Monthly Archives: July 2012

Obama For America: there’s an app for that

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The new Obama for America app


…

Downloaded, donated (some more) — definitely do not want to wake up Nov. 7th with President Romney. Do you?

“Because of the Citizens United decision, Karl Rove and the Republicans are looking forward to a breakfast the day after the election. They are going to assemble 17 angry old white men for breakfast, some of them will slobber in their food, some will have scrambled eggs, some will have oatmeal, their teeth are gone. But these 17 angry old white men will say, ‘Hey, we just bought America. Wasn’t so bad. We still have a whole lot of money left.’” — Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today in an interview with The Huffington Post.

Andrew Sullivan discusses how grass roots donors, like us, can counter the Sheldon Adelson fat cats: : 

The Dish has spotlighted the extraordinary sway that a small number of individuals hold over campaign finance post-Citizens United. Shane Ferro crunches the numbers to see how to match them:

Well, let’s say roughly 200 Americans shelled out $10 million each (as casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson did last month to a pro-Romney super PAC)—that’s $2 billion pumped into the campaign system. And let’s say the average person making the median income (around $40,000 per year) can comfortably afford about a $100 contribution (that’s maybe a weekend’s worth of bar tabs?). How many $100 contributions would you need to equal the $2 billion of the .000063 percent? Twenty million. Okay, that sounds like a lot, but in reality is less than ten percent of the population. If even one in ten people donated a healthy but affordable sum, they would match the multi-million-dollar contributions of the wealthiest donors.

Yes we can make a difference. The new Obama for America app or http://www.barackobama.com/ 

Harry Reid: Romney didn’t pay any taxes for 10 years

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And suddenly Mitt’s reluctance to release more tax returns makes sense:

In a wide-ranging interview with The Huffington Post from his office on Capitol Hill, Reid saved some of his toughest words for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Romney couldn’t make it through a Senate confirmation process as a mere Cabinet nominee, the majority leader insisted, owing to the opaqueness of his personal finances.

“His poor father must be so embarrassed about his son,” Reid said, in reference to George Romney’s standard-setting decision to turn over 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president in the late 1960s.

Saying he had “no problem with somebody being really, really wealthy,” Reid sat up in his chair a bit before stirring the pot further. A month or so ago, he said, a person who had invested with Bain Capital called his office. 

“Harry, he didn’t pay any taxes for 10 years,” Reid recounted the person as saying.

This guy wants to be president and with the amount of information he’s been willing to release so far, he wouldn’t even make it through a senate confirmation! Think about that for a minute.

Mitt Romney’s European Vacation

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“I don’t know how he’ll handle the head of state job. He’s made a mess of being a tourist.” — Rahm Emanuel (via)


image: gop-circus

Hopefully never coming to the White House near you!

Still the bully: the breath-taking cruelty and serious danger of Romney’s words to Palestine

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“It is no small thing to suggest you view one group as culturally inferior. It is no small thing to suggest that God plays favorites.”

Joshua Greenman discusses the serious mistake Mitt Romney made yesterday in Jerusalem:

Mideast gaffe could cost Mitt Romney in GOP hopeful’s run for the White House:

“Romney, speaking to a group of donors, meant to praise Israel’s success. In the process, he demeaned Palestinians — pointing to “a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality” between the Jewish state and the occupied territories. His diagnosis: “Culture makes all the difference.” Then, among other factors playing to Israel’s favor, he cited “the hand of providence.” Yikes. If Romney becomes President, he will have to work with both sides. It is no small thing to suggest you view one group as culturally inferior. It is no small thing to suggest that God plays favorites.

“Obviously culture matters. It has helped make Israel a global engine of innovation. For years, Arab nations have been soul-searching about why they’ve struggled to keep up; that’s part of what fuels the Arab Spring.

“But in the delicate context of the Mideast, it is tone-deaf to bring this up with no recognition of the legitimate gripes of Palestinians. [...] For Romney to attribute Israel’s success partially to providence is damn near dangerous. Imagine how it’ll play in translation in Muslim-majority countries: The would-be President thinks the Lord made Israel rich. Nevermind the logical fallacy. Is it also God’s will that the Arabs got most of the oil, which is why Qatar and Brunei are far richer than Israel per capita? If they’re twice as wealthy as mostly Catholic Poland, is that because Allah made them so?”

No apologies to Palestine, Romney blames media for negative #KissMyAss World Tour

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Mitt Romney in Downing Street
Mitt Romney – seen here talking to the media – complains that US media coverage of his overseas trip has focused on his gaffes. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

THE RETROACTIVE WORLD TOUR BEGINS: For some reason, Mitt seems to want to quickly change the subject from his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad World Tour and suddenly focus on the economy? Romney thinks it’s a shame the lamestream media won’t report what’s best for his campaign, like Fox “News” does:

Mitt Romney Blames Press For Overseas Controversies: “Romney told Fox News today that the controversies were the result of the press “trying to find anything else” to write about. “I realize that there will be some in the fourth estate or whatever estate who are far more interested in finding something to write about that is unrelated to the economy, to geopolitics, to the threat of war, to the reality of conflict in Afghanistan today, to a nuclearization of Iran,” Romney said. “They are instead trying to find anything else to divert from the fact that these last four years have been tough years for our country,” he said.”

Romney denies criticizing Palestinian culture: “Mitt Romney insisted Tuesday he was not specifically talking about Palestinian culture at a fundraiser in Israel on Monday when he was quoted suggesting culture was the reason for the economic disparity between Israel and Palestine. “That’s an interesting topic that deserves scholarly analysis, but I actually didn’t address that,” Romney told Fox News’s Carl Cameron, adding he didn’t “intend” to talk about the subject in his campaign. “Instead, I will point out… that the choices a society makes have a profound impact on the economy and vitality of that society.”“

Actual words in Jerusalem: “As I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.”

Cultural remarks aside, he also thinks that “the choices a society makes have a profound impact on the economy and vitality of that society.” And clearly, he said yesterday, Israel is winning economically. So Palestine isn’t making the right choices — but no offense?  Here’s something else he said yesterday, when he totally WASN’T discussing whose culture was better:

 ”I am overwhelmingly impressed with the hand of providence, whenever it chooses to apply itself, and also the greatness of the human spirit, and how individuals who reach for greatness and have purpose above themselves are able to build and accomplish things that could only be done by a species created in the image of God.”

Mitt forgot to talk about “the hand of providence” today and who God loves better. It’s funny how he was all over that yesterday in Jerusalem, when there was money involved.

Fifty Shades of Mitt: Jennifer Rubin fanning herself throughout Romney’s Gafftastic World Tour

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Jennifer Rubin wants us to know that Mitt hasn’t made any mistakes or “gaffes.” It’s that no one understands how obviously butch Mitt really is:

  • “Asked about the well-publicized (especially in British papers!) security snafus at the Olympics, he expressed concern. He forgot to pull his punch.” (HAWT!)
  • “Then we went to Jerusalem and won the gold medal in the obvious:Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.” (Swooon!)
  • “He then explained: “Culture makes all the difference.” He never said or implied “Jewish culture” was superior to any other; he was talking, again, about the culture of capitalism. [...] Once again, Romney was being both blunt and thoughtful. His view is the farthest ideology imaginable from “racism,”” (Totally misunderstood HOTNESS!)
  • “Obama tells the Palestinians they are akin to enslaved African Americans; Romney tells them to get their act together.” (Exploding ovaries!)

She summarizes with Reagan (he’s like Reagan, dammit!):

“The press fainted over Ronald Reagan’s designation of “Evil Empire” to describe an empire that was evil. Now they stroke out on the suggestion Israel should be an example to its neighbors. Count me impressed. What the paper that once denied the existence of Stalin’s gulag calls a “gaffe,” freedom- loving people call “hope and change.” If this is the Romney we’re going to see during the balance of the campaign Obama is in deep trouble. This Romney is unapologetic. This Romney has sincere faith in free markets and free peoples. And this Romney is not going to be a prisoner of diplomatic doublespeak to avoid faux-offense-taking by international players. Let Obama be the one to run down entrepreneurialism. Let him talk in circles about Jerusalem. Maybe American and European elites will swoon, but Americans? Not so much, I think.”

So, FYI, the world has simply failed to appreciate Macho Mitt. Watch out real ‘Merica — after marking three countries with his manliness, Mitt’s comin’ home and (in Jennifer’s mind) he’s going to bust through your front door, wearing that old police uniform he used to dress up in years ago, and totally have his way with you, Fifty Shades of Mitt style!

Who wasn’t happy to see Mitt Romney in Poland?

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Polish Labor Isn’t Happy To See Romney: “So what do the heirs to the Polish labor activism of the 1980s say? What do the hundreds of thousands of activists who maintain the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) union as a major force in today’s Poland say?

“Solidarnosc is in no way involved in the organization of this meeting nor had the initiative to invite Mitt Romney to Poland,” the 700,000-member union announced Monday.

““Regretfully,” added Solidarnosc international department head Andrzej Adamczyk, “we have learned from our friends in the American trade union central AFL-CIO representing over 12 million workers about Mitt Romney’s support for the attacks against trade unions and labor rights. In this respect, I wish to express…our solidarity with American workers and trade unions. [Solidarity] will always support the AFL-CIO in their struggle for the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively.”

“”Solidarity has been outspoken in its support of recent labor struggles in the United States, signaling clear opposition to the anti-collective bargaining position adopted by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and other Romney allies.”

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said of Romney’s trip to Poland: “The story of the Polish resistance is one of a country gaining strength from bottom-up organizing on behalf of the whole country. I wish Romney would pause and learn the lessons of the Polish labor movement’s courageous resistance to communism rather than just treat Poland as yet another photo op. Romney needs to step back and reject the George W. Bush/Bain Capital model of top down economics and recognize that we are all stronger when we stand together.” 

Just another photo-op? Of course: “On his way out of town, Romney, his wife, Ann, and son Josh visited two prominent memorials in Gdansk. They laid a wreath at Westerplatte, where the first shots of World War II were fired. Before heading to the airport, they stopped at the Solidarity Monument, one of the most revered spots in Poland, which marks where the Solidarity movement began.”

Mitt Romney is against everything the Solidarity Monument represents. Plus, his aide told reporters to “kiss my ass” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Awesome diplomacy skillz.

Lech Walesa: Charisma is something Romney “doesn’t really yet have.”

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Lech Walesa’s endorsement: “I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States, of course, but to Europe and the rest of the world, too…. Romney, get your success! Be successful!”

After meeting with Romney one-on-one: “The legendary Polish leader later appeared on the Polish news channel TVN24 after his meeting with Romney and said the Republican candidate still has some work to do to win the presidency. Charisma is something Romney ‘doesn’t really yet have,” Walesa said. “But he’s very observant. He gets its fast and draws conclusions, which means he has all the traits of a good leader. But he still needs to do some rallying.”"

Impressive!

Who’s Lech Walesa? ”Walesa long ago abandoned the union movement for politics, and like Reagan he’s tended toward the right side of the political spectrum. Needless to say, Romney did not celebrate Walesa as a militant trade unionist; nor did the presumptive Republican presidential nominee recognize the connection — as Reagan once did — between powerful independent labor organizations and global struggles for freedom and democracy.”

Two things: it’s pretty bad when a Reaganesque conservative expresses such enthusiasm over you prior to a one-on-one meeting — and then after that meeting tells an interviewer you don’t “really yet have” any charisma! Secondly, if you’re 65 years old and have no charisma yet, I think it’s safe to say the time is long past that you’ll be acquiring some anytime soon.

China on Romney’s remarks in Jerusalem: could “likely reignite a war” and “irresponsible”

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Xinhua News Agency: “Romney told the CNN on Sunday that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and he thought the U.S. embassy should be moved to Jerusalem from the current location in the city of Tel Aviv. The U.S. presidential hopeful’s dangerous words should be carefully watched out. Jerusalem is a holy city to the three major Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and its future status has always been a critical issue in the current stagnant Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, as they both declared Jerusalem to be their own capital. The status of Jerusalem is highly sensitive, which involves the religious sentiments and dignity of most Arab people. Until now, all the nations that have established diplomatic relations with Israel have set up their embassies in Tel Aviv or other cities, instead of in Jerusalem, due to the later’s uncertain status. [...] Romney’s remarks totally neglect historical facts and are actually irresponsible if he just meant to appeal to voters at home.”

  • Romney’s statement is likely to worsen the already tense Mideast situation, and even reignite a war.
  • His remarks totally neglect historical facts and are irresponsible and should be carefully watched out.
  • Romney’s radical words were intended to win support of U.S. Jewish voters in the upcoming elections.

Romney at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: aide tells reporters to “kiss my ass” and “shove it”

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CBS News: “Romney visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Tuesday, and as he left, reporters shouted questions at him about the Palestinians and their response. He didn’t answer. An aide told reporters to show respect, that it was a holy site for the Polish people. But the questions continued,and the aide told reporters to shove it. He later called to apologize, saying he’d lost his cool and his remarks were inappropriate.”

Politico: “Romney ignored the questions and got in his car. But his traveling press secretary was furious. “Kiss my ass; this is a holy site for the Polish people,” said aide Rick Gorka. “Show some respect.” Gorka then told a reporter to “shove it.” Gorka subsequently called a pair of reporters to apologize, saying he lost his cool. “It was inappropriate,” Gorka said.” (image: Politico)

Mitt Romney lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw on July 31. | Reuters Photo