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Romney surrogate: Obama Not An American

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2012
Posted on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:29:57 AM EST
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Here we go:

“I wish this president would learn how to be an American.” - John Sununu, on Romney organized conference call with reporters.

Nice.

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    Romney surrogate: Obama Not An American | 160 comments (160 topical)

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    Desperation is a stinky cologne fellas... (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by kdog on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:50:55 AM EST
    As somebody who has made a career of "smoking something", I can assure the "real Americans" in the GOP that Obama is definitely not smoking something, nor has he spent too much of his youth smoking something. He is far too conservative. How lame. At least come up with smears that bear a passing resemblance to reality.  I mean jeez, it ain't 1992 anymore, presidential reefer madness ain't gonna fly.  Talk about grasping at straws!

    Sh*t, if Obama did nothing else but smoke dope in his mom's basement for 25 years after college, he'd still be ahead of the game compared to Bainboy the Grifter's resume...first do no harm and all that.

    Remind me to tell you about ... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:41:55 PM EST
    kdog: "As somebody who has made a career of 'smoking something', I can assure the 'real Americans' in the GOP that Obama is definitely not smoking something, nor has he spent too much of his youth smoking something. He is far too conservative."

    ... the time I caught three "real Americans" -- i.e., Republican legislative staffers -- "smoking something" in a State Capitol men's room.

    Parent

    My kinda republicans;)... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:57:43 PM EST
    in hindsight, conservative was a poor choice of words.  Uptight, square, calculating, or career oriented would be better.

    "Smoking something" is really bipartisan, and as American as apple pie, judging by the billions of dollars worth sold and consumed every year.  There aren't that many liberals left!

    Parent

    I am reading "The Candidate," by (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:15:20 PM EST
    poli sci Professor Samuel Popkin.  In a chapter entitled "The Search for an Experienced Virgin," Popkin chronicles Bill Clinton's evolving responses to inquiries as to whether he ever smoked pot.  

    "I've never broken the drug laws of our country."

    "I've never broken a state law.....But when I was in England I experimented with marijuana  a time or two, and I didn't like it.  I didn't inhale it, and never tried it again."



    Parent
    Really - this again? (5.00 / 7) (#6)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:55:53 AM EST
    The quote on Think Progress is even worse:

    He has no idea how the American system functions, and we shouldn't be surprised about that, because he spent his early years in Hawaii smoking something, spent the next set of years in Indonesia, another set of years in Indonesia, and, frankly, when he came to the U.S. he worked as a community organizer, which is a socialized structure, and then got into politics in Chicago.

    Look, Obama hasn't shown me that he can create jobs, either, but Sununu doesn't win that argument for his guy by blaming that on where Obama grew up or that he was smoking something; is this supposed to be the equivalency for Bain?

    Is it going to be 3+ months of this kind of garbage from the GOP?  Let's see...political campaign/George Zimmerman, political campaign/George Zimmerman...I know, maybe I can just shove sharp sticks in my eyes instead...

    The irony here is that Mitt Romney and the rest of the insane clown posse that comprise the GOP don't know how to create jobs, either - dragging out the same old, failed ideas and pretending that "this time" they will work, isn't a plan.  And I think maybe Romney iced himself out of using Bain Capital as his claim to job-creating fame.

    Do we laugh?  Do we cry?  

    Maybe both.

    No Irish No dogs No Blacks (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:21:34 PM EST


    Parent
    "No colored" (none / 0) (#71)
    by Peter G on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 05:17:42 PM EST
    I think would be the correct quote for that part of the sign.

    Parent
    Besides, Anne, what ... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:24:19 PM EST
    ... we get to smoke in Hawaii is really primo stuff, and it sounds like Mr. Sununu could really use a few bong hits.

    Parent
    LOL...somewhere a Republican is (none / 0) (#27)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:41:06 PM EST
    screaming at the top of his/her lungs, "SEE!!!  Sununu was right - Obama WAS smoking something!!!"

    No doubt joined by some like-minded chuckleheads more convinced than ever that Hawaii isn't really a US state.

    Oy.

    Parent

    Smoking? (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by womanwarrior on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:22:57 PM EST
    Gee, am I right that it never bothered them that W smoked, drank and did cocaine? But then again, he was a Texas, Yale BLUEBLOOD, i.e., not half black and thus a REAL AMURRICAN.  

    Parent
    Extra points for (none / 0) (#8)
    by indy in sc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:07:09 PM EST
    your "insane clown posse" reference.  :)

    It's such a transparent (and terrible) attempt to turn the page from the Bain/taxes narrative.  The only form of transparency we'll get from Team Mitt, apparently.

    Parent

    Not really fair though... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by kdog on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:47:36 PM EST
    to the actual Insane Clown Posse;)

    Parent
    I hope I did the best I could today. (none / 0) (#77)
    by womanwarrior on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:12:42 PM EST
    I got a call from Independent Voter Survey, apparently a romney front from what I saw on the web, and responded that I am an independent who is definitely voting for Romney.  I hope it depresses them if they get a lot of such answers and I hope it takes me off their annoying robo call lists.  

    Parent
    You said "Romney"? Or (none / 0) (#82)
    by Peter G on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:35:55 PM EST
    you said "Obama"?  Typo or double-switcheroo mind game on the survey sponsor?

    Parent
    Thinko. (none / 0) (#89)
    by womanwarrior on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:13:59 PM EST
    Told them I was voting for Obama.  Thanks for the catch.

    Parent
    WSJ says the VP nom might be named this week (none / 0) (#10)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:10:30 PM EST
    as a subject changer. Maybe a big dose of boring Pawlenty or Portman will help change the tone.

    Parent
    Pawlenty - ugh (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by DFLer on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:05:14 PM EST
    a really mean a$$hole in boring hockey nice guy clothing sheep

    Parent
    Just what the Romney campaign needs -- ... (none / 0) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:21:35 PM EST
    ... a vice presidential candidate who brings his own body count to the table.

    Parent
    BTW (none / 0) (#11)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:11:28 PM EST
    You forgot Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise.  

    When Katie walks around town we have headlines.

    Parent

    Yes Anne. It's already nasty (none / 0) (#83)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:40:20 PM EST
    and since Romeny and his minions aren't the punching bags McCain and company turned out to be we're gonna see much more.  Much more.

    Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!

    Parent

    You know (5.00 / 3) (#86)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:59:38 PM EST
    what's insane? There's plenty to criticize Obama about but the GOP always doubles down on crazy and ends up helping Obama. What Sununu said is beyond stupid.


    Parent
    Carzy?? (1.00 / 1) (#148)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 08:13:21 AM EST
    Based on his comments about who creates jobs, I say that Obama has much to learn about being an American.

    Parent
    And before the yelling starts (1.00 / 1) (#150)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 08:21:01 AM EST
    I didn't say he wasn't an American.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#151)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 02:14:29 PM EST
    the art of being a right wing sleazeball is based on the (semi) cleaver manipulation of innuendo..

    Like those bloggers who like to go on-and-on about Obama's "connections to Islam", without ever claiming explicitly that Obama sympathizes with this country's enemies.

    Parent

    After years (none / 0) (#152)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:14:07 PM EST
    of personal attacks by jondee and his continual demonstration of an inability to debate the issues I am forced to note that discussing anything with him is not worthwhile. Simply put, he is incapable of a reasoned debate.

    Parent
    yawn (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by sj on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 12:48:39 AM EST


    Parent
    You too can join jondee (none / 0) (#154)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 08:19:26 AM EST


    Parent
    ... real big yawn.... (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by sj on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 10:05:30 AM EST


    Parent
    akaAndersBreivik (none / 0) (#158)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 12:32:34 PM EST
    doesn't like it when people accurately depict what goes on at his website. Even if it dovetails perfectly with the thread topic.

    Parent
    Anders who??? (none / 0) (#159)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 03:14:55 PM EST
    The Norweg what??

    LOL

    You can't debate so you just spew hate..

    (I'm a poet and didn't know it...)

    Parent

    after years of personal attacks (none / 0) (#160)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 03:22:51 PM EST
    from jimakaBreivikfan..

    Don't forget the ;-) and the lol next time..

    Parent

    His comments - heh (none / 0) (#156)
    by Yman on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 08:29:42 AM EST
    You mean the comments Faux News and the wingers are lying about?  Are you telling me that you, as a "social liberal", actual believe their silly mischaracterizations?

    I'm shocked.

    Parent

    obama (none / 0) (#116)
    by Amiss on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:51:15 AM EST
    Is coming here to Jax very soon. (They gave tickets at the nearby market yesterday) and I hope the local TV is only running back to back and back again political ads because of the visit and not a sign of the months ahead. One can always "hope".

    Parent
    Sentient creatures are reporting... (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Dadler on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:13:12 PM EST
    ...that Romney is not even an earthling.

    Low LIfe (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:42:34 PM EST
    Sununu has sunk to the low life level with the rest of the GOP.

    unAmerican is racist code and to see a former chief of staff sink to this level confirms my feelings a few decades back when I sensed the GOP was going to turn into a degenerate cult.

    Reagan's election, IMO, foretold the GOP's future and unfortunately the future of the nation.  When a President repeats urban myth (started by the slime level of GOP ops) the direction of his party was obvious.  

    We owe Nixon's Southern strategy and his dirty tricks operation the title for kickstarting the slide, but Reagan put the politics of his party on a downward slide into the gutter just as his policies started the nation on a race to the bottom.

    We've all watched the pervasive crudeness that characterizes all aspects of American life today.  How we sank to this level is no mystery.

    Since Reagan's election this country just hasn't been the same.

    Low life, despicable.

    Reagan also was the model of (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by observed on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:13:59 PM EST
    the modern corporate-owned Presidency.


    Parent
    Thank you for calling it what it is.... (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by christinep on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:28:52 PM EST
    Yes,  cal1942, Sununu is using blatant racist code.  All this "other," "foreign", "not American," "socialist," he's really from "Kenya" birthed stuff...going on the entire term as slung from the Righties & now reaching a crescendo...nothing but naked racism.  Frankly, in their current self-induced hysteria, I expect all the thin cover to fall shortly as Rush & the gang blubber--with shaken voice & loud cries:  "Why, that Obama, he's...he's (stammer, flustered) ...Black...he can't be one of us...he can't be President!"

    Thanks for letting me say what I've been hearing in the Repub BS for a long time.  to date, President Obama has outplayed them--methodically, openly with outreach to all Americans & bit by bit gaining the trust of broader America by acting against angry stereotype.  And now, this bunch--with the likes of Sununu et al--are way way beyond the bend.  They are letting  it show.

    Parent

    I won't forget (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:11:38 PM EST
    the gasp I felt when Reagan told the story of the welfare queen and the Cadillac.

    I was floored.  I never expected to hear anything like that coming out of the mouth of any President.  The dignity of the office itself was gone.

    When a "leader" makes remarks like that it's little wonder our discourse in politics and in everyday life descended towards the gutter.

    Parent

    But don't forget (none / 0) (#31)
    by Mr Tuxedo on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:19:09 PM EST
    George H. W. Bush and his despicable "Willie Horton" campaign. Bush 41, elected to Ronald Reagan's third term, was in many ways worse than The Gipper, in my book, and even worse than Bush 43. And it was Bush 41 whom the repellent Sununu served as chief of staff.

    I support President Obama's re-election, even though I fear that what Obama's second term ultimately gets us on January 20, 2017, is President Jeb Bush.

    Parent

    IMHO, Ronald Reagan's worst decision ... (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:33:50 PM EST
    ... EVAH! was to choose George H.W. Bush as his running mate in 1980. In so doing, he empowered the Bush family politically in a manner they'd never been before, and we've since paid an awfully fearsome price for that bit of folly.

    Parent
    Remember that HW (none / 0) (#99)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:01:18 PM EST
    supposedly represented the 'moderate' wing of the GOP.  He called Reagan's supply side fantasy 'voodoo' economics.

    As Reagan's running mate HW was a chameleon and that ended the moderates.

    HW maintained the descent into perversion.

    Parent

    Reagan set the wheels in motion (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:04:14 PM EST
    and HW carried on.  My point was that it's been all down hill since Reagan, leading finally to the perverted cult we see today.

    Parent
    The great achievement of (none / 0) (#74)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 06:48:21 PM EST
    Bill Clinton was defeating George HW Bush.  After that, President Clinton's accomplishments were almost gravy.

    Parent
    Simple (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:52:35 PM EST
    Unemployment Rates the day they took office/net increase/(decrease) during their Presidency.

    current    8.2
    Obama    7.8     0.4%
    GWB       4.2     3.6%
    Clinton    7.3    (3.1%)
    Reagan   7.4    (0.1%)
    Carter     7.5    (0.1%)
    Ford       5.5     2.0%
    Nixon      3.4     2.1%
    Johnson  5.7    (2.3%)
    JFK        6.6    (0.9%)
    Ike         2.9     3.7%

    This actually shocked me, and really Obama blows and all that, but compared to his predecessors, especially the republicans, he's not looking too bad.  If anything, one would think this should end the who has ideas about job creation.  But it won't.

    Reagan is the only republican President in recent history, 59 years, to preside over a drop in unemployment and it was on 0.1%  No wonder he is their idol, he didn't totally F up on jobs, but was the same as Carter.  And the lowest rate, 2.9 was left behind by a D.  Just think if my chart could include FDR and Hoover...

    I ask you, who is smoking what when claiming D's don't know about creating jobs ?  Republicans need to STFU on the jobs front, especially Mitt.

    The truth (5.00 / 4) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:36:16 PM EST
    of the matter is there's really been no point in the GOP's existence since the Cold War except to service millionaires.

    Parent
    Actually the GOP (none / 0) (#108)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:51:55 PM EST
    has done more harm than good for a very long time.

    After TR left office the GOP has been a net drag on the nation.

    But they have serviced millionaires, oh how they've serviced millionaires.

    Parent

    Cal1942 (1.00 / 2) (#142)
    by Eddpsair on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 04:03:02 PM EST
    Absurd...  In simple categorical syllogism, do you know how difficult "all" and "none" are to prove in the known universe?

    Oh, no wait...i see your point about the GOP.   So I guess you are in favor of dismantling the civil rights act?   Those Southeren Dems nearly blocked it but, hey, stay true to you team and keep up the mantra : all democrats are good, all republicans are evil.

    And if the Dems are so infallible, how come EVERY city in bankruptcy is a solid blue city in a solid blue state?  well, I guess they are evil but some can balance a check book...

    I'm sorry, but over the top silly statements like yours in an echo chamber of bashing people  just makes me shake my head.  

    There is plenty of bad to go around with BOTH parties.  There are fundamental differences in philosophy in this country that hover at about 50-50.   And to say the other side has been incapable of doing anthing positive since TR makes you come off like the Medeveal Catholic Church.  "there is but one God and he is Democrat"...

    Parent

    LOL (5.00 / 4) (#143)
    by cal1942 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 05:27:07 PM EST
    So I guess you are in favor of dismantling the civil rights act?

    I said nothing about dismantling them, that's your statement and just like every other right-winger you inject the opposition of Dixiecrats regarding Civil Rights.  

    Those Dixiecrats turned into Republicans in the 90s, for them, a natural move.

    There is plenty of bad to go around with BOTH parties.

    Equivalence!  Really.  You wish.  It will take a considerable amount of time to repair the damage your party has done in just the past three decades.

    Your so cliche, using the same talking points my ignorant right-wing nephew uses.

    You misspelled medieval.

    Parent

    Bravo, Cal (none / 0) (#144)
    by shoephone on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 05:45:05 PM EST
    Your salient comment deserves a "10."

    Parent
    Don't you have to look at (none / 0) (#32)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:22:59 PM EST
    long term unemployment as well?

    In February 2009, (right after Obama took office) the long-term unemployment rate (those out of work for 6 months or more) stood at 2.9 million. Now, Obama hadn't had time to make any policy decisions that would have affected that number at that point, but that has to be the starting point for any real comparison.

    Also, in February 2009,

    About 2.1 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) were marginally attached to the labor force in February, 466,000 more than a year earlier. These individuals wanted and were available for work and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed becausethey had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.

    In June 2012, the number of long-term unemployed stood at 5.4 million - twice as many as when Obama took office.  Also in June,

    2.5 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, down from 2.7 million a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.

    The Republicans don't have any argument about being job creators, but neither do the Dems.

    Parent

    My Point Was Really... (none / 0) (#38)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:35:47 PM EST
    ...more about them yammering on as the great White Job Hope.  Especially with Bain.  And I understand the near countless subtleties beyond the basic numbers.  Great, you added 1000 minimum wage jobs, but really, we need real jobs with real checks.

    Pretty sure I mentioned Obama was a clown of something to signify I don't think he is all that.  Just getting so tired of all it, neither one really cares about these numbers beyond a talking point or two.

    I was just looking to see what the past couple Presidents had done, and I just noticed, I forgot Daddy Bush, but I couldn't stop looking back.  When I noticed the obvious pattern.

    Parent

    Oh sure (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:41:36 PM EST
    Not only are the candidates guilty of throwing out talking points.  Just turn on cable news pundits or read most political blogs.  Even in conversation with die-hards of either persuasion - all you get are the talking points.

    Parent
    We have to remember that ... (none / 0) (#34)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:27:56 PM EST
    ... when Obama took the oath of office in January 2009, our economy was in the midst of a freefall and was shedding 800,000 jobs per month.

    The unemployment rate quickly zoomed to over 9% within the first five months of Obama's term as his team struggled to pull the country out of its economic nosedive, and no informed and sane person would or should blame him for that particular circumstance.

    That should also be taken into consideration when looking at these types of comparative statistics.

    Parent

    With all (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:41:09 PM EST
    due respect Don, nobody really wants to hear about 2009 when Obama took office. They only care about how they are doing now. It kind of reminds me of George W. Bush blaming Bill Clinton for Iraq.

    Parent
    I'm not talking about politics. (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:59:07 PM EST
    I'm simply talking about interpreting economic statistics.

    And the fact of the matter is that the unemployment rate rose nearly 30% -- from 7.8% to 10.1% -- during Obama's first eight months in office, culminating a disastrous trendline that was already well into play by the time he entered the White House. You just can't simply say, "But the unemployment rate was only 7.8% when he came into office, and look at it now!"

    While the U.S. economy is definitely Obama's responsibility now, all I'm saying that from an analytical standpoint, it's wrong to hold him responsible for that particular freefall in jobs in 2009. When he first came into office, he had to play with the hand he was dealt.

    Parent

    I Didn't Read it as... (none / 0) (#49)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:20:01 PM EST
    ...a defense of Obama, just another thing to consider.  

    I always wonder this, the way politics have become so divided, how many Bob Perry types are not doing what they normally to to spite Obama.  To me guy who 'donates' millions to causes outside his state is surely capable of playing games with his own work force.  And certainly I can image a jack a$$ liker that putting out memos about health insurance going sky high or being cancelled because of Obama.  It's win/win, not only can he blame his political foe, he can reduce labor costs.  

    I'm not suggest he or anyone is doing it, just one of those things I wonder how slimy some of these people can get.

    Parent

    You know (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:34:27 PM EST
    I used to work for D & B doing NOTHING but interviewing business owners all day long. I used to have a lot of respect for this type of person until I spend 40 hours a week or more talking to them. About 80% of all businesses owners are business owners because they are such a$$holes who can't work with anybody so they have to be the "boss". The other 20% are some truly admirable people who were stifled in a corporate environment and truly have good ideas to sell out there. Perry sounds like he's in the 80% and boy, do these people whine and whine and whine. They whine when the unemployment is low like back in the 90's because they were having to pay their employees "too much". Now they are whining about the economy. Perry sounds like he's in the 80% and someone I certainly am glad is not in my state though I"m sure there are some similar jokers here in GA.

    Parent
    But they are still the owner (2.00 / 1) (#85)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:55:43 PM EST
    About 80% of all businesses owners are business owners because they are such a$$holes who can't work with anybody so they have to be the "boss".

    and the ownership makes them the boss. Because they took a chance and invested their sweat and treasure.

    You, OTOH were risking nothing working for someone else.

    Parent

    And Back in the Day... (none / 0) (#57)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:04:01 PM EST
    ...when housing was out of control and he was financing the Swift Boat garbage, I would literally see 100's of Perry Homes signs every day.

    Along with my representative, Tom Delay signs when I used to live out in that part of town.  But a-holes live everywhere, I just wish the ones here didn't have fricken signs.

    I honestly can speak of him from any other view then his dirty money.  I never read of heard anything about him being a prick, but for a Texas business owner to dump a cool mil in Wisconsin and California, I gotta believe he thinks very highly of his own beliefs, and that can't make for a nice guy IMO.

    Parent

    Hey I feel (none / 0) (#66)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:50:58 PM EST
    your pain :). I used to have crazy Newt as my congressman!

    Parent
    I still have the Newt catnip toy given to us (none / 0) (#67)
    by DFLer on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 05:04:31 PM EST
    circa Contract on America time. Fun to watch the cat bat Newt around. (especially when we refresh the dose)

    Parent
    Too funny. (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 06:27:52 PM EST
    I am going to have to google that one!

    Parent
    don't know if still available (none / 0) (#90)
    by DFLer on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:19:57 PM EST
    perhaps on ebay!

    Parent
    Actually (none / 0) (#97)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 10:03:29 PM EST
    one just sold on Ebay for 7.95. Yes, I actually googled it. Somebody had put pictures up of their cat playing with it which came up in the search for a picture.

    Parent
    wow! (none / 0) (#110)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 07:47:03 AM EST


    Parent
    WTF ?? (none / 0) (#113)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:17:49 AM EST
    I Googled 'Newt Catnip Toy', you seriously have THIS, way too fricken cool.  I thought it would be a bag with Newt stamped on it, not a little doll.

    Parent
    That's it. (none / 0) (#117)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:05:43 AM EST
    That's the one we have, though much more grungy than the photo...or should I say much less new(t)and more gin-grinchier

    Parent
    forgot to say (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:08:47 AM EST
    on the backside, there's a rolled up copy of the Contract on America in one back-pocket and a "book deal" in the other.

    Oh yeeeah

    Parent

    It was really not a defense of anyone. (none / 0) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:06:39 PM EST
    It was just offering some unemployment statistics as a means to compare various administrations. I'm just saying that using those statistics in that particular manner can sometimes be a misleading indicator of actual performance -- not just the current administration's, but previous ones as well.

    And I share you opinion regarding how slimy some people can get, especially when it comes to politics. The problem is that while people like Bob Perry (and your Gov. Goodhair) clearly desire to rule, they disdain to actually govern once they gain power. It's like they get some sort of perverse kick out of playing the game without any rules, but simply don't relish assuming the actual responsibility that accompanies any political triumph.

    Speaking for myself, I fear that if life imitates art, we're emulating Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, in which information is overly abundant, while the wisdom with which to interpret it correctly is appallingly scarce.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I Never Really Got... (none / 0) (#62)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:31:07 PM EST
    ..the Rick Perry digs, he's an idiot, but as governor, like the current President, and all things considered, we got about the best we could.

    Plus the position just doesn't have much power.  But if good hair jokes help you get through the day, go for it, doesn't bother, just peaks my interest.

    Rick Perry is not in anyway in the same class as Bob Perry.  Bob Perry knows exactly what he wants and throws money at till it happens.  Not doubt in my mind his swift boat cash won the election, a rather enabled the whole SCOTUS debacle.

    Parent

    When does his clock start ticking? (none / 0) (#35)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:30:30 PM EST
    'Cuz I know if for some miraculous reason unemployment stood at 4% today, he would being hailed and taking credit for creating all those jobs.

    Parent
    Look at the graph ... (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:38:10 PM EST
    ... in the link I provided, and you can probably figure that out for yourself.

    As I said above, the economy is Obama's responsibility now -- but you can't sit here and tell me with a straight face that he's somehow  responsible for that nearly 30% rise in unemployment during the first few months of his term, and then somehow expect me to believe your argument to be credible.

    It's not even an argument, really. You're just b*tching, which you apparently like to do about President Obama and the Democrats an awful lot, somehow always conveniently forgetting that this president has had a recalcitrant and unapologetic Republican opposition in Congress that has pretty much gone well out of its way to stymie and stunt most of his administration's initiatives.

    But more to the point, I don't ever really hear you offering any solutions of your own as an alternative for discussion. You just seem to delight in baiting people and attacking other people's discussions and arguments.

    Further, you like to cherry-pick your own "facts."  Like yesterday, for example, when you so blithely proclaimed that because you heard on CNN that the Massachusetts Ballot Law Commission said that Romney had left Bain Capital in 1999 -- which is really not what the commissioners were talking about at all, had you at all bothered to peruse their findings and decision -- why, therefore, it must be true, because CNN said it! Thus, your mind made up, you successfully resisted any consideration of the multitude of evidence that was unearthed since that CNN out-of-context report, all of which clearly pointed to the contrary. You were right, because the Beltway's conventional wisdom is always right, and as a result, everyone else just has to somehow be wrong.

    It does get rather tiresome, and quite frankly, I'm done with it for today.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald...stick around (2.00 / 1) (#65)
    by fishcamp on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:48:11 PM EST
    because you are just now getting on a roll with good stuff.  But you always say you're leaving then can't stand it and come back.  Plus it's early over there, way too early for margaritas, but not here :-)

    Parent
    Speaking of being a whiner (none / 0) (#55)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:45:46 PM EST
    And since you are someone who also cherry picks their own facts - like using the Wolpow quote about working for Mitt Romney - you have a lot of nerve.

    I asked a perfectly legitmate question - when does his clock start ticking?  When the numbers started looking better? It's obvious you don't have a good answer because there isn't one.  And as I pointed out in my comment about long term unemployment, of course he isn't responsible for those numbers in the first couple of months - but he IS for a lot

    You're just b*tching, which you apparently like to do about President Obama and the Democrats an awful lot, somehow always conveniently forgetting that this president has had a recalcitrant and unapologetic Republican opposition in Congress that has pretty much gone well out of its way to stymie and stunt most of his administration's initiatives.

    Wah, wah.  The Republicans are mean!  More cherry picking of facts, conveniently forgetting that the Dems controlled Congress from 2006-2010, and he had more political capital than any president in recent memory, plus a completely Democratic Congress.

    I find you just as tiresome and pompous. And whining is so off-putting.

    Parent

    The clock starts ticking, IMO (none / 0) (#56)
    by magster on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:52:54 PM EST
    when Obama's first legislative initiative to address the problem was passed by Congress, namely the inadequate stimulus. The mini-stimulus led to the "bikini-graph" but then the stalled employment growth once the stimulus ran out can be tied to both Obama's intial timidity and Republican's obstinance.

    Had McCain won, I think we'd be in a depression with 12% unemployment. Had Krugman instead of Geithner been secretary of treasury, unemployment would be a little better with a clearer record of blame to the Republicans in Congress. Obama could have been better. Republican governance is worse. Which is a better choice in November 2012?

    Parent

    Thank you (none / 0) (#70)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 05:15:24 PM EST
    A rational, adult answer.

    Parent
    U3 and U6 - both apply (none / 0) (#149)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 08:19:30 AM EST
    The effective rate is around 20%.

    We are in a depression.

    BTW - New unemployment filings just announced:

    386,000

    Parent

    The U6 number (none / 0) (#68)
    by samsguy18 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 05:05:07 PM EST
    Which is much more accurate and truthful  is more than double 8.2% heading close to 20 %

    Parent
    Feel Free to Run The Historical Data... (none / 0) (#114)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:25:42 AM EST
    ...because my quick look indicates about the same pattern in regards to R's vs D's and jobs.

    Parent
    Really? You are using those numbers?? (none / 0) (#84)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:49:57 PM EST
    When the Demos took over both House in 2/2000 unemployment was below 5%, gasoline around $2.00 and the stock market rising.

    17 short months later gasoline was around %4.50, unemployment was around 6 percent and rising and the stock market was falling like a rock.

    What does that prove? That the housing market bubble burst and energy prices drove a stake through its heart.

    Now you want to do what???

    Parent

    Sorry Jim... (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:37:52 AM EST
    ...under who's watch did the housing bubble occur ?

    So Congress is to blame for unemployment in the last decade, but not to blame for unemployment in 2012 ?  Who's to blame for the Nixon/Ford massive rise in unemployment ?

    But let's just stick with that theory, why is Brother Mitt talking about jobs, if by your theory, the President has little to do with creating them.  Isn't his beef with Congress ?

    I know, that was Clinton's fault, and gas prices again, good lord, that horse is dead, no matter how many times you kick it.

    But gas prices are lower than a year ago, what does that mean Jim, Obama's been controlling the crude market this past year in a way that is good ?  The sarcasm is as thick as I can Lay it down.

    Parent

    One (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:58:02 AM EST
    thing you should realize is that conservatives never take responsibility for the messes they create. It's always someone else's fault and they twist themselves into pretzels to justify what they think. It's either an amazing or a frightful thing to see.

    Parent
    Ah. be fair (none / 0) (#120)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:00:08 AM EST
    When was the last time Democrats took responsibility for the messes they make?

    Parent
    Apparently (5.00 / 2) (#121)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:07:21 AM EST
    you haven't noticed that I don't give them any breaks when they screw up but conservatives take it to the nth degree saying that Clinton was successful because of Reagan but that the house had all the power back in the 90's when apparently they had no power back in the 80's to do anything. Unless Reagan screwed up then it was congress' fault.

    Do you agree with Jim that the Dems winning congress caused the collapse. I mean that's utter nonsense. Apparently on the buck stops with the President when it's a D not an R. With his rationale the problems are bad now because of the Tea Party.

    Parent

    No (none / 0) (#133)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:00:08 PM EST
    Not sure how you read that in my comment. I know you aren't a fan of Obama, and it's a leap of logic to say that I agree with Jim.  

    The point is, politicians never take responsibility. It was "I didn't vote on that", "I wasn't there", "I inherited this mess", "The other guy is worse", "That's not what I meant," blah blah blah.

    Parent

    I'm talking (none / 0) (#137)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:31:28 PM EST
    about the conservative base not just the politicians. The GOP base is full of excuses why their politicians are failures. At least around here, I don't see too many people making excuses for Obama's failures. I'm sure DKos probably has their fair share but not nearly as much as I've seen from the rank and file GOP.

    Parent
    Ah. be fair (none / 0) (#122)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:16:13 AM EST
    And not to be dickish, but really what was the last mess the D's created ?  Not defending them, but when you talk about messes, I can't think of anything beyond scandals which have hardly been systemic or a whole party problem.

    And I hate to say this, because I am not fan of Obama, but we wouldn't be talking about the economy or jobs had the R's not created the initial mess.  So while I dislike his performance, he's essentially been in clean-up mode since day 1.

    Parent

    What was the last mess? (5.00 / 2) (#126)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:50:04 AM EST
    NAFTA came in via Clinton.  Also welfare "reform" which set time limits on benefits without allowing for changing economic times.

    And not to be dickish, but ACA -- while it has some good features -- is a big mess.  Medicare for all would have been so much simpler.  For everyone except the insurance companies.

    But bigger than all that is the growing surveillance state.  You can say it didn't start under the Dems but it has exploded -- almost like that proverbial mushroom cloud -- under their guidance.

    And before people start piling on about being so negative: this is in answer to your question and is not intended to be definitive.

    Parent

    IMO (none / 0) (#129)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:07:13 PM EST
    it is way to early to make that kind of statement on the ACA.

    Parent
    No it's not (5.00 / 3) (#130)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:20:07 PM EST
    I didn't say ACA was a failure.  I said it was a mess (although I can see how you got that impression).  And it is 1990 pages.  How can it not be a mess?

    Parent
    The ACA is a huge mess (5.00 / 2) (#140)
    by samsguy18 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:32:44 PM EST
    If this isn't fixed the quality of healthcare  and delivery will be a disaster....there are many valid studies comparing the medicare model  and quality of care  vs  Medicaid. This administration's idea of basic quality healthcare is the Medicaid program....

    Parent
    fair enough (none / 0) (#131)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:24:52 PM EST


    Parent
    exactly (none / 0) (#124)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:19:32 AM EST
    not sufficiently cleaning up a mess is not on the same scale as creating a giant $hit bomb.

    They are both bad, they are not both equally bad, and that line gets really tired.

    Parent

    I would make the distinction (none / 0) (#127)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:54:24 AM EST
    that making things worse (for example, the surveillance state, ability to assassinate US citizens) is not in the category of "not sufficiently cleaning up a mess".  It is in the category of growing an existing "giant $hit bomb".  

    I neither know nor care if they are "equally bad".  It's just bad.  period.  

    Parent

    more specifically (none / 0) (#128)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:05:41 PM EST
    in terms of the economy - as that was the topic of the thread I was responding to.  But yes, I grant you that things have gotten worse on the big brother issue, although at least we aren't "legally" torturing people or starting large-scale invasions these days.  

    It's just that with economic policy, there is such a huge difference in priority and functionality of each philosophy.  And while Dems occasionally are not as successful as I (and others) would wish at implementing that philosophy - even the attempt to shift it somewhat is significantly better than the effort to expand GOP economic policy.

    Parent

    Given all the noise that was being made (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:31:25 PM EST
    about "fixing" safety net programs - noise that is still being made, by the way, only now with the separate pro-austerity/deficit-hysteria sub-groups joining forces - and much of it was Dems completely co-opting a conservative issue, I would have to say there are times when I'm glad for Democratic ineptitude.  This latest push has me hoping for more of it:

    All the uncertainty around fiscal issues has convinced the group of Washington mandarins who have been trying to undermine the social safety net in service to reducing the deficit that this is the moment to strike. Practically everyone affiliated with a commission that could earn the appellation "cat food" over the past several years has joined forces, rock-supergroup style, with broad support from Georgetown to slightly east of Georgetown, to "fix the debt."

    [snip]

    The Committee for a Repsonsible Federal Budget is the nominal sponsor of this campaign, but supporters include Erskine Bowles, Judd Gregg (who has magically replaced Alan Simpson, like a new Darren on Bewitched, as the right-leaning deficit scold leading the campaign), Ed Rendell, Honeywell CEO David Cote, CRFB President Maya MacGuineas, former Senator Sam Nunn, longtime deficit scold and funder of multiple catfood commissions Pete Peterson, Steve Rattner, Alice Rivlin, former World Bank President Robert Zoellick, and more. You get your "serious" badge on Foursquare when you sign up to be part of this group.

    This campaign posits a terrifying future that doesn't exist. The US can currently borrow at a negative interest rate. As their own charts show, the debt did not measurably grow from the additional burdens from the Great Recession, and most of their warnings refer to a time 10-20 years from now. The number one necessity of any policymaker right now should be to put people back to work, not obsess over the debt/GDP ratio two decades from now. What's more, there's no constituency in the country for deficit obsession and safety-net reduction.

    And while this is a mess that hasn't - thank God - come to fruition, it's hard to find anything positive to say about how hard so many Democrats have been trying to make it happen.

    Parent

    So does that one (none / 0) (#135)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:06:33 PM EST
    They are both bad, they are not both equally bad, and that line gets really tired.

    Bad is bad.  It isn't helping people, and in some cases hurts people, so to use that justification is completely lame.

    Parent

    justification (none / 0) (#136)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:20:54 PM EST
    for what?

    Parent
    I was Thinking... (none / 0) (#138)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:57:12 PM EST
    ...more like giant $hit bomb.

    And I am making no excuses, this inaction on rights and warfare and the DoD budget and GITMO and global warming and Wall Street and Social Security a whole lot of really bad stuff is disgusting.

    But as far as creating a giant $hit bomb that has to be cleaned up like the Housing crash, the bank fiasco/market crash, twin holly wars, systemic corruption, politicizing the government, and on and on.  It's just something the D's haven't done.

    And ACA, while a giant mess, let's be honest about that, Obama was pimping a hell of a lot easier solution before election that was shot down by who ?  It's a fricken mess by design and not a Democratic Party one.

    So while I blame them for letting happen, they didn't actually do it on purpose.

    Parent

    "Impeachment (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:11:52 PM EST
    is off the table" is a pretty big one.

    Parent
    So gas are lower than a year ago? (none / 0) (#147)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 08:09:56 AM EST
    Is that your yardstick?

    Back in 1/2009 when Obama came aboard they were $1.81. So $3.40 is good? That's a Jackson and 4 George's more on an average fill up. Where would that money be spent if gasoline wasn't sky high?? Groceries? Clothes? Movies???

    The failure to understand high energy prices and the longest economic slump since the Depression is the blind spot that will send Obama to the showers.

    The housing bubble started with Clinton in 1999.

    In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.

    snip

    ''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.''

    NWTimes

    Did Bush try to take action to get things under control? Yes. But he was poopooed by the Democrats and effectively blocked.

    Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing today, a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.

    snip

    ''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.''

    NYTimes

    I have not excused Congress. But before you condemn the House, perhaps you can call up Harry and tell him to bring some of the House bills to the Senate floor for a vote.

    The Demos didn't have that problem in 2007-2011.

    Parent

    More half-truths (none / 0) (#155)
    by Yman on Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 08:26:59 AM EST
    Bush's "attempt" at regulatory reform was only in response to the accounting scandal.  As soon as public attention dies, so did Bush's interest in any regulatory reform, as did the bills when they were never even voted out of the Republican-controlled committees.

    Keep swinging, Jim ... one of these days you might hit one.

    Parent

    Great post Scott (none / 0) (#107)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:46:22 PM EST
    Thanks for the numbers.

    But regarding Reagan:

    He benefited from monetary policy after Volcker lowered interest rates and a schism in OPEC.

    Parent

    John Sununu's (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:32:49 PM EST
    dated conservative fever dream aside, we can only hope that his advocacy for Romney will be as effective as it was for President GHW Bush while his chief of staff.  

    Daddy Bush's problems with the recession and his economic policies prompted Republicans to lay Bush's lackluster response to the country's  economic woes at the chief of staff's doorstep.

    Sununu was soon shoved across that doorstep and headed back to NH so as not to be "a drag" on the President.  Of course, the fact that Sununu had become the subject of the late-night comedians , among others, colored the ouster.  Sununu's penchant for personal travel at government expense--such as skiing trips and a visit to his dentist in Boston are examples.

    A memorable jaunt was his travel to a Christies' stamp auction in NYC, in which he took a government limo, deadheading the vehicle to DC while returning on a corporate jet.  After a question or two, Sununu paid the government $892 for more than $615,000 worth of military travel.  And, at the request of the WH counsel, he made additional payments for air travel at commercial rates--the record does not say, but no doubt he flew AMERICAN.  

    But, hey, Sununu is responsible for getting David Souter on the Court, a sore point with right wingers.  A gracious President Obama can overlook Sununu's zealotry on behalf of his Mittens by reminding Republicans and all of that one good deed.

    Rick Perry to Mitt... (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by magster on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 05:15:14 PM EST
    RELEASE those tax returns!!

    Drip drip drippity dripola drip!

    Someone needs to explain (3.50 / 2) (#3)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:45:38 AM EST
    that comment.

    Mr. Obama rose from humble roots to the top of his class at Harvard Law and is the first person of African ancestry to be elected to the presidency.

    If that isn't the all-American story, what is?  Being born to outrageous wealth?

    Mr. Sununu needs to provide a little context, if he doesn't wish to be considered a fool.

    But I repeat myself.

    Humble beginnings? (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:04:50 PM EST
    You mean being born into a middle to upper-middle class white family living in Hawaii is now considered "humble beginnings"?

    Guess my definition falls more to someone like Bill Clinton or Harry Truman or even Gerald Ford.

    Parent

    ..if he doesn't wish to be considered a fool. (none / 0) (#16)
    by unitron on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:35:13 PM EST
    Ever hear the saying "that ship done sailed"?

    Parent
    Pointless (2.00 / 2) (#141)
    by Eddpsair on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:40:15 PM EST
    Even though I am center to right wing, classical libertarian, an LEO, and retired military, I have come to TalkLeft because it had thoughtfully debate by intelligent people about issues.  By virtue of reading thoughtful posts, I saw some new points and engaged in debates where at times the conclusion was to agree to disagree.  

    But this particular thread is pointless and a complete waste of my time.  This is like reading a bunch of 10 year olds....  "Sununu is a poo poo head! And I have a link to a site where a cat bats Newt's head around.".   "I hate Reagan, I hate Bush, all of them.  I hate all republicans."

    Less than 10% of the posts here require any thought or are distinguishable from some adolescents twitter feed.

    Talkleft is a great site in general, but this thread is an echo chamber of ad hominiem attacks and childish shout downs.  

    Am I the only one to see the irony in calling the host of this thread, "Big Tent".?

    Do you people understand that if independents or libertarian leaning conservatives come to this thread, they will observe you behaving EXACTLY like your worst conservative detractors SAY you behave?    

    I have recommend this site for thoughtful discourse.  But if any conservative were to come here to test the waters, how many posts would it take to convince them that all their prejudices about fuzzy thinking immature democrats were 100% verified here.   About 3 minutes tops....

    This is your site, BigTent.   If you want an echo chamber of personal insults, that is your prerogative.  I don't see it accomplishing much, except perhaps whip up the base.  There is not one single moderate or independent that could read what is posted here and be moved in your direction....

    Jeez, people, Limbaugh, Hannity, and the rest could read these comments aloud over the air to make their people absolutely sure there is no point in EVER trying to find common ground or compromise.  

    Just sayin....

    Ok, ed. What is (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by glanton on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 08:10:08 PM EST
    the properly measured response to what Sununu said?  

    Parent
    Oh no! Whatever shall we Dooooo? (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by shoephone on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:03:12 PM EST
    All those conservatives planning on coming over to "test the waters" (snort!) won't like the things written on a site called Talk Left.

    Your concern trolling is duly noted.

    Parent

    Sunnunu screwed up but so did Obama (1.00 / 3) (#47)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:05:10 PM EST
    I notice none of the people on this site are defending Obama's comments.  Instead we are discussing how dumb a talking head is vs. the President of the United States.

    Personally I'd like to thank the president for coming right out and saying without government no great things are possible.

    We now know for sure that he believes that government should pick winners and losers and there is a clear choice in November.

    Do you want to live in Illinois or Indiana?   In Illinois they have runaway government and deficits.  In Indiana they have neither.   We all know which state Obama prefers vs. Romney.

    It's your choice.

    MItch Daniels (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:36:04 PM EST
    Bush's OMB. LOL.

    Parent
    Indiana was once also home ... (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:32:18 PM EST
    ... to the most powerful branch of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States. In fact, it's the only state in which the Klan actually once controlled the state government.

    But let's talk about the Indiana of today. You seem to conveniently forget that Indiana's economy was recently cushioned by $4.3 billion in federal stimulus money. But even then, as of FY 2010, the state debt was $27,563,948,372. As of FY 2013, it stands at $38,710,138,000.

    Thus, Indiana has been recently balancing its state budget by issuing additional state bonds, which means the state has incurred approximately $9 billion in additional debt over the last three years.

    In other words, they've been borrowing their way of of their annual fiscal shortfalls in Indianapolis, which has increased the state's overall liabilities by about one-third. This year, tax revenue collection appears to be well ahead of schedule, so the need to engage in continued deficit spending will hopefully be on the wane.

    Have any other examples of GOP economic wisdom  you'd like to pitch?

    Parent

    Well I'm not (none / 0) (#91)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:29:55 PM EST
    Sure where you got your numbers but here's a link to mine

    Parent
    Donald (none / 0) (#104)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:26:31 PM EST
    Would it be fair to say Indiana has borrowed to facilitate inadequate taxation.

    Parent
    Obama definitely... (none / 0) (#48)
    by kdog on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:18:50 PM EST
    coulda worded his "nobody does it alone" schtick  better, but there is truth in that Slado, he just stretched it too far to make it sound like every business owner is a robber baron.

    I still insist Romney's Bain baggage is most relevant, unlike this "real American" crap...Romney opened the door claiming to be some kinda economic mastermind job creator expert.  It is relevant to debate and measure his claims vs. his business resume.  His vision of America's economic future is something I want no part of.  Granted, Obama's vision is simply a 10% less suicidal version of Romney's...they're both out to serve the Wall St. investor class, the only difference is Romney swallows and Obama spits, but either way Wall St. is gonna get knobbed, and the American worker will get kicked in the junk.

    Parent

    Romney will counter (none / 0) (#92)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:32:45 PM EST
    The false claims about his job where he is apparently guilty of success.

    More than this president can say.


    Parent

    Not the way I define success my friend... (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 08:09:28 AM EST
    making a confortable living and having a net positive effect on your neighbors, nation, & world...thats f*ckin' success.  Both candidates are failures, imo...to differing degrees.

    Parent
    Willie Sutton (none / 0) (#102)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:21:22 PM EST
    was also guilty of success.  

    Just like Mitt he only went where the money was.

    Parent

    So you're a Mitch Daniels fan I see. (none / 0) (#50)
    by magster on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:27:57 PM EST
    I'd prefer to live in a state where public sector employment is valued. So why is it you comment on a blog that supports Obama and generally the left?

    Parent
    I'm proud to Live in a state (none / 0) (#93)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:35:39 PM EST
    Where the governor worries about all the taxpayers and does his job instead of the bidding of union bosses.

    Parent
    I thought the authorized word was. (5.00 / 3) (#94)
    by DFLer on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:38:40 PM EST
    union thugs

    you slipped up

    Parent
    No need for name calling (none / 0) (#95)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:40:05 PM EST
    I know lots of people in unions

    Parent
    Oh, (none / 0) (#103)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:23:35 PM EST
    as in  'some of my best friends ... '

    How white of you.


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    Are you now, or have you ever been in a union? (none / 0) (#112)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:17:15 AM EST


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    Indiana... (none / 0) (#60)
    by magster on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:17:25 PM EST
    ... here's some more Indiana for you from Marion.

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    No need to defend them (none / 0) (#79)
    by Yman on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:23:35 PM EST
    They're basic truisms.

    Not what you claim he said, ...

    ... what he actually said.

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    They are truisms if (none / 0) (#96)
    by Slado on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 09:44:37 PM EST
    You think like Obama

    If you don't it's more of the "We need to spread it around" talk from 2008.

    Don't play the context game.  He said what he said and it fits right in with his nasty habit of attacking business to stir up his base. It's his campaign theme because he can't run on his economic record.

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    Context is not a "game" (5.00 / 6) (#98)
    by Yman on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 10:10:25 PM EST
    ... and you lied about what he said.

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    Remember, this means the Bushes are now birthers (none / 0) (#1)
    by scribe on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:41:27 AM EST
    Sununu was GHW Bush's Chief of Staff, back in the day.

    And he used to get pilloried (in National Review and other places) for being too liberal.

    Which Sununu is this---father or son? (none / 0) (#9)
    by observed on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:09:14 PM EST


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    It's the old man (none / 0) (#12)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:13:02 PM EST
    Former Governor and HW Bush's chief of staff.

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    And he's speaking for George Romney, (none / 0) (#15)
    by observed on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:17:57 PM EST
    right?
    Maybe Mittens can choose Ronald Reagan as V.P.
    We already had a V.P. without a pulse.. dead is only one step further.

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    Father - Fmr Gov, not Fmr Senator (none / 0) (#14)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:13:41 PM EST


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    See Nile (none / 0) (#2)
    by Dadler on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:42:56 AM EST
    And not the river.

    I love the smell of desperation in the morning... (none / 0) (#4)
    by magster on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:48:20 AM EST
    smells like ... a seventy something troll GOPer.

    It's hard though when they've (none / 0) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 12:02:43 PM EST
    sank to this, gone completely nuts seeking the UnAmerican vote again and it's only July.  We all know what that is too.  That is someone who doesn't respect the soldiers and isn't like "us", who doesn't look like "us".  I grimace.  I wasn't born yet, so don't know what the climate was like leading up to both Kennedys and King being shot but I cannot help thinking the "not like us"/"not Americans" theme wasn't the basis for so much of that pain and loss and death.

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    They didnt say it (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:41:29 PM EST
    out loud on national airwaves.  Plus, they didn't have to reach as far as "not Americans."  Being black or being allied with black people was enough.

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    Politically, it doesn't bother me. (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:16:11 PM EST
    People like John Sununu, Rush Limbaugh and the Fox & Bimbos morning crew are really doing nothing more than making direct appeals to their own base -- and that base already isn't going to vote for Democrats, let alone the Kenyan Socialist in the White House. So really, what are they gaining, besides trying to flog their own unenthusiatic voters to the polls?

    What they are doing with these thinly veiled racist appeals is turning off the independent voters, and that's perfectly fine by me. Whining

    Personally, what John Sununu said was nothing short of repulsive. But then, he's always been a repulsive character, so I roll my eyes and move on.

    As I said the other day, the Republicans are finally getting a richly deserved taste of their own medicine, and they obviously don't like it when they're the ones getting -- for lack of a better term -- b*tch-slapped. A whining campaign is a losing campaign. Let's remember that.

    Don't they always start going into (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by jondee on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:31:39 PM EST
    rats-backed-into-a-corner mode around this time??

    That's been their m.o since CREEP..

    Cutting deals with the Iranians..Clinton had people murdered..the Swift Boaters (brought to you by billionare oil field trash in the Southwest..)

    I see Han-jobbity is starting another big "he's a secret Muslim" push..

    There may be a little added rodent-desperation this year; there being some concern about whether the base will turn out in force for an LDS Elder..

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    Bob Perry... (none / 0) (#29)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:57:07 PM EST
    ...who put up a lot of the swift boat and Walker recall money is actually a home builder, and of course, here in Texas.  I think he threw money at California's gay marriage ballots as well.

    He's a slimeball even by our standards.

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    Id he any relation to ... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:17:45 PM EST
    ... Gov. Goodhair? (I miss Molly Ivins.)

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    No, not related. I miss Molly, too. And Ann. (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Angel on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:30:12 PM EST


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    CraZy (none / 0) (#44)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:48:05 PM EST
    I never put the two together, that is funny.

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    Jim Hightower helps to fill the Molly gap (none / 0) (#109)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 07:43:35 AM EST


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    That might (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:24:54 PM EST
    be one positive of the housing collapse--someone like him loses money.

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    The Market Crash... (none / 0) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 02:45:38 PM EST
    ...was not bad here, oil kept this city running pretty unscathed.  The way Perry is tossing money around I doubt he too many lumps, if only he had invested with Stanford...

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    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 11:40:04 PM EST
    As I said the other day, the Republicans are finally getting a richly deserved taste of their own medicine, and they obviously don't like it when they're the ones getting -- for lack of a better term -- b*tch-slapped.

    They're squealing like pigs and there's more yet to be mined.

    And no Democrat should apologize, ever, not now and not in the future.

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    In a sane world... (none / 0) (#24)
    by pcpablo on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 01:23:56 PM EST
    Sununu's remarks would bar him from ever appearing on TV.  In this bizzaro world, it has ensured that his phone is ringing off the hook to book him on all the Sunday talkers.

    BTW, the "Crony capitalism" (none / 0) (#54)
    by observed on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 03:44:15 PM EST
    is very much like classic Rove.
    He believed one should hit an opponent in his strongest area, so that the  judge who was a child advocate (in the south, decades ago), was subjected to a whisper campaign that he was a child molester.
    This is similar, because it leads with Romney's weakness.

    Say it Ain't So... (none / 0) (#64)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 04:39:03 PM EST
    ...scratch that, Say it Is So.

    A past post eluded to a certain... how do I put this... a certain rather out there Fox viewer has their own website with some hot topics.

    Feel free to post a link or email me the address, inquiring minds and all.  My email is in the user info area, just click my handle.  

    Pleaze-o-pleaze... I just had a bday.

    "if you knew sununu like i knew sununu!" (none / 0) (#72)
    by cpinva on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 06:21:31 PM EST
    c'mon, the man is, and always has been, a flaming gasbag, filling the air with hot, noxious fumes. why should i, or anyone else, be surprised that he'd blurt something beyond mere stupid?

    Flop sweat starting to show. (none / 0) (#75)
    by Addison on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:03:00 PM EST
    Bain is such a terrible newsmaker that Romneyland is pushing out lesser scandals to distract from it.

    I don't listen to Ed Shultz much (none / 0) (#76)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:10:30 PM EST
    but I did catch a few minutes of his radio show today and he made a good point - where are all the other GOP primary candidates that pledged their (albeit tepid) support? I don't see Santorum, Gingrich, Cain, Huntsman, etc rushing to the defense.  

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    They all (3.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 07:33:08 PM EST
    hate each other so much now it's almost comical. But in all honesty, would you WANT Santorum or Gingrich defending you? Or Cain even? I mean all of those you have listed except for Huntsman completely disgraced themselves during the primaries. I never thought Gingrich was completely sane as I had him as my rep but honestly he really went off the rails during the primary to the point of making himself a worse laughing stock than he already was.

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    Good point! (none / 0) (#87)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 08:14:58 PM EST
    It really is amazing/scary what they have brought themselves to. And they are still largely in control even if Obama wins.

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    Could they (none / 0) (#88)
    by womanwarrior on Tue Jul 17, 2012 at 08:47:57 PM EST
    be hoping to step into a vacancy?

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    I sure (none / 0) (#123)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:17:42 AM EST
    I didn't miss politics.

    I did run into an Afghani on one flight (works for the U.S. government).  He said he "doesn't get into domestic politics" but at one point he did drop the "man Bush really destroyed the U.S. reputation abroad" line.

    Glad to see the Romney campaign floundering.  Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

    You know when they start with the racist/unamerican cr@p they are really getting desperate.  That may play well in some areas, but it's not going to win you a national election anymore.

    Meanwhile, Arizona's favorite (none / 0) (#125)
    by indy in sc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:39:02 AM EST
    sheriff continues to double down on the crazy...

    Romney surrogate: Obama Not An American | 160 comments (160 topical)

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