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
Secular Humanism Is Ruining America
August 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
Obama had 2 years of total control and the best he could do was a heavily flawed healthcare boondoggle that nobody wants. Why didn’t he take the initiative to solve the problems that he said he would with his Hope and Change rhetoric? He had his chance and failed, time to give someone else a chance.
Michael H. Smith
August 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
ragnar danneskjold @ 9:17 pm
You and I are in near lock step and dead on when it comes to spending and the government’s over-reaching fascist regulations. The irony of it all in regulations is that the good ones that are needed never get enforced.
marko
August 25th, 2012
9:24 pm
ragnar danneskjold, Keynesian stimulas is easy for politicians. They like to cut taxes ,and spend money. They ignore part two. when the economy recovers they’re supposd to raise taxes and cut back on spending. Will it work? I’ll let you know if we ever try it.
Michael H. Smith
August 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
Secular Humanism Is Ruining America
That’s because we all know that we cannot possibly afford it as it stands. Medicare has costs nine times as more than it was promised to cost.
marko
August 25th, 2012
9:29 pm
Mr. Smith go to Washington. Please. I,d suggest hell, but I’m not sure it exist. Anyway Washington’s close enough.
Michael H. Smith
August 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
marko
Why don’t you go there liar and keep your kindred ilk company?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
August 25th, 2012
9:38 pm
Marko, anytime someone (like you for instance) says that electing Romney is just like more of the same, it is obvious that you haven’t really researched his plans. When you say he just wants tho cut taxes for the wealthy, completely disregarding his intention to get rid of tax loopholes and subsidies which would result in the same net revenue from the rich, you’re clearly not interested in educating yourself about a candidate.
You’re in the tank for Obama, and can’t be bothered to look anywhere else.
Pitiful.
@@
August 25th, 2012
9:40 pm
Keynesian stimulas is easy for politicians. They like to cut taxes ,and spend money. They ignore part two. when the economy recovers they’re supposd to raise taxes and cut back on spending.
Didn’t work out in San Bernadino and Stockton where taxes are off the charts. The more money they took in, the more they spent. Now, they’re bankrupt.
Michael H. Smith
August 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
Didn’t work out in San Bernadino and Stockton where taxes are off the charts. The more money they took in, the more they spent. Now, they’re bankrupt.
Therein is the reason why Republicans will not give one inch on raising tax rates because they know with a proven certainty the democrats will spend all of it in less than a few months and they will be back demanding more taxes.
@@, we know the problem is spending, raising revenues can be done without raising the rate of taxation one penny as we’ve pointed out time an again by eliminating all subsidies and deductions across the board.
@@
August 25th, 2012
10:00 pm
…raising revenues can be done without raising the rate of taxation one penny as we’ve pointed out time an again by eliminating all subsidies and deductions across the board.
EXACTLY!
What the government giveth, the government can take away thereby filling the coffers.
With leftists, I think it’s more about punishment than sound fiscal policy.
@@
August 25th, 2012
10:01 pm
‘Scuse please.
can taketh…
marko
August 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
For the record, I don’t insult people just because they don’t share my views . However if I’m insulted, I feel entitled to defend myself.
Many of you are no doubt familiar with business cycles. Fewer are familiar with regulatory cycles. They also exist. Unregulated businesses invariably get greedy,and engage in risky economic activities. The government invariably steps in and introduces strict new regulations to control the activities perceived to be dangerous. the predictable out come is over regulation, which once again leads to deregulation, and we find ourselves back at square one.
As Franklin told us only death and taxes are certain. To his short list I’d add regulation. A government that seeks to maximize revenues should never over tax or over regulate it’s people as such activities are counter productive to the goals of raising revenues.
The question is are we over taxed and over regulated? Reasonable people can honestly disagree with other people on these issues however, reasonable people don’t call other people lairs simply they don’t share your point of view. That’s it for me good night one and all.
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
On order to get ready for the Midnight Express run, I’m going to start a “midnight” musical theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KFYUJ63nk8
Contributions welcome.
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Here’s the original “After Midnight” by J J Cale, made more famous by Eric Clapton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnuC4FbXEPI
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
10:13 pm
“Midnight Rider” by the Allmans has to be near the top of the list:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZup5YLOWLE
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
10:16 pm
Since I’ve got Jerry burned into my back, I guess I better put “Midnight Moonlight” at the top of the list:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79SdU3ZQ_U0
@@
August 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
“Moaning at Midnight” by Howlin’ Wolf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU_wUcwooc8
Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all Ages...The R N Circus is about to begin!
August 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
SEND IN THE CLOWNS
Isn’t it rich?
They are a pair?
They’re here at last on the ground,
HEADS in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.
Featuring BoBo The Clown played by Myth Robme.
Co-starring Patti Cake The Clown played by Ann Robme
Also starring:
Po Po The Clown played by Ryan Shame
C J Chuckleberry The Clown played by Chris Christe
Rosco The Clown played by Marko Rubio
Soda Pop The Clown played by Scott Walker
Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all Ages...The R N Circus is about to begin!
August 25th, 2012
10:44 pm
@Secular Humanism Is Ruining America
August 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
Obama had 2 years of total control and the best he could do was a heavily flawed healthcare boondoggle that nobody wants
Why didn’t he take the initiative to solve the problems that he said he would with his Hope and Change rhetoric? He had his chance and failed, time to give someone else a chance.
*******************************************************************
“Why didn’t he take the initiative to solve the problems”
WHAT ROCK HAVE YOU BEEN UNDER?
CAN YOU SPELL FILABUSTER?
DO YOU HAVE AMNESIA?
McConnell SAID Making Obama A One-Term President Is My Single
Most Important Political Goal
WE DON’T
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:01 pm
Special for @@:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwJKCSOX_AY
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:07 pm
Guess we could take the “Midnight Train to Georgia”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdfZnWsps34
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:11 pm
From the Stones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0HJTQSghmk
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:18 pm
I guess I better make my “Midnight Confession”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kJj_L8zzZE
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:22 pm
For my “South City Midnight Lady”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFnDYUScp0
JamVet
August 25th, 2012
11:22 pm
You forced me to visit Stormfront. I don’t see a lot of luv over there for Rand Paul.
Your staggering, willful ignorance is legendary on these forums.
As is Lil Tibby’s brat routine.
See if you can screw up your integrity a tad and read real closely about your slimy racist Rep. Paul. Or don’t.
Either way it doesn’t change a thing.
But it’s all good at at, because obviously you do love you some bona fide, well-documented racists…
http://tinyurl.com/dy8ad6m
@@
August 25th, 2012
11:26 pm
:-OMG!
The neighbor fella went to Gawker for a story. I’m so embarrassed for him. Not really…that was a lie.
==========================
Good luck with your run, Bruno.
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:27 pm
From CCR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00eJSQimIk
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:28 pm
Good luck with your run, Bruno.
Thanks, @@. Heading out now.
Best thing about Columbus is that everything is about 5 minutes away!!
Bruno
August 25th, 2012
11:30 pm
Hey JamMan–In case you missed my post yesterday, my sis was front row for Darryl Hall and Todd Rundgren last year on her birthday. She said that Darryl talked to her a few times during the show. Way cool…….
JamVet
August 25th, 2012
11:40 pm
B, what a ditz i was for not going to that one!
But guess what, buddy? I just got back from the ARS show.
Got to go backstage and meet the boys in the band.
What a thrill. I got one of the roadies to give me the setlist that was taped to the stage and I got all of them to sign it.
The show was smokin’ and my luck with a certain persuasion of people continued. You woulda been proud. Again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mww_nDz-bz0
@@
August 25th, 2012
11:40 pm
AmVet:
I’m just telling you what I read over there.
Among the five reasons at Jack & Jill?
He’s Hangs Out With Conspiracy King Alex Jones
Did I also tell you they HATE Alex Jones…something about his Jewish connections.
Oh, and if you move further down Jack & Jill’s page, somebody’s selling male enhancement pumps.
You can check out the male enhancement pump or Stormfront’s website yourself. Makes no difference to me.
schnirt
JamVet
August 25th, 2012
11:45 pm
No worries, @@. The damning information – in black and white – (get it?) will never penetrate that thick racist-loving skull of yours.
Politicians often find out that they were given money from people with questionable motives or backgrounds. Most often they give that money back. Not Rand Paul. White Supremacist groups and websites such as Stormfront regularly raise “money bombs” for Rand Paul and link directly to his site. He has also taken money from white supremacist William Johnson, who his father nominated for a judgeship and Carl Ford who is a member of the league of the South.
But your ostrich routine is rather cute…
Own him. You make a good pair.
JamVet
August 25th, 2012
11:48 pm
Politicians often find out that they were given money from people with questionable motives or backgrounds. Most often they give that money back. Not Rand Paul. White Supremacist groups and websites such as Stormfront regularly raise “money bombs” for Rand Paul and link directly to his site. He has also taken money from white supremacist William Johnson, who his father nominated for a judgeship and Carl Ford who is a member of the league of the South.
But your ostrich routine is rather cute…
Own him. You make a good pair.
@@
August 25th, 2012
11:56 pm
AmVet:
And Bill Ayers contributed $200.00 to Senator Obama’s re-election campaign.
What of it?
I’m outta here. Your obsession with all things race related is tedious.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
12:24 am
Rand Paul hired Chris Hightower as a campaign spokesman. When some blogs found that Hightower had “Happy N*&*a Day” with a picture of an African American being lynched posted on his myspace wall and had a blog about Black people looking at him funny because of his KKK hoodie, he resigned while Paul defended him.
The racist-lover surrenders.
Yet she still thinks there should be more people like Rand Paul in Washington.
Splavistic
August 26th, 2012
12:39 am
They would postpone the convention if they really cared about peoples lives, ya know? But, that’s just silly coz they obviously don’t care about (non-rich) people. Obama has the electoral college lead by far. So, he’s a shoe in for re-election, so who cares what a spoiled, rich brat and mean fraternity boy has to say? He isn’t speaking to the middle or working class (who still want to support him for some bizarre probably racist reason). He is only saying what he thinks needs to be said to be elected. What a farce. Hope no one dies in the hurricane, though.
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:07 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGDA0Hecw1k
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:15 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exK-0KbfI2g
Gaze at the sky
And picture a memory
Of days in your life
You knew what it meant to be happy and free
With time on your side
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:19 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB2YyAgg9Z4&feature=related
Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:27 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ag3nmfgs3g
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:35 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyQppQPCgMY
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:46 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2jxjv0HkwM&feature=related
When the day is done
Down to earth then sinks the sun
Along with everything that was lost and won
When the day is done.
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:48 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JjJPDz3EE
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
1:51 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRmHdEq_2i0
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
2:00 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3jCFeCtSjk&feature=related
I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you’re here
Brighten my northern sky.
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
2:04 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI8DOvyWaEs
Towncrier
August 26th, 2012
2:05 am
THIS JUST IN:
The executive editor of the New York Times is disputing an accusation of liberal bias made by her very own public editor, Arthur Brisbane.
In his final column for the Times, Brisbane wrote that his fellow staffers “share a kind of political and cultural progressivism” that “virtually bleeds through the fabric of The Times.” Brisbane even argued that Times reporters approached some liberal issues, like gay marriage and the Occupy movement, “more like causes than news subjects.”
http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/08/nyts-abramson-rebuts-brisbane-charge-133211.html
All these months and years, liberals disputing the charge that mainstream media is biased to the left…pfffttt. Now what are they going to say???
Jack
August 26th, 2012
5:50 am
Lack of voter interest and participation is the norm. We deserve who are elected to office; Clayton County for instance.
marko
August 26th, 2012
6:44 am
If all the economist in the world were laid end to end, they would never reach a conclusion._George Bernard Shaw.
When I left off last night, I suggested that reasonable people could disagree without bing disagreeable. I like Keynesian economics because it makes sense to me. When the economy contracts, we can choose soup lines, or we can use the occasion as an opportunity to get serious about the sad state of our aging infrastructure. Our infrastructure can be compared to the roofs above our heads. when they leak, it’s time to repair them. Choosing to ignore the problem will not make it go away. What could have been a simple fix, could easily cost thousands down the road should you choose to sit on your butt and think about it. Bridges are easier to repair before they fall into the river.
I’m told that a great philosopher once felt sorry for himself because he had no woman, but then he met a man that had no hands. It’s easy to slip into self pity, but always remember that others have it worse than we do. The normally big spending European’s have tried to correct their economic problems by using austerity measures alone. the results have made our pathetic recovery look awe inspiring by comparison. Their unemployment numbers are much higher than ours, and economist that never agree on anything, agree that Europe has slipped back into recession. Many of you seem to suggest that we should adopt the policies that have proven to be general disasters for Spain, Italy and Ireland. Some of you guys on the other side of the ideological divide are obviously bright and articulate. I do not question your honesty, intelligence or integrity. I do however, strongly suspect that you are wrong. Please consider the possibility that I disagree with you because I sincerely think that you’re wrong and not because I hate America.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
6:56 am
splavistic: They would postpone the convention if they really cared about peoples lives, ya know? But, that’s just silly coz they obviously don’t care about (non-rich) people.
———
They did.
Now whaddaya