JERICHO, West Bank (AP) – Mitt Romney’s assertion that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital is absolutely unacceptably , a senior Palestinian official said Monday, voicing the strongest Palestinian criticism yet of the Republican presidential candidate.
Palestinian officials had largely maintained diplomatic silence during Romney’s current visit to the region, even as the candidate embraced Israeli positions and in an apparent snub, avoided meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The U.S. is the dominant broker in efforts — paralyzed since 2008 — to set up a Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel, and Palestinian leaders do not want to antagonize key players, including Romney.
However, Romney’s comments on Sunday about Jerusalem prompted a strong response.
The Palestinians want to establish a capital in east Jerusalem, captured and annexed by Israel in 1967. Most of the world, including the U.S., does not recognize the annexation. The U.S. and others keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
On Sunday, Romney said flat out that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and strongly suggested he would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem if he were president, supporting two key Israeli demands.
Saeb Erekat, an Abbas aide, said Romney’s comments about Jerusalem were “absolutely unacceptable,” adding that “such statements and policy will push the region toward extremists
The individual mandate in RomneyCare requires that all capable Massachusetts residents buy Healthcare. The individual mandate in ObamaCare requires that all capable Americans buy Healthcare.
How then, can Romney call those in favor of ObamaCare freeloaders, but apparently considers those on RomneyCare as diligently doing their civic duties?
After his speech to the NAACP, Romney said this to a group of supporters;
By the way, I had the privilege of speaking today at the NAACP convention in Houston and I gave them the same speech I am giving you. I don’t give different speeches to different audiences alright. I gave them the same speech. When I mentioned I am going to get rid of Obamacare, they weren’t happy, I didn’t get the same response. That’s OK, I want people to know what I stand for and if I don’t stand for what they want, go vote for someone else, that’s just fine. But I hope people understand this, your friends who like Obamacare, you remind them of this, if they want more stuff from government tell them to go vote for the other guy — more free stuff. But don’t forget nothing is really free.
He writes for a right winged website called The Daily Caller. And today, while President Obama was giving a speech about his immigration policy at the Rose Garden, this person named Neil Munro couldn’t wait for the President to finish. His question was apparently more important than what the President had to say, so Mr. Munro decided that the appropriate time to shout at the president was in the middle of his speech.
An annoyed President scolded the so-called reporter, telling him to wait until it was time to ask questions.
“No, you have to take questions,” Munro responded, according to a White House transcript of the exchange.
Obama shot back, “Not while I’m speaking!”
Of course this obvious show of disrespect for this particular President will earn Mr. Munro high ranks among his fellow Republicans and the conservative media. He might even be awarded a raise by his employer and a medal by Congressional Republicans.
After his interruption of the President, Mr. Munro issued a statement on The Daily Caller, saying;
“I always go to the White House prepared with questions for our president. I timed the question believing the president was closing his remarks, because naturally I have no intention of interrupting the President of the United States. I know he rarely takes questions before walking away from the podium. When I asked the question as he finished his speech, he turned his back on the many reporters, and walked away while I and at least one other reporter asked questions.”
His boss also expressed support for Munro, “a good reporter gets the story. We’re proud of Neil Munro.”
Both President Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney are in Ohio today giving campaign speeches. It was a hard decision figuring out which speech to broadcast, but it all boiled down to the fact that here at EzKool, we are in your face with the truth, and broadcasting Mitt Romney’s speech completely contradict our tagline.
President Obama spoke at the United Auto Workers Annual Conference on Tuesday about the success of the auto industry. The entire industry was on the brink of collapse before the President stepped in with the auto bailout, saving thousands of jobs and creating thousands more.
Let the games begin. President Obama made a forceful, compelling case for a balance of free market and governmental reforms on a wide range of issues, and defended his record on foreign policy and an improving economy. He called out both parties for inaction, and reminded us that one party’s class warfare is another’s common sense. He also sounded themes that will be part of his reelection campaign, such as tax cuts for businesses and investment in future technologies.
His call for fairness was in all of the previews, and evidently, that’s a dirty word among the Republican leadership. Tax fairness? Socialism. Economic fairness? Socialism. Fair access to social institutions, education, and job training? Socialism.
Ahead of the speech, Mitt Romney said of the economy that, “In a normal recovery under strong leadership, it could now be full of workers.” The problem is that this isn’t a normal recession, it’s a Republican-caused recession. And when the GOP screws the economy, the economy doesn’t walk right for years. Further, research has suggested that the economy would have been worse off under Republican policies and fewer people would have been employed. Electing either Romney or Gingrich would mean more tax cuts for the wealthy, fewer services, no stimulus and worsening infrastructure throughout the country (except for a very high wall on the Mexican border).
So what exactly is the GOP for? The right to make millions and to pay a lower tax rate because you’re not earning wages? Most working and middle class people earn only wages. The right to pay for a better education because you have money? Most working and middle class people can’t pay or don’t want to go into debt to the tune of $200,000 dollars. The right to health care only if you can pay shockingly high premiums, don’t care about preexisting conditions, or don’t take your medicine because the doughnut hole would cost you thousands? Running against the health care reform law might be good politics, but repeal would set us back decades
After months of listening to the radical right bloviate about the threat that gay marriage, financial and health reform, legal and illegal immigrants, and Sharia law presents to our nation, it’s about time that we heard some actual policies that make sense and serve the interests of actual citizens. And that’s exactly what we heard.
Amie Parnes writes: “President Obama’s approval ratings may not be great, but Congress’s hover near single digits — so if there’s one slam-dunk opponent for Obama to take on this fall, it’s the 535 men and women who will be sitting in front of him,” said David Meadvin, the president of Inkwell Strategies. Meadvin is a former speechwriter for both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Attorney General Eric Holder.
“As we saw back in 2010 when Obama used his speech to take the Supreme Court to task, Obama has no problem defying tradition or ruffling some feathers,” he added. “He only stands to gain politically by picking a fight with Congress.”
But according to the president, the message will be about returning to our values.
“I’m going to lay out a blueprint for an American economy that’s built to last,” Obama said in a campaign video sent to supporters. “And most importantly, a return to American values – of fairness for all, and responsibility from all.”
January 1st is right around the corner, and for many hard-working Americans struggling to make ends meet, what may happen on that day, may be the last thing you want to hear about.
The same Republicans who, time and time again, put the necks of the middle class on the chopping block to protect tax cuts for the rich, voted today to raise taxes on the poor and middle class Americans, beginning the first day in January.
After seeing how House Republicans are so blatantly against the hard workers of this country, an obviously upset President, Mr. Obama, interrupted a press briefing to deliver this statement.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. It is no secret that there hasn’t been an abundance of partisanship in Washington this year. And that’s why what happened on Saturday was such a big deal.
Nearly the entire Senate — including almost all of the Republicans — voted to prevent 160 million working Americans from receiving a tax increase on January 1st. Nearly the entire Senate voted to make sure that nearly 2.5 million Americans who are out there looking for a job don’t lose their unemployment insurance in the first two months of next year. And just about everybody –Democrats and Republicans — committed to making sure that early next year we find a way to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance through the end of 2012.
But now, even though Republicans and Democrats in the Senate were willing to compromise for the good of the country, a faction of Republicans in the House are refusing to even vote on the Senate bill — a bill that cuts taxes for 160 million Americans. And because of their refusal to cooperate, all those Americans could face a tax hike in just 11 days, and millions of Americans who are out there looking for work could find their unemployment insurance expired.
Now, let’s be clear: Right now, the bipartisan compromise that was reached on Saturday is the only viable way to prevent a tax hike on January 1st. It’s the only one. All of the leaders in Congress — Democrats and Republicans — say they are committed to making sure we extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance for the entire year. And by the way, this is something I called for months ago.
The issue is, is that the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate worked on a one-year deal, made good progress, but determined that they needed more time to reach an agreement. And that’s why they passed an insurance policy — to make sure that taxes don’t go up on January 1st.
In fact, the House Republicans say they don’t dispute the need for a payroll tax cut. What they’re really trying to do, what they’re holding out for, is to wring concessions from Democrats on issues that have nothing to do with the payroll tax cut — issues where the parties fundamentally disagree. So a one-year deal is not the issue; we can and we will come to that agreement, as long as it’s focused on the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance and not focused on extraneous issues.
The issue right now is this: The clock is ticking; time is running out. And if the House Republicans refuse to vote for the Senate bill, or even allow it to come up for a vote, taxes will go up in 11 days. I saw today that one of the House Republicans referred to what they’re doing as, “high-stakes poker.” He’s right about the stakes, but this is not poker, this is not a game — this shouldn’t be politics as usual. Right now, the recovery is fragile, but it is moving in the right direction. Our failure to do this could have effects not just on families but on the economy as a whole. It’s not a game for the average family, who doesn’t have an extra 1,000 bucks to lose. It’s not a game for somebody who’s out there looking for work right now, and might lose his house if unemployment insurance doesn’t come through. It’s not a game for the millions of Americans who will take a hit when the entire economy grows more slowly because these proposals aren’t extended.
I just got back from a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, where we received the flag and the colors that our troops fought under in Iraq, and I met with some of the last men and women to return home from that war. And these Americans, and all Americans who serve, are the embodiment of courage and selflessness and patriotism, and when they fight together, and sometimes die together, they don’t know and they certainly don’t care who’s a Democrat and who’s a Republican and how somebody is doing in the polls and how this might play in the spin room. They work as a team, and they do their job. And they do it for something bigger than themselves.
The people in this town need to learn something from them. We have more important things to worry about than politics right now. We have more important things to worry about than saving face, or figuring out internal caucus politics. We have people who are counting on us to make their lives just a little bit easier, to build an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded. And we owe it to them to come together right now and do the right thing. That’s what the Senate did. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate said, we’re going to put our fights on other issues aside and go ahead and do what’s right on something we all agree to. Let’s go ahead and do it. We’ll have time later for the politics; we’ll have time later to have fights around a whole bunch of other issues. Right now, though, we know this is good for the economy — and they went ahead and did the right thing.
I need the Speaker and House Republicans to do the same: Put politics aside, put aside issues where there are fundamental disagreements, and come together on something we agree on. And let’s not play brinksmanship. The American people are weary of it; they’re tired of it. They expect better. I’m calling on the Speaker and the House Republican leadership to bring up the Senate bill for a vote. Give the American people the assurance they need in this holiday season.
In another weekly presidential speech, President Obama urged Republicans to put country first and do what is necessary to uplift the economy, not a political party.
Unfortunately, too many Republicans in Congress don’t seem to share that same sense of urgency. Over the last few months, they’ve said “no” to most of these jobs bills. “No” to putting teachers and firefighters back to work. “No” to putting construction workers back on the job. And this week, they actually said “no” to cutting taxes for middle-class families.
You see, last year, both parties came together to cut payroll taxes for the typical middle-class family by about $1,000. But that tax cut is set to expire at the end of this month. If that happens, that same family will see its taxes go up by $1,000. We can’t let that happen. In fact, I think we should cut taxes on working families and small business owners even more.
And we’re going to keep pushing Congress to make this happen. They shouldn’t go home for the holidays until they get this done. And if you agree with me, I could use your help.
We’ve set up a simple tax cut calculator on WhiteHouse.gov so that you can see exactly what the stakes are for your family. Try it out. Then let your members of Congress know where you stand.
Tell them not to vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays. Tell them to put country before party. Put money back in the pockets of working Americans. Pass these tax cuts.
In his weekly address, President Obama wished the American people a Happy Thanksgiving, and he took some time to send a special Thanksgiving wish to the men and women serving our country oversees.
We’re especially grateful for the men and women who defend our country overseas. To all the service members eating Thanksgiving dinner far from your families: the American people are thinking of you today. And when you come home, we intend to make sure that we serve you as well as you’re serving America.
We’re also grateful for the Americans who are taking time out of their holiday to serve in soup kitchens and shelters, making sure their neighbors have a hot meal and a place to stay. This sense of mutual responsibility – the idea that I am my brother’s keeper; that I am my sister’s keeper – has always been a part of what makes our country special. And it’s one of the reasons the Thanksgiving tradition has endured.
The president spoke about the unnecessary gridlock going on in Washington between Democrats and Republicans and suggested that if politicians can find a way to come together, America’s future will be bright.
With all the partisanship and gridlock here in Washington, it’s easy to wonder if such unity is really possible. But think about what’s happening at this very moment: Americans from all walks of life are coming together as one people, grateful for the blessings of family, community, and country.
If we keep that spirit alive, if we support each other, and look out for each other, and remember that we’re all in this together, then I know that we too will overcome the challenges of our time.
So today, I’m thankful to serve as your President and Commander-and-Chief. I’m thankful that my daughters get to grow up in this great country of ours. And I’m thankful for the chance to do my part, as together, we make tomorrow better than today.
We recently brought you Michele Bachmann’s encounter with some Occupiers at one of her campaign stops. Well, she wasn’t the only Republican to have an unofficial introduction to the Occupy Movement.
At a recent speech at Rice University, Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, had his first encounter too. As he stepped to the podium, Rice University students, in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement, began their “mic check” chant, coined by the Occupiers when they are about to announce their grievances publicly.
Cantor fell in line and allowed the 99% to have their voices heard. Now, if only if he’d fall in line along with the House of Representatives, and do the work that the bottom 99% elected him to do, instead of for the top 1% that bought his loyalty and his votes.
Michele Bachmann, one of the Republicans trying to become the nominee to take on President Obama in the 2012 Presidential election, was doing what she does best, giving a speech about something she knows nothing about- in this case, foreign policies.
Then, in a manner of communication perfected by seasoned protesters, someone – believed to be from the Occupy Wall Street movement – began a call and response chant for several minutes, saying “Mike check. This will only take a minute. We have a message for Ms. Bachmann.”
The chant and response continued, and the message was delivered. Audience members tried shouting the protesters down, but the messengers continued until Bachmann was briefly escorted from the podium.
She later returned and continued her speech, first commenting on something else she’s shown she knows little about – the first amendment.
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