The answer is none.

Only three sitting House members ran for the presidency- and only one, Garfield, was elected.

http://artandhistory.house.gov/mem_bio/mem_pres.aspx

So Newt isn’t running for President. How interesting. Do
you think he knows that smart A$$?

When will you start answering questions about voter suppression and its impact not only in the 2102 election but also our freedom and democracy, if the ALEC and the Koch brothers succeed in their greedy power grabs.

Can you discuss how they are imprisoning minorities to make them illegible to vote. Is it true the DOJ cannot stop this practice of voter suppression in some states because of states rights?

Well newt isn't a sitting member, but he sure is a tool!

No Joe – Didn’t former speaker Ford run in 1976 ?

Ne.

Ford was the minority leader, not the speaker.

He was named vice president, when Agnew resigned, then became president when Nixon resigned.

So, he ran for president as the incumbent.

Gerald Ford was a former House Minority leader, was never Speaker.

I want to know what Obama's plans/agenda is for the next four years (assuming he actually gets reelected!). He's been extremely silent on that so far.

I'd also like to thoroughly discuss Obama's past 3.5 years and the mistakes he's made and what, if anything has he learned from those mistakes!

Sorry Steve, you will never see an objective discussion on the damage Obama has done to the country and First Read. Remember he is the annoited one and can do no wrong.... at least in the eyes of the libretards that have drank his koolaid!

Yeah, I remember when Mubarack asked for a year to ensure an orderly transition.

But Obama was all about the 'Egyptian Street' which of course is the Muslim Brotherhood.

So now we have the Brotherhood and an even more hardcore Islamic group in control of 65% of their government.

Seems like that really turned out fantastic.

But come on No Jo - of course it will be avoided at First Read. Much like they avoid any mention of the impending collapse of Europe.

You managed to avoid it when it was Hamas and Bush!

They can avoid it, Spanky- but I doubt either Romney or Gingrich will avoid it.

What impact will radical Islamic takeovers in the Middle East and North Africa have on the presidential race?

The answer is none.

It's the ecomony... stupid!

Remember?

Spanky: But come on No Jo - of course it will be avoided at First Read. Much like they avoid any mention of the impending collapse of Europe.

Every week we see European leaders smiling and patting themselves on the back for what a great job they are doing with bailing out Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland, . . . , etc. And a week later we see the same countries collapsing and needing another bailout. Europe is doing the same as the US, using band-aids to try and fix a hemorrhaging economy (see US payroll tax cuts for more info). The lack of leadership in Europe is about the same as it is in the US.

Going broke is hard work.

Spanky, Your post about Egypt is mostly in the past tense. The first round of elections started this week. It will not be until at least March before the members of Parliament are elected in both chambers. Then they form a government.There are also provincial elections.

I would hold your expert judgement till all the votes are counted and the government is formed.

In any case, the dictator is gone. And Egypt is can begin to chart their own destiny, No matter how it looks like to us on the outside.

Kind of like the Republican primaries... they have not even started.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

What impact will radical Islamic takeovers in the Middle East and North Africa have on the presidential race?

The answer is none.

It's the ecomony... stupid!

Remember?

Are you kidding? Put her brains in a gnat and it would fly backwards. The question she should be asking is what effect will voter suppression and voter fraud and thief by Alec & the Kochs have on the race

asking is what effect will voter suppression and voter fraud and thief by Alec & the Kochs have on the race

Hiya Bev!

I have asked that very question a couple of times here, guess the guys don't want to tackle it...

JoAnna can't completely agree with your gripe about US leadership. Yes politicians on both side are being short sighted. They continue unsustainable tax cuts, unneccessary wars, they refuse to reform the tax code, they refuse to address potential SS shortfalls. One side immediately balks at any additional tax revenue and the other (my side) immediately balks at any mention of entitlement reform. Some on your side call my side socialists.

I will take this opportunity to honestly say that we are not socialists.

My sister in law married a German, she visitied for the Thanksgiving holiday. Great person, always glad to visit with her. From her German perspective she still believes that the euro formation of seventeen countries was a good idea. She blames countries like Greece and Italy for not doing their fair share and correctly reporting that they would get their debt reduction plans in order. The Greek cultural fashion of not paying taxes notwithstanding, I disagreed with her that the concept of 17 countries joining together could not work.

I think that the biggest factor in the upcoming election is still the economy and not the GOP folly's, misteps and exmarital secrets. Presidential candidates aside. I really hope that a worsening Europe doesn't drag the US down.

Northstar - 'a dictator is gone.'

Yeah, and what we got was far worse. Or perhaps you like the fine fellows running Iran?

Egypt is now a fundamentalist Islamic state. The only ones prepared this soon for an election were the Brotherhood the even more extreme party that starts with a J.

That you don't realize that "it' started long ago is a tad surprising. It's gonna be bad Northstar, and unfortunately it does involve us and Israel.

But hey, I bet you remember just a few months ago when the Brotherhood assured Obama that it would not directly run candidates, right?

Sure you do.

JoAnna can't completely agree with your gripe about US leadership. Yes politicians on both side are being short sighted.

Are they ever. They can't even agree on a budget. Everything else like the payroll tax holiday are politics, and really dangerous politics as SS is a pay as you go system. So what we have is a hodgepodge of "programs" made for political gain rather than running the country is a responsible manner.

As for the European Union, it was a good idea with good intentions, at least until the wheels have now fallen off. You would think the richer countries will be getting a little perplexed with the entire situation where they have to bail out the poorer/broke countries, certainly that will threaten that Union. The only path to success appears to be that a central authority takes control of the Union to make quick, bold and decisive moves to save itself, but that would mean each country would have to give up it's economic sovereignty. I don't see that happening.

The answer is none.

It's the economy stupid.

Iran getting the bomb....The Mid East upside down. No leadership .... no plan.

Look at what the little Libya misadventure did to oil prices.

With the above and the Persian Gulf threatened .... on top of Obama's destruction of our natural energy industry - a blow-out of oil prices, the effect on the world economy, on gas prices would be the final nail in Obama's coffin.

Obama could not have handled national security / national energy policy worse. No excuse or blame game would work.

Great question no joe.

bob.

LOL!!!

The Obama adminstration has taken the GOP to school on foreign policy.

It is very amusing to watch the canidates fall all over themselves searching for any legitimate criticism.

Even funnier....watching the mindless drones doing the same thing.

Foreign policy and the Obama adminstration.

In the begining.....conservatives waited with baited breath for Obama to mis-handle the pirate kidnapping, only to be thoughly let down as the President competently handled the situation.

Then...he caught more Taliban leaders in six months then Bush did in six years.

Then.....combat troops left Iraq...as planned.

Then....he kiled bin Laden.

Then....has been dismantling Al Qaeda.

Then.....showed the GOP how to do regime change with NO U.S. casualties, and a fraction of the cost of Iraq. (And watched the GOP bounce from position to position, and rationalization to rationalization.)

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

Bob. You are in denial.

Dismantling al Queda?

He just helped them get a country- a pretty oil rich one, to boot. Surely, you've read the news about who we helped in Libya.

Just another heckuva job from Obama.

no joe.

LOL!!! You are also in denial.

I understand. I mean, it must be hard for a party who, as a whole, projected that Obama would be weak on this issue, to be faced with the reality he has taken them to school on an issue that is supposed to be their strong suit.

cant,

Obama said Afghanistan was the smart war, the war that had to won and he would win the war Afghanistan. Yet he has average monthly losses 6 TIMES Bush's and admits he is simply walking away next year.... all for nothing.

Epic Failure.

Obama said Iran would not be allowed to get the bomb.

Yet the IAEA says they are on the verge of assembly. Iran is threatening everyone, taking over the British Embassy, holding hostages (they figuredsomebody had to do something evidently, regardless ....

Utter failure.

Libya was a disaster trading a bad guy that cooperated with us - a guy that turned over his nuclear program to Bush - for the very guys that were previously killing Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq..... guys that beheaded, tortured, and publicly executed black Africans prisoners and Libyan soldiers.

Pakistan was a friend that helped in the war on terror and is now blocking supplies to troops which could/will cost lives of American fighting in Afghanistan.

Epic failure.

How many more do you want?

Better yet, can you can even articulate what Obama's foreign policy is?

"Look at what the little Libya misadventure did to oil prices."

No kidding. Ain't it great? Just saw several stations selling Reg for under $3 again.

"Better yet, can you can even articulate what Obama's foreign policy is?"

Yes. It is........

NO, wait- that was a different one.

cant,

Somalia punk / pirates?

Really? What little police chief in the tiniest little city would not have given the order to shoot?

Taliban?

Bush ran the Taliban out of Afghanistan in less time than it took Obama to choose the family dog.

Yea they came back when it became obvious a lib would be president and won..... all but officially over.

Iraq?

Obama couldn't even negotiate a few guys staying as always planned, as the military stated as necessary.

Bin Laden?

An old man watching videos of himself?

And at what expense?

Outing SEAL Team 6 and getting 30 killed?

Destroying the relationship with our ally to gain a bump .... that could cost lives due to Pakistan closing supply points?

Al Qaeda?

Bush killed over 6,000 ..... in Iraq alone. Got a number for Obama and a source?

No Joe, isn't it just amazing when the clueless are too clueless to even understand how clueless they are?

bob.

Your spinning is amusing. LOL!!! Let's examine:

Obama said Afghanistan was the smart war, the war that had to won and he would win the war Afghanistan. Yet he has average monthly losses 6 TIMES Bush's and admits he is simply walking away next year.... all for nothing.

Epic Failure.

Afghanistan has yet to be determined.

However, he has been far more successful then the last administration, who ignored the country, especially when it comes to capturing and killing Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

And isn't that really why we are there? To combat terrorism?

And, we did get Osama bin Laden.

Obama said Iran would not be allowed to get the bomb.

Yet the IAEA says they are on the verge of assembly. Iran is threatening everyone, taking over the British Embassy, holding hostages (they figuredsomebody had to do something evidently, regardless ....

Utter failure.

Iran has been on the verge for some time. This administration, however, has been far, far more successful in getting cooperation on sanctions then the last administration.

Sanctions that are having an effect, btw.

Much better job then what the GOP did, which was little more then pound their chests.

Libya was a disaster trading a bad guy that cooperated with us - a guy that turned over his nuclear program to Bush - for the very guys that were previously killing Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq..... guys that beheaded, tortured, and publicly executed black Africans prisoners and Libyan soldiers.

Still having a hard time accepting the fact you and the GOP got taken to school on how to do regime change, huh?

Explains your projections....and predictions about Lybia.

Why is it the GOP is hoping for failure on so many issues?

LOL!!!!

Epic failure.

Yes. Your attempt to spin what is a very successful foreign policy is an epic failure. LOL!!! (Amusing to boot.)

Better yet, can you can even articulate what Obama's foreign policy is?

Ah ha!!!

This is good. This highlights why the right is so confused and generally wrong in recent years on the issue of foreign policy.

You guys are still hung up on adminstrations having doctrines. I think the failure of the Bush adminstration foreign policy shows doctrines are naive.

The reason the Obama adminstration has taken you and the GOP to school on foreign policy is because they understand that doctrines do not work. No situation is the same, and no too solutions will be the same. Each reagion, country, circomstance, etc is different.

Study up, bob.

bob.

No Joe, isn't it just amazing when the clueless are too clueless to even understand how clueless they are?

Understanding your why you are ignorant is the first step to dealing with it.

You couldn't articulate a foreign policy .... just make it up as you go, huh?

BTW - What was the national security interest in Libya?

No plan, no goals, no policy ..... no foreign policy, huh?

The world has no idea where the US stands ... just try to pull something out of your butt if something comes up?

Actually that is an articulation of the policy of the moron we have for president.

Thanks for demonstrating the mentality of the morons who voted for him and will do so again.

Seeing that this thread is dead, it serves no purpose to expose your sheer stupidity any further.

See ya later.

Hey bob. Let's examine your rationalizations, shall we? LOL!!!

Rationalization #1:

Somalia punk / pirates?

LOL!!!

Rationaization #2:

Bush ran the Taliban out of Afghanistan in less time than it took Obama to choose the family dog.

Yea they came back when it became obvious a lib would be president and won..... all but officially over.

LOL!!! The ones he actually did run out came back because the Bush administration ignored Afghanistan. They were back long before Obama took office.

But don't let facts or reality curb your delusion. It just wouldn't be prudent of a staunch conservative to do so.

Iraq?

Rationaization #3:

Obama couldn't even negotiate a few guys staying as always planned, as the military stated as necessary.

Or is that more of a projection so you can continue believing the crap you were spoon fed? You decide...

Rationalization #4:

Bin Laden?

An old man watching videos of himself?

And at what expense?

Outing SEAL Team 6 and getting 30 killed?

Destroying the relationship with our ally to gain a bump .... that could cost lives due to Pakistan closing supply points?

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAAA!!!!!!

I'll just let those delusional comments stand on their own. Wow.

Rationalization #5:

Al Qaeda?

Bush killed over 6,000 ..... in Iraq alone. Got a number for Obama and a source?

"in Iraq alone."

That's an interesting rationalization, since their weren't more then probably six in Iraq before Bush stumbled into the country.

Obama is dismantling Al Qaeda, not just creating a situation where their membership grows....costing thousands of U.S. lives.

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

Seriously kid. Study up. I know you just started paying attention, and really don't have a clue, but that is no excuse for being willfully fooled by an ignorant and failed ideology.

bob.

You couldn't articulate a foreign policy .... just make it up as you go, huh?

LOL!!! Accusing me of what you are guilty of will not hide the obvious naivete in your posts on this issue, jr.

BTW - What was the national security interest in Libya?

There were limited national security interests. However, that does not mean we do not have interests in the country and the region, including foreign policy interests.

Your question displays your naivete, like the rest of your posts.

The world has no idea where the US stands ... just try to pull something out of your butt if something comes up?

Actually that is an articulation of the policy of the moron we have for president.

Irony.

You pull the delusion that the world has no idea where we stand out of your butt, putting on display the true moron...you.

Seeing that this thread is dead, it serves no purpose to expose your sheer stupidity any further.

See ya later.

Your concession is noted. Later days....

Yep, you win, Repulicants. Well done. Bobby does tend to disappear like that when he knows he is looking ridiculous.

Bobby does tend to disappear like that when he knows he is looking ridiculous.

I found him NDD - over on another thread bragging about his 'victory'...

Funny he chose not to do it here... lol

Although, he, NJNB, Sniffy, WCA etc, do have a nasty habit of running away when challenged!

asking is what effect will voter suppression and voter fraud and thief by Alec & the Kochs have on the race

Uh..... let us first discuss the fine efforts of voter suppression from the Black Panthers in 2008, Florida and elsewhere. And how about Acorn, friend and benefactor of our very own Barry Obama.... were they not investigated by the Feds right up until Obama got elected....(how convenient) then quietly disbanded. But only after receiving $5 million from BO's Stimulus 1, nice gig if you can get it! The first of Bo's Solyndra type payoffs... but I degress. I'm sure the Acorn thugs are back for more 'fun' in the 2012 elections..... Obama will need all the help he can get!

Please carrot top.... try a little harder....no excuses now... old gal!

ahh miked .... nice post but carrot top will nail you for misspelling digress and will come up with one of her 'pet names' for you like she does to other posters who call her out..... lol, that's what hanging out in truck stops will do for ya.

I too am tired of the libbie obsession with Cain's girlfriends and Perry's poor debate appearances, and would like FR to focus more on the friends and girlfriends of Obama's past.... his college days are a complete blank to the public, yet we intimately know over a half a dozen of Cain's girlfriends... go figure?... yet Cain is just a candidate and Obama is pretending to be president! Nice job old liberal media, aka msm.

I too am tired of the libbie obsession with Cain's girlfriends and Perry's poor debate appearances, and would like FR to focus more on the friends and girlfriends of Obama's past.... his college days are a complete blank to the public, yet we intimately know over a half a dozen of Cain's girlfriends... go figure?... yet Cain is just a candidate and Obama is pretending to be president! Nice job old liberal media, aka msm.

Dang 'ol conspiracy I tell ya...

Dumb, dee, dee, dumb, dumb, dumb...

"Yet he has average monthly losses 6 TIMES Bush's"

No, I don't think so. See here for casualties in both wars through both administrations. You do the math: http://icasualties.org/

"Uh..... let us first discuss the fine efforts of voter suppression from the Black Panthers in 2008,"

All two of them? You mean the ones the Bush administration decided only to file civil charges against? http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/jul/23/bill-oreilly/bill-oreilly-blames-obama-administration-not-pursu/

"And how about Acorn, friend and benefactor of our very own Barry Obama.... were they not investigated by the Feds right up until Obama got elected....(how convenient) then quietly disbanded. But only after receiving $5 million from BO's Stimulus 1, nice gig if you can get it"

Except this didn't happen. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/02/the-stimulus-bill-and-acorn/

It is not a capitulation. Republicans have said they want to extend them. They want to find a way to pay for it by cutting spending elsewhere. Obama wants permanent tax increases for a temporary solution. Will the Dems capitulate on the fact that permanent tax increases for a one year fix is not a balanced approach? Of course not because the words, "cut spending" are not in their vocabulary. They will only keep spending the tax increase after the one year fix is over instead of using it to repay SS.

Please keep in mind the the payroll tax reduces money that should go to SS and the revenues from the tax increase goes into the general fund and not back to SS making it insolvent even sooner than exprected. Why does Obama want to take SS funds for increased spending. Hasn't SS been robbed enough?

It is not a capitulation. Republicans have said they want to extend them. They want to find a way to pay for it by cutting spending elsewhere. Obama wants permanent tax increases for a temporary solution.

Rocco - my question to Mark and Domenico was about the capitulation of the GOP to what the President wants.

In the snippet of your post, you tell me that this is not capitulation, but the GOP wants to find other means to pay for the tax cut.

Is this NOT the definition of capitulation if the GOP has NO OTHER MEANS to pay for that tax cut?

So what is it going to be? If the GOP had another way to pay for the tax cuts, they would have provided it by now. They don't. So, if the tax cuts pass, with the conditions that the Obama Administration has put on the terms of this deal, the GOP would have capitulated - as that is the reason my question to Domenico and Mark was posed.

When the GOP actually does something and provides another means to pass the tax cuts that will be signed by the President, then I'll agree that it will not be capitulation.

Is that fair enough?

no jo will run, Feisty, she does have all the answers, does she not?

I would like to nominated Spanky... to the Know Nothings Party.

I second the nomination! : )

Feisty, she does have all the answers, does she not?

Why yes she does...

Unfortunately for her, they are ALWAYS wrong! lol

(In a serious, judicial tone, with a gavel) Since the nomination has been put forth and seconded by the FR convention, I hearby put the name of Spanky of the Know Nothing party open to the floor. All those in favor, indicate by saying "Aye"

Shhhh, don't tell her, she will be crushed with disappointment!

newday, she is a crushing disappointment!

I vote for Spanky's nomination for President and no joe's nomination for vice President. What a ticket Spanky/no joe.

Again, I second! The perfect ticket! In fact, let's make it a nomination by acclimation!

Wait, do we have to sit through the speeches? I don't think I could stand that.

AYE!!!

Therefore, since it has been voted on and seconded, from the Know Nothing party, we, at FR send Spanky and nojo out into the world to spread their Know Nothingness onto the GOP electorate.

Let it be written, let it done. :)

Amen!

I here-by nominate Sniffy for the position of the White House 'My Little Pony'.

Works for me, Feisty. As I like to remind folks who want to get a horse for their little girl, you can expect 80 lbs of manure a day, and we get at LEAST that much from Smiffy.

Hey, did you know if you go to the front page of the NBC politics page, we can start all over again with the Romney in Iowa stuff we did this morning? Cool. As Yogi Berra would say "It's deja vu all over again!"

Thanks devie, but if nominated I will not run and if elected I will not serve.

But tell me devie - how exactly do I qualify for this "know nothing' party of yours?

I have a college and post graduate degree. Do you?

I have created and run my own business. Do you?

I employ several people. Do you?

I know a little something about job creation and taxation. Have you ever created a job or even read the IRC?

Come on devie, let's play. What do you got, other than a silly conclusion about someone you know so little about?

But seriously devie - why in the world would I take the pay cut?

Sparkly one, go look up the history of the US. In the mid 19th century there really was a Know Nothing party. Geez, and you keep telling us how smart you are.

Spanky ain't got time to be smart. He bizzy lawyerin'.

(ok- his hired helpis bizzy lawyerin'. Spank's bizzy being Spank.)

Spanky, Sorry about your hurt fee fee. Okay, Okay, so I lied. Really Spanky, it was posted in jest. But then again seeing as how you failed the basic political history lesson I guess I was right. Thanks for sharing.

BTW I don't care how many degrees you have (says you) or how many businesses (says you) you started.

BBTW How did you put that go get your Google on.

Heck no devie I was mighty amused.

Amused that you assume to be the 'decider' of who is and who is not a know nothing.

Plus I didn't think you'd want to list you vast academic and professional accomplishments, such as they are.

Why, it'd be down right bragging, eh devie?

I see Spanky, the Lionel Hutz of First Read, is slumming again...the "counselor" is past his half-way-down-the-page comfort zone.

Getting quite desperate, I see...good for you Spankles...good for you...

Better watch out devie...little Spankles is a stalker...and he has his sights set on YOU now...

That they haven't gotta brain...

"They can while away the hours conferrin' with the flowers Consultin' with the rain. And their heads they'd be scratchin' while their thoughts were busy atchin'
If they only had a brain. I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le..."

devie, they are also like the Tin Man with no heart. And the only time they show courage is win they send other people's (mostly poor) family members to whatever war is the flavor of the day.

Well that is one way to get rid of the surplus population. You know we are taking up valuable GOTP air.

Tis true, tis true. The GOP/TP must breathe a rarefied air.

I hear the upper one percent sometimes allow their minnions a whiff of it too. But "Never a lot. Never more than a whiff! Or something may happen. You never know what."

Hey devie - if you try real hard and put some real effort into it, you too can become part of the 1%.

Or is that just not possible in your case? If not, why not?

Isn't America great?

Oh and don't forget big guy that if you make $32k or more, you are in the top 1% of the world's earners.

So you got that going for you, right devie? You do pull in at least $32k?

Now you've gone and done it, devie....Spanky will be HAUNTING you! But, don't worry, quite easy to put him on ignore. There is no real sense in reading what he has to say.

Spanky will be HAUNTING you!

More like stalking... lol

Ever notice how it's impossible for him to post anything that stands alone?

That and his inability to post about anything but himself!

More like stalking...

Ahhh, Isn't that cute, my very own stalker.

As far as you know Spanky I live under a bridge and hold a sign and get rich smucks like you to hand me money.

Again thanks for your adulation and concern.

I am here for you devie, but funny part is - you chose to refer to me intially, well before I began participating on this thread.

So if you want to talk about stalking, let's start with comment #6.2, shall we?

And gosh devie I hope you do not live under a bridge. But rest assured I never hand out money to bums. Or politicians.

Which of course is redundant.

WCA, I thought it was just me. Glad to know it wasn't old Betsy (my 'puter) acting up again.

I agree! When it ain't broke...

I keep getting logged out. Does anyone ever test these things before they go live? Or was that why the fire alarm was going off during Brian Williams' show the other night?

What!!!! and base our choices on facts!!!! That is not the American Way!!!

There has been endless coverage of the political fighting over the Affordable Health Care Act, but next to nothing about the contents of the bill. Wouldn't you think the media would explain how the bill will affect health care in this country? I wouldn't mind if people objected to the bill, if they actually knew what was in it. The media these days seems to play an endless game of gossip, instead of reporting on substance. I notice many on air reporters sometimes drop little snarky remarks into their reports, and viewer is left to wonder: what are you trying to say, what are the facts behind your opinions? Many reporters just seem to pass around the same opinions, instead of just informing the public. I hate it when they start rumors or make blanket statements.

We've been hearing for months that Gingrich was not a contender - now, suddenly, he's got a chance to be the nominee? What's up with that?

You've certainly have it figured out Yd-Mark. Isn't that something - Obama's ever diminishing chances for re-election hinge in part on what happens in Europe. The economy in the US certainly isn't getting any better, but to have Europe collapse on top of that will seal the deal for Obama.

And the Fed actions are yet another band-aide. Acts of desperation really. Something to kick the problem down the road just a little further. Trouble is, we're coming to the end of the road.

JoAnna see my response to your #2.5 above.

Economy is the biggest issue that will decide the election. Admit it your candidates are weak, but it is hard for any incumbent to win in this environment. If Europe implodes on whoever's watch it will be horrible.

Not that it matters but the boiler room would do well to discuss this even though it isn't a pure political question.

Yd-Mark: Economy is the biggest issue that will decide the election. Admit it your candidates are weak, but it is hard for any incumbent to win in this environment. If Europe implodes on whoever's watch it will be horrible.

The GOP candidates may not the best available, but one of them will be good enough to defeat Obama. There are economic headwinds that Obama will not be able to negotiate.

Europe is a huge problem. It won't be discussed in these pages because it's way too complicated and would take space away from all the Cain stories. Other blogs do a much better job with it.

Are you implying that the Great State of Texas is cheating? Oh, the Shame of it all!

uhmmm......You Betcha,....just look at what's his name , the governor!

Wait, I left off incoherent smack talking governor, Devie!

Texas, they sure do have a penchant for electing the "Village Idiot". Unless that's their best and brightest. Hmmm....

Bob – I love your NBC
NBO (Nobody But Obama) avatar.

Thanks Dennis.

Then you must be an even bigger fan of this state run media network, the official Obama re election propaganda outlet, N B C .

No different than FOX News only smaller.

I believe any Republican with a lick of common sense is sitting this one out Floyd!

There are rumors that the Right Wing 'powers that be' have already conceded to a loss in 2012 & will focus on 2016 instead...

Independent Redneck, That's a good question?

So he has lost 109 points out of 100 !!!!!!!!!

Please don't explain everyone knows.

Dont bother with them, Bill. Every negative is greeted with fingers in ears.

You might be interested in this, though

http://www.tnr.com/article/the-vital-center/97938/obama-demographics-2012-latinos

I guess the Brookings Institute is suddenly "conservative".

Think Obama will roll out his plans for the next four years- if, heaven forfend, he gets re elected?

That ultra conservative Chris Matthews raised the question first- and I'm pretty sure the rest of the country would be interested, too.

Of course, I'm pretty sure most of the country is "hoping" for a "change".

Bill,

President Obama has been on the job for the last three years, unlike Romney and Gingrich who have been daydreaming about campaigning all this time, while sacking away the millions corporate donors are offering them.

President Obama takes a hit in approval numbers because he's the guy in charge, during difficult times, and people express their frustration by criticizing the leader. (Those of us in customer service jobs know how people like to vent.) If you think those approval numbers mean anything, think again. President Bush SR was at 70% approval in his first term - and he was not reelected.

Hey Grimey the real question is who is that icon, I'm a Simpson fan but can't place that character.

However the election turns out they will be elected "to lead not to read."