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[Pie Lord]

Do they ever lose?

Well, they do lose to other lobbyists.

 

[Maxim726X]

Do they ever lose?

Apparently they can, but only if major websites shut down for a 24 hour period.

 

[Kosmo]

Yep. Ignore stellar performance while at Harvard Law School, and focus on underwhelming undergraduate grades to bitch about affirmative action.

Have his Harvard records been released? Everyone demanded GWBs be released (or they were leaked) because everyone knew he was not as bright as the erudite John Kerry and then it was "oops, nevermind."

 

[Narpas Sword0]

You missed one:

Being a natural born citizen is a requirement to be President so asking for a birth certificate is looking for proof of that requirement. Revealing your taxes is not and really just serves for political fodder.

And since John King pressed the issue, saying that it is "tradition" and Romney's father released 12 years of tax returns, I look forward to him asking the same thing of Obama about his academic records, which is also pretty much tradition.

Obama put a certificate of live birth on his website when he was still running against Hillary. That is a birth certificate. Its what I used to get my marriage license.

 

[The Librarian]

Via twitter, Reid has postponed PIPA's vote. Good man, Reid.

 

[Byakuya769]

Have his Harvard records been released? Everyone demanded GWBs be released (or they were leaked) because everyone knew he was not as bright as the erudite John Kerry and then it was "oops, nevermind."

No, but he graduated Magna Cum Laude. So not quite sure how it matters.

 

[empty vessel]

It is not 'immoral' to follow the rules. Mitt is doing nothing different than what all of us do and try to use every tax break they can to pay as little as possible. It's his huge pile of money that gives him more leverage than the average joe.

Well, he's doing something a little different than the rest of us do. He's running for president on a platform that he should pay less in taxes and that other people's benefits and services should be cut.

 

[Averon]

Just saw Newt "answering" JK's question regarding his ex-wife accusations.

All I can say is...masterful!! The way Newt got out of that question (and got the audience on his said at the same time!) was beautiful work.

As for Mitt, he is slowly being transformed into Gordon Gekko 2.0, just like how Kerry was morphed in a draft-dodging cheese eatin' surrender monkey. It's amazing how much Romney and Kerry are alike.

 

[Tom_Cody]

Well, he's doing something a little different than the rest of us do. He's running for president on a platform that he should pay less in taxes and that other people's benefits and services should be cut.

Do you pay more than 15% in capital gains tax on your investments?

 

[Learn2read]

Do you pay more than 15% in capital gains tax on your investments?

WOOOOOSH

 

[markatisu]

Man if Romney is stumbling against the GOP field I think Obama is going to kill him in their debates.

I know Newt is scum and has not real shot at winning but I think its hilarious he is dead set on taking Mitt down, all Obama has to do is record/log everything Newt says/ads he does about Romney then re-air them over the summer. Romney will do himself in if these past debates are any indication

 

[thefit]

Newt is very Reaganesk with his words that's right up there with “My heart and my best intentions still tell me that’s true. But the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.”

 

[Stinkles]

No, but he graduated Magna Cum Laude. So not quite sure how it matters.

Only a liberal deals in absolutes. Kosmo is a republican Jedi and is using force push to move the goalposts and Jedi mind trick to make you forget he's been wrong about just about everything he's ever typed.

 

[ced]

Via twitter, Reid has postponed PIPA's vote. Good man, Reid.

You're buying their BS. Postponed means there is going to be a round 2 soon.

 

[Dude Abides]

Have his Harvard records been released? Everyone demanded GWBs be released (or they were leaked) because everyone knew he was not as bright as the erudite John Kerry and then it was "oops, nevermind."

IIRC it was "Yep, gentleman's Cs, as we suspected." The surprise was how poorly Kerry did, no how poorly Bush did.

Edit: Gore, not Kerry. Bush's grades were already out by 2004.

 

[Tim-E]

The GOP should have been able to cakewalk this coming GE, but they've destroyed almost any chance they've had at winning. The GOP's masterful job at destroying Romney and giving the democrats even more ammo against him in the GE should result in Obama thanking them in his victory speech on election night.

 

[BotoxAgent]

I should add that Romney's image is slowly changing from a Job Creator to a Corporate Raider.

This is very similar to how the Bush campaign gradually morphed John Kerry into an rich out of touch north easterner flip-flopper during the mid/late stages of the Democratic primary in '04.

Romney has to be really careful right now that the Gordon Gekko image doesn't take a permanent hold in the voter's psyche.

it's bad enough that conservatives already viewed Mitt as a rich out of touch north easterner flip-flopper for years now.

Now add the corporate raider image problem, and his inability to talk or be open about it. You have a very unlikeable guy who you feel can't empathize with middle class problems. And the way he talks on the trail, the fear is very close to the truth.


I doubt there's anything he can say to shake that image off because, just by looking at him, you can't forget it....it's who he is. And it will only get worse in the GE.


If Mitt was confronted with a guy who complains about wealth inequality, he'll tell you are just filled with unjust envy and to GTFO and go to China. Obama would never have handled criticism that way.

 

[acheron_xl]

The GOP should have been able to cakewalk this coming GE, but they've destroyed almost any chance they've had at winning. The GOP's masterful job at destroying Romney and giving the democrats even more ammo against him in the GE should result in Obama thanking them in his victory speech on election night.

I don't believe this is true at all. They have a hard time coming up with anyone who even looks competent, let alone strong enough to steamroll Obama.

 

[RoninChaos]

I watched Newt take that shot at John King.

A27, I gotta ask, since you seem to love Newt, how is what John King asked in anyway innapropriate when Newt Gingrich was one of the people who attacked President Clinton on "family values"? It seems to me that Newt really has no business feigning offense when he did the same thing to another person.

 

[Tim-E]

I don't believe this is true at all. They have a hard time coming up with anyone who even looks competent, let alone strong enough to steamroll Obama.

I'm just referring to their victories in messaging following the health care debate, the debt ceiling, the midterm win, etc. with a competent candidate I think they would be doing alright, but with this parade of dimwits they've presented us with, theyve given Obama a huge opportunity. I think it's working in his favor and will continue to.
Given their obstructionism, I think Obama has done a pretty good job. If he can continue to promote his positives, highlight their obstructionism, keep hammering Romney's out-of-touchiness and corporate raider qualities while the economy show signs that it's heading in the right direction, he's going to win this.

 

[Learn2read]

I watched Newt take that shot at John King.

A27, I gotta ask, since you seem to love Newt, how is what John King asked in anyway innapropriate when Newt Gingrich was one of the people who attacked President Clinton on "family values"? It seems to me that Newt really has no business feigning offense when he did the same thing to another person.

Or feigning indignation that the media only attacks Republicans when he was the ringleader for the 24/7 media circus that was Monicagate.

 

[Averon]

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...blem-worries-conservatives.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

Conservatives Freak Out Over Romney’s Kryptonite: Money

In Thursday’s debate he awkwardly stumbled over questions about his tax returns, at one point drawing boos from the audience for wavering on whether he’d release multiple years.

Conservatives are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue as the general election grows closer and as Romney faces a renewed round of pressure to release his tax returns.

“I believe he is way too defensive about his wealth,” Brad Blakeman, a former advisor to President George W. Bush, told TPM. He suggested Romney quickly get the returns out of the way and quit trying to pretend he isn’t rich. His model to emulate? Donald Trump, “minus the arrogance.”

“Trump never goes on defense on his wealth and, if anything, is obnoxiously offensive,” he said. “His popularity comes from the fact that he is successful. Romney needs to be positive about his wealth and how he earned it.”

“I don’t understand how he isn’t more attuned to his own rhetoric when talking about wealth,” Hotair blogger Allahpundit wrote earlier this week. “He knows the left is going to demagogue him for it; in virtually every other aspect of the campaign, he’s exhaustively prepared and disciplined.”

Ace of Spades, a popular blogger on the right endorsing Newt, was also perplexed by the “not very much” episode, noting that “for all his intelligence, he does seem to lack some basic common sense.”

 

[mckmas8808]

Dude, don't come in with that "police state" thing I mean just look at what justice Obama dealt to those in charge of the financial crisis.....oh wait...

Should I really be mad that the government shut down Megaupload? Really?

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Watching CNN right now, and heard these words of wisdom from a man-on-the-street interview:

(about Newt's proclivities as a debate question):

"I think it's relevant... but I think it's uncalled for."

 

[Plinko]

Maybe you guys can help me out here.

I'm confused as to WHY the GOP seems to be pushing Gingrich. From what we know, he is:

1) A politician with a proven history of ethics issues
2) A politician who absolutely does NOT appeal to women and independents
3) A politician with MAJOR family issues

What am I missing here? In all aspects, it appears he's headed for a huge blowout loss to Obama if he gets the nomination--mainly because of item 2 above. Does the GOP actually think Gingrich can win? Or, are they just being hoodwinked by his one-liners, non-answers and faux outrage and forgetting that far-right males aren't the only ones voting?

Also: Gingrich now has a 6-point lead in SC. It's over and Romney absolutely blew it by not taking any major shots at Gingrich. It's apparent that SC crowd loves those.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Well, he's doing something a little different than the rest of us do. He's running for president on a platform that he should pay less in taxes and that other people's benefits and services should be cut.

Funny, I thought he was running on a platform where he feels money shouldn't be taxed twice. Something that millions of others believe in also.

 

[LosDaddie]

The debate highlights are pretty great. Newt ripped King a new asshole. :lol

 

[RustyNails]

Herman Cain picked for the Tea Party response to Obama's State of the Union on Jan 24th

(CNN) – The Tea Party Express announced Thursday it would again provide its own response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, this year with former presidential candidate Herman Cain as the headliner.

Cain, who dropped out of the 2012 race in December, will deliver the rebuttal to Obama January 24.

 

[mckmas8808]

Wow, that reminds me of the 3-pointer he sunk at the military base, or when he stopped that baby from crying.

Dude is just a charming mofo. Probably why the majority of the country still likes him.

It's one of the reasons why I think the guy can be very easy to be around, unlike some of the stories that some in the media push that he's a dorky dork that no real person can relate to. Dude just seems like a cool guy.

 

[The Librarian]

You're buying their BS. Postponed means there is going to be a round 2 soon.

lol. I know what "postponed" means, so you need to step off.

 

[Tim-E]

Maybe you guys can help me out here.

I'm confused as to WHY the GOP seems to be pushing Gingrich. From what we know, he is:

1) A politician with a proven history of ethics issues
2) A politician who absolutely does NOT appeal to women and independents
3) A politician with MAJOR family issues

What am I missing here? In all aspects, it appears he's headed for a huge blowout loss to Obama if he gets the nomination--mainly because of item 2 above. Does the GOP actually think Gingrich can win? Or, are they just being hoodwinked by his one-liners, non-answers and faux outrage and forgetting that far-right males aren't the only ones voting?

Also: Gingrich now has a 6-point lead in SC. It's over and Romney absolutely blew it by not taking any major shots at Gingrich. It's apparent that SC crowd loves those.

I see it playing out one of two ways:

Scenerio A: Gingrich wins the nomination in a long primary, gets steamrolled by Obama in the general.
Scenerio B: Conservatives rally behind Gincrich and lengthen this primary process, ultimately losing to Romney, who is worn down and bloodied from the constant stream of attacks from Gingrich. This also gives Obama infinite ammo to use in the general.

I absolutely cannot understand why republicans think its a good idea to destroy their only slight chance at winning this November. But boy, I am loving every minute of it.

 

[YoungHav]

Newt is a comedian.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Maybe you guys can help me out here.

I'm confused as to WHY the GOP seems to be pushing Gingrich. From what we know, he is:

1) A politician with a proven history of ethics issues
2) A politician who absolutely does NOT appeal to women and independents
3) A politician with MAJOR family issues

What am I missing here? In all aspects, it appears he's headed for a huge blowout loss to Obama if he gets the nomination--mainly because of item 2 above. Does the GOP actually think Gingrich can win? Or, are they just being hoodwinked by his one-liners, non-answers and faux outrage and forgetting that far-right males aren't the only ones voting?

Also: Gingrich now has a 6-point lead in SC. It's over and Romney absolutely blew it by not taking any major shots at Gingrich. It's apparent that SC crowd loves those.

As an organized political machine, I don't think the GOP knows what to do right now. I think the Gingrich surge is relatively "organic"--he's just sucking up all the latent enthusiasm in the race that Romney couldn't muster even if he promised to punch a different Democrat for every day he was in office.

The GOP knows Gingrich is a dead end, but its heart just isn't into Romney. That's why the race has been so erratic. People are just voting for whoever-the-fuck without clear commands from the mothership.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Maybe you guys can help me out here.

I'm confused as to WHY the GOP seems to be pushing Gingrich. From what we know, he is:

1) A politician with a proven history of ethics issues
2) A politician who absolutely does NOT appeal to women and independents
3) A politician with MAJOR family issues

What am I missing here? In all aspects, it appears he's headed for a huge blowout loss to Obama if he gets the nomination--mainly because of item 2 above. Does the GOP actually think Gingrich can win? Or, are they just being hoodwinked by his one-liners, non-answers and faux outrage and forgetting that far-right males aren't the only ones voting?

Also: Gingrich now has a 6-point lead in SC. It's over and Romney absolutely blew it by not taking any major shots at Gingrich. It's apparent that SC crowd loves those.

I think it's pretty simple. Newt is the best of the 'non-Mitt's'. Newt still has strong respect for his leadership in the mid-90's. Newt is also clearly the best debater among the group.

That last one is key. Quite often when I hear talk radio or read right wing blogs, there is this constant complaint that no one is effectively challenging Obama in public. The media is seen as being passive, they rail about how few press conferences he has had, etc.

So, I think, they would rather lose and have someone effectively combat Obama in the public arena, rather than lose closely and have someone fail to challenge Obama and his 'dangerous' ideology.

 

[Dude Abides]

Funny, I thought he was running on a platform where he feels money shouldn't be taxed twice. Something that millions of others believe in also.

I've never understood this argument. Money is not taxed twice. Transfers of money are taxed once. For example, income taxes are imposed when your employer transfers money to you, and then when you transfer money to a business to buy something, sales taxes are imposed on that transfer as well. It's never been clear to me what the world where "money is never taxed twice" is supposed to look like.

 

[Tim-E]

Herman Cain picked for the Tea Party response to Obama's State of the Union on Jan 24th

Fucking LOL. In an election year where they're trying to beat the incumbent, they're going to follow the SOTU with this fucking clown on every news outlet. I seriously don't think they want to win.

 

[Averon]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/4378

Gallup Editor-In-Chief: Romney Support 'Collapsing' Nationally

Gallup’s Editor-in-chief Frank Newport appeared on MSNBC to talk about the polling organization’s national tracking poll of the GOP primary race, which is changing rapidly in the last few days of the campaign for South Carolina. Newport said when their new data comes out at 1 pm eastern, “…we’ll see this gap closing more. Romney was up 23 points over Newt Gingrich. Now it will be down about ten points, so clearly things are collapsing.”

The Gallup tracking poll showed a huge lead for Romney after winning the New Hampshire primary and it seemed that he was on the way to locking down the nomination. Now that Newt Gingrich has resurged in South Carolina, and taken the media narrative along with him, Romney is faltering nationally.

“We have seen more movement, more roller coaster kind of effect this year than any other Republican primary in our history of tracking,” Newport said. “I think anything is possible. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility if Romney recovers. We’ll wait and see.”

The Gallup poll still shows a 16 point lead for Romney as of today, but the trend is clearly down. Our TPM Poll Average shows the same trend, incorporating all public surveys.

 

[Zzoram]

Herman Cain picked for the Tea Party response to Obama's State of the Union on Jan 24th

Imagine if he announced support for Stephen Colbert and Colbert registers for every primary after South Carolina?

 

[ToxicAdam]

I've never understood this argument. Money is not taxed twice. Transfers of money are taxed once. For example, income taxes are imposed when your employer transfers money to you, and then when you transfer money to a business to buy something, sales taxes are imposed on that transfer as well. It's never been clear to me what the world where "money is never taxed twice" is supposed to look like.

I don't agree with Romney at all (and its the main reason why I won't vote for him), so I feel odd defending this, but when an employer 'transfers' money to you .. that is earnings. You earned that money. When you gamble that money on an investment, and it pays off .. those are earnings, also.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Fucking LOL. In an election year where they're trying to beat the incumbent, they're going to follow the SOTU with this fucking clown on every news organization. I seriously don't think they want to win.

It's the Tea Party Express, not the official GOP response.

 

[slidewinder]

I don't agree with Romney at all (and its the main reason why I won't vote for him), so I feel odd defending this, but when an employer 'transfers' money to you .. that is earnings. You earned that money. When you gamble that money on an investment, and it pays off .. those are earnings, also.

Aaaaaaand? You realize that's what taxed in the latter case are your gains, right? Where is the money that's being "taxed twice"?

 

[LosDaddie]

I think it's pretty simple. Newt is the best of the 'non-Mitt's'. Newt still has strong respect for his leadership in the mid-90's. Newt is also clearly the best debater among the group.

That last one is key. Quite often when I hear talk radio or read right wing blogs, there is this constant complaint that no one is effectively challenging Obama in public. The media is seen as being passive, they rail about how few press conferences he has had, etc.

So, I think, they would rather lose and have someone effectively combat Obama in the public arena, rather than lose closely and have someone fail to challenge Obama and his 'dangerous' ideology.

I think you got it correct there. The Right really just wants someone to bloody up Obama in the GE. Someone who will throw every punch to be thrown.

 

[Narpas Sword0]

I don't agree with Romney at all (and its the main reason why I won't vote for him), so I feel odd defending this, but when an employer 'transfers' money to you .. that is earnings. You earned that money. When you gamble that money on an investment, and it pays off .. those are earnings, also.

I'd be happy if investment earnings were treated identically to income from work.

And I'm probably one of the few people on this site who pays capital gains tax each year

 

[Tim-E]

It's the Tea Party Express, not the official GOP response.

Either way. I don't think they're trying to be taken seriously anymore.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Where is the money that's being "taxed twice"?

The initial investment which could vanish rapidly.

I'd be happy if investment earnings were treated identically to income from work.

And I'm probably one of the few people on this site who pays capital gains tax each year

I don't disagree with your first statement at all. I think many people feel that way.

Just judging by all the stock talk on this forum, there are many more people here who pay CG tax than you may think.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The initial investment which could vanish rapidly.

But you're not taxed on the initial investment, you're taxed on the profit. Or I'm not following something in your argument, which is possible. I am not a tax (or investment) expert.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Where does that initial investment come from?

 

[slidewinder]

Where does that initial investment come from?

It could come from any number of sources. "How is it taxed twice" is the question.

 

[Plinko]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/4378

Gallup Editor-In-Chief: Romney Support 'Collapsing' Nationally

My initial statement that Newt had the nomination wrapped up may still be true

 

[Plinko]

I think the thing that bothers me the most about Gingrich is that one of the reasons he's rising in the polls because of attacking the media.

I'll never understand how people can be fooled into believing that the media is involved in some massive far-left conspiracy.