E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama's re-election team argued that Mitt Romney had threatened to drive independent voters away the GOP in the general election by moving rightward to win primary contests.
The morning after Romney failed to clinch the Republican nod in Super Tuesday's slate of 11 contests, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina and senior adviser David Axelrod painted the not-quite-nominee as having "leveraged" the general election with "tactical" moves to the right.
A prime example of that "leveraging" in their eyes? Romney's reaction to Rush Limbaugh's flammably-controversial comments about women and birth
control.
Without prompting from reporters' questions, senior strategist David Axelrod mentioned the Limbaugh matter three times, calling Romney's response "timid" and accusing him of being "afraid to challenge the de facto boss of his party."
"If you don't have the strength to stand up to the most strident voices in the party how are you going to stand up to Ahmedinajad?" Axelrod said of his response. "How are you going to stand up to the challenges of the presidency?"
"The Limbaugh thing was a test of leadership, and you have them all the time. And Mitt Romney's failed those tests in the campaign," he added.
Messina said that the recent spate of primary results have not changed the campaign's five potential paths to 270 electoral votes as laid out last year -- a series of regional efforts that include pushes in the mountain west and the rust belt.
"If anything, our map has gotten more expansive and there's more opportunities," he added, citing the campaign's strong organizational infrastructure in swing states like Arizona and Florida.
The duo characterized Romney's apparent lurching towards the nomination as a sign of Democrats' strength in rebuilding the coalition that boosted them to victory four years ago.
"He continues to kind of grind out a kind of tactical victory, tactical victories in a kind of death march here," said Axelrod of Romney.
And both pointed out Romney's recent primary state losses among low-income workers and youth, saying that Romney's negative advertising has taken a toll on his appeal to wide swaths of the electorate.
"They appear to be appealing to the worst instincts and impulses. And I think there's a price to be paid for that," Axelrod said.
As for internal Democratic politics, Messina would only generally comment on Obama's record on gay rights in response to comments this morning by DNC convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa calling for making gay marriage is a part of the Democratic party platform.
"There's a process to go through this discussion and the DNC will go through that and we will have a platform," he said.
Villiaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, said that fighting for same-sex marriage was essential to the Democratic Party's identity.
"I do, I think it's basic to who we are," he said at a breakfast sponsored by Politico.
Leave a Comment:
I thought Grover Norquist was the defacto head of the GOP. How does he feel sharing the honor with Butterball Limpba?
Did I miss something?
When did Willard ever 'turn on' independents?
Hell, even dogs are turned off by him...
"If you don't have the strength to stand up to the most strident voices in the party how are you going to stand up to Ahmedinajad?" Axelrod said of his response. "How are you going to stand up to the challenges of the presidency?"
Exactly. The Republicans have shown themselves to be a bunch of chickenhawk warmongers. They are cowards, plain and simple. Even Republican pundits like George Will admit it.
For goodness sake, Rush Limbaugh blamed his vile spew on liberals! That's a laugh!
Seriously if someone came up to your door knocked and said "Hi, Barrack Obama sent me, here's a bill for your share of my birth control". How many people would be thinking to them selves, "How did this become my responsibility?" We really need a better leader in the White House. You do not need "Insurance" to cover minor procedures like contraception. Paying an insurance company to pay for a routine procedure is a huge waste of money. Responsible people need to make responsible decisions.
This article proves two of my points-
Obama seriously does not want to face Romney, and
More importantly, this site simply prints Obama campaign PR as news.
Oh, we'll, you'll rediscover journalistic ethics when Romney gets elected.
no joe - He's already facing Mitt and the reality is Obama's winning in all fronts. All political, economic, foreign policy datas points to that.
If Mitt the chicken can't cough in front of Rush, how can he look Putin or Ahmadinejad in the face? This is no flip flopping contest..........get real.
Obama/Biden 2012
Guess that makes you a dog fistyredbush.
"More importantly, this site simply prints Obama campaign PR as news".
This site has been printing Romney and Santorum and Gingrich campaign PR as news every single day for several months now. I didn't hear a single complaint about their lack of "journalistic ethics" the whole time. Somehow, I'm not surprised.....
Obama / Biden out in 2012 ....
Enough with Limbaugh already! Stop feeding the troll!! He should be ignored.
Comparing Limbaugh to Ahmedinajad seriously compromises Axelrod's credibility in my book.
Here it is, only March, and I am already fed up with being pummeled by non-issues and having my intelligence insulted by brainless campaign hyperbole. I want to pay attention - nobody has my vote yet - but someone is going to have to step up and give me something worthwhile to pay attention to.
I wish this interminable Republican primary would end.
Geez nojo, will you try and keep up. Since late last year, the Obama campaign has been prepping for a 'face off' with Romney, that's no secret. What is a surprise perhaps to them is how inept he and his campaign have turned out to be and how little he is loved by republican voters, some of them would appear to hate him as much as they do the President of the United States.
Keep dreaming nojo after yesterday's press conference, I would venture to guess the Romney team must feel some quiver in their bow, foreign policy is not your boy's strong suit and as the economy continues to improve, despite your best wishing, Romney's major claim to fame 'creating jobs' will get weaker and weaker.
Simply wishing nojo or wanting it so badly will never make it happen. You first have to have a good candidate, your first choice was Rick Perry and now Mitt Romney, seems to me you haven't gained much in switching.
nojo,
How is Romney going to handle the problem he has with women voters? With Latino voters? With blue collar voters not part of the country club set? These are areas he is NOT doing well in. When will he have the nerve to go off script and talk about something except his time at Bain. Everyone knows, by now, he was a businessman. But, we want a president who has to deal with more than acting like a CEO - that old multi tasking thing. How can he deal with other leaders when he can't face down a radio talk show host? Just some examples of his problems. (BTW, even the Bush family aren't real happy with the way your GOP is handling the fastest growning voting block - Latinos).
Speaking of turning off independants. Obama will have some worries of his own in that regard.
The video of Obama in a protest back in his Harvard days is going to be aired tonight on Sean Hannity! This footage was never aired back in 2008 by the mainstream media that had it in their possession. Tonight it will be played for all to see.
Must See TV is what you call that!
Seen the video yet Rob in ma #'s? Maybe you can tell us what Obama was talking about, who he was talking to, and what the subject matter was?
Some how I don't think you've watched yet. Heck, I just might tune into insanHannity tonight to see how he spins this.
P.S. I already saw this video so let me assure you I'll know whether you answer the questions right. Somehow I don't think you'll bother to respond to them but will use the typical change subject/deflection tactic/talking point of the day.
Rob - HA.....a protest while in Harvard is what RWNJ's are banking on? Just like Hannity everyday topic back in 08 was all about Rev. Wright.......good luck.
As a fiscal leaning democrat, a woman and mom, Romney fails to address the issues important to me. On the fiscal side, Romney is out today stating his tax policies cannot be scored because he will have to work with Congress on the details, if elected. Really? And we're to just trust you that it won't add to the debt! Not. Give me a concrete plan that is scored before elections. Even on the one no brain-er "carried interest" tax benefit, that surely must be eliminated, he's still waffling on whether or not he will end it. Really?
More importantly, as a women he strongly disappointed me when he could not find the strength to emphatically repudiate the vitriolic rant from a fellow conservative after he slandered a young lady.
As dog catcher.
So MSNBC decides to start quoting David Axelrod as its source ? Seriously ??
Why is there a perceived need that Mitt Romney must give answer to the high lords and priests of the lamestream media ... for verbal comments made entirely by another person ???
Our country is about $16 trillion in debt, unemployment remains high and to "war or not to war" seems to be an ever-present worry. The illegal immigration question remains unsettled, multi-million dollar giveaways to green companies continue and the President still has yet to present Congress with any semblance of a realistic budget proposal !
Then, of course, government control of healthcare with federal mandates, fines and penalties await those who do not comply with its regulations now being churned out. Of course, those who "cannot afford" Obamacare's insurance mandate will be SUBSIDIZED by the Federal Government ... hello welfare, here we go again !
Let's face it. MSNBC is in bed with Obama's campaign, gets it's talking points from Media Matters and is focusing its laser-like vision on "picking the fly $hit out of the pepper" for each and every Republican candidate. Obama's actions and his record of growing government at every opportunity will remain unchallenged with no questions of relevance about his failures.
Rob -
"Must see TV?" It's been leaked all over the Internet already. A young Barack Obama is speaking at a law school protest in favor of more diversity, on behalf of a professor who supposedly had ties to Bill Ayers or Jeremiah Wright or maybe both. Nobody cared about Ayers and Wright four years ago; I doubt they're going to care any more now.
If the mainsteam media didn't report on this four years ago, maybe it's because there was nothing to report? But hey.....don't let me stand in the way of your conspiracy theories......even though I'm sure you have a really great answer as to why neither the Clinton campaign, the McCain/Palin campaign, nor any of the current campaigns have ever wanted to use this until now. Enjoy your show, though!
jim-
What is Romney's plan to address the the issues you listed above? So far his only substantive answers are on tax cuts and Iran foreign policy - which would lead to an increase in the national debt and war with Iran.
He has offered no job program other than more tax cuts (which are proven to NOT create jobs), and offered "self-deportation" as the answer to immigration.
He wants to continue "multi-million dollar give-aways" to billionaires (eliminate AMT & Inheritance tax) and oil companies.
He has offered no plan for health care reform other than repeal "Obamacare".
"Where's the beef?"
If someone knocked on my door with a receipt and said 'Here's your share of my birth control costs!'...and it would be, what, a mighty 2$ or so per year?...
I would produce an $45,000 receipt and ask for the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan be repayed to my household ^.^ Howsabout them Apples?
Hannity will do Obama a great favor if he shows a young man with courage and conviction speaking up for what he feels is right. It will further contrast the wimp factor of republicans to stand up to people like Rush (to judgement) Limbaugh, and and a president who always has. It may excite the hardcore republican base, but will in inevitability further galvanize support for Obama with young people, minorities, and women, and the truth is there is just not enough white evangelical Christians to hold their nose and vote for Romney for him to win the general election. This will be another political gift from republicans to democrats, who knew Rush and Sean would turn out to be Obama's secret Santa. Hell I think they figured out if he is not re-elected they will have nothing to talk about.
Apparently, TNSEVOL, you apparently do not read very often. Governor Romney has presented some of the most detailed plans for turning the economy around. Jobs "programs" are about as ineffective as Obama's green energy programs .... simply throwing money at an issue solves nothing. The tax cuts I have heard him talk about are at the corporate level to increase global competitiveness, with a special focus on manufacturing jobs.
I have not heard his so-called plan for self-deportation, although I have heard him clearly talk about SECURING THE BORDER. Perhaps, you missed that as well.
Putting our inefficient and bureaucratic federal government in charge of "health care" is not what I consider to be "REFORM". Lowering costs, realistic tort reform and improving competition of insurance companies to compete would be a good start to a complex issue. Repealing the monstrous 2,700+ page legislation called Obamacare, however, would be a very good start.
There is no "beef" when we have a "turkey" in the White House. His track record of voting "present" while in the U.S. Senate was certainly no substitute for a real track record. Smiles and speeches don't cut it.
Rob,
Here is the video – have an advanced look-see.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/03/obama-in-116736.html
You're right, Jim.
It shouldn't be a 2700-page monster.
It should be a 1-page document.
"The government is adopting the Military TriCare Models for all citizens of the United States. The operating cost is expected to be around 330 Billion (current tricare model of 30 Million patients as 30 Billion in expenses).
Medicare is no longer necessary.
Expect hospitals to be built in your geographic region within the next year.
Thank you and have a great day."
Because TriCare is amazing.
And it's cheaper to put it in place for all citizens, than to keep Medicare going by itself.
/Reality has a Liberal Bias.
I assume that, for a reporter, the credibility of a source is of utmost importance.
If I am correct, the "journalists" on this site- heck, on the whole network- might want to keep little things like this in mind
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/mar/07/david-axelrod/david-axelrod-says-barack-obama-won-more-ohio-vote/
It's arithmetic- third grade level arithmetic. Should be pretty easy for anybody to check- and call out.
Then again, you are still going with the "little people" donations getting Obama elected.
And his mother arguing with her health insurer.
And his being at her bedside to hear her.
That's the liberal's idol- a man so low, so contemptible, that he would lie about his own dying mother.
Jim -- Where can I get a copy of that detailed plan of Romney's?
Also you said:
Tort reform failed to lower costs in both California and Texas. If insurance providers are allowed to cross state lines to compete then we will end up with too big to fail behemoths that price fix, after they are done gobbling up the small potatos. Doctors costs will sky rocket due to the fact they would have to hire additional billing staff to wade through and bill 400+ different providers who each carry a dozen or so policies. So that staff would in effect be dealing with thousands of plans. Now tell me where the cost savings would come from.
Yeah.
That's way worse, to lie about your own dying mother to score a political point, than to lie about the capabilities of a third-world country in order to justify bombing them and slaughtering them in the streets.
great contribution, thanks.
I'm not saying Obama is right. He's not, that's pretty low.
but the Republican Pretenders are just as low. (Except RP. Who's honest. Crazy, but honest)
But no political party likes looking in mirrors, do they now?
From your post, I am hoping you will discover reality one day. Liberal bias and liberal spin do, indeed, exist here at this website. You just confirmed that.
Our government cannot run a rapidly depleting Medicare and Social Security program so your idea is to put them in charge of health care ? Go to your room !
Dennis -
Rob will not "look-see" your link rather he'll wait on Hannity and Faux News to "look-see" the RWNJ's version and I know you know what version am talking about.
jim,
Actually I read quite frequently, and have watched almost all of the Republican debates as well as listened to Romney's speeeches after the Michigan primary and Super Tuesday. I heard NO detailed plan, ony a rehash of failed policies - more tax cuts, more vague references to "job killing" regulations.
He talked about this self-deportation plan in great detail in the Florida debate - did you miss it? Securing the borders" is not a strategy, it is a slogan. How? At what cost?
How will he simultaneously increase military spending, cut taxes by 20% across the board, eliminate the AMT and the inheritance tax, eliminate or reduce the capital gains tax (depending on which day you ask) AND lower the national debt and balance the budget? HOW?
Lower health care costs? How - tort reform? That has been proven to be a miniscule part of healthcare costs. Improve competition? Again, how? Repealing healthcare legislation that has not yet really had an impact may theoretically reduce future costs but it won't lower current costs.
Obviously you are in the ABO crowd so none of this will make a difference. I am all for a substantive debate on the issues but so far Romney doesn't have any substance.
On Romney's website. It was released last September.
Was it you who asked a couple of weeks ago? After declaring Romney had no plan? And I provided the link?
Could be. Liberals have a hard time getting off their talking points- no matter WHAT the facts are.
And, Dennis- once again, you get it wrong. You provided a link to the EDITTED version of Obama's speech- one that has been out there all these years. Buzzfeed has tried to circumvent people watching the full video by releasing it this afternoon. Want proof?
http://blog.sfgate.com/hottopics/2012/03/07/edited-version-of-breitbart's-obama-video-released/
Somehow, I suspect you knew that- and are trying to help.
No one but Breitbart's staff know what is on the full video- but I suspect that it could show Obama doing. Or saying just about anything- and the media will ignore it.
Too bad for them that darned Internet exists.
@Don't Carry it ALL
Do your own research genius, Google is available and I don't have the time to spoon feed you.
By the way, since you obviously claim to know "what would happen" if competition was improved, I must assume you are either "Carnak the Magnificent" or else just totally disingenuous. Now which is it ?
Dennis - I don't get it. How is that video supposed to hurt Obama? I just watched it and my thoughts were along the lines of, "I'm so glad I voted for Obama."
I'm guessing Fox news will try it's hand at some James O'Keefe style editing. They'll probably do a poor sound dub, like a bad 70s kung fu movie, and have Rush Limbaugh's comments from last week coming out of Obama's mouth.
Jim,
They manage to do it just fine in the military. Performed a few surgeries on me and everything :)
It's people like politicians and obstructionist pundits (both sides) who get in the way of effective programs.
Rob and the rest RWNJ's are waiting on Faux to serve it to them with some red meat embedded in it. That when it's a news for them.
No Joe
I found the video on Politico before this conversation ever started.
I thought you trusted POLITICO?
That won't be necessary. I just watched it over on Politico. Thanks Rob for outing yourself as a Fux Nooze disciple. But hey we already figured you were. You do know that Fux has it's own website for you RWNJs don't you?
Not really. I call that a whole lot of wasted time on Sumanus Hannity spewing hot gas.
Hey Jim,
Magnificent would be my choice! ; )
There is no detailed plan JIm. Romney has a 59 point plan that details nothing of substance. His first tax plans where slammed in the WSJ as being tepid. He latest plan was scored by an independent group and it shows that it would increase the debt by a few trillion. Today he said he can't give more details until elected and then he will work with Congress on the details.
@TNSEVOL #1.30,
I do not believe that time limitations allow for adequate presentation of lenghty, detailed points squeezed into an allowed response time of a minute or two.
Yes, I did miss the Florida debates but I have seen his proposals in writing and on TV to physically secure the border. Now since you say building a fence is only a slogan, and since some of the border is solid walls, I want you to take a running dash at that wall, lowering your head as you get close and smash into it at full speed ahead. Since "slogans" are only "words" and "words can never hurt you", then you should not be harmed at all. Are you ready to accept the challenge ?
The concept that tort reform will only resolve a "miiscule" amount of health care costs is preposterous. This fantasy is promulgated by the parasitic trial lawyers associations all across this country whose very livelihood depends on contingent fees reaped by suing doctors and hospitals IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, ANYTHING AT ALL !!!!!
Doctors and hospitals today call for all sorts of diagnostic procedures, often against their better judgment, because they know that if that 1 in 10,000 possibility were to be there, then they will get sued all the way to hell and back. How do you measure an intangible such as CYA medicine ???
[The video of Obama in a protest back in his Harvard days is going to be aired tonight on Sean Hannity! This footage was never aired back in 2008 by the mainstream media that had it in their possession. Tonight it will be played for all to see.
Raab and NoJo hanging their argument on videos from (not so) Breitbart?
LoL...no wonder the GOP/Conservatives in this country are a laughingstock...
[Must See TV is what you call that]
No, Raab...it's called "Bull@!$%# TV"...ANYTHING tied to Andrew Breitbart is bull@!$%#...he was bull@!$%# in it's purest form...he is a liar and a con artist...yet people like you and NoJo embrace him...says a lot about your character, or lack thereof.
The bigger problem for Romney has been his inability to ATTRACT voters.
It is the Teapublican Party in general, with their far-right extremism that turns off Independents (real ones). The Paul Ryan privatization of Medicare, the debt ceiling fiasco and downgrade of our credit rating, the Do Nothing GOP/TP obstructionism of considering "compromise" to be a dirty word, etc.
Then attacking every group, from gays to seniors to Latinos to the middle class and unions -- And most recently attacks against women's rights per Rush Limbaugh who is used as a proxy to gin up the base. The only voters the Teapublicans have left are the 30% core base, and we all know that is not a majority.
Teapublicans -- Good luck, really. Obama/Biden - 2012!
I must say TruePatriot, that you are quite adept at distorting reality. The whole contraception issue started with Obama's ill-advised mandate to FORCE the Catholic Church to do something it has for a long time opposed. Then, the liberal media turns it into an attack on women ! LOL !!
Yes, Obama has "TALKED" about compromise with the budgets, but then changed the agreement at the last minute while pointing fingers at Republicans.
Furthermore, since Obama is now well into his third year as President, he has totally FAILED to present Congress with any semblance of a realistic, workable budget proposal ! He does not want to live within a budget because he wants to grow government at every opportunity. Obama is a fiscal disaster and the national debt has risen dramatically under his tenure.
Hi Mickey,
I saw the video of the President when he was at the protect. It's Great. So Fox noise thinks they have something that will hurt the President?
I must say jim-1455434 that you are quite brainwashed from the right-wing Echo Chamber of FOX Noise and Hate Radio. The whole contraception issue actually started and concluded with Griswold v. Connecticut, as well as labor law and health insurance coverage a LONG time ago.
These old, long-settled issues are back for debate thanks to religious radicals like Santorum (though really Palin was the first of the far-right clowns to enter the Republican field). President Obama went beyond precedence to accommodate the Catholic Church, certainly far beyond what Romney did as governor of Massachusetts (and why Romney avoids addressing institutions like the LDS Hospital, BYU, etc., no one bothers to wonder).
No, no no, this matter would have been out of the news cycle by now except the imbeciles in congress decided to double down. All the bills to make abortion illegal have not been enough for these sh!theads. They felt compelled to go even further with "personhood" legislation -- you know the one that makes most birth control illegal that couldn't pass in Missouri way before the hissy-fit about the Affordable Health Care Act and contraception.
And then add to that the trans-vaginal ultrasounds in Virginia -- OMG read Bob McDonnell's thesis from the diploma mill (no accredited and respected college would accept chicken crap like that as graduate work)! And then...who'd of thunk, this is followed by the Blunt-Rubio amendment that would allow employers to decide what health insurance should cover. Heaven forbid prescription medication like birth control be covered by insurance the way Viagra or vasectomy's are! Sure, this has been all about religious liberty/freedom (riiight), and then good old Rush Limbaugh totally spills the beans with the ugly truth behind all the fake outrage up until then.
I know I shouldn't feed a troll, but Dude, come out of your Cone of Silence and see the light!
There's so much propaganda in your post, where to begin?
First off, those with political understanding (not you) and some intellectual honesty (not you) know that the president has learned the lesson of negotiation, which is NOT to give away concessions from the outset. Normally a conciliatory position from the start might work, but with the "my way or the highway" Teapublican Posers, who are notorious for stalling into oblivion and moving the goal post further and further to the Right to the point of going off the cliff -- no can do.
Secondly, the president presents a proposal every year, and then it is congress (who holds the purse strings) that must legislate. I look to the CBO and other non-partisan geeks such as the Tax Policy Center to score these plans. This year's proposal from the president was very right-wing, because it is based on spending that is only 18% of GDP! Romney's was at 17%, like what is your problem?
The big difference between the president and idiots like Herman Cain's 9-9-9 disastrous plan for collapse and anarchy is the balanced and phased approach. The president's plan has at least some revenue by asking the rich to pay a little more of their fair share. Also, the cuts come from the budget overall including defense and not just programs for The People like education, or trust funds and entitlements for the elderly. And what part of tax incentives for companies creating jobs here and tax increases for companies that off-shore don't you like?
Stop parroting squawking points, and do the research and critical thinking for yourself. Thanks for playing, now go back to your own sandbox.
Romney has signed the person-hood pledge along with all the other republican candidates including Ron Paul. That means they all have vowed to work to end Roe v Wade. They all want to make birth control, invetro pregnancies and abortions will all be illegal under the person-hood amendment. In addition miscarriages will then be a murder investigation. Romney has a signed pledge that if congress passes it, he will sign it.
The plans the republicans were pushing in Virginia are their plans for the entire USA. They even thought they could pass the person-hood amendment and no one was going to notice. They have shelved the amendment for this year, but if a republican wins they will take that as their clue to start attacking women's rights again.
I didn't say republicans were smart, I am just telling you their plans for women. Want to be a second class citizens without any rights to say about your own body, then vote for a republican, because they don't think you should have rights either.
Feisty...what I'd like to know is how does Willard 'turn on' his wife while wearing his 'mom jeans'?
Limbaugh wants it all on video. :)
The GOP has turned off independents, moderates, minorities, women, seniors, and union workers. There is no one left to vote for Romney except right wing extremists and survivalists.
American First - do not forget all of the proposed/ enacted legislation by federal and state Republicans to curtail women's rights,
like the bill from WI Senator Grothman to label single parenthood as child abuse
Republicans voting on party lines to not reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
2010 Republican Senate voted unanimously against the Paycheck Fairness Act - equal pay for women
Rep.Chris Smith to redefine rape to "forcible rape" - if you can not prove you fought your assailant it's not rape
GA - change language on rape,stalking and domestic violence cases from the woman as the "victim" to the "accuser".
I purposely did not include anything about contraception or abortion. The issues go beyond those to total assault on women as citizens of this country.
I think women have gotten the message on what will happen to their rights with the current generation of elected Republicans
Katheryn Brandy -- Excellent post. There is indeed a war on women (yet again!).
However, Teapublican women who get their information from the right-wing Echo Chamber (FOX Noise, Hate Radio, Evangelical churches, like-minded family and friends, chain Emails, etc.) have NOT gotten the message. The exist polls during the GOP/TP primary sadly show that conservative women are still voting against their own interests -- As does the entire Teapublican base who stupidly support the 1%!
Case in point, how can all Teapublicans in congress vote against equal pay for women?! And how can Teapublican women be so ill-informed as to not become outraged about it? We're talking about a bill just a couple of years ago, not back in the 1950s!
TruePatriot - I think you may be correct concerning women in the Republican party during the last decade and certainly that continues with a small segment of the population that has found a resonance with Santorum and Gingrich. But if you were to go on any college campus across the nation today, you will find a much more sophisticated population of young women. I think you will find,regardless of their political or religious affiliation, they do not want their right to make decisions taken away, nor to be reduced to second class citizen status.
GOP women don't think for themselves, they are submissive to their husbands! Talk about the 1950's!!
And the "protest" video of Obama shows him as the great defender of peoples right's, Exactly why I voted for him the FIRST time, and why I will vote for him again! BUT, it'll be worth watching FAUX spin, baby, spin!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Yeah, Jo-An - I thought the same thing upon watching the video. I really didn't see the gotcha, and I don't think Independents will either.
got confused - double post
quit monkey-ing around! :)
amy
OK
As usual, David Axelrod and Jim Messina state only the facts. Can't fault anything they have said.
The dirty trickster Chicago thug David Axelrod and the truth, have never met each other.
How much moonbat koolaid have you ingested this morning? better call a doctor!
At least you know that facts = truth.
And when does your pal Mittens tell the truth? When he flips or when he flops?
Regarding your remark about David Axelrod being a Chicago thug. ..........really!! How pathetic. Try to think up something on your own instead of echoing crap from Fox.
Liberals magically elevate their "opinions" ... and then call them "truth". They do this out of a need to feel superior.
Our country is about $16 trillion in debt, and Obama still has yet to present a SERIOUS, relistic budget proposal to Congress .... in his fourth year of office !! My "opinion" is that he is a financial moron only focused on maintaining his power through re-election.
What is Mitt's plan? More tax cuts. I wonder how that pays down the debt. Especially since the republicans also want to go to war again without raising taxes.
Leave it to a republican to do the same stupid things as Bush with tax cuts and war and somehow this time, we will have different results.
So sorry you believe the load of crap you have been sold by the republicans.
MSNBC, did you write down all the Obama talking points from Axelrod, so you can headline them as "news' until November?
Bob it's a little early to start drinking isn't it.Get one of your low paying Virginia jobs and make use of yourself your embarrassing your family
And where do you live UAW ? In Detroit where unemployment is around 25% ?? Are you one of those guys smoking a doobie on lunch break before going back to "building cars" ? Stick to the topic of Axelrod's OPINION becoming newsworthy to MSDNC.
I think I also read Gingrich's opinion, Romney's opinion, and Santorum's opinion all reported on this same site.
At least unlike FOX News they are not passing off opinions as facts.
Obviously, you have not watched "I get a tingle down my leg" Chris Matthews, Ed (yes I called Laura Ingraham a slut and got by with it) Schultz, or Rachel Maddow. Then there was Keith Blabberman .......
Those are all presented as opinions - and they don't claim to be "fair and balanced". "We report, you decide" - seriously?
"We report....." seriously ? One "reports" facts and verifiable occurrences such as weather events.
One "offers" opinions. The opinions offered by the liberal media are contrived and politically slanted.
16 trillion in dept what do conservative propose; extend bush tax cut indefinitely.
Presidential Obama just proposed a budget where the hell have you been? listing to the conservative media?
Once again it's funny to hear conservatives complain about the deficit.....when it's there own policies that are driving us into the ditch.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/09/business/economy/20090610-leonhardt-graphic.html
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/obamas-and-bushs-effect-on-the-deficit-in-one-graph/2011/07/25/gIQAELOrYI_blog.html
www.fair.org/index.php?page=4051
jim, jim, jim...we KNOW MSNBC is the OPPOSITE of FAUX! That is WHY we watch it!! We, know, they are rooting for Obama, again, that is what we LIKE!
Why can't you Fauxter's understand that Roger Ailes is playing you like fiddles? It's a grand experiment on how to manipulate the uninformed and uneducated! He feeds his minions (FAUX & Friends, Hannity, O'Reilley) their daily "opinions" and they PLANT the "opinions" in your "head" and like Stepford Folk, you all run around repeating the lies!
Read Ailes evil plan, even Rupert Murdoch fears Ailes....LOL
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-roger-ailes-built-the-fox-news-fear-factory-20110525
What else is new people are running through the streets screaming at the thought of a Republican Taliban take over. In more news the economy grew another 250,000 jobs in Feb 2012 Good president good job moving forward.Gas has started to fall as the Gov is talking about releasing reserves if they do all the speculaters will lose millions.Email the Pres tell him to put it to them
WaPost:
As a candidate, Obama pledged that lobbyists “will not run my White House.” But on Monday, the president brought in one of this town’s most prominent lobbyists to run his White House — or at least a nice piece of it.
Steve Ricchetti, whose long list of lobbying clients included Fannie Mae, General Motors, the American Hospital Association and Eli Lilly, was tapped to be counselor to Vice President Biden.
Ricchetti achieved this feat — getting around the ban on lobbyists serving in the administration — by using one of Washington’s most-honored traditions: the loophole. Just as Obama won the presidency, Ricchetti de-registered as a lobbyist for his various clients. But he remained president of the lobbying firm that continued to work for many of those same clients, as well as a few more, such as the American Bankers Association.
Only in today’s Washington could a president circumvent his own ban on hiring lobbyists by hiring the head of a lobbying firm.
Obama once disapproved of Ricchetti’s activities. His campaign in 2007 criticized Hillary Clinton for having Ricchetti as one of her top fundraisers. The Obama campaign later criticized Clinton for requesting an earmark sought by a Ricchetti client.
"Hope and change" was a fraud.
I don't know how you can complain about anything while you support the man who wants to pass state laws to mandate a procedure equal to rape for their religion.
Whine all you want, but the democrats aren't trying to make women into second class citizens with men making laws telling her what she can and can't do with her own body.
The republican taliban coming to a state where you live just when you thought you had rights.
Romney is making the same mistake all the other Republican Candidates have made, he is pandering to the loud and lunatic extremist on the right while being pummeled for being to Liberal. He should have held firm to his centrist position, he'd still have credibility with independents. The Republicans are on a course of self destruction unheard of in politics before.
I heard the same rhetoric here on this website in October, 2010. Then November came along and Obama was "neutered"..... politically speaking, of course.
This ain't 2010, 1952, 1928, 1896, or 1840, politically speaking of course!
You are quite correct ! However, we do have the same, incompetent President whose sole purpose is to grow government at the expense of our personal freedoms. He wants to raise taxes to redistribute the wealth through government-controlled social programs.
Jim,
There's been no sign of that. The conservatives have convinced America that they are irresponsible and do not represent the American People. They have attacked, demeaned and disparaged virtually every segment of the American population over the past two years. They can't really expect those they have relentlessly insulted to vote for them. The longer they campaign the more independant voters switch over to the Democrats. There is no Republican White Knight that will save them. The november elections are going to be a sweep for the democrats. The public is really really sick of this crap.
Because of this the republicans have been working feverishly to block the vote in every state they can, especially the swing states.
Then we have republicans come on this site and repeat-a-lie is their favorite game.
Obama/Biden 2012
Romney has not proved he can talk about anything but being a business man. No real plans, except to cut taxes to the rich. He can appeal to the country club Republican, but has yet to offer anything to middle America. He doesn't understand middle America. He has nothing in common with middle America. He has a problem with conservatives in his own base, and has not proved to be appealing to women and Latinos. The areas he won in Florida are typically Democrats. This is not helpful for any future for him. But, hey, what do I know, I am just a middle American independent.
Too True Phine .
Romney is flexible, open minded, and practical. He has 25 years experience analyzing sick companies and trying to repair the damage.
He will soon have the golden opportunity to turn that business expertise and acumen into success for our ailing economy. He actually ran a corporation and made it successful. Compare that to a "community organizer" (a non-job)
Romney is the one who can take the CBO reports, and turn them into positive action. Romney is a four star General with loads of experience. Obama is the little frustrated corporal, who just tries to get by, by blaming anyone, and everyone else for his failures.
Seen losers like Obama in the work place. They are usually pretty easy to spot. They are a drag on the productivity of any organization they belong to.
Nice Joseph ....
Howard Hughes hired Mormons to run most of his great companies ....
Well heck, forget President, if he's that good, we'll just get him to run the world. That's the plan after all isn't it?
Well kingofmyhill , they do call our presidents , "The Leader Of The Free World" ....
Maybe in 1954.
Some still throw that phrase around now ....
Romney is flexible
well that's one way to put it.
You are so diplomatic, Amy! :)
barack the magic ni__er has turned off most independent whites.
Go hide in a hole you racist fuk.
As one of the independents in question who voted for Obama last time around, I take exception to this. I'm looking for the most centrist guy, the one who is willing to work with the other side of the aisle, regardless of the stump speech. Romney has a history of doing just that. I judge them both on what they've actually done, not on what they say. Because let's face it, they're both politicians, and they both play the game.
What concerns me is congress and Obama's inability to play nice with the other side without lacing his eventual moderation (which does seem to happen eventually) with snide remarks and disdain. What we need is someone who can inspire the other side too, not alienate half of the country by labeling them stupid.
Good ideas come from both sides of the aisle. There's more than one way to skin a cat. It's the presidents that are so stubborn that they refuse to see this that worry me. And honestly, I'm worried for those reasons about Obama.
As for who would do a better job, I wish that Huntsman was still in the race. Since he's not, I'm leaning toward Romney, based on his ability to get things done. I don't care if he's rich, or if he's retired and pays the same tax rate I'll pay on my retirement investments. I don't care if he likes to have the ability to fire bad employees. I don't care if a company he once owned is in the business of re-structuring companies -- sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I don't even care that he's changed his position on issues.
What I care about is that he's knowledgeable about the economy, he's a moderate, and he's not stubbornly clinging to the party line when it comes to his actions in office.
Reagan was great at what you are concerned about so much ....
Not even close. Romney didn't "get things done" by himself, he had a whole crew of managers, advisors and stockholders to work with and answer to. If you think he's just gonna waltz into the WH and get everything his way, you are in for a rude awakening (IF he wins it all).
No president can run the country by themselves ....
Or corporation owner or CEO ....
You must have great workers or employees .... don't you think .... to be successful ....
Norcal.....if the other side doesn't want to work with the WH, remember, party of NO, no comprise, we want this President to fail policies,surely you've noticed that?
Romney gets things done in the business world? Washington is not the business world and you live in a fantasy land if you think that's all that's needed to be in the WH. Furthermore, at the present moment in time, he sure is not looking too good at getting things done.
I get very tired of reading comments suggesting that President Obama did not compromise with republicans enough. Give us a break. You cannot compromise with a party that refuses to participate in Government because as McDonnell said in early 2009, "our goal is to defeat President Obama, make him a one-term President". How the heck can anyone think President Obama didn't do enough to reach out to the other side. President Obama continually reached out to republicans in Congress only to have them slap his hands each time; the fact that democrats accepted and added hundreds of republican amendments to legislation apparently isn't good enough.
Take a good look at Mitt Romney's tax plan, then come back and tell everyone just how great it is. Ask what he plans to cut to fund his expanded military able to fight multiple wars on multiple fronts, which government programs will he eliminate or privatize. How much will his tax plan add to the deficit and debt? Go ahead, vote for Mitt Romney and return to another Bush 43 presidency because Romney's plans make George Bush's look good. I do not buy the notion that because Romney "used to" think one way means he will return to that position once elected--don't forget, he would want to be re-elected.
Yesbigben, you need all kinds of help in running a corporation or country. And when a large portion of that help doesn't like you or agree with you and actively works against you, the corporation or country does not succeed.
Romney's business experience may be helpful, but it can only get him so far. There is a big difference between being a "manager" and a "leader". The POTUS is the LEADER of the Free World, not the CEO. The President can not just dictate it and make it happen. He needs to led and inspire, and ROmney just doesn't do it.
Romney's business associates have admitted that he was very well prepared and things went smoothly IF everything went according to his plan. The problem he had was adjusting his plan if things changed.
If Romney's companies didn't succeed he could just sell them off or declare bankruptcy and walk away with the management fees. If you look at his record at Bain Capital there was a fair amount of both. Rarely was he totally committed to making one thing work despite difficulties.
I see no "Big Ideas", no new philosophy, no keen insight. I see a return to the GWB policies of tax cuts, rampant unrestrained capitalism, and war-mongering. We really don't need a Bush third term.
Another point is that Republicans can't even cooperate with themselves! How many times has Boehner agreed in principle to something only to have Cantor and the Tea Party refuse to go along? Do you think they will agree to do anything Romney would want if it didn't fit their narrow agenda?
How can you work together with the group who ruined our AAA rating by refusing to raise the debt ceiling? Who refused a deal that was 90% spending cuts and 10% tax increases?
I don't see it happening......
Geez TNSEVOL ! To get Obamacare, Democrats had to bribe other Democrats behind closed doors and Obama still had to abuse "reconciliation" (denying Scott Brown his vote) to ram this crap through !
Stupid Stupak sold out on Obama's "promise" that the bill would not include federal funding of abortions. Mary Landrieu was "bought" by special provisions for Louisiana as was Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
If you don't see it happening .... get your eyes checked.
Let's see, what would I call that TNSEVOL? Hitting the nail on the head, dead on, truer words were never spoken? They all fit. Indisputable facts.
I notice beachbum and jim didn't dispute you, just pile on Obama..so sad
Well, that's sort of my point. First of all, he was the republican governor of a very democratic state. I'm sure the state legislature was not exactly thrilled with that. I'm sure he met obstacles trying to inspire both sides of the aisle. And I think (understanding that this is entirely subjective) he did pretty well with those circumstances.
Second, I don't think that all one needs to become president is success in the business world. I think a prospective candidate for president should have some involvement with government. And Romney did just that in Massachusetts. I also want to point out that while running a government and running a business ARE different, there are a lot of similarities, too -- such as the ability to help a large group of people with differing ideas about "what's best" to work together and be successful. And the ability to clearly identify "what's best" so that intelligent people, even with differing views, agree.
Part of the problem with calling the other side stupid is that it causes the other side to get defensive. This leads to wasting time and resources on bills that are crafted merely to "prove a point", and the illogical blocking of good bills for the same reason. I'm tired of congress having a pissing match. I'm tired of the extremes from both sides perpetuating the ridiculous caricatures of the opposition. We don't have the time or money to dump down the drain on political posturing. And this is where Obama falls a little too short for me. I don't villify him or think another 4 years of Obama will be the death of our country's freedoms, but I am willing to look at other candidates.
Funny, Beachbum....
I should educate myself on how to run a business? Not beating my own chest but I have a BS in Accounting as well as a CPA and an MBA. I have been the Controller for several multi-million dollar companies for which I helped develop strategies to improve the business AND KEEP IT RUNNING.
I am no expert but I do know a thing or two about runnng a business. MOST people who run businesses, especially small business, are dedicated to the financial success of THEIR business. Romney was dedicated to his own financial success, and yes there is a difference.
And jim, even though you disparage the tactics that is what it atakes sometimes to make things happen in DC. Obama's success at passing the legislation sort of cancels out your argument. don't you think?
Not at all TNSEVOL. "Success" in passing BAD LEGISLATION is really no success at all.
Furthermore, since I also am a CPA and a corporate controller for a division of a large company, how in the world do you explain Obama's total failure to present any form of a meaningful budget ? Surely, as a fellow "beancounter", this represents pi$$ poor financial management of our country.
Does your company TNSEVOL, have the ability to print more money when they run out ?
Does TNSEVOL have anything to do with a certain "puke orange" college football team ?
All VOL , ALL The Time .
David Axelrod is right. Romney had a perfect opportunity to show compassion for a young college student, a private citizen not a public figure, who was viciously attacked by right-wing bully; yet, on three separate occasions, Mitt declined to say anything other than to accept Limbaugh's half-baked apology for using two particular words; he did not apologize for the rest of his three-day rant.
Time after time the past three years, republicans have criticized Rush Limbaugh's outrageous and often bigoted comments and within a few hours or by the next day, those republicans were bowing to kiss Limbaugh's feet out of fear.
Limbaugh is the de-facto voice of the GOP while Grover Norquist controls which GOPers run for office and win ala his Pledge to Grover. Is Limbaugh really the voice the GOP wants to claim as theirs? They cannot on one hand say he's just an entertainer and on the other hand grovel and kiss his feet in fear. While the GOP does some serious soul-searching about what kind of party it wants to be, perhaps they should ask why both Grover and Rush hold such power over them and give some thought to telling both to take a hike. Both the GOP and the country would be the better for it.
I disagree Jody, I want Rush and Grover to stay in place and keep spewing the ugly anti woman party line until no one is confused on where the conservatives in the Republican party wants to lead the nation. Guess who I am not voting for!
Jody---Romney first said that he "wouldn't have used those words"---implies to me that he was OK with the sentiment but would have phrased it differently. Maybe he would have used "painted lady" or something.
Then he said that he "accepted" Rush's "apology". Well, the woman in question has not accepted the apology and scores of other women, and the men who support them, have also not accepted the apology.
I know, republicans want you to think they are so tough and strong, yet they can't even bring themselves to call Rush's BS. The reason is that they agree. Rush's point was that if you take birth control you are a slut and a whore.
Romney is no leader, he does as he is told. Norquist knows this and has already said that Romney would be perfect as all they need is a warm body that can sign the bills they pass.
Romney missed a golden opportunity to be "Presidential" and condemn Rush's words in the manner the Catholic president of her university did. That's why this contraception issue hurt Romney with women. He didn't stand up for the right of this young woman to voice her opinion without being personally attacked. It's what people are looking for: a leader to correct the tone of our politics. Obama showed he could do that. Romney didn't.
Amy--on Morning Joe this morning they were suggesting that Romney could even now score points by condemning Limbaugh. As if that wouldn't be too transparent.
The young Barack Obama (who was then President of the Harvard Law Review) in the video everyone is excited about showed more courage in standing up for diversity than any of the Republicans have in standing up to either Rush Limbaugh or Grover Norquist.
But Amy. Wait a minute. What if it's true?? What if Sandra really is a slut??
Joseph - you have to realize how junior high that sounds?
It's statements like yours that those in the Republican establishment are trying desperately to rein in.
Women are one of the largest voting blocks and Republicans are worried that the type of rhetoric you are spouting could cost them the election in Nov.
For your party's sake - use a little maturity in choosing your words.
Maybe your right Katheryn. Maybe Rush is a little blunt for your taste. I suppose calling Fluke a promiscuous bimbo would be much more politically correct. No?? How about the campus glory hole?? Sllep-around sue?? I'm up for suggestions.
LOL Joseph - you'll have to travel down that path all by your lonesome - Kat
Let Obama and his campaign team of losers keep thinking they know what they're doing. It will make the slaughter in November that much more entertaining. I can still remember the looks on the faces of over-confident liberals when Bush got his second term. Just hilarious.
But you are going to have to conceed that the real hump Republicans need to get over is Bush's record in November. I was asked to leave my local Republican party when I told them not to sign on to the Bush Chenny debacle. What needs to be done is all Republicans express their apology for knowingly supporting Bush.
I am a very strong conservative and where are the dems like honestly?? That philosophy of equality is what the country needs! Personal responsibility is the foundation to what America is about. If we could all agree on that I truly believe we could get a lot more done! Please understand I know my side has some nut jobs as well! Any group calling themselves christians and protesting soldiers funerals saying Americas policies on homsexuality are the reason for the death of American soldiers is about as nuty as you can get!
I have heard people call Mitt Romney a "flip flopper" more than once.
Take a long look at Warren Buffet. The most successful investor ever. Turned $500,000 into billions.
He has his own personal rules for investing. The last one is "Don't be afraid to break your own rules".
Now, you might say this makes Warren a "flip-flopper". I believe it shows how flexible, and open minded he is.
He is not afraid to adjust his plans to the reality of the situation.
Now when you look at Obama and his socialist agenda, think of being open minded, and flexible, taking reality into account. It just isn't there. Look at his failed stimulus. Look at Solyndra. Look at his revolting Chevy Volt pipe dream. Look at Obamacare. Look at his "dream act". Look at the Keystone pipeline.
He's living in his own little, libbie, Disneyland world, and expects reality to conform to his dream world. Then gets frustrated when it won't work, and blames, Bush, Congress, the rich,......Anybody but himself.
What a relief it will be to get rid of this little waste of time.
Beach Bum,
Great post describing the backward liberal philosophy.
Do you know that in the former Soviet Union, "business" was a bad word. Not to be used in polite company. And Profit was something criminal?? Profiteering was an actual crime. LOL
From what I've read on these posts , I begin to see a pattern emerge.
Companies are evil. They only exploit workers to further their greedy ways, and make those evil profits.
Corporations are especially evil since they are big companies, and make even bigger evil profits.
They can however, redeem themselves if they return all the evil profits in the form of jobs (paychecks) to the downtrodden, exploited workers.
They must "provide" jobs. Like you would provide a tissue to someone with a runny nose.
If a company keeps it's evil profits, they are hoarding them.
(sound like the Soviet Union yet??)
The lynchpin of Romney V Obama is immigration. It's Barack's Achillies' heal. He can't change mantras now, he is stuck with his record of giving the farm, accually your's and my farm, to illegal people and a free pass to criminal employers, not to mention 1.25 million new foreign greencard recipiants per year, taking American's jobs. The idiot press is trying to say that the Republican Party needs to include illegal aliens to get elected. Nothing could be further from the truth. Somebody has to go to bat for the hardworking American middle or we won't have a country to give away or save for our grandchildren. Obama's socialism is as dead as communism. In order for Democrats to replace us in the workplace they need to exterminate us so we can't vote. They haven't done that so in November they are going to reap what they are sowing. The AFL-CIO is coming all out for Obama and can't even deliver its own membership because so many members are out of work and being told that Obama is good for them. The spin machine won't do it for Democrats this time. Why is it that regulation is a good thing against me but regulation against illegal aliens is a bad thing?