But Bev, the wins are coming so few and far between these days for the Administration.

It just keeps getting worse.

The stink on Solyndragate is getting worse, as Washington scandals usually do.

From MSDNC.com:

Former Obama fundraiser pushed for Solyndra loan

Energy official had pledged to recuse himself because of his wife's law firm ties

WASHINGTON — An Energy Department adviser and former fundraiser for President Barack Obama pushed for a California solar company to receive a half-billion federal loan, despite pledging to recuse himself because his wife's law firm represented the company, newly released emails show.

The emails show that Steve Spinner, a former Obama fundraiser who helped monitor a clean energy loan guarantee program, was more actively involved in a loan for Solyndra LLC than administration officials have acknowledged.

Also revealed in the emails: A top Treasury Department official complained that the Energy Department was keeping her agency in the dark about Solyndra's precarious financial situation.

The emails, released by the administration in response to congressional investigators, show that Spinner was actively involved in a planned September 2009 trip by Vice President Joe Biden to Solyndra's Fremont, Calif., headquarters for a groundbreaking ceremony. Biden did not go on the trip but spoke via satellite. Solyndra declared bankruptcy last month after receiving a $528 million federal loan.

In the emails, Spinner, who founded a sports fitness company, repeatedly pushed Energy Department and White House budget officials to ensure that the loan was finalized before Biden's planned trip. The loan closing was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 4, 2009.

"How — hard is this? What is he waiting for?" Spinner wrote in an Aug, 28, 2009 email to a DOE official. "I have the OVP (Office of the Vice President) and WH (the White House) breathing down my neck on this. They are getting itchy to get involved."

Later that day, Spinner asked the same DOE official to "walk over there and force him to give you the answer.'

The emails refer to a DOE loan guarantee official who was evaluating the Solyndra loan.

A White House official declined to comment when asked if Spinner's conduct was appropriate.

stiff collar

Do just a tiny bit of fact checking. For instance the CBO, fact check.org, or Politifact. That is where you'll get correct information.

You've been brain washed. FOX does that; you know?

Joe in Albany

The emails refer to a DOE loan guarantee official who was evaluating the Solyndra loan.

A White House official declined to comment when asked if Spinner's conduct was appropriate

Cheney didn't acknowledge he and Bush would not leave the county for fear they may go to the ICC and would all the worldwide web.

No e-mails needed for how much they stole from the Pentagon; every one knows about those billions of dollars that were lost in Iraq. But, it should be investigated as opposed to a measly 500 million.

RepublliCONS are always looking for a scandal in the WH because they are soooo desperate.

They corrupt voters rights how about an investigaton into that?

Doesn't this pretty much describe any politician?

a self-promoting know-it-all.

OHHH...adding a "gate" to something always makes it more serious, right?

It's always amusing to see how vigilant folks are at seeking out corruption on the OTHER SIDE...

When you all start being even HALF as critical and half as vigilant about the crooks and jerks in your own backyard, maybe the endless insider deals and inherent waste and incompetence will be reduced, but until then...

Maybe dangerfield should heed his own advice.

Solyndra represents 1% of the loans provided to many businesses to assist new ideas by private business, assist entrepreneurs. To date, it is the only one that has failed. I thought republicans were all for private industry, for promoting new ideas. I find it interesting that the right consistently attacks the very idea of clean, renewable energy. Why is that? Perhaps Herman Cain's words are true, not about democrats but about his own republicans--they've been "brainwashed" by the big oil and fossil fuel machine. How much campaign money did the GOPers in Congress receive from big oil and coal, the Koch Brothers, Exxon Mobil, etc. to turn what should have been a routine investigation into why Solyndra failed into an attack against the very idea of clean, renewable energy?

Think about it. Once again we witness the power of big fossil fuel business over Congress. In July, the GOPTP House wasted time passing a "lightbulb" law ignoring that it was President Bush who signed the new requirements for energy efficient lightbulbs into law. For the first time since the light bulb was invented, it forced manufacturers to think outside the box. Today, we can buy just about any kind of lightbulb we want and they meet the energy-efficient standards, they are not all the curly fluorescent variety, there are incandescent ones as well. Yet republicans were determined to eliminate the very idea of energy efficient bulbs most likely because they received a lot of cash from folks like Koch Industries who hate the very idea of Americans using less oil and coal to fuel the energy needs in their homes.

Where was the investigation into the backers of the GOPTP "lightbulb" bill? Sounds silly but it makes about as much sense as wasting taxpayer money investigating one loan that went sour. But don't forget, the more time the GOPTP spends investigating Solyndra, the less time they have to devote to creating jobs--remember, that's what people care about and it was jobs that republicans promised in 2010 but instead they have done the opposite by killing job growth. The GOPTP is hoping they can make enough Solyndra noise that people don't notice this is simply another delay, obstruct, deny tactic.

Albany Joe (quoting):

Energy official had pledged to recuse himself because of his wife's law firm ties

Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe ... did you put this out here just for me? Seriously. THANK YOU.

So now, when will you do a post devoted to Justice Clarence Thomas and HIS wife, and his courageous decision to recuse himself from reviewing the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act because of her work as a lobbyist against the bill?

Please hurry. I've been holding my breath and it's starting to get uncomfortable.

Jody, Iowa: Solyndra represents 1% of the loans provided to many businesses to assist new ideas by private business, assist entrepreneurs. To date, it is the only one that has failed. I thought republicans were all for private industry, for promoting new ideas.

Jody, you've been pushing these government loans for the Greens, but have yet to back up your rhetoric.

So do tell Jody, which one of these Greens the government supports are producing a product at competitive prices without any additional government subsides? Which ones are paying off their government loans? Which ones don't have political connections to Obama and the Democratic party?

Those qualifications would produce a very short list, or no list at all.

And there does seem to be some odd circumstances about Solyndra, wouldn't you say Jody? If Solyndra is Obama's flagship Green company, it makes you wonder about the other ones he spreading the money around to now doesn't it?

Brianb-999431

Maybe dangerfield should heed his own advice.

---------------------------------------------------------

Maybe you should read my posts...I disdain both silly extremes.

AM: So now, when will you do a post devoted to Clarence Thomas and his wife, and his courageous decision to recuse himself from reviewing the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act because of his wife's work as a lobbyist against the bill?

One thing is for certain, and that's AM pitiful attempts to invalidate any election or any appointment that doesn't suit her political agenda. It is the Liberal way.

Many pardon's dangerfield. Skimming a post makes for bad replies. I take it back. I just re-read it and I agree wholeheartedly.

Well, as long as Joe has gone off topic with scandals, I see no reason why I can't do the same.

Looks like things are really heating up in the Heartland for our erstwhile governor, Scott Walker:

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_6a38e5b0-ee0a-11e0-9fec-001cc4c03286.html

On Friday, the governor's chief of staff, Kevin Gilkes, abruptly resigned his position. Gilkes said he was going to work on setting up Walker's campaign to counter the anticipated recall drive. But the announcement came just three days after it was revealed that Gilkes had played a central role in arranging for FBI-raid target Cynthia Archer's transfer from the Department of Administration to the Department of Children and Families at a point when rumors about the John Doe inquiry were beginning to spread. Just before Gilkes stepped down, it was revealed that Department of Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson had never interviewed Archer, and that it was Gilkes who offered her the job.

Walker continues to claim he knows nothing beyond what he reads in the papers about the John Doe inquiry — which has already seen one of his top donors convicted of felony campaign finance and money laundering violations. But his campaign has retained former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, an expert with regard to federal investigations and white-collar crime, who now works as a criminal defense lawyer. Media reports suggest Biskupic has been paid more than $60,000 for work related to the inquiry.

Walker has been reduced to claiming that his status as an Eagle Scout should calm concerns about the scandal. "I continue to have that kind of integrity," he said last week.

Scott Walker as an Eagle Scout ... indeed.

The tally so far is that one of Walker's cronies has already been convicted for illegal campaign contributions, several members of the Walker administration, including his own spokesman Cullen Werwie, have taken offers of immunity in connection with the John Doe investigation, and now the Governor's own chief of staff has resigned amidst allegations of cronyism and political appointments.

All REAL Eagle Scouts should be offended.

And by the way, how's that recall effort coming along?

But 200,000 Wisconsinites have now pledged to work on the campaign to recall Walker. And it is increasingly clear that the recall drive will focus not only on concerns about the governor's controversial policies and the fact that unemployment in the state is rising at a dramatically faster rate than nationally or in neighboring states.

Huh. What do you know?

You can read more about that here:

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/capitol-report/article_51aacc22-f2ef-11e0-8801-001cc4c002e0.html

Sachin Chheda, chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party, says having the list has put United Wisconsin in the position to move the recall effort forward.

"They can go back to those people and say 'The moment has arrived. Go sign the real petition,'" he says. "They are not asking for or requiring help from the institutional organizations, like labor or the Democratic Party. People are ready to roll, and my feeling is they (United Wisconsin) want to move forward sooner rather than later."

Brianb-999431

No worries...I get that a lot...:)

ahhh. more bevisms, when you can't respond directly to today's events, go back to the past, for that is where the libs want to live.

So bev how does this blast from the past work for you....Past presidents have always found common ground with congress to work through divisive issues. So far obama has stuck to his guns of "my way or I will veto" rhetoric. or dang it they called my bluff. BTW - pleading with the electorate to write congress while chastizing republicans on multiple occasions is a sign of weakness not strength.

Now there is dissension in the ranks, could it be that obama should have stayed in the senate for a couple of more terms to have become a more effective leader? Ego and delusions of grandeur does tend to trip politicians up regardless of which side of the aisle they are on.

Jody, You said it.

Remember Boehner before the midterms and his "Jobs, Jobs Jobs" announcement?

With GOP & supporters, it's anything (anything) to get away from the topic of Jobs and the open GOP strategy of congressional inaction on Jobs.

Because they don't want to create Jobs for Americans.

They want chaos, disaster and economic failure at any price.

Obama may have 15 months left in his first term, but his supporters in Congress are already preparing for the day he’ll be an ex-president by introducing legislation that will allow him to keep his personal and presidential documents secret.

According to Judicial Watch, the Washington-based government corruption fighting organization, the proposal by Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York's 10th District is "an obvious effort to protect President Barack Obama." WorldNetDaily, Oct. 10

Time to cover your ass boys!

Backhouse,

Maybe you should take another course in how the government works. The House has passed and sent to the Senate several jobs bills, but Harry Reid (D), refuses to bring them to a vote in the Senate. You do know that it takes both houses of congress to pass a bill and the President to sign it don't you? You lefties really like to blame the republican controlled house for everything but seem to give the democratic senate a pass.

I also like the part of above story about how Senator Reid and the democrats in the Senate seem to blame Obama for trying to do things in secret. What ever happened to Obama's promise of the most transparent White House in history?

No.

GOP congressionals voted down 3 Jobs Bills already this year. Go figure.

And the Obama Administration IS the most transparent White House in US history, no question.

Check it out @ www.whitehouse.gov

OK sfcret, name some of the so called jobs bills the congress has sent to the senate, real jobs bills not the tax cuts for the rich and deregulation bills. Bills that had Jobs in the title. I know you can't, because there aren't any. Also give sources to back them up. We won't hear anymore about this subject from sfcret today.

american-2051576

Now there is dissension in the ranks, could it be that obama should have stayed in the senate for a couple of more terms to have become a more effective leader?

Nah... if you can lead people to the soup-kitchen you can lead them to oblivion. He is plenty qualified for that.

Oh brother, BrianB and dangerfield hugging and kissing to make out, oh I mean to makeup. Sicking

Mo, it appears you know how to use a computer so I would suggest that you look up the job bills setting on Senate Reid's desk that was passed in the House. Again you liberals only want to blame the republicans in the House while giving the democrats a pass in the Senate. Remember it takes two to tango, but in 2012 when the republicans take control of the Senate and retain control of the House it won't really make much difference who the President is.

Backhouse, As far as your link to the White House web site, you really think that is believable. Read the story, it stated that the democrats, especially Reid, that claims Obama is trying to do to much in secrecy.

left is fuzzy -- WorldNetDaily? Hahahaha!

Back to the jobs bill -- Paul Ryan was on Meet The Press and went on a non-stop rant claiming that Republicans have passed hundreds of bills to improve the economy and create jobs, but the bills are sitting in the Senate. What Ryan failed to admit (and David Gregory didn't quite tag Ryan on) is that these bills were things like his Ryan Hood plan to steal from the poor elderly on Medicare to give to the rich, or the draconian balanced budget amendment that would be taxation without representation, or the many other bills to deregulate, to cut taxes, to starve the beast, and that is why the bills are sitting in the Senate -- Because it is all a bunch of voodoo economics garbage.

How the president's jobs bill is payed for, whether a surtax on millionaires, the important thing is to get the jobs bill passed ASAP. Eventually, Republicans and Democrats alike need to end loopholes on capital gains taxes and subsidies to industries like Big Oil enjoying record profits. Anger about corporate welfare and the unfair tax code and resulting inequity is not going to go away, and no one, including Democrats will be spared in upcoming elections if they ignore the anger.

TruePatriot.

Hopefully the Obama jobs bill will not pass in it's current form. It will do little and cost a lot if it is passed as Obama wants.

If is not the federal governments job to pay for teachers, firefighters, police (all union jobs) jobs in the individual states, counties and cities. That is the responsibility of the individual states, counties and cities, all have the power to raise taxes on their own. If the people want the additional jobs or to save the ones they will vote to increase taxes for necessary services.

As for the so called "shovel ready" projects in the infrastructure portion of the bill, few of the projects could even be started since winter is setting in and road, bridge and other infrastructure jobs will be put on hold. Remember the last stimulus was going to create over 3 million jobs and keep the unemployment rate at or below 8%, and that bill was twice as big as this one.

As far as stealing from Medicare I believe Obama has already done that, $500 billion over 10 yrs, with his health care law. (Hopefully the Supreme Court will find the ACA unconstitutional, at least the mandate requirements.)

True Patriot,

The MeMeMeMEE-ers don't want to create jobs for the 99% in America. Perhaps the ones on here are loaded w/cash, purposefully uninformed ~ or just ops.

From the Congressional Budget Office:

"the Senate Democrats' proposed surtax on millionaires would raise $452.7 billion over 10 years,

more than enough to pay for the $447 billion in spending and tax cuts included in President Barack Obama's jobs bill."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1011/CBO_Millionaires_tax_raises_4527_Billion.html?wpisrc=nl_wonk

Did I call that or what (Mo pats self on back). sfcret can't name a single jobs bill sent to the senate. Seeing as how he can't name a single one he tries to distract instead. It's funny how the tea people GOP republicans give generalities when talking about what the tea people GOP republicans have done in congress, but when pressed to expand on the bills they have nothing.

Both Reid and Obama are stonewalling America. There is no point trying to find what is honest in statements by either. Our standard has to be "100% honesty or you're out of here".

Just for starters, Republican congressionals have been 'stonewalling' the Senate since Obama was sworn in. They filibustered the Senate at three times the pace ever seen in US history and have blocked measures that would help US recovery over and over again.

McConnell has proclaimed loudly that his goal is not to lift up the economy, but to stop the President.

Folks out demonstrating are fed up of it.

Between Norquist, ALEC, Koch Brothers (Iran), Americans for Prosperity etc., there are LOTS and LOTS of secrets hiding under the auspices of "Citizen's United'.

Lack of honesty and transparency up the veritable wazoo on the GOP side of the aisle, Scott.

Mo, don't pat yourself to hard, just because you are to stupid to look it up, I will give you some of the bills passed by the House that are currently sitting on Senator Reid's desk.

HR 1938; HR 1230; HR 2018; HR 872; HR 2021; HR 1229 and there are more.

So now you can look them up and read them for yourself, but I doubt you will, because like most liberals you want to be spoon fed.

Now tell me what has the Senate under the control of Senator Harry Reid done to create jobs? Nothing. What has Obama done except to save some union jobs, at a cost of about $250K per job.

Backhouse, The so called "filibusters" you talk about was for the purpose of trying to prevent more wasteful spending by the Obama Administration. Think how much more the debt would have increased if not for the filibusters.

GOP would have filibustered you going to the bathroom if they could.

They continue to filibuster EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

60 votes needed now no matter what.

Don't kid yourself about GOP leadership. They don't care about you or me. Just their corporate benefactors. They're getting paid with our tax money

to say No, no-compromise,

No vision,

No ideas,

No future.

Their vision is calamity, chaos, holding us hostage to whatever concessions they think they can get.

WOW... can you believe it? The democratic leadership in turmoil? Who would have thunk it? They are all arrogant thugs... The next thing we will see is them clubbing each other on the floor of the Senate. Sure does prove interesting when the democrats can't get their act together.

And the libbies think the Republicans are in turmoil... When First Read reports it, you KNOW there's trouble in libbie land.

Daley is ham-handed

Reid is thin-skinned

Schummer is a self-promoting know-it-all

And Obama is a self-promoting, thin-skinned, ham handed know-it-all.

They'll be fine?

I dunno.

WOW... can you believe it? The democratic leadership in turmoil? Who would have thunk it?

I know. Why can't they fall in line behind The Pied Piper like the Republicans do?

Why do these liberals all think for themselves?! It's so annoying. Be like the GOP Animal Farm. Get your a$$ in line, take your rhetoric from Fox, or face the wrath of my party of tea!

Libbieland??

Is that like a political Disneyland?? LOL

Can't you do any better than that soundbite? That's exactly how you appear... like a soundbite. You libbies need to take your barbs and get used to it. For so long, you have been dishing it out... now it's time to accept a few. Your party is all mucked up... not my fault. Your leadership sucks and it's about time you start admitting it... or grow into mediocrity.

No Joseph.... Disneyland is a place to visit. Liberals reside in libbyland. Vast difference. They call it home.

Face it, even democrats in safe seats want to be as far from Obama as possible.

He promise last year, " the difference between 1994 and now, is, this time, you've got me", turned out to be another instance where one had to be careful what one inferred from the remark.

There was a difference, okay- the losses last year were far greater than 1994.

Democrats seem to have awoken to the fact that Obama lives in his own social universe- where the adulation is still coming off the crowds in waves. The truth is somewhat different.

I wonder how Schumer feels about these remarks? Looking at the result of the New York special, he cannot be feeling very good. Maybe making the connection between Obama's wooden headed policies, and the losses for his party. Maybe looking at the connection between how often Obama is out there campaigning- and the corresponding drop in Obama's approval rating.

Maybe making the connection between deluded liberals throwing money at a failed administration, and that same failed administration throwing ten times as much taxpayer money back to the deluded liberals for schemes doomed to fail- leaving taxpayers on the hook.

I'd find it incredibly amusing that democrats are turning on each other- and that Obama is now blaming members of his own party for his failures- if the cow try being destroyed was not my own.

On the other hand, I doubt the democratic party ever rises from the Obama destruction, so that's good news.

Hello, No Labels party.

soundbite_monopoly

Why do these liberals all think for themselves?! It's so annoying. Be like the GOP Animal Farm. Get your a$$ in line, take your rhetoric from Fox, or face the wrath of my party of tea!

You mean when they all told us that Obama

1) was the smartest person ever in the Oval Office

2) didn't speak with a negro accent

3) was articulate, bright and clean

4) sent a tingle up my leg

5) was past-partisan

6) is unbeatable because “nobody can out debate” because he “has complete knowledge.”

7) was "The One"

...getting bored now it's too easy to find ridiculous quotes by a bunch of sycophants. Here's a bit of humor on the subject

"www.theonion.com/video/obama-win-causes-obsessive-supporters-to-realize-h,14287/ "

Alan, NJ

I give you an 'A' for effort and a First Read 1 UP arrow for managing to slip in the noun "negro" in the same argument with the proper noun "Obama". It's kind of tricky but it was what we were all thinking anyway. Congrats!

@soundbite_monopoly

Sorry, I can't take credit for that. Senate Majority leader Reid beat me to it. BTW, in my sentence negro is used as an adjective, to describe accent, not as a noun.

as in ...

"Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid apologized on Saturday for saying the race of Barack Obama – whom he described as a "light skinned" African-American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one"

I mis-quoted Senator Reid in that I used accent instead of dialect. My mistake.

all over darryl? Wait until next fall when it is obama vs ???. If you thought the 2010 midterm election ads were bad, you haven't seen anything yet.

I do agree that while obama and congress fiddle, America is smoldering and about to burst into flames. Perhaps it is time for someone to take a firm hold of the bus (economy) and gently lead us out of its skid.

american, President Obama has tried to do that; unfortunately no president has the power to just sign executive orders to accomplish his/her goals--that's what our Constitution established. Congress must pass the legislation and pass the dollars. You might ask the GOP why they have been so willing to just leave the bus in the ditch? McConnell gave us the answer--"our goal is to defeat President Obama....to make him a one-term president..." So when you are talking about America bursting into flames, the GOPTP has been pouring gasoline on the smoldering bus by obstructing, delaying, denying for nearly 3 years. I've been watching politics for many years and never before have I seen such blatant disregard for America's well being. Democrats are not perfect but at least they are willing to compromise for the greater good during times like this. That cannot be said about the GOP right now. It should bother every person that the GOPTP is so stuck in rigid ideology, they refuse to even meet in the middle when it is critical to our economy, to the country and above all to the millions who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The GOPTP's attitude is indefensible.

Jody,

Lets look at it realistically, BHO was driving the shiny new 1 trillion dollar bus, when he drove it straight into the ditch while blindfolded. Now he was us to buy a 500 Billion dollar towtruck to get it out of the ditch, but he want to drive the towtruck too.... with the same blindfold on.

We dont have to take special effort to make BHO a one term president. He almost ensured that when he spent $1,000,000,000,000 in money we did not have and improved nothing with it. His latest effort in the form of Stimulus 2 (cant call it a jobs plan) he cannot even get his OWN PARTY to support in the Senate. Yes, it is that bad.

Want to talk about blantant disregard for America's wellbeing? How about Obama saying the GOP could come along, but they would have to ride in the back. Rememeber that? When he had a supermajority and rammed through every POS legislation that he wanted to? And America suffers for every bit of it now. We are broke, and his new plan is to demonize rich people and corporations. When in fact, all the tax increases he wants to impose would not even balance our current spending let alone addreess the massive debt he has built. I suppose you live you life putting 40 cents on every dollar you spend on a credit card? He seems to think this is perfectly fine. And his method of fixing it is to rob more from the poeple who support this country to reduce it down to only putting maybe 35 cents on every dollar spent on the credit card. The debt still builds and we add to it daily. If this is his best "solution", it isnt good enough.

THAT is blatant disregard. The refusal to meet in the middle was initiated by BHO. And I elected a GOP House to prevent any further distruction by blocking his socialist march into the abyss. And when 2012 comes around, will vote to end his tenure as destroyer in chief, and replace the do nothing Senate (which is the real roadblock to progress)

The president, his policies, and his vision for America is indefensible. And your ignoring the progression that brought us here is as well.

ABO 2012

Apparently the 2010 elections also neutered that crybaby that now runs the House. Nobody ever hates the wimps and we certainly never remember them.

The problem wasnt the GOP candidate. The problem was the voters.

The idea that ANYONE would vote for Reid over the devil himself is a testament to the idiots in Nevada. I am glad they still have the highest forclosure rate and unemployment in the country. If any one deserves it, they do.

ABO 2012

why dottielou - we read comments like that all the time here on FR from the libs posting about most conservatives and preidential candidates. Why the bias?

Don't make a statement that you can not prove.

LoL dottie lou. You may be setting the bar too high, and not just for Alan.

Politics today is nothing BUT statements that cannot be proven. Because everyone knows no one has the time, nor does anyone care.

Ummmm dottielou, you do realize the remark that Alan, NJ posted about Daley is also used in this very article?? If not, please go back and re-read (if you read it at all) it.... LOL!!!!

ROTFLMAO Anna, you are such a sweety I voted you up!

I've had two negative interactions with co-workers/bosses already this morning, and I'm not a Democratic office holder. Personality problems arise at everybody's workplace - you deal with it.

well girls, tommorow night bloombergTV and the washington post are hosting a debate for the republican hopefulls. The topic of discussion is to be soley related to the economy and the moderator is charlie rose. That debate should fuel FR come wednesday.

Jody, Iowa:

I'm not quite sure your perspective is correct on the "...one view fits all approach of the GOPTP." It is quite accurate to suggest they vote in lockstep, but unless the common view is reduced to "I hate everyone who is not a Republican", then I think you are incorrect.

What these right-wing lunatics, who now control the Republican debate, want is to have the nation accept their view, and shoved down our collective throat, if necessary. However, there are a number of well-defined views within the lunatic right-wing. One group clamors for theocracy.....under THEIR god, of course. Another group claims to be pro-choice. Another sees a giant government conspiracy to confiscate firearms. There are others, but what unites them is their fear and hatred of anything that is not identified as Republican.

The government is not going to become a theocracy. The government is not going to overturn privacy rights. The government is not going to confiscate firearms. Sure, there are slight tips in the balance, but nothing of major consequence. None of these groups will ever achieve their stated goal.

So, the small screaming factions are not as united as it appears at first blush. They vote together, but they NEVER fulfill their agenda. That is the whole point, of course. They remain focused on their narrow agendas, all the while remaining blissfully unaware that they are promoting the complete agenda of the rich and the super-rich, which is to reduce the vast majority of the country's citizens to complete subservience.

They love fear. They love hate, and they hate love. They hate science. They love ignorance. The GOPTP is a very scary group. They are very dangerous, more than we know. They vote. They must be stopped.

David Walker, I appreciate your take which is a more detailed analysis than mine. I was not clear, my comment was a general statement relating to those GOPTPers in the House and Senate. To be honest, lately, to me the GOP Congress does sound as if they hate everyone who isn't republican. You can just about put up a phrase or a sentence said by one and it won't be long before they're all repeating the same words. That's the way I see today's federal legislative GOP. Only occasionally do I hear one say something that more closely represents independent thinking. I have watched Jon Huntsmans morph from a more center right candidate who did express different views into just another version of the others. Democrats are guilty of talking points as well but they are not afraid to disagree publically on details, plans, or ideas--annoying me on occasion.

pat in boston

I like Sen. Reid. One of only a few in Congress who I do like

I LOVED that nuclear option Ried kicked McConnell's butt with.

People say Harry Reid is a wimp; I'm inclined to think he's one of those "quiet people" they warn you about. As Beverly said, Reid used the nuclear option effectively and left McConnell sitting in the dust wondering what happened. Gotta watch out for those quiet ones.

As for Bill Daley, my take is he seems to be a pretty fair-minded guy but he hasn't been at the job long enough to get a real sense of who he is. One thing I am glad is that we have fewer discussions about the Chief of Staff; he tries to keep a lower profile than Rahm Emmanuel. His job is to oversee the staff; run interference and basically keep order. As we know from books, President Obama listens to his advisors including the Chief of Staff but he makes up his own mind. I did hear a discussion over the weekend about how Daley seems to have shifted President Obama from conciliatory messaging to more agressive. I think there's some truth in what was said that since Rahm Emmanuel left, we have seen the 2008 Obama re-emerge. If Bill Daley is part of that shift, I say good.

Jody, Iowa: People say Harry Reid is a wimp; I'm inclined to think he's one of those "quiet people" they warn you about. As Beverly said, Reid used the nuclear option effectively and left McConnell sitting in the dust wondering what happened. Gotta watch out for those quiet ones.

Reid is so quiet, he hasn't come up with a budget in 3 years. Still waiting oh'silent one.

This is one of those "inside the beltway" stories that makes me nuts. They are probably all correct and they all should put their differences aside and get the job done.

Steeler Fan, well said!

Jody,

I think there's some truth in what was said that since Rahm Emmanuel left, we have seen the 2008 Obama re-emerge

But the 2008 Obama now has a 2010 record of failure and the rockstar and savior status has proven false. Good luck with that baggage. You think those who were fooled in 2008 into believing his greatness will fall for it again? Only in Nevada would something of that nature happen. And I doubt it will happen there either.

ABO 2012

And remember, the nuclear option has always existed, but no one used it for fear it would get used on them in future cycles. It was concidered political party suicide. Reid has opened a very ugly can of worms here, and it will come back to bite the Dems in their minority role soon. And you had better remember this time frame when it does and who to blame for it being used.

ABO 2012

Mo,

Who are you kidding? The economy is turning around? In what way? What is the unemployment rate? Are we adding jobs enough to even absorb the new work force let alone the unemployed? Even by advisors to BHO they indicate the rate will be 9% by election day. So the economy magically improving when he has a combative relationship with business is not a concern. In fact, I believe business as a whole is holding off any hiring till after the election as he has made business impossible. Business would not do anything to further his cause.

I am more scared we will not nominate a candidate that is right leaning enough. Romney is not a good choice, and the MSM keeps pushing him on us.

But worrying that the economy will help BHO is not a concern as he has ensured it will not come back by his policies to demonize corporations, over-regulate business, threaten new taxes every other day, and hang the pending doom that is Obamacare over the head of businesses. They are scared and will not budge until he is gone.

And now Bernanke marks down the outlook for growth,as the reality of the damage they have done is starting to sink in.

And as I recall last summer all the talk was of the economy turning around then. Remember the "Summer of Recovery"? No one does, as it was just another pipe dream. Keep dreaming...

We are supposed to be worried the economy is turning around? You need to put the crack pipe down.

ABO 2012

Mo,

if there's anything bad to say about our country, they'll keep saying it over and over and that's really sad.

You libs keep saying Obama over and over... And he is CLEARLY bad for the country.

ABO 2012

Great posts dsdsherm,

Two events I predict. First, a landslide victory against Obama that sets a new record. Second, the day after the election, a giant surge in hiring across the country.

Why is there no "normal" First Read this morning where you summarize what happened over the weekend?

Today's a holiday - they'll resume their regularly scheduled programming tomorrow!

Keep posting - I like what you have to say Monetfan! ;o)

So why the obsessive coverage of Perry??

Some possible reasons:

(1) First Read thinks Perry will be the nominee. (First Read is delusional.)

(2) First read HOPES Perry will be the nominee. (First Read knows this would be good for business.)

(3) First Read thinks Perry is so much more fun than Mitt Romney. (And he is.)

(4) First Read is hoping there will be a one-on-one debate between Rick Perry and Herman Cain. (So am I.)

(5) All of the above.

Duh.

Welcome to First Read, MonetFan. It's not always a work of art here, but it can be fun.

Anna Molly, LOL

I think that Gov. stiff hair Perry belongs in a wax museum!!! He is truly a relic.

LoL Bev ... they won't even have to treat him.

All he's gotta do is "wax" naturally.

Enjoyed your post, Monetfan. I think you're right about Herman Cain being surprised about his sudden rise in popularity. Cain's problem now that he's gaining steam is that he will have to explain his 9-9-9 plan with details, he'll need to polish his PR skills, and he better be prepared for those who will factually dispute his claims. He must also stop answering a question with another question.

I imagine that most FR posters are not earning a million, half or even a quarter million--add 9% national sales tax to existing state and local sales taxes and see how that impacts one's income. Where I live, it would mean about 16.5 cents of every dollar spent is on sales tax--that's getting close to 1/5th of every dollar. Sales taxes are consumption taxes and they are regressive because those with the least money pay a greater share of their earnings in taxes just buying what they need.

anna you left one out... Perry gets a lot of FR libs riled up into making insane posts. Doesn't clicks=$$$

Jody, Iowa

Enjoyed your post, Monetfan. I think you're right about Herman Cain being surprised about his sudden rise in popularity.

Yes, I suspect Cain was surprised because he was only running for the nomination in order to get more publicity for his book and didn't actually expect to have do all the tedious hand-shaking and baby-kissing nonsense expected of leading candidates. But on the plus side, he's a much better speaker than mumble-mouth Rick Perry (how did he ever get the moniker "Slick Rick"?), and he's not a flip-flopping weasel like Mitt Romney. Cain sticks by every crazy thing he's ever said and doesn't back down. Personally I'd find it fascinating if the 2012 general election came down to a contest between two African Americans. But Cain's chances of being the second African American president are exactly ZERO.

Thanks to all of the above who posted the very kind comments! I enjoy reading all of your posts, as well!

Houston, that's so true. Cain and Ron Paul at least stand by their comments however absurd they might be. I don't care what religion Romney is or whether he's religious, it's that he doesn't stand by his convictions, he changes them depending on what direction the political wind is blowing. He'll say and do anything if it means a vote for him.

Jody, Iowa

...he doesn't stand by his convictions, he changes them depending on what direction the political wind is blowing. He'll say and do anything if it means a vote for him.

Does that remind you of ANYONE else... ? hmmmmm?

SickOfTheBickering

Jody, Iowa

...he doesn't stand by his convictions, he changes them depending on what direction the political wind is blowing. He'll say and do anything if it means a vote for him.

Does that remind you of ANYONE else... ? hmmmmm?

Yeah. It reminds me of Barack Obama, because he's the exact opposite. He campaigned as a center-left candidate and has governed the same way, despite the insane outrage of the far right and the angry disappointment of the far left, many of whom seemed to think he didn't really mean it when he said he would try to compromise with Republicans. Too bad for Obama that there was no way to compromise with extremists who've shown themselves dedicated to harming the country if it would hurt Obama. Too bad for the country, too.

Romney the flip-flopper.......I doubt it.

I wouldn't count your chickens just yet, Joseph. Romney has a lot of baggage dragging behind him. You might check into his Bain Capital efforts to get a real taste of what Romney is about. It isn't pretty.

So what you're saying Joseph is Romney will follow the tea people GOP republican agenda of lying to the voters, promise jobs, but if and that's a big if he is elected he will immediately spend seven years trying to go back to the Cheney/Bush years, not job creation. BTW you forgot to mention he will start work immediately on tax cuts for the top 2% and trying to give social security and medicare money to the top 2%.

Jody, Iowa

I wouldn't count your chickens just yet, Joseph. Romney has a lot of baggage dragging behind him. You might check into his Bain Capital efforts to get a real taste of what Romney is about. It isn't pretty.

From what I've read of Bain Capital, Romney really did create jobs. By firing American workers and creating jobs in foreign countries.

Philip,

I expect this will go up and down almost daily, and we won't know who our next president will be until a bunch of the primaries are over. Right now, it looks like a toss up between Mitt Romney and Herman Cain. But, of course, that can all change in a week. Newt and Paul maybe are tied for third.

Time to really start paying attention to their platforms. Of course dump Obamacare is a prerequisite for all of them. that's a given. It's what else they have on the menu that makes the meal interesting.

Cheers, Houston, well done! It's like the "messiah" nonsense--never heard a democrat claiming Candidate Obama was the messiah but I sure heard the right-wing media mouth pieces say it and it has been repeated here and on other blogs repeatedly.

Yes Jody,

Obama is the "Golden Child, the messiah, the chosen one, the divine soothsayer. The Dear Leader. The Immortal. Heaven sent. LOL

Now you are beginning to see the extent of the Obama damage. He is an American catastrophe that never stops.

Wm,

Carter?? Now that was a Dem who was totally clueless. But, he kept quiet and didn't go blaming anybody. He acted kind of embarrassed to even be there.

Obama is not only clueless, but arrogant as well. Horrible combination.

Will Rogers made that famous remark back when the Democratic Party was a hodgepodge of progressives like Franklin Roosevelt and Southern racists. Now the racists have all left and joined the Republican Party. But the Dems are still almost as disorganized as back in Rogers time. Now it's progressives and corporatists mixed together. Obama is trying to govern somewhere in the middle. Or in the muddle, you might say.

Obama trying to govern?? When?? Where?? I thought his job was campaigning and playing golf.