Republicans, what part of this do you fail to understand? No, we’re not asking you if you like it or think it’s good (by your standards) — that’s been decided. Whether or not you like, accept, or understand it, Barack Obama is still our President.
“We” includes you, Republicans, so lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way, because we’re still trying to clean up your messes.
This is our daily open thread — Who else is beyond done with the WHINING?
Today’s Open Thread is brought to you by our guest blogger, SpiritKat.
When Enough Is Enough
It’s time for Republicans to face the fact that the majority of American people just don’t want what they’ve been trying so hard to sell. Can you imagine what the voting numbers would have been in the recent Presidential election if the Republicans had not tried so hard to cheat and rig the election in their favor? Yet, despite all their disreputable attempts to steal the election for themselves, the American people rejected them.
In spite of the fact that the Republicans tried to give the election to Romney by disenfranchising voters with their unnecessary voter ID laws, or maybe even because of this very action, the number of people who made sure they got out and voted was still enough to defeat the Republican Presidential candidate. Then they attempted to cheat their way into the Presidential office when their rich corporate employers tried to extort votes for Romney through threats of job loss to their employees. Yet in spite of this there were still enough votes to reelect Obama.
Through Citizens United, with our own Republican stacked Supreme Court’s help, the Republicans thought they had the perfect solution for rigging the election, but they underestimated the American people, who clearly said a resounding NO on November 6, leaving the Republicans to swallow their own crud when they found that even they with all their wealth could not buy this election after all. That is, perhaps, one of the greatest things to come out of this election. Yes, money may talk, but clearly it doesn’t always talk loud enough, and certainly not enough to sway the voters in this election.
Then there was, of course, the embarrassment of their Presidential candidate, himself, who was so blindly egotistical that even Joe Scarborough dropped his face in his palms. Throughout the campaign, the stances of the Republican candidate changed practically every time he spoke. Mr. “Etch-a-sketch” gave us nothing concrete, just the “same old, same old” tired plan that got our country into this mess in the first place, and to make matters worse, he riddled the rhetoric with lie after lie after lie. “How can such a man be trusted with the welfare of our country?” we asked. By the close of the campaign, it was made even more clear when Romney made his comment about “not caring about the poor”, and even worse later on with his “it’s not my job” to care about the “freeloading” 47% comment behind closed doors with his rich cronies. Ah, at last we saw clearly his true colors.
It was my own great hope that the American people would finally wake from their apathy and beaurocratic induced stupor to take a stand against its tyranny in this election. Thankfully, enough of them did just that. It is also my hope that the Republicans, themselves, will have an epiphany and realize that we, the people, won’t accept what they keep peddling so hard. Perhaps, in light of this loss, they will begin to understand that the American people need, and won’t accept anything less than, honest industry, fruitful employment, personal freedoms, healthcare, a stable economy, and genuine concern for our welfare. We need these things far more than we’ll ever need the unconstitutionally forced religious beliefs of others, or a make-believe “Leave It To Beaver” society. Today, I feel that my faith has been restored, for though they tried, even a Diebold couldn’t win enough votes for the Republicans this time.
THE OPEN THREAD OF THE DAY IS NOW OPEN FOR COMMENTS
President-Elect Obama?
President-Elect Mr. Etch-a-Sketch?
Roughly half the country is suffering from a hangover because their candidate won.
Roughly half the country is suffering from a hangover because their candidate lost.
The rest are saying, “There was an election yesterday?”
(channeling Bill Maher)
THIS IS OUR OPEN THREAD.
CELEBRATE/COMMISERATE
AS THE CASE MAY BE
Mitt Romney likes to say that “he can do that” or “that he can fix that” or “he fixed that in the past”. This is always in relationship to the budget deficit. Yet, it was tax payers money that saved Bain Capital not Mitt Romney. He won’t talk about that.
Rolling Stone has the complete article which can be read here.
Excerpt:
In fact, government documents on the bailout obtained by Rolling Stone show that the legend crafted by Romney is basically a lie. The federal records, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that Romney’s initial rescue attempt at Bain & Company was actually a disaster – leaving the firm so financially strapped that it had “no value as a going concern.” Even worse, the federal bailout ultimately engineered by Romney screwed the FDIC – the bank insurance system backed by taxpayers – out of at least $10 million. And in an added insult, Romney rewarded top executives at Bain with hefty bonuses at the very moment that he was demanding his handout from the feds.
Walker, The Zoo’s top underground reporter, digging up a new story.
It’s a widely known secret that Mormons baptize the deceased into the Mormon faith. But they have added a new twist in what most regard to be a bizarre practice: Mormons all across key battleground states have been secretly registering the deceased. Using their posthumously issued Baptismal Certificates as IDs, they then register everyone they have baptised into the Mormon faith as a Romney Republican. They also fill out a request for an absentee ballot on behalf of the deceased.
It is rumored that this registration drive has added hundreds of thousands of voters to the rolls in the key battleground states of Ohio, Virginia and Florida, and may prove to give Romney a victory in each of those states. In fact, it appears they have stepped up their efforts, baptizing, registering and casting an absentee ballot is now encompassed in a single ritual.
“County clerks began to question our voter registration drive” one individual involved in the practice spoke, on condition of anonymity. “but when we invoked the First Amendment Freedom of Religion, they usually back right down, especially in the South. “Cept that one in Dade County, Florida. She rejected one of our newly baptized into the faith just because his date of birth was approximately 1837. Heck, Lincoln freed the slaves, we’re just freeying their souls. Go figure.”
Romney, when asked about it, said “We’ve had dead people voting for years. Why should this election be any different?”
HAPPY HALLOWE’EN EVERYONE.
OPEN THREAD:
TRICK
TREAT
OR POST
Are we there yet?
The debates are finally over, and the top contenders have hit the campaign trail. Polls show the race is within a Diebold. And Romney has ties to a corporation that makes electronic voting machines sold to several key states.
Four years ago, Republicans joined hands and closed ranks in a concerted effort to prevent this country from fully recovering from the Great Recession they caused, just so they could use the continuing economic doldrums against President Obama. And that’s exactly what Romney did throughout the debates. And roughly half the country is ready, willing and able to buy
THE SKETCHY DEAL:
THIS IS TODAY, OUR DAILY THREAD
WOULD YOU BUY A USED CAR FROM THIS MAN?
HOW ABOUT HIRING HIM TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE LARGEST MILITARY ON EARTH?
HOW ABOUT GIVING HIM POWER OVER WOMEN’S UTERUSES?
DO YOU TRUST HIM TO PUT YOUR INTERESTS FIRST?
?
Happy Hump Day!
Ok, The Presidential Debates, Round Two, is now history.
Who won?
Obamny?
Rombama?
The President certainly brought his A game this time, and closed on a slam-dunk with bringing up Romney’s 47% remark behind closed doors.
The moderator did a credible job of moving things along, but could have been better in cutting Romney off after the TV monitor showed his time was up, then not allowing Obama a chance to rebut.
Romney’s Etch-a-Sketch was in full play…again…in this author’s perspective.
What do you think? Think the President regained his Mo-Jo? Think Romney will continue to add to his momentum? Think Fox News will go apoplectic over Mitt telling the President, basically, to not interrupt Romney’s interruption, that he’ll get his turn?
OPEN THREAD.
GO FOR IT.
MAKE MY DEI.
Remember what happened last time?
Ladies and gentlemen, relax, put up your feet, get your favorite brew, wine, whatever, grab a snack, and get ready for the rumble!
Dear Mr President,
Now that the dust has settled over the debate a bit, there is one question remaining. Will you fight for your people? Will you do what is necessary to honor the hard work and dedication of the millions of supporters and helpers you have?
I would feel every bit as weary as you looked in the debate and even more so if I were in your shoes. Four years of spite and disrespect, of obstruction and hate are enough to make anyone weary. But. You are not just anyone. You are the President of the United States of America. You gave your people hope four years ago and have made good on many of your promises. But. Your job is not finished. There is still a difficult and rocky road in front of you and your people. Don’t leave them alone!
Fight! Fight against the lies and distortions! Fight against the attacks on your people from Corporate interests! Fight for the women in your country! Fight for the Poor! Fight for the working people who struggle each day to make their ends meet! Fight for the ones too sick to help themselves, the ones too old to care for themselves, the ones still too young to provide for themselves, the ones too traumatized by wars they fought for all of you to find a way back into their lives by themselves. Fight! You must!
Kind regards,
EV
Walker digs up the dirt on the upcoming Vice Presidential Debate.
Tomorrow night is the one-and-only debacle debate between Vice President Joe Biden and his Republican Challenger Paul Ryan. Walker, The Zoo’s underground journalist, sat down with their Invisible counterparts to get an inside exclusive of what to expect.
Invisible Biden
Invisible Biden: Ok, ok. Everyone knows and expects me to say something stupid, to put my foot in my mouth, but not tomorrow night. Tomorrow night it’s game on! I was a U.S. Senator while Ryan was still in diapers. What’s he worked on…one budget? One budget? And he can’t even explain the math? I’ve voted on over 35 budgets, Republican and Democrat, and math is math. Ryan’s budget doesn’t add up, and that’s a fact.
Invisible Ryan
Invisible Ryan: Oh yeah? Well, I can explain the math, but you wouldn’t get it anyway.
IB: Try me.
IR:
IB: Sure, but do you know what it means?
IR: Not a clue.
IB: 
IB: In other words, the math behind your budget is the same math that brought us the atom bomb.
IR: You may be entitled to your own Math, Biden, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.
IB: Ok, let’s take your facts. Your main man, Mitt, says he’ll cut every program that he doesn’t want to borrow money from China to pay for. He’s gonna take the axe to Big Bird.
IR: So? We can’t keep going into debt just to fund some tv show for children.
IB: We have to borrow billions because of tax cuts to millionaires. What about getting rid of the Bush tax cuts for the very wealthy? We borrow from China and give subsidies to big oil. is it worth borrowing from China to give money to Exxon? What do you have to say about those facts?
IR: Mitt Romney and I are going to eliminate subsidies for big oil. We’re going to raise taxes on the rich and cut taxes for the middle class. We will guarantee the Social Security lock box for generations to come.
IB: Huh?
IR: We will increase spending for food stamps, subsidized housing, welfare and unemployment.
IB: WTF? Where—when did you guys come up with all this bovine excrement?
IR: Just now. I’m entitled to my own facts, and my facts are the facts whenever I say they are. And the fact is Mitt Romney and I will do whatever it takes, say whatever it takes, to get elected.
Invisible Goin’ Rogue
“It ain’t as easy as that.”
Walker: Invisible Goin’ Rogue? How’d you get in here?
IGR: I should be up there where Joe the Vice President is sitting. I should have been queen…I mean Vice President. But noooo….that good ol’ gotcha media jus’ couldn’t wait to take this hockey mom down a notch or two. Well I ain’t goin’ down any more. Jus’ ask Todd.
Walker: Security?
As Invisible Going Rogue was escorted out of the building she screamed, “Alaska will secede from the Union if Obama is re-elected! Mark my words! I didn’t quit bein’ governor jus’ to become a nobody! I’m gonna be queen of Alaska! I’m gonna be—” Mercifully the slamming of the door squelched her squawking.
WELL, THIS IS THE OPEN THREAD. PLACE YOUR BETS…
Tweeter interviews Invisible Obama about his debate performace last Wednesday night.
Tweeter: Invisible Obama, before Wednesday’s all-important first-ever debate between you and Mr. Etch-a-Sketch, your supporters were out there downplaying expectations, saying you would do a terrible job. Now, we all thought they were just saying that because you would then go out and do a great job, and everyone could boast about how you exceeded expectations. What happened?
Invisible Obama: Well, Tweeter, it’s like this. My…uh…supporters….were telling the truth. They knew….I was going to be terrible.
Tweeter: So, the truth is, you lived up to expecations?
Invisible Obama: Not only did I live up to expectations, I exceeded them. I…was awful. In fact, I don’t think the world has seen a worse performance since 1974 when Mohammad Ali did seven rounds of rope-a-dope with George Foreman before knocking him out in the eight round.
Tweeter: So you were just playing rope-a-dope with Mr. Etch-a-Sketch?
Invisible Obama: You could say that. But I have to admit, he did land a good one with that line about not being entitled to my own facts. I mean…facts are facts. My facts and his facts should be the same thing. But…he was pulling so many facts out of thin air that for most of the night I had no clue where he was coming from.
Tweeter: Well, Invisible Obama, I see one problem with your rope-a-dope strategy.
Invisible Obama: What’s that?
Tweeter: You’ve only got two more debates to throw that knock-out punch.
Invisible Obama: Good point.
Tweeter took time off from following Invisible Obama to sit down with Invisible Mitt for a candid, bird on Etch-a-Sketch interview. 
T: I understand you’re rebooting your campaign.
IM: Yes. It’s what I do best.
T: A month ago, going into the Republican Convention, you were looking to reboot your campaign then, too, weren’t you?
IM: Well, as a matter of fact, I was. You see, at that point in time I had come in second to so many of my worthy opponents that I had to reinvent myself as the front runner.
T: To capture the ‘anybody but Romney’ vote?
IM: Right. You see, I thought that by taking every position on every issue, everyone would like me. Now, I wouldn’t say I was wrong, but the voters kept voting for everyone but me. I was kind of like that old Avis Rent-a-car commercial — I’m number two, but I try harder. Well, I don’t exactly try harder, but I do have more money, so when my opponents would ride the wave and get knocked off, I was still there, waiting for the tide to turn in my favor.
T: And when it did, you became Mr. Etch-a-Sketch?
IM: Right. What better way to illustrate to my base than use a simple child’s toy to show folks how easy it is to start with a clean slate, to erase everything I said going into the convention and start over.
T: But you didn’t get the bounce you expected out of your convention.
IM: No. But I don’t fault Invisible Dirty Harry for that. I blame the liberal media for focusing more on Invisible Obama than on me.
T: Well, you have to admit, bringing Invisible Obama on the stage at the Republican Convention did give him quite a boost in the polls.
IM: I don’t have to admit anything. And just because my tax forms state the United States is a foreign country, it doesn’t mean I’m from the planet Kolob.
T: O…kay… So, after the convention you re-booted your campaign, again. How did that go?
IM: Forty-seven percent of the people didn’t like it. So I’m re-booting again.
T: Again?
IM: Sure! Why not? If at first you don’t succeed, just shake the Etch-a-Sketch and start all over. I’m sure that sooner or later, I’ll find a message that resonates with the voters.
Walker, The Zoo’s underground reporter
“Walker here,” the Mole interrupted, “I just got back from my latest assignment, to find the dirt on Romney’s latest re-boot. My sources tell me he’s going to put a lot of boots on the ground. There’s a huge voter supression effort going on across the country. I managed to get this photo of one of their election-day training camps, at great peril to myself, I might add:
Romney’s Re-Boot
THIS IS OUR OPEN THREAD. ENJOY YOUR FREEDOMS WHILE YOU CAN!
Tweeter
Tweeter, The Zoo’s premier investigave journalist, has been following Invisible Obama around the country as he continues his campaign. Today he found the transparent candidate speaking in front of an Alamo car rental in San Antonio.
“We must all remember The Alamo” Invisible Obama spoke, “where Americans from all across the country banded together to fight an army of illegal immigrants from Mexico determined to come into this great country to take jobs away from the African-American slaves in the deep south.”
Invisible Obama
When someone from the gathering crowd pointed out that the battle of The Alamo was to free Texas, Invisible Obama explained, “I know that, but what can I say? The Republicans who invented me don’t exactly have the greatest grasp on history, and I say whatever they want me to say so they can then attack President Obama.”
“Is that why you’re speaking in front of a rental car place instead of the real Alamo?” Tweeter asked.
“Exactly.” Invisible Obama explained.
Lynched chair
Chair lynchings in Texas and Virgina demonstrate voter outrage over the Invisible Obama campaign.
When asked about the recent spate of chair lynchings, the transparent candidate paused for a moment of silence. “It is most unfortunate that some people choose to take their displeasure of me out on innocent chairs. While I defend their right to political speech, no matter how offensive, I believe we must not forget the real victims here. I mean, folding chairs? They have picked on the weakest amongst us, those who, when pressed, are unable to stand on their own four feet, and strung them up from the highest tree. To me, the individuals who hung those chairs are no better than someone who destroys a step-stool.”
Invisible Dirty Harry
“I have something I’d like to say about that.” The crowd parted as Invisible Dirty Harry approached the podium. “Now, frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass about people that go around lynchin’ chairs. These clowns must not have seen High Plains Drifter. If they had, they’da known better than to just go and lynch the first chair they see.”
Invisible Mitt
“You’re never going to change the mind of 47% of the people when it comes to chairs.” A voice from the back called out.
“Well, if it isn’t Mister Etch a Sketch Himself.” replied Invisible Dirty Harry. “You still all shook up about me taking away your limelight at the Convention?”
“You bet I am!” stormed Invisible Mitt. “Do you know how hard I work at saying things that will get me the national attention I deserve?”
Invisible Dirty Harry looked down on Invisible Mitt. “I know what you’re thinkin’…did I tell five jokes, or was it six. You know, in all the excitement, I lost count. Do I have another one-liner in me? Well, do I? Ya feelin’ lucky, punk?”
Invisible Mitt began to shake.
Invisible Mitt Romney
“I…I…I… don’t know what to say.”
“Yeah,” replied Invisible Dirty Harry, “and you’ve been not sayin’ it for months now. C’mon, make my day.”
Invisible Obama interrupted the pair. “I’d like to thank everybody for coming out to this press conference. You all can catch up with me next on the Colbert Report. I’ll be there, sitting in the guest’s chair until the regularly scheduled guest arrives.”
I’ve been reading through the transcripts of Mitt Romney’s campaign speeches, and I’ve noticed that he has several recurring themes and lies about President Obama:
– “President Obama sees a different America and has taken us in a different direction.”
– “A few months into office, he travelled around the globe to apologize for America.”
– “Ronald Reagan rallied America with “Peace Through Strength.””
– “We must pass a torch to the next generation…”
– “It’s really an election about the soul of America.”
– “Three years ago, Candidate Obama promised to address the problems of illegal immigration in America. He failed. The truth is, he didn’t even try.”
– “American strength rises from a strong economy, a strong defense, and the enduring strength of our values. Unfortunately, under this President, all three of those elements have been weakened.”
– “This President’s first answer to every problem is to take power from you, your local government and your state so that so-called “experts” in Washington can make those choices for you. And with each of these decisions, we lose more of our freedom.”
This particular speech from January, 2012, in New Hampshire, probably has the most out-and-out lies of all the speeches I’ve read so far (read for yourself.)
Here’s the most hypocritical lie (and one that he reiterated at the RNC):
– “At the time, we didn’t know what sort of a President he would make. It was a moment of crisis for our economy, and when Barack Obama came to office, we wished him well and hoped for the best…”
I’ve also run across various and sundry WTF? lines:
– “As President, on Day One, I will focus on rebuilding America’s economy. I will reverse President Obama’s massive defense cuts. Time and again, we have seen that attempts to balance the budget by weakening our military only lead to a far higher price, not only in treasure, but in blood.”
– “Barack Obama has failed America. It breaks my heart to see what’s happening in this country. These failing hopes make up President Obama’s own misery index. It’s never been higher. And what’s his answer? He says this: “I’m just getting started.”
– “If a couple has a baby, the government will actually give them more support—in the form of food stamps, welfare, or other benefits—if they do not marry than if they do. Our safety-net programs penalize the decision to marry, instead of rewarding it. That’s just wrong. And that’s why I will eliminate these marriage penalties.”
– “God did not create this country to be a nation of followers.”
Romney’s campaign speeches also contain myriad Republican-hot-button-buzzwords, repeated ad nauseum, such as “freedom”, “opportunity”, “exceptionalism”, “entitlements”, “failure”, etc. In addition, Romney makes plenty of promises to uphold or strengthen various rights: States’ rights; corporations’ rights to conduct their businesses unfettered by Federal regulations; and, of course, the overarching rights of a collection of zygotes.
However, thus far in my research (ten speeches), one very important topic stands out which Mitt Romney completely ignores: Women’s issues and rights. Romney’s only mention of women:
– “We live in the most powerful nation that ever existed. And it all goes back to a few men and women who had the courage to stand – and even die – for their belief in liberty and equality.”
and
– “…I will hold fathers financially responsible for their child, whether or not they have married the mother.”
As I mentioned, I’m only ten speeches into a collection of about forty-five, so there’s a possibility that Romney may have discussed support for women’s rights in a later speech. But I’ve got the feeling that that possibility is slim-to-none.
This is our daily open thread — What would YOU like to ramble about?
The Obamas at the DNC.
From left to right: Malia, Michelle, President Obama, Sasha and Invisible Obama.
Later, Invisible Obama and President Obama met behind closed doors to discuss campaign strategy. Tweeter flew right past the Secret Service agents to gain this unique oportunity to listen in on the two candidates.
President Obama listens intently as Invisible Obama outlines his strategies.
IO: I think you should campaign on your record, and let me campaign on mine. You’ve got a solid record of accomplishments, from the Lilly Ledbetter equal pay act, to saving the country from another great depression to the first reform of health care in modern times. Me? I could only hope to achieve some of the things the Republicans are giving me credit for.
PO: Like what?
IO: Like totally socialist health care. They say I socialized health care in this country, but I didn’t even come close. No Universal health care, no single payer, no MediCare for all. But, hey, if I’m out there getting all the blame, you’re free to campaign on your own merits.
PO: But what are you going to campaign on?
IO: Repbulican successes!
PO: Are you crazy?!?
IO: Hear me out…I want to point out, day and night, each and everything Republicans should proudly take credit for. Things like blocking the American Jobs Act for what, over a year now? They have done more in that one act to increase people’s dependency on government handouts than the Democrats have done in the past decade.
And how about repeatedly stonewalling the budget, unemployment benefits – you name it – to the point of actually damaging the credit rating of this country – just to keep massive tax breaks for multi-millionaires? That’s quite an accomplishment.
They passed a law allowing a stranger to shove something up a woman’s Continue reading
Is Mitt Romney really an American? Which country does Mitt Romney serve? Is there something suspicious in Mitt Romney’s tax returns? What is he hiding? Why does he fly the flag of another country? Is this the country that Mitt Romney pledges allegiance to?
The party yacht proudly displays the flag of the Cayman Islands.
More questions, were there years that Mitt Romney didn’t pay taxes? Is he using accounts in the Cayman Island to hide his money so that he doesn’t have to pay taxes to the United States government?
No wonder Mitt Romney is out of touch with the American people. He doesn’t know what it is like to worry about where his next meal will come from or if he still has a job or if he can pay for his mortgage or rent. His only worry is how can he hide his money so that he doesn’t have to pay taxes.
Mitt was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He doesn’t know what it is like to be an ordinary American.
Invisible Obama
Invisible Obama spent Labor Day giving a stump speech at the shuttered labor and delivery unit at the South Fulton Medical Center in East Point, Georgia.
“This facility was closed following the enactment of ObamaCare.” Invisible Obama noted, “and I take full responsiblity for that. It shut its doors and laid off 80 employees because young women in Georgia weren’t getting pregnant in sufficient numbers to make this birthing center financially profitable.”
Invisible Obama chose a birthing center to give his Labor Day speech because “if it weren’t for the Labor each and every one of our Mothers experienced, we would not be here today.”
Invisible Obama acknowledged his opponent, Mitt Romney, would make it more likely birthing centers like this one would stay open. “With the elimination of sex education, birth control and abortions, the Republican Party will ensure that market forces will cause not only this center to re-open, but will result in an explosion of demand for similar centers all across this great country.”
Tweeter
HT: Huffington Post
Yes indeed, Paul Ryan, rape is one “method of conception,” isn’t it? Wow. Way to totally dismiss the terror and violence of having one’s body violated by another, you soul-less bastard. Rape is an event that changes who you are forever. Just look at his face as he’s speaking; he doesn’t even seem to realize that what he’s saying is so disgusting.
As if the trauma, fear, injuries, and horror at losing personal autonomy during the rape are not enough, then, if the woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape, Paul Ryan and his fellow pro-forced birthers will happily extend the torture for another nine months — at least.
But we shouldn’t really be all that surprised that Paul Ryan could say something so abhorrent. He’s a lifelong Ayn Rand devotee (when it suits him), so basically, as long as he’s not the one being raped, he doesn’t care. That’s your problem, honey. Although I really doubt he gives a flying flip if a woman has an abortion or not, Ryan parts company with Ayn Rand when it comes to pregnancy as a result of that rape, because it suits him to pander to the rabid forced birth crowd.
This is what I find so disturbing about Paul Ryan — he doesn’t care about this country or the people, he cares about what Paul Ryan wants.
Haven’t we had about enough of that kind of political candidate?
It’s always been pretty much a given that New York State’s electoral votes in a Presidential election go to the Democratic candidate. While most of the state is Republican-leaning, the heavily-populated centers of New York City and Albany tip the electoral scales in favor of Democrats. And despite the recent redistricting, which lost the state two of its electoral votes, its 29 votes should still be reliably blue. Okay, while not an actual guarantee, New York should still be able to be counted on for President Obama in the upcoming Presidential election. Regardless, I don’t expect to see either Presidential candidate, or their surrogates, doing any campaigning in New York.
On the other hand, some of the Congressional races within the state are now, frighteningly, likely to remain in the grasp of the Republicans. Our own district, now redistricted as The Fightin’ Eighteenth (as Stephen Colbert would say), went from Democrat John Hall to Tea Party Republican Nan Hayworth in the 2010 Tea Party tempest. According to Salon.com:
“In 2010, no state was stung by the Republican sweep of the House more than New York. Before the election, New York had three Republican representatives. After the dust settled, Republicans increased their numbers in the New York delegation nearly three-fold — eight of New York’s 29 seats were Republican.”
Those eight Congressional seats are now in play again, and, as Salon puts it:
“For Republicans, simply retaining the gains of two years ago would be a major win, both in the state and nationally. And they’re confident that they’ll even pick up new seats. “They’re more likely to pick up two than lose two at this time,” said New York Republican consultant Susan Del Percio.”
However, the website ballotpedia.org, paints an even more dire picture in New York. The site references the New York Times race ratings, which indicate that 10 New York congressional districts could go Republican: “the 1st, 11th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 27th districts.”
If Republicans retain their current eight Congressional seats, that would be bad enough news for us and for President Obama. If they gain any more seats on top of those eight, it bodes even worse for all of us. And if you combine such a scenario with the fact that so many Republican-governed states are doing their utmost to suppress Democratic votes, well…do I need to draw a map?
This is our daily open thread — got any good news?
Someone sent me this link to an article where anonymous claims to have “hacked the IRS database” and retrieved Romney’s tax records. It is really funny.
Here’s a few excepts that caught my eye:
Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul stated last week that “there has been no year in which Romney paid zero taxes”. In 2008, this was true. He earned $23,425,316 and paid $412.18 in federal income taxes. This calculates to a federal tax rate of 0.0018%. How did Romney get his tax burden so low? According to his return, he had approximately $23,407,000 in itemized deductions. These deductions ranged from $78,923 for “Toupee Creators Unlimited” and $41,826 for “Spray-on tan services” to a $3.8 million dollar write-off for a trip to Las Vegas with potential campaign donors. The Romney family also paid salaries to their numerous employees including, two yacht captains, three pilots for their private jets, two professional dog walkers, one toupee stylist and a “live-in contortionist”. What someone does with a live-in contortionist, one can only speculate. However, the $891,064 Romney spent on an “EWS Donor Party at the Pennsylvania Mansion” might give us a clue. While the return does not indicate what “EWS” stands for, given that the deducted supplies for the party included “Venetian masks, alcohol, lubricant and various Egyptian leather accessories” it was most likely an “Eyes Wide Shut” party.
And then there is this part:
In addition to his wild nights, Romney also deducted health related expenses. These included $127,000 for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for a condition termed “Pseudologia fantastica” also known as Compulsive Liar Syndrome. This may explain why the Republican nominee’s views seem to change dramatically depending on his audience. In fact, his recent string of political gaffes may be the direct result of his inability to keep up with the many competing “truths” he has spoken over the past year. According to noted Psychiatrist Bryan King, “Pathological liars seem utterly sincere about their lies, but if confronted with facts to the contrary, will often just as sincerely reverse their story.” According to Politifact, a news organization that researches the veracity of politician’s statements, only 16% of Romney’s examined statements were found to be completely true.
Enjoy the laughs.
They say that apples don’t fall far from the tree. It’s a metaphor used for explaining the behaviors of parents and their children. Most of the time, the apples remain close to the tree unless they are carried away by an animal or roll down a hill.
I don’t know what happened to Mitt Romney as he lacks the integrity that his father displayed. This is what George Romney had to say about politicians and taxes. Perhaps Mitt does have something to hide.
This is our Open Thread. What do you think? Speak Up!
I found this photo on Facebook.
Ok, so for the next few months, if you’re in a “swing” State, you’ll be inundated with SuperPAC commercials designed to get you to vote against your own best interests. We will also be systematically bombarded with messages from the Mainstream Media designed to influence our thinking.
IT’S ALL A SHOW. IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER.
If the Powers That Be really want Obama out, all they have to do is raise gas prices to about $5.00/gallon. Instead, gas prices are going down, heading into the summer vacation season. That’s not to say they won’t go up between now and the election – but they are an accurate predictor of where our economy will head. So, pay attention to the pump, not the talking heads.
Ok, that’s my $0.0199 cents. And you?
OPEN THREAD
JUST REMEMBER
EVERYTHING I SAID
DOESN’T REALLY MATTER
Tweeter calls in his latest scoop.
What’s black and white and red all over?
Obama, Romney and the 2012 electoral map.
Once again, Tweeter, the Zoo’s primo investigative journalist is first on the scene with the Gnus. Diebold has already called the 2012 election for President-elect Mitt Romney. Eeking out a narrow victory within the statistical margin of error in each of the swing states Romney walks away with 100% of the votes of the Electoral College, a fete not accomplished by any presidential candidate since George Washington.
Through countless hours of painstakingly pasting together documents in Diebold’s shredding machines, Tweeter discovered draft acceptance and concession speeches.
President Obama will be magnamous in defeat:
The people have spoken. I promised them change, but didn’t deliver. Too often, change was dictated by the minority of Republicans in the Senate. Where I failed, they succeeded. I wanted jobs for all, they wanted a continued economic decline. They won. I wanted health care for everyone. They wanted profits for the insurance industry. They won. Even when I wanted what they wanted, they opposed it, and won. And now, they won the presidency. For that, I congratulate them. I am going back to the place of my birth proud of what I, a black man from Kenya, was able to accomplish. One term. As President. Of the United States. Of. America.
President-Elect Romney will be gracious in winning:
Where’s my Etch-a-Sketch? Is this thing on? … My fellow Americans…tonight we celebrate a great victory for Americans where ever they are. You have given me a mandate as clear as black and white. I want what you want. You want fewer government services…so do I. You want fewer teachers, police, and firefighters, so do I. You want to get rid of unions. So do I. You want to get rid of ObamaCare. So do I. You want to eliminate the minimum wage. So do I. You want to keep gays from getting married. So do I. You want marriage to be between one man and one woman. So do I…but we can talk about numbers later. You want to prevent your wives, daughters and girlfriends from having the choice to have an abortion, so do I. You want to close our borders to illegal immigration. So do I. You want to rid the world of terrorists, liberals and socialists. So do I. And now I’ll have the drones to do just that!
THIS THREAD IS NOW OPEN
ANY COMMENTS YOU POST
MAY BE HELD AGAINST YOU
IN A COURT OF FLAW
TheZoo 