Your morning jolt: Marriage as a license to vote for Mitt Romney

If voters were required to be married, Republican Mitt Romney wouldn’t be sweating the November outcome of the race for president, the Gallup organization says this morning.

Married registered voters prefer Romney over Democratic incumbent Barack Obama by 54 to 39 percent, according to data collected by the polling group this summer:

Nonmarried Americans strongly prefer President Obama to rival Mitt Romney, 56% to 35%; this group includes those who are single, in a domestic partnership, widowed, divorced, and separated. Support for President Obama varies among these subgroups — those who are single (61%), are in a domestic partnership (62%), or are separated (58%) are especially supportive of the president, while the divorced (51%) are somewhat less so, with those who are widowed breaking even.

***
Other Republicans may be critical Mitt Romney for piling on President Barack Obama in the midst of this week’s eruption of protests in the Mideast. But Saxby Chambliss, the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, won’t be one of them.

Said Chambliss in a Thursday interview with Denis O’Hayer of WABE (90.1FM):

”Look, we are less than 60 days out from the election of the next president…This is a heated campaign, and I think it is incumbent upon anybody that wants to be commander-in-chief to speak on matters of national security when times of emergency arise. That’s exactly what Governor Romney did. I won’t even go into what he said, because that part of it is immaterial. The fact is that he gave a response, and his response was very strong.”

At the time, the facts on the ground in Libya were yet to be determined, O’Hayer noted. Should Romney have waited? Chambliss’ answer:

”Well, gosh, that’s what politics is about – and that’s what leadership is about now. I don’t think he was out of line for making a statement. I have more respect for him making a statement, and saying what he said, than frankly, I do for the president, who issued a strong statement and then went to Las Vegas to campaign.”

***
In the middle of her “Planned Bullyhood” book tour, former secretary of state Karen Handel fought MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell to a draw on Thursday afternoon:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

***
Larry Peterson of the Savannah Morning News, burdened with the only candidate contest in Georgia with national implications, says U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta, isn’t nearly as proud of his association with President Barack Obama’s 2009 stimulus package as he used to be:

[A]s recently as February, the accomplishments listed on the website included the following:

“Standing with President Obama to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has already brought over $200 million in funding for roads, hospitals, schools, transportation, and housing to communities in the 12th district.”

… So why was the language on the website that touted the stimulus bill dropped from his list of legislative feats?

“The stimulus just wasn’t a high priority issue for this election cycle,” [Barrow spokesman Richard Carbo] said. “We have other matters we would like to talk about.”

***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey’s contention that unemployment in the U.S. is at its highest extended level since the Great Depression.

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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120 comments Add your comment

td

September 14th, 2012
4:08 pm

Simple Logic

September 14th, 2012
4:04 pm

Just because Max served his country and received honors for such service make him a good Senator above reproach or criticism? Max was a left wing lib and did not fit with the philosophy of a conservative state.

Kris

September 14th, 2012
4:08 pm

@ Carol, “am so thankful for the calm handling and stead hand of President Obama. Who will not be rushed into making any rash and ill advised moves like those spoken of by
Mitt “the proud one”. Take a deep breath people, this too will pass. America does not
fear, just because the chickens start to tremble.
+++++++++
Well spoken just like President OBAMA…Amen….

@cc….my bad your right..could not resist had to pull a mitty and fire off some letters..

Simple Logic

September 14th, 2012
4:13 pm

Not all conservatives seem incapable of acknowledging chambliss’s service

Stating facts or simple observation is not a statement someone is above criticism or reproach.

Cleland is not above reproach or criticism.

Cleland is a liberal.

Cleland’s philosophy was sufficient to get him reelected in this state multiple times.

Chambliss lied repeatedly and in vicious fashion about Cleland.

Chambliss has never suffered any consequences for this.

The only time conservatives seem to criticize Chambliss is when he is not sufficiently conservative.

Almost all conservatives seem to be liars.

john

September 14th, 2012
4:15 pm

We all recognize that America’s (USA) education infrastructure is vital to our economic success and is critical to our national security. Romney/Ryan has produced a policy paper on their educational plans. What is not said is that the plan is not going to be funded. The Romany/Ryan plan focuses on for profit colleges and reduction in graduate school support. To meets his goals, at least a 40% reduction in college aid will be implemented. What does this mean for our number one competitive advantage? That is, our colleges and universities? Simply put, it will mean that many if not most colleges will be hit hard. They will be required to layoff teachers and cut back on critical programs — engineering, science and graduate studies. This will have a long term impact on the economy, and will increase the number of foreign visas to staff the industries of the future. Jobs will not go to our citizens.

If you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc., you need to alert your colleges and universities to engage them in fighting the gutting of America’s long term economic educational infrastructure.

honested

September 14th, 2012
4:23 pm

td,

Georgia practices a policy similar to religious freedom.
We tolerate conserrrrrrrrrrrvatives, but there is no rule stating one has to stoop to being one.

Bernie

September 14th, 2012
4:23 pm

markie mark @ 3:44 pm – Even if that is so and true. At least Max went to Viet Nam.
Saxby was here somewhere hiding with the women and children. Mitt did the ultimate
offense. Mitt refused to serve then went to foreign soil! Paris France of all places. If Mitt had gone to Africa,Asia or South America to really and truly help those in need.
But NO ONE is in Need in Paris FRANCE!

Mitt was drinking and partying like the rich kids do while the poor American KIDS were dying in the Rice Patties of Viet Nam. Then 40years later use the USS Wisconsin as a PROP!

WOW! I could not believe my EYES at the Hypocrisy!

This MAN has no respect for our MILITARY at ALL.

Then to COMPLETELY IGNORE them during his acceptance speech. then threaten Russia,Iran & SYRIA with the same military that he refused! This MAN has a REAL SET!

NOT one Republican called him on it!…..Bill Krystal was furious!

But All of you here that support such a MAN. Go ahead he is going to show you himself just how much he really Hates America if he is allowed to be President.
However I know America…am not worried! it will never happen! We are NOT A NATION of FOOLS! we may act and do foolish things But NEVER are we FOOLS!

Carol

September 14th, 2012
4:24 pm

Markie Mark – regardless of how he got injured, he was. And it was because he was THERE. Otherwise it would not have happened. he was injured in the service of his country. When people are killed by friendly fire I don’t know if they ever receive any metals, but they are still recognized for serving this Country.

GaBlue

September 14th, 2012
4:36 pm

Oh, fercryinoutloud… What kind of brownie points to people think they’re going to get by saying ugly things about Sen. Cleland and belitting his sacrifices?

To what others have said in Cleland’s defense, I’d like to add this: When he came home from Vietnam and got out of the hospital, he could have chosen to sit in that chair, feel sorry for himself, and do nothing. Instead, he chose to get back up and make the most of his life. He chose to work hard and stand for something. You know, qualities that right-wing defenders applaud when it’s one of their own, and deride in anyone who dares to stick a D beside his name.

cc

September 14th, 2012
4:37 pm

Kris @ 4:08 pm:
I understand perfectly!

DJ Sniper

September 14th, 2012
4:44 pm

TD, just WTF are you talking about? Romney was the one who used this tragedy for political gain, and he’s getting hammered on all sides because of it.

Bernie

September 14th, 2012
4:48 pm

Love How Mitt is defending the FREE SPEECH of a convicted Drug DEALER,BANK FRAUDSTER and Identity Fraudster. This is the Egyptian American that made the hateful movie that the ARAB world is on fire right now!

Way to go MITT in defending those American Values!

Surely, if he had waited a little bit longer before running to the DEFENSE and praising this Individual. I am the first to defend the right of FREE SPEECH. But to use it to incite the killings of Americans and attack our Embassies. That is a whole other Ball Game!

Great LEADERSHIP we have in good ole MITT….YAYYYYYYY! NOT!

yuzeyurbrane

September 14th, 2012
5:03 pm

A lot of time has passed and many of you seem to forget that one of Chambliss’s main lines of attack on Cleland was to question his patriotism, something we see frequently occur from cons against folks with whom they disagree. Now if Chambliss had really run a campaign on the merits including attacking Cleland’s more liberal political philosophy then fine, that would have been fair game. But instead, that hypocrit, rich-boy draft dodger Chambliss took the low road.

Markey Markey–you sound like that crazy TeaParty Congressman Walsh from Illinois who has belittled the hero status of his double-amputee Iraq War vet opponent. Shame on you.

td

September 14th, 2012
5:16 pm

DJ Sniper

September 14th, 2012
4:44 pm

TD, just WTF are you talking about? Romney was the one who used this tragedy for political gain, and he’s getting hammered on all sides because of it.

We have had a policy for years to not go to Dover with cameras and to not film caskets coming off the planes. Our current POS administration allowed cameras and went there to put on a show for political purposes only. What freaking losers. I hope they rot in h3ll for this move today.

cc

September 14th, 2012
5:28 pm

Further on Max Cleland:
“According to the citation, he “distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action …. When the battalion command post came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Capt. Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions. Continuing to expose himself, Capt. Cleland organized his men into a work party to repair the battalion communications equipment which had been damaged by enemy fire. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

The siege of Khe Sanh was no picnic! If you doubt me, locate someone who was there and ask them!

That being said, I disagreed completely with Cleland politically and never voted for him. At least one dim was a detractor and that was none other than the most powerful dim in Georgia at that time, Tom (Potato Nose) Murphy. It was Murphy who saw to it that a rather salacious audio tape of Cleveland in a telephone conversation with a woman was well circulated.

Nonetheless, Cleland’s military record stands, and speaks for itself . . .

Virginia

September 14th, 2012
6:42 pm

td, you moron. President Obama changed that policy years ago. That policy was put in place by Dubya so people would not see the thousands of dead soldiers coming back from Iraq so duma$$es like you would forget there was even a war going on.
Romney politicized this embassy issue and HE is the POS !!!

PatDowns

September 15th, 2012
2:36 am

@Bernie Sept. 14 – 11:48 am

“We Now, have Saxby who savagely in his political campaign, successfully unseated a PURPLE HEART double AMPUTEE Veteran “WAR HERO” Sen. Max Cleland of that same Vietnam war he himself passed on by claiming the Veteran HERO supported the likes of USAMA BIN LADEN. A MUDERER of 3,000 Americans!”

You don’t know or care sh**t about Max Cleland. If so, you would know he is a triple amputee and was never awarded a Purple Heart. Bronza and Silver Stars, yes.

Saxby did not unseat Cleland – voters did, you dipsh**t.

No, you care more about espousing luniacal nonsense. Get a friggin life.

Virginia

September 15th, 2012
10:55 am

From Wikipedia:
Joseph Maxwell Cleland (born August 24, 1942) is an American politician from Georgia. Cleland, a Democrat, is a disabled US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, and a former U.S. Senator. From 2003 to 2007, he served on the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a presidentially appointed position.[1][2] He is currently the secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Does that clear it up?

catlady

September 15th, 2012
11:32 am

Marriage is a license to vote for Mitt? I am glad I am divorced!

catlady

September 15th, 2012
11:43 am

I see where Time magazine is calling what Mitt has been doing the “whip flop” (a quick reversal of policy or belief) but I think we should rename his kind of craven change-with-the winds the “Mitt flop.”

cc

September 15th, 2012
12:31 pm

PatDowns @ 2:36 am:
You’re wasting your time. Bernie is proof positive that unintelligent life exists on Earth . . .