2012 Election Thread

[twatts]

Good ol' Mitt Romney. I mean c'mon, who didn't pick on gays in high school?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mitt-romney-apologizes-dumb-things-did-prep-school-152935856.html

The funny part about his apology was that he admits to being a dick, he was just a clueless dick who had no idea the guy was gay.

But, I meant to post the original article in VDB's Fox News thread because I have to know: do you guys see any left leaning bias in an exposé about Romney picking on a gay classmate the day after Obama makes his big announcement? The article doesn't just insinuate, it is reporting as factually accurate that Romney and his "prep school posse" attacked the kid because "he thought did not belong," and that the kid was "perpetually teased for his nonconformity and presumed homosexuality." Please, someone who chastises Fox News for their blatant disregard for journalistic integrity tell me that they can recognize this for the agenda laden hit piece it is. Please.

Michael Corleone: Where does it say that you can't kill a cop?
Tom Hagen: Come on, Mikey...
Michael Corleone: Tom, wait a minute. I'm talking about a cop that's mixed up in drugs. I'm talking about a - a - a dishonest cop - a crooked cop who got mixed up in the rackets and got what was coming to him. That's a terrific story. And we have newspaper people on the payroll, don't we, Tom?
[Tom nods]
Michael Corleone: And they might like a story like that.
Tom Hagen: They might, they just might.
Michael Corleone: [to Sonny] It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business.


Total left lean anti Mitt "propaganda"...  Really, do we think what he did back in the 60s to that kid is all that meaningful today???  I don't particularly think so.  I've changed a ton since HS, I'm sure Mittens has too...

Honestly, I don't think its good strategy.  Mittens has enough bad personality to hang himself... 

Terry

[runawayjimbo]

Probably had it in the can waiting for the opportune moment to drop it. Let's be clear, Obama is an incredibly ruthless politician and the people he has surrounded himself with, including big business partners, are on equal footing.

This

Go ahead and tell me there no decent, admirable adults out there who might have been douches in high school. (I'm not saying that Romney is decent or admirable, just that if he's not, it's not necessarily because of this.)

That

Yeah I don't really like the smells coming off the "Romney as bully" story.

Definitely

Honestly, I don't think its good strategy.  Mittens has enough bad personality to hang himself... 

F'real (ETA: and bonus points for the Godfather lines)

Thanks guys. You restored my hope for humanity.

+k x4

[twatts]

Honestly, I don't think its good strategy.  Mittens has enough bad personality to hang himself... 

F'real (ETA: and bonus points for the Godfather lines)

And it begins...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election-2012/conservatives-counter-claims-mitt-romney-a-bully-obama-worse-article-1.1076353?localLinksEnabled=false

Terry

[sls.stormyrider]

someone help me out here.

Where in the Constitution or the FEC regs does it state that members of political campaigns must act like 4 year olds?
It must say that somewhere - it's the only rule that everyone complies with

[runawayjimbo]

Scott Walker survives recall in WI

This election is going to be really close.

[nab]

Scott Walker survives recall in WI

This election is going to be really close.

The Walker recall?  The presidential election?  The 2012 General Election?


Close for all the wrong reasons if you ask me.  50/50 splits are not democracy in action, imo, but a fertile feeding ground for enshrining elite control via hero worship. 


If people really want to get back to "the good old days" (you know, when markets were unregulated and taxes on the wealthy were high), it's going to take a lot more humility than most are willing to offer.   

[runawayjimbo]

Scott Walker survives recall in WI

This election is going to be really close.

The Walker recall?  The presidential election?  The 2012 General Election?


Close for all the wrong reasons if you ask me.  50/50 splits are not democracy in action, imo, but a fertile feeding ground for enshrining elite control via hero worship. 


If people really want to get back to "the good old days" (you know, when markets were unregulated and taxes on the wealthy were high), it's going to take a lot more humility than most are willing to offer.

Sorry, the general.

WI and NC (both Obama in 2008) go from toss up to likely GOP. I still have doubts about Obama in PA and FL and OH. And even though Romney is inherently unlikable, I think external factors (healthcare ruling, Eurozone meltdown and contagion, another debt ceiling) are gonna be breaking against Obama at the wrong time. Then again, ECB and the Fed are going to ease which could temporarily and artificially create a bounce to get through the election. But things definitely look tougher for Obama today than they did yesterday.

[ytowndan]

Scott Walker survives recall in WI

This election is going to be really close.

The Walker recall?  The presidential election?  The 2012 General Election?


Close for all the wrong reasons if you ask me.  50/50 splits are not democracy in action, imo, but a fertile feeding ground for enshrining elite control via hero worship. 


If people really want to get back to "the good old days" (you know, when markets were unregulated and taxes on the wealthy were high), it's going to take a lot more humility than most are willing to offer.

Sorry, the general.

WI and NC (both Obama in 2008) go from toss up to likely GOP. I still have doubts about Obama in PA and FL and OH. And even though Romney is inherently unlikable, I think external factors (healthcare ruling, Eurozone meltdown and contagion, another debt ceiling) are gonna be breaking against Obama at the wrong time. Then again, ECB and the Fed are going to ease which could temporarily and artificially create a bounce to get through the election. But things definitely look tougher for Obama today than they did yesterday.

I don't think yesterday's outcome has any influence on what will happen in November.  Obama still has a strong lead in WI despite what happened with the recall election (double digits in some polls, though I'm a bit skeptical of those particular numbers).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Obama is gonna pull off a "Landslide Lyndon", nor am I even saying I'm confident that he'll win.  Honestly, if the election were tomorrow, I really don't think he'd win.  I'm just saying that WI is a state that hasn't gone red in a Presidential election since Reagan.  Yet, they're certainly no stranger to electing a Republican Governor (four of their last six).  I just don't see this as groundbreaking in any way.  They're a state that, in recent history, likes their Presidents blue and their Governors red.  Last night's election and all of the current polls suggest that this will be the case again. 

[runawayjimbo]

Scott Walker survives recall in WI

This election is going to be really close.

The Walker recall?  The presidential election?  The 2012 General Election?


Close for all the wrong reasons if you ask me.  50/50 splits are not democracy in action, imo, but a fertile feeding ground for enshrining elite control via hero worship. 


If people really want to get back to "the good old days" (you know, when markets were unregulated and taxes on the wealthy were high), it's going to take a lot more humility than most are willing to offer.

Sorry, the general.

WI and NC (both Obama in 2008) go from toss up to likely GOP. I still have doubts about Obama in PA and FL and OH. And even though Romney is inherently unlikable, I think external factors (healthcare ruling, Eurozone meltdown and contagion, another debt ceiling) are gonna be breaking against Obama at the wrong time. Then again, ECB and the Fed are going to ease which could temporarily and artificially create a bounce to get through the election. But things definitely look tougher for Obama today than they did yesterday.

I don't think yesterday's outcome has any influence on what will happen in November.  Obama still has a strong lead in WI despite what happened with the recall election (double digits in some polls, though I'm a bit skeptical of those particular numbers).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Obama is gonna pull off a "Landslide Lyndon", nor am I even saying I'm confident that he'll win.  Honestly, if the election were tomorrow, I really don't think he'd win.  I'm just saying that WI is a state that hasn't gone red in a Presidential election since Reagan.  Yet, they're certainly no stranger to electing a Republican Governor (four of their last six).  I just don't see this as groundbreaking in any way.  They're a state that, in recent history, likes their Presidents blue and their Governors red.  Last night's election and all of the current polls suggest that this will be the case again.

I know that's the conventional wisdom on the left and it may be correct (for the reasons you noted). I'm just having a tough time picturing what the typical Walker-Obama crossover voter looks like. And I'm glad to see you don't have the same hyperbolic "end of democracy" tone that's been coming out of the progressive camp since Tues night (e.g., despite what Ed Schulz says, none of the inordinate amount of money donated to Walker was illegal before Citizens United).

But I think the external environment will have a far greater impact than a recall election in WI, so in that sense, I agree with you.

[twatts]

WI and NC (both Obama in 2008) go from toss up to likely GOP.

NC is Romney's to lose...  The State's Dems are on the retreat and the GOP has pretty much been given a green-light to do whatever...  Its not surprising...

Terry

[aphineday]

George Bush won because the god fearing, flag waiving, religious right turned out in droves.
Mitt Romney will lose for the same reason.
Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.
That being said, the GOP voters as a whole will feel very differently I'm sure.
There is NO WAY Condi hops on this ticket IMHO. If she does, I could feel differently. Until then, it's Obama's to lose.

[ytowndan]

George Bush won because the god fearing, flag waiving, religious right turned out in droves.
Mitt Romney will lose for the same reason.
Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.
That being said, the GOP voters as a whole will feel very differently I'm sure.
There is NO WAY Condi hops on this ticket IMHO. If she does, I could feel differently. Until then, it's Obama's to lose.

I don't believe this election hangs in the hands of the religous right.  These kinds of Evangelicals are, ironically, some of the most judgemental people you'll ever meet, and they certainly have their issues with people that worship the "wrong" flavor of Christ.  But, while they probably won't be enthusiastic about Romney himself, they'll be totally enthuastic about anyone but Obama. 

Think like one of them for a second.  Do you want to vote for a Morman?  Or do you want to stay home and let another vote go to Obama?  I mean, Obama is the guy who allows gays to serve in the military, vowed to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act and, personally, supports same-sex marriage.  He not only supports Roe v Wade, but he also wants employers to cockblock God by providing birth control (via "socialist healthcare") to good, God fearing, taxpayers.  And, of course, please don't forget his homeboy Jeremiah Wright, and the "fact" that his second term is all about taking away your guns and holy books (which is "proven" because he hasn't done it yet).

When it comes down to Romney vs. Obama, there's no question about it.  They're gonna side with the guy who thinks Jesus is from Missouri faster than you can say "Don't Ask Don't Tell". 

[rowjimmy]

Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.

You mean like dumping millions of dollars into campaigns to prevent equal rights for homosexuals?

[VDB]

George Bush won because the god fearing, flag waiving, religious right turned out in droves.
Mitt Romney will lose for the same reason.
Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.
That being said, the GOP voters as a whole will feel very differently I'm sure.
There is NO WAY Condi hops on this ticket IMHO. If she does, I could feel differently. Until then, it's Obama's to lose.

I don't believe this election hangs in the hands of the religous right.  These kinds of Evangelicals are, ironically, some of the most judgemental people you'll ever meet, and they certainly have their issues with people that worship the "wrong" flavor of Christ.  But, while they probably won't be enthusiastic about Romney himself, they'll be totally enthuastic about anyone but Obama. 

Think like one of them for a second.  Do you want to vote for a Morman?  Or do you want to stay home and let another vote go to Obama?  I mean, Obama is the guy who allows gays to serve in the military, vowed to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act and, personally, supports same-sex marriage.  He not only supports Roe v Wade, but he also wants employers to cockblock God by providing birth control (via "socialist healthcare") to good, God fearing, taxpayers.  And, of course, please don't forget his homeboy Jeremiah Wright, and the "fact" that his second term is all about taking away your guns and holy books (which is "proven" because he hasn't done it yet).

When it comes down to Romney vs. Obama, there's no question about it.  They're gonna side with the guy who thinks Jesus is from Missouri faster than you can say "Don't Ask Don't Tell".

Well said, Dan.

Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.

You mean like dumping millions of dollars into campaigns to prevent equal rights for homosexuals?

Someone needs to point out during this campaign that Romney donates millions to the Mormon church (and gets a tax benefit for doing so), which then turns around and spends some of that money on shit like defeating Prop 8. Someone should ask Romney if he thinks intolerance should be tax-deductible.

[aphineday]

George Bush won because the god fearing, flag waiving, religious right turned out in droves.
Mitt Romney will lose for the same reason.
Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.
That being said, the GOP voters as a whole will feel very differently I'm sure.
There is NO WAY Condi hops on this ticket IMHO. If she does, I could feel differently. Until then, it's Obama's to lose.

I don't believe this election hangs in the hands of the religous right.  These kinds of Evangelicals are, ironically, some of the most judgemental people you'll ever meet, and they certainly have their issues with people that worship the "wrong" flavor of Christ.  But, while they probably won't be enthusiastic about Romney himself, they'll be totally enthuastic about anyone but Obama. 

Think like one of them for a second.  Do you want to vote for a Morman?  Or do you want to stay home and let another vote go to Obama?  I mean, Obama is the guy who allows gays to serve in the military, vowed to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act and, personally, supports same-sex marriage.  He not only supports Roe v Wade, but he also wants employers to cockblock God by providing birth control (via "socialist healthcare") to good, God fearing, taxpayers.  And, of course, please don't forget his homeboy Jeremiah Wright, and the "fact" that his second term is all about taking away your guns and holy books (which is "proven" because he hasn't done it yet).

When it comes down to Romney vs. Obama, there's no question about it.  They're gonna side with the guy who thinks Jesus is from Missouri faster than you can say "Don't Ask Don't Tell". 

This is relevant, and I honestly hadn't thought about it like that. I do think it makes the Evangelistic Righy far less likely to be excited. In the end they may end up sucking it up, and begrudgingly voting for
Romney, but I just don't see the high motivation onthe part of the GOTV campaign that they were fired up and ready to lead for GWB.

Personally, I don't have anything against the Mormons (I don't necessarily believe the same things they do, but to each their own), and in fact they've done some really great things humanitarian wise over the years.

You mean like dumping millions of dollars into campaigns to prevent equal rights for homosexuals?

Yeah, I'm definitely not on board with that, but it's somewhat expected given their core "values" and "beliefs". I was mainly speaking of non-politically motivated things. Your point is well taken though, and certainly not overlooked.