Poll Position: How much of a candidate’s life is fair game?

A day after President Obama endorsed the concept of same-sex marriage (but, notably, no policies to legalize it), the Washington Post reported that, as a teenager in boarding school, Mitt Romney once forcibly cut the longish hair of a fellow classmate who was “presumed” to be gay. The story has since been found to have a number of problems: Two sisters of the alleged victim (who died several years ago) claim the depiction of him is “factually incorrect,” and one says she had never heard of the incident (which, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t happen); one of the Romney classmates quoted about the incident now says he didn’t actually witness it.

As if to confirm that juvenile behavior by juveniles is not a partisan issue, a blogger soon posted an excerpt from Obama’s “Dreams From My Father” in which he describes behaving rudely toward an unpopular female classmate. (The posted excerpts don’t refer to his age at the time, but the reference by Obama to her being in “my grade” suggests to me that he was in elementary or middle school.)

But the overriding question is: Does anyone care what presidential candidates did as youths?

How far back should the press go in vetting presidential candidates?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Maybe one’s college years are relevant. Or maybe, since voters in 1992 looked past Bill Clinton’s youthful use of marijuana and avoidance of the military draft, those years aren’t all that important.

Maybe what matters is not so much the age of an incident, but its relevance to their fitness for office. So, maybe long-discontinued substance abuse is off-limits, given the track record of the past three presidents — Clinton (marijuana), George W. Bush (alcohol; there are also unsubstantiated allegations that he used cocaine) and Obama (marijuana, cocaine) — but other actions, even as a youth, might be fair game.

This is not a one-time dilemma: In the past weeks, we’ve seen partisans trade barbs about how Romney treated the family dog on vacations decades ago — only for some, in response, to point out that Obama, again in “Dreams From My Father,” admitted to eating dog as a youth in Indonesia.

As a journalist, I’m inclined to think the press should report what it finds and let voters decide what’s important. But, given the blowback for some of the things that have been reported, I’m genuinely interested in what readers think about the boundaries of vetting. So here’s this week’s Poll Position question: How far back should the press look in vetting presidential candidates? Answer in the nearby poll and the comments thread below.

– By Kyle Wingfield

Find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

175 comments Add your comment

1961_Xer

May 11th, 2012
11:11 am

1961_Xer

May 11th, 2012
11:15 am

If the candidate killed someone or stole cars or has a really horrible skeleton, then it’s fair game. But I really don’t care about playground fights, rolling yards, fender benders, etc of candidates as children (and maybe even up through college).

This is all nothing more than liberal media Kabuki theatre on the childhood lives of Republican candidates in order to take attention away from the real issues.

Becky

May 11th, 2012
11:29 am

You also conveniently leave out Mitten’s age of 18. Old enough to be drafted, old enough to be charged with assault.

InAtl

May 11th, 2012
11:31 am

I don’t consider childhood relevant, but high school possibly may be. The story about Romney though is beyond partisan smearing, especially in light of the absence of any media investigation of Obama’s past. Nobody knows what his grades were, how he paid for school, what his papers were about. Extremely strange lack of curiosity on the part of those who claim to be reporting whatever is “news” on the candidates.

getalife

May 11th, 2012
11:33 am

Well, you cons attacked our President’s childhood and family so it is fair game.

Karma.

Hillbilly D

May 11th, 2012
11:33 am

Put me squarely in the “is it relevant” camp. Most of these stories are just some media person with an ax to grind against one candidate or the other. Then it gets on these blogs and becomes, “yeah, but your guy did even worse”. It’s like the old “he started it” thing that kids do. My parents had an excellent solution to that when I was growing up; everybody got their butt beat, so we quickly figured out it was better to just settle things on our own.

None of the stories that Kyle mentioned in this column, about Romney or Obama, rise to that level for me. As has been mentiond, it’s just deflection from things that need to be talked about.

The dueling dog stories are the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. First off, for the life of me, I can’t see the big deal about putting a dog in a cage, on top of a car. Where else are you going to put it? Second off, I have no desire to eat a dog but some folks in some parts of the world do eat dogs. Unless you’re a vegetarian, you really don’t have much room to talk.

A little common sense and judgement go a long way and they are sadly lacking in today’s “journalism”.

Class of '98

May 11th, 2012
11:42 am

I think it is patently absurd to make an issue out of this. I don’t care if Romney bullied someone 40 years ago, and I don’t care that Obama may have eaten dog 40 years ago.

It has nothing to do with either’s fitness to be President of the United States.

Human beings tend to change just a bit between high school and mature adulthood at 40, 50, 60 years old.

Becky

May 11th, 2012
11:44 am

I imagine this whole story would have gone away quicker if Willard hadn’t been caught in another lie. Just own up to it, apologize and be done. Can’t even man up enough to offer a simple apology. And you want him leading the country? Not a chance.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
11:45 am

Self indulgent crimes such as substance abuse differs from “devilment” or mean sprited crimes against others. In this case you decide, I’m sure most can rationalize most anything.

Road Scholar

May 11th, 2012
11:46 am

I wonder if he “bullied ” any of the companies he picked apart? Oh that’s capitalism!

ByteMe

May 11th, 2012
11:51 am

I don’t think this particular instance of assault and illegal restraint are the problem with Romney.

The problem is that when he recalls layoffs at one of his Dad’s factories, he laughs.

Obama: He may be from Kenya, but at least he’s human.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:00 pm

We should be much more concerned with more recent events, such as Idipt Klown Obozo and his enemies list made up of Americans whose biggest sin is having contributed to a candidate running against him.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304070304577396412560038208.html

Obozo: Fascist.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
12:04 pm

MuchAdo about nothing. 6 months from now, after Romney wins the election no one will remember this. Just more crybaby/junk reporting from the left.

Becky

May 11th, 2012
12:05 pm

and the asshats have arrived to shut down the comments on your blog Kyle. You really need to do some policing, this is why your hits keeps dwindling. I’m gone, others will follow me.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:07 pm

Obozo receptacles have forgotten what it means to be an American. They think it’s OK for the president to use his campaign and other resources available to him to harass private citizens.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:08 pm

Screen door, meet Becky’s hind quarters.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
12:11 pm

Bye Becky and dont come back.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
12:12 pm

“Fair game” just like other terms being used today like “bullying”, are ever-evolving and only relevant to the decidedly liberal media and their slobbering minions.

Evidence the remark by Becky, who has now taken what many of us would have considered a harmless prank even 20 short years ago, and turned it into a felony crime. Entirely for her convenience, and completely ignoring the alternative view of the man’s own family which at least calls the incident into question.

In the namby-pamby liberal world, “teasing” has turned into “bullying” which has evolved into “assault”; regardless of any facts surrounding any incident. That’s because with folks like Becky, there needs to be government protection in every facet of our lives. No more playing on those monkey-bars, they might be dangerous (and of course the term monkey-bars is now racist as well). So now that we’ve cancelled out play and have become sedentary, let’s have government ban sweets and other junk food because our kids are getting fat!

“Fair game” is also evolving as a term. It’s fair game to go after a conservative or a Republican for his/her past indiscretions, but not fair to after a liberal or a Democrat. The Washington Post had a three-page spread starting on their front page regarding one Romney incident that now cannot be verified (Ben Bradlee should be ashamed of his paper), yet no such “investigation” can be found regarding Obama and Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers or Tony Reszko in 2008.

And let’s not discount the timing of this particular “news story”. Even Eugene Robinson of the WaPo said that no three-page story could ever have been written, researched and approved for publication in less than one day, which is exactly the timing of this story. Obviously, this Romney-assaulting-a-gay-guy (who nobody knew was gay, but don’t let facts get in the way) story was waiting for some pro-gay story to come out from Obama’s camp in order to further display the great divide between GOP extremism and Democrat reason.

How many headlines have been written about Romney “flip-flopping” on various issues, yet when Obama comes out and changes his view on gay marriage, his views have “evolved”. My God, the fawning sycophants in the media couldn’t wait to anoint him one again with “courageous” and “principled” and “honorable” for his own personal flip-flop, even when it took a gaffe by his Vice President to nudge him towards that “courageous” decision. Just as it took him over 21 hours (and some military leaders now say maybe 6 months) for him to decide to actually give the order to take out Bin Laden.

So if you’re a conservative, the operative terms for the media to use are:

1.Fair game
2.Flip-flop
3.Indecisive
4.Assault or bullying

If you’re a liberal, the media will use the following terms:

1.Cheap attack
2.Evolving
3.Courageous
4.Harmless prank or youthful indiscretion

I hope this clears up all the questions brought up in Kyle’s column. :)

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:18 pm

absence of any media investigation of Obama’s past.

That’s total BS. The fact they haven’t found anything substantial doesn’t mean they haven’t looked. You think the media vetted every President up till now and decided to just give this one a pass?

This is like yokels and the birth certificate – thinking vetters just let this one pass and didn’t do their homework is ludicrous.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:20 pm

Just the distraction du jour.

Democrat Obozo receptacles want to talk about anything other than issues of actual importance.

No wonder–they’re desperate to prop up the worst pResident ever.

Obozo: Loser.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:23 pm

harmless prank

A noogy is a harmelss prank
A wedgie is a harmless prank

He took scissors to the guy’s hair???? What if he had taken scissors to a girls hair….or dress?

Of course, what do you expect from the “waterboarding is a recreational activity” crowd?

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:23 pm

That’s total BS. The fact they haven’t found anything substantial doesn’t mean they haven’t looked.
——-

I’d think that associating with communists and domestic terrorists might be juuuust a bit more deserving of a three page WaPo story than a bogus, discredited tale of high school antics.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:25 pm

He took scissors to the guy’s hair????
———

No, according to his sisters.

You bought the Duke lacrosse story too, didn’t you?

Sucker.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:28 pm

the worst pResident ever.

Would it kill you cons to come up with something original for a change?

Van Jones

May 11th, 2012
12:28 pm

I once pooped my diaper as a young toddler. I hope I don’t have to run for office.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
12:29 pm

“The fact they haven’t found anything substantial doesn’t mean they haven’t looked.”

And cutting off the long hair of someone in the ’60’s attending a prep school is “substantial”, Finn?

Really?

Is getting the legally-sealed divorce records of two of your opponents illegally leaked considered by you to be “substantial’?

Where’s the three-page story on Obama’s cocaine dealer? Oh, right. Youthful indiscretion. Never mind.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:29 pm

Obozo: “Sometimes I forget the magnitude of the recession”

Wow. Just wow.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:31 pm

I’d think that associating with communists and domestic terrorists might be juuuust a bit more deserving

LOL, that is 4-5 years old. Guess what? the American people didn’t think it substantial enough! Mwuahahahaha

But you post an excellent example of what you “think” has zip to do with most of the population of this country. Off in your own world there, pal.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
12:33 pm

“What if he had taken scissors to a girls hair….or dress?”

Deflection.

And creative fiction.

Is that all you’ve got, Finn? Really?

Did you grow up in the ’60’s, Finn, or have you always been this effeminate?

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:34 pm

Don’t be so dense, Finn. Lamestream media barely touched on it, and some never did.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
12:35 pm

“the sycophants in the American MEDIA didn’t think it substantial enough!”

Fixed your typo, Finn.

No thanks needed.

clyde

May 11th, 2012
12:35 pm

Vetting goes back to the candidates birth certificate,normally,so I guess just about everything is in play.I’m a big boy.After it’s reported,I’ll decide what’s relevant.

Rafe Hollister

May 11th, 2012
12:37 pm

The story here to me is that you expect Romney stories to come out, as this is the first time in the national media glare. What everyone misses is that the Oblama stories are being exposed for the first time as well.

Conservatives all knew that he had not been vetted the first time, but the irony seems lost on the MSM. People are finding things in his two books and folks are asking, why didn’t we know that already. Youda thunk someone in the press would have taken time to read the books the first time, but they were so enthralled with the tingle running up their leg when the great orator spoke, that they paid no attention to his track record.

In one of his books he says he was always attracted to the Marxist professors and was fascinated about a Marxist society. When I tell people that, they look at me like I’m making stuff up.

As far as how far back we look, I agree with the after school when they enter real life. All of us, had limited exposure to the real world while in school and had not totally formed our character and morals.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:39 pm

Hehehehe

“De whole wide world is agin us conservatives! Won’t nobody believe our stories?”

“whaaaaaaaaaa”

reebok

May 11th, 2012
12:40 pm

The answer to the headline question is simple, at least for Fox News…if you are a Democrat, everything is fair game and lies and rumors will be reported as established facts. If you are a Republican, everything is off-limits, and any reporting is either hate-mongering, desperation, or class warfare. Everyone have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Ted

May 11th, 2012
12:41 pm

Romney’s worst is so much better than most people’s bottom 50%.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:42 pm

Yeah, Rafe, all those millions of dollars from all those scared conservatives in 2008 and no one thought, “Hey, maybe we ought to investigate this guy!”

Ya think?

What new stuff have we learned about BO this month?

Ya’ll keep on pining for the fjords. You’ll see them some day. I promise.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:43 pm

well said, Reebok.

“Keepen yer hands offen my candeedate”

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:47 pm

Hate to break it to ya, Finn and reebok, but the Romney story is on Fox News. The difference is, on Fox News, so is the alleged victim’s sisters debunking of the story.

Fair and Balanced. Doesn’t that just p*** you off?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:54 pm

The victim’s sister was there when it happened? No? Oh…

but 5 guys in separate stories say pretty much the same thing?

Fair and Balanced? Hehehehehe.

You are a laugh track, Li’l Barry!

jconservative

May 11th, 2012
12:54 pm

This is how I remember it.

Going to to Nixon, presidential candidates pretty much got a pass from the press. Eisenhower’s alledged affair did not see a word in print. Ditto Kennedy.

Then Nixon and Watergate and the coverup. Most of the national press let it pass. The WaPo did not and we had a president resign.

Then the press said to itself, gee we let Nixon off and the WaPo wins all the awards. We will not do that again. So the press became more militant, if that is the correct word, towards anyone in public office.

Then came the internet, the blogs and the 1 hour news cycle. Everything became fair game.

Oh, did you hear that Bachmann no longer wants to be Swiss?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
12:56 pm

The difference is, on Fox News, so is the alleged victim’s sisters debunking of the story.

“The difference is, I can’t tell the difference between a first hand account and a second hand account. So one is usually considered more substantial than the other? Seriously? Whoda thunk it?”

Lil Barry, where are the 5 guys who were there when it happened? When do they go on Fox News to give us some of that “Fair and Balanced” reporting we’ve come to expect from Fox News?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:01 pm

When Fox brings on just 2 – two(2) – of the 5 guys that were there, then we can begin to think Fox is showing both sides of the story.

Notta gonna happen…..

Apples and Oranges

May 11th, 2012
1:03 pm

Very skillful attempt at a false equivalency Kyle. Obama was the person who wrote about his experience with the girl and expressed it as a growing experience. With Romney, someone else brought it up and he deployed the Herman Cain crisis management method….1) Claim he does not remember the incident, 2) apologize in a vague sort of manner and 3) state no disagreement with the reports and apologize even more specifically as the media attention grew.

Also, it has been awhile since I last visited your blog, but I recall you banning people that took the discussion off topic…..liberals that is. You seem to have no issues with the non-sensical and non-topical ravings of your fanboy Lil’Barry. I am with Becky…..I will leave you in the echo chamber you so desire.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:03 pm

Finn, here’s the actual story, as opposed to your version. This is how being able to look at both sides is educational and illuminating.

Five guys in separate stories pretty much say the same thing.

One of those guys wasn’t even there, but heard about it through a third-party.

The family of the “victim” never heard about it, implying the incident wasn’t a very big thing to him, but did admit that no one knew their brother was gay until after he came out years later.

So be truthful, Finn (if that’s even possible for you), does this rise to the level of a three-page spread in the WaPo timed to come out after a pro-gay story by Obama, implying that Romney might have assaulted a gay guy who nobody knew was gay at the time by cutting his long hair back in the ’60’s?

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:05 pm

$1.5 trillion deficits every year.

Nearly four years of 8-10% unemployment.

Record numbers of folks on welfare.

Two million fewer jobs than in January 2009.

In case you’ve forgotten.

Obozo has.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
1:05 pm

Rich kids get away with stuff others don’t.

ragnar danneskjold

May 11th, 2012
1:05 pm

I would be concerned if a candidate were a 30 year old who drove an automobile off a bridge killing a young woman who was not his wife. I would be concerned if a candidate were the state attorney general, and used his authority to quash a rape investigation. I would be concerned if a candidate defrauded a 100 year old woman in order to obtain funds to pay hush money to the mother-of-a-child not the wife of the candidate.

I do not care about alleged high school misbehavior involving people now dead. I think the obvious lack of judgment in the press usually reflects political bias of the editors.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:06 pm

So, Tiberius’ “actual story” is that it’s all a big left wing conspiracy!

It’s Obama’s fault, America! Obama made Mitt bully that guy 40 years ago! Just like he called ahead to Hawaii the year he was born and asked Hawaii to set him up a birth certificate!

mwuahahahahaha

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:07 pm

“When Fox brings on just 2 – two(2) – of the 5 guys that were there, then we can begin to think Fox is showing both sides of the story.”

So Fox has to bring on at least 2 guys to corroborate a story they have already corroborated in the WaPo (when no one is claiming the story isn’t true about the hair-cutting incident), but the WaPo had no obligation to follow-up with the guy’s family, Finn?

Where did you get your degree in journalism, son?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:08 pm

This is why the right has no substantial answer for Media Matters – you folks can’t tell the difference between good reporting and bad reporting. WaPo grills 4-5 people who were in the room when the event occurred. Your news channel doesn’t talk to them, no, they bring in the victim’s sister! Was she even alive when it happened?

Ok, I must quit rolling on the floor in laughter……oh, I can’t…..too funny…..side is splitin’….

David Granger

May 11th, 2012
1:09 pm

I think all of a candidate’s life is fair game, especially if their actions prove them to be hypocrites to what they’ve always preached.
If Larry Craig is a lifelong opponent of gay rights, and then is caught soliciting gay sex in a bathroom…he’s a hypocrite, and fair game to all criticism.
If Hillary Clinton has always supported NOW’s contention that sex between a powerful man and an intern cannot possibly be consensual because of the power difference…but then covers her husband’s sorry ass for exactly that, even to the point of trying to blame it on a righ-wing conspiracy instead of her husband’s actions…she’s a bhypocrite, and fair game to all criticism.
If Mitt Romney’s school actions show lack of character, that’s fair game for criticism.
If Barack Obama’s school actions show that he once claimed NOT to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for special admissions consideration and for scholarships only available to legal aliens, then that’s fair game for criticism. And he’s fair game for criticism for spending such large amounts to try and keep those records out of the public purview, unlike all other recent candidates in both parties who released their complete academic records.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:12 pm

Spending $1.5 trillion more than taxpayers pay in every year is perhaps just a tad more important than a candidates high school antics.

Right, Finn?

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:12 pm

Finn, I’d say grow up, but that would be wasted advice for you.

Your claiming that I feel it is Obama’s fault is not only incorrect, but is another deflection on your part.

I have succinctly re-stated the story in question with all the relevant materials, which you just happen to ignore. That I can succinctly re-state this story in just three lines shows how ridiculous this has become. That you cannot see the irrelevance of the story is not a surprise to me.

JDW

May 11th, 2012
1:12 pm

or once I agree with Kyle…”I’m inclined to think the press should report what it finds and let voters decide what’s important. ” I would prefer that the stories be properly researched and factual but with the rise of the Internet that has gone by the boards.

As for Mittens, if he was indeed a high school bully that is likely relevant, particularly if that pattern continued throughout his life. My guess is that we will see that case presented as the campaign wears on. Even more telling is his response. Seems a bit dodgy to me…I agree with Maxwell…

“He says he doesn’t remember it and I find it difficult to believe,” Maxwell said in a telephone interview. “It’s unfortunate that Mitt simply hasn’t owned up to his behavior,” he added.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/11/romneys-former-classmate-you-have-to-take-it-into-account/?hpt=hp_t2>

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:14 pm

If Barack Obama’s school actions show that he once claimed NOT to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for special admissions consideration and for scholarships only available to legal aliens, then that’s fair game for criticism.
——–

Finn thinks you’re making that up, because there was no three page story in the WaPo.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:16 pm

Finn, The good Fairy needs to get out of him moms basement, get into his 1972 Ford Econoline, visit Woodruff Park and bring home a van full of those those poor, poor, wonderul, loving homeless victims.

C’mon Finn!! Take them out for a nice meal and let them sleep at your place with you and mom.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:19 pm

Breitbart: WASHINGTON POST CHANGES STORY, DOESN’T ADMIT ERROR

The original copy:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public school teacher and has long been bothered by the Lauber incident. “But I was not the brunt of any of his pranks.”
The changed copy, my emphasis:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public school teacher and said he has been “disturbed” by the Lauber incident since hearing about it several weeks ago, before being contacted by the Washington Post. “But I was not the brunt of any of his pranks.”
We appreciate the correction and would have appreciated it even more if the Washington Post had alerted its readers to the change. 
——–

Oopsies!

getalife

May 11th, 2012
1:19 pm

Wait until they get to daddy’s cult complex in Mexico.

You ain’t seen nothing yet cons.

Planet kolob and magic underwear.

Edward

May 11th, 2012
1:20 pm

How many Republicans toe-tap in public bathrooms? That’s all newsworthy.

Edward

May 11th, 2012
1:21 pm

LBB: isn’t Breitbart rotting in a hole somewhere?

getalife

May 11th, 2012
1:23 pm

Yeah, cons want big government in our bedrooms.

They want you to pee in a cup.

They cut food stamps and health care so children are tortured before they are aborted.

getalife

May 11th, 2012
1:25 pm

Why do cons cut food stamps and health care for children?

Military waste of course.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:26 pm

Obozo has added $285 million to the debt since Kyle posted this story.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:26 pm

Finn McStool needs to stay on bookmans blog where his antics, inaccuracies and lack of detail is appreciated.

getalife

May 11th, 2012
1:28 pm

We balanced our budget before.

Then the gop blew it.

What else you got cons?

Nothing.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:28 pm

iggy, i touch a nerve? My bad.

hypersensitive conservatives…..

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:29 pm

Look at all the deflection in the last 30 minutes? I made two posts yesterday and was scolded for trying to hijack the blog….

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:29 pm

Balanced the budget, let Osama escape from Kenya or Sudan or whereever it was, only to come back years later and bring down the towers.

Yeah, gutting the CIA, FBI, military was a great idea. Thanks Clinton.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:32 pm

“Why do cons cut food stamps and health care for children?”

getaclue is lying again.

But to him, anything that cuts a planned increase, even if an increase still occurs, is a cut.

Like many myrmidons on the left, he can’t focus on the truth, or the actual record of his Liar-in-Chief, because he’d have nothing of substance to post.

This election is STILL about the economy, jobs and spending – three things this administration has failed at for 3 1/2 years.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:34 pm

Finn, the deflection is virtually all from your liberal buddies like getaclue and Edward.

Man up, Ginger, and go after them!

Mary Elizabeth

May 11th, 2012
1:35 pm

I think that the incident that happened with Romney at age 18 should have been reported because it is relevant to whether or not Romney should be President, for the following reasons:

None of us is the person we were at 18, or at 35 or at 55, but we all do have a core spirit, at any age, which we can either enhance or diminish. And, it is how we each, individually, react to the norms of social behavior, into which we are born, that is also telling of who we are – at the deepest levels.

I don’t see any evidence in Romney, today, of the bullying whick he displayed toward a student who was “different” at age 18, and I do think that he is basically a nice man, with a commitment to his family. However, I do not think that he has the expansive vision of reality, and of other people, that Obama has, and has had. That fact showed forth with how easily he could separate himself from others, even as a teen. “People just don’t act that way (i.e., guys with long, blond hair).” Those perceptions of Romney’s showed a limitation of how he envisions reality and how he envisions humanity, i.e., in separate categories instead with common human needs and aspirations. That lack of sensitivity to the humanity of others, especially of those unlike himself, is why he still puts his foot in his mouth when he jokes about being unemployed to those who are truly hurting because of being unemployed – among other faux pas which he has said. Those examples, from age 18 onward, reflect his vision. His vision, in my opinion, is limited, and as a result, I think he would would keep our nation constrained into a smaller vision. That, then, would effect world affairs, and it would effect how others throughout the world view America and Americans. It would, even, effect internal affairs because he would see people by their categories, or labels of division, more than by their common humanity. His vision of humanity, in other words, would effect the growing consciousness of how Americans view other Americans. Look, for instance, at his recent statement relative to gay marriage as opposed to Obama’s statement.”

Old Goober

May 11th, 2012
1:36 pm

This schoolboy prank has nothing to do with Romney’s being President. Besides, he won’t send the FBI out to hold you down and cut your hair. Instead, if you’re poor or middle class or just a working slug, he’ll see to it that your pants are removed and you’ll be bent over and . . .

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:36 pm

The “deflection” was mostly to point out the deflection represented by the daily Obozo Campaign/Washington Post (same thing) story on Romney’s high school days.

Kyle has to comment on this garbage, and there should be nothing wrong with pointing out the intent of such distractions and putting them in perspective against the real issues, which Obozo would prefer we not think about.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:36 pm

I guess Fox will want to bring in the siblings of the 5 guys who were in the room…Bring in Mitt’s siblings, too.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:40 pm

“expansive vision of reality, and of other people, that Obama has, and has had”

BLAH BLAH BLAH. So delusional and just lost as a lizard eh Mary.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
1:42 pm

Mary Elizabeth, are you concerned by the Obama campaign harassing American citizens merely for contributing to Romney?

Would you say that such behavior, especially considering that it is currently ongoing, rather than decades ago, is more of a concern, less of a concern, or about as concerning as the Romney story?

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:42 pm

“I think he would would keep our nation constrained into a smaller vision. That, then, would effect world affairs, and it would effect how others throughout the world view America and Americans.”

Mary Elizabeth, in case you missed it, the title is “President of the United States of America”, not “President of the World”.

I’ll take a narrowed vision, focusing on THIS country’s problems, any day of the week over the cares of the rest of the world.

Oh, and “the world” don’t pay his salary – we do!

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:42 pm

there should be nothing wrong with pointing out the intent of such distractions and putting them in perspective against the real issues, which Obozo would prefer we not think about.

Again with the conservative victimhood! None of this stuff is pure politics to you folks – you all think the whole wide world is against you and everything is a liberal/media/socialist conspiracy against you…

The poor, poor conservatives….someone tell mommy!

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:43 pm

“I guess Fox will want to bring in the siblings of the 5 guys who were in the room…Bring in Mitt’s siblings, too.”

Continued deflection.

Where (again) did you get your journalism degree, Finn?

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:44 pm

Finn, how much is Mary paying you for the brainwashing? Good job I might add!!

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:44 pm

Mary Elizabeth, are you concerned by the Obama campaign harassing American citizens merely for contributing to Romney?

Conservative victimhood, again! almost in the same breath….

look, Black Panther!

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
1:48 pm

You want an example of great journalism?

Fox News had a segment about the price of crude oil back in 2002 or 2003. The reporter went to Venezuela. At the end of the segment the guy was in a Venezuelan grocery store holding up a bottle of cooking oil!!! Talking about the price of crude oil….

My jaw just dropped. “He couldn’t think…..nah….could he?”

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:49 pm

“you all think the whole wide world is against you and everything is a liberal/media/socialist conspiracy against you”

Well, even Mark Halperin of Time admitted on ‘Morning Joe’ the media is in the tank for Obama:

“[T]he media is as divided on this issue as the Obama family. Which is to say not at all. And so he’s never going to get negative coverage for this,” Halperin argued. Sure, “The Republicans will say this is a flip-flop and it’s wrong public policy. But when you have almost the entire media establishment on your side on an issue in a presidential campaign, it’s very hard to lose politically.”

Ooops!

And why is it, Finn, that this same media can dig up a ready-made story for release right after Obama comes out for support for gay marriage, but can’t seem to focus on his actual record?

And why won’t Obama run on his record regarding the issues people actually care about?

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
1:51 pm

I bet he wished it didn’t happen, then nobody finds out.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
1:51 pm

More deflection, Finn. Concentrate on TODAY’S story.

PSS

May 11th, 2012
1:55 pm

Little Barry Warry. wet his pants again and has to go to the boys room. No solutions, just putdowns, itelligence of a 3 year old, pssiing all over himself right now.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
1:55 pm

Did we ever get Obama grades while in college or are those still sealed?

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:09 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:00 pm
We should be much more concerned with more recent events, such as Idipt Klown Obozo and his enemies list made up of Americans whose biggest sin is having contributed to a candidate running against him.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304070304577396412560038208.html

Obozo: Fascist.
**********************************************************************

YOUR KARMA is waiting for you.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
2:09 pm

Is Romney the man or what ?

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:10 pm

Romney is not likeable. The reason why this story has resonated has little to do with the alleged victim and everything to do with the idea that Romney has been unlikeable his whole life.

The truth is that on a state by state basis (see Karl Rove’s map on his site), Romney is losing. Despite all of the talking points, despite the slow recovery, here we are 6 months out and the Republicans are left hoping for the country to slide back into recession.

Just look at the comments made by so-called conservatives. All they have is Obama-hate and charging that he hasn’t cleaned up their mess quick enough. (2 million jobs less than in Jan. 2009=2 million jobs lost under Republicans). Romney has no plan and will get stomped in November. The Republicans know this which is why they desperately man the comment sections of blogs like this spewing the same ol’-same ol’ as if doing so is going to magically keep them from bitter disappointment this November.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:11 pm

@iggy

May 11th, 2012
12:04 pm
MuchAdo about nothing. 6 months from now, after Romney wins the election no one will remember this. Just more crybaby/junk reporting from the left.
**************************************************************

WE will NOT let him forget.

Mitt Witt can run but he can’t hide.

You can’t put the stuff back into the horse.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
2:13 pm

Someone who calls herself “Truth Squad” should know the Obozo took office in January 2009.

Two million fewer jobs now than then.

Fail.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:15 pm

“The truth is that on a state by state basis (see Karl Rove’s map on his site), Romney is losing.”

Of course, the actual truth is that the election is still months away, and predicting any “victory” for either side is just plain stupid at this point.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:16 pm

I see that Trashman has escaped from the Yerkes Primate Center a bit early today. :roll:

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
2:17 pm

Truth is the trends are improving vs declining.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:17 pm

@Becky

May 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
and the asshats have arrived to shut down the comments on your blog Kyle. You really need to do some policing, this is why your hits keeps dwindling. I’m gone, others will follow me.
***********************************************************************************

Kyle and his mouthpieces are what is wrong with AMERICA.

THEY are all BULLIES JUST LIKE MITT ROMNEY.

KARMA is going to catch up with them and they won’t know what hit them.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
2:19 pm

Which candidate has been more successful in life thus far?

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:22 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:08 pm
Screen door, meet Becky’s hind quarters.

@iggy

May 11th, 2012
12:11 pm
Bye Becky and dont come back.

***********************************************************************

What a classless bunch.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:23 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:23 pm

I’d think that associating with communists and domestic terrorists might be juuuust a bit more deserving of a three page WaPo story than a bogus, discredited tale of high school antics.
*************************************************************************

LINK PLEASE

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:26 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
12:25 pm
He took scissors to the guy’s hair????
———

No, according to his sisters.

You bought the Duke lacrosse story too, didn’t you?

Sucker.
******************************************************************

YOU bought the WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND MISSION

ACCOMPLISHED story too.

WHOSE THE SUCKER?

InAtl

May 11th, 2012
2:27 pm

@Becky

May 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
and the asshats have arrived to shut down the comments on your blog Kyle. You really need to do some policing, this is why your hits keeps dwindling. I’m gone, others will follow me.
**************

Just wow. Care to give an example of the posts you were talking about that preceded 12:05? And I know for a fact you frequent Bookman’s blog where nastiness is the modus operandi with the liberal posters. Bookman gets so many hits because his opinion pieces are so ridiculous, they’re like low-hanging fruit.

td

May 11th, 2012
2:28 pm

Now it is way to early to predict the final outcome of the elections I find this pretty interesting as a snap shot of the week.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows Mitt Romney earning 50% of the vote and President Obama attracting 43% support. Four percent (4%) would vote for a third party candidate, while another three percent (3%) are undecided.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

Now for the big question is this sudden jump in the polls a backlash for Obama’s coming out and supporting gay marriage or is it because of all the bad economic news and Romney’s message taking hold?

Tech Man

May 11th, 2012
2:30 pm

I remember high school and college “hazing” was much worse than this back in the 60’s and 70’s. Mohawking someone’s hair was common place.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:32 pm

Lil Barry, what you don’t seem to forget is that we should have never lost those millions of jobs in the first place! The more you go on about the job losses the more we are reminded about why they were lost and who presided over the losses.

Poll after poll shows that people rightly blame for the economy on President Bush and Wall Street.

Everyone doesn’t hate President Obama like you people do. Should that unemployment rate drop under 8% by November, you lose. Btw…the budget was in surplus last month. Isn’t that great?

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:33 pm

“Which candidate has been more successful in life thus far?”

Mitt Romney. Next deflection?

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:33 pm

Lil Barry, what you don’t seem to forget is that we should have never lost those millions of jobs in the first place! The more you go on about the job losses the more we are reminded about why they were lost and who presided over the losses.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
2:37 pm

the lack of confidence his campaign continues to feel about Romney’s support among a major chunk of the GOP base: white evangelical Christians, who continued to vote against him in primaries even as his nomination became inevitable.

There are two main theories about why this resistance exists. The first has to do with Romney’s religion, and the widely held conviction among evangelicals that Mormonism is, as one conservative Christian leader memorably put it, a “theological cult.” The other involves the premium that evangelical voters tend to place on cultural issues, and Romney’s suspect credentials on them (from back in his Massachusetts days, when he was avowedly pro-choice and pitched himself as a stronger advocate for gay rights than Ted Kennedy).

salon.com

Which Mitt will show up in November?

a Mormon President? Riiiiiiight.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:38 pm

@getalife

May 11th, 2012
1:19 pm
Wait until they get to daddy’s cult complex in Mexico.

You ain’t seen nothing yet cons.

Planet kolob and magic underwear.

**********************************************

Romney has joked about polygamy, saying in various settings that to him, “marriage is between a

man and a woman … and a woman and a woman.”

FREAKY DEAKY :)

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:39 pm

“Poll after poll shows that people rightly blame for the economy on President Bush and Wall Street.”

Yeah, and those same people thought that Obama could fix the economy, buy them a new car, and pay their mortgage. Those same people couldn’t identify a real person from an actress portrayal on SNL.

So why should we believe them when they wrongly blame Wall Street and Bush for the recession?

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:40 pm

@Tech Man

May 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
I remember high school and college “hazing” was much worse than this back in the 60’s and 70’s. Mohawking someone’s hair was common place.

************************************************************************************

That does not make it right.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:42 pm

@Tiberius – Banned from Bookman’s and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:39 pm
“Poll after poll shows that people rightly blame for the economy on President Bush and Wall Street.”

Yeah, and those same people thought that Obama could fix the economy, buy them a new car, and pay their mortgage. Those same people couldn’t identify a real person from an actress portrayal on SNL.

So why should we believe them when they wrongly blame Wall Street and Bush for the recession?
*********************************************************************

WHY?

Just like YOU BELIEVED the WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED STORY.

heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehe

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:42 pm

Have you always been a sissy, Trashman?

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:43 pm

Anyone relying on tracking polls doesn’t understand that we do not elect presidents on the basis of the popular vote. Besides, Gallup and Ras. are owned by Republicans. Anyone surprised that they are the only ones showing that Romney has some kind of lead?

Check the state polls folks. Romney is losing is Ohio. He is losing in Virginia. He is losing in North Carolina. He is tied in Florida. He is losing in Nevada. He is losing in Colorado. He is losing in Iowa. He is getting stomped in the Northeast and in the upper Midwest states. Oh, and Arizona is in play.

In other words: Texas, Georgia, and a whole lot of not-much-there states which rely on the government for their existence is all Romney has going for him.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:44 pm

“Just like YOU BELIEVED the WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED STORY.”

And yet, I did not, Trashman. Is there anything else you’d like to be wrong about today?

Or would you just like to quit while you’re behind? Feel free to start sucking your thumb at any time.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

Yeah, and those same people thought that Obama could fix the economy, buy them a new car, and pay their mortgage.

No, that is what you people saw that night in November 2008. All of those people so very happy, so very proud. You looked at them and felt you had no place and you’ve been hateful ever since. You are your own worse enemy, not anyone else.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

Anyone relying on state polls, which always trend about 3-4 weeks behind national polls, and doing so in May when the election isn’t until November, isn’t playing with a full deck.

Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:48 pm

I do not hate, Untruth Squad.

I despair for the future of this nation when people can celebrate mediocrity and celebrity over achievement and substance.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:48 pm

Anyone who keeps avoiding what the state polls are saying is a coward.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
2:50 pm

Romney has an image problem, he just can’t shake.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
2:50 pm

I do not hate, Untruth Squad.

…and Mitt Romney deserves credit for the rescue of the auto companies.

Right.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
2:53 pm

@Tiberius – Banned from Bookman’s and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:33 pm
“Which candidate has been more successful in life thus far?”

Mitt Romney. Next deflection?

***************************************************************

MONEY don’t make the man.

Man makes the money.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
2:54 pm

So why should we believe them when they wrongly blame Wall Street and Bush for the recession?

OMG. Don’t blame Wall Street? just keep kissing those wealthy people’s behinds, Tib, one day they will open up the gates and allow you to be uber wealthy just like them. Keep those fingers crossed.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
2:57 pm

Oh, we know who presided over the job losses since January 2009.

Obozo’s unemployment has been higher in every month than it was in any month of Our Preident Bush’s eight years.

iggy

May 11th, 2012
2:58 pm

“Tib, one day they will open up the gates and allow you to be uber wealthy just like them.”

Finn, living in moms basement will never make you wealthy. Get out, go to the 7-11 for a change of pace.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:02 pm

For those who want to claim that the daily tracking polls are picking up movement toward Romney on the count of President Obama’s recent history making:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-05-11/USA-TODAYGallup-poll-Obama-gay-marriage/54905424/1

No evidence so far that it is going to keep him from stomping Romney in November. This isn’t 2004. The bigot vote is pretty much built in to the Republican base with some few exceptions.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
3:03 pm

I’m already doing pretty well, iggy. But i can still accept reality for what it is…and the reality is this country won’t return to greatness until we put the consumers (the middle class) back at the forefront of everything we do – every law we create, every law we end.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
3:06 pm

What is out of bounds for newspaper writers ?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
3:07 pm

As North Carolina voters approved a ban on same-sex marriage this week, executives and business professors were silent on the issue; some say the state may regret the outcome.

Money and opportunity are going to be leaving NC like flood waters until that law is repealed.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
3:07 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
2:57 pm
Oh, we know who presided over the job losses since January 2009.

Obozo’s unemployment has been higher in every month than it was in any month of Our Preident Bush’s eight years.

****************************************************

LINK PLEASE :)

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:08 pm

Um, ok, once more….Lil Barry, what you don’t seem to forget is that we should have never lost those millions of jobs in the first place! The more you go on about the job losses the more we are reminded about why they were lost and who presided over the losses.

Good luck trying to sell that the country was better off under President Bush! It is like you people are not only suffering from Obama Derangement Syndrome, but also from Bushnesia as well!

Sadly for y’all, the country doesn’t hate President Obama like you and people remember they hired him to captain the Titanic after it already struck the iceberg.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:10 pm

…and the reality is this country won’t return to greatness until we put the consumers (the middle class) back at the forefront of everything we do – every law we create, every law we end…

Now that=TRUTH

Scooter

May 11th, 2012
3:10 pm

Nothing is off limits for progressives to make an “issue”. Heck, they taught me Laura Bush killed someone in a car accident decades ago.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
3:11 pm

@Tiberius – Banned from Bookman’s and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:44 pm
“Just like YOU BELIEVED the WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED STORY.”

And yet, I did not, Trashman. Is there anything else you’d like to be wrong about today?

Or would you just like to quit while you’re behind? Feel free to start sucking your thumb at any time.
*******************************************************************

YOU CONS FELL for that LIE HOOK, LINE AND SINKER. :)

iggy

May 11th, 2012
3:12 pm

Thats close but let me re-phrase.

Obama and the ObaManiacs are rearranging the deck chairs as the Titanic is sinking. Captain Romney will soon be aboard to “right” this ship and take us to more friendly waters.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
3:12 pm

@Tiberius – Banned from Bookman’s and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
2:42 pm
Have you always been a sissy, Trashman?
*******************************************************************************

ABOUT AS LONG AS YOUR DADDY. :)

iggy

May 11th, 2012
3:13 pm

…then there is The Biden Comedy channel.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
3:16 pm

No, Romney won’t be righting the ship, he will be breaking up and selling off as many peices as he can before the whole thing goes under.

As, history shows, he is want to do.

I bet we can knock out the deficit by selling New Mexico to Mexico. Throw in part of Texas maybe? Up to and including Louisiana.

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
3:18 pm

@iggy

May 11th, 2012
3:12 pm
Thats close but let me re-phrase.

Obama and the ObaManiacs are rearranging the deck chairs as the Titanic is sinking. Captain Romney will soon be aboard to “right” this ship and take us to more friendly waters.
*******************************************************************

MITT WITT and HIS CONS are dealing from the bottom of the deck.

President Obama will soon be the WINNER at the POKER TABLE.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
3:18 pm

Ok, ok.

Romney might make a fine President. It’s just that…… we won’t ever know, will we?

Mwuahahahahahahahaha

MrLiberty

May 11th, 2012
3:19 pm

Obama used cocaine and marijuana (that’s all he admits to) when he was younger. As a candidate he promised to leave LEGAL and voter-approved medical marijuana dispensaries and patients alone unlike his predecessor. Instead, now he sends large contingents of heavily armed jack-booted thugs from the DEA, etc. to hassle, arrest, destroy, etc. the lives and businesses of very sick folks and those operating legal businesses. The hipocrit/liars past and present are both extremely relevant.

As a youth, Romney may have bullied someone different than him. A large number of folks are guilty of such things as kids. Today Romney wants Gitmo doubled (so he can bully people different them him despite absolutely no due process or similar). He wants more wars against people of different color and differnt religious affililation and wants to use the money of the taxpayers and future generations and the military force of the US to do the global bullying. He may have stop the gay bashing but now wishes to bash men women and children – to death. Seems that is more relevant but don’t expect the media to point out something that obvious as it will upset their masters in the military industrial complex.

I really don’t care what a person does in their youth. I really don’t care what they do in their private lives. None of us should. That is the definition of freedom (you remember, what we used to have in the US). But I certainly do care about what they do that harms another, harms someone’s property, or more importantly, harms someone’s liberty.

Both Obama and Romney fail is virtually every category.

Ron Paul 2012.

Ken Stallings

May 11th, 2012
3:19 pm

Your column failed to address the true central issue. The question is not whether a trivial event happening over four decades ago in a current candidate’s youth is material. That answer is quite easy to arrive at — NO, and likely not even if it was some sort of petty crime. The actual question is when is the media going to return to integrity and honesty in news reporting?

This was never a story worthy of journalistic reportage even it it did happen. It was a political hatchet job, a cloak and dagger scheme carried out by the Washington Post to further the political interests of the DNC, and Obama personally. It used an asserted act carried out on a man in 1965, knowing that the man died of liver cancer several years ago, and therefore was in no position to object to and/or refute the story.

In other words, it appears likely that the Post fabricated the story and considered itself immune from challenge because the alleged victim is dead and never before went on record — likely because the event never even happened.

It is the ultimate proof why there is the idiom that it’s impossible to “prove a negative.” The closest we can come is to have immediate family members of the now deceased man step forward to exclaim outrage against the Washington Post, say their brother never discussed such an attack with them, and further say they are offended and angry that their family has been turned into a political pawn by a newspaper without the decency to even interview surviving immediate family members before going to print!

While you can smugly assert this doesn’t prove it never happened, such an assertion by you advances a falsehood that a young person can be so shockingly attacked in a manner that would leave such clear evidence, and his own parents and siblings would never know about it.

Please! You know better! We know better! Shame on you now for adding to the obsfuscation!

I sincerely hope the family sues the Washington Post for such a huge sum that it puts the newspaper out of business! I think that is the only way that journalists, editors, and owners will be compelled to restore their balance and integrity. It is clear that basic honesty cannot achieve this necessary requirement. So, perhaps fear of losing jobs and careers shall do it. It is a shame that it has come to this. But, when American journalism has sold its soul to advance a narrow political agenda, then the time to restore balance is reached.

And that is the true question and hence true lesson.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

May 11th, 2012
3:22 pm

In other words, it appears likely that the Post fabricated the story and considered itself immune from challenge because the alleged victim is dead and never before went on record — likely because the event never even happened.

DING, DING, DING. We have a winner!

Today’s Conservative Victimhood prize goes to…..Ken Stallings! Step right up, Ken!

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:22 pm

Romney might make a fine President. It’s just that…… we won’t ever know, will we?

Yep,= moreTruth.

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:23 pm

The truth is that W

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:27 pm

The truth is that WaPo was doing a story on Romney’s youth and these people all told the same story without prompt. The Romney campaign directed the reporter to some of the sources. The sources are all named on the record.

What you people are really arguing is that the reporter should have censored his rticle so that it did not include this alleged assault.

Perhaps next time Romney’s people refer a reporter to a friend they better darn well know what that friend is going to say.

East Lake Ira

May 11th, 2012
3:36 pm

All this story proves is that Mitt was a first class a-hole as a teenager.

Then he had to go and lie about it.

This is a story because Mitt lied. Nothing more and nothing less.

Mitt lies. With ease. Whenever it suits his purpose.

td

May 11th, 2012
3:48 pm

Truth Squad

May 11th, 2012
3:27 pm

The truth is that WaPo was doing a story on Romney’s youth and these people all told the same story without prompt.

I thought you spoke the truth? You, I and most anyone with a little intelligence knows that the Obama campaign gave this story to the WP to use. Probably a long time ago and the WP did a little more research so that they could claim it was their own.

tipster

May 11th, 2012
4:02 pm

Is it relevant? Well, it’s according to which candidate you back. If it’s info about your candidate, its not relevant. If its about the other guy, its relevant. All of these posts prove it. Each side slinging background mud about the other guy.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
4:07 pm

Truth Squad: we should have never lost those millions of jobs in the first place!
——–

Amen to that! Unfortunately, we did, and on Obozo’s watch.

Two million fewer jobs today than the day Obozo took office.

Fail.

MarkV

May 11th, 2012
4:11 pm

If the character of a person who wants to be the President matters, as most people seem to agree that it does, then any event in his/her life, regardless of age, may be significant. I agree with Kyle that the press should report what it finds and let voters decide what’s important. The age is irrelevant, because some character flaws are known to appear even at an early age. Again, it is up to the voters to compare what they learn about the candidate with their own life experiences to make the decision of significance. It is therefore most important for the journalists to present the facts as accurately as possible and without introducing their own biases

In the case of Romney and the dog on the roof of the car, different people may look at it differently depending on their own relationship to dogs. Only the most rabid Obama-haters, however, can put on the same level Obama’s being fed some dog meat in a foreign country when he was a child.

The most recent story about Romney’s “bullying incident” at age 18 is so far too undeveloped in facts to make a judgment. If it was as drastic as some of the witnesses appear to describe it, it is hard to believe Romney that he did not remember it. That “lack of memory” might be more important than the incident itself, which does not necessarily signal a lasting character flaw.

getalife

May 11th, 2012
4:11 pm

Everything you attacked our President is fair game.

It is called karma.

getalife

May 11th, 2012
4:13 pm

Lets start with willard’s long form birth certificate and school records.

East Lake Ira

May 11th, 2012
4:26 pm

Mitt’s dad was born in Mexico, therefore we need to see Mitt’s long form birth certificate with the seal.

Mitt attended Ivy League schools, therefore prove he didn’t get in using familial connections or influence by producing his prep school and college transcripts.

Mitt is a successful businessman, therefore release tax returns since he last held public office.

Mitt claims he can revive the economy better than the President, therefore release his plans and give examples of his success in doing so in the past in MA.

Mitt belongs to a mainstream religion, therefore release all records relating to his time spent at semi-senior level postions and higher.

Orly commands it.

Rockerbabe

May 11th, 2012
4:28 pm

Oh please! Kyle you just upset about you’re boy, Mitt and his not polished youth [not to mention his MIA during Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghistan, Somelia, Kosov, etxc]. Mitt is getting the same treatment Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Dole and Obama has receive from their foes. Stop complaining, it this kind of crap is good enough for Obama, it mostly certainly is good enough for the silver-spoon-on-mouth, MIA, flip-flopper from MA.

East Lake Ira

May 11th, 2012
4:28 pm

Hint hint, none of that will happen.

Mitt has a sincere belief that the White House is his due and it’s America’s job to give it to him.

Jefferson

May 11th, 2012
4:33 pm

Romney’s check book will be checked before it is over. Tough business this is just wait when he picks Sarah and see what happens…

Thomas Heyward Jr

May 11th, 2012
4:35 pm

Ron Paul doesn’t have anything to hide.
.
And he damn sure wouldn’t send SWAT teams out to cage young kids for doing what he did in college……………….and he damn sure wouldn’t start or support unconstitutional wars but avoid going to fight it.
.
The Hypocrisy stench is overwhelming.

jms

May 11th, 2012
4:36 pm

Doesn’t rise to the level of “who cares”

You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Past Misdeeds and Sins

May 11th, 2012
4:44 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
4:07 pm
Truth Squad: we should have never lost those millions of jobs in the first place!
——–

Amen to that! Unfortunately, we did, and on Obozo’s watch.

Two million fewer jobs today than the day Obozo took office.

Fail.
**********************************************

LINK PLEASE :)

getalife

May 11th, 2012
4:56 pm

Lies will be called out on this blog con.

w lost 8 million jobs.

Fact.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
5:18 pm

US Employment, January of each year listed:

2001: 132.5 million
2009: 133.6 million
2012: 132.4 million

Our President Bush increased the number of jobs by over one million during his administration.

Obozo destroyed the same number.

Obozo has destroyed more jobs in three years than Our President Bush created.

Fix the mistake of 2008.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
5:20 pm

Source for above: data.bls.gov, “Total Nonfarm Employment – Seasonally Adjusted”

Hillbilly D

May 11th, 2012
5:28 pm

I knew some guys once (all adults) who pulled down another guy’s pants and spray painted his ass. He didn’t go whining about it. Took a little time but he got revenge on each and every one of them and they never messed with him again. That’s how you handle these things.

JDW

May 11th, 2012
5:47 pm

@LBB…”Fix the mistake of 2008″

The only mistake of 2008 is that it did not happen in 2004.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
5:56 pm

Bush created jobs, JDW. Obozo is destroying them.

Don’t fear facts.

A Question of Character. Romney A Liar and A Deceiver.

May 11th, 2012
6:07 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
5:56 pm
Bush created jobs, JDW. Obozo is destroying them.

Don’t fear facts.
***************************************************************************

You are a liar and a deceiver like Mitt Witt.

Tiberius - Banned by Bookman and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
6:07 pm

East lake Ira, please provide that mitt Romney has lied.

MarkV

May 11th, 2012
6:10 pm

Loss of jobs:

Bush, January 2001 to January 2004: 2.045 million loss

Obama, January 2009 to January 2012: 1.1 million loss

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
6:34 pm

Our President Bush’s tax cuts reversed that loss, MarkV. Since Our President Bush increased jobs by over 1 million by the time he left office, His tax cuts increased the number of jobs by 3 million from January 2004 through January 2009.

Our President Bush’s tax cuts: Lower rates, higher revenue, lower unemployment, millions of new jobs. You’re welcome.

Tiberius - Banned by Bookman and proud of it!

May 11th, 2012
7:26 pm

I see MarkV is now resorting to cherry-picking his data in order to deflect from the disaster known as Obama.

Typical.

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...

May 11th, 2012
7:43 pm

The blogger who thinks Cons should drown in their own vomit, left 3 million jobs off of his ludicrous obozo propaganda.

What happened to the 4 million jobs obozo created, markie?

A Question of Character. Romney A Liar and A Deceiver.

May 11th, 2012
8:41 pm

@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

May 11th, 2012
6:34 pm
Our President Bush’s tax cuts reversed that loss, MarkV. Since Our President Bush increased jobs by over 1 million by the time he left office, His tax cuts increased the number of jobs by 3 million from January 2004 through January 2009.

Our President Bush’s tax cuts: Lower rates, higher revenue, lower unemployment, millions of new jobs. You’re welcome.

**************************************************************

YOU GOT JOKES?

heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee :)

That was sooooo funnnny.

heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee :)

myst

May 13th, 2012
10:47 pm

If you’re a black president, it’s all fair game..you know Birth Certificate, Grades, the whole nine…If you’re a white presidential candidate, it’s all irrelevant….oops, pointing that out makes me a racist, my bad I forgot…

kelly

May 14th, 2012
11:15 am

The big difference between the Romney and Obama stories is that Obama admits to his acts, Romney denies his. That’s a character issue.