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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks during news conference in front the shuttered Solyndra solar power company's manufacturing facility Thursday.
SAN DIEGO -- The Romney campaign has moved quickly to exploit the candidate's unannounced visit to bankrupt solar energy company Solyndra, producing a web ad entitled "Symbol of Failure," designed to highlight the president's role in the failed business.
The ad intersperses audio from national news broadcasts' coverage of the bankruptcy and subsequent federal investigation of Solyndra (including NBC's coverage), with clips of Barack Obama visiting the plant in 2010, and Romney's press conference there Thursday.
Graphics highlight what the Romney campaign is presenting as the vital statistics of the Solyndra failure, which took place after a series of federal loan guarantees were put in place which Republicans decried as the height of cronyism: 1,100 employees laid off, $535 million in taxpayer dollars spent.
After Tuesday's Texas GOP primary, Mitt Romney was able to clinch the party's nomination with more than the 1,144 delegates needed. Vanity Fair's Carl Bernstein and the Washington Post's David Ignatius join a conversation on why the race between Romney and Obama is so close. The panel also discusses Romney's recent hits against Solyndra.
The quick-turnaround ad comes as the Romney and Obama campaigns are concluding a week spent battling over Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts, and the salience of his role as CEO of Bain Capital when it comes to expertise creating jobs -- not just wealth for investors.
Thursday, the political theater reached its zenith (or nadir - depending on your perspective) with dueling press conferences on the East and West coasts, as Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod attacked Romney's record as governor in Boston, and Romney attacked the president's record, standing on a highway median in front of the vacant Solyndra headquarters in Fremont.
“Two years ago, President Obama was here to tout this building and this business as a symbol of the success of his stimulus. Well you can see that it’s a symbol of something very different today. It’s a symbol not of success, but of failure,” Romney is shown saying near the close of the 1:38 second web video, as uplifting music begins to play.
"I can tell you that my experience in the economy tells me how it is businesses make decisions to hire people in America. I want to use that knowledge to get Americans working again. The idea of 23 million American families out of work or stopped looking for work or underemployed is unacceptable and crony capitalism like this did not help,” the ad concludes.
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Eight PREVIOUS years of FAILED Republican leadership & THREE PLUS years OF TOTAL NON-COOPERATION by the corrupt Republican corporates' "HAND-PICKED" political puppets like exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH & John Bonehead! And exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH wants to critizise our illustrious President? He is completely OUT OF TOUCH with REALITY! He doesn't even recognize RIGHT from WRONG! We, the 99% American People, DO RECOGNIZE RIGHT FROM WRONG; and that's exactly why we are voting 100% STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC, to rid ourselves of this corrupt Republican corporate "HAND-PICKED" political puppets like you!
Eight years? This economy started circling the bowl on January 20, 1981. The problem with a house of cards is that the wind doesn't stop blowing....
This country has been going to hell in a hand basket long before 1981!!
'TR' Rose II... And the accuse the President of saying anything to get votes and get elected yet remain blind to their own political hack.
Too funny... And let us not forget it was Romney who saved the auto industry.
LOL....if Romney had "saved" the auto industry, he'd be out hawking what is left of the cars, since he'd already have fired everyone else...
Two elitists running for president; on one hand we have an illegal kenyan born pro gay, pro abortion, pro big spending, golfer who has never had a job, no one can prove any of his records of his existence, all of his czars appointed are marxists and socialists, he admits in his own words he is a mooslime
On the other hand the other elitist is a secret underwear wearing cult member of brainwashing stupidity, had several grandmothers due to his religion accpets polygmany, but he has had real business experience
Both are millionaires, both live secretive lives, both are hoping for virgins in another world
I say our choice for either is horrible BUT I know Mittens records can be proved and he on his worst day is so much better than the Soros puppet the illegal occupier of our white house
How many Trillions has the illegal king spent and has anyone been able to trace the funds flowing back to his campaign and the dimocrats?
You're living in that "bubble"!!! What does it say about US security system that we would not only allow someone with no proof of existence to be a senator run for POTUS but actually be POTUS making him the most powerful person in our country for over 3 years?
Big L, put your helmet back on before you hurt yourself!
Where is it written that you have to be the POTUS to fix the economy propose some solutions to create jobs?? Romney claims he will get the economy going again and how he is such an expert at job creation...Gov. Romney...show us what u got!!!
BIG L--you forgot pro gun restriction, loves hanging out with Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, etc. I think I will pick the magic underwear wearing Mormon too.
You forgot Corzine, Radthe, Rezko, Pritzker...the list is long and distinguished.
Solyndra, lack of focus on the economy, and government efforts to micromanage our lives has been the downfall of BO.
I have good friends and neighbors who worked for conpanies supplying Solyndra......and paying in the end the ultimate corporate price, they no longer exist. The story goes something like this; they assumed added risk on Solyndra orders..........assuming in part that the government had a dog in this fight..........so equals taking more risk, they went under soon after Solyndra went under. Many many more people than those working for Solyndra itself were negatively affected. The original owners of the company continue to prosper and are very wealthy still........because they did not use their money.....they were given ours!
Arguing Bush politics anywhere in this thread is sensless and an admission you condone the current administrations indiscretions.
Hundreds, and hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on procuring a four hundred thousand dollar a year job. Hmmmmmmmmmm! Is ANYONE still naive enough to think that the average Joe on either side of the political aisle will get ANY redress?
look at it this way, if you did this poorly after 4 years at your job, would you still have one?? I know I wouldn't. So, with that, it is time to try a new employee. Gues what, after another 4 years, and it is still the same BS try a new one. The beauty of the power of voting!!
Does the Personification of Failure really require a Symbol of Failure?
I see the lying the fairy birthers have joined in on the discussion.
I can't quite connect the dots to this story, however.
If this is the best they can come up with, then the Repugs have failed. At least the President is trying to help business survive. Companies fail all the time. When has Romney helped anyone? What has he done for the country, but pray for its downfall and wish failure on the President so he can look good.
That's right, Barry's just trying to do the right thing. Let's give him another $15 Trillion and trust he'll do better next time.
Better than giving to Iraq. That's the toilet our money was going down before. How much did we waste in Baghdad, over the years? What did that accomplish? How many people died? Did we find any WMD? Are we any better off because of that expensive failure? Your boy Bush did a bang up job on that one. Meanwhile, our country was falling into a recession. I'm sure you drove around with you "Support the Troops" bumper sticker. LOL!!! Brainwashed zombie.
Barry's a really generous dude. Just ask George Kaiser.
MoRomney is real generous too. Just ask all the people he gave pink slips to.
Iraq was an abysmal failure. How does that justify Obama's cronyism?
Ritt Momney's new lie about Pres Obama and the Solyndra failure has already been debunked. (See the Rachel Maddow show, May 31, 2012). Momney is now kicking not only a dead horse; he's kicking the carcass around!
I am persuaded that no one in the Momney camp can read or at least bothers to read if this is all they got!
So much disinformation...
Solyndra applied for federal assistance in 2007 , two years before Obama took office. Had Old Man McCain and his political mistress Sara Palin been elected, Solyndra would still have gotten the money and would have failed on THEIR watch. So this debate would look and sound a lot different. Also, Solyndra raised nearly $ 1 billion in PRIVATE equity capital first ---the kind Romney and Bain would have backed---before it recieved the DOE loan guarantee. Those private investors will not recoup a single dime of their money , either.
The reason Solyndra failed was not due to mismanagement, corruption , or lack of a good product. it failed because the global market in solar panels is far from being a free , fair, and open market . In fact, it is rigged. The majority of the fault for Solyndra's failure lies with the Chinese government propping up its own solar industry unfairly , not any misfeasance on the part of the US government.
Romney is talking out of both sides of his mouth here. Or one side and a lower orifice... the echo aperture at the other end of his alimentary canal.
Of course you would never hear the broader scope on Faux Noise or from the twisted lips of the likes of Michelle Malkin, who take the narrow partisan serrated edge slant.
We know from experience that Romney has no appetite for telling the whole story, probably because his constituenctyhas no appetite for knowing the whole story or for (god forbid) educating their constituency so as to make an edcuated selection among the candidates.
Dewdle,
Your point is well taken, and as far as I know neither side has proposed their plan thus far, however, what I also know is the Republican's behavior over the past 3+ years has been appauling not to mention UNpatriotic. They have demonstrated to me that the most important thing to them is to make the Obama administration fail and I thought the most important thing was to do whats best for the country. When one is deliberatly undermining the POTUS they are undermining America. They don't care about anything else. The President proposed a jobs bill, they wouldn't pass it, they are trying to repeal healthcare. If they don't agree with the things the President is trying to do, thats fine, but they only say everything the President proposes is to expensive or just won't work, but have they tried to come up with a solution? Their antics are at the expense of the American people. All they do is lie and decieve. I for one don't want anyone running my country that isn't looking out for my best interests.
Very interesting to read the string of comments here and elsewhere. A major problem in the political process on all sides today is the fact that emotion increasingly overrides reason. Candidates play on emotion, media spins news with it, and the general public magnifies and polarizes it in ever increasing proportions.
I have yet to see an adequate and clear description from either side covering the two Whats and Hows: What is the issue? How does it affect the nation? What is the candidates plan to resolve it? How can he CLEARLY prove that his plan will work?
The most important question to me is the last question - how can they prove that their ideas will work. Get rid of the influence of popularity, character bashing, counterattacks, and other emotional responses - these influences are useless and only serve to cloud wisdom when making a judgment. Give me the reasoning and the pure facts behind them and then I can sit back and ponder: What makes sense? How will their actions affect the nation in various aspects? What has the candidate not considered in his plan? How will that affect the various outcomes?
Give me this and then I will give you my honest, thought-out opinion on who should be elected.
How about the simple truth. Romney has shown himself to be a habitual liar plain and simple.
How about standing on principles. Romney has changed his position on virtually every thing.
How about integrity. What do you think the chances are that Romney will display any more integrity if elected then he has shown not just in business practices but in how he has run so far in this election.
How about the simple truth. Obama has shown himself to be a habitual liar plain and simple.
How about standing on principles. Obama has changed his position on virtually every thing.
How about integrity. What do you think the chances are that Obama will display any more integrity if re-elected then he has shown not just during this presidency but in his life.
Cory--
As usual, your post is a series of hollow generalizations. You excel in the worst (read worthless) kind of rhetoric.
And you are either a delusional ignorant fool or a right wing idiot tool. Romney has lied from day one about just about everything coming out of his mouth. What he has not lied about he's changed his tune on completely reversing himself multiple times.
Starting with Romney's first add which was a blatent outright lie to his most current add and press conference also full of outright lies.
So even if Romney were to win you nut jobs have no clue what you would get because you can't pin him down on anything because his tune will change depending on which group he is pandering to.
delien
Your point is well taken, and as far as I know neither side has proposed their plan thus far, however, what I also know is the Republican's behavior over the past 3+ years has been appauling not to mention UNpatriotic. They have demonstrated to me that the most important thing to them is to make the Obama administration fail and I thought the most important thing was to do whats best for the country. When one is deliberatly undermining the POTUS they are undermining America. They don't care about anything else. The President proposed a jobs bill, they wouldn't pass it, they are trying to repeal healthcare. If they don't agree with the things the President is trying to do, thats fine, but they only say everything the President proposes is to expensive or just won't work, but have they tried to come up with a solution? Their antics are at the expense of the American people. All they do is lie and decieve. I for one don't want anyone running my country that isn't looking out for my best interests.
Yes, we libs continue to blame Bush because he is a symbol of how easily duped the simple-minded, low-intelligence base of the conservative/Republican movement are into voting against their own best economic interests. Further, Bush is the personification of the cause and effect of capitalism run amok because of the greedy disregard the privileged oligarchy has for the middleclass. Here's scientific proof that conservatives really are, as a general rule, stupid:
Diane,
What Demographic knows the least about the Gop & the Republican Party?
Answer - THEIR SUPPORTERS
Yes the libs will continue to blame Bush for all Obama's shortcomings and failures, because Leaders take responsibility and Losers place blame.
Not just Bush, there is enough blame for the do nothing republicans in congress as well.
Solyndra was a failure in obama's all of the above energy policy. One reason was because obama dropped the price of energy sooo low which dramatically lowered the costs of energy in this country. It was because natural gas is now selling for about 1/3 what it was when obama took over. Electrical energy costs are soooo low now that not even coal is cost effective. It's why coal plants are shutting down. It did lower the co2 production in this country by 30% in three years though.
Still, solar energy is a component of obama's all of the above energy policy. It's because solar is still cheaper than natural gas. But the time frame is different. You need to own they system for between 10 to 15 years before you break even. Then you get 10 to 15 years free energy if your solar system is warrantied for 25 to 30 years. The only owners who can assure ownership of property for that length of time is the federal, state, & city govts. So those are the entities that are putting up solar panels in a big way. Also very large companies such as google, microsoft, & walmart are putting up solar panels.
Solar panel prices have dropped in half since obama has been president. It's because the chinese have been dumping panels in this country. Selling the panels below costs. China is also installing large solar power plants in africa at no cost. China knows what we know. That solar panels provide the lowest cost electricity and have targeted the mfg of solar panels as a high priority in their national interest.
Romney says the keystone pipeline should be built but will never say that the keystone pipeline will lower energy costs. He will never tell you that it will lower gasoline prices for you. Because it won't. No. No. It is to fatten the profits of the oil companies whose profits have been falling with lower and lower energy costs and lower & lower gasoline consumption. Mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo tell you that you must help the oil companies keep their profits high and with high energy & high gasoline prices by building the keystone pipeline. It's the solution to our energy problems they say. And co2 emissions will be thru the roof.
You are aware that the President does not set energy prices, right? Prices are determined by the market...you know, that suply and demand thing. No, I wouldn't expect you to understand that...only what you are told by Fakes Noise, Rush Lardass, etc.
I think this is a VERY dangerous and slippery slope for Romney. You know the next photo op for President Obama is standing in front of several companies that Bain Capital bankrupted by loading it with debt and then scrapping the firm without paying pensions. President Obama is guilty of potentially campaign favors and maybe being over zealous to invest in a company in an energy sector he thinks needs support. Romney will be guilty of making millions at the price of the retirement health and safety of thousands of American's. The spin on his Bain record can get much worse. I also would not run the "What would a Romney presidency look like?" ad because it is easily copied and put int negative terms.
Solyndra is Obama's failure? Katrina and the Iraq war are Bush's Failure !!!! ROMNEY is Romney's failure. Mutt is such an idiot all he knows is the 1 % need another tax cut so they can fire more people. Romney THE JOB CREMATOR. He's all blow and no go. He won't get the chance to screw this country up. He will be looking for a job come November. Oh wait, I forgot he doesn't work....he just counts his money..
Romney knows the birther incident won't work so he has to come up with something else. Solyndra is it---D.A.
plsthink90... pro gun restriction, really? You're listening to that lying Wayne LaPierre too much.
I'd ask you for behaviors or an example of legislation being pushed/supported by the current administration, BUT THERE AREN'T ANY!!!!! There wasn't a single truth in your entry.
Cut it out...
LaPierres' lies are making me quite a nice chunk of change right now. My donations to the Dem. party can now be larger than ever. Thank you, Wayne.
Chip
tell me what the republicans have done to assist the President in resolving the economic crisis? how many jobs have the obstructing, unpatriotic republicans created? what have the republicans to benefit the American people...last week the were voting on abortions that are determined by the gender of the fetus, yes thats what the republicans bought to the floor, I do think there are more pressing issues. do you have to be the POTUS to work toward fixing the economy? Repubs say that the tax cuts for the rich will enable them to create jobs...how long do they have to get the tax cuts before job creation begins??? When are they gonna stop trying to undermine the President and start helping the country?
Solyndra MORE CONservative nonsense!
Bush Admin. Advanced16 Projects, Including Solyndra, Out Of 143 Submissions
energycommerce.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=8897
DOE Under Bush Admin. Set Out Timeline For Completing Solyndra Review
energy.gov/sites/prod/files/Solar%20Background%20Document%201.pdf
In March, The Same Credit Committee Of Career Civil Servants recommended Approval
thinkprogress.org/climate/2011/09/13/317594/timeline-bush-administration-solyndra-loan-guarantee/
DOE Official: "It's The Same Group Of Career Professionals That Were On The First Committee."
energycommerce.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=8897
If Romney is elected he will owe his soul to evil bastards like the Koch brothers and to Wall Street. They will tell him when to jump and how high. Jesus, they will likely have to claim him as a dependent on the tax return. Get ready for big corporations to run amuck in a Romney administration. If Romney had been President during the Gulf oil spill, they probably would not have even cleaned it up.
Exploiting Solyndra case and using it as a failure in policy, Mr. Romney is proving an anti Capitalism flavor to his economic views. He should know more than anyone else that financial failure or product failure is at the heart of creativity eruptions and achieving higher standards to developing greater products.
I just can imagine the devastation the brave entrepreneurs and employees of Solyndra are going through as a result of his statement. It is equivalent to telling our troops you failed here and there because objectives are not met. What a shame. He owes this nation and its people an immediate apology. I don't feel safe as an entrepreneur having him sitting at the helm job of this nation.
WOW...
People are really stupid!! He thinks this is an issue lolololololololol