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Subscribe to RSSMARK MURRAY: Welcome back to Inside the Boiler Room. Domenico, we have a question from Frank “Grimey” Grimes. This must be Grimey’s like sixth or seventh question he’s…
DOMENICO MONTANARO: I wonder if he gets like an award.
MARK MURRAY: There will have to be an award. After this election cycle, we will give an award to our—in some form or fashion.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: He heard it here!
MARK MURRAY: Yeah, you heard it here first, breaking news! Domenico, Grimey’s question is this—it’s fairly obvious that the overriding issue in the 2012 election will be the economy. However, the Presidency will be won or lost based on battles fought in a handful of swing states. What are some of the other issues that could move a swing state one way or another outside the economy? Grimey mentions one example would be like Social Security and Florida. Your take?
DOMENICO MONTANARO: Yeah, it’s a really good question because, yes, the economy is going to be the overarching issue, even in states where there might be some other issues, like Virginia where jobs is a big issue, of course. You know, federal government spending, things like that, are still going to be on—but let’s look at a few other states. So, if you think about social security in Florida, this is exactly why Mitt Romney tried to slam home the fact that Rick Perry had called Social Security a Ponzi scheme. He’s been playing for the general election the entire time. You know, he took a pause from that strategy in having to hit Perry, but that’s why you heard him, you know, not talk about, not talk, you know, hit him more on Social Security. Other things, like the auto bailout in Michigan, you know in Michigan, in Rustbelt states, the auto bailout, if it’s Mitt Romney versus President Obama—there is Mitt Romney saying that he thought that, you know…
MARK MURRAY: The government bailout wasn’t a good idea.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: That they needed to go bankrupt. You know, in Nevada, you know, look at home foreclosures, in Nevada, Florida, Arizona—these are key states! Home foreclosures are very high. One in 118 homes in Nevada is foreclosed on. Mitt Romney has that comment where he said that we need to let the foreclosure market bottom out, and the DNC has been pushing these comments. And we’ve been seeing that, you know, played everywhere. Immigration, if you look at the West, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico are President Obama’s firewall we like to say. And if he wins those states then that’s—you know it could fire up one way or the other in Arizona too. You never know. They want to make that a potential toss up states with Democrats and try to make Republicans spend money there, but we’ll see, you know, if that issue can resonate. Hispanics, Hispanics, Hispanics is what people have told us, that that is going to be the new Florida, Florida, Florida. And that also translates to Florida, but it translates to, you know, the Southwest in particular. You look at union issues, collective bargaining rights, Wisconsin and Ohio, key swing states. We’ve seen less, a lessening of attention on that issue, but on the margins, where this could be a very close election, those margins matter.
MARK MURRAY: Well, absolutely. A couple other issues, Grimey mentioned Florida and you were talking about Social Security -- Medicare. Don’t forget that, because that’s going to be a very big issue as well. You’re going to see Democrats play that a lot and also, energy in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, even Virginia on both sides of the issue. Particularly some coal-producing states, and about oil production there. So..
DOMENICO MONTANARO: It’s part of Rick Perry’s jobs plan.
MARK MURRAY: It’s going to be chock-full of issues. And of course, when you look at even broader, like nation-based issues on the future of the Supreme Court, on you know, issues like abortion, other things. We’re gonna have plenty of stuff to cover in a general election.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: And of course, foreign policy is going to be an over-arching issue. You know, and they’re going to talk about it. But, you know, still you come back to it. A lot of times the people try to push those issues that are second and third on the totem pole, are the people who are kind of coming from behind because the main issues isn’t helping them. So you’re going to hear a lot about these other issues from the White House because the economy is not doing well.
MARK MURRAY: Right
DOMENICO MONTANARO: If the economy starts to trend in a better direction, you’ll start hearing them talk about the economy 24/7 and how it’s going better. It it’s not, you’re going to hear republicans talk about the economy and not the White House.
MARK MURRAY: That’s a great response and a great question from Grimey.
Leave a Comment:
Way to go "Grimey" Good question. Better be careful some of your Republican/T.P brethren are going to get jealous
WOW Grimey - I do believe you hold the record for most picked questions in the 'Boiler Room'!
I always enjoy them - keep em coming! ;o)
PS: Mark/Domenico - your answers were 'spot on' as well.
Hey Mark and Domenico,
Speaking of awards, what do think of Feisty's "black pimp" / "Huggie Bear" /chocolate flavor of the month references to Cain?
I certainly don't recall this type of racial bigotry from conservatives regarding Obama .... and it is so, so hilarious too .... so witty ... so enlightening ...
Don't you feel Feisty deserves some type of award too after this election cycle?
WHOA - slow down little buddy!
I'm only repeating what has been spoken by Cain & his supporters...
You may now resume consuming your urine soaked Cheerio's... you should of thought twice about having that second helping this morning! ;o)
PS: Lay off ripping wings off of butterflies today... will ya?
Cain?
"I certainly don't recall this type of racial bigotry from conservatives regarding Obama ...."
Maybe not on here, bob- but I'll tell you what: I deal and interact with lots of people everyday, and an awful lot of them have no reservations about saying some pretty ate-up things about Obama that deal with his color...
(BTW- don't be such a whiner all the time.)
what carrot top isn't telling us is that she is now trolling those truck stops wearing a 'blonde' wig..... she may be a little jealous of all the attention those other blonde gold diggers are getting!
Tell us booby - did you type that with a straight face?
There was and still is PLENTY of racial bigotry from the right here at First Read...
Your lopsided POUTRAGE is ludicrous - then again so are your comments!
Take off your blinders booby!
Goodness, Feisty, I guess last night's comedy show upset some of the folks on the right. Maybe they should try some PMS medicine??????
Excellent idea!
The Midol is in the second drawer - help yourself boyz!
And as a blonde, I can safely say we are not all gold diggers. I dig lots of other things - like rock and roll. :)
Maybe Bob needs to get the Midol out of the second drawer.
Misogyny is SO unattractive in a man.
It might be helpful to consider that these women didn't start this. Cain started it by telling campaign workers these charges -- the same ones he then claimed not to remember -- might get it out, which led ultimately to the charges getting out. It might also be helpful to consider that the ones that initially got out didn't even want to talk about it, much less profit by it.
If there's a "golddigger" here, consider whether that might not be Cain, himself, a man who is clearly NOT qualified to be President of the United States, and who is not really serious about campaigning, but who has campaign contributions to collect, books to sell and a Fox News position to gain.
If he drops out now, in disgrace, the Koch brothers' candy train goes away. At least through as many news cycles as it took Eliot Spitzer to find a position on CNN.
Try aiming your cynical snark at someone who deserves it, why don't you?
Great question Grimey! Congrats!
Actually, AM, I think Bill is just hot for blondes and is trying to hide it.
Fits like a glove Bill! :)
Hello Feisty,
Mark and Domenico are very busy guys and surely miss some of your gems of political insight, your substantive intellectual contribution to the discourse here at FR and your general epistemological profit to mankind.
I just felt they would appreciate your cerebral gift to FR.
So guys ..... what do you think about urine soaked Cheerios?
Pretty good stuff, huh?
Fuzzy is hot for blondes, too. Didn't know we were so popular. Wish I knew how to dig for gold. I can dig for clams, though, does that count?
Bob, I love the fact you have a thesaurus.
LOL Bill Thomas...I can see her there now.
Geeze Bob - I didn't realize you are such a big fan!
Thanks!
An accolade like that has earned you the #2 spot on the Feisty Fan Club wall of fame! ;o)
Congrats & keep up the good work!
Funny - I was thinking the same thing! lol
I like, you know, really, you know think Domenico Montanaro, you know answered the questions, you know, the best he could.
This is such a nice setup for a joke about crabs... but I won't go there.
(show me the clown nose, fisty!)
Yep, a dictionary too.
Everyone should look at them from time to time.
BTW - I used one big word, pretty unusual too.
So, can you or any other lib, tell me what word I would need to look up to come up with it?
Sorry, sicko, the only crabs I am into are crab legs. With drawn butter. I can't even get into crabby members of the GOP, although they do amuse me.
OOOO..... I must have struck a nerve 8-P
LOL!
bob-1805084
BTW - I used one big word, pretty unusual too.
So, can you tell me what word I would need to look up to come up with it?
booby,
How about that little word; factual?
Are you, Bob, referring to epistemology, which concerns knowledge? And I am happy you have a dictionary. Was that your word of the day?
I see there's no mention today of the Christmas Tree tax obummer tried to stick us with! Thanks to the Drudge Report and other fair and balanced media outlets the outrage from this news forced the administration to withdraw it.... lol Nice try Obama!
ABO 2012, more than ever!
Facts never get in the way of the GOP. They make up their own.
phinephancy,
So you looked it up and now know the definition.
But assuming I didn't possess the facility of that word, what word would I use to find it in a thesaurus?
Word of the day, hardly. I learned the word from a George Gilder piece years ago - cool word.
Here's a word for Feisty ..... "epistasis" coated Cheerios.
(scum found on standing urine sample)
Thanks to the Drudge Report and other fair and balanced media outlets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusives
Research by the media magazine Brill's Content in 1998 cast doubt on the accuracy of the majority of the 'exclusives' claimed by the Drudge Report. Of the 51 stories claimed as exclusives from January to September 1998, the magazine found 31 (61%) were actually exclusive stories. Of those, 32% were untrue, 36% were true and the remaining 32% were of debatable accuracy.[19]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drudge_Report
Garbage in...Garbage out...
The swing states are why the Douchebaggers and Extreme Lefties have no chance. Despite their over inflated egos.
You aren't going to win Florida saying Social Security is a pipe dream. You aren't going to carry Pennsylvania shutting down any mention of developing energy outside windmills and solar panels. And that includes no matter how loud the extremists here want to keep barking. None of the barking has decided any important election.
Probably not surprising why extremists resort to trying to sneak and shove bills through at state level, such as trying to stop you from smoking in your own home, and banning collective bargaining agreements. Its like the dirty laundry at Penn State - once you expose a Douchebagger or extreme leftist bill, normal people wonder how they could have ever allowed it to happen.
Eva Peron -
We pretty well buried that heap of lies from the Heritage Foundation yesterday. It isn't a tax, it wasn't proposed by the President, and it isn't being either imposed by nor collected by the government. It was a means of funding promotion and marketing by the Christmas tree industry itself, was not collected at the retail level, and was a cost of doing business that is tax-deductible. The industry said it wouldn't affect consumer prices. The industry has been attempting to get approval for this "market order" from USDA for more than three years - it began the process while Bush was President.
But congratulations to the knotheads on the right, by spreading lies and propaganda, they managed to force the President to intervene and withdraw the USDA approval of the program last night. Folk in the Christmas tree growing and importing business will be sending lumps of coal to the Koch brothers, principal funders of the lying Heritage Institute.
Now, on the topic of this blog:
If anyone found the fumbling and evasion of the clowns in the GOP presidential nomination car entertaining, just wait until foreign policy comes up!
Cain's going to simply say he believes in the Bible, and doesn't need no stinkin' foreign policy positions until the time comes to take one. (Or he might say, "Positions? Missionary first, then ....")
Romney will say, "Whatever is opposite of what I said about this last time."
Ron Paul will say, "The United States should not be meddling in other people's countries - let them mind their own business."
Rick Perry will say, "I think Colombia ought to stay in New York City and just teach engineering and math."
Michelle Bachmann will say, "Just nuke Pakistan and get it over with."
Huntsman will say, "China's really an interesting place, I think we sould encourage American tourism there."
Santorum will say, "Anybody gives us a hard time, I'll make a personal visit and bore them to death."
And all of them will agree that America wants nothing whasoever to do with Europe, that place is too messed up.
Oh, boy. Just what the U.S. needs after President Obama has done such a masterful job of restoring some of the tarnished reputation created by George W. Bush. Let's don't televise the foreign policy debate.
P.S. Grimey, congrats on not just getting your question picked, but asking quite a helpful one!
Really?! Well, then, both Feisty and I are relieved. Because we're not.
That makes him all yours, I guess. Enjoy.
Very clever, Derek. Shows you really learned something at Anna Molly's School of Advanced Liberal Thought, where we make it a practice to always start a discussion with a personal attack.
That makes your opponent so mad that they just throw up their hands and throw in the towel, making you the winner.
John A -- Makes one wonder why they approve of the milk and beef industry that enjoy the same type of attention that the Christmas tree industry was looking for. Maybe those industries hit too close to home....the majority of which are red states. Keep posting friend so that truth trumps garbage.
John A,
My mistake was posting a negative comment about your anoited one! I've been reminded over and over of the left's 'head in the sand' attitude regarding the truth about any liberal/progressive politician. Not just Obama, but Weiner, Edwards, Spitzer.... and many other fine examples of the left. The left's mantra of 'don't bother with the truth if it doesn't fit your agenda' is alive and well at msnbc!
Eva Peron -
Oops, this time for you.
I posted a factual, concise statement about the Christmas tree industry's now-frustrated attempt to create a marketing program for itself, and you come back with lies. You must work for the lying Heritage Foundation, whose statement on this matter yesterday was absolutely, 100% false.
If you care to actually debate with the facts, then I can pound you to stinking dust. I worked for decades as a counselor to many such industry marketing boards and know them quite well.
But your game plan is to diminsh, insult, smear and ignore the facts. So you repulsive creature, this is the last time I take up with you.
FR, get the "ignore" feature going again! Please.
Anna Molly, in all seriousness, I have no idea what you are talking about.
By the way, almost all posts I see in First Read are made by extremists who refuse to think any farther than what their favorite priest - I mean political party - tells them.
Derek -- Exactly where did I call you a conservative?
Ah, I see you deleted that particular red herring.
But if you have no idea what I'm talking about, I guess this goes to show you really don't know who Anna Molly is.
I call it irony.
I deleted because I realize I misread your post. It happens. Sometimes I reread stuff if I feel a particularly strong reaction just to make sure it was justified. Sadly, usually it is. In your case, it wasn't.
I will say that you make me laugh with the red herring comment. Only because half the time I see a 'first post' on First Read, it often has nothing at all to do with the article. First Read is the Red Herring home on msnbc a far as I can tell.
Wow, came late to this party to congratulate Frank on getting his question chosen again! It was a good question, Frank, and I am glad to hear the answer from Mark and Domenico. Always happy you take the time to read and answer, guys, that is part of the fun of FR.
To the rest of it: It seems that some of you simply cannot congratulate a poster, thank the FR team, or behave with any graciousness whatsoever. Why is that? Jealousy, envy, your inability to ask cogent and interesting questions? What?
It really drags down the thread. Do us a favor and take your childish behavior elsewhere. And no, I won't be coming back so don't bother with "well he/she did this first". Grow up.
Guys, gals, no need to devolve into name calling.
Bob, I take your point in the bankruptcy. But the difference between Romney and Obama's philosophy on the auto industry bailouts/bankruptcy is the role of government. Obama believed there needed to be government intervention, a government-managed bankruptcy essentially as the company was backed heavily by government funds.
Romney, on the other hand, as you heard at the CNBC debate last night, wanted a "private" bankruptcy. I suppose meaning with private investors, like the way Bain Capital used to do, for example, to fund it and fix it.
Thanks for your comment as always.
Uh oh Grimey. Your GOP buds are going to be mad, but a great question.
Congrats, Grimey. I always enjoy your posts, even though you are on the other side, they are thoughtful and thought-provoking rather than constantly contentious and arrogant and obnoxious and in denial as some on your side seem to consistently display. You have hopes, not the dopes!
@Domenico - ask your transcriber to maybe skip over some of the "you knows".
Thanks, Cathy. Or maybe I can, you know, not use it as often.
Grimey you definitely deserve the Editor's Choice Award. Good for you. Keep 'em on their toes.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: That they needed to go bankrupt
Regarding Mitt Romney's take on the Auto Bailouts.
NEWSFLASH GUYS! GM AND CHRYSLER DID GO BANKRUPUT!
That is Romney's whole point. Even after the bailouts, the companies had to file for bankruptcy. He believes there was a better way to do this without exposing taxpayers.
Michigan will go Republican. By this time next year Rick Snyder will have us firmly on a positive path after 8 years of decimation from Jennifer Granholm.
The results will speak for themselves.
WCA.... there you go again reading the facts and making sense... will you please stop that!
It just doesn't fit in here.
(show me the clown nose, fisty!)
Again, guys, see my comment above, that the difference is about bankruptcy that was managed and backed by the government or one that would have been privately managed.
Grimey, I think your civility is a refreshing anomaly in political-blog-commentary. I would just ask that you take a look at the company you keep, and ask yourself, do I belong in the Republican Party? I was impressed by Jon Huntsman on Meet The Press last Sunday, and my question for you is: Why is the most rational candidate polling last in your Party's primary race?
Grimey, I applaud your civility. Tell us, how can you influence your fellow conservatives like Spanky, Bob, JSA1, WCA and the rest of them crew?
By the way, speaking of lack of civility, (and not to conjure them up or anything) but does anyone know what happened to the CHI WAHHHH WAHHHHHs? Were they paid posters by the other side during the last primary and general?
Oh - they're still around...
They changed their names to; JoAnnaSmith 1, Spanky, Mixed Bag, dangerfield & others when the FR format changed to Newsvine! ;o)
Amy,
Maybe because he is ACTUALLY a Democrat? He most certainly is not Conservative, which is why he is in last place, and why you seem to like him.
Sorta like Obama will be.
ABO 2012
Just an observation if you always call for civility but rarely offer it I don't think people will grant it to you.
For the record folks like Mixed Bag or even No Jo while I rarely ever agree with them will discuss issues with you if you treat them with respect. You can disagree with out being disagreeable.
Others are snarky and at times step over the line to try to get a rise out of us liberals.
By the way, why add dangerfield to a list of posters who in your eyes lack civility? Not deservered, IMO.
Ok, Grimey what do you have on the FR crew that they always answer your questions?
I dunno - maybe because dengerfield physically threatened to punch another poster's teeth out?
Or has repeatedly called Nashville_Fan a liar?
I've known Nash for 4 years and in all that time have NEVER seen her post anything remotely false.
dangerfield on the other hand tries his hardest to play moderate, unfortunately for him, those of us who have been around for a while - know differently...
A cheetah can't change their spots!
We sure have different ideas of what's passing as civil these days...
Yellowdog...if I told you the dirt, then they'd stop answering my questions!! LOL!!
Feisty - ...Or has repeatedly called Nashville_Fan a liar?
As you probably keep everyone records on file I can't dispute your claim. Compared to some, I only pass through and post occassionaly. It is unfortunate that some people on here call others liars if they are merely voicing their opinions. If they are spreading lies as fact well that is a different story. One further point to clarify is that all of us are biased to our side and try to embellish and or diminish stories to our benefit.
I also often read Nashville's posts/opinions and believe she brings a great deal to the thread. I agree with a great many of her posts. However, whatever the case we should all realize that no matter who writes something, some people of different political stripes may not agree. We shouldn't call them liars if people are stating an opinion.
We sure have different ideas of what's passing as civil these days...
Feisty, look I get it a lot of people on the right attack you, make fun of your name etc. Believe me I have no one on ignore so I see it all. I don't think there attacks on you is correct either. However, what I say about that won't matter to them.
Seeing we are supposedly on the same side of some issues, thought I would discuss.
Dawg,
I don't have an issue with df. usually. But he has done nothing to change the perception I have. And honestly,...I am sure he could care less what I think; but here is what I would classify as a 'typical' exchange with him - this one goes back to the Weiner scandal, please enjoy the entire thread:
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/09/6819829-first-thoughts-five-reasons-to-take-bachmann-seriously?commentId=54902843#c54900517
And there is JOS calling me 'nasty', after recently saying he doesn't participate in name calling, if I recall. I certainly have a cutting edge to my sarcasm; but I perceive that I use it 'when provoked'. Provocative being the operative word here.
Some posters are provocative by the sheer volume of BS they manage to spew in a single thread,...and I am sure some are proud of their 'work' here.
Don't even get me started on the personal character assassinations that
nojoDonna Lincroft, NJ has bestowed. Her current target appears to be Amy Portland; but I can give you plenty of threads of malice and misinformation directed at many other posters, as well. I am perfectly content to get what I dish out; but I take exception to those who seem to prey on those less willing to fight back. (don't get me wrong, as you have surely noticed by now, Amy is perfectly capable of defending herself.)I guess for me there is thought provoking (which I've had with Kirk, Tony C, df and others) and then there's just bombastic, trolltastic mud slinging. I am willing to rise to the level of the contest being played. You learn to recognize the conditions of the field pretty quickly after almost four years of watching - I am sure many others feel the same way.
LOL Yeah that's the ticket!
Now back to reality - what started out as a public political chat room has blossomed into real life friendships between me & many of the regulars. We have shared & celebrated many special occasions as well as losses over the years.
That includes Nashville_Fan, who by the way, was instrumental in me joining in on the conversation at First Read!
So, if you want to call that a file - that is fine with me! ;o)
Two points here - first, a very wise man told me once told me that politics is a contact sport! If you are going to take a punch you better be prepared to give one.
As far as the personal attacks from the right - I could care less!
While they're attacking me it keeps them from spreading more of their bull@!$%#!
At least it keeps them busy!
We all bring a unique piece to the puzzle & I make NO apologies for who I am or what I say!
Feisty, I'm glad you have met friends, really.
I read a very wise man said to "turn the other cheek and to love your enemy". For me his words will trump your wise man. I don't always follow his advice, in fact in real life it is hard but on a blog it sure is a lot easier. Thanks for making your thoughts known though.
Clara - There are bombastic trolls on here I agree, again without the ignore button I see it all. Usually pass on the immigration threads for that reason. I still think that this blog can be useful to share your thoughts and views, hear others. It is up to each one of us to decide for themselves who they feel is genuine, who they feel is full of snark and who you want to talk to.
I appreciate you and others who continue to talk to me even though I may go off the reservation, in some people's eyes, from time to time. Have a good weekend.
Peace.
This is really a gracious post Yellowdog. You and I have never had the opportunity to talk, but I do read what you write. There are some threads that just aren't worth reading, and I agree with you that the immigration ones are to be avoided.
Hope we get to chat sometime.
Congratulations Grimey, I think you ask some great questions.
Congratulations, Grimey, good question.
With the repeated GOP election tsunamis in Virginia, soon even the Obama team and MSNBC (but I repeat myself) will admit Virginia is no longer a 'swing state' but has swung bigtime to the Republican side.
Can anyone remember a president that used the word 'ain't' as often as Cain does?
True DBO...
That's enough reason to reject him. (unbelievable)
(show me the clown nose, fisty!)
He ain't deterred. (or at least, that's what he says.)
Good enough for me.
Yes Great question. I've never submitted one and don't know where you go to do that. I'd love to see discussion on why dems allow Republicans to get away w/ saying 40% plus of all Americans "pay no taxes," top 2% pay almost half of all taxes, etc. They're taking the general topic of taxation and bastardizing it with stats pertaining only to the Income Tax. Middle class and working poor pay payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on 100% of income; but payroll taxes end at $106,000, so a millionaire pays those taxes on only 10% of income. The newest GOP mantra is a federal sales tax. Again, a sales tax is a tax on spending and most Americans of necessity must spend everything they make to get by, while the very wealthy spend a small percentage of income and therefore most of their income is not subject to sales tax. Whom do you 'spose pays a larger percentage of income on taxes overall?
You got to setup a off shore account if you don't like paying taxes. My grandson who 16 makes $8.35 per hour pays taxes. Federal,state and local. Also social security,medicare so yes everyone does pay taxes.
marv
This is a link to the thread where Grimey asked his question. I think every Wednesday they ask for questions, and the following Thursday they answer one. (Schedule subject to change.)
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/02/8598394-inside-the-boiler-room-we-want-your-questions
Hey Marv...
Can you say CAPITAL GAINS TAXES? I knew you could... Unless those evil 1%'ers are storing their "millions" in a shoe-box in the basement... they pay.
BTW marv... have you ever taken a tax deduction when filing your federal and state tax returns? Hmmm.... better question... have you ever passed on taking one that was available to you?
Perhaps you should think about that...
Marv: if you read First Read daily, there will be a day that Mark and Domenico post asking for Boiler Room Questions, generally on a Tuesday or Wednesday. When you see that post, write your question, just like you posted your comment here. They pick questions that they are asked out of the group and answer them, generally on a Thursday.
So watch during the week for their post asking for questions. Your chances are as good as anyone else!
We need to support the GOP for 2012! End women right to choose. End the gays in the military right to marry. Force prayer in public schools. We are a christian nation we need to take it back. End Obama care, 35% of the people are skipping out on their medical bills. Who today would even want to buy health insurance anyway, they got to treat you. We need to stop kicking the can. USA USA USA GOP GOP GOP america!
Which branch of christianity? Protestant or Catholic? What kind of prayers. I need specifics here.
Obviously protestant--and puritan at that! None of those catholics, why everyone knows they're not christian--spawn of satan as well! Nope--only that good "ole time religion" for the good ole USA! The rest of us are out of luck!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Didn't the puritans have that witch hunt thing happening in the 1600's. Seems like some of their descendants are trying to keep up family traditions.
While I agree with Mark and Domenico about some of the issues that matter to voters of swing states, I must say that these opinions are based on issues that matter today, but the actual election is still a year away. So many things can change before then.
The super committee's agreement (or lack thereof) will have a major effect on economic growth, tax policy, employment, Social Security, Medicare, etc. and may significantly alter the scope of the political debate in the next few months.
You know, I write all those questions in hope of one day being awarded the "Boiler Room Lifetime Achievement Award in the Field of Question Asking". LOL!! When one of you is lucky enough to cover the Presidential Debate down here in Boca Raton, you can present the award at a small ceremony at one of our fine local watering holes!
Thanks to everyone else for the congratulations.
Amy...I do think Huntsman is more conservative than people think and I'm not 100% sure why he isn't gaining more traction. He has staked out some moderate positions in addition to some conservative ones...and to me that is the type of candidate that could do well in a general election. Certainly in 2008, a more moderate candidate was able to gain traction and ended up being our nominee. Now I understand what some people on my side are going to say..."Look how that turned out." And I understand that sentiment...however, I think that given the political landscape in 2008, no candidate on the GOP side was going to win. I think my bigger disappointment is the potential candidates who declined to enter the race. I'd give Mitch Daniels as an example.
"...I do think Huntsman is more conservative than people think and I'm not 100% sure why he isn't gaining more traction."
Very astute observation. One reason in my opinion, besides the fact he worked for Obama: The liberal media and leftists every four years 'adopt' a moderate GOP candidate , and use him to show their supposed bipartisanship and as a weapon to pile on the alleged 'extreme conservatives'.
Huntsman was selected for this recurring role, not his fault. This hurts him among conservatives. But as you pointed out, he is quite conservative generally, has brought forward an excellent economic and tax plan, and was a successful conservative Governor of Utah.
If he does gain traction, it will be funny to see the liberals backtrack on Huntsman and suddenly claim he "sold out to the Tea Party".
Grimey,
When I listened to Huntsman on Meet The Press, he really resonated with me, and I can see why he was re-elected in his state with something like 80% of the vote. The truth is, people are not that far apart in this country, but the political operatives and talk radio pundits have us at each other's throats.
Grimey----I also don't get why Huntsman doesn't appeal to more Republicans. I wonder if it is his religion or if he is too close to center for the more vocal far right of your party.
Bob:
So, what happens if Perry, Cain and others falter? Would conservatives accept Romney or would Huntsman get their support?
I think conservatives would certainly accept Romney. We need to win in 2012, and Romney seems to have hit his stride. He certainly has some flip flops..but if he flips to the right, all the better.
Selecting a strong conservative running mate like Gov Bob McDonnell of Virginia would help, also.