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Subscribe to RSSThe latest NBC poll is both fortifying and frightening for Obama… What has changed for Obama since bin Laden’s death and what hasn’t… Obama addresses immigration reform in El Paso at 3:30 pm ET… And it’s as much about politics as it is policy… Will we see another Meg Whitman Effect in 2012?... After his event in El Paso, the president heads to Austin for two fundraisers… Boehner lays down his marker in the negotiations over raising the debt ceiling… He also mentions a couple 2012 names (and doesn’t mention a couple of others)… 4th Circuit hears oral arguments on health-care law… And what happened to Sarah Palin?
*** Fortifying and frightening: NBC co-pollster Peter Hart (D) perhaps best sums up our latest NBC survey after bin Laden’s death: It should “both fortify the president and frighten [him]” as we head into 2012. What’s fortifying: The president’s foreign-policy and Afghanistan handlings have hit all-time highs, while his leadership, decision-making, and commander-in-chief ratings have all increased. What’s frightening: His economic handling -- attributed largely to the high gas prices -- has reached an all-time low. Overall, Obama’s job approval stands at 52% (a three-point increase from April) and his generic re-elect stands at 45% (up two points from last month; more interestingly, though, the "definite" vote for the Republican went DOWN eight points). As co-pollster Bill McInturff adds, these numbers underscore the “tremendous anchor the economy is to the president’s job standing.” Bottom line: The president acquired SOME political capital, but not as much as history suggests -- which is a reminder of just how potent the issue of gas prices are right now.
*** Suburban women vs. independents: Speaking of fortifying and frightening, here’s a demographic that should make Team Obama feel good: Among suburban women -- always a key demographic group -- 55% now approve of the president’s job, and 50% say they will probably vote for him in 2012. But here’s a group that should make them feel a bit worried: Among political independents, 43% of them approve of Obama’s job, and just 29% of them say they will probably vote for him in 2012 (compared with 21% who say they will vote for the eventual GOP nominee, and another 26% who say it depends on whom the GOP nominee is).
*** What has changed for Obama and what hasn’t: The NBC poll’s table of presidential attributes gives us a good idea on what has changed for Obama since bin Laden’s death and what hasn’t. The biggest increases: being firm and decisive (an 11-point jump from last December), having the ability to handle a crisis (11 points), being a good commander-in-chief (10 points), and uniting the country (10 points). The smallest increases: sharing your positions on the issues (three points), being honest and straightforward (three points), and having strong leadership qualities (five points). The big movements here, for the most part, are on qualities respondents saw through the prism of national security or foreign affairs; the smaller ones are on domestic matters.
*** What has changed for Obama and what hasn’t -- among independents: And that’s also true when you look only at independents on these attributes. The biggest jump among indies: strong leader (14-point increase), strong commander-in-chief (eight points), and being firm and decisive (eight points). The smallest jumps: sharing your positions on the issues (three points), achieving his goals (no change), and uniting the country (a four-point DROP). There's no greater challenge the president has right now than closing this gap with independents on a number of fronts. The gaps are, using Hart's word, "frighteningly" large.
*** Immigration politics: Obama today heads to El Paso, TX, where he will deliver a big speech on immigration reform at 3:30 pm ET. As it turns out, the White House has held some immigration-related event every week or two over the past several weeks (on March 28, he held a Hispanic education town hall; on April 19, he met with immigration-reform stakeholders, including Hollywood types like Eva Longoria; and on May 3, it was with the Hispanic congressional caucus). Of course, this is as much about politics as it is policy -- Latinos voted for Obama in 2008 by a 67%-31% margin, and they make up an important bloc of voters in the battleground states of Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida, and even a place like North Carolina. What’s more, immigration reform has become a one-sided conversation. While George W. Bush also proposed similar immigration reform, and 12 GOP senators voted for it in 2007 (including five who currently serve in the Senate), most Republicans now oppose it.
*** The Meg Whitman Effect: Let’s realize what’s coming on immigration: It’s very possible that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (who benefited from the Latino vote in his re-election battle last year) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) will likely introduce some sort of immigration reform (and probably the DREAM Act, too) in the fall, just as the GOP presidential race begins to heat up. And it will force the GOP candidates to come out against immigration reform, since their base is opposed to it. This is precisely what happened to Meg Whitman (R) in her bid for California governor last year: Her GOP primary took her to the right on immigration, and she was unable to return to the center on the issue in the general election. All it took was one outsized incident to see her numbers imply collapse with Latinos.
*** An aspirational speech: In a conference call yesterday previewing Obama’s immigration speech, senior administration officials said the president will “make the case that legislation is the root to reform here,” and he will underscore his “commitment” to a legislative solution. However, he is “not going to lay out any particular deadline,” and he won’t get into specifics. (We’ve seen this movie before, of course…) Instead, it will be an aspirational speech in which Obama wants to create “a sense of urgency around the country” on the issue. It will be “a call to action in order to get this over the top,” a senior administration official said. More evidence that this is a speech designed to resonate in the 2012 campaign, NOT in the 2011 legislative agenda.
*** Boehner starts off negotiations on the side of the Tea Party: In New York last night, House Speaker John Boehner laid down his marker in the upcoming battle over raising the debt ceiling: that spending cuts should be greater than the increase in the debt ceiling. “We should be talking about cuts of trillions, not just billions,” he said. Boehner followed up his remarks with an interview on TODAY this morning. “This is a window of opportunity to address the big issues that face our country,” he told NBC’s Matt Lauer. “This is the moment -- now -- to address those problems as adults… I think we need to work together.” But he also said that any tax hike is a non-starter. “It is off the table. Everything else is on the table.” Rhetorically, Boehner is trying to start off the negotiations on the side of the Tea Party. Yesterday, folks like Michelle Bachmann set the stage for this when she sent out a release indicating the GOP "squandered" the negotiations over the 2011 budget (which caused a near shutdown) because it did not lead to significant cuts or changes in the budget process.
*** Boehner names some names (and doesn’t name others): Also in the TODAY interview, Matt Lauer asked Boehner about the potential GOP presidential field and about Donald Trump and Chris Christie. On his own, however, Boehner also mentioned Newt Gingrich and Mitch Daniels. Two names he DIDN’T mention: Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. #justnoticing
*** Oral arguments at the 4th Circuit: The other big news today: “A three-judge appellate court panel will hear oral arguments Tuesday morning over the constitutionality of the nation’s health-care overhaul as lawsuits challenging the federal law proceed up the legal ladder before most likely landing at the U.S. Supreme Court,” the Washington Post reports. “The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit will hear debate at a Richmond courthouse in two cases.”
*** What happened to Sarah Palin? In the upcoming issue of the Atlantic Monthly, Josh Green looks at the “Tragedy of Sarah Palin” – that before she became a national political lightning rod, she had a compelling record as Alaska’s governor. “She set aside private concerns for the greater good, forgoing a focus on social issues to confront the great problem plaguing Alaska, its corrupt oil-and-gas politics. She did this in a way that seems wildly out of character today—by cooperating with Democrats and moderate Republicans to raise taxes on Big Business. And she succeeded to a remarkable extent in settling, at least for a time, what had seemed insoluble problems, in the process putting Alaska on a trajectory to financial well-being." The rest of Green’s piece examines what happened to Palin: "Anyone looking back at her record can't help but wonder: How did a popular, reformist governor beloved by Democrats come to embody right-wing resentment?"
Countdown to NY-26 special election: 14 days
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Countdown to NV-2 special election: 126 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 182 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 272 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up
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where's the medicare/ social security vote. Death pannels? this is the gray vote and we are damn mad!
i'm with ya; this guy has got to go! he has done enough destruction. Spent two solid years on the HCR which will further destroy the country.
Oh US Navy how wrong you are, Sir. Obama, your idol, wanted to close Gitmo where our intel was born for the killing of UBL. Also, MR NAVY, your Idol, Obama wants to stop waterboarding and is trying to indict those that allowed this 'torture' that gave us intel to find UBL. How can you give credit to Obama when he tried AND FAILED to stop the practices that lead to the killing?
Typical Obama voter. Buffoon Obama voter.
US Navy- You are an old fool.
Tunde,
If some guy breaks into your house and goes after your wife and daughter... you will do ANYTHING to stop it, even stabbing the guy in the face with a fork. Self-defense... I don't see what the big deal is in how we get the info necessary to get the terrorists before they get us.
Maybe for the next kill, instead of SEALs and guns, Obama can send Biden and Holder over to have a chat.
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I can't read all the postings but the one I saw that rings the loudest bell is this one by JAS1:
9% unemployment. Trillion dollar deficits. Soon to have $5/gal gasoline. Contributed more to the national debt in 4 years than Bush did in 8 years. HCR bill that soon will thrown out as being illegal.
Yeah, that certainly does put some meaning to "Mission Accomplished".
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Navy, what planet are you on? And would you agree that Obama = Bush #44?
Those who blame Obama for the economy need a reality check. Here's one:
He is totally at fault for the economy not to mention destruction of jobs. He is a waste and a detriment to this country. Get him OUT and all of the other Progressive/Socialist Democrats.
Anirich - you truly have my sympathy.
Ye. Youneed a realitycheck. Let's strart with the $144 Billion in bonuses for Wall street. Then let's move onto GE not paying any taxes on $5.7 billion. Let's look at the $2 Trillion in cash the Fortune 1000 has in the bank. Let's talk al little bit about the $1.3 trillion in excess reserves held by banks, according to the Fed Reserve.
Let's move onto Fed Ex not paying taxes this year-depite high oil prices. And Back of amrica and Well fargo not paytaxes....yet give bonuses to their execs....
Yes it's a terrible economy...Yesterday GM added 400 workers at a plant..McDonald's hire 50,000 people on the 19th of last moth..GE is building the largest solar factory..
Delusional people need realty checks.
I have to wonder why the Media keeps pushing the "Obama is in trouble" if the economy/unemployment/gas prices/taxes/you "pin the tail on the donkey" narrative instead of providing the public with the facts behind why these things are the way that they are.
Is it me or has it been over two months since we have had any substantive reporting done on the specific legislation that has been passed by Congress that has yet to be enacted due to pressure from the "K Street crowd"? Come on MSNBC, quit pandering to the crowd that would rather bring gasoline to a burning fire than help to put it out.
As for the current speaker of the House and his veiled threats, if America defaults on its financial obligations he won't have to worry about a Tea Party or any other Party challenge. He, the Republican caucus, and the Tea Party aligners will be toast, just like every other American who has money invested in this Country.
Raising the Debt Limit is a no-brainer. Not raising the Debt Limit is equivalent to a homeowner deciding to quit paying his mortgage because the value of his home is less than what he owes on it. We all know what title is given to people who do this, what makes you think the world won't regard America's Financial system in the same way?
not true; no one knows exactly what would happen if we don't raise it. Initially if not raised there is enough money to pay the debt interest (yes, the debt that Obama has accumulated which is more than all the debt from George Washington up and through Ronald Reagen cumlative). I think that the debt ceiling should NOT be raised until those goofy washintonite QUIT SPENDING and do DEEP CUTS!
annirich: are you smoking crack. Please tell me you are joking when you say Obama had accumulated more debt than every president before him from Washington to Regan. Really so Obama is the main cause for all the debt in America. Do you know how ignorant you sound right now. Please educate yourself the next time you want to make a public comment because right now you sound like an absolute idiot.
Actually, Tunisha, He has accumulated more debt than the others combined. It's easy to check...I'm surpised you don't know. It is a very common rallying cry from Obama detractors. But it is, unfortunately, true.
OK smarty, if it's so easy to prove why haven't you done so?
The "Bonehead Boehner Bunch," and "Crazy Cantor's Cronies" had made it very clear economically that Medicare and Medicaid were going to be destroy forever. Then they voted to do jsut that with poltical and economic vigor. The "Hoodlum's On The Hill" are not going to extend the debt ceiling, and soon they will vote with the same economic vigor they is with Medicare/Medicaid. The Tea Beggers will be dancing in the streets, and they will support the GOP/RNC in 2012. The Tea Beggers are not going to let the GOP/RNC let a raising of the debt ceiling occur, and the "Hoodlum's On The Hill" want to keep their poltical/economic power intact. That is fact!
Do you just like to ramble or are you trying to state something intelligent (if you are trying, try again). Besides I don't know how something that is to happen in the future can be a "fact".
Good Morning Grass Hoppers! Remember this famous quote by Barney Frank (D) when he was ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee opposing Bush's plan to head off problems in the housing market in 2003?????
"These two entities-- Fannie and Freddie are not facing any kind of financial crisis". "The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."---Barney Frank (D)
Because of our aging population, the United States is becoming too much like Europe. Immigration is mostly an economic issue. We need more youth to inject energy and vitality into our economy. The single most valuable asset we own is 'economic opportunity' and young immigrants are clearly willing and able to take advantage of this challenge. We need policies in place that will allow this group of people to stay in the United States in order to grow our economy; it could mean as much as $4 trillion dollars annually. We also need Congress to get off their proverbial asses and pass fair trade agreements (exports mean jobs). There is a real need to overhaul and restructure our immigration policies.
Additionally, there is a real need to inject youth into Congress. Representative Boehner is a prime example. He holds on to the past. Drawing 'lines in the sand' is old school. Mr. Boehner, we don't need more threats, we need more citizens employed and paying taxes in a growing economy spurred-on by the energy and vitality found in young American citizens and immigrants currently attending our best universities.
I sometimes wonder if the GOP and their rich donors suspected/knew that they would loose power in 2008. If true, the GOP wanted to make sure to leave a huge mess for the new Democrat (and an intelligent Democrat to boot!), knowing it would take years for anyone to clean up such a mess. And if we twist things around, the GOP and their rich donors could blame the Democrat for their own mess, that the Democrat wasn't cleaning up their mess fast enough. To make it even more difficult, the GOP and their rich donors make sure to not support or help in any way to clean up the mess, in fact, maybe they agreed to make things even worse - we'll show that Democrat! The GOP and their rich donors will stand together...we'll point fingers, we'll make up lies and constantly repeat them in hopes that people will believe it, our banker friends won't make loans, our oil company buddies will raise the price of gas, and our Wall Street billionaire pals will stick with us, too. We just gotta make sure that this Democrat fails! Maybe the GOP says that if we all stick together, we can do it, we can put this Democrat in his place. Just think, we can make billions more, and we can regain power again! Sometime I wonder if this is what's behind the GOP and their rich donors. For them, it's all about money and power - screw the USA - and if any Democrat gets in the way, they will say and do ANYTHING to get it back. FOX TV will support them in helping stir up the growing hatred and bitterness by reporting lies - that makes good ratings, which means FOX makes more money, too. And God forbid if this Democrat pulls a fast one and kills the most wanted man on Earth! Oh no, maybe people will see this as a success! OK, we'll take credit for it, remember when we broke international law and tortured men 5-8 years ago? This Democrat's success is all because of our crime of torture many years ago. No matter what this Democrat does or doesn't do, let's all stick together, dream up some more lies, stir up the hatred as much as we can, and maybe just maybe we can win in 2012! The GOP and their rich donors are on the fine line of being dangerous to/for our country.
the only people who are dangerous for the country are democrats who are trying to bankrupt the nation.
Joe, just keep ignoring facts, that's what you guys are real good at.
the GOP lost power in 2006. Dems have had FULL control for the past 4 years. That is when all the debt has occurred and cumlative more than the debt from Washington through Reagan. And that is FACT!
annirich: the democrats may have had control of Congress but get this doesn't the President have the right to veto any bill that comes across his desk before they are actually allowed to spend any money. If the republicans were so concerned about the debt why in the hell did GW approve every spending bill that came across his desk. Or even this why did GW not record the cost of two wars and Medicare Part D. The repubs always talk about how they want a small government and less spending when in actually the government became the largest under Bush's and the debt increased tremendously under him and now you people want to b**tch about spending.
Another thing you can't have it both ways in a previous post you stated that Obama has spent more thant all the presidents before him from Washington to Reagan. Now its the democratic congress of 2006. What cant make up ur mind on how you want to spread your lies. Dear you cant have it both ways. Either way you are still showing your ignorance. What a shame.
Could someone explain to me why the Republicans cried so much about the business community and the economy needing "certainty" so they could plan for the future so therefore, the tax breaks needed to be extended. And now they want to ignore the awesome uncertainty of allowing the nation to default on it's bills? I thought the Speaker said something about adults. He should have also mentioned the hypocrisy of the Tea Party position on the debt ceiling.
Great point, Voting independent----debt issues have international consequences even more than the tax code does but it doesn't seem to bother Republicans to default. Perhaps they are empowered by Donald Trump's bankruptcies?
Steeler: we wouldn't default. If the debt ceiling doesn't go up we can still pay our debt interest. But of course if the damn Dems hadn't run up the debt so damn bad we wouldn't have to worry about that now would we. VOTE all PROGRESSIVE/SOCIALIST Liberal Dems OUT 2012!
Annirich i believe it was the trllions that were spent on two wars and medicare part d that help to create the deficit and unless you are an economist with extensive experience in government economical matters how can you state with any certainity what will or wont happen if the debt ceiling is not increased. You really need to stop listening to Michelle Bachman and all those other tea party fools. Again you show your ingnorance. What a shame.
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired
See, you just keep talking the talk but where are your ideas..
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One other point...respectfully, let me suggest you upgrade your reading comprehension skills if you've read my posts. I don't call names and I don't take sides. It's called listening. If you can't hear what the other guy is sayiing then you can't accomplish anything.
US Navy Disabled Vet is a paid MSNBC person. He and Feisty
For real?
If gas prices go up, the GOP "Grand Oil Party" will be toast in 2012.
Republicans support giving middle class tax money to Oil companies, and have blocked Democratic efforts to take away these oil subsidies twice.
Republicans also prevent the regulation of oil speculators on Wall St. who are driving up the price of gasoline.
Despite the BP disaster, Republicans believe offshore drilling is too safe and have passed deregulation of oil companies.
Americans know who works for them, and who is in the pocket of the Oil giants.
those 'subsidies' are tax breaks...ie its their own money, not yours.
those 'speculators' are investors...to blame them for the price of oil is laughable.
americans know who is trying to impoverish them...ie the democrats.
joe numbers, are you serious?!
The subsidies are their own money? How do you figure that?
Speculators are investors? Now, THAT is laughable.
And you can't see what is driving up the price of oil?
President Bush made the mess and President Obama is cleaning it up.
Really? Dummy me, I thought Bush was still president.
yeah by making everything worse. heckuva job barry!
gas was around 1.80 when bush left office...
Joe,
Yep -- and unemployment was under 5%. I'm an engineer an could change jobs with ease (and I did)... now (2011) it took me 6 months to land a job. What a joke. Bring back the good old days.
joe: you need to do some more research. This is all OBAMA. No one else. The Dems have had control of the Senate for the past 4 years and Obama is a total disaster! Washington is full of throw-back Harvard Academia and they know absolutely NOTHING about running a country.
annirich but you know so much right. dont think so lol
Bush lost millions of jobs over 8 years, President Obama turned that around.
Republicans don't like facts - facts contradict their fiction.
Harbinger, Bush actually had a net gain in jobs over the course of his 8 years. That FACT can be found on any government economic or labor website. He had an impressive unemployment percentage for the majority of his presidency, hovering around 5%. The economy started tanking in 2007 and jobs began to be shed.
Obama took office when things were pretty bad, and he had a lot to deal with. It was no surprise, however, and reflects poorly on him when his supporters shout about how he "inherited" troubled. Truth is...he ran on trouble. He said I am the man, I can multi-task, "we have the right people now". I believe that even with the recent addition of jobs at a consistent and impressive rate(5 months-coincedentally since the November elections) the unemployment rate is still rising.
That also is a fact that is verifiable almost anywhere! By the way, is Bush running in 2012?
You're right smarty, but only in the most deceptive way of using statistics. When GW Bush left office .83% more people were working in America than when he took office--but 7.8% more population. That's a long way from an unqualified success. http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2011/feb/26/tim-kaine/tim-kaine-says-jobs-increased-1-percent-under-geor/
John Boehner's (and every Republican's) REAL FEAR....
Boehner is scared. Every Republican is scared of the Teabaggers. Although they represent only approximately 14-22% of the electorate in any district, they are the activists that have shanhai'd the GOP during the critical primary process, when most people don't get out and vote. Moderate Republicans have no base of support until the general election and by then, there name's not even on the ballot. Boehner needs to pander to the Tea Party, because his own party is so devoid of leadership, ( he can include himself in that remark) that they must anchor to Teabaggers in order to even get themselves into the race. Failure to pass the Tea Party litmus tests has dire consequences for Republicans. They must go so far to the right that they can't get back to the middle.
Teabaggers do not understand what it means for a country to default on it's loans. They do not understand the inequalities in wealth that have occurred since Reagan, and they do not understand taxation, or tax policy. Forbes magazine reported, http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/18/tea-party-ignorant-taxes-opinions-columnists-bruce-bartlett.html
Boehner and his party latched on to the Teabaggers in 2010 out of desperation and the inability to be responsible negotiators with the Democrats on the taxation issue. Now, they are stuck with them, and in an effort to appease a vocal minority, the GOP is willing to sow the seeds of America's destruction, if necessary. Because they realize that if they don't drink the tea, there won't be any party.
I think you are right---the mainstream Republican party got into bed with the Teabaggers and now they are stuck with them. So they spend all their time passing bills in the House on things like abortion and redefining rape instead of focusing on jobs.
Planned Parenthood needs to be defunded. It's an abortion machine.
Annirich - not one cent of tax dollars goes to abortion. Why don't you understand that?
Annirich - We also should stop giving federal grants to faith based charities. You disagree with Planned Parenthood, I disagree with churches. Let's defund both, okay?
Mike - good post. The Republicans lost several races last year because the TeaParty Republicians forced the nomination of people so far to the Right that many in the middle refused to accept them. The reality is that the same people who are attracted to the TeaParty movement for fiscal reasons also tend to be very conservative on social issues. Many of them equate religion with patriotisim, and they push away candidates who trend to the center, and who would be more representative of the total population. I would gladly vote for a conservative who left God and religious social views out of politics.
"Frightening"? I guess that word best describes the Left's concerns, summing up his chances for reelection, after the sophmoric run he has had as our President.
Republicans are the most hypocritical group of individuals ever born. They will lie, cheat and steal whenever its convenient. I say this because:
1. Bushes part of the deficit is over 7 trillion dollars, Obama's is 1.7 trillion.
2. Bush started 2 wars, finished neither and did not pay for them or put them in the budget.
3. Has called Obama every thing but a N-word, and then says their not racist.
4. Won congress and has not created a jobs bill yet claims they have created 800,000 new jobs.
5. Are taking away union rights and voting rights in every state they can.
6. Believe that American workers are paid too much and promote sending jobs over seas.
There are many other things but you get the idea. So when you republican morons say anything I never listen, you lie and hate America. When progressives finally prevail, you will be looked upon as completely insane individuals who co-opted a nation for 30 plus years and nearly killed America and the American dream.
I,m sorry, but your comments, displayed above, show us who the real moron is.
What's curious to me, is why you, Far Left Loons, always bring up "the N word" and the word "racist". These words are never mentioned, on the Right. Maybe you can explain that to the readers, Mr. Thomas.
Dave: the libs always bring up the race card. What they just can't through their damn heads is that we don't give a $hit if Obama is pink, green or purple he is BAD FOR OUR COUNTRY!
Dave D - Check out post 59 by the Next to Last American President. It's a good example of what David Thomas mentioned about racisim.
If you are trying to link the comments in post 59 to Republicans, you have a problem.
Sorry, would have responded sooner, but had a meeting. Guess I touched a nerve. About racism, Being a white person I know the code. Heard it many times. Yes, Republicans are racist, no doubt. But if you think that if you just don't say certain words you're safe. Well, you're full of crap. Take Donald Trump, please!!
I have a suggestion for Boehner on how to cut the budget. End the fricking wars that are draining this country and use that money to close the deficit. Don't get rid of the social programs the AMERICAN people need just stop sending the billions of dollars overseas to countries that don't even like us. I guess that's to simple.
You're right, it's not that simple, Cindy..... and some of our ridiculous Social Proprams and Entitlement programs should be but back or cut off, immediately.
First Read needs to drop the "most popular" section. It is annoying, unnecessary and an extreem slow down of the loading time for the articles.
if he could locate those 8 titanium jet engines that went missing back in 2001, his poll number would go over 100%
It is disgusting and a real shame that there are those who accept and even further the untruths, the subterfuge and the deception, which they do simply to rationalize their own biases, prejudices and emotional attachments. The appropriate irony though is that it really costs them as well as it does everyone else as the dishonesty only serves the interests of those few who initiate and push it. The simple reality is that if the subterfuge just wasn’t accepted, then the arrogant and self-serving liars wouldn’t gain and would just have to stop. Those like Trump, Palin, Limbaugh, Beck and others would become quiet and the likes of Boehner, McConnell, Kyl, the Tea Party and others would then have to honestly present and support positions of real value to the majority, instead of always depending on deceptive appeals aimed to con, excite and manipulate, while serving only the few, their strong supporters and coconspirators.
Likely there are those who are crying foul and deny that the Republicans are, as it so clearly seems, really so much worse that the Democrats with their efforts to dishonestly con and deceive. Fine, instead of arguing the point let us just deny the Republicans any approval for their deceptive efforts, of their ability to control and manipulate people’s thinking, then to see them clean up their act (we already see them adjusting their rhetoric now but we really need more than talk) and we can surely do the same with the Democrats. The key is to first have the people, the majority demand honesty of themselves and to put their own biases, prejudices and emotional attachments aside to then totally reject the efforts to con and manipulate them and to just clearly identify and strongly reject the dishonesty. Good luck!
"Boehner says........."
Shouldn't that read Michelle Bachmann says?
After all, Boehner and his fellow republican house leaders seem to have given control to the whacked-out far-right-extremists who follow the bird-brained representative from Minnesota.
Everyone knew that the tanned-p crying-man was a wuss, but now he's proven it by kow-towing to a loud-mouthed moron and her far-out followers.
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired...
Still waiting for a response to uninformed ideas I posted.