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Subscribe to RSSThe Weather Channel's Jim Cantore explains why the Republican convention has been 'effectively cancelled' on Monday and what whether the threat will be
Updated at 8:30pm ET TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm Isaac has forced Gulf State governors to delay or possibly abandon their trips to the Republican convention.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal have said that, at a minimum, they will be delaying their trips to Tampa.
On Sunday Jindal issued a statement noting that a hurricane watch is in effect for the New Orleans metro area and the parishes adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain. He urged the people in that area to ensure that they had an evacuation plan in place, as well plenty of water, non-perishable food items, and other essentials they may need.
Earlier Sunday, Kyle Plotkin, Jindal's communications director, told NBC News that the governor would not leave people in his state in "peril."
"The Governor was slated to speak at the convention in 2008 when (Hurricane) Gustav hit, he not only didn’t speak, he didn’t even go. He will certainly not leave the state if our people are in peril," Plotkin said in an email.
Apart from the Gulf State governors, the prominent Republicans who won’t be in Tampa are primarily party leaders of the past, as well as one failed GOP presidential hopeful, and a few GOP Senate contenders.
Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, have both decided to not attend the convention, but former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is scheduled to be there and has been given a featured speaking spot on Wednesday night.
Recommended: Romney's path to the White House runs through Florida
National conventions are partly designed to honor those who have brought the party victory in the past. Ronald Reagan gave seven GOP convention addresses, the first of them as an unsuccessful presidential contender in 1968, asking the delegates to make Richard Nixon’s nomination unanimous, and the last of them his farewell at 1992 event in Houston, one of the most poignant convention performances of the television era.
In that 1992 farewell, Reagan reminded delegates of the creed that still defines Republicans today: “We believe that no power of government is as formidable a force for good as the creativity and entrepreneurial drive of the American people.”
NBC News Political Director, Chuck Todd, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Republican Governor from Arizona, Jan Brewer, and Republican Strategist Mike Murphy discuss what changes in the polls could occur following the Republican National Convention.
But not all ex-presidents are equal in terms of their stature after leaving office.
When Reagan left office, 63 percent of Americans approved of his performance as president. But when George W. Bush left office in 2009, his Gallup approval rating was only 34 percent. So it’s hardly surprising that Bush won’t be at the Tampa convention. Former Vice President Dick Cheney will also not be attending.
The 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be another Tampa non-attendee, but the man who chose her to be his running mate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, is also slated to be speaking at the convention on Wednesday night.
Another Tampa absentee will be former ambassador to China and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, whose bid for the Republican nomination found little support among primary voters.
At least four GOP Senate candidates will be skipping the convention: Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri – whom party leaders are pressuring to exit the race after his inflammatory rape comments -- New Mexico’s Heather Wilson, Virginia’s George Allen and Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg. All four are in what are likely to be competitive races, although Akin’s future as a candidate remains uncertain.
Another Republican Senate candidate in a competitive race, Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, will be spending one day at the Tampa convention.
NBC's Jamie Novogrod contributed reporting.
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Correction- all prominent republicans won't be in Tampa. I guess they aren't crazy enough for this round.
LOL, aint't that the truth!
Interestingly, none of the Bush Georges are attending, but Jeb is - is he welcome there because he had not had a chance to f- up in a big way yet?
And Sarah Palin is not attending either? Even more interesting! I bet it was not *her* decision to skip the convention - what? pass up a chance to open her big mouth in public and sport some new biker getup from Nordstrom-for-Hillbillies? - Nah, not Sarah that I know! The establishment seems to have gotten their heads together this time around and kicked off the Sarah damage control machine early on!
It's interetsing that not even their last president will attend. When anyone says it was the Bush/Cheney administration that destroyed our economy and brought much death to our children, Rightees get all offended and continue to blame Obama who is left to clean up their TERRIBLE mess.
The Rightees continue to call Democrats the tax and spend party when they can't hold a candle to the insane spending without paying for it the Rebublicans have done.
I began as a proud conservative when I voted for Eisenhower and now I don't get it that any freedom loving American can vote for today's Republican party. We need some Conservatives and not those brainless people that keep putting up the most stupid choices for office as they have since after Eisenhower, a Rebublican who was the greatest president in modern times. The Dixiecrats leaving the Democrats and went on to soil the Republican party with their overt Racism which is where it all went bad from both ends.
We need real Conservatives and Liberals to give us a balanced America and not the FOX news version.
Pippo: as another former Republican, I agree. we need real conservative leaders, like Reagan and Eisenhower that actually stood up for what they knew was right, not pandering to the most extreme elements of their party. If Romney can not stand up to the lunatic fringe in his party, how can he deal with world leaders of China, Israel and Germany? Despising education may work in the south, but he is a joke outside of this country.
Steve
Correction
If Reagan were a live today, he'd be tea party. Saying otherwise is revisionist.
Ditto, Pippo and Steve
I started as a conservative-ish when I came to this country in 1995 from the former Soviet Union (via Israel and Canada, where I made two two-year stops): much like so many Americans used to be: fiscally conservative, hard working, socially liberal, with a little leaning to socialist wellfare for the not-so-fortunate (the disabled, the elderly, the homeless, the vets, the children). Basically what America seemed to be all about in the mid-90's.
But starting with the Clinton witchhunt (impeachment), onto the 2000 presendetial (s)election, and especially, in the post 9/11 era up till now - this America I no longer recognize. I vote dem now, of course - who else? - but I long for the center-left and center-right America I caught a glimpse of in the mid-90's, like, I am sure, so many of you.
Like my like-minded American-born husband says: "America went through many calamities, and always found a way to pull itself out of the mess it created - it will happen this time around too". Always the optimist! I only hope it will happen in my life-time, cuz I am soo tired of this modern politics that shapes our lives nowadays...
ANV
WTH??
Not even close....he'd be thrown out of the Republican party.
G.W. Bush will be too busy reading stories to kindergartners, as he did on 9/11.
W. Bush won't be there, H. Bush won't be there, Palin won't be there, Cheney won't be there -- it seems Republicans want us to forget their past.
"Not even close....he'd be thrown out of the Republican party."
I agree Jo-An -- Ronald Reagan would be thrown out of today's Republican Party. While I didn't always agree with him, I always believed Reagan was a man of principle. Mitt Romney on the other hand is a slime ball -- even more-so than Newt Gingrich. Romney has no principles other than doing whatever it takes to win an election. He will say or do anything if he thinks it will net him one more vote than it will cost him. The guy is the phoniest person I've ever seen run for president and I remember every election since 1952.
The Republicans wan't to slam Obama on his record while the record holders for most economically destructive policies since the start of the Great Depression, including two unfunded wars and an unfunded social program, won't be in attendance (with the exception of Paul Ryan). What does that tell ya? But the new faces will be on there with promises of saving America by reverting everything back to their usual failed policies. Privatized profits and socialized losses. They in turn will blame non-Christians, Democrats, terrorists, illegal aliens, baby-boomers, women, gays, the elderly, the poor or infirmed, while sucking the middle class dry.
Amen, TJohn of Missouri
I agree with DB Akron regarding Ronald Reagan and the Tea Party, although probably for very different reasons.
My take on Reagan was that he was the penultimate opportunist, always with a wet finger into the wind. In addition, because he was trained as an actor, Reagan remained throughout his political career a man in dire need of validation through adoration. Therefore, in 2012 he would have positioned himself well within reach of the Tea Party faithful while privately courting the Republican establishment.
Eisenhower, on the other hand, was a straight shooter, taking no bull from anyone. Now THAT guy is sorely missed, and I'm a lifelong Democrat!
Lets not forget when medicare and socialized medicine were first being talked about in this country. Reagan was hired to make a propaganda film I believe by the AMA comparing socialized medicine to communist USSR. Doctors would have to live were boards told them to and would be forbidden to move. Funny that the Republithugs still uses the same sort of scare tactics today.
Actually, the kids were reading to George.
I am sure you are all aware that most of the prominent Hollywood Obama supporters (those that attended the Democrat convention 4 years ago) will also not be at the current Democrat convention. So... what is the story here???
Another new voter: so true if your last Pres. can't/won't come that screams loud about his failure and embarrassment of his terms. He left a PILE OF @!$%# SO LARGE AND SO STINKY we will be washing with Tide for decades.
It's easy to say you are not big spenders when you don't put your debits in the debit column... vis a vis 2 Trillion Dollar Wars.
I was looking forward to Rush and Donald saying something stupid at the Convention. Well I guess they don't have to be at the Convention to say something stupid.
Jeb is the smartest of the limbs on the Bush tree. He is proposing cooperating with the Democrats to get something done in the House of Representitives. That would be a welcome change.
Crazy?? You want crazy?? The entire Republican Party hierarchy is "Bat Crap Crazy."
The hierarchy have allowed conservative Christians to take control of the Party. They actually want a constitutional amendment to ban abortions – regardless of any medical risks to the woman, or whether rape or incest was involved. That is “Bat Crap Crazy.”
Now, they are focusing on Willard “Flip Flop” Romney, and, Paul “Coat Hanger” Ryan, as the ideal candidates to unseat Mr. Obama. That is “Bat Crap Crazy.”
Most people are aware that Willard “Flip Flop” Romney is a tax dodger; but, very few people – especially veterans – know that he is a draft dodger too. During the Vietnam era, he received three school deferments and one Mormon missionary deferment.
Willard “Flip Flop” Romney made those deferment choices. He is a multi-millionaire and can easily afford to pay his fair share of income taxes, but chose off shore investments instead.
While I volunteered to serve my country – before there was an active draft – in the U.S. Air Force 1962-1966, Willard “Flip Flop” Romney was busy thinking of ways to avoid military service. Now he wants to be president. That is “Bat Crap Crazy.”
I’m a Republican who believes the Republican Party needs to find better qualified candidates. It is very embarrassing to realize that there are no quality Republican candidates for president. Willard “Flip Flop” Romney is not a good choice, and will not be getting my vote. I will not vote for a tax dodging draft dodger.
The present day religious influence of the conservative Christians upon the Republican Party is unwelcome, and possibly dangerous. In response to that, Barry Goldwater has not turned over in his coffin. Instead, he sat up, changed ends, then rolled over five times before coming to rest in an upright position.
Republicans NOT Tea Party
From the article above:
THANK YOU,THANK YOU, THANK YOU Pippo Schillaci and Steve-2352647
My father LOVED Eisenhower, having been a Seabee in WWII.
There hasn’t been a TRUE Republican in a campaign since Dole/Kemp in 1996.
Make NO mistake, America. This current crop is the TEA PARTY, and they have hijacked the Republican brand in name sake only.
Even Ronald Reagan was a Democrat, and Head of the Actor’s UNION BEFORE he became a Republican.
Good for you!!! All you TRUE Republicans who can recognize the difference.
We Democrats NEED your help this November. Please VOTE for President Obama, and Take back the House of Representatives so we can move this Great Country Forward again.
Salud.
If you were Republican whistleberry....everyone is glad you left. You belong with the rest of the loony libs!
Why you want obama to continue destroying a once great country I cannot beging to fathom.
USA/Canuck
Yes, every SANE American has left the Tea Party.
African Americans
Mexican Americans
Asian Amerians
Women
Gays and Lesbians
Republicans
We have all joined the Democrats and the Democrat Party because WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.
And President Obama, is a GREAT CHRISTIAN AMERICAN, who cares deaply about this Great Country.
Its the TEA PARTY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that has distroyed this Great Country.
Salud
Life long Democrat here voting for Romney/Ryan
Obama and what passes as the Democrat Party have nearly finished this country off!
I guess God's not a repugnican...
Nice post, Tomas.
I totally agree with you.
@ WhistleBerries and TomasGrande - thank you, Gentlemen! I too think this is the only way forward: vote Dem, save America, get a breather from the bat-sh*t-crazy Tea Party, then we can go back to the old R and D, like it used to be.
If we all vote Dem this time around:
Voting the other way means NONE of what I listed below. That is not the Republican Way either - that is the Bat-SH*t-Crazy Way, and I hope we will have NONE of that!
****Notice*****
Prominent Democrats will not be at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are all up for re-election and are staying away from this "toxic" administration.
However, guest speakers/surrogates will be on hand to give speeches and hand out towels: Anita Dunn, Billy Ayers, Hilary Rosen, Chris Matthews, Rev. Wright, Jesse Jackson, Omar VanJones, and Ex- President Bill Clinton (minus his wife).
Those folks NOT INVITED: the Kennedy family and Oprah.
Romney-Ryan to take back America from the Radicals.
Exactly! The Right Wing of this country has been overtaken by Fascists who are hellbent on expanding the government's ability to control all aspects of our personal/privates lives while giving corporations freedom to do what they wish.
You can either vote for a party that is willing to compromise when needed (Democrats), or vote for a party that wants to eliminate your rights (Republicans).
I think the choice is pretty clear.
Thank you, Vinnie - you get it! I so hope this will be the LAST election of such drastic choice, really.
I so wish I could knock my champagne glass with you and all of my other MSNBC kindred spirits this November! I KNOW we are going to win, I can feel it! No money in the world can defeat good will, high spirit and lively camaraderie! Stay Strong my friends and fellow humans!
Ido: Why would you make false claims about who is going to speak at the Democratic convention? Does lying just come naturally to you Tea Party types?
@ Jamie R
What's really sad is that a clown like Ido has to resort to lying (no wonder he supports Romney/Ryan) by saying people who won't be anywhere near the Democratic convention will be,whilst all we Dems have to do is tell the truth and point out the scum that the GOP will be only to happy to have speak at their convention.
I'm talking about YOU first and foremost Sheriff Joe Arapaio.
Does anyone really believe that Obama knows what he is doing? All I see is that he is spouting off and can't get along with his own party. At least the voters know that Congress is hopeless but don't the voters know who was supposed to line up congress to get things running? Hell Obama was elected to run the country and Americans see his congress is incompetent. He couldn't get the democrats to work with him and then he couldn't get a split congress to work with him. Reagan had an all democratic congress and Romney had an all democratic Mass. congress to work with.
This sounds like wishful thinking by democrats again. If they can't stand their own congressmen how can they approve of the man who let them down and did nothing in 3 1/2 years. I can't wrap my thinking around why they want to throw out all of the rot in congress and keep the festering wound in the white house.
The country is not being led correctly. It has become a hand out country instead of a do country. Look at black male unemployment. It almost doubled under Obama. There have been almost no programs to help business get back up and employ. Obama has signed numerous free trade agreements without looking where the new unemployed are going to get their handouts.
Everyone can see that Obama has hogtied U.S. industry with rules and regulations and taken down trade barriers with other countries that don't have the same rules and regulations and demands on their industries.
China just finished the 3 Gorges project and moved 1.5 million people to get the energy and serve the company polluters. Try doing that in the U.S. and it would never happen.
Steve-2352647
RIGHT ON!
People don't seem to realize that the GOP is not run by true conservatives anymore. First - true conservatives need to retake the party. Once that happens we can actually begin electing Republicans.
I'm don't care for the democrats, but these Republicans (neo conservatives) are downright scary.
pstttttttttt
Our last ten years are the result of removing ONE regulation - separation of commercial and investment banks. ONE regulation caused this problem. And people (and they are not conservatives, they are neo conservatives) want to be rid of ALL regulations.
Just remember Republicans today are not true conservatives. They are fools and shills bought out by the Fed / Corporations / Military and Defense Industries.
Real conservatives want to cut spending and improve individual freedoms - NOT gut the government.
There's something going on in Tampa? Oh, hurricane Isaac. Good place to stay away from.
yes. and then hurricane november. you should stay away from that one too, doofus.
whats going to be funny is listening to the republicans bad mouth "big government" in a state that will be needing some big government handouts after Issac gets done with them. They might need to change the theme of the convention, you know, tone down the every man for himself, rich man first poor man last BS.
Right? A hurricane the week of the convention? A sign, for sure!
The democrats and the left are foaming at the mouth again I see. They had Obama for almost four years and can't write one positive item about him. Tsk. Everyone who reads this crap better get rabies shots.
To be honest, this is not a hurricane. It's over. Gone. All it did was rain for a few hours, same as any other day. The tide was low, the wind was calm. It's actually quite refreshing weather. I don't know if you have ever endured a summer in Tampa... but cloud cover can be a blessing.
Yes for sure. Only the Strong will survive. Romney will REBUILD what the Democrats have torn apart. Obama was off vacationing or playing golf. Pelosi and Reid have DESTROYED our country.
Whaaaaaat?!!!!??
Dubya won't be attending???
Cheney won't be attending???
I wonder: what is the half-life of that toxic waste administration?
WMD's of the republicon party: Bush/Cheney showing up at a national event.
LOL, Puh-lease! Their half-life is unfortunately too long - just look at Dick Cheney, this guy just won't die! All the better, with him around Dems have so much more chances to retain the White House and the take over the Congress entirely - for as long as Dick shall live! Karma is a b*tch!
He still has a long long way of making up for his karma.
What? Bobby Jindahl can't exorcise a little bitty hurricane? When he can pray away The [Vaguely-Defined] Forces of Evil and ban sound science in his state's schools?
I think you got it backwards- it is Bush, Palin, Cheney and the likes that do not want anything to do with these extremists in Tampa- not the other way around. lol
All the Super Pac millionaires and billionaires will be there to make sure Mitt understands exactly how much he owes them.
excellent. my contributions wont be wasted then,goofball.
Somehow I believe you should save your money - I'm sure your trailer needs a coat of paint.
Oh, that hurt, Jim :0 You are assuming the trailer is safe enough to stand up to Isaac!
Theezle - Grow up, you are the only poster who has descended to calling names. Why can't we have a thread here where the people act like ladies and gentlemen?
Okie joe. WRONG. Your side does nothing but call names, which is really OK with me. Your team is lost in the open. You cannot talk about Obama, because his policies and agenda is a complete failure. All you folks can talk about is abortion, success is bad, and Romney's tax returns.
Re: Okie Joe. I really enjoy posting in these news stories, but it is getting nastier and nastier out there. I think its beginning to affect me too. I have a bad feeling that no matter who wins the election, we as a country are going to be like a Civil Cold War. I can't remember the country being this polarized since the VietNam era (I'm old enough to remember). Thanks for reminding me to use my manners.
Nice spin Joe, but it is your side that keeps bringing that crap up through legislation and the like. If your side wanted to talk about the economy, they would start giving real policy idea and promote them.
Jim you are so right. This country IS in a Civil Cold War. And for no good reason!
I have a brother in law - about my age, early 40s, who is a Texan. Obviously, he is a tea party republican, and get this: all our families on both sides discourage us from talking to each other about anything politics. WTF?!
Of course he is a simple, confused soul, from a very humble background (just like me) - except I was lucky enough to get a World Class education in due time (thank you, Soviet Union), and he did not (thank you, Texas). I went on to see the World - but he didn't, didn't even go to a community college. I ended up in the top 1% - and he is in the bottom 25%. And HE is a tea party republican, while I am a bleeding heart liberal - talk about things that don't make sense!
So, his voting choice will ensure more of the same for him and his children - or even worse. And I want to show him the light of day - but our families are so afraid of the P-word (politics), that we cannot even talk about anything.
This is SO screwed up!
They are. Obama is the one attacking out of desperation. He never discusses his accomplishments, I mean failures.
I know what you mean, I can't discuss the election with my girlfriend because she's so far to the right and I'm center-left. The bright side is we survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, VietNam/60's-70's and we will eventually work past our differences even if it takes a generation - or two. We are all Americans with a great love of our country.
...the numbers for Bush's last three months. Between October and November, 597,000 jobs were lost; between November and December, 681,000 were lost; and between December and January, 741,000 were lost.
April 2012 marks the 26th straight month of gains in private-sector employment, for a total of 4.2 million private-sector jobs.
DJIA Dec 26, 2008 8515
DJIA Aug 24, 2012 13157
Dec 29, 2008 U.S. corporate earnings fell for a sixth-straight quarter, the longest streak in at least 20 years, as consumer spending on automobiles, homes and retailers collapsed.
May 11, 2012 Fortune magazine released its ranking of the 500 biggest US corporations Monday, which showed that they received a record-breaking $824 billion in combined profits in 2011, up 16 percent from 2010.
Yeah, I need more of this kind of failure! And a helluva lot less of the Republican kind!
You know that has always puzzled me - the wealthy have actually done pretty well under President Obama. I guess they just want more and they see a guy like Mr Romney that is a member of their "class" - he feels their pain.
While the super rich have done well, they hate paying taxes. And Romney will make sure that they don't have to.
Engineer- 4.2 millions jobs over 42 months is not enough to sustain. Thats only 100,000 a month. To drop our unenjoyment, we need to produce 350,000 jobs amonth, Every month. We are at over 8% and have been for over 3 1/2 years now. Still think Obama is not failing us?
Tell that to Congress and The House Republicans. They blocked the bills..Beohner, McConnel and Cantor....
@you're the Loser 4.12
Thank you for asking Sir! Please, let me explain.
First, I am not making anything up - really, my life has been rich enough to fill 10 other lives, I really do not need to make stuff up. 1% is 1%, and I am in the 1% (well, my husband + me are in the 1%, we both work for the same company, hold similar positions, make similar salaries. By myself I would not be 1% - I would be 2% - I checked.).
See, there are different kinds of 1%'rs. The kind I belong to is what Mitt & Paul want you to think of them as - except they aint't it: I came from the middle of nowhere, from the opressive Soviet Union. When I was a kid, my parents had a chicken "incubator" in my bedroom, about 100 little chicks under a warm light, that was on all night long - you know why? We were not really farmers, we had to GROW our own food to survive, that's why. Why MY bedroom? Because our little house only had two rooms! Not two bedrooms - two ROOMS! One room was where mom and dad and my baby brother slept, the other one was mine - to share with chickens, and that's where the kitchen and dining was. Glorious, huh?!
I made my exit over several years, by being the top student in the village school, then going to the top regional university, acing the entrance exams, acing the degrees, and bailing out as fast as I could. Once I was out - it was quite easy to find a well paying job with my degree (but I had to learn other languages - quick).
Your kind of 1%-ers - Mitt and Paul included - were born into it. Of course they don't know of MSNBC. Of course they don't know of anything at all outside of their little circle - and they don't make an effort to know - because they don't have to.
I had to - I developed an inquisitive mind: I had to be smart, savvy, sharp and nimble - to get to the 1%. They didn't have to.
What I am trying to do now - I want to teach all others how to do it; I want to tell them not to get f-ed by the "other" 1%-ers, but to be smart, savvy, sharp and nimble.
And the reason I am here on these boards tonight - because my fam is away (my hubby and my son are in Spain, see my other posts). I've already shopped to the full, I got shopping bags in my living room that I don't even care if I ever open again; TV bores me, it's not the time for books yet (not late enough in the day), AND its a Sunday! No work! - so computer is it - and where would one like me go and what would one like me do???? Get in a political debate of course!
Agreed! This is a tough recovery. I personally feel that no one would have done any better, particularly with the obstructionist legislature that Obama has been dealing with. They wouldn't pass gas if it was Obama's idea.
But just how bad is Obama's job creating? Have you done any comparisons with the last Republican administration? Last month the economy added 163,000 private sector jobs. You can download the data from BLS website and check Bush's performance yourself. I did and the numbers are shocking! Over the entire 8 years - 96 months - George W.bush's administration produced less than 160,000 jobs for 75 of those 96 months. So last month's job creation was better than 75% of George W. Bush's entire 8 years!
If Bush had maintained an average of 160,000 jobs per month during his entire 8 years he would have added 15.4M jobs. Instead, the US only gained a little over 700,000 jobs during Bush's entire 8 years. The numbers are easy to verify - look it up!
Now what's truly sad about all this is that Mitt Romney claims to be able to add 12M jobs in his first year as president using the same failed policies that George W. Bush did!
Republicans right now suffer a severe disconnect from history.
Elected officials need to be held to a higher standard of transparency than individual citizens. Romney removed all the his data from MA after leaving as governor, removed or destroyed all his records regarding the Olympic Games, and retired "retroactively" from Bane. This obstruction is not related to a right to privacy (which only applies to the conservative right) but an attempt to hide Romney's business dealings. Making money is not a measure of success; many people make money under suspect circumstances, and Romney's circumstances are suspect. His donations to charity is primarily his giving to the Mormon church, which is a holding company for the businesses that it owns. To what extent has his business dealings in the public sector reflected non-competitive preferential treatment of Mormon-owned businesses? It is disconcerting enough that back-handed deals are done as a normal way of business in Congress, but to have the Republican Party who claim the banner of competitive free enterprise be the defender of hidden public dealings illustrates why business people, and especially main street small business owners, should leave the Republican Party.
Hiding tax statements should be a red flag for all the voters, and especially moderate Republicans who have some attachment to the morality of a free enterprise system.
The problem facing our country is the TP GOP and Romney who is a mouthpiece for the neoCons who are his primary handlers. Mitt's refusal to release his tax returns are suspect considering he got rid of the hard drives in the Governors office in MA as he left, he destroyed the records of his dealings in the Colorado Olympic Games before he left, he has retroactively refiled his state tax returns so he could run for Governor of MA, and he retroactively resigned from Bane. This man is not to be trusted, and the tax returns are very relevant to the business dealings of a man who made a fortune off the misery of others and a person who off-shored his income to avoid paying taxes. This man does not have the character to be president.
No IRS Tax Amnesty (Offshore Voluntary Disclosures) for wealthy tax cheats; Amnesty for American undocumented immigrants.
Mitt: Hiding your tax returns because you had to file for IRS Tax Amnesty granted to tax frauds?
0barry, is a c- average what's so embarrasing to you?
Well dls, wonder what Obama is hiding in those college transcripts and applications? You see, hiding something works both ways. Unfortunately, we know more about Romney than we know about the POTUS. The more I know about Romney the better. He is much more experienced than the fraud Obama. NO MO FO 44.
"Well dls, wonder what Obama is hiding in those college transcripts and applications? "
Well Joe -- you should learn a few things. President Obama is NOT hiding his transcripts. But - why are they so important to you? Are you equally concerned about Romney's college transcripts? Were you concerned about college records from W. Bush, Clinton, H Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, LBJ, JFK, Ike or ANY other president in history??
Well dls Charlie, I would love to see Romney and Soetoro's college transcripts and applications. The past Presidents were all Americans. Funny thing here in America, unless you are a worker ant, all businesses that hire want to see those college transcripts. Wonder why Obama/Soetoro has those sealed? NO OTHER POTUS has ever sealed their college transcripts. NOT ONE.
America, unless you are a worker ant, all businesses that hire want to see those college transcripts.
WRONG. I worked in the private sector my entire life. From day one I was in some type of a management position, always either on salary or a combination of salary and bonus. I worked for 4 different fortune 500 companies over the years and was NEVER asked to produce a college transcript. All I was ever asked was if I had a degree.
And -- as many times as you and your Republican buddies repeat the lie --- President Obama's college records ARE NOT SEALED.
Well Charlie, excuse me for calling you a liar! Your post is actually funny. Telling a company, business, college, high school, hospital, accounting firm, or whatever that you went to college is a crock. They want proof. I know.
All businesses want to see college transcripts? B.S.
Obama is not American? B.S.
Obama had his college transcripts sealed? B.S.
Why would anyone need to seal thier college transcripts? College transcripts are not public records.
repeating the same lies over and over again does not in any way make them true. The only reason people want Obama's records it because they want to embark on a fishing expedition to search for "evidence" to back up thier claims about him not being American. Despite the fact that no such evidence has surfaced after four years of seaarching they keep looking because they know it has to exist somewhere.
So tell us Joe -- do you have a college degree?
That is odd I got a job in the science/technical industry and they just took my word for it that I had a degree. Maybe they just have a hard time believeing you have a degree? The only time a transcript is required is when ones GPA becomes an issue, such as when applying to graduate school. Beyond that a diploma is proof enough of graduation.
"I got a job in the science/technical industry and they just took my word for it that I had a degree."
I have a hunch Joe doesn't have a degree and he simply assumes an employer requires a person to show their transcripts if they say they have a degree. Other than teachers I don't know anyone who had to produce their college transcripts as a condition of employment. In some occupations such as engineering you may have to pass a state licensing test or something like that but again -- I've never been asked by an employer for my transcripts. Come to think if it -- I've nerer even has an employer ask to see my diploma. I graduated from Ohio State in 1968. I doubt a prospective employer is too much interested in what I did more than 44 years ago!!
Joe want to see the transcript because he doesn't have a degree. He can't believe that a black person can have degree period. Joe need to back to tabloid news.
Obama graduated from Harvard "magna cum laude". If somebody can teach Joe what this is, then try climate change, evolution and the earth rotating around the sun.
Hiding tax statements???? Why are you not worried that the current potus has hidden his ENTIRE PAST LIFE????????? Nothing about obama is proven. He lies so much that you can't believe anything, and he has all his records sealed. What kind of a leader spends $3,000,000 to hide his past? And you are worried about Romney's taxes! Get a grip people!!
LIAR.
We always check and see what your studied regimen was and what your GPA was. I interview people from universities globally which requires some work.
For newly graduated, first job candidates -- makes sense. For someone who has been in the industry for 15 or 20 years --- you actually check GPA??? Why??
Obama has spent zero on sealing anything.
What the nutballs want to see is his application... they dream they can catch him in a lie about his citizenship. It's another Birther conspiracy.
Why do people insist on spouting these lies?
Do you know what hey call a man who graduates from medical school with a D average?
Doctor!
Actually EEngineer, you call them Captain.
democrats, please report to new orleans.
theezle -
You are so funny. Please die soon.
Ahhhh Vermont, winning over independents one blog at a time. See folks, this is one of your voters. I will never vote for a democrat-communist.
Are there still kkk members alive in the US? I bet they vote republican. I will never vote for a fascists racist!
See, you can do that with anything!!
One of the last ones just died recently. You remember Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat from W.V.? heheheheheheheheheheheh
Why don't you go?
Mr. Joe Thomas says that he will never vote for a "democrat-communist". Ah, yes, he won't vote for a "democrat-communist", but he will willingly and cheerfully fill his home with all sorts and manner of goods manufactured in a nation run, administered and tightly controlled by the Communist (no quotation marks) party, a nation that now is our biggest creditor. Yes, Mr. Joseph Thomas will not vote for a "democrat-communist", but he will gladly contribute his earnings to the largest communist-run nation in the world. Perhaps, I am missing something here.
You certainly are Supremo. I buy only made in the USA. I refuse all Made in China. I support America. In fact, I rarely will go into a Wal Mart because everything there is made in China. Same for Lowes. My bro and I went to Lowes just to prove a point. I picked up 10 items at random. 9 were made in China. I picked up a gardening book, and it came from Canada. I never buy anything marked Made In China.
Thanks for sharing, joe
This just in: Weather forecasters predict the hot air spewing from the Republican convention will strengthen Isaac to a category 5 hurricane. Western Floridians are encouraged to evacuate the area.
CORRECTION: Non-Conservative/GOP/TeaBagger/Republicans are encouraged to evacuate.
Conservative/GOP/TeaBagger/Republicans are advised to stay right where they are.
Thank you!
Good thing Biden canceled his trip to Florida. The state couldn't take 2 Blow hards at the same time.
I think Bwucie is a rabid qweer. All he talks about are teabaggers. Bet Bwucie likes those bouncing balls in his face.
There u go, joe.
Knew you true idiotic colors would show thru eventually.
Smart pols will be increasingly reluctant to associate themselves with the ever more poisonous GOP brand.
The GOP - Lawn Darts of American Politics!
Sorry to have to inform you but the following will NOT be showing up at the Tampa, Florida GOP Convention...
Now, these guys might be there, but The GOP will not allow them to speak!
Hope you are not too disappointed, but look at the bright side...
LOTS and LOTS of Retirees and Seniors will be standing outside Convention Hall, in their cheap raincoats that Mitt Romney will make fun of, protesting that little whipper-snapper Ryan who wants to take away their Social Security, Medicare and other earned benefits!
Oh, and
via his Hurricane Isaac, because he's really p-o'd at how the GOPs have been pandering to the Gays!
Let's be honest people!
Snookie turned them down..
And remember
This GOPera is all over when The Fat Christie sings!
You post this a lot why are you so scared of Ron Paul?
I'm not scared of Ron Paul. I wish him the very best and really hope that now since the Republicans have so thoroughly dissed him that he will run as an Independent or Libertarian.
Ron Paul is one of the very very few in the Republican Party I have any respect for!
Mitt Romney and the GOP are afraid of Ron Paul, and that's why they won't let him speak at their convention.
p.s. Fact is, if Ron Paul had even a small but serious chance of winning, I might just vote for him instead of Obama. But that's not going to happen so I am solidly for OBAMA - FOUR MORE YEARS!
that's laughable this is the first time he's run as a republican, I give you props for respecting him but you obviously don't listen to him, you like your two sides of the same coin.
1SGFitzsWife, please be sure to tell Top I salute him, and you, for serving our country. (from a fellow Veteran)
Bruce - you DID make me laugh out loud! Trumps hairpiece surely gets around - I am glad it gets all the attention it deserves! That's who they should nominate for the Rep Pres candidate!
@Bruce again: I thought your post was so funny, that I texted it to my husband who is in Madrid, Spain, right now with our son (who was selected for the Real Madrid soccer academy training this summer! Yeah!) - paying like $5 a text.
He texted right back telling me your post reminded him how much he "missed" the presidential campaign politics while palling around with socialist Europeans, and said you totally nailed the Christie's thing! He's asking - are you from NJ? We lived there for a coupla years 2004-2006, and totally know whatcha saying!
Stay safe and funny!
ANV
As a left learning Democrat, I also have respect for Ron Paul. It really is too bad that the GOP went with Romney. Not much of a man there.
You post this a lot why are you so scared of Ron Paul?
Scared of Paul Ryan??? So he's the one we're "scared of" today? Over the past year the left has been told we're "scared of" -- Sarah Palin, then Michelle Bachmann, then Donald Trump, then Rick Perry, then Pizza Man, then Newt Gingrich, then --- who can keep track!! Funny -- all those people we were "scared of" either won't in Tampa or if they are there, doing next to nothing.
AnotherNewVoter, Sorry to say I do not hail from Joizee. (Well, maybe I'm NOT "sorry").
Glad I brought some laughter into your life with the comment. That's my goal to entertain and educate. Glad your hubby liked it as well.
Best of luck to your future soccer star son. He'll be as famous as Beckham or Pele someday I am sure. Take care!
They all have one thing in common in your list. They are all shameless self promoters, pretending to give a damn about fixing things.
I lean left as well, and Ron Paul is one of the only honest guys left in the republican party. I respect him because he has a clear moral system that is not twisted for self benefit only. Funny how the party that believes itself to be the religious party, has all liars, haters and thieves to represent them.
@Bruce 10.9 - Thank you Sir. Funny you are! Humor is about the only thing we have left that we can enjoy freely - which makes me feel right back "home" where I come from - the gloomy Soviet Union of the 1970 and 1980's, where "black humor" (as in "desperate" black, not "skin-color" black) was the only thing that kept us going, especially my parents: everything was censored, Voice of America on FM - jammed. Black humor was all that we had, until Gorbachev was sent by whoever to liberate us.
So, I think humor is the most dangerous weapon - it never seems threatening, it is an incredible survivor, and it just feel so great! So - thank you for making us laugh!
Oh - and as for my son - he's talented and hard-working, like his mama and papa, and we not only encourage - but also enable - him to do things we never could even dream of when we were kids. His RealM training just finished today, he was the star in the program, and the head RealM coach said "if he picks up on theory and strategy in the next couple of years - Real Madrid will be the first in line to bid on him when time comes!" And my baby is only 11! So, I too think he will make some waves when he grows up.
Ron Paul at least stood for his ideals and had plans on paper to what he'd do to change around the economy. They may have been radical, they may have been unrealistic - but he stood by them. Unfortunately the Republicans decided that they wanted Mitt the Flip Flop Romney, the Man without a Plan, the I'll tell you the details After you elect me, candidate.
The one thing I can't figure - how did Ron Paul end up with such a weasel for a son?
Bruce...ROFL...PRICELESS!!!!!!...That is too funny!!!!!!
Thanks Gwenie! Glad you got a chuckle out of it. (So many sour-pusses on here just don't get it.)
AnotherNewVoter, be sure to tell your son to "Bend it like Beckham!" Best of luck to him!!! So glad that YOU are here among us, helping to fix our country together!
Personally I really like Ron Paul, but I do have to wonder what his die hard supporters are thinking after Romney screwed them. Any Paulheads care to comment?
Romneyis- first off we don't like being called Paulheads anymore than you probably like being called an Obamabot.
We're thinking we'll either write in Ron Paul or vote libertarian, Romney will not be getting our votes, neither will Obama since they're two sides of the same coin.
Charlie- I said Ron Paul not Paul Ryan, you do realize they're two different people right?
Bruce- I apologize for jumping the gun, he won't run as an independent or a libertarian (he promised Gary Johnson he wouldn't) I'm so disgusted with the election this time around it makes me almost want to never vote again.
I wonder how many of those prominent Republicans are thanking Issac The Hurricane?
Isaac. Learn to spell
Romney must feel ultra confident since Isaac is his Temple name!
Or called out by God, by name! Maybe trying to tell him to come clean.
That is the problem with trying to read anything into a natural event, you can take it either way. It could be God calling him out because of his lies and thievery, or it could be God endorsing him.
Personally, I think it is just an ill timed storm, that creates irony, which creates humor. This is the party that believes in these omens, and they are the ones that promote raping mother earth, because man can't possibly hurt her. She just goes through moods (climate change), we can't possibly be responsible for altering it, only god can do that. (sarc)
Leave it to the Republicans to pick Florida for their convention during hurricane season. You know it was strictly a way of pandering towards the Florida voters. They need Florida or Romney will have to sweep all the remaining swing states to win - not a likely event.
it's the Republicans who are not going to attend that should be the news. The extremists have so taken over the GOP that those of substance don't want to harm their image by associating with this group of yahoos. I am wishing more and more for a third party that is conservative and progressive and the two can go together such as fiscal conservatism with social progressive thinking. Abortion and discussion of forcible rape and being so church like is a major turn off for many. Real Republicans know this to be true!
here is a good idea, Let's cancel the whole week due to the fact we are tired of all the bull @!$%# or should I say bold face lies being put out..... what a JOKE the GOP has become.....
But i tell you, where's the bushman, where's their most recent past. I tell you the romney man does not want to be associated in any way with the recent past. Especially the bushman. Because the connections are soooo many. And especially because nearly every one in the country remembers what the bushman did to them before left office. The only thing he didn't do was to assassinate all of his political enemies & declare himself to be our fuehrer. But watch the video again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDfdOwt2v3Y
I tell you cheney's order had to be don't shoot the attacking plane down because the military man would have asked his order still stand question at 50 miles and not 10 miles if it had been otherwise. A terrible decision say sooo many because 200 military died because of the incoming aircraft was not shot down. Ok. Ok. He took the country for fools. And later the bushman had freddie and fannie robo signing bad home loans to crush this country's economy. I tell you sooo many were expecting him to declare himself fruehrer instead of have another election om 2008.
But what can you say. You can tell mr grover, the gop, the rushbo, & foxnews.com are ideologues. They have difficulty with the facts and the truth. It's why they have problems with science - the branch of knowledge dealing with the body of facts and truths. They have a war on science, the truth, and the facts. So be careful of what they will tell you. They have a culture of lies.
And why is the romney man soooo closely related to the bushman. Because he has the same puppet masters. The same no new taxes on the wealthy. The same war on women, the middle class, the poor, science. The same denial of global warming and al gore. The same attack on social security and medicare. Except this time, it is as cleverly disguised as before when they emptied the cash from social security & medicare. This time they promise vouchers to the young and promise not to touch the plans of those over 55. Hehehe. Ok. Say the young get vouchers. Who pays for the over 55. I tell you nobody because the nearly zero interest on the loans taken out for the lock box cash just isn't enough. I tell you within a few years those over 55 will have a choice of going on vouchers or going on vouchers too. Taxes, especially on the wealthy, must be raised to pay the cash back to social security & medicare. Or those over 55 will be affected no mater what.
All the crazy ones wont be there funny they have been the voice from day one..haahahh
why not let the crazies in they have been your voices from day one
Keep in mind who brought you the last two wars, water boarding, and an NAS that carefully monitors all our airways, who jumps to the call of the oil companies, and who was there when Wall stree t sent your jobs off shore with their off shore bank accounts, then vote, vote with both your heart and common sense. We need to clear congress of the people who support the same concepts that have stolen our good name , wealth and standing in the world, to say nothing of the waisted lives of our youth in Middle Eastern Wars Lets get back to America First, rather than the wealth of the one percenters, big oil and Washington insiders. We are the people, not the corporations. VOTE OBAMA, and we can rebuild together.
Actually there will be very few "legitimate" Republicans in Tampa. As many have said, this isn't your dads Republican Party - it's sure not Mitt Romney's father's Republican Party. This group is the most reactionary, hardcore, hypocritical, intransigent, self-serving group of self-righteous politicians this country has seen in a long time! The way they have managed to divide us with fear and loathing, they would make Joe McCarthy proud!
Don't hold back...lol
I see the rats are abandoning the ship, their lives are much more important than even yours......you're on your own mittens! If Romney loses this election, they'll be saying Romney who?lol
They didn't want mittens in the first place....
It almost brings me to tears......boohoo.....NOT!
Maine's governor Paul LePage will be missing, along with ten Ron Paul delegates the RNC refuses to seat. The RNC determined Ron Paul supporters unfairly got themselves elected at the state convention (?) so only half of them will be allowed in, while the other ten must be Romney delegates.
*
Can hardly wait for the liberals convention in the south. Wonder if Michelle Obama will find a better dress than she wore the last time. She might basically be a good person, i don't know. However her attire needs to be re-evaluated. Still can't get the photo of her getting off Air Force One in short shorts and a tight top out of my mind. Good lord, what was she thinking? No other first lady in history would have done that. Just awful. A Democrat told me she was "too warm" or some lame brain excuse I responded, "duuh, i think Air Force One is air conditioned."
Liberals have every excuse in the book to forgive ridiculous things their party does, i.e, Biden's stupid remarks--too many to list here-- and most of all Obama's claim that small business did not make their companies a success on their own. How totally ridiculous!! Bet there is not one small business owner who will give him their vote.
And another thing while i'm at it--liberals say Romney/Ryan have no world affairs experience. Well excuse me folks, what experience did Obama have in that area and why did he just barely pass law school? Yes, there is much we know about "O" now. Several of my democratic friends said they made a mistake in the last election and vow never to make that mistake again. So there you have it.
Yes, tell us what world affairs experience DOES Romney/Ryan have? We are all anxious to hear it.
He's managed to alienate Russia, England, Italy, and Poland. All allies of the U.S. by the way and he wants to start a war with Iran while at the same time making inappropriate jokes about the Jewish people. He is doing really well, old Mittens is, at world affairs experience.
I do not consider opening bank accounts to hide money in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands as well as Bermuda as world affaires experience.
He graduated with magna cum-laude. What did Romney graduate with? Either way, graduating from Harvard is an accomplishment.
You're really grabbing at straw if you're trying to convince the public not to vote for the president because his wife wore shorts!!! Give me a freaking break!! Is she supposed to wear a freaking Burke? I think she dresses very appropriate, plus this is not a fashion show.
"Wonder if Michelle Obama will find a better dress than she wore the last time. "
And that has what to do with what?????
This is the best you've got for disparaging liberals? Michelle Obama's clothing? Really? Snap out of it!
While you're at it, find out what the President really did say. No business owner makes it entirely on his/her own. They didn't school themselves, they didn't build the roads they need to deliver their goods, and, if they do not have customers to buy their goods, the business fails anyway. Make up better lies.
You actually believe that Richie Rich and Eddie Munster are what America needs? Oh, brother!
I know, instead of having this lovefest for the 1% known as the RNC convention, why don't these billionaires and their cronies roll up their sleeves and try something they know nothing about like maybe filling bags with sand and helping the regular folks to prepare for the coming hurricane.
Maybe they would gain more votes from these folks if they did some REAL work for once.
Say what you want, but American Patriots are coming together in record numbers this year. 2010 was a slaughter for the democrat-communist party. 2012 will be worse for you mooching slugs. Get ready, cause hell is coming your way!
Attention Joe Thomas and all you teatards, birthers, flat earthers, religious fanatics, mindless dittoheads, evolution deniers, Fox noise cultist, conspiracy theorist, gun crazies and all around 15th century Republicans. You better get used to President Obama because he's not leaving office until January 2017. Flip-flop Mitt isn’t gong nowhere. Republicans have offered up the most worthless collection of candidates in the history of this nation with no ideas to fix anything other than the failed policies of the past. Talking about abortion, birth control, birth certificates, teleprompters, college transcripts and wars on religion while yelling socialist and Marxist over and over doesn’t attract many voters. And if you don’t come up with some new ideas and find an entirely new group of leaders, a Democrat will win again in 2016.
I just hope the loons don't come out thinking they have to start a violent (2nd amendment) revolution when they lose the election.
They have been told repeatedly that Obama is an evil muslim/socialist (whatever that is supposed to be) that is trying to ruin the nation. It is almost cult brain washing. I think any violence that may occur sure be put at the feet of the radio talk show hosts that spew it. It's funny, all they sell is gold and ration supplies on the commercials. They depend on making thier audience scared for their living, it is sick.
Joe: If you have to broadcast you're a patriot, you're probably not one.
Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
Right-wing loons do NOT have a lock on patriotism. You think Richie Rich is a patriot? Where exactly was HE stationed during the Vietnam War? Oh, yeah, that's right. He wasn't.