Poll: Who should be Mitt Romney’s running mate?
Consider this either a bonus “2012 Tuesday” or an extra “Poll Position” this week: Who should be Mitt Romney’s running mate?
With almost six weeks to go before the Republican National Convention, this feels too early for the “veepstakes” to be winding down and shortened to three serious candidates. But that’s what Reuters reported yesterday, saying Romney’s short list comprises Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio.
That means no Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan — bona fide GOP rock stars who would charge up the base but also draw heavy Democratic fire for various reasons.
Loading ...Here’s a quick pro and con list for each of the three:
JINDAL — Pros: In his second term as governor and has extensive experience for someone so young (he just turned 41); particular knowledge and policy success in the important areas of health care, energy and education reform; strongly identified as a social conservative who could pump up enthusiasm in that part of the Republican base; could attract voters in the fast-growing Asian-American community. Cons: Much-publicized flop in delivering GOP response to President Obama’s 2009 address to Congress is still the No. 1 thing many people know about him; can veer off into the weeds or wonkishness in discussing policy; Louisiana is already a sure thing for Romney in November.
PAWLENTY — Pros: Served two terms as governor; already vetted somewhat by the media due to his own short-lived presidential campaign; personal story appeals strongly to blue-collar workers (credited with coining the phrase “Sam’s Club Republicans”) and critical Midwest swing states; probably the safest pick Romney could make. Cons: His campaign was short-lived in large part because he didn’t connect with GOP voters (we also now know from the way the primary went that he bailed out too soon, before he had a chance to be given the “second look” everyone else got); his record as governor didn’t help Minnesota Republicans build on his electoral success; it’s far from clear Romney could win Minnesota even with him on the ballot.
PORTMAN — Pros: For a first-term senator, he has extensive experience in Washington (12 years in the House, stints as U.S. trade representative and director of Management and Budget) and could be “Mr. Inside” to Romney’s “Mr. Outside”; makes Ohio more winnable for Romney; on a personal note, I dealt with Portman a good bit while he was the U.S. trade representative and always found him one of the more genuinely impressive people in public office. Cons: His experience at USTR and OMB came during the Bush administration and would make it easier for Obama to campaign against George W. Bush (not that he won’t try anyway); just as vanilla as Pawlenty.
Any of the three would be more believable than, say, Joe Biden as someone who could be elevated to the presidency in an emergency. Any of the three strike me as more likely to help Romney’s chances than to hurt them, which is pretty much the whole ballgame. Jindal and Pawlenty strike me as more comfortable than Portman in the “attack dog” role the running mate traditionally fills — although the advent of super PACs and the negative tone we’ve already seen from both sides makes me wonder whether that tradition still holds up very well here in 2012. If picking from this group, and maybe even from the entire veepstakes field, I’m fairly certain I would go with Bobby Jindal.
But what about y’all? What’s your take: Should it be Jindal, Pawlenty, Portman — or someone else? If it’s the latter choice, let us know in the comments thread. In any event, vote in the nearby poll as well.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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285 comments Add your comment
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
7:10 am
Rice!
Willis
July 18th, 2012
7:20 am
Pawlenty will be Romney’s choice – he promised it to him so he would quit the nominee race.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
7:40 am
They are all laughable as candidates. This is the best Romoney could come up with? LOL
At this point, I don’t think Romoney will be the candidate himself.
AU Liberal in ATL
July 18th, 2012
7:44 am
I think he should go with Sarah Palin or John McCain. They’re ’smart’.
jconservative
July 18th, 2012
7:51 am
The VP nominee has never been the deciding factor in an election and will not be this time. Pick someone who will not hurt the ticket but will be useful getting the administration agenda through Congress. Of the three, that is Portman.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
7:52 am
I’m still a Rubio guy, with Condi Rice in second place.
Sad to say, none of the alleged three finalists does anything for me.
Not that anyone he picks would change my vote in November anyway.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
7:55 am
Sheriff Joe Arpaio!
@@
July 18th, 2012
8:07 am
Louisiana’s catastrophes could be viewed on the same level as America’s present catastrophe.
Jindal, having successfully dealt with those, could certainly deal with Obama’s.
This thing about voting for someone to deliver a state doesn’t always prove successful. My husband, Georgia born and bred, voted Jimmy Carter, for that very reason.
I’ve never let him live it down.
I still don’t know why the “Willy Wonkas” are a problem. Given what we’ve had thus far, details would be welcome.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:15 am
To mix metaphors…if any of those guys are wise, they won’t be hitching their wagons to that sinking ship.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
8:16 am
“Pawlenty will be Romney’s choice – he promised it to him so he would quit the nominee race.”
What you talkin’ about, Willis?
Pawlenty got out because he couldn’t get any VOTES.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:16 am
For sure, maybe we should be asking ourselves if Mitt should even be the presidential candidate, much less discussing who’ll be his running mate.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 18th, 2012
8:19 am
Any are just as good or better than Joe Bidden!!!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
8:20 am
“For sure, maybe we should be asking ourselves if Mitt should even be the presidential candidate, much less discussing who’ll be his running mate.”
Feel free to start your own quilting circle in that regard, SBinF.
Thomas Jefferson wouldn’t be getting your vote if he were a Republican. For that matter, strictly based on his beliefs, he wouldn’t be getting your vote. He knew who was responsible for the success of a business, and it wasn’t the government.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:21 am
Right. I’m not sure how that even relates to my comment. Mitt is a seriously flawed candidate. He threw mud to win the primaries, and now he’s crying like a pantywaist because he can dish it out but not take it. He is proving all of the folks correct who questioned his efficacy as a candidate.
BuckeyeInGa
July 18th, 2012
8:27 am
During this vetting process for VP candiates, I wonder if Romney asked for tax returns that goes farther back than 2010.
Henry Spriggs
July 18th, 2012
8:29 am
Although Senator Rob Portman would make a strong and effective running mate for Romney my choice would be Senator Pat Toomey.
Toomey offers everything Portman does, experience, job creation background, solid conservative, tough campaigner. But what would be striking is that Toomey represents Pennsyvania in the U.S Senate, and I believe Toomey could deliever this state to Romney.
And that loss would be devastating to Obama re election.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
8:30 am
Well it is obvious Romney doesn’t feel that he will need help from the VP candidate because that is as bland a list as you could find. As for Kyle’s snippy Biden remark…you just don’t like what he has done to your causes over the years. The man is eminently qualified, far more so than Romney or any of the three options put forth.
-3+ years as VP
-15th longest tenured Senator in history
-Sixth youngest Senator in history
-Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee
-Chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee
Only a partisan hack would say he is not “believable”. You might say you prefer someone else but not “believable”
Grasshopper
July 18th, 2012
8:31 am
Sorry, these three all put me to sleep. Yawn.
LeeH1
July 18th, 2012
8:34 am
Sarah Palin should be given another chance. Since Mitt is going down in flames anyway, weeping and wailing all the way down that it isn’t fair, at least give him someone with some b@lls to fight alongside.
Besides, anyone else chosen for VP, after they lose the race, will be well positioned to be the next Presidential candidate. None of those mentioned are worthy.
BehindEnemyLines
July 18th, 2012
8:34 am
Not sure that it matters much. Minds are largely made up at this point I believe and there really isn’t a VP choice I can think of that’s going to change that. Unless Romney has a serious health problem we aren’t aware of, the country is still stuck with Obama or ObamaLite for four years.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:34 am
Mitt’s problem is that he can’t pick a veep that is more exciting and electrifying than him. Unfortunately, he’s about as exciting as a plain baked potato, no cheese, no butter, not even salt or pepper.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
8:37 am
JDW, please read what Kyle posted, OK?
Didn’t say “qualified”. He said “believable” if elevated in an emergency.
Rather a large difference. At least the three mentioned above aren’t walking punch-lines who get almost as much press time for their gaffes as their boss does for his policy speeches.
Tap Out
July 18th, 2012
8:40 am
Sarah Palin
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:41 am
Romney could scare up a better crop of candidates by visiting the cornfield from Hee Haw.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
8:43 am
I would vote for the bigger whiner than Romoney.
curious
July 18th, 2012
8:55 am
Dick Cheney is emerging from the wilderness. Time for an encore.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
8:55 am
There is no bigger whiner than Romney. He wants Obama to apologize for raising valid questions, the folly!
independent Thinker
July 18th, 2012
8:59 am
John Sununu- He showed his ability to replace Dick Cheney as a mouthpiece for the top GOP guru- El Rushbo this week by spewing out reams of bile about Obama. We nee more of that type of statesmanship when Romney is trying to avoid impeachment for tax fraud after getting elected.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
July 18th, 2012
9:03 am
312 million people in this country and these are the best ya’ll can come up with?
On another note, I have a friend visiting Russia researching their Afghanistan war. He says he can see Sister Sarah sitting on her porch in Alaska.
td
July 18th, 2012
9:04 am
It is not going to be but Allen West would be my choice. He would drive the MSM and the far left absolutely crazy.
K Mom
July 18th, 2012
9:05 am
@ Finn McCool…..BRILLIANT!! LOL
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
9:06 am
I don’t know if I’d put much weight into what Reuters has to offer, not unless we were discussing the Iranian vice presidential candidate choices, to which they probably helped the clerics choose.
Why would Romney contact these anti American propagandists?
Unless he’s just using them to float the boring pick balloon.
No bounce, eh, Mitt?
Condi it is!
DARRELL
July 18th, 2012
9:06 am
None of the above! Condolezza Rice would be the best choice
Jeffrey
July 18th, 2012
9:07 am
Michele Bachman, Rick perry, Ron Paul, Eric cantor, rand Paul I think any of these folks would really shake things up.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
9:07 am
He won’t pick someone who would “show him up”, that makes it tough.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
9:08 am
I hear his like his Cayman money manager pretty well, on the other hand.
jconservative
July 18th, 2012
9:13 am
Condolezza Rice is way to liberal for the Republican convention. The Republican Convention is always a “social conservative” convention. Condi Rice is a “social liberal”. If she is the VP nominee there will be a third party formed before the convention is two days old.
Will Create Fake Hawaiian Birth Certificates for Food
July 18th, 2012
9:15 am
Who should be Mitt Romney’s running mate?
The ADOBE Software Suite of Document Creation
Richard
July 18th, 2012
9:16 am
jconservative,
GOOD!!! All the more reason to pick Rice.
fair and balanced
July 18th, 2012
9:17 am
Rush Limbaugh-appears to be top GOP strategist right now
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
9:18 am
Condalolezza “Mushroom Cloud” Rice
Good gravy, I don’t think I’ve lived a virtuous enough life to be blessed by such a thing! That’s really what America needs, another reminder of the 8 years of crap known as the Bush presidency.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
9:19 am
A few things to point out to the liberals on this blog who can’t seem to focus on the issues of this campaign.
First, if Romney were a private citizen, Stephanie Cutter, et al, would be in court tomorrow on the losing end of a libel and/or slander civil suit, and paying big time. But snce it is a political campaign they can lie as much as they want and get away with it.
Second, this small-ball tactic about wanting more tax returns because Romney is “hiding” something is just that – small-ball. Given his wealth, do you REALLY think an organization like the IRS doesn’t flag his returns for more than the occasional audit? Then you don’t know the IRS, libs. Like you don’t know many other things, I guess. The ONLY reason you want more information of Romney’s returns is a creepy need to delve into the type of finances you can only hope to achieve, and to demonize him for being successful – nothing else. And is this really the only thing you’ve got, libs? Legal tax returns? Two months of being hammered with negative ads about the Bain thing, and neither Romney’s nor Obama’s numbers have changed one bit.
I’d suggest your candidate try running on his record or his vision, but that wouldn’t go over too well, now would it? Thus far, it’s been more of the same that didn’t work in the first place.
Hyperbole and exaggeration are appropriate levels of campaigning to use, especially at this level, but outright lying is beneath the office Obama currently holds. A principled person would reign in the people who work for him and raise the level of discourse, but no one has ever accused Obama of being principled on anything.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
9:21 am
Funny how we got over Rice being in one Republican administration or another for over twenty years.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
9:21 am
The election is going to come down to, do you support the candidate who wants to use American solutions to solve this economic disaster, or do you want to use Obama’s redistribution solutions. It is going to be plain and simple, by the time we get there.
Jindal can play the Chris Christie type role and give us the plain unvarnished truth that Mitt can’t do politically. He would be my choice among the three. I think, we will see someone else, however. Portman puts everyone to sleep, although people say he is loved in Ohio, but I think Romney takes Ohio anyway. Rubio or Rice would be better choices to enliven the ticket.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
9:23 am
No one is saying Romney did anything illegal concerning his taxes. I suspect that many years he paid an effective rate below the 15% we know about. It would provide fodder for folks who argue that the system is rigged unfairly so that the rich get breaks while the rest of us are forced to pay. You know, the oft used mantra by conservatives: “47% of people pay no income taxes!”
Wouldn’t it be juicy irony if one of those 47% were Mitt Romney??
And as for a slander or libel suit, come on….the biggest defense to slander: “I believe this to be true.” Secondly, I don’t know what damages Mitt has suffered because someone implied that he committed a crime.
DeborahinAthens
July 18th, 2012
9:23 am
Citing his educational policies as a reason to even look at Jindal makes me laugh so hard I started to cry…no…no…those weren’t tears of laughter, there were tears of despair. Read Jays editorial today about what Jindal’s school voucher program is doing. Directing billions of taxpayers’ dollars to religious schools that have basket ball teams but no libraries…students watch television most of the time. One of the Right Wing responders said it was better than Chicago or LA. But anyone who has been to Chicago, Los Angeles, Baton Rouge, New Orleans will notice very quickly how much more intelligent (on average) the populace is in Chicago and Los Angeles is compared to New Orleans, where, the average person dropped out of high school as soon as they could. One notices that there are very high teen age pregnancy rates in Louisiana compared to Illinois. Since most teenage pregnancies happen to undereducated girls, one could deduce that the teenage girls in Louisiana are not as well educated as the girls in Illinois. Why can’t this country emulate countries like Finland, which has one of the highest literacy rate in the world? Oh, I forgot, the Right Wing Conservatives WANT you to be stupid. So the fact that Jindal got the most number of votes after “someone else” is not surprising.
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
July 18th, 2012
9:24 am
BOZO THE CLOWN WOULD WORK WELL WITH THE OTHER CLOWN
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
9:26 am
“Oh, I forgot, the Right Wing Conservatives WANT you to be stupid.”
Now why would we want more liberals, DeborahinAthens?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
9:27 am
None of these three of any meaningful foreign policy experience so there’s your big hole, Kyle.
As far as the financial and health care experience, isn’t that what Romney’s running on?
Gosh, let me think of who could fill the credibility gap forged by the klown show tag team of Biden and Bruno, and restore America’s standing among our allies?
What’s her name?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
9:28 am
I see that Obama tried to clarify his statement on business success yesterday, after two days. MarkV assured me yesterday that it did not need clarification. Seems me he walked it back as best he could.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
9:29 am
Excuse me, none of these three have any….
Will Create Fake Hawaiian Birth Certificates for Food
July 18th, 2012
9:31 am
“Arguing with liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon; no matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock out the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it is victorious.”
- Mitchell Waylett
ByteMe
July 18th, 2012
9:33 am
I’m laughing at the bland choices.
All are designed to make Romney look more dynamic by comparison, not to help him with one set of constituencies or another.
I guess he doesn’t want to make a Palin mistake and get overshadowed.
Either way, doesn’t matter. Romney can’t help himself except by picking someone like Crefalo Dollar… someone who genuinely ties their religion to making money. Brings along the evangelicals AND the big money crowd.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
9:34 am
“No one is saying Romney did anything illegal concerning his taxes.”
Riiiight, SBinF.
Of course, the tag line “What is Mitt Romney hiding?” doesn’t suggest anything illegal, now does it?
Unless, of course, you’re now admitting that you only want his tax returns to attack him for being rich, which is what I’ve claimed all along.
clyde
July 18th, 2012
9:35 am
It’s a blah campaign,isn’t it?On Romney’s part,that is.Tap LePage from Maine.He’ll at least say something every day to tee someone off.
MrLiberty
July 18th, 2012
9:35 am
Wouldn’t it be prudent for Romney to actually get the nomination first? Given how unliked he seems to be as a candidate, and given that his policies are basically the same as Obama’s (which are basically the same as the failed policies of Bush), one can hope that the GOP delegates in Tampa take their responsibilities seriously and consider nominating someone the GOP can actually get behind and who can actually beat Obama. It will not matter who he nominates. He is too much of a flip-flopping neocon liberal to ever win the presidency.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
9:37 am
The deal on Romney’s taxes, my guess he bet against, won and while most folks lost $$$ in 2008,2009 he made more. Appearance, and just the vast quantity of jack.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
9:39 am
I explained in my post. What is he hiding? Probably hiding the fact that he paid LESS than the 15% effective rate we already know about. Perfectly legal, but pretty crummy for those of us who pay far more to the federal government.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
9:40 am
Kyle
I think it will be somebody who comes to the table with “social conservative” cred unlike Romney who had to change a few of his positions in the last year or so to garner support and become more palatable to that demographic.
I could be 100% incorrect, but Condi being pro choice and I also think for affirmative action doesn’t fit that bill.
With that said, it would be great is she was on the ticket. She would be a formidable opponent for sure.
Jay
July 18th, 2012
9:41 am
Chris Christie would be a good contrast to Mitt. Rob Portman and some of the other vanilla guys would be a Mini-Me Mitts. Mitt actually needs someone who is not a “severe” conservative, youngish and more in step with the times. Horrible Choices: Palin, Santorum, Petraeus. Whoever he chooses, he has my vote.
finn mccool
July 18th, 2012
9:44 am
Tiberius forgets that small ball wins championships
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
9:45 am
JDW @ 8:30: Joe Biden is a walking gaffe machine. Is that really the kind of person you think would be well-suited to meet with heads of state and otherwise lead the country? He is not “believable” for the same reason Rick Perry became not “believable” during the primaries.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
9:45 am
Jackson Hewitt would make a great running mate for Romney. Romney would get the extra bonus of getting his taxes done on time. Bonus? Did someone say bonus?!?!?!?
retiredds
July 18th, 2012
9:45 am
I vote that Tiberius be Romney’s running mate. Ti, are you up for it?
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
9:46 am
SBinF @ 8:34: I’d argue if I could.
That said, I’m not sure “exciting” is what this country really needs right now.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
9:48 am
The country may not need it, but Mitt does. If people aren’t excited about his candidacy, how do you expect him to get folks out to knock on doors for him, and ultimately go to the polls to support him?
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
9:48 am
Btw, I find it absolutely hilarious that all the liberals are out in force this morning talking about Romney’s “whining.” The current president has spent the past 42 months whining about how nothing is his fault — and then has the audacity to refer Romney to Truman’s “buck stops here” comment.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
9:48 am
Kyle
Without posting at least 50 quotes, could it not be reasonably said that our last President was a “walking gaffe machine”?
I’m sure that didn’t keep you from voting for him
Thomas Heyward Jr.
July 18th, 2012
9:49 am
Mitt Romney would be a good pick for Ron Paul’s vice president.
.
Along the lines of Joe Biden.
.
Although Ron Paul……..with his constitutional Government…..would not really NEED a Vice president.
.
Go find your own daddy.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
9:50 am
Kyle
All the liberals? Good writer like yourself wouldn’t be into painting with a broad brush, would he?
retiredds
July 18th, 2012
9:50 am
Kyle: right on script … liberals=bad, conservatives=good. Wow, what a revelation.
curious
July 18th, 2012
9:51 am
Anybody able to identify an issue Romney hasn’t changed his position on?
finn mccool
July 18th, 2012
9:51 am
Jamie dimon?
the cat
July 18th, 2012
9:52 am
Um Kyle-you do know Biden has already been meeting heads of state and performing other vice president’s duties, right?
The stupid, it burns.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
9:53 am
jconservative @ 9:13: I tend to agree, although Condi also has two other fatal flaws: 1) Her performance as a leader in the Bush administration has been roundly criticized even on the right; 2) I just had to write “Bush administration.”
If Romney is smart, he won’t pick someone so closely associated with the Bush years. That’s ultimately why I think Portman doesn’t get it. Jindal served in the administration, but at a lower level and very early on (assistant secretary at HHS from 2001-03). He has made his bones mostly at the state level.
I really should have listed lack of ties to Bush among Pawlenty’s pros.
Dirty Dawg
July 18th, 2012
9:56 am
Enter your comments here
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
9:56 am
retiredds, I’d happily serve in any Romney administration.
I like to surround myself with other successful people.
Thanks for your vote!
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
9:56 am
“Btw, I find it absolutely hilarious that all the liberals are out in force this morning talking about Romney’s “whining.””
In the words of Mitt Romney, “you owe me an apology” for saying such a mean thing.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
9:59 am
Finn McCool forgets that we’re not talking about a JV basketball game here, but the office of the Presidency.
This President has done more to demean that office that anyone since Richard Nixon.
In a time where big ideas and tough decisions are needed, small-ball is apparently all he’s got.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
9:59 am
Deborah @ 9:23: The education reforms passed in April. The first school year under them hasn’t even started yet. And you want to pass judgment on them now??
Btw, the Times-Picayune — no one’s idea of a right-wing rag — editorialized in favor of Jindal’s reform package, citing the need to do things dramatically different in a state where education has lagged for too long. (Sound familiar?)
MarkV
July 18th, 2012
9:59 am
Rafe Hollister @ 9:28 am: ”I see that Obama tried to clarify his statement on business success yesterday, after two days.MarkV assured me yesterday that it did not need clarification. “
My mistake. I should have said that intelligent people did not need interpretation (I did not say anything about clarification).
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
10:00 am
Kyle at 9:48…”The current president has spent the past 42 months whining about how nothing is his fault…”
Then Kyle @ 9:53…”If Romney is smart, he won’t pick someone so closely associated with the Bush years.”
Lol!
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:00 am
Danny X
I was think the same thing. Kyle had is paint sprayer out when he posted that comment. Almost like I was listening to Rush or Shultz, and all of the “left” or “right” was getting vilified in some fit of hyperbole and rhetoric
Interested Observer
July 18th, 2012
10:01 am
Actually, I’d argue that Mitt Romney is the walking gaffe machine. His remarks make Joe Biden look constrained. Here are just a few of the bizarre statements that Romney has made (there’s a lot more where these came from):
“If you want a President who will make things better in the African American community, you are looking at him…You take a look.”
“Corporations are people, my friend… of course they are.”
“I like being able to fire people”
“I’ll tell you what, ten-thousand bucks? $10,000 bet?”
“I’m also unemployed.”
“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.”
“I love this state. The trees are the right height.”
“I’m running for office for Pete’s sake”
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
10:02 am
I Report @ 9:27: The only foreign-policy experience Obama had on the ticket was Biden, and he promptly assigned Biden to oversee the Pelosi-Reid porkfest known as the “stimulus.” It would be much more instructive to know who would be secretary of state for Romney — or for Obama, for that matter, given that Hillary has said she’s not serving a second term in the role.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:02 am
Btw, I find it absolutely hilarious that all the liberals are out in force this morning talking about Romney’s “whining.” The current president has spent the past 42 months whining about how nothing is his fault — and then has the audacity to refer Romney to Truman’s “buck stops here” comment.
obozo thinks you’re stupid and insults the intelligence of every American. Apparently some people don’t mind, most likely because the shoe fits them.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:03 am
DannyX, if I had a logic robot, his poor circuits would be fried trying to reconcile those two statements.
lolol
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:03 am
So according the “the cat”, if someone has a “meeting” with someone they’re qualified to perform the duties of that office?
Is this really the threshold we want to set?
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
10:03 am
MrLiberty @ 9:35: You are the last person in America who believes the nominee still might be Ron Paul. And that includes everyone in the Paul family.
ByteMe
July 18th, 2012
10:04 am
The first school year under them hasn’t even started yet. And you want to pass judgment on them now??
Actually, yes. If DEMOCRATS created a program transferring billions to their favorite constituency without any oversight and without any standard for success… you’d freak and you know it, because you do that with any government program going to anyone who isn’t a business.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:04 am
Really, look at the numbers, if you are capable. obozo is more heavily invested in “outsourcing” right now then Romney ever was, but yet, what does obozo call him?
He has no respect for your intelligence at all.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
10:06 am
Uh Oh @ 9:48: And I could post about that many quotes of Obama slipping up verbally. There’s a difference between misspeaking and having no filter to keep oneself on message. The latter is Biden’s biggest problem.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:06 am
Does anybody really base their vote on who the VP is?
Thomas Heyward Jr.
July 18th, 2012
10:07 am
“Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan — bona fide GOP rock stars”
.
OMG………….why am I reminded of NickleBack, Creed, and possibly the BeachBoys?
Cheese?
.
sad.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:07 am
Kyle @ 10:03:
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Kyle
When you speak of the stimulus, do not forget to mention all the Republican Congressmen, Senators and Governors who spoke out against it and use it as a “rallying cry”, yet HYPOCRITICALLY had their hands out and took money directly from that stimulus. Sad thing is that many voters who decry the stimulus as an Obama / Democrat issue do not even know or care of the Republicans who fed from the same trough. Some from their very states and districts. Irony and hypocrisy goes great on anything: toast, tomatoes, oatmeal.
Thanks for being “fair and balanced” in your approach.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Kyle
Nice clarification and semantics.
Bill Oreilly and his spin stops here, would be reluctant to have you on his show
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
10:09 am
DannyX @ 10:00: … because the whining would only increase. LOL all you want. You know it’s true.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:11 am
Hillbilly D, I think that some on the fence might go to one side of the other based on a VP choice (independents, maybe?), but that’s about it.
Interested Observer
July 18th, 2012
10:11 am
On the poll question, my fear is that Romney will pick Bobby Jindal for the same reason that John McCain picked Palin. Cynicism. McCain decided that selecting a member of a minority was more important to voters than the policies that affect voters. I hope Romney doesn’t make the same mistake.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:11 am
Biden has a way with words, you may not like him, but it’s somewhat amusing that you say he is completely unfit for the job. He’s been a public servant longer than either of us have been alive…
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:13 am
Kyle @ 9:53- A lot of the bones made by Republicans about Condi during the Bush years were because she disagreed with many of the things Bush was doing.
Surely the Romney campaign understands that if he leaves a gaping hole in his foreign policy creds, the obozo Super Pacs will forget all about the “outsourcing” and “offshore” nonsense.
And I wouldn’t bury the Bush years so enthusiastically. Many people long for the days when we had a leader that didn’t despise us.
iggy
July 18th, 2012
10:14 am
Dan Quayle.
iggy
July 18th, 2012
10:16 am
“He’s been a public servant longer than either of us have been alive”
Yeah…those delaware folks dont seem to be very intelligent.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:17 am
One man’s “public servant” is another man’s “feeder at the public trough”. That goes for both sides of the aisle. They get paid pretty well for being “servants”.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
10:17 am
@Tiberius…”A principled person would reign in the people who work for him and raise the level of discourse”
Yet Romney keeps on dodging and lying…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/21/mendacious-mitt-romney-bid-liar-in-chief
Maybe you could give him a call and get him to stop.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:17 am
I report
Maybe you wouldn’t bury the Bush yrs, however there is a reason Romney doesn’t bring up his name, he is not out campaigning for Romney and the media was not allowed close to Cheney’s place for the fundraiser.
Spin it all you like, Bush’s Administration may or may not be vilified in the future, but the Republicans are not looking to bring him up today.
They dropped him in 06 and haven’t looked back.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:17 am
I dare anyone to name one thing Biden has “served” the public with in his long, sorry tenure in government. Just one thing that’s made a difference for the good.
You can’t do it.
Not unless you’re talking about pork going out to some corporation or Mega bank.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
10:18 am
“Senators and Governors who spoke out against it and use it as a “rallying cry”, yet HYPOCRITICALLY had their hands out and took money directly from that stimulus.”
Indeed Uh Oh, the Republican hypocrisy was overwhelming. In fact while every single Republican member of the US House and Senate were screaming NO, our very own Republican Gov., Sonny Perdue was busy writing a letter to Obama demanding more stimulus money. Perdue wasn’t representing just Georgia with his letter, he was writing on behalf of every single Republican governor in the country as head of the Republican Governors Association. Every Republican governor signed the letter, even Sanford in SC who originally said his state would not accept stimulus funds. Texas used the money to keep their rainy day fund intact.
Btw, did you and the others here that were against the stimulus cash your stimulus checks?
TRUTH
July 18th, 2012
10:18 am
Hmmmm, Jindal – Do you remember his speech in 2008? Well you R’s do have a selective memory and no doubt have applied your revisionist theories: Pawlenty – Mr. Excitement, himself. Mitt picks him, he will definitely get the boring vote. TPAW, that nickname is more exciting than the individual; Portman – Let’s see, the GOP wanted him to be Prez, he declined, now he may be a VP pick….what you think if Mitt is elected (DOUBTFUL!!), Portman could then run for Prez, thus allowing the GOP possibly 16 years of governance…. wait for it….wait…… now….
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAA………………Georgia State has a better chance at winning the National Championship.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012!!
Jack
July 18th, 2012
10:19 am
I’m going to vote for Romney and Portman as VP is a good choice.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:19 am
HillyBilly D @ 10:17
I’m with you on that. Just merely pointing out to Kyle that the many Republicans are not being honest about that stimulus and Kyle know it himself.
But yes, Democrats will do the same
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:19 am
“He’s been a public servant longer than either of us have been alive…”
That in itself should be enough to not vote for him.
zeke
July 18th, 2012
10:21 am
How about me! No one knows me or my background. And, I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM ATTACKING TO ANY EXTREME THE SOCIALIST MORON CURRENTLY IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!
OBOZO HAS TO GO! THERE ARE ABOUT 20 MORE OR LESS DEMOCRAT SENATE SEATS UP FOR ELECTION, AND, THEY ALL HAVE TO BE DEFEATED! WE MUST RID OUR GOVERNMENT OF THESE SOCIALIST MORONS!!
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:22 am
People who throw around the term “socialist” are highly unlikely to know what it means.
At least I’ve found that in my experience….
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:25 am
Uh-oh – Would you like to tell us why a lot of congressional democrats won’t bring up obozo’s name or will not be attending the party’s convention in Charlotte?
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
10:25 am
Cheer up Zeke.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:26 am
“He’s been a public servant longer than either of us have been alive…”
If that’s the case, he must have started before he was a teenager. :lol :
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:26 am
Messed up my
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:26 am
I report-please do tell us which congressional democrats will not attend the convention.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
10:26 am
@Tiberius…”Of course, the tag line “What is Mitt Romney hiding?” doesn’t suggest anything illegal, now does it?”
As usual you wouldn’t get it if it bit you on the bottom.
Romney has multiple issues with his taxes…
1) He has availed himself of every slimly loophole that the rich use to keep from paying their fair share. Once he shows his cards he can’t credibly argue against the position that those of wealth should pay at least the same percentage of their earnings in taxes as a fireman, policeman or teacher.
2) He has made a lot of money from Bain and quite likely a lot of that was during the time when he was “not involved”. It is hard enough for him to explain his own sworn statements to the contrary how is he going to explain the money?
3) Releasing his taxes will bring the issue of carried interest to the forefront and that single issue alone will make a few very rich people very unhappy…pssst…lots of those are the ones funding his campaign.
There may be more but I can guarantee those are in there.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:27 am
“People who throw around the term “socialist” are highly unlikely to know what it means.”
Put you must admit, it does make for great sound bites. Gets used daily on talk radio, tv and written in columns across the country, only to be regurgitated like a macaw would mimic words. Seems to be working very well.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:29 am
I report
Basically for the same reason. He is poison in some districts
With that said, that was a nice deflection to my answer of the Bush years.
again, do not be looking to hear or read about Bush Co being a focal point in words or appearances during this campaign.
Like it or not, they ran from him.
next
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:32 am
“If that’s the case, he must have started before he was a teenager. :lol :”
Biden was in the Senate for 36 years. I’m not sure how old Kyle is, but he seems to be about my age or a bit older.
“Put you must admit, it does make for great sound bites. Gets used daily on talk radio, tv and written in columns across the country, only to be regurgitated like a macaw would mimic words. Seems to be working very well.”
This may be true, but people who follow global politics and have even a cursory understanding of political and social theory cringe each time the terms ’socialist’ ‘communist’ or ‘fascist’ are thrown around (often interchangeably).
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:32 am
Still waiting on that list of congressional democrats not attending the convention.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:32 am
Thanks for admitting that you don’t want to know anything about Romney’s tax returns for legality’s sake, JDW.
You and your President are just glorified Peeping Toms.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:35 am
SBinF
It’s a joke. Not all of us are spring chickens.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:35 am
Republicans are running from the Bush brand faster than those brides at the Filene’s annual wedding dress sale.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:36 am
Oops sorry. I be slow.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:37 am
“Still waiting on that list of congressional democrats not attending the convention.”
Google is your friend, the cat. Took me all of 10 seconds to find it.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/06/list-of-democrats-skipping-the-partys-national-convention-continues-to-grow/
Do I have to type them out for you, or are you going to at least READ the link? From ABC, no less.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
10:37 am
cat-
Earlier today, Talking Points Memo reported that Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill will not be attending the convention, becoming the third Democratic senator, and eighth Democratic member of Congress, to opt out of the event.
Uh-oh –
Asked to compare President Obama to former President George W. Bush, 56 percent said that Obama was either “worse” (34 percent) or “about the same” (22 percent) than Bush, said a USA Today/Gallup poll.
And Gallup is a wholly owned subsidiary of the democrat party, by the way.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:39 am
The legality of Romney’s tax returns was never the issue. Repeating it won’t make it true. I want to know what his effective tax rate is….and how he manages to pay a smaller percentage of tax on income of 20 million than I do for my income which is far, far smaller. It’s obvious that what he’s doing is legal. That doesn’t make it right.
I’m single and work a full time job. I pick up extra work as a gigging musician. I work 6 days a week. I use the 1040EZ form, and it takes me an hour or so to do my taxes. I’d love to have his accountants.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
10:40 am
I voted for “someone else,” and my VP pick for Mitt would be Susana Martinez, NM’s Governor.
It’s a shame she (almost certainly) won’t be picked mostly (not solely) because the GOP don’t want a repeat of Going Rogue.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:41 am
Ooh, Martinez. That’s a “Mexican” sounding name. I bet if Romney picked her, Latinos would flock to the Republican party in droves!!!1
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:42 am
“And Gallup is a wholly owned subsidiary of the democrat party, by the way.”
Unsubstantiated LIE, but I digress.
All that spin will not change the fact that you stated don’t be so quick to forget the Bush yrs. YOUR PARTY ALREADY DID……. It is over for them in regards to Bush. Accept it and move on.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
10:42 am
And Gallup is a wholly owned subsidiary of the democrat party, by the way.
That’s why Nate Silver has documented a +2.5% pro-Republican house effect for Gallup, I guess.
Because they’re a “democrat [sic] party” subsidiary.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:43 am
Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:37 am
“Still waiting on that list of congressional democrats not attending the convention.”
Google is your friend, the cat. Took me all of 10 seconds to find it.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/06/list-of-democrats-skipping-the-partys-national-convention-continues-to-grow/
Do I have to type them out for you, or are you going to at least READ the link? From ABC, no less.
So in your world a lot=6? OMG, you crack me up!
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
10:44 am
I bet if Romney picked her, Latinos would flock to the Republican party in droves!!!1
no. Not claiming that.
It would, however, signal to swing voters that he was not a corporate robot.
(and sure, it might help draw some Latino voters who are on the fence. Nothin’ wrong with that.)
md
July 18th, 2012
10:45 am
“Does anybody really base their vote on who the VP is?”
Maybe for the truly undecided that are also truly not tied to an ideology.
To me, I look at the VP as a person that can’t really move the needle up, but can definitely move the needle down.
Would I want Biden as my President…..heck no. Would I want Palin as my President….heck no.
Which leads me to my forever pet peeve of allowing the candidate to pick their own running mate. I think the VP’s should be voted on as well.
And I definitely think any in the order of succession should be voted on prior to ascending……it’s hard enough to envision Palin or Biden as President, but just a few short years ago, Pelosi was 2nd in line……..that’s a double heck no.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:45 am
“I want to know what his effective tax rate is….and how he manages to pay a smaller percentage of tax on income of 20 million than I do for my income which is far, far smaller.”
So you’re admitting that you’re a Peeping Tom as well, SBinF?
And he pays a smaller percentage because it is legal for him to do so and because he worked his butt of to get in a position where he could take advantage of the laws that allow him to do so.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:47 am
the cat
Has nothing to do with D or R. Those folks are attempting to save their hide. Obama will not be winning any of the states that those people represent.
Republicans are attempting to make this some sort of “new” development, but in fact officials from both parties have done this in the past.
Arcos
July 18th, 2012
10:47 am
I am still for Rubio. Mitt has to win Florida and the only demographic he really needs help with is Latinos. Rubio does both of these and more. He will definitely be a great attack dog, practically already is. Additionally, he sits on the foreign affairs committee and has the foreign experience that Romney could use in debating what Obama has not done to help America internationally. Lastly, Rubio is a rock star with a strong connection to the tea party. He will fire up that base across the country where the three you mentioned won’t as much. Just my thinking.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:47 am
Peeping Tom must be the talking point of the day. you are so predictable in never having your own original thoughts. Must have gone to religious schools.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
10:49 am
@Kyle…”Is that really the kind of person you think would be well-suited to meet with heads of state and otherwise lead the country?”
More so that Jindal, Pawlenty and Portman. Gaffes are a normal part of our overhyped media cycle these days and frankly way overblown. Romney walks around with his foot in his mouth half the time. By way of contrast just see if you can match the gaffe to the VP contender…
-Referred to the ACA as ObamneyCare on a Republican National Committee conference call…BTW the name came from Pawlenty himself except he was afraid to use it.
-Formed an exploratory committee AFTER announcing a candidacy on national TV…that’s a no no
-Claimed that “under Obama Federal jobs have substantially increased”…of course that’s contrary to the published facts…talk about a softball
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:49 am
I think Romoney needs to pick that crazy old lady gubner from Arizona. She was good at putting her finger in the President’s face, remember? She has more balls than Mittens.
Contarded To The Core, Hate for no other reason, except..,
July 18th, 2012
10:49 am
How about “Bud” Abbott from Abbott and Costello fame?? I think he’d be a great fit for Mitt!!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:50 am
“So in your world a lot=6?”
No, that’s what IR/YW stated. I was just responding to your generic request for a list. Please try to pay attention, cat.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:51 am
“It would, however, signal to swing voters that he was not a corporate robot.”
Unfortunately for Mitt, he is a corporate robot. He doesn’t know how to be anything else.
“And he pays a smaller percentage because it is legal for him to do so and because he worked his butt of to get in a position where he could take advantage of the laws that allow him to do so.”
He worked hard? Yes, I imagine the wealth he was born into didn’t have much to do with his “success” in life. And you have proven my point. Everything he did with his taxes was legal, that doesn’t mean it’s right. It simply means the system is gamed so that people who make a lot of money are able to take advantage of options that are not available to those of us who work every day for a wage. They take advantage of laws that they created to help themselves. Sadly, I’m not sure that you even see the irony in your words. It is in fact a correct use of the logical fallacy, begging the question. He worked hard to take advantage of laws that rich people enact so that they can work hard and take advantage of laws they created. And around we go in circles.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:51 am
officials from both parties have done this in the past
And they’ll do it until the end of time. The number one priority of any politician is self-preservation.
jconservative
July 18th, 2012
10:52 am
Kyle Wingfield at 9:53 am – I agree with the basic idea on having a hands off on the Bush administration. But Romney is surrounding himself with former Bush people in his campaign.
I just do not like Condi Rice as a political candidate. She has never won a single election for anything. She is an experienced academic and diplomat, but a political novice.
Romney needs some political help as he is getting little from his current staff. Romney has 2 wins and 2 losses as a political candidate (lost to Kennedy 1994, won governor in 2003, lost to McCain 2008 and has the nomination sewed up this year). The three candidates listed have won elections.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
10:52 am
Two things strike me from the comments, the “hypocrisy of the GOP on the Stimulus” and Romney’s “secretiveness”.
1. If you saw someone aimlessly throwing money from a window in the direction of his friends, wouldn’t you try and grab some for you and yours.
2. We have a person in the WH who was not vetted and for whom decades of his life are a total mystery, and whose autobiography is a compilation of facts, calling someone who refuses to release his tax records the “most secretive” person to ever run for President.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:54 am
What the heck is this?
IR/YW
You are the one that said a lot! I don’t think 6 is a lot myself but do carry on, you are amusing to watch fumble around.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
10:54 am
“Mitt has to win Florida and the only demographic he really needs help with is Latinos”
Well Rubio would certainly help solidify FL for Romney imo.
With that said, you do know that Cubans are the only Latino group who regularly vote majority Republican. There are other examples of a few elected officials and voting patterns, but by and large Latinos outside of the Cuban community tend to vote Democrat. This notion that Rubio will have non Cuban Latinos running to him is a crap shoot at best.
Once again, he would be a plus in terms of FL. CO, NM and NV could be hit or miss.
md
July 18th, 2012
10:54 am
“He’s been a public servant longer than either of us have been alive…”
Pretty telling of our system isn’t it…..
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
10:54 am
It simply means the system is gamed so that people who make a lot of money are able to take advantage of options that are not available to those of us who work every day for a wage
That one applies to both sides of the aisle, too.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
10:55 am
So let’s get this thing about seeing Mitt Romney’s tax returns netted out, shall we?
The liberals on this blog don’t want to see his tax returns because (as they specifically have stated) they believe that anything illegal has been done.
They just want them released so that they, and their candidate, can score more political points against Mitt Romney.
Given this inarguable conclusion, why would Mitt Romney voluntarily release more tax returns?
md
July 18th, 2012
10:57 am
“People who throw around the term “socialist” are highly unlikely to know what it means.”
I throw it around and I know exactly what it means…….that doesn’t mean we aren’t heading in that direction.
There are other points along a line, not just two points at each end.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
10:57 am
Mittens will have to release his tax returns if he wants to stay on the ballot. His own party will insist upon it. This implosion is fun to watch. Cons have serious trouble when Coulter throws them under the bus.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
10:58 am
“That one applies to both sides of the aisle, too.”
It absolutely does. It’s a debate we need to be having. It’s why Mitt won’t release his taxes. Both sides of the aisle have rigged the tax code this way. Unfortunately for Mitt, he has made his economic past the centerpiece of his campaign. Now that people have questions about how he became successful, it’s suddenly off limits.
Common Sense isn't very Common
July 18th, 2012
11:00 am
Paul Babeu
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:02 am
“What the heck is this?
IR/YW
You are the one that said a lot!”
Once again, cat, pay attention. IR/YW is the shorter version of “I Report / You Whine”, the original poster who used the term ” a lot”. I never did. I merely provided the link to your generic request for a list.
md
July 18th, 2012
11:03 am
“I want to know what his effective tax rate is….and how he manages to pay a smaller percentage of tax on income of 20 million than I do for my income which is far, far smaller.”
Because WE have tax rates on different types of income…..and those rates apply to EVERYBODY equally.
There is a rate for “ordinary” income which most pay, then there are many other taxes at rates that apply to various income types. “Capital gains” has a smaller rate, and applies to those making money off investments………which seems to apply to Romney, and more than likely will apply to you if you ever sell a house, or cash in your 401k somewhere down the road……
If you think it is special treatment, you are barking up the wrong tree……..
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
11:05 am
Mitt is accused of using the tax laws to pay less than what is “right”, some nebullus standard the libs have.
Well is it right to donate your used underwear in order to claim a tax deduction like Clinton did, avoiding every dollar he could, just like Mitt. I believe he and Hillary wrote off some mysterious loses on Whitewater as well. Check Biden’s tax returns and see how much he pays. Has Buffet ever repaid all that money he owes to the IRS, while he stands there and says, the rich should pay more.
If the left thinks people should do what they think is “right” versus what we all know to be legal, then they should set an example; donate any extra couple of hundred, and mark on your check, “The right thing to do”. You might start a trend; you never know.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:06 am
md,
This is the point. Wealthy folks get into office and enact tax rules which allow them to keep more of their money while the rest of us who work jobs shoulder the burden of funding the government.
To recap: I understand that capital gains are taxed as income. The question is WHY? Why is his method of making money given more deference than my method of making money? It’s an apt question, and one that he doesn’t want to answer. That’s why he is refusing to release more tax returns. He is exactly what’s wrong with our tax code.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:06 am
“Now that people have questions about how he became successful, it’s suddenly off limits.”
His tax returns are now “how he became successful”, SBinF?
Really?
I believe they are a result of his success, but not how he became successful.
But again, this is just more small-ball. The rich could be taxed at 100%, and the dent in our annual deficit would be minimal. It is all about SPENDING. It is all about the ECONOMY. If your candidate can’t focus on that, and has to rely on this, his record and his ideas must be pretty abysmal.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:07 am
@Tiberius…”why would Mitt Romney voluntarily release more tax returns?”
Thankfully your lack of political acumen guarantees that we will not have to endure you as an elected official even in the wingnuttiest of jurisdictions.
Romney will most likely lose anyway, but if he doesn’t release the taxes it’s a guarantee. If the election were held today he would lose to 332 EV’s to 206 EV’s. To win he must turn at least sixty five EV’s. He must turn Ohio, Florida and Virginia plus one more smaller state while holding everything he currently has that is close like NC and MO. He won’t be able to do that if people (correctly) think he is hiding something.
Thanks why REPUBLICAN pundits are screaming that he release the taxes…they know if he doesn’t it’s game over.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:07 am
Of course, he could shut us all up by releasing his returns. Makes you wonder why he won’t. Folks on his own side are calling for him to release the returns. I’m calling it again, I bet that for several years Mitt payed no taxes.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
11:07 am
While I have already stated that this tax return issue will get as much long term benefit as did the birther issue, I missed where Buffet is running for office.
Josh
July 18th, 2012
11:07 am
Maybe Romney should worry about winning the nomination first! unless of course your fine with the RNC completely ignoring its own rules, we do not have a nominee yet!
the cat
July 18th, 2012
11:08 am
And here I thought Tiberius and the Whiner were one and the same. They are certainly interchangeable and actually I think they are the same person with two handles. Crazy how they mimic each other and complement each other isn’t it. Kyle-can you confirm these are actually 2 different IP addresses?
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:08 am
His tax returns are now “how he became successful”, SBinF?
————————
His tax returns show how he made his money.
sirwinston
July 18th, 2012
11:08 am
Newt. Both are more like each other………….can’t seem to to be honest!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:10 am
“Why is his method of making money given more deference than my method of making money?”
Because the profit he already made and put into those investments was already taxed once, SBinF.
Because the investments he’s making are risking HIS money in order to create jobs without going into deficit spending, SBinF
That’s why that money gets taxed less than yours. Why you people just can’t internalize that is simply beyond comprehension.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:10 am
My dad has a saying:
“Don’t start none, won’t be none.”
Mitt created this mess for himself. “Vote for me because of Bain, just don’t ask me about Bain.”
@@
July 18th, 2012
11:11 am
Joe Biden is a walking gaffe machine.
It’s what I love about Joe. It’s been said that a gaffe in Washington is a truth heard ’round the world.
It would be much more instructive to know who would be secretary of state for Romney
John Bolton would be my choice!
I dare anyone to name one thing Biden has “served” the public with in his long, sorry tenure in government. Just one thing that’s made a difference for the good.
As Senator of Delaware, has he actively sought to maintain Delaware’s corporate tax shelter status?
jeffrey
July 18th, 2012
11:12 am
Hillary or Nancy pelosi.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
11:13 am
Kyle
Why not Bachman?
just kidding
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
11:13 am
JDW
If “hiding” stuff equated to a sure electoral defeat, we wouldn’t be discussing Obama.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
11:15 am
UH OH
Buffet is not running for office, he is just Obama’s Howdy Doody, a ventriloquist dummy.
Ray
July 18th, 2012
11:15 am
Reading Pawlenty’s face yesterday, if I were a gambler, I would put it all on him. He has never appeared more relaxed and happy.
Jindal is very impressive but he will be perceived as a “foreigner” by too many in the party. There is American, and then there is AMERICAN, apparently.
Middle of the Road
July 18th, 2012
11:15 am
“Does anybody really base their vote on who the VP is?
Well, I’m already on record as having switched my vote four years ago when McCain picked Palin. That said, I think a candidate can do more harm than good with their pick. I also hope that part of the selection process is devoted to how well the individual would work out and get along if in fact they became Vice President.
md
July 18th, 2012
11:15 am
“This is the point. Wealthy folks get into office and enact tax rules which allow them to keep more of their money while the rest of us who work jobs shoulder the burden of funding the government. ”
I think you are caught up in the conspiracy theory that all the rich folks are out to get you…….
As I said, cap gains tax applies to everybody……..you really want to pay the normal tax rate on the money you may make when selling your house?
As for why is it lower…………because our economy runs on capital……without it, the economy stalls and people can’t find work (sound familiar?). Some corps are already sitting on their capital to the tune of 3 trillion or so……think that would help if it was running through our economy?
Investments are made with an eye on ROI……raise that cap gains tax, and folks then have to decide if there is a better place to make their money work for them…….thus the possible removal of even more money from the economy………
Why do you think Bernanke is printing so much money??
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:16 am
@Rafe…”If “hiding” stuff equated to a sure electoral defeat, we wouldn’t be discussing Obama.”
Depends on what you hide…big difference between what you did as a collegian many years ago and how you gamed the system over the last 10.
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Rafe
Ok. Nice spin.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:17 am
“Thankfully your lack of political acumen guarantees that we will not have to endure you as an elected official even in the wingnuttiest of jurisdictions. ”
Given the fact that every poll shows the electorate doesn’t care about this issue, I’d say I’m on the right side and (as usual) you’re not, JDW.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
11:19 am
I would posit Romoney may be having trouble convincing someone, anyone to run with him. Why would anyone of stature and policital acumen align with a loser?
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:21 am
MD,
Explain it away as you like. But the argument is toxic. If that were true, Romney would’ve released his returns long ago. He won’t because they show that he receives far favorable treatment with the tax code than us wage workers.
Back to the topic, it’s a bit of a paradox. The Romney campaign is supposedly so disciplined. They have managed to keep under lock the name of his veep choice. So much discipline, yet in 20 years of running for public office, he still has found no artful way to explain how he made his millions. Which again, would not be nearly as much of an issue but that Mitt has chosen his business record as the sole reason to elect him.
I predict his veep choice will be a middle aged or old white man. He’s got to play to his base….and unfortunately, the bulk of the Republican voting bloc is built on this one demographic.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:21 am
@md…”you really want to pay the normal tax rate on the money you may make when selling your house?”
Big difference between capital gains on an investment and 15% on carried interest (where almost all of Romney’s 2010 income was derived), which is no different that sales commissions taxed at regular income rates on every salesperson in the country.
I agree with you on the capital bit and am on record stating that if you invest DIRECTLY in a company and hold that investment for at least 5 years it should be tax free. Gambling on the share price of Apple, no matter what the time frame should be taxed accordingly.
If you made that change you would create a very large stream of capital that flowed directed to growing companies…the ones that really drive jobs.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:23 am
“Given the fact that every poll shows the electorate doesn’t care about this issue, I’d say I’m on the right side and (as usual) you’re not, JDW.”
Every poll? You jest. It speaks to Romney’s credibility. Fact is, people don’t trust him.
—————————————–
Seen as arrogant and aloof by his rivals, Romney is said to have few friends or ties among his former challengers or elsewhere in the GOP and conservative ranks. He has money and a tight and loyal cadre of operatives, but they find themselves without many allies as they try to argue that their boss should be allowed to keep his business dealings and taxes private.
“There are those of us who think that Romney is destined to lose, and they are behaving accordingly,” said the former manager of another campaign, who also declined to be quoted because his boss has endorsed Romney.
“Everybody’s looking ahead to the next round. They won’t say it, but they are.”
———————————————-
How’s that for a ringing endorsement? GOP is regrouping for 2016. The election is a long way out, but barring catastrophic developments, the chips are stacked against Mitt. His own folks don’t even like him that much.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Seen as arrogant and aloof by his rivals, Romney is said to have few friends or ties among his former challengers or elsewhere in the GOP and conservative ranks. He has money and a tight and loyal cadre of operatives, but they find themselves without many allies as they try to argue that their boss should be allowed to keep his business dealings and taxes private.
“There are those of us who think that Romney is destined to lose, and they are behaving accordingly,” said the former manager of another campaign, who also declined to be quoted because his boss has endorsed Romney.
“Everybody’s looking ahead to the next round. They won’t say it, but they are.”
————————————–
This is what’s being said about Romney, by people in his own party. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
July 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Who should be Romney’s Running Mate?
H.R. Puffenstuff.
A Fictional character for another Fictional Character.
Dearie
July 18th, 2012
11:26 am
July 18th, 2012
10:39 am
“It’s obvious that what he’s doing is legal. That doesn’t make it right”
Your statement is comical, but telling…..
It IS right to use every law our country affords us in preserving our own wealth.
What IS NOT right is to have members of your staff not pay taxes at all.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:27 am
@Tiberius…”Given the fact that every poll shows the electorate doesn’t care about this issue, I’d say I’m on the right side and (as usual) you’re not, JDW.”
As usual your insight and knowledge extend to the end of your nose…
-56% of Americans think he should…34% think he should not
-61% of Independents think he should…27% think he should not.
Those number will continue to grow
http://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romney-tax-return-release-rate-obama-election-poll-2012-7
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
11:27 am
Mitt’s problem is that he can’t pick a veep that is more exciting and electrifying than him.
SBinF–Probably a lot of truth in that statement. Have to give credit where credit is due, as painful as that truth is.
My personal choice for VP would be Chris Christie. I appreciate his intelligence and candor. My second choice would be Condi Rice for her experience.
Having said that, I need to emphasize that Mitt Romney isn’t my first choice for the Presidential candidate. Like Kyle, I favored Newt. (sucking up to Kyle in a big way
)
Dearie
July 18th, 2012
11:30 am
http://news.yahoo.com/report-36-obama-staffers-delinquent-federal-taxes-183054710.html
At least 36 members of President Obama’s executive staff owe back taxes to the federal government, Investor’s Business Daily reported on Thursday.
The Internal Revenue Service revealed that the three dozen Obama staffers owe a total of $833,970 in back taxes from 2010.
Nearly 1/3 of Obama’s aides make more than $100,000. Twenty-one of them are paid $172,200 per year, the top White House salary. In total, Obama’s staff of 457 aides made more than $37 million last year.
“It’s ironic,” Ryan Ellis, tax policy director of Americans for Tax Reform, told The Daily Caller. “The same week that President Obama says that people who paid their full obligation should pay more, it’s ironic that people who work for President Obama haven’t even paid their own taxes.”
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:30 am
Dearie,
The nuance has been explained several times. It’s a problem that the tax laws of this country favor people who least need any advantages. Middle class people (consumers) should be the folks that find the most benefit from the tax system. Contrary to the commonly uttered line about ‘job creators’. It’s regular folks going out and buying things that have allowed this country to become so prosperous over the last 70 or so years.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:31 am
JDW, in your world “doesn’t care” and “should release” mean the same thing.
Alas, in the real world, they don’t.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:31 am
@Tiberius…
Just for more fun…
Obama Campaign Liked Better Than Romney’s 46% favorable to 38% favorable
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/obama-campaign-liked_n_1682188.html
Kind of the story of the election…neither are great but one is a far better choice than the other.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:31 am
Great, the owe taxes. What’s that got to do with Romney? Are those 36 people running for president?
And the irony, none of us even knows how much Mitt payed in taxes. Perhaps it was 4%, perhaps it was 0?
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
11:32 am
Why would it be so hard to make a decision ? No saints out there in GOP garb, eh ?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 18th, 2012
11:32 am
Off to do some much needed commerce.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
11:32 am
Btw, I find it absolutely hilarious that all the liberals are out in force this morning
Somehow they couldn’t find their way to the blog on Monday when the topic was Obama’s statement “You didn’t build your business”. I can only wonder why……
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:33 am
@Tiberius…”Alas, in the real world, they don’t.”
Only if you want to WIN.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
11:34 am
@Bruno…”Somehow they couldn’t find their way to the blog on Monday when the topic was Obama’s statement “You didn’t build your business”. I can only wonder why”
I and plenty of others had no problem calling Kyle to task for his obtuse rendering of the Presidents obvious remarks…it’s all still there.
MikeB
July 18th, 2012
11:36 am
Secretary Rice would be appropriate, but distance from Bush is a must for this campaign…….
Rudy Gulianni, Senator Marco Rubio or Rep. Allen West would be my picks…..
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
11:36 am
If people aren’t excited about his candidacy, how do you expect him to get folks out to knock on doors for him, and ultimately go to the polls to support him?
Just a guess, SBinF, but I think the frightening prospect of a second Obama term may be enough to mobilize the base. ObamaCare must go, one way or the other.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
11:40 am
“Just a guess, SBinF, but I think the frightening prospect of a second Obama term may be enough to mobilize the base. ObamaCare must go, one way or the other.”
Unfortunately history doesn’t really support this conclusion. The side with the most excitement is going to be the side that wins. And you may find this difficult to believe, but a good number of people (probably around 50%) don’t find the prospect of a second Obama term “frightening.”
the cat
July 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Bruno-no. Obamacare is just the latest wonderful thing to come with the help of President Obama. Law of the land, deal with it and enjoy its many benefits instead of condeming it just because of who is in the WH. Do you even know what is in it and how you and your family will benefit from it? Do some research
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
11:43 am
“second Obama term may be enough to mobilize the base”
Polling showed that the base came out for McCain. See the number of votes and demographic polling as factual and direct data for support.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
11:44 am
Joe Biden is a walking gaffe machine.
I feel I must link to this piece, which makes a good point about this term in current usage.
(not picking on Kyle’s usage, mind you–I just think the Cracked.com (!) author is on to something.)
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
11:47 am
I can only wonder why……
Shrug. In my case, it’s certainly not for lack of an opinion over how the right wing jumped on that statement–although in Kyle’s defense, I think he formulated a decent piece based around it.
Truth to tell, I didn’t see Kyle’s post until it was well past its sell-by date. I doubt anyone cares about what I have to say about it now.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
11:48 am
Opposing the ACA will COST Romney votes. Many of those with pre-existing conditions like it.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
11:48 am
SBinF
Obama is said to have few friends or ties among his former challengers or elsewhere (excluding Chicago Mobsters)
Don’t think we have ever found anyone that claims to have known Obama in his youth, other than maybe the Choom Gang.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
11:49 am
(probably around 50%) don’t find the prospect of a second Obama term “frightening.”
This is where his personal approval rating — which is higher than his job-approval rating — comes into play, yep.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
11:50 am
I am still for Rubio. Mitt has to win Florida and the only demographic he really needs help with is Latinos. Rubio does both of these and more. He will definitely be a great attack dog, practically already is. Additionally, he sits on the foreign affairs committee and has the foreign experience that Romney could use in debating what Obama has not done to help America internationally. Lastly, Rubio is a rock star with a strong connection to the tea party. He will fire up that base across the country where the three you mentioned won’t as much. Just my thinking.
Arcos @ 10:47–Great point. It seems a shame that the two best VP choices, Christie and Rubio, aren’t even being considered.
Of course, even as a person who generally isn’t interested in politics, I’ve disagreed strongly with much of Romney’s campaign tactics. Given the weakness of the Obama Presidency, it should be a slam dunk for the Republicans this time around. With Romney as the nominee, we’ll be lucky to eke out a small win.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
11:51 am
hahahahaha, Romney paid a higher tax rate than obozo’s whole entire white house staff did, hahahaha, aahhh, does it git any better dan dis?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
11:56 am
As I was saying-
It turns out that Jonathan Lavine, current Obama bundler, was actually in charge, at Bain, during that period, when the layoffs occurred. …One of Obama’s top campaign financiers – Jonathan Lavine – is also managing director at Bain, bundling between $100,000 and $200,000 in contributions for the 2012 Obama Victory Fund, according to estimates released by the Obama campaign.
Insult your intelligence?
kelly
July 18th, 2012
12:00 pm
Republicans fielding the weakest line-up since Goldwater/Miller. Romney would be better off betting the farm on Palin; at least she excites somebody.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
12:01 pm
Bruno
With Romney as the nominee, we’ll be lucky to eke out a small win.
I agree with what Charles Krathamer (sp) said last night, if anyone wins with a small margin, it will be Obama, eking out a victory. He said if Romney wins, it will be a landslide. Just like Reagan and Carter, the last month it moved from a small Carter victory to a Reagan landslide. People finally decide that a change has to be made and do it decisively, momentum builds and polls shift and everyone joins in.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
12:01 pm
“Don’t think we have ever found anyone that claims to have known Obama in his youth, other than maybe the Choom Gang.”
Who cares? Mitt is running for the job. It’s like refusing to answer certain questions at a job interview. How well would that work out if I told the recruiter, “that information isn’t important so I’m not going to share it….”
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
The laid off steel worker in the Obama/Bain negative ad, disparaging Romney, now says he will never vote for Obama. Bet, they remove that ad!
Goldie
July 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
Darth Vader Cheney — to show how The Mitt fully embraces the old W regime!
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:06 pm
Seen as arrogant and aloof by his rivals, Romney is said to have few friends or ties among his former challengers or elsewhere in the GOP and conservative ranks.
Funny! Many elected democrats have said the same thing about Obama.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:06 pm
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
12:01 pm
“Don’t think we have ever found anyone that claims to have known Obama in his youth, other than maybe the Choom Gang.”
On the other hand, we have met those that knew Romoney in his youth, you know, the bully that pushed a blind teacher through a door, knocked down the classmate and cut his hair, etc. Once a bully always a bully.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:06 pm
Seen as arrogant and aloof by his rivals, Romney is said to have few friends or ties among his former challengers or elsewhere in the GOP and conservative ranks.
Funny! Many elected democrats have said the same thing about Obama
How many is many??? More than 6 less than 10?? You are cracking me up!
Uh Oh
July 18th, 2012
12:09 pm
Rafe
Great point about Carter / Reagan. With that said, I don’t think anyone on the right thinks Romney is a Reagan. So one must take into account all the variables that go into the equation and not just the ones that appear to lean the way we like.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
12:09 pm
This is the point. Wealthy folks get into office and enact tax rules which allow them to keep more of their money while the rest of us who work jobs shoulder the burden of funding the government.
To recap: I understand that capital gains are taxed as income. The question is WHY? Why is his method of making money given more deference than my method of making money? It’s an apt question, and one that he doesn’t want to answer. That’s why he is refusing to release more tax returns. He is exactly what’s wrong with our tax code.
SBinF–You seem to have focused most of your vitriol on Republicans/conservatives this AM. The stark reality is that many, if not most, of rich people vote Democrat. And though the Democrats talk a mean game about the rich not paying their fair share, in the end they haven’t changed even one tax law to change the rules of the game since they’ve been in charge, as witnessed by the extension of the Bush tax cuts in Dec, 2009 when they had majorities in both the House and Senate.
And though md and others adequately explained why capital gains taxes are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income, keep in mind that the vast majority of investors are of middle and lower income. It’s a “tax break” that favors all of us. You need to take off your class warfare sunglasses once in a while.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
12:10 pm
SBinF
People refuse to answer questions is job interviews all the time and it is illegal to ask some questions. One one of my first, I asked a female if she had children and did she have reliable child care. A reasonable question I thought, since this person needed to be at the job on time and regularly. My boss had a conniption, called me out of the office, and said you just can’t ask that question, it is discrimination, you wouldn’t ask a man that question.
So, would you demand to see Mitt’s tax returns if he was poor?
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
12:11 pm
“Once a bully always a bully.”
Truer words were never spoken. It’s playing itself out in his behavior. He wants to be president, it’s his turn, and by God he’s gonna have it. Notice how he went to the NAACP then talked crap about them later that day in front of a friendly crowd in Montana. That’s the M.O. of a bully. They pick on people they can get away with. He wouldn’t dare go before the NAACP and tell them that they vote Democrat because they want free stuff.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
“So, would you demand to see Mitt’s tax returns if he was poor?”
The convention begun by his father, presidential candidates release tax returns. He’s built his campaign on his economic success. Surely we should know how he made his millions.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
Just catching up to the current page, sorry for any delays in responding.
I and plenty of others had no problem calling Kyle to task for his obtuse rendering of the Presidents obvious remarks…it’s all still there.
JDW–I read through almost all of the responses to Kyles’ column on Monday. What in the world qualifies Kyle’s response as “obtuse”.
Furthermore, what was “obvious” to me and others about Obama’s remark is that he places little to no value on individual effort, and instead gives full credit to societal contributions.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:14 pm
Bruno-explain to me how to grow a business on an island by yourself.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
12:16 pm
Maybe he should pick a Latino/la. It would be a Hail Mary, but he’s gotta do something:
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/polls/238625-poll-obama-widens-lead-among-hispanic-voters
President Obama has widened his already substantial lead over Mitt Romney among Hispanics, according to a Latino Decisions poll released on Wednesday.
Obama takes 70 percent of the Hispanic vote, compared to Romney at 22. It’s the first time Obama has hit 70 percent in the poll, and the 48-point margin is the widest for the president so far, up from his June lead of 66 percent to 23.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
July 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
So, would you demand to see Mitt’s tax returns if he was poor?
Yes if he were running for President.
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:22 pm
cat:
You’ll have to ask those in the know.
We can only imagine how many others see him as aloof or wrong in his policies but are afraid to speak out.
When they DO speak out, he and the DNC quickly start turning the screws.
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:23 pm
Oops! Too blue.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
I posted this on Bookman’s blog.
I submit Oliver North to run as Romoney’s VP.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
@@ why post crap you can’t back up?
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
Question!
Is anyone here familiar with Lone Frank, neurobiologist?
jay
July 18th, 2012
12:29 pm
the palinator
Alphonso Bedoya
July 18th, 2012
12:33 pm
If not JIndal, Sarah Palin is the obvious choice. Romney is arrogant if he thinks he knows better than John McCain. Just four years ago, McCain determined after careful vetting that Sarah Palin was the most-qualified person in the nation for this position. Neither Portman for Pawlenty has done anything to raise themselves above Palin in that time, while Palin herself during that same period amassed an additional quarter-term as Governor of the Nation’s largest State. Jindal alone has gained ground on Palin during the last four years; indeed, Jindal is now in precisely the “part-way-through-a-first-term” status that so qualified Palin. Admittedly, you can’t see Russia from Lousiana, but you can see Mexico’s Gulf.
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
cat:
@@ why post crap you can’t back up?
The comments are in the link. Diane Feinstein? Harry Reid? One of his own staffers? Cardoza out of CA? Several articles addressed his aloofness.
Who’s to blame….
President Obama blames the press for creating the image that he’s aloof and disconnected from the rest of Washington, insisting in a new interview that he’s just more interested in spending time with his family than in exchanging pleasantries with strangers.–Politico
the press and his family.
schnirt
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:38 pm
So you say less than 5 @@? Do you read what you write?
JDW
July 18th, 2012
12:39 pm
@Bruno…”What in the world qualifies Kyle’s response as “obtuse”. ”
Kyle’e entire posting was obtuse….annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
It was clear from the beginning that the entire point of the President’s remarks was to note that entrepreneurship does not happen in a vacuum. Every successful business owes its very existence to a variety of factors including employees, government and customers. Businesses that exist here in the US take advantage of enormous government support in areas of stability, transportation, R&D, grants, tax incentives and so forth.
Kyle and many on the Right were unable to comprehend the meaning of those remarks and therefore chose to make comments like “Nope, my question is: Where’s mine?” therefore distorting the original message.
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:42 pm
cat:
If you’re just here to be an a$$, may I suggest you take the seat that best suits you…
at the back of the line?
tiredofIT
July 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
Joe the plumber
Mandingo
July 18th, 2012
12:46 pm
Pawlenty should get the nod. Voters have stopped taking the GOP ( minorities are with us bait ) years ago so Bobby Jindal has no upside like Hermain Cain, Clarence Thomas, Micheal Steel etc etc. Portman is on the verge of locking his pension in for life and has no reason to take the VP gamble… Pawlenty’s downside is he may not be Johnny Reb enough to suit the GOP base
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:47 pm
@@oh punkin. your feelings all hurt because you got caught out in a lie?
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
Bruno-no. Obamacare is just the latest wonderful thing to come with the help of President Obama. Law of the land, deal with it and enjoy its many benefits instead of condeming it just because of who is in the WH. Do you even know what is in it and how you and your family will benefit from it? Do some research
cat–In case you’re new to the blog, I’ve detailed time and again why Obamacare is a loser. You’re welcome to look back in the archives either here or on the Bookman Blog to see my detailed analysis. As per my qualifications to comment, I’m both a doctor and an actuary.
The short version is this: The number one problem in our healthcare system is cost, not access. One of the main drivers of the high costs is an over-reliance on the third party payment system. Because doctors don’t charge their patients directly, prices have outpaced inflation year after year. By increasing, rather than diminishing, the role of the third-party payment system, it is guaranteed that costs will go up, not down.
The bottom line is that if “universal coverage” was the goal, then using private insurance companies as the vehicle is the most costly, most problematic way of achieving it. There are many, many capitalistic solutions which would be better.
Finally, the other primary driver of costs in our health care system is the sorry state of our nation’s health. In case you were unaware, obesity is rampant, with an estimated 60+ % of our health care dollars spent on preventable conditions. ObamaCare does nothing to change this regrettable fact.
getalife
July 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
“Dems Propose Bill Requiring Presidential Candidates To Release Tax Returns” Aol.
Show us your papers willard. Now.
The gop are turning on willard.
Four more years!
the cat
July 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
Bruno-no, not knew to the blog. I’m a doctor and an actuary as well. What a coincidence, huh? We just happen to disagree.
getalife
July 18th, 2012
12:52 pm
willard/birther joey.
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
Bruno
Pretty impressive credentials. Great for you and your work effort to obtain all that education.
What type of doctor are you?
@@
July 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
cat:
Being a conservative, I have no feelings…an argument put forth by your side.
So-o-ooo, no need to worry about my feelings.
And cat? Try not to hover, will you?
So Cal
July 18th, 2012
12:58 pm
Yes Palin for sure! She’s so SMART! she would surely be a great choice to bring the cons together! LOL!
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
1:02 pm
Allen West, Michelle Bachman, Donald Trump…
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
1:03 pm
Bruno
I assume you are in the “medical” field. How do you see Obamacare impacting your practice?
Is it an issue that might cause you to leave the medical industry or will you still be able to make it with all the additional administrative crap that will be imposed on you?
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
1:14 pm
Also, cat, one of the pseudo-arguments that proponents of the ACA keep pushing is the “free-rider” argument, believing that adding millions of people to the insurance pool will somehow magically spread the costs around. Since you’re such a fan of research, you might want to take a gander at this chart which gives the demographics of the uninsured in this country. As the charts show, the vast majority of the uninsured are either very young, very poor, or illegal immigrants. As such, they won’t be paying for their care once ObamaCare kicks in.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/05/uninsured-cps/index.htm
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
1:14 pm
Back in a flash….
the cat
July 18th, 2012
1:16 pm
Bruno-you lack compassion. Why on earth did you decide to become a doctor? I hope you don’t see patients.
There is also no need for the condescension. We disagree is all.
JohnS
July 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
Sarah Palin because she did such a great job last time. Or Michelle Bachman if Sarah is too busy peddling her books.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
“Doctor” did you read anything in the link before you sent it??
“While the income distribution of the uninsured is skewed toward those with lower incomes, Figure 2 shows 27% of the uninsured have incomes above 300% of poverty, with one-in-ten (11%) uninsured above 500% FPL.(4) That the uninsured comprise non-trivial percentages of middle and upper income individuals is surprising. Those with incomes above 300% of poverty should generally find employer insurance affordable. Data from employers shows that average single coverage premiums for employer sponsored insurance represent 2.0% of income at 300% FPL, and average family coverage premiums represent 4.7% of income for a family of four at 300% FPL (with a higher percentage for smaller families).”
Or do you not understand what “non trivial” means?
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
Pretty impressive credentials. Great for you and your work effort to obtain all that education.
Thanks, YDS. I racked up over 500 credit hours in college, but enjoyed it all, despite being on my own financially. My main claim to fame is scoring a “10″ on each of the parts of the Actuarial Exams which I sat for. Check with any actuary, and they will be impressed.
Bruno-no, not knew to the blog. I’m a doctor and an actuary as well. What a coincidence, huh? We just happen to disagree.
cat–You can believe as you wish, since it is an anonymous blog. If it makes you feel any better, I know a few of the Bookman regulars outside of the blog, they can vouch for me. But, most importantly, I can prove my qualifications through my arguments, something you haven’t done. the only thing you’ve proven to me so far is that you’re an Obamabot.
I assume you are in the “medical” field. How do you see Obamacare impacting your practice?
YDS–I’m slightly outside of the medical mainstream, so it’s hard to say how it will impact my specialty. It will probably lead to an increase in business due to insurance equality laws. On the consumer side, I choose to self-insure, so will have to start paying fines in 2014.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
And there is nothing in the link that mentions illegal immigrants. They are only delineated by citizen and noncitizen.
You can’t interpret a simple bar graph? I’m calling shenanigans your your medical credentials.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
Well, either you can’t read a graph and comprehend what it says, or you’re lying to make your point. Either way, bad form.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Bruno-I am surprised you got a 10 on your exams if you can’t read a graph correctly. Methinks you are lying about your credentials. Perhaps you have a PHD in some obsure field?
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Bruno
Thanks for the exchange and congrats again on the hard work and effort.
the cat
July 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Bruno-the “diploma” you ordered and got in the mail may not be realz. LOL
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
1:47 pm
Far be it for me to question his claims to be a doctor. It just seems that if you’re going to appeal to appeal to authority, at least make certain the link you post actually supports your claims. Not everyone on the internet is impressed by a link. Some of us actually click it, evaluate it, and note if it indeed supports the claim.
I’m but a lowly teacher, but they did teach us a little critical thinking in graduate school. . . and at least how to read and interpret a graph.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
1:48 pm
I should proofread a little better. They also taught us that one, though I obviously don’t adhere to it!
@@
July 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
New thread, people. It addresses Pat Murray (D), terrorist extraordinaire.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Figure 2 shows 27% of the uninsured have incomes above 300% of poverty, with one-in-ten (11%) uninsured above 500% FPL.(4) That the uninsured comprise non-trivial percentages of middle and upper income individuals is surprising. Those with incomes above 300% of poverty should generally find employer insurance affordable
SBinF–My statement the the vast majority (approximately 75%) of the uninsured are poor is confirmed by these stats. And, if you think about it, the other 27% aren’t automatically “free riders”. I have self-insured my whole life, which simply means I have paid for all of my medical expenses out-of-pocket. Nothing “free” about that in my book.
Which, of course, begs the question, should I be responsible for other’s health care?? Personally, I say no, especially given the fact that I take good care of myself, while the average person doesn’t. Having said that, if “universal coverage” is the goal, then single-payer is the only way to go. Using private insurance as the vehicle is just plain stupid. Unfortunately, the Dems didn’t have the political cojones to put single payer up for a vote.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Still catching up from earlier:
Just like Reagan and Carter, the last month it moved from a small Carter victory to a Reagan landslide. People finally decide that a change has to be made and do it decisively, momentum builds and polls shift and everyone joins in.
Rafe–I get your point about the unreliability of pre-election polls, but there’s one glaring difference from this election to that of 1980. To borrow a line from Lloyd Bentson, Romney is no Reagan.
On a personal level, it was Reagan who changed me from a liberal to a conservative. Prior to the 1980 election, I heard a lot of scare talk about what might happen if Reagan was elected. The only thing that actually happened was that he helped got our economy on track and helped restore our pride as Americans.
SBinF
July 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
“Also, cat, one of the pseudo-arguments that proponents of the ACA keep pushing is the “free-rider” argument, believing that adding millions of people to the insurance pool will somehow magically spread the costs around.”
Let’s assume there are somewhere around 50 million uninsured Americans. If 27% of them can afford insurance but choose not to, that’s around 13 million. You then go on to imply that the vast majority of the folk are poor and won’t be paying anyway as proof that millions of new insurance customers will never materialize.
“Since you’re such a fan of research, you might want to take a gander at this chart which gives the demographics of the uninsured in this country. As the charts show, the vast majority of the uninsured are either very young, very poor, or illegal immigrants. As such, they won’t be paying for their care once ObamaCare kicks in.”
Now, if my math is right, 13 million is millions. So the pseudo-argument by ACA proponents is quite correct.
And just to point out, forgive me doctor, but your use of the term “begging the question” is completely incorrect. You are only raising the question. “Begging the question” is a fallacy where information which requires proof is posited without proof. That is, you make assumptions, then use your assumptions to make statements which support your assumptions.
East Lake Ira
July 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
Please tell me Palin won your little poll!
Please?
Measure
July 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
Not sure how Piyush Jindal will attract minority voters. Indians are less than one percent of total US population, most of which can not vote because they are either illegal or on work/student visa. Also the majority of Indians will not vote for a republican anyway.
Using Christian name and pretending to be a Christian does not mean that Jindal can change what he really is.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
sfd– Shrug. In my case, it’s certainly not for lack of an opinion over how the right wing jumped on that statement–although in Kyle’s defense, I think he formulated a decent piece based around it.
cat– Bruno-explain to me how to grow a business on an island by yourself.
JDW– It was clear from the beginning that the entire point of the President’s remarks was to note that entrepreneurship does not happen in a vacuum. Every successful business owes its very existence to a variety of factors including employees, government and customers.
In case any of you missed my response to Kyle’s column, here it is:
http://blogs.ajc.com/kyle-wingfield/2012/07/16/mr-president-when-will-somebody-else-build-my-business/?cp=8#comment-128428
As I stated at that time, it takes both opportunity AND individual effort to be successful. As much as you Lefties want to claim that Obama’s statement was similarly balanced, it isn’t. He basically dismisses individual effort out-of-hand and gives ALL of the credit to the contribution of society. To argue otherwise is to blatantly disregard his own words.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
hahahahaha, Romney paid a higher tax rate than obozo’s whole entire white house staff did, hahahaha, aahhh, does it git any better dan dis?
shhhh, Reporter. The Libs seem to live in some fantasy world in which only rich Republicans benefit from our current tax laws. We need to shield them from the truth.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
@Bruno…”As I stated at that time, it takes both opportunity AND individual effort to be successful. As much as you Lefties want to claim that Obama’s statement was similarly balanced, it isn’t. He basically dismisses individual effort out-of-hand and gives ALL of the credit to the contribution of society. To argue otherwise is to blatantly disregard his own words.”
Really…then ’splain the summary of his comments…those Kyle conveniently left out…
“The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together.”
FED Up
July 19th, 2012
12:13 pm
Let’s see…
Jindal – Boring
Pawlenty – Does he have a pulse?
Portman – Who?
Come on!!! Romney needs to wake up and take a little risk. Rubio can bring the young vote and the hispanic vote (not to mention the possibility of Florida). He is a very popular well spoken individual with a great life story. Why does Romney not listen to the wave of voices screaming for a Veep that can excite voters?
kelly
July 19th, 2012
1:19 pm
Because Romney saw that Rubio’s press-clippings were bad enough. Only the tea party is excited about him. And hispanics do not vote as a monolith; there are not enough Cubans in the US to make Rubio relevant.
L. Lotta
July 20th, 2012
6:56 pm
Best choice would be Rubio, wish he would reconsider. 2nd choice Jindal. We need a sure deal or Obama will be in for another 4 years. God help us all
john
July 21st, 2012
7:35 pm
i think sarah palin should run
Chrissy
July 22nd, 2012
3:30 pm
RUBIOI!!
My goodness with him on the ticket it brings interest from people and they would feel good voting for him like they did with Obama!!!
Geez!
Robme/Plenty would be the cry from liberals and Romney needs an attack dog more than ever. The Democrats are running extremely nasty campaign.
RUBIO Romney will win over women and hispanic voters who he is weak with.
RUBIO.
Pawlenty, Portman will do NOTHING to bring voters across NOTHING to draw interest NOTHING to fight back against the attacks.
RUBIO RUBIO or Romney will lose I think and our country will lose.
I am starting to second guess Romney if he goes with safe and boring and nothing right now…he needs to listen to politically savvy folks if he wants to win.
UGH.
Andy Halverson
July 22nd, 2012
10:25 pm
NOT Paul Ryan