DITTO!

More on the GOP/ALEC war on voting:

State legislators passed a bill earlier this year repealing Maine's 38 year-old-law that allows citizens to register on election day at the polls. Mainers responded by petitioning Issue 1 for referendum.

Outcome: Issue 1 passed by 61-39. Election day registration restored in Maine.

Turns out the secret conservative donor that poured $250,000 into the race (78% of all the money raised by the 'No On One' campaign came from out of state) came from the American Justice Partnership based in Michigan.

Imagine - AJP ran ads scolding "outsiders"( i.e. themselves) who were influencing Maine elections.

"Though the AJP doesn't disclose where its funding comes from, the Bangor Daily News notes that it has partnered with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in the past, a group that has been instrumental in the proliferation of voter ID laws across the country...."(ThinkProgress)

Our right to vote as citizens of this country is under attack by groups like AJB and ALEC.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/12/28/395496/maine-election-day-registration-alec-group/

Why not discuss the possiblity of OWS being infiltrated by tea baggers?

The Sad Spectacle of the Undecided Voter

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/754469/the_sad_spectacle_of_the_undecided_voter/

Uh, Captain Kangaroo may have been watched by pre-schoolers (although not lately - dead, ya know!) but he isn't a pre-schooler.

Feisty, hope you had a nice anniversary evening with Mr. Feisty. Thought you might even be a little late this morning! :)

Backhouse, if you look at voting patterns, the only way the GOP wins elections is if the turnout is poor. And, this is their goal. There have been very, very few cases of voting fraud (9 in the entire country). Yet, in the GOP controlled states they claim to have problems. Could it be that the GOP cannot run a clean election?

As for Captain Kangaroo, he is too nice to play in politics. Maybe Mr. Moose or Mr. Greenjeans could run.

Happy Thursday everyone.

Yes,Yes!! Mr. Green Jeans could be vice president!!

fuzzy,

Mr. Moose brings ping pong balls to the platform..............

Santorum, this weeks new flavor. How long will his surge last? Tune in next week (or tomorrow)for the next flavor of the week. Oh, by the way, if Santorum is nominated as the Repugs candidate, I hear he will be selecting Howdy Doody as his running mate.

Obama in 2012.

Hi Feisty,

Good one and Happy Anniversary!

Speaking of old celebrities, are there any aging, out of work, B actors in Hollywood the GOP could bring in?

California Tom,

I think Clara Belle would be a better choice for Rick.

I always liked Bunny Rabbit---he was too cute.

On behalf of my fellow Keystone State FR posters, JoAnne and Brian, we have previously apologized for Rick Santorum. His kind of conservatism does not represent our state---hence his failure to be re-elected the last time.

Backhouse

"Though the AJP doesn't disclose where its funding comes from, the Bangor Daily News notes that it has partnered with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in the past, a group that has been instrumental in the proliferation of voter ID laws across the country...."

We know who the other secret donors are. It's the Koch brothers?

If we don't give up the fight the KOCH will learn like Meg did in California money can't buy everything.

Thanks for the link.

How long will his serge last?

Good Morning Tom!

Little Ricky just might limp across the finish line Tuesday...

There isn't enough time for all the skeletons to tumble out of his closet

Those bible bangers ♥ themselves some bat sh!t crazy!

Funniest part is Willard is winning with only 1/4 of the votes... talk about resounding support! lmao

@Job1 - thanks for the anniversary wishes! ;o)

That also goes to anyone else I might of missed yesterday! My First Read family ROCKS!

Backhouse

We know who the secret donors are. It's the Koch brothers?

@WCA

Bozo already served 2 terms from 2001 till 2009. He's no longer eligible to run.

If Mittens does get the nomination (and I am pretty sure he will), I can just hear the rousing round of cheers he will get at his convention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, OUR nominee, Willard Mittens Romney"

The crowd response - only the sound of crickets. Chirp chirp

Phinephancy, yes. Data shows that the incidence of being *struck by lightning* in the US is higher than voter fraud.

When you think, voting is our most fundamental right. Republican lawmakers in more than a dozen states have recently enacted laws designed to:

Limit access to polls; impose strict voter ID requirement knowing that millions cannot meet them without difficulty; eliminate early voting periods and restrict registration documents. Voter ID laws have been introduced in 34 states.

I saw those clips on Lawrence O's show, funny. Ron Paul couldn't get out of that room fast enough and Gingrich wasn't smart enough to figure out it was a hoax interview. I think it was Richard Wolffe who commented that if younger Iowa voters really looked at Ron Paul beyond the small government, no wars ideas that they would not be supporting his anti-civil rights ideology. Ron Paul often sounds terrific, even I like some of his ideas but his over-all view of this country and how it should operate takes us back to 1776, his thinking is often on the dangerous side rather than the sensible one.

Backhouse, good points. For years ALEC, like the Koch Brothers influence, was under the radar for voters and the media. Thankfully, this year seems to have brought both to the front page and the discussion table. This summer the newly elected State GOP House Representative for my district proudly reported in the local paper his attendance at an ALEC meeting, he talked about the great pieces of legislation he brought back and how he planned to push the ideas at the next legislative session. About a week later, a letter to the editor chastised the guy while congratulating him for being honest in admitting his ties to ALEC, and listed one by one the truth about ALEC. We haven't heard a peep about ALEC from that representative since then but no doubt, he has his pre-written ALEC legislation ready for 2012's session.

Fuzzy44, you are so right and I absolutely love the comparison, however, it might be a bit of an insult to Bozo! After all I do think he held a real job before he was 40, haha (sorry folks, that is just too easy this early in the day).

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs. Fiesty! I've been with my one and only (for both of us) for almost 34 years now, guess what, my marriage has never once been threatened by our gay friends who wish to make the same commitment, bet yours has not either.

Loved the news about President Obama's re-election team in Iowa and his popularity with the Latino voters.

Have a great day, play nice if you can, if you can't at least have some fun by spoiling a neocon's day!

Backhouse,

A former REPUBLICAN Secretary of state for Florida wrote an op/ed that stated his beliefs that the new voter suppression laws in our state are a cross between a poll tax and Jim Crow. He was actually ashamed of the GOP legislature for voting for these new laws (BTW, he REALLY doesn't like our current governor)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Little Ricky just might limp across the finish line Tuesday...

I'm hoping once he does all the skeletons fall on him then he like the other Rick will have an opps moment.

Congratulations

Happy Anniversary, my friend.

Backhouse, thank you for posting this information. This organization needs a healthy dose of sunshine beamed in on it. Why it has taken the media so long to start doing so, is a mystery to me.

I liken it to the Norquist saga, no one pays attention until the house of cards starts to crumble. Several of us on this blog have mentioned it over the past year or so, and have a good understanding of how these 'out in the open' organizations operate to the betterment of the select few. It is good to see it get some traction and hopefully educate many as to how their lives are controlled by the invisible strings of the well connected.

Perhaps this will bring more into the mainstream who up until now, have paid little or no attention as to how their vote matters and can affect their futures.

Before voting, it is extremely important to get to know the candidates and what are their interests and philosophies. Emotions should be set aside, forget about the petty stuff, the shiny objects that the media focus on, take the time to research and be informed. There is no such thing as the perfect candidate, yet as you follow the journey to the election, one can learn a lot about who may be your choice, but you have to pay attention and not be swayed by sweet words and dazzling ads of varying kinds. Politicians can and will promise a lot, but be savvy enough to know what is realistic and what is hyperbole. Lowered expectations are often the best.

Mitt Romney is so ethically challenged that the good folks of Iowa must be the most uniformed voters in the free world.

Every time Willard says the economy is screwed up because of President Obama I want to slap that silly smirk off of his face and call him a liar.

Barack Obama did not screw up the economy. He has been trying mightily to find a fix and if everything he has tried hasn’t worked to perfection, he has at least tried. Who knew that Bush and Cheney could screw things up so bad that it might take a generation to fix it! If the GOP thinks it will be so easy to right this ship of state then I would like to see the geniuses they might elect to do this. Santorum, Gingrich, Paul , not the answer.

Now there. Also too.

Perry/Palin 2012

Beverly,

Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films exposes Koch Brothers' funding the voter suppression of minorities, elderly and students.

"...exposes the most aggressive interference in the ability of Americans to vote since sheriffs in the Deep South stopped giving African-Americans that Latin exam."

Jody, Iowa

About a week later, a letter to the editor chastised the guy while congratulating him for being honest in admitting his ties to ALEC, and listed one by one the truth about ALEC. We haven't heard a peep about ALEC from that representative since then but no doubt, he has his pre-written ALEC legislation ready for 2012's session.

And someone to primary him for letting the cat out of the bag.

He has been trying mightily to find a fix and if everything he has tried hasn’t worked to perfection,

Exactly Sheila!

Not to mention ANYTHING & EVERYTHING he tried has been met with a big... OH HELL NO from the GNOP!

Thankfully, it is starting to bite them in the ass!

May the momentum continue...

Paul/Bachmann 2012! Gidget & the Geezer

PS: Thank you Union Baby & Bev for the wishes! It was a very nice day! ;o)

Phinephancy -

Clara Belle was my second choice. LOL

If a Santorum would run for president, who would be his running mate? And what would the bumper sticker look like?

Tom,

At least that running mate wouldn't say much!!!! LOL

Phinephancy - on Florida & GOP Governor Rick Scott,

And Bev - here's a recent Politico link on GOP voter suppression that about says it, including:

"GOP state legislatures in Florida, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia have cut the number of early voting days. Florida, under Gov. Rick Scott, who has been a leader in the voter-suppression effort, reduced early voting from 14 days to eight. In Ohio, it went from 35 days to 16.

Florida and other states have also eliminated voting on the Sunday before election — when so much minority voting takes place. Ohio ended all Sunday voting.'

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67555.html#ixzz1hw6XMRQq

Santorum has about the same chance of winning the GOP nomination as a snowball has of getting out of hell. The LGBT faction are well organized and highly motivated voters. They will never allow Santorum to hold another elective office.

Santorum campaigns for a living... that is the only reason he stays in the race.

Backhouse

Beverly,

Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films exposes Koch Brothers' funding the voter suppression of minorities, elderly and students.

I not only put the film on every other blog I participate it. I sign the petition and pass it on.

Here's the link if you haven't done it all ready.

http://kochbrothersexposed.com/voterid/

Also whenever, I talk to some who have never heard of the Kochs I give this link to them.

http://kochbrothersexposed.com/thepress/

Santorum = wasted vote

Just go with Romney and start talking about real issues instead of Clown issues. The clowns need to be voted out!!!!

(I'll be voting Obama though)

OK OK OK. But nobody mentioned BUNNY RABBIET. How come he didn't get a mention for secratery of state.

Speaking of old celebrities, are there any aging, out of work, B actors in Hollywood the GOP could bring in?

None that I can think of...Charleton Heston is dead.

Morning Feisty -

Hope your Anniversary was the best ever.

Your right, nobody seems to be able to pull away in Iowa and become a real leader. That's the trouble with the Republican Party, no one has the ability to be a real contender against President Obama. The Repugs just don't like anyone that's contending. I love it.

Obama in 2012.

Mary Jones,

Bunny Rabbit is going to be the White House Chief of Staff! He works for carrots!

Beverly, Thanks for the info & links.

(Hope you're doing OK on the home front. You have 150%+ of my admiration and with love to your family.)

Backhouse

Phinephancy - on Florida & Rick Scott,

Have you seen this one? phine being Floridan probably knows there is an effort to pink slip slick Rick

http://www.pinksliprick.com/node/4705

*waves to Jack in Portsmouth*

We left the light on for ya!

See you soon! ;o)

Funniest part is Willard is winning with only 1/4 of the votes... talk about resounding support! lmao

Fiesty,

25% is a lousy number in a two-way race, but this isn't a two-way race. We have what seems like about 20 people splitting up the vote. In that context 25% really isn't bad. Face it, we political junkies on First Read want this to be a horse race, but I'm not so sure it is.

Phinephancy, Nobody in Washington works for carrots. I'd take the job for that. Times are tough.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

So what's your secret to being first to comment on FR so often?

While we disagree on most issues, I do wish the 'collapse police' would leave you alone. I believe in free and open speech (except profanity).

25% is a lousy number in a two-way race, but this isn't a two-way race

John,Ny,

This is true - I'm curious as to why Willard has not been able to pull away from the rest of the pack..?

Bev,

I have that site in my favorites list. I hit it up a couple times a day. I also have other friends who do the same (and believe it or not, I know of some tea partiers that do too!) 5th Amendment Rick is NOT well loved in this state!!!!!!!!!

Jack,

Blowing kisses to you. Will talk to you soon!

Beverly, this legislator was elected for the first time in 2010; he runs an private investment business. Prior to that, we had a democrat for 6 years and a good one, too. The democrat's father's money troubles made front page headlines throughout the spring and summer but not a peep about the fact that the GOPer had been fined over $250 K for some shady activities in his investment firm. The flyers from his opponent even had the public legal case numbers. I wrote a letter to the local paper asking why they were not reporting what was in those files since citizens and potential clients deserved to know the facts beneath the accusations. Not a word, but the local paper is owned by a conservative group of paper owners so it was not a surprise that nothing was ever reported.

Feisty, This is late.....Congrats on your 2-decades anniversary! Gosh!

The thing about Ron Paul.

It creases me up that his supporters lap up the "No War and Legalize Pot".

Meanwhile, it is the same ol, same ol GOP/Koch/Norquist routine:

1) You name it, just deregulate it. And 2) more tax cuts for the wealthy & those that don't need it.

"No War and Legalize Pot"

I guess the Paul mantra is live it up while everything around you is either falling apart (no regulation) or being destroyed (enemies of USA arm up). Not to be morbid, but what does Paul care anyway, won't he be dead in a few years?....He'll leave the falling apart of the USA to the rest of us who still might be living...

We know who the secret donors are. It's the Koch brothers?

Does anybody else see the inconsistency and contradiction in this sentence?

Hint: it's based around the adjective secret and the verb know

Aw, Feisty, cantakenomore doesn't love us anymore! :( LOL

Who the f*** cares what Iowa does?

I'm curious as to why Willard has not been able to pull away from the rest of the pack..?

No you're not ;-)

You know why he hasn't been able to pull away - the base doesn't want him but there's nobody better.

JK

Maybe the folks who live in Iowa care? Last time I checked, Iowa was still in the US. But, if you aren't sure, just ask Jody!

Alan + reqs,

Bev woz EMPHasisiNG, then repeating a question she wanted me to hurry up & answer.

It's OK Backhouse, just keep that Tinfoil hat nice and shiny.

I'll give you another hint. The election will be decided by the state of the economy. Not by secret funds, voter suppression, racism or other conspiracy theories.

"It's the Economy Stupid!" ...and still is

Just hit the IGNORE button...I did for FR and phinephansy.

Phine - this dolt just won a Liar Liar Pants on Fire award! lol

See, if he had me on ignore he wouldn't be able to see this thread... lmao!

They aren't even decent at LYING!

Poor dears....

Why not discuss the possiblity of OWS being infiltrated by tea baggers?

If the true Tea Party and OWS started working together, they would have BOTH parties on their knees. Remember, before being hijacked by ultra-conservative extremists, the Tea Party was a legitimate movement, and those folks are still out there. Unfortunately, their image has been tarnished by right-wing nuts.

phinephancy - I'm sure most people got the point - sorry it was over your head.

JK

While others understand your higher level of thought (being so above the rest of us), it was worth pointing out that the good folks of Iowa do believe they matter - whether you do or not

Feisty,

I don't agree with most of your political views, but I wouldn't want to put you on an ignore list. I enjoy reading comments from all of you and it is newsviners like you that make this media interesting!

Happy New Year to all Newsviners!

JK...

I usually enjoy them as well...but I got tired of the same ol' same ol'...not very many constructive points of view. I can see by some of the posters above that they are having some of the same issues w/ FR and phine as I did. What really sucks is even though I ignore them, FR is usually 1st posting. I have to unignore the first post so I can see what everyone else is writing about. Doesn't take too much time, though...

I enjoy reading comments from all of you and it is newsviners like you that make this media interesting!

Agreed!

I have (5) people on my ignore list. It is not because of their views, it's because if you have read one post from them, you have read them all!

I'm not a big fan of reading the same rhetoric day in & day out!

I wish you & yours a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful 2012!

FR is usually 1st posting. I have to unignore

Oh...

So NOW this is your story & your sticking to it... right? *wink wink*

You set the bull@!$%# meter right off the chart!

Be honest, you were BUSTED now move along... lmao!

Jody, Iowa

Beverly, this legislator was elected for the first time in 2010; he runs an private investment business. Prior to that, we had a democrat for 6 years and a good one, too. The democrat's father's money troubles made front page headlines throughout the spring and summer but not a peep about the fact that the GOPer had been fined over $250 K for some shady activities in his investment firm. The flyers from his opponent even had the public legal case numbers. I wrote a letter to the local paper asking why they were not reporting what was in those files since citizens and potential clients deserved to know the facts beneath the accusations. Not a word, but the local paper is owned by a conservative group of paper owners so it was not a surprise that nothing was ever reported.

Wow, Jody that is just how Mark Kirk got in. Alexi was running for the President's old seat and all they talked about Was Alexi's family's banking problems. The ill-informed fell for it hook line and sinker; rather than realizing most small community banks were having problems.

@Backhouse
Thanks for the kind words. I'm keeping my finger crossed I get to spend this weekend with my grandson. I had him Christmas. I have Navy Pier and Kwanzaa plans for the little guy . That's if the other grandmother doesn't hog him this weekend.

((((HUGS))))

Oh...musta hit a nerve...FR was quick on the draw.

Still ignoring...no idea what the response could have been. Ahhhh, refreshing!

Such a GOP line, one of many, "Will be decided by the economy"!!!!!!!!!

The reason GOP/ALEC/KOCH/Norquist is working double time to suppress the vote,

And GOP Senate voted twice against disclosure of secret campaign $Billions:

Is because they are sweating bullets.

Economy has been growing and NO THANKS to Senate GOP continuously blocking Jobs bills - two earlier this year. Recently GOP/Koch Senate refused to bring 2 million jobs to the floor for debate - in the President's American Jobs Act.

Go talk to someone else about hats, maybe an out-of-work-construction-worker who was lately denied infrastructure work by extremely affluent GOP Congressionals three times.

you're forming political opinions based on Bruno? Wow... Next thing I know, you'll be saying that you consider The Daily Show your news source! oh wait!

Turns out liberals' beliefs really are comedy!

you're forming political opinions based on Bruno?

Nope!

I'm forming political opinion based on a terrified old man running down a hotel hallway, hollering; 'There's a queer in there'!

Refreshing to actually see the face of a homophobe for a change!

Clear now?

Romney's the guy and that ain't no lie.

Rejoice children, rejoice. All our diabolical plans are coming to fruition and the President is going to be re-elected in a landslide.

It is written in the stars and confirmed in the bars, Romney's the man and Obama's got the plan.

Oh yeah, and Newt's the "Reagan in this race?"

You mean the Reagan who taxed the rich, offered amnesty to illegal aliens, increased the size of the Federal Government, was soft on gays (don't forget Ron Jr.) and fell asleep during cabinet meetings? That Reagan?

If that's so, by today's GOP Litmus Test you're a freakin' LIBERAL Newt!

Obama/Biden 2012

Steeler Fan,

Let me explain to you that the reason I am no longer a resident of PA. It is because of the Hate Business policies wielded by the people you elected from 1970-. I was able to get a better education in my field for less money than PA offered. The only thing that kept PA form being worse off was a house with a republican majority from 2005 - 2009 and the 1 seat majority from 2009-2011 was weak enough the governor couldn't tax and spend more. Gov. Rendell was asked in 2009 how PA would handle the added costs the HCL would put on PA. His response - We will just raise taxes. If the HCL was cheaper - you wouldn't need to raise taxes - Would you?

Ohio has had it's share of dim-wits especially Republican Gov Taft who wanted to spend and tax more than the Republican held legislature. And worse yet Democrat Gov. Strickland who's beat up business policies accelerated the mass exit of jobs from Ohio.

Such a GOP line, one of many, "Will be decided by the economy"!!!!!!!!!

And I always thought that was a Bill Clinton / James Carville line. The only people sweating bullets are conspiracy theory idiots like you. You troll away on websites that support your views looking for confirmation, from other idiots, of slights, insults and the vast right-wing conspiracy. The funny thing is Barack Obama, a two year Senator, managed to get elected and is building a $1B war chest for his re-election. How does that fit into your nightmares? I would say that given a further 1% drop in unemployment that he has an excellent chance of being re-elected despite your paranoid fantasies of GOP/ALEC/KOCH/Norquist. (BTW are you the same guy who used be frightened of CIA/FBI/NSA/Cheney?

However, if unemployment begins to rise again he's toast.

Cantakenomore said:

"boo hoo, posters are bullying me so im going to whine like a pansy about it and brag about my almighty ignore option, that will teach them!"

Copious E-tears going on there slick. Have some respect for yourself. Getting all emotional about silliness just makes you look slow and immature.

ALAN,

Repeating old lines, name-calling and zero facts - right out of the Rove playbook.

But now, you wouldn't be looking for confirmation.

appalacian...

It's ok, I've noticed you usually don't have a whole lot to say either. Still grinning at some of the posts, though. Please keep feeding the fire!

Repeating old lines, name-calling and zero facts - right out of the Rove playbook.

Go look in the mirror big guy.

James Carville "It's the Economy Stupid!" ...Fact

Barack Obama elected after (effectively) serving two years in Senate ....Fact

Building $1B Re-election Fund ...Fact

I count 3 facts. So not only are you paranoid your illiterate in math also?

Final attempt to explain some common sense versus paranoid fantasies.

Fantasy: Companies are sitting on $1T rather than invest it because the President is black.

Common Sense: Companies suffered a credit crunch in 2008 and had to scramble to maintain / find working capital. In 2011 there is a European Debt crisis that exposes American Banks to losses similar to 2008. Result: Prudent companies are retaining capital at higher levels to ensure that they will have working capital until the Europeans resolve their sovereign debt crisis.

Alan..counts...t.h.r.e.e....facts,

invents not previously discussed 'black' subject,

changes subject in dramaic, unrelated way.

First it was Bachmann, then Cain, then Gingrich, and now Santorum. I do get the impression that the conservatives are looking for someone to support. Anyone but Romney.

This thread has convinced that it is time to hide comments by Feisty. There is nothing of substance there.

Feisty,

I'm disappointed in ya girl.

I'll have to disagree with you on Dr Paul's reaction, it would be the reaction of anyone in his position. If he stayed, he would be accused of being a closet homosexual, and if he leaves he's accused of being homophobic.

This is the same tactic that Joseph Goebbels advocated be used in 1936 to get the German Christians to give up their Jewish friends. It is also a tactic that hurts the movement more than it helps.

But to do it to a person that is on your side as far as the law goes? senseless and stupid.

and if he leaves he's accused of being homophobic.

It's not him leaving, I find disturbing.

Why is he hollering there is a 'queer' all the way down the hallway?

Why not call him a pervert or sicko or for that matter say anything at all?

He could of just walked calmly & composed out of the room without adding his 'thought's...

Interesting he chose queer, especially since this is not the first incident of incendiary remarks he has made against Gays...

If I don't see you before - I wish you a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful 2012!

You know Feisty, I could agree with you and can also see some humor in it but for one fact, Homosexuals commonly use the term "Queer" to very proudly describe themselves, but call it homophobic when a non queer uses it in the same manner.

Much akin to black youth's usage of another racially charged term. The "it's just our way of talking to each other" argument.

It's divisive and demeaning and disgusting either way. Homosexuals can be just as "Phobic" as their straight brethren.

I wish you a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful 2012!

Same to you Girl!!!

FYI

Rick Santorum Took Dead Baby Home To Meet Family.

In 1996, he had son born prematurely who lived for
only two hours. He and wife brought the child home and introduced the dead
infant to the rest of their children as ‘your brother Gabriel’ and slept with
the body overnight.

There, they spent several hours kissing and cuddling Gabriel with his three
siblings, ages 6, 4 and 1 1/2. They took photos, sang lullabies in his ear and
held a private Mass.

Wow, that is someone who cherishes life and understands the need of the other members of the family need to have closure on such a sad circumstance. Having a brother who also had lost a son, not seeing the kid leaves the other kids without full closure on the matter.

Backhouse, Norquist is nothing. He is made bigger than life by the Democratic party for political purposes of slamming anyone who has anything even close to his beliefs.

Norquist simply offered what no other republican was doing, and that is something to hold the weak-kneed republicans to some kind of organized platform to run united on. Democrats like to claim that they are independent of the party machine, but I find that the republicans part more often and further from the party platform than Democrats

1. Norquist is a LOBBYIST.

2. Norquist is the principle lobbyist for the KEYSTONE PIPELINE.

3. 99.9% of Republicans at all levels, state and federal, signed Norquist's pledge never to raise taxes....for the rest of their lives.

3. Lobbyist Norquist's blackmail of congressionals, his control of the Supercommittee, his involvement in the Keystone Pipeline ....

4. Norquist's blackmail of Congressionals who have sworn First Allegiance to this country and its citizens: Tell me how it is not GROSS, HUGE and TREASONOUS legitimized crime?

The Republicans would vote for the pipeline regardless. Funny, the same people who are all over Norquist weren't all over T Boone Pickens over the windmills. Again, Norquist is nothing, you are making him as big as the far right makes George Soros, CEI President Andy Stern(who has been the most frequent visitor to the White House) or GE President Jeff Immelt.

Immelt was responsible for lobbying to make incandescent bulbs illegal so he would have the corner on the market of the CFL. Then he not only shuts down the Incandescent production in the US, but ships all the CFL production to China because the labor to build the CFL is twice as much labor and Chinese labor is so much cheaper.

At list Keystone means American and Canadian jobs in excess of 11,000 and those job will stay here in america as long as Obama and Democrats will allow us to build a pipeline, drill for more available oil (plenty in the Dakota area) and expand our production.

You don't understand the difference between who is taking and who is giving - - do you?

You are off-topic and whispering in your own earhole.

You attempt once again to downplay Norquist, his supervision of the Republican party and ties to Big Oil and Koch Industries, as well as ALEC.

Norquist has been in business signing up Republicans and setting the agenda along with ALEC and the 0.02% for the last 30 years. Ever since Reagan took him on to do the job, he has been controlling our Congress and acting on behalf of Big Oil and big corporations.

Despite Transcanada making much of 'lots of union jobs', the Independent Cornell Global Labor Institute says the pipeline will produce:

"..between 50 and 1400 temporary construction jobs....The operating costs for KXL are very minimal and based on the figures provided by TransCanada for the Canadian section of the pipeline, the new permanent US pipeline jobs in the US as few as 50".

Again, KXL operating costs very minimal and estimated 50 permanent jobs in the US. (Fifty jobs.)

What we all know is that it will make a lot of $$money for the oil companies and Norquist is the principal lobbyist.

Norquist is the principal lobbyist for the Pipeline. Is he still "nothing" according to you?

There's an incredibly funny joke here, where's Bill Maher when you need him.

piv, fyi

GOP claimed recently that tomato sauce on pizza counts as the requi'd veg for school meals.

If Mr. tomato was actually a veggie it'd be funnier.

Do yourself a favor- Google the results from the Iowa caucuses in 2008.

The winner? Barack Obama- with thirty eight percent of the vote.

38%.

Then come back yammering about weak support.

no joe, no bo, nj

``You mean like the Reverand(?) Wright? Those kind of homophobes and racists?

See, that's why I'm not a liberal. I kind of go along with the whole "content of character" line of thought.

Really have no use for "the government invented AIDS to kill off the African Americans", or "the media is runs by the Jews", or "kill all the gays"-

Or any of that line of thinking.

Obama, now, is another story. He did, in fact, stay in that church for twenty years. Brought his daughters into it- to be filled with that brand of hate.

Tells me all I need to know.”

Really, and you are a Republican because of the support given to the Reverend Moon by the Bush family and leading Republicans and the monetary support he gave them? The Reverend who went to jail for tax evasion. The Reverend Moon who said:

"What is the meaning of lesbians and homosexuals? That is the place where all different kinds of dung collect. We have to end that behavior. When this kind of dirty relationship is taking place between human beings, God cannot be happy,"

“100,000 soldiers are reported to have died in the Iraqi war. If you count 100 relatives of each soldier, it means that practically there are millions of people who now have antagonism toward the white people of America. These Arab people will remember this country whose main religion is Christianity, who came and destroyed all Iraqi facilities and industry. They won't easily forget this."

“The time is coming that we have to abolish the concept of separation between church and state. We need a political party centered upon religious ideology. The world of democracy is based upon the ideology of brotherhood.” (not a good thing brotherhood eh KnowNO ? …)

“That should be your determination. As a man, in your right front pants pocket is a small inside watch pocket. Keep pliers there, and when you go to the bathroom, once a day, pinch your love organ. Cut the skin a little bit as a warning. If your love organ does not listen to your conscience, then you should cut off the tip. Even if it takes that extreme measure, we have to make sure our mind and body become one.” (did you get one for your man this Xmas NotaJo ?)

"Americans who continue to maintain their privacy and extreme individualism are foolish people... The world will reject Americans who continue to be so foolish. Once you have this great power of love, which is big enough to swallow entire America, there may be some individuals who complain inside your stomach. However, they will be digested."

“Americans know that I have brought many young people from all over the world. I have read that the immigration officials say I'm violating immigration laws. Americans don't realize that God has declared war against the satanic power, and that it is not I who ha#ve called the youth from all over the world to the United States to fight, but God. I am the commander and you are the volunteer army summoned by God. If the American people don't realize this an persecute and obstruct you, they will be faced with perdition.”

Bitter NoJO, you need to disavow your Oath to Hypocrisy.

Matt,

I believe Obama holds the record for leading to more layoffs. And Romney's record shows a relatively low amount of layoffs for the companies he dealt with. Compared to the growth of the others he managed, it is substantial net gain.

BHO cannot say the same.

ABO 2012

Ideology,

Game, set and match!!!!

Ideolog;

You my friend, know how to drive a stake through the heart! lol

Feisty,

Remember who he is talking about. She has no heart (or any other major organs that I can discern)

dsdsherm:

President Obama is in no way responsible for layoffs in the private sector. He is not a CEO in private industry. As a matter of FACT, during his administration, the Bush tax cuts were continued. Those are the same tax cuts that supposedly lead to job creation.

If it isn't tax cuts, you whine about uncertainty. If it isn't uncertainty, you whine about regulation. Yet every time you people are challenged to show proof that these are factors you run like hell.

You cannot grasp the fact that the economy was in a free fall at the end of the Bush Administration, but you sure can blame President Obama for not creating a red-hot economy.

You got nuthin'!

@Feisty ... maybe she will stay away all day like that moron who said to you "die"

David, there isn't that much whine in the Napa Valley!!

ideologyspoilstheview

no joe, no bo, nj

``You mean like the Reverand(?) Wright? Those kind of homophobes and racist

If only Dr No knew. Rev Wright does more than any GOP lawmaker proposes & Tea Nut candydiates or Brokeback Rick Perry &Santorm propose for AIDS

Ministries created to assist in the transformation of our Community.

Active Seniors
Food Share
Men Allied in Christ

Adopt-A-Student
Grandparent's Ministry
Million for the Master

Athletes for Christ
HIV/AIDS Support
Prison

Career Development
Housing
Project Jeremiah

Church in Society (CIS)
Immabasi( Health & Wellness)
Reading Tutorial

Domestic Violence Advocacy/Care
Micah Legal Ministry
Village Keepers

Drug
Alcohol Recovery
Math Tutorial

http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=28

@ Beverly in Chicago,

Reverend Wright's good deeds far out-weigh any words spoken in frustration or anger.

Ideologyspoils, I'll just say your response to NJ was absolutely perfect!

You really need to stop reading viral emails, ideology. The Bushes- the whole lot of them- are Episcopalians. Have been for, oh, we'll, since the family got here- and probably before.

ipso facto, your Reverand Moon assertion is all wet.

ideologyspoilstheview

@ Beverly in Chicago,

Reverend Wright's good deeds far out-weigh any words spoken in frustration and anger.

ideology,

Many of his words were taken out of context and played 24/7 on FOX NOISE. In fact, KKKLanity the unrepentant bigot enumerates Rev Wright on his fingers every night along with Bill Ayers. It's just incredulous how anyone with a Brain could fall for that hand jive. Don't forget ACORN has come back

He was quoting Peck as saying that America's foreign policy has put the nation in peril:

"I heard Ambassador Peck on an interview yesterday did anybody else see or hear him? He was on FOX News, this is a white man, and he was upsetting the FOX News commentators to no end, he pointed out, a white man, an ambassador, he pointed out that what Malcolm X said when he was silenced by Elijah Mohammad was in fact true, he said Americas chickens, are coming home to roost.”

"We took this country by terror away from the Sioux, the Apache, Arikara, the Comanche, the Arapaho, the Navajo. Terrorism.

"We took Africans away from their country to build our way of ease and kept them enslaved and living in fear. Terrorism.

"We bombed Grenada and killed innocent civilians, babies, non-military personnel.

"We bombed the black civilian community of Panama with stealth bombers and killed unarmed teenage and toddlers, pregnant mothers and hard working fathers.

"We bombed Qaddafi's home, and killed his child. Blessed are they who bash your children's head against the rock.

"We bombed Iraq. We killed unarmed civilians trying to make a living. We bombed a plant in Sudan to pay back for the attack on our embassy, killed hundreds of hard working people, mothers and fathers who left home to go that day not knowing that they'd never get back home.

"We bombed Hiroshima. We bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon and we never batted an eye.

"Kids playing in the playground. Mothers picking up children after school. Civilians, not soldiers, people just trying to make it day by day.

"We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff that we have done overseas is now brought right back into our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost.

"Violence begets violence. Hatred begets hatred. And terrorism begets terrorism. A white ambassador said that y'all, not a black militant. Not a reverend who preaches about racism. An ambassador whose eyes are wide open and who is trying to get us to wake up and move away from this dangerous precipice upon which we are now poised. The ambassador said the people we have wounded don't have the military capability we have. But they do have individuals who are willing to die and take thousands with them. And we need to come to grips with that."

He went on to describe seeing the photos of the aftermath of 9/11 because he was in Newark, N.J., when the planes struck. After turning on the TV and seeing the second plane slam into one of the twin towers, he spoke passionately about what if you never got a chance to say hello to your family again.

"What is the state of your family?" he asked.

And then he told his congregation that he loved them and asked the church to tell each other they loved themselves.

His sermon thesis:

1. This is a time for self-examination of ourselves and our families.

2. This is a time for social transformation (then he went on to say they won't put me on PBS or national cable for what I'm about to say. Talk about prophetic!)

"We have got to change the way we have been doing things as a society," he said.

Wright then said we can't stop messing over people and thinking they can't touch us. He said we may need to declare war on racism, injustice, and greed, instead of war on other countries.

"Maybe we need to declare war on AIDS. In five minutes the Congress found $40 billion to rebuild New York and the families that died in sudden death, do you think we can find the money to make medicine available for people who are dying a slow death? Maybe we need to declare war on the nation's healthcare system that leaves the nation's poor with no health coverage? Maybe we need to declare war on the mishandled educational system and provide quality education for everybody, every citizen, based on their ability to learn, not their ability to pay. This is a time for social transformation."

3. This is time to tell God thank you for all that he has provided and that he gave him and others another chance to do His will.

By the way, nowhere in this sermon did he said "God damn America." I'm not sure which sermon that came from.

This doesn't explain anything away, nor does it absolve Wright of using the N-word, but what it does do is add an accurate perspective to this conversation.

The point that I have always made as a journalist is that our job is to seek the truth, and not the partial truth.

I am also listening to the other sermons delivered by Rev. Wright that have been the subject of controversy.

And let me be clear: Where I believe he was wrong and not justified in what he said based upon the facts, I will say so. But where the facts support his argument, that will also be said.

- Roland S. Martin, CNN Contributor
www.rolandsmartin.com

Editor's note: Read other blogs from Roland Martin and the team of 360 contributors at CNN.com/360

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/the-full-story-behind-rev-jeremiah-wrights-911-sermon/

NoJo, all my quotes of Moon are verifiable as is the relationship between the Bush family and Rev. Moon.

It is you who are a virus here and my post to you is an anti-viral.

Ideology,

Dear friend, I do believe you have pushed the buttons of one nojo.

Matt

The primary is not over. First Read just picked up on what is happening underneath it all. What these Caucuses do is bring the participating members into a room and they will hear all candidates make a last pitch for their support. Then they vote. With 40-50% of Iowans are undecided, Santorum could be a suprise upper tier.

NoJoe: "The Bushes- the whole lot of them- are Episcopalians. Have been for, oh, we'll, since the family got here- and probably before."

George W. Bush converted to the United Methodist Church when he married Laura. Not that it makes any difference to me; I just kind of have a hobby of fact-checking anytime I see sweeping statements like this one.....

perhaps if Democrats and their fanboys spent as much time on policy as they do coming up with clever nicknames such as Teabagger Party and Faux News, they'd have something of substance to offer up.

The fact remains that what nojo said is true. Obama won Iowa in 2008 with what can only be categorized as weak support. That is partially because of the caucus system- and whoever wins Iowa will do so with "weak" numbers. Those numbers will solidify as the race goes on. The race will be splintered until people start dropping out. Look at the Democratic race in 2008. Obama didn't even solidify his hold on the nomination until the summer really. I don't think that Mitt Romney would defeat President Obama if he won the Republican nomination. In part because that would mean a third party run by Dr. Ron Paul, which would present a major problem for both Romney AND Obama. A debate between Romney, Obama and Paul would be entertaining to say the least. Seeing Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum trying to explain how they are not one and the same when faced with comparison to Dr. Paul would be comical.

R estore
O ur
N ation
P rotect
A merica
U nderstand
L iberty

Santorum = wasted vote

Time to focus on real issues people, not CLOWN issues. Vote the GOP clowns out and coalesce around Romney so we can start talking about some REAL issues. (I'll be voting Obama though)

I do believe that NoJo has just suffered one of the greatest internet smack-downs I have ever seen. Well played Ideology and Beverly... there is nothing better than seeing a hypocrite put in their place.

As for the article: Santorum can not win, simple as that. He is an extremist and will never garner the independent support required. Ron Paul is unelectable as his social platform is too liberal for Republicans. He will serve his place as a 3rd party candidate. Romney and Huntsman are the only two candidates with a chance to grab enough independent votes to win. Huntsman is already out. Romney will struggle with his flip-flopping, getting the Christian right to vote for a Mormon, and a conservative base splitting between him and the 3rd party candidate (Ron Paul).

The media uses terms like "surge" when really it's more like musical chairs. Santorum is simply switching places with Gingrich, and now people are being reminded about Santorum's involvement in the Terry Schiavo matter, and getting 30k from the country to home school, etc. -- All the reasons he was thrown out of office last time around.

I don't think I've seen such a crazy primary in my lifetime, and it has been crazy because the participants are all crazy, competing to see who can be the craziest. We have Paul who believes in free market to the point that businesses can refuse service for any reason, from gender to religion to race to sexual orientation -- But most of all blacks. We have four candidates who have all signed on to the "personhood" oath that would ban abortion in all cases and even birth control methods. The list goes on.

The right-wing has gone beyond over-reach to over the cliff! Listen up conservatives. The majority in this country do not want to go backward in time when there were no civil rights, when abortion was illegal and women died from back alley procedures, to the Gilded Age of extreme rich and poor, or becoming a theocracy with no Separation of Church and State.

So no matter who the GOP/TP candidate will be, no one except the right-wing core will vote for that person. Teapublicans are CRAZY and they brought this upon themselves.

Santorum - And your point is?

Well, drug yourselves as you may-

Nonsense used to refute fact does not, in any rational world, constitute a "smack down".

I don't care if the Reverand Moon says the actual moon is made of green cheese- he is not, was not, and never will be, any Bush family member's pastor.

Period.

So, the idiotic analogy? Just that- idiotic.

As to smack downs- when you refute a fact- Obama's membership for twenty years, and raising his daughters in, a hate filled church-with viral email baloney- based on, what, exactly? Some idiots conjecture? Well, you've got nothing.

But, dream on, remaining cult members. You can repair to the virtual bar and get drunk on virtual drinks to your heart's content soon.

Very, very soon.

Like, in a year or so.

The field of Republican presidential contenders is filled with the ignorant, the under the table deal makers, the anti-contraceptive icon, the skirt chasers, the job killers, the bigoted and the would be despots. And let's not forget the "thought police." With so many of the GOP/Tea Party's candidates falling off the political stage, the GOP ticket in 2012 might be a "Write In" ticket!

To have such a disparity, these people after how many years still don't understand how to poll Iowa. Rather then get our shorts tied in a knot with the radical changes, how about if we just wait until the Caucus results come in.

I think the one that may change the dynamic of the republican primary would be Santorum finishing in the top 3.

Romney has been a consistent 20 - 25%. This won't change unless everyone else is deemed unacceptable. It isn't going to change unless any third tier (Santorum, Bachmann) are ruled out. Only Bachmann appears to have blown her early boost (she isn't Sara Palin with a stronger educational background). Now Santorum is getting a more serious look - yes, I'm looking at him too, but my primary is a long way off and typically the front runner has the nomination locked up a month before.

The aliens in the UFO he saw told him to run!

Auntie Fascist

Kucinich versus Kaptur is the classic contest between a show horse and a work horse, but nothing Dennis does anymore surprises me.

I was thinking that same thing. I mean I'm shocked I thoght he was running for Prez again since his last appeal for donations.

kucinich rules himself out of 2012, gaddafi funds dried up?

http://theobamadiary.com/2011/09/07/kucinich-rules-himself-out-of-2012-gaddafi-funds-dried-up/

Feisty @#1,

I'm disappointed in ya girl.

I'll have to disagree with you on Dr Paul's reaction, it would be the reaction of anyone in his position. If he stayed, he would be accused of being a closet homosexual, and if he leaves he's accused of being homophobic. Taking advantage of an honest man reveals the dishonesty used.

This is the same tactic that Joseph Goebbels advocated be used in 1936 to get the German Christians to give up their Jewish friends. It is also a tactic that hurts the movement more than it helps.

But to do it to a person that is on your side as far as the law goes? senseless and stupid.

Great analysis, Jody. Sure your not on someone's payroll as a political pundit? LOL Seriously, great points.

Thanks for the report from the ground in Iowa, Jody.

I think Santorum has some odd positions and some wacky statements in his past but I don't think he has scandals of the sort that derailed Cain and Gingrich and I think he can articulate a policy position (unlike Perry). To me his surge shows the ABR factor---anybody but Romney.

I believe Santorum could go all the way to the nomination, IF he's able to build money and organization (perhaps from candidates who drop out). Once the nomination was his, however, he'd be toast. He's burned too many groups: women (abortion and birth control), hispanics (immigration), gays (comparisons to bestiality). I don't see how he can distance himself from enough of the views which got him voted out of the senate to make a successful general election candidate.

"there are many reasons not to pick Santorum and he will join the other short-lived leaders at the bottom of the hill."

Geez, Jody....just when I was starting to believe this was the best gift the GOP had handed us since Sarah Palin, you have to go and dash all my hopes...... :(

Though speaking of Santorum, the uhhh, bottom of "The Hill" is a place he should be very familiar with. I'm reminded of when he made that idiotic comment about John McCain not knowing anything about how "enhanced interrogation" works:

"Those close to McCain felt Santorum's assertion was insensitive. Longtime adviser Mark Salter wrote on his Facebook page: "Ron Paul may be the wackiest candidate in the GOP field. But for pure, blind stupidity, nobody beats Santorum. In my 20 years in the Senate, I never met a dumber member, which he reminded me of today."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/18/6670357-santorum-nothing-ill-but-mccain-is-wrong

Jody, I spent Thanksgiving in the heart of a Libertarian household, and I learned, for these voters, it's Ron Paul, or nobody. Spent Christmas in the company of some very conservative relatives who annouced their choice from the Republican field was Nobody.

Jody, Iowa

They now have another choice. LMAO New Ad:

"Vote Rogue" for Sarah Palin write in Palin's name.

Obama 2012

"Why not Santorum " just use Google to search the term. After laughing about what his name means, read some of his views, then you know why you should not vote for this truely insane person.

JoAnne, I remember Santorum's comment about McCain along with his other problems.

Sandy, I saw that Vote Rogue robo-call on MSNBC last night. It doesn't surprise me because early this summer I was getting poll calls asking about Sarah Palin despite her obvious absence from the race. I'll let everyone know when the Vote Rogue robo-call it finds its way to my phone.

Yesterday, Dan Quayle called again, along with Mitt and that guy named Tom who calls everyday except Sundays and Christmas to ask if I will caucus for Gingrich, other or not at all. I should have gone to Mitt Romney's stop in town to personally thank him for getting me added to the list of GOP registered voters back in 2007 despite the fact I'm a registered democrat!

Santorum has a pretty clean past. He replaced a then Democratic Senator Wolford who was appointed by Bob Casey to replace Senator John Heinz after Heinz's tragic helicopter death inmay 1995 . Sen. Heinz's wife would later marry Senator John Kerry.

Santorum served two terms and lost re-election to the senate in to do nothing current Senator Bob Casy Jr (his dad was a governor of PA 1987 - 1995). Santorum is a true conservative. Casey was able to paint Santorum as oblivious to Senior Citizen issues and not really a resident of PA because Santorum had purchased a second home in Virginia and was staying their more frequently than his prinicple home in Pennsylvania.

Those same 'undecided's' will vote for a monkey, before they vote democrap. JS

And, they will be out in force during the 'real' election (That goes for all the states). Say bye to Odumbo.

"Obamadiary"? REALLY? There are also articles on the web which explain and have damn good arguments for aliens'. Wanna buy a bridge, [Dumb-ass])

Santorum's idea's are crazy! It's just "his turn"! They've tried everyone in the running except Huntsman and they can't get excited about him BECAUSE he is a MORMAN! The SAME reason Romney can't get above 23% approval!

Reinforcing the GLARING RACISM in this Tea Party bunch of idiots that would rather vote "for a monkey" than an intelligent black man!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

JB and you're to be taken seriously with all the name calling? Probably not. Santorum has never explained the death of his intern in his office years ago. Plus, amazingly, it was never really investigated. President Obama is by far the best thing we have going in 2012.

Jo-an 435

The only racism in the Republican party is that seen by seriously hallucinating people.

Ursula---what a great analysis of the various candidates. You have captured Romney so well. Great post.

Ursula, well said. It started with Ronald Reagan who purposely cultivated the evangelicals views into a southern strategy. Although Reagan did not pursue the social and cultural issues once elected, he elevated those views and added them to the GOP platform. Add Newt Gingrich's embrace with his Contract for America, the concept of mixing religion and state, and here we are today. Each successive year has shifted the GOP further to the right and focused more and more on social issues. Listen to what comes from these GOP candidates, it is all about no taxes, deregulation, religion, abortion and gays. That's the same platform of 30 years ago only it is on steroids today.

Ursula, I think about the lock on evangelicals the Republicans have had myself, and it seems the time is ripe to break it. What can possibly be holy about destroying the environment for the profit of a few? I learned "it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle, than for a rich man to get into heaven" in my church, but the Republicans have said time again their core principle is protecting the rich from paying taxes.

Amy - you are so right, the Bible most certainly teaches that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle (in Biblical days that actually ment the eye to the city - but camels were not allowed!) than into the gates of heaven. other scripture they don't like: from the book of James: You shall not treat a wealthy man better than anyone else. All have sinned and can be forgiven (they think this applies only to them), and in the Old Testament Abraham was father to two sons, each promised to be the founder of a great nation/religion (and it is true, one is the founder of Christianity and the other the founder of Islam).

Amy B.

The republicans want everyone to be treated equally. That's why the tax cuts are across the board. Every time across the board is practiced EVERYONE moves forward. Every time one group is favored over another, we fall behind. If we don't move forward we all fall behind. The reason is and what we are experiencing now is that if the lower income doesn't get some, they don't spend more, and if the middle and upper don't get some, they don't have the reserves to invest in expansion. The current administration has regulated the middle and upper into lethargy.

My wife works for a Tax accountant. This administration has installed several new layers of registration and fees to the financial sector. They are requiring all tax people who may have anything to do with taxes to register and renew each year. They all were registered for last year with no problem. What we have found out is that the IRS Rejected huge amounts of the renewals by the end of this summer because they did not renew supervisors first. So everyone had to re-apply, and according to the agent my wife talked to the IRS is now overwhelmed and approvals and additional rejections may not come until after the 1st of the year. Tell me what all these small businesses are supposed to do? They cannot file taxes until they are renewed.

The democrats are the one's promoting the Republicans as only for the Rich, simply because the poor do get a smaller portion at the same cuts - and you fell for it.

What the Democrats are promoting is Robin Hood. How does that fit with this scripture? Answer - Christ had nothing to do with government. You are to give to government what it asks (assuming you can) and give to God what he wants.

Explain the parable of the ten talents. Where the rich guy gave 10 talents to one servant, 5 to another and 1 to the last servant. The last servant took his talent and buried it. When the Rich man came back the two that used their talents returned a profit, the one that buried it, got it taken away and given to the one who had the 10 talents. That's the opposite our government is doing - it's taking talents from the rich and giving it to the guy who wasted his talent.

Bottom line is that God is the creator of both the rich and the poor. It is he that allows one to be rich and another to be poor. it is not our job to decide who should get and who should not.

DB Akron, Your theology that God rewards good people with wealth suggests to me you haven't watch the Kardashians.

@DB .. the imagery of God sitting on high deciding who is and isn't rich is quite the vision. As Amy suggests, one could turn it into a great reality show. I would also suggest that most rich people don't credit God for being rich (yes, there are a few rapper exceptions). Rather, I would suggest that they would thank extreme luck and perseverance. Likewise, I don't believe the poor drop to the floor and praise the Lord for being poor. It is more likely the poor pray for a way out of that man-made reality.

Ursula - could not agree with you more. The GOP has become something unrecognizable. Since the far right religious fanatics are now in control of the party it is - to me - not even a party worth watching any more. I truly believe in the separation of church and state. My religious views should not be part of the equation. When we look at countries who have allowed religion to control their politics - without exception - those countries have failed. I believe in a higher power but that belief is separate from my politics. We need to step back and realize that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and we should respect those beliefs. But, they should not be the yardstick we judge our politicians by. I want good people but I don't care if they are Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Buddist, etc. I want them to be good leaders and have values.

Amy - Jealous? - not that I agree with them, but a lot of people watch that stuff.

RedDevPS

If God is the creator, then he has the power over everything. Throughout both the new and old testaments, his intervention has been recorded. You don't have to be a Christian to act as an agent of God. Nor does following reading and following all the do's and don'ts make them an agent of God.

Damn, dude, Captain Kangaroo and 60's folk music all in the same day! Ya gotta love it!!!

Dunno what the point spread was, but I think Casey covered in '06!

Here I am, on a break from work, reading FR, and listening to Pink Floyd ("Comfortably Numb" is playing) and then it hits me--the whole GOP field leaves me uncomfortably numb.

Job1, poor Sarah, empty theaters, no one cares any more. My money says FOX News won't be renewing her contract this year.

run-like-hell, perfect description of what voters feel about the GOP field of wannabees!

If we're going to 60's music hows about the Who's "Tommy" - Deaf, Dumb and Blind - kind of sez it all about today's GNOP...

And lets keep up the music with a little ditty from 10 years after: Tax the rich, feed the poor, until there are no poor no more.

works for me!

Thanks Steeler Fan, appreciate the congrats and good thoughts. Keep up the good posts. Have a Happy New Year - it will be a wonderful New Year if we can defeat some of these crazy neocons and teabaggers, especially here in Tennessee where the gop has managed to population shift in order to caputre this once great state. I'd love to see billiebob haslem be a one termer and have to go back to running things a Pilot Oil!

I will have you know Howdy Doody was a very open minded, classy dummy! No way he could be related to the one currently in the GOP field.

Have you Googled "Santorum"?

Does 'Santorum' mean he comes from a long line of

Sanatorium

managers or occupants??

He's a Regressive, not a Conservative

@ Biggins he is a conservative Catholic not a fundamentalist Christian. There is a difference. Just saying.

Good Morning my dear friend Nash!

Thank you for sharing the Stevenson quote...

If there was ever a time in history, where it is MORE appropriate it would be NOW!

It explains why I have never been a fan of boxed cereals... ;o)

Another one of my favorite Stevenson quotes....

"I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them. " ~Adlai Stevenson

Hey there Feisty . . . I want you to know that your "Why not Captain Kangaroo?" line made me literally laugh out loud this morning . . . now THAT should be the new slogan for the GOP right there! :o)

That's another great Cynthia's Point . . . thanks for sharing!

Nashville, your comments immediately brought to mind a line I saw last night over @ Huffington Post:

I'm Ron Paul and I'm cuckoo for cocoa puffs.

Nashville, Please note; Adlai Stevenson got his heine kicked TWICE while running for President against Ike in '52' and '56.' Would, therefore, anyone really care about what he had to say regarding the "merchandising" of Presidential candidates?.....Nah

ROFLMFAO

...and it would be no more "reckless" to have Sarah Palin in the executive branch of our government, than it is to have a man as President who's best friend is serving ten years in federal prison for political racketeering (Tony Rezko), and another friend who was involved with a group that set off explosive devices in federal buildings, firebombed the private residence of a New York State Supreme Court Justice, and killed two security guards & a police officer during an armored car robbery (William Ayers).

J. Merle:

If all you have got to add to the conversation is some old Rezko crap, it would seem you actually should have stayed wherever you have been hiding all these months. . . I mean seriously, all of us know folks who have made bad choices . . . including every single candidate running for the GOP nomination.

You gots nothing, Merle . . . sad for you . . . but true! :o)

Nashville_fan

J. Merle:

........."If all you have got to add to the conversation is some old Rezko crap, it would seem you actually should have stayed wherever you have been hiding all these months. . . I mean seriously, all of us know folks who have made bad choices . . . including every single candidate running for the GOP nomination.

You gots nothing, Merle . . . sad for you . . . but true.........."

Ha HAAAAAAAAA, I got enough to make you stand up, take notice, and RESPOND to my post. That's MORE than enough to grab people's attention OUTSIDE of this message board too. The more people READ, and comprehend the breadth and depth of Obama's involvement with Rezko, and Ayers, the more people will start to take a second, good, hard, long look at this man who promised us "pie in the sky," but instead gave us pie in the face.

His economic policies have FAILED. His handling of Afghanistan has worsened the situation on the ground there. He didn't get us out of Iraq any faster than the law demanded, and as it turns out he takes money from people for whom he later does political favors. He dropped the public option from his health-care plan, and continued with corporate bail-outs after bad mouthing them all during his campaign.

LOL, when are you going to realize/admit that the greater good of Americans is more important than Barrack Obama's Presidency?

There is nothing more sad than someone who will continue to support an ineffective leader based upon age old social issues, rather than on his or her merits.

Stop being so selfish and immature, and think about the good of the country for once in your life.

.....and with that; have yourself a lovely New Year. Do some thinking over the holiday, and get honest with yourself.

J. Merle:

Happy New Year to you as well . . . and by the way . . . you came to my front porch with your no count comment about folks President Obama knows . . . not himself . . . so that my dear . . . is on you.

President Obama can only do so much . . . and what he COULD do he has done beautifully. . . one of the primary reasons that the Iraq deal was structured as it was is because of candidate Obama's withdrawal timetable that Iraq's President agreed with . . . much to the embarrassment of the Bush Administration that was still selling us the old "we can't cut and run" bull . . . they even put out the story at the time that Iraq's prime minister had been "mistranslated" . . . check it out for yourself . . .

So yeah . . . I have done my homework and I know that Tony Rezko ain't got a damn thing do with anything . . . so again I encourage you to up your game . . . or leave the playing field open for the big kids with something worthwhile to say.

Peace.

So yeah . . . I have done my homework

This is a classic example of WHY you are my mentor Nash!

J.Merle is out of Preparation H and itching for a argument... you just took the wind out of their sails!

♥♥♥ you GF!

Keep him! Another Republican idoit! Nancy Regan beside herself when she sees who this group is. And Bush Senior endourcing Romney? He is the best pick from a poor group. My Perry who is just Stupid in his comments. Bachman give us a break and let us know after this is over!

That was the funniest thing I have ever seen, Chuck Todd interviewing Trump! LOL!

Trump looked like a complete IDIOT! And a BIG BABY!

Trump: Wah, wah, wah...you're station called me...booohooo...I didn't call you

Chuck Todd:Ok....we called you...to discuss your LACK of debate candidates...

Trump: I am the best! I have the TOP rated show on NBC! Kiss my ring! I am doing you a favor by speaking on your lowly show Mr. Todd...I will take my GONG SHOW on the road with this type of disrespect!

Chuck Todd: (eyes rolling) yes, Mr.Trump...you are KING!

LOL! TRUMP's an idiot! Hope he get's in as a third party candidate!

Can't take my eyes off that train wreck!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

You should run for Congress. Smart American who needs to represent the common man

"if you can find any Dems who want their wives to be barefoot & pregnant and can afford to feed 11 children."

You just described a sizable chunk of Obama's base! Congrats! Except most of those "barefoot & pregnant" women with 11 kids aren't "wives". They're actually known as "babymommas", and , in addition to being barefoot, pregnant and single, they are also unemployed and uneducated. But you see, Obama is going to help them by continuing the old Dem tradition of duping them into thinking their plight is the fault of "greedy rich people" who fly in "corporate jets".

Damage,

Seriously, you are a very sick person and need professional help. This hate and rage you have inside is not a good thing. Seek help, soon.

Most likely listening to much to Lush Lintball.

Job1,

I think there is a serious mental flaw in Damage's make up. (And an addiction to the Lush probably doesn't help) I am sure there are some good institutions he could commit himself to for help!

Phinephancy,

So True. Major help is needed.

• Damage123 is angry because
• his boyfriends Newt and Rick Perry are losing badly....

Damage: And these "baby momma's" Just came about since Obama was elected? Puuuuleeeeese!

And unemployed and uneducated? Also since Obama was elected?

You guys are against abortion, as well as birth control, but Good LORD, don't help them feed those children! Oh and let's CUT more funding for education! Now that makes complete sense! (sarcasm)

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Careful Charlie........remember 1992. Bush Sr had just "won" the 1st Gulf War, and had something like a 90% approval rating in early 1991.

A little over a year later, he was applying for a hunting and fishing license on election day in Houston, while a little known Governor named Bill Clinton was giving his acceptance speech from the steps of the Statehouse in Little Rock.

Obama's re-election is not a "slam-dunk." The economy is in worse shape, and there are more people out of work now, than it was/than there were back in 1992.

I'm not saying I like any of them (The GOP Candidates).

But, I am saying that Obama doesn't have the kind of Presidential record that would "guaranty" his re-election.

So, be a little more humble when you talk about who's a "clown," and who will "never" get elected President.

Obama's re-election is not a "slam-dunk." The economy is in worse shape, and there are more people out of work now, than it was/than there were back in 1992.

I agree he's not a slam dunk -- but almost. The economy is turning around and most people still blame Bush for the bad economy. And -- Bush 41 had a real candidate running against him. This current bunch of Republicans is nothing but a collection of religious fanatics, has been hypocrites (Newt) morons (Perry) and outright crazies (Bachmann).

Charlie-1915998

Obama's re-election is not a "slam-dunk." The economy is in worse shape, and there are more people out of work now, than it was/than there were back in 1992.

I agree he's not a slam dunk -- but almost. The economy is turning around and most people still blame Bush for the bad economy. And -- Bush 41 had a real candidate running against him. This current bunch of Republicans is nothing but a collection of religious fanatics, has been hypocrites (Newt) morons (Perry) and outright crazies (Bachmann).

• !#64.2 - Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:45 AM EST

Again, carerful Charlie.......Obama's re-election is not even "almost" a slam dunk. The economy isn't expanding at a rate that is satisfactory to the American public; and, after three full years in office, I'm sorry Bro', but Obama owns it.

68% of the voting public think we're heading in the wrong direction. Reagan got away with blaming all "ill" on Jimmy Carter, because the economy improved during his first administration. That hasn't happened so far for Obama. Campaigning on the premise that everything bad is Bush's fault COULD backfire if the public doesn't see vast improvements between now and November.

Bush Sr tried the "we hate Jimmy Carter" approach himself, in 1992. It didn't work for him, for the same reason it might not work for Obama. The economy was bad and Carter wasn't running against him. (Just substitute Bush's name for Carter here)

What's more, you could compare this group of GOP candidates to that which the Democrats rolled out in 1992. If you remember, Paul Tsongas was the front runner over Jerry Brown, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, and Bill Clinton.

NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY took them seriously against Bush Sr....and there were a few gaffes that were just as noticeableas any we've seen from the Republicans this cycle. There was the Jennifer Flowers situation with Clinton, and the "restricted" private club that Brown accused Clinton of belonging-to.

The similarities between THAT election cycle and this one are striking.

First off, Bush Sr was an immensely popular President at one point in his first term, coming off a big win in the Gulf War.

Obama was also immensely popular early on, and is coming off of a big "win" by eliminating Osama Bin Laden.

We had troops overseas returning from what was then considered "long term" deployments in the Gulf region, just as we do now; and, the economy was in horrible shape. Unemployment was rising monthly in 1991/1992 just as it is now.

People tend to vote their wallets (remember, "its the economy, stupid"), and that could be Obama's undoing. You may think the GOP candidates are a bunch of clowns compared to Obama. But, that's exactly whate everyone thought about the Democrats in 1992 when compared to Bush Sr.

And finally, 2008 "Candidate Obama" spoke, and acted very differently from "President Obama" these last three years. He ditched the public option on his healthcare plan, and gave in to corporate bail outs after criticizing the Bush admin for promoting them. There are a good number of independents and liberals who might go third party this time around because of those, and other things that he flipped-flopped on.

So, I wouldn't be so sure about an "almost" slam dunk. The Repukes have at least two guys up there who could beat him.

Poor J. Merle, whatever will you do when the economy picks up? With what issue will you beat up Obama? I am sure you will think of something, because you have been against President Obama from the beginning. Just another patriotic American willing the President to fail, so you can replace him with a figure who looks more like you, or sounds more like you, or fits whatever image you have of a President more closely.

Amy B. Portland, ME

Poor J. Merle, whatever will you do when the economy picks up? With what issue will you beat up Obama? I am sure you will think of something, because you have been against President Obama from the beginning. Just another patriotic American willing the President to fail, so you can replace him with a figure who looks more like you, or sounds more like you, or fits whatever image you have of a President more closely.

• !

#94.4 - Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:05 PM EST

Poor little Amy. Unable to accept that the rest of society does not have to be in lockstep with her political agenda, and that people can formulate opinions about political leaders without "stereotyping" what they "should" look, and/or sound like.

But then again, the Obama camp. played the race card in 2008. So, why should we expect anything different in 2012?

I would be immensely happy if the economy turned around. In fact I have been waiting for three (3) years for that to happen, because Obama said his economic agenda was better than John McCain's.

So where is the sustained recovery? It's been three (3) years! When do we get less blaming of the previous administration, and more improvement from the current one?

Oh well, I guess I have no right to expect that, nor to criticize Obama for not making it happen. Nor, to speak out when a President FAILS to live up to his campaign bluster.

After all, we absolutely MUST be in lockstep with Amy's agenda or we are..........RACISTS.

Isn't that so, Amy?

Oh my, J. Merle, three years since the financial crisis that rivaled the stock market crash of 1928 and King Obama still hasn't returned us to the boom years of the Clinton presidency. Why doesn't he say "up up stick and at 'em!" like in the fairy tale?

In a recent mayoral race in Portland, candidates were asked how they saw their role as a leader. The first candidate said the mayor was freed from everyday responsibilites by the city manager, to concentrate on "branding" the city. The second candidate said the mayor is responsible for everything that goes wrong, including fixing our schools and the potholes. The winning candidate, however, said, if the schools are failing its everybody's job to fix them, not just the mayor's. The mayor sets the agenda, coordinates the efforts of all the community, and partners with other mayors of towns and cities, to learn from them and share resources. Who expects a President to personally fix potholes, or merely exist as a figurehead, as Republicans conceive the job?

To me, it's disingenuous to hold Obama responsible for our economic health, while claiming the solution is to shrink government and reduce the very same oversight that would have prevented the collapse in the first place. If you are a former Democrat, you should at least stay true to Democratic values, even if Obama isn't your cup of tea.

The Repukes have at least two guys up there who could beat him.

Two??? I'll give you Romney as a long shot but who's the other one? And believe me -- neither Newt nor Perry is that other one. And -- you're insulting Reagan by comparing him, in any way, to the republican clowns running today.

Take a look at these numbers.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/president_obama_vs_republican_candidates.html

Hey Nash!

Look who crawled out from under their rock?

None other than, our dear 'old friend' and Hillary groupie J-Merle!

Hope Santa brought you a new blow up doll (the old one surely has to be a mess by now)!

May your head not explode when 'huggy bear' is re-elected next year!

Happy New Year Honey!

Talk about a blast from the past, eh Feisty? :o)

It really is interesting to see the thought process folks go through though . . . President Huggy Bear, eh?

Priceless.

President Barack Hussein Obama for the win!

ah Feisty, I see you are just as disgusting, and just as crass as ever.

....."None other than, our dear 'old friend' and Hillary groupie J-Merle! Hope Santa brought you a new blow up doll (the old one surely has to be a mess by now)!"..........LOL, your nickname should be NASTY Redhead.

ROFLMFAO.....and if it weren't for Hillary, Obama's thumb-sucking foreign policy would consist of making apologies to all of the Arab nations who have kidnapped, or killed Americans in the last 30 years, and passing out lollipops to the Kim family in N. Korea.

My head certainly won't explode IF (and right now it's a much bigger IF than you are letting-on) Obama gets re-elected.

But, I can guaranty you this; with 68% of the population saying we are heading in the wrong direction and Obama's approval/DISapproval rating-ratio at a -1.6 THIS CLOSE to the Iowa caucuses, you need to be careful that your words don't come back to bite you in your rather POMPOUS ass.

Thanks for your New Year's wish, the same to you in return, along with a little piece of advice; don't let your "mouth" write a check, that your "backside" can't cash.

See you on inauguration day...or not. Ha Ha

:-)

Give it a rest Merle - you come here, call OUR President Huggy Bear, then have the balls to call ME crass?

LMFAO!

XOXO

Nasty Redhead!

Feisty & Nash---perhaps J Merle will inspire Republicans to have no solidarity and not accept their eventual nominee--it has worked so well for him/her.

Steeler Fan-380417

"........Feisty & Nash---perhaps J Merle will inspire Republicans to have no solidarity and not accept their eventual nominee--it has worked so well for him/her.....".

Ha Ha, there is the possibility that could happen, and it would of course favor Obama if it did. Especially since hard line conservatives don't like either Romney or Gingrich.

However, you cannot say that anything has worked for or against me personally, since I only opposed Obama's candidacy through one previous election cycle.

He's been in office for three (3) years now, and it is HIS record that will determine his fate. You give me far too much credit if you think someone like me has THAT much influence over how an election will turn out.

:-)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Give it a rest Merle - you come here, call OUR President Huggy Bear, then have the balls to call ME crass?

LMFAO!

XOXO

Nasty Redhead

• !#64.4 - Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:16 AM EST

Haaaaaaaa, give it a rest yourself Nasty-Red........what were some of the things you called Bush while HE was President? Not to mention that you feel it's okay to compare Rick Santorum to Captain Kangaroo.

Like I said, I don't care for him. But, let's face it, what's good for the goose is good for the gander...eh?

And YES, Ha Ha....you ARE crass and I'm not the only one on the board who thinks so....what was that little remark about a Hillary "blow up doll".......?

Ha Ha Ha Ha

Just keep these numbers in mind, NASTY RedNeck; 68%, and 48.4%. That's the percentage of Americans who think the country is heading in the wrong direction, and the percentage who DISapprove of Obama's job performance.

I think your'e just mad because the Huggy-Bear thing was funnier than hell.....ROFLMFAO

Merle - and none of the Americans polled think the GOP can do a better job - actually we know they can't do the job at all.

Merle - and none of the Americans polled think the GOP can do a better job

Bingo!!! The GOP hasn't had a new idea in 30 years. Tax cuts and deregulation are the causes of the current recession and they want more of them. Most Americans realize that voting for a Republican to fix this economy is like smoking to cure lung cancer.

So cliff -- you're assuming the teapublicans are going to hold the House? Don't bet too much on that.

That's a great point, Cliff. They don't seem to understand that the main priority now is to STOP Obama and the Dems socialistic agenda. Even if we lose the presidential election it's crucial that we make Obama as impotent as possible. Let's also not forget that it's always the 2nd term of a president that is full of scandal and uncovered corruption.

By the way, when will we see some updates on the Wisconsin budget battle on here? What's going on there? I heard someone say the other day that their budget is now balanced. Is this true, First Read people?

Ah .. these crybaby conservatives and the supposed free handouts. Do you mean free handouts like Social Security, which we pay into? Or that free handout like Medicare, which we pay into?

And boy, President Obama sure does know how to screw the American public by working to get ALL Americans insured. Wow, insurance for all .. what a way to screw over citizens of the country. Oh that's right, 'tis better to let folks fall into bankruptcy because of excessive medical bills. Tis better to let insured Americans pay for emergency room visits for the uninsured.

Spoken like a True cold-hearted TeaBagger Cliff , wakeup and see what has really wenton: Greedy Obstructionist Party, i.e. - teabaggers, Corporate America stopping him and congress from implemeneting jobs! WAKEUP!!!

Sheila

Just a small correction - Johnson is running as a "Libertarian" not as an "independent"....there willl be absolutely no room for a "moderate" like Huntsman on the Libertarian ticket.

Thank you for the correction, I wondered after I posted. So can Huntsman drop the GOP and run as an Independent?