President Obama walks toward Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Oct. 24. The President is heading on a three-day trip to the West Coast
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Reuters: President Barack Obama this week will announce a series of actions to help the economy that will not require congressional approval, including an initiative to make it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages, according to a White House official.
…. The first of the initiatives will be unveiled during Obama’s three-day trip to western states beginning Monday. He will discuss the changes in mortgage rules at a stop in Nevada, which has one of the hardest-hit housing markets in the country.
The Obama administration has been working with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to find ways to make it easier for borrowers to switch to cheaper loans even if they have little to no equity in their homes.
…. In Denver Wednesday, Obama will announce a student loan initiative.
“The only way we can truly attack our economic challenges is with bold, bipartisan action in Congress,” White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer told The New York Times. “The president will continue to pressure Congressional Republicans to put country before party and pass the American Jobs Act, but he believes we cannot wait, so he will act where they won’t.”
Full article here
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Steve Benen: It’s been about five months since the White House took the extraordinary step of unveiling President Obama’s long-form birth certificate, ending the “Birther” conspiracy theory once and for all. With the questions answered, unhinged conservatives were forced to move on to other areas of nonsense.
Well, most of them, anyway:
New comments by Rick Perry in Parade magazine have revived the issue of whether the Texas governor believes that President Obama was born in the United States.
…..I suspect all of this should, in fact, be taken at face value – he had dinner with a nutty conspiracy theorist; they chatted about Trump’s silly ideas; Perry found the nonsense persuasive; and when asked about it, the governor said what he was thinking.
There’s no 11-dimensional chess here; Perry just isn’t terribly bright.
Full post here
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GOPolitico: President Barack Obama has a few very funny people on his side. Will Ferrell was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night, and many of the comedians on the red carpet had nothing but good things to say about the president.
Ferrell said that he “most definitely” wants Obama to win another term …. he told POLITICO that Obama has faced some unprecedented challenges. “Every president has a hard job but I think his is times ten,” Ferrell said, adding that he likes that Obama “thinks before he speaks.”
…. Obama is doing a “great job,” said Tim Meadows, another former “SNL” cast member. “It’s easy for white liberals to turn their backs on Obama,” he said, complaining that many people who used to support the president have jumped ship. “I don’t like how people are so wishy-washy,” he said.
Not in the wishy-washy category: Comedian Jack Black. “There’s a lot of haters out there, but I’m not one of them,” he said, declaring: “Obama all the way.”
Thanks Tulips & Donna Dem
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Irish Central: I think now would be an appropriate time to say thank you to President Barack Obama.
In comparison to his immediate predecessor his success in bringing the world’s most wanted terrorists and dictators to justice has been nothing short of remarkable.
….. Obama has rid the world of the scourge of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi. And all of this was accomplished within six months: if Obama were a Republican, they’d be commissioning bronze statues by now.
You know they won’t say it now or ever, so let’s say it for them: thank you President Obama for making the world and the United States safer.
Full post here
Thank you globalcitizenlinda
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Dallas News: As Mitt Romney campaigns for the White House, his Mexican cousins and supporters in this Mormon community would like to weigh in on some of the most contentious issues of the campaign: immigration, border security and religion.
Romney has more than 20 distant relatives going back three generations and a legion of supporters living in this region where his father, George, was born – a sanctuary colony in the northern state of Chihuahua originally established by polygamists from Utah led by Mitt Romney’s great-grandfather Miles Park Romney. Mitt Romney has never set foot in the region, his relatives say, but they are closely following the campaign for the Republican nomination, sometimes a bit uncomfortably.
For one thing, Romney has said that, if elected, he’d deport illegal immigrants within 90 days, build a border fence and have enough guards to secure it … These are positions with which the Romneys south of the border don’t entirely agree.
“Let’s get real. Sealing the border is a joke, it’s senseless,” said Brandon Romney, 33, a chili farmer and the local football coach….
…. Cousin Michael Romney … is “pretty sure” he will support Mitt Romney but wants to first understand his economic plan and vision for Mexico. “I don’t really understand what his policy is,” he said. “Addressing illegal immigration and Mexico have to be top priorities.”
….Mitt Romney, as the son of an American born in Mexico, is entitled to dual citizenship under Mexican law.
…. “I certainly hope his father’s Mexican background would be a positive sign for better relations and a deeper understanding of issues between the United States and Mexico,” said Jeffrey Jones, a Mormon and former Mexican senator. “I’m disappointed that we haven’t seen that side of Mitt Romney. We need solutions by working together because the United States needs Mexico very seriously and Mexico needs the United States badly.”
Full article here
Thank you proudmemberofglobalzero
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Just found a YouTube video of Patrick Murphy’s appearance on Hardball last week (my video wasn’t great) – worth listening to him again:
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Thanks Meta
The Obama Diary 
Morning everyone:) What another super Monday we’ll have! I hope that the President has a rousing speech to get people fired up and on board…and I hope those fundraisers make head’s spin:)
Off to a field trip to the pumpkin patch today with my first graders:) Did I say how much I don’t like school buses? Nice day though…it’ll be fun!
Mornin’ TODers. Our President off a again on a busy Monday. We are so fortunate. As long as he is in the Whitehouse we all have a chance. May we all continue to strive for are ultimate goal of helping to get this magnificent man re-elected. God Speed to all. 😀
President Obama’s re-election campaign launches an initiative this week aimed at rekindling the connection with younger voters that helped fuel his 2008 campaign.
The outreach effort, called “Greater Together,” will tap Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites and target students on college campuses in key states, such as the University of Wisconsin, Ohio State University and Penn State.
The initiative’s website will go up Tuesday, and the first of a series of “Obama Student Summits” will be held Nov. 2 in Philadelphia, featuring Mayor Michael Nutter and Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. The summit and future ones on other campuses will solicit questions and feedback on a live Twitter feed.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-10-23/obama-youth-voters/50885704/1
INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE = A NO-BRAINER
(VIDEO) It’s Agreed: We Need Infrastructure Investment To Bring Jobs
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You know things are bad in this country when you have Tom Donohue, President of the US Chamber of Commerce, and Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO agreeing with one another. And when you have that kind of agreement, that means something so inarguable, so unassailable that to take a differing stance would forever paint you as an unserious idiot, unworthy of any attention.
And Tom Donohue, despite his treading on ethical and legal edges in his GOP pandering and international campaign money laundering, is no idiot. Despite all of his wailing and whinging over the deficit just a few short months ago, Donohue is fully on board the “let’s get jobs” wagon.
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http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/its-agreed-we-need-infrastructure-inv
As Obama said, it’s simple math, you idjits.
Donohue needs to start twisting some GOP arms.
When is leno interview with PBO ?
Tomorrow Tuesday. Please see yesterday’s thread- I believe Chips has some info there.
Thanks.
Toon for the day.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Women-and-Children-First.htm
It’s no secret that we on this site love this President and will work as hard as ever to get him re-elected in 2012. I love it when young people who have just become of age to vote are expressing similar sentiments and are not just jumping on the uninformed Ron Paul bandwagon. Here is a young man who couldn’t vote in ’08 but is eligible to vote in 2012 and is very realistic yet excited about this President. He has been posting diaries on Old Orange and I think it’s important that we experienced voters give him support and encouragement. I will be following him on Twitter (@heimermann). For those of you who don’t mind dropping in briefly on Old Orange, please give this young man a tip/rec. I have already rec’d his diary, titled “Why I stand with Obama.”
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029432/-Why-I-stand-with-Obama?via=siderec
For those of you who DON’T care to drop in at Old Orange, the young man (Asher Heimermann) has a facebook page (www.facebook.com/heimermann) and is also on twitter (See his handle above).
I recommended it. Short diary but effective I think.
Morning Chips and TOD’ers. What a beautiful monday morning and I don’t say that often because monday heralds the beginning of the school week… BLECCCCCH 😉 But anyday is beautiful when President Obama is out there taking his message to different parts of the country and making the pundits and GOPTeabaggers heads spin. Hope he raises TONS of cash. 🙂 I’ve always loved Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, and Jack Black and I love ’em even more. Off to tweet their nice words about PBO.
ps: If anyone wants to watch Will Ferrell receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, PBS will air the program nextweek. Monday, October 31st, 2011. Probably at 8PM ET or 9PM ET.
Awaiting PBO’s departure – livestream: http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
Thanks, JER, you’re always ready with the plane shots :-P!
and…there he goes….looking spry and springy…I see Valerie, and David Plouffe (I *think*), Reggie, and Jay, and of course Pete Souza…. PBO looks ready to go
Good Morning what is ustream? I was going to download the app to my phone but I wanted to get an opinion about it first. Is it Live TV? Thank you.
It’s just a website that runs livestreams used by some agencies. There are sometimes PBO events that are carried there. It’s worth a download just in case you can’t pick up another feed and they’re carrying it.
American media take notes http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/manhattan_diary/president-barack-obama-us-defender-in-chief-132304548.html
For those of worried that OWS will try to turn into a third party:
Occupy Wall Street Tables Resolution Denouncing Two-Party System – Matt Taylor
“Occupy Wall Street held back from rejecting participation in the current American political system Wednesday night when the General Assembly — the group’s main decision-making body — tabled an official resolution to refuse support for both the Democratic and Republican parties.”
http://www.nationalmemo.com/article/occupy-wall-street-tables-resolution-denouncing-two-party-system
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You can read the article or not. They are still on some BS about “both sides do it” and fear of co-opting by Dem party but I just wanted all to see that they talked about it and tabled the talk of a third party – for now. Honestly I am not worried because they do not have the ground game or the money to do so. They would a lot of people and support if they tried to go against Pres. Obama.
Why would they even be considering a third-party system? I thought they claimed to be completely apolitical? And why are they fearful of being co-opted by the Dem party yet have no problems aligning themselves with Ron Paul and Buddy Roemer? What about that Grifter Goodner of Des Moines Iowa who decided that they should be “occuyping Obama?” and not laying blame on the Republicans or congress? Where is the objection to that from OWS representatives?
This “movement” needs to get it’s act together. The fact that they would form a third party if only they could enough people or financial backers to sign on suggests that they are NOT about helping PBO get elected in 2012.
Plus, they just marched on President Obama’s campaign offices.
Thanks, hopefruit, for continuing to raise important questions about OWS. Frankly, I am greatly troubled by the alliance with Ron Paul and Buddy Roemer and the people calling for protest against the President. I also haven’t heard the movement’s position, or seen actions, on the President’s jobs bill
I posted a response to you but for some reason it didn’t get posted. Might have to try again later.
Hi Hopefruit, sorry about that, for some reason your comment ended up in the spam folder 😯 I have no clue why that happened, just freed it! I’ll give you a laugh – I posted a comment yesterday that I then couldn’t find …. until I checked the spam folder. Yes, my own blog believes I’m a spammer 😦
Oh you found it!! I was beginning to think that maybe I had closed out before I hit the “post comment” button! Thanks Chips..and no worries about the spam 🙂
I commented twice on the previous thread and realized I hadn’t logged in. No biggie, you can delete them, after you read how awesome I think you are for those ‘edited’ news items.
When will they say it: “Obama keeps us safe!”
We heard it ad nauseum about that Idiot-In-Chief, Dumbya, even after he bungled every intelligence and foreign policy matter placed in his lap.
Here it is, our extremely competent, extremely intelligent, extremely effective Commander-in-Chief racking up success after success — and like the article says, let him be a republican, and he would have statues, museums, airports, holidays, etc., in his honor. They can’t take it, ha!
I love the fact that the White House will be rolling out initiatives that will go around Congress and will be reconnecting with young people. Exciting. It’s gonna be a great 2012!
You won’t hear he keeps us safe from the MSM or Rethugs. It will just have to be assumed by the public. It is obvious he is keeping us safe. He is not a Republican and he is not WHITE and he has a docile and non vocal Dem party behind him. So we will see what his second term will bring. Then maybe in 2030 after it is obvious in the record books and comparisons to other presidents how successful he was his image will be carved into Mt. Rushmore. 😀 Obama/Biden 2012!!
Scrolling thru the cartoons and saw this. . .
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/barackobama/ig/Barack-Obama-Pictures/Obama-s-Secret-Message-For-FOX.htm
LMAO
I love it!
Now that is funny.
Lovin the first one. Kind of reminds you of the look your mom would give you when she’s had enough of your bull, right? 😀
I enjoyed seeing the article about Will Ferrell and Jack Black supporting our president but it makes me wonder – why is the fucking media even asking these people about Obama? It makes me think they are purposely searching for ANY lack of support to further their “Obama lost his _____ base”. I’m so sick of it.
It’s Obama Obsession Syndrome. They can’t help themselves.
Must be a teabagger. . .
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/barackobama/ig/Barack-Obama-Pictures/Man-of-the-Cloth.htm
Don’t watch Morning Joke, but I see on mediaite where they had some fun today at Perry’s expense, his birther nonsense in Parade magazine and ended with Joe calling all their candidates “idiots”. Truth!
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/morning-joe-reenacts-rick-perrys-parade-magazine-birther-interview/
Good morning TOD and chips. I need someone’s help, stat. I’m listening to my local talk radio, and a discussion insued about what PBO has done for black people. A former head of AA Chamber of Commerce and the host saying PBO’s current messaging is terrible as it relates to black people. Also, the guest says he wishes Rev Al, since he has so much of the ear of PBO, would stop blindly supporting PBO and compel him to substantiate more ideas for helping blacks, and that 98% of us were excited in 2008, though that number may remain in support, it will not be one of excitement, yada yada. Someone here listed a site explaining direct assistance for the AA community. I am not home and it is not on my bookmarks here at work. Please post that site, so I can kick an email over to that station while the show is in progress. Thanks much. I see PBO’s biggest challenge will come from black men come 2012. Incidentally, Rev Al always says how he doesn’t agree with PBO always–in fact, he says it too much in my opinion.
Here is what I read over the weeken. You might want to pass this on to the radio station
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-defends-its-record-on-poverty/2011/10/21/gIQA9Tmb3L_story.html
“One of our challenges is getting information out,” Jarrett said. “Part of what we have to do is just be better messengers.”
Barnes added, “We’ve been trying to address [poverty] from day one. … People were asking what have you done, and we knew we have been doing quite a bit over the last couple of years.”
Thanks aamom. This is the issue as I hear it being discussed. I believe these pundits know he has been addressing the issue on policy, but not vocalizing it as they see fit. I would ask these same people if they think it is politically healthy to “pacify” AAs verbally, aside from the knowledge of actual assistance. The radio guest even commented on the “excitement” of the 2008 candidate, but this is the problem I have always had with too many of my people. A well-known adage in the black community is if you want to hide something from AAs, put it in a book. Now anyone here can challenge me on this, but cannot deny they’ve heard it repeated many times in academic conversation. Of course, this is not reflecting all AAs, no way, but the average, working and surviving AA does not always take the time to read educationally. I have six sisters, loads of nieces and nephews over the age of twenty, and a few brothers -in-law, and they do not read. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as supporters to educate as often and as timely as we can. With respect to stated radio guest, it seems Ms. Jarrett is stating the same as he, except that in his case, I don’t ever remember him being a strong supporter of PBO, and I am wont to see just what trails he has blazed as Philadelphia’s president of the African American Chamber of Commerce. Going to do research. Thanks again, aamom !
It’s been a while, but I’ve read that African-Americans actually read more books per capita than any other ethnic group in the U.S. I don’t remember that source and can’t confirm it, but wouldn’t really be surprised. There’s substantial middle-class and professional segments to that population that may not find their entertainment needs well served by their presence and portrayal in much of American popular media. Books let you step into a lot of roles, see things through many eyes, and pass through doors that might not otherwise be open to you.
edp4bho, Will someone, or this guy you are talking about please tell me what is it that Obama message suppose to be toward black people? Black people don’t teach, they aren’t firemen, they aren’t policemen, they don’t do construction work. Just what is his message suppose to be? I wish someone would tell me, explain it to this dumb black woman, please. When he talks of jobs, those jobs are for any color. Do these black men think that Romney, Perry, Cain, will do more for the AA community? There are alot of things this President has done to help all people. And as he said he is not the President of the Democrats only, he’s the President of the United States. And because he is black, then that former head of the CofC is saying he suppose to do something special, or more for the black community. I’m not getting it. If he was a blue President and he did more for the blue people, what is the first thing the people from the black community would say. Wait just a minute here , you are the President of all the people, not just the blue people. To be honest I’m sick of all this he hasn’t done anything for the black community. The man is trying to get this economy stronger, he is trying to create jobs, he want these companies to hire people. Just my opinion, I’m tired of it.
A lot of these Black former “gatekeepers” who sat on their arses for decades while preaching to the Black community but not really lifting a damn finger to actually empower them are threatened by PBO because he represents real change and these Black elite “gatekeepers” see their middle-man roll as slip-sliding away. Many of them are jealous of Al Sharpton because he has what they perceive as access to the President while they don’t.
You’re all over this!!! They wanted Hillary because she would have given them cover to continue this game. The President took that away and their ticked. Maxine Waters goes out of state to blast The President about black jobs (whatever that is) he delivers the AJA and not a peep out of her except to now suddenly rag on the SuperCommittee. Why isn’t she rounding up votes or in other words doing her job?
Why not move to fill those 3 million vacant jobs by letting the Black Community know about the unprecedented investments in HBC and community colleges and where they can receive financial assistance to get trained?
Waters and the CBC don’t know it yet but their days of clowning are over.
You have PEGGED it literally hopefruit. KUDOS!!
“explain it to this dumb black woman, please”
LOL…..I feel you anniebella. They get on my last nerve. They act as though they have totally forgotten our history and all the resistance we have lived with, not to mention the downright destruction to anything we have ever built, like Black Wall St in Oklahoma, or the many other black enclaves of economic prosperity and security in the past. As I mentioned above, I’m going to research this person a bit, as he is part of a symposium tomorrow entitled “Are We There Yet?”. This is a subsequent symposium from an initial one held about a year ago. Funny, I don’t recall any of these during the Bush years, be it about economics or war. I really need to shoot some info to these people before then. As for this guest, I just get the feeling he has not produced what one would imagine he could/would with the position he held (he is no longer head of that agency), so I have had my doubts about him for a few years, not because of what he stated today.
I wonder if these caring souls **snark** who keep saying the President hasn’t done enough for black people (while he has for others) realize they are tacitly saying that black people in the U S A are not people? How insulting is that!
Sorry, but pure jealousy from these black men is what’s driving this criticism from them. It’s very sad.
if the former head of the AA Chamber of Commerce’s name is Harry something or another, he was BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY GEORGE BUSH to the tune of 500k. So, I guess if POTUS had grifted him another 500k, he’d be singing his praises.
your response should be; President Obama is the President for all of we Americans. He is no respecter of persons. What he does for one he does for all of us. It is all done for the good of our society. Why are we asking him to be gauge by a different standard than we required of other President. The only reason they are trying to stir the pot now are because they are afraid of the AA’s vote. Only an ignorant person would need an answer. Surely I wouldn’t expect for the GOP to treat AA’s any better than a Democratic Predident. They can hush that noise because us AA’s are not thinking twice about this nonsense that they the media might perpetrate.
What does he mean the current message is terrible for Black people? We don’t care about jobs? I’m tired of these idiots making it seem like nothing Obama has done affects the Black community. Ooh, I’m too mad to write anymore.
Leaving aside this specific instance, one of the things that drives some critics nuts about this President is that they can’t seem to force him to do anything — and that they have less and less ability to panic any corner of his Administration. These suicide runs at van Jones and ACORN have been “teachable moments” for the people working for “no-drama Obama,” and combined with a vast series of major achievements — and several accomplishments ranging from staggering to mind-boggling — illustrating the overall hypercompetence of the core of the Administration… well, people are a lot less likely to get flustered by the outrage of the hour or the controversy of convenience. And their operation has learned a great deal about removing themselves from any position that requires involvement in these flustering falsehoods. People who live on fake narratives may whine, but the Administration doesn’t need to get bogged down in each and every one of the latest goofy accusations.
Incidentally, while struck by the President’s immense intelligence and incredible achievements, I am trying to stay relatively politically neutral in my commentary on a level of personal ability and organizational management which I feel deserves study for its own sake. So, in the name of “balance” I will now acknowledge something “negative” about President Obama…
Ahem.
For those of you who subscribe to the idea that we need 90% of the human race to “die off” rapidly (and horrifically) to conserve resources for the rest of us (read: The Worthy), I hereby admit: So long as you hold to that position, I must concede, President Obama *Is*Not*Your*Guy.* And Never Will Be.
His connection to the Chamber of Commerce tells me all I need to know. He is probably NOT one of the 99% and may be attempting to persuade some blacks to vote for republicans because he knows that if dems win the majority in both house of Congress next year, it’s more likely that the surtax may be implemented. A good question for anyone who might get through to the radio program and have a chance to talk to him would be to ask this AA CoC creature where was his concern for the high rate of black employment from 2001-2009. I’ll bet the caller gets crickets as an answer from this corporate tool. This guy reminds me of West, Smiley, and Waters, and that tells me he is no friend to anyone in this country.
I pray the President have a safe trip out west.
From Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
THE QUESTIONS CANTOR WANTED TO AVOID
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Earlier today, House GOP Majority Leader Eric Cantor abruptly canceled an economic speech he was scheduled to give at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania this afternoon after the University refused to limit the attendance of the speech to students and faculty and instead opened the event to accommodate the larger community’s interest:
…House Majority Leader Eric Cantor canceled a speech on income inequality at the University of Pennsylvania Friday morning, after his office was told that the school opened the speech to the public and it was targeted by protesters – including Occupy Philadelphia. [Politico, 10/21]
Here are a few questions Mr. Cantor was probably afraid of being confronted with today:
1. Why has the GOP been in charge of the House for 290 days and still no jobs bills?
2. Why would the GOP craft bills that would potentially destroy 2 million jobs when Americans here at home need work?
3. Why has the GOP voted 17 times against Democratic jobs legislation, including China currency legislation that would help create 1 million American jobs?
4. Why is the GOP hell bent on ending Medicare to protect tax breaks for Big Oil, millionaires and corporations shipping jobs overseas?
5. Why has the GOP spent all of their time in Washington obstructing the President and refusing to work with Democrats to restore economic stability for middle class families and small businesses?
6. Do you think it’s fair that millionaires pay less taxes than bus drivers, teachers, first responders and other middle income families?
7. How does restricting women’s access to essential health services make our economy stronger and create jobs?
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http://www.democraticleader.gov/blog/?p=4526
Go, Nancy aka Speaker-for-Life Pelosi!
These are such good questions! Lets tweet them to Mr. Cantor Maybe I’ll get blocked!!! w00t 🙂
Thank you a4a for tweeting, that’s exactly what I was hoping for. Those are excellent questions that the lazy media stenographers should be asking. I sent this item to Rachel, Tweety and Lawrence asking them to do a segment on it. I also sent them the LA Times opinion article about the GOP obstruction. I will also be sending these items to CBS, NBC, CNN, and ABC. The emails are flying this morning.
OK I fit them into twitter speak:
Tweeple: Eric C cancelled a speech today because he was afraid of the following 7 questions Pls Feel Free to RT #GOPFAIL (intro)
Q1: Why has the GOP been in charge of the House for 290 days and still no jobs bills?@EricCantor #GOPFAIL (1of7)
Q2: Why would the GOP craft bills destroying 2 million jobs when Americans here at home need work?: @GOPLeader #GOPFAIL (2of7)
Q3: GOP voted NO17x @ Democratic jobs&China $ legislation, this helps create 1 million USA jobs. WHY? @EricCantor #GOPFAIL (3of7)
Q4: Why is GOP hell bent to end Medicare to protect tax breaks 4 BigOil, rich & corp’ns shipping jobs overseas? @GOPLeader #GOPFAIL (4of7)
Q5: GOP obstructs PBO,refuses to work w/Dems to restore economic stability 4 middle class & small business. WHY?:@EricCantor #GOPFAIL (5of7)
Q6: Is it fair that millionaires pay less taxes than bus drivers, teachers, 1st responders&other middle class?@GOPLeader #GOPFAIL (6of7)
Q7: How does restricting women’s access to essential health services make our economy stronger and create jobs?@EricCantor #GOPFAIL (7of7)
This is just too funny to be true but, it is!:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/perry-watch/headlines/20111023-mitt-romneys-relatives-in-mexico-are-supportive-but-wary.ece
Romney has close relatives that live in Mexico…do not like GOP stance on immigration including Romney.
I posted an article up-thread about OFA launching this new initiative to re-engage the youth voter for the 2012 election. That is a group that I honestly feel can or will make the difference next year for this campaign. We need them engaged and active in our communities. Now this is where OWS scares me. I will tell you that I am not against the message of OWS. I know people from Facebook and locally here in the DC area that have joined them in marches and have participated with them at weekend events. I think the awareness that OWS has brought to the forefront about the inequalities in this country are dead on. What I have issue with is that they are creating an awful lot of cynicism among the youth (especially but not exclusively) that all politics is bad and both the Democrats and Republicans are equally bad and neither can be trusted. I think this is an irresponsible meme that is being touted by OWS because their liberal views whether they want to admit it or not lie with the Democratic Party.
Let me be clear OWS does not tell people not to vote next year but they leave a lot of these kids who spend time with them feeling as though their vote won’t make a difference since “everybody in Washington has been bought”. Ask someone 35 or under about OWS and they can rattle off 3 or 4 things that they know about this group. Then ask them about the President and what he is doing to create jobs and they don’t have the same level of knowledge about him as they do OWS.
Right now our youth is being mesmerized by the 99 percent movement which is totally apolitical so there is no sense of urgency that voting next year is paramount to their future.
Look at that Governor in Michigan that basically declared “Financial Marshall Law” giving him full financial authority over his state not accountable to anyone. What on earth do they think a Republican in the WH, A Republican House of Representatives and A Republican Senate will look like?
I know this sounds extreme but OWS could be looking at fire-hoses being turned on them if the Repubs get complete control.
By them turning off the youth means we will have to work twice as hard to get them to the polls and volunteering on campaigns. I hope OWS sees the errors of their ways regarding the 2012 election before its too late for all of us.
This is just my 2 cents based on my own observation and in conversations with Facebook Friends. Others may see it differently.
I mentioned on the last thread there will be a conference call later today about this new OFA outreach initiative for students and I’ll report back what I learn. I’m really excited about it. They’ll be launching their new website tomorrow and we’re supposed to get a preview. We’re gearing up for a massive campus info campaign that will include twitter town halls in key states.
Donna Dem,
I share many of your concerns about this movement. And I will take it step further to say that while on the surface OWS may claim to be apolitical, all their actions so far suggest that they are in fact VERY political. They are covertly trying to undermine and suppress voter enthusiasm, particularly among young people and individuals who are most likely to vote for the Democratic ticket next year. The timing of the movement (in an election year) is very suspicious. The targeting of white youth, the majority of whose votes went to PBO in 2008 also makes me wonder. The failure to call out Republicans in any way shape or form with a repeated insinuations, innuendos and explicit commentary about the Democrats and the President being tied to Wall Street. The association and alliances with notable anti-Obama PL media spokespersons like MM, Ratigan, Cenk, West, Hamsher, Matt Taibbi, etc is also very problematic in my opinion. These people spend twice as much time attacking our President than calling out the congressional Repubs or the current crop of GOP candidates.
It appears that they are in fact interested in forming a third-party but have come to the realization that they don’t have the necessary numbers to form one. Or quite plausibly, they might simply be too lazy to do the work that is necessary to first find a suitable candidate, and then to get a full campaign up and running. However, I am still concerned that they will make it their business to undermine support for this President in whichever way they can – even if they don’t explicitly support a third party.
I am not as kind as you are Donna in calling this an “error” by OWS. I think it’s the plan. I continue to hope I’m wrong about this, but so far I have not been convinced otherwise.
Still here with you hopefruit. Just over the weekend, a group of them tried to overtake a police station, supposedly against police brutality. Philadelphia has been very patient and accomodating to this group, even though it is costing the city around $35,000.00 a week, I believe I heard correctly, in extra man-power. But one segment was not satisfied. Seems they want to instigate just to paint the police in the light of corruption, so the police obliged by arresting about 15 of them, while most of the instigating group retreated. I am seeing now a lot of revved up, energetic young folk, without much to do since the unemployment rate is still high (although I read of one young lady who actually quit her job so she could take part), who find this a cause celebre. I remember feeling this way in high school–I protested the Vietnam war(although I really wanted to leave class early that day), so I understand the energy. But, I will remain leary of this bunch for now.
I agree with you, Hopefruit. I wouldn’t be surprised if this movement was funded by the same people who funded the tea party movement, since that so successfully took over the Republican party on the surface. It’s unforgivable that these OWS people have come alive now, when Democrats need to focus on the jobs bill and preparing for 2012. And all I hear is how “both parties are the same”, that President Obama is apparently as corrupt as the Republicans, and a corporate tool. That they will not vote. Some have quit their jobs to complain about joblessness – how silly. They haven’t uttered a single word condemning Republican obstruction.
The timing is definitely suspicious, and they completely ignore the fact that President Obama has been fighting for the middle class since before he came on the national scene, and has been balancing the need for reform with the realities of Congress, plus the need not to destabilize the existing systems that are already fragile. They are naive and idealistic and far from realistic.
Hi Donna.
I don’t have time to go into all my thinking process behind the eventual effect of OWS at the moment. Maybe later. However, I will say this in an attempt to reassure people, and this is my opinion only: I see the consciousness-raising of the corrupt financial system (and how that affects our politics) as THE major success of OWS. All else is a distant second.
To *me* it doesn’t matter who tries to co-opt it, who goes off the rails, etc. They’ve changed the conversation and they have people focused like a laser beam on Wall Street. This will make it harder for the Mitt Romneys of the world to win. This will make it harder for the Dylan Ratigans of the world to pull the wool over the eyes of people. This will make it harder for Fux News to lie to people.
And yes, it makes it easier for the President — in my opinion — to cut through the noise with his Jobs Plan and initiatives.
OWS is undefined, unorganized, etc., to some people. However, they are engaged. These people will NOT vote for republicans (at least not in 2012), and perhaps enough (we don’t need ALL) will be pulled into the Democratic column.
To me, they very worst trait in American democracy is apathy. OWS is the very opposite of apathy, and that’s a good thing. There’s a reason why the republicans hate this movement. And sometimes it’s enough to just be the enemy of my enemy.
OWS doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing, black-or-white proposition. There are opportunities there, and enough people who are interested in staying engaged and doing the right thing that can be reached by those of us in OFA and more traditional political groups.
PJ, I understand your viewpoint, but even if they do not vote for a Republican, if they allow a Republican to get elected in 2012, especially one who embodies everything that is wrong with Wall Street and money in politics (Mitt Romney) – how can we tout this as a success of the movement? If the basic message of the movement is that all politicians are corrupt and in bed with Wall Street, what do you think that translates to when it comes to voting in 2012?
I actually think OWS will make it harder for a republican to get elected in 2012….let’s pick up the discussion later, friend 🙂 ….
PJ I understand where your thinking is because their views lean heavily liberal but they welcome Republicans with open arms to OWS. A Facebook Friend that some of you may know as Joe Ferano (he writes for HuffNPuff sometimes) tried to get a mic check at one of their General Assemblies to ask them to please not discourage voters by saying both sides are bad because clearly the Dems are better than the Repubs and he was shouted down twice. He wasn’t asking them to be co-opted by the Dems just temper the sales pitch about who is at fault because a Republican administration will be devastating for this country. They would have none of it. I don’t see how that would be making it harder for a republican to get elected in 2012???
I heard on the radio this weekend that a GOP operative, I think it was Billy Roemer?, said this weekend that the OWS movement should merge with the tea party movement.
I’m still on the fence about the whole #OWS movement. I’m not too concerned about their desire to be apolitical/non-partisan right now because I think their overarching ideals are Democratic/Liberal leaning. To me this is no different than the Tea Party saying they were bi-partisan with many Democrat members – OWS is still trying to build their numbers and attract people to their movement/message and if they were readily and easily pigeon-holed as a Democratic Party movement it would instantly limit their reach as self-identifying Republicans and indies wouldn’t want to be part of the populist movement if it came with a [D] after it’s name. Also I believe the media wouldn’t have nearly as much interest if it was a “Re-elect Obama” vehicle. I think part of the media interest comes from the fact that “Hey, maybe they’ll say something bad about Obama”.
It really is about the 99% vs the 1%, and a lot of those 99-percenters are Republicans and Indies – even teabaggers are part of the 99%. It’s the raw numbers of it, and if you want to appeal to them you can’t be partisan. Let the anti-Wall Street message carry the day and bring folks together. Because we know both parties are bought and paid for, but one is way more so than the other. We have the Ben Nelsons, Mary Landrieus, Mark Warners, Jon Testers, Joe Liebermans, etc and the House Blue Dog Caucus but outside of Nelson all are to the left of any currently elected Republican in Congress and any GOP Presidential candidate.
We have the anti-1% message getting out and have the GOP explicitly defending the 1%. With President Obama’s American Jobs Act vote and now broken down into sub votes the GOP is very publicly voting to defend the 1% at the expense of the 99%.
Is it perfect? – far, far from it. I tweeted yesterday about a OccupyDesMoines rally that took place outfront of the President Obama campaign HQ where one clown was quoted in the newspaper article as saying essentially that “President Obama alone is to blame, and not Congress or the Republicans”. I have come to find out that this man – last name Goodner – is a political gadfly of sorts in the area, well known anti-war activist/operative and in all liklihood he led this group to the Obama HQ.
A potential 3rd party run is a concern, but at the same time this movement is about educating folks – there is no leadership giving edicts (yet anyways), but rather about opening up discussions and having folks form their own opinions. I can’t imagine many folks who are anti-Wallstreet greed, self-identify as 99%ers would vote 3rd party. I think the folks that ultimately would try and vote 3rd party wouldn’t have voted for Pres. Obama if it was a two person race anyways.
We’re a year out from the election, a lot can and will change with OWS but as of right now it’s primary accomplishment is that it changed the script from cuts/deficit/austerity to jobs/greed/99% and that’s a good thing as it gives certain wind into the sails of the President’s AJA, and puts focus on the Republicans blocking every measure because they are unwilling to tax millionaires even half a percent – shining certain light on the GOP’s rampant obstruction. So far I think OWS has been a net positive for the Dems even if it professes to be a non-partisan/apolitical movement.
I reserve the right to change my opinion of them at any moment of course. But this far out from the election, I’m willing to overlook certain things I don’t necessarily like to see how it plays out. If they can keep up their anti-Wall Street greed, too much monied influence in Washington messaging it could even begin to have an effect on the GOP Presidential Primary as some folks might realize that Mitt Romney is the walking personification of Wall Street. I contend that Mitt Romney is the only GOP Candidate that coud give Pres. Obama real problems in the General. Also the Super Committee has to have it’s bill out by Thanksgiving, so a month from today. They’re currently deadlocked – but with the prevailing media/messaging being about wall street greed and need for jobs over austerity and deficit/debt I think it in the very east gives the Dem side of the committee more backbone to maybe do the right thing. Does the Dems on the committee really want to come out with a cuts package without any revenues on the 1%ers in the current climate? I think they were much more likely to under the debt/austerity prevailing sentiment before OWS really took off. The GOP was wise enough to put on safe seat Reps, two 2010 freshmen Sens and one retiring one so they might not be swayed due to the politics of the moment but a deadlock is good for us.
Food for me to think on, StR. To date reading the differing positions here I’ve been in a wait and see mode with OWS, not sure which side to come down on. Though I’m still feeling my way, you’ve provided a couple of points that make sense to ME. Thank you.
Not saying I’m thrilled with some of their PL rhetoric but I think it’s by and large a healthy counterpoint to the tea party, taking back the discussion on progressive terms. Sure, in my perfect world they wouldn’t do any demoralizing damage to the Democratic or POTUS’ chances but in many ways it helps to re-focus anger away from the tea party’s stranglehold. I see it as a step in the right direction pretty much.
You would think young people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Florida wouldn’t need to be “re-engaged” If they don’t see the writing on the wall, then I’d say their education is wasted. I am sure when POTUS starts campaigning for real the young people will be engaged. Every speech he gives at a college is filled with young people who seem to love him. I don’t think OWS will change that.
Excellent points PJ and Debz. PBO is an educational President. You don’t hear any major education initiatives coming from the Rethugs including Ron Paul do you? The youth in college have got to see who is on their side. The Rethugs want to cut education and eliminate student loans. Wake up YOUNG FOLK! You want PBO in the Whitehouse for another 4 years by far. KEEP HOPE ALIVE! O/B 2012.
I know Debz and no one questions that people love our President but he even said a few times at his rallies, “If you love me you will …….”. It’s not enough to treat him like a rock star they have to actually go register and then vote. Our youth have not always done that in the past but he was able to galvanize them to go to the polls in 2008. My point about OWS is that it can be a distraction to the detriment of this 2012 election if these young people believe that “although they love PBO” it won’t make any difference. With all that we are going to be up against next year we just don’t need this sideshow discouraging them from voting.
I am not sure the OWS movement will survive the winter. As Al Giordano has said their timing for a protest in the fall with nasty NY winters wasn’t too bright an idea. After the holidays when campaigns start to heat up, I believe the young people who are not registered to vote will get themselves registered. Once PBO tells them what he has achieved on behalf of students and what will happen if they don’t vote, I’m sure they will get on board.
you are absolutely on point. donna dem
Sir, you wear the title “President of the United States” well!
Good mornin everyone..!! 😀
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FIRED UP…!!
READY TO GO..!!! 😀
Hey Rock!
Glad you stopped by 🙂
Chips these photos of our fine President just have my heart skipping a few beats. Especially that last one of him boarding AF1.
In the last pic, he looks like YOU!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LOL 😀 😀 😀
Doesn’t he? It confused me once, HF2. 😆 😆
I’m trying to wrap my brain around this sentence:
>>>>Romney has more than 20 distant relatives going back three generations and a legion of supporters living in this region where his father, George, was born – a sanctuary colony in the northern state of Chihuahua originally established by polygamists from Utah led by Mitt Romney’s great-grandfather Miles Park Romney.<<<<
The hell? Looks like papa was a rolling stone.
The hell? Looks like papa was a rolling stone.
BWA HA HA HA AH HA HA HA
he went down to Mexico so that he could practice POLYGAMY —-hell yeah, he was a rolling stone..LOL
Oh wow that is freakin hilarious.
Oh My 🙂
Chipsticks, I think GOPolitico read TOD! Ok, maybe not, but they basiclaly copied your post from last night.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1011/theres_the_bounce_78dbedfd-8018-49ac-8878-ead83cddd7ab.html
Ha, that’s hilarious Halo! Of course, they didn’t mention the 13 point swing ….. but it is GOPolitico. Thanks Halo.
From the Office of Minority Whip Steny Hoyer
THE DAILY WHIP: MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011
======================================
Here is what’s happening in the GOP majority House of Representatives today.
http://www.democraticwhip.gov/content/daily-whip-monday-october-24-2011
Steny’s Quote of the Day
“When it comes to compromise, 72 percent of respondents said Republicans were not doing enough to cooperate with Obama….Only 27 percent of the respondents said a Republican proposal that reduces regulations on businesses would create a significant number of jobs; 45 percent say it would create few or no jobs.”
– The Associated Press-GfK Poll, 10/21/11
72%? I love that number. The strategy of President Obama is paying off.
On a related issue… I think that the republicans offering knee-jerk criticism of the withdrawal in Iraq was a mistake. First it is completely at odds with the public opinion but most of all it reinforces the growing sentiment in the population that republicans are simply saying no to everything.
I totally agree about the knee jerk criticism of the Iraq withdrawal. The Republicans look petty and pathetic right now now complaining about us leaving Iraq. Do they really think that after 9 years of an unnecessary war they should be the party that wants to stay in Iraq? I thought it was great when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Meet The Press that if they had any issues they should have brought them up when President Bush agreed to the SOFA ending the war 12/31/2011.
Actually, I hope they keep up the knee jerk criticism because it will just provide more fodder for the political ads. They practically write themselves. Also, it was absolutely delicious to have President Obama’s campaign headquarters issue this response to the criticism from Mitt “Who Am I This Time” Romney.
—————————————————
The Obama administration responded thusly: “Mitt Romney didn’t lay out a plan to end the war in Iraq in his foreign policy agenda — he barely even mentioned Iraq — but he is apparently willing to leave American troops there without identifying a new mission”
And they further blasted Romney, saying his foreign policy experience is limited to being a “finance executive shipping American jobs overseas.”
Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-21/politics/30305429_1_mitt-romney-iraqi-government-maliki#ixzz1bimidlG1
—————————————————
Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.
Plus, they don’t care about bringing the troops home, or having jobs and benefits for them when they get here. And the fact that they’ve pivoted so quickly to Iran tells you they are warmongers. The fact is, there are more ways to deal with Iran, like isolating them and encouraging their neighbors to keep them in check. Bully tactics from the GOP just reinforce the opinions in the region about the US that cause them to attack in the first place. People in the United States must be tired of being afraid and bullying the world by now, right? It’s time for peace.
Not to mention what apparently went down with Stuxnet.
While there are differing views as to who the source was (though the U.S. does seem more likely), we sometimes forget who gave that operation the time to take effect. From what I understand, Wikileaks killed the argument that America and Israel were pushing for a strike (and hence a war) with Iran to take out their nuclear program. Rather, Israel and the Gulf States were loudly calling for a strike behind closed doors, while the U.S. was constantly calming everyone down and exploring “other measures.”
I mentioned what could have happened if they had launched a strike and executed it… perfectly. As I noted in the previous thread. So whoever initiated that plan — at an absolute minimum it seems clear who brought it to its conclusion.
…
Again, noting all of this in a politically neutral, “let’s just admit how capable these people are” kind of post. I admit if you want civilization to fall, Mordor to conquer Middle Earth, or the Easter Bunny sent to the salt mines, you probably *don’t* want to vote Obama/Biden next year. Unfortunately, neither Sauron nor Conan may be on the ticket. Be strong.
So disappointed I won’t be able to see Pres Obama today. 😦 Guess I better wait to get ‘rejuvenated’ when he comes back during the official campaign drive. I heard ‘Snooki’ is doing a book signing here maybe I should…………nyah!
Good Morning TOD family.
Busy today so won’t be able to stop by much.
I read a post upthread about OWS changing the conversation and wabnted to share this story about just that subject.
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/10/18/one-of-occupy-wall-streets-first-successes/
Jobs, Occupy, and Wall Street are now the main words beiing used by media instead of Debt, Cuts, and deficit.
One good thing.
As a further FYI – our local paper has carried a story about OWS almost everyday for over 2 weeks now. This movement has stolen the spotlight from Republicans in Congress, Tea Party, and crazy Rep. candidates. This is a good thing.
I am going to a barbecue today where we will be talking strategy with the leaders of our local group. The things I am suggesting:
voter registration, american jobs act.
WIW, I applaud the approach used with OWS. This is how to do it. It’s not co-opting but finding areas of cooperation. I’m as concerned as many here that OWS could result in the deflation of the democratic vote hence paving the way to republicans getting back in power in both the legislative and executive branches. I don’t want a repeat of 2000. Talk about counter-productive.
The push from the “outide” that OWS is doing is necessary in my opinion. But it’s imperative that it does not undermine the very difficult work that President Obama is trying to do from the “inside”.
I hope your local experience is well documented and that Jim Messina and all his team at OFA will be informed about this.
I’m sorry, but I have to say – I think the reason why people are talking about jobs might just be that the President has talked about jobs in absolutely every appearance he’s done since he started pushing his jobs bill? I haven’t heard anything action-oriented from OWS about jobs at all. And their “focus on Wall Street” has no goals or specifics – so what exactly are they planning to do about Wall Street. On the contrary, not one person from OWS has talked about the legislation that was created to reign in Wall Street, and the fact that the head of the Consumer Protection Agency is being obstructed in Congress. So, no, I don’t think the conversation was changed by OWS. I think the conversation was changed by President Obama, and OWS is distracting people from actually DOING SOMETHING about jobs, Wall Street, etc.
Yes. The conversation moved to jobs the moment Pres. Obama announced that he was giving a speech and presenting a plan.
The ONLY way to do ANYTHING about Wall St. abuses is to give Obama a TRUE 60-seat Senate majority and the House. It’s so stinkin’ obvious.
Great video of protest at Allen West’s office
Plenty of Baloney at Allen West’s Office
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/10/plenty-of-baloney-at-allen-wests-office.html
people can be so clever
Reducing Regulatory Burdens in Health Care, Saving More Than $1 Billion
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/10/reducing-regulatory-burdens-in-health.html
All the presidents efforts for math, Science and Engineering education are paying off.
Are African Americans Surging in Computer Science?
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/10/are-african-americans-surging-in.html
Beautiful new book coming from FLOTUS about the WH garden:
http://www.ivillage.com/michelle-obama-new-book-white-house-kitchen-garden/1-a-395282
Watch “Eeeka” from Morning Joe come out with a book on a garden. Remember she tried to co-opt FLOTUS’ Let’s Move campaign and had “celebrities” participating in an event on the show? It was a disaster.
All the Republican do is follow. They have no original or creative ideas. President Obama and his administration makes the Republican Party look like children. It’s a sight to see. They criticize everything he does and at the same time they try to copy everything he does. I can just imagine the number of times they must have said, gee why didn’t we think of that.?
Just look at the whitehouse.gov website under President Obama and compare it to the plain vanilla version under President George W. Bush.
Wrote PBO a note. Warning. Not nearly as eloquent as Bob.
Good Morning Mr. President:
I was just reading about your decision on issuing an Executive Order a week in order to combat the GOP tactics of Congress. I think in light of their do-nothing obstructionism this is great. It really sends a positive message to the rest of us who have your back and want you to be re-elected for 2012.
And what a great strategy- all it does is make these clowns look bad.
So just wanted to send you a note from Beyond The Bubble – we think you’re doing a stand up job and thank you for everything you do for us.
God Bless
Alice M
I wrote in response to this article:
http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/10/obama-cant-wait-on-congress-will-issue-an-executive-order-a-week/
Huh , , , Rove not up to task about a candidate.
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/karl-rove-cain-not-up-to-the-task.php
I’ll be attending a big rally this Wednesday evening here in MD. The DNC chair Debbie Wassermn-Shultz will be in attendance along with all of our Reps and Senators.
Because MD is solid blue and a sure state for PBO next year they want to rally us to get ready for 2012.
We have a new headquarters office in Kensington, MD and they have built a really great organization here. I’m looking forward to this event and for an opportunity to meet the DNC chair.
Our little state was second only to the largest state, California, in making calls outside of our state to voters to GOTV in 2008. We hope to be just as active this election year in support of President Obama’s re-election.
FIRED UP – READY TO GO!!!!
WOOOOOOT!! I’m with ya, Donna!! So exciting you have a new HQ. Leases are too expensive here so we have to wait until the campaign is in full swing.
I cannot stand Howard Kurtz but he is spot on with this article:
On Sunday morning’s Reliable Sources, host Howard Kurtz took the media to task for having roundly criticized President Obama‘s decision to get involved in Libya, but failing to give the President credit for Muammar Gaddafi‘s killing at anywhere near the same volume. “The media wallowed for months in criticism of the Libya policy,” Kurtz said, ”Why don’t they stop now, give some credit to the President when a brutal regime is toppled, and the policy is successful?”
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/howard-kurtz-asks-if-media-too-slow-to-give-president-obama-credit-for-muammar-gaddafi-killing/
Love this. The unfair media treatment of PBO has to be acknowledged. The general population is aware of republican obstructionism. it has to be made aware of media obstructionism. Blogs, social networks are fine but the MSM still has some influence. They have to be exposed. If people realize that President obama is not treated fairly, than all that is said on tv loses some of its impact and it becomes easier to talk to people when you don’t have to debunk a lot of misinformation.
Lol! ChiP- politico big bold headlines-
Democrats duck Obama.
Lol!
🙄 Jovie, they must be exhausted digging for negative stories every day of the week. On the day of Gadaffi’s capture and death they had four negative stories on their front page, their panic when something good happens for the President is hilarious, they have to dig even deeper.
Yup!
Did you see the one from Glenn Thrush yesterday about PBO’s “lonely bus tour”?? LOLz. These guys are too predictable.
I read something about him being alone on the bus tour last week. I shook my head and wondered why they would mention something like that. What makes me happy, is the fact that so many people finally woke up regarding the media. I think a lot of people watch for entertainment and see through these stories. 🙂
Just saw on msnbc that the most viewed political utube is President Obama dancing with Ellen on her show—-11 million views! Even tho some criticized his smooth moves—-millions of others and me! thought he was adorable!
This one:
His moves work just fine for me!!
He is absolutely charming. I love this video. Too cute.
I thought he was adorable too. Let’s face it, he’s cool and smooth.
Could u see Willard, or Perry, or Cain doing this?
NO, THANKS!
So yesterday I asked here if anyone understood the headline about BofA moving $75 Trillion into FDIC protection. I was freaked out and now I see that it was a hair-on-fire reaction by the author (at crooksandliars). Here’s the scoop from rootless_e : http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2011/10/yves-smiths-credibility.html Shorter: world not coming to end.
thanks Tien – I read your comment over at TPV and I’m with you – finance hurts my brain. But I’m glad that in short it means the sky is NOT falling today….. 🙂
Okay, to continue with my take on the former head/founder of the Philadelphia African-American Chamber of Commerce, who finds PBO’s messaging on AA issues so awful, I went to some of his previous blogs and found what I assumed all along. He was not an early supporter and has been highly critical of this black man, to the point of nitpicking. That is his right but if most blacks felt as he does, we would have had Hillary as president instead. For instance:
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008
Obama Needs the Courage to Support Black Issues, Too
“How long can we take the stern, black-only, public tongue lashings from a man who never spent a single day in his life having been raised in an African-American household?”
See, the “real black ” test.
“Over the past couple of weeks, for example, there was an incident in St. Petersburg, Florida, wherein a group of young black men had the courage to stand up at an Obama speech and ask him why he has never specifically addressed several, key, African-American issues during his campaign. In his response, the Candidate told the young men that, if they didn’t like his position on black issues, they certainly had the option “to vote for somebody else… or run for the presidency yourself.” I don’t remember Senator Obama ever telling Hispanic voters to “vote for somebody else.” Does he say that to Jewish, gay, Native American or Christian right-wing audiences? Why is it alright for this man to talk to black people in this way? And, even more important, why do black people feel the need to accept it? Are we that desperate?”
IIRC, these 2 men were downright and prematurely belligerant. Also, PBO never said he had no black issues, only that if they didn’t like them, they were free to vote for whomever, and he said it in a respectful way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Despite the clear evidence written into the Congressional Resolution that slavery’s legacy includes “enormous damage and loss (for African Americans), both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustrations of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity,” Obama still says that the best “reparations” we can provide are “good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed.”
Has he lost his mind?”
No, he has not lost his mind. Instead, I’ve found him using his mind, and in light of him being President for 3 years now, and all the vitriole, he was right to actually “know” how far to take the black issue thing, and plays it strategically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The most aggravating thing about all of this is the tired, self-defeating refrain from the Obama supporters in our community that he is not running to be “president of the national black community,” he’s running to be elected president of the entire United States, in a “post-racial society.” They go on to say that if he speaks directly to black issues, he’ll be branded as a “black candidate” and he won’t be able to win the “big prize.”
My response to all of that is this: If we were really living in a “post-racial society”as they like to claim, then black people and political candidates should not still be terrified to talk openly and honestly about black- specific issues.”
So, his choice was always either/or, so I am not surprised. Thing is, what would Hillary have given him to satisfy his quest for “black” recognition in the larger society, and something she could have easily been elected on?
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“My greatest disappointment with Senator Obama is that I believe he is certainly intelligent enough to take appropriate, strategic advantage of the “bully pulpit” the campaign has provided to him to REALLY talk about “change,” and to do so in a way that simply includes our issues, along with those he’s already clearly adopted for other ethnic and special interest groups. Deep down inside, I can’t help but believe that he has the ability to carry that off. I’m disappointed that he simply doesn’t even try to do so. As Vernellia Randall, a law professor at the University of Dayton, said in describing Obama’s ongoing aversion to black issues, “I think he’s dead wrong. People say he can’t run and get elected if he says those kinds of things. I’m, like, well does that mean we’re not ready for a black president?” ”
Yes, Mz. Randall. That is exactly right…..mainsream white America was never ready for a black president. Hope she’s looking at the evidence in 2011.
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And last:
“The great dilemma for black voters is that we are faced with the choice of Senator Obama, who doesn’t have the courage to stand up for us, or Senator McCain, who doesn’t have a pulse.
Maybe we can all get together, chip in, and send Senator Obama to see the Wizard of Oz so he can finally get the courage he needs to appropriately represent important issues in the black community”
Yeah right, Mr. Crawley. I still haven’t seen where you produced any jobs, but you sit on many boards. Sitting on a board, and running to and fro like PBO does, working his tail off for all those who voted for him, and those who had not, are two different animals.
My reason for posting all this is to demonstate the entrenchment of some of the black “professional left” we have to suffer with on our local levels, which we will indeed encounter when our boots hit the ground come 2012. I’m just doing my research to head me up.
I have nothing but vulgar things to say right now so I will stay quiet.
I really hesitated to post all this, but it’s a drumbeat re-ignited in light of the recent take- downs of people of color abroad that is also fueling the skepticism of a few black men, feeling subjugated as always in this country. My question is and will always be……what the hell did they think one lone black man, who represents all persuasions in America, and is bound by the constitution, would produce to alleviate their dissatisfaction? We have had leader after leader who have given us the spiritual, socio-economic, and political know how to advance our own “productive” dialogues, and I don’t mean the profit-driven State of the Black Union crap produced by Smiley and West, which went from year to year, only to advance their own standing and line their own pockets. I’ve had enough talk, or as I recall Dr. Claude Anderson calling it, rap and clap. PBO does more than talk. I’ve never seen him as the kind to be content with inaction marketed as activism. They can put their body where their mouth is, or STHU. I’m done with this for now.
Romney and his crew are a mess. So many different kinds of FAIL here, I don’t know where to begin:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/perry-watch/headlines/20111023-mitt-romneys-relatives-in-mexico-are-supportive-but-wary.ece