I had figured the anonymous Obama strategist stepped in it by using the words “kill Romney” to describe for Politico the reelection team’s plans for a ferocious assault on the assumed Republican frontrunner (despite unconvincing White House damage control to deny the quote).
Sure enough, Romney’s ad makers wasted no time building a spot around it, ending with their usual tagline, “Obama Isn’t Working.”
The war of words might serve political needs on both sides, but this sneak preview of next year’s general election tactics sure points to a nasty campaign ahead for voters who are already weary of sandlot name-calling in national politics.
Like other GOP hopefuls, Romney is eager to impress party primary voters by showing how rough he would be against Obama as the nominee. I suppose his advisers also think it helps to demonstrate that he finally stands for something – trashing Obama.
The President also wants to give his party base a show of force, partly to assure liberals who worry that he wimps out against Republicans. Sadly for Obama, many of his achievements are hardly inspiring hardcore Democrats, leaving him no choice but to rally them by going negative.
If both sides are playing to their core voters with the ugly stuff, where does that leave Americans in the middle who are sick of it? Pretty much where they usually end up: Trying to pick the lesser of evils.
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75 Responses to Is it August 2012 Already?
Now on The Trail
Whoo HOOOOooooo
It is said that as much or more than 1 billion dollars will be spent for this, its going to get very, very ugly.!
We need Campaign finance reform.!!! Purple can you post that full letter that you have about it…thanks
Woo Hoo!
Is there a second clock on this site, Craig? It’s ok, I’ll share with Solar our woo hoos today. We both must have finished our swims at the same time — LOL!!
While a lot of folks are glad 2 of 6 WI state senators lost their seats last night, I see this as a real setback inasmuch as Dems didn’t get the minimum 3 seats much less even more. With a one seat majority, Walker will still push through more reactionary legislation, including his re-districting bill yesterday. What’s wrong with the people of WI?
Eprof,
It’s a tie…not that kind of tie…..I don’t wear them anymore….I almost drowned yesterday, trying to do 20 laps like U told me…..
Sheesh, the Prez doesn’t need to go negative. He just needs to start some ‘on the balcony’ chats (too damned hot for fireside chats) letting people know about the overtures that have been made and how the ‘loyal’ opposition has responded. Sounds right now that were on a pace for about three chats a week.
Flatus,
…..have been in total agreement with all of your thinking today…what he needs to do imo is to find all the Tarp, Stimulus and any other monies and give them out for the creation of JOBS.! but he should do this in front of an unemployment office….
Flatus says:
August 10, 2011 at 9:21 am
Solar
I bet there’s money to be made in making reinforced concrete defensive bunkers for posh gated communities.
Flatus says:
August 10, 2011 at 9:27 am
“Going through non-voters’ minds: ‘I’m absolutely broke, don’t know where my next meal is coming from, much less how I’m going to feed the kids, and they want me to vote for what?’”
Last one first: Exactly.!!! What im also finding out is that a lot of people get discouraged by the way that they have to use the computer, get on line to apply for a job:
The major part of companies do not use paper for apps any more, and when they do apply via the computer…they have to register with an employment agency’s without any good results…
Flatus, thanks for the advise about concrete bunkers, I have actual done a cpl for an Architect that gives me some work from time to time…we did one at his own home when we were building it….and one for a brother that we attached it to his house.
We call them shelters..complete with all the mechanical s: heat, air, etc, it has a stand up shower, toilet, and and stairs that lead to an exit…all reinforced with green re-bar…as they do on the highway roads…1/2-Inches- thick…the walls are 12 inches…if done right…it is a little expensive….but I would love to do more of them b/c they are labor intensive…not too much mtls go into them…tieing the rebar alone takes a few days…it is done both by wire and some welding.
Thanks Flatus…U been on my mind of and on lately…will explain in another post later on….
Why would anyone challenging President Obama feel the need to articulate a concrete stand about anything.
He won the last election standing for “HOPE and CHANGE”.
Some Ideas for the challenger
Faith and Diversity
Optimism and moderation
Good Feelings and Fingers Crossed
Lucky Rabbit’s Foot and All the Best
@12:56 eprof asked, ” What’s wrong with the people of WI? ”
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre had it right : “We don’t need no stinkin’ Badgers.”
Prior to this vote, there had been 13 reacalls over 98 years in WI. Most (if not all) of them were the result of criminal convictions. Maybe it would have helped if Eric Holder had arrested and charged them all for terrorism and crimes against humanity.
Seriously, the Dems have won 3 of the recall votes so far, and lost 4. The final 2 are next week, and the Dems are very likely to retain those seats. I predict Dems 5 rippers 4. Unfortunately, that isn’t good enough.
Crusade and Meltdown ?
Tobacco and Smog
Bank and Foetus
Jobs and China
XR,
Your numbers may be right, but the report I read from MSNBC said that those 13 successful recalls in the last 98 years were nation-wide, so presumably not all in Wisconsin.
Will Rogers didn’t want to believe anything he read in the newspapers. Imagine what he would have thought of today’s sources.
rip ups are always yammering about speaking up for the foetus, who cannot speak up for herself.
Therefore, why not let pregnant women get an extra vote.
How about an Amendment to the Constitution, giving moms a vote for each child ?
Those abandoned moms with 2 -- 3 kids in the homeless shelters could get 3 -- 4 votes. If we did this, the system might start taking care of destitute families for a change.
Of course to bash this through puguglican opposition, it would have to be phrased as being pro-foetus.
Contract For The American Dream
http://sz0078.ev.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/Contract%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BAmerican%2BDream%2B-%2BLaunch%2BFinal.pdf?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=163060&part=2
Torture and Spying;
Poverty and Executions;
Secession and the Gold Standard;
No Nude Texans
That could very well be, Mr VB. If I misread and 13 is the number across the entire country over 98 years, it makes the deed even more rare. CA has had several governor recalls, none for crimes that I know of. One was recalled and then re-elected !
Most people take elections seriously and are unlikely to support a recall unless the pol is caught in bed with a dead woman or live boy, or both. However, in Louziana voters take incumbency even more seriously. Their pols can serve while in jails, brothels, or mental institutions.
Jesus and Me
OMG!
The Bachmann Newsweek issue just arrived. Until now I had just seen depictions of the cover on TV and in the newspaper, etc.
But, THE issue arrived outside at our mailbox on an f32 afternoon. And she does look TOTALLY unhinged.
I’m going to skip framing the cover because I would have to provide special hi-intensity lighting to make it look right. But, as she’ll be in Columbia in the next couple of days, maybe I can bite my cheek and ask her to autograph it.
Republicans Plummet in Popularity After Debt Ceiling Debacle
by Taylor Marsh
Flatus,
I know it’s not exactly the same because He didn’t have that crazed look, but the Bachmann cover photo reminded me of paintings of Jesus that my mother and grandmother both kept in their living rooms. No matter where I sat, Jesus was looking right at me.
The Bachmann photo doesn’t have her looking straight at the camera, so you’ll at least be able to avoid that phenomenon.
The Newsweek cover reminds me of a dog we once had, who would sit glassy-eyed beside the dinner table, looking up, and praying to Cheeses.
Bachmann has that same Joan of Arf look.
Love it x-r:
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre had it right: “We don’t need no stinkin’ Badgers.”
We don’t need no stinkin’ baggers, either.
Solar, I just sent this version to Dylan Ratigan’s Mad As Hell. Great Timing! Others could send copies also.
MadAsHell AT dylanratigan DOT com
Subject: Mad As Hell -- Constitutional Amendment for Federal Campaign Finance Reform
Dear Mr. Dylan Ratigan;
In my humble opinion the necessary first step is a Constitutional Amendment changing the Federal Campaign Financing. Without that, nothing else can be changed, or will be changed. It doesn’t matter who is in power, they will be in the pockets of the puppet masters.
Wall Street and big corporations continue to control the White House, Federal and state Governments. A Constitutional Campaign Reform would remove “corporate personhood” and Special Interests with their bias, misguided influence and corruption out of Federal elections and Government and would allow states to do the same.
I have posted and sent this to my Representative and Senators, newspapers, and other blogs and not a bit of interest. Here is the concept. Any promotion, exposure and/or improvements would be appreciated.
Constitutional Amendment for Federal Campaign Finance Reform
The only way to eliminate the Special Interests including the big banks and corporations from controlling the United States Government including Congress and put the voters in charge is a Constitutional Amendment that will create a Federal Campaign Finance Reform funding for Congress and the President. This Amendment would redefine the first amendment’s “Freedom of Speech” as it pertains to Federal Elections and Special Interests. The Amendment would prohibit all contributions, including their own money, and advertisements, for or against, Federal Election Candidates. Only funds provided by the Federal Government would be allowed for Campaigns. This Amendment would not fund or change state primary elections but would allow states to adopt State Campaign Finance Reform for state elections and state federal primary elections.
The cost to the taxpayers would be about $10 billion every 4 years adjusted for inflation. The cost estimates are from the nonpartisan organization Center for Responsive Politics. According to them the cost of a Presidential Election is about $2.0 billion every 4 years and the cost of Congressional Elections are about $4.0 billion every 2 years. This would fund all candidates with the requirement that they achieve at least some where between 5 to 15 percent of the vote or return all money received.
Since there may be only primary election fund raising required, one of the best, of many, benefits of this plan is the increase in family time and the time that will be available to do the work for their constituents.
When thinking about the damage done to our nationalism that the present system of electing our officials, an era of despair has been created. The common man, the voters have given up in despair the struggle to attain true and fair elections, at present they are predestined, and in need of reform for the common good.
We can not despair! Civilization lives in and through its upward struggle. Whoever (the voters) despairs and gives up the struggle, that individual or a whole civilization is already dead. We must steadfastly keep the notions that We The People can elect our representatives weather it be State or Federal and not the Special Interests.
I join Messers Solar and Tampa in the Campaign Finance Reform Movement. Who is next ?
Btw, we’ll need a Sec’y for membership to keep the list of names.
There is no cogent reason for having a $$$10 Billion 4 year cycle, and a 2 year long presidential campaign. A 6 -- 8 month campaign served the nation well from 1860 to the 1960s. Shorter campaigns mean less burden for the taxpayer. Besides this economy, there would be a limited amount provided to campaigns for spending, say, half of what campaigns spend today. Unlimited amounts tempt campaign to perpetrate unethical or illegal deeds.
I propose saving a B!LL!ON $$$ by holding primaries and caucuses only between May 1 to July 31. Event dates are chosen at random the year before. If they can’t organize themselves in that length of time, they have no business running a government. Hold conventions in the 3d week of August. There should be one presidential debates, one on domestic policy, and the other on foreign policy. The questions, ‘who’s your biggest hero?’ and ‘what’s your favorite book?’ would be forbidden as we already know the answers, and we don’t even know who is running.
The sums that could be spent would be limited, unlike today. Therefore, campaigns would be well-advised to ration their $$$ carefully.
Parties that don’t get 7 % of the popular vote in the general election can’t receive public money in the next campaign. Zero tolerance for cheating. Any cheating will result in the Campaign MGR and TRSR (and any donors involved) getting 10 years mandatory in a suitable site, such as Floence CO [I like a nice clean election] and a mandatory $1B!LL!ON fine will help fund the next cycle. Such a huge fine might even deter such crooks as the kochs. Therefore, it would be a fine fine.
If you are not Vadaryl, I solicit your suggestions.
O’Donnell strongly pointing out that the Fellowship of the Twelve represent only 12% of the population who can’t be expected to truly represent the American people.
Jamie,
I don’t remember a Gang of 12 being mandated by the Constitution. Did I miss something when I sneezed ?
These 12 bozos have exactly what power under US law ?
Jamie,
Why is Wisconsin’s Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus still there? She has had problems since 2006 in the narrowly decided 2006 state attorney general race, the April 2011 Supreme Court recall election that Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for a federal investigation and now the state senate recall election. Again the Obama administration failed to do its duty and investigate. There is a pattern here! But no the Jello spine Democrats retract accusations of tampering by Waukesha County Clerk Nickolaus. Democrats are just pusillanimous!
XR…..for President.!…no he already has a position: Sec of the newly formed Campaign Finance Reform movement….thanks Happy, nice post: Happy
Purple,
Thanks, I know that you posted it before, but I forgot to doc, it…will do that now, and send it to my emails; from there it will go to any one that crosses my path….I truly feel that its that important.!!!
like….Jack…said “this is a struggle for the country” and it all start with CFR….CFR, even sounds as if would help us breath ( like CPR) and survive no?
……been thinking about thinking,(one day im going to take David Lynches transcendental meditation, ha.! been saying that for yrs)…this helps me remove some of the clutter from all of the voices inside my cabeza….
I swear that a cpl of them speak in a language that I can’t understand, ( am i possessed?)…..But Jack is right…it is about the country.
But back to the CFR letter: We (the country) have had our hearts broken by someone that we fell in love with the promises of Hope and Change…we as a country are almost down and out for the count, we need CFR or something that brings us bake to thinking about the future…it’s a worth while struggle imo…
In a stupid move, Obama did in the Nasa program…that is part of who we are…the future…he could have limited waste there imo. Instead he wacked 4,000 jobs, could not have happened at a worse time….not sure now if we did have a dream once…and land on the moon….what do we dream about now?
Instead of him and the Democratic Party augmenting our happiness, they diminished it just as much as Bush did, and in the same way that Bush would have…
When Bush raped us…it hurt right between the legs…but when Obama broke out hearts, it demoralized us and does not care 2 dead ants about us: He has joined the….JAX:….mentality: I have mine, and the hell with the rest of you. Which party will mend our broken hearts….Hey there is a song in there somewhere no?….
us human apes live within….Pleasure or Pain….happiness is somewhere in the middle…within the parameters of right and wrong…they are only giving us the extreme side of wrong…we need to send them a message, and vote for anyone in a third party, we can’t sit it out….
Had a cpl of drinks, and feeling a little philosophical…sorry about that…great visual story:
“Like losing a star”:
“pusillanimous!”
Ha hahaha…I thought that was a fancy word for Fk-ups, almost did mean that….haahaha now im not “Grumpy” any more….g-night
http://craigcrawford.com/2011/08/is-it-august-2012-already/#comment-267145
Solar,
You broke it down to the heart of the matter and Jack is exactly correct..I’m not into hero worship with Obama or any other politician..My Client Carrie(big Obama supporter told me her young son told her,”Mom i still like Obama but we just need to see some results”
Damn, that kid is so smart for 12!!
Withholder in Chief
By MAUREEN DOWD
Mistakes of the 2008 Democratic primary
I thought blaming the Clintons for the GOP jihad against them was unfair. Is the left doing the same to Obama?
BY JOAN WALSH
For all the valid criticism that should be leveled at the “super” debt cmte, i don’t understand the claim that its unconstitutional. Joint House-Senate committees for recommending legislation are not unusual. Unless I’m missing something this panel has no power to enact law, but merely to submit a bill that the House and Senate must pass before anything is done.
Calling Dr. Dean
Tony,
Nice links…
“because we likewise don’t want to deal with the amoral political savagery of the enemy he faces.”
Speaking as a soldier: He needed/needs to face that enemy. If he had, it would be understandable…but to not face the enemy….and then do just as they do…he becomes part of them no?
….Hope that you enjoy the new club…
http://craigcrawford.com/2011/08/is-it-august-2012-already/#comment-267150
Craig,
I agree with you, that’s the way i read it. Except i don’t really understand what cuts are included in the trigger if there’s’ no agreement among the 12?
http://craigcrawford.com/2011/08/is-it-august-2012-already/#comment-267152
Solar,
There you go again breaking it down to the bottom line.
Yep, the president is part of them, Republican that is..
On the Media: Left’s attacks on Obama may underestimate him
Current TV Hires Former CNN Executive, Centers Program Development Around Olbermann
David Taintor
Bob
It is summer on the great plains. It happens all the time
Jack
O’Donnell is barking up the wrong tree on representation. First, he should know that without the Great Compromise (House for the people and Senate for the states) we wouldn’t have a government like the one we have today. Second, all committee work is without complete representation, whether it be in one house or in both houses of Congress. Conference committees can have as few as eight members, but usually in the twenty to twenty-five range, especially loaded with house members. Get another issue Lawrence!
Ah CBob pixels … all is right with the world (or wrong as the case may be)
CB -- Watching the reports out of Somalia. Between Climate Change, Overpopulation, and Really bad people in charge of the politics, it isn’t wonderful out there.
One other point on the committee.
Both the senate and the house have control over their own rules per the constitution. So if they want to set up any convoluted process, they can. As we have noticed many time the Senate not only can but does.
Jack
Tony says: “Craig, I agree with you, that’s the way i read it. Except i don’t really understand what cuts are included in the trigger if there’s’ no agreement among the 12?
Tony I did my best to sort that out last week.
Automatic cuts triggered by failure to enact what this “super” cmte recommends would not take effect for two years and then would be spread out over 8 years (Plenty of time for a future Congress to restore those funds). And SS, Medicare, Medicaid beneficiaries are exempt from the automatic cuts, while half would come from defense spending.
Bottom line: There is no immediate pain for this cmte’s failure — and what little long term pain is easily changeable. Again, why anyone should think this thing was a great victory for spending cutters is beyond me.
Amen to that Eprof — Didn’t see O’Donnell’s show but he was a senior staffer on the Hill and if he’s trying to say there’s something illegal about this cmte, he definitely knows better
Not illegal but non-representational.
Watched that as well. It’s not wrong but it’s a case of not being RIGHT. There is legal and there is ethical. Politics on all sides has really gotten a divorce from ethics.
eProf2 says: “Not illegal but non-representational”
Oh ok, like u say what cmte of 12 or under could ever be representational. To me, the bigger issue is how cmte members will rake in lobbyist contributions. They should have been required to forgo them as a condition of membership. Can’t wait to see their FEC filings for this quarter and the next, should be eye-popping.
No elected official will partake in any effort which would even maybe involve limiting incoming money, regardless of its source……
questionable source?
Hide it, steal it, disguise it, whatever it takes…the money, gimme the money…..for I must continue to lead you…..more money, please.
The root of all evil is now surfing the crest of the wave.
the root of all evil rides herd on the elected cows of mammon
the root of all evil is sitting in the catbird seat and tearing up the pea patch
the root of all evil is bigger than the beatles.
the root of all evil can’t see the forest for the fees
The theft and violence and street crime and lawlessness in London is shocking. But it’s not unique. Around the world, the burden of unemployment falls hardest on the young, who often respond with violence. The average jobless rate between 18-29 years was nearly 20% last year in OECD countries, the Wall Street Journal has reported. High unemployment was a factor in protests in Spain, uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.
The connection between joblessness and violence comes to life in a timely August research paper Austerity and Anarchy: Budget Cuts and Social Unrest in Europe, 1919-2009, which found “a clear positive correlation between fiscal retrenchment and instability.” Authors Jacopo Ponticelli and Hans-Joachim Voth examined the relationship between spending cuts and a measure of instability they termed CHAOS — “the sum of demonstrations, riots, strikes, assassinations, and attempted revolutions in a single year in each country.”
Their conclusion: Austerity breeds anarchy. More cuts, more crime.This clickable graph helps to tell the story.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/08/anarchy-and-austerity-why-london-wont-be-the-last-city-to-burn/243435/
“Not illegal but non-representational”? certainly non-representational of the population unless non-votes count.
Ron Paul
“…can’t find any place in the U.S. Constitution where we have the authority to create such a creature as the Super Congress…It…assume[s] the responsibility that Congress should be doing.”
“I see nothing good coming out of this Super Congress. I suspect it will be highly vulnerable to corruption and special interests.”
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/8553-nine-of-12-super-committee-members-named-tea-party-marginalized
I kind of get it with regard to representation = Constitutionality. The super committee is kind of Orwellian, some animals being more equal than others.
I thought Obama was a Prof of Constitutional Law?
And to those saying the riots in the UK are just thugs out to steal stuff. Um, they are out to steal stuff because they are without any hope of being able to earn it. They have no upward mobility & that pressure has to come out somehow, eventually.
They may not be able to put a name to it like the people in Greece did. The Greeks were older & invested in their country. The kids in the UK are marginalized. Wake up.
Galbraith on Obama: For the rest of his life, the eyes of the old, the poor, the jobless, whose hopes he once raised, will follow him everywhere
by Gaius Publius
http://craigcrawford.com/2011/08/is-it-august-2012-already/#comment-267166
Thanks Craig,
Yes you did good at sorting things out. I just read so much and it all becomes fuzzy!
While I was clicking channels (DirecTV) I happened on Current and upon seeing KO’s magnificent visage, paused. Seems they are showing reruns of his daily program half a dozen times a day. Hope Craig is getting residuals.
The lawn beckons.
XR,
I guarantee you that I am not the birther vadaryl.
I would like your permission to include some of your ideas in the CFR document. Some good ideas there. The dollar figures were from the 2008 election. Congress will have to set the amount, if Congress does not screw it up too much, which they may, everyone in a category will get the same amount. District wide will get less than state wide and national will get the most.
States setup the rules for the primaries but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of “corporate personhood” and Special Interests at the state level.
In the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United in 2010 also overturned a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and thus eliminates the basis for allowing the Government to limit corporate independent expenditures.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the case of Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett in 2011 struck down the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Act, passed by initiative in 1998. The act created a voluntary public financing system to fund the primary and general election campaigns of candidates for state office.
In honor of the Iowa Straw Poll
I wonder how many of the current flock of senators and house members would actually think of themselves as “all grown up now”.
ahhhhh……iowa
blue, my comment about non-representation was to that lacking of the congress as a whole in relation to the number of eligible voters, not to one of their committees. they could have committees of one if they so chose.
btw, thanks for the ron paul quote “…can’t find any place in the U.S. Constitution where we have the authority to create such a creature as the Super Congress…It…assume[s] the responsibility that Congress should be doing.”
guess he missed that part in art. 1 sec. 5 that says “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings”
I sure miss waking-up in the old US of AAA!
Why is anyone engaging in any kind of discussion with the crazy tea party people -- what is this high school debate class?
As for Mittens…if by some chance (last man standing?!) he gets the nomination — it would be as if the goopers stepped back to the country club republicans of the 1950′s only without any of the charm. Except for the age, legislative experience, military service -- it would be McCain all over again ..with none of the charm
So, retirement funds are vanishing into the ether.
Jobs don’t seem to be on Washington’s agenda.
Soc Sec will probably get set back at some point.
No jobs, dwindling retirement funds, a long fall into a tattered social safety net. Sounds like the American dream.
KGC
With Obama’s current cluelessmess, I don’t think he needs charm.
As to the 50′s, “I Like Ike” sounds rather stable and comforting.
So maybe that should be “President Mittens”
Jack
Blue, better train for a long term job that you can do until you are ninty, always a need for bedpan washing.
Jack
Then again depends work well at least according to my f-i-l. So maybe bed pans will go the way of buggy whips.
Jack
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