I am not familiar with any of these choices except Kyl, which I despise. He is pond scum and walked out of the debt-ceiling talks with Cantor. The good news is that he is not running for re-election in 2012.
Jackie, Toomey is from Pa.,won this year with teabagger support. Portman might be semi-ok/ I think Hensarling is from Texas
& very conservative. I may be wrong about him tho.
I stand corrected about Portman. StR says below that he’s a teabagger too. Oh well, they said they’d only put anti-tax
folks on the committee. Guess we should have known. 😦
Actually, I wonder if there is even one GOP member that has not signed the Grover Norquist no tax pledge? Maybe Standard & Poor’s assessment about politics being stuck in the USA is true. Stuck on stupid. It seems to me the GOP will use everything they can use to fight taxes and make PBO look incompetent with the help of the media smears as they blame their obstruction and poor choice results on him.
Carol,I want to tell you that Hensarling is from the Dallas area of Texas a Ultra rich conservative area so think of him as a Teabagger with money. I live in Texas and know the type Big Oil and the Good Old Boy Network in action.Expect a total fight against taxes be raised.
* Pat Toomey is the former head of the right-wing Club for Growth. He’s talked about privatizing Social Security; blames FDR for the Great Depression; and is on record comparing moderate Republicans to communists.
* Rob Portman used to serve as George W. Bush’s budget director. No, seriously, he really did. After pleading with voters to ignore his entire record in public life, Portman was elected anyway and now Republicans want him to help shape a debt-reduction plan.
I think is the last thing we need in this country, another dysfunctional committee, super or otherwise. No one can stand one more minute of watching this kind of heels dug in ugliness. It’s depressing the American people, it’s depressing the markets and the economy. From the Repub makeup of this committee, this is going nowhere fast. Just stupid.
Kyl is on record saying defense cuts should be unconstitutional and is Senate minority whip and retiring in 2012, Portman was Bush’s CBO in 2007 and before that was his US Trade Rep in 2005 and 2006, Toomey is former President of Club for Growth and is fervently anti-tax. Portman and Toomey rode the teabagger wave in in 2010 and are not up for re-election until 2016.
David Camp has said that the promises made with the social insurance programs will not be kept, Hensarling called Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid “Ponzi schemes.”
If they can’t come to an agreement the triggers go in to effect which will be cuts to Defense and Medicare, Medicaid providers. And the agreement has to include revenues, correct?
I don’t think it has to include revenues, but President Obama will hold the Bush Tax Cuts over the head of those involved. They could try to cut $1.2T, but it would be draconian cuts if they barely touch Defense and don’t include revenues. My understanding is that it has to be a 1.2T deficit off-set, meaning any combination of cuts and revenues.
Frankly this is incredibly stupid, but stupid is as stupid does. They just keep tightening and tightening the noose of their own making.
Their own constituents do not want what they have to offer.
StR, My god, Kyl is an idiot. Does he not know that a large majority of people do not want anymore wars? It is a wonder he is not drooling from his mouth, you would think Kyl might have had a stroke.
The thing about Kyl–He did not used to be like this. He was already a true rightie, but I lived in Arizona for 14 years and he was never this bad. It is his hatred of PBO that he is operating from.
I still think this super committee is going to fail. They are already fighting. And if they fail or it cannot pass the house or senate the trigger kicks in which means Bushie tax cuts end. Yahoooooo!
Linda, that just knocks my socks off. Grover got to decide who is on the committee. This is unbelievable. Grover is the republican mafia. You don’t cross the godfather. Wow, just wow!
Jeb Hensarling is co-sponsor of new Republican leadership proposal to privatize Social Security. http://bit.ly/m50PF3
Calls Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Ponzi schemes.
Toomey is awful and a real tragedy for Pa–a perfect example of what not coming out to vote accomplishes. There is no way this group will come to an agreement. There will be absolute deadlock!
The latest reports are that Republicans are launching a smear campaign this week against ten Democrats who stood up and opposed the Tea Party plan to flat out end Medicare so they can give more tax breaks to multi-millionaires and Big Oil companies.
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Oh how I wish we could do something about getting the country back on its feet instead of constantly having to fight Scumpublicans trying to tear the country down for political gain. I just looked at our retirement account this morning and found it’s dropped another horrifying amount and Alan and I sat here trying to work out how much longer we can live before we run out.
Granted, we were laughing a bit about it, but I can’t see what else we can do but laugh. Alan’s family is very long lived, mine not so much. But he said, according to his figures, if we both live until 90 we’re sunk.
Reforming the tax code isn’t raising taxes – the Gang of Six had this plan and Norquist signed off on it. You lower rates while closing loopholes(which isn’t raising taxes either to Norquist) and revenue is raised as companies currently not paying because of loopholes and write-offs will have to pay again.
I thought Norquist backed off his statement about closing loopholes not being tax increases. It seems there is not enough time to revamp the entire tax code.
I think Camp, Upton and Portman could potentially be folks that could negotiate in good faith with. I say Portman because he has Vice Presidential aspirations (he’s too bland for the top of the ticket) – he was mentioned as a possibility for McCain, is mentioned as a possibility for the 2012 GOP nominee running mate and is often mentioned as Jeb Bush’s VP pick already for 2016 (to take Florida and Ohio off the table as swing states). Upton and Camp are both long time pols, Camp serving since 1991 and Upton since 1987 – so both served from the end of George HW Bush, though Clinton and George W. Bush. At least they’re not teabaggers.
Camp was on Simpson Bowles and voted against it because it raised taxes.
Baucus voted against the final Bowles-Simpson proposals because they would have cut elderly and veterans’ benefits and fought President George W. Bush’s push to privatize Social Security and is a vocal critic of a House Republican plan to privatize Medicare for future retirees.
It hurts me to think of Jeb Bush running in 2016. If we can get Obama re-elected in 2012 I’d hate to see another Bush in office right afterwards to undo all that will be done to help us get out of the mess created by GW.
Which is why Perry running is pissing off a lot of Bushies. He’ll remind folks a lot of Dubya, and the plan was to hope eight years would be enough for folks to forget about Dubya and be open to Jeb. Now it will be like going from Dubya, to his doppleganger, to his brother.
To remind House Republicans that Americans are still waiting for a jobs bill, we created this clock. You can let them know that job creation is still a priority for Americans by embedding the widget below on your website or sharing a link to this page.
It’s time for Republicans to reject their “So Be It” spending plan, which puts ideology before jobs, and join House Democrats to create a plan that reduces the deficit, creates jobs, and strengthens the middle class.
In regards to the GOP’s choices for the SC: sad and unsurprising.
OT: I F*&^%$**() HATE Dell!!!!! I hate them with a fricking passion! They make substandard crap and turn around and charge you an arm and a leg! And when you buy a warranty for one particular reason: having an agent come to your home to fix the problem, they find a way to screw you over so you HAVE to send your computer to their STUPID depot. I despise dell and as soon as my warranty is up I’m gonna restore that sucker to factory setting and sell it off. It’s rarely used but everytime I turn it on, there’s a problem! The only reason it’s typically turn that stinker on is to run bi- weekly anti-virus scans anyway (even though there never are any viruses or spyware). I wish I’d bought a Mac instead. But nooooooooo. “I’m a PC girl, I don’t get Mac.” If current me could go back in time and smack three years ago me upside the head, I would soooo do it in a heart beat! Fricking Dell and fricking Lisa2008!!!!! Curses! 😡
ps- at least nothing has happened to my netbook as of yet……….. knock on wood. 😕
Ohhhh, so sorry you’re having computer issues. It can really drive you crazy. I’ve never owned a PC but had to work on one once at one of my workplaces. It nearly drove me insane. I’ve always owned Macs. One great thing about Macs is you don’t have virus problems. But I’m you already knew that!!
Lisa I know what you mean brought a Dell because I could drive to the outlet store here in Texas and learned about the Dell Hell first hand.Brought a Acer Timeline Super thin laptop works out of this world and so light to carry around.Look At http://www.newegg.com and they have great buys when you want to replace the junk Dell
Now is a great time to buy a computer cuz of the back-to-school deals. Sorry to hear about your issues. I can’t even begin to know how I’d cope w/o a reliable computer.
Ditto. I love my mac. It was a refurbished mac that they upgraded. A really good deal.
Hello Tien. Tien has been writing some terrific pieces at TPV. Check it out.
We knew this was what we’d get. All the Rs are the same. Glad PBO put the trigger in place. No way these idiots are going to agree and we’d better hold Harry’s crew’s feet to the fire not to cave. Then the tax cuts expire and defense gets cut automatically. We really need to be fighting back on this concerted attack on PBO, his leadership and mental state. This is the republican meme being pushed by Tweety and company.
Now I read Cheney is going to be on all the major morning shows to push his book at the end of the month. This is just another part of the attack.
That Hunstman announcement is pretty pathetic, and even more pathetic for this Bush Jr to talk about the debt piled on the backs of whomever, when it’s his own uncle who piled that debt on!? These people – lying is like breathing to them.
I made a mistake earlier and thought it was Jeb Bush Sr. Looks ridiculous indeed to make such a big fuss about that endorsement. I maintain my earlier comment though: I think the REAL power brokers will push Huntsman.
I used to fear Huntsman a bit, but now that he has gone to the dark side, I am not as worried, but I still think I would prefer Perry or even Romney. Huntsman used to be an old school repuglican–not any more.
I just remembered that the repugs are debating tomorrow evening on Foxx. It should be interesting. I need to know my enemies.
Did we expect anything else on these appointments? We’ve yet to see Nancy’s appointments. Those will be interesting.
I think these appointments, and the antics we can anticipate, will do nothing but lower the Republicans in the public’s estimation. They have pulled themselves pretty far down already, and are seeming to enjoy it. People must be shown in detail what they intend to do to the social safety net….that will affect not only those now on Medicare and Social Security, but will leave the next generation drowning with no help at all. Privatize Social Security???? Are you kidding me? And have the stock market fall precipitously again….then where would these teabaggers be? It’ll be time to bring back the county workhouses, and ship everyone off to those.
It seems that every American thinks that “nothing will happen to me” it will affect the other guy….and in the meantime “I might strike it rich and not need Social Security.”….what peculiar universe do these people live in? It’s not reality.
Well this committee (sorry, there is nothing super about it) can’t touch the social safety net (except Medicare on the provider side) so honestly there isn’t going to be much they’re going to do that the general public will pay attention to. It will be just a bunch of beltway posturing for the benefit of people who follow politics. I’m more interested in how the work that gets done between now and Thanksgiving affects the Republicans running for President. Frankly, I think this whole thing is pretty crafty in the timing. Could be fun.
A small correction: The committee can do anything it damn well pleases. It’s a misconception that the safety net is safe throughout the process. It’s safe through the initial cuts, and safe under the trigger, except for Medicare providers. But anything can happen from the committee.
What will be true is that Obama will not accept a cuts only plan that destroys Medicare. He will insist on revenues being part of the package. Unfortunately, he has little leverage over the committee, except the threat of a veto.
I do want to see a bona fide progressive, if not two. It’s nothing to be ashamed of — Keynesian economics should be represented proudly on this committee. The Senate picks are moderate enough.
Boy, do I love Jay Carney. He just gave a very thorough response to a snarky question from Jake (permanent snarl) Tapper who questioned the OPTICS of President Obama going on vacation to Martha’s Vineyard with his family. And of course he had to bring up the Smiley and West traveling minstrel show that is going around the country complaining about President Obama. Tapper made a point to quote some of the nastier comments from both.
This seems to be the silly season topic – Doesn’t seem to be taking off so far at least. I mean couldn’t it be put on Jake “Hey there is hundreds of millions without drinkable water and you take ten minute showers – how do you live with yourself?”
It’s like the talking points memo, which we used to believe only went out to Repub factions, now goes out to the entire media. And they all go along. This vacation memo is big today, all are talking about how horrible it will be for Obama to go on vacation. It’s the same questions and the same criticisms from one and all. What I couldn’t believe is that everyone jumped in to defend Michelle Bachmann from the wide-eyed crazy Newsweek cover, even Jon Stewart who is now also wandering in the wilderness. First, why would that issue deserve so much attention, big chunks of every single news-related program, all defending Bachmann from being photographed the way she always looks? It’s crazy time, absolutely.
The media NEEDS an election season that is not a did in the ratings. Imagine the advertising dollars on the line. Bottom line: all the media personalities who’re the line that is determined by editors to make for an “exciting” race in 2012. Good for ratings, yes. Good for the country, no way.
1) What about the “optics” of Speaker In Name Only John Boehner going off on recess while leaving the FAA re-authorization hanging and leaving thousands out of work? It was the pressure from PBO, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the Democrats that got the issue resolved until September.
2) What about the “optics” of congress dragging it’s feet to change the No Child Left Behind law and causing the administration to step in to provide waivers for states who are desperate for help. Congress isn’t doing it’s job.
3) What about the “optics” of not appointing a head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau?? Their only job is to protect consumers.
4) What about the “optics” of the GOP presidential candidates who feel they are qualified to be leader of the free world but are not able to make a coherent statement about any of the issues that President Obama has been dealing with.
5) What about the “optics” of the Republican majority in the house not introducing any jobs bills in over seven months??
I could go on and on. Why is President Obama always to blame for everything?? The easy route for the lazy media stenographers is to carry water for the GOP. It looks like they all got their talking points ironed out today. Jake Tapper and Ed Henry did their little tag team act today. Both made it a point to quote negative comments about PBO from West, Smiley, Dowd, and others. It was a pathetic display of what passes for journalism these days.
Excellent – I’m so sick of having to react to the nonsense from these talking points, when the truth is that these media whore and the GOP have been flinging horrendous accusations at President Obama since he came on the national scene, and no one has jumped in to defend him out of that group of layabouts. They had a tizzy yesterday over that Romney-religion rumour, but they’ve been accusing President Obama of lying about his religion, and castigating the entire Muslim community for years, spreading vile accusations and creating animosity against any Islamic followers. They’ve put horrendous pictures of the President and his family, shared disgusting emails, vacationed while the country burned and then attacked the President while he tried to put out the fires that they started. I’m sick of them.
I agree that Michelle Bachmann’s photo wasn’t all that bad as I have seen here eyes look bugged out even more than in that photo plenty of times while she is talking on camera. I even wondered if she might have Grave’s Disease at one time as my sister-in-law has it and one of the symptoms is eyes looking like they are bulging.
He brings these issues up to put them out as a meme knowing full well that Jay is going to counter his assertions. He puffs up when asking them and barely listens when Jay is answering them. He’s such a tool.
I was wishing that Jay could call on someone like Jake Tapper and let him ask his questions then just call on another reporter without even answering the questions. That might teach the reporters they only get answers to reasonable questions. Knowing how out of it the journalists are I know it wouldn’t work as they would just band together and each would ask that question. Remember the time PBO or Axelrod said that Fox was not a genuine news outlet and all the other outlets defended Fox? That to me was unbelievable.
Our best plan of attack might be to contact the Dem members and let them know the trigger isn’t a bad deal given what is walled off and the defense cuts. It would be all cuts, but half would be from the Pentagon, and then the revenues would come from the Bush Tax cuts expiring.
Even if we think the trigger is brutal, we need to make it seem like it is acceptable to get the GOP to negotiate and give on issues.
This is a good idea – almost reverse psychology on our own side. They tend to get risk-averse and start catering to politics when they think things are getting a little scary and that they might need to put their necks out a little.
These tax-o-phobes still have to deal with the reality of cutting defense or corporate medical providers to meet their targets. Let them do that voodoo they do. We all know medical costs need to be contained and their participation will only serve to strengthen the case for Obamacare as the right wing ballyhoos their ability toavoid raising taxes. They were put into a no win scenario by PBO.
The Committee will be in TEATHUG HEAVEN folks. Gear up for a lot of continued non compromise from our friends. Rob Portman is a FRESHMAN Teapartrier from my home state of Ohio whom was endorsed by none other than Sarah Palin herself in last years elections. He is a bonified crook who worked on “W”‘s finance team in 2005 and 2006. He and our Teagov John Kasich are two peas in a pod. God help us with this Committee. 😕
Entitlements are NOT off the table in the negotiations, just walled off as part of the trigger fallout. The negotiators will negotiate on entitlement reforms – and they will push for deep cuts as trying to get 1.3T in cuts only, while sparing the Pentagon budget means savaging SS, Medicare and Medicaid.
Yes, this is very important: this is a common misconception that the safety net is walled off throughout the entire process. It lulls people into a false sense of security.
Anything can happen in the committee — anything. This is the perfect opportunity for Obama to have an ongoing conversation with America about the kind of country we want to be. He has his work cut out for him — many of these outrageously false assumptions about debt and investment have been ingrained for a generation.
Doesn’t PBO still have to sign the final agreement? If he vetoes it the trigger would go into effect with the Medicare Providers provision in it and the cutting Defense Dept. then letting the Bush tax cuts expire. I actually think those things may not be as bad as the potential agreements that could be made by the Super Committee.
A: If the joint committee can’t come up with a plan that the Senate, the House, and President Obama can all approve by January 15, 2012, it automatically sets off what’s known as a “trigger.” This trigger puts pressure on both sides to compromise, because it would make cuts that would be painful for Democrats and Republicans alike – half the cuts would come from domestic programs, and half from defense.
However, President Obama made sure that Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare benefits would not be cut in the event that the trigger is set off. Neither would programs for the most vulnerable, such as food stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
I’m so glad people are clearing this up for me. Sorry for misunderstanding. I like this, actually. Everyone has to agree or face the consequences. The President will never agree to cuts to beneficiaries. Plus, lookie at da date…Jan 15th. Right there in Iowa Caucus territory. Any time the Rs advocate for cutting Medicare or SS, the ads will fly against the R Prez candidates.
I hereby dub these committee teabaggers “OATHERS” — the senators all signed Grover’s Pledge, thereby showing that their loyalties lie not with the American people or the Constitution but with some cult conceived by Norquist.
Feel free to use it in a sentence, e.g., “Do you really expect these Oathers to raise taxes on the rich, like 80% of the American people say to do? Perish the thought – they are Oathers!”
Detroit Refudiates the West/Smiley “Poverty Tour” Mandate 😀
Oh snap!
West and Smiley, two Negros who probably haven’t been near a black neighborhood since the days of the Rainbow Coalition, revved up their Poverty Tour bus and rolled through Detroit today, and Detroit was not having it.
See, West and Smiley are butthurt about blog knows what, and seem to spend most of their time whinging about Obama: he’s not free; he’s ignoring black people; he “fears free black men.”
The seemingly incessant attacks have not gone unnoticed. Certainly in the blogosphere, the black community routinely calls out the Soul Patrol and their tenured, book-selling asses for their bullshit. But it came as a surprise (to me, at any rate) that the discontent had spread to, like, real life:
Detroiters have gathered at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center to protest an event hosted by Tavis Smiley and Cornel West.
West and Smiley host a nationally syndicated public radio program and have faced sharp criticism for their stance against President Obama. They have launched an event they call the “Poverty Tour.”
Councilwoman Joann Watson is also coming under fire for letting them into City Hall and hosting the presentation.
Both Smiley and West told Action News reporter Val Clark that the event is not an anti-Obama tour, but do say they believe the President hasn’t done enough for the poor.
A spokesperson for the community organization “Detroiters for Better Government” says Detroiters will stand united against this event.
“We will not stand silent as Smiley and West criticize the man who brought us health care reform, one of the greatest accomplishments for the poor in our nation’s history,” says David Stephen. This event has nothing to do with the poor and everything to do with enriching Tavis Smiley. Detroit must send a strong message to Washington that although some elected officials may support this anti-Obama rally on government property, the people do not.”
(more WXYZ coverage here)
Apparently these Detroiters kept their protest plans secret so when West and Smiley rolled through, they could be like, “Surprise, bitches! Who’s smiley now?”
DAYUM! I’d say, “you got served!” if black people still said that sort of thing.
Oh, and THIS JUST IN: West’s lopsided ‘fro escaped unscathed.
I just read on WSY that Jesse Jackson has joined the sole patrol in attacking PBO. Because apparently African Americans are all disappointed in the Prez for not caring about them asd PBO better watch out because AAs wont vote for him.
I have had it!!
If the president does not address blacks’ needs in a similar fashion (Mayor Bloomberg/NY), many might jump ship instead of waiting for a theoretical tide to give us a boost.
It’s the good ole Lynchburg theory – “divide and conquer”.
POTUS is trying to improve the education systems, provide job training programs and link them with businesses that will hire the trainee’s, provide affordable medical coverage – you guys know the stanza’s to this song – and YET, there are those who have eyes and ears and still won’t believe!
So I guess they would rather have a President Perry, Romney or Bachmann who could care less about AA’s or any other minority. What they are complaining about now would only get worse if any of these folks are elected. I am so sick of West, and Smiley. I want to know what realistic solutions do they propose. They should know better than this. They should be taking their concerns to congress. Why are they trying to turn African Americans against the best thing that has happened to us? All of these people have jealous and self interest motives.
COS, sadly it has nothing to do with wanting another Perry, Romney or Bachmann. The sole patrol can’t believe that PO has moved to the forefront and they (sole patrol) are no longer relevant.
That much is clear and AA’s get that. Not sure if you listened to the clips played by Steve Harvey that Tulips posted yesterday in the tuesday thread but that segment echos what I hear from everyone I connect with. (link originally posted by Tulips http://www.v103.com/pages/sh.html?article=8939870)
I am going to leave Jesse Jackson and his skeletons in his closet alone and just say we are not falling for the hype.
No you’re right. During the 2008 campaign, Jesse Jackson felt slighted that then candidate Obama hadn’t paid his proper dues and hadn’t paid him (Jesse) proper respects and kowtowing; so during a break in a live interview that he was giving, he forgot that he was on an open mike and said that if he ever came face to face to that “n” word he would cut his balls off. He later apologized for those sentiments, but it was shocking, vile and disgusting to say the least. The 2008 had its share of both uglies and non-uglies.
Smiley, West and Jackson are petty people who like to gang up on people when they perceive the victim as weak. They are like a pack of wild dogs. They are sickening. Hopefully, the AA community trusts PBO more than those three schisters. 😕
Those three are also extremely jealous of Rev Al and the attention he is getting from POTUS and on the air. Remember, Rev Al was at POTUS’ 50th birthday party while those three had their noses pressed against the wrought iron gate! LOL!!!!
All I am saying – even Steve Harvey had to call out this Poverty Tour garbage. If you have time listen to the three radio clips posted above. It is a little edgy but is funny as heck.
Hi Fred, I placed a call to Ms. JoAnn Watson on August 9, 2011, from my home in my sick bed. She answered so unprofessionally and was just plain rude, however, I kept my cool and polite attitude in check, and told her what I thought of her negative press, her attitude, Mr. Tavis Smiley and Dr. West efforts to try and pull this awful hate on the President. She listened, the she put on her rude politician personality and got off of the phone. I was not talking. I prayed for her after concluding the phone call. And I prayed that God would serve justice to her and Tavis and West. Plain and simple. No hate or anger from me, just tired of the game playing on President Obama. Not Now, and No More. Love you all back also. HZ
NOTHING! and they’re doing nothing now except giving lip service.Where was their bus tour during the past 30 years beginning with Reagan at the beginning of tearing down the middle class? Poverty did not begin in January 2009. Just tweeted to them that their pimp-my-book tour is going by way of Trump-the-chump tour and their 15 mininutes are almost up… Tick-tock…
Fred, this is fantastic. I know you cannot see me, but I am jumpin up and down. Those dirt bags deserve to be called out. This thing about Jessie getting involved does not surprise me in the least. The man has been jealous since the 2008 campaign. Someone came along that roused people–like Jessie used to do. I often wondered on the night of the election in Grant Park, if he was crying tears of joy or sadness.
I do not mean to be nasty about the Reverend J., but he has been harping on Obama for the last 3-4 years. Remember when he was caught on mike saying he would like to cut the president’s balls off?
These three men are jealous. Al, will criticize the Pres., but he does not belittle the President. Ha Ha, Al was invited to the 50th birthday party, but not those other jokers. Is this bus tour promoted by Jane the Snake Hamsher?
Great. Now the media is jumping on the bandwagon in aiding and abetting the GOP in veerbally destroying Patty Murray. They keep screaming that she’s the chair of the fundraising committee and therefore she won’t be serious about cuts. These idiots conveniently forgot to mention that Murray is the incoming chair of the Budget Committee I believe and therefore she is more than qualified to be on the committee. I’m glad President Obama fought back and said that he fully supports Murray still being on the fundraising committee and he 100% backs Reid’s decision to put her on the super committee. I looove how no one in the media is mentioning that the GOP’s picks are all teabaggers who signed the Norquist pledge. Noooo… it’s only the dems that everyone has a problem with. Jerks.
Posted this on an earlier thread entitled “surprise surprise” but I believe it bears reposting with some addendums as it is a serious matter of concern.
When one has friends in high places, one is able to stretch ones corrupt tentacles far and wide. S&P has never downgraded the US ever before. Especially during the mess that was the Bush Admin. Then a democrat comes into power, regulates the financial market, exposes them for the recalcitrant and corrupt hacks they are, dems in congress hold their feet to the fire and what do they do? They conveniently downgrade us. It is all politics. When Romney was Gov. of Massachusetts, the state was 47th in job creation, he only created about one million jobs from 2003-2007, the state was in a mess budget wise and what did S&P do? They gave Romney a credit ratings upgrade. Are you freaking kidding me?
Yesterday in a thread entitled “the team” Hachiko wrote and warned us all about the Politico piece where they said that President Obama and his campaign team were going to swiftboat Romney by using dogwhistle tactics by pointing out his weirdness aka his Mormonism, his personal characteristics, his style of dressing and acting, etc etc. She was right to tell us to be vigilant, because with Romney looking like the eventual nominee, they’ve already begun reaching to the GOP run media and demonizing President Obama as an intolerant human being. People might try to brush it off, but it is already seeping its way into mainstream talk. Chris Matthews ran with it and no matter how much we might consider him and emotional flip flopper, his show is respected and he took the battle to the Today Show this morning and coninued on this meme. A lot of older folks watch these morning shows, they are the ones who mostly come out to vote in general and off year elections and then they hear that President Obama is going to use such despicable tactics? CNN, Morning Joe and other morning shows are already running with this politico hitpiece and presenting it as fact. They’re all reporting how Romney was angered and saddened by President Obama playing dogwhistle politics, how Romney released such a well thought out statement, how President Obama should be ashamed of himself and his campaign team. Also Hachiko was right when she said Romney would use this as a fundraising mechanism. It has already begun. Romney has already begun collecting money from lots of people who believed the politico hitpiece and he now has an ad running on every major station. The ad shows President Obama giving his speech at the Tucson memorial for the lives lost at the hands of Jared Loughner and he calls for civility in our public discourse and how we shouldn’t use inflammatory language, symbols and personal attacks on those on the other side of the aisle that we don’t agree with. The ad then shows clippings from the politico hitpiece citing dem sources stating that President Obama will indeed use ugly inflammatory language and personal attacks on Romney. The ad is disgusting especially Romney using the Tucson memorial for politics. But that’s politics for you. The only person who has come out against the politico hitpiece and shown it for the crap and BS that it is; is Lawrence O’Donnell. Only one person. The rest on basic tv and cable have been taking Romney’s side and heavily demonizing President Obama. So Hachiko was right to implore of us to fight back, fight back fight back because this attack paints President Obama in an ugly light and no matter how much he pushes back and he has God bless his heart, all stations I’ve watched today and all reporters are heavily pushing Romneys side. It sure is an ugly world we live in and President Obama is going to need us to continually push back hard against these outright lies and hatchet jobs.
ps: This is what really disturbed me about the politico hit piece. It was released yesterday and early this morning, Romney already has an ad that I have seen on all cable stations and the big four non cable channels. No “journalist” or “pundit” except Lawrence O’Donnell questioned this article. How the heck was Romney able to already have an ad that’s running on all major news channels when the article isn’t even 24 hours old? Something is really fishy and really really disturbing. I’ve always known politico was a GOP shill machine; but this just takes it to even lower depths. The ad is frankly nerfarious and vile.
so true, UT. everything about Romney and his backing is nefarious and vile. they are disgusting. the fact that they can’t win a fair fight is the reason they always resort to cheating. Romney is a straw man who- if EVER elected- will just be a front man for Rove, Kochs, etc. It’s disgusting what this society and politics have sunk to.
As disgusting as all of this is, none of it is unexpected, as you know ut.
What is interesting is the timing – they’ve all overplayed their hand a year too early. It would have been a very different situation were these events happening at this time next year. Instead, they are providing President Obama, all Democratic candidates and all of us an opportunity to use their vile behavior against them.
The American people are, unfortunately for the rabid radical republican party, paying attention – evidenced, already, in President Obama’s poll numbers.
As the old adage says – don’t get angry, get even.
We can be thankful that they are making it so easy for us to ‘get even’ on Election Day 2012.
Bob you are right abt the timing. They did play too soon. The American people have had a chance to be truly disgusted at their behavior. All polls show this. We will get even with our work for the President.
It is all a fabrication because David Ax said mittens sense of humor was weird. It is. They built it into this enormous story that is not going to die for a while. This happens constantly. I guess it is okay if mittens tries to undermine Obama everyday, that is okay with Chris. After all Obama is supposed to be pure. vomit. We have to try and stay calm, but I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of the lies and rumors that we are going to be faced with.
I will write another email to chris and reprimand him for going national on the morning shows. Pig, fer.
Why is the hate for the Pres extra vile today? Because they can’t keep him from the American people. Poll after poll shows him kicking Repub butt. Sorry for those you just think polls are a waste of time.. But I think sometimes they do tell us what’s going on in the country. Here’s latest from CO.
“Obama still has solid leads over all of his potential Republican opponents. Only Mitt Romney improves on John McCain’s 9 point margin of defeat in the state, trailing Obama by 7 points at 48-41. That’s almost identical to the 47-41 lead we found for Obama in February, interesting considering the drop in his approval numbers since that time. Against the rest of the GOP field Obama holds a double digit advantage: he’s up 12 on Michele Bachmann at 51-39, 13 on Rick Perry at 51-38, and 16 on both Herman Cain and Sarah Palin at 51-35 and 54-38 respectively.”
Thanks for this Proud. I got back from college classes today, turned on my tv and lo and behold every news program had an Obama bashing segment every 5 minutes or so. I just sat back stunned. Thought I was in an alternate universe. I mean EVERY NEWS CHANNEL was bashing him for and on everything. I mean wtf? Chris Matthews went rabid on the Today show this morning with spittle flying everywhere calling President Obama “this guy” “that one” and just basically verbally abusing and punching him. It was vile just vile. Now I see that whenever he goes up in the polls, they band together like a sore and just try hour after hour to verbally decimate him. Disgusting. But they will never ever break our spirits.
UT, I posted in another thread, we need to go on the attack against the media. I know we’ve discussed this before, but we need to review our thoughts and plans and really act. It’s clear this is a strategy to bring down the Pres numbers and standing with the American people. The memes now is he’s not a leader, he’s weak, he needs a shrink. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen and clear that the republican controlled media — including spitty mouth Chris — have been given their marching orders.
Poll after poll shows America hates every Repub candidate and prefers the President. They got nothing but lies, cheating and slandering of our President.
I tweet every day to let Morning Joke and the rest of them know we’re on to them, but we need to do more.
That is why…the JOBS Bus Tour is important….he will engage the American People in what must be done …to join him in the fight for jobs…to connect with them …..to state what he plans to do….and get people on board…..
the right is soooooo desperate…to change the message…to control the message….
Proud, I am with you on this. We need to get a plan together. I do not really know how to tweet, but each of us should vow to take action on anything or anyone who is lying about the president or does not have the correct facts. One of the things that I do when I write an email is give my name and where I live. If we all send a complaint or correction to someone, and the receivers saw that the complaints were coming from all over the country, it might be look impressive to the receivers.
I too make sure that I include my city and state when I send an email to complain. I agree that it would carry a lot of weight if they see that the complaints are coming from different cities and states.
President Obama surprises campaign volunteer workers today at lunch in DC.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Volunteers on President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign have welcomed an unexpected lunch guest: Obama himself.
The White House says the volunteers were selected based on essays they wrote about organizing. Obama got his start in politics by working as a community organizer in his Chicago hometown.
The president joined the group at Ted’s Bulletin, a new Capitol Hill restaurant that serves classic American food, including burgers and shakes.
Last week, Obama treated a group of senior aides who were involved in negotiations over the government’s finances to burgers and shakes at a different Capitol Hill eatery.
Was not the Rev Wright saga going on in August 2007. Religion again. Did not work then will not work now. Jesse Jackson Tavis Smiley and Cornel West are three poor black men who have midget egos trying to hurt the one President who has done more for AAs in less than three years than the entire time combined of these three nincompoops. Jackson Smiley and West are nothing more than uncle toms. Every false tongue rises up against President Obama will fail. So sad to see all the monies and the media being used to derail President Obama. It won’t work.
“This is the first president in my professional career that hasn’t invited me to the White House.” None other than Tavis Smiley, the second half the poverty tour racket.
So AARP and Feeding America are sponsoring this tour. So I called them and told them Smiley and West were not being received too well and they might not want to be associated with such a pair. Hee hee. If you want to call:
I just called AARP. I give the young girl a bit of a history lesson on Tavis Smiley and Cornel West. I told her they have upset a lot of people. I told her I was about to join, but now I can’t with their support of these two.
If you haven’t called, call them, please. She said she would pass it on.
THANKS Proud! I’m on it!! I’ve received several invites from AARP to join and now I can give them a legitimate reason for my concern about their appropriation & disbursement of my monies.
Isn’t that something what Tavis said. I always knew this whole thing wasn’t about his concern for the black community. Tavis said President Obama is the first President not to invite him to the White House. There the truth is right there. How is riding around in a bus helping the black community. Why aren’t Cornel and Tavis spending their money and knowledge to help the black community?
And that’s a lie! Tavis has not been invited by every President since his professional career began. LIAR! Only GW Bush & Bill Clinton and both were begrudgingly.
The Boston Globe is reporting that Rob DeMartini, president and CEO of New Balance, has issued a statement distancing the shoe company from a $500,000 donation board chairman Jim Davis made to the pro-Romney political action committee Restore Our Future, citing the former Massachusetts governor’s support for a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
In the statement, DeMartini emphasizes that while the company “encourage[s] civic engagement at all levels and will always respect the right of any of our associates to engage in the political process” and “typically [does] not comment on private political donations,” Romney’s support for the National Organization for Family’s proposal to add federal marriage amendment to the Constitution is “not reflective of Jim Davis’, my, or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community.”
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
So Jim Davis says he made the donation because of Romney’s support for Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage but Mr. DeMartini says “not reflective of Jim Davis’, my, or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community.” Davis said he made the donation because of the anti-equality pledge Romney made.
Okay nevermind. I misread the article. Davis made the donation before Romney signed off on being a bigot. I believe you can request donations back though, so Mr. Davis still owns it.
I called Feeding America and only got a recording. AARP didn’t even say who they were but to type in the number of the person I wanted to talk with. I called New Balance and got the receiving desk and he had not idea what was going on. Looks like they were expecting this and making it impossble to talk to anyone.
I just want to change the subject for a minute. What is the First Lady up to? I like seeing the First Lady doing her thing. Maybe she is taking a break.
I read somewhere that she was in Oregon vising her brother. Sorry Anniebella, can’t remember where I saw that! Thought it was obama foodorama. They have a nice article on her there. She’s being honored by James Beard Foundation.
Yes, she’s there with the girls and Mrs. Robinson. The town is very excited and everyone is hoping to spot her. FLOTUS usually takes August off (publicly). Also, I read last year that her staff works so hard that this is the only month her staff has a chance to take a vacation time off. She’s working but no public events for the month of August.
Another poll that shows why Repubs are sooooooooooo desperate. In Michigan, Dems would retake the state house by 47-36.
-Voters must not be very happy with the Michigan House of Representatives back in Republican control, because they say if they could vote today they’d support Democrats for the legislature by a 47-36 margin. A lot of Democratic voters jumped ship last year but now 94% say they would support their party’s candidates if the election was today, compared to only 88% of GOP voters committed to their party. Republicans do lead by a 6 point margin with independents but that represents a significant shift from the blow out advantages GOP candidates tended to have with them in the state last year. Democrats would probably retake control of the House if they won the popular vote by this much next November.
Why all the Dem volunteers should be in Wirch and Holperin districts – It seems like GOP Senator Dale Shultz might really be thinking of possibly jumping parties. He’s in a district a lot like Sen. Kapanke’s was and Kapanke was routed by Shilling. It went 60% for Obama in 2008, and given Shultz will be THE deciding vote on a lot of issues and is relatively moderate (voted against union busting bill) he’ll likely be primaried by a Republican anyways.
Quite worthwhile suggestion, StR. Hope you can communicate it to the folk who matter. You may want to suggest it directly to Deaniac and Eclectablog so they can bring it to the attention of those they know.
Yes, I am listening to her. Although, Randi partly agrees with Ratigan, I am glad the guy who is talking now pointed out the fact that PBO is not a king and cannot go around Congress. Ratigan is a another armchair quarterback blowhard and an Obama basher.
This cannot be repeated enough. The “we don’t deal with terrorists” and similar memes — the terrorists are duly elected members of the U.S. Congress and MUST be dealt with, you dim wits.
I loathe Dylan Ratigan. I understand why Randi would agree with him — she has indeed been preaching about campaign finance laws for years. But it’s ridiculous. When Ratigan says what HE wants the President to say and he wants him to say that he’ll FIX this problem — well, it’s completely, utterly absurd.
The Obama vacation criticism opened up local Chgo NBC news tonight. Everyone is on the case!!! Everyone complied and jumped on the bandwagon. This was followed by R. Sen. Kirk saying that Obama should instead call Congress back to D.C. so they could get down to the business of cutting entitlements.
And this was after Tweet’s horrible Obama bashing continuation where he spent a big chunk airing vids of nutty Repubs wanting to impeach Obama. I am disgusted with everyone today. The media, the entire media, has joined the Repub Party, doing their work for them. The Repubs might not even need to run ads in the next campaign.
Thanks for the tip – I’m going to avoid all of them today.
By the way, the vacation meme is falling dead on the public — the guy goes away for a few days with his young children. America understands that. It makes all the flame throwers and the bandwagon wannabes looking petty.
Mark Kirk heard from me frequently during the debt ceiling crisis.
And Jay Carney made the case today in the DPB that he never leaves the work behind. He is briefed constantly, has access to everything he needs and will only be a short distance from DC if he needs to return. We know this from all of his past vacations where there has been some sort of issue that has come up that he has to deal with intensively. So for him to get highly scrutinized for a couple days of golf and dinners and ice cream jaunts out with his family is just partisan nonsense.
In fact, Mark Kirk should come back on his own and get his ass to work. The Senate is still in session. The effing Republicans would not allow a recess — again. So Obama can’t appoint anyone to his government.
Chris Matthews is on a rant…about how the President does not lead….
ii think that there is a barrage of attacks coming from all sides….the MSM….the PL…..folks like Tavis Smiley…etc…..they have seen the polls…the polls that says that 64% of the American people believe in a balanced approach to deficit reduction…meaning having the rich and the super rich play their fair share…..over 70% of the American people do not want cuts to Medicare or Social Security….the number one issue for the American people is JOBS…not deficit reduction…..over 60% of the American People blame the the Republicans for the debt ceiling fiasco that led to the downgrade….
in the states…those Republican governors….in WI, Ohio, FL….and others have ratings below 40%
There is fear….you can smell it….among the powers that be….Wall Street….Big Money corps….and big money organizations….the right….
The President created a super committee that is charged with deficit reduction that has to include revenues…..all the while protecting Medical Care/Medicaid/Social Service/College grants and other programs for the poor…if the committee cannot come up an agreement…and the triggers set in…
He will begin is JOBS Bus Tour…to further explain his mission….and his plan for JOBS and getting the economy going….he has learned well from the Health Care Debate./…that he must control the message…that he has to make that message clear…and that you cannot depend on the press…to get it done…
i think that variable is the American People…..that our voices must be loud and clear…that we do not fall for the okie doke…that we remain on point…and not become distracted by non issues…..JOBSSSSSSS…..JOBSSSSSSSSSS>>>>JOBSSSSSSSSS
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
I am not familiar with any of these choices except Kyl, which I despise. He is pond scum and walked out of the debt-ceiling talks with Cantor. The good news is that he is not running for re-election in 2012.
Jackie, Toomey is from Pa.,won this year with teabagger support. Portman might be semi-ok/ I think Hensarling is from Texas
& very conservative. I may be wrong about him tho.
I stand corrected about Portman. StR says below that he’s a teabagger too. Oh well, they said they’d only put anti-tax
folks on the committee. Guess we should have known. 😦
Actually, I wonder if there is even one GOP member that has not signed the Grover Norquist no tax pledge? Maybe Standard & Poor’s assessment about politics being stuck in the USA is true. Stuck on stupid. It seems to me the GOP will use everything they can use to fight taxes and make PBO look incompetent with the help of the media smears as they blame their obstruction and poor choice results on him.
Carol,I want to tell you that Hensarling is from the Dallas area of Texas a Ultra rich conservative area so think of him as a Teabagger with money. I live in Texas and know the type Big Oil and the Good Old Boy Network in action.Expect a total fight against taxes be raised.
* Pat Toomey is the former head of the right-wing Club for Growth. He’s talked about privatizing Social Security; blames FDR for the Great Depression; and is on record comparing moderate Republicans to communists.
* Rob Portman used to serve as George W. Bush’s budget director. No, seriously, he really did. After pleading with voters to ignore his entire record in public life, Portman was elected anyway and now Republicans want him to help shape a debt-reduction plan.
from Benen
Yes, that is our misinformed Ohioans for you. As I have said before folks this Committee is TEATHUG HEAVEN. 😡
Toomey was head of the Club for Growth and Portman was head of OMB under George W. Bush. Both appear to be hard core teabaggers.
Oh Boy…..that’s quite a crew.
I think is the last thing we need in this country, another dysfunctional committee, super or otherwise. No one can stand one more minute of watching this kind of heels dug in ugliness. It’s depressing the American people, it’s depressing the markets and the economy. From the Repub makeup of this committee, this is going nowhere fast. Just stupid.
Kyl is on record saying defense cuts should be unconstitutional and is Senate minority whip and retiring in 2012, Portman was Bush’s CBO in 2007 and before that was his US Trade Rep in 2005 and 2006, Toomey is former President of Club for Growth and is fervently anti-tax. Portman and Toomey rode the teabagger wave in in 2010 and are not up for re-election until 2016.
David Camp has said that the promises made with the social insurance programs will not be kept, Hensarling called Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid “Ponzi schemes.”
I don’t know about Upton.
If they can’t come to an agreement the triggers go in to effect which will be cuts to Defense and Medicare, Medicaid providers. And the agreement has to include revenues, correct?
I don’t think it has to include revenues, but President Obama will hold the Bush Tax Cuts over the head of those involved. They could try to cut $1.2T, but it would be draconian cuts if they barely touch Defense and don’t include revenues. My understanding is that it has to be a 1.2T deficit off-set, meaning any combination of cuts and revenues.
Frankly this is incredibly stupid, but stupid is as stupid does. They just keep tightening and tightening the noose of their own making.
Their own constituents do not want what they have to offer.
StR, My god, Kyl is an idiot. Does he not know that a large majority of people do not want anymore wars? It is a wonder he is not drooling from his mouth, you would think Kyl might have had a stroke.
The thing about Kyl–He did not used to be like this. He was already a true rightie, but I lived in Arizona for 14 years and he was never this bad. It is his hatred of PBO that he is operating from.
I still think this super committee is going to fail. They are already fighting. And if they fail or it cannot pass the house or senate the trigger kicks in which means Bushie tax cuts end. Yahoooooo!
Every one of them signed the Grover Norquist Pledge….
Why should Dems waste precious time and money trying to negotiate with any one who signed a pledge not to compromise? I think they should step away
Linda, that just knocks my socks off. Grover got to decide who is on the committee. This is unbelievable. Grover is the republican mafia. You don’t cross the godfather. Wow, just wow!
Jeb Hensarling is co-sponsor of new Republican leadership proposal to privatize Social Security. http://bit.ly/m50PF3
Calls Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Ponzi schemes.
Toomey is awful and a real tragedy for Pa–a perfect example of what not coming out to vote accomplishes. There is no way this group will come to an agreement. There will be absolute deadlock!
I was hoping we’d have veto privileges, like the defense and prosecution have in court case juries. I’d veto them all.
And now a word from Leader Pelosi:
The latest reports are that Republicans are launching a smear campaign this week against ten Democrats who stood up and opposed the Tea Party plan to flat out end Medicare so they can give more tax breaks to multi-millionaires and Big Oil companies.
We have launched our “Accountability August” campaign to hold Republicans accountable for their radical agenda while they are home in their districts but we must raise an additional $27,335 by midnight tonight to fully fund our Rapid Response campaign.
Will you stand with us and contribute $3 or more right now to help hit our Rapid Response Fund goal by midnight tonight?
Your dollars will be put to work immediately with targeted advertising, grassroots organizing, and rapid response research.
Let’s stand together for a new direction that chooses creating jobs and protecting Medicare over false attacks and reckless tax breaks for billionaires and Big Oil. Contribute $3 or more before tonight’s deadline.
Thank you for your support,
Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader
where is the website to contribute?
Here you go:
https://secure.dccc.org/page/contribute/august0?source=081011_np,cons_nd
THANKS meta! 🙂 We TOD family are a GREAT TEAM!!!!
Thanks a lot Meta just sent my contribution.Thanks again We must win this fight YES WE CAN
I, too, wesleya17, but only $10.
Oh how I wish we could do something about getting the country back on its feet instead of constantly having to fight Scumpublicans trying to tear the country down for political gain. I just looked at our retirement account this morning and found it’s dropped another horrifying amount and Alan and I sat here trying to work out how much longer we can live before we run out.
Granted, we were laughing a bit about it, but I can’t see what else we can do but laugh. Alan’s family is very long lived, mine not so much. But he said, according to his figures, if we both live until 90 we’re sunk.
Same here.
Just donated and tweeted.
Just sent some money to Nancy
THANKS to all you guys for your tremendous support!! We have a LOT of fight left in us.
YES…WE…CAN! Thanks to you all for responding to the email I received from Leader Pelosi 😀
LOOKS LIKE A TEABAG PARTY TO ME…LOTS OF BAGGAGE FILLED W/ GREED!
Needless to say all six Republicans have signed Grover Norquist’s no tax pledge.
Reforming the tax code isn’t raising taxes – the Gang of Six had this plan and Norquist signed off on it. You lower rates while closing loopholes(which isn’t raising taxes either to Norquist) and revenue is raised as companies currently not paying because of loopholes and write-offs will have to pay again.
I thought Norquist backed off his statement about closing loopholes not being tax increases. It seems there is not enough time to revamp the entire tax code.
oh fack this!
I think Camp, Upton and Portman could potentially be folks that could negotiate in good faith with. I say Portman because he has Vice Presidential aspirations (he’s too bland for the top of the ticket) – he was mentioned as a possibility for McCain, is mentioned as a possibility for the 2012 GOP nominee running mate and is often mentioned as Jeb Bush’s VP pick already for 2016 (to take Florida and Ohio off the table as swing states). Upton and Camp are both long time pols, Camp serving since 1991 and Upton since 1987 – so both served from the end of George HW Bush, though Clinton and George W. Bush. At least they’re not teabaggers.
Camp was on Simpson Bowles and voted against it because it raised taxes.
Baucus voted against the final Bowles-Simpson proposals because they would have cut elderly and veterans’ benefits and fought President George W. Bush’s push to privatize Social Security and is a vocal critic of a House Republican plan to privatize Medicare for future retirees.
It hurts me to think of Jeb Bush running in 2016. If we can get Obama re-elected in 2012 I’d hate to see another Bush in office right afterwards to undo all that will be done to help us get out of the mess created by GW.
Which is why Perry running is pissing off a lot of Bushies. He’ll remind folks a lot of Dubya, and the plan was to hope eight years would be enough for folks to forget about Dubya and be open to Jeb. Now it will be like going from Dubya, to his doppleganger, to his brother.
*********HOUSE DEMOCRATS*********
THE GOP NO JOBS CLOCK: 218 days and counting.
To remind House Republicans that Americans are still waiting for a jobs bill, we created this clock. You can let them know that job creation is still a priority for Americans by embedding the widget below on your website or sharing a link to this page.
http://www.dems.gov/blog/gop-no-job-clock
It’s time for Republicans to reject their “So Be It” spending plan, which puts ideology before jobs, and join House Democrats to create a plan that reduces the deficit, creates jobs, and strengthens the middle class.
Ladyhawke, Just tweeted the NO JOBS CLOCK link. Hope you don’t mind.
In regards to the GOP’s choices for the SC: sad and unsurprising.
OT: I F*&^%$**() HATE Dell!!!!! I hate them with a fricking passion! They make substandard crap and turn around and charge you an arm and a leg! And when you buy a warranty for one particular reason: having an agent come to your home to fix the problem, they find a way to screw you over so you HAVE to send your computer to their STUPID depot. I despise dell and as soon as my warranty is up I’m gonna restore that sucker to factory setting and sell it off. It’s rarely used but everytime I turn it on, there’s a problem! The only reason it’s typically turn that stinker on is to run bi- weekly anti-virus scans anyway (even though there never are any viruses or spyware). I wish I’d bought a Mac instead. But nooooooooo. “I’m a PC girl, I don’t get Mac.” If current me could go back in time and smack three years ago me upside the head, I would soooo do it in a heart beat! Fricking Dell and fricking Lisa2008!!!!! Curses! 😡
ps- at least nothing has happened to my netbook as of yet……….. knock on wood. 😕
Ohhhh, so sorry you’re having computer issues. It can really drive you crazy. I’ve never owned a PC but had to work on one once at one of my workplaces. It nearly drove me insane. I’ve always owned Macs. One great thing about Macs is you don’t have virus problems. But I’m you already knew that!!
Lisa I know what you mean brought a Dell because I could drive to the outlet store here in Texas and learned about the Dell Hell first hand.Brought a Acer Timeline Super thin laptop works out of this world and so light to carry around.Look At http://www.newegg.com and they have great buys when you want to replace the junk Dell
Now is a great time to buy a computer cuz of the back-to-school deals. Sorry to hear about your issues. I can’t even begin to know how I’d cope w/o a reliable computer.
Ditto. I love my mac. It was a refurbished mac that they upgraded. A really good deal.
Hello Tien. Tien has been writing some terrific pieces at TPV. Check it out.
We knew this was what we’d get. All the Rs are the same. Glad PBO put the trigger in place. No way these idiots are going to agree and we’d better hold Harry’s crew’s feet to the fire not to cave. Then the tax cuts expire and defense gets cut automatically. We really need to be fighting back on this concerted attack on PBO, his leadership and mental state. This is the republican meme being pushed by Tweety and company.
Now I read Cheney is going to be on all the major morning shows to push his book at the end of the month. This is just another part of the attack.
We need to go on offense. Thoughts?
Despite Rhetoric, Bachmann Requested Stimulus, EPA Cash For District
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/despite-rhetoric-bachmann-requested-stimulus-epa-cash-for-district.php
pardon me while I 😆 my arse off.I mean really Huntsman? I could understand Jeb Sr but Junior? 🙄 😆
Huntsman’s Big Endorsement: Jeb Bush Jr.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/huntsmans-big-endorsement-jeb-bush-jr.php?ref=fpc
That Hunstman announcement is pretty pathetic, and even more pathetic for this Bush Jr to talk about the debt piled on the backs of whomever, when it’s his own uncle who piled that debt on!? These people – lying is like breathing to them.
I made a mistake earlier and thought it was Jeb Bush Sr. Looks ridiculous indeed to make such a big fuss about that endorsement. I maintain my earlier comment though: I think the REAL power brokers will push Huntsman.
I used to fear Huntsman a bit, but now that he has gone to the dark side, I am not as worried, but I still think I would prefer Perry or even Romney. Huntsman used to be an old school repuglican–not any more.
I just remembered that the repugs are debating tomorrow evening on Foxx. It should be interesting. I need to know my enemies.
he gives me a headache …
Lieberman Reverses Course, Calls On Senate To Confirm Robert Ford As U.S. Ambassador To Syria
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/08/10/292480/lieberman-ford-syria/
and
Pollsters Chastise Right Wing For Cherry Picking Poll Results On Arab Attitudes Toward Obama: There Is No ‘Bring Bush Back’
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/08/09/291627/pollsters-criticize-right-wing-obama-arab/
asswipe 🙄
Koch Sen. Scott Brown Threatens Social Security And Medicare Cuts, Refuses To Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes
http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/08/09/292182/koch-senator-scott-brown-threatens-social-security-and-medicare-cuts-refuses-to-close-big-oil-tax-loopholes/
Town Hall Attendees Tell GOP Sen. Johanns To Tax The Rich: ‘The Old Tax Rates Worked’ Under Clinton
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/10/292196/johanns-town-hall-clinton/
Thanks for all that, Fred. Is Scott Brown’s seat only until 2012? I hope? I have a memory of his election being an interim thing.
Did we expect anything else on these appointments? We’ve yet to see Nancy’s appointments. Those will be interesting.
I think these appointments, and the antics we can anticipate, will do nothing but lower the Republicans in the public’s estimation. They have pulled themselves pretty far down already, and are seeming to enjoy it. People must be shown in detail what they intend to do to the social safety net….that will affect not only those now on Medicare and Social Security, but will leave the next generation drowning with no help at all. Privatize Social Security???? Are you kidding me? And have the stock market fall precipitously again….then where would these teabaggers be? It’ll be time to bring back the county workhouses, and ship everyone off to those.
It seems that every American thinks that “nothing will happen to me” it will affect the other guy….and in the meantime “I might strike it rich and not need Social Security.”….what peculiar universe do these people live in? It’s not reality.
Well this committee (sorry, there is nothing super about it) can’t touch the social safety net (except Medicare on the provider side) so honestly there isn’t going to be much they’re going to do that the general public will pay attention to. It will be just a bunch of beltway posturing for the benefit of people who follow politics. I’m more interested in how the work that gets done between now and Thanksgiving affects the Republicans running for President. Frankly, I think this whole thing is pretty crafty in the timing. Could be fun.
A small correction: The committee can do anything it damn well pleases. It’s a misconception that the safety net is safe throughout the process. It’s safe through the initial cuts, and safe under the trigger, except for Medicare providers. But anything can happen from the committee.
What will be true is that Obama will not accept a cuts only plan that destroys Medicare. He will insist on revenues being part of the package. Unfortunately, he has little leverage over the committee, except the threat of a veto.
I’d like to see Van Hollen, Becerra and Clyburn as Pelosi’s picks.
I was just thinking about those three, too. Leader Pelosi should be announcing soon.
She has until next Tuesday I believe, but really no reason to wait.
Van Hollen might not do it because he has his eyes on future Dem caucus leadership and this could muddy those plans.
I do want to see a bona fide progressive, if not two. It’s nothing to be ashamed of — Keynesian economics should be represented proudly on this committee. The Senate picks are moderate enough.
Boy, do I love Jay Carney. He just gave a very thorough response to a snarky question from Jake (permanent snarl) Tapper who questioned the OPTICS of President Obama going on vacation to Martha’s Vineyard with his family. And of course he had to bring up the Smiley and West traveling minstrel show that is going around the country complaining about President Obama. Tapper made a point to quote some of the nastier comments from both.
This seems to be the silly season topic – Doesn’t seem to be taking off so far at least. I mean couldn’t it be put on Jake “Hey there is hundreds of millions without drinkable water and you take ten minute showers – how do you live with yourself?”
It’s like the talking points memo, which we used to believe only went out to Repub factions, now goes out to the entire media. And they all go along. This vacation memo is big today, all are talking about how horrible it will be for Obama to go on vacation. It’s the same questions and the same criticisms from one and all. What I couldn’t believe is that everyone jumped in to defend Michelle Bachmann from the wide-eyed crazy Newsweek cover, even Jon Stewart who is now also wandering in the wilderness. First, why would that issue deserve so much attention, big chunks of every single news-related program, all defending Bachmann from being photographed the way she always looks? It’s crazy time, absolutely.
The media NEEDS an election season that is not a did in the ratings. Imagine the advertising dollars on the line. Bottom line: all the media personalities who’re the line that is determined by editors to make for an “exciting” race in 2012. Good for ratings, yes. Good for the country, no way.
Two word answer: Silly Season.
1) What about the “optics” of Speaker In Name Only John Boehner going off on recess while leaving the FAA re-authorization hanging and leaving thousands out of work? It was the pressure from PBO, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the Democrats that got the issue resolved until September.
2) What about the “optics” of congress dragging it’s feet to change the No Child Left Behind law and causing the administration to step in to provide waivers for states who are desperate for help. Congress isn’t doing it’s job.
3) What about the “optics” of not appointing a head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau?? Their only job is to protect consumers.
4) What about the “optics” of the GOP presidential candidates who feel they are qualified to be leader of the free world but are not able to make a coherent statement about any of the issues that President Obama has been dealing with.
5) What about the “optics” of the Republican majority in the house not introducing any jobs bills in over seven months??
I could go on and on. Why is President Obama always to blame for everything?? The easy route for the lazy media stenographers is to carry water for the GOP. It looks like they all got their talking points ironed out today. Jake Tapper and Ed Henry did their little tag team act today. Both made it a point to quote negative comments about PBO from West, Smiley, Dowd, and others. It was a pathetic display of what passes for journalism these days.
Excellent – I’m so sick of having to react to the nonsense from these talking points, when the truth is that these media whore and the GOP have been flinging horrendous accusations at President Obama since he came on the national scene, and no one has jumped in to defend him out of that group of layabouts. They had a tizzy yesterday over that Romney-religion rumour, but they’ve been accusing President Obama of lying about his religion, and castigating the entire Muslim community for years, spreading vile accusations and creating animosity against any Islamic followers. They’ve put horrendous pictures of the President and his family, shared disgusting emails, vacationed while the country burned and then attacked the President while he tried to put out the fires that they started. I’m sick of them.
I agree that Michelle Bachmann’s photo wasn’t all that bad as I have seen here eyes look bugged out even more than in that photo plenty of times while she is talking on camera. I even wondered if she might have Grave’s Disease at one time as my sister-in-law has it and one of the symptoms is eyes looking like they are bulging.
He brings these issues up to put them out as a meme knowing full well that Jay is going to counter his assertions. He puffs up when asking them and barely listens when Jay is answering them. He’s such a tool.
I was wishing that Jay could call on someone like Jake Tapper and let him ask his questions then just call on another reporter without even answering the questions. That might teach the reporters they only get answers to reasonable questions. Knowing how out of it the journalists are I know it wouldn’t work as they would just band together and each would ask that question. Remember the time PBO or Axelrod said that Fox was not a genuine news outlet and all the other outlets defended Fox? That to me was unbelievable.
Our best plan of attack might be to contact the Dem members and let them know the trigger isn’t a bad deal given what is walled off and the defense cuts. It would be all cuts, but half would be from the Pentagon, and then the revenues would come from the Bush Tax cuts expiring.
Even if we think the trigger is brutal, we need to make it seem like it is acceptable to get the GOP to negotiate and give on issues.
This is a good idea – almost reverse psychology on our own side. They tend to get risk-averse and start catering to politics when they think things are getting a little scary and that they might need to put their necks out a little.
I don’t consider this OT. It’s a sobering read but something we should know about, from the great Frank Schaeffer:
http://www.alternet.org/story/151960/michele_bachmann_was_inspired_by_my_dad_and_his_christian_reconstructionist_friends_–_here%27s_why_that%27s_terrifying?akid=7385.34521.HM4EhR&rd=1&t=5
Fascism dies only to be reincarnated in a future generation.
I’m in a sober state of mind today, too. Sigh.
We should ask Rachel Maddow ( I know… but anyway) to invite Mr. Schaeffer back.
These tax-o-phobes still have to deal with the reality of cutting defense or corporate medical providers to meet their targets. Let them do that voodoo they do. We all know medical costs need to be contained and their participation will only serve to strengthen the case for Obamacare as the right wing ballyhoos their ability toavoid raising taxes. They were put into a no win scenario by PBO.
And maybe, just maybe, the media will ask the R candidates for Prez some questions about the proposed cuts. Psych.
The Committee will be in TEATHUG HEAVEN folks. Gear up for a lot of continued non compromise from our friends. Rob Portman is a FRESHMAN Teapartrier from my home state of Ohio whom was endorsed by none other than Sarah Palin herself in last years elections. He is a bonified crook who worked on “W”‘s finance team in 2005 and 2006. He and our Teagov John Kasich are two peas in a pod. God help us with this Committee. 😕
The public won’t be paying attention because entitlements are off the table. It’ll just be us in our political interest group paying attention.
Entitlements are NOT off the table in the negotiations, just walled off as part of the trigger fallout. The negotiators will negotiate on entitlement reforms – and they will push for deep cuts as trying to get 1.3T in cuts only, while sparing the Pentagon budget means savaging SS, Medicare and Medicaid.
Yes, this is very important: this is a common misconception that the safety net is walled off throughout the entire process. It lulls people into a false sense of security.
Anything can happen in the committee — anything. This is the perfect opportunity for Obama to have an ongoing conversation with America about the kind of country we want to be. He has his work cut out for him — many of these outrageously false assumptions about debt and investment have been ingrained for a generation.
Doesn’t PBO still have to sign the final agreement? If he vetoes it the trigger would go into effect with the Medicare Providers provision in it and the cutting Defense Dept. then letting the Bush tax cuts expire. I actually think those things may not be as bad as the potential agreements that could be made by the Super Committee.
From the WhiteHouse.gov website:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/04/all-about-so-called-super-committee
A: If the joint committee can’t come up with a plan that the Senate, the House, and President Obama can all approve by January 15, 2012, it automatically sets off what’s known as a “trigger.” This trigger puts pressure on both sides to compromise, because it would make cuts that would be painful for Democrats and Republicans alike – half the cuts would come from domestic programs, and half from defense.
However, President Obama made sure that Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare benefits would not be cut in the event that the trigger is set off. Neither would programs for the most vulnerable, such as food stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
I’m so glad people are clearing this up for me. Sorry for misunderstanding. I like this, actually. Everyone has to agree or face the consequences. The President will never agree to cuts to beneficiaries. Plus, lookie at da date…Jan 15th. Right there in Iowa Caucus territory. Any time the Rs advocate for cutting Medicare or SS, the ads will fly against the R Prez candidates.
I hereby dub these committee teabaggers “OATHERS” — the senators all signed Grover’s Pledge, thereby showing that their loyalties lie not with the American people or the Constitution but with some cult conceived by Norquist.
Feel free to use it in a sentence, e.g., “Do you really expect these Oathers to raise taxes on the rich, like 80% of the American people say to do? Perish the thought – they are Oathers!”
I like it! Thanks, PJ.
That is so perfect! Sounds like a hashtag to me. #Oathers
I’m ON THIS.
OUST THE #OATHERS #GOPFAIL
NO #OATHERS on the #SuperCommittee #GOPFAIL
INVESTIGATE ALL #OATHERS NOW
#BOEHNERFAIL #MCCONNELLFAIL picking #OATHERS for the #supercommittee
EVERYONE GET ON TWITTER NOW!!! LET’S GO!! THIS CANNOT WAIT.
Maine Governor Stacks Health Exchange Advisory Board With Insurance Lobbyists And Health Executives
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/08/10/292892/maine-governor-stacks-health-exchange-advisory-board-with-insurance-lobbyists-health-executives/
Boehner Claims S&P Downgrade Happened Because Democrats Blocked The GOP’s Attempt To Eliminate Medicare
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/10/292433/boehner-cdowngrade-medicare/
Detroit Refudiates the West/Smiley “Poverty Tour” Mandate 😀
Oh snap!
West and Smiley, two Negros who probably haven’t been near a black neighborhood since the days of the Rainbow Coalition, revved up their Poverty Tour bus and rolled through Detroit today, and Detroit was not having it.
See, West and Smiley are butthurt about blog knows what, and seem to spend most of their time whinging about Obama: he’s not free; he’s ignoring black people; he “fears free black men.”
The seemingly incessant attacks have not gone unnoticed. Certainly in the blogosphere, the black community routinely calls out the Soul Patrol and their tenured, book-selling asses for their bullshit. But it came as a surprise (to me, at any rate) that the discontent had spread to, like, real life:
Detroiters have gathered at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center to protest an event hosted by Tavis Smiley and Cornel West.
West and Smiley host a nationally syndicated public radio program and have faced sharp criticism for their stance against President Obama. They have launched an event they call the “Poverty Tour.”
Councilwoman Joann Watson is also coming under fire for letting them into City Hall and hosting the presentation.
Both Smiley and West told Action News reporter Val Clark that the event is not an anti-Obama tour, but do say they believe the President hasn’t done enough for the poor.
A spokesperson for the community organization “Detroiters for Better Government” says Detroiters will stand united against this event.
“We will not stand silent as Smiley and West criticize the man who brought us health care reform, one of the greatest accomplishments for the poor in our nation’s history,” says David Stephen. This event has nothing to do with the poor and everything to do with enriching Tavis Smiley. Detroit must send a strong message to Washington that although some elected officials may support this anti-Obama rally on government property, the people do not.”
(more WXYZ coverage here)
Apparently these Detroiters kept their protest plans secret so when West and Smiley rolled through, they could be like, “Surprise, bitches! Who’s smiley now?”
DAYUM! I’d say, “you got served!” if black people still said that sort of thing.
Oh, and THIS JUST IN: West’s lopsided ‘fro escaped unscathed.
video included here http://www.angryblacklady.com/2011/08/08/detroit-refudiates-the-westsmiley-poverty-tour-mandate/
I just read on WSY that Jesse Jackson has joined the sole patrol in attacking PBO. Because apparently African Americans are all disappointed in the Prez for not caring about them asd PBO better watch out because AAs wont vote for him.
I have had it!!
Debz, can you provide a link.
http://atlantapost.com/2011/08/08/jesse-jackson-blasts-obama-for-not-supporting-black-voters/#
fucker.
I just tweeted: Et tu @RevJJackson??? Shame on you.
Argggghhhhhh, this makes me soooooo crazy!!!!!!
If the president does not address blacks’ needs in a similar fashion (Mayor Bloomberg/NY), many might jump ship instead of waiting for a theoretical tide to give us a boost.
It’s the good ole Lynchburg theory – “divide and conquer”.
POTUS is trying to improve the education systems, provide job training programs and link them with businesses that will hire the trainee’s, provide affordable medical coverage – you guys know the stanza’s to this song – and YET, there are those who have eyes and ears and still won’t believe!
So I guess they would rather have a President Perry, Romney or Bachmann who could care less about AA’s or any other minority. What they are complaining about now would only get worse if any of these folks are elected. I am so sick of West, and Smiley. I want to know what realistic solutions do they propose. They should know better than this. They should be taking their concerns to congress. Why are they trying to turn African Americans against the best thing that has happened to us? All of these people have jealous and self interest motives.
COS, sadly it has nothing to do with wanting another Perry, Romney or Bachmann. The sole patrol can’t believe that PO has moved to the forefront and they (sole patrol) are no longer relevant.
That much is clear and AA’s get that. Not sure if you listened to the clips played by Steve Harvey that Tulips posted yesterday in the tuesday thread but that segment echos what I hear from everyone I connect with. (link originally posted by Tulips http://www.v103.com/pages/sh.html?article=8939870)
I am going to leave Jesse Jackson and his skeletons in his closet alone and just say we are not falling for the hype.
no surprise about Jackson. Is my memory faulty or did Jesse say something rude about PBO on air one time?
No you’re right. During the 2008 campaign, Jesse Jackson felt slighted that then candidate Obama hadn’t paid his proper dues and hadn’t paid him (Jesse) proper respects and kowtowing; so during a break in a live interview that he was giving, he forgot that he was on an open mike and said that if he ever came face to face to that “n” word he would cut his balls off. He later apologized for those sentiments, but it was shocking, vile and disgusting to say the least. The 2008 had its share of both uglies and non-uglies.
Smiley, West and Jackson are petty people who like to gang up on people when they perceive the victim as weak. They are like a pack of wild dogs. They are sickening. Hopefully, the AA community trusts PBO more than those three schisters. 😕
Now it’s sent three to get one? We know the drill.
Those three are also extremely jealous of Rev Al and the attention he is getting from POTUS and on the air. Remember, Rev Al was at POTUS’ 50th birthday party while those three had their noses pressed against the wrought iron gate! LOL!!!!
All I am saying – even Steve Harvey had to call out this Poverty Tour garbage. If you have time listen to the three radio clips posted above. It is a little edgy but is funny as heck.
However, Steve was calling it like we see it.
Hi Fred, I placed a call to Ms. JoAnn Watson on August 9, 2011, from my home in my sick bed. She answered so unprofessionally and was just plain rude, however, I kept my cool and polite attitude in check, and told her what I thought of her negative press, her attitude, Mr. Tavis Smiley and Dr. West efforts to try and pull this awful hate on the President. She listened, the she put on her rude politician personality and got off of the phone. I was not talking. I prayed for her after concluding the phone call. And I prayed that God would serve justice to her and Tavis and West. Plain and simple. No hate or anger from me, just tired of the game playing on President Obama. Not Now, and No More. Love you all back also. HZ
hiya HZ.Hope you are feeling well today.Yeah tired too my friend
Will someone please tell me what has Tavis and Cornel done for the poor?
Anniebella, in answer to this question, I am only hearing crickets where I am. Nada, nothing but shout loud. 🙂
not a damn thing either COS
NOTHING! and they’re doing nothing now except giving lip service.Where was their bus tour during the past 30 years beginning with Reagan at the beginning of tearing down the middle class? Poverty did not begin in January 2009. Just tweeted to them that their pimp-my-book tour is going by way of Trump-the-chump tour and their 15 mininutes are almost up… Tick-tock…
wait for it…wait for it…nothing.
absolutely nothing.
Not a DAMN thing
Fred, this is fantastic. I know you cannot see me, but I am jumpin up and down. Those dirt bags deserve to be called out. This thing about Jessie getting involved does not surprise me in the least. The man has been jealous since the 2008 campaign. Someone came along that roused people–like Jessie used to do. I often wondered on the night of the election in Grant Park, if he was crying tears of joy or sadness.
I do not mean to be nasty about the Reverend J., but he has been harping on Obama for the last 3-4 years. Remember when he was caught on mike saying he would like to cut the president’s balls off?
These three men are jealous. Al, will criticize the Pres., but he does not belittle the President. Ha Ha, Al was invited to the 50th birthday party, but not those other jokers. Is this bus tour promoted by Jane the Snake Hamsher?
Great. Now the media is jumping on the bandwagon in aiding and abetting the GOP in veerbally destroying Patty Murray. They keep screaming that she’s the chair of the fundraising committee and therefore she won’t be serious about cuts. These idiots conveniently forgot to mention that Murray is the incoming chair of the Budget Committee I believe and therefore she is more than qualified to be on the committee. I’m glad President Obama fought back and said that he fully supports Murray still being on the fundraising committee and he 100% backs Reid’s decision to put her on the super committee. I looove how no one in the media is mentioning that the GOP’s picks are all teabaggers who signed the Norquist pledge. Noooo… it’s only the dems that everyone has a problem with. Jerks.
So they’re going the ‘special interest’ route. Have they looked at their own picks? Seriously, you want to discuss outside influence?
I hate to link anything from huffy but
Mitt Romney Raised More Campaign Cash From Lobbyists Than All Other 2012 GOP Candidates Combined
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/10/mitt-romney-lobbyists_n_923323.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008
There was a tweet today from Dave Weigel that he had only 14 businessmen at his round table but there were 40 reporters.
I tweeted back: Where were the businessmen? And you mean his 40 cheering squad?”
Posted this on an earlier thread entitled “surprise surprise” but I believe it bears reposting with some addendums as it is a serious matter of concern.
When one has friends in high places, one is able to stretch ones corrupt tentacles far and wide. S&P has never downgraded the US ever before. Especially during the mess that was the Bush Admin. Then a democrat comes into power, regulates the financial market, exposes them for the recalcitrant and corrupt hacks they are, dems in congress hold their feet to the fire and what do they do? They conveniently downgrade us. It is all politics. When Romney was Gov. of Massachusetts, the state was 47th in job creation, he only created about one million jobs from 2003-2007, the state was in a mess budget wise and what did S&P do? They gave Romney a credit ratings upgrade. Are you freaking kidding me?
Yesterday in a thread entitled “the team” Hachiko wrote and warned us all about the Politico piece where they said that President Obama and his campaign team were going to swiftboat Romney by using dogwhistle tactics by pointing out his weirdness aka his Mormonism, his personal characteristics, his style of dressing and acting, etc etc. She was right to tell us to be vigilant, because with Romney looking like the eventual nominee, they’ve already begun reaching to the GOP run media and demonizing President Obama as an intolerant human being. People might try to brush it off, but it is already seeping its way into mainstream talk. Chris Matthews ran with it and no matter how much we might consider him and emotional flip flopper, his show is respected and he took the battle to the Today Show this morning and coninued on this meme. A lot of older folks watch these morning shows, they are the ones who mostly come out to vote in general and off year elections and then they hear that President Obama is going to use such despicable tactics? CNN, Morning Joe and other morning shows are already running with this politico hitpiece and presenting it as fact. They’re all reporting how Romney was angered and saddened by President Obama playing dogwhistle politics, how Romney released such a well thought out statement, how President Obama should be ashamed of himself and his campaign team. Also Hachiko was right when she said Romney would use this as a fundraising mechanism. It has already begun. Romney has already begun collecting money from lots of people who believed the politico hitpiece and he now has an ad running on every major station. The ad shows President Obama giving his speech at the Tucson memorial for the lives lost at the hands of Jared Loughner and he calls for civility in our public discourse and how we shouldn’t use inflammatory language, symbols and personal attacks on those on the other side of the aisle that we don’t agree with. The ad then shows clippings from the politico hitpiece citing dem sources stating that President Obama will indeed use ugly inflammatory language and personal attacks on Romney. The ad is disgusting especially Romney using the Tucson memorial for politics. But that’s politics for you. The only person who has come out against the politico hitpiece and shown it for the crap and BS that it is; is Lawrence O’Donnell. Only one person. The rest on basic tv and cable have been taking Romney’s side and heavily demonizing President Obama. So Hachiko was right to implore of us to fight back, fight back fight back because this attack paints President Obama in an ugly light and no matter how much he pushes back and he has God bless his heart, all stations I’ve watched today and all reporters are heavily pushing Romneys side. It sure is an ugly world we live in and President Obama is going to need us to continually push back hard against these outright lies and hatchet jobs.
ps: This is what really disturbed me about the politico hit piece. It was released yesterday and early this morning, Romney already has an ad that I have seen on all cable stations and the big four non cable channels. No “journalist” or “pundit” except Lawrence O’Donnell questioned this article. How the heck was Romney able to already have an ad that’s running on all major news channels when the article isn’t even 24 hours old? Something is really fishy and really really disturbing. I’ve always known politico was a GOP shill machine; but this just takes it to even lower depths. The ad is frankly nerfarious and vile.
so true, UT. everything about Romney and his backing is nefarious and vile. they are disgusting. the fact that they can’t win a fair fight is the reason they always resort to cheating. Romney is a straw man who- if EVER elected- will just be a front man for Rove, Kochs, etc. It’s disgusting what this society and politics have sunk to.
As disgusting as all of this is, none of it is unexpected, as you know ut.
What is interesting is the timing – they’ve all overplayed their hand a year too early. It would have been a very different situation were these events happening at this time next year. Instead, they are providing President Obama, all Democratic candidates and all of us an opportunity to use their vile behavior against them.
The American people are, unfortunately for the rabid radical republican party, paying attention – evidenced, already, in President Obama’s poll numbers.
As the old adage says – don’t get angry, get even.
We can be thankful that they are making it so easy for us to ‘get even’ on Election Day 2012.
Yes.We.Can. … DO.More.Together!
Thanks Bobfr for your voice of reason.
Bob you are right abt the timing. They did play too soon. The American people have had a chance to be truly disgusted at their behavior. All polls show this. We will get even with our work for the President.
Bobfr, that thought “don’t get angry, get even” crossed my mind last night after the magic polling twisted the numbers in Wisconsin.
Bobfr, Remember this fact This the time left to work to get even; 455 DAYS;10,290 HOURS;65 WEEKS YES WE CAN DO IT AGAIN!
It is all a fabrication because David Ax said mittens sense of humor was weird. It is. They built it into this enormous story that is not going to die for a while. This happens constantly. I guess it is okay if mittens tries to undermine Obama everyday, that is okay with Chris. After all Obama is supposed to be pure. vomit. We have to try and stay calm, but I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of the lies and rumors that we are going to be faced with.
I will write another email to chris and reprimand him for going national on the morning shows. Pig, fer.
ps Ut, you write some fine comments.
As heard on Joe Madison’s morning show…
http://thepeoples411.com/headline-news/latest-blog-pure-unadulterated-racism-helen-burleson.html
Why is the hate for the Pres extra vile today? Because they can’t keep him from the American people. Poll after poll shows him kicking Repub butt. Sorry for those you just think polls are a waste of time.. But I think sometimes they do tell us what’s going on in the country. Here’s latest from CO.
“Obama still has solid leads over all of his potential Republican opponents. Only Mitt Romney improves on John McCain’s 9 point margin of defeat in the state, trailing Obama by 7 points at 48-41. That’s almost identical to the 47-41 lead we found for Obama in February, interesting considering the drop in his approval numbers since that time. Against the rest of the GOP field Obama holds a double digit advantage: he’s up 12 on Michele Bachmann at 51-39, 13 on Rick Perry at 51-38, and 16 on both Herman Cain and Sarah Palin at 51-35 and 54-38 respectively.”
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/08/obama-leads-in-colorado.html
Thanks for this Proud. I got back from college classes today, turned on my tv and lo and behold every news program had an Obama bashing segment every 5 minutes or so. I just sat back stunned. Thought I was in an alternate universe. I mean EVERY NEWS CHANNEL was bashing him for and on everything. I mean wtf? Chris Matthews went rabid on the Today show this morning with spittle flying everywhere calling President Obama “this guy” “that one” and just basically verbally abusing and punching him. It was vile just vile. Now I see that whenever he goes up in the polls, they band together like a sore and just try hour after hour to verbally decimate him. Disgusting. But they will never ever break our spirits.
UT, I posted in another thread, we need to go on the attack against the media. I know we’ve discussed this before, but we need to review our thoughts and plans and really act. It’s clear this is a strategy to bring down the Pres numbers and standing with the American people. The memes now is he’s not a leader, he’s weak, he needs a shrink. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen and clear that the republican controlled media — including spitty mouth Chris — have been given their marching orders.
Poll after poll shows America hates every Repub candidate and prefers the President. They got nothing but lies, cheating and slandering of our President.
I tweet every day to let Morning Joke and the rest of them know we’re on to them, but we need to do more.
We must act now. Please tell me what you think.
I agree, POB.
That is why…the JOBS Bus Tour is important….he will engage the American People in what must be done …to join him in the fight for jobs…to connect with them …..to state what he plans to do….and get people on board…..
the right is soooooo desperate…to change the message…to control the message….
Proud, I am with you on this. We need to get a plan together. I do not really know how to tweet, but each of us should vow to take action on anything or anyone who is lying about the president or does not have the correct facts. One of the things that I do when I write an email is give my name and where I live. If we all send a complaint or correction to someone, and the receivers saw that the complaints were coming from all over the country, it might be look impressive to the receivers.
I too make sure that I include my city and state when I send an email to complain. I agree that it would carry a lot of weight if they see that the complaints are coming from different cities and states.
He called him “this guy” and “that one”? Okay, now I am angry.
don’t these asswipes drive or their wives or children.I mean come on 🙄
GOP lawmaker wants to dismantle DOT
http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/highways-bridges-and-roads/176337-gop-rep-dismantling-dot-would-be-great
Fox News Host Napolitano: ‘Clever’ Obama Honored Fallen Soldiers ‘To Get The Economy Off The Front Page’
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/08/10/292781/napolitano-obama-dover-clever-economy/
Frustrated Constituents Jeer Sen. McCain For Supporting Huge Corporate Tax Breaks
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/10/292436/frustrated-constituents-jeer-sen-mccain-for-supporting-huge-corporate-tax-breaks/
Allen West: Homosexuality Is Like Choosing An Ice Cream Flavor
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/08/10/292951/allen-west-homosexuality-is-like-choosing-an-ice-cream-flavor/
President Obama surprises campaign volunteer workers today at lunch in DC.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Volunteers on President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign have welcomed an unexpected lunch guest: Obama himself.
The White House says the volunteers were selected based on essays they wrote about organizing. Obama got his start in politics by working as a community organizer in his Chicago hometown.
The president joined the group at Ted’s Bulletin, a new Capitol Hill restaurant that serves classic American food, including burgers and shakes.
Last week, Obama treated a group of senior aides who were involved in negotiations over the government’s finances to burgers and shakes at a different Capitol Hill eatery.
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/15243870/obama-surprises-campaign-volunteers-at-lunch-in-dc
See…while POTUS is busy doing his job, we should be doing our job of verbally checking these liars and false statements.
Before Calling the EPA a “Job-Killer,” Michele Bachmann Asked for Money from the Agency to Stimulate “Long-Term Benefits” to the Local Economy
http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/08/10/292811/before-calling-the-epa-a-%E2%80%9Cjob-killer%E2%80%9D-michele-bachmann-asked-for-money-from-the-agency-to-stimulate-%E2%80%9Clong-term-benefits%E2%80%9D-to-the-local-economy/
Was not the Rev Wright saga going on in August 2007. Religion again. Did not work then will not work now. Jesse Jackson Tavis Smiley and Cornel West are three poor black men who have midget egos trying to hurt the one President who has done more for AAs in less than three years than the entire time combined of these three nincompoops. Jackson Smiley and West are nothing more than uncle toms. Every false tongue rises up against President Obama will fail. So sad to see all the monies and the media being used to derail President Obama. It won’t work.
“This is the first president in my professional career that hasn’t invited me to the White House.” None other than Tavis Smiley, the second half the poverty tour racket.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/tavis-smiley-obama-is-first-president-in-my-career-not-to-invite-me-to-the-white-house/
it’s actually pretty funny to see Tavis whined about not receiving an invitation 🙄 😆
meant to say whining 😆
So AARP and Feeding America are sponsoring this tour. So I called them and told them Smiley and West were not being received too well and they might not want to be associated with such a pair. Hee hee. If you want to call:
AARP: 888-687-2277
Feeding America 800-771-2303
I just called AARP. I give the young girl a bit of a history lesson on Tavis Smiley and Cornel West. I told her they have upset a lot of people. I told her I was about to join, but now I can’t with their support of these two.
If you haven’t called, call them, please. She said she would pass it on.
THANKS Proud! I’m on it!! I’ve received several invites from AARP to join and now I can give them a legitimate reason for my concern about their appropriation & disbursement of my monies.
AARP is not the organization it used to be. Aetna bought it, and now it’s just a front for their Medicare supplemental plans.
Fuck AARP.
Still call them and say your piece, by all means.
But understand them for the corporate monster they are now.
Isn’t that something what Tavis said. I always knew this whole thing wasn’t about his concern for the black community. Tavis said President Obama is the first President not to invite him to the White House. There the truth is right there. How is riding around in a bus helping the black community. Why aren’t Cornel and Tavis spending their money and knowledge to help the black community?
Yes. That’s what it is about these people.
And that’s a lie! Tavis has not been invited by every President since his professional career began. LIAR! Only GW Bush & Bill Clinton and both were begrudgingly.
This shyt has gone into the realm of the patently absurd.
if he wants to visit the WH, he better apply for a WH Tour like the rest of us.
here’s a hint Travis:
Your Black Ass disrespected MICHELLE ROBINSON OBAMA.
YOU AIN’T NEVER GETTING AN INVITE FROM THIS PRESIDENT.
Company to add to your boycott list is New Balance. Donated $500K to Mitt Romney’s campaign.
I just called New Balance at 617-783-4000 and the operator’s line was busy. They deserve all the abuse they can receive.
Hee hee!
horrible brand so no wonder they are supporting this asswipe 🙄
New Balance CEO Seems Unhappy With Chairman’s Romney Donation
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/08/new-balance-ceo-distances-company-chairmans-romney-donation/41105/
That press release contradicts itself –
The Boston Globe is reporting that Rob DeMartini, president and CEO of New Balance, has issued a statement distancing the shoe company from a $500,000 donation board chairman Jim Davis made to the pro-Romney political action committee Restore Our Future, citing the former Massachusetts governor’s support for a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
In the statement, DeMartini emphasizes that while the company “encourage[s] civic engagement at all levels and will always respect the right of any of our associates to engage in the political process” and “typically [does] not comment on private political donations,” Romney’s support for the National Organization for Family’s proposal to add federal marriage amendment to the Constitution is “not reflective of Jim Davis’, my, or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community.”
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
So Jim Davis says he made the donation because of Romney’s support for Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage but Mr. DeMartini says “not reflective of Jim Davis’, my, or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community.” Davis said he made the donation because of the anti-equality pledge Romney made.
wth does DeMarini mean because I don’t understand his brand of English
Okay nevermind. I misread the article. Davis made the donation before Romney signed off on being a bigot. I believe you can request donations back though, so Mr. Davis still owns it.
I called Feeding America and only got a recording. AARP didn’t even say who they were but to type in the number of the person I wanted to talk with. I called New Balance and got the receiving desk and he had not idea what was going on. Looks like they were expecting this and making it impossble to talk to anyone.
I just want to change the subject for a minute. What is the First Lady up to? I like seeing the First Lady doing her thing. Maybe she is taking a break.
I read somewhere that she was in Oregon vising her brother. Sorry Anniebella, can’t remember where I saw that! Thought it was obama foodorama. They have a nice article on her there. She’s being honored by James Beard Foundation.
Yep, she’s in Oregon visiting Craig — it was obamafoodorama article re: the Iftar dinner celebration being held this evening.
Yes, she’s there with the girls and Mrs. Robinson. The town is very excited and everyone is hoping to spot her. FLOTUS usually takes August off (publicly). Also, I read last year that her staff works so hard that this is the only month her staff has a chance to take a vacation time off. She’s working but no public events for the month of August.
My goodness, Chipstick has always had so many “stories”, but you all have been on it. It is fabulous. dr
what a liar 🙄
Bachmann: Obama Told Me The Affordable Care Act Eliminates Medicare
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/10/292620/bachmann-obamacare-endsmedicare/
Well, this is the playbook at work folks. Just lie about whatever President Obama said, even if he never said OR MET with you.
Another poll that shows why Repubs are sooooooooooo desperate. In Michigan, Dems would retake the state house by 47-36.
-Voters must not be very happy with the Michigan House of Representatives back in Republican control, because they say if they could vote today they’d support Democrats for the legislature by a 47-36 margin. A lot of Democratic voters jumped ship last year but now 94% say they would support their party’s candidates if the election was today, compared to only 88% of GOP voters committed to their party. Republicans do lead by a 6 point margin with independents but that represents a significant shift from the blow out advantages GOP candidates tended to have with them in the state last year. Democrats would probably retake control of the House if they won the popular vote by this much next November.
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/08/michigan-miscellaneous.html
Another example of how he just keeps plugging away at problems
Obama: Gives Housing a Boost by Renting Foreclosed Properties
I have included a video of President Obama discussing the housing crisis at a Facebook townhall.
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/08/obama-gives-housing-boost-by-renting.html
Why all the Dem volunteers should be in Wirch and Holperin districts – It seems like GOP Senator Dale Shultz might really be thinking of possibly jumping parties. He’s in a district a lot like Sen. Kapanke’s was and Kapanke was routed by Shilling. It went 60% for Obama in 2008, and given Shultz will be THE deciding vote on a lot of issues and is relatively moderate (voted against union busting bill) he’ll likely be primaried by a Republican anyways.
Quite worthwhile suggestion, StR. Hope you can communicate it to the folk who matter. You may want to suggest it directly to Deaniac and Eclectablog so they can bring it to the attention of those they know.
Yes.We.Can. … DO.More.Together!
Randi is on FIRE today. only 15min left
http://www.ktlkam1150.com/mediaplayer/
Yes, I am listening to her. Although, Randi partly agrees with Ratigan, I am glad the guy who is talking now pointed out the fact that PBO is not a king and cannot go around Congress. Ratigan is a another armchair quarterback blowhard and an Obama basher.
YES! And Boy From Pasadena sounded mucho sexy too! 😀
This cannot be repeated enough. The “we don’t deal with terrorists” and similar memes — the terrorists are duly elected members of the U.S. Congress and MUST be dealt with, you dim wits.
I loathe Dylan Ratigan. I understand why Randi would agree with him — she has indeed been preaching about campaign finance laws for years. But it’s ridiculous. When Ratigan says what HE wants the President to say and he wants him to say that he’ll FIX this problem — well, it’s completely, utterly absurd.
The Obama vacation criticism opened up local Chgo NBC news tonight. Everyone is on the case!!! Everyone complied and jumped on the bandwagon. This was followed by R. Sen. Kirk saying that Obama should instead call Congress back to D.C. so they could get down to the business of cutting entitlements.
And this was after Tweet’s horrible Obama bashing continuation where he spent a big chunk airing vids of nutty Repubs wanting to impeach Obama. I am disgusted with everyone today. The media, the entire media, has joined the Repub Party, doing their work for them. The Repubs might not even need to run ads in the next campaign.
Thanks for the tip – I’m going to avoid all of them today.
By the way, the vacation meme is falling dead on the public — the guy goes away for a few days with his young children. America understands that. It makes all the flame throwers and the bandwagon wannabes looking petty.
Mark Kirk heard from me frequently during the debt ceiling crisis.
And Jay Carney made the case today in the DPB that he never leaves the work behind. He is briefed constantly, has access to everything he needs and will only be a short distance from DC if he needs to return. We know this from all of his past vacations where there has been some sort of issue that has come up that he has to deal with intensively. So for him to get highly scrutinized for a couple days of golf and dinners and ice cream jaunts out with his family is just partisan nonsense.
In fact, Mark Kirk should come back on his own and get his ass to work. The Senate is still in session. The effing Republicans would not allow a recess — again. So Obama can’t appoint anyone to his government.
I did not know that the Senate was still in session…
Chris Matthews is on a rant…about how the President does not lead….
ii think that there is a barrage of attacks coming from all sides….the MSM….the PL…..folks like Tavis Smiley…etc…..they have seen the polls…the polls that says that 64% of the American people believe in a balanced approach to deficit reduction…meaning having the rich and the super rich play their fair share…..over 70% of the American people do not want cuts to Medicare or Social Security….the number one issue for the American people is JOBS…not deficit reduction…..over 60% of the American People blame the the Republicans for the debt ceiling fiasco that led to the downgrade….
in the states…those Republican governors….in WI, Ohio, FL….and others have ratings below 40%
There is fear….you can smell it….among the powers that be….Wall Street….Big Money corps….and big money organizations….the right….
The President created a super committee that is charged with deficit reduction that has to include revenues…..all the while protecting Medical Care/Medicaid/Social Service/College grants and other programs for the poor…if the committee cannot come up an agreement…and the triggers set in…
He will begin is JOBS Bus Tour…to further explain his mission….and his plan for JOBS and getting the economy going….he has learned well from the Health Care Debate./…that he must control the message…that he has to make that message clear…and that you cannot depend on the press…to get it done…
i think that variable is the American People…..that our voices must be loud and clear…that we do not fall for the okie doke…that we remain on point…and not become distracted by non issues…..JOBSSSSSSS…..JOBSSSSSSSSSS>>>>JOBSSSSSSSSS
Firedddddddddddddd UP….ready to go…