17
Dec
11

christmas in washington (chat away)

****

****

Catchya later 😉


357 Responses to “christmas in washington (chat away)”


  1. 1 nintendowii10
    December 17, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    First again?

    • 2 jacquelineoboomer
      December 17, 2011 at 3:41 pm

      Congrats!

      Chips – love the Ed Henry piece. HYSTERICAL – especially how you blurred his fat face.

  2. 3 nintendowii10
    December 17, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Happy Holidays everyone!

  3. December 17, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Happy Holidays one and all

    My daily dose of hte President’s Osawatomie speech

    Obama :: Osawatomie :: Poverty is inexcusable, wrong & flies in the face of everything we stand for

    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/obama-osawatomie-poverty-is-inexcusable.html

  4. December 17, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Happy Holidays Nintendowii 🙂

  5. 7 Linda
    December 17, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    What’s up with Ed Henry….? Did he say that ?

  6. 8 Ashley
    December 17, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    The Ed Henry piece is hilarious. President Barack Obama smooth calm and collected as always. Sometimes I wish just for once to be in on the private conversations with the President after he has new conferences. I am sure he speaks very candidly about how he feels.

  7. 11 Linda
    December 17, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Jennifer Hudson is beautiful….Didn’t she just have a baby ?

    • December 17, 2011 at 4:36 pm

      Yes, a few months back, I believe.

      • 13 anniebella
        December 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm

        I didn’t know that Hudson had another child. I know she had one son, then I heard she broke up with the father of that child, but as far as having another child, well that’s news to me.

        • 14 mb32
          December 17, 2011 at 5:35 pm

          News to me too…I just heard her on a Chicago radio station and I think she said her son was 18 months or 2 yrs and I could have sworn she mentioned the fiance but I could be wrong on that. I know she talked about her new house. She sounded really sweet. She and her sister were promoting a toys for tots drive for her foundation.

        • 15 Linda
          December 17, 2011 at 5:48 pm

          Wow…time sure does fly ….it seems like just a short time ago.

          • 16 JoJothecat
            December 17, 2011 at 8:10 pm

            Jennifer Hudson’s son must be about two years old….I remember she was pregnant when sang at Michael Jackson’s memorial and that’s been over two years now.

  8. December 17, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    That Justin B is a cutie and talented – I enjoyed watching his song (twice! lol)

  9. December 17, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Okay, let’s try this again! Bringing this over from the previous thread.~

    After 20 Years Of Poisoned Babies, EPA Will Finally Cut Coal Industry’s Toxic Mercury Pollution
    By Brad Johnson on Dec 16, 2011 at 11:58 am

    The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to approve a tough new rule on Friday to limit emissions of mercury, arsenic and other toxins from the country’s power plants, according to people with knowledge of the new standard. Though mercury is a known neurotoxin profoundly harmful to children and pregnant women, the air toxins rule has been more than 20 years in the making, repeatedly stymied because of objections from coal-burning utilities about the cost of installing pollution control equipment.

    ~snip~

    http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/12/16/390939/after-20-years-of-poisoned-babies-epa-will-finally-close-coal-industrys-toxic-mercury-loophole/

  10. December 17, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Newt Gingrich Calls Nebraskans ‘Utterly Irrational’ For Delaying Keystone XL
    By Brad Johnson on Dec 16, 2011 at 9:43 am

    After an emergency legislative session called by Republican governor David Heineman, the state of Nebraska has begun its own environmental review. The Canadian tar sands company behind the pipeline, TransCanada, has said it will redirect the pipeline away from the sensitive Sandhills. However, Gingrich dismissed the will of the people of Nebraska, attacking President Obama for threatening a veto of the Republican Keystone XL poison pill in the payroll tax cut bill:

    ~snip~

    In fact, it’s the decision to rush Keystone XL that Nebraskans think is “utterly irrational.” “We do not even have a new route out of the Sandhills yet, and they want to rush the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Bruce Boettcher, landowner and rancher in the Sandhills, in a statement to ThinkProgress Green. “It makes absolutely no sense.”

    “Not only will this pipeline risk jobs of our farmers and ranchers, it is built as an export pipe sending tarsands to Latin America and Asia. If Newt wants a real education on this issue, we invite him to work just one day on a ranch in the Sandhills,” Nebraska activist Jane Kleeb tells ThinkProgress Green.

    Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/12/16/390731/newt-gingrich-calls-nebraskans-utterly-irrational-for-delaying-keystone-xl/

    • December 17, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      Why do I have the feeling that PBO is smiling like the Cheshire cat?

      • 24 overseasgranny
        December 17, 2011 at 4:10 pm

        The end result always looks like that!

        • December 17, 2011 at 4:42 pm

          OSG!!! I’ve been thinking of you with all the zaniness happening on your side of the Pond. Hope you’re not too cold and that you’re having a wonderful holiday season.

          • 26 overseasgranny
            December 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm

            I have thought often about you, too, and miss our chats. It has been cold here but tomorrow we start a heat wave that should bring us up to the 50’s and last for a week or more. Politics has been crazy over here with the presidential election – a farce. Just got a new budget that is going to hurt a lot of people over the next year. Enda Kenny’s honeymoon is long over. If you ever want to know what is going on, you can go here http://www.politics.ie/ and find me at Mrs. Crotta Cliach; they have internal mail.
            The President has been doing fine and I am not worried at all about his re-election. The Republican debates have been just hysterical to watch.

            • 27 desertflower
              December 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

              So nice to you again, OSG 🙂 Been too long! I say the world is experiencing growing pains, some good, some not good at all.Wish you well, and I hope that you come visit us more often. We need your perspective, and your straight forward thoughts. What a surprise you gave to LL today 🙂 You were missed! All the best to you.

            • 31 Betsey
              December 17, 2011 at 6:26 pm

              Was just wondering where you were! So glad to “see” you again.

      • 32 isonprize
        December 17, 2011 at 4:20 pm

        Because he is. He just keeps outsmarting them… I LOVE THAT MAN!!!!

      • 33 utaustinliberal
        December 17, 2011 at 4:28 pm

        Probably because he’s been the winner in the 16 or 17 clown debates they’ve had and millions of Americans got to see and hear their ignorance and horrific proposed policies. Also because even though he was dealt a fucked up congress, he’s been beating them at their own game since the start of 2011. Also because he sent a $447B jobs bill and in 3 months or less, he’s gotten them to pass about $30B worth of his jobs bill by being a political chess master. Also because in national poll after national poll, though Americans may be frustrated with the slow growth of the economy, he still beats Romney and Gingrich in the polls. Also because he gets to have a wonderful holiday in Hawaii, knowing his team’s groundwork is 1000% better than any clown GOP candidate and he gets to come back refreshed and in Jedi fighting mode for 2012. Yup. I’d be smiling like a Cheshire cat too.

      • December 17, 2011 at 4:32 pm

        😀

        Makes you wonder who these Republicans work for, when the people who pay their salaries say the exact opposite of what they seem to be willing to die to defend. Well, I don’t wonder, actually…

      • 38 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
        December 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm

        LL – on this one I think he’s already had a belly laugh or two 🙂

        And:

        Our4thEstate Bobfr
        #KOCHMAFIA biggest beneficiary of Keystone. http://t.co/Fu4Opj4h @SpeakerBoehner & his #GOPFAIL buddies have accelerated it’s DEMISE. Ironic

        #YesWeCanDOMoreTogether – We Must!

    • 39 jacquelineoboomer
      December 17, 2011 at 6:42 pm

      So, nobody in Nebraska will be voting for Newt. Do I have that right?

      🙂

    • 40 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
      December 17, 2011 at 6:50 pm

      Our4thEstate Bobfr
      Yo #emoprogs – Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, Natural Resources Defense Council, Senate GOP ‘DOOMS’ Keystone – nrdc.org/media/2011/111… #OBAMA2012 #VOTE

      #PRESSON

  11. December 17, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    So Showtime filmed a “year” in the life of the Army and Navy football teams leading up to the Army vs Navy team. They filmed on the field, at the academies and even on some of the field training as well.

    It’s looks to be really good. I’m watching the “prelude” to the documentary. I’m not sure when the actual documentary will come on, but it looks to be interesting.

  12. December 17, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Okay, so here’s the link. The actual documentary will be on Dec 21 at 1Opm.

    “A Game of Honor”
    http://sports.sho.com/#/football/specials/army-navy/a-game-of-honor

  13. 44 GGail
    December 17, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Thanks Chipsticks! This is such a pleasant surprise. I’ve enjoyed viewing this today. 🙂

    And your Ed Henry spot is a HOOT!

  14. December 17, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    All these journalists are looking to impress somebody, like Pope of NC, or the Koch brothers.
    It’s seems as though their is a swift boat bounty out on the President.
    The winner gets a nice job heading the overseas operations for drill baby drill.
    At least, it seems so…

  15. 46 anniebella
    December 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    I want the media to add up all the vacation trips George W. Bush and Laura Bush took over the eight years. I want the media to add up how much they cost us tax payers. I’m fed up with this same old Republican B.S. every time the Obamas go on vacation. I didn’t complain when my tax dollars were being used for the Bushes vacations, so those freaking Republicans need to shut the “H” up now. I hope the President will soon join his family and they will have a Merry Merry, Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

    • December 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

      They are just trying to get the left back for attacking Bush, when he went on vacation.
      I got even odds, that all these reporters were GW fans.

      • 48 anniebella
        December 17, 2011 at 10:17 pm

        I don’t recall the Dems talking about what it cost when Laura and the twins ran all across the world for eight years.

    • 49 Linda
      December 17, 2011 at 5:56 pm

      Here is the cost of going to Crawford.

      President Bush took 149 trips to Camp David, 77 visits to his Crawford ranch, and 11 trips to his father’s Kennebunkport mansion. Since Air Force One reportedly cost $56,800 per hour to operate in 2004 (which Bush used to get to Crawford), and the plane can travel up to 630 miles per hour, it cost at least $259,657 to get the 2,880 miles to Crawford and back, each time Bush went, or roughly $20 million dollars just for taking the plane on the Crawford trips alone. Add in the cost of putting up Secret Service and other staff for the ranch trips, as well as the Kennebunkport and Camp David trips, and you get, well, a lot.

      And remember that Air Force 2 also tags along as a back up. ( More at the link )

      http://mediamatters.org/blog/201008050054

      • 50 anniebella
        December 17, 2011 at 6:14 pm

        So what you are saying Linda, is that it cost us taxpayers alot for G.W. and Laura to run from vacation to vacation. And what I am saying is the right wing nuts and the media need to shut the “HELL” up about the Obamas vacations. Thank you Linda.

  16. December 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    ChadPergram Chad Pergram
    House GOP ldrship tells rank and file it is inclined to take Senate payroll bill after consultation with McConnell.
    1 hour ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply
    Retweeted by @RL_Mille

  17. 66 Alycee (@jazziz2)
    December 17, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Good evening TOD fam, just checking in! Was Blessed to be feeling well enough today to attend a Christmas luncheon. Now I’m going to brew some tea and read back post to see what you’ve been up to today.

  18. December 17, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    A packed house of nearly 200 supporters helped open the new campaign office in Lauderhill on Dec. 13. Were you there? Tag yourself in one of our photos from the event.

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150416509396216.353636.23127196215

  19. 70 virginia
    December 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    A bit off the subject, but did anyone catch a segment on one of the channels with an author who wrote a book about Christmas in the White House? I came in on the tail end, but I could SWEAR she said that the Bushes decorated the White House from stem to stern every Christmas they were there, but did not invite anyone in to see the decorations. The Obama’s have tours all the time. Did anybody else hear that interview? That stuff about the Bush family was a little bizarre. I’m going to try to find out more about it.

    • 71 Linda
      December 17, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      I don’t think he was much of a people person. teehee.

      He always said he went to bed by 9 PM

    • 72 Bill
      December 17, 2011 at 6:10 pm

      Virginia, The interview was on MSNBC. I thought the author, who had worked in the WH for Laura Bush, said after the first term the Bushes did have visitors, but the comment was unclear to me.

    • December 17, 2011 at 7:05 pm

      I saw it. The Bush family did not invite anyone in the first 4 years they were there. After that I was unclear if they started opening it to the public or just congress

    • 76 24Sass
      December 17, 2011 at 10:54 pm

      I love how Michelle Obama refers to the WH as the People’s House. And they have shared it with the people all along the way.
      Wonderful people, those Obama’s. 🙂

  20. 77 FiredUpInCA
    December 17, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    From GOPolitico:

    “House Republicans are in full revolt in the wake of Senate passage of a two-month payroll tax holiday package, casting serious doubt on the fate of a bill that already has President Barack Obama’s approval.

    In a private conference call on Saturday afternoon, rank-and-file House Republicans complained bitterly about the contents of the deal, which would extend through February the president’s Social Security tax cut, unemployment insurance and Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors.

    The sweetener of a provision requiring the president to expedite consideration of the Keystone XL oil pipeline wasn’t enough to offset the bitterness of a deal that gives the president two more months to pillory Republicans on a tax cut that is one of his most popular policies.”

    Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70592.html#ixzz1gpvHRSZe

    The sweetener is not all that sweet. As Jack Tapper tweeted:

    “Of course this bill doesn’t force Keystone project to go forward, it allows POTUS to decide whether or not it’s in “national interest.”

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:21 pm

      Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. Every. Damn. Time. Meep meep.

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:23 pm

      So, looks line they will need lots of democrats to pass the bill.
      Poor boner!

    • 81 Linda
      December 17, 2011 at 6:25 pm

      Ha…Ha….Ha….Ha….Ha…..Ha….

      Boehner will now have to beg Democrats to get this passed……I love it !

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm

      So once again, the congressional Republicans are the last to know that they “won” another standoff. go figure.

    • 83 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
      December 17, 2011 at 6:45 pm

      Our4thEstate Bobfr
      America – @SpeakerBoehner having failed his Koch masters on Keystone will now need to beg Dems to help him pass Omnibus http://t.co/RfIYc3sz

      Just loving it. Keystone is a biggie for the #KOCHMAFIA. Not only does the Senate-passed legislation ensure that State will reject the permit, it doesn’t even compel the President to do anything he wouldn’t have done anyways. And, it sticks the House GOP with two more months of President Obama slamming them for protecting only the rich while highlighting the fact that he prevented 160 million Americans from experiencing a tax increase on 1 Jan 2012.

      The PL’s meme of ‘caved’ is just a tad off mark 😀

      In fact, the President has ‘caved in’ on top of the GOP so many times they’re never going to dig themselves out of the rubble of their blinded-by-bigotry stupidity.

      #PRESSON

    • December 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm

      I think this is GOP kabuki – it happens every single time. It’s just to make it look like Boehner is fighting his caucus tooth and nail for votes so nobody can possibly expect him to move any further towards the center. He passes red meat garbage all the time, and never works with Pelosi, yet Dems are expected to vote on things to help them pass they never have any say in?

      Boehner wants votes to pass it – what is he going to offer? GOP never does anything without horse trading – It’s time we do the same.

  21. December 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Those who tweet are sweet on Mr. Obama. Among self-identified users of Twitter, the social-media network in which users are limited to short messages, Mr. Obama’s approval rating stands at 69%, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. That is 23 percentage points higher than for the nation at large.

    The Twitterverse is still a small world. Only 9% of adults said they used the service in the past two to three weeks, compared with 55% who said they used Facebook, the survey found.

    Where Twitter leans left, Facebook reflects the electorate at large, due to its huge number of users. Among Facebook users, the president’s job-approval rating is 47%, statistically no different from the 46% for voters overall.

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204336104577096850875998664.html

    • 88 Esmerelda
      December 17, 2011 at 6:24 pm

      That’s because those who tweet tend to be better informed and care about what’s going on.

      • December 17, 2011 at 7:40 pm

        I don’t have proof, but it sure seems as though you’re right. My Facebook page has a few family pictures, but mostly political articles from blogs (like this one) that I think are important. On others Facebook pages there seems to be a lot of stupid stuff. Just saying…………….

        • December 17, 2011 at 10:21 pm

          I really find Facebook boring and am amazed at all the silly things people talk about. I only post on Facebook if I’m making a political statement. Otherwise, it seems a waste of time. Twitter is great for impatient people. Go in, make a short statement, read short responses. I think twitter will continue to grow, especially in the next year.

  22. 91 rikyrah
    December 17, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    December 17, 2011
    Newt Gingrich: a GOP Ho Chi Minh

    In one of the more apt analogies yet made in this comedy-drama year of Guess Who’s Becoming the Winner, Politico’s Glenn Thrush intriguingly evokes the martial image of Mitt Romney as an Axis power and Newt Gingrich as the Viet Cong:

    [I]f Romney is a conventional enemy, Gingrich poses an asymmetrical threat [to President Obama]: He’s simply a more dangerous, talented and unpredictable political actor than Romney.

    It’s true, as Thrush readily points out, that the White House nonetheless prefers Gingrich at the top of the enemy’s ticket. As his party’s nominee, the former speaker possesses every undesirable trait in the GOP Establishment’s mind and virtually every desirable trait in David Axelrod’s mind. Yet there is something about the imagery of the Romney war machine as a lumbering giant of fixed fortifications and indefensible lines, and of the Gingrich insurgency as a black-pajama-clad peasant of booby traps and rat holes, that gives one pause.

    http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2011/12/newt-gingrich-a-gop-ho-chi-minh.html

    • 92 jacquelineoboomer
      December 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      It just gets me when the word “talent” is used, in reference to Newt. What kind of talent do you need to be a horrible bully who lies?

    • December 17, 2011 at 10:32 pm

      Carpenters’a a brilliant guy, but to present an asymmetrical threat, an enemy has to be focused, far sighted and possessed of infinite patience, commitment and self-control–none of which Newton Leroy has. Newt has no strategic vision outside of his own self advancement and has a very poor track record at controlling his temper and emotions. Think of the intensely focused, brilliantly conceived and painstakingly conducted campaign that our president waged against Hilary Clinton. That kind of intensity is simply alien to the Newt personality, which is all about self-gratification and ego.

  23. 95 rikyrah
    December 17, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    December 16, 2011
    Referendum, or a choice

    From the latest Associated Press-GfK poll, here’s an interesting comparison of independent voters in the matter of whether the upcoming presidential election is presented as a referendum, or a choice:


    Obama’s overall job approval stands at a new low, with 44 percent approving and 54 percent disapproving. The president’s standing among independents is worse: Thirty-eight percent approve while 59 percent disapprove….

    [Yet] Obama receives 45 percent of unaligned adults compared with 41 percent for Romney. Against Gingrich, Obama holds a wide lead among independents, with 54 percent supporting the president and 31 percent backing the former Georgia congressman.

    http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2011/12/referendum-or-a-choice.html

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:30 pm

      How many new lows are there? I would think at this point he’d be in the teens with all these “Pres Obama has hit new lows” articles.

      • 97 hopefruit2
        December 17, 2011 at 7:06 pm

        Exactly…for the number of “new low” articles I’ve seen in the last 24 months, the President should be at ZERO% approval right now. So, these “stories” cannot be all correct.

    • 99 Desraye
      December 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      This is why independents are know as uninformed. They don’t research, they just listen to what the MSM said and then form their opininon.

      • December 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm

        Even if we accept that they’re uninformed, they still prefer PBO to Romney. The misinformation is starting to lose its efficacy.

        • 101 Desraye
          December 17, 2011 at 6:48 pm

          Show me where it is losing its effiacacy?

          • December 17, 2011 at 6:53 pm

            [Yet] Obama receives 45 percent of unaligned adults compared with 41 percent for Romney. Against Gingrich, Obama holds a wide lead among independents, with 54 percent supporting the president and 31 percent backing the former Georgia congressman.

            All the trash thrown at PBO, and he still beats Romney among indies, and crushes Gingrich among them. Oh, it’s not all chocolate and roses, but those are some pretty good numbers. I also think his doing interviews with local news programs helps greatly in countering the Beltway nabobs.

            • 103 Desraye
              December 17, 2011 at 7:07 pm

              Romney should not be receiving 41 percent. PBO should be leading Romeny like he’s leading Gingrich. This is where the MSM comes into play.

              • December 17, 2011 at 10:39 pm

                At this point Romney is the generic Republican. I really believe that the vast majority of Americans have not been paying attention and won’t until the 2012 campaign is well on its way. PBO is starting to define Romney in the public eye, but the campaign hasn’t started yet. He will bring on the big guns when he thinks the time is right. There are people in this country who will vote for a one-eyed pig if it has an R after it’s name. So that’s just what we’re seeing now. Gingrich polls lower because people aren’t even sure the one eye is working.

          • December 17, 2011 at 7:15 pm

            Here’s a good short post on this very issue from PM Carpenter

            Referendum or a choice: http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2011/12/referendum-or-a-choice.html

    • 106 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
      December 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      I don’t understand this post. It is the same regugitated crap. Pundits would not know what to do with themselves if they weren’t studying and quoting polls. 🙄

  24. 107 rikyrah
    December 17, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 12/16/2011
    ‘Both sides’ to blame for gridlock? Public doesn’t agree.
    By Greg Sargent

    Yesterday’s big Pew poll found that in various ways, the public is heaping more blame for the government paralysis in Washington on Republicans than on Democrats. Timothy Noah makes an important point about this:

    The really interesting finding is that the public does not accept the “objective” message spoon-fed by the press that both sides are equally at fault. Instead, it (accurately) assigns most of the blame to the Republican party. Forty percent say Republican leaders are more to blame, as against a mere 23 percent who say Democratic leaders are more to blame. A larger proportion blames the GOP than blame both parties (32 percent). And among independents, 38 percent say Republicans are more to blame, against 15 percent who say Democrats are.

    So much for the hack story line that partisanship and political games-playing is paralyzing Washington. Partisanship and political games-playing by Republicans is paralyzing Washington.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/both-sides-to-blame-for-gridlock-public-doesnt-agree/2011/12/16/gIQADtjdyO_blog.html

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      More evidence that the MSM is becoming increasingly irrelevant. For all the mergers and acquisitions and formation of media conglomerates, the future of news lays in the micro, rather than the macro. There will still be newspapers and networks, but their reach and influence will continue to diminish, as the role of the citizen-journalist increases.

      • December 17, 2011 at 10:47 pm

        In the long term, the MSM will be the old people’s media, essentially finding its audience among the nursing home set. Young people don’t have the patience to listen to talking heads who go on and on spouting nonsense. The media conglomerates by their very massiveness are slow to catch on to new trends. And they exacerbate their older audience problem by employing really old on-camera personalities. Wolf Blitzer? Andrea Mitchell? Please.

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:32 pm

      That’s good news – that question should be included in the daily Gallup polling so the hack story of both sides are to blame gets shut down every day.

  25. 111 rikyrah
    December 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Posted at 03:25 PM ET, 12/16/2011
    Inside the Dem game plan to paint Romney as predatory capitalist
    By Greg Sargent

    One of the most consequential questions for the 2012 presidential campaign may be this: Who will succeed in defining Mitt Romney’s years at Bain Capital in the public mind?

    I just chatted with Paul Begala, an adviser to the pro-Obama group Priorities USA, and he previewed how Dems will use the issue to paint Romney as a symbol of the predatory, unfettered capitalism that landed us in our economic crisis — and is now the target of rising public anger at Wall Street. He explained how Dems will push back on Romney’s efforts to define the Bain years on his own terms.

    As Mike Allen noted this morning , the most important moment at last night’s debate was Romney’s extensive defense of his Bain tenure.
    The transcript’s in the link, but Romney acknowledged that not all the businesses Bain restructured ended up succeeding; that this has left him with a “real world” sense of what makes private sector companies succeed and fail; and that at bottom, his motives were similar to what drove Obama to try to save the auto industry.

    In other words, Romney will turn the layoffs that happened under Bain into a positive: Proof that he understands how private companies tick and that he will bring a businessman’s fresh eye to the economy and job creation. If voters who are tempted to give up on government’s ability to create jobs conclude that Romney is someone who can tinker around under the hood of the economy and get it humming again, it could be very dangerous for Dems.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/inside-the-dem-game-plan-to-paint-romney-as-predatory-capitalist/2011/12/16/gIQAlw0pyO_blog.html

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:40 pm

      I think Bain Capital is a very poor subject matter for the Dems to use as a political weapon. It’s too complicated and Romney flip flopping on EVERYTHING is an easier target. Layoffs and restructures happen at well run companies – dependent upon industry cycles and external factors that a business doesn’t necessarily control. So even though Bain might have been the worst of the worst (I’m assuming it was but don’t personally know) it’s a dumb thing to target. As an aside, I’ve never been overly impressed with Begala’s political “strategery”.

    • December 17, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      I think it will work very well. He’s a classic robber baron who bought companies, fired the workers and than gave himself and partners a fat check. He wasn’t restructuring them to survive – it was raiding.

      • December 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm

        The robber baron angle is a good one. Then there’s this:

        • December 17, 2011 at 7:39 pm

          If Gigrich was smart, he’d compare it to the Hillary “Tuzla” lie, but really make it a focus because it highlights his missionary work where Mitt went door-to-door to try convert folks. So focus on the lying, but really focus on the missionary work.

        • 116 anniebella
          December 18, 2011 at 7:17 am

          Another lie from Willard Mitt about his missionary work.

      • December 17, 2011 at 10:54 pm

        I think the robber baron, predatory capitalist image is a good one and the idea that Romney’s goals in taking over companies was the same as the president’s regarding GM is utterly ludicrous–the sort of thing the president could literally snuff out in 30 seconds of debate. Any one who would believe that Romney was in it for anything but personal wealth accumulation would have to have had a hard fall off the cabbage truck. The president acted to save an important part of the economy in order to restore jobs and promote pride in American made products. Romney did it to make a buck. End of story.

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:37 pm

      This perhaps would have worked before 2008, but not now.

    • 120 taiping1
      December 18, 2011 at 12:41 am

      More to the point, when Romney was governor of MA, it was 47 out of 50 states in jobs created. It beat LA only because of Katrina. His approval was so low he did not run for a second term.

  26. 121 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    Words fail.

    http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/12/17/391482/rick-perry-herman-cain-cabinet/

    Could Herman Cain become President Rick Perry’s Secretary of Defense? It sounds like it could be a headline from a satire rag, but, according to a new statement by the Texas governor and Republican presidential hopeful, Secretary Cain could indeed be a serious possibility.

    Herman Cain a “serious” contender? Fortunately, Mr. Perry won’t have to make any such decisions.

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:07 pm

      I can’t even bring myself to read such nonsense – they think this is a game. Cain couldn’t even find a country to defend or invade, let alone develop any strategies for the Defense department.

  27. 123 dotster3
    December 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I’ve just about had it with the Occupy peeps, especially with this kind of news. They have been protesting outside Obama’s headquarters in Des Moines and plan to establish a permanent occupation there, have set up tents etc. I didn’t get what their main grievance was from the article, but this kind of wasted and misdirected energy is infuriating.
    http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/17/protesters-occupy-outside-obamas-des-moines-headquarters/

    • 124 Desraye
      December 17, 2011 at 6:58 pm

      These are the same dumbasses that said that they were not going to blame the GOP for what’s going on. I think these are tea partiers disguse as Occupy Wall Street. Also they also need to do some research on what Obama has done.

    • December 17, 2011 at 7:07 pm

      Ahh, the Libertarians again.

      Attempting to thwart the Presidents supporters for the Iowa caucuses.

      The President has one challenger- a libertarian/ democrat in Iowa.

      You see, these OWS people are trying to strong arm and intimidate people.

      Nice movement! Not!

    • 127 hopefruit2
      December 17, 2011 at 7:13 pm

      A bunch of Ron Paul Supporters I would guess. No wonder people are increasingly not taking these folks seriously. Check out this tweet:

    • December 17, 2011 at 7:19 pm

      That’s ok. OFA will be their wonderful selves and offer them hot coffee and some donuts if they have it. Kill them with kindness or ignore them. that’s what the Obama campaign will do.

    • December 17, 2011 at 10:57 pm

      Well just imagine what winter in Iowa will feel like living in a tent. They will end up being despised by the residents of Des Moines and create sympathy for the harassed campaign workers, rather than themselves.

    • 132 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
      December 18, 2011 at 9:21 pm

      Cmon Dotster. These are Libertarians. Paul supporters. They are fake. There to cause confusion and distractions. As much information as we get on this site…….you’d think some of us wouldn’t fall for all this nonsense. The OWS has broken off into splinter groups with different agendas. There is NO main leader or primary focus. They have taken up the NAME OWS to get the attention. Obama/Biden 2012

  28. 133 rikyrah
    December 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Obama Puts America’s Warmongers Back In Their Place By Ending The Iraq War

    For most countries in the world, ending a war and bringing home brave men and women of the military is a cause for celebration. The end of the Iraq war is welcomed by most Americans because of the cost in lives and resources that should never have occurred in the first place and went on far too long. There are some Americans though, who lament the end of killing and maiming Iraqis and Americans alike, and if they had their way, America’s military would stay in Iraq for eternity regardless the cost and drain on the economy. It is not worth spending time regurgitating why the war was unnecessary or the travesty that Bush-Republicans borrowed trillions to kill innocent Muslims, because it has been discussed at length for the past 8-and-a-half years. Instead, Americans should be joyous that our brave soldiers are coming home and America is involved in one less war. However, not all Americans are pleased the Iraq war is over and as usual, it is Republicans who are disappointed that our soldiers are out of harm’s way and the needless, protracted war is finally over.

    The end of American troop presence in Iraq is attributable to a “free and democratic” Iraq and an agreement between the Bush administration and the Iraqi government. In the ever-changing reason for invading Iraq, the final determination by the Bush warmongers was that Americans were dying in Iraq to install a democracy where the Iraqi people decided for themselves the fate of their country. Their decision was that, on the predetermined date, American troops had to leave Iraq. Republicans fail to recognize that a democratic president does not renege on an agreement like Republicans and instead, followed the timeline for withdrawal as per negotiations between the Bush administration and Iraq’s democratically elected leaders. In effect, Iraq’s leaders kicked America out of their sovereign nation and Republicans want to stay and kill more Muslims.

    http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-warmongers-iraq

  29. 137 dotster3
    December 17, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    Wonder why there’s about a 10-15 minute delay for my comments to show up, all bright and sparkly. I call for an investigation! 🙂
    Couldn’t believe all the headlines on Des Moines Register site—–in addition to the idiotic Obama Occupy news. They were:
    “Rick Perry stops for coffee, talks about wild boars”
    “Bachmann to Santa: All I want for xmas is to win in Ia.”
    “Perry: Cain is the type of person I’d consider for a cabinet appointment”
    ” Santorum’s Ia. campaign mourns loss of top volunteer” (53 yr. old woman found dead after attending Santorum campaign xmas party)
    “Rick Perry says he’s going to cut Obama’s budget by 5 trillion”
    “Gingrich 2.0: Newt offers new Newt for 2012”

    Silly season indeed.

  30. 141 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    Look what I found:)

    http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/11/04/362056/fact-check-keystone-xl-tar-sands-pipeline-isnt-a-job-creator/

    The only independent analysis conducted of the American job-creation potential of the Keystone XL pipeline finds that between 500 and 1400 temporary construction jobs will be created, with a negative long-term economic impact as gas prices rise in the Midwest and environmental costs are borne:

    • 142 hopefruit2
      December 17, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      That’s right df! And guess what, we’ve been posting the very report referenced in the thinkprogress article right here on TOD before the media found it’s cajones to report honestly about the keystone pipeline. Here’s the report and go directly to page 4 for a succinct summary of their findings on the keystone pipeline (how many jobs created, etc)

      Click to access GLI_KeystoneXL_Reportpdf.pdf

      TOD is THE place to be when you want information, facts, and substance!!!

      • 143 desertflower
        December 17, 2011 at 7:29 pm

        yes, hopefruit….I saved that report when it was posted the other day 🙂 Can THAT be given to all the “reporters” so they could report this story accurately? TOD IS the place for tons of info, facts, and substance! Any one of us could do their jobs FAR better than they can. Thanks for posting that again for everyone.

      • 144 EDP4BHO
        December 17, 2011 at 8:58 pm

        “TOD is THE place to be when you want information, facts, and substance!!!”

        That has a nice ring to it. Chips should patent it pronto. I’m just lurking, catching up on all the comments.

  31. 145 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    Pander.

    http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/2921 Romney panders to Tea Party.

  32. 153 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    Made in America products….WiW…..can you add this list somewhere? Thank you!

    http://abcnews.go.com/Business/MadeInAmerica/made-america-gift-ideas/story?id=15041794#.Tu0yKjXlPeh

  33. 155 Marlz (@marjgra)
    December 17, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    So much for GOP family values!
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/16/gop-family-values-mayor-admits-hes-gay/

    Dropping like flies!

  34. 160 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    ALERT! If you live in Louisiana, you better use STERILE WATER in your Neti Pot!!!

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2074957/Deaths-brain-eating-amoeba-linked-sinus-remedy-colds.html#ixzz1gp72LCm8

    Actually, if you live ANYWHERE, I would use sterile water in your Neti Pot!

  35. 163 defytheodds
    December 17, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    Federal Judge Smacks Down Republican Assault On Unions In FAA Reauthorization

    Republicans, led by Rep.John Mica (FL), who have been attempting to undercut workers rights in the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration received a stern rebuke from a federal court Friday. In 2010, the National Mediation Board set a new rule that discounted employees that don’t vote in elections to create a union, rather than counting them as no votes. Republicans charged that the Board overstepped its bounds in creating the new rule. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld a lower court ruling that the new rules were legitimate.

    “This court ruling demolishes the argument that the NMB overstepped its bounds in ensuring that NMB elections count only the ballots of those who actually vote,” said Candice Johnson, CWA Communications Director. “Just as importantly, today’s ruling means that the rationale used by many Republican leaders to continue to block the long-term FAA agreement is null and void. This ruling settles this issue once and for all: Republicans cannot continue to block the upgrades and job benefits of the FAA over a provision that has the force of law, fairness, and common sense behind it.”

    “Republican leaders and others obsessed with union-busting are blocking the FAA Reauthorization needlessly over a provision that a series of courts have now declared as fair and valid. House Republican leaders should admit that their true motive is to deny workers’ their right to a union voice, rather than reach a sensible agreement over the FAA Reauthorization bill,” Johnson said.

    http://crooksandliars.com/

  36. 164 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    No surprise to anyone here….the # 1 hack award goes to…….drum roll………….Mark Halperin!

    http://www.salon.com/2011/12/16/1_mark_halperin/

  37. 166 Linda
    December 17, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    Poll: Majority Of Voters Want The Campaign Over Already.

    Seventy percent of respondents can’t wait for the campaign to be over. Twenty percent for some reason can’t wait for it to start and just 4 percent are indifferent. The results are based on a December 6-7 poll.

    Interestingly, voters on both sides of the aisle share a similar distaste for the 2012 contest: 67 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans can’t wait for the campaign to end.

    http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/poll-majority-of-voters-want-the-campaign-over-already.php

    • December 17, 2011 at 7:59 pm

      The American election system is ridiculous with 18mos+ of campaigning for President. Canada and UK do it over mere couple months – but this is what happens when there is so much money available. Over $2B will be spent on the Presidential campaigns alone – so the primary season will keep getting stretched longer and longer. The House Reps are forever in campaign mode – non-stop fundraising and worrying about how unpopular votes might play back home and pick up a primary challenge.

    • 170 isonprize
      December 17, 2011 at 8:42 pm

      It didn’t used to be this way. Too much money involved. Plus the primaries keep getting earlier and earlier….

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      I can’t believe how many rethuglican “debates” there have been already. I think they started back in the spring :shock:. Utterly ridiculous. Add onto that the infotainment media’s gossipy political coverage that runs 24/7, the off year elections, the continual intransigence of the drama queening of the Party of No, and it seems like all of PBO’s tenure has been cluttered with political junk.

      I must say, however, I am looking forward to the Obama Juggernaut hitting full speed after the GOP sacrificial lamb has been named. I think we’re going to see an even more impressive campaign than 2008. Can’t wait! :mrgreen:

  38. 172 jacquelineoboomer
    December 17, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    One quick note to Chips: Thank you for this blog, where we don’t have to put up with PL comments about President Obama’s “caving.” Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    That is all.

    • 173 desertflower
      December 17, 2011 at 8:07 pm

      Agreed! Thank you, our goddess, Chips 🙂 And DA’s new bestest friend……

    • 179 L3
      December 17, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      Well, actually yesterday there were a few people on this blog who in their frustration suggested PBO and the Dems of that word that shall not be mentioned. It’s amazing that some people have these premature fits only to discover that things worked out better than expected. I think we should all adopt a wait and see approach with all things PBO. It appears that the Republicans outsmarted themselves and PBO wins again despite his supporters of little faith who sometimes react to these skirmishes no differently than the PL.

      • 180 EDP4BHO
        December 17, 2011 at 9:11 pm

        Patience is a virtue !!

      • December 17, 2011 at 9:19 pm

        THIS …… is one reason I suggested that we make our own ‘pledge of allegiance’ to lay off COMPLETELY on the negative critiquing of the President starting Jan. 1, 2012 (tho starting today, would be even better). 😉 If we consider that there are enough people out there drawing a bull’s eye on the Prez 24/7 & 365/12, we can easily leave the criticism to them for the next 11 months! We can bank on the fact that THEY won’t quit.

        Even though I know the TOD family is big and there is bound to be differences of opinion, I find it immensely frustrating that there is always someone (or 2, or 3) willing to ‘react to these skirmishes NO DIFFERENTLY than the PL’.

        Do we trust President Obama, or not? I believe almost everyone here would say we do. SO WHY DOES OUR ‘TRUST” LOOKS FAR TOO OFTEN LIKE THE OTHER SIDE’S MISTRUST? [He needs to… He hasn’t fought enough…. He should…. He didn’t stand up….. He gave in… He threatened … yada yada ] Until he proves himself ….AGAIN? Geez Louise, can we seriously can this until after November 2012? Can we TRY REALLY HARD?

        IMO it would be so terribly AWESOME if we gave President Obama, the most hardworking president in many of our lifetimes, 110% unquestioning support for the next 11 months, no ifs, ands, or buts! Just imagine! 😎 😎

        • 182 L3
          December 17, 2011 at 9:36 pm

          Amen vcprezofan2.

          Wouldn’t it also be nice if those who reacted prematurely could come back to this blog and apologize for their erroneous assessments and conclusions. We always talk about how the PL never admits when they’re wrong. They just move on to the next outrage. We should be better than that. We should also recognize that many of us come here to get away from those negative snap judgements of PBO and if we can’t find sanctuary here because of all the handwringing and second-guessing then where do we find it? The last 2 days I found myself turning off the computer and going to bed early and angry. We’ve got a long way to Election Day and I agree with your suggestion of a pledge but in honor of the season we can also make it a resolution for the New Year.

        • 183 Michele
          December 17, 2011 at 9:45 pm

          Hi Vc, I agree with you 1000%.. and Chips needs to make it clear about the intention of this site again because some people seem to have forgotten this is our safe place.

        • 184 EDP4BHO
          December 17, 2011 at 10:51 pm

          I have always maintained that if I have a serious concern about anything PBO has decided, I would address it directly to the WH. What good does it do for anyone to complain to any one of us when none of us is in position to resolve anyone else’s discomfort (sorry for all the “ones”). I just don’t see feeding the sharks anymore than they get already from the wingnuts. So, I agree with you all. Can the poutrage. President Obama is a big boy, he can take care of his matters.

          • December 17, 2011 at 11:27 pm

            ‘I have always maintained that if I have a serious concern about anything PBO has decided, I would address it directly to the WH’

            Excellent, and very practical solution!

          • 186 L3
            December 18, 2011 at 1:24 am

            Good point. There were two people in particular that I asked more than once, “What would they do or what are their ideas?” I got crickets from them both. To me that makes their whining even worse when they themselves have no idea how to achieve the desired result.

      • 189 Michele
        December 17, 2011 at 9:33 pm

        L3, have you noticed these same so call friends of ours only make statements to harm PBO and then you don’t hear from them until the next fake ass crisis they want to bitch and moan about..

        • 190 L3
          December 17, 2011 at 9:37 pm

          Michele, you’re reading my mind. Check out the comment above.

          • 191 Michele
            December 17, 2011 at 9:53 pm

            Hey L3, I didn’t know if you would see my comment since I was out shopping of course to help my President and my country. I would hope those people would apologize for destroying the peace, but I doubt it….

        • December 17, 2011 at 9:46 pm

          I have noticed this as well. I am not one that says the President or the Democrats are above critique. However, I find it really suspicious when I don’t see some commenters any other time but when they’re chicken littling. 🙄

          • 193 Michele
            December 17, 2011 at 9:59 pm

            Political, I think quite a few of us that noticed this ugly behavior in the last couple of days. I know I was turned off and couldn’t even manage to read the comments section because I was so disgusted.

            • 194 taiping1
              December 18, 2011 at 12:55 am

              There was a comment yesterday by a refugee from all the hair-on-fire pout rage here at Pragmatic Obots. We should focus on how to win the election and solid majorities so that we can realize the changes so badly needed by all.

          • December 17, 2011 at 11:24 pm

            Appreciate you guys sharing your take on this. Like PJ has often done, I usually step over the angst when I see it, so an apology isn’t really on my radar. {After all, what’s the point of apologizing if it only lasts until the next time?}

            What I really, really want for Christmas, more than anything, is a TOD New Year’s resolution to quit the PBO criticism and march with the President step for step WHEREVER he leads. If he steps in the mud, we step behind him. If he pauses to think, we pause behind him. If he falls on his face, we surround him protectively till he gets up, then continue our journey WITH HIM. If he climbs a hill, we climb behind him no. questions. asked. OUT LOUD about what he is doing. Keep the questioning of his motive inside your head. Email/.direct message it to someone if your head is about to explode, BUT KEEP IF OUT OF THE LARGER TOD VILLAGE.

            I am in no way saying that our side is above criticism, yet no one can deny that there are multitudes of others out there who enjoy criticizing the President, denigrating his efforts and labeling him pejoratively. Even some from his own party! What I’m saying is WE can take an 11-month break from holding PBO ‘accountable’, if that is what we choose to call it; he has in fact shown himself to be plenty accountable on his own.

            ELEVEN MONTHS OF UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT – is that doable for us the President’s supporters? I want to believe it is. I have to believe it is!
            Yes we can!
            Yes! We! Can!

            • December 18, 2011 at 1:59 am

              Excellent – I’ll try to keep the pledge.

            • 197 Sankofa
              December 18, 2011 at 11:03 am

              I’m with you on this vcprezofan2. Lately, I’ve noticed more articles about negativity from emo-progs, teathugs and talking head pundits being posted, more handwringing and more ” familiarity” with the First Family than I am comfortable with. First Lady Michelle Obama is NOT Miche to us, we don’t know her like that and if the president or his staff are reading TOD, we should give them the respect due to the first family. I love TOD, I love Chipsticks dedication in bringing excellent photos/videos and information, it is my haven from the constant ugliness outside of here. I enjoy and learn much from our commenters which I share with others and I don’t like that Imam skiping commenter’s post and sometimes all comments. I am a supporter of Presidemt Obama without qualifiers and if we can give football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams our support through wins and defeats, the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama deserves no less from us. And I agree that maybe Chips needs to reiterate what this diary is all about. I want us TODers to be better than the noise outside, I want us to inspire and cause lurkers to post, I want others to recommend this site without reservation ( and yes, I have heard this), I want us to be a force in this upcoming election. Yes, we all have opinions and I will defend your right to express them, I’m just requesting that we give the president the support he needs and to not drop into this familiarity trend I see happening. I know, it’s all in good fun but still, a level of respect for the man, his wife and the office should be observed. Then again, maybe it’s just me.

            • 198 nospin
              December 18, 2011 at 8:13 pm

              There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism and I cannot sign on to anything that says I cannot provide valid criticism. My hope is this site continues to allow for respectful debate and dissent. This group is diverse afterall.

              What we should avoid is unnecessary hand wringing and second guessing decisions that the President did not make. I am willing to make a commitment to thoroughly fact check and listening to the President as he explains the reasons behind a decision before ringing any alarm. And I can commit to trying to understand the rationale behind his decisions. If I still do not agree, I want to retain the right to respectfully disagree in a comment if I choose to do so but like you, I send an email to the President via Whitehouse.gov to discuss the details of my concern and hope for a response from the administration addressing those concerns.

              There is a big gap between constructive criticism and “holding PBO accountable”. That holding PBO accountable mantra is another term for undercover poutrage.

              So while I understand what you are saying overall, blindly walking with anyone is not something I would do, Besides, there is value with folks raising issues that others may not necessarily agree with because it provides an opportunity for a thoughtful response backed up with proven facts that can change minds of the person that raised the issue and for lurkers who are like minded and have similar concerns.

  39. 199 SUE DUVALL SMITH
    December 17, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    MERRY ‘CHRIST’MAS EVERYONE AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON IT WAS! JENNIFER HUDSON IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITES…I’LL BET SIMON IS STILL CHEWING ON HIS SHOES AFTER THAT ONE!

    • 200 L3
      December 17, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      You are so right about Simon. It galls him that she made it big without his “approval.” I remember that season very well. He always had some nasty comment about her hair or her attire and when she was not selected by the audience to be a part of the top 12, it was Randy who believed in her enough to bring her back. I belive Simon even told her once after one her last performances that she had blown her one and only chance to make it. He is so superficial. He did not appreciate her talent because he did not like how it was packaged. He resents that she succeeded in spite of him and not because of him. I stopped watching that show shortly after her season because I could not stand how the most talented people would be voted off before people who were far less talented. 60 Minutes did an interview with him where to my surprise he revealed he did not sing, write or play music. So basically his only talent is his sharp and nasty tongue and his breathtaking ability to bullshit his way to the top. Someone with zero musical ability sitting in judgement of people with musical ability.

      Back to Jennifer. Her Dreamgirls performance and sweep of all the awards that year was Simon’s worse nightmare because he had to answer questions over and over again about why he didn’t like her and, of course, he lied and said it wasn’t true. He’s such an ass.

    • 202 smoothscotch
      December 17, 2011 at 11:53 pm

      Funny, after listening to her again, I thought to myself, “kiss her hiney Simon”. fabulous.

  40. 203 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Guess who’s district THIS is in?????????????????

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/17/tyson-recalls-ground-beef-over-possible-e-coli-contamination/ If you guessed Boner’s, you’d be correct!

    • 204 hopefruit2
      December 17, 2011 at 8:15 pm

      But, but, Ron Paul said he don’t want no damn government interfering with his rotten beef.

      • 205 desertflower
        December 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm

        I know! You can smoke dope, you will never have to go to war, and you’re free to starve and die! Fabulous utopia! I often wonder how he’s even a doctor….doesn’t that oath he took to “first do no harm” mean anything regarding individuals? How many people would he harm through his hands off actions?

  41. December 17, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    DES Moines register just endorsed Romney.

    Really?

  42. December 17, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    If you remember way back in 2008, the Des Moines Register was a big endorsement to get for primary candidates in Iowa. Today they endorsed Mitt Romney but this is also very interesting:

    DMR endorsement: Romney “helped create health-care reform in Mass that is strikingly similar to the much-derided ‘Obamacare'”

  43. December 17, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    This is a re-post from a previous thread. Maybe this is the reason Newt had a conniption when Nancy Smash mentioned information she had about him….

    FBI considered a sting aimed at Newt Gingrich in 1997
    By James V. Grimaldi, Published: December 15

    It is a curious case in the annals of the FBI: The bureau considered a sting operation against then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich after sifting through allegations from a notorious arms dealer that a $10 million bribe might get Congress to lift the Iraqi arms embargo. The FBI ended up calling off the operation in June 1997. It decided there was no evidence that Gingrich knew anything about the conversations the arms dealer was secretly recording with a man who said he was acting on behalf of Gingrich’s then-wife, Marianne, according to people with knowledge of the investigation.

    But details of the case, which became public this week in an article and documents posted online by a nonprofit journalist, show how a series of second- and third-hand conversations alleging that the top man in Congress might be for sale caught the attention of federal investigators. The investigation began after the arms dealer, Sarkis Soghanalian, told federal prosecutors and FBI agents in Miami that Marianne Gingrich said during a meeting in Paris in 1995 that she could provide legislative favors through her husband. The case progressed to the point that it was deemed a major investigation requiring approval in Washington.

    ~snip~

    The document and the existence of the aborted sting was first revealed this week in a 6,400-word story by Joseph Trento, who operates a Web site called DC Bureau (www.dcbureau.org). Trento interviewed Soghanalian several times before his death in October at 82.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/fbi-considered-a-sting-aimed-at-newt-gingrich-in-1997/2011/12/15/gIQAT7B1wO_story.html?hpid=z1

    • 215 desertflower
      December 17, 2011 at 8:23 pm

      Could be! I’m sure that’s just one of MANY reasons why he had a conniption. I would guess that there’s a lot of trash on that man. None good.

  44. December 17, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    DES moines register endorsed mittens.

    You got that? Willard?

  45. December 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    For those of you who in 2008 remembered how important it was to secure the endorsement of the Des Moines Register, today they endorsed Mitt Romney. But this is also interesting:

    DMR endorsement: Romney “helped create health-care reform in Mass that is strikingly similar to the much-derided ‘Obamacare'”

  46. December 17, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Testing 1,2,3… Testing…

  47. December 17, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    So Mitt Romney gets an endorsement from the Des Moines Register and this is what they say:
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    @thinkprogress
    ThinkProgress
    DMR endorsement: Romney “helped create health-care reform in Mass that is strikingly similar to the much-derided ‘Obamacare'”
    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    THAT is the last thing Romney wants to be known for.

    Earlier this week Nate Silver tweeted a word cloud that was done by Pew. They asked the general public what words come to mind when they think of Mitt Romney and the biggest word by far was “MORMON” – which is something he rarely if ever talk about and one the smallest words (the smallest font size) was “conservative” – which is what he is desperately trying to convince Conservatives that he is. Pew then asked a group of Republicans only and the outcome was virtually the same. Romney is not making any head way in trying to convince the GOP base that he’s one of them. I’m half afraid and half curious to see how far he will go to prove that he’s a conservative.

  48. December 17, 2011 at 8:30 pm

    US President Barack Obama has signed into law a spending bill, averting an impending shutdown of federal government services.

    The bill, worth nearly $1tn (ÂŁ645bn), was earlier passed by the Senate and had already been backed by the House of Representatives.

    Government agencies including those for defence and labour faced shutdown this weekend without the legislation.

    It follows Senate approval of a two-month extension to a payroll tax break.

    That bill also forces President Obama to make a decision on a controversial oil pipeline early next year.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16232716

  49. 226 defytheodds
    December 17, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    This is ONLY a Test…

    • December 17, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to… The Outer Limits.

    • 230 maritza
      December 17, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      What is all these testting about? Not to be rude but don’t get it.

  50. 233 defytheodds
    December 17, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    OK we’re up an running.

    For anyone who cares, the Des Moines Register endorses Willard.

  51. December 17, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    Michelle Obama is one hot mama! That green dress is awesome! She looks fantastic!

  52. December 17, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    Why Is the Romney Campaign Pathologically Lying?
    By Steve Benen | Posted at December 17, 2011, 10:19 am

    I’ve found myself repeatedly wondering in recent months why Romney lies as often, and as carelessly, as he does, without the slightest regard for how easy it is to prove what his claims aren’t true. Indeed, as we talked about the other day, Romney and his team have demonstrated a willingness to lie — blatantly and shamelessly — with discomforting ease. We’ve seen this in offensive campaign ads, routine talking points, policy arguments, and even personal anecdotes and characteristics.

    And when pressed, Romney and his aides have freely admitted, more than once, that niceties such as facts, evidence, and reason just aren’t that important to them. Dishonest “propaganda” should simply be excepted and accepted, they’ve said. I’ve been watching national campaigns for quite a while, and I can’t think of any comparable major-party campaigns acting this way, especially this far from the election.

    Read more: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/749853/why_is_the_romney_campaign_pathologically_lying/#paragraph3

    h/t Washington Monthly

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      Romney, the Campaign, is simply a reflection of Romney, the Candidate. Willard, the man, has no inner core, no principles, no guiding light, no integrity. It’s no wonder that his messaging would be full of lies, half-truths, propaganda and pandering. That is who he is, and his lackeys are acting accordingly. I’m sure his administration (which will never happen) would be the same — there would be a serious leadership vacuum there.

      • December 17, 2011 at 9:55 pm

        Exactly. Romney is getting very bad advice; what is sad that his absence of ethics prevents him from even recognizing he’s receiving bad advice. I thought Hillary got lots of bad advice in 2008, too.

  53. December 17, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    So is the Mormon religion a problem for the Republican voters or not? This Gallup poll in June said 20% of them would not vote for him just because of this. If so, then there is NO WAY that Romney wins. http://www.politicususa.com/en/mitt-romney-mormon-poll

  54. 243 jacquelineoboomer
    December 17, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    This may have been posted, but thought I’d share it for any who haven’t read it …

    “Obama Puts America’s Warmongers Back In Their Place By Ending The Iraq War”

    http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-warmongers-iraq

    Thank you, President Obama, a million times!

  55. December 17, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    Seen on Twitter

    @TheReidReport
    Joy Reid
    WTH??? … Bradley Manning’s defense is that he leaked … because he’s gay? bit.ly/uyua3I

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    And all this time we were being told that he should receive a medal from POTUS because he was only trying to expose the gov’t secrets and atrocities being done in our name.

  56. December 17, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    No, Ron Paul 2012 Is Not Like Barack Obama 2008
    By Kevin Drum| Thu Dec. 15, 2011 5:53 PM PST

    Andrew Sullivan responds to my post this morning about Ron Paul here, but he still doesn’t explain why there’s anything wrong with a journalist explaining—accurately, I think—how the Republican establishment would view a Ron Paul victory in Iowa. Answer: They’d consider it a freak accident and blow it off. That’s what Chris Wallace said, and it’s the kind of analysis that political reporters engage in all the time. It seems entirely nonremarkable to me.

    But forget that. What I’m really curious about is this throwaway sentence: I might add that up to this point in the last cycle, exactly the same things were said about Barack Obama.

    At least, I’d normally think of it as a throwaway sentence except that he said the exact same thing yesterday:

    ~snip~

    http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/12/no-ron-paul-2012-not-barack-obama-2008

  57. 249 isonprize
    December 17, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Here is a wonderful story!!! I just snatched it from POU. – DC Teenager Parties at the White House

    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/dc-teenager-parties-white-house-15177566

  58. December 17, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Hi everyone, I haven’t been able to be around too much today, just checked in and found a bunch of you good people in the flippin’ spam folder – grrrrr! You know me, always clueless when this kind of craziness happens on the site, but I hope it corrects itself SOON! Sorry about that, it’s maddening!

    • 254 desertflower
      December 17, 2011 at 9:15 pm

      Welcome home!

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:19 pm

      “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into the Twilight Zone. “

  59. December 17, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    OT: One year from now no more loud commercials or promos on tv!!!

    Dec. 13, 2011
    On Tuesday, the FCC passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, or CALM. (See what they did there?) It’s a law that states all commercials must run at the same volume as network newscasts. The same applies to network promos. The responsibility falls on cable providers like Comcast or Time Warner to ensure that a pleasing uniformity of volume does not disturb a nation of sound-sensitive couch potatoes, but it will take another year for the act to go into effect.

    http://gawker.com/5867896/landmark-commercial+volume-bill-targets-what-americans-really-care-about

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:26 pm

      This is a pet peeve of mine — it’s hella annoying to have to keep adjusting the volume on the tv. Glad someone was working on this irritant. 😆 I shall enjoy the CALM. Now if they could just work on the outrageous cable rates that don’t make any damn sense.

  60. December 17, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    WordPress ate my comment on Mitt Romney. I’ll just paraphrase.

    The Des Moines Register just endorsed Romney and one of the reasons was because of his health care reform in MA which is very similar to the “much derided” Obamacare. I laughed when I saw this because this is the last thing that Romney wants to be known for.

    I also remarked on a word cloud done by Pew. They asked the public what words came to mind when thinking of Romney. The biggest word by far was MORMON – I mean the biggest font size. He rarely if ever talks about his religion yet among the public and Republicans, Mormon is the first word that comes to mind. In the smallest font size in that word cloud, over in the corner was the word “conservative” – something Romney has been trying desperately to convince Conservatives that he is. Apparently its not working and I am half afraid/half curious about what he will do to convince them.

    • December 17, 2011 at 9:44 pm

      gobrooklyn – great comments. Interesting about the word cloud and ties into my comment above about 20% of Republicans who say they won’t vote for a Mormon.

  61. December 17, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    Oh oh. Hey utaustinliberal – did you see the Hangover is on TBS again tonight at 9 central? 🙂

  62. 263 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/12/what-the-democrats-won/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reidreport%2FbHvp+%28The+Reid+Report%29

    Shows some more of the things that R’s wanted to include that ended up NOT being included. Mining in the Grand Canyon being one. These assholes need to be gone.

  63. December 17, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    hey TOD how’s everybody? Finally got to the bottom of the thread and I just wanted to tell you about my night at the OFA office! We had our Christmas party tonight and invited volunteers to come. Lots of people there – we got to have a skype call with Jeremy Bird in Chicago. Our state director Seth told us that we have 16 teams, and have made 9000 calls. Got to feel pretty good about that. Everyone is fired up and ready. 🙂

  64. December 17, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    I spotted this on Twitter (GoBrooklyn). It’s short, sweet and upbeat. Ignore the ad at the start.

    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/dc-teenager-parties-white-house-15177566

  65. December 17, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    From Open Salon:

    Iowa’s threat to King Obama
    The president seems to think royal empathy will satisfy the occupation movement. The caucuses may prove him wrong

    http://www.salon.com/2011/11/04/iowas_threat_to_king_obama/singleton/

    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Read the article if you want. The title and first few sentences were enough for me. Just wanted to share one of the reasons I don’t like ows or the people that speak for them. There is a feeling of snobbery and exclusion that turns me off. They’re most recent article on Van Jones didn’t sit well with me at all. I’m not some uber fan of his but I thought the article was pure rubbish considering that they allow Michael Moore to feed off of them.

    • 276 EDP4BHO
      December 17, 2011 at 11:04 pm

      Without having read the article, my question would be to all the AA supporters of PBO who have decided it’s in our best interest to link up with these clowns, if for nothing more than showing our concerns, how long will it take for them to finally see what we here, mostly, have smelled all along? I heard some sniveling OWS stating that ” the Obama administration waits too long for …….” I changed the station. I haven’t the time nor the interest in listening to people who don’t know where in hell they are going day to day. As for Jones, he made the mistake of going back on his own word of not allowing anyone to get him to berate PBO. He should have stuck to his prior convictions.

    • December 17, 2011 at 11:08 pm

      I won’t read this gobrooklyn. I will take your word about the article. OWS reminds me of the kid who was always there for the sick parent but was left out of the inheritance. PBO has devoted his entire presidency trying to help the 99%, and this is the thanks he get. He has taken a lot of abuse trying to help people. This makes me angry.

      • December 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm

        It makes me angry too. I read the rest of it and basically they are going to try and shut down the presidential campaign headquarters and get this – they are not satisfied with President Obama’s response to them. One organizer said he showed EMPATHY towards them and that’s where they get the King Obama from. Like a King showing empathy to his subjects. Get the fuck out of here. He allows you to talk, says he understands their concerns, doesn’t talk trash about them even though they have said repeatedly that he wants nothing to do with him and they find his behavior problematic?

        • 281 EDP4BHO
          December 18, 2011 at 12:07 am

          This went into moderation so my last comment of the night:

          “not satisfied with President Obama’s response to them. One organizer said he showed EMPATHY towards them and that’s where they get the King Obama from”

          Sounds like white privilege. It’s white privilege. Sounds like they think they own PBO. Me thinks me need to address this over to my local talk radio afternoon host, who swears the OWs are the bee’s knee’s. I’ve been of the mind that the racism rampant in this country has crippled the minds of so many otherwise fine white folk when American history was taught, without noting the contributions peoples of color have made to the development of this nation. Therefore their children oftentimes don’t understand that there is no real hierarchy when it comes to matters of race. We are not anyone’s bitches to be patronized, and the President of the United States does not have to engage them at all. Fuck the little weasels who don’t know their butts from a whole in the ground, wandering aimlessly in search of glorification. Peace all!

    • 282 Lovepolitics2008
      December 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm

      God, they are a pain in the …

      They of course will be crushed in the caucuses. My concern though is that after a defeat they’ll double down and be more forceful than ever in their angry criticism of the president. And boy they will feed the MSM stories about “liberals abandoning Obama”.

      As if President Obama didn’t have enough on his plate. He will have to use every bit of political skill he has to convince them to work with him instead of against him. If anyone can succeed at this, it’s him.

      Last note: what strikes me in the language of certain leaders ( not all to be fair) of OWS is the similarity in tone and in strategy with the tea party. They use menace, political blackmail. Many of them are left-authoritarians I think.

      • December 17, 2011 at 11:23 pm

        Eh, I don’t think Pres Obama will actively pursue them. If they come to him or in his space at a rally he might engage them but he’s just going to keep doing what he’s doing and at some point people are going to look at ows – listen to what Pres.Obama is saying and wonder what ows is thinking. Pres.Obama is doing and saying all the right things. all the things they demand yet they continue to protest him? that’s not going to make any sense to the average voter.

        • 284 Lovepolitics2008
          December 17, 2011 at 11:27 pm

          You know what drives me nuts ? It’s the fact that President Obama has been campaigning for MONTHS about taxing the wealthiest americans and OWS NEVER EVER mentions this.

          Oh and that Fallon guy isn’t keeping with the news… Larry Sumners left the administration a long time ago.

          • December 17, 2011 at 11:42 pm

            They don’t mention it and a lot of other things that he’s campaigned on or tried to enforce BUT they never shy away from taking credit form him saying or doing it.

    • 286 jacquelineoboomer
      December 17, 2011 at 11:41 pm

      Vicious. Hope Salon fools go the way of other blogs with no soul and no core.

    • December 17, 2011 at 11:49 pm

      The fact that they’re using the term “King Obama” tips us off that they’re actually tea/libertarians. That’s their phrase; not unlike Democrat Party.

    • 288 Desraye
      December 17, 2011 at 11:50 pm

      This is a Salon article. You should have not been surprise at this article. Salon will go the way of Huffington Post.

      • December 18, 2011 at 11:13 am

        I believe this. Just recently they put out some crap statement about taking it to both sides – Dem or Republican. Sounded exactly like HuffPo with her “its beyond left and right” garbage.

  66. December 17, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Ed Henry is reporting that the HOUSE GOP may amend the Senate bill and make the tax cut extension/ EUI for a year but its likely they will demand more from the President on the Keystone pipeline.

    • 291 AnitaW
      December 17, 2011 at 11:12 pm

      I saw that as well. What more can they demand except that he say yes, which I seriously doubt he’s going to do without continuing his investigation into the Pipeline. These idiots realized they got outmanuvered again and are trying to salvage something to take back to the knuckle-draggers.

    • December 17, 2011 at 11:12 pm

      House GOP basically don’t want the cut/extension but want to make a big enough poison pill that Pres. Obama would block it so then he’d be to blame for it.

      • December 17, 2011 at 11:25 pm

        they don’t want the 2 month extension because POTUS can call them out on it for another 2 months.

      • 294 AnitaW
        December 17, 2011 at 11:28 pm

        You think they are going to redo language on the pipeline that will force him to veto it after they’ve offered a year’s extension? These assholes are playing games with people’s lives. Does a reworked bill even get out of the Senate?

    • December 17, 2011 at 11:14 pm

      Ed Henry, what can be said about this pompous ass. Another outstanding example for why we need birth control in the USA….:-D

    • 296 AnitaW
      December 17, 2011 at 11:24 pm

      I’ve already posted a couple of comments on this that didn’t get through because I forgot to log-in.

      Anyway, what do they hope to get. They have been outplayed again by a master chess player and now want a do-over. They are not going to get him to agree to something without a full investigation so what do they think they are going to get? I think POTUS should spend more time talking to the american people and ignoring the GOP.

  67. 297 carolyn
    December 17, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    Entirely OT, but I have to tell the TOD family how thankful I am today. My husband had a heart attack, considered a mild one, yesterday morning, and yesterday afternoon had two stints put in two grafts from open heart surgery in 1989. One graft was completely blocked, one partially. Thanks to fast action and an excellent surgeon, my husband is recovering today and facing renewed life, and we have a gift of life for Christmas. If you have to have a heart attack, Oklahoma City is the place to do so. Our heart specialists are absolutely superb, and nursing care fabulous, and attention is swift! I am overflowing with thankfulness today.

  68. 306 AnitaW
    December 17, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    edhenryTV Ed Henry just twitted
    This means the two-month extension on payroll cut not likely to hold. House GOP likely to go back to one-yr extension …
    1 hour ago

    Not sure what this means, but it sounds like the GOP doesn’t want to have this debate again in two months are instead going for the full 12 months. Anyone have any news?

    • December 18, 2011 at 4:57 pm

      No they’re playing games – will put all their riders back in, drastically change the wording of the Keystone Pipeline language and then hide behind “we’re extending it a year” and the evil Democrats only want it 2 months.

  69. 308 desertflower
    December 17, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    For anyone that wants to read the scathing report of MCSO (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) by the DOJ…here it is.

    Click to access mcso_findletter_12-15-11.pdf

    There aren’t enough adjectives to use. For anyone that has been paying attention, and screaming about this evil, law breaking entity for years, under the direction of Joe Arpiao, this is the beginning of sweet justice.

    • 309 jacquelineoboomer
      December 17, 2011 at 11:22 pm

      Fingers crossed Arpiao is wearing pink underwear, soon, and sleeping outside in a tent. And whoever else was involved with him. Off to read the report, if I can stand it. Thx.

      • 310 jacquelineoboomer
        December 17, 2011 at 11:28 pm

        I could only get through a couple of pages of the DOJ report – just don’t have the stomach for it. But my first thought is: what if some of these inmates were our family members? Our children? My son? Actually, all of the people who’ve had to suffer this abuse under Arpiao and his thugs are part of our human family, and there but for the grace of God goes every one of us.

        • 311 desertflower
          December 18, 2011 at 1:50 am

          Yes. It’s that bad.These are all “the others”. These people insulate themselves from even THINKING of these people as ones that deserve any humanity and just treatment. Horrifying.

      • 312 desertflower
        December 17, 2011 at 11:31 pm

        Let me know what you think when you’re done 🙂 I thought I saw majii commenting over there at PhoenixNewTimes site where I got this report. Didn’t want to get into that fray…..most people are disgusted by Arpiao now, but there was a wife of a prison guard spewing all kinds of ugly in support of Arpiao and the guards….time for her husband to get another job. The ugly has infected HER as well…..it was ugly that permeated the entire culture of MCSO. Therein lies the problem….one of many.

      • 313 desertflower
        December 17, 2011 at 11:35 pm

        I have other visions of what should happen to him. Giving him underwear, pink or otherwise, does not play into my thoughts. It has to do with 4 stakes,120 degree temps,and zip ties. And searing, flesh eating,bone baking AZ summer sun…..and vultures.

  70. December 17, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Wyden trying to get Mtt elected.
    The Ryan-Wyden plan is similar to that of presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. It also received praise from presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

    “Ron Wyden & Paul Ryan deserve credit for having the courage to work across party lines on a very difficult large challenge,” Gingrich wrote on his Twitter feed Thursday.

    Contact: napp.nazworth@christianpost.com

  71. December 17, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Richard engle is reporting all troops are now out of Iraq.

    Yippee.

    Put on CNN for further coverage, because apparently msnbc would rather cover Indiana lockup.

    • 317 desertflower
      December 17, 2011 at 11:42 pm

      Thanks for that, jovie. Maybe one of you Tweeters would like to ask someone over at MSNBC how they consider themselves a news organization if they can’t even manage to cover the last troops leaving Iraq after 9 years of a war…WTH? Pretty pathetic.

  72. December 17, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    GATES CLOSED! THE IRAQ WAR IS OVAH!

    @richardengelnbc
    Richard Engel
    The gate to #iraq is closed. Soldier just told me, ‘that’s it, the war is over’ yfrog.com/o0216mhj

  73. 324 anniebella
    December 17, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    I saw on the news where the South Carolina Governor with a approval rating of 34% endorse Willard Mitt ” the flip flopper” Romney. She said Obama was afraid of Romney, that’s why she is endorsing Romney. I sent her an email and I ask her do she really think President Obama is afraid of Willard Romney? I told her that I bet you $10,000.00 he wasn’t afraid of Romney. I told her that President Obama took on Bill and Hillary Clinton, hear me Gov. Haley, Bill and Hillary Clinton and he WON!!!! So you must be out of your mind if you think President Obama is afraid of any of those GOP clowns, specially Willard Mitt “the flip flopper liar” Romney..

    • December 18, 2011 at 12:07 am

      She’s so full of it. The Romney campaign told her to say that to convince the base. How can PBO be afraid of anyone with his so-called massive ego? So massive that the right is only looking for someone to take him down a notch in the debate.

    • December 18, 2011 at 12:08 am

      I believe it was CNN that was reporting the endorsement as though it was some huge deal. Not once did anyone mention that Haley approval rating is in the toilet and so far PBO is doing better in SC then anyone expected.

    • 327 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 1:30 am

      Tell her to ask Osama bin Laden, if President Obama would be afraid of Willard. As the President said, “Ask him.”

      • 328 anniebella
        December 18, 2011 at 7:28 am

        Good one jacquelineoboomer, if I had thought about it I sure would have ask her that. Like most of the Republican governors elected in 2010, I think the people are regretting that decision.

    • December 18, 2011 at 1:43 am

      She sounds like a fifth grader.

    • 330 Cos
      December 18, 2011 at 2:18 am

      Haley is also being investigated for withholding documents re the health care money for SC . This endorsement is tainted from the core and won’t help Willard at all. He is truly desperate.

  74. 331 EDP4BHO
    December 17, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    Testing again.

  75. December 18, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Seen on Twitter:

    @richardengelnbc
    Richard Engel
    US troops leave a message to iraqis they leave bases . #iraq yfrog.com/kkevbfyj

    The message was written in black marker on a bulletin board and says : Stay Classy Iraq

    uhm, ok.

    • 334 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 1:27 am

      I enjoyed hitting back all of the news folk who mentioned on Twitter that the last U.S. troops had departed Iraq, by replying with an added comment: “Thank you, President Obama!”

      We need to keep reminding the jackals to give our President due credit. I’m sure our military and their families know he kept his promise to them, to us, and to the world.

  76. 335 smoothscotch
    December 18, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Have an excellent night everyone and thank you for your gracious company.

    • December 18, 2011 at 12:28 am

      Good night, SS! Sweet dreams to all of TODville. I need to sign off too as later this morning I have to do another stint driving offspring to college for mid-term exam. Buses are still on strike. Don’t at all understand why they’d schedule Sunday exams! Grrr!

  77. 337 vero804
    December 18, 2011 at 12:39 am

    Chips, is it possible to email u? And if so, how?

    Thanks.

  78. 338 jacquelineoboomer
    December 18, 2011 at 2:06 am

    Here’s an article from the Defense Department website, on the President’s weekly address:

    http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66521

  79. December 18, 2011 at 3:02 am

    An interesting infographic on the subject “How Social Media Is Ruining Your Mind.”

    http://singularityhub.com/2011/12/13/how-social-media-is-ruining-your-mind/

    To be fair, I think that social media is also a great way of sharing ideas and information that would otherwise languish in obscurity, but it’s worth looking at the downside as well.

    The average attention span dropping from 12 minutes to five seconds in a decade was particularly telling, though I *am* a bit dubious of that supposed “fact” — if attention spans are shortened so drastically by social media, then wouldn’t the significant portion of the population *not* using that technology still buoy our collective score?

  80. December 18, 2011 at 5:15 am

    The goopers’ front runner today

    In order to restore balance between Congress, the White House, and the courts, Gingrich recommended ignoring rulings, impeaching judges, subpoenaing justices to have them explain their rulings and, as a last resort, abolishing the courts altogether.

    http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/12/17/133409/gingrich-rails-at-courts-and-suggests.html#ixzz1gsbwHHsv

    What else to expect from an ethically impeached, morally corrupt guy.

  81. December 18, 2011 at 6:24 am

  82. December 18, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Bradley Manning has an alter ego called Breeana. Got that? Breeana?
    Just when you think you have heard everything?
    But, I don’t go running to daily kos, to rub it in or to make fun,
    I simply say, this man is sick and needs help.

    That is all.

  83. December 18, 2011 at 7:45 am

    So, Gallup has a new poll out saying that income inequality is no big deal and that jobs is the number one issue.
    Good old Gallup, knee capping the Presidents message!

    • 354 Linda
      December 18, 2011 at 7:54 am

      Gallup has become the worst polling company in the country….

      Are polling companies FOR PROFIT?

      • 355 anniebella
        December 18, 2011 at 8:04 am

        That’s why we say be weary of all these polls. I can call people and ask a question a certain way which would have my poll saying George W. Bush was the greatest, smartest President ever. But we all know that wasn’t true. Don’t we?

      • December 18, 2011 at 8:05 am

        Yes. I noticed that USA/today Gallup is 5 points to the right of Rasmussen!

  84. 357 Linda
    December 18, 2011 at 8:19 am

    I just read that the Republicans saved the 100 watt light bulb. Michele Bachmann must be thrilled. She was holding back the order for her new campaign poster.


Comments are currently closed.

@POTUS

@BarackObama

@WhiteHouse

@FLOTUS

@MichelleObama

@PeteSouza

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

@TheObamaDiary

@NerdyWonka

RSS Obama White House.gov

  • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.

RSS WH Tumblr

  • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.

RSS Steve Benen

  • Grand jury in Trump classified documents case expected to meet this week
  • Nikki Haley says she doesn't trust government with red flag gun laws
  • Trump Org has the worst brand reputation in the U.S.
  • James Marsden says 'Jury Duty' is unlike anything he's filmed before
  • 'Americonned' tackles the country's income inequality crisis
  • What China is doing is against international law, says senator
  • Nikki Haley rails against 'biological boys playing in girls sports' when defining 'woke'
  • YouTube to again allow false claims about 2020 election fraud
  • David Rothkopf: How Biden stumbled and grew stronger
  • Charlie Sykes: There is illiberalism on the left; DeSantis represents it on the right

Categories

Archives

Blog Stats

  • 43,365,816 hits
December 2011
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  

%d bloggers like this: