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14 Days
Author: BobR    Date: 10/24/2012 14:22:12

With only 14 days to go until the general election, candidates in all races are beginning to feel the heat of the looming "deadline". With the exception of the first presidential debate, the remaining 3 were all knockout wins for the Democrats. There's also the conflicting messages and gaffes from Republican candidates, which is unusual considering that they were a fairly unified party in previous elections.

The last two presidential debates showed a candidate Romney repeatedly in conflict with earlier positions and even statements on his website. They warned us that they would be shaking the etch-a-sketch, but it's still surprising and jarring that they don't seem to realize that they can't really erase past statements that he and his campaign have made.

At the last debate (ostensibly about foreign policy, although domestic agenda were certainly brought in), Romney was either agreeing with President Obama (or stating positions/actions that the president had taken as his they were Romney's ideas alone), or taking positions that were at odds with the current reality. It's almost as if they are ceding the foreign policy "win" to Obama.

They are also ceding other positions as well, though likely not intentionally. One of Romney's 5 points in his 5 point plan is to increase U.S. oil production. As it turns out, the U.S. is well on it's way to becoming the world's top oil producer, surpassing even Saudi Arabia.

The "we built that" meme is also taking a beating as it becomes more clear that Republican lawmakers have needed a helping hand from the government. Whether it's government contracts in the case of Steve King (R-IA) or stimulus funds in the case of Paul Ryan, Republicans are having to admit that no person achieves success in a vacuum, and often the wind beneath their wings is provided via the federal government.

The Republicans are definitely seizing the religious extremist social positions, which appeal to a continually shrinking minority of voters. This is often centered on the abortion debate with tangentially related topics like rape and contraception being pulled into it. Republicans have managed to alienate voters in general (and women in particular) in every case by treating women as chattel. The latest to enter the fray is U.S. Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock (R-IN), stating that pregnancies as a result of rape are part of God's plan, and abortion should be disallowed in those cases. Fortunately, Democrat Joe Donnelly is ahead in that race, and this latest comment should seal the deal.

It should also reinforce the notion that Republicans are willing to roll the calendar back 60 years when it comes to women's rights.

The desperation and "win at all costs" mentality that it generates has led to ethical and illegal attempts to suppress the votes of those that tend to vote for Democratic candidates. Besides the regressive voter ID laws, and states purging voter rolls, there have been several cases of voter registration fraud. Raine has covered those here, and Dems in Congress have urged the DOJ to investigate.

There are also the cases of possibly intentionally misinforming voters by sending out voting materials with the wrong election day on them. This has already occurred in Arizona, where the English on the form had the correct date, but the Spanish date was incorrect.

Over the course of the next two weeks, we will be bombarded with political ads. Through all that sturm and drang, we need to be hyper-vigilant about voter suppression, and continue to point out the hypocrisy, inconsistency, and downright reactionary positions in the rhetoric coming from the Republicans.
 

76 comments (Latest Comment: 10/24/2012 23:46:35 by livingonli)
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Comment by TriSec on 10/24/2012 12:57:36
Morning, comrades! WFH today - Current on in the background!

And I'll soon be transforming myself from a mild-mannered blogger into Captain Chemo!

http://bestuff.com/images/images_of_stuff/210x600/bananaman-15634.jpg?1173274575


Faster than a speeding snail!

Able to leap tall grass in a number of bounds!

Look! Down on the ground! It's a log! It's a rock! Is that the Trisec? Oh, damn!



Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2012 13:00:31
Mornin' all..

Well this day is starting off on a shitty note. Went to get breakfast on the way to the office and couldn't find my debit card. I REALLY hope I'm just dumb & left it in my pants pocket, 'cuz if not I'm severely boned and the trip to Philly I've been planning for a month is in jeopardy.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 13:30:46
Morning

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 13:51:48
Good Morning!



Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2012 13:53:53
Quote by TriSec:
Morning, comrades! WFH today - Current on in the background!

And I'll soon be transforming myself from a mild-mannered blogger into Captain Chemo!

http://bestuff.com/images/images_of_stuff/210x600/bananaman-15634.jpg?1173274575


Faster than a speeding snail!

Able to leap tall grass in a number of bounds!

Look! Down on the ground! It's a log! It's a rock! Is that the Trisec? Oh, damn!




Just don't go on any rampages against the Irish mob, mmmkay? ("Archer" season 2 episode 9 "Placebo Effect")

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 13:58:04
Can I ask you all a favor? Can you go one over to this link and give my sister a little love for her proposal story?

Comment by TriSec on 10/24/2012 13:59:02
Say, former Atlanta wing bloggers.....what kind of shape was MARTA in while you were down there?

Our own damaged MBTA has hired away the former GM, and there's an Investigative report out there that MARTA was as fiscally depraved as the MBTA when she left.

Great....way to fix the problems, guys!



Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:01:45
Quote by Raine:
Can I ask you all a favor? Can you go one over to this link and give my sister a little love for her proposal story?





Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2012 14:07:33
Quote by Raine:
Can I ask you all a favor? Can you go one over to this link and give my sister a little love for her proposal story?



Done!

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:09:34
Mala, sent an email.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:11:16
Quote by Raine:
Mala, sent an email.


*runs to check email*

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:21:17
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Mala, sent an email.


*runs to check email*



replied

Comment by BobR on 10/24/2012 14:24:00
blog is posted

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:26:24


Voter turnout is critical!

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:26:27
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ

Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/24/2012 14:34:31
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ


So on the surface this looks like Gloria Allred is sinking to Donald Trump levels. I wish she'd just shut up. Things like this have a tendency to backfire, and I sincerely doubt that any votes are going to change because of this as his base will probably start grunting and flinging poo in agreement.

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:35:08
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ
jebus. What a POC.


Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:36:23
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ
jebus. What a POC.


Think it just really adds to what his character really is. That Staples guy is a total douche!


Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:44:33
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ
jebus. What a POC.


Think it just really adds to what his character really is. That Staples guy is a total douche!

MALA! Follow this guy live tweet! This is what Allred is in court for today!

Comment by BobR on 10/24/2012 14:44:57
This is a disturbing story: NYPD hired "informant" to bait Muslims

Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/24/2012 14:45:43
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ
jebus. What a POC.


Think it just really adds to what his character really is. That Staples guy is a total douche!


I wonder about people who haven't figured out that Mitt is a total douche anyway. Seems like almost half the country is OK with that.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:49:59
This would be the kind of story the "news" would latch onto - not anything of relevance. There are people who don't immerse themselves in politics and only watch local news. If local news isn't covering Mitten's lies those people don't know what kind of man he really is.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 14:50:49
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
ack - you moved the blog just as I was going to post THIS!

Mitt Lied Under Oath in a Divorce Battle!

Granted this is TMZ
jebus. What a POC.


Think it just really adds to what his character really is. That Staples guy is a total douche!


I wonder about people who haven't figured out that Mitt is a total douche anyway. Seems like almost half the country is OK with that.


think most of them just want to beat Obama - which is a lousy reason to vote if you ask me.


Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:57:53
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 14:58:57
Quote by wickedpam:
This would be the kind of story the "news" would latch onto - not anything of relevance. There are people who don't immerse themselves in politics and only watch local news. If local news isn't covering Mitten's lies those people don't know what kind of man he really is.
FRom what I am reading, it also involved the custody of their 4 sons.

AND if Mitt cashed that stock in after the divorce, I think it is just nasty.


Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:03:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
This would be the kind of story the "news" would latch onto - not anything of relevance. There are people who don't immerse themselves in politics and only watch local news. If local news isn't covering Mitten's lies those people don't know what kind of man he really is.
FRom what I am reading, it also involved the custody of their 4 sons.

AND if Mitt cashed that stock in after the divorce, I think it is just nasty.


just one son - "Sources tell us ... Tom also got custody of the couple's one child, making allegations of abuse against Maureen. And get this ... in the mid-90s, after the divorce, Tom sent the boy a letter saying, although he loved him, because of issues related to the divorce "it will not be possible for you to be a part of our family for the foreseeable future."" Staples dad total f-ing douche

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:05:10
Quote by Raine:
Desperate -- as Bob spoke of in today's blog: New York Magazine is speculation about Trump and his October Surprise.



I've heard that or the story that he sold coke in college

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:06:08
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Desperate -- as Bob spoke of in today's blog: New York Magazine is speculation about Trump and his October Surprise.



I've heard that or the story that he sold coke in college
The link above talks about both.

BTW:
@dbernstein
BTW, divorce was earlier - records were impounded (coincidentall?) in 1994, as Romney was running for Senate. #stapled



Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:09:56
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Desperate -- as Bob spoke of in today's blog: New York Magazine is speculation about Trump and his October Surprise.



I've heard that or the story that he sold coke in college
The link above talks about both.

BTW:
@dbernstein
BTW, divorce was earlier - records were impounded (coincidentall?) in 1994, as Romney was running for Senate. #stapled



yeah - that's hinky


Comment by TriSec on 10/24/2012 15:11:15
Alright gang - I'm off. Everybody play nice!

<-- Mondo.


Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:12:26
The trials been recessed until tomorrow morning - per TMZ

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:14:24
BTW, Tom Stemberg spoke at the RNC.

Comment by clintster on 10/24/2012 15:17:43
The new map of the Middle East, for conservatives.

http://angryblackladychronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Romney-Geography.jpg


Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:24:31
Found this over at DU -- this is a post from 2008. It's consistent with what is being said today.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/24/2012 15:25:18
Just got my flu shot, nice & easy and the price was right.

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2012 15:25:48
Quote by TriSec:
Alright gang - I'm off. Everybody play nice!

<-- Mondo.



What did I do to be singled out like that?

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:27:40
Quote by Raine:
Found this over at DU -- this is a post from 2008. It's consistent with what is being said today.
That Romney in the Sullivan-Stemberg case and for Tom Stemberg, and get what you will from his testimony because to one day say the company is worth nothing, then take it public, make millions, then say it is his “proudest achievement” sounds a lot like flip-flopping which Romney has done on many issues, including abortion when he was pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and so on – he flip-flops, just as when he was nervous, he by some sources used to flip his tie back and forth. How apt.

[...]
But the Sullivan-Stemberg divore case is no joke and speaks yet more to Romeny’s integrity. Romney did a two-step cha-cha - at best - and all for the benefit of a friend (and likely himself) during a divorce case; only a court of law can decide whether or not he perjured himself and what he tells us now. If you did tell the truth then, are you telling the truth now, Mr. Romney? Or did you lie on the stand then about Staples and are now touting it’s great value as your “proudest achievement”. which is it Mr. Romney, Mr. Stemberg? You can’t have it both ways.



Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:29:38
For Tom Stemberg to say that the idea of founding Staples was his and his alone and to reap all of the profit and gain is not only ufair, it reeks of sexism, but coming from a man who committed adultery more than once and impregnated another woman during an “affair” (call it what you will), this is hardly surprising. In fact, none of this is surprising. The only surprising part is that Mitt Romney – the man who Would Be President – is best-friends with Tom Stemberg, because Tom Stemberg is a lot of things, but family values he ain’t. No: he’s Mr. Romney’s Campaign Manager.
[...]


It’s great that Mitt’s bill would cover Sullivan-Stemberg’s healthcare, but would it afford the same level of care that she needs, for one, and secondly, his Campaign Manager sent a form for Sullivan Stemberg to sign that would have effectively, again, cut off her health benefits entirely.


Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:30:03
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by TriSec:
Alright gang - I'm off. Everybody play nice!

<-- Mondo.



What did I do to be singled out like that?
I think it's a form of Bromance...


Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2012 15:34:48
Quote by Raine:
Desperate -- as Bob spoke of in today's blog: New York Magazine is speculation about Trump and his October Surprise.



Like I said yesterday, who the hell care what Donald "Attention Strumpet" Trump has to say? When was he ever relevant?

Comment by clintster on 10/24/2012 15:42:19
I don't know what has happened to Yahoo's news, but these days it reads more and more like Fox News. Case in point:

President's performance in third debate was too snarky

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:44:46
Quote by clintster:
I don't know what has happened to Yahoo's news, but these days it reads more and more like Fox News. Case in point:

President's performance in third debate was too snarky
That's actually cross-posted from ABCs OTUS blog.


Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2012 15:44:57
Quote by clintster:
I don't know what has happened to Yahoo's news, but these days it reads more and more like Fox News. Case in point:

President's performance in third debate was too snarky



AKA how dare that darkie talk like that to a white man!

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:45:18
glad I go to Office Depot instead

Comment by Raine on 10/24/2012 15:47:35
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/imgs/home/121024-mitt-romney-has-made-only-one-ad-endorsing-a-senate-candidate-this-year.jpg


Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/24/2012 15:55:08
Quote by Raine:
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/imgs/home/121024-mitt-romney-has-made-only-one-ad-endorsing-a-senate-candidate-this-year.jpg


Very telling that we've heard nothing even close to an endorsement from Willard for Scottso

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:58:17
Ok Billy just insulted at least one of my grandfathers but looking down his nose at socialist democrats

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 15:59:01
That worked so well for the radio Rick

Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2012 16:03:08
so can someone tell me how Romney filled Red Rocks when he usually doesn't pull that many at his other stops?

Comment by BobR on 10/24/2012 16:03:52
And now for something completely different: a talking beluga whale?