A B R:

For some time now there has been concern among Republican operatives that they do not have a viable presidential candidate to run against our President. That was confirmed in the Florida straw poll in which Herman Cain was the winner. So this week the focus has been to encourage Chris Christie to run for POTUS.

Republican insiders tell Christie that money won't be a problem. (It never is for Republicans who are in bed with financial institutions and large corporate donors.)

The media is running around and asking Christie's brother if Chris will run. (Surely a family member has the inside scoop and for five seconds of fame would violate the family trust.)

Then pundits listened to yesterday's Christie's anti-Obama speech and dissect every word to find the hidden meaning of; No, I'm not running for POTUS. (So Republicans can twist the meaning to; maybe he will run after all.)

Let's be clear, this is not about a love for Chris Christie, but it is about the love for power. With each passing day Texas governor Rick Perry is dropping like a rock. Conservatives need a candidate because it is about A B R: Anyone But Romney.

Today’s WSJ has a story that reveals that Solyndra was in technical default on its taxpayer guaranteed loan as far back as December 2010. That’s when Barry’s DOE let Solyndra get $75 million in new debt and allowed it to take priority over the taxpayer’s guaranteed half-billion debt.

No wonder Barry’s Dept of Energy is stalling on providing documents for the investigation of the Solyndra scandal. My guess is that they are trying to sanitize them and develop “plausible denials” now that they have gotten caught with their hands in the taxpayer’s cookie jar.

From Politico:

DOE to miss Solyndra docs deadline?
By: Darren Samuelsohn
September 27, 2011 02:26 PM EDT

The Energy Department will likely miss its Wednesday deadline to hand over more documents to House Republicans investigating the Obama administration's role in the Solyndra affair.

"We will provide documents that respond to the committee's most recent requests in the coming weeks," DOE spokesman Damien LaVera said Tuesday in an email to POLITICO.

LaVera said the department was "cooperating fully" with the GOP request and has already supplied more than 44,000 pages of material to the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. DOE had previously said it delivered 35,000 pages of documents to the House panel.

Committee Republicans set the Wednesday deadline in a letter sent last week to Energy Secretary Steven Chu requesting all DOE-White House communications involving Solyndra’s $535 million loan guarantee, including anything from the Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality and the National Economic Council.

Republicans also gave DOE a Wednesday deadline on their long-standing request for all of the department’s communications on Solyndra with the Treasury Department and Office of Management and Budget.

Ms. Rachel Maddow did an update on voting rules news last night, and it's so important everyone understand the latest:

In Georgia: early voting is being cut down from 45 to 21 days.
Wisconsin: early voting 30 days down to 14 days.
Now at the polls in WI, IN, TN, SC, GA, KS and TX ~ photo identification is required.
In Maine: No more same day voting. (Same day registration and vote has been going since 1970's, especially good for working people on a tight schedule.)
In North Carolina: Nikki Haley made it a requirement for 200,000 to produce photo ID.
In Colorado: Secretary of State is suing to stop Denver from mailing out ballots. He wants mailouts to go only to folks who voted in 2010.
In Ohio: R. Governor Kasich reduced early voting time to half, absentee voting time cut almost in half. This attempt by Kasich may be challenged by ballot.

Since the mid-term elections, Republican Governors & state legislatures have waged a systematic state-by-state assault on voter rights, worker rights, women's rights, Medicare, pell grants, collective bargaining rights in an attempt to unravel concensus, ie. things we've enjoyed and expected for a long time in America. How many voters for *more jobs now!* back last November expected the rad anti-choice, anti-gay, ultra-right, anti-worker presidential GOP line-up currently on display? Over this past year, the kind of orchestrated and relentless muscling used by the right to suppress the vote has been shocking.

Updated as of September 8/11:

Thirty states require all voters to show ID before voting at the polls. In 14 of these, the ID must include a photo of the voter; in the remaining 16, non-photo forms of ID are acceptable. Voter ID laws can be broken down into the three following categories:

Strict Photo ID (7 states): Voters must show a photo ID in order to vote. Voters who are unable to show photo ID at the polls are permitted to vote a provisional ballot, which is counted only if the voter returns to election officials within several days after the election to show a photo ID. At the beginning of 2011, there were just two states--Georgia and Indiana--with strict photo ID laws. Two states--Kansas and Wisconsin--passed new strict photo ID laws this year, and three states with non-photo ID laws--South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas--amended them to make them strict photo ID laws. None of these new laws is in effect yet, although they likely will be before the 2012 elections. See the Notes Below Table1 for more information regarding effective dates for new legislation.

Photo ID (7 states): Voters are asked to show a photo ID in order to vote. Voters who are unable to show photo ID are still allowed to vote if they can meet certain other critieria. In some states, a voter with ID can vouch for a voter without. Other states ask a voter without ID to provide personal information such as a birth date, or sign an affidavit swearing to his or her identity. Voters without ID are not required to return to election officials after the election and show a photo ID in order to have their ballots counted in the manner that voters without ID in the strict photo ID states are. The seven states with photo ID laws are Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan and South Dakota.

Non-Photo ID (16 states): All voters must show ID at the polls. The list of acceptable IDs is varied and includes options that do not have a photo, such as a utility bill or bank statement with the voter's name and address.

http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16602

President Obama does sound good at all those taxpayer funded political rallies he's been holding! He sounds great! Back is that spirit that he had in 2007 when he was freshman Senator running for the highest office. The confidence has returned as Mr. Obama rallies his supporters, chants his populist lines, and shouts out to his masses about the need for Change, Change for the better. And his liberal supporters just love it! "He's back!" they shout, "He'll fight for us!" they exclaim, "He is just so handsome and smart" they swoon!

Of course the rest of America sees Obama for what he is. A rhetorical nightmare, a failure as a policy wong, a big idea liberal with no successes, a big spender with no results to show for it.

But Mr. Obama sure looks good at that podium, telling everyone how good it will be for them, someday, but not any day soon, because as Obama says: Change, but I didn't mean now.

THE BLAME GAME & YES, RACISM

“In my experience that’s just not true. Pessimism – or darkness, or whatever you want to call it – is the simplest thing of all. It’s easiest to call the world complicated because it relieves you of responsibility. Optimists must engage the world in all its complexity and still succeed. Pessimists can lounge above the action, can be ironic, can do it with their arms crossed. Pessimists do not take action, which is the only useful thing humans can do. Certainly it’s more effective than passive criticism.” Olen Steinhauer

__________________________________________

I read an article yesterday in which the author wrote about liberals and progressives sitting by for decades as the right amassed power. And now guess what. They expect President Obama to do in 2, 3 years what they never did in 30 years.

They are no different from the Republicans, who will sit back and blame President Obama for all their own sins and errors.

That’s what cowards do. That's what liars do.

Deaniac83 wrote an article last night about David Sirota and his refusal to see racism on the left. It is comfortable and easy to just accuse the TParty of racism. To just accuse the southern states of racism.

But actually it’s everywhere in our country.

Look at Romney, an unbelievably white wealthy guy - meeting with another unbelievably white wealthy guy - Donald Trump. Only Romney keeps it under wraps. Why? Is he ashamed? No. Sneaky. Like most of today's businessmen. Trump is a racist. This fact doesn’t seem to bother Romney, who wants to be President of the United States.

So here we have two white privileged businessmen doing what two white privileged businessmen do - protect each other - stand by each other in the same swamp - while the AA - in the White House - isn't working hard enough for them.

This is what businessmen do. They never take the blame, and instead blame the "worker" so to speak. Which is how they see our President.

Same thing on the left. None of this would have happened with Hillary Clinton. They would have given her a lot of leeway, her being the first female President going up against the bad male dominated GOP. The left would have stood behind her because of this.

Edwards, a favorite of the left in 2008, was running for the presidency as a progressive candidate. He was a man who I learned lived in a mansion, yet never bothered to meet his neighbors, who I understand were poor. Hypocrisy or what? Yet he got tons of support from the left as being the guy who was going to change the lives of the forgotten. Yeah, right.

Why didn't they see through his lying eyes?

President Obama isn’t left enough for them. Okay. Where have THEY been for the past 30 years? Where were they in 2010?

We are not as “great” as we like to claim. We are not as informed as we pretend to be. We are ignorant, we are liars, and we refuse to face reality. President Obama wants us as a country to have integrity, to believe in ourselves and each other. Again.

It’s not going to happen. We’re too busy placing blame at him instead of each other.

Thank you Professor Melissa Harris Perry. I haven’t read the comments in her article but it’s my understanding that the comments “from the left” are just as hateful as from the right.

The left quit in 1981 to make money and live the good life.

Yet they will continue to blame our President. As will the rich white guys who caused all of these disasters, not only here in our country, but around the world.

It’s the easiest thing in the world to do. Just place the blame elsewhere. Instead of all of us asking how we could have ever let Wall Street and Reagan and GWB get away with all that they got away with, while we sat by and did nothing.

The left is now speaking up about Wall Street and executions. What about voter suppression. Where are the protests?

Too late. The damage has been done.

And Donna, if you are here. Good luck. My fingers are crossed as we wait until the closing bell on Sept. 30^th. Nice to see Americans and people from all around the world rooting for you!!!!

Thank you Rev. Al.

Please know that most of the big mouths on tv whining about our President not being progressive enough are all ex-Republicans. Believe it.

Pessimists do not take action, which is the only useful thing humans can do.

Well, here’s my humble and perhaps ill-conceived take this morning:

The GOP ticket, to win 2012 would be Romney/Christie. At least the screwballs would be kept at bay, and Christi would have some valuable ‘on-the-job-training’ before launching a run in 2016. As for Obama- the damage to the country and to him has already been done, and likely won’t be reversible. And by damage to the country and to Obama, I mean the damage caused by the well-coordinated tactic of the GOP, in unison, of hollering “NO” to EVERYTHING he’s tried to do, even the stuff they themselves have been in favor of in the past.

It worked. It should not have worked, but it has. I guess it’s all that ‘union money’ and ‘liberal media’ that allowed it, huh?

But anyway, that’s my take this morning.

My family’s comfortable and well-fed and secure. Why the hell should I worry about all my fellow citizens that are not in that same boat? I’m guessing if the GOP wins another shot at the White House and, if after 2012 and before 2016, things don’t improve for all those citizens, it’s going to get really, really, ugly. Be careful what you ask for, Me Firsters. Be very careful.

Ain't that right, Smiff?

*** “I’m listening to every word of it and feeling it, too”:

Gov.Krispy Creme is milking his 15 minutes of fame for all it's worth... he enjoys it with his donuts...

*** Palin begins to close the door?

Thank God - the grifter from AK has milked for an hour & a half and it's beyond curdled!

Go back to picking pockets Sarah...

Dollars to Donuts, Christie won't throw his hat in the ring with all the other fools. He's to smart. He's not my cup of tea (old saying of my Mothers) but I'm sure he knows he has a far better chance at the Presidency in 2016 when Obama's not running and all these other pretenders to the throne are long forgotten.

FR had an article about Perry meeting with the evil lobbyists yesterday. It talked about the 28 members of the host committee pledging to raise $10,000 with another event scheduled that could add another $120,000 to the $280,000 for a grand total of $400,000 in one day!

Sounds pretty scandalous until you consider Obama’s pledge/goal to raise a billion for his re-election and realize it would take Perry another 2,500 days at raising $400,000 a day to match Obama’s number.

But really …… A BILLION DOLLARS?

Even at a scandalous pace of $400,000 a day, it takes 2,500 days …. and sheez …. There are only 1,460 days in a president’s 4 year term!

How could Obama even come close?

Well, wanna an example:

In February, multi billionaire John Doerr had a small little dinner for Obama at his home in Woodside, CA. Among the other 12 guest were Eric Schmidt (Google) worth $7 billion, Larry Elison (Oracle) worth $39.5 billion, Carol Bartz (Yahoo!) worth $47.2 million, Mark Zuckerman (Facebook) worth $13.5 billion, Dick Costolo (Twitter) worth $120 million, John Chambers (Cisco) worth $1 billion, Steve Jobs (Apple) worth $8.3 billion, Steve Westly worth $500 million, etc.

Btw …. Those numbers are their individual personal wealth. The companies they were representing have a worth of nearly ONE TRILLION.

Everybody recognizes most of these guys or their company, except maybe host John Doerr and Steve Westly.

John Doerr, other than being a swell dinner host and swell billionaire Obama bundler, is a venture capitalist that serves on Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board beside Jeff Immelt, and just so happens to have secured $528 million for his Fisker EV car project.

Everybody’s first thought when they saw Immelt’s name next to his was probably… uh-oh …. more jobs going to China.

Nope. The $528 mill is going to Finland to hire an additional 125 Finns to build a $110,000 -$140,000 2 seat electric sports car. (Obama did make them take an old GM plant off his hands for $20 million and promise to maybe build a next generation car there someday.)

Steve Westly, other than being a swell dinner guest and swell ½ billionaire Obama bundler, serves on Obama’s DOE Advisory Board and got $465 million for his Tesla EV car company.

Nope. All the jobs aren’t going to Norway for his 2 seat $100,000 2 seat electric sports cars, most of the jobs are in the United Kingdom. Yea, seems the Tesla is a Lotus built in the UK and shipped over here sans the motor and batteries where a few guys install the electric motor and pop in the batteries.

Anyway, that’s who the no name little guys are

So what did they talk about at the dinner, well, other than probably complaining that all their secretaries paying more taxes than they did and to take this special opportunity to ask Obama to please change the depreciation schedule on their new jets where they don’t get a quicker tiny tax write off?

I dunno ….. but head chef Yigit Pura said that Obama told him his “Banana cream pie was solid.”

I guess they talked about pie.

Terrific informative post, Feisty--hypocrisy, thy name is GOPTP.

Well said, Ron. It is about power. Jon Stewart is also correct, it isn't the candidates who are running that are the problem, it is the republican voters.

DBO, well done.

California Tom. Agree, and I'll add, he probably realizes that with the "crazy" TPers (Christie's word "crazy" not mine) he doesn't stand a chance to win the nomination this time around.

Nothing strikes more fear in the hearts of Americans than numbers. Numbers paralyze our minds. We'll do almost anything to avoid them. Yet, we have an intuitive understanding of them. We just don't know it. We do math every single day and don't know it.

We calculate when we must leave home to get to work on time. We calculate what we can afford when we go shopping. We compute what plan we can afford when we get our cell phones. We constantly make economic decisions based on math. I point this out because it is time to expose another lie, and it is startlingly simple to see the lie if you understand that you already know the truth, but have been afraid to look at those evil, filthy, horrible numbers.

One of the chants of the right wingers includes the words "Keynesian spending". Folks, there is no such thing. Spending is spending. Period. Right-wingers will tell you again and again about the failure of "Keynesian Economics". Challenge them to point out an example of the failure and suddenly they are struck speechless. That's because no country has implemented Keynes' entire theory.

Lord John Maynard Keynes believed that there was a time to spend, even if it meant borrowing. Virtually everyone does this; individuals, governments, businesses. However, Keynes also believed that there was a time to save. For instance, a government that borrows, MUST at some point increase revenues to repay its debts and to accumulate a surplus when possible. This is just as true of businesses and individuals. Keynes NEVER suggested that spending could exceed revenues forever. There is, of course, more to Keynes' theory, but the point here is that right-wingers constantly misrepresent his theory; whether out of malice or ignorance is irrelevant. What they say is not true.

One might imagine that Keynes was the first to propose this idea. The truth is the concept actually appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Joseph - he of the coat of many colors and who had been sold into slavery by his brothers - actually proposed a very similar idea. In his role as Chief Economic Advisor to the Pharaoh, he proposed saving grain during the fat years and spending that grain during the lean years. (OK, maybe his title wasn't really Chief Economic Advisor.)

It is very important to understand this kind of stuff, because right-wingers have been making hay with the assertion that liberals just love to waste money and that we have some sort of entitlement mentality. I'll call that exactly what it is - A BALD-FACED LIE.

Two months ago it was high-speed rail, One month ago it was corporate jet owners causing all sorts of trouble for the country. Today it's building bridges. Next month, who knows? Obama is losing his mind. Every month it's a new so called "jobs" scheme for him, and every month the job numbers look worse. Even the Clueless One, Harry Reid, is pushing Obama's "Jobs" bill (i.e., more money for the unions bill) off until later this year, if at all. Why bring it up at all Harry? The Democrats won't even vote for it.

Christie keeps the door open

Judging from the size of him 'barn door' would be more appropriate! lol

Will the real Eric Cantor please stand up?

Is Eric Cantor a real human being? If he is then he is a cold hearted bastard.

THE “PRESS ON” LIST FOR BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA – OBAMA GONE IN 2012

I am going to press on:

Covering up Solyndra

I am going to press on:

Covering up Light Squared

I am going to press on:

Covering up Fast & Furious

I am going to press on:

And iron your shirts and do your dry cleaning

I am going to press on:

Lying to the American people

I am going to press on:

Promoting class warfare in an attempt to save my job

I am going to press on:

To risk the lives of American soldiers if it means re-election

I am going to press on:

Pretending I am a Christian

I am going to press on:

Whining and lecturing to people of my ethnic persuasion for their apathy

I am going to press on:

Not accepting responsibility for my failed policies and blame others

California Tom:

I don't think Christie will run either. It's not because he is so smart, it's more like he doesn't want to be exposed for who he is and I don't think he is physically up for the challenge.

Drive-By:

It could be a Romney/Christie ticket, but I suspect Christie has his eyes on 2016. For now I'm thinking a Romney/Pawlenty ticket.

Pat: Excellent post this morning.

Oh, and Christie, our saviour, is going to just roll in and fix everything! Dream on. I can't figure out what anyone thinks they see in this bully. He's just minutes away from an explosion.

If anybody is the anti-christ it's Eric Cantor. A nasty punk who is on a crazy binge to destroy what's left of our economy. He needs to go.

Looks like the all-out assault on Governor Christie by First Readers yesterday was a bit premature. Still, can't be too careful.

Anyway...

MSNBC favorite Melissa Harris-Perry is now going after Salon's Joan Walsh (like Harris-Perry, a frequent guest on Chris Matthews' "Hardball") in response to Walsh's criticism of her piece in The Nation suggesting the existence of something called white "liberal electoral racism."

Harris-Perry wrote this in a follow-up piece in The Nation:

"I was taken aback that Walsh emphasized the extent of our friendship. Walsh and I have been professionally friendly. We've eaten a few meals. I invited her to speak at Princeton and I introduced her to my literary agent. We are not friends. Friendship is a deep and lasting relationship based on shared sacrifice and joys. Watching Walsh deploy our professional familiarity as a shield against claims of her own bias is very troubling. In fact, it is one of the very real barriers to true interracial friendship and intimacy."

Ouch!

So now, staunch Obama supporter Joan Walsh gets thrown under the bus too?

"...her own bias...?

Did Harris-Perry just suggest that poor Joan is a white liberal electoral racist too?

This is out of control, First Readers...the inevitable consequence of repeated misuse of the race card.

Still...I suppose MSNBC could have Chris Matthews referee a steel-cage wrestling match between Harris-Perry and Walsh.

It might even beat Fox in the cable ratings.

Fiesty- "... spend money to blow things up...." How about the President, the DOJ, and the BATFE spending taxpayer money to provide weapons to international smugglers?? Wouldn't that be the same thing??

It just came out (not reported on MSNBC though) that the federal government used TAXPAYER DOLLARS to purchase weapons (documented by the distributer, paid using cash btw) and then sold those weapons to known gun smugglers so that it was easier for them to get them. That is, they didn't track the weapons (GPS or monitoring the smugglers) and they didn't use the sale as a sting to take down the smugglers. They just provided them with more weapons, but this time on the US taxpayer dime.

Similarly, the White House had a former BATFE employee reassigned (through the State Dept.) to Iraq and that person is no longer "available" to speak to Congressional investigators of "Fast and Furious", eventhough they are implicated as having a lot of needed knowledge for the investigation.

This is a FRONT PAGE story folks- your government used your money to provide weapons to an international illegal gun smugglers. They provided the same people with weapons and then they are trying to tell you that the smuggling is caused by bad gun laws. When they were caught shipping over 2000 weapons to Mexico (from the Southwest and now we've learned Florida BATGE had a similar program), and those same weapons were being used against US lawenforcement(Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, etc.), they decided to cover up their mess and deny everything. Now the facts are coming out, but the BATFE employees whom had anything to do with it are being offered different jobs and moving to DC, being relocated to Iraq, and disappearing. The DOJ says they had no knowledge, but the Asst. Chief signed wiretap requests for the program. The White House denies knowledge, but multiple sources are coming out saying that they provided the administration with information. This is corruption and coersion at it's best.

Be concerned and ask questions. This is the Presidents Iran/Contra and it deserves significant coverage. To make it worse, the President used a fake number (90% of illegal guns come from the US- revealed false through government reports) to promote more anti-gun legislation in the US, promote Mexico's agenda. This is a big problem as they are using an illegal program to manipulate legislation.

It might even beat Fox in the cable ratings.

_____________________________________________

At least it might keep CNN from gaining on MSDNC even faster:

From Politico:

September 27, 2011

CNN gaining on MSNBC

CNN beat MSNBC in the demo at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. in September, raising questions about whether MSNBC can hold onto its second-place position in prime time without Keith Olbermann’s star power.

Fox News, of course, still wins all categories by a healthy margin, but the race to be No. 2 has become a lot more competitive since CNN shook up its lineup and put Anderson Cooper at 8 p.m. and MSNBC put Al Sharpton at 6 p.m.

In September, “Anderson Cooper 360” beat “The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell” in the 25-54 demographic, drawing 212,000 viewers to MSNBC’s 185,000. MSNBC still won in total viewers, but has dropped 35 percent in the demo compared to the same period last year, when Olbermann was on the air.

At 6 p.m., “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” beat “Politics Nation with Al Sharpton” in the demo, with 163,000 to 141,000 viewers, though MSNBC won in total viewers.

And at 10 p.m., a second showing of “Anderson Cooper 360” beat “The Ed Show” in both the demo (269,00 to 199,000) and total viewers (739,000 to 677,000).

Nice spin job from chicago........

Could it just be that Mr. Cantor and other like minded people are simply saying NO to another BS Stimulus package. Shovel ready to help the economy now????? LOL What is needed is change s in the business environment to create stability and confidence. Lower and simpier tax codes, less environmental regulations, expanded domestic energy programs....... carbon and green. We need leadership........not more BS politics from DC.

David Walker:
One of the chants of the right wingers includes the words "Keynesian spending". Folks, there is no such thing. Spending is spending. Period. Right-wingers will tell you again and again about the failure of "Keynesian Economics". Challenge them to point out an example of the failure and suddenly they are struck speechless. That's because no country has implemented Keynes' entire theory.

Exactly so, David. If it can be said that the first stimulus failed to work as well as it should have, it wasn't because it was too Keynesian. It was because it was NOT Keynesian.

nwnative:
Oh, and Christie, our saviour, is going to just roll in and fix everything! Dream on. I can't figure out what anyone thinks they see in this bully. He's just minutes away from an explosion

Rational people see nothing in this guy. Christie himself told us he is NOT ready to run for President.

What, then, should we take away from it if he now decides to run?

(a) He doesn't know what he's talking about, or
(b) He does know what he's talking about, but he doesn't care if he's ready or not.

Bag Boy:

So now, staunch Obama supporter Joan Walsh gets thrown under the bus too?

Being a HUGE Joan Walsh fan, needless to say, I'm disappointed. This is not what I would have expected from Professor Perry. And it's not what we need right now.

Wow, what a great bunch of posts to start the morning. The hypocrisy of Eric Cantor, attacks on voter rights, the strong evidence that even Republicans are upset with the field of candidates in front of them, and even the peculiar fact that for some reason the Republican candidates all have to kiss the ring of Donald Trump. Good stuff all and thanks for bringing attention to it. I'd like to highlight something that David Walker wrote this morning in his excellent post;

Lord John Maynard Keynes believed that there was a time to spend, even if it meant borrowing. Virtually everyone does this; individuals, governments, businesses. However, Keynes also believed that there was a time to save. For instance, a government that borrows, MUST at some point increase revenues to repay its debts and to accumulate a surplus when possible. This is just as true of businesses and individuals. Keynes NEVER suggested that spending could exceed revenues forever. There is, of course, more to Keynes' theory, but the point here is that right-wingers constantly misrepresent his theory; whether out of malice or ignorance is irrelevant. What they say is not true.

All correct, and in that is the kernel of WHY Republicans lie about a responsible means of managing the economy which proved itself over decades of successful application regardless which party was in power. Conservatives starting with Reagan STOPPED repaying those debts, instead preventing that repayment with tax cuts that somehow were expected to pay for themselves. In spite of the history of presidents HW Bush and Clinton having to correct the systemic underfunding created by the Reagan tax cuts President GW Bush, his Republican Senate, and Supply Side guru Alan Greenspan doubled down on Reagan's failure. Paying back the stimulative spending required in slow times disappeared as a concern, replaced with "letting people keep more of their money." Then they doubled down on it with wars that were fought without a tax increase for the first time in American history and a Medicare Part D plan with no funding mechanism.

Conservatives MUST attack John Maynard Keynes...if you look at his theories in detail and how they succeeded for half a century the Republican Conservative failures in economic management become so stark as to be shocking.

It's hilarious that Palin says that she, her friends, and family will decide ... when in fact the voters have already decided for her. She would like more, but in reality, she has finally won her beauty contest and will be content at that!!!!

Hey Liberals, as a liberal myself I would like to say calling Christie names does not make you look cute or smart. It's petty and stupid, and it does not make your talking points any better.

If Chris Christie runs, he will have problems with the far right supporters, who love Perry and Bachmann. You know, the crazy Tea Potty.

AM-

Professor Harris-Perry's original Nation piece focused on white liberal/progressives who voted for President Obama in 2008, but are now finding fault with his leadership and/or his record.

That Joan Walsh could have been caught up in Harris-Perry's net is truly astonishing...and the pool of possible white liberal electoral racists is vast, isn't it?

It might even include some of the regular bloggers here at First Read.

I am weighing in on Christie and seriously will Christie fit in the President's chair? An honest question, not

petty!!!!

AM: Exactly so, David. If it can be said that the first stimulus failed to work as well as it should have, it wasn't because it was too Keynesian.

When Annie rams her head against the wall, and it doesn't produce the desired result of a big enough hole, her solution is to keep ramming her head into the wall.

Also, that explains a lot about Annie.

Feisty--

We know Cantor and his antics are of his usual MO, he hasn't changed.S.O.S. That being said two wrongs don't make a right, why is it you always defend by pinting out somebody else doing wrong this is why D.C. is a mess. No solutions just accusation. As far as the war in Iraq and Afghanistan congress gave their blessing, both sides overwhelmingly gave their support.

Who cares if Christy runs he would just screw up Romney because they would split votes in East so then Perry would win and he can't beat Obama.

And Backhouse....while here in Detroit we have 330k registered Democratic voters. Way down for the hay day of this city! The issue arises when you look at how many voters there are of voting age. That would be approx 315K. And it appears the Democratic registrar has stated there is nothing we can do about until AFTER the election. Smells a bit like Chicago's style of politics!

Vote for Gov. Christie, the rich SOB corporations' last hope.

Their problem is their message and their policy and no candidate can solve that problem every time a republican gets laid off he quickly becomes an ex-republican, do they not understand why the republican controlled house has never been held in lower esteem, the American people have decided they are the suckiest Congress ever. Let me give them a clue it is about jobs, jobs, jobs, where are the jobs Boehner.

Backhouse: #1.3 "In North Carolina: Nikki Haley made it a requirement for 200,000 to produce photo ID."

I'm sure the 'North Carolina' was just a slip, however, Nikki Haley is the Governor of South Carolina. We are a tad more enlightened in the Old North state.

robiscoole ... thank you for your brainstorm ... but do you think the fat ass will run?

Underachieving leftists hate him and so do red-faced Douchebaggers, HE MUST BE GOOD!

Damn, I'm getting excited at all the tear-eyed seal lovers blubbering nonsense against him. And damn if I don't even like MORE that the Douchebaggers would have to admit that being conservative actually includes believing in science (read, Global Warming, and welcome to science not given to you by your moron politics).

I think the leftist crybabies should share a room with the Douchebagger crybabies while the rest of the people with brains actually make a decision between two qualified candidates.

Another way to read the above is to consider the lefty crybabies and the Douchebaggers are actually anti-democracy. Because they would prefer you have one candidate worth voting for.

So libbies what did Obama do yesterday to get his jobs bill passed? How about the Buffett Bill?

Anything, anything at all?

Sure seems he'd rather run for the job than do the job. No wonder, presidentin' is hard.

How about Reid or Pelosi - they do anything.

John B. you got straight up duped, falling for the Buffett rule as if it was real, and as if any of them were serious.

So John B. you realize you got played by now, right brother?

Speaking of getting played I'm sure there will be an article on Solyndra and Energy's failure to comply with the document request today, right?

Sure there will, it'll be right after the new stuff on Gun Runner is discussed, cause selling guns directly to the bad guys is off the hook, even for Holder.

Derek-381097 .... hahahaha ... with all the deuce bags you folks have trotted out ... you guys are embarrassing!!!

Spanky- Hey ... we're not talking about Obama here ... we're talking about the fat deuce bag you're trying to force down peoples throats like you did Bush!!!!

And I don't care Hiram, if it is WIMULUS package or PLIMULUS package in your eyes or anyone's. If we can put millions back to work doing fixing what is falling down around our ears, we have no choice, we must do it & pronto.

Without the stimulus bill even watered down as it was, we'd be looking like some countries elsewhere that have really tanked now. We managed to turn the tide on the great recession, and we have to keep it going. It won't happen by doing nothing. Passing the American Jobs Act will put a couple of million back to work and put the GDP up a couple of points. No excusesnot to act and get it done.

Great posts Walker, Cali, Feisty, DBO, Pat. Am tussling with my friend the computer today.....it is amiss.

VINEGAR JOE STILLWELL'S LEGACY:

PROVERBIAL WARNING THAT ACTION IS ALWAYS THE CHALLENGE

What a rich and varied collection of posts through #1.6. All thoughtful, all concerned about the well-being of American democracy, all reflective about the evolving status of the Republican lead ticket.

One phrase that Pat's post, and then DBO's, brought to mind was a Chinese proverb. According to historian Barbara Tuchman, it was framed and mounted prominently in General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell's office during his years as America's lead military man before and during World War II:

By doing nothing, all things are done.

The epigram, according to Tuchman, reflected the irascible general's deep disgust with the indirect, slow, and to him indecipherable Chinese approach to many decisions.

Sometimes, in American politics, voters also choose the same path. Whether out of disgust with politics and politicians (not at all a new phenomenon), apathy, or simple indecision, voters stay away from the ballot boxes in droves. Let the dedicated, the zealots, the believers make the decisions - for the ones who abstain, by doing nothing, all things are done.

Since the 1960's political campaign consultants have readily sought to sharpen the alienation of large portions of the electorate. As computer-aided monitoring of public attitudes grew ever more penetrating, consultants learned that violent bickering, dirty mud-slinging, and either outright accusations of, or very smelly innuendos of, outright corruption (or criminality) had the effect of turning voters away from the ballot box.

This strategy has evolved into a mandatory tool for any professional consultant. Not to use it in a campaign would literally be malpractice.

By doing nothing, all things are done.

So many of us who have been in the political trenches for decades are getting weary. It's not only that our bodies have decided they won't permit us to behave like 17-year-olds any more. it's also that we find ourselves waging almost the same conflicts, year after year after year. Just when we thought at last the ideas had been communicated, the public informed and motivated, the lessons learned, we look about and discover that the passage of time erased the advances.

What happened to all the old familiar faces in the precinct headquarters room? Why don't these new people know who had the best contacts among the preachers and the pastors? Just how did the story of the deaths of the three young men on a foggy Mississippi side road lose its relevance? Do you mean to tell me you don't understand how to set up a timed direct mail hit - and even dare to claim using third-class mail would save money (it won't; chances are, the mailer will arrive a week after the election)? And then someone says something about the future cost of Social Security and Medicare .... oh, gracious, how long will it take over a cup of coffee and a muffin to explain?

By doing nothing, all things are done.

In 1970, a play about the famous anti-war protest led by the Catholic priests, brothers Dan and Philip Berrigan, was performed in theaters around the country. The Trial of the Catonsville Nine drew large audiences, and often within the crowds the brothers came to watch - although they were both hiding underground from the FBI at the time.

In the play, at one point the characters portraying the nine persons who had poured blood all over the files of a Maryland draft board, and then stood waiting to be arrested, gathered in an outward-facing circle under the narrowed spotlights. One of them said approximately, "Where are the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and sisters, the blue collar workers and the office clerks? Where are the people who will come now and take up the cause of peace and justice in our place? We are tired, now."

Dan Berrigan eventually was imprisoned for his anti-war agitation and protests. He was arrested again in 2006 for a protest outside the U.N. Tired he may be, but who has arisen to take the place of this 90-year-old believer in justice, equality, and peace?

By doing nothing, all things are done.

Comes now the moment of reality: The looming election is, as another 'Vine blogger wrote yesterday, "about America's soul." The President said it differently in recent days, explaining that this is a decisive moment of choice between two visions of America - about literally the basic idea of what the country is to be.

On the right - a long-sought version of America, a nation before the likes of Upton Sinclair and the regulatory consequences of The Jungle; an America before Jane Addams and her Hull House, her agitation for the rights of women, her Nobel Prize; and America before Jacob Riis documented desperate poverty in the midst of plenty in his magnificent photo essay, How the Other Half Lives; an America of "the roaring 20's" where stockbrokers "bucketed" clients' stock, stock companies issued worthless paper glossed over by lying advertising, where bankers gleefully financed Florida subdivisions in the middle of swamps; an America where industrialists hired thugs by the thousands to beat pro-union employees into bloody, and deadly, submission; an America where a ghastly toll was counted after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire because supervisors locked the fire escape doors so women wouldn't waste company time stepping outside for a break, and even inner doors so women wouldn't go to the bathroom too often; an America where small children worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week; an America before a rationalized national banking system made possible a stable national currency, and thus almost like clockwork independent banks' private money collapsed and brought on recessions after recession; an America where the strong ruled and the weak cowered.

On the left - An America with pure food and drug laws and regulations, however imperfectly administered, increasingly require goods sold to millions to be safe; an America where a public health system which eradicated smallpox and had nearly defeated tuberculosis, still battles to prevent endemic disease and the return of deadly maladies through the land; an America where uniform rules of dignity and compassion for those in need replaced the long-standing local system of favoritism and indignant denial; an America where those whose long labors built the country, gave great prosperity to a few but broad, more modest benefits to the many are assisted in completing their lives with some small comfort; an America where universal access to health care is seen as a human necessity, rather than a privilege of the fortunate; an America where a laborer's rights are equal to that of the employer's, and "the working man is worthy of his hire;" an America where investment in children's health, well-being, and education is treasured above all other forms of wealth; an America that sees its enduring strength and future potential in a well-maintained, functional and practical public infrastructure; an America in which the view of the future embraces all rather than merely a few.

By doing nothing, all things are done.

Which of those competing visions will be explained to the nation? Which will be offered in terms that attract a voter's desires and responses, rather than repels?

And which of us is willing, tired and often dispirited, to do the telling?

"Where are the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and sisters, the blue collar workers and the office clerks? Where are the people who will come now and take up the cause of peace and justice in our place? We are tired, now."

The answer is - unless we seek them out, invite them, and convey what this election means to them, we will simply continue, tired or not, to struggle alone.

By doing nothing, all things are done.

Rest in peace, Vinegar Joe, and thanks for your profound insights.

Stop me if you've heard this one.

A man walks into a bar and sees a robot behind the bar serving drinks. The man takes a seat at the bar and orders a martini. The robot mixes it up and it's the best martini the man has ever had. The robot then asks him his IQ and the man tells him it's 160. The robot bartender then proceeds to discuss nano technology and quantum physics while the man finishes his drink.

Upon leaving the bar the man decides to conduct an experiment. He returns to the bar and this time order a boiler maker. The robot makes the drink and then asks the man about his IQ. This time the man answers "100". The robot begins discussing NASCAR and NFL football.

The man finishes his drink and leaves but decides he wants to try one more experiment, so he returns to his seat at the bar and orders a "Bud". The robot brings him his beer and asks about his IQ. This time the man tells the robot his IQ is 50.

The robot leans in and speaking very slowly and distinctly he asks"Do you people really think you can draft Chris Christie?"

America held hostage, day 271

Obama/Biden 2012

Derek-381097,

..."leftists?"

Navy Disabled: And I don't care Hiram, if it is WIMULUS package or PLIMULUS package in your eyes. If we can put millions back to work doing fixing what is falling down around our ears, we have no choice but to do it.

We now know how many times the Liberals will fall for the false promises of an Obama "Jobs Bill".

Answer: Every time

If Christie does run 14 million going on 15 million unemployed people and millions more that are unemployed, will instantly resent somebody that looks that well fed (overfed). Then when he starts talking about how we got to cut pay and benefits and lay off more people but we can not even consider revenue increases, then the wheels will come off his campaign just like they did the other republican candidates. There are just not enough people with the kind of personal wealth and income that allows them to benefit from republican policies. Cut taxes for the wealthy, cut the pay and benefits and lay off everybody else that make more than 12 bucks an hour is a hard sell, no matter who the salesman is.

Feisty and company, What a disrespectful bunch. You just poke fun at a person for no reason other than he has an opposite view from Obama. All your name-calling and hateful comments will not change the facts. People eventually figure it out and look at the issues. Christie's approval rating in NJ is now at 55%. Yes, he made some tough decisions that will serve to help everyone in NJ and showed strong leadership in the process. People figured it out. The opposite is Obama, who believs in dividing people. People have 14 months to figure it out. I guess that is where you liberals take your cue from, the cheerleader of class warefare. As an example, to continue making a speech with this "everyone needs to pay their fair share" when in fact the top 1% pay 70% of the federal income tax and 50% pay zero, Obama is just delivering a political stunt to attract voters with class warefare. Obama is a poor leader. Christe is a proven leader. Make fun of Christie if you like, it won't change anything. Obama's approval will continue to decline. The more Obama "talks" the bigger the hole he will dig.

Correction: Stillwell was America's lead military man IN CHINA before and during WWII. Sorry for the omission.

Think Progress:

According to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News, the jobs plan that President Obama introduced would help prevent a double-dip recession by boosting economic growth and bringing down unemployment next year:

• President Barack Obama’s $447 billion jobs plan would help avoid a return to recession by maintaining growth and pushing down the unemployment rate next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.
• The legislation, submitted to Congress this month, would increase gross domestic product by 0.6 percent next year and add or keep 275,000 workers on payrolls, the median estimates in the survey of 34 economists showed. The program would also lower the jobless rate by 0.2 percentage point in 2012, economists said.

Someone reminded me today of when Romney said he disagreed with the new regulations, a member of the media asked him what exactly was in the new regulations.

Romney's answer - He said he didn't know what the new regulations entailed.

PJ,

On error north/south Carolina....didn't get chance to fix things before posting today. Sod's Law.

We will press on.

When are all you people going to face the fact that our government/political system is a failure? It no longer serves the people; years of bribery, corruption, and greed have rendered it non-responsive and adversarial to the people. It can not be repaired; it will have to be replaced in entirety. The daily back and forth about which party is best is pointless, they are the same; their only purpose is to keep the country divided so “business as usual” can be maintained. Who among you really thinks you can vote someone, anyone in or out of office and “fix” our government? It ain’t going to happen. So instead of mindlessly bickering about which party is better you should be discussing ways to replace the whole damn system and what to replace it with, the bantering back and forth about the parties in our failed system may be entertaining but sooner or later we need to discuss replacing it with something that “works” for the good of our country and it’s citizens.

It sounds like Zoroacca44 is self-identifying with the extreme left, otherwise known as the Alaskan Seal Sex Party. Or am I reading this wrong and he is an angry faced Douchebag Party member who wants to actually destroy the government? I couldn't tell, but he basically proved my point right there. Christie must be good if the red-faced extremists are passing a goat. It also means he'll win if he runs.

JoAnnaSmith1 ... and how many times will you fall for the trickle down .... has it trickled down to you yet??

Derek-381097 ... you are right ... Christie is good ... good and fat and a person you don't want to sit next to on a plane!!! And for you ... hey ... Bush defines you!!!

I meant to say millions more that are under-employed.

If Christie "JUMPS" into the race then be prepared for another EAST COAST EARTHQUAKE!!!

How desparate are the liberals with the President's poll numbers dropping, N.C. Governor Democrat Bev Perdue floated this idea of suspending elections to help the economy in an event in Cary, N.C. Perdue said "I think we ought to suspend, perhaps elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won't hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover."It seems the democrats are afraid of losing the Senate and more seats in the House. Of course, her spokesperson said she was just joking. Or was she hoping to get peoeple to agree because as it stands now a lot of Senate Democrats will not approve Mr. Obama's jobs bill and they are the ones up for reelection.

And then President Obama says send the jobs bill back to me now. Well, Mr. President on your next speech will you tell the folks that it is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who is holding up the process and not the republicans, or will you conveniently gloss over that fact.

I won't be able to chime in much today, but I just HAD to let Pat from Boston know I saw that POWERFUL post . . . sometimes the truth hurts . . . well said Pat . . . well said.

Zoroacca44, you don't read much, do you? Because if you did, you would understand how much I am laughing at how wrong you are about my interests in Presidents.

But go on with that broad brush generalization. It is the defining factor that red-faced extreme leftists have in common with their red-faced extreme righties. And they think they are so unlike each other.

Mr. Sp, Ya got the mixing spoon out early today.

The President presented his Bill to Congress a couple of weeks ago.

Senator Reid will bring it up to the Senate in October.

You ask is the President doing anything (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Go on www.whitehouse.gov and see what he's been doing around the clock since presenting the American Jobs Act to Congress.

But you say you dunno, haven't seen...

Pat in Boston, how many times have those economists "revised" downward their projections on economic growth in the past year?

Wow, just wow.

Liberals prove on a daily basis that they are anything but the accepting, tolerant, understanding, peace loving people they claim to be.

They are hateful and mean to their very core.

Numerous comments about what? Christie's weight.

So, you're judging the man based on the way he looks?

You constantly say Republicans judge Obama on the way he looks, because of the color of his skin.

So being a mean spirited bigot about someones skin color...not acceptable.

Being a mean spirited bigot about someones weight....acceptable.

Nice to know how shallow you people are.

You liberals are so disingenuous it's mind blowing.

Isn't Michele Moore fat? Isn't Rosie O'Donnell fat? Isn't Christina Romer fat? Isn't Hillary Clinton fat? Isn't Ed Shultz fat? Isn't Bob Beckel fat?

Why don't you just come out and say it already, "we're tolerant, accepting and understanding of other LIBERALS", because we all know that's the real truth.

And then there are the complete morons who say his weight should immediate disqualify him, because of the health factor.

Umm.... Franklin Delano Roosevelt had POLIO !!

Liberals really are the scum of the earth.

And for the record Rachel Maddow is a f'ing nit wit and a lying sack of dog sh!t, but then again she is a liberal.

backhouse - other than a convenience factor for voters what makes long early voting times desirable? have absentee ballots been banned? Do voters now think of voting as an inconvience in scheduling their daily activities?

Michael Moore is indeed a fat bastard. Plus unshaven. But it doesn't stop a libbie from getting all hot when he speaks. So obviously whether weight is an insult or just funny is in the eye of the (fat-faced) beholder?

Personally I think it is great that Christie is a heavy. Can't wait for him to flatten all the crybaby extreme lefties and the Douchebag Party all over the wall! I could imagine Christie saying something like, "I'm fat? Well, who's fat-ass is punching you in the face and dragging you through the dirt, loser?" I would love every minute of it.

What is really going on is just the standard pee-pee pants crying of people who can't think for themselves. Notice I didn't insult Obama or feel the need to. Personally, I would like two actually viable candidates to run and get a choice. Apparently unlike either the Communists or the Nazis who like to pretend they are patriots, all while creating a one party system.

Where is the love for Hermann Cain he won the Florida straw poll, now all of a sudden it is like republicans don't like him anymore now that he has had a bit of success on the campaign trail. Hey maybe Christie would be interested in being his VP running mate since he is self admittedly not ready to be president. Hermann can show him the ropes, Hermann can give him a chance and determine if Christie can cut the mustard as the top man.

zorraca - if trickle down didn't work then however you buy gas from would hold unto the money you gave them. If trickle down didn't work then whoever pays your wages wouldn't have the money to pay you.

Trickle down has worked for centuries, you just say it doesn't work because you think that it only applies to the wealthy.

By the way both keyensian economics and mark zandi promote it, but they call it multipliers, unfortunately for them they have pegged the multipliers higher than what they really accomplish

American,

You see the data. Ask some real people. Reflect.

@Forest Gump: That's a bit unrealistic and reveals a fundamental flaw in your view of Christie. First of all, I am glad Cain won the straw poll and wish him the best. If he can be the frontrunner, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Now, as far as being a VP goes, I sincerely doubt that Christie would ever accept being a VP. He has too much chance of becoming the President as it stands right now, and it is a question of whether he wants to risk running now. He'll be the President in 2012, 2016 or 2020 as far as I can tell. Just a question of when. And he won't need to be a VP on his way there.

The robot leans in and speaking very slowly and distinctly he asks "Are you morons really going to vote for Obama again??"

Pat - both read bloombergs survey and viewed many economists opinions about it on bloombergTV, but to put balance to your post, let's dwelve a little deeper in what was reported...

mixed economists reviews on obamas jobs plan suggests that obamas plan may minimize the chance of a recession in 2012 but also that the plan is also an attempt at spin by obama to buy votes.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-28/obama-jobs-plan-prevents-2012-recession-in-survey-of-economists.html

Excerpts below from the article had the following potential upsides and downsides to the plan.

The plan "prevents a contraction of the economy in the first quarter" of next year, said John Herrmann, a senior fixed-income strategist at State Street Global Markets LLC in Boston, who participated in the survey. "It leads to more retention of workers than net new hires."

A reduction in government spending, the end of the payroll- tax holiday and an expiration of extended unemployment benefits would cut GDP by 1.7 percent in 2012, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief U.S. economist Michael Feroli in New York. Instead, the Obama proposal makes up for that potential loss and may add a net 0.1 percent to the economy, he estimates.

In a memo to House Republicans on Sept. 16, House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and other leaders detailed several criticisms of the payroll-tax idea. The lawmakers said an added tax burden would result when, under the president’s plan, an extension and expansion of a "holiday" on such taxes for employees and employers would expire in 2013.

Herrmann agreed. "We’re setting ourselves up for a big end to the sugar high in the first half of 2013," he said.

As a backdrop to the above survey, bloomberg also made the following observation that are seperate from the above.

The world’s largest economy grew 3 percent last year before slowing to a 0.4 percent annual pace in the first three months of 2011, followed by 1 percent in the second quarter, according to Commerce Department figures.

The economy will expand 2.2 percent next year, according to a separate Bloomberg survey of economists conducted Sept. 2 to Sept. 7. The same survey said the unemployment rate would average 8.8 percent in 2012.

The commerce department data suggests that the FEDs QE1&2 had little impact on our GDP and that the 2009 stimulas had sputtered out in 2010. This raises the issue of whether Americans want to go another $447 billion in debt to retain existing jobs and/or create fewer new jobs than what obama says. Do we really want to pay the price in 2013 (as suggested by republicans and mr hermann) as this stimulas also fizzles out. To me this sounds like another liberal plan to maintain the status quo and kick necessary fiscal reform down the road.

Also in light of the bloomberg projections for 2012 (assuming a no recession forecast) do we gamble adding another $447 billion in debt to minimize an event that may not even happen? Within the context of the 2008 recession prudence did lie with the auto bailouts in 2009, but hindsight implies otherwise as GM and chrysler still filed for bankruptcy and we taxpayers are likely to come up holding the short end of the stick.

The real observations is that job creation numbers are not what obama says it will be. They also appear to not be sustainable as well. In the broadest sense a $1.6 million dollar price /job retained or created seems rather steep. Even deducting for material costs and waste it still makes the cost of funding temporary jobs high.

@Bill, Fairfax VA: Why not? If all the Republicans can offer up is a Douchebag Party candidate? There are viable candidates for the Republicans, but the Douchebaggers don't want them to run? Why? Because those viable candidates actually want to do something the Douchebaggers despise - they want to actually work things out productively.

@ Bill

The patron then said to the robot yes certainly, who else will spend the money and effort fixing you if you break down, that is why you are just a robot and we are the humans that create and maintain you. Those other guys will just use you until you are broke down, and then push you into the scapyard. The robot then said I wish I was as smart as you, I wish I could vote, I would vote democrat.

American: That's not "trickle down" you're describing --businesses aren't going to create jobs because they get additional tax breaks--they will create jobs when demand returns and that takes more than just business profits. Bill: some of us have longer memories than you. The robot asks: "are voters going to return to deregulation, trickle down, "mission accomplished" whiners who want to ruin the country so they can take power again? Ain't gonna happen.

Wow, the Right-Wing Nutjobs and Crazy Conservatives are out today.

AP 14...dont know your background but you are one smart duck. Too bad others rant with nothing more than prejudice as their basis.

Yes Job1 they are. Filled with the name calling and finger pointing as usual.

AP, you aren't the only one to notice american trying to deceive people by describing the normal functioning of the economy as "trickle down." In fact trickle down, voodoo, supply side, or horse and sparrow economics as it was originally known has succeeded only in allowing the top 0.1% of earners to increase their income from 2.4% of all income in 1974 to 12.5% of all income 3 decades and change later.

Guess where that other 10% came from...that's right, the rest of us. Upward redistribution of wealth is the one and only "success" of Conservatism.

Hey, Ray, Obama's "pretending to be a Christian" isn't really that different than many "Christians" in the U.S. Sure, they'll tell you they're "Christian", but they really don't practice their faith. So the President isn't a devout, holier-than-thou Christian. That's "mainstream religion" in America these days. So what?

How come evangelical and other Christians have build everything from amusement parks to "universities" but never build any orphanages to save babies from abortion. How come they applaud someone without health insurance being turned away to suffer or die, "it is a sick person not a choice". How come they want to gut SS and Medicare instead of fixing it, "it's an old person not a choice"

Feisty...

There you go again...first in line I see. Yep, you are a paid employee of MSNBC or a liberal loser without a job...

She works for them for sure hehe

Feisty even had her research ready to go before hand rofl.

Bag Boy:

That Joan Walsh could have been caught up in Harris-Perry's net is truly astonishing...and the pool of possible white liberal electoral racists is vast, isn't it?

It might even include some of the regular bloggers here at First Read.

By which you mean me? Yeah, well, what else is new? Sigh.

@ JoAnna Smith --

Haven't you got the idea yet that I am TRULY ignoring you? Talk about banging someone's head against the wall. Yours must be throbbing from the pain of all that futility.

Christie is not going to run. He's too smart to expect to win going in this late in the game with such a fractured GOP base. Plus, I find it hard to see deep south or mid-west voters as conservative as they may be voting for a candidate from New Jersey. He'll have a better shot in 2016 and he has to gain more status both with the GOP mainstream and voters nationally to be in the right position to win.

Meanwhile, he's making a lot of political points for himself and helping the existing round of GOP candidates by diverting the heat from them for a few more weeks and hurling criticisms at the White House. Christie can say anything he wants without the reprisals of the truth meters since he isn't a candidate. Right through to the election, he'll be able to lob some real stinkers against the White House and Democrats that the prospective candidates could never get away with. He'll also be able to divert his supporters to whoever he gives his endorsement to. My guess is that his big role is to pull people behind Romney to win the primary knocking out Perry appeasing the mainstream and power wing of the GOP. He may even get a VP consideration, which he may accept if he thinks the GOP has a good chance of winning, but I think he'd still turn it down to remain the valued prize that will take him far politically down the road. This isn't a sure win for the GOP by a long shot and Obama is within the numbers range to still take it come 2012.

Excellent post, John A. This is really all it comes down to...

On the right - a long-sought version of America, a nation before the likes of Upton Sinclair and the regulatory consequences of The Jungle; an America before Jane Addams and her Hull House, her agitation for the rights of women, her Nobel Prize; and America before Jacob Riis documented desperate poverty in the midst of plenty in his magnificent photo essay, How the Other Half Lives; an America of "the roaring 20's" where stockbrokers "bucketed" clients' stock, stock companies issued worthless paper glossed over by lying advertising, where bankers gleefully financed Florida subdivisions in the middle of swamps; an America where industrialists hired thugs by the thousands to beat pro-union employees into bloody, and deadly, submission; an America where a ghastly toll was counted after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire because supervisors locked the fire escape doors so women wouldn't waste company time stepping outside for a break, and even inner doors so women wouldn't go to the bathroom too often; an America where small children worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week; an America before a rationalized national banking system made possible a stable national currency, and thus almost like clockwork independent banks' private money collapsed and brought on recessions after recession; an America where the strong ruled and the weak cowered.

On the left - An America with pure food and drug laws and regulations, however imperfectly administered, increasingly require goods sold to millions to be safe; an America where a public health system which eradicated smallpox and had nearly defeated tuberculosis, still battles to prevent endemic disease and the return of deadly maladies through the land; an America where uniform rules of dignity and compassion for those in need replaced the long-standing local system of favoritism and indignant denial; an America where those whose long labors built the country, gave great prosperity to a few but broad, more modest benefits to the many are assisted in completing their lives with some small comfort; an America where universal access to health care is seen as a human necessity, rather than a privilege of the fortunate; an America where a laborer's rights are equal to that of the employer's, and "the working man is worthy of his hire;" an America where investment in children's health, well-being, and education is treasured above all other forms of wealth; an America that sees its enduring strength and future potential in a well-maintained, functional and practical public infrastructure; an America in which the view of the future embraces all rather than merely a few.

What type of America do you want? Unfortunately, if we can not learn from our history we are doomed to repeat it. It is scary that one party is so willing to send us down a path of repeating history.

Here's another version. I like this one better.

A man walks into a bar and sees the bartender is a robot. He takes a stool at the bar and orders a martini. The robot bartender makes a fabulous martini and asks the man what his IQ is. The man says 160 and the robot begins talking about his great admiration for President Obama, his health care reform and his handling of the economic crisis.

The man finishes his drink and leaves but he wants to try an experiment so he goes back to the bar and this time he orders a boiler maker. The robot bartender asks him about his IQ and he tells the robot his IQ is 100. The robot bartender then expounds on his admiration for Mitt Romney and what a fine President he would make. The man finishes his drink and leaves when a sudden thought occurs to him and he rushes back inside the bar.

The same scenario is played out only this time the man orders a "Bud" and tells the robot his IQ is 50. Without missing a beat the robot bartender says, "Christie/Palin 2012".

I like that one better.

America held hostage, day 271

Obama/Biden 2012

Hey Bill. I'm in Fairfax too. Enjoy having your vote cancelled.

Sarah Palin walks into a bar with a duck under her arm and the bartender says hey were did you get the mama grizzly, Sarah says thats not a mama grizzly it is a duck, and the batender says yeah I was talking to the duck.

skip...

You are so funny but you have your days wrong. America has been held hostage by the big-eared bandit much longer than 271 days.

And in another 13 months, this country will rid ourselves of the liberal scourge gracing the halls of congress. You libbies have 13 months, so better enjoy it while you can. Conservatives will gain control of the senate, maintain control of the house, and oust the loser socialist we have in the white house.

So long libbies!

cantakenomore,

I love how you guys say any derivation of liberal as an insult, yet in the same breath say that they're "gracing the halls." And then turn around with a crystal ball of what the election is going to look like a year out - as if your polarized viewpoint (a full sweep, with congresses' behavior? really? ....REALLY?) were credible.

Cru...

The dems are squirming much harder than the reps...

Hell, they can't even win an election in the most democratically controlled area of the US...NY

And let us not forget about NV as well. Liberals are losing and it drives them nuts! Beautiful, I tell ya...simply beautiful!

newly...

blah...blah...blah

And to think I actually read your drivel? BORING!...I gotta go back to work, you people are so pathetically predictable.

Contrare AP, the failed premise only lies in the lefts veiwpoint of the rich being the only ones held responsible for spending/investing into the economy. In truth, everyone plays a part in spending and in fact trickle down is circular in nature.

Besides who mentioned tax breaks creating jobs? I referenced spending and the resulting cash flow thru the economy. Obviously, spending increases demand.

Btw - If tax breaks (cuts) didn't work why did obama extend the bush tax cuts and even now promote further tax cuts? Obama even provided cuts and credits to small businesses last december.

Since johnB has no clue on business or economics and wants only one party rule, why not think about this, as well as what obama did last december....

Local and state governments offer incentives (tax abatements, etc) for companies to relocate or stay in the community. These incentives provide long term tax revenue thru job creation and trickle down of cash through the local economy. Demand is indeed a large part of job creation, but so is having a business staying competitive so that they can grow and increase jobs.

If johnB wants to call the above deception, then why does it work and why does obama also think it will work?

american:

Btw - If tax breaks (cuts) didn't work why did obama extend the bush tax cuts and even now promote further tax cuts? Obama even provided cuts and credits to small businesses last december.

Hello?! It was because Republicans threatened to hold up additional unemployment insurance benefits unless he agreed to the extension.

At least that's what he said at the time.

You know, typical Republican politics: holding the working class hostage to buy yet another tax break for the wealthy, even though those breaks do nothing to alleviate unemployment. If anything, the past three years ought to be cold, hard evidence of that.

newly - all choices come with a cost and tradeoffs.

Detroit can build a super fuel efficient car, but consumer safety and amenities will be lacking.

Detroit can also build a super safe car but fuel efficiency and affordabilty will be lacking.

Both detroit and the consumer will have to decide on what tradeoffs need to be made.

Government can try to regulate us to death by trying to cover every possible thing that can go wrong, but yet things will still go wrong and business will still take jobs elsewhere to maintain costs and market share.

Seems that a balanced approach is what is needed. All one way or all another won't work in a real world.

Anna Molly...

@ JoAnna Smith --

Haven't you got the idea yet that I am TRULY ignoring you? Talk about banging someone's head against the wall. Yours must be throbbing from the pain of all that futility.

Now that's funny! Ignoring by writing to her...classic!

Now that's funny! Ignoring by writing to her...classic!

Psst ... I'll let you in on my little secret if you promise not to tell JoAnna.

Whenever I need a good swift kick in the teeth, I take a peek at what she has written about me. I can figure out which posts they are because they appear like clockwork 2 or 3 or 4 posts down from mine. Today was one of those days.

The whole thing makes my dentist happy, anyway.

I'd return the favor, but somewhere I heard that you only hurt the ones you love.

AM-

I would remind you that what Melissa Harris-Perry is now saying about liberals like you (and Joan Walsh) is exactly what she's been saying about conservatives like me for a long time now.

And...

The intent is exactly the same in BOTH cases...to silence criticism of President Obama.

Right, left, or center.

Doesn't really matter.

Criticize President Obama, and you will be accused of something despicable, and it doesn't matter who you are, what you believe, or who you voted for in the 2008 presidential election.

You and I shouldn't be the only ones discussing this here at First Read, AM.

You might consider asking yourself why that's the case...why YOU are the only First Read liberal willing to vouch for Joan Walsh.

JOAN WALSH, for heavenssakes!!!

I don't need to ask, and neither do you. Especially you.

All the fat jokes about Christie are nothing new......anyone care to remember what was said about Bill Clinton when he was a "porker" running for his first term as President? Pictures of slick Willey with a McDonalds double cheesburger in his mouth were everywhere and yes....Bill did want fries with that!

And as a Clinton supporter, I will be the first to admit that his overeating and being overweight were inappropriate for the Presidency, but he wasn't obese as Christie is. Gov. Christie is MORBIDLY obese and that makes him worse.

That is quite possibly the most vapid post I've ever seen.

You toss that word "hate" around because you have nothing of substance to offer for a comparison between Obama and his republican opponents.

The FACT is that Obama has managed to worsen every single issue he has approached. The economy is worse, the debt is astronomically higher, his foreign policy initiatives have made the world less safe.

He is, in a word, a failure.

Since you cannot defend him based on facts, you choose to attack those who oppose his policies by accusing them of "hate". It says far more about you than it does about his opposition.

Excellent analysis, IR. It's going to be one nasty election season. I have yet to figure out what the current crop of GOPTPers support beyond the usual tax cuts and deregulation because, as you said, they hate everything else.

Spot on Floyd -- the fact the NJ nut job felt it necessary to leave a dump on your porch only confirms you're on to something...

They no likey when you turn the light on their dark hearts!

Can we get a clean up over @ Floyd's puhleeze? ;o)

You forgot "unpatriotic" IR. And "treasonous". And lets not forget "un-American". And maybe you can get your good friend Navy Disabled/Backhouse to throw in a few "Nazis" while your at it.

"Hate" is such a hateful word.

Well NJ, the fact that the usual suspects are telling IR that he is "Spot on" should be enough to show us that he has gone around the bend.

These people, of all people, have the nerve to toss around the word hate.

With the hateful vitrion spewed by them on a regular basis on this board, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Instead, they wear it like a badge of honor.

What we "no likey" Feisty is the double standard of hate and racism that you and your ilk accuse the right of and then go and post those exact sentiments on this board on a daily basis.

So yeah, when someone like IR or you posts this crap, you'r going to get a response from us.

WCA: Instead, they wear it like a badge of honor

It comes from their inability to feel shame.

IR:

Actually, I think you are identifying a symptom of the disease that now infects the Republican Party. The disease is ignorance. The symptoms include fear and hatred.

For some time, we have looked at the Republican party as this monolith that gathers up its pitchforks and torches and marches in lockstep to the polls. Indeed that is what happens, but it is not a monolith based on a commonality of ideas. The commonality is that they share the symptoms of their disease.

It makes me sick to refer to these people as members of the G.O.P. There is nothing grand about these ignorant people. They are an aggregation of single-issue haters.

One group screams that removing prayer from schools has led to the moral decay of the nation. Indeed, one can pray in school at any time. (Look around before a math test for proof.) Neither do these haters seem to notice that schools are not supposed to impart morals. Schools are supposed to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. Parents are supposed to teach morals.

Another group hates people who don't understand the absolute sanctity of life. If you don't agree, they will kill you. They love capital punishment, war, and allowing the uninsured to die.

Another group loves the Christian God. They've never seen this being, they never met his son, they get their direction from a book, written by people who thought the earth was the center of the universe. That book - the Bible - has been redacted, revised, edited, and translated innumerable times, but anyone who doesn't accept it is an infidel and will burn in the fires of hell. The book - the new one, anyway - says God loves ALL his children, but that little fact is irrelevant.

Another group hates people who are going to take away their guns. In fact, their almighty and fearless leader, Wayne LaPierre, says there is a conspiracy to take them away. No matter that there is absolutely no proof. No matter that guns continue to be produced and sold. No matter that taking guns away is a logistical impossibility.

There's so many single issue groups under this umbrella of ignorance it is mind-boggling. Even as they nurture their fear and hatred, the wealthy continue to reduce them to slave status. They never notice, for they have been aggrieved, and they hate you for it.

As Skip Nicholson observed yesterday, this is a very scary time. This coming election is for the heart and soul of this country. The Republicans must be stopped.

Well Folks contrary to popular belief I calls 'em like I see 'em. And all I see right now is Hate. Like it or not I hope Mr. Christie doesn't fall into the trap of putting himself forward so you'll can Hate on him to. I'm In favor of just letting you'll stew in your own Hatred this cycle and see how that plays with the American People...........BTW Red Backhoe from the DDI will be over in a short to clean off the NoJo poo. Had to put the Operator on overtime this week to take care of all the Piles the Yahoo's seem to be leaving laying all about.

So Christie is this weeks villian, is he? Oh well. These liberals always have to have a conservative to throw their hatred at for a day or two. He won't run and shouldn't IMHO.

Backwash/Navy has a big problem with people having to CONFIRM they are indeed AMERICANS when performing one of the most important duties they ever will do as an American. Millions of us on the right happen to think that voting is important and should be done right. People who are not citizens of the USA should not be allowed to vote in the USA. Sounds obvious doesn't it? Not to liberals. Big surprise.

Ever notice it's always the libs that want to restore voting rights to felons? Why is that? Interesting.

Yet another "I hate Whitey" post from Pat, Boston. We really need to investigate her and find out which Evil Karl Rove or Koch-supported organization has planted her here as a parody of mindless liberalis. The other day she actually complained that the Republicans (evil white males) are stealing money from the working class, and now the everyday people don't have enough $$$ to buy necesities like homes, cars (so far so good).....THEATER TICKETS, AIRPLANE TICKETS, SEATS TO SPORTING EVENTS, and various other extra-luxury items. It was a classic display of the liberal entitlement mentality. Classic!

By the way, it's 9:52 AM (EST) on 09/28/11 and Troy Davis is still dead and guilty. Woohoo.

IR:

Looks like your comments got the RWNJ's all worked up. Well Done.

DW: As Skip Nicholson observed yesterday, this is a very scary time

Maybe it's scary for Skip, as he sees his liberal Utopia crumble around him.

To sane people, it's just another election to correct the 4 year mistake called Obama.

Too funny. Even thought they are CONVINCED Obama's toast, they continue to rail against him endlessly on here.

Hey, Joanna and No Jo- why is that, anyway??

"By the way, it's 9:52 AM (EST) on 09/28/11 and Troy Davis is still dead and guilty. Woohoo."

So- you were at the trial, then? You were even one of the jurrors??

Cool. Who knew?

IR, very insightful to point out that what's REALLY under attack by the Conservative Movement is actually the social contract that makes America great. It's the mechanisms that allow us to fail with confidence that we'll be supported sufficiently to get up and try again instead of being trampled underfoot. Conservatives are attacking the things that make our promise to give a hand up to those in need more than just lip service. They are attacking the things that ensure all labor has worth and dignity. They are attacking the promise we make to those who will come after that we will hand to them a country made better by us, not worse in the pursuit of immediate, selfish gain. They are attacking the sustainability of the American economic miracle.

I like your optimism, IR, that there will be a time when our politics won't be fueled by hate. I'm not so positive.

Hi IR,

Great point and very true.

IR...Great analysis and observations. Judging from the responses your post has elicited, you hit the nail on the head as they must recognize themselves as hatemongers. Heads are exploding, they dont like it when we call them out. Good Job IR.

Taking the liberty to give a shout out to Feisty for an excellent post. If I'd had the time I'd have written something similar. Cantor is an abysmal human being, while denying FEMA help to so many unfortunates who have suffered in the many natural disasters we have had in the past fiscal year, he was calling the WH and the Secretary of Homeland, pressuring that his district not have ANY delays in paying HIS constituents. While Im sure there are many deserving cases in VA, their disaster just happened, what about the Joplin victims and the VT victims and many others who are looking for assistance before the cold winter sets in.

Tell me again just exactly why Gov. Christie should enter the race for President?

Well I don't know about anyone else but for me it would be for the sheer entertainment.

Ignorance, huh?

Well, let's look at a little "intelligence" from the left, shall we?

When Obama took office, unemployment was 7.6%. It is now 9.1%, but only because the civilian labor force is down to 1983 levels. Were all those people added back in, unemployment would be 13%. Now, I, for one, do not believe that six million people hit the lottery- so, I'm pretty sure there is some game playing going on with the statistics.

Still, regardless of the percentage, close to 17 million are unemployed, despite almost a trillion dollars in stimulous.

Now, the problem with Obama's bent for Keynes is that he seems to know nothing at all about economics- thus, the money was borrowed and spent willy-nilly, with no attention at all to the possibility of directing it in any way, shape, or form. Obama said "shovel ready jobs", with no clear understandingmof how such are created, or what was necessary to waive in order to MAKE them "shovel ready". He blithely promised that his program would create 600,000 new jobs during the summer of 2009- and was probably, genuinely, stunned when it did not happen.

He did, however, manage to increase employment at regulatory agencies by 13%. Why is that such a problem? Well, let's just look at the recent past- in July, the government enacted 379 NEW regulations. There is a direct connection between that fact, and the number of jobs created in August- that would be, none.

p>

Instead, he ADDED mandates, and the cost of insurance skyrocketed- this year's increase averages 9%.

Even in the simplest areas, Obama gets it wrong. Warned that food shortages could trigger unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, he did not take the simple step of shipping food to that region from our surplus supplies. We see the result.

Warned that there were arsenals of handheld anti-ballistic missiles in Libya, he took no action to make sure such were secured when his intervention in that civil war contributed to the chaos there. Now, who, exactly, do you think would have an I terse in such weapons- and on whom do you think they will be used? See, I'm pretty sure that they were not looted by weapons collectors. I'm pretty sure they ended up in the hands of our enemies.

Then, we have the corruption- billions of taxpayer dollar going in to the pockets of his bog dollar donors. Solyndra, Evergreen, Tesla, Fisker Auto, to name just a few. What do we have to show for this largesse? Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

This latest honeypot proposal that Obama calls a "jobs bill" is simply more of the same- those funds will find their way into the hands of his donors, who will pocket the tenfold return on their "investment" in his campaign- and leave the taxpayers holding the bag.

Obama's failures in some areas can be attributed to his ignorance, and in others because of his ego, and in others because of corruption. Whatever the particular reason, it is enough that he has failed, and will not be reelected.

No matter how many juvenile tactics taken by his dwindling band of worshippers.

Obama shelved in 2012.

Thank You folks. David I would have added Ignorance to my comments but the reaction I already have is threateningto overwhelm the Backhoe. You'll don't know where I can sell some of this fertilizer do you?

Another fine comment from David Walker, too.

It seems No Joe knows only two things--the word vapid and President Obama is a total failure. Blind hatred does that to a person, fogs up their ability to rationally think for themselves.

That is quite possibly the most vapid post I've ever seen.

Oh come now njnb I know I post stuff that isn't even close to being as stimulating or challenging as any of IR's posts and certainly not as tasteful.

On the other hand I do find most of your post vapid as in the extreme.

Do you ever post anything that isn't hateful? Just asking.

If I'd had the time I'd have written something similar. Cantor is an abysmal human being,

Thanks Gingerbread Mamma!

Eric Cantor is the eptiome of hypocrisy & the ME FIRST mindset!

And the sheeple continue to graze on his bullsh!t!

Let's see if one of the RWNJ's can explain to us WHY his constituents are MORE entitled then any other...?

You forgot "unpatriotic" IR. And "treasonous". And lets not forget "un-American". And maybe you can get your good friend Navy Disabled/Backhouse to throw in a few "Nazis" ...

Sorry, JAS1 we'll leave that up to you and your GOTP brethren.

The GOTP where Hate is a terrible thing to waste

John B, Gingerbread Mamma, good points added to the discussion!

Cantor, the little whiner, is such a two-faced twit. He's perfectly willing to allow FEMA to run out of money, take the money from Joplin MO or Tuscaloosa AL, yet behind the scenes is begging that his state be given all the $$$ needed immediately without any spending cuts. I'm not proposing this because I fully support giving states the money they need to recover from disaster without cutting elsewhere....but in Eric's and the GOPTPs case, it makes me wish that democrats demand any off-setting spending cuts be taken from the money given to that state for other purposes--such an idea would have this insincere liar back tracking so fast it would make our heads spin.

Devie--great job with the haters!

Well, Jody, coming from you, that's rich.

Let me tell you one thing- were Obama a republican president, I'd think exactly the same way about his failures- and I'd be looking at the Democratic field for someone to replace him. That's what rational thinkers do- they look objectively at the outcome, the willingness of the person to admit failure and change course, and the honesty and integrity of the person in charge.

Obama is O for three by that criteria- which is why he's losing independent voters, as well as more than a few democrats.

You celebrate his failures by not recognizing them, as is your right. You will vote for him despite his failures, as is your right.

There is nothing rational about it, but it is, in fact, your right.

The rational people will be voting otherwise. In droves.

Hey Liberal Redneck-- Wasn't it Obama that told a Hispanic audience that Republicans were the "enemy?" And by the way, nobody with half a brain believes you are some dude out in the country, sitting on your front porch swing with a laptop. We all know you're just a another fat guy in his underwear, in your case sitiing in your condo in Arlington, wishing you'd taken more writing classes in community college.

I am calling out that your claim of Republicans being hateful, is in fact...hateful. Liberals are the most nasty, hateful and intolerant people in our country today. You're just another hate-filled liberal trying to pass yourself off as a "rural independent" because you think it somehow gives you credibility by not appearing to be a Northeastern or midwestern liberal drone. It's not working.

But you're not as hatefula and full of hot air as "David Walker." Jeez. That guy thinks he's writing for the Nation when really he's just another angry, never-got-picked-for-dodgeball-in-school liberal. He probably refers to each post of his as a "piece" and calls them collectively "my work." As in "I wrote a piece yesterday on why Christie is too fat to be president....It was some of my best work." Blah blah blah blah

"Warned that food shortages could trigger unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, he did not take the simple step of shipping food to that region from our surplus supplies. We see the result."

Wait, what makes you think that wasn't the intent?

"No matter how many juvenile tactics taken by his dwindling band of worshippers."

That is an amazing heap of projection. *Yawn* conservatives are predicting the future again.

Jody, Iowa: Cantor, the little whiner, is such a two-faced twit.

That's hateful Jody.

Cantor must have run over the liberals dog or something, the Libs are all over him today. Will Feisty be okay Libs?

IR:

That is one of the most ignorant posts I have ever read on here in the last 4 yrs.

I see the usual peanut gallery comes back and co-signs with you so that makes them very ignorant also.

I don't suppose you can prove all of that hate. I guess you pretend to know EVERY NON DEMOCRAT's heart.

IR, when you have ITM all hot and bothered you know you struck gold with your post.................they are so predictable.

Again good job, buddy

Boy Damage I can't wait till I get home tonight to tell the RH-ex-St that that skinny old fart that's been kickin' up to her dinner table for these 30 odd years is an impostor. And there ain't enough money in the world to get me to even visit Arlington unless I'm going down there for a Funeral.

Well, Cru, I have never been in the camp that believes that Obama has done all this damage deliberately. It seems to me that, if it were deliberate, he would have mitigated at least some of it- he does, after all, seem to want to get reelected.

That you believe he deliberately contributed to the chaos in the Middle East makes me wonder about his supporters. See, I've never really believed that they were comprised of folks who wanted to destroy this country- I always saw them as misguided fools, or people who had adolescent crushes on the man, who could not recognize the damage he's done.

Thanks for giving me something else to think about. I guess some of you are, truly, evil.

Lord Middlin' didn't mean to kick your puppy this morning. Where you been? You and the team been out raiding some Kids sandbox or what?

Congratulations, IR, you've hit today's jackpot in terms of hateful attacks upon your words. No answers for your points, not even an attempt to convince us otherwise.

I'd say that speaks volumes. You were right on target today regarding the Conservative attack on the social contract that defines the United States of America.

Thanks John B....... Ever once in a while it's fun to see what the Yahoo's have to say. Reckon it's just the same old same old so's I can put them back on Ignore tommorow.

No Jo: "Obama shelved in 2012."

Sure, No Jo. Whatever you say.

So- what you gonna post about tomorrow?

" That's what rational thinkers do- they look objectively at the outcome..."

Well No Jo, that certainly explains your choice of screen names BEFORE Mr Obama even took office, huh?

The only "social contract" ever extant in this country is the U.S. Constitution, which enumerates the rights of the citizens of this country.

That you deliberately try to deceive people into thinking that there is some imprimatur that guarantees income, housing, food, shelter speaks volumes about the legitimacy of your ideas.

By the way- they've been rejected by the majority throughout the history of this country. Obama understood that-which is why he ran a walking, talking lie of a campaign as a "pragmatic centrist"- aided by a besotted media that never discussed his record as the single most liberal Senator in that body.

Can't happen this time- he has a record. Oh- and most people reject his, and your, agenda.

Nice try- no sale.

Guys, what points?

When IR comes on and states that Republicans hate America and everything about it, what is to answer?

Just another rant by an uninformed Liberal.

The fact that you all agree and believe this crap is enough for me to know we have gotten under your skin.

So Republicans hate America. Really? What in the world could make you make a statement so utterly stupid?

Someday you will all come to realize that the posts you all make regarding your "opposition" really apply to yourselves.

Try a mirror.

Or a dictionary. Look up "Irony".

Now IR, put us all back on "ignore" so you can continue to hear only the things that you want to hear.

Damage,

By the way, it's 9:52 AM (EST) on 09/28/11 and Troy Davis is still dead and guilty. Woohoo.

That has to be one of the most asinine posts of the day. What no mercy? How disgusting how you find joy in someone's death.

The "Death Penalty" one things we have in common with Iran, China, Syria, North Korea... such good company we keep.

Oh, and David Walker? Want to talk ignorance?

http://whitehouse.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/27/oops-white-house-fails-basic-geography-test/

I guess maybe he got there on the "Intercontinental" railroad.

JOANNASMITH1

Have never used the word 'nazi' or come even close to it on any posting, anywhere in this sweet Universe.

On your bike, or shuffle on home to Rovian HQ.

Sorry devie, IR's post claiming Republicans hate America wins the award for most asinine post of the day.

Ranks right up there with Obama's list of accomplishments from yesterday.

LMAO........ I'm sorry watching the liberals on this site is like a bad Monty Python moment. Five hateful Vitriolic rants in a row then 4 smooch smooch rub that special spot posts supporting the hatred and Vitriol. Why dont you people actually do something, I mean anything Donate money, donate time. Get out and work a food bank. Or as I said before donate $10 to the general fund of this country. But Noooooo instead you lick the festering evil boil Queen,s butt as if shes been laid at the alter of providence.

Nice to you "jolly". How's life in Oakland or is Macomb County?

As a matter of fact I do volunteer, donate blood (yes I am a card carrying member of the Red Cross) and I give to our local food bank. You?

Seems you are the one who never has a kind word for anyone. Jolly? Not much.

Christie is leaving his door open huh? A politician, especially a politician in New Jersey should never leave his door open. It's an open invitation for political plunder.

Actually, I believe Jolly lives in Wayne County.

jolly, sounds like you have been around the block more than once. A lot more.

Most FR libs get lost just going down their driveway, which is why they have to go back inside to type more.

keep on keepin' on jolly!

Good for you devie on doanting blood, I was once a contributor myself, now that I am diabetic and on insulin I am no longer called upon.

Just waded through the knee high BS the "Haters" have scattered on your property, IR and man did you kick the ant hill!

Is there any small amount of irony that not ONE of the offended parties has managed to offer up a positive dialogue on why the timing is RIGHT for Chris Christie?

Well, I can't say that categorically because I didn't bother to open the nj nutjobs diatribe; but if the recent three years are any indication,...her contribution goes something like this:

Obama is a failure. His policies are a failure. He can't lead. He can't follow. He will resign in shame soon.

At any rate,...nice job with the anthill. You done 'smoked 'em out' and they still don't know what hit 'em. Way to play to the INSIDE straight. LMFAO at the predictability factor. Thanks,

Well described, Clara. It is worth noting the Conservative attack on language occurring on this thread. Notice how "vitriol" has been redefined as "something Conservatives disagree with" and "hateful" means "he/she said something with which Conservatives disagree." It's worth keeping an eye out for these sorts of things because attacks on language are one way Conservatives seek to control the debate. Here are some other things that mean "things with which Conservatives disagree";

Ridiculous (Used in an attempt to prevent the outbreak of legitimate dialogue)

Partisan (As in the filibuster, an unacceptable, partisan attack on the right of the majority when practiced by Democrats, an honored tool of democracy when used by Republicans)

Unpopular (even when poll numbers show otherwise)

Destructive

Discredited (Rush and Glenn said so)

Extremist (As in privatizing Social Security and Medicare and dismantling the social safety net isn't extremist, but keeping the social and safety programs that were assembled over the last 120 years is)

Socialist/Communist/Fascist (A synonym for Extremist)

Redistribution of wealth (an accusation that applies to anything which would slow the upward redistribution of wealth that has been orchestrated by Conservatives)

WCA,

Actually, I believe Jolly lives in Wayne County.

If you believe that I have a tunnel I want to sell you.

"no joe, no bo, nj

Well, Cru, I have never been in the camp that believes that Obama has done all this damage deliberately. It seems to me that, if it were deliberate, he would have mitigated at least some of it- he does, after all, seem to want to get reelected.

That you believe he deliberately contributed to the chaos in the Middle East makes me wonder about his supporters. See, I've never really believed that they were comprised of folks who wanted to destroy this country- I always saw them as misguided fools, or people who had adolescent crushes on the man, who could not recognize the damage he's done.

Thanks for giving me something else to think about. I guess some of you are, truly, evil."

Well, you don't know anything of what you're talking about, me or the subject, which stays true to form. So okay, I guess. Am I supposed to care what your misguided opinion is?

david, are you feeling ill? you have posted much, much better in the past. A shame that you seem to have fallen into the world of liberal tripe. Of course we all know that FR liberals are above that which you suggest of others.

Yep, david, I can't wait to have America get back its heart and soul from obama repression and incompetence. If only obama still didn't try acting like the jr senator from illinois, America would surely grow again. OMG!

JohnB - for someone who wants to see a one party American political system, will that effect legitimate dialogue? BTW it is not upward redistribution of wealth, it is whatever the market will bear and consumer greed and desire creates it.

no joe, no bo, nj

Well, Jody, coming from you, that's rich.

Let me tell you one thing- were Obama a republican president, I'd think exactly the same way about his failures- and I'd be looking at the Democratic field for someone to replace him. That's what rational thinkers do- they look objectively at the outcome, the willingness of the person to admit failure and change course, and the honesty and integrity of the person in charge.

Obama is O for three by that criteria- which is why he's losing independent voters, as well as more than a few democrats.

You celebrate his failures by not recognizing them, as is your right. You will vote for him despite his failures, as is your right.

There is nothing rational about it, but it is, in fact, your right.

The rational people will be voting otherwise. In droves.

This is the most intelligent comment that I have read on this thread. Thank you!

Christie is a bully and no roll model for children. He's the kid that would get suspended if he were in school now.

It would be disastrous for him to become the POTUS.

He was a lobbyist for an Electrical Company that was fleecing the people.

He's a Nucky Johnson type thug without the "kindness". He reminds me of Spiro T. Agnew.

I don't think he would pass the vetting ( scrutiny) mustard.

Plus, he looks in worst shape than Dick Cheney....that's pretty bad!

Christie is way too arrogant. What is the right trying to do? Blow his head up to match his fat body?

When a politician has done just about everything incorrectly, their only option is to try and convince the public that the opposition is even worse. Even if that opposition hasn't said they're the opposition yet. Kind of sad if you think about it.

Not a fan of Christie but that said, everyone in the press keeps talking about how he should "stop teasing and say whether he's in or out!" Well from everything I've heard the governor say he's been pretty clear he's "out". So why don't people just accept that. I don't see his activities as teasing. I see them as him trying to stay in the public eye. He's in an unusual position. Right now he's a GOP golden boy, but he's smart enough to realize that he's a rookie at politics and going for the big office is not the same as being a governor. At the same time he doesn't want to the momentum he has to die. Because 4 years is a long time in American politics.

I'm also not sure why there is the push to get him in by the GOP. Yeah he'd be stronger than the rest of the flock for a general election, but assuming he held to current convictions he's too left leaning on social issues to win the nomination. Perry took heat for his immigration history, but think about what heat Christie will take for his beliefs that homosexuals are born they way they are, that the paranoia about Sharia Law in the US is "crazy". He also is for regulating businesses so that they can't disqualify candidates for job positions simply because they're currently unemployed. All of those things are big no no's in the current GOP climate. So it would seem to me that he'd show up to a debate and get booed. Again assuming he doesn't pull a McCain and do a total reversal of his convictions, just to get the nomination.

But Jody, that would require the people urging Mr. Christie to run to put his interests and desires ahead of their own. They have decided he is the latest white knight to save them and take down the President. (prior white knights need not apply).

SF, I know, guess I have too much common sense and logic to be a conservative!

Plus too much intelligence, Jody!

Actually, Drive-By--- If I HAD been at the trial I would have witnessed the MAJORITY BLACk jury convict him. Right? Same goes for if I had been at one of his numerous appeals. Same your stubby little fingers for someone who might actually be innocent.

What has a majority black jury to do with anything? 7 of 9 prosecution witnesses recanted their testimony. THAT is the issue that could have entitled him to at least a new trial. Meanwhile Davis can't be unkilled if his conviction is one day found to be in error. The West Memphis Three are free today because they weren't killed, not because they were never convicted.

At the very most, Christie could run as VP......to deliver votes.

Ditto the author and "Amen, brother!", Da Noid. Who sent the radical TPers to Congress in 2010, and then wonder why Congress is dysfunctional?

I'm goingmto assume that this was written as a response to the CNN poll that showed the lowest level of trust in government in- well, ever.

It came on the heels of a Gallup poll that showed the lowest level of trust in government in, well, ever.

Both polls also showed that majorities want smaller government with less services. Has to drive the liberals insane.

Looks like someone here is unable to connect the dots between the extreme dysfunction of a government brought to gridlock by Tea Party extremists and rapidly falling confidence in that government. Bet you didn't expect to see your point so rapidly confirmed here, did you Da Noid?

nojonob

Both polls also showed that majorities want smaller government with less services. Has to drive the liberals insane.

Yes. The public is clamoring to end those unnecessary services like FDA food inspections. If someone comes down with a bad case of listeria, they should just crawl into a hole and die so as not be a burden on society.

If someone comes down with a bad case of listeria, they should just crawl into a hole and die so as not be a burden on society.

Yes...and die quickly. Don't worry, if you don't have insurance at least you'll be comforted to hear the applause from the Tea Partiers on your way out.

Not sure what poll NJ saw but every poll I have seen says the opposite--people do not want fewer services, they do not want spending cuts to programs such as education, social security, medicare and unemployment but they do want taxes raised on the rich! When I take medication, I like to know it is regulated and safe. When I fly, I want to know that plane is inspected and that the airline meets the regulations to keep me safe and get me where I want to go. When I go to the grocery store, I prefer knowing that the food I buy is safe. The very fact of recalls for contaminated food and drug has been on the increase tells me one thing--not enough inspectors, not enough funds for the FDA to do its job.

Well Jody, as people like to point out it's how you ask the question. The generic question "do you like the idea of smaller government" polls well. Ask about the specifics and you'll get a different answer, one that more accurately conveys how the public values government services.

Jody,

Well of course they want more services, its so easy to give up when you have a net.

Only yannie b could draw that correlation! Again i invite you to come to downtown Detroit and enjoy all people services this gov. offers. I could introduce you to several of my neighbor's who collect a 2nd or 3rd generation welfare check, cashing some of it @50% on the dollar to buy Medical weed. Or the two young ladies (15 and 16) who are both pregnant (by the same baby daddy) who happily proclaim there unborn as "Obama Babies" Are services needed sure there are people who are in need, the problem is for everyone in need there are 2 or 3 fleecing the system. I know I deliver hoilday meals to the people who really need theses types of NON gov services. Donated by REAL people who care, now people sitting on a blog calling people they dont know vile nasty evil names.

I know I deliver hoilday meals

Given your jolly demeanor, stereotyping & thinly veiled racism - I wouldn't be surprise if you SPIT in then first!

After all, it was YOU who said 'they' know better then to bite the hand that feeds them!

lmao......you truly are evil! You and Maxine must share DNA!

"jolly", You get the "Pants on Fire" Award for the day, as usual.

Of course they do jody, until they are really asked to start paying a full measure for government services rendered. I am sure that as long as the cash doesn't come from their own pockets they will be happy, once they have to pay, it won't be "just a little more" and their cry will be "cut theirs, not mine"

american-2051576

Of course they do jody, until they are really asked to start paying a full measure for government services rendered. I am sure that as long as the cash doesn't come from their own pockets they will be happy, once they have to pay, it won't be "just a little more" and their cry will be "cut theirs, not mine"

How are you going to pay for your own inspections of roads, bridges, airplanes, food, and drugs in order to ensure that they won't kill you? Or are you willing to get rid of all those government services and take your chances? At least that way, you'd be able to die with the satisfaction of knowing that you weren't paying for any freeloading welfare queen getting those services. Right?

Why is it I believe thetotas is speaking from a vantage of personal experience?

I'll take her at her word,...I'm sure she never says anything she doesn't believe completely.

Houston I have no problem with paying my "fair share" for essentials like infrastructure, medical research, vehicle and food safety and even air quality. If you want to make the erroneous assumption that it all must go, that is your own personal problem, not mine.

Ignore it if you want, but many do not pay into the income revenue stream. 48% don't pay income taxes, shouldn't they have skin in the game as well? It is even estimated that 10% of these non-payers are even wealthy. Want to try saying they pay other forms of taxes. Fine, still won't change anything, the balance sheet will still be in arrears.

Check out charlierose.com and find the discussion he had with 6 or 7 big city mayors earlier this year. Quite an eye opener when it comes to taxpayer and city worker attitudes and expectations for what the city government should provide.

Rather than spouting off with inanities, why not realize that we do not have the government funds to support everyones wish list of ever increasing bennies or feel good ideals. Ever hear the word "prioritize"? Many FR libs seem to think that all cuts will be permanent. Some should be, others just placed on a back burner waiting for better times or revised to ensure sustainability.

Former sen Alan Simpson remarked earlier this year on bloombergTV that without entitlement reform the discretionary programs that many hold near and dear will be sucked dry by the entitlements of medicaid alone.

american-2051576

Ignore it if you want, but many do not pay into the income revenue stream. 48% don't pay income taxes, shouldn't they have skin in the game as well?

At first you referred to some unspecified "they" who don't pay their fair share. Sure some people are deadbeats. Some Republicans boo soldiers in Iraq and cheer executions, too, if you want to engage in an over-generalizing contest.

You're whining about people who don't make enough money to pay federal income taxes but they DO pay regressive state and local taxes and therefore have "skin in the game" even if not enough to appease your resentment. Yet another proponent of taxing the poor so that the wealthy might preserve their tax cuts. Nice.

houston if 48% don't pay income taxes at all doesn't it follow that "they" refers to those not paying in? I may not recall the sentance structure, or even if it applies. that defines this, but the sentence does infer it.

Regressive taxes? How so?

If you earn a reported wage you have a tax liability based on allowable exemptions. Why shouldn't some minimum tax be paid at the federal level?

Resentment?? Only with respect to the federal earned income tax credit that rewards high birth rates thatscams the system. Nice touch with the "whining" reference, so many synonyms to the word, which ones do you use when posting about the evils of the right? Or when saying regressive?

ROTFLMAO houston!...

Yet another proponent of taxing the poor so that the wealthy might preserve their tax cuts. Nice.

Rather a foolish conclusion on your part and one that you can't even come close to supporting or proving. You must like listening to the dribble johnb puts out. Looks like the next time I am in des moines I will have to drop off a 12 pak of toilet paper at his house so he can wipe his mouth, but I digress.

I am all for eliminating the obama (bush) tax cuts across the board, been saying that all along, even told that to dennis in columbus last fall, My basic stance has always been what is good for the gander is good for the goose. Rich or poor, treat them the same. How about you?

I also like a revenue neutral approach to taxes that broadens the tax base to increase revenue. You know tax reform that reduces everyones taxes. how about you?

cool, ran out of editing time. WRT to my discussions with dennis I was in favor of cutting spending before eliminating the obama tax cuts. Cut discretionary spending equally across the board at the same rate. That way no one can whine about "cut his, not mine" Then start working on entitlement sustainability, and here is a shocker for you, increase FICA taxes on the individuals side regardless of income level. Heck houston, let the tax cuts expire across the board and use the estimated $3.5 trillion increase in revenue over ten years to pay down our debt.

Yep houston, we have a big time spending problem and until politicians and the general populace change their habits, we will remain in a fiscal economic turmoil.

I'll accept Governor Christie's answer as intellectually honest. There's the old saying...do not follow me for I may not lead.

It was GOPTP smoke and mirrors from Christie. What's even more puzzling is the tea leave readers who ignore his words "is also not a reason for me to do that" and his reference to the video of his previous answers of "NO" claiming he left the door open. I don't see that he left any door open but then I don't read tea leaves for answers.

Christie is modest, honest and heartfelt, and not greedily ambitious.

Unlike a totally inexperienced novice Senator in 2008 who had a Messiah complex and thought he was the Chosen One....

Yeah, if there's an apt description for a public servant who answers questions from citizens with "none of your business", dings the tax payers for helicopter rides to his child's ball game, and baits people into asking questions at public events just so he can scream at them and attempt to shame them it would be "modest, honest and heartfelt, and not greedily ambitious."

Bob-1887910

Christie is modest, honest and heartfelt, and not greedily ambitious.

Unlike a totally inexperienced novice Senator in 2008 who had a Messiah complex and thought he was the Chosen One..

Are you the guy who screamed "You are the Anti Christ!" at the president yesterday? If you aren't, you sound like you at least belong to the same snake-handler cult.

Did anyone listen to Christie speech? Reading the comments here, tells me that most didn't. Reading the comments here, tells me you just decided to go into attack mode.

You should go back and listen with an open mind.

the totas - Same old, same old from the libs, don't think, don't reason just attack, Some even think that the right is always the wrong doer and that the left continues to have no input into govrernment policy. Funny but sad.

Must really feed Christie's vanity to have people beg him to run!

He's not feelin' it cuz' they haven't given him the coffers. Once they iron out that minor detail, you watch him go ALL IN.

No, totas, I had much better things to do on my birthday than to listen to another wannabe hallow the halls of the Reagan Library and put corporate interests above the interests of AVERAGE Americans. If he decides to run,...I'll go back and read the transcript. Until then I'll have to assume by Joe Scarborough's "O" face that Christie offers NOTHING that I could possibly be interested in.

I'm sorry, but I made a mistake and cut the article off. I will repost the article at another time.

Excellent article and comment, Job1, thanks for sharing. I've posted so often about arcane Senate rules that make it dysfunctional through abuse so it is nice to see those concerns voiced elsewhere.

No reason to apologize, Job1. You printed plenty to give those interested a flavor for the article. Remarkable stuff it is, too, and well worth finding the rest using Google. Meanwhile those who don't wish to see the truth probably won't read more than a few sentences anyway.

Job1.....thanks for sharing it deserves reposting. You do a great job (pun intended) everyday.

You should not be posting someone else's entire article on a blog anyway. Have you ever heard of a thing called a "link"?

That is blatant disrespect to the people that run this one. If I was a moderator it would be taken down immediately.

If I was a moderator

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

ROTFLMFAO!

That is why you're nothing but a lowly BBQ Shack owner and weekend warrior my friend...

*wiping away tears of laughter*

Thanks so much for sharing this Job1!

Hopefully we can learn from this. Hopefully we can learn how to identify and counter these practices and tactics that run counter to what this country stands for.

Thats a lot of ass to be laughing off in one sitting!

Feisty...

Damn...do you not know anything else but how to disrespect others who happen to think differently than you? A lowly BBQ Shack owner? Really? What in the hell is wrong with that? Let me ask you...what is your job besides spewing your rediculously left leaning drivel on almost every vine every day? Seriously, I've read your rants...what do you really contribute? Gawd, you are one disgusting human being! Get a life...and while you are at it...get a job. May give you something constructive to do!

yep, the old gal is still clueless. BBQ is big in texas, maybe even bigger than football or at least tied with it.

Selling weapons to Israel is not something new; we've been doing that for decades. But if you are trying to do a backhanded criticism of President Obama, does this sale not dispute the conservative talking points that he is not a friend of Israel?

Did/Do you also like Sen. Joe Manchin? I'm sure it was his tenure that helped in that surplus. Prioviding increased benefits and lowering taxes. Quite an interesting concept.

Yes I liked Sen. Joe Manchin and I will vote for him again when he's up to run again for the Senate. He was a very good Governor for the state. He's care very much for the people of this great state of West Virginia.

I'm sure Governor Tomblin will add to the surplus also.

Good to see you around TRR -- I've missed ya! ;o)

Do any fishing over the summer?

Sen. Manchin is about as close as one can get to being a Republican while being registered as a Democrat. That's why WV is surviving well in these hard times.

I heard a bit of discussion about this race this morning. Nice to hear from your vantage point, TRR Barboursville! Also good to see you back here.

Ray, ever occur to you that a mix of both conservative and liberal ideas is what makes the country work. Neither side has a lock on all the answers but one thing I do know is that when one side believes in their way or no way, we get a dysfunctional Congress and the people suffer.

Ray-

I have to disagree with you on that totally

Feisty-

Missed you also.

Done plenty of fishing this summer, we'll have to be putting our boat up for the summer soon, but of course I'll really don't want to do that but it has to be done.

Jody-

Thanks....it's good to be back. Work has be very very busy. Since I take care of the books for the business.

Yes I have to agree with you there are Congress is very dysfunctional.....I mean very dysfunctional!!!!

@TRR -- Not too observant are you?

Reminds me a bit like Palin.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/11/joe-manchin-ad-dead-aim_n_758457.html

Hmm -- sounds a lot like most of the Republican hopefuls.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019214-503544.html

This too:

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin ripped President Barack Obama on his budget proposals in a Senate floor speech Tuesday, a rare rebuke from a freshman Democrat who clearly is worried about the politics of deficit spending as he faces a tough reelection in 2012.

Manchin charged the president with failing to lead the way in reducing spending, while also criticizing Republicans for offering “partisan” and “unrealistic” budget proposals.

“Why are we doing all this when the most powerful person in these negotiations — our president — has failed to lead this debate or offer a serious proposal for spending and cuts that he would be willing to fight for?”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50857.html#ixzz1ZGLBHNe0

Disagreement with the President does not make anyone a Republican.

Ray-

I'm very observant!!

Thanks fielden......Disagreement with the President doesn't make anyone a republican.

I think that's wishful thinking on Ray's part!!!!

Republicans will always vote together whether it's good for the country or not!!!!

Palin.....at least I do know my geography and I can name several magazines and newspaper that I do read (that's not like Family Circle or Better Homes and Garden).

You can't be observant or you would have read my original statement. Let me repeat for the morons who can't read and comprehend:

Sen. Manchin is about as close as one can get to being a Republican while being registered as a Democrat.

No where in that sentence did I say he was a Republican. Your comprehension skills are extremely lacking.

Also TRR -- go to TV19.org this evening and listen to Sen. Manchin speak before the Marion Cty Chamber. On about at 8:00 p.m. Sen. Manchin is what all Democrats should try to emulate.

Isn't Senator Manchin the same guy who took a rifle and fired a shot at the cap and trade bill in an ad basically saying no to one of President Obama's agenda items. Sounds like he is a blue dog to me.

yes

A dear friend of mine who is an office manager in a firm where I worked is an African-American woman who supported Obama in 2007-08 with passion and pride. She just told me last week that she was wrong. She said he has disappointed her and has proven he can't lead this country. I believe this is a common example of African Americans in this country who have been left at the altar by this gigolo.

Ray, one example changes an entire demographic?!

What happened in 2004, reelecting a President, will stay in 2004.

No way the abject failure President Obama is reelected.

His base of support is the Far Left zealots posting on First Read,, and the entire staff at MSNBC. Beyond that, not much.

Silly Pat, don't you know that history is only of use when it benefits Conservative talking points? Otherwise it's to be disregarded.

Thanks for talking about it even though Bob(numb) doesn't see the point.

When those who stoop so low as to make fun of someone's physical appearance, it invalidates anything else that they say. Same goes with making fun of one's religion, family members, etc. If someone is so full of hate and insensitivity, why would anyone support someone they support? They wouldn't nor shouldn't. Those attacks will only tend to lean the fence sitters -- the independents -- to the right.

Ted Kennedy challenging Jimmy Carter is another history lesson in what not to do.

Ray: When those who stoop so low as to make fun of someone's...

Ray, go back and read what you posted in the section just above. Judge not.

@fielden -- you have a bad habit of purposely not comprehending statements or leaving out the rest of someone's thoughts.

er, pat you mean 2003 don't you? The presidential election was only about 36 days away if you are talking 2004.

The media continues to salivate over the prospect of a Christie run.......there was actually a "quiver" in Chuck Todd's voice yesterday morning on the Today show as he talking about the possibility. Look at the space today devoted to this topic.

I seriously suspect that the pundits like Todd desperately want someone to beat Obama and to save them from tax increases on the wealthy (themselves) but fear that none of the idiots running in the Republican primaries can beat Obama even with the bad economy.

Lynn, Chuck Todd is a perfect example of the media driving a message, rather than just reporting the facts.

I guess it speaks to the lack of education and the skills needed to comprehend and analyze what is being said and read. People who are voters have a duty, to deeply understand who they choose to support and vote for, as it stands now, they are, for the most part knee jerk participants responding to emotions.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE JUST AGAINST SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. You see a lot of that on this board, and even more on other sites. But I guess when you don't have something or someone to be for, we just get muddled thinking resulting in the awful Congress we have today.

Someone wrote last night on another site that she was watching MSNBC and wasn't aware that President Obama was in Denver until someone pointed it out to her.

She said MSNBC was all Christie, all day.

Pat, I didn't know President Obama was in Colorado either until the late afternoon and evening MSNBC shows. I turned off MSNBC during the day because all they talked about was Christie.

The problem for Chuck Todd is he may have been a journalist at one time but he's the political director and has a morning political talk show--he can't seem to switch hats from political analyst to fact-based journalist. I like Chuck Todd but wish he would keep straight which job he's doing when on TV. It really isn't a good mix.

1 Term 0bama was here in CO yesterday - down in Denver at a High School. We didn't know he was here either because 1 Term 0 is always out campaigning. It is the only thing he can do! CO is one of those states that 1 Term 0 won in 2008 that he is going to lose in 2012 along with OH, PA, VA, NC and FL. 1 Term 0bama will be like Jimmy Carter and win 6 or 8 states and be "shellacked" like his agenda was in 2010. ~400 days till we end this error.

Wait a minute, there, Bob (Juven??)- I thought good speeches were BAD??

Bad only if, like Obama, they think talk is all it takes. HOT AIR. EMPTY PROMISES. Face it, Obama was all done up and presented, like a pretty package, but when he got to the W.H. and they opened the package, it wasn't what we ordered. SEND IT BACK.

So Bob, Obama's speeches are just pie-in-the-sky rhetoric but Christies is the "real deal" huh? You really put that much value into just words?

Typical deflection there JamesDouglas--conservatives desparately seeking their knight in shining armor while claiming liberals are scared of Chris Christie. Nope, none of the current GOP candidates scare me. Christie may sell well in New Jersey and to the angry republican crowd but he is a bully, disrespectful of his constituents, rude and often downright nasty and none of that sells well on the national stage over the long haul.

@Jody - You're dead on balls correct.

More like a Twinkies landslide to the back of his throat. Yummmmmm

"Christie may sell well in New Jersey and to the angry republican crowd but he is a bully, disrespectful of his constituents, rude and often downright nasty and none of that sells well on the national stage over the long haul."

That statement describes Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Boehner and McConnell to a T. They seem to have no problem getting elected, and if Christie is so nasty, how come he was able to work with the Dems and NJ and get things done? I don't live in NJ so maybe I'm out of line here but I heard the folks on Morning Joe talking about him this morning, mainly about how good he was working with the other side.

I do give you credit Jody for no fat jokes. At least one person on this board has some class and respect of others.

It also gives the media something to talk about because there's no excitement with Romney, Perry and the rest of the crowd.

The trick the media uses to keep this zombie alive is this:

Media: "Are you running" Christie: "No"

Media: "Are you running" Christie: "No"

Media: "Are you running" Christie: "No"

Media: "Are you running" Christie: "See my previous answers"

Media "CHRISTIE WON''T SAY NO, LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR WHITE HOUSE RUN!!!!!!"

Christie, should not join race.

Oh yes he should, the one where he has to run a few lapses or miles. His body's begging for it.

Balls? If he can find them. "Null?" Well, it kept you here. And commenting.

comns, in case you didn't notice, First Read is a strictly political website--it is not a news site. Go elsewhere if you want to read the news and comment on it. What big thing is happening in politics right now--shock of shocks, it is the GOP primary fight.

I guess you were absent during the 2007-08 primary campaigns when the media spent a great deal of time pitting Clinton and Obama against one other, nitpicking their every word; when they spent days and days on clinging "to their bibles and guns" and Rev Wright; spent days reporting that Clinton really didn't come under fire in Bosnia; spent days discussing if America was ready for a female president and more days discussing former President Bill Clinton and his role in her campaign; spent days analyzing whether or not Candidate Obama was black enough, and days discussing if he was too black, he couldn't possibly win over those white folks in PA and OH lease of all win the Iowa Caucus. Oh, yes, that darn liberal media bias that simply does not exist.

thank u Jody! great comment! i'm tired of saying it except
all liberals are liars and hypocrites about what they believe
and say and want others to do but it's not for them!
they talk the talk they never walk the walk!

ervin?? cohen??? Judas Goat??

For all those who use the words: "lefty-lib", "lib", "libbie", "liberal" -- as if it they were derogatory words..., you should know how doing so, also marks you to be as "profoundly stupid" as sara palin has been called out for being (BELCHmann, inclusive).

Liberals, you see: Have dibs on the origin of the ideas and development of the three concepts of, Liberty, Democracy and Freedom.

Those three concepts were not born from the thinking of preachers, popes, kings, queens, dictators, bush "deciders", airheads, or conservatives of any color, form or flavor of religion!

You might want to remember this as "LIBS WITH DIBS ON LIBERTY, FREEDOM, & DEMOCRACY"

Or, simply as, "LIBS WITH DIBS ON DEMOCRACY"!

BEING FREE OF TYRANNY IS THE SAME AS BEING FREE OF RELIGION, AND IGNORANCE.

So, for you self-described "conservatives": republicans, and religious-right, moral majority, family value republicans, t-bagger types -- you all really do need to either go hide under your individual rocks, go live in alaska, or get yourselves a basic education from somewhere other than Faux news.

moon river - while running off at the mouth on dibs for libs, why not tell us where the birth of your lib party came from. I know it isn't canada or europe. And based on the definitions of liberal as an adjective it sure isn't the posters here on this board proclaiming to be progressive, broadminded, unpredjudiced, beneficent, charitable, openhanded, munificent, unstinting or lavish. Lavish may be accurate, but only to the extent that they love spending other peoples money.

Even if the word is derived from the latin meaning freedom or free man, where is the freedom when they profess their desire for big government and a myriad of regulations literally denying freedom to the populace because government knows best and has to control every detail of our lives. control that far exceeds what our founding fathers meant when they wrote the constitution, oh so many years ago.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Hard to promote general welfare or posterity with a plethora of regs trying to cover every action that man may take. At what point do you think the founding fathers would say enough is enough and the promotion of general welfare turns into the stifling of general welfare. Even the word "liberty" denotes freedom

As for democracy, the US is a republic with some tenants of democracy. Even the constitution sets up states as a republic...

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.

No wonder why many foreigners scratch their heads when the term liberal (as applied to US politics) is mentioned. US liberals are a far cry from promoting your dibs

As for your desire to promote a democracy, perhaps the following will adequately define the differences between a democracy (which the US is not) and a republic which is what the US is...

These two forms of government: Democracy and Republic, are not only dissimilar but antithetical, reflecting the sharp contrast between (a) The Majority Unlimited, in a Democracy, lacking any legal safeguard of the rights of The Individual and The Minority, and (b) The Majority Limited, in a Republic under a written Constitution safeguarding the rights of The Individual and The Minority; as we shall now see.

http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/AmericanIdeal/aspects/demrep.html

Looks like those who call themselves liberal or progressive in the US have but one goal, and that is to destroy the very fabric of our constitution and replace it with a one party majority rule. Good luck with that as Americas war for independence and triumph against a majority rule (england) says otherwise.

BTW - why are you so ignorant on this?

zevon, after your lame moonbat attack points, you ask if a morbidly obese fat man can be elected.

First of all Christie is obsese, not morbidly obese..

Secondly, half the country is overweight, unfortunately...

So beyond lame fodder for comedians, it is irrelevent.

aaa... wrong, Christie is morbidly obese........just look at him. His waist must equal his height.

@ Kathryn And the President smokes so what is your point?