Check out Mitt Romney's plans to cut Social Security and Medicare should he be elected: Google: upi.com romney vows Social Security medicare cuts

Remember that seniors and baby-boomers come election time!

rot,

This could be one endorsement that actually does make a difference. I am surprised by it. Wonder why Jeb did it? The scuttlebutt in Florida was he would not endorse anyone - wanted to stay out of it. Next question is, will he be an active supporter or not?

I have no idea how Jeb is doing as the governor of FL, but if he's anything like his brother/father, it doesn't sound like much of an endorsement to me.

The deal's not done until Sarah Palin chimes in. :)

Romney accomplished an impressive win in IL yesterday. He is now one step closer to solidifying the GOP behind him in August and towards the Romney/Rubio ticket come 11/6/12. Democracy in action, many people in IL have spoken and God Bless America for the freedom we are granted to express our opinions accordingly here!

I should have said former governor. Sorry.

In either case I still have to wonder if it is and endorsement or the kiss of death for Romney with a another Bush supporting the guy.

phinephancy: I think it is in the best interest forthe GOP to stop this primary fight. It's proven more damaging to the party on a whole. The GOP want to be way to the right, but they cannot win like that, so this the GOP now swallowing the "bitter" pill, which is a moderate (well, he was at one point) Mitt Romney. I am sorry to see it winding down and I do hope the other pig headed candidates take this through the summer. The more the GOP ding themselves the better is it for the Dems.

The reason one of the more powerful Republicans like Jeb Bush stepped in and gave his endorsement is to stop the bleeding and sh!t show put on this election year by his party "representatives." He wants it to stop and I can't blame him.

Jahmekan,

I agree with your analysis. It just comes as a bit of a surprise. Word was, Jeb was not going to endorse until the convention. Wonder what backroom deals or pressure was applied? I do see strong egos of the remaining field, so I would imagine, unless they were offered a deal to good to pass up, they will remain until Tampa.

rot,

You also make a good point. Jeb is nothing if not a party man. He possibly sees the end of the GOP if all this continues.

Who cares about Jeb Bush?

The GOP needs to end the primaries NOW because the Republican House has issued a political non-starter of a 'budget'. Plus the House is wasting its time attempting to bash at 'Obamacare'. As usual, the Republican controlled House is damaging the GOP brand. The Republican House ended the primary season yesterday.

A gaggle of GOP presidential candidates would be absolutely destroyed trying to defend the politics in the House. Too many 'gotcha' points. The GOP needs to coalesce around Mr. Anybody to avoid the appearance of discord among Republicans. Mitt Romney is Mr. Anybody simply because of the math.

Seriously, Noah. 1. He's a Bush; 2. Nothing screams establishment insider like a Bush. 3. Does he even have a job right now?

Jeb Bush known for:

1) pregnant chads, and

2) "Stand Your Ground" Law where someone could shoot you in the head, claim self defense, and get away with it.

P.S. I though the name "Bush" was as welcomed as a venerial disease. I though the Republicans do anything not to be associated with a Bush?

As soon as the primaries are over the left is going to be in big trouble. This country is going to be given a very stakl choice in what direction we want to go. I feel we will choose the right direction and follow the lead of conservatives. This country won't survive the progressive/liberal agenda. I'm tired of hearing about how terrible things were when the libs took over Congress. Didn't they say they would fix everything? How long are we supposed to give them?

Let the shellacking continue. Get rid of this failed administration.

bayllie - don't worry about your little disease. President Obama will try and get you free meds to fix it. He better hurry, he only has 8 months left. And that was Gore that brought us "pregnant chads".

JH-479998

I feel we will choose the right direction and follow the lead of conservatives.

You mean Romney? The same guy who was declared a fake conservative by his own Party? The same guy who wanted ObamaCare to be modeled on RomneyCare?

Massachusetts before Romney = 10th in job growth.

Massachusetts during Romney = 47th in job growth.

JH,

bayllie - don't worry about your little disease. President Obama will try and get you free meds to fix it.

You would have to do some vaginal probing (that Republicans love so much) before you can tell if I had any of the "little diseases" you are referring to.

It seems ludicrous that the Republicans can effectively call Democrats spend and tax. No matter what they say Ronald Reagan and George Bush are the biggest deficit creaters since WW2. Supply side economics is based on an economic myth to curb inflation. Trickle down is another failed experiment in Republican economics. Support tax loopholes and reduce rates for the top taxpayers, increase spending for the military, and pay for it by eliminating Medicare, Social Security,and all other social programs.

Reagan in no way slowed the growth of spending to the rate of inflation or as a per centage of GDP. Reagan oversaw the largest peacetime buildup of the military in US history while tripling the national debt. Adjusted for inflation or as a per centage of GDP, Reagan and George W. increased annual deficits
and total debt more than any other president since WW2.

http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

Strange that Republicans blame Democratic Congresses with a Republican President and yet blame Democratic Presidents with Republican Congresses. Even the conservative Chantelle shows a Bush annual deficit higher than any of Obama's first three years.

Republicans spend lots of money to conceal and misdirect the truth about Reagan's supply side or trickle down economics that even George HR Bush called "Voodoo economics". Reagan funded his tax cuts by eliminating tax breaks for everyone. But somehow, over the years the tax breaks and loopholes for the upper class silently worked their way back into the tax code.

Where were the Republicans almost rabid outrage on debt, when Bush cut taxes, started two wars, and increased medicare benefits (all unfunded)? To quote Dick Cheney "Deficits don't matter".

Now, again, Republicans want to cut rates rates in exchange for any loopholes they give up. Spend more on defense, privatize Medicare and Social Security, eliminate all other programs such as food stamps, WICS, education for learning disabled, loans for post secondary education.

The war on the working class continues. While GDP increases working class wages and benefits have declined since 1980 (adj. for inflation). All gains in GDP went to the top 2%.

Yet Repulicans successfully argue that the enemy of the working class are "welfare queens" and the retired. The top 2% who have reaped all the rewards since 1980 and have proven over and over again that trickle down
does not create jobs for Americans.

Hey marlen101917 remember the Democrats have offered no plan to save either Medicare or Social Security and both are going to collapse. Remember that seniors and those expecting to be seniors come election time. Once they collapse just how much money will you be expecting to receive?

You already know what to expect from Obama and the Democrats, spend baby spend, borrow baby borrow, tax baby tax, and print baby print. Trillion plus annual budget deficits, and a national debt that will easily topple 20 trillion during Obama's second term. Massive inflation for which gas prices are just the beginning. So if you feel that is the right direction for the country, then Obama and the Democrats are the party for you.

Phine and Jahmekan - good points. I have to say,I too thought Bush would wait until the convention, but maybe they felt enough was enough and this was the time to put an exclamation point on the issue. Well, now that Bush has thrown his hat onto Romney's side,the rest of the heavy weight Republican establishment will follow suit.

nomore - Jeb's endorsement is not the kiss of death - quite the opposite in face. This is the Bush brother who probably should have been the President (sorry,George). But I suspect he was not the one Cheney wanted -he's not quite as easy to maneuver as George.

Well said crazy.

If you REALLY want to know the difference between Republicans and Democrats - read the party platforms from 2008. Each party creates a platform at their respective national conventions. The party platforms are the guidelines and priorities of each party until the next national convention. Each elected official pledges to support their respective party platform.

Republcan Party Platform for 2008

Democrat Party Platform for 2008

When you cast a vote for a party candidate - you are not only voting for the candidate - you are also endorsing the party platform and you are pledging to support that platform. Read the two platforms - open your minds - and decide which you think is best for America's future.

I'm curious. What GOP candidate endorsed vaginal probes?

TO: Jahmekan who wrote:

"... I think it is in the best interest for the GOP to stop this primary fight..."

I do too!

I think it's in the best interest for the GOP to give up period. There is absolutely NO WAY we're going to vote for the "JOBS CREMATOR" nor are we going to support more tax cuts for the rich, or more pay cuts for Working Americans!

If you want to stop democracy in progress, then please begin with Republicans bowing OUT of the race.

Thank you!

Obama / Biden 2012

@Rick:

Check out the following short video presentation on how the right wing media (backed by the Koch Brothers) are actively working to destroy programs like Social Security: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFymBUsoNWY

Nerm L -- Nice post! Hopefully people will take the time to read those platforms.

Endorsing democracy with an anti-democracy, anti-American suggestion. Now that's rich. What a hypocrite.

ROMNEY/RUBIO 2012 BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mainstream media will continue to call Romney a "weak" candidate thru the primary election, thru the general election, thru his first term as president, thru his second term as president, thru the entire time he takes writing his presidential memoirs.

As Al Davis use to say "JUST WIN, BABY!"

It is far past time for this joke of a president to go. The experiment was a failure. Liberalism is a disease and ROMNEY is the CURE.

GO MITT!

Looks to me like Jeb Bush is wrangling for a V.P. position. Lol....just what the Republicans need.....a Bush...they've done such a wonderful job in the past.

There's something about that Bush name and name fatigue. Just a quick look back less than four years tells one how toxic that name really is! I'm sure that's why he didn't run himself!

Betcha there won't be any photo-ops with Jeb or Sarah, for sure!

Statement reads more like "Well, if I have to endorse someone?"

The fact that Jeb took so long to endorse Mitt Rawmoney shows just how distasteful it is.

Mitt Romney: He dodged the draft, he dodged paying taxes, and he dodged responsibility for all his old positions. If elected, he'll dodge doing what is best for America, too. You can be sure of that.

We'll all be tired of the rhetoric long before the elections.

It's all up to the swing states. Obama has 191 in the electoral count clinched. In the end, Republicans will lose based on trying to help the economy on the backs of the elderly and poor. Also, American's won't support protecting the rich.

Bob, so now Rubio is your next savior? You think Hispanics will fall for that pork chop? (brown on the outside white meat on the inside) Hispanics are not monolithic. That guy is the whitest looking CUBAN i have ever seen. It won't get you the Puerto Rican vote (they will remember Santorum's learn English policy) and the Mexicans know the GOP demonizes them and hates them. Yea Al Davis used to say "Just win Baby" but for years he no longer had any idea of how to win. Just like the GOP. They are still using talking points from the 1940s, like Social Security is a failure and calling everyone a socialist like in the 1950s. The TEA Party, Libertarians, and Evangelicals have sunk the GOP. There are not enough of them to win alone and if Romney takes a more centrist tack they will walk. If Obama attacks the GOP plans to change Social Security and Medicare Romney will lose like Alf Landon.

Rubio? What legislation has he had a hand in lately other than the failed Blunt bill? If Romney is running as the "Washington outsider" a wet-behind the ears tea-bagger who can't seem to get his recent family history straight would be a GREAT choice! :)

Nice try marlen101917 but trying to paint the Koch brothers as evil by touting a youtube video produced by one of the George Soros funded left wing foundations is loony. There are billionaires pushing their political agendas on both sides of the isle, and very much so in mainstream media let alone some backroom effort like the Brave New Foundation. Representative Chellie Pingree is married to a billionaire hedge fund manager, think any inside information flows in his direction?

If you actually believe Social Security and Medicare are fine, good you for you. If you are wrong tough luck. Which is all you will end up with if you are wrong. One of the founding principles of this country was the freedom of press. It was suppose to be an unbiased reporting to keep government in check, instead it has become an arm of the government to promote the ideology they support. Brave New Foundation, what a joke.

nomoresameo (post # 1.3):

To quote nomoresameo:

"I have no idea how Jeb is doing as the governor of FL, but if he's anything like his brother/father, it doesn't sound like much of an endorsement to me."

Jeb Bush is not the Govenor of FL. Gov. Rick Scott ( former CEO of the FL Hospitals (whose business was charged with the largest medicare fraud and fined with the highest fee in the U.S. history) is the current FL Gov. In spite of this fraud, the Floridians were just ignorant enough to elect the Tea Party Thug anyways. But then Florida seems to have its own history of problems when it comes to elections. However, it's hard to say which of the 2 were worse. Jeb may be just a tab bit smarter than his brother, but you had better pray that he stays out of politics altogether. Too many Floridians feel he screwed up education system in the State. The lottery income was originally set up to support education. However, Bush managed to commandeer the funds over to more favorite departments throughout the State in spite of his theme: "No Child Left Behind". And that sure sounds rather similar to big brother Bush, who commandeered the Social Security Funds to pay for the two wars (one of which was the WAR of NO WMD's in Iraq). So among Romney, Bush , or any other Republican, none are worthy of any endorsement. They serve their Party Philosophy first with the Constituents coming in last. The main theme of Republicans is to do away with all social entitlements, esp. Social Security and Medicare, which they call "Social Welfare Benefits" unless it is for them to profit from. If they can't eliminate those programs altogether, then they want to gamble it away in the markets. Florida couldn't even manage to get their corrupt elections ballots straight (during the Presidential Election year which Jeb's bigger brother succeeded in stealing). So how would FL or any other State do any better with placing those social welfare programs in the stock market? Plus, the next thing you know, the investment income money from those funds will be commandeered to other political pet projects that were not originally included for consideration. If it fails, you are the one to loose with just a minor slap of the politicians' hands. Didn't somewhere in the Bible mention that Jesus became angry in the town square with the business financiers gambling away their money? And just how many more"strike outs" do we need to have with a Bush at the helm? Hasn't the U.S. learned their lesson yet, esp. with the last one? Keep in mind that this Republican, Romney, a billionaire many times over, paid less than 14% taxes to the IRS last year, while the other 99% of us paid more than 18% and more. Are these the traits of a leader that the U.S. needs at this time (more greed and profit for the 1%) ????

The article quotes Jeb as saying:

"Congratulations to Governor Mitt Romney on his win last night and to all the candidates for a hard fought, thoughtful debate and primary season."

From the debates that I listened to this season, not one of them would I consider anywhere close to being THOUGHTFUL. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING would be a far better and closer description to the manner in which the Republicans have conducted their behavior and manners on the Campaign Trail. What in the world is the matter with these people manipulating the most obviously and morally wrong into something such as : THOUGHTFUL. But then again, hasn't this type of behavior been the problem for the Republicans for a very long time now? How can you have any trust in a candidate or Party that tries to survive on daily manipulations without any reality checks?

Yet one more reason to vote noone but Ron Paul 2012!

^ Agreed Paul 2012

Rob in ma - Not Rubio - he did himself in with that Rubio/Blunt bill that everyone including Blunt is backing away from as fast as they can. (it's been shelved until after the elections). Rubio is toxic from the same tainted anti-women issue that affected Vaginal Probe McDonald. He would be a p.r. nightmare.

But Rob -here I went looking into Susana Martinez because you mentioned her and you're not even considering her? I am devastated Bob!

And I think she might be the right one for the Republican ticket

Well congratulations to Jeb Bush! It took a real leap of faith to endorse the 'all-but-won' candidate of the 2012 Republican Primary. And to think, he did this AFTER THE FACT. Real good political endorsement for Jeb. However it is far distant from lion-hearted! Reminds me of a person who would bet on the dice after they have stopped rolling!

Who in this country could give a hoot what anybody from the horrid Bush family thinks? They ought to be ashamed of what has happened to this country in the hands of a Bush.

Jeb needs to go home and take care of his crack head thieving daughter.

Ben - your thinking of Vaginal Probe McDonald - the one who hoped for the position of VP before he was became known forever by his new sobriquet

Just a thought. for VP on the losing Republican side there are VP, Very Portentacious Gov. Chris Chistie. But, NJ isn't liking him so much lately and face it, he and Romney together look like Laurel and Hardy. Or maybe VP, Vaginal Probe, Bob Mcdonnell? 'Nuff said, America doesn't want a man whose graduate thesis was how to remove the separation of charuch and state.

Why not a Bush to go with a Romney, it's all in the patrimony?

No. You'd think that the Bush clan had enough money not to need a job, and America certainly cannot afford another Bush, ever.

Jeb who????? The "FORMER" governer of Florida! Just like Pailin is the "FORMER" (quitter) Governer of Alaska. They are irrevelent. Daddy Bush told Jeb to endorse Romney, and as all Bushes do they say "Yes Daddy". Daddy said it because Dick Chaney told him to do it!

What most of the RWNJ's don't understand is Romney Noodle budget would raise the debt to 23.2 Trillion after 4 years. And President Obama's budget would be at 22.1 Trillion. This is the lesser of One evil, because Romney Noodle budget is the Ryan Plan - Robin Hood in reverse. The wealthiest would get an additional tax cut of 180,000 dollars and corporations rates would be lowered to 35% not that the top pay any taxes now.

So all you RWNJ's and Middle GOPer's Vote for your Moron President Romney Noodle.

So,,, an endorsement from the brother of George "W"orst President in U.S. history Bush.

___________________________________________

How endearing,., how sweet,, how very impressive !!

But this should supprize no one as most of Bush's advisers are slated to be Romney foreign affairs advisers including the idiot who urged war on Iraq based on "weapons of mass destruction".

The greedy morons in the republican party are handing another four years to Obama.

"W" Destroyed the Bush name !!!!!!!! Jeb endorsement is like a Rush Limbaugh endorsement. This Nation got Bushwacked.

2nd generation politicians.

Politics: [poly "many" + tics "blood sucking parasites"]

a endorsement by Jeb Bush, could be the kiss of death; his re-writing of Florida tax laws, let the Corporations off the hook, and let the home owner pick up the Tab; there is something seriously wrong with the Bush family, remember it was his grandfather Prescott Bush, that was the author and senator that wrote the fed reserve act of 1913, he lost his bank in 1940, when it was seized by the government when they found out he was Adolph Hitlers banker in the United States .

A Bush endorsement?

That's pretty much the kiss of death.

.

I'm endorsing Barack Obama. News at 11.

Me too!

I have to laugh that none of these so called 'leaders' within the GNOP have the courage or conviction to endorse Willard until it's obvious he will limp across the finish line! lol

I remember in 2008 how PROUD I was of Ted & Caroline Kennedy coming out early and endorsing then Senator Obama even though they were close with the Clinton's!

That's called resolve!

PS: Enough with MSNBC touting Willard's win as 'BIG'!

Only 25% of registered IL voters showed up at the polls for a Presidential primary when the temperture hit 85 degrees!

As a matter of fact it's a record LOW for the state!

Unlike Obama who does his best to channel himself through some of the great American Presidents like Lincoln, I don’t. But also, UNLIKE Obama, and much like Lincoln, I am an unabashed supporter of less government and more personal Freedoms.

The mindset of the American people who support the LEFT and Obama are so far removed from the beliefs of great Americans such as Lincoln, that their
relationship with what has made America and the American dream great beyond comparison is unfathomable.

Those people who are positively passionate towards Obama and his LEFTIST mindset, who enjoy the FREEDOM to pray upon the alter of Obama; are indeed the same people GREAT Americans like Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln fought against from the conception of the Republic.

Obama will be as “DONE AS BURNT TOAST” in November, otherwise the consequences of FOUR more years for Obama will be unthinkable. Obama lies and American dies. Given the chance, every politician will cook the books to make himself or herself look better. And by extension, he or she will also cook the books to hide his or her failures, excesses, and political “crimes” against the people.

Any thinking person who truly understands anything . . . knows that Obama’s
Presidency is the greatest Presidential FAILURE ever. They would know that
unemployment isn’t even close to the numbers Obama wants people to believe that it is.

They would know that jobs are getting scarcer, and because of the LEFT’S
intrusions into every aspect of the business world, less people in the small to
medium sized business community want to hire anyone given any other choice.

They would know that Obama and the LEFT are PERSONALLY and EXCLUSIVELY responsible for the cost of energy, and the incredible vulnerability that the United States faces based on the reliable access of sufficient oil and gas in the event of an OPEC shutdown or boycott.

They would know that America was built upon a strong foundation based almost exclusively on MERITOCRACY, rather than on Obama’s belief in SHARING the wealth of hard working men and women who sacrificed, failed, and kept on failing until they finally EARNED their success; the fruits of which Obama wants to take away.

They would know that they are losing RIGHTS and FREEDOMS by the day. They would know that Obama has divided the American people along racial and class lines like no President has done before.

They would know that there is an explosion of government growth, suffocating
regulations, costs, and bureaucracy under Obama and the LEFT . . . including
the LEFT’S idea of entitlements that are unsustainable.

They would know that the feeling of American Exceptionalism has become a faded dream because of Obama, who believes in word and deed that America is no more exceptional than any other country, as he explained during his America APOLOGY Tours.

And they would know that the world, INCLUDING and perhaps ESPECIALLY Israel is in great peril because of Obama's hideous Foreign Policy.

In a world where people cared for REAL reality, rather than the crap that’s served as a daily entertainment diet; or where the media was honest in their
reporting, opposed to being ideological LEFTIST propagandists, Obama would have never been elected, and would have no chance whatsoever to being elected again.

I endorse Romney, we can't afford another 4 years of Obama's erosion of Freedom and disregard of the Constitution!

Because having the governemnt in our bedrooms and womens' vaginas is freedom?

Because having the governemnt in our bedrooms and womens' vaginas is freedom?

Living in Santorum's theocracy would be the epitome of freedom.

Because having the governemnt in our bedrooms and womens' vaginas is freedom?

That's an ugly thought, did you run this by carrot top before you posted it Detroit?

Yo, Envy and Dour - so much to pick apart, yet so little space. Let's focus on this one;

They would know that America was built upon a strong foundation based almost exclusively on MERITOCRACY

and then this one;

I endorse Romney

How does one claim the country is founded on meritocracy when their candidate was born with a silver spoon in their mouth?

Being forced to prove you are a citizen to a police office who has stopped you without cause is freedom?

not making much sense again reddev.... have another cup!

I've come to the conclusion that the liberals have accepted Obama's lies as their truth! How else can the clones cling to the notion that BO is an effective president? He's not and never will be!

BO is a great modern version of the Peter Principle: meaning that a worker tends to be 'promoted' until they reach a position in which they cannot work competenly! This is B.H.O to a tee! Unfortunately the position cost the country dearly his first term, can't let him repeat!

Pride and Joy - you loose all credibility when you say, "And they would know that the world, INCLUDING and perhaps ESPECIALLY Israel is in great peril because of Obama's hideous Foreign Policy."

Israel is a sovereign nation responsible for themselves.

Every woman will soon have her own "G" man to guard/intrude her vagina.....be forced to submit to search.

pride and joy, the reason you have freedom to do what you would like and to say what you do is because our government is actively involved protecting those rights.

government is too big? no such thing! the republicans will tell you it is too big so they can be rid of those protections you hold so true and dear.

you, pride and joy, and many like you, are being hoodwinked, by the non-elected corporations who want to rewrite the laws and remove quality air standards, who want to remove water polution standards, who want to remove health care standards, who want to allow banks, who they say are too big to fail, gamble away our hard earned dollars. yes, they want to remove all the referees and create mayham in our country.

they want to create a world size army to render all countries helpless. they want you to believe that our economy is crashing and we must be rid of social security, our 401k, which we pay, get rid of medicare then they can raise rates and remove anyone from the program, rolling you or your parents back to the time, before johnson passed it in the 60's, yes 60's, leaving a wake of dead seniors in their path.

no, pride and joy, i will work dilligently not to allow this to happen. i like being protected by firemen and police, i like laws protecting the health of my children and grand children. i like our beautiful waterways and majestic mountains. i like safe bridges and highways. i like the fact that everyone in my state, who drives, must have insurance. i like the fact that government protects me from cheating banks and corporations.

no, i do not have the big bucks like many of the canidates and no i can not be self insured like many of the canidates, but i have paid my fair share in taxes to make sure i recieve the government protection that we all deserve.

for i, and many like me, are americans. we love baseball and apple pie, we believe in freedom guranteed under the constitution, and we believe in helping our neighbor, not removing food stamps and medical care in their time of need.

if you really belive the government is too big, then look towards china, russia, iran, and north korea, as those are governments which are too big. so big in fact they have become dictatorships, which in all sincerity the non-elected corporations would like to become.

this country belongs to all of us, the rich and the strong, the weak and the poor, and we are all guranteed the same rights and privileges. so please make sure when you vote, a privalege guranteed and protected, for at least now that you are voting for all of us, for it us we the people who are the true government!

please think of every child, every person with a disability, every family without a home, your family, your friends, your neighbors, and ask yourself, for you are infact, a member of the government, am i doing right for all of them and for all of us?

not making much sense again reddev

Says the prime example that the Peter Principle exists. In your perpetual state of incompetency, you cannot understand the concept of social inequality.

@Pride and Joy -- You clearly do not understand history or have a grasp on who and what Abraham Lincoln represented. You have it backwards.

President Lincoln laid the foundation stones for progressive Republicans. The Lincoln administration created the foundation for workers rights 25 years after the Civil War, women's rights 50 years after the Civil War, and civil rights 100 years after the Civil War. The idea of 'pulling yourself up by the bootstraps' is a progressive idea - a Lincoln idea. REAL Republicans would not allow anything to interfere with people attempting to better themselves. Lincoln promoted social justice - a progressive Republican idea - a REAL Republican idea.

Today's Republican Party has become the National Dixiecrat Party. It is home to Birchers, separatist, totalitarian thugs - the worst political philosophies that have existed in all our politics.

Barack Obama has been carrying the banner of conservative Democrats AND progressive Republicans. The Democratic Party is a big tent. The Democratic Party has provided safe haven for progressive Republicans. The Democratic Party has attempted to allow those progressive Republicans to continue to have a voice in American politics. Hopefully someday those progressive Republicans will be allowed to return to their own party.

The best thing that could happen in American politics is if the Republican Party would return to being the party of Lincoln.

Bush Deficit = Obama Deficit -

Obama criticized Bush for spending $4 trillion in eight years. He has spent more than that in 3 1/2.

Democrats are full of it. No doubt they are hypocrites.

TO: Pedestrian-in-SF who wrote:

"... 1. He's a Bush; 2. Nothing screams establishment insider like a Bush. 3. Does he even have a job right now?"

Ah, yeah, isn't Jeb Bush managing the Iraqi Oil Revenues that continue to flow through the Bushes' Bank Accounts?

The Bushes control Iraqi Oil AND the Iraqi Oil Revenues which Dubya arranged while he was still occupying the Oval Office and made it "iron clad". Not even another POTUS can change what Dubya put in place as far as Iraqi Oil is concerned.

Yep, now that Jeb Bush has endorsed Romney, that ought to seal the deal! (NOT)

Obama / Biden 2012

Well said kr-2875346, well said.

My sentiments exactly.

P&J,

all that would be very convincing, if only it were true.

Pride and Joy, Lincoln the champion of small government? Have you ever read even one book on Lincoln and/or the American Civil War?

You already know what to expect from Obama and the Democrats, spend baby spend, borrow baby borrow, tax baby tax, and print baby print. Trillion plus annual budget deficits, and a national debt that will easily topple 20 trillion during Obama's second term. Massive inflation for which gas prices are just the beginning. So if you feel that is the right direction for the country, then Obama and the Democrats are the party for you.

Nerm,

The best thing that could happen in American politics is if the Republican Party would return to being the party of Lincoln.

We are trying to, why don't the Liberal media get out of the way and let Dr Paul, the popular choice have a fair shot. Are the Democrats that afraid of the party of Lincoln coming back? I think they are.

The idea of 'pulling yourself up by the bootstraps' is a progressive idea - a Lincoln idea.

Yes this was a seminal Lincolnite ideal, but it's proper context is individualism, the exact same thing Kennedy was saying when he gave his "Ask Not" speech. You saying the Democrat Party of today is for INDIVIDUALISM? Democrats? Individualism?

Sorry I had to say it twice!

Better watch out Nerm, with statements like that, they will burn your party registration card...

@Egilman -- Dr. Ron Paul represents the party of Davis more than the party of Lincoln. Dr. Ron Paul is attempting to convert America into the Eurozone. Neither the Democrats or Republicans are going to allow that - and - the American people certainly will not support that. Ron Paul stands on the wrong side of history.

At the present time - the Democratic Party is the ONLY political movement that supports what you term INDIVIDUALISM. At the present time - the Democratic Party is the ONLY political movement that is attempting to protect YOUR rights without interference by shareholders, speculators, and boards of directors - to health care - to participate in the economy as a consumer - to obtain an education to better yourself - to place YOUR place in society and the economy on the same or greater level than corporations.

When corporations have the rights of individuals - when only 'job creators' are favored by government - when politics divides our society into defined and predictable demographics -- your INDIVIDUALISM has been attacked. You do not have rights as an individual - you only have rights granted to your demographic group. And you will be trapped in that demographic group with little opportunity to 'better yourself'.

You are confusing 'survival of the fittest' with 'protection of individual liberties'. REAL Republicans would not make that mistake ...

Nerm,

I know I'm not going to convince you of anything, Understand one thing,

I will NEVER become a democrat, I will never become a statist. The only thing the Democrats believe in is Collectivising anything and everything.

I AM an individual, I will chose which groups I belong to, I do not need anyone to tell me how I should do or believe in anything!

I believe in the Ideals of the Founding Fathers and their vision of America, the Democrat Party represents none of those ideals and hasn't for many decades. I will agree, the current power structure of the Republican Party doesn't believe in those Ideals any more than the Democrats do.

What do we have today, when survival is counted in seconds, the Cops are minutes away.

Protection of individual liberties starts with the INDIVIDUAL, if we do not stand up AS individuals we will lose our god given rights to the usurpations of others. This was the core principle of our Founding Fathers.

Democrats are for nothing but the usurpations of power and the rights of the individual.

Your statement here...

your INDIVIDUALISM has been attacked. You do not have rights as an individual - you only have rights granted to your demographic group. And you will be trapped in that demographic group with little opportunity to 'better yourself'.

Reveals that you do understand this, but, I submit to you, which party views people as groups? and not individuals. A perfect example of this is the whole contraception issue. Democrats chirp with glee that they were able to enrage a whole section of the population. They exult with Adulation over the polls showing what they assume is all the women in the country now sincerely going to vote for their own enslavement.

People are waking up to the fact that when you think you can manipulate people in large groups like this that they are slaves to the opinion makers. they are beginning to understand that by being treated like this their opinions don't really matter, they have a benevolent guide (democrats) who tell them how they should think and believe.

I cannot and will not submit myself to such dictatorship.

Respectfully, I cannot and will never be a democrat.

Pride and Joy... First and foremost Lincoln believed, as Federalists of the time believed, in a strong CENTRAL government. He, like Obama, was a single term member of Congress (HoR instead of Senate) and was a strong supporter of improving the nation's infrastructure.

Concerning costs of energy, theory of Obama repealing freedoms, relations with Israel, Obama being a leftists/marxist and all other fantasies... PLEASE get out of the GOP (Grand ole Plutocracy) ECHO CHAMBER so you can think independently and critically. Just because Dush Limpbag, Sham Hannity, Mike Savage, Glenn Beck, Anne Coulter and Billy "Madison" Orielly repeat a lie does not make the lie true. If you truly believe I am wrong then provide links to corroborate your OPINIONS.

"...Obama has divided the American people along racial and class lines..." REALLY? HOW? By being mulatto and forcing racists to be true to their beliefs? What exactly has Obama said/done to cause a racial divide?

Your comments above are OPINIONS and NOT facts. Please provide corroborative evidence to prove otherwise.

AMF

@Egilman -- I am not advocating for you to become a Democrat. As you point out - that is strictly your choice.

What I am attempting to point out to you is that the enemy of your enemy is NOT your friend.

To Pride and Joy (post # 2.2)

I don't feel that any of the candidates out there are worthy of being our President.

Your manipulated comments and attitudes is so typical of the 1%. It has become very obvious that after so many years of manipulations by the Republicans, that their actions have clouded the perception of common sense reality among this group along with their followers until they no longer know the difference between right and wrong. Explain how going off to wars of no WMDs, wars lacking a successful outcome, deaths & destruction of many young lives in questionable wars, returning soldiers living in the streets without jobs, starting unpopular wars that throws our Country into the biggest deficit ever, eliminating Social Security and Medicare is your idea of success under the Republican Presidents and the beliefs of the current candidates. How do you explain the 1% elite are working that much harder than a poor person working several part-time jobs struggling to support the family with just inflated food prices ( not to mention other greedy corporate inflation's, such as gas, while earning tremendous profits etc.) with the requirement for the elite to pay far less in taxes than the middle class or poor person? And don't even go there with the comment that poor people not paying taxes. The poor people even pay taxes for food, a basic necessity of life. But somehow, the 1% have managed managed to ignore those facts. Furthermore, the 1% do not understand not understand that if you didn't have the 99% of the people working for those elite corporations, etc. (not to mention spending money to buy some of their products), then the so called elite just wouldn't be so wealthy. When did the 99% get their last bonus check while running a business into the ground, or even a small pay raise?? Those 99% work for you and made the 1%'s wealthy. This happens with the sweat of THEIR BROWS (and not yours) while cooking your meals, or buying your products with their low hourly wages. Because you claim to have worked too hard in commandeering political connections with Banks to get loans, having the advantage to higher education at Ivy League Schools without the requirement to pay high interest rates, inheriting from "Daddy's Trust Foundations" that you don't pay taxes for something not earned, except handed down by family relationships. Does all that make you smarter, or more valuable??? NO, lately, that just makes you greedier with less understanding, empathy, and lacking a reality check with real life. Then the 1% have the nerve to ask: "When was the last time the poor worker hired anyone?" And my response is: When is the last time a wealthy employer was wealthy without any workers? or When was the last time a wealthy person that did not hire any workers (i.e Sam Walton's children, who suddenly at the time of Sam's death became the ranking 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 of the wealthiest children in the world; but not through the hard working sweat of the children's' brows.) Small and poor companies do hire people (i.e. lawn-care companies, small businesses inside low income neighborhoods, etc.) So the argument the 1% use about the poor is just a spineless euphemism at its best. Take the blind-folders off to look more closely with a more honest insight to our nation's problems rather than always blaming it on one person, who really has no control over it without all our help which includes the Republicans and the elite 1%. Take a good look at what has not been accomplished with the poor and greedy behavior in Congress. They are so quick to send young soldiers off to war with low pay, and yet won't give up some of their costly benefits or lower their salaries while they squabble worse than little children. But at least the little children do get some of their work accomplished, which is creative playing in their life cycle of time. I see little to nothing accomplished in Congress last year or this year. Thanks to the Republicans, who can say nothing more than "NO" !!

Let Ricky and Newt run as Teapartyers, Romney will be the Republican candidate.

Pride and Joy,

You must be kidding. You back a man who lies as naturally as breathing. Mitt Romney is nothing but a fake who cannot be honest under any circumstances.

Really? This is the man you trust to be President?

Pride and Joy - Like you, Lincoln is one of my favorite people in history (or among a lot of living people too!) But not so sure about that smaller government and greater freedom part.

How about the man to suspend habeas corpus and decided that right belonged to the President and not the congress.

Now, I happen to think he was correct - but he was a strong central government man- certainly not a strong state government.

Nerm,

What I am attempting to point out to you is that the enemy of your enemy is NOT your friend.

I'm well aware of this, the establishment neo-cons statists would like us to slink away into oblivion as fast as possible. What they do not seem to understand is that they are a MINORITY in the party, they latched themselves onto Ronald Reagan and gained a lot of political street cred with that, then they managed to take over the party under Bush 41.

Newt is a Neo-Con without a doubt, So is Romney albeit a very liberal one, Santorum is one from the religious wing. (he doesn't seen to understand that at the convention, a third of his support isn't going to show, being democrats and all)

Dr Paul, like Reagan before him is not a Neo-Con nutcase, the difference between the two, Dr Paul will not bargain or deal with the Neo-Cons, he stands his ground, which Reagan failed to do.

Trust me, the neo-cons know that with Dr Paul on top of the ticket, we will have a republican administration come November, but he will not give them what they want, EVER.

So yeah, I know who the political enemy is, one flavor is Neo-Con and the other flavor is social liberal Democrat, two peas of the same statist pod.

So what I am reading in these posts is, we are voting for the lesser of 2 evils AGAIN! The Republicans should have been working on the right person to run against Obama the day after his election. They thought their behavior in the House would force the American people to vote against Obama. It has backfired and get ready for 4 more years of Obama. Watch out good ol'e boys if the republicans lose the majority in the House this year too.

Where are the F-n Jobs the REPUKes promised us?

Where are the F-n Jobs?

No were to be found but they are looking in the woman's vagina to find jobs.

"Santorum said God told me to be President"

Sounds like a Mitt Romney/Jeb Bush 2012 ticket to me

But hey?

WHATEVER happened to the T-Party movement?

PoooooooF

TO: justina777 who wrote:

"Sounds like a Mitt Romney/Jeb Bush 2012 ticket to me..."

You gotta be kiddin'! The Bushes want the Oval Office, NOT second chair.

But maybe you're right, maybe the Bushes think Romney can win and that's the fastest way back in to the White House.

Being that Jeb Bush would be nearly the COMPLETE and TOTAL focus of that pair with constant questions about the last "Bush" Administration, I think Jeb is more likely to run for the top spot in 2016, probably, because they know they CAN'T beat Obama this time, and all the dirt Dubya did will be in further in the past by 2016, especially once President Obama gets the economy fully back-on-track.

Maybe Jeb decided to endorse so that in 2016 some Republicans will endorse Jeb.

Obama / Biden 2012

Can you imagine how each of the Republican candidates would respond to questions about the Ryan 'budget' passed by the House? Romney is the only one that will respond in terms of economics - the least objectionable political response.

More Republican leaders will be 'endorsing' Mitt Romney soon. It is no longer about picking a 'true' conservative candidate - it is about damage control. The House Republicans have damaged the GOP brand again ...

Does anyone see Jeb Bush running for president? What's he going to say- "I'm not like my daddy or my brother"? That won't work at all. It's well documented that Barbara Bush was angry that W ran, apparently knowing how George W would screw this country up. She knew way back then that Jeb would never be able to run without a whole mess of Bush baggage to carry around!

As W tried unsuccessfully to say-Fool us once, shame on them, fool us twice and it's shame on us! GWB still can't get that one straight, and as he said famously: "We won't get fooled again!!"

Romney will NOT be putting his name on a bumper sticker with a BUSH count on it!

NEVER FORGET!!!

It was the economic policies of the blue blood Bushes that got us into these economic woeful times!

Fool us once shame on the Bushes

Fool us Twice....NOT gonna happen!!!!

"BREAKING NEWS" Santorum is now getting endorsements from Palin, Bachmann, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Joe Walsh, Paul Ryan, Kocheads Bin laden, and the best one is O'Donnell the Witch.

Montezuma's revenge.

Sounds like Taco Bell aftermath.

I wish we all can be that smart over that many years and plan in that much advance and meet the goal.

Congratualtiuons to Romney family for being so diligent in advancing their family and the USA

Raj, you miss the point that Repub or greedy was making. That is the exact CR@P that the birthers are accussing OBAMA of. But the GOP followers fall for it hook line and sinker.

The Romney family fled to Mexico, because they wanted to violate American laws and live out a depraved lifestyle. Generations later, when the Romneys immigrated to the United States, they did so without government permission and without obtaining visas. They never applied for citizenship, but their offspring born in American were automatically granted citizenship by the Constitution.

Now Mitt Romney wants to persecute Latin Americans who come to the United States because they want to work and pay taxes, live out the American dream and be decent, morally upstanding members of our society. And Romney wants to change the Constitution to incorporate perpetual hereditary rights for some Americans and not others.

Mitt Romney fled to France during the Viet Nam War to avoid the draft, but he wants to be Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces.

Mitt Romney dodges taxes by moving money offshore, and his own kids have not paid one red cent in taxes on income of over $100 million, but he wants to be in charge of how OUR tax dolars are spent.

Hypocrite.

Wow, Romney is a Mexican who is from France? Who would have thought??

Mitt Romney is a secret mormon FRENCH FASCIST born in MEXICO with a fake BIRTH CERTIFICATE planning a corporate TAKEOVER of the USA!!!!!!1!!11

God it feels good to say that after a few years of the teabagger birther crap.

Ha, good one.

Wow, thats pretty incoherent. Must be hard to type inside your tent with pepper spray in your eyes..

now that's funny ; haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

if you believe what repub o' jus pln greed is feeding you i got some golden plates 4 sale

btw to Rick-546746:

I love that term "douchenozzle" even if spellchecker flags it... hehe

Corporations are awesome..

Speaking of Presidential siblings, I wonder who Malik, Auma, Abo, and Bernard Obama are going to endorse?

raj,

Obama doesn't talk to Congress? Congress has refused to compromise with him over even the smallest things.

Do you really think a Republican President is going to compromise with Democratic leaders in Congress? You think Romney would be open to working with Democrats?

Our Tea Party governor in Maine is busy fighting with everyone - and we have a Republican legislature with a super majority! Yesterday, the Democratic head of the Maine Housing Authority resigned after months of harassment by the Republican administration here. Maine was known for its civility and bipartisanship for decades, until 2010, when the Republicans came into power. It's been one kerfuffle after another, ever since.

egad, raj, obama bent backwards for republicans and was rebuked everytime. the man has been in office for 3 years and has accomplished a tremendous amount to provide safety and security for all the american people!

if you really believe that the republicans are the best for we the people, well then, may god have mercy on your soul.

Patel, if anything, President Obama can be faulted for not playing hard ball with the Republican political hacks who first destroyed our economy, and then blocked all efforts to get it back on its feet. The same Republican political hacks who DELIBERATELY turned a surplus into a deficit when times were good and then complained that there were no reserves when times were bad.

As for Romney, he even makes his own dog throw up.

KR, bent over backwards ? Like when they drafted the ACA behind closed doors and allowed no Republican input? It's funny you all say the Congress won't work with him. The first two years Dems controlled the House, the Senate and the White House. Now, he's whining about what he couldn't get done. If he hadn't put all his rotten eggs in that basket called ACA and focused on the economy then, maybe things would be different now. But, don't say the Republicans don't work with him. Remember, he said, "the election's over; I won". Yep, you did. But, you have not lead. Compromise to O and the Dems is "do it my way".

Amy,

There are 190 Democrates in congress last time I looked and many of them picked apart the presidents jobs bill. It is not the Republicans fault his own party can't agree with him and I applaud Democrats that will not agree with him when they think he is wrong. It shows there are some that actually still put what is good for the country ahead of what is good for their party.

People need to stop brainlessly following a party and start looking at the individual. There is less difference between the two parties every day.

Old Lady:

Which people Obama is for . To balck he says you ar eon yoru own. For Hispanics he says it is too meshy to get involced. TGo Blue collars workers he says They do not understand and cannot think intelligently. Many white are racist.

So old lady, for whom bell tolls?

Saryously Raj. yur biing sourkastyc orange ya?

Raj: What? I'm not sure you understand what you wrote. Your name does not sound right?

Which people Obama is for(?)

Americans. Whether they're ultra-wealthy or not.

We all know who Mitt Romney is for: Most of the wealthiest 1%, and NO ONE ELSE.

Amy I suppose "Jock" McKernan, Jr. was a democrat?

Old Lady,

I am an independent that is alarmed more every day by both
Democrats AND Republicans that have let their "party hat" fall so far
over their eyes they are blind to the destruction their own party causes and
seem OK with it because, after all, it's "their party". The truth is
there is very little difference between the two parties today. Most the members
of each are more concerned with re-election than doing their job IE: doing what
is best for the COUNTRY not their own personal gains.

Time to stop looking at the party and judge the individual.

Spot on, American First!

Well said, accurate and all of it so True!!!

Imagine if your elderly mother was suddenly without a home and hungry. A republican would bring her into his home and feed her. A democrat would find a government program to take care of her. This is the main difference..

Ya know money I work with a non-profit that feeds the homeless and your statement is so untrue.

The people I have watched give the most time and energy have all been liberals.

Your proof is all in your imagination. You make up lies in your head and then try and pass them off as the truth.

Surely you are better than that.

Americans First

The republicans are running on everything except what they really plan on doing to America.

Well I could just as easily say freedom to our president is revoking the 4th and 6th ammendment and counting...

I didn't notice on your post the fact that:

One of his biggest promises was to clean up washington, He Said he would ban lobbyists from the administration but then granted "waivers" any time he wanted to get one appointed.

Obama ran as a candidate that would protect our constiutional rights and get rid of the Patriot act then signed it twice and further stripped us of our rights with the NDAA.

Said he woud cut the defecit in HALF by "the end of my first term"

Obama ran as a candidate of peace and said he would stop the Iraq war "by 2009" but it didnt happen until about 16 months 276 lives and about 100 Billion later.

Oh heck I don't have time to list them all go here:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-broken/

BTW I am not a republican. I am an independent that is
alarmed more every day by both Democrats AND Republicans that have let their
"party hat" fall so far over their eyes they are blind to the
destruction their own party causes and seem OK with it because, after all, it's
"their party". The truth is there is very little difference between
the two parties today. Most the members of each are more concerned with
re-election than doing their job IE: doing what is best for the COUNTRY not their
own personal gains.

The funniest part is that you are promoting the president that has stripped the American people of more ritghts than all others combined as the guy to vote for if you want freedom. Have you even HEARD of the NDAA or the Patriot act?

Almost forgot HR347 heard of that?

HR347 makes it a FEDERAL OFFENSE to protest on Federal land or near anyone with secret service protection?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEDlr-jYTrc

It doesn't matter if you are a woman or not Obama has stripped you of more civil liberties than ALL OTHER PRESIDENTS COMBINED!

he just endorsed legislation to enrich his friends who own charter schools

As opposed to taking Executive action and giving grants/loans to green companies who just happen to be large bundlers of campaign contributions?

You left out a few more of the stuttering Mormons "umms", and "uhs". So how about Romneycare? That is different because......?

Romney has impressed with his on the spot responses to hecklers...

This is an unimpressive today as it was when you posted it yesterday. So, I'll also repeat, what is Obama giving away for free?

"You know, let me tell you, no no, look, look let me tell you something. If you’re looking for free stuff you don’t have to pay for, vote for the other guy"

This from a guy who only paid 14% of his income in taxes while his country waged two wars. Talk about getting something practically for "free," how about the strongest military on earth?

Bob, you're right, Mittens would love this to be what the elections are all about. Pitt the working class against against the working poor instead of what it should be about, creating good paying jobs.

"You know, let me tell you, no no, look, look let me tell you ...." --Mitt Romney

"This from a guy who only paid 14% of his income in taxes" --Amy B.

1. Mitt Romeny did NOT pay 14% of his income in federal taxes last year. It was only 13.9%, and that includes all Social Security and Medicare contributions.

2. The working poor paid 15.6% in Socal Security and Medicare contributions alone. The middle class paid closer to 30% when you combine Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax.

3. "You know, let me tell you, look, look, let me tell you ...." is probably the LEAST harmful policy Romney endorses.

Some of you will never get the concept that when Romney earned money from work it was taxed at the highest rate. When it is invested, you pay taxes a SECOND time on the earnings.

Commonsense, if Obama is re-elected, the "working poor" will get the largest tax increase in history on January 1. The evil Bush/Obama tax cuts for the rich went to everyone that pays taxes. Romney paid 13.9% because he's smart, he didn't do anything illegal or immoral. He followed the tax code. If you paid taxes you might understand this..

Your Hispanic wife finish rehab?

I'm not so sure about the racial qualifier in this statement. I'm also not sure about the attack on his spouse. Are you implying that Jeb Bush marrying a hispanic woman is wrong, or is it that hispanics are prone to alcoholism/drug addiction?

Come to think of it, the only thing that could be construed as a non-personal attack in your post was an off-the-wall comment about big oil and the Saudi Royal Family with no facts.

Wakiash: Excellent summary! Thumbs up. :) Like the Avatar.....

"Thats no moon, its Rush Limbaugh..."

Actually, I thought HW Bush was, overall, a pretty good president. His sons on the other hand leave a lot to be desired.

TO: crazy after all these years who wrote:

"Actually, I thought HW Bush was, overall, a pretty good president. His sons on the other hand leave a lot to be desired."

Well, one big problem with Bush, Sr. was that he lied to the American People, and just like his son Dubya, he lied pretty big, which is why Republicans refused to vote for Bush, Sr. a second time and elected Democrat President Bill Clinton instead, which turned about to be a much better choice, especially in view of all of Democrat President Bill Clinton's accomplishments including, but not limited to, lowering the former Republican Bush, Sr.'s staggering unemployment numbers, and paying down Republicans' sky high deficit, and reducing the size and scope of the federal government.

Obama / Biden 2012

I agree ,about JEB BUSH. He should go to JAIL for that poor boy being killed, it was HIS LAW. Just like his stupit brother W. & his wife is a THEFT,when she tried to bring all that stuff she brought in another country,with out paying TAXES on it . The last i heard ,Jeb was still screwing the people in his job for the Hospitals & insurance company. And don't for get his daughter for DRUGS & writing her on prescriptions. SO GOOD LUCK MITT.!!!!!

Ditto, on that. Jeb boy looks like he's in the running for the Rush Limbaugh look-alike contest.