First Thoughts: The politics of bin Laden, one year later

DUE TO TECHNICAL ERROR, FIRST THOUGHTS WAS LATE PUBLISHING.

The bin Laden killing, one year later – how quickly things change … Republicans cry foul that Obama campaign is using the death as a reelection weapon … Foreign policy vs. the economy (it’s still the economy) … Is Obama the Warrior in Chief? … Another veep tryout – this time it’s Romney with New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte. … Gingrich to drop out Wednesday.

Believe it or not, tomorrow marks a year since Osama bin Laden was killed. We wrote then: “While it’s doubtful that Osama bin Laden’s death will have as long of a political impact [as 9/11] -- especially in this fast-changing, short-term memory media landscape -- it will surely shape the contours of next year’s presidential race. … Last night changes everything (for now), but we also know how quickly it can dissipate.” And dissipate it did. The president’s bump – for something that was as big a singular accomplishment that any president could have -- was short-lived, because of the economy and the debt-ceiling fight. It’s a reminder of just how important the economy is that the bump was never as big as it would have been under normal circumstances. (By the way, NBC’s Rock Center went inside the decision making of the killing of bin Laden. Brian Williams previewed his interview with the president on Meet the Press. The full show, with interviews of others that were in the room) airs Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET.

Caption: NBC's Domenico Montanaro discusses the politics of the one year anniversary of the Osama Bin Laden raid, and New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte gets a look as a possible vice president for  Mitt Romney.

*** Playing politics: Republicans are crying foul at the Obama campaign’s touting of the killing (and using it in a campaign video charging that Mitt Romney might not have made the same call. There are two lines of attack: (1) Republicans are trying to minimize the accomplishment, saying anyone would have done it; and (2) They say he’s politicizing everything, including foreign policy. Ed Gillespie, an adviser to the Romney campaign and former Bush adviser said on Meet the Press: “This is one of the reasons President Obama has become one of the most divisive presidents in American history. He took something that was a unifying event … and he’s managed to turn it into a divisive, partisan, political attack. … I think most Americans will see it as a sign of a desperate campaign.” It’s fascinating to watch Democrats try to demagogue foreign policy, the way Republicans do and have done over the years (see Cheney, Dick in 2004). Republicans usually find themselves almost overreacting when Democrats go over the top in their foreign policy attacks. Count on some REALLY heated cable and Twitter rhetoric this week on this topic as the run-up to the bin Laden anniversary kicks in.

Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

President Barack Obama speaks to troops at Third Infantry Division Headquarters at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, on April 27, 2012, prior to Obama signing an Executive Order to protect them from deceptive targeting by educational institutions.

*** Warrior in Chief? The Romney campaign has pushed the issue of foreign policy, trying to paint Obama as weak and appeasing (especially when it comes to Iran). The GOP would have liked to paint the picture of Obama as a feckless, weak president, lacking strength. But despite the rhetoric, Obama’s foreign policy has been incredibly muscular. In fact, Peter Bergen of the New America Foundation in the New York Times Sunday Review provocatively casts President Obama as the “Warrior in chief,” ticking off several of Obama’s foreign-policy raids, killings, and use of drones. The death of bin Laden undercut any hopes Republicans had of being able to paint Obama as Jimmy Carter. And he makes the point of this disconnect: “Despite countervailing evidence, most conservatives view the president as some kind of peacenik. From both the right and left, there has been a continuing, dramatic cognitive disconnect between Mr. Obama’s record and the public perception of his leadership….” Make no mistake, had it failed, that’s exactly how he would have been portrayed. Bergen writes that if Romney runs a risk when criticizing Obama on foreign policy. If he tries to portray him as “a typical, weak-on-national-security Democrat,” then “he will very likely trap himself into calling for a war with Iran, which many Americans oppose.”

 

*** McCain as top foreign-policy attack dog: Taking the lead on the attack, though, is Sen. John McCain, Obama’s 2008 opponent (who also believes Obama hasn’t had courage to act in Syria). McCain, now a Romney surrogate, said Obama’s “diminishing the memory of September 11th,” and accused him of “doing a shameless end-zone dance.” It’s a fine line. McCain clearly doesn’t mind playing this role. He says things Romney couldn’t get away with and it’s something that’s quite beneficial to Romney. If Romney said what McCain did, Romney might get ridiculed. It’s an interesting role that McCain is willing to play. It could be a preview of the role McCain might play going forward in the campaign -- traditional role of VP, but on foreign policy. McCain doesn’t mind going personal with Obama, as he’s demonstrated since 2008. You can try to explain away McCain’s motives all you want, but it could be oddly effective for Romney.

USA Today's Susan Page, The Washington Post's Dan Balz, and The Chicago Tribune's Clarence Page discuss the Romney campaign's accusation that President Obama is politicizing the death of Osama Bin Laden.

*** STILL THE ECONOMY: But for all the talk of foreign policy and how much credit Obama deserves or whether or how he should be touting it, the most important issue this election – as it was a year ago -- remains the economy. It should be like a flashing red sign – IT’S THE ECONOMY, IT’S THE ECONOMY. Jobs will get a fresh look Friday when the latest report comes out. The unemployment rate has been essentially flat for three months. Even though the rate has come down from a high of 10.0%, if the rate continues to appear not to drop very much or the trajectory seems flat, that is going to be a problem for the incumbent president. Watch the trajectory; it will tell you the whole ballgame.

*** Another veep tryout: Today’s another veep tryout with Romney and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte at 10:50 am ET. Though she’s been a senator for just two years, Ayotte served as New Hampshire’s attorney general (she was appointed by Republican Craig Benson in 2003 and RE-appointed by a Democratic governor). The Republican Party’s problems with women have been well documented over the last few months. If Romney is going to pick a woman, the most serious candidate is likely Ayotte. That is, aside from Condoleezza Rice if she wants it, and there’s no indication she does. But the shadow of Palin still looms large over the GOP pick, and the Romney team may be more risk averse because of it. But as GOP 12’s Heinze wrote last week: “Sarah Palin didn't prove that picking a woman doesn't help with women. Palin was simply the wrong woman.” (By the way, over the weekend, NBC’s Alex Moe reported that Newt Gingrich would officially drop out Wednesday.)

*** Obama fundraises with Clinton: There were a couple striking things at the fundraiser with President Clinton this weekend at the home of Terry McAuliffe: (1) How little Romney was mentioned. After a weekend and week of going after Romney personally, last night was more in line with where the Obama campaign was when this campaign first started -- go after the entire GOP. It was more the theme of -- they want to take you back, it’s their failed economic policies on steroids, not the party of Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt; it’s not their Republican Party. (2) This was not an ordinary Obama fundraiser speech. Here, he was trying to follow one of the Democratic Party’s best economic communicators. Obama knew he was on friendly turf, but not the friendliest turf, as he was trying to appeal to Clinton people. One Democratic source who is more of a member of Team Clinton than Team Obama described last night as kind of like a “first date” between Clinton and Obama; For the first time, this person could actually see the two of them starting to bond; It took a while for Clinton to get over 2008 but so far, things have gone well in this courtship. Two more Obama-Clinton fundraisers to go; New York and PROBABLY Hollywood.

*** A way to bring up Seamus: Don’t overlook the fact that the White House used the opportunity of the White House Correspondents Dinner -- when they knew they’d get lighter coverage for what they did – put a story that they’ve struggled to put into the mainstream, quietly trying to do for months, the Seamus story. It was frankly a way to get Seamus out there. Yes, Obama made fun of himself and eating dog, but they’ll take that to get the Seamus story mainlined; They’ve been trying for months.

** Waiting on Lugar’s fate: There are just eight days until the Indiana Senate primary that could see the ouster of the most senior Republican in the Senate. AP today wonders whether Richard Lugar waited too long to brand his opponent. On Friday, the 2008 GOP presidential ticket split its endorsement – John McCain endorsed Lugar; Sarah Palin endorsed his challenger and Tea Party favorite, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Mitt Romney said he was staying out of it. A poll aligned with Mourdock showed him up 44-39% Thursday. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette headline: “Hundreds cheer Mourdock at city rally.” The rally was organized by Tea Party Express, which has played a big role in this race.

Countdown to Indiana Senate/Wisconsin recall primaries: 8
Countdown to Wisconsin recall election: 36
Countdown to Election Day: 190 days

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MY thoughts are Obama has NOTHING else to run on, only Osama !!!! he says Gm, but he broke the country in order to bail out his union buddies, and Banks were in the deal TOO and they Were NOT union! GM could have been saved without breaking our backs!!!! What else is there : Obamacare? Obamanation, Obamanomics, Jobinomics, bail outs for rich kids in college, oh yeah, the poor are not the only ones using student loans, many, many rich kids use them also!!!! and your kid is likely one of them! he is buying America for the communists, Look at the Hollywood types at the dinner! communists all, or green card actors and actresses from Latin America. they are all sucking up our money.

  • 1 vote
Reply#622 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:57 PM EDT

You're right that the government bailed out the banks and the investment houses by passing the no strings attached TARP - under the BUSH Administration, not the Obama Administration!

  • 1 vote
#622.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:02 PM EDT

Since when does a loan with a high percentage have no strings attached. That is pretty much what Obama did with the auto industry but not what happened under Bush. Citigroup as one example borrowed 45 billion and paid back 67 billion less than two years later. The TARP Bush began made money for the taxpayer - or will when AIG pays the last 25% of their loan back. It was Obama's loans to the auto company - basically for the unions - that lost us billions of dollars. Get some facts straight Bruce!

  • 1 vote
#622.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:28 PM EDT

Watermoon, Brucie don't need no stinkin' facts, he be lovin' DA' EXALTED ONE.

    #622.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:28 PM EDT
    Reply

    The GOP is crying because of jealousy. Their failed polices allowed 9-11 to happen during their watch and then they couldn't get Bin Laden and this hurts their belief that they are the party of national security.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#623 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:57 PM EDT

    9-11 occurred just 8 months into the Bush presidency. The terrorists involved got their training during the Clinton administration and it was that same Clinton who was twice offered OBL on a platter but was too enmeshed in the Monica Lewinsky scandal to care enough to pull the trigger. Liberals just make up facts to exonerate their own and then blame it on Republicans. End justifies the means and lies just don't matter to them.

    • 1 vote
    #623.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:30 PM EDT
    Reply

    bush motto..

    "mission accomplished"

    obowmao motto..

    "nothing accomplished"

    this do nothing administration and..

    do nothing democrats..

    should all be rounded up and charged with thievery and treason..

    for not supporting the constitution..

    after romney gets in, he will commission sheriff arpaio to round them up..

    cuff them.. lock them up..put them in pink jumpsuits..

    and make them clean up our highways..

    • 1 vote
    Reply#624 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

    Barry would like pink.

      #624.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:02 PM EDT

      have unassailable proof that Romney was born in a lab as a test tube baby. ( Not sure if it was an American lab though )
      He also secretly wants to re-instate the Mormon practice of multiple wives when he gets into office.
      While at Bain Romney joined the Bildeburg group to advance the policies for a New World Order.
      There is also talk from the Romney camp about relocating the American Muslim.

        #624.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:05 PM EDT

        Ronas--your mental health issues are showing. when did Bush kill Osama? Are you aware that this country has labled THIS congress "the DO NOTHING" congress? are you aware that congress is Republican majority? In other words: the rest of America knows it's the Republicans that refuse to work for their salaries to the detriment of the USA...what rock did you JUST crawl out from under?

        • 1 vote
        #624.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:06 PM EDT

        bail outs are bailouts, I hated them all. in the end I hate Bush AND Obamanomics, the only difference is that Bush was not trying to short circut the constitution nor turn everything RED. And I mean Commie RED, PINKO RED, PUTIN RED.

        • 1 vote
        #624.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:07 PM EDT

        ed: How is President Obama trying to short circut the Consitution...Repubs keep ranting about that but never state any facts to back it up....come on state some specifics.

        Same with the "commie" rant...no facts, no specifics....come on show us some facts, state some specifics.

          #624.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:15 PM EDT

          Ron Ass: You should seek help.

            #624.6 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT

            When all you do is live off of GOP talking points, You cant provide any facts, because there are none!

              #624.7 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT

              Dyonsusomega, better leave the multiple wives issue alone. Obama's father had many wives, while Romney's great grandfather was the last one with multiple wives. This is like the dog on the car roof issue is small potatoes, when the president told s he ATE DOGMEAT. My dog loves to stick his head into the wind when he gets to ride with us.

              • 1 vote
              #624.8 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:34 PM EDT
              Reply

              The Republican lead government had about seven years to get Bin Laden, but they did not get the job done. This government got it done in about 3 years, and they have the right to crow about it, so the Republicans need to just sit back and be quiet!!

              • 3 votes
              Reply#625 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

              Semper Fi VET--actually the entire mission from presidential decision to mission completion took a few hours hours--vs. 8years of extremely expensive foreign occupation. Shows what a few well trained, dedicated Americans with a definite goal can accomplish. If Bush had done it, today would be a national holiday so I dont know what all the fuss is about...

                #625.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:11 PM EDT

                Jdumbya, Suuuure the whole mission was planned and accomplished in just a few hours!!!!! Your deck of cards is about twenty six cards short today.

                  #625.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:36 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  All this talk about "Credit" for Bin Laden is ignorant. IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#626 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:59 PM EDT

                  Corn Fed is right. This is just a distraction from the problems at hand. Wait. Maybe this can become a holiday for Federal and State workers! Obama can celebrate with another round of golf. Moochelle can take a few hundred of her closest friends to Spain on you dime. Yeah that's it.

                  • 1 vote
                  #626.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:06 PM EDT

                  Blamo; googe "compare presidential vacation expenditures"--do the math--then shut up..

                    #626.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:13 PM EDT

                    Corn & Blamo: So national security isn't a priority to you?

                      #626.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:17 PM EDT

                      Distraction? The GOP would love to make this immensely important success a "distraction" since they failed to get the job done.

                        #626.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:22 PM EDT

                        upset,uh...are you aware that Obama has been President for over three years? That hopey changy thang is really something, isn't it?

                        • 1 vote
                        #626.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:47 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        I'm not sure why would celebrate the taking down and killing of SH. We invaded a sovereign country for no reason. The results were thousands upon thousands of American dead and Iraqi dead on top of a huge war bill that will continue to costs us a great deal of money for decades.

                        What did we accomplish? I guess we got oil companies a nice foothold in the country. WooHoo, break out the champagne!

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#627 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:00 PM EDT

                        There are two lines of attack: (1) Republicans are trying to minimize the accomplishment, saying anyone would have done it

                        Anyone could have done it, except the Bush administration. They lost him in 2005 and admitted that he was unimportant and coud not find him.

                          Reply#628 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:02 PM EDT

                          No matter what good Obama does (wrong color, y'all) , it will not positively phase any conservative hater here. They simply DO NOT CARE. It doesn't take a big coward to sit back and criticize another man's hard work and efforts. It takes a lot of small little ones. Many are gravely paranoid, envious and racist. Bottom line. Hell will freeze over before any conservative hater give Obama any credit. Not in this lifetime.

                          Do they actually know the good he is doing? Yes. No one can be that idiotic even if one has a simblance of brain and sight. Dirty truth is: Racism in America is alive and well. We never have to worry about playing the "race card". The ace of spades never left the table. Believe it.

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#629 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:02 PM EDT

                          One other poster put it well...
                          Those that can, do...those that can't, criticize.

                          • 2 votes
                          #629.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:07 PM EDT

                          Another poster put it well, also. "When you have a bad economy, bring out the race card"

                            #629.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:08 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            The corrupt Republican Party don't want to tell the 99% American People that their past 8 years of corruption by their OIL, FINANCE & other Corporates are the VERY ONES THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS ECONOMIC GLOBAL CRASH! And it's ONLY STARTING! It's about time they lived up to their FAILURES and STOP trying to BLAME OUR President! He's having a hell of a time fixing it because he is RECEIVING ZERO cooperation from the REPUBLICAN CONGRESS who are nothing more than corrupt political puppets, just like exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH! We, the 99% Americans are disgusted with the Republican party corruption and that's why we are voting 100% STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC, because we know the lives we save WILL be our OWN & our CHILDREN! You have stolen from us FOR THE LAST TIME!!!

                              Reply#630 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:03 PM EDT

                              The GOP has certainly been poor gaurdians of America's Blood and Treasure...that is for sure.

                                #630.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:09 PM EDT
                                Reply

                                Of coarse the GOP doesn't want Obama to flout the Bin Laden killing. It's bad for them.

                                  Reply#631 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:04 PM EDT

                                  I wish Obama would flout it. Now flaunt would be a different thing.

                                    #631.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:12 PM EDT

                                    Blamo, of COARSE Obama would FLOUT it. Flout=fileting a trout, capice?

                                      #631.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:09 PM EDT
                                      Reply

                                      You talk about an obsessed media: wow, Whitney houston and M J! Rodney K AGAIN!? watch they will bring back Katrina too!!!! and OJ!!!! now the obsession is Osama Obama! that shows you how desperate they all are. If I see another Whitny Houston blog I will puck! and if it has Costner in it then you now this guy is in trouble. Costner and Whitney were second rate, just like Mel Gibson and Clooney, but in Hollywood the media keeps proping them up so as they can get a BJ at the shxt house dinner.

                                        Reply#632 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:04 PM EDT

                                        The left wing only has race baiting, can't run on the economy, and they know it. The race baiting was predictable as snow in Alaska.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #632.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:39 PM EDT
                                        Reply

                                        I wish the GOP would spend 1/4 of their anything President Obama does is wrong energy into the this is why we are better effort. I still do not see why I should vote FOR Mitt Romney.

                                        Also, that little video MSNBC put on the Women votes was interesting. I was a little taken back by the way Alex C something kept interrupting Rachel Maddow.

                                        Both the Republicans and Democrats are missing my main issue government debt. If we do not bring the budget under control now the problem will be much greater later. Bringing the budget under control requires bi-partisan cooperation which does not exist today. It requires tax reform as well as spending reform.

                                        For tax reform I would prefer a progressive / less complicated tax system. I don't mind paying more if I make more. However, if I make 1 dollar over some of the deduction limit, I should not all of a sudden be taxed thousands of dollars more for 1 extra dollar in earnings.

                                        For spending reform I think we should focus on all areas in the budget. I am tired of seeing political parties cherry picking what should get scrapped based on who pays their bills. The GOP scrapping funding for Planned Parenthood is like a dieter claiming they will loose weight by cutting out lima beans.

                                          Reply#633 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:04 PM EDT

                                          I seem to recall the president calling for a $4 Trillion deficit reduction package. We know who killed that plan. Don't forget the oft stated No. 1 priority: "Make Obama a one term president", damn the consequences.

                                            #633.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:27 PM EDT

                                            upset, if Obama isn't a one termer, this country is history. His 4 trillion was a projection of only 40 billion a year, according to Obama, meanwhile, he proposed keeping increased spending for those ten years. Obamacare cost projections are double the original projections, according to the CBO. How on God's green earth can anyone ignore the incompetence of this President. He has learned very little in his three years in office, just look at the economy. I know, I know, it is Bush's fault. Obama is far dumber than my original projections.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #633.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:34 PM EDT
                                            Reply

                                            Translation...GOP wishes Bin Laden was taken out while a Republican president was in power so they could have some talking points. Sorry all is fair in love and war and politics. GOP needs to shut their pie hole on this one because they had their chance and could not get the job done...again. Which gets me to wonder just what have the GOP done at all! Nothing but screw up the economy. Obama in 2012 in a landslide.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            Reply#634 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:05 PM EDT

                                            Not only did they not get the job done, Bush actually gave up saying he had more pressing issues to deal with than get bin Laden.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #634.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:13 PM EDT

                                            I guess you're loving gas prices from $1.83 to $3.90

                                            I guess you're loving unemployment over 8% AFTER WE spent almost a Trillion Dollars for the Stupidless Bill to jump from 6.7% to 8.3%......I'm just so Happy for the Auto UNIONS, while they drink beer and smoke pot on their Lunch hour?????

                                            Run to the mailbox and get your check!

                                            • 2 votes
                                            #634.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:19 PM EDT

                                            Patty, it's time for your medication! I guess you forgot about the $4.00 gas when Bush was President. Just wondering though. If you are going to blame President Obama for the high gas prices, are you gong to give him credit when they fall (as they are doing now!)?

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #634.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:25 PM EDT

                                            Patty: This web site is for adults.

                                              #634.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:29 PM EDT

                                              upset, the four dollar a gallon while Bush was in office, was for a couple of months, due to the refinery problems in Louisiana after Katrina. The four dollar a gallon price of the Obama administration has lasted far longer than Bush's four dollar period.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #634.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:52 PM EDT
                                              Reply

                                              Republicraps are such hypocrites... can anyone say "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" with that mendicant W strutting around in a USN flight suit?

                                              • 1 vote
                                              Reply#635 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:06 PM EDT

                                              Those Navymen on that ship did accomplish their mission, or aren't you aware of that? They were not ground forces, and Bush did not say those words, except to congratulating them on accomplishing a specific task, in a wider war. Look up, the missions of the four branches of the military, it might open your eyes.

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #635.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:55 PM EDT
                                              Reply

                                              For those of you who are appalled that I called Obama a political whore, here is the definition of political whore. A politician who's actions contradict his words.

                                              Here is an example of Obama's actions contradicting his words.

                                              From Sen. Obama’s Floor Speech, March 20, 2006:

                                              The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.

                                              At the time, Senator Obama was urging Congress not to tolerate an increase that would bring the debt ceiling to $9 trillion.

                                              Obama has gone before Congress how many times in the last year to request that the debt ceiling be raised because of the never ending ever growing debt crises he created. He's been successful in getting the debt ceiling raised to $15.7 trillion in his efforts to tank our economy.

                                              Do the American people deserve better? Using Obama's own words stated above. Yes!

                                              • 1 vote
                                              Reply#636 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:08 PM EDT

                                              Except of course, presidents don't pass spending bills.

                                              That's the House of Representatives..

                                              Hmmm... Wonder who controls the House??

                                              Any clue??

                                                #636.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

                                                what happened: Excellent definition of a political whore - one whose actions contradict his words.

                                                Action: Lead a state to adopt a near universal health care system.

                                                Words: Decry Obama's effort to try to create a universal health care system.

                                                  #636.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:12 PM EDT

                                                  Kennedy raised the debt ceiling 4 times for a total increase of 5%.

                                                  Johnson raised the debt ceiling 7 times for a total increase of 18%.

                                                  Nixon raised the debt ceiling 9 times for a total increase of 36%.

                                                  Ford raised the debt ceiling 5 times for a total increase of 41%.

                                                  Carter raised the debt ceiling 9 times for total increase of 59%.

                                                  Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times for a total increase of 199%.

                                                  George H.W. Bush raised the debt ceiling 9 times for a total increase of 48%.

                                                  Clinton raised the debt ceiling 4 times for a total increase of 44%.

                                                  George W. Bush raised the debt ceiling 7 times for a total increase of 90%.

                                                  Obama has raised the debt ceiling 3 times for a total increase of 26%.

                                                  Adding the percentages of the Democratic presidents’ total debt ceiling increases (shown in blue) together reveals that President Ronald Reagan, arguably the most popular Republican president on this list, actually raised the debt ceiling by a higher percentage than all of the Democrats combined.

                                                  The Democrats’ total percentage increase is 152%. President Reagan increased the debt ceiling by 199% in his two terms in office.

                                                  The Republican presidents, shown in red, when added together, have raised the debt ceiling by a total of 414%.

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #636.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT

                                                  what: Name one politican that is not a "political whore" using your definition....certainly GOP nominee Romney is one.

                                                    #636.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:21 PM EDT

                                                    Starbuck: Thanks for posting. I have long believed that the GOP and massive government spending are synonymous. They would have us believe the opposite, preferring to call themselves fiscal conservatives. Hah!

                                                      #636.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:32 PM EDT

                                                      Bruce

                                                      Health care is defined as meeting the humanitarian need of people, not the the profit needs of an insurance company.

                                                      We have many successful nonprofit health care organizations across this country that provide excellent health care base on a person's ability to pay.

                                                      Obama didn't seek out any of these organization when creating Obamacare, but turned to the Health insurance companies that created the health care crises in the first place.

                                                      All Obamacare does is protect the profits of the insurance companies at the expense and well being of the American people.

                                                      Romneycare has proved this out and thank you for bring up Romneycare of which was the model for Obamacare. So by attacking Romneycare your are attacking Obamacare and Obama. Thank you for proving my point.

                                                      K1200RS

                                                      Thank you for pointing that out, but you forgot to mention that when Obama created his never ending ever growing debt crises at the beginning of August,2011 the government was on the verge of shutting down. In the 7 months since then what has Obama done to correct his debt crises? Just added more debt to it.

                                                      But we need to step back in time for a minute. Obama has been crying about his tax reform in this campaign just as hard as he cried about it in his first campaign. So what happened to his tax reform? Nothing. And why was nothing done? Because Obama never proposed his tax reform to his democratically controlled congress and could have passed it as easily as Obamacare.

                                                      He was silent for two years and only started crying about his tax reform after he lost control of the House to the Republicans. Well it shows that Obama's actions indicate that he doesn't even support his own tax reform.

                                                        #636.6 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:40 PM EDT
                                                        Reply

                                                        Most Americans agree that the real issue this election is the economy. Karl Rove especially knows it and he also knows that the Republican House and the fillibuster crazy Senate Republicans have nothing to campaign on when it comes to jobs.

                                                        So, with a typical Roveian strategy, the issue is now bin Laden.

                                                        Rove will continue to gin up phony attack issues til election day, just like in 2004 with the Swift Boat nonsense. The sad truth, however, is that Rove's tactics of keep the goal posts moving worked in 2004.

                                                        This election will be a referendum on the do-nothing Congress and its avowed goal of attacking Obama as captain of the ship while the entire ship goes down.

                                                          Reply#637 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:08 PM EDT

                                                          Obama would veto anything passed by Congress that would create jobs. Anyone with half a brain knows it. He couldn't care less about the welfare of this country. He just wants to make sure that Republicans do not get credit for any successful legislation.

                                                          • 2 votes
                                                          #637.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:18 PM EDT

                                                          Blamo - nobody would argue that you have half a brain.

                                                            #637.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:22 PM EDT

                                                            Blamo: So you are now second guessing what President Obama would do.....that all you are doing, no facts....just spewing.

                                                            President Obama did not veto the small business bill.....did he?

                                                              #637.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:24 PM EDT

                                                              Blamo: Well done pal! You just showed us an example of the most commonly employed Karl Rove tactic - Use your greatest weakness against your opponent by accusing them of what you've failed to do. Great work.

                                                                #637.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                                                                Bruce there is another issue that might even be more important to the voters than the economy.

                                                                There are 10 indicators that Obama is laying down the foundations for a military take over of our government. The economy and Obama's never ending ever growing debt crises could be the excuse to implement the take over.

                                                                You can't build an economy with debt, but you sure as heck can tank one with it.

                                                                  #637.5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:46 PM EDT
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  this is amazing. our assh-le president gives free passage to taliban to attend meeting. are you kidding me. plus the asswipe give middle east billions. folks no one in the middle east is for the US or even care about us.

                                                                  we give them billions for favors that when we leave they will stop doing. what an ass we have as presidents.

                                                                  he has spent more in 2.5 years than the last 10 presidents did in 50 years. he should be in jail. if he was a ceo he would already be there.

                                                                  what he is doing is 1 millions times a bad a enron.

                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                  Reply#638 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

                                                                  Better not say that too loud around bin laden, he might show up......OH thats right!! he can't show up, he's fish food ain't he????

                                                                    #638.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:14 PM EDT

                                                                    Maybe. Maybe not.

                                                                      #638.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:27 PM EDT

                                                                      RJ: A potty mouth aren't you? Typically people who have to resort to foul language aren't too bright, and your lack of writing skills further underlines that point.

                                                                      The money you are ranting about did not begin with President Obama, we have been giving foreign countries, including those that habor Taliban, money for years, under Repub and Dem presidents.

                                                                        #638.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:28 PM EDT

                                                                        I can tell by your prose that you are no Mensa member. I suggest that, if you don't want to sound ridiculous, you really take some time to understand how your government works.

                                                                        America is not like your house: If the guy before you ran up a huge utility bill on your home it follows him--it doesn't get's stuck to the next guy (obama) in the house. You know all that talk about Bush causing this? It's not all bunk. Any idea how much it costs to keep thousands of soldiers sailors and marines stocked with food, gear and equipment, weapons, ammo? Bush didnt have a plan to pay for 8 years of foreign occupation by a huge military force. Just because Obama's name is now on the bill doesn't mean he's the one who ran it up in the first place. He is simply footing the bill the last guy left. If Bush would have shown any fiduciary or financial responsibility we would not have to re-educate a republican every time they comment on how much the deficit is...

                                                                        Subtract the billions and billions spent on the "wars" Bush started from the tab...you'll find that Obama's not all that bad with the old Moolah...

                                                                          #638.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:45 PM EDT
                                                                          Reply

                                                                          I can't believe the right wing is crying foul, this ain't basketball, boner can't play anyway.

                                                                            Reply#639 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

                                                                            This article is ridiculous.....for those of us that arent convinced that Osama is dead. He is no longer needed to sustain reasoning for a war that was never really a war...that is for sure. There were no pics to prove it. No body. No anything but the word of politicians. I just cant believe it completely. If he IS dead....prove it. Oh and his silence is not proof.....he could have been "relocated" and put under a government protection program. I know I sound ridiculous....but there just isnt any proof.

                                                                              Reply#640 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:12 PM EDT

                                                                              You can always go out to sea and fish him up....thats for you non-believers. Some of you have to eat the whole damn cow before you realize you're eating beef.

                                                                                #640.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:17 PM EDT

                                                                                Dan,
                                                                                Even AlQueda confirmed OBL's death...and I am pretty sure that no amount of pressure from the US Government would make them lie about something like that...think about it dude.

                                                                                  #640.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:18 PM EDT
                                                                                  Reply

                                                                                  Let's see...
                                                                                  Dubya and the GOP:
                                                                                  starts two wars ( one with a country that had NOTHING to do with 9/11 )
                                                                                  Bankrupts the country
                                                                                  Spent 8 years chasing their own tail for OBL

                                                                                  Obama and the Dems:
                                                                                  One war down and one ending soon
                                                                                  Economy recovering at a fair pace ( DOW jones at 13,000+, unemployment down )
                                                                                  Only took two years to find OBL and with two shots and a splash of water, take down the most despicable and hated foe of the United States.

                                                                                  Lets talk Accomplishments?

                                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                                  Reply#641 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:15 PM EDT

                                                                                  I'm with you. The Republicans are just a whinny bunch of old bitches that can't even coalesce around one candidate because he is a nothing, a wimp and can you see him talking to other heads of state. "I know what you feel. I'm one of you." Like that's gonna work with Israel and Japan. His ya'll and cheesy grits is an insults to the great South. His " I created jobs as governor," while his state was bleeding population is a joke. All the Democrats have to do is play the GOP soundbites for the last 4 months. Even Santorum the MCP doesn't like him. His little pet Rubio who follows him around like a puppy should watch himself or Romney will strap him to the roof of car.

                                                                                    #641.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:23 PM EDT

                                                                                    Pat...that was good ( and funny )
                                                                                    I would dread the meeting of Putin and wannabe Executive in Chief Mittens...Putin would crush the flip flopper like a bug.

                                                                                      #641.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:27 PM EDT

                                                                                      Instead Obama tells the Russian on the open mic to tell Putin to just lay low until he is re-elected and then he will give him whatever he wants. If that lying bastard is re-elected he will bring the country to total ruin since - as he said - he will no longer have any accountability to the people. Liberals have no problem with this since they are all selfish greedy thieves who see the government was having just one purpose - take from those who produce and give it to ME and MY causes!

                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                      #641.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

                                                                                      Obama's cause is the improvement of the middle class, and by extension, general American societal improvement. What is the GOP cause?

                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                      #641.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:38 PM EDT
                                                                                      Reply

                                                                                      The Boychild president did not give the order to go ahead with operation Geronimo. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did under the advice of Secretary of Defense (former CIA director) Panetta. Boychild was on vacation but quickly returned to DC in time to witness the plan being carried out. ... Bush had only one objective for the war in Afghanistan and that was to get Bin Laden dead or alive! NOTHING ELSE! Not to spend billions of dollars to adopt Afghan as a pseudo American state!

                                                                                        Reply#642 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:15 PM EDT

                                                                                        Your 'facts' do not stand up to scrutiny...try again.

                                                                                          #642.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT

                                                                                          bush had one objective in Afghanistan, and he blew it.

                                                                                            #642.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT

                                                                                            @top dog .... no, your boychild president is blowing 2.7 billion dollars into Afghan per year!

                                                                                            • 2 votes
                                                                                            #642.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:27 PM EDT
                                                                                            Reply

                                                                                            Here is former President George Bush at a press conference, who looks terribly bored, commenting on why he no longer is interested in getting bin Laden:

                                                                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PGmnz5Ow-o

                                                                                            Anyone doubt that this clip is going to go viral asap?

                                                                                              Reply#643 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:17 PM EDT

                                                                                              Obama got Osama!

                                                                                              Now it is time for the Republicans to take a Time Out for like 50 years!.

                                                                                              Go to your rooms republicans and don't come out until we tell you to!

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              Reply#644 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:17 PM EDT

                                                                                              GOP is trying to turn Obama's greatest accomplishments, in to his weaknesses. This is Karl Rove's 2004 school. He made Kerry a war veteran to look like a criminal, and Bush(daddy's boy) as a hero.

                                                                                              You know guys, Karl Rove IS a mastermind in this party, only this should tell you what's wrong with the GOP . REJECT THEM, as there is hope for something better then Roves puppets.

                                                                                                Reply#645 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:19 PM EDT

                                                                                                Alina, Osama's death is the ONLY thing near an accomplishment for this joke of a President. Even that was years in the making before Obama's term.

                                                                                                  #645.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:15 PM EDT
                                                                                                  Reply

                                                                                                  Republicans don't play well with others.

                                                                                                  Very poor Quarterly reviews for the past Ten Years!

                                                                                                    Reply#646 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:20 PM EDT
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