What Gingrich, Santorum, etc. got right about Romney

Back in the heat of the primary season, Republican leaders grew very uneasy when Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry began to attack Mitt Romney as an out-of-touch rich guy who built his wealth through “vulture capitalism” (Rick Perry’s term) and was hiding something in his taxes. Among other concerns, GOP leaders recognized that if such attacks on Romney worked, they might end up with Gingrich, Santorum or Perry as their nominee.

That was not an outcome they were willing to risk, so they quickly ruled that line of attack out of bounds.

These days, however, they may be reaping the consequences of that decision. The latest CNN poll has Barack Obama pulling out to a seven-point lead over Romney. Ipsos/Reuters also puts the margin at seven, while Fox News puts it at nine. And as Fox notes, the internals are more worrisome still for Romney:

“Obama’s advantage comes largely from increased support among independents, who now pick him over Romney by 11 percentage points. Some 30 percent of independents are undecided. Last month, Obama had a four-point edge among independents, while Romney had the advantage from April through early June….

“The Obama campaign has spent heavily on advertising attacking Romney’s time at Bain Capital and his tax returns. And it appears to be working. Romney’s favorable rating dropped six percentage points since last month and now sits at 46 percent, down from 52 percent in mid-July. At the same time his unfavorable rating went up five points. Romney’s favorable rating has held steady among his party faithful, but it’s down eight percentage points among independents and seven points among Democrats.”

Moreover, Fox notes, Obama outpolls Romney by eight percentage points on the question of which man is more likely to help people achieve the American dream, which constitutes the foundation of the Romney strategy. And the erosion of support isn’t limited to the party’s nominees:

“While Democrats typically hold a slight edge over Republicans nationally in party identification, this attitude shifts based on events and changing sentiment. These days, voters seem to be even more likely to consider themselves Democrats than Republicans. There has been a five-percentage-point Democratic advantage, on average, in Fox News polls this year. In this poll, the Democratic edge is nine points. That may or may not be on the high side, although it is similar to other recent national polls conducted by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, which put Democrats up 11 percentage points, and the Pew Research Center, with Democrats up by 13 percent.”

(In a humorous aside, only one major polling outfit in the last three weeks — the ever-reliable Rasmussen — has Romney leading, with the former Massachusetts governor up by four. See below.)

realclear

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html

It’s still early, of course — the campaign holds a lot of unanticipated twists and turns ahead. But for the moment, the line of attack against Romney that Republican leaders ruled off-limits in the GOP primary seems to be working quite well when employed by Democrats. The party’s decision to protect Romney back in January and February — in effect, Gingrich et al were told not to look the dressage horse in the mouth — meant that he was never forced to develop an explanation or defense against such criticism, and it appears that he has yet to do so to this day.

With voters now forming their early impressions of the GOP nominee, that could prove to have been a major blunder.

– Jay Bookman

881 comments Add your comment

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:36 pm

Another funny thing about libs…poutrage over Romney minimizing his taxes through legal means, but no such issues over all the folks on Obama’s staff who don’t even bother to pay what they legally owe.

Again, thinking people read this crap and laugh….

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
1:37 pm

Well said, stands for decibels 1:21

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:37 pm

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

August 10th, 2012
1:33 pm

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS!
++++++++++++++++++++++++

LOL Kam. That only works when Josef does it.

BTW just a little over an hour til game time. Korea vs Japan

getalife

August 10th, 2012
1:37 pm

A bad day for LSU football.

A self inflicted wound like the Saints.

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

Ben Shockley: “but no such issues over all the folks on Obama’s staff who don’t even bother to pay what they legally owe”

You’ll have to be a little more specific. We’re not mind-readers.

Aquagirl

August 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

Maybe we can get the Honey Badger at Alabama State to go with Crowell.

Not according to the smart@$$ who just edited Wiki….

“Les Miles announced that Mathieu would be kicked off the football team due to a violation of team rules, but honey badger don’t give a damn. He will now transfer to Boston College”

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 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

No, I’m not happy with Romney on the boy scout issue, But with the Gay adult population being around 21/2% and the not taught yet child gay population not even showing up, It should just be a isolated problem here and there. After all, we saw the response of the kiss in. Not enough lipstick used to fill a thimble. More posturing than anything.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

Funny how you libs have convinced yourselves that the Republican party is out-of-touch right wing extremists. Thinking people read your stuff and laugh out loud.

Given your statement it is highly doubtful that you have a clue as to what thinking people do.

getalife

August 10th, 2012
1:39 pm

Ben,

Who is running for President?

Think it through and get back to us without silly deflection.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:40 pm

RAMZAD

Romney has given millions to charities. Whether he did it to avoid taxes, the kindness of his hear, or whatever it doesn’t matter. His money has helped people along the way.

We can argue all day about Bain, but in the end his donations have helped others.

Not voting for the man, but as for your quote, the commercials will be coming.

If the Romney camp thinks they have some good commercials coming out about Obama’s quotes (and they will), Romney is going to get ate up with his own words.

No need to demean the man’s entire existence. He is not a monster or anything close to that

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:40 pm

East Lake Ira

August 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++

What about States (like here in Georgia) where you DON’T register to be a party? Your first link by definition is wrong.

getalife

August 10th, 2012
1:41 pm

If it is fake weed again, I doubt the NCAA will let him play this year.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:41 pm

Sure thing, Welcome…

http://news.investors.com/article/599002/201201260818/obama-white-house-staff-back-taxes.htm

How embarrassing this must be for President Obama, whose major speech theme so far this campaign season has been that every single American, no matter how rich, should pay their “fair share” of taxes.

Because how unfair — indeed, un-American — it is for an office worker like, say, Warren Buffet’s secretary to dutifully pay her taxes, while some well-to-do people with better educations and higher incomes end up paying a much smaller tax rate.

Or, worse, skipping their taxes altogether.

A new report just out from the Internal Revenue Service reveals that 36 of President Obama’s executive office staff owe the country $833,970 in back taxes. These people working for Mr. Fair Share apparently haven’t paid any share, let alone their fair share.

Previous reports have shown how well-paid Obama’s White House staff is, with 457 aides pulling down more than $37 million last year. That’s up seven workers and nearly $4 million from the Bush administration’s last year.

Nearly one-third of Obama’s aides make more than $100,000 with 21 being paid the top White House salary of $172,200, each.

The IRS’ 2010 delinquent tax revelations come as part of a required annual agency report on federal employees’ tax compliance. Turns out, an awful lot of folks being paid by taxpayers are not paying their own income taxes.

The report finds that thousands of federal employees owe the country more than $3.4 billion in back taxes. That’s up 3% in the past year.

That scale of delinquency could annoy voters, hard-pressed by their own costs, fears and stubbornly high unemployment despite Joe Biden’s many promises.

The tax offenders include employees of the U.S. Senate who help write the laws imposed on everyone else. They owe $2.1 million. Workers in the House of Representatives owe $8.5 million, Department of Education employees owe $4.3 million and over at Homeland Security, 4,697 workers owe about $37 million. Active duty military members owe more than $100 million.

The Treasury Department, where Obama nominee Tim Geithner had to pay up $42,000 in his own back taxes before being confirmed as secretary, has 1,181 other employees with delinquent taxes totaling $9.3 million.

As usual, the Postal Service, with more than 600,000 workers, has the most offenders (25,640), who also owe the most — almost $270 million. Veterans Affairs has 11,659 workers owing the IRS $151 million while the Energy Department that was so quick to dish out more than $500 million to the Solyndra folks has 322 employees owing $5 million.

The country’s chief law enforcement agency, the Department of Justice, has 2,069 employees who are nearly $17 million behind in taxes. Like Operation Fast and Furious, Attorney General Eric Holder has apparently missed them too.

As with ordinary people, the IRS attempts to negotiate back-tax payment plans with all delinquents, whose names cannot be released. But according to current federal law, the only federal employees who can be fired for not paying taxes are IRS workers.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
1:42 pm

Skip
August 10th, 2012
1:32 pm

Never before have so many been so wrong, Michigan cruises to victory crushing Bama hopes.

Skip,

I hope you come back on here after that asskicking. The Alabama offensive line is massive with 3 potential 1st round NFL picks this year. They have about 60lbs a man on the Michigan D- front and Michigan is now down to their 3rd string defensive end on one side if another guy doesn’t get his eligibility back.

On offense Dennard Robinson has fared very poorly against stout defenses. Check his stats against the 3 good defenses Michigan played against last year- 2 of which were losses. And those were middling big 10 defenses. He aint seen nothing like the Alabama defense.

This one is going to be a blowout similar to Alabama’s 49-7 thrashing of Michigan state 2 years ago.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:42 pm

Aquagirl: but honey badger don’t give a damn……

That’s right Honey Badger NEVER gives a damn………

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:42 pm

Welcome to the Occupation…

“A new report just out from the Internal Revenue Service reveals that 36 of President Obama’s executive office staff owe the country $833,970 in back taxes. These people working for Mr. Fair Share apparently haven’t paid any share, let alone their fair share.”

Is it embarassing to get schooled in a public forum like hat?

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 10th, 2012
1:43 pm

Ben, good point….anybody who can spot a tax cheat, it’s this administration….
Vetting at this White House
1. Tax cheat. Check
2. No business history. Check
3. Radical. Check
4. Anti Christian. Check
5. Leans commie on most issues. Super
6. Never had a job in the private sector. Check
7. Loves the View and Ellen show. Check

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:44 pm

I like how easy it is for some people to get distracted by football talk. :)

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm

getalife

August 10th, 2012
1:39 pm

“Ben,

Who is running for President?”

That’s an easy one…it’s the guy who employs all the tax cheats.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm

TD

AL is going win, but I am picking a closer game than you might think.

MI may not cover the spread, but I not looking for a complete beat down.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm

Aqagirl,

Dang that was funny. He won’t transfer to an FBS team though since he would have to sit out a year. If there is time he will transfer to an Alabama state or lower division team like them in order to play immediately and not have to sit out a year. Fantastic player. I wish him luck.

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm

Thank you for the details, Ben. Now we can talk.

I really don’t see how administrative staff owing back taxes is a huge scandal here. We’re not talking about people averaging in the 7 and 8 figures here. Now if you had large numbers with histories of outright evasion, that would be another matter.

As far as Tim Geithner is concerned, what can I say, the guy is a crook.

sam

August 10th, 2012
1:46 pm

Uh Oh..

LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu dismissed from team

independent thinker

August 10th, 2012
1:46 pm

To heck with Romney and Obama- USA is way ahead of China in the Olympics with 90 medals as of this morning and basketball yet to come.

The Olympic Games is a competition between athletes, not nations,” U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun told Gannett. “With that said, we are very proud of our American athletes in London.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/08/10/team-usa-leads-london-games-in-gold-overall-medals/#ixzz23ANrCEt7

At least some things Faux News gets right.

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:47 pm

They BOTH suck: So basically, you’re saying I’m going to rake it in for whoever takes me up on it. :)

I already got two Tea Party people on Facebook to bet against me. What was that you were saying about con vs lib thinking Thulsa? Tea Party people, you know, the fiscally conservative ones, seem to have no problem throwing money at this :)

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:47 pm

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

“Given your statement it is highly doubtful that you have a clue as to what thinking people do.”

Funny you you lib “thinking people” do all your higher level thinking and then come to the conculsion that you can’t do ANYTHING for yourselves, and must therefore depend on government.

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 10th, 2012
1:48 pm

Dawgs chances in the SECCG just went up 2%

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:48 pm

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm

“I really don’t see how administrative staff owing back taxes is a huge scandal here.”

i guess you’re not too bright then.

That Black Guy

August 10th, 2012
1:48 pm

Paul, your 11:29 is the reason I say “It sucks to have to wade through so much shyte in order to find a pearl on this and Kyle’s blog.

When Kerry parked his new yacht in the neighboring state to AVOID paying a higher tax, there was little outrage from the left.

Just about as much outrage from the right about Romney actions.

Sad

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:49 pm

Funny you you lib “thinking people” do all your higher level thinking and then come to the conculsion that you can’t do ANYTHING for yourselves, and must therefore depend on government.

And here is ANOTHER example of Ben’s stupidity.

I’m not a Democrat there genius. Trot out another Rushie Limbaugh insult there Sport. Make yourself look even more stupid.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
1:49 pm

they both suck,

Naw. I’m telling you. Its going to be a complete asskicking. Physically they just don’t match up with us on either side of the ball. I usually bet small amounts like $50 to $100 a game and sometimes $200-$300 a game but I’m putting $500 down on Bama. That’s how confident I feel.

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 10th, 2012
1:49 pm

Ben, now if YOU owed taxes, YOU would be trampled by the IRS. You ain’t special though.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:49 pm

LOL…Romney minimizes his taxes legally, it’s a scandal. The guy pointing fingers at Romney (Obama) employs known tax cheats, it’s NOT a scandal.

Libs sure are funny.

TaxPayer

August 10th, 2012
1:49 pm

Most folks that do not want to be involved in politics, don’t put forth such an effort to be involved in politics. And the blowback from doing so goes with the territory. Most of you people should know that by now.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:50 pm

Adam

It is not over and I can see where Obama doesn’t get the popular vote, but I am leaning toward him winning.

He will get thumped really bad in many red states, which will pile up the popular vote. Win big in a few blue states and close in a few others as well as close in enough swing states to win.

Of course I could be 100% wrong, but unless something changes (the debates being the key), there seems to be too many “if this happens” or “if that happens” for Romney to pull it off

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:50 pm

“I’m not a Democrat there genius. ”

I didn’t say you were, and further more I really don’t care. Thanks for playing though.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

August 10th, 2012
1:52 pm

As far as Tim Geithner is concerned, what can I say, the guy is a crook.

Little Timmy G. was among those that ignored Brooksley Born’s warning about the impending disaster that was/is the unregulated derivatives market.

Little Timmy G. should be repeatedly kicked in the balls by the crew from Jackass.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:52 pm

Oh and Bennie? I’m one of those job creators you hear Rushie talk about. Well except that I create jobs for AMERICANS unlike Romney and your heroes who create jobs for Chinese.

But nice unthinking use of your carefully written down Rush phrases. He would be so proud of you. You toss out his lines when they don’t apply which means you don’t understand them, MEANING you aren’t exactly a thinking person there now are you Sport.

Say something else and dig the hole deeper so we can lower the bar of stupidity even more for you.

Here’s your sign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ZkdHImCuQ

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:52 pm

Ben: Funny you you lib “thinking people” do all your higher level thinking and then come to the conculsion that you can’t do ANYTHING for yourselves, and must therefore depend on government.

Funny how you call Fred a lib.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:52 pm

TD

In my early to mid 20s I was big on the betting scene. Did well for awhile, but I must be honest and say I got thumped one year.

Didn’t totally cure me, but I now stay on the porch and just watch the big betting DAWGS.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
1:53 pm

Fred

BTW the Thulsa Doom stare was frigging awesome. I plan on using it a lot. Ya’ll gonna get tired of me when I give you “the Doom stare”. And that’s the exact kind of stare I give folks in real life when I catch them saying or doing something stupid. It looks almost as mean. Just not with the cool long hair, the badass armor, and the melanin enhancement.

Aquagirl

August 10th, 2012
1:53 pm

Fantastic player. I wish him luck.

So do I, but for me that would include getting kicked out of football entirely. Some guys can’t handle the fame and fortune and pulling the plug on them might be a blessing in disguise.

I’ve been off watching the Olympics for the past several days and it’s tremendously refreshing watching athletes who aren’t d*ckheads. (For the most part.)

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 10th, 2012
1:53 pm

” oh course i could be 100% wrong”……………………Crap, where’s my pen…..Dear Diary.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:54 pm

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:50 pm

“I’m not a Democrat there genius. ”

I didn’t say you were, and further more I really don’t care. Thanks for playing though.
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course you don’t care. Truth isn’t in your vocabulary. Neither is thinking.

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:54 pm

They BOTH suck: It is not over and I can see where Obama doesn’t get the popular vote, but I am leaning toward him winning.

Nate Silver has some calculations on not winning the popular vote, but winning the electoral vote, as well. He predicts the likelihood of Obama winning the electoral college, but not also the popular vote, is 1.1% chance. Romney has a 4.5% chance of winning the electoral college but losing the popular vote.

TaxPayer

August 10th, 2012
1:55 pm

If only the IRS can collect those back taxes and penalties from all those people that parked money in the off-shore accounts in places like Mitt did or does–a Swiss account comes to mind–in order to avoid paying their taxes… because that was sooooo legal.

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:56 pm

Also telling is the high degree of likelihood that Obama will lose a state he won last time (over 93%) and the fact that he still has a 73.3% chance of winning. The 50.9% popular vote projection is not based on the electoral college prediction – it’s separate.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:56 pm

TD

My buddy’s wife is a big wig at the large telecom headquartered in Dallas. They just moved there from Atlanta last year.

My buddy who is in sales was here last week and told me that he will be sitting in their suite for that game.

His wife his a Bama undergrad and UGA MBA.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:56 pm

Hey Fred…a couple of points for you there, sport.

1) I didn’t say anything to you or about you…you’er the one that decided to jump in feet first with a personal insult.

2) I don’t listen to Rush, didn’t quote him, don’t care about him, so stop leg-humping him.

3) Why don’t you tell us what “Rush line” I “tossed out”? Good luck…

4) You and me have an IQ contest I win in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0

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 10th, 2012
1:56 pm

If people would vote on results, he would lose. Nice guy…..clean as Biden once told us…..But a pretty poor leader of the free world.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
1:57 pm

they both suck,

Yeah. Me too. I’m a piker now which means a small guy. The most I ever bet was I had bet $800 on Boise St twice and bet $500 on them once or twice also. I am forever grateful to Boise since they have been a covering machine for me. Otherwise I used to bet $200- $300 a game as a standard but now I bet much lower. In one of my offshore accounts I’ve been betting $5-$10 a game lately on baseball when I can remember to do it. Its just fun of course and really just messing around just to see how I do. Its not really worth the time but I just like to see how I do on baseball which is really just throwing a dart at a board I think.

Adam

August 10th, 2012
1:58 pm

They BOTH suck: I also like how Ohio is THE state to watch, with a 34% chance of being the “tipping point” state. VA is the next likeliest at 15.9%, if that tells you anything.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:58 pm

LOL…looks like little Freddie-poo really has his panties twisted up, doesn’t he? I guess Ben just gave him a nice little fact wedgie.

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
1:58 pm

Ben Shockley: “I guess you’re not too bright then.”

Well, it’s been said before, and will probably be said again.

Anyway, you seem to be missing my gist. What I’m saying is that some lump sum called “back taxes” doesn’t tell us much. Sure, “back taxes” from the IRS’s standpoint are “delinquent”. And so is my cable bill if I fail to get the payment in by the due date. But they don’t throw you in jail for it. They do that when you simply don’t file – like Al Capone. So to throw out some back tax figure and claim that’s equivalent to real serious delinquency is a little exaggerated. How many on Obama’s staff are currently under prosecution by the IRS for tax evasion?

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
1:59 pm

“Im a lib”

Pen all you want in your pink diary. Just don’t get out of hand as you and your sock puppets here and at Kyle’s are prone to do and get booted again for childish crap.

It wont be long. You are who you are.

You have no self control.

Adam

August 10th, 2012
2:00 pm

Ben: 1) I didn’t say anything to you or about you…

And yet….

From Ben @ 1:47p: Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:38 pm

“Given your statement it is highly doubtful that you have a clue as to what thinking people do.”

Funny you you lib “thinking people”

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 10th, 2012
2:00 pm

Like Rangal taxpayer. The head of the IRS rules guy. The guy that didn’t know about taxes on his Island properties. That guy.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:00 pm

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
1:54 pm

“Ben Shockley

Truth isn’t in your vocabulary.”

Hey Fred-tool…why don’t you point out the non-truth I’ve posted? Again, good luck…

Joe Hussein Mama

August 10th, 2012
2:00 pm

B. Shockley — “Funny you you lib “thinking people” do all your higher level thinking and then come to the conculsion that you can’t do ANYTHING for yourselves, and must therefore depend on government.”

I liked how the neocons couldn’t invade Iraq or ‘find the WMDs’ by themselves and had to depend on government to do it. :D

JKL2

August 10th, 2012
2:01 pm

Jay-

All you did was make fun of them during the primaries. Why should I expect you to take anything they said back then seriously now?

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:02 pm

Fred, you look like a blindfolded toddler flailing impotently at a pinata. And you haven’t hit the damn thing yet.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
2:02 pm

Wow looky. Bennie got someone to show him how to count to four. Impressive.

Oh and Bennie? Jay has this thing about the term leg humping and all derivatives there of. Why I don’t know but he does. Best not to use it though. Just a tip for you.

Rush uses lists just like you. How sweet………. he would be so proud of you.

JKL2

August 10th, 2012
2:02 pm

Jay-

You haven’t been making any anonymous phone calls to Nevada have you?

Skip

August 10th, 2012
2:03 pm

Go Blue, on this the debate will end in a couple weeks. Big Blue breakout season starts soon. That’s all I have to say about that.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
2:05 pm

“Some guys can’t handle the fame and fortune and pulling the plug on them might be a blessing in disguise.’

Aquagirl,

You have a point there. Its like the lottery and a very poor person winning millions, blowing it all, and being the worse for it because they developed addictions like drugs, etc. Hopefully he will get it together. Kid had a rough childhood- his mother gave him up and he barely has anything to do with her. His dad is in prison for life for putting 3 bullets into another man’s head and then bragging about it. So I’m pulling for him to get it together.

“I’ve been off watching the Olympics for the past several days and it’s tremendously refreshing watching athletes who aren’t d*ckheads. (For the most part.)”

I’ve watched very little of it. Turned it on 3 different times and got water polo. As if I give a damn about water polo. Went to lunch in between appts and watched Mexico playing soccer a few days ago. I have to admit I do love watching national teams play soccer against each other. The gold medal soccer match i will definitely watch.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
2:05 pm

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
1:58 pm

LOL…looks like little Freddie-poo really has his panties twisted up, doesn’t he? I guess Ben just gave him a nice little fact wedgie.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Looky there. Mr. “I don’t listen to Rush” Bennie uses Rushes term “fact wedgie.”

LOL It doesn’t take much rope for you to tie a noose and hang yourself does it Bennie?

You are funny. Tell me you are kidding, drunk or stoned please, I would hate to think that someone could actually be this stupid……..

Joe Hussein Mama

August 10th, 2012
2:05 pm

W. T. T. Occupation — “But they don’t throw you in jail for it. They do that when you simply don’t file – like Al Capone.”

Actually, they won’t even go that far unless you had a tax *liability* and didn’t file. If your withholding was more than the IRS calculates your tax liability to be, it’s unlikely that you’ll hear from them. That said, it’s a good idea to file anyway, even if you don’t owe anything. The IRS-calculated return isn’t very detailed and is likely to miss deductions that you’re entitled to. So file your return and get the whole refund that you’re entitled to.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:05 pm

Welcome @ 1:58…

At least you’re trying to engage in intelligent conversation, so I’ll respond in kind.

You seriously can’t see the difference between castigating Romney for LEGALLY avoiding taxes, versus Obama employing guys who just don’t bother to pay what they legally owe?

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
2:06 pm

Skip,

We’ll see. Roll Tide!!!

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 10th, 2012
2:06 pm

mr suck…………riveting.

Thulsa Doom

August 10th, 2012
2:07 pm

Adam,

Why would I make that $100 bet with you as opposed to making it with an online wagering service?

Steve-USA "None of the Above"

August 10th, 2012
2:07 pm

Wow…what a little war we have going on here. I bet Jay wishes he was back on the river.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:08 pm

Welcome and Joe Hussein,

I don’t want to be unfair or put words in your mouths, so clarify please…you both think it’s totally fine for an American to choose not to pay his taxes, but your upset that Romney MAY have minimized his tax obligations legally?

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
2:08 pm

Hey Doomy? Could you keep Bennie stirred up for me? It’s time for me to leave. Of course if you want to drop by the Grove instead come on and leave Benny to his own devices. He’s not worth missing a beer over lol.

skipper

August 10th, 2012
2:08 pm

Hey Jay,
What tunes you turnin’ us on to today? My wife is now lining us up to go see Alabama Shakes because of one of your Friday recommendations………………..

Welcome to the Occupation

August 10th, 2012
2:09 pm

Funny you you lib “thinking people” do all your higher level thinking and then come to the conculsion that you can’t do ANYTHING for yourselves, and must therefore depend on government.

First, what does “doing something for yourself” have to do with being either pro- or anti-government? And second, what does being a “lib” have to do with being either pro- or anti-government? No one is more reliant on big government than many of the factions that make up the so-called “conservative” movement.

stands for decibels (SfBA)

August 10th, 2012
2:09 pm

I really don’t see how administrative staff owing back taxes is a huge scandal here.

Well it is a Huge Deal when a Democrat is in the White House, you see.

When a Republican is there, the conservatives can go back to claiming it’s patriotic not to pay your taxes, if they can be bothered to notice in the first place.

By the way, isn’t it interesting that this tax information is, apparently, available to be scrutinized? Maybe it’d be nice to know what kind of taxes the GOP’s Presidential aspirant might’ve paid over the past several years, as well.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
2:09 pm

“Im a lib”

Call it what you want, but the truth is what we set you free.

Have you been to Kyle’s lately?

Citizen of the World

August 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

Romney is an out-of-touch rich guy who is not forthcoming about his taxes, thus appearing to have something to hide. As if that is not problem enough, he just is so disingenuous. He seems inept at being himself, like he’s not comfortable in his own skin.

Joe Hussein Mama

August 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

B. Shockley — “you both think it’s totally fine for an American to choose not to pay his taxes, but your upset that Romney MAY have minimized his tax obligations legally?”

I said no such thing.

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

will set you free

But you get the point

So you and all the incarnations that you use, make sure you behave now. Watch the name jacking, over the top name calling……… well you know who you are no need for me to remind you of you

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

Fred @ 2:05…

Looks like YOU’RE the one that knows all about Rushie, sport…

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 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

I hate the whole Rev Wright, Bill Ayers, Kenya,Muslim things are off the table……good times.

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 10th, 2012
2:13 pm

Citizens of the world guy…………What’s worse, an out of touch guy…..or a clueless out of ideas guy?

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:13 pm

Joe @ 2:11…

So why don;t you tell us your position on presidential staffers who don’t pay their taxes.

JKL2

August 10th, 2012
2:14 pm

Ben- How embarrassing this must be for President Obama, whose major speech theme so far this campaign season has been that every single American, no matter how rich, should pay their “fair share” of taxes

I would be embarrassed to know, like left-wing darling Warren “it’s a shame they don’t tax me more, but I can’t seem to find my checkbook” Buffet, that obama payed a lower percent of income tax than his secretary.

Complaining about the “evil rich” while doing the exact same thing they do. It’s a good thing he has no shame.

Fred ™

August 10th, 2012
2:14 pm

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:11 pm

Fred @ 2:05…

Looks like YOU’RE the one that knows all about Rushie, sport…
++++++++++++++++++++++

Well duh. Of course I do silly. I know about most everything. I know about diaper rash too. Doesn’t mean I WANT it.

What’s your point? Logical thought and discourse aren’t your strong points are they?

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:15 pm

Stands @ 2:09…

Please document for us the tax cheats employed by republican presidents.

Thanks in advance.

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 10th, 2012
2:16 pm

Logical thought and discourse Fred? That’s what this entire blog is missing…..sport.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:17 pm

Fred, this debate is going badly for you. I think you should go get that ber you were talking about. everyone is embarassed for you.

Nice dodge of my challenge to point out an untruthful statement made by me, by the way…

Joe Biden

August 10th, 2012
2:17 pm

“”"”"The first sustained attacks against presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney over his tenure at the helm of Bain Capital took place in mid-January, during the heated days leading up to the South Carolina primary.It was in that time period that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich began amplifying charges he first made just before the New Hampshire contest, when he referred to private equity as a bunch of “rich people figuring out clever legal ways to loot a company.” Texas Governor Rick Perry joined him days later, declaring that Romney’s only concern about pink slips was “whether he was going to have enough of them to hand out.” “”"‘

From the Huffington Post

I like Perry’s comments more than Newt’s.

Ben Shockley

August 10th, 2012
2:19 pm

JKL2,

Apparently, libs think it’s OK to not pay taxes as long as the IRS keeps track of what you owe. Or at least that’s the most sense I can make of any of their responses.

JKL2

August 10th, 2012
2:19 pm

Fred- Looky there. Mr. “I don’t listen to Rush” Bennie uses Rushes term “fact wedgie.”

Do you work for media matters? For being a liberal hack, you sure seem to be tha formost expert on everything Limbaugh.

Please give me a recap of today’s show since I am once again not able to listen to him.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

August 10th, 2012
2:19 pm

everyone is embarassed for you.

You don’t have the authority to speak for me, sport.

Oh and … Socialism — BOO!

Erwin's cat

August 10th, 2012
2:20 pm

Sorry for the delay (I had to produce) Steve and Cheesy…but here’s the video that explains men vs women wages very well…your arguments (77%) are apples vs oranges…this video puts it into an apples vs apples comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EwogDPh-Sow

enjoy

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 10th, 2012
2:21 pm

Hey Joe, how about that $356 to charity you gave in 2011, speaking of taxes……..You OK. Can we help you. Joe’s a big spender with OPM.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...

August 10th, 2012
2:21 pm

Funny how blindly the right wing-nuts and left wing-nuts defend every single blurb, position, postulation, and attack ads by their respected parties…I bet if Obama came out and said “look, I’m actually a white man” your sheepish lefties would defend him to the hilt. Similarly, if Romey came out and said he was the Ronald Reagan reincarnate from his own Mormon planet, the right would likely extoll those virtues…..those who think the whole truth is from either side seem laughable to me…

Aquagirl

August 10th, 2012
2:21 pm

I’ve watched very little of it…..The gold medal soccer match i will definitely watch.

C’mon Doomy, fess up….you’re sooooo glued to the rhythmic gymnastics right now. :)

They BOTH suck

August 10th, 2012
2:21 pm

Kam

But it did me him feel good and he was able to puff out his bird chest when he typed it….
Even though he has no clue who is really being laughed at

hahahahah

:-)

Bernie

August 10th, 2012
2:21 pm

As I have previously commented abut MITT’s unusual rise as the top Republican contender. This Republican Convention coming up, may very well be the most contentious and volatile yet to come. Mitt is not one that is openly loved and adored
as previous contenders have been of that Party. The voting for and endorsing of MITT is akin to being forced to drink all of the contents of VERY large glass of OLD & EXPIRED BUTTERMILK!

For those of you who are not familiar with such an experience, its more like a eating a HUGE plate of 2 DAY old COLD CHEESEY GRITS! that has been left out and covered with flies!

So far, MITT and his campaign has been continually committing an array of HUMONGOUS GAFFES! with the one being most lately, praising his OBAMA originated healthcare plan that He crated and implemented! and how efficient it has operated for the citizens of MASSACHUSETTS.

Then there is the shadow looming of his finances, that still continues to be the REAL ELEPHANT in the room for many voters! Despite the continuing chorus from party leaders saying “move along, there is nothing to SEE here!”

closely followed Mitt and Ann’s continual reference to the inquiries of the issue as “YOU PEOPLE” are not getting anymore information! This does even further damages his cause.

It is late in the game, but there is still time to present a back up choice! A REAL “HAIL MARY” is what many of the faithful are praying for. However, this SHIP has left its port and on its way directly into to an unseen ICEBERG.

Captain MITT has given the order FULL STEAM AHEAD! Unfortunately for him, he has gone to sleep! Just Like the S.S. TITANIC’S Captain was on that dreadful night, when the alarm was sounded, ICEBERG AHEAD!

In Mitts Dream, I could easily imagine he is too busy enjoying and hearing the playing of “HAIL TO THE CHIEF” in his honor, over and over again….. to hear this very important Alarm.