FT. LAUDERDALE, FL -- Mitt Romney has asked Beth Myers, the manager of his 2008 campaign and a longtime trusted aide, to head up his search for a running mate, Romney advisers told NBC News on Monday.
Myers, who served as Romney's chief of staff during his tenure as Massachusetts governor and ran his 2008 campaign, is one considered to be one of Romney's closest -- and most tight-lipped -- political advisers.
"I've asked her to be the person who oversees the process of the vice presidential selection and vetting an analysis and so she's begun that process and is putting together the kinds of things you need to do to vet potential candidates," Romney told ABC News in an interview Monday.

Brian Snyder / Reuters
Mitt Romney has asked Beth Myers, the manager of his 2008 campaign and a longtime trusted aide, to head up his search for a running mate, Romney advisers told NBC News.
Romney also said in the interview that he only began seriously talking about selecting a vice president this weekend, while fundraising in Florida.
The presumptive Republican nominee declined to reveal names on his shortlist, but has in the past praised the deep bench of Republican governors and other legislators -- and said that his primary concern in selecting a running mate would be that the person be able to assume the presidency immediately, if necessary.
At a town hall event last September in Arizona, Romney praised former Vice President Dick Cheney, and suggested the former head of the Defense Department and one-time White House chief of staff had the kind of experience he would look for in selecting his own running mate.
"That's the kind of person I'd like to have -- a person of wisdom and judgement," Romney said of Cheney.


Anyone want to bet in the end Ms. Meyers will pull a "Dick" and nominate herself? lol
I wonder what Willard topped his waffles with this morning?
There are plenty of adjectives out there to describe Darth Vader, those two are not even close!
My God. ELEVEN Secret Service agents cavorting with hookers? Hilary Clinton drunker than a sorority girl out to get her money's worth birth control pills? C'mon Barack. With all this happening and your ADMITTED taste for illegal narcotics, was it REALLY such a great idea to go to Colombia?
And if that wasn't bad enough...David Axelrod gets his ASS KICKED on national TV by Chris Wallace! LOL. I love it!
hey mittens....i hear the dick has a new heart....same as the old heart.....
wouldn't surprise me one bit red...as long as ann says it's what women want ;)
GO Obaaaahhhhhma 2012!
Obama will go down as the worst president in the history of history ....
Maybe even longer than that ....
His massive record high Greece like debt and deficit is sinking America ....
Save what's left of America ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Just what we need another money grubbing chicken hawk.
You really are Damaged. They weren't part of the President's Detail so how is this Obama's fualt? Sounds like a bunch of sailors on shore leave... talk about the fast track to the basement.
Question is, who's gonna replace Biden as Hussein's VP? I'm thinking that guy in Baltimore they just arrested for beating, robbing and stripping that White dude on video. He would be a good fit since that's what Obama has been doing so well lately to the White, working middle class.
Sorry the spot is already occupied by "W" for eternity!
Every day Obama's been in office ....
We have had a new record high debt and deficit ....
Every day ....
Every single day ....
Higher and higher and higher ....
He can't even slow it down ....
Save what's left of America ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Yeah, no, he should have skipped the Summit for the Americas. Then you could bitch about him skipping it.
Great comeback Feisty. Was that pasted from "Think Progress"?
I hope you're not as fiscally irresponsible with your personal finances as Obama is with our American paid in tax revenues ....
Obama must go now ....
We really can't afford another day under Obama ....
Pee Wee Herman would be a good fit for Mitt and help him relate to people instead of Wallstreet criminals.....
I bet Romney's aid has a hard time finding someone who will willingly choose to join Etch-A-Sketch as the GOP's #2 loser in this election. Who in his or her right mind would want to commit political suicide by jumping into that sinking boat? The aid might have to force a passerby on the sidewalk to accept the position at gunpoint...
Stay tuned!
Yeah, I bet he "taps" that adviser the "Mormon way".
Seriously though, they better find somebody life-like to counter the Rombotic charisma that's glazing everbody's eyes over.
I LMAO everytime I see a clip one of Willard's events with his all white supporters behind him *yawning*...
If Romney is looking for someone like Cheney then he is truly directionless. Everyone knows that Cheney was the puppet master for Bush. So, in kind, Romney is looking for someone to be his puppet master.
I don't think American can stand another brainless President with a Vice President running the show.
David Gregory is a joke! That's what one gets when one tries to play middle ground between common sense and lunacy. It is comical seeing his forlorn attempts to be objective when Republicans are so far out of touch with rational Americans. It's like Meet The Press, brought to you by Fox News.
...is still mad Brian Williams is better than him.
Republicans require an idiot at the top of the heap, Eric.
All their president has to do is follow orders from the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove, the real power brokers of the Republican Party.
Damage123,
I saw that interview, and was surprised to see how unprepared Axelrod was.
Comparisons time.
2008 General Election Poll, 4/10 - 4/13. Rasmussen Reports.
McCain + 7
rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history
2012 General Election Poll, 4/13 - 4/15, Rasumussen Reports
Romney +3
rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
So...from this poll, we can infer a few things.
#1. Rasmussen Reports sort of sucks.
#2. You can't judge a presidential race this far out. Any polling is riddled with inaccuracies.
#3. Rasmussen has +/- of 17. That's pretty terrible.
#4. Rasmussen thinks Romney is a stronger candidate than McCain. Wow.
Running mate, How about Bachmann or Palin - they would destroy Romney.
How about that dirtbag Ryan, most Americans hate this Phony !
No...
I want him to take Rubio, Christie or Paul Ryan.
Chance to turn one of those 'up and comers' into a 'destroyed has-been'.
Romeny is going to lose and whomever is on his ticket is going to be destroyed in the process. Let's get us one of those republicans that their party thinks is 'on the rise'. Snuff out an ascending light before it heats up.
How about anti-women's rights, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his irresistible Hitleresque hairdo. That should shake up the polls a bit!
I think this guy "Allen West" fits the bill for Romney's Veep. West doesn't know anything anyone else does, and knows much that no one else does. Could make Romney look like "King Arthur" with a "Merlin".
I don't think Bob McDonnell is one of their big names. He has regional pull in the South...an area which would already vote Republican. No one thinks he can win a big northern state.
No...Chris Christie would be tremendous to stick on the ticket. They'd draft him thinking he'd pull New Jersey, and he'd lose his home state, lose his 'mandate' and his pretty shabby accounting practices would be like clay pigeons for the Obama campaign.
Yes, Romney/Christie 2012 would be awesome. Really suck the life right out of the (R) party.
I want them to put together their strongest, toughest ticket that they can.
Because they can't win this election, and I want their loss to be as horrifying and destructive as it can be for them.
Should be interesting to see who Romney actually picks. From what I've read and heard, Romney's going to have a hard time finding someone to run with him, those who consider it would likely bring more baggage than Mitt needs to add to his own. Imagine the democratic ads against Bob McDonnell, the anti-women poster boy. There's a lot of those kinds of GOPers available. The names mentioned to help with the Latino vote have all said they want taken off the list and do not want the job. The big names don't want to run with him either.
"Secret Service agents cavorting with hookers?"
It's understandable. They were sad because Carter was "mean" to them.
Well they didn't learn in 2008, as big a slap as that was. Mitch McConnell and John Boehner doubled down on the stupid soon after election day. They likely will begin campaign mode again for 2016 as soon as this year's election is over. Heck, by 2016, there may be more countries that need invading for profit or more legislation to be repealed.
Cheney is a worthless bitter old republican ..Its funny how wealthy people get harts and the livers and the poor people are allowed to just die !
It's same old same old
November 7, 2012 the Democrats will start looking at the bench for their next presidential nominee as well.
But the registration is still turning in our favor, month after month. Old people moving to the afterlife, young people avoiding the (R) party altogether.
Unless there is a major Republican culture shift, the foreseeable future of presidents will all be (D).
The republicans are our best recruitment tool for the youth and the educated.
Cheney got his new heart from a 22 year old boy, New blood-pump for VP ! "Palm #1.29"
Who Cares....the only individual who does care is Mr. Biden because he will actually have to debate him/her. When Mr. Biden debates it is always comical but having strong communication skills isn’t a requirement for being Vice President.
"Once there were two brothers. One went away to sea; the other was elected vice president. And nothing was heard of either of them again."
Thomas R Marshall - 28th Vice President
When the Whig Party was looking for a vice president on Zachary Taylor's ticket, they approached Daniel Wesbster, who said of the offer "I do not intend to be buried until I am dead."
I don't think it works quite like that.
You select a VP based on what he can bring to the table. Big donors, votes, etc.
Also, he's a target for opposition attacks (Palin), etc.
VP is a big-boy choice for the nominee and there's a lot of factors involved.
How about going the really photogenic route with Jan Brewer of Arizona?
Isn't the Vice Presidency one of those departments Romney is going to do away with? HUD, the Dept of Education, and the Vice Presidency, yeah, I'm pretty sure it's those three.
If he gets rid of HUD, he should close Camp David and let the folks who have no home camp there. Does getting rid of HUD count as class warfare? See, they started it!
Serious question - does anyone know if Nicole Wallace or Steve Schmidt are working on Willard's
campaigntrain wreck?I would think after the Palin debacle they might just sit this one out...
Amy,
Nah, I think Mitt is going to just ask for more VP's.
After all, his grandfather had multiple partners...
And I don't think Steve Schmidt works for the party anymore. He hasn't done any work for them since the McCain campaign.
If you were Schmidt, would YOU work for the RNC anymore?
Episode VII, THE RETURN OF THE SITH!
(Sound up full "Imperial March" from STAR WARS)
(Scene, long hallway of the Death Star, Darth Cheney approached from the far end of the hall walking toward the camera)
(Voice Over) "He's tanned....."
"He's rested......"
"...and he's Cheney! Darth Cheney! The dark lord of the Sith has returned to stamp out the last vestiges of the rebellion and democracy."
(Dark Cheney looks directly into the camera and breathes...hhhhhaaaaaassssshhhhhhaaaassss..)
Darth Cheney: "I am your father Mitt. Come to the dark side, feel the power of the dark side. I can't go to Canada, or anywhere outside the continental United States, but who needs Canada anyway."
(He gestures for the viewer to follow as we walks away breathing heavily. Sound up full on music. Fade to black)
Gosh, who knows, he nearly destroyed the US economy and bankrupted the country on his last tour of duty. Maybe he'll finish the job this time. I'll be watching from Costa Rica, because if Darth Cheney or anyone like him is on the GOP ticket I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to leave before they close the borders and start rounding up liberals and sending them to detention camps in Wyoming, run by Haliburton.
"I don't think American can stand another brainless President with a Vice President running the show."-for once I agree with Eric-Obama really has to go.
Oh yeah, Babs, brainless Obama, the smartest guy in the room.
Cannot wait for the Romney/Obama debates. The intellectual differences between the candidates will shine for all to see!
Obama/Biden 2012!!
He needs a woman VP to give the appearance that he knows about and gives a sh!t about women's issues... need to bring in the women vote! Hey, what's Palin doing?
Good point! LOL!
What's even funnier is Nicole Wallace couldn't even bring herself to vote for her candidate in 2008...
He's looking for someone who said "deficits don't matter" and who had an 11% approval rating when he left office?!?
It doesn't matter who he picks. Bozo the clown would out-debate Biden. It's all falling apart for Barry. He's losing in the new Gallup 2012 tracking poll.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/153902/Romney-Obama-Tight-Race-Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Begins.aspx
Not possible; that position is currently held by Jimmah, and on January 21, 2013, Carter will be standing on Obama's shoulders ever grateful for Barack taking his place in that dubious ranking among U.S. Presidents.
In Palm Springs Ca
Cheney is a worthless bitter old republican ..Its funny how wealthy people get harts and the livers and the poor people are allowed to just die !
You can't spell heart... wow
I suspect it's about time the GNOP will attempt to recycle that little weak-tot, Bobby Jindal. Right, John Edward Kapler of Iowa?
Darth Vader, Jr. for VP? At least he plans on actually vetting potential candidates.
Maybe a little strong Usula, I was thinking Pee Wee Herman as Mitt needs to loosen things up a bit........
But they said they vetted Palin?
Romney wants Hispanic and women votes, so logically he would choose an Hispanic woman?
Eric,
To fill that post you might look at the governor of New Mexico. A woman and Latino.
Ryan said to Mitt, let me move into your outhouse so l can look up and kiss a little ass for VP !
The Governor of New Mexico has put it in print that she does not want the job and would not accept it if offered. The other two most frequently mentioned Latinos have said they don't want it either. Can't say that I blame them, who wants to be the "token" Latino especially with the anti-Latino rhethoric the GOP spews almost daily.
While the New Mexico governor does not want the spot - she is the type that Romney needs on the ticket. But, I also hear he wants someone he is comfortable with, maybe Paul Ryan?
It is too bad the NM governor has told the world she doesn't want the job. She is one of the few rational people in the GOP. That would normally disqualify her, but when the top person is mainlining crazy, Romney might have to choose someone like Barney Frank just to appear to be moderate.
With election day so close to Halloween, I think Willard should go with Paul "Eddie Munster" Ryan. Oh the horror, the horror!
I sure hope Ron Paul picks Judge Napolitano to also serve the OATH. Patriotic Americans at the top!! Nothing else should be aceptable anymore!
Washington Times - Demise of Ron Paul greatly exaggerated- Ron Paul will challenge Romney in Tampa
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/reawakening-liberty/2012/apr/15/colorado-further-evidence-ron-paul-will-challenge-/
"The media wrote a narrative at the beginning of the primary season that Ron Paul could never win the nomination. That likely affected his performance in subsequent primaries. The new media narrative says that the nomination race is over and Romney has it locked up. That conflicts with the facts. Voters in upcoming primaries should know that this race is far closer than they’re being led to believe."
Don't get ALL your news from msn folks ;)
Ron Paul 2012!
Whoa there cowboy, you don't have the nomination yet!
"Deep bench" -- Hahaha, he's such a liar. Romney needs more than one aid, he'll need a team. He should get Steve Schmidt. The man is smart and won't be fooled again. Paul Ryan, it looks like you're NOT it, or you Nikki Haley, probably not even you Chris Christie.
Rob Portman is too boring and affiliated with Dubya. Pawlenty is boring too but at least he doesn't have a lot of baggage. But they're both establishment, not southern Tea Party types. If Rand Paul had more experience, he might have been a good pick, but only to shore up the base--this would turn off swing voters.
People don't vote for someone based on gender or race (only religion if you're Republican) -- And of course what letter is next to his/her name on the ballot. Picking a woman or Latino who is not qualified would only hurt the ticket the way Sarah Palin did.
Save yourself the angst -- Obama/Biden - 2012!
Romney should pick someone more conservative than he is... like Biden.
We all really like Joe.
He could add another vital component to the ticket... some personality.
When did Dick Cheney become a person of wisdom and judgement? Cheney was supposed to head up Bush's team for selecting a VP, and chose himself. Bush was nothing more than Cheney's front man, with Dick running everything in the background.
We don't need or want VP's like Cheney. One in my lifetime was more than enough.
I don't think anyone really wants to be Romney's VP, other than the usual bunch of kiss-ups. The way that the Republican party is viewed currently pretty much assures us that Romney won't become the president. Many in the GOP won't vote for him because he's too liberal and is essentially a wealthier clone of Obama. Romney also spins with the wind way too much.
So true about Dick Cheney. Good old Dick, the only one who voted FOR the Iran-Contra affair. A foreshadow of things to come...
It's not so much about who Romney will pick. It's about who ran away screaming and who's left (sorry to say left I mean remains). Christie, Daniels, Rubio, Jindal, Barbour, Haley, and Martinez all have repeatedly and loudly said NO . Portman has the anchor of being Bush's Director of the Office of Management and BUDGET. Scott Walker may not survive the Wisconsin recall vote. If he does he can't leave there. Trump, Gingrich, and Paul would be a crazy choice. Santorium would hurt more than help. Paul Ryan would also attract more problems with his budget that cuts senior benefits. Fortuño has worked closely with Obama and the Dems. Tim Pawlenty is so lame his presidential run was over before the campaign actually started. Bob McDonnell backed off on Virginia's idiotic abortion vaginal probe law. John Thune opposed 911 first responder medical aid and defended earmarks against the GOP moratorium. Mike Pence is running for Indiana's Governor so he's out. WHO"S LEFT? Sorry WHO REMAINS?
Did you know a military grade satellite-under cover of FBI investigations-destroys citizens by manipulating their health without the target even knowing and sometimes using the same program the FBI can use a series of perfectly synchronized investigative pretexts to derail the target from employment, relationships, friends, ect also usually without the target ever knowing it where war time powers are concealed within the safety of national security investigations...
If that statement were to be true, what do you think the public's reaction to it should be?
Mitt's perfect running mate --- an Hispanic, born again, handicapped Jewish lesbian tea bagger who was on welfare 10 years ago.
Darth Cheney would be the perfect type of running mate for M.T. Suit; that will certainly pull in the independent votes ... or not. Perhaps Liz Cheney would be a good selection; I'd love to see a debate where she couldn't just talk over people when her viewpoints are being torn apart.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch there Mittens. There is someone nipping at your heels.
RON PAUL 2012 See ya in Tampa
And which do you think we will get first, his VP nominee or his 2011 tax return? And will both be released at a closed door event in Palm Springs?
What's particularly interesting about Romney's 2011 tax return is the fact that he said at an event last year that he himself was currently unemployed. Now tie that with a multi-million dollar income and you've got yet another foot-in-mouth moment!
And based on his past and present performance, he'll remain unemployed.
Rich, but unemployed.
Yeah, for Romney wealthy women can stay home and raise their kids, and that's "work". However, for poor women with children 2 or over, they need to work instead of stay home so they have "dignity".
Talk about double standards.
@ Eric Yes it is work. Watching the nanny, the cook, the housekeeper and the gardener! LOL
Someone needs to threaten that slacker with deportation if he screws up the hedge again...
Mitt Romney said the tea retarded cult put Ryan up his butt for VP ! "Help" !!!
With all those millions, how many jobs did he create?
@ Ruken about the landscaper
"I'm running for office, for Pete's sake, I can't have illegals working on my property," said Romney.
Ursula it is common to not be unemployed yet have millions in income. Check out the two definitions unemployed and income. Oh, its alot like you guys being employed and still qualifing for your monthly food stamps, unemployment, welfare and everything else you moonbats cheat the taxpayers out of.
Even a kid can tell this is supposed to be in the news.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm99Hri9utQ
With all those millions, how many jobs did he create?
Here? None! In China, many!
If Mr. Romney is an "Etch-a-Sketch" what this his VP nominee be?
Lite Brite?
Spirograph?
Willards' VP nominee = Kamikaze.
Take one for the Party!
Obama is "Charades", right?
Hmmm..Etch-a-Sketch Romney's VP nominee ? Maybe Slinky or the magic 8 ball. Or maybe
BachmannEasy Bake Oven, you know, for the little woman's vote! Ha! ;-)Obama/Biden 2012
Romney also said in the interview that he only began seriously talking about selecting a vice president this weekend, while fundraising in Florida.
I see Romney is continuing the great Republican tradition of giving more thought to campaigning then to actually governing. Can you say Vice President Palin? Egad.
Save what's left of America ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Probably ant farm, they toil ceaselessly and die and you can still shake it up whenever you want.
How about "creep crawlers", those plastic bug molds you poured the junk in and heated up.
Republican "starve the beast" policies have brought us this financial crisis second only to the great depression, and they want to continue those policies.
Obama/Biden 2012.
Creepie Crawlers were awesome. It was "gummi" before "gummi" was cool. That's for the Proustian firing of the synapses, yo.
Please mitt pick someone named jeff...then your campaign can be one hilarious cartoon...the return of mutt and jeff..of course you would have to change your name to mutt...should be no problem since you love dogs so much
"Where there is no vision, the people perish."
____________
So says Mitt Romney: At a town hall event last September in Arizona, Romney praised former Vice President Dick Cheney, and suggested the former head of the Defense Department and one-time White House chief of staff had the kind of experience he would look for in selecting his own running mate.
That's the kind of person I'd like to have - a person of widsom and judgment.
*******************
David Badash, October 2011: President Obama’s announcement Friday that the Iraq war is coming to an end, that U.S. troops will all be returning home by the end of the year certainly is great news. But how much did the Iraq War, started fraudulently by former President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, cost America in measurables — lives, time, and money?
And let’s remember that so much is not measurable. How many children’s birthdays, Christmases, recitals, school plays, and baseball games did American service members miss? How much money did spouses of our service members spend sending food and supplies to soldiers in Iraq? How much income was lost by members of the military because they gave up their jobs — or their lives — in service to their country? How many relationships or marriages ended because the cost of separation was too great?
These are but a few of the immeasurable questions we can ask of immeasurable costs of the war in Iraq. And that’s just Iraq. What about Afghanistan, and elsewhere?
“But while the return of all U.S. service men and women by Christmas is a cause for celebration, the costs of the war are only beginning to be fully understood,” writes Eli Clifton at Think Progress. ”The ‘cakewalk’ to Baghdad, as George W. Bush adviser Kenneth Adelman infamously wrote in February, 2002, has been anything but. The Iraq War, and the faulty premise that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction, has had a staggering humanitarian and economic cost.
Yesterday, Clifton pulled out a calculator and added up a few of the costs that are measurable. Here’s his report:
8 years, 260 days since Secretary of State Colin Powell presented evidence of Saddam Hussein’s biological weapons program
8 years, 215 days since the March 20, 2003 invasion of Iraq
8 years, 175 days since President George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech on the USS Abraham Lincoln
4,479 U.S. military fatalities
30,182 U.S. military injuries
468 contractor fatalities
103,142 – 112,708 documented civilian deaths
2.8 million internally displaced Iraqis
$806 billion in federal funding for the Iraq War through FY2011
$3 – $5 trillion in total economic cost to the United States of the Iraq war according to economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and Linda J. Blimes
$60 billion in U.S. expenditures lost to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001
0 weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq
Thanks, President Bush.
*************
WSJ: Because the size of the economy and labor force varies, we also calculate in percentage terms how much the total payroll count expanded under each president. The current President Bush, once taking account how long he’s been in office, shows the worst track record for job creation since the government began keeping records. –Sudeep Reddy
Great post, Pat!
The GOP never assumes responsibility for anything.
Your post puts and reminds us all of the failed policies of the Bush/Cheney administration.
Death of innocents. Lies to the American people. Bunkrupting the Country. Failure!
Yea ....
Blame Bush ....
Every day Obama's been in office ....
We have had a new record high debt and deficit ....
Every day ....
Every single day ....
Higher and higher and higher ....
He can't even slow it down ....
Save what's left of America ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Pat. You realize ALL those numbers bleed over into the Hussein years, right? (I mean President Hussein of the USA), not President Hussein the Iraqi Butcher). Why don't you chop those numbers up so they only supposedly make Bush/Cheney bad, and not ALSO Obama. Kind of defeats the point of your boring, tired post.
Typical TeaPeople who!
Deny......Lie......try to cover-up!
Again, Great post Pat!
I hope you're not as fiscally irresponsible with your personal finances as Obama is with our American paid in tax revenues ....
Obama must go now ....
We really can't afford another day under Obama ....
Why is that Mitt? Is it because you have no wisdom and lack good judgement? If you think that Dick is a man of wisdom... Wow! What a Jack Ass! Rump Kisser.
Big ben in Alaska,
[Every day Obama's been in office ... We have had a new record high debt and deficit ... Every day ... Every single day ... Higher and higher and higher ... He can't even slow it down ... Save what's left of America ...]
But not when you measure it in the only fair way the accounts for inflation by measuring it against GDP.
In 1945 our debt was 125% of GDP today it is at 100%.
However between 1945 and 1981 it decreased from 125% to 37% of GDP and on its way to being fully paid off by about 2000. However by the time Clinton took office in 1993 it had nearly doubled to 69% of GDP.
As Reagan cut taxes he kept spending and put it on our credit card just like Bush 43 did.
When Bush left office, the debt was 85% higher than when he took over from Bill Clinton. Much of the debt that has accrued under Obama comes from the Bush tax cuts, (3 trillion dollars), the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (1.4 trillion),and Bush's Medicare perscription drug plan ( $300 billion.)
It's amazing how Republcans want to make Obama responsible for policies they pursued before he even took office. Yes, Obama spent $800 billion on a stimulus, designed to save us from sliding into a Depression caused by a financial crisis during the last years of the Bush quagmire. And that Recovery Act, actually worked.
http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2012/apr/13/jim-renacci/rep-jim-renacci-says-president-obama-took-office-f/
Steve Benen/Maddow Blog: A couple of years ago, as debate over the New START nuclear treaty was intensifying, Mitt Romney decided to weigh in on the debate with an op-ed, hoping to demonstrate some acumen on international affairs. It didn't go well. Fred Kaplan wrote at the time, "In 35 years of following debates over nuclear arms control, I have never seen anything quite as shabby, misleading and -- let's not mince words -- thoroughly ignorant as Mitt Romney's attack on the New START treaty."
*************
Romney, after all these years, hasn't learned a damn thing about anything other than how to help the wealthy and cut programs for the poor. Foreign policy is obviously not his thing either. He's a disaster.
Is Obama's debt and deficit going to be higher tomorrow ....
You can bet on it ....
Now they are discussing default for America ....
Estimates are about 60 years to pay down Obama's massive debt ....
60 years .....
Beautiful ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
We're coming to a "Foreclosure" of America .... "LOL"
Big ben in Alaska,
It is America’s debt compiled over many years by both Parties.
The reason the debt will be higher tomorrow is because the Republican controlled House approved $1.3 trillion more in spending than expected receipts.
BigBentAlaska:
Don't you ever get tired of being wrong? Ever? Not just wrong, but wrong headed; where, oh, where were you and your tri-cornered hat ilk when the 43rd President was spending money like a relapsed idiot?
That's right, you folks were out on the cricket ranch, whistling past the graveyard, wrapped up in the flag.
If it wan't so tragically stupid, it would be freakin' hilarious.
P.S. Antarctica is open for emigration, it should be just like where your from, except the toilets swirl backwards.
Yep, Republicans did such a good job with their "starving the beast" policies that it is hard to stop the financial crisis they precipitated, but despite their best efforts Obama's stimulus worked and the economy is improving despite the obstruction by the Republicans at every turn.
bigbenalaska
Guess you forgot the Bush tax cuts, (cost: 3 trillion dollars), the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (1.4 trillion),and Bush's Medicare perscription drug plan ($300 billion.)
Obama's spending was necessary to keep us from sliding into a Depression after the financial crisis of 2008. "Obamacare" actually reduces the federeral deficit by 143 billion over it's first ten years.
Does any of this sink in, or am I just wasting my time?
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11379/amendreconprop.pdf
Thanks chilled!
How many people has Romney laid off, who you know - wanted to work? As far as Ann Romney, it's my understanding she has never held a job. Never, in her entire life. Aren't her 5 photogenic sons all adults? Didn't she at least go to work when they graduated from high school? Did she attempt to change anything in the 1960's? Like women's rights or civil rights or perhaps have an interest in our environment? Remember this - Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires or how about Don't Litter.
Didn't she have gardeners and housekeepers and such all these years? Doesn't look like she much cared about equal pay for women or health care for all. She rode horses. While we worked and in may cases because of people like her husband, got laid off or sent to Iraq.
Think Progress:
Welfare without work erodes the spirit and the sense of self-worth of the recipient. And it conditions the children of nonworking parents to an indolent and unproductive life. Hardworking parents raise hardworking kids; we should recognize that the opposite is also true. The influence of the work habits of our parents and other adults around us as we grow up has lasting impact.
********
Out with it Romney. How many people lost their jobs while you got rich off of their labor? Workers in the auto industry wanted to keep their jobs. You wanted them to close down.
btw Romney, forget about your wife. When is the last time you had a job? A real job? You left MA with a reputation of not exactly over-extending yourself with work. Your low poll numbers showed exactly what we thought of "your work".
Well I guess Romney's point is that well to do hard workers (white) don't raise selfish self-centered hell raising children who never get into trouble.
Must be what he is saying.
I'm not sure why anyone would respond to "bigbenalaska" - A troll is a troll is a troll.
A troll's positions don't need to be factually based.
A troll's statements are supplied to solicit attention and response.
A troll's sole purpose is to inflame and incense out of a sad need for attention.
And now, I hope that members of the Democratic Party who threw Hilary Rosen under the bus feel like the chumps that they are!
Ms. Ann is laughing all the way at the non-troversy!...calling it an 'early birthday present' and 'I love it'!
Ms. Ann 'played' the media and spineless Democrats ....and they fell for it!.......
Pat,
Yes Iraq was a huge clusterF. That is why I was so glad when Obama was campaigning and said he would end the Iraq war "by 2009" and why I was so pissed off when he changed his mind. I was also mad when the president decided to just move the troops from Iraq to Afghanistan instead of bringing them home. Of course I know WHY he did it, so stupid people would tout him as the peaceful candidate while he still managed to keep war profiteers happy. A shrewd political move to be sure. So how many lives and how much treasure has been lost since January 1 2009 when Obama broke his promise? We got Bin Laden why are we still in Afghanistan? How much money and lives have been lost in Afghanistan since the "Surge"? How much additional money have we wasted? Obama is not the peace candidate. If that was true we would not have gotten involved with Libya at about 3 billion when we were trying to figure out how to keep our own government running here at home.
96ws6,
Our country, under the Bush Administration, entered into an agreement with Iraq for a date certain that the fighting would end and another date for withdraw of training and support troops. President Obama honored the agreement America had entered into, he keep our word.
As for the Afghan war, during the campaign he said that it was the war worth fighting and he kept his word and increased efforts that had been ignored during the previous administration.
" Antarctica is open for emigration"
Liberals would love living in Antarctica. The leader there is the Emperor Penguin. We all know how much you liberals love emperors.
Don't Be A Moron-"A troll's sole purpose is to inflame and incense out of a sad need for attention". Well, they are out in force today, aren't they?
Penguins hate Republicans. Just the other day, one bit Gingrich.
I sometimes enjoy reading comments and getting into debates with those I disagree with, because I'm occasionally proven wrong and am able to see the merit of opposing viewpoints.
The problem with posts like those from "Random Pennsylvanian" and "Big Ben," is that they offer absolutely no referenced facts, actual statistics, or a shred of relevant argument to prove what they clearly believe with all their heart. Also known as, they apparently have absolutely no clue what they are talking about when it comes to politics, but won't let that get in the way of thinking that they are right.
Blame Bush ....
If the shoe fits...
Every day Obama's been in office ....
We have had a new record high debt and deficit ....
and why is that? Could it be because the country is in the midst of the worst depression since the 1920's? Could it be because George W. Bush left Obama a 17% increase in the last budget he signed (2009 - the only time there was ever a higher increase was way back in 1975 when outlays increased 23%) leaving Obama with a record $2T deficit his first year in office? Could it be because the previous Republican administration trashed the American economy sooo thoroughly that it is taking years to recover?
Sorry, Bush does have relevance in this election no matter how much Republicans would like to forget the fact that his presidency ever existed! History has shown exactly how the Republicans manage the economy. Mitt Romney wants to continue that grand tradition. I, for one, say NO!
Watching TV and reading news papers, contents on the internet about 2012 presidential elections in that GOP candidate Mitt Romney is in search of run mate for VP has he or other candidates consider Condoleezza Rice as VP why not is question.
thank you to people who reads this.
Mitt Romney needs only to select another vacuous pretty boy like himself for VP. All of their thinking will be done for them.
Mitt Romney is Sarah Palin in pants. No difference. He was only nominated because he looks the part and spews hatred that jerks off fat white men. The fact that he belongs to a cult that does not recognize any other faith as being legitimate is completely lost on the ignorant electorate who only care about talking points. These same people substitute religion for education, with disasterous results.
I am so ashamed of the ignorance that has allowed the republican party to have as much influence as they have had. The dumbing down of America has worked. The lunatics have taken over the asylum. Stupidity reigns supreme.
Get ready for the next Depression, people. This one won't be as fun as the last one. There are twice as many people in this country as the last Depression and it is going to be a blood bath. I guess that's the GOP's agenda though, isn't it?
The deficit is the shortfall of money the government collects from taxpayers. The debt is what the country owes.
The deficit is closing due to all these austerity measures. Yes, it has a way to go and wasn't helped by Obama's stimulus package. Why? Because 40% of the stimulus package was TAX CUTS to average Americans.
Republicans live and breathe tax cuts and think it is the magic bullet for all of America's ills. But only for the "Job Creators", none or little for the average American.
Mitt is in a pickle. No matter who he chooses he has still signed the person-hood pledge that puts men in charge of a woman's reproductive rights. Women who are ready to be treated like slaves just vote for Romney or any republican for anything for your dreams to come true.
They ran on jobs, jobs, jobs in 2010 and then started attacked womens rights, union rights and education rights so the republicans could give more tax cuts to the richest in our nation.
Romney and his elusive running mate still wants to destroy the safety nets for the poor for more tax cuts for himself and their rich friends.
Also no matter his running mate he still want to end medicare as we know it. Of course seniors can pay another $6000 a year so Romney and his rich friends can have more tax cuts.
VOTE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM..VOTE A SEA OF BLUE FOR CONGRESS..VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Obama's massive record high debt and deficit is the biggest war on women , children and families ....
Since cave men ....
Save what's left of America ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Only a man would think that the high debt and deficit that the republican created when in power is the real war on women. That is the republican war on the American people.
When the actual war on women that the republican men don't understand is the mandated vaginal probes that republicans all over our country have been voting for instead of the jobs they promised. Or maybe the closing of health providers for poor women. Or how about the blunt amendment that would allow your boss to deny you contraception for any reason. Can't forget that Walker in the middle of the night signed a law making un-equal pay for women the law. Women being treated like second class citizens is now the new law of the land for republicans.
Then to top it off, the republicans want to take food and education away from the very same children they want to force to be born.
Where the republicans fail the most is that they think women are so stupid that we would believe cave men like bigben.
VOTE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM....VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Americans First. Chicken or the egg first? If there is no economy and no money, then there's no keeping abortion clinics open either. So then all women that get pregnant would be forced to take their babies full term, all because Obama ran what's left of our economy into the ground. Happy aborting!
Our economy is slowly rebounding after the republicans nearly destroyed it with unpaid for tax cuts and wars. The republicans created the deficit with their incredibly bad thinking and now want to blame it on anybody but them. Then wall street tanked the economy and everyone lost their jobs and then bush bailed the rich out and now the republicans think that the poor who lost their jobs should suffer so the rich that robbed us can get more tax cuts.
With higher taxes our economy was growing, we had lower unemployment and it was predicted that the way we were going our entire debt would be paid off in 10 years. You remember, Bush came to power and tax cuts became the answer to all problems except they weren't.
The real question is: Was our country better off before Bush came into power and drove up the deficit with tax cuts and wars? When we already have a huge deficit, how could more tax cuts for Romney and his rich friends be the answer to anything?
Even after we all watched what happened to our country with tax cuts for the rich and wars equal big deficit. Now the republicans want to claim it was a success and want to go back to the very policies that caused the recession in the first place. Except they now want even more tax cuts for the rich.
If things are getting better than how bush left our country, just how is President Obama driving what's left of our economy into the ground?
Unfortunately the truth can not hurt you as you don't know any.
VOTE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM.....VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Obama's massive record high debt and deficit...
Obama has still not touched the record increase in debt set by George W. Bush, Dick "deficits don't matter" Cheney and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress for 6 years. And as far as deficit goes, the record high set by George W. Bush in the last budget he signed before leaving office (2009 - $2T) will hopefully stand forever as the worst mistake by the worst president ever! Every budget Obama signed since then has been lower.
And you to return to that by electing another Republican? I don't think so!
Any raising of the deficit by President Obama has been damage control from Bush's reckless presidency. Anyone who doesn't know this has had their heads where the sun don't shine.
It has been reported by independent fact checkers that Fox News' reports are wrong 70% of the time. The only people who would watch their crap are people who like being lied to. I have zero respect for these people and would not save them if they were drowning. YOU are the idiots who are bringing down this country.
If the republicans default on loans, the Chinese will attack us. And we, an ignorant uneducated nation will deserve it. Let's see if "god" will save you then.
He should pick Tim Geithner for a real disaster of a presidency.
Let me help yuo out mittens...don't pick a half wit one third term governor from the leasrt populated state...that did not work out for crash test dummy Mccain...
With the flip floppers war on women, I expect him to pick diaper boy, Senator vittor. What a better way to show distain towards the women in this country could not be had. Perfect choice pigbags.
Whoever Mitt choses, that person just might be tagged like Sarah was, a frigging loser. Think long and hard you just might want to be known as a has been in the political world.
Like do nothing Biden .... "LOL"
Do nothing? Have you actually read the VP's job description lately?
Their whole job is literally 'do nothing'.
The primary roll of the VP is to attend state dinners, break ties in the senate and stand ready to take over if the president dies.
Not much to do with policy making. Cheney overstepped his authority a lot. So people tend to think that the VP actually has some power.
Ruken- Guess you weren't around when President Kennedy was killed. The main role of the VP is to be literally one heart beat away from the Oval Office. You don't think there is a tremendous amount of briefing going on everyday between the POTUS and veep?
That's what sunk Mc Cain. Choosing "I can see Russia from my house" Palin.
@bigbenalaska, it's not like anyone is going to listen to anyone from Alaska. Didn't you elect a moron as governor? Was that moron the best and brightest your state has to offer? Someone who thought Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks? Someone who thought the Queen still ruled England?
Sorry but I will never listen to anyone from Alaska.
Whoever he picks will look like a bloody genius next to Biden the buffoon.
Isn't that the same line of thinking your repubs took when you nominated Sarah Palin?
How did that work out again?
Well said dune.
Biden does have a reputation for putting his foot in his mouth though.
Bdune: Biden makes Palin look like a candidate for Mensa.
Iowa: and that reputation is well-earned.
You know what! You are absolutely right!
Please, please, please, Mitt Romney, pick Sarah Palin as your VP!
Well done EE. You admitted that Biden was a One Big Azzed Mistake America... (but we both know the bigger mistake made in 2008)
I find Joe Biden to be intelligent and articulate. I guess he needs to learn to talk down to the GOP, though. They don't like intelligent or articulate people.
marinmom: intelligent and articulate? Really?!! You are a member of the one percenters---that hold the same opinion of Biden (although that percentage estimate is probably high).
I don't know why Romney doesn't pick Santorum as his running mate - I might decide to vote for him if he did. Otherwise, I don't see any viable candidate for president on either side.
By all means, stay home in November. Call it a "protest vote." Or write in Santorum.
Sometimes it happens.
And, like the upper crust has been telling the poor and minorities for so many generations now...
"Don't vote. It's not like either side cares about your priorities and needs anyways, right? Doesn't even matter. Just don't bother voting."
That's a sad truth. But, seriously, vote. Vote for friggin Gomer Pile if you must. Mickey Mouse. But friggin cast a ballot :D
Note- obviously I want you to vote a straight (D) ticket, but seriously. Even if you don't, vote vote vote. We're still one nation and everyone's voice must be heard!
teknishan: vote while you still can, unless you like having Republican legislatures which take away your right to vote or even the right to have locally elected officials running your government.
dirp: I don't know what you've been smoki...err..reading. New Black Panthers intimidated voters. AG Holder??? All repubs want are the same laws in Mexico, Canada, and Europe. ID so that no fraud can occur.
New Black Panthers intimidated voters.
Enough of this lie, too! This was investigated under the Bush administration and dropped before Obama was ever president. Just how many "King Street Patriots" will be out this Fall intimidating voters?
I have no problem with voter ID. I have shown my ID with every vote I ever cast since 1975. But I cannot abide by either side trying to influence the vote by intimidating voters. If I see it, Republican or Democrat, I will report it! I urge every voter to do the same.
If you are dumb enough to vote for Santorum, you aren't really bright enough to be voting. You should be in a confessional booth being molested by your favorite priest.
Mitt should pick Paul Ryan, they deserve each other-after 2012 they'll both be looking for a job-oh waite they can run again in 2016.
Obama/Bidden in 2012-Vote-Vote-Vote
Damage123 is a Moron for Sure:
If Romney is elected (highly doubtful) and manges to shring the size of government ( also highly doubtful), h would become the first GOP president to do so since..... umm.. since..... I dont really know when.... before Nixon anyway! The right like to brays about it, but they have never actually done it when given the chance!
I hope, they DO NOT , pick someone already holding office. We need to leave Conservative/Republicans, that are serving in the House or Senate stay there.
sprt.... there ARE no "conservative" republicans in Congress. The GOP hasnt been conservative since BEFORE Raygun! I mean, what conservatives in their right minds would support the passing and signing of TWENTY deficit riddled budgets that added over $11T to the debt AND saddled Pres. Obama with a $1.3T deficit even before he was sworn in?????
Republiturds ignore the fact that they were responsible for allowing Bush to ruin our country. It's all part of the "magical" thinking brought on by religious training. It makes them ignore the parts that they don't like, even if it has destroyed THEIR lives. Like true republcians, they will blame it on a black man.
Let's hope Mitt's "trusted aide" does a better job than other Republicans. George H.W. Bush gave us Dan Quayle. Dick Cheney---selected himself and we know where that got us; McCain's team (McCain seems to have been absent from the process) gave us Palin. This track record should be reason enough not to vote Republican.
The anti-intellectual party would disagree with you, Steeler Fan.
Why would anyone really trust Romney? When his ideas become known by the wider electorate he will be defeated in November. Religion matters to people; as it should. The very craziest ideas come from religious extremists. From my understanding Mr Romney actively tried to convert people to his religion, so I presume he would have no objections to someone else doing the same; (certainly some of the tens of millions of dollars he has given to the LDS church must go towards those activities one would think) he could do thatby answering a variety of questions about his religious beliefs as well as being receptive to the idea that some other religion has better ideas and can offer even more heavenly riches than his current one.
Speaking as someone who grew up in the Mormon church, I can tell you that if Romney were not giving the church six million a year, he would have been excommunicated for his previous pro-choice stance. Any other member would have been. Lucky for him, Mormons are money whores.
Rick Santorum would be a great VP for Mitt. And It would satisfy all the crazies at the same time.
I think Michelle Bachman would be a great Secretary of State, Herman Cain-Chief of Staff, Jan Brewer-Homeland Security, Newt Gingrich-Dept. Health and Human Services, Rosie O'Donnel-Press Secretary
Tom,
I think you are on to something.
Cheney got his new heart from Mitt's dog, good pick for VP ! Romney can walk Cheney in the rose garden. Some say Cheney is a pisser of a guy !
I read that the shortlist of GOP Vice President candidates includes .. Rep. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie, and Sharron Angle - US Sentate candidate from NV. It could be Angle is the suprise leader hoping to energize the women voters.
Sharon Angle would make an excellent substitute for Sarah Palin.
Please, Please, Please pick Sharon!! I bet she doesn't know what newspapers she reads either.
If Angel was to run...would she have to give up her "Goodwill Ambassadorship at Area 51"?
Well, at least Angle would have some money to pay the bills!
ANY woman who votes GOP deserves what she gets.
Think outside of the box Mitt! How about Sarah Palin. I hear she's a real Maverick. Maybe you could even try and appeal to younger generation, I hear Tupac's hologram is looking for a new gig.
Etch-a-sketch and Tupac's hologram 2012!! Their the Republicans best chance for victory!
This "shortlist".....will it be able to compete with the "long list" of Repubs who are begging "not to be asked"?
He'd better choose someone who (1) Has a vagina and (2) really likes the ideas of mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds, defunding planned parenthood, cutting food assistance for kids and medicaid -- in short, a good Fifties style Stepford Wife who will defer to her all-knowing husband in all matters of thought. GOP = Genital & Ovary Police.
"has a vagina".....he can't nominate himself!
Maybe he'll ask Ann to be his Vice President. Two Romneys for the price of one.
I was think Callista,...if she doesn't fit the Stepford Bill, no one does!
Haha look at the picture! All i see is a bunch of old white people.
Minorities will vote Obama, Women will vote Obama, Young people will vote Obama, Gays will vote Obama.
What's left for Mittens? No one that matters.
10% of the people that currently support Romney will be dead of old age by November.
Muslims for Obama, vampires for Obama, transvestites for Obama! Women and young people are moving away from Oduma. They want a future also!
The only future the republicans offer is a Depression and bloody wars. Republican parents will looked surprised when their children come home in boxes. Then they will blame it on Obama.
Mitt Romney is like a sleazy fast talking used car salesman. If you get up close you will feel the spit coming from his mouth. He is a discusting excuse for a presidential candidate.
That is the same description I thought of when Axel Grease's (Rod) name was mentioned the other day. "Like a sleazy fast talking used car salesman. If you get up close you will feel the spit coming from his mouth." Just have to leave out the Pres. candidate portion.
He wants somebody like Cheney. You can't make this stuff up.
If he can't find somebody like Cheney, maybe he would settle for someone like Spiro Agnew? He didn't start any unnecessary wars, but he WAS indicted for bribery.
Romney reminds of me of Pee Wee Herman !
Buckwheat?