October Jobs Report
The new jobs numbers are out: Unemployment fell to 7.8 percent but the economy only added 114,000 new jobs -- in line with analysts' low expectations. Certainly, the symbolism of being below 8 percent should take some of the edge off Obama's struggles at this week's debate, there's plenty of ammunition for Republicans who will jump on that 114,000 number and make the case that the recovery is moving too slowly and that people are giving up on finding work.
Romney's Big Etch a Sketch moment
Mitt Romney has moved to the center after months of running as hard a conservative campaign as we've seen. But who's the real Mitt Romney? President Obama was incredulous that what he heard Wednesday night was totally different from what his opponent has been saying on the campaign. So is this progress on Mitt's part? Is it enough to win back moderates and independents? Does he risk alienating the Tea Party right wing or are they so giddy at the prospect of defeating President Obama that they'll accept the old, moderate Mitt? So far, their distaste for President Obama seems to be winning out.
David Brooks writes about the return of Moderate Mitt, and argues that the candidate we saw in Wednesday's debate is actually the real Romney, who finally broke from the hard right orthodoxy he and his party have been spewing for the entire campaign.
Now that Mitt Romney is back on solid footing after Wednesday's debate, he's disavowing his 47 percent comments, telling Fox News that he's for everyone.
Paul Krugman writes that Mitt Romney's misleading statement that his health care plan covers pre-existing conditions a 'sick joke', and perhaps the most egregious of many deceptions Romney told during the debate.
The New York Times says Romney told about two dozen falsehoods during 38 minutes of debate, and they fact-check a particular egregious statement about President Obama's $90 billion green energy tax break. But Obama let it stand, so millions of Americans think it's true. And they set the record straight on Romney's claims he was a bipartisan governor.
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I love this outcry about lying. It's just delicious irony in light of "unexpected" but perfectly predicted huge drop of unemployment rate.
Lie, mistake, misunderstanding, difference in methodology, typo, ambiguity, Obama.
Of course you love hypocrisy and lying. They are prerequisites for being Republican.
Mittens and Ryan had a fireworks display for the record number of lies Mittens told in a singular Presidential Debate while the media called it a victory! Were you there? Ha Ha Ha!
times247.com/articles/romney-ryan-celebrate-debate-a...
LeoKrut,
Look, because your were right about outcome of debate, does not make you right about substance, you are wrong about substance!!
Yes, you were right about process, but still very wrong on substance! My compatriots on this post, they speak to substance, they are right, and alot smarter than me, (Sed, Carol, Cal, Sl Cabbie, & some new bloggers), but substance is not going to sway the dumb-ass undecided's right now, they do not think, if they did, they would already be decided now!!!
Leo, speak to truth, speak to perception 9which is not truth), do not try to win debate, look at enviroment and really think about situation! Look to Carol, or Sed, they really think, anyway much smarter than myself, but they mistake passion for fact, and the truth is fact is nothing more than perception.
Ha Ha Ha Right about the debate? Ha Ha Ha! 1. Wait for the polls to see how the public rated the debate to really judge the short term outcome. 2. Wait for the election to judge the long term outcome.
Ha Ha Ha! In my eyes, and those of 20 others mostly Republicans who were watching the substance and not the candidates hair and appearance, Obama won hands down!
The pundits have been wrong about these debates in almost every circumstance over the last for election cycles. Listening to them (and especially Leo Ha Ha Ha) is ridiculous!
Ricky,
You don't play yourself down. Sed is not smart - he is mad as kamikaze. Cal... just instinctive community organizer and conformist exact for it, for emotional comfort. Carol - no identity to read up to now. Sl Cabbie - he by some mystery reason considers himself professional pundit.
Substance here is very simple: we have political process of election next leader of the country. There are two persons to choose from. Both of them offer nothing that can solve problems of country. Not even close. (Last debate Romney offered interesting concept that could work but it too complex and needed too fine execution for congress to produce).
So it is not about policy. In such situation it is only and exclusive about personalities. You saw last debates. Season CEO Dow level corporation vs. Chicago community organizer. Levels of potential of these two persons are incomparable. Would Bill Clinton be on stage (and ten years younger) he would be number one. But...
That is all the substance. All other arguments and facts are noise and fun, nothing more.
Leo, do they have an expression, "Straw man argument" in your native language?
Because you have a real unhealthy fetish for them.
Ha Ha Ha! Leo claims I'm not smart and yet this is the guy who bases his life philosophy on Social Darwinism. A theory that was proven as a false doctrine and total charade over 100 years ago in the Victorian era by every legitimate scientist of the day. Ha Ha Ha!
Since then it's only reference is as a joke and as a reference to the maniacs who still believe in it in of course the extremist, fundamentalist, and quite frankly mental communities that Leo hangs out in. Ha Ha Ha!
Question Leo? Do you wear a top hat and carry a sword cane? Ha Ha Haaaaa!
Cabbie,
I believe here better fit to situation:
Pot calling the cattle back - В чужом глазу соломину видеть, в своём - бревна не замечать
As for "Straw man" even Wikipedia don't know origin. It is from "Uncle Remus stories" by Joel Harris.
Leo? Getting Biblical on us?
We are all mysteries to one another. Yet, LeoKrut, you love us. You really do!!! Golly Geeeee-whizzz!
You' re disturbed. You argue for a candidate you do not believe in. Therefore, you really are here, LeoKrut, Sigmund would declare for...little ole "us'ems! Sunshine.
Community organizer, eh? I should make a run for the Pres☺☺☺☻Nah!
By the way. About origin of "Straw man". In "Uncle Remus stories" “The Tar-Baby" was translated into Russian as "Straw man covered by tar". This book was very popular and fight Brother Rabbit with Straw man incorporated into common language. Then translation of translation into English.
Calbab,
I already said many times. I don't believe. I estimate probabilities.
That was the original story here as well. Tar baby was made of straw and tar. I believe he also wore a straw hat.
US labor force is 156,000,000
Unemployment rate allegedly went down .003%
156,000,000 x .003 = 468,000
But we only added 114,000 jobs?
Fuzzy math? How about contemptuous lying??!!
Now explain Mittens tax plan complete with how he will balance the budget so it will remain revenue neutral Paul. Ha Ha Haaaa!
Sed, Sl Cabbie, Cal, Leo, Carol,
Listen, on election night, can we all get together on chat, or online, to discuss and talk about, brag about, smack each other around, on election night. I have a bunch a parties to go to, but there will be internet access!
Lets all spend, and argue, election night together, I cannot think I would not want to spend night without each other, input! You too Chris, do not preten you do not look at these posts, even though you think you are probably above them?
Guy/Gals, lets party that night, but stay in touch during night! Okay????????
If I'm around it's a deal.
Sheesh, Paul, more reason to support improvements in education....
144,000 jobs added, and additional people found work as well...
What's hard to understand about that?
I'll probably be around on Election Night, Ricky... Alas, no girlfriend like I had in '08...
We could do it "Super Bowl" style with "Time it takes to call the election, time it takes to call certain states (I predict Planet Utah will be the fastest), and then a "creative category" of "Best FAUX Noise Excuses," etc.
BTW, Chris has never admitted to me in an e-mail that he reads these, but after we said a few words last year and he was socializing with some others, he did give me a long look and a bit of a "smirky smile." I couldn't help but wondering if he was remembering some stuff I'd sent him about Mitt's polygamist ancestry or a bit additional information I had on a certain "Chicken Ranch."
Heart friends, I will be working as a lawyer for Obama and will not be home until after all ballots are counted and certified.... but when I get home, I will certainly join in the celebration.. these 6 AM till 9 PM at the earliest days... but it is worth it to make sure people are not turned away from voting due to dirty tricks or the person in charge of the poll not understanding the Statue and applying the law incorrectly..... I live in VA so it is EST.
Have enjoyed all of your input and thank you for allowing me to be a part of it all.
Good luck Carol. Try to have fun!
Ricky, a big HELL YEAH!!
I am Pacific Standard Time, will be here. Enough apple cider for the entire evening!
(mumbles) does leokrut get to come? ugh! Of course, I am only kidding... (not!).
Carol, you are going to be amazing and its for an incredible cause! (Applause from this Assembly.)
The trend has shown a long hard slog out of the worst economic disaster since the great depression. That puts us over the 4 1/2 million jobs. American auto industry brought back to life. Housing is coming back.
All of this with the absolute resistance of the Republican party, world wide economic difficulties and the "default crisis" created by the radical right.
That is one of the key points to all this - "... with the absolute resistance of the Republican party, world wide economic difficulties and the "default crisis" created by the radical right."
Anyone else notice how Mittens is now suddenly claiming to be for many of Obama's policies - immigration, preexisting conditons for health insurance, allowing up to 26 year olds on parents' health insurance, etc.??
I think Romney is a bald, faced liar and will say anything he thinks people want to hear to get elected. He has no intention of doing or supporting any of this. All he wants to do is to allow the Republicans to do a hostile take over America and abolish the elected government and let the ultra-rich run the country and make money off of any services provided.
labor force is 156,000,000
unemployment went down .003%?
156,000,000 x .0003 = 468,000
But we only added 114,000 jobs? Fuzzy math? Or contemptuous lying.
Now explain to us Mittens replacement Healthcare Plan and how children are able to remain on their parents plans once Obamacare is repealed under the old law as Mittens claimed and how everyone with pre-existing conditions will be covered under Mittens plan. Of course you will have to show us this "plan" of Mittens since no one has seen it yet, Ha Ha Haaaaa
Fuzzy policy, or contemptuous lying? Ha Ha Haaaa
For the party that swears by trickle down economics and is going to bring the deficit in line by not funding PBS, what in the world would they know about numbers?
We will make a differential equation and see just how bright these folks are....
Paul I can see why you and Jack Walsh are so upset. Didn't GE get fined $50,000,000 dollars for cooking numbers starting under Jack Walshs' leadership? Ha Ha Ha?
Yeah I think there's a little sour grapes there! Ha Ha Ha! Problem is Jack has zero proof and the BLS is clean as a whistle whereas jack is a dirty corporate criminal. Ha Ha Ha!
Have you all noticed that Romney's team is playing "head-games' with the Obama team?
How close Romney is criss-crossing Obama's tactics, seemingly even boomeranging them out of time? Meaning. Even though some of the things Romney says is inconsistent with conservative opinion and messaging, he speaks that anyway with a celeb du jour quality? And the ever observant and clangy republican surrogates and pundits are seemingly deaf to it? What's this handle?
They think they've done something finally in the last nine month's without f@*king up.
Unfortunately a lot of us don't see it that way. He still lied his ass off and flip-flopped on every issue. No change at all.
O just didn't jump him.
The Romney we saw on the road to the GOP nomination is not the real Romney - and most people know it, especially the right - he did everything he had to to get the nomination.
Now its time for a dose of reality, the real Mitt Romney is very close to the center, one could argue left of center, and we are going to see this in the next three debates. The real conservative in the race is Ryan, not Romney.
This is a very real advantage the GOP has coming into this election, its all about numbers and the swing states. The hard core left and right folks are not going to budge - but if the undecided and independents in the swing states get to see a softer, more caring, intelligent guy who is to the center, he may just pick up enough votes to get the win.
Obama really has to up his game, be prepared for anything, most importantly he needs to show the independents and undecided that he is the man for the job and that he is making a difference.
Mitt Romney will not roll back Obamacare, he'll tweak it, send it to state level, and call it Romneycare
Mitt Romney will not sign in the 20% tax rate reduction as promised - or as not promised ....
Mitt Romney has the no-plan plan
The unemployment percentage is like trying to use a weight tape on a horse to gain accuracy. What we look for is a trend. How interesting that those who have made a big deal about these dastardly figures over eight percent as a real reason to not vote for him-he is a disaster and his policies don't work. Now the sacrosanct number has been breached, have to ammend calling their holy grail of woe/ineptitude as being fudged and not valid... really?
I can understand why these self same haters can hitch their wagon on with the ultimate con man. He was on their side and in their party until he became the Mit Romney Party. So now we have a new version of party truth and are trying to sell it as oh my goodness Romney in the Middle.... Believe what you wish. I would bet money that those who are really in the what we could once call conservatives and not the moral majority conservatives can't stand Romney. Fall for this jolly nice fellow who wishes the best for all and has no regard for himself as aligned with the CEO and Cayman Island and Bahamas, 100 million IRA, lies about everything to get what he wants is really going to govern in a deomocratic fashion to represent "we the people". If this guy wins, which I don't think he will, we are all in for a rude awakening if we think he is going to govern. This guy is going to dictate and what he says, just like before he came out of the closet, what is the Romney Plan.... and I doubt there will be any input and less concern for "all the people" and Big Bird. It is all going to be dumbsizing with no consideration for what happens to those who are not seen as viable in the $$$ way.
Carol,
Your Posts are always great, most sincerely they are, I wonder what you look like, if your 10% as good-looking to your posts, you must stop alot of traffic!!!
Carol, we are not speaking to substance, we are speaking to perception, to the nitwit undecide's, please tell us what you think?
In regards to them, the rest we get, we really do!
I started to respond and got three phone calls and who knows where the post landed??? My horse and I are keeping up with our age and cut a pretty good figure in our younger years. Thank you for the complement. I have one of those faces that everyone thinks they know me or I look just like x, y, z..... it is kind of funny. I always think I look typical Canadian.
Perception is really everything in the lens of emotional intelligence. We live not in an objective world but in a subjective one. Communication is like a traffic accident.
For me, as Obama proclaims, it is what kind of America do you want. We do have a big choice to make. Also remember the road less travelled is usually the more interesting one and the one that will yield the better result even tho it is not the well travelled one.
My understanding of the Constitution is that there are unalienable rights and that all men are created equal is what makes our nation exceptional. That means organically things grow upwards. Nobody is above you and as you travel upwards, you do so with others paving the way. This is where perception comes in.
Imagine you see a bum and he is on the street corner in an affluent neighborhood. What would be the story you would tell about this man? If you spiritually follow what the Constitution declares about your rights and freedoms and liberty, then you realize in a way, that man is you. Mother Teresa used to say Jesus in a very distressing disguise, same idea, we are one nation and as so, that bum on the street you see today can be employed and working and recovering his dignity. It is a form of blessing how we see each other because of what is inalienable, no perception on my part can take who this bum is away from him or her. That is the heart of compassion and the way of dignity. It has nothing to do with money or family or title or education.... our nation is anybody can become President. I can not think of another story to demonstrate the American Dream more than President Barack Obama.
The busines view of that bum on the street is not going to be quite so pleasant to say the least... fearful, dirty, disgusting, drag on society, welfare queen, thief and no idea that this person is in a temporary situation and because of upward mobility, help, and caring can rise above his present appearance. It is all Perception, that is for sure. That is why integrity is important.... it is everything when we stop blaming and accept responsibility for our part and show a willingness to work together.
Come on, Mr. Matthews! I heard your criticism a couple of days ago, of The President in the debate but remember, our President is a practical and intellectual thinker, and consider whom he was talking too, and which out of public touch eccentric was talking at him.
Our President’s job in any debate is not to just continue the media’s repetitive rhetoric about Mitt Romney’s segregated 47% or the tax cuts for the rich people. Would not we all expect more than that from President Obama?
Instead of hearing that, I wanted to hear from our The President just what he said. How his administration and Congress is going to stand up for the Democratic agenda to help build the Middle Class and working Americans in comparison to the Republican Candidate with his agenda. The entire Republican agenda, which will give millionaire business owners a wild card tax break, whether or not they use the money for their own businesses or share it with their workers.
We Democrats want it spelled out by the smartest leader, from Our President, don’t we? His labeling the Republican tax cuts for what they are worth. The Republican Bush tax cut savings-account-stimulus for the wealthiest people, which took over a trillion a year of our taxes out of our economy through the government, melting our economy away for over a decade that Republican leaders want to push for the next decade.
Wait, see and listen, to how President Obama, puts it in his own words.
Goopers have a short attention span - and history is something that happened before their time ....
Its astounding how quickly these folks forget that we were dragged into the financial mess by the 1%ers, that it was george bush who started this tumble into deficit madness, that its cheyney and rowe who benefited from the wars, and its the likes of Romney who shipped your jobs overseas. The wars have cost us trillions, and the unregulated policies of the 1% have just about bankrupted our country.
Sure, blame Obama, but what do you wish to do, elect the guy whose policies differ very little form GWB's, which will drag us back into the mess.
We are starting to recover, and I'm damned sure not going back to the trickle down policies of the insane GOP!
Worst of all, these goopers turn a blind eye to their own who have deliberately tried to stifle job growth, have ham stringed the job stimulus, have filibustered rather than developed a working job growth policy - everything done in order to get a one term president.
What kind of sick person cheers when job numbers get worse - these folks don't care for the unemployed, all they care for is political gain.
Anyone who has shipped a us job overseas for profit should 1. not be president, 2 be sanctioned and not allowed to vote. 3. fined and stripped of their profits.
I voted you. Alls well, Marginalized.
A little too "boxy". :-)
okay question how does someone win a debate when the vast majority of what is said is a "LIE"?
you alex wagner, andrea mitchell, chris matthews, ed schultz, chris hayes, and rachel maddow especially have embraced this "LIAR by saying he won the debate and President Obama didn't attack, wha?
Mitt Romney LIED over and over again.
When I started becoming interested in politics in 1960's and 1970's if you LIED "reporters called you out on it. And if you did not recant they called you a Liar.
They didn't say um he used falsehoods, deception, maybe a untruth, etc. and etc. .
The reporters called you on your LIE and if you do not own it then sir you are a LIAR.
"Simple!"
Now you all allow and explain it away and blame the person who didn't lie that he failed.
We as a society have become a bunch of whiners and complainers.
It just Fox News and the conservatives do a better job of making the mainstream media believe there LIES!
As Goerge Costanza said: "It's not a lie if you believe it!"
Romney, his campaign, his political pundits, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Paul Ryan, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Eric Cantor, Michael Steele, Marco Rubio, Susanah Martinez, Ann Coulter, the rest of the republican party, conservatives, some so called independents embrace these LIES wholeheartedly.
It's All Your Jobs To Call Out These Lies And Make The Mainstream Media STAND UP to these LIES and call them and him what he and they are "LIARS!"
Pretend where in a time when feeling guilty and doing the right thing meant something, geez;-)
Awesome Jobs Numbers!
For us average Americans this is very simple
When the recession hit
Restuarants parking lots were completely vacant, now you can't get to a restuarant without waiting
Restuarants were closed, now for every closure we have 3 New Restuarants in our area
Furnitures stores, I remember going to one and only 3 cars obviously Employees were on the lot, mine was the 4th car
Grocery store parking lots were vacant, now I can barely find a parking place
Companies parking lots were half full, now they are packed
Traffic was so good nobody was out, now the traffic is back to that long standing line
Malls our mall in the entire state were completely empty, now you can't find a parking place at the mall
The reason this is significant is because Ordinary Americans lives are quite different than Media, Lobbyists, Congress folk, those areas they frequent have never stopped being busy and full. Lobbyist never stop buying congress those expensive dinners and most of all restuarant around Washingtron where Congrees who's on our Dollars and the Public Dole never had a difference in their domain.
Airports are completely full, after the recession no one was flying. Now Airports are full again
Movie theaters, are full again.
When President Obama took over for Ordinary Americans it was a complete Mess, now we are recovering
Inspite of the Republicans who Put their "Feet" the head of American Families all for Power to get control of Congress and the White House
Republicans Blocked every Jobs Bill
Republicans spent enormous Dollars On Abortion in DC and every Republican State. Chris, just how much did this cost the American Peole and how many Out of Work Americans could have benefited from those dollars.
Republicans even blocked a Veterans Jobs Bill yet they howel about how they love them.
Republicans just BLocked a Veterans Bill for Veterans who lost their lives in the war and refused to give Widown and their children adequate payment
Republicans just Blocked a Veterans Bill to pay Disabled Veterans adequate pay.
Republicans took this country into a "Credit Default" just to sink the encomomy so they could regain power in congress and the White House.
Republicans have from day one decided that it was more important to Shut Out the President's Agenda regardless of what that agenda was or how if benefited the American People to make sure they could get the Office of the President and Rule In Congress.
Can you imagine how many suffering families have suffered all because this buch of yahoos Republicans decided they didn't care about Ordinary Americans, just getting Billions to their Rich Friends and more into their own pockets all while getting paychecks from you and me?
It's amazing what Republicans say what Governemt cant' do but they want to work for Government!
Mit Romney is worth 250 Million why would he want to be President after buying many and inveesting in China putting millions in the Camen
Americans you had better be careful what you wish for
Republicans don't even believe in Minimum wage nor equal pay for women, they also Blocked the Violence Against Womens Act
Paul Ryan also sponsored the Forceable Rape bill with the nut in Missouri, yet the Media, refuses to talk about that
Republicans are trying to take Birth Control From Women
Republicans talk about small government yet they want to control every aspect of our lives especially women
Bottom Line
Republicans have done everything they can to Stop America from returning to it's former self which they cause when they had control of the ship now they want to finisih they job
Mit Romney couldn't tell the truth is he were sitting on Jesus's Lap!
American is moving in the right direction, slow and steady as she goes in spite of the Blocks and tackles and Republicans turning Against their own Country and Rooting for American's failure.
As VP Biden said well "Republicans Betting Against America"
Thank you employers for doing the right thing, thank you Mr. President for staying the course and thank all those who are Rooting for Our Beloved Country to Suceed" and doing all they can to return it to full steam.
Say it again, SandieLove, Say it again!!!
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a LIAR.
Over on the Daily Beast they're talking "Hanky Gate," and hey, it's worth watching, although there's a bit of a mental health risk to dedicated trollslayers--I'm only a part timer myself. One does have to take precautions agasint going as nutso as their quarry. Anyway, on one hand we're already hearing about the "Obama Job Numbers Conspiracy," and then there's this one... That is a good question about "Who hands a handkerchief to their son?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheets/2012/10/05/cheat-sheet.html#7
Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of drama...
And those of you who regularly "engage the gonzos," please have a good support system and be willing to take feedback.
SL Cabbie,
"Cry havoc, and slip the dogs of drama...
That is so f*cking great, but again your speaking to substance, everyone in the blog is speaking to substance, how about perception, God, I hope I am stupid, because substance is not going to win election from stupid middle now, it will be perception!
Please tell me I am wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know Ricky, and that's scary... I do use a few subtle ways of addressing perceptual difficulties... There's that old joke about the jackass and the 2x4 for example...
One troll went into a sniveling act and accused me of advocating violence with that one... I shot back, "So you're admitting you're a jackass?"
One thing the righties use are sophomoric "thought stoppers" in their rhetoric, and it's possible to "pull their fangs" on those even if it is tricky. Reagan's "There you go again" comes to mind; I think what the public is disappointed with the President was that he didn't have ready come-backs for Romney's obvious lies and personal attacks. But then Romney doubtless grew a pretty thick skin back when he was preaching the Gospel in France (at the time the country with the lowest conversion rates among LDS missionaries). And what was the President supposed to say? "I didn't know Mormons used caffeine?"
Anyway, for those who clicked on the "Hanky Panky" link above, it's moved down on the Daily Beast; I think it's number 10 now. Just scroll down... Naw, it won't change any right wing minds, but it will piss 'em off... And I loved that comment that if this were Obama, FAUX would've run it a hundred times by now...
I'm a professor and found Obama was reasoned, factually accurate, and cool.
It is a sad reflection on Americans that most thought the erroneous, flip-flopping, most combative person won.
Do we REALLY want a GW clone leading us into more unfunded wars?
Obama was right on stating Romney's previous plan, the one he flip-flopped on, would create a $5 Trillion deficit.
Today unemployment is lower than when GW left office, yet Romney wants to go back to the Bush policies that created the disaster.
Please! Please, do not confuse saying, "draw", "win", or "lose" in these debates to mean we don't understand the politics or loyalties to a candidate.
I, for one, the day after, was looking at the optics and commenting on the optics. No serious student or friend of politics can be easily swayed from a well-seated political position. Not by one debate and most definitely not by Romney/Ryan.
Already, Friday, as SL Cabbie informed us Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan & Company are shooting off a public fireworks display over a debate "win"? Do both men/company understand the meaning of gaudy, tacky?
Wit and commonsense and a steady mind is needed at this time, and these men are found wanting.
With all due respect--and I mean it--Professor Buffalo, experience in dealing with "pushy sociopaths--or narcissists, your call on that one--isn't easy." They mostly get "weeded out of academia" (although they breed them at BYU). I had no idea of the extent of it when I was in school; it took working in the rehab and then becoming a cabbie before I started my post grad education.
Here are some that come to mind now the president might've used: "You've touted your experience in the business world. Does that include the nonsense and switcheroos you've just brought here? Did they teach that in the Harvard Business School? I know they didn't at the law school."
Be concerned but not dismayed.
Several of the major polls are weighted on the assumption that because of a lack of "enthusiasm", Democrats will not "turn out" as they did in 2008. With this assumption in place the election is assumed to turn on a sliver of undecided voters who will probably make their decision as they enter the voting booth - influenced - no doubt more by the quantity and coefficient of friction of their last bowel movement - than by the oratory of the presidential candidates.
Instead of "enthusiasm" think "motivation". What could motivate Democrats to show up on election day as they did in 2008 - especially when a majority of likely voters think that President Obama will win anyway.
Fear.
Think of all the things Republican controlled state legislatures have been doing for the past two years. Now imagine a future where they have the blessings of the Theocrats and the total support of the House, the Senate, the President and the Supreme Court.
The first debate should, by now, have concentrated wonderfully the mind of every registered Democrat - what with elections now only a double fortnight away.
Let's thank hopeful Romney for his unintentional gift.
The old Conservative Pundit Move…Speculation but by George I think I got it….
I think I know why President Obama froze up on the debate….I have seen that before, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I had seen that look and reaction by Obama before, with very very very smart Democratic guests that you have on MSNBC, Michael Steele used to use this strategy, and Alex Castillanos tried to use it on Rachel Maddow on Meet the Press. They use a hard aggressive voice and just speak over the Democrats. They interrupt before the Democratic guests can get there thought out. They use to do it a lot more, until the Hosts finally stopped them and moderated the discussion, but it took awhile for the MSNBC host to do that.
Democrats seem to innately shy from confrontation, they want to be above that sort of thing. I have seen Ron Christie try it with Ari Melber but Ari Melber pushed back on Martin Bashir. The MSNBC staff has gotten adept at pushing back. But President Obama doesn’t seem to like to do that, because he is still working under the old rules of being polite when interrupted. That is what the Republicans used to count on as guests on MSNBC and CNN. The Democratic Pundits looked the same way President Obama looked in the debate...surprised by the rudeness, but unwilling to shut the “BULLY’ down.
He just has to be equally as aggressive and shut the Bully down...."Excuse I am speaking, they always back down with that phrase" or the "I let you speak now it my turn" in a firm voice....nothing wrong with that!
I’ll just bet ya that’s what happened….just sayin!
I have considered that John Sununu and his warring ilk took the measure of Mr. Lehrer and counseled Romney to attempt a pyschological takeover of the Moderator and indirectly the President. Strike with a bit of "shock and awe". Own the debate: Overwhelm, press forward, steam-roll, put the peddle to the metal.
In my opinion, Romney is spiking the ball because he sees it worked! He "tackled" a sitting president by disregarding president debate decorum.
It will be the Public's turn to have a say --if it happens again.
It must be nice to be a conservative. Their commentators stick with you. Look at the way Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have hung with Romney. And he wasn't their first choice. Now take Chris Matthews. One minute the President is sending tingles up his leg, then when he gets a chance to enhance his reputation, he stabs the president in the back. Chris Matthews has all of the qualities of a dog, except loyalty.
Not to mention the right lives in a fantasy world of lies and factual inaccuracies. It's easy to lie and make things up. Science, math, history, and facts are hard. They take discipline and principle.
The right wing are not willing to take the hard road. They haven't been for years now. They just lie and apply double standards. They are only interested in padding their own pockets. They don't believe in democracy or a united society.
One of the good things about being on this side is that we can speak our mind without fear. I have realized ever since I started voting that in order to be a true Republican you MUST hold ALL their positions TO THE PROPER DEGREE. Let the conservatives shout down everyone who disagrees with them ever so slightly - we are better than that. Mr.Matthews and Mr. Shultz can analyze negatively and we can comment to our hearts content and that is infinitely better that getting piled on by the robots of the right wing. A 'stab in the back' is severe - I characterize it as a cattle prod. The name of this blog is Hardball, and if you cannot take an inside pitch and pick yourself up afterwards you do not belong here.
I think Mr. Matthews, Sed, Cal, Carol and the rest of us aim at the truth - when we see it violated so violently and not get punished our 'Irish' is aroused. We expect nothing less from our leaders.
Not to mention Joseph we are pushing for progressive measures we know will advance our society. Equal rights for all. We know these are the right things from past history here and current history elsewhere.
The Republicans not only resist this but they are pushing for regressive policies across the board. Policies we all know have failed time and time again in the past. This is the problem with not knowing history and lying about facts.
What I do not understand is Jack Welch twitted 7.9%, then why isn't it possible to be 7.8%? It just goes to show you he is correct about the jobs numbers. What is he so pissed about? He does not have any proof of tampering but he wants to throw doubt. Then you have the ignorant Alan West who does not have a brain in his head agreeing and he definitely does not have any proof. I assume if the numbers would have come in at 8.0% then he and the other right wingers would have been satisfied and said the President is not doing a good job and it is time for him to go. Earlier this year there was a report that said there was 3.8 million jobs that needed to be filled in the United States and the country should begin to see some results by September. Why isn't it possible the results are beginning to come in? This is just another old white man not wanting the African American President making any progress in the United States. After all he is not American. He does not have the good of America in his heart and mind. It is well known by the right wingers if this was Bush or the stupid Romney making this type of progress then it would be kudos or job well done. So right wingers you should be delighted people are getting back to work; slowly but surely. But this not about the people of the United States. This is about getting rid of one man and the country should bleed while the right wingers are doing everything in their power to get rid of ONE person. HOW RACIST!!!!!!!! And yes Alan West is what is known as the N word.
You don't think Jack Welch might be a lonely old man just looking for a bit of attention, possibly?
I think Jack had a bet down at the clubhouse that Obama was going to lose because unemployment was above 8%.
Now he's going to lose the pool.
You know how cranky these evil old gazillionaires are. Ha Ha Ha!
if you look at this graph www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate
you will see that in dec.2010 to feb.2011 unemployment dropped from 9.8 to 9.4 to 9.1. and from sept2011 to feb2012 it dropped from 9.1 to 9.0 to 8.9 to 8.7 to 8.5 to 8.3. He said that a drop like this hadn't happened since the 1980's
What I don't understand is why the term depression was not used for what was happening at the end of 2008 and for the early months of 2009. We were in a "DEPRESSION!" Not a Great Depression but in a Depression. Not a great recession a "DEPRESSION!" Have not ever understood that.
Guess it's like not calling a liar a liar in this day and age;-)
But instead he's just may be changing his current position.
If he is changing his position of 1 1/2 to 2 years 5 weeks before an election that the polls say he losing then his original position was a "LIE!"
HmmmmHmmmHmmHm just a thought;-)
Mitt says he is 100% for all; the words he spoke (without the press cameras) were wrong. He did not say he was sorry just that his words were wrong. He's sorry he got caught on hidden camera! He wants to make excuses about all the speeches and questions one is faced with, it is understandable one will make a mistake. Right! The differences is he knows the cameras are there but Mitt did not know the cameras were there this time around. He was being himself. He can take back the words but he can not take back no matter what. The conformation that the 47% has of him is burned into their schema; he can not take that back!. Thanks Mitt!
What would the "outcries" be if the unemployment numbers came in at8.3 or 8.4%? Bet it would be a very different tune.
Yes when things don't go their way they start whining and crying and then start denying math, science, history and facts. The right wing lives in an alternate reality. It's much easier than being adult and dealing with adult problems.
Jack Welsh of GE it's well documented that GE pays 0$ in taxes, therefore, Mr. Welch your company is "NOT" contributing to the American Economy and that means until you start paying taxes like the rest of us you have absolutely no say in the Job Numbers let alone our American Economy.
Just Keep Silent...........................................
It really is amazing how all these supposed "sharks" in Wall Street have been such whiners and so thin skinned during this administrations support of them! Wall street has doubled and they have been coddled and they still bitch and moan daily. I have never seen so many little girls in my life!
We need to raise their taxes, throw them in jail, regulate the crap out of them and stop bailing them out! They have become a class of ballerinas, and are no longer a class of sharks!
What is socialism? Socialism is a system of social organization that spreads the capital of the country to the community as a whole.
What is a social liberal? Social liberals support heavier taxation and regulation of the economy, and more state enterprises, than other forms of liberalism
Why do liberals want socialism in America? liberals feel that by using socialism, that the government would be able to provide better than privatized companies.
and this is what Obama believes..
"9"-"9"-"9" Mr. Cain...thank you, thank you very much. (Damn its midnight...you're mistaken Herman, *yawn...nightie night.)
Moe'sToe! What it is it? More right wing wall paper? Will we see it posted over and over again and again like propaganda?
What is fascism?
Fascism embodied corporatism, in which political representation was based on trade and industry rather than on geography and democracy. In this, fascism revealed its roots in syndicalism. The government cartelized firms of the same industry, with representatives of management serving on myriad local, regional, and national boards—subject always to the final authority of the dictator’s economic plan. Corporatism was intended to avert unsettling divisions within the nation, such as lockouts and union strikes. The price of such forced “harmony” was the loss of the ability to bargain and move about freely.
To maintain high employment and minimize popular discontent, fascist governments also undertook massive public-works projects financed by steep taxes, borrowing, and fiat money creation. While many of these projects were domestic—roads, buildings, stadiums—the largest project of all was militarism, with huge armies and arms production.
Why do conservatives want fascism? They believe that corporations can better decide what the government should do and how the government should spend money. They do not believe that the people should have a say. They do not believe in democracy.
and this is what Romney believes.