2012 Tuesday: This week, it’s all about Obama
There’s not much percolating in the GOP presidential race right now besides the same old, same old: Texas Gov. Rick Perry all but saying he’s running, just not yet; Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty sniping at one another in what may turn out to be an elimination contest between them in Iowa; Herman Cain still trying to explain his various comments about Muslims as he fades from real contention.
If they’re smart, Republican candidates are letting this week in 2012 politics be about Barack Obama and the nation’s debt.
The president spent weeks insisting it was up to Congress to solve the debt-ceiling problem — which is technically true, although the reality that he has to sign any legislation Congress passes suggests it’s not crazy of the leaders on Capitol Hill to think they should have buy-in from the White House beforehand. Then Obama did get involved, repeatedly describing himself as the only responsible person in Washington and talking about the leaders of a co-equal branch of government as if they were his children.
The primary result, to date, has been to drive said leaders away from his negotiating table to work on a deal — a deal that, as of right now, looks like it will ignore Obama’s central demand of including new tax revenues. That, and to leave Obama giving a primetime address to the nation in an attempt to keep himself relevant in the very negotiations he once wanted no part of.
The president’s speech Monday night also had the ostensible goal of making sure the public blames Republicans in the event of a technical default or a credit-rating downgrade. Which was curious, given that Democrats keep citing public opinion polls indicating the public’s already doing that. Are Obama and his fellow Democrats worried that they’ll actually get too much of the blame?
And what if a deal is struck? By making it clear that his talks with Speaker John Boehner were fruitless, Obama has essentially cut himself out of any credit for a deal. If a deal is struck, it most likely will not be because Obama was able to pull various congressional factions together but, rather, because Congress called his bluff by putting together a deal that wasn’t on his terms.
Some Republican voters might blame GOP lawmakers for a deal that they view as too much of a compromise, but read my lips: That’s not going to make those people vote for Obama next year. Or stay home from the polls rather than voting for his GOP opponent. Who, in all likelihood, will be someone who wasn’t in Congress during this debate. (Sorry, Michele.)
I doubt Obama will get a primary opponent, despite Sen. Bernie Sanders’ laments. But I think it’s reasonable to ask whether liberals will be as enthusiastic about keeping Obama as conservatives are about voting him out, especially when I see poll numbers like these reported by the Washington Post:
The Post-ABC poll found that the number of liberal Democrats who strongly support Obama’s record on jobs plunged 22 points from 53 percent last year to 31 percent. The number of African Americans who believe the president’s actions have helped the economy has dropped from 77 percent in October to just over half of those surveyed.
The last three national elections — 2006, 2008 and 2010 — have been repudiations of the ruling party (in Congress, the White House and Congress again, respectively). The next one is shaping up likewise, and more weeks like this one will make it hard for Obama to buck the trend.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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119 comments Add your comment
dw
July 26th, 2011
11:43 am
First… serioulsy?
Red
July 26th, 2011
11:54 am
That Rick Perry guy is the same one that said that Texas might secede and that two dudes getting gay married in NY was ‘fine’?
2012 will be decided by latinos.
F. Sinkwich
July 26th, 2011
11:54 am
Obama did himself no favors last night. He proved once again he’s no leader. Hopey/Changey is hopelessly over his head.
ByteMe
July 26th, 2011
11:55 am
it’s not crazy of the leaders on Capitol Hill to think they should have buy-in from the White House beforehand.
What? They can’t get enough votes to override his veto? Wonder why that would be? Oh, yeah, because their plans aren’t popular enough in a divided Congress and the “silent majority” (thanks, Dick!) haven’t made their voices heard… until last night.
The president’s speech Monday night also had the ostensible goal of making sure the public blames Republicans in the event of a technical default or a credit-rating downgrade. Which was curious, given that Democrats keep citing public opinion polls indicating the public’s already doing that.
I don’t think the crazy fringe could hear the silent majority over the noises in their head. Until now. Congress’ switchboard has been jammed since last night. Can you hear us now??
MrLiberty
July 26th, 2011
12:23 pm
No, those with sound solutions are speaking out. Ron Paul has proposed simply wiping out the 1.2 Trillion dollar debt that the treasury owes to the Federal Reserve. The Fed bought our bonds when nobody else would. Technically it counts against the debt ceiling, but is really just money we owe to ourselves. The Fed just printed the money out of thin air as they always do so really no big deal.
Any word from the congress or the president on this common sense proposal?? Of course not. They don’t want to have to admit that the Federal Reserve is the enabler of all of our deficit spending or that we are engaging is such dubious financial manipulations that such a stupid situation even exists.
As always, Ron Paul with the common sense solution that too many are afraid of – Liberty.
Jefferson
July 26th, 2011
12:26 pm
The GOP IS the problem, not the solution. Raise the limit so the US doen’t default enough to fill the term, before no party hyjacked the crisis and that only. Since congress gives out the money for spending let that debate go on, but if you don’t have the votes you have to bend. You can’t do nothing, but talk a good game. (Tee reps) That is childish.
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
12:31 pm
quoting: “[Obama is] only responsible person in Washington and talking about the leaders of a co-equal branch of government as if they were his children.”
Well, if they’d act like grown-ups and come to a deal, maybe he wouldn’t need to treat them like children. Especially when they all throw tantrums when they dont’ get their way, and sit and whine in the corner until you give them what they want.
Silly children.
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
12:34 pm
Mr Liberty: The Fed just printed the money out of thin air
Well, we don’t want the world to know that our currency is fake.
Shovel Ready Jobs and other Tales
July 26th, 2011
12:41 pm
Obama talks a good game (and by that I mean he has good rhetorical skills), but his motives are suspect (to say the least). I think Brett Hume has correctly concluded that, by lauding Reid’s new plan and reportedly nixing the 2 phase plan Boehner and Reid had come up with over the weekend, he does not care about tax increases nearly as much as he cares about this issue being put to rest until 2013. And that, I think, strongly suggests his main motivation is political (since also neither of the current plans reduce the deficit by the 4 trillion dollars the credit rating organizations were looking for – that is, a rating downgrade is almost inevitable). Obama has also conspicuously failed to set his specific proposals on paper. Since the House and Senate have at least set some things on paper (and even passed bills), one can conclude that Obama either wasn’t able to come up with a respectable plan or didn’t want to commit himself to anything so he couldn’t be pinned down. If the later is true, then I think you see Chicago-style politics at work there.
As for the Republicans (which, as a conservative and given the only viable alternative in a two party system, I have little choice but to support), I cannot for the life of me figure out why:
1) some seem so bent on protecting tax loopholes or exemptions that clearly only benefit a few people or some narrow special interest – as if everything the Congress has made law is sage and infallible (when we know full well from experience the opposite is usually true). This is clearly unreasonable and stupidly leaves them open to the charge of being unreasonable.
2) they have not rationally outlined to the public their defense of not raising the upper tax limit. The can be no debate that almost all jobs are created by small businesses. So I agree with the logic that the owners of these businesses should be given reduced tax rates. But a lot of wealthy people are not small business owners and they should not be given the same benefit because they are not creating jobs. There ought to be some way of separating the wheat from the chaff here.
Swami Dave
July 26th, 2011
12:45 pm
Cutting spending in the near term is the solution.
Interestingly, PrezBO’s speech last night served as historical reference to which his (so-called) “balanced” approach would not work. Of the three Presidents (Reagan, HW Bush, & Clinton) who he named that made deficit compromises similar to his (now stated) preference, the tax increases occurred, but spending restraints were never honored. Actually, any revenue increases were consumed by ever-greater spending.
As of yet, the only legislation that has passed any body that addresses the looming debt ceiling was “Cut, Cap, & Balance” which Senate Democrats shelved via procedural move for fear that members of their own caucus might vote in support of it placing the onus and blame squarely on PrezBO if it fails.
Democrats are continuing to try sailing into a headwind against the clear intent of the American taxpayers desperately seeking any port from this storm (and, watching PrezBO’s body language and tired appearance last night, finding none).
-SD
gm
July 26th, 2011
12:47 pm
This week should be about the President of the Untied States: 30 years ago it was about Ronald Reagan saying the same things, the country listened to him, I guess President Obama skin is not like Reagan.
We have to many idiots in this country who dont respect the President of the United States, if the President Obama fails we all fail, we need to push back against these Anti Ameicans tea party hypocrites who dont speak for all America.
Bush raised the debt ceiling 7 times and how many times did you hear hypcorite Boener cry about the future and the debt? the world is watching a bunch of double standard bigots destroying our country””’
Scooter
July 26th, 2011
12:49 pm
Face it, the Obama talks about defecit reduction and used to explain away his inaction by citing the deficit reduction committee he put together. Well, that committee came back with their recommendations. The Obama ignored all of them when presenting his latest budget that got zero supporting votes in the democrat controlled senate.
All the white liberals who groomed him for this job should’ve done better.
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
12:53 pm
Scooter: committee came back with their recommendations. The Obama ignored all of them
Well it had very unpopular things like. . . cutting spending! and . . . raising taxes!
Because, you see, that’s the only way we’re getting out of this mess.
Scooter
July 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
LD, how many supporting votes did it get in the Senate? How many real spending cuts and entitlement reforms were recommended in the President’s budget?
Present!
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
“Cut, Cap, & Balance”
If this actually did anything to increase revenue, I’d likely be for it. The Balanced Budget Amendment will be dead in the water since it has so many exceptions built inot it.
I’d LIKE to see a balanced budget without the amendment. . . but ALL of the plans so far are “reduce the deficit” instead of “eliminate the deficit”
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
1:00 pm
Scooter: How many real spending cuts and entitlement reforms were recommended in the President’s budget?
Exactly! LOL He didn’t want to do the unpopular thing and actually put the recommendations in. Unfortuantely neither does the house nor the senate.
jconservative
July 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
Red July 26th, 2011 11:54 am
“That Rick Perry guy is the same one that said that Texas might secede and that two dudes getting gay married in NY was ‘fine’?”
Yep, same guy.
If the Republicans nominate Perry I will vote for Obama or the Libertarian.
While Pawlenty and Bachmann are fueding, and Cain is backpeddling, and Perry is deciding, Romney is stashing cash.
If it comes down to money the “former Liberal Republican Governor of Massachusetts” is the man.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:06 pm
Obama is toast. This week the Wash Times ran an article about how he is losing white voters in droves, even the below 30 crowd that fell for the Hope/Change feel good thing. Today the Wash Post has an article about the minorities plight in this economy and how they are losing their enthusiam for Barry.
Title Max needs a new CEO, so maybe he will not be unemployed for long after Jan 2012. Since, he has more than he needs and feels he should pay more in taxes, which he often boasts, don’t guess
he needs a job anyway.
From Where I Sit
July 26th, 2011
1:08 pm
Anyone that would vote for Obama is a MORON!
Enough Said!
Scooter
July 26th, 2011
1:08 pm
LD, didn’t cut, cap and balance pass the House?
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:09 pm
gm
You have it wrong buddy, If Obama fails the country has a chance.
Jim Pierce
July 26th, 2011
1:10 pm
To gm: And you do realize that Obozo voted AGAINST raising the debt limit under Bush right? Let me quote Obozo for you: “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”
Is Obama possibly a liar? OMG. lol
CJ
July 26th, 2011
1:14 pm
FYI Kyle, John Boehner’s proposal, the one he promoted on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show, won’t pass the House. His own party won’t vote for it.
Of course, the only way to resolve this is for Boehner to work with Harry Reid to develop a plan that can get both Democratic and Republican support in both chambers.
seabeau
July 26th, 2011
1:18 pm
I say let the default occur!! Force a Constitutional Convention! Restrict once and for all the smothering force that is the Federal Government. Eliminate all entitlements!!
Kramer
July 26th, 2011
1:19 pm
Red
July 26th, 2011
11:54 am
That Rick Perry guy is the same one that said that Texas might secede and that two dudes getting gay married in NY was ‘fine’?
2012 will be decided by latinos.
WRONG! It will be decided by the Independents who are leaving Obama in droves.
retiredds
July 26th, 2011
1:20 pm
FYI, the Republican solution is no solution after all:
WASHINGTON — Minutes before House Speaker John Boehner delivered a prime-time address in which he framed his latest deficit-reduction deal as a silver bullet for the nation’s economic uncertainty, reports surfaced that the plan being crafted by the Ohio Republican would potentially lead to a downgrading of the AAA credit rating of the United States.
MiltonMan
July 26th, 2011
1:20 pm
Remember that Obozo is speaking to his base here. The same people who have ran APS into the ground, mismanaged Clayton County schools and now are raising property taxes 30+% in DeKalb. Thank God I do not have the clowns representing my district.
MiltonMan
July 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
retire, please hone up on the latest financial news. Any short-term deal on the debt (note any) will result in a lowering of the US credit rating.
Logical Dude
July 26th, 2011
1:25 pm
MiltonMan: Remember that Obozo
. .. aaaaaaaaand I quit reading.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:30 pm
The credit rating is going to drop under any of these plans. The Raters have said they wanted to see 4T dollars in spending cuts. The Dems can’t handle the small amount we are cutting under either of the two plans.
I don’t believe the credit rating agencies were going to swallow some of the Dem cuts anyway, like all the money we are going to save by not starting a war with France.
Kramer
July 26th, 2011
1:32 pm
Rafe, you speak the truth. Obama, he speaks the lies. The man is making Jimmy “Freaking” Carter look good! How hard is that?
Jefferson
July 26th, 2011
1:33 pm
The GOP primaries should be a sight to see, Time for the lady.
USMC
July 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
Obama is in WAY over his head!
Obama will LOSE in 2012, tick, tock, tick, tock…
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
Kramer, the sad part is that the people who were most enthusiatic for the Hope/Change are the hardest hit, according to AJC article today regarding wealth distribution. They bought the change and got left with change.
Intown
July 26th, 2011
1:48 pm
this debt ceilng debate is nothing but a circus being conducted at the public’s expense. Republicans will get the blame for any failure to reach a deal because they are the ones that put the debt ceiling in play so they could take as stand on it. Obama and the Dems will need to use this and the fear of other crazy and unreasonable stuff the Repubs are pushing to get their supporters to the polls. The hope change thing petered out. Republicans need to motivate their supporters to the polls with budget stuff which is why they don’t want to make a long term deal (or any deal really) now.
Fergie
July 26th, 2011
1:51 pm
Why don’t you red necks admit to yourselves that you just don’t want to see this Black President spend money. Any other white president never experienced what this man is going through. The debt ceiling was raised 17 times while that dumb Ronald Reagan was president. 17 f….times.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:59 pm
fergie, I guess we are suppossed to sit around while Obama doubles the debt, while we wait for another white guy to come along. Let the country be turned into some third world socialist nirvana, just so we don’t have to ask a black man to do the right thing. I thought he was post racial and biracial anyway.
kayaker 71
July 26th, 2011
1:59 pm
Fergie,
I really don’t want to see any president or our Congress spend more than we have, regardless of their color. “This Black President” would not be in government housing today without the help of a lot of disillusioned white people who bought the BS he was selling. Many of them, as well as a lot of the black community, know that that vote was a big mistake. Bozo doesn’t have a chance in hell of a second term. How about you, Fergie? You going to vote for this clown? Or do I even have to ask?
Karen
July 26th, 2011
2:00 pm
I am an Independent now and wont vote for one Repulican next year or the year after. Their goal, as stated by their leaders, was to help Obama fail, rather than help the American people. My money will be on Obama in 2012. Tea Party idiots will always vote for Repuican, even a dishonest Gonvenor. But idependents are much brighter than that.
Karen
July 26th, 2011
2:02 pm
Kayaker, your a bit of a racist, although you probably dont know that yet.
Scooter
July 26th, 2011
2:03 pm
Logical Dude, didn’t cut, cap and balance pass the House?
There were unpopular things in there, as there were when Repubs tried to reform Social Security. Of course, that was when Harry Reid wouldn’t come to the table if “free” citizens might have an option of private SS accounts.
Dirty Harry
July 26th, 2011
2:03 pm
I enjoyed seeing Boehner take Obama to the woodshed last night in front of the whole world…….funny.
kayaker 71
July 26th, 2011
2:07 pm
“Their goal was to help Obama fail”. Damn, straight, Karen. And it still is. With what this clown is doing to our country, it’s a wonder that your “intelligent independence” doesn’t feel the same way. The Tea Party people are far from idiots. They are running the show. Get used to it Karen. The Tea Party has become the single greatest influence for financial legislation that this country has known in over 100yrs. If you can’t see that their goals are really good for the future of our country, you are certainly part of the problem.
gm
July 26th, 2011
2:10 pm
kayaker 71
Another out of touch idiot tea party retard, when will you people learn you dont speak for all America, latinos, blacks, gays, liberals are going to come out in big no. 2012, do you think they are going to vote for those idiots running against Obama, ha, ha.
The problem with you low class middle class whites, you want to be at the top with the trumps and Palins but you are just a pawn to those people, tea party bigots make up less then 10% of America, the only reason they won big back in Nov because the rep lied and claim they would create jobs, and once again the low middle class whites get jerked.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
2:17 pm
K71
Well, I guess you got educated there by ole gm. Guess we were wrong and Bozo is a gogo for 2012.
kayaker 71
July 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
gm,
Now who is the racist here? You and Karen seem to share the same distinction. The November election was a repudiation of the worst management of this country’s financial structure in recent memory. Unemployment still at over 10% reported, more like 15 or more percent if you count those who just quit looking. New home starts down another 1% today. Foreclosures at an all time high. More debt created in the last two and one half years than from all of the last 43 presidents combined. Our national debt at over 16 trillion, that’s trillion gm, and rising. Our bond rating downgraded twice in the last 6 mos. If you speak for all of the latinos, blacks, gays and liberals, I certainly hope that you have some plan in mind that will bring us out of this debacle that we find ourselves in. “An out of touch idiot tea party retard”……. I was going to call you a f***** idiot but guess I won’t.
Kramer
July 26th, 2011
2:24 pm
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
Kramer, the sad part is that the people who were most enthusiatic for the Hope/Change are the hardest hit, according to AJC article today regarding wealth distribution. They bought the change and got left with change.
They bought into his words instead of looking at his background. The guy has never had to lead a single thing in his life and now he runs the country. His lack of leadership should surprise no one. I would hope that the people who bought into his false convictions and his vison of this country will look hard in 2012.
joe
July 26th, 2011
2:24 pm
If he’s voted out, unemployment will be lowered, cuts will be made to our growing debt and entitlements and Obamacare will be repealed (adding to the lowering of the growing debt). See how many problems will be solved…once he’s voted out…
ATF
July 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
You bet 2012 will be all about Obama. The TeaParty/Republicans don’t have anyone worth talking about. And I will welcome a discussion of the debt, since it was the Republicans who started wars on two fronts and then cut taxes.
If tax cuts produce jobs, where are the jobs?
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
2:27 pm
gm and Karen, how do you guys support this man, under whose regime the fortunes of minorities has deteriorated? Minorities have lost their homes at a greater percentage than whites, minorities have a much higher unemployment rate than they did before Obummer. The man has kept few if any of his campaign promises and seems to be focused only on himself and his reelection.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
2:30 pm
@ Rafe Hollister, good to hear from you again, it’s been awhile.
@Miltonman, Obama’s ‘other reverand” Joseph “when white will do what’s right” Lowrey is coming for you bro.
Just Saying..
July 26th, 2011
2:30 pm
Wonder how many Democrats and Independents are giving up on Barack because he continues to treat Republicans as equals?
Kramer
July 26th, 2011
2:32 pm
ATF
July 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
You bet 2012 will be all about Obama. The TeaParty/Republicans don’t have anyone worth talking about.
Oh God I hope it is all about Obama. Let’s see, by the unemplyment at 9%+. Debt at $6 trillion and climbing. New house sales going further down the drain and obamacare on the horizon to add trillions more to our debt. Yep, make it about obama, I dare ya’.
kayaker 71
July 26th, 2011
2:34 pm
ATF,
I was hoping that someone might challenge Bozo in a Democratic primary, maybe Hillary, maybe a moderate Democrat like Sam Nunn,….. perhaps Hank Johnson if he can save Guam from sliding into the ocean. It’s not so much the tax cuts that create jobs….. it’s the uncertainty about government’s stand on future intrusions into the private sector that keeps business sitting on their money. Would I expand my business today and hire additional employees in this kind of environment? Afraid not.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
@ gm The 2012 Presidential election is going to be a bigger bloodbath than the 2010 Congressional election and Obama knows it. He’s lost whites, moderate dems and most importantly indepenents.
ie…He’s lost. Yall be sure to sing pretty for former President Obama at the inaguration of the new President the way you did for President Bush.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
K71 Hay Jay saving Guam!! LMFAO!!!
Karen
July 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
Rafe they were losing them when he came into office. You guys have Palin(what newspaper do I read), Bachman, lets turn then into straight people. The fact is the Tea Party has a less favorable rating than Obama, and in hearing you talk it’s no wonder why. Intelligent, not even close Rafe and Kayaker!
destin dawg
July 26th, 2011
2:50 pm
you can’t expect Obama to understand business/economics….. he’s never had a real job, run a company, served in the military, etc.. just an unemployed law student…. what the heck is a community organizer ??? can’t be anti business and create jobs…. NLRB ( pro Union ) wants to close new Boeing plant in S.C… while they are in intense competition with Airbus ( French ) for new plane contracts ??? there are high paying jobs !!
Fergie
July 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
All I am saying is; this debt ceiling BS didn’t just start. Apparently, its standard business practice since its been going on so long. Why is it all of a sudden a problem? If I was Obama, I would let these bigots have this mess. They created it. Leave it to a f…dumb white man who thinks just because he’s white that he’s smarter and the better leader to really f…something up.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
Destin dawg, WHAT? just an unemployed law student?? Don’t you mean an unemployed law student that can walk on water sir?
Filter
July 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
You guys should save all your “so and so took the other to the woodshed” nonsense. You liked your guy, others liked their guy, end of story. It’s called a self fulfilling prophecy.
In other words, you’re only convincing yourself of what you already knew.
2012 prez
July 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
some of you have bad mouth Obama from the start and will continue until he is voted out. If the next prez is white you all will jump for JOY.. Then sooner or later you will turn on them to. so sad no respect for no one in charge this country is just pityful.
MAYBE THE WHITE MAN/WOMAN WHO BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2012 WILL MAKE YOU ALL HAPPY WHEN THE ELECTION IS OVER IN 2012….I’M SURE THEY WILL FIGHT AND MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR YALL.
Linda
July 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
Yes, it’s all about Obama, who will go down in history as the president of the US who:
* pushed & signed the most expensive spending bill in the history of the world, less than 3 weeks after his inauguration, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which was a failure
* promised that the unemployment rate which was at 7.6% when the bill was signed, would not exceed 8% if the bill was passed but would climb to 10% if the bill was not passed
* watched hopelessly as the unemployment rate climbed to 10.2% by 10/09
* holds the record for the worst unemployment rate since 1948 with 30 of the 70 months of unemployment at 8% of higher being the 30 consecutive months of his term, which is 43% of the most severe unemployment in the last 63 years
* cancelled NASA’s Moon Program & placed rocket scientists among the unemployed
* lost the AAA rating of the US due to massive debt
* took government control of the health care of every American from cradle to grave
* added $3.814 T to the national debt in 30 months
* presided over the food stamp recovery
* signed the longest bill in US history
* added the most new regulations in history to the US Register
* watched as gold hit a record high as fears rose over the collapse of the US dollar
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
Boortz said the day after Obama was elected that ANY critizism of this guy would be labeled racist.
He nailed it as usual.
Filter
July 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
kayaker,
You said ” it’s the uncertainty about government’s stand on future intrusions into the private sector that keeps business sitting on their money.”
Leaving out the Healthcare Bill (because that’s too easy) what intrusions are you speaking about? I’m not trolling here, I want to know what you consider “intrusions.”
Tommy Maddox
July 26th, 2011
3:11 pm
Fergie @ 1:51 – “Why don’t you red necks admit to yourselves that you just don’t want to see this Black President spend money.”
OK – I’ll bite. I don’t want to see this 1/2 Black 1/2 White President continue to deficit spend us into oblivion. After all, it’s not his money.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
3:18 pm
Linda
To embellish what you said about NASA’s space flight efforts being grounded. The purpose was so those smart engineers could focus on their new job, i.e., helping the Muslim world to understand all the great things they have done for humanity.
Destin Dawg, you asked what a community organizer does. That is hard to answer, because there are only two that I know of. Obummer and David Duke, the original community organizer.
Fergie, so what you are saying is, that the white half of Obama is the half that thinks it is smarter than the rest of us.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
Filter, I think he means that Dodd=was it Frank? bill that regulated the banks/financial institutions and has imposed so many regulations that no one knows what is legal anymore.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
@2012 prez, you sound illiterate. Recent APS grad I’m guessing. Congratulations on your di-poma.
Can we get some more tea please?
Kramer
July 26th, 2011
3:34 pm
2012 prez
July 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
some of you have bad mouth Obama from the start and will continue until he is voted out. If the next prez is white you all will jump for JOY.. Then sooner or later you will turn on them to. so sad no respect for no one in charge this country is just pityful.
MAYBE THE WHITE MAN/WOMAN WHO BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2012 WILL MAKE YOU ALL HAPPY WHEN THE ELECTION IS OVER IN 2012….I’M SURE THEY WILL FIGHT AND MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR YALL.
And here is the mind of a racist liberal. Everything is seen in color and not substance. Ignorance, thy name is 2012 prez.
Filter
July 26th, 2011
3:41 pm
RH,
I’m not certain that the Dodd-Frank bill can be seen as an intrusion into the workings of businesses as a whole. It certainly places more regulation on Wall Street and the banking industry but modifying the Volcker Rule and regulating the way derivatives are handled can hardly be seen as an intrusion on the day to day operation of a business outside of the financial sector.
Filter
July 26th, 2011
3:45 pm
Kramer,
It would be ignorant to say that all criticism of the current President is racist but it would be equally ignorant to say that the converse is true as well. One need to look only at Miltonman’s comment of 1:20 for confirmation of that. Racism is still alive and well and it is the racists who see it everywhere or nowhere at all.
shawny
July 26th, 2011
3:56 pm
That article, also quoted on NPR, considers total wealth including home ownership. Those with less money to begin with have a higher percentage of their fiscal efforts tied up in their house. Therefore, when the housing market goes south and houses lose value, those with less have even less. That is on paper of course. There is the fallacy.
SO, when the housing market turns around and home values increase, will we have a report that says that the poor are getting richer at a faster rate than the rich are? I’ll bet not.
Linda
July 26th, 2011
3:58 pm
Here’s a list of the most famous speeches of all time, the 1st 5 being:
1. MJK, Jr.s “I have a Dream”
2. JFK’s inaugural address
3. FDR’s first inaugural address
4. FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation
5. Barbara Charline Jordon’s 1976 DNC Keynote Address
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html
Here’s part of Obama’s speech 7/22/11, “…I told Speaker Boehner, I’ve told Dem. Leader Harry Reid, & I’ve told Mitch McConnell. I want them here at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. We have run out of time & they are going to have to explain to me how it is that we are going to avoid default…The only bottom line that I have is that we have to extend this debt ceiling through the next election…”
VINCENT
July 26th, 2011
4:09 pm
gm = marta train prophet
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
Filter
For what it is worth, I saw an article the other day, can’t remember where, that gave figures about regulations added. The Federal Register is where federal government regulations are compounded. The number of pages added under the Obama Regime dwarfs all those added by Dubyah and Slick Willie and he has barely started. They may have to add a wing on the Library of Congress to hold the Obama additions.
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
4:13 pm
Linda, I liked his “We ain’t going back” speech, I’m sure that one is number 6, right?
Filter
July 26th, 2011
4:24 pm
RH,
I’m going to confine my comments to the Dodd-Frank bill as that is what we are discussing.
True to my libertarian leanings I am normally opposed to any sort of government regulation but there are circumstances in which government has to step in, particularly in situations where there is a large disparity in bargaining power between parties to a “contract” and in situation where an action (or a set of organizational actions) is a danger to the republic as a whole. In terms of the financial market the lack of oversight was endemic to the cause of many, not all but many, of the issues that lead to our near financial meltdown. In situations like these would you prefer to continue to allow the abuses that lead to the crisis to continue in lieu of further regulation
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
4:41 pm
Filter
If the banks had not had an Uncle Sucker to pass off those bad loans to, they would not have made the loan. They were in a no lose position, make a bad loan and you are guaranteed a profit, by selling it to the Gov. Give Fannie and Freddie more regs and leave the private sector alone, they were just trying to make a buck, while operating in bizaro world.
Junior Samples
July 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
We like our President.
We didn’t think he could fix everything the previous President did overnight. Then the republican grandstanding appeared, fueled by the tea party fringe. You guys laid down with dogs, and now we all have fleas. Great, thanks a lot.
If we expired the Bush Tax Cuts, we’d be back on track already. But no. The republicans stomped their feet and held their breath. If your last guy wasn’t such an idiot (and had to pay everyone to keep them from finding out, i.e.tax cuts), our guy wouldn’t have to bail out everything to keep this ship from sinking. But it’s the new guys fault now… Right, we still remember. Good luck finding anyone worthy of running a close race against him.
So far you got nothing. And that’s what scares you the most.
Tommy Maddox
July 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
LOL!
Stevie Ray
July 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
Not surprising that the country is living well beyond it’s means which seems to be a common cultural theme. If you assume any promise of spending cuts over 10 years will materialize, I personally would not mind paying more taxes as currently, government gets fractional value from every dollar spent, borrowed or not. It’s akin to using one credit card to pay off the balance of another while. In addition the the $14 trillion issue, social security and medicare will require $70 trillion for promises to be kept. Tax increases alone will come nowhere near getting us outta this mess…. All in Washington care about one thing and one thing only….re-election.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
5:07 pm
Remember back during the campaign when the Idiot Messiah and his receptacles were bragging about how the Wall Street types were donating more cash to his campaign than to McCain’s?
Haven’t heard much about that lately, have we?
Idiot Messiah: Hypocrite.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
Junior Samples: We like our President.
——————
You might, but Americans don’t.
Still waiting for your Idiot Messiah to fix anything Bush did wrong.
Stevie Ray
July 26th, 2011
5:13 pm
Does assigning blame or allegations of racism contribute to a solution to the issues?
Who knows what the numbers really look like? “The most heated controversies are about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way…”
Politics can fix the problem so I expect things to get worse before better…
gm
July 26th, 2011
5:25 pm
Amazing when George W raised the debt ceiling 7 times, the hypocrites on the right were not concern about the grand kids or the future, when Bush spent 4 trillion not a word, this is why the tea party idiots have no crediblity with the real Americans that love their country.
Most of the Anti Obama haters continue to say he is going to lose in 2012, but you can not name a single Rep candidate you have confidence in thats going to beat him, so stop wishful thinking.
Please stop looking at fox stupid news””””
Repub Jokes
July 26th, 2011
5:27 pm
What a bunch of hypocritical moronic CONS on this blog. They are clamoring for smaller government, budget cuts, and still choose to piss and moan about the unemployment rate. If you have noticed, or if you read/listed to something other than your talking heads, you would see that private jobs have increased, but it the government is shedding jobs. These are your GOOD OL REPUB policies at work! Let’s whittle the government down to nothing, with our already curmbling infrastructure, and see just how many of these job-creating companies exit the US altogether. Your chickens are coming home to roost – so stop complaining.
gm
July 26th, 2011
5:31 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout
I rather have a muslim that pratice Sharia Law living next to me then you and the sean hannity of the world, at least they have respect for their country and their leaders, you and the tea party people are the worst Americans we have had in this country since the Klan was founded.
retiredds
July 26th, 2011
5:42 pm
This makes for an interesting insight into the Republican smoke screen,
House Speaker John Boehner often attacks the spendthrift ways of Washington.
“In Washington, more spending and more debt is business as usual,” the Republican leader from Ohio said in a televised address yesterday amid debate over the U.S. debt. “I’ve got news for Washington – those days are over.”
Yet the speaker, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell all voted for major drivers of the nation’s debt during the past decade: Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts and Medicare prescription drug benefits. They also voted for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, that rescued financial institutions and the auto industry.
Together, a Bloomberg News analysis shows, these initiatives added $3.4 trillion to the nation’s accumulated debt and to its current annual budget deficit of $1.5 trillion. — Bloomberg, Jul 26
real American
July 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
Rafe Hollister
I guess unemployment and people losing their homes just started under Obama? I guess thats why he fighting for medicade and health ins for the poor because he cares only for his self? you people are crazy ””’
Filter
July 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
RH,
While the lending issues were a part of the problems responded to by Dodd-Frank they were just that, only a part of the problem. A larger issue, one that actually had more to do with the credit collapse was derivative swaps. It’s easy I suppose to point to the ease of which some people obtained loans for which they were clearly not qualified as the bugaboo that made the house of cards fall because its more accessible but the real demon here was unfettered abuse by people in the banking industry and a total lack of oversight from anyone.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
gm: I rather have a muslim that pratice Sharia Law living next to me then you
————————-
You obviously don’t know much about Sharia Law if that’s the case.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
6:20 pm
Democrats Suddenly Regret Voting Against Raising the Debt Ceiling Under President Bush
Over the next few weeks, as Congress approaches its next big budget fight — the vote to raise the debt ceiling — many Democrats are going to find themselves in an uncomfortable position. As Republicans threaten to withhold support for raising the ceiling unless the Democrats make spending concessions, Democrats will inevitably climb up on their high horses and exhort them to refrain from playing politics with such an important issue. “This is not the time for games,” some wrinkly old white Democrat will say, then rightly point out that “the entire economy is at stake.”
What he won’t mention is that in March of 2006, under President George W. Bush, when Democrats were in the senate minority, then-senator Barack Obama voted against raising the debt ceiling. So did every single one of his Democrat colleagues.
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/04/democrats_suddenly_regret_voti.html
————————————
I guess Obozo only voted against raising the debt ceiling when a white guy was President.
Obozo: Racist.
Linda
July 26th, 2011
6:22 pm
Rafe@4:10, The article you read the other day regarding onerous regulations was probably the site I posted in a comment. It this it?
http://blackfootjournal.com/?p=6739
Linda
July 26th, 2011
6:29 pm
The Dodd-Frank bill did absolutely nothing to prevent another economic crisis. It addressed nothing that was broken.
MarkV
July 26th, 2011
6:30 pm
Linda @3:58 pm:
Linda, are you at least embarrased by the sophomoric stupidity of your comparing Obama’a adress (and really only a small piece of it) with some great speeches? Don’t you think one could find an endless number of inanities in small excerpts of any of your favorite politicians?
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
6:44 pm
Note that the truly great speeches didn’t require a teleprompter. The speakers were intelligent enough and passionate enough to SPEAK, not READ. Your Idiot Messiah pees his pants and starts talking about “spreading the wealth” when he doesn’t have his crutch to lean on. Makes his handlers nervous!
Rafe Hollister
July 26th, 2011
6:47 pm
Linda, the one I read gave specific pages added by Clinton, Bush and Obama. This one is good as well.
Filter, I agree with you on the derivities, but Dodd-Frank does much more than reign in derivities, much of it destructive to the economy. BTW, read the article in Linda’s post.
real American, no it did not start with Barry, he has just made it worse. Unemployment when Bush was president, was less than 6%, now 9.2%, much worse in minority community.
My work here is done for now, I eating dinner while I can still afford a good dinner. Chow, yall!
MarkV
July 26th, 2011
6:51 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout in an embarrassment to the human race; fortunately, his excretions can be simply ignored..
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
7:00 pm
You couldn’t.
Tundra Dude
July 26th, 2011
7:11 pm
Linda@6:29
The Dodd-Frank bill did absolutely nothing to prevent another economic crisis. It addressed nothing that was broken.
The (Wall Street indentured) Red party will see to it that there’s no meaningful reforms.
from: Bloomberg 07-11-11
Dodd-Frank Act Forcing Banks to Slim Down,Reshape Swaps: One Year Later
(snipped)
House Republicans, swept into power in the November elections, are pushing bills to revise, delay or repeal parts of the law including the consumer bureau, derivatives rules and the registration requirements for private equity advisors.
“Many people think that not much has happened because so much of it is delayed and behind schedule,” said Roy C. Smith, a finance professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business. “That is not the case. In fact, the statute has pretty powerful provisions in it with respect to regulating systemic risks.”
Linda
July 26th, 2011
7:19 pm
Why is it that people on these blogs who have the grammar/writing skills of third graders, the manners of federal prison guards & the cognitive ability of pets still support Obama?
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
7:33 pm
Doesn’t that question sort of answer itself, Linda?
Linda
July 26th, 2011
7:34 pm
MarkV@6:30, I’m not embarrassed. I’m proud.
I’m not a sophomore. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from one of the largest universities in the Southeastern US.
I’m hardly stupid, but can recognize same.
I heard O’s speech as did millions of Americans & here it is in its entirety. It gets worse during the question & answer session.
http://www.shallownation.com/2011/07/22/president-obama-debt-ceiling-speech-video-july-22-2011-press-conference-on-budget-deficit-talks/
Inanities? O is the winner.
HDB
July 26th, 2011
7:34 pm
Linda
July 26th, 2011
7:19 pm
Why is it that people on these blogs who have the logical capabilities of neanderthals, the cognitive ability of pets, the economic losses of millions still support Republicans???
Note how many people have LOST economic capability under Republican Administrations?? 401(k)s mean anything to you??
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
7:40 pm
George W. Bush never allowed unemployment to rise to 8%, much less 9% or 10%.
Under the Obozo regime, it’s the new normal.
Lost economic capability, anyone?
HDB
July 26th, 2011
7:46 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
7:40 pm
Recheck things, LBB…..many LOST economic capability under GWB….particularly those who were affected by 9/.11!!! I PERSONALLY lost an upper 5-figure job two weeks after 9/11 and was unemployed for over two years! Many did not recover until Obama’s election! Personally, I made it back to mid-5-figures under Obama…..but couldn’t get there under GWB!!
Lost economic capability….YES!!
Before you conjure up the “parasitical” thought….I am college educated, married, AND a minority!! Remember: it’s a recession when someone else loses a job….it’s a DEPRESSION when you lose yours!!
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
8:00 pm
Wishful thinking, HDB. We have a smaller percentage of people employed under Obozo than at any time since the Great Depression, and that happened on Obozo’s watch due to Obozo’s failed policies. More one food stamps. More on welfare.
Obozo’s the worst since FDR on unemployment and folks taking handouts.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
8:01 pm
Oh, and your Idiot Messiah’s failures only cost us $800 billion in his non-stimulus plan.
John Konop
July 26th, 2011
8:01 pm
It is Time
Both deals proposed by the GOP HOUSE and Reid avoids the tough choices we as country need to make ASAP. Both plans avoid the real spending cut issues with entitlements and military that is the key to balancing the budget.
As far as taxes we can not afford to tax at a federal 14% rate when we know 18% of GDP has been proven to be the ideal rate. And for anyone not to support fixing loopholes and subsides to fix this problem is irrational. I remember when conservatives use to be against picking winners and losers with the tax code.
I realize bending cost curve on healthcare will be tough on many. Yet we cannot keep taking 1 dollar and keep spending 3 dollars on Medicare. We cannot avoid dealing with tough issues like end of life cost, higher co-pays, less elective coverage if at all, negotiated drug prices……….
I realize many will be hurt by rising the age on social security eligibility based on life expectancy. But this tough call must be made. And I do think a national sales tax to replace FICA would soften the blow and create more jobs.
While I know this deal is not perfect, I do think the gang of 6 compromises is a great first step and all of you no matter what side, should reach out to your congressman. This is the only plan that attempts to deal with the above key issues. And if we do not get a real plan and only band aides proposed by the GOP HOUSE and Reid we will all pay for this mistake. Interest rate increases will have major affects on the economy from consumer spending, jobs, housing………
It is time to act like adults and stop playing politics. Please call and do not be fooled by the politics.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 26th, 2011
8:14 pm
Inordinate self-regard is an occupational hazard of politics and part of the job description of the rhetorical presidency, this incessant tutor. Still, upon what meat doth this our current Caesar feed that he has grown so great that he presumes to command leaders of a coequal branch of government? He once boasted (June 3, 2008) that he could influence the oceans’ rise; he must be disabused of comparable delusions about controlling Congress.
Our little Nero, the tard.
HDB
July 26th, 2011
8:34 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
8:00 pm
Not wishful, LBB….experienced!! Many people that I know are beginning to financially recover from the Bush Decade (finally, I’m one of them!). Granted, it’s not as it should be….but for many, the recession HAS been arrested!!
Also…..it takes anywhere from 18-24 months for major political changes to take effect….and in adverse economic times, it can take longer!! If real, democratic policies HAD taken effect rather than pseudo-capitulation to GOP politics, then the nation could be back on a path towards prosperity! Return to the Clinton tax rates, close the corporate loopholes that allow businesses to offshore employment……that’d be a start!!
Linda
July 26th, 2011
9:09 pm
HDB@ 7:34, Before I address your comment, let me tell you that my father never walked a step in his life. He was deformed. He never expected nor received a dime from the govt., until he retired & received SS. He could not afford a wheelchair until he was 40. He was a hero in our hometown. He never met anyone who was not deserving. My former family & my current family help people.
What you do not understand is that the Dem. Party is using blacks & poor people to advance their agenda. How long will it be before you wise up to the fact that the Dems. are using blacks & poor people to gain power? God would not have created black people in this skin just to see them suffer & fail.
Your ancestors did not sacrifice their lives in pursuit of freedom only to become enslaved in 2011. Now, in 2011, O, a black man is propagating govt. as our new “master.” He’s polished & refined, but he is no less deliberate & agenda-driven. Just because O is a black man does not mean that blacks & whites are not slowly & unwittingly being enslaved. Blacks & poor people need to stop looking to the GOV for whatever they do not get from GOD. Only then can they realize the power they have to make a difference in this nation & the world & put an end to the slippery slope of socialism which is what O is furthering.
There is absolutely NO indication that anyone lost any economic capability under Rep. adms. vs. Dem. adms.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 26th, 2011
9:23 pm
Obama’s ‘jobs czar’ moving X-ray business to China
Bloomberg News / July 26, 2011
General Electric Co.’s health care unit, the world’s biggest maker of medical imaging machines, is moving its 115-year-old X-ray business to Beijing.
“A handful’’ of top managers will move to the Chinese capital, said Anne LeGrand, general manager of X-ray for GE Healthcare. The headquarters will move from Wisconsin amid a broader plan to invest about $2 billion across China, including opening six “customer innovation’’ and development centers.
—————————–
Fail.
Linda
July 26th, 2011
9:48 pm
Lil’ Barry, Go to Kyle’s blog last night & see how I defended you & get back with me.
HDB
July 27th, 2011
4:23 am
Linda
July 26th, 2011
9:09 pm
You must have missed the report from Pew showing that wealth declined in this nation over the past decade…and the wealth gap between whites and minority is the GREATEST in history at 20:1! Economic capability HAS declined under Republican Administrations….particularly the Bush Administration! Lest you forget history; look what it took for ethnic minorities to be CONSIDERED a part of the American fabric! Last HIRED — FIRST FIRED!
What YOU do not understand is that the Republican Party is using blacks & poor people to advance their agenda: the destruction of the social contract and safety net. How long will it be before you wise up to the fact that the Republicans are using blacks & poor people to maintain wealth and power?
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 27th, 2011
8:00 am
HDB: If real, democratic policies HAD taken effect rather than pseudo-capitulation to GOP politics, then the nation could be back on a path towards prosperity! Return to the Clinton tax rates, close the corporate loopholes that allow businesses to offshore employment……that’d be a start!!
——–
I’d love to hear you explain how higher taxes lead to prosperity. Taking from the more creative, more productive private sector slows growth and lowers wages.
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 27th, 2011
8:03 am
Linda, I’m sorry if you thought I was criticizing. I merely suggested that the answer to your question was self evident (i.e. Ignorant voters)!
HDB
July 27th, 2011
10:31 am
Lil’ Barry Bailout
July 27th, 2011
8:00 am
Seems as if you’ve forgotten your history!
1) Greatest periods of economic growth in the nation:
a) Period after WW2 – nation was paying for the war, the GI Bill, American industry was growing…tax rate under Eisenhower: 91%
b) Clinton Years: Nation was at full employment, dot-com and real estate booms: tax rate: 39%
2) Least periods of economic growth:
a) Reagan/Bush Years: Taxes cut….three recessions; Reagan raised taxes three times…nation began economic rebound.
b) Bush43: Taxes cut – two wars financed with borrowed money; 9/11, recessions (2), massive job losses…tax rate: 35%
GDP increases when the government collects the necessary revenue to meet its obligations…and puts money into the economic system! Look at the vendors to the government…from defense to operations…….so the government spends money IN the private sector, thereby allowing the private sector to expand!! There IS a correlation!!