For Paul Ryan and the GOP, a moment to shine

Paul Ryan delivered a damn good speech last night.

You could argue with and dispute many of the points that he made, but that’s the thing about a speech: You don’t get to argue with it while it’s being delivered. A speech of that sort creates a protected reality, giving the speaker an unchallenged, extended moment in which to define himself, his party and his world. Ryan used that moment well.

0829-Paul-Ryan-budget-list_full_600

(The best example of that phenomenon may have been Ryan’s predecessor, Sarah Palin, who in the same speech four years earlier created an attractive image of herself and her world that crumbled the moment she left the stage.)

Ryan, a creature of Washington for all of his adult life, knows his business and his role. As the enthusiastic response of his fellow Republicans demonstrated, last night he made their world his world, succeeding in linking speaker and audience in common outlook and purpose. The larger, more difficult question is whether he made a similar connection with millions of Americans watching from home.

In many ways he probably did. When he spoke of a tough economy — “23 million people, unemployed or underemployed. Nearly one in six Americans is living in poverty. Millions of young Americans have graduated from college during the Obama presidency, ready to use their gifts and get moving in life. Half of them can’t find the work they studied for, or any work at all” — it was an America that everybody in the convention hall and in living rooms recognized.

When he warned of our deepening national debt, and the fear that our children would live more cramped and difficult lives than we have, he echoed fears felt by any American who is paying attention to public life.

But the next morning, once the music has died, the applause has disappeared and the janitors are sweeping the floor of the previous night’s discards, things come into focus a bit more sharply.

For example, it was interesting to watch Ryan bewail the fact that this country’s credit rating had been downgraded, failing to mention that it was downgraded because he and his fellow Republicans conspired to create an artificial and completely unnecessary crisis over the debt ceiling. It went oddly unmentioned.

Ryan also noted that Obama had created a bipartisan debt commission whose report had come to nothing, yet somehow the congressman neglected to point out his own prominent role in its demise. He himself, as a member of the Simpson-Bowles commission, voted against accepting its recommendations and by doing so he made sure the report went nowhere.

Likewise, when Ryan accused Obama of “raiding” Medicare of $716 billion, he failed to note that in his House budget that made him famous, he too diverted $716 billion from Medicare. Instead of using it to extend health care to millions of uninsured Americans, he used it to finance more tax cuts for the wealthy. A difference in prioirities, I suppose.

Finally, in a speech that stressed responsibility and tough decisions, Ryan put the nation’s burgeoning debt entirely on the shoulders of one man.

“Yet by his own decisions, President Obama has added more debt than any other president before him, and more than all the troubled governments of Europe combined,” Ryan charged. “One president, one term, $5 trillion in new debt.”

Surely the chairman of the House Budget Committee, where all spending bills originate, must have played some tiny role in that process, did he not? Surely a politician committed to truth-telling on tough topics would not ignore the role that he and his own party played — budget-busting tax cuts that never produced promised economic growth; two wars, one necessary but badly led, the other a tragic misadventure, and both of them hugely expensive and unfunded; and an economic crisis unmatched in 80 years, touched off by a steady deregulation of Wall Street that he and his fellow Republicans insist even now must be deregulated even further.

Surely these too played a role, did they not?

And if nothing is being done in Washington, it is useful to ask whether a party that scorns compromise, that ejects from its membership any who dare question its holy agenda, and that pursues an extremist economic platform to the exclusion of all else just might, perhaps, maybe bear some responsibility for that state of affairs?

These are the kind of “details” that can be swept away, momentarily, in the emotion of a good speech well-delivered. But they do not go away forever. The next morning — this morning — they still stare all of us in the face.

– Jay Bookman

440 comments Add your comment

moonbat betty

August 30th, 2012
11:09 am

“AynRyan speech summarized in 4 words – “Let em eat cake”

No, it was actually 5 words – “Let them eat crab cakes”

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:11 am

“I am really looking to the Romney speech tonight and hearing tomorrow how much he resembles the guys on the Viagra and Cialis commercials.”

Someone is awful envious of the super successful, good looking guy with the beautiful wife and family… “Envy… It’s what’s for breakfast!- here on Jay Bookman’s blog” :-)

n

August 30th, 2012
11:12 am

The Big Lie as a propaganda technique: (quoted from Wikipedia article)

“The phrase was also used in a report prepared during the war by the United States Office of Strategic Services in describing Hitler’s psychological profile:[5][6]
His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.[7]“

USinUK - thug with a uterus ... and former Girl Scout

August 30th, 2012
11:12 am

“I have a Kindle. Really like it. Highly recommend that you get one.”

stop!!! hate waiting !!!!

Welcome to the Occupation

August 30th, 2012
11:14 am

joe, your belief that Romney knows how to run a business and that this is what is needed in a leader is kind of touching, but completely misguided.

What exactly do you think Romney’s business “success” consists of? Who was it successful FOR? Do you realize that his “success” consisted of funneling vast sums into the pockets of Mr. Romney and his associated usually at the expense of workers, and on the basis of very dodgy tax schemes? Besides, even if we grant that Romney has a certain business acumen, what in the world does that have to do with leading a country?

Doggone/GA

August 30th, 2012
11:14 am

“who has successfully run businesses his entire life”

He must have been a VERY talented baby

alittlecommonsense

August 30th, 2012
11:14 am

Maybe someone can explain to me why when the Dems and the Repubs can’t come to an agreement it is the Repubs that won’t compromise. Isn’t it equally incumbant on the Dems to compromise? And why is it that historically when they do compromise it seems like the Dems get to spend on what they want and the Repubs get to spend on what they want. The taxpayers never seem to be represented in these wonderful compromises over the past 50 years.

AngryRedMarsWoman

August 30th, 2012
11:14 am

I look at the candidates from both main parties and I honestly feel a sense of disenfranchisement. They might as well block me from the polls because neither party is putting forth candidates that I feel truly represent my interests. This is pretty much at every level not just in the race for President. Here I sit in my early 40s having achieved success both financially and in my career, and for the first time I feel an overwhelming sense of disillusionment and sadness when I think about the future of the USA and more specifically about what this will mean for our children. I hope I can get over this. I want to feel positive again.

Oscar

August 30th, 2012
11:16 am

who has successfully run businesses his entire life”

He didn’t run businessess. He bought them, loaded them with debt, took out the cash, sold them into bankruptcy. There are other words for that than “running a business.”

Jamvet

August 30th, 2012
11:16 am

Ex-marine, you and Mitt need to get a room.

And if you she is real kinky, maybe Ann will join you two!

Janney

August 30th, 2012
11:17 am

Granny; just got on this blog today for a half-second and read the FoxNews article…perfect! Thanks for posting!

ZoSo

August 30th, 2012
11:18 am

“Ex-marine, you and Mitt need to get a room.

And if you she is real kinky, maybe Ann will join you two!”

Quit hating on our military meat.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:19 am

I also remember seeing all those Hummers on the streets. Don’t remember seeing a any lately.

Of course…….. all the poor folks turned those in now !

Doggone/GA

August 30th, 2012
11:19 am

“He didn’t run businessess. He bought them, loaded them with debt, took out the cash, sold them into bankruptcy”

He did run a business. His business was Bain Capital. And despite your wish that ALL he did was bankrupt the compnaies bought…it’s not true for ALL of them.

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

August 30th, 2012
11:19 am

ANGRYFROMARS,

Amen….the only bi-partisan activities and DC are disrespect for our money, spending 30% or more of time raising money, and allowing cash providing special interests to control the total agenda…also to be the master of the obvious…they don’t give a flip about any of us..

Other than that, all is well.

Oscar

August 30th, 2012
11:19 am

alittlecommonsense

_________

The GOP wants to cut spending. Fine, everyone agrees that should be done. But that won’t be enough. Taxes on the top need to be raised also to make the numbers work.
Can’t have one without the other.

Example: One party wants bread and water. Other party only wants bread. No water. How do you compromise with that. Both are essential and needed.

USinUK - thug with a uterus ... and former Girl Scout

August 30th, 2012
11:20 am

“you realize that his “success” consisted of funneling vast sums into the pockets of Mr. Romney and his associated usually at the expense of workers, and on the basis of very dodgy tax schemes?

word

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:21 am

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:22 am

Ocsar…… Do you remember the Energy for America meeting in Texas amongst all the Billionaire Oil and energy guys including ENRON ?

Of course that was a meeting deciding the course of American Energy for the future…Only no everyday American’s knew what it was about……cause we were never told….but hey California got Bilked….those GOP good guys !

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:22 am

USMC … when do deficits matter ?

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:24 am

Doggone/GA.

So what percentage did Gordon Gekko…….. “Romey” not load with debt and then bankrupt ?

ragnar danneskjold

August 30th, 2012
11:24 am

“Surely the chairman of the House Budget Committee, where all spending bills originate, must have played some tiny role in that process, did he not?”

Best I recall, Chauncey told the Republicans they could sit in the back seat, but he wasn’t going to let them drive.

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:26 am

Time out… to say I hope Getalife is okay down in Loosiana!

Getalife, if you need a place to stay in the ATL, you can bunk at my house until the storm passes by.

Quagmire

August 30th, 2012
11:27 am

Which affected you more?

1. Closing GITMO or
2. Mission Accomplished

I will hangup and listen

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:27 am

Oscar …….. The GOP want to raise Military spending and go to WAR !

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

August 30th, 2012
11:28 am

And Biden’s handlers are wondering this morning how in the heck are we going to keep him from being obliterated during debates with Ryan.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

August 30th, 2012
11:28 am

USMC:

getalife don’t wanna be no Marine …………… :o

Tom Middleton

August 30th, 2012
11:29 am

Speaking of Viagra…

In an attempt to defend her husband for seeming too stiff at times, Ann Romney said: “We better unzip him and let the real Mitt Romney out.”

You can’t make this stuff up!

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:29 am

“And Biden’s handlers are wondering this morning how in the heck are we going to keep him from being obliterated during debates with Ryan.”

Well for starters, new hair plugs and re-bleach the teephus! :-)

Newby

August 30th, 2012
11:30 am

Ragnar, who is “Chauncey”?

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

August 30th, 2012
11:31 am

Peter,

The claims of Romney as a vulture capitalist and gutting any number of companies is simply a political ruse to assign victimhood to whatever is the middle class.

Bain’s record of bankrupcies to total investments is on line with average business failures…this guy from the steel company who desparately attempts without success to legitimately link his wives death to plant shutdown is merely a puppet without factual connection.
In fact, Bain likely kept the company going a few years longer than it should otherwise…investors probably took a bath on that aspect of that particular fund.

Sure he’s got piles of money but demonizing that class of folks is nothing but a distraction….similar to some of the crap suggested by the GOP.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:32 am

Sen. John McCain who warned that “if America doesn’t lead, our adversaries will, and the world will grow darker, poorer and much more dangerous.

Well America has gotten Poorer..and here is the excuse for more Military spending and another WAR.

A vote for the GOP is a Vote for our next WAR ! Thank you GOP !

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

August 30th, 2012
11:33 am

PETER,

Seems to me that the prior chief of staff (I may have the names wrong) suggested 20% or more of the DOD budget could be cut without risk…the new guy panetta seems to suggest the opposite..

We all know the DOD can withstand a 20-25% cut…unfortunately, both sides are totally influenced by defense contractors cash..

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:33 am

Too many lies to keep up with.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:34 am

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

So no mention of the $40 million dollars Bain added to the books for commissions ?

Gee why not ?

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:34 am

noactualcommonsense — “Maybe someone can explain to me why when the Dems and the Repubs can’t come to an agreement it is the Repubs that won’t compromise. Isn’t it equally incumbant on the Dems to compromise?”

Democrats get on board with Republican “Public Mandate” idea (better known as Obamneycare); GOP faithful freak out.

Democrats get on board with Cap And Trade idea (originally a Gingrich idea); GOP immediately switches positions and oppose it.

How about the GOP stops changing their effing MINDS?

Morality?

August 30th, 2012
11:34 am

A little Economics 101 for the private sector challenged Jay and his lemmings. The U.S. was downgraded because we are $15,000,000,000,000+ in debt – not because of the so called debt ceiling crisis. Downgrades are rated on a countries likely chance to repay the debt and it’s lack of collateral. We have NO collateral other than the millions of acres of land owned by the Fed government but will never be sold because #1) environmental wackos lock on the Dems and #2) the damage it would do to the current real estate depression by flooding the market with even more product to sell. The lack of confidence by Moodys, A.M. Best Weiss Research, etc. that Obama and Congress will restrain their run away spending and reduce the debt is very unlikely based on past history. They also know Obama Care is a huge Ponzi scheme that will be the final straw to bankrupting America. That is why our bonds were downgraded.

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

August 30th, 2012
11:35 am

PETER,

Also on the Bain issue, our ability to compete in the steel market evaporated long before this company failed…

They BOTH suck

August 30th, 2012
11:35 am

getalife

I assume the worst of the storm has passed and you and yours are doing well.

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:36 am

Appreciate it USMC.

Storm is gone and all we got was a bunch of limbs to clean up.

GT

August 30th, 2012
11:36 am

The national debt is now the private debt turned into government debt by bailing out the banks. When we bail out the banks we paid off all the bad decision of our private sector to over buy houses, unpaid credit cards, we picked up that entire debt. Not only are we bailing out the banks we are bailing out the companies that received money from those bad loans. They sold product to the homeless and poor took their money and were never liable, they created a market where there was no market in America, this money shifted to the rich as booked profit was kept by the rich and paid for eventually by the government bailing out the banks. It is a Ponzi scheme participated in by the Bush administration and laid off on the Obama administration by current Republicans.

Matti

August 30th, 2012
11:36 am

I tried to watch last night, but my ability to suppress my gag reflex was not evolved enough to handle any of the speakers for more than a minute or two. That’s one of the big reasons I’m not a Republican. I don’t meet the qualifications for swallowing the load of garbage they expect a good woman to swallow with a smile. Oh well, it’s my loss, I’m told. Whatevs.

Morality?

August 30th, 2012
11:36 am

Where’s Waldo? D D R missing in action. Miss those bitter little jabs, I do.

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

August 30th, 2012
11:37 am

PETER,

They are not not-for-profits…I’m not sure what the particular Bain fund invested which was lost…but I can assure you the 40million in fees has a fractional relationship with this number…

Jefferson

August 30th, 2012
11:37 am

It foolish to think Ryan can even be in the same zip code as Biden, the young like will be exposed.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:37 am

Also on the Bain issue, our ability to compete in the steel market evaporated long before this company failed…

Ok ….. so you are saying Gordon Gekko did what he had to do ? Load the company with $40 million debt, then piece it off correct ?

They BOTH suck

August 30th, 2012
11:38 am

USMC

That was a pretty cool gesture that you extended to getalife.

My hats off to you

Jefferson

August 30th, 2012
11:38 am

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:38 am

“Morality” — “A little Economics 101 for the private sector challenged Jay and his lemmings. The U.S. was downgraded because we are $15,000,000,000,000+ in debt – not because of the so called debt ceiling crisis.”

A little History 101 for the factually-challenged. The credit rating agencies SPECIFICALLY STATED that their downgrade actions were NOT taken due to the amount of debt, but because they doubted that Congress and the President were capable of continuing to service the debt in an efficient and timely manner — SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE they were arguing over an increase in the debt ceiling.

The credit rating agencies agree with us, not you. And I suspect they’re more in tune with economic matters than you are.

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:38 am

“Storm is gone and all we got was a bunch of limbs to clean up.”

Glad to hear. At least you will be able to see LSU play this weekend, right! :-)

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:39 am

getalife — “Storm is gone and all we got was a bunch of limbs to clean up.”

Don’t forget to check in on nearby friends and family and make sure they’re okay. :)

Newby

August 30th, 2012
11:39 am

Morality? Just plain wrong. It’s true it was downgraded over fears of non-repayment, but not due to the size of the debt. It was because certain congressman threatened not to raise the debt ceiling, casting the USA into default.

I really don’t understand fully why some congressmen that it was a good idea that the USA defaults, but that is seriously messed up. And it spooked the credit rating agencies enough to lower our rating.

Your assertion that, one day, they just decided the debt was too large, is just ridiculous.

USMC

August 30th, 2012
11:40 am

“Don’t forget to check in on nearby friends and family and make sure they’re okay.”

Yes, MOTHER GOOSE! :-)

Pass the Cheesy Grits Please

August 30th, 2012
11:40 am

And Biden’s handlers are wondering this morning how in the heck are we going to keep him from being obliterated during debates with Ryan.

There is usually only 1 VP debate not debates.

Biden will be just fine. You see during a debate Ryan will be called out when he lies.

Morality?

August 30th, 2012
11:40 am

Dead brain zombies for Obama don’t really think much because they are dead brained and eligible for gub’ment disability. Trying to explain economics and how the private works and how the Fed gub’ment can’t actually create jobs in the private sector to them is like to teach common sense to the insane.

East Lake Ira

August 30th, 2012
11:41 am

Great, USMC breaks the blog.

Pass the Cheesy Grits Please

August 30th, 2012
11:43 am

Trying to explain economics and how the private works and how the Fed gub’ment can’t actually create jobs in the private sector to them is like to teach common sense to the insane.

Im not sure that is considered English.

Either way enjoy boys.

This is the high water mark for the Romney/Ryan ticket

Its all downhill from here.

Newby

August 30th, 2012
11:43 am

I really think Biden will do well in the debate.

An earlier con narrative was that “Gingrich would destroy Obama in the debates.” Heck, he couldn’t even beat Santorum. I think the cons are going to be suprised by reality again.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:43 am

It matters where you are going. The crisis in K-12 education is a threat to the very fabric who we are.”

Funny stuff fro Rice…. all brought to you by the GOP party who cut funding to education and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America !

Goldie

August 30th, 2012
11:44 am

[On Monday, Obama addressed Romney's claim that he had "gutted" work requirements for welfare recipients in a surprise appearance in the White House Briefing Room.

"Everybody who's looked at this says what Gov. Romney's saying is absolutely wrong," Obama said. "They can run the campaign that they want, but the truth of the matter is you can't just make stuff up."]

Romney/Ryan — We Make Stuff Up!

:)

yuzeyurbrane

August 30th, 2012
11:44 am

Well said, Jay. For what it’s worth, I actually have a good number of friends who are Republicans or independents, and my own gut read of their reaction so far is that they have been underwhelmed by the Republican Convention. My gut reactions are usually quite accurate and this bodes well for the President.

Newby

August 30th, 2012
11:44 am

I apologize for my earlier post feeding the troll…

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:44 am

USMC,

LSU is #1 and it is payback time for Bama.

“Don’t forget to check in on nearby friends and family and make sure they’re okay”

Our town was blessed with minor problems but they are those that lost everything again in the State.

Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)

August 30th, 2012
11:45 am

Well, I don’t know about you, but I think more of what my grandkids will think of me after I’m gone than which party wins the election. Which one of these would you like said about you?

1. My granddaddy never had much money but he worked hard and honestly for a living and put food on the table.

2. My granddaddy was a worthless insurance agent that tried to cheat everybody he met and run around with his fat hanging from a pair of speedos. And oh yes, he was a Alabama fan.

I don’t know about you, but I know what will be said about me.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:45 am

Newby………. WHAT the GOP will not talk about is how many times the debt ceiling was raised during the Bush administration !

paulo977

August 30th, 2012
11:45 am

jay….Likewise, when Ryan accused Obama of “raiding” Medicare of $716 billion, he failed to note that in his House budget that made him famous, he too diverted $716 billion from Medicare. Instead of using it to extend health care to millions of uninsured Americans, he used it to finance more tax cuts for the wealthy. A difference in prioirities, I suppose.
_________________________________________________

Typical GOP lies !!! Hypocrisy?

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:46 am

alittlecommonsense

August 30th, 2012
11:50 am

Oscar – if everyone agrees we need to cut spending, then why do the dems use that as a bargaining chip. i.e. both want to cut spending, Dem wants to raise some taxes, Rep wants to raise no taxes. Then why don’t they cut spending if both agree? The truth is that Dems will only agree to cut spending (really just the rate of increase in spending) if they get tax increases. All the while, we are speeding toward the cliff of financial meltdown. But Jay and the mainstream media paint this as intractable republicans. Both sides are somewhat intractable. Of course maybe when you are right you should be firm in your position.

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

August 30th, 2012
11:50 am

Peter,

My bad..

Bain did indeed saddle this company with debt and reaped impressive profits….the original investment was between 8 and 24 million depending on who you asked and they clearly made less than typical profit…the fees i’m finding were closer to $4.5 million but they also made total return of between 12 and 18 million..hard to get the actual numbers but I concede my contempt prior to investigation…

Still most of PE and Venture deals, especially in Bains case, a very small percentage of total dealflow, were more favorable in terms of outcomes for workers et al..

barking frog

August 30th, 2012
11:50 am

barking frog

August 30th, 2012
11:50 am

GT

August 30th, 2012
11:50 am

Joe Hussein Mama the interview with the credit corporation that down graded the US credit rating tells a different story. It practically lays the blame of their decision on the front step of the Tea Party. The uncertainty they bring to the equation of not paying bills they owe and have the money to pay but have decided to reneg on. Check it out in their report.

Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)

August 30th, 2012
11:51 am

Jay – Thanks for your article on Paul Ryan’s speech, I hope you will be FAIR and BALANCED in critiquing Joe Biden and Pres Obama’s speeches at the DNC also. Remember what is good for the goose is good for the glander, whatever that means. Your friend, Tom

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:51 am

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

How many times was the debt ceiling raised under Bush ?

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:51 am

The robme ruin campaign fact checkers are worn out.

Nothing but lies.

I think if you watch the dem convention you will see all the speakers adresss our President’s accomplishments because he does not like to brag.

It will be a more energized and fun convention.

skydog

August 30th, 2012
11:51 am

I can see getalife, USMC, and Mr. digits drinking a cold one playing Risk.

Ahem

August 30th, 2012
11:51 am

moonbat betty

Perhaps the most appropriate nom de blog here. Operative word being “moonbat”.

August 30th, 2012
11:09 am
“AynRyan speech summarized in 4 words – “Let em eat cake”

No, it was actually 5 words – “Let them eat crab cakes”

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

August 30th, 2012
11:52 am

Peter,

Also in the spirit of fair penance, the debt Bain saddled with GST was more like $300 million with bonds…to affect an acquisition to try to fix the company who couldn’t compete with China..

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:53 am

USMC — “Yes, MOTHER GOOSE!”

By your leave, Father Jackass. :D

getalife

August 30th, 2012
11:53 am

“I can see getalife, USMC, and Mr. digits drinking a cold one playing Risk.”

Nah, I would be taking their money in poker.

Proud to be me

August 30th, 2012
11:54 am

Just like Pelosi said . . had to pass ObamaCare to know what is in it . . . those who voted for Obama had to elect him to know what he was all about. Talk about the blind leadning the blind!! Now we know . . boot him out!!!

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:54 am

“Morality” — “Dead brain zombies for Obama don’t really think much because they are dead brained and eligible for gub’ment disability. Trying to explain economics and how the private works.”

Your surrender has been noted and is appreciated.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:54 am

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

I am constantly making mistakes …everyday. no issues…….

I equate Ronmey to….. Gordon Gekko……… Thus do not see him adding jobs to America, after he made his money Out sourcing Jobs for corporations…..

I do not see Ryan doing anything but talk, since he voted for everything Bush put in front of him that ran up the original debt…… He was as big of a PORK person as the next guy or woman.

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

August 30th, 2012
11:55 am

Peter,

Bush and Obama are clearly no different in wasted money, borrow and spend etcetera..question is who is going to have the adult conversation that we should be able to find 10% waste in all programs but at least 20% in DOD…answer is NO ONE…to much campaign cash at stake so nothing will change…

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:55 am

Joe Hussein Mama . when do deficits matter ?

barking frog

August 30th, 2012
11:56 am

Elephants are endangered,
RINOs not so much.

In the Middle

August 30th, 2012
11:56 am

Brosephus,

You pledged your undying love for me and asked me to “cybermarry” you! I said yes!!!!!! ;-)

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:56 am

Tom — “good for the glander”

Oh, MY. :D

Peter

August 30th, 2012
11:57 am

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

Apparently you have forgotten the ” HOLE ” Bush left America in…. the talk was no recession……..BUT DEPRESSION, and the implosion of the entire banking system at the time.

Thus the bailouts, and the stimulus programs…….

Paul

August 30th, 2012
11:57 am

Donovan

“As I have said before, if the GOP nomimated Jessus Christ himself, you liberals would reject the nomination and demonize Christ for being too religious. ”

Well, given the fact the GOP would never ever nominate a guy who would tell them to give up the material stuff, sell what they have, give to the poor, etc etc etc……

Joe Hussein Mama

August 30th, 2012
11:58 am

Peter — “Joe Hussein Mama . when do deficits matter ?”

They *always* matter, contrary to what the previous Vice President would have us believe.

Why do you ask?

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

August 30th, 2012
11:59 am

PETER,

Romney’s claim to be able to add 12 million jobs is akin to Obamas pledges to eliminating lobbyist control of DC agenda and cutting deficit in half..I don’t believe the “we didn’t know how bad it was..” retort holds water..it just suggests the promises were empty in the first place.

DannyX

August 30th, 2012
12:00 pm

I got an advance copy of the remarks the Fox News commentators will make after tonight’s Romney speech.

“Mitt seemed almost human tonight,” “Mitt really seems to understand the plight of the help,” “Mitt was so Reagan-like in the way he read from the teleprompter,” “Out of the 6 positions he has taken on health care I like the one from tonight the best,” “This speech made me think of Reagan,” Wow, he really hit it out of the park,” “I like how he didn’t mention Bush a single time,” “His remarks on invading Iran sent a tingle down my leg.” “Best speech ever, so Reagan-like.”

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

August 30th, 2012
12:02 pm

Peter,

No disputing Bush debt record but the current guy can’t truly suggest that his administration has done anything meaningful about it…the stimulus was a bust unless someone can show me 3 million W-2’s of jobs saved or created..the bailout was horrible…we and the banks would have been much better served if they simply gave a trillion to homeowners to continue to make mortgage payments…everybody wins..banks suck..

Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)

August 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Getalife@11:51 – ” Speaking of all the President’s accomplishments”, is it going to be a 5 minute convention? Where is it to be held, at the Unemployment or Food Stamp offices?

SwamiDave

August 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Couple of funny notes on the day after…..

1) It is laughable to see the liberals among us touting a FOXNews “article” that challenges some of Ryan’s speech. The attempt to misrepresent is yet again from LIBERALS who are pointing to an OPINION piece. It would be as silly as a conservative opinion piece published on MSNBC & pointed to as evidence the “even MSNBC believes” something.

2) Liberals are being quick to challenge Ryan for “lying” and “blaming” Obama for the GM plant that closed in his hometown. He did neither. He said that Obama visited in 2008 and predicted that the plant would remain open for “100 years”, had subsequently closed, & was still empty today. Those are FACTS. The other facts are that Obama was wrong in his prediction (WAY WRONG on the order of the plant actually didn’t even stay open until he took office) and nothing in Obama’s term gives evidence that things are improving.

-SD

skydog

August 30th, 2012
12:04 pm

Stevie Ray – “it just suggests the promises were empty in the first place.”

No one could have predicted the obstruction he has faced.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

August 30th, 2012
12:05 pm

A little Economics 101…

Aaannnnnnnnddd I quit reading.

getalife

August 30th, 2012
12:06 pm

Tom,

Do me a favor to finally put that lie to rest.

Google President Obama’s accomplishments and read.

The latest one is new rules for cars and great gas mileage.

Peter

August 30th, 2012
12:06 pm

Why do you ask?

Because that has been the GOP mantra..from Reagen to Cheney !