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Subscribe to RSSThe five lessons we’ve learned from the Hagel fight… 1) Political betrayal is a worse sin than being a member of the opposing party… 2) Getting 60 votes remains the standard in the Senate… 3) Confirmation hearings DO matter… 4) For Republicans, when in doubt just say “Benghazi”… 5) Hagel has been wounded… Obama travels to GA to press for universal pre-K… The two splits inside the GOP… Building a better “likely voter model”… And don’t count on the “six-year itch.”
*** Five lessons we’ve learned from the Hagel fight: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday filed a cloture motion -- requiring 60 votes -- on Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be defense secretary that appears set for Friday. And it’s worth noting that the entire debate over Hagel is upside down: It’s Senate Republicans who are opposing a former GOP senator; it’s Senate Democrats who are uniformly supporting him; and the former Vietnam War hero has been accused by his detractors of being “cozy” with Iran. The White House remains confident he’ll get 60 votes and beat the GOP filibuster -- the first time it’s ever been used against a defense secretary nominee and only third time it’s been used against a cabinet nominee. But the vote is going to be close, and Senate Democrats are bracing themselves for Republicans denying them 60 votes. Right now, whether Hagel gets 60 depends on Hagel opponents like John McCain and Roy Blunt, who both earlier signaled they would NOT participate in a filibuster. Key Republican opponents of Hagel are hoping that the longer they delay the process, there’s the chance another shoe might drop. McCain and Blunt are said to be at least listening to folks trying to persuade them for more time and to join the filibuster. So how did we get here? What have we learned from this Hagel fight? We point to five lessons.
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be Defense Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this January 31, 2013, file photo.
*** Political betrayal, getting 60 votes, confirmation hearings matter, yelling “Benghazi,” and Hagel has been wounded: One, political betrayal is a worse sin than being a member of the opposing party. (The chief example here is John McCain’s tough questions to Hagel on the Iraq surge, which John Kerry -- who received so much praise from McCain -- also opposed.) Two, getting 60 votes remains the standard in the Senate. (This is a reminder for all the future legislative fights and nomination battles we’ll see over the next four years; let’s stop pretending this will change anytime soon.) Three, confirmation hearings, while maybe not decisive, do matter. (Just ask yourself why John Brennan and Jack Lew are having an easier confirmation process. Answer: They aced their confirmation hearings. Hagel, on the other hand, was a borderline disaster on style and he struggled on substance.) Four, Benghazi has become a catch-all Republican fallback, with McCain and Lindsey Graham wanting more answers on the subject before they support moving Hagel’s nomination along. (When in doubt, just yell “Benghazi.” But what’s left to debate? The issue has been litigated at two presidential debates, Hillary Clinton’s two congressional hearings, and Leon Panetta’s one.) And five, Hagel has been wounded by the entire process. (Yes, if confirmed, he has the ability -- just like Tim Geithner did -- to rehabilitate his image, but there are serious questions about his effectiveness, especially in dealing with Congress. Jack Reed, it’s the president on Line 1.)
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee engage in a sharp discussion regarding Chuck Hagel's nomination as defense secretary and his disclosure of personal income.
*** Obama to press for universal pre-K. How will GOPers react? Taking his second trip outside of Washington after his State of the Union address, President Obama today travels to Decatur, GA, where he will tout his universal pre-K initiative in a speech he’ll deliver at 1:20 pm ET. As we wrote yesterday, many of these kinds of initiatives are potential a trap for Republicans -- they’ll oppose them on ideological grounds or as small bore, but they poll VERY well. And they immediately fell into that trap on Obama’s idea to raise the federal minimum wage. What will the GOP reaction be to this pre-K initiative? And this begs another question: What are Republicans proposing right now to help Americans at the kitchen table? We saw House Majority Eric Cantor try to present such an alternative last week. But the main GOP voices have been fixed on the deficit/debt and Hagel. Of course, the president has set his own trap of sorts with many of these ideas: The White House doesn’t seem to have a legislative strategy to get some of these proposals passed in Congress. Yes, they have a POLITICAL strategy, and for now it appears they hope somehow national popularity for an idea will translate into congressional action. Sounds like the plot to the movie “Dave” not the reality we live in here in Washington.
*** The two splits inside the GOP: Speaking of the Republican Party, we are currently seeing two different splits. The first is the establishment vs. the Tea Party. The examples here are Karl Rove vs. conservative groups, as well as Haley Barbour vs. the Club for Growth. But the second split is Washington vs. non-Washington Republicans. And the best way to illustrate this split is between Marco Rubio (Washington) and Bobby Jindal (non-Washington). As we wrote yesterday, Rubio’s State of the Union response was similar to any speech you’d hear from Mitt Romney in 2012, with the exception of Rubio’s different background and his personal story. On the other hand, Jindal has argued that his party should stop focusing so much on Washington budget battles and should instead focus on what’s taking place in the states. We single out these two Republicans because of the obvious 2016 ramifications. Both are conservatives; both appear to be what the party needs as far as looks are concerned (the party is tired of being defined as the party of white men); but both do represent two different schools of thinking of how to rebrand the party.
*** Building a better likely voter model: As our friend Elizabeth Wilner notes in the Cook Political Report, “likely voter models” for national polls didn’t have a good 2012 election cycle. In particular, they seemed to miss some Democratic-leaning Latino and 18-29 voters. So heading into future contests, how do pollsters fix things? NBC/WSJ co-pollster Bill McInturff (R) recently proposed some ideas. One, ensure that polls are surveying enough cell phone-only respondents (who made up 33% of all voters, per the 2012 exit polls). Two, make sure that self-described interest isn’t the only factor to in determining who is a likely voter; other factors need to be taken into consideration. Three, try to find ways to enable Latinos and 18-29s to qualify as likely voters. And four, in presidential years, likely voter models should shoot to have a gender breakdown of 53% female, 47% male, which it has been (more or less) in the presidential elections going back to 1992. Folks, take time and read the McInturff manifesto.
*** Don’t count on the “six-year itch”: Meanwhile, McInturff’s partner Neil Newhouse -- who served as Mitt Romney’s pollster in 2012 -- had some advice for House Republicans: Don’t count on the “six-year itch” to benefit Republicans in 2014. Roll Call: “At their first political conference meeting of the 113th Congress, held at Republican National Committee headquarters a stone’s throw from the Capitol, National Republican Congressional Committee Vice Chairman Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia and top GOP pollster Neil Newhouse told members to be on guard for Obama’s campaign machine... 'I kind of emphasized to the members that second midterm elections have never been friendly to the president,' Newhouse said in an interview. 'You can’t count on that. That’s not going to happen. We’ve got to realize that the House Republicans are going to be Obama’s top target.'"
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A Party Without Candidates:
I watched with some amusement as Senator Rubio reached for
that glass of water while continuing to look straight into the camera. No doubt he was nervous and not ready for
prime time. Guess he didn’t learn what I
learned in third grade: Never, ever, when
making a presentation follow the smartest, most eloquent kid in the class.
It wasn’t that gulp of water that did him in, it was what he
had to say. He talked about using
student loans, which he is willing to cut for everyone else. It was about
saving Social Security for his parents, but taking it away for Americans who
will someday be seniors. It was about
saying he supported women, yet hours earlier voting against the violence
against women act. He will find no love
from women in his next election.
Marco Rubio can kiss his hopes to be POTUS good-bye and he
will follow in the footsteps of Bobby Jindal.
So who is next at bat? Maybe Chris
Christie? He will likely win reelection
for Governor of New Jersey; but health reasons and a brash and arrogant
attitude will keep him out of the White House.
Maybe Paul Ryan sees a path to the White House. It has never happened that a losing VP
candidate became President and it will not happen this time; Ryan will fall on
the sword called the “Ryan budget”.
Jeb Bush might want to run for POTUS, but he knows he can’t
beat Hillary. Although he would have
been a better President than Bush 43, that Bush name is still toxic.
So let’s look at some governors. The governors of Florida,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin will likely not win reelection in
their own state, let alone win on a national stage.
The future does not good for the GOP. There is not one thoroughbred in the
Republican stable.
Just when I thought the republicans couldn't get any sadder, here come Boner, blaming Obama for the sequester. Its Obama's fault that you cannot produce a budget? It is the job constitutionally for the congress and particularly the House of Representatives that produces the budget, the president can suggest area's of spending but the ball is entirerly in congress's court. If they can not come up with a budget or a bill to extend the one that the government has worked on the last 3 years we are going to go over the cliff. It won't be Obama's fault that congress cannot agree on a spending plan to cut spending and tax the rich by closing loopholes which by the way was Boners idea.
Johntho
Just when I thought the republicans couldn't get any sadder, here come Boner, blaming Obama for the sequester.
John Boehnoer Stands For Nothing!
Did anyone notice John Boehnoer during the SOTU never stood up to clap until the end?
Why the sequester is so bad.
The sequester will devastate...
food safety
education
law enforcement
safety net programs
initiatives that are already suffering from decreases in funding
The CBO anticipates that economic growth will slow this year due to “fiscal tightening that has already begun or is scheduled to occur.” Additional cuts would hamper economic growth even more.
Boehnor has no vision .
They deserve a vote!
Mr Boehnoer you and your cohorts in the House of Representatives are standing n the way of American progress.
Ron Indiana
It wasn’t that gulp of water that did him in, it was what he
had to say
Great way to start the day Ron.
More importantly, his speech was contradictory. He made it all about the President and gov and then bragged about how the government helped him.
Well, it's a long long tradition in US politics that Congress will let the President has his own men to run executive departments. The GOP is supposed to be the party of traditions, is supposed to respect traditions, is supposed to stick to this time-honored political tradition of allowing the President to run the executive branch relatively unhampered as long as the President obeys the US constitution.
.
But the GOP is not the party of traditions, thus not a conservative party. The GOP today is TEA-poisoned. Sadly for the cause of a competitive two party system, we are all stuck on stuPig (GOPigs, that is).
What Can I (We) Do?
There is a real invisible something that is lingering long after our last election. It is called voter suppression.
President Obama bringing this up in his SOTU speech was terribly moving and sad. I took it as a moment in which he was calling out to us as citizens to do something about it.
It's one of the things I will most remember about this past election. The lines designed way ahead of time in the hope that citizens would get fed up and just leave without casting their vote. As citizens watching, we were ALL appalled.
What got lost in all that was President Obama watching the same unfolding of voter suppression as the rest of us. He said as he watched the people in the lines how moved he was that they were standing in line for hours in order to cast their vote for him and for democracy.
We learned something very important this past election. We learned that we in the social media are more powerful than the mainstream media. We learned that together, we can fight back media/politician lies in literally minutes.
Rachel Maddow last night had a heart wrenching (for me) segment on voter suppression and she and her guest wondered, as we all did, if having Ben Ginsberg on a panel to look into voter suppression, considering his background, will amount to anything.
I know she will dedicate a lot more time on this important subject going forward. So won't Rev. Al, Lawrence O'Donnell, Martin Bashir and Ed Schultz. So won't Steve Benen, David Corn, Bob Shrum, Think Progress and DailyKos to name but a very few who will.
But it's not enough. We the people have to do our part.
We don't have a voter suppression problem up here in MA, but as American citizens, we here are more than willing to stick our noses into other states to assist in any way we can.
What can we do to help?
Reverend Al:
Until elderly women do not have to deal with mechanisms designed to stifle their vote, and until young women do not have to grow up in a society dodging bullets, our work remains. There's an old adage that states: actions speak louder than words. If we truly care about leaving a more advanced and a more equalized nation to our children and their children, then we must act now. In the words of the president, "It remains the task of us all, as citizens of these United States, to be the authors of the next great chapter of our American story."
Will the Republican Party every stop acting like spoiled little children? "My way, My way, or I won't play and I'll take my ball and go home." Get a life. Let's just object to everything and that will show the President that he had no right to win the election. "IT WAS OUR TURN." When, if ever are these children going to grow up and act like adult Congressmen? You say NEVER? Maybe your right.
Good Morning Pat:
Voter suppression concerns me as well. The GOP can not win on issues so their only alternative is to cheat by denying minorities, seniors, and the youth the right to vote.
Marco Rubio's Personal Finances Don't Match His Rhetoric
In his speech Tuesday, Rubio spoke about the desire to defend his neighbors from Obama's tax-and-spend policies. "Mr. President, I still live in the same working class neighborhood I grew up in. My neighbors aren't millionaires," he said.
Rubio recently put his house up for sale for un-working-class price $675,000. His spokesman told The Daily Caller that he hopes to use the money to buy a house in Washington.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/marco-rubio-finances_n_2678744.html
As he filled up airtime on Tuesday night, doing an almost carbon copy of a Mitt Romney campaign speech, the same old ideas just sung to a different tune, the above little gem was not mentioned...in Marco Rubio's world the alternate universe called the GOP, a working class neighborhood has homes going for over 600k. Not even in Miami are properties that out of reach for the average worker.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of the Rubio background, and will prove to be another dud in the GOP/TP stable of presidential hopefuls. Blind ambition and a pretty face will only get you so far.
So 12,000 gun murders later and Obama finally has something to say in Chicago. The 24 years he has lived their and nothing to say, but now is the time. Finally. but what is he going to say. he should say Me and my party have brought a great disservice to all of Chicago, by our 100 years of one party rule. I personally take the responsibilty for once, to try and end this.
This is funny...
http://blog.chron.com/nickanderson/files/2013/02/and021413blog.jpg
Haa, Haa, Haa, Haa maybe "The Savior Marco Rubio will come prepared next time. Since he is the supposed Savior I wonder can Rubio walk on water too?
8 Reasons Rubio Is Not 'The Republican Savior'
1. Refused to raise the debt ceiling
2. Co-sponsored and voted for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
3. Signed the Norquist pledge
4. Backed Florida's voter purge
5. Doesn't believe in climate change.
6. Opposed federal action to help prevent violence against women.
7. Believes employers should be able to deny birth control to their employees.
8. Recorded robo calls for anti-gay hate group.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/02/07/1553941/8-reasons-why-rubio-is-not-the-republican-savior/
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Yup, it's clear Rubio, the Tea Suckers, and the GOP need DIVINE INTERVENTION. Rubio is acting like the devil.
Que es muy, muy, muy, malo!!!
Too bad, Rubio is a loser still wet behind the eyes.
Ron, excellent thoughts. Marco Rubio's thirst was understandable but it was the visual of him reaching for the water bottle, trying to maintain eye contact with the camera as if, someone, no one would notice that I thought made him look like an amateur. It was obvious, too, that his rebuttal was pre-written because he addressed things not in President Obama's speech and ignored the things that were. Watching the clips of Rubio's lines of the speech, then Romney's lines--it was made even clearer that the GOPTPers keep trotting out the same ideas, the same lies that voters rejected.
What have I learned from the Hagel Nomination? 1) I have learned that too many GOPTPers have marbles for brains. 2) I have learned that too many GOPTPers live outside the reality of facts. 3) I have learned that too many GOPTPers seem to think the public will not notice that their mean-spirited, unjustified attacks on UN Ambassador Susan Rice have simply shifted to their own former republican colleague, Chuck Hagel. 4) I have learned that the GOPTP spends its nomination hearing time not asking the questions they want answered but rather giving grandstanding lectures to the nominee. 5) I have learned that the GOPTP knows it cannot counter President Obama's popularity and success, so they shift their attacks to his nominees. And 6) I have learned that the GOPTP invited Wayne LaPierre to testify in the gun hearings ignoring that LaPierre's NRA Enemies List includes dozens of Jewish organizations yet the GOPTP dares question Chuck Hagel's support of Israel and the Jewish people--thank you Lawrence O'Donnell for pointing that out.
Thanks, Mr. President. This is the right move.
The United States has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but is one of only three UN members not to have ratified it.
Hey Senators, time to ratify it, time to join the rest of the civilized world. Hey, GOP Senators, time to stop your filibustering nonsense.
It is time for Republicans to sit back. Republicans have passed a bill to avoid sequester, and who cares if Obama and the Democrats in the Senate don't like it. Since when has it been required that the House can only pass a bill that is pre-approved by Obama and the Senate Democrats? If the Senate or Obama doesn't want to avoid sequester, then don't pass any bills. Senate Demcorats don't care if the nation has a budget, why should sequester require them to do their job? Boehner and the Republicans in the House need to sit back and require the Senate to first pass bills before they send Harry Reid anymore paper to put on his desk. If Obama wants his agenda passed, it needs to start in the Senate. Then House Republicans can pass their version of the bill, and meet in committee to iron out the differences. Which is how Congress is designed to work, but seems lost on Democrats in the Senate. If Reid won't even bring House bills up for a vote or pass their version, then it is time for Republicans to let Senate Democrats take the lead.
8 Reasons why Marco Rubio is Not ‘The Republican Savior’
By Igor Volsky on Feb 7, 2013 at 9:13 am
Since Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) abandoned his opposition to providing undocumented immigrants with a pathway to citizenship and embraced a bipartisan framework for comprehensive immigration, political pundits and Republican leaders have anointed the Florida Congressman the future of the GOP.
Consequently, the likely 2016 presidential candidate has become a media darling, appearing on conservative talk shows and mainstream outlets to tout his reform principles and convince skeptics of the wisdom of reforming the nation’s broken immigration system. The media idolization reached its zenith on the cover of this week’s issue of TIME magazine. The publication prominently features a picture of a defiant Rubio under the headline, “The Republican Savior: How Marco Rubio became the new voice of the GOP.”
But dig beyond Rubio’s newfound embrace of immigration reform, and you’ll find that the GOP’s future appears stuck in the past, as the great hope of the party still espouses many of the extreme policies voters rejected in November:
1. Refused to raise the debt ceiling. Rubio voted against the GOP’s compromise measure to temporarily suspend the debt limit through May 19 in order avoid defaulting on the national debt. In a statement posted on his website, Rubio insisted that he would hold the debt ceiling increase hostage “unless it is tied with measures to actually solve our debt problem through spending reforms.”
2. Co-sponsored and voted for a Balanced Budget Amendment. “Now more than ever, we need a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” Rubio proclaimed in 2011. A Balanced Budget Amendment would force the government to slash spending during an economic downturn, driving up unemployment and making the downturn worse, in a vicious cycle. If the amendment were in place during the last financial crisis, unemployment would have doubled.
3. Signed the Norquist pledge. Rubio pledged to never raise taxes under any circumstances and even voted against the last-minute deal to avert the fiscal cliff, since the deal included $600 billion in revenue. “Thousands of small businesses, not just the wealthy, will now be forced to decide how they’ll pay this new tax,” Rubio noted in a statement.
4. Backed Florida’s voter purge. Rubio defended Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) attempted purge Democratic voters from the rolls, brushing off its disproportionate targeting of Latino voters. He also defended Florida’s decision to shorten its early voting period from two weeks to eight days by pointing to “the cost-benefit analysis.” After Election Day, several prominent Florida Republicans admitted that the election law changes were geared toward suppressing minority and Democratic votes and researchers found that long voting lines drove away at least 201,000 Florida voters.
5. Doesn’t believe in climate change. During a recent BuzzFeed interview, Rubio claimed has “seen reasonable debate” over whether humans are causing climate change. Scientists have long agreed that the debate is now over.
6. Opposed federal action to help prevent violence against women. Rubio voted against the motion to proceed to debate the Violence Against Women Act, noting that he disagrees with portions of the bill. Rubio claims he supports a scaled-back version of the legislation.
7. Believes employers should be able to deny birth control to their employees. Rubio co-sponsored a bill — along with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) — that sought to nullify Obamacare’s requirement that employers provide contraception to their employees without additional co-pays by permitting businesses to voluntarily opt out of offering birth control.
8. Recorded robo calls for anti-gay hate group. Rubio has previously boasted the endorsement of anti-gay hate groups like the Family Research Council and during the election recorded robocalls for the National Organization of Marriage urging Americans to deny equal rights to gays and lesbians. He recently wouldn’t take a position on legislation that would prohibit employers from firing employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identify and wouldn’t say “whether same-sex couples should receive protections under immigration law.”
Another reason can now be added to this list, on Tuesday , February 12,Rubio voted NO against “The Violence Against Women Act”
And this guy has presidential ambitions?
Ron -- Nice post.
Huntsman would make a great candidate but I think he's too sane, reasonable and intelligent to be nominated by today's Republican Party. Ha!
geo,
Uhhh . . . geo, he would never begin a sentence with "Me and my party". You might. But an intelligent, educated, articulate person knows that you never say, "Me and Mary went to the store today." I'll let you figure out what's wrong with beginning a sentence that way. Yep, it'll probably take you weeks, but you might eventually get there, though I'm not going to put any money on it.
Ron--That was a great post, and wonderful way to start things off this morning.
Wow, Gingerbread Mom, You and I are on the same page.
Might I also add, Hispanics were very disappointed in Rubio's speech because he only mentioned immigration twice.
Gingerbread Mama: I couldn't believe it when I saw that article about Rubio selling his house. I literally couldn't believe it, not after what he said in his rebuttal.
I'm glad you brought it here.
Ron & Beverly, nice to see you and I agree with all your points on Sen. Rubio.
If the Republicans run the same type of hard right candidate in 2016 for President, they will lose. For example Marco Rubio will lose, because the MAJORITY of the people don't believe in the hard right stance of conservatism.
So, the only way the republican would win would be voter suppression. Sad!!!
One more lesson learned is that the republican/tea party will eat one of their own for lunch. Just to try to obstruct anything the President does. If you think this statement is false ask Chuck Hagel.
geo,
On a per capita basis, deaths from gun violence are 3 times greater in NOLA than they are in Chicago.
Even here in Columbus our gun deaths on a per capita basis are close to the rate in Chicago.
I believe a lot of improvements are required in Chicago like has been accomplished in NY and LA but when you standardize numbers to a percentage rather than raw numbers it brings the scope and depth of the problem into focus.
Pat Boston MA.
What Can I (We) Do?
Pat,
I honestly shed tears of pride when I saw of the 102 yr Creole who stood in line for hours. I noticed she was trying to stand up when the President mentioned her; but couldn't. At her age and the with the aging process she really deserves accolades.
I was re-reading a book on Dr King's quotes . When, I saw some pictures in the book, I looked them online to se if they would be there. Thankfully, they were. Look at these images. It is obvious this what the GOP wants to return too.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKnJWMelN0iz_coZG-MrsCb8zzIKgTpo1mXmc2e3ik6fauuIfs8w
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRkpqHpYQ7P2fM2gxbmpKR5eaF6dNnawo85cRIaNLAY27c_9BUew
Happy Valentines Day to you and the girls.
♥
Steve Benen, The Maddow Blog:
A Conversation Ending Chart
It went largely overlooked yesterday, but the U.S. federal government ran a surplus in January of about $3 billion. These are rare but not unheard of, even in an era of large deficits, but it's the context that's notable -- as Republicans and pundits tell the public the government is spending far more than it takes in, we just wrapped up a month in which the government took it more than it spent.
Of course, that's only one month, though as Jed Graham noted yesterday, the fact of the matter is the federal budget deficit is currently shrinking at the fastest pace in modern American history. In fact, Graham described this as "the deficit chart that should embarrass deficit hawks."
Republican policymakers, who never met an economic truth they didn't forcefully reject, not only fail to feel any sense of embarrassment, they're also convinced that this reality isn't, well, reality. The GOP line is that the deficit is growing even though it's shrinking; that the nation's finances are deteriorating even through they're improving; and that the fastest deficit reduction in six decades that threatens the health of the economy should be even faster, regardless of the consequences.
It's quite unnerving, actually, to appreciate how unconcerned Republicans seem about the conditions they pretend don't exist.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/13/16951837-a-conversation-ending-chart?lite
Sorry Jack, Got my edumacation in one of those high quality Chicago Public Schools. You know the ones, the ones that are 1 BILLION in debt. the ones that are closing 129 skools and taking 400 million out this year alone, all to pay for another voting block the Unions stolen pension debt (100 BILLION). So, again sorry for my poor edumacation.
Hi Bev....yes we are and so too I see is Ron....good post. There is no way that Marco Rubio will be President in the near future. Maybe in couple of decades, if he learns to keep his naked ambition under wraps he might qualify. To me he is the definition of an empty suit, the words are there but there's no substance behind them.
Also Pat good post, voter suppression is of vital importance to me too. As I see it, the GOP have no decent candidate prospects and they know it, voter suppression in one form or another is their answer to try to win. However, they need look no further than in Fl. where people stayed in line to cast their vote even though the election had been called for the President.
Some were in line for more than 7 hours getting to vote at 1am in the morning showing that people have the will to use their power to elect the right person and this I believe is where the conservatives will ultimately fail.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Once Hagel is confirmed, I fervently hope the GOP will come over to his side and support him as Secretary of Defense. We do not need our country divided over such a crucial cabinet member. It would be counterproductive to our national security to continue to attack him baselessly (Ted Cruz) once he assumes the post.
To my bright, articulate and open-minded friends (you know who you are), HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
To the closed-minded trolls, enjoy your VD. ;) (kidding, kidding...)
geo-1957883
So 12,000 gun murders later and Obama finally has something to say in Chicago. The 24 years he has lived their and nothing to say, but now is the time. Finally. but what is he going to say. he should say Me and my party have brought a great disservice to all of Chicago, by our 100 years of one party rule. I personally take the responsibilty for once, to try and end this.
geo,
You don't know WTF you are talking about.
President Obama is talking about growing the middle class by helping those in poverty get there. That includes Police and teachers jobs NOT being cut as well as gun control.
President Obama says repeatedly when talking about this is that he refers to "those who are in the middle class and those who are striving to get there." Who do you and the other nut jobs think he's talking about. Futermore, as Senator he put in placce laws to prevenet ccrime
The fact that the President doesn't use the word "poverty" doesn't mean he doesn't talk about it...all the time! He simply speaks to their aspirations rather than their circumstances.
The White House doesn’t seem to have a legislative strategy to get some of these proposals passed in Congress. Yes, they have a POLITICAL strategy, and for now it appears they hope somehow national popularity for an idea will translate into congressional action.
============
I guess at the end of the day, I'm a bit confused as to why there is something wrong with the above statement.
Sure, it can be called a 'political' strategy, but why can that not also be considered a portion of a legislative strategy? Members of Congress are always in front of a camera and microphone speaking allegedly about the desires of their District or State, so why exactly does it not make sense for the President to pitch his framework to the Public and ask for pressure to be applied to their Representatives and Senators if they are in support of that framework?
At the end of the day, the President only signs legislation into Law. From my perspective, it always should be the job of the Congress to write, debate and vote on the Legislation.
I guess since the media seems to know all things, why don't they just go ahead and tell us what legislative strategy the WH is suppose to use to successfully get these measures passed in a Congress with some of the most ignorant sob's on the planet?
Bev, thank you for the photos.
Honest to God, when I saw Desiline Victor at the State of the Union address, she so reminded me of women we saw as children on television speaking about life as a black women back in the day. I have always remembered those images as I saw in their faces a look of determination mixed with such sadness as they spoke.
So it just broke my heart that Miss Victor had to go through what she had to go through in Florida simply to cast a vote for her president.
I think we are all here in America honored that President & Mrs. Obama gave us all an opportunity to meet Desiline. She is someone we will never ever forget.
So Dennis, here in the real world, I am wondering.....Where do you think it's safer to live?
Chicago or Columbus?
(Not counting the cow factor of most Buckeye Co-eds)
One thing I learned about the Republicans, which has been reinforced by the Hagel fight, is their willingness to politicize everything.
Disaster relief, Debt Ceiling, Senate Confirmations - it doesn't matter. They will take any chance they get to obstruct, insult and complain.
Another thing that has been reinforced by the Hagel hearings is that Republicans' never let facts stand in the way of their arguments.
The wild conspiracy theories and personal attacks thrown at a fellow Republican show just have far removed from reality they really are.
This is the party that nominated Donald Rumsfeld, and they are questioning Hagel's qualifications?
geo, It isn't as much an education problem as it is a lack of process for critical thinking. You, demonize the president without just cause. You are just like all the other fascist, you take a guy on the radio's word for it, instead of a simple google which by the way you can find facts by using neutral websites, and dispel your own myths crated with one purpose. A majority of Americans can see the president is doing a good job, a majority of Americans can see congress is not. Simply put, Chicago's education system may be poor but it was none of Obama's doing.
Your guy just got elected and your already crying about the 2016 election and calling the other side out on things they haven't done. You enslave your base with your handouts and you cry all the time even when you win. Romney was not hard right by any stretch of the word.
If America is still here in 2016 you will be begging for a candidate to fill this hole your clown in chief has dug.
The Democrat party is truly PATHETIC. Twits and dimwits all.
Bev and Pat -
What struck me about Desiline Victor at the State of the Union address wasn't so much that she couldn't stand - but that John Boehner wouldn't stand when everyone else did for her. I realize that a lot of people get tired of the people that presidents - ALL presidents, from both parties, in the last few decades - bring to the SOTU to illustrate their points - but for God's sake, if you can't stand up and respect a 102-year-old woman, what DO you respect?
WCA: "(Not counting the cow factor of most Buckeye Co-eds)"
Speaking of respecting women, can you please explain why you felt it was necessary to add that crude remark?
TNSEVOL, I think the absolutely worst thing was to politicize the tragedy in Libya. That is as close to treason that I ever want to see senators do. Four American hero's died for Christ sake. To try to score political points by it is as dastardly low as anything I have seen in my 67 years.
Here are the top-ten states in terms of gun deaths per capita, along with an estimate of their gun ownership ranking:
Gun Deaths per Capita Gun Ownership Ranking
District of Columbia 31.2 54
Alaska 20.0 2
Louisiana 19.5 13
Wyoming 18.8 1
Arizona 18.0 38
Nevada 17.3 35
Mississippi 17.3 8
New Mexico 16.6 32
Arkansas 16.3 6
Alabama 16.2 9
As you can see, five of the top ten states for gun deaths also rank in the top ten for gun ownership.
Here is a link to an interesting scientific look at gun violence, and how high-capacity magazines DO contribute to mass killings:
http://kevinjashton.com/2013/01/24/the-physics-of-mass-killing/
Hey there Ron, other than trying to drag the carcasses of a 75 year Old Joe Biden and a 70 year old Hillary Clinton out in 2016, who exactly do the Democrats have as candidates going forward.
You guys put all your eggs in the Obama basket and going forward you got nuthin.
Wow, that didnt format very well.
Gun Deaths per Capita
Gun Death Ranking
Gun Ownership Ranking
District of Columbia
31.2
1
54
Alaska
20.0
2
2
Louisiana
19.5
3
13
Wyoming
18.8
4
1
Arizona
18.0
5
38
Nevada
17.3
6
35
Mississippi
17.3
7
8
New Mexico
16.6
8
32
Arkansas
16.3
9
6
Alabama
16.2
10
9
Too bad all that time was spent in the parking lot vs. attending an actual class.
It's safer to live in a household without guns.
A gun may make you FEEL safer, but statistically you are more likely to be killed by your own gun, kill a friend or family member in anger or by accident, or commit suicide with your gun.
Not that it could ever happen to you, WCA. Not you.
Pat Boston MA.
Bev, thank you for the photos.
Pat
I think we are all here in America honored that President & Mrs. Obama gave us all an opportunity to meet Desiline. She is someone we will never ever forget.
I think of the many people who scarifed so much and never go to see President Obama elected; like my mom for instance.
On No.
John McCain might delay Chuck Hagel vote
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is backing away from his no-filibuster stance on the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/john-mccain-may-filibuster-chuck-hagel-87590.html#ixzz2KtaPI1Xi
TNSEVOL -- With those stats, wonder why the Right focuses on Chicago, Illinois? Hmm.
Great posts on voter suppression, Rubio, and other hot topics, liberal friends!
Bev from the Murder capital of the Western hemisphere - Obama talks about the Middle-class. Does he talk about how he is ruining it. $4,500 less in median income, first president ever to have that happen. 17 million more in poverty under his stewardship, thats something to be really proud of . Johntho - You DUMBASS, I lived it. Take a drive with me through what the Democrats have down to once proud cities around Chicago. We can compare pictures to Harvey Il and Somolia and bet you can not tell me which is which. Not Obama's doing. Again DUMBASS, where do you think he learned his politics. Where has he lived for the past 24 years. Is he not a Democrat?
There is a lot of killing in Chicago, what amazes me is they call them illegal guns, all guns are legal by their stance on the second amendment, which means they would not register, nor licence any guns. The fallacy that the second amendment means that weapons can be owned without regulation is a myth. Taking the semi automatic weapons out of civilian hands as well as the extended magazines is well within the governments role. To ensure domestic tranquility. Important to me. I vote.
TNSEVOL...isnt it going to suck when the 2nd Amendment is upheld? yeah it is...OUCH
geo,
[$4,500 less in median income, first president ever to have that happen]
Again with the selective usage of raw numbers! How about comparing as a percent of household income lost and you will see the recent decrease to only be slightly worse than the 1980 recession and less than half the decline during the Great Depression.
Geo., I have slept in a railroad yard, in a truck, on the south side of Chicago on Halloween night. Got up in the morning hungry ask where was safe and the guy said right up the street. I was surrounded by black people. Nobody but the waitress talked to me, but no one bothered my breakfast either. I might be a dumb ass geo, but Chicago never scared me and I drove through there all the time. The problem is trickle down economics, think back to Clinton and everybody was working that wanted too. The wealth has shifted to the top, and the middle class is losing and that started about the time of Saint Ronny, I lived that. I have seen this country go from one of opportunity in the 90's to one of despair in the 2000's, inner cities are always hurt the most. I don't know why I am trying to explain anything to you, you obviously are brain washed. The truth don't matter.
Great posts this morning. Ron, wonderful way to start the day! Thank you.
Happy Valentines Day!
So, CA, you are saying that with the 2nd. amendment that guns cannot be regulated? How about those magazines that allow for mass killings? Go on record here, I am going to save it. C.A. is saying, the SCOTUS will uphold the 2nd amendment and allow you to own, possess any weapon without regulation and/licenseing.
Are you on some sort of hallucinogen? Where's Caracas? Ciudad Juárez? Tegucigalpa? Medellín? These cities have anywhere from 10 to 15 times Chicago's murder rate, why is Chicago the murder capital of the Western Hemisphere? Even if, somehow, your definition of "Western Hemisphere" were "the United States," where's Baltimore? Detroit? Nashville? St. Louis? DC? Countless more cities and towns in the South?
Chicago is NOT the "murder capital" right-wing extremists love to think it is. In fact, 2012 was an anomaly in an otherwise downward trend in murder rates. Gun control has largely WORKED in Chicago. Its murder rate was significantly reduced from its peak the late '80s and early '90s to where it was at the end of the last decade. 2012, again, was anomalous.
Again, that is a LIE. Real income has gone down through several presidential terms, Obama's not being the first. It also went down in BOTH of Bush's terms. Obama WAS the first since Roosevelt, however, to struggle with such a massive economic downturn, which you conveniently forget.
One thing I learned about the Republicans, which has been reinforced by the Hagel fight, is their willingness to politicize everything.
Nothing new there, but lets be honest the democrats do the same thing. Example, Rubio and watergate.
I find it interesting that you guys are picking apart Rubio's story, but no mention of Obama's less than honest speech.
MSNBC ran the clip of Rubio sipping water over 150 times yesterday, and this is news? Its good for a one liner on SNL but 150 times from a news agency?
Nah KayBee, I don't own a gun. Never have.
I do have some kitchen knives and tables with sharp corners in the house though.
Suppose my home would be safer without those?
JoAnne in PA
JoAnne
Like I said Boehner STANDS FOR NOTHING!!! He as far as I'm concerned is the worst Speaker of the house.
geo, do you and conservatives like you ever think how narrow-focused you sound with the constant bashing of Chicago and anything else remotely connected to President Obama while ignoring all the other cities with equal and greater problems? It is petty but then petty is what conservatives do best.
thetotas, if you can't see the difference between the GOP blocking Hagel's nomination (a senator they once praised highly) and making fun of Rubio's awkward stop for water, then you have a problem with understanding what are serious issues and what are humorous events.
Caesar-
I made no argument against the Second Amendment, just pointed out what should be a self-evident fact, that higher levels of gun ownership leads to higher levels of gun deaths.
I strongly support the RIGHT to bear arms guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment, I also accept that in conjunction with that right is a RESPONSIBILITY to bear those arms in as safe a manner as possible.
That is why I support common-sense measures like universal background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines.
WCA -
Do people commit suicide by a sharp-cornered table? Do many people die from a kitchen knife accident?
The chance of surviving a gunshot to the heart is about 20%, while the chance of surviving a stab to the is around 70%. Knives and tables are nowhere near as lethal as a gun.
geo-1957883
Bev from the Murder capital of the Western hemisphere - Obama talks about the Middle-class. Does he talk about how he is ruining it. $4,500 less in median income,
No, geo because that would be a LIE.
CEO pay has grown more than 127 times faster than worker pay over the last 30 years.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/06/17/500994/2011-ceo-pay-twice-as-fast/
Yes, WCA, your home would be safer without those. But we are not discussing absolute safety, which is non-existent. You could live very safely for a hundred years in a padded room, but you will eventually die anyway.
So that line of reasoning is moot.
Kitchen knives are primarily used for non-violent purposes, right?
The same can't be said about guns, which were invented to kill animals and people.
I'd re-think those sharp table corners if I were you.
Jody, I haven't ignored the other cities.
Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Oakland, DC, Miami, etc, etc.
Now what do all these cities have in common politically?
Let me help.
Decades of Democrat rule.
And they are all a mess.
Can you believe those mean Republicans think people should have to prove who they are to be able to vote? How dare they require a voter ID or some other form like a drivers license. That is just so unreasonable. So what if they can't speak English, or are listed as deceased, or need a photo ID to get a library card. This is America, where we don't need to get personal for something as trivial as voting.
You've got to have more sympathy for poor Marco. It's thirsty work mouthing the boilerplate Republican platitudes and lies to mask the callousness and greed behind the Republican agenda. The same thing happened to poor Paul Ryan during his debate with Joe Biden. Lyin' Ryan had to take a big gulp of H2O every time he told a lie, and he went through his Perrier fast. It tends to shrivel up the body as well as the soul. Gotta stay hydrated!
View of the GOP Senators. One more of your own (Barasso?), said he's just not comfortable with Chuck Hagel's nomination. Add that bit of flim-flam to McCain, Graham, Inhofe saying they would never filibuster a cabinet position last week even if they voted NO, now doing a giant back flip to filibuster. And they wonder why the American people give them about a 15% approval rating.
The truth of the matter is that the only thing about Chuck Hagel's nomination that these Senators are not comfortable with is that Chuck Hagel endorsed President Obama and based on the election outcome, Senator Hagel agreed with voters--President Obama was the best choice and the right choice. In the GOPTPers narrow, squinty, little eyes, that makes Hagel the enemy. Yet these Senators think people should respect them.
Why? please explain why and spell out this common sense? do you lefties hate Vermont? the Constitutional Carry state?
Crime is common, logic is rare
Rick -
You betray your lack of knowledge of the voter ID rules the Republicans were trying to implement. "Some other form of ID" was a state-issued identification, which may not be easy to get if you are elderly.
Pennsylvania's law would not allow them to issue a state ID if the name on the birth certificate differed from the name on their social security card.
My late mother would have had a serious issue with that, as her name is spelled differently on almost every document - driver's license, birth certificate, social security card.
Other state's lawss wold not accept an expired driver's license - as if your identity changed just because it expired!
You should do some research, then you would understand how oppressive and suppressive the laws were designed to be.
The Rep.T.P. are committed to the ancient view espoused by that third rate actor and role model for their hero, former P.O.T.U.S. R.Reagen, a creature who used all of his tax evading,but legal ways to avoid paying taxes. They are looking to find ways to convince their prospective employers to accept their plans to lower,even further, incomes and Social Security of all except the rich.We note that they are not committed to altering their plans but in pushing them through in a better way to have us ,their hoped for employers to somehow accept those antiquated views. They are definitely a political party that is way past their time of existence.
It's the fact that this is the most income has dropped during a recovery.
WCA, and dozens of cities (and states) with decades of republican rule have the same problem so your point is exactly what? Never mind, your point is "democrats" whereas my point is the petty, narrow-focus conservatives have on anything or anyplace associated with President Barack Obama.
Rick-3416939
They already do need ID. It's called a voter registration card. That's why in the past 10 years or so, there have only been a few hundred cases of voter fraud out of hundreds of millions cast. And that's why some wingnut Republican in Nevada was arrested for trying to vote twice at different locations in order to demonstrate how easy voter fraud was.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/roxanne-rubin_n_2566297.html
Jody,
if you can't see the difference between the GOP blocking Hagel's nomination (a senator they once praised highly) and making fun of Rubio's awkward stop for water, then you have a problem with understanding what are serious issues and what are humorous events.
That was my point, the coverage of Rubio "watergate" got more coverage then Hagel's nomination.
FYI, I do have an understanding of serious issues, I just wished the media did.
Jody,
WCA, and dozens of cities (and states) with decades of republican rule have the same problem so your point is exactly what?
Exactly!
Caesar-
Why a universal background check - seriously? So you are in favor of allowing anyone to sell a gun to anyone?
Universal background checks will at a minimum make it harder for someone with a criminal background or demonstrated mental issues to obtain a firearm.
Will it solve all the problems? No. Will criminals still be able to obtain weapons illegally? Yes.
But neither of those is a valid argument against requiring universal background checks.
Alan - You write:
I'll tell you the same thing I told geo yesterday.
Why the decline in wages? During the worst of it, WORKERS took wage concessions, "Right to Work" laws were enacted, putting downward pressure on all wages, and millions of good paying jobs were lost as business' were forced to downsize. That in turn forced many to take a job that pays substantially less, again, courtesy of the "Right to Work" laws brought to you by Republicans across our country. And that MADNESS continues. If the Republicans had their way minimum wage would be $5.00 an hour and no one would have employer provided benefits.
Bev - Ceo's are not the Middle-Class. Nice try though. Those numbers are FACTS. Jody - Democrats do what they do best. Ruin Cities and African-American lives. Andrestm - Thanks for pointing out that Democrats have turned Chicago into a 3rd world city.
DCIA,
If the Republicans had their way minimum wage would be $5.00 an hour and no one would have employer provided benefits.
Thanks to Obamacare, employers will cut hours back, leaving workers without any medical benefits.
sorry should have been more specific..Im ok with universal background checks (we already have those called the Brady Background however) Specificially the hi cap mags?
thetotas,
[Thanks to Obamacare, employers will cut hours back, leaving workers without any medical benefits.]
To clarify your comment it should end with "without any Employer Paid medical benefits".
Actually it is all talk right now with many of those employers already backing down on their threats.
Let's wait till next year and see what really happens … my guess is that few employers will actually reduce workers hours to less than 30 or cut their workforce to less than 50 to avoid this cost.
thetotas -- Isn't it Republicans who championed using Emergency Rooms as a healthcare plan for decades?
Where were you then?
Alan NJ:
Making up your "facts" again, Alan?
Income INCREASED, although only slightly.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/growth-isnt-enough-to-help-the-middle-class/2013/02/13/0f6f644e-75f2-11e2-aa12-e6cf1d31106b_story.html
And by some strange coincidence, the two recoveries during which income fell, there was a president named "Bush" in office. Quelle surprise!
However, the decoupling of economic growth from middle class income began with Ronald Reagan, and his legacy of redistributing wealth from the middle class to the already-wealthy lives on, long after he's gone to that great movie actor's retirement home in the sky.
Jody,
I understand your disapproval of the media's focus on Rubio's "watergate," but Tom Toles makes a good point using the comedy material Rubio provided:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/toles?hpid=z3
Houston!
Right, a few hundred cases in the past 10 years. It would be more honest to say they don't actually look for voter fraud, or the results might surprise people. In Maine for example, you walk in, tell them your name, and they hand you a ballot. No voter ID required. Since they publish lists of those likely to vote, it takes no effort to walk into every polling place with the name of someone that rarely votes and commit voter fraud. You tell them your name, they ask if you still live at, you say yes, they give you a ballot. Unless you run into someone that might know that person sitting at the polling place, your chances of getting caught are slim at best. Absentee and early voting make it even easier.
So totas, your answer to Obama cares is to let 50 million people not have access to basic health care. Your answer is to continue the cost inhibiting structure as it was, which by the way cost twice as much as the closest country to us that has some form of socialized medicine. Your answer is to do nothing about our health care system being so poor that many of the countries that are ranked above us are countries we hate. But they at least take care of ALL of their people. And the worst thing about it is you are going to pay for others even without Obama cares. YOU PAY FOR THEM ANYWAY.
geo,
My problem with you is that you're a one-trick pony--a provincial guy with a narrow view of the world. You keep saying the same thing over and over and over, like a broken record. Have you ever stepped outside the city limits of Chicago? Get a life.
Rick-3416939
The voter ID that I have to show when I vote is my voter registration card. If poll workers aren't asking for a registration card, or don't have to, then they need to change the law in Maine.
BTW: Maine is the state where the Republican Party chairman claimed there was voter fraud because he saw "dozens of black people" he didn't know voting. Black people voting is always suspicious.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/2012/11/15/maine-gop-chairman-sorry-for-voter-fraud-comments/C4TKwFDMDpQKHq1tvgMeVL/story.html
DCIA:
If the Republicans had their way, there would be no minimum wage at all. And there would also be no occupational safety regulations. As things already stand now, there is also no federal requirement for employers to provide paid sick leave, and an employee who doesn't show up to work for a single day because he's sick may face immediate termination in some establishments. That's the way many restaurants operate, so when someone is dining out, he may be getting a dose of the stomach flu or a cold with their burger and fries. As far as I know, Republicans can be infected by a sick employee as easily as Democrats. But Republicans deserve it more because the unrestrained capitalism they want is also the freedom for restaurants to them a dose of E. Coli. That is what they voted for, after all.
That's right, DCIA, yet Republicans (who pretend to love the free market system and to abhor government subsidies) are the ones forcing the minimum wage worker onto food stamps and other forms of government assistance. A full time worker who earns minimum wage falls under the poverty line.
Two thirds of Americans are employed by large corporations, such as WalMart, which could well afford to pay their rank and file employees a liveable wage, enough to get them off food stamps.
The CEOs and owners of some of our largest corporations (such as the multi- billionaires of the Walton family) benefit directly --money in their pockets-- by paying their employees a pittance and letting the U.S. government pick up the slack to keep those at the low end from starving to death.
Those greedy one percenters are the ultimate beneficiaries of the programs the U.S. has set up to help the poor. One percenters are creating poverty and reaping the government windfall for themselves. And they claim they don't want big government.
Liars!!!
Houston and Kaybee -- Thanks for expounding on those issues. Excellent commentary.
When looking at the totality of their proposed policy prescriptions it's clear where we all be if Republicans had their way.
Doesn't a Senator have to reside in the state he represents? If Marco Rubio is selling his house in Florida and using the money to buy a home in or around DC than he would no longer be a legal resident of Florida. His official residence would be in DC, VA, MD or other nearby community. Perhaps he wants to run for Senator representing Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, or give up being a Senator at all by living in DC which doesn't have Senatorial representation as it isn't a state.
Yeah, it's all those right to work laws. How about all that cheap illegal labor? I guess that has no effect on the market. That old supply and demand idea doesn't really work?
@Houston!
Nope, and you can check out my source as I usually cite them.
Alan N J
The business reporter for the Washington Post said the median income increased slightly. Probably a difference in the calculations he used and how Pew did theirs. In any case, you know you're just pretending you don't know that Bush's Great Recession was far worse and much different than any recession in the last hundred years except for the Great Depression of the 30s.
Now you are arguing the causes of this slow recovery not the effects. I would say the causes are twofold. One is a more conservative business environment as businesses de-leveraged (when GE could not borrow for day to day operations then they are going to build up their cash reserves rather than expand), and the changes in the healthcare laws, which you can deny, but have affected hiring.
... the numbers for Bush's last three months. Between October and November, 597,000 jobs were lost; between November and December, 681,000 were lost; and between December and January, 741,000 were lost.
Feb 1, 2013 - the economy has added private sector jobs for 35 straight months. During this span, 6.1 million private sector jobs have been created.
DJIA Dec 1, 2008 8149
DJIA Feb 14, 2013 13973
Dec. 29, 2008 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. corporate earnings fell for a sixth-straight quarter, the longest streak in at least 20 years, as consumer spending on automobiles, homes and retailers collapsed.
Jul 31, 2012 (Bloomberg) -- Profits for companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index have grown for 10 straight quarters, helping to power the index to a more than twofold increase since March 2009.
As you can clearly see, the hole was dug before Obama took office. As you can also clearly see, he has been busy filling it in for the last 4 years.
You keep on dreaming there, buddy. Fact is, nobody is buying your Republican malarkey anymore!
Jack - All I hear from your side is Crap, When I lay out what being a Democrat does to people I get a personal attack. Please just answer why Democrats can not take responsiblity for what they have done to Chicago? And what do you expect to hear from Obama in Chicago on Friday. There will be no responsibility taken, cheap talk about the Middle-Class, and a load of spew. Thats all you will get.
Houston, no problem but it wasn't me complaining about the media focus on Rubio's water-gate, it was THEtotas.
thetotas, well, where have you been the last 2 1/2 weeks? There has been daily media coverage of the Hagel nomination.
"The Times They Are A-Changin' " Bob Dylan
"Come gather 'round people wherever you roam, and admit that the waters around you have grown. And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone, if your time to you is worth savin'. Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin'......"
On any given day, GOP legislators stand in front of a microphone and complain about President Obama...doing or saying or not doing or not saying this or that. While it is not unusual for parties to disagree with a President and do it publicly, it is unusual that the opposition does this every single day; that it spends its time moaning and groaning in front of the microphone while delaying, denying and obstructing behind the cameras.
The day after the State of the Union, the GOP was in full-blast screech mode. President Obama hit a nerve, a lot of nerves but more importantly, the conservative whine has become a desperation, primal scream because the GOP knows the people are on our President's side. They know his proposals are what the people want despite their denial. They saw the post-SOTU polls. 67% approved of President Obama's speech, support his policies and his proposals; 60% support addressing climate change; 52% support and believe infrastructure investment will create jobs; 55% want immigration reform; 73% support increasing the minimum wage; 74% support sensible gun legislation. "Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone. For the times they are a changin'."
The GOP--despite their refusal to acknowledge it--knows that the country has shifted left, shifted away from their ultra-conservative and narrow thinking, knows the demographics are slipping from their tenuous grasp. If the GOP had dared to risk showing any public support for President Obama, they would have stood and applauded his proposals because the GOP knows they are the right thing to do. They recognized the power in that speech and they knew, in their hearts, that in millions of homes across this land, the people stood, cheered and applauded, too! They know that every reform mentioned deserves a vote. If the GOP cannot jump on board the People's Train that is rapidly leaving them at the station, then they must get out of the way. "They deserve a vote....they deserve a simple vote."
"Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call. Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall. For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled, there's a battle outside and it is ragin'. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. For the times they are a changin'......."
After Pres. O's State of the Union, here is Bohner's reaction:
WOW, I can't believe what I read here. I think Bohner is really clueless. He should have asked himself this question. I remember Bohner promised jobs to all Americans when he became the Weeper of the House after 2010 Midterm Elections. So he failed and then turned around and blamed it on the President?
.
Why is he even the Speaker of the House..the second in line after the VP in succession??
OMG, Jody, that is a great Bob Dylan lyric to apply to the Republicans' situation. Will they heed it? I doubt it!
What Republicans should have said after the President's State of the Union speech was: "We will find places we can work with the President on, in order to move the country forward." That would have gone a long way to earning the respect and the trust of the American people. What knuckleheads.
Jody, that takes me back to my protest days. Remember, don't trust anybody over 30? Make love not war? Country Joe McDonald was one my favorites, so was Bob Dylan, now McDonald's is my coffee shop. Yes, the times they are a changing.
It has been a constant whine from the right for over 4 years. Socialist this and Marxist that, and what have we got for it. A president who has hardened, and smarter, and able to deal with this obstructionist congress by taking the fight to the people. Ultimately it is up to us to make a noise loud enough to be heard in Washington. One third of the Senate, and all of the house is up for reelection in 2014 and we must not let them forget that.
"come mothers and fathers through out the land, and don't criticize what you can't understand"
Yep, sure brings me back to Budwiser beer when it was an American company.
At the SOTU, Jody, Boehner looked almost pained as he was the last person in the room to stand to acknowledge the parents whose daughter had been shot. Imagine that---he had to consider whether he should stand up for them. I will never forget that moment--"they deserve a vote" --when we know they deserve so much more than that but might not even get a vote.
What a great and true meaning song!
I thought the song was perfect for where the GOP finds itself these days. It remains one of my favorite Dylan tunes. Bob Dylan in later years said that he didn't write protest songs which is probably true. But I've always thought that his lyrics and music reflected the upheaval, the anti-war protests, the civil rights struggles, the frustration, the country's shifting and changing attitudes. While Dylan may not have intended them to be protest songs, they projected the strong feelings so many of us who were coming of age during that era had--that sense that we'd move the country and get out of the way.
The GOPers sitting on their hands during the SOTU reflects their negative attitudes and obstructionist tactics. I've always thought the "tradition" of the opposition party not standing and applauding silly. It is one thing to not applaud a particular point but to just sit like rocks for an hour makes them look petty.
Jody -- Any reference to music captures my attention. Great post and very fitting lyrics.
The raucous Republican Party not only needs to tone it down, they need bring the Party into the 21st century.
Here's a stanza for the media: Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen; and keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again. And don't speak too soon for the wheel's still in spin, and there's no tellin' who that it's a namin'. For the loser now will later to win. For the times they are a-changin'.
God, I have always loved that song.
Well done Jody, that too is my favorite Dylan piece and you used it beautifully to illustrate how the GOP cant get out of their own way. When I read about them and their attempts to obstruct the President, I think of their party as a house divided and it will eventually collapse under the weight of their own hubris.
Amy B. Portland, ME
OMG, Jody, that is a great Bob Dylan lyric to apply to the Republicans' situation. Will they heed it? I doubt it!
Amy, I second the emotion.
No, those clowns won't. Watch when the President takes a break Friday to go Florida, the right will have a conniption; screaming about a waste of tax dollars for Air Force one. Yet, the sequester is coming and Boehnor is allowing the House to be off for a week.
Now that's where the waste and abuse is.
Blowing in the wind wasn't a protest song Jody? Could have fooled me. LOL Bob Dylan said he didn't write protest music, I wonder what my dad would have to say about that.
It may have sounded all sweet and nice with P.P and M. singing it but it struck at the very heart of the civil rights movement of the day. Heck, there was a time when you said Dylan, that old people thought you were talking about Dylan Thomas.
Love that Dylan tune, but there are others I love more. For instance "Hurricane" which in turn helped get an innocent man out of prison. The times may be changing but unfortunately we see history repeating itself over and over again. This is why so many of his songs can still fit current situations.
Wow you can read , Ya Obama promised, jobs in both campaigns still have 23 million out of work and a real unemployment of 15%. Boehner jobs bill is in the Senate Reid has held up bills for jobs in the Senate.
Here's a link have someone read it to you
Thanks, friends.
Johntho, that's funny, Dylan Thomas. That's what Bob Dylan said but those of us who were part of those years viewed them as protest songs. Wish I could remember the rest of the interview when Dylan said that and his reasoning for it. He may not have intended them as protest songs but they reflected the protest era perfectly.
Pigotry
After Pres. O's State of the Union, here is Bohner's reaction:
Pigotry, I doubt if he will be in 2014. OFA has a plan to take back the House.
I remember vividly, the GOP running on Jobs. The GOP has refused the Jobs bill over 30 times.
Blocking the American Jobs Act (Fall 2011)
In Sept. 2011, Obama proposed the AJA, a $447 billion package of infrastructure spending, unemployment benefits, funds for rehiring teachers and first responders, and tax cuts for households and businesses, among other provisions. Senate Republicans filibustered the full $447 billion AJA, and subsequently blocked smaller subsets of the AJA that would have put a dent in the unemployment rate, notably funds to rehire teachers and first responders as well as $56 billion worth of infrastructure investments. All variations of the AJA would have been financed with surtaxes on millionaires—meaning that long-run deficits would actually be reduced by the AJA. President Obama proposed another variation of the AJA in his fiscal 2013 budget, which we estimated would have lowered the unemployment rate roughly half a percentage point. Congress only enacted a scaled back extension of the payroll tax cut (the AJA would have expanded it for workers and employers) and EUC (Congress unwisely lowered the maximum duration of benefits in high unemployment states from 99 weeks to 73 weeks in the midst of a long-term unemployment crisis). We estimated that full passage of the AJA would have boosted real GDP growth by 1.4 percentage points and employment by more than 1.6 million jobs by the end of 2012, relative to the scaled back extension of ad hoc stimulus that made it through Congress.
http://www.epi.org/blog/congressional-republicans-smothered-rapid-economic-recovery/
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The GOP doesn't care about jobs or the American economy. They all care about their corporate masters and the money they make. They are rejecting the minimum wage. I bet the Boner's wine bill is larger than what working poor make yearly.
I know this is wrong, but this was one of my favorites,
Subterranean homesick blues.
"Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement thinking about the goverment
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off,
Says he's got a bad cough: wants to get it paid off.
Pay him off"
That song is kind of current also, sure seems kind of all protesty to me. LOL. Those times were more turbulent then these and we survived and won. No war for a long time.
I prefer Bruce Springsteen. I highly recommend his latest work, Wrecking Ball.
Jody, the line was from "A Simple Desultory Philippic" by Simon and Garfunkel
I love listening to Dylan. Those who claim he can't sing are missing the point. It's about the lyrics. It was that way in the 60s, it's still that way today.
You've added more good stuff since I left to run errands this morning. Thanks to all for reminding us of many songs.
A dear friend sent this to me today. With his permission, I'm posting it here.
When you're living on borrowed time - and we all are - the little time we have is wasted when we don't speak what is in our hearts. Thanks to many wonderful people in my life, but mostly my wife, I learned that lesson. In a very odd way, I also owe thanks to many who cannot understand the power of heart-filling and heart-rending emotion.
Today is a very special day. It is that day we set aside for a special purpose; to tell those we love just how much we love them, and more importantly how much we need them. We may not even realize how lucky we are to be able to tell them.
It seems we are constantly involved in some terrible war. We seem determined to send those we love to fight, to die, and to kill in countries across the globe. They should be home with their loved ones. They should be home with us. No one should live with such a sorrowful valentine.
Now that you've gone away,
I know half what there is to feel.
This pain in my heart, this wound to my soul
only you can heal.
Return to me safely
fill me with what I now know is true.
There's no joy without pain, no loss without gain,
and there's simply no living without you.
Now that you've gone away.
I've felt feelings I didn't know.
Sadness so deep, sorrow, despair,
and darkness wherever I go.
When you stood at my side, I scaled the heights,
I felt your constant thrill.
There was laughter and light, and warmth in the night
and no need you couldn't fill.
Now that you've gone away,
and my life has ebbed so low,
come home with new highs, new joys and blue skies
and let me always know:
The future's even better
than the day that's moved aside.
There won't be any sorrow, not today and not tomorrow,
I can laugh because I cried.
Haven't we had enough of this?
DCIA, beautiful thoughts, thanks for sharing.
Jody -- You're welcome. They are beautiful thoughts from a very special person.
V-Day. We as a species do not prosper to a fuller potential when we allow the female gender to be treated as chattel. I have been fortunate enough to have met many accomplished women in my life. Some are on this site. No matter where, they have all enriched my life. You know who you are … and less I forget to name one of you, thank you all.
XOX
OMG...you can't even remember all of their names?
Which day is scarier for you, today or FATHER'S DAY?...;-)
Happy V-Day to all, as a life without love is like a life unexamined...
... my name is Hamlet and I have learned my lesson well. Frailty is not their name.
Happy Valentines Day to you BCWC! I want to let you know as well that the continual changing of your avatar makes me smile. You definitely capture some interesting images!
Happy Valentines Day to all.
BCWC, I agree with Layton, I enjoy watching your changing avatar. And I enjoy figuring out the context of each.
"Look, you fools. You’re in danger. Can’t you see? They’re after you. They’re after all of us. Our wives, our children, everyone...You’re next!" - Miles J. Bennell, Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Love the Op-Ed you wrote, Wayne LaPierre...but, no...no, you're right, you're not paranoid...not as you predict the downfall of western civilization in this piece.
Our Canadian defense minister stood up in Parliament a few days ago and declared that our nation would forever be a zombie free land (don't ask). I am presuming that Wayne LaPierre is now persona non grata in the land of the North Star.
To paraphrase the late, great Mike Royko, no self-respecting fish would be wrapped in the Daily Caller.
Valentine's Day? Humbug!
On February 14, 269 AD, a man named Valentinus was ordered stoned to death by Emperor Claudius II. He was martyred as St. Valentine.
...so I believe that as an appropriate comemmoration of the day I will throw rocks at people I don't like.
LOL
Noid-
Why should today be any different?...;-)
(at least paint the rocks pink today)
Throw them with love. Hard love.
I remember years ago walking down train tracks with my husband. He was a good distance behind me and he started throwing pebbles at me. I turned around and asked him what the h*** he was doing and he said that when he was a young boy he would always throw rocks at the girls he liked....
"Key Republican opponents of Hagel are hoping that the longer they delay the process, there’s the chance another shoe might drop."
Most of these opponents could lose a battle of wits with the mold on shower grout.
"On the other hand, Jindal has argued that his party should stop focusing so much on Washington budget battles and should instead focus on what’s taking place in the states."
Governor, my mama taught me to be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it. What's happening in your state is that you cut hospice care. Think this'll make everyone hot to trot should you get a presidential nomination?
How does opposing the minimum wage and pre-K education sell the Republican brand? What changed? There's so much lipstick on this pig, it looks like a cheap street walker!!
The problem with Republicans opposing minimum wage increases is that, while it makes good economic sense, it only appeals to those with good economic sense.
It will destroy the Republicans because a minimum wage increase is a cheap way to purchase votes and increase the Democrat base. The uneducated will always support Democrats and the fleeting benefits of minimum wage increases.
We can comfortably say, the GOP/TP has waged yet another war - War on Low Wage Earners.
And yet economists overwhelmingly claim, raising the minimum wage does not hurt the economy. And isn't that odd, I could swear Bush signed off on raising the minimum wage in 2007. Surprise, surprise, Bush raises minimum - happy days; Obama raises minimum wage - economic socialism, capital markets in shambles, the world will cease to exist.
WeatherbyMark, I have two bachelor's degrees and a masters. I support the Democrats. Always have and probably always will. Now, what was that you said about uneducated?
WeatherbyMark--you just stick with your stereotypes of Democrats---they've worked so well the GOP recently. Why get to know and understand your opposition? How could that possibly help you appeal to voters?
Auntie Facist -
Congrats! I have a bachelors degree, an MBA, and a CPA certification - and I strongly support the Democrats.
I think any CPA should have problems with the Republicans "fuzzy" math and avoidance of facts: the tax code does not favor the rich, tax cuts reduce the deficit, tax cuts spur economic growth, etc.
While I currently hold no license to practice, I passed the CPA exam. I found out I passed the last two parts the night my oldest son was born. Put a little Bacardi down the 'ol neck THAT night! I'd like to see numbers on how the Republicans benefit me. At least, show me how you're not screwing my brains out.
AF -
Double congrats!
The CPA exam was two full days of excrutiating pain, but I am sure childbirth was worse.
I worked on my MBA while my son was a toddler, talk about some full days and nights! But to Republicans I am just a "47%" moocher dependent on the government to give me free things to get by.
Another quick fact is that President Obama won in both 2008 and 2012 amongst those who had advanced degrees like Masters and PhDs.....
In my opinion, if you can't afford to pay your staff a living wage, than maybe you can't afford to be in business. The cost of labor is the cost of labor. Employees give you their time and energy, you give them enough money to live on.
What is going on with this forum? It is supposed to be about what we learned during the Hagel fight, but I keep reading about Rubio and other things. Are Zionists contolling the dialogue?
I have learned that the Jews are attempting to dictate to America, that they will choose our Seretary of Defense. This fight is about Zionist perception of how Hagel will treat Israel, once he is in office and no other reason. It is not about Bengazi or Republicans being angry at Hagel for dissing Bush or any other red herring they are throwing out to the dumb masses.
This has been all about Israel. I sincerely hope Hagel remembers the treatment he is now receiving from our AIPAC bought and paid for Congress and sticks it to Israel the first chance he gets. I also hope the American people remember these AIPAC pawns on election day and vote them out of office. They were elected to serve American interests, not Israeli interests.
Well, well, WELL! The more things change, the more they stay the same!
Hagel's great sin? He was proposed by President Obama. The fringe right wing who hold the Grand Old Party hostage are continuing their daily tantrum, their "I'm going to hold my breath til I turn purple" rant because they got their butts handed to them in the last election. Once again, it is not about country with the neanderthals, it is about party loyalty. As long as they can see themselves as "winning" any battle that looms, they feel better about themselves, as pathetic as that is.
As to Rubio's rather unique performance as he sweated his way through some supposed response to the State of the Union? That was a PURE panic attack. Before I retired, I did a lot of public speaking. I can recognize someone who is having that "deer in the headlights" look, the sweating, the dry mouth that comes when the speaker is panicked by the idea of talking to a group. Rubio saw this as his great opportunity to start his Presidential run. Since he is well known to have very little ability to suss out the larger issues of the day, he panicked in front of the camera.
Yep. that ought to work well GOP for your next Presidential run. Do it, run Rubio for President. It would be so entertaining if it weren't all so serious. But the GOP hasn't been serious about the nation's business since President Obama was elected.
NDD: Rubio will run for the presidency. It's what they're all setting him up for.
We'll crucify him. Easily.
Pat, I think he demonstrated without question that he will beat himself. Can you imagine him in the pressure of a debate format, even as watered down as they are?
Pun intended?
I know NDD. What on earth could he possibly bring to a debate that would make him a stronger candidate than a democrat? He can't do it.
Good catch Da Noid! Aren't I clever? And don't I wish I had intended it?
Pat, Rubio is talking points only, he can't go deeper than that.
Why is it the Republicans always fall in love with someone, make him/her their frontrunner and THEN do the research to get to know the person and find out if they have any depth and sustainability? Which they generally seem to lack.
I believe you'll find that flaw on both sides of the aisle.
I agree that they're on the way out though. A party that couldn't find a candidate to defeat Obama and his miserable failures is in deep trouble.
Steeler Fan, it's all about image with them, isn't it?
Where is the competence? No where.
/
"Crimson & Clover"
OK. IS anyone else getting tired of the entire: 5 Reasons for this or 7 reasons for that style. It may just be me but reading uninformed "journalists" rattle on with their moronic prattle is just getting old.
And yet, here you are. Reading and replying.
Happy Valentines Day!!!
The decline of America is assured when we have lost all respect for any view that don't follow our party lines. We are no longer one country but a nation of democrats and republicans.. if a politician lies or is incompetent - if they are from the opposing side it's a major problem - if they are in our party it's no big problem. We deserve better from both sides, but we seem more interested in name calling and defeating the enemy - a fellow American - who needs external enemies when we can vilify our own. Both sides lie, cheat and steal from the American people because we allow it to happen.
Well said. It's all about MY party winning at any cost. America is dead.
@BOBWSA
I respect lots of people, regardless of their political leaning, religion, race, orientation. My friends, however, are a lot like many of the folks here on NewsVine. They can be cynical, but are very much interested in the truth--even if it hurts them. You'll find opinions that are thoughtfully researched here.
The name calling happens when someone that doesn't do their homework posts a "talking point" that they can't back with facts. There are days when I think we should have a test before being allowed to post to maybe weed out the trolls. Other days I think we should, at the beginning of the daily discussion, post neutral facts--such as how the government creates a budget, for instance. That way we can just keep referencing post 1.1 instead of answering yet another aging talking point.
if they are from the opposing side it's a major problem - if they are in our party it's no big problem.
Tell Chuck Hagel that.
FR criticizes the President for not having a LEGISLATIVE strategy, instead having only a POLITICAL strategy to get their agenda passed in Congress.
Jeez--I mean have y'all been paying attention the last four years? There are no deals to be cut because the Republicans refuse to compromise...again...repreatedly...REMORSELESSLY (I thought I'd trot out some full capitals of my own.)
The only shot at success is applying political pressure. And don't forget that President Obama can wield A LOT of financial pressure should the sequester proceed. Which districts do you think will be hit with the worst pain as a result of cuts?
Now National Defense/Security along with the economic well being of the US is being extorted by a handful of has been glory dogs, including McCain. To be willing to let the US slide into another recession and compromise national security is beyond me. What is the point of this? Hagel has absolutely nothing to do with Benghazi but yet he is being pilloried because Graham/McCain want a minute by minute time line of the Presidents activities the night of the Consulate attack, and if they got said time line, what then--guarantee still won't satisfy them. Need to vote these toads out, unfortunately Rubio will be around until 2016.
Speaking of Rubio, isn't he just the cutest little lock step Elephant, great speech there Marco, reminded me of Ryan debating with Joe, gulp, lick lips, gulp. Rubio, won't be able to withstand national scrutiny--our resident Pudgester a major fibber, for years touting family's emigration status as refugees--nah, Grandpa emigrated years before Castro took power and an "illegal." some very serious ethical question remain unresolved regarding Fl. GOP credit card charges--seems those issues have quietly faded away. What in the world would Rubio know about immigration in today's world? 2nd Generation Cuban, really--meanwhile Cubans are universally disliked by other Hispanic groups, ask a Puerto Rican, Mexican, Dominican, Latin American or South American what they think of Cubans answer would surprise and dismay most GOPers. Rubio no rising star more like a black hole.
When I watched Rubio's response to the SOTU, I wondered why he is a Republican. The only warmth or genuine feeling that came across was when he was talking about his family.
He created his own conflict with the President, which had nothing to do with what Obama said in his SOTU address. At that moment, Rubio became a robot, and lost all appeal. He's been brainwashed into believing some of the ridiculous talking points of his party.
Poor Rubio, Cuban decendent of rich Cuban whorehouse masters, casino pimps and drug czars Fidel Castro (((kicked))) off his cherished island as his revolution took the island by force. Today Rubio has his home home up for sale for $600,000. in his Cuban ghetto where he grew up and hopes to move into the whitehouse one day if he can only get the hateful Mexican and Puerto Ricans and the KKK decendents of slaves and plantation mansions of the 18th century in the south to accept him as a 'poor migrant Latino' looking for love in all the wrong places in his adopted land, Gringoland, USA!
I wonder if Harry Reid is still proud of the deal he made with the lying Mitch McConnell on the filibuster? Harry when are you going to quit being stupid and realize McConnell is going to lie to you to get a deal, and you just keep falling for it.
Probably about the time you realize that the Democrats may not always be the majority in the senate.
Democrats will be the majority in the Senate for a very long time. GOP's demographic is a dying breed, figuratively and literally.
I'd like to believe you're right. I'd be a helluva lot more confident if I knew Democrats would show up in off year elections. We sh^t the bed royally in 2010.
Why a 60 vote threshold just for the next 4 years? Why not forever? Fair is fair.
In the California Assembly and Senate we have a 67%+ Democratic majority. Problem solved.
"When in doubt, just yell “Benghazi.” But what’s left to debate?"
First Read spewing the White House talking points, dutifully.
That is like President Nixon saying in 1973, "there is nothing left to debate about Watergate", because Nixon stonewalled, and no answers were forthcoming..
First Read "journolists" are fat and happy liberals, having zero curiosity to push to get answers for the American people...their role is Washington insiders, playing footsie with David Axelrod.
Journalists 'get the facts' but its the Senior editors at places like the Jew York Times that 'censore any fact' that does not favor the Jewish terrorists of that 1/2 acre of Zionist hell.
Stonewalling? Hardly. Rodham-Clinton implemented every policy change recommended by the people investigating the security failure that resulted in the deaths of Americans at the embassy. She took responsibility. If this had happened during the Bush watch, you would have seen him invoking executive powers to keep his people from testyfying, you better believe it.
If it happen on Bush watch, you would call for his impeachment.
Insurance man David, this is what comes outta conservative pie holes anytime they don't see what they wanna see!! Hey, first you got into an anti-Cuban rant, now you're all over Jews! Run along! You're late for the Klan meeting!!
There should have been 6 lessons learned.
#6 no matter how hard you try to cover up your lies they will come out eventually. Are you getting this obama? Like I said, it should have been learned.
5 reasons why 'Chuckie Cheese' Chuck Hagel is having a problem.....
1. Israel's ZioNazis. *
2. NYC Jews *
3. Israel's ZioNazi's.*
4. NYC Jews.*
5. Israel's ZioNazis.*
And, of course, two Jewish 'butt (((sniffers))) my state's SEN(ile) John McCain (Who never saw a camera he didn't want to perform his Chimpanzee tricks before) and Klansman Grand Dragon (((Hick))) Lindsey Graham (Who still carries a rifle rack with a Windchester 94 mounted on the rear window of his 1947 Chevy pick-up truck and his White (polyester) sheet with the special cutouts in 'Casper-the-Ghost' shaped eyes in his glove campartment, along with his marijuana 'chew' in a pearl trimmed snuff box his grandmother left him when she expired and went to KKK heaven in 1982.
* Jews reserve the right to refuse to allow the US election of any politician that is not willing to over-look Jewish terrorism or join Israel in the committment of these (normally violent) war crimes.
Watch out, John and Lindsey may be packing The Ark of the Covenant in that truck, along with the Holy Grail in the cab. We do not some resolution on that hatred over there, maybe digging a big canal around the boundary of Israel, make it their own island in the Mediterranean Sea.... How about the rich oil Arab countries buying some land for the Palestinians and making it into a nice place with all the money they could throw at it converting from barren desert (lots of that in the Arab Peninsula) to oasis state?
Insurance Man David... If you could be a bigger idiot I can't see how. Israel is the ONLY country in the Mid-East that has a democratically-elected government. If you'd prefer the Extreme Muslim Terrorists to control the world, I suggest you take your shaven, multi-tattooed head and stick it far up your rectum. Neo-Nazis like you are the reason the Tea Party has been able to destroy the Republican party. For those of us that research people and then vote on the basis of their voting record and politics, we cannot allow extreme morons to run either party.
We found out that moderate republicans, even ones that have more patriotism and proved it with Purple Hearts and other medals than the current repub leaders, are hated by the GOP now. We also found out that the Founding Fathers (those rich old white slave owners, or at least most of them were that) left a ticking time bomb in the Consitituion sitting there for 200 years to help the rich minority (helped by 5 repub supreme court judges in Citizens United), that the current GOP is exploding into a weapon against the majority of Americans. Yes the minority is using it to wipe out majority or at least hold them hostage (and the whole free world hostage too), unless a lot of amendments for freedom are made to it.
Normally I would have just ignored your rant but since you talked about me (I have 2 PHs and 2 Bronze Vs) I just had to weigh in and call your BS. The only people that have given me grief over my service the past 40 years are liberals and it started with being spat on in Sea-Tac airport when I came home from Nam and has not stopped yet. WTH, that guy behind that drone monitor deserves the medal more than my blood loss, right. Now you want to take my gun away? Not a chance. But that is the problem for the Dems...if, and a BIG IF, we are the minority the gun will make the difference just like it did when we were the minority back in 1776. I will die before you and your king take my liberty away, just like I would die to preseve yours (don't worry, I would not dream of asking you to do the same for me). Thing about that is neither of you cowards are capable. As far as your meaningless bigotry for successful people...do you really enjoy being a looser that much? The great obama loves you...yeah, sure.
BobW = Rant (no need to waste words). Oh and if you are a moderate repub, your GOP hates you, especially the ones that ran from the service. If you are on the far right, good luck in your self-inflicted armageddon/apocolypse/rapture you all have wanted since Obama took over. Don't fool yourself, your protection of average Americans would be tool service for the rich and GOP leaders who are the tools of the rich, until they replace all those with their illegals they hire for half the wages.
Benghazi Betrayal is the sin against the Holy Spirit and therefore unforgivable.
Wow! No kidding? Such insight. Such broad knowledge and deep thinking. You sure are smart. Now go back to your sandbox.
.
The republicans seem to be determine to wreck the country. Wasting time beating up on Hagel while the country slides to disaster on March 1.
A military coup could happen here. A few generals could decide that country is in more danger from the Congressional clowns playing political games than from any outside enemy.
obama wasted everyone's time by nominating the bum (he will switch countries just like he switches party loyalties-wow no wonder obama likes him) as a purely political ploy to distract and detract from the importance of the sequester. The thing is we have had enough...no more taxes-negotiations over! And this should stand as an example that REAL Conservatives really do not care what party you belong to...
Yep we are finding out the the REAL conservatives have unlimited hate for anyone but themselves. I have known many and as they age the ones that see the current GOP often get liberal towards their dying days, because they know that hatefulness was not good. That is because most of their children they raised are more liberal caring for everyone not just our white race than they were and they finally see the good in that. Obama and Bush were a great setup to a realization of the far right hate in this world.
I know plenty of Republicans who are sick and tired of Congressional Republicans.
Boehner and House Republicans walking away from Obama's Grand Bargain $4 trillion in deficit reduction. That was an incredibly honest offer from President Obama and every single Congressional Republican should have been screaming to take the deal.
Senate Republicans using the filibuster so often that it reminds every one of us, that they are spoiled brats who cry and take their ball home with them.
Lastly, give Bengazi a rest. My goodness, there wasn't near this amount of questioning when Bin Laden was surrounded and escaped. Democrats didn't act like children. Instead, Democrats listened to Americans and put the needs of Americans first.
Democrats, keep up the good work.
Debbie is right, lets forget about the four people that were killed at Bengazi. I'm sure that their families are at peace with the fact that two of them waited eight hours for their country to come and save their lives. I mean why would we wake Obama and worry him with gory details of how his fellow Americans were dying. Why should we care who started the lye that the whole horrible mess was because of a movie. Debbie is right, its all water under the bridge! Why should we care that they asked for protection and we ignored them. I mean what good would that do, their all dead and buried now and we don't want to rock the boat. Debbie is right.
Ron in Indiana do you think your post is toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long ? How many of you obstructionist ahole Senators served in Vietnam ??? 40 years later and Vietnam Vets STILL get no respect !!!!!!
What about George Bush did he serve in Viet Nam? No his father made sure of that. Did Dickless Cheney serve in Viet Nam? No, how many deferments did he get six or seven. Did Mitt Romney serve in Viet Nam? No,he was riding his ass around France while others were dying. Did you're gun toting gun nut Rethuglican Ted Nugent shi*ting and urinating himself for days at a time serve? These are you right wing heros that don't mind sending your kids to fight, but when it comes to their kids ,forget it, they're to precious.I served in Viet Nam and so did my brother and we both survived. My grandson served in Iraq but he died there. I 'm waiting for you idiots to scream that Obama didn't serve in Viet Nam either. Never mind that he was only 14 years old when the war ended,that wouldn't matter to your right wing politicians,as long as it's not our babies. And I do mean babies.
The only problem with all the experts in the news and on this comment section telling everyone what will happen in four years is they have no idea. The American voter is so fickled no one knows what will take place two weeks from now never mind what's going to happen in 2016.
Next time, buy a clue, 'cause nobody's reading this sh%t!!!