Tuesday's campaign round-up

Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:00 PM EDT

Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* How invested is President Obama's re-election campaign in going after Mitt Romney's controversial private-sector background at Bain Capital? This new ad is set to air in nine swing states:

* In a new national CNN poll, Obama leads Romney by three points, 49% to 46%.

* The National Republican Congressional Committee has launched a new round of attack ads citing last week's Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act.

* On a related note, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it raised $2.3 million in the wake of the high court's ruling, roughly half of the Romney campaign's total over a similar period.

* It looks like Wisconsin Democrats have won the contested state Senate race in Wisconsin, giving Dems the majority in the chamber for the rest of the year. Of course, with the state legislature out of session, the practical effects of this are limited.

* Does Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) still have a shot at being Romney's running mate? His odds appear to be dwindling: McDonnell was named yesterday as the head of the RNC's platform committee.

* America didn't really need another far-right super PAC, but it's getting one anyway: Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is launching an as-yet-unnamed committee of his own.

peanut9000

As opposed to "Outsourcing is different from Off-Shoring"...

But can this insourcing message penetrate the know-nothing, conservative bubble??

If it's all about the jobs, insourcing is the best message we could be hearing. If it's all about defeating the President, they will stick their fingers in their ears and start yelling "I can't hear you! I can't hear you!"

2 votes

#1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:20 PM EDT

skip hoffman

Insourcing? Just another label for......jobs. Trying to package it as something new will not add anything to the campaign in my opinion. I do admit though, that the average voter is not very engaged in the whole campaign and is easily swayed by sound bites (like "insourcing") and 30 second attack ads. Campaigning for office nowadays is almost exclusively negative - put down your opponent any way you can...and maybe, just maybe mention something that you are for or what you will do if elected. Pretty silly and sad.

1 vote

#1.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 3:49 PM EDT

oncearepublican

Governor Ultrasound as a running mate for Vice President??? Romney must REALLY be tone deaf if he chooses him!!! Why bring on a running mate that is already controversial?

Oh, I forgot, McCain chose Palin, didn't he!

Maybe it's genetic with these new Republicans to shoot themselves in the foot with their Vice Presidential candidates?

1 vote

#2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:35 PM EDT

fb-100004031506333

With only 2 candidates and only 2 parties, falling for the illusion of only 2 sides to issues is understandable. Romney the Captilaist and Obama the Socialist are convenient labels and for the GOP convenient extremes given Socialism's failed historical experiments and the contemporary respect for Capitalism. But extreme Socialism does not work because it provides no incentive for human desire and personal taste, and Obama does not represent this. He understands that desire for safety, education and wealth fuel our daily lives. But he also understands that those who have fallen under the crush of hard times need government help, a faith-based idea by the way as all major religions believe in doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, or as Christ says, What ye do to the least among us you do unto me. The GOP, and Romney as its figurehead, truly do not believe governemt has a role in social safety nets. They believe that is private sector work and individual choice to help. They believe that profit is the utmost goal of business, a goal which seeks to undercut wages and benefits while maximizing productivity and fear of unemployment. These, if there are to be only 2 choices, are the choices: Obama with Democratic support pushing for prosperity for all and a strong social safety net versus Romney and profits for those in position to reap, with private parties attending to the underserved and the middle class trending to poverty. There are those who will think this race is close because both sides have good ideas. World history is scarred with that kind of shallow insight.

#3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:36 PM EDT

Shooter242

Looks like another Obama lie. Tsk.

http://factcheck.org/2012/07/factcheck-to-obama-camp-your-complaint-is-all-wet/

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/07/02/Wapo-backs-off-romney-outsource-claim

#4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:39 PM EDT

DisgustedWithItAlll

Sorry, fact checkers wrong. Didn't put the time in to get to the bottom of it and when the Lyin' Sack of Mitt left Bain:

- http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/07/romney-bain-abortion-stericycle-sec

- http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/romneys-bain-capital-invested-in-companies-that-moved-jobs-overseas/2012/06/21/gJQAsD9ptV_print.html

You're really getting it done, there Mr. Mitty!! Changing hearts and minds with nonsense and ineloquence.

PS: Did you catch this new pants-on-fire WHOPPER from the Lyin' Sack of Mitt:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/romneys-whopper-claim-on-an-obama-health-care-pledge/2012/07/03/gJQAVhk3IW_blog.html?wprss=rss_fact-checker

1 vote

#4.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:01 PM EDT

Rollo-5302374

Factcheck:

The Obama complaint claims we erred in saying Mitt Romney gave up active management of Bain Capital in early 1999 to run the 2002 Winter Olympics, insisting we were then wrong in saying Romney was not responsible for shipping U.S. jobs overseas.

In fact, if the Obama campaign were correct, Romney would be guilty of a federal felony by certifying on federal financial disclosure forms that he left active management of Bain Capital in February 1999.

Mother Jones:

these documents challenge Romney's claim that he left Bain Capital in early 1999. [...]

the Romney campaign insisted that Romney exited Bain in February 1999, a month or more before Bain took over two of the companies named in the Post's article. The SEC documents undercut that defense, indicating that Romney still played a role in Bain investments until at least the end of 1999.[...]

The document also states that Romney "may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to" 2,116,588 shares of common stock in Stericycle "in his capacity as sole shareholder" of the Bain entities that invested in the company. That was about 11 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock. (The whole $75 million investment won Bain, Romney, and their partners 22.64 percent of the firm's stock—the largest bloc among the firm's owners.) The original copy of the filing was signed by Romney.

90 page SEC filing

Romney is mentioned 13 times

Page 26

(xvii) W. Mitt Romney ("Mr. Romney"), a citizen of the United States, as the

sole shareholder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of BCI,

BCP VI Inc., Brookside Inc. and Sankaty Ltd.;

Page 27

Mr. Romney is principally engaged in the business of serving

as sole shareholder of BCI, BCP VI Inc., Brookside Inc. and Sankaty Ltd

Page 32

Mr. Romney may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect

to (i) 452,803 shares of Common Stock currently held by BCIPT II, BCIPT II-B,

BCIP II, BCIP II-B and BCIP II-C

Page 37

Date: November 19, 1999 /s/ W. Mitt Romney

-------------------------------------------

W. Mitt Romney

1 vote

#4.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:06 PM EDT

Rollo-5302374

Factcheck:

Romney Committing Felonies?

If the Obama campaign is correct, then Romney is guilty of lying on official federal disclosure forms, committing a felony. But we don’t see evidence of that.

Here’s what Romney has said:

Mitt Romney Public Financial Disclosure Report, Aug. 11, 2011: Mr. Romney retired from Bain Capital on February 11, 1999 to head the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Since February 11, 1999, Mr. Romney has not had any active role with any Bain Capital entity and has not been involved in the operations of any Bain Capital entity in any way.

Romney’s signature appears on the line that states: “I certify that statements I have made on this form and all attached schedules are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

Making false statements to the federal government is a serious crime (under 18 USC 1001) carrying possible fines and up to five years in federal prison. But we don’t see that the Obama campaign has come close to showing that Romney has committed any such crime.

1 vote

#4.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:17 PM EDT

fb-100004031506333

#5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:40 PM EDT

DisgustedWithItAlll

"The National Republican Congressional Committee has launched a new round of attack ads citing last week's Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act."

And the scaredy cat Democrats still refuse to take their own side in the fight over their popular issues in health care.

You have to give it to Democrats. They sure know how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Unbelievably pathetic.

1 vote

#6 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:53 PM EDT

Trollop

My version of the NRCC Supreme court decision ad:

"Ugh, that black guy took Mom's hip away and he's killed babies with his bare hands"
"That chief justice Roberts is a socialist muslim kenyan now too"
"Word, you said it"
"I'm going to whip up some poorly spelled protest signs with hitler mustaches on Obama and Roberts"
"Good idea, because we're White Christians but our god-damned priorities are not access to health care for all Americans!"
"Hey, let's vote for Rmoney!"
"He's white and he's pro-private school vouchers!"

#7 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:57 PM EDT

MuggleBorn

I have a suggestion for Herman Cain's new internet TV show - Step-n-Fetchit TV. It's a much more fitting choice than Cain TV.

#8 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:29 PM EDT

siamesse.cities

We don't live in a swing state, we live in a deep red one actually, so I haven't seen many attack ads, from anyone. Maybe half a dozen or so, not much campaigning being done here.

There's an Obama ad about his plan to fix jobless-ness and he says "I talk to unemployed people--- ---- it weighs on them" (something like that, the dashes are "it hurts, it's tough" blah blah) and my wife heard the ad and said "Of course it weighs on them--- that's a dumb useless comment to say"

And now I'm finding "INsourcing" as a dumb useless comment. Is this what campaigns need to do? Does he need to play to the lowest common denominator? Does Obama need to be hokey and simple? Damn that sucks, I want him to win, but not as some <i>pancake breakfast</i> politician. I want him to educate the public about his policies and about Rominee's and what the actual difference and outcomes are/would be.

oh well.

1 vote

#9 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:44 PM EDT

Rollo-5302374

Please! With your concern troll routine.

siamesse.cities

I want him to educate the public about his policies and about Rominee's and what the actual difference and outcomes are/would be.

Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccnf-TDT_-s

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO7jeIOh4F0

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb60nFeJsNc

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70tav9QveOM

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtvVoAXQgCY

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmYb-MkKsrU

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTC5L-gaUNk

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAVD1oT2aRg

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz28tO2IIeM

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WbQe-wVK9E&feature=plcp

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnNQ1q-IWrk&feature=plcp

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBVeT0aufng&feature=plcp

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODRMJGfLy_Q&feature=plcp

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_9iLEMCec&feature=plcp

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9LTAageny0&feature=plcp

#10 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:06 PM EDT

Mama Grizzly in NH

Hey, Mitt's in town! I forgot to pick up the grilling provisions yesterday, so I think I'll mosey downtown, park in a conspicuous spot to best display my Obama 08 and 2012 bumper stickers, and then stroll Main Street in my Obama Biden T-shirt. Oh, yeah...and pick up the grilling provisions.

2 votes

#11 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 3:01 PM EDT

skip hoffman

Well...if I see your bumper stickers and T-shirt I will probably vote for Obama cause that's how I make my decision - I vote for the candidate that has the most lawn signs, bumper stickers and billboards. I think that is best way to choose. :)

Of course I am kidding.....for me but I honestly believe that all that crap DOES make a difference in some voters mind. Seeing a name over and over will sway them to vote. Pathetic. If everyone was like us folks on this blog and looked into the issues, there would be no need for silly lawn signs and negative ads - and constant fund raising to pay for this junk.

#11.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:26 PM EDT

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these documents challenge Romney's claim that he left Bain Capital in early 1999. [...]