Patterico's Pontifications

1/28/2012

You’re no Ronald Reagan

Filed under: 2012 Election — Karl @ 7:58 am



[Posted by Karl]

The kerfuffle over Newt Gingrich’s status as a Reagan Republican will be a footnote to the 2012 campaign at most. But that does not mean we cannot learn from it.

On the surface, this is a silly issue.  Last week, Mitt Romney was painting Gingrich as a minor figure of the Reagan revolution.  This week ended with the following exchange during the CNN debate:

Wolf Blitzer: Governor Romney, you criticized Speaker Gingrich for not being as close to Ronald Reagan as he says he was. When you ran for the Senate, you said you were, quote, “You weren’t trying to return to Reagan-Bush.”

So the question is, do you think you can claim the Reagan mantle more than Speaker Gingrich?

Romney: Oh, of course not. ***

Romney then recited his biography, selectively omitting the 1994 Senate race which occasioned Mitt’s remark distancing himself from Reagan-Bush (a ticket which won Massachusetts twice).   It’s an answer which tells the observant that Team Romney figured out this was a dumb line of attack (Newt can be unconservative, but Romney is not going to win an argument about Reagan).  It also tells the observant that even after fumbling Mitt’s money issues, Team Romney was still capable of not recognizing that their attack would backfire in the first instance (Newt also launches attacks that boomerang, but Mitt is the one with the supposedly superior staff and organization).

While Team Romney was figuring this out, a scrum of conservative punditry ensued.  Notably, Elliott Abrams (an assistant secretary of state under Reagan) attacked Gingrich for not having been sufficiently supportive of Reagan’s foreign policy.  Jeffrey Lord (a former Reagan White House political director) defended Gingrich as one of Reagan’s best lieutenants, including the story of how Newt helped keep a firm line against tax increases in the 1984 platform against the likes of Bob Dole and Lowell Weicker.  Lord later claimed that Abrams had never complained about Gingrich at the time and distorted Gingrich’s comments on Reagan’s foreign policy.  Rich Lowry then went after Lord for smearing Abrams as jockeying for a job in a Romney administration and for providing only partial context of Gingrich’s foreign policy remarks.

So far, it appears that Lowry is correct that Lord has no evidence that Abrams was sucking up to Team Romney for a job.  Moreover, the Abrams piece could easily have been a simple act of score-settling.  I would not be surprised if Abrams and others in the Reagan administration were less than thrilled at Gingrich’s criticism at the time and feel vindicated by history (although history is not a controlled experiment, thus precluding a definitive judgment on the matter).  However, Lord correctly notes (as does Reagan biographer Steven Hayward) that Gingrich was hardly a lone critic of Reagan’s foreign policy at the time in question. Newt cited George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Irving Kristol, and Jeane Kirkpatrick in his speech, while Hayward lists others, including Howard Phillips, Jack Kemp, George Will and William Safire.

The scrum demonstrates why Team Romney is running from the subject.  The record tends to show that Gingrich backed Reagan on key issues and when he did critique the administration, he did so from the right. “More right-wing than Reagan in the ’80s” is not the frame Romney wants for Gingrich.

What can we learn from this episode (beyond the fact that Team Romney still has some bugs to work out)? 

The reason that the right would spend a week discussing Gingrich’s connection to Reagan legacy is a testament to how much Reagan shaped the conservative movement and today’s GOP.  By holding Reagan up as the ideal, he and his administration have become idealized — and it would serve us all well to be more clear-eyed about history here. 

This episode is a timely reminder that the Reagan GOP was an occasionally fractious coalition.  To moderates, Reaganomics was voodoo, while Reagan’s confrontational foreign policy seemed unconservative.  Reagan was a politician who pushed the envelope… but his coalition also contained those who wanted to push it further. 

It should be remembered that Reagan got to elected president as the result of many factors.  He had experience running for president.  He was an able and charismatic performer as a candidate, capable of disarming his critics with a down-to-earth chuckle as easily as a pointed barb.  Stagflation had exposed the flaws of Keynesian economics.  Iran and the Soviet Union exposed the impotence of Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy.  Reagan’s election was as close to a perfect storm as one is likely to find in politics.

This year, the GOP remains a fractious coalition, but its candidate will be no Ronald Reagan.  (Occasionally, Ronald Reagan was no Ronald Reagan.)  Moreover, if America is lucky, the economy and state of the world will not make Barack Obama look as bad as Jimmy Carter.  It is by those parameters that GOP primary voters should be making their choice, rather than hoping a perfect storm rolls in.

–Karl

332 Responses to “You’re no Ronald Reagan”

  1. Ding!

    Karl (8cdbad)

  2. Voters may also want to consider this: http://blog.american.com/2012/01/romneys-economic-case-against-obama-all-in-one-chart/ and why it’s important to elect the person best able to improve conditions on the ground…

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  3. I just don’t get what poor loopy pickle-brained reagan has to do with anything… if anyone tells you it’s morning in America they’re not just lying they’re making a very bad joke really

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  4. This week ended with Gingrich huffing and puffing about stacked decks and fairness and a gathering storm on Newtie’s horizon.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  5. Up yours Colonel.

    Stay classy Crappyfeet.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  6. i will never forgive mitt for making that tv commercial in 1994 with pelosi.

    oh wait.

    that was newt. and just a few year ago.

    never mind.

    i’m 55 and i lived thru the 1990’s.

    newt’s persona is not something i am trying to piece together from attack ads.

    i know who he is.

    he is unprincipled erratic egomaniac who should not become the standard-bearer for the GOP or be trusted with the presidency.

    reliapundit (32879d)

  7. Shame on you Karl. How are you misspell my name.

    [note: released from moderation. –Stashiu]

    [Fixed. Thx! -Karl]

    Elliott Abrams (d1c681)

  8. to be clear Mr. Biden I think using poor dead Reagan’s corpse to suggest that Team R’s current crop of cowardly and whorish presidential hopefuls are anywhere remotely in Reagan’s league in terms of respectableness is a shallow and condescending ploy I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  9. I guess it’s not much of a stretch to see the shallow and strange personage of Nancy Reagan prefiguring kooky Callista though

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  10. While Newt’s 3rd missus smiles, waves, and nods approvingly, the Next First Lady (God willing) shoots and scores…

    http://www.postonpolitics.com/2012/01/romneys-wife-wows-crowd-at-hispanic-conference/

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  11. You should have said that then.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  12. Great, so even Reagan doesn’t measure up anymore, that’s just great.

    narciso (87e966)

  13. yes I should have I apologize

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  14. Don’t know why, Newtie sees clouds up in da sky… stormy weather…

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/fading-gingrich-hits-romney-ad-005304279.html

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  15. RichLowry Pat buchanan on mclaughlin group this weekend: reagan WH considered gingrich an “opportunist.” he has other choice words as well

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  16. RichLowry The point of gingrich-reagan flap isnt that gingrich was anti-reagan, but that more than anything, he was frankly, fundamentally, pro-newt

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  17. Alright then.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  18. “The record tends to show that Gingrich backed Reagan on key issues and when he did critique the administration, he did so from the right.”

    “I would not be surprised if Abrams and others in the Reagan administration were less than thrilled at Gingrich’s criticism at the time and feel vindicated by history (although history is not a controlled experiment, thus precluding a definitive judgment on the matter).”

    Karl – Good spin, but I think the point made is rather than the loyal soldier of Reagan Newt claims himself to have been, the important thing the Abrams/Lord dust up shows is that Professor Gingrich is by no means clairvoyant in all matters. His poor choice to attack the Reagan Administration foreign policy as a failure is not mitigated by the fact that others shared his views as you hint, or that it was an attack from the right rather than the left, Gingrich was simply wrong.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  19. Let’s not forget, Karl, that Gingrich threw in with the effectively pro-Marxist Democrats while President Reagan was trying to implement his policies. Gingrich was publicly attacking the president’s policies at a crucial time.

    Newt is – and always has been – about Newt.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  20. ==the Abrams piece could easily have been a simple act of score-settling==

    Karl-
    Anybody who is watching sorta objectively sees that much of what is going on within the party of the elephant right now is “simple score settling” on several fronts. The pent up “score settling” and the desperate “we need to get Obama out of the WH stat because of his horrible policies” are a crazy effed up intramural game being played concurrently using 2 different kinds of balls and 2 different sets of rules –while using up energy and resources and roughing up the team.

    Note: I’m not placing blame for this idiocy on/against any one because it is too widespread for that. But politicians and journalists really do think we’re stupid don’t they?

    elissa (e9929d)

  21. ______________________________________________

    Moreover, if America is lucky, the economy and state of the world will not make Barack Obama look as bad as Jimmy Carter.

    If American wanted to look sane and sensible — and lucky — it wouldn’t have placed “Goddamn America” in its White House in the first place. As bad as Carter was and is, his background at least wasn’t as absurdly and clearly Jeremiah Wright-ized and Bill Ayers-ized as Obama’s is.

    Mark (411533)

  22. Why do you think the Republican Party is referred to as the Stupit Party?

    tmac (5559f7)

  23. Stupid Party?

    tmac (5559f7)

  24. Vast Right Wing Conspiracies are rearing their ugly heads.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  25. I reside in the Peoples Republic of Northern California so my conservative votes have no effect on anything, but the thought that our best hope for this nation is either Newt or Mitt makes me nauseous.

    Old Coot (f1b6e0)

  26. while Reagan’s confrontational foreign policy seemed unconservative. Reagan was a politician who pushed the envelope

    The complainers by Gingrich and others at the time concerned Reagan’s outreach to Gorbachev and his proposal to do away with all ICBMs. It was considered foolish and even senile but the complainers did not know all the facts. Reagan knew the USSR could not survive an attempt to match the anti-missile efforts of the US and was being non-confrontational to reduce their fears of a first strike attempt. That is acknowledged by the real Reagan supporters who admit he was smarter than they were.

    Mike K (4c76c8)

  27. I posted more fully on the previous thread, but it bears repeating here.

    To understand Romneycare, you need only look at the PBS Newshour segment done the day it passed (in 2006, which seems, i don’t know, recent?).

    To hear them talk about it, everyone in Massachusetts was looking at this like it was going to be the national model. And Romney was the guy pushing it. It didn’t “just happen” because it was a liberal legislature.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  28. I lived in Little Havana, at that time, and the perspective was it not sure that we would prevail,
    I think the administration’s failure to challenge
    Boland, and the segue into Iran Contra, that necessitated contacts with some very nasty characters in Iran, was a sign of this, just one
    example, one of the emissary’s that North dealt
    with, was tied to Hezbollah, and would direct the bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.

    narciso (87e966)

  29. Trust PBS Newshour! Where “true conservatives” always get their news/sound bites.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  30. You’re the one who cites Taibbi, cauldron of mendacity, so you have no grounds, to complaint

    narciso (87e966)

  31. Reagan’s real quality was his willingness to delegate large tasks to subordinates, and listen to them when they gave advice. The thing that made this work was that Reagan had a first-class BS detector and was a fine judge of people. As good as W’s was bad.

    So, for example, he could give George Schultz (Sec of State and former Treasury Sec) the task of squeezing the bejeezus out of the USSR and know that it was in good hands.

    The current president cannot delegate lunch plans, and only evil or mendacious people (Holder, Geithner) stay with him long.

    So one question in the Reagan sweepstakes would be: How do Romney and Gingrich do in delegation and people-picking? What’s been the churn in their aides? Anyone (except Haiku)?

    Kevin M (563f77)

  32. Trust PBS Newshour! Where “true conservatives” always get their news/sound bites.

    Trust them to see a fellow traveler, yes. More than I’d trust a Romneybot.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  33. Actually, calling Haiku a Romneybot is unfair to Romneybots. He’s really just a conduit for the Twitter feeds of Romneybots, so that makes him a Romneybot-bot.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  34. Use that filter thing, Kev. Stop biting your pillow.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  35. Stereotyping Mormons as polygamists is what I expect from the left.

    Obama pays 10% in taxes but the idiots on the left vote for him.

    Anyone who votes for Obama for a 2nd term shouldn’t complain about Illegals.

    Lack of morals isn’t due to godlessness but accepting attacks on all religions except Islam.

    Wow the left are accusing Gingrich of terrorism for cheating on his wife.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  36. If only Patterico provided one.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  37. JEFFERSON DID NOT HAVE SLAVES YOU IDIOTS.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  38. If Obama is voted in again expect the terrorists to feel emboldened.

    Expect Iran to have the bomb.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  39. Nazi Haiku lied about Gingrich and Reagan.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  40. “If only Patterico provided one.”

    Comment by Kevin M

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    You may be able to purchase pillows in bulk, Kev. It’s not reasonable to expect our host to spring for them.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  41. It’s all Bush’s fault that Obama had this mess to clean up?

    Why don’t Republicans blame democraps for the mess they inherited?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  42. Looks like you had better view that Bondi vid again, narciso… I watched it and Bondi is not talking about MassCare. She’s discussing the qualities and approaches Romney would support being enacted by states.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  43. 🙄 In other words narciso worship Romney or else.

    Romneycare is marxist in nature Herr Haiku.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  44. Just a small snafu;

    Brokaw, whose statement noted he was speaking on his behalf, said, “I am extremely uncomfortable with the extended use of my personal image in this political ad. I do no want my role as a journalist compromised for political gain by any campaign.”

    “The NBC Legal Department has written a letter to the campaign asking for the removal of all NBC News material from their campaign ads,” NBC News said in a statement, which added, “Similar requests have gone out to other campaigns that have inappropriately used Nightly News, Meet the Press, Today and MSNBC material.”

    werner von braun (87e966)

  45. Wow. I seem to hear two things:

    1. Only my favored candidate is good. And you are a fool if you disagree.
    2. I hate the other primary candidate. In fact, that person is no different from Obama. If “my” candidate doesn’t get nominated, I will sit home and not vote. And you are a fool if you disagree.

    Yesterday, I heard that well-known liberal Sean Hannity on the radio. He said all this cannibalistic snarling was disturbing on the one hand, but good on the other: it will toughen up the eventual nominee, who will get trashed this badly, x 1,000, during the actual election against BHO (courtesy of the MSM).

    But most of all, I appreciated this post via Instapundit:

    http://pohdiaries.com/republicans-need-to-chillax/

    Eyes on the real opponent, folks. Who is grinning from ear to ear at our antics, right now. And I would bet you money that I am accurate about that. Ear to ear.

    Simon Jester (31190a)

  46. Newt also launches attacks that boomerang

    — Newt buys his attacks from the “I’m rubber, you’re glue” factory.
    — Newt launches boomerang marriages.
    — Newt panders to the moon, which has a population of ZERO.
    — Newt quotes himself out-of-context.
    — Newt reads the word “boomerang” on the package, but still throws it expecting it to go straight.

    Icy (6f50d8)

  47. So one question in the Reagan sweepstakes would be: How do Romney and Gingrich do in delegation and people-picking? What’s been the churn in their aides? Anyone (except Haiku)?

    — Ask Newt’s original aides . . . you know, the ones that jumped ship to work for Perry.

    [Talk about making two poor choices within a 12-month span!]

    Icy (6f50d8)

  48. Patterico’s Pillows! Packed full with liberal fluff. Smack your favorite commenter in the head with one today!

    Icy (6f50d8)

  49. daleyrocks, Col.,

    I take your points, which is why I mentioned that Abramas likely felyt under assault from all sides at the time and felt vindicated. Indeed, he probably feels a special pleasure at believing he was proven right. I think that’s both human and reasonable. The part about history not being a controlled experiment was not spin, merely the observation that we cannot know whether an even more hardline approach would have produced a better result. Newt and the others were probably wrong about this, and even more probably unrealistic about how far one could practically push the envelope. But we don’t know to an absolute certainty.

    My larger point would be that as infuriating as the more hardline crowd likely was, it also served a political purpose, just as Reagan’s demand for bold colors over pale pastels did. One can decide Newt’s day-glo colors approach is a bit much for the presidency, yet still appreciate what he brings to the table. And I could also say the similar things (and thought I did) about Mitt in the closing grafs.

    Karl (8cdbad)

  50. Icy,

    Newt panders to unemployed and soon-to-be unemployed people in the NASAsphere of Florida. That much is not zany.

    Also, one could argue that Newt’s staff jumping ship says more about them than about Newt… but I wouldn’t. 😉

    Simon,

    Yep. That’s one of the subtexts of this post.

    Karl (8cdbad)

  51. Ask Newt’s original aides . . . you know, the ones that jumped ship to work for Perry.

    Yes, they raised the average IQ of both camps with that move.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  52. “And I could also say the similar things (and thought I did) about Mitt in the closing grafs.”

    Karl – Sure you could. You can point out that Newt was attacking from the right in 1986 and in 2012 he is attacking from the left. Other than making it all about Newt and his own perceived infallibility (he occasionally shrugs off something with a quick I was wrong and hopes people will move on), what’s the point?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  53. Newt wasn’t speaking of Abrams, at that time, he was speaking likely of those at CIA and State, who were at best indifferent, recall how Charlie Wilson
    really helmed the Afghan operation,

    werner von braun (87e966)

  54. You do realize that Ronald Reagan is dead? And that anyone under 30 knows nothing about him? Newt running as Reagan leaves him vulnerable to exactly the attack he is receiving. It’s his main campaign. Romney is running on his private sector experience and the economy, hence his vulnerability on Bain and taxes. This is how politics is played. Newt asked for what he is getting. And I am thoroughly tired of hearing about Ronald Reagan. It is 2012 for goodness sakes.

    bio mom (c82c6c)

  55. narciso @ 36 – Bad headline by Hoft since Bondi does not say what Hoft claims she does if you watch the video. Hoft is really letting his bias influence his posts lately.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  56. Thank you.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  57. That’s the keyword, Karl — “panders”. If pork were illegal, Newt would be a dealer.

    “Hey buddy, I know a guy that knows a guy. We’ll get you that earmark straight away.”

    Mitt says “I’m going to create a climate to foster job creation.”
    Newt says “I’m going to spend federal money in order to keep you employed.”

    He’s a “Teddy Roosevelt conservative” all right. He doesn’t want to ‘spend less’; he wants to spend, and do, a lot while somehow simultaneously balancing the budget.

    He’s fallen into the same trap that so many others — and, sad to say, this even includes Santorum a little bit — have stumbled into: thinking that the right kind of government involvement in many aspects of our lives will make things better for all of us.

    Icy (6f50d8)

  58. (Occasionally, Ronald Reagan was no Ronald Reagan.)

    Though he was known for his relatively conservative philosophy, he was not adverse to doing the politically expedient deal, the doing the less-than-conservative deal was a better outcome than no deal at all.
    It could be said that this is what separated RR from the Ron Paul’s of the world.

    AD-RtR/OS! (7a55d1)

  59. “if doing” v. “the doing”

    AD-RtR/OS! (7a55d1)

  60. Newt’s attacks on Romney for his ownership of Fannie and Freddie stock in mutual funds the individual investment decisions of which that Romney does not control or manage to me just expose Gingrich as another Washington chowderhead who doesn’t understand the fundamentals of the investment business. That might explain his bizarre attacks on vulture capitalism, but it leads Congress to crappy knee jerk legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank. Seeing that level of ignorance come out of somebody considered as brilliant as Newt was scary.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  61. Gingrich is “brilliant” in the same way that P.T. Barnum was brilliant.

    Icy (6f50d8)

  62. IOW, I don’t doubt for a minute that he knows how things really work in the business world. He’s just going for the knee-jerk reaction from the general public.

    Icy (6f50d8)

  63. ==And I am thoroughly tired of hearing about Ronald Reagan.==

    I’m sorry to hear that, mom. I will *never* get tired of hearing about Reagan. That said, I largely agree with you about everyone who is running in 2012 trying to evoke Reagan and paint themselves as the second coming of Reagan. They ain’t. None of them. It irritates me, but not nearly as much as Barack Obama pretending he is “Reaganesque” or comparing his abhorrent self to Lincoln in the SOTU.

    elissa (e9929d)

  64. But, but — Obama just wants to free all of us slaves of the corporate greed!

    Icy (6f50d8)

  65. “I will *never* get tired of hearing about Reagan.”

    elissa – I haven’t heard much about Michelle’s arms lately. Could you give us a little riff on them, or would that be racist?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  66. Daleykos has no room to complain about bias.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  67. daley–People assume she works out in the taxpayer funded WH gym and rigorously lifts weights. Working in the “garden” also makes one strong. But I have it on pretty good authority that her arms are so well developed from pushing her husband away at any and all opportunities. (That didn’t make it into the final cut of the book but it’s what I heard.)

    elissa (e9929d)

  68. elissa – I think you’re on to something. Plus curling five pound plates of food six or seven times a day can’t hurt.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  69. Seeing that level of ignorance come out of somebody considered as brilliant as Newt was scary.

    this is true but mostly I think Newt is a fat and, critically, lazy whore more than he is as anti-capitalist as wall street romney was when he invented obamacare

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  70. oh daleeey–did you see the very nice op-ed about my favorite big hunk of a governor Chris Christie in the WSJ today? Are you liking him better now that he endorced Mitt?

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577172563616006788.html?mod=opinion_newsreel

    elissa (e9929d)

  71. Obama is taking care of the economy by giving money to his cronies.

    And Pelosi and Omoron accuse Republicans of corruption?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  72. Clinton was supposed to take care of America’s security but did not.

    But lets lambast Bush for not doing anything to stop 9-11 which was trained for in 98.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  73. elissa – I have always like big squishy Chris. A good Jersey boy. I will read the article.

    Michelle has needs – First Ladying is tough and she needs to keep her strength up.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  74. We need better security for the white house no matter who is president.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  75. Behold the full power of this operational battle station, sarc:

    http://www.pnj.com/article/20120128/ELECTIONS/120128001/Hundreds-greet-Mitt-Romney-Pensacola?odyssey=tab

    narciso (87e966)

  76. Michelle Odumba has an ass shaped like a grenade.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  77. Gringrich is awful but Romney is worse.

    ORomneycare and a VAT. He will not deny they are coming.

    Bondi was hinting so hard the cat’s really out of the bag. She’ll be pushing for mandates in every state; and she, she herself will carve the roast beast that is America.

    Sarahw (b0e533)

  78. She Gateway pundit if you have no idea what I’m alluding to.

    Sarahw (b0e533)

  79. See that is

    Sarahw (b0e533)

  80. Romney will require all cars sold in America to have rooftop dog carriers.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  81. WE CITIZENS HAVE A MIGHTY STING. You know, I could be A-OK with a brokered convention. JAN BREWER FOR PRESIDENT, 2012.

    Mutnodjmet (c4995d)

  82. Romney will require all people to be good to the last drop.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  83. The bush’s left a legacy which helped Obama and Clinton leap to success but it was good they did not support taxpayers money for abortion.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  84. ________________________________________________

    I don’t know who is or isn’t Ronald Reagan, but Jeremiah Wright’s former pal — now occupying the White House — sure does seem to be a bit of a Goofus McDoofus with a smattering of Cletus:

    businessinsider.com, January 26:

    Andrew Restuccia of The Hill is reporting that Ener1, a battery company that President Obama referenced in his State of The Union Speech on Tuesday as an example of successful energy investments, has just filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

    That’s just two days after the speech.

    “In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries,” Obama said in his speech.

    Under President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package, the Energy Department awarded grants in an attempt to create a U.S. electric-car industry. Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel was the grant recipient and has received about $55 million of its grant so far.

    In the 2010 State of the Union address, Obama mentioned Solyndra as another successful investment by the government in private-sector green-energy companies…

    It’s obviously hugely embarrassing for the president to give another green-energy company a shout-out in his prime-time speech only to have it declare bankruptcy two days later.

    Mark (31bbb6)

  85. Waiting for the left to tell Catholics to their face they want 10 years old to be raped.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  86. Ener!:
    The question is, just when had they planned to file for bankruptcy?
    Are they another Solyndra that was advised by the WH to delay the filing until after (in this case) the SOTU –
    though in my twisted mind, that would be even worse than denying the WH a bullet-point in the speech.
    When it comes to the transparancy of the Obama Administration, the working symbol is a mud-hole.

    AD-RtR/OS! (7a55d1)

  87. Oops….Ener1!

    AD-RtR/OS! (7a55d1)

  88. Obama looks drunk everytime he speaks.

    Obama sounds like an idiot everytime he speaks.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  89. Like I said Obama sounds like an idiot every time he speaks.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  90. The president doesn’t care about the military truth hurts doesn’t it leftys.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  91. maybe Pam Bondi can get all her fat blond friends to vote for Mitt too

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  92. “Team Romney still has some bugs to work out”

    Like Mitt, their candidate.

    “the GOP remains a fractious coalition”

    OTOH, the Right is in total disarray.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  93. yes it’s a mood I’m in Mr. bonesteel cause of I’m sick and grumpy and I’m trying to psych myself up to go to the grocery store

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  94. Mr. Feet…to feel better, I have just two words:

    Menudo
    Cilantro

    Then all will be Right with your world.

    Simon Jester (31190a)

  95. Friday night White House document drop includes emails from Dennis Burke to DOJ saying two AK 47’s found at site of Brian Terry’s murder. Is Holder about to be cut loose?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  96. Two AK 47’s traced to Fast & Furious were at murder site.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  97. Plus a VAT.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  98. I posted that link, at 1;24

    chesley bonesteel (87e966)

  99. Maybe Romney can strip down to his boxers and hold a candlelight vigil for conservatism.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  100. 81, 82. Stunningly stupid, riding RomneyCare as a win-win.

    Can’t help even in FL.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  101. The anti-bully law is unconstitutional because it is censorship and not funding.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  102. I was gonna go get cozy shack products at Ralph’s but I don’t wanna drive drive so I’m a just scoot over to cvs and see what they have

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  103. and it doesn’t have to do with funding.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  104. Obama does deserve to be struck down.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  105. 16. Pat Buchanan thought Neut should have dropped after IA to clear Santorum’s flight path.

    If Nor Laup is insane, Buchanan is anencephalic.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  106. Lower taxes are teh satan.

    /Romney

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  107. Pat B just wants to be top of the pops on the Adult Comtemporary Racist chart.

    Icy (6f50d8)

  108. OH MY GOSH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT…………..NOT.

    /Leftys

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  109. SNL should mock Maobama.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  110. And Jenny with her own estimate of the enemy:

    https://twitter.com/#!/JRubinBlogger/status/163438525516226561

    Good luck without the clowns, PT.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  111. You know it’s just sad with Jen, she has even had to backtrack on her full throated support for Israel, in order to support Mittens, that’s just sad,

    narciso (87e966)

  112. 119. So what’s the first clue to be recognized by the Worthies, that the ranks will not close and the rally won’t come?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  113. Six months back I read a comment by a physician seated next to Willard on a flight. She had a few ideas she wanted to relate about healtcare but he’d no interest and blew off all other such offers.

    Odd, the man who won’t talk

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  114. to others unless he’s paying for the pleasure.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  115. This is the reality, he’s not going any where;

    http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/27/seal-sotu-a-dud/#ixzz1krJqJJRs

    narciso (87e966)

  116. WHAT!!!

    👿

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  117. 123, 124. Shots on Fort Sumter!

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  118. Here it is:

    http://race42012.com/2012/01/28/poll-watch-first-coast-newsdixie-strategies-r-florida-2012-republican-primary-survey/

    How come the MSM doesn’t find this stuff? They surf like the rest of us.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  119. As we found out three years ago, lies work, even after they’ve been debunked;

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/florida-polls-mitt-romney-lead-friday_n_1236482.html

    narciso (87e966)

  120. CHeezit Crackers! Its so on. Gingrich/West.
    Bang/zoom/to the moon.

    Sarahw (b0e533)

  121. Again, via the Professor, from the Globe:

    “Domino’s was not in need of rescue, nor was it a classic turnaround case for Bain. But it was still a bonanza for the Boston leveraged buyout firm, which makes money by buying and selling businesses. Bain reaped a 500 percent return on its investment in the nation’s largest pizza delivery chain over 12 years.

    Domino’s grew its revenues and earnings under Bain, but its debt also surged to $1.5 billion, leaving the chain with a higher debt ratio than most of its rivals, and interest payments that eat up half its profit each year….

    To buy Domino’s, Bain put up a third of the money in cash and borrowed the rest. It took money out in several chunks including: a 2003 refinancing of the company’s debt, a 2004 initial public stock offering, and an $897 million “monster dividend’’ paid to Bain and other investors in 2007. In each instance, the company borrowed money or refinanced old debt to make the payouts.”

    Just because the Globe is in Ogabe’s pants doesn’t mean they’ll use it to hurt Greaseball.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  122. Romeybots to lash out at West.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  123. ________________________________________________

    The polls that show President “Goddamn America” currently leading by a larger percentage if the Republican on the ballot is Gingrich instead of Romney, and the latter not leading Barry either, indicates what?

    I’d like to say it’s too early in the game to rely on the meaning or accuracy of polling data, but to me the “Goddamn America” now in the White House is so bad, that as mediocre as Romney and Gingrich are, they should still be comfortably ahead of Soetero. At the very least, no American other than an ultra-liberal one can say that the two leading politicians most likely to oppose Obama this November are too conservative.

    And how many Americans are such extremists in their own right that they fall for the notion that the ultra-liberal idiosyncrasies of Jeremiah Wright’s former pal are somehow less worrisome than the squishy idiosyncrasies of the Republicans?

    Mark (411533)

  124. To buy Domino’s, Bain put up a third of the money in cash and borrowed the rest. It took money out in several chunks including: a 2003 refinancing of the company’s debt, a 2004 initial public stock offering, and an $897 million “monster dividend’’ paid to Bain and other investors in 2007. In each instance, the company borrowed money or refinanced old debt to make the payouts.”

    Sounds like what people were doing with houses. Next, we’ll be hearing about the leveraged-financing bubble and the need to bail out companies like Bain. “Who knew?!”

    Kevin M (563f77)

  125. 133. The claim that Romany is as conservative on any issue as Ginrich, is as capable a rhetorician or orator, is in any sense a political leader, or has core values on which he will take a stand other than those that eschew principle altogether is patently absurd.

    Where is the 42-43% of the electorate necessary to beat Ogabe going to materialize?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  126. A pushback against the intensity and hostility noted by DRJ…

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/fl/florida_republican_presidential_primary-1597.html

    Colonel Haiku (40a276)

  127. So, less than a year after he defended the US position, on Nicaragua, he was attacking it, strains credibility.

    narciso (87e966)

  128. Romney paid more taxes than he owed???????????

    That is not good because people will say he is too sloppy with finance.

    Throw in that he gave 25 percent of his earnings to charity and really has some problems to overcome.

    AZ Bob (1c9631)

  129. Interesting post from Jonathan Tobin…

    “Just a week ago, some of Sarah Palin’s fans were attempting to give the former Alaska governor a little bit of the credit for Newt Gingrich’s second surge and his victory in South Carolina. Bill Kristol said as much in the Weekly Standard’s blog and wondered what would happen if “really comes out for Newt.” While I think the evidence of a Palin connection to what happened in the Palmetto state seems to be more the product of the imagination of Palinites than anything else, there was no harm in allowing her to jump on the short-lived Gingrich bandwagon. But the quick decline of the candidate she seemed to be favoring appears to have angered the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate and the latest blast from her Wasilla Fortress of Solitude is yet another reminder why many conservatives find it difficult to take her seriously anymore…”

    Read more here: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/29/palin-stalin-alinsky-gingrich-romney/

    Colonel Haiku (40a276)

  130. narciso @ 123 – Weatherford originally endorsed Pawlenty so at the time the deal was struck on the preliminary deal altering West’s district, I don’t believe he had switched allegiances. You may want to check.

    I think this is just another anti-Romney conspiracy theory FAIL, like the Bondi video, and the VAT meme pushed by the Gingrich campaign.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  131. Well Tpaw’s on Mittens side, it just curiously works out that way, to curry favor with the Dems,
    sort of like feeding Schundler to the wolves.

    narciso (87e966)

  132. Newt’s minions are throwing it all against the wall, in hopes that something stinks sticks…

    Colonel Haiku (40a276)

  133. Romney’s using his Charlie Crist-like appeal to lock up all the Florida voters who voted for Meghan’s coward daddy, who endorsed Crist as I recall

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  134. Well you could look at the original piece;

    http://shark-tank.net/2012/01/27/24717/

    narciso (87e966)

  135. There you go again, happyfeet — blaming the voters . . .

    Icy (8f68a7)

  136. aren’t voters the same anti-american douchebags what elected the rapist-in-chief we have now?

    they’re stupid

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  137. 130. Keep pounding that “Romney will be mercilessly attacked for being a successful businessman” meme, gulrud. No diminishing returns there, no sir.

    134. Et tu on the “vulture capitalism” line, Kevin? *sigh*

    Icy (8f68a7)

  138. Here is sit, looking at all the Republican lemmings with their Romney banners following the boss lemmings over a cliff marked “electability.”

    And I ask each one as he goes by “Why are you supporting this guy?”, and to a man, they say “He can beat Obama!” When I ask why I should vote for him, they say “Because he can beat Obama!” Then I ask “Other than not being Obama, what qualities does he have that are different?” they respond “AAAAAIIIIIEEEE!!!” and fall over the cliff.

    The only saving grace is that they are going over the cliff and won’t be around next time to poison our discussion again.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  139. Here *I* sit… %%$##%

    Kevin M (563f77)

  140. Et tu on the “vulture capitalism” line, Kevin? *sigh*

    Oh, right because no capitalist can do any wrong? Are you really that blind?

    Kevin M (563f77)

  141. Mr. M a lot of Romney people are willing to say competence now, conservatism later, and given how devastatingly and traumatically raped our little economy is, they have a point…. there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit out there for an unprincipled technocrat like Romney to pick in terms of economic policy, and there’s no reason to think he won’t try

    on the other hand there’s also no reason to think he would overturn the yummy obamcares he invented, which is a job-killer

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  142. *obamacares* I mean

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  143. Oh, right because no capitalist can do any wrong? Are you really that blind?
    Comment by Kevin M — 1/29/2012 @ 1:40 pm

    — Still waiting for the proof that he, or his company, did anything wrong.

    Icy (8f68a7)

  144. you know it’s hard to
    tell it’s hard to tell when all
    your hate is in bain.

    Colonel Haiku (8348e4)

  145. well I follow’d him
    to da station newt had two
    lights on fat behind

    Colonel Haiku (8348e4)

  146. all his hate’s in bain

    Colonel Haiku (8348e4)

  147. 139. Jonathan Tobin, noted conservative, editor of Commentary, last employer of Jennifer Rubin.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  148. kooky Callista tries to keep Newt fattened up so nobody steals her man… that’s how adulterous home-wrecking trollops think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  149. 157… definitely more sense than that Hoft fella…

    Colonel Haiku (8348e4)

  150. 153. Wrong, as in illegal, or just not capitalism in a utilitarian sense.

    We’ve already discussed Staples, a minor venture capital contribution, $650K for which Willard took the whole 89,000 jobs as to his credit.

    We’ve already looked at Dominos, for which Bain made 5 times investment over 12 years and while increasing their size, left them with $1.5 Billion in debt.

    Retail and food-service jobs, if any, are not head-of-household employment.

    You people leap on the hardest case for critics to prove, illegal activities, as though failing that, the critic’s case is crushed. Silly boys, MSM is going to Tawna Brawney Willard, let alone show his vapidity.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  151. They really don’t think this will boomerang on them, that’s why OWS was set up in the first place.

    narciso (87e966)

  152. 140. “anti-Romney conspiracy theory FAIL, like the Bondi video, and the VAT meme”

    Bondi fail, oh, because she didn’t answer the question and started talking about some hypothetical health program there’s nothing to criticise.

    The VAT meme fails presumably because he won’t lead in any significant sense so if he signs a VAT he won’t have to take credit.

    Again, you people want your opponent to prove a negative as tho that’s all Willard has to do to earn their vote, show that he’s as slippery as a water balloon covered in STP.

    Mollified we are.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  153. This assessment of Romney’s role at Bain Capital seems right to me:

    “Yet ultimately, it seems a little strange to credit Romney with being much more than a smart early investor. That’s not nothing. Investment and capital are a very large part of entrepreneurial success — which is why investors reap large rewards when a business pans out. But still … We don’t credit the jobs created by McDonald’s, Home Depot, and Apple to the money men. We credit them to Ray Kroc, Bernard Marcus, Arthur Blank, Steve Jobs, and Steve Wozniak. Because those men had the ideas, ran the operations, and assumed most of the risk. It’s unclear why we should regard Romney’s role with Staples any differently.”

    MittBot T-1000 (ca1f60)

  154. and while increasing their size, left them with $1.5 Billion in debt.
    — By which you are implying that they had zero debt pre-Bain and over a billion post-Bain. And since when do large companies not float some debt while continuing to make gross profits on a yearly basis?

    But of course all you can hear are the cries of “Bain raped us!” coming from all of those companies they so savagely raided. And you will happily share those cries with the group in 3 … 2 … 1 …

    Icy (8f68a7)

  155. 147. And then without getting into the details take Sports Authority. More retail jobs with a ridiculously over-priced brick and mortar out fit. I haven’t been in there in 7 years.

    Never been in a Staples, bought a Dominos maybe once a decade ago.

    Clear Channel is headed for bankruptcy.

    I’ve seen nothing to date that fits “Bain specialized in taking over distressed companies and fixing them”.

    He’s little more than a cardboard cutout character like the Flim Flam Man.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  156. stale bait n’ tackle
    land o’lakes walleyed muskie
    keeps pounding flounder

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  157. “Well you could look at the original piece;”

    narciso – I did and went back to Weatherford’s July 6 endorsement of Pawlently. Funny how nobody bothers to check these anti-Romney conspiracies. Ace did a separate, post this morning calling that Hoft piece yesterday “blogger nonsense” because it was so bad.

    The Bemidji Buffet here continues to demonstrate his ignorance of the world of finance. He told us Europe was going to default five months ago, so far nada.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  158. his wolverines are coming home to roost!

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  159. 164. Believe me, investors are critical to companies succeeding. But venture capitalists have wasted more opportunities than they’ve created, and they are the good guys in the PE universe.

    If you don’t think, even with Strap-on as the opposition, Willard is at best going to have a whiteknuckler you’re silly.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  160. wolverines ripped his flesh!

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  161. The somalian terrorists do what they do because are terrorists not because of corruption you spineless liberals

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  162. “even with Strap-on as the opposition”

    Don’t be so hard-on yourself.

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  163. 168. ” He told us Europe was going to default five months ago, so far nada”

    Check the tape maroon, I said five months ago the end of March, 2012.

    Back in July Greece got an 80 Billion pledge, a month ago they needed 130 Billion, yesterday 145 Billion.

    Laugh now, its coming.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  164. “Because those men had the ideas, ran the operations, and assumed most of the risk.”

    Bro Bradley – Without money, they would not have had any operations to run, but it is a nice spin anyway.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  165. Daleykos are you getting a hard-on for Romney?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  166. the mincing skidmark
    comes strapped to the gunfight at
    Somali Corral

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  167. 171. Saw Frank at the Dane Count Coliseum, around 1976, great concert.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  168. “Check the tape maroon, I said five months ago the end of March, 2012.”

    Bemidji Buffet – You said any day five months ago, correct.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  169. Brit Hume says some anti-Gingrich ads “may not be fair, but they’re not false”.

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  170. 178… you were s’pposed to avoid the brown acid, gary, not take it!

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  171. somewhere in Texas
    lonely, flea-bit coyote
    cowers, licks his wounds

    Colonel Haiku (b84db5)

  172. Drudge is a flagrant romneywhore just like that nasty Ann Coulter

    it’s a thing

    Drudge is also a transplanted florida boy himself just like Romney doppleganger Charlie Crist

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  173. gary,
    I’m a business reporter, so I know that investors are critical. What I pointed out is that Romney was taking too much credit for jobs created at the companies he invested in.

    And Romney’s task at Bain Capital wasn’t to create jobs, it was to make a profit for his company. Nothing wrong with that of course, but Romney is presenting a misleading account of what he did at Bain.

    I attended a meeting of VCs last week and a speaker took care to distinguish between the role of venture capitalists and what Romney did at Bain.

    The speaker’s point was that venture capital is a job creator, while whether Romney’s line of work is a job creator is open to debate. I agree with that point. Venture investments are usually made in start-ups or developing companies, which by their nature are hiring people to bring their product to market. Whenever I ask companies that have received VC funding what the money is going for, the usual answer involves hiring more people.

    The VC speaker said the political media doesn’t understand what venture capital is – and stories like this one from AP show he’s right. Private equity and venture capital are not synonymous.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  174. daley,
    Bro Bradley – Without money, they would not have had any operations to run, but it is a nice spin anyway.

    It’s not spin, just the reality of the business world. The money men typically don’t get credit for creating companies and jobs. That’s not their role.

    Too bad people are so polarized in this primary that they have trouble admitting any point that goes against their preferred candidate, even when it’s obvious.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  175. 182. Brown, never heard of it.

    Window pane, hands down the best. Did a 70 mile bike trip on ‘er. Purple haze and Orange Sunshine were decent.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  176. 185. Thank you Brother, I take your informed opinion as substantial verification of my intuitive direction.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  177. gary,
    I’d be happier if the personal animosity on all sides would abate. The GOP is undergoing a necessary vetting process so voters can make informed choices.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  178. 179. I may have said that, ‘any day now, until the end of March’, yes.

    Well, guess what, the hedge funds which have promised suit in court if they don’t get nominally all they’re owed, have broken off negotiations with Greece.

    Had the two sides been successful, Greece paying 32 cents on the dollar, the rating agencies said it would have been a default and a CDS trigger.

    Yesterday, Angela was reported as now thinking they will default. Her party official(only one of many) said Greece must give up bursar control within her borders.

    We are at the point where, for the euro to survive, Germany and the PIIGS must leave EU economic union. The survivors cannot compete w/Germany in the same currency and the debtors must default, staying in is driving them into depression.

    Yeah, Germany could kick the can down the road another few months and I would lose my bet, but there is no political will to continue in Germany, they’ve had enough.

    Of the survivors France & Belgium are doomed, just not immediately.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  179. 189. Already understood, Brother, as also the Right seem to be down to low 40% with any of the current candidates in a two-way.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  180. “purple haze all around
    don’t know if I’m comin’ up or down
    I feel funny, but I don’t know why
    ‘scuse me while I kiss this guy”

    – gary “cap’n trips” gulrud

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  181. Colonel Haiku, what are you talking about?

    Let’s not forget, Karl, that Gingrich threw in with the effectively pro-Marxist Democrats while President Reagan was trying to implement his policies. Gingrich was publicly attacking the president’s policies at a crucial time.

    He led the charge against the 10 Democrats who signed the the “Dear Comandante Letter,” violating the Logan Act by assuring them that they opposed Reagan and asked Sandanistas for help “strengthening their hand” against Reagan.

    Then there’s this AP article from 1985:

    Gingrich’s ‘Brilliance’ Against Nicaragua’s Vice President Applauded : Congressman Loses ‘Debate’ at Oxford in Winning Style

    Newt only “lost” because it wasn’t a “debate:”

    The Nicaraguan VP refused to debate Newt. He made his speech first, then stormed out.

    Newt got his standing ovation for his defense of US policy in Central America, which the president of the Oxford Union described as “sheer brilliance.” And he took up the challenge with only 3 hours notice.

    When did he throw in with the Marxist Democrats? When he forced the Democratic Majority Leader James Wright to resign in 1988?

    The times when Newt criticized Reagan it was because Reagan wasn’t doing enough to get tough with the communists. And by that I mean, both outside the country and inside Congress.

    Such as not doing anything about 10 Congressmen in the opposition party, including their leader, negotiating with a foreign government in order to undermine his policy in Central America.

    And isn’t this a little rich?

    RichLowry Pat buchanan on mclaughlin group this weekend: reagan WH considered gingrich an “opportunist.” he has other choice words as well

    I’ll consider Pat Buchanan’s opinion when I can get a convincing answer to this. When did Gingrich ever start a third party run that could have torpedoed the GOP’s chances? If anybody is “frankly, fundamentally” pro-self it’s the guy who jumped from the GOP in a huff and went with the Reform Party because he couldn’t win the GOP nomination in two tries.

    Steve (3a70e0)

  182. jmartpolitico Lou Cannon to Al Hunt: “Gingrich had absolutely nothing to do with the Reagan Revolution” http://t.co/QesRCyV0

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  183. “As was obvious Gingrich is as thin-skinned as Obama and if he thinks the Romney attacks (along with those by the Democrats) are tough now, he ain’t seen nuttin’ sport. This is just a warm up.”

    – Bruce McQuain

    http://www.qando.net/?p=12362

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  184. By your non-responsive answer I’ll take it you’re conceding that silly point about Gingrich and throwing in the the Marxist democrats in the house.

    I’ll stick with recorded history. Such as Newt Gingrich embarrassing the Dems over their “Dear Comandante Letter.” Such as that contemporary report about Gingrich in 1985 brilliantly defending Reagan’s policies in England (at a time when we and our policies were not popular their; can you say “nuclear freeze movement).

    You can stick to journos talking to journos a quarter of a century and imagine that’s impressive.

    Steve (3a70e0)

  185. This is who we’re up against, either a fool or a scoundrel possibly both, and the establishment is much more willing to raze every challenger to the ground, rather than confront his true nature;

    http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/01/29/catholic-church-digs-in-against-obama-policies/

    He is the modern equivalent of one of those Occupy people, in the top rung of government, someone who believed the palaver about ‘Reagan’s dark deeds’that his professors like the late Derrick Bell inparted to him.

    narciso (87e966)

  186. Gingrich on Reagan…

    “Measured against the scale and momentum of the Soviet empire’s challenge, the Reagan administration has failed, is failing, and without a dramatic change in strategy will continue to fail. . . . President Reagan is clearly failing.”

    “his administration’s weak policies, which are inadequate and will ultimately fail”

    “pathetically incompetent,”

    “impotence [and] incompetence.”

    “the president of the United States cannot discipline himself to use the correct language.”

    – Newt Gingrich, describing the man he worked so closely with, Ronald Reagan

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  187. Freedom & Liberty v. Social Justice & Equality…read the whole thing…
    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/fa-hayek-great-utopia

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  188. Col., have you absorbed yet that Gingrich was criticizing Reagan from the Right?

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  189. Colonel would rather criticize Reagan from the ultra-left.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  190. 200. And seriously, those of us who loved the guy, never thought he was a manager of men, too nice.

    Stockman, James Baker III, horrid choices, probably think of more later. H.W. wasn’t a good one either.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  191. No more bushes.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  192. Yes, but for every Jim Baker, there was an Ed Meese.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  193. He was criticizing him from the “Gingrich is always right”, ad.

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  194. And, I’d love to have a Bill Smith again at DoJ.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  195. Newt’s got a pretty good BA in my book.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  196. Yes, and two special prosecutors tried to destroy him, and even when they didn’t the clean togas, in the party abandoned him, Whereas Baker, the fabulous ‘Baker boy’ as Dowd dubbed him, almost always had the press, eating out of his hand,
    as he betrayed most of the Administration’s policies
    ,including devaluing the dollar, in the mid 80s,
    the quantitative easing without a title of it’s day’

    narciso (87e966)

  197. had to break for some chicken marsala… yes!!!

    Gingrich has never been accused of not having an under-inflated ego and sense of His Own Greatness.

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  198. Gingrich has never been accused of not having an under-inflated ego and sense of His Own Greatness.

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  199. Reagan ran in 1968, 1976 before winning in 1980 over GOP opposition.

    I can’t think we’re in a position to dink around 8 years with a progressive before returning to the pool for another whirl at conservatism.

    The time to strike is when the iron is hot, not after it’s quenched.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  200. “I’m a business reporter, so I know that investors are critical.”

    Bro Bradley – Exactly. It’s tough to finish commercializing a product or technology or ramping up staff to bring it to market without money. Arguing who should not get credit is silly. If you look at the roster of members of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, you will see members more properly classified as private equity firms as well as those more properly classified as early stage or venture investors. The lines blur. The object of all is to make a profit by investing in successful, growing companies

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  201. 210- Just which pol doesn’t have an overweaning sense of him/her self?
    If they didn’t have egos the size of an Altoona roundhouse, they wouldn’t be in politics.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  202. Colonel, you’re a funny guy. “Supposedly.”

    http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2012/0113-reagan/11450296-1-eng-US/0113-reagan_full_600.jpg

    We all got a chuckle out of that one.

    Steve (3a70e0)

  203. It seems to me who ever is POTUS will begin in severe Recession or worse.

    The EU is tipped to contract 4% this year. The BDI is crashing, down 60% since Xmas to 726. It was once up around 11,000.

    Japan is sick, China’s residential values have collapsed 40% in a matter of a few months.

    We could be entering world depression in 2012.

    I have every confidence Romney can keep his fortune safe but beyond that, anybody talking EU dissolution as hypothetical is either out to lunch or lying to protect those invested on margin.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  204. And to top it all off, he has his winning margin in the general, hating the mother that bore him.

    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/01/romney-staffer-its-not-about-winning-anymore-its-about-destroying-newt-gingrich/

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  205. yep, Mr. Reagan played a big role in Newt’s life from the get-go…

    http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/W/6/reagan_bonzo.jpg

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  206. Bro Bradley – Bain Capital did both venture and leveraged investing. You can check out some of its deals for yourself.

    “Bain Capital Ventures is the venture arm within Bain Capital, which has approximately $60 billion of assets under management worldwide. The firm’s history of investing in early stage companies dates back to 1984 with over 125 venture investments since inception.”

    http://www.baincapitalventures.com/why-us/what-we-do/

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  207. allahpundit Audio: Gingrich called for ObamaCare mandate in May 2009 http://t.co/lfUUKivV

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  208. I can’t decide. Is Haiku crazy, or is he being paid? I can’t think of a single sane reason that anyone would spend all their time retweeting the same lies over and over to this blog if they weren’t being paid for each one.

    The sheer volume of bile he’s dumping here is as amazing as it is repulsive.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  209. Amem, Kevin. It is not enough for him to support Romney, but he also must attempt to destroy any opposition.

    VP Biden (318f81)

  210. Go to hell Romneybot.

    Romney threw Reagan under his bus too.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  211. Where’s your dang pillow, Kev?

    Colonel Haiku (277333)

  212. Gingrich and Romney are enemies of conservatism but we need to choose between them.

    Wasn’t aware sneezing lead to a better environment.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  213. if I had to pick between the Wall Street Romney and the Gingrich I would pick the Gingrich cause he’s more conservative

    albeit very gullible

    but certainly not as dishonest as Wall Street Romney

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  214. 221. It is not enough for him to support Romney, but he also must attempt to destroy any opposition.

    Clearly with the emphasis on “attempt.”

    I still find it funny that he quoted a guy who bolted the party to insult Gingrich as an “opportunist.”

    Steve (3a70e0)

  215. I see a comparison to 1824, and I want Old Hickory, rather than Jr., because Andy knows how to fight and win – even though he didn’t win that election though he got the most votes (see Al, you weren’t the first candidate from TN to win the popular vote and lose the election).

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  216. Why does Jessie jackoff think he can get away with his thuggish behavior in regards to Jan Brewer?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  217. Because any criticism of “Mr. Cranky Pants” is obviously racist.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  218. But yet he wanted to snip off Maobama’s mangina?

    No surprise the left defend the Palestinian swine after they killed a Jewish family in their sleep.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  219. Gingrich and Romney are RINOS.

    Palestinians are nazis but some deluded dhimmis want to give them their own state……………..give them Jordan.

    Islamonazis are not God’s people.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  220. daleyrocks,
    If you look at the roster of members of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, you will see members more properly classified as private equity firms as well as those more properly classified as early stage or venture investors. The lines blur. The object of all is to make a profit by investing in successful, growing companies

    I admit I’m not familiar with Illinois VC firms. But in California, where VC firms are far bigger and more active than in Illinois, the lines are pretty clearly drawn.

    Private equity is different than VC because it often involves investing in troubled or undervalued companies. The goal is to turn them around, which often involves layoffs, then to sell them a few years later at a profit.

    For example, Platinum Ventures bought the struggling San Diego Union-Tribune, laid off a lot of people, modernized operations, then sold it at a profit to two local businessmen. A lot of my journalistic peers didn’t like Platinum’s layoffs, but the company arguably saved the paper from going under entirely.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  221. daleyrocks,
    Bro Bradley – Bain Capital did both venture and leveraged investing. You can check out some of its deals for yourself.

    That’s interesting — I didn’t know that.*

    However, AFAIK Romney himself didn’t do much VC investing. At the VC meeting I attended last week, Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, said that of all Romney’s deals, only the Staples one qualified as VC. The point is that Romney’s controversial deals weren’t the VC ones, and the VC firms don’t want to have what they do confused with private equity.

    *The $60 billion assets under management threw me off a bit, but the number doesn’t refer to Bain Capital Ventures, but to the parent company. The actual amount BCV has under management is $1.5 billion, according to TechCrunch.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  222. Correction: It’s not Platinum Ventures, it’s Platinum Equity. I’ve been reading so much about venture capital in the last week that I have ventures on the brain.

    [note: fished from spam filter. –Stashiu]

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  223. If you don’t think, even with Strap-on as the opposition, Willard is at best going to have a whiteknuckler you’re silly.

    — I never said he wouldn’t. So?

    Icy (4405f8)

  224. Romney threw Reagan under his bus too.

    — Well now, there’s a blatant untruth!

    Icy (4405f8)

  225. When Kevin M talks do gulrud’s lips move?

    Icy (4405f8)

  226. Bro Brad…there seems to be some in SD who are unhappy with the new owners of the UT.

    AD-RtR/OS! (e45633)

  227. “At the VC meeting I attended last week, Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, said that of all Romney’s deals, only the Staples one qualified as VC.”

    Bro Bradley – Romney was the CEO of Bain Capital and in charge of all the investing done under the Bain Capital umbrella. Although the 125 deals provided at the link I gave in #218, eyeballing them I can tell more than just Staples dated from before 1999 when Romney left Bain.

    Frankly, it sounds like your man Heesen needs to do a little research before popping off his mouth.

    Also, I was unaware that Romney deals were controversial except in the minds of the left and Gingrich and Perry. If you have a few in mind, name them.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  228. Please.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  229. 244. Please, discussion of the current candidates no longer matters.

    The GOP has lost. True we’ll go thru the motions, but it is pointless.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  230. yup Team R has fallen and it can’t get up

    they’re letting our little country down very badly at a time when an opposition party was so important

    but apparently not as important as staying in the comfort zones of useless John Boehner and the jowly McConnell and Meghan’s coward daddy and Elliott effing Abrams (who?) and useless old fart Bob Dole and drooling doddering Bush Sr. and bimbos various and sundry like Ann Coulter and the jiggly fat-ass Florida attorney general hoochie and et cetera

    And why does Santorum continue to devote his energies towards serving as a stalking horse for Wall Street Romney what a douchebag

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  231. It’s dissapointing on Pam’s part, but as they say ‘it’s better to be assimilated’ of course, in the
    Fall, Axelrod’s team, will skewer Willard like an
    overcooked prawn, and of course, they will so ‘that’s not fair’

    narciso (87e966)

  232. It’s just curious, when Billy Bob’s attempts at Cuban diplomacy, led to 5 Americans dead in the Florida straights, who did our little community go to, not Mittens, he was scarce on the ground, it was to Newt, whose point person was Jesse Helms.

    narciso (87e966)

  233. JonahNRO ‘Breaking: Gingrich calls for Florida to be renamed “Pit of Woe.” ‘

    Colonel Haiku (8b3eb3)

  234. Having read some of the anti-Romney comments re: Bain Capital, I still can’t figure out what exactly he or they did wrong. Dominos which seems to have suddenly become exhibit A in the Bain-is-evil narrative is solidly profitable.

    According to this:

    http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_29/b3892154_mz026.htm

    For all of Bain’s work — and archrival Papa John’s concedes that Domino’s is sharper under Bain — making pizzas remains one tough biz

    If we go by what Newt has been saying, Bain could have made a mint by “putting Dominos into bankruptcy”.

    Patterico (cc0aaa)

  235. Shoot I posted as Patterico from the sock puppet thread!

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  236. But I’m confident those are Patterico’s sentiments as well.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  237. Oh, right because no capitalist can do any wrong? Are you really that blind?
    Comment by Kevin M — 1/29/2012 @ 1:40 pm

    – Still waiting for the proof that he, or his company, did anything wrong.

    You’ve been presented with enough already. That you ignore it is not my problem.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  238. I care less about Bain, than the fact that the
    name of Forstmann was trashed by Primack and the Times ,to make them look good, how malleable the accounts became, then again look at the understanding given Corzine, if it was Ken Lay, they ewould have already hung him .

    narciso (87e966)

  239. “At the VC meeting I attended last week, Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, said that of all Romney’s deals, only the Staples one qualified as VC.”

    daley, Romney’s work at Bain (and from his own statements all work at Bain after a certain point) was not “venture capital” as it did not involve funding start-ups (which Bain proved a poor judge of, again according to Romney in debate), but was instead aimed at recapitalizing and managing existing businesses.

    So the statement on “VC” seems correct even if Romney did a lot of other deals.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  240. fakePatterico–

    The thing with Dominos, where Bain refi’d the company several times, pulling cash out each time, strikes some as “looting”. Others call it “maximizing shareholder value”.

    People got into a lot of trouble doing that with houses, so it isn’t a huge stretch to think that maybe it also isn’t prudent with a business employing thousands.

    Is it wrong? Opinions clearly differ.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  241. Kevin,

    You’d have to explain to me how exactly they get to “pull cash out” from refinancing their debt. I’m not clear on what that means in the case of debt of a company. Was this debt secured by real estate that was revalued? I tend to doubt Dominos owns lots of real estate. I need details. The way it’s being explained doesn’t make complete sense to me.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  242. daleyrocks,
    Bro Bradley – Romney was the CEO of Bain Capital and in charge of all the investing done under the Bain Capital umbrella. Although the 125 deals provided at the link I gave in #218, eyeballing them I can tell more than just Staples dated from before 1999 when Romney left Bain.

    The question I think Heesen was getting at is whether Romney was personally involved and performed due diligence on the other VC deals.

    Frankly, it sounds like your man Heesen needs to do a little research before popping off his mouth.

    Do I detect snark? In any case, I’ll contact Heesen to ask for his reasoning and give you the response. I’d expect he knows a little more about venture capital than you do.

    Also, I was unaware that Romney deals were controversial except in the minds of the left and Gingrich and Perry. If you have a few in mind, name them.

    “Controversial” carries the ordinary plain English meaning. Some of the deals were criticized, and Romney had to defend himself against the criticism. As Romney isn’t running for the presidency of the Republican party, but of the U.S., we do have to consider the effect of other opinions that we don’t share on the public.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (ca1f60)

  243. FTR, I am not one of those demagogues who fault Bain just for laying off people at the companies they acquired. That’s often necessary for turning around a business.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  244. AD-RtR/OS!
    Bro Brad…there seems to be some in SD who are unhappy with the new owners of the UT.

    Quite so. Lots of conflict of interests, and their pledge to make the U-T a “cheerleader” is especially notorious.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  245. Please, discussion of the current candidates no longer matters.The GOP has lost. True we’ll go thru the motions, but it is pointless. — The gulrud doctrine

    Icy (ad8d03)

  246. 262. “we do have to consider the effect of other opinions that we don’t share on the public.”

    Independents are unattached to either of the majors because:

    The hate the Republican party for its failure to oppose Evil personified.

    “We just wanted a change” naturally cascaded in to the largest turnout of incumbents since 1894 with the Manchurian.

    Cynical brinkmanship of Boehner(CR2011, Debt Ceiling, CR2012)and outright cowardice of McConnell has transformed the rolling tide of anger in 2010 into an undertow of rage.

    We know before the third primary that we will not have transforming change. We will have divided government.

    From this point forward the goal is to mortally wound the GOP and force its refounding.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  247. “Controversial” carries the ordinary plain English meaning. Some of the deals were criticized, and Romney had to defend himself against the criticism. As Romney isn’t running for the presidency of the Republican party, but of the U.S., we do have to consider the effect of other opinions that we don’t share on the public.
    — Gotta go with daleyrocks on this one. The Media (not necessarily yourself, Brother Brad) loves to label things as “controversial”. ABC News in particular runs stories wherein they announce “controversial” and then don’t name or show even ONE person voicing opposition to whatever is supposedly so controversial. This is a tactic they wholeheartedly adopted from the ‘entertainment news’ shows; shows that routinely announce “controversial new film” while never showing protests or interviews with anyone that was allegedly offended or outraged by said film. Why is it controversial? Because the media outlet told you so, that’s why!

    Similarly, the fact that one (or a handful) of people criticize something does not, in and of itself, make that thing (or person, or issue) controversial. It’s a charged word . . . should be used sparingly and with due consideration.

    Icy (ad8d03)

  248. Kevin, has that Palin endorsement of Newt come in yet?

    Icy (ad8d03)

  249. “daley, Romney’s work at Bain (and from his own statements all work at Bain after a certain point) was not “venture capital” as it did not involve funding start-ups (which Bain proved a poor judge of, again according to Romney in debate), but was instead aimed at recapitalizing and managing existing businesses.”

    “The thing with Dominos, where Bain refi’d the company several times, pulling cash out each time, strikes some as “looting”. Others call it “maximizing shareholder value”.”

    Kevin M. – I would be interested in learning which debate Romney made these comments or if you have a link to support the claim.

    Also, who are these “some people” who claim taking cash out of a leveraged acquisition is akin to looting a company? Is using a home equity line akin to looting your home?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  250. If we go by what Newt has been saying, Bain could have made a mint by “putting Dominos into bankruptcy”.

    — The Newtonians are grasping at straws, Gerald A.

    Icy (ad8d03)

  251. Icy,
    The Media (not necessarily yourself, Brother Brad) loves to label things as “controversial”.

    I certainly understand and agree with your sentiments. Had I know my word would have been so, uh, controversial, I’d have picked a different descriptor.

    How about this: “the deals for which Romney has been attacked for allegedly destroying jobs”?

    Coincidentally, I’m writing now about a venture investment in a San Diego area company, which plans to use its cash infusion to expand into more cities. The company will be adding jobs as a result.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  252. My challenge to Kevin M stands:
    Please cite any statements from any member of upper management at any of the companies that Bain invested in wherein any claim of “Bain looted us!” is made.

    Icy (ad8d03)

  253. “The question I think Heesen was getting at is whether Romney was personally involved and performed due diligence on the other VC deals.”

    Bro Bradley – I think you should have made this clearer, but it ultimately doesn’t matter since Romney had ultimate responsibility for all Bain’s investment activities as CEO so I detect snark in Heesen’s comment to begin with.

    He may very well know more about venture capital than I, but it does not mean he has done any research on Bain’s portfolio. He was primarily a lawyer, not a deal guy. From his appoint to presidency of NVCA in 1999:

    “For the past eight years, Mr. Heesen has served as Director of Legislative, Regulatory, and Entrepreneurial Affairs. Mark worked successfully to reform capital gains taxation, securities litigation, accounting treatment of stock options, and the FDA pre-market approval process. Under his leadership, NVCA has participated in coalitions of technology and financial organizations supporting America’s New Economy.

    Prior to coming to the NVCA in 1991, Mark was an aide to a former Governor of Pennsylvania and was Deputy Director for Federal Funds reporting to the Texas Legislature. Mark received a law degree with an emphasis in taxation from the Dickinson School of Law in 1984.”

    In terms of transactions being controversial, they are always to “some people” if they go sideways and with the benefit of hindsight. In a period when 44 domestic steel companies went belly up, sure, it is absolutely objectively fair to single out a Bain transaction and write an article full of quotes from disgruntled former employees. I’ll bet I could duplicate the feat with a number of other steel companies, making their history sound equally “controversial.”

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  254. The Newtron Bombs get their grasping at straws skills from Sensei Romney.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  255. daleyrocks,
    Bro Bradley – I think you should have made this clearer, but it ultimately doesn’t matter since Romney had ultimate responsibility for all Bain’s investment activities as CEO so I detect snark in Heesen’s comment to begin with.

    I also wish I had made things clearer. So I’ll try again: There is a big difference between actively creating a deal and being in charge of what others have negotiated.

    Romney deserves credit for Staples because he was actively involved, during the deal and after. He even took a seat on the Staples board. But Romney didn’t exercise the same level of involvement in every Bain deal. That would have been impossible.

    So Heesen wasn’t being snarky. He said the kinds of deals Romney was involved in (with the exception of Staples) weren’t venture capital deals.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  256. Also, who are these “some people” who claim taking cash out of a leveraged acquisition is akin to looting a company? Is using a home equity line akin to looting your home?

    Comment by daleyrocks — 1/30/2012 @ 11:51 am

    I still don’t understand precisely what they even did. The charge is that they “took cash out” of Dominos by refinancing something. I don’t see how Bain would legally be allowed to take anything out of Dominos whether it was obtained by refinancing a loan or anything else.

    I think what may have happened was Bain issued debt to purchase Dominos and then refinanced it. Or they may have subsequently paid off the original debt and then issued more debt, secured by their ownership interest in Dominos, if the value of Dominos had increased over time. That doesn’t consist of taking anything out of Dominos.

    It is distressing that we have purportedly conservative people repeating these misleading narratives which are generally the domain of the loony left. It’s starting to resemble the stuff about how Bush lied about WMD’s and other things like that.

    If someone can fill me in on some details and show me where I’m missing something fine but I get the feeling people are just latching on to any anti-Romney theme out there without really knowing what they’re talking about.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  257. “So Heesen wasn’t being snarky. He said the kinds of deals Romney was involved in (with the exception of Staples) weren’t venture capital deals.”

    Bro Bradley – Presumably Bain Capital like most venture capital and private equity firms has some type of investment committee to approve investments. I would assume Romney sat on that committee. They probably also limit the number of firm investment boards on which their employees can sit. I am happy to be proved wrong.

    My question is where Heesen would derive the knowledge to declare that Romney had no personal involvement in such deals.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  258. “I still don’t understand precisely what they even did. The charge is that they “took cash out” of Dominos by refinancing something. I don’t see how Bain would legally be allowed to take anything out of Dominos whether it was obtained by refinancing a loan or anything else.”

    Gerald A. – The most common form at least when I was involved in such transactions was paying down enough acquisition-related under covenants contained in the borrowing agreements (or alternatively improve performance enough under the covenants to permit additional borrowing) to allow the company to borrow money to either borrow money to pay shareholders a dividend or make a tender offer for a portion of its outstanding shares.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  259. #275

    I don’t think what you’re describing is actually a refinancing so I still don’t quite get the use of that term. Taking on leverage to pay a dividend seems unusual but in general a dividend is understood in the world of finance as coming out of the share price. In other words, a company pays a $100 million dividend, then the value of the shares drops by $100 million. It’s taking money out of one pocket and putting it in the other.

    An offer by a corporation to purchase outstanding shares is perfectly legitimate as long as it’s an arms length transaction. The tender is to all shareholders. Share buybacks happen all the time.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  260. daleyrocks,
    I’ll have to ask Heesen whence he derived his knowledge. Thanks for making me think more about this.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  261. OT, but very interesting — Volcanic origin for Little Ice Age

    “It’s easy to calculate how much colder you could get with volcanoes; but that has no permanence, the skies soon clear,” Dr Miller told BBC News.

    “And it was climate modelling that showed how sea ice exports into the North Atlantic set up this self-sustaining feedback process, and that’s how a perturbation of decades can result in a climate shift of centuries.”

    Since temps have been rising ever since the end of the LIA, we have a natural cause of the event and a natural cause of the warming.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  262. It is distressing that we have purportedly conservative people repeating these misleading narratives which are generally the domain of the loony left. It’s starting to resemble the stuff about how Bush lied about WMD’s and other things like that.

    Romney takes credit for every job Bain produced, so he’s taking credit for everything Bain did.

    Those who support the free market often take exception to various aspects of this not-so-free market.

    My main two gripes with Bain have been the outsourcing to not-so-free market China and the not-so-free FDIC bailout in the many millions of taxpayer dollars. I don’t think business decisions that lead to that point are good patriotic leadership, and patriotism is something I want in leaders.

    I’m pretty conservative, too.

    For example, I disagree with Romney’s judgment when he voted for Jimmy Carter over Reagan, voted for Mondale over Reagan, campaigned against heading in the direction of Reagan Bush, and noted he’s a progressive and independent of the GOP (when it helped him politically to say such things). I also disagree with the dishonest attacks on Newt not being a real reagan republican. I think such attacks originate with the Romney campaign and Romney supporters, and thus are 100% bad faith (given they support someone who tried to stop Reagan from even being president, repeatedly).

    Romney’s signature has accomplished many things: it enacted laws such as a ban on some guns, a $100 fine for every gun purchased by law abiding citizens, free health care for illegals, taxpayer funded abortions, the individual mandate/prototype for Obamacare, ENORMOUS tax increases, and spending such that MA is nearly bankrupt according to MA’s treasurer. Yes, Romney’s signature did all that. That’s his record. There are many excuses, but he signed the line. He made MA more liberal. He replaces a system of subsidizing a lot of free healthcare with a system that subsidized even more, only also intruded into economic choices to fund most of it (approaching the dictionary definition of communism).

    It’s entirely because I’m conservative that I refuse to support Romney.

    BTW, Romney is less electable than John Mccain was, according to the same polls that Romney’s fans rely on to prove Romney is electable. Mccain was crushing Obama throughout much of the primary, and in fact establishment democrats scoffed at Obama for being so obviously unelectable, much as Romney’s fans scoff at nominating an actual conservative.

    The thing is, after the primary is over, someone not being a transparently dishonest flip flopper on every issue will look more like a president than someone who is. Newt is far from perfect, but he would be a better president.

    This is why Newt is beating Romney in national polls, and why Romney can only answer that by blanketing whatever state they are in with negative ads, most of which are debunked just as the “rick perry wants to kill social security” lie was.

    This costs so much money that I don’t think Romney will be able to keep it up after Florida, and needs so badly for people to assert the primary is over soon… or even that the primary ending quickly is somehow important for beating Obama.

    No, beating Romney is what’s important for beating Obama.

    Dustin (401f3a)

  263. Mr. Brother it’s a very short jump from the modeling in that article to one what blames global cooling on my air conditioning fetish I think

    I’m skeptical

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  264. It’s starting to resemble the stuff about how Bush lied about WMD’s

    Interestingly, two of the three Romney fanatics here have relied on that logic to explain how I’m a liar. When pressed, they both have conceded that by “lie” they meant “I think the facts are different than you do, and you’re mistaken”.

    Of course, their facts are as reliable as their logic.

    There is a reason Romney can only be defended with such negativity, and it doesn’t bode well for his chances. I am pleased with how this primary is going. Sure, Romney will do ok in Florida, given his pandering on entitlements, but he’s lost a lot of ground and there is a not Romney beating him in overall polls.

    I just don’t think he has enough cash to pull this off. That’s basically what it boils down to.

    Dustin (401f3a)

  265. By overall, I mean national, btw. Romney winning Florida is crucial to his campaign continuing. Winning there will be hyped as proving Newt’s campaign is over, which is absurd.

    Let’s keep this primary going all the way to the convention. Hell, let’s keep it going AT the convention. Even if Newt wins.

    Dustin (401f3a)

  266. Florida is a purple state

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  267. happyfeet,
    The take-away message is that the Little Ice Age, according to this research, was caused by the long-term effects of volcanic eruptions.

    So if that’s true, then the two centuries of overall warming experienced since the end of the LIA may be nothing more than a belated return to more normal temperatures. That means the current warmth is nothing exceptional, as it’s much the same as that during the Medieval Warm Period.

    Global warming activists will reject this conclusion, of course.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  268. Dustin quotes me in two different posts without answering a basic factual question, namely what is it people are talking about with respect to taking money out of Domino’s Pizza. Then he goes on to talk about all kinds of other stuff, calls me a Romney fanatic, says I’m using negativity blah blah blah.

    I assume he doesn’t know the answer.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  269. National Soros Radio tips their hand on who they want to win Florida

    nice warm fluff piece about Mittens

    harsh skepticisms about Newt

    ergo apparently they want Obama to face Wall Street Romney

    which means that’s what their marching orders are

    which makes sense after they worked so hard on those one percenter memes

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  270. It would have been great to see swing states won or lost on policy and ideology instead of relentless attacks.

    FL and VA both went to Obama, and both have seen the GOP be quite embarrassing. VA even violated the constitution with leaders who all chair Romney’s state effort. What is probably incompetence looks dirty.

    And that “Perry is going to kill social security” thing, or the immigration hystronics… that kind of stuff absolutely will come back and haunt the party too. Now we have contenders for president explaining how plausible it is for the GOP to be what recently was a caricature of the GOP.

    But that was expected. Romney’s entire track record shows he couldn’t care less about a GOP that doesn’t have Romney at the top of it. I mean, he isn’t even a Reagan democrat. He’s more liberal than they are. Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan?

    What would his foreign policy really be like, if his instinct was to reelect the worst foreign policy president over one of the best?

    Dustin (401f3a)

  271. Romney and Gingrich are RINOS.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  272. Mr. Brother I read it more as asserting this feedback loop idea where the volcanoes what aren’t supposed to have a huge lasting impact ended up having a big un

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  273. Well said happy.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  274. BTW, Romney is less electable than John Mccain was, according to the same polls that Romney’s fans rely on to prove Romney is electable. Mccain was crushing Obama throughout much of the primary, and in fact establishment democrats scoffed at Obama for being so obviously unelectable, much as Romney’s fans scoff at nominating an actual conservative.

    A Time magazine poll, conducted February 1-4, also shows a dead heat between Clinton and McCain. Each was backed by 46 percent of those polled.

    Sen. Barack Obama believes he can do better, arguing “I’ve got appeal that goes beyond our party.”

    In the CNN poll, Obama leads McCain by 8 points, 52 percent to 44 percent. That’s outside the margin of error, meaning that Obama has the lead.

    And in the Time poll, Obama leads McCain by 7 points, 48 percent to 41 percent — a lead also outside of the poll’s margin of error of 3 percentage points.

    http://articles.cnn.com/2008-02-08/politics/20008.matchups.schneider_1_mccain-and-obama-clinton-or-obama-cnn-poll?_s=PM:POLITICS

    Wed, May 21 10:54 AM EDT

    Democrat Barack Obama has opened an 8-point national lead on Republican John McCain as the U.S. presidential rivals turn their focus to a general election race, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

    Obama, who was tied with McCain in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup last month, moved to a 48 percent to 40 percent lead over the Arizona senator in May as he took command of his grueling Democratic presidential duel with rival Hillary Clinton.

    http://mobile.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2034087120080521?i=1

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  275. re: post #285… Better get used to it, Gerald… modus operandi…

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  276. 291. Suggest we take one day at a time:

    http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/gingrich-romney-insideradvantage-poll/2012/01/29/id/425901

    McCain was at 42% the day of the Convention. Somehow he found a miracle.

    Mitt’s god isn’t God.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  277. “My main two gripes with Bain have been the outsourcing to not-so-free market China and the not-so-free FDIC bailout in the many millions of taxpayer dollars.”

    Dustin – Can you talk about your objections to the “FDIC bailout.” I presume you mean Bain’s renegotiation of its loan with Bank of New England. Companies renegotiate bank loans all the time. The FDIC took over Bank of New England at the beginning of 2001. It sold the BONE banks to Fleet Norstar/KKR during the summer of 2001. There was a limited put option back to the FDIC of bad loans.

    My understanding is that the Bain loan renegotiation took place in 2004. Do you have information that the $10 million loss from reduction in principal was absorbed by the FDIC rather than Fleet Norstar? Can you provide a link to such information? If the renegotiation had been with a different bank, would it have also been an FDIC bailout?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  278. Democraps want to raise minimum wage?

    But I thought Palin was the bad guy?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  279. “Interestingly, two of the three Romney fanatics here have relied on that logic to explain how I’m a liar.”

    Dustin – I’m still waiting for you to back up your allegation that I called you gay, NTTAWWT.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  280. I’m waiting for you to back up the fact that Romney opponents are your sworn enemies.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  281. “Thanks for making me think more about this.”

    Bro Bradley – I’m not referring specifically to you, but I have just found people willing to make all sorts of blanket statements about Romney without having the decency to do minimal fact checking.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  282. Dohbiden – Back to your ice sitting contest with gulrud. Cool down that brain.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  283. The Real Reasons Conservatives Oppose Gingrich…

    “In an intense primary battle, a lot of silly things are said. (Many of them, it turns out, are said by Sarah Palin, who seems intent on confirming every negative thing her critics have said about her.) Among them is the charge, repeated like rounds fired from a machine gun, that opposition to Newt Gingrich is based on those in the “establishment” who fear the scale of change he would bring to Washington. If you’re for Gingrich, so goes this story line, you’re for “genuine” and “fundamental” change. If you oppose Gingrich, on the other hand, you’re for “managing the decay” of America.

    Except for this. The single most important idea, when it comes to fundamentally changing Washington, is the budget plan put forward by Representative Paul Ryan last April. When most massive-scale-of-change conservatives were defending Ryan’s plan against scorching criticisms from the left, Gingrich described the plan as an example of “right-wing social engineering.” It was Gingrich, not the rest of us, who was counseling caution, timidity, and an unwillingness to shape (rather than follow) public opinion. (The Medicare reform plan Gingrich eventually put out wasn’t nearly as bold and far-reaching as the one put out by Governor Romney.)

    So much for Mr. Fundamental Change…”

    Read it all: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/30/conservatives-oppose-gingrich/

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  284. JimPethokoukis “Wait, I am confused, Is Romney a socialist like Obama or a Gordon Gekko vulture capitalist. When memes collide!”

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  285. Idiot.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  286. After he gets his ass handed to him tomorrow in Florida, look for Newt Gingrich to conduct a scorching, by any means necessary campaign as long as he has a dollar in his coffers.

    He is the sorest of losers… arguably the worst kind, as he’ll have nothing to gain by being gracious and need not worry about fence mending.

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  287. ah… another intelligent post from the mincing skidmark, biden.

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  288. Like Mike Castle, like Lisa Murkowski, or Karl Rove, I know he’s in a different category, add Schmidt and Wallace,

    narciso (87e966)

  289. Hugh Hewitt writes… “My new Washington Examiner argues that folks worried about the damage done by the GOP primaries should be looking at the 1952 and 1980 election precedents.

    The column also argues that if Mitt Romney wins going away on Tuesday night the race night not be over, but it will be decided. This clip from Brietbart.tv: http://tv.breitbart.com/newt-in-2009-praise-for-obamas-individual-mandate-obamacare-legislative-process/ is another body blow to the Gingrich effort. “There must be ‘must carry’…” is clearly an endorsement of a federal mandate, and unless Newt defined “must carry” as something other than a federal mandate, it will hard to argue that he is the right person to carry the Obamacare repeal effort.”

    http://www.hughhewitt.com/blog/g/69d0478a-d4ea-4793-a409-68b3161706ff

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  290. Hugh Hewitt is a Romney arsekisser.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  291. Romney could be a socialist twat like Warren Buffett but not his trollop secretary cause she’s “of the people”

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  292. Mr. Feets – You’re no Soupy Sales.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  293. he’s dead you know not unlike River Phoenix

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  294. oh rat oh rearry! Black Tooth and White Fang, yes!

    “We believe that there should be must-carry [the individual mandate, in a federal bill], that is, that everyone should have health insurance, or, if you’re an absolute libertarian, we would allow you to post a bond.”

    – Newt Gingrich, “true” conservative

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  295. that was a butt-stupid think for Mr. Newt to say Colonel Haiku I bet he’s just absolutely kicking himself

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  296. It’s kind of surprising that Corey Feldman survived
    and not Corey Haim.

    narciso (87e966)

  297. Same crap. Different day. Sad.

    JD (48f69a)

  298. Sad… and, in Newt’s case, flailing.

    Colonel Haiku (ff9641)

  299. There’s a strange feeling of deja vu, the sense we’ve been somewhere before, there’s a strange feeling. . .

    narciso (87e966)

  300. I used to see Corey Feldman a lot he was always going to the blockbuster next to my grocery store in the middle of the day… he liked to wear headbands like that guy in loverboy and also he liked to make his hair different unusual colors like green and red and blue

    he was living the life is my sense

    going to blockbuster in the middle of the day can you imagine

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  301. Do you have information that the $10 million loss from reduction in principal was absorbed by the FDIC rather than Fleet Norstar? Can you provide a link to such information? If the renegotiation had been with a different bank, would it have also been an FDIC bailout?

    Comment by daleyrocks — 1/30/2012 @ 3:12 pm

    You can’t be serious.

    Gerald A (cc0aaa)

  302. “You can’t be serious.”

    Gerald A – The Politico meme Dustin keeps mentioning is that the Bain Capital loan renegotiation was really an FDIC bailout. Given that the loan was renegotiated well after the assets of Bank of New England were sold to Fleet Norstar/KKR how does that meme work? The principal amount of the loan was reduced by $10 million in the renegotiation.

    I’m not seeing any explanations from those promoting the story.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  303. Nor will ye.

    Colonel Haiku (16032d)

  304. I have just found people willing to make all sorts of blanket statements about Romney without having the decency to do minimal fact checking

    — Au contraire! Dustin, gulrud and Kevin M have ALL done minimal fact-checking.

    Icy (ad8d03)

  305. he’s dead you know not unlike River Phoenix

    — And Fred. Don’t forget Fred!

    Icy (ad8d03)

  306. that was a butt-stupid think for Mr. Newt to say Colonel Haiku I bet he’s just absolutely kicking himself
    Comment by happyfeet — 1/30/2012 @ 4:47 pm

    — If Newt kicked himself every time he said something butt-stupid he would never have both feet on the ground at the same time.

    Icy (ad8d03)

  307. Oh my gosh Eli Whitney and Newt Gingrich are slave owners.

    /Hyperventilating liberal

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  308. If icy kicked himself every time he put his foot in his mouth he’d be brain dead…………oh wait he already is.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  309. #320

    Daleyrocks,

    I know that. Hence I assumed you couldn’t seriously be asking for that info.

    Gerald A (7d960d)

  310. Gerald A – Got it. I’m just trying to connect the dots rather than taking Democrat talking points at face value.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  311. Ronald Reagan was no Ronald Reagan, until he was. Maybe you’ve forgotten but he was not the establishment candidate for a long time, was represented as Bonzo and stupid and Old (not in a good way old but Old) and he took it in the teeth from the MSM long before it was fashionable.

    AMartel (88c646)

  312. I love how if you respectfully disagree with gay marriage your a homophobe.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  313. Speaking english violates my civil rights

    /La Raza bots

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  314. 322. Thank you, I think.

    gary gulrud (d88477)


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