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Today:
2:45 ET: Michelle Obama speaks at a campaign event at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware
5:45 ET: Michelle Obama speaks at a campaign event at Cuyahoga County Community College, Cleveland
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NYT Editorial: There are many unanswered questions about the vicious assault in Benghazi last month that killed four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. And Congress has a responsibility to raise them. But Republican lawmakers leading the charge on Capitol Hill seem more interested in attacking President Obama than in formulating an effective response.
It doesn’t take a partisan to draw that conclusion. The ugly truth is that the same people who are accusing the administration of not providing sufficient security for the American consulate in Benghazi have voted to cut the State Department budget, which includes financing for diplomatic security. The most self-righteous critics don’t seem to get the hypocrisy, or maybe they do and figure that if they hurl enough doubts and complaints at the administration, they will deflect attention from their own poor judgments on the State Department’s needs.
More here
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Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, October 13 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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Washington Post: President Obama is regarded as significantly more honest and trustworthy than Mitt Romney in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll — a finding that could inform the incumbent’s strategy heading into the second debate of the general election Tuesday night.
Fifty-five percent of likely voters said that Obama is “honest and trustworthy,” while 41 percent said he was not. For Romney, on the other hand, 47 percent said he could be described as honest and trustworthy, while an equal 47 percent said that he could not.
…. But in the handful of swing states identified by the Post (along with Democratic-leaning Ohio), Obama’s lead is even more pronounced on the question. Fifty-six percent of swing-state voters said the incumbent is honest and trustworthy, while just 44 percent said the same of Romney.
More here
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Virginia Gazette: …. The president arrived at the office, where he came into the lobby carrying a stack of pizzas …. he introduced himself to a small group of campaign workers in the lobby before heading into a back room, where 11 volunteers were phone banking. Obama introduced himself to the volunteers before taking a seat between Alexa Kissinger and Suzanne Stern to make his own phone calls to local volunteers. “I’ve got to get to work,” Obama said.
After joking with Stern about “old school” phones Obama …. then called Ellen and Chuck Hawkins. “Is this Ellen?” Obama asked. “Ellen this is Barack Obama.” Hawkins seemed not to believe she was getting a call from the president of the United States.
“It is. It is. Really, truly,” Obama said. “I’m over here in the Williamsburg office. They have told me some of the great folks that have been doing work, and I know you and Chuck have been working so hard.”
After making phone calls Obama, shook hands with and hugged a line of roughly 20 volunteers standing outside in front of the office, before heading back to Kingsmill to continue preparing for the debate.
With campaign volunteer Suzanne Stern at a campaign office in Williamsburg, October 14 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
…. greeting supporters outside the Williamsburg campaign office (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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NYT: BOSTON — When the ceiling collapsed in the Big Dig tunnel here, Gov. Mitt Romney was at his vacation home in New Hampshire. When the Bush administration warned that the nation was at high risk of a terror attack in December 2003, he was at his Utah retreat. And for much of the time the legislature was negotiating changes to his landmark health care bill, he was on the road.
During Mr. Romney’s four-year term as governor of Massachusetts, he cumulatively spent more than a year – part or all of 417 days – out of the state, according to a review of his schedule and other records. More than 70 percent of that time was spent on personal or political trips unrelated to his job, a New York Times analysis found.
More here
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Reuters: U.S. retail sales rose in September as Americans bought more cars and gasoline, while a gauge of consumer spending pointed to stronger-than-expected economic growth in the third quarter.
Retail sales increased 1.1 percent, the Commerce Department said on Monday, beating expectations after an upwardly revised 1.2 percent rise in August.
…. The details of the report showed broad strength across retailers, with sales of motor vehicles and parts up 1.3 percent … Other categories were also strong, with sales at electronics retailers up 4.5 percent, while sales at food and beverage stores rose 1.2 percent.
More here – thank you DesertFlower
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Melissa Harris-Perry interview with President Obama in the November edition
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Mooooooooooorning everyone. I’m late starting today, had to go out and about earlier, but will check to see what news I’m missing. Happy Monday 😉
The Obama Diary 
1st?
Mine? My thread? How on Earth can it be? G’day!
Third too? Yikes!
On that happy note: https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/Pamela See y’all later, thank you Chipsticks! 🙂
😯 Way to go, Sister! What a wonderful start to this week! I am speechless with pride! (Well as close to speechless as *I* ever am.) 😉 {{Pamela}} Have a terrific Monday, Girl! 😆 😆
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congratulations Pamela on being # 1 🙂
X 2 Congrats, Pamela!
Thanks for the glorious images and articles and editorials, Chips! And thanks, also, to John Glenn for knowing a man with “Character” when he sees him!
Congrats on 1st.
Congrats Pamela on being up and at it so early. 🙂
Yes! You are 1-4 🙂 Congrats, my dear!
Congrats, Pamela.
Good Morning TOD
I am thankful to be living in a country with a President who understands my struggles because he lived them…student loans debt, mortgage loans, being looked at differently, I can go on and on…you can also add to the list. What are you thankful for today?
If you are having a Misty Morning where you live,
Please note the Sun is Shining…a New Day has Come
Life Advice@ozlifeadvice
Today u have 2 choices. Give in, or give it all u got. Successful people show up & get it done even when they don’t feel like it. #discipline
AndreT – Well, thank you for adding to our sunny day! I’m thankful I lived long enough to see President Obama in the White House! And I’m thankful I get to vote for him TWICE!
Old school phones… kidder
Morning amk, morning everyone!
Morning chips. Morning folks.
https://twitter.com/chrisrockoz/status/257830604958216192
More inspiration…
Ah, what better way to start the day than listening to Bob Marley? Thank you Andre!
love Marley; thanks and happy Monday all
I do, too! Morning and Happy Monday, Barb, my BCFF!
Chips, tomorrow be prepared to post Marley’s “Three Little Birds (Baby don’t worry)” song – just to calm down some nerves. On the other hand, we may not even need that particular song tomorrow. 🙂
One of my most fave songs ever HF – excellent suggestion!!
Goooood Morning Chips and TOD Family, Thank You allfor sharing my Birthday with me yesterday, I had a great day and went out to dinner with nephew and his wife last night. So I went to bed with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. ((((((((hugs))))))):)
Thrilled you had a great day Roberta! Here’s to many, many more!
Good morning Chips and TOD,
Morning Jackie, a happy Monday to ya!
https://twitter.com/chrisrockoz/status/257832937645547522
The more you know about Romney, the more you dislike him.
Good morning all. Just a quick note. Probably later today, and definitely by about this time tomorrow, the magic 14,000,000 milestone is reached. Chips, get your cheese curls ready.
Sharp-eyed as ever, Japa! Thank you – cheesy puffs fired up and ready to go!
I saw that one amk, I think it’s anti-PBO??? Is that meant to be him stamped in to the ground after the first debate??
Now that you mention it…
Gah. I thought it was that lil punk.
I did too when I saw it first and I chuckled loudly …. then I looked a little closer and punched my screen. My hand hurts.
should have noted those damned ears.
I thought it as uncle joe stomping that lil punk even he had a stick. didn’t think of a relay baton at all.
It was when I spotted the ears that I punched my screen 😆
Wish I could find the retweet and take it back. I thought it was Ryan in the hole, but now I see how wrong I was.
Is this supposed to be PBO? If so then that’s not an accurate depiction.
I got punked. Sorry about that.
Hey, I’m the one who once posted what I thought was a genuine tribute to PBO from Limbaugh ….. I’m still 😳 after that
Too right, HF, that ‘hole’ is a result of the black hole media and nothing else. They have shaped their deceit of all things bright and beautiful in the shape of the most Beloved President to ever take the oath of office. History will prove this beyond the span of our small lives! And WE stood up, WE have had his back since it all began.
They truly are heartless, POS.
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/10/15/1010951/top-romney-surrogate-admits-gop-is-exploiting-libya-incident-for-political-gain/
Mr Noun/Verb/and 9/11 is giving advice??
Hi everyone, wondering if anyone can help with this?
An occasional poster here got in touch to say a friend’s son has recently been posted to Afghanistan and because he collects postcards his girlfriend had the idea of trying to get one sent to him from every state. She’s about 10 short of her goal – these are the missing states:
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
Utah
Wyoming
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Delaware
Connecticut
Rhode Island
If anyone from one of those states would like to send him a card, just email me and I’ll put you in touch with the person who contacted me.
Thank you!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/opinion/krugman-death-by-ideology.html?hp
Mitt Romney doesn’t see dead people. But that’s only because he doesn’t want to see them; if he did, he’d have to acknowledge the ugly reality of what will happen if he and Paul Ryan get their way on health care.
Last week, speaking to The Columbus Dispatch, Mr. Romney declared that nobody in America dies because he or she is uninsured: “We don’t have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don’t have insurance.” This followed on an earlier remark by Mr. Romney — echoing an infamous statement by none other than George W. Bush — in which he insisted that emergency rooms provide essential health care to the uninsured.
These are remarkable statements. They clearly demonstrate that Mr. Romney has no idea what life (and death) are like for those less fortunate than himself.
snip/
Among the lying liars, then, is the guy who, in 2009, described the Ryan plan as a matter of “converting Medicare into a defined contribution sort of voucher system.” Oh, wait — that was Paul Ryan himself.
And what if the vouchers — for that’s what they are — turned out not to be large enough to pay for adequate insurance? Then those who couldn’t afford to top up the vouchers sufficiently — a group that would include many, and probably most, older Americans — would be left with inadequate insurance, insurance that exposed them to severe financial hardship if they got sick, sometimes left them unable to afford crucial care, and yes, sometimes led to their early death.
So let’s be brutally honest here. The Romney-Ryan position on health care is that many millions of Americans must be denied health insurance, and millions more deprived of the security Medicare now provides, in order to save money. At the same time, of course, Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan are proposing trillions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy. So a literal description of their plan is that they want to expose many Americans to financial insecurity, and let some of them die, so that a handful of already wealthy people can have a higher after-tax income.
It’s not a pretty picture — and you can see why Mr. Romney chooses not to see it.
Survival of the fittest plan. All the weak, unhealthy dies plan.
Good morning y’all.
This was fantastic. Well done Rosie Perez.
In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll poll released Monday, 49 percent of registered voters surveyed said they would rather leave a child with the president than Romney.
That’s a 13 point spike for Obama; just two weeks ago, the rivals were dead even in the “babysitting” question.
Obama’s reserved, less-confrontational performance at the debate could be a big reason for the upswing. The president suggested he might have been “too polite” during his meeting with Romney in Denver. But whatever that his demeanor cost him, it seemed to hit home with when it comes to caring and responsibility.
These people clearly haven’t seen Romney with children. EW.
Great tweet Dotster, thanks.
I love your tweet Nancy !
How about those damn pesty regulations?!!!! For profits, not for people!! Romney’s World….
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019426351_food14.html?syndication=rss
Food sickens millions as for-profit inspection companies find it safe
During the past two decades, the food industry has taken over much of the FDA’s role in ensuring that what Americans eat is safe. The agency can’t come close to vetting its jurisdiction of $1.2 trillion in annual food sales.
My fav Indian PM.
With 284,000 Florida votes already in, absentee vote data more critical than polls
As the public focuses on political polls, the campaigns in the nation’s biggest battleground state are concentrating on a more-important set of figures: Absentee-ballot votes.
At least 284,000 people have already cast absentee ballots in Florida over the past week.
The number grows hourly. About 2 million voters have requested the ballots, which are typically mailed.
It’s a sign that we don’t have a single Election Day in Florida.
We have Election Days.
Polls tell us Mitt Romney’s winning in Florida right now. Absentee-vote data show us that’s probably true.
But the numbers also show President Barack Obama’s campaign is closer than ever to matching Republicans in requesting and voting absentee ballots.
“We very much like what we’re seeing in terms of absentee requests,” said David Plouffe, a senior Obama advisor.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/10/with-284000-votes-florida-already-in-absentee-vote-data-more-critical-than-polls.html
I’m still waiting on my ballot. I’m calling today.
Has the Green Man Campus Takeover vid been posted?
Hadn’t seen that Dotster, thank you!
MITT ROMNEY: THE GREAT DEFORMER
Is Romney really a job creator? Ronald Reagan’s budget director, David Stockman, takes a scalpel to the claims.
By David Stockman
———————————-
Nevertheless, Mitt Romney claims that his essential qualification to be president is grounded in his 15 years as head of Bain Capital, from 1984 through early 1999. According to the campaign’s narrative, it was then that he became immersed in the toils of business enterprise, learning along the way the true secrets of how to grow the economy and create jobs. The fact that Bain’s returns reputedly averaged more than 50 percent annually during this period is purportedly proof of the case—real-world validation that Romney not only was a striking business success but also has been uniquely trained and seasoned for the task of restarting the nation’s sputtering engines of capitalism.
Except Mitt Romney was not a businessman; he was a master financial speculator who bought, sold, flipped, and stripped businesses. He did not build enterprises the old-fashioned way—out of inspiration, perspiration, and a long slog in the free market fostering a new product, service, or process of production. Instead, he spent his 15 years raising debt in prodigious amounts on Wall Street so that Bain could purchase the pots and pans and castoffs of corporate America, leverage them to the hilt, gussy them up as reborn “roll-ups,” and then deliver them back to Wall Street for resale—the faster the better.
That is the modus operandi of the leveraged-buyout business, and in an honest free-market economy, there wouldn’t be much scope for it because it creates little of economic value. But we have a rigged system—a regime of crony capitalism—where the tax code heavily favors debt and capital gains, and the central bank purposefully enables rampant speculation by propping up the price of financial assets and battering down the cost of leveraged finance.
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Read more of this very lengthy, detailed and scathing article (it’s like a small novel) here……..
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/14/david-stockman-mitt-romney-and-the-bain-drain.html
Excellent info. Thanks!
Few people know better about the potency of political advertising that Alexandra Kerry, who watched her father’s presidential campaign decimated in 2004 by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The Republican group used a series of searing television ads to proclaim doubts about Senator John Kerry’s medal-winning exploits during the Vietnam War.
Eight years later, his elder daughter sees the same thing happening again to President Obama, so she has taken the surprising step of launching her own super PAC.
Dubbed by supporters as an “anti-super PAC super PAC,” We the People has a novel goal: to raise money to promote pro-Obama commercials made not by professionals, but average citizens.
http://bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2012/10/15/witness-damage-ads-wrought-father-campaign-kerry-daughter-launches-super-pac/FqFZafXgWnzavSAEYOjYoO/story.html
https://twitter.com/NJedwina/status/257846065808670720
Good grief, on every single level, even something like this, the man is a fraud.
ABC/Wash Po might try to hide the good news hidden in their polls but when one delves into them, it’s good for Pres. Obama. The polls have basically swung to pre-debate levels and in 9 swing/battleground states Pres. Obama is leading. North Carolina which was always very close is polling the same as more blue leaning Ohio in the ABC poll. That’s not good for Romney.
Romney supposedly had a great, fantastic, earth-shattering, wondrous, stellar, historic, epic, and breathtaking performance at the debate 2 weeks ago. PBO supposedly had the exact opposite. Yet PBO is still leading?
As Jodi Kantor would say – HMMMMMMMMMM…….
Just heard ABC News on my radio say “Romney should feel encouraged” and they downplayed anything Obama. The above posts are not concurrent with their own released news reports.
a good read
Students line up for tickies for Obama’s Wed. visit on the campus of Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Ia., Mr. dotster’s alma mater. He wanted to go to U. of Wi. Madison, both his parents graduated from there, but they thought he would have too much fun and sent him off to this small college in a small town in Iowa. (Mean! 🙂 or smart!) He ended up enjoying his 5 years there—:) (and the pool hall) and most importantly made lifelong friendships.
And, by the way, no enthusiasm gap in evidence here again…..
WOW – that sure is a line! I read on Twitter that they handed out 500 tickets during the first 15 minutes of distribution. That’s how “unenthusiastic” folks are to see PBO.
My niece got a ticket…..Yeah I am so excited for her. She promised to share pictures.
As a smart aunt (or uncle), and you will advise your good niece to hold on to that ticket. Save it so that she can show her kids and grandkids some day! 🙂 🙂 Looking forward to seeing pics if you get them!
http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2012/10/romney-bounce-fades-obama-leads-on-all-fronts.html
GM TODville & Chips
Love Bob Marley 🙂
Not Sure if anyone has seen this post.
Why Won’t Romney Talk To Sensata Workers About Jobs Being Going To China?
Romney insists that he has nothing to do with Bain Capital anymore (his tax returns showed that he gets more than $400,000 a week from Bain investments).
While the workers and the town may suffer, Romney himself has done well as a result of Bain’s work with the company. According to his recently released 2011 tax returns, Romney transferred $701,703 worth of Sensata stock to the Tyler Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit controlled by Romney. The gift is listed on page 323 of the pdf, on form 8283 (below).
Moving the stock to his nonprofit brings Romney twin benefits. First, he gets to deduct the full value of the stock. At a 35 percent tax rate, that’s nearly a $250,000 benefit. At 15 percent, it’s just over $100,000.
Second, Romney is able to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the stock price increase. Romney’s returns list no cost for the stock, and indicate he obtained them as part of a partnership interest in Bain. Avoiding capital gains taxes on the full increase would save an additional $100,000. In 2010, Romney gifted $170,000 worth of Sensata stock to his charity, saving $25,000 in capital gains taxes that year.
Cheryl Randecker, a Sensata worker facing an imminent layoff, said, “I could pay off my house with that [$25,000], and he doesn’t need it anyway.”
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2012104003/blocking-bain-trucks-save-jobs-freeport-important-story
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BTW: If Romney amends his tax return after the election, he will be eligible to recoup the difference.
Romney also transferred nearly $220,000 worth of stock in Dunkin Donuts, another Bain investment, according to his returns.
How anyone can vote for a man who refuses to show all his taxes to prove he is not a felon not to mention sending jobs overseas? Not showing all his taxes along is a compelling reason along with all the other scandalous things Romney has done is enough reason to not put MYTH Romney and Lyin Ryan in the White House.
The Presidential election is less than a month away, and President Barack Obama spoke to the faith-based community on “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show” about a variety of topics of concern to listeners. While President Obama didn’t speak directly about religion or faith, he did let Yolanda know that he was “blessed and highly favored” when she asked how he was doing.
http://theyolandaadamsmorningshow.com/221926/faith-based-community-president-barack-obama-interview/
But but but Tom Brokaw said everybody loves Willard because he lied in the first debate and…
I listen to Yolanda Adams on a local station and heard part of that interview. This black praise and worship station loves the president! Michelle has also been interviewed there.
Early Heads Up: First Lady Michelle Obama will be on Live with Kelly and Michael (formerly called Live with Regis and Kelly) on Friday, October 19, 2012. Check your local listings.
Thank you UT!
But but but the enthusiasm-
And…
Goooood Moooorrrnnning O’s!!!!! How’s all my TOD peeps on this great getting up day!!!! I raised my fundraising goal because the good folks who helped me reach my previous one. I’m only $111.00 shy of my new goal. That’s 11 people giving $10.00 bucks. That’s 111 people giving $1.00. That’s 7 people giving $1.585. That’s 39 people giving $3.00. That’s 12 people giving $9.25. That’s……..you get my drift. Any amount of people giving any amount you want is greatly appreciated. https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/Cookemom
My political take today is that I’ve been away remodeling the room where I keep my computer and watch TV. Mostly, at the same time. I’ve decided that if I finish today, then PBO will glide handily through the debate tomorrow and I will enjoy it in my newly decorated room. If I’m not done today, then Mitt will trip on his shoestrings, and fall on Candy Crowley. They’ll get tangled up and start rolling around, wiping out the entire first row of the audience. So in the interest of my fellow citizens, selected to participate in the debate, I will log off now and get back to work.
“I’m only $111.00 shy of my new goal. That’s 11 people giving $10.00 bucks. That’s 111 people giving $1.00. That’s 7 people giving $1.585. That’s 39 people giving $3.00. That’s 12 people giving $9.25…”
Impressive arithmetic Cookemom!!! 😆
I like your take. Either way, we win! 😆
Lovely Ebony with FLOTUS and POTUS.
Very good stuff. You rock!
I LOVE the new 30 second ad. It’s all about “we’re on the right track”. When all is said and done, the election comes down to that: it’s getting better, President Obama has put the train on the right track and America has to “stick” with him.
I would also love to see a tv ad showing the bikini graph, mixed with people saying they’ve found a job, small business owners saying they’ve hired people and business is coming back, etc… Always the same theme: it’s getting better, thanks to President Obama.
As for the truth team ad, which is a web ad I assume, I LOVE it too. Love the music establishing the tone of mockery. Love how people express their feelings of distrust: it’s very effective I think. I wonder if they’ll use part of that ad and make a shorter one for tv…
Wow, that was amazing. Had a grin on my face all through.
Thank you Mr. Glenn.
This ad is amazing. John Glenn. The John Glenn. Wow. Just wow. What he said about Pres. Obama just touched my heart.
Me too UT, really loved it, simple, powerful, beautiful.
Great ad. Tweeted.
The last of the old guard Republicans. You know — sane. (If there are others they’re keeping damn quiet about it.)
This is a wonderful Ad! John Glenn exudes trust, honor and courage.
Some good news.
Thank you, UTAL! 😛 😛 😛
This one tickled me pink. 😀
Loooooooove it!!!!
UT, you are amazing! Thanks for all your wonderful and fact-filled tweets!
Woot! I’m standing in line waiting to VOTE!!!
🙂
🙂
How is the turnout? Any indications of party lean of those standing with you?
BRAVA dudette! What state do you hail from?
Wonderful!
Mission accomplished!!!!!
1st day of early voting in Georgia!
Limited polling sites open – only 1 in Gwinnett County until Oct 27
Line wrapped around side of bldg down length of strip mall. About 45 mins for me but line is longer since I came out.
Demographics look evenly mixed by race, age and gender.
Hard to know politics- Strict rules about “campaigning or the appearance of it” close to or in polling places. Have seen people get kicked out line in the past because wearing t-shirt or button.
Got some winks and smiles when they noticed my bumper sticker though!
Thanks for sharing with us dudette, and thanks for voting!! Did you participate in early voting in 2008 (assuming you were eligible to vote then), and if so, how does this year compare with last time?
Awesome!
Is that Don’t Be Fooled video on tv, or just on the web?
It need to be on tv.
early voting starts in GA today vote early
https://twitter.com/chrisrockoz/status/257835175755534337
😆
What in the world is this? A “campaign escort”? In this country? Creepy.
What the hell????
And the pathetic press will meekly surrender.
Remember Freedom of press? Forget about it!
Oh I see!
New post everyone
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/10/15/my-day-with-president-obama/
By ALEXANDER BURNS | 10/15/12 10:21 AM EDT
From this morning’s Latino Decisions polling update:
ImpreMedia & Latino Decisions released the latest in a series of tracking polls today revealing support for President Obama slipped from 72% last week to 67% this week, suggesting that his debate performance also led some Latino voters to re-evaluate the President. Those who said they are certain to vote for Romney increased slightly from 20% last week to 23% this week. When asked how important the presidential debates are, 76% of all Latinos said a candidate’s performance in the presidential debate was important in how they evaluated a candidate. …
When asked if they thought Democrats were doing a good job of reaching out to Hispanics, 53% said yes compared to 65% a week ago, again suggesting the President’s debate performance impacted support for the Party as well. However, there have been no signs of improvement in perceptions of the Republican Party with 17% saying the GOP was doing a good job of outreach to Hispanics.
Obama’s smaller, post-debate lead is still 8 points larger than his victory margin with Latinos in 2008, when he bested John McCain, 67 percent to 31 percent. That 8 percent comes out of the Republican side of the poll —
jovie141, I thought it was the policies which matter more than anything, like immigration reform, to name one.