STRATHAM, NH -- Mitt Romney today kicked off his first major bus tour since clinching the Republican nomination with an event at the same family farm where he announced his candidacy for president just a year ago.
“Washington’s big government agenda should not smother small-town dreams. In the America we love, every town counts. Every job counts. And every American counts,” Romney told the 1,000-plus crowd at Scamman Farm. “In the days ahead, we'll be traveling on what are often called the 'back roads of America.' But I think our tour is going to take us along what I will call the 'backbone of America.'”
This event launched the campaign’s “Every Town Counts” bus tour that will bring the GOP nominee to six battleground states over the next five days: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan.
In a briefing to press at Romney headquarters in Boston, MA Friday morning, a campaign strategist noted that all states visited on the tour were won by President Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign.
"We're certainly campaigning on their turf as opposed to what would be considered our turf," strategist Russ Schriefer said.
As Romney addressed the crowd two planes flew overhead in the crystal blue sky, very reminiscent of his announcement day: “Romney for President 2012” [paid for by the campaign] and “Romney’s Every Millionaire Counts Tour” [from MoveOn.org] -- a sign of the ongoing battle between the two sides during this election cycle. The former governor was also very critical of Obama during his roughly 20-minute speech.
While mocking Obama’s long speech yesterday, Romney called him a “a detached and distant president.”
"If there has ever been a president who has failed to give the middle class of America a fair shot, it is Barack Obama," Romney told the crowd. "I have a very different vision for America, and of our future. And I know what we must do to truly give our fellow Americans a fair shot and a better chance."
Romney was joined in the small New Hampshire town by U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who has accompanied the former Massachusetts governor at his past three visits to her state.


Move on. org is still around?
Who knew?
On a brighter note, I see on the NBC thread that gingerbreadmama and Job1 have been suspended.
Guess they didn't get the Treehouse gang memo that when you wander off the reservation that is First Read, you need to tone it down a bit.
Cuz we all know there ain't no COH here.
How in the heck do you get suspended?
And if you ever do, why on earth would you ever come back?
Do they have any self respect?
Or is it the are not aware that there are 50 million other websites out there?
Don't know about Job1, but seems GM plagarized some work from another site.
Seems the NBC folks care about that stuff.
I am sure they will be back tomorrow, minus any self-respect.
How does one plagiarize from another site?
No quotes? No references or citations?
How pathetic.
You know about the self respect thing.
Hey WCA - that new Taurus, with all that horsepower looks pretty nice. But tell me, I'm looking at several cars, all foreign, all with 400 plus HP.
Why can't the domestics make a decent sedan with huge balls?
Hmmmm...
Explains why you don't have the balls to wander out of your comfort zone... lol
Oh that's just gross - why is Feisty so concerned about WCA's balls?
How cute!
WCA gets to play big man on campus today since he has SpankMe's skirt to hide behind... lmao!
When he has to go it alone, ehhh... not so much!
More like short bus tour.
What 350 hp isn't enough for those California parking lots that are passed of as freeways?
Just about everything WCA posts is irrelevant drivel. But then again, so are just about all of the other posts coming from the far right extremists who would like nothing more but to take us backward instead of moving forward.
So devie - I take it you have no children or family that has had to utilize a "short bus?"
How very progressive of you to make fun of the mentally challenged. You really should be proud of yourself.
And you do or did? Who said I was a Progressive? And please stop with your holier than thou crap. Save it for someone who believes your lawyer/accountant/business owner BS.
Spanky, I'm kind of partial to SRT8 Sedans.
The Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger carry the 6.4 L Hemi with about 470 HP.
I have the Charger now. I have had the 300 but prefer the Charger.
The styling is nice and they are both screamin' fast.
Explains why you don't have the balls to wander out of your comfort zone... lol
Curious Red, how you would begin to know where or when I post on blogs. Arrogance, I suppose.
See, you're problem is that your world begins and ends here at MSNBC/NBC. You might be shocked to find that there is a big old world out there.
There are even some places where one can have a rational discussion.
Me, though, I come here for the pure entertainment. I have yet to find anyone as nasty as you or as incoherent as Bev on any of the other sites. Congrats - you all are #1.
I can just imagine Anne and Mitt right now.
Anne "what do you mean there's no room service; no spa; no mint on my pillow at night? What the hell did you get me into Mitt."
Mitt "This isn't what I expected either. We'll find a great 5-star hotel and check in each night then get back to the bus each morning, okay?"
What a joke these two are!
Obama/Biden 2012
I thought Sarah Palin was the joke because she wasnt "elite" enough in her background and was just a regular mom from Alaska and wasnt big money nor big private school credentials. So now you have a GOP candidate with the education credentials and business experience and economic success therefrom to be part of the "elite". Isnt that what you wanted? Or are you being hypocritical and really just saying you are a campaign worker for the Obama campaign and it wouldnt matter what background or policy positions the GOP candidate has, you are going to make personal attacks and snide remarks?
Whats interesting and would certainly fit the reputation that Michelle held in the chicago legal community, it would be more likely that she would complain to Barack about the lack of spa, room service or mint on the pillow. Given the close relationship with Hyatt Pritzker family, my guess is that Michelle requires 5 star treatment wherever she goes.
Kirk - you're making things up again. Michelle Obama had/has a GREAT reputation in Chicago's legal community. I work with a number of attorneys who have met with her and they say she is one of the hardest working, determined women they know. They also talk about her - outside of the professional sphere - and say she is charming and likable - down to earth.
Maybe you tried talking down to her as is your custom. She definitely would bite back which I'm sure you don't like - actually I know you don't like being called out on your condescending attitude!
And Kirk, you never saw me once make those comments about Sarah Palin. She was stupid - that was her big problem. I don't care if she's small town, etc. She had no sense - still doesn't.
Romney had success handed to him. He earned nothing. If Daddy hadn't connected him - he'd be nowhere. And, he really doesn't care about the country - wants to be President to do one better than Daddy.
I am not YET a campaign worker for Obama but proudly will be soon. I wouldn't be for him if I didn't know he is the best candidate running.
Elite is a stupid level that applies to a lot of people but doesn't make them credible as candidates - just like Romney. And reality is, "elite" is in the minds of people who want to be like these people - which I don't. I'm very happy with who I am.
Stop deflecting your nonsense onto me. It shows your desperate and it's not becoming!
Seeking Sanity--thats just not true about Michelle and its clear you dont really know anyone within the Chicago large firm legal coummnity that has worked with her--besides she left the legal field a long time ago so I doubt you would know that. Your credibility is zero now that you are a campaigner because you cant be objective. It would be better if you just stayed off these blogs and left it for those of us who want to have objective discussions without an active Obama campaigner interjecting posts that we cant trust to be real.
I am not a Sarah Palin fan but you wouldnt like her if she was Harvard educated just admit it that you arent objective. Romney didnt have any success handed to him he earned it all at least give him that. Do some research. People borne into higher social economic status that dont have talent, cognitive ability and ambition dont achieve success. Ones social economic background is only a predictor of success in that IQ or cognitive ability is inherited everything else you have to earn on your own. If you only were somewhat objective and did some research you could be more credible as a poster. I dont have any problem with you liking Obama as a better candidate or not liking Romney for his policy or political positions but I think not giving someone the credit he deserves is unbecoming. If you havent noticed, I dont attempt to tear Obama down for any of his background nor do I disrespect his achievements. Both Obama and Romney are highly successful people and both deserve our respect for their accomplishments. Voting should be based on their policy positions not personal attacks.
By the way you should be happy with who you are and I never said otherwise and if you havent noticed I have been very nice to you for three whole days with no snarkiness, arrogance etc. It is time for giving it back in return.
Mitt the UnFitt will be on his bus tour taking his Bus-To-Nowhere across many Republican Bridge-To-Nowhere for his campaign that ends up nowhere in November.
Seeking sanity, how droll...
Connections only opens more doors, just like a college degree does vs a HS degree. It's the ability to perform that determines sustainability.
LOL, you don't consider obama to be an elitist?
Agreed. Come on, when one sees the article the response is "And so what?" Who cares about Romney's Etch-a-Sketch Express?
Hahaha, Kirk telling us what "elite" means, like any rightwinger has a clue because the term has been so misused by propaganda artists like Newt Gingrich.
The elite are those who actually run the world -- the richest 1%. The corporations they own, the media they control, the congress they bought and paid for, are just their henchmen or minions otherwise known as the oligarchy. Palin is just another pawn in this in the media category.
Some say academia is part of the "elite," which since that is Newt's supposed claim to fame, or even Kirk saying Romney's education is an important part of his resume, is ironic. IMO think tanks that contribute to policy, perhaps, but the University brainwash conspiracy theory is just the Flat Earth Society trying to make everything okay in their feverish little minds.
Romney has gotten through life with his looks, his family connections, his money, etc. The best presidents are not businessmen, and in fact are those who come from humble beginnings like Presidents Clinton and Obama. The most important thing is their actions (talk is cheap) and whether they have devoted themselves to public policy, constitutional law, service, and most of all honesty and trustworthiness.
Mitt Romney -- NOT in touch with the common man.
Kirk - as usual - no one who doesn't agree with you knows anything or anyone. I know many attorneys in large firms who know Michelle Obama - too bad you apparently don't know any. And as you well know I am not actively campaigning for Obama, but will be soon.
You clearly, however, actively campaign for the Romney looser and can't stand that he is not respected or liked. So, you make up things about the First Lady - how low do you have to stoop to attack her?
I also know people who worked with her at UIC. I have a diverse business background and have friends and business acquaintances in many fields. And, I serve on two boards - the reason I am going to California - so I actually know quite a few people. Don't put someone down when you don't have a clue of who and what they know. It just makes you look foolish.
You tell me to stay off the blogs? Who do you think you are? I've seen you try to cleverly put people down every day. Then, when that doesn't work you resort to arrogance. Just so you know, that's not working any more. And, cut out the nonsense about you not campaigning. You do it every day.
I do not like Sarah Palin because she made women in politics look stupid - just as Michelle Bachmann and Christine O'Donnell. They make all women look bad. Had Sarah Palin had any substance I would not have minded her. Might not have liked her politics but I wouldn't have minded a smart woman. You on the other hand, prefer yours dumb.
It's been a busy day and frankly I don't appreciate your attempt to put me down. If you can't do better, just don't communicate with me.
Oh and the stupid comment about people born into higher social economic status that don't have talent, cognitive ability and ambition don't have success - wrong! Just look at George Bush - no talent, or cognitive ability and he bankrupted 2 companies prior to his being President. Don't try your nonsense with me. Quite frankly, you don't have a clue about me or my background and in my mind you are more foolish every time you try your nonsense.
If you want to post without posturing - good. Otherwise you just look foolish!
They are both horrible and won't put many people back to work (and will probably put more people OUT of work) or improve the economy for anybody but the rich:
Obama, Romney spell out right-wing economic programs in Ohio
By Andre Damon
15 June 2012
US President Barack Obama and his Republican opponent Mitt Romney gave speeches on their economic programs in Ohio Thursday, proposing nothing to alleviate the mass joblessness and poverty created by the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
In his speech, Obama hypocritically sought to distance himself from the policies of tax cuts for the rich, corporate deregulation and austerity that he has single-mindedly pursued for three and a half years. He sought to palm these off as “Republican” policies, and their continuation a result of a “stalemate in Washington,” which would be broken by his reelection.
However, Obama’s attempt to present his agenda as significantly different from Romney’s was belied by the fact that he presented no program to put people back to work. He merely called on Congress to implement his “jobs to-do list,” which consists entirely of the corporate handouts and deregulation he criticized in his speech.
Obama repeated his call for trillions of dollars in deficit cutting, which he said would bring “domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in nearly 60 years.” This will not only mean the devastation of health care and other social programs upon which millions of people rely, but will also lead to the destruction of hundreds of thousands of additional government jobs.
For his part, Romney pointed to the desperate state of the US economy, mass unemployment, and poverty, then called for the intensification of the very right-wing measures that produced them. “Over the last three and a half years, record numbers of Americans have lost their jobs or just disappeared from the workforce or could only find part-time jobs,” Romney said. “Record numbers of Americans are living in poverty today—over 46 million people in this country, living below the poverty line.”…
…These glaring contradictions in Obama’s speech come from the fact that he is speaking to two completely different audiences. On the one hand, he is seeking to appeal to popular hostility to the right-wing program of Romney, seeking to obscure every attack he has made on the working class during his term. On the other hand, he seeks to reassure the banks, who really hold political power, that he will fight for their interests more ruthlessly than Romney.
Obama’s absurd speech, which future generations will marvel at as an uncanny example of fraud, duplicity, sophistry, and cynicism, can only have triggered disgust among the millions of people who are beginning to see Obama for what he is: a puppet of the banks.
The two “economic” speeches by Obama and Romney once again underscore the fact that neither political party has anything to offer working people in the United States. They are the bought agents of the banks and Wall Street, and differ only on minor issues. Both are committed to slashing social programs, attacking wages, and destroying corporate regulations.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/jun2012/econ-j15.shtml
Could you guys imagine Mitt and Anne at the DMV? That would be funny.
Oh my - guess we now know just how desperate O is.
Adding a bunch of 'youths' to the unemployment rolls is just brilliant.
Wonder how adding 800,000 eligibile workers to the pool of the unemployed will effect the Jobless rate?
So do these non citizens get driver's licenses too?
Could they, oh I don't know, use those driver's licenses to vote come November?
Does O care at all about the working class? What is the unemployment rate for the under 30 crowd already?
The president talks about fair? How fair is it for the people who have waited for years to get here legally? How fair is that? What lesson does it teach our children.
He says its the right thing to do, ask the thousands of immigrants, that just got sent to the back of the line because it an election year.
Obama got testy with a reporter and scolded him for interrupting him. I think the reported asked why Obama put foreigners before American citizens. Obama was visually frustrated and did not answers any questions after his speech.
Classic.
Mexican Immigration is the LEAST of this Country's Immigration Problems. Anybody notice the amount of Iraqi War refugees in your communities buying local businesses, placing signs written in "Arabic Only" above their businesses? Mexicans WANT to ASSIMILATE into what's left of this culture. Many Iraqi War Refugees and "Immigrants" impose Sharia Law onto our communities, refuse to abide by our Civil, State and Federal Laws. I see more Muslim Extremists driving their New Mercedes Benz vehicles driving into County Offices waiting in our service offices for General Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and it is occurring in every State. I have no problems with Immigrants of any cultural background but ASSIMILATE into our SOCIETY! Chinatown, Little Italy, Russian Hill, The Castro, Japantown all work together in San Francisco, CA because those residents WANT TO BE AMERICAN. Apparently many of you fear the work ethic of Los Indios Mexicanos because many of you don't know how to go to work in the hot sun for eight hours/day seven days/week harvesting any produce. My cousins HAD to work in the fields after school to put food on the table. Their parents were farm workers grateful for the opportunity to work. Where do you think most of your fresh food comes from? California doesn't grow much of it anymore. It is coming from Mexico and South America because we no longer demand the work and the old family farms have been sold off to "Foreign Developers and Investors." We are being sold out in the face of fear of the Mexican People and culture when they are no longer a threat. America currently refuses to look at the obvious. NAFTA eliminated all borders for the interest of business but did not look at the Real Estate Investment that Saudi Arabia, Kuait, China, South Korea were looking at in the U.S. Who else was going to purchase the family farm for millions of American Dollars?
When can we expect a comment from Team Willard on the President's decision on immagration today? lol
*jeopardy music playing softly in the background*
The best part of it is, it has now forced Willard to show his cards on his immigration policies!
Time to sit back and munch on some *popcorn*
BTW: What is Willard's poll numbers among Hispanics again? lol
Can O even do this?
Why let's just act the man himself, shall we?
Obama on the DREAM Act: "I just have to continue to say this notion that somehow I can just change the laws unilaterally is just not true. We are doing everything we can administratively. But the fact of the matter is there are laws on the books that I have to enforce. And I think there's been a great disservice done to the cause of getting the DREAM Act passed and getting comprehensive immigration passed by perpetrating the notion that somehow, by myself, I can go and do these things. It's just not true."
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 28, 2011
And the answer old gal is that Romney's polling amongst latinos is like O's with white, working class voters.
You know the one O just screwed?
You can smell the desperation now.
This is getting good.
Gosh, I wonder what O is doing to plan for Greece's little vote Sunday?
18 holes, no doubt.
The best part of it is, it has now forced Willard to show his cards on his immigration policies!
You may be right my friend. Rather than waiting for August or later, this may open things up early for voters to see where each candidate stands regarding immigration policy.
As you know, I disagreed with you about President Obama's stance on this issue, but I still believe strongly that he is by far the best choice for America for the next 4 years.
Hiya Brian,
No big deal, I has disagreed with many of his decisions but couldn't pull the level for Willard if someone held a gun to my head!
No candidate is perfect... problem with Willard is she's as tainted as potato salad left in the hot sun for a day!
PS: You have to admit, it was a brilliant political move! ;o)
So nomoresameo -see if you can guess who said this:
"There are enough laws on the books by Congress that are very clear in terms of how we have to enforce our immigration system that for me to simply, through executive order, ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as President."
Go ahead, give it a try.
Exit question - will today be worse than last Friday for poor team O?
Oh and we already know Monday is going to suck for him. Bad.
Nothing new......but what did he say about his own positions/policies. What are YOU going to do Willard?
'Nothing new', unlike say all the new stuff Obama trotted out yesterday, eh chilled?
Willard wants the job......aren't you interested in what Willard will do?
Spanky. While it may not be the best choice in my opinion in what Obamna has proposed, he is doing something and has tried doing more in the past.
We have a serious problem with illegal immigration and to this point the democrats have a far better way of dealing with it than any of the ideas I have heard from the GOP.
The GOP answer seems to range from building a wall around the country similar to the Great Wall of China, to arming more patrol agents around our borders. The first idea is absurd. First of all a wall could easily be taken down by anyone choosing to do so. Secondly, the cost would be enormous. The other idea seems to go against every aspect at the heart of the GOP increasing government, which is exactly what would have to happen to have more border patrol agents.
I still contend that making a change to the 14th amendment to the constitution requiring both parents of any child born in the U.S. to be U.S. citizens is the only way a child gets U.S. citizenship if born in the U.S. That alone would stop tens of thousands of pregnant women running across the border to give birth strictly for the reason of the child to/mother of being deported.
No he's not. He's just here to talk about foreign cars with huge balls. Who knew cars had balls?
btw way Spanky weren't you complaining about the price of gas, repeatedly, over the past few months? Just sayin'.
Actually Obama is doing what Bush/McCain and Ted Kennedy laid out a long time ago. Bush just didn't have the spine to stand up for it and McCain wasn't about to during his run.
Obama/Biden 2012
seekingSanity - your name is speaks for itself.. You are insane, you are lost your sanity somewhere and still looking for it. Look harder.
Whatever you saying here is just blind liberal propaganda that does not make any sense.
You are ready to vote for a Socialist, who is rich and befriends rich.
He, who already put America in such debt that your children and your grandchildren would have to pay for a very long time. And when they ask you one day:"Dad, how did you let it happened" what would you tell them?
"Sorry kids, I was a blind fool, I did not know what possessed me at that time. I'm very sorry"
Whoever said anything positive about Michele are as blind as you are. One word " Oprah" is speaks for itself.
Will Romney be taking that 2nd million dollar bus Obama ordered as a symbol of Obama's arrogant wasteful spending?
Thank you...I was just about to ask the same question...but I'll add this as a follow-up...
Will they Conservatives hanging around this blog bitch as much about Mr. Romney using the Secret Service bus as they did when the President used one?
Actually, it's a Secret Service Bus that Obama is riding around in. And once Romney becomes the official nominee, he too will be riding around in the same type of bus. Whether he likes it or not!
Romney may want to pat himself on the back and say that he is campaigning on Obama's turf, but he doesn't know much about history. The only true Democratic "turf" is the Left Coast, NY, Mass., Maryland and often NJ and PA. Look at the states that Dukakis carried in '88. That is the core. The Dems have not carried the Plains and the South since LBJ and prior to that FDR. What is ever wrong with America is shown by that fact - that there are many places in United States that have no contact with anything other than Republican dominated thought. The only "purple" states are the states than sometimes vote Blue. There are no red states that more than once ever vote blue.
The real reason Romney wants to talk about nothing else but the economy is that his foreign policy is likely to start another middle eastern war.
I heard a news blip that John, "Lets Bomb Em" Bolton is his foreign policy advisor...ducky.
Last I heard, 17 of his 24 foreign policy advisors worked on foreign policy in the Bush administration.
And I just love Romney's "fair shot for the Middle Class" remark. Now this is class warfare at it's more nefarious. The GOP wants the middle class to think that they are suffering because "the government" is taking care of the poor and making life too difficult for the rich. As opposed to keeping the poor off the streets and the rich out of our pockets. As my dad told me "respect the rich man because he is smart, but don't trust him."
Obama 's fair shot for the middle class is to give all of them the same shot of receiving food stamps.
Rocco,
As opposed to throwing the old people to the wolves and starving the poor while giving the wealthiest the biggest giveaway in history...?
OMEGA, stop listening MSNBC/CNN
I assume you are an adult but thinks like a child if you belive in BS that BO is breastfeeding you with "Republicans want dirty air and dirty water and grandma off the cliff"
I never in my long life herd anything more absurd than this.
Do republicans live in the different environment with different "clean air"
Do republicans use separate water pipes with clean water? Or they don't have grandmothers who would need to be care for?
Or all liberals poor and can't afford what republicans can?
When I herd him saying this I was not surprised since I did not think highly of him. Right from the start I saw him for who he is. Being raised in socialist country I recognized his manner or speech, the same words, the same sentence, plans that never will make anything good for people.
But I'm shocked when I see that grown up adults believe this nonsense of his and even repeat it.
Besides if you belive that Obama will bite the rich hand that feeding him you are too naive for your age.
Romney won't give specifics on ANYTHING because he knows that no senior that is not insane would ever vote for him if he actually told them what he plans to do to SS, Medicare and Medicaid.
No, it's not the seniors that need to fear him, it's those 45-60 that won't have a chance to recover both from the recession and prepare for retirement. We are the group who lost our home equity, still have kids' college to pay for, and now must think about building a retirement and health care with a downsized SS and Medicare. At least the young crowd still has a chance to pull their kids out of private school, down size the house and cars, and start burying money in the back yard. As the financial advisers tell you, "they've got time to build up their nest egg."
I agree...I am exactly in that age group...after putting into SS ALL MY LIFE, Romney wants me to get a VOUCHER?!?!?
You have got to be kidding.
Unlike you Willard, at least he can properly identify a donut. I wonder how small town America will warm up to Willard's idea that they don't need police, firefighters or teachers?
As a registered Independent, I blame both sides of the aisle for this mess. Now I gave Obama the benefit of the doubt and stood behind him when first elected. Bottom line he hasn't been a leader or gotten the job done. I wasn't expecting a miracle, but unemployment and GDP are going the wrong way. He had the wind at his back, and instead of focusing on the economy, he went right to his own personal agenda with ACA. I don't expect unemployment to be at 4% by the end of his term, but I expected that after 3.5 years the recovery should be trending in a positive direction. Don't give me any BS about the other side obstructing. A leader leads, doesn't make excuses, and brings people together. He has 5 more months to prove to me that the economy is going in a positive direction otherwise my vote goes to the other side. I hope it goes positive, America needs it. He will receive my vote again if it does. If not, I will vote for Romney and hold him to the same standards. If he doesn't get it done, I will vote the other side, etc. 30% will vote D and 30% will vote R regardless of what is done. It is Independents like myself that you need to convince. That is what wins elections.
mitch17 - don't you hold the GOP responsible for vowing to block every attempt Obama did for employment, then carrying through on that vow? The GOP is not about anything. They campaigned on jobs then went on a path to destroy the President and our country.
Obama/Biden 2012
Also Mitch, have some historical perspective. Democrats and even Nixon have been trying to reform our health delivery system since Truman. Super majorities like Obama's come once in a generation. It's been 16 years since Clinton tried and failed. If not now, when? The special interests are strong and only getting richer. It's easy to say in hindsight that he should have realized that the recession was much deeper and more structural than anyone knew or admits (it's not just like Reagan's recession). But I also think Obama didn't fully appreciate the Tea Party effect on the GOP and because of that the GOP's refusal to compromise was being driven not only by personal animus, but by the GOP's realization that they could really cripple the president. He needed to turn the Tea Party's anger against deficits and ACA, into anger against the banks and Wall Street.
Wm - well put!
Dear Mitch i have always considered independent voters a wishy washy group who real have no solid convection to stand with , and only make there decisions based upon what the masses do ! they're clearly not thinkers and just followers ! Give me a rightwing nut job with convictions no matter how much i hate their stand ! Other than wishy washy independents !
SS no I don't. Lets be real here. After paying lip service to the economy before moving on to the ACA which is 1/6th of our economy passed by one party he has just become another politician to me. Why would they want to work him. I believe he was bullied by Pelosi at a chance to make history. I didn't like the process of how it was made. A true leader would have been bipartisan. I agree we need some sort of HC law, but this could have waited until jobs were done first. That was the priority in this country. All political capital was spent on ACA and may be thrown out anyway, time will tell. Leaders lead, and unite people, I haven't seen that in 3.5 years. He has 5 months left to prove to me he is a leader. If not, Romney has my vote, if Romney can't get it done in 4, I will vote "D" maybe Hillary or some other rising star in 2016.
mitch17 - you said it yourself - let's be real. You're not even close.
Mitch,
You say a true leader should be bipartisian, and I agree..Obama, despite what others say tried to be..Everytime he reached out, his hand was slapped..Also, the HC Law is "bipartisian". It's the same law Republicans have proposed in years past, and it's the same as the MA plan put into law by Republican Romney..
because all his proposal was so ridiculous, so left and so wrong, that anyone witha drop of common sense in him would of vote against it.
He deserves more than a hand slap for ruining our wonderful country. You give him "4 more years" and America will be Cuba2.
I don't know about you but I don't want it to happen not to me, not to my kids.
The Etch-A-Sketch Express is hitting the road in New Hampshire!
The absolutely staggering amount of lies Romney tells daily will increase even faster now.
And when will the so-called "liberal media" pounce on yet another Romney college "prank" - the dressing up as a State Trooper?
Power & Priviledge let's one get away with all sorts of shenanagins
Take your heads out of your asses, this decision was made because usa' population IS AGING !!! and there won't be enough of you to pay all of the retirement's checks !!!! This is why the Obama administration made that decision !!
If you do not like it then start making a lots of babies or give up you futur retirement checks !!!
Michael bloomberg who is the smartest republican I know SAID : It will be a necessity to legalize illegal immigrants to pay retirement to all the baby boomers and futur retirees
Again, the Obama administration is making the right decision !
Your ignorance is shameful, educate yourselves, people !
SS, what part is not close? I believe if he focused on the economy and jobs in the first term, he would have been a shoe in for a second term. Even Abe Lincoln wouldn't have beat him. He probably would have ended up with even greater majorities in both houses in 2010 as a result. The backlash in 2010 was partly a result of ACA. The way it was crafted, not read, and voted on with no input from the other side. The R's back of the bus comment didn't help. He could have designed ACA in his second term with limited "R" input and gone down as one of the better Presidents in history. I know its easy to play armchair quarterback, but I had a feeling when he pivoted to ACA before the economy was improved it was going to upset many Americans. I appreciate the dialogue we are having. I believe that civility in these boards is what it is meant to be used for. I enjoy reading your comments.
mitch17 - no matter how much he tried to put though programs to increase jobs - the GOP blocked them. He presented a bill to give tax breaks to corporations who brought jobs back to the US - a program the GOP had backed in the past - they blocked it because it came from Obama. The GOP totally blocked everything he tried to do. They went in after the 2010 election which they had run on jobs, jobs, jobs. Not once did they do anything to try to help with jobs in the US.
I will vote for Obama this year because he is heads above Mitt Romney who doesn't even know what he stands for. He is disturbing as a candidate.
I don't know who I'll vote for in 2016. It truly depends on who runs. If the GOP actually comes out of the dark ages and becomes a real party again - and has a GREAT candidate - they could easily get my vote. I vote the person, not the party.
Obama/Biden 2012
instead of watching fox new and listen a limbaugh, that are the right wing propaganda machine, filled with lies and distortion, why don't you start watching MEET THE PRESS ??
SS I too vote the person and not the party. That is why I am a registered Indy. I even go as far as to look at the voting record of my represenative in Congress. Of course he/she is not going to cast every vote the way that I would like them to, but if a majority of the votes they do cast are in line with my core beliefs, I vote to re-elect them. Again Obama has 5 months to prove to me he is the leader I voted for. His approval rating was in the 60's when he was first elected and is now in the 40's. Why do you think it has dropped? My opinion is becuase he pivoted from the economy just like Bush did after 9/11. At one point when we first went into Afghanastan Bush was close to the 80's, then he pivoted to Iraq which I didn't agree with. Again I am giving Obama the benefit of the doubt and won't finish making up my mind until the first of NOV, but I will not put the blame on a dysfunctional Congress. He created that especially after 2010. A true leader will unite Congress regardless of party. Me personally, I would have Boehner and Reid in my office once a week to bridge gaps and form solutions. Reagan and Clinton were both leaders in my voting career. They were able to unite and bridge gaps with Congress. I'm proud I was on the correct voting side with them.
Democrats have repeatedly tried to help every small town in America, but Republicans say no.
Democrats tried to give small towns more money for schools, but Republicans say no.
Democrats tried to build better infrastructure (roads, bridges, and high speed internet) for small towns, but Republicans say no.
Try using dialout internet access and competing with a company in the land of high speed internet (Seattle).
Try driving 60 miles to many of your customers and paying the high gas prices that we paid in the summer of 2008 (at a time when the economy was crashing).
Democrats have repeatedly pushed an all energy policy. The first nuclear plant in 30 years will be built. Compressed natural gas fueling stations are being built across the country with thousands coming on line next year. This reduce energy costs for all Americans but even more so for rural Americans because energy companies charge them more just because they have fewer customers in the small towns.
Millions of Americans living in small towns collect Social Security and Medicare. Republicans have already tried to pass legislation to reduce their benefits. Mitt Romney has already said he will cut benefits for Social Security and Medicare so that he can give more tax cuts to billionaires.
I told you so. The stock market is soaring to new highs today. I tell you if foxnews.com would only add google & apple, now among the world's largest companies to their dow industrials, it would higher by at least 1,500 pts. Surpassing 14,400 far higher than its ever been. But no. No. Foxnews would never do that. Because it was obama who has brought the dow back, more than doubling it in three short years. But fox news, like the gop, fox news hates black people and won't include google or apple into the dow industrial index. It would be hitting new highs today.
And romney is soooo diabolical. It's because mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo have for the last decade been giving unneeded tax cuts to the rich while cutting benefits to the poor. Cutting benefits like medical care and food stamps. And they refuse to change with the dow at new all time highs, refusing to drop the bushman's tax cuts. So the rich get richer and even richer, while the poor poorer & even poorer. I tell you the wealth extreme disparity is the worst in the world, surpassing yemen & the ukraine.
Ok. So romney goes around asking people how's the economy. But instead of asking his pals the koch bros, who are funding his campaign, he asks the avg joe on the street who just lost his unemployment check as well as his weekly food stamps allotment and his medical care for his family. Terrible they will tell romeny. Things have never been worst. Meanwhile the koch bros are having usda prime rib with live maine lobster at ruth kris for lunch paying $350/couple. Romeny is diabolical i tell you. Romeny is a sleaze bag even worse than gop political operative karl rover.
And furthermore, romney won't tell the unemployed guy that he intends to reduce the taxes for the koch bros having usda prime rib & live maine lobster even more while raising the non-income taxes on the unemployed. Romney needs to tell the unemployed that i tell you. Diabolical.
Is Romney using the bus that everyone griped about Obama using?
The Short Bus Tour: so it begins.
willard goes to Hooterville...
Stunning..
Now, watching a charter member of the 1% struggle to interact with real people should be worth the price of admission..
Can't wait to see the video footage !!!
Debbie - What world do you live in? Dem's want to increase spending (make an investment) on education (union support) police, fire fighters, local gov, etc. Great, were does the $ come from. Raise taxes on the rich to 100% and you still run a deficit with O's last budget proposal. The Fed Gov borrows 40% of what it spends. We need to cut up the credit cards and get a resonable budget in place. BHO, Nancy and Harry will not do that. It has to be Romney in 2012.
As to energy policy - O has put out exec orders all but stopping new spources of production. Long term this is a killer to the economy. Hate big business and corporations, but capitalism got us here and will get us out of this mess. Romnet in 2012.
Well I love big business and corporations, and capitalism is good. What's bad is greed, laziness( funny how two character defects go hand-in-hand) and BSers. Obama 2012.
This election choice is like selecting a gear on your shifter.
You can throw it down and right into Reverse -- only to watch those beady eyed jackals Romney and Ryan drive you right off a cliff.
You can pop it up forward and left-center to First and slowly climb the hill we all know we need to climb!
Time will tell. But when you look at the facts, clearly Obama has done some good, and might have done much more — except for the transparently subversive, unpatriotic actions of extremists in Congress.
The notion of Willard actually using a bus in some lame attempt to convince us he's just plain folks is just laughable, ain't it?
I wish you people would do a little research instead of listening to the media sound bites to base your opinions on. This president has pulled us up by the boot straps and avoided the next great depression, all while being blocked at every turn by the obstructionist right. This is fact. The reason President Obama decided to tackle health care first, is because he is a very smart man, and knew from looking at history, that he had to do something while he still had a majority to get this through. Every plan he has presented to get this country moving forward on jobs has been rejected by the right.
Now the truth about the economy,,,,,all our major corporations and banks are not spending money to create jobs or lend money to new start ups for one reason only,,,they do want this presdient re-elected!!!! Norquist came right out and said all they needed was a suit in the office to sign !!!! In other words, we the people have no say in who we elect! The corps and the very rich now own and run this country.
My thoughts are, when we re-elect this president, he will beholding to no-one,,,it's his second term and he can't run again, so at that point things will really start to change,,,,,however we need to elect a congress that will work with him, unlike the bozos we have in now.
Save this country and vote a straight democratic ticket this fall,,,,our lives and our freedom depend on it!!!!
The "banks and corporation" are not spending money or creating jobs because Obama is letting the Federal Reserve to print as much money as they please and loan it out at zero percent interest. This allows all the elites to buy up all our homes, business's and stock at 25 cents on the dollar. Given this Obama supported scenario why would they want to create jobs or lend money?
This is all part of Obama's presidential economic plan. The Federal Reserve is not allowed "by law" to give one dollar to a corporation/bank for ANYTHING without it being part of the Presidents economic plan.
What you are looking at with the massive bailouts and runaway inflation is the Obama Financial Plan even though he does not want to announce it. Obama allowed the Federal Reserve to shove $16 TRILLION dollars out the backdoor to European billionaire bankers and Goldman Sachs from 2009 to 2011. Obama fought the legislation to audit the FED revealing this tooth and nail. He was adamant there was "nothing to find".
Once the July 21,2011 audit was completed and the $16 Trillion revealed Obama had "no comment"...... he still has no comment and OK'd another $.5 Trillion on Xmas day 2001 with zero press. Yep, everyone is just obstructing old Obama from shutting all this down.... Bwaa ha ha ha
You must be joking. Obama's largest campaign supporter in 2008 was Goldman Sachs... funny how they are once again his largest corporate supporter here in 2012. Yep, his plan is to take tens of millions in lobby money they "shut them all down"? YEP, that makes sense.
Here is the link about the audit from a Senators website.
p://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=9e2a4ea8-6e73-4be2-a753-62060dcbb3c3
omega- what universe have you been living in???
Obama pulled us out of depression? You got to be kidding or you are living in La-la land in complete denial.
If your family or friends was lucky to keep they houses and jobs it does not mean that everything is honky- dory in America.
I wish you would do your research instead of listening or watching MSNBC/CNN and alike, yet better just study some History that would tell you that Socialism never-ever worked and never will be.
That's exactly what your President is about to create in America, turning it from the greatest, richest, happiest, powerful and prosper country in the world to a 3rd world country.
One thing he will achieve with it- is to stop illegal immigrants from coming here, because America will be the same as Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and etc.
America, in last few decades, have not been in a bigger black whole of desperation and poverty like it is now, thanks to Obama, and it will be only worse.
He has no idea what to do and how to about what America really needs - jobs, small business, business, busting economy and etc. He never learned it, he never did it and never will.
All he cares about is a bigger government where he and them will be living happily ever after - great salary and benefits, great pension upon retiring and medical benefits for the rest of they life - all that WE and our children will be paying for dearly. Do you think your children or grandchildren will ever thank you for that?
Believe me, they wont.
He weakened our defense that making America vulnerable to other countries to come and destroy what will be left of America.
No Real American in they right mind can vote for "4 more years."
Doing it is signing America's death verdict.
NO MO BO
NO MO 4 YEARS
SAVE AMERICA FROM BO
AMERICA CAN NEVER BE SOCIALIST COUNTRY
The ETCH -A-SKETCH Express is on the move. Are they carrying Romney's dog on the top of the bus? Has he fired anybody today?
This election is NOT already about the parties or Obama-Romney, but about America "to be or not to be"
It's about Americans who love they country and want it to prosper.
If you vote for socialist Obama you vote for against America.
Make right decision, vote for "America To BE!!!"
NO MO BO..