING LAST NIGHT DIMINISH HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH ?............

Congressman Paul Ryan delivered a personable and, powerful, oration last night that was also a scathing, and unvarnished, indictment of President Obama and his lack of leadership in the White House, in his Acceptance Speech as the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee; while at the same time taking liberties with the truth or speaking with incompletions about that which he was critiquing.  The most obvious fact stretching  of these being Ryan's story about the General Motors plant in his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin which he said President Obama pledged four years ago, would remain open for another hundred years, if the voters put their trust in him for President.  Ryan went on that the plant closed within the year after the 2008 Election.  Thus blaming President Obama for the closure and shuttering of the auto plant.  However, the GM plant actually closed after the election, but in December 2008, before Obama was inaugurated, and during the George W. Bush Administration.  Secondly, Congressman Ryan was dismissive of President Obama for adding $5-6 trillion  to the national debt during his first term, yet failed to mention that before he became the acclaimed Chairman of the House Budget Committee, the master of crunching and cutting, who authored the Federal Budget Plan bearing his name, as a member of the House of Representatives between 2001-2009, he himself voted for every policy proposal and legislative bill of the Bush 43 Administration, that sent the Federal Budget surplus the Republican Administration inherited into $10 trillion of national debt; from the Drug Prescription Plan, accusing the President of cutting Medicare by $716 billion, when the Ryan Budget Plan caps Medicare spending and costs seniors virtually the same amount of money, to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, among them.  Ryan also derided the President for doing nothing about the Simpson-Bowles Debt Commission recommendations, when he himself as a member of the Commission voted against those same recommendations.  The Obama expeditiously responded early this morning with a campaign ad and a line by line fact check of Ryan's speech, par for the course in contemporary American Presidential election campaigns.  In the summation of his address last night, Representative Ryan said, of the Romney-Ryan ticket, "We will not duck the tough issues.  We will lead.  We will not spend the next 4 years blaming others.  We will take responsibility.  We will not try to replace our founding principles.  We will reapply our founding principles".  If the "goodness", and "hope", taking "responsibility one to another", and the "moral creed of our country", of which he spoke, is to be achieved in this Presidential Election campaign, then all four of the Democratic and Republican standardbearers must tell truth to the American people and be accountable for, and honest about, the entire record of their public service whatever the electoral consequences; even and especially when past positions, policies, and practices, contradict current proclamations made during the close, competitive, contest, this campaign certainly is............Fr.  Troy

THE STAGE HAVING BEEN SET MITT ROMNEY GETS HIS PERSONAL PRESIDENTIAL PREVIEW OPPRTUNITY IN PRIME TIME TONIGHT............

Paul Ryan, Condoleeza Rice, Chris Christie, Ann Romney, and others, having spoken over the past two days at the 2012 Republican National Convention, tonight Mitt Romney, gets his prime time moment before a national and worldwide audience to come before this nominating Convention and provide a convincing and connective presidential preview of who he truly is, as a man, son, husband, father, grandfather, as well as businessperson, overseer, and political leader, deserving their votes to win the White House, sixty nine days from now.  A man and leader grounded in authentic convictions, not ever changeable positions to attain the political office, as has been his persona over the past two decades; who the American people are ready to embrace as the Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, and President of the United States.  The time for getting specific about his vision of a Romney Administration with specific details about the philosophy, plans, and policies, he has to serve and to lead the common good of our country going forward - that will engender trust and confidence he is the person America  wants in the White House.  Instead of running away from his Money and Taxes, his term Governing Massachusetts, and his Mormon Religion, he must address and incorporate them into exactly what he said in interviews with FOX News, and Politico, earlier this week, "I Am Who I Am".  The major determiner of whether he wins or loses this Presidential Election and ousts the incumbent Barack Obama, largely depends on his ability in the next two months to gain the favorability of  Americans, for who he is - in the word his wife used about their marriage on Tuesday night a, "real" man able to identify with them and who cares about us : rich, poor, middle class, in uniting and serving the betterment and security of all  our citizens............Fr.  Troy    

FOX NEWS CANCELS SARAH PALIN'S REPUBLICAN CONVENTION INTERVIEWS TONIGHT............

2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, now a FOX News commentator, posted a message on her Facebook page today lamenting that FOX News cancelled all her interviews tonight.   The statement she posted reads, "I asm sorry Fox cancelled all my scheduled interviews tonight because I sure wanted to take the opportunity on the air to highlight Senator John McCain's positive contributions to America, to honor him, and to reflect on what a biased media unfairly put him thorough four years ago tonight.  Granted, our honored and esteemed war hero has gone through more than the liberal media can do to him in their efforts to harm this patriot.  I look forward to hearing his words to his fellow Americans tonight more than any of the other Convention speeches.  God bless you John McCain.  Thank you for everything.  And happy birthday my friend".   Sarah Palin
For the past several months Palin has been in a kerfuffle with her boss, FOX News President Roger Ailes.  What I find striking about her statement in regards to John McCain is that she says she wanted to hioghlight and honor him for his contributions to America, a statement she ALSO made to McCain For President campaign manager Steve Scmidt, on Election night November 4, 2008; according to Mark Halperin, and John Heileman, in their book, "Game Change", which premeired as an HBO movie, a few months ago.  Also saying she looks forward to McCaon's speech tonight more than any of the others, was somewhat a shot at her successor as running mate this go round, who is now the acknowledged intellectual / ideological leader of the conservative poliotical movement in America............tdp  

RYAN DELIVERS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AS REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT............

Paul Ryan came to the dais of the Republican National Convention at 10:22 p.m.,  during the ratings precious first half of the 10 p.m. Eastern Time hour, for the widest possible audience especially of the elderly, and delivered an oration of over thirty five minutes thatv was biographical of himself and Mitt Romney, and critical of the leadership failures of President Obama.  He assured his listeners he and Romney know the difference between saving Medicare and raiding Medicare, after condemning Obama  for cutting $716 billion from Medicare.  He talked of Small Businesses and how his mother as a 50 year old widow, opened and built a business; and that what small business owners deserve to hear from their President is not to give Government the credit, but to hear, "You did build that".  The initial analysis of his speech is that he is the new, young, conservative leader in this country for years to come.  I will blog on this more later............tdp

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN MAKES VERY HAWKISH RNC SPEECH............

The military hero John McCain, who celebrates his76th Birthday today is beyond question - given his many years of service in the United States Navy and his multiple years of imcarceration as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.  The first speaker in tonight's prime time schedule at the Republican National Convention in Tampa where he gave a very strong, hawkish, neo-conservative sounding, pro Defense / National Security speech.  In a Convention interview with NBC News correspondent Kelly O'Donnell and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow he said that he believes Mitt Romney has the right instincts, the Reagan instincts, to keep America strong and advance American Exceptionalism.  He also expressed disaqppointment with Presidxent Obama's lack of support for American Exceptionalism and failure to support peoples in other countries around the World seeking freedom and liberation.Steve Schmidt, who managed McCain's 2008 Presidential campaign, and now serving as a political commentator on MSNBC, said following the speech, as a defeated Presidential nominee who remains in the Senate, McCain is now in an advocacy rather than policy making position, and is exercising it.  Even at age 76, I wonder if he is aspiring to be Secretary of State or Defense in a Romney-Ryan Administration ?............tdp

WHAT WILL PAUL RYAN SAY IN HIS VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH ?............

In just about four hours from now, Congressman Paul Ryan will stand before the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, and be seen by a television and internet audience throughout the United States and around the World, and give his Acceptance Speech as the running mate of Governor Mitt Romney to face President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.  The Associated Press is reporting this afternoon that his speech will be strong on personality, and short on substance.  MSNBC is reporting it is said to be a retread of his stump sppech the past 18 days.  CNN is sharing the speech is expected to be, "tough", and intended to, "deconstruct" President Obama's economic record.  How ready, permitted, as well as willing, he is to talk about Medicare, about which he has been saying since his selection as Romney's running mate,"We want this debate, we need this debate, we will win this debate", and the Romney-Ryan plans to arrest the debt / deficit, and balance the federal budget, as the newly nominated team he has joined prepares to kick off the final phase of the presidential campaign before the General Election 69 days from now; is a question that tonight's acceptance sppech and tomorrow night's by Governor Romney, will begin to answer.  Most often, these addresses are short on detail and written and delivered in thematically broader strokes.  Ryan considered the intellectual heft on federal budgetary and economic policy, the numbers ma, by many of his conservative, Republican colleagues and the  political right wing and Tea Party members.  He is faced with a two edged sword to wield in his remarks tonight :  deliver a sufficient amount of red meat to the Republican and conservative electoral base; while providing realistic proposals to the wider pool of American voters, especially the so called, "Reagan Democrats", and Independents, who will determine whether the Romney-Ryan ticket wins or loses Presidential Election 2012............tdp  

HOW EFFECTIVE WAS GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE'S KEYNOTE ADDRESS ?............

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who followed Ann Romney last night at the Republican National Convention to deliver the Keynote Address, set up a strange contrast between his speech and Mrs. Romney's by saying his was not about Love, but Respect; after she had proclaimed her speech was about Love.  Seeking respect, not love, is what Christie says his mother taught him.  Christie's Keynote speech was some 2,600 words.  It was much less about Mitt Romney, than about Chris  Christie, as he used the pronouns "I", 47 times; and "Me", 11 times; while referring to Romney. 8 times only in the entirety of the sppech.   Five of those mentions were in one paragraph of the saddress, while he made 62 references to his own record  as Governor of New Jersey throughout the oration.  Christie spoke over seventeen hundred words before he mentioned Mitt Romney by name.  Missing was any mention of President Obama by name, although he did address him by declaring what we are lacking is leadership.  Governor Christie said, " You see, Mr. President, real leaders do not follow polls.  Real leaders change polls".   Speaking in broad themes and delivering the speech from the teleprompter, made it more a staid and standard-like speech, than the in your face, outspokem., and combative, speaker  he is known to be personally and politically.  A newspaper story on Monday in the New York Post reports that Christie declined to accept the vice presidential nod this year because he thinks Romney is going to lose.  Were that true, Tuesday night's speech could be the potential springboard for Christie to the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, just as U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama's 2004 Keynote Address at the Democratic Convention in Boston catapulted him into a successful campaign for the White House in 2008............tdp

FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN BEN QUAYLE LOSES REPUBLICAN HOUSE PRIMARY IN ARIZONA............

Freshman Republican House of Representatives member Ben Quayle, the 35 year old son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, was defeated in the Primary yesterday in Phoenix / Scottsdale Arizona, by another Republican House member in a reapportioned district that pitted them against one another.  Quayle who vaulted to personal notiriety two years airing a campaign commercial in which he called President Obama, "the worst President in history", was locked in a contentious fight with Representative Mark Schweikert, who called him a, "carpetbagger", for having moved into the District to run against him for the Congressional seat.  A Quayle campaign staffer was quoted as saying the recent reporting that Republican House members on a trip to Israel had taken a naked swim in the Jordan River, may have factored in his Primary loss.  Congressman Quayle was on that trip and admits to have only taken a brief, respectful, dip in the river............tdp

WEDNESDAY @ THE RNC - IT'S PAUL RYAN'S BIG NIGHT............

Representative Paul Ryan, the 42 year old,  7 term, member of the House, the current Budget Committee Chairman, and author of the controversial Ryan Budget Plan, to cut Federal spending,  who 18 days ago, was chosen by Governor Mitt Romney as his running mate, takes centerstage tonight at the Repunlican National Convention in Tampa, to deliver his Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech tonight.  The address written by Matthew Scully, who asked wrote Sarah Palin's vice presidential acceptance speech, four years ago the Congressman has been rehearsing since Sunday, and will be given tonight using teleprompters that Romney-Ryan campaign staffers have said will be positioned exactly as he has practiced with them, for maximum effectiveness.  Ryan is expected to herald the change he and Mitt Romney promise to bring to American economic and budgetary policies in making the case for why voters should elect them and defeat President Obama on November 6th.  How much he will focus on Medicare and other entitlements which will be impacted by the Romney-Ryan proposals will be telling, and a key interest in the speech for millions of Americans who will be tuning in to see and hear his address.  Ryan's speech will come following an introduction of him, by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and a foreugn policy speech by former George W. Bush Administration Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, Condoleeza Rice, now the Provost of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT OBAMA STUMPING IN SWING STATES OF IOWA AND COLORADO............

As Republicans convened for their first full session of their 2012 national nominating Convention and zero in on what they call President Obama's failed leadership, the President appeared in the swing States of Iowa and Colorado, today - both of which he won in 2008, and are up for grabs this year.  Speaking to college students at Iowa State University early in the day, and Colorado State University in the evening.  Having won two third of the 18-29 year old vote in 2008, the Obama campaign is trying to fire up the young vote for this year's Election, out of concern they may turn out in lesser numbers than they did four years ago.  Telling the students Romney thinks of them as a, "lost generation", who can be discouraged and not vote in the Presidential Election, Obama asked for their support.  Traditionally, the other political party candidates, stay pretty much out of the picture during their challengers' Convention.  But Obama's two day college campus tour, will end in Charlottesville, North Carolina Wednesday night,.  This morning the President spoke from the White House on the onset of Hurricane Issac, which until it began to unfold as a tropical storm would have seen Vice President Biden campaigning in Florida this week, as a counter move during the Republican National Convention in Tampa............tdp

ANN ROMNEY APPEARS TO APPEAL TO WOMEN ON HER HUSBAND'S BEHALF............

The 10 p.m. hour has arrived on the East Coast, and Hurricane Issac has begun to batter the Gulf Coast off New Orleans, as the Republican nominee's spouse, Ann Romney steps out on the stage of the Republican Convention.  Her speech is going to speak about Love she tells listeners, and the love story of a young man she met at a dance in high school five decades ago.  She continues describing him as someone she loves because of his caring and presence to her and to their family and others and in a direct pitch to women and American voters says "his name is Mitt  Romney, and you should get to know him".  Speaking of references made to their 43 years as husband, wife, and parents, and grandparents, as a "a storybook marriage", she says of having 5 boys in the house on a rainy day, and contending with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer, is not storybook, but that what she and Mitt Romney have is a, "real marriage".  Usually the writer of her own caqmpaign speeches and speaking from her self prepared copy, this speech was written by the campaign staff and she is using a teleprompter, which she has an adeptness with.  Concluding her remarks, she is joined on stage by her husband and they kiss and wave to the applauding and approving Convention attendees......Governor Christie is next with the Keynote Address............tdp

LET TONIGHT'S PRIME TIME SPEAKERS BEGIN............

Speaker of the House John  Boehner has kicked off the parade of political leaders who will speak to the Republican National Convention leading up to the wife of the Presidential Nominee, Ann Romney and to the Keyniter, New Jersey Governor , Chris Christie.  The theme of tonight's proceedings is, "We Built That", a slap at President Onama's comment earlier this summer, Romney, Ryan, and trhe Republicans, have taken great exception to.  Boehner is talking about his family business,a bar and grill in Ohio at which he worked and how if a customer walked into the bar and made erroneous statements, "they would throw him out", inferring that is what the country shuld do to President Obama.  Party Chairman Reince Peiebus foillows him, and in his remarks proclaims the need to, "turn this country around', and says that is what needs to happen to President Obanma, "turn him around and send him back to Chicago".  Ohio Governor John Kasich, speaks of the success he is having in turning the indebtness of Ohio he inherited around arresting a $8 billion deficit while cutting taxes.  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who survived a recall election in June is enthusiastically greeted and talks of the courage of leadership in addressing the problems before the nation.  After a string of others including Senator Kelly Ayotte, and Nevada and South Catrolina Governors, Brian Sandoval, and Nikki Haley, former Pennsylvania Senator and presidential nomination aspirant, Rick Santorum is speaking, about the Welfare to Work Law, the Republicans are now claiming President Obama of going to allow waivers to, while Santorum reminding the audience, he helped write the law asserts the Congress did not provide for the possibility of a President to make arbitrary changes to the law when they enacted it, and President Clinton signed it, in 1996.  Santorum also speaks of his disabled young daughter Bella, and how he and his wife knowing sje would be born deformed chose life for her and Romney takes the dais, and the news is Mitt Romney has accompanied his wife to the Tampa Bay the inherent value of all human life - the unborn included.  There are now just minuters until Ann Times Forum, and will be seated in the audience of the Convention with his sons, for her speech............tdp

AFTER THEIR FATHER'S NOMINATION WOLF BLITZER INTERVIEWS 5 ROMNEY SONS............

CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer has just conducted a taped  interview with the 5 sons of Mitt and Ann Romney, Tg, Josh, Craig, Ben, and Matt, about their father's Presidential Nomination and his likeability.  David Gergen's analysis of what Ann Romney's twenty minute speech about her husband tonight needs to help him accomplish is not to like or love him personally, but to like the thought of seeing him as the occupant of the Oval Office.  Gloria Borger and Donna Brazile tell John King, say Mrs. Romney needs to introduce him to the American people by telling us about his personal traits and some things unknown about him as a man.Live prime time covering starting momentarily............tdp

IT'S OFFICIAL ! ROMNEY'S OVER THE TOP AND THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE............

Former Massachusetts Governor has attained the Presidential Nomination of the Republican Party to oppose President Obama's re-election in November, having gone over the top in the Delegate Count Roll Call of States.  The State of New Jersey casting its preference, gave Romney more than the 1,144 Delegate votes he needed to win the nomination.  As of now with Pennsylvania's votes cast Romney has 1,538 Delegates and Ron Paul 150 Delegates, with Rick Santorum and Undecideds at 8 Delegate votes.  The usual theatre and fanfare of a featured State casting the delegate votes clinching the nomination for the chosen candidate, was not carried out in today's Roll Call, due to the protest and votes of Ron Paul's Delegates according to the Romney campaign.  It struck me from the outset of the Roll Call that the Podium was only announcing the Romney Delegate vote count, ignoring Paul, Santorum, and others.  CNN also is noting that fact............tdp

THE REPUBLICAN ROLL CALL OF STATES NOW UNDERWAY............

Having been nominated and seconded  by Delegates from Virginia and Massachusetts Governor Williard "Mitt" Romney, has had his name submitted to the Republican National Convention as the solo candidate put in nomination; and the Roll Call of States and Trust Territories has begun.  Former California Governor Pete Wilson, announced California's winner take all 172 Delegates for Romney.  As the Roll Call proceeds to Illinois Romney's nomination has 936 Delegate votes as of Massachuetts and Michigan; Ron Paul 66 votes, and Rick Santorum 3 votes, with 1 Undecided delegate vote............tdp

EMPATHY GAP REMAINS WITH ROMNEY DESPITE LONG CAMPAIGN SHARPENING AND SHAPING HIM............

USA Today's Republican Convention pages top headline this morning was, "Long road shaped, sharpened Romney".  In it, reporter Jackie Kucinich writes how after many years of pursuing the Presidency, this is the day he will be formally nominated as the Republican candidate, that what he is trying to do is apply the lessons learned from years of political struggle to form a winning campaign.  Republican political consultant Tom Rath is quoted as saying, "This campaign is just so much his creation and his design".  Yet, despite this being his second run for the Republican Presidential nomination in just four years, and the shaping and sharpening he has supposedly gained, their remains for him the most significant empathy gap with the American people of any candidate about to be nominated as his Party's standardbearer in modern history, and I would argue going back to Wendell Wilke, the GOP's 1940 nominee, a widely unknown businessman, when he became the Republican candidate chosen to oppose President Franklin Roosevelt, who was seeking an unprecedented third term.  The enigma about Romney's empathy gap and nearly one third unsure / undecided among voters deficit, is that he is the son of a Governor, presidential candidate, and Cabinet Secretary; was Governor of Massachusetts himself, rescued the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, as well as being a Bain Capital businessman; no real stranger to the public.  Perhaps his empathy gap, which he this week has his golden opportunity to show Americans need not exist is explained in part by the "evolving", as one of his 5 sons describes it, given politically over the past eighteen years he has sought public office with three different persona's.  As a liberal Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate; as a moderate Republican for Governor; and now as conservative Republican for President; in essence, "Will the  Real Mitt Romney please Stand Up", as the pivotal moment on the, "To Tell The Truth" game show asks.  The next fifty three hours, and the coming seventy days, until the Presidential Election will certainly show whether Americans believe they know enough and feel comfortable enough to entrust him with their highest gift of confidence, residency in The White House for the next four to eight years............tdp  

ANN ROMNEY / CHRIS CHRISTIE ADDRESSES TONIGHT PRECEDED BY OTHER KEY GOP'ers SPEECHES............

Before Ann Romney and New Jersey Governor step before the Republican National Convention in the 10 p.m. Eastern prime time hour tonight with full live coverage on the broadcast networks, cable news channels, and the internet, of their wife of the Presidential Candidate and Keynote addresses, nine other key Republican officeholders and officials, will give speeches from the podium to the party faithful, during the three hours before they speak.  House speaker and the Convention's Permanent Chairman, Representative John Boehner, is the first presenter at 7 p.m. Eastern, followed in that hour by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, and former Pennsylvania Senator and 2012 GOP presidential primaries candidate Rick Santorum.  The following two hours will be led off by a speech from U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, Tea Party Republican of New Hampshire; and four current GOP Governors will deliver speeches Bob McDonnell, of Virginia; Scott Walker, of Wisconsin; Brian Sandoval, of Nevada; Nikki Haley, of South Carolina; as will Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz, a Tea Party primary victor over the establishment Republican Lt. Governor last month.  I will blog highlighting these speeches as well as the the Romney / Christie addresses starting less than four hours from now............tdp

TODAY'S CBS NEWS POLL SHOWS OBAMA / ROMNEY CONTEST A TIGHT ONE PERCENT RACE............

The latest CBS News Poll of the 2012 Presidential campaign conducted from last Wednesday August 22nd through Sunday August 26th, mirrors yesterday's ABC News - Washington Post Poll of a tight, one percentage point difference with the leader reversed, and shows President Obama with 46%; Governor Romney with 45%; 6% Undecided; and 2% who will Not Vote.  The margin of error being plus or minus 3%.  The poll is of 1,218 adults nationwide, 1,051 of whom are registered voters.  Among other findings about Romney and Obama are that when asked to respond to the phrase, Understands People Like You - 54% said Obama does, with 42% responded he does not; and 50% feel Romney does not understand them, while 41% said he does.  Also 31% of the respondents have a favorable view of Governor Romney, 36% an unfavorable view, with 32% who said they are undecided or don't know.  President Obama  is viewed favorably by 41%; unfavorably by 44%; with 14% undecided or don't know how they view him.  Obama has a ten percent lead among women, 51% - 41%; but Governor Romney leads among men by nine percent, 49% - 40%.  Mitt Romney's big opportunity this week and Thursday night in his Nomination Acceptance Speech, is to define himself more favorably for  the American people and move the nearly one third who as yet are undecided or do not know about him into supporting him.  A tight, tenaciously fought, General Election is sure to unfold over the next 70 days, as the choice between Obama and Romney remains acutely close............tdp

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION DAY 2 - GETTING UNDERWAY IN EARNEST............

In just over four and a half hours the 2012 Republican National Convention will be reconvened Representative John Boehner of Ohio, the Speaker of the House; will become the Permanent Chairman,  of the proceedings,and the essential work of the gathering will get underway.  At 7 p.m. Eastern Time the Convention will hear the two major speeches to be delivered tonight, the Keynote Address from Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey; and the wife of the presumptive presidential nominee, Ann Romney.  Each of them has a particular mission to accomplish tonight in making the case to the American public for the Romney-Ryan election campaign and the Republicans.  Governor Christie known for his straightforward, often brash, and tumultuous speaking style needs to make a strong case for why the leadership of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan is imperative and using his own governorship and those of other Republican governors to underscore the potential for effective leadership of the United States a Romney-Ryan Republican controlled Government, replacing the Obama-Biden Administration and the Democrats will provide our nation.  Ann Romney, as wife and mother is expected to present a greater look at her husband and family, humanizing and casting her husband Mitt in a more likeable light as a person of family and faith, in regards to raising their 5 sons, interacting with their 18 grandchildren, and in the love, caring, and affirmative support, he has provided her from the outset of her Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, and throughout their 43 year marriage.  The uncertainty of what will actually be happening with Tropical Storm Issac may have an affect of lessening the harshness Governor Christie can convey in delivering his message, as Americans including some Republicans outside the Convention hall, as well as Democrats and Independents, nationwide - will be more likely to take umbrage to overly partisan attack on the poltical opposition if Issac is pounding New Orleans, on the eve of the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  First tonight however, the Republicans will formally nominate Mitt Romney as their 2012 candidate for President of the United States............Fr.  Troy

SURPRISING NEW POLL NUMBERS IN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION STATES............

A new Time/CNN/ORC Poll released today as Republican National Convention begins in Tampa, Florida; and the Democratic National Convention prepares to open in Charlotte, North Carolina; next week - shows surprising current standings for President Obama and Governor Romney.  In Florida, Obama has 50% support; Romney 46% support.  The margin of error being plus or minus 3.5%; and the survey is comprised of 1,020 respondents, 895 registered voters;  and 776 likely voters.  In North Carolina, today's poll has Romney with 48% support; Obama 47% support.  It is a survey of 1,019 respondents, 905 registered voters; 766 likely voters; also with a plus or minus 3.5% margin of error.  Nationally, the new ABC News-Washington Post Poll published this morning has Romey leading Obama by one percentage point, 47%; - 46%; plus or minus, a 4%; margin of error.  These three polls going into the two National Nominating Conventions again underscore the tightness of the Presidential race and the closeness of its outcome in November, which almost certainly will make the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates very important in determining who will win the White House............tdp  

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 2012 "IN SESSION" AND "CALLED TO ORDER"............

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has just proclaimed the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida with the words, "in session", and "called to order", and within the minuted has stated the Convention stands in recess.  A Prayer is also being delivered by a Christian Minister from Houston, Texas.  A digital debt clock which will compute the national debt accumulating from the start of this Convention, along with another debt clock of the total American deficit,   which Chairman Priebus said will be a reminder of the debt mounting under President Obama, and following the Invocation a videotape led off by highlighting Mitt Romney speaking on the campaign trail is being shown.  CNN is reporting the videotape started with Romney saying, "We Believe In America", which will be a constant reference during the GOP Convention this week, and is in tandem with the Romney campaign slogan, "Believe In  America".  Just in a poll showing Romney trailing Obama in Florida by 4%.   ; and leading the President by 1% in North Carolina...........tdp

JEB BUSH CRITICIZES PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR BLAMING HIS BROTHER............

Former Florida Governor John Ellis 'Jeb' Bush, son and brother of President Bush numbers 41, and 43, appearing on NBC News "Meet The Press", on Sunday told moderator David Gregory President Obama should stop blaming his brother President George Walker Bush, for the continuing economic difficulties.  Admitting Obama inherited a very bad situation, he went on to say the current President's policies have failed and that being taught it is unfair to blame others, President Obama must accept responsibility for the present economic hardship.  Jeb Bush was scheduled to address the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida tonight, but with the postponement and compression of the Convention schedule he will now speak on Thursday in the lead up to his fellow Floridan U.S. Senator Marco Rubio's introduction of Governor Mitt Romney and his Acceptance Speech.  Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, are seen as potential future Republican candidates for President.  Bush's statement on Sunday flies in the face of a Gallup Poll earlier this summer which finds while 52% of Americans blame President Obama for the current economic doldrums - 68% believe President G.W. Bush bears the greater responsibility for what has occurred.  Mitt Romney's foremost challenge is to favorably convince American voters over the next ten weeks his stewardship of the Economy will better improve it's positive progress and growth instead of what President Obama's leadership provides............tdp

"ISSAC" DISRUPTS START OF RNC 2012 IN TAMPA FLORIDA............

For the third time in seven years a tropical storm turning hurricane, has struck a Republican Administration and two successive National Nominating Conventions, as the storm designated Issac, touched on the tip of Florida yesterday, with the Republican Gathering at which Governor Mitt Romney, and Representative Paul Ryan, will be nominated as the GOP running mates for President and Vice President was scheduled to open today.  In just under five hours Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, will convene the Convention in the Tampa Bay Times Forum complex and then recess it ten minutes later until Tuesday evening, effectively compressing their 40th quadrennial Presidential nominating celebration into three days.  I am tracking the full proceedings and will be blogging about them as they unfold and Romney-Ryan and the Republicans showcase their candidacies for leading America and replace the Obama-Biden Administration............Fr.  Troy

CONSISTENTLY BELIEVING AND UNDERSTANDING IN LIVING FAITH............

The scriptural treatise that encompasses the theology of the Eucharist we believe and understand as Catholic-Christians in the Gospel of John Chapter 6, which has been our Sunday Gospel Proclamation at Mass, the past several weeks concludes today.  Yet the central theme of our Sunday Scriptures today is not eucharistic, but rather our need for consistency in believing and understanding that our Faith and Discipleship in Jesus is a solid anchor at all times, in every circumstance, and not grow disillusioned in the face of difficulties and hardship.  Many of the Jesus' initial followers eagerly sought after Him and accepted His teachings until the mystery of the Eucharist was proclaimed.  What they could not comprehend or accept in believing that the bread Jesus shared with them is His very own Body caused them to drop away.  Consistency in believing and understanding the Teachings of Jesus Christ is not about blind or unquestioning faith, but about possessing and maintaining a vibrant, Living Faith built on the rock of Discipleship that is fortified and sustained by the inclusion of Prayer in our daily lives, taking time to contemplate and discern the presence and direction God is calling us to embrace and share, as we carry out our individual and collective responsibilities as Faithful Witnesses of the Father, Son, and Spirit, redeemed and reinvigorated in Christ.  On this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time and during the week ahead, make an extra effort to make time for the quality of Prayer necessary to keep your life anchored in believing and understanding whatever you may be experiencing good, bad, joyful, sorrowful, - that with Living Faith in the presence and power of Jesus The Christ ever with us - we can and will continue to proceed on the path that bears our truest purpose and fulfillment: Discipleship that will be crowned by dwelling forever in the Light and Love of the Eternal Living and True God............Fr.  Troy  

THE DEATH OF A TRAILBLAZER BEYOND THIS WORLD............

Neil Armstrong, who 43 years, 1 monh, and 5 days, ago - on July 20, 1969, made until then unprecedented universal history by becoming the first human to step and walk on the Moon, has died today at the age of 82, from complications following heart surgery.  Armstrong was the Commander of the American NASA Apollo XI Space mission in the summer of 1969, that fulfilled the goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth before the end of the decade.  What he and his astronaut colleagues accomplished are wonderfully captured in the spirit of the words he proclaimed as he set foot on the Moon's surface on that day more than four decades ago, "One small step for man; One giant leap for mankind".  Thanks to Neil Armstrong and two generations of others committed to pioneering and participating in journeys in Space, America and the World are a more greatly empowered by the knowledge, insight, and technological development that their endeavors have helped to attain and to further.  God Bless Neil Armstrong and May the Light of the Heavens he once orbited from outer Space and the Moon now Shine upon him Everlastingly............Fr.  Troy

ON THIS DAY 3 YEARS AGO TODAY............

As I awake on this Saturday morning August 25, 2012;  in Phoenix, Arizona my memory immediately goes back to this date and this city, three years ago today, when at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, just a few miles from where I sit blogging at this moment, I underwent a Kidney Transplant.  Thanks to the generosity of my living donor Victor Herrera, and the outstanding skills of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Team, I received a strong and vitally functioning kidney that restored my organ function and renewed the viability of my life.  My words can but begin to express the depth and debt of gratitude I have for the many persons who have been, and who are, a presence me through both the plight and the progress of the past five and a half years  and indeed, the past decade of my life and vocation.  For your affirmation and understanding of my commitment and resolve to push forward, in carrying out my priestly and pastoral ministry, even as others take a less enlightened or encouraging view.  As I journey forth from this week's 3rd annual evaluation and the fourth year of my life as a transplant recipient, I earnestly and fervantly pray and hope, that by the time I return to Phoenix one year from now, every obstacle and obstruction has been dissolved to being back in full time parish ministry as a Priest of Jesus Christ in and for the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento............Fr.  Troy David Powers

3RD ANNUAL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION COMPLETE WITH VERY GOOD RESULTS............

Day 2 of my Kidney Transplant evaluation for this year, started off with the unexpected delay in getting the hotel shuttle to the Mayo Clinic, as the shuttle driver was not told of my 9:30 a.m. ride request and departed with other residents from the hotel next door at 9:20 a.m., without me.  I waited after calling him and he returned at 10:15 a.m., and got me to the Phoenix campus just in the nick of time to catch the Mayo Clinic shuttle for the fourteen mile drive over to the Scottsdale campus for an 11 a.m. appointment.  I literally walked in the door of the Mayo Clinic building at 11 o'clock and the doctor arrived in the examining room less than five minutes later !  Because immunio suppression makes transplant recipients more subject to skin cancer, as much as 65% more likely to contract it, a dermatological check is included in the evaluation.  Then it was back to the Phoenix campus, to meet with the Physician's Assistant, Susan Lostetter, for the summary discussion of my medications, medical history, yesterday's blood labs, and a brief physical examination.  A relatively light scheduled two days this year, which Susan says will continue to be the case as long as my kidney function continues successfully.  So I am back at the Hampton Inn, where I will chillax tomorrow, before heading to Southern California, where I will vacation while watching and blogging as much as possible during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions............Fr.  Troy

DISGRUNTLED FIRED EMPLOYEE SHOOTS CO-WORKER AND NINE OTHERS AT EMPIRE STATE BUILDING............

I awoke on this second morning of my 3rd annual Evaluation of my Kidney Transplant, in Phoenix, Arizona; to the breaking news of a shooting this morning at the Empire State Building in New York City.  The 53 year old gunman killed a former co-worker and wounded another nine people, before being killed by police himself.  Having been at and in the Empire State Building with my Irish visitors just three and a half months ago, increases the poignancy of this act of violence for me.  This latest occurrence of gun violence comes five weeks after 12 persons were shot and killed in a movie theater in Colorado; 6 persons had their lives taken at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin; and 3 died by gunfire near the university, Texas A & M.   New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a leading voice for more gun control enforcement, who in recent weeks has challenged President Obama and Governor Romney, to do more to lead the nation in addressing the increasing gun violence we are witnessing vis a vis incidents like these, is most likely to rachet up his and others call that we do more as a nation to lessen such senseless attacks............Fr.  Troy

MORNING LABS AND A FIRST MEETING AT THE MAYO CLINIC............

A 6 a.m. wake up call and out the Hampton Inn driveway at just after with Nick the shuttle driver and six other residents / patients for the journey to the Mayo Clinic Hospital Specialty Building for my 7:50 a.m. fasting lab work.  The technician drew six vials of blood, in one easy stick of my right hand at the wrist.  I then went to the cafeteria and had breakfast, followed by my morning medications and returned to the Specialty Building to await my 10 a.m. appointment with a Patients Account representative.  She called me more more than a half hour early, even before I was officially checked in for the appointment, and we were finished and Nick had me shuttled back to the hotel just before 10 o'clock.  That is my Mayo Evaluation  done for today.  Tomorrow I have an 11 a.m. appointment at the Scottsdale location with one of the doctors, and then a 1 p.m. evaluation review with the physician's assistant............Fr.  Troy

SERIOUS CAMPAIGN OR POLITICAL CIRCUS ?............

Just ten days ago Governor Mitt Romney announced Representative Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate with the expectation that would lead to a substantive discussion of essential issues versus the personal foibles that have dominated thus far.  The future plans for Medicare, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, Jobs, and the Economy among the most important ones.  Then before the Ryan roll out weekend was over, Romney and Ryan were discussing not just their promise of leadership for Amerca, but accusing President Obama of running a campaign of hate to get reelected.  Vice President Joe Biden speaks of people being chained by the banking proposals of the Romney campaign and uses the words, "ya all", in the southern setting of Danville, Virginia, before an audience that was fifty percent African-American.  He is accused of playing the race card and outrage from the Republicans, including Romney, even though he himself feigned a southern accent in South Carolina for several days seven months ago, having been counseled by other politicians to do so, to appeal to primary voters.  And  President Obama makes yet another campaign inference to the Romney family dog Seamus, atop the car, an attempt at humor deflecting from the serious point he was speaking about. These developments led into the past four days fallout from Missouri Congressman Todd Akin's insensitive words about Rape, two weeks after winning the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, being all but universally decried and dominating the news and the focus of the presidential campaign on the cusp of the two National Conventions; has diverted any progress being made on substantive issues for the time being.  The Obama-Biden and Romney-Ryan campaigns need to get the General Election on track and end the silly season talking and explaining their positions on the vital issues to this contest for President, and not allow poltical distractions or personal ambitions to divert from the very serious choice facing Americans on November 6th, in the election of the next President of the United States............Fr.  Troy

PHOENIX / SCOTTSDALE HERE I AM FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN THREE YEARS............

I had a very smooth journey from Sacramento to Phoenix over the past seven hours.  From the taxi ride to the bank and the airport at 10 a.m., and the flight, which made a stop in Ontario, CA, that didn't require a plane change; the Southwest flight attendants and airport staffs were quite attentive in assisting me on and off the plane and to and from the gateways, baggage claim, and taxi stand.  I arrived at the Hampton Inn at just after 4 o'clock, checking in here for the sixth time in three years; for when Tammy Herrera found these lodgings for she and Victor, my twin sisters, and me in 2009, she arranged excellent suite accommodations for an outstanding cost and a hotel shuttle to the Mayo Clinic.  So here I am ready to start my 3rd Year Kidney Transplant Evaluation on Thursday and proud to be here under my own volition, further proof my amputation and wheelchair are not preventing me from living my life without being a burden to others............Fr.  Troy

50,000 PAGE VIEWS OF, "INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH"............

Tonight the total number of page views this blog, "Insights Into Life And Faith By Father Troy David Powers", has received over the past 40 months, surpassed the 50,000 mark.  To all those who have read or are following my blog, I say thank you and assure you of my desire to continue providing my American and international audience with pertinent information of a priestly, pastoral, social, spiritual, and historical, perspective about the beliefs, and practices, that shape and structure the insights to living and believing as Catholic-Christian members of the Church and Citizens of the World in the 21st Century and Third Millennium............Prayers and Peace in Jesus the Lord,   Fr.  Troy

ON THE EVE OF MY ANNUAL EVALUATION VISIT TO PHOENIX MORE FRIENDS COME TO VISIT............

Preparing to fly to Phoenix, Arizona tomorrow for my 3rd Annual Kidney Transplant at the Mayo Clinic; I am very pleased today to have received welcome visits from my friends Sara and Pete Nava, and my colleague Reverend Father Steve Avella.  Pete and Sara came by this morning before lunch and we had a pleasant chat, as we have had so often for more than thirty years at St. Rose's Church and in their home in South Sacramento.  Their friendship and support have been a joyful mainstay in my life, as it continues to be now.  Fr. Steve arrived just after 4 o'clock and we had a well rounded conversation for upwards of an hour before dinner, catching up on current events, as Steve winds down his visit home in Sacramento and returns to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to his professorship  for the new academic year.  Like the other visitors I blogged about last week, Sara, Pete, and Steve, provided a boon to my spirits at a time when the frustration increases daily at being sidelined unnecessarily.  Some of the spiritual reading I am doing speaks of Encouragement as an essential component of the spirituality of priests.  I certainly believe and experience that as being true for me, as the encouragement, example, and expressions, of solidarity from family members, other priests, and cherished friends, who truly support me and care about me sustaining my vocation, are increasing their affirmation and presence prayerfully and socially.  The next two and a half weeks give me the opportunity to break out of the redundancy days currently hold for me, when there is pastoral ministry I can and should be doing.  Enjoying the next seventeen days instead of merely enduring them, will also please God; lift my personal, priestly, spirituality from the shackles at least temporarily, of a setting that does not define my life or my priesthood, at age 55............Fr.  Troy

"BREAD FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD" THAT IS TRULY THE BODY OF CHRIST............

Believing in Jesus as the Christ, who came down from Heaven and is the life of the World, on this 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time we are summoned by the Sacred Scriptures specifically John 6:51-58; as we  celebrate the Eucharist, to become sharers beyond our human understanding in the life of Jesus as people of living Faith.  Throughout his Public Ministry Jesus consistently proclaimed the coming of God's Kingdom and how near at hand it is.  The Kingdom of God lives in us and is nourished and nurtured by our sharing in the imperishable bread that feeds us spiritually and sacramentally, the Bread of Life that is the Body of Christ.  Jesus is the Living Bread who comes down from the Kingdom of God in Eternal Life to feed us, so that we we can become fully alive as believers in and witnesses to the Kingdom, empowered to share the promise of everlasting life Jesus leads us to discover.  By sharing the Eucharist on Sunday with other members of the Community of Believers and bearing Witness to our belief in Jesus as the Bread of Life for us everyday, we are able to feed others and encourage them to discover Jesus as the sustaining bread of their lives.  May the grace of God's Word and the sustenance of the Holy Eucharist nourish and strengthen us in believing, celebrating, and proclaiming, the Bread of Life that is our food and fuel on earth, so that we may share forever in the Eternal Banquet of God's Communion in heaven............Fr.  Troy  

SLOW MOTION SATURDAY............

After two days in a row of lunch and coffee outings getting out into the community beyond the corner of 39th  & J Streets, Saturday was a slow paced day, which even played out at lunch and dinner.  My anticipation for traveling to Phoenix on Tuesday and a two and a half week respite from the surroundings of Mercy McMahon away and on the road, will be reinvigorating and closer to my normal existence in the general community, instead of subsisting in this environment where my relative youth is obvious.  Days like today are a reminder to me of the value of the opportunities I have to break away from the mundane routine of a holding pattern I need not be in, and to maximize the time they afford me for an ongoing normative experience for a man and particularly a priest, not ready to retire and whose physical disability does not preclude me from continuing in the ministry I am ordained to carry out............Fr.  Troy

DELIGHTING WITH THE DAHLBERGS AT LA ROSA BLANCA............

In the lead up to my going to Phoenix next Tuesday for my 3rd Year Transplant Evaluation, Irene and Ted Dahlberg took to me to lunch today at La Rosa Blanca Restaurant on Fulton Avenue, their first time there and my return visit back after eight months away.  Jeremy was working today so it was a double treat delighting in LRB's delicious food and having the chance to see Jeremy and a picture of his eight and a half month old son.  Joe Gibson has just called and invited me to go down to Peet's with him before dinner.  Ruth Rosenberg may join us.  Each of these outings and others are welcome visits with valued friends I am truly blessed to have and who care enough about my socializing beyond these walls while I am away from parish life, to provide these opportunities to get out regularly and maintain a degree of normalcy during this abnormal time.  My gratitude to Ted and Irene, Joe and Ruth, the McNamaras, the Penningtons, among other cherished and faithful friends, who I appreciate ever greater............Fr.  Troy

LUNCHING AT THE BON LAIR WITH MY FRIEND J. PATRICK MCNAMARA............

Joe McNamara came by this afternoon and took me to lunch down the street at the Bon Lair Pub, where we caught up on things and had an enjoyable visit.  It was great to breakaway for an hour or two, and and  spend some quality time together as we have so many times over the past twenty five from my Ordination/First Mass weekend, to his going with me on my 1987 visit to Ireland and his active participation in my Silver Jubilee celebration three months ago.  He and his wife Deb, along with the entire McNamara Family have been, and continue to be, very good friends and supporters; especially now when their friendship means even more to me interpersonally, spiritually, and socially.  Father Steve Avella also stopped in for a friendly and fraternal hello, with a former student of his who is now a Bishop.  As always, seeing and speaking with Steve brightens and enriches my day as he is an inspiring and outstanding priest............Fr.  Troy

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY HOLYDAY AND A 60TH PRIESTLY JUBILEE............

On this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we commemote Catholic-Christian belief that the pure and predestined Mother of God's Son, Jesus Christ who was preserved from sin from the moment of her conception, was also preserved at the end of her earthly life from the grave by being assumed into Heaven, Body and Soul. It has been the centuries old faith tradition of faithful believers that she dwells whole and complete as  Queen of God's Kingdom forever in Eternal Life with the Communion of Saints.  Today, is also the 60th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Reverend Father Cipriano Ramos, who is a retired priest of the Sacramento Diocese living here at Mercy McMahon Terrace.  Bishop Jaime Soto, joined by Bishops Emeritus William Weigand and Francis Quinn,  will join Father Ramos and other priests, in concelebrating his Diamond Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving.  The visiting Chef Tony is back again tonight for another of his splendid dinners.  The menu tonight being Roast Pork / Roast Turkey, which means a more filling portion of my favorite food, breast of turkey.  Here's hoping your midde of August summer day is a blessed one............Fr.  Troy

TODAY IN REVIEW : NEW FLOOR, ROOM SERVICE, OUT OF ORDER ELEVATOR............

Today was an out of the ordinary day here at Mercy McMahon.  The Dining Room floor was renovated  with the previous carpeting removed and and a new wooden floor installed.  The work on the Dining room floor necessitated eating Breakfast and Lunch in our rooms.  We were told Dinner would be served as usual, in the Dining Room at  5 p.m.  Therefore, I was in my room until the late afternoon, when Joe Gibson called and invited me to go with him to Peet's, for one of our regular coffee chats.  I agreed to meet him downstairs at the front entrance as usual, and left my room in my wheelchair at 3:58 p.m., and rolled the few feet across the hall to the elevator.  Sitting there reaching to push the button, I saw a sign posted above the buttons, reading Out of Order.  Unaware until then there was a problem with accessing the elevator, I returned to my room and called Joe to inform him I could not come to meet him for coffee at Peet's.  As I thoroughly enjoy these breakaways with him and other friends when they invite me, I was disappointed and sorry to have to let Joe down.  I learned an hour later, when at 5 o'clock it was time to go to dinner, that the North Elevator was still out of order, and others gathered at the elevator said we should go to the South Elevator, which fortunately was in operation.  If I had known to do that an hour earlier, Peet's with Joe would still have happened.  The new wood Dining Room floor is brilliantly beautuful and brightens the room.  I was very happy to see that the tables have been rearranged so that there is more space between the table I sit at and the one behind us.  The passage between us is now widened, which I very gladly welcome, as I have been bumped into sitting in the wheelchair at my table almost daily, the past five months - by residents and staff alike; and multiple times a day at lunch and dinner, in the past two weeks.  So welcome to the wider pathway !  As the day ends, it has been different from most of the predictable, "same 'ol, same 'ol, hanging out and hanging in", days as I say about my time here in involuntary exile from parish life and priestly ministry.  Next week I travel to Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona for my 3rd Annual Kidney Transplant Evaluation at the Mayo Clinic.  I look forward to the time away and then the Republican and Democratic National Conventions the following two weeks, a nice change in my daily routine at present............Fr.  Troy  

ASSAD REGIME COLLAPSING ACCORDING TO DEFECTING SYRIAN PRIME MINISTER............

The persecution against the Syrian people by the military forces of President Bashar al Assad, which has resulted in outright violence throughout much of the country as the Assad Government contends with an insurgency of Syrians fighting for control of the country which has intensified in recent months, led this month to the defection of the sitting Prime Minister over to the insurgents.  In his first public appearance following his defection, the former Prime Minister Riad Hijab, claims the Assad forces now control only 30% of the country after struggling against the rebels for the past seventeen months of their revolt against Assad.  Hijab, who was only in office for two months did not expound on how he knows the Assad's army holds less than a third of Syria especially since the military has retaken  parts of Damascus from the rebels, as they try to hold the city of Aleppo, the business center and largest city of Syria, against the brimming insurgency.  Hijab is a Sunni Muslim, who compromise 70% of Syria's population.  Assad is a member of the Alawite sect, which is a spin-off of Shiite Islam.  How close to collapse President Assad is, remains uncertain as does how much of the country is not currently under his control; however, the President is increasingly dependent on the  military and his own Alawite security to keep him in power.  With many of the towns along the country's backbone from north to south, and at the Syrian eastern and northern borders, the deadly struggle to retain control, or achieve  overthrow continue.  Some Americans on the neo-conservative right, are arguing for us to intervene and news reports last week indicated President Obama has signed a covert order, an intelligence finding - that allows for technical and communications assistance to the rebels, from federal agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency.  This report follows the Obama Administration;s public response to the failure of the United Nations Security Council in July, to impose steeper, more stringent, sanctions on the Assad regime, due to the unwillingness of China and Russia to support them.  There are also news reports today stating an Irish source is declaring that veterans of the Libyan rebellion and overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi  are now involved in training and organizing the Syrian rebels.  Any further intervention militarily by the United States at this time with Iraq still in transition after our involvement in its civil war; and our continuing participation in the Afghanistan War bogged down in an unending conflict after more than a decade of battling the Taliban, is growing increasingly unpopular with the American public, even with a 2014 American withdrawal scheduled; now is not the time for direct American military involvement in Syria.  American and Worldwide support for the right of the Syrian people to be governed with freedom from tyranny and violence inflicted upon them by any force, especially their nation's beleaguered President, who clings to ruling Syria............Fr.  Troy    

PAPERS PILFERING PAPAL BUTLER TO STAND TRIAL............

Paolo Gabriele, who served as Pope Benedict XVI'S butler until it was discovered he was passing private papers from the papal desk to a journalist which were used in the authoring of a book alledging infighting, malfeasance, and corruption,  in the Vaican was indicted on Monday and will be made to stand trial for doing so, the Vatican has decided.  Gabriele in his mid forties, is a married man with three children, and described as a devout and pious Catholic.  He is reported to have admitted to investigators that he grew "disillusioned",  with the "evil", and "corruption", he saw and with belief that, "the Holy Spirit sheds light on everything in the Church decided that a shock...even in the media would put the Church back on track".  He is said to have also told investigators, "that in a way he was working undercover for the Holy Spirit".  He will be put on trial at the Vatican along with another employee in the Vatican Secretary of State's office who is accused of aiding and abetting the butler's release of documents vis a vis the computer system.  In addition to lifting sensitive documents and papal letters from the Vatican and sharing them with the reporter whose now best selling book includes, other items belonging to the pope were found in his private apartment.  If found guilty he could serve up to 5 years in an Italian prison for aggravated theft.  The Vatican dies not have a prison, only holding cells.  My question as questionable practices at the Vatican Bank have also come to light, is were the butler's acts, agreeably a wrong doing, and breach of trust and confidentiality; as much a crime, as it is a misdirected intention of a moral whistle blower for the cleansing and  spiritual renewal of the Church ?  The psychological stability of Paolo Gabriele, is also a consideration which may be a factor in why he carried out his troubling concerns about the evil and corruption he says he observed and led to his actions ...........Fr.  Troy

SENDING SUNNY SACRAMENTO BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO KAY IN LOVELY LETTERKENNY............

My thoughts and affection flow across the miles from California to County Donegal, wishing Kay Griffin McDaid, Many Happy Returns and All the Best on her Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!  As she celebrates her personal solemnity and opens another year of Life and Love for her Family, Neighbors, Friends, Church, and Community, I pray she will experience the blessings generated by her boundless Caring and Love.  Next month will mark 30 Years since  met on a day of budding anticipation, and new beginnings for twenty seminarians, one of whom was her son Paul.   EnJoY the DaY  KAY, with Stephen, your children, grandcgildren, and all your loved ones !!!!!!!!!!!!............Troy

OCTOBER PRESIDENTIAL / VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE MODERATORS ANNOUNCED............

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced the four moderators today of the 3 Presidential, and 1 Vice Presidential Debates between President Obama and Governor Romney, as well as Vice President Biden and Representative Ryan.  The first Debate on Wednesday October 3rd, between Obama and Romney, will be moderated by Jim Lehrer, of  PBS; Candy Crowley, of CNN, will conduct a Town Hall meeting style Debate format discussion between Romney and Obama, on Tuesday October 16th.  Bob Schieffer, of CBS News will lead the Monday October 22nd Obama / Romney Debate.  The face-off  between Biden / Ryan  has as it's moderator Martha Raddatz, of ABC News.  In announcing these two veteran Presidential Debate moderators, Lehrer and Schieffer; and two first time Presidential / Vice Presidential Debate faciltators, Crowley and Raddatz, the non partisan Commission Co-Chairmen, Frank Fahrenkopf and Mike McCurry, said, "These journalists bring extensive experience to the job of moderating and understand the importance of using the extended time periods to maximum benefit.  We are grateful for their willingness to moderate, and are confident the public will learn more about the candidates and the issues as a result".  Crowley and Raddatz will be the first two women since 1992, to be conducting one of these very widely watched candidate exchanges.  CNN, in a recent poll found that 57% of Americans say these Debates are very important to deciding who they will vote for to be President............tdp

USA TODAY-GALLUP POLL 1 DAY SURVEY OF PAUL RYAN AS VP CHOICE............

The first flashpoll, a one day survey of survey of 1,006 persons and comprised of all adults not just registered voters, shows a lukewarm response to Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his 2012 running mate for President.  Thirty nine percent (39%) of the respondents feel Congressman Ryan is an Excellent or Pretty Good choice as a Vice presidential candidate.  Forty two (42%) of the respondents feel Representative Ryan is a Fair or Poor  selection as the Vice Presidential nominee.  Ninteen percent (19%) either are of No Opinion about Ryan.  CNN's Wolf Blitzer says these numbers are slightly lower for Ryan than they were in 2008, for Sarah Palin.   Other multi-day taken polls underway, will be released later this week, and according to Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director / White House Correspondent and host of. "The Daily Rundown" on MSNBC, we should know on Friday, what the first really accurate assessment of Ryan's being chosen by Romney is by Americans............tdp

REPUBLICAN RUNNING MATES GO SOLO TO FLORIDA AND IOWA WHILE THE PRESIDENT ALSO CAMPAIGNS IN IOWA TODAY............

After shaking hands after their last rally together yesterday in Wisconsin, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan bid each other farewell until the Republican National Convention two weeks from now and will be campaigning on their own, as Romney and Ryan continue the roll-out swing States  bus tour they have embarked on.  Governor Romney is in St. Augustine and Miami, Florida today for campaign appearances with the Sunshine State's junior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio; while Representative Ryan is going to Iowa State Fair, in Des Moines.  It will also be the first same day, same state, campaigning in this phase of the presidential election season, as President Obama will also be starting his already scheduled three day bus tour of seven towns and cities in Iowa beginning in Council Bluffs.  The President and Congressman Ryan will be appearing just 128.5 miles apart.  The Democratic incumbent is expected to speak about the Ryan Budget Plan and how it w partially privatize and / or voucherize Medicare as we know it, for Americans; while the presumptive Republican running mate will likely attempt to counter what the GOP commonly now refer to as, "Mediscare", on the part of the Democrats, as did retiring Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, over the weekend and  as Representative Ryan shares the vision and plan(s) he and Governor Romney have to stabilize and assure the long term future of Medicare.  I look forward to following today's campaign events and blogging about them later in the day, with 85 days to go to Election 2012............

MITT ROMNEY AND PAUL RYAN GIVE THEIR FIRST JOINT INTERVIEW TO BOB SCHIEFFER ON "60 MINUTES"............

At a furniture store in High Point, North Carolina this afternoon the Republican Presidential Ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, gave their first interview as running mates to "60 Minutes", and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and "Face The Nation" moderator, Bob Schieffer.  The nearly fifteen minute interview that aired included discussion of how Romney decided on Ryan as his choice and saying he realized that his help was needed to put the country back on track, having met with him during the past year to discuss policy and was impressed with Ryan's acumen, leadership and desire to make a difference in Washington.  Ryan spoke of the perilous situation he feels the country is in and how he has tried as House Budget Committe Chairman to address the economic and fiscal challenges the country faces and how the need to provide leadership to turn things around, to get the country back on track, and put the people on the right path again, excites him.  Asked about their potential working relationship should they win the election, Romney said they will work together, look at important issues together, and that Ryan will be consulted with others, on important matters in making decisions and that he, as President will make the final call.  Ryan said he does not think Romney has been defensive about Bain Capital at all; nor about his role as Governor of Massachusetts.  Ryan answered by calling Obama's inability to run on his record causing him to raise questions about Romney's record at  creating businesses, and turning around struggling businesses, which Ryan calls outstanding.  He went on to say that is what the two of them want to see happen for this  country because it creates more jobs, better take home pay, and better futures for the people.  Romney said Ryan's role in an Administration would be to work on areas of his expertise and passion, taking actual leadership in those areas, and certain Cabinet working directly with him.  Also because of his bipartisan ability to work with members of Congress to have him play a role in that way bringing them together, to do what is right for the country.  Ryan mentioned the dysfunction in Congress, but said the House Republicans have been sowing seeds of bipartisan compromise on big issues, so that next year things can get done.  Speaking of taxes and the wealthiest Americans paying the larger share but at a lower rate, given capital gain deductions, etc., Romney said it depends on the individual,  but that, "the top one percent, five percent, quartile, whatever - they pay the largest share of taxes and that is not something I would propose making smaller".  Ryan responded in a way I found surprising given the campaign questions the past few months surrounding Romney's income taxes, tax shelters, offshore and Swiss banking accounts, by proclaiming, "What we're saying is take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in the top tax brackets so they can't shelter as much money from taxation, should have lower rates for everybody to make America more competitive".  Schieffer then asked Ryan how many years of tax returns he had submitted for the vetting process and Ryan said several years; but that he will be releasing the same amount as Governor Romney, two years.  And he then continued to excoriate the President for using this issue as a distraction and said the people he talks to aren't asking where the tax returns are, but "Where are the jobs ?   Where is the economic growth ?  Those are the issues that matter"; and he concluded his answer with, "we are going to focus on what it takes to turn this country around and get people back to work".  The two running mates will now go separate directions as Romney proceeds on to Florida, where he will bus tour tomorrow with Senator Marco Rubio; and Ryan will be campaigning in Iowa, another midwestern swing State, which like Wisconsin, and Ohio, the Republicans hope to win back this year............Fr.  Troy

WISCONSIN HOME COMING FOR VP CANDIDATE PAUL RYAN @ RALLY WITH MITT ROMNEY............

If 10,000 people attended the High Point, NC; Romney-Ryan rally a few hours ago, a record setting number for the Romney campaign to date; then how many thousands will be present in Wisconsin, just 61.2 miles from Paul Ryan's hometown will be interesting to see and to know.  CNN's John King is reporting it is in the thousands, and the candidates appearance is expected momentarily.  Waukesa, Wisconsin where the rally is being held is one of the highest voting Republican areas in the State. This Rally will conclude the campaign day for the Romney and Ryan, except for their first joint interview with Bob Schieffer on "60 Minutes", tonight on CBS Television.  The Romney-Ryan campaign bus has arrived in Waukesha, location of the rally and freshman U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, elected in 2010 as a Republican  Tea Party candidate is warming up the crowd with a speech.   Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who survived a recall election on June 5th, will be introducing Representative Ryan shortly.  Governor Walker says it is a Great Day for America and is energetically singing the praises of both Romney and Ryan asking if the crowd is readybto hear from them both and they make an intandem exit from the bus through the large crowd to soaring martial sounding music, shaking hands to smathered applause and cheers.  Ryan is waving to the crowd, while Romney is walking the line clasping hands.  Onto the stage they come with handshakes and hugs for the GHovernor and other officials on stage and now start the customary joint waves to the applauding crowd.  Ryan has taken the podium as the cheers and applause continues.  He has taken the microphone in hand and says, It is Good to be Home.  I Love Wisconsin.  Acknowledges his large family, announces his a fifth generation Wisconsinite.  Introduces his wife and children.  And that the home they live in is on  the block he grew up on.  Recites a litany of Wisconsin delights from Cheese to Miller beer. After acknoledging the political leaders and the results of the June 5th recall election he says saved the State, comments the November 6th election will save the country.  Goes into a litany of complaint about Obama's governance what he calls the politics of the past, dividing, distorting, distracting, or follow the idea that America's rights come from nature and God.    He continues it will take another election like 2010 and in 2013 we will fix the country.  And look back to see that it was our generation that created a brighter future for our children.  He begins his introduction of Romney and again repeats, "You did build that !".  Saying this is it, the election, the choice,. because when they win this election they go and fix this mess in Washington.  Lauds American Freedom and Free Enterprise, and introduces Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States of America.  Romney begins by asking if the crowd thinks he picked the right man ?  And says he knows he did, then chants of USA, USA, USA, break out but so does a disruption, from a man shouting repeatedly, it's time to go home.  Romney launches into his stump speech and is halted by greater chants of USA, USA, USA, with Romney challenging the protester and chides him for disrupting, and not listening with dignity and respect; then attacks the President for the campaign he is mounting.  He proceeds with his 5 point Plan.  And the speech continues as he has given it earlier today and yesterday.  I shall blog again following the "60 Minutes" interview with Romney and Ryan............Fr.  Troy

R n R RALLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIGH POINT, NC............

Paul Ryan is now speaking in High Point, N.C.;  saying that together, he and Mitt Romney are going to get the country back on track, from a path of doubt, debt, and despair.  He says putting it back on track will mean providing for our children's future, because that is what our parents did for us.  He describes America as being unique, as not only a place, but an idea.  He says again as he has at most of these rallies, the idea is that our liberty/freedom comes from nature and God, not from government.  He is telling the crowd our nation is facing a test, and that that test requires leadership, the kind of leadership Romney, who he calls the epitome of leadership, is the one to provide.  Citing his raising of a Family, building a Business, saving the Olympics, and who as Governor did successfully the opposite of the policies President Obama tried and failed with.  He introduces Romney concluding with the comment that the President has gone from Hope and Change, to Attack and Blame, which he says Romney and Ryan will not allow.  Governor Romney after recognitions and introductions of persons in the crowd, namely Veterans, and introduction of politicians, begins delivering his speech talking about critical times,  NC's 9.4% Unemployment, the national debt/deficit, and touts his 5 points of focus as President, -  Energy, Schools, Trade, Cutting Spending, Championing Business.  He refers to the economic messes in California, Greece, and Europe, and says he and Ryan will restore the Economy.  That wraps up their High Point appearance and the bus tour will now travel to the last public event of the campaign day, added to the schedule, a HomeComing Rally to greet and meet Romney-Ryan in Waukesha, Wisconsin; which is just over sixty miles from Ryan's hometown of Janesville, the last of the two candidates joint appearances on this bus tour.  NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander reports there were 10,000 people at the High Point rally, the largest crowd at a Romney campaign event all year.  Steve Baldwin of FOX News has just announced the Romney-Ryan advance team for the bus tour is working strenuously to assure that the rally crowd in Wisconsin is overwhelmingly large.  I noted watching the first two events this morning that the crowd response to Ryan was much more effusive as he spoke, than it was at the first.  Virginia being a swing State which has been trending Democratic the past several years, may explain this, along with the possibility that many of the people in these crowds may not be supporters, but spectators who have turned out to see the two candidates, or likely voters who are as of yet undecided.  I will be blogging more on the Romney-Ryan Roll-out this afternoon............tdp

BATTLEGROUND BUS TOUR OF ROMNEY-RYAN EXPECTED SOON IN HIGH POINT, NC............

Having kicked off this Sunday their second day as the publicly proclaimed Republican ticket for the race for the White House in November, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are appearing at their second rally in North Carolina in the city of High Point.  While waiting for coverage of this event I have been watching the Sunday News Shows, NBC's  Meet the Press, ABC's This Week, CBS's Face The Nation, CNN's State of the Union, while awaiting FOX News Sunday.  The words being most often used to describe and respond to the Paul Ryan pick these programs and other news coverage reporters, commentators, and political pundits are using being, "bold" / "risky".  Bold, in that it makes for a stark choice between the two parties, two visions, two plans, and two standardbearer teams.  Risky, in that the Ryan Budget Plan, and the ambivalence surrounding it, now becomes a rival mutual focus of the General Election campaign along with the state of the Economy / Jobs Creation, and President Obama's first term  record.  The initial analysis of the impact Ryan is having at these roll-out rallies, is that he is energizing Romney and increasing the enthusiasm of the base and the crowds in attendance at these campaign appearances.  The GOP candidates arrival in High Point, is reported to be just minutes away.  Stand by for an update when they do............tdp

ROMNEY -RYAN REPUBLICAN ROLL-OUT RALLYING IN NORTH CAROLINA............

The Republican running mate team for President and Vice President 2012, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are starting their first rally in North Carolina at this hour at the NASCAR Center in Mooresville, NC; near Charlotte, where Ryan is saying Romney-Ryan is offering NC and the USA a Choice in this Election, between more despair or putting the country back on the right track.  He is praising and presenting Romney as the right man to put the country back on track.  Underscoring as he did yesterday, the, "You did build that", line and saying Romney understands the problems as a successful businessman, and will turn things around as he did with the Olympics.  He is going on to tout Romney's record as Governor of Massachusetts, contrasting the Governor's record in MA, with President Obama's record, as he introduces Romney to the crowd.  Romney begins lighthearted about his father having made Rambler cars, and now he has a NASCAR with his name on it which is on the stage with them.  He speaKS of going out on a first date in his father's car and then invites his and Ryan's wife up on stage, and Ann Romney speaks for a few moments.  He begins his remarks by referring to restoring American principles to chants of USA, USA, USA.  He says one of the few persons at this time who stood up for principle is the man next to him who he has chosen, Ryan.  Tells the Ryan family story and why he decided to go to Washington to address the need for change as a man who works with even those he differs with and doesn't demonize.  Predicts this country will come roaring back, instead of continuing to become more like Greece and Europe.  Says the President's "you didn't build that" quote is outflanked by the context of that whole speech.  The rest of his speech is a repeat of the stump speech he gave yesterday.  The Battleground Bus Tour of the R/R ticket continues on to High Point, NC; as they proclaim to Stand Up for America and winning the Election............Fr.  Troy

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME......"I AM THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN"............

 Catholic-Christian Disciples of Jesus, believe that the Bread of Life spoken of in John 6:33; is truly and transubtantially,  Christ Himself, Son of God, Sent by the Father, and Born into the World, to be, "Flesh for the Life of the World".  That is the message and the good news we hear proclaimed and preached on this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The Jewish People with whom Jesus was interacting and discussing this prophetic proclamation with in the Bread of Life Discourse in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, the premier passage of our understanding and theology of the Eucharist; were hungering for a Messiah, who would deliver them personally and politically, from the oppression they endured.  They needed and wanted, a New Moses, who would feed and fulfill their hunger, just as their forefather Moses fed them with Manna miraculously provided.  As eager as they were to see if Jesus indeed was the one they awaited and would make their king, when Jesus proclaimed Himself to the Bread of Life they sought, they were offended.  And as Jesus continues to discuss this with them he goes even further when He tells them God the Father sent Him and then totally dazes them with the proclamation that whereas the miraculous Manna did not provide everlasting life, whereas He does.  The key essential in understanding and accepting these words of Jesus and all His Teachings is, Believing that He is definitely the One.   The Faith we possess and nurture; the Faith we profess and practice;  the ongoing, everyday, opportunities we make and take to build a closer union with Jesus as the One sent by God the Father, and who is the Bread of Eternal Life............Fr.  Troy

THE GOP's R n R TEAM 4th RALLY TODAY IN THE OLD DOMINION............

Rally number 4 for the roll-out of the Romney-Ryan Republican ticket is in Manassas, Virginia where Representative Paul Ryan, the newly named Vice Presidential candidate opened his remarks by saying, "On November 6th, we take back our country !".  He continued bemoaning the failed leadership of President Obama who he says hasn't changed, or moderated, his approach, but is staying far left.  After touting his running mate's Business and Olympics experience he introduced Mitt Romney, who described Romney saying if you use one word, the word is, Leader.  He then praised his character and courage as a young man in Janesville, Wisconsin, and as an adult in Washington, D.C.  Romney repeated that President Obama has cut Medicare by $700 billion and that Ryan working with Democratic Senator Wyden, has proposed a plan that will save Medicare.  He decries the "product" of the Obama Plan.  He argues for his 5 point Plan  1. Energy 2. Skills 3. Trade  4. Cut Spending and Balance the Budget  5. Creating New Jobs.  He then mocks President Obama's statement, "You didn't build that",  and pledges that the Romney-Ryan ticket will take this country back and keep America, "the greatest Hope on Earth".  This fourth rally in Virginia concludes the public campaign events of the first day of their teaming as the 2012 Republican ticket seeking to win the White House.  They move on tomorrow to North Carolina, and then go to Wisconsin, for a HomeComing Rally.  I will be here to capture the campaign events of this bus tour and the celebration in Chicago of the President's Birthday............Fr.  Troy