Want more from Romney, Obama? Vote with your remote
The presidential race begins in earnest over the next two weeks with the nominating conventions, and we’ll get under way with the start of the GOP gathering Monday night. Unless you don’t have cable, in which case you’re stuck with “Hawaii Five-O.”
That’s right: CBS plans to air a rerun of a remake rather than a primetime speech by Mitt Romney’s wife Ann. ABC is going with “Bachelor Pad” rather than remarks by tea-party favorite Rand Paul of Kentucky.
When you hear the GOP is just a bunch of old, white males, recall that NBC offered you “Stars Earn Stripes” instead of Alabama Democrat-turned-Republican Artur Davis; Senate nominee Ted Cruz of Texas; the Indian-American governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington; and Lucé Vela Fortuño, wife of Puerto Rico’s governor.
Hey, at least it’s a new episode.
This election is a critical inflection point for our country. Why would the networks bail on any of the nights? (At least the cable news channels are sticking with the news; the networks will air a single hour of convention coverage the other three nights.)
Maybe it’s because the airwaves are already thick with negative campaign spots. Peggy Noonan, in the Wall Street Journal, had the line of the campaign so far, about what folks are doing while they tune out the vitriol: “That sound you hear after the Obama attack ad is not cheers, it’s toilets flushing.”
Yet, Noonan counts herself as one who thinks voters would like to hear more from the candidates, if they talk about themselves and their plans. So do I. The conventions are one such opportunity.
Maybe the conventions are less than must-see TV because they are so stage-managed, so — ironically — made-for-TV.
It wasn’t always thus. At the 1880 GOP convention, James Garfield arrived in Chicago to nominate fellow Ohioan John Sherman and left town, 36 ballots later, as the party’s reluctant nominee. Imagine if there were even a slim possibility Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was scheduled to introduce Romney on Thursday night, could, as Garfield did, wind up atop the ticket. (Note: As of Friday afternoon, Tropical Storm Isaac was forcing the GOP to consider pre-emptive changes to its convention schedule to minimize any disruption.)
In 1912, William Howard Taft fought off a hostile takeover bid by his fellow Republican and predecessor in the White House, Theodore Roosevelt. As late as 1964, moderate Republicans thought TV coverage of their proceedings would spark a backlash against presumptive nominee Barry Goldwater and produce a different standard bearer (they were wrong).
Either way, we know this year’s conventions won’t be the last we hear from Mitt Romney or Barack Obama. Amazingly, this was not always the case, either.
In her account of Garfield’s rise to the White House and eventual assassination, “Destiny of the Republic,” Candice Millard describes what the 1880 campaign was like for the Republican nominee:
“Although [Garfield] argued that he should ‘take the stump and bear a fighting share in the campaign,’ traveling from town to town and asking for votes was considered undignified for a presidential candidate. Abraham Lincoln had not given a single speech on his own behalf during either of his campaigns, and Rutherford B. Hayes advised Garfield to do the same. ‘Sit crosslegged,’ he said, ‘and look wise.’ “p. 59
Fat chance Romney or Obama would take Hayes’ advice today.
Nor should they. We need to hear more from them. If you agree, then, during these conventions, vote with your remote.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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460 comments Add your comment
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
Checked out tickets to see Madonna. Nearly $800 for two seats. A lot of dough for lip-syncing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm72HVpaqgQ
Brosephus™
August 24th, 2012
10:30 pm
Glad you came by. Visit here more often. G’nite..
Thanks. I usually sit back and read most of the time. Based on my past interactions with some of the regulars here, I feel it’s better that way.
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 24th, 2012
10:30 pm
Hey Trash, ever notice that none of the other lefties here jump in to defend you?
Who is this “Trash”?
I thought it was one of the rules here to address each poster by their chosen nom-de-blog.
Has Kyle relaxed that rule?
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:34 pm
I feel pretty good about saving $800 tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBuN4rkgImU
ODD OWL
August 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
The Republican National Convention has been hijacked by the extreme right wing, neo-cons and the Koch Brothers tea party zealots… The Romney/Ryan Republican extremists will rely on the use of divide and conquer tactics at their hate Convention…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
Kamchak, grow up.
That poster changes his nom-de-blog on a regular basis, almost nightly. He was “God Hates Trash – Superstar” (even though he denies it, the writing is EXACTLY like the Trashman).
But since Kyle let’s us refer to him as such, Kyle either knows he’s the former Trashman, or doesn’t care. However, if you insist on a strict adherence to Kyle’s rules, we CAN use a shortened version due to the excessive length of his latest incarnation.
We’ll just call him “Liar” for short. It is even more appropriate.
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
4. Anyone who refers to another commenter by anything other than the handle the latter uses will be subject to a ban of at least one week. This may sound like an extraordinary measure, but it is the source of many commenter fights. A shortened version of the handle may be acceptable, but only if there is no obvious intent to insult. As I will be the sole judge of that intent, I recommend you err on the side of not being too cute. The ban will also be applied to anyone who refers to commenters by previous handles they used.
Seems that the rules are still posted.
Hey Kyle, do you plan on enforcing your rules evenhandedly?
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:39 pm
PB asked me to put this Madonna number up for everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfft6WSpHVI
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 24th, 2012
10:41 pm
He was “God Hates Trash – Superstar”
Doesn’t matter.
The ban will also be applied to anyone who refers to commenters by previous handles they used.
Rules are either followed or they aren’t.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
10:45 pm
And some bloggers can see the truth, and others can’t.
Guess which one fits you, Kamchak?
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:45 pm
Do you remember the time??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPhCZH_V29Q
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
10:47 pm
Bruno: Nice room lol. Been doing other things, but here is a video I played for Jamvet that I think you would appreciate. Usually I say song but this one’s beauty is in the video. It’s a Beatle’s song that is so over played that most of us have forgotten how beautiful it was. Look at the video and listen like it was the first time. Hell, you even get to see Billy Preston on it for a couple of seconds……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgZCrAoqKk
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:50 pm
I wanna wake up where you are…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kGX6707GtM
td
August 24th, 2012
10:50 pm
IMHO, If you do not watch both conventions in their entirety and pass a test on what happened then you should not be allowed to vote in the election.
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 24th, 2012
10:50 pm
And some bloggers can see the truth, and others can’t.
The “truth” is there in rule #4 in black and white.
And it’s also “truth” that Kyle punishes some for violating that rule while ignoring others that violate that same rule.
You yourself have violated that same rule.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
but here is a video I played for Jamvet
Looking forward to seeing the JamMan so I can tell him that my sister was front row for Darryl Hall/Todd Rundgren up in AC for her birthday.
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
10:54 pm
Yo Bruno: Since PB told you to play a Madonna song, I have to play her one back. I can’t recreate the post I did on Jay’s but in the same vein……. Just like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, The Beatles Let It Be, and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (among many other songs by many other artists) got over played to the point that we no longer listen to them or even actually hear them when they are played here is one from Madonna that started it all. Close your eyes, remember when you were young and this song first came out. You knew then that she was going to be big.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHutZXREZ0E
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:56 pm
Fred–Back at ya with some Billy Preston:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-SlkUgCRg
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
10:58 pm
“You yourself have violated that same rule.”
Since you ain’t Kyle, Kamchak, you don’t get to determine that.
If you don’t like it, Bookman’s is next door and waiting to embrace you in their loving arms.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:58 pm
Close your eyes, remember when you were young and this song first came out.
I wasn’t that young when that one came out.
I did see a poignant clip from an interview with her in which she stated that Sean Penn was the only guy she ever really loved. I think she wrote that song for him.
aladawg
August 24th, 2012
10:59 pm
All you sick morons who kiss obamaloney’s ass should be cast out of the United States of America and stoned to death just like an adulteress in Iran. That is all you scum bags deserve.
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
11:06 pm
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
10:58 pm
Close your eyes, remember when you were young and this song first came out.
I wasn’t that young when that one came out.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Me either, but we were a hell of a lot younger than we are now.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:06 pm
My old secretary used to play this song after she left her abusive husband.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIHl3kxcAMw&feature=related
Just read that Madonna didn’t write “Crazy For You”,,,,,,,,
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 24th, 2012
11:07 pm
Republicans will be using big words that neither of PMSNBC’s two viewers will be able to understand, so, cut to obozo-5-o. As in Five more Trillion wasted.
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
11:07 pm
aladawg
August 24th, 2012
10:59 pm
All you sick morons who kiss obamaloney’s ass should be cast out of the United States of America and stoned to death just like an adulteress in Iran. That is all you scum bags deserve.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Could someone ALMOST as stupid as this poster, yet still possessing a bit of sanity or sobriety translate that post for me please?
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
11:09 pm
I have to split Bruno, nice talking to you for a few minutes. But here is a song in the same era as Madonna that I always liked. She never made it as big, but she made it as big as she wanted. I applaud that. It’s a great song and she sings it well…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
11:10 pm
“Could someone . . . translate that post for me please?”
Just as soon as you substantiate your very first post on this thread, Fred.
td
August 24th, 2012
11:12 pm
Fred ™
August 24th, 2012
11:07 pm
I would translate but when you used the stupid word that leaves me out so I guess you are on your own..
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 24th, 2012
11:15 pm
Who is this “Trash”?
Well, since no one here is using that name, it might just be whichever fool answers to it.
Has Kyle relaxed that rule?
No. This concludes the latest episode of “One Word Answers to Dumb Questions”.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:16 pm
She never made it as big, but she made it as big as she wanted. I applaud that.
You’re probably right about that. I’d rather have Cyndi Lauper’s joi-de-vivre than all of Madonna’s millions.
Hillbilly D
August 24th, 2012
11:17 pm
I don’t need somebody to explain what I just heard. I am very well capable of hearing on my own.
Ain’t that the damn truth.
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
August 24th, 2012
11:17 pm
Since you ain’t Kyle, Kamchak, you don’t get to determine that.
The archive will determine that.
Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 15th, 2012
2:59 pm
You know, Trashman, sometimes a joke is just a joke.
Why do you take every opportunity to be unpleasant?
Two instances, yours on August 15th and Lil’ Barry Bailout – Vote American this evening at 10:22.
So again I’ll address this to Kyle Wingfield — Kyle, you are the one that posted these rules. Are you going to enforce them evenhandedly or will you continue to punish some while ignoring infractions by your chosen?
Towncrier
August 24th, 2012
11:18 pm
“I don’t need somebody to explain what I just heard. I am very well capable of hearing on my own.”
I suspect they are not doing it to purely to reiterate exactly what has been said but to also shape its meaning for the rest of us – a subtle attempt at mind control.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 24th, 2012
11:21 pm
Here’s something else the libs will never being showing their dull audiences -
It’s followed by Universal’s The Bourne Legacy in second place and the Rocky Mountain Pictures’ documentary 2016 Obama’s Legacy in third place. That’s stunning because it’s playing in a 1/3 less theaters across North American than the other wide release actioners.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:22 pm
Another #1 song from the mid 80s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eKiYwhWMHo
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 24th, 2012
11:22 pm
Someone needs a hobby. A different hobby.
Towncrier
August 24th, 2012
11:23 pm
“Could someone ALMOST as stupid as this poster, yet still possessing a bit of sanity or sobriety translate that post for me please?”
Go for it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
11:23 pm
“The archive will determine that.”
No, KYLE will determine that. And since he already knows about that, I suspect it isn’t the “violation” you think it is, Kamchak.
When you get your own blog, you get to determine the rules, son. Of course, no one would bother to read it, but you’ll be it’s King.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:24 pm
Howdy, HD. Got any kickin’ tunes for us?? How about you, Reporter. We gotta get this party going louder to drown out some of the kindergartners that found their way over here.
Hillbilly D
August 24th, 2012
11:25 pm
This song pretty well sums up my view of 99.9% of all politicians……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
11:25 pm
Oh, and Kamchak? I just don’t think that you or your issue with the rules is all that important to Kyle.
Hillbilly D
August 24th, 2012
11:27 pm
For the baseball fans…..
What about the Boston-Dodgers trade? Looks to me like the Red Sox are in full blown panic mode.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 24th, 2012
11:27 pm
One of these days I’m going to get all offended and whine to our host to make it go away.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
This song pretty well sums up my view of 99.9% of all politicians……..
Songs about politicians?? How about this one??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq5_pEO8a8U
Towncrier
August 24th, 2012
11:29 pm
“Oh, and Kamchak? I just don’t think that you or your issue with the rules is all that important to Kyle.”
At least Kamchak is not merely posting two or three word or sentence spam as he does on Jay’s blog. He is actually making an argument here. And, to be honest, I think Kyle should enforce rules evenhandedly if he isn’t (or modify the rules to work out the kinks in them).
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 24th, 2012
11:30 pm
Anything to get rid of Beckett and Crawford, Hillbilly D. I’d throw in Lackey and Dice-K for free.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 24th, 2012
11:30 pm
Kamchak – “Socialism” is just a code word for “fear,” the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak is on ignore. My apologies to the good folks here for stepping in one of her posts and dragging it inside.
Bruno
August 24th, 2012
11:31 pm
A nice remake of a John Lennon tune by Pearl Jam for our politicians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlOzRPWeRRk
Hillbilly D
August 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
And, to be honest, I think Kyle should enforce rules evenhandedly if he isn’t (or modify the rules to work out the kinks in them).
I’d agree with that but it’s his blog and not for me to say. He’s more even handed than Bookman, though, in my opinion.
Tiberius
I think they’ll have problems until they ax Bobby Valentine. The man is toxic to a baseball team and I couldn’t believe they hired him.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
The Dodgers are going to need those players. San Francisco is about to win four straight from the looks of things.