AMES, IA -- Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann had plenty to lose at today's Ames Straw Poll, especially with Texas Gov. Rick Perry's entry into the race -- her front-runner status in Iowa, the buzz surrounding her campaign, and the momentum she's had since announcing her presidential bid in June.
What her narrow straw-poll victory here over Ron Paul means: The buzz, momentum, and front-runner status doesn't change. Indeed, Bachmann's win wasn't easy, given Paul's strength in previous straw polls and given her late entry into the race.
Although she still has numerous challenges ahead -- her opponents questioning her legislative record (or lack thereof), polls showing her losing to President Obama by double digits in a general election -- there's the potential that, come January or February, Bachmann will be the front-runner in Iowa, Mitt Romney will be the front-runner in New Hampshire, and Perry will be the front-runner in South Carolina. Of course, there's lots of time until then, but that scenario could spell a LONG Republican presidential nomination.
The biggest loser in the straw poll was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who received just half the votes that Bachmann and Paul got. Pawlenty needed a strong showing to erase -- or at least lessen -- the doubts about his campaign (his lackluster fundraising, his poor debate performance in June). But he didn't get it.
Third-place has been unkind to past participants in Ames: The third-place finishers in 1999 (Elizabeth Dole) and 2007 (Sam Brownback) dropped out of the presidential race two months later.
Another interesting result: As a write-in candidate, Perry (718 votes) finished ahead of Romney (567), who was on the ballot. But while a pro-Perry organization here worked to win votes for the Texas governor, Romney's team had absolutely no presence at the straw poll.


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I wonder where the candidates get there money ... it takes millions .. why would some one back a sure loser like .. santorum .. pawlenty or gingrich .. none of these people have a real job .. or have ever had to stretch a pay check
Since the Ames poll began in '79 only Bush the Lesser has won the poll, gone on to win the GOP nomination and then gone on to win the White House.
If it hadn't been for Karl Rove's shenanigans in South Carolina Bush the GOP nomination probably would have gone to John McCain.
Of course as far as Bush 'winning the White House"...well I would rather not revisit 'voting irregularities' and the fact that it was the first time any American president was seated by the Supreme Court.
Who cares that a few hundred Iowa farmers "voted" for this lunatic? If the GOP hopes to have any chance of taking back this country from the policies of Obama, they had better nominate someone a little more electable that a raving psychopath whose number one agenda is to "cure" all the gays from their illness...
A Messenger-2926105
That's hilarious. Backwoods graft and bribery involving Randy Travis!!! So funny.....
She's way too my-way-or-the-highway and not to mention just loves to play the blame game. Ron Paul was only candidate that did not utter the word "Obamacare" or even Obama's name. He skips the bullcrap in this pointless finger pointing blame game. He knows his history very well and is the most honest and realistic candidate here. And the interesting part here is that Paul has the potential to win some liberal support.
Tins I agree if Ron Paul makes it he has my vote.
That's what's so funny about the media write off of Paul. All polls show him as the best chance to beat Obama because he will draw independents and anti-war liberals who are dissapointed that Obama's war budget far exceeds anything Bush had.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to balance the budget, to be "fiscally" conservative and demand we spend over $1 TRILLION/year in these endless "Faceless" wars and with 1000 bases in 120 countries.
The media makes it out that only the "crazy" people support the "crazy uncle" Ron Paul, but the sane, reasonable, and logical support is shifting his way by the hour.
Bachmann's win in the straw poll is the best thing that could have happend for Obama... To bad it does not hold true for the whole country.
M. Bachmann is not going to be the President of the United States, nor will she win the Republican primary. I watched the whole interview on Meet the Press today. In thirty minutes, she avoided answering even one of his questions in a straightforward manner. I don't trust her; I think she has her own personal agenda, and I think she is ill-equipped to lead our country - even more so than Palin, if possible.
It's so sad that after centuries, having finally been given the chance for women's voices to be heard in the realm of the office of President, the women doing so are ill-equipped to handle the job, when there is so much intelligent talent available.
Mozzie, I agree with what you say, and would add one comment. Certainly there are many intelligent and well thought women out there, men as well. Unfortunately, I think the enthusiasm reflects the lack of intelligent thinking that pervades our country. Her response to the opening question of the Republican debate was basically a non-answer followed by cheer leading for her followers, "one term and out for Obama" or something to that effect. Instead of silence for a terrible answer, she receives a rousing cheer. That is the state of our candidates and our voting public. Today, David Gregory asks about a 2004 statement regarding her disparaging comments about gays. She stands by her statement, but adds that she doesn't judge anyone. Come on, you cannot have it both ways, Ms. Bachmann. We as voters and citizens deserve better, but perhaps her popularity is evidence for the lack of thought prevalent in our country.
Agree. One would hope that these "rah-rah Michele!" cheerleaders were shills and the rest went along for the ride (I think they probably don't get out much).
We deserve to know a candidate's viewpoints better than someone who only bashes President Obama at every opportunity, but doesn't have a workable plan to do anything different. She is a hypocrite; and it was interesting to watch her squirm on the question of whether or not she judges gay people in our country. Obfuscate whenever possible, apparently is her motto. How she thinks she can get away with this horsie do-do is mind boggling. Not all voters are stupid.
And, if I want to live under a theocracy, I will move to Iran.
Doesn't anyone see the hypocrisy in someone who made a lot of money as an IRS tax attorney suddenly railing against taxes and government?
Scott: She hated it, but her husband made her do it.
She will not make it past the primaries!
Maybe not, but she'll split the majority of the southern primary evangelical vote between herself and Rick Perry which clears a path for Romney to primary victory.
With Perry in the running, Tim Pawlenty's chances just got really slim because he's going to take up a lot of the extra oxygen Pawlenty will need to be heard over Romney.
If the northern republican votes split between romney and pawlenty and the southern votes split between perry and bachmann, I'd still have to give the slight edge to Romney with Perry coming in a close second as of now. However, that Texas politico thing seems to resonate with the R's.
Worst case scenario for the GOP, is if Bachmann wins the primary. She's a PR nightmare.
I think Perry could win the Primary, but not the general.
I think Romney could win the Primary but would also lose a general election.
Pawlenty could win the General if he doesn't gaffe it up too much, but I don't think he's got a big enough wagon train to pull off a rally of that size if you catch my drift.
Romney is consered a RINO by many repubs and would not get the enthusiatic votes needed to win the election from a sitting president.
she still has numerous challenges ahead -- her opponents questioning her legislative record (or lack thereof), polls showing her losing to President Obama by double digits in a general election -- there's the potential that, come January or February
Okay spin that t- bags
Dr. Marcus will tell her what to do....and of course she will 'respect' him!
Just wondering, but what happens after New Hampshire, and the Carolinas? Are those the only states that count!
Well, OK then!
Owebama never had a record either except for voting "Present" or calling Bush a non-leader because he wanted to raise the debt ceiling, just like he said his speech in the Senate was a mistake when he wanted to raise it.
Where is your girlfiend Fiesty?? Finally had enough for the day and passed the baton to you Bev?? She's been on the board all day!! I came back from golf and she was still posting her BS. You peole need to get a life outside of you keyboards!!!!!
REB-whatever
"You peole need to get a life outside of you keyboards!!!!!"
My word isn't that the Teabag kettle calling the pot black?
You need to learn to write English correctly as well, buddy. I'm assuming it's your native language. That "sentence" is hilarious, though, so at least it served some value.
Dangerous Mind
What does "Whatever" mean?? No snappy rebuttal ?? Oh wait "Teabag Kettle" - I'm impressed.
Your screen name says it all. I note you make no comments about native language when Bev posts her "ebonics" comments. Take a hike unless you aren't finished defending your idiot duo. If you want we can keep this up all night.
I hope everyone saw Joe Scarborough (R) totally eviscerate Bachmann, calling her and her campaign a joke on Morning Joe. It's a good watch.
Sane Central ... Ole Joe, a RINO if ever there was one. Stopped watching that phony years ago. If anybody's a J-O-K-E ... it's Ole Joe the RINO.
REB-whatever
Oh, you throw someone's use of "ebonics" (your word) at me. So you're racist as well as being too slow to know that the word "whatever" just meant I didn't feel like typing out the unoriginal string of random numbers after the first part of your screen name.
I don't take orders from those with a lower IQ than me, so sorry pal I'm not leaving. Oh, and I'm not scared of you wanting to "keep this up all night". I know you're not capable of that unless you got a Viagra script, pops.
I'll go into the next night, and the one after that, all the way until the one after the night Obama gets re-elected in November 2012. You ready to match wits, chief? Because I'll match my wits with someone who only has half a wit any and all days of the week.
You start the mud slinging and insults - you better expect it back.
Dangerous mind, you need to turn your's off you are going off the deep end bro'
Hope the republican party is getting the message that many of the conservatives really don't like Romney.
Beverly - a Flash in the Pan like Sister Sarah - all glitter and no ideas - I am ashamed of these women - Hillary Clinton would have wiped the floor with them
Hil does wipe the floor with them right now. She's Secretary of State.
What the hell are Bachmann Palin Overdrive? Serial campaigners.
I simply cannot believe people can't see this Bachmann freak for what she is!!! she reminds me of daffy duck. I am disappointed with Obama but he is up against some really evil azz-holes who are willing to see this wonderful country on it's knees' before they let him do something good and the lies oh my god!!!200 million a day? and people actually believe this tripe? instead of finding out for themselves...with that being said if it comes down to what the repugs are offering besides Ron Paul I gotta vote for Obama, if by some chance Ron Paul gets the nod, I would vote for him... I should have voted for Hillary...she woulda kicked azz.
HAHAHA!
Looks like old REB ran out of refills... lmao!
Nice work Dangerous Mind!
Hillary might just be good at wiping up the floor after Bill and Monica have had their fun.
Just looking at the commennts of Beverly and Fiesty, remind us all why we never have had a woman for President.
Hey now. Don't use them to judge all of us! Bev and Fiesty just have their periods every day all year long.
Dear Republicans;
Good choice! We applaud you!
(can't wait 'til 11/12)
I am Republican but leave me out of the we support her! Flippant comments no real ideas and no plans. You don't need to be a genius to know we spend too much and don't take revenue from the Billionares. 2000 did not pay a cent last year. Need someone to step up and get it right on both sides of the equation. No one in either part able to do so. Obama has to go but who for the next person?
Why does Obama have to go exactly? What is the actual problem you have with him?
Obama has had his chance. No real Budget supported by either party. Had Congress in his hands last year and spent his Political Capital on Health Care which is going down with the Supreme Court. Keep the pre existing conditions part which is good. No one can pay for the item as there are no jobs. Obama has been silent on how to fix. Doesn't move Congress with how to grow Business and keep the profits here. McCain another example of just more wars funding will grow the economy. Obama could run war with drones and keep the Enemys heads down. Obama has had his chance. This is the Big Leagues and one must perform! Has to go. My problem no one in either Party to do the job!
Obama addressed each and every one of the things you listed.
Your people just chose to filibuster each and every single attempt. Now you people blame him for inaction after putting roadblocks up in front of every attempt to help the economy. Because your side couldn't stand to see Obama get any credit.
Also thanks for wrecking our credit rating and in an attempt to further smear Obama you blame your side's efforts on him.
Obama doesn't have to go. Tealiban fascists have to go before they destroy our government. If you honestly think Koch billions will get Bachmann in the White House you belong to the lunatic fringe.
Dear Notas Stupid (poor choice for a screenname) ... You're not the only one who can't wait for 11/12 ... I doubt she'll be the nominee, but even if she is. It's all over for you epic failure of a prez. He gets his walkin papers in 450 days.
Wow... Scott, you actually believe Bachmann can beat the "Machine" that is the Obama Campaine, when not even the CLINTONS could beat him??? If you honestly believe that then I got some swamp land I'd like to sell ya... Gullible is an understatement :) This isn't "Fantasy Land".
Let's quit the name calling - spend your energy on calling your Congress names....they are the culprits. Obama does't deserve the beating up he gets - HE is the legislatigve branch remember. Anything Congress passes, he can veto - but Congress can cancel his veto. He actual does not have as much power as you would think - so you are either racist, buying a party line and can't think for yourself, or you are just as partisan as Congress is. As for this straw poll - I'm sure the Republicans can come up with something better than these losers. The American people that declare themselves Republicans could ante up their dollars and their vote to get something better than they have for candidates. None of these people will serve the country well....their party, maybe, their country, no.
This is for Reb are you so afraid of a thinking human being? Obama did what? Forget the Community Organizer - what about the Head of the Law Review - sorry little4 boy - he went where you couldn't - jealous of another brain Little boy do you play Chess? Should learn your little boys are playing checkers Okay - he should stand on a pulpit and call you all idiots - bring down the wrath of God - call down to Jesus and have fire in his fingers and part the rivers - walk on the waters - multiply the fishes -
What about looking what is best for you and your family and cut the BS - get over it he is half black like I am half Lithuanian - part Dutch - and English are you pure or part anything
al de-3906122 wrote:
And things will change how if someone new is elected? This isn't an issue about who's president so much as it's an issue about time. If your credit cards are maxed out, you can't pay them down overnight, especially when much of your payment goes to interest. It takes years, or even decades, depending on your income and continuing spending habits. (Both of which probably aren't very good in the first place.) That's where the U.S. is now. And Obama is hardly the one to blame for that, given the situation the country was in before he took office.
It won't matter who or which party is elected President unless Congress musters the nuts to do the tough things that will correct the course of America back to prosperity. We need a balanced budget, flat rate tax code with less deductions or replacement with a consumption tax, an end to spending more on foreign aid and wars than we spend on America itself, save SS by repealing the amendment that first gave Johnson the ability to tap it and raise the deduction limit to $200k, stop giving medicare and medicaid to illegals above citizens, etc. All easy solutions for a leadership with balls to do the right thing for America. We aren't living in the 50's world anymore and we need to start acting like it!!!
US BORN; WOW, I read your blast. I love it. Any real American has to believe exactly what you said. A balanced approach to fixing our economic woes. We need to fix Congress and the Senate. These un-yeilding, pig headed dopes that will not combine spending cuts and revenue increases, are killing my and your country. Moderation, stubbornness, and one way political bullish. The Teapublians have shown all of us the politics comes before Patriotism. They will stop at nothing to un-seat a Democrat, even if it ruins our country. Combining the budget and the debt limit was just to put the blame on anybody not Teapublican.
One of my simple, respectful thoughts, I'd like to quickly share with you folks. When I was younger, The President of the US was addressed as President Obama. His attempt to fix a health care system, that we all must agree is broken, is called the National Health Care REFORM Act. Notice, REFORM, in the title. This was voted into being because the system, run by the insurance industry, is not working faily for the majority of Americans. The basic health care reform act, which I've read, protects all of us from profit seeking companies from unfairly screwing us, all of us. There are some really good things in it. The folks that listen to only the "kill the health care bill folks", aren't informed of all the good things in the law. Remember, the additional tax needed to fund the law, would come from moneys you would no longer have to pay your insurance company. The anti health care folks, didn't tell you that. My employer has to pay almost $10,000 a year for my families plan, and that money, redirected to my pay, will offset what additional tax i'd pay.
Enough. Read stuff from the horses mouth and not the slanted crap the politicians hand out. Both sides promote their issues in a way that would sway you their way. Use your minds. Think for your selves.
US Born:
1999 we HAD a balanced budget with a surplus; we then got a Republican president who unbalanced the budget and returned to deficit spending immediately upon taking office. Historical FACT!
Republicans did NOT want nor strive to maintain our balanced budget when they controlled the White House...Now they want to whine, holler and complaint that President Obama won't balance the budget (again, as we did for them under Clinton.) HIPOCRITICAL DOUBLE STANDARD and it is REALLY getting old and worn out!! If Republican/TeaParty truly wanted a balanced budget, they should have kept President Clinton's economic policies in place when we had it, instead of going as wild as a kid in a candy store when W got in.
It is over and done, and now we have to live with the results. Still, they lie, rationalize spin and try to re-write history to convince us to let them in the White House again... sorry:
Cheat me once, shame on you;
Cheat me twice, shame on ME!!
NO REPUBLICANS IN 2012!!!!!!
bachman has as much a chance of winning the Republican Nomination, let alone the Presidency, as does my local dog catcher.
branxoz> Your local dawg catcher has a 4 point lead over Obama as of yesterday. Your local dawg catcher is tied with a box of hot rocks.
Even your local dog catcher would be a huge improvement over what we have.
Maybe, but it seems that no one in the Republican party is.
Don't insult your dog catcher
Good show Michelle.
I think when we get real primaries in the mix, Romney will once again emerge as the front runner in the GOP field.
I see Herman Cain and Jon Huntsman slowly leaving the race. I don't think Rick Perry will go as far as predicted. America likes her Presidents to be religious and attend church regularly, but to keep it to themselves. When a candidate gets a bit too evangelical in public, they scare people, and doom their chances. (Just my opinion)
Problem here is neither Party can overcome gridlock. Need more people like Jefferson, Adams, Jackson, Truman, Rosevelt, Lincoln, Regan, Clinton, who could move the establishment and not care whoes toes got in the way. Need smart people with Ideas not catch phrases. I am Amazed at People like McCain no ideas no substance, rich, doesn't know how many houses he owns and Klye the same. Actors who are rich and catchie phrases. Obama yes we can is worn out. No you didn't. No talk about the common guy except to take away the mortgage decuction that McCain Klye and the other Republicans support. Tax the Billionares and get the money. 2000 did not pay a cent last year. Obama has had his chance and since this is the Big Leagues he must go for no performance! Sad problem no one in either party is there to step up. Mr duck the issues Romney just doesnt have the fortitude.!
Amazing, there are approx. 1200 billionaires all total on the planet and you have decided that there are 2000 in this country that pay no taxes. What are you going to make up next?
You stepped around no Taxes Paid as established by the Government Accounting Office. Truth hurts in a debate!
Once your credibility was dismissed, I lost interest.
P.S. I did not step around "no Taxes Paid as established by the Government Accounting Office" because it did not exist in the post I responded to.
In all fairness, this Straw Poll doesn't mean a whole lot. When the dust settles, it's going to be between the TX Preacher and the Mormon. I have lived next to some Mormons for about 8 years now, waiting for some nutty behavior, but it just didn't happen. They seem to be good upstanding folks and their kids are actually good role models to others. No drugs or crap like that. So, I wouldn't be opposed to either the Preacher or the Mormon getting the nod. Could it get any worse than we have now?
Yes, it could get much worse, we could get another republican in the white house, that would be much worse.
This is for Al De - Yes we can if we got rid of the McConnell's who wanted a one term president - look what they did to Carter - worst President think not how about sending William Casey to Iran and promising them weapons if they held the prisoners - and released on Sir Ronnies inaguaration date - are you old enough to remember the Iran-Contra and all you little boys posting look it up - this country have been after the Middle Class since Sir Ronnie - Trickle down is Amber colored and it has been the Republicans who have been in charge Want more trickle down your legs then vote Republican and God Help You!
Tell it Barbara Adams Jackson...I rememberall that you mentioned in your post..
the fact this Teabagging whackjob can win ANYTHING is unnerving. luckily, if this is a sign of things to come, the GOP will just be handing Obama a second term. I think a lot of people will be ok with that. I know Bachmann doesnt have a snowballs chance of getting the nomination but I wouldve said the same thing about her winning this
The GOP could actually forfeit to Obama and he'd still manage to lose to a box of hot rocks. Let's take a congresswoman with a law degree, specialization in tax and principles instead. Way better than Obama or the box of hot rocks.
how this woman even has a high school diploma is great mystery...or maybe it just says all you need to know about Americas education system. either way, get ready for 4 more years!!!!!
Papa, say what you want about her level of education, but she at least knows to start her sentences with capital letters. Can you say the same?
Rick, actually you have me thinking about that box of hot rocks. Is it running? I'd vote for it over Bachmann.
One question. How do they stay hot? Are they radioactive? Or by hot, do you mean they are stolen?
Let me see, Bachmann's "law" degree from an Oral Roberts University law school right before it's charter was dissolved, or Obama's law degree from Harvard where he served as President of the law revue.
Tough choice. Of course, I know the Teabaggers think that dumb as a box of rocks is a virtue but come on now.
Michele Bachmann practiced law as a tax attorney for the U.S. Treasury Dept. She has taken tax subsidies for the farm she owns with her in laws. Her husband Marcus has received Medicaid and Minnesota /care payments for the clients they served.
It is her hypocrisy as a tea party caucus leader that she says one thing and does another for herself and family.
PaPa - Michelle - the uninformed can now sit on her $4 million house and say one day I won the Straw Poll in Iowa
By the way she said she was 50 years old and has been married for 33 years was she married at 17 years of age and how old is her husband - consentual rape? or did her parents sign her off? Just asking - her husband looks much older
Rick in the Forest - word has it that 4 years at the IRS was interrupted twice by maternity leave, and that her actual "experience" was about 2 years of lightweight stuff since co-workers had to cover for the Princess.
Marcus is going to be the UGLIEST first lady EVER!
HEADLINE FLASH!!!
In a related story:
Just more noise. All an Act no credentials and no plan! No Taxes OK but what is the plan to grow business, cut taxes has to have some foundation. Needs committements from business to keep the profits here in this country and establish jobs with them. Obama is no better, no plan we have to do this or that. No substance. Like McCain who Opposes Solar development in Arizona. 200 companies want to develop but McCain supports an environmental impact study?? So like the Suns Rays are as Bad as an Oil Spill. Kyle no better. Wonder if he will say that his committee should not work so close to Christmas as it Dishonors the Christian Religion. Fire them all and get a lottery for Congress. If your name is Drawn you serbve. This would provide better people that are in tune with the average guy!
Tell you what .. I would take four more years of Clinton. Let's ask our Congressmen to initiate a change to the Constitution to allow the same. Teddie R gave it a shot. I think Clinton thinks with real ideas
Well, I wish you American's the best of luck with your new leader, president Bachmann, you're going to need it!
There are about 300 million Americans that would be a huge improvement and Michelle is clearly one of them.
How so? I have yet to decipher any of her positions into something a President can or would or should do. I get that she wants a dictatorship, but what after that?
The first thing she would do is have her husband make all the gay people straight again.
If she wanted a dictatorship, she would have no reason to run...
brad
The most crazy part is not that Bachmann's husband makes gay people straight again with Christ, but that they use our tax dollars in the form of Medicaid to pay him for it.
My tax dollars shouldn't pay for that quackery. It's not medicine.
Sorry, MSNBC, you got it wrong. Perry won.
Here's why. The presumed front-runner for the nomination got shellacked. Doesn't matter, right? It's just the Ames straw poll, right? Then why were all the candidates up there whoring for straws? Were they wasting their time with childish media events that don't matter? Sure looks that way.
Perry signaled that he isn't playing these games by announcing in another state. And that makes him the guy to watch, at least until he does something dumb. Until that time, he's the new front-runner.
As for Romney and his claim (as well as your claim) that he didn't apply any organizational effort to this straw poll, 1) I don't believe it, and in fact saw a story today about how his campaign was working behind the scenes trying to get Iowans out, and 2) it shouldn't matter whether he did or didn't. When your national front-runner barely gets 3 percent, time to question whether he's still the national front-runner.
You said, "whoring for straws".
I have no idea what that means but your side does have a precious mentality doesn't it?
Paul, You are going to have a long primary season. The national Republican Committee changed the rules about how states will elect delegates to the national convention. There will be proportional voting used in the primaries.
So if Perry , Romney, Bachmann, and even Paul, it will be a long winter and spring before one of them has the nomination locked up. Meanwhile the PAC and special interest will be spending boat loads of money even before the general election.
Northstar - didn't know that.
But sounds like we're all going to have a long nominating season; not just me. I'm just a casual observer here and not a Republican (nor a Democrat, but they strike me as a touch less insane).
I don't particularly like anyone from the current field of Republican candidates and think that party ought to look deeper into its bench. Bob McDonnell from Virginia comes to mind. Very little resume, but at least he's not crazy. I know of him because he's my governor. I'm sure there are others I don't know of. The GOP would serve itself well to find a new player in this race.
But I also think it doesn't matter much. Republican, Democrat - really doesn't matter anymore. The hole we've dug for ourselves is too deep. Can't keep spending and can't stop spending. Need to raise taxes but politically that can't happen, and even if we could put ourselves in a revenue position from which we weren't digging a deeper hole, next time something goes wrong we'd have to dig again. We're starting a slow glide path down toward an economy more reminiscent of a third world country, albeit a very large one. The fiscal irresponsibility of the last 10-11 years have killed this country as an economic superpower.
Paul, I agree with much of your observation. Not only are we in a global recession, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift of what is the role of government on the world stage. I had thought the the end of the cold war would free up our resources, talent and trade policy for the better. but along came the "War on terror" which is real but also very amorphous. HOw do we defend against that , certainly not how we did in the 60's
I am not an economist but I did hear one on MPR this weekend. he said what the federal policy that will help the US economy in the long term is a highly educated workforce, new and repair of our country's infrastructure, and federal funded research and development. This is an environment for businesses to thrive. But in the short term we are shooting ourselves in the foot over manufactured crisis like the debt ceiling and now the scramble in congress this fall to trim another 1.2 T from the budget.
As a democrat, I do think Obama and his pragmatism in looking for a balanced approach in working with a divided government is a good antidote to the extremes of the tea party and the rhetoric of the Republican. candidates.
This election will be all about the Tea Party and the Right Wing Church goers of the GOP. If they can get out their base, their choice (either Bachmann or Perry) will win in November 2012. If they can't and the libs get their base out (including those that vote several times, are already dead, etc.,) then Barrack may still be able to hold onto the election and get four more years to ruin what's left of our country.
As for Romney, way too many folks don't trust him, his liberal record as Governor in Massachusetts, or his LDS belief in super pajamas. The write-in vote for Perry in Iowa was higher than what Romney got, that should tell you all you need to know.
Perry's already got a great campaign button out, "No more Barry, Vote for Perry", but Michelle has more fire in the belly (at least so far).
If by "fire in the belly" you mean crazy delusions that she is in any way qualified.
If you think the Tea Party and Right Wing evangelicals make up more then 50% of the Country your smoking crack. You need the moderates to win ANY election and no one turns off the moderates more then the Tea Party and the Christian Right. Good luck with that dream.
Perry more of the Same, Bush all over again/ More wars. Perhaps we can get an Aircraft carrier to land on and say these proceedings with the economy and no jobs are over by electing me. Good LUCK
The constant media attention to the Republican primary is overshadowing real stories that affect real Americans.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky just introduced legislation that will create 2.2 Million jobs and reduce the unemployment rate.
But the conservatively biased "mainstream" media outlets like CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS etc. have completely ignored it.
Do they want the economy to fail as much as the Republicans?
If Bachmann is the best the GOP has to offer, they are definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel!!! The day she runs for President, all Americans better run for the hills!!!!
The Bottom???? of the Barrel LOL hello they are under the Barrel with this fruit cake. these are the last days in-deed.
Michele Bachmann is the front runner for the GOP presidential candidate. Just let that sink in for a minute. If that doesn't tell you righties that there is something seriously wrong with your party, then nothing will.
What even more mind-boggling is they actually LIKE her and think she has a shot! If that doesn't tell you the mind-set of Republicans then nothing will.
Looks like it wll shape up into a Romney/Bachmann ticket after all. The merging of Mormanism and Evangical Christianity. How American can you get??
Family values at the forefront. Great. The end of these wars, areally secure southern border. Fiscal responsability. Liberals beginning their re-education. Can't wait.
You get a tea bagger and a libertarian, no republicans, in a republican caucus, or whatever it is. All are supply siders, all more extreme than the bulk of the voters. None had any real plans for the 20+ million jobs that we need, the #1 issue. In the last Presidential the #1 issue was the wars, and primarily OBL, now he's dead, Obama killed him, he didn't get much for that, we didn't either, we still have a huge military and several wars, no dividend, no acclaim for Obama. It's like the OBL was still around. None of the republican candidates can claim they killed OBL. I guess they don't talk about that much any more, that, and the wars, now it's debt, or just not liking Obama. When talking about debt they don't mention the wars, military spending, debt, they just mention domestic spending, we spend like 60% of our revenue intake on wars/military, we only need to cut that, the budget/etc. would be fine after cutting that 60%, we'd have massive surpluses. Now that Obama got OBL, we move on to jobs/growth, while the republicans are somewhere out in the field on debt, and who knows what else, maybe guns, gays, and god, the 3 G's again. Growth is a G, they could at least put that in there someplace.
gtdave,Thank you for a well thought out post.
This bitch is weird.
She's pretty much insane, really, she doesn't seem to have much of a grasp on reality.
Leroy,
Are you refering to Nancy Pelosi?? Or Barbara Boxer??
Joseph, I think they clearly meant Michele Bachmann. You know, the Tea Party nut that has no chance?
Looking good! We are headed towards a Perry/Bachmann ticket that will send Obama back to being a community organizer where he belongs.
We said in 2008 that he wasn't qualified to be president-Hilary said he lacked the experience and leadership abilities and we were right!
Now it's time to put people in who can restore our nation from socialism
OMG! Are you actually as benighted as your comments reveal? it must be a challenge to survive any given day being so blissfully out of touch with reality.
out of touch? I own and operate 3 businesses at the age of 62. I have no debt, business or personal. I have control over my own life and I want a president who upholds those values; the same values prescribed and established by our Founders; liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not compatible with the Democrats socialist ideology
Jesus... you people and your rhetoric... never fails, in every sentence you spout you gotta throw in a "Founding Fathers" or a "Constitution" or something you heard about on the History channel.. like Paul Revere warning the British.
Indianleap
+3000 points for use of the word "benighted".
@ Larry you wanna be free from socialism but yet your candiate Bachman takes money from the government in the form of subsidies isn't that like a double standard. if Bachmann and her closet Queen husband were any other race your little tune would be way different but you hide behind the socialist facade. Be honest Mr I have three businesses with no personal and debt...LoL what you selling scrips/drugs?
If you are expecting anything from Perry, you are sadly mistaken. Please do some research on "Rick Perry Bilderberg meeting Istanbul, Turkey". The secret society of the Bilderberg group plans to remove what little personal freedoms that we have left. Perry would , with his limited intellect, would make him the perfect puppet for the Bilderberg group.
She's pretty much insane, but she is really showing how dumb the male leadership is in her GOPher party.
So this country just has to have a jesus freak for president.
Is there any none christian s running for anything?
On ward christian soldiers. Guess the rest of the world is right.
Oh, the pleasure of watching the Tea Baggers destroy the Republican Party. Run, Michelle, Run!!!
Why not? We have suffered through nearly three years with a closet communist running it!
The Republican Party is in desperate shape when their bench is so thin that Michelle Bachman is their most serious candidate and "Front Runner". During the debate they all said they would not take a deal that was 10 to 1 spending cuts to tax increases. I guess they are not following the polls that say the American people want taxes increased on the wealthy. That is just it, they are not listening. They live in their own little world where Global Climate Change is a hoax, tax cuts for the wealthy creates jobs, Gravity is an unproven concept, Creative Design has merit, George W. Bush was a great President and Grover Norquist is more important then their constituents. Now Michelle Bachman is Front Runner. Amazing!
Careful Rick....you morons in Vegas re-elected Harry R. again, or at least the unions in three districts did!