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Subscribe to RSSLast week, Mitt Romney said something that observers (and even supporters) of his 2008 presidential campaign would have found shocking four years ago: He's the candidate who doesn't change his positions, while his opponents are flip-floppers.
The American people "can tell when people are being phony and are pandering to an audience, and you’ll see that in politics. You’re not going to see that in my campaign," said Romney, who was constantly accused of being a flip-flopper (on issues like abortion) in 2007-2008.
The reaction among rival Republican campaigns, Democratic opposition researchers, and some in the news media: a collective yawn.
On Monday, Romney's campaign hit Rick Perry with this press release: "Rick Perry And Barack Obama The Same On Illegal Immigration" -- even though Romney appeared to support comprehensive immigration reform in a 2006 article, and even though he once used a landscaping company that employed illegal immigrants.
The pushback from Team Perry: non-existent.
And at last week's GOP debate, Romney channeled his inner Obi-Wan Kenobi to sidestep a question on his Massachusetts' health-care, which shares many similarities to President Obama's federal health-care law. His message: These aren't the droids you're looking for.
"If I'm president of the United States, on my first day in office, I will issue an executive order which directs the secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a waiver from ObamaCare to all 50 states. That law is bad; it's unconstitutional; it shall not stand."
In other words, pay no attention to the similarities between "RomneyCare" and "ObamaCare."
Indeed, for someone who still probably stands a 50%-50% chance of being the Republican Party's presidential nominee, Mitt Romney had it relatively easy so far.
One reason why is that he's run for president before -- and thus doesn't feel as "new" as the Michele Bachmanns and Rick Perrys. "There are benefits to having been a candidate previously," said one Republican strategist who is neutral in the GOP presidential race. "You have already been scrutinized."
Another reason is that Romney is a much better candidate than he was four years ago. "He has gotten a lot better," the strategist adds. "Better at being able to absorb and deflect" -- like he did with the health-care question in last week's debate.
A final reason has been the relatively late start to the GOP race, at least compared with 2008. June and July marked the rise of Bachmann's candidacy, while August and September have marked the rise of Perry's campaign. Hence the opportunity for Romney to stay out of the spotlight during much of the summer.
But that won't last forever, especially after Perry's recent debate struggles.
Consider this fertile ground for Perry and his other GOP rivals:
-- Just six years ago, Romney supported abortion rights;
-- in 1994, he sent a letter saying he'd be a stronger advocate for gay rights than Ted Kennedy;
-- according to a 2006 article, he supported a path to citizenship for law-abiding illegal immigrants, and the Boston Globe reported that he used a landscaping company than employed illegal immigrants;
-- and in 2007, he said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the Massachusetts health-care law should be a model for other states.
Team Romney knows things will only get more difficult. "Never, not even for a second, has there been an assumption that it would be easy," Romney adviser Kevin Madden tells First Read. "This will be a hard-fought campaign. There will be attacks from opponents. The difference between a winning campaign and a losing one is whether you recognize that and whether you're prepared. This campaign is prepared."
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Well - just look at Willard's competition...lol
Mittens a Mormon among Morons...
The exception being Huntsman, he's far too sane to run with the pack.
Let the it's all Obama's fault cries commence in 3...2...1...
Ya know Feisty, you, more than anyone on this board, rail about Politics and Religion.
But you seem to be the one that is constantly bringing it up.
Strange, huh?
Golly I do have to wonder what "a Mormon among Mormons" means.
Anybody?
Sounds racist.
Course having Feisty talk about sanity is like Amy talking about recusal standards.
How about it Amy, you come up with any actual standards yet?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
That's because there are no recusal standards for justices, Spanky. But anyone can find them for judges generally by looking at their own state's judicial code of ethics. I've posted the American Bar Association model code before, as it relates to conflicts and appearance of conflict.
By any reasonable measure, these boys -- and especially Clarence Thomas -- have crossed the recusal line.
WCA, redwig is the Floyd Mayweather of First Read..... a real cheap shot artist for libbies. But don't try to get her to defend Obama's horrible record.... that's something she avoids for obvious reasons. Her function is to be a FR agitator, full of nonsense, and the self-proclaimed FR clown! lol!
I remember that, and the lengthy discussion we had about it, Thomas, Kegan and all the rest.
But that was a different day here in Groundhog World.
But seriously AM - you are Team Blue like the old gal - what is with the Mormon crack? It's totally out of line to joke about religion, unless it's a conservative?
Doesn't matter cause none of them will be recusing themselves, nor is this beast getting fast-tracked anywhere.
Obama prefers the slow roll to nowhere.
I don't consider President Obama's record to be horrible - as a matter of FACT I'm proud of his agenda...
And your function is to follow me around like a impotent little troll who can't get enough of me... ;o)
I appreciate your attention but sadly for you the Feisty Redhead Fan Club is not accepting new members at this time!
Please try again later...
Feisty (feisty?) is an excellent clown, down to the red wig and red nose!
Cancel the slow road comment, at least for now.
Look at Feisty conflating Obama's Record with his AGENDA.
I suspect it isn't even spin, just a true believer/hot coal walker blindly following.
Poor Feisty.
Romney will say and do anything to be the nominee.
Except reveal where planet Kolob is.
There goes that religious bigotry again, she cant seem to help herself. So I assume if its not Obama's fault its whose? Its like the CEO of UBS, you did notice that he resigned over the rogue trader losing that money. He may not have known that the trader was skirting the rules but as the top dog, your ultimately responsible. No different here, Obama is the current top dog and he can blame republicans, Bush etc but it just continues to make him an ineffective leader because no matter what he is responsible as the top dog. You can make fun of Romney all you want and I see as signs of Christie start to pop up, the typical liberal reaction is to personally attack. How many posts have there been calling him fat compared to the number of posts which state clearly the policy positions he holds they disagree with? I assume my observation is from the Rove handbook right? In fact, how many clear critically thought out posts on here describe the policy positions that you guys disagree with regarding Perry? Romney? Now go back and see how many personally attack Perry for praying or a religious belief? How many praised him for his progressive position on HPV vaccines? on the in state tuition for illegal immigrants? Compare the zero posts for those against those where his christianity offends someone.
White House won't seek to delay the healthcare lawsuit
By Sam Baker - 09/26/11 06:02 PM ET
The Obama administration on Monday opted not to seek a delay in the Supreme Court’s review of healthcare reform, leaving little doubt that the court will weigh the law’s constitutionality just months before the 2012 election.
Well, that's a surprise. No it should get interesting. Let the FR Legal experts weigh in commence!
(Based on the earlier threads, that would be everyone I guess)
Did someone say 'mormon among mormons' is racist? Really, when did mormon become racist?
I think she said Mormon among Morons and she clearly used his religion as a negative. Fiesty has a long history of religious christian bigotry
WCA, Yup, on the newest thread they are all acting as lawyers. Just like last week everyone had a phD in Economics, and before that everyone was a structural engineer that knew how to build a bridge....
Romney + Perry are both moderate. Perry lost in FL cause he is too much like Bush(i.e. McCain '08.) The TP/KKK(Paul & Bachmann are too stupid to hang w/ the GOP) is a 3rd Party and Sarah is running as an Ind. Just think '96!!!!!!!!
Kirk
Let's face it. He's a mormon, and no mormon will ever be elected president of this country. You're right about the religious bigotry (although I think the term "bigotry" may be a little over the top here). That's just how christians feel about mormons. Period. Feisty is just telling the truth.
Once again we see that tried and true tactic, "If the news is bad, shoot the messenger."
While her prose may be purple much of what Feisty said has been said repeatedly before and Romney's former campaign manager from 2008 agrees. Romney lost the nomination in 2008 because of his religion. National polls have shown that an overwhelming majority of Americans regard the LDS and Scientology in the same light, they believe they are cults, not bona fide religions.
That's sad, that's religious intolerance, but it's a fact and obviously the LDS church knows this because they have been running their "I'm a Mormon" ad campaign for more than two years. The ads feature everyday people doing everyday things and in the end they say, "My name is (whatever) and I'm a Mormon." This is a slick, well-produced and well-written ad campaign designed to bring the Church of Latter Day Saints into the mainstream. Why? Why now? Why after nearly 200 years do they so badly want to be accepted? Historically they are one of the most secretive and separatist religions in the history of mankind. I'm pretty sure even the FBI would think this is a clue....THEY WANT TO HELP ROMNEY OVER COME HIS NUMBER ONE NEGATIVE, HIS RELIGION! Duh. Which of course is a violation of the separation of church and state and probably an FEC violation as well, but very difficult to prove. Plausible deniability all round.
But you all know that. So, you attack the poster instead of the undeniable facts.
Sad and desperate, sad and desperate.
America held hostage, day 270
Obama/Biden 2012
Can we get past the "Mormon" deal? It's like the "Black" deal, the "Woman" deal, the "Gay" deal and all the other labels.
Obama is a big gov't spender and it is not because he is Black. Palin would do better to stick to broadcasting and it is not because she is a Woman. Romney lost a lot of credibility over his changed positions on abortion and health care (to name just 2) and these have nothing to do with his Mormonism.
Get past the labels. Lets talk about issues and substance.
Good point Greg.... if only we could get the libtards to discuss issues and substance rather than insults and name calling!
What's wrong with this picture?
and in the same sentance...
When I open the dictionary I see your picture next to the definition of hypocrite...
You're a real class act there pal!
Thanks for playing Billy! lmao!
Some people just can't spot sarcasm when it is staring them in the face.
Man, you all need to get out from behind your keyboards more often.
THAT's what's passing for sarcasm amongst the right wing nuts these days?
Little Willy has LONG a established pattern of name calling & insults...
I will give you a C+ for the effort to spin... ;o)
The KKK can never get past labels. Thats why TP=Third Party by the RNC and Sarah runs as an IND. Think '96 people
Bill T@2.1 Did you read your post?Good point Greg.... if only we could get the libtards to discuss issues and substance rather than insults and name calling! Is libtard not an insult? Practice what you preach, hypocrite!
It is the liberals that promote and endorse the name calling.... and the moderators seem to approve. So rather than being a forum of polite political discussion, it has become a tit for tat insult competition.
Ron Paul 2012
Ron Paul doesn't care if Iran has Nukes...You ok with that, Derek?
Ron Paul only cares about billionaires.
Considering that he's a "libertarian", he sure does advocate "Big Government" solutions when it comes to slapping down the GLBT population and telling women what they can and can't do with their bodies. RP is a totally fake libertarian that laughs all the way to the bank.
For God's sakes Pakistan has them and North Korea is trying to build them. The genie is out of the bottle on that one.
So the "rubberband man" along with the GOP/TP would like to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. What, pray tell, would they replace it with? Alot of the ideas concerning the exchanges or pooling , were originally GOP ideas, anyway. Just ask your rightwing Heritage Foundation if you don't believe me.
It's easy because we don't have anyone good that's electable running. Perry's proven he's just like the libs on immigration. Bachmann is great but I don't think she'd win the general. Romney is all we got left and he's not great but he's still better than Odummo. We really need someone great to step in the race like Palin or Christie.
Bachmann is a stark-raving lunatic. I was just rolling on the floor laughing when she promised to lower EVERYONE'S taxes to 0%. Uh... Michelle, honey... Where do you think your paycheck comes from?
Someone "great" like Palin, the woman who quit being governor before her term was up and launched herself on a career as a celebrity loudmouth? Republicans sure have a strange idea of "great."I think that's part of the problem..Trump, Cain, Bachmann, Santorum...all demagogues, not people with any respect for or knowledge of, collaborative action in government. They think you can just posture and spout nonesense and things get done.
WELL WELL WELL
The facts are at this time after considerable time looking at all the candidates
ONLY ONE CANDIDATE has a full grasp of all the problems facing our Country
ONLY ONE CANDIDATE identifies the problem , provides a solution , for each and every problem
ONLY ONE CANDIDATE , PROVIDES with the solution , facts and statistics of why the solution will not only work but be in the best interest of the Country
ONLY ONE CANDIDATE shows leadership among leaders
IN MY LIFE TIME I have only seen and witnessed TWO leaders who were LEADERS OF LEADERS
John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan
WE HAVE A THIRD , and he is running for nomination for PRESIDENT
It is not about ones past , we all have skeleton closets ( mine is double barred and locked )
It is not about like or dislike , Can not say I really like Him
IT IS ABOUT WHO CAN GET THE JOB DONE , and lead our country in the right direction ,
FIGURE IT OUT IF YOU CAN Unfortunately most can not , some won't try
WHY because when you do, if you do, YOU just confirmed this person as the best man to lead our country
AND MOST ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO ADMIT THAT and people vote on emotions not on whats best for them or their Country, or even their State ,
I just gave you a hint I wonder if you can even figure that out
I think it is absolutely CRITICAL for the well-being of this country that Perry gets exposed as the unsuitable candidate that he really is. Aside from the fact that Texas is dead-last in schools, water quality, rich-poor disparity, number of people with insurance, and number of people making more than minimum wage, Perry has another problem -- a big one. Perry is a Dominionist.
What's a Dominionist, you might ask?
A Dominionist is a member of a neo-Pentecostal Christian movement that seeks to displace secular law with Bible Law. Under the Dominionist rule, there would be a vast expansion of death-eligible "crimes" such as homosexuality, heresy, blasphemy, adultery, pornography (and the list goes on). A Dominionist is also very interested in re-institution slavery. Finally, a Dominionist would seek to suppress any branch of science that contradicts the Bible (biology, geology, astronomy, and physics, just for starters).
And you might be thinking to yourself, "Gee, I'm a Christian, why do I have to worry?"
To a Dominionist, the term "Christian" isn't very inclusive. A Dominionist does not consider Catholics, Mormons, or Jehovah's Witnesses to be actual Christians. They would likely reject Episcopalians and Lutherans because the churches in question ordain female and gay clergy.
In Perry's Dominionist worldview, perhaps 1 in 4 citizens might qualify for full civil rights under a Bible-based legal system. Everyone else is fit for slavery, jail, or execution.
I agree, it's not a bigotry issue (from the outside) evangelicals have never accepted Mormonism and that's just the truth. Perry will end up with the nomination since they deem him as a "true believer"... If not, Romney will get very tepid support in the general election from the evangelicals - they may sit home versus voting for a mormon.
I think Mormonism is very interesting, but I can see where evangelicals would have a problem electing a man President who doesn't believe Jesus was the Messiah. That's kind of a deal breaker for them.
Amy - I think you need to check your facts. Mormons do indeed believe Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah. Hence the name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". It blows my mind how some people still have a problem with that. I realize that ministers of some other religions are always bashing other beliefs to "protect their flock" but as a rational and intelligent person I think you owe it to yourself to find out the truth.
The conservatives are so full of hate they can't get behind anyone that disagrees with them on the tiniest of issues. Perry is going down so now Christie will save the day, then Palin, then who knows.
All of this discord just makes Obama more likely to be re-elected.
Put the hate away, put the pray away, put the gay away, put the guns away and focus on the real issues that need to be solved.
I'd vote for any candidate that had a coherent job-creation plan. Sadly, none of the numbskulls (Obama included) have any ideas. (Hint: lowering minimum wage to $3/hour won't create jobs!)
Should anyone every us Obama and coherent job creation plan in the same sentence. Not only doesn't he have a coherent plan, but he repeats the same failed plan over again.
Republicans are fond of saying "government never created a single job" then, turning around and saying "Obama has failed to create jobs!" (which isn't even true, according to factcheck.org)
Romneys had an easy road all of his life.
Who the hell names their kid "mitt"??
And, I'm wondering when LUCIFER perry is going to decide to come out of the closet!!
It wouldn't surprise me if he came out holding hands with "mitt"!!!
Its short for Mitford, some kind of family deal. Mitt is a Preppie thing just lif Biff. Mitt appeals Preppies, Mitts peers.
With a President with the first name of Barack, should anyone be making fun of Mitt?
OK, I voted this up, that was funny.
Gosh Mitt, even if I wanted to always do exactly what you said, you're on both sides of every issue... What's a glassy eyed, loyal, Mitt Romney lapdog/supporter supposed to do???
NOTEABLE MITT ROMNEY FLIP FLOPS AND LIES....
'The TARP program... was nevertheless necessary to keep banks from collapsing in a cascade of failures.' [1]
'When government is... bailing out banks... we have every good reason to be alarmed.' [2]
'I like health care mandates. The mandates work.' [1]
'I think health care mandates are unconstitutional on the 10th Amendment front.' [2]
'I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose.' [1]
'I never really called myself pro-choice.' [2]
'I believe the tax on capital gains should be zero.' [1]
'Capital gains taxes are a tax cut for fat cats.' [2]
'Roe v. Wade has gone too far.' [1]
'I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.' [2]
'I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.' [1]
'Ronald Reagan is... my hero.' [2]
'When I first heard of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, I thought it sounded awfully silly.' [1]
''Don't Ask, Don't Tell has worked well.' [2]
'If Massachusetts succeeds in implementing health care, then that will be a model for the nation.' [1]
'What works in one state may not be the answer for another.' [2]
'In Massachusetts...the costs of health care will be reduced.' [1]
'We were unable to deal with... health care costs in Massachusetts.' [2]
'I've been a hunter pretty much all my life.' [1]
'Any description of my being a hunter is an overstatement of capability.' [2]
'I'm going to take burdens off the back of the auto industry.' [1]
'Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.' [2]
'I would like to have campaign spending limits.' [1]
'The American people should be free to advocate for their candidates and their positions without limitations.' [2]
'I supported the assault weapon ban.' [1]
'I don't support any gun control legislation.' [2]
'Based on the numbers of American Muslims... I cannot see that a cabinet position would be justified.' [1]
'A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith.' [2]
'I'm not in favor of privatizing Social Security or making cuts.' [1]
'Social Security's the easiest to privatize and that's because you can give people a personal account.' [2]
'I don't line up with the NRA.' [1]
'I'm a member of the [NRA].' [2]
'The all-Democrat stimulus that was passed in early 2009 will accelerate the timing of the start of the recovery...' [1]
'The all-Democrat stimulus passed in early 2009 has been a failure.' [2]
'I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.' [1]
'I did not see it with my own eyes.' [2]
'It does take a village to raise a child.' [1]
'It takes a family to raise a child.' [2]
'I'm a strong believer in stating your position and not wavering.' [1]
'I changed my position.' [2]
Believe it or not, and some don't, Romney would probably be the easiest for Obama to defeat. Yes, it's true. "Loved your health plan, Mitt -- that's why I adopted it as a national model." "Love your reasonable Democratic views Mitt -- want a cabinet job"? "Team Obama could use a man like you Mitt -- so how did you end up as a Republican"? "You have a great sense of humor Mitt -- smaller gov't, less spending -- that one really cracked me up." LOL.
After the last debate, it is a good thing for Perry a President is not required to be fluent in English. A ghastly card-read. Anyone with a sense of reality would be embarrassed. He just doubles down--haughty becomes haughty and belligerent. By the next debate, he should be haughty, belligerent and arrogant---a regular Trifecta. The way he talks about "heart", you'd think he was a cardiologist.
He is the secret weapon of the Democrats as he hangs on as long as possible, siphoning billionaire bucks that could go to the real candidate--Romney, or Christie if drafted.
His rudeness should not be attributed to Texas. That is his own, signature service.
Romney's one weakness is his Massachusettes health care plan which resembles Obamacare, but I believe Romney when he says that he would start handing out waivers to Obamacare on day 1 of his Presidency.
His ONE weakness?? He's a mormon. No way he gets elected by a christian nation.
Idaho, contrast Obama's "religious" background to Romney's . A Mormon would not even be thought of as one bit weird, as long as people think he would make a great leader. Obama had a mother who was an Atheist, a father who was a Muslim and a Reverend ( for 20 yrs.) who HATES America ( "God D#$% America", or did you forget?) .