If the conventional wisdom still holds and the vote in November will turn on "jobs, jobs, jobs" (rather than Mendacious Mitt's lies), then September's jobs report is a big win for President Obama. With 114,000 new private sector jobs added, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8% in September. Adding to the positive news is the fact that the Labor Department revised upward the jobs numbers for July and August.
One of the Rethugs' main lines of attack on the economy is that the President promised to lower the unemployment rate below 8% (it was actually his former economic advisor Christina Romer who predicted a robust stimulus would keep the rate below 8%). Now that it's below 8%, what will they say now? Almost certainly, there will be the usual Rethuglican conspiracy theories about manipulation of the numbers before the election, potentially aided by a cynical, lazy political media. But the persuadable public will take note that the numbers are moving -- albeit slowly -- in the right direction.
UPDATE: Right on schedule, Rethugs, who've been cheering bad economic numbers when they're not actively obstructing legislation to improve the economy, are alleging the numbers were cooked. Unless they have solid evidence, it's nothing more than slander.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Triple Crown!
Where Was This Guy Last Night?
A day late ... and a dollar short?
As TBogg summarizes: "...[D]ebates are about attitude not details and the election got a little bit closer than it needed to because Obama showed up not only not ready to play, but unwilling to run up the score. That needs to change."
As TBogg summarizes: "...[D]ebates are about attitude not details and the election got a little bit closer than it needed to because Obama showed up not only not ready to play, but unwilling to run up the score. That needs to change."
I'll Say Anything Cartoon of the Day
(click to enlarge)
(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
A Debatable Outcome
Last night's first Presidential debate was scored as a victory for shape-shifter Willard "I'll Say Anything" Romney by the talking heads and initial samplings of voters. Perhaps this was because the sketchy Willard that showed up to debate bore little resemblance to the sketchy Willard on the campaign trail or in the Rethug primaries. There were no details offered and he repeatedly lied about his general positions on taxes and the budget. He apparently believes that the public won't be tuning in the next day or two for the fact-checking phase. He's probably right, since most of the after-debate coverage awarded Willard points on the superficials of the debate (who was more aggressive, body language, etc.) rather than whether he was, you know, LYING.
That's not to dismiss the President's somewhat casual effort, especially in the first half (of course, the President has a full-time job that doesn't consist of debate preparation, unlike Willard). No mention by the President of the "47%" issue, nothing on the Bain record, etc. However, if you tuned in to the debate in the last 30 minutes or so, you would have assumed that the President won: sketchy Willard looked pale and uncomfortable when a confident Obama attacked his positions on health care, and the role of government. He needs to turn the tables on Willard in the next two debates, and go after the extreme positions that Willard's had, but is trying to hide from the public.
That's not to dismiss the President's somewhat casual effort, especially in the first half (of course, the President has a full-time job that doesn't consist of debate preparation, unlike Willard). No mention by the President of the "47%" issue, nothing on the Bain record, etc. However, if you tuned in to the debate in the last 30 minutes or so, you would have assumed that the President won: sketchy Willard looked pale and uncomfortable when a confident Obama attacked his positions on health care, and the role of government. He needs to turn the tables on Willard in the next two debates, and go after the extreme positions that Willard's had, but is trying to hide from the public.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Debate Preview
Steven Colbert helps us with what to look for in tonight's presidential debate - the mainstream media need for a "game changer" moment, the lowering of expectations, and the Zinger-winger, Willard "I'm Mitt Romney, And I Memorized That Zinger" Romney:
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Debate Hype & Mitt's Strategy | ||||
| ||||
Mid-Week Movement
Some time ago, we posted the final movement of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 7, a favorite from our youth. Here's the first movement, with accompanying journey into a nebula (watch it full screen)!
Willard A "Victim" Of His 47% Comments
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll indicates that plutocrat humanoid replica Willard "Etch-A-Sketch" Romney is being damaged by the revelation of the "47%" video (those Americans see themselves as "victims" etc). Forty five percent of the public that had heard about the video said it made them view Willard more negatively; an even greater 49% of undecided voters said it made their view of Willard more negative. The poll also finds that the Rethugs' manufactured "you didn't build that" out-of-context quote from Obama wasn't changing anyone's vote.
It's still appalling that roughly 45% of the voting public is currently supporting Willard, despite the switching positions, the failure to connect with average people, the reactionary policies toward the middle class, and Willard's obvious elitism. Is it ignorance, Obama Derangement Syndrome, tribal loyalty, or a combination? Maybe it's just masochism.
It's still appalling that roughly 45% of the voting public is currently supporting Willard, despite the switching positions, the failure to connect with average people, the reactionary policies toward the middle class, and Willard's obvious elitism. Is it ignorance, Obama Derangement Syndrome, tribal loyalty, or a combination? Maybe it's just masochism.
Lyin' Ryan's Warped View
Lyin' was born into a well-to-do family that owned a successful construction business. Willard was the son of an auto company CEO and Governor of Michigan. They have no understanding of average middle class American life, and think that since they were born on third base they hit a triple.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Mitt Romney, "Gangnam Style"
You may remember the Korean pop "Gangnam Style" music video we shared on September 21? Well, here's a brutal parody by College Humor (Warning: occasional salty language employed). "Hey, wealthy ladies!"
Ruling In PA Voter Suppression Law
After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled against the Rethug voter suppression law requiring photo IDs to vote, it remanded the case back to the lower court judge that initially affirmed the law. Today, that judge issued a preliminary injunction that allows Pennsylvania election officials to ask voters for photo ID, while allowing voters without photo IDs to cast a ballot. There's still the opportunity for Rethug mischief at the polls, specifically Rethug election officials asking for photo IDs, but not telling the voters that they could still vote. You know they're going to try it.
We'll see if opponents of the photo ID law will accept this half-measure, or go back to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for relief.
We'll see if opponents of the photo ID law will accept this half-measure, or go back to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for relief.
Willard's Debate Opponent
(click to enlarge)
Hapless plutocrat Willard "Mo' Shambles" Romney is heading into tomorrow's debate with the President with a great deal at stake. But, as this cartoon and the WaPo's Eugene Robinson point out, Mo' Shambles' first task will be to win the debate with himself. The most recent Etch-A-Sketch moment was when he pointed to his universal health care program in Massachusetts as a sign of his "empathy," something he's avoided like the plague until now.
A candidate is losing when he flips, flails and flings zingers at his opponent. When a debater has to count on "zingers" to gain ground, it means he's lost the debate on substance, as well as the debate with himself.
(cartoon: Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Hapless plutocrat Willard "Mo' Shambles" Romney is heading into tomorrow's debate with the President with a great deal at stake. But, as this cartoon and the WaPo's Eugene Robinson point out, Mo' Shambles' first task will be to win the debate with himself. The most recent Etch-A-Sketch moment was when he pointed to his universal health care program in Massachusetts as a sign of his "empathy," something he's avoided like the plague until now.
A candidate is losing when he flips, flails and flings zingers at his opponent. When a debater has to count on "zingers" to gain ground, it means he's lost the debate on substance, as well as the debate with himself.
(cartoon: Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Our Broken Media, Cont'd.
Yesterday on Press The Meat, simian-faced host David "Dancin' Dave" Gregory was "interviewing" Obama campaign strategist David Plouffe, when the subject turned to the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. As both Charles Pierce and Think Progress have noted, Dancin' Dave's set up question was a case study in fabricating "facts" that are intended to throw the interviewee and specifically the viewer off. Lying that President Obama has claimed al Qaeda had been defeated (among other misrepresentations), Dancin' Dave then wanted Plouffe to explain why the attack occurred on the consulate by al Qaeda affiliates in Libya.
Asking questions about the fluid situation in the Middle East and specifically about increased terrorist activity is entirely legitimate. Lying about what the President said as part of your question is inexcusable.
(photo: Dancin' Dave, left, with his favorite partner, Turdblossom Rove)
Image of the Day
Thurston Howell Romney takes a break from debate preparation. Show those moochers who make up 47% of America what you're made of, T.H.!
(image: courtesy of Daily Kos and, of course, Gilligan's Island)
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