I'm not convinced Obama will be able to attract as many voters in 2012 as he did in 2008. "Yes we can" has proven to be very hollow rhetoric. People who became first time voters in 2008 may stay home in droves.
Michele Bachmann: And you thought Bush was bad?!?
Thu, 2011-08-11 13:40
#52
Thu, 2011-08-11 13:52
#53
Yeah. It might be another story too, if Romney was a good Evangelical rather than a Mormon.
Thu, 2011-08-11 14:38
#54
Obama is going to point to his record and say "yes we did"
He has no choice. The campaign will end up half a referendum on that. He will try to spin that he did do those things except where the Republicans stopped him.
The other half of the campaign will be if Americans want to elect some nasty person like this.
Thu, 2011-08-11 15:14
#55
Boom Boom
If it's Palin versus Obama in 2012, I don't see how the Dems manage to counter the GOP excitement that will follow Palin everywhere she goes. She's a goddess in the Tea Party.
Thu, 2011-08-11 15:36
#56
If it's Palin versus Obama in 2012, I don't see how the Dems manage to counter the GOP excitement that will follow Palin everywhere she goes. She's a goddess in the Tea Party.
She's got serious credibility issues. I think a sizable number of McCain voters would choose Obama over Palin and this would even out the loss of disenchanted young voters staying home.
One thing Obama has definitely demonstrated is that he will compromise, that he is not a "far leftist" or anything like that (ie. that is just a tool of the establishment). The GOP will not be able to paint him as a radical and someone like Bachmann who is a radical will be a useful foil for Obama. A sizable amount of people that voted for Bush and maybe stayed with McCain will be attracted to this.
Which states will have a lot of young voters staying home? California, NY, MA will go for Obama no matter how many people stay home. Other states like Indiana or North Carolina that that went narrowly Obama in 2008, I dunno, was it the youth vote in those states that put him over the top in those states? I think the youth vote allowed him to win landslides in youth heavy states but not sure about the effect in other places.
Thu, 2011-08-11 20:37
#57
knownothing
Live coverage of Iowa Straw Poll Debate Aug 11th 2011
Thu, 2011-08-11 23:55
#58
If it's Palin versus Obama in 2012, I don't see how the Dems manage to counter the GOP excitement that will follow Palin everywhere she goes. She's a goddess in the Tea Party.
A plastic Godess...
Fri, 2011-08-12 10:07
#59
knownothing
Ron Paul on foreign policy with Iran and Cuba fighting with Rick Santorum at Iowa debate Aug11th 2011
Fri, 2011-08-12 21:41
#60
Ron Paul on foreign policy with Iran and Cuba fighting with Rick Santorum at Iowa debate Aug11th 2011
I can find no fault with Mr. Ron Paul's views on foreign policy!
Fri, 2011-08-12 22:59
#61
Ron Paul on foreign policy with Iran and Cuba fighting with Rick Santorum at Iowa debate Aug11th 2011
I can find no fault with Mr. Ron Paul's views on foreign policy!
Here's some more:
Sat, 2011-08-13 03:10
#62
Here's some more:
Absolutely!
It's all those wars that have destroyed the American economy.
Sat, 2011-08-13 06:09
#63
Boom Boom
It's all those wars that have destroyed the American economy.
That's certainly a big part of the equation. But maintaining itself as the most powerful military on the planet, with, what is it - 700 military bases on foreign soil? - has to be untenable as well.
Sat, 2011-08-13 08:46
#64
Boom Boom
Sorry for the thread drift, but wanted to complete my thought from the previous post - all those US military bases around the world do nothing but keep aggressive US imperialism alive. If US imperialism is ever to be defeated or at least made less objectionable to the rest of the world's population, it will have to begin with a drawdown of US military presence worldwide. Unlikely to happen - the USA is too proud of it's No. 1 status (We're Number One!!!) to ever allow itself to play a more realistic, smaller role in world affairs. Too paranoid, too - that's probably the real problem.
Sat, 2011-08-13 13:44
#65
Boom Boom
Palin said this morning she will wait until September to decide whether to enter the race or not, citing "family obligations" as the reason for holding out. I think she's already decided to enter the race, she's trying to throw the other GOP contenders off their game. She was smarmy and over-confident in the brief CNN interview I saw this morning broadcast from the Iowa fairgrounds.
Sat, 2011-08-13 20:53
#66
knownothing
Amazing response to Iowa Straw Poll Results
Sat, 2011-08-13 21:38
#67
More empty seats there than at a Jays game.
This is all so meaningless. It's a straw poll ahead of the Iowa primary that, if it sets a trend, sets a trend for the winner of Iowa to lose the primary.
Bachman is a stooge to make Rick Perry look palatible by comparasson.
Sat, 2011-08-13 21:45
#68
Sorry for the thread drift, but wanted to complete my thought from the previous post - all those US military bases around the world do nothing but keep aggressive US imperialism alive. If US imperialism is ever to be defeated or at least made less objectionable to the rest of the world's population, it will have to begin with a drawdown of US military presence worldwide. Unlikely to happen - the USA is too proud of it's No. 1 status (We're Number One!!!) to ever allow itself to play a more realistic, smaller role in world affairs. Too paranoid, too - that's probably the real problem.
It's all part of the American Empire.
"Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none." - Thomas Jefferson.
The only cure is for the American Empire to once again become the American Republic as the Founders originally intended.
That means adopting an antiwar/anti-interventionist policy by dismantling the Pentagon and the Military Industrial Complex.
Sat, 2011-08-13 22:14
#69
Boom Boom
Saw this on FB: "I don't think Palin's going to run. I think she's having way too much fun making lots of money for not really doing much at all."
Sat, 2011-08-13 22:25
#70
I think there are a few of them who are professional candidates. It's lucrative, and if you are the type that craves attention, it must be a blast.
Sat, 2011-08-13 23:25
#71
Saw this on FB: "I don't think Palin's going to run. I think she's having way too much fun making lots of money for not really doing much at all."
You mean being President of the U.S.A. is any different?
Sun, 2011-08-14 00:07
#72
Here are ten good reason for not voting for her:
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/republicans/a/michele-bachmann-quotes...
Sun, 2011-08-14 00:15
#73
I almost wish that a tea bagger win the republican race, it will secure democrat gain for sure!
Sun, 2011-08-14 02:50
#74
Sven
In addition to being an intellectual light-weight, Bachmann has none of the experience needed to be president. In other words, she'd be about the same as Obama. That said, I'd still vote for Obama over Bachmann because of Bachmann's extreme social views (and her complete unwillingness to compromise on economic matters). I also shudder to think of her handling of foreign affairs.
Sun, 2011-08-14 03:53
#75
In addition to being an intellectual light-weight, Bachmann has none of the experience needed to be president. In other words, she'd be about the same as Obama. That said, I'd still vote for Obama over Bachmann because of Bachmann's extreme social views (and her complete unwillingness to compromise on economic matters). I also shudder to think of her handling of foreign affairs.
The same could be said for Sarah Palin.
Sun, 2011-08-14 10:09
#76
I almost wish that a tea bagger win the republican race, it will secure democrat gain for sure!
Many many people said that in 1980 about Reagan. And as late as spring 1992 Bil Clinton looked like poison for the Democrats and a gift to the Republicans. Things change when a campaign goes national.
Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll today, and Pawlenty, another Minnesotan, withdrew.
So it is realistically her, Romney or Perry. The odds are no longer terrible for her Republican candidacy.
Sun, 2011-08-14 10:41
#77
Forget Bachman. She has no shot at winning a general election. This is who people should be worried about.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/13/1006527/-LADIES-AND-GENTS-THE-R...
Sun, 2011-08-14 10:48
#78
don't worry: the Nader folks have a plan to get him elected ...
Sun, 2011-08-14 11:21
#79
Northern Shoveler
Ron Paul is going to keep doing well in the GOP primaries. I think he needs to be taken very seriously as the possible winner. He would give Obama a tough fight possibly tougher than any of the other candidates. Whether you like his views or not (except for some foreign affairs views I don't) he is seen as a man of principle and in the end that might win him the White House. Obama's weakness is he has become the epitome of the slick politician and he thus leaves no hope for change.
Sun, 2011-08-14 13:27
#80
Sven
In addition to being an intellectual light-weight, Bachmann has none of the experience needed to be president. In other words, she'd be about the same as Obama. That said, I'd still vote for Obama over Bachmann because of Bachmann's extreme social views (and her complete unwillingness to compromise on economic matters). I also shudder to think of her handling of foreign affairs.
The same could be said for Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin is positively stupid. Bachmann holds a lot of crazy views but she's not a complete idiot like Palin is. But, their views of the world are pretty much aligned on the same plane.
Sun, 2011-08-14 14:03
#81
knownothing
MSM is in full spin mode today. Bachmann won by 152 votes less than 1% and they make her out to be big winner. Establishment is looking for their latest piece of spaghetti that will stick to the fridge.
Sun, 2011-08-14 14:34
#82
Pawlenty is out. He was seen as the moderate in the race and just couldn't get any traction. It shows how much the GOP is now dominated by ideologues. It's pretty scary when the Mormon candidate now qualifies as the "sane" one.
Sun, 2011-08-14 14:37
#83
Oh, and on the subject of the craziness of some of the right-wing base and how it might benefit Rick Perry...I was reading an article about how when he was being challenged for governor of Texas, one of his opponents organized a focus group to test possible attacks against Perry. One issue that they thought would be devestating was the fact that Perry presided over the execution of a death row inmate who many believed to be innocent. One of the focus group participants then said: `Well, that makes me like him even more. I respect that. It takes a lot of balls to execute an innocent man.`
Sun, 2011-08-14 15:55
#84
Pawlenty is out. He was seen as the moderate in the race and just couldn't get any traction. It shows how much the GOP is now dominated by ideologues. It's pretty scary when the Mormon candidate now qualifies as the "sane" one.
Romney always has been more moderate than Pawlenty, as was a far more moderate governor.
Sun, 2011-08-14 16:09
#85
The thing is that as governor and when he ran for Senate (against Ted Kennedy), Romney was actually quite moderate: pro-choice, supportive of gay rights, public health care, etc. He was actually quite an effective governor of Massachussetts and is obviously a super smart guy. I don't think he's even much of an ideologue, more just someone who wants to do a good job. However, he realized running 4 years ago that in order to get anywhere in the Republican party, you need to tack hard to the right and so that's what he's done...and it won't be that effective because people look at his record and doubt his security. Bachmann may be far right but I sure don't doubt that she believes everything she says.
Sun, 2011-08-14 18:30
#86
knownothing
Audit the Fed
Sun, 2011-08-14 19:42
#87
Boom Boom
The candidates are speaking at a dinner, Rick Perry is speaking on "Faith, Family, and Freedom". He comes across as another George Bush - wants to do away with the EPA, regulations that affect business, and is a strong advocate of 'tort reform'.
Mon, 2011-08-15 10:18
#88
knownothing
Are corporations people?
Obviously not.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/15/295646/ron-paul-mitt-romney...
Mon, 2011-08-15 10:36
#89
Has anyone thanked McCain lately for elevating Palin to the national stage?
Mon, 2011-08-15 10:43
#90
inside Rick Perry's views:
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/93585/what-does-rick-perry-believe
Mon, 2011-08-15 11:24
#91
Mon, 2011-08-15 11:56
#92
a lot of wishful thinking here that the pro-Obama's should avoid:
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/08/why-rick-perry-wont-win
Mon, 2011-08-15 12:16
#93
Perry SHOULDN'T win. He will remind people of Bush, who is still wildly unpopular. He's a crony capitalist, Texas wheelerdealer. He makes Bush look positively liberal when it comes to issues like gay rights and church and state. And he has talked up secession. But that assumes he will have an opponent who has the political savy to exploit and attack these weaknesses. The current administration has shown little political savy.
Mon, 2011-08-15 12:18
#94
inside Rick Perry's views:
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/93585/what-does-rick-perry-believe
Perry hints that he would do more to limit the power of the federal government-or at least attempt to do more-than any president since Calvin Coolidge. His argument is basically that we should dismantle most of the last 75 years of national policy and relinquish even Washington's least controversial responsibilities to the states.
Perry believes, for example, that the national Social Security system, which he calls a "failure" that "we have been forced to accept for more than 70 years now," should be scrapped and that each state should be allowed to create, or not create, its own pension system. "I would suggest a legitimate conversation about let[ting] the states keep their money and implement the programs," he says.
Perry also includes Medicare in his list of programs "the states could substantially better operate," suggesting that each governor should be "given the freedom from the federal government to come up with his own innovative ways [of] working with his legislature to deliver his own health-care innovations to his citizens."
Mon, 2011-08-15 13:09
#95
How do we know this election won't be stolen anyway?
Mon, 2011-08-15 18:18
#96
Boom Boom
On CNN right now:
1. Michele Bachmann will put an end to gays openly serving in the US military.
2. Rick Perry says when he is President, the military will respect their Commander-In-Chief (hinting that they do not respect Obama).
3. Warren Buffet is saying "stop coddling the super rich!" (he wants the rich to pay more in taxes).
Mon, 2011-08-15 19:48
#97
knownothing
After watching the media reaction closely to the NDP result in the last federal election it is eerily similar to watch the reaction to Ron Paul's campaign. And frankly our media up here is even more establishment-supportive, only talking about Rick Perry Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. The answer is usually that he can't get elected so why pay attention to him. I think it because they don't want people in Canada to start thinking these strong anti-state messages. Reminds me of when the media tried to set up the 1-1 with Iggy and Harper.
Mon, 2011-08-15 20:02
#98
dacckon
Oh god... Ron Paul is Andrew Jackson combined with Ludwig von Mises. What America truely needs is another FDR.
Bachmann is a scary individual and if she wins she'll put bat shit insane back into the oval office.
Tue, 2011-08-16 04:49
#99
Tue, 2011-08-16 09:53
#100
Texas Gov. Rick Perry's (R) suggestion Monday in Iowa that it would be "treasonous" for the Federal Reserve to engage in more quantitative easing turned heads and raised questions about the limits to Perry's folksiness on the campaign trail.
Perry suggested that Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, would find himself in a "pretty ugly" situation in Texas if he were to authorize another round of quantitative easing, a method of pumping more money into the economy by essentially creating more money.
"If this guy prints more money between now and the election," Perry said at a campaign function in Iowa, "I don't know what y'all would do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas."
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/176985-perry-bernanke-p...
Tue, 2011-08-16 14:49
#101
Boom Boom
Perry is saying some controversial things - he came under fire from CNN correspondents for suggesting the military does not respect Obama as their Commander-In-Chief. The guy is a loose cannon - will be an interesting campaign if he gets the GOP nod.