Do politicians lie???????

You bet your boots they do. Which ones??? All.....(maybe most...)

Are they all alike? No, some tell little white lies, some have a habit of inflating their importance while some lie for the sake of it. The worst types do it to gain favor and an "edge" versus their opponents. Vladimir Lenin pushed the idea to tell a lie so big enough that no one would believe it is a lie.

We've had an opportunity to observe some of our candidates for president. All but one lies. All are good at it and have the capacity of doing it with a straight face. Of our current crop of candidates Ron Paul stands alone as a truth teller. I've not caught him in a bold faced lie. He in some ways is close to pure as any candidate could be. On domestic matters he is a straight arrow and could make a fine president. On foreign affairs he could place us in serious jeopardy thus causing me to cross him off our list possible votes come Election Day.

I had the pleasure to introduce him at Faneuil Hall in Boston when he ran for president in as a Libertarian in 1988. To say the lease I like Ron Paul allot. His son Rand, Senator from Tennessee is a chip off the old block. I'd love to have Ron as my congressman and Rand as my senator.

However I cannot vote for Dr. Paul for president because of his foreign policy stands. Frankly it pains me to say that. His candidacy brings allot to the debate for president and for that I am grateful the old warrior is making one final run.

That brings us to three men from which to choose. The biggest surprise of the bunch is Rick Sasntorum. In this corner the thinking was the former senator had played out the string in the Iowa caucus. He beat Mitt Romney and exposed Mitt's Achilles heal, something he has yet to overcome.

Ole Mitt usually does not lie or dirty his hands in the fray. Four years ago he played the role of Saint Mitt and allowed his surrogates to sully the reputations of his opponents. When the chips were down in '08 he rolled up his sleeves and dug up mud to fling and did so with a broad grin. No remorse. So much for his religious piety.

Romney seems like a man with little basic street instincts or common sense. Do you remember his taking the family dog for multi hundred mile trip--- on the roof of the car? At first the story seems funny but I doubt the Romney family pooch saw the same humor. It must have been like a scene out of the movie Family Vacation.

One other thing about old Mitt. He's no conservative. He didn't even vote for Ronald Reagan and bragged about it during his debate with Ted Kennedy in 1994, the same year he refused to sign the Contract with America. There is no instance in his history of giving anyone a sense he ever entertained a conservative thought in his life before deciding to run for president.

In baseball there is an old adage about some 'fancy dan' ball players that they talk a good game. I can't say that about Romney. He doesn't even seriously stake out conservative positions.

Romney is only one more entry of the establishment wing of the GOP. Ole' Mitt is a conservative pretender.

This gets us to Mistah Speekah, Newt Gingrich.

Is he pure? I doubt it. Frankly he has always had a bit of the rogue in him. I suspect he would accept that characterization.

First his weakness. He was the consummate arm twister and showed a propensity of living and working close to the edge. Newt is an old fashioned arm twister. Arm twisters make enemies. In his four year speakership he made plenty of enemies. I understand there was a run on steel toed shoes while he was speaker. because he didn't shy away from stepping on toes. Sort of a throwback to previous speakers. Tip O'Neill for example was no shrinking violet. Ditto for the fabled Joe Martin (1940s from Massachusetts).

Gingrich's personal life is a fertile hunting ground for any character assassin. While he has had three wives, he says he has found God and turned to religion for strength. He is now a practicing Catholic who has made his peace with the Almighty. Is he telling the truth? Your guess is as good as mine. What's the old saw let he who is without sin throw the first boulder. Sinner take my sinner's hand.

Gingrich is a throwback to another era. As president he could be another Teddy Roosevelt, at least the TR of his time as president. Hard right conservative? No. Certainly a solid record however. Gingrich strikes me as being a pragmatist not wedded to a particular orthodoxy.

Can Newt Gingrich, baggage and all be elected president? I don't know. One thing is for sure, the old rules are out the window. We no longer have to kiss the posteriors of a few big publishers or TV networks. The Internet and Cable TV have changed the entire scene and it seems Gingrich has learned how to navigate in these unchartered waters.

Could we envision Newt Gingrich as the President of the United States? Sure, why not.

Last night's debate was a draw at worst for the Speaker. The next debate should be telling. It may be the turning point for the rest of the campaign.

Time for a nap. C ya tomorrow.

Ciao…….Moe