Ann Romney Told the Truth:

On Thursday, July 19, 2012, Ann Romney was interviewed by ABC's Robin Roberts. In that interview Robin Roberts asked why Mitt will not release his tax returns and Mrs. Romney stated, "Because there are so many things that will be open for more attack…and that's really the answer". Personally, I believe that really is the answer.

Which leads to the question, what are those things that will be open for more attack? Here are some possibilities:

1.Extremely high levels of income. Maybe Willard is too wealthy to be President and understand the struggles of the middle class.

2.More secret offshore accounts than we currently know. Maybe Willard was helping himself and foreign investors evade paying U.S. taxes.

3.Politically explosive investments: We are aware of Stericycle, a medical waste disposal firm that discards human fetuses, but the question arises, are there other investments that are worthy of scrutiny?

4.Very, very low tax rate: Are there years when the Romney paid no taxes at all, or only 1% or 2% while the average American is paying 35% in taxes? Except for Willard's dad who in the past paid taxes in the 35% range, it's clear that the very wealthy follow a very different standard when paying taxes. Perhaps Willard simply does not want to reveal how little he paid.

5.Engaged in tax evasion: I don't want to believe this option, but until Willard releases his taxes, this option stays on the table as a possibility.

If Mitt Romney had nothing to hide, he would have released 12 years of tax returns. But the evidence is mounting that there are significant problems embedded in those tax returns. Any one of the above possibilities is sufficient reason for Willard to be disqualified as the GOP candidate for POTUS. Likewise, not releasing his tax returns should also be sufficient cause to disqualify him as POTUS.

Here’s a real world lesson in global economics for lefty liberals. Barry caved in to the enviro-kooks in the Dem party and killed the Keystone XL pipeline in order to buy their votes. Canada, which has proven oil reserves that are the third largest in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, provides 30% of US oil imports. So when Barry kicked them in the face with his Keystone decision, Canada’s PM, Stephen Harper, called for Canada to diversify its energy markets.

So, which country with the second largest economy in the world just took Canada up on its wishes to diversify its energy markets??

China’s giant oil company Cnooc just made a $15.1 billion bid to buy Canada’s energy giant Nexen. Energy hungry China, with its fast growing GDP, is more than happy to take advantage of the economic vacuum left by Barry’s spurning of Keystone.

Even more interesting is the story in today’s WSJ that describes how Cnooc did its homework to try to ensure Canadian govt approval of the deal including making Calgary its North American and Central American headquarters, agreeing not to fire Nexen workers and to maintain its capital spending plans. Experts say these commitments will go a long way in meeting Canada’s “net benefit” test for approving foreign investments in Canadian businesses

In global economy those countries that hesitate, dither, and dawdle will inevitably be quickly left falling behind.

You’re doin’ a heck of a job, Barry

Joe in Albany

That oil in Canada would have been sold to China notwithstanding which pipeline would have been used. Oil is a commodity sold on the world market.

Beverly:

I liked what you had to say as well.

FR: *** Going negative on Romney during Olympics:Using footage from the 2002 opening ceremonies, the ad shows athletes of various nationalities entering the Olympic stadium, with a commentator pointing out each country's links to Romney's record. For example: . . .

Guess Romney could counter with an ad that shows where Obama spends most of his time, the golf course. The voice over can say as Barry drives his ball into the weeds "He used his Solyndra driver for that hit!", and as Barry's putts keep coming up short "That's like his Stimulus Plan, lots of promises, no results." They can show Chuck Todd and other MSNBCers running out on the course and kicking Obama's ball after each errant hit into a better lie and then commenting, "He meant to hit it there."

Very, very low tax rate: Are there years when the Romney paid no taxes at all, or only 1% or 2% while the average American is paying 35% in taxes?

Can you back up the claim that the average American is paying 35% in taxes? If as you claim Romney is paying 1% or 2% on income, then you should only account for income tax in your answer.

Bubblegum

That oil in Canada would have been sold to China notwithstanding which pipeline would have been used. Oil is a commodity sold on the world market.

But the jobs to build and maintain the infrastructure that moved the oil to market could have been American.

Alan,

Read before you write: I listed some POSSIBILITIES. Any one of the five possibilities would be sufficient cause to disqualify Romney.

.

Alan -- The Jobs Act would have created a few million jobs compared to the few thousand XL may.

Just a question...

At some point is the GOP going to acknowledge the state of Nebraska and its Republican Governor's role in why Keystone XL was not approved?

There’s a difference in Party ID from this month to last. Last month was +4 Democratic, this month it’s +11.

Hey NBC, so this month instead of "Oversampling" Hispanics, you decided to just go straight for whatever could help Obama's numbers the most and "Oversample" Democrats?

Chuck, Mark, Domenico...I am really curious as to why month after month you oversample Democrats and voting blocs that are sympathetic to the President?

+11?

Really?

Willard Romney Olympics documents aren’t being released for the public to view. Why?

Willard Romney and staff spent nearly $100,000 in state funds to replace computers in his office at the end of his term as governor of Massachusetts in order to keep his records secret. Why?

Willard Romney refuses to release his tax returns. Why?

Why? Because this man Willard Romney is hiding many things, and don't we the people have the right to know what he is hiding.

Alan -- The Jobs Act would have created a few million jobs compared to the few thousand XL may.

Why would the Jobs Act have created so many more jobs than the first stimulus and why are the two connected? It seems you want to deflect.

Read before you write: I listed some POSSIBILITIES. Any one of the five possibilities would be sufficient cause to disqualify Romney.

I would request you do the same. I simply asked that you back up your claim that the average American pays 35% in income tax. I understand that you were speculating on the other points. Or did I mis-understand that you were speculating on the 35% figure also?

Job1 --

In his speech, Romney demanded that any Obama administration leakers of classified information be found and punished because “the time for stonewalling is over,” “Americans are entitled to know” and Americans deserve “a full and prompt accounting of the facts.”

After the speech, Eric Edelman, a Romney campaign adviser, chimed in on ferreting out Obama leakers in a press release; unfortunately, BuzzFeed soon pointed out that Edelman “was implicated in the country’s last major national security leak investigation — the outing of C.I.A. agent Valerie Plame” when he served under former Cheney aide Scooter Libby in W.’s administration.

Romney is so secretive that he’s beginning to make the über-clandestine Cheney look like The Bachelorette.

The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that although Romney promised “complete transparency” when he stepped in to save the Salt Lake City Olympics, he became a black hole: “Some who worked with Romney describe a close-to-the-vest chief executive unwilling to share so much as a budget with a state board responsible for spending oversight. Archivists now say most key records about the Games’ internal workings were destroyed under the supervision of a staffer shortly after the flame was extinguished at Olympic Cauldron Park, after Romney had returned to Massachusetts.” (Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just burn the records in the flame?)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/opinion/dowd-hiding-in-plain-sight.html?hp

Here's a real world lesson in global economics for lefty liberals

Oh goodie - more home schooling from the Albanian idiot on global economics. Apparently, we should cry, sob, pout, because Canada just sold their oil business to China, and the only reason that happened is because "Barry" didn't build the Keystone pipeline. Golly gee, only a home schooled idiot would leap to that unreasonable conclusion. Well, how about this folks - what if we had approved and built the Keystone Pipeline. Canada would still have sold their oil business to China and guess what, we would be transporting Chinese owned oil across the good old USA for shipment to China. Wouldn't that make us look smart. Keystone Pipeline oil was never intended for American markets, it was intended for international markets. Thank god we are not polluting our environment to support Chinese oil.

Now one would think the Albanian idiot would be jumping up and down with glee over the Chinese/Canadian oil investments. He is the one that almost daily, tells us how much he has invested in Canada, ya know, being a 'true blooded' American and all.

JoAnnaSmith1

Guess Romney could counter with an ad that shows where Obama spends most of his time, the golf course. The voice over can say as Barry drives his ball into the weeds "He used his Solyndra driver for that hit!", and as Barry's putts keep coming up short "That's like his Stimulus Plan, lots of promises, no results." They can show Chuck Todd and other MSNBCers running out on the course and kicking Obama's ball after each errant hit into a better lie and then commenting, "He meant to hit it there."

JoAnnaSniff1

Look, Lady Joke , Moaning Joe asked the Axe Man to "tell Bill Burton to take down that Olympics ad this morning

I hardly call that enthusiast support.

There’s a difference in Party ID from this month to last. Last month was +4 Democratic, this month it’s +11.

Hey NBC, so this month instead of "Oversampling" Hispanics, you decided to just go straight for whatever could help Obama's numbers the most and "Oversample" Democrats?

Chuck, Mark, Domenico...I am really curious as to why month after month you oversample Democrats and voting blocs that are sympathetic to the President?

+11?

Really?

Well, gaspity-gasp-gasp-gasp!!!

It MUST be some kind of conspiracy theory, right? I mean, NBC MUST be scouring voter rolls looking for Democrats so they can purposely oversample, right?

That's why the conservative Wall Street Journal signs off on this poll, right?

Can't wait for the vote today on Middle-Class tax cuts and leaving the $250,000 and up folks paying, finally, a higher tax rate. This will bring the Norquist supporters into a rage. Let the American people in our Country see what these Repugs do when they vote against this Bill. These people have no compassion for the common men, women and children in our Country. The vast majority of the people in our Nation need a tax break. Let's see how "WE" react when "THEY" vote against "US".

And these clowns want us to vote for them. FAT CHANCE.

TAX RETURNS, TAX RETURNS, WHERE ARE THEY?

OBAMA IN 2012.

Bush outs Valerie Plame for political gain.

Obama releases national security information for political gain.

Yet another way that these two Administrations are similar.

Where is the Change?

Noid, I asked a simple question.

WTF is your problem?

Can you tell me why they oversample Hispanics every month and have a +11 Dem?

I would think, for a poll to have credibility, the numbers would want to be more even.

I personally don't give a damn about polls, but the logistics of this make no sense to me unless you are trtying to drive the numbers in a specific direction from the start in order to CREATE the story instead of REPORTING it.

Which is all any of these MSM outlets seem to do anymore.

Albany Joe, why do you ignore the republican legislators and republican governors' request to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline? Did you not hear about their efforts to block it in their states and their appeals to President Obama to put it on hold for further study?

Alan....and the polluted acquifer would be All-American, too.

Feisty, Ron, Bev, David, great start to the day! DaNoid, you're on a good roll this morning with those rebuttals.

Nice to see you back posting again on FR Bev. I happy to hear your Grandson is back home and feeling better.

Alan -- That's a mighty strong allegation. Got proof to back it up?

Perhaps you better take that back, eh?

It MUST be some kind of conspiracy theory, right? I mean, NBC MUST be scouring voter rolls looking for Democrats so they can purposely oversample, right?

@MarkMurray

I would be interested in how they statistically resolve these numbers? For example what is their base demographic that they use to smooth out the differences in their sample. In this poll, for example, there in an under-sampling of Hispanics. Any chance of an explanation?

Oh goodie - more home schooling from the Albanian idiot on global economics.

Did I miss where we had a signed agreement with Canada guaranteeing us the oil?

Anyone?

To Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL: and the attack Dogs; Good Morning.

If the economy is the driving force of this election, WHY doesn't Willard have a double digit lead right now?

The question should be why doesn't Obama have a double digit lead since he is suppose to win by a land slide?

President Obama's likeablility has gone down. The economy is not doing so good. The President says: " I believe our plan works" (Key word "I believe").

feisty would you like to give us a link on the information you posted about the Australian Prime minister? I hope is not MSN or Move on.

WTF is your problem?

Cranky, cranky. Some white collar workers are getting annoyed idling in their Mercedes waiting for their weekly hand-out from the local food bank. We need to make sure this one gets his breakfast before posting.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-11/mercedes-owners-ph-d-holders-join-swelling-crowd-straining-soup-kitchens.html

So Dianne Feinstein is the latest Dem that is trying to claim that she didn't really say what she said.

Leaks? What Leaks? Nothing to see here.

You Libs are really something. You all should spend a liitle less time trying to spin words into things that they are not.

It wreaks of desperation.

Tommie Boy: Can't wait for the vote today on Middle-Class tax cuts and leaving the $250,000 and up folks paying,

It's interesting that the lefties, the media, and Obama characterize this latest drivel from them as a "tax cut". Just what tax is getting cut? It is in fact a raise in taxes, one that if enacted would bring in enough tax revenue to cover about 18 days of Obama's deficit spending.

It seems Smiff drove her golf cart into the water hazard this morning; no wonder the comment didn't even make sense....glug, glug, glug. Anytime a conservative grasps at golf or vacations or the word "foreign" ala Mitt, just know that they are desperate and that's all they have going for them.

Even funnier to read are the conservatives questioning the poll numbers. They leap in glee when it favors GOPers but look for justification when they favor President Obama and democrats.

Alan -- That's a mighty strong allegation. Got proof to back it up?

Perhaps you better take that back, eh?

You mean like Senator Feinstein before she walked back her allegations?

You're right I'll take it back. The leaks obviously originated from an independent source unconnected with the White House and there was no intention of making the President look good through the leaking of this information.

WCA: So Dianne Feinstein is the latest Dem that is trying to claim that she didn't really say what said.

The Dems really should go into bunker mode and not say anything until it's been thoroughly vetted through poll driven testing.

Alan -- You said Obama. Got proof to back that up?

It wreaks of desperation.

The only 'wreaking desperation' going on here is the constant barrage of lying ads produced by team Romney that continually take quotes out of context.

Good morning Dont_carry_it_all,

Thanks for the information!

TAX RETURNS, TAX RETURNS, WHERE ARE THEY?

In Ann's purse by the sounds of it...

Alan....and the polluted acquifer would be All-American, too.

That's right Jody. Anything we build will fail and pollute the environment. Why do we even try? And you guys claim it is the right who are anti-science. I think both sides claim facts that support their case.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/experts-some-fracking-critics-use-bad-science

Oh my Ron - I mean even for you!

Too rich to be president?

Yeah, cause rich dudes like Washington, Jefferson, and Kenndey absolutely sucked, right Ron?

Oh and Ron - love the tax evasion thing-y. So you believe the IRS to be wholly incompetent eh?

Well it is part of the government.

Now I know why I do not watch "The Daily Rundown"... it's Morning Joe Joke lite!

Alan -- You said Obama. Got proof to back that up?

I also said Bush and he was not found to be the source of the leak. If I included the word Administration in both sentences would that satisfy you?

Bush Administration outs Valerie Plame for political gain.

Obama Administration releases national security information for political gain.

Yet another way that these two Administrations are similar.

Where is the Change?

I tell you, it's almost Pavlovian your reaction.

Noid, I asked a simple question.

WTF is your problem?

Can you tell me why they oversample Hispanics every month and have a +11 Dem?

I would think, for a poll to have credibility, the numbers would want to be more even.

I personally don't give a damn about polls, but the logistics of this make no sense to me unless you are trtying to drive the numbers in a specific direction from the start in order to CREATE the story instead of REPORTING it.

Which is all any of these MSM outlets seem to do anymore.

See, so I was right...you DO believe that it is a giant conspiracy.

There actually is a simpler explanation to it all. You believe it is a left-wing media conspiracy and NBC went out of its way to oversample Democrats for the poll. The truth is that in this random sample, the sample group identified themselves more as Democrats. Call it the proverbial grain of salt.

See, it goes back to Statistics 101...in any public opinion poll, the fatal flaw is that the results are always "X% Of Those Who Cared Enough To Answer". How many of those who would identify themselves as Republicans hung up on the survey either because they didn't care or heard the name "NBC" and refused to answer? If this were a FOX News poll, how many who would identify themselves as Democrats would hang up on the survey...and could I not then argue that FOX purposely oversampled Republicans?

Oh my Ron - I mean even for you!

Ron's become a birther. It's a real struggle for him to have facts get in the way of his many delusions.

WCA - yesterday I specifically asked Mark Murray for the poll sample.

Of course he chose not to respond, or better yet put it in his article.

Dem plus 11!

And even with that huge oversample O's numbers were bad.

So Murray - why no sample? Are you intentionally withholding the information to fool people?

You embarrassed?

Alan -- Your original response is what is Pavlovian. Admit you lied. Flat out lied.

Job1-- Your welcome.

The new poll has a + 11 democrat compared to the last biased polled that only had a +4 democrat. WOW how fair! SO Obama is up 6 with a +11 BAHAHAHAHAH!

Say Ron, the average tax rates paid are easily obtainable and readily available.

And as you almost certainly know, those figurse will not support your assertions.

In fact - another libbie meme fail.

DN: See, it goes back to Statistics 101...in any public opinion poll, the fatal flaw is that the results are always "X% Of Those Who Cared Enough To Answer".

So if a NBC poll is taken from the people that wander around the water cooler in their offices, to you that is a legitimate poll. Having to get out of their comfort zone and actually continue polling until there is something that resembles a balancing of the demographics just doesn't register to you or occur to the ones taking the poll?

Any poll skewed this way should be called what it is: garbage.

Your original response is what is Pavlovian. Admit you lied. Flat out lied.

No, I was speculating just like Ron.

Don't - where's that list of poster genders?

Come on Don't, you were gonna help me out, 'member?

Oh and Don't it might help if you look up the concept of Agency. Should you do that you will see that the Principal is usually responsible for the actions of the agents when those actions are done in the course and scope of the work.

See how that works when it comes to TEAM O? See who the principal is?

There you go Don't, cause you know - knowledge is power. Get some.

That oil in Canada would have been sold to China notwithstanding which pipeline would have been used. Oil is a commodity sold on the world market.

______________________________________

The pipeline construction project would have generated American jobs.

The oil would have been refined in Gulf area refineries creating American jobs.

The oil, which will now be guaranteed to go to the Chinese because they would own it, must be replaced by the US importing it from far less US-friendly countries than Canada. Energy independence in the US includes buying from your good friends/neighbors in the world and Barry told them "Go to China!!".

Enjoy your next fill up lefty liberals as prices are going back up again.

Aw look the old gal just does not understand the significance of the sample.

But then again, numbers just are not her thing.

So if a NBC poll is taken from the people that wander around the water cooler in their offices, to you that is a legitimate poll. Having to get out of their comfort zone and actually continue polling until there is something that resembles a balancing of the demographics just doesn't register to you or occur to the ones taking the poll?

Well, WCA, looks like you're not alone...Smiffy's calling shenanigans, too.

Again, ask yourself the question...if NBC purposely went out of its way to oversample Democrats would the conservative WSJ sign off on the poll as well?

Spanky-

Say Ron, the average tax rates paid are easily obtainable and readily available.

We are not asking for "the average tax rates paid"

Were asking for the ACTUAL tax rates Mittens paid from 1999 to 2002 (at least)

Noid: Again, ask yourself the question...if NBC purposely went out of its way to oversample Democrats would the conservative WSJ sign off on the poll as wel

It's the NY/Washington DC corridor media Noid - they're kind of all idiots.

It comes down to integrity Noid. Do you think this poll represents any kind of integrity?

Americans don’t want to play hide-and-seek with their presidential candidates. Romney should listen to himself: The time for stonewalling is over.

Thanks for the link DCIA! That oped piece is spot on.

Joe in Albany -- Dont' forget that "bitman" oil could very well end up polluting American soil and our waterways. Think Canada will pay for that? Nope, Americans will.

devie -- You got it! Glad people are reading it. Important info.... Like how more records were destroyed concerning something Romney was involved. in.

The oil would have been refined in Gulf area refineries creating American jobs.

Actually, Joe, without the Keystone expansion, the oil would have still been refined in the US as the existing pipeline would have transported it to Cushing, OK. What TransCanada doesn't want you to know is that they believe all the oil currently being shipped to Cushing is keeping the price of oil too low so they want to build Keystone XL to ship the oil directly to the Gulf so it can be exported and drive the price up.

...but don't take my word for it...read about it here...

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0309/Inside-the-Keystone-pipeline-How-much-would-it-really-help-US-consumers

FR:

Mark McKinnon on MSNBC’s Morning Joe asked Obama adviser David Axelrod, “We have a saying, ‘A hit dog barks, and it sounds like you’re barking, so does that mean you’re hit?” It’s a great way to put it, and it’s likely the case.

When the Republicans lied about John Kerry's military record, all the pundits were opining wisely as to how he hurt his chances by not responding. Now, when Obama responds quickly to keep the lies from catching on, all the same sort of pundits are opining equally wisely that the fact he responded shows that the lies are effective. For Democrats, it's heads I win, tails you lose when it comes to getting fair coverage from the media.

And running with the pundit herd, Chuck Todd claims that the Obama's response means the Obama campaign's thinks the lie is hurting. That's baloney. What Obama is doing is trying to kill the lie before it spreads, with what happened to Kerry in mind, not because it's already hurting.

And of course, the pundits will never call Romney's lie what it is. That would be politically incorrect. They even seem to admire how Romney can get away with the unprecedented levels of deceit he's injected into a presidential election.

devie

Nice to see you back posting again on FR Bev. I happy to hear your Grandson is back home and feeling better.

Thanks devie

That's very kind of you. His birthday is the same day as our President's whom he loves. He voted for the President in Kindergarten.

Troll alert: let's see which rightie tidy will be the first to scream voter fraud.

Screeming Lib:

Thanks for your comment: Spanky is on my ignore list as he has absolutely nothing positive to offer.

Bev - Seen in todays Chicago Tribune, Medicaid cut by 1.6 BILLION in Illinios! So it is the dems and Obama promising everything and delivering cuts. What a genius. So grandmas not going to get her pills only 4 scripts a month! But wait Obama passed an extension of Medicaid, HMM, how can a state already cutting Medicaid and owes 83 BILLION in stolen union pension and has another 117 BILLION in debt going to expand Obamacare? I can see why your such a PROUD dem. Ignorance is bliss!

It comes down to integrity Noid. Do you think this poll represents any kind of integrity?

Yes. Why? Because they reported that +11 number on party identification.

God Bless President Obama for protecting us these last Four (4) years, from Mitt Romney and the Republicans.

Mitt Romney and the Republicans want to destroy not only the Middle-class, but also the Police Unions, the Firemen Unions, and the Teacher Unions.

If I was a Policeman, or a Fireman, or a Teacher, I would vote a straight Democratic ticket, come this November 2012, wouldn't you?

Plus Mitt Romney's "lost" Tax Returns, what's he hiding? We already know that he Outsourced thousands of good old American jobs to China and Mexico, but what other embarrassing stuff is in his returns? For all we know, his Tax Returns might show shady financial dealings with Middle Eastern Terrorists groups. We don't know.

And what's all this about "RETROACTIVELY RETIRING" from Bain Capital? How does the CEO, Founder, and Owner, "RETIRE RETROACTIVELY". It doesn't sound very "Manly", now does it?

Plus hidden Swiss Bank accounts plus Slush Funds in the Cayman Islands? What else is Mitt Romney hiding?

That's why this once proud Republican is telling all my Republican friends, and Ron Paul supporters, and Undecided Independent voters, to vote a straight Democratic ticket come tis November 2012.

Yes. Why? Because they reported that +11 number on party identification.

I agree the poll has integrity as most others. What I'm interested in is how they resolve the differences in the sample to their model. I understand that they can use the census information to resolve demographic differences but I would be interested in how their base for party identification is calculated (last election for example).

Yes. Why? Because they reported that +11 number on party identification.

Yeah, isn't that a hoot? You get the narrative of the results out there, big lead for Obama, and bury the details of the poll being a sham in the fine print. Who has time for the fine print, right 'Noid? Or can we expect the first thing reported after some news droid reports the numbers is the caveat of the skewed numbers?

Yeah, that will happen.

Hiya Kids, Hiya, Hiya,

Well, the old Frog is back and I see nothing has changed in my absence. Darn, you folks must be getting pretty wet by now. Does this pissin' contest ever have an end, or a point?

Oh, I see, the pissin' IS the point. Ok.

Here's the problem I have with that. Neither party is representing the people of this nation. The political parties, and I'm referring to the Republicans and the Democrats, are solely dedicated to the preservation of their own power structure. They preach to their base, they use hot-words and phrases and they ignore the needs of our nation.

The GOP and the DEMS are two sides of the same coin. They aren't solving any problems, they ARE the problem.

I am an independent. Always have been. When I was a young, idealistic reporter I didn't think it was right to belong to either party. I needed to remain neutral so I could be fair to both sides. That's who I am. I'm firmly in the middle and in my opinion, the middle is where we all should be.

Government, our government, works best when it governs from the middle. There needs to be a give and take, an atmosphere of cooperation.

WE don't have that in our government anymore. Hell, we don't even have it on this discussion board. If you need further proof of our dysfunctionality just read the posts above or below this one.

You're all spouting talking points.

(Sigh) But I've tried to point this out before to no effect.

Why don't you listen to yourselves and to each other?

Here are a few things that need immediate attention:

1. Millions of children go to bed hungry in this nation while we build more tanks, warplanes and missiles. There is something fundamentally wrong with that.

2. Tens of millions of American cannot afford basic health care or a decent place to live while 1% of the population controls 80% of the wealth. There is something fundamentally wrong with that as well.

3. American gun laws are insane. They need to be dramatically revised and there needs to be a strong and effective counter balance to the gun lobby and the existing gun mythology in this country.

4. Our immigration laws are ineffective as best and punitive to the powerless at worst. We should be jailing, fining and punishing the people who prey upon illegal immigrants, not the poor illegal alien who is coming here to find work in order to feed his family.

5. It's time we stopped encouraging companies to outsource American jobs to countries overseas. Bring those jobs home.

6. It's time we stopped encouraging the wealthy to hide their money in off-shore banks. Bring that money home, tax it and help the rest of the country.

8. We have got to return the public airwaves to the public and reclaim them from the control of the princes of propaganda who dominate it and misinform our people in order to promote the agenda's of foreign media moguls and political parties.

9. We MUST do a better job of parenting and educating our young people. It's not the fault of the educator that your child is unruly or the school has to have metal detectors and armed security. It's YOUR fault for not properly educating and raising your children.

10. We need to invest in our future by investing in education and science TODAY.

11. We've got to control health care costs and make sure that the least of us have access to reliable and affordable health care.

and finally, and most important, we've got to learn to respect each other and learn to discuss our differences and issues in a manner that simply does not pour gasoline on an already raging fire.

Why don't you discuss these things in a rational and mature manner? We might actually find answers to many of these issues and actually return this nation to it's former greatness.

I believe the President is a centrist. He is neither hard left or right. He is not a socialist, a communist, a fascist or a foreigner. He is an American and he's doing a good job. We should extend his contract for another four years and work WITH HIM, not against him, because when we work against the President we are working against AMERICA and the AMERICAN PEOPLE and as far as I'm concerned that amounts to treason and sedition.

Get on board, or quietly get out of the way. It's time to put AMERICA, not politics first.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT!

It's time to change the dialogue folks. It's time to change the tone.

Obama/Biden 2012

geo-1957883

Bev - Seen in todays Chicago Tribune, Medicaid cut by 1.6 BILLION in Illinios! So it is the dems and Obama promising everything and delivering cuts.

Ignorance is bliss!

Sure is geo; especially when people like you don't that when the GOP JOB (Job Obstructionist Party) stops everything at the federal level what else could it be cuts at the state levels?

Yeah, isn't that a hoot? You get the narrative of the results out there, big lead for Obama, and bury the details of the poll being a sham in the fine print. Who has time for the fine print, right 'Noid? Or can we expect the first thing reported after some news droid reports the numbers is the caveat of the skewed numbers?

Smiffy, how about we frame the question from a different angle?

If NBC and WSJ were going out of their way to oversample Democrats in the hopes of purposely skewing the results would they have told us the number was skewed by reporting that +11 party identification result for the Democrats?

Of course not...if my intent is to deceive you why would I tell you that I'm deceiving you?

MAKE WAYNE LAPIERRE FAMOUS!!!!

Time to put a face on the guy funding domestic terrorism.

Enough is enough with these assault weapons whose only purpose is to kill mass numbers of people!

It's not likability that's Romney's problem. It's the fact that his platform is absolutely terrifying to the middle class.

"Romney is seen as having better ideas on the economy".... Ummm, all I've heard was tax cuts for the rich, and deregulation..... The very things that caused this economic wreck ... in the first place!

At Ron Indiana....

Or like with Bill Clinton they will find out he donated his old underwear to good will and wrote it off. Instead of focusing on tax returns which frankly if he messed up the IRS would be after him in a flash, lets talk about Obama's record or lack there of and his plan for the future.

Maybe we can go over Obama's Job Councils' minutes for the last 6 months (no meetings so it should be short).

That oil in Canada would have been sold to China notwithstanding which pipeline would have been used. Oil is a commodity sold on the world market.

Um, Texas is on the Gulf Coast, not the Pacific coast. That oil would have gone to places other than china and a large part of it would have been processed by americans into fuel to be sold to Europe, Africa, and South America. China would be competing for it at a greater expense when it went to Texas.

"We are VIP Romney," is neither likeable, nor positive for the economy.

I am good with the polls lets make it Obama 90 and Romney 10 and call it "the pulled out of a hat poll" as we can poll all we want but the one that matters is in November.

All the great ones followers can bask in the knowledge that Obama is a sure win for the White House and they can start their parties early dancing in the streets with no need to vote.

Doesn't it scare you Fiesty the Obama barely beat McCain with Palin as his running mate when Obama had no record and a huge momentum behind him (plus it was a historic moment). There are tons of people I know that voted for Obama (me included) that will not be voting for him again. Have you heard of anyone that voted for McCain (except gay rights supports now that Obama has evolved (flip flopped)) that will vote for Obama?

The problem for Obama is that business owners -- particularly small business owners like myself -- see the "You didn't build that" statement as a symbol of how the president has viewed and treated businesses throughout his whole term. He views us with disdain...the necessary evil he has to put up with and throw an occasional bone to. Of course that is when he is not vilifying us.

Whether the context for this specific statement is being taken correctly or not doesn't matter. Those words stand on their own as a monument to his philosophy.

Personally I know more than a few that have benefitted. Wish I could expense things 100%

Here's the list of 17 small business tax cuts that President Obama has signed into law --

From the Recovery Act, HIRE Acts, and Affordable Care Act:

1. A New Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

2. A New Tax Credit for Hiring Unemployed Workers

3. Bonus Depreciation Tax Incentives to Support New Investment

4. 75% Exclusion of Small Business Capital Gains

5. Expansion of Limits on Small Business Expensing

6. Five-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses

7. Reduction of the Built-In Gains Holding Period for Small Businesses from 10 to 7 Years to Allow Small Business Greater Flexibility in Their Investments

8. Temporary Small Business Estimated Tax Payment Relief to Allow Small Businesses to Keep Needed Cash on Hand

From the Small Business Jobs Act:

9. Zero Capital Gains Taxes on Key Investments in Small Businesses

10. The Highest Small Business Expensing Limit Ever– Up to $500,000

11. An Extension of 50% Bonus Depreciation

12. A New Deduction for Health Care Expenses for the Self-Employed

13. Tax Relief and Simplification for Cell Phone Deductions

14. An Increase in The Deduction for Entrepreneurs’ Start-Up Expenses

15. A Five-Year Carryback Of General Business Credits

16. Limitations on Penalties for Errors in Tax Reporting That Disproportionately Affect Small Business

And from the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act:

17. 100 Percent Expensing

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/25/seventeen-small-business-tax-cuts-and-counting

I think it is interesting how the Obama cheerleaders are mocking Romney's overseas tour. I remember Obama's apology tour after he was elected and his European vacation when he ran. Obama said his plan is working and the numbers simply do not confirm that.

1. Housing sales continue to slide. Foreclosures have not slowed one bit

2. Unemployment still way above what he promised (minority and veteran unemployment a National disgrace)

3. Poverty level at all time record highs...and growing

4. More people on food stamps than ever before

5. National debt a levels never seen

As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that working for you?" You may not like Romney, but what has this guy done to turn this economy around? Remember the famous Summer of Recovery?

geterright

Simple response. What exactly has the GOP done to help/change every thing you mentioned in the comment? It seems to me, the GOP cares more about who I sleep with, if a woman gets an abortion, tax cuts for the wealth, citizens united, and ensuring corporations get their subsidies.

Romeny's bullets are not an economic plan. Its really easy to tear down someone on the economy, but not so easy if you can't come up with a real plan of your own.

As Dr Phil would say "How's that working for you". I say "Putting Romney in the WH would be a return to BUSH 3 and the biggest mistake since electing BUSH 2 in the first place.

Alan, I suggest you do some reading on the fight against the Keystone Pipeline; it has nothing to do with being a liberal. Farmers fought against it as well as small towns and communities organizing against it. It was not a partisan issue in the states fighting against the pipeline. Only the GOPers in DC's Congress made it a partisan fight. In the Nebraska Sand Hills where the water is very close to the surface and the soil is sandy, the smallest leak of tar sand, which is far worse than oil itself, would pollute the water supply. There's plenty of good reading out there and it isn't liberal biased. It's republican farmers fighting, republican state legislators and republican governors fighting it. If this is such a great idea, perhaps Canada should build the pipeline across their own land on it's journey for export to other nations.

Summerlight, well, here comes the 2008 election history rewrite from a FoggyDay. President Obama trounced McCain and Palin, look it up.

IU Ron,

I'm guessing you didn't get your degree from the school of business.

Wow, Feisty Redhead had her comment restored. Is NBC Newsvine starting to wake up to the unreal censorship being exacted upon writers on these stories????

Hey, back to the news.

Let's all hope Obama gets back in for 4 years. Then we can begin the rest of his plans for America. No, he doesnt need to tell you. He has it all and will give it in his Inaugural address. Get ready to get it then. He has a real plan, not like Romney's obscure and unknown plan. Obama is clear as a bell and will take care of us all and we will all be happy and will all live forever.

I think we should allow him to be President for life. They almost gave that to FDR. Wow. 2 Democrat genius Presidents and they both will get to be President for life.

That is a dream come true!!!!!!!!!!

The only way people believe romney will do better on the economy - is that they are willing to endure the tax break and spend republican agenda to produce some jobs. The jobs that the GOP has been blocking because they want to win an election.

Which means more people still don't realize that the long term effects of this will bankrupt their children and grandchildren for the rest of their lives.

History shows America pulling out of a 2 major depressions 1870 and 1930 - both times taxing the wealthy, stimulating the economy and growing the middle class. Those who don't study history - are bound to vote republican

Skip Nicholson - Great post. If the GOP hadn't tried to make sure Obama was a one-term President the country would be in much better shape right now. I don't understand how a party can be so anti-America and still hold any offices.

Your points are valid. It is disgraceful that, as a nation, any of us can go to bed knowing others are hungry. Helping others through hard times is not a hand out but a hand up.

Healthcare should be affordable and available to everyone.

When semi-automatic guns can be easily purchased - there is a serious problem. These guns are not used for hunting (not if you're any kind of sports person at all) and not for self defense. They are strictly to kill.

We could never deport all the illegal immigrants if we tried. Most who are here work as hard or harder than a lot of people. If we set our goals to deport those who break laws and, as you say, those who prey on the defenseless, we would be better off. The President was totally right in allowing children who were brought here when small or born here to earn their citizenship. It is the way our country has always been and should not be changed.

The President proposed giving tax breaks to those companies that bring jobs back to the US - blocked by the Republicans.

Putting your money offshore shows you don't believe in the country. If you really want to do that - leave!

And, the rest of your post is spot on. We have to get back to working together instead of pulling apart.

Obama/Biden 2012

see the "You didn't build that" statement as a symbol of how the president has viewed and treated businesses throughout his whole term.

Boy - Obama has sure terrorized small business throughout his term. Like all those tax cuts for small business, or that evil small business stimulus. Way to stick it to small business, Obama!!

Alan, NJ

It MUST be some kind of conspiracy theory, right? I mean, NBC MUST be scouring voter rolls looking for Democrats so they can purposely oversample, right?

@MarkMurray

I would be interested in how they statistically resolve these numbers? For example what is their base demographic that they use to smooth out the differences in their sample. In this poll, for example, there in an under-sampling of Hispanics. Any chance of an explanation?

Even if they gave an explanation, it is doubtful that you'd understand it.

summerlight - I don't know where you're getting your "facts" or if you just don't understand but your comment "Obama barely beat McCain" is so ridiculous.

In the 2008 US Presidential Election, the votes were as follows:

OBAMA received:<pr> 365 Electoral Votes (270 needed to win)<pr> 66,882,230 Popular Votes (1)<pr>

52% of the Total Popular Vote (1)

31% of the Total Eligible Vote (2)

Three out of ten US citizens voted for Obama (approx.) (3)

1/3 of US citizens voted for Obama (approx.) (3)

2/3 of US citizens did not vote for Obama (approx.) (3)

MCCAIN received:

173 Electoral Votes (270 needed to win)

58,343,671 Popular Votes (1)

46% of the Total Popular Vote (1)

27% of the Total Eligible Votes (2)

Three out of ten US citizens voted for McCain (approx.) (3)

1/4 of US citizens voted for McCain (aprox.) (3)

3/4 of US citizens did not vote for McCain (aprox.) (3)

President Obama handily beat McCain - not a truly close race. Maybe you don't understand figures?

Obama/Biden 2012

Imagine what the results would be in a real poll, instead of a slanted puff peice like this.

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 16
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 1

It's funny to watch the sheep accept it though, you think they would have learned from massive loss in 2010 that the media pretended wasn't going to happen.

Funny...ain't it........repubs heads explode over Illegal aliens taking American Job. Well I don't like it either.

The funny part is, repubs complain about union job holders. These union job holders set the bar for wages and benifits across the board for all workers. Yep, wages, vacation, overtime pay, sick pay, healthcare, etc.

So these repubs were talked into hating and trying to destroy their friends, relatives, and neighbor 's union jobs by the rich 1% in order to divide Americans so they can get more profits off the middle class and poor.

Imagine that...repubs are just like the illegal aliens that take away jobs from Americans. They have become the enemy in the instant that they preach hate against their fellow American job holders. Voting against their own self interests. The ol shooting themselves in the foot to spite their nose! Like a bull that only walks backwards and steps in his own B.S.

Kinda funny the way those repubs think huh?

Obama/Biden 2012

But Obama might find some comfort that his economic messaging of “fairness” tests better than Romney's messaging of “freedom,” and that he scores better on looking out for the middle class.

Incredibly sad that this is true.

What's even more sad is that this whole election has boiled down to who is the most popular. Obama is that guy at school whom everyone likes. He's running for Student Class President on the platform that he will get longer recess, better lunches and a relaxed dress code.

it isn't what we need but it's what we want. We've become a nation of spoiled brats who only want to be spoon fed by the government from birth until death.

I can't understand how so many people are willing to just throw their freedoms away so easily. There were many men, and women, who laid their lives on the line for these freedom which you are so quick to give away in exchange for a vote.

Redhead Ranting (you got the ranting part right) - and many of those who laid their lives on the line were Independents and Democrats. Don't for a minute thing Republicans care more about our country because you know that is a damned lie.

No one wants to be spoonfed by the government - another GOP lie that the small minded and those with little intellect grasp onto. The vast majority of people work or want to.

Your hypocritical and totally ridiculous post says everything about you and your beliefs. You've latched onto every lie the GOP tells and then you regurgitate it.

Pathetic but not unexpected.

Obama/Biden 2012

SS I said people laid down their lives for our freedoms and you are pissing that away. I didn't say anything about their party affiliate because it isn't relevant to this discussion and because I don't care what party they were in. People died for your freedom and you, yes you, will give them up to the mid level bidder.

BS about people not wanting to be spoon fed. You need to take off your blinders or rose colored glasses because there are generations of people who scam the system everyday so that they don't have to work.

And if you don't believe that you are a fool.

How am I a hypocrite?

What have you done to care for the poor? Have you given anyone a job? Have you volunteered at a soup kitchen? Have you done anything to help these people you are so quick to give my money to?

I didn't think so.

Who is the hypocrite?

Skip #1.77,

I agree with virtually everything you said except the idea of both parties being to blame. This is a misguided view of many "independents", but the reality is actually quite different.

No doubt you can point to examples where both parties have played the stonewalling game, however if you add up all the examples the Republicans lead in that category by at least 100 to 1. I have no issue with either party using the power of the minority to get heard as long as the ultimate goal is to achieve compromise. This has been exactly how Democrats have used this in the past. They have not used it to shutdown discussion and block progress, instead it has been used to continue discussion and try to reach a middle ground or at least to sway things slightly in their direction. Rarely has it been used as a last ditch "veto".

Republicans on the other hand have used the stonewalling techniques to stop discussion and to block any progress. And they have been doing this as a matter of routine. Discussion and compromise for them has been the exception to the rule.

Many "independents" really don't pay attention to what is truly going on and tend to be reactionary. Deciding based on what the hot issue is. That is not meant to be critical, but more a generic statement of statistical fact. The reality is that most of us do land somewhere in the middle, but when taken as a whole, we do tend to lean one way or the other.

As a clear Progressive, I don't buy into the complete "Democratic Agenda", hook, line and sinker. More appropriately I agree with it at about 95%, but strongly disagree with a few aspects. Because I'm not a blind Democratic supporter, that doesn't make me independent. I know who I stand with.

As I see it, both parties have about 15%-20% of full bore blind supporters. They tend to not examine issues, but decide them based on how they are labeled. There isn't a lot of these who are in anyway going to be swayed in the other direction. The party goals with these folks is to get them motivated enough to vote. So that leaves 60-70% in between. But these are not by any means floating around without any true direction. Many in this group are "hot button" voters. Maybe they agree with the majority of one side's platforms, but if there key "hot button" issue is in play or made to look like it is in play, that can sway their vote the other way. "Hot button" issue are things like guns, abortion, gay rights, etc. By the very nature of these issues you can pretty easily tell the way these people generally lean and they will vote on these issue above the big picture. This again leads to party goals about making these "hot button" issues appear to be in play. This again motivates people to vote. The downside is that when you put one of these issues front and center, not only do you motivate your base, but you also motivate the opposing base. Generally though, people get motivated to vote against things more than they vote for things.

At the end of the day, you are left with somewhere around 20% of all voters who really are in the middle. Frankly, I see most of these as flip-floppers who really don't know what they stand for. The tend to vote impulsively and they tend to call themselves independent. This is a tough crowd to play to. They get motivated by a lot of fuzzy things and general feelings. Things like "honesty", "likeability", "gut feel", "frustration" and other hard to define issues are what often sway these people one way or the other. A lot of these folks don't vote too because they really can't make up their minds. Generally, whether or not these folks come out to vote and which way they vote will be decided pretty late in the game and it will be about what is the most current. These people are the ones who tend to swing polls back and forth but because they aren't reliable voters, the poll results don't necessarily mean that much about future outcomes.

I would say that you are not really one of these "independents", but actually a Democrat with reservations who lies somewhere left of center. Reading everything you said makes that crystal clear. Keep your reservations, but embrace what you stand for and be clear about what party those things are represented by. When you do this, you can influence your party and get some sway toward the things you have reservations about.

Over the recent past, the Democrats have shifted more toward the center while the Republicans have shifted farther right. This means there are fewer left wing extremists and they have less influence. It also means there are more right wing extremists who have definitely influenced a Republican party shift in their direction away from the center. That 60-70% somewhere in the middle need to look at this 50,000 foot perspective and realize what camp they actually belong in. You really can't be neutral unless you just don't vote.

We have a two party system. Those who think a third party would be a good thing are a bit idealistically misguided. It is fine to create a "third party" agenda which better defines the center, but only if it is used to sway one of the two major parties. When a third party candidate is on the ballot, all it does is skew an election actually giving the advantage to the party farthest from the third party position.

As voters we need to be for something and not just focused against something. What we are for, needs to be ideals we are willing to work for and needs to be things we don't give up on simply because they seem to be working too slowly to satisfy us. We need to stay committed to what we believe in even in difficult times.

Neither party is the party of our parents or grandparents. Policy and agendas have changed and evolved over time, although the core beliefs are still there. What we need to decide first is which core beliefs we support and then see how the policies and agenda fit with those core beliefs.

Both parties share some of the same core beliefs, but often view them differently. There are a few core beliefs though that are very one sided to a party. Among the core beliefs that have shifted because of policy/agenda are a couple critical ones.

1. Seek reasonable compromise to continue to move forward.

2. Stand your ground and never cave in on key values.

How the two parties apply these core principles has a lot to do with how we progress as a country. To many on the left, they feel that Democrats have often been far too accommodating. But on the right the idea about standing firm on key values has morphed into, stand firm on everything and never accept compromise. All else aside, the application of these two core principles has a lot to do with where we are today and why we are having so much trouble moving forward. This is something those in the middle need to realize. There will be no middle when one side refuses to play. Those on the hardcore right may be completely fine with this but for those both on the left and in the middle, it's something that is unacceptable. On these very basic core principles alone, your choice in November should be crystal clear.

starsailing - Proven fact that unions have done a masterful job of destroying their own jobs!

"Like all those tax cuts for small business, or that evil small business stimulus. Way to stick it to small business, Obama!!" - RedDevPS

The payroll tax cuts were originally proposed by the Republicans in early 2009, but blocked by Obama and the Dems for 2 years. He only grudgingly supported them later when it was apparent his own plan had failed. Same for the extension of the Bush tax rates. He threatened raising the rates before grudgingly accepting their extension. Where is he now? Back to threatening to raise taxes again.

The reality was also that much of the American Jobs Act wasn't tax cuts as much as tax shuffling. For instance under the AJA I could expense equipment at 100%. That saves me money this year, but all it means is I pay more next year (since that equipment has already had 100% of expensing applied). It's just a shell game. It does nothing for me long-term.

He trimmed some regulation on small businesses trying to get bank loans, but then created extremely restrictive regulations on the banking industry making it almost impossible for them to make those loans. That's not a help.

Meanwhile he's spent the better part of his term vilifying businesses of all stripes, he's imposed hundreds of billions of dollars of choking regulation and advanced legislation that will be a compliance nightmare and encourage us to limit expansion and cut wages to the working poor.

You were right..."Way to stick it to small business, Obama!!"

Ranting -- The majority of the spoon fed are in RED states. The numbers in those states will continue to grow with the right to work laws.

A family of four earning what the right to work wage pays qualifies for assistance. The reason they keep the wages low is to put more money in the businesses pockets.

Robber barons and such like it that way.

Mike --

Why is your hand out for government largesse? Why as a business man can you not stand on your own two feet?

Why? Should tax payers pay for your equipment? Is that what you are saying?

Alan, NJ

Alan -- The Jobs Act would have created a few million jobs compared to the few thousand XL may.

Why would the Jobs Act have created so many more jobs than the first stimulus and why are the two connected? It seems you want to deflect.

Technically, the Jobs Act would create between 1.3 million and 1.9 million jobs, while the stimulus created about 2.55 million (as an average). It could be that the Jobs Act is more concrete and better organized then the stimulus.

Joe in Albany

That oil in Canada would have been sold to China notwithstanding which pipeline would have been used. Oil is a commodity sold on the world market.

______________________________________

The pipeline construction project would have generated American jobs.

Yea; 4,000 of 'em. If you want a real construction project, how about spending billions to repair our roads and bridges, like Obama proposed????

The oil would have been refined in Gulf area refineries creating American jobs.

Not necessarily. Considering that refineries are closing due to high costs and low demand, it would have partially offset the loss of refinery jobs.

The oil, which will now be guaranteed to go to the Chinese because they would own it, must be replaced by the US importing it from far less US-friendly countries than Canada. Energy independence in the US includes buying from your good friends/neighbors in the world and Barry told them "Go to China!!".

We wouldn't even get 5% of the oil. At best, we could expect 2% of it. That is about 16,000 bpd, or less than 0.0009% of our daily oil consumption.

Enjoy your next fill up lefty liberals as prices are going back up again.

I'd rather have gas prices go up; it shows that oil demand is higher (better economy) and will encourage us to go green.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Geo..... a legend...in his own mind!

TRUTH!!!

.Obama the promise BREAKER!! Equals a LIAR!!! BIG EMBARRASSMENT to the USA!!!

Obama’s promise that his healthcare proposals would “never be purchased with [a] tax increase on middle-class families.” The SUPREME COURT & JUSTICE DEPT say it is a TAX!!! .Attack on the middle Class! Taxation by misrepresentation

…….…NOW Obama wants to invade Syria and Iran!!!

..mr. American businessman..YOU DID NOT MAKE THAT!! It was stolen from the back of the worker---PURE MARXISM!!

Remember these?
THE OBAMA CHRONICLES:
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”.
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”.
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”.
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”.
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”.
"I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year."
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on CSPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”.
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration."
"I'll close Guantanamo."
"I'll resign if I don't cut the deficit in half by the end of four years."
"I'll unite the people of this great country."

“The TROOPS will be home for CHRISTMAS.” WHY ARE MORE LEAVING EVERYDAY???? AND DYING every day…

NOW Obama invokes Executive Privilege( as a Sen. called it’s use a RUSE!) for Holder on GUN SMUGGLING and killing US Agent Brain Terry!!! That only applies if Obama was part of it!! Obama & Holder should be on trial for giving Machine Guns to the Mexican Drug cartels!!
BETTER KNOWN AS LIES.
Fool me once shame on YOU!
Fool me twice shame on ME!

Border Joe, no need to try to fool you, you're already a fool.

Unfortunately, there is so much hate mongering on Democratic side of the isle, especially in the homosexual community, that we were bound to see Newton's third law come into play sooner or later and it is evidenced in some of these posts.

Obama's moral corruption is destined to create friction in the mind of any principled American. Interestingly, just when I personally thought Obama could not become any more morally corrupt, I recently learned he has made yet another Faustian deal with the devil. In this case, he has appointed the "King Of Gay Pornography" to his campaign finance committee, patted him on the back and told him to keep up the good work.

Barack Obama has made it clear he plans to continue with his war on America, the Catholic Church, US Christians, success, small business and American socioeconomic thinking! As a result, this is creating backlash, even from within his own party. Conservatives like to complain that Barack Obama is the most liberal president we've ever had, a closet Marxist who's determined to turn America into a socialist hell and that his despotic socialist agenda is the big lie of the twentieth century. Historians realize world history provides compelling proof that Obama's brand of socialism promised prosperity, equality, and security, but has only delivered poverty, misery, and tyranny. Historically, equality was achieved only in the sense that everyone was equal in his or her misery!

Those historic facts aside, Obama has crafted a shrewd campaign from a worldly perspective. Of note is the fact a significant portion of his campaign strategy was based on development of strategic alliances with many of the most godless and morally debased segments of our society in a thinly veiled effort to secure votes from those "the Obama administration believes" to be one dimensional, intellectually compromised, single issue constituencies. Many in this group had the misfortune of growing up in a broken home. The resulting dysfunction in these homes leads to emotional instability, mental illness and severe narcissism producing a common thread and liberal bias.

Beyond requisite intellectual acumen, our upcoming president MUST have a strong moral foundation and acute, politically savvy awareness the principles of prudent governance. Unfortunately for America, Obama's morally vapid strategic political alliances clearly disqualify him from this hallowed leadership role. For that reason, more and more moderate and conservative principled members of the democratic party believe they must abandon Obama's candidacy and their party line vote for the long term good of our country! Essentially, they believe it is best to retreat and return to fight another day when the Democratic party can submit a candidate who is willing to uphold traditional American values rather than to attempt to destroy the country from within.

You speak of historic facts then babble opinions. Look up the definition of facts. How could any reasoning person say we MUST have a moral president and then support someone like Romney. A man who sets up shell companies in the Caymans advertising for foreign investors the advantage of avoiding U.S. taxes and still being able to invest in the U.S. A man who proposes cutting programs for the poor and spending twice as much to increase our already bloated military. A man who would raise taxes 500 billion a year on the middle class by taxing our employer health plans to give himself a tax cut. Doesn't sound like a moral man to me.

How about this David - The Constitution protects our RIGHT to bear arms. Whenever you come up with your snarky remarks about how guns are all evil, you are still missing the one main factor you cannot change. We are allowed to own guns, carry guns, obtain a concealed gun permit, buy ammo and fire our weapons in safe conditions. You or any other liberal can complain about the Constitution all you want but it will never change the fact that we are allowed to possess firearms. I realize you want to take away that right, but there's one thing blocking it... you need to look up the Dick Act from 1902 which cannot be repealed. All your efforts are forever blocked by this act. Get over it.

Houston, you are asking a question that has no bearing on anything. The Constitution does not limit any firearm from being possessed. Hell, you can actually own a tank if you so desire. Not exactly sure where you'd get one from, but, you can own it.

Just because you don't like or appreciate the firearms that are available doesn't mean there's a limit placed on any of them.

See, it's liberals like yourself that want to place limits on things... fire arms, how much money a person can make, what they can own and can't own... all these things represent the loss of freedom so admired by liberals.

BTW Houston, 50 rounds per minute is pretty damn slow. How about 6 rounds per second, or 360 rounds per minute... that's more my speed.

Now you do realize that there are no automatic weapons sold over the counter in legal establishments. Everything sold legally is either manual, or semi-automatic. Semi-automatic means you have to pull the trigger for each round and the gasses in the weapon reload for you.

It is technically illegal for a person to change a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon. The process only takes about 15 minutes to perform though... all you need is some screwdrivers and a metal file.

Brianb-999431

Houston, you are asking a question that has no bearing on anything. The Constitution does not limit any firearm from being possessed

But Congress can and has. Surely you're not claiming that the ban on machine guns is unconstitutional? No civilian has the right to own fully automatic weapons except under heavily regulated conditions. The same should go for the 100-round clip that was used in Aurora and the 50-round clip that was used for the Tucson massacre.

See, it's liberals like yourself that want to place limits on things

Yeah, like laws against weapons whose only purpose is to kill large numbers of people quickly. You connies don't want such limits because you're kookoo for cocoa puffs.

Brianb:

I looked up the Dick Act and it specifically mentioned you. (Now, that's snark, gunner boy.)

You wrote:

"Whenever you come up with your snarky remarks about how guns are all evil, you are still missing the one main factor you cannot change. We are allowed to own guns, carry guns, obtain a concealed gun permit, buy ammo and fire our weapons in safe conditions."

Show me one line - one single line - where I said guns are evil. Now, about those safe conditions. Do we find those in restaurants, schools, and theaters, gunner boy? Or do they magically become safe from deadly gunfire, when you start singing, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people."?

You also wrote:

"You or any other liberal can complain about the Constitution all you want but it will never change the fact that we are allowed to possess firearms."

Again, I challenge you to show one line - just one - where I complained about the Constitution. You can't of course. You simply lie.

You also wrote:

"you need to look up the Dick Act from 1902 which cannot be repealed."

Hey, I was just kidding. I didn't really look up the Dick Act. However, I am familiar with the Volstead Act. That was the enabling legislation for the 18th Amendment. You remember the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, right? The one that introduced prohibition. You know, the one that was REPEALED about 15 years later.

Come on gunner boy, you don't know civics, you don't know history, and you lie like a rug. If you're no more accurate when you shoot your guns, than when you shoot off your mouth....................

So, Brianb, are you encouraging people to convert weapons? Are you encouraging people to break the law? So much for legal and constitutional.

Brianb, in true conservative fashion, you have cherry picked your interpretation of the Dick Act.

Try looking at http://open.salon.com/blog/robert_flynn/2010/10/23/second_amendment_the_dick_act

The Dick Act specifically addresses the right of the President to utilize state militias in a national emergency. Further, these are militias, organized or non-organized, not individual citizens. As the article points out, militia is the same term used by the framers of the Constitution.

We know that conserrvatives will choose to interpret this differently from liberals. So be it. But at least be honest about your bias. And about choosing which words you cherry pick.

The 2nd ammendment was written during a time when a musket was the latest form of technology and NO I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR 2ND AMMENDMENT RIGHTS!!!! I don't believe in your right to own a semi-automatic assault weapon!! What purpose does this have!! Do you plan on killing a mass number of birds with it you wacko!!

Our politicians won't do anything. Make Wayne LaPierre famous!! Joseph Coney style.

Liberals.... pretty much all the same breed.

David - You can't tell me your first post wasn't a complete indictment on gun ownership. While you carefully crafted your sentences to avoid saying you are against them, everything you said indicates that what I said is completely true. Come on, don't be so snide. I have your number and I know you are an activist liberal against the ownership of guns... You are very transparent.

BTW David, I do know civics... I learned correct civics, not the liberal brand that you know so well. The Volstead act was never written as unrepealable

Felden - spin baby spin. If you so desire to change a weapon from semi-automatic to automatic... do it. When you get caught at it, don't say I didn't warn you it was illegal.

Hey Ed1121, it sure sounds by your tone that would gladly use a semi-automatic weapon on someone that disagrees with you...

Hey Brainb it's amazing that you can hear me typing and then be able to distinguish my mood based on those sounds

"Romney is seen as having better ideas on the economy".... Ummm, all I've heard was tax cuts for the rich, and deregulation..... The very things that caused this economic wreck ... in the first place!

Brian - If the "right to bare arms" is a guaranteed personal right in the constitution, shouldn't I be able to go buy a tank, an apache gunship or a nuclear weapon? Those are arms too. With that in mind, your position doesn't hold much water. If it is an guaranteed, unrestricted right, then it is a guaranteed unrestricted right. Nobody but you seems to be making that argument.

Besides, I've read the second amendment and it clearly speaks about the militia in the very sentence you refer to. That would be equivalent to today's national guard. You're extrapolation is a wild exaggeration at best.

Brianb-999431

Liberals.... pretty much all the same breed.

Far right wingnuts: pretty much the same breed. They all pretend they don't hear inconvenient questions like the one I asked YOU about whether you think the law banning machine guns is unconstitutional and if so, why can't Congress ban the types of 100-round magazines whose only use is to commit mass murder?

"We are VIP Romney," is neither likeable, nor positive for the economy.

Brianb-999431

BTW Houston, 50 rounds per minute is pretty damn slow. How about 6 rounds per second, or 360 rounds per minute... that's more my speed.

The guy in Aurora managed to would 70 people in less than two minutes, probably most of them with the gun that fired 50 rounds per minute. Why do you need a gun that fires 360 rounds per minute? You're beginning to sound kind of creepy.

It is technically illegal for a person to change a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon. The process only takes about 15 minutes to perform though... all you need is some screwdrivers and a metal file.

You've just given another excellent reason for banning semi-automatics. Not that gunmen with semi-automatics wounding dozens of people as happens about once a year now isn't good enough reason by itself.

Brianb-999431

More righty drivel without any real sustainable facts or information at all. Once again, please take a class in basic American Government and History. Then, read Common Sense - by Thomas Paine.

The right to bear arms, does not mean the RIGHT to carry weapons that were not meant to be on the streets of America. Please walk up to a victim in Aurora and tell them "The Second Amendment says its okay for me to walk in broad day light with a semi automatic weapon".

Shakes head.

Guys - arguing guns with Brianb is useless. He refuses to acknowledge what we all know - some guns - semi automatics, etc., should NEVER be sold. They are used only to kill great numbers of people - not for hunting or self-defense. We all know the constitution was written when the worst gun available was a musket - but intelligent argument is useless on those who refuse to admit that those times have passed.

Law professionals say that having armed civilians in the theatre in Aurora would have only meant more bloodshed as the shooter was in full body armor and no bullets could have brought him down - except SWAT. Had civilians been armed undoubtedly more innocents would have inadvertently been shot. But logic is lost on Brianb. He just won't have any of it.

Save your breath because you can never convince someone who doesn't look at the facts intelligently.

Brianb lotsanumbers:

Here's what you wrote. You would do well to read this again.

"David - You can't tell me your first post wasn't a complete indictment on gun ownership. While you carefully crafted your sentences to avoid saying you are against them, everything you said indicates that what I said is completely true."

Let me summarize that drivel: David - What you said is NOT what you said. That's it gunner boy. How long did that nonsense bounce around in your virtually empty head?

You wrote:

"I have your number and I know you are an activist liberal against the ownership of guns."

That will come as a shock to my son-in-law whose Christmas gift this year - FROM ME - was a .357. Indeed, we went to the firing range a few months ago, and I popped off a round or two. I'm not quite the marksman I was thirty years ago, but the target said, "Forget center mass Dave, you could still hit gunner boy's dunce cap at 100 yards." Now, that was with a .308, but with a pistol I could still pop that dunce cap at 10 yards, and those who are familiar with handguns know that ain't bad.

As far as your knowledge of civics. Give it up. Our government is specifically set up to preclude laws that cannot be repealed. A law that cannot be repealed is an impossibility in the United States.

As far as a weapon that fires 50 rounds per minute gunner boy. That's pretty damned fast. Just exactly what do you need with a weapon with that kind of firepower? Why would a staunch pro-lifer - as you claim to be - need such a weapon? That kind of weapon is designed for no purpose but to kill another human being. What human being are you planning on killing? Get back to me after you've consulted with your Christian god on that one.

Meantime, I've decided to join the ranks of those who know that you are patently dishonest. But then.......you're a "conservative", right? Naaah! Let me answer that. You aren't a conservative. You're just a garden-variety liar.

Unfortunately you all don't seem to understand what the word Freedom means. It does not mean freedom with limitations. We have certain rights for sure and with those comes responsibility.

The guy in Aurora was a nut or something snapped. Most legal gun owners are responsible people.

I don't own a gun yet but with the current climate I am seriously considering getting one. Especially if Obama wins a second term.

You see, the only thing I really want the government to do for me is to protect my country and by extension, me. I don't see where we will be able to afford to do that if Obama wins a second term. I also don't see everyone with a hand out becoming satisfied with what they have, they will want more and you can be sure I am going to protect what is mine.

I never used to think this way. I never thought I would ever consider getting a gun but this country has changed for the worse.

Ranting - you clearly are happy just ranting as nothing you say has any truth to it. You're seriously demented and need real help.

People like you prove daily there is no sanity in the GOP - just serious mental issues.

Obama/Biden 2012

17 out of 24 Romney advisors were part of the Bush/Cheney regime. Why? Because making a profit from the middle class and poor is the number one priority. Greed and $$$$$$$$ the legacy of the failed Bush team, now the Romney team. Team destruction of America.

Vote Obama/Biden 2012

Obama's massive deficit spending has created one of the heaviest debt burdens as a % of GDP in the industrialized world! This massive deficit spending makes us more dependent on foreigners for deficit financing than any other major country in the world! Those facts alone should frighten anyone with even the most basic understanding of economics into voting him and his socialist cronies out of office!!!

Sadly,the economic ignorance inherent in the posts of the Democratic minions in this chat reminds me of a group of "canaries in a coal mine" singing away seemingly unaware their commander and chief has been the architect of an economic death that will go down in history as the most devastating economic tsunami in the entire history of the industrialized world!!!

Anyone with even a scintilla of intellectual acumen need only glimpse at the impact "Obama style socialism" has had in Europe to bear witness to America's future under Obama. On the verge of defaulting on government debts, people are living under crushing austerity measures. Countless jobs have been wiped out; the official unemployment rate is 15-21%. Salaries have been cut to the bone. Pensions and health benefits have been slashed. Tourism industry is a shambles. Tens of thousands of workers have taken to the streets to protest a problem they thought they'd never see in their lifetime! In picturesque plazas, beggars outnumber tourists and protesters outnumber beggars. In front of Parliament, riot police stand watch to protect big spending liberal socialist lawmakers from angry mobs.

It is this kind of chaos that lies in wait should Obama be reelected! Even if clear thinking Americans unseat him, the damage he has done will require an austerity pill and a good dose of Cod liver oil to ease the pain! God help America! Obama has built his house on shifting sand and when the winds of the "most reckless fiscal policy in American history"blow, he and his godless house will surely fall!

SS that may be true, there may be no truth at all in that comment because no facts were presented.

Do you even read the comments or are you just trying to flirt with me? I can be as demented as you want me to be.

However, I will gladly accept that my mental issues are common in the Republican party (even though I am a Libertarian). You certainly represent your party well as just another lemming going over a cliff.

Ranting - No, I've read many of your comments and nothing you state is ever true. No, since I'm a woman and like men I would never flirt with you. My guess is most men wouldn't either. They'd have better sense and hopefully better taste!

Obama/Biden 2012

Redhead Ranting

I don't own a gun yet but with the current climate I am seriously considering getting one. Especially if Obama wins a second term.

Mouthing the nutcake Sharron Angle's "Second Amendment remedies" nonsense only makes you sound like an idiot. Angle was a big time loser and so are you.

SS You're a chick? Really? Huh. You don't sound like one. Thanks for pointing out that you like men, that was really relevant. I thought you were liberal, that means you can't be homophobic. Oops.

Name one thing I have said that isn't true. Just one.

I'm waiting....

Houston! I haven't seen that but I will read it, thanks for pointing it out. If it makes you feel bigger to call me a loser then have at it.

You're welcome.

Houston - she sounds just like Angle doesn't she? Next she'll be posting "I am not a witch!"

And, not a chick - a woman.

ATruth4U

One question.... do you take into consideration the 11 TRILLION dollar debt that Obama inherited? Or did this just evaporate the day he took office. Does it matter that the GOP voted every year during BUSH's administration to raise the debt ceiling, but voted "NO" during the Obama years? Hmm.. according to Article 1 of the Constitution, I believe spending is the responsibility of Congress and not the President. Did the Constitution change or am I missing something?

Now, Obama is not completely innocent, but seems to me.. the GOP is just as much if NOT more to blame that then DEMs for the deficit in this country.

P.S. Sorry I guess I had more than one question. :-).

I'm still waiting.

Brianb-999431

How about this David - The Constitution protects our RIGHT to bear arms. Whenever you come up with your snarky remarks about how guns are all evil, you are still missing the one main factor you cannot change. We are allowed to own guns, carry guns, obtain a concealed gun permit, buy ammo and fire our weapons in safe conditions. You or any other liberal can complain about the Constitution all you want but it will never change the fact that we are allowed to possess firearms. I realize you want to take away that right, but there's one thing blocking it... you need to look up the Dick Act from 1902 which cannot be repealed. All your efforts are forever blocked by this act. Get over it.

I do believe that the Constitution also protects another form of freedom-the freedom to live. You can say that it is not specifically stated in there, but it still protects our right to live. I am not against owning firearms; one day, I hope to learn to fire one myself. But I realize that there ought to be limits to gun ownership; after all, there are limits even to our dearest constitutionally-protected freedoms. For example, I have the freedom of free speech, but I do not have the freedom to scream "fire" in a packed theater. I also have the right to demonstrate and protest, but not the right to start a riot and loot stores in the midst of chaos. The Constitution protects our freedoms, but does not protect them when they clash with the basic concepts of law and order. In my opinion, we ought to restrict gun ownership to those who are mentally stable and have no criminal history, and ensure that those who have guns know how to use them properly by establishing a Dept. of Motor Vehicles-like agency to make sure that those who own guns know how and when to use them.

ATruth4U

Obama's massive deficit spending has created one of the heaviest debt burdens as a % of GDP in the industrialized world! This massive deficit spending makes us more dependent on foreigners for deficit financing than any other major country in the world! Those facts alone should frighten anyone with even the most basic understanding of economics into voting him and his socialist cronies out of office!!!

Well, in actuality it isn't Obama's fault that the deficit is so high; the recession (and the Bush policies) sent the deficit above the $1 trillion mark. And our debt burden is considerably light (around 67% of GDP) than other industrialized countries (Japan, 233.1%; India, 68%; Israel, 74%). And foreigners are not the biggest purchasers of our debt; most of it is owed to We the People. And by the way, higher debt burdens are NORMAL during a recession this size, and inevitable considering the fiscal policies of the Bush administration. For God's sake, we cut taxes before starting two unnecessary wars and an expensive medical prescription drug entitlement; what the @!$%# did you expect???

Sadly,the economic ignorance inherent in the posts of the Democratic minions in this chat reminds me of a group of "canaries in a coal mine" singing away seemingly unaware their commander and chief has been the architect of an economic death that will go down in history as the most devastating economic tsunami in the entire history of the industrialized world!!!

How the hell do you think we are supposed to get out of this damn recession???? By austerity??? You have to be kidding me. You are SUPPOSED to spend money during a recession to boost demand and create jobs; you learn that in Econ 101!!! How stupid has your generation gotten??? I just hope mine isn't poisoned by your generation's economic stupidity.

Anyone with even a scintilla of intellectual acumen need only glimpse at the impact "Obama style socialism" has had in Europe to bear witness to America's future under Obama. On the verge of defaulting on government debts, people are living under crushing austerity measures.

Jesus Christ; you really have no idea what is going ion in world, do you??? Europe is crumbling financially because it has engaged in premature austerity. You have to be an idiot to think that cutting spending and raising taxes won't hurt an economy struggling to get out of a recession. Those measures took billions of dollars (or euros) from the economy, sending those countries back into recession and increasing deficits instead of cutting them. Thanks to stupid Eurozone regulations about deficits and idiotic leadership both at home and abroad, those nations are on the brink of financial collapse. Those countries did not go into the red because of irresponsible fiscal policies; many actually had surpluses and low debt before the recession. It was the collapse of the global financial system, which forced these countries to bail out their banks and then service the needs of their unemployed citizens, that caused the Eurozone to plunge into chaos.

Countless jobs have been wiped out; the official unemployment rate is 15-21%. Salaries have been cut to the bone. Pensions and health benefits have been slashed. Tourism industry is a shambles. Tens of thousands of workers have taken to the streets to protest a problem they thought they'd never see in their lifetime! In picturesque plazas, beggars outnumber tourists and protesters outnumber beggars. In front of Parliament, riot police stand watch to protect big spending liberal socialist lawmakers from angry mobs.

Yes, there is chaos in Europe. And yes, people are rioting in the streets. However, in England at least, mobs are not being held off of big-spending liberals; in fact, it is quite the opposite. Police are being deployed to protect CONSERVATIVE politicians who decided to cut spending and engage in austerity, which sent the UK into recession. The same is in Greece, Italy, Spain, and every other nation that has engaged in austerity. The bastards who the people want to rip to shreds are those that are cutting spending and raising taxes at the very time that you should be doing the opposite.

It is this kind of chaos that lies in wait should Obama be reelected! Even if clear thinking Americans unseat him, the damage he has done will require an austerity pill and a good dose of Cod liver oil to ease the pain! God help America! Obama has built his house on shifting sand and when the winds of the "most reckless fiscal policy in American history"blow, he and his godless house will surely fall!

Actually, this is the chaos that we can expect if the Republicans win the election. This is what we can expect in the streets of New York, Los Angeles, and the capital itself if we enact the regressive and Social Darwinist Ryan budget. When will you right-wing bastards learn that AUSTERITY DOES NOT WORK. You don't cut spending during a recession, for God's sake. Did you learn NOTHING from the Great Depression????? You can blame our bloody fiscal crisis on the recession (caused by conservative supply-side economics and deregulation) and the stupid fiscal policies of tax cuts and unnecessary wars of the Bush administration.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Still waiting.

Redhead - please don't waste your time. SS and Fiesty have it all figured out and nothing you or I say will matter. They are shills. That is all.

Steve - imbecile - I wasn't asked a question and neither was Fesity. You're nothing but a GOP troll who has no brains - proved yet again!

Seeking Sanity, (lols!) You stated that nothing he said was true, he said show me one thing that's untrue, and you never responded.

The 2nd ammendment?

That's not to protect your right to hunt.

That's to make sure We The People have access to weapons in case we need to overthrow the government.

And the government is VERY well armed.

You know, "When in the course of human events..." and all that nonsense.

Alil, if you really think the 2nd amendment was created to ensure a supply of arms to revolutionaries and that the Constitution (and/or Declaration of Independence) says that we should "abolish the government" via violent insurrection, you are an idiot. The 2nd amendment was a concept created to erase the possibility of a tyrannical government like the former British regime from regulating basic functions of life, at least in the colonial era, where gun-ownership was more of a necessity and much more common than now.

Freshiee, first you say it doesn't mean that!

"Alil, if you really think the 2nd amendment was created to ensure a supply of arms to revolutionaries and that the Constitution (and/or Declaration of Independence) says that we should "abolish the government" via violent insurrection, you are an idiot."

Then you say it does!

"The 2nd amendment was a concept created to erase the possibility of a tyrannical government like the former British regime from regulating basic functions of life..."

Make up your mind!

(Hint - You were right the 2nd time. And I was right the first time.)

You should read the Declaration of Independence. The Founding Fathers believed it was not just our right, but our duty.

And they were very clear that our rights come from God, not the government. Thats why they're "inalienable"

Chris, Dorr, MI

Vote for President Obama in November. Our future depends on it!

I know that's right.

4 more for 44

Obama/Biden 2012

I say outlaw guns.

Like heroin. It is outlawed and now totally unavailable, just like pot and cocaine and Meth.

And so is drunk driving, and low and behold by outlawing it, it too no longer occurs. After all to drink and drive would be to violate the law and all the citizens always faithfully follow the law.

Oh and don't forget gang - murder is illegal, so, um, you know, no reason to outlaw guns or other stuff that could be used in murders.

Easy peasy, fresh and easy - better living through awesome laws.

Hey Spanky, do you know the validity of the Dick Act from 1902? Ever heard of it? Just wondering from your legal point of view.

I say outlaw guns.

Only a fool would outlaw guns. Just as drugs should be legalized and regulated, responsible gun ownership should be legal and regulated.

RedDev said: Only a fool would outlaw guns. Just as drugs should be legalized and regulated, responsible gun ownership should be legal and regulated.

Brianb's response: ::THUD::

.

.

.

Uh... what happened and why do I have this big knot on my head? It may have been something someone said that caused me to pass out and fall on the floor.

Wow RedDev... You put my system into shock. Do you know how much of a Libertarian you sound like? And to think I accused you of being liberal. Just as a point of interest... guns are already regulated if you purchase them legally. You have to go through a background check before you can purchase them.. and in many states, like Florida, you do have a 5 day waiting period (Brady Law) before you can pick it up. The only way to get around the Brady Law is to possess a concealed gun permit.

I think we should outlaw guns just to see if Spanky is right...will illegal gun runners stick them up their bums to get them across the borders? ha ha!

I love how gun regulation gets turned into making guns illegal to own. You right wing people are so pathetically predictable.

No Dan, it's that we know liberals. They want to first take away the ability to own semi-automatic weapons... then their next phase will be to take away handguns and shotguns. Then liberals will turn those guns they confiscated onto conservatives... we know this is your plan. Why do you think we fight so hard to stop you?

Then liberals will turn those guns they confiscated onto conservatives... we know this is your plan.

Brianb,

Tinfoil much?

"We are VIP Romney," is neither likeable, nor positive for the economy.

Yes vote for Obama in November, after all the law of averages would suggest that if given enough time, if even by accident, Obama might do something right. But so far Obama has been an unmitigated disaster for this country. Just remember in the words of Obama, if given a second term he will have "more flexibility," which should scare everyone.

Spanky-

I say outlaw guns.

Like heroin. It is outlawed and now totally unavailable, just like pot and cocaine and Meth.

And so is drunk driving, and low and behold by outlawing it, it too no longer occurs. After all to drink and drive would be to violate the law and all the citizens always faithfully follow the law.

OK, laws against drunk driving don't prevent drunk driving. So, you're claiming that we should get rid of those drunk driving laws since they don't work 100%? You think you have the unalienable right to chug booze while you're on the freeway with your semi-automatic by your side to deal with drivers who disrespect you by honking when you weave aimlessly from one lane to another?

This campaign is now where I believed it would get to when it began. "Turds and Words". The president presents logical words. Romney, while clumsy in the wind up, is an unaccomplished turd tosser. Supporters of the President cheer His words. Romney's supporters refashion, then retoss His turds.

Obama/Biden 2012

You've got love what liberals will attempt to pass off as journalism:

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 16
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 1

Did anyone really think that a propaganda organization who would edit a 911 call to make it sound how they wished it was would draw the line at conducting false "polls"?

pjam09

Did anyone really think that a propaganda organization who would edit a 911 call to make it sound how they wished it was would draw the line at conducting false "polls"?

Wall Street Journal co-sponsored the poll you're whining about. Are you saying it's a lefty lib paper? Maybe they've been infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood, too. Batcrapcrazy Bachmann should start an investigation.

"Likability' doesn't feed your family.

Also, who's going to admit that they don't 'Like' a minority President - that wouldn't be 'Politically Correct', so I doubt that it necessarily reflects real attitudes.

On the other hand, there's no 'stigma' in saying a they don't necessarily 'Like' a 'rich White guy'.

Spanky - I say you leave the Country

pjam09 "You've got love what liberals will attempt to pass off as journalism:

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16"

Do you have a link to this - if this is true, they are seriously biased in favor of Obama. The most recent 'Party Affiliation' polls show Republicans at about 36%, Democrats at about 34% and Independents at about 30%.

ROY WILSON-336103

On the other hand, there's no 'stigma' in saying a they don't necessarily 'Like' a 'rich White guy'.

Especially when he's dishonest and has a repulsive personality like Romney.

ROY WILSON-336103

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16"

Do you have a link to this - if this is true, they are seriously biased in favor of Obama. The most recent 'Party Affiliation' polls show Republicans at about 36%, Democrats at about 34% and Independents at about 30%.

If you knew a little arithmetic you'd notice that when you add the "strong" Democrats to the "not very strong" Democrats, you get 35% Democrats, which is one point more than you claim the party affiliation polls show. How does a 1-point difference, well within the usual margins of error, show a "serious bias" in favor of Obama?

@ Red DevPS #3.4: Vehemently agree with you. Sane, sensible and responsible. Republicans and the NRA would sh^t on themselves before doing such though. Regards

@BrianB-999431 #3.3: Seems Spanky is a lawyer only in His little mind. The "dick act" of 1902 was a congressional resolution that was never passed into law. Was a novel written in 1908 by "Jack London" that, for the benefit of "morones implied its legal existence. The name of that novel is Either "Iron Heel" or "The Iron Heel". Glad to oblige you righty. Regards

Houston! "ROY WILSON-336103 If you knew a little arithmetic you'd notice that when you add the "strong" Democrats to the "not very strong" Democrats, you get 35% Democrats, which is one point more than you claim the party affiliation polls show. How does a 1-point difference, well within the usual margins of error, show a "serious bias" in favor of Obama?"

The most obvious problem with the NBC poll is the understatement of Republicans at only 23% of those polled, when independent studies show that self-identified Republicans account for 35.4% of the voters. That 12.4% disparity could make the poll as much as about 11% biased towards Obama when compared with actual voter intentions (about 90% vote 'Party Line' according to exit polls of the last 2 Presidential elections).

If the poll was adjusted to reflect actual Party Affiliation intentions, it would show a 5% lead for Romney instead of a 6% lead for Obama. I'm surprised that the WSJ would allow themselves to be associated with such an obviously shoddy poll.

Coincidentally, the latest 'Likely Voter' poll from Rasmussen does indeed show a 4% lead for Romney over Obama.

The biased media is fighting a losing battle trying to shore up Obama's numbers in spite of evidence to the contrary.

Willard Romney Olympics documents aren’t being released for the public to view. Why?

Willard Romney and staff spent nearly $100,000 in state funds to replace computers in his office at the end of his term as governor of Massachusetts in order to keep his records secret. Why?

Willard Romney refuses to release his tax returns. Why?

Why? Because this man Willard Romney is hiding many things, and don't we the people have the right to know what he is hiding.

Michael-1949480

Romney's federal taxes alone pay for the "free lunch" of over 600 lazy freeloader wellfare recipients. Be careful who you are bashing, because the gravy train might not stop at your door any more.

Michael I am ROFL

You are just as looney as the idiots over @ FOX & FIENDS

Unbelievable

'Fox And Friends' To Little Girls: Did The Government Help You Start Lemonade Stand? (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/fox-and-friends-lemonade-stand_n_1697665.html
======================================================================
Are there pundits, journalists, or reporters working @ FOX NOISE? LOL, interviewing two children, gives more evidence to just how juvenile the so-called pundits, journalist, and population of the FOX NATION is!

You don't suppose the idiots @ FOX NOISE would know choosing young children who wouldn't really understand the questions being asked is just to prove a point about something political???

SMH

Yup, that's right brain wash the youth early is FOX NOISE's motto. You know like Fox says" we deceive; you believe".

Wait , that Fox logo was supposed to be "we report you decide". Oh, never mind it's "we distort you comply".

How about the water to make the lemonade, the sidewalk it's on. The government regulated what pesticides sprayed on the lemons , and the schools that taught them math? Fox and Fiends is full of fools.

Hey, FOX NOISE should know that we are all "worker bees".

Michael, I still demand that you retract your racist statement regarding First Lady, Michele Obama, from last night.

#2.13 - Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:15 PM EDT

Michael-1949480

and Romney's use of every tax loophole and off-shoring of his wealth defunds the military he claims to love, the soldiers who die for his ability to do so. When are his sons going to enlist Michael? Never!

Romney's off-shore tax havens could help pave roads, help build a new school, hire several police officers or fire fighters yearly, too, Michael. The trouble with conservatives is they need a bogeyman and the current one they've been sold seems to be those "freeloaders" even though those so-called freeloaders often work two or more jobs and cannot barely make ends meet and lack adequate food. The question you should be asking is why is it that in the "richest" country in the world so many people do not make a living wage? But instead, Michael and those like him prefer to think it is because they are lazy, freeloaders sucking the money from everyone else. Conservatives without conscience, and without the ability to see the truth in front of them because they chose not to see it.

You liberals are incessantly beating a drum, aren't you? No matter what you throw out there about Romney, you still can't come up with one economic favorable about your hero in chief.

The negativity is not resonating well with independent voters liberals. Haven't you noticed Obama's drop in popularity lately/ Just about everyone who isn't voting for Obama has your series of Romney attacks placed on ignore. You are only preaching to the choir. Liberals may eat up all the spoon fed crap other liberals are spouting about Romney, but that's actually very good... since we already know your allegiance is with Obama...

So what's that make... approximately 30% for Obama, 30% for Romney and another 30% that are sick of the attacks from the democrats? Looks to me like the liberals are on the losing end of things once again.

The accomplishments of Obama.

He got elected president.

Pretty much sums it up, as everything else about Obama is a negative.

Just remember this.... in 2008, John McCain and the GOP selected Sarah Palin over Mitt Romney as the VP Candidate. Hmmm... Think about that for a minute.

Obama/Biden 2012.

Yes, Job! has a point. He is right. You all need to listen to him/her and make sure you agree or else you will be wrong. Yes, that is right. You need to listen - or read.

Re elect Obama as our leader. He is correct and will make the USA a great thing again. There is no doubt he has plans for all of us. Get ready and make sure he is reelected. Then we will all gain from his plans for us.

He takes care of us and will make us all happy forever.

brianb

we're far too pacifist to 'beat' anything,...

but seriously,...What I am getting from the nutjobs lately is a hatred of a characterization of a man they have no idea about.

It's easier to let Beck and Limbaugh SCARE them, then for them to actually interpret date with an unbiased approach. Like Obamacare, which gets MOST of its basis in items brought to the table by The Heritage Foundation, Bob Dole, and of course, RomneyCare.

Nope, much less effort to scream socialist, kenyan, unamerican than to actually THINK about how ridiculous they are behaving.

Entertaining as hell, though. As you were, 'soldier'.

Job1:

Why? Because this man Willard Romney is hiding many things, and don't we the people have the right to know what he is hiding.

Author Honore de Balzac once wrote: Behind every great fortune is a great crime. I don't think that's true of all fortunes or even most of them, but it looks like de Balzac had Romney's number. Romney is hiding a whole lot of dirty laundry he can't let anyone see because it would totally destroy his chances of bamboozling the public into electing him president.

Romney represents every single thing that is wrong with this country and not one thing that is positive. If he had Washington and Lincoln in his cabinet and Jesus as his VP, I still wouldn't vote for that prick.

Romney has better ideas on the economy??????? What are they?

The only time he got specific about anything was the time he said " I don't remember what I said but I stand behind what I said whatever it was that I said."

And this phucking clown thinks he should be President?

The only thing missing on Romney is floppy shoes and a big red ball at the end of his nose.

About the only people who frequent these blogs are people strongly opinionated in favor of one candidate or the other and we all argue with people post after post knowing nothing we type will change any ones mind. Most people who are undecided won't choose a candidate until after the debates. Happy arguing.

And, will anyone named Romney actually put on a uniform, pick up a gun and put his butt on the line for it?

Or will anyone named Obama do the same?

Now, Auntie Fascist---Romney already explained to us why none of his 5 sons have served in our military, despite the 2 wars we were engaged in following 9/11---they were working to help him get elected in 2008. That was patriotism of the highest order.

Talk to the Hand

Romney's sons are of age to do so (but perhaps they are to busy learning how to sell America). Obama's daughters are not.

Talk: Since President Obama's daughters are a teen and pre-teen....they are not eligible to join the military.....are they?

While Romney's boys are all eligible....but Romney says they are serving America by working on his campaign instead of being in the military.

Romney's boys are just following in their father's cowardly ways.

Ha Ha Nice to see I am right. Real, centerest, common sense AMericans are fed up with both sides. They see Romney as out of touch and Obama not walking on water fixing the economy. All we see are children name calling and not giving a darn about the middle class.

JUst love being right.

In Mitt's world, it means an exceptional America devoid of taxes and fulfilling the wishes of the richest 1% while spending unfunded billions to defend the right to be "exceptional" even as the country, due to "starving the beast", crumbles beneath them but, hey, the 1% will be just fine regardless or so they believe.

You all do know we can never return to ythe 1950's and that Norman Rockwell was just an artist and America was never the way he envisioned? Just a few facts for you all.

phinephancy-4252115

Nice to see out this morning. You seem to be in good spirits.

Keep them up.

6 Things Mitt Romney Is Hiding

—Adam Serwer, Andy Kroll, and Stephanie Mencimer @ Mother jones

His Old Emails

Reporters looking for emails and other records from Romney's tenure as Massachusetts governor are out of luck.

In the final months of Romney's four-year stint as governor, as the Boston Globe reported, 11 of his top staffers purchased the hard drives in their government-issued computers, preventing state archivists from accessing any of their emails. In its final days, the Romney administration also replaced computers and scrubbed state government servers of all the administration's emails. As the top attorney for Romney's replacement, Deval Patrick, put it: "The governor's office has found no e-mails from 2002-2006 in our possession."

The Romney administration did turn over to state archivists hundreds of boxes of records, including memos, emails, and other communications among state agencies and cabinet members. However, the boxes containing those records were hand-picked and given over voluntarily by Romney's staff. It stands to reason that any embarrassing or revealing information—say, internal planning or deliberations about Romney's universal health care legislation—did not make it into the Romney administration's record dump.

Pam Wilmot, the director of Common Cause Massachusetts, the Bay State affiliate of the good-government lobbying group, says no previous administration went to the same lengths as Romney's to keep its communications secret from reporters and the public. "In retrospect, there does seem to be a substantial difference between [Romney's] administration and other administrations on transparency," Wilmot says.

Offshore Accounts

Mitt Romney might not see anything wrong with putting his money into offshore investment holdings to avoid US taxes, but he hasn't been especially keen on letting the public know how much he's done it. According to a recent story by the Associated Press, Romney failed to include more than 20 investment holdings on his federal financial disclosure reports. Of those, at least seven were in foreign countries.

The only reason the public knows about these financial instruments now is that Romney, under duress, finally released his 2010 tax returns, which showed the existence of dozens of investments, many of which were never included on his state or federal disclosure forms. Among them was Sankaty High Yield Asset Investors Ltd., which is based in Bermuda, a notorious tax haven. Romney used Sankaty, which he owned, as his partnership stake in many Bain Capital deals in the late 1990s. Sankaty was involved in Bain's takeover of Domino's Pizza and also controlled 50,000 shares of Global-Tech Appliances, the Chinese appliance firm that profited handsomely from the outsourcing of American jobs.

Romney never listed his ownership of Sankaty on Massachusetts disclosure forms when he ran for governor. And then, in 2003, Romney transferred Sankaty to his wife's trust the day before he was sworn in as governor of Massachusetts. The transfer did not have to be made public, and it allowed him to keep the investment secret by describing it in disclosure forms as simply part of a blind trust that held "various investments and securities," according to AP.

Romney's 2010 tax returns show that Sankaty doesn't have any assets at the moment, but tax experts told AP that it could still be used for future tax benefits with his remaining Bain investments. But he has refused to answer any questions about why he still has the Bermuda company, or what he plans to do with it.

Bundlers

The Obama campaign returned $200,000 dollars in February after the New York Times discovered it had been raised by two men whose brother was angling for a presidential pardon that would exonerate him for fraud and drug-related criminal charges. Despite the president's pledge not to take money from lobbyists, several of his big bundlers are connected to special interests in Washington. Former New Jersey governor Jon Corzine was one of Obama's biggest bundlers, but he has since come under investigation and the campaign has returned the money.

The reason we know all this is that Obama, like every other recent presidential candidate, discloses his bundlers—those well connected elites with the social ties to raise huge sums of money for their preferred candidate while getting around regulatory limits on how much one person can give. Romney runs ads attacking Obama as a "crony capitalist" for supposedly rewarding his most generous campaign contributors, but he will not say who his own bundlers are. Romney is not required by law to do so—but previous candidates have.

"Since bundling became one of the prominent means of raising money, the presidential candidates of the two main parties have released that list," says Meredith McGehee, policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, a group that supports campaign finance reform. "It's hard to assess who are the real kingpins in [the Romney] campaign."

Romney's stance makes it hard for voters to figure out what his donors might want in exchange for their cash, argues Kathy Kiely, managing editor of the Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group, which reports on transparency and campaign finance issues. "If someone's running for public office, the voters have an interest in knowing who's writing the big checks and how much they're writing," Kiely says. "If nobody knows that this person, or this company, has written you a seven-figure check, it makes it a lot easier to do them a favor."

Mitt's Correspondence Gap

George Romney, Mitt's father, relished the letters he exchanged with his four children. The elder Romney's archives—nearly 450 boxes of letters, clippings, microfilm, and more held at the University of Michigan—include a trove of letters between him and his children who were at college, on their Mormon missions abroad, or who had moved out of the family home.

Romney wanted details on everything: from his children's academic progress to their living arrangements and even their love lives. In a November 3, 1959, letter, Romney writes to Scott, then an undergraduate at Stanford University, that he was "always interested in the girls you are dating." George Romney continues, "Have you looked up that little blonde girl over at church—the Driggs girl?…Are there any good-looking Mormon girls going to Stanford?" In another letter to Scott, Romney chides his son for failing to maintain regular correspondence, a source of annoyance for Scott's mother, Lenore.

Yet all but absent from the Romney archives is correspondence with Mitt. The lone letter of note is one from Mitt to his parents while Mitt worked in France as a missionary. The letter's cheery tone belies the fact that Mitt had nearly died in a car crash one month earlier near the village of Beaulac. The wife of Duane Anderson, president of the Mormon mission in France and a mentor for Mitt, died from injuries sustained in the crash.

In the letter to his parents, Mitt writes that his missionary work "is going really well." He ends by urging his parents to share "his letters" with his siblings, suggesting that other letters exist. But those other letters aren't included in the Romney archives.

George Romney's archives span the years 1939 to 1973. It's unclear why so few of Mitt Romney's letters made it into his father's archive, or who possesses the letters today. What is apparent is that, in the sole public archive that his beloved father wanted the public to remember him by, Mitt is glaringly absent.

Tax Returns

NewsHour/Flickr

Romney has released only one year of tax returns, and has said last year's return, once finalized, is as much as he's willing to disclose. He fears that the information in previous years' returns could be used against him by Democrats: "The opposition research of the Obama campaign is looking for anything they can use to distract from the failure of the president to reignite our economy," he told National Review. "I'm simply not enthusiastic about giving them hundreds or thousands of more pages to pick through, distort, and lie about."

Partisan attacks may be a risk of Romney releasing more tax returns—but his eschewing transparency raises questions about what the GOP candidate wants to hide. Previous presidential candidates have released multiple years of tax returns, either during the presidential race or prior runs for public office.

"If you don't want people…to be suspicious, be open about it, and if you don't want to be open about it, why are you running for public office?" Kiely says. "You've made a contract with the public: 'I'm asking you to trust me, so I should put my stuff out there.' So to the extent you're not doing that, I think it raises suspicions."

IRA Details

According to financial-disclosure firms he's filed, Romney's Individual Retirement Account—a tax-advantaged retirement plan—is worth at least $20.7 million and as much as $101.6 million. It grows tax-free. But it's unclear how Romney's IRA grew so large. The annual limit for contributions to an IRA is currently $17,000, which employers can match if they choose. The limit for personal and matching contributions combined was around $30,000 per year when Romney was at Bain, suggesting that the most he could have put into his IRA was around $450,000. But his IRA could be worth 200 times that. (Even if Romney released several years worth of tax returns, it may not explain why his IRA grew so large.)

Some financial and tax experts believe Romney may have used a complicated, highly technical tax dodge called a "blocker corporation" to get such a large amount of money into the IRA. Others have suggested that Romney put in some of his partnership shares in Bain Capital itself and valued them at zero because they represented future income—another obscure tax maneuver unavailable to most Americans. It's impossible to know for sure, because, as with so much else, Romney won't talk about it.

To this list we can add missing pieces from his venture in the 2002 Olympics:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/mitt-romney-olympic-archive-off-limits/story?id=16811397#.UA3tDZnaqnZ.email

In conclusion of MAUREEN DOWD New York Times article "Hiding in Plain Sight"

"So far, Mitt’s casting a shadowy silhouette, hiding his fortune in foreign tax havens, hiding tax returns, destroying and hiding records as head of the Olympics and as governor, hiding a specific sense of where he would take the country.

Americans don’t want to play hide-and-seek with their presidential candidates. Romney should listen to himself: The time for stonewalling is over."

Yes, you better listen to Job1, no greater wisdom is on these pages than this utter genius.

Who can argue???

If Job1 says Obama should be elected, I think that is utter genius.

I am voting for our currrent great leader - who is with me????

I wish the election was today. I would vote for him 17 times - if I lived in Chicago. But, of course, I will vote for him once and he will be elected our leader for the next 4 years. I hope Congress allows him to be President for life.

black and Dragon, Did I say today? I know they are young you goofballs. That means they have plenty time to decide to step up. Hell even the "royalty" in England signed up and wouldn't have had to.

Guess I should have added the word "ever" to step up.

Is any republican concerned that Romney and 95% of republicans in congress have signed a pledge agreeing to abide by what a corporate lobbyist dictates? Does any middle class republican believe that what benefits this lobbyists corporate clients will always benefit them as well? Does it concern them that even if it's in the best interests of this country 95% of their congressman have to serve corporate interests instead of the countries?

Really? The economy is the overriding issue?

Sure it is - we have the LIBOR manipulations, the Bond manipulations, the Wall Street fat cats oozing trillions, Romney and his billions in offshore accounts, corporate trillions parked overseas, and the new one uncovered - $21T private funds parked offshore. That is the economy contemplated by team GOP/TP. Now, as to the economy of Joe Schmo, average Joe, GI Joe, Joe the Plumber - their only concern is to tell us to blank-off (blank being a word that rhymes with luck, duck, suck, muck, buck, shuck, stuck, cluck). With a trillion in a bank account, who gives a rat's ass about your two-bit job and your lousy two-thousand house payment?

I'm guessing part of that money in "pirate" banks comes from QE and the bailouts.

Wow, you two! You have hit the nail on the head. However, RedDevPS, not to put too fine a point on it, but I think that you are talking more about crime than you are about the economy. Although, I think the Albanian idiot might want to include those trillions in GDP or GNP (depending on where it was stolen) because certainly that is a very valuable SERVICE. And don't tell me we weren't SERVICED.

And DCIA, you're damned right that money came straight out of QE and the bailouts. Don't you find it amazing that the media simply swallow the BS that the money just disappeared?

I believe that money can be recovered - sort of clawed back with grappling hooks - via RICO. Bernanke is complicit in this massive scandal. If he knew, he's a criminal. If he didn't know, he is stupid. Either way, he should not be heading the FRB.

Yes, that is correct.

I am voting for Obama - let's do it!!!!!

The same Congress who put that nitwit on the intelligence committee?

Rule #1 - it should be mandatory one has to possess some before being seated!

You wanna know what really scares me about her?

In a Romney Administration, she could be National Security Advisor or CIA Director.

I have a distinct feeling that Bachmannism shall be the 2010s version of McCarthyism in future history textbooks... Hopefully we learn the lesson the first one taught us so that this revision isn't as damaging...

no kidding! Talk about indefensible. Republicans attack the President while their far right wing behave like lunatics.

Bachmann can't even spell "CIA"!!

They (congress) make it a point not to pick on the mentally deranged. So they'll just pretend she never said it.

The best way to deal with this Bat Crap crazy is to vote her out of office.

Thats what we will do to your bat crap crazy guy in November job1

Job1

The best way to deal with this Bat Crap crazy is to vote her out of office.

Job

Do you think wild, crazy- eyed, bat crazy, Michelle Batwoman would understand the process?

I doubt it.

And Newt Gingrich signed on to Bachmann's behavior. It astounds me that this woman got people to donate money to her campaign and vote for her. Her behavior in this incident is beyond the pale to me. I can't understand why the voters of her district keep electing her.

Steeler Fan-380417

And Newt Gingrich signed on to Bachmann's behavior. It astounds me that this woman got people to donate money to her campaign and vote for her. Her behavior in this incident is beyond the pale to me. I can't understand why the voters of her district keep electing her.

Steeler Fan,

I more surprised at NOOT Gingrich giving her support. However, I do realize Gingrich will say anything to remain relevant. But, why fed the public this low down information?

SF.....Mostly because they think as she does, and with redistricting it has become even a little more conservative loony.

Hard to believe that there are that many hate filled people in one location. Yet in my district, we have the other half of her looniness in Alan West and what is equally disturbing both of them are prodigious fund raisers. We sure have a long ways to go in having this one United States, don't we?

Steeler Fan,

Maybe old Gingrich is playing nice with Bachmann because he needs her to help with his luncheon scheme to retire the millions he needs to pay off his primary debt?

Bachmann has over a million in her campaign account. She could be the guest speaker at the Outback Steak house circuit. I think they have private rooms without charge.

You've got love what liberals will attempt to pass off as journalism:

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 16
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 1

Did anyone really think that a propaganda organization who would edit a 911 call to make it sound how they wished it was would draw the line at conducting false "polls"?

pjam and justin - considering the trash leading the GOP you should be totally embarrassed by your posts. But, you clearly don't have the sense of a turnip so you don't understand that.

Obama/Biden 2012

this is not true (charisma and like-ability have it or don't).

i read a book (The Game by neil strauss) that is about the secret society of pick up artists. What i've learned from that is if you are willing to learn social dynamics and neuro linguistic programming (NLP), social skills and likeability can be learned and used in interpersonal relations. you don't have to have it or not, it is a learned ability if you have the desire to be able to connect with people.

i've taken the principles of PUA and applied them to business and my marriage (my wife finds my interest in this subject hilarious and jokes about my "pimp books"). So far the results have been very good for an antisocial, social pariah like myself, so i have to believe that Mr. Romney could learn the same things i did if he wanted to.

Great post, Jody. I agree that the like-ability factor helps to create trust and Romney just isn't likeable. I'm trying to come up with a public figure who I don't particularly like but I trust and I'm drawing a blank.

Tzalaran---if you are correct and social skills and likeability can be learned, what does it tell us about Mitt Romney that he hasn't learned them? He seems to really want to be President (although I can't tell you why except that he wants it) so you'd think he'd have done everything possible to make that happen. That is why I find his failure to arrange his financial affairs so that his tax returns can be disclosed so baffling. It wouldn't be hard to do.

Steeler Fan-380417

Tzalaran---if you are correct and social skills and likeability can be learned, what does it tell us about Mitt Romney that he hasn't learned them?

What it tells me (and mileage on this take may differ from person to person) is that throughout his life he's never needed those interpersonal skills because money has replaced that need. It is all too easy to buy friends, and our society has a disgusting habit of sucking up to the wealthy for no other reason than they have the lifestyles of the rich and famous that our society is trained to desire. He's also fairly good looking, and probably didn't struggle with the ladies as a younger, pre-married man due to his money and looks, and so didn't feel a need to look deeper into what causes attraction and interest (and therefore like-ability) in others.

That is what it tells me anywho... (and if you're questioning my assertion that social skills and likeability can be learned, look on YouTube for Neil Strauss on Jimmy Kimmel live... Mystery was also on his show iirc. Those guys can get just about anyone to like them because they completely understand the social dynamics that make humans tick).

Good morning Jody,

Has there ever been an election when people did not complain about negative ads? Not that I recall. Voters complain about it but watch anyway.

You have once again proved the very essence of what valid points mean i.e the truth.

BTW: Romney is the GOP's JOB (Job Obstructionist Party ) Albatross.

Obama/Biden 2012

4more for 44

Tzalaran---I'm not questioning your assertion--it is just something new to me and I will follow up to learn more about it. I suspect you are right---Romney's money and priveleged background and looks took him a long way in his life but I'm not sure they will be enough to get him the Presidency.

Steeler fan too - He was the governor of MA and headed the Olympics. His dad worked his way up through the ranks and became wealthy. Romney donated 100% of his inheritance to charity and made his millions on his own.

Go Steelers

Steeler Fan-380417

Tzalaran---I'm not questioning your assertion--it is just something new to me and I will follow up to learn more about it. I suspect you are right---Romney's money and priveleged background and looks took him a long way in his life but I'm not sure they will be enough to get him the Presidency.

It makes sense to me based on his surprised reactions to certain things, and i agree the presidency might not be attainable based on personal wealth and looks... policy trumps looks and wealth.

All my delving into PUA/NLP/social dynamics turned into an obsession for a few weeks, just to warn you. kinda wish my dad would have been able to teach me this stuff back when i was 15 - 18, and i'm glad that i'll be able to explain things to my own sons now...

George--very excited about camp opening today and Coach Tomlin getting a contract extension. I hope he got a nice raise, too!

I'm not arguing with any of the facts you post--but they don't explain why people don't seem to like Romney. And as Jody suggests, it is hard to trust someone you don't like.

Tzalaran--you are right--sometimes Romney gets a response he doesn't seem to anticipate and it seems to surprise him. Or when he makes a joke that he thinks is funny and it falls flat.

Don't buy into the very liberal media about people not liking Romney. The republican primary was very tough. Many conservatives think Romney is too liberal so some of the "likeability" issues came from the right too. However, look for conservatives to steadily come together. The democrats are attacking his success. I don't know when it became popular to attack success.

Looking forward to the new offensive line, new offense, new running back field and the season. I live in Patriot country now so it can be very tough to be a Steeler fan in New England.

Steeler fan, thanks.

Tzlaran, I take your word that a book was written claiming charisma and likability can be taught. I did not spend time analyzing the psychology of personality improvement for my comment. I was merely writing my observations of Romney and others I have met like him. There are dozens of books written on how to put your best foot forward thinking, about self improvement, how to achieve success by altering your personality, etc.

I do believe that a person can improve their interpersonal skills and project a more likable persona but regardless of their best effort if they lack the natural charm, it will always seem superficial. Charisma is a trait that can be sensed by others but never learned fully by those who do not have it but seek it.

Tzarlan, I failed to mention that I agree with your explanation of why Romney never saw the need for improving his persona.

George, not arguing about how Romney made his money. I don't care if he has billions but I do care if a person running for President claims he loves his country but has millions stashed off-shore to avoid paying taxes to that country he wants to lead. Just because it's legal doesn't make it ethical. He's been planning to run for President since 1994, he's had plenty of time to get his ducks in a row. It was Mitt Romney's Dad who set the precedent of releasing 12 years of tax returns because he felt one or two years could be a fluke and that voters had a right to see them.

George, in poll after poll, people say they do not like Mitt Romney; polls show the more they see and hear him, the less they like him. It has nothing to do with the media or liberals but I recognize that blaming others make a good excuse.

There are republicans I like and respect even if I disagree with their positions, but Romney is not one of them--for one thing, who knows what Romney's position is on anything.

People don't despise success unless there's questions as to how that success was achieved. When billionaire Perot was running he had big numbers running as an independent I considered voting for until it turned out he was suffering from mental illness. His wealth was never an issue. Of course there was never the questions about his wealth, either how he acquired it or taxes he paid he was quite open. If someone like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg were running i doubt it would be much of an issue.

Amy B. Portland, ME

I saw a clip of Romney claiming the White House leaked information about the Osama raid for political purposes, and Romney claimed that would stop if he were President.

Yeah, Romney's presidency would be so secretive we wouldn't be told how many times the Koch Brothers met with Romney to discuss rolling back environmental protections.

Amy,

Romney also called our President "corrupt" many times yesterday before the VFW.

What a f****ing joke; LOL!

Here is a presumed presidential candidate whose resume is riddled with uncertainties of fraud.

I still maintain R-money is bidding time to prevent the truth from coming out until the Tampa convention. Willard knows a felon cannot be President in the USA.

4morefor 44

Obama/Biden 2012

Another stretch. I didn't realize you could read the future. Fact: Obama has failed his followers and the nation. Who exactly has he helped? not the rich, not the middle class and certainly not the poor unless you count record numbers of people on welfare and food stamps.

George - your post if more regurgitating of GOP lies and hate. President Obama has dept this country from a depression - even though the GOP tried to block everything he has tried to do.

The welfare stupidity is just that - stupidity. You should be ashamed but I understand it is hard to sell an empty suit like Romney so you have to resort to lies and distortion. It's all you've got!

Obama/Biden 2012

Romney's claim to business leadership is the success of three retail chain stores you can find at any mall.

I'm sorry, but leadership in foreign and domestic policy is a bit more complicated then marketing athletic shoes and office supplies. There's no "Easy Botton" to solving these problems.

The biggest problem we have in Willard Romney, is the fact that he is hiding many things, and don't we the people have the right to know what he is hiding.

button, sorry

Amy, the places you describe didn't used to exist. They were built. And it isn't all marketing to build a business, expecially multiple big businesses.

The Presidency is an EXECUTIVE position. Non executives should be disqualified.

Michael: We had an executive in Bush 2....and he got us into the worst mess in history.

Hiding somethings?

How about Fast and Furious for the least transparent president in modern history

Michael, Staples came to this town and put the two, local family-owned office supply stores out of business then a little less than one year later, Staples closed their doors and left town. We now have ZERO office supply businesses to support the many companies, including large manufacturing firms, which are located here. My town thanks you, Mitt Romney, for shuttering the doors of long-time family businesses leaving us with nothing.

Michael, you're correct in this statement ...

Amy, the places you describe didn't used to exist

And now here they are and Mitt is pushing for them. Don't go to your locally-owned sporting goods store, go to the big box one! Don't buy your groceries from the store down the street where the prices might be a little higher but the money stays and supports the local economy. Yeah, supporting and building big boxy retailers where the pay is cheap and benefits aren't offered is so something to be proud of. Because that is the "economy" Mitt is trying to build.

Jody - it looks like there is a great business opportunity in your town. You have a need that needs to be filled.

Geaorge....you mean fast and ficticious!

Michael: You're simply wrong. Bain never injected money into companies to turn them around they milked them.

In 2002, Goldman Sachs, along with two private equity firms, TGP and ... hmmm ... Bain Capital, teamed up to buy Burger King. This is exactly the kind of situation private equity firms like to trumpet: taking over a downtrodden company and nursing it back to health. And to get them their due, Burger King’s new owners did some good, stabilizing both the company and the franchisees, many of whom were in worse shape than Burger King itself.

But the private equity investors also cut themselves an incredibly sweet deal. Their $1.5 billion purchase price included only $210 million of their own money; the rest was borrowed. They immediately began taking out tens of millions of dollars in fees. Four years later, they took Burger King public. But, first, they rewarded themselves with a $448 million dividend. In all, according to The Wall Street Journal, “the firms received $511 million in dividend, fees, expense reimbursements and interest” — while still retaining a 76 percent stake.

Does it need to be said that Burger King was soon back to its old struggling self

Ironic that a political party that has been creating foreign policy debacles for over a decade in violation of international and U.S law now sets themselves up as the arbiters of what is the proper way to run U.S. foreign policy.

I agree. And speaking of wikileaks, I just read a new book on the Obama administration that details how Hillary masterfully handled that diplomatic crisis, especially the leak from Tunisia that ended up changing the regime.

The evidence might be when Bill Gates walked into the office of the NSA director and told him to "shut up".

Look, folks- that stuff did not get itself into the media- somebody leaked it. If we had a special prosecutor, we'd know who, when, how, where- and, more importantly, WHY.

As it is, anyone with an ounce of common sense knows the answer to why- it makes Obama look like a "manly man"- thus, is good for his re election. Also, anyone with an ounce of sense knows that information could only have come from the White House- and from somebody pretty highup the food chain, since much of the information disseminated was classified.

Pretty sick when national security is secondary to an election campaign.

Good morning no joe. So by your logic, then it is pretty obvious that Mitt Romney is a felon looking to hide his off shore money laundering activities as well, right?

Works for me.

P.S. I also love the fact that the REAL problem that you have is that President Obama is a kick a$$ Commander-In-Chief. You can't deny that, so now you whine . . . "But whyyyyyy do we knowwwww about it?"

So sad it's funny.

Re any perceived foreign policy wins, those belong to Hillary.

And who hired Hillary? :o)

Good morning no joe. So by your logic, then it is pretty obvious that Mitt Romney is a felon looking to hide his off shore money laundering activities as well, right?

I have repeatedly asked why AG Holder has not indicted Romney. If this is such a slam-dunk case why has the prosecution, or at least an official investigation, not started? If it is money laundering in addition to SEC violations then the DOJ, FBI, IRS and SEC (all Federal Agencies) should be on the case.

Alan:

Good to see you. If you will follow this conversation from the beginning, you will note that the point of my comment was not to indict Mr. Romney, but rather to show how convenient it is to demand proof of allegations when it benefits us and ignore the lack of said proof when it doesn't.

Mr. Romney's tendency to be very secretive is an unusual trait in a public servant seeking the highest office of the land, but hey, if your mind tells you that he isn't trying to hide anything, then that is just fine with me.

Go ahead and vote for Mr. Secrecy as President of the United States. What could go wrong, right? ;o)

P.S. *waves to Amy*

I suspect Hillary hired Hillary. Obama just said okay.

ContemptMe:

You know what is funny? How you wanna change the story to Mitt Romney being indicted when my post was about Mitt Romney writing checks that his behind can't cash - when you accuse the President of the United States of leaking classified documents, you need to have some evidence to back that up.

Period.

That is not a partisan issue, that is common sense.

Nashville, cheers! Terrific comment.

The media should be asking where is the evidence Mitt Romney, Diane Feinstein and others pointing fingers? Perhaps Congress should be looking behind their own doors. There's an old saying that when you point your finger of blame at someone else, there's three fingers pointing back at you.

mlkbone, and Hillary takes your instructions from whom? LOL, your comments are Hillarious!

Gremlins, couldn't edit to correct. That should read Hillary takes HER instructions from whom?

Jody, I just don't see Obama having the stick over Hillary. She's who you guys should have nominated 4 years ago. She'd be a much better president than what we have now, and she'd do well against Romney.

If Obama gets reelected, carrying on as he does now will destroy Hillary's chances in 2016.

You sacrificed Hillary for Obama. Do the right thing, vote Obama out, and give her a chance for 2016.

Jody:

Great comment.

ContemptMe:

Put up or shut up.

mlk:

Seriously? lol

Bush led to McCain's defeat, Obama will do the same to Hil.

mlkbone, now that's a laugh. I do so enjoy how the conservatives push the conspiracy theory that democrats regret their choice. Sorry, nope, no, not at all--that, milk bone, is a GOP's pipedream with the intent to cast doubt.

I researched the candidates, and made my choice and caucused for Candidate Obama. I never supported Hillary Clinton for President and I doubt that I'm the only one. Had she won the primary, I would have voted for her and would have been proud to see her as President but she was not my first or even second choice. And no, John Edwards was never on my list, not in 2004 or 2008.

i think the electoral college projections have been 293 - 245 for quite some time, haven't they? what are the scenarios that would change those EC numbers?

what are the scenarios that would change those EC numbers

That would be if Job1 wanted them to. Same drivel everyday.

After the two conventions and after the debates these EC numbers will change.

I project Obama wins all 50 states and wins the Electoral College in a complete sweep.

Romeny will not win a state because MI hates him and Utah went with Obama last election and will again.

Obama wins it all.

Now we can all sleep well and wait for the New Obama Plan for Everyone!!!

I can not wait to see what he can do in the next 4 years.

We all have our Hope!!!

HaHa, NBC knows the sheep are so dim/subserviant that they don't even bother attempting to reflect reality.

Strong Democrat ............................................... 24
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 11
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 11
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 16
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 1

Did anyone really think that a propaganda organization who would edit a 911 call to make it sound how they wished it was would draw the line at conducting false "polls"?

I think the road to the Presidency will be very difficult for Romney.

I see President Obama taking the Women vote, animal lovers vote, Liberal vote, Hispanic and Black vote, The informed independent vote as well as the bulk of the Armed Services vote.....There's not much left only a small minority of elite Wealthy left.

Unless of course the Republicans are successful is surpressing the poor democratic vote...which is a distinct possibility.

Other than that I do not see how Romney can win.

Pjam09: Goes from blog to blog posting his same cut and paste. MSN is trying to push a candidate because 100 random people happened to have more democrats than republicans in the poll. It's really sad someone can lack the intelligence to understand that if they were trying to influence people they'd simply point out the poll numbers and not release data showing a larger number were democrats. I'm sure the people doing the poll are smarter than that even if you aren't.

A GOP witch hunt. Can't have you people voting!

Are they after, Micheele.

This Sunday's (July 22) San Diego Union Tribune ran a feature article on the five worst presidents in American history. Who was named the worst President ever? You guessed it, Barack Obama. (see www.signonsandiego.com)

Job1 did you read the article? Did ya? Complaints (100's not just a few) from the general public about the practice started it. and it is deceased people (amongst others) getting the filled in forms. Now how much would it take for someone to grab those off and run with them? Hmmmmm? You libs kill me with your denial.

pgulrich - it was an editorial, stupid! The worst President of all time is now and will be forever Bush. President Obama will be among the top 10. Get over it!

President Obama will be among the top 10 BEST!

I read it ...no justification at all.it was purely an opinion peace masked as editorial.

Who wrote it - they wouldn't even put their name behind it.

Beside.....Common knowlege of any truth about the last administration and it's evident that GWB was, is and will be the "Worst" for a long, long, long time.

SeekingSanity: Exactly what part of Obama's term as President gives you any indication that he would be among the top 10. It certainly can not be because of his economic policies. It doesn't appear to me to be because of his ability to unite a country.

For the record I voted for Mr. Obama. I will not be voting for him again.

RUSTHAND... exactly the way MANY of feel!!