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Subscribe to RSSThe AP’s Babington writes, “The 2012 presidential general election has begun. It won't be pretty. … Romney and Obama wasted no time in portraying the voters' choice in dire, sometimes starkly personal terms.”
“The inevitability is now the reality: Mitt vs. Bam for the White House,” the New York Daily News writes, “Rick Santorum’s announcement Tuesday that he will stand down has cleared the way for Mitt Romney to declare victory — and launched the fall campaign with a vengeance.”
And check out this quote from a “top Romney confidant”: “The fact is that this is the first day of the general election. Not Labor Day, but today. It’s here.”
Overlooked with all the news yesterday was President George W. Bush’s speech in New York City, in which he said this about the “Bush tax cuts”: “I wish they weren’t called the Bush tax cuts. If they’re called some other body’s tax cuts, they’re probably less likely to be raised.”
That’s quite the revelation from the former president about his presidency and legacy -- that he feels his name has been that polarizing.
GINGRICH: “Five Republicans have filed the necessary papers and $500 fee to qualify for the June 26 Utah presidential primary election, but with Rick Santorum dropping out of the race Tuesday, only four will be on the ballot,” the Salt Lake Tribune reports. “Or possibly three. Newt Gingrich’s check bounced.” More: “[I]f the fee isn’t paid by April 20, Gingrich will be disqualified and will not be on the ballot.”
This comes after Gingrich encouraged Santorum supporters to go to his website to support him and declared himself the “last conservative standing.”
ROMNEY: The Romney campaign is claiming that 92 percent of jobs lost since President Obama took office were women. Buzzfeed: “According to the Romney campaign, the 92 percent figure was reached by examining the net jobs lost under Obama (-740,000) and the decline in the number of women who are employed (-683,000).”
The New York Times “Mr. Romney’s figure of 92.3 percent is one his campaign began citing earlier in April. It is based on numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which show a net loss of 740,000 nonfarm jobs since Mr. Obama’s inauguration. Women have lost 683,000 jobs in that time, or about 92 percent. But the number drew a skeptical response from the fact-checking Web site PolitiFact, which pointed out that historically in recessions, men are the first to lose jobs in industries like construction, and women’s layoffs — in fields like education and government — follow. The statistic, which appears to be a talking point Mr. Romney intends to use regularly, was rated “mostly false” by PolitiFact.”
U.S. News points out: “It's also accurate to note that many more women who lost their jobs have found new ones.”
“The math they use is correct; the terminology is completely wrong,” Brian Davidson, an economist at BLS, told First Read. Davidson notes that women actually make up a larger share of the workforce now than they did in January 2008 before the financial meltdown, and since January 2009, it is a statistically insignificant change. In January 2008, they made up 48.8 percent of the workforce, in Jan. 2009, they were 49.5 percent, now they are 49.3 percent.
“Do we still have the same amount of women workers relative to men in the net change. Yes we do,” Davidson said. He added, “It’s like trying to pull a bunny out of a hat, but there’s no bunny inside.”
A former Romney adviser said economic uncertainty gives Romney a chance, but he’s not guaranteeing victory. “Voters are angry,” Mark Murphy said. “They’ve got their Frankenstein torches; they’re just not sure which castle to burn down.”
Romney heads to Connecticut and Rhode Island today.
SANTORUM: “Rick Santorum suspended his presidential campaign Tuesday, ending a dogged and increasingly Quixotic crusade to emerge as his party’s conservative champion and effectively handing the Republican presidential nomination to Mitt Romney,” the Boston Globe writes. “Santorum’s decision allows Romney to begin the urgent task of trying to heal the wounds from a divisive and sometimes brutal primary while broadening his appeal to independents who will be crucial to his effort to defeat President Obama in the fall. Santorum had proved to be the fiercest challenger to Romney’s claim on the nomination, in a campaign season that has seen that mantle pass repeatedly from candidate to candidate. But he was ultimately overmatched in money and organization, and it would have been nearly impossible for him to collect the 1,144 delegates needed to secure the nomination.”
AP: “From obscure former senator driving a pickup truck across Iowa, Rick Santorum made a surprising -- he calls it miraculous -- leap to become the most formidable threat to Mitt Romney's march to the Republican nomination. His shoestring campaign, which ended Tuesday, was a constant reminder of Romney's trouble connecting with the party's conservative core.”
AP also compiles some of the greatest Rick Santorum hits against Romney.
The New York Post: “Rick Santorum yesterday pulled the plug on his presidential campaign, ending a long-shot bid that did better than anyone expected but ran out of steam.”
Leave a Comment:
If Romney supports women,
TELL HIM TO SELL HIS CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS STOCK
or
FIRE RUSH LIMBAUGH
Don't let him get away with talking out of both sides of his mouth!!!
Your comments suggest a third grade mentality! Rush would get a big laugh if he saw them.... I know I did!
Free Market Fan,
Rush is psychotic, delusional and/or schizo.
And the guy talks about a topic he knows nothing about: the more you have sex, the more birth control pills you need??? Come on - is he really that stupid????? You actually take this guy seriously???
During the late Dark Ages, coastal residents of Europe prayed to be spared from the raids of the Vikings. I have a bad feeling that between now and November, there will be a similar cry from the people of America to be spared from the raids of Americans for Prosperity, Crossroads, the US Chamber, Karl Rove and the Kochs.
lol, Wm you need to study your history a little more.... the Vikings were big supporters of redistribution of wealth... they stole from the workers/producers because raping, pillaging, plundering was much easier than working.... Obama would have approved!
Yep you've got it Wm. we are at a crossroads in this country with either the liberal left that takes and takes from the citizens to grow a government that gives and gives to those who have no desire to help themselfs. Or the right that wants to make the federal government an afterthought in our dailey lives and one that leaves most of what we earn to those who earn it. So no holds barred, lie, cheat and steal if thats what it takes to win this election. Do not fight fair with the socialist liberals, kick them while they are down until they quit screaming. Lets get this party started. Yeeeeehaaaaaw. *popcorn* fiesty get off your fat ass and get your own. : )
Bob Jones,
Spot on! Let the battle begin!
I can't wait to hear THE BERRY attempt to justify his failed administration. What will be more funny will be the attempts of the left to spin the virtues of the guy.
During the GOP run, the Progressives went beyond reality to dig for the dirt on the candidates - time for fairness in this race with dirt digging to begin on THE BERRY. But will come out even more will be more lies from the mouth of this guy and his supporters that believe him to be the savior of the Progressive movement.
But we all need tranquility in our lives. Can you find tranquility here:
Just in case you are having a rough day, here's a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals.
The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile.
1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.
2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.
3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
4. No one knows your secret place.
5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.
6. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
7. The water is so clear that you can easily make out the face of the Democrat you're holding underwater.
There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already.
And the lib comments will soon develop. Go for it Head Clown of the Vine.
Bob,
The size of the government increased under reagan, Bush1, and Bush2 so your theory is a little off.
Mark from Lake Tahoe -- As a Viking decedent from a Republican family, I can tell you that raping, pillaging, and plundering is what plutocrats like Romney/Bain Capital do.
Bob Jones-3591206 -- Please explain how it is that Red States take from the federal government more than they send in...And I take it you don't know one single conservative on Social Security or Medicare or unemployment insurance who makes the same "socialist" claims you do. Puleeze, get a grip on reality.
winemaker-4308406 -- We relize you're a
private citizentroll, unlike Sen. Grassley who's lack of respect for the office of POTUS is most disconcerting, but still it's Mr. President to you.True,
Believe what you will. But I am Hungarian, not troll! And do I have a lack of respect for this president? Yes, as your kind had for Bush. So what's the issue?
I choose not to be PC. Is that a problem for you? Heck, just look at the comments presented by the Head Clown of the Vine Clown Posse, and then tell me who is the troll.
Wm,
Great analogy.
Yup, the sails are full of wind , the boats are sailing to your state to dump their million dollar ad buys to scare you to death.
The trouble is there is going to be so many lies coming out of Americans for Prosperity, Crossroads, the US Chamber, Karl Rove and the Kochs, us Liberals won't have the ability to prove all the lies they spew are really lies. It's a sad day in American when so many people believe all the lies they tell. The tea people Koch republicans platform is lie.
Mo -- Are you suggesting that only those on the right are telling lies?
You look at it how ever you want to james, you're a big boy.
You have the right to be lied to, and the right to believe the lies.
Obama is better than any magician in manipulating the truth. His lies smell like Roses until the thorns draw blood.... and bleeding the USA dry seems to be his plan.... what a disaster he has been! Unbelievable!
Again Bill T you have the right to believe the lies you are fed. But us Liberals, women and independents who think for themselves aren't buying it. Being uninformed is a virtue of the tea people Koch republicans.
Given the damage he caused America in his first term, can you imagine the carnage he will cause as a lame duck in a second term. Get out and vote, BO stinks no matter how you spin it!
Romney/Rubio 2012!
x
Given the damage the tea people Koch republicans have caused America since 2010 can you imagine the carnage they'll will cause in a second term of a do nothing congress. The tea people Koch republican do nothing congress stinks no matter how you spin it. Get out and vote.
Obama/Biden and a Democratic congress in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Considering President Obama is the clear favorite to win reelection, and given the fact that the GOP's crash-and-burn tactics during the frankly hilarious primary race was a total failure, I would say Steve's ravings are nothing more than an expression of his rich, but deeply flawed, fantasy life.
Here are the latest polls that match President Obama and Etch-A-Sketch:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html
Sail,
You are entitled to your opinion, but the nation will determine who will be the next president. And I doubt if your guy will survive.
Why are you so afraid to mention Mitt by his name? Should we all refer to your candidate then as: Barry Big Ears? Or perhaps Barry the Flying Dumbo?
I refer to him by the name bestowed upon him by his own senior staffer, whiney. And President Obama will be reelected by a majority of the voters in this country, too. The GOP has offended and alienated women, minorities, seniors, union workers, and moderates. It is a party of exclusion, not inclusion, and that is a strategy for losing, not winning, elections. Add to that the fact that the uninspiring Etch-A-Sketch will not be able to crowbar the butts of registered Republicans off their couches to waste their votes on a cynical political hack like him, and what you have on your hands is another landslide victory for President Obama in November.
Read 'em and weep, whiney.
Sail, you're so funny.......
The GOP hasn't done as much as you infer in your post. You are only reading into what the liberal media wants you to believe. The Republican Party is still vibrant.
Now when it comes to alienating special voting blocks, hasn't THE BARRY promised much to the many without delivering while passing the buck to whomever he can?
Has the black community prospered as he promised? What positives do the senior segment receive - other than seeing their issues decline in his policies? Do the gays have that right to marry as he promised?
The unions should be happy, for no investment they own a part of the car industry. Have those Government Motor loans been paid back yet? Those employee bonuses would have helped to reduce the debt to taxpayers.
What is a moderate Sail? Someone who sits the fence to see where the vote will go? So you believe the nation wishes to re-elect a spending party advocate who will continue to use money we don't have rather than someone who will reduce the size of government and attempt to get a handle on where we are?
I'm glad you still have a sense of humor because come November you'll be needing it! I will leave you with the latest polls in which President Obama continues to dominate the GOP's favorite loser:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html
Time to kick some AS- Obama...
President Barack Obama's got my vote again in November 2012 !!!
Toyota.... actually obama's got your money.... unless you are one of his dependents... eh?
EvaP: And the Koch brother and Karl Roves will have your money.
Obama/Biden again in 2012 !!!!!
I read these comments like..
Given the damage Obama has done
unless you are of his dependents
and then look at the real world, where we were Jan 2009, where we are, the things that have happened and I can only come to the conclusion that those who make these comments do so because they do not see the real world. I cannot believe they think things would have been any different under McCain. Do you really, truly think any Republican President would not have tried to help the auto companies? Give me an honest answer.
Do you think a Republican President would have let the car companies go under?
In a word FrankH. Yes
At the time the republican party was screaming at the president to do just that, to let American car companies go under. It would have been a national disgrace and a national disaster to have heeded their lame advice. Why do I have to write this? Do republicans all have memories as short as yours frankh? This is exactly what republicans wanted, especially those who have Japanese auto assembly plants (They don't make autos here!) in their states. Now the bottom rail is on the top. GM is again the top auto maker in the world, and it wouldn't have happened without President Obama.
Nothing wrong with my memory. And we both know that Republicans would have been singing a different tune had McCain won the election.
I just want one Republican to tell me he honestly believes a Republican President would not have provided the funding to the struggling auto companies as Obama did.
They can't FrankH because all your tea people Koch republicans wanted GM to fail. That is unless they take their favorite course like you and lie. You tea people Koch republicans seem to be really good at that.
Given the damage the tea people Koch republicans have caused America since 2010 can you imagine the carnage they'll will cause in a second term of a do nothing congress. The tea people Koch republican do nothing congress stinks no matter how you spin it. Get out and vote.
Obama/Biden and a Democratic congress in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you cause damage if you do nothing? That's kind of an Oxy......moron. The doing nothing has not allowed even worse things to happen. It has slowed the spending machine for one.
And BTW, half of that Congress is "democratic controlled".
I was talking about the tea people Koch republicans in the congress and senate blocking all legislation. And doing nothing to help the struggling economy in this country has actually made things worse (but that was you tea people Koch republicans agenda all along). Your post shows just how misinformed you are Talk to the Hand.
You have the right to believe all the lies you want talk to the hand, but don't try to project your lies on the rest of us.
Wait, isn't it you on the left saying how well things are going and Obama needs a pat on the back? What is it? No help for the economy or economy getting better? If you think about the time prior to 2010 elections and the time since, perhaps the doing nothing is fueling the slight comeback in the economy as people, business, and those who truly drive the economy sees that GovCo is finally stopping all of the ludicrous controlling of the nation and feel they can finally take a breath without the content of said breath being scrutinized by the EPA.
Perhaps you should direct that statement to the POTUS.
This is what I mean. We're not saying things are great. We're saying they are not as bad as they could and would have been. You are looking through stained glasses and tell the world they must see the same thing. We don't. We see the truth.
Why do you and your kind insist on putting words in my mouth?
Just what has the Republican controlled House done that has helped the economy?
Possibly nothing and that nothing is what helped the economy. Lack of GovCo interference and a slowing of the runaway spending train we were all forced to ride on.
And the same could be said for you. You see your truth and I and "my kind" see the real truth.
Please make the connection between this alleged runaway spending train and a stagnant economy. Obama didn't step into the Oval Office until the end of January 2009. I seriously doubt that that day he opened up the government check book to start spending money at a rapid pace. Even with the "stimulus" much of the money went unspent because it was rejected by GOP governors, much went to pure tax cuts, and much went to local governments to keep teachers, police and firemen on the payrolls. Our taxes aren't higher and interest rates aren't either - the usual end results of uncontolled spending and the causes of a stagnant economy. So where is your connection?
I love the way you dodge there, hand.
Possibly, maybe, might.
Doing nothing is a good thing? So you guys on the right slam Obama for "doing nothing" and turn around and say it's a good thing when Republicans do nothing. Yeah, you and your kind see your truth alright.
Wm- No he didn't open up the checkbook. It was already opened and filled with red ink entries from two years of a Democrat controlled congress via Reid and Pelosi. And previous to that, also a spending problem to a lesser extent in the previous two years of that control and more in the previous administration. The problem has gotten larger and the ink redder (if that its possible) on his watch. That is all I am saying and it seems as though he is good with that and going even deeper for an agenda many Americans don't want nor do we need.
And Frank, I didn't say it is good to do nothing. But there is a big difference in doing nothing, recognizing that something needs to be done, and doing only the right things. The perception that they have done nothing is because it isn't the things on the agenda of the left.
the independent voters made one mistake 2 years ago in the mid-terms elections, i dont think they will be fooled this time around. the gop retoric was jobs, jobs, jobs. until they got elected to congress and the state houses. now 2 years later their is still no jobs. obama-biden 2012 all the way. fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you.
I realize that George W. butchered the phrase, and I hate correcting, but it is a good phrase, I believe it was Lincoln: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.