Feb 1st 2012, 17:09 by R.L.G. | NEW YORK
I WROTE before the South Carolina primary that I thought it basically impossible that Mitt Romney could lose the primaries. This didn't require great skill on my part, of course, but now the conclusion is nigh-universal.
So have we found a humming Mitt Romney machine, funded, skilled, disciplined, having won Florida by 14 points and ready to fight the general election? I am far from convinced. The analysis that follows is from the most biased possible source. But I find it hard to argue with.
Team Romney wants voters and the national media to believe its victory reflects its candidate’s positions. In reality, it is a product of the fact that Romney and his SuperPAC allies carpet-bombed Gingrich by spending five times as much money on Florida’s airwaves, and running more than 60 television ads for every one Gingrich and his allies aired. Nearly all of the $15.3 million Romney’s campaign and its allies’ spent on advertising in Florida was focused not on their own candidate, but on the rest of a weak field of opponents, contributing to a campaign in which more than nine out of every 10 ads were negative – by far the most negative campaign in Florida’s history.
It’s difficult for Romney to claim Floridians voted for him rather than against his opponents, since less than one-tenth of one percent of the ads in Florida promoted Romney positively. In fact, a single Spanish radio spot was the only positive Romney ad in the entire state during the last week of the primary, and more Floridians reported in exit polls that Romney ran the most unfair campaign.
This came in my morning e-mail from the Obama campaign. Normally I'd skim and delete, but it struck me with the important reminder: Mr Romney has run a decent campaign, but only against an extraordinarily bad field—a field more Republicans call "fair" or "poor" than "good" or "excellent". So Mr Romney has pasted one on Newt Gingrich. Remember that this is still Newt Gingrich, a man drummed out of office more than a decade ago, whose campaign has been left for dead twice, who cruised around Greece while his team floundered, whose negatives are higher than Emperor Palpatine's, who's on a third marriage, who supported a health-insurance mandate, and greenhouse-gas action alongside Nancy Pelosi, who made $1.6m for helping the loathed Freddie Mac, and on and on. So Mr Romney had $15m lying around to defeat this man in a single state? Well, congratulations, Mr Romney, as far as it goes. (That's more than Mr Gingrich could say to his rival.) But it's a good thing you don't drink, because you don't have a time for a celebration-induced hangover. There's much work to be done to defeat Barack Obama.
For most of the primaries, Mr Romney has been running as though in the general election. He talks vastly more about Mr Obama than his rivals. Only Mr Gingrich has taunted him successfully into fighting back, and then, only temporarily. He stands on the stump or at the debating podium carefully repeating his Obama attack-lines, and this has served him well as his rivals have tanked one after the other. But soon he will be facing a rather more formidable figure than Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann. Mr Obama is the president of the United States, whose every move generates "earned media". He is a decent debater and a seasoned campaigner. He can still give a stump speech far better than anyone in the Republican field. Mr Romney's canned lines about "apologising for America" and "fighting a war on religion" and—last night's new one—"demonising nearly every sector of the American economy", work reasonably well when unrebutted in front of a crowd of fervid partisans. They will not work so well when Mr Obama gets round to rebutting them as his full-time job, which will not be long in coming.
In other words, we've seen that Mr Romney can win a primary, but that tells us next to nothing. Newt Gingrich is no Hillary Clinton. We've also seen a long preview of Mr Romney's general-election campaign, and what we've learned is that he can defeat Fantasy Barack Obama in a walk. Good luck with that. I certainly hope Mr Romney gives Actual Barack Obama a spirited and tough fight. But nothing in his unimpressive romp so far makes me sure that he will.
(Photo credit: AFP)
In this blog, our correspondents share their thoughts and opinions on America's kinetic brand of politics and the policy it produces. The blog is named after the study of American politics and society written by Alexis de Tocqueville, a French political scientist, in the 1830s
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I think ALL the Republican candidates should take to heart and bear in what mind they muster that great crack of Bill Buckley's when asked during his campaign for Mayor of New York what he'd do if elected: "Demand a recount!" My God, they'd have to face Obama, a feat for which most are scarcely qualified.
Among other idiotic notions Mitt will be dogged this election by his "fatherly" 80s transgression to strap the family pet, an Irish Setter, onto roof racks for a 12 hour family holiday drive. There are tens of millions of dog owners in the US, and only the most callous would attempt such a stunt, and then later in life try to justify it.
This "I believe in America" line is not good enough. It comes off as boilerplate political rhetoric and gives Romney the aura of a Washington insider, though he is not one.
He needs to be more specific about how he would differ from Obama.
It's not just boilerplate rhetoric, it's also clearly engineered to paint Obama as a anti-American apologist. Which may work in the Republican primaries - but I think its a clear misstep in a general election against an incumbent who is actually quite well liked by the population.
If Romney shows half the energy in attacking Obama's past as he did in attacking Gingrich's past we will have a really entertaining and competitive election. My thought is that Romney is not really up to attacking the President and that once he wins the Republican nomination he will be content to just "loose gracefully" to Obama.
If the Republicans aren't careful they will also lose the House besides the Presidential election. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3% and the further it declines the less likely a Republican victory over Obama will be. When Bernanke took the trainers off the bicycle with an end to QE2 the economy stumbled. It also sent the unemployment rate up far enough that people feared an Obama loss and a Tea Party victory. It's hard to beat a sitting President and it gets harder with the decline in the unemployment rate and the expansion of the labor force. Electability also becomes less and less of a concern in the primaries. Instead it becomes a contest between the factions for control of the Republican Party. It could become a real dog fight. If the Tea Party faction loses to Romney it will be truly embarassing. Romney is a minor figure in the GOP. If Romney loses to Obama the GOP establishment loses nothing! It will simply remind people that the first team passed on 2012 and left the field wide open to the Tea Party. If they couldn't defeat Romney it's unlikely that they would defeat Obama. Still it's important for the Tea Party faction to win the nomination and the upper hand in the GOP for the future. The next Presidential elections take place in 2016. With an Obama victory in 2012 there will be no Presidents or Vice-Presidents involved in the primaries of either political party. It will bring intopower a new generation. The Republican establishment just doesn't want the tea party faction there and the money will flow to Romney until he wins or loses the nomination. Afterwards it depends on the economy. If it has recovered he will lose the money and the election.
The manner how Romney wins Florida really cast a large negative shadow to my personal opinion about him. IMO, he still qualifies (skill-wise) to become US president, but the manner he runs his campaign in Florida really casts my doubts about his purpose to run for US president. If he uses the same strategy against Obama (assuming he has the nomination), I question if he can beat Obama even if he out-spend Obama by a couple of times just with Romney's own personal wealth.
The presents an interest quantitative analysis. By your measure, Obama's campaign had a marginally harder time winning the primary against Clinton's. If we use this assumption to compensate for Romney's overwhelming victory, it seems that this victory says nothing about his prospects of living in the White House. Furthermore, when one takes into account that Romney has actually performed worse in some Caucuses compared to previous years, his chances at the presidency seem more unlikely.
Does it matter if you win through negative ads as opposed to positive ads? Haven't you won in both scenarios?
Absolutely. Studies show that negative ads tend to depress voter turnout (especially amongst potential new voters thus shifting power to the base) and turn off independents.
Which means the negative polling is slowly killing the energy in the Republican electorate and dissuading potential independents.
None of the GOP field can garner the Independent votes needed to win the presidency. Weak field - such a waste.
As Obama proved in 2008 the Presidency is won and lost in a handful of states. New York and California will vote for Obama no matter what Romney does. Idaho, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina will vote for Romney no matter what Obama does. Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa are some of the states where the Presidency is won. In Wisconsin and Colorado, it will be a more or less straight up fight. In Iowa and Ohio there are a small, but significant number of evangelicals and deeply conservative voters who may not vote for Romney. The evangelicals equate Mormonism with Satanism. The deeply conservative don't trust his stands as a Massachusetts pol. They won't vote for Obama, but that does not mean they will vote for Romney. You can fill out a ballot and leave the vote for President blank. Some people say the same about Obama and the far left, but while Obama has disappointed them he is not the antichrist to them.
You cannot win the Presidency without some of the center and Romney is aiming for the center. But his center won't matter if his right flank fails.
I think the problem for Romney in the general election can be encapsulated with my personal experience with him over the course of the primary.
He is a candidate, not a President. All of his actions, his turns towards the negative, his out-of-touch comments, his wealth, all of it has shown the viewing public (bless you 24 hour news cycle for capturing even the almost-flubs) that Romney is less concerned with BEING President of the United States and more worried about WINNING the election.
His connections to and membership in the richest of the rich boys club are merely the crack in the wall that will lose him moderates. He's surrounded by and must be supported by a Party hell-bent on shrinking government to help those least in need and hurt those in the most need. The same Party obsessed with individual liberties as long as they coincide with the reality constructed by white Christians who don't depend on government "hand-outs." The same Party that will cost him even more moderates in the general election.
I see Romney's presence as a long-term threat to Obama increasingly dwindling as this Primary goes forward.
Mitt Romney is a man of great wealth and Harvard Law and Harvard Business schools. He just cannot relate to common middle class people no matter how many flannel shirts and Mom's Blue jeans he wears. He is "blue blood" and has absolutely no understanding of the horrible problems of the average struggling American voter. Because of this fatal flaw, he will not capture the oval office no matter how much money his Super PACs spend.
You could pretty easily substitute "Obama" for every "Romney" insert above. The ocean is full so let's stop carrying the water.
Not exactly. Romney was born into a family of wealth and political connections. Obama was born into relative poverty, and started his career amongst the poor of Chicago.
Not true. Obama went to prep school in Indonesia, then Hawaii, then Colombia. There are no hard knocks in the story of Obama's life.
If Mr. Romney's "allegiance" to his church is bothersome to many (financially), you need to get a grip on reality. Obama's allegiance is to nothibng. He is withhout moral compass.
What's beginning in the US as socialist leanings over 40 yerars, is nothing compared to the British social living mores established by your parliamentary serfdom, where allegiance to the queen, not the principles of freedom, are paramount.
Americans can clean up their own messes without assistance from no-nothing British spectators whose looking glass iss blurred by 80 years of abysmal social failure. Did you learn nothing after II?
You talking to me? I'm not British and I can tell English is not your mother tongue, and I appreciate your attempt, I'm sorry, did you have a valid point to contribute? Did Obama beat your puppy, what? Take Care!
Obama is attempting to beat the US "puppy" called the Constitution. That's what concerns me. You have a problem with the reality of Mr. Romney's success?
Who are your "people in the know," sweetheart? You seem to have some invalid (pun) sources. Just what is your Mother Tongue? Mine came from Brits who left the "Isle" in 1623 and came to the US. Do you have a point to make?
I should know better, ok, I'll play along, how is Mr Obama beating the constitution? And in fairness I will answer your questions:
1. No problem with his success. You would be equally successful if you had his connections (Later Day Saints) and inheritance.
2. "Sweetheart", why thank you.
3. English, sorry, American English. No offense your text was so awkward...sorry. Oh and the tone combative. Tea Party eh?
4. My point is I would like to exchange ideas with you but I got nuttin but "get a grip on reality" and I thought the treatments were working...
If you have ideas about reality, let's get started. I pay for my medical treatment, by the way.
My question please, how is Obama beating the Constitution?
Try reading something for starters.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/obama-tears-up-the-const...
The Washington Times is practically a Republican party mouthpiece founded and owned by Moon Sun-myung, the founder of the highly eccentric but powerful Unification Church in Korea. The Church is an outgrowth of the wilder varieties of Korean Protestantism, which among many things have incorporated vituperative anti-Communism and extreme right-wing stance as their article of faith.
Can you answer a simple question? Have you read the US Constitution or the Federalist Papers, or are you just continuing to spew more idiotic propaganda?
Brian Lancaster at Jumping in Pools reported on Obama’s college thesis, written when he was at Columbia. The paper was called “Aristocracy Reborn,” and in the first ten pages (which were all that reporter Joe Klein–who wrote about it for Time–was permitted to see), the young Obama wrote:
“… the Constitution allows for many things, but what it does not allow is the most revealing. The so-called Founders did not allow for economic freedom. While political freedom is supposedly a cornerstone of the document, the distribution of wealth is not even mentioned. While many believed that the new Constitution gave them liberty, it instead fitted them with the shackles of hypocrisy.”
That’s quite an indictment, even for an Ivy League undergraduate. I wonder if the prof–and I’d like to know who the prof was–made an appropriate marginal comment, something about historical context, about the Constitution’s revolutionary status in the history of freedom, and about the separation of powers in order to make the creation of any “shackles” as difficult as possible.
Maybe instead of fuming about words that Rush Limbaugh never uttered, the paladins of the free press might ask the president about words that he did write. Maybe he’d like to parse “the so-called Founders,” for example. I’d like to know what he thinks of those words today. And what about the rest of the thesis?
First of all, what I said about the Washington Times and its connection to the Unification Church of South Korea is not 'idiotic propaganda', but pure facts. If you cannot handle the truth that your favourite journalistic piece probably ranks very low on the scale of objectivity, that's your problem - but please don't call facts propaganda.
Secondly, your little information about Obama's thesis at Columbia intrigued me, so I did a little search. Here's what I found.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/columbiathesis.asp
It appears that your claims about Obama making such harsh indictments about the US Constitution in his graduate thesis are based on a satirical hoax, as the thesis in question is about international relations (what Obama actually studied in Columbia). Are you trying to tell me that Obama did a paper on the American Constitution when studying for international relations?
Thirdly, you are a fool and a knave.
Now the liberal appears. Name calling. Who cares about who owns the Washington times. It's a voice of conservatism created to combat communist influence, and you say that's bad or somehow evil? Who is George Soros?
Obama's thesis is fact, ahole. There are, if you care to google/wiki some more, over 500 pieces of research on his thesis. He is a radical liberal ascribing to Jewish, Chicago brother Saul Alinsky's principles.
Why so insistent in protecting policies and systems that don't, have never worked? Are you daft?
You're a true wonderment of nature. Capitalism is a reality that will crush you!
I thought I laid out, fairly clearly, that his Columbia thesis was NOT an inane complaint on how the US Constitution does not allow for a redistribution of wealth, but on international relations. And your comeback to that is that there are 500 'pieces of research' on his thesis? What the hell does that even mean? Do you mean that there are 500 more idiots like yourself who got duped by the hoax? Is that what you are saying? How about you learn to acknowledge fault when you get things wrong, how about that?
And your ability to get off topic is truly astounding. How does George Soros and capitalism even figure into this? Now, I realize that in your little mind, you have a neat system set up, in which Obama is a godless commie, and anyone who even appears to be coming to his defense must be another by association. Well, the world is not so simple, young one, and you couldn't even provide a tangible support for your claim that Obama is a 'radical liberal'. A single evidence that you trotted out was crushed by a ten-second research on Google. His policies were solidly centre-right, and you should know that if you have been listening to some sane sources of information.
I usually don't waste time debating with idiots, but this time I made an exception. Watching you talk, it just appears that you run from one thought to another without any strong logical support, and you just speak the tidbits that someone else has put into your mind. It's alarming how dumb you sound. You say capitalism is a reality that will crush me? I am sorry, but capitalism more often crushes people with delayed cognitive development such as yourself - unless you happen to be very lucky.
My, what an effite ass you've become. You. Know. Nothing of capitalism or the republic of American states. Attempting conversation with such an indoctrinated Euro nit is a bore.
"I pay for my medical treatment, by the way."
I think you should demand more value for your payments.
So sorry for your illness. With your condition payment must be difficult.
Well done, succinct and touched on all the salient points. Beating Newt was not a difficult task.
Come the general election, the elephant in the room will be Mr. Romney's role in the LDS. It will be interesting to see how the Obama team approaches the subject without coming off as bashing religious freedom. Normally questioning a person's faith comes off as tactless and desperate. Given that Romney gives more to his church than he pays in taxes, its fair to question his allegiance. Then there is the whole matter of the LDS's history and operation, that once described, will certainly turn many voters off.
The people in the know have already written off the Republicans chances this season. Hopefully in four years they can field better talent and make for a more interesting contest.
G-I, While it's not PC to say so, I agree that the LDS is very strange religion. According to the LDS, the "Garden of Eden" was in Missouri...I'm from Missouri and I can tell you that it is no "Garden of Eden". Also, according to the LDS the "Messiah" will come back to Missouri...said with a wink, maybe I'm the "Messiah".
What I question is how a seemingly intelligent person e.g. Mitt Romney could faithfully support such a bunch of bunk.
Of course the LDS exposes the underlying mythology of all religions, the reason other religions seem tenable is because the events leading to their formation mostly occurred long ago in a land far far away, which makes it easier for believers to make their (il)logical leap of faith.
I know my opinion is a minority one (at least in the "god shines his light on us" USA) but I believe that religious belief should disqualify any candidate for higher elected office...with the notable exception of Buddism and Taoism, because in these belief systems there is no god(s), only enlightenment and the way.
Organized religion got a head start on civil government. They fed and clothed folks, organized their activities, gave them a sense of purpose and belonging. To raise funds and enforce obedience they threatened them with Hell (why am I using past tense). Thanks guys, you can pass the baton now (why wont they give up the power and cash?).
P.S. if you are the Messiah, can I have a Pony?
Obama is attempting to beat the US "puppy" called the Constitution. That's what concerns me. You have a problem with the reality of Mr. Romney's success?
Who are your "people in the know," sweetheart? You seem to have some invalid (pun) sources. Just what is your Mother Tongue? Mine came from Brits who left the "Isle" in 1623 and came to the US. Do you have a point to make?
We knew this liberal attack was coming to demonize Romney's religion, and here you are! He's an American who made it, and you can't stand his religion? Anything else you're jealous of that we can redistribute to you? Obama is done.
Pako123,
Are you accusing me of being a liberal or a progressive? They are two different things, do you know the difference. In any case you don't know my politics, and by what I wrote before, Obama would be disqualified as well. I believe that politicians should serve the people and not some mythological creation of human imagination.
Except to very conservative religious zealots..the religion issue is way down on the concerns of the electorate!
Mr. romney's versatile values and moving opinions show a lack of core foundation in anything not connected to personal PROFIT!
His disconnected and effete stance on every issue affecting the US population other than the 1%ers is startlingly elitist and unknowing!
The republicans have turned from romney 7+ times in this primary..Perhaps, on this, we should trust them..They neither want nor trust Mitt! We should not either!
OK. So, for you there is no prime mover in the universe, and religious belief is some "mythological creation of human imagination." Man must, therefore, be all powerful. If that's your intellectual analysis, you've sorely missed the mark. Core values ring a bell?
President Obama is intelligent and charming –- but not wise. The Constitution only authorizes the president to be the chief executive of the federal government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ample challenges to the most skilled person, but the president is not the sole leader of the federal government, the American nation, or the free world. Based on his inaugural address, President Obama has no apparent sense of the limits of what he can and should do –- and that will reduce his effectiveness in addressing those issues within his clear authority.
You don't have to be a believer in a god to have core values. Unitarian Universalists accept all, even atheists, into their "church" and even have courses on core values not tied to any particular mythology.
All the elements in the Universe are the same and inorganic chemistry tells us that carbon bonds four times and sulfur bonds five times. Thus all possible forms of life in the universe will function based upon aerobic or anaerobic metabolism, unless you count boron which bonds three times, but can bond four times under certain conditions. Life works out efficiencies through evolution and in that sense we truly are created in the image of "god", that is the greater whole of the laws underpinning the nature of the universe.
If Obama donated more to the NAACP then he paid in taxes would you question his "allegiance"? Questioning someone's character based upon personal giving vs. statutory, not to mention legal, requirements is beyond shallow and misguided. That said, I'll go out on a limb, and breach your shallowness, with a guess that your "personal giving" is a direct deposit to the 4yr disaster Super PAC that is Barack Obama's unwillingness to address the real issues of debt and entitlements. The left can hide behind "fairness", but there comes a time when the President of the US has to tell the truth and address the real issues that confront us. Playing to the populist sentiment and tinkering at the margins of the tax code may make for a compelling 4 more years in the doldrums, but does not confront the issues of a nation or several generations of Americans.
And who/what created the compound bonding mechanism and the underpinning of the nature of the universe, which you so rightly quote?
Politically, have you ever read the US Constitution? Or, The Federalist Papers?
I avoid the lunatic fringe at all cost. The LDS strikes me as belonging to one of those camps, hence my concerns. Many years ago mind you, I had a 17 year old friend who started to question the LDS. I was amazed at the rancor this caused and the coercion that resulted. Eventually he left his family and was excommunicated. Same culture that bred Mr Romney so again my concerns are legitimate. Read up on the LDS and get back to me. Let me know if it sounds logical, inclusive, unbiased, non-controlling, and if you want your president to come from this camp. Take Care!
G-I, I sincerely hope that my fellow countrymen are not as small-minded as you describe. If Americans have finally reached the point where they believe that giving more to their government is more acceptable than giving to a church, charity, or anything else, then we deserve the socialism that will naturally follow.
While others in both parties talk a good game about the nobleness of government forcibly taking funds from one group and distributing them to others, Romney "walks the walk" by donating to the charity/faith-based organization of HIS choice. If this is what he has learned throughout his life from his commitment to his religion, it has apparently done him some good. When added to his commitments to family, education, and hard work, it appears there may be some value to what his faith has taught him (since we are only dealing with facts and not fears here, right?).
Perhaps it's time to focus on the value one's faith brings to their life in the present instead of rehashing events from more than 200 years ago. Science has gone through many strange notions in the past also. It would appear that ideas formed in one period of history do not rest well in the present. Shall we then abandon the many valuable aspects of science because we do not understand the historical and social context wherein past ideas were formed? Of course not. We keep studying, asking questions, and searching for answers.
As far as allegiance is concerned, a long-held LDS belief is that all citizens owe an allegiance to whatever country they live in. But then, you knew that already, right?
Let me offer this as a Romney supporter:
Newt was effectual at tearing Romney apart in South Carolina. I have no problem with Romney fighting back with all guns in Florida.
Romney can use his financial and superior organizational strength in every other state to do likewise.
So, I guess I'd tell Newt to be afraid ... be very afraid. And then we'll see the general looks like when it's time for the general election.
Romney and Paul went negative in Iowa before anybody else.
Romney should get on his job to oust the incompetent one who is mishandling the economy like
Small-town America in Real Financial Trouble 01-Feb
If you think U.S. banks got by unscathed in 2011, think again?
There were 92 U.S. bank failures in 2011. Total assets of those banks were just over $36.0 billion. (Wonder why we didn't read much about this in the news.)
Since the credit crisis began in late 2007 to the end of 2011, there were a total of 417 U.S. bank failures whose assets totaled about $680 billion (source: FDIC). The number of people that lost their jobs at these 417 institutions has obviously not helped job creation in this country.
What is more distressing, dear reader, is that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported that the number of current troubled banks rose to 111 in its latest quarterly report. That many distressed banks for a single quarter is at a 15-year high. The stresses on the financial systems are mounting and we may be talking about job losses, not job creation, in the coming quarters.
Total assets represented by those 111 banks are a stunning $180 billion?and that's only one quarter's worth!
There have been many articles written on the big banks that are ?too big to fail? since the crisis erupted in 2008, but little has been written about the smaller banks, which, by and large, have not had the luxury of bailout money from the Fed. Small banks were once a big part of job creation. Not anymore.
What many fail to realize:
It is the smaller regional bank that lends to small businesses in its community and supports job creation, not the big banks. It is the smaller regional bank that helps support the local real estate market resulting in job creation, not the big banks.
There is no question that small businesses are an important source of job creation in this country.
The very high number of distressed U.S. banks point to a real estate market that is not recovering, and small businesses that are not borrowing, which implies little job creation.
Further evidence comes from some of the CEOs of the smaller banks themselves, which have recently indicated how little lending is occurring at the small business level, and how they see no recovery in the real estate market in their local communities (again no job creation).
Small-town America is in trouble.
The first thing you should do as an investor and consumer is to verify that your bank is on the distressed list. However, you should also be very careful as to your investment portfolio to ensure you do not own stocks in companies that have exposure to smaller U.S. banks.
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Interesting perspective, thank you. Question, I seem to recall the sheer number of US banks relative (per capita) to Japan for instance was significantly higher. Could the phenomenon you describe merely be consolidation? It seems to me their is a national bank branch on every street corner.
Whatever it is - consolidation or bankruptcy, there are hardly enough lending to small businesses.
I used to be close to small business, owned one myself. I consulted with them. I used to ask myself, "What are these people thinking?" The business models were atrocious. Turn over has always been high. In tight financial times maybe the banks decided to trim their loses. Besides no way can "Mom and Pop" compete with Wal-Mart. So the candle store implodes, Wal-Mart opens another store, net gain in employment. Hey I didn't say I was happy about it, its reality on the ground. No small business, no small business banks?
Hah, to add insult to injury, large banks are able to write -losses- as profit. The banks and credit unions that didnt cause the problems are caught in the net of capital requirements the large banks can basically finesse meeting.
A Chinese disinformationist tells us we should dump President Obama in favor of Mit Romney [who, presumably, will let the wealthy keep weakening the US with more outsourcing to China and allowing China to grab our tech]. This means everyone who loves America and wants the country strong MUST vote for Obama and against Romney.
What Gingrich should say is this: "Look, Romney is Obama lite. If that is what you want, just vote for Obama. If you want a conservative, vote for me."
The Republican Party spent itself. A freaking shame that an era that desperately needs charismatic right wingers can only produce lukewarm milquetoast mediocrities who are Republican only in name.
Stephen Colbert 2012
Forgive me in advance for ignorance but it seems that in the reddest of states Newt would be the more popular of the two, and in the blue and purple Romney is the more popular.
So if that overly simplistic lens is then applied to the general election against Obama; does that mean that the swing votes will flock to Romney or will it mean that he will not be able to convince the people on the fence nor the base to come out and vote?
I think the latter. He seems to have "I'm not the other guy" as his best and maybe only weapon.