Larry the Cable Guy makes a pit stop in Wasilla

Larry the Cable Guy has been touring the country while filming his History Channel show "Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy." While filming in Alaska, he decided to make an unannounced pitstop in Wasilla and was well received by the former "First Dude."

GOP Hosts Women's CEO Panel On Jobs and the Economy

On Monday, December 5, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers hosted the first ever GOP Women’s CEO Panel on Jobs and the Economy. Joined by six of her female Congressional colleagues and six of the nation’s most prominent female CEO’s, the discussion centered around what Congress can do to help job creators get back to doing what they do best--creating jobs. 

“America stands at an unprecedented crossroads,” said McMorris Rodgers in her opening remarks. “It’s been 34 consecutive months of unemployment above eight percent and the U.S. debt has now hit a record $15 trillion. We’re here today, as CEO’s and members of Congress alike, to say that we refuse to watch those numbers rise. We’re here to shed light on the effects current economic policies and government regulation have had on people who have experienced it the most.”

The discussion began with Dr. Alison Brown, of NAVSYS Corporation, who quickly pointed out that the policies of the current administration have not helped small businesses be competitive in the particular market in which her business operates--competing for contracts with the Department of Defense. She became the first to point out that restrictive regulations and economic uncertainty are choking the life out of small businesses in the United States. "The worst case scenario for the country," Dr. Brown expressed, "is the 'no plan' situation that now exists." Every panelist confirmed and reiterated the points raised by Dr. Brown. 

One of the most interesting parts of the entire afternoon, however, was when Lisa Hook, of Neustar, Inc. began discussing the needs of her particular industry (tech), and highlighted some areas of opportunity where education is concerned. “We are not, in this country, training our kids in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). That effects not only our company...it effects the growth of the tech sector, it effects our world competitiveness, and at the end of the day it effects our national security." She went on to cite some troubling statistics. "By 2018, there will be 1.4 million computing job openings in the United States, but at the current graduation rates, only 29% of those jobs will be filled by U.S. computing graduates. The rest of those jobs will have to be filled by very qualified folks, but folks that we will have to import to the country." Janet Trautwein, National Association of Health Underwriters CEO, later added that she is finding it increasingly difficult to find applicants who have adequate writing and speaking abilities. So, while the discussion centered primarily around the role Congress needs to play in helping Americans get back to work, some vital points were raised regarding the need for preparing our children for tomorrow's job opportunities. 

"We heard from Women CEO's from a variety of industries--energy, technology, defense, insurance, engineering, and health care--and while their backgrounds are different, their experience is not," said Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. "They all cited duplicative, burdensome regulations and economic uncertainty as the major impediments to job creation and business growth. It's time we enact pro-growth policies to stimulate our economy and get Americans back to work again."

It appears that the House is very willing to do just that, with 27 bipartisan jobs bills now awaiting Senate action...now let's see if Mr. Reid and his colleagues in the Senate can manage to bring even one of them to the floor for a vote. 

To view the entire panel discussion, visit this link. 

Congressional Members included: 

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC)

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)

Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH)

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)

CEO's included: 

Dr. Alison Brown, NAVSYS Corporation

Ms. Barbara Martin, Vista Health System

Ms. Catherine Heigel, Duke Energy South Carolina

Ms. Sandra Parrillo, Providence Mutual Fire Insurance

Ms. Janet Trautwein, National Association of Health Underwriters

Ms. Lisa Hook, Neustar, Inc. 

**Crossposted at SGP Action

Anybody For Some Obama Campaign Merchandise?

A friend tagged me on Facebook this week with some interesting observations about the merchandise President Obama is offering these days on his website, and...while my friend has asked to remain anonymous, his observations were too good not to share. 


On the President's Web site on Friday, you were able to save 10% on merchandise by using this code: 10%TurkeyDay. Call me nit-picky, but the sale--while it was a "Turkey Day" sale--was posted on Friday, missing Thanksgiving by a day. (perhaps it couldn't be called a "Black Friday" sale because the country is in the red so deep) Just sayin'. 


If you take a look at the front page on the merchandise site, you'll notice that 2012 sticker in the header photo is attached to a Ford Focus. Funny, wasn't Ford the only company that didn't take bailout money?


Rhodium ball and glass ornaments are offered, but Christmas ornaments are never mentioned on the site...today, however, he tweeted an advertisement for Christmas ornaments.  (I'm sure, to the disappointment of many constituents) 


A cutting board is offered, but he seems incapable of cutting the least bit of spending. 


Birth certificate mugs that say "Made in the U.S.A." are offered...as my friend put it, it's just a tad ostentatious, don't you think?


He has done you a favor and offered one product that showcases the American flag, so if you'd like to own your very own tee with the President against a flag backdrop, see this link. 


And, if all of these items don't quite suit your fancy, you may follow this link, donate and enter a drawing to have dinner with the President. Watch the video, I think you'll find it quite...interesting. 

In the news...

I've had the opportunity to chat with a few reporters the last couple of weeks and wanted to share the articles with you. It seems the media is fascinated by the continued interest those of us who are Sarah Palin supporters still have in politics! (who knew??)

Check out Frieda Klotz's Forbes Woman piece on "How Sarah Palin's followers are rebranding for the future, " and Paul Blumenthal's Huffington Post piece "Sarah Palin's rarely gave to other candidates prior to her Presidential decision".

My interview with FTR Radio

If you haven't listened to the guys and gals over at FTR Radio, I highly recommend it...they're conservative, they're hilarious, and they score some pretty awesome interviews!

I was able to sit down last week with them, wanted to share it with you.
http://www.ftrradio.com/interviews/TammyNantzBlogCon2011.mp3

Heritage Foundation & American Enterprise Institute to Sponsor CNN Republican Presidential Debate on 11/22

On Tuesday, November 22, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute will co-host CNN's GOP Presidential debate, to be held at Constitution Hall in Washington DC and moderated by Wolf Blitzer. The event will focus on foreign policy and national security, two topics that are near and dear to the heart of most on the Right, and include 8 of the 16 declared Republican Presidential Candidates. Please be sure to tune in to CNN at 8:00 pm ET and join me over at  Smart Girl Politics for the live debate chat.

In preparation for Tuesday's debate, Heritage has created a special website where you can find insightful discussion on the candidates and the issues, a spot to sign up for your very own complimentary debate watch party kit,  a Facebook poll asking which foreign policy issue matters most to you, and even a spot to share the event with your friends on twitter! 

I hope you'll be sure to tune in, and join us over at Smart Girl Politics for the action!

**a version of this post was crossposted at SGP Action.

Grizzly Coalition Action Report

Listen to internet radio with Grizzly Fest on Blog Talk Radio

Occupy Denver Protesters Get A Little Taste Of Their Own Medicine

In Denver on Friday, Occupy Denver protesters got more than they bargained for when they decided to crash the Freedomworks Blogcon event being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

I was there for the event and caught some of it on video:



For more footage, visit Breitbart TV.