TONY PHYRILLAS ON POLITICS

R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. says Newt Gingrich is the GOP's version of Bill Clinton. (And that's not intended as a compliment.)

Read his full column at The American Spectator.

Boot-ban at Pottstown school gets Ugg-ly

2012-01-27T12:53:00.000-05:00

The Mercury - Parents bash Pottstown Middle School boot ban

328,000 visitors to 'Tony Phyrillas on Politics'

2012-01-27T12:37:00.001-05:00

My site counter has recorded 328,000 unique visitors to TONY PHYRILLAS ON POLITICS. Thanks for checking out the site ... and come back again.

Gov. Corbett Announces Recent Confirmations, Nominations, Appointments

2012-01-27T12:28:00.000-05:00

Governor Corbett Announces Confirmations, Nominations, Appointments

Pew: New Reforms in 47 States and D.C. Improve Military and Overseas Voting

2012-01-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Pew: New Reforms in 47 States and D.C. Improve Military and Overseas Voting

Comedian-In-Chief

2012-01-27T12:25:00.000-05:00

Columnist: Dead voters prove the need for photo ID at the polls

2012-01-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

Dead voters prove the need for photo ID at the polls - HUMAN EVENTS

Poll: Obama job approval at 40% in Pa.

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

Highlights from the January 2012 Franklin and Marshall College Poll:

1. Most (47%) of the state’s voters believe Pennsylvania is headed in the wrong direction, a sentiment little changed during the past two years. The last time a majority of the state’s registered voters believed the state was headed in the right direction was September 2006.

2. More voters report they are worse off financially than are better off financially (26% and 15%, respectively) compared to one year ago, although most (60%) say their finances are the same as last year. Fewer voters expect to be worse off financially next year (13%) than they were last March (26%), the last time this question was asked. Most (51%) respondents report economic and financial issues are their most pressing personal problems.

3. President Obama has seen a minor improvement in his job performance ratings compared to the October 2011 Franklin and Marshall College Poll, rising from 37% positive to 40% positive. Voters’ rating of his handling of the economy, with only 29% providing a positive rating, is lower than his overall job performance rating. Generally speaking, more voters in Pennsylvania still believe it is time for a change (49%) than believe the president deserves re-election (44%).

4. Despite President Obama’s tepid job approval ratings, he continues to lead his Republican challengers in the state. Obama’s lead over both Romney and Santorum is still more than 10 points. The president is up two points on Romney from October; however, his lead over Santorum has remained stable at 13 points.

January 2012: Obama 41%, Romney 30%, other 8%, don’t know 24%
October 2012: Obama 35%, Romney 26%, other 10%, don’t know 30%
January 2012: Obama 43%, Santorum 30%, other 8%, don’t know 19%
October 2012: Obama 38%, Santorum 25%, other 11%, don’t know 26%

5. The explanation for the president’s current advantage may stem from several sources. First, less than half (46%) of voters are very interested in this year’s election; in January 2008, three in five (60%) voters were very interested in that year’s election. Second, President Obama is more personally appealing than either of the two Republican challengers tested with nearly half (45%) of voters having a “favorable” opinion of the president compared to around one-quarter who have a favorable opinion of Mitt Romney (25%) and Rick Santorum (29%). Importantly, this pattern holds true among independent voters.

Read the full poll results here.

New Hit Song By Barack Obama: 'I'm Spending And I Know It'

2012-01-26T18:55:00.000-05:00

Columnist: Obama's Bloated Bureaucracy Costs Lives

2012-01-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

Mark Skousen: TSA wastes $1.2 billion a year and causes 1,200 unnecessary deaths annually - HUMAN EVENTS

John Stossel: Obama Has Done Enough Damage To U.S. Economy

2012-01-26T17:20:00.000-05:00

The real State of the Union speech - dailylocal.com

Launch of 'Tell the Truth! 2012' Campaign

2012-01-26T16:38:00.000-05:00

MRC's Bozell Announces Launch of 'Tell the Truth! 2012' Campaign | NewsBusters.org

Your Daily Dose of Liberal Media Bias

2012-01-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

NBC's Todd Desperately Tries to Spin 30% Seeing Country on Right Track as Good News | NewsBusters.org

Do you hate Congress?

2012-01-26T14:31:00.001-05:00

Study: State Taxpayers Pay 14% Higher Prison Costs Than Budgets Reflect

2012-01-26T14:31:00.000-05:00

First-of-Its-Kind Study Finds State Taxpayers Pay 14 Percent Higher Prison Costs Than Budgets Reflect

Pennsylvania Launches Justice Reinvestment Initiative

2012-01-26T14:28:00.000-05:00

Pennsylvania Launches Justice Reinvestment Initiative

Obama Ignores The $15T Gorilla In The Room

2012-01-26T13:05:00.001-05:00

State of the debt neglected in Obama speech - Washington Times

Video: Suffering Under Obama

2012-01-26T11:32:00.000-05:00

Opinion: Pennsylvania Needs Voter ID Law

2012-01-26T11:18:00.000-05:00

Voter Photo ID bill must become law - dailylocal.com

Game Board Purchases Land in 3 PA Counties

2012-01-26T11:09:00.000-05:00

Board Approves Purchases Land in Three Counties

Poll: Obama a nice guy, but a lousy president

2012-01-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

A new survey by Pew Research Center finds Obama's job approval at 44 percent going into the November 2012 election.

While most respondents say Obama is a likeable person, he does not appear to be up the task of president.

From the Pew Survey:

Obama's job approval rating stands at 44%. George W. Bush began his reelection year with a 56% job approval rating; Bill Clinton's approval rating was 50% in January 1996. Obama's current mark is closer to George H. W. Bush's in January 1992 (46% approved).

Read the full results here.

No So Fast

2012-01-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before

2012-01-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before

AHI to Secretary Clinton: Turkey Is an Unreliable NATO Ally

2012-01-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

AHI to Secretary Clinton: Turkey Is an Unreliable NATO Ally

Bad news for bad teachers

2012-01-25T17:11:00.000-05:00

States weaken tenure for teachers - Washington Times

Football is America's Favorite Sport as Lead Over Baseball Continues to Grow

2012-01-25T16:11:00.000-05:00

Football is America's Favorite Sport as Lead Over Baseball Continues to Grow

Journalists are piling up subscribers on Facebook

2012-01-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

Journalists are piling up subscribers on Facebook | Poynter.

Joe Paterno, 1926-2012

2012-01-25T16:02:00.001-05:00

Newt Gingrich: The real State of the Union

2012-01-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

The real State of the Union - HUMAN EVENTS

Pennsylvania Department of Health to Move Office for Birth, Death Certificate Requests

2012-01-25T15:25:00.000-05:00

Pennsylvania Department of Health to Move Office for Birth, Death Certificate Requests

PA Insurance Department Announces 2011 Enforcement and Market Conduct Actions

2012-01-25T15:23:00.000-05:00

PA Insurance Department Announces 2011 Enforcement and Market Conduct Actions

If you missed Obama's speech ...

2012-01-25T14:30:00.000-05:00

Columnist: I Finally Understand Democrats

2012-01-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

I Finally Understand Democrats

Obama Youth Have Had Enough Empty Promises

2012-01-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

Young Americans and the State of the Union - We Expect a Change of Course, Not More Rhetoric

PA Game Commissioners Propose 2012-13 Seasons and Bag Limits

2012-01-25T09:36:00.000-05:00

Game Commissioners Propose 2012-13 Seasons and Bag Limits

Gov. Mitch Daniels Delivers GOP Response to the State of the Union

2012-01-25T09:35:00.000-05:00

Columnist: The Self-Destruction of the Mainstream Media

2012-01-25T09:02:00.000-05:00

The Self-Destruction of the Mainstream Media

Why Christians Should Be Concerned About the Obama Administration

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Why Christians Should Be Concerned About the Obama Administration

Has Barack Obama learned nothing in three years?

2012-01-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

John Stossel: The real State of the Union - HUMAN EVENTS

Sen. Toomey responds to State of the Union address 2012

2012-01-24T23:47:00.000-05:00

Mitch Daniels' Response to the State of the Union

2012-01-24T23:39:00.000-05:00

Mitch Daniels's Response to the State of the Union The Weekly Standard

11 stunning revelations from Larry Summers' secret economics memo to Barack Obama

2012-01-24T21:39:00.001-05:00

11 stunning revelations from Larry Summers' secret economics memo to Barack Obama

Columnist: On the Intellectual Inferiority of Liberalism

2012-01-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

On the Intellectual Inferiority of Liberalism

Editorial: Obama 'A Disaster for American Workers...'

2012-01-24T18:34:00.000-05:00

EDITORIAL: Obama's pipe-dream economy - Washington Times

NewsBusted: Obama goes to Disney World

2012-01-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

New York Times Ignores Massive Pro-Life March for Fifth Year in a Row

2012-01-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

New York Times Ignores Massive Pro-Life March for Fifth Year in a Row | NewsBusters.org

Editorial Backlash Against President Obama’s Job-Destroying Keystone Decision Continues

2012-01-24T15:26:00.000-05:00

Editorial Backlash Against President Obama’s Job-Destroying Keystone Decision Continues | Speaker of the House John Boehner | speaker.gov

Obama 2012: Just Trust Him

2012-01-24T12:43:00.000-05:00

Columnist: Obama's promise deficit

2012-01-24T12:35:00.000-05:00

Obama's promise deficit - HUMAN EVENTS

Illegal Aliens Can Get Free Government Cell Phones?

2012-01-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

10 Surprising Facts About Free Government Cell Phones

Consumers Face Higher Food Costs, Thanks to Congress

2012-01-24T11:52:00.000-05:00

Consumers Face Higher Food Costs, Thanks to Congress

There she is ... 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

Lancaster County Girl Crowned as 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen

Longest-serving Pennsylvania lawmaker goes on trial

2012-01-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

It's difficult to stay in politics as long as Democrat Bill DeWeese has without getting into trouble.

Longest-serving Pennsylvania lawmaker goes on trial

Rohrer to GOP party boss: Let voters pick nominee

2012-01-23T20:21:00.000-05:00

Former Pennsylvania State Rep. Sam Rohrer, who is running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania currently held by Democrat Bob Casey Jr., has asked the state's top Republican leader to allow voters to pick the party's nominee in the April.

Rohrer is asking GOP Chairman Rob Gleason not to allow party leaders to endorse a candidate before the April GOP primary.

From Rohrer's letter/petition:

The Pennsylvania Republican Party has nothing to fear from having a fair, unbiased Primary. It will help build our Party, and grow our organization. As Party Chairman, I respectfully ask that you keep this primary as transparent and fair as possible, and let 3.2 million Republican primary voters decide whom their nominee should be.

Read the petition at Rohrer's campaign website.

White House Pressed On Past Failed State Of The Union Promises

2012-01-23T19:35:00.000-05:00

The truly dismal state of the union

2012-01-23T19:33:00.000-05:00

Get ready to hear some real whoppers from Barack Obama as he pretends the "state of the union" is not dismal under his so-called leadership.

From columnist Joseph Curl:

There is one person — one American among the 300 million of us — who is not to blame for the state of the union. Everyone else, each of you, in some small or large way, bears some share of the blame, but not this guy. Not one little bit.

This guy is Barack Obama. He is not the least bit to blame for the dismal state of the U.S. economy. George W. Bush is, for sure, and that evil Dick Cheney, oh, no doubt. House Speaker John A. Boehner — evil, too — is, of course, to blame. But guess what? So is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and every Democrat in the House and Senate.

CURL: The truly dismal state of the union - Washington Times

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

2012-01-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

The Lions King: Joe Paterno

2012-01-23T18:17:00.000-05:00

Number of Registered Sex Offenders in the U.S. Nears Three-quarters of a Million

2012-01-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

Sobering Statistic: Registered Sex Offender Numbers Increased 23 Percent in Past 5 Years

Number of Registered Sex Offenders in the U.S. Nears Three-quarters of a Million

182 Members of Congress to Participate in Bipartisan Seating

2012-01-23T17:33:00.000-05:00

No Labels Helps Convince 182 Members of Congress to Participate in Bipartisan Seating at SOTU

Study: The Real State of the Union, Big Three Networks Covering Up Obama's Failures

2012-01-23T17:32:00.000-05:00

MRC Study: The Real State of the Union, Big Three Networks Covering Up Obama's Failures | NewsBusters.org

Pa. archdiocese named 'unindicted co-conspirator' in child sex-abuse case

2012-01-23T17:27:00.002-05:00

The new Philadelphia District Attorney is taking no prisoners in putting an end to a pattern of child sex-abuse and coverups withing the Catholic church.

Pa. archdiocese named 'unindicted co-conspirator' | 6abc.com

James Billman, leader of Berks Patriots, seeks state House seat

2012-01-23T16:44:00.000-05:00

Leader of Berks Patriots seeks state House seat

Why Are Obama Critics So Dumb?

2012-01-23T16:35:00.002-05:00

Since more than 60 percent of Americans say Obama does not deserve re-election, I guess that makes the majority of Americans dumb if you believe the left-wing loons at Newsweek.

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

2012-01-23T16:31:00.000-05:00

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

Survey Finds Unity Among Americans on Abortion Restrictions

2012-01-23T16:30:00.000-05:00

Survey Finds Unity Among Americans on Abortion Restrictions

Detroit's Archbishop Vigneron: HHS Mandate Tramples Freedom of Religion, Conscience

2012-01-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

Detroit's Archbishop Vigneron: HHS Mandate Tramples Freedom of Religion, Conscience

Santorum: 40 million babies murdered in the U.S.

2012-01-23T15:02:00.000-05:00

Rick Santorum on the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade:

This anniversary is both a day of sadness for the more than 40 million babies who have been killed since Roe v. Wade and a day of hope as more and more Americans embrace a culture of life and as more and more young people march in Washington and around the country in support of life.

Read the full column in The Wall Street Journal.

Where Was The Media Then?

2012-01-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

Mark Steyn: The End Of Social Norms, From The Titanic To The Concordia

2012-01-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

Bad Behavior After The Concordia Wreck Is An Indictment Of Our Culture - Investors.com

Columnist: Obama's job-killing environmental extremism

2012-01-23T11:57:00.000-05:00

President Obama's job-killing environmental extremism - HUMAN EVENTS

Throwing Hollywood under the bus could pay dividends for GOP

2012-01-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

Throwing Hollywood under the bus could pay dividends for GOP

Pennsylvania Partners With Foursquare to Offer Groundhog Day Badge

2012-01-23T11:46:00.000-05:00

Pennsylvania Partners With Foursquare to Offer Groundhog Day Badge

Congressional Pirates

2012-01-23T11:44:00.000-05:00

Record Bank Failures Under Obama

2012-01-22T19:04:00.000-05:00

More U.S. banks have failed during the first three years of the Obama Administration than in all eight years of the George W. Bush Administration.

Three banks have already failed in 2012, following the 92 banks that went under in 2011 and the 157 banks that failed in 2010 and the 140 banks that failed in 2009, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Regulators Shut Bank In Pennsylvania, Georgia & Florida; First Failures Of 2012 - NASDAQ.com

U.S. Catholic Bishops Vow to Fight Obamacare

2012-01-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict

PA Gov. Tom Corbett on the Death of Joe Paterno

2012-01-22T17:56:00.001-05:00

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Expresses Condolences on Death of Joe Paterno

Mount Nittany Medical Center Statement on Joe Paterno

2012-01-22T17:54:00.000-05:00

Mount Nittany Medical Center Statement on Joe Paterno