Will Team Obama employ a "we are the underdog" campaign strategy?

"Friend," Obama campaign manager Jim Messina wrote today, "If the general election were held today, President Obama would lose to Mitt Romney -- according to the latest poll from Washington Post-ABC News. Now, many other polls put the President on top, but all point to the same reality: We're looking at a race that will be tighter than you think," Messina warned.

Remember in 2008 when Hillary and even McCain were talking about a gas tax holiday. Bush, rightly, never enacted it. And Obama rightly advised against it as well.

At what price do you think Obama now that he is on the hot seat will enact a tax holiday?

a) $4.25/gal? b) $4.75/gal? c) $5.25gal?

Is Rick Santorum in the right place at the right time? If he had his surge in the polls a few months ago would have dropped out already?

Straight up trade for Brimelow?

Only if Brimelow is damaged ... eugenically.

Nope! Please take him to the nearest prison and hold for transport to the Hague.

I say make it a twofer .. and include his little dog Toto daughter Liz.

Is he afraid of being arrested for his war crimes?

I think Darth is afraid Americans might form a human chain and not let him back in again if he crosses the border. Can you imagine the international incident it could 'cause. :0

The right wing of the Republican Party is more extreme and might not win over the independents that Mitt needs to win the big game.

The truth hurts doesn't it Damage.

Joe ain't goin' nowhere. He may have foot in mouth disease but he's a solid stand up guy. You sure can't say that about any of the GOTP candidates or their likely VP picks you guys have been touting. Rubio? McDonell? Christie? No thanks!

"GOP doesn't feel for the middle class"

^ That's not a gaffe, that's true.

The reason why I'm asking this is because with wins in places like Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Arizona and Florida and his organization, Mitt Romney, in past years, would have ended this by now.

The problem with either Santorum or Gingrich as Romney's VP candidate is that none of these guys like each other at all.

Bob, I'd have to agree with DaNoid.
I think the republican contenders have been so critical of each other, it would not make sense to turn around and state that this person should be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

Also added into the fact that these people seem to really not like each other. I would say that its possible there is a cabinet position (ala Hillary) for them, but the actual VP, nope. But then again, the desire to try to become president may be strong enough to outweigh any personal dislike.

Also, given Gov. McDonnells flop with the transvaginal abortion bill, I don't see him being a positive to a campaign, at least at this time. I could see him possibly being the VP with Santorum, but Romney I can't see it. The GOP is going to have to try to pull independants and women over to them to win the Presidency and they aren't going to do that with two social conservatives, especially one who went to the mat trying to force women to have an invasive procedure before an abortion.

I honestly see Rubio as a VP candidate possibly, if he is up for it. That is, if we take some of the others at their word that they do not want to be a VP (Christie, Bush, etc)

Thanks for the honest question Bob. Its nice to actually have a discussion on here without resorting to name calling, etc.

Thanks for the response, Ryan. You and DaNoid are probably right, there is too much bad blood. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and if Romney needs to end the battle, he has the VP card to play.

"Gov. McDonnells flop with the transvaginal abortion bill"

The Governor never changed his position, that is a fact. When he found out there was a chance in the original bill as drafted that the intrusive vaginal ultrasound was involved, he lobbied to change the bill. And the bill as amended was signed.

His approval ratings are unaffected, still sky high.

Attacking McDonnell with over the top "War on Women" rhetoric may have backfired....the ultrasound bill is no different than that enacted in 7 states, and there is some sort of ultrasound requirement in over 20 states.

Despite what liberals would have you believe, abortion on demand is not very popular with voters, and reasonable "informed consent" laws are supported by most voters.

Do you think it's possible Mitt would chose Pawlenty as a VP? Haven't heard from him since he dropped out. What about a Mitt/Paw ticket?

maggie, do alittle reading and get informed

.http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/health-reform-and-abortion-coverage-in-the-insuran.aspx

November 2011

The Affordable Care Act includes provisions that govern insurance coverage of abortion in state insurance exchanges, which will be launched in 2014. The 'Special Rules' (Section 1303) of the law and the related White House executive order contain these new provisions. The law maintains current Hyde Amendment restrictions that govern abortion policy, which prohibit federal funds from being used for abortion services (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered), and extends those restrictions to the newly created health insurance exchanges.

The new health reform law also maintains federal "conscience" protections for health care providers who object to performing abortion or sterilization procedures that conflict with their beliefs. In addition, the law provides new protections that prohibit discrimination against health care facilities and providers who are unwilling to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer women for abortions. The law allows states (through legislation) to prohibit abortion coverage in qualified health plans offered through an exchange. If insurance coverage for abortion is included in a plan in the exchange, a separate premium is required for this coverage paid for by the policyholder. In addition, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Consistency with Longstanding Restrictions on the Use of Federal Funds for Abortion" executive order establishes an enforcement mechanism to ensure that federal funds are not used for abortion services, consistent with existing federal statute.

And what state do you live in?

State Laws that Restrict Insurance Coverage for Abortion in Insurance Exchanges

Since enactment of the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, at least 12 states—Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia—have enacted legislation to restrict coverage for abortion in their insurance exchanges

Maggie, Private health insurance policy dollars will pay for women's health not federal funding and everyone will be required to have health insurance that does not discriminate for religious reasons.

Futher more, I forsee that the federal mandate for health insurance will do much to flush out the illegal persons in this country. No health ID ticket, no leaching off the rest of us that do have health insurance in this country.

Please give me a break. Everyone will pay the extra $1 which will go for abortions. It is just an accounting trick in my eyes.

I might add that although we are unable to stop these little tricks they are not helping the Presidents re-election.

Maggie, please do a little more research and reading than the American Stinker Thinker or opinion blogs. There is no extra $1 accounting trick. Go to the link I gave you and read the whole thing. I gave you the facts not an opinion. Think for yourself.

Obama/Biden 2012

Maggie:

That's what accounting is - you put numbers in various columns and claim the money is separate when in reality it's all in one big account. If you want to expand it far enough, the whole world economy is one big 'whole earth' account divided into columns for global corporations and countries, then subdivided into states, etc etc etc.

If you have a problem with the columns not being sufficiently insular, move to a cabin in the woods, raise your own crops, and divorce yourself from civilization.

And his name is Bart Stupak. He didn't "lose" his job. He announced his retirement to spend more time with his family and is not seeking re-election. The GOP are still pissed off because he voted for healthcare. The Stupak (Stupak-Pitts) amendment passed the House but failed in the Senate-that's where the deal for the executive order came into play.

If insurance coverage for abortion is included in a plan in the exchange, a separate premium is required for this coverage paid for by the policyholder.

Reading is fundamental. ;-)

My problem seems to come from being promised one thing and ending up with something different. I am only one person and I was just voicing my opinion. Most people may have an entirely different opinion.

I find if I am promised fish at a fish fry I am not happy with a Hot dog. Sorry! I am still permitted to have a differing opinion without the need to pick up and move.

Maggie, you stated the following

Would you explain why ,after swearing to and writing an executive order that abortions would not be funded by Obamacare, that now it will be covered?

That may be your opinion, but you asked a question based on something that is false. I would have liked single payer or medicare for all or an end to the insurance companies making a profit on pain and suffering but we didn't get everything we wanted. It's only the beginning and the parts of the bill that are already in effect are working just fine. Sure, there's room for improvement. Give it a chance , first.

The states that have opted out and enacted their own healthcare plan seem to be doing just fine. Look at Vermont, for one.

NWS weather prediction:

"Hurricane Joe" Biden will arrive in Charlotte, North Carolina, and his clueless unwelcomed Big Mouth will blow the election.

Hey there VP (vaginal probe) Bob!

I gotta say Congrats on your two new jobs: working for the National Weather Service and answering questions for the Boiler Room.

Who knew?

JFK, Do you have a link to that "quote" or could you tell us who said it? ;-)

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