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BETTENDORF, IA -- Mitt Romney returned Wednesday to the core issue of his candidacy -- the economy -- in Iowa, the state that played host to the first nominating contest of the primary cycle.
Following two weeks of distractions, the GOP contender once again focused his remarks on the single animating issue of his campaign: the economy.
Mitt Romney campaigned in the heartland on Wednesday, attacking President Obama's handling of the economy. Watch his entire speech.
“Now the president promised that he was gonna cut the deficit in half. Yeah, it didn’t happen, did it? He’s more than doubled it. He’s added almost as much debt held by the public -- $5 trillion – as all the prior presidents of the country combined," Romney told an audience of more than 1,000 supporters at a factory here in Eastern Iowa. "You look at all of the debt of the country, why it’s about the size of our entire economy. This puts us on a path to become like Europe."
Since the selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, Romney has fought a running battle on the issue of Medicare, aired a series of debunked attacks on welfare reform, and been forced to wade into the controversy of Missouri Rep. Todd Akin's controversial comments on rape. Today in Iowa, he touched on none of the above, instead hammering President Obama over his stewardship of the economy.
Romney was helped in his economic case today by the release of the latest report by the Congressional Budget Office, which said that the 2012 fiscal year would be the fourth consecutive year in which the federal government ran a deficit greater than $1 trillion dollars, and which predicted unemployment would remain above 8 percent for the remainder of the year.
"You see, we don’t have to guess what the future looks like if we stay with the current president," Romney continued. "We can see what’s happening over in Europe."
Democrats quickly responded.
“Mitt Romney today said that a Romney-Ryan White House would make America stronger, but we know that’s not true," Obama campaign spokesperson Lis Smith said in a statement, calling the Republican platform "the same failed formula that crashed the economy and devastated the middle class in the first place.”
With President Obama campaigning at a high school in Nevada today to tout his education policies, Romney also engaged on the subject, calling for an education system that was competitive on the international stage, and for putting students and their parents ahead of the teachers unions, a favorite Romney bogeyman.
Even Romney's attack lines on education had an economic tinge to them.
"You have got to make sure that we create jobs in this country so that people coming out of school can get a good job, Romney said, laying out his education goals with advice to President Obama. "You don't max out their credit card if you will by giving them something that they're having to pay for down the road plus interest, what you do is you make sure that we do not pass on trillions of dollars in debts to the next generation."
Leave a Comment:
How can he return to something he doesn't have a plan for? How can he discuss what he refuses to discuss? This should be interesting.
Romney will do what Romney does best - say absolutely nothing!
And THIS is the BEST the GOP has??? Pathetic, really!
Obama/Biden 2012
Great post Seeking. I'm sure he'll get some Obama bashing in there somewhere. Poor little Mittens is going to have to wait until his convention so they can give him a plan (which will probably be Ryan's!).
Obama 2012/Romney 1040
Hi SeekingSanity
How can he return to something he doesn't get?
Easy, all Ryan has to do is lie. That accounts for how Ryan returns to the point he started.
4 more years
Obama/Biden 2012
And yet Obama continues to spew insults at the Romney/Ryan economic plan - the one that you say doesn't even exist. You can't have it both ways.
You mean the one that relies on economic principles that have been tried for the past thirty years and failed? Yeah, great plan.
Why yes Romney, let's discuss the economy, starting with releasing your tax returns, so we can see how well off you will be as you cut taxes for the wealthy, and then turning to a discussion on the millions you will immediately employ once you get that tax cut. Come on Romney, if you cut your capital gains tax to 0%, how many jobs will you create? Surely, you have some crack economists ready to answer that simple question - or are you so lacking in leadership skills, your campaign is simply not prepared to answer that obvious question?
FYI Romney, considering how badly your campaign has mismanaged the Ryan selection, the overseas trips, and your lying TV ads, I can only assume you have another epic fail on your hands over hiring those crack economists to answer the obvious questions.
Yeah!..
Now we can talk about all that job creation at Bain, Willard. ...Oh, and don't forget about the tax returns.
It is imperative we increase the need for the Obama welfare and food stamps plan. It will explode the job market with community organizers.
Continuously demanding Republicans' tax returns is just plain silly.
Everyone has something that they hide from the general public. Something that is shared only with a spouse, or accountant, or the IRS, or lawyer, or best friend, or doctor, or teacher, or no one at all. While it could be argued that any of these hidden items “go to the person's character,” very few actually have any likely significance for the nation as a whole.
One very major exception to this is the secret that Obama has shared only with Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin. In a conversation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on March 26th, Obama admitted that he was planning to bow to some Russian demand, but that he would have to wait until after the election to do it. What is it that he doesn't want us to know now? He clearly believes that if we were to find out about it, we would not re-elect him. If Obama himself believes that his plan will anger the American people, then we need to prevent him from executing that plan.
And the only way to prevent his plan to betray us is to reject him in November!
So how many times are you going to deflect about the Ryan Plan in this thread, JoAnnaSmith1?
Kannin,
Really???
Not EVERYONE is running for President!
They most definitely do point to a person's character and the nation as a whole should have the opportunity to decide for themselves rather than taking Mitt's flip-flopping word for it.
No, what he indicated was that, after the election, he'd have more flexibility in negotiations. He's doing the same thing that Ryan did when he said we couldn't talk about specific budget cuts until after the election.
Kannin - he talks about the lack of a viable economic plan by Romney and he is right on target.
And, had President Obama refused to release HIS tax returns hypocrites like you would be screaming at the top of their lungs! Stop being a liar. Romney's tax returns, like every Presidential candidate, ARE important unless you're dishonest like you!
Obama/Biden 2012
So Layton, would you agree that Obama should release his college transcripts and stop hiding Fast and Furious documents behind "Executive Privilege"?
It's actually more fun to watch you have an absolute fit over it. Besides, it was answered several articles ago. Comprehension problems?
dslsca - Here is the exact transcript of the conversation. Can you spin it so that it doesn't foretell a planned betrayal of our country?
Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space.
Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you...
Obama: This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.
Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
You have yet to provide an answer. Perhaps it is beyond your comprehension?
Why? Are you attempting to decipher that confusing document that is the US Constitution?
Kann: And that's exactly what I said. Obama told the Russian president he'd have more flexibility in negotiations after the election. We're agreeing on what he said. You just seem to think being flexible in negotiations is somehow a bad thing.
Kannin - you are a fool disguised as an idiot! "A planned betrayal of our country" is only seen by someone who lacks integrity and any common sense - and who has as their sole objective discrediting this country.
Obama/Biden 2012
dslsca - What surprise do you think he will spring on the American people after the election that he dare not tell us before then?
As always, Seeking, I appreciate it when you attack me, rather than my arguments. It is your clear admission that my post is entirely accurate, and that you have no valid counter to any part of it.
Kann: I don't know. How will Romney/Ryan achieve those unspecified massive savings in expenditures? They won't tell us until after they're elected.
Kannin,
What deal can the President make?
Let’s get real. Any action/deal would require a 2/3 majority of the Senate’s approval.
Kannin - you have yet to post anything of value or fact. You're not accurate on anything but you know that since you make most of your posts up!
Dennis - correct and we know the Republicans have pledged to not support anything this President tries to do, even if their actions destroy the country.
Obama/Biden 2012
Ahh Seeking, another personal attack; another admission that you are firing blanks.
Kannin - you've done nothing but attack me so I see, on top of having nothing - you're a hypocrite. Nothing I didn't suspect - after all, you're a Republican - always firing blanks!
Obama/Biden 2012
Although not constitutionally provided, presidents also sometimes employ "executive agreements" in foreign relations. These agreements frequently regard administrative policy choices germane to executive power; for example, the extent to which either country presents an armed presence in a given area, how each country will enforce copyright treaties, or how each country will process foreign mail. However, the 20th century witnessed a vast expansion of the use of executive agreements, and critics have challenged the extent of that use as supplanting the treaty process and removing constitutionally prescribed checks and balances over the executive in foreign relations. Supporters counter that the agreements offer a pragmatic solution when the need for swift, secret, and/or concerted action arises."
So again, What surprise do you think Obama will spring on the American people after the election that he dare not tell us before then?
So again, I don't know. Tell me how flexibility in negotiations is a bad thing.
Kannin, to answer your question ...
No.
Kannin,
Using conspiracy theories does not work.
The discussion was about missile defense as you clearly pointed out which must be approved by the US Senate.
Kannin, I would suggest that Gov. Romney release as much personal information as President Obama already has in previous response to questions and critics before entering into negotiations to release more. Currently, President Obama is WAY ahead with the personally disclosured information.
That is clearly the best strategy for Romney: continually point out the facts that unemployment, under-employment, misery index, housing starts, foreclosures, inflation, GDP, debt, deficit, gas prices, oil prices, food stamp usage, food prices, labor participation rates, real unemployment, youth unemployment, have ALL gotten worse under Obama.
Perhaps more people will realize what a failure Obama has been.
Kannin
Perhaps more people will realize what a failure Obama has been.
Kannin, on the contrary, more realize what a failure the T-banging GOP has been; have you not checked the polls? Guess what? It's going get worst for R-money/ Ryan because the people of American have awaken to these Koch bros Pinocchios.
Pull the string:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZaCeaV9Hlw
Oh have they now - funny, I could have sworn there was a massive housing bubble and global economic meltdown under another president that caused a whole lot more misery and hardship. But of course, that being some GOP/TP president it just ain't worth a mentioning, is it?
Hey Bev, whats a T-banger?
Beverly - Obama is an extraordinarily skilled speaker. He can be personally charming. He is a superb salesman. Many very intelligent voters were completely convinced his by his grandiose statements, delivered with absolute certainty. (Give me a trillion dollars to spend, and unemployment will never rise above 8%. I will close Gitmo in one year! I will cut the deficit in half by end of my first term. Etc, etc, etc.)
There is no shame in admitting that we were fooled by someone so skillful. We have an unfortunate human tendency, though, to identify with the decisions we have made and defend them as if we were defending our own worth. This is especially true when we have a “support group” of others who are also finding every possible excuse for the same decisions.
When you find yourself repeating excuses that are objectively irrational (The Tea Party is composed of terrorists who are more powerful than the President and the Senate combined), it is time to shake yourself, back away a little, and reevaluate your position.
Blind loyalty to a losing sports team is endearing; blind loyalty to a failed leader is dangerous.
JFK-2112
One of your parents.
So what excuse do you have for favoring someone who proposes expansion of trickle-down economics? Thirty years of failure wasn't enough for you?
Typical response coming from a Libtard Zebra Cat.
JFK-2112
Hey Bev, whats a T-banger?
Glad you asked; JFK.
It's a relentless birther, a relentless homophobe, a relentless misogynist; a relentless racist; and Faux jingoist who relentlessly watches FOX Noise; listens to that fat tub of lard; Rush Limbaugh; in other words a TEA BAGGER!!
Romney's answer to all the problems you cite, cut taxes, and cut regulations. That's how you pay down the debt you reduce my income taxes and it will magically turn into more income for you, and less debt for the government. We used to call that Voodoo economics, can we now call it Mormon Magic Underwear Economics.
I want to see the where the guy who is supposedly so keen on American business has his personal money invested. I want to see his personal taxes before he restructures everybody else's taxes. Gee Romney, if you are not willing to completely fill out the application form, what makes you think you will get the job.
Which do you prefer Beverly, the T-bagger you just described or the sexual act of teabagging? Probably the latter.
JFK-2112
Which do you prefer Beverly, the T-bagger you just described or the sexual act of teabagging? Probably the latter.
JFK,
You're a clueless, filthy-minded, Tea Bagger.
The CBO has officially declared Obama a flop and an amateur at all things fiscal.
Romney proposes a bold plan that will generate many jobs making us less dependent on oil from countries that, in essence, hate us -- which should allow us to be able to stop having to micro manage and protect middle east countries and middle east oil. Lets face it we really wouldn't be over there if it wasn't for our dependence on oil...
Further, more jobs= a better economy ... And in a better economy, private equity and entrepreneurial spirit will develop alternative energy much faster and more efficiently than government funded initiatives... Where there is opportunity, a good entrepreneur will find a way to develop it because its what we do!!!
I don't know about most people but I would sincerely like to cut ties with middle east countries insofar as we are subject to and dependent upon their Oil Cartels....
Its visionary, it makes sense, and at least Romney proposes a plan to get this economy jump-started so the private sector can raise enough capital to begin innovating again!!! Obama, has never had a clear direction when it comes to the economy except to borrow, raise taxes and spend... Its the private sector that fuels Government, not the other way around...
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
President Obama's economy SUCKS!
Big time!
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This election is not about
Some one please tell me one thing from Obama's platform other than raising taxes on the rich that would amount to a few minutes of his spending level?
everyone is entitled to their own opion and everyone has their own hate,but if you hate something or someone try to look inside yourself and see why,it"s no secret that alot of whites and alot of uninformed people hate to see a Black Man in charge of anything especially THE UNITED STATES. Yes the President did say he wanted to do alot more for the country when he was elected but little did the world know how deep predjudice and racism still lay deeply in the hearts of so many so called Americans. That same day those officals that were elected to represent different states made a promise to do what ever they could to unseat this President,congress leader Mich Mcconnel stood on the senate floor and said "their number one priority is to make Obama a one term President",that means what ever ideals or legislation he brought to the table it would be shot down or fillerbustered. The stimulus The President gave out was greeted with numerous critism from all Republicans but behind the scene they all wrote and applied for government aid and one of the main ones who went on TV and said the stimulus was a failure and didn"t work asked for and received 21million dollars citing it would save jobs and help with the infirstructure was none other than Paul Ryan. The job act proposal the President had implimented to put teachers back to work,firemen,policemen and just people in general all held up by congress. Republicans try to say that welfare is geared mostly to black people, FACT:White Americans make up the majority of welfare, Romney lied about his residence to get the election in Mass, has lied about his taxes lied about his views according to whatever crowd he is speaking to,say he will cut education,cut government,lets see if you cut all that won"t that create more unemployment, a majority of Americans have computers or some type of way to sit in the shadows and express their opinion or vent or to just spread the seed of raceism and hate to people whose mind is just idle, do you Americans really believe this man Mitt Romney really gives a hoot about your troubles, are you the nieve. even when it comes down to family he is a man trying to hide everything from everyone, remember how he just seemed uninterested in his wife horse dressage debut,if a man loves his wife as the Mormans claim to do he sure did not seem interested in her or the horse but instead he goes and makes a ass of hemself abroad giving a taste of the selected countries of what an ass he"d be as a leader. When the man running for congress commented about the female reproductive system,he sat back and waited 36 hrs until he saw the big hitters in the republican party request that he step down. People are claiming The President runs negative campains but remember it was Romney during the Republican campain that out spent his opponents over 5 to1 in negative ads, they the republican ads say Romney spent his life in the private sector creating jobs well he created jobs to kill jobs and get a profit for him and his associates at Bain capitol and he still gets money from them, the question is why, NO THANK YOU he does not have any moral charecter he is dishonest and he always evade a question
FIRST READ, I wish you guys would proof-read your stories a little more carefully - that last paragraph makes no sense at all.
Ursula - you mean the Romney quote? I believe it made Romney sense - you're right - no sense at all.
Did you actually expect something Romney says to make sense????
Obama/Biden 2012
Well, I for one am just shocked. You mean Romney's still on the ticket? Who knew???
I see what you mean, Ursula. Sounds like Sarah Palin!
I have said this MANY times,...R$mney makes better word salad than Sarah Palin, any day!
Unbelievable that he passes as an 'educated' man. I guess when you talk in circles as long as he's been doing it,...the ends pretty much overlap the middle, eh?
That last paragraph is tricky as it is presented.
Hmmm . . . ""You have got to make sure that we create jobs in this country so that people coming out of school can get a good job, Romney said, laying out his education goals with advice to President Obama. You don't max out their credit card if you will by giving them something that they're having to pay for down the road plus interest . . . "
Is this a statement that Gov. Romney is now advocating for free college education?
Good! Glad to hear it! Every time Romney talks about his ideas for the economy, the Dems gain votes.
Obama 2012
Romney 1040
BRILLIANT, dslsca
R$mney 1040,...can I borrow it?
Please do! Unlike Republicans, I SHARE.
For those left-wing propagandists here claiming the the Romney/Ryan economic plan doesn't exist, read the following:
More than 500 economists — including five Nobel laureates — have endorsed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s economic plan as the right choice for jobs creation and economic growth.
The pro-Romney group “Economists for Romney” announced Monday that its statement of support for the former Massachusetts governor’s economic plan now has 526 signatories, up from 400 a week ago.
“We enthusiastically endorse Governor Mitt Romney’s economic plan to create jobs and restore economic growth while returning America to its tradition of economic freedom,” Economists for Romney’s statement of support reads, proclaiming Romney’s plan as based on “proven principles” to restrain the federal government and expand opportunities in the private sector.
The 526 economists — including Nobel laureates Gary Becker, Robert Lucas, Robert Mundell, Edward Prescott, and Myron Scholes — point to six facets of Romney’s economic approach that they see as beneficial to future economic success.
OMG! 500 economists? [Out of how many out there?] Why, I'll NEVER make an important decision without consulting them again as long as I live!
Wow! Economists for Romney backed by none other than the Wall Street Journal - there's an unbiased source for ya! /sarc
The best part is, many of them are part of a libertarian think-tank funded by the Koch brothers.
Oh and Kannin, you forgot the part about raising taxes on the lowest 95% of taxpayers. That's a vital part of his "plan".
dslsca
OMG! 500 economists? [Out of how many out there?] Why, I'll NEVER make an important decision without consulting them again as long as I live!
Hi dslsca
That's "MYTH" Romney's problem he can't make a decision on his own. Whatever he hears he runs with it. No wonder "MYTH" can't be straight.
Beverly, are you illiterate? You sure type that way... Question? How many times has Obama met with his Economic advisers this past year?
Wow, a list of republican economists supporting their candidate. How breath taking.
This is all empty rhetoric. How is "20% of the economy" defined? Where would he make the cuts? Reform the healthcare system how? There's nothing of any substance here - just the same old platitudes. the Tax Policy Center - which Romney has praised for previous studies - has already said that his "plan" would actually increase the tax burden on the middle class.
what you posted is basically a whole lot of nothing but useless talking points.
Oh, and this sweet article on just one of the guys from the illustrious Kannin list, Myron Scholes, who gasp, drove not one, but two hedge funds into the ground. Bang up job there, Scholes. Scholes and Mitt sound like two peas in a pod - lovers of Vulture Capitalism.
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-02-10/wall_street/29964786_1_long-term-capital-management-ltcm-myron-scholes
JFK-2112
Beverly, are you illiterate? You sure type that way... Question? How many times has Obama met with his Economic advisers this past year?
No, I'm a very poor typist and I'm very near sighted sometimes spellcheck picks up the wrong word; OKaaaaay?
You mean you don't know how many times President has met with his advisers? You can go to see the President's itinerary at whitehouse.gov.
Do you know how many times Romney met with money launderers in Italy and Cuba?
Romney's Bain Capital connected to Salvador death squads?
http://peoplesworld.org/romney-s-bain-capital-connected-to-salvador-death-squads/
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/04/us-usa-sands-probe-idUSBRE8730GZ20120804
OMG - alexandr1 claims someone makes no sense - when she has YET to post anything of intelligence, truth or value. Bev - you've clearly hit a sore spot with the incapable alexandr1 - keep it up!
Obama/Biden 2012
So these are the six principles of Romney's plan?
There are no details in Romney's plan as to how he will "broaden the tax base", and there is NO evidence that tax cuts increase investment, jobs or living standards - except for those whose taxes are cut. Specified tax cuts for the wealthy, "secret" tax reforms to broaden the base...
The Romney plan has no details on what he would cut, yet DOES include increased military spending. Specified spending increases, "secret" spending cuts....
Rigorous cost-benefit analysis will result in less regulations, especially in the area of Environemntal and Safety regulations. No specifics on what regulations will be put in place to "end too big to fail" or how to "increase regulatory accountability". To whom will they be accountable - the people or the corporations?
Here are those spending cuts we were looking for earlier! The Medicare specifics are ugly, and no specifics on Social Security - but the cuts would be massive to achieve the spendign reduction targets....
This proposal as written is ‘both puzzling and bogus at the same time.’ Market forces (insurance providers) do not empower patients or doctors, nor do they reduce costs or improve quality. Again, no specifics on how to reform healthcare.
I am confused by the dichotomy of the intention to 'encourage new technologies' yet 'end wasteful subsidies'. Based on Romney's opposition to Wind Power tax credits, I assume all new technologies must be in the area of coal mining or oil drilling. Romney's major donors in the Oil & Gas industry will not allow any of their subsidies to go away.
The Romney plan contains detailed tax cuts but "secret" tax reforms, detailed spending increases but "secret" spending cuts. The details add up to an increase in the deficit - but the "super-secret" portions will solve everything.
....and 500 economists support this plan? How many of them support "magic pixie dust" and the changes to the rules of mathematics that would make this plan add up?
Wow...and I thought that Conservatives hated the Nobel Prize considering President Obama got one but his predecessor didn't.
Economists that run hedge funds for personal financial gain.
SeekingSanity
OMG - alexandr1 claims someone makes no sense - when she has YET to post anything of intelligence, truth or value. Bev - you've clearly hit a sore spot with the incapable alexandr1 - keep it up!
Thanks SeekingSanity,
I plan too. Certainly alexandr1 knows less than a kindergartener?
4 more years
Obama/Biden 2012
Holy crap Beverly...who knew. Did you know my Mom's Great Uncle served as part of the SS in Germany during WWII. Guess that makes me a Nazi, shoot with a US Top Secret Clearance nonetheless.
alexandr1 - when you post the nonsense you do - liberal terrorists - you let everyone know you are nothing but an ignorant person who lacks intelligence, integrity, honor, etc. But, don't worry - that makes you a good Republican - nothing but an empty ignorant shell - just like your candidate.
Come back when you have something of value to post and you can stop the radical rightwing nonsense!
Obama/Biden 2012
Alex:
I hope and pray Romney is not elected, but I'm willing to offer you a bet: if Romney is elected and then re-elected in 2016, he will NEVER sign a balanced budget and the national debt will be greater at the end of every year of a Romney presidency than it was at the start of that year. BET????
Yet another poster that doesn't realize that only Congress can borrow money. That Article I must be a really difficult read.
So you acknowledge that Romney will annually increase the debt. Great.
Obama has proposed a budget (as he is required to do) annually since he became president. His budgets are public and available to anyone who wishes to read them. Below I provide a link to the most recent one:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget
Where'd you get the crazy notion that it's the Democratic Majority Leader's job to introduce a Republican budget in the Senate? That's McConnell's job. He can move to consider the House budget at any time he holds the floor. Any Senator can move to consider any bill at any time s/he holds the floor. The LONE advantage the Majority Leader has is "priority of recognition" (i.e., if more than one Senator is asking to be recognized to speak and one of them is the Majority Leader, the Majority Leader gets to go first).
So the proper question is, why has McConnell not moved to have the House budget considered by the Senate? My guess would be he doesn't because he knows not all his Republicans would vote for it.
Most people call me "Doc," not Bub.
You clearly said that Reid "tabled" the House budgets. It's McConnell's job to bring up Republican bills, not Reid's.
Your statement "how can ANY president balance the budget" acknowledges that Romney will not do so.
alexandr1 - it's a simple deduction by reading your posts. Nothing sinister about it!
It's amusing to read the die-hard Obama apologists trying to spin his dismal failure. They are throwing around every number they can think of, other than the one Obama himself used. Remember, Obama promised his $825 billion stimulus would keep the unemployment rate below 8 percent. In fact, it has been continuously above that number for the last three years.
Face it. Even by his own measure, Obama is a failure! And the economy is only one aspect of that.
That's nice...except he never said that.
Dismal failure? the only thing Dismal Failure would accurately describe is Congressional approval ratings.
you see, Congress is the branch of government that holds the purse strings, not the executive. The President can put forth an agenda, but congress can decline to pass anything on that agenda, and that is what happened the past 4 years. It is Congress that has spent like drunken sailors for the past 12 years, and this branch of governement is the one whose dysfunction has crippled any economic recovery while they keep trying to push social agenda legislation, or repeal the ACA. The sad thing is the legislative is supposed to be the branch of government that prevents this type of dysfunction from corrupting our political system...
So, what you are doing is called displacement. Taking traits of one thing and incorrectly applying it to another thing. Don't worry, it is done alot by idealogues and propagandists, so you'll fit right in.
Kannan,
The only people saying this plan is not a plan are the people actually reading it. Because it lacks a means to that end. You can't put forward lots and lots of tax breaks. Lots and Lots and military spending and claim deficit reduction. If you are going to advocate for this plan then make sure you read it and tell everyone else including Romney and Ryan were their deficit reductions are going to come from. They are clueless also. The stuff you mention are simply talking points not a plan.
Sooner or later the "Blame Bush" excuse will surface again to try to explain Obama's failures.
Obama apologists are still trying to blame his failures on the disastrous situation he inherited. But Obama, faced with that situation, still said "A year from now, I think, people are going to see that we are starting to make some progress. There's still going to be some pain out there. If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one term proposition."
If he was truly oblivious to all the things he now blames for his failures, then he was totally incompetent. If he was aware of that supposed state of the economy, then he was lying.
Or, perhaps, the situation then just wasn't nearly as bad as the one he eventually created.
Kannin -
President Obama's policies brought the economy back from the brink, and continue to grow the economy - albeit slowly. Do you recommend a different approach?
I don't see how a return to the failed "tax-cut and spend, deregulate everything" policies of the Bush administration that Romney is proposing will do anything but make things worse (again).
People seem to forget how bad things were: massive job losses, plummeting home values, stock market crashing, negative GDP, and unemployment over 10%. All of these things were caused at least in part by the reckless tax cuts, spending, and deregulation of the Bush administration.
Now we have the stock market doubling in value, positive GDP, slow but steady job increases, and unemployment around 8%. Disappointing, maybe, but we are still much better off than we were - especially in comparison to the rest of the world, which is still struggling mightily.
A few key facts:
Unemployment: 10.1% in October 2009, the highest rate since 1983 and roughly twice the pre-crisis rate. Since then, steadily reduced to around 8.3%
Stock Market: Dow Jones was at 6,600 in March 2009. It has since recovered - over 12,000 during most of 2011, over 13,000 in 2012.
GDP: GDP growth of 2.2% in Jan. 2008 rapidly declined to a negative growth rate of -5% in 2009. Growth rates have been positive since then to a high of 3.5% before settling to a rate of around 2% growth per quarter.
Home Values: US Home Values declined by almost 25% from Jan. 2007 thru Feb. 2012. The rate of decline slowed and homes values have increased for the last 4 months, with June reporting the first year-over-year increase since 2007.
If Romney thinks his plan of tax-cuts combined with increased military spending will reduce the deficit, he is delusional.
If he knows his plan will increase the deficit but promotes it anyway, then he is dishonest.
If he has secret tax reform and spending cuts that will make his plan work, but he refuses to reveal the details, then he is deceitful.
No need to blame Bush, Ryan voted for all of his budgets and campaigned with Bush saying "deficits don't matter".
Ryan made sure to reject Bowles-Simpson.
Ryan made sure to reject the Gang of Six debt reduction plan.
Ryan made sure to reject President Obama's Grand Bargain plan, which called for common sense solutions to Medicare and Social Security of gradually raising the age for eligibility. (Common sense solution like this was defined by President Reagan).
Romney even said a deficit reduction plan of $10 in spending cuts for every $1 in additional revenue was to much revenue and he would veto it.
Economists have said that President Obama's Grand Bargain plan of $4 in spending cuts for every $1 in revenue increases would promote job faster than Romney's plan.
Unfortunately, it's Ryan and the House Republicans who rejected this plan.
Even Senate Republicans agreed with President Obama's Grand Bargain plan.
Even Republican media said Ryan and the House Republicans rejecting President Obama's Grand Bargain plan would go down as one of the worst days in Republicans history.
Kannin, when President Obama made that statement do you honestly think he was aware of the level of obstructionism that was going to happen? And that on January 20, 2009 Republicans agreed to "Show united and unyielding opposition to the president's economic policies" (source: Robert Draper).
Since Congress has the purse strings as well as the Constitutionally empowered ability to support or undercut any Presidential agenda will you concede that the evidence (filibusters, attempting to attach non-viable amendments to legislation, voting down virtually all Democratic bill proposals on the House floor by strict party lines, etc) provides clear evidence for the obstructionism?
And since this is the case, how can it be validly stated that the President lied? With the recovery that has taken place so far (definately not enough, mind you) in spite of the obstructionism, what do you think might have positively happened had there been cooperation?
Matthew -You are trying to blame Obama's inability to keep his promises on lack of Republican support. The Republicans that were voted in by the American people in 2010, prevented him from doing even more stupid things. But it really doesn't matter who is to blame. Obama couldn't make any progress in his first term; why would anyone imagine he could do any better during a second term. A Romney administration will not have to deal with Obama's fictional problem and will, therefore, be far more effective.
When you blame others for Obama's failures, you are admitting that he can never do any better, because all those “others” you blame are never going away.
Kann: just making sure I understand your "point" here: Obama is to blame because he didn't do everything he said he would do, but it would have been worse had he actually done it. Is that right?
Kannin - I thought the 2010 Republican election battle cry was "JOBS" (which they failed to produce), not "OBSTRUCT." Was I mistaken and if so, aren't you directly validating my position that Congress is deliberately obstructing the President? And if that's the case, then doesn't that validate my reasons why the President couldn't keep the last part of his promise?
I'll also point out that folks learn from opposition. What makes you think that the Democrats won't have a secret meeting and decide to obstruct a Republican administration, especially if this work?
Even if the Republicans win the White House and get a majority in the Senate, they will not be anymore proof against filibusters than the Democrats are currently.
Respectfully Kannin, please validate your "fictional" comment. I provided iformation and evidence for my position, I'd like to see yours. Thank you.
Let's see...
Current US National Debt = approximately $16 Trillion
Amount Romney Says Added To US National Debt Under President Obama = approximately $5 Trillion
Current US National Debt - Amount Romney Says Added To US National Debt Under President Obama = approximately $11 Trillion
Uh...Mr. Romney, last I checked, 5 Trillion was not more than 11 Trillion.
It's that Tea Party math; the same type of math that makes them think cutting taxes (i.e. reducing revenue) will close the deficit.
That's LIBERAL COMMUNISM BS!! You're an uneducated turd DA NOID! You should just shoot yourself! Xabre you should take that glass dildo out of your behind and let your Mother borrow it !
You didn't Build That. B.S.
Vote Romney
Sharky - well, finally the far right comes up with an intelligent comment. I mean, your comment IS supposed to be intelligent by Republican standards, right????
Obama/Biden 2012
HOWDY-HO!!!
SeekingSanity fits you good, don't ever stop searching for it.
Independent & Rational
The debt is a symptom of a low GDP, the high unemployment, tax cuts, etc.. This president did not overspend, however because of the terrible economy, the deficit increased, and thus the debt increase.
Sharky - seeking sanity in the GOP but as I find daily, especially reading the stupidity posted by people like you and Kannin, there is absolutely none to be found.
Oh, by the way, no one believes for an instant that you're an Independent and we sure as hell know you're not rational!
Stepped right into that one, didn't ya? You betcha!
Obama/Biden 2012
Is that the BEST you got seeking sanity because you are seekinginsanity... Go eat your cheese Rat while I go Surf a few sets dumbass.
Independent
Sharky - as always - a gutter response from you - nothing we haven't come to expect from a dumpster diver like you!
Obama/Biden 2012
Romney IS the BEST choice in this years election.
Andrea Mitchell & MSNBC are the MOST CORRUPT and MOST LYING news reporting agency. They DON'T report the news, they promote their views which are radical and totally Liberal.
They are a prostituting mouth piece for the MOST INCOMPETENT President this country has ever had.
GE receives BILLIONS of $'s in TAX REFUNDS every year and pays NOTHING. They are a 1% KING PIN.
Obama Lies
You are complaining about liars, and repeating lies. hypocrite much?
There, do you feel better?
Hmm...isn't that why folks are so interested in the Romneys' returns...because it might be the same thing?
Don't feed the re-reg.
You pull that dildo out Xabre? Don,t forget to stick it up your Mothers behind.
where is the prostesting for ge? thats bozos job csar, yet your ok with that. Again what has bozos plan done other than put us in more debt and a terrible economy. It must be bushs fault we didnt build the pipelin huh
sharky ....lol really you are embarrassing youself...
get some help.
Obama 2012
Romney 1040
Well said Beverly! kannin you are out of touch with reality
ryan/romney deceptions will be un masked..akin thought and worked with the tb repubs on the ANTI wWomen Hate train: right to choose BIRTH CONTRROL, RODE vs WADE, Women's Health Care; breast exams, Obgyn exams; UNFUNDING Planned Parenthood takes somuch awayfrom Women and the voting against equal pay for Women..
ANY Women WHO VOTES FOR THESE CREEPS needs to re-visit the FACTS.
What happend to government having too much control ...what the heck do THE akin/ryan anti women repu/tbggrs think THAT IS???????????????
a heaping pile of hipocrites!!
mitt can't wait to see those TAX RETURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! October 15th coming soon...lol
Obama/Biden 2012 The Thinking America's Choice!
An "economy-driven message" is not the only Obama failure to talk about, but is the one that will resonate with the most voters. During most of the Bush years, unemployment was in steady decline, averaging 5%. When the Democrats took over Congress in 2006, the decline was first halted and then reversed. After Obama's failed "stimulus", unemployment rose even faster.
I hope that the voters who lost their jobs during the Obama reign realize that Obama is directly to blame for their misery.
Kannin, you got it "all" right ! The Socialist Communist Liberals will NEVER get it, thier Obama polluted thinkers will never logically get it until thier government cheese runs out .
Independent
NO MORE for 44..............Romney/Ryan in 2012. No more shucking and jiving.
That's the ticket ! Good Night All you Socialist Communist Liberals !!! Get to the back of the line you RATS...
Joe Thomas - totally ignorant post - pathetic excuse for a human being!
Actually, you are the pathetic excuse for a human. I pay for all of your goodies. Get a job deadbeat!
Joe, seeking sanity doesn't even pay for the cheese he eats with the rest of the Liberal Rats.
Shucking and jiving? Can I "play the race card" now?
Neither of you two losers - joe or sharky - pay for anything of mine. I work and pay my own bills and probably pay for the welfare you two use. You truly are pathetic people - just the usual Republican scum! And, I've wasted enough valuable time on lowlifes like you1
Obama/Biden 2012
Please do, because we've never heard that before.
There's going to be "YOU DID BUILD THAT" rallies all across the nation from now until election day.
A reminder that a Marxist puppet demagogue occupies our White House.
When the Republicans had the presidency, the majority in the House and Senate, how much did they add to the national deficit? Did they ever consider, did they ever talk about the national deficit, about reducing it? The Republican party has the majority in the House, today, what are they doing about the national deficit and the economy?
Just so everyone out there knows there was closer to 2500 to 3000 at the Bettendorf meeting with Romney today. While waiting for almost 2 hours I decided to count so I can definitely state there was more than 1000. He gave a great speech and his ideas are very encouraging.
Fact - Obama had a lot on his plate when he was elected. Fact - Obama had control of all three branches of the government when he took control. Fact - He blamed Bush for the mess he was in. Fact - He told those who elected him he would cut the debt in half. fact - He said he would bring millions of jobs to Americans. Fact - He said he would be transparent. Fact- He is full of BS and everyone knows it. He may be a cool kat and a slick politician but one thing he is - is a lousy lying dirty politician who has made everything in this country worse.
There are more americans out of work and unemployed in more than 70 years. He has accumulated almost 5 trillion more debt than all the presidents in our history! He has divided this country with class warfare and more people are on welfare in more than anyother time. His campaign is dirty, they are liars, and they know there so-called leader has failed to lead! Take a real hard look at your situation today and be honest - are you better off now than you were 4 years ago? Do you think the economy is doing better? Do you feel there are more jobs for americans today? Why hasn't he developed our energy resources and put more people to work and made us more energy independent? Why are gas prices still very high? Why has he continued to lie to seniors about healthcare?
Take a real hard look at your present situation and see just how far away you are from being homeless! You want a better future for you and your family. If so vote for Romney and Ryan and send the liar Obama packing!
Mr. FLIP/FLOP exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH is ALWAYS returning to something! But, mostly, ANYTHING TO GET A VOTE!! His proposed energy policy is just another lie! I have had a natural gas lease for ALMOST THREE YEARS and this jerk is claiming IT'S HIS NEW ENERGY POLICY! He doesn't have a damn thing to do with it, only what his corrupt Republican corporate MONARCHY tells him to do & say; and most of the time he doesn't even get that right! He's NOTHING BUT THEIR POLITICAL PUPPET!
Mr. FLIP/FLOP exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH is ALWAYS returning to something! But, mostly, ANYTHING TO GET A VOTE!! His proposed energy policy is just another lie! I have had a natural gas lease for ALMOST THREE YEARS and this jerk is claiming IT'S HIS ENERGY POLICY! He doesn't have a damn thing to do with it, only what his corrupt Republican corporate MONARCHY tells him to do & say; and most of the time he doesn't even get that right! He's NOTHING BUT THEIR POLITICAL PUPPET!
Since NBC and the rest of the MSM will only be providing limited coverage of both conventions to show their regular programing for the advertising revenue, it will probably backfire on them. By watching the conventions on cable, satelite or internet, those viewers may just like the other options so much that they won't go back to the MSM once the conventions are over.
YO, TR Rose II -- It depends on what part of the country in which you live. Our area was only recently offered the option to BUNDLE or services in stead of using dial up. BTW - If you are only getting your information from the MSM you are not doing your part to become an informed/educated voter. Read books and use other educational tools to learn more on BOTH candidates before November.
To Believe Romney-Ryan are the saviors for the economy is self-delusional. Ryan's budget, Romney's history and both of their words clearly demonstrate their total commitment to serving "the money" and to continually taking the majority for granted, to just further feed the insatiable "more" (never enough) appetite of the 1% while leaving the 99% struggling, while witnessing the further disappearance of the middle-class. The Republican / Tea Party has become owned and controlled by "the money" and with the power, influence and money provided they simply take the majority for granted while assuming they can con the people and manipulate public opinion. They have no conscience or concern for the majority as they even strive to excite emotions of the conservative pro-life Christian, to their totally advocating for strong infringement on womans rights. Their deceptive positions reek of male egotism and theocratic ideals, next they will simply want women to wear sacks over their heads. Seriously it is obvious that they will use any argument to gain support and no where do they ever demonstrate any rational concern for other than their political ambitions and for serving "the money", how ever they need to accomplish their goals. Are the people really just that easy?
Romney is as corrupt as they come. He won't release his tax records from 2009 because he took advantage of the IRS tax amnesty after illegally hiding income in offshore accounts. He broke the law, cheated the system, and now he is hoping to sweep it all under the rug. Here is an account from someone with inside information:
What I am about to say is 100% true, and I am only sharing it because there is no job more important then US President, and as an American we should vote, and we have a right to be informed to make the right decision. So you know I am not some random whack job I will tell you my name is Brian Murphy, I am CEO of JRM Resource Management and have worked for government IT contractors for the past 15 years (look it up) A few nights ago I went out to dinner with some old associates. the person I am speaking about in this post was one of the people there. I have known him for 13 years. He spent 8 years working at the IRS as a senior IT person working on TIPPS, the web integration with large companies and several other projects. After dinner we were having a few drinks and discussing the election. The topic of "would Romney release any more tax returns?" came up. My friend laughed and said "ill bet you a years pay that no matter how much heat he takes he won't release a single year more" and then laughed. All of us there knowing he spent several years at the IRS pushed him "why? what do you know?" we asked with a joking smile. He paused then took a drink and looked at us and said "because, if he did he would have to show everyone that he took amnesty for a crime at the very least, and I can't imagine he would have a snowballs chance in hell of being elected if that came out" then he took a drink and refused to elaborate. I asked him several times if he was serious and he said he was. In 13 years i have NEVER known him to tell a lie, certainly not make up a story. Although he failed to elaborate the ONLY thing he possibly could have been referring to was the amnesty the IRS offered US citizens who were hiding assets in Switzerland a few years back. He certainly worked there, certainly worked where and in the place where it would be possible for him to have access to that information. Id bet 10k Mitt does not release any more returns.
The Republican's storms are devastating.....possible,..... they may, recover in the year 2020.
.........................................................................OBAMA 2012............................................................................
........................................................................ROMNEY 1040.............................................................................
Romney has not announced any formal plan on job creation or improving the economy. He's an empty suit running a campaign based on disclosing no information and putting no formal plans forward for evaluation.
sounds like obama but that is all you get nowadays with campaigns. just bad mouthing the other person but not putting forth one idea outside of cutting taxes a few percentage points. OBama is the same. Just a blow hard. I mean, that is gonna bring your 401k and house back along with a great paying job. I mean really? Does anyone believe that. Romney wants these votes but he backed a way from medicare cuts, immigration, defense cut and every other cut. and he complaints about obama. I mean really, this guy is an empty suit with no ideas thinking he can just win without puttting forth anything. They tried that gargage with mccain along with an empty headed high school graduate they have not learned anything in 4 years. Its like dejavu. This economy is in the tank and we have knuckleheads running. Its just sad to see this.