One pro-Obama ad reveals a lot about 2012 campaign
One controversial ad by an Obama SuperPAC encapsulates so much that makes the 2012 presidential campaign distinctive:
– In its specifics, the ad is deceptive and brutally unfair. It suggests that by closing a Missouri steel plant and stripping its workers of health insurance, Mitt Romney and Bain Capital were in part responsible for the subsequent death of a worker’s wife by cancer. It’s the kind of gut-wrenching charge that — if made at all — at least ought to be strongly backed by facts. Instead, the implication that Romney is to blame is barely plausible at best, given the timelines involved. Those who condemn the ad as irresponsible are correct in that assessment.
– However, in a Citizens United world, in which quasi-independent groups raise and spend vast amounts of campaign cash, this type of ad will become more and more familiar. Candidates can claim to have no knowledge of or control over such advertisements, and thus no responsibility for it. The rich donors who paid for the ad are often anonymous, meaning they too cannot be held responsible. And if no one is responsible, irresponsibility results. This is not rocket science, even if the geniuses on the Supreme Court are unable to grasp it.
– Accuracy aside, the underlying theme of the ad is powerful and emotionally resonant. Outside predators such as Mitt Romney and Bain Capital can perform a useful function in a capitalist economy. They come into a company and make ruthless, heartless decisions without regard to the human cost, decisions that those with a longer history or commitment to the company perhaps cannot bring themselves to make. Over the long haul, in a macro-economic sense, that can be useful. But one of the primary questions of the 2012 race is whether the American people will be comfortable putting a person with that mentality and background in the Oval Office.
– Appearing on Fox News Wednesday, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul denounced the ad in question as deceptive and unfair. However, she also noted that if the steelworkers in question had been working in Massachusetts instead of Missouri, their health coverage would have been protected by the health-insurance program created by Romney, a program that later served as the direct model for ObamaCare:
“To that point, you know, if people had been in Massachusetts under Governor Romney’s health care plan, they would have had health care,” Saul said. “There are a lot of people losing their jobs and their health care in President Obama’s economy.”
While Saul’s observation was valid, it caused a huge outrage among conservatives, with many calling for Saul’s firing for the outrageous act of actually telling the truth. Es ist verboten on the right to acknowledge even the existence of RomneyCare during this campaign, let alone that it actually might serve a useful function.
That brings us back once again to the central question of the 2012 campaign: If we are to live in an Bain-type economy in which brutish efficiency is the primary goal and the human impact is not to be considered in decision-making, what steps if any should government take to protect individual Americans from the worst vagaries of that process?
In an era of increasingly no-holds-barred capitalism, do we also slash unemployment insurance, job training, Medicaid benefits, Social Security and ObamaCare, so that individuals are even more fully exposed to the cruel caprices of free enterprise? Or do such programs become even more important in an era in which jobs, companies and indeed entire industries can disappear quickly?
– Jay Bookman
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631 comments Add your comment
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
1:36 pm
MiltonMan — “Back in the day, S4 sent me to the PX to purchase multiple ribbons/awards at the local PX with zero paperwork & I ended up spending close to $300 bucks for replacement medals.”
Ouch!
That’s why you send the request to your service branch; you’re only out a stamp, an envelope and the time it takes to write and sign the request.
I haven’t stopped in at Hodge Army-Navy in Marietta in a while to see what they charge for medal sets, but I bet it’s pretty steep.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 9th, 2012
1:37 pm
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history.
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History.
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing.
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a same-sex marriage.
Looks like someone has gay envy.
ragnar danneskjold
August 9th, 2012
1:37 pm
Good afternoon Jay, mostly agree with your essay – disagree primarily with your analysis of “conservative anger” at Andrea Saul. We are not angry at Andrea Saul for suggesting there were virtues in 75-page RiomneyCare – we are angry at her naivete, for thinking the issue had anything to do with health care. She should have confined her comments to the blatant lies in the ad.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
1:39 pm
K’Chak — “Looks like someone has gay envy.”
He’s okay with ‘em iffen they keep their distance.
It’s teh S00par-ghey that he’s worried about.
Thulsa Doom
August 9th, 2012
1:39 pm
“Again, one can make the same claim about coordination with Rove and the SVBs. So if that doesn’t bother you, it should bother you if it is true the other way.’
they both suck,
Obama’s Stephanie Cutter is on a conference call with that steelworker from month’s earlier- a person she denied ever knowing. There is a recording of the call. That is a fact. That is actual evidence which is a little different from you or me just saying we think there is coordination. Very different.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
1:39 pm
TD
Yes the cancer ad is crap. Said so for the last few days.
Except for the fact that Romney was one of the governors petitioning for relief of that same welfare act, I don’t really have problem with that ad.
As for the cancer ad, it should be denouced. Took Bush several weeks, but he finally stepped up and denounced it. Damage for right or wrong was done, but he did denounce it.
Probably after Rove said Mr President “I think we sunk his battleshipe” (just kidding).
As I told TBG, hopefully that ad is the lowest we go, but don’t bet on it.
I see a Kerry / Bush campaign on the horizon
Adam
August 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
TGT: And yes, Adam, I am “worse off” in the sense that, among other things, the country is “worse off” by having a raging liberal running the country.
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history.
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History.
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing.
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a same-sex marriage.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Yes, please Adam, you libs get together and spend millions on ad(s) touting these “achievements.”
Glad to have your permission. And you BET I will. Those are good things.
By the way, if your only reason for being “worse off” is that a “liberal is running things,” you’ve already lost.
I mean seriously, how much traction do you think i would get out of “well, I have a better job, more money in the bank, the economy isn’t hemorrhaging jobs, our military is getting most of our enemies, but DADGUMMIT A CONSERVATIVE IS IN OFFICE”?
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
TD
We just disagree that is all.
SVBs were caught in numerous lies about what they said, who backed them, etc.
If you want to say all I have is innuendo. I’m good with that, but even you know better than that.
Again, it is ALL crap. I’m not defending either side for the bs
That Black Guy
August 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
Goldie
August 9th, 2012
12:53 pm
Oh, and we don’t want corporatists in the White House EVER, either — thanks for posting!
_____________________________________________________________________
Then WHO are you going to vote for?
They are BOTH corporatists.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
You should see some of his posts when the thread topic is about same sex marriage.
Endless posts about anal sex.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
Ben: OK Adam, what part of $1.4 trillion deficits and sustained 9+% unemployment do you consider fake and made up?
How about both of those things?
If you’re going to complain about high unemployment and high yearly deficits, at least get the numbers right.
Thulsa Doom
August 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
” Took Bush several weeks, but he finally stepped up and denounced it. ”
they both suck,
Well of course it took several weeks to denounce it. W had to let it play out a while on tv first. You know he was going to let it get some air time first. Tee hee.
I gotta get going. Good talking to you and that black guy but I gotta get some work done. Doomy out.
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
1:44 pm
“Doggone, although I think the CU decision was horrible, I can’t blame the CU decision for the FACT that some people are that dumb”
I didn’t say I blamed them. Just that it was one of the worst aspects of the decision. Unintended consequences and all that.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
1:44 pm
TBG
That is for sure. Stock market is rising from the ashes.
Big Bizz is the name of the game of both parties. It is all in how each one frames it.
Georgia, The " New Mississippi "
August 9th, 2012
1:45 pm
Mitt has not paid taxes in 10 years. He indirectly killed a lady by stripping a company of health care. He spends more a year on his dancing horse, Rafalca , than most people earn. His father was born in Mexico. His biggest problem is he will not stand up to his party and do and say what he really believes is right in his heart… That is why I would not vote for him…… If he will not stand up for himself , he will not stand up for the our nation.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
1:47 pm
Georgia
They will have your tinfoil hat waiting for you at the door before you exit. However you are welcome to go put it on now.
Cosby
August 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
Ahh…here we go..the annoited one can do nothing wrong and it is never his fault. forget the Delphi workers he threw under the bus, forget that under Obama care the elderly will need to have their health care reviewed by a panel, forget his attorney general thinks that to get a drivers license you need three forms of ID, but you do not need any form of ID to vote, forget that in Mass. the welfare checks have a voter registration attached. forget that Obama has spent tons of money to block his college records and do we know why..yep the media including Jay protect this man with a vengence. The ad…well the gentlemen in the ad has been on other Obama ads and has an inside track to the white house. forget that he was offered a buy out, forget that he did acquire another job but refused to put his wife on their plan, forget that his wife was working and could have been covered under her plan…the ad is all lies,,Cichago style mob rule and Jay loves it…to all you ignorant people who agree with Jay..enjoy picking cotton on the south white house lawn…how ignorant can you people be…
That Black Guy
August 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
truth be told
August 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
thuth is the lady that died had herself and her family covered by health ins. from her own employer.
___________________________________________
No, she lost her HC insurance after she lost her job due to injury (rotator cup). her husband declined to purchase insurance whe secured another job with the school system years before she was diagnosed and died.
Mark in mid-town
August 9th, 2012
1:49 pm
Nate Silver is a great numbers person and he evaluates numbers in a strictly unemotional way. That is why I believe his odds of Obama winning re-election are way off-base. There is near no further up-side for Obama. He’s a known quantity and seems to have a ceiling of 47 or 48%. Romney has had everything including the kitchen sink thrown at him, and he seems to be about even in most of the polls that don’t substantially over-sample Democrats.
There is far more of a potential upside available for Romney than there is for Obama. Additionally, I suspect some Democrats are lying to polsters about intending to vote for Obama. While Silver’s analysis of current numbers show a 70% chance of Obama winning, I tend to think that the current data and environment is consistent with Romney winning by 4 – 6 points come November.
I also base that on how the individual campaigns are behaving. It seems to me that the Obama Campaign is acting in an increasingly desperate and negative way, which is what candidates who believe they are losing tend to do. Obama Campaign is burning through money a lot faster than Romney, while Romney seems to be raising more money than Obama for future expenditures. Romney seems content to absorb the blows because they don’t seem to be hurting him that much as Obama can’t get above the 47% or 48% ceiling.
The incredible negative nature of the Obama Campaign is consistent with a campaign that thinks the election is trending to Romney. Anything can still happen, but my view is that if Romney has a good convention and holds his own in the debates with Obama, that the late breakers will overwhelmingly go to Romney, just as they did to Reagan back in 1980.
People like to say that Romney is no Reagan. But neither was Reagan the beloved Reagan back in 1980. Reagan was the Republican Carter wanted to run against in 1980 as Reagan was considered near as unelectible as Barry Goldwater back in 1964. So Reagan wasn’t particularly popular among the electorate-at-large back in 1980 up until the point when almost all the late breaking went Reagan’s way once Reagan and Carter had their debate and Reagan showed that he was acceptable alternative.
While it’s possbile Romney will come across as a stiff in the debates, it’s also possible he will clean Obama’s clock. I’ve seen Romney have great debate performances, and I’ve seen him fall flat on his face as well. It may all depend on what he has for breakfast that day.
East Lake Ira
August 9th, 2012
1:49 pm
Not sure why Jay thinks the Dems should be “better” than the GOP and not stoop to this level…
It’s been proven time and again that lies work better than the truth and there is no accountability for spewing vitriol. It appears the Dems know this now – too slow on the uptake for me but I’m glad they got here.
The GOP set the ground rules. It’s time they took a punch or two.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
K’Chak — “You should see some of his posts when the thread topic is about same sex marriage. Endless posts about anal sex.”
I know; it’s why I posted that.
Some of the most virulent anti-gay posters sure do seem to enjoy geting into the minute details of what them thar gay d00dz git up to in tha bedroom.
Scooter
August 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
It’s the Chicago way of politics. The Obama changed nothing there and actually won his previous elections by mastering the technique. All that was before Citizens United but he was still presented as above dirty politics even though he had practiced them for years – Media Fail!
curious
August 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
I didn’t you you could apply for a medal. No wonder I didn’t get any.
Aside from how “sorry” some thought Kerry was/is, let all who even exposed themselves to hostile fire speak up.
I was accused of IRR envy, whatever that is, but it looks like there’s medal envy going on here.
Did those guys commenting about Kerry receive any $ from that PAC.
MoreRightthanLeft
August 9th, 2012
1:52 pm
both sides are stupid..its not Obamas fault, nothing ever is. And Romney doesnt care about people only corporations..
The economy is Obamas- and it sux..Romney needs to attack that…
and the 148 rounds of golf in the 42 months in office…and 198 fundraisers…when does he start fundamentally changing our country.;lol
That Black Guy
August 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
You libs
August 9th, 2012
1:15 pm
___________________
Please stop doing that.
Please just post a link to those lengthy articles.
curious
August 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
You can legally buy any decoration you want, except the MOH.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Does anyone know where I can find what time Jay Carney is doing his press briefing today? He said he would answer the question about this ad today.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:00 pm
Sorry, that was yesterday. Looks like he basically said they didn’t have anything to do with the ad.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
2:02 pm
Adam
They could denounce it. It is that simple.
This thing is going to get nasty, I tell you.
b-troll
August 9th, 2012
2:03 pm
“Over the long haul, in a macro-economic sense, that can be useful. But one of the primary questions of the 2012 race is whether the American people will be comfortable putting a person with that mentality and background in the Oval Office.”
Yes
“To that point, you know, if people had been in Massachusetts under Governor Romney’s health care plan, they would have had health care,” Saul said. “There are a lot of people losing their jobs and their health care in President Obama’s economy.”
“In an era of increasingly no-holds-barred capitalism, do we also slash unemployment insurance, job training, Medicaid benefits, Social Security and ObamaCare, so that individuals are even more fully exposed to the cruel caprices of free enterprise? ”
I’m not worried that the guy who passed Romney Care is going to throw the working class under the bus.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:05 pm
The BOTH suck: I too wish they would denounce it.
And yes, nastiness is to be expected. Personally I’d rather be chilled tot he bone by an ad that is accurate (like this one from Obama that Washington Post gave a Geppetto Checkmark), that by an ad that is false.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:05 pm
that = than
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 9th, 2012
2:07 pm
The economy is Obamas- and it sux..
If it’s leadership you are attacking, then technically the economy belongs to:
Reagan …………… 8 years
Bush the elder ….. 4 years
Clinton ……………. 8 years
Bush Jr. ……………8 years
More right than left
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:08 pm
“They could denounce it. It is that simple”
Yes, they could…but I don’t think they should. I think they should just advertise that any add that does not have “I am Barak Obama and I approved this ad” on it has NOTHING to do with his campaign or his campaign staff and should be ignored. ALL of them.
Donovan
August 9th, 2012
2:08 pm
What absolute rubbish Bookman’s 10:04 posting was this morning. You Democrats have nothing credible to say about Obama’s record or accomplishments so you all are pathetically reduced to unending character assassination of an honorable opposition candidate.
Blaming Romney for the death of a woman with cancer now? How pathetic! Hiding behind PAC attacks, but taking no responsibility for their content? We’re not buying your disassociation with Democrat donor PAC’s. You are representative of its authors.
Bain Capital created more jobs, kept more jobs, and resurrected more companies than Obama’s inept administration could ever imagine. Your union playbook tactic of poisoning the well with misinformation about that nasty old Bain Capital is your low class calling card. The electorate will remember such low character attempts in November.
You liberals had nothing to offer in your choice of candidadtes in the last election so you fooled everyone into thinking an empty suit with Hope & Change would be good for America. Look at us now. What you see is what you get. You double down and offer this same left wing loser to represent America again. Only this time, you realize that in absence of Obama accomplishments, character assassination of his challenger is the only card to play. PATHETIC and LOW CLASS.
How do you defend against an administration of incompetent appointees, a corrupt DOJ, a cabinet comprised of individuals without private sector job experience, bureaucratic left wing czars, a corrupt Labor Dept., a political base of liberal kooks, and a hypocrite president who forgets earlier pronouncements? YOU CAN’T!
Sadly, you wretched Democrats resort to the only weapon in your playbook. Character assassination and misinformation. Next time you all see Harry Reid, ask him to supply you with his proof about those 10 years of tax dodging that Mitt was able to get away with. A fool leading fools. Had it not been for the union thug intercedings in Vegas, that old crank would be out to pasture by now.
You people are really something. You’ve lost your souls.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
2:09 pm
Adam
I hear ya. While it wouldn’t change many minds in terms of who people are going to vote for, the Obama Administration could have said something.
While they can not legally tell that PAC what to do, but not say anything, it shows that Obama is “politics as usual”.
And I have to say that even though I am voting for him, because I can’t stand the thought of a Repub WH and maybe even a Repub Senate, he imo is “politics as usual”.
I agree that Obama has not had much to work with, however I would be remiss to say he doesn’t play the political games he said he would not be playing.
They BOTH suck
August 9th, 2012
2:10 pm
Donavan
Are you God’s overseer? How do you know who lost their soul or not?
Lord Help Us
August 9th, 2012
2:12 pm
Longer and angrier screeds/rants = desperation
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
2:12 pm
Nate Silver is a great numbers person and he evaluates numbers in a strictly unemotional way. That is why I believe his odds of Obama winning re-election are way off-base. There is near no further up-side for Obama. He’s a known quantity and seems to have a ceiling of 47 or 48%
Upon what do you base this “ceiling?” Gallup’s nationwide approval polling, perchance?
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
2:12 pm
Curious — “I didn’t you you could apply for a medal. No wonder I didn’t get any.”
IIRC, the Army reg states that anyone “having knowledge of the qualifying act or acts” can submit someone for a decoration, but that all procedures must be followed (so it would be best to have your commander put you in for it, assuming you actually want to *receive* the award). I had also read that there’s some document routinely filed by Army medics and docs that should *automatically* result in the awarding of a Purple Heart (but this would only happen in an active theater of combat).
I found this helpful checklist for MiltonMan:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5015017_replace-military-medals.html
And this site has a pretty cool-looking “rack builder” tool:
http://www.marlowwhite.com/awards-decorations.html
Mark in mid-town
August 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
Enter your comments here
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
Democrats have nothing credible to say about Obama’s record or accomplishments
Donovan, there were probably a dozen posts addressing this yawner of a talking point already.
but since you don’t seem inclined to seek such things out, I give you this (again).
East Lake Ira
August 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
I’ve seen ads that were more inflammatory than this one, and ads that were in various ways more reprehensible than this one (not many, but some). But I cannot recall a single presidential campaign ad in the history of American politics that lied more blatantly than this one.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
2:15 pm
Curious — “You can legally buy any decoration you want, except the MOH.”
Used to be you couldn’t even do that; medal collectors had to work out trades to avoid running afoul of the law. And you still can’t buy a full-size CMH, but you *can* legally buy miniatures and enameled pins. I *think* it’s still illegal to buy the ribbon for the CMH or the lapel rosette (that you’d wear in civilian clothing, for example).
Lord Help Us
August 9th, 2012
2:16 pm
Fox and Drudge are on this issue like a chicken after a june bug…
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:16 pm
OOps! This: “I think it was Lyndon Johnson who instructed his campaign team to put out an ad (a rumor? something anyway) accusing him of doing something embarrassing (can’t remember exactly what)”
SHOULD HAVE BEEN: I think it was Lyndon Johnson who instructed his campaign team to put out an ad (a rumor? something anyway) accusing HIS OPPONENT of doing something embarrassing (can’t remember exactly what)
Liberal Chicks are UGLY
August 9th, 2012
2:20 pm
Is anybody acutally stupid enough and gullible enough to believe all these left wing lies?? Oh I see.
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
August 9th, 2012
2:23 pm
Only a complete toolbag like milton mouth would vote for Romney
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:23 pm
“Is anybody acutally stupid enough and gullible enough to believe all these left wing lies?? Oh I see.”
About as many as are stupid enough and gullible enough to believe all these right wing lies, I’d say.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 9th, 2012
2:24 pm
Is anybody acutally stupid enough and gullible enough to believe all these left wing lies??
The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.
Oh, I see.
godless heathen
August 9th, 2012
2:26 pm
we NEED a post size limit on this blog!
No spit. I have scroll finger carpal tunnel syndrome after that mess at 1:15.
Here we go!
August 9th, 2012
2:29 pm
USA vs. Japan for Gold, 6 minutes and counting!
That Black Guy
August 9th, 2012
2:29 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
Some of the most virulent anti-gay posters sure do seem to enjoy geting into the minute details of what them thar gay d00dz git up to in tha bedroom.
____________________________________________________________________
I know, right.
It’s as if they only think they are gay in the bedroom.
They’re not gay at work.
They’re not gay at softball practice.
They’re not gay in the shower at the gym as they wonder why TGT is looking at them with that “Need some help with that” look in their eyes.
Only in the bedroom.
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:29 pm
“No spit. I have scroll finger carpal tunnel syndrome after that mess at 1:15″
You should have been here the other day when he posted it 3 or 4 times (5 times?) on the same damn blog!
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:30 pm
They BOTH suck: And I have to say that even though I am voting for him, because I can’t stand the thought of a Repub WH and maybe even a Repub Senate, he imo is “politics as usual”.
I agree, and it’s sad. I am ticked that someone couldn’t go into the White House, do things different in a “radical” way, and actually make significant change in the political process. But now that my dream of that is shattered, I know better than to break the system up all at once but to vote for people who will eventually bring the system closer to the way I want it to be.
Mark in mid-town
August 9th, 2012
2:31 pm
Nate Silver is a great numbers person and he evaluates numbers in a strictly unemotional way. That is why I believe his odds of Obama winning re-election are way off-base. There is near no further up-side for Obama. He’s a known quantity and seems to have a ceiling of 47 or 48%
Upon what do you base this “ceiling?” Gallup’s nationwide approval polling, perchance?
————————————————————-
I base it on lots of things. GALLUP’s and other approval ratings. The fact that 2008 was about as unelectable year the Republicans have had in decades, combined with incredible unprecedented excitemeent for Obama. Republican turnout was depressed while Democratic turnout was inspired. Yet Obama still only won 52.87% of the popular vote. Romney may be a poor candidate, but worse than McCain? I don’t think so. So hard to see it being even remotely plausible for Obama to match his 52.87% share of 2008. Then it’s just a matter of figuring out how much of that 52.87% he’ll lose. Based on every instinct and understanding of electoral history I have, I think a 47% – 48% ceiling will be hard for Obama to break, unless Romney can be completely destroyed. And I think Obama’s campaign is being conducted as if he knows that, which is why the unprecedented smear campaign being waged by a sitting president against his opponent.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
2:32 pm
I think it was Lyndon Johnson who instructed his campaign team to put out an ad (a rumor? something anyway) accusing HIS OPPONENT of doing something embarrassing (can’t remember exactly what)
I believe the first graf of this piece will give you the “exactly what.”
(and boy, was that ever fun to Google…)
All pure political legend, of course, although I’d love for it to be true.
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:32 pm
” I am ticked that someone couldn’t go into the White House, do things different in a “radical” way, and actually make significant change in the political process”
That’s because there’s not really much a President can do. You should be like me. I pay VASTLY more attention to the make-up of Congress than I do to who live in the White House. If we don’t give a President a Congress he can work with, then you don’t see much getting done.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
2:34 pm
unprecedented smear campaign being waged by a sitting president against his opponent.
A “R. M. Nixon” is holding for you on Line One.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:35 pm
Mark: Nate Silver has accurately predicted nearly every major election, and some others that he deemed important enough to analyze, since the 2008 election at least. I wasn’t aware of his blog until 2010, but I have seen his analysis for 2008 and he predicted all electoral college states accurately except one.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
August 9th, 2012
2:36 pm
Donovan,
“Sadly, you wretched Democrats resort to the only weapon in your playbook. Character assassination and misinformation. Next time you all see Harry Reid, ask him to supply you with his proof about those 10 years of tax dodging that Mitt was able to get away with.”
Harry is just doing to Mitt what the “Birther’s” did President Obama. All Mitt has to do is what the president did…show the proof and it will all be over. But guess what? He doesn’t. Dose he have something to hide? Could it be he’s not qualified to be president?
Gee, it does feel good to throw the words of rhe Right back at them…kind of tickles…
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
2:36 pm
TBG — “they wonder why TGT is looking at them with that “Need some help with that” look”
Ahahahahahaha!
Adam
August 9th, 2012
2:37 pm
Doggone: If we don’t give a President a Congress he can work with, then you don’t see much getting done.
I await the analysis of the Senate and House races from Nate Silver. However, if the Republicans gain the Senate and/or keep the House, I’ll still settle for Obama getting 4 more years to veto their bullsh*t.
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
2:39 pm
“All pure political legend, of course, although I’d love for it to be true”
Well, I think I heard the story on a TV show about Johnson, or that included a piece about Johnson. It’s also supposed to be Johnson who said “I never trust a man unless I have his balls in my pocket”
Tundra Dude
August 9th, 2012
2:39 pm
About as many as are stupid enough and gullible enough to believe all these right wing lies, I’d say.
If Lying were an Olympic sport, Romney wins the Gold!:
ALL of Romney’s Lies in One Place! UPDATED YET AGAIN!
http://bit.ly/KHcG3F
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
2:43 pm
I think a 47% – 48% ceiling will be hard for Obama to break, unless Romney can be completely destroyed.
and I think the remaining “swing voters” (which is a polite term for “dumbasses who haven’t paid much attention yet”) generally like Obama and will be as inclined to vote for him as against him, absent a) any crazy foreign policy crapstorm/custerfoxtrot; or b) [bigger if] some truly horrible economic numbers.
Romney may be a poor candidate, but worse than McCain?
Possibly. You say that Obama is a known entity, but Romney isn’t exactly unknown, either; he’s been running for President for about five years now. This is purely from the gut, but I think McCain had a lot of broad personal appeal, not just because he was a war hero, but because he seemed comfortable around people. Mitt isn’t quite as stiff as some make him out, but I don’t think he exudes a lot of warmth, and I don’t see that image likely to change much.
Get Real
August 9th, 2012
2:50 pm
This may have been stated already in the 11 pages of responses but this is going to “get real” interesting now that Cutter has been proven to be a liar regarding her knowledge about the situation which ties it directly into Obama’s campaign and not the Super Pac. It is also very interesting that the facts regarding the timeline of this poor guy’s situation do not add up. Not to mention that the former CEO of the company completely discredits the entire scenario….
DawgDad
August 9th, 2012
2:53 pm
“And Romney doesnt care about people only corporations..”
He has a wife and kids. He has a public record inclusive of the Salt Lake Olympics, which are generally acknowledged to have been in serious trouble when he took the reins, and Governor of Massachussetts, whereby he almost dug his own grave with his own base on Health Care. Only a moron would believe your statement.
East Lake Ira
August 9th, 2012
2:53 pm
Get Real – Yes, please focus on this ad more. Focus on it day and night. Parse out the lies and innuendoes and make sure FoxNews spends hours and hours of airtime on this.
Please write letters to the editor of your local paper and demand it be denounced by local tv news.
Please please please make this in to a VERY BIG DEAL.
Please?
Ben Shockley
August 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
“One pro-Obama ad reveals a lot about 2012 campaign”
That Obama is a shameless liar? Hardly revealing. Thinking people have known as much since the 2008 campaign.
Aint that a sham
August 9th, 2012
2:56 pm
Liberal Chicks
What’s up lady?
Haven’t seen you at Kyle’s?
curious
August 9th, 2012
2:57 pm
Joe Hussein Mama,
Exactly. Someone other than the potential receiptant had to write up a recommendation. If everybody could apply for a medal on their own behalf, we’d all have so many medals our uniform would rip under the weight.
The PH is normally automatically awarded when you receive treatment by medical personnel and it’s documented as a combat wound. You don’t have to lose your arm to meet the minimum qualification.
DawgDad
August 9th, 2012
3:00 pm
“McCain had a lot of broad personal appeal, not just because he was a war hero, but because he seemed comfortable around people.”
McCain, to me, is a detestable political snake who very likely should have gone to jail over the S&L scandal. Had to hold my nose big-time on that one, and he’s a big reason why I was motivated enough to attend Tea Party meetings and support non-RINO GOP candidates. I will admit the S&L scandal has biased my perception of McCain, quite probably irreversably.
Ben Shockley
August 9th, 2012
3:00 pm
Corporations employ millions of people, mostly with very nice salaries and benefits. Corporate profits fund profitable retirements for millions of Americans via stocks, bonds, and other instruments. They also produce and sell products and services that virtually all Americans love and/or need. Theye pay billions of dollars of taxes, both into the general fund and into social security.
Just thought I’d throw that out there for the benefit of the dim, near-sighted libs on the blog,
(dim, near-sighted, libs – redundant, I know)
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
3:00 pm
“And Romney doesnt care about people only corporations..”
He has a wife and kids.
This is a hilarious line of argument; we heard it before when the GOP was having the vapors only equal treatment under the law for women’s health. “Why, Mitt can’t hate women, he is married to a woman! look at her–ok, you can’t tell by looking but honest, she has a vagina and everything!”
FFS, Dick Cheney has an openly gay daughter; that didn’t stop him from riding to re-election via a crude batch of homophobic state-referendum measures designed to turn out the base in 2004.
getalife
August 9th, 2012
3:01 pm
I don’t think he talked about this ad in his stump speech but know willie robme did twice on the welfare lie.
It is great watching the Olympics instead of corporate media running lying ads .
Doggone/GA
August 9th, 2012
3:01 pm
” You don’t have to lose your arm to meet the minimum qualification.”
Wasn’t it Bob Dole who said some of his wounds (NOT his arm) were the kind they “patch up with a bandaid and a purple heart”?
Ben Shockley
August 9th, 2012
3:02 pm
Forgive me, “progressives”…I know libs don’t like to be called libs, for some odd reason.
curious
August 9th, 2012
3:02 pm
What’s Dan Cathy’s approach to his employees?
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
3:02 pm
DawgDad — “He has a public record inclusive of the Salt Lake Olympics, which are generally acknowledged to have been in serious trouble when he took the reins”
And which he “saved” by means of the generous application of FEDERAL MONEY.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/exclusive-in-02-romney-touted-d-c-connections-federal-funds/
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
3:05 pm
Curious — “If everybody could apply for a medal on their own behalf, we’d all have so many medals our uniform would rip under the weight.”
Just to be clear, putting someone in for a military decoration and getting it *approved* are two different things. There were several decorations my COs told me I was being put in for which I never received, so I never wore them.
Long story short, if you don’t have orders for it, don’t wear it.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
3:07 pm
very likely should have gone to jail over the S&L scandal
I hear ya–you might remember that the Obama campaign wound up going to the Keating 5 well, rather late in the campaign (can’t remember what it was in retaliation *for*…) but I don’t think many people much cared about what was, by then, a fairly ancient scandal.
barking frog
August 9th, 2012
3:09 pm
JoeHusseinMama
SCOTUS says anyone can
wear medals as free speech.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
3:10 pm
Doggone — “Wasn’t it Bob Dole who said some of his wounds (NOT his arm) were the kind they “patch up with a bandaid and a purple heart”?
I believe it was.
IIRC, the Purple Heart reg was changed at some point after I got out; there was a big blowup about some guys in the 82d Airborne actually getting the PH for heat-related injuries during Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989. Seems there was a big heat and humidity gradient between North Carolina and Panama, and a few guys actually were overcome and had to be treated. That was sufficient to trigger award of the PH, and some people freaked out.
Don’t know how the reg reads now, though. I presume it has been sharpened up a bit.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 9th, 2012
3:11 pm
B. Frog — “JoeHusseinMama
SCOTUS says anyone can
wear medals as free speech.”
I know; they ruled on it in June.
That said, you still can’t legally OWN a Congressional Medal of Honor unless you earned it or inherited it from someone who did.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
3:12 pm
Ben: Do people contribute to society via taxes and purchasing from said corporations’ products?
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 9th, 2012
3:13 pm
don’t like to be called libs, for some odd reason.
You might blame it on Phil Ochs.
or maybe Jello Biafra.
curious
August 9th, 2012
3:13 pm
I’ve already told my wife and children; when I die go to the PX, buy every medal there is, pin them on my uniform jacket, bury me in my uniform. It won’t last long, but I’ll look pretty impressive at the viewing.
Adam
August 9th, 2012
3:14 pm
And this one is JUST for you Ben: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFp7WG9J-E
barking frog
August 9th, 2012
3:15 pm
JoeHusseinMama
That law should apply to
all military medals and
awards.
I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not
August 9th, 2012
3:15 pm
McCain was horrible….Palin worse…..It was a perfect storm for Obama. This time will be different. He might win again, who knows. Lot’s of things for Obama this time around that WILL NOT go his way. He’s out there now. He owns the economy, regardless of trying to hang on to the last thread of ” it’s Bush’s fault”. He”’s down in numbers with blacks ( not interested) Jews ( do I need to spell it out) Young people ( They, their friends, and parents are making Latte’s with their degree) Old folks ( don’t trust him) Independents ( just want results type voters) Regan Democrats ( less and less sold) Romney really hasn’t cranked it up yet. Obama is likeable in a lot of polls, and the Romney people know not to go after him to hard and early. After Labor day, hold on….
yuzeyurbrane
August 9th, 2012
3:15 pm
Capitalism is by definition meant to be heartless. It is an invisible hand that guides investments to the most profitable enterprises. It has created most of the wealth in the world. The bottom line is: how much do we want to soften its edges? Healthcare is an area which can be treated in 2 ways. Eliminate govt. involvement entirely and let businesses decide whether it helps their profits to provide health insurance for their employees. In a world without unions or govt. influence on this decision, surely most businesses would choose to cast their employees adrift. But we don’t have that world. And the best way to help our businesses compete with those of other countries where the govt. pays for healthcare is to remove this as a cost item from their budgets by having a system of national healthcare. Obamacare isn’t perfect but it is a good starting point.
Get Real
August 9th, 2012
3:16 pm
East Lake Ira
Denial is not a river in Egypt…your head is so buried in the sand I don’t see how you can possibly breath and by all means, do not let facts get in the way of your delusion
Aint that a sham
August 9th, 2012
3:17 pm
I’m a liberal
Speaking of numbers how is that Electoral College doing as well as the majority of popular polls?
Just saying
Thomas
August 9th, 2012
3:18 pm
What a crazy blog. It starts out talking straight about a ridiculous ad by a liberal super pac. It then ends with a blast against conservatives and Bain?
Bill Clinton on Bain
“I don’t think we ought to get into a position where we say this is bad work,” Clinton said. “This is good work.”
Bookie- on anything but local and state you are an intellectual midget.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 9th, 2012
3:19 pm
McCain was horrible….
And yet, Romney still managed to lose to him in the primary.
Too funny!
I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not
August 9th, 2012
3:23 pm
Sham, the college is in Obama’s favor. It hinges on about 7 or 8 states, and I just don’t know if Romney can win 6 or so of those with Ohio and Fla must wins. Lot’s can happen. The polls told us 8 weeks out that Carter had a 6-7 point lead on Regan, I think he won by 5 or 6. Big swing. I’ll vote for Romney and if Obama wins, unlike most on here, I will call him my President, and pray he means what he say’s, unlike the first term. But I’m expecting the worse. Hope I’m wrong.
Butch Cassidy (I)
August 9th, 2012
3:23 pm
I only have two words for the GOP when Romney loses in November – JON HUNTSMAN.
Aint that a sham
August 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
“Bookie- on anything but local and state you are an intellectual midget.”
And since you are here doing your usual crying shtick, that would make you were on the intellectual scale.
Who is visiting your blog?
just saying
Steve Atl
August 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
Given the frequency of the posts…I am starting to think Adam is Jay’s unemployed nephew.
Secondly Adam, does your Mom know you are making $100 bets on-line. Probably lose your X-Box for a week if she found out.