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
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
2:42 pm
Don’t cry in public, Andy. It is unbecoming. I just called out your girlfriend’s admiration for a man who takes campaign money from neo-Nazis, skinheads and Klansmen.
And neither apologizes or sends any of it back.
When you hear the GOP is just a bunch of old, white males..
Absolutely false!
It has 2% black representation!
LOL…
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 26th, 2012
2:50 pm
It has 2% black representation!
Yes, that may be true, but those two percent get equal protection, rights, and are allowed to speak their mind. They are allowed to participate in planning and governing the party, even led the party at one time.
The other party controlled by the ruling white elites keeps their minorities on the plantation and only brings them out for photo ops and demonstrations.
Ray
August 26th, 2012
2:52 pm
Given Hurricane Isaac, more debates are needed to give the public better exposure to the candidates ideas and plans. Maybe the networks will get behind those.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
2:55 pm
Then Rafe, explain to me why your superior GOP “protection of rights” and “freedom of speech” has never attracted more than a miniscule representation of any minorities.
It makes NO sense at all, does it?
But I am open to your explanation…
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
2:56 pm
Ernest T Bass: It is a bunch of old white males.
—————-
You’re a know-nothing of epic proportion, a racist, an ageist, and sexist.
Why do you hate?
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
3:01 pm
Looks like JamVet doesn’t “get” that the Republican party is about ideas, beliefs, and values.
Democrats are about pandering to groups with the goal of reaching 50% +1 and then jamming their elites’ twisted beliefs down everyone else’s throats.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
3:04 pm
So Barry, why don’t YOU explain why your GOP cannot attract more than a relatively infinitesimal number of minorities.
Certainly YOU have some answers.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
3:08 pm
JamVet, your reading comprehension sucks. And you’re stuck thinking like a Democrat–”how can we buy the allegiance of Group X?”
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
3:14 pm
Perhaps you would like to explain why some minorities choose NOT to join the Democrat party?
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
3:16 pm
Barry, so YOUR answer is that they have to be “bought” and that is why they join the GOP in virtually non-measurable percentages?
Really?
Is that your final answer?
Towncrier
August 26th, 2012
3:19 pm
“So Barry, why don’t YOU explain why your GOP cannot attract more than a relatively infinitesimal number of minorities.”
Mainly because it is not wise to bite the hand that feeds you.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
3:22 pm
So the atheist crier also is of the belief that black Americans have to be “fed” to vote.
Any other, more believable “explanations” out there?
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
3:23 pm
Wrong, as usual, JamVet. I explained that that was how the Democrat party thinks.
Please try to keep up.
Towncrier
August 26th, 2012
3:31 pm
“So the atheist crier also is of the belief that black Americans have to be “fed” to vote. Any other, more believable “explanations” out there?”
First of all, I am not an atheist. You, on the other hand and as I recall, have claimed to be.
Most of the voting public do not have complex motivations. And I am not persuaded that most vote on principle. Rather they vote to get something, to have something done for them. That matters a lot more than principle in most cases. So they better question is: what do these people GET from the Democratic party? And the short answer is: benefits in all shapes and sizes (sometimes they even get tax “rebates” when they haven’t paid a dime in taxes!). The sad reality is that we cannot afford to do this on the scale we have been doing it – even if we taxed the “top 1%” at a 100% rate (not even close). But I guess people won’t realize this until the Titanic actually sinks.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
3:36 pm
Barry, you go to the back of the class.
TC, you make up stuff about other people constantly (i.e. that I have written that I am an atheist), so I thought you would love some of your own medicine.
I am a Jew.
Another group that according to you and Lil BB has to be fed/bought off to vote.
What else could possibly explain how that minority ALWAYS VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST REPUBLICANS?
Keep trying and let’s see if you can come up with something a) accountable and b) believable…
Towncrier
August 26th, 2012
3:47 pm
“TC, you make up stuff about other people constantly (i.e. that I have written that I am an atheist), so I thought you would love some of your own medicine.”
If you have never said you are an atheist, then I stand corrected and will apologize on both forums to everyone. If I do some research (on Jay’s blog mostly) and find that I remembered correctly, I will make note of that as well. Should I do the research?
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
4:12 pm
JamVet: I am a Jew. Another group that according to you and Lil BB has to be fed/bought off to vote.
———–
Link please.
Didn’t think so.
Liar.
JamVet
August 26th, 2012
4:20 pm
BB,
YOU wrote …”how can we buy the allegiance of Group X?”
YOU contend that black allegiance is successfully bought off by the Democratic Party.
I wrote, Another group that according to you and Lil BB has to be fed/bought off to vote.
GROW UP.
Or at least take remedial English!!!
Go right ahead and do your research, crier.
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
4:27 pm
Dear Mark V,
Hypocrisy is searching behind every word for an argument. Yes, Bush is not running so why mention his policies. Can he change them now? Bring up the current president if you wish to make a comparison . We are discussing present election qualifications.
Yes, I think it is wrong to label any president or any public official as “monkey”. Rude, crude & unattractive as ’tis said.
You want me to forget eight years of insults from liberals because I tell someone Bush isn’t running this time?
Well, don’t hold your breath.
PS: Have you read any old books lately? I am reading Steinbeck and what a story teller. He’s far beyond “The Red
ony” of school days. Just wondering.
.
Yes, I will defend Bush against insulting remarks anytime I feel like it. .
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
I donb’t even know how that smiley face got in there. Ignore it. It’s PONY.(I got a new computer a week ago. I”m still adjusting!)
independent thinker
August 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
I flush the toilet every time I hear Romney lie about why he is not releasing his taxes or how Obama is running an abgry and hateful campaign and stealing from the elderly. Glad the networks (except Fox) are wasting no more than an hour on the rhetoric out of Tampa. Hawaii five -0 sounds great.
Glad that hurricane is keeping the convention off the air for another night.
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
I have one question fro Bruno.
How many of the artist(Hollywood crowd) that you link concur with your right wing views?
Do you realize how different your views are from Jerry Garcia? Jerry and most of the other artist can`t sue you for publishing their works because you are not charging a fee, but you can bet they would not want their music associated with your views or your crowd.
skydog–If they gave out awards for stupid posts, you would be in the running for a Pulitzer. Your idea that a person can only post–or enjoy–links to musicians with whom they agree with politically is, in a word, asinine. In particular, the Grateful Dead were notoriously apolitical in their public lives. When asked to support various anti-Vietnam protests, Jerry Garcia always turned them down, stating that he had many friends and fans who served in the military, and that he didn’t see it in strictly black and white terms.
It is a free country and you can link what you want, but don`t think that just being able to link to a cool music video let`s you in the cool club.
I’m sure you’re aware that the term “Skydog” was the nickname given to Duane Allman. For you to co-opt it on a blog, in my opinion, is about as un-cool as you can get. I’m not really sure what insecurity is driving your inane blather, but take it somewhere else, loser.
Bruno
August 26th, 2012
5:46 pm
Note that ALL the talk of race originates from the lefties.
LBB–For whatever reason, the idea that a person can and should stand on their own merit is an anathema to the Libs. It’s all about group identification with them. The old, tired divide and conquer strategy. Which is one of the biggest problems in our country.
Any fair look at the two party platforms reveals a deep degree of racism over on the Democratic side. All of the “special laws” such as Affirmative Action and Hate Crimes legislation are firmly rooted on the idea that certain races are inferior than others, and are therefore deserving of special favors and protections. But because it’s so nicely wrapped up in paternalistic benevolence, it’s never identified as such.
The conservative platform is simple–treat all individuals the same. A pretty hard sell when your opposition is in the “special favors” business, unfortunately.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 26th, 2012
5:52 pm
Then Rafe, explain to me why your superior GOP “protection of rights” and “freedom of speech” has never attracted more than a miniscule representation of any minorities.
Group think, paternalism, and security.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
6:13 pm
JamVet: YOU wrote …”how can we buy the allegiance of Group X?” YOU contend that black allegiance is successfully bought off by the Democratic Party.
——————–
Your reading comprehension still sucks. You went to public schools, right?
I’ll type slower so you can follow along. Go back and look at the quote you so helpfully copied and pasted. Who is the speaker? It is the Democrat party, who thinks that the way to electoral success is to pander to enough groups such that they achieve 50% + 1.
Americans/Republicans (two overlapping circles in a Venn diagram) believe the path to electoral success is having superior policies and beliefs: free markets, free people, personal responsibility, strong national defense.
Read that again if you still think what you wrote above is correct.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
6:16 pm
Bruno: The conservative platform is simple–treat all individuals the same. A pretty hard sell when your opposition is in the “special favors” business, unfortunately.
—————–
Yep. Working for a living looks less and less attractive when the Democrat slop bucket keeps getting bigger all the time. Keeps the piggies running to the guy carrying it.
MarkV
August 26th, 2012
6:26 pm
Dusty @ 4:27 pm
“Hypocrisy is searching behind every word for an argument.”
Is English your prime language?
“Bring up the current president if you wish to make a comparison.”
Is English your prime language? You want to make a comparison of the current president with the current president?
“Yes, I think it is wrong to label any president or any public official as “monkey”. Rude, crude & unattractive as ’tis said.”
So do I.
“You want me to forget eight years of insults from liberals because I tell someone Bush isn’t running this time?”
No, I do not. I did not call President Bush names, and I do not think people should call President Obama names. I merely pointed out that no insults of President Bush “from liberals” justify insults of President Obama, therefore, pointing out those insults of President Bush like you did is a way of justifying them.
PS: I keep re-reading some old books. Steinbeck has been always one of my favorite authors.
Common Sense
August 26th, 2012
7:18 pm
Just got a note from Barack, claiming he does not have as much time to campaign this year as he did four years ago. That has to be the funniest excuse I have ever heard. Oh, and if he loses, it’s because YOU did not do enough.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 26th, 2012
7:26 pm
Common Sense
Four years ago he had to pay his own green fees.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 26th, 2012
8:39 pm
“Occupy” protester arrested outside GOP convention with machete strapped to leg.
Yeah, a peaceful movement.
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
9:08 pm
MarkV, dear heart
How you ramble on. Do you ever check the dictionary?
Hypocrisy=false goodness or the pretense. That’s you. Pretending to know all and correct others..
Compare the current president with the current president” NO.
If you follow the line of thought here, you would compare the current president with Romney,the next president and the main subject of this blog. .
Justification is argumentative and not what I suggested . I said it came to MY mind, which gives no justification to anyone but me. Since I don’t insult presidents , your argument is null & void.
——–
I am glad to read here that you like Steinbeck. I read Tortilla Flats for the first time this week. What a wild, crazy, wonderful, impossible, amazing plot. The literature of England is my usual “read”, as there is so much I enjoy there..Sometimes Johnson, sometimes Blake, Scott etc. But I will be reading more of Steinbeck this week. But “Of Mice and Men” was too sad. Won’t read that one again.
———–
Oh yes, English is my “prime” language. Southern English, the best there is!. Do I detect a bit of the Germanic in you and yours? Or is it just the attitude?
an observer
August 26th, 2012
10:08 pm
Considering the considerable defense of President George W. Bush on this blog, it makes me wonder why he is not speaking at the Republican convention. After all, he was the previous Republican President. President Clinton and President Carter are addressing the Democratic convention. So where is W?
Southerner
August 26th, 2012
10:11 pm
If you have MS just one day in your life, you could never refer to Ann Romney as Spoiled & Pampered. How she has managed the stress of campaigns & children without being in worse shape all the time says much for her perseverance & abilities. This is a very educated & talented lady. Although I have to vote for Obama, mainly because of a woman’s right to control her own body, it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate how impressive Ann Romney is…you need to read up on what all she has achieved even while never knowing which days she’ll have recurrences. This is a lady to be admired whether we agree with all her politics or not!!
getalife
August 26th, 2012
10:21 pm
This blog is still open?
Congrats.
Hillbilly D
August 26th, 2012
10:23 pm
Considering the considerable defense of President George W. Bush on this blog, it makes me wonder why he is not speaking at the Republican convention.
To me, both of the Bushes seem to be from the old school, i.e. they believe that ex-Presidents should stay out of the political arena, once they leave the stage.
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
10:46 pm
Yes, the Bushes went to Washing ton to get the job done. When they had done that, they left.
Clinton seems to enjoy a big crowd and they enjoy him back. He thrives on it.
Now Carter, well, I’ll just say he means well.
The Dems need to invite Zell to speak again. Now that would keep the crowd awake.
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
10:55 pm
getalife
Are you still in New Orleans?
Wearing your waterwings ?
Dusty
August 26th, 2012
11:10 pm
Braves 7 Giants 1 !!!!!!! Way to go;, Braves!!
MarkV
August 26th, 2012
11:23 pm
Dusty @ 9:08 pm
Dusty, dear heart,
How you ramble on. Do you ever check the dictionary?
Dusty @ 4:27 pm: “Hypocrisy is searching behind every word for an argument.”
Dusty @ 9:08 pm: “Hypocrisy=false goodness or the pretense.”
Will you make up your mind what hypocrisy is?
“That’s you. Pretending to know all and correct others.”
Will you please show me where I pretended to know all? Do you mean that if someone corrects someone else’s error, it means he/she pretends to know all? Are you sure about English being your language, or is it just logic that fails you?
“Compare the current president with the current president” NO.”
Then what did you mean by requesting “Bring up the current president if you wish to make a comparison,” and at the same time not wanting to bring up Bush. Who should we compare the current president with – George Washington? Romney is not the president, haven’t you noticed? You cannot compare actions and results of a president with those of someone who has not been president.
.——–
My favorite Steinbeck is Travels with Charley. Some other books of his made a bigger impression on me, but Travels I enjoyed best.
———–
“Do I detect a bit of the Germanic in you and yours?” You cannot realize how funny that is.
Old Timer
August 26th, 2012
11:50 pm
Major networks, being liberal, don’t want to see Obama make a bigger fool of himself when the Demo Conventin begins, so we have limited coverage. If interested make sure you watch Fox they will have pimples and all.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 26th, 2012
11:55 pm
Yo, gitmo, abandon ship. Floating through Bourbon Street with a wide screen TV set on your shoulders cannot, I say, cannot be blamed on Bushie this time, although I’m sure y’all will try. Those hanging out on the roof will only have obozo to turn to, if you know what I mean. Better get the f out.
This time you’ll really drown.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 26th, 2012
11:59 pm
Maybe obozo will stand upon the shore and repeal the coming angry seas, hence saving NO from decades of mold and mildew. And maybe he won’t. Bushie didn’t and that wasn’t good enough. He just told everybody to, um, to get on the bus.
Now’s obozo’s chance to show us how it’s done.
heh
getalife
August 27th, 2012
12:52 am
Thanks.
I just got back from there watching the Saints beat the Texans and business is booming in New Orleans.
Heeding up to Dallas to see my brother but hoped Isaac would have taken a hard right like you radical cons and go out to sea but it leaned left like a liberal.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 27th, 2012
6:21 am
Southerner: I have to vote for Obama, mainly because of a woman’s right to control her own body
——————————
What has President Romney proposed that affects your right to abort your baby?
PressReleaseWriter.info
August 27th, 2012
7:51 am
The networks’ decision not to cover the Ann Romney speech represents a PR coup by the other party.
Oblama
August 27th, 2012
9:39 am
Pizza Brain – I wish you wouldn’t talk about Obama like that. We know he never was in the military but then again the military doesn’t draft non U.S. citizens. So, technically, Obama is not a draft dodger. We have ALL heard enough of Obama’s lies and disguise but would like to here more about Romney. NBC, CBS and ABC are in the pocket of the left – common knowledge. Oblama needs to be FIRED for incompetence and being absent on the job.
Up Up and away
August 27th, 2012
9:46 am
Oblama = birther
enough said
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 27th, 2012
9:57 am
We need to see Obozo’s registration with the Selective Service.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 27th, 2012
10:23 am
What has President Romney proposed that affects your right to abort your baby?
Have you read the Republican platform ?
Its disgusting.
M.E.
August 27th, 2012
10:23 am
It’s amazing how easily manipulated birthers are by the Repubs.