Tag: presidential debate

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Barack Obama Foreign Policies Mitt Romney

Foreign Affairs

Remember when foreign affairs wasn’t a major part of the presidential campaign? It was supposed to be about jobs, jobs and jobs. But now that the world has intruded on our parochial election, the third debate will play a major role in the last two weeks of this contest.

This does not bode well for Mitt Romney, and it plays into one of Obama’s strengths.

Romney’s first problem is with Libya. He’s been wrong about what actually happened since the attack on September 11, and made an error of both fact and tact in last week’s debate. And now that internal documents show that the president was right about the Benghazi attacks, Mitt will need to find another avenue to question Obama’s leadership.

He won’t find that with Iran, due to the latest reports that show the Iranians interested in having face-to-face discussions with the United States about their nuclear program. Romney has been critical about the way that Obama has handled the Iran issue, but reaching out for talks, even if they take place after the election, shows that the economic sanctions are having a devastating effect on the Iranian economy. On the campaign trail, Romney has talked about military strikes on Iran as a way of protecting Israel. Now, however, even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees that sanctions are an effective policy.

Romney has also boxed himself in on Afghanistan. According to this story in the LA Times, his policy is much like the President’s.

In the 16 months that he has been running for president, the thrust of Mitt Romney‘s policy toward Afghanistan has been this: He would hew to President Obama‘s timeline to withdraw U.S. troops by the end of 2014, but he would part ways with the president by giving greater deference to the judgment of military commanders.

Beyond that, Romney has revealed little about what his guiding principles would be for committing U.S. troops in conflicts around the world or what elements have shaped his thinking about Afghanistan — subjects likely to be broached in Monday’s foreign policy debate.

Excuse me for being naïve, but don’t we need a sense of Romney’s worldview? Would he keep troops in Iraq and Afghanistan if he already was president? And how much deference would he give to the military commanders? I thought that our Constitution guaranteed civilian control of the military. Ultimately, the president is the Commander-In-Chief. President Obama has made those tough decisions. It looks like Mitt is ready to…defer.

But the above policy represents a shift from previous Romney statements on Afghanistan, so it’s difficult to tell exactly where he stands.

Obama’s foreign policy has been pragmatic, and at times he has angered the left by keeping some of the Bush security laws and not closing Guantanamo Bay. But the killing of Osama bin Laden and treaties with Russia on weapons and Colombia, Panama and South Korea on trade prove that he is a president who has his eyes on the future and a keen sense of how the United States will succeed in a truly global environment. He needs to hammer these points home and expose Mitt Romney as the foreign policy rookie that he is.

For more, go to www.facebook.com/WhereDemocracyLives and on Twitter @rigrundfest

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Barack Obama Mitt Romney Politics

The Second Presidential Debate – The Polls – – Who Won?

Democrats have a lot of reasons to feel good this morning. First the debate “snap polls:”

The CBS insta-poll gives the win to Obama, 37%-30%. CNN’s “scientific” poll gives it to Obama, 46%-39%. A Battleground poll of swing states gives Obama a bigger win, 53%-38%. And an online poll by Google Consumer Surveys gave Obama his biggest win of all, 48%-31%.

And that CNN poll likely understates the win:

The sample of debate watchers was EIGHT points more Republican than the general public, per CNN polling. So even this heavily GOP group gave the victory to Obama.

Finally and most importantly, time is (finally) running out. The third debate is the least likely one to move the polls since it is about foreign policy and both candidates are likely to make sure they don’t make the mistakes of the first two debates. President Obama will get a bounce over the next week that will put him up 2-3 points and then regress to a 1-2 point lead. Which is where most experts predicted the race would end up. Romney is almost out of time.

H/t Alan

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Mitt Romney Politics terrorist

Mitt Romney Was Wrong About The Libyan Attacks – Here’s The Video

This is sure to be a big talking point over the next few days with Republicans pulling their facts out of the air and Democrats getting their facts from the actual record.

Remember the point in the second presidential debate where Mitt Romney found himself saying that President Obama did not refer to the Libyan attack – where four Americans were killed – by using the word ‘terror’? Well Romney swore that he was right in saying that President Obama did not refer to the attacks as a terrorist attack for “14 days.”

Fact is, the very next day after the attack, President Obama held a press conference in the Rose Garden and referred to what happened in Libya as something being done by terrorists.

Romney again was wrong – another deer in the headlight moment!

You may try, but you simply cannot change the facts.

Video

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Barack Obama Mitt Romney Politics

The Narrative’s Changed, But The Song Remains the Same

Mitt Romney won the debate last night because he projected a presidential attitude, seemed to be more interested, and actually strung together answers in clear sentences. Barack Obama was clearly unprepared and stories about his lack of focus on the debates turned out to be true. The right-wing media is ecstatic. The left is crestfallen. The narrative has changed.

But it doesn’t mean that the election is over, anymore than Romney’s September swoon meant that it was over. This debate allowed Mitt to crawl out of the hole he dug himself with his 47% comments (there, I’ve mentioned it even if the president didn’t) and the overall lack of coherent message on the campaign trail. It’s probable that his debate performance changes his attitude and his crowd count, but let’s think this through a little more specifically.

Romney is still peddling the same Medicare voucher plan, the same tax cuts for the wealthy, the same dangerous foreign policy and the same noxious policies regarding women as he was yesterday afternoon. He’s still the same uninspiring politician he’s been for his entire career, though he will have a more jaunty step for the next week. The policies he proposed last night will not all of a sudden become more popular as Obama advertising will make sure, and Mitt is still against the auto bailout, which means he’ll still likely lose Ohio.

Mitt did himself a great favor in the debate and he was helped by an equal and opposite reaction from the president who did all he could to present a tired, ticked-off image on a day when he could have solidified his advantage and made the other two presidential debates superfluous. Friday’s jobs numbers could be the second half of a one-two punch that should have only been one punch. The press will make more of this because, after all, they need eyes on their websites and dollars in their pockets.

We now have a race, but my sense is that it will just be a closer version of the race we had on Wednesday afternoon. Obama still has the lead and he’ll likely keep it in the swing states that are critical to his reelection. Let the national polls show a Romney bump (and they will). My focus will be on Ohio, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. If Wisconsin suddenly turns, then it’s bad news, but I don’t think that will happen. There are two more debates, and if my reading of history is keen, as it sometimes is, Obama can turn himself into the comeback kid who wipes the floor with the rich guy next time they meet.

Yes, the narrative has changed, but the song remains the same.

And really, isn’t it about time you followed me? Go towww.facebook.com/WhereDemocracyLives and on Twitter @rigrundfest

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Illegal immigration Mitt Romney Newt Gingrich Politics

Republicans Don’t Even Want To Appear Humane

“I don’t see how the — the party that says it’s the party of the family is going to adopt an immigration policy which destroys families that have been here a quarter century. And I’m prepared to take the heat for saying, let’s be humane in enforcing the law without giving them citizenship but by finding a way to create legality so that they are not separated from their families.”

That was Newt Gingrich, the present leader in the Republican’s race to take on President Obama in 2012. Gingrich was responding to a question about illegal immigration, and whether his administration would deport people living in this country illegally.

Gingrich was immediately pounced upon by the likes of Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, who called Gingrich’s stance “amnesty.” They also called Newt’s idea a “magnet,” claiming that if you create legality for those families here 25 years or more, then others will come to this country illegally, expecting the same after their 25 years.

Well Gingrich said he was prepared to take the heat for saying “let’s be humane,” so here comes the heat.

High ranking Republicans are coming down on Newt for his recent, surprising stance on immigration . Representative Peter King joined in, calling Gingrich’s plan is “a form of amnesty.” King continued;

“I think if Speaker Gingrich had that to do over again, he might couch his language a little differently at a minimum. I wouldn’t agree with him on that policy,” King said. “I think that when you give people even a promise that they can stay in the country after they’re here illegally you become more of a magnet and it is a form of amnesty and more people will come in counting on that.”

King has been a vocal critic of so-called “amnesty” programs, and indicated that if he decided to endorse a candidate before the Jan. 3 caucus, Gingrich had hurt his chances.

If Republicans looked at what Newt said, they would see that he was not offering citizenship to these people, he is offering a “form of legality“,  to people who have been in this country for over 25 years, worked, paid taxes, and people who have roots in the communities they live in. Maybe they will be okay with Newt’s idea, but that word humane…!

Well, I usually don’t agree with the Newt, but it is rather amusing to see Republicans falling all over themselves, trying to separate their party from the very appearance of seeming humane.

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Politics Waterboarding

John McCain Agrees With President Obama – “Waterboarding Is Torture”

If there is anyone who qualifies to speak on whether or not waterboarding is torture, it’s John McCain. The 2008 Republican presidential nominee was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam from 1967 to 1973, and was subjected to many methods of torture by his captors.

One can only imagine his horror as his fellow Republicans – Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain – answered a question about waterboarding and torture. Asked whether waterboarding was torture, both Bachmann and Cain said it wasn’t, and  that in fact torture would be part of their administration if they were to be  elected as president.

Mr. McCain had this to say about his comrades and their preference for waterboarding, which is the act of making the victim feel as if they are being drowned.

The Arizona lawmaker—who was tortured himself while a prisoner of war in Vietnam — said the controversial practice was both illegal and ineffective on Monday evening.

“Very disappointed by statements at SC GOP debate supporting waterboarding,” he tweeted. “Waterboarding is torture.”

McCain, who ran for President in 2008, elaborated on CNN later, arguing, “If you put enough physical pain on somebody, they will tell you whatever they think that you want to hear in order for the pain to stop.”

But don’t take McCain’s word on this, he’s only had to suffer 6 years of torture. Listen to Michele Looney Toons Bachmann and Herman Pizza Man Cain. Yeah, they know what constitutes torture.

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Politics

Oops! Rick Perry Did It Again – Video

OMG!

Rick Perry might as well pack it up and leave the race for the Republican nominee. As a matter of fact, after tonight’s performance in the debate, he might as well pack it up and leave America. I’m sure we produce more intelligent people in this country to run as a presidential candidate than the Rickstar… well, with the exception of George Bush.

This was a planned debate. Every Republican contender knew that on November 9th, 2012, they would be on stage and asked to describe why they and their policies are different from those of their fellow Republican competitors. Every other contender studied, dotted their i’s, and crossed their t’s. They had their talking points down and were able to spew their nonsense without even thinking, but what exactly was Rick Perry doing to prepare?

Apparently, absolutely nothing if he simply couldn’t remember his own three policy proposals.

And this man wants to be president of the United States? HAH!!!

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Mitt Romney Politics

Five Republican Presidential Candidates Withdraw From Univision Debate

Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry all pulled their names from a debate sponsored by the Spanish language network Univision. Their reasoning falls right in line with what would be expected from a 3rd grader – they didn’t like the way Univision handled a story concerning fellow Republican Marco Rubio’s brother-in-law, so these five requested their names be removed from the debate.

Seriously…!

According to reporting by CNN, the five are claiming that Univision had a story about Rubio’s brother-in-law’s drug conviction, and told Mr. Rubio that they would not broadcast the story if Rubio agreed to appear on “Al Punto,” (Univision News program.) Universion has denied this claim, calling it “absurd” and according to Isasc Lee, President of Univision News;

 “Univision did not offer to soften or ignore the report about an anti-drug raid that involved the family of Sen. Rubio. We would never make such an offer with any protagonist in a news report and we did not make an offer in this case.”

But that statement was already too late. The Fab Five had already based their decision to withdraw their names on zero facts and that was all they needed.

It is hard to believe that these five Republican presidential candidates would prefer listening to unfounded rumors, instead of meeting and answering the questions important to the Spanish community. Well, maybe not hard to believe… we are talking about Republicans here.

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Politics

Rick Perry Gets Physical With Ron Paul During Debate – Pics

Oh the things we miss when those pesky commercials come on. And apparently, that is the exact moment Rick Perry was waiting for in last night’s debate.

As soon as the sign was given that there was a commercial break, the Texas governor made his way over to Ron Paul’s podium, grabbed the congressman by the wrist and pointed his finger in Paul’s face. And by the look on Perry’s face, this was not an invitation to brunch.

We can only assume that something Ron Paul said ruffled Perry’s feathers. Before the incident started, Perry and Paul had a heated back and forth, when the question was asked about their support for the minimum wage. Paul stated that he would like to get rid of that law, then went all in on Perry and his support for “HillaryCare.” Paul said that Rick Perry “criticized the Governor of Massachusetts [Mitt Romney] for RomneyCare, but he wrote a really fancy letter supporting HillaryCare.”

It was later, while America was getting up getting their popcorn and favorite beverage ready for the circus to resume, that Rick Perry paid Paul a visit.

And you thought you were witnessing the entire debate!

and this

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Politics Republican taxes

Juan Williams – This Republican Party “Looks Like A 1950’s Oldsmobile.”

Remember Juan Williams? He’s the same writer/Fox News contributor who used to work for NPR, but made some remarks about Muslims and lost job there. Fox News immediately jumped on NPR for firing Juan, and that began the Republican push to defund NPR – one of the most trusted news sources in the land.

Well, because of some of Jaun’s views, we usually don’t see eye to eye. But something Mr. Williams wrote on Fox’s website caught my attention. Williams wrote an article about the recent Republican presidential debate, a piece he titled, “Debate Shows GOP Is Out Of Step With Realities Of Today’s America.” For me, that topic was all I needed to read a little further.

The first few paragraphs of Mr. Williams piece summed up the Republican party perfectly. It said;

Last night’s debate put on display a Republican Party that still looks like a 1950s Oldsmobile as they prepare to run against one of the hip, new hybrids coming out the multi-national car companies that now run Detroit.

Despite his troubles, President Obama looks sleek, fast and so very hip as compared the Republicans on view in Iowa. The President remains the mixed-race, son-of-an immigrant, in touch with the under 30 crowd that makes up about half of 2011 America.

It was not just the absence of dynamic people of color and women at the GOP debate that rankle young Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, working women, and immigrants. The answers coming from the candidates felt like the voice of your grandfather’s GOP.

And on the question of taxes, where all the Republican presidential candidates in the debate said they will not raise taxes no matter what the circumstances, even if it is a 10 to 1 ratio for spending cuts vs. tax hikes, Williams said this;

One of the most astounding parts of the debate for me was when the moderators polled the candidates and asked if they would oppose a deficit reduction package that included government spending cuts to tax increases by a ratio of 10:1. Every single candidate on the stage raised their hand in opposition. No tax increases under any circumstances.

This puts the candidates out of step with the realities of America today, and American public opinion. As a CBS/New York Times poll from last week showed, a majority of Americans – in both political parties – want to see tax increases on the wealthiest Americans in addition to spending cuts. By taking the no-new-taxes-pledge the candidates are even in disagreement with a majority of the Republicans – the very people who will choose the nominee.

Nuff said. You really don’t have to read anymore, that says it all and this reflects the points Mr. Williams laid out throughout the rest of the article. It also summarizes perfectly this Republican party and their intent to “bring America back…” Back to a year they’re more comfortable with, the 1950’s.

If you want to read the rest of Juan Williams’ article, you can find it here.

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Featured Republican Sarah Palin United States

Sarah Palin Will Be Missing From First Presidential Debate

On the night that the Republican presidential wannabes gather for their first presidential debate, one person will be conspicuously missing from the lineup. The self-described leader of the Teaparty movement, who abruptly quit her post as Governor of Alaska, will be working elsewhere that night. Sarah Palin’s has more important things to do

Sarah Palin seems determined to ditch the first GOP presidential debate. She’s booked a speaking event at a military-family tribute in Denver for that evening—this is, in fact, the second time she’s committed to this particular gig on this particular night, which waspreviously and temporarily canceled after Palin’s initial announced appearance led to “an onslaught of negative feedback.” Apparently, Palin would rather speak to a roomful of people who don’t seem to want her there all that much than debate other Republican luminaries over policy issues.

Can you really blame her? Why would Palin run for president when she can make $100,000.00 per guest speech appearances?

Read The Slate’s Report here.

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