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Subscribe to RSSRepublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan shifted their focus to the economy Wednesday, but Akin's "legitimate rape" gaffe continued to dominate the conversation. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
There are worrying signs about the Republican brand nationally, just five days before the party gathers for its convention and 76 days before Election Day.
A majority of voters in the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll called presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and GOP candidates for Congress "out of step" with most Americans' thinking compared to President Barack Obama and Democratic candidates.
And 29 percent of registered voters said they had "very negative" impressions of the Republican Party – the second-highest number of voters to give the most intensely negative assessment of the GOP in the history of the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, dating back to 1990.
The only other instance in which the “very negative” rating for the GOP surpassed that was in 2006, before Republicans received a drubbing at the polls.
The numbers underscore the headwinds facing Republicans heading into an election they're eager to win, and illustrate the stakes for the GOP next week in Tampa, where they'll have an opportunity to soften impressions of the party.
"It’s frustrating. This president has spent tens of millions of dollars trying to tag Republicans as the party of the rich and the 1 percent," said Frank Donatelli, the chairman of GOPAC, a group dedicated to training Republican candidates.
The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd breaks down the latest NBC News/ WSJ poll.
"Republicans need to push back even harder talking about growth and jobs," he said. "That is the issue of the election; we’ve gotten a little bit away from that."
Indeed, the campaign has been focused mostly on Medicare in the week and a half since Romney added Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan -- the author of a plan including controversial reforms to the entitlement program -- to the Republican ticket.
That focus was only eclipsed by the controversy this week involving Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin, whose impolitic comments about abortion rights in the instance of rape threatened to raise a messy debate that could cost GOP candidates among women voters, with whom they already generally lag.
"Republicans have really gotten off-message in the last week and a half," said a veteran GOP operative well-versed in the party's campaign efforts. "If you’re Mitt Romney or a Republican candidate, you need to be operating within a message framework centered on economic issues, not on issues that are historically unfriendly to Republicans."
But the souring GOP brand likely has a longer tail than the last few weeks. A bloody presidential primary and congressional gridlock have contributed to a sense that Republicans don’t represent the mainstream.
GOP leaders like Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn were hoping Rep. Todd Akin wouldn't be running for Senate in Missouri, NBC News' Chuck Todd suggests. Todd joins a conversation about Akin's impact on the GOP brand, why Mitt Romney needs to make the RNC count for him and a new NBC News/WSJ poll on the '12 election.
Fifty-four percent of voters said that Republican candidates for Congress were out of step with the public, versus 38 percent who called them mainstream. By contrast, voters view Democratic candidates more evenly: 45 percent said Democratic congressional candidates were mainstream, and 48 percent called them out of step.
"The Republican brand has become the opposite of what the middle class is looking for," said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
He pointed to House Republicans' votes to approve Ryan’s controversial budgets, and repeated votes to repeal health care reform -- among other instances of legislative gridlock -- as contributing to a decline in the GOP's image.
To that end, Democrats opened up an advantage over Republicans on the question of the generic ballot -- which party voters generally prefer to control Congress -- in the August NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Forty-seven percent of voters said they prefer Democratic control of Congress, and 42 percent support GOP control; a one or two-point margin had separated the parties on that question since April.
Several Republicans who spoke for this story expressed concern that Romney's selecting Ryan as a running mate had needlessly made Medicare a central issue in the campaign. While Republicans had expected to fight on that issue, and had sought to inoculate themselves from having voted for Ryan's controversial budgets, some questioned the wisdom of having spent much of the last week and a half fighting on that issue -- one usually favorable to Democrats -- rather than the economy.
But voters’ adverse impression of Republicans might not translate to losses in Congress, at least in the House. Most election prognosticators have said their models don’t predict the kind of Democratic wave in the House that would deliver the net gain of 25 seats they need to retake control.
Brian Snyder / Reuters
Several Republicans expressed concern that Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as a running mate had needlessly made Medicare a central issue in the campaign.
“The popularity of Congress, top to bottom, is not extremely high,” said Brad Dayspring, a senior adviser to the Young Guns Action Fund, a super PAC founded by former aides to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. “That being said, a lot depends on what happens in the individual races. Individual members of Congress, especially a lot of our freshmen, remain popular at home. Additionally, the Republican majority becomes a lot more important to people when it serves as a check and a balance.”
The brand problem could be more serious in statewide races for Senate or governorships – or on the national, presidential level. But some conservatives are betting their enthusiasm and general disappointment in Obama’s performance after four years might be enough to deliver the election.
“The Republican brand is not fully restored to its pre-2000 level. But this election isn’t going to be won by the Republican brand, it’s going to be won by what I call the ‘Allied Forces’ – the Tea Partiers, the establishment and everybody working toward a common goal,” said Al Cardenas, the chairman of the American Conservative Union.
“You don’t need the Republican Party to be at full strength, but what you need is all of those forces to be working together,” Cardenas added.
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Can any Obama supporters answer some simple questions:
1) Does Obama have a plan for closing the budget deficit?
2) Does Obama have a plan to fix Medicare?
3) Does Obama have a plan to fix the looming doctor shortage?
4) Has Obama received a single vote for his proposed budget?
None of that matters, because the Republicans are not focused on those issues either! We're going off a financial cliff and all they're concerned about is abortion. Utter insanity.
No the news media is concerned about abortion. Akin wasn't even the Republican candidate, the Democrats pushed for him. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have stayed on message, but the news media is playing the Obama game.
Nope! I personally can not taken that he would reduce it by half in his first three years, but whaddya know? Nothing but increases in it. However, the idea you are trying to spread that Willard and Ryan have a plan is just plain silly. Giving rich people more money has not, nor will ever, work for the people. All I have seen from these two morons is finger pointing and blame. No ideas. No solutions. Just tired old reagonomic rhetorich that has been in place all along and has slowly siphoned our wealth into a few hands- that is what tinkled-on economics is about- consolidating wealth which leads to plutonomy and eventual fascist dictatorships. First, Romney has no plan! Second, if Medicare needs reform, then so does social security and Medicaid. Third, there will be no doctor shortages due to more sheep being fed to the big insurance umbrella in Obama's reform- no reform really, no socialized medice- just forcing the rest of Americans to buy insurance or face fines! And last, it is hard to pass a budget with a bunch of whiny, childish republicans holding their breath until we give their owners all the money. Sad when this type of ignorance permeates the debate.
Really? But you may be correct in that their message has changed every day; sometimes more often than that. We have chased "you didn't do that," loss of the work requirement in welfare, abortion, contraception, Medicare, Medicaid, Obamacare, tax returns, retracting Ryan's lies about stimulus fund requests, dogs on roofs of cars, etc. Yeah, that's really staying on message. BTW, just what the Hell is the message since we aren't hearing it?
BrentAZ, sice no one has answered you...
1) A plan to close the deficit? Yes
2) Plan to fix Medicare? Yes (ACA goes after that)
3) Doctor shortage? Well, that's largely driven by individual career choice , but there have been quite a few educational support bills including holding down the student loan interest rate, so Yes...
4) The Budget? You do know that that's Congress' job, right?
Chip....
1) can you direct me to a link? I can't seem to find a mention of the deficit on his website.
2) How does ACA go after that? Again no mention of a plan on his website
3) Holding down student loan interest rate does nothing but incentivize more debt....not an answer
4) Paul Ryan's budget passed the house....Obama is the leader of the Democrat party and can't even get one vote for his budget. A real leader would find a way to get some budgets passed.
Avoid...
Since when is letting people keep the money they earn "giving money" to them?
Sad state of affairs that people now believe the money you earn is the government's and you should be lucky if you keep some.
Texas....it is hard to hear anything when you spend the bulk of your time visually examining Obamas' colon, or your own colon, or Bidens' colon.....spout something other than DimoCrap spin....say, real facts that you have researched instead of just regurgitating the puke saturated pablum fed to you by MSNBC and Obozos' whores.
1) Does Obama have a plan for closing the budget deficit?
Yes. Proposed to Congress in 2011, but voted down by Republicans due to proposed tax increases.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/obama-to-pitch-2t-in-deficit-reduction/
2) Does Obama have a plan to fix Medicare?
Yes, reforms are part of the ACA.
http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=17
3) Does Obama have a plan to fix the looming doctor shortage?
Reforms are part of the ACA.
http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/primarycareworkforce.html/
4) Has Obama received a single vote for his proposed budget?
Procedural vote to drop the proposed budget in favor af a revised proposal with greater deficit reduction measures.
"Democratic aides said ahead of the vote that the Democratic caucus would not support the plan because it has been supplanted by the deficit-reduction plan Obama outlined at a speech at George Washington University in April."
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/163347-senate-votes-unanimously-against-obama-budget
BrentAZ - And where's Romney's plan?
Not so fast. Blanket statements can be very damaging. Many doctors on hospital staff see an up-side to this "process." Certainly it will impact private practice physicians but we are slowly, very slowly, moving away from the stand-alone practice in favor of consortiums where physician salaries are guaranteed and liability coverage is handled by the hospital/consortium. Moreover, as private physicians drop Medicare patients, group consortium's like hospital staff physicians will pick them up and hospitals with physician staff will benefit considerably through clinic settings. When there is a need for service, someone will always rise to fill that need and hospitals have already seen the potential for growth and profit.
Brent- If all your plan is to do is give more money back to the richest few through less tax than I pay-percentage wise- then yes, it is giving since if I have to pay near 20% then the richest few need to as well! My 20% affects me far more that the richest few, even though my number looks smaller. And, let me tell you, they don't earn crap- the people being raped by the taxes that work for them earn the money! The fat cats sit on thier asses all day, play golf, and laugh at the stupid american's still buying what Reagan conned us into! Earned my ass! Romney's plan makes him pay a whopping.082% while the middle class pays the difference, so yes it is giving them more money!
A wealthy friend of mine said after I complained of paying 28% taxes, "Taxes, what do you mean, I don't pay taxes. Don't you know the wealthy don't pay taxes."
Do you really think Romney or Ryan will really give a @!$%# about you and your wife, man? If, so, I feel so sorry for you. There are no winners this year as American's are addicted to a two-party fascist systme that has intentionally destroyed our prosperity and our future. Everything is borrowed now and we are going to see the devastating finale soon. Mittwit and Paul go get yer clan outfit out of storage Ryan will not give two rats asses for people with disabilities, poor people, freedom, equality, those with mental illness, closing the borders, removing thecentral bank, ending this imperialistic inquisition of the Middle East, nor anything or anyone else but their richest buddies. Sorry to speak truth, man, but somone needs to. Red or blue it doesn't matter, the blood will still run in the end.
BingeAZ
wrote:
Can any Obama supporters answer some simple questions:
1) Does Obama have a plan for closing the budget deficit?
2) Does Obama have a plan to fix Medicare?
3) Does Obama have a plan to fix the looming doctor shortage?
4) Has Obama received a single vote for his proposed budget?
Answer:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
With 4 MORE YEARS and Democratic-led House and Senate...
Now, here's a question for you Binge:
Are you racist, deranged Arizona Republican-T-Party Confederate nutjobs gonna do the decent thing...
...and bury those walking besotted corpses of that drunken governor and meth-addicted sheriff of yours, Jan Brewer and Joe Arpaio...
...aren't they stinking yet?
And while you're at it climb in with 'em...
MIM,
Spoken like a true conservative - Onward christian soldiers
The Republican party has given Obama an early Christmas present. Akin started the ball rolling with his insane comments and the Republican leaders nailed the coffin shut with their "platform" policy. I'm a female Republican and am appalled at their stupidity. All this nonsense will cost us the White House and the Senate!
Akin was the Democrat supported candidate, they spent 2 million dollars campaigning for him.
BrentAZ, Akin is a Republican, get over it.
MO voters will just hold their nose and vote for Akin simply because Claire is out of touch with her fellow Missourians who hate ObamaCare and see kicking her fat as* to the curb as a means to overturn that pile of spunk and GAIN RETRIBUTION for her STUPIDITY in defying THEIR disdain for the ACA. Get over it! Another State Obozo Loses. In short , a vote for a stupid turd is better than a vote for a mindless twit.
Brent the bonehead, Akin is a Republican member of the US House of Representatives from a district in the St. Louis area. He ran for the Republican Senate nomination along with two other strong candidates. Democrats helped Akin win because he is such a loser that they felt McCaskill's chances would be better if Akin won. Akin also got lots of support from hard line, Bible thumping, ultra conservative hicks. Akin is quite ignorant and extremely opposed to abortion which is why he said what he did. He is also very representative of the far right of the Republican party. That is what they are like--really ignorant and close-minded. Try to get basic facts correct before posting.
Ironically, Akin is destroying Republicans' chances at the White House, Senate and possibly keeping the House, simply by saying out loud what the Republican Party actually believes.
They are still voting on a bill to make abortion illegal, and they refused to verbally support same sex civil unions on their platform.
loser,opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one. Some people have two. They talk out of one.
Where are the NBC headlines about Obama's fourth annual trillion dollar deficit ???
Uncontrolled spending is the result of the Senate democrats' failure to pass - and enforce - a realistic budget. The budget Obama submitted was defeated 97-0, and no new proposal was ever presented for a vote.
NBC needs to report all the facts - not just what Liberals want to hear.
Obama called and told the MSM they cannot talk about anything on the economy or deficit.
Mark Halperin admitted the White House control the media...they do and say what Obama's campaign staff tells them to say.
The 97-0 vote was a Republican hoax. They tried to rush a vote on an incomplete plan that wasn't intended for a vote. Obama himself sent a letter to the Senate urging Democrats to vote it down.
Kinda makes a liar out of the conservatives who claim Obama couldn't run a lemonade stand, doesn't it, Julie? There is no greater ally than the press ~ be it print or electronic. Its hard to expect much favorability when the media is berated, demeaned, defamed, and criticized constantly. In rather gross terms, you can't $hit on people and expect them to be your friends.
Obama can run a lemonade stand..........not successfully, and not without a "Lemon Czar", but he can run one.....into the ground.
The conservative intellectual and former George W. Bush speechwriter, David Frum, recently noted “the collapse of conservatism as an organized political force, and the rise of conservatism as an alienated cultural sensibility.”
Today’s Republican Party continues to foster this collapse, having been hijacked by Tea Party legislators who oppose what most Americans take for granted: for instance, the longstanding rights of women to contraception and the increasing need for trust in science and environmental stewardship—do they not remember that Richard Nixon pushed for the Endangered Species Act? And sadly, today’s Republicans have also been hijacked away from their hero Ronald Reagan’s willingness to compromise with Democrats on many issues for the benefit of our country.
The Republican’s never meant to create wealth that trickled down to the masses because their philosophy is giving everything in America to a few wealthy families, and in the past year they have attempted to make drastic cuts to government that create poverty, homelessness, and kill jobs to make room for more tax cuts for the rich.
The republican party is the most anti intellectual entity since the Know Nothing party of the 1850's. Education, thought, science and facts are despised by today's republicans . When facts intrude on reality this party and it's leaders create an alternate reality to conform to their opinions.
Absolutely true!! Never have I seen such a bunch of whining, selfish, anti intellectual bigots and reactionaries all in one place!!
They made it clear from the start that they were going to tear down the house if that is what was needed to rule over the ruins.
I
C......you obviously have never seen a group photo of the Obama cabinet and White House Staff.
C - As an ex Republican, it breaks my heart to see you post that, but it's true.
Only because democrats say it's suffering......Mark Halperin readily admitted the Obama White House tells the MSM what to say and do...
Another bunch of BS rhetoric from the Obama controlled media.
See #54.3, Julie. It is thoroughly explained there. If you need the pictorial version, please advise.
You know Obama doesn't control the media, according to you Republicans he can't do anything right so how the hell would he get FOX news to report favorable poll numbers for himself?
Hopefully the Republican party will go the way of the dinosaurs and find itself extinct in a few years..and then maybe we can get back to having a respectable mainstream conservative alternative and not a bunch of firebreathing reactionaries whose only goal is to block and obstruct and spread hate and discord...all while playing the role of the victim..
If Bush couldn't kill the republican party, nothing can. In 1932, Hoover got 40% of the vote. Does that mean that 40% of the people were enjoying the great depression or 40% are stupid beyond belief?
So at least 40% want the 4.6 trillion in new tax cuts for the wealthy paid for by the middle class and poor? News flash - super rich people are doing really well and don't need another 4.6 trillion in new tax cuts.
"Hopefully the Republican party will go the way of the dinosaurs and find itself extinct in a few years..and then maybe we can get back to having a respectable mainstream conservative alternative and not a bunch of firebreathing reactionaries whose only goal is to block and obstruct and spread hate and discord...all while playing the role of the victim.."
Funny I was just thinking that very same thing about the Dems!
Quote: "If you’re Mitt Romney or a Republican candidate, you need to be operating within a message framework centered on economic issues, not on issues that are historically unfriendly to Republicans."
Nowadays, it appears that all other issues are unfriendly to repubs. I would say that the GOP's stubborn trickle down economic policies are unfriendly to them too..otherwise this economy they ruined would be doing much better.
What happened to the GOP that use to have a bit of common sense? Where have they gone?
Yes they must avoid issues unfriendly to Republicans like:
balanced budget, civil rights,. womens health, Medicare, Social Security, environment, tax reform, business regulation, health care, building relationships with other countries, gay rights, voter suppression, Congressional reform, buying of elections, voter suppression, union rights, pension reform, Wall Street regulation, and wars for false reasons.
If they can only stay away from these ..well they might win!!
Don't forget Romney's personal finance's, taxes, they don't want to talk about that either.
Again .....where is the budget that this administration has provided .....That's right .....they don't have one. All they have are personal attacks. They certainly cannot run on their accomplishments .....Good luck guys your'e gonna need it .
Cutting off our most needy and only funding military and public safety is not a budget plan- it is a forced takeover of the USA! I am totally stunned that Americans are fine with congress trying to repeal the 17th Amendment cuz we are basically too stupid to vote right! And, two fascists talking about the return of feudalism and only funding armed forces? Are you all kidding me! A true patriot and American would not tolerate that BS talk ever, by anyone! But I guess it is out for yourself! There is such a bigger threat here than Obama Care or Lower taxes for people who are NOT creating jobs or budgets. C'mon! Taking away our votes and leaving us poor, hungry, and controlled by armed people! Wake the hell up now! I gotta find a country with some moral values man!
This is not your father's/mother's GOP. Eisenhower, Nixon, and even Reagan would not be welcome in today's GOP. I left them some years ago because the real screwballs now control it, and I can no longer support them. We need a third party of MODERATES. In the absence of such party I will vote Democratic. At least they pretend to represent middle class people.
Really ? ......And what has this administration done to promote growth ? All they have done is attack the small business man ....making it impossible to create jobs and prosperity for the middle class. The middle class will no longer exist under the current administration. Which is exactly what they want. A bunch of zombies begging for crumbs ......No thanks !!
"Screwballs" is the word!! Reality deniers is another.
This article is 100 % BULLSH*T .......Keep telling yourselves what you want to hear NBC ....Go ahead. You will not sway the American people who still believe in AMERICA !
PValdes, you CAN'T be paying attention too closely.
If you believe in the right's leadership you certainly don't believe in America. You definitely believe in big money and a corporation-run America.
PValdes Knock it off clown! Stop wrapping yourself in a flag and think that we have to kowtow to your crap to be American! I am a Vietnam Era vet and my father was a combat wounded vet of WW2..unlike Rush, and Sean and so many other Republican flag wavers!
The inference that anyone who disagrees with the far right is "unamerican" is the same bull@!$%# which was used to denigrate the anti-war activists in the 60s. 20 years after that, Dean Rusk, the hawkish Secretary of Sate who presided over Viet Nam, admitted it was a fiasco which we never should have been involved in.
This is the way of the far right - if you disagree with them you are unamerican. what a load of crap!
You guys are lost ......This country was built by corporations and the people who WORK for them .....Companies that produce goods and services. Is the new normal is mediocrity ??? What happened to our sense of pride ? We are still the greatest nation on the planet ....even with all of our problems. I'm not rich ....or a vet ( thank you and your father c-166 for your service to our Country ) ....But I love this Country and I HATE what it is becoming.....This administration will have us under their heal in 4 more years. We have to take our country back !!!
PValdes is a delusional, not very bright lackey of the super rich and the mega corporations. His mindless blathering is disgusting.
Zorro ....Mindless? How do you figure ? Oh you subscribe to the "big business" is the big bad wolf theory .....What about small business? What about jobs? There is so much uncertainty created by this administration that small businesses are dying in this country.....look around. How many places are shut down? Just open your eyes..... it's all around you. It is you who are delusional ...
This all began thanks to Bush and the allowance of corporations to drive our cottage industry capitalism out and allowed for them to control our country. It isn't Obama, it is who they work for! Wake up!
8.3% Unemployment
Romey helped achieve that number by outsourcing jobs with Bane.
And congressional Republicans helped ensure the high numbers by blocking the Obama jobs bill. If Republicans win in November, they will likely re-introduce that same legislation under their banner and pass it within a week. But it has Obama's fingerprints on it so that makes it toxic for GOPers.
Nice to hear some sense from Texas!
FDR had been in office for 4 years in 1936. Unemployment was close to 18%. It took a really long time to clean up that republican economic disaster too.
of course he did it had nothing to do with obama huh...your an idiot woody, how is it bains fault from 13 yrs ago
The Republican party has become very radical. The party of Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, and D. Eisenhower has become a party run by rwnj fascis wannabes. If they keep it up the Republican party will go the way of the Federalists and Whigs. What will the sane, middle of the road, party of former Republicans be called? Will the right, once again, fail as the nation and the world moves more toward the left? We don't need to go too far to the left either. The Democrats had a problem some time ago but recovered. McGovern, Humphry, Mondale were way to liberal for most people but the Democrats moved more toward the center. Now if the Republicans could move back toward the center and push the Tpublican right wing nut job Fascist wannabes under the bus we'd all be better off.
People on the street are talking about 1.5% GDP GROWTH and 8,3% Unemployment!!!
NOT Todd Akin.....
RealDemocrat, what can you says about Akin anyway.
Maybe 8.3% unemployment, but only the fat cats talk about the GDP. True, we are all affected by the GDP but the vast majority are more concerned with how they will pay for their kid's college tuition, how they can maintain their mortgage, pay for school clothes, repair the family car, pay for medical coverage, pay the ever-escalating prices for gasoline and groceries, and save a buck for retirement. They are damned sure not talking about the GDP for even as low as it is, corporate interests are still making record profits so no sympathy for those who are not making an even greater return on their investment.
The republican party, particularily the incarnation of the Tea Party, is teetering towards fascism. Their motto 'my way or the highway".
PValdes
"This article is 100 % BULLSH*T .......Keep telling yourselves what you want to hear NBC ....Go ahead. You will not sway the American people who still believe in AMERICA !"
The NBC/Wall Street Poll is one of the most trusted polls in the country. Their intergrity is beyond reproach.
So..."Keep telling yourself what you want to hear PValdes...Go ahead. You will not sway the American people who still believe in America!"
Obama in 2012.
Mitt wanted to talk about the economy, but for three months he's been talking about hiding tax returns; Swiss bank accounts; Medicare; and now rape, incest and abortions. Winning topics all, I'm sure.
PValdes is so delusional that it is hard not to feel sorry for him.
Mitt the Mormon, Ryan the Catholic have injected their religious beliefs into the presidential race, and there are a lot of religious right sympathizers. However, I do not believe that their views are consistent with a majority of the electorate. As a disabled senior, I really fear the results of any election win by this pair. The November election is scarier than Halloween.
The republicans had decided to force their distorted far-right christian beliefs on the country as a whole and the people are not going to have it. They waged a war on women and talk as if they were mandated by God to do it. So is their "christian only nation" diatribe from Santorum and the christian conservatives as they would ignore the seperation of church and state if elected. Romney cannot be trusted and the right went so far as to describe his job as needing only the ability to hold a pen and sign what they have already written and his ideas and opinions are not welcome. Next he is forced to select and strict conservative to please the far right and ease their mistrust of Mitt's flip-flopping ways and enter Paul Ryan, the architect of the end of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security as we know it. He also would tax the middle-class more and give more tax breaks to the wealthy. His budget plan would devastate the country but would be wonderful for the wealthy. The people are scared of the republican brand and the damage they would do if given the chance. Their problem was they were arrogant enough to think they could telegraph what they would do after nearly four years of obstruction, racist/bigoted namecalling of a sitting president, the ruining of the countries credit rating while many republicans in congress profited from it....Eric. Used hostage taking tactics on all legislation to gut social programs further. Offered over 120 anti-abortion bills and now plan on banning abortions of rape victims in their republican convention as one of their pledges. Used their power to hold witch hunts against muslim americans and sham hearings on birth control. Put forth not one jobs bill while purposely trying to keep job creation down and the unemployment rate up to hurt President Obama in 2012. They have offered up in republican controlled states new voter restriction laws meant to target predominantly democratic voting people to influence and steal the election. They assert a voter fraud problem that simply doesn't exist. I could go on and on but the plain truth is the republican brand is toxic due to the actions of the tea party and the far-right conservative christians. They have exiled all moderates as they embark on a mission of religious and ethnic cleasening to usher in their whites only christian nation. They have lied about the president and called him everything except a "Ni**er". They now act surprised that the people don't like the way they have acted. Choosing Ryan only solidified their choice to vote for President Obama. Sending republicans to Israel to attack a sitting president is unamerican and as Washington puts it...."All politics stop at the waters edge". It is treasonous to stand at the Syrian border wearing an Israeli uniform and pointing a weapon as a elected member of Congress. It is also sinful and politically unwise to get drunk and skinny dip in the Sea of Galleli where Jesus is reported to have once stood proclaiiming christianity the victor. Yes the GOP is in freefall and the 2012 election is just the start. The people are sick and tired of politics as usual and want our democracy back.
They probably pissed in the Sea of Galilee as well they have pissed on just about everything else!
Can any Obama supporters answer some simple questions:
1) Does Obama have a plan for closing the budget deficit?
2) Does Obama have a plan to fix Medicare?
3) Does Obama have a plan to fix the looming doctor shortage?
4) Has Obama received a single vote for his proposed budget?
BrentAZ, I already responded to this, but you could have have answered those yourself with a little work.
Re; The budget... This one might have escaped you given you don't know how this government process works. But I won't do your work for you here, you'll need to look it up...
1) Does Obama have a plan for closing the budget deficit?
Yes. Proposed to Congress in 2011, but voted down by Republicans due to proposed tax increases.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/obama-to-pitch-2t-in-deficit-reduction/
2) Does Obama have a plan to fix Medicare?
Yes, reforms are part of the ACA.
http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=17
3) Does Obama have a plan to fix the looming doctor shortage?
Reforms are part of the ACA.
http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/primarycareworkforce.html/
4) Has Obama received a single vote for his proposed budget?
Procedural vote to drop the proposed budget in favor af a revised proposal with greater deficit reduction measures.
"Democratic aides said ahead of the vote that the Democratic caucus would not support the plan because it has been supplanted by the deficit-reduction plan Obama outlined at a speech at George Washington University in April."
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/163347-senate-votes-unanimously-against-obama-budget
1) Obama's actual proposed budget NEVER balances
2) So we went from 2017 to 2026 and those number have been revised to 2024....that is not a fix
3) Well this is an actual policy, but it doesn't account for many of the major difficulties with getting people to become doctors
4) The Senate has not passed a budget and has never voted for an Obama budget
OK so now you're changing the questions instead of accepting the answers.
1) Obama's actual proposed budget NEVER balances
You asked about "closing the deficit" not balancing the budget. There is no particular reason to balance the budget completely, although it would be a good thing. It just happens to sound good to uninformed people. Romney isn't proposing balancing the budget either.
2) So we went from 2017 to 2026 and those number have been revised to 2024....that is not a fix
You asked if there was a "plan". Romney isn't proposing a permanent solvency plan for Medicare either. In fact, Romney's plan bankrupts Medicare faster.
"Mitt Romney often promises to restore $716 billion in Medicare funding cut by the Affordable Care Act, but many experts say that pledge is, in the words of one economist, "both puzzling and bogus." That's because what Romney would be "restoring" wouldn't be funds but costs, the New York Times explains. The ACA cut Medicare's reimbursements to hospitals and doctors. Experts project that restoring them would send Medicare into insolvency by 2016 (rather than 2024 as currently projected), and cost seniors $342 a year in premiums and co-pays."
http://www.newser.com/story/152612/romney-plan-would-bankrupt-medicare-by-2016.html
3) Well this is an actual policy, but it doesn't account for many of the major difficulties with getting people to become doctors
That's your opinion. You asked if there was a plan and there is - it is actual law now. Romney hasn't proposed a plan to correct the physician shortage.
4) The Senate has not passed a budget and has never voted for an Obama budget
You asked if Obama received "a single vote for his proposed budget." Obviously a reference to this procedural vote hoax.
But Democrats said that Republicans were staging show votes as a political exercise and that the inability to agree to a budget deal stems from Republican refusal to consider higher taxes for the wealthy alongside deep spending cuts.
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) accused Republicans of developing a “case of amnesia,” forgetting the legally binding budget deal brokered last summer as they claim the Senate has no budget.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/senate-rejects-obama-budget-republican-alternatives/2012/05/16/gIQAUA3WUU_blog.html
hey
It's time for both these parties to be forced out of this country once and for all. It is time to change things by the people for the people. There is nothing different about these two parties- both have had control for two hundered years now and look how low we have gone under them. The only thing that can fix this is to understand that "he who controls a nation's money, controls its politics." That is a statement from Baron de Rothschild! The Rothschild family owns all 7 central banks, including the so-called "Federal" Reserve. Once Lincoln was assinated for not going the route of a central bank, Andrew Johnson DID! So, the Rothschild family owns our money and controls our politics. So, the only way to end this tryanny is to stop voting for the Dumbocrats and Redumblicans because they are ALL nothing more than slaves to their Money Masters. Dumbocrats have sent a lot of bills to Obama. Just nothing that is distracting the voters from the real issues. How is it okay that we never discuss what the NDAA has done? What about the clear and visible loss of the Constitution in the Homeland Security Act, Patriot Act, and the establishment of the TSA? How come we have never been attacked again by this "enemy" we are at war with? These ramblings and bickerings of two parties working in unison to lead us to a despot regime is doing exactly what its supposed to, polarize and keep us away from the truth. STOP voting for these two parties- they have really messed things up for us and there is not one potential loss for trying something new. Vote all independents this year! ALL INDEPENDENTS! What have we really got to lose here?
The Republican Party as we once knew it has already been laid beneath the sod. What has replaced it ~ the Tea Party and the Akin Party ~ are not seen as an improvement. In fact, most would argue that they are an even greater detriment.
Until our political system is fixed no party, even the independents can be trusted to not be bought off on some of their votes. It is true that there is very little difference between the two but here are the major ones:
1. Abortion/birth control
2. Gun control
3. Religious freedom versus christian only nation
4. Immigration
5. Taxes on the wealthy
6. Regulations across the board
7. Education
8. Protecting social programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security
9. Anti-worker/unions
10. Medical coverage for all
Given these just off the top of my head bridging the gap will never happen in our lifetime. So we must focus on fixing the three branches through laws and amendments so that the people take back control of the country and corporations no longer have the capability to buy our elected officials off to widen the gap between the haves and the have nots. These fixes would do alot to stem the tide and restore faith in our democracy.
1. Make all electioons federally funded taking corporate money and now super-pacs out of the equation.
2. Install term limits
3. Ban lobbyists and corporations from soliciting members in Washington and all contacts must be disclosed.
4. All donors and amounts must be public knowledge.
5. All campaign related material must be authorized by candidates with their name tied to it to stop swiftboat type ads being aired without candidates expressed consent so they cannot just deny knowledge of them.
6. All media outlets will be held to high standards for truthfulness for all stories they air or print. Fines and loss of licenses for violations.
7. The recall of members who use the floor of each chamber to spread lies, slander other members, or use their time to personally attack other members. There is no accountability for members who make unsubstantiated claims, outright lies, or use fear to enhance their piece of legislation or to damage another's bill.
8. End paid salaries and pensions for politicians in Congress. Serving your country politically is supposed to be an honor. Too many members are one termers and should not be given a pension for the rest of their lives on the taxpayer dime. If we weed out this lucretive part of public service then maybe we get the ones who truly want to serve our great nation.
9. Require Congress get the same coverage that Medicare recipients get. This way they will have a vested interest in fixing it.
10. Limit the use of filibusters to 5 per session.
11. 51 votes constitutes a majority ending the 60 vote threshhold installed by the republicans to counter the democratic party majority.
12. The countries debts must be honered and cannot be held hostage to get other concessions or other bills passed.
13. All eligible family members of politicians in Congress must be drafted into frontline units if they enter the U.S. into war with another country. They cannot get an exemption for college or sent to cushy national guard units. There is way too much eagerness by republicans to wage war with such cavalier attitudes and chest thumping that once they have to have some skin in the game they will think twice about entering in to unnecessary conflicts under false pretenses.
I also believe all 18 year old adults should be required to serve a minimum of two years for their country. This will provide added troops for our security as well as teach these children responsibility, team work, and self reliance.
We have to reign in a disfunctional Congress. The republicans have shown exactly what obstructionism does to our economy and the ability of our government to get any business done. We need to fix our country and not fund wars that line the pockets of defense contractors.
More nonsense from the National Barack Channel. Here's the real conversation.
Obama has no record to run on in 2012, so once again he relies on racism, polarizing tactics and lies to keep the focus off of his record. Smart voters will not fall for his lies.
Dear Mr President. Please run on all the wonderful things you have done for our economy. Run on the loss of Americas AAA rating, Run on Obamacare. Run on the fact you are taking 500 billion dollars from medicare to fund Obamacare, Run on 15% unemployment. Run on the failed 800 billion dollar stimulus, Run on 47 million people on food stamps, Run on bankrupt government funded green companies, Run on a 5 trillion dollar debt. Run on the failure to close the borders. Run on llegals released by feds that committed 19 murders, 142 sex crimes. Run on Fast and Furious, Run on the National Security leaks coming from your administration, Run on $4.00 a gallon gas.
You bastards block everything he tries, then spread hate and racism and misinformation then plan to ride the turmoil back to power so you can cut taxes for the richest few and send more off to fight your senseless wars. That's the plan, right ?
Master Romney & Ryan the people of this country know better, hell we been watching the GOP & Teabagers doing this for the last 4 years and before President Obama even took OFFICE , then you want to turn it around and say it's President Obama > really , even the stupid know better! Your a disgrace and a liar! ! Expose of GOP Obstruction and Negativity: The Party of Hell No, Look up this video: REVEALED:THE GOP STRATEGY
You have to admit that cgent takes really good notes when he watches Fox. And taking Fox away from republicans would be like taking cartoons away from children.
Prophet, good vid. Thanks!
He'll run on it and he'll win with it. Now the Romney-Ryan crew has a record and they will run from it. In fact, their bandwagon only seems to have one gear. Reverse!
And forced removal of MSNBC from a liberal would be like taking a turd from a sheyit eating liberal.
Your ignorance is outstanding! I must stand to ovate! The highest prices of gas I have ever paid is during the Bush Admin! Most of what we are seeing is the direct result of Bush and his Saudi buddies for the fake war and fake enemy! The war is what is costing our country big now! Yes, Obama works for the same people the repubs do! Take your head slowly out of your ass and notice that there is a real planet you live on. Plato would be proud of you! Stay chained to the wall!
Mod in mad
Texas....it is hard to hear anything when you spend the bulk of your time visually examining Obamas' colon, or your own colon, or Bidens' colon.....spout something other than DimoCrap spin....say, real facts that you have researched instead of just regurgitating the puke saturated pablum fed to you by MSNBC and Obozos' whores.
Spoken like a true conservative christian - Onward christian soldiers
I just wonder where are the GOP's women voices about this. Have they abdicated a quintessentially female issue to the men of the party - once again? Very sad.
Master Romney & Ryan the people of this country know better, hell we been watching the GOP & Teabagers doing this for the last 4 years and before President Obama even took OFFICE , then you want to turn it around and say it's President Obama > really , even the stupid know better! Your a disgrace and a liar! ! Expose of GOP Obstruction and Negativity: The Party of Hell No, Look up this video: REVEALED:THE GOP STRATEGY
There's plenty of TP to wipe the GOP's Ass.