Associated Press
Check out the classic passive-voice argument Mitt Romney used in his "closing argument."
Romney said that Obama "promised to be a post-partisan president, but he became the most partisan" and that his bitter relations with the House GOP could threaten the economy. As his chief example, he pointed to a crisis created entirely by his own party's choice -- Republican lawmakers' ongoing threat to reject a debt ceiling increase. Economists warn that a failure to pass such a measure would have immediate and catastrophic consequences for the recovery.
"You know that if the President is re-elected, he will still be unable to work with the people in Congress," Romney said. "He has ignored them, attacked them, blamed them. The debt ceiling will come up again, and shutdown and default will be threatened, chilling the economy."
Hmm. It's inevitable that the debt ceiling will need to be raised again sometime soon, just as it's been several dozen times over the last several decades. But this time, default "will be threatened," and even having the conversation undermines the economy and rattles markets around the globe.
But why did Romney stick with the passive "will be threatened"? Because he doesn't want to explicitly say what we already know: it will be his congressional Republican allies doing the threatening.
At a certain level, this may seem vaguely amusing, but it's worth appreciating how truly extraordinary this kind of rhetoric is. Indeed, there is no precedent in the American tradition for this style of extortion politics -- Romney's closing argument is that his own congressional allies are so hopelessly insane, they're prepared to destroy the full faith and credit of United States of America, on purpose. If we want to prevent disaster, the only way to stop the hostage takers from pulling the proverbial trigger is to give Republicans power, because there's no way GOP lawmakers will work with the democratically elected president.
This is, for lack of a better word, madness.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but the normalization of extortion politics really isn't healthy. We talked a bit about this last week -- Ramesh Ponnuru argued in September that congressional Republicans "aren't going to change," they're not going to compromise, and they'll continue to make the nation ungovernable if President Obama wins, so voters might as well give the GOP what it wants. David Brooks has made a similar case.
Even David Frum is buying into the argument.
The congressional Republicans have shown themselves a destructive and irrational force in American politics. But we won't reform the congressional GOP by re-electing President Obama. If anything, an Obama re-election will not only aggravate the extremism of the congressional GOP, but also empower them: an Obama re-election raises the odds in favor of big sixth-year sweep for the congressional GOP -- and very possibly a seventh-year impeachment. A Romney election will at least discourage the congressional GOP from deliberately pushing the US into recession in 2013.
With all due respect to David, I hope the political world considers the system of incentives conservatives are suggesting with this line of thought. In this scenario, congressional Republicans are presented as dangerous children, hell bent on destruction, who can't be reasoned with. It's incumbent on the electorate, then, to give these children exactly what they want, so as to prevent them from throwing a violent tantrum that hurts everyone around them.
This is crazy. It would reward Republicans for their radicalism -- which in turn only encourages more radicalism -- and set a precedent for all future congressional caucuses: if you really want to get your way, be irrational, inflexible, and dangerous, threatening to do lasting damage to the country unless your unconditional demands are met.
Maybe if we pay the reckless hostage takers, they'll be nice to us and stop taking hostages in the future? Is this what American politics has come to the 21st century?
For Romney to subtly articulate this argument out loud is breathtaking. For the political world to simply accept it at face value, as if this is routine, is depressing.
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For any moderate Republican or independent voter, this should be a death knell for Romney and the Republicans.
This is the problem I have with this. I am a Democrat Have been since I cast my first vote. But I want a strong Republican Party. The country needs one. It keeps political debate and policy from becoming stagnant and overreaching.
But since the 1990's the GOP has pushed harder and harder to try and elect people who will not compromise. They have no interest in national policy making only in implementing their own narrow vision of it. They are authoritarians with no seance of give and take only single minded determination to have their way.
I just want Republicans to answer me one question before they go to vote. When and where has a one party government ever worked out well?
I don't understand the Republicans. I Remember Dwight David Eisenhower, but since President Eisenhower the Republicans have become more and more strident. Dwight David Eisenhower helped fight the war against Hitler. That is how I have been feeling. I am with Dragoon21b on this. I want a strong Republican Party and I want a strong Democratic Party. What is going on now is over the top. A bunch of rabble rousers.
I want (at least) two strong parties. The other one doesn't have to be the Republicans. It may not be possible for them to recover, and if they go the way of the Whigs and either the Democrats split or another party grows to take their place, I won't shed a tear.
You're analysis is correct. We're not interested in compromise as the left defines it. The left's definition of compromise/bi-partisanship is that we agree with you. We will never agree that an unborn baby isn't a life, the constitution evolves, giving up gun rights, a small military, and an ever intrusive expanding government. These are principles and we will never compromise on them.
Sine the 90's we have made the mistake of putting a lot of rinos/Republican Progressive that fooled us. We don't want anymore Bush's, McCain's, or Dole's. Why do you think the Tea-Party is so grass roots and large. We are taking the republican party ultra right. They will either go there or they will be abandon. Since 2008 we are having success, so it appears the establishment is understanding you're either with us or against us. It's much easier for us to transform the Republican party than to start all over by splitting it.
If you are a progressive, leftist, or a Liberal you should be very afraid. Our goal is to defeat you, because you're ideology is in direct conflict to all we hold dear. We are no longer interested in arguing with or understanding the left, only in defeating them. Ya see we finally learned from the left. We learned the value of activism. That's what the Tea-Party movement is, conservative activism. And while the left continues to insult, ridicule, and demean, we keep getting bigger and stronger. Regardless of tomorrows results, the silent majority has been awakened. I hope this helps.
Actually "Libslayer70" - it helps us realize even more how batsh*t ignorant you all are. You should prepare to become irrelevant very soon and find something else to do that makes you feel better - like run over small puppies.
You mean the silent minority of dirty old greedy perverts who try to claim the high ground on what they expect from others at the same time they want separate rules for themselves. The tea bagged republicans are not grass roots they are defenders of corporations who bought them off with a hot dog and a bus ride.
Ok slayer answer my question then
When has a one party government system ever worked out well?
Hey "Libslayer", see you are why WE can't have nice things (thanks Rachael)! You people don't even realize how far against your own best interests you are voting. Are you people so afraid of change/other/life that you feel you must cut off your nose to spite your face? Compromise means that both sides "get" something and both sides "give up" something! This whole my way or the highway and we'll roll over you is destructive and worse yet will blow up in all of our faces - is that what you want? Really?
At first I kind of understood you tea-potty types, but the longer I hear you all blather on, the more I realize that you people actually know nothing about how the government functions nor understand anything about economics! You don't even recognize that you are not "grass roots" you're floating on Koch money and you sheeple are too ignorant to even grasp that basic fact! And answer me a question - if "tax cuts for the job creators" worked so well then why was the economy losing over 800k jobs during the Bush misadministration?
Best Line:
Why do you think the Tea-Party is so grass roots and large.
The Koch Bros have played you like a chump. Who do you think started it and funds all those rallies. Say hello to your little friend Dick Morris
libslayer also forgets who said, "We will not compromise". In front of a TV camera. I'll give you a hint. I wasn't a Democrat. It was a drunk.
It is the attitude of the far right (or far wrong) that keeps our country from moving forward. It is the "no compromise" attitude that lowered our country's credit rating. Good job, congressional republicans. Your inability to work well with others has done absolutely nothing for your country. Don't blame it on Obama.
pssst no one point out the irony of these two sentiments
Or the irony in this sentence
Yes because you totally took over the house, senate, and presidency in 2008
The question is not if an unborn baby is life; but, is a fetus of a few of weeks Human life? The idea that embryonic development mirrors evolutionary development (not a ridiculous idea) implies that early development may be Animal life. True, and all animal life deserves respect; but, animal life is not human life. Thus, logically, many abortions are not 'murder'. To declare otherwise is Religious belief (and should not be secular law). You can of course, insist on Creationism to force your religious beliefs as science.
libslayer
Obviously YOU haven't been paying attention to what has been happening in this country. Where have you been? Under a rock? Why don't you go back and read what bills Obama has endorsed? These bills would have been completely accepted by the Republicans had THEY not openly stated that THEY would not compromise! I absolutely CANNOT FATHOM why you think the left's definitiion of bi-partisanship is that "we agree with you". Obviously you have something wrong upstairs.....
Fine! Don't have an abortion - nobody will force one on YOU! WHO is asking you to give up gun rights? Obama isn't! A small military?????? We have the largest military in the world - how much larger does it need to get? Your "principles" are based on some wierd fantasies!
You think Bush was too liberal????? Wow talk about exclusion!!! Are you going to exclude everybody? Is your idea of good governance a dictatorship? Don't you realize how hard the founding fathers fought to compromise - that we would not have had this wonderful government without their constant determination to work together? That our founding fathers found a way to include EVERYONE??? They weren't interested in exclusion - why are you? Do you have so much HATE built up for your fellow man that you cannot accept ANYONE but those who believe exactly like you? You REALLY NEED TO GO READ SOME HISTORY!!
All you hold dear??? Is ABSOLUTE CONTROL of others what "you hold dear"???? I read your Tea Party manifesto - everyone should - it would make us VERY AFRAID of people like you. What it promotes is an end to democracy and those very principles that made this country great.
Excuse me for not "fearing" people like you. You are just dinosaurs - you won't be around much longer. Your own beliefs are your defeat!
The fact is you are getting smaller and weaker as people finally understand what it is you are all about - you aren't interested in democracy or making this country great - you are all about getting control for ONLY YOURSELVES and cutting EVERYONE ELSE out. You lost the Presidency in 2008 because of one thing: McCain chose one of your own - Palin- for his vice president. And yet YOU didn't learn a THING from that! You may have won in 2010 because people didn't really understand what it was that you stood for, but people ARE learning and the more they learn, the more they reject YOU!
You know if you hadn't been so exclusionary, the Republicans probably would have won this election. Obama has made some serious mistakes but even with all your money, with all your "dirty tricks", with all of your voter supression, with all of your lies, Obama is still winning - go figure! There is a moral in there somewhere - maybe you can figure out what it is.
Either the comedian Albert Brooks or the Republican pundit David Brooks made the same argument just last week. It had to be David Brooks. While there is a Monty Python style sketch waiting to break out of Romney's closing argument, I think Albert Brooks would want to hold the idea for the right movie.
Vote for us or we'll kill the kid (country)!
That these scum even exist is proof we let the South off too easy 150 years ago.
The Confederates should have been deported to Australia, then we could have vanquished them once and for all after beating the Axis Powers (they would have joined Germany, Italy and Japan) in World War II.
TC
I think you may be right. If Boehner's house continues this nonsense, the Obama White house needs to go into LBJ street fighting mode, as described in Caro's "Passage of Power".
Hyper partisanship. Executive branch functions simply stop working in vulnerable GOP congressional districts. If the House member makes the smart decision and crosses the aisle on the crucial votes, the spigots magically start working again in his district.
I'll go you one better, how about WE vote them all OUT of every public office!
That is where nearly all of my campaign donations went. I bet not on tossups, but that we could go much farther and also take some of the lean GOP/ likely GOP districts. Steve Israel has been the general leading this operation but my uninformed guess is that the DCCC has been starved of the cash needed for a major campaign of annihilation of the GOP.
Yesterday on the Ed show, there was some shyness about using the word "revenge". Now, I am totally with Gandhiji who said, "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind."
But we must take actions on the political stage, and so theatrics are in order. I say the GOP has demonstrated their contempt for the 99%, so if we cannot expect them to respect Americans, we make fear the substitute. We not only encourage the GOP victimhood memes but we pour gasoline on them. Perhaps the plutocrats also need to understand this is not just for show- they have gone to far and ought to relearn fear of the guillotine: fear the middle class, fear the electorate, and fear consequences from Obama.
Totally can go with you John, I've got a guillotine? Pitchforks & torches, anyone?
Santorum warns Obama's all wet,
And intends to make all the Right sweat!
He claims he's foreseen
The returned guillotine...
I would say, "Outre d'avec sa tête!"
Translated from the French = "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"
Hmmm - seems like you are reading much more into Romney's comments than most voters would be prone to go. Romney's comments struck me more as being directed to the intensely divided nature of American politics under the Obama Administration - something that Obama had promised to make less divided, the opposite has happened. Romney seemed to be talking more about his ability to work across the aisle and accomplish things rather than digging in. I really don't think Romney's comments would strike most voters as "breathtaking" as we all already know - no matter which party you are in - that American politics is intensely divided and we need a game changer.
made a post and thought better of it...
you better think.....please read the above posting....romney has no history of reaching across the aisle....his 4 years as massachusetts governor were a testiment for partisan (my way or the highway) politics....his wanting to repeal obamacare (romneycare) shows that he would even denounce his owns policies to avoid working with the democrats.
Umm, no.
The Tea Party patsies and their masters are solely responsible for the hyper partisanship that is causing a cold civil war.
Your people admitted that destroying Obama is their #1 priority.
We need to control the senate and get rid of the tea party (i.e unhinged KKK wannabes), that will fix a lot of things.
But YOU are (conveniently?) forgetting that Obama tried to work with the GOP congress repeatedly. ObamaCare was a REPUBLICAN idea! The GOP was all for comprehensive immigration reform. They wanted tax cuts in the Stimulus package, and they got them.
When the GOP leader in the Senate says his #1 goal is to make Obama a one-term president, is that bi-partisan?
It is the US House of Representatives which is supposed to initiate budget legislation every year. It has failed to do so.
Youbetterthink.
Hmmm - seems like you should be the one to do some "thinking".
Yeah, and whose fault is this bitter division except the GOP's???
The country became most divided under GWB. I became more divided because we elected a black man for the White House. It's just that simple.
I am constantly amazed at the 'argument' that Obama PROMISED to provide bipartisanship and he failed. When you have congresscritters that stick their heads up their a.... and vow to defeat him, when you have Republicans that are invited to the WH and REFUSE to go, when you have Republicans that pass legislation after legislation that has NOTHING to do with the economy and everything to do with 'defeating the President' how the HELL can you say OBAMA failed? The REPUBLICANS FAILED. Period. It just doesn't cut it that you all wouldn't be such dicks if the President hadn't MADE you be one. Get out of the bubble.
My way or the highway is not the American way. One day left to see if the American people have grown up in the last 160 years, the consequences can be staggering if ignorance and bigotry triumph.
I know you've seen it before ...the definitive debt hostage parable
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvZdVK913I
Worth a visit again . Mel Brooks Genius
I knew there was truth in there from one of the Brooks brothers. :)
This somehow conjures up visions of John Boener with a bomb strapped to his chest screaming that Obama stole his stapler...
...a bit too close to the truth for the Orange One!
Maybe it's because my father, grandfather and great-grandfather all graduated from the United States Military Academy, but I am guessing that if Mitt Romney ever attended West Point his fellow cadets almost certainly would have booted him from The Corps.
West Point's Cadet Honor Code famously states: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
Cadets violate the Honor Code not only by outright lying but also by deliberately trying to deceive others through untruths, partial truths, half truths or by using vague or ambiguous language that has the intent to deceive or mislead.
Cadets have a word for the act of deceiving without technically lying. They call it "quibbling." And among cadets a quibbler is an even lower form of pond life than a liar.
And so, when a plutocrat like Mitt Romney tries to hide his favoritism for the upper class by saying he will not cut their "share" of taxes even though he will put $250,000 more in millionaires' pockets by reducing all rates to 20% Romney shows he is a quibbler.
And so, when Mitt Romney says Obama dragged GM and Chrysler through bankruptcy, sold the car companies to Italians and then had Jeeps made in in China -- sending the clear message auto jobs were being lost in the United States instead of added -- Romney was quibbling.
And so, when Romney said Obama had "cut" $719 billion from Medicare when in fact he found $719 billion in Medicare "savings" that will be put back into health care, Romney was quibbling which is worse than lying.
And so, when Romney said Obama eliminated work requirements for welfare when we know the President merely gave some states (and some Republican governors) more flexibility to increase work participation rates, Mitt Romney forever identified himself as a quibbler, which to West Point cadets is even worse than a liar.
And the reason I think West Point cadets have zero tolerance for quibblers is that any fool can lie. But it takes rare intelligence to quibble. It takes someone with extraordinary cunning to willfully deceive while carefully skirting the definitional edges of flat out prevarication.
And it is these quibblers, these evil geniuses as it were, who all too frequently rise through the ranks. They are the ones who get stars on their shoulders. They are the ones who lead armies, rise through the chain-of-command, become members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
And so West Point cadets who neither lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do have taken it upon themselves to nip quibblers in the bud and ensure that those with uncommon guile, able to deceive with cunning without getting caught red-handed in a fib, are never allowed to assume positions of supreme authority, such as President of the United States.
Except there are a lot of graduates of the military academies, all of which have that same Honor Code, who are going to happily vote for this lying, conniving, scheming, piece of dreck. Just because he has R after his name.
I wish all veterans felt as you do. My parents are both retired USMC, and plan on proudly voting for Romney. They steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the outright lies or the "quibbling". Their allegiance is to the Republican party, no matter how crazy and extremist it gets, rather than to honor.
Remind them of R&R's plan to CUT Veterans Benefits, Remind them of the Rousing Tribute at the RNC of OUR Armed Forces and Veterans, Oh wait there wasn't one, Ask them How they feel about that. remember the "laundry list" ?
You said it all, thanks Ted.
"Quibbling"? Like today when Obama said he reduced the deficit in his first term? Or when he said the four Americans killed in Libya died because of a Youtube video? Or when he said if we pass this stimulus that unemployment would not go over 8%? Give me a break, this guy does nothing but lie. Don't forget to vote!
Stop accusing the president for words you put into his mouth. Really still whining about garbage you made up in your own mind with the help of Fox news liars club for morons.
BuhByeObama
I cannot tell you how tired I am of conservatives like you (and my own relatives) who are constantly giving Republicans a free pass on their lies and deceptions by claiming that everyone does it. No, everyone does not do it. Not like this Two of the three examples you give are not "quibbles" at all but predictions that did not pan out. And the third about Libya and the YouTube video is still information under dispute. What I am talking about are direct lies using weasel words by a campaign that knows it is lying and just doesn't care. It lied when it said it could cut taxes for the rich and not raise the deficit or tax the middle class because those numbers do not add up -- which is why Romney and Ryan refuse to say what loopholes they will end. It lied about Ohio auto jobs going to China. It lied about welfare work requirements being eliminated. These are not faulty projections about deficits and unemployment rates in a very volitile economy, but deliberate falsehoods about known facts.
libslayer70 -
You have verbalized your idealogy very well. I hear your point, that you are ultra right, and have learned activism. I congratulate you on participating in our democracy, and I urge you to continue being involved in politics.
Unfortunately the ideas of the ultra right are old, and things that are old are close to death. Youth is flexible, youth adapts, youth finds better ways, youth wins just by being young, while old dies. I am not afraid, or even "very afraid", of your activism. Your activism is trying to fight The Tao. Anything that is rigid is broken by The Tao, what is soft endures.
Long ago, I saw the writing on the wall, that the radical Right was going to hold the House hostage, implying that ONLY Romney would be able to work with them and, thus, if the country wants something...ANYTHING....done, you'd have to vote for Romney. I refuse to think that the House, if nothing else changes, would continue to obstruct simply because if Obama is re-elected, there is no reason to "make sure he's a one-term president". Congress MUST work with Obama this next term or they will be unemployed themselves.
I thought America doesn't negotiate with terrorists? Will this be more flopsweat too?
"This is, for lack of a better word, madness."
Fascism might work.
And Frum is just saying we should buy into it. Not sure why any due respect is deserved. He flat out says the Randpublicans are destructive and irrational. So we should hand it over because they are just nuts, and nuts as the new normal is just something we need to get used to?
Poor America. Seemed like it had so much potential.
Honestly, folks, at this point, unless you live in Ohio, Florida or Virginia, your vote really does not matter at this point (but definitely vote! - we are obligated to do so as Americans). I live in southwestern Ohio - a region that Obama narrowly won in 2008. Back then, you could easily tell that there was more of a ground swell for Obama - despite this being a traditionally Republican area. Many people at rallies, bumper stickers, signs all over, door to door debates, etc. This year, well, not so much - and many more Romney signs are back with a more intense feeling about his candicacy. I am pretty certain that Obama will not pick up this region like he did the last time - it will go back to its Republican identity. Each party needs to be asking themselves how they will work across the aisle if they lose this election, rather than continuing to point the finger at the other side. The American people lose if we stay with the way things are.
Again, all the more reason to re-elect Obama and get rid of the tea party house. It's GOP terrorism that is causing these problems.
Southwestern Ohio, aka Little Kentucky... not exactly a bellwether for Ohio as a whole.
It really doesn't matter if it reflects Ohio as whole - the point is that Obama cannot stand to lose counties that he had previously won in 2008 - and he will most likely lose this region; thereby making him more likley of losing Ohio as a whole.
It matters a lot even if you don't live in the critical swing states. Anyone who doesn't think the down ballot races don't matter has been comatose since the Teahadists took over the House and a lot of state governments. Equally importantly, if Obama wins the electoral college but loses the popular vote, the insanity on the right will--impossible though it is to imagine--go up yet another notch on the wingnut insanity scale. (And the notches on that scale are logarithmic, not linear).
Every vote is critical in every state when it is this close and one of the two parties is this crazy.
You Better, I know you said to Vote . And thank you. So may I offer also that the other "down ticket" races are just as critical to getting a reasonable legislature that will listen and think before they say no.
I see Gov. Kasich is Jumping Ship, Video on Daily Kos has him saying that the Auto Bailout helped Ohio, So what does that say? How much Did Romney profit on the Bailout?
I don't buy your argument. The ONLY reason the swing states MATTER is because the OTHER states have already declared themselves. If they HADN'T they would be a swing state. This 'meme' is crap.
So is it Your point not to take the Time to Vote? Fat chance
I can't wait for Ann's book '250,000,000 Reasons I Love Mitt'. I throw up a little every time one of them speaks. Never have so few lied to so many with so few consequences.
"Never have so few lied. . ." Unfortunately it has happened before -- in Germany in the 1930s; in Communist Russia. The far right is using the tactics that brought the Fascists to power in Germany and the Communists to power in many other places. We must guard against that happening here.
Grover Norquist needs to be called out for treason. He wants to destroy the Government of the United States. Shrink it down and drown it in a bathtub.
The only way to stop those who want to destroy our democracy is to call them out on their lies and vote them out of power.
"The only way for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing." (Not an exact quote but it conveys the meaning.) I forget who said this: Edmund Burk or John Lock I think.
Krugman: "Nice place you got here. Be a shame if something happened to it."
There's a radio ad running in Columbus, Ohio that says, "If you vote for the candidate that will raise taxes, we will have to lay off 44 people."
So they're saying not to vote for Mitt? Because his plan is the one that increases taxes... Oh, I see! They mean taxes for RICH PEOPLE, as if the reverse Robin-Hood bull@!$%# of supply-side economics actually worked.
Hi Rachel,
there in no way i will let anyone hold me hostage for my vote or tell me who to vot for. I am 52, my mother walked, protested, with martin luther king, and all the rest, so that we coud have this right to vote.For 3 weeks i have been thinking how to get congress and the senators who signed the pledge and the vote supressing governors out of office. they no longer represent the people. the blew up our economy, obama smoothed it out, by his self, now they want it back and him out. no that is no america,and i will be talking to a few people to see what the legal course can be. what options are avalible, because there are options. you hang in there and keep doing the job u do. obama will get his 4 more years.
Rachel's not here. This is Steven Benen's Tree House- but girls are allowed.
Let's review all of the evidence on partisanship. When you ask Democrats would they rather their leaders compromise or stand their ground, 60% say they'd rather compromise. When you asked Republicans the same question 60% say they'd rather stand their ground. When you have the majority of elected Republicans decrying compromise as a dirty word and the majority of Democratic leaders espousing compromise as a necessity of our government this is another indication that’s pretty obvious. Another example of Republican bipartisanship is when you go into budget negotiations and Republicans reject a 4-1 budget deal and go even further by declaring they wouldn't accept a 10-1 deal. When all of the presidential candidates including Mitt Romney said the same thing, it got one of the biggest applauses for the entire debate. When you have an unprecedented amount of filibusters that more than doubles any previous time before and an unprecedented number of appointments blocked or delayed these are examples. When you have Republican leaders who say compromise is when the other side does what you want, this is another example. There isn't a single example where you can point to a majority of Republicans supporting anything this president has accomplished during his time in office. The most support he ever got was 2 or 3 votes to fortunately pass the things we really needed. Even in the face of an economic crisis Republicans are willing to delay and obstruct by killing bills that were written by Republicans because it might make an economic difference which would be good for the president and we can't let that happen. Even in times of peace and prosperity Democrats wouldn't obstruct a bill that was clearly good for the country. All of this while at the same time hypocritically blaming the president for everything and rejecting any responsibility.
When you have one side who constantly uses excessively divisive language, it shows that what you say can have as much effect as what you mean. This president like no other has had to face being called a Muslim, not an American, a socialist, someone who hates white people, the Antichrist, a traitor, an appeaser, attacking religious freedom, sympathizes with terrorists, hangs around with terrorists, evil, the worst president ever and on and on. Republicans constantly go after him because his father is from Kenya. Mitt Romney's grandfather moved to Mexico because America wouldn't allow polygamy. There are no Democratic leaders who use this. Do you really think Republicans would show the same restraint? Mitt Romney and the majority of all Republicans argue president Obama is attacking religion, not being Christian. The majority of these attacks come from evangelicals, ironically these same evangelicals believe Mormonism is a Cult. Democrats could drive a wedge between one of his largest voting blocs by just bringing up how he is a Mormon but they don't. There have been no attacks on his faith because this is who Democrats are. Enough already, VOTE.
"At a certain level, this may seem vaguely amusing, but it's worth appreciating how truly extraordinary this kind of rhetoric is. Indeed, there is no precedent in the American tradition for this style of extortion politics"
But there is a tradition of this in American politics. It was very prevalent leading up to the Civil war.
As much as I love msnbc, especially Rachel & Rev. Al, am getting a little annoyed with your obsession over the polls--a strawman at best. In particular, the "white working class vote" almost pitting whites against people of color. Tell all this to the white workers in Wisconsin or Ohio, or victims of Hurricane Sandy--this should fall on deaf ears--who are smart enuf to discern policy, who has the middle class' back, and can understand all too well all the Romney/Ryan campaign's lies and elitism, t-party Right-wing fringe garbage, from the truth.
Hope we win and that Romney doesn't fraudulently steal the election because of voter suppression. Thousands upon thousands standing strong--which includes all races and religions. La lucha continua...
The solution to this is easy in theory, but perhaps harder in fact. The Dems job is to cast these people as hostage takers. They've only been half in on this job so far, even at their best
This latest tactic by Romney doesn't surprise me in the least. Corrupt politicians have been using obfuscation for centuries. They cannot win by telling the truth, so they wittingly confuse the electorate.
Rachel, it was announced today that Mitt Romney is facing ethics charges over profiteering on the 2009 auto bailout. Here is the link to the news article, it's hot off the press today: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13328725-mitt-romney-faces-ethics-charges-for-auto-bailout-profiteering
Please promote this on your show, it could impact the election in a big way.
Here is the problem: As democrats, we're not willing to play hardball and we bitch when the other side does. We just want everyone to get along. Screw that! It's time to play hardball right back. Kick a little ass, take a few names, and send some of these bastards back to their home districts with nothing to show for their time, then target them as the do nothing Congress and start the second term in 2014 after we have a House and Senate majority.
Am I to understand that the enemy here is not the Republican party but rather the radical far right-wing people with ideas that are so extreme, they scare normal Republicans.
Are there any regular (non extreme radicals) in the Republican side of congress? And if so, why are they so afraid to take back their party's core belief?
No. All the non-radical Republicans have been driven out by the mad radicals, or are so cowed by the way the mad ones have run - and lied - in primaries to drive out the reasonable Republicans that they will never speak up in fear of being pilloried by the crazies.
It's a rational fear. Look at the idiocy in Georgia, where Max Cleland, a decorated and disabled Vietnam veteran, was driven out by lies and slander by Saxby Chambliss, who managed to get to Louisiana once but that was as close as he got to Vietnam.
The Very Very Right has, basically, a three point strategy: Slander, Pander and Lie.
There used to be moderate republicans, but they either lost their primaries (like Dick Lugar) or retired because they thought they'd lose their primaries (like Olympia Snowe).
The good news is that the extremists will eventually go too far (they always do).
Give the devil enough rope and he will hang himself.
Speaking of extortion,, there was some UAW guy on Democracy Now (?) who said one of the main reasons twitt won't show his taxes is that he bought some company making certain auto parts and then used it to hold hostage the whole auto bail-out.
Romney's Wife invested in the Old Blind Trust, profit's are anywhere in the 15-100 million range an Ethics charge has been filed over this issue.
From a Massachusetts resident who was fooled by Romney:
http://voice4america.com/mrgrosky/2012/10/17/wont-get-fooled-again-romneys-terrible-record-as-mass-governor.html
That's a very good review of Romney's "success" as governor. If he can't even properly govern one state, how can we trust him as president of the entire country? Re-elect President Obama!
I'm sorry, but for a fine up-standing Mormon Christian the good Mr. Romney sure can spread the lies and falsehoods......FINE UPSTANDING MORMON CHRISTIAN......NOT!
I did see that the application's for Missionary Service jumped 471%!! Must be preparing in case Robme get's elected, There can't be that many openings in France???
If Romney is the best that the Mormon Church can offer they'd better start making more babies, cause they ain't going to get many converts.....