1 Why is the government in the business of giving people healthcare to begin with?

2 First!

to condemn RomneyCare

3 and likely unconstitutional at the federal level

What is this Constitution you speak of?

4 Dammit.

5 #1 Because its a "right".
That's what Obama said.

6 Mitt owns that tapeworm, and it's going to eat his lunch just like a real one.

7 Every time I start thinking I can get behind Romney, the words RomneyCare flash across my mind and I start heading for the exits.  But certainly K-Lo and Hugh Hewitt will make the case that it somehow benefits ole Mitt.

8
This shit is getting overblown. It's an albatross, but a little baby albatross.

I was thinking today along the same lines as Ace: What's Romney thinking?

Well, obviously, Mitt doesn't think this will be a huge problem for him. If he did, he wouldn't blow another $45M running for prez.

9 And yet, what percentage of these Massachusetts dumbasses still support Obamacare?

 

10 He won't disown it. He's just hoping that his mormon hair rays hypnotize the voters and catapult him into office.

11 Romney has to be to Romneycare what Reagan was to his abortion bill.

Except Romney has to have been that way at least 4 years ago.  He's been defending his sandwich de merde even now.

With everything else, we don't need a president who has an emotional interest in socialized medicine.

12 Dammit.

Posted by: Sockpuppet Czar at April 12, 2011 12:24 PM (cGHkI)

I won

13 Hit me in the head with an aluminum baseball bat? Sure!

Ow!

I didn't like that.

A wooden bat? Sure!

14 5 #1 Because its a "right".
That's what Obama said.

Posted by: looking closely at April 12, 2011 12:24 PM (6Q9g2)

So's legal representation.  Do you see the lawyers in Congress pushing for single-payer legal care?

15
I don't care what you say, I like teh one with doomed hair.
 He is the first to articulate sound ME oil policy.

16 And yet, what percentage of these Massachusetts dumbasses still support Obamacare?

 Posted by: Warden at April 12, 2011 12:26 PM (fVIlG)

In talking with your average masshole, they are aware that their Democrat representatives are a bunch of crooks - and I mean "crooks" literally. However, they almost always still vote the crooks back in, and then whine about how their representatives are a bunch of crooks.

17 Romney needs to come out and say the following: "I, as a man, am willing to admit that I was wrong to support this legislation. The 'man' I'm running against will *never* admit he made the same mistake." Also, I totally called Trump's reverse Perot move. Boosh.

18 Romney is the typical NE liberal who tried to disown all his liberalism except the super expensive free healthcare.

He really doesn't have much of a chance. Besides that looking at all the hype we have now it looks like the voters are really looking for someone new. Him, Shuckabee and the rest from 2008 are old news and need to just go away.

19 " Do you see the lawyers in Congress pushing for single-payer legal care?" That's what public defenders are for. Oh, That'd be a good campaign spot... "You wouldn't trust your freedom to a public defender, why trust your life to a public physician?"

20
A year from now everything will be different and y'all will be singing a different tune.

_{Resistance is futile.}

21 So's legal representation.  Do you see the lawyers in Congress pushing for single-payer legal care?

They have a boner for single-payer health care.  No matter how many times you point out to them that we don't have single-payer food, or single-payer housing, or single-payer clothing, or single-payer transportation, and yet we all seem to eat and find shelter and clothe ourselves and get back and forth to work reasonably well, somehow, health care is sooooooooo different that it MUST MUST MUST be single-payer.  They are totally irrational about it.  Which is why I believe their reason for it is not based on rational thought - it is based on irrational hatred of insurance companies.  They hate health insurance companies about as much as they hate George Bush and the Koch brothers.

22 Posted by: supercore
-------
Yup.  Admit he was wrong and show how bad Obamacare will be for the country - and also show how much more expensive Obamacare will be than advertised.

23 and Ted Kennedy was towering over the Senate

I admit it, i lol'd.

24 Because its a "right".
That's what Obama said.

Posted by: looking closely at April 12, 2011 12:24 PM (6Q9g2)

So, if getting healthcare on someone else's dime is a "right" do any other rights exist?

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.

But the government now must seize whatever of my assets they need to pay for this "free" healthcare, so what does a right to be secure in my effects mean?

25 8: Ahem.

26 Wait... this is new news?

Huh. Next thing you know, someone will point out that Romney's policy statements are about as consistent as the wind and that the only person who's "qualifications" are more overstated  is Obama.

I cannot comprehend how anyone supports Romney for any political office.

27 In talking with your average masshole, they are aware that their Democrat representatives are a bunch of crooks - and I mean "crooks" literally. However, they almost always still vote the crooks back in, and then whine about how their representatives are a bunch of crooks

I think there is still a strain of the Irish vs. English bitterness in MA. They think that there are some super-aristocrats running things and the crooks that they vote for are "their" crooks and fight against this mysterious aristocracy.

28 So's legal representation.  Do you see the lawyers in Congress pushing for single-payer legal care?

I prefer a tort windfall tax. 90% of a settlement above $100K goes straight to Uncle Sam.

29 romney/huckabee 2012!!!!!! we need winners!

30 19 " Do you see the lawyers in Congress pushing for single-payer legal care?"

That's what public defenders are for.

Not in civil courts. Besides, it's unfair that some people should have better lawyers than others.

31 29 romney/huckabee alvin greene/'rent is too damn high' guy 2012!!!!!! we need winners!

FIFY

32

Romney won't play west of the Hudson.  Same issues as Giuliani and Trump (and, in 2016, Bloomberg).  He couldn't even win New Hampshire last go round.

I like him.  He has a compelling story, he's a successful businessman, and he looks presidential.

But he can't win.  He can't win even more than Palin can't win.

33 But after five years of actually experiencing this new universe, even the Kennedy Democrats have had enough.

You demo-dummies are traveling through a dimension, not only of sight and sound, but of mind. Welcome to the fourth dimension. It's called reality, bitchezz.

34 "Not in civil courts." Civil courts = Plastic Surgery (non-reconstructive)

35 In a country that is home to 307,006,550 people, you'd think that there would be someone that was over 35 and a natural-born citizen, other than the same, worthless retreads.

36 strategy for curbing borrowing

The new code word (phrase) of the day. It means "raise taxes".

37
Have you all forgotten 2008 already?

38

Besides, if we put Romney up, will he honestly be able to make the case that RomneyCare is OK, but ObamaCare is unconstitutional?  I don't mean to the morons: we both 1) get why one is legal and the other isn't, and 2) revere the constitution.  I mean the 99% of independents who will decide on who to vote for in the last two weeks of the election.

No, no they won't.  It is too complicated.  They will not get it.

So when Romney says mine is OK and his isn't, he'll sound hypocritical and floppy.  And he will lose.

39 It is reasonable!Thank you for you sharing!

Your posts has made me think very deep, too.Thank you!

40 In a country that is home to 307,006,550 people, you'd think that there would be someone that was over 35 and a natural-born citizen, other than the same, worthless retreads.

Posted by: Damiano at April 12, 2011 12:40 PM (3nrx7)

But...its his turn!

41

But he can't win.  He can't win even more than Palin can't win.

I disagree with that. I think he has a better shot nationally than Palin ever would.

That said, I don't want him to be our candidate.

I'm really disappointed with who we have to choose from.

Huckabee, Romney, Palin, Ron Paul and now Donald Trump.

I can't believe we can't get a real candidate in the race.

42 Civil courts = Plastic Surgery (non-reconstructive)

Posted by: supercore at April 12, 2011 12:40 PM (bwV72)

Nope.  They are actually the problem.  You see, it isn't a voluntary exchange of goods and services.  I cannot choose not to be sued.

43 Donald Trump has a better chance of getting the Republican nomination then Mitt and Trump has no shot whatsoever.

Say whatever you like about the rightness of it but between this and Mormonism he's dead in the water. 

44 Have you all forgotten 2008 already?

I try to, every single day...

45 I was all in for Romney in 2008, mostly because of McCain and Huck, and because all my preferreds dropped out.

But Romneycare was always a problem for me. When it metastasized into Obamacare, it became a permanent, "NO."

I could live with Romney as Sec Treas or even VP. Not at the top of the ticket.

46 Romney does have a 14-incher though, and that's pretty awesome

47
Think back to the middle of the primary season when McCain started to emerge. We all shit bricks.

And if you remember, or want to remember what you forgot, the base started to rally behind Mitt Romney because the thought of Juan McCain snatching the nomination was unacceptable.

But thanks to Huckabee and open primaries...

48 I mean the 99% of independents who will decide on who to vote for in the last two weeks of the election.

No, no they won't.  It is too complicated.  They will not get it.

So when Romney says mine is OK and his isn't, he'll sound hypocritical and floppy.  And he will lose.

Posted by: Truman North

 

Add leftist media and gasoline.

Mix (un)well

add match

voila! Obama II

49 >>In a country that is home to 307,006,550 people, you'd think that there would be someone that was over 35 and a natural-born citizen, other than the same, worthless retreads. You forgot to add someone who would also be willing to put up with the constant barrage of having every single thing you did in your life picked apart and having your character assaulted non-stop. I really can't image anyone wanting to actually run for president. Have the job? Yep. Run? Fuck that.

50 I can't believe we can't get a real candidate in the race.

This forces two questions.

1:  Who would be a 'real' candidate?

2:  Why aren't they running?

51

I can't believe we can't get a real candidate in the race.

Posted by: Ben at April 12, 2011 12:42 PM (wuv1c)

 

Fukkin'-A, Ben. I am waiting for Meggy Mac to toss her bra into the ring.

52

I think Paul Ryan needs to step up and run. He's competent, good looking, well spoken, charismatic, a decent debater, and from  newly minted swing state.

 

IF he doesn't get in, then Chris Christie should get in.

I think either of those two would win a national election.

53 Worst case: Romney wins and we lose Obamacare as an issue and Trump runs as a third party. Ain't enough Bourbon in Tennessee to fix that!

54 Chris Christie won't play west of the Hudson.

55 14 inches, that's a freak of nature.

56
fuck the Hudson, that dirty fuck

57 The worker bees deserve their healthcare.  Oh wait, these are welfare bees, so nevermind.

58 #43 Good point.

59 We are modest people and seek no attention.

60 Doomed! DOOMED! See? I really talk like that, even amongst friends.

61

IF he doesn't get in, then Chris Christie should get in.

I think either of those two would win a national election.

Posted by: Ben at April 12, 2011 12:44 PM (wuv1c)

Sure. As long as you can do it without the south, and much of the mid west.

62 That "mandate" was what convinced the Dems they could cram Obamacare down our throats, and however Romney intended it to work, it was directly responsible for turning the US into a Social-Democrat, no sovereignty for States, Federal monstrosity.

He can't fix it. He broke it.

63

 I can't believe we can't get a real candidate in the race.

This forces two questions.

1:  Who would be a 'real' candidate?

2:  Why aren't they running?

1. Someone who hasn't run already, been in quasi-campaign mode for the past 2 years, or has been in or on the media non stop in some way or another.

2. I don't know. I've been singing Paul Ryan's praises since 2008. Chris Christie looks like a decent consensus candidate but he doesn't want to run. I don't know why they aren't running. Some because they have no experience, Rubio and West would be the best example of that.

64

I can't believe we can't get a real candidate in the race.

Posted by: Ben

You can't?

After seeing what various media outlets did to Palin and her family, what the media did to elevate McCain only to turn on him? After seeing cruel attacks on Justice Roberts' children?

I'm suprised that we get any candidates other than an egomaniac like Trump who graduated from putting his name on buildings to cameos to reality shows. Or a community organizer thug from Chicago. Or a southern-fired clown from Arkansas.

65

Who we need is Ryan and Pence.  But neither of them think they're ripe enough yet.  Which might or might not be true.

Mitt:  14 inches, it's enough to vote for him

66

Sure. As long as you can do it without the south, and much of the mid west.

while i agree that Christie isn't exactly a social conservative, or even pretend to be one like Romney does,  do you honestly believe for one second that the south is going to go for Obama this time around? or the midwest?

Even if Mike Huckabee is our candidate, a man i loathe, i would crawl over broken glass to get to the voting booth to vote against Obama. I have a sneaking suspicion that the entire south and midwest would agree with me on that.

 

67 Fukkin'-A, Ben. I am waiting for Meggy Mac to toss her bra into the ring.

Dear God, no!

68 Or a southern-fired clown from Arkansas.

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 12:48 PM (6rX0K)

And a hearty and heart fuck you to you too.

69 Romney is now worried about addressing entitlements too. He's right that Americans likely aren't ready but you still have to try. You can't avoid something because it's politically unpalatable. So Romney is a typical politician who's all about Romney.

70

You wanna know what the south and the midwest think?  Ask Miss80sBaby.  She's the south and the midwest.

71

while i agree that Christie isn't exactly a social conservative, or even pretend to be one like Romney does,  do you honestly believe for one second that the south is going to go for Obama this time around? or the midwest?

Ask Al Gore what issue beat his ass for POTUS.

72 Monty, if you're still here, can you give a reason why a 10%, across-the-board, no exceptions cut can't work?

As I wrote the other day, "consequences" such as critical services and scheduled payments used to look like a big deal, when compared to how boned we are.

Now? No. Not really.

Anyone else know why it can't be done? (and I don't mean political excuses)

73 Fukkin'-A, Ben. I am waiting for Meggy Mac to toss her bra into the ring.

Catapult.

74

#67

Ben,

As I have said before I will vote for a can of Wolf brand chili if its running against Obama.

75 Or a southern-fired clown from Arkansas.

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 12:48 PM (6rX0K)

And a hearty and heart fuck you to you too.

Posted by: maddogg

 

So you liked Clinton, who personified the good old boy network from Arkansas, with the shady deals to match?

 

If so, then fuck y'all.

76 People put more critical thought into voting for high school class presidents than they do POTUS these days.

The only reason that Romney or any of these other "early frontrunners" are even considered as candidates is due to name recognition and parroted, campaign-devised talking points.

Supporting Romney or any of these other jackasses is no different than the imbeciles who blindly support Obama, despite knowing nothing about him and the fact that there is absolutely nothing of substance to recommend him for any elected office whatsoever.

Simply wanting the job enough to spend hundreds of millions on it every 8 years should be a disqualification all by itself. No rational person who should be President wants the job. Nearly all of the former Presidents who were worth a shit were dragged into the posting, kicking and screaming. And that is a feature, not a bug, of how things were originally intended and we've entirely lost.

77 I'm seeing an opportunity here. It's time to restore some sanity to the Republican party. That Palin lady is crazier then Christine O'Donnell. She spends campaign money on clothes.

78

Romney is now worried about addressing entitlements too. He's right that Americans likely aren't ready but you still have to try. You can't avoid something because it's politically unpalatable. So Romney is a typical politician who's all about Romney.

Look, if there is no entitlement reform in 2011 or 2012, I can understand if our candidate doesn't talk a whole lot about entitlements during the campaign. Winning is more important, because after we win we can reform the entitlements. We can't scare off the elderly voters who voted republican in 2010 because of Obamacare. They are easily swayed and a crucial voting block.

If we don't win, we can't make reforms And I am not one of those people who think most of america is ready to talk about entitlement reform.  I could be wrong, but I don't think i am. Just look at the SS and Medicare discussions we have here and the comments that arise from them.

79

OT:  In a classic episode of The Simpsons, a hungry Homer Simpson runs out of donuts and breaks into his emergency stash. But when he opens the box, itÂ’s empty except for a note that reads: “Dear Homer, IOU one emergency donut. Signed, Homer.” Homer curses his earlier self: “Bastard! HeÂ’s always one step ahead.”

ItÂ’s easy to laugh at Homer SimpsonÂ’s folly, but America is doing the same thing with Social Security financing, and the end result wonÂ’t be amusing.

Also OT: I have no topic discipline.  Sue me.

80

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 12:52 PM (6rX0K)

No, jackass, I'm from Arkansas, and I'm southern fried as hell.

81

Posted by: Michael Newbold Castle

 

Oh dear God, not again.

82 That "mandate" was what convinced the Dems they could cram Obamacare down our throats

Ooooh... sounds like my kinda man date.

83 A question occurred to me recently:  Why don't the Single-Payer dunces ever tout the idea of the Government taking over the pharmaceutical industry, too?  By their logic, couldn't we save even more if the government took over production and research for drug manufacture, and take that nasty profit margin out of the equation and replace it with efficient government altruism?

84 >>No rational person who should be President wants the job. Nearly all of the former Presidents who were worth a shit were dragged into the posting, kicking and screaming. And that is a feature, not a bug, of how things were originally intended and we've entirely lost. I take it you consider Reagan an exception to your rule.

85

a.sullivan

 

that was funny

86

No, jackass, I'm from Arkansas, and I'm southern fried as hell.

Posted by: maddogg

 

So should I also apologize to the other street thugs from Chicago and the Northeast egomaniacs as well? I had a target and type in mind.

87

Look, if there is no entitlement reform in 2011 or 2012, I can understand if our candidate doesn't talk a whole lot about entitlements during the campaign. Winning is more important, because after we win we can reform the entitlements. We can't scare off the elderly voters who voted republican in 2010 because of Obamacare. They are easily swayed and a crucial voting block.

So... lie to people to win?  Epic strategy.

No, that's kind of a cheap shot.  Maybe we do have to lie to win.  But that's a bitterer pill to swallow than stooping to the level of Democrats' other shitty electioneering frauds.  At the end of the day, I can live with myself if I'm being honest, even if I have to be a thug to battle thugs.

88 The average American has absolute no idea what an "entitlement" is. Which is why they've dubbed it an "entitlement". Call it a handout and suddenly people will want to reform them.

89

#67

Ben,

As I have said before I will vote for a can of Wolf brand chili if its running against Obama.

I think we need to take this into account when electing a candidate for 2012.

Look at it this way. EVERY state that voted against Obama in 2008 is going to vote against him in 2012. He isn't picking up any states. So we need to focus on, or at the very least take into consideration, which candidate from our party can pick off the most states that went Obama in 2008.

 

90

So should I also apologize to the other street thugs from Chicago and the Northeast egomaniacs as well? I had a target and type in mind.

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 12:56 PM (6rX0K)

I never asked for an apology, I just said "fuck you".

91 Monty, if you're still here, can you give a reason why a 10%, across-the-board, no exceptions cut can't work? The devil is in the details. How do you apply the cut to mandated and non-mandated spending? Is the military subject to the same amount? Does this cut apply only at the federal level, or at the state level too? How is the cut enforced on the several states? Who enforces the cut? What compliance or audit board verifies that the cuts have taken place? Are the salaries of the auditors paid out of the "cuts", or from the General Revenue subject to the cuts? What time-frame do we propose for the cuts to be made? Does the 10% cut apply only to current-year totals? Is it calculated as a proportion of spending or GDP?

92 The real problem with Romney and Obamacare:  No matter how hard you rub the eraser over the paper, you can't erase the pencil lines of a copied drawing.

93

So... lie to people to win?  Epic strategy.

No, that's kind of a cheap shot.  Maybe we do have to lie to win.  But that's a bitterer pill to swallow than stooping to the level of Democrats' other shitty electioneering frauds.  At the end of the day, I can live with myself if I'm being honest, even if I have to be a thug to battle thugs.

Truman, i appreciate that. I really do. And I wouldn't call it lying, just omitting. Don't bring it up.

Look, I know the popular claim is that when you tell the people the truth they will back you, but it's horseshit. Look at where we are now. The truth is there if people want to find it, but let's face it, most of them don't. Most americans are on the public dole in some fashion or another.

If our choice is keeping quite about entitlements so that we can win and reform them, versus being open about entitlement reform and potentially lose in 2012, I will choose the former.

The simple fact is we can't reform if we aren't in power.

94

But leaders are supposed to lead, aren't they? Even Obama, in 2008, was willing to pay lip service to entitlement reform.

Posted by: Ace

Ace is right. I have often voted present in the past but I always tried to maintain I was actaully doing something. Mitt Romney can't even do that much.

America can't afford a candidate that can't even be bothered to lie to the American public to make them feel better.

Vote for me America. Barack Obama is always ready to claim I will do something.

95

romney has good hair

trump has bad hair

96

The more government tangles itself with our healthcare, the higher our costs shoot up. It's been going on for decades and our government seems to only manage to make it worse - with PelosiCare as the cherry on top of the colossal failure of government intervention.

Maybe the gov. needs to get the fuck out of our health care and let the free market and real competition lower our costs. Sadly, most of our political class doesn't have faith in the American people to let that happen.

97 When Romney was governor of MA, the legislature was already determined that they were going to enact state health care and they had the votes to do so over Romney's veto.

What Romney did was to get them to agree to a plan where they used private insurance companies rather than having a state medical system and giving people some choice in what insurance plan they had.  They still had to have one under the plan, but at least Romney made it so most people had a choice of private insurers.  The legislature had been working toward a state health insurance system.

That was about the only influence Romney had.  It wasn't HIS idea to create a state medical insurance plan so calling it "Romney Care" is somewhat unfair.  It was the idea of the Democrats in the MA legislature that decided to do it and he didn't have the votes to sustain a veto.  If not for Romeny, MA would have got a much worse system than they have now.

98 "Dan" hardest hit.

99 I'm not saying a 10% cut isn't a good thing, mind you (hell, if it were up to me, 25% of the Federal Government would disappear tomorrow), but it's not as easy as all that. Like it or not, we don't live in a dictatorship where some single person can just decree that all spending must decline by a certain amount. Much of the US spending woes are mandated by law at current levels, and cannot be cut by fiat -- to cut spending requires changing the laws.

100

Lower costs - get the government out of healthcare. NOW.

 

 

101

Look at it this way. EVERY state that voted against Obama in 2008 is going to vote against him in 2012. He isn't picking up any states. So we need to focus on, or at the very least take into consideration, which candidate from our party can pick off the most states that went Obama in 2008.

 Posted by: Ben

 

You are asserting that the situation is static, and that we can plan and act accordingly. People from Mass may hate Romneycare, and the bloom may be off the rose on Obamacare. But will they act accordingly?

What you assert is comforting, and offers a sharp path to 270. The fact that it appears so simple and clear makes me skeptical.

102 Fukkin'-A, Ben. I am waiting for Meggy Mac to toss her bra into the ring. Posted by: maddogg at April 12, 2011 12:44 PM (OlN4e) Dual circus tents!

103 From today's CNN poll for the Republican nomination
http://slate.me/fN1X4W

With Trump in:

Huckabee 19%
Trump 19% (+9)
Palin 12%
Gingrich 11% (-3)
Romney 11% (-7)
Paul 7% (-1)

Trumpless:

Huckabee 24%
Gingrich 16%
Palin 16%
Romney 16%
Paul 9%
Daniels 4%


No-mentum.

104 79 Look, if there is no entitlement reform in 2011 or 2012, I can understand if our candidate doesn't talk a whole lot about entitlements during the campaign. Winning is more important, because after we win we can reform the entitlements. We can't scare off the elderly voters who voted republican in 2010 because of Obamacare. They are easily swayed and a crucial voting block...

But dodging it while Congress and now even President Obama (grudgingly) try to tackle it is not a good answer. It gives the impression that the Republican 2012 proposal is extreme and that these issues aren't important. So it appears that the 2012 candidates are willing to stab House members in the back just to win the presidency. If that's true, then Obama can claim he's tacked right while the GOP once again leaves Ryan and his budgeteers out in the cold. That's not leadership; it's cowardice.

105

Monty,

You would sure as hell know if you cut 10% from S.S. and Medicare/Medicaid. I don't how you would verify the balance but I believe that S.S. recipients would accept the 10% if they could verify that everyone got the same haircut.

106 I don't give a shit who runs against Obama, I will vote for them. The USA cannot survive another four years of this crap and Obama !! Wise up people and don't be so petty...We need to get rid of the Commie Obama or they may be no USA for your children and grand children people !!!!

107 14 inches, though.  He'll show it to you, but no touching.

108 To have done the evil deed and signed Romneycare into law seems the opposite of cautious and  calculating.  But he can still be a great American if he drops his presidential aspirations.

109 ...blast that trump he better drop out so huckabee can be our candidate/

110 I'm seeing an opportunity here. It's time to restore some sanity to the Republican party. That Palin lady is crazier then Christine O'Donnell. She spends campaign money on clothes.
Posted by: Michael Newbold Castle at April 12, 2011 12:53 PM

By jove, you are right!  Most of the morons would rather she'd worn no clothing at all while on the stump.

111 I'm announcing my exploratory committee next week.

112

So should I also apologize to the other street thugs from Chicago and the Northeast egomaniacs as well? I had a target and type in mind.

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 12:56 PM (6rX0K)

I never asked for an apology, I just said "fuck you".

Posted by: maddogg

 

If it's any consolation, I never regarded you as being a clown. Or should I re-think that one as well?

113 I wonder if Romney is potentially setting himself up for a third-party run.

Here's the scenario I see:

1. Romney runs in Republican nomination as a moderate. Talks more about economic growth than entitlement reform. Ignores social issues. Does the Romney Care dance.

2. He loses the nomination, but not by all that much. He has a lot of money, and a great campaign infrastructure.

3. The eventual Republican nominee is not terribly inspiring or considered to be too extreme (see Pawlenty/Daniels or Bachmann/Gingrich)

4. Romney rolls his campaign into an independent campaign and has placed himself well to win independent voters and (he hopes) to get Republican voters by election day who think he is more viable

114

Trying to talk around it will play into the hand of liberal opposition, and voters will likely call BS.

I think his best shot (and it isn't much of one) is to disavow it, admit he made a mistake, and that he had no idea how crummy having the government involved would be. He could then add that it really wasn't all HIS plan, but that no matter, he now understands the problem and will NEVER make that mistake again. He could even say the free market will never have a more vocal, sincere advocate than he since he has really, really seen for himself how bad government involvement can be.

Still don't think it will work. The voters are more like Donald Trump on The Apprentice. On that show a few people who are managers of a losing "project" have tried to escape being fired by saying they accept full responsibility for the loss, and try to take the high road by not throwing their "team" under the bus. That approach doesn't work for them with Trump. Once they show any weakness, they're gone.

115

I'm announcing my exploratory committee next week

 

Drop dead undead. The topic is bad enough.

116 "...the voters are really looking for someone new."

Posted by: Vic at April 12, 2011 12:31 PM (M9Ie6)

Got any ideas? Because I sure as shit don't see anyone on the national stage who is impressive.

I'll take my chances with a president drawn at random from the commenters on this blog.

117

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 01:04 PM (6rX0K)

Never mind. I'm sensitive to derision of my beloved state. I over reacted.

118 If not for Romeny, MA would have got a much worse system than they have now.

Posted by: crosspatch at April 12, 2011 01:00 PM (ZbLJZ)

See that's one of the problems right there. If the people of Mass thought taking up the squeak hole amounts to health care then Romney should have simply walked away from the process after stating his opposition and let them have it. Basically Mitt was fighting for away to keep Mass together long enough for him to use it as credibility to run for President. He lost that bet.

119 Posted by: Paper at April 12, 2011 01:05 PM (VoSja) In other words, nightmare scenario.

120 I support Romney, but not his healthcare initiative.  If he plays it right, he can get through the primaries, and then actually use his MA "stuff" to prevent the MSM from demonizing him as an Evil Republican.  He could propose the most ultra conservative policies in the world, and it would still me almost impossible to demonize him given that he signed MA's healthcare.

I'm not saying it's rational or even fair, but the psychological de-demonization of being "from Massachusetts" may be an asset.  I just have this gut/intuitive feeling that Romney can pull it off.

Romney is not a Dole.  He's not a McCain.  he's a low-ego brilliant business guy.  He is sold and impressive in many ways. 

We are not going to win by out-cooling Obama.  This time, we gotta be the American Adult Team.  We have to make Obama look like an the irresponsible, arrogant, socialist, empty jerk he his.

But he needs a fire-breathing VP choice to do it.   Back in 2009, I thought it should be Palin, but she has, in my eyes, plateau-ed or perhaps even flamed out.

Romney/West 2012 is my pick.  Allen West is black, which will negate Obama's Magic status in part.  Mormons used to be racist, so that would be interesting to.  It's a great pairing of contrasts.

Also, Romney is likely the only R to have a chance to raise enough money to meet to Obama Machine and it's future $1,000,000,000.  Beating an incumbent is not like winning an empty seat (I did not say empty suit, which Obama still is...)

The man who I respect more than any other, Dennis Prager, isn't a Romney fan.  Which gives me even more confidence that my pick is based on substance and my own very good intuition.

Romney/West 2012!

121

Mitt on '012? Mmm, no.

Maybe, maybe, if he manned up and admitted that RomneyCare was a failure and he started leading the charge to get it repealed, then maybe.

Huck, same no. I don't care if he's a fellow bass player.

Trump? Nope. See last post.

Cain? Jury's still out on that one, he got caught by a gotcha when he said he'd never appoint a muzzie to his cabinet. NTTAWWT, he coulda phrased his answer a little better.

The 'Stache? Now you're talking. Honey Badger would agree.

Christie? You're getting warmer...

Palin? Already been raked over the coals, so she should know how to deal with it. She's the anti-O.

Rubio? Yep. Green? Yep. Do I care? Nope. His heart's in the right place and his head is screwed on straight.

Pence? Maybe. Don't know much about him other than that speech he gave that sounded like he was running. You know, right before he announced he wasn't running?

Hmm, as we used to say back home in Alabama, the pickins' are a might slim. Still, I think Bill the Dead Cat could win against the Indonesian Imbecile. Things keep going the way they're going it'll be a cakewalk for the right candidate.

Failing that, I think we'll see a huge divide with the idiots on the left reelecting O, and the Repubs taking control of Congress. Now, that would be something popcorn worthy for at least two years. All kinds of good things could come from that, with impeachment at the top of the list.

I know, but a Boy can dream, can't he?

 

122

You are asserting that the situation is static, and that we can plan and act accordingly. People from Mass may hate Romneycare, and the bloom may be off the rose on Obamacare. But will they act accordingly?

What you assert is comforting, and offers a sharp path to 270. The fact that it appears so simple and clear makes me skeptical.

fair enough. I just think that since 2000, there have been red states that have become more red.

However, keep in mind how back things were in 2008, how much uncertainty there was, how little was known about Obama by the general public, and how neutral he appeared thanks to biased media coverage. Now consider that there are a ton of states that wouldn't vote for him then.

Now that he is a known quantity, now that he has a track record, now that people know who he is, do you think any of those states that didnt' want to take the risk by voting for him in 2008 would now choose him? I don't.

However, I do think there are states that are in play that normally trend blue.  Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Colorado.

I think we have an opportunity to win states like that. Do I profess to know which Republican candidate would appeal to those states, no. not really. However I think  i have an idea of which ones won't.

123 So you got a tip from a Pawlenty supporter to post a hit piece from another Republican pundit who supports another candidate. That's more dickish than Dan posting his love links to Romney.

124

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 01:04 PM (6rX0K)

Never mind. I'm sensitive to derision of my beloved state. I over reacted.

Posted by: maddogg

 

Fair enough. I'm dropping it. Lord knows I'm still feeling the sting from the Sneate race here last year.

125

paper..

i don't think romney has the personal stamina to run as an independent....remember he quit the 2008 primary ...... i was pretty disappointed because at that point he was the one i was pulling for.....now i'm horrified he's going to  run again 

126 phew {{maddogg and bluehen}}

127 That 14-inch, rock-hard, arrow-straight part in his hair might win it all by itself.

128

Never mind. I'm sensitive to derision of my beloved state. I over reacted.

Posted by: maddogg

 

Fair enough. I'm dropping it. Lord knows I'm still feeling the sting from the Sneate race here last year.

Posted by: Blue Hen at April 12, 2011 01:07 PM (6rX0K)

This was a silly argument. Everyone knows Delaware sucks as bad as Arkansas.

129
This was a silly argument. Everyone knows Delaware sucks as bad as Arkansas.

Posted by: Rocks

heh.

130 That was about the only influence Romney had.  It wasn't HIS idea to create a state medical insurance plan so calling it "Romney Care" is somewhat unfair.

No, it's 100% fair.

Romney spent all of the 2008 campaign touting the MA Healthcare bill as a model of both his ability to work across parties and as proof he could fix Healthcare on the National level.

He did not, for example, denounce the awful Health Care bill when it passed.  He considered it a net positive.

131 104 From today's CNN poll for the Republican nomination
http://slate.me/fN1X4W

With Trump in:

Huckabee 19%
Trump 19% (+9)
Palin 12%
Gingrich 11% (-3)
Romney 11% (-7)
Paul 7% (-1)

Trumpless:

Huckabee 24%
Gingrich 16%
Palin 16%
Romney 16%
Paul 9%
Daniels 4%


No-mentum.

I hate Huckster with the heat of a thousand suns, but I'd crawl to my polling place to vote for the bastard, if he's our candidate. 

I'm troubled, however, by his meeting with Trump in FL last week.  What if he chooses him (or vice-versa) as a running mate?

If he chose West, Rubio, or Cain voting for him would be more palatable.

132 Today, the fifth anniversary of the signing of Romneycare, the Massachusetts Democratic Party is planning to take a poke at Romney by throwing a mock "thank you" party with balloons and a cake.




Well, on the upside, cake!

133 Romneycare or not, it's "his turn".

We're BONED!

134 You forgot to add someone who would also be willing to put up with the constant barrage of having every single thing you did in your life picked apart and having your character assaulted non-stop. I really can't image anyone wanting to actually run for president. Have the job? Yep. Run? Fuck that.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 12, 2011 12:44 PM (TMB3S)

See my post at 77.

The type of intentional character assassination that we saw on Palin is inexcusable and is one side of the coin that shows how irreparably our system is broken. The other side is how completely all aspects of Obama's relevant background and qualifications were intentionally ignored and dismissed. 

Consider, for a moment- what really are the qualifications that make someone suitable for the Presidency? As I mentioned, the best Presidents that we've had have mostly been dragged, kicking and screaming, to the position. Why? Because they were people who understood what the job really is.

They were convinced to do it, not because of the private jet, the "nice backyard", or any of the other modern trappings. They had nothing to prove or earn by being elected because they had already distinguished themselves beyond any reproach and could earn far greater rewards on their own without any of the downside. They did the job simply because they were called to it and decided to sacrifice their lives for a period of time in service to a country that had provided them the opportunity to become the exceptional person that they were. 

I despise how Palin was destroyed, not because it was harsh; but because it was irrelevant and almost entirely false rumors, started by ignorant, partisan hacks. Never the less, I think that the utter destruction of legitimately unqualified candidates for President is necessary. If the media were to actually do the job entrusted to it, people like Obama and these other perennial candidates that are shoved down our throat would be relegated to obscurity at least, or preferably drowned in wells shortly on birth, as is suitable for the type of nonviable scum that they are. 

135 124 So you got a tip from a Pawlenty supporter to post a hit piece from another Republican pundit who supports another candidate. That's more dickish than Dan posting his love links to Romney. Posted by: polynikes at April 12, 2011 01:07 PM (1URKd) It's an interesting, legit story even if it came from the opposition. There's going to be a lot of that between now and the GOP convention in August (?) 2012 so we might as well get used to it.

136 Posted by: maddogg at April 12, 2011 01:06 PM (OlN4e)

Arkansas is a lovely state. And judging by your ability to write, it has improved its schools. Send a photo along, and if you have any teeth I'll be really impressed.

137

This was a silly argument. Everyone knows Delaware sucks as bad as Arkansas.

Um... the single wing is far superior to the wishbone

138 Christie. There. Now to watch Evil Dead 2 with my fiancée.

139 I swear some conservative R better show up and run, otherwise I will do it.  Of course, I just need 25 million people to donate $200 to my campaign and I'm in.

My campaign will be "sure, I am not going to do anything for you, but more importantly I am not going to do anything to you".

Flat tax for individuals and business, surplus budgets to pay off debts - everything  is on the table for cuts, entitlement reform, immigration enforcement, regulation reform, all drilling permits immediately approved, nuclear permitting approved, susbsidies end - you get rewarded with a flat business tax, you're on your own, rein in the fed, china - f u, russia -f u, end foreign aid- we're the biggest debtor country in the world - they can send aid to us - f them, move the UN to canada, tell iraq and afgans its time they walked thru the door we opened - get out- if we come back its with carpet bombs - f them, college loan - fu - go to the bank, failed car maker - f u - pay us back - failed business - too bad - start over.

Can a guy get a vote?

140 We need someone who can be proactive and think outside the box and maximize synergies in order to add value because at the end of the day, it's not over 'til it's over.

141 Why aren't we hearing from Bolton?  He has said he's considering a run. 

A debate between The 'Stache and Presnit Fuckwit.  Popcorn worthy.

142
Romney hasn't even a hope of being elected President; no way that 50% plus 1 of America's voters (or a plurality if that excrement Trump runs as an independent) will support a Mormon for President. Not sayin' it is right, just sayin' it is what it is...

143

firehorse

 

"synergy" was a team on the apprentice a couple seasons back.....so i'm taking you for a trump supporter/////

144 Can a guy get a vote? Posted by: Guy Fawkes at April 12, 2011 01:13 PM (Z1jiu) I dunno. Got beer and barbecue? Maybe then.

145 OT: Senate to vote on Planned Parenthood defunding on Thursday

146

jane,

 

i'd love bolton to run....

147 >>>"I, as a man, am willing to admit that I was wrong to support this legislation. The 'man' I'm running against will *never* admit he made the same mistake." That would have been a very good line a year ago. The trouble is, Romney has defended RomneyCare since and would sound silly trying to make a Step Up To The Plate And Be A Man statement now.

148

That would have been a very good line a year ago. The trouble is, Romney has defended RomneyCare since and would sound silly trying to make a Step Up To The Plate And Be A Man statement now.

Posted by: ace at

Ace reads this shit?

149

But dodging it while Congress and now even President Obama (grudgingly) try to tackle it is not a good answer. It gives the impression that the Republican 2012 proposal is extreme and that these issues aren't important. So it appears that the 2012 candidates are willing to stab House members in the back just to win the presidency. If that's true, then Obama can claim he's tacked right while the GOP once again leaves Ryan and his budgeteers out in the cold. That's not leadership; it's cowardice.

It should be apparent that this topic is ripe for discussion and the time to address it is now. Voters are cognizant of the budget issues facing the country; Chris Christie proves it, Scott Walker proves it, heck, Andrew Cuomo proves it. If Romney's afraid to talk about it then he's not suited for office IMO.

150

Every time I start thinking I can get behind Romney...

...I realize that I'd rather have him behind me!

151 >>>"I, as a man, am willing to admit that I was wrong to support this legislation. The 'man' I'm running against will *never* admit he made the same mistake."

That would have been a very good line a year ago. The trouble is, Romney has defended RomneyCare since and would sound silly trying to make a Step Up To The Plate And Be A Man statement now.

Posted by: ace

To a logical person or a hostile media yes. To the average voter and a fawning media, no. Obama just did it this week (voting against raising the debt ceiling).

152 Being afraid to talk about it and being afraid that talking about it will sink your candidacy are two very different things, esp with a large personal fortune on the line.

153 I dunno. Got beer and barbecue? Maybe then.

Its a BYOB campaign.

154 polynikes, you tell me how Romney finesses RomneyCare, then. Do you think we'll all just play along that ObamaCare adn RomneyCare are totally different such that we can embrace one while working hard to repeal the other?

155

>> Why aren't we hearing from Bolton? 

The one thing we need is a Bolton presidency. Everybody's crazy who thinks otherwise. The hunger for Bolton is all that matters.

156 OT:  As if military families haven't suffered enough (from Politico):

White House regular Nick Jonas, the youngest member of the Jonas Brothers, is teaming up with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden who are setting out on a two-day tour through North Carolina, Texas, Colorado and Ohio to promote their military family initiative, "Joining Forces."

The USO and Sesame Street have collaborated with the first and second ladies and will host a concert-style event honoring National Guard members and their families, aides say. Jonas will perform at the event scheduled for April 14 in Columbus, Ohio.

157 Why aren't we hearing from Bolton?

He hasn't put out an album in years.

158 What do we know about the 'stache? I don't even know what state he's from. Any skeletons? What's his fiscal policy, social policy, tax policy? If he's running he's got a lot of self-revealing to do.

159 I take it you consider Reagan an exception to your rule.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 12, 2011 12:55 PM (TMB3S)

Nope. He just started earlier.

He didn't need to run for governor. He chose to out of a sense of service. He also avoided running for the Presidency initially, and supported others for the job; until it because clear that he was the only one standing with any common sense and decency.

Above all, listen to ANY of Reagan's speeches. Without exception, you hear a profound sense of humility, commitment to service, and vision that what made American great was the opportunity for each individual to reach his/ her full potential through nothing more than their own work and government getting out of their way. His goal in life was to retire on his ranch, that he earned for himself long before any public paycheck. Everything else he did, since earning his ranch, was out of a sense of duty... and he begrudgingly kept putting off his retirement. 

160

With Trump in:

Huckabee 19%
Trump 19% (+9)
Palin 12%
Gingrich 11% (-3)
Romney 11% (-7)
Paul 7% (-1)

I think Trump's numbers signal two things:

1. People want to hear someone on the attack against Obama.

2. The vast majority are not satisfied with the current crop and are looking for something different.

I don't think Trump can win the nomination because ultimately voters will want to hear ideas and philosophy, neither of which Trump has really discussed.

161
you tell me how Romney finesses RomneyCare, then.

Do you think we'll all just play along that ObamaCare adn RomneyCare are totally different such that we can embrace one while working hard to repeal the other?

Posted by: ace

Perhaps he can note that the failure and unpopularity of Romneycare is mirrored by the untenable situations that almost all states. And that in all cases, real decisions and real solutions are needed. Romneycare was well intentioned, but in order to sign up more people for care, the impacts (or drug side effects) are worse than the disease it was meant to cure. Obmacare is even worse (take it away from here).

So now we need a fresh start, one that includes questioning everything, so as to get our financial house in order. Otherwise, we're tragically boned.

Romney/Monty 2012®

162 >>That would have been a very good line a year ago. The trouble is, Romney has defended RomneyCare since and would sound silly trying to make a Step Up To The Plate And Be A Man statement now. Not really. What he has defended is working with a diverse group of people, from The Heritage Foundation (who originally LOVED the plan) to the veto proof liberal legislature in MA without which nothing gets passed in this state, to craft a plan designed for this state and this state alone. Federalism. He's admitted over and over that some of the things in the plan obviously did not work the way he thought and he would do things differently if he was doing it now but nobody really hears him when he says this. If you expect any politician who is running for a higher office to say "Boy, I really screwed the pooch with that one" don't hold your breath. A qualified defense is the best you can hope for. In Romney's case that's clearly not enough for many.

163

The USO and Sesame Street have collaborated with the first and second ladies ... aides say. Jonas will perform at the event scheduled

We're going to be doing a re-interpretation of 'King Kong'.

I'm going to play Fay Wray! 

164 Do you think we'll all just play along that ObamaCare adn RomneyCare are totally different such that we can embrace one while working hard to repeal the other?

Posted by: ace at April 12, 2011 01:19 PM (nj1bB)

Whether people give him credit for it or not the states are permitted to do stuff like Romney care and 71% of the states voters voted for it. The federal government on the other hand is not. I am more concerned with him being weak on entitlement reform. Those days are over.

165
Two questions:

1. Since we now have Obamacare, why is it necessay to subsidize Planned Abortionhood? I thought the 'savings' that came from Obamacare was in the fact that it was comprehensive?

2. Why didn't Boehner try to get at least a 10% cut in funding for EPA, NPR, and Planned Nonparenthood?

166

^{Posted by: cui bono, soothsayer? at April 12, 2011 01:26 PM (uFokq)}

 

Abortions for ALL!

167

>>> Do you think we'll all just play along that ObamaCare adn RomneyCare are totally different such that we can embrace one while working hard to repeal the other?

 

No they both suck but one was want the peolp of Mass wanted and got - if the damn thing is not working then they need to scrap it and deal with it.  Romney maintains that he would never support this at a federal level which he is absolutely right about.

Yeah, he fucked up and I'm not sure how or if he has explained this away in a way that makes sense aside from the state/fed mentioned above.  I honestly think that he can overcome this - he's already making repeal of Obamacare via executive order a campaign promise so it's not a fight that he is going to hide from.

168

Romney/Monty 2012®

I'll take Romney over Obama, but my first choice is Empire of Jeff.

(Please tell us you're at least 35, E of J.)

169 I was ready to spit last night when batchelor and guest anointed mittens saying it is his turn and the republicans stick to the formula of sending out the guy whose turn is next, period, end of sentence.  Batchelor has walked it back a bit today with "the nomination is romney's to lose"....guess I wasn't the only one who turned him off last night.

Americans don't like BO care.  They don't like it cause of the way it was rammed up their ass.  They don't like the republicans cause they stood for the ass ramming.  The don't like the dems cause they are deceitful but then again, they expect the dems to be deceitful, they don't expect the republicans to stand idly buy and allow themselves and the American people to be castrated.  No matter what the "rules" are.

The more they realize that BO care is destroying the greatest health care system in the world, the more they see their premiums go up, the more they see people die cause they were denied care, the more they see how it is also a spending bill, the angrier the American public is becoming, it's sort of a quiet seething.

Romeny is a reminder of all this quiet seething but hey, if you have to put someone in there to lose, why not romney.

170 From Politico on how Romney is trying to finesse on Romneycare. Speaking with donors this morning:

Romney himself brought up the question of his Massachusetts health care plan at the breakfast, the source said, warning supporters that they are likely to be asked about it and offering three responses: That MassCare differs from the federal plan in being aimed at encouraging the market rather than a "government takeover"; that it was a state experiment rather than a one-size fits all plan; and that there are things Romney himself would, in retrospect, do differently.

171 Do you think we'll all just play along that ObamaCare adn RomneyCare are totally different such that we can embrace one while working hard to repeal the other

And I'm sure none of his primary opponents will see this issue as a hanging curveball right across the center of the plate. Nope. Not gonna happen. 11th commandment and stuff.

172

I'll take Romney over Obama, but my first choice is Empire of Jeff.

(Please tell us you're at least 35, E of J.)

Posted by: FireHorse at April 12, 2011 01:28 PM (JuKNT)

No one has seen his birth certificate, or his arrest record.

173 14" of hard something...ass ramming...this is a thread I can get behind!

174 Got any ideas? Because I sure as shit don't see anyone on the national stage who is impressive.

I am waiting until after the people announce and hold at least the first debate. Right now its Palin, Ryan, Bachman.

175 If it helps anyone here at all.....the author at the link is the 10-2 guy on the major talk radio station in MA.....he has been asking for callers to defend Romney all morning and started a website called anyonebutromney.com. Graham is as awesome as he is funny, and he talks at the lunch crowd every day. boston 96.9 FM.

176
It'll be funny to see a guy like Tim Pawlenty try to exploit 'Romneycare' because everyone knows he won't have the balls to get rid of Obamacare whilst president.

177 MassCare differs from the federal plan in being aimed at encouraging the market rather than a "government takeover"

There's a good idea.  What's the goal, to convince people that a private market solution will be a disaster by comparing it to health care in Massachusetts?

178

Right now its Palin, Ryan, Bachman.

You Bet'cha - Ahoy!

179
  Screw it all, I want Palin.


  See y'all later.

180 Also from that Politico article on Romney's egg and beg this morning:

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney surprised donors this morning at the Harvard Club in New York with an ambivalent answer to the question of whether America is ready to seriously alter its large entitlement programs.

Romney, speaking to more than 100 donors and supporters at the private breakfast, responded to a question from his supporters on the issue.

"I don't know," he replied, according to a source in the room, before going on to warn that Social Security and Medicare are -- in the source's paraphrase -- "basically the third rails in politics and he doesnÂ’t know if weÂ’re going to be able to actually make a dent in reforming them."

"It was really soft rhetoric, definitely not the kind of tough talk thatÂ’s going to be necessary in a Republican primary," the source said.

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom, however, said in an email that Romney's not ambivalent about entitlements.




That should go over really well with the fiscal conservative types....

181 I bet over 50% of the critics don't even know what Romneycare entails. You can learn a little bit if you care by going to the left leaning factcheck.org and search Romneycare facts and falsehoods. I'm a Bolton man now but Romney is still high on my list and believe he is good for the Party.

182 You know last night I listened to that show that showcases all the nuts, coast to coast, cause I don't know much about jesse ventura and I was well, curious.  Anyway, the host asked him why he didn't run again since he surely would have won re election and he very candidly said that he felt you should serve the public and do what you can do and then leave, he favored limiting terms.  And you somehow knew he was genuine.  It was refreshing.

183
hahahaha @ "the source"

Politico can go horsefuck.

What a bunch of horseshit tabloidism.

184 Too bad my little Replubi-idiots, President Obama will win again because you will make the same mistakes like in 2008. Nominate anyone and President Obama will win regardless and take this country in the right direction. We will have Obama for another four yeras and you will live with losers. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!!!

185

>>> But leaders are supposed to lead, aren't they? Even Obama, in 2008, was willing to pay lip service to entitlement reform.

So you would rather have someone lie right to your face  give you lip service
than tell you how it is even it's not pretty?

I would just assume have a politician say what he actually thinks is true than lie his ass off and tell me what I want to hear only to have to come on blog 2 years later and bemoan that sad fact.

"Damn, he lied to us.......again"

186 >> he's already making repeal of Obamacare via executive order a campaign promise so it's not a fight that he is going to hide from.

Not exactly.

187
jesse ventura's head is full of feces

188 Romney could argue that it is the purview of the states to experiment with these things, and that the federal government has no business playing with the entire country.

It's an argument; I didn't say that it was a great argument.

189 I'm a Bolton man now but Romney is still high on my list and believe he is good for the Party. Posted by: polynikes at April 12, 2011 01:35 PM (1URKd) He can't be all that good for the party if he's not willing to go for Barky's throat. To me the GOP primaries are a contest to figure out who can attack Barky in the most aggressive way that does not come across as racist and crazy. Aggressive is key; no balls, no vote.

190 Bolton would be more acceptable to me than anyone running or thinking of running on the GOP ticket so far. I love Palin, but there is some baggage. I can't really stand any of the others.

191 I forgot col. west...i love that guy

192

Romney, Huckaboob or Pawlenty are simply not acceptable canidates for many of us, enough of us to matter, we want Palin, Ryan, Bachmann, West or Cain.

 

the GOP establishment want one of the first three because they represent the status quo, which is exactly what you will get with any of them, a pox on their house if they manage to force one of the 3 on us.

193 Posted by: Misty Shank at April 12, 2011 01:37 PM (SZy+Y)

Ah, a drive-by asshole.

194
btw, the election for that NY seat in the House is in a few weeks

195
Romney's a commie.

I'll stay home in 2012 before voting for him.

196

You guys'll love it when I start handing out federal pardons.

197 bolton/trump would be awesome, you'd have to hand out the depends, the world would shit it's pants.

198

We will have Obama for another four yeras and you will live with losers.

Yeah.  Four more years of living with an administration of losers.

199  >>> Too bad my little Replubi-idiots, President Obama will win again because you will make the same mistakes like in 2008. Nominate anyone and President Obama will win regardless and take this country in the right direction. We will have Obama for another four yeras and you will live with losers. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Misty Shank at April 12, 2011 01:37 PM (SZy+Y)

 

Is he taking us in the right direction now Misty?  Or is this just something that he's going to do in the future? 

Will it include expanding existing wars and starting new ones?

200
Yup.  Admit he was wrong and show how bad Obamacare will be for the country - and also show how much more expensive Obamacare will be than advertised.
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at April 12, 2011 12:33 PM

Forget about what he needs to do -- he is constitutionally incapable of it. (Not the US constitution, his constitution.)

Talk about Rommey less and Ryan more. Send the vibes out into the ethersphere.

201 From last I read, 67% of MA supported Romneycare. So yeah the other 33% find it unpopular.

202

bolton/trump would be awesome

Yeah, except for the Trump part.

203 From Boston to Des Moines, Democrats are taking time to commemorate the fifth anniversary of when Romney enacted health care reform as Massachusetts governor.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party kicked things off Tuesday with a "Thank You Mitt" YouTube video. "When I set out to find a way to get everybody health insurance, I couldn't have cared less... about how it works politically," Romney says in an old clip that opens the video.

Democrats in the early-voting states are getting into the action. In New Hampshire, Romney's must-win primary, the state party brought together elected officials and health care advocates for a morning news conference in Concord, and called Romney "nothing short of a founding father of modern health reform."

In Iowa, a state senator and the state Democratic chairwoman will gather in Des Moines Tuesday afternoon "to thank Romney for providing the critical momentum necessary to get President ObamaÂ’s vision of health reform through Congress and signed into law."

Politico



You know, Mitt could run for the Democratic nomination.  Sounds like he just might get it.

204 Posted by: maddogg at April 12, 2011 01:47 PM (OlN4e)

but look who is starring in that role now?

to get bolton in there a guy like trump might be the ticket

205 To those pulling for Ryan: I really think the best candidates are governors. I think people are souring on legislators in executive positions.

206 Misty Shank at April 12, 2011 01:37 PM (SZy+Y) MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN Woe!

207 Maybe all RomneyCare needs is an expansion to the entire N.E. region.  Sure it's losing money by the cubic hectare now, but with a regional plan, it'll make it up in volume!

208 Romney hasn't changed with the times. RINOs aren't gonna cut it today.
Romney's problem is that president's don't admit mistakes in office, but he's not president yet. He's got to disavow Romneycare completely. Admit it was a colossal error, and say he's learned that private solutions are better.
He's got too much pride to do that. Besides he's too enamored of big government to do what it takes to restrain it.

We need someone who's gonna be willing to take the fight to the enemy. Not rely on surrogates. And who understands government is always the problem.

209
Does the 10% cut apply only to current-year totals? Is it calculated as a proportion of spending or GDP?

Posted by: Monty at April 12, 2011 12:57 PM (4Pleu)

I'd think all of those questions are answered by the "no exceptions" phrase.
What I'd like is a note sent to every.single.department telling them they have 10% fewer dollars with which to operate next year. So, "spending."

210 but look who is starring in that role now?

to get bolton in there a guy like trump might be the ticket

Posted by: curious at April 12, 2011 01:48 PM (k1rwm)

Good Lord, woman. Trump is P.T. Barnum. I would prefer West, Rubio, Cain or any number of others.

211 All I wanna know is if it covers Cobra bites ...?

212 You know, Mitt could run for the Democratic nomination. Sounds like he just might get it. That's exactly the problem with Mitt's RomneyCare debacle. His weak-kneed defense of it is essentially a defense of ObamaCare -- how can it not be? The Federalism argument is technically correct, but it makes him look dumb and weak for making it -- especially given what a debacle RomneyCare has turned into. It may be difficult for a politician to say "I fucked up; please forgive me", but this is one of those times.

213 Romney, Trump, Christie Oh My! Romney, Trump, Christie Oh My! Follow the yellow brick road

214 RomneyCare?  Shit, I thought the bill said RomneyHair.  No American should be denied a thick, healthy head of lustrous black hair.

215 What idiot said the mandate was fucking rational?

216 Romney says he doesn't know if America is ready to tackle entitlements. I wonder myself, but I prefer a candidate that take the lead on big issues.

217 I think Bolton is a good guy to wish into office. But Bolton and Ryan just don't look like Presidents.

Ryan could do so if he gained some weight and stopped wearing suits that aren't tailored to his gangly-ass frame.

Whoever you go for has to look like the office. Christie and Newt do, as long as you don't see them in full. Romney, Pence, Teh Fred, Rubio, and Rudy G all "look" the part. Bolton, RonPaul!!, Pawlenty, and Daniels just don't look like presidents.

Palin and Bachmann look as Presidential as any woman can look, by the way.

218 Does the Huckster remind anybody else of Gomer Pyle ? OK how about a cross between Gomer Pyle and a Cobra?

219 From last I read, 67% of MA supported Romneycare. So yeah the other 33% find it unpopular.

1) 67% of MA supports late-term abortion.  Sure you really want to use them as a barometer for our country?

2) Most of those working in the Dreaded Private Sector think Romneycare sucks.  The chaff (unions, state workers, illegals, etc) love the bill.  The rest of us bitch about it.  A lot.

220 Palin and Bachmann look as Presidential as any woman can look, by the way. Posted by: K~Bob at April 12, 2011 01:57 PM (jzwVE) I assume from this that you've already donned your asbestos overalls.

221

PuppehtOFF!

 

222 Romney's flip-flipper-floppin' is the least of our problems; when taken with teaspoon of wasabi, Mitt couldn't be any less palatable than Michelle's mercury-laden, tossed arugula salad.

223 #224 ... so me eating that thermometer was a bad idea ????

224 MA was incurring over 700million a year in uncompensated medical care before Romney care. Half of it partially paid by me in Texas. Until we do away with laws that prevent denial of treatment, the free market will never correct our healthcare cost crisis.

225 West and Cain look like Presidents, too. I  forgot them because I'm no longer qualified to be President.

But if I did run, here's my platform:

From now on, all significant financial correspondence, receipts, and notices, must have the critical date in the upper right-hand corner, and must be easy to read at a glance.

That's pretty much it. I have others, but those would wait for my second term.

226
All RomneyCare did is increase the premiums of every one else in order to theoretically reduce the state's costs of providing medical care to the uninsured. So, instead of reducing costs, the costs of providing medical care to the uninsured have gone sky high and so has the insurance premiums for everyone else. Lose-Lose.

227 I guess Mitt could always point out that you can opt out of Romneycare by just paying a tax, but that's really not a tax increase. Or something.

228 It may be difficult for a politician to say "I fucked up; please forgive me", but this is one of those times.

Posted by: Monty at April 12, 2011 01:51 PM (4Pleu)

I think he is looking at all his other flip-flops and thinking another one of that magnitude would be just too much.

229 I assume from this that you've already donned your asbestos overalls.

Posted by: joncelli at April 12, 2011 01:58 PM (RD7QR)

--- --- ---

Yeah, I could'a writ it better, but I was in a hurry. My teleprompter was broken. I had a flat tire. Locusts!

230 220 Does the Huckster remind anybody else of Gomer Pyle ? OK how about a cross between Gomer Pyle and a Cobra?

Posted by: HoneyBadger at April 12, 2011 01:57 PM (GvYeG)

The real problem with Mike Huckabee is that he is first, last, and always a Baptist Minister. He will always be a Baptist Minister. And he is not tough enough or world savvy enough to be POTUS, and never will be.

231 Romney will never be president. We already had Clinton for two terms.  That particular museum exhibit is full.

232 I know some Baptists ministers that are pretty damn tough ... he's just not one of them.

233 Bevel unless you own a small business you premiums either went down or kept pace with the rest of the country. And I get your sarcasm but 67% of MA don't support partial birth murder. They do though continue to support the Red Sucks so I see your point.

234 MA has a baseball team ... who knew???

235 Awwwshucksabee has the snake handler / alligator rastlin vote sewn up.

BIG NATTY ICE IS RIPPING US OFF!

236 MA has a baseball team ... who knew??? Posted by: HoneyBadger at April 12, 2011 02:08 PM (GvYeG) Well word is the Mass. Baseball team has decided if they are really going to play this year or just take a Matsuzaki on this year

237 Damn, it's really cold for April freaking 12th.

45 degrees here, at the Boogie Southern Compound.

It's usually upper 50s to mid 60's this time of year.





All temperatures in this post were hand crafted from farenheit degrees. No Celsius, Centigrade, or Kelvins were involved, except as indirect references via short-cut conversion formulae.

238 #228 you're bloody wrong.

239 Bevel unless you own a small business you premiums either went down or kept pace with the rest of the country

My premiums most definitely didn't go down.  Things have gone up by quite a bit.  The difference now is I have to prove to the state every year that I have health care or face a fine.

And I get your sarcasm but 67% of MA don't support partial birth murder

67% may be high, but you'd be shocked how high the numbers are. I wouldn't use the citizenry of MA for a good guide on Politics.  Let me use another number: 60% of Massachusetts voted for Ted Kennedy the last time he won election.  That one's verifiable.

They do though continue to support the Red Sucks so I see your point.

Now, now, let's not go insulting anybody's religion.

240

No way in hell I vote for Romney in the primary.   If, and that's a biiiig if, he wins the primary I will vote for him against deWon, BUT I will have to have a designated driver to the polls.   And, about 12 cups of coffee to sober me up enough to even be able to crawl into the voting booth.

Can. not. stand. the. man.

241 166 Whether people give him credit for it or not the states are permitted to do stuff like Romney care and 71% of the states voters voted for it. The federal government on the other hand is not. I am more concerned with him being weak on entitlement reform.
_________

I'm concerned with all the times he said it was a good thing. Yeah, states can do it and all that, but if he thinks that is a good idea, lord knows what else he thinks is a good idea.

242 Romney has the perfect resume as a turnaround artist to clean up the mess, but unless he is willing to step up and out of his cautious "maybe I'm the frontrunner, so I better not blow it" mindset, he has no chance in the primaries.

He must repudiate RomneyCare, and it isn't so hard:  "Like many Americans, I knew we have problems in health care costs.  I worked with Democrats in Massachusetts on a solution.  We all wanted it to work.  It did not. 

"America needs to get out of this fiscal trap right now, and avoid our mistake."

Then he needs to come out and say what he would do to save money, like eliminate whole departments that don't do anything necessary - Education, Energy, Commerce, HUD for starters -  and fold their few necessary functions back into HHS (Ed + HUD) or Defense (Energy).

Big cuts, big layoffs at the federal level.

It is what Romney could do for the country, but only if he runs on the plan.  If he chooses to play it safe, he will finish third again.

243 Post 98 you are wrong. The legislature did not want to tackle health care and were not going to pass it because they hated the Governor and didnt want to give him anything to run on for president in 2008. Ted Kennedy squeezed the legislature because he wanted it.

244 The governor of Vermont, Peter Shumlin has a plan to have a "Health Insurance Exchange" where you could compare different insurance plans and decide what you want. Problem is, there's only one plan in the exchange! When asked about it (on Vermont Public Radio, of all places) Shummy's health care czar said, "Well, the governor has never made a secret of his goal to institute single-payer health care in Vermont."
Classic!  New Hampshire's looking better and better these days.

245  MA was incurring over 700million a year in uncompensated medical care before Romney care. Half of it partially paid by me in Texas. Until we do away with laws that prevent denial of treatment, the free market will never correct our healthcare cost crisis.

Posted by: polynikes at April 12, 2011 02:01 PM (1URKd)

I agree.  The federal law that forces hospitals to treat anybody who shows up is idiotic and should be repealed.  It encourages and rewards irresponsible behavior.  Any citizen who is too poor to afford medical insurance can qualify for Medicaid.  And if a person is not too poor to afford medical insurance but simply decides they'd rather spend their money on other things, then the rest of us should not be forced to subsidize that choice if the person becomes ill or gets injured.

And then there's the issue of illegal aliens, who've been abusing this idiotic federal law for decades.  U.S. hospitals in southwestern states are full of Mexican and other foreign women who come here illegally to have their babies in our hospitals, at our expense, so that their babies can get U.S. citizenship (and all the taxpayer-funded benefits that come along with it, such as eligibility for welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, etc.).  Millions of Third World poor live illegally in our country, not paying taxes or obeying our laws, but using our E.R. physicians as their primary care doctors and sticking us with the bill.  

We should have put a stop to this garbage long ago.

246 These slimy bastards are pushing their luck.

247 RINO's have no pointy horns. And RINO's never charge. For RINO's have the thinnest skin Of any beast so large.

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