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The Democratic National Committee today announced the selection of Charlotte, NC, as the site of the party's 2012 convention, a clear sign that Democrats will once again target the Tar Heel State in the upcoming presidential contest.
It will be the first presidential-nominating convention to ever take place in North Carolina.
Barack Obama narrowly won the state in 2008, 50%-49% (or 2,142,651 votes to John McCain's 2,128,474) -- the first time a Democrat carried the state in a presidential contest since 1976.
By selecting Charlotte -- which beat out St. Louis, MO; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; and Cleveland, OH -- Obama and his political advisers will try to repeat their success in 2008, when they used the convention as an organizing tool to win the state in the general election. (In 2008, Denver hosted the Democratic convention, and Obama went on win Colorado, 54%-45%, the first time a Dem presidential nominee had carried it since 1992.)
It also should be no surprise that, demographically, the city is well represented with the voters who made up the coalition that propelled Obama to victory in 2008: 33% of its residents are black, 11% are Hispanic, nearly 40% have a bachelor's degree (the national average is 27.5%), and its median age is 33.2 years (the national average is 36.5). For the whole state, 21% of the residents are black, 7% are Hispanic, nearly 26% have a bachelor's degree, and its median age is 36.6.
But Charlotte also has potential drawbacks for Obama and the Democrats. For one thing, the city is closely associated with Bank of America, a recipient of the federal government's bank bailout. The bank's corporate headquarters are located in the city, and the Carolina Panthers' football stadium is named Bank of America Stadium.
Also, the local NAACP chapter has urged groups, including the Democratic Party, to boycott the city after it scheduled a make-up school day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
And the city has faced some criticism from a prominent labor union because of its lack of union hotels.
The Democratic convention is scheduled for the week of Sept. 3, 2012. The Republican convention -- which will be held in Tampa, FL -- will occur the week before.
*** UPDATE *** A senior Democratic official emails First Read: "This selection should put to rest any notion that the presidential map in 2012 is going to shrink. President Obama will be very active in North Carolina and that, despite what some have speculated, we are going to go as big in 2012 as we did in 2008 -– and that means fighting hard for North Carolina, Virginia and all the states and more that helped elect President Obama in the first place."
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I live outside of Charlotte, it's bad enough with the races twice a year now this. Looks like vacation time in 2012.
thank you for saying what we all know. educated people vote dem.
Hands down!!!!!!
Anybody want to suggest Charlotte is too small it has the same relative population as the state of Alaska. and it is quite different from the rural areas of the state. Charlotte and the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area are far more progressive than much of the rest of the state. Again as mentioned the difference is the average educational level.
FR: "But Charlotte also has potential drawbacks for Obama and the Democrats......and the Carolina Panthers' football stadium is named Bank of America Stadium."
Okay, just curious - is there still a major city in the U.S. where one or more of the stadiums are NOT named for major banks or other financial institutions? In Philadelphia, the Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park (usually just referred to as "the ballpark", the Eagles are at Lincoln Financial Field (a.k.a. "the Link"), while the Flyers and Sixers play in a building which has gone through so many bank name changes (The First Union Center, the Wachovia Center, and now (I think) the Wells Fargo Center), that both fans and sports announcers have given up trying to keep track and just call it "the Center" - though admittedly, the "FU" did catch on for a while. :)
So I guess my point is.....well.....what's the point here?
Yeah! Right! You mean un-educated people vote democrats!
Have the "WTF" posters for the convention been printed yet?
That percentage will go way down once the Democratic conventioneers show up.
And where does Obama want those Roman pillars delivered to this time?
zaruski, which calls into question the quality of your education!
JoAnna, you may want to check your facts. Yes, facts. You remember those, right?
wonder if there will be "free speech zones" in cages like the republicans did in St Paul ?
i hear they're installing a pool so Obama can walk to the stage on water!! LOL
which is why he narrowly carried the state, because of the othe 60%
Just kidding, I can only hope that the easy southern atmosphere of this fine state will temper some of the hardcore 'progressive' rhetoric. As a 'blue dog' Dem the extremes of both side are far too, well, extreme.
Zaruski - I don't know where they got that statistic, but in the 2008 Election exit polls showed that the overwhelming majority of votes for democrats came from those with less than a High school diploma or greater than a 4 year college degree. A little over half of those with a High school diploma to a 4 year college degree voted republican.
Now, if you consider that our country has slipped to #26 in education in the world, and the ones teaching are those with more than a bachelors degree then we have the wrong people teaching us.
@zaruski
I believe that the article points out that this is the first time since 1976 that a Dem carried Charlotte. Therefore, it would point that, statistically they vote Rep. Combine that with the heavy minority ratios and one could conclude that people with bachelor degrees heavily vote Rep.
@Byl,
Perhaps the other 50% of the voters are more civil and don't need to be placed in cages???
CDahl Charlotte is a CITY...the artical referred to North Carolina which is a STATE.
Please pay attention, there will be a test on this for you. Perhaps you could use some more education...
Hey, the Dems can just call up John Edwards to find out where the best 'female entertainment' in the area is.
Frankly,
Thanks for the adjustment. Please replace Charlotte with North Carolina.
The point remains the same. Zaruski's logic based on the given information is flawed.
cdahl, freedom of speech for only those that agree with you?
Hmm, I've been out of work for over a year. . . .Been told I'm too young for Medicare even with Diabetes . . . . And these politicians will be raising millions of dollars to fund a convention, yet cannot balance the budget with the dollars entrusted to them by taxpayers . . . .Color me not impressed.
DB- No, you are cherry-picking and misinterpreting the statistics about voters. The category of "less than high school" education comprised only 4% of those who voted, so how could they be "the majority of those who voted Democratic"? Obama carried the majority of voters in EVERY education category, including those with postgraduate education. Of the 17% of voters who had a postgraduate education, 58% voted for Obama vs. 40% who voted for McCain. See here: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1
Byl,
Of course not. And as a believer of Freedom of speech, I assume you believe that the Republicans have the right to hold their convention free from screaming activists disrupting the entire event, throwing insults and inciting possible violence, correct?
Since 1/2 the country votes Republican, 1/2 Democrat I often wonder why crowd control is found at one event, and not the other......
Do I believe in Freedom of Speech? Like most Americans yes. Do I believe that the Freedom of Speech excuse goes to the extreme to the point where one group of people scream over another, simply to disrupt the agenda? Again, Yes.
You have every right to your opinion, decisions and personal objectives. And so do the rest of us.
Regardless of party affiliation.
My guess is that the screaming will be up to the little boys brought in for the Republican convention
PNWLady
Hmm, I've
PNWLady
Hmm, I've been out of work for over a year. . . .Been told I'm too young for Medicare even with Diabetes . . . . And these politicians will be raising millions of dollars to fund a convention, yet cannot balance the budget with the dollars entrusted to them by taxpayers . . . .Color me not impressed.
Sorry to hear about the umemployment PNWLady....and the medical situation.. :(
I totally agree with you on what you posted....IT IS AMAZING HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS "DEM AND REP" CAN RAISE MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS for a stupid unnecesary party that WE - THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN people can't even attend and do not care about. It's wasted money and TV time! If they can raise that kind of money for something so stupid then why can't these morons manage out tax dollars better? Good Grief! I don't plan on watching either convention!!!!!! I'm sick of Politics
Charlotte has one of the highest crime rates per capita, not just in NC, but the whole country. Sounds like a good fit.
Charlotte is a good place for dems to have their last big get together, Obumer might want to
had out some resumes at the local community organizer rally.
Charlotte's violent crime rates for 2009 place it at 39th with a 7.23. Compared to Detroit #2 with 19.67 and Washington DC #10 with 12.65, cities with similar demographics...
see "Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2009 (Table 6)". FBI. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2009. .
Well, there goes the neighborhood........a great city turned into libbienutville for a few days. As a former Charlottean, I feel for you guys......
opie and barney will be pleased
I live in Charlotte and am a democrat. However I think this was a bad move, think of the Republicans in 2004 in NY. The protesters will be massive here and barring a miracle NC will not go Democrat in 2012. There are better more progressive cities to have had this convention. Heck even the NAACP is now plaining to protest the convention because they ask the DNC not to consider Charlotte over the flap about having school on MLK day.
The Republican convention is in Florida? Ha ha. How apropos! I predict an Obama landslide in 2012 and the only states that go for the Republican candidate will be Florida and ...oh heck, I can't think of any other state that might go Republican.
Amy--perhaps you should take a little time off from frozen Maine and travel south. The democrat selection of Charlotte reveals a piece of their strategy in attempting to shore up Obama's numbers in NC. But the 2012 election cycle will reflect the 2010 cycle in that Obama will have a difficult time in "the solid south", which has and will continue to trend Republican, at all levels.
all the others exept NY, CA and Ill.???
Well don't forget Ohio! The Republicans fixed that election in 2004. I watched the sworn testimony of the man who wrote the computer program at the behest of the Republican Speaker of the House in Florida. You remember Florida, the State where Bush's brother was Governor at the time!
I bet the vote will be closer to 50 - 50 but if the republicans win they will have a mandate, if the democrats win it will be a communist take over!
HAHAHAHA....MAN what country have you been living in the last two years? I want to see your posts after 2012 election....HAHAHAHA
A change is gonna come to NC.
I don't know about that, Charlotte is vastly different from the rest of the state.
No it's not, Charlotte likes to 'think' they're better but it's not terribly accurate.
Right in the heart of Redneck land! YEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAW!
Micki
We all don't like you boys from up north...
Captain, It was all those northerners that made Charlotte what it is today.
The only change that Charlotte will have is that it (along with the rest of North Carolina) will definitely vote Republican! The republicans now have control of the state house and senate for the first time in 100 years and you can rest assured that we won't stop now!!
I wondered how far down the list of comments I would have to read before some Yankee ass hat made a "redneck" comment! Yee Haw yourself, jerk.
redscorpio55, The problem with Yankees is they don't know the difference between a Good Ole Boy and a Redneck. I find this very funny.
I live in Charlotte for five years and found it very progressive. They did have a saying for all the Yankees who would constantly say how great it was to live in New York, I loved it so here goes one out to "mickey mouse":
I-95 goes both ways, catch the Greyhound if ya'll need to...........................
Mickey N.Y, Bet you have never been to N.C.! I live in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Duke and Raleigh area scene you will never see in N.Y. All the vast Medical Centers. The triangle Center just on the outskirts of them are a mixture of every Research Center you will ever hear about.
Restoreusa, you obviously don't know Charlotte and need to check your facts. Charlotte generally votes Democratic and voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008. All the major cities in North Carolina -- Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville -- voted Obama. It's the backwards redneck communities throughout the rest of the state that went for McCain. I'm from North Carolina and lived in Charlotte as well as one of those redneck communities. I know. Again, check your facts.
Shawn....
You must be a northerner to make that comment...and take credit...lol
Two words Shawn: Jersey Shore.
Please.
Rick-in-SD
Yes, most of the large cities in North Carolina did vote Obumma in 2008 but all that changed in 2010 when we came to our senses and the Republicans won the State House and Senate from the Demo's. A lot of people all over the country voted for Obumma in 2008 but I don't believe they will be that stupid again!
I also am from North Carolina, born and raised in Charlotte and still live in NC, so I do know what I am talking about.
Hey Mickey, NY:
You're an IDIOT! You obviously need to travel a bit to gain some knowledge and perspective!
Are there enough hookers in Charlotte to properly serve this group?
President Obama will win in the Blue State of North Carolina in 2012.
Amy B. Is your prediction of a landslide for obama going to be like the landslide you dimocrats predicted in the last election? I hope he has a house already picked out in Chicago after 2012!
And my sympathies to Charlotte NC. , But look at the bright side, the "infection" will not last very long.
VfVet,They have all moved to Florida. But they will be back because, Republicans don't like girls. That is a proven fact. Toetapping time in Florida.
restore, with all due respect, the fact that you think people who voted for Obama in 2008 "came to their senses in 2010" by voting for Republicans only shows that you are deluded and do NOT know the facts. There's been an awful lot of slander and spin by the right-wing media, and a big uninformed segment of the population fell for it. Besides that, a lot of Obama supporters were frustrated that by November he had not accomplished everything they had hoped for and were frustrated, so didn't vote. As for the right-wing lies that caught on, among them was the attack on the health care mandate, which still continues. Completely lost in those attacks is the fact that the mandate was a Republican creation that Republicans pushed for 40 years, finally reversing course when Obama (in an effort at compromise) took up THEIR idea and ran with it. (Obama, previously, had actually been against the mandate). What the public wound up with was NOT a Democratic Party health care bill (completely absent from it was a single payer system or, at least, a public option). Instead, it was almost a boilerplate of the 1993 health care bill put forward by the Republican Party in opposition to Hillary Clinton. But from the way it's been spun, you would never know that. Same thing with the national debt. Bush had been hiding the cost of the Iran and Iraq wars, so Obama decided to bring those costs to light. In doing to, the national debt numbers suddenly spiked up, making it look like he had run up the debt. They further spiked due to things like TARP, which Bush got the ball rolling on (and McCain supported) but somehow gets attributed only to Obama. And also the $800 billion Obama stimulus package, nearly half of which was comprised of tax cuts Republicans wanted. So the facts are that most of the $14 trillion debt was created by Republicans. Obama had little to do with the recent spikes, and people who have independently looked at the facts (and ignored the right wing spin) know this. The rest of the country has bought into lies and spin.
Oh, and where are those newly elected Republicans on their campaign promises? They said they were all about jobs and tax cuts. What have they done so far to help the jobs situation? What have the done to help with the national debt situation that they caused in the first place? Their first action was to insist on extending the incremental tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, thus perpetuating and adding to the national debt problem. There is nothing in that tax code requiring those wealthiest of the wealthy to create jobs in order to get their tax cut. It's just free money for them. This country provides a structure that enables the weathly to have that wealth: infrastructure for destributing their goods, and education system to provide them with an educated workforce, police, fire departments and mililtary to protect their interests. They have a bigger stake in the this country yet don't think they have to pay their fair share. Hopefully by 2012, voters will realize they have been duped AGAIN by the Republican party.
VfVet: I'm not sure. You would need to ask David Vitter.
Don't even try, dude.
VfVet, why don't you check with David Vitter on that question. He can probably help you.
I recall when Royal Insurance relocated their headquarters from Manhattan to Charlotte. Royal attempted to retain the majority of their employees, providing them city tours, real estate tours, etc. Busloads of New Yorkers looking out of windows at green spaces, breathing clean air, while unhappy not to be able to find a deli.
For those who relocated, Royal actually had to provid driving lessons for those who did not drive. Now that is when the city went downhill, relocated Yankees attempting to drive for the first time. But they were interesting - Bless their Hearts.
"Bless their Hearts."
Indeed!
Only a Southron knows the meaning of that phrase. Poor Yankees, Bless their Hearts.
Chaos in Egypt, an historic snowstorm covering a third of the U.S., and this constitutes "breaking" news?
There are articles about these issues, too. They didn't just now happen so they aren't "breaking" news.
We are ready! Thank You DNC! North Carolina Will Rock for DNC 2012!
I think I just vomited a little in my mouth.... I'm already trying to figure out where I can go to avoid the train wreck that's coming to my city... *sigh*
Too funny....do the Dems think they can "buy" NC????? I don't think so....dumb,dumb, dumb move!
well the republicans, koch brothers, and all other manners of large corporations seem to be able to, so i dont see why not!
Well put, zaruski!
Mr or Ms. Allie Foster, They don't have to try to buy N.C. we are already Democrat.
to: Bob Hall-900721
I don't think so! Did you not see the results of the November 2010 election?? The Republicans now have the State senate and house!
Hey restoreusahopeandhonor, By the time the Election comes up, those idiots will have the N.C. political slate so screw up, that they will even vote for the Democrats. I know the imp they put in charge personally. He like Bush has been a failure at everything he does. He is another power hungry Republican that got his weak son appointed prosecutor in his home County. There is a long story about his home County that can't be talked about here Dirt bag, lowlife politics.
Bob Hall
I know exactly what you are talking about but not all the republicans are dirt bags. Look at what the dems have done to the state... even the last Governor was corrupt! We have a great opportunity and if the politicians in Raleigh do not screw up, North Carolina will become a state all North Carolinians can be proud of!
Bob Hall - obviously a cali person....must be all the pot smoke in the air that makes y'all crazy
The Dems are the ones that screwed this state up and now the Reps are cleaning it up. Can't wait till Bev is gone!!
No dumber than the GOP thinking they could "buy" New York in 2004.
I want to be a campaign ads writer, it would be a recession proof job. Doesn't matter how bad the economy, there will always be an election and politicians always find millions dollars for their campaigns. I am good at say nasty things about your opponents so made me your campaign attack ads writer.
I think you may need to be able to write well to be considered an ad copy writer. I would beg to differ that you are "good at say nasty things" but perhaps if you check your work, you may be better than appears at first blush. :>)
(I'm just teasing, we all make typos but I couldn't help myself).
TKW.....you will need to be good at sentence construction, you know we Democrats/Liberals are an educated and elite bunch.
Hey TKWIs,Why do you think the Republicans want to give the filthy rich a continual tax break? The Rich take that money that should have been paid in taxes and put it behind the Republicans because they know that they can control them a lot easier.
Ahh yes, and only he libs seem to mis the humor in the thread...LOL typical
brewgeek N.C. No humor intended, only the truth.
tk, They are called ad agencies. Feel free to add to the stimilus of the economy by starting one.
Good calculated move. Go Dems
Like Texas for Kennedy... Not a good idea...
But like any NC citizen; come to our state, spend your MONEY, then LEAVE...
this is good this will bring money to the state
WHO CARES!
Another grouchy old man - take a nap and comment later.
Trick question? You did read any reply to it, correct?
I read the headline and again I ask, WHO CARES?
kd, neither grouchy nor old. What difference does it make where either party chooses to have their convention? To this day , the location of a convention has not swayed my choice on who I vote for. I am not such a simpleton (like Democrat voters and their supporters are) that my vote would be changed because a certain political party is gathering in my back yard.
Rodney-493759
I read the headline and again I ask, WHO CARES?
Obviously you cared enough to go on and make a silly post about it
Will Andy and Goober be there? Maybe Floyd can give the Keynote?
What about Otis? Will he be there?
Oh... nevermind - he'll be in Tampa! lol
They'll be in Florida with the teapublicans.
Otis is busy being the new speaker. Let him sleep til morning.
Precisely! ;o)
He's never met a bar he didn't belly up to!
I'm thinking John Edwards.....low cost travel expenses to convention.
Oh I do hope Fiesty and Louis if he's here can come.....NOT!!
Keep your lib vitriol home please, we're trying to keep our state sane!
brewgeek,
"we're trying to keep our state sane!" You blew that when you elected and reelected Virginia Fox.
vwterry, you sure hit that one right. You know everyone in that part of N.C. has the same last name.
By sane i meant not like CA., and NY....two of the least fiscally responsible and liberal states.
And yet NY and CA are amongst the states that require the least Federal Spending. As usual its the Blue that works to keep the Red afloat.
That said congratulations to NC my home state for getting the convention!
Wow Feisty, for an ignorant Windy City person you really have a number of negative comments about a southern city. Ever spent any time there? Oh, what ever happened to your President's request for restraint in language and political comments? You seem to break the rules daily while you contest the thoughts of others.
Well Feisty I hope you one day visit Charlotte to see just what hospitality is all about. and before you begin the negatives, Kluxers were driven out long ago......they were, unfortunately replaced by New Yorkers and other dang yankees, bless their hearts.
Looting and pillaging will be on an upswing that week....better call in extra police patrols.
The last DNC convention was here in Denver. It was very exiciting for our city. Whether you're a (D) or not...this is politics in action. Our Mayor (now Governor Hickenlooper) did an outstanding job of making our city ready.
Candidate Obama filled Broncos stadium...it was amazing. I was fortunate enough to land a ticket.
If you're close by...have fun - join in. You'll probably never get another opportunity like this one.
Based on what?
Breaking news? I think this is a case of news importance inflation.
During the State of the Union Show, Obama declared, "We are poised for progress. Two years after the worst recession most of us have ever known, the stock market has come roaring back. Corporate profits are up. The economy is growing again." Mission Accomplished! is the banner Obama is flying.
Breaking News;
My wife and I may be taking a trip on Amtrak to Philly this spring...stay tuned for further exciting developments...
I'm surprised this isn't getting much play: “PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD: THE BILL CLINTON PHENOMENON” - CHRIS MATTHEWS DISCUSSES PRESIDENT CLINTON’S POST-PRESIDENTIAL LIFE AND LEGACY
http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/networks/msnbc/pressreleases?pr=contents/press-releases/2011/01/31/presidentofthew1296501542202.xml
I wonder if they'll talk about his impeachment and disbarment? At least they have Matthews hosting it, he'll keep it real and won't go over the top like some hosts do when talking about Clinton.
Nor this...
Bushes' Daughter Endorses Gay Marriage in New York
WASHINGTON -- A campaign for legalization of same-sex marriage in New York has won the backing of one of former President George W. Bush's daughter, Barbara, who appears in a new video offering her support.
"I'm Barbara Bush and I’m a New Yorker for marriage equality. New York is about fairness and equality and everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love. Join us,"
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/01/bushes-daughter-barbara-endorses-gay-marriage-new-york/#ixzz1Cj9MYePt
Another silly taboo that will be a memory. It is a generational thing now, just as race was to a previous generation.
Prudes, puritans, the sexually frustrated and those with CDS love to point out that the only president in our history who was ever allowed to be sued DURING HIS TERM (Way to go again Supremes) and whose "crime" was marital infidelity and whose "perjury" constituted lying about that infidelity in a 50 million dollar witch hunt, was impeached...
President Clinton was one of the most effective presidents of the last century. He left office at peace, with a balanced budget and a surplus, having presided over the longest sustained period of peace and prosperity in our history. His approval ratings at the end of his 2nd term are among the highest of any president.
His infidelities were a minor personality flaw, his Presidency was a major plus for America. We could have used a man with his abilities the past 10 years...
"I'm Barbara Bush and I'm a New Yorker for marriage equality. New York is about fairness and equality and everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love. Join us"
What gets me about this "generational change" is that people act like it was inevitable opinions would change, and the daughter of a former Republican President would ultimately support gay marriage publically, without acknowledging it was the courage, perserverance and hardwork of thousands of gay activists who paved the way for the day when gay marriage could seem "inevitable." PS Not to take anything away from Ms Bush, I think her action is admirable and brave, as well.
And yet America was attacked soon after he left, he treated terrorism as a policing problem and not as an act war with organized terrorists problem. The economy under Clinton had more to do with expansion of the digital age then it did with anything Clinton did. Many of the problems experienced by Freddie and Fanny in 2007 were legislated under his tenure, and approval ratings don't make up for the damage he caused. Also, nobody ever accused Clinton of being any kind of a role model. And the country certainly could have been spared the drama of his personal life.
So I guess others look at Clinton just a little bit differently.
Hey, I don't really care who they're screwing in private; I just want to know who they're screwing in public
It would be as foolish for me to attempt to refute your biased personal opinions with more historical fact as you are to present your opinions as a refutation of the facts stated pertaining to President Clinton's two terms in office.
Peace, unprecedented prosperity, a balanced budget and a surplus...you could look it up...
Is Ms Bush a carpet muncher?
JoAnna,
The key phrase there is "after." We were attacked on W's watch. If W and his folks thought there was a problem, they had 8 full months to address that. Instead, W went on vacation for most of those 8 months and sat still in a kindergarten classroom for what seemed like forever after being notified of the attacks. No, that is one that you cannot lay at Clinton's feet. Not at all.
As always, the JS1's ignore that President Clinton warned the incoming Bush adminstration about Al Qaeda; the fact that the Bush was dismissive of the warnings and later flippant regarding the briefing that said Al Qaeda determined to strike in the U.S. apparently does not matter to the right. Conservatives seem bent on rewriting history in their favor--it doesn't work that way, facts are facts.
Impeachment, disbarment, ignoring of threats both foreign and domestic. You can look it up.
Please provide a link to this scholarly historical assessment...
What you are forced to ignore is far more significant than what you are forced to present as your rebuttal...
JoAnna,
So can you. Give it a try.
JoAnnaSmith1
And yet America was attacked soon after he left, he treated terrorism as a policing problem and not as an act war with organized terrorists problem. The economy under Clinton had more to do with expansion of the digital age then it did with anything Clinton did. Many of the problems experienced by Freddie and Fanny in 2007 were legislated under his tenure, and approval ratings don't make up for the damage he caused. Also, nobody ever accused Clinton of being any kind of a role model. And the country certainly could have been spared the drama of his personal life.
JoAnnaSmith1
America was attacked soon after Clinton left office: DURING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, which republicans routinely refer to as "keeping us safe"
All of the individuals who participated in the first attack on the World Trade Center were caught and imprisoned under the Clinton Adminstration. None....not one individual involved in the 9/11 attack were convicted and sentenced to prison under Bush. In fact due to the Bush Administration's belief that they were above the law, the prisoners at GITMO were tortured, making their testimony inadmissable in an American courtroom. On top of that, they let 500 GITMO inmates go after having sworn that they were dangerous terrorists. What a gang of incompetent nitwits.
The Bush Administration started with a balanced budget, a budget surplus and a thriving economy which they, and the republicans turned into the worst economic disaster in nearly 100 years, all of which they blame on Obama and Clinton. republican never take responsibility for their actions. Every time republican economic policies have been implemented they have caused a recession.
republicans had eight years to govern this country. Name one accomplishment of the Bush Administration.
Oh , I get it now. I thought they were lining up their next hooker.
Again, hookers are David Vitter's (R-La) territory.
Charlotte and Tampa. Both newish mid-size cities in the South. Both have seen explosive growth since 1980. Both are in states that are in flux (Florida, once solidly Democratic (think Bob Graham), has drifted to the Republican side -- NC, once solidly Republican (think Jesse Helms), has drifted to the Democrat side). You think the GOP and the Dems are up to something?
Facts that make you go hmmmmm.....
Jesse Helms was N.C.s number one racist. When he died, two devils grabbed him up and ran down the hallway with him.
I for one am very happy that they will be in NC. I live in the mountains of Western NC and love to see this happen. I lived in Ca. for over 30 years and I can tell you that even with the few red necks it is better here. There were red necks in Ca. as well. For the most part I find the people here to be a much happier lot and well adjusted.
Yes there is bad news all over the world for which I am concerned but having some good news sure helps in times like we live in. Wish more could find the good instead of digging for the bad.
Cause we're all not good enough to be californians (or former californians)
brewgeek: grow up.
I lived in San Diego for 21 years and found Californians to be as happy as others living elsewhere. You can't make blanket statements based on your own individual notion of "happy"; some people love big cities, some prefer the country life, some like snow and cold, some hate it. I liked the young ideas in California, the spirit of the people but I also like Iowa. No one place has a lock on being better than any other, what makes one happy is something beyond where they live.
Don't agree with the venue. I don't trust these states with the safety of my president. Florida or a Northern or Eastern state would have been a better, safer choice. I worry every time I hear Obama is going into Redneck territory. We have a history and it is written in the blood of our elected leaders.
I wouldn't call Charlotte "redneck" territory. It's a very nice town. It's not like he's going to Mississippi.
I hear you AnaBanana - I worry about him all the time. We can always pray for his safety.
This is Charlotte North Carolina, not a third world country. There are many other places, and people that are more dangerous and violent than here. To stereotype an entire state, region or people does a disservice to the democracy that we all claim to want and need. Let us not incite more differences that can lead to discord.
Anyone who knows their history would be aware that staying in DC is more dangerous than visiting here. Lincoln and Garfield were killed in DC, Attempts were made on Reagan and Andrew Jackson in DC, and if you think other areas are more geographically "safe", let's not forget the attempts on Teddy Roosevelt in Milwaukee, FDR in Miami, and Ford in Sacramento. McKinley was shot in Buffalo NY.
I wouldn't worry about it ana, NOBODY wants Biden as president...
Charlotte transplant,
I respectfully disagree with you regarding North Carolina. It is a third world country as is most of the deep south. To quote a movie actress "You need a passport to come here!" It is not your geography. It is your inability to survive without big handouts from the federal government. Some, like Mississippi, twice as much as it gives. Also your inability to pay living wages and collect enough taxes to be self sufficient. That is what makes you a third world country.
You obviously hyave no clue what you're talking about, Charlotte (and indeed the whole state) is one of the fastest growing and technologically advanced in the country. Foolish stereotyping
brewgeekNC:
I think you are preaching to the choir. Uninformed people forget the Research Triangle, Duke, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, etc. For them, NC will always be Mayberry. There are certainly pockets of Mayberry types, but that is the exception, not the rule.
AnaBanana:
As a fellow Dem living in NYC, I have to tell you that you are grossly misinformed about North Carolina and are letting stereotypes of the South and media obsession with the tea party form a passive aggressive brand of bigotry in your mind. Even though you and I may agree on many things politically, bigotry of any sort is not helpful and does not serve to elevate any argument. I grew up in NC. Are you saying that I am a danger to the President? It is most certainly not a third world country. You owe my home state and its citizens across the political spectrum an apology. Truly, how dare you.
AnaBanana-1782128
I guess you have traveled all over the USA and know what you are talking about......NOT HARDLY! North Carolina is one of the most beautiful states in the United States. Why in the Hell do you thinkall the Yankees come here to work and live, because we live off the Federal Government!!!! I don't think so!!!! You really are living with your head in a hole (or up a hole). North Carolina just had the US Figure Skating Championship in Greensboro with people from all over the USA and they loved being in North Carolina. We actually care and try to make everyone feel welcome. I guess the state you live in is perfect and no one lives in proverty and everyone makes hundreds of thousands of dollars every week. Get real! We have 3 of the finest Universities and Medical Centers in the country....DUKE, WAKE FOREST and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA (UNC). Research Triangle Park (Raleigh,Durham,Chapel Hill) is one of the greatest technology centers in the world! We have professional hockey, football and basketball and absolutely the best college basketball in the country!!!! We have the best company that anyone would want to work for: SAS is the FORTUNE's #1 company to work for! But I don't want to make YOU want to live here because we are fine without you and others that think like you.
professional bball in Raleigh? What team is there?
To all the NC natives who took offense at being called a third world country. Start being self sufficient and I will take you seriously. Until then....
What are you talking about? Start being self sufficient? Explain, so we can take you seriously.
AnaBanana,
How is NC not self-sufficent? How is NC any less self-sufficient than New York or Ohio or Florida? The welfare rolls are a heckuva lot shorter, I'll tell you that. Here's a news flash for you: all states request and use federal funds - red and blue alike.
You are apparently a fellow Democrat, but that does not make you any less ill-informed than some (please note that I said "some") of the tea party folks. If you're going to malign, at least have one of your facts straight. Otherwise, you just sound ignorant and bitter.
Neither bidder or ignorant. NC has nothing to offer me. My source follows.
http://www.visualeconomics.com/united-states-federal-tax-dollars/
It is public information and accessible by anyone that does the research. Soon I'm sure we'll have better figures also that show how worse it is in NC but for now they contribute nothing to National Security or the welfare of the nation. They take more than they give. Judging by the amount of pride of NC natives they have no excuse for this. Again they can fix this by paying living wages and collecting enough taxes not to be a burden on other citizens but they haven't yet.
Hey AnaBanana, Why don't you tell us what State or prison you live in. Let us check the welfare figures. Don't worry I doubt any of your tax money is spent on anything in this State. The tax base here is doing well. We have the highest gas tax in the Natrion, sales tax are7, 71/2 to 8%. Depends on what you buy. Also 18% payroll tax. Like Obama we were left in the hole by the Former Administration. I am afraid we will really be destroyed now, because the State House and Senate are Republicans. State Senator Berger is as power hungry as Cheney.
Hey annabanana, you really appear to be more of a racist that the Carolinians that you are attempting to categorize as a bunch of rednecks. It's apparent you haven't visited Charlotte before to see firsthand the hospitality of the people.
As for handouts, NC was always a state where people helped people, the budget was always in the black, with the state able to take care of itself without asking the Feds for anything. Then the liberals somehow got control of the state, and the libbienuts took over, driving the state into the red. Look at the majority of the states that are in the red and see just what party took them there.
Guess Charlotte lost the toss!
That was cold navy
navyvet98
Charlotte - rhymes with harlot. That should suit you and your shipmates reel gud, unless you were one of those who didnt tell.
Navy vet, Bet you reached the Rank of Seaman after four years painting the deck.
LOL these libs can't take a joke!! Oh wait...they elected one!!! ROFL
Makes total sense to me. Why would the Dems choose a place like Missouri. Its a total red state. They just put a GOP lobbyist lover in as Senator.
If I had been in charge I would have picked St. Louis MO. It seems like a town where you could have more fun. Charlotte seems like mint julips (sp?) - But I am sure it will all work out
Sadly for both party's education has little to do with party loyalty, the young people who put the President over the top are more willing to accept rhetoric over substance. The majority of people who voted for the President were uneducated. I would maintain that an educated person would have conflicts supporting the tired generalizations either party put forward especially the drivel that educated people support one party over the other.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201003/why-liberals-are-more-intelligent-conservatives
Drivel you say? LOL!
Mile you cite an interesting study that is regularly used by partisan pedants. My point was since both party's do not represent the liberal cause the rather pathetic support of those who call themselves liberal of the democrats is not based on intellectual honesty. In my view intelligent people are leaders and should not be a part of morally corrupt organizations. That was and is my point.
Carlos, you are way off the mark. I would put the level of education for both parties on equal ground, but you will likely find more advanced degrees on the Dem side of things.
"the majority of people who put the President over the top are uneducated"???
Now that's one of the most uneducated statements I've read in a while. 66% of those under 30 voted for Obama, and that includes the 66% he carried of all of those with college degrees as well as a majority of those making over $200,000.
You know, it's possible to disagree with someone's politics without resorting to such stereotyping of those who don't agree with you (especially when the facts simply aren't on your side.)
AP who ever wins an election rely on the votes of the majority and the majority are what they are. Being a part of the herd no matter who wins is not a sign of intelligence in my view. I don't agree with anyones politics since politics are slimy and politicians are for the most part partisan hacks. JT I agree with you, the intelligence of the average party loyalist is probably about the same. People with open minds do not blindly support either party in my view since they both suck!
Misster Toadvine, It was people of all walk's of life that voted for President Obama. They were tired of the Dictator. He was so bad that he ruined the Party of no. Now the Teabaggers that claim to be from all parties are taking over.
This article mentions as a drawback for the Democrats the banking bailout that included $45 billion (that's billion with a "b") for Bank of America.
Now that I've finished pulling out all of my hair, I'd like to remind the writer and MSNBC that the banking bailout was signed into law by one GEORGE W. BUSH and was supported by a large number of Republicans. It should be noted too that at the time, Brad Sherman (D-CA) indicated, while speaking in congress and on the record, that members of congress were told if they didn't vote for the banking bailout, that the market would drop two or three thousand points on Monday and that "there would be martial law in American if we voted no."
[ Youtube video of it is here: ]
I'm NOT arguing that the bailouts were good... just the opposite in fact. I just want people to remember which president signed the bill, and the fear-mongering atmosphere that it came with. McCain voted in favor too, by the way.
It's the media. And the masses. Since when are either interested in facts? :)
That is the most insightful post i've seen today cmarkh
Next time, please be sure to include a youtube video of Nancy Pelosi, as recently as 2010, telling the media that it was a very necessary evil... Oh and don't forget to see if you can find a youtube video of Obama telling America how necessary TARP was...
Come listen to my story bout a man name Jed, he took Ellie Mae and he laid her on the bed, down went the zipper, up went the dress, from then on come a bubblin mess.
BTW....... TARP came directly from the pen of GWB43 and Paulson, and yes it was necessary otherwise our credit system would have melt down.
Bush signed the TARP. It was originally supposed to cost $700 Billion, but it looks like in the end, after the government sells off stock and loans are repaid it will be closer to $25 Billion.
This was done to prevent a meltdown ushered in by the deregulation by the Bush Administration which allowed financial institutions to create derivatives. What they did was make loans to people they knew could not pay with the intention of selling them off (courtesy of an addition slipped into the Commodities Modernization Act by Phil Graham).
They took portions of loans, say, 20% of Mr. Smith's loan and 15% of Mr. Jones' loan and packaged them as let's call it "Silver Securities" as if they had value. Then they sold and resold the package of loans that were worth nothing and skimmed profits off each sale. Thank you republicans for allowing this to occur.
republicans say they were forced to make bad loans by Barney Frank. I notice that no one is able to force anyone to make any loans right now. So apparently the Barney Frank caused the problem defense is just baloney, like most things republicans say.