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Subscribe to RSSAt a joint campaign event in Michigan on Friday with running mate Paul Ryan, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney made a reference to President Obama's birth certificate.
But it was something he didn't mention at this rally -- not far from Detroit -- that was almost as striking: the auto bailout, or even the U.S. auto industry.
For as many times as Romney has stepped foot in Michigan this cycle -- for either a primary or general election campaign stop -- the son of a former auto executive has made sure to mention his love for cars, and to explain his opposition to the 2008-09 actions taken across two administrations to support Chrysler and General Motors.
But on Friday, despite Romney's home state overtures, he left out any reference to the troubled industry.
A possible reason for this omission is that Romney and Ryan have different positions on this particular issue, with Romney opposing the auto bailout and Ryan having voted for it.
It shouldn't be surprising that a presidential candidate and his running mate might not see eye to eye on every matter. After all, Romney and Ryan hail from different states, are different ages, and have different life experiences.
“No two people agree on every single issue, and we share the same principles. We apply them to our problems, and I am really excited about this,” Ryan said aboard his campaign plane Thursday night as he was flying to Michigan.
Still, there are at least four differences between Romney and Ryan -- on the auto bailout, abortion, Medicare, and the looming defense cuts -- that potentially undermine either some of the attacks Romney has made against President Obama or positions that Romney has taken.
The auto bailout
On perhaps no single issue has Romney's rhetoric and Ryan's voting record been as divergent as on the auto bailout of General Motors and Chrysler: While Ryan voted in favor of a bailout in Dec. 2008, Romney -- whose eyes were already starting to focus on a second presidential bid -- wrote a New York Times op-ed headlined: “Let Detroit go Bankrupt.”
Although Romney has long pointed out he did not write the headline that accompanied the piece, its central tenet was straightforward: no bailout money for automakers. He argued instead for the carmakers to go through managed bankruptcy first and exhaust their private sector options. If that failed, the federal government could then step forward to help, but don’t throw good money after bad bailing out failing companies.
At a campaign event prior to the Michigan primary in February, Romney doubled down on his opposition to the bailout, telling an audience in Grand Rapids that President Obama effectively handed over the automakers to the UAW union following the bailout. And he accused the president of "crony capitalism" for intervening in the market -- an intervention which Ryan supported.
In Janesville, the town Ryan was born and raised, there was once a big GM plant that has since been put on standby. Interestingly, Ryan blamed Obama for shuttering it, though it closed during the tail end of the Bush administration.
“A lot of my high school buddies worked at that GM plant. That GM plant was shut down in 2009. I remember President Obama visiting it when he was first running, saying he’ll keep that plant open. One more broken promise,” Ryan told the crowd in North Canton, Ohio.
Abortion
Romney vowed throughout the campaign to select a running mate who opposes abortion rights, and he did just that in tapping Ryan.
But after Rep. Todd Akin's controversial remarks on abortion and rape, Democrats have seized on a clear difference between the two men: Romney opposes abortion except in the cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is at stake, while Ryan’s single exception for abortion has been when life of the mother is at risk.
What's more, in 2011, Ryan co-sponsored a bill with Akin, "The Sanctity of Human Life Act," which declared that every life begins at fertilization. Critics argue that such "personhood" legislation would outlaw all abortions -- even the cases of rape and incest.
Ryan now says he is “comfortable” allowing exemptions for rape and incest.
“I'm proud of my record” on abortion, Ryan told reporters on Aug. 22, just two days after the Akin comments were made. “Mitt Romney is going to be president, and the president sets policy. His policy is exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. I'm comfortable with it because it's a good step in the right direction."
Medicare
As soon as Romney selected Ryan as his running mate, it elevated Medicare to a key campaign issue. The reason why: Ryan's budget substantially transforms Medicare by giving future seniors a voucher or premium support, which can be used to purchase private health insurance or access to traditional Medicare.
Romney and Republicans have countered by accusing President Obama's health care law of making $716 billion cuts to Medicare.
“My plan stays the same. No adjustments, no changes, no savings. The president’s plan cuts Medicare,” Romney said on Aug. 16, scribbling on a white board with a dry erase marker as he spoke. “Excuse me, well let’s see, I’ve got, there we go, by $716 billion. Cut.”
But there is one hitch: Ryan's budget includes the same $716 billion in cuts.
Yet Ryan has adopted this same GOP attack on Medicare.
“Medicare should not be used as a piggy bank for Obamacare. Medicare should be used to be the promise that it made to our current seniors. Period. End of Story,” Ryan said in Florida last week. ”Here is what Mitt Romney and I will do: We will end the raid of Medicare. We will restore the promise of this program, and we will make sure that this board of bureaucrats will not mess with my mom’s health care or your mom’s health care.”
“We want this debate on Medicare. We want this debate, we need this debate and we are going to win this debate,” Ryan added to reporters on his plane this week.
The defense sequester
Romney has attacked Obama over the looming, automatic defense cuts –- “the sequester” -– that were contained in the Budget Control Act that Congress passed to avert the debt-ceiling crisis.
But Ryan voted for the Budget Control Act that contained those very defense cuts, if Congress couldn’t agree on a compromise deficit-reduction deal.
A Ryan spokesman says Obama should be blamed on the looming defense cuts, because he abdicated his responsibility to bring Congress together to achieve a bipartisan deal. (Of course, that thinking cuts both ways.) “The president instead went AWOL on the campaign trail and the result is the devastating defense cuts that the president insisted on,” Ryan spokesman Michael Steel has said.
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Ryan was the perfect choice for Willard!
He's the peanut butter to Willards jelly sandwich on white bread!
Does anyone really know what these two idiots stand for?
The scariest part of them, is they are making the McCain/Palin campaign look disciplined! lol
They flop around worse than a couple of guppies who jumped out of the cess-pool!
Ryan/Akin 2012 - Representing compassionate, conservative, Christian, one vagina at a time!
Funny Feisty (and sad but so true)!!
Ever since the "pick" I've wondered whose record/plan would get more attention. I wonder how Romney feels having his bromance buddy be the one with the plan. I can't remember what show it was on this morning but it was a Republican pundit (for lack of a better word) and they were talking about term limits. Presidents can accomplish much more in their second term as they don't have a re-election looming over their shoulder and don't really have to answer to any outside parties. Interesting thought.
Obama 2012/Romney 1040
It's like deja-vu from 2008 all over again!
I just didn't expect Paulie to go "rogue" quite so quick! lol
I am not sure, perhaps he heard "go Rove".
Yikes a good Martini is so liberal, especially doubled up. Tiz a swell day up in Westmount.
Is that what you call 'racial jokes'? Overtures?...Yessirre, that Willard is one funny guy!
That was a real knee slapper wasn't it?
The only ones who guffawed at it was his all white crowd!
We should never allow the GOP to 'end Medicare as we know it.'
Medicare has no crisis - except the Bush tax cut has hurt revenue for Medicare. Raising taxes on the rich is the starting point. But Romney and Ryan want to cut more? They are crazy, voters should send tough love to the GOP, teaching them a lesson in November 2012
Cutting defense is another money saver. Can you believe that the defense wasted $100 billion just on one item F-22s which have never seen action. We can't allow this waste.
Bowles and Simpson Plan should be adopted.
The only reason you buy your gal a pony is because you can't make her laugh. Never understood that about men. Listen up. Hug women, listen to women, make women laugh. Shoot the pony and unleash your stallion.
You are absolutely right Pigotry. Medicare will end on its own because it is underfunded. Just like Medicaid, Social Security and government worker pensions.
Stirred? Right?
How utterly snobbish of you! lol
Feisty, blackcat......
...Someone on a post days ago, can't remember who, said Willard/Ryan were more like a lounge act!...
Or the plastic couple on top of a "gay" wedding cake!
Just look at their hair! lol
John,
There are a dozen ways to save our social programs without turning them over to “for profit” companies.
It should be up to the voters to decide how this should be accomplished.
Those two give anybody who supports them a bad name. I've never understood the Log Cabin Republicans.....
Perhaps the entire GOP/TP, especially the women, have unresolved Oedipal Complex issues!
Pigot--/ We will not allow the G.O.P./T.P. to end Medicare.All we have to do is vote them out.
Yea, and with the middle class losing 38% of their wealth under Obama, with the median income dropping $4,000 a year under Obama, with skyrocketing gas and food prices - America will be eating mayonaise sandwiches if Obama is re-elected for another 4 years.
Yea dumbfux, why don't you actually read something and post something of substance instead of spending all your time working on your inane little 4th grade witisms.
Can you defend the bailout; want to discus why the article made no mention of Ryan's opinion today with 3 years retrospect - think he agrees with Romney or Obama?
Do you really think Ryan likes the idea of Obama giving GM a $44 billion tax break where they pay no taxes for years to come? Do you think he likes the idea of giving $49.5 billion to a company that now employs almost twice as many people overseas as they do here in America ... Chrysler now being owned by "rich" Italians who pay no personal income tax in America?
Pick a subject from the article ... or how about the difference between Obama and Biden (other than Obama having a brain) such as Obama being for terminating a baby's life after it survives abortion.
Says a political bigot with the intellectual acuity of a pap smear.
Do feel free to prove me wrong - post something of substance or actually try to discuss an issue, though.
Good luck with that.
God forbid the President actually tries to use the Congress to come up with something for the country. Just my stupid liberal brain, but I thought that was the PURPOSE of Congress?????? And that's exactly what we elected them to do?????? And now Ryan is saying (who by the way VOTED for the cuts!) that the President should have made them HIMSELF????? Good he**!!!!!!
Guess you don't believe in the intellectual/scientific/medical acuity of a pap smear!
Continue on with the Todd Akin mentality!
bob-1805084
I grew up in the 60's, and we defined people like you back then. You are a downer. Lighten up man, I have yet to see any humour in you. Bitterness is a Bitch. Aim higher fella, you are not as dumb as you post.
Oh Bob 1805084, you're so full of fun non facts and smart assism's that it's too bad no one takes you seriously. Could it be that your full of it? Might be.
Layton-3733410
Layton, you are starting to sound like one of those GOD fearing folks. Let's not forget the 20 something bills that Reid is holding back and won't even bring them up for a vote. Google it.
bob-1805084, good post. I have a great friend who is a Democrat and he wants me to see this New Picture 2016. He is telling me that is number 8 this weekend. Do you or anyone out there recommend this movie?
Concern, don't go Bible bashing with me little thing. You'd lose. I'm a PK.
These guys are a perfect fit! They agree on very little in terms of political issues, but they are both in close lock-step when it comes to furthering an agenda that is hurtful to the average American. Well done, guys! Welcome to President Obama's second term!
Concern Citizen-856329
O yay, the downer couple is going to procreate.
Romney/Ryan ticket. How can anyone in their right mind vote for these flip flopper's. Everyday, one or both, flip on an issue they were just in favor of the day before. How can anyone trust or respect someone who always leaves you wondering what they truly believe in today? Can you imagine being married to someone like that? And that's what your asked to do. Trust me, you can believe what I say, I would never lie to you. I'm sure some of you have been through marriages like this in the past. Want to do it again? Then vote for these LIARS and don't complain to me when your world comes apart.
Women's rights, gone. Medicare,gone. Control of your own body, gone. Etc, Etc.
Don't let them fool you and you don't be a fool. Any vote for a Republican is a vote you will regret down the road.
OBAMA IN 2012.
Romney doesn't even represent his own party!Too funny!
Obama/Biden 2012
Bob, in Nov 2008 the Dow was at 7,553 it is now at 13,206, in Nov 2008 the nasdaq was at 1,316 it is now at 3,067, in Nov 2008 the S&P was at 752 it is now at 1,406. The loss of wealth under Bush was staggering, not to mention the losses due to the devaluing of real-estate, the stock markets have more than doubled since Obama took over. I lost $480,000 of my retirement portfolio under Bush, since Obama took over I have gained all that back and then some. Any investor will tell you if you can double your money in four years that is a mighty, mighty fine return. Pretty impressive performance under the watch of a president who supposedly has such an adverse effect on business. You can blame Obama all you want Bob, but the facts clearly dispute what you say, and my account numbers don't lie. The job loss, the real-estate crash, and the stock market crash all occurred under a republican economy. The republican economy brought this country to it's knees and since Obama took over it has gotten much better. So is that exact enough proof for you, all three markets, the very lifeblood of our capitalist economy are more than double what they were when GW Bush left the nation in shambles. You can ignore those facts if you wish, but I personally have a half million more reasons in the bank to vote for Obama and his economy. This happened on Bush's watch, it did not happen in one day, it was a steady decline for the last four years of his presidency, now that is just a fact, you want to call it blame, call it whatever you wish, it does not change the unfortunate fact for you, that it happened under his leadership he owns it, you can deny history and the facts if you wish, but you can't change them, and you look very foolish when you try. The damage was all done by 2008 and things have improved under Obama, in-spite of the most obstinate Republican Congress in history. Barrack Obama has been the president for the last three and a half years, and all three markets are more than doubled from where they were when he was elected, and we went from losing 500,000+ jobs a month to gaining about a 100,000 a month, (when you go from a negative 500,000 to a positive 100,000 that equals a 600% improvement), and one more bit of good news, home prices are starting to creep back up. So say it with me Bob, Obama has been the president for the last 3.5 years and the economy has definitely improved. Personally I am thrilled, I never dreamed my portfolio would come back so strong so fast.
Layton-3733410
Girlfriend, I would never go Bible bashing, I was surprised with you, mentioning God so much. If you are a PK I'm a DK. I forgot that you progressives are the chosen ones.
Forrest Grump 2.0 , so tell me, why is this such a close race? Stupid is as Stupid does. Right Forrest? Why do we have so many unemployed and rising?
Romney wants to revive Republican Pigotry - government by greedy pigs, of greedy pigs, and for greedy pigs.
We should never allow that to happen.
These greedy pigs caused the Great Recession, the taxpayers bailed them out, while many middle class members lost their jobs due to recession. But these greedy pigs are not grateful. They just want cut more taxes.
How can Romney champion more tax cuts when everybody understands that Romney will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of his own policy.
Where are those disinterested statesmen?
Concern, you know SQUAT about me and I choose to keep it that way. You're surprised that liberals have beliefs? You really should get out more. WAIT! I take that back, you can go back under your little bridge and scream for tolls.
Continuing from my post of #1.28 -
Where are those disinterested statesmen?
All we have been taught is how democracy is a wonderful thing, best politicians are disinterested statemen who only have the public good in mind.
At least Mitt the Vulture is not, because we all know his announced policy of more tax cut is immediately suspect - benefitting vultures like him more than the public.
What a Dope!
What's a DK? I'm a "PK", if by PK we mean preacher's kid.
COinFL ... I'm a PK ... Pastor's (Preachers) Kid :) I've no clue what a DK is :)
@concern citizen, It is a close race because despite the republican party spending a billion dollars on negative adds, and a whole media network trying to blame all our woes on one man everyday for the last three and a half years, it has not worked as well as they wished. One reason it has not worked is the average person understands how business works better than republican politicians give them credit for. They also understand the policies, positions and the party the previous president belonged to under which this nations economy was kicked to the curb. Another big reason it has not worked is because republicans in Congress did nothing to fulfill their promise of jobs, jobs , jobs. They blocked all attempts at infrastructure projects and stimulus packages, by either tying them to social issues or more tax cuts. So they are seen by many as having a great deal of responsibility for the current situation. Republicans were so worried about letting Obama have any success they deprived themselves of a record of any success in the process. They knew this would make the economy sputter that was exactly their intent, now they seem amazed that the president isn't being held solely responsible. When the private sector is depressed the government is the only thing that can spur the economy by ordering goods and services, and there is plenty of infrastructure that is in need of replacement or repair. Those jobs would have gave many people the disposable income needed to further spur the private sector, but the republican governors went on a mission to even further reduce the wages and benefits for public employees, which only puts more hurt on the private sector. Tax cuts do not create jobs, nobody hires because their taxes are lower, they only hire if they have customers to service and sell to. If you own a small business and nobody walks in the door and spends a dollar then the taxes on the dollar you did not make becomes the first thing on your list of last things to worry about. Lots of people with a few extra dollars to spend spurs hiring, the republicans are all about shifting more costs to the middle class, to enable giving people who already have tons of money a tax cut, that does not spur hiring, it will create more unemployment as people find their income consumed by the bare necessities, and have no extra money to spend with the small businessmen in their community. No businessman hires on the basis of his taxes being cut, or this silly notion of confidence in the president, if they have more customers than their current workforce can service they hire, if they have more employees than required to service their current level of sales they lay off, it has nothing to do with taxes or confidence. As republicans push to lower peoples wages and benefits, as they push to reduce the tax burden on corporations and the wealthy and shift those expenses to the general population you can expect unemployment to rise, because people just won't have the disposable income to create, support, or sustain any expansion of demand, and with no expansion of demand there will be no expansion of hiring.
Yea, wait a couple of months and you'll be able to buy it out of the $2 bin at Walmart.
Dumb Kochhead.
Oh, tonybeeerm ... you never cease to delight and amaze me! :)
The pleasure is all mine, my friend :)
Concern -
I heard it is a remarkable movie / documentary, selling out all showings in its limited release which led to a much greater release ... breaking a lot of records.
Btw - enjoy our stuff.
Forrest -
Yea Obama took care of big government, big unions and big business ... they have re-cooped ... why wouldn't they, the economic crisis was a credit event in the housing sector that had nothing to do with Bush's policies.
Seriously Forrest .... how does Bush giving tax breaks to everybody force banks to make asinine home loans to people who can't afford them?
You should know better, it has been explained enough times to you and the other willfully ignorant here at FR.
This is the most pathetic recovery since the 30's - since we had another clueless progressive in office.
Companies as you say are in great shape, yet they are sitting on their money and expansions - just passing their new costs on to the consumers, waiting for a president who has a clue. Small business is struggling and no one is creating jobs.
Not one new net job has been created under Obama with real unemployment at 11%.
Obama is a disaster for the common American.
Bob I scaled my small business down to nothing because I did not want to travel because my mother in law was dying of cancer, so I found a job locally, I literally posted my resume and was called less than hour later and scheduled for an interview I worked there from June until a little over three weeks ago. I quit just before my mother in law passed away, then I applied for a much better job, although it will require me to travel about 50% of the time, I will start after labor day. So there are some jobs out there, I got two jobs in less than four months. It's better now Bob since Obama took over, I am better off, and so are many others, 4 years ago we were on the brink of collapse, that had to get fixed, it got fixed. I am voting for Obama Bob.
Forrest Grump 2.0..thank you..finally, someone got it right. I just wish the democratic party was using the info you have on here..it demonstrates the depth of the lies the republicnas are handing out..and just how foolish some folks are for believing it. Most want Obama out because he is black. The race card is being played..just not so much out in the open.
bob-1805084
I don't like getting into arguments on here, but you are missing a few key points.
1. I agree, small business is struggling (mine sure is)
2. It is Obama's fault. This is entirely wrong. Small business assets, based on the CBO's figures have been in decline for....FORTY straight years and this is where our employment has been lost. Corporations work on a volume scale. Business slows, they slow hiring, lay off people, consolidate offices, freeze wages and increase the cost associated with their product or service. Business slows for a small business and they either lose money for a while, managed to get through or shut the door.
3. So why are small businesses losing money for four straight decades? Supply side economics and Federal Reserve money printing, along with commercial banks slowing on lending.
The fed has the repo program (look it up), QE programs...a whole lotta ways to funnel money to members banks who then buy stocks, pump the prices and then sell. They also loan to large corporations either directly or through bond purchase. Small business is just not getting the necessary bridge capital and more businesses shut or lose assets.
This is not Obama's fault. It goes back to Clinton and Bush and their congresses. Clinton signed free trade agreements, their congress killed Glass Steagall and then Bush pushed the agenda further. But - it really all began with Reagan and the "supply side economics," push (give money to large corps and shut out small biz).
SO - you want small businesses to succeed. Never vote for someone who uses the term supply side economics. Always vote for people that to reinstate glass steagal and limit the feds ability to perform QE like functions and stay away from anyone that is a Big Corporation backer.
Unfortunately, that isn't Obama, but more so, not Romney.
I am definitely torn. Who to vote for? Romney or Ryan? As the song goes, "let's call the whole thing off."
I was thinking "Highway to Hell", or since they are trying to reach out to women maybe they should try Otis Reddings "Try A little Tenderness" wouldn't that be a hoot.
It cost Team Willard half a million to bribe Journey to show up!
I wonder if they'll play "Faithfully" to the family values crowd! lol
Dixie Chicks said everything that had any meaning for me 8 years ago. To one and all, I am a guy. Every song they wrote and sang was to me an anthem to liberty. Power to my daughter and may all the ceilings come crashing down.
I guess it was to far to travel for Randy Travis's electronic monitering device!
A GOP convention theme song? I was thinking more along the lines of "Sympathy for the Devil"! ;-)
http://youtu.be/66HvCjn8Wsk
Obama/Biden 2012
That's too funny! Does that mean guitarist Neil Schon will show up with his girlfriend and notorious party crasher Michaeli Salahi? Talk about someone that gets around.
Hank, Jr's available I hear. He could sing his old signature tune "Are You Ready For Some Bullsh!t!"
My republican buddy said his wife left him a note on the fridge.
Her note read: “It’s not working. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve gone to stay at my parents."
He told me: "I opened the fridge. The light came on and the beer was cold. I’m not sure what the hell she is talking about."
Hey Forrest Grump 2.0, I damn near spit my Newcastle Ale all over the screen. You here all week?
I here till midnight, and please be sure to tip your waitress folks.
Willard King of the rats. The beast (666) is upon us, FOX news F=6, O (15th letter) 1+5=6, X (24th letter) 2+4=6.
Gosh, they can't even agree on what to disagree on. This could be worth seeing after all. Talk about screwing up already.
Why is it screwing up when they don't agree on all things? Do you agree with all things with your parents... your siblings... those closest to you? If you don't, does that make you some sort of a moron? What is it with you libs? You see something as a target and you go for it only to find out that there's no target there at all.
Brian...I see you are upset. No need for name calling here. No I honestly didn't see a Moron well, let me flip flop on that. I do see at least one on this board today.
Brianb-999431
Bb, unless the GOP can turn this into a positive joke, I guess you need to dig your survival bunker just a little bit deeper. The DNC is just sitting back and watching the GOP self destruct. Pour a cool one and chill out.
Pregnant pause ... I hope the penetration was not too deep. I hear eggs tuning the lights off one by one.
Brianb, I have never ever before heard the chairman of a national political party state publicly that their presidential candidate does not share their platform, that he has his own platform. I find that really strange, because I believe that people have come to expect that the presidential nominee of a political party would share their platform. The RNC chairman might as well have just said Romney has fip flopped and double talked on so many issues that nobody knows where he is really at on any of the issues you care about, he knows it, republicans know it, everybody knows it, I guess he did as good a job as he could, I don't fault him, trying to define Romney's position on any issue is a fools errand. How could anybody do for Romney what he has never been able to do for himself.
Frequently presidential candidates will pick a doofus like Biden as their running mate to so they can look good by comparison. Other times they will pick a VP just to bring in a particular segment of the electorate, as with Walter Mondale's choice of Geraldine Ferraro. The fact that Romney has chosen Ryan shows that he has a great deal of self confidence. More importantly, it shows that he is assembling a top-notch management team. As a businessman, he realizes that a tough challenge, like undoing Obama's mischief, will take the very highest quality team to accomplish.
Romney chose a running mate who is smart and tough and who can best help him fix the mess this country is in. Maybe a yes-man who agreed with him on everything would have been a better political choice, but it shows that his priorities are our country first; politics last. … Just the opposite of Obama.
oophs, make that two.
You are kidding right?
Okay, you want to talk politics? From day one, the Republican party leader stated "Our number one job is to make sure Obama is a one term president." Not reduce the deficit, get people back to work, repair the financial system, address the housing collapse or even just fix some potholes. It was defeat Obama. I don't know about you, but when I elect somebody and send them to Washington, I don't want their "number one job" to be to defeat the other party. I want them to GET SOMETHING DONE. Clearly they have been unable to do anything of any magnitude except for a certain health care act which was long overdue and passed over their "death panel" objections. And which they don't talk about anymore. Sorry, my friend. If you want to talk about country first, let's talk about the rich guys paying their fair share. Because right now all they're paying for are TV ads designed to save their off shore accounts.
Rock on, Henry!
What are you talking about? The quote you are talking about was made in January 2010. Don't let truth stand in your way though. King Barack had a Super-Majority in the House and Senate when he took office so what did he choose to do--pass O-bummer-care and to add 3 trillion plus in deficit spending. He could have passed a budget the first two years without any opposition and he didn't. To say he was ever interested in reducing the deficit requires suspension of reality. BTW he stated if he didn't reduce the deficit by 50% during his first term he would not deserve a second term--this is one statement I agree with.
Duck- do you have a memory issue? The Democrats never had a "supermajority" in the Senate, or House. All it took was enough Senate Republicans to keep the Democrats from getting 60 votes to prevent anything. Perhaps you were sleeping that day when you were taught this in Civics.
I'd have been happy to have had Sen. Reid call the bluff of the obstructionists and make them conduct a filibuster, day in and day out, and let the American people truly see who was stifling progress. I am sure, now that I have reminded you of these facts, you now remember them fondly.
Remember this, porkchop, what worked for Republicans, against President Obama, will work equally well when employed by Democrats, against "President" Romney. I'll bet you'll be squealing, if that comes to pass.
The beast (666) is upon us, FOX news F=6, O (15th letter) 1+5=6, X (24th letter) 2+4=6.
Romney vs Ryan on 4 issues. Romney is the candidate, Ryan has oppty to influence Mitt, but Mitt gets to call those shots.
Romney vs Ryan on 4 issues.
Obama vs America on those 4, and all others. Unfortunately for Obama, we get to call the shots. Bye bye Barry.
That's what Koch's have spent millions on buddy. Making you think so.
I'm still wondering why Mitt chose Ryan. Wasn't Romney running on his business experience? Wasn't he a successful CEO? Didn't he say, he created dozens or thousands of jobs?
We can see his strength isn't foreign relations; is awkward with foreign dignitaries. He has nooo military experience. And he doesn't understand social issues in general or respect women.
So....why pick Ryan? Why did he pick ANOTHER money man? I just don't get it. Why would he pick a VP who is just another pencil pusher? Why did Mitt pick another person.....who is known to do exactly what HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE BEST AT???? Unless....unless.....he never expected to be President....just going though the motions.
I'm sure Willard has flopped to Ryan's position on any given issue at one time or another. Now that Ryan has shown himself to be adept at flopping, this shouldn't be an issue.
The centrists didn't need Koch to spend a dime.
Obama philosophy and policies are the reason he's a one term prez.
commonamerican1
So, why are they spending according to your thesis. Facts, I want Facts, you guys have all the Facts. Wanna share or would that be too socialistic for ya.
I live in Michigan. I work with many republicans, and what I find interesting is this: In 2008, I heard many of my co-workers stating supportive and positive things about McCain, and even after his pick of Palin, heard many positive and glowing comments about the republican ticket. This year, in 2012, I barely hear any of those same co-workers speak of the election. Barely a word regarding Romney...and after the pick, not one word of Ryan. These same republican co-workers are silent and not talking politics at all, nothing positive or supportive of the republican ticket.
I'm starting to think that Michigan is not pleased with the Romney/Ryan ticket and where the republican plans and policies are headed.
Mrs Romney stated that her MS flared up because of all the stress from campainging.
BOO HOO
If she cannot handle stress how does she expect to handle the gruling schedule of a first lady.
Anyone that spends $1000 on a shirt needs to be knocked down a few pegs.
Great -if romney wins we have to pay for secret service for all of his morman relatives
And it's going to be rather embarrassing when he loses his home state.
Double, triple BooHoo, Boo Hoo......Boo Hoo....
I agree...and what will be even more embarrassing, losing all of his so called home states. MI, MA, UT, FL, NH, and oh yeah...that home in CA. Again, which home is Mitt's residency while running for president?
tonybeeerm
One of the oddities to that is that I believe one of those Presidents that we offshore people know about is Polk, and he lost his State. Second Martini keeps me honest. We know about him because of his 'rabid' belief in Manifest Destiny.
bcwc - Martini's keep me honest too. After 3 or 4 of them, I cannot tell a lie!
The Koch's Are trying to prove that they can buy a Presidential Election and they appear to be getting closer to proving it. The Right have been attempting this many times,without too much success, but they have never spent nearly as much as they are spending this time. This is interesting even if it is rather frightening,are we in a Democracy,or do the Oligarchs re buy us back?
listoire, Don't worry Mr. Soros and President Obama will win this election. Just Like when everyone thought the Obama care was going to be struck down by the Supreme court, I stated then that Democrats and Republicans were underestimating the influence of Mr. Soros and President Obama.
The koch brothers just think they are a match for Mr. Soros, but they are not.
Ryan had a GM factory in his district that put a lot of people out of work when it was closed down. And of course there are other vendors that depend upon the auto maker. He has to be in favor of saving the auto makers. Fact is, almost everything he espouses in a theoretical sense is impossible in the real world. Mitt on the other hand, has it down. He simply opposes the things he supports and supports the things he opposes. Medicare? Gotta hack those entitlements. We'll save it, no changes for you. Auto makers? Let 'em go. Hey, did you see how I saved them? Abortion plank? Why, that's not my view. Just the Republicans'. Economy? Cut spending. More for Defense. Taxes? Er, yours or mine? The list goes on. Unfortunately.
stick around, Henry. We need folks like you here. You're miles ahead of the usual rwnj's that infiltrate this place on a daily basis. They could never keep up with you. Also, I enjoy your sarcastic humor as well as the truth in your posts.
Support Homosexual marriage
Support Abortion
Support big Government to take care of us
Vote for Obama!!!!!!!!!!
This will all help in carrying us to the next level.
Bob, I may not agree with a word that you say but I will defend to the death your right to make a complete utter fool of your self on the Internet.
Every economic issue this proud country now faces is the fault of Bush Jr. and Cheney. Never forget the damage that these two men did to this proud country. They are guilty of negligence, at the very least.
For those of you that voted for Obama because he could dance, I suggest you see the documentary 2016. It was cool voting for a young black man that could dance , but you never saw Obama vetted. See this doc, it will open your eyes to the next dance Obama has scheduled.
Joe Thomas-6624551
I would like to see Romney vetted even though he can't dance.
You know more about Romney than Obama. Admit it!
Joe Thomas - Can't say that we do. But I tell you what, if we see those tax returns that will tell us all we need to know about Mittens.
His success belongs to him, not you and a bunch of commie slugs. Get a job, who knows, with a little hard work you might just be a success.
Not true. Seriously Joe, Romney tried and fell short in 2008. He (presumptively) won the GOP nomination because he DIDN'T say anything during the primary, and spent the most money. He won, because the others weren't able to stay in as long as Mitt. But he's known for ignoring the media. When you listen to him speak....most of his talk is 'Obama blah-blah'....there's very very little substance in anything he says. Personally I don't care a bit about his religion, but I very much don't trust a person running for high public office....who refuses to show tax returns. I realize it's a small non-issue to you; not to me, though. He's again, hiding who he is.
So, no...we (both parties) DON NOT KNOW Mitt Romney very well.
JOE--WHO CARES? We don't give a damn what any Republican thinks. Rmoney & Paul Palin are both quite alike in one respect-the both are LIARS in the 1st degree.
Obviously you do not care. You can't even name the Republican nominee for President or VP. You are a communist slug.
Romney and Ryan should make us think of Bush Jr. and Cheney. Most believed after a few years that Cheney controlled the big decisions or had major influence at the least like his approval must be received, do you remember any decision that Cheney did not like of Bush's. Given this pattern, which Bush Sr. may have established with Reagan, yes I believe he controlled many of Reagan's policies in last few years of his 8, I believe Ryan will have control over Romney. First off Romney is not a politician by nature nor experience, he does not even remember his 4 years as gov of MA it appears. Ryan has done nothing but politics in his short career and you can bet he wants to control the world for about 16 more years at least. So do not trust these two one bit, or make it simple don't trust Ryan because he is faking it only as long he needs to help Romney, Romney we know has been faking since starting his first campaign infinite flip flops ago.
Just why is it liberals act as if stupidity is a virtue?
Vote ignorance and stupidity. VOTE Obama-Biden 2012
Vote to say "Leggo my eggo".
Dennis, Columbus, Ohio
John,
There are a dozen ways to save our social programs without turning them over to “for profit” companies.
It should be up to the voters to decide how this should be accomplished. It will be on November 6 when they send Romney packing back to his home as hes cries all the way up his car elevator and realizes all his ill gotten money could not buy the white house and the black man will stay there 4 more years and get rid of all Mitts and the coch brothers tax dodging excuse and make them start paying their fair share jusdt like Bill Clinton did when our country was successul and before the Gop became the party of no! Kiss then tax breaks good bye boys the 99% atre not going to pay the bill much longer. Hey Rove let me know how that citizens united worked out for you in November. Every body remember President Obama saying citizens united would allow unlimited money in the campaign and ole supreme court judge Alito was say no not true . Well now we all know he's a BAG OF WIND AND SHOULD RETIRE SO A REAL JUDGE COULD BE APPOINTED TO HIS POSITION. GOOD THING WE DONT VOTE FOR HIM OR HE WOULD JOIN ROMNEY BECAUSE HE AND ROMNEY PROMISE EVERYONE THE ELEVATOR AND GIVE THEM THE SHAFT.
Go to Washington DC and see the money for yourself. It is everywhere. It comes from us. We earned it and they take it away. Liberals always want to control profit, that is what it boils down to. You make too much money according to them. But they cannot take control of your profit, you raise the price or cut the worker so you still make profit and they do not like that. They will eventually just take control all together, they will have to because there will be no other alternative. They will have tried everything to lower your profit and run out of ideas so they will just have to take the business from you. It will always end the same way. Poorly. They on the other hand are always highly payed. Look at the news anchors and dem leaders. Did Harry Reid pay 15 percent taxes on his land investments? Probably, it is always you that make too much for what you do, not them. They have virtue and you do not. Their message is tired and worn. A very leaky bucket.
If you agree that a woman should be forced to keep the child of her rapist, vote for Romny and Ryan. If you think a woman should bear a child from her father/uncle, then vote for Romney and Ryan. If you think the Republicians really care about creating jobs by passing overwhelming bills on abortion and restricting
women's rights, then vote for Romney and Ryan.
As for Ryan, he said "I'm proud of my pro-life background" when asked if abortion should be banned in all cases, then follow up with "it's Romney who is running for President", meant he wants to answer Yes but he too
would do and say anything to win. Look up H.R. 3 and H.R. 212. Keep in mind, these are not "Jobs" bills.
I'm Pro-life, but I think a woman should have the rights to determine what is right for herself. I like small government, but passing bills like H.R.3 is as big as big government can get. On a side note, have you wonder if these extreme pro-life even have a sex life? I mean if they all believe life begins at conception and don't believe in contraceptions, they are either not having sex with their wife/girlfriends at all or are hypocritical? By the way, if Romney and Ryan's wives were raped and got pregnant, would you think they will force their wives to bear the raper's child. My guess would be no.
The economy, through slowly, is recovering. No miracle can be had from 3-4 years in office.e And for those who think differently has a lot to learn about reality. Ask Romney/Ryan and thier campaign themselves (as asked on Fox News) when the budget would be balance. Their answer "we haven't run the numbers'.
Romney left the office of Governor with a 36% approval rating, left MA with a bigger deficit than when he entered office leaving MA with the highest in debt per capita of anyone in the nation, first lied about filing as a full-time resident of UTAH before having to come clean. Romney reminds me of a used-car salesman that is willing to do and say anything to make a sale. He has no problem telling folks in one room what they want to hear, then go into another room and say the total opposite.
Why Elephants Shouldn’t Drive
A donkey and elephant are standing in a road. The donkey is reluctantly handing the keys to a shiny new car to the elephant. The car is full of gas; has new tires and rims; fresh paint; and a perfectly running engine. The elephant gets in the driver’s seat, closes the door, rolls down the electric window, and comments to the donkey, “Now, watch this – let me show you how to drive this thing!!” and the elephant drives off smoking the tires in front of the donkey; the tires squeal; and the tail lights fade down the road.
Fast forward 8 years. The donkey and elephant are once again standing in a road, but now the elephant is happily returning the car keys to the donkey. However, the car is stuck in the ditch by the side of road; all four tires are flat; there is no gas in the tank; the body is severely dinged; the paint is faded and chipped; and the engine barely runs. The donkey gets in the driver’s seat, closes a creaking door, pushes down the window with his hoof, and comments to the elephant, “Looks like you had some fun, but it barely runs now!” and the elephant responds, “I had a great time, but not my problem it doesn’t run now, but rest assured I will be back in four years when you get it running again”.
The donkey starts to drive the car – barely, slowly – out of the ditch and gets it back on the road. As the car travels down the road, the donkey has transformed the car with incremental repairs to morph the heaping wreck into something that at least runs, and it continues to gain speed – and it’s actually running again!
Remember the last time we let the elephants drive?
They wrecked the car, left it in a ditch, and it cost us all dearly to get it moving again.
We’re out of the ditch. Do we really want to let the elephants drive again?
The issue is Jobs! I would say Romney’s & Ryan’s path to the White House depends on their willingness to propose a policy of Fair Free Trade that will “return” Sustainable Manufacturing Jobs to US Americans! Thousands of US American Factories have been shipped overseas, Millions of US American Jobs have been shipped overseas, Billions of US American Dollars to buy "Made In China" consumer goods have been shipped overseas, Billions of Dollars worth of US American raw materials have been shipped overseas to provide offshore jobs, and Trillions of US American Debt Obligations have been shipped overseas in the name of Free Trade. Our economy is shaky, and the USA National Government is totally dysfunctional. What is most needed is the return of “Made In The USA” long term manufacturing jobs. Our economy will not stabilize until maker jobs are returned to US Americans. I doubt if Romney will be willing to propose a Fair Free Trade policy that will “return” Jobs to US Americans. We do not need fewer domestic regulations and/or requirements, nor more tariffs and quotas. We only need Fair Free Trade, a level playing field for the US American worker/producer to compete on for the USA market. Fair Free Trade – (Not Balanced Trade - Exporting a billion dollars of raw materials and importing a billion dollars of “Made In China” consumer goods does not return jobs to US Americans) Fair Free Trade, where all imports to the USA market must meet at least ALL minimum USA production and/or providing standards of: quality, safety, health, environment, and wages of the USA. Fair Free Trade - The key to stable and sustainable recovery is the return of manufacturing (maker) jobs to the USA. Go to: http: www. manifestry .info > Trade
All I've seen so far as an alternative is a return to the prior administration, PACs led by Karl Rove and staff heavily representing the last administration.
If that's what we get....we deserve it. We followed the Pied Piper and his flutists to the cliff about 12 years ago. We were being directed back from the cliff during the last 4 years, now we've got the pipers complaining and leading us in the other direction again.
Ha! I could really care less. It's time to go off the cliff and take the tea baggers with us. Wouldn't be any softer landing than landing on them. A little bag, with a little tag, and not much inside. Used once and pitched away. They owe us! Ha! Just a comment to get the blood flowing.
These people think they make this country. BS. They think this country owes them one. BS. The gall to impersonate true native Americans. That doesn't show any reason to not be accountable for their own actions.
Grow some sideburns and believe in your own fairytales and "me", "myself" and "I". Continue to figure how that = a country.