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SEATTLE, WA -- With less than two weeks to go before the midterm elections, President Obama began his second day of a five-state, six-city get-out-the-vote swing with a backyard event focusing on women and the economy.
The town hall-style event at a private residence was followed by a rally for Sen. Patty Murray (D), who is locked in a tight race with Dino Rossi (R) and whose seat, if saved, would help ensure that Democrats maintain control over the Senate. Many political analysts expect the party to lose control of the House of Representatives.
The White House continues to make the case that the president and his allies in Congress have made tough -- and sometimes unpopular -- decisions to put the American economy back on track and better prepare it to compete globally, and that electing Republicans to Congress would reverse course.
"This choice is an election between two different visions of America, a choice between falling backwards and moving forward," Obama told the crowd at the Murray rally in the packed University of Washington basketball stadium. "If they win this election, the chair of the Republican campaign committee has promised -- publicly said they're gonna pursue the exact same agenda as they did before I was elected."
The president went on to spell out a GOP agenda based on tax cuts for the rich, looser rules for special interests and a middle class left to fend for itself.
It's not so clear the argument against the Republicans is taking hold with voters.
Supporters have suggested the administration has a communication problem. At one point during the backyard event earlier today, the president was asked how his administration could better communicate to the public the benefits of the health-care law and the stimulus given "distortions" about both in the media.
On health care, the president said that many of those distortions would be cleared up as the legislation is implemented. Once people see the benefits, it will be harder to argue the law was a terrible thing, he said, but that requires 'constantly beating the drum' and being clear about what's in the bill.
"I think we’re going to look back 20 years from now and say this was absolutely the right thing to do," Obama said.
Crunch time
Democrats have 12 days, not 20 years, to convince voters the country is on the right track and though the president's approval rating stands at 47%, according to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, some 59% of registered voters think the country is headed in the wrong direction and even more believe the economy will get worse or stay the same over the next year. That has helped Republicans to maintain a 50% to 43% lead over Democrats on the generic ballot among likely voters.
Still, according to the same poll, Democrats now lead Republicans 46% to 44% in the generic ballot among registered voters, up from the 44%-44% tie in September.
This is where getting out the vote comes in, the president told the crowd at a rally in Portland, OR last night for gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber, where by a show of hands, most in the crowd had not yet mailed in their ballots.
"We need you all to mail in your ballots. Now. Mail them in," he said. "If everybody who fought for change in 2008 shows up to vote in 2010, then John is going to win his election."
Murray and the president made a similar plea at today's rally in Seattle. Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) and Rep. Norman Dicks (D) were also on hand for the event, where an enthusiastic crowd that began lining up for the event several hours early, chanted 'Patty, Patty' and waved signs reading "Patty Murray 'Helping People Solving Problems" and "Patty fights for families." The Murray campaign said some 10,000 people jammed the stadium, with another 3,000 in overflow.
It wasn't all supporters, though. Five young men in blue Rossi shirts stood stock still in an upper tier of the stadium for most of the event, as Murray fans cheered around them.
After leaving Washington, the president was headed to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis for a series of party fundraisers and rallies for Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Harry Reid, among others.
Republicans in Washington state argue the multiple visits by Washington, DC "celebrities" Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama to the state to help Murray show that Democrats are in "panic" mode and in "deep", "desperate" straits.
They think they are helping Murray, but it's a double-edged sword," Washington State GOP Chairman Luke Esser told reporters on a conference call.
"They have made a strategic error by tying her so strongly to the DC insiders," Esser said, echoing the argument Rossi is making that Murray puts the interests of Washington, DC ahead of those of Washington state
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BTW while President Obama is out campaigning for his cronies is he still on the taxpayer dole. All this time away from his federal job should be deducted from his already inflated paycheck. Of course, whatever funds Mr Obama is short will be picked up by his oil rich benefactors in the Arabian Peninsula. You know the guys he's really working for while pretending to working for the American people.
republican candidate Ret. Gen Standley McCrystal will solve our problems in 2012. at less he has run more than a class room. have your congressman or lady vote for a---------------- flat tax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
No stumping power here, the more he tries, the worse the candidates he supports will do. Instead of campaigning, try keep your own house of cards from crumbling in the White House.
Too many resignations of staff members like rats abandoning a sinking ship. Clean up your owm mess before attempting to help party members lose.
When rats abandon a sinking ship , I wonder where they will go? According to research on the Titanic, the rats couldn't go anywhere. They froze to death in the water. I guess some went down with the ship because they found some of them in things like cupboards and drawers. Just wondering where Oblaba's economists and staff went. I guess back to the slimy waters of Chicago.
even humans are smart enough to abandon a sinking ship. Republican Ret.Gen. Stanley McChrystal for pres. in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flat tax!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gerald, Excellent suggestion. General McChrystal would make a fine President. Let's hope he accepts our suggestion.
At first I thought this article said "Obama" slumps out West. That would at least be more truthful.
The election has in fact started with early voting in a lot of states. I'm inclined now just to count the votes and let's get it finished up and see where it goes. I'll be OK no matter who wins. Soon, real soon, the 2012 candidates will start cranking up and we'll have another 2 years of politics going. This isn't for the weak hearted.
Dirty harry reid has tried to put the “dream (nightmare) act” into every bill and nancy p. has almost a whole state that is a sanctuary for illegals.
I guess they must think that Americans have short memories as when the crappy president of mexico came here and told congress to leave his immigrants (wouldn’t use the word illegals) alone and that Americans shouldn’t have guns, the democrats stood up and applauded this guy!!!
Don’t forget that our own government is suing Arizona for trying to protect itself from these illegals and now there are 10 foreign countries, all from south of our borders, want to join in.
And don’t forget about the signs that obama had put up in Arizona telling Americans that that part of America was to dangerous for us because it was where the illegals bring in drugs and more illegals.
Brought to you by the best friends illegals ever had:
Dirty harry, botox nancy, loud mouth joe and the liar-campaigner-desperate-whiner-blamer-divider-crybaby-sore loser-snake oil salesman-in chief obama, the worst president in the history of this country!!!
How much more money are the Tax Payers going to have wasted by this Bozo, for all this campaigning and travel?
We live in a double standard society, it is all about being who you are. If you are a liberal you get special treatment because you care about people so much, your also so hip because you watch bruce leftwingstein in Jersey. If country's media is doing a piss poor job of reporting unbias news, it just makes me want to throw up. Obama is a poor president and the media needs to stop doing damage control for him.
There is a tremendous amount of bad-will towards Obama. Is this the same political juggernaut that swept into power just 21 months ago? It only took 21 months to sour the American people and turn them into racists who only dislike Obama because he is black? What went wrong? Did someone say we had to pass it to see what's in it? Did someone say they were focused like a laser on jobs and economic recovery? Did some rat bastard go crying to the UN to have his own countrymen judged by the likes of Castro, Hugo and the gang? Did someone ignore the wishes of 70% of the population on several occasions? Did someone say it is my job to understand what is good for the American people? Did someone play kissyface with that drug running Calderone while the Gulf of Mexico filled up with oil? Did someone create an anti-small business atmosphere to cover for banks and mega corps while they continue unabated to rape the economy and give nothing back? Did someone give taxpayer money to his political cronies like unions, banks and wall st.? Did someone take a car wreck and turn it into a train wreck of an economy with badly timed and very poorly written and implemented fringe leftist policies? Nah, it's easier ta go with the racist thing.
As usual, someone always throws out the race card. obama is just a bad president, it has nothing to do with color or he wouldn't have won the presidential race in 2008, you do realize that!!!
Deborah, Your President is the 5th Horseman of the Collapsed American
Economy. He lied with his Shovel ready projects.
Jed, Is that all the excuse you can make for the 5th Horseman of the Collapsed American Economy. Oblaba LIED when he boasted about shovel ready projects to the American people. I can see him now on his horse waving that Shovel, which represents Misery.
You miss understood me, I didn't vote for this joke of a president. I was trying to make a point. I believe that this is the worst president we have ever had in the history of this country.
Sorry Deb, I get so angry that I don't read everything in details, I noticed that your articles are against this joker. Thanks. When I first saw Oblaba I knew that something was wrong. Then, I realize that he is the 5th Horseman waving his Shovel. He is the WORST, but it is surprising that people will still vote for him. He fooled us. Like that other guy in Germany and you know how it turned out to be. When politicians lie, there is danger at the end of the road. He consistently lied using that shovel word in a collapsed economy. Thanks for bring your anger to my attention.
Juven, I had to open my business and work this morning to make sure Obama voters get fed,or else I could still be on that list.
Everyone needs to examine what Obama's health care will do to the middle class. If the health care law stands as is, and it will unless more people that are really concerned about the middle class get elected, the middle class will pay the price. Contrary to what Obama continues to say, which is he wants to protect the middle class. The middle class will pay the price for this so called reform. The impact of adding all the people without health care will hit the middle class. It is the middle class that will see their health care costs increase and receive less care as the system becomes over-burdened. The wealthy and our elite in Washington will not be effected. Once again it will be the middle class who bears the brunt. What Obama and the democrates have handed us in terms of health care reform is just another example of wealth redistribution. The middle class has the most to loose and the President knows this. He just hopes we won't figure it out. All of Obama's actions, like most left wing wealthy folks have been to provide programs that act as a disincentive for people to work hard and gain some wealth. If the current situation continues we will look like Europe, most of us will be working class poor with the balance being wealthy folks. No middle class.
He is too busy campaigning to run this country. One term and out for this one.
what is your solution? mine is Republican Ret. Gen Stanley McChrysal in 2012 for pres. and also a flat tax. solutions not chit chat
The biggest problem here is "cause and effect". Most people see the effect, but get really cloudy on the cause. At some point in time, the blame game has to stop and the economy is his for good or bad. No one said BO would get it turned overnight, but he has to put forth something other than anemic GDP numbers to claim it's heading the right way and he did it. HCR is a game changer. The majority didn't want it, still don't, but there it sits, got pushed on us and we couldn't stop it. Now, we're supposed to forget all that and just send them back like it never happened? We will see shortly.
I think the American People Know when they are being LIED to. Im not involved with ANY PARTY. I Respect everyones opinion when its based on FACTS. I also believe Everyone should accept responsibility for THIER actions and policies and not blame others. I also KNOW that I am in WORSE Shape than I was in 2008. Remember We get what we vote for. If you honestly believe that Obama and the Democrates have helped this Country ; by all meens, vote them back into office . If Not Vote them Out. I Know how im going to vote but that is personal. Exercise your Right to Vote!
Again, Oblaba 5th Horseman of the Collapsed American Economy is all lies again, telling the people out west that he will communicate with them on passing bills. Oblaba can't change his colors. His Shovel represents Misery.
Obama does create shovel ready jobs wherever he goes. We all need shovels to shovel us out of the bull@!$%# he's leaving in his wake.
Vote them out, Oblaba , the 5th Horseman of the Collapsed American Economy now rides out on the American landscape waving his Shovel and spreading deceit, lies and propaganda. Americans are now viewing this phenomena and they are appalled.
Make sure when Obama's in Nevada stumping for Dirty Harry, you ask him about the 15% unemployment. It was 4%, now with Harry saving the world, it's up to 15%!
If Nevada is stupid enough to re-elect Harry, then they deserve him! If he's still around, I know that I'll never go there again.
The more I listen to the candidates, the more I think it doesn’t matter who wins in California. The state will continue to slide into the ocean and drown in debt. The Terminator could not overcome the liberals’ appetite for spending and taxation, in particular the union death grip. Neither can any new governor or senator.
Hey all of you Tea Party people, would you kindly have your candidates take a pledge to do two things.
No. 1 – Don't associate with any lobbyists.
No. 2 – Don’t try to start running for re-election the moment you set your foot into your new office.
All Americans would be grateful for that. I don’t really expect it, but it would be nice.
All elected officials from both parties do that now, they forget who they were elected to represent.
Their only priority is to get re-elected, not take care of business.
By the way – does anybody out there know what the opposite of Progressive is?
REGRESSIVE: All lobbying should be totally TRANSPARENT. All meetings between lobbyists and elected officials and/or their staffs or relatives should be required to be recorded, audio and video, by statute.
Let's recap the last decade,ok? Keep in mind, cause and effect! Surplus (d) 9/11 (r) then off to avenge daddy Iraq (r) also AAfghanistan(r). Where did money come from? China... remove regulation (r), lower taxes for rich(r) More money from China..... Housing bubble burst, wall street dumped, banks where closing, many large businesses going belly up. HMMMM THIS IS CALLED "RAPPING of AMERICA " OK? This is why we have the huge deficit !! Finally America sees the error and elects a promise. I have been around since Truman era, and not one president has tried to live up to his campaign promises like President Obama. He has done a spectacular job. Only reason right wingers want to repeal it, NO Money for them. I dare say that only 1 in a 100 rep's actually have enough personal wealth to be a rep's. The rest are just caught up in false promises. What is wrong with you people? You want to reenstate the same group that got us into this mess? Of course the jobs have dried up, cut backs in order to survive have a way of laying off people, or moving to a cheaper enviroment. Why so you think we have so many illegal aliens?
Buck up america and see the writing on the wall!!!!
I bet you are black, huh?
jed: Ever heard of the word racism? Make an effort not to look like one next time. Yellow- cake from NIGER please!
Just playin the odds old son. 91% of blacks in America still support Obama. I suppose that is not racially motivated, huh? Who, I ask, are the racist? You sure are over the top a little ain't ya?
Ya never needed to go there, ol jed. 91% of African Americans vote democratic in almost every election and poll. It' nothing particularly new.
Racism isn't just about race, it's about the power to exploit another race. Obama doesn't have the power to exploit white people, the constitution forbids it.And so does the SCOTUS. Yellowcake from NIGER, indeed!
Where in hell did you get that figure. I sure as hell can't find it. It's preposterous. Everything I find says that no racial segment of this society has been 91% politically united ever before. And yes it is racially motivated and I know, because I talk to all the black people I know about such things and they readily admit that it is racially motivated. I am not a racist by any means, but a realist, yes I am. Which gets me called names by those who think a pig in a prom dress is a prom queen if they can convince others it is. I am not shy about discussing things like the outcome of fostered gov dependence on races to buy votes with black people. Look at the stats. 1960...1 out of every 123 black males in jail or prison, today...1 out of every 76, 1960....1 out of 16 black families on some kind of assistance, today....1 out of 2.6, 1960.... 1 out of every 543 crimes black on black, today...1 out of every 53, 1960....1 out of every 36 murders were black on black, today 1 out of every 3.... Sombody sure as hell sold the black population down the river and it sure as hell wasn't me.
Preposterous? You seem to have gotten lost in your own statistics. If an African American is asked why they support Barack Obama by a white person along with the inferrence that it is because he is black and they are black,........damn straight yes they're going to say yes. They aren't going to see any point in trying to raise the level of the discussion above the head of the questioner. Never waste your time arguing with the willfully ignorant.
The last Republican to try to help an African American live a better life was Abraham Lincoln. The hopey changey thing didn't work out so well for him either.
I see you didn't address the stats. Are they racist too? Believe it or not the black people I am refering to are trusted friends that trust me also and would have no problem disagreeing with me as they often do. I have enriched their lives and they have abundantly enriched mine. I am a realist that is good at detecting deception in another human being and calling it out for what it is without regard for race, political correctness, or feelings. Feelings sure ain't facts.
Who is collecting and "Keeping" the stats?
Feelings aren't facts? For some, fellings are the only facts that matter.
"People may not remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel."
And that my boy is why I don't mince words with anybody. And when people try to mince words with me I know they are attempting to manipulate me. I don't give a tinkers damn how the truth makes someone feel. That is their worry. Me, I have no problem accepting reality. And those stats can be found in several places. Just google it.
Spend a few more million to support your minions......
Why don't you get back to work at the WH?
Any of you Dems read Savage's 'Trickle Up Poverty' You might get a change of heart. But what am I saying? The Lefty bookstores have hidden the book as they always do when a Conservative bestseller comes through. A new tactic in the war against the Conservatives. Dems really look silly trying to hide the truth.
Headline: Oblaba stumps his toe out West. Hammer in the right hand and the
Sickle in the left.
Has anyone notice that since day one the president seems to get distracted from job creation. He keeps on saying Jobs, Jobs and Jobs, but totally ignores that for his first 1 1/2years. He was busy trying to get Health Reform passed. After that it was wall street and now he is out campaigning. Geez!
FAUX NEWS talking point, very original stuff there.