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[DasRaven]

Sen. Coburn is now my favorite male Republican.
Coburn: Kill the Dollar Bill

 

[Skiptastic]

I just wish my Hoosier brethren would set their sights a little higher and reach for the stars!

Too busy aiming for the top ten in smoking and obesity to bother.

 

[mckmas8808]

Aren't you the one who keeps saying "we aren't in a recession!!" because we've been able to drag our corpse an extra 1% each quarter? Give it a name, but it sure feels like a recession.

It's not about where you are man, it's about how far you've come!

You mean 2% right?

All I'm saying is that it's weird to read from PD that Perry can be considered a job creating Governor with 8% unemployment. I doubt anybody would consider Obama the same if the national unemployment rate next year is say 8.5%.

 

[RustyNails]

Your tax dollars at work, people. There's a fraudster posing as a "terrorist expert" but his background is incredibly sketchy. Brilliant investigative journalism piece by CNN exposes this clown who's going around different cities (at taxpayer expense) and giving bogus lectures on "islamic terrorism" to local cops. Yes, local cops in South Dakota are being lectured on this stuff.

Needless to say, he is adamant about his credentials and his business partner equally so.

 

[Wall]

I have no idea how they're going to increase revenues by doing this, or what they mean by having brackets with rates "from 8% to 12%", but it sounds like the primary revenue raisers are the elimination of deductions, which they are offsetting by lowering marginal rates. I bet they could double or triple the amount saved by not lowering the brackets and by attempting more ambitious pentagon cuts ($80B over 10 years? Really?)

I mean, extending the bush tax cuts for 2 years added $561B to the deficit, and you're telling me this broad, sweeping tax reform only contributes $1T in additional revenues over ten years?

Meanwhile I've noticed the GOP is taking the same stance they did on health care with regards to obama: "What does he want? What plan? He hasn't given specifics! How can you compromise with someone who doesn't know what he wants?"

Just take obama's plan and pass it, it's much better than the deficit commission's proposal or anything the house and senate have come up with.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/07/executive-summary-of-gang-of-six-deficit-reduction-plan.php?page=1

Its sounds like horrible plan, but so far it seems more like smoke and mirrors than anything else, and I have no idea if it will be able to pass the house, or how much support President Obama will give, even though I know he indicated a "broad support" for the plan - which could mean anything.

As far as I can tell, most of the "savings" in discretionary spending come from caps that don't specify exactly what will be cut, but just direct different congressional committees to make cuts, and if they don't, force them to slash funding anyway. I have no idea how they can simultaneously claim to "maintain investments that promote economic growth" while still achieving the spending reductions they are claiming.

As for entitlements, it just promises to "strengthen" them by "spending money more efficiently." I've read elsewhere that includes cuts like changing the way the CPI is calculated for social security and further means testing for medicare, but I have no idea if that is true.

In terms of revenue, they claim a tax cut because they do away with the AMT, which congress usually modifies anyway. Even so, I don't see how they can increase revenue while reforming the tax code in the way they are proposing. Rest assured, some or many of the "loopholes" they are abolishing in an attempt to raise revenue are tax breaks aimed at the middle class, so it will feel like a tax increase to a lot of people. I don't see any other way they could simultaneously lower tax rates like they are proposing and yet still achieve a revenue increase.

The proposed caps are also horrible ideas, since they would essentially cripple the ability of the government to respond to emergencies such as economic recessions. Really, the whole plan is a horrible idea for similar reasons. Any plan aimed at closing the deficit and reducing the debt needs to be a long term one that doesn't phase in until the economy is completely recovered. We actually need more stimulus now, meaning the government needs to run a larger deficit in order to reduce unemployment to the natural rate and close the output gap.

If we cut too steeply, we may face the problems that Europeans are experiencing now, where austerity programs are short circuiting recoveries and sometimes even failing to fulfill their intended purpose of deficit reduction because the reduction of economic activity caused by the cuts in government spending reduces the revenues that the governments take in through taxation by a greater amount than the cuts the austerity measures imposed.

I have to say that Obama and the Democrats better be careful that they don't cut too deeply with this. It could be bad for them ....

 

[speculawyer]

Sen. Coburn is now my favorite male Republican.
Coburn: Kill the Dollar Bill

People would hate it but it would save us money. But politicians lack the balls for force things like that. People would whine and all the politicians would reverse course and go back to paper.

 

[GaimeGuy]

I just don't understand this notion we have a bigger spending than revenue problem. The revenue decreases since FY2008 exceed the spending increases. That means the increase in the deficit over the last 3 years has been contributed to by lost tax revenues more than increased government spending. And the bush tax cuts cost us ~3.5 Trillion before they were extended for 2 more years (Yay holding unemployment benefits hostage)

Yet here we are, with a plan that's 1/4 revenue increases at best and 3/4 spending cuts that may or may not be smoke and mirrors.

 

[Dude Abides]

Oh there are lots of dumb & crazy people. It is possible for Bachmann to get nominated. But there is no way she could win. I think moderate Obama could beat the crazy theocrat lady with no problems even with 9.x% unemployment.

I don't. People also thought Reagan was too wingnutty to win despite Carter's problems.

 

[Oblivion]

I just don't understand this notion we have a bigger spending than revenue problem. The revenue decreases since FY2008 exceed the spending increases. That means the increase in the deficit over the last 3 years has been contributed to by lost tax revenues more than increased government spending. And the bush tax cuts cost us ~3.5 Trillion before they were extended for 2 more years (Yay holding unemployment benefits hostage)

Yet here we are, with a plan that's 1/4 revenue increases at best and 3/4 spending cuts that may or may not be smoke and mirrors.

We should follow the principles of the constitution and founding fathers and cut spending like they did. Afterall, it's not like George Washington ever signed into law any tax increases since he didn't have to worry about big gubment programs like SS, Medicare, and such.

 

[SolKane]

For those who are following this story, the SunRail was officially financed yesterday when Secretary LaHood stopped in Orlando:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood turned loose almost $78 million in federal tax money to help build the much-contested SunRail commuter train during a sun-baked ceremony Monday near one of the system's future depots.

LaHood signed a symbolic document before a crowd of more than 300 people. But the stroke of the pen that counted occurred in an air-conditioned tent a few moments later.

That opened the way for the first 31 miles of the $1.2 billion train to be up and running by May 2014.

"When you get your act together, unbelievable things can happen. … And look what's happening: SunRail is coming," LaHood said.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...ing-20110718_1_sunrail-levitated-train-lahood

 

[mckmas8808]

Casino magnate Steve Wynn trashes Obama
By Charles Riley @CNNMoney July 19, 2011: 10:47 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Billionaire CEO Steve Wynn used his company's earnings call to trash President Obama and his economic policies Monday -- calling the administration a "wet blanket" on the business community.
"I'm saying it bluntly, that this administration is the greatest wet blanket to business, and progress and job creation in my lifetime," Wynn said in response to a question about Las Vegas real estate.

Wynn then expanded on that idea in a 400-word soliloquy, before fielding a follow-up question on a planned real estate project in Macau.
"The guy [Obama] keeps making speeches about redistribution, and maybe we ought to do something to businesses that don't invest or hold too much money," Wynn said. "We haven't heard that kind of talk except from pure socialists."

Wynn described himself as a Democratic businessman, and supporter of Harry Reid, before adding that, "I support Democrats and Republicans."
Wynn's company, the resort and casino operator Wynn Resorts (WYNN), actually did quite well in the second quarter, earning $122 million or 97 cents per share.

But Wynn said he could be doing even more if not Obama. His company alone could add 10,000 jobs in Las Vegas, but he is "afraid to do anything in the current political environment in the United States."

"The business community in this country is frightened to death of the weird political philosophy of the president of the United States," Wynn said.
Some business leaders have cited an uncertain regulatory atmosphere as a reason for the slow pace of hiring. But there are plenty of examples of individual companies -- like Google -- that are hiring at a breakneck pace.

And while hiring is slow, mergers and acquisitions are heating up, and investors are being rewarded with stock buybacks and dividend hikes.
Wynn did not focus exclusively on the administration, although his harshest criticisms were reserved for the president. He also blasted the debate over the debt ceiling.
Stop blaming debt ceiling for no jobs!
"Everybody is so political, so focused on holding their job for the next year that the discussion in Washington is nauseating," Wynn said.

The Obama administration has not always been on the friendliest of terms with the business community, but the relationship has thawed this year.
The president acknowledged the tensions in February, telling members of Washington's most powerful business lobby that "we've had some pretty strong disagreements."
The White House has made concrete efforts to mend the relationship, including the hiring of chief of staff Bill Daley, who came over from JPMorgan.

But things won't improve, Wynn said, until Obama is out of the White House.
"Until he's gone, everybody's going to be sitting on their thumbs," Wynn said
​

####################


So all businesses need is for the big bad Obama to get out of office. And then just like that they will start hiring again? :lol Okay man. Did you hire more workers when your company made $122 million in profit within the last 3 months?

 

[ChoklitReign]

Yeah, I've never really heard anyone argue that a VAT hurts the elite--I'd be interested to know why you think that's the case, ChoklitReign.

I think people would definitely be justified in opposing a VAT as far as it concerns their narrow self-interest. It would probably be best to pair such a proposal with a reduction in income taxes. But, I think a VAT would be useful in the long-term in driving the US economy away from being so wholly dependent on consumption, and increasing the savings rate, which I think is important in the long term.

VATs are a progressive pipe dream. Tax reforms and gradually ridding the Bush tax cuts would offer enough revenue for America, assuming health care spending is put under control and SOMEONE END THESE WARS.

 

[Jackson50]

I don't. People also thought Reagan was too wingnutty to win despite Carter's problems.

Their reasoning was specious. There should have been little doubt that Reagan was electable. Bachmann's situation is not comparable to Reagan's. Still, I think she could win, although her prospects would be poor.

I still think Perry is the strongest shot the GOP has. He can speak well and has a "jobs" record that he can run on that won't be easily dismissed by the general population if we're still facing double digit unemployment numbers.

I think those reasons partially explain why he would be a formidable primary opponent. He would certainly pose the gravest threat to Romney. Otherwise, individual factors are less important in a general election. I do not think there would be a significant difference between Romney and Perry in a general election; i.e., they are largely interchangeable.

 

[Wall]

Here is a link to a more comprehensive description of the plan. It is five pages long:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/07/executive-summary-of-gang-of-six-deficit-reduction-plan.php?page=1

It looks like it does include the change in how inflation is calculated for sure, which would lead to a cut in Social Security benefits.

As for the "tax reforms"

Require the Finance Committee to report tax reform within six months that would deliver realdeficit savings by broadening the tax base, lowering tax rates, and generating economicgrowth as follows:
•
Simplify the tax code by reducing the number of tax expenditures and reducing individualtax rates, by establishing three tax brackets with rates of 8–12 percent, 14–22 percent,and 23–29 percent.
•
Permanently repeal the $1.7 trillion Alternative Minimum Tax.
•
Tax reform must be projected to stimulate economic growth, leading to increasedrevenue.
•
Tax reform must be estimated to provide $1 trillion in additional revenue to meet plan
argets and generate an additional $133 billion by 2021, without raising the federal gastax, to ensure improved solvency for the Highway Trust Fund.
•
If CBO scored this plan, it would find net tax relief of approximately $1.5 trillion.
•
To the extent future Congresses find that the dynamic effects of tax reform result inadditional revenue beyond these targets, this revenue must go to additional ratereductions and deficit reduction, not to new spending.
•
Reform, not eliminate, tax expenditures for health, charitable giving, homeownership,and retirement, and retain support for low-income workers and families.
•
Retain the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, or provide at least thesame level of support for qualified beneficiaries.
•
Maintain or improve the progressivity of the tax code.
•
Establish a single corporate tax rate between 23 percent and 29 percent, raise as muchrevenue as the current corporate tax system, and move to a competitive territorial taxsystem.

It looks like tax cuts across the board. They seem to rely on the "stimulative effects" of tax cuts to bring in additional revenue. I have no idea how they expect to get that past the CBO. From just reading this, it looks like we are back to the fantasy that tax cuts lead to an increase in tax revenue. How did that work out during the past decade? Or the eighties? I believe Obama explicitly campaigned against this line of thinking.

As for the rest, it mostly looks like a wish list of goals compelled with measures aimed to compel votes on ways to achieve them. Within the framework of the agreements that would initially be reached in the original bill, that all but guarantees additional cuts.

No self respecting Democrat should sign on to this. It looks like a horrible economic policy and a suicide pact for the party.

 

[Mercury Fred]

Casino magnate Steve Wynn trashes Obama
By Charles Riley @CNNMoney July 19, 2011: 10:47 AM ET

Sidebar, but what the hell is wrong with that guy's face?? Horrifying.

 

[RustyNails]

I don't. People also thought Reagan was too wingnutty to win despite Carter's problems.

Reagan was a gifted speaker, a well-liked Governor of California and an excellent campaigner. He also served in the military during WW2 and of course had the backing of Hollywood. Bachmann is just the crazy woman from Minnesota.

 

[Oblivion]

Reagan was a gifted speaker, a well-liked Governor of California and an excellent campaigner. He also served in the military during WW2 and of course had the backing of Hollywood. Bachmann is just the crazy woman from Minnesota.

Didn't he do plays for the troops or something really unimpressive?

 

[Tamanon]

Reagan was a gifted speaker, a well-liked Governor of California and an excellent campaigner. He also served in the military during WW2 and of course had the backing of Hollywood. Bachmann is just the crazy woman from Minnesota.

After completing fourteen home-study Army Extension Courses, Reagan enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve[16] on April 29, 1937, as a private assigned to Troop B, 322nd Cavalry at Des Moines, Iowa.[17] He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry on May 25, 1937.[18]

Reagan was ordered to active duty for the first time on April 18, 1942. Due to his nearsightedness, he was classified for limited service only, which excluded him from serving overseas.[19] His first assignment was at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation at Fort Mason, California, as a liaison officer of the Port and Transportation Office.[20] Upon the approval of the Army Air Force (AAF), he applied for a transfer from the Cavalry to the AAF on May 15, 1942, and was assigned to AAF Public Relations and subsequently to the First Motion Picture Unit (officially, the "18th AAF Base Unit") in Culver City, California.[20] On January 14, 1943 he was promoted to First Lieutenant and was sent to the Provisional Task Force Show Unit of This Is The Army at Burbank, California.[20] He returned to the First Motion Picture Unit after completing this duty and was promoted to Captain on July 22, 1943.[17]

In January 1944, Captain Reagan was ordered to temporary duty in New York City to participate in the opening of the sixth War Loan Drive. He was re-assigned to the First Motion Picture Unit on November 14, 1944, where he remained until the end of World War II.[17] He was recommended for promotion to Major on February 2, 1945, but this recommendation was disapproved on July 17 of that year.[21] He returned to Fort MacArthur, California, where he was separated from active duty on December 9, 1945.[21] By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400 training films for the AAF.[17]

Not sure that really has the same heft as "Served in the military during WW2" would imply. Making training films and not being overseas during the war, lol.

 

[RustyNails]

You america haters!

 

[Byakuya769]

Casino magnate Steve Wynn trashes Obama
By Charles Riley @CNNMoney July 19, 2011: 10:47 AM ET

Idiot, racist, or both?

 

[Oblivion]

edit: double post wtf

 

[Chichikov]

VATs are a progressive pipe dream.

I don't think that ther'e are many progressives who think our tax code should be more regressive.

Tax reforms and gradually ridding the Bush tax cuts would offer enough revenue for America, assuming health care spending is put under control and SOMEONE END THESE WARS.

You can do a tax reform without introducing a VAT.


The only advantage VAT has is that it's generally easier politically to pass.
But that's a good thing only if you want VAT, and I don't.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Idiot, racist, or both?

If you're a racist you're an idiot by default.

 

[jamesinclair]

People would hate it but it would save us money. But politicians lack the balls for force things like that. People would whine and all the politicians would reverse course and go back to paper.

The problem is people are idiots

"bu bu but I dont want a pocket full of $1 coins!"

Not shit sherlock.

Except, heres the deal. As long as the $2 bill sees more circulation...you will NEVER get more than a single dollar coin in change.

Just like you NEVER get a pocket full of nickels because youre given dimes instead.

 

[speculawyer]

I don't. People also thought Reagan was too wingnutty to win despite Carter's problems.

Oh come on, those situations are not comparable. Carter was completely saddled by the hostage crisis and a really bad economy. There was pretty much no way he could win. And Reagan was not nearly as much of a theocratic wingnut as Bachmann.

 

[DasRaven]

Idiot, racist, or both?

Door #3: Billionaire reasonably protecting his personal interests.
"Look how I'm suffering, I barely cleared $1.3M in daily net income and only doubled last year's results!"

 

[Oblivion]

Ross dashed after Bachmann, repeatedly asking whether she had ever missed a House vote due to a migraine. She ignored him. Ross pursued her into a parking area behind the stage. Her aides grew alarmed. When Ross made a beeline for the white SUV waiting to carry Bachmann away, two Bachmann men pounced on him, grabbing and pushing him multiple times with what looked to me like unusual force. In fact, I have never seen a reporter treated so roughly at a campaign event, especially not a presidential one. Ross was finally able to break away and lob his question at Bachmann one more time, but she ignored him again.

Afterward, I asked Ross — a hard-nosed pro who nevertheless seemed slightly shaken — whether he’d ever been treated so roughly. “A few times,” he told me. “Mostly by mafia people.”

Probably wasn't the best of ideas for a potential presidential candidate, Ms. Bachshit.

 

[mckmas8808]

Here is a link to a more comprehensive description of the plan. It is five pages long:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/07/executive-summary-of-gang-of-six-deficit-reduction-plan.php?page=1

It looks like it does include the change in how inflation is calculated for sure, which would lead to a cut in Social Security benefits.

As for the "tax reforms"




It looks like tax cuts across the board. They seem to rely on the "stimulative effects" of tax cuts to bring in additional revenue. I have no idea how they expect to get that past the CBO. From just reading this, it looks like we are back to the fantasy that tax cuts lead to an increase in tax revenue. How did that work out during the past decade? Or the eighties? I believe Obama explicitly campaigned against this line of thinking.

As for the rest, it mostly looks like a wish list of goals compelled with measures aimed to compel votes on ways to achieve them. Within the framework of the agreements that would initially be reached in the original bill, that all but guarantees additional cuts.

No self respecting Democrat should sign on to this. It looks like a horrible economic policy and a suicide pact for the party.

The more I hear about the plan, the more I'm starting to not like the plan. Why cut taxes so much when we should be raising revenue?

 

[speculawyer]

Sidebar, but what the hell is wrong with that guy's face?? Horrifying.

He looks like Kevin Nealon's character in "Just Go With It'.

 

[Incognito]

allen west is a lunatic....i know, i know..

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensm...Schultz_viledespicablenot_a_Lady.html?showall

From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)

 

[HylianTom]

Oh come on, those situations are not comparable. Carter was completely saddled by the hostage crisis and a really bad economy. There was pretty much no way he could win. And Reagan was not nearly as much of a theocratic wingnut as Bachmann.

That, and he put on the sweater, went on TV, and asked Americans to grow-up a bit. They don't take kindly to that kind of thing.

Reagan was a shyster promising ponies and cotton candy and a huge military.. and all for bargain-basement prices.

 

[Cyan]

shut the heck up

Awwww. Congresspersons are so cute!

 

[Oblivion]

Matt Taibi: Obama doesn't want a progressive deficit deal.

Everyone read that.

allen west is a lunatic....i know, i know..

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensm...Schultz_viledespicablenot_a_Lady.html?showall

lol, he even used exclamation points.

 

[RurouniZel]

Sorry if already posted. David Brooks Blasts Republicans Over Debt Ceiling Partisanship

As Congress struggles to reach a deal to raise the debt ceiling, David Brooks blasts Republicans for refusing to accept a favorable deal that would have ensured trillions of dollars in spending cuts as well as changes to entitlement programs, calling it a "missed opportunity."

Earlier this month, Brooks wrote in his New York Times column that the deal Democrats have put on the table is “the mother of no-brainers” and that the GOP “may no longer be a normal party” because it has put its anti-tax ideology ahead of practical governing.

Today, Brooks follows up by naming names.

He calls out the "Beltway Bandits," particularly Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform, who Brooks calls "the Zelig of Republican catastrophe."

Also to blame for the current impasse are talk radio jocks -- "Big Government blowhards" -- who get ratings by firing up their listeners with partisan rhetoric; "show horses" such as Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann who "produce tweets, not laws"; and "permanent campaigners" in Congress who care more about getting re-elected than they do about governing.

These groups "do not believe in seizing opportunities to make steady, messy progress toward conservative goals," Brooks writes. "They believe that politics is a cataclysmic struggle."

 

[Kosmo]

Idiot, racist, or both?

You talking about Wynn or Obama?

On an unrelated note, Pete Hoekstra is challenging Stabenow for her seat in Michigan: http://detroitnews.com/article/2011...tra-to-announce-he’ll-challenge-Sen.-Stabenow

So glad somebody with name recognition finally stepped up to take her out.

 

[Oblivion]

You talking about Wynn or Obama?

That's not even...

 

[Chichikov]

Sorry if already posted. David Brooks Blasts Republicans Over Debt Ceiling Partisanship

I'm still surprised that the GOP didn't throw Norquist under the bus already.

Cutting taxes was a tool for them, not an end in and by itself.
Don't get me wrong, I'm certain practically all GOPers believe in smaller government and as a result, a lighter tax burden, but the notion that any and every tax rate increase, regardless of the situation or even the current fucking tax rate is bad by definition is nothing more than a gimmick for the election season.
But it seems that they have drank their own kool-aid a bit.

 

[aronnov reborn]

Idiot, racist, or both?

Well he says he's a democrat in the same interview and a heavy supporter of Harry Reid.. all in the same interview... so....

 

[speculawyer]

Sorry if already posted. David Brooks Blasts Republicans Over Debt Ceiling Partisanship

And David Brooks is a full on partisan hack (although he's not the brain-dead type like talk-radio jocks he mentioned).



If things remain stuck, Obama should take Clinton's advice and just raise the debt limit by himself.

 

[gcubed]

Well he says he's a democrat in the same interview and a heavy supporter of Harry Reid.. all in the same interview... so....

i'm a tea party republican

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Reagan...also served in the military during WW2

SCREW. YOU.

 

[Byakuya769]

Door #3: Billionaire reasonably protecting his personal interests.
"Look how I'm suffering, I barely cleared $1.3M in daily net income and only doubled last year's results!"

Sure, but did he have similar rants when Clinton was around?

Or I guess the better question is would he have had a similar rant if Clinton was in office today and things were just as bad.

Just comes off as extremely weird and non-sensical given the policies that Obama has pursued.

 

[RustyNails]

SCREW. YOU.

 

[Dude Abides]

Oh come on, those situations are not comparable. Carter was completely saddled by the hostage crisis and a really bad economy. There was pretty much no way he could win. And Reagan was not nearly as much of a theocratic wingnut as Bachmann.

They aren't identical in every respect, of course, but we still have a really bad economy, and Reagan was considered a right-wing nutjob. I would not write Bachmann off at all.

 

[gcubed]

They aren't identical in every respect, of course, but we still have a really bad economy, and Reagan was considered a right-wing nutjob. I would not write Bachmann off at all.

Reagan actually was somebody though

 

[PhoenixDark]

They aren't identical in every respect, of course, but we still have a really bad economy, and Reagan was considered a right-wing nutjob. I would not write Bachmann off at all.

I would. She's not a serious candidate, and she appeals to a small group of voters who would never vote democrat anyway. Just as Palin could never win an election, Bachman can't either.

She hasn't achieved anything in the house*, she holds extreme social views, and she talks mainly in easily identifiable talking points that almost belittle the intelligence of voters

 

[Dude Abides]

She hasn't achieved anything in the house*, she holds extreme social views, and she talks mainly in easily identifiable talking points that almost belittle the intelligence of voters

(1) Neither did Obama in the Senate, or Bush in Texas. (2) She can soften up the Jesus stuff, (3) The latter has never been a hindrance to the the Presidency.

Dems who are hoping Bachmann beats Romney should be careful what they wish for.

 

[PhoenixDark]

(1) Neither did Obama in the Senate, or Bush in Texas. (2) She can soften up the Jesus stuff, (3) The latter has never been a hindrance to the the Presidency.

Dems who are hoping Bachmann beats Romney should be careful what they wish for.

I meant to mention Obama in my asterisk but forgot. Obama didn't achieve much in the senate but already had a history of bipartisan work and had mainstream, widespread appeal. Bachman has none of that, nor is she particularly charismatic unless you're a hardcore conservative.

She can't soften up the Jesus stuff enough to win independents or women voters. She has absolutely no record on jobs, she constantly takes extremist positions, she simply is not serious. Nor are her numbers real: she'll win Iowa and some other caucuses before fading out, especially once Perry enters the race. The GOP won't let her near the nomination. Just today the Daily Caller ran a rather sexist smear on her.

This is a woman who thinks getting rid of the minimum wage is a good idea. Come on.

 

[Kosmo]

I meant to mention Obama in my asterisk but forgot. Obama didn't achieve much in the senate but already had a history of bipartisan work and had mainstream, widespread appeal. Bachman has none of that, nor is she particularly charismatic unless you're a hardcore conservative.

She can't soften up the Jesus stuff enough to win independents or women voters. She has absolutely no record on jobs, she constantly takes extremist positions, she simply is not serious. Nor are her numbers real: she'll win Iowa and some other caucuses before fading out, especially once Perry enters the race. The GOP won't let her near the nomination. Just today the Daily Caller ran a rather sexist smear on her.

This is a woman who thinks getting rid of the minimum wage is a good idea. Come on.

Not to mention her lack of Choot-spa.

Anyone thinking she has a chance (real or just to tank any GOP hopes in 2012) is delusional.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Not to mention her lack of Choot-spa.

Anyone thinking she has a chance (real or just to tank any GOP hopes in 2012) is delusional.

Considering the other candidates positions are almost as batshit insane as hers, what's the difference if she wins the nomination or not?