President Obama’s marvelous speech
[Posted by Karl]
Yesterday, President Crankypants lectured his base — news editors — on the “social Darwinism” of the House GOP budget and likely GOP nominee Mitt Romney. If you want a point-by-point rebuttal, Guy Benson has it for you. If you prefer wry mockery, Allahpundit is your man. However, Pres. Obama gave a marvelous speech, as Howard Fineman helps explain:
President Barack Obama is leading in the polls, particularly in swing states. The economy is, in some ways, recovering impressively from the mega-meltdown of 2008-09. The Republican Party is poised to nominate Mitt Romney, a man with no public political skills who wants to install an elevator in his garage and has an uncanny ability to generate fear and loathing among many of his party’s most ardent grassroots activists.
Yet Obama, who essentially kicked off the general election season on Tuesday at an annual gathering of newspaper editors, was a grim-faced candidate. No “Happy Warrior” was he. His hair growing grayer by the day, his lips tight and jaw clenched, the president seemed to be looking forward to the campaign with all the joy of a teen combatant in “The Hunger Games.”
***
But the main reason for Obama’s grim mood Tuesday was the political strategy that he and his aides have decided to pursue. The president did not much bother to tout his administration’s achievements. Instead and not by accident, he spent most of his podium time crying havoc about the GOP candidates, the Republican House budget and even what he regards as the danger the Supreme Court will act irresponsibly on health care.
Unlike Fineman, you probably noticed the cognitive dissonance from the lede to the paragraphs which followed. The conclusions Fineman avoids drawing from his observations are the most important thing about Obama’s speech.
As far back as last September, Team Obama has been claiming the 2012 election is a choice between two candidates, rather than a referendum on Obama. The claim is technically true, but generally unhelpful to the incumbent as a practical matter. The fact that elections generally present a choice of the lesser of two evils does not make for a good campaign theme. An incumbent president would much prefer to run on his record and a booming economy. Accordingly, Obama tried out an “America is Back” theme in his State of the Union speech. In late February, Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg found this approach produced disastrous results.
Seven months from the election, we find Obama regressing to play what Fineman calls the “Grim Warrior.” Tuesday’s speech announces to the world that Team Obama has no confidence the economy will improve much between April and November. Tuesday’s speech announces that Obama does not believe he can win on his record. Tuesday’s speech announces that Obama thinks he must convince voters mushy Mitt Romney is a radical extremist to win. Conservatives and libertarians may be disgusted by the text of Obama’s speech, but they should be delighted by the subtext.
–Karl
Ding!
Karl (6f7ecd) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:26 amWrong analogy, he is President Snow, the oligarch presiding over the Hunger Games,
narciso (bc4d92) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:44 amHe is President Nothing, playing golf and going on vacations. But Eisenhower did the same thing and got a second term. And appointed Earl Warren.
nk (dec503) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:00 amNo, nk, he is lazy, but his nazguls are busy gutting
narciso (bc4d92) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:07 amthe innards of this country,
If only we had a half decent nominee….
beer 'n pretzels (6ef50f) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:13 amWhen you’ve lost Calvin Woodward;
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/4/fact-check-obamas-incomplete-history-lesson/?page=all
narciso (bc4d92) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:00 amnk, Eisenhower had a little bit of a CV going for him. BHO, not so much.
But I get your point.
Simon Jester (faa5f7) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:13 amThe thing that surprises me about the Progressive Smart Left is that they don’t understand a simple principle: the rules you put in place can be used by your enemies.
I shouldn’t be surprised. The MSM has pushed the “that’s different” meme very effectively. BHO has waffled from campaign promises more than pretty much anyone I have ever seen run for office. Yet folks on the Left just love him (I think more because they don’t want to appear to be racist or dupes than out of genuine affection).
But some of the Left must see that if you want to discount the Supreme Court, why, your opponents can do it too?
This President, I fear, is an empty suit filled with hurricane force winds of self-entitlement. And it’s not just his fault: he had lots of help developing that self-regard.
Simon Jester (faa5f7) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:16 am***
If you like our real unemployment rate of near 15 percent, $5 per gallon gas, and near zero interest on your savings and IRA / 401k’s, and the 30 to 50 percent drop in the value of your home–then vote for Comrade Obama in 2012.
***
You’ll really LOVE the next 4 years! It’s the economy, stupid!
***
[note: fished from spam filter. –Stashiu]
John Bibb (193f6e) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:53 amDoes the “elevator” run as high as the mezzanine in Howard Fineman’s midget mind? I don’t think so.
Mike Myers (dc4fc0) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:54 am_______________________________________________
Obama thinks he must convince voters mushy Mitt Romney is a radical extremist to win
November 2012 truly will be a test on just how leftwing this country’s electorate has become. They will be facing the choice of the most symbolically, emotionally, tactically ultra-liberal person to ever occupy the White House, and a Republican who is full of mushy “centrism,” vetted, if you will, in ultra-blue Massachusetts.
Anyone who says the two contenders are both too liberal is him or herself very conservative. But even that is closer to the truth than anyone who claims that Obama must have 4 more years because his competitor is too rightwing. Anyone who makes that statement is super, super, super liberal. Crazily and stupidly liberal.
Mark (31bbb6) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:04 amMitt is to the left of the center right position that Obama ran on in 2008. Trying to label Romney extreme right is laughable from the most extreme left progressive liberal President that America has ever had! I said before O was elected that he was Carter squared and I was wrong… He has turned out to be Carter Cubed and on steroids! The Unbelievable gall of Obama’s Orwellian newspeak on display once again.
TexasMom2012 (cee89f) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:28 amAnd the grownups think me unhinged when Steaming POTUS an antiChrist:
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/04/04/obama-when-i-struggle-i-just-think-of-jesus-agony-in-the-garden/
Let’s relieve him of the need to visit the office, give him a library, a budget, an SS detail, a pension, speaking fees and he won’t trouble us again.
Mittwits.
gary gulrud (5fe741) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:52 amwhen ^calling Steaming Pile OTUS
gary gulrud (5fe741) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:54 amI was up in Michigan last week and saw my first Obama-with-hitler-mustache poster. At an “impeach Obama” roadside stand. I’m sure he’s happy to have shared Mr. Bush’s legacy in this regard.
carlitos (49ef9f) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:56 amSo the media has won one more time — they praised the more “moderate” Mitt over the crazy Santorum, Gingrich, etc … and now that he is winning … Mitt will be painted as a crazed fascist. It started yesterday, I guess.
Bill (af584e) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:58 am#16, so long as no matter what, the GOP is crazy being the point.
Bill (af584e) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:00 amBoth Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush sounded optimistic during their re-election campaigns- something their opponents will readily concede.
Michael Ejercito (64388b) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:01 amI’m just really impressed that Howard Fineman has managed to land a paying media gig after the crash of Newsweek, especially in these tough economic times.
Oh wait, he writes for the Huffington Post? Well, never mind.
JVW (4d72aa) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:05 am“Mitt is to the left of the center right position that Obama ran on in 2008.”
Just. Stop.
Complete BS
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:11 amGood luck, daley. Remember that the real reason that Obama may win in 2012 is *not* the success of his campaigning or record.
It will be because of how Republicans are acting.
It gets people mad when I write that, but I’m not wrong. And I think they know it.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:59 amAnd Simon Jester just “how” are Republicans acting? Lay a little specifics on us here so we can understand the brilliance of your point.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Mike Myers (dc4fc0) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:04 amYou know it’s weird how I used to think among Thomas, Meacham, who went on to Random House to ‘greenlight’ the Rogue, Alter, and co, he was the sane one,
narciso (bc4d92) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:08 amElection today? Obama wins in a landslide. The GOP has spent the last months alienating everyone but a small group of (mostly) southern, white, older men. Mitt knows this and is desperate to abandon the Tea Party and conservatives and the base (EtchaSketch) and start campaigning like a guy from Mass. who likes health insurance mandates. Can Mitt turn it around by Nov.? Probably no. He is the wrong man for the job.
Unseating a sitting POTUS is hard. It is even harder when you have alienated women, youth, latinos etc. Barring some incredible event and then bungling (Iran Hostage Crisis etc…) or some sudden personality and campaign skill from Romney, Obama is gonna have a Reagan v Mondale 2012, with Obama starring in the role of Reagan.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:20 amElection today? Obama wins in a landslide. The GOP has spent the last months alienating everyone but a small group of (mostly) southern, white, older men. Mitt knows this and is desperate to abandon the Tea Party and conservatives and the base (EtchaSketch) and start campaigning like a guy from Mass. who likes health insurance mandates. Can Mitt turn it around by Nov.? Probably no. He is the wrong man for the job.
Unseating a sitting POTUS is hard. It is even harder when you have alienated women, youth, latinos etc. Barring some incredible event and then bungling (Iran Hostage Crisis etc…) or some sudden personality and campaign skill from Romney, Obama is gonna have a Reagan v Mondale 2012, with Obama starring in the role of Reagan.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:20 amABO
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:31 amJason–going beyond the usual talking points (which pretty much any of us can parrot in our sleep by now) will you be kind enough to explain from your own personal perspective and in your own words what you believe president Obama’s primary achievements to have been–and why you believe he deserves a second term. Thank you.
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:34 amFollow up question for bonus points, Jason–
Which of Reagan’s personal qualities, skills, and values do you see in President Obama that most lead you to conclude the American people will reward Obama in a “Reaganeaque” landslide in Novermber. Thank you.
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:41 am“Good luck, daley.”
Simon – I’m just looking for a list of Romney’s positions that are to the left of Obama’s center right positions of 2008. I’m just not feelin’ it.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:54 amI expect the elevator for Romney’s garage is for the convenient of his MS afflicted wife but it does make a good class war sound bite.
Mike K (326cba) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:07 pmElissa,
Obama got HCR through (we will see the result of the SCOTUS ruling), he stabilized the cratering economy, and is now presiding over a recovery. He ended the war in Iraq. He got Osama bin Laden. He got Kaddafi. Etc. In short, for independents and swing voters he has a fairly strong domestic and a very strong international record.
Regarding Reagan, Obama is very popular within his party, a respected figure in the world, and has gotten cross over support from GOP voters (ala Reagan Democrats). But my point was not that Obama was Reagan, but rather that Obama is headed to an electoral victory similar to what Reagan won against Mondale.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:08 pmHe led the economy to ruin and failed to even pass a freaking budget as the economy imploded far worse than even his own predictions of what would happen without his intervention.
OBL’s raid was the easiest call in American history and it took Obama 17 hours to make it.
And it looks like Obama took the hard work in Iraq and Afghanistan and squandered it for the most part, and also has allowed Iran to develop nukes.
I can’t speak to Obama’s chances against Romney. But anyone the GOP nominates is infinitely better. Of course, this was also true in 2008.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:17 pmDustin, and Obama won in 2008. I’m not really trying to argue for Obama, I’m arguing that at this point he is a shoe in. Whether that is a good or bad thing, or justified or not, is another argument.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:20 pmRight. That’s a scary prospect, but those 52%er idiots are still walking around today… probably pissed at George Zimmerman and Joe Arapio and completely ignorant of who Brian Terry is.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:21 pm“he stabilized the cratering economy, and is now presiding over a recovery.”
Obviously, if the GOP loses it will not be because the 52% has a brain in their heads, cumulative.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:22 pmDustin: the right’s reaction to the Trayvon shooting was yet another gift to Obama, yes. The continuing Birtherism is another gift, yes.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:23 pmIf the GOP loses (or feels it is losing) it has two options: 1) Blame itself, 2) Blame the voters. #2 is not a winning strategy.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:24 pmJason–I appreciate your making the effort to reply to my questions. Obviously, no candidate is perfect. So, what are the weaknesses or chinks in President Obama’s armor which you think he may need to square away with some voters before November? From your perspective (and temporarily ignoring for the purposes of this discussion who his opponent was or will be) do you think Barack Obama runs as a stronger or as a weaker candidate for the presidency in 2012 than in 2008? Thank you.
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:26 pmYeah, Hillary Clinton’s campaign was way off the reservation with that.
I’m hearing similar claims about Romney. Obviously I do not pay attention to them.
This is what democracy looks like. Kinda stupid.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:28 pmElissa,
My point is more about how weak the GOP hand is. But to answer, the biggest strength Obama has vs 2008 is that he is a sitting president. Further, as the first black president and having the funny name and all that, in 2008 he was more unknown. For 2012 that won’t be a problem for him. So basically, in a nutshell, voters know him, they are comfortable with him, and he is the current president.
To unseat him one must offer and alternative. ABO won’t cut it with anyone independent or swing. I am sure Romney will get a strong # of GOP base voters. But that aint anywhere near enough to the presidency.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:30 pm“Mitt is to the left of the center right position that Obama ran on in 2008.”
you can’t make this up
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:31 pmis it something in water?
fever swamp righty
Dustin, indeed Hillary was wrong with that and it back-fired for her. She learned that about 4 years ago. Birthers and their ilk have failed to learn that however 4 years on…..
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:31 pmObama is a stuttering clusterf**k of a miserable failure.
and i want some of whatever it it Jason is on, ’cause that’s some heavy duty stuff.
redc1c4 (403dff) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:33 pmTeam R has emphatically rejected the divisive hate politics of Santorum I think and in the general election our little country will emphatically reject the divisive hate politics of Barack Obama.
It’s the zeitgeist what can you do?
Advantage: Mittens Q. Romneykins
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:33 pmHe is President Nothing, playing golf and going on vacations. But Eisenhower did the same thing and got a second term. And appointed Earl Warren.
Comment by nk — 4/4/2012 @ 7:00 am
— Yeah … Eisenhower did nothing. Whatever, dude. And Reagan nominated Kennedy, and Bush41 nominated Souter, and yada yada yada.
If only we had a half decent nominee….
Comment by beer ‘n pretzels — 4/4/2012 @ 7:13 am
— We do.
Mitt is to the left of the center right position that Obama ran on in 2008.
Comment by TexasMom2012 — 4/4/2012 @ 9:28 am
— You’re lost, honey. You need to stop and ask for direction.
Let’s relieve him of the need to visit the office, give him a library, a budget, an SS detail, a pension, speaking fees and he won’t trouble us again.
Comment by gary gulrud — 4/4/2012 @ 9:52 am
— Not to worry. If he gets re-elected the Schutzstaffel detail will be the first thing on his to-do list.
So the media has won one more time — they praised the more “moderate” Mitt over the crazy Santorum, Gingrich, etc … and now that he is winning … Mitt will be painted as a crazed fascist. It started yesterday, I guess.
Comment by Bill — 4/4/2012 @ 9:58 am
— Sure, Bill. The “media” has been ‘praising’ Romney. Right. And how, and what, exactly, has the media “won”?
#16, so long as no matter what, the GOP is crazy being the point.
Comment by Bill — 4/4/2012 @ 10:00 am
— Ya just gotta love how, A) Bill responds to his own comments; and, B) he makes even less sense (if that’s possible) when he does so.
Good luck, daley. Remember that the real reason that Obama may win in 2012 is *not* the success of his campaigning or record.
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:34 pmIt will be because of how Republicans are acting.
It gets people mad when I write that, but I’m not wrong. And I think they know it.
Comment by Simon Jester — 4/4/2012 @ 10:59 am
— It probably gets people mad because they know that it’s an utter load of crap.
the divine light shines
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:34 pmsmall consolation he’ll be
beggar before God
Best and Brightest? for
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:41 pmtheir arrogance they deserve
graves without flowers
jason better use
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:44 pmlots o’ baby laxative
es puro, Señor
how can happyfeets
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:46 pmsurvive thirteen floor fall down
elevator shaft?
back to da salt mines…
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:46 pmAfter the disastrous “Three Amigos” conference, I wouldn’t be surprised if both Canada and Mexico close their borders to U.S. traffic.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:52 pm33. Comment by Jason — 4/4/2012 @ 12:20 pm
I’m not really trying to argue for Obama, I’m arguing that at this point he is a shoe in.
Shoo-in, not shoe in. And I don’t see how anybody could say that. That would mean tyhere’s very little doubt. Maybe in 1964,, after Goldwater hasd been nominated Lyundon Baines Johnson was a shoo-in. Otherwise I don’t know of a recent case.
he’d not.
Sammy Finkelman (d22d64) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:53 pmSammy, I made my point why above. You can counter those points if you want.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:55 pmThe economy is, in some ways, recovering impressively from the mega-meltdown of 2008-09.
What I want to know is how did Fineman write an article on April Fools about a speech Obama hadn’t given yet.
Other than that, the main questions are:
1. How many people are paying attention?
2. If you can’t fool all of the people all of the time, can you fool 50%+ of the people twice.
Really, not only was his resume’ thin to begin with, but among his crowning claims was being a “professor” of Constitutional Law who had been editor of the Harvard Law Review. Heck, even this non-lawyer had heard of Marbury vs. Madison. Maybe the Harvard Law review he edited was not the one based in Boston, maybe the Constitutional Law he taught was on a Constitution of another country that doesn’t have the “inadequacies” of the one for the USA, like some members of the SCOTUS seem to prefer. (You know, if a professional sports player disses his own team, usually there are some repercussions. Too bad the same principles don’t apply to judges.)
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:58 pmObama was against Individual Mandates (youtube)
Romney was for Individual Mandates (youtube)
Obama against Gay Marriage
Romney on Gay Marriage “it’s complicated”
In the end, Obama had his race (White/Arab/Black) and the press (pushing the moderate/hiding the radical/mistakes) on his side.
We had the military dental records of BushII–We have nothing in writing from Obama (other than, possibly, his “autobiographies”), no school records, no birth certificate until years after his election, no work history, no legislative history (records “lost” as state senator, voting “present”), etc…
Funny thing is that Palin still has ~12 years in local and state government (as well as working with Russia and Canada as foreign experience)–More experience than Obama has today (Obama alienates Canada and Mexico at disastrous summite yesterday). And Palin certainly a much better record of accomplishments in getting rid of government corruption and positive energy policies.
I do not think it will be a blow-out for either side. 2010 was already a huge blowout for the Republicans on the local, state, and federal level (senate, house).
At this point, with press support, only Obama can run against a do-nothing congress without anyone in the press reporting that it is a do-nothing senate controlled by the Democratic Party (same party as the president) that has not passed a budget for 3+ years, or even brought one up for a vote.
[note: released from moderation. –Stashiu]
BfC (fd87e7) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:59 pmComment by Jason — 4/4/2012 @ 11:20 am
Election today? Obama wins in a landslide
— Not even.
The GOP has spent the last months alienating everyone but a small group of (mostly) southern, white, older men.
— a.k.a. The guys that voted for Santorum and Gingrich, not Romney. Flawless logic, there.
Mitt knows this and is desperate to abandon the Tea Party and conservatives and the base (EtchaSketch)
— Is it possible to abandon something that you never fully embraced to begin with?
and start campaigning like a guy from Mass. who likes health insurance mandates
— If you think this is what he’s actually going to do, then you are truly silly.
Unseating a sitting POTUS is hard
— It’s happened to 3 out of the last 6 presidents that faced it. That’s 50%, genius!
It is even harder when you have alienated women, youth, latinos etc.
— As born out by the incredible turnout numbers by young Latina women on election day.
Barring some incredible event and then bungling (Iran Hostage Crisis etc…)
— That’s why Carter lost? It wasn’t the economy, stupid?
or some sudden personality and campaign skill from Romney, Obama is gonna have a Reagan v Mondale 2012, with Obama starring in the role of Reagan.
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 12:59 pm— Remember this prediction, come November. Write it down. And look up a recipe for crow pie while you’re at it.
Here is my last post (stuck in moderation) without the links:
Obama was against Individual Mandates (youtube)
Romney was for Individual Mandates (youtube)
Obama against Gay Marriage (huffpost)
Romney on Gay Marriage “it’s complicated” (npr)
In the end, Obama had his race (White/Arab/Black) and the press (pushing the moderate/hiding the radical/mistakes) on his side.
We had the military dental records of BushII–We have nothing in writing from Obama (other than, possibly, his “autobiographies”), no school records, no birth certificate until years after his election, no work history, no legislative history (records “lost” as state senator, voting “present”), etc…
Funny thing is that Palin still has ~12 years in local and state government (as well as working with Russia and Canada as foreign experience)–More experience than Obama has today (Obama alienates Canada and Mexico at disastrous summite yesterday: investors.com). And Palin certainly a much better record of accomplishments in getting rid of government corruption and positive energy policies.
I do not think it will be a blow-out for either side. 2010 was already a huge blowout for the Republicans on the local, state, and federal level (senate, house).
At this point, with press support, only Obama can run against a do-nothing congress without anyone in the press reporting that it is a do-nothing senate controlled by the Democratic Party (same party as the president) that has not passed a budget for 3+ years, or even brought one up for a vote.
BfC (fd87e7) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:03 pmWell Icy, if it makes you feel better, go ahead with that…. BTW, if you count since WWII (since FDR) only 2 presidents have really lost a 2nd term. I don’t count Johnson since he didn’t run, and Ford was a special case. So basically Carter and Bush the First. Counting FDR that is 13 presidents with 2 unseated. If we take Johnson and Ford out completely since they were unique cases it is still 2:11, or less than 20%
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:04 pmis desperate to abandon the Tea Party and conservatives and the base (EtchaSketch)
we’ll have see who his running mate is I would bet a whole jar of lemon curd that the teadoodles will be very very pleased with his pick
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:04 pmThis really isn’t a horse race for me. Whether the GOP nominee has 99% in the polls or 1%, I’ll just care about which candidate is best for my country.
Not saying others shouldn’t find the horse race interesting. It just doesn’t seem fun this year. Obama has urgently got to go.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:06 pmJason’s defense is the most Fisk-able thing since Obama’s speech yesterday. Let’s roll!
Almost 60% disaprove of the action, so I don’t see how being tied so closely to so hated a piece of legislation helps his cause.
If you’re using this as a showcase for his “leadership” skills, keep in mind that Obama got it through a filibuster-proof Senate with no votes to spare (and the people of Massachusetts … MASSACHUSETTS immediate reaction was to vote a Republican into Ted Kennedy’s seat).
Meanwhile, compare that to Bush getting through tax cuts, the Patriot act, the Iraq war resolution, and No Child Left Behind … all with a Senate controlled by Democratics.
Nurse: Doctor, the patient is no longer bleeding out. His pulse rate is stable…
Dr: That’s great!
Nurse: … at zero. He’s been clinically dead for 3 years.
Dr: Time for some more golf.
Oh sure, it’s the worst recovery in measurable history. But “recovery” it is. (At least, until this quarters GDP is released and we see high fuel prices strangle what life the economy does have.)
by abiding by a treaty signed by Bush.
using intelligence obtained by Bush with methods that Obama specifically ran against.
And all it cost us was the desecration of the War Powers act.
who disaprove of him by a 60% margin.
Popular!
Respected! Especially by our close allies!
Crossover support!
The Republicans could nominate KSM and Obama would still lose the following states:
Texas
Louisiana
Idaho
South Dakota
North Dakota
Wyoming
Utah
Alaska
Mississippi
Alabama
Tennessee
Kentucky
Indiana
Kansas
Oklahoma
Georgia
South Carolina
That’s 131 electoral votes right there, without even breaking a sweat. So Obama’s already losing 10X the amount Reagan did in 1984 and we haven’t even started trying yet!
Bonus Fisk!
Normally, that’d be true. Problem is, the more voters get to know Obama, the less they like him. His inability to be a cipher is his biggest problem, not his best attribute.
SaveFarris (a3bc51) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:06 pmI expect the elevator for Romney’s garage is for the convenient of his MS afflicted wife but it does make a good class war sound bite.
Comment by Mike K — 4/4/2012 @ 12:07 pm
— Exactly, Mike. Just like they spun the Santorum’s grieving their dead child into some weird voodoo ritual. They are shameless.
If you can’t fool all of the people all of the time, can you fool 50%+ of the people twice.
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:10 pmComment by MD in Philly — 4/4/2012 @ 12:58 pm
— Slick Willie says Yes.
And what were the common traits between the two that lead to them losing despite the advantages of incumbency? And does Obama preside over a similar situation today? Hmmm…..
SaveFarris (a3bc51) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:13 pmJason – is it hard to type while fellating Teh One?
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:15 pmJD, what a sad comment. Anything to add of intelligence?
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:18 pmJD, what a sad comment. Anything to add of intelligence?
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:18 pm…and then there were the two Presidents that abandoned the field (re-election) when faced with substantive opposition within their own party – Truman in ’52, and Johnson in ’68.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:21 pmBut, other than that, everything that you wrote was substantially true – or at least enough to be printed in the NYT.
You can take your faux concern over to your fainting couch while you recover from the vapors, Jason. You claimed a Reagan v Mondale landslide. Bet? $100? $1000?
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:26 pmNo matter how many times a leftist troll does this little act, it never gets old.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:29 pmDespite the GOP’s taking a dive against an underweight, chain-smoking, cheap-shot-artiste it will be everything they can do to lose.
First cipher to 37% of the legal, respiring electorate wins. Today MN gets voter ID referendum on primary ballot.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:31 pmJason believes that all of the elements that were positives for Obama in ’08 will still propel him to victory this year.
But, those were elements supporting a “new face” against an old one, but today Obama is the old face, and his accomplishments are serious lines on that visage, not halo’s on his crown.
Four, and Out!
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:33 pmall of the elements that were positives for Obama in ’08 will still propel him to victory this year
plus bonus Trayvon action
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:34 pmIt is sad that so many of you can’t grow up. Romney is the Republican nominee. There will be no brokered or open convention or any of that. So if you really mean what you say that you want to defeat Obama, get over your disappointment and work to help that happen by knocking off the anti-Romney stuff and helping him win.
bio mom (a1e126) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:34 pm63, 64. “Anything to add of intelligence?”
Ho ho! The Libtard brought a hat pin, stand back ladies, this could be unseemly.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:35 pmJason–
I don’t know how often you come to the Patterico site. If you do land here regularly, I think you probably already know that most right-leaning commenters here can be not only objectively honest, but sometimes even over-brutal in their assessment of potential team R candidates and current events. Things can get rather heated. But few here are going into the 2012 presidential race willfully blind with respect to certain realities, or unaware that there are challenges to overcome with some voters.
This is just my own opinion, Jason, but I think people would take your comments more seriously if you would admit (and also articulate) that there are indeed a few problems with the Obama candidacy, too, caused by some flaws in his performance to date. Is it possible that you are unaware that a real disconnect has developed between the president and many of the independents and swings who voted for him and contributed to him in 2008? Or are you just pretending?
The blinders (or rose colored glasses) with which you seem to view him unfortunately make it hard to get much intellectual value or insight from discussing the 2012 horserace with you.
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:37 pmWell Icy, if it makes you feel better, go ahead with that…. BTW, if you count since WWII (since FDR) only 2 presidents have really lost a 2nd term. I don’t count Johnson since he didn’t run, and Ford was a special case. So basically Carter and Bush the First. Counting FDR that is 13 presidents with 2 unseated. If we take Johnson and Ford out completely since they were unique cases it is still 2:11, or less than 20%
Comment by Jason — 4/4/2012 @ 1:04 pm
— Uh, excuse me, Mr Fustercluck, but you wrote, and I quote:
“Unseating a sitting POTUS is hard.”
[emphasis: mine, words: yours]
Ford was a sitting, if unelected, President. Johnson didn’t run because he knew that he was unlikely to even win the nomination, let alone the presidency. And you could easily make the case that Truman didn’t run in ’52 because, while he most likely would have won the nomination, he knew that his party was doomed in the general.
The fact remains that 3 out of the last 6 sitting presidents that faced an election to remain president LOST that election. And all three of them lost for the same reason: a bad economy.
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:40 pmIcy – we are in recovery summer. It is really quite a remarkable recovery. It is.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:42 pmbasically, in a nutshell, voters know him, they are comfortable with him,
Nothing bears out this nonsense other than your fevered rantings.
Dustin: the right’s reaction to the Trayvon shooting was yet another gift to Obama, yes. The continuing Birtherism is another gift
After this nonsense from Jason, the rest was viewed thru that lens.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:47 pm71. “It is sad that so many of you can’t grow up.”
I blame Dr. Spock, the ‘rents clearly did not take a firm enough hand with me.
Barry and Joe’s excellent adventure must not end with the former retiring to honored President emeritus.
He must be tried for Treason, far more likely via articles of Impeachment.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:49 pm57, 74. Any reason JFK and Nixon didn’t make this list but Johnson and Ford did?
You people are stuck in the rut of convention.
Compromising pictures with Vera Baker, tainted falafel, military coup,.., let’s think outside the box.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:58 pmIt is really quite a remarkable recovery…remarkable due to its non-existence.
The “jobless recovery” from the 9-11 crunch offered better numbers, if not better press.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 1:59 pmJFK….hard to run for re-election from Arlington.
Nixon….was re-elected in a landslide in ’72!
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:01 pm80. “Nixon”, oops, got me again AD.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:02 pmI take no pleasure in this gary;
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:05 pmjust performing my public duty.
Comment #69. I don’t see it that way. Being a new face was also a liability, but he pulled it off in 2008 despite that. Many democrats, indeed the majority of the establishment, thought that nominating Barrak would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Hillary practically ran on that notion.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:07 pm72. Libtard. If that’s the best you got, you already lost.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:08 pmObama got HCR through (we will see the result of the SCOTUS ruling)
— The result will be that he didn’t really get it through. The mandate is THE MAIN REASON why insurance companies were on-board. How are they going to react to the rest of these ‘reforms’ once the mandate is ruled unconstitutional?
he stabilized the cratering economy, and is now presiding over a recovery.
— Bought any gasoline lately? Or food? Yeah, things are going swimmingly!
He ended the war in Iraq.
— And Iraq is the better for it, eh?
He got Osama bin Laden.
— The SEALS got him, but we’ll give you that one. That’s ONE positive accomplishment in three years.
He got Kaddafi.
— He did? Know something the rest of us don’t, do you?
Etc
— Another revelation! I didn’t even know that Etc was on the terrorism watch list.
In short, for independents and swing voters he has a fairly strong domestic and a very strong international record.
— No POTUS evah has been quicker to bow and apologize for our very existence.
Regarding Reagan, Obama is very popular within his party,
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:10 pm— *chuckle*
a respected figure in the world,
— *guffaw*
and has gotten cross over support from GOP voters (ala Reagan Democrats)
— BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
73. Elissa, I think you read too much into my comments. Obama, as any sitting president, has issues now that he has had to govern. Issues with the base, issues with independent voters that voted for him last time, but might not this time, etc… But Romney is just in such a terrible state, at this moment, that those problems are not significant for Obama. As I said, his re-election may not be justified, but its gonna happen.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:10 pmIcy, first making rude and snarky comments with misspelled profanities is not worthy of my time to debate. so that I shall ignore. Regarding #85, that may be your opinion, but you have to consider the voter that would vote for Obama, that voter does not see things as you do and does not say ABO. Echochambers are fun, but they lose you national elections.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:13 pmYes, I’ve noticed this myself.
😉
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:21 pmIcy, 9% of Self-IDed republicans voted for Obama in 2008. I bet it is a bit higher in 2012, I’d say about 15%. But it is all speculation of course. Also, you might find this site and article interesting: http://www.republicansforobama.org/node/9943
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:22 pmEchochambers are fun, but they lose you national elections.
not if you have pony power
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:23 pmIcy, 9% of Self-IDed republicans voted for Obama in 2008. I bet it is a bit higher in 2012, I’d say about 15%.
How much do you wish to bet? 1000?
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:27 pm84. Alright, since you insist.
’35.“he stabilized the cratering economy, and is now presiding over a recovery.”’
Jug-ears gave us Stimulus II, Affordable Mortgage Assistance, car and appliance junking,… all inorder that the U3 rate not exceed 8.something%. With a constant 2007 participation rate real U3 stands at 15%, for recent college grads 25%, teens 50%.
New single family housing is down 5% y-o-y over 2011, which was down from 2010 which was down…
GM is claiming sales up 14% when they just goosed cars “sold” on dealers lots 24K to 713,000.
In July 2008 Shrub vacated Daddy’s offshore drilling moratorium and diesel prices that very day of $4 began their fall to $2. Drilling permits are half what they were during BOOSH’s admin.
Stock prices adjusted for the FX rates have been flat as a pancake since rebounding in 2009.
Ben Bernanke has loaned the worlds’ banks $16 Trillion and the Fed now own’s 80% of US Treasuries over 10-year maturities.
I could go on and on but the bottom line is:
Your mother raised a feckless, lying hypocrite.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:28 pmHe ended the war in Iraq.
– And Iraq is the better for it, eh?
He observed, and acquised to, the agreement initiated by his predecessor with the Government of Iraq.
That’s called “Doing your job”, or in his case “Voting Present”.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:29 pmJD, I would bet that 10% of Self-IDed GOPers vote Obama in 2012, sure.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:29 pmThat won’t make up for the legions of Indies that will desert him, plus all of the Under-30’s that will stay home in disgust.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:31 pmYou said 15%. And 49 States. For $1000?
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:32 pm92. Wow, all your “facts” dismissed by your personal attack and insult. Please be reasonably polite. When you angrily present a few points and top it off with a personal insult, you don’t achieve anything of value.
Having said all that, I can tell you that I personally have made serious bank on the stock market since I started buying back in summer 2009. One (of many) examples, sold my Ford back in October when it rebounded at over $12, bought for $7. That was a $10000 grand pay day.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:33 pmJD. 15% is speculation. I bet it happens, but for a even odds bet, I’d need 10%. I never said he would win 49 states, he won’t. I will bet even odds he wins 30 or more states, and of course the election.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:35 pmI’m not really trying to argue for Obama
— It DOES seem to be effortless on your part.
I’m arguing that at this point he is a shoe in.
— And in that, you are wrong.
Whether that is a good or bad thing, or justified or not, is another argument.
— Gee, I wonder which side of that argument you’re on. Hmm . . .
the right’s reaction to the Trayvon shooting was yet another gift to Obama, yes.
— Rejecting the playing of the race card was a bad thing. Got it.
The continuing Birtherism is another gift, yes.
— Meanwhile, the Dem memes (war on women, killing Medicare, class warfare) are ALL winners; is that it?
If the GOP loses (or feels it is losing) it has two options: 1) Blame itself, 2) Blame the voters. #2 is not a winning strategy.
— Nostrodamus ain’t got nuthin’ on you, baby!
Further, as the first black president and having the funny name and all that, in 2008 he was more unknown. For 2012 that won’t be a problem for him.
— People know all about him now, and that’s a plus? Really?
So basically, in a nutshell
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:36 pm— I will speak to the manager about procuring better accommodations for you.
You said Reagan Mondale. How many states was that? You said 15%, not me.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:37 pmYour holier than thou above the fray passive aggressive BS is transparent.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:38 pmComment by Jason — 4/4/2012 @ 2:33 pm
You made $10MM on Ford?
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:38 pmI bought some stock in some oil drillers and then president obama ass-raped the industry and threw thousands of people out of work, so I just kept it and figure President Romney will make everything better since he doesn’t have Obama’s rape tendencies.
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:39 pmIcy, some points, some snark. You are getting better though, thanks. Whether Obama is a shooooo in or not, we can argue all day, but events will bear one of us out eventually. But yes, my point was that the GOP is giving Obama this election, and yes Trayvon, Birtherism, and the Contraception debate were all nice fat gifts on a silver platter. Romney is losing (at this moment) big with women and with latinos. Considering that blacks will most surely go big for Obama, who is left to vote for Romney?
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:40 pmI don’t know if Romney is really in disarray. He’s in a primary where the other leading candidates dislike him, and the conservative base is doing everything possible to shove him to the right while they still can.
Romney likes letting his surrogates do the dirty work (from which springs a good portion of the dislike) something that will be barely OK against Obama since Romney’s surrogates will be branded evil corporate racists etc negating their impact. Romney needs to bring the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove and go MMA with it on Obama personally or he will lose. See, Romney will be called “racist”, but I don’t think the public will buy it… I think Romney should attack Obama and dupe his people into playing the race card way too much. Can Romney handle that heat?
I don’t know.
There is no way the flawed and failed McCain strategy of refusing to vet or to criticize will ever work. It seems Romney may be trying a “modified McCain” right now, and if so, you would be right and he would be delusional and thus in disarray…..
SteveG (e27d71) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:41 pmError, 10 grand. Sorry
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:41 pmI’m not actually seeing birthers as much of a meme lately.
I saw it as a way to suggest the right is crazy, and thankfully that idiot Trump spoiled the meme for Obama. It’s pretty much a dead issue, isn’t it?
I sure don’t recall any regular commenters here talking about it recently.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:43 pmI bought Exxon when it hit 70 happyfeet. Checking just now, its at 85. But I did even better on Chevron.
So far my best has been Apple…. i really need to bring myself to sell it.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:44 pm“all your “facts” [vacated] by your personal attack and insult.
This isn’t a debate, sprout, it’s not an education, it’s the demonstration that reconciliation and comity are impossible.
We cannot agree on the ‘facts’ let alone their interpretation. It’s time, once again, for some real disagreement between disagreeable people. Watts was the last spot of bother.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:46 pmexxon has done really well for me and I can’t imagine selling it with them doing so well even as natural gas languishes
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:47 pmSomeone out there sounds like that guy in the sunglasses in the Matrix:
You hear that Mr. Anderson?… That is the sound of inevitability… It is the sound of your death… Goodbye, Mr. Anderson…
Seriously.
SteveG (e27d71) — 4/4/2012 @ 2:51 pmAdd in a few percentages pulled out of thin air, dubious predictions, and statistics of uncertain origin and there ya go… an orchestra of inevitability
Elissa, I think you read too much into my comments.
— As did anyone else that took them seriously.
Icy, first making rude and snarky comments with misspelled profanities is not worthy of my time to debate. so that I shall ignore.
— You are ignoring it because I’m right. Three out of the last six sitting presidents were unseated BECAUSE the economy, at the time of the election, was bad. Period.
you have to consider the voter that would vote for Obama, that voter does not see things as you do and does not say ABO. Echochambers are fun, but they lose you national elections.
— Is there ANY point to that statement other than to note the obvious reality that Obama and the Dems have their own ‘echo chamber’?
Icy, 9% of Self-IDed republicans voted for Obama in 2008
— And? I never claimed that no Republicans voted for him.
I bet it is a bit higher in 2012, I’d say about 15%.
— Not a chance in hell. Take JD’s bet; he will be glad to take your money.
But it is all speculation of course
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:00 pm— Are you certain that it wasn’t your cat, Mr Tittles, that gave you those figures?
Icy
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:07 pm1) So people who take my comments seriously also read too much into them? Um, ok?
2) No, you are wrong. But you are obviously invested in being wrong, so just stay with it.
3) Yes there is another point, and no that was not the point
4) Just pointing out
5) If 9% why not 15%, why no chance in hell?
6) Snarky…. you almost made it!
i have to take Mr. Jason’s comments a wee little bit seriously since I never thought Obama would win the first time
I just never understood the value proposition, and I understand it even less now
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:10 pmhappyfeet, I didn’t think he would win either
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:10 pmone thing I know this time Mr. Jason that I didn’t know in 2008 is that the Team R candidate wants to be president way way more passionately than the Team D candidate wants a second term
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:13 pmHappyfeet, you based that on your subjective interpretation, or are there any objective facts that show that? I haven’t heard anyone anywhere say that before, so I find it strange.
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:16 pmRomney wants it so bad he can taste it.
Obama is a bit ambivalent as to whether or not we are worthy of a second term.
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:18 pmMr. feets, do you maybe have a musics for Jason?
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:21 pmhere is a vaguely-inspirational musics! … the kind the obama kids like so much
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 3:25 pm“Obama is a bit ambivalent as to whether or not we are worthy of a second term.”
Oh, please Lord, let us be unworthy.
Dave Surls (46b08c) — 4/4/2012 @ 4:50 pm120. I am doing my damnedest.
Most all the in-laws are libs, from academics to small businesspersons. They know Ogabe has had an awful term, that he lies like a rug, that the government is a self-serving disaster.
They don’t care, they get their news from the Daily Show or NPR. The have no idea that Green Shoots has blown tens of billions and laundered hundreds of millions back to the Dimmis.
They just know the GOP is either bad for their bottom line or all their customers and social acquaintences so there’s no convincing them otherwise.
Moby’s trying to enlighten us think we’re clubbed Neanderthals.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:01 pmThey just know the GOP is either bad for their bottom line
If that is true, then why would they vote for the GOP….. or do you mean that they “know” this, but are wrong?
Jason (88b7af) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:02 pmThey leave out that the snub of Harper on Keystone, will make Canadian oil more expensive, that we have toppled two of our allies on the wot, that the EPA
narciso (e039e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:08 pmand the FDA are causing spot shortages of basic
pharmaceuticals,
“Tuesday’s speech announces that Obama thinks he must convince voters mushy Mitt Romney is a radical extremist to win.”
What he mostly has to do is convince his followers that their free handouts will keep on coming, no matter what the overall situation is.
Dave Surls (46b08c) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:10 pmhttp://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/04/03/canada-after-keystone-wed-rather-sell-oil-to-china
narciso (e039e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:12 pmJason just spews every single leftists talking point and meme. It is cute.
JD (af0807) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:14 pmfor all the “free stuff”
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:16 pmvote for barack obama
insane in membrane
young folks waking up
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:18 pmto fact that all their futures
mortgaged to the hilt
122. Academics? Over the short term they are correct. They wouldn’t vote GOP because it would be professional suicide if their peers discovered their sentiments, and in any event they would have to retrench as departments are cut, tenured staff let go.
Smallbusiness persons, OTOH, who think and vote Lib, because they’d be discovered by customers or friends are daft. Retrenchment is a fact of normal survival, but short-term pain.
Libs, again, are the nastiest hypocrites and sociopaths in nature, Mobe.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:20 pmJason, do you think that Obama’s history in Chicago of agitating for banks to make MORE subprime loans to risky borrowers will help him or hurt him in the fall campaign?
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:24 pmthe Republican candidate must hammer home that the blue government model is the model of a failed state. You can’t spend money like there are no consequences and as if there’s no accountability. That – along with his insufferable narcissism – is all Obama has to offer. The voters must have a real choice and it is my sincere hope that they “choose life” for America’s future.
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:26 pmthe path that Obama would like to take this country down should he win re-election – and make no mistake, he would view re-election as an overwhelming mandate for approval of his agenda – is the path to oblivion and we need to avoid it by any legitimate means necessary.
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:37 pmThe Blue Model has been about everyone living an above-average lifestyle, paid for by borrowing and Empire. The days of Empire are over — most of the rest of the world is catching up and we’re stopped producing innovation here. Lawyers and bureaucrats don’t innovate. We are shortly going to be unable to borrow.
Obama’s plan? Kick the can down the road. It’s already not working.
At the state level, services are shutting down and taxes are going up, with all the money flowing out to retired state workers, who (in California at least) have first call on any revenue. That’s where the “shovel-ready stimulus” money really went, and why those roads and bridges are still not repaired.
Soon, the federal government will start breaking. If we wait until that happens, we’ll be so screwed I won’t live to see the end of the pain. And I expect that Obama and the Dems will wait somewhat longer than that, then try to tax the bejeezus out of everyone to keep it running a few years longer. Eventually they will lose and the recovery will start.
But it could get really, really bad. The saddest thing I see in this world is people under 30 thinking Obama has their backs, when in fact his policies will enslave them.
As they tell people in treatment programs: you will keep doing (whatever) until you hit bottom, and that bottom can be now, or it can be much lower. Your choice. But until you stop doing what you are doing, it will continually get worse.
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:44 pmTweny-five years ago, Ridley Scott made the Deficit Trials commercial, which complained of the “Two Trillion Dollar” national debt, and asked if we could afford another generation of these deficits.
We can now answer that, with a debt of Fifteen Trillion Dollars: Not hardly. And yet, the President plans on leaving us with another 5 trillion into the hole if he’s re-elected. Not one of his budgets has cut anything of note, and when interest rates climb from zero, there is going to be hell to pay. Five percent on twenty trillion dollars is another trillion that we don’t have.
I think Ridley Scott’s commercial is, if anything, too hopeful.
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:55 pmThe politicans response to the Deficit Trials? They made it clear that stations showing it would be sorry.
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/4/2012 @ 5:57 pmhere is a CBS report about how ABC and CBS and NBC refused to run the Ridley Scott ad
noted propaganda whore Dan Rather, who would later resign in disgrace, introduces the piece
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:06 pm“At the state level, services are shutting down and taxes are going up, with all the money flowing out to retired state workers, who (in California at least) have first call on any revenue. That’s where the “shovel-ready stimulus” money really went, and why those roads and bridges are still not repaired.”
Amen to that… and with an asshole like Jerry Brown at the helm and the clueless, spendthrift, corrupt Democrats in control, there is only a death spiral in our future out here.
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:11 pmKeven re 131: neither. It will not be an issue.
Ryan (5ad6df) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:18 pmGary, I find calling any group sociopaths ridiculous. Can we talk rationally?
Ryan (5ad6df) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:19 pmJd, re 127, what am I parroting exactly? Can u be specific? Just Two or 3 examples please? Cause I don’t see it…
Ryan (5ad6df) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:21 pmHere’s the type of bigot who rolls with 0bama…
Lawrence O’Donnell
an ass of exceptional
asininity
http://www.mrctv.org/videos/larry-odonnell-again-attacks-romneys-religion-mormonism-invented-excuse-infidelity
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:26 pmIf in 2008 we had elected a double agent who was really working for Putin and Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, and who would do so by pursuing a Cloward-Pivenesque strategy (never letting any crisi go to waste and even creating a few) in order to weaken the economy and to put the federal government in such debt that it would have to abandon being the policeman for the Free World, then would things be significantly different than they are?
Nope.
reliapundit (32879d) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:37 pmColonel, did you see NRO’s takedown of O’Donnell’s bigotry?
I would like O’Donnell to say precisely what he said about Romney’s faith to Harry Reid.
Except, of course, that is different.
I did like the dig at O’Donnell’s divorce scorecard.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:56 pmO’Donnell is left to mine the remaining nuggets of
narciso (e039e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 6:59 pmraw crazy, after Sharpton and Schultz, and Hannigan,
give him a break, sarc.
Did you ever seen O’Donnell go full on nutzoid on the old Dennis Miller CNBC television show? You could see the veins on his giant head. I seriously thought he was going to attack poor Cathy Seipp, or have a stroke.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:07 pmObama capitalized on being an unknown in 2008. He could make himself look like:
1. a fiscal conservative (Bush is plunging us into debt!!)
2. the first “post-racial” president, “bringing us together”
3. a political uniter, not continuing partisan ways
4. morally superior to Bush in that he would close Gitmo
5. would “restore respect for America in the world”
I would say that he can no longer claim any of that, now that people know him. Anyone who votes for him in 2012 has to be voting for different reasons than they did in 2008, or they haven’t been paying attention, or they are going to vote for the dem anyway because everyone knows republicans like children to go to bed hungry at night and don’t breath air or drink water (that’s why they don’t care if the environment is polluted. nancy pelosi said so).
If more “self-identified republicans” vote for Obama in 2012 than in 2008, they must be looking in the wrong mirror. It sure didn’t seem that more repubs voted for Obama’s team in 2010.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:11 pmI think that’s a prerequisite to work at MSNBC, Bashir, Ratigan, Schultz, (who threatened to burn down the studio,)
narciso (e039e9) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:12 pm“President Obama’s marvelous speech”
There was one thing marvelous about it.
It finally ended.
Dave Surls (46b08c) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:13 pmJD–wow!!! “Jason” morphed into “Ryan” somewhere between #127 and #141. How ‘dat happen?
elissa (857a83) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:13 pm#144… yep, Simon, I sure did see Kevin Williamson’s whack on O’Donnell and remember when he was on Miller’s show with Seipp. The subject matter was California’s public school system. She looked very uncomfortable, as she should have, for he was truly unhinged. Mowgli the Chimp had better stage manners.
Colonel Haiku (dc31a8) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:19 pm150. Psychopaths and sociopaths are very different. Lochner was “apolitical”. Rules are made to be broken I guess.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:44 pmLaughner*
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 7:45 pmKeven re 131: neither. It will not be an issue.
Comment by Ryan — 4/4/2012 @ 6:18 pm
How many names do you plan on using?
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:01 pmKeven re 131: neither. It will not be an issue.
Comment by Ryan — 4/4/2012 @ 6:18 pm
Gary, I find calling any group sociopaths ridiculous. Can we talk rationally?
Comment by Ryan — 4/4/2012 @ 6:19 pm
Jd, re 127, what am I parroting exactly? Can u be specific? Just Two or 3 examples please? Cause I don’t see it…
Comment by Ryan — 4/4/2012 @ 6:21 pm
Elissa – we have seen this clown before. Same song and dance. Different names.
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:04 pmThe quintessential Liberal:
http://theothermccain.com/2012/04/04/youd-think-a-supreme-court-justice-would-know-this/
Too stupid to live and an SC Justice.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:17 pm____________________________________________
But yes, my point was that the GOP is giving Obama this election, and yes Trayvon, Birtherism, and the Contraception debate were all nice fat gifts on a silver platter. Romney is losing (at this moment) big with women and with latinos. Considering that blacks will most surely go big for Obama, who is left to vote for Romney?
Then you come from the angle that this country is full of very leftwing people.
When you focus on black America, I’d have to say you’re correct. No matter how screwed-up and pathetic an environment may be that various black voters are trapped in (eg, Detroit, Michigan), a majority of them still will vote for the leftwing candidate, for the dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. They’ll vote blindly, they’ll vote foolishly, no matter what.
This pattern can be seen time and time again in some of the most messed-up communities and nations throughout the world.
That’s why various people — with a bit of common sense — realize that on occasion they’ll have no choice but to vote. But not at the polling booth, but with their feet and the moving van. Just don’t expect them to look back at what they’ve left behind and then shed a few tears. Well, crocodile tears, maybe, sincere tears, no.
Limousine liberals — and one does not have to be wealthy to be guilty of that form of disingenuousness — are fully aware of this dynamic. And during certain moments when no one is looking, they too will quietly vote with their feet and the moving van.
Mark (31bbb6) — 4/4/2012 @ 8:56 pmThis is an excellent line.
Dustin (330eed) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:06 pmJason Ryan L’Hommedieu
Serial troll/sock puppeteer.
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:11 pmIcy, some points, some snark.
— That’s my m.o. Which is to say, I adjust my swing depending upon what you lob towards the plate.
You are getting better though, thanks.
— Considering that we’re talking about President Downgrade, I will take that as a compliment by comparison.
Whether Obama is a shooooo in or not, we can argue all day, but events will bear one of us out eventually
— Right, but you’re the one asserting that he IS a shoe-in, and we’re not buying your reasoning as to why you think you’re correct.
But yes, my point was that the GOP is giving Obama this election, and yes Trayvon, Birtherism, and the Contraception debate were all nice fat gifts on a silver platter.
— And you are wrong about that. Birtherism is a minor distraction perpetuated by a kook fringe. As for the other issues, the GOP is by and large on the right side of them. The fact that the left will try to demonize every postition held or expressed by the right does not make them correct, and it certainly does not mean that the electorate is taking their side in the debate.
Romney is losing (at this moment) big with women and with latinos. Considering that blacks will most surely go big for Obama, who is left to vote for Romney?
Icy (6c3bce) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:30 pm— Romney will garner more votes from women and Latinos than you might think. As for blacks, the existence of an African-Americans for Obama website speaks to the fear on the Dem side that blacks might largely sit out this election. As for who is left: whites, men, conservatives, Christians (I predict that the same percentage of Mormons will vote for Romney as do blacks that vote for Obama), as well as any thinking American that asks themselves “Am I better off than I was 4 years ago?”
this is not acceptable legislation what has been proposed, shockingly, by one of california’s very own senate wenches
it is in fact unacceptable, is what it is
it is a raping of freedom most egregious and a sodomization of due process
is our pathetic little country already so disgustingly impoverished that it must adopt the gulag mentality offered by Miss Boxer?
We shall see I guess.
i really really hope not it would be very disappointing
happyfeet (3c92a1) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:30 pmI think Latinos what are disenchanted with Mitt Mitt are as likely not to vote as to vote for Obama
they’re not stupid
happyfeet (3c92a1) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:34 pmthis is novel
a Reuters propaganda monkey has taken note that the White House is on the defensive, and not because of mean old attacky Rs, but because from Obama’s sainted lips had issued Stupid Words, so dumb that even the press has noticed
happyfeet (3c92a1) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:42 pm“The White House was forced on the defensive…”
Man, try and voice a mild objection or two to Democrat Party tyranny and right away they get all defensive!
Testy lil’ rascals, ain’t they?
Dave Surls (46b08c) — 4/4/2012 @ 9:59 pmI’d like to see Edward R. Olbermann take over as WH press secretary and bring his special brand of magic to the White House press room. I hear he might be available and he’s a chandelier. (Between us, I don’t think that Carney guy is doing a very good job.) He looks like a real dim bulb up there. It just always seems like he’s about ready to cry and burble “defending that guy’s gaffes is above my pay grade”, before he breaks down and runs from the room.
elissa (6e0fed) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:22 pmElissa – good catch on the serial troll
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:27 pmCarnie makes his predecessors look good
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:28 pmI think is was hotair that had a post on Carnie trying to claim OBarcky said something other than what the constitutional scholar in chief actually said on Monday. It was painful.
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:34 pmProlly half the credentialed ones asking the questions at the pressers sit there thinking they could do a better job than Carnie, are rolling their eyes, and wondering how he got the job.
elissa (6e0fed) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:40 pmJD, keep in mind that Larry Tribe is also saying that the President didn’t actually say what he said. I just don’t get it; BHO would sell either of them out in a nanosecond. Think about the list of people he has discard when expedient.
It’s like a girlfriend who has an abusive boyfriend, and will say if she would just love him the right way, he’ll stop hitting her.
Sick.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:42 pmThe other half dream of being what Carnie is
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:43 pmSimon – it is a surreal Jedi mind trick.
JD (8cc832) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:44 pmJD–Yes. I saw that video, too. For a while Ed Henry and Norah O’Donnell were double-teaming Carney on the subject of Obama’s imbecilic SCOTUS comments Monday. The WH press secretary did not appear to be enjoying it. And his explanations did not pass the laugh test.
elissa (6e0fed) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:50 pmIt looks to me like Carney knows what he is doing is awful. Remember that exchange with Jake Tapper (and JT has known him for a long time)?
I think that the Left can’t let go, because then the would need to know that he they had been duped by a Chicago huckster. And that never, ever happens to smart, cool, hip people.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 10:59 pmSimon–You know that sooner or later somebody’s going to break ranks and write the Pulitzer winner “The View from Under the Bus” (or something similar). It’ll be interesting to see when–and who it ends up being.
elissa (6e0fed) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:10 pmCan he not simply admit he was mistaken?
Michael Ejercito (64388b) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:23 pmNo — no, he cannot admit it.
Icy (503e17) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:35 pmI think, elissa, that to a journalist, the only force stronger than refusal to admit you have been duped is the hunger for a Pulitzer.
I hope so.
Remember how long it took for GWB and AG and JK’s transcripts to appear? Why haven’t we seen BHO’s?
I think I know the answer. His performance in college doesn’t match Teh Narrative. And that is just the smallest sliver of the feet of clay of the Lightbringer.
Eventually, the truth will come out (as it did with JFK, another media darling).
Fingers crossed it will be soon.
Simon Jester (ec8130) — 4/4/2012 @ 11:40 pmhappyfeet (#161)
The right to emigrate should be in the Constitution. I think that some Republican should offer that as an amendment to Boxer’s bill.
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/5/2012 @ 12:30 amDoesn’t Tribe know he’s too old to become a justice?
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/5/2012 @ 12:32 amNo Pulitzer for trashing Obama. You only get high fives for trashing Republicans. Trash Obama and you might not work again, and you’ll certainly never go to any cool parties any more.
Kevin M (bf8ad7) — 4/5/2012 @ 12:35 am==I think….that to a journalist, the only force stronger than refusal to admit you have been duped is the hunger for a Pulitzer.==
In that case, we may have a candidate–
Where have you gone Tommy Christopher?
elissa (bb8ec6) — 4/5/2012 @ 4:30 amA nation turns its lonely eyes to youuuu
OT, but on topic as far as President Obama’s record
Heard about a resergence of the DOJ pushing banks to lend on the basis of racial quotas, which sounds to me like policies in the 90’s and on that was at least partially responsible for the Freddie/Fannie/mortgage/economy meltdown. This includes a story about a Mr. Perez in the DOJ calling the mayor of St.Paul and convincing them to drop out of a case coming before the SCOTUS.
Seems to be Chicago thug politics showing total resistance to learning from experience. Yes, we are getting to know President Obama, a hard-core leftist friend of domestic terrorists.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 4/5/2012 @ 4:49 amDoom-It’s what’s for breakfast:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/second-foreclosure-tsunami-coming-and-about-kill-any-hopes-housing-bottom
9 Million homes in foreclosure pipeline.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/5/2012 @ 5:15 amYou’re right, MD, in fact, Perez, author of consent decrees for police department including LA, in the 90s, is back for more, including in this neck of the woods
narciso (f17312) — 4/5/2012 @ 5:22 amTheir foreign desk always have the most ludicrous stories;
http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/04/04/why-the-u-s-may-be-secretly-cheering-a-muslim-brotherhood-run-for-egypts-presidency/
narciso (f17312) — 4/5/2012 @ 5:25 amROCKET FROM EGYPT HITS ISRAEL… EGYPT MUSLIM BROS. GO TO WHITE HOUSE…
Colonel Haiku (76384f) — 4/5/2012 @ 6:12 amThanks, narciso. Maybe if this is enough of a travesty amng travesties someone with more knowledge than I will write about it.
I’m thinking that I could be appointed to many positions at half of the current pay, and by doing nothing be of more help to the country. That’s just not right.
I read elsewhere that Canada is still fed up with US about the Keystone pipeline and wants to sell their oil to China, and Calderon and Mexico is angry at US for exporting crime across the border.
Maybe Romney should talk to them and let them know that he will have more flexibility in working with them after he is elected to replace the current president; and he could say it out loud in a news conference, instead of it being picked up by mistake.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 4/5/2012 @ 6:45 amLord of the Flies ain’t stupid, incompetent, uneducated, racialist instigator, saboteur, elitist, layabout, he’s all of the above.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/5/2012 @ 6:59 am_____________________________________________
I post the following in honor of all the various liberals throughout America. The ones who give a million benefits of the doubt to the guy now in the White House — based on any and every speech he has ever given — to all the Trayvon Martins of society, to all the Harry Louis Gates of America (and their brutal run-ins with cops from Massachusetts), to Islamicists, to Solyndra, to Occupy Wall Street, to Al Sharpton, to Hillary Clinton (particularly for her bravely fleeing from sniper fire when she was First Lady), to Hillary’s husband’s workplace ethics, etc, etc. Who give a billion benefits of the doubt to a person like Marion Barry.
Why?
Because the left perceives itself as being so generous, humane, compassionate, tolerant, beautiful, sophisticated, caring, generous, humane, tolerant and wonderful (and did I say compassionate too?).
Mark (31bbb6) — 4/5/2012 @ 8:58 amComment by Icy — 4/4/2012 @ 12:34 pm
I know I am late to this party, but I just wanted to thank Icy for comment #44! Thanks Icy – loved it.
felipe (0d179b) — 4/5/2012 @ 12:55 pm#76 from JD
Jd, only a leftist could consider anything (claimed R reactions) about the Trayvon tragedy to be a “gift”.
felipe (0d179b) — 4/5/2012 @ 1:16 pmThanks, felipe
Icy (4e88b4) — 4/5/2012 @ 1:17 pmComment by Simon Jester — 4/4/2012 @ 8:16 am
This President, I fear, is an empty suit filled with hurricane force winds of self-entitlement. And it’s not just his fault: he had lots of help developing that self-regard.
No, more likely, you fear that Mitt Romney is an empty suit.
You hope that Barack Obama makes himself perceived that way.
Romney is not likely to help bring out repeated errors in arguments that Obama makes. I wouldn’t be sure he even understands what’s wrong with them.
Gingrich claims he will, but really misses more than half his opportunities in debates, and isn’t always right (his errors will be amplified) and there’s only 3 debates.
Santorum might get him on a few points.
Romney would have nothing to say except canned statements – and he’s more likely to fall apart than Obama.
Sammy Finkelman (d22d64) — 4/5/2012 @ 2:37 pmThe republican primary campaign moves to New York:
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/04/5624154/just-theyre-declared-dead-and-buried-santorum-and-gingrich-decide-c?utm_source=Capital+New+York+Newsletter&utm_campaign=482f0defa4-Capital_Newsletter_No_11_6_2012&utm_medium=email
Sammy Finkelman (d22d64) — 4/5/2012 @ 2:38 pmSomebody should lay out the word “Moochers” with the Obama Campaign logo replacing the two O’s.
Bill (af584e) — 4/6/2012 @ 6:45 amReid Pilliphant, was Louis Winthorpe wasn’t available for comment
narciso (2ee288) — 4/6/2012 @ 6:48 amMore Obamoney is dead, long live son of Obamoney:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2012/04/05/why-the-supreme-court-will-strike-down-all-of-obamacare/3/
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/6/2012 @ 2:46 pmHey Scratch, when you’re done with that maggot we’ve another:
http://www.jammiewf.com/2012/dying-chavez-pleads-for-life-heads-to-brazil-after-botched-radiation-in-cuba/
Godspeed Venezuela, lovely, friendly people, beautiful country.
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/7/2012 @ 6:48 amMmmmember back when Barry ran the foist time, how he wanted to raise the cost of gas to $9 so we’d reduce our reliance on evil?
Well it’s working:
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/04/another-plunge-in-3-month-rolling.html
gary gulrud (d88477) — 4/7/2012 @ 7:00 am