President Barack Obama is briefed by National Security Advisor Tom Donilon before a phone call with King Abdullah II of Jordan in the Oval Office, Jan. 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Chicago Tribune: Freddie Mac announced Friday that it was giving mortgage servicers the authority to offer up to 1 year of mortgage forbearance to unemployed homeowners who have Freddie Mac-backed mortgages.
The change, with takes effect Feb. 1, means loan servicers can offer six months of forbearance to jobless borrowers without Freddie’s approval and another six months with approval….
Fannie Mae is expected next week to announce guidelines that will align with the new ones at Freddie Mac. The expansions are the result of a directive from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
More here
Thanks forus50
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ThinkProgress: The Affordable Care Act has done very well in court so far; three of the four courts of appeals to consider it have upheld the law…..
….Today, DOJ filed its brief defending the Affordable Care Act’s insurance coverage requirement, and with one sentence the Justice Department takes the plaintiff’s silliest and most successful argument off the table ….
…. This statement, that federal efforts to directly regulate the family, general crimes or education stand on much weaker constitutional footing than the ACA, is a very big deal. It shows that DOJ recognizes the only thing that even vaguely resembles a hole in their previous legal arguments, and that they have now sewn that hole up. When one of the justices asks them “if Congress can do this, what can it not do?” they will now have a clear and well-articulated answer.
With just one sentence in its brief, DOJ took away the last few straws the ACA’s opponents were desperately grasping at.
Full post here
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ThinkProgress: 20-Year Ban On Uranium Mining Near The Grand Canyon | Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to announce a 20-year moratorium on uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region on Monday. The ban has been under consideration for two years, with evidence showing the mining contaminates drinking water. Last year, the most anti-environment House of Representatives attempted to permit uranium mining to overrun the Grand Canyon region, after a 2009 suspension from the Department of Interior.
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Washington Post: Chrysler will add 1,250 jobs at two Detroit factories next year – another sign that the once struggling automaker appears to be making a comeback.
The Jefferson North Assembly Plant will get 1,100 new workers and a third shift to help build a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel model for North America. Another 150 workers will be added when Chrysler reopens the Conner Avenue factory to make a Street Racing Team version of the Dodge Viper muscle car.
More here
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Robert Shrum: How about that Romney landslide? It turned out that in Iowa, the Mitt did fit — by two hands worth of votes, minus the thumbs. On paid media alone, Romney spent approximately $113 per vote and Rick Santorum spent just $1.65. The Romney campaign dared, and lost while winning. If Mitt had racked up a convincing margin, he would have been on a glide path to the GOP nomination. Instead, he won by a mere eight votes…..
Full article here
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Em…..
Democratic presidential candidate Vermin Supreme, who is one of more than 40 candidates who are on the New Hampshire primary ballot for U.S. president in 2012, stands outside a campaign event for Senator Rick Santorum in Manchester, New Hampshire, January 6. New Hampshire, where candidates are required to do nothing more than fill out a form and pay $1,000 to sign up, typically attracts a wide range of candidates.
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Philly.com: ….. In 2005, Santorum made headlines – not all positive – for visiting the deathbed of Terri Schiavo, the woman at the center of a national right-to-die controversy.What my Philadelphia Daily News colleague John Baer later exposed was that the real reason he was in the Tampa, Fla., area was to collect money at a $250,000 fundraiser organized by executives of Outback Steakhouses, a company that shared Santorum’s passion for a low minimum wage for waitresses and other rank-and-file workers. Santorum’s efforts were also aided by his unusual mode of travel: Wal-Mart’s corporate jet. And he canceled a public meeting on Social Security reform “out of respect for the Schiavo family” even as the closed fundraisers went on.
Full article here
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OFA: President Obama broke bread today with Scott, Valarie, Kathie, and Bill, the four winners of #DinnerWithBarack
The Obama Diary 
Awesome stuff! Thanks for all you do!
Julie
Hope everyone is having a good evening.
Hope you are, too, Vero. After a semi-crummy day, I’m having a very nice glass of Tempranillo and thinking about the future.
*thinking about the future*
Sounds like a plan. Enjoy your evening!
Thanks Ken Salazar! Protect our natural resources; keep our water clean!
I thought it was Lunch with Barack? Doesn’t the Dinner with Barack also involve Michelle?
Dinner, lunch, sleep over…what’s the difference?
*sleep over*
Ha!
Lol 🙂
😆 😆 😆
I don’t think this is the contest were the winner would have dinner with Michelle and Barack.
Love the DOJ ACA item. Brilliant people.
Yes, indeed!
I finally caught up with the threads. Lots of good stuff today. I am so fired up. I find it so strange what the right is saying about the great jobs numbers.
Yes, strange as in “from another planet.” 🙂
Seriously…I’m ODing on all the great news 🙂 Love it!! I am especially excited about the banning of mining at the Grand Canyon (all the R’s in my state thought it was a GREAT idea!!! Little Fockers) as well as the Freddie/ Fannie housing news….long time coming, and well overdue. I am happy…that will relieve many homeowners and give them breathing room, knowing they will not lose their homes. Stability is good.
Did I mention that I live in Arizona…..THE GRAND CANYON STATE!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Ken Salazar!
Yee-haw!!!!!!!!
I think Salazar is doing a great job in many ways. He seems like a great guy and I think he and PBO have a special bond. I had a student a couple of years ago who did an internship with him and she liked him very much.
You can always tell when he’s with him, that Salazar kinda loves the President. I love how President Obama always introduces his cabinet members as, ” … our great Secretary of the Interior,” or ” … our great Secretary of Labor.” Howdja like to work for HIM, every day?
Oh his cabinet is extraordinary. All of them are competent but most of all they are good people.
Woo hoo! I made Chipsticks “top ten”! Thanks for my first h/t Chipsticks!
I have to laugh how the Obamas must annoy the crap out of these troll writers who want some scandal to write about. The NY Times article included words that would typically be used to describe a scandal or controversy, yet the scandal or controversy never materialized. All that could be written about is the typical and normal give and take discussions about politics and policy and what approach to take on any given subject; all of which has to incorporate the personalities and schedules and priorities of the hundreds of staff that occupy the two wings of the White House. So that was ginned up a bit to create the flavor of a lead into “Entertainment Tonight” but fizzling out into how the Press Secretary said a bad word and FLOTUS’s name was in the same sentence.
Well deserved h/t at that, forus50! Great job 🙂
thanks desertflower – much appreciated. And am happy for you on the Grand Canyon news. What a magnificent treasure we have in that. I did the climb down and up a few years ago – so difficult but so worth it.
I never understood how these presidential decisions (that don’t require congressional approval) are stated as extending beyond the president’s term (like the Grand Canyon 20 year ban). Couldn’t this be immediately reversed as soon as there is a Repub as president?
Don’t know the answer to you question about a reversal of this kind of thing…but I AM glad that you had the chance to hike down the Canyon…it is a treasure and, I believe one of the Wonders of the World. My son hiked down, camped a couple days, and climbed back out a few years ago. He loved it! Definitely hard work, but he could not stop talking about that! Real accomplishment 🙂 Congratulations to you for your trek into the canyon….bet you’ll remember it always.
😆 Thank you forus50!!!!
Oh so cool. My heart is full.
WOOOOOOOOOOT!
Bravo, forus 50! Really wonderful job!
I wonder if Pres. Obama will get to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit from the 9th to the 22nd – would be a great photo-op. Good news for Detroit as the contract to host it was extended five more years.
SR – Brilliant. You might send that in to his campaign team, if you haven’t already.
Our4thEstate Bobfr
America – 30 sec Senate GOP stunts & House GOP blocking Dems from working is OBSTRUCTION. Fortunately, #PresObama is governing despite them.
Our4thEstate Bobfr
America – Now obvious the only people in DC trying to work for the well-being of Americans are #PresObama & Democrats – http://t.co/IAJKplCC
Amazing gifts being provided every day by the teabaggers in the Senate, House and those campaigning. The videos and narratives for Aug through Nov 6 are being provided free of charge by these fools and the Koch dudes and others like them are paying the bills. Amazing irony; uber-amazing karma on the way 🙂
#PRESSON
Bobfr – I definitely agree with your Karma premise. It’s pretty amazing. Think the Republicans have even been bitten by their own Citizens United or whatever it’s called. Love it.
Oh, and voter suppression, too. Ha!
Oh, Bob….that karma is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Goes around, comes around!
Thank you Jacqueline & df!
Never have more gifts been given by any political party to another. I’m convinced that the GOP/teabaggger/Kochstooge party is so consumed with their racial hatred of President Obama that they have flown not close to the sun, which didn’t work out well for Icarus, but directly into it.
Yes We Can … Do More Together – We Must!
I KNOW! Everybody say, “AWWWW”….not.
Icarus Schmicarus. I’m glad it’s happening to them. They earned it.
They’ll keep earning it, as they simply do yet see their own self-destruction.
Brilliant, Bob, as usual. The T’s are hanging themselves every day with their overwrought rhetoric and stupid stunts. The irony is that if they had actually cooperated and tried to help the economy, they would have been rightly able to share in the success. They chose, instead, to be obstructionists, turning themselves into enemies of America’s economic well-being. This is not only the meanest Congress in a generation, it’s also the stupidest.
Bobfr, I am constantly amazed at how you are able to succinctly express so much in 140 characters! You are a wonder!
Thank you Bobfr for those wonderful tweets! You are the best!
Thank you Jackie, Imrjones, & nath 🙂
#LandslideOBAMA2012 #LandslideDEMS2012 …. Yes We Must!
So when does Cenk tell everybody to vote for Vermin Supreme? Hell on second thought “Vermin Supreme” could be used to describe Cenk and all the other losers.
😆 Magnificent!
🙂 I think of “rat on a sandwich” 🙂
Is that a friggin’ upside down rubber boot on his head?
I’m really not sure forus50, but it could well be 😆
Why yes, I think it is. Live Free or Die, baby! That guy had $1000 ?
Probably sold his original sneaker hat.
LMAO. I wish there was a website with all 40 of these candidates profiled. They probably are all more qualified than our Klown Kar asshats that cable news is following.
:):):):). And it IS winter, sneaker hat will appear in the spring or summer!
🙂
He could have millions, he might even have huge wall street holdings, not everyone flaunts their fabulous wealth! Well, you never know……
Yes, I have known millionaires like that :)…You never know.
Ha!
Yes, it is! Hysterically funny! This guy is putting it right into the faces of the GOP! So funny! So utterly stupid!
Looks like the type of boot seafaring men might ware.
Perfection 🙂
#PRESSON
Hilarious! I have been sitting here LMAO, when all thie time I could have been 7th! Oh so good to have a break! Thanks for the hysterical cartoons! And the great links to articles! Lots to read as always!
The White House on Kantor’s book:
“This is the author’s take, reflecting her own opinions, on a remarkably strong relationship between the President and First Lady – both of whom share an unwavering commitment to each other, and to improving the lives of Americans,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement. “The book, an overdramatization of old news, is about a relationship between two people whom the author has not spoken to in years. The author last interviewed the Obamas in 2009 for a magazine piece, and did not interview them for this book. The emotions, thoughts and private moments described in the book, though often seemingly ascribed to the President and First Lady, reflect little more than the author’s own thoughts. These second-hand accounts are staples of every Administration in modern political history and often exaggerated.”
Wow. I’m so tired of these fake journalists trying to make money off POTUS & FLOTUS.
You miss that fact that they want to get the exclusive. Everyone knows that we have tails that we keep curled-up under our underwear. It’s a well known fact that we go crazy if we hurt it. That’s what i found out in the Phillipines from a woman that followed me around with a pillow.
I am not a devout religious person. I have, however, gained a great deal of appreciation, and insights, about the importance of the Christian teachings (or is it just Catholic) about the “Seven Deadly Sins.” I think one of the most “Deadly Sins,” if not the most, is Jealousy/Envy! I am absolutely convinced that most of the attacks on President Obama stem from Envy/Jealousy! How many Presidents, or Presidential Candidates, have ever heard voices from their audiences shouting loudly: “WE LOVE YOU!” This is what routinely happens when President Obama goes on the road to interact and address ordinary Americans. Yet, the MSM repeatedly tell us that the President doesn’t connect with people. Hence the absurd, and patently false, accusations that President Obama is an arrogant, elitist, who has no emotional connections with the American people.
I know that by now I am beginning to sound sound like a broken record. But I challenge any one, especially people in my age group (60+) to cite an example of a President who was much more beloved by the people who came to hear him than President Obama. By the way, Chipsticks, I thank you for continuing to show the warm and marvelous reception President Obama and the First Lady received when they visited Ireland! I know that both JFK and Bill Clinton received warm welcomes from the fabulous Irish people, but the same was true of President Obama. The genuine love for President Obama expressed by the Irish was very similar to the love expressed by many Americans who attend his Town Halls and his rallies. I am sure most of us are by now familiar with people shouting, from numerous walks of life “We love you Mr. President,” and the President always replies by saying Z: ” I love you back.”
Who else? The Jack&bob kennedy. Very loved. Reagan, too, loved to devotion for the other side. I think the media says he is not connecting because of the polls. For a president who has done so much, so many disapprove of his job performance. It’s crazy. It’s ain’t just msn “not getting the word out” it’s also the whitehouse and DNC machine. I heard some Dem guy on TV saying the whitehouse doesn’t want to brag, blah, blah…B.S to that. Brag, man, brag.
OH, SNAP.
In other words F off.
That would have been a MUCH better WH statement! 😆
Its really sad how everyone is trying to make money off of the Obama name, even if it means lying..
LOL. Indeed.
Does anyone know why close staff and friends, like Eric Whitaker, agreed to talk to the author? Is it a matter of Kantor saying she’s going to write the book, no matter what, and if they want to have input and influence on what she writes, that they would be advised to cooperate? Kind of a squeeze play? Because I don’t understand those close to the Obamas agreeing to participate. I’m assuming the Obamas were aware of the book, and I would think they would have asked everyone to not agree to the interviews, unless they were misled as to the tone of the book. And maybe the leaked excerpts are the worst of it, but I don’t think the book is helpful. I know there’s more on the way, another that has promise as being more positive. Every writer will try to cash in this year and will want to get noticed. We’ll probably be seeing all kinds of slants. I’m just curious about the decisions to cooperate with the writer. Anyone familiar?
In yo’ face!
Thank you Chipsticks for the WH response to that piece of trash. As far as I am concern that’s it. I don’t want to hear anything else about that Kantor’s piece of trash. We have a re-election race to win and we can’t take our eyes off the prize. Which is to re-elect President Obama. May the Lord above keep watching over our First Family.
When that women first sent out a tweet announcing her upcoming book, I sent her a tweet telling her I was sick of these people trying to make money of the Obama family. I had done a little research, and couldn’t see any mention of an interview with the Obamas for the book, or even any access she had recently. It’s heartbreaking to know the Obamas have to go through this new nonsense.
I want to say this, name one President who has had to go through the B.S. that this President has. He has had those crazy ass radical right wingers disrespecting him, hating him. Then he has had to deal with alot of B.S. from the Democrats too, the Progressives Left, the PUMAS. Call everything but a child of God, talk about like a dog, Questioning his leadership, whether he is strong enough. Can anyone blame Michelle for standing up for her husband. There have been plenty of times when we have ask, where are the Dems out there, on tv supporting the President? I don’t know how the Obamas does it, because if it was my husband there would be plenty of times I would want to tell these people off. But they have to keep it in and deal with it.
Wow, what an absolutely glorious smack down? Eric Schultz has a way with words. Reading this scathing review of Kantor’s book just made me think about the tabloid trash you see at the supermarket checkout counter.
Hi Chips. An extremely well meaning friend gave me this book for Christmas and I read a little of it before hurling it into a corner. It is total crap (pardon my language). The style of writing was unpleasant and her characterizations of the Obama’s were completely different to anything I have previously understood to be true of the First couple. Although I do not know them personally I could not imagine them being how they are portrayed in this book.
I will persevere to the end to see if my first impressions are wrong but after reading your post on the White House statement I am not expecting to change my views. I get P O’d with people using these wonderful people to make a quick buck without properly researching and at best just rehashing old interviews and using their own imagination.
Sorry for the rant I just hate it when this happens.
SR, that is hilarious. What a wonderful week! Thank you, Mr. President for caring. Thank you, Ms. Chips and everyone here for keeping me well -informed and smiling. I thank you all.
This is when Rachel is at her best. I have been watching the news all evening and they have mentioned the somewhat hostile crowds Santorum got, she’s the first one – I’ve seen – who spoke to people who were there for their perspective. That’s good insight for us viewers.
And now she’s interviewing some lady in a car whose daughter ? is “disappointed with Obama” —-not that again—–and likes Ron Paul. And Buddy Roemer. And there he is AGAIN—-he’s been on almost every msnbc show that I’ve seen today, saying the exact same things over and over and over and over. Rachel may have been at her best, but she’s back to form now. Keeps giving voice to those who are “disappointed with Obama” and considering alternatives.
Rachel has multiple peronaliry disorder.
Instead of Rachel, it should be Cybil!
Exactly. I did see old Buddy speaking in front of a crowd of voters in the past couple of days, whining about his talking points. What a weasel. He also has a terrible speaking voice (I’m not talking about the Louisiana accent, which I normally appreciate very much!), and you want to just yell out, “Clear your throat. Quit with the monotone voice.”
Instead, I’ll just wait for this whole sham to be over. Pick somebody, Republicans. Pick one of the awfuls. Don’t kkkeep subjecting us to this drivel.
Tell Rachel to pick somebody, too. It seems like she is looking for a candidate to vote for!
Seeing a different (as in positive) reaction on twitter to the Kantor book. I haven’t read the piece myself but one of the reasons I have so much confidence in Pres.Obama is because of Michelle Obama. I know in my gut that she wouldn’t let his presidency fail. Any good wife would do that but her especially. She doesn’t seem like the type to shrink away and not give him the side eye on certain issues.
For those worried about the right wingers, try to avoid their poison. Michelle Obama has been a threat to them since day one. She’s smarter than them, independent minded, strong and very well liked. They are terrified of her potential just like they are afraid of Pres.Obama’s.
I agree. Some of the words used are meant to be shit stirrers but as hard as she may have tried, it only showed how strong and intelligent Michelle Obama is and that she’s nobody’s fool. My problem with it is that she does a bit of Maureen Dowd where she just makes up shit to develop a narrative; even if the narrative isn’t necessarily bad.
Oh anyone who resembles Maureen Dowd in any way is no friend of mine. I despise that woman.
I would like to know which first lady in history settled easily and comfortably into her role without bumps along the way. For anyone with even a cursory knowledge of history and human nature, the answer is none. Every First Lady is a human being, who aches for her husband’s stresses and yearns for his success. Imagine seeing someone you love beaten down by critics everyday and badgered by ignorant, whining politicians. It would tear anyone apart, especially when enormous pressure is put on you to “perform” every day of your life. Behind every “First Lady” portrait we see with powdered wigs, quaint clothes and contented smiles there are real human beings being who struggled, cried, fought and endured under hugely difficult circumstances. For modern career women, the FLOTUS position is especially hard because your have to sublimate your own natural talents and gift for leadership and become the perfect “supporter” whose every act and word must meet a million expectations. It’s a wonder more first ladies haven’t gone a little mad.
Yes.
Well said, gobrooklyn!
…as nathkatun7 said, “Jealous/Envy”…these people can’t seem to help themselves…sad, so sad!!
January 06, 2012
1.9 million
From the Washington Post:
Private employers added 220,00 jobs, moving the total of private-sector jobs created in 2011 to 1.9 million [my emphasis].
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
1.1 million: The number of jobs gained under President George W. Bush.
That would be eight years of George W. Bush.
http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2012/01/19-million.html
These figures should be shouted from the roof tops.
January 06, 2012
The Romney Plan
One could spend hours deciphering the Tax Policy Center’s analysis of Mitt Romney’s proposed tax plan, delving into just how, precisely, the non-partisan think tank’s array of tax and budget experts determined that poor households would see taxes increases by as much as 60 percent, while millionaires would average $146,000 windfalls.
Or, one could simply quote senior fellow Roberton Williams:
Virtually everybody with a big income is getting a tax cut.
I choose the latter.
http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2012/01/the-romney-plan.html
BooMan does a nice write up about how POTUS is reducing military spending at a time and risk different than his predecessors.
“But, there’s another way. What Obama chose was to announce the change in an election year. He made sure that his foreign policy credentials, for both toughness and competence, were extremely well-established. He’s banking that he can’t be convincingly accused of weakening national security after he signed the START treaty, ordered the risky mission to kill Usama bin-Laden, ended the war in Iraq, and oversaw a, so far, successful mission in Libya. And he’s probably right.”
Since BooMan was not in favor of the Libya involvement (surprisingly to me) one commenter in the blog wrote:
“BooMan, you’re a big man for volunteering that about Libya. You could have left it out of your list of successes, but you didn’t. I think it’s brilliant the way Obama managed to leverage the Republicans’ austerity fever into major military cuts.”
Read it all here: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/1/6/122958/8223
I read that post earlier and, as is most of the Booman post, it was intelligent and well written. Some of the comments, however, are downright scary.
Yeah he does attract very read commenters but some of them checked out of the real world a few decades ago I think.
January 06, 2012
‘Reason operating within tradition’
Sullivan posits the “The End Of Republican Fusionism”: “The old alliance – free market capitalism, social conservatism and anti-Communism – has morphed into a new one – libertarianism, Christianism and anti-Jihadism,” although the metamorphosis permits no actual fusion, since “Each faction has become more extreme as they have marinated in their own media complex, and responded to their fantasies about President Obama.”
That’s an elegantly trenchant analysis, especially since it harks back to the National Review’s Frank Meyer’s orginal 1960 formulation of fusion’s originalism: “Conservatism, to continue to develop today, must embrace … reason operating within tradition.” My emphasis, upon which the ordinary citizen must ask: Whither contemporary conservatism’s reason?
Full post here: http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2012/01/reason-operating-within-tradition.html
Sullivan can’t yet deal with the fact that he doesn’t fit into the GOP so he keeps bringing up Ronald Reagan as the mythical god. However, his post was worth reading if only for the last sentence in this last paragraph. 🙂
“…Romney’s problem is that he understands he has to unite all these strands, but so obviously sees each of them as merely marketing tools for Romney Inc. that he inspires real confidence from none of them. They may get over it. But this feels like a loaf that won’t rise in the oven. The fusionist yeast has disappeared. And Obama, far from uniting them all, seems only, in his inimitable way, to drive them into suicidal distraction.”
To drive them into suicidal distraction. LOL yes, that’s what he does effortlessly while ending wars and saving auto industries.
You’re right – that sentence was a keeper.
I almost feel sorry for the authentic fiscal Republicans, who are watching the party they loved descend into madness. They look at the pundits that appear on TV, and see nothing but hate-filled, lying charlatans, who seem literally incapable of telling the truth or giving thoughtful analysis – specifically including that S.E. Cupp woman. They see people running for President under that party’s label whose policies would doom millions to poverty, and shortly thereafter, destroy the country itself, and who seem delusional and possessed of evil spirits. They see members of Congress who would stand by and see the country fail, instead of putting the country first and then politicking later, and who saw no shame in denying 9/11 First Responders basic medical care. And their party is so war-hungry that they refused to celebrate the end of their ill-fated war in Iraq, and even expressed the wish that the troops had stayed there indefinitely – and even now are thirsting for more blood in Iran.
Any of the marginally sane Republicans have to be lost, ashamed and confused. The question is – who will they vote for in November?
They will vote for Barack Obama like they did in 2008.
Very well stated, as usual, theo67.
I cannot feel any sympathy for them because they elected GWB twice. Okay, the first time didn’t count, I guess – who knew exactly what he’d be like – but the second time was beyond imaginable for me.
Haven’t seen “S.E.Cupp” for more than a minute, but between her name – which translates phonetically as C-Cup – and Crystal Ball’s name (I’ve seen her on MSNBC), I really must find out more before I can comment. I do like Crystal, so far, and I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, so to speak.
New parents should be very careful what they name their kids! Ha!
Yeah Theo67, I just wonder, who will they vote for??? Can they honestly go in that voting booth, and vote Republican? Really? 🙄
They will vote for the rethug, regardless. If it is Mittens, for sure. He just can sound sane enough. He will be beat, but he is the toughest competitor to POB. I don’t understand when liberals beat up on Gingrich and Santorum at this stage of the game. We should elevate them for it would be such a gift if one of them knuckleheads gets the nomination.
It boggles the mind that people actually wanted to mine uranium in the Grand Canyon! This is not only an American treasure, it is a WORLD treasure. People come from all over the world to experience it. That they would actually desecrate and wreck it for centuries to come is beyond belief. Thank you President Obama, Secretary Salazar and the entire administration for this save. At least twenty years gives us breathing and educating time! Of course Wal-Mart wanted to desecrate a Civil War battlefield too…..is there no end to their perfidy!
Love the White House’s statement on that book….low key, non-reactive, putting it where it belongs…..in purgatory. Basically what it says is that the author made up the conversations!
OH well, NO MORE Outback Steakhouse for my family!!!
I can cook better, (and more acurately BLU) steaks, AT HOME.
No more Bloomin’ Onion for me! Do you KNOW how many calories that has in it? Enough for a week, I think:)
That is just what I told my Grandson today after reading about their support for Rick Santorum . I am really saving money as my list of nono business grow. I am finding lots of homegrown local businesses to spend my money.
Good for you! We’re the new “silent majority.” If these businesses are owned and operated by people who support those crazies, they get put on our list and lose our business – without any fanfare needed! They’re gone!
What?! Last night was my first time ever there n their food sucks. The only good thing was their Wallaby Darneds. I never heard about them endorsing Rick Santorum. Will never go again. 😡
I see why PBO calls her his ROCK…..
Michelle Obama and the Evolution of a First Lady
The worse things got for her husband in 2011, the more she rallied to his side, buoying him personally and politically. In August, after the debt ceiling negotiations in Washington reached their painful conclusion, Mrs. Obama gave a party for his 50th birthday, warning guests not to leave early and delivering a stemwinder of a toast in praise of her husband.
As the sun faded, the 150 guests — friends, celebrities, officials — sat on the South Lawn, listening to the first lady describe her version of Barack Obama: a tireless, upright leader who rose above Washington games, killed the world’s most wanted terrorist and still managed to coach his daughter Sasha’s basketball team. The president, looking embarrassed, tried to cut her off, several guests said, but she told him he had to sit and listen.
She also thanked him for putting up with how hard she had been on him. At that line, a few of the advisers glanced at each other in recognition.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/us/politics/michelle-obamas-evolution-as-first-lady.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&pagewanted=all
Interesting the timing of this book coincides with a renewed effort by the Right to attack and smear Michelle. It’s like they think that “Hey, the book said she’s unhappy and worried about what is said about her – so let’s really attack her to make her more unhappy and concerned about what is being said”. Arseholes.
I liked all of this, except “how hard she had been on him”. He’s had so much to deal with…….an unimaginable amount of huge issues and crises…….I don’t like the added stress.
We need to take excerpts and stories from the book by Jodi Kantor with a grain of salt. In the White House statement, they said she hasn’t even spoken with “The Obamas” since 2009 – and some of this was a second-hand account.
There have always been “insider” books written about presidencies that have turned out to be anything but an “insider” look. I don’t plan on letting anything this author relates influence my thinking about our President and First Lady – not one iota.
I’m right with you jacquelineboomer, I haven’t read the excerpts, but from what I have read from you guys comments it’s a piece of trash, written by a piece of trash, and I don’t think FLOTUS or POTUS will let it stop them.
dotster3, can I ask you a question? Do you know if she has been hard on him? You can’t believe everything this book says. If people are going to write books like this, I want to know who said what and when. Where is the info coming from and does the person passing the info, are they upset with the Obamas, or Michelle. Like someone said before it sound like one of these Kitty Kelly books, or something you expect to see in the tabloids.
Right, people cannot believe everything they read. This applies to the next books that will be released about the Obamas too. Political reporters are JUST like celeb gossip blogs they embellish and at times simply lie.
Even if she was hard on him, I know she was looking out for his best interest. It had to hurt to see PBO being ripped by everyone on a daily basis. Sometimes we do tend to push the people we love to help them live up to their potential as well as to help them through challenging situations. I’m sure the last thing she wanted to do was to add stress – she was his oasis in the middle of a sandstorm. It’s obvious no one has PBO’s back more than Michelle.
Despite how hard this excerpt tried to paint Mrs O as a shrew, it failed in my eyes. She sees how hard he works and how the media, his opponents and EVEN Dems tried to throw obstacles in his path. (I can’t blame Mrs. O for not wanting to campaign for some of the same people who went against PBO at every opportunity and complained to the media that he lacked leadership, who leaked stuff to the press, etc). If she was pushing him to push his team more, to serve him better, well I don’t have a problem with that – he needed them to be on their A-game at all times and sometimes they weren’t IMO. I really hated all of the leaks from the WH, especially in 2010. It seems a little better now.
I ask this before, do we know that she was hard on him? Or this is what that so call writer thinks.
I don’t know…we have no way of knowing but my point was that even if she was, I know she was looking out for his best interest and was being a supportive wife. Frankly, that whole article sounded suspect to me and as the WH said, overdramatized…
There is an interesting comment in Plouffe’s book on the campaign when he is describing the trip back to Chicago after the losses in Texas and Ohio with then Senator Obama and Plouffe tip toeing around Michelle who he describes as a fierce competitor who thought they could have done better. Not a put down but great admiration.
I forgot Plouffe had a book. Oddly, I have not read a lot of books about the 08 campaign or PBO in the WH. I haven’t even read PBO’s books. I don’t know why. I definitely want to read his books, plus Plouffe, The Bridge, the one about his mother and a few others.
The book is excellent. You can get the one hour version if you listen to the one hour talk at Google by Plouffe (search you tube for Plouffe google talk). He is the one writer who really gives credit to the volunteers as well as to the steadiness and “fourth quarter” magnificence of PBO. Also his ability to learn, self- correct, and Michelle Obama’s involvement, asking the tough questions and pushing for excellence.
David Plouffe’s book is excellent, I would recommend it highly. I have also read the Bridge which was good and am about to start reading A singular Woman about President Obama’s mother but I still firmly believe that the best ones about the President are the two masterpieces he wrote himself.
This seem like to me a hack job from a Obama hater from the Progressive Left. What do we know about the writer of that piece of trash. A Hillary supporter or what?
Exactly anniebella. I love you. We are on the same page many times. 😀
I agree. I read some of the comments and I would guess that 98% were very position of the first lady. She is very well liked and adored.
Dotster, two people who love each other can’t help but occasionally stress each other, especially in a time of extreme change. The Obamas are real people in a deeply committed,working marriage, so they are going to have human feelings, like all of us. With the huge burden of the presidency on him their relationship was under stress (it had to be) and I’m sure there had to be some tough adjustments for each of them. But in a very short time, Michelle has made those adjustments beautifully, which is why she’s so loved by millions. I would be willing to bet that that seeing her blossom in her role, has been a great source of joy and comfort for our president. Nobody wants to see the person they love most in the world be hurt and buffeted. I can also understand why he looks at her so very lovingly, as if to say, you are magnificent and I thank you for turning you life inside out for me.
I read the article. My take is that she is protective of her husband and they want to do stuff that will help people in the long run. How do you trust that aides are not sabotaging your husbands agenda?
Sure the right will trash her but as she says even if he does win 2012 they still be alright. Someone needs to be protective of the president cos he does have a soft heart for people and I can easily see someone taking advantage of him in the name of friendship.
there is something about this article that makes me………….. so I read the comments and I’m still hesitant in my opinion of this article. It reads like a gossipy fictionalized story. The way I’m reading Miche and PBO and Gibbs and Rahm just seems a bit hinky. I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have drunk so many Walloby Darneds at Outback.
Chips, YOU ROCK! I was came here to post link to Will Bunch’s article and you already have it. YOU ROCK!
There is a real strong reason why the right hates Michelle almost as much as they hate the President. She, along with the President and the kids, are totally opposite of the “welfare queen” single mom, kids involved in gngs and father in jail for drugs inage they like to promote African American families as being. Plus she is strong, independent, extremely intelligent, both supports and kicks the President’s ass at times. This family represents something not seen in the White House since the Carters, but with a little more polish.
So true. The Carters were the last good decent family in that home before the Obamas came along. They treated them like they were just some low class hicks. Just like with the Obamas, their critics weren’t fit scrub their toilets.
I remember when the Bill Cosby Show was on tv. It changed a lot of perceptions at that point in history. I think PBO and his family in the WH is that same kind of public awareness only much more important.
ICAM.
Michelle Obama is a self-respecting, strong Black woman.
scares the GOP TO DEATH
rikyrah, yes, and I agree wholeheartdly. It’s like they want to bunch us all In the same bag, ghetto style 🙄 Yes, It scares them, because she Is seeing through them. HELLOoooooooooooooooooooo.
President Obama signed a disaster declaration today that will provide federal aid for Massachusetts recovery efforts in the wake of a severe storm that dropped more than 2 feet of snow and left more than a half-million customers without power for days in late October.
The autumn snowstorm pounded several Western and Central Massachusetts communities as they were recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Irene in August. Worcester saw more than 11 inches of snow, surpassing the previous October record of 7.5 inches set in 1979.
In some towns like Athol, more than 90 percent of residents lost power and families sought respite in local shelters.
http://mobile.boston.com/art/30/Boston/metrodesk/2012/01/obama-signs-disaster-aid-for-mass-counties-hit-hard-october-snowstorm/fsjifOq4qB872JDYm8ZRgL/index
Emergency relief under President Obama has been absolutely outstanding. The severe flooding our red county last Fall brought devastation and hardship to many, many families. But FEMA was there immediately, helping everyone and they are still here in an office in the local mall. No complaints from the Republicans about the concern and service they have been given.
With a Ron Paul Presidency there would be no FEMA. Disaster relief would be a thing of the past, so when hurricane strikes each man for himself! Thank goodness the young people aren’t as gullible as Rachel and Jon Stewart THINK they are.
Yessssssssssss Jackie, we really and truly have an outstanding President and First Family, who are putting their money where their mouth Is. They are truly working for the people, who sent them there, to do a job for the people. Look, we have a fantastic First Family, who CARES about the people of our Country. What would Jesus do???????????? I’m just saying.
A unit of Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. (329802Q) acquired three wind-energy projects in Iowa that will have a combined generating capacity of 404.8 megawatts at completion.
MidAmerican Energy Co., Iowa’s largest utility, bought from RPM Access LLC the 103.5-megawatt Vienna wind project that will be built in Marshall and Tama counties, it said today in a statement. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company also purchased two projects from Clipper Windpower Development Co., including the 200.1-megawatt Eclipse project in Guthrie and Audubon counties and the 101.2-megawatt Morning Light project in Adair County.
The projects are expected to be completed by year-end, increasing MidAmerican’s wind generation to 2,284.8 megawatts, according to the statement. The company will have invested $4 billion in Iowa wind farms once the three plants enter service, it said.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=329802Q:US
Wonderful.
I’d like to know which pundits are hopping back on? I haven’t heard of any..thanks for the lol, forus50~
I’m beginning to lose count of supposed ‘progressive’ journalists who are actually libertarians. Dave Wiegel is reporting on Ron Paul’s campaign for Slate. Impartial? Here’s a tweet from him in 2010:
PUKE.
I could never figure this guy out. He’s more snide than funny, imho. Chipsticks, how did you dig this up?
I was reading his tweets tonight, which were all complimentary about Ron Paul (he’s following his campaign in New Hampshire). And then I remembered reading somewhere that Wiegel was a libertarian. Looked him up on Wikipedia and found the link to the tweet where he said he registered Republican so he could vote Ron Paul last time.
This is his history:
In 2000, Weigel voted for Ralph Nader, and served as a Delaware college elector for Nader.
In 2004, Weigel voted for John Kerry. Weigel later wrote that “[he regrets] the Nader vote, but not the Kerry vote, as a weak Democratic president with a conservative Congress would have been pretty tolerable in retrospect”.
He voted for Jack Ryan in the Illinois United States Senate election, 2004 Republican primary.
Since early 2007, Weigel has been a registered Republican in the Washington, D.C. area, in order to vote for Ron Paul at the Republican primary stage of the 2008 presidential election.
In 2008, Weigel voted for Barack Obama, explaining “I really don’t think McCain has the temperament to be President or the interest in standing up to a Democratic Congress… I’ve got the luxury of a guilt-free, zero-impact vote in the District of Columbia, which I would cast for Bob Barr if he was on the ballot”.
In January 2011, Weigel stated that he has voted for Republican Patrick Mara on elections to the Council of the District of Columbia, and that he has voted for Mara “every time he’s been on the ballot.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Weigel
He claims he voted PBO because McCain wouldn’t have “the interest in standing up to a Democratic Congress”.
WTF?!
Hey, the fella’s entitled to support who he likes, but a Ron Paul supporter reporting on the Ron Paul campaign for Slate? Comical!
I think I remember reading a long while ago that his beat is the Tea Party. That raised my curiosity at the time. Anyway, he’s a jerk. What we’re finding is that the press by and large – and I really can’t think of one exception at the moment – are IDIOTS.
That’s some amazing info – wtf is right. Thanks. Now I’m going to see if I can dig up info on Mark Knoller. 🙂
So,basically, apart from his vote for President Obama, he throws away his vote every time. I can’t believe some people admit to being Ron Paul fans, even after everything he’s said and his disastrous policy positions. I was driving behind someone with a “Ron Paul for President 2012” bumper sticker today, so I quickly sped up so he could see my “2012” sticker. Felt good.
I actually saw a ” RICE 2012″ one the other day.
Try to figure that one out 🙄
Lol, I like your move theo67, 🙂
it is interesting how folks can turn a blind eye to the racism of Ron Paul…
Wiegel always reported on the tea party, and it always appeared that he was defending the tea party. This explains everything.
I never thought Weigel was a Progressive. Just thought he was a less toxic right winger.
I bet you guys my rent money that, on Sunday, Maureen Dowd will have a nice long column trashing Mrs. Obama.
itgurl_29, Who gives a dam what Maureen Dowd does? Michelle ask this question, do we have Barack’s back? I’m asking the question, do we have Michelle’s back?
Thank you, anniebella, yes we do. We will surround her with Light and Love, we will unflaggingly support her in her work and in her tireless effort to walk and stand tall and beautiful beside her husband. Michelle Obama outclasses all of them, and they all know it. She is intelligent, perceptive, compassionate. She knew long ago this kind of crap would be thrown at her, just as she knows it cannot hurt her unless she allows it to. They have nothing, nothing at all, but they do have freedom of speech, even if their speech is a load of bs.
I’m right with you Pamela.
I am going to send an email to the First lady and President to let them know they still have my support 100%.
anniebella, I got both of their backs, ain’t no shame In my game. I love the Obamas 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dowd is very condescending toward this President.. she always has been.
I literally read her for years – once or twice a week, when her column came out – because she was hysterical bashing Bush. However, when I realized she was going to do the same (unfairly) to President Obama, it suddenly wasn’t funny any longer.
There was a lesson there for me, but with 8 years of Bush, you had to find an outlet like Dowd’s column to laugh at, to keep from going insane. Remember Bushisms? Frightful, but – again – kept one from going insane. Literally.
Agreed, but what made it even more hilarious was the fact that Bush was a legit idiot.
Yes, he was a total idiot (I say was because I don’t think of him in the present tense!). Maureen got him every week – as did Molly Ivins from Texas. Used to love her, and I wish she were still around.
This is the problem with “when the shoe is on the other foot.” Like you, I used to love her trash Bush/Chaney. Most, not all, of what she does to Obama is unfair, but I think her basic trade requires she tear into big men in big offices. And she does that well.
I’m sure you all have read the Margaret and Helen blog – 2 ladies in their 90s who started writing to each other during the 08 election and one of their grandkids converted it to a blog. It’s hilarious. Their latest on the aftermath of Iowa is here:
http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/three-wise-men-with-extra-cheese-please/
excerpt:
So that leaves us with Romney, Paul and Santorum. Three wise men who couldn’t find a star on a moonless night much less a family of three in a manger. And even if they could, Romney wouldn’t be able to decide on which star to follow; Paul would want to argue about the price of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and Santorum would be too busy molesting the cattle lowing in the stable.
That is beyond magnificently hilarious!!!! Bookmarked! Thank you Forus!
ok there’s some wacko shit going on here lol. Now the link shows my baseball fantasy instead of Margaret and Helen. Chipsticks maybe you can fix it. I’ll repost here just in case:
http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/three-wise-men-with-extra-cheese-please/
😆 Fixed, you baseball fantasizer!!!
Lucky that was the only fantasy link of mine that showed up. )
OMG!!!! I had never heard of them!!! HILARIOUS!!!
Thank you sooooo much!!!
😀 😀 😀
“Margaret, isn’t this an amazing country we live in? Anyone can grow up and run for President no matter how many animals they slept with.”
HAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Double haaaaaaaaa!
😯
Are we talking Presidents in the rain?
ok – I’m off to My Naughty Cell, just to get ahead.
You know I have to say that I might not qualify as a “mat girl” as his intelligence and thoughtfulness overwhelms his attractiveness – and that’s saying alot because he is very attractive as the whole world knows. There are only so many men that you can enjoy for those two reasons. 🙂 Having SAID that, Barack Obama in the rain is pretty damn hot.
YES.HE.IS.(I put that on my desktop….lovely way to wake up!)
Smart is überHAWT.
Just sayin…..
Smart + funny = sexy
And wet is a definite bonus.
😀 😀 😀
Tally,
YOU TOTALLY crack me up. I will tell you that when I met him years ago, I was BLOWN AWAY by how gorgeous he was. I wasn’t expecting it. At all. I think I told you guys the story. It’s a long story but I was in a hallway with only a good friend of mine and didn’t know he was going to walk by. I such a total blubbering mess when he was all the sudden standing there inches in front of me (before he was running for office so before the Secret Service and all that so no one was around) with his hand extended. I looked right into his eyes and said to him shyly, “Thank you Mr. Barama”. He smiled that beautiful big smile and I’m thinking, “wow, he must like what he’s seeing over here”. Only after he left did I see my friend bent over laughing saying to me, “Catherine, you just called him “Mr. Barama”. And I’m saying “shit, no way, I did?! Shit Shit SHIT!”. My horror was not only out of sheer embarrasment but because I also realized it wasn’t my enchanting self that he was smiling at. Nope. The big smile was because he was friggin’ laughing at the new name I had chosen for him.
OK, I’m off to bed. Got my real life hot boyfriend coming over tomorrow a.m. so gotta get my fantasies in order here. 🙂
Thanks for all the wonderful posts today Chipsticks – you constantly amaze and surprise us all – much appreciated.
That blog is hilarious. I just HAD to read the last couple paragraphs to my husband. He made no comment when I finished. I took the opportunity to read that short list of PO’s accomplishments…….figured it was a good way to get my message out to him but coming from someone else …. and done in a funny yet sincere way.
You have to read all the posts…even the old ones…you’ll cry. Hilarious.
Heeeeeeeee! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Gotta love the ladies! They call it like they see it…and are ALWAYS right on! I checked there a couple days ago, hoping they would have something to say about all the lunacy….and here it is…right on point 🙂 Thanks, forus50…you’re batting 1000 today!
I remember them from ’08 and just found out recently they are back in all their glory! Love them.
These ladies call it like they see it! my 84 year old grandma is like that. I sure loved them in 2008 and I’m happy to hear they are back with their wisdom for 2012
The U.S. Department of Defense has 300,000 buildings and an energy bill that amounts to nearly $4 billion annually. Many of those buildings are high-priority targets for foreign military forces and terrorist groups. To add still more complexity to the military’s circumstances, the DoD has to meet several ambitious sustainability goals in the not-so-distant future, which are in many cases – and unlike the private sector – mandated by law.
The combination of these various factors has transformed the Defense Department into a clean-energy commercialization power-house for advanced clean-energy technologies that cut costs, enhance security and reduce environmental impacts.
The hottest spot in the DOD’s hot zone is probably the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) “Installation Energy Test Bed initiative,” which is where the proverbial envelope on clean energy is getting pushed. In November, the ESTCP selected a clutch of killer clean-energy pilot projects from a pool of nearly 600 proposals submitted by private firms, universities and federal organizations.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2011/12/31/12-energy-projects-to-watch-in-2012/
I retired from the Navy as a civilian in 1998, and even then there were incredible energy-reduction goals each organization had to set and meet every year. As usual, the military is the “model” of good concepts like this (I’m a little biased)!
JO’B, my Dad was a Chief Petty Officer in WWII, in the OSS, spent a year in China helping downed pilots back to safety.
Wow! Takes a special and brave person to have “spent a year in China helping downed pilots back to safety” in his background. They sure were the Greatest Generation, all around!
I love my President….This message made me cry (tears of joy), as my family is Coptic Christian….I am just amazed how this President takes the time to recognize us all….Even Us….I can’t say enough how thrilled we are in my household this evening….
May God Bless the Obama 🙂
Michelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous Christmas. On this special day, we give thanks for the extraordinary contributions that Coptic Christians have made to the United States. I want to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christian and other religious minorities around the world. As events in Egypt and elsewhere have illustrated, and as history repeatedly reminds us, freedom of religion, the protection of people of all faiths, and the ability to worship as you choose are critical to a peaceful, inclusive and thriving society. In this Christmas season, we join our Coptic brothers and sisters around the globe in prayers for peace.
http://govne.ws/item/Statement-by-the-President-on-the-Celebration-of-Coptic-Christmas?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#
That’s completely lovely Kasai, I can only imagine how much it means to you.
Yes it does Chips:-) He’s such a good..good man
Thank you
Thanks for sharing that Kasai….so sweetly expressed!
You welcome LovingandLaughing….I simply felt so honored 🙂
He touched our hearts
The fact that he takes the time to acknowledge the importance of this for many people, speaks volumes about the person he is. I am happy for you and the community of Coptic Orthodox Christians all over the world that just got this acknowledgement from the President. No one is in the shadows.
kasai, we are not Coptic Christian, but our family has for generations held today as a sacred day and we do not close our Christmas celebration until after today. 15 years ago today, my father passed away, all in one day, and it was blessed and beautiful. 7 of my 9 brothers at his bedside; we held candle vigils here on the West Coast. Yes, the Obamas include all of us, which brings us all closer to our own goodness. Tonight, a candle burns in each room of our house, honoring Life and Light.
Beautiful memories Pamela – thanks for sharing. 9 brothers?! Wow, not too often I hear of more than my 7 brothers. Peace and blessing to you on Feast of the Epiphany.
A blessed and merry Christmas to you Kasai – and thanks to President Obama for making me aware of it!
Thank you, I will say there are not many places or people I would feel inclined to share something this personal, but TOD, well, here we are family!
Thank you Forus50.. 🙂
What a beautiful tribute Pamela.. So glad that..we have a President with his busy schedule takes time to honor us all.
Mat God Bless you Pam…and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones 🙂
Thank you, kasai, I think I would have missed the tribute by PBO & FLOTUS if you had not brought it over here to share with us all! I hope you and your family are deep in peace this evening. Bless you!
*Mat = May
🙂
Beautiful! So happy for you, kasai, on this special day – and all of us, lucky enough to have the Obamas in the White House, bringing their warmth and caring to an entire world.
Thank you Jacque…Our President makes this holiday more special in more ways….
He’s a gift to our planet…..no doubt about it 🙂
Referencing a post from above, we might find it advantageous to continue Sully’s practice of calling Willard: Romney, Inc.
Health care exchange concept has wide bi-partisan support
http://slides.kff.org/chart.aspx?ch=2393
The Never Ending Racist Assault on Michelle Obama
*There are two relentless constants in the manic drive by GOP ultra conservatives, tea party leaders and followers, and unreconstructed bigots to make President Obama a one term president. One is their drumbeat, non-stop barrage of racist depictions, slurs, digs and vilification of Obama.
The other is their drumbeat, non-stop barrage of racist depictions, slurs, digs, and vilification of First Lady Michelle Obama. One of the latest is the outrageously racist depiction of Michelle on the right-wing website Gateway Pundit as a grotesquely muscular armed Marie Antoinette. The racist caricature was based on a 1775 portrait by 18th Century French painter Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty. The painting hangs in the Palace of Versailles outside Paris.
The racist comparison of Michelle to Antoinette is another in the endless knocks that Michelle lives an imperious and luxury lifestyle all supposedly at taxpayer expense. This is code language for an African-American that’s “uppity.” And if that African-American happens to be the First Lady, the fury level soars and the slanders against her fly even hotter and heavier.
http://www.eurweb.com/2012/01/michelle-obama-racist-assault-racism/
GOP = Play to and encourage HATE/celebrate the ME/Everyone out for themselves, fuck everyone else. I’ve got mine, Fuck you.
DEMS = Play to our better angels, and encourage LOVE. We are our brother’s keeper. We are only as great as the least of us. A rising tide raises all boats. There is good in everyone. I am better when YOU are better.
I know where I stand.
Me too. No question.
Me three, no hesitation.
Me four, without a doubt.
Me five, totally committed.
Me six! 😉
And the side that wants to shove it’s own version of Christianity down your throat? Oh yeah, the selfish, mean-spirited, I got mine crowd. Figures. Then you have our Democratic President respectfully honoring every faith and embracing the diversity of religious beliefs. Wake up America. Just rub out the sleep and open your eyes.
LOL that’s what happens when you bash our President……
Smiley out as speaker for Peoria MLK luncheon
PEORIA —
Tavis Smiley is out as speaker for the annual Martin Luther King luncheon Jan. 16 at Peoria Civic Center. Michael Eric Dyson is in, tentatively.
Public Employees for Community Concerns, the city of Peoria employee group that sponsors the luncheon, canceled the contract with Smiley on Wednesday amid growing concerns about a backlash to his appearance.
Following a local book club’s public pronouncement of its decision to boycott Smiley because of his criticisms of President Barack Obama, the local NAACP and a private family group also asked for refunds on tickets purchased for tables of 10.
In a letter published in the Journal Star, retired Bradley University professor Barbara Penelton, along with members of her book club, said they preferred to send money to Obama’s re-election campaign rather than pay to hear Smiley.
Brown said she did not know Smiley would create a controversy. But she emphasized that the luncheon is about honoring King’s legacy.
Tickets are $40 each, or $400 for a table of 10. For more information, call Brown at 494-8554.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x2023109848/Smiley-out-as-speaker-for-Peoria-MLK-luncheon
He got his just desserts.
LOL @ Africa…..Karma comes knocking…….
LOVE that karma! Making the rounds a lot lately 🙂
Indeed, DF. Sweet justice!! How are you by the way? Been thinking about you. Take good care.
I’m fine 🙂 Thanks for thinking of me…:) Husband has an interview this week so CROSS EVERYTHING! AND SAY A PRAYER! How’s your job coming along? Do you love it?! hugs to you, africa…keep me in your thoughts. Hugs.
Hi DF, I’ll keep him and you in my prayers. Blessings
Great. I will definitely keep you in prayers. Good things are coming to your hubby. Yes, I love my job. I am going to court for the first time on Tuesday and I’m nervous, but it is all good. Take good care. Good things always happen to good people. Blessings.
Lighting a candle for you, your husband, and the success of the interview… May it be an even better and more fulfilling placement than ever before!
🙂
Thanks for posting this. It appear that the fake poverty tour did not garner Smiley and West any friends. I believe he has tainted himself in the AA community for life.
You welcome Cos 🙂
Good. Hope the taint lasts for years. The guy needs to fade into oblivion. He is so yesterday.
I heard of this earlier, but didn’t realize the luncheon is in my area (never listen to local news!). Had they not canx out on Smiley, I could have been at the civic center to give him the “evil eye,” so to speak. Even better: Bash PBO and you’re out!
[So funny that I learn more about Illinois, my new state, from TOD than I do from … er … living in Illinois! Maybe I should pay more attention!]
That’s a sin I share. I found out about the L.A. arsons from here, not from local news. And I’ve lived in L.A. for 26 years, so I really have no excuse!
They got the guy, yes? Awful.
But I know what you mean. Who says we “waste time” on blogs? It’s part of the learning continuum! 🙂
LL & Jacque, now I know I`m in good company I`ll stop feeling guilty, plus I`m learning a lot here. 😉 I was ashamed to say that I FIRST heard about OUR last FED. election right here at TOD. Of course, because I ALWAYS vote, I checked in on the process, but as I don`t follow the news here with the same degree of interest as I do TODville, I appreciated the nudge. Fact is, in addition to being a real cyber {yeah, yeah, that`s oxymoronic} family 😉 TODville in a genuine on-line learning community. Maybe after a certain period of study Ms Chips can start giving out diplomas that we can include on our resurmes. Of course, a popular subject area in this community already hands out its own awards so no diploma for those participants! 😉
When i read about it, I thought you could be a lurker and hang in the hallway and “accidently” trip the dumbcreep.
Jackie, I was referring to smiley not the arsonist!
Wonder how his annual State of the Black Union is doing? He’s been making money off of that conference for YEARS!!! I won’t be tuning in this year btw. Done with Smiley, West, Waters and Cleaver.
Definately Imrjones. They are all sellouts. Disgusting!!
I posted this link on the last thread but wanted to make sure it gets some attention so I’ll bring it to the “evening all” one.
I found it in the comments under Benen’s blog on mitt’s mendacity. Turns out the owner is on Kaua’i and is helping us all out with his site on ROMNEY THE LIAR I thanked him as others did on Political Animal and want to give him all the encouragment I can. One thing..he’ll never run out of material!
http://romneytheliar.blogspot.com/
Steve Benen is making a master list of willard’s vicious mendaciousness, too. A Liar and Proud of It.
Bookmarked:) We can help him out 🙂
A big, fat, juicy kiss to Steve Benen for doing this. This is awesome. I remember when Steve’s blog was called the Carpet Bagger Report he did a similar post about Senator John McCain and his plethora of “flip flops”. For some fun you can check it out here:
Jukebox John keeps changing his tune
==============================
It’s obvious that the McCain campaign and the RNC have decided to go after Barack Obama as a flip-flopper. What’s equally obvious, though, that Republicans couldn’t have chosen a worse narrative.
==============================
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/flipflops
“They are all Reptiles:
A leading Republican, who was in Congress for more than 10 years, answered my question: “Who can beat Obama?” with a casual, “a mammal”. Then he added sadly: “But they are all reptiles.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16386176
GOP black people platform
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/opinion/blow-the-gops-black-people-platform.html?_r=1&src=tp
Great piece. That’s the GOP Blah People Platform 🙂 He DID say he hardly ever says “black”.( Santorum) Douche…and I hardly EVER say that. Honest.
Yeah. Right after he said that in the same interview, he said the word more than three or four times. My hubby turned to me and says, he just said he never uses the word “black.” Go figure.
I said the exact same thing!
Santorum claim to be such a religious man, but he lied when he said he didn’t say “black”. Just like Newt, he went to the Lord for forgiveness for being an adulterous, but he forgot to ask for forgiveness for being a stupid ass racists.
Phew! I finally did it – with a little cheating and skimming here and there, I’m all caught up on all the wonderful pictures and news shared /referenced here over the last couple of days! **sweating profusely, while struggling to keep eyes open**
Man, you guys are hard on a gal who has to take periodic time out from TODville!! Anyways, tomorrow I’ll be able to start with an almost clean slate. 😆 😆 Now I’m going to enjoy some ‘recovery’ sleep. By the way, Linda, I was a little unhappy with you, because you delayed my catching up by quite a bit! 😉 I saw that 1 hour+ cspan video you shared of Melissa Harris-Perry, and was nosy enough to peek in just to see what it was about. Of course I got hooked! Grrr! 😉 I also got hooked watching all of the Barney F interview. The fact that I’m so nosy ALWAYS makes it difficult when i try to catch up after an absence. Maybe I need a new strategy for reading after an ‘absence?
Good night, Chips & TODville! Sweet dreams!
Congratulations on catching up! Even though I feel I’ve spent the whole week on TOD (while at work…), I am so far behind. I plan to revisit each day’s post over this weekend and watch the videos I couldn’t watch at work. Need about five hours added to each day just for TOD duty. I’m going to have to start doing some actual work during the day, so I’ll be making my weekend catch up a ritual. It’s so hard, because I end up posting comments a day after everyone has moved on, just simply because I have to add my two cents to some of the awesome posts, but knowing no-one will ever see it. Oh well.
I share your pain theo67, here I am with you, scanning old threads, adding my bit, because people here have so much stimulating thought to offer! I so appreciate that effort on everyone’s part, and especially our very own wonder woman, Ms. Chips, who busts the trolls over their empty heads, keeping her blog a fantastic community to be part of!
Sweet dreams, vcprezofan2, and good luck with finding a strategy for catching up on old threads… And please please, if you DO find a way, won’t you be a dear and share it with me? Night-night!
I love that Michelle and Barack Obama can demonstrate non-reactivity in the
face of ungenerous, unconscious behavior. This book that has come out is the most recent exanple,
but they do it all the time. I want to learn how to do that. All the time.
Seems like to me that could dissolve some karmic cycles. You just don’t feed ’em.
“You just don’t feed ’em.” That reminds me of a tale that I keep on my fridge. I’ve shared it over on TOAITR, but I don’t think that I ever shared it here. It seems so apropos.
As the legend goes, one evening and old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said:
“My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy,sorrow,regret,greed,arrogance,self-pity,guilt,resentment, inferiority,lies,false pride,superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy,peace,love,hope,serenity,humility,kindness,benevolence,empathy,generosity,truth,compassion and faith.
The grandson thought for a moment and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee replied simply, “The one you feed.”
Yes, that’s the space. Thank you, desertflower. xox
Yes, df, and Sara… I believe for the Obamas, they do not take any of it personally. PBO is always saying it’s not about him. In India, there is a saying: when a pickpocket sees a saint, he sees only his pockets. Now, PBO would never want anyone to think he is a saint, that would be a terrible burden anyway in these times, but the point is, people see only what they are capable of relating to; grasping that frees you from attachment to any of it. Empty the solar plexus. Stay in the heart center. There is where the light and love can live and breathe!
Awesome, Pamela, yes. There’s more of the space I’m talking about.
I think, btw, that PBO . . . . well, no need to dub him with sainthood, that is inside an old paradigm.
But he is a model for a new kind of human being, which creates a new world:
whatever reactions he has, he notices and deals with them before he steps into the public view.
I want to be that kind of conscious human being. Godblessusall. xoxo
Welcome:)
Perfect.
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/01/06/liz-cheney-signs-with-fox-news-will-substitute-host/
Pull up a chair, Liz…you’ll be right at home! Who the hell didn’t think that was a no brainer?
It’s nice when we can keep all the hate centered in one place.
For the last two days, Democrats in the Indiana legislature have prevented the consideration of a “right to work” bill, which would make Indiana the first state in the U.S. industrial belt to allow non-union workers to free-ride on union contracts, which obviously undermines the ability of the union to do its job. Today, the National Football League Players Association called on the Indiana GOP to drop its bill in advance of the 2012 Super Bowl, which is being played in Indianapolis, saying that the NFL’s biggest game “should be about celebrating the best of what Indianapolis has to offer, not about legislation that hurts the people of Indiana“:
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/06/399375/nfl-players-right-to-work-super-bowl-indiana/?mobile=wp
Oooops !
Letterman just described Romney as looking like the guy on the package of mens’ briefs.
and
Paul as looking like a guy who needs to be kept overnight for observation.
LOL. that’s perfect. Someone on Twitter thought Paul looks like he should be on a park bench feeding pigeons.
Probably, even the pigeons wouldn’t come near him.
Old Dave has still got it!
I think Ron Paul looks like a serial killer that time forgot.
Nice one, although I just don’t see Romney as that physically attractive. As a “model,” he would be certain to repel buyers, not attract them. j
By Tara, Digital Volunteer on January 6, 2012
With less than a week until the New Hampshire primary, the state is buzzing with political activity. As the Republican candidates battle for support, the Obama campaign is mobilizing the grassroots effort that volunteers have been building throughout 2011.
In preparation for the primary, I’m in New Hampshire with ten other college students from Quinnipiac University. After spending a few weekends volunteering in Manchester throughout last semester, we’re back to put the grassroots foundation into action.
http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/nh-first-in-the-nation-organizing
Quinnipiac? Hmmm!
LOL
Excitement mounts for Mitt Romney in South Carolina: http://news.daylife.com/photo/025E5DDeyqbOr?__site=daylife&q=romney+2012+6
Ha! I guess even the AP photographer is getting bored, trying to “capture the moments.”
What a rock star welcome!
Joyful and Blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones ❤
Looks like standing room only! WOW. Poor fella.
That pic is too funny!
I can’t wait for this election to be over. The hate spewed by the GOP is just too much sometimes.
Yes, it is. Thank God we have outlets – like TOD and like-minded friends – where we can come together, to help each other through it all.
I am totally incensed deep down inside that we haven’t been able to just sit back and totally enjoy the Obama presidency, since the day after the Inauguration. I don’t blame the Republicans for that, as much as I blame the fair-weather-friends who are the PL and the PUMAs. Oh, and the awful media in our country, which surely must be hitting rock bottom soon, so it can work its way back to what it used to be.
So right! The job of the GOP, media and fickle PL has been to demoralize the nation; to stamp out hope. I don’t know how people can live like that – hope is all some people have left. I just keep remembering President Obama’s inauguration speech, where he spoke of people judging (dictators) on what they create, not what they destroy. He’s sees the world with an optimistic view – which is a Godsend. Karma will not be kind to these GOP, media and others.
What I most resent is ENDLESS campaigns. No sooner did the president take the oath of office then people were talking about the next presidential election and who would rise up to oppose him. This is insanity. It’s no wonder people get turned off from voting–it’s just who wins, who loses. Never, who is governing and how does that affect us.
It’s just started my friend, as I said we have to remain strong and look at the bigger picture, that is this country need President Obama for four more years. We can not allow these nasty hateful radical Republicans to ruin this country. So we all have to stay strong and focus.
That’s it for me, I’m done in. Thank you so much, everyone. Chips, you have done it again! Many blessings, to all! Good night!
Finally…it’s time to set the record straight about Willard Romney….I feel sorry for the people in the videos…..it’s heartbreaking really.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/06/new-anti-romney-video-attacks-bain-capital-work.html
The fact that Newt Gingrich is making this video is a real hoot! I love it!
“The filmmaker, Jason Killian Meath, is an award-winning director who worked on Romney political ads in Romney’s run against John McCain in 2004. When Romney retained the services of SSG for his current presidential bid, Meath was not part of the team. Meath declined to comment on the film, or upon his motives in making it.”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/06/new-anti-romney-video-attacks-bain-capital-work.html
er sorry I stand corrected.
Jeff you’re absolutely right. A pro-Newt Gingrich’s superpac is funding it. I only wanted to point out that one of Mitt’s former ad hitmen is now directing a mini-feature film against him, confirming the fact that Nobody Likes Mitt.
laughing crying cheering gaping gasping ….
what a place!! Perfect.
Gratitude!! ALL!! – beyond words, Chipsticks … just wow
I FIND ‘THE BOOT’ TO BE QUITE ATTRACTIVE…WILL BE GIVING THE GOP ‘THE BOOT’ IN 2012! OUT THE DOOR AND BACK…NO MORE!!!!
http://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/07/weekly-address-continuing-grow-economy-new-year
Weekly address!
Hmmm! Chris Hayes just compared this President to Hoover. Saying, he was just like Hoover with TARP!
And then he went onto promote the only viable alternative to Capatalism, Ron Paul.
Woweeeee! These pundits love affair with Ron Paul are dangerous!
You’re right these cable pundits are dangerous. That why the President can’t stand them.
The fact that Hayes is still talking about TARP and making Hoover comparisons suggests that he is desperate to find something negative to say about the President. Did he mention the 200K jobs added along with the drop in unemployment? Did he credit PBO? Did he praise PBO for his recess appointments? Did he praise the “Obama DOJ” for broadening the definition of rape? That witch he had brought on his show sometime ago to bash PBO during the “Plan B pill” debate – did he bring her back to sing PBO’s praises for his administration’s big step forward for rape victims?
The answer- yes he did mention some of that stuff, but it was dismissed!
I don’t get this Ron Paul fetish. Is this an ill-conceived strategy to siphon off young voters from PBO?
Yes! The two supposed liberals on the show were saying the hands off approach to government is very appealing.
Just so you know, a hands off approach to government has nothing ti do with being a liberal.
Oh, and they forgot to mention the high ground with the populism approach, now belongs to the President!
Given the youth turnout in the Iowa caucus which was no where as high as was expected, I would say that MSNBC is about to find out soon who the youth are really turning out for. Maddow and Hayes can collectively KMA if they think it’s a damn joke and that young people are going to suddenly and gullibly flock to that racist lunatic just because they (Maddow/Hayes) are trying to shove him down our throats morning noon and night.
Exactly!
Wait. Didn’t Rachel Maddow famously do an Oval Office speech that she would have liked to have seen following the BP spill? Don’t the PL constantly rage about the bully pulpit? Do they really think Ron Paul would have bully pulpitted $20 billion on behalf of those harmed by the spill?
What I do not understand is how Ron Paul makes intelligent people suspend their reasoning abilities to allow for adoration of such a deeply flawed political philosophy.
Chris Hayes seems as though he has never heard of John Maynard Keynes, and his influence in getting the world out of the depression. Keynes’s theories were in direct conflict with Ron Paul’s “Austrians”. The idea of more government spending as with the stimulous plan is straight from Keynes’s playbook. Hayes is a pompous ass.
I don’t think Chris Hayes show is that good. It would not bother me if he were to go, maybe then he could go work with Ron Paul the racists.
I think Hayes and Madcow are secret Ayn Rand people!
They are the types who would sit around the dorm and discuss her horrid books.
oooooo… I love Keynes…..guess who wins this fight. ?
Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two
BTW… The Referee/Chairman is Michael Murphy…one of Eddie Murphy’s brothers.
oops… Richard Murphy…not Michael
The PL, God!!!!!!!
Chris Hayes, here’s a history lesson for you since you won’t bother to learn on your own: Hoover didn’t want a stimulus. Hoover was Gingrich, McCain, Santorum, Romney and the rest of the them.
Take a minute to earn your salary and remember the size of the stimulus that Obama wanted and what he had to settle on because he NEVER had a working filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
wanting a bigger stimulus doesn’t make you Hoover. It makes you an effing god for getting anything through that poisonous legislative branch.
Ron Paul would be Hoover on steroids. He doesn’t believe in governement spending !!!
Hayes, Maddow are rich and have complete financial security. What they are all about is destroying the big banks, the Fed and destroying the Military Industrial Complex. So they foolishly promote Ron Paul without really considering the consequences of him siphoning votes from democrats if he goes third party.
Like previous generations of hard left activists, they are about ideology and emotions and they don’t focus on the consequences. So utterly STUPID.
Btw- this guy Thomas Frank is not an Obama supporter.
That is all.
Thanks, Jovie. I thought I was the only one who sensed this. He talks almost gleefully about the Tparty and how they swooped in right after PBO came into office, never bothering to admit that they were supported by the likes of GOP think tanks and acting like they are some grassroots populist movement.
He’s pushing idea that GOP will bounce back, blah, blah, blah. I saw him the other night on one of those night shows and quickly thought that this guy must love himself some Tparty ppl still while pushing his Pity billionaire book.
Africa, be careful when you use the “blah’ word. You might confuse Ricky Santorum if he reads TOD.
So the new show coming on MSNBC starting the black professor, I can’t think of he entire name right now. Her first name is Melissa. When does that start? And will that be the end of Alex Witt?
Melissa Harris-Perry
Thank you, that is her name.
Feb 4th! A few months ago, Melissa Harris Perry said she is a huge supporter of the President on bill mahers show.
So, why do I get this feeling that in order to get her job, she is going to be an Obama basher?
We’ll just have to keep an eye on Mrs. Harris.
Here is some info!
// “MSNBC has added another new show to its weekend lineup, handing contributor Melissa Harris-Perry a two-hour program on Saturdays and Sundays.
Weekends with Alex Witt,” which currently airs from 9 a.m. ET to noon on Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays will now run from 7 to 8 a.m. ET and noon – 2p.m. ET on both days. “Up” with Chris Hayes will now air at the same time on both days as well, running from 8 to 10 a.m. ET.
Harris-Perry’s show will air from 10 am to noon E.T. on Saturday and Sunday starting February 4. //
Read more about it here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/05/idUS198103685120120105
Her name is Melissa Harris-Perry, and she is a professor at Tulane University. Her show should be starting soon but not today.
Ford,GM, Chrysler regain the U.S. market share since 1987. So without the leadership of President Obama, this wouldn’t been possible. And that Mitt the flip flopping liar is running around calling this President a job destroyer. According to Randy Johnson, the flip flopper liar is the job destroyer. Mr. Johnson a worker who was fire when Mitt took over the company and made millions for himself and Bain, but they fire the workers. So who is the real job destroyer? And Mitt don’t even have the guts to meet this Johnson guy.
Chris Matthews thinks that Romney is going to win Michigan………Chris is off his meds again ?
A video of Willard being against the auto bailout and then for it should do him in.
We are really going to have to hit people the head with that fact Bill, we’ve got some real hard heads here in Michigan.
Can we see the Huntsman girls on tv today.
You know, Marsha, cindy and Jan Brady?
No thanks. If I want to see that I can go on YouTube and watch videos of Brady Bunch episodes…
Only if Willard’s boys are on cracking jokes about birth certificates.
“Islamabad: Former President Pervez Musharraf will be arrested on his arrival in Pakistan as a court conducting the trial of those charged with involvement in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto has declared him a fugitive,a prosecutor said on Saturday.”
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/will-arrest-musharraf-on-his-arrival-prosecutor/218748-56.html
Has this been confirmed anywhere else?
Wow…All this time I thought is was our CIA
I’m more suspicious of the ISI… who knows what happened. We’ll never know the whole story, that’s for sure.
WOW….this was a well known fact that he had something to do with her death. Strange though..Pakistan actually arresting the bad guys. Interesting. Rather than arresting Bin Laden who lived up the street, they dropped of cookies and punch.
I just googled it….it is being reported everywhere.
Peggy Noonan- who I cannot stand- called Newt and Angry Muffin. :X Dead X:
LOLOLOL
* an Angry Muffin
LOL, I can’t stand that Reagen nut either.
This guy is SHAMELESS!:
“I’m independent of Wall Street,” Romney, 64, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television that began airing yesterday. “By the way, I haven’t ever worked on Wall Street.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-07/romney-denies-wall-street-ties.html
HEADLINE: Obama to promote insourcing of jobs
// WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling attention to companies that have brought jobs back to American soil, offering it up as another way of putting people back to work.
The White House plans to hold a forum on Wednesday called “Insourcing American Jobs,” which will bring together business leaders who have brought jobs back to the United States. The president said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address that the forum will discuss ways business leaders can return more jobs to the country. //
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-promote-insourcing-jobs-110329092.html
All these nh polls come with the caveat that they are GOP primary voters.
The wildcard is independents. That is what Hillary won, when Barack had a nine point lead the last day of polling.
Hillary then win by 3 points. That is a 12 point swing in the last day of polling.
I would be very surprised if Romney got 44% of the vote in NH!
Good read
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/2012/01/06/friday-talking-points-192-obama-picking-his-fights/