PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: I am sure you are embarrassed (if not, you should be) for electing such a moron, AYOTE as your Senator. She was so pathetic last night, reflecting her racist soul. GET RID OF HER please.

I guess nearly four years as President of the United States is not "legitimate experience"?

Neil

Last night, I was dozing in front of the television and dreamed they'd made a movie out of a meeting of the board of governors of the workhouse in Oliver Twist. Then I woke up and realized I'd just been hearing speeches at the RNC.

This statement got my attention: "a New York City company that helped American companies do business abroad ......". That sentence is talking about a job that Obama had, to OUTSOURCE American jobs ! ! ! Forget the lemonade stand (got it, he scooped ice-cream instead); I voted for him because he was against war (my faith leads me to believe WE SHOULD NOT KILL; the unborn or people in wars) and wanted to keep jobs in the USA. So I thought that is what he was for (against war) and CHANGE; however, more wars (allegedly people are killed for oil), and what jobs came back to the USA in the last four years, or who is working to get jobs back on our own soil - rather than ship jobs off for SLAVE LABOR? I listened to a few clips of Mitt and honestly, I think he has my vote. We may not agree on everything; however, I believe he is a HONEST man. Most presidents have something you remember them by. Obama - I guess it is his PARTIES. That is all I can think about, besides WARS - and the opposite of WHY I had voted for him. Obama will NOT get my vote this time around. Medicaid/Medicare, isn't JP Morgan taking over a lot of programs that used to be under the government? Does not matter if it is Mitt or Obama - if it is planned to have those things GO - whatever president we have, will get rid of them. Smaller government, also means GOVERNMENT JOBS GO. Actually the more I see of the personal side of Mitt Romney, I agree with my dad (from MA) - he and his wife are very real and good people (good does NOT get you to heaven), but it is better than someone like Obama that lead us to believe he was a CERTAIN person - he was NOT. At least with Mitt Romney -we know what to expect. I also believe we have a better chance of saving social security with Mitt Romney, because Obama turned out to be a PUPPET (in my opinion) for the International Bankers. Both George W. Bush (Republican) and Obama (Democrat) are responsible for the countries debt (in my opinion). I vote on issues, and integrity (character) - NOT party lines.

Someone earlier today suggested "WE BUILT IT TOGETHER' as an updated banner for the President. Great Idea!

This statement got my attention: "a New York City company that helped American companies do business abroad ......". That sentence is talking about a job that Obama had, to OUTSOURCE American jobs ! ! ! Forget the lemonade stand (got it, he scooped ice-cream instead); I voted for him because he was against war (my faith leads me to believe WE SHOULD NOT KILL; the unborn or people in wars) and wanted to keep jobs in the USA. So I thought that is what he was for (against war) and CHANGE; however, more wars (allegedly people are killed for oil), and what jobs came back to the USA in the last four years, or who is working to get jobs back on our own soil - rather than ship jobs off for SLAVE LABOR? I listened to a few clips of Mitt and honestly, I think he has my vote. We may not agree on everything; however, I believe he is a HONEST man. Most presidents have something you remember them by. Obama - I guess it is his PARTIES. That is all I can think about, besides WARS - and the opposite of WHY I had voted for him. Obama will NOT get my vote this time around. Medicaid/Medicare, isn't JP Morgan taking over a lot of programs that used to be under the government? Does not matter if it is Mitt or Obama - if it is planned to have those things GO - whatever president we have, will get rid of them. Smaller government, also means GOVERNMENT JOBS GO. Actually the more I see of the personal side of Mitt Romney, I agree with my dad (from MA) - he and his wife are very real and good people (good does NOT get you to heaven), but it is better than someone like Obama that lead us to believe he was a CERTAIN person - he was NOT. At least with Mitt Romney -we know what to expect. I also believe we have a better chance of saving social security with Mitt Romney, because Obama turned out to be a PUPPET (in my opinion) for the International Bankers. Both George W. Bush (Republican) and Obama (Democrat) are responsible for the countries debt (in my opinion). I vote on issues, and integrity (character) - NOT party lines.

"Obama held a number of retail and food service jobs as a teenager in Hawaii -- including scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins, which technically doesn't serve lemonade but it does have a pink raspberry lemonade sorbet"

I see the Republicans feel just making up stuff out of thin air this entire campaign is how to win. Must be why Mitt is still struggling in polls and has the highest negatives of any Presidential candidate in decades. How's it working for ya, GOP?

Ann Romney also did not service to her husband last night. It was TOTALLY unbelievable that either she nor Mitt "knew what it was to struggle" and even more laughable when she said "You can trust Mitt". I was amazed she didn't bust out laughing at that line. Tons of information on lies he has told on about every topic going way back to his run against Ted Kennedy and we "can trust Mitt" REALLY ANN? REALLY?

and the entire idea that Mitt Romney built his own wealth. Ya, daddy was broke and none of the money in the Romney's bank accounts came from outsourcing American jobs.

Such hate from the left. I hope that the next president will work together with congress to help everyone. My God we need that more than ever. Name calling only divides our great country even more and that is something we cannot afford. Most intelligent people surround themselves with facts and make decisions in consultation with the other branches of government. A country run strictly on a one-sided ideology whether right or left will never succeed. Yes the helpless need help and some people are very wealthy. Both ENVY and GREED are deadly sins. There is a happy medium where this country has traditionally run. Don't fall for hate that divides. Instead invision ideas that will elevate this country. May our country win!

Minor corrections - Obama had eight years in the Illinois legislature, and he had approximately ten years at the University of Chicago teaching.

Here is some real hate:

http://www.ourfuture.org/fact-sheets-briefs/record-breaking-republican-obstructionism

I don't know why the GOP is so hell bent on claiming that a company or entity built everything on their own. It masks the real issue we'd like to discuss, which is how much government we need, and how we can grow out of the recession. Every state expects grants and federal subsidies. All of the governors bragging about their state depend on that funding, that "spending." They don't want to give it up any more than I want to give up Obamacare or Medicare.

And every one of those governors is presiding over voter suppression. How dare they. It's despicable behavior. Your candidate can't win based on his ideas? Then he should lose. Can't appeal to minorities? The underclasses see right through you? Then you lose.

Why is it that trolls can NEVER spell "definitely" or "great" or simple words?

I am pretty impressed with what Obama has been able to accomplish in spite of the obstructionist house, and only a few weeks of filibuster proof majority in the Senate. I suppose most would consider the ACA the major accomplishment as admins on both sides of the isle have been trying to do that for 100 years. To me, even his getting OBL, as important as that was is not IMNSHEO his major accomplishment. To me, his major has been staying cool in spite of a constant barrage of slander, lies, racest remarks, and insults to him and the office of the President. Don't know how he manages it. http://www.occasionalplanet.org/2010/11/01/president-obamas-244-accomplishments/

"Obama may not have led a business before getting elected, but he's led a nation after getting elected."

Obama has led a nation before getting re-elected, Romney has never run a successful government (having suffered the disastrous Romney years in my home state-Massachusetts)

I have seen about a dozen sites, including one by the Dems that tout Obama successes. Each of them seem to take a different track. I suspect turning around the economy is the biggest, but the fact that the stock market went from about 9,000 plus to around 13,000 and made most of those spending $$$ to get him outed much richer is the most interesting. http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Wow! I love this. I get so scared that the Repub lies are starting to take hold. It's so refreshing to see that there are people that are staying informed and speaking out with facts. The truth will set you free.

i would just like to point out that just because you run or have run a business, doesnt necessarily mean that you know what labor is. go to office everyday and delegating doesnt make you a hard worker. getting your hands dirty with your employees and knowing how every inch of your business works to the point where you could do the job yourself if need means you have the knowledge and skills to make accusations of inexperience. thats the same reason i couldnt stand bush. just another rich kid who never had a "real" job

one final point i would make. people seem to have a habit of taking what they read on the internet or hear on the news as gospel. information, even true information, can be twisted to serve a purpose. stop depending on the news so much and take a look around your own area of residence. if u see people spending money like they did just 5 or 6 years ago(by that i mean new cloths, cars, boats, houses, eating out 2 or 3 times a week, etc, etc) then the economy is not as bad as the media wants you to think. and if you just happen to live in one of those communities that was not doing good before obama was elected, then have the balls to admit that and quit blaming him for the problems of your community. and unemployment. just because you have been "looking" for a job for the last six months and havent gotten one, it doesnt mean that obama is at fault. as i told my son on his two year hiatus, businesses are hiring. if they arent hiring you, then its probably because you're not doing something right. hair, cloths, resume, application, attitude during interview, or maybe you just have a bad work history. now he has a job after he decided to get off his ass and try harder. not everything is a presidents fault. and include bush in that, who i f*cking hate

Didn't Mitt declare his business record off limits in the campaign? He said that his experience in business is irrelevant to the issues and should not be discussed. If his business record is off limits, meaning he doesn't feel that his experience in business qualifies him to be president, what exactly are his qualifications? Being rich and having lots of kids?

As Stacib said above, what Obama wasted in his first two years was a lot of effort trying to deal rationally and reasonably with a party full of lying, ignorant, bigoted, irrational, misinformed, extremist fools, when in retrospect he'd have been off stomping the cockroaches.

And yes, anyone describing Romney with words like trust or integrity should have their head examined. Romney destroyed any hopes of integrity and trustworthiness by all his lying and pandering, his refusal to release his tax returns back to 1998, his constant attacking of misrepresentations of Obama, and his refusal to find a legitimate position that he actually believes in (other than tax cuts for the wealthy) and stick to it.

I think anyone who has ever put together a campaign understands more than enough about the kind of business knowledge need to run a lemonade stands.

Politicians have to get the initial seed money; often they invest a significant portion of their own. When they start out, it may be all their own money without the help of bank loans. They may choose to get public funds or they may decide to forgo that aid, but that will be further down the road. The candidates will put in countless hours, not all of which they get paid for. They have to reach out to their "customers." They will have to respond to feedback. They will have events to prepare for and deliverables, some of which are for these events. They have many expenses, which need to be managed. They have to appoint their staff, some of whom will be paid. They will have to make strategy decisions and in some cases, change directions or even change staff to meet the challenges ahead. They have budgets that they have to worry about as well. They have plenty of their own legal paperwork to file. They have ad buys to consider; what messages they want to put out about their "brand" (I always hate it when politicians talk about their brand, but there's a business reason why they do.)

What was it that Obama missed out by not running a lemonade stand? That it took personal initiative, drive, management and hard work to start a business? And campaigning for any office doesn't take initiative, drive, management and hard work either? That it started with a dream and took the willingness to believe in oneself and put that on the line?

Personally, I don't agree that you need run a private sector business experience to be a good politician. I remember seeing a documentary about the Reagan years, which said in the years business did well, they actually cut a lot of jobs. A good year for business does not necessarily mean more jobs, it means more profits.

And then there's all the public outrage about over-paid CEOs where companies are paying millions of dollars just to get these guys to leave early after tanking the companies. These guys were successful enough at business to get these jobs. Are they more deserving of being president than Obama? Would someone like Kenneth Lay of the once successful Enron embody the kind of leadership we need in the White House? Would we want the country to have the same kind of success Enron had? Would we want Michael Milken? Bernie Madoff ran a private sector business. Remember BP during the Gulf oil spill--do we need that?

Obama didn't run a private sector business. He chose at one point to be a community organizer starting programs, which takes an entrepreneurial spirit. He was president of the Harvard Law Review, so he could have chosen a career route which made money more of his focus, although he identifies himself in the 1%. So we know he's not as motivated by greed.

Yes, Mitt Romney started his own business. But what kind of business did he create? It made a lot of money, but is that the only measure of success?

Rolling Stone has an article about Mitt Romney's business experience: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/greed-and-debt-the-true-story-of-mitt-romney-and-bain-capital-20120829 . The article talks about how Bain Capital, took companies that had been built up over the years, acquired them, loaded them with debt, paid the management from it, and then watched the companies go bankrupt. If you're a small business owner, is that the kind of private sector business approach you want in government?

Haven't you folks figured out the Factspeople2016 is nothing more than a Troll? Typical repugnican troll. Can't spell, can't find any real facts or data, has no idea how to debate a point, so he just vomits the rhetoric he hears and sees on Fox, and, like the rest of the GOP, doesn't know when to shut up or give up. Now, you watch, he'll comment on my comment shortly.

I do have to give him some credit though. With his horrendous spelling, and total lack of truth or factual data in any of his posts, he has encouraged everyone else into countering his spewing with actual facts, truth, and real, honest to goodness data. Nothing like a wide, deep, EMPTY cavern to force the building of a bridge. In this case, his mind is the wide, deep, empty cavern, and the rest of you intelligent folk are the bridge builders! Well Done!

Obama met Michele when he worked for a law firm in Chicago. Law firms are PRIVATE sector. Maybe the GOP has dementia. Obama had a job as a teacher/professor, a profession which is valued even by the GOP. 2008 Seattle PI: "Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, taught at the University of Chicago’s law school for 12 years before he bowed out of academia to pursue a career in politics." The University of Chicago is a PRIVATE sector business. Although he did not manage the business, he also did not fire teachers. Did the GOP forget that too? These intentional acts of omission are the same as lies. They must really think their party and the nation is dumb! Well, they like to keep us that way, so they can do what they want for their own selfish benefit.

Well, a little late to the party, but Bush had business experience, and look where that got us. In fact, in searching, I have not found the first President who had "business experience" who was worth a cr*p.

Said it before, running a business is about making a profit. Running a country is about taking care of the country and the people. Not the same by any ridiculous stretch of the imagination of the rabid right.