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Subscribe to RSSRepublican heavy-hitters are calling for an end to fierce attacks centered on GOP presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney's career as a venture capitalist. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
Mitt Romney faces continued criticism over his refusal so far to release the names of his campaign “bundlers” -- the big money fundraisers who have helped him rake in tens of million dollars for his presidential race.
But two invitations to Romney private fundraisers, obtained by NBC News, reveal where many of them come from: big private equity firms.
It's the same corporate buyout industry where Romney, as chief of Bain Capital, made his personal fortune and which, in recent days, has become a campaign lightning rod.
Steve Schwarzman, co-chairman of the Blackstone Group, the biggest of all Wall Street private equity firms, is listed as the “event co-chair” at both Romney events, including one tonight in Palm Beach, FL that is expected to bring in over $1 million.
The invite for the event -- at the home of Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross -- states that event co-chairs are responsible for raising at least $50,000 a piece. (Other co-chairs include billionaire financier and Home Depot founder Ken Langone, sugar baron Pepe Fanjul, and energy executive Bill Koch, whose two brothers head Koch Industries.)
Schwarzman, whose firm has partnered with Bain Capital on deals since the 1980s, was dubbed by Fortune in a 2007 cover story as “The New King of Wall Street.” He also kicked off a firestorm two years ago, when he compared the battle over President Obama’s proposal to increase the tax rate paid by private equity partners to a “war” like “when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.” (Schwarzman later apologized for what he called “an inappropriate analogy.” )
NBC's David Gregory talks to TODAY's Matt Lauer about whether fierce attacks on Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney will backfire against his rivals or stop what seems to be Romney's inevitable march to the nomination.
But he is hardly the only Wall Street private equity baron that is bringing in large sums of cash for Romney’s campaign.
The invitation for another Romney campaign fundraiser -- slated for next Tuesday at New York’s Sheraton Hotel, and which a source tells NBC News is expected to bring in about $1.5 million -- lists Schwarzman and 23 others as “event co-chairs,” according to a copy the invite.
Of that total, 16 are from Wall Street private equity and venture capital firms, either as top executives, their lawyers, or lobbyists.
Among them: Wayne Berman, the Washington super-lobbyist (and Romney national finance co-chair) whose clients include Schwarzman’s Blackstone Group; Alex Navab, a top partner of KKR, another private equity powerhouse and the co-chief of its North American Private Equity portfolio; and Anthony Scaramucci, aka “The Mooch,” and chief of the Skybridge Partners hedge fund.
The invite also lists another 125 “event co-hosts” -- many of them also from Wall Street, including one notable name: Ed Conard, the former Bain Capital partner of Romney’s who attracted attention last summer after NBC News revealed a mysterious one million dollar donation to the Romney Super PAC that came from a Delaware limited partnership that was set up shortly before the donation was made -- and then shut down.
After a storm of criticism, and calls for a Justice Department investigation, Conard revealed himself to be the source of the donation.
The Romney campaign did not respond to an email request Thursday asking whether it intended to fully disclose the names of its bundlers. But in an email exchange over the subject last summer, Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for the campaign said: “We disclose all of the information about our donors as required by law and anyone who is interested can review it publicly. And, anyone wishing to donate to our campaign can do so at www.mittromney.com.”
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Willard - the best candidate private equity can buy! lol
Remember - Willard is just like us! ;o)))
Not only do I want to see Willard's tax returns, he can show us his birth certificate while he's at it!
Oh my!
President Obama only raises a measly $38,000 per plate!
You can attend a Mark in SoCal Will Save America Super PAC fund raiser for the small price of a bottle of something delicious.
I'm sure this story will play very well in Middle America. Yikes.
There's a reason WHY Mitt is getting the votes of the 1% across the board. He's one of 'em. And we all know it. It has zero to do with envy. You hear that? Zero.
It has more to do with - out of touch with we the people. Which Willard is.
And the plot thickens...
Feisty - I guess you are against support from private equity but you are ok with top hedge fund managers like George Soros.
Hi Pat!
I don't think we could ask for a better candidate then Willard!
Just imagine the debates! lol
I was wondering how long it would take before someone mentioned the Soro's boogeyman!
Oh, and, as usual you guessed WRONG!
I want the money OUT of politics PERIOD!
However, until campaign finance reform becomes a reality, we would be foolish to allow Karl Rove & the Koch Brothers do 70 mph while we do 55...
Hey Pat, Newsflash. Obama is one of 'em too.
This is just silly and the fact that you react to it, like it is only one side is just sad.
My suggestion is to let it go. Both sides will raise tons of money from rich people.
It sucks, but that's the way it works for now.
white... did yo know why wallstreet went on his side..because they knew he was going to win...
Think Progress:
As we’ve been noting, Mitt Romney’s economic plan calls for a massive tax cut for the rich, even while the plan would likely result in a tax increase on millions of middle class families. And as it turns out, Romney’s tax cuts for the rich would dwarf even those put in place by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, as Center for American Progress Director of Tax and Budget Policy Michael Linden noted:
Republican presidential candidate Romney’s plan for federal taxation begins with a hefty portion of Bush-era tax policy: Permanently extend all the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003, including those that mainly benefit the extremely wealthy. Then Romney layers on a heaping batch of new tax cuts for the rich, including a full repeal of the estate tax—which is currently paid by only the richest 0.14 percent of estates—and a massive corporate tax cut.
The result is a tax code that asks even less of the rich than George W. Bush’s did.
**************************
GOP supporters aren't going to care about this little fact. How unfortunate for the Nation. How unfortunate for working families. It's why we're in such a mess. GOP supporters don't give a hoot about the working class. If they did, they wouldn't DREAM of voting for Mitt.
................................"Is Mitt a Citizen"
Hey, conservatives, next time you start whining about "bundlers" and big money from banks for President Obama, remember four words--big private equity firms, then think of Mitt Romney, Mr. Vulture Capitalist.
WCA, elvis payne is absolutely right. It's a fact and there's records to show it. Big business gives some money to democrats but the lions share always goes to republicans--except when it looks like the democrat will win, then they give large donations--it's called hedging their bets and they're very good at hedging their bets.
Aren't WE, America, BEYOND this birth certificate paranoia. There are IMPORTANT issues which involve ALL of US like Saving America from a corporate police Slave State!!
If a Man or a Woman comes from ANYWHWERES and he/she is an important factor in saving our country, Short of an Armed revolution, then HELP US!!!
We have 40,000,000 guns in citizen hands and OUR PATIENCE has RUN OUT with the Republican"Free Market Capitalism" which is out and out Treason, Grandtheft AutoMATIC Stealing and Exploitation.
We all Need Help!!!!
the French Aristocaps thought IT couldn't happen, back in 1789, as they whimpered While the Guillotine Executioner Nuzzled their necks into THE MADAM's Lunette. and WHACK!!! 150,000 heads, Aristocrat Men,Women AND Their children were beheaded by the second year of The French revolution.
That CAN happen Here cops or no cops.
Pat Boston--no matter HOW much either party gives/takes away tax cuts for the wealthy, the fact is, the wealthy STILL pay for the bulk of our country's budget, while the bottom 50% pay NOTHING.
My home town's health clinic requires EVERYONE to pay something, on a sliding scale (the lowest amount being $1) because it reminds people that nothing is free forever.
And the fact that that same health clinic has a soda machine in its lobby that sells absolute LUXURY to those poor, shows that they have that $ to spend, but would prefer to spend it on empty calories/caffeine than on medical care.
Poor decisions on the part of the poor do NOT require bigger contributions by those who are already footing the majority of the bill.
And PS, I am NOT part of the 1%. I just was raised by responsible parents to not spend money you don't have. And to not expect someone else to do so FOR you.
Who didn't see this coming. Trying to stop Mitt from liquidating businesses and shipping American Jobs overseas would be like trying to stop George W. Bush from drilling for oil in Iraq -- It just ain't gonna happen because that's how those guys made their millions, and it's how they're going to make millions more in their future.
Mitt, the job cremator.
Obama / Biden 2012
The GOP primarys - The gift that keeps on giving!
I think it's time to invest in aluminum producers. There might be a tin foil shortage!
The voters with noseclips are consevatives...................
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
So you are saying it is only wrong when a political oponent does it. That seems to be typical of the liberal hypocrisy.
Is Mitt an 'anchor grandbaby'?
....show us the tax filings, Mitt!....What are you hiding? Did you pay those taxes...probably got a refund of some kind....Overseas accounts.....new houses (heck, you'll get a credit on that).....
Tax Attorneys...good!
Think Progress:
Today, 46.2 million Americans live in poverty and shell out a significant degree of their income to pay for basic needs like electricity, housing, and food. In 2008, 50.3 percent of poor households with children reported that they were unsure whether they could provide a meal each day. But census data revealed that safety net programs were instrumental in keeping vulnerable Americans afloat. The school lunch program saved 1.1 million Americans from poverty. Housing subsidies saved 2.6 million, and food stamps kept 5.1 million Americans above the poverty line. By ensuring that struggling families can afford basic needs, these programs protect and bolster the economic security needed to help Americans “get up the ladder.”
***************
And the GOP just wants to gut all these programs. America. What has happened? If you can't or aren't succeeding, too bad. That's today's message.
Now is this anyway to treat OUR children? No it isn't.
Big money backs Romney because they don't want higher taxes on their bonus income. Big money backs President Obama because it means opportunity when new infrastructure projects are approved. One way or another, GREED wins. "Republicans think the Democrats are fools, and Democrats think the Republicans are evil". Pick your poison. I, for one, will never vote for evil.
Big money backs Obama too. He was getting $45,000 at two events yesterday and I suspect he his raising more money than Romney on his daily campaign tours.
I'm hoping this field of Republicans all stay in for the long haul, and not curb their attacks on Mitt. It's fun to watch.
Hey Chilled is yomama a citizen? Everyone critisizes Mitt but I dont here anyone get angry and to show outraged on SOLYNDRA and our tax $$$$$$$$$ being flushed down the toilet and also the CEO are getting bonuses on our dime. A lot of hypocricy and double standards by the media and on this panel. Newt attacks well he should be a shamed of himself, he talks about RONALD REAGAN and yet he broke the #1 code THAT YOU DONT ATTACK YOUR FELLOW GOP.! Newt is a hypocrite , and he stooped into the lowest level of vindictive,childish morons. The LEFT also are no better.
Romney ... candidate of, for and by, the 1% ... while the war of the 99% rages outside *The Quiet Room* ...
Let them eat cake.
LOL.
Sadly, none of you understand why private equity companies are so important.
Take Hostess that now is filing for bankruptcy. They employ 19,000 union workers. Who steps up to help them? Seriously, who ? Should the government come in and save this company like it did GM? Will you support this? How about Solyndra? What about those jobs ? If not the government, then the private sector looking for an investment is the savior.
The ONLY avenue of pursuit is to entice private equity to step up and look at the failing picture and then do whatever is necessary to put the company back on track. That most likely will mean heads will roll, but it also means heads at the top roll as well. That is what Bain Capital was all about. Sometimes after hiring these equity firms it is learned that not much is going to help. So they get their fee and the business closes down. Sometimes the fat is trimmed, which means expenses and jobs and then the company like GM is allowed to make a go of it again. Now GM is hiring again. That scenario happens in the private sector as well. The ONLY difference between what Mitt did and what Obama did with GM was that Mitt used private money and Obama used taxpayer money to trim the fat and let bondholders take it on the chin. The union wages were cut as were the benefits. THERE WAS NO CHOICE.
Educate yourselves before it is too late and NOBODY invests their money in any business here in the US.
So many! Usually, like the nature of Jackals, "Nabobs" are sly and shy. Must think they have found a source of bootleg halos 80 percent below wholesale.
Source please for that figure, otherwise we'll assume you are just making sh!t up...
Like every other card carrying right wing troll.
Ron Paul is the Alternative to Romney and Obama.... you know that the big banks are hedging their bets on both! look who the top contributors are on the campaigns (GOLDMAN SACS IS IN THE TOP FOR BOTH ROMNEY AND OBAMA) just take a look at anyone's financing at opensecrets.org. however Ron Paul's are the various branches of the military and mostly made up of small contributions .....Wake up America. Paul is grass roots financing... I am one of them with my measily contribution, but the point is the people are supporting them.... who here is supporting Romney personally with their finances? He not only took 2nd in the repulican side of the new hampshire primary, but Ron Paul also took 2nd on the democratic side as well. He can win this election....He is true change for the people. He stands for US. The revolution is not going away and we will not stand for the status quo BS anymore!
Occupy the Willard Campaign!
My Fellow Americans,
The US is spending 8 Billion dollars a WEEK just paying the interest on our national debt. President Obama and the rest of the GOP candidates offer NOTHING as far as real cuts go, except one man. That one man purposes to cut 5 massive government bureacracies, and bring our troops HOME! We don't need our soldiers policing the whole world! IF we get anyone of these big government types in office again, this recession will become a DEPRESSION the likes you've never seen before. If you believe in the CONSTITUTION, and I certainly do, there's only one candidate to vote for...
RON PAUL 2012
This is exactly why everyone needs to join the Popular Amendment Movement at www.faircampaignreform.us and get thousands of these petitions filled and filed with YOUR Secretary of State. The Election/Campaign Finance Reform constitutional amendment is the ONLY way that we will ever accomplish any kind of real reform and get this kind of corporate money out of politics.
Don't just sit here at your keyboards complaining. Get involved at the local, county, and state levels and finally get the two amendments into the hands of your Secretary of State. I've been asking all of you to do this since the summer of 2010, shortly after I helped finalize the petitions and create the website.
Should not the question and/or problem be not just who and from whom all these obscene amounts of money are being raised, but how to stop it? The old "let's get the money out of politics" line seems more and more apropros
$50,000 vs $ 35,000 is not much difference . Warren Buffet and the 1% Obama supporters can buy a ticket for more then that. Is hypocrisy that Obama is not ally of Wall Street, his attach to the rich is just politics, he love Marta's Vineyard and spend time with the rich and famous and receive money from them.
So I guess Obama only has poor people contributing to his campaign. Not!!!
America-where the government controls the people and wall-street controls the government.
I understand obamas fumd raising is far outpacing the republicans, wonder how close to a $billion war chest obama will get?
Last count on bloombergTV in december 42 billionaires were supporting the republicans and 30 billionaires were supporting obama.
Hey Don... little buddy.. where did you go?
We are still waiting for the source of your inflated numbers....
Only in ConservatiVille is a THIRD not much of a difference! lmao!
And the right wingers want to put these mathematically challenged morons back in CONTROL?
Jody & Pat from Boston - Republicans don't care, because before Mitt officially announced his run for president - all that money was going to Obama.
Because you all are so detatched from the real world of business let me help. Business people work in one of four models or a combination of the models
From 2008 - to October 2011 the lions share of wall street money went to Obama. Now it is headed to Romney and the Republicans. This isn't about corruption, it's them voting for the candidate that would give them better conditions for them to grow. If they don't grow you and I go hungry.
Willard is F***D now ... psycho-sister Palin smelled a buck and has now come out to beat-up on the Mittens ... LOL
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/01/12/403173/palin-slams-romney-bain/?mobile=nc
PALIN ~
"I think what governor Perry is getting at is that governor Romney has claimed to have created 100,000 jobs at Bain and people are wanting to know, is there proof of that claim?
And was it U.S. jobs created for United States citizens … You know, own up to the claims that are being made.
And that’s fair. That’s not negative campaigning. That’s fair to get a candidate to be held accountable to what’s being claimed.
Nobody should be surprised that things about Bain Capital and maybe tax returns not being released yet and records not being as transparently provided to the public as voters deserve to see right now — don’t be surprised that that’s all coming out today, cause it would come out as an October surprise [by Democrats] had these GOP candidates candidates not brought them out today"
@piegan
Give it a rest goober. At least they're trying. What's your excuse? The GOP/tp has done NOTHING to try to move this country forward. They're all hat and zero cattle.
Please folks.... let us look and just a few folks that are funding Obama's attempt to get reelected:
FRANKLIN RAINES? was a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fannie Mae
Raines now works for the Obama Campaign as his Chief Economic Advisor.
TIM HOWARD? was the Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae.
Howard is now a Chief Economic Advisor to Obama under Franklin Raines.
JIM JOHNSON? A former executive at Lehman Brothers and who was later
forced from his position as Fannie Mae CEO
Johnson was recently hired as a Senior Obama Finance Advisor and was selected to
run Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee.
Kinda makes you sick to your stomach, doesn’t it? (unless you are an obdurate libbie)
this administration seems to be rotten to the core !
Romney/Rubio 2012!
You can bet the "Vulture" talk by the other candidates will cease forthwith. All republicans know when to hush by whomever tells 'em.
Typical one sided reporting from MSNBC. What they fail to mention is that Obama is also receiving large sums of money from bundlers in the financial industry. This is not something that is just Romney or just the Republicans, the Democrats including Obama also raise large sums of money in this same way from many people in this industry. Just once I would like to see a balanced piece of reporting from any news source that acknowledge these facts. Big money controls politics on both sides of the aisle.
People have been voting for Coke or Pepsi for so long now, they just might be interested in another flavor.
For that, they vote for Ron Paul, who hasn't changed his recipe or packaging since he's been on Capitol Hill.
You want more of the same crap, continue voting yourt party line, since it's worked out so well for the country.
stupidity is one of two things we see most clearly in retrospect, The other is missed chances. Carrot top can't be helped (stupid and stubborn are a dangerous combo). But if you can't recognize obama's failed leadership by now, shame on you! Obama has lied to you for almost 3 years now and today he is asking for another $1 trillion plus (again he needs to borrow?) to keep his bloated Fed going.... do you really, really want to see 4 more years of his crap? I'm pretty sure you don't if you are even marginally informed on what's going on right under your nose!
For me it is Romney 2012.... but honestly there are several candidates out there that can't cause the damage already done by this administration! Let's work for Real 'Change and Hope'!
This president, according to all reports, will raise and spend a record amount of money in the hopes that some people will be persuaded by the amount of crap thrown at them. Yet the liberals on this site are upset that Romney is getting money from Wall Street types, though they never seemed able to raise their ire when Obama was getting, and still is getting, the tens of millions that Wall Street gives him. For Romney it's all about the 1% (which is a stupid construct anyhow brought to us by these pathetic progressives), but when Obama does the same, and in fact does it more, well then it's all about helping the little guy.
You progressives are pathetic, truly. For you this is about a cult of personality, not about good public policy. Money in politics is not a problem. Money from Wall Street in politics is not a problem either. What is a problem in politics are the kinds of people above, starting with the incredibly dense, but rapidly typing, Feisty, as well as all her sychophants below. You want different standards to apply to different people for the same action. You want free stuff paid for by others. You are what some of our founders warned about having discovered you can vote yourselves other people's money. Our republic will die if your ideas are allowed to prevail.
Feisty,
From your own Chicago Sun-Times, dated two days ago: "As previously disclosed in earlier reports here, Obama keynotes a $35,800-per couple dinner at the North Side home of media mogul Fred Eychaner, a major donor to Democratic organizations, campaigns and "SuperPacs," the third party groups playing a role in the 2012 campaigns." -- Obviously most people go to these things as couples, thus $71,600 to attend a dinner at which Obama speaks.
ht tp://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2012/01/obama_campaign_new_fund-raisin.html
And from our very own MSNBC: "Jon Corzine, now the center of an FBI investigation into the handling of hundreds of millions of dollars invested in his securities firm, was one of the leading Wall Street fundraisers for President Obama’s campaign and suggested to investors that he might take a top administration post if the president were re-elected."
"A recent list of top “bundlers” or elite fundraisers released by Obama’s campaign listed Corzine in the highest category -- reporting that he had raised more than $500,000 for the campaign. A substantial chunk of those funds were collected at a $35,800 per ticket fundraiser that Corzine hosted at his wife’s spacious Fifth Avenue apartment last April -- an event that was touted at the time as part of a concerted effort by the president’s campaign team to reach out to well-heeled Wall Street donors who had been alienated by some of his policies and previous public comments."
"Just a few months after that event, Corzine’s firm, MF Global, surprised many Wall Street investors by issuing highly unusual securities notes that appeared to highlight Corzine’s close relationship with the White House: The notes suggested that the former New Jersey governor might be in line for a top administration post should the president get re-elected.
The notes promised to pay an extra 1% in interest rates in the event of “the departure of Mr. Corzine as our full time chief executive officer due to his appointment to a federal position by the President of the United States and his confirmation…by the United States Senate prior to July 1, 2013.”
Some veteran Wall Street analysts said they couldn’t recall ever seeing such a contingency written into securities notes. “It was bizarre,” said Christopher Whalen, a Wall Street analyst."
ht tp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/02/8599414-corzine-top-obama-fundraiser-under-fbi-investigation
And from the Washington Post:
"Obama retains a core group of supporters on Wall Street who are central to his fundraising efforts. About a third of his top 40 fundraisers, who have helped bundle together $500,000 or more in contributions, hail from the finance sector, including big names such as former New Jersey governor , John S. Corzine of MF Global, hedge-fund manager, Orin Kramer and UBS executive Robert Wolf. Obama’s chief of staff, William M. Daley, was also vice chairman at J.P. Morgan Chase before coming to the White House this year."
"Obama has brought in more money from employees of banks, hedge funds and other financial service companies than all of the GOP candidates combined, according to a Washington Post analysis of contribution data. The numbers show that Obama retains a persistent reservoir of support among Democratic financiers who have backed him since he was an underdog presidential candidate four years ago. "
"Obama’s fundraising advantage is clear in the case of Bain Capital, the Boston-based private-equity firm that was co-founded by Romney, and where the Republican made his fortune. Not surprisingly, Romney has strong support at the firm, raking in $34,000 from 18 Bain employees, according to the analysis of data from the Center for Responsive Politics."
"But Obama has outdone Romney on his own turf, collecting $76,600 from Bain Capital employees through September — and he needed only three donors to do it."
ht tp://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-has-more-cash-from-financial-sector-than-gop-hopefuls-combined-data-show/2011/10/18/gIQAX4rAyL_story.html
Ouch, hey Feisty? LOL!!!! Let me know when your head stops spinning. Ah, liberals. LOL.
American Girl-724855
Who didn't see this coming. Trying to stop Mitt from liquidating businesses and shipping American Jobs overseas would be like trying to stop George W. Bush from drilling for oil in Iraq -- It just ain't gonna happen because that's how those guys made their millions, and it's how they're going to make millions more in their future.
Mitt, the job cremator.
Obama / Biden 2012
But no outrage over Immelt? Interesting.
Yeah, we all know big business is funding Romney. Lets see a balanced article looking at both sides.
What about Obama? He and the DNC raised $240 million in 2011 alone and only 40% of that came from "small donors," which often means those donating less than $1000. That means 60% of it came from large corporate donors and PACs. Campaign contributions for the dem president campaign are expected to exceed $1 BILLION!!! When I first heard that I was amazed, and no it's not reported from FOX News but USA Today!! Revised figures for the last presidential election indicate that only ~ 25% of donations were from "real" small donors.
Point being: Both parties are bought and paid for by the large corporations. Think about it... If you get $600 Million would you be telling those donors that you are voting against them??? The funny part is that they then write those donations off on their taxes.
This weasel will be the GOP nominee and he sure is more of the political excrement that we saw for 8 years before President Obama. Stop kissing the feet of the 1% as they haven't created a job in 4+ years. As for the banksters jumping on the Romney bandwagon, what do we expect.
We'll need Bernie Sanders in 2016
I am not a big Romney fan but if he is the GOP nominee he will easily earn my vote. Who could be worse than Mr. Obama? I wasn't old enough to vote for or against Carter, but even Carter imo would be better than this president.
These claims that Romney destroys jobs is pathetic. Not because it's wrong to make that claim--he helped to PRIVATELY create far more jobs than he axed. It's pathetic because it typifies the left's lack of economic literacy. The entire concept of economic liberty is that some firms will fail because they are mismanaged. There is no way to avoid this reality unless you are willing to subsidize mismanaged firms so they can continue to exist--GM and Chrysler are two good examples, but AIG probably matters even more.
The left wants to pick winners and losers, to spend tax money to help one firm, or one sector, win. This will always fail as policy. And for the simplest of reasons. The only way it could possibly work is if you believe those in government are smarter and wiser at risking your money than you are. And what I just wrote will fly about four feet above the head of every liberal who reads it.
Hi Mike,
I'm willing to admit error here, but I don't think political contributions are tax deductible. I've been a candidate for state office so the rules might be different than the feds, but the law in my state specifically notes that contributions are not tax deductible. Do you have information to the contrary?
Why is anyone surprised by this? The man is a Republican for heavens sake. Obama may get some corporate contributions, I am not denying it. As long as the Supreme Court says a limit on donation amounts is a limit on free speech there is nothing we 99%ers can do. But I bet the President gets fewer coporate donations than Milt, so I am still voting for Obama
Its a bit academic anyway, unless we get rid of our do nothing Congress. Obama kept his promise to get our troups out of Iraq, I don't trust Milt not to launch a "Pax Americana" first chance he gets.
Hi Lizabeth,
I'm not surprised by your post at all. You clearly state that your vote is based upon belief, not fact. Brilliant.
It does not matter who raises what,Just the fact that obama will be gone from destroying this great country will be enough for the intelligent majority to vote correctly.
Now, being fair and impartial, tomorrow NBC is going to detail for us where all of Obama's hundreds of millions of camapign contributions are coming from......aren't they????
"Everyone critisizes Mitt but I dont here anyone get angry and to show outraged on SOLYNDRA and our tax $$$$$$$$$ being flushed down the toilet and also the CEO are getting bonuses on our dime. A lot of hypocricy and double standards by the media and on this panel."
@Piegan - tech development isn't ever assured or in layman's terms ya gotta break a few eggs learning how to make omelets. Yes, alternative energy ventures can be risky and that can be frustrating because of the hype but then this failure was also over hyped as a partisan bit of misdirection too. Lets put aside for the moment that the Solyndra loan comprises just 1.3% of DOE’s overall loan portfolio - not a fun loss but not nearly the end of the world or hand wringing story your exclamation points make it out to be. OR perhaps, if you prefer to make a big deal out of it for one more cry, then we can BUT we should keep it real - don't miss it was the previous administration that put the DOE loans in motion for SOLYNDRA "on your dime" (how angry will you be when you learn your placing the blame at this admin is only because you're oblivious to or cherry picking facts?). How about more reading & fact checking & less pitchfork shaking about every big or little thing because you're told you should be angry at Obama? If really so hung up on this loan you might take in more FYI:
"Bush Administration Advanced Solyndra Loan Guarantee for Two Years, Media Blow the Story -
It’s often claimed that the Solyndra loan guarantee was “rushed through” by the Obama Administration for political reasons. In fact, the Solyndra loan guarantee was a multi-year process that the Bush Administration launched in 2007. "
And (FYI) the loan program (law) itself created for that market was Bush championed and endorsed & signed into law as the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Sorry if that's politically inconvenient fact but FYI details & facts cleared up here:
preview.tinyurl.com/63f3at9
Whoops.
Hey, I don't have as much of a problem with people pumping in the money... I have a major problem with transparency (not know who is pumping in the $).
Sorry I question the 5 Justices who delivered the decision that MONEY IS SPEECH.
" but the president get
fewercorporate donations "Lizabeth
He also get corporate donations and with that put him in a worst situation, because he portrait himself has the enemy of the corporation and champion of the poor. The return of the troops from Iraq was the plan from Bush the difference is that with his plan the situation in Iraq is even worst , who cares right?
In Afghanistan we have so many dead soldiers that Washington Post stop putting the numbers like they did with Bush, because Obama surpass the number of casualties. Where is the pink code, is the war over?
Obama follow Bush to keeping GITMO open, Obama approve the surge of troops in Afghanistan when before was against , flip flopping to the Bush policies. George Soros purchase 60 millions in stock of Halliburton and now still continue working with Obama. 3 trillions in debt and the porkimulus never create permanent jobs , it went to the hand of companies like Solyndra. You can vote for Obama because your vote is a partisan vote, not because he is doing a good job.
The 99% is a myth is just propaganda an slogan , created for people who want to divide this country with the class warfare , promoted for Obama and the Democrats for political gain. We will never have one nation under God with Obama in the White House.
This "great country" most likely elected Al Gore as President in Election 2000 in an election that was too close to call without serious and time consuming recounts. My God, how could the Republic survive without a decision before Jan. 20 in the new year? We can thank Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris for coming to the rescue by obscuring the many flaws and outright criminal election processes in Florida that threw a national election in limbo.
It was unfair to consider the influence of a disputed nominee by his younger brother and Florida Governor or Florida Secretary of State that also happened to be G.W.'s Florida campaign manager. Only a fool and partisan hack would question their patriotism and loyalty to the electorate in seeking an impartial solution to this dilemma despite their obvious actions to do such that.
Their successful actions resulted in a partisan USSC appointing the President of the United States for the first time in American history. What was the rush? They could have appointed the current sitting President as interim President for the next 30, 60 or 90 days until the smoke cleared and a reasonable recount assured the choice of the American people was honored.
We have been screwed, tattooed and unglued since that day. The Republican field of clowns seeking the Presidency today only reinforce that theory. They promised jobs, jobs, jobs in their quest for power in 2010, only to immediately give up that quest in demands of balancing the budget on the backs of those least able to do so. They demand a return to power while promising to uphold the very same policies of their last administration that declared deficits don't matter.
Only a fool would follow the lead of known liars. Will this great nation be lead by liars and their fools or patriotic Americans willing to work hard to bring this nation back to her feet once again? Election 2012 will tell that tale.
Wow, the good ole boy Plantation owners are alive and well and posting on Newsvine. Very transparent aren't you fellas?
thturd
I'm sure you're just as angry that speech comes from the goonions
unionsmoney too, right?Commonsense101
Hmmmm, you may want to read up on the "Revolution of 1937" if you want to see when our Republic truly became unglued. I think even someone like you will be shocked.
But then again, your penchant for only living in recent history may disprove that.
I try to see Romney as a President and it doesn't fit. He looks, spells, and acts like a corporate errand boy.
Mitt, he reminds me of a car salesman (no offense to the car salesmen and women out there). Will tell you anything to get you in the car and make his commission.
Hey First Read, why are a majority of the comments collapsed while they are on point with the content. They are also not any less condescending or bashing the FRH is against the "right wing nut jobs".
You really are starting to show your unbiased nature (not like we didn't already know) do yourself a favor...at least make the attempt to look like both sides can talk in here and collapse the lefties as well.
I find it entertaining that all these "libs" can complain about where Romney is getting his campaign money while it was just announced that Obama raised $68 million last quarter (as reported by MSNBC). I know that money didn't come from poor people and middle class....the problem is, Obama won't release the source of that funding. So, the "journalists" at MSNBC write a story intended to be negative against Romney for getting alot of money from wealthy people and rather than asking Obama to reveal where his cash came from, they praise him for raising so much of it! Once again, typical liberal hypocrisy!
jwilson1234, you beat me to it. It's pure liberal hypocrisy, total ignorance or complete naivety; I haven't figured out which. I'm willing to bet most of them believe that $68 million all came from "small donations" from "regular people."
FreedomRingsLoud, Are you suggesting that I should live in past history? Should I dress in period clothes and drive a '32 Packard everyday? Do you? My wife would likely have me committed to a mental institution. I hardly need a stranger to tell me of any "penchants" that I may have.
My knowledge of American history came from my own fascination with subject since 5th grade. Most of us excel in subjects that hold our greatest interest(as did I). Reciting words spoken by talking heads (that push their own political agenda) does not make one an historian or capable student of American history.
Rich > The trick is how the donation is made. If directly to the individual candidate then often it's not deductible. When younger I was involved in political fund raising and was amazed as how one could steer donations to make them tax deductible. Many political groups have wings or affilitated associations that are non-profit and tax deductible. These groups often provide voter registration support to the poor or buses to vote for the elderly. They also provide education on enviromental issues, which can include saving whales or promoting how pumping oil saves the enviroment. They can also engage in lobbying activities, hold dinners where politicians are invited/paid to speak to provide education on a certain topic (say global warming), etc. Gotta love our system!
OH MY !!!
Republican people raising money for a Republican candidate! What next?
$50,000 versus $38,000? Both per plate costs are absurd, don't you think?
Oh, I don't know, Candice. I was pretty amused by the Jim Messina video email. He whined over raising just $68 million this quarter. Seems they have to give $24 million to the DNC. (why did I think they were going halfsies? Oh, well.)
First Read is shocked- SHOCKED!- to discover there is money raising going on.
I wonder what they think Branjolina was doing at the White House today? Giving him bracket advice?
Still reading your beloved Tiger Beat eh... Donna?
Most woman grow out of it by their early teens...
Hey, NoJoe.
Grass roots organizations like major law firms, all the organized unions, millionaire celebrities, hedge funds and hedge fund managers, General Electric. There must be a new definition of "grass roots" and my dictionary hasn't been updated.
You are correct Candice and this BS of Romney not naming his bundlers, give me a break, this is only the primary and Obama still hasn't told the investigators where his money came from last election some three + years ago. We should be so lucky as to only have it being collected by US bundlers, union bosses, oh and of course Soros and gang. How many other presidential candidates have turned down the public money so they don't have to tell where their money is coming from?
I'm thinking that they were looking at the turn out in Iowa and New Hampshire- and not liking what they saw.
True, Obama was running unopposed- but that did not stop them from urging people to get out there and vote- or caucus- for him.
People stayed home in droves. Not particularly motivated.
The media keep telling us what a huge email list Obama has. Well, I hate to break it to them, but I'm on it, as are a number of my family and friends who would only vote for Obama leaving the country- permanently. I'm on it, by the way, because I sent an email to my rocket scientist congressional representative urging him to vote "NO" on an Obama initiative. He sent me an email thanking me for my support- and forwarded my name to OfA.
I'm just guessing, but I think about thirty percent of the people on that email list are opponents.
So, their grass is pretty green-as in cash- but the weeds are overtaking the lawn.
Hey Candice ... how are you ... continuing with last night ... not really much there on Bain other than they charged more for their services than the going rate. It's a subject I will leave to Romney's primary opponents.
The one thing that could be damaging, and we will never know because it is a private equity firm is, whether Bain Capital was playing with GoldmanSacks insuring sovereign debt.
Well no jo, no bo.....
Did you contribute when the email arrived?
I did - in Donna's name! ;o)
Hey, ideologyspoils. -- I know! I looked, too. If Bain had been a publicly traded company, I suppose more information would be available. Sadly, since the interesting information is too hard to sort out, the conjecture and supposition will just continue....leaving those who prefer to base opinions on fact simply frustrated.
Candice,
"$50,000 versus $38,000? Both per plate costs are absurd, don't you think?"
That's a meal I would eat slowly! Very slowly! So slowly my stomach would ache waiting for the food to reach it!
In 2008, Bain employees contributed 1.47 million to both parties. 2/3 of that money went to elect democrats. So if their money is so evil, then give it back.
Candice ... but this is politics and Romney is not wanted by his party. In the next several days he will be viscerated. I expect a brokered convention and a dark horse to emerge. It would send the left scrambling but in the meantime we are loving it.
My contribution? Allowing them to continue to waste their money keeping me on their list.
They've got a really fancy little system set up- costs about thirty bucks per name to admin. a huge chunk of those names are people like me- so I'm thrilled to pieces that they are wasting all that money.
Obama shelved in 2012- and Dollars to Donors goes with him.
NoJo .... poets???
For 2012 IT IS Class WARFARE. And there are a Heck of alot more "little people" WITH BIG GUNS ready to fight the BushInc. 1% "free Market Capitalism" Crooks, thieves and Police State Exploiters.
This is going to be a freedom call for ALL Americans.
Is "viserated" anything like "eviscerated"?
In case you hadn't noticed, Romney won both Iowa and New Hampshire- first time for a non-incumbent. He will will South Carolina and Florida- and, folks, that's all she wrote.
The whole brokered convention meme was started by liberals, for liberals- in another lame effort to help Obama win another term.
No sale.
Obama shelved in 2012- and Dollars to Donors goes with him.
Mickey - both camps shared the same menu of beanies and weanies :-)
NoJo ,,, perhaps poetesses?
re spelling mistakes, I have a 132lb landseer (dog) sitting on my lap trying to lick the screen :-)
Oh and your man likes John Bolton ... now this guy sends shivers throughout the western world.
Very slowly, Mickey. Still, I think of swallowing $50,000 and I think I need a TUM's.
Ideologyspoils,
There's not huge enthusiasm for Mr. Romney, true. But that's because there's too many in the mix. Once a nominee is nominated, we'll rally around whoever it is. Change will be our motivation regardless, I'm sure.
Candice,
Up in Montreal we say plus sa change, moins sa change.
... and your take on Americans Elect?
ideologyspoils,
Ah. I tried learning a little French. Puis je avoir une autre fourchette.....is all I know.
I'm glad Bachmann is out. I'll be glad when Perry is gone.
I liked the charisma and enthusiasm of Cain. Romney seems presidential and I like his focus on the economy -- and his speech the other night was perfect. I like Newt's old fashioned common sense. I like Huntsman's middle of the roadness (I know that's not a word). My ideology aligns closest with Ron Paul....which is very, very surprising to me. If we could them all in a blender.....
Sorry, but Bain made a bet buying a company just as Sears did with buying Kmart and countless other business deals by businesses. Some of these deals turn profitable. Others go bad. In the case of Kmart it has gone so bad that it is ripping the buying company apart as well.
So does anyone have the crystal ball that says if Bain had not bought those companies that they would have lasted any longer before going under? Can anyone here say that maybe in the end they kept those people employed a little longer? I don't think so. It was a business deal that didn't end well. If all business deals ended well OWS would have nothing to complain about since all the jobs lost over the recession would not have been lost since the business was still going well.
Candice,
All in a blender is not going to happen and great leaders are rare. You will have to live with what you get,
I asked your take on Americans Elect ... they are halfway to being on the ballot in every state and they will get there.
Where's Mittens long form birth certificate? Why hasn't he released it to the public yet? What's he hiding?
ideologyspoils.
Sorry I misunderstood your question.
Americans Elect? I just skimmed the website and don't know much about it. Looks interesting, though. I'll look into it further and let you know!
The bottom line being that it really doesn't matter who donates what amount to whom. What it boils down to is what each party has planned for the little people if they win. Money isn't going to buy this election either way. The lesser of the two evils will win this one and by a very large margin I'm betting.
I want to show you something...it's my shocked face...
...WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH?!
Mitt Romney = Edward Lewis...without the prostitute, of course.
Pay attention to the guest list...these are the folks who would be writing the legislation in a Romney Administration.
...but Solyndra is "crony capitalism"?
That should be..... AND Solyndra is "crony capitalism"?
Well NOID, there isn't a socialist or a communist among them, now that's refreshing.
Romney's kitchen cabinet is clearly a bunch of masked billionaires. The Big Bobblehead, whose positions are so flexible, will be sure to keep capital gains tax rates, pollution regulations, and banking regulations in line with his masters' wishes. He's already harping about costly regulations - which are mostly aimed at bankers and brokerage houses (enacted to avoid a repeat September of 2008). No doubt all of these billionaires will be invited to the White House to write coal, oil and gas regs just the way they did with Uncle Dick Cheney.
I trust billionaires a lot further than I trust socialists and communists and ex bombers.
Shaking my head--how many have turned down public money so they don't have to report where it is coming from???
IS THAT why Obama turned down federal funding in 2008? Silly me, I thought it was because he could raise MORE by doing so?
Could that also be why Mitt is doing the same??
You don't even know what those words really mean Shaking. LOL You might want to look those two up in Websters you might get enlightened.
Obama / Biden 2012
Maybe this link will help;
"The Truth About Republicans"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKMy65dyz4&feature=related
Sandy, Shaking doesn't need to know their meaning. FOX Noise told him they were "bad"; along with justice, equity, the working class, union police, union firefighters, union teachers, middle-class, government employees, democrats, Mr. Rogers, FDR, Eisenhower, Medicare, Social Security, all amendments to the Constitution...etc.
Ol_doc....don't look now, but your boy is taking some of the Constitution away. (oooohhhhh...I said boy, I must be a racist) Your president OBAMA, with the help of the other side of the aisle.
So who's the socialist? You can't be both a socialist and capitalist, so how come the half-white president is called a socialist when he has people like Timothy Geithner in his cabinet. Stop hating the successful half-white guy. Start dealing in reality.
Obviously, America feels that the highest office in the land is best served by the person with the most money.
How that money is accumulated is of no concern or interest.
That being the case, we must then fully subscribe to the fact that the top 1% of the wealthiest of us represent the absolute very best of us Americans and also realize that they must have the very best morals, honesty, intentions, and integrity. Far above our own.
Mare P.
That is a great point. According to the Forbes 400 the two wealthiest men in the country are 1. Bill Gates and 2. Warren Buffet in that order. I was beginning to think that the liberal democrats had their noses up the wazoos of the wealthy and now I know it is true.
Mare,
In a lot of cases of those surrounding and supporting Obama, that is very true.
Mare--while I agree that the wealthy are not high moral paragons, I am tired of the wealthy being tagged as greedy like they are the only ones.
We need to remember that ONE of the 10 commandments is "not coveting'' what your neighbor has, and that applies to all the ones in line for hand outs.
VERY few of the poor in this country have 'chosen' to limit their family size, or their consumption of alcohol or tobacco ( or in some cases, drugs) in favor of spending that money on life's necessities, and it is amazing that today cell phones, color TV, movie rentals, etc ALSO seem to be necessities.
Only in their twisted minds in order for them to feel like somthing that they are not and never could be, a real human with real morals that care about others.
If people are stupid enough to vote for this turd, they deserve everything they are going to get.
That is not a very nice thing to say about our President.
White Collar, to that I can only say BAHAHAHAHAHA.
Don't be surprised, Sheila. People were stupid enough to vote for the turd in office now....and the turd before that. Whoever people vote for, they are stupid for doing so in someones opinion.
Mitt, the Job Cremator.
American girl, Are you a slow motion stutterererer?
Are we kidding? Obama who plans to collect 1 BILLION dollars in campaign contributions and this is what we are reading about? I think there should be strict limits on ALL contributions, if you cannot run on your record and as a person (either party) then don't run.
You think Democrats are going to lie down and take it while outfits like Americans for Prosperity make secret, untraceable, disclosed $millions/billions in donations to the GOP/Koch party candidates?
Remember, GOP Senate voted against the disclosure of secret funding provided by corporations & transnationals - twice.
Gee backhouse, all of you lay down and turned over when Obama got millions and millions from God knows where and didn't make a peep when investigators can't get information out of him because he and his "appointee" run the Justice Department.. Hurts when the shoe is on the other foot? Just face it there a billions of people who want a BIG change in Washington, starting at the top.
Actually if you check sites other than Faux News you would know that the MAJORITY of contributions to Obama's re-election campaign comes from SMALL DONATIONS. You know made by average Americans. It's the same as it was the last election. Sure he is getting some big donations from rich people but the vast majority are from average work-a-day people. Now the republicans on the other hand most of their contributions come from millionaires and corporations. And that is understandable since the Republican party represents only the millionaire and corporations when it comes to money. The Democrats actually represent the average American who struggles to make ends meet everyday.
Jesus would love the Democrat Party and complete despise the Republican party. If you actually read the New Testament you would know what I mean.
But the rich people donating to Obama are not conservatives. That's the difference. Funny how the author reports this "news" about campaign donations to a conservative in a way that implies that there is something wrong with it without really saying what is wrong with it. Judging buy many of the responses, it was effective.
Sandy, your facts are bogus. You are one naive person from the so called show me state.
Dre--agree TOTALLY on limiting campaign spending, but ONLY if ALL news media are required to give EQUAL time. I watched the 'hatchet job' MSNBC did on Hillary in '08, and the constant existence of PRO Obama puff pieces.
I don't WANT my president chosen for me by the News channels, be he/she a pub, Dem, or independent.
It is amazing how much coverage Ron Paul is getting now that he might be the Perot/Nader who will pull votes from his 'party's' candidate by running as an independent.
And isn't it funny how Romney got ASSAILED last time out for being a Morman, but Huntsman seemingly gets a pass on that since he is not a serious contender?
When Obama has fund raisers that cost 35,000 per person, who in the world do you think those people are? They are the 1 percent for heaven sakes. Obama doesn't mind taking money from the rich and neither do democrats, but they sure enjoy kicking those same people in the gut the next day. If anything, the 1 percent are STUPID. I wouldn't take that abuse for one second.
GOP/Koch relies on your undying support for:
One rule for themselves and their benefactors, and a different set of rules for everyone else.
And you keep delivering it to them.
On a platter.
Poor Sandy. Still believes in unicorns, fairies, and Obama.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/apr/22/barack-obama/obama-campaign-financed-large-donors-too/
Another Obama lie. Then again, this is a man so low he lied about his own dying mother. He'll lie about anything, Sandy. Anything at all.
That's what liars do.
Coming from the QUEEN of lies & misinformation THIS is PRICELESS!
I got to hand it to the old broad - she doesn't know when to quit! lmao
Hey Donna, tell us again your tales of the Mumbai trip or the Halloween party for those who might of missed your utter NONSENSE!
Or maybe dazzle us with your 'poll' dancing abilities - rumor has it, you need laundry $$$! ;o)
If your heart can stand it, Sandy, here's another one
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jan/11/barack-obama/barack-obama-campaign-says-romney-perry-gingrich-w/
Obama is a liar, Sandy. Oh, he came through with change- the aftermath of a train wreck is change- but, was this, really, what you were hoping for?
He should have stuck to the campaign slogan WTF. It's what mot people feel about his presidency.
You need to go back and re-read the New Testament, Sandy. Not just the passages someone told to you.
Funny how the Wal-Mart conservative rubes will so easily jump in bed with this crowd...
""Steve Schwarzman, co-chairman of the Blackstone Group, the biggest of all Wall Street private equity firms, is listed as the “event co-chair” at both Romney events""
I don't buy Chinese and this crowd doesn't bother me, I know who was at fault in the mess that brought our economy down. Homes for those that can't or won't pay for them and believe me that was not a Republican program nor was the bill to allow it signed by a Republican president, nor was the legislation to water down banking rules to let it happen dones by a Republican controlled house and senate. Wall street is what wall street is and the blame game doesn't fool anyone.
And now we have an appointment contrary to our laws to an agency the legislation for which came through Dodd and Franks who are now off to the hills before the grief comes down .
Shaky...you need to work on your facts. Glass-Stegeall was repealed by Republicans. Recess appointments are not contrary to the Constitution. They've been done by by Presidents since George Washington (of course we know what a socialist he was). Article II, Section 2! But don't let the truth get in your way...keep vomiting your garbage.
That may be true Ol_doc, but what about those three NLRB appointments the same day?
So as Occupy Wall Street has spread across the nation the Republican Party's anointed candidate uses all the tax loopholes, SuperPAC hidden money, from the same bunch which led to the financial meltdown in the past 4 years. Oh Yeah this is just the man we need in the White House. Anyone supporting Mitt better take a long hard look at that 2008 tax return they had and ask themselve if they enjoyed all the speculation losses forced upon them. Gringrich takes money from Fannie and Freddie and Mitt get it directly from the Wall Street snakes.
we warned yall ...
Bad investment = Mitt the boob
Whenever someone is really clueless about facts, their only recourse is to come up with some playground name calling or some one liner that means nothing.
Mitt the boob
What facts do you wanna know??
Again, Obama gladly takes from the 1 percent and he got elected by Wall Street in 2008. All you democrats know this is true, but you could care less about facts. That is why we keep circling the drain.
BTW, Newt who started this crusade to squash Romney, himself was hired to consult for Fannie and Freddie. How is that working out? They are both insolvent. But hey, it wasn't only the poor consulting by Newt, but by Frank and Dodd the other two that advised the public to buy Fannie and Freddie stock.
Please...nobody in Washington is without lots of guilt. The boomers created this mess and btw the X and Y generation will pay for it. Good luck.
everything america has fought for the last 4 years. The GOP solution to get the white house is bring in wall street. what a joke. Independents and Democrats will never vote this fraud in. If the GOP wants to win they need a conservative candidate. Not more wall street.
I don't know. Can't be any worse than the joke that's been played on us for the last 4 years. Did you do a lot of research to come to the conclusion that Democrats will never vote for a Republican candidate? The Independents must have notified you of their voting preferences, too. You can chant " no more wall street" and shake your fist and say "look at me, I'm a protester" all you want. Without Wall Street, this country's economy would collapse. A necessary evil.
anyone of the republicans .. this would have happen..they all.. are on the same ship
well mostly all except Ron Paul he even turned down congress pension plan because he felt in was against the constitution
he still gets a pay check
If the gop are all in the same ship i hope it hits an iceberg and sinks with willard,boenher, cantor, santorum, and mcconnell trapped in the bottom of the ship.
elvis....I heared he actually took a government purchased pen home with him one night also!
All the money wasted(Millions) on candidates by big corporations who also claim that paying taxes hurts their business..but .they can lay down millions in campaign donations. ,,,,,something wrong with that picture....look at how many kids could go to college or how many kids could have new shoes or plenty of groceries or visits to the dentist, homes etc etc...its plain criminal just how much these rich fat cats can waste on meaningless campaign trails paying for signs, posters, badges debates, TV commercials all just pissed away on their vanity but ask them to help out the country by paying some extra taxes and they go to spending millions on politicians to keep from paying anything ..they are the ultimate scrooge McDucks...tight with the bucks..we must stop this rampant campaign money from ruining our democracy....those that condone this should be voted out....Dems
No, he could never be bought as President.(Sarcasm)
Ron Paul 2012
Ron Paul got the girly house in Nevada supporting him. Romney supporters are looking for a pay out in triple for their investment if elected. The Ladies in Nevada are opening their legs in support of Ron Paul, asking for nothing in return.
Isn't America great? You go girls!!!!
deb, with the girls,one expects to get screwed. Government doing it just ain't the same.
Kinda refreshing though, girls getting a rise out of an old guy for a change.
Obama=Billion Dollars for re election. Talking about pay to play politic's
i hope.. from working people..wallstreet dont work for there money
JoeV: Compared to Bush Jr and 8 years of waste that is not any money.
oops.
elvis, I believe you meant to use "doesn't" and "their". Please do not expect me to pay for your social programs until you can at least use proper grammar on a job application.
obama money to date: 100 million Romney money to date 33 million. last i checked romney wasnt the one who closed off the surrounding blocks around rockefeller center on the night of the tree lighting ceremony, inconveniencing thousands so he could host his big wig buddies a few blocks over. obama out of touch, out of time.
Obama's money is mainly from small donations. Republican money is from Millionaires, Billionaires and Corporations (you know they are people too) in donation amounts the average person would never see i their lifetime.
Uh...the blocks around Rockefeller Center are blocked off for the tree lighting regardless of where the President is.
Didn't Obama support McCain-Feingold? Didn't many of the Senate Republicans (like DeMint) refuse to support McCain because of McCain-Feingold? Don't Democrats in general support campaign contribution limits every time the issue comes up? Aren't Republicans shouting, "Money equals speech?" Aren't Republicans (like Romney) shouting, "Corporations are people too?" Nobody plays by good rules that don't get enacted (or the Republican dominated Supreme Court knocks out). But the Dems have done their part to limit the access of the super wealthy. It didn't work. So game on. We have some enlightened billionaires on our side. But Soros and Buffett don't come looking for special favors the way the Koch boys do. The Koch boys are looking for whores and they have found another one! Just like the oil and gas industry found complete and total whores in Cheney and W.
beyonddemocrat, didnt obama pledge to run publicly financed campaigns? I believe that was his first broken promise
da noid, they normally close off from 48th to 51st streets, they extended it to 53rd because obama was staying on 53rd and 7th. nice try though
Slight right,
W. did not run publicly financed campaigns. And there was no reason for Obama to assume that the Republicans would run a publicly financed campaign in '08. McCain only ran a publicly financed campaign because he got started late in the big money donations. Nobody does any more. That's the problem. Dems can show no mercy against the big evil of the Republican mean machine. Just look what it did to Kerry. An honorable veteran running against an AWOL national guard chickenhawk. Time to sharpen the knives. Get down and get dirty. Poppy Bush and the Koch boys are behind Romney. Throw in Roger Ailes and a well-oiled propoganda apparatus that has been working since the days of Lee Atwater and anybody opposing them has to gird the loins. And it is time to point out who bought what in the past. Who bought those loosey- goosey regs on fracking? Who wants to let the oil and gas industry poison well water and cause mini-earthquakes? Who wants to repeal Dodd-Frank? Why do they want it repealed? Who wants to make the military industrial complex even bigger? Why? No time for subtlety.
my point still stands, he said one thing and did another. a lie. you can try to change the issue here and have a pissing contest if you want but the issue is did obama say he would run a campaign from federal money yes he did. did mccain say he would too? yes he did. did obama back out? yes he did. can you change the subject since you have no defense? no you cant.
Here comes the big bucks. This is the mr grover, gop, & the rushbo's ace in the hole. Big money. From wall street & from overseas. They will tell you that money runs the world. Look at gop energy czar ken lay. The guy made billions creating rolling electrical blackouts.
Guess who's raising money for Romney: Bigwigs from private equity firms
Big surprise. The GOP gleefully gorges on this, whomever wears the widest multi-million dollar stripes.
The election is about one issue: how many votes can they and their lobbyist-donors buy, directly or indirectly?
In other words: how stupid are the rest of us--in the face of glaring, naked truth?
While thinking about the debates between President Obama and Candidate Romney and smiling I also begin to shudder. Just look at how many simply do not hear what Candidate Romney represents. His ignorance is bad theirs is frightening.
If Mitt Gets in you can bet who will get one hell of a tax break in the near future. Money talks and Mitt listens.
Mitt Romney is a poster boy for the Big Money Wall Street tycoons who are actually the rulers of us unwashed masses. It's bad enough with Obama, but if Romney wins the presidency, we can look forward to abject ruination.
We need problem solvers, both in the White House and in Congress. The current congress interferes with any efforts by the administration to ameliorate the economic malaise we are mired in.
Schwarzman is a piece of work. He is a fire and brimstone right-wing reactionary who is openly hostile to the average schmuck. Having an association with him should sound the alarm as to Romney's Wall Street interests and agenda.
OWS, it's time to consolidate your agenda, assemble some coherent demands, conduct voter registration drives and voter ID assistance to those who need it, and stop acting as a mass of disparate 1960s-type radicals. Take a cue from the Tea Party, which organized and pushed through their agenda.
We are already ruled by Wall Street and, if we continue to head down the slippery slope we're on, we are going to fall apart as a society and as a nation. This article doesn't tell us anything new about Romney, but it brings into focus the support structure for his campaign, and that structure looks very scary.
Yah Wall Street runs everything, that's why the Demoncats in Congress were able to pass Dodd-Frank and tell banks what they could charge people on late fees.
And that's why Sarbanes-Oxley was signed into law which has sent most startup initial public offerings that banks used to make a killing off, overseas to London which is now the financial capital of the world.
And that's why the government has their filthy hands all over the banking sector.
And that's why there's another 10000 regulations on the books that lower Wall Street profits.
Because Wall Street runs it all.
Our fat pig govt runs it all, and Wall Street comes sucking up to the scum in DC with their lobbyists and CEO's because they want to be "allowed" to practice business.
Our government makes IBM look tiny.
Chesty'; you are one SICK puppy.
The clown that call's himself Chesty Puller would not make a pimple on the real Chesty's ass. I knew the real Chesty, a great and honorable Marine whom I was serving under at his retirement. I was young then and the man was an Idol. Being a lowly Warrant Officer at the time, he would shake my hand and wish me luck each time we crossed paths. You kind of made my stomach turn. Hi Feisty Red. Haven't seen anything from you lately, see that you can still give them hell. My kind of lady.
Bob, what are you talking about?
Feisty never actually debates any real points. She just calls names, insults, and degrades herself with each post. It is easy to tell that she has no real substance, this can be gleaned by her posts. Notice there is never any sign of actual thought, whether it is philosophically or ideologically. Just insult and denigrate are her only known tactics. She represents the worst of the extreme left and gives the democrat party a bad name. She gives no one hell, Bob. People just laugh at her because she is so obnoxious. She probably isnt even female...She obviously lives in her parents basement and lives on MSNBC message boards, as evidenced by her being the first to post on ALMOST EVERY ARTICLE...which is achieved by having absolutely NO LIFE.
Thanks for your partisan praise Bob. Surprising coming from a military man that you condone others being able to leech off the hardworking taxpayers.
Big money owns the government. They aren't even trying to disguise it.
Yah, some businesses donated money to a candidate...that proves a lot.
It's much better when union trash or socialist vermin contribute to your campaign.
When it's Soros funding you, that's great. If it's someone who invested in a Staples or a company like that, be very, very careful.
100 in 100 Marxists agree.
Chesty; you are one SICK puppy.
I guess that it is okay for one of the worlds most corrupt bastards like Rupert Murdoch or the Koch Brother to send their money into the rethuglican party. The phony Chesty is the troll of the day. Go back to Fox propaganda you sick idiot, they are more to your liking.
So Bob you are saying that Obama is not owned by Big Business ie Wall Street?
And Bob not everyone watches Fox some of us actually reason things out.......NBC or MSNBC is as bad as Fox
Bob doesnt actually want to debate substantive points, he just hurls insults like his idol Feisty Red.
No mention of George Soros (the Nazi-helper), and his millions upon millions of donations to the DNC over the years, right BOB?
No mention of Obama taking massive amounts of campaign donations from wall streeet and big oil in 2008, MORE THAN McCAIN COMBINED.
No mention that Obama has taken more donations from the financial sector this year than ALL GOP CONTENDERS COMBINED. LOL.
Bob is just a partisan hack that can only see things through his failed liberal lense. Its sad.
The corporate pigs at the trough (CEO'S) and their ilk are salivating with just the thought of Richie Rich getting elected, their gonna party like it's 2000!!!
He won't get elected, too many people now understand the actions of Republicans and the results on the economy, versus what they were saying all along, including Iraq war, oil prices, Real Estate catastrophe, etc...
So what? Are we supposed to believe that they are going to save us all from the mess they themselves created in the first place? Romney is not getting elected.
Meanwhile I am glad they are all coughing out money for advertising and marketing, that at least is good for the economy. The only thing it's good for.
I sure as to he!! hope he does get elected....for 1 Term....this POS we have in the office now is owned lock, stock and barrel by the corporate cons....lets keep the Presidents going through that revolving door until we find an honest one....but on that I am not going to hold my breath on! I don't care if they are Democrat or Republican ......anybody but Obama..........your dog, your cat ............He!! I"ll vote for you.........just NOT Obama...he hates poor people!!
Obama is of the same ilk.........just saying
These are the guys who pay $8M for a 1933 double eagle gold coin like somebody did a month ago. It's worth $8M they say. To add to their coin collection you know. Nevermind that the coin was supposed to have destroyed on 911 in the wtc. Hey the coin has blood all over it.
Lolololololol. Conspiracy homos are funny.
Chesty; you are one SICK puppy.