Your morning jolt: Bill Clinton rejects criticism of Mitt Romney’s days at Bain Capitol

On CNN last night, former President Bill Clinton very purposely undercut President Barack Obama’s strategy of criticizing Republican rival Mitt Romney’s days at Bain Capital:

The former president referred to Romney’s private equity career as “sterling,” and added this:

“I think the real issue ought to be, what has Governor Romney advocated in the campaign that he will do as president? What has President Obama done and what does he propose to do? How do these things stack up against each other?”

***
Business Week is quoting unnamed Democratic donors who say President Barack Obama has told them that he may have to tackle health care reform again during a second term:

As he previewed his agenda for donors at a May 14 fundraiser, Obama said he may be forced to try to revise parts of his health-care plan, depending on how the court rules later this month, said one activist, who requested anonymity to discuss the president’s comments. Guests at the $35,800-a-plate dinner in the Manhattan apartment of Blackstone Group LP (BX) (BX) President Tony James were asked to check their smart phones and BlackBerries at the door.

***
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson has qualified for federal matching funds. Johnson’s campaign will receive an initial payment of $100,000. Johnson’s next hurdle: A spot in this fall’s televised debates.

***
The latest Gallup Poll isn’t clear on whether Americans blame God for making John Edwards so outrageously handsome, but it does say this:

Forty-six percent of Americans believe in the creationist view that God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years. The prevalence of this creationist view of the origin of humans is essentially unchanged from 30 years ago, when Gallup first asked the question. About a third of Americans believe that humans evolved, but with God’s guidance; 15% say humans evolved, but that God had no part in the process.

Oscar Poole, left, GOP congressional candidate Martha Zoller, and Joe McCutchen. SPECIAL

Oscar Poole, left, GOP congressional candidate Martha Zoller, and Joe McCutchen. SPECIAL

***
Ellijay talk show stalwart Joe McCutchen and his barbecue buddy Oscar Poole say they like state Rep. Doug Collins, but have decided to back former radio talk show host Martha Zoller in the Republican race for the new 9th congressional district.

“It was a friendship thing,” McCutchen said, explaining that he and Zoller had often cross-pollinated on each other’s shows.

***
In a Tweet, Lori Geary of Channel 2 Action News declared that DeKalb County’s former CEO has deferred his return to politics:

Vernon Jones told me he withdrew from HD94 race, says his client does biz w/ state & wants to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest

***
Jeanne Bonner of Georgia Public Broadcasting has what appears to be a fairly routine story on a fight between unions and the state over hiring practices at Kia Motors’ West Point auto plant:

In a court motion filed Wednesday, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens says workers who applied for a job at Kia had a privilege, not a right, to inspect records about how the state screened applicants for the plant….

Former union autoworkers are suing the state for not releasing records about the recruitment program it ran for Kia. The workers say the state helped Kia screen out union workers.

But then you come to this passage:

Plaintiffs also say that in March state lawmakers re-wrote a bill that retroactively blocks the documents’ release.

In the filing, the state argues that the Georgia Constitution allows legislators to enact retroactive laws, and they urge dismissal of the case.

So somewhere in the state Capitol, perhaps in an out-of-the-way corner, the Legislature is hiding a time machine.

***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today dissects a campaign exchange between Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee, the GOP incumbent, and his primary challenger, former commission chairman Bill Byrne.

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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74 comments Add your comment

the cat

June 1st, 2012
12:50 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
12:51 pm

Georgia has $500,000,000 in tax credits ready when you are! Just donate to a private school. Cha-ching, the private schools are now co-owned by the government, without the profit though.

Business relocating to Georgia? Cha-ching, the state will set you up with millions in tax credits and subsidies.

td

June 1st, 2012
12:52 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
12:47 pm

The oil and agriculture subsidies that Republicans love dwarf the amount given to GM and Solyndra.

First: I am all for cutting out any true subsidies to agriculture. What you call “subsidies” to oil companies are actually tax write offs that all corporations receive. I am not for doing away with write offs for one industry over another. If you want to talk about doing away with all write offs and having a lower flatter tax then let us talk.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
12:56 pm

“First: I am all for cutting out any true subsidies to agriculture.”

So what, your politicians aren’t. You scream “Obama is a socialist” all day long but refuse to do anything about the log in your own politicians eye. A log incidentally that a lobbyist paid for.

td

June 1st, 2012
12:57 pm

the cat

June 1st, 2012
12:50 pm

td-some nice reading for your afternoon

Your point is what? A story done by a research group that is supported by unions means what? Also, when is the last time a Republican Presidential candidate has even been this close in the polls in MI? If Obama can not carry MI then he will not win re election.

honested

June 1st, 2012
12:58 pm

td,

Oil depletion allowances, special tax treatment (not available to companies NOT in the petroleum industry), ‘free security’ in the middle east, un-earned exemption from environmental regulations, freedom to interfere in the political process to perform acts that would otherwise clearly be considered ‘un-American’(think ‘keystone’), for starters.

And as to the remarks of Americas Greatest Living President, I guess even he can err occasionally, just like with the repeal of Glass-Steagall.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:00 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
12:56 pm

If you go up and read then you will see that I admit there are Republicans that have and support socialistic programs. This is a fact. It is also a fact that Obama wants more of these type programs then any Republican so that makes him a true socialist.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:02 pm

honested

June 1st, 2012
12:58 pm

We know you are a true atheistic socialist so you would say anyone is wrong (even Obama) for supporting capitalism.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:03 pm

“A story done by a research group that is supported by unions means what?”

And you wonder why some people refuse to play your games, you are not willing to open your mind. You take comfort in your talking points. You stick a finger in each ear then scream “Obama is a socialist!!!”

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:06 pm

“This is a fact. It is also a fact that Obama wants more of these type programs then any Republican so that makes him a true socialist.”

LMAO!!!

Is Romney a socialist?

This is why its useless going back and forth with you. Many of us have given plenty examples of “socialist” Republicans, keep plugging those ears td.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:08 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:03 pm

First: I read the article to know the content in it to respond to the poster.

Second: You are attacking personally instead of answering my questions I posed. Those crickets are getting louder and louder.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:08 pm

“a true atheistic socialist”

Omg!! You make socialism sound even scarier with the “atheistic” jab. Nice hysteria.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:10 pm

“Those crickets are getting louder and louder.”

There is socialism everywhere td, you just pick and choose your hysterical talking points.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:16 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:10 pm

Just go ahead and admit that you are in a bad mood today because with Clinton and other Democrats coming out against the Obama attacks on Bain, the economy not doing very well and unemployment going back up (even with the cooked books) is making it look more likely that Obama is going to drop more in the polls in the next few weeks.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:21 pm

“Just go ahead and admit that you are in a bad mood today because with Clinton and other Democrats coming out against the Obama attacks on Bain,…”

Hooray! Socialist Romneycare will become the next president.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:24 pm

OMG. You Dems are getting worried. About a year and a half after Obama said the recession was over and the economy is staring to move, now when something looks like a slowdown it is back to blaming Bush.

“A top House Democrat slammed Jeb Bush on Friday for criticizing President Obama’s economic policies while not condemning those of his brother, former President George W. Bush.”

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/230453-van-hollen-calls-out-jeb-bush-for-silence-on-his-brothers-policies

Only a moron would believe this one.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:29 pm

“…now when something looks like a slowdown it is back to blaming Bush.”

Speaking of Bush when does he hit the campaign trail with socialist Romney?

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:34 pm

Speaking of socialists, our socialist Republican Governor and our socialist Republican legislature have $300 million in tax payer funds ready to give to billionaire Arthur Blank for his billion dollar stadium that is not needed.

td

June 1st, 2012
1:38 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:34 pm

Typical liberal tactics: When you know you have lost the argument (Obama is a true welfare state socialist) change the subject and bash the messenger.

Obama makes Deal and all other republicans look like total lassie fair capitalist when you try to compare their views.

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:58 pm

“Obama makes Deal and all other republicans look like total lassie fair capitalist when you try to compare their views.”

You are a pick and choose socialist td, you can’t handle the truth. You are getting buried by your lame talking points.

td

June 1st, 2012
2:03 pm

DannyX

June 1st, 2012
1:58 pm

“You are a pick and choose socialist td”

What exactly does this mean? I have said repeatedly that there is a role for government so if that makes me a pick and choose socialist then you are correct. Obama is a true socialist because he wants the government to control all the means of production and capital in the country.

[...] The Bain Capital issue hasn’t gone away. Reed may be able to sidestep Booker’s remarks. But the mayor Atlanta will have to address similar sentiments expressed by President Bill Clinton last night on CNN. [...]

Liberty

June 2nd, 2012
5:36 am

Hey Jim, Why don’t you write an article on the Bilderberg meeting taking place right now in Virginia? The AJC is part of the controlled media that’s why. The demacrooks and Republicrooks are all un board with the NWO and the lamestream media just ignores it. If you had any guts at all, you would cover Bilderberg and list EVERYONE attending that is violating the Logan Act. NDAA 2012 is real, as is agenda 21. Do your job and tell the people about the most serious political dangers we are facing JIM!

shady

June 2nd, 2012
9:38 am

Don’t forget Slick Willie did away with all banking regulations that led to the Big Gamble that Bush was blamed for, and cut the tax rates for the big boys down to 15 percent. Not to mention let Greenspan, and Ruben run wild with the government. But, he’s political quandry is Hilliard. He is making sure she will not get full support over Biden and others for 2016. He making it a guarantee with his: On the one hand, and on the other hand, Luke-Warm and Backstabbing support of the President. Who can’t comment on that right now. But, payback is going to be a dozy in 2016 one way or the other. Ye shall Reap what ye Sow: Billy Boy. Man, this election is sure enough going to be fun and exciting, Not to mention make the Networks Trillions of Dollars Pumping it up: Too bad the Print media and Radio won’t make as much as CNN, MsNBC, ABC, CBS, etc off of this! That’s why they ask skewed poll questions to make it seem so Close!