Conservative groups are ready to fight President Obama on his own turf: voter outreach.
The president takes some tough questions on immigration.
Romney campaign staffers got bonuses.
Ann Romney to Republican critics: "Stop it. This is hard. You want to try it? Get in the ring."
The last of the surge troops have left Afghanistan.
One killed during protest over that anti-Muslim film in Pakistan.
The old lady who repainted a church fresco in Spain wants a cut of the money the church is charging tourists to see it.
Leave a Comment:
I think most people do not know what the "surge troops" were and why Obama decided to send them.
"Old lady"? That's sort of rude.
Kaine vrs Allen is the contrast discussion of how the Feds will deal with solving the debt crises next session....this may be where 'the can' kicked down the road is rattling the loudest....and the process...the meat of the arguments came out in the spin room after the debate, neither candidate had enough moxy to dwell on it while on the air.
These hanging chairs should be dealt with by the police or FBI. Threatening the President.
I think Clint Eastwood redeemed himself when he said, "If someone is dumb enough to ask me to speak at a convention, then he is gonna have to take what he gets." That dummy was Romney himself.
The hanging chairs are just a continuation of the vile behavior perpetrated against this president. Nut cases that are so threatened by a man that is black and so much smarter than they are it scares the hell out of them. Insecure wimps.
Aww, Ann, someone is picking on your husband? Let me get you a tissue! Politics are not for sissies!
Really. "The chattering class"??? Is this a new class I don't know about? It seems she's engaging in class warfare. Really, Mitt, you were afraid we'd get sick of Ann? Um, we already are. Keep her home before she's says something else to alienate yet more people, if that's possible.
LynneC... you are right. While I agree that campaigning is hard work, what will she do if he gets elected? There are no thrones to sit on in Washington... well most people know that anyway. But seriously, what does she think that life in the white house will be like? She is as out of touch as her idiot husband
The 'Willard tape' contains video of Willard saying that they were pulling Ann from engagements as people sic 'are tired of her!' I am wondering if Willard had to sleep on the couch for that one. It is obvious, for whatever reason (and I exclude medical, which is off limits to me,) that she is not up to speaking about political issues. She has declined to answer any political questions, including women's reproductive rights questions. She doesn't act like a shy Pat Nixon. Women in mormon relationships are taught to be subservient to the man, and this might fall into that narrative. I was hoping that she was her own woman, but she sounds like she is whining after this diatribe towards her own party. Michelle Obama is much better prepared, and is easily able to talk one on one about anything; the choice of first lady is clear.....
Well, that $500,000 horse was claimed as a medical expense on Mitt's tax return, costing the American taxpayer $77,000 for the deduction. Maybe she ought to take a ride and rejuvenate herself. By the way, how did this deduction get by the IRS? Wouldn't riding a $300 horse accomplish the same therapy? Give me a break
If RUNNING is HARD, what makes them think they can GOVERN?
"You people, you don't know how hard this is. I broke a nail yesterday and didn't have time to go to the salon. Mitt is smart and we have a good marriage - REEELY - and you don't know how lucky you are he's running. So don't question and just do what you're told."
I'm sick of this entitled fingerwagging woman.
So Mitt and Ann only want to hear "You can do it" from the crowd, but not anything about what issues are important to them or how they want Mitt to help them. It's just "too overwhelming" to have to listen to the little people?!?!?
I don't think they ever actually thought they could win, or, they thought it would be a slam dunk. Either way, they screwed up, now they look petty.....
Exactly! Mitt was wiped out after the RNC. He had to take the weekend off and go boating rather than campaign when it was most important for him to do so. The President doesn't have that option. While a sitting President does get vacations, they truly are working vacations, and that's not what Mitt was up to. There is no part of this man (not even his hair) that belongs in the Oval Office. For his wife to ask for people ("the chattering class" that she and her husband can ignore, no less!) to play nice and go easy on him, is foolish. It truly shows how little she understands the job her husband is applying for.
Yestrnight David Brooks was in town. Presuming that he was a thinking man I attended and found him to be making such outrageous statements its not even funny. He made out that he knows that he knew both men well (which may well be) and went on to telling us that Romney is great guy but he is just very closed. And that was because of his Mormon background.So suddenly religion helps to solve a personal character??? I cant even begin to tell you how many such statements he made and then spoke against the President in a very affable way . Saying that Obama was very tired and changed personally from 4 years ago. Really??? He does not look tired to me...............It was just so insidiously done the gentle rebuking critique of the present day and age and the praising of historical era of the past ...the 20's to 50's . Shocking !! The same era that produced the world wars and the fear of communism and treated women and minorities so poorly...shudder!!! I say David ....you sound OLD and jaded and dated.
Harry Reid (D) while he can be an ass, is a Mormon. Orin Hatch, (R), also a Mormon. Regardless of what you think about their politics, they are little rays of sunlight compared to Romney. They don't run around saying "it's not my fault, my religion stole my personality." There are about 15 Mormons in congress. Are they also "closed" because of their religion? Doubtful.
So sad that David Brooks turned out to be a tool....of the right.
Also, it's well known that just the act of being President - if you're doing it right - ages you. It's a high-stress job, with long days, frequent travel, and little time off. If a President doesn't seem to be aging, it's not a good thing.
Obama HAS aged, but he's NOT tired. He's just doing his job.
Noticed something hilarious during Lawrence's show last night:
The Telemundo stage that Romney (and Obama) appeared on Wednesday: Thick shiny red border around a light gray stage... I swear it looked like a giant Etch-a-Sketch! LOL
Whoa... that's an unfortunate image...
...that and his unfortunate skin color. What timing this man has. Sigh.
Yeah poor Annie Romney, everybody does'nt love her husband.Did she think this was going to be a walk in the park?Her nor her husband belong in politic's.If she ca'nt stand the heat get out of the kitchen.Of course she probably has'nt spent to much time in the there.I actually believe she want's the White House more than he does.Mrs.Country club seem's to love the spotlight,but when you love the spotlight the spotlight love's you,just ask her husband.
What's this? OH! It makes a loud noise that scares me. You say it's used to clean rugs? Vak-yoom cleaner? How interesting, I must tell Mitt about this. Amazing the ways that muggles, I mean poor people, have of getting by without magic, I mean, money.
Question of the day - Does the GOP replace Romney as its Presidential nominee before or after the first debate?
The problem is that the perfect person would NEVER want the job. And we wouldn't vote for him/her. And the base doesn't want to be told the truth, no one does.
Seriously, Mitt. Your wife is not likeable in any way, and she is hurting you even more than you are. Please send her to do lots of speeches on your behalf!
Um, Mitt? I think we're sick of her.....
Yeah, funny she is sticking up for him today, after he bashed her......
Lady Mittbeth: The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Righty pundits
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe topful
Of direst cruelty!
( Apologies to William S. )
Whether this is bad makeup or a face-tanning, it is both humorous and frightening. See for yourself ... did Romney go chameleon to try to fit in better with his Latino hosts and audience? http://www.upworthy.com/seriously-did-mitt-romney-get-a-bad-spray-tan-to-appeal-to-latino-voters?c=ufb1
Can't wait to see a photo of him today to see if the white Mitt is back.
Bad makeup job, check out the hairline. He has enough money to get a decent tan.
Have you noticed that some days more grey is showing in Mitt's hair than other days? His grey temples look the same as videos from the 90s. Not that it matters.
Kathy; he'll look like the bride of Frankenstein by election day.......
So unfortunate, and such bad timing...
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/mitt-romneys-tan-draws-media-fire-makeup-artist/story?id=17290303
Stephen Colbert noticed it, on The Colbert Report:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/419300/september-20-2012/mitt-romney-s-hispanic-outreach
Speaking of The Colbert Report, Rachel Maddow gets special mention, as a object of affection of Esteban Colberto:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/419301/september-20-2012/mitt-romney-s-hispanic-outreach---esteban-colberto
Thanx Promot , hilarious
Republicans killing the Veterans Job Corp bill in the senate and Mitts 47% comments were the final nails in their political coffin. As a veteran who has created successful green jobs programs specifically designed to help veterans help their communities, It seams they are specifically trying to prevent veterans from being a driving force behind a national renewable energy plan, and locally with low income home weatherization, solar power, wind turbine installation and maintenance job growth. What if the general public was aware that there are 1000s of veterans who want green jobs because they bore the true cost of not having a sustainable energy plan? What if the general public heard some of the reasons they are seeking jobs in these career fields was that they felt they wanted to continue to serve their country? What if they heard veterans say that baby sitting oil tankers in the Straights of Hormuz was less attractive than making biodiesel from local restaurants. Or placing solar panels on roofs in their hometowns was a better use of their time than sweeping for IEDs in Iraq or Afghanistan? What if the veterans were seen as leaders in the sustainable energy fields? What would happen to their whole patriotic song and dance became so off beat from the tune veterans are singing when they get back form war? What would happen to the whole republican facade of supporting the troops? The 1% of this country that actually serve in the military? The 1% percent that have paid the highest price for both the energy we use and the politics we export? When veterans say there is no mission more important than securing a sustainable energy policy for the country and back it up with training programs that put veterans to work in the green industries, will the rest of country will follow? I think the answer is obvious. That is why, I feel the republicans stopped the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. and why they cut off 70% of the funding for the federal (WAP) program that funds states and sets standards for providing low income home weatherization services. Because of organizations like Veterans Green Jobs www.veteransgreenjobs.org were becoming successful. In just four years we went from a idea to a multimillion dollar operation. training and employing veterans in servicing their countries sustainable energy and environmental conservation needs. But hell, maybe we're just all deadbeats, looking for a hand out?
Would u mind posting your above response in the newsapapers across the country. The reason I'm asking is, yesterday a letter to the editor appeared in our local paper from a Tea Bagger. Not favorable for President Obama.
The subject came up in conversation with a voter I was calling about an upcoming Town Hall this weekend. We need Vets and other citizen to respond to these nut cases.
Thank you for your service. My husband is Viet Nam vet.
I live in NE Indiana. Republican territory but I'm always hopeful that Hoosier's will wake up and vote for Obama/Biden 2012
The reporting of the rethugs obstruction of this Vet's Job Bill should be on every broadcast Rachel. We have to get this information out. The rethugs are the first to want to send our soldiers to war, first in Iraq, then Afganistan, now rattling sabres at Iran, but yet do not want to help them when they come home. This borders on immoral. Listen to the rethugs give their little speeches about " our " soldiers , but show their real selves when refusing to help the soldiers reintegrate back into our society as firemen , police, teachers, mechanics, medical corps etc. Rethugs are such hypocrites. ( seems like I vaguely remember job preference when my WW II veteran father was looking for work) These people are a highly disiplined , trained work force. We owe them our support and help.
The term 'conservative' has somehow morphed into meaning extremist. Is there such a thing as a moderate anymore on the right? I have started to wonder if the billionaires and the Rove's of this world will be able to keep control of the monster they've financed and backed. It has already happened with a few of the off the rail 'Republican' candidates they are being forced to back this election cycle and now their presidential candidate has put out so many mixed messages trying to coddle and woo the extremists that he is in freefall.
Whenever I discuss the extreme right, I use the term "extreme right". The GOP on the whole is a conservative political party. Unfortunately, as recently as just the last five years it's the extremists who gained control of that party in D.C.
Here's an example of just how much things have changed:
In 2010, Sen. John Kyl of Yuma was quoted as saying that Republicans would filibuster immigration reform. This was before the legislation was finalized - they were intending to filibuster no matter what legislation was offered by the Democrats. John Kyl, the Senator who got quoted talking about it, was a major leader for immigration reform in 2007. Rather than work to change his party's intent, he was instead openly discussing their trend. What had changed wasn't the country - but the GOP.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/apr/12/jon-kyl/yuma-daily-newspaper-quoted-kyl-saying-republican/
So, now even more moderate politicians are forced to act more conservatively, and in some cases as extremists, to keep up with the party line they're toeing.
what I do not get is when did the government get to be a business? As far as I can tell it is more like a non-profit if anything. It has never been about get it's tax payer a big dividend or keeping the stock prices up or any of those things that for profit companies are all about.
Please correct me if I'm way off base, but I have always view our government as a public support or non-profit.
love TRMS and thanks for having the show as a downloadable video, incase I miss it on tv. Suggest MSNBC do that with all the news shows, like "the ED Show", "Hardball" and "the last word".
thanks for all you guys do, it is the best newa coverage I know of.
On the continuing subject of QE3, and whether it will lower unemployment.
Two stories on CNBC this morning:
QE3 will not help "main street" or reduce unemployment. http://www.cnbc.com/id/49113498
The Federal Reserve wants inflation, and someone else can clean up the mess from QE3 later. http://www.cnbc.com/id/49115958
An Open Letter to Ann Romney:
I would like to start with what I consider most important.This election is not about you!It's about America.All of America.All 100% not just the half your husband thinks he can con into casting their votes for him.
Second,I would like to address that while your husband is out insulting half or more of America by referring to us as low-life useless good for nothing wanna-be victims,it would be nice if you didn't roll over cry and play victim for the whole world to see.We don't feel sorry for you.You yourself admitted that after the first run that you said "Never again."Meaning that you chose to do this again with full knowledge of how difficult it would be.Enough with the pandering.
Although I am sure that I will think of much more I would like to say to you,I will close with this.
Surely you would understand, your husband being such a successful businessman,that when someone is failing you it's time to let them go.He loves firing people after all.So really it should come as no shock to you when he is running the worst campaign ever recorded that everyone is not only running the other direction to avoid the outcome but they are dangerously close to yelling fire so that we can see them running.It's time for us to elect a real man and woman for President and First Lady and neither you nor your husband have the moral integrity or strength of character for the positions.
Good day to you and get off the floor we already went over that part.
Sincerely,
Rebecca C.
Rebecca; I would like to ask her why she does not stand for reproductive freedom for women, and why on earth her husband would want to end Planned Parenthood. Does she stand for the murder of Dr. Tiller? I don't think this woman stands with american women, or their health and well being. I think that this is a 'for shame' moment for Mrs. Romney....... Does she also have the same views as Mr. Akin??????
Mitt gave his people bonuses? Hmmm, seems like he's treating the GOP just like he treated companies at Bain.
He HAD to give those bonuses. Without them, those poor staffers were only making $165k a year, which in Mitt's World puts them somewhere in the lower depths of the middle class. And he can't have lower middle class folks associated with his campaign. He's running for office, for Pete's sake.
I wonder - since Mitt has SO much financial backing, if he'll be able to spend it all. And if not, will there be more bonuses? Is Ann a bona-fide campaign staffer who might benefit from such a bonus? It's the Romney Way - work the strings behind the scenes to take care of yourself above all others.
Yeah, except they're running out of money now. Saw two different articles discussing this yesterday. Word out is that the whole "we've got loads more than Obama" was nothing more than a PR farce. It tracks with RL events such as TPaw leaving (couldn't afford to pay him?), pulling ads from 3 states, very low to zero appearances by R/R.
Maybe they gave bonuses to keep them from leaving? We'll see. If we start seeing people peel off from the campaign more than just TPaw, we'll know.
That may explain why Rmoney keeps going to more private fundraisers instead of swing-state campaign events. Well, that and the fact that campaign events result in more gaffes and exposable lies without increasing Mitt's likablility.
Ploooka , That would be awesome , we know the gop lie at the drop of a hat , I have been suspecting the same things when they pull these big money numbers out of thin without being able to back them up , blow the piggies straw house away
I really believe the money is still there. Karl Rove and Adelson and Kock bros., the puppet masters, are holding it back until they can " carpet bomb" the swing states, with dirty and lying ads in the last 2 weeks. I know those lying ads will be non-stop in the last week of the campaign, appealing to low information voters. We are already seeing the lying and distortion in their ads and it will come right down to blatant lying. The coal industry ads are a perfect example of lying to the public. I heard about the plan to " carpet bomb" the swing states several weeks ago. Please don't relax my friends, and help get people registered and out to vote. Fact Check everything and share on your FB with your friends. It is going to take all of us to not let this election be bought or stolen.
Mitt Romney ..... has a split personality. :]
Mitt Romney's nicknames for his alter egos are "Connive" and "Contrive."
This election may turn into a righteous repudiation of the Tea Party ideals of greed, narcissism, and anti-compassionate antisocialism.
Republicans killing the Veterans Job Corp bill in the senate and Mitts 47% comments were the final nails in their political coffins.
As a veteran who has created successful green jobs programs specifically designed to help veterans help t
heir communities, It seams the the republicans are specifically trying to prevent veterans from being a driving force behind a national renewable energy plan, and locally with low income home weatherization, solar power, wind turbine installation and maintenance job growth.
What if the general public was aware that there are 1000s of veterans who want green jobs because they bore the true cost of not having a sustainable energy plan?
What if the general public heard some of the reasons they are seeking jobs in these career fields was that they felt they wanted to continue to serve their country?
What if they heard veterans say that baby sitting oil tankers in the Straights of Hormuz was less attractive than making biodiesel from local restaurants.
Or placing solar panels on roofs in their hometowns was a better use of their time than sweeping for IEDs in Iraq or Afghanistan?
What if the veterans were seen as leaders in the sustainable energy fields?
What would happen to their whole patriotic song and dance became so off beat from the tune veterans are singing when they get back form war?
What would happen to the whole republican facade of supporting the troops?
The 1% of this country that actually serve in the military? The 1% percent that have paid the highest price for both the energy we use and the politics we export.
When veterans say there is no mission more important than securing a sustainable energy policy for the country and back it up with training programs that put veterans to work in the green industries, will the rest of country will follow?
I think the answer is obvious.
That is why, I feel the republicans stopped the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. and why they cut off 70% of the funding for the federal (WAP) program that funds states and sets standards for providing low income home weatherization services.
Because of organizations like Veterans Green Jobswww.veteransgreenjobs.org were becoming successful. In just four years we went from a idea to a multimillion dollar operation. training and employing veterans in servicing their countries sustainable energy and environmental conservation needs.
But hell, maybe we're just all deadbeats, looking for a hand out?
Maybe there is no such thing as global warming?
Maybe every dollar saved on energy is not actually worth four dollars of construction costs for new power plants?
Maybe these green veterans are just lazy deadbeats looking for a hand out because we hate America and want to see it fail?
Maybe. But, I wont not bet against a vet with a mission he believes in.
Elections are not supposed to be easy.
But everyone is missing a point. Is Mitt Romney the kind of person you'd trust with enough nuclear weapons to induced several dozen nuclear winters, just by ourselves...
Rachel, I’m damn glad not the Corporate candidate running for high public office. I can well envision why Corporate candidate, Willard Romney is doomed for failure.
Willard’s bid for the US Presidency has made me realize that he is not a Republican—at least not in the traditional sense. Oh-sure, he’s running under the Republican banner, most likely because third-party candidates rarely have a chance, but Willard is the first thoroughbred Corporate candidate in modern times. (I know, we could probably point to Warren G. Harding as the first Corporate President, and Ronald Reagan as the second, but most voters are clueless when it comes to ideological history.)
Let me review a few known facts. (I’m sure you’ll correct me on where my logic goes awry.) Willard has corporate mentality: By that, I mean he thinks in terms of corporate goals and certainly appears to be highly profit motivated. In the corporate world, those are admirable traits.
Some will argue that America should be run just like a corporation, but from my vista, that is exactly what we have been doing.
Not unlike a good CEO, he is certainly interested in looking out for his financial backers. In the corporate world, we refer to such individuals as investment shareholders. He views labor as merely a commodity to be huckstered and brokered on the open market. And, as the Corporate candidate, it is easy to see why he views those not directly contributing to corporate bottom-line profits as moochers and freeloaders.
I think the reason why Willard has not been able to connect with the electorate is that he has not come out of the corporate closet. This might also account for why so many perceive him as a phony. The only phoniness about Willard is that he is a Republican in name only.
A pure Corporate candidate is neither Democrat or Republican, nor is the individual a Libertarian, a Tea Partier or a Progressive. Had Willard announced he was the Corporate candidate who will look out for Corporate America's interests, he certainly would not be struggling with his campaign image. So let’s settle it once and for all. Suggest to your viewing audience that he come out of the closet on this.
Well written. I think I agree, but I do have one question.
I think small business doesn't treat it's employees like this... at what point do you think it shifts from small business to "corporate"?
Please tell us more about the GOP killing the VET's Job Bill. I find that no where in the news. People need to know.
to Bob Day
Look at the posts by Steve here earlier in the week, I think Tue. & Wed.
Steve said a lot about it and we commented too.
Thanks for the star photos. Seeking solace by gazing into the chaotic past is refreshing.So as the midnight's purple haze reveals the blaze of Suns and Galaxies winking at us from afar...
Sorry 'bout that.
A couple of observations:
About borrowing money to fund his primary campaign: I thought Romney's main message was to live within your means - don't spend money you don't have. Way to show us how it's done, Mitt!
About Ann Romney's remarks, “In all the past debates, he would find me in the audience and after each question, he’d look at me ’cause it was like, ‘Did I do O.K. Ann? Was that O.K.?’” she said. “And I love that because he cares so much. I mean, we have such a good relationship and we have such a strong marriage and I know that he measures himself and how he’s doing by my face and how I think he’s doing, so I know in these next debates it’s going to be very important for me to be sitting in that audience.”
Is anyone else besides me bothered by the vision of a prospective president of our country needing the approval of his spouse after every question to know that he's on the right track? I may think he's a good guy for making his wife think he depends on her, I sure as heck don't want him in the situation room during a crisis if he really is! I think Ann Romney is doing him no good at all. Keep it up, Ann!
Grat points Joan
While I doubt I would do this publicly either , but as far as I'm concerned , ann romney is fair game and open to be trashed by dems , she is out there lying about dems and the pres , and about who and what her and her hubby represent , there is a line a candidates wife just should not cross , and she crossed it 2 months ago
And I'm not saying she should shut up either , but if you are going to open your yapper , your fair game