The first clue this debate was a disaster was when the moderators began to ask the placeholders on stage about candidates who weren’t even there: Mitt Rom-bot, Trump, Daniels, Huckabee, Bachmann, Gingrich, and Trump, again.
Quote:
Ironically for a network accused of right-wing bias, Fox may have done the Republican Party a monumental disservice. In the midst of one of the Obama administration’s greatest achievements—the killing of Osama bin Laden—the network made the Republican presidential primary look like a low-budget Star Trek convention, where only the guy who played Dr. McCoy and a bunch of extras bothered to show up. And the network’s overuse of a loud, annoying Price Is Right bell to cut candidates off in mid-sentence only added to the aura that this affair was a tawdry game show waiting for someone to mercifully hit a gong.
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Narrowly losing to Fox News for worst idea of the night was the attendance of actual legitimate contender—until tonight, at least—Tim Pawlenty. If I’d been there to watch the governor walk onto the stage, I would have screamed at him, Admiral Ackbar-style: “It’s a trap!” Undoubtedly his advisers thought the Minnesota governor would look like a president standing next to all these . . . I’m running out of synonyms for also-rans. He didn’t. His advisers also must have told Pawlenty to move his hands frequently, as if to give off a sense that he is actually animated. What does it say about our would-be presidential nominee when he couldn’t really outshine Gary Johnson (Who?)?
Quote:
I’m loath to acknowledge this, but by far the shrewdest candidate of the evening was Mitt Romney, for whatever excuse he had for ducking this mess (perhaps because he couldn’t reschedule his annual tune-up.) For the first time in four years, I actually missed him, his metallic hair, and his traveling Power Point caravan.
The most notable fact of the whole encounter, however, is this: Donald Trump would have outshone any of them without even trying. I’m not sure what that says about the status of the GOP race in 2012, but it definitely isn’t good.
Old news from a week ago, but this is just pathetic.
Newt Gingrich Finds Trouble in Raising Campaign Funds
Quote:
The former U.S. House speaker's American Solutions political action committee took in only $53,000 in the first three months of this year, Politico reported Wednesday, citing a report it filed with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday night.
On Hannity one of the conservative panelists stated that the winner of the debate was President Obama and heroin.
HA!
The real loser was definately Pawlenty. The only "serious" candidate of that bunch, he should have won it easily. Becauase as much as I love Paul and Johnson, they're not gonna do jackshit. Cain won't neither, nor Santorum.
If Paws couldn't beat never-will-bes and has-beens, he can't beat a Romney or shit even a Bachmann.
By LIZ SIDOTI and JENNIFER AGIESTA, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's approval rating has hit its highest point in two years — 60 percent — and more than half of Americans now say he deserves to be re-elected, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll taken after U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
In worrisome signs for Republicans, the president's standing improved not just on foreign policy but also on the economy, and independent Americans — a key voting bloc in the November 2012 presidential election — caused the overall uptick in support by sliding back to Obama after fleeing for much of the past two years.
Comfortable majorities of the public now call Obama a strong leader who will keep America safe. Nearly three-fourths — 73 percent — also now say they are confident that Obama can effectively handle terrorist threats. And he improved his standing on Afghanistan, Iraq and the United States' relationships with other countries.
Despite a sluggish recovery from the Great Recession, 52 percent of Americans now approve of Obama's stewardship of the economy, giving him his best rating on that issue since the early days of his presidency; 52 percent also now like how he's handling the nation's stubbornly high 9 percent unemployment.
The economy remains Americans' top issue.
Impressions of the nation's fiscal outlook have improved following last Friday's positive jobs report, which showed American companies are on a hiring spree. More people now say that the economy got better in the past month and that it's likely to continue doing so in the coming year.
Also, more Americans — 45 percent, up from 35 percent in March — say the country is headed in the right direction. Still, about half — 52 percent — say it's on the wrong track, meaning Obama still has work to do to convince a restive public to stay with the status quo.
Some have seen enough to know they'll stick with him.
"I was happy about bin Laden," says Brenda Veckov, 42, of Hollidaysburg, Pa. "I put my fists in the air. To me, it was just a little bit of closure for the United States."
"The president made the right decisions on this one. And I will vote for him again."
Not everyone has such an optimistic view of Obama.
"I'm very concerned" about the country, says Susan Demarest in Snellville, Ga., 56, who didn't support the Democrat last time and won't this time. "I'm in my 50s and I worry that I'm not going to be able to retire at a reasonable age and enjoy the end of my life because of Medicare and Social Security and the debt of the country." Still, she says Obama doesn't carry all of the blame.
Obama's overall political boost comes at an important time. He is embarking on his re-election campaign and is in the early days of a debate with Republicans who control the House over raising the country's debt limit. But it's unclear how long Obama's strengthened standing will last in the aftermath of bin Laden's death.
Americans say they overwhelmingly approve of the military's handling of the risky nighttime mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan. But it hasn't changed public opinion on the war in Afghanistan; most still are opposed to it, and a big majority favors Obama's plan to withdraw all combat troops by 2014.
Overall, Obama's approval rating is up from 53 percent in March and a 47 percent low point following last fall's midterm congressional elections, in which Republicans won control of the House and gained seats in the Senate. It was 64 percent in May 2009, just months after he was sworn into office.
Also, 53 percent now say he deserves to be re-elected; 43 percent say he should be fired, making it the first time in an AP-GfK poll that more people say he should get a second term than not.
"I have the impression that Barack Obama works really hard for Americans and that I see his leadership as something that should be continued," says independent voter Allison Kaplan, 25, in Austin, Texas, who voted for him in 2008. She praises the administration for handling bin Laden's raid well — "the way that it happened was the correct way" — and it reinforced her support of the president.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans who call themselves political independents now approve of him; only about half did in March. They were critical to his 2008 victory but many had fled as his administration increased government spending and passed a sweeping health care overhaul. They could just as easily turn away again between now and next fall.
Bryan Noonan, 23, of Hampstead, N.H., is one of those independents. He backed Obama in 2008 and is likely to vote for the president again, given the other options.
"I haven't been real impressed by the Republicans," he says. He doesn't hold Obama accountable for the sluggish economy or rising gas prices, issues Noonan says seem "out of his hands. It's not like there's a magic solution."
Noonan likes Obama's foreign policies and applauds the killing of bin Laden, saying: "I was pretty much relieved, happy to hear that we got him. The president absolutely deserves credit."
Among the poll's other findings:
• Sixty-nine percent say Obama will keep America safe, up from 61 percent in March; 65 percent call him a "strong leader," up from 57 percent.
• Sixty-three percent say Obama cares about people like them; 63 percent also say that he understands the problems of ordinary Americans.
• Sixty-three percent view Obama favorably, up from 59 percent in March.
Still, his re-election is far from certain. And there are warning signs in the poll.
_Nearly two-thirds of people — 61 percent — disapprove of his handling on gas prices, even though there's little a president can do about them.
_Less than half give him positive marks on dealing with the federal budget deficit or taxes, two big upcoming issues.
The Associated Press-GfK Poll was conducted May 5-9 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. It involved landline and cellphone interviews with 1,001 adults nationwide and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
Someone on-line basically summarizes Mitt Romney's official position on Healthcare.
Quote:
If we lived in a country where every citizen was required by the national government to obtain health insurance, it would be tyranny. But if we lived in a country where every citizen was required by their state government to obtain health insurance, it would be ideal.
You all got that? Good.
btw, did you all know Romney backed a Healthcare mandate in '94?
I'm sure you've heard about Pima County AZ wanting to secede and become it's own state of Baja Arizona? Apparently it is a liberal area surrounded by Conservatism.
Oh, and did you hear about the freshmen republicans who are asking the Dems to let bygones be bygones and not bring up the fact that all the Reps voted to fix (end) medicare? Yea right, that's gonna happen.
It's a strange strange time we live in.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
I'm sure you've heard about Pima County AZ wanting to secede and become it's own state of Baja Arizona? Apparently it is a liberal area surrounded by Conservatism.
Baja Arizona? Really? That's the best they could cook up? Sounds like a lousy taco shop.
Originally Posted By: The Italian Stallionette
Oh, and did you hear about the freshmen republicans who are asking the Dems to let bygones be bygones and not bring up the fact that all the Reps voted to fix (end) medicare? Yea right, that's gonna happen.
We should be encouraging their attempts to Obamacare Medicare. I mean their leading '12 candidate is the father of RomneyCare. We're all behind HC Reform.
Originally Posted By: The Italian Stallionette
It's a strange strange time we live in.
TIS
Yeah no kidding.
Newt officially threw his hat into the ring today. A real blast from the past who seriously could equally match-up with Bubba Clinton in the Slimeball Marathon.
As far as Newt goes, I don't know. I mean, if I were him, I think I would have abandoned any hopes of being President. Then again, I suppose at THIS point anyway, it's a clown show anyhow, anyone can join in.
Like I always remind myself though, there is plenty of time and plenty can happen. I still think the Right will latch on to a candidate and come together. I just think, of the current choice, it's gotta be Romney. But, what do I know?
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
(The front-running GOP candidate signing off on a government-supported pro-choice measure? That'll fly really well with the party base. Bye Bye Mittens.)
(The front-running GOP candidate signing off on a government-supported pro-choice measure? That'll fly really well with the party base. Bye Bye Mittens.)
Ha ha ha ha!!! Poor Mitt has to keep trying to put a good spin on this. That's hilarious.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
The WSJ is usually so liberal that I sometimes think I'm reading the Times .
I was going to assume you're being sarcastic buddy. This is the WSJ owned by Rupert Murdoch.
All I'll say more is: Go Bachmann '12!
Of course I'm being sarcastic!
I buy the NY Post out of force of habit. I've been buying it every day for over thirty years. But I wouldn't read the Murdoch's WSJ if it came with a free webcam link to Eva Mendes's toilet.
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
I buy the NY Post out of force of habit. I've been buying it every day for over thirty years. But I wouldn't read the Murdoch's WSJ if it came with a free webcam link to Eva Mendes's toilet.
Are you Chuck Berry?
~NY Post can be right-wing pricks, but they can deliver some hilarious headlines.
Yeah, the Post can be a riot sometimes. I love to read Andrea Peyser. We're diametrically opposed politically, but she's so batshit, conservative insane, that I can't help but laugh out loud when I read her column. I e-mail her once a week to drive her nuts. I swear to God .
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
Yeah, the Post can be a riot sometimes. I love to read Andrea Peyser. We're diametrically opposed politically, but she's so batshit, conservative insane, that I can't help but laugh out loud when I read her column. I e-mail her once a week to drive her nuts. I swear to God .
I like the Post because it's honest about what it is: A trashy tabloid. If TMZ was based in NYC instead of LA and published a newspaper, it would be the New York Post.
The irony is that the Mainstream Media, especially prime time on the cable news networks, operate now like tabloids (minus the fun) yet still demand respect as "legitimate."
fyi that WSJ hit piece was published today because Romney was giving his speech at University of Michigan supposedly explaining why his "RomneyCare" was super for Massachusetts but "Obamacare" national is bad.
I haven't read said speech (Jesus I have a life people*) but columnist Avik Roy at National Review did and replied:
"Mitt Romney just gave a more articulate defense of Obamacare than President Obama ever has."
Romney is sweating what this "announcement" will be.
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Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, will announce on Saturday whether he will run for president, the producer of his show on the Fox News Channel said Friday.
“Governor Huckabee will announce tomorrow night on his program whether or not he intends to explore a presidential bid,” Woody Fraser, the executive producer of “Huckabee” said in a statement. “He has not told anyone at FOX News Channel his decision.”
Senior political aides to Mr. Huckabee also said Friday they do not know what he will decide, raising suspicions that Mr. Huckabee will take a pass on another campaign.
Unshockingly, the DNC just put out a video featuring TV pundits pounding on Mitt Romney's recent Healthcare speech, ripping him to shreds. And why not? He's maybe the only serious GOP national candidate who tries to act like a statesman, not like a clown as the rest of the field have been doing so far.
But here's the kicker: All the TV pundits the DNC ad feature are Fox News pundits.
See kids, in sex terminology, this is what we call a handjob.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) "refused to comment when asked if he believes in evolution or the theory of creationism when asked at a press conference earlier today," the Newark Star Ledger reports.
High schooler challenges Michele Bachmann to Constitution showdown
Quote:
Dear Representative Bachmann,
My name is Amy Myers. I am a Cherry Hill, New Jersey sophomore attending Cherry Hill High School East. As a typical high school student, I have found quite a few of your statements regarding The Constitution of the United States, the quality of public school education and general U.S. civics matters to be factually incorrect, inaccurately applied or grossly distorted. The frequency and scope of these comments prompted me to write this letter.
Though I am not in your home district, or even your home state, you are a United States Representative of some prominence who is subject to national media coverage. News outlets and websites across this country profile your causes and viewpoints on a regular basis. As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally. The statements you make help to serve an injustice to not only the position of Congresswoman, but women everywhere. Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.
Rep. Bachmann, the frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States led me to submit the follow challenge, pitting my public education against your advanced legal education:
I, Amy Myers, do hereby challenge Representative Michele Bachmann to a Public Forum Debate and/or Fact Test on The Constitution of the United States, United States History and United States Civics.
Hopefully, we will be able to meet for such an event, as it would prove to be enlightening.
I'm sure as Amy says, "it would prove to be enlightening," which is why Bachman won't do it. It ain't gonna happen. Nice idea though.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
Apparently it is a liberal area surrounded by Conservatism. 
.