First thoughts: Jersey Boys

Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:23 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Jersey Boys: When President Obama last campaigned for Jon Corzine back in July, we wondered whether it would be his last visit given Corzine's low poll numbers and political woes. Well, he's coming back to New Jersey to attend a rally for the incumbent governor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack at 6:05 pm ET. The low poll numbers and the political woes are still there for the incumbent governor. But due to Chris Christie's struggles (yesterday's story on Michele Brown was damning), independent Chris Daggett's surprising candidacy, and New Jersey's blue tint, political observers now realize that Corzine CAN win this thing. If Democrats do win in New Jersey, as well as in the special congressional election in NY-23, there will be two storylines to consider the day after: 1) third-party candidates -- Daggett in NJ and Doug Hoffman in NY-23 -- will have helped the Democrats and hurt the Republicans, and 2) that Republicans once again will have struck out in the Northeast. If Republicans lose NY-23, they will control just TWO of the state’s 29 congressional districts. Wow.

*** Aiding small businesses: Before Obama stumps in New Jersey, the president, at 1:50 pm ET, will announce a package of initiatives that will increase credit to small businesses, per NBC’s Athena Jones. The proposal will increase the caps for existing Small Business Administration loans and give smaller banks better access to TARP funding to encourage more lending to small business. The fact that TARP is being tapped as a small-biz-incentive tool to get credit flowing makes you wonder: "What took you so long to announce this?” Speaking of TARP, "Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general over the Troubled Asset Relief Program … criticized the Treasury Department for failing to require banks to detail exactly how they are using the money." And former Treasury official Neel Kashkari told CNBC's John Harwood this: “I do think Wall Street firms need to show more sensitivity. Every single Wall Street firm, despite their protest today, every single one benefited from our actions. Every single one. And they need to recognize that. And when they get up there and say, `Well, we didn't need it,' that's bull. They did need it. And they're all happy with the actions that we took, and they need to show restraint today.”

***Kerry steps up: Take a look at some of John Kerry recent accomplishments: saves climate bill, becomes the administration’s go-to guy on Karzai in Afghanistan. It took him nearly four years to find his rhythm following his 2004 loss, but Kerry is a player again. On two different fronts, he has stepped up and become a game-saver for his party. On climate/energy, he took a bill that was languishing in the Senate and recruited Lindsey Graham to breathe new life into it. The bill still has a long way to go, but there's a path to passage and that's in no small part thanks to Kerry. On Karzai, there are a few tick-tocks about the role he played (one here in the Wall Street Journal), including how the Obama administration used him to, well, super-cede Holbrooke and others. As one Dem strategist commented to us today, "Kerry finally got to show what kind of president he could have been." But in classic Kerry fashion, no one in the media is in the dark about Kerry’s Afghanistan role.

*** A pox on both houses? Be sure to take a look at GOP pollster Glen Bolger’s analysis of a recent Democracy Corps (D) survey. Bolger argues that Democratic issue-perception problems are growing, while the GOP’s are fading. In fact, he makes the case against the "pox on both your houses" wisdom that some argue is out there. The Democracy Corps poll shows that it's going to be House Dems, particularly in the South but also in many swing or McCain districts, who will be the first Dems to pay the political price for the Obama administration.

*** What women want: As part of the NBC/MSNBC focus this week on women in the workplace and society, First Read takes a look today at the issues women care most about. According to last month’s NBC/WSJ poll, both men and women rank the economy as their top concern (56% of men and 55% of women had it as their No. 1 or No. 2 issue). But then there’s a fascinating disparity: 46% of women rank health care as one of their top-two concerns, versus 34% of men who think that -- a 12-point difference. On the other hand, a combined 39% of men rank the deficit and spending as a top-two concern, versus 29% of women who do -- a 10-point difference. So women care more about health care than men do, while men are more concerned about the deficit and spending. What’s more, women overall support Obama’s health-care plans more than men do. Per last month’s poll, women support Obama’s plan by a 40%-38% margin. By comparison, men oppose it by a 44%-38% clip. So here’s your battle of the sexes: Women are more inclined to be health-care voters, while men are deficit/spending voters.

Video: Maria Shriver joins the Morning Joe gang to discuss the various questions - both personal and professional - facing young women entering the labor force.

*** Guthrie interviews Obama: Also as part of the NBC/MSNBC focus on women this week, NBC’s Savannah Guthrie today interviews President Obama. (The president has put a lot of women in high places, but how does he truly make sure his administration reflects a woman's perspective?) In addition, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell will interview Sen. Olympia Snowe on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” which begins at 1:00 pm ET.

*** No. 50 for Mitch: On Capitol Hill today, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will deliver what his office is billing as his 50th speech on health care since June 1. According to an aide, McConnell will talk about the need for reform and argue that Democratic proposals won’t do the job. McConnell today also pens an op-ed in USA Today arguing that every Republican supports health reform. “Health care costs are too high, and too many Americans lack health insurance. I have said so in just about every one of those 50 speeches and in dozens of interviews. And every other Senate Republican is on record favoring common-sense reforms for a system that needs them.” In other Cap Hill speeches today, brand-new Sen. George LeMieux (R), who succeeded Mel Martinez, delivers his maiden speech from the Senate floor around 10:15 am ET.

*** Other odds and ends: Beginning at 9:30 am ET, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Education Secretary Duncan appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee to testify on the administration’s response to the H1N1 virus. By the way, NBC’s Athena Jones reports that Obama received his seasonal flu shot yesterday afternoon. The first lady and the girls had already received theirs. In other Washington events today, actress Nicole Kidman testifies over on the House side at 2:00 pm about international violence against women. And Drudge protégé Andrew Breitbart, as well as those conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute, hold a news conference at the National Press Club at 9:30 am.

*** 2009 watch: In Virginia’s gubernatorial race, Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell sparred in their final debate last night, which the Washington Post says wasn’t a game-changer. “McDonnell accused Deeds of plotting a tax increase and backing controversial Democratic proposals in Washington. Deeds sought to convince voters that McDonnell, a former legislator and state attorney general, had undergone a dramatic election-year conversion from a conservative ideologue to a pragmatic moderate.” Also note Politico's observation that Bill Clinton got a bigger crowd stumping for Corzine yesterday than he did campaigning for Deeds.

Countdown to Election Day 2009: 13 days
Countdown to MA Special Primary: 48 days
Countdown to MA Special Election: 90 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 377 days

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Comments

Obama and his administration are getting to be like Nixon. They have their Enemies List, Fox News, Limbaugh, the health insurance companies, and the Chamber of Commerce. They've warned other news organizations not to behave like Fox News, i.e., not to report how many corrupt and neo-Marxist people are in the Obama administration. Any one that speaks against Obama's plans can expect to have Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett, David Axelrod, and Obama himself on the TV trashing and lying about the people that have a different opinion then Obama. Obama is very ham-handed at though and it's not much different then watching professional wrestlers taunt each other. And we see the results, Obama's polls are diving again. Republicans are totally against him and Independents and Blue Dog Democrats are now slipping away too. Obama will end up like Nixon, attacking everyone, trusting no one. One day he'll be getting on a helicopter heading out of town and flashing both that big smile of his and the peace sign, and he still will not have got a health care bill on his desk.

Laura W., Dover NH (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:32 AM)

Any bets on whether or NOT the Bible Spice ACTUALLY shows up on the ‘O’s show? Given her track record of ‘backing out’ on commitments… including her J O B! This could get interesting.

Wonder how many ‘rehearsals’ there will have to be BEFORE the final taping? Maybe we’ll FINALLY find out what books SHE reads…

Did any of her ‘handlers’ bother to look up the definition of Rogue?

Rogue: somebody dishonest – somebody mischievous – dangerous solitary animal – unorthodox – unpredictable – dangerous & solitary.

Hey… if the proverbial ‘stiletto’ fits… lol lol lol

Btw, WHY would the publisher reduce the price of the comic book BEFORE it hit the stands? I paid FULL price for ‘Renegade’ and was on a waiting list! Something to think about…
__________________

Some housekeeping from yesterday:

All you geniuses gloating about only 28% of people identifying themselves as republicans need to remember that an even SMALLER percentage identify themselves as liberals.
G.G. Liddy, Foxboro, MA (Sent Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:20 PM)
________________

***Correction*** Ya goof!

IT’S 20% not 28%... you see 20 is ‘smaller’ than 28! Get it 20<28!

On another note, why is it the liberals fault the Repulican 'brand' is in shambles? This disaster was of your OWN making... we had nothing to do with it! I believe the term I’m looking for is; self-destruction!

And why are you all worried about the WH ‘going after’ Faux & Freaks!

You DO know they have the MOST viewers (even if they are the least educated)! lol lol

Me thinks you’re afraid that some of their viewers may start to just say NO to the daily dose of brainwashing that’s handed out by the wrecking crew over there… No???

It’s a GREAT day to be a PROUD liberal!
__________________

I'm guessing that if George Bush read a book on Mao, he didn't end up a fan.

And you should know by now that nothing is beneath me.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:12 PM

There you go again Richard… you’re insinuating the buffoon COULD read something other than ‘My Pet Goat’! That’s a bit of a stretch… even for you Dick.

And FINALLY something we agree on!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:32 AM)

I would like to open a dialog on what I perceive as the next evolutionary, not revolutionary, step for mankind. It is a social evolution, if you will. It is time that we started thinking beyond ourselves as individuals, and started thinking about ourselves as a species on this planet. The other species of animals on this planet left to their own devices regulate themselves to achieve a harmony and balance. We do not. Our population has grown beyond sustainable levels. The material based capitalistic global system of existence we have developed has led to a seriously unbalanced distribution of the inadequate resources we have, and a self-centered and selfish standard of existence that is driving unparalleled greed and corruption worldwide. The time has come to evolve.
Evolution that is what is needed. It is time to look beyond ourselves, our families, our states, countries, races, or classes, and begin to look at our species. It is time to get beyond the primitive thinking and feudal ways of our ancestral roots. Maybe Bill Maher was right, maybe we as a species are too primitive to see the big picture. Do we, as the dominant species, have more rights than the less dominant species on this planet, and do some of our species have more rights to a bigger portion of the resources than others? Should the resources be doled out in proportion to an individual’s contribution or the individuals need? If resources are a result of contribution, when, if ever, is an individual’s contribution no longer worthy of resources? When if ever is one species more worthy of resources than another and why? These are the questions I would like to have answered.
It is time to put the survival of the planet and the human race ahead of our own survival. Like all other advanced life forms on this planet we have a primal drive compelling us, to do what we need to, to ensure the continued existence of our species. This drive for self preservation on the individual level is the root cause of the greed and corruption that is plaguing the human race. It is only when the intellect has matured to a point where we can begin to consider preservation of the species over the preservation of one’s self that we can begin to make the choices for the greater good necessary to create the fundamental transformation required to bring balance and synergy between the human species and the environment. This is the pure essence of the green movement.

Judas Goat (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:32 AM)

OBAMA APPROVAL KEEPS ON SINKING!

RASMUSSEN: Obama Ratings Sinking Again; Approval Index Nears All-Time Low...

CNN Poll: Half the country disagrees with Obama on issues...

THE GILD IS OFF THE LILY.

THE REAL OBAMA HAUNTS THE ADMINISTRATION.

OBAMA'S APPROVAL IS FALLING FAST ... (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:33 AM)

*** Guthrie interviews Obama: Also as part of the NBC/MSNBC focus on women this week, NBC’s Savannah Guthrie today interviews President Obama.

We can imagine how this will go. "Gee, wow, so you're like, the President? Wow, that is so cool. Like, what do you, like, do all day?"

Might as well have Mika do it.

LT Dunn (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:34 AM)

“Stay the Course:”

“Stay the course” was President Bush’s mantra with regard to keeping troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. As it turns out, for years this has been the Republican mantra regarding domestic issues as well. “Stay the course” seems to be code words for voting “No” on all legislation, spawning Tea Bagger parties, yelling “You Lie!” at a joint session of Congress, then there are the birthers, the deathers, and the list goes on and on and on.

The unasked question is: “What are the consequences for following a domestic policy of “staying the course”? Actually the consequences for the Republican Party and the nation are quite similar. Moderate Americans are becoming very uneasy with the negativity. They are turning away from the conservative hate mongers of Limbaugh and Beck. Now only 20% of Americans are willing to call themselves Republican. Let’s say that percentage is too low. OK, 25%; 27% of Americans are willing to call themselves Republicans. Not good for the GOP or the nation.

In late August I wrote a piece that the Secret Service is receiving 400 times more threats against President Obama than they were against President Bush 43. Yesterday I read in the Boston Globe that the Secret Service is now becoming overwhelmed with threats against government leaders. The consequences of attacking our President and our government 24/7 are doing considerable harm to our nation. There is no question about it!

The sad part is that I do not see a willingness of the Republican conservatives to change direction. They apparently want to attack and destroy the foundations of our democracy in hopes of returning to power. Republicans somehow think this negative course of action will help them gain support, when in fact it will ultimately lead to their demise.

Each day is a new crossroad for the GOP. Tomorrow they could change direction, but unfortunately, they lack leadership with a vision and new ideas that generate a stronger America. My sincere desire is that the GOP decides to change the “stay the course” strategy before our President, or anyone in government is harmed.

St. Dick, Dallas, TX: Welcome aboard.

Jody: Go Hawkeyes—Beat the Spartans!

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:35 AM)

Dear Mr. President,

It appears that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the only ones you are incapable of winning, now the War on Poverty, despite LBJ’s prognostications, is getting worse.

We know everything is George Bush’s fault because victimhood and externalizing the blame are the bedrock principles of the Democratic Party. Don’t worry, soon the Republicans will be back in power and you can walk away from the mess you could never handle in the first place. Sit tight Barack. Take another vacation at taxpayer expense.

"Revised formula puts number of poor people at 47.4 million -- 7 million more than official rate
By Hope Yen, AP , October 20, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The level of poverty in America is even worse than first believed.

A revised formula for calculating medical costs and geographic variations show that approximately 47.4 million Americans last year lived in poverty, 7 million more than the government's official figure.

The disparity occurs because of differing formulas the Census Bureau and the National Academy of Science use for calculating the poverty rate. The NAS formula shows the poverty rate to be at 15.8 percent, or nearly 1 in 6 Americans, according to calculations released this week. That's higher than the 13.2 percent, or 39.8 million, figure made available recently under the original government formula.
That measure, created in 1955, does not factor in rising medical care, transportation, child care or geographical variations in living costs. Nor does it consider non-cash government aid when calculating income.
As a result, official figures released last month by Census may have overlooked millions of poor people, many of them 65 and older.
According to the revised NAS formula:
--About 18.7 percent of Americans 65 and older, or nearly 7.1 million, are in poverty compared to 9.7 percent, or 3.7 million, under the traditional measure. That's due to out-of-pocket expenses from rising Medicare premiums, deductibles and a coverage gap in the prescription drug benefit.
--About 14.3 percent of people 18 to 64, or 27 million, are in poverty, compared to 11.7 percent under the traditional measure. Many of the additional poor are low-income, working people with transportation and child-care costs.
--Child poverty is lower, at about 17.9 percent, or roughly 13.3 million, compared to 19 percent under the traditional measure. That's because single mothers and their children disproportionately receive non-cash aid such as food stamps.
--Poverty rates were higher for non-Hispanic whites (11 percent), Asians (17 percent) and Hispanics (29 percent) when compared to the traditional measure. For blacks, poverty remained flat at 24.7 percent, due to the cushioning effect of non-cash aid.
--The Northeast and West saw bigger jumps in poverty, due largely to cities with higher costs of living such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. "

AP News, not FOX, AP News

The Kwyjibo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:35 AM)

A Republican with a good idea - wow - check the fine print
Saint Dick, Dallas, TX

Puts the Republicans one up on the Democrats.

Wonders Never Cease (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:35 AM)

Are you listening, Barry?? Economy is the number one issue. So where are all the jobs you promised??

Willing to Work (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:36 AM)

By all indications of the current White House behavior, we know who Barack Obama will be running against in 2012. George W. Bush.

And, Hope and Change, Yes We Can, and all that other stuff too.

Chants (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:36 AM)

So lets see if we have this straight. Obama gives billions of bailout dollars, dollars funded by the taxpayers, to Wall Street with no strings attached. The Wall Street types, mostly banks and insurance companies, use that money for their executive bonuses. Obama demonizes the Wall Street types for giving out the bonuses, and then Obama goes to Wall Street and collects millions of campaign contribution dollars for the Democrats from the same banks and insurance companies he's bailed out, Somehow this doesn't seem right.

Quid pro quo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:38 AM)

The Northeast knows losers, liars, supply-siders, tax-cutters for the wlhiest, race-baiters and holier than thou hyprocrits when they see them. That's why only 2 Rethuglicans are left. Now that's an indangered sub-species I have no problem seeing gone.

Juan,Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:39 AM)

Obama will end up like Nixon, attacking everyone, trusting no one. One day he'll be getting on a helicopter heading out of town and flashing both that big smile of his and the peace sign, and he still will not have got a health care bill on his desk.

Laura W., Dover NH (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:32 AM)
_________________

Ironic you mention Nixon... leaves me to ask... are you paranoid much?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:41 AM)

*** Aiding small businesses: Before Obama stumps in New Jersey, the president, at 1:50 pm ET, will announce a package of initiatives that will increase credit to small businesses,
============

And the Samll Business Administration has already responded. The SBA says small businesses don't need a line of credit, they need customers!! The economy is so bad under ObamaNomics that no one is buying Small Businesses products!

They Are Clueless in Washington DC (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:42 AM)

Fread --- In other Washington events today, actress Nicole Kidman testifies over on the House side at 2:00 pm about international violence against women.

Obama's response to this is to abandon the Afghanistan war and let the Taliban manage the social issues themselves in that country. The Taliban has not exactly treated women well in the past, but with Obama being a world leader, I'm certain they have seen the error of their ways. We can expect to see women leaders in the Taliban shortly.

Up WIth Women (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:45 AM)

Laura W., Dover NH

You are full of it. From where are you getting your information. Fox/GOP info channel??? The President's poll readings are far from dropping. It must be wishful thinking on your part. If my party was showing only 20% support from its members, I'd be all over getting that fixed, not spreading lies and rumours about the present administration. Turn off the d@@n FIX channel and stop listening to ol' Rushboy.

Gingerbread Mamma, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:46 AM)

Yeah, we hear the republicans talking about HCR but what they really mean is that we need to shut up and start paying our own healthcare bill and those of us who can afford it will get the full 15,000 credit they keep chattering about...the rest of you can go suck eggs for all they care

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:47 AM)

FR: The fact that TARP is being tapped as a small-biz-incentive tool to get credit flowing makes you wonder: "What took you so long to announce this?”
------------------------------------------------

Hmm. I don't recall ever reading FR crying that President Obama ought to use TARP money to help out small business. Yesterday you were complaining that Obama had a "Optics Problem" because he was doing fund raisers. Now that narrative has fallen by the wayside as you complain he didn't do something sooner that you never mentioned he should do before. The FR pundits' hostility against the president is amazing. Oh, well, I guess we should be appreciative that you're not comparing him to Hitler like they do every day on Faux News.

Houston (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:48 AM)

Are you listening, Barry?? Economy is the number one issue. So where are all the jobs you promised??
Willing to Work (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:36 AM)

Another lazy bum on unemployment no doubt. How's that republican caused recession doing for ya these days?

jez saying (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:49 AM)

Re: Steny "The Dove" Hoyer

133 house members voted "no" in 2002 in the Iraq war vote. Guess who wasn't one of the enlightened?

Richard, Washington State

What's remarkable is that none of the reporters at the Hoyer event even asked Steny how he voted. What, the Fox reporter take the day off?

Franny, NM (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:49 AM)

Laura W., Dover, NH: They've warned other news organizations not to behave like Fox News, i.e., not to report how many corrupt and neo-Marxist people are in the Obama administration.

Good point!

Instead of answering questions Mr. Obama is attacking the questioners and smearing anyone that offends him. Some "Hope and Change" this has turned out to be.

CC Wells, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:50 AM)

From an earlier post: "...I want mine to go towards helping those without, fixing up the neighborhoods to increase home values, to stabilize the middle class, etc

...

PLEASE, tell me your priorities........... "
Saint Dick, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:11 PM)

Saint Dick, I'll tell you, I want the same good stuff you want. But I know that your way won't see it. I've seen internally how the system works. You think your tax money will improve poor communities? Some might be, but more will be spent on the landscaping of a rich neighborhood. You want to give to those without, but more will be spent to give cable TV to the rapist/murderer in jail. As I said, I want the same good things. But I know that doing through the government will waste more money than it helps.

I'd rather give of my money and time through local services that I know will really help those that need it. What's more, you cannot force Charity. It has to be given freely. I freely give, but you want to take from others. You are trying to force others to meet your ideals. That must be something they choose to do, or you are not only taking their money, but their rights too. And what money you take is given to a system of waste and lies.

The government is not a care giver. The governement's job is to provide a fair and stable environment to allow trade. Roads, police, courts, fire fighters, military--all create this stable environment that individuals can use to do their best to exercise their own rights. Schools can be added to make a fair beginning with the basic educational tools for self-advancement. It's this self-advancement, the right to rise above what you started out as that made this country so desired to the world. It is not about hand-outs, but the chance to stand for ones self.

You claim to have the right priorities, but you chose a means that will waste your effort. You claim to have the right prioties, but do you really fulfill on those?

A Voice (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:50 AM)

Jones,Wv (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:51 AM)

You know, something that is often overlooked about health care reform that I haven't heard brought up in the media . . . the Obama Administration has already budgeted $634 billion dollars towards the cost of health reform.

That was a pretty amazing commitment to make back in February in the midst of the financial meltdown, but thankfully President Obama had the vision to know that REAL healthcare reform would be the first of many steps necessary to build a firmer foundation for America to rebuild its economy.

Once again I say, WELL DONE Mr. President!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aB52hEI1BxDc&refer=us

P.S. Thanks for the kind words to Rick, ky and thanks for the shoutout and anniversary wishes yesterday Feisty! :)

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:51 AM)

Ironic you mention Nixon... leaves me to ask... are you paranoid much?
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:41 AM)
--------------------------------------
The Republican Nixon got stuck cleaning up Democrats Kennedy and Johnson’s unjust war in Vietnam. So let’s call it even.

The Kwyjibo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:51 AM)

A new day. 122 people will die today due to lack of health insurance (45,000 per year)

I agree with GOP that there should be competition in the health insurance industry. I hope the GOP will support the effort to remove the antitrust exemption the health insurance industry has had for over 60 years.

Let us put our money/vote where our mouth is. Right?

New Wave (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:52 AM)

Willing to work and Chants and the the right wing-nuts echo chamber will never acknowledge and or accept that it will take more than 10 months to repair the colossal destruction in all fronts that the previous administration left for the POTUS. It's like demanding that a new owner of a detroyed home TO FIX IT AND MAKE LIVABLE NOW. You are sorelosers who can't accept the fact your party that represents, according to the Washington Post, only a whopping 20% of you are no longer calling the shots.

Juan,Ft Lauderdale,Fl (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:52 AM)

Previouls poster: Obama and his administration are getting to be like Nixon.

For as smug and arrogant as he is, BO sure is insecure. If he actually accomplished something, like his "Bold New Plan to Jumpstart the Economy" he could silence the critics and keep his campaign promises. He's picking the wrong battles and he looks foolish doing it.

Soupy S (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:53 AM)

KERRY

John Kerry "steps Up" and shows what kind of president he "could have been."

Could have been? Are we making fun of Kerry or is this a serious attempt to take the 2004 LOSER seriously?

He had his chance and lost to a better man.

Kerry is another is a long line of Dem fish buckled to a stringer in the waters of a fishing lake. They thrash around making a big splashes but they're tied to the bank of the lake, going nowhere.

Coulda shoulda woulda is the motto of this failed dweeb.

Full Moon
Bad Chihuahua
Monkberry Moon ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:53 AM)

The Kwyjibo:
"Sit tight Barack. Take another vacation at taxpayer expense."
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Like the 17 weeks, on average, per year Bush took.

Obama has been in office 10 months.
How many weeks of vacation has he taken? (<2)
There are 15 weeks left in this year, so if he takes the rest of the year off he would then match Bush.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

Why is First Read cherry picking polls. They talk up the ABC News / Washington Post poll from yesterday. Well, according to Real Clear Politics, that poll is an outlier and the highest showing for Obama (57% approval). Why not show results from Rasmussen or Gallup...2 organizations that specialize in polling and show Obama's approval at 50% or lower. In fact both organizations show net DISAPPROVAL for ObamaCare. But, First Read doesn't cite these polls, only the one most favorable to Obama. Hmmmm.

Dookie (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

Not all Democrats are created equal.Corzine goes against everything the President say,s he stands for.Corzine has ran a very mean spirited campaign.I am Democrat and would never vote Corzine.No candidate in that state deserves to be Governor.

RENEA PUNTA GORDA,FL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

The real problem is that America is a two party system. Neither party real cares once they are in power. The founding fathers are turning in their graves at this two-party joke.

John, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

No Quid, Bush gave most of the money to Wall Street after Paulson cap in had and on his knees "literally" went to congress to beg for bailout after 8 years of Bush. Stop revising history. Was it necessary to avert depression? Probably according to the expers.

Once we had our 350 billion on those banks, Obama can only shpeherd the program to make sure it works and we get our money back. And we are beginning to starting with nearly $100 billion so far this year. Besides, this administration has improved the transparency of the TARP program as the oversight report just stated.

J. Richter (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:57 AM)

Are you listening, Barry?? Economy is the number one issue. So where are all the jobs you promised??
Willing to Work (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:36 AM)

-----------------------------------------------------

I'm sorry, but I have a little problem with your daily complaints about the lack of jobs. Do you actually go out and endeavor to find a job, or do you just sit at your computer (likely in your underwear) and type complaints regarding the lack of jobs?

Oh nevermind, I think that I already know the answer to that question.

Julie, Dayton, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:57 AM)

FR: and 2) that Republicans once again will have struck out in the Northeast. If Republicans lose NY-23, they will control just TWO of the state’s 29 congressional districts. Wow.

And how has that worked out for the people of the Northeast? High taxes, poor government services, huge unemployment. The people of the Northeast sure must like being lead around by the nose by the Democrats because they keep re-electing them.

Lemmings One and All (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:57 AM)

Laura W.
Obama and his administration are getting to be like Nixon. They have their Enemies List, Fox News, Limbaugh, the health insurance companies, and the Chamber of Commerce.
--------------------------------------------------

The Obama administration have no enemies list. But they do have enemies. Fox News organizes and promotes hate rallies where racists wave signs depicting the presidentas a witch doctor with a bone through his nose. That's not exactly Edward R. Murrow style journalism.

And what else but an enemy should the administration consider Boss Limbaugh, who said he wanted the president to fail at the very beginning of his administration?

If Obama were so clueless as to consider Limbaugh and his ilk to be people he could deal with as rational adults, I really would worry about his judgement in dealing with the likes of Ahmadenijad. The Iranian president is a hostile nut case but no nuttier or more hostile than Limbaugh.

Houston (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:57 AM)

Dear Mr. President,

Heavy-handed government meddling in lending policies guided by socio-political outcomes rather than rational economic math is what got us in this mess in the first place, viz Fanny & Freddie. Haven’t you learned anything in 10 months? Sorry, I forgot the “Office of the President Elect” stunt, make that 12 months.

"Obama To Ease Credit For Small Biz
BizBriefs Newsline-Tuesday, October 20, 2009

As part of a series of initiatives aimed at helping small businesses, the Obama administration will make it easier for small banks to access money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. In addition to easing TARP access, the White House will move to increase the caps on existing Small Business Administration loans."

The Kwyjibo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:58 AM)

"Obama will end up like Nixon, attacking everyone, trusting no one. One day he'll be getting on a helicopter heading out of town and flashing both that big smile of his and the peace sign, and he still will not have got a health care bill on his desk. - Laura W., Dover NH
-------------------------------------------------

Um, why are you posting your fantasies on the internets?

Dream on Laura, Dream on.

lol

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:58 AM)

I see on the headlines that a guy in Boston was planning terrorst plots, but was stopped.
Thanks Dick and Liz for keeping us safe...... uh, wait a minute......

Drive-By Observer (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:00 AM)

*** Aiding small businesses: President Obama, unlike the idiot who sold this country thru the tubes realizes the angst of the American taxpayer for bailing out Main Street and not wall Street. Kudos MR president we know you have a lot on plate.

All of the Dopes of Nope including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who has nothing to say agsin except "No we can't let's cut taxes".

*********************************************

We know everything is George Bush’s fault because victimhood and externalizing the blame are the bedrock principles of the Democratic Party.

The Republican Nixon got stuck cleaning up Democrats Kennedy and Johnson’s unjust war in Vietnam. So let’s call it even.
The Kwyjibo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:26 AM)
**************************************************
Look jibber jabber
Everything <b>is</b>the Dopes of Nopes and Georgie Boy's fault that this country fell in decline.
What's so sick about you jibber jabber is you are a masochistic or do you have Stolhom's Syndrone?

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:01 AM)

Jones,Wv: I feel sorry for you if you can put all of this in Obama's lap. If you understand the economy you will see that Carter and Dem's in the late 70's/early 80's spoke on this effect based on policies passed then. Today you can't say someone can come in office and reverse these trends in months.

-------------

I blame President Chester Author for today's problems.

Hoover Demms (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:01 AM)

Quid pro quo- You are leaving out the fact that Wall street is decreasing by alot their campaign contributions to the Democratic party due to what Obama doing. News flash! They all do it. Unlike the GOP who would sell their souls to get elected. Compare and contrast the amount the GOP gets from big corporations who contributes to their re-elections.

Juan, Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:03 AM)

IS THE WHITE HOUSE STRATEGY WORKING?

'Rasmussen Reports' daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. --- Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove.

That’s just a point above the lowest level ever recorded for this President. It’s also the sixth straight day in negative double digits, matching the longest such streak.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

CNN Poll: Half the country disagrees with Obama on issues ...

IF IT A STRATEGY DOESN'T WORK --- KEEP REPEATING IT WITH HOPES OF A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. INSANITY!

OBAMA, RAHM & AXELROD --- 'PURFECT TOGETHER' (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:04 AM)

Are you listening, Barry?? Economy is the number one issue. So where are all the jobs you promised??
Willing to Work (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:36 AM)

=====================

Create your destiny! don't beg for security my friend. When it comes to my family I don’t depend on no one! Work the standard 40hr’s a week. After that I Personal train/landscape/finish basements. If it pays I’m with it! If people don’t have the money @ that time, I take payment plans. Stop waiting for help and help yourself.

I am pro Obama, But I was taught no one owe's me anything.

Older woman was laid off and since then she goes around saling dinners at local shops/Banks/salons/barber shops(I buy lunch from her). Since doing that she works for her self; never once did she sit around waiting for help.

Jones,Wv (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:04 AM)

McConnell today also pens an op-ed in USA Today arguing that every Republican supports health reform. “Health care costs are too high, and too many Americans lack health insurance. I have said so in just about every one of those 50 speeches and in dozens of interviews. And every other Senate Republican is on record favoring common-sense reforms for a system that needs them.” In other Cap Hill speeches today, brand-new Sen. George LeMieux (R), who succeeded Mel Martinez, delivers his maiden speech from the Senate floor around 10:15 am ET.

And the Republican alternative is???? (crickets chirping) More tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%. Yep, that'll do just fine. Oh, and no regulations; we can't get in the way of increased greed through higher and higher premiums. If the poor don't like it they can just not get sick or just die and reduce the population. That's it in a nut shell, the GOP's version of health care reform. Everybody knows we need reform but they have said no, no and no to every reasonable proposal except their own. The Dems have at least adopted SOME of their ideas.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:05 AM)

The Kwyjibo (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:48 AM)
_________________

Once was more than enough!

Repeating your BS over & over does not make it ‘magically’ come TRUE!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:05 AM)

James Pavy (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:05 AM)

Quid pro quo:
"Obama gives billions of bailout dollars, dollars funded by the taxpayers, to Wall Street with no strings attached."
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

That was the Bush that gave signed the TARP bill.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:05 AM)

Jones,Wv (Sent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:05 AM)

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