First Thoughts: Four storylines you shouldn't miss

Four storylines you shouldn’t miss in from our new NBC/WSJ poll: 1) Perry’s candidacy is in serious trouble… 2) Obama still enjoys incredible support among African Americans… 3) Obama’s weakness with the middle of the country… 4) Americans are looking for a populist… Cain to hold press conference to defend himself from latest accusation… White House news: Rouse steps up, Daley steps back… The five Election 2011 contests we’re watching today… And Senate Dems gets their candidate in North Dakota.

*** Four storylines you shouldn’t miss: Beyond the big headlines from our new NBC/WSJ poll (the public’s pessimism, President Obama’s upside-down approval rating, Romney and Cain leading the GOP race and the president's surprising leads over his potential GOP foes given the pessimistic views of his presidency), there are four important storylines you shouldn’t miss. The first: Rick Perry’s candidacy is in serious trouble and he might not be able to recover. In our first survey after the sexual-harassment allegations against Herman Cain surfaced, it's Perry that actually lost ground in the Republican horserace (from 16% in October to 10% now) -- while Mitt Romney (from 23% to 28%) and Newt Gingrich (from 8% to 13%) gained ground, and Cain actually stayed steady (from 27% to 27%). In addition, in a hypothetical two-way GOP race, Romney leads Perry by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, 62%-33%. (By comparison, Romney runs neck-and-neck against Cain in a similar two-way race, 49%-48%.) And Perry’s fav/unfav among REPUBLICAN primary voters is a pedestrian 33%-23%, versus Cain’s 52%-19% and Romney’s 46%-17%. Re-read those last set of numbers: Perry has HIGHER negative ratings than either Cain or Romney (at least before yesterday's new Cain allegation).

*** Obama’s strength with African Americans: A second storyline you shouldn’t miss is Obama’s incredible strength with African-American voters. While some Beltway chatter and commentary has suggested that the president is losing support with these voters, our NBC/WSJ poll -- which included an oversample of 400 black respondents -- paints a very different picture. According to the survey, 91% of them approve of Obama’s job (versus 44% among all poll respondents); 49% of them believe the country is headed in the right direction (versus 19% of all respondents); 92% would vote for Obama over Romney (versus 49%); 93% would vote for Obama over Cain (versus 53%); and 59% of them say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting in 2012. If Obama wins re-election next year, he can thank this support from African Americans and (to a lesser extent) Latino voters. By the way, the president doesn't lose any African-American support even in the hypothetical three-way matchups with Ron Paul or Michael Bloomberg. The president does NOT have a problem with African-Americans; folks should stop wasting news ink and bandwidth on that topic. Beyond one or two grumpy members of the Congressional Black Caucus, there's no ACTUAL evidence in the community at-large.

*** Obama’s weakness with the middle of the country: Here’s a third storyline: If Obama is sitting pretty with his African-American base, the same can’t be said with the middle of the country. In our poll, 56% of independents, 57% of suburban residents, and 52% of folks from the Midwest disapprove of the president’s job. And in a hypothetical match-up against Romney, independents and suburban residents swing for Romney, while folks from the Midwest are split between Obama and Romney. So if Obama’s base could explain why he wins re-election, his struggles with the middle of the country could explain why he loses in 2012.

*** Looking for a populist: And here’s a fourth storyline: Heading into 2012, America is looking for a populist. According to the poll, a whopping 76% agree with the statement that the current economic structure of the country is out of balance and favors a small proportion of the rich over the rest of the country. However, another 53% of respondents agree with the statement that the national debt must be cut significantly by reducing spending and the size of government. By the way, nearly 40% of all those surveyed agree with BOTH statements about the unfairness of the economic system and the size of government issue. Also, half of all respondents in the poll identify with either the Occupy Wall Street movement or the Tea Party (and 4% of all respondents identify with both). There's an angry electorate out there, ideologically spread across the political spectrum. If the major party nominees are Obama and Romney, can either be seen as a convincing populist that will fill this void? Or are we headed for a multi-candidate field with 3rd and 4th party candidates for the general?

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll looks at voters' sentiments one year ahead of the presidential election. NBC's Chuck Todd has more.

*** Cain to hold press conference to defend himself: This sums up your race for the GOP presidential nomination: Yesterday, Gloria Allred and a client made new sexual-harassment allegations against Herman Cain at the Friar’s Club, and Cain made his rebuttal on Jimmy Kimmel. And today, at 3:00 pm ET in Scottsdale, AZ, Cain will hold a press conference to address these new charges.

*** Rouse steps up, Daley steps back: As we and Bloomberg News reported over a month ago, White House senior adviser Pete Rouse was stepping up his day-to-day duties in running the West Wing, especially as it relates to dealing with Congress. And today’s Wall Street Journal report formalizes that news: “On Monday, [White House Chief of Staff Bill] Daley turned over day-to-day management of the West Wing to Pete Rouse, a veteran aide to President Obama, according to several people familiar with the matter… The recalibration of Mr. Daley's portfolio, agreed to by Mr. Obama, is designed to smooth any kinks in the president's team as it braces for the overlapping demands of governing while campaigning for re-election, people familiar with the matter said. The West Wing is preparing for budget battles with Congress and is seeking to use its executive powers more extensively.”

AP

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley at the G20 Summit in Cannes, France, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011.

*** On the 2012 trail: The day before tomorrow’s CNBC debate in Michigan, Santorum makes several campaign stops in New Hampshire.

*** The five contests we’re watching today: It’s Election Day 2011, and here are the five contests we’re watching today, as we wrote yesterday: 1) the referendum on the anti-collective-bargaining law in Ohio, where polls close at 7:30 pm ET; 2) the governor’s race in Kentucky, where all polls close at 7:00 pm ET; 3) the governor’s race in Mississippi, where polls close at 8:00 pm ET; 4) the “personhood”/abortion amendment in Mississippi; and 5) the battle of control for the state Senate in Virginia, where polls close at 7:00 pm ET.

*** Dems get their candidate in North Dakota: Democrats are facing an uphill challenge to hold on to the Senate seat that Kent Conrad (D) is vacating after next year in red North Dakota. But they are celebrating the news that Heidi Heitkamp (D) has entered the race. DSCC Executive Director Guy Cecil today released recent Democratic polling data showing that likely GOP nominee Rick Berg leads a generic Democrat by just four points, 44%-40%. “A ‘generic Democrat’ is only four points down from Berg in a state that does not like generic Democrats,” Cecil writes. “Heidi Heitkamp is no generic Democrat. She is an independent, reform-minded, fiscal conservative, who is widely known across the state for her tough, principled leadership as Attorney General and her fight against big tobacco companies to help North Dakota taxpayers.”

*** Tuesday’s “Daily Rundown” line-up:  Digging into the new NBC/WSJ poll with pollsters Peter Hart and Micah Roberts… One of us (!!!) with more on today's votes… NBC's Pete Williams on changes in state voter identification laws… NBC's Kelly O'Donnell on the outlook for 2012 Senate races… And more campaign trail news with NPR'S Ari Shapiro, the Washington Post's Anne Kornblut and former DNC spokesman and Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

*** Tuesday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell interviews the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, NBC’s Pete Williams, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), the AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka, and strategists Bob Shrum (D) and Vin Weber (R).

Countdown to Iowa caucuses: 56 days
Countdown to South Carolina primary: 74 days
Countdown to Florida primary: 84 days
Countdown to Nevada caucuses: 88 days
Countdown to Super Tuesday: 119 days

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It's a suckers bet trying to predict how the future will play out, but I make this bold prediction with great confidence. If you haven't yet grasped it, government debt in the US, Europe and Japan has grown to such heights that it is literally unrepayable.

Not to mention, if Italy defaults, we are in for one hell of a ride

  • 2 votes
Reply#160 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 3:39 PM EST

The bottom line to all contenders and the incumbents----------------- we are tired of your bull up there and voting like YOU want and not how we want. We are tired of you taking our values out of our country and we want them back!!!!!!!!! We are tired of liars and thieves and those among you who believe you can do as you like and legislate laws for the rest of us to follow!!!!!!!!!!!

BASICALLY, WE ARE TIRED OF THE STATUS QUO AND WE PLAN TO EMPTY BOTH HOUSES AND START OVER IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR ACTS TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!! THINK WE WON'T?????? TRY US AND FIND OUT...OH, AND START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB, CAUSE THE ONE YOU HAVE ISN'T YOURS ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 1 vote
Reply#161 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 3:40 PM EST

Well said Susan.

  • 1 vote
#161.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 3:48 PM EST

Is that what happened with many reps in the house??? what did it get us more gridlock...no jobs...only bills that have nothing to do with the economy

    #161.2 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:16 PM EST

    If the tea party and OWS can come together --- look out establishment!

      #161.3 - Wed Nov 9, 2011 8:34 AM EST
      Reply

      It does not matter what political party, race, financial well being the president is from. The fact is, he is hurting this country and needs to go. Conservatives want him to be a one term president because of what he is doing to this country. We were struggling under Bush, and Obama came in and made things even worse. No, he can't blame Bush anymore. The fact is that he has been in office more than long enough to change things and give people hope. "Hope and Change" He has done nothing to improve the economy or the job market. He needs to go.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#162 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 3:46 PM EST

      Personally, I think the REAL political enemy of America is the filibustering, job-killin', do-nuthin', hate parade called ...CONGRESS!

      May those party first b**turds roast in seven different Hades.

      BTW: Obama still wins in 2012...!!

      • 2 votes
      Reply#163 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:06 PM EST

      I agree, vote that effin senate out. There are 15 BIPARTISAN jobs bills sent over from the house sitting on Harry Reids desk that neither Harry (nor oblamer for that matter) will take up.

      We have one BIPARTISAN body doing it's job, get rid of the senate and obalmer and we're moving again.

      • 2 votes
      #163.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:17 PM EST

      those bills have to do with deregulation..how is that going to create jobs?

        #163.2 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:19 PM EST

        I agree on your first statement C_D. Congress is our main Problem. AND the Senate. What we need a country wide vote on Term limits for ALL national politicians. Congress, Senate & Supreme court included. 8yrs maximum. Get rid of the lobbyists. Get rid of the professional politicians.

        As for Obama winning in 2012, I surely hope to God NOT.

        • 2 votes
        #163.3 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:20 PM EST

        Janine -- the senate is "Congress." You're falling for obalmers trick, he keeps saying "congress" knowing half you idiots don't know that the legislature -- "congress" -- is formed from the house (which most people mistake for the "congress") and the senate. So he runs around talking about a "do nothing "congress" because if he said do nothing "House of Representatives" the press would have no choice but to correct him as the senate really does nothing and the house has submitted 15 jobs promoting BIPARTISAN bills the senate does not take up.

        Don't be a slave to obalmers bullcrap, get an education.

        • 1 vote
        #163.4 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:38 PM EST

        John, by giving clarity to an otherwise murky future. Business does not invest when they do not know what their costs are. Besides, all of them are not "deregulation, there's also a budget in there which niether the presidnt or the senate have yet to produse.

        • 1 vote
        #163.5 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:40 PM EST

        Hey MR-392541...Thanx for correctin' the typical neo-nut ignorance of Janine...re; Congress/ Senate/ H of Reps.

        Also...you should correct your own neo-nut ignorance by learnin' how to spell POTUS Obama's name correctly. Otherwise, you're sorta pathetic, too. It's not "olbalmer"...!!

        On your other posts, try spellcheck, some time. OK? Or type in proper slang.

          #163.6 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 6:30 PM EST

          CD coming from someone who spells thanks thankx, what's your effin point? I prefer to use obalmer, it suits him better. Much like liberal idiot suits you.

          Notice you didn't differentiate between the senate and house, hoping to keep obalmer's lie alive -- what a maroon.

          • 1 vote
          #163.7 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 7:39 PM EST

          MR...I spelled it "thanx" on purpose--without needin' spellcheck, like your tiny pea brain needs spellcheck. And, I did NOT spell it..."t-h-a-n-k-x"...as your addled pea brain says I did.

          Learn proper slang and spellin', with your neo-nut "ejumakashun". Duhh?!

          BTW: Obama wins in 2012...!!

          • 1 vote
          #163.8 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 8:35 PM EST
          Reply

          Election Day 2011…

          For all of you, who live in States where elections are being held today, get out & VOTE like you’re life depends on it!

          If the tea party terrorists continue with their way – it very well may!

          • 1 vote
          Reply#164 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:19 PM EST

          I got my butt out and proudly voted. I'm glad I don't live in a red/racist state where voting rules are suddenly changing to disenfranchise me of my American right to vote.

          Those same red/racists states want to keep older and younger minorities, who may not have the new, "appropriate" ID card/paper (like a gun carry permit) or be given very limited hours to exercise their American right to vote!

          A pox on the red "states rights" racists. Those Tea Part terrorists won't admit how many 'baggernuts are on welfare, anyway.

            #164.2 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:32 PM EST

            The "Occupy" terrorists are the ones you need to watch out for. They are the ones getting violent, not the tea party.

            • 3 votes
            #164.3 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:04 PM EST

            I find it so amusing that all these guys run away holding their skirts up at the mention of the tea party...
            ...tea party terrorists? ....really?...sheesh...

            ...your wives must not take your pair out of their purse for you to play with too often now, do they?

            • 4 votes
            #164.4 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:31 PM EST

            Their wives don't even let them carry them in their Europeon man bags.

            • 1 vote
            #164.5 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 6:18 PM EST
            Reply

            Another of the left's interperation of the First Amendment, "Collapsed by Community."

            • 2 votes
            Reply#165 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:25 PM EST

            We're improving, the first two were deleted. LMAO

              #165.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:45 PM EST
              Reply

              This article makes it sound like no one has a chance against Obama, so don't bother to vote against him because you have no chance to beat him. However, I remember when Bush was running against John Kerry and this same news site claimed that the early exit polls showed that 67% of the voters were voting for Kerry. We all know how that election went. Wishful thinking does not mean it"s true.

              • 1 vote
              Reply#166 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:36 PM EST

              Great! We all know how Bush's Term ended. Let's not go through that again. ROFL

                #166.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:44 PM EST
                Reply

                our NBC/WSJ poll -- which included an oversample of 400 black respondents -- paints a very different picture. According to the survey, 91% of them approve of Obama’s job.

                91% of black respondents are at the government trough and waiting for Mr. Obama to increase the governments hand outs.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#167 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:37 PM EST

                John, therein lies the critical danger for Republicans in any race, presidential or congressional. Anyone who is receiving any form of public assistance (entitlement) is overtly threatened by a Republican congress and president. There is too much already on the record to deny that. Watch for a massive voter registration drive among the poor and disenfranchised along with encouragment to vote straight party Democrat. Its not just minorities that are in the crosshairs ~ millions in all ethnic groups have a chip in the game now ~ and they will play it to protect their accustomed lifestyle. Hide and watch.

                  #167.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:11 PM EST
                  Reply

                  For the first time in over forty years of being eligible to vote there is not one person in either party (don't even mention third parties) that I feel I could honestly vote for the office of President. Sure hope something changes in the next twelve months.

                    Reply#168 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 4:43 PM EST

                    Glad you finally got paroled. Good for ya.

                      #168.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:42 PM EST
                      Reply

                      If President Obama wins in 2012, and the Dems win back the House, and keep the Senate, you can kiss the USA goodbye, and say hello to the SSA. Socialist States of America.

                      • 4 votes
                      Reply#169 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:06 PM EST

                      And maybe, just maybe all those corporations will be paying taxes, finally. LOL

                      • 1 vote
                      #169.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:41 PM EST

                      YES! Right on! oh that's a left wing liberal hippy expression! oh no!

                        #169.2 - Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:45 AM EST
                        Reply

                        What's Obama going to do if he loses the Jewish vote?!

                        He was at the G20 and got into trouble !! Oooopppsss

                        "Mr Sarkozy is then overheard saying: 'I cannot stand him (Netanyahu) . He is a liar.'

                        "Mr. Obama is reported to have replied: 'You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day!' "

                        "The U.S. president then urged Sarkozy to try to persuade the Palestinian Authority to step down its campaign for membership of the United Nations."

                        "After three minutes, French officials realised the conversation was being eavesdropped and cut the microphones."

                        "The journalists then agreed not to publish the overheard chat and stick to the 'rules of conduct' that applied to covering the summit - but one reporter later leaked the details to the website."

                          Reply#170 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:20 PM EST

                          Obama will most likely retain the Reformed Jewish vote and most of the Orthodox vote. He will certainly find hardline Zionists opposing him for his Israeli-Palestinian stance (and comments). Fortunately for him, the Zionists constitute only a small minority of the total Jewish vote which is (and has been) rather progressive. This is not my analysis ~ it stems from an excellent NPR program on the subject about a month ago in which Orthodox, Reformed, and even converted Christian Jews were in universal agreement with this analysis. I suppose time will tell if they were correct in their assumptions.

                            #170.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:22 PM EST
                            Reply

                            Tell you what, if you pay nothing in federal taxes you should not be allowed to vote.

                            We used to have something like that, it was called a poll tax, and it was used to keep poor people from voting. It kept blacks and poor whites and other "undesirables" from interfering with what the "better class" wanted to do.

                            Of course, now it probably would keep several millionaires from voting.

                              Reply#171 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:22 PM EST

                              I'd go for that if you add that if you don't pay taxes you were not allowed to contribute to any campaign or candidate or have lobbyists. Too bad the 99% can't lobby like the 1%.

                                #171.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:38 PM EST
                                Reply

                                too much for one day. aloha back later in week or two.

                                  Reply#172 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 6:34 PM EST

                                  In reading these posts, I can't believe the way many of you like to tear those whoe disagree with you down.  i thought the idea here was to post different views on the news story, not to be uncivil towards one another.   Is this what the human race has degenerated to in general??   Can't we just agree to disagree, rather than spew venom at each other?   To indulge in name calling only brings you down to a lower level.    Has civility died?   Are those slanderous postings a direct indication of what we have become today?   There's an old saying:    Everytime you dig dirt, you lose a little ground.   Show some self respect and respect for another's points of view as you would expect them to do for you.  You're intellectuals. Act like it.              --d

                                    Reply#173 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 8:38 PM EST

                                    I can't believe the way many of you like to tear those whoe disagree with you down.

                                    Don't let it concern you. I've been reading these posts for over five years and the same attitudes have prevailed, the same venom spewed, the same slanderous and libelous comments made, and the same partisan insults hurled. Outcome? ~ ~ ~ not a single mind has been changed, not a single thought modified, and not a single individual has crossed the partisan divide as the result of posts here. Some have worn out several screen names over the years, change them, and then copy-cat the same garbage ~ ~ on both sides of the debate. Its a form of entertainment for most who post here and that will not likely change.

                                      #173.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:30 PM EST
                                      Reply

                                      It's always so funny to read a person's post when he's taking an intellectual point of view while putting someone else down for theirs, and his spelling is second-grade level. Your spelling is a dead give-away. Check your fly. It's probably open as well! --d

                                        Reply#174 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 8:43 PM EST

                                        If the Republicans wish to defeat Obama, they had better get off their "anybody but Romney" kick. The real danger for Republicans is that during the primaries they will pull Romney so far to the right that he will be unable to flip-flop back toward the center in order to appeal to the independents like myself who, while not crazy about Obama, may view him as the lesser of two evils. Moreover, for an old "flip-flopper" like Romney to find it difficult to slip back toward the center of the political spectrum for the general election, merely serves to underline the seriousness of the plight of the right in finding an electable candidate between now and their convention.

                                        Look at what they have to pick from:

                                        Cain is a joke and becoming a bigger and bigger one by the hour. Romney is unlikely to be able to unite the party even if he were to somehow manage to win the nomination. Perry is simply not ready for prime time. He makes George W. look like an intellectual. Bachman is a Palin look alike, the darling of the right but also the left (by far the easiest candidate for Obama to defeat). Huntsman has potential and is a viable prospect...for 2016. Gingrich is a worn-out has-been even conservatives don't take seriously. And Santorum...Santorum who? That leaves Ron Paul--Obama would LOVE to run again him too. Maybe they should ALL run in the general election. Wouldn't that be fun!

                                          Reply#175 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 8:53 PM EST

                                          When one looks at the overall picture with an open mind and not the "My Team" attitude you can only see that there is very little difference in the two major parties. Both want control of the people. The R's claim they want less government yet at the same time want government to regulate the most personal aspects of an individuals life, reproductive rights, sexual orientation, what one can or cannot put into their own God given body. The D's are by no means off the hook either. They want to control the masses by having the government make anything they don't approve of illegal and have as many as possible totally and completely dependent on the government for everything in their lives. Both want a Nanny State where the government thinks they know what is best for everyone and will make those choices for us. This goes against the very foundations our country was created on, freedom of choice and the opportunity to venture into uncharted territory and take the chances you as an individual deem necessary to make your life better.

                                          Both parties spew the talk of freedom, but their brand of freedom comes with an asterisk, you are free to do as you choose as long as it's government approved, and that my friends is not what freedom is about. Freedom is the ability to make your own choices about what you do, how you do it, where you live and how you live all with no involvement what so ever from the government, as it is none of the government's business. With this freedom also comes responsibility. The responsibility to make sure that you do not infringe on the rights of anyone else and the responsibility to accept the choices you make under this freedom. The responsibility to own up to the bad choices you make and take the full responsibility that because you have this freedom you and you alone made the choices you made whether they be good, bad, or indifferent and not to go blaming the government or looking to the government to fix your problems. That is not what government is for. The role of government in a free society is to protect us from each other ensuring that no ones rights and freedoms are infringed by another. When government starts to protect us from ourselves freedom begins to erode and the more they protect us from ourselves the more freedom is lost for all of us.

                                          That my fellow freedom loving Americans is why we must put an end to this two party dynasty that has lasted for 158 years and gotten us to where we are today by our elected officials at every level being controlled by either one party or the other. Many we have elected have come up with great ideas for this country but the control of the parties has stifled our American ingenuity and ability to solve the most complex problems by both parties taking away the freedom of our elected representatives to be creative and actually put some of these great ideas into practice due to party infighting. It is this same political party infighting that has us in the stranglehold of gridlock where nothing can get accomplished. The crew can see the water coming aboard the ship, but rather that both parties pitching to bail out the water they stand around and take sides and block each other's good ideas while the ship is steadily sinking. This behavior will go on until the stern starts to slip under the water, then they will start to see that they need to work together, but by then it will be too late and no matter what good they come up with the good ship USS America will continue to sink, slide beneath the waves, and be lost.

                                          It is for this very reason that I will seek out all Independent and third or fourth party candidates and research them and study their opinions and behaviors and vote only for those who are NOT affiliated with either the D's or the R's since over the last 158 years these two parties are the ones who have driven us to where we are today. The two parties will never enact any campaign reform, they will never reduce their own salaries, they will never outlaw the legal bribery that is lobbying, and they will both continue to line their pockets and sell out the people of this country for either personal or party gain, if not both. They will never reduce their retirement, medical package, or enact term limits. Their time has come and now it is time for both parties to go. They will not be totally eliminated, but we do need to elect enough unaffiliated members to congress to take away the majority from BOTH parties if we ever hope to save what's left of this country and try to restore it for our children.

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#176 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:28 PM EST

                                          All this statement does is misdirects. I wonder who that really helps? Not anyone I know.

                                            #176.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:34 PM EST

                                            Soldier's Dad--

                                            I too am a soldier's dad (my son is serving in the air force in Japan at the moment). I tend to agree with pretty much everything you've said. However, I don't see much of anything changing, at least not in our lifetimes. Change such as you suggest to be needed comes in one of two ways, very, very gradually as the old ways cease to be viable for one reason or another, or as the result of some cataclysm--war, total financial collapse, civil insurrection, or a major natural catastrophy of some sort. Let's hope it's not the latter possibilities. In the meantime, we have to contend. In the meantime, we are faced at each election with the "lesser of two evils." We are faced with embracing fear and pessimism on the one hand and hope and optimism on the other. As you suggest, both are mostly mirages. Choosing neither solves nothing. Yet, the two-party system is here to stay. I'm not going to promote either party, though I've likely tipped my hand as to which I personally support. Nice talking to you.--Jim Lane

                                              #176.2 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:57 PM EST

                                              The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. It's time we stopped the insanity and got some different results. We have been doing the same thing over and over again, electing either D's or R's, for 158 years.

                                              Over the last decade we have heard both parties tell us that they would listen to the people and make changes the people want. Both parties have proven to be either failures, liars, or both.

                                              Actually IMHO-2730490 it's the party politics that misdirects. The posts here are proof that the parties want us arguing amongst ourselves so as to divert our attention from the party induced gridlock and general crookedness in DC. The two parties have one or the other been in power for 158 years and have blended into basically one agenda which is to control the people rather that the people controlling the government as the Constitution dictates.

                                              The politics of running this country are complex enough, when you throw in party politics on top of it you end up where we are now, in total gridlock because of party politics. Because no matter how good an idea is nothing will be done with it because some party boss tells the party members, "We're not going there." even if it is what the electorate want. It's time for us to elect enough independent candidates to strip the control from both parties, not to take over mind you, but to wrest the majority from both parties in order to force them to negotiate and compromise so that something might actually get done.

                                                #176.3 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:57 PM EST

                                                Jim-Lane,

                                                First off, thank you for your Son's service. My Son is Army and has been to Iraq and Afghanistan in a combat regiment of the 101st Airborne. He is now at Ft. Campbell, KY and I am much relieved. I'm an Air Force vet myself.

                                                The point I'm trying to make is that although I know that an Independent won't get the white house next year, it is a possibility that is well within reach to get enough Independents in the House to break the majority of both parties with the groundswell cry of vote out the incumbents. It would only take 10 to 15 seats filled by Independents to break the gridlock. Independents would not be controlled by either party and when a good, common sense idea comes up from one party or the other they would have to convince the Independents to vote their way. When the Independents come up with a good, common sense idea that the people want, if one party or the other tries to block it the Indies can go to the press and tell the people why. If we elect Indepenents that are for term limits and campaign finance reform, when they propose these ideas it would be interesting to hear the parties excuses for not wanting it.

                                                The reality is that something has to be done to shake loose the deadlock in congress caused by both parties. This is about the only peaceful way to do it, otherwise it could get real ugly real fast. With neither party having a candidate that has the nation swooning the time is ripe for an independent tide to sweep into the Capitol. That is the only thing that would actually get the attention of the two parties and send them a clear message that the people are fed up with the partisan bickering while we Americans are left to rot because the people we elected aren't doing the job they are being paid quite handsomely to do. Remember that the only difference between a welfare recipient and a career politician is the expensive suit.

                                                Nice talking with you too. Hope your Son returns home safe and soon.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #176.4 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 10:21 PM EST
                                                Reply

                                                Vote independent. Vote to lose.

                                                  Reply#177 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:35 PM EST

                                                  Vote D or R and vote for more of the same old crap.

                                                    #177.1 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 10:59 PM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    When it comes to choosing in fantasy land, you have a difficult time because nothing is real. I tell you mr grover & the soviets have only puppets for gop candidates. They will tell you anything. They tell you science is bunk. Nothing is real. They are all actually puppets.

                                                      Reply#178 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 9:38 PM EST

                                                      Bad night for Republicans, huh?

                                                        Reply#179 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 10:44 PM EST

                                                        lol even Mississippi rejected your crap .

                                                          Reply#180 - Tue Nov 8, 2011 11:12 PM EST

                                                          For everyone that doesn't vote, please vote, this is a critical moment in US history and every vote matters.

                                                            Reply#181 - Wed Nov 9, 2011 9:45 AM EST

                                                            True, now more than ever. Also if you don't vote you can't complain if you didn't participate. I'm sure voting so I can put in my two cent's worth !

                                                              #181.1 - Wed Nov 9, 2011 2:56 PM EST
                                                              Reply

                                                              Sorry but the only lesson is for TEATARDS, REPUKES, NEOCONS and ALL THE JERK WATER HILLBILLYS IN FLY OVER COUNTRY!!! Mitts your only chance!! PERIOD!!! He's from the North East!! He is EDUCATED!! HE IS THE KING OF RINOS probably more liberal than OBAMA and He is a MORMON and he is your ONLY CHANCE to beat Obama in 2012..

                                                              There will be NO TEXAS TEATARDS!!! NO LAZY EYED BIBLE THUMPING ZEALOTS FROM THE MIDWEST, NO UNCLE RUCKUS MINSTREL SHOW FROM SOME PIZZA FLIPPIN YAZZA BOZZIN MOLESTER!!!

                                                              MITT IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE!!! LOL and Obama WILL bounce Mitts Flippity, Floppity butt all over the debates.... Obama will expose Mitt as the RINO we all know and love....

                                                              SOoOOoOOoOooOoOooO. Your best bet is to JUST STAY YOUR TEATARD BUTTS HOME Next November!!!

                                                              • 1 vote
                                                              Reply#182 - Wed Nov 9, 2011 3:36 PM EST

                                                              Unless your a left wing demo liberal socialist i don't understand why

                                                              anyone in their right mind would vote for this incompetant corrupt

                                                              union thug activist anti-american president!

                                                                Reply#183 - Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:43 AM EST
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