Thanks for the warning…I did not click on it. It’s hard for me to get those types of images from my mind, so I sincerely appreciate the warning desertflower.
P.S. Do you miss Randi Rhodes as much as I do? I am glad she’ll be back next week. Nicole was not as bad this time except yesterday when she had Cenk on the show and she was gushing all over..yuk!.
She had his JFK book with her, and he asked her what she was reading, knowing the answer. He then asked her if she thought Newton Leroy was sincere when he was crying earlier today about his mother. She said she thought Newt was heartless.
In a fairly wifty field, Bachmann seemed wiftier than most. She was for nothing, except repealing ObamaCare and eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency. She demonstrated a casual relationship with the truth, as did the execrable Herman Cain. These are not presidential qualities. There are those who will blame sexism–but compare her to Hillary Clinton, who does have the dignity and steadiness to be a President. Bachmann doesn’t, and that’s what did her in.
To may way of thinking, you could say that about ANY OF THESE CANDIDATES! Especially Romney!
In that video Ron Paul sounds like a babbling idiot….”getting rid of the private property rights (making it illegal for a business owner to discriminate against blacks at their public restaurants) is like interferring in peoples private bedrooms”; “true integration happens in sports”. Well Mr. Paul if there were no civil rights there would never be any true integration in sports. Even when Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, he could not stay at the same hotels as his white teammates.
Phone home Reggie!
The other day the New York Times ran yet another article about how President Obama doesn’t schmooze enough with the D.C. establishment (get a clue folks…that’s one of the reasons we LIKE him!)
But the article started out with a great story:
Air Force One had just landed in Manchester, N.H., on a brisk Tuesday morning last month when President Obama made an admission to Valerie B. Jarrett, his close friend and senior adviser.
“I just called Reggie,” Mr. Obama said. It was his first domestic trip without Reggie Love, the former Duke University basketball player who had been his constant companion and presidential “body man” until he left in November to study for his M.B.A. full time. “I miss him,” the president confessed.
I miss Reggie too….The pictures on the other thread today at Sashas’ basketball game with Reggie and PBO made me think about him and if they miss working with each other. I know Reggie misses him too.
I really wish Reggie had been able to stay through the election; I think the President really needed someone he could fully trust and with whom he would relax… So sorry to see him leave…
I’m keeping an eye on Hardball Tweety. We all know that he LOVES this birtherism stuff, never misses an opportunity to discuss at length whenever someone even hints that they might be engaging in birtherism – jokingly or seriously. So let’s see if Tweety uses his opportunity to jump on Matt Romney’s recent oops….if not, then we KNOW that Tweety is getting hush money from Bain Capital via MSNBC somehow.
If you think USA was better in 1920 vote Paul, if you think it was better in 1880 vote Gingrich, but if you think, vote Obama— Peter Flom (@peterflom) December 30, 2011
Sorry Chips, I normally donate to you Donna and other funraisers but today I had to donate $50 to R. LOVE! R. Love sent an email a few day ago asking to donate to the reelection of PBO fundraiser; I hope he gets credit for my donation.
Thank you Chips for all that you do and a BIG thanks to all of you here at the Chips site for all that you do too. I do not like to post comments b/c I make too many mistakes while being pissed or something but will try to keep up doing other things for our president. You know “That One”!
maritza, please don’t worry about making mistakes when posting. It takes me ten minutes to correct all my errors before I can send off my post and then there may still be one. I like to read your posts although I don’t post much myself. We need to take a big breath and post away any way.
Paul warned of the pro-United Nations lobby coming to take control of your property:
If you want to use your property, you have to get a lot of permits. If you’re in the development business, from the low-level all the way to the top, you have to get permission from the federal government…I’m fearful because some people would like us to go all the way to the UN and have the UN controlling our lands, too.
Now that I am reading more about Ron Paul on here I am beginning to understand why my brother seems so crazy. He is a long time Ron Paul fan. He is also into lots of conspiracy theories. I didn’t know most of them were coming from Ron Paul. Now I get it!
I’m 65 and I don’t believe him, but think of all the seniors who believed all the “death panel” crap around the time of health care reform and joined the so-called tea party. You are right – it’s inexcusable, despicable, and deplorable.
Joe Madison told Rev. Al that he and Doug Wilder predict Hillary will replace Joe Biden as the VP candidate. The Rev. did not like the idea saying “if it is not broken why fix it?”.
Many of these older Black AAs have a thing for Hillary Clinton. I’m not sure what exactly is driving it. The bottom line is that they are clueless as HELL.
The middle of last summer, I opened my hotel. The name? “Come in, sit down and shut up” Hotel. Similar to the “Hotel California”, it’s a lovely place, such a lovely place. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.
. I invite Joe Madison and Doug Wilder, along with Tweety. Ron Racist Paul, Michele ‘Bats#$%t: Bachman, Little Ricky Santorum, Herman KochCain, Leroy Three’s a Charm Gingrich, Willard Mittens Romney have already checked in,
Cenk So full of himself, and Ariana HuffnPuff have adjoining suites. Bill Clinton and Fast Eddie Rendell are busy making special reservations. Their rooms will need wider and taller doorways.
I’m sure there are others who have made their reservations on-line. I haven’t checked with the desk lately…
Even if you take away the fact that VP Biden has been stellar in his job and doesn’t deserve the disrespect of speculating this nonsense, why would anyone advocate choosing Hillary as VP at this point, as an election year strategy? If African American “leaders” are saying they are behind Hillary, but they are already 95%+ behind President Obama, then doesn’t it make more sense to keep VP Biden to attract the working class voters? What sense would it make to cater to votes you already have? And how do they advise managing Bill Clinton and his waywardness?
Totally agree. All of them can have a seat. Few months ago there was something going around on Twitter called the have a seat movement. These guys need to join. A twitter friend used the graphic below (hopefully it will show up ), I told her I was going to start tweeting it to people, especially those who need to SIT DOWN
If you’re not sure then you shouldn’t make statements like that. As an “older” AA, I kinda resent your implication tat we’re clueless. I wonder when we became that. Maybe it was after we were chased by cops with dogs. Or was it when we were arrested for going to a whites only diner. How about getting beaten with billy clubs.
I guess any of those could reduce our level of critical thinking, huh?
Ooooh, yardarm. I saw that but let it slide. (Love you, hopefruit2!!!) Yardarm, of course, you are right. That’s the danger of the “30 sec sound bite” times we live in and the assumptions that folks make about a group of people. I remember during the ’08 primary, I met a woman at an Obama meeting. She made and sold buttons that said “Another old white lady for Obama” She wore it proudly and donated all proceeds to the campaign. (She sold a bunch of ‘em at that meeting!!) She said she just got tired of people just assuming that because she was ‘mature” white woman, she must be supporting Hillary.
But this is also why I love this site. WE LEARN SO MUCH FROM EACH OTHER!!! Peace,
Sorry yardarm for the careless generalization, I should have made myself clearer. Many of the older AAs who make rounds in the MSM punditry and political sphere seem to have a thing for Hillary Clinton. That is who I had in mind – not just older AAs as a whole.
Hopefruit2, That’s cuz that’s who is “allowed” on TV these days. It seems that the network “news” programs search high and low for any black person or person of color (looking at YOU! Michele Malkin….. wow, is she’s a nutcase) who have some personal issue about not supporting Pres. Obama. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Doug Wilder, Corny and Travesty have a suite at my hotel too!!!
I would love to know what is it about the Clintons that inspire such loyalty. I just don’t get it. I voted for Clinton twice because he was the Democratic nominee, not out of any great affection for he or Hillary. I also knew that if she ran for President, I would be looking to support someone else because I did not want Bill anywhere near the Whitehouse again and in a country of over 300 million people surely there must be another family besides the Bush’s and the Clinton’s who could produce a president, but if she were the nominee I would’ve voted for her. Thank God for PBO because I supported him from the very beginning, having followed his career from when he was a state Senator running for the U.S. Senate.
I also have the dubious distinction of knowing who Bill Clinton was before he hit the national political scene also. I was a student at a small historically black college, Grambling State University, located in northeast Louisiana. It was a very rural area without many television stations. However, I was close enough to Arkansas to pick up one of their stations and there he was, Bill Clinton on the news just about everyday. I didn’t have much of an opinion about him as a 17-year-old freshman, but as soon as he hit national politics, I knew exactly who he was.
The only thing I can think of regarding this Clinton loyalty is maybe its rooted in the fact that the grand plan of her running for the presidency, likely began when she was still first lady and then through the 8 year W. debacle. I guess if you were laying the groundwork for close to 10 years, it must have been a stunning and stinging disappointment for them to watch PBO run a fantastic campaign and deny her, Bill and all their cronies a prize that they thought was already theirs.
I wrote on here the other day that Madison had Wilder on recently to resurrect his problem of the president not choosing a black man for the Supreme Court vacancies he had so far.
The thing about Joe Madison is that he’s old school. He’s very loyal to old school black figures and despite the fact that he’s positive on the president, there’s always a skepticism in his support for the president. So, he’s always willing to throw out nonsense like he did tonight on Rev Al’s show, especially if he got it from one of his old school connects.
I’ve had enough of the “old school” bashing. There was a time when old school was respected in this country. What the do they know anyway. If we don’t agree we you, we must have a reason. With that i’ll say: “I’m outta here, stuff a sock in it!”
I was absolutely not “old school bashing.” I was simply stating what Joe says all of the time on his show…that he supports those in the movement and in the struggle who have been there for a long time. I do too. In showing his support, he tends to let them have a lot of leeway in saying questionable things against the president out of that deference.
That’s all I’m saying. I have the utmost respect for my elders and those that came before me and struggled so I can be where I am today. That respect isn’t lost when I point out a certain level of disrespect some of my elders have for younger black folks who are in the struggle now, like our fine president.
Good response vero. There is no generalizing as I see it, but a lot of “old school” folks do operate out of their shared struggles. I don’t see the harm in saying so. It is what it is, and this is not to denigrate anyone. I personally wish that these predictors would pay respect to that old schooler named Joe Biden, who has served us and the President very well. Also, I am so tired of all the one-issue voters out there. I did not vote for Barack Obama based on any one issue, but on the range he presented…..a little bit of something for everyone’s benefit. If my own son can’t lose my support for all the things he has defied me on (gave me gray hairs, for real), there’s no way I would have a stricter standard for a man who has to represent myriad voices, all against all manner of vehemence. Didn’t mean to babble, but I am tired and very disappointed in those 2 older men, who given their history of struggle, should know the hardship of GWB- that is not number 43, but “governing while black”. To be frank, Madison and Wilder get no more respect from me. Old asswipes !!
Respect is a two-way street and Yardarm you must know that many of these old school politicians showed PBO very little respect during 08 and some like Wilder are still at it. There is no reason we should accord them any great respect when they don’t accord PBO any.
That was not my issue. Rash generalizations about old folks being assholes is mine. At the ripe old age of 71, I think I’ve earned the right to disagree with someone without being summarily dismissed. Although, in this case, I think that Biden is perfect where he is. I am, however, willing to look at all view points before I move on.
Madison and Wilder have pay some dues and so has Biden but not at the same club. Nothing in the world can change that.
At one time I thought this site was a place where like minded folks could congregate not denigrate.
I guess I’m idealistic old “ass wipe”.
I think you are being a little too sensitive. None of those comments about older AAs or old school politicians were directed at you. If someone makes a generalization that does not apply to you then it’s not about you, it’s about the individuals in question (Madison and Wilder).
I’m not trying to legislate emotions. I’m just trying to understand how a statement obviously not directed at you and clearly directed to Wilder and Madison (and other AAs and “old school” Clintonites who disrespect PBO) became so offensive to you. Those of us who visit this blog regularly know from your comments that you have great respect for PBO and great wisdom to impart.
Joe can go screw himself! No way, no how is PBO doing that bullshit. Win or lose(highly unlikely) Joe B is gonna be on that fucking ticket! If I hear this emoprog bullshit one more time, I’m gonna go off. Can’t believe that old fool!
Bill, you are so fricking brilliant!! I’m reading the posts on the previous thread and my fave so far is your response about Willard’s supporters not being alive come nov. 2012. Fricking awesome! The water I was drinking tried to exit through my nose.
I usually like Joe Madison but he’s dead wrong on that one.
I find their obsession very disrespectful of VP Biden.
I can just imagine if HC was VP, the PUMAS would credit her for all the good, completely dismissing President Obama’s work and would blame him for the rest. They never acknowledge the good that the President does anyway, it’s never good enough but it would be a love fest for HC if she was VP.
The hell with them,.
Ed Rendell, Robert Reich, Joan Walsh and cie
Even if VP Biden would decide that he doesn’t want the job anymore, there’s no way President Obama would choose Hillary Clinton. Not with her husband around, He has an ego the size of Chris Christie’s waist and he always want to be in the limelight. No way,.
It’s completely disrespectful to Joe Biden, and you know what? Rev Al called him on it when he stated that VP Biden has done a good job – the point is there is no rational reason to fire the man when he’s been 100% with this president and an asset in ways we’ll probably never know.
If the president were to suddenly ditch VP Biden for Sec Clinton, I would really look down on the president for being too calculated and disloyal. However, there’s no worry that this fake, media-made scenario would occur, so we’re all good.
“If the president were to suddenly ditch VP Biden for Sec Clinton, I would really look down on the president for being too calculated and disloyal” I followed your last post. I think it is sickening the way so many are acting like VP Biden isn’t even a factor in any successes PBO has had. Really disgraceful. I could tolerate politics before there was cable. Now we get 24/7 bullshit and hate, like Christmas didn’t just happen. So much for the spirit of Christ, bunch of wusses, and I’m being kind.
They seem to think it would excite the “base” but let me tell you I’m part of that base and it would piss me off. The reason I hoped PBO would not select Hillary as VP in 08 is still the same, Bill and her supporters are so rabidly power hungry that I believe they would do anything to make her president, if you know what I mean.
As cool as HRC seems to be in her current job, no way should/will Joe be removed from the ticket. Also, just the thought of having BC that close to the White House, on a daily basis, gives me a Donald Trump’ hairdo size headache. We love you Joe & Jill!
Obama/Biden 2012
Bill – I saw that. Rev. Al was superb. With his deadpan expression, he said why replace Joe Biden, who’s doing a great job? Then he said, if it is not broken, why fix it? He totally shut down Joe Madison (and – from a distance – Doug Wilder). I’m so very, very pleased that Rev. Al has his own show on MSNBC. We need to send him congrats via an email or a tweet, since he closed out his 2011 shows tonight!
If she wants to remain in public service after her stint as SOS, Hillary should be put on the Supreme Court (preferably replacing Scalia, Thomas or Roberts), not the VP.
“Angry White Man: The Bigoted Past of Ron Paul” appeared in the New Republic on Jan. 8, 2008. It amplified our understanding of just how petty and hateful Paul or his ghostwriters are. The piece’s nut graph is helpful:
[W]hoever actually wrote them, the newsletters I saw all had one thing in common: They were published under a banner containing Paul’s name, and the articles (except for one special edition of a newsletter that contained the byline of another writer) seem designed to create the impression that they were written by him–and reflected his views. What they reveal are decades worth of obsession with conspiracies, sympathy for the right-wing militia movement, and deeply held bigotry against blacks, Jews, and gays. In short, they suggest that Ron Paul is not the plain-speaking antiwar activist his supporters believe they are backing–but rather a member in good standing of some of the oldest and ugliest traditions in American politics.
Maybe someone ought to Tweet KC and let her know….
“Man my eyes have been opened to so much hate tonight. If y’all ever disagree with something I say please don’t feel the need to attack me. I will listen to what you say and any articles or viewpoints you have when you say it with respect. Being hateful is not a healthy way to get people to see or hear you. I was raised to respect people and their decisions and beliefs and I hope you will grant me the same decency. If you don’t agree with me simply unfollow me. It’s really that easy. I hope you don’t because I would love the chance to hear what you have to say but if you’re so blinded by hate you can’t seek peace and progress then that is your unfortunate prerogative.”
Anyone can get on Twitter and pose as something they aren’t. A Rep can use the hate mode to give the impression they are Dem. It works both ways. She’s right in that fact that if we speak kindly explaining our reason, she said she would listen. When posting, before I send I have to think “How would President Obama handle this?” or Michelle. Hang on tight everyone this is going to be a doosie of a year and it is easy to give wrong impressions. I know when I go to gratefulness.org. I have a difficult time calming myself down to post a decent prayer. I have a difficult time not slamming away over the crazies.
Yeah, I feel the need to unload when I see silliness, but I’ve learned to take a step back and try to be calm and rational. I cannot tell you how many times I have written something out of anger or frustration or some other negative emotion, and then stepped away, came back to it, and realized it was just too much and wasn’t going to lead to any productive understanding.
I have a twitter account, and I don’t use it mainly because I can’t really keep to the small number of words they allow. I use my account mainly to retweet or follow others.
Hi TOD family, I’ve been a lurker here for 2 years, only commented once or twice. I won’t tell you how addicted I am to this website and have no intention of stopping this
I love POTUS and the First Family as if they were my own (I can’t explain it). I fund-raised online for PBO in 2008 through OFA, though nothing like Donna, Chips or BWD.
Happy New Year to all! May 2012 bring us inner peace, joy, wisdom and another 4 for #44.
I need to ask a favor from you guys: would any of you kind souls buy me a PBO calendar via OFA store? I can’t do it myself because I’m not a US citizen (though I’m in my heart since Barack the blessed run for POTUS). I’d send you the money via Paypal.
It would make this Canuck very very happy.
I’m very hopeful for next year. Like I did in 2008, I will keep picturing Barack winning on election night, pray for his safety and for the american people to come through. It may seem that we are in a war but please always remember that you are on the Light side. You are a Light warrior!
Thank you miss Chips and all the commentators for this warm, welcoming place. Much Love & Blessings to you all
Chips? Did anyone offer to help this lovely Canadian PBO supporter? If not, please let me know how I can reach her, as I have 2 calendars, and would be more than happy to GIVE her one. In ’08, and again this year, for 2012, I have sent teeshirts over to France for Helene…… It is a way I can spread support for PBO around the world; took lapel pins to Australia for friends there as well…. This is something I LOVE to do for the campaign, as they cannot legally buy stuff and I can!
Some dumbass on Rev Al predicted that the biggest surprise of 2012 will PBO switching Joe for Hillary. What a fucking asshole! If I hear that bullshit one more time……..fucking emoprog shithead bastards.
This is the problem for me, DID THEY TALK TO PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BARACK OBAMA ABOUT THIS???! He’s the one who makes that decision, not former Governor L.Douglas Wilder. You know, this is the problem with some of these OLD Clintonites. They act as though President Obama is some child, needing to be coddled and guided by their “wise” instruction. Yet, unlike President Obama, none of them have been nominated as President, nor have won, so really I don’t get why these people just believe that would happen, when Barack Obama REPEATEDLY said it wouldn’t. I know they are trying to give hints, but they need to TAKE. A. HINT. You are not the presumed power brokers anymore.
Does this effect national candidates running in Montana? How about Montana Senate and House races? Or just in-state Gov, AG, State Senate, State House etc races?
I kind of agree with st. roscoe and others who are wondering if DWS just doesn’t care that our side is so poorly represented on these shows. I don’t watch them, but many do so we really should have our side on there counterbalancing the GOP propaganda. I don’t think it’s a good thing.
Still, the application of economic theory should be able to help us avoid the commonplace error of simply assuming that the future will be like the past, that after 18 months of sluggish growth we’re due for sluggish growth to continue. The conventional wisdom is that the relatively strong growth in the fourth quarter was a false dawn, and the economy is destined to stall out. This is mistaken. Some tragic unforeseen disaster could hit us, but if it doesn’t we should be in for a string of increasingly strong quarters and accelerating growth that put us back on the path to full employment.
Thanks for that…Joe Biden is a great VP and anyone suggesting ANYONE replace him on the ticket is disrespecting him and playing dumb DC inside politics, rather than making an honest assessment.
Pres. Obama would never even consider it, and Michelle would kill him if he did. If Joe legit wanted to retire, I don’t even think Sec. Clinton would be the best choice on the ticket. I just don’t get what she brings given she was more centrist than Pres Obama and more of a war hawk – why are progressives clamoring for this – just exposing themselves as not-so-secret PUMA’s? Her State Department resume adds nothing to the incumbent President ticket and her high polling numbers would crash down the moment she re-entered the political arena again.
Pres. Obama would be seen as dumping Biden and it would be a net negative move.
Love your analysis and its so spot on. For PBO to switch would suggest major problems with his campaign. It would be a sign of weakness. And it would give media hacks what they want: drama, juicy copy to write. I also think one of the reasons for the Hillary push is that they don’t want Biden running in 2016 – he’s kinda indicated that he’s considering it. If they push him out now it clears the field for “their candidate.” I say let Joe stay and let him run in 2016 if he wants. His VP pick could then be the heir apparent. But the Clintonites know if that happens their grip on power will be completely gone. They can’t stand it that PBO and VPB don’t consult them, give them access, etc.
Also, reading Helene Coopers’ recent drivel in the NYT had me smh…I don’t blame PBO for not wanting to schmooze with these snakes, even the ones on our side of the aisle. They’ve been questioning his leadership for day one. He tried to have cocktail hours, parties and let people ride on AF1 early in his term. But what good did that do? Dems and Repubs still attacked him and his leadership. I know networking and building relationships is a key part of influencing and moving people to your side, but honestly, I can’t really blame PBO for wanting to keep his distance. VPB should keep his distance too considering those long daggers aiming for his back.
Not to mention that the VP needs to start separating themselves from the President if they plan to run themselves the next cycle. If Hillary does plan on running in 2016, her best bet is to step down from State Department, retire to a swing state to teach in a midsize college and start a global charity to empower women into politics. In two years time if she still has the bug for one more run then she comes out of retirement where she could criticize Pres Obama on issues to try and set herself up for a 2016 run.
I think she’d be the ideal VP candidate for Dem nominee in 2016 if she didn’t want to run for the better part of 2 years for the top job nominee. I think there is a real chance that Petraus will be GOP VP nominee in 2016.
SR – There’s no need for any Dem nominee in 2016 to “criticize Pres Obama” to get elected. First, they won’t be running against him. Second, his record will be firmly in place by then, justifying and validating how great of a choice he was in ’08 and ’12.
Cuomo as a presidential candidate with Clinton as VP running mate? I can’t see that, at all.
Would it not make sense for any Democrat to piggy back on the groundwork already laid by President Obama…
This presumption that unfounded criticism and fake attacks on your Democratic president whom you wish to replace would somehow be a winning strategy is simply preposterous …
I know that I will not be supporting or voting for anyone who even remotely attacks or criticizes the hard earned legacy of President Obama…
Newt will do anything to get attention. Now he’s trying the Copper John tears. They don’t work for John, why does he think they will work for him. He crying because he is slipping, slipping in the polls.
When “the boner” cried, people had sympathy for him because he was new on the scene and most americans did not know him. Now that they DO know him, most people can’t stand him. People KNOW Newt and they know what a “hard ass” he was with Clinton and Hillary. They KNOW Newt is NO Shrinking Violet and to pretend he’s this tender old grandfather is full of bull..no ones gonna buy it.
@LukeRussert
Luke Russert
Due to #Obama ‘s healthcare reform law, 2.5 million young adults have gained health insurance: bit.ly/uAbgB1
14 Dec via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Retweeted by nextgenjournal and 100+ others
Naturally Mrs. Greenspan was more than happy to report that this is supposed to show that most Americans are ideologically aligned with Mitt Romney and that President Obama was further to the left than most of the public.
Polls and the corporate media’s immediate instinct to jump all over their results in order to push one of their favorite memes, that America is a “center-right” country…
What gets me is they pimp this “center-right country” crap when never in a million years would a center right country elect Barack Obama as president.
Here we have a young black man, hip, urban, educated, liberal, worldly, possessing at least a modicum of street smarts. And what is this country’s reaction to this man?
This country elects him president.
That’s not the action of a center-right nation; that’s the action of a center-left nation.
When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in excess body fat & carrying a misspelled sign. Also, this <<<<<<<<<< How true!
What does that even mean??? For real? “He sucks and it’s sooooo Republican.” That’s some deep analysis there, Cenk. I hated that guy when he had his radio show on Air America a few years ago. He was given the boot for a reason.
Mittens, hard at work trying to be like a “normal” person:
”I saw the young man over there with eggs Benedict, with hollandaise sauce. And I was going to suggest to you that you serve your eggs with hollandaise sauce in hubcaps. Because there’s no plates like chrome for the hollandaise.” -Mitt Romney at a New Hampshire diner,speaking to the owner.
it’s actually a pretty good pun, but he delivered it like a robot.
Why does he insist on thinking he has any knack for conversation with ordinary people? It’s so contrived and silly. This is going to be a very cringe-inducing year.
Wow…just watched the clip of Andrea Mitchell’s interview with Mittens when the issue of him releasing his tax returns came up. He was awkward and just plain shady. He wouldn’t even commit to releasing them if he were president. He would “consider” it. Strange…what’s he hiding? Like Andrea said, we all know he’s very wealthy.
I think Josh at TPM nailed it this morning. Mittens has a big problem revealing his tax liability. He’s more than likely the Poster Boy for the Buffett Rule. He probably pays less taxes than the janitor. So he will do everything he can to forestall releasing this information in any way, shape or form.
Yeah, I suspected that he’s trying to hide some sort of tax loophole he benefits from or some tax shenanigan he participates in. I hope the media doesn’t let up on this issue…it’s way bigger than the birth certificate nonsense that they sure couldn’t let go.
He is the poster child of income inequality. If he doesn’t release them, he has something to hide, and we all know what that is. If he does release them, our suspicions will be confirmed. Not a good year to be a WALL ST GUY!
Ed Schultz is guessing that Mitt may not even be paying taxes but has smart accountants that are getting him refunds from the government. It is probably that giving a real income figure would make it more real that he is in the 1%.
I LOVE JOE. He’s the real deal. A man with a big heart and an honest soul. A loyal man who is serving our President brilliantly.
Just think about all the hard work he’s done on the details of implementing the Recovery Act. All the work he’s done on the drawdown in Iraq. All the interference he’s run with the Senate. All the work on violence against women. I could go on and on but you certainly get the picture.
I love and appreciate VP Joe Biden. I have followed him since my early career. He is a decent and wonderful match for POB. I also believe that they both have a deep respect for each other. They are friends as well as POTUS and VPOTUS, In fact, just last recently, POB introduced VP Joe Biden as his friend. It was a tender moment.
Me too. I think this President and VP are closer and so respectful for one another as compared with past administrations. I think it is great !! I know that PBO gets along with many people but I cannot see that kind of rapport with Hillary. I also think Jill Biden and Michelle have done great work together and cannot see that happening with Bill Clinton. It would be too weird having a former Prez being a VP spouse. He would not fit into that role even if he tried.
HZ, in that article Rahm says they formed a deep bond as a result of all they’ve been through together. Crisis after crisis, trial after trial. I see a lot of respect and affection for one another. I bet they both mentor each other, which is very, very special.
And what I love about the relationship between Joe and the President is that – if you listen carefully – when Joe is interviewed, he starts out using the first person (“I did this”) but then very quickly changes it to “We did this,” etc. To me, that means that President Obama is confident enough to not only let Joe get totally involved in issues and take his own credit, but so much so that Joe has no problem taking credit – before he remembers to share it with the boss. Ha ha.
Hope you followed that, since I wasn’t very succinct!
Co-Sign. During the 2007/2008 primaries my first pick was Joe Biden, but after IA or the next contest he bowed out. VP Joe Biden is the only Senator who is not a millionaire and raising just enough probably to get re-elected. Unlike so many in Congress, he does not serve to get rich and be a millionaire.
Joe was my first pick, too, very early in the primary cycle. I lived in New Jersey most of my adult life and watched Joe on Philly stations all the time, since they covered his efforts as a Senator on behalf of Delaware. Plus, I’m Irish and fell in love with his storytelling a long, long time ago!!!
We need Joe Biden as VP; President Obama needs Joe Biden as VP —- someone absolutely solid with a clear view of reality and a willingness to straight talk. Every President needs someone they can trust to tell them the real story and who has the President’s best interests as #1. We love Joe!
Romney is a walking Corporate billboard. He changes his targeted ads with every city or income group he's pimping to daily. #p2— C Gauvin (@JeffersonObama) December 31, 2011
Completely off topic, but I know I’m in my winter mode when I watch college football ALL DAMNED DAY LONG. Don’t watch American football the rest of the year; but get me to the bowl games and the NFL playoffs and I’m there. Sad in a way, yet comforting.
Don’t feel bad. I literally had to FORCE MYSELF to go work outside on an absolutely gorgeous day! In the 70′s…sunny skies…the kind of day we here in Phoenix wait all summer for! And I had to drag my ass outside I did…I got stuff done in the yard…and it was wonderful! I think its winter hibernating mode. Or, as I call it…Winter midriff spread..
I listened today as Chris Matthews ticked off reasons why people would vote against President Obama in November. They included “voting against the guy who is the source of all the divisiveness.” And by “the guy” they mean President Obama, not the GOP guy(s) and gal(s) who obstructed him at every turn and who thought it should be Priority One to make him a one term president. That’s right, Matthews opined that people would vote against the president in order to avoid future rancor against… the president.
He also listed the rabid anti-Obama types, of course, as well as the independents who will swing back to voting Republican, plus the disaffected, disappointed Dems who will either vote against him by voting for someone else or not vote at all. In addition, there are fewer new voters who, as was the case in 2008, would be compelled to vote for that brand new, exciting candidate (because there are none); and let’s not forget the disenfranchised.
Chris Matthews is so bored with himself and his job. He and his coworkers have to manufacture controversy to make their employment palatable.
And we are devoting a lot of talk about the Vice President spot on the 2012 ticket. First of all there is not a change and there won’t be any changes. The media is trying to create controversy for the Democrats. It just a ploy to divide the votes. Now that we reconciled our differences in 2008 they are not happy.
Just why would President Obama give himself an unnecessary headache by replacing VP Joe Biden.
If HC could be VP the media would give her all the credit and none to President Obama.
The reason HC handlers are pushing the VP slot is because she will run 2016. They are trying to position her. She wants the presidency, rather her people wants it for her.
Here is an article that might help to explain why Mitt Romney is not releasing his tax information. He is probably only paying 14% to 15% on taxable income.
This should be on campaign signs everywhere:)
Agree! Love it, Chips!
HEY! First
Happy New Year!
Congrats on being 1st, 2nd and 3rd on this thread!!!!
Happy New Year!
You’re third! Congrats
Happy New Year to you, hopefruit!
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/30/us-palestinians-israel-violence-idUSTRE7BT08W20111230
Israel kills al Qaeda member in Gaza. **********WARNING************ Gruesome picture
Thanks for the warning…I did not click on it. It’s hard for me to get those types of images from my mind, so I sincerely appreciate the warning desertflower.
P.S. Do you miss Randi Rhodes as much as I do? I am glad she’ll be back next week. Nicole was not as bad this time except yesterday when she had Cenk on the show and she was gushing all over..yuk!.
Once Randi went on vacation I did too…
Cannot take any of Randi’s subs no matter how hard Nicole what’s her name tries to stifle her resentment of President Obama…
Have not turned on the radio in a week and feel pretty zen for it…
Someone remarked once that listening to Nicole was enough to make a suicidal person jump…
That voice…the silly, half-baked misinformation gleaned from other PL bloggers but regurgitated with full on angst and hair on fire doom and gloom…
Until of course Bernie Sanders or Alan what’s his name swoops in to stake their theoretical stances to much applause from the dumb Nicole…
Good news
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-30/growth-in-u-s-may-quicken-on-confidence-even-as-europe-shrinks-economy.html
I like the fact that the group that’s forecasting strong US growth is the group that’s been the most accurate on the economy for the past 2 years.
Tweety just interviewed someone on the crowd, with a blue Barack Obama.com shirt on.
Nice!
What did Tweety ask the person Jovie?
She had his JFK book with her, and he asked her what she was reading, knowing the answer. He then asked her if she thought Newton Leroy was sincere when he was crying earlier today about his mother. She said she thought Newt was heartless.
I guess they were voting for Romney too? Or did Tweety read my tweet to him about interviewing fake people posing as “former” Obama supporters?
Sheesh.
The crowd seems to be Democratic. Republicans in Iowa don’t go to coffee shops but are at diners having the early bird special.
Hahaha.
Yea…I saw that and had a big smile on my face!
Nice movie! I give it 4 thumbs up!
Chips you are the best. This is so appropriate…after all who embodies Marie Antoinette more than Mitt Romney in his Bain Capital heyday?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-30/live-from-america-tea-partiers-speak-commentary-by-skocpol-and-williamson.html
Good article, but when you cut everything away, the overriding issue for TP folks…is FEAR.
very sad–and they seem to be afraid of hope, too.
Let’s face it. THey are just ignorant people who are so wedded to the past of a mythical United States.
http://swampland.time.com/2011/12/30/4-days-till-iowa-bye-bye-bachmann/ I found this interesting, but for a completely different reason…
In a fairly wifty field, Bachmann seemed wiftier than most. She was for nothing, except repealing ObamaCare and eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency. She demonstrated a casual relationship with the truth, as did the execrable Herman Cain. These are not presidential qualities. There are those who will blame sexism–but compare her to Hillary Clinton, who does have the dignity and steadiness to be a President. Bachmann doesn’t, and that’s what did her in.
To may way of thinking, you could say that about ANY OF THESE CANDIDATES! Especially Romney!
Hi everyone.
The one day I sit down to look at CNN I see that the Situation Room has a piece coming up on President Obama’s mother.
Can’t wait for Rev. All’s Politics Nation though. I really enjoy his segment.
I saw it – a nice segment about an extraordinary woman.
This needs to go viral.
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/12/30/video-ron-paul-is-unelectable/
I agree df. RP is what i refer to as WhiskeyHotelAlphaLimaEcho SierraHotelIndiaTango!
Roger that!
In that video Ron Paul sounds like a babbling idiot….”getting rid of the private property rights (making it illegal for a business owner to discriminate against blacks at their public restaurants) is like interferring in peoples private bedrooms”; “true integration happens in sports”. Well Mr. Paul if there were no civil rights there would never be any true integration in sports. Even when Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, he could not stay at the same hotels as his white teammates.
AW….http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2011/12/phone-home-reggie.html
Phone home Reggie!
The other day the New York Times ran yet another article about how President Obama doesn’t schmooze enough with the D.C. establishment (get a clue folks…that’s one of the reasons we LIKE him!)
But the article started out with a great story:
Air Force One had just landed in Manchester, N.H., on a brisk Tuesday morning last month when President Obama made an admission to Valerie B. Jarrett, his close friend and senior adviser.
“I just called Reggie,” Mr. Obama said. It was his first domestic trip without Reggie Love, the former Duke University basketball player who had been his constant companion and presidential “body man” until he left in November to study for his M.B.A. full time. “I miss him,” the president confessed.
Thank you, smartypants
WE MISS HIM TOO! Reggie is the coolest “body man” ever.
I miss Reggie too….The pictures on the other thread today at Sashas’ basketball game with Reggie and PBO made me think about him and if they miss working with each other. I know Reggie misses him too.
I miss him. As I tell my son, I miss his face.
I miss Reggie as well. I am sure that POB misses Reggie as well.HZ
I really wish Reggie had been able to stay through the election; I think the President really needed someone he could fully trust and with whom he would relax… So sorry to see him leave…
Aww this is so sweet. I miss him too already.
I’m keeping an eye on Hardball Tweety. We all know that he LOVES this birtherism stuff, never misses an opportunity to discuss at length whenever someone even hints that they might be engaging in birtherism – jokingly or seriously. So let’s see if Tweety uses his opportunity to jump on Matt Romney’s recent oops….if not, then we KNOW that Tweety is getting hush money from Bain Capital via MSNBC somehow.
Does anyone have the address of the campaign? I can only send money by mail(I lost the info from my last contribution).Thanks guys!
Here you go: Obama for America, P.O. Box 803638, Chicago, IL, 60680
http://www.barackobama.com/contact-us?source=footer-nav
I’m like you Byo, I can only make donation by mail and I will send in something else this week.
see – gone for the rest of the day and look what i miss! Chips that dialogue with that Ron Paul supporter was funny and surreal at the same time
LOVE this!
Sorry Chips, I normally donate to you Donna and other funraisers but today I had to donate $50 to R. LOVE! R. Love sent an email a few day ago asking to donate to the reelection of PBO fundraiser; I hope he gets credit for my donation.
A fine choice Maritza! It doesn’t matter what route the money takes, so long as it ends up with the campaign – you’re a star
Thank you Chips for all that you do and a BIG thanks to all of you here at the Chips site for all that you do too. I do not like to post comments b/c I make too many mistakes while being pissed or something but will try to keep up doing other things for our president. You know “That One”!
maritza, please don’t worry about making mistakes when posting. It takes me ten minutes to correct all my errors before I can send off my post and then there may still be one. I like to read your posts although I don’t post much myself. We need to take a big breath and post away any way.
Thank your Barb.
msitakes, you say ? Ha.
I love that to Chipsticks. Maybe someone needed to pass this on to Kelly Clarkson.
I LIKE IT!
Hey glad to see you back Chips…..I like this one!! If you think, vote Obama…….so true.
Ha! We do have the Thinkers! Aloha, Chips~
I love that too! I hope that gets retweeted lots.
That is a great sign of Willard and his friends.
OH WTF you batshit crazy old man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/with-mixed-results-ron-paul-tries-to-terrify-small-town-iowa.php?ref=fpa
Paul warned of the pro-United Nations lobby coming to take control of your property:
If you want to use your property, you have to get a lot of permits. If you’re in the development business, from the low-level all the way to the top, you have to get permission from the federal government…I’m fearful because some people would like us to go all the way to the UN and have the UN controlling our lands, too.
Psycho babbling idiot!
That is one of Alex Jones’s conspiracy theories.
This guy is FULL of conspiracy theories!
Now that I am reading more about Ron Paul on here I am beginning to understand why my brother seems so crazy. He is a long time Ron Paul fan. He is also into lots of conspiracy theories. I didn’t know most of them were coming from Ron Paul. Now I get it!
That’s inexcusable. He should be stopped from scaring old people. They should have more sense than to believe what he says.
I’m 65 and I don’t believe him, but think of all the seniors who believed all the “death panel” crap around the time of health care reform and joined the so-called tea party. You are right – it’s inexcusable, despicable, and deplorable.
Joe Madison told Rev. Al that he and Doug Wilder predict Hillary will replace Joe Biden as the VP candidate. The Rev. did not like the idea saying “if it is not broken why fix it?”.
Many of these older Black AAs have a thing for Hillary Clinton. I’m not sure what exactly is driving it. The bottom line is that they are clueless as HELL.
The middle of last summer, I opened my hotel. The name? “Come in, sit down and shut up” Hotel. Similar to the “Hotel California”, it’s a lovely place, such a lovely place. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.
. I invite Joe Madison and Doug Wilder, along with Tweety. Ron Racist Paul, Michele ‘Bats#$%t: Bachman, Little Ricky Santorum, Herman KochCain, Leroy Three’s a Charm Gingrich, Willard Mittens Romney have already checked in,
Cenk So full of himself, and Ariana HuffnPuff have adjoining suites. Bill Clinton and Fast Eddie Rendell are busy making special reservations. Their rooms will need wider and taller doorways.
I’m sure there are others who have made their reservations on-line. I haven’t checked with the desk lately…
I’d be happy to volunteer to lose their luggage at the front desk, if ya want.
Even if you take away the fact that VP Biden has been stellar in his job and doesn’t deserve the disrespect of speculating this nonsense, why would anyone advocate choosing Hillary as VP at this point, as an election year strategy? If African American “leaders” are saying they are behind Hillary, but they are already 95%+ behind President Obama, then doesn’t it make more sense to keep VP Biden to attract the working class voters? What sense would it make to cater to votes you already have? And how do they advise managing Bill Clinton and his waywardness?
LOL you are too funny. Can I check in to see what else they would be up to or are you going to need a maid to clean up after them?
Totally agree. All of them can have a seat. Few months ago there was something going around on Twitter called the have a seat movement. These guys need to join. A twitter friend used the graphic below (hopefully it will show up
), I told her I was going to start tweeting it to people, especially those who need to SIT DOWN 
[IMG]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/mrbrisingsun/Screenshot2011-12-29at90635PM.png[/IMG]
Hmmm….that didn’t work either. Nothing’s showing up not even the coding. Oh well that ‘s the last time I try to post a photo lol
If you’re not sure then you shouldn’t make statements like that. As an “older” AA, I kinda resent your implication tat we’re clueless. I wonder when we became that. Maybe it was after we were chased by cops with dogs. Or was it when we were arrested for going to a whites only diner. How about getting beaten with billy clubs.
I guess any of those could reduce our level of critical thinking, huh?
Ooooh, yardarm. I saw that but let it slide. (Love you, hopefruit2!!!) Yardarm, of course, you are right. That’s the danger of the “30 sec sound bite” times we live in and the assumptions that folks make about a group of people. I remember during the ’08 primary, I met a woman at an Obama meeting. She made and sold buttons that said “Another old white lady for Obama” She wore it proudly and donated all proceeds to the campaign. (She sold a bunch of ‘em at that meeting!!) She said she just got tired of people just assuming that because she was ‘mature” white woman, she must be supporting Hillary.
But this is also why I love this site. WE LEARN SO MUCH FROM EACH OTHER!!! Peace,
Obama/Biden 2012
Sorry yardarm for the careless generalization, I should have made myself clearer. Many of the older AAs who make rounds in the MSM punditry and political sphere seem to have a thing for Hillary Clinton. That is who I had in mind – not just older AAs as a whole.
Hopefruit2, That’s cuz that’s who is “allowed” on TV these days. It seems that the network “news” programs search high and low for any black person or person of color (looking at YOU! Michele Malkin….. wow, is she’s a nutcase) who have some personal issue about not supporting Pres. Obama. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Doug Wilder, Corny and Travesty have a suite at my hotel too!!!
I would love to know what is it about the Clintons that inspire such loyalty. I just don’t get it. I voted for Clinton twice because he was the Democratic nominee, not out of any great affection for he or Hillary. I also knew that if she ran for President, I would be looking to support someone else because I did not want Bill anywhere near the Whitehouse again and in a country of over 300 million people surely there must be another family besides the Bush’s and the Clinton’s who could produce a president, but if she were the nominee I would’ve voted for her. Thank God for PBO because I supported him from the very beginning, having followed his career from when he was a state Senator running for the U.S. Senate.
I also have the dubious distinction of knowing who Bill Clinton was before he hit the national political scene also. I was a student at a small historically black college, Grambling State University, located in northeast Louisiana. It was a very rural area without many television stations. However, I was close enough to Arkansas to pick up one of their stations and there he was, Bill Clinton on the news just about everyday. I didn’t have much of an opinion about him as a 17-year-old freshman, but as soon as he hit national politics, I knew exactly who he was.
The only thing I can think of regarding this Clinton loyalty is maybe its rooted in the fact that the grand plan of her running for the presidency, likely began when she was still first lady and then through the 8 year W. debacle. I guess if you were laying the groundwork for close to 10 years, it must have been a stunning and stinging disappointment for them to watch PBO run a fantastic campaign and deny her, Bill and all their cronies a prize that they thought was already theirs.
Good Grief…..I was watching…..
It was odd that Joe Madison brought Gov. Wilder’s opinion into the conversation.
I wrote on here the other day that Madison had Wilder on recently to resurrect his problem of the president not choosing a black man for the Supreme Court vacancies he had so far.
The thing about Joe Madison is that he’s old school. He’s very loyal to old school black figures and despite the fact that he’s positive on the president, there’s always a skepticism in his support for the president. So, he’s always willing to throw out nonsense like he did tonight on Rev Al’s show, especially if he got it from one of his old school connects.
I’ve had enough of the “old school” bashing. There was a time when old school was respected in this country. What the do they know anyway. If we don’t agree we you, we must have a reason. With that i’ll say: “I’m outta here, stuff a sock in it!”
I was absolutely not “old school bashing.” I was simply stating what Joe says all of the time on his show…that he supports those in the movement and in the struggle who have been there for a long time. I do too. In showing his support, he tends to let them have a lot of leeway in saying questionable things against the president out of that deference.
That’s all I’m saying. I have the utmost respect for my elders and those that came before me and struggled so I can be where I am today. That respect isn’t lost when I point out a certain level of disrespect some of my elders have for younger black folks who are in the struggle now, like our fine president.
Good response vero. There is no generalizing as I see it, but a lot of “old school” folks do operate out of their shared struggles. I don’t see the harm in saying so. It is what it is, and this is not to denigrate anyone. I personally wish that these predictors would pay respect to that old schooler named Joe Biden, who has served us and the President very well. Also, I am so tired of all the one-issue voters out there. I did not vote for Barack Obama based on any one issue, but on the range he presented…..a little bit of something for everyone’s benefit. If my own son can’t lose my support for all the things he has defied me on (gave me gray hairs, for real), there’s no way I would have a stricter standard for a man who has to represent myriad voices, all against all manner of vehemence. Didn’t mean to babble, but I am tired and very disappointed in those 2 older men, who given their history of struggle, should know the hardship of GWB- that is not number 43, but “governing while black”. To be frank, Madison and Wilder get no more respect from me. Old asswipes !!
Respect is a two-way street and Yardarm you must know that many of these old school politicians showed PBO very little respect during 08 and some like Wilder are still at it. There is no reason we should accord them any great respect when they don’t accord PBO any.
That was not my issue. Rash generalizations about old folks being assholes is mine. At the ripe old age of 71, I think I’ve earned the right to disagree with someone without being summarily dismissed. Although, in this case, I think that Biden is perfect where he is. I am, however, willing to look at all view points before I move on.
Madison and Wilder have pay some dues and so has Biden but not at the same club. Nothing in the world can change that.
At one time I thought this site was a place where like minded folks could congregate not denigrate.
I guess I’m idealistic old “ass wipe”.
For the record I didn’t call anyone an ass wipe, nor denigrate anyone. If that’s the interpretation from my comments, you are wrong.
I was not referring to YOUR comments. Check out the string.
I think you are being a little too sensitive. None of those comments about older AAs or old school politicians were directed at you. If someone makes a generalization that does not apply to you then it’s not about you, it’s about the individuals in question (Madison and Wilder).
Too sensitive you say? I’ve earned that right. Too bad you can’t legislate emotions, hmmm?
I’m not trying to legislate emotions. I’m just trying to understand how a statement obviously not directed at you and clearly directed to Wilder and Madison (and other AAs and “old school” Clintonites who disrespect PBO) became so offensive to you. Those of us who visit this blog regularly know from your comments that you have great respect for PBO and great wisdom to impart.
Joe can go screw himself! No way, no how is PBO doing that bullshit. Win or lose(highly unlikely) Joe B is gonna be on that fucking ticket! If I hear this emoprog bullshit one more time, I’m gonna go off. Can’t believe that old fool!
Lisa, I am right behind you.
Bill, you are so fricking brilliant!! I’m reading the posts on the previous thread and my fave so far is your response about Willard’s supporters not being alive come nov. 2012. Fricking awesome! The water I was drinking tried to exit through my nose.
It’s being pushed by somebody!
I usually like Joe Madison but he’s dead wrong on that one.
I find their obsession very disrespectful of VP Biden.
I can just imagine if HC was VP, the PUMAS would credit her for all the good, completely dismissing President Obama’s work and would blame him for the rest. They never acknowledge the good that the President does anyway, it’s never good enough but it would be a love fest for HC if she was VP.
The hell with them,.
Ed Rendell, Robert Reich, Joan Walsh and cie
Even if VP Biden would decide that he doesn’t want the job anymore, there’s no way President Obama would choose Hillary Clinton. Not with her husband around, He has an ego the size of Chris Christie’s waist and he always want to be in the limelight. No way,.
It’s completely disrespectful to Joe Biden, and you know what? Rev Al called him on it when he stated that VP Biden has done a good job – the point is there is no rational reason to fire the man when he’s been 100% with this president and an asset in ways we’ll probably never know.
If the president were to suddenly ditch VP Biden for Sec Clinton, I would really look down on the president for being too calculated and disloyal. However, there’s no worry that this fake, media-made scenario would occur, so we’re all good.
“If the president were to suddenly ditch VP Biden for Sec Clinton, I would really look down on the president for being too calculated and disloyal”
I followed your last post. I think it is sickening the way so many are acting like VP Biden isn’t even a factor in any successes PBO has had. Really disgraceful. I could tolerate politics before there was cable. Now we get 24/7 bullshit and hate, like Christmas didn’t just happen. So much for the spirit of Christ, bunch of wusses, and I’m being kind.
They seem to think it would excite the “base” but let me tell you I’m part of that base and it would piss me off. The reason I hoped PBO would not select Hillary as VP in 08 is still the same, Bill and her supporters are so rabidly power hungry that I believe they would do anything to make her president, if you know what I mean.
I, too, have always liked/respected Joe Madison’s comments. However, this time–RIDICULOUS!!!!! I agree with Rev. Al: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
As cool as HRC seems to be in her current job, no way should/will Joe be removed from the ticket. Also, just the thought of having BC that close to the White House, on a daily basis, gives me a Donald Trump’ hairdo size headache. We love you Joe & Jill!
Obama/Biden 2012
”Donald Trump’ hairdo size headache”…. lol
Bill – I saw that. Rev. Al was superb. With his deadpan expression, he said why replace Joe Biden, who’s doing a great job? Then he said, if it is not broken, why fix it? He totally shut down Joe Madison (and – from a distance – Doug Wilder). I’m so very, very pleased that Rev. Al has his own show on MSNBC. We need to send him congrats via an email or a tweet, since he closed out his 2011 shows tonight!
From what I’ve read from Wilder lately..it’s not very smart for Joe Madison to be throwing his “predictions” in with him.
Too many people just love to stir up shite.
Good question, Rev Al! Not only not broken but running VERY WELL!
I saw that too. Dumb idea.
If she wants to remain in public service after her stint as SOS, Hillary should be put on the Supreme Court (preferably replacing Scalia, Thomas or Roberts), not the VP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/post/ron-pauls-newsletters-where-was-texas/2011/12/29/gIQAPKbwQP_blog.html?hpid=z3
“Angry White Man: The Bigoted Past of Ron Paul” appeared in the New Republic on Jan. 8, 2008. It amplified our understanding of just how petty and hateful Paul or his ghostwriters are. The piece’s nut graph is helpful:
[W]hoever actually wrote them, the newsletters I saw all had one thing in common: They were published under a banner containing Paul’s name, and the articles (except for one special edition of a newsletter that contained the byline of another writer) seem designed to create the impression that they were written by him–and reflected his views. What they reveal are decades worth of obsession with conspiracies, sympathy for the right-wing militia movement, and deeply held bigotry against blacks, Jews, and gays. In short, they suggest that Ron Paul is not the plain-speaking antiwar activist his supporters believe they are backing–but rather a member in good standing of some of the oldest and ugliest traditions in American politics.
Maybe someone ought to Tweet KC and let her know….
Kelly Clarkson statement-
“Man my eyes have been opened to so much hate tonight. If y’all ever disagree with something I say please don’t feel the need to attack me. I will listen to what you say and any articles or viewpoints you have when you say it with respect. Being hateful is not a healthy way to get people to see or hear you. I was raised to respect people and their decisions and beliefs and I hope you will grant me the same decency. If you don’t agree with me simply unfollow me. It’s really that easy. I hope you don’t because I would love the chance to hear what you have to say but if you’re so blinded by hate you can’t seek peace and progress then that is your unfortunate prerogative.”
Lol!
“Blinded by hate”—– isn’t that the pot calling the kettle back? The fact that she supports the biggest kkk groupie is disgusting.
Was it Maya Angelou that said,” When someone shows you who they are, believe them!” Hey, KC….he’s showing you!!!
No kidding…..it is disgusting
Damn…what did people say to her? I must’ve missed something.
Lol!
Anyone can get on Twitter and pose as something they aren’t. A Rep can use the hate mode to give the impression they are Dem. It works both ways. She’s right in that fact that if we speak kindly explaining our reason, she said she would listen. When posting, before I send I have to think “How would President Obama handle this?” or Michelle. Hang on tight everyone this is going to be a doosie of a year and it is easy to give wrong impressions. I know when I go to gratefulness.org. I have a difficult time calming myself down to post a decent prayer. I have a difficult time not slamming away over the crazies.
Oh, I want to add. I am not one of her fans and have never listened to her. I feel no simpatico.
Yeah, I feel the need to unload when I see silliness, but I’ve learned to take a step back and try to be calm and rational. I cannot tell you how many times I have written something out of anger or frustration or some other negative emotion, and then stepped away, came back to it, and realized it was just too much and wasn’t going to lead to any productive understanding.
I have a twitter account, and I don’t use it mainly because I can’t really keep to the small number of words they allow. I use my account mainly to retweet or follow others.
She mumbled something about supporting Ron Paul because she believes in less government, whatever that is, blah, blah, blah.
Oh, well more power to her. LOL. She’s a southern girl, I believe, so no surprise that her politics lean right.
vero804, It’s not surprising, but I do find it surprising that Kelly Clarkson would support a racists.
Fill me in. What did kelly clarkson say?
That she supports Ron Paul. He’s so fabulous and freedom loving and all! NOT!
KC what a joke you’re; you sound as air-headed as Matt R. today with his birthers none sense.
Ron Paul is the one blinded by hate, ms clarkson.
I wonder who is tweeted “hate” to her? mitt romney moppers? ginch guys? bachmann backers? santorum “saints”? Ohh, perry pricks?
Hi TOD family, I’ve been a lurker here for 2 years, only commented once or twice. I won’t tell you how addicted I am to this website and have no intention of stopping this
I love POTUS and the First Family as if they were my own (I can’t explain it). I fund-raised online for PBO in 2008 through OFA, though nothing like Donna, Chips or BWD.
Happy New Year to all! May 2012 bring us inner peace, joy, wisdom and another 4 for #44.
I need to ask a favor from you guys: would any of you kind souls buy me a PBO calendar via OFA store? I can’t do it myself because I’m not a US citizen (though I’m in my heart since Barack the blessed run for POTUS). I’d send you the money via Paypal.
It would make this Canuck very very happy.
I’m very hopeful for next year. Like I did in 2008, I will keep picturing Barack winning on election night, pray for his safety and for the american people to come through. It may seem that we are in a war but please always remember that you are on the Light side. You are a Light warrior!
Thank you miss Chips and all the commentators for this warm, welcoming place. Much Love & Blessings to you all
Welcome to the family CJ…you’re posts are more than needed now as we start to negotiate the home stretch for Nov 2012.
Chips? Did anyone offer to help this lovely Canadian PBO supporter? If not, please let me know how I can reach her, as I have 2 calendars, and would be more than happy to GIVE her one. In ’08, and again this year, for 2012, I have sent teeshirts over to France for Helene…… It is a way I can spread support for PBO around the world; took lapel pins to Australia for friends there as well…. This is something I LOVE to do for the campaign, as they cannot legally buy stuff and I can!
Hello Joyce, thrilled to have you here!
In case you missed the very lovely Pamela’s comment in the ‘Partners’ thread, she wants to send you an Obama/Biden 2012 calendar!
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/30/partners-3/#comment-207031
Could you email me at theobamadiary@gmail.com and give me your address? I could then give it to Pamela so she could mail you the calendar.
Thanks Joyce
Hi Pamela,
Thank you so much for you generosity. I replied to you on the other thread. God bless you love!
Miss Chipstick, I emailed you my info. The words are not enough to thank you for the great service you’re doing with this website.
You made my year with this gift!
Love you all
CHiP—-what happened to Friday’s Good? Let’s send 2011 off with a bang
It’s on the last thread:)
Some dumbass on Rev Al predicted that the biggest surprise of 2012 will PBO switching Joe for Hillary. What a fucking asshole! If I hear that bullshit one more time……..fucking emoprog shithead bastards.
I heard Joe Madison saying that crap. Of course he said that he had been talking to Ole Doug Wyler.
This is the problem for me, DID THEY TALK TO PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BARACK OBAMA ABOUT THIS???! He’s the one who makes that decision, not former Governor L.Douglas Wilder. You know, this is the problem with some of these OLD Clintonites. They act as though President Obama is some child, needing to be coddled and guided by their “wise” instruction. Yet, unlike President Obama, none of them have been nominated as President, nor have won, so really I don’t get why these people just believe that would happen, when Barack Obama REPEATEDLY said it wouldn’t. I know they are trying to give hints, but they need to TAKE. A. HINT. You are not the presumed power brokers anymore.
Word.
I use to respect Joe Madison, that respect went down some tonight by him keep pushing this Hillary becoming VP crap. It won’t happen Joe.
GOOD FOR YOU< MONTANA!!!! Marilyn, did you see this?!
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/12/30/citizens-united-loses-in-montana-supreme-court-upholds-state-ban-on-corporate-spending/
Does this effect national candidates running in Montana? How about Montana Senate and House races? Or just in-state Gov, AG, State Senate, State House etc races?
I don’t know, but this is from a local paper
http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/supreme-court-upholds-state-ban-on-corporate-spending/article_30ce7a84-3328-11e1-b1ec-0019bb2963f4.html
Another. Looks like all of them to me
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap_news/montana/article_96d1f3d8-7ac5-59e0-a84b-c6940eb27274.html
CHA-CHING
DAMMIT
oh cool – it didn’t look like it worked when it loaded. BUT IT DID!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
I Tally…Happy New Year!
Hey JoJo! Back at ya! You going to The Parade?
No. I’ll be watching it on teevee.
Not one democrat on the sunday shows.
I guess it’s because they must think the President is not running,, that he is kidding us all.
Man alive!
Well, I don’t mind because the more they (GOP) talk the more they step in shit. And most people do not watch cable anyway.
I kind of agree with st. roscoe and others who are wondering if DWS just doesn’t care that our side is so poorly represented on these shows. I don’t watch them, but many do so we really should have our side on there counterbalancing the GOP propaganda. I don’t think it’s a good thing.
A nice economic outlook
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2011/12/economic_recovery_why_good_things_are_about_to_start_happening_again_.html
Still, the application of economic theory should be able to help us avoid the commonplace error of simply assuming that the future will be like the past, that after 18 months of sluggish growth we’re due for sluggish growth to continue. The conventional wisdom is that the relatively strong growth in the fourth quarter was a false dawn, and the economy is destined to stall out. This is mistaken. Some tragic unforeseen disaster could hit us, but if it doesn’t we should be in for a string of increasingly strong quarters and accelerating growth that put us back on the path to full employment.
I’m seeing the same “we gotta switch Hillary for Joe” idiocy on twitter so I’ve been pushing back and remembered this as well:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066099,00.html
Love the photo and Rahm’s candid assessment.
Thanks for that…Joe Biden is a great VP and anyone suggesting ANYONE replace him on the ticket is disrespecting him and playing dumb DC inside politics, rather than making an honest assessment.
It’s also something PBO would never do.
Pres. Obama would never even consider it, and Michelle would kill him if he did. If Joe legit wanted to retire, I don’t even think Sec. Clinton would be the best choice on the ticket. I just don’t get what she brings given she was more centrist than Pres Obama and more of a war hawk – why are progressives clamoring for this – just exposing themselves as not-so-secret PUMA’s? Her State Department resume adds nothing to the incumbent President ticket and her high polling numbers would crash down the moment she re-entered the political arena again.
Pres. Obama would be seen as dumping Biden and it would be a net negative move.
It’s distraction. That’s all it is. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.
yes–somebody’s trying to divide us, and get us sniping at each other. we’re too smart and love each other too much to let that happen.
Besides Hillary has more negatives than Biden with voters. I think she would just bring more reasons not to vote for the ticket.
Love your analysis and its so spot on. For PBO to switch would suggest major problems with his campaign. It would be a sign of weakness. And it would give media hacks what they want: drama, juicy copy to write. I also think one of the reasons for the Hillary push is that they don’t want Biden running in 2016 – he’s kinda indicated that he’s considering it. If they push him out now it clears the field for “their candidate.” I say let Joe stay and let him run in 2016 if he wants. His VP pick could then be the heir apparent. But the Clintonites know if that happens their grip on power will be completely gone. They can’t stand it that PBO and VPB don’t consult them, give them access, etc.
Also, reading Helene Coopers’ recent drivel in the NYT had me smh…I don’t blame PBO for not wanting to schmooze with these snakes, even the ones on our side of the aisle. They’ve been questioning his leadership for day one. He tried to have cocktail hours, parties and let people ride on AF1 early in his term. But what good did that do? Dems and Repubs still attacked him and his leadership. I know networking and building relationships is a key part of influencing and moving people to your side, but honestly, I can’t really blame PBO for wanting to keep his distance. VPB should keep his distance too considering those long daggers aiming for his back.
Not to mention that the VP needs to start separating themselves from the President if they plan to run themselves the next cycle. If Hillary does plan on running in 2016, her best bet is to step down from State Department, retire to a swing state to teach in a midsize college and start a global charity to empower women into politics. In two years time if she still has the bug for one more run then she comes out of retirement where she could criticize Pres Obama on issues to try and set herself up for a 2016 run.
I think she’d be the ideal VP candidate for Dem nominee in 2016 if she didn’t want to run for the better part of 2 years for the top job nominee. I think there is a real chance that Petraus will be GOP VP nominee in 2016.
Jeb Bush/Petraeus vs Cuomo/Clinton
NO…I want to see Martin O’Malley on the ticket somewhere in 2016.
Sounds good to me. Love Martin O’Malley. Love his warmth and intelligence. We certainly have the warm and intelligent folks on our side, don’t we?
SR – There’s no need for any Dem nominee in 2016 to “criticize Pres Obama” to get elected. First, they won’t be running against him. Second, his record will be firmly in place by then, justifying and validating how great of a choice he was in ’08 and ’12.
Cuomo as a presidential candidate with Clinton as VP running mate? I can’t see that, at all.
Thanks for that JoB…
Would it not make sense for any Democrat to piggy back on the groundwork already laid by President Obama…
This presumption that unfounded criticism and fake attacks on your Democratic president whom you wish to replace would somehow be a winning strategy is simply preposterous …
I know that I will not be supporting or voting for anyone who even remotely attacks or criticizes the hard earned legacy of President Obama…
I saw the article about Newtie braking down and crying after Frank Luntz asked him about his mama…it was obviously staged.
Yeah…… its not going to be a comparison to Hillary. More apt comparison is him……..
Good grief, I can’t look. It was bad enough the first time.
Newt will do anything to get attention. Now he’s trying the Copper John tears. They don’t work for John, why does he think they will work for him. He crying because he is slipping, slipping in the polls.
When “the boner” cried, people had sympathy for him because he was new on the scene and most americans did not know him. Now that they DO know him, most people can’t stand him. People KNOW Newt and they know what a “hard ass” he was with Clinton and Hillary. They KNOW Newt is NO Shrinking Violet and to pretend he’s this tender old grandfather is full of bull..no ones gonna buy it.
All I can say about this Clinton obsession is that Lincoln bedroom must have been something else.
OMG…dead…lol
Cha-ching cha-ching! Money shot! (So to speak.)
This is old, but I’m glad he did it
@LukeRussert
Luke Russert
Due to #Obama ‘s healthcare reform law, 2.5 million young adults have gained health insurance: bit.ly/uAbgB1
14 Dec via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Retweeted by nextgenjournal and 100+ others
Go Luke; your Dad would be proud!
Seriously?
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/andrea-mitchell-cites-recent-gallup-poll-t
Naturally Mrs. Greenspan was more than happy to report that this is supposed to show that most Americans are ideologically aligned with Mitt Romney and that President Obama was further to the left than most of the public.
One comment I particularly liked:
Polls and the corporate media’s immediate instinct to jump all over their results in order to push one of their favorite memes, that America is a “center-right” country…
What gets me is they pimp this “center-right country” crap when never in a million years would a center right country elect Barack Obama as president.
Here we have a young black man, hip, urban, educated, liberal, worldly, possessing at least a modicum of street smarts. And what is this country’s reaction to this man?
This country elects him president.
That’s not the action of a center-right nation; that’s the action of a center-left nation.
When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in excess body fat & carrying a misspelled sign. Also, this <<<<<<<<<< How true!
I thought I saw that the word Progressive was polling highest and think that might indicate a center left stand instead of the center right.
Absolutely right, OG
I saw that on twitter:
“The agenda of the president sucks and is deeply Republican.” — Cenk, today.
Ok this jerk is losing it…..Shame on Al Gore……Screw Current TV….
What does that even mean??? For real? “He sucks and it’s sooooo Republican.” That’s some deep analysis there, Cenk. I hated that guy when he had his radio show on Air America a few years ago. He was given the boot for a reason.
cenky left himself wide open with that gopropaganda shite served up with assholic profiteering wing bullshit. cenk sucks and is deeply sociopathic.
An Inconvenient Truth. cenk is going to bring down current tv.
Mittens, hard at work trying to be like a “normal” person:
”I saw the young man over there with eggs Benedict, with hollandaise sauce. And I was going to suggest to you that you serve your eggs with hollandaise sauce in hubcaps. Because there’s no plates like chrome for the hollandaise.” -Mitt Romney at a New Hampshire diner,speaking to the owner.
it’s actually a pretty good pun, but he delivered it like a robot.
Corny…
Totally
Woof woof, who let the dogs out – Mittens 2000, trying to be cool with the brotha’s
What the hell is wrong with this guy? It doesn’t matter how much RAM they put in him. He’s just going to be a robot.
Why does he insist on thinking he has any knack for conversation with ordinary people? It’s so contrived and silly. This is going to be a very cringe-inducing year.
Why would you put eggs in hubcaps?
You wouldn’t…it was just a contrived “joke”…
A joke so contrived that I’m not even sure what he aimed to say. Sad.
I’m with you, Librarian.
Play on words: No place like home for the holidays.
See? If you’ve gotta explain the pun, then it was poorly delivered and/or poorly written.
Give it up Mitt, just do you, man. It’s sad, really.
Wow…just watched the clip of Andrea Mitchell’s interview with Mittens when the issue of him releasing his tax returns came up. He was awkward and just plain shady. He wouldn’t even commit to releasing them if he were president. He would “consider” it. Strange…what’s he hiding? Like Andrea said, we all know he’s very wealthy.
I think Josh at TPM nailed it this morning. Mittens has a big problem revealing his tax liability. He’s more than likely the Poster Boy for the Buffett Rule. He probably pays less taxes than the janitor. So he will do everything he can to forestall releasing this information in any way, shape or form.
Here’s the link:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/12/whats_the_deal_with_romneys_taxes.php?ref=fpblg
Yeah, I suspected that he’s trying to hide some sort of tax loophole he benefits from or some tax shenanigan he participates in. I hope the media doesn’t let up on this issue…it’s way bigger than the birth certificate nonsense that they sure couldn’t let go.
Did Mrs. Greenspan push back at all or was it just a wink and a nod?
She was actually pretty dogged in this line of questioning. I was surprised.
He is the poster child of income inequality. If he doesn’t release them, he has something to hide, and we all know what that is. If he does release them, our suspicions will be confirmed. Not a good year to be a WALL ST GUY!
It’s obvious that he has something to hide,…………
Ed Schultz is guessing that Mitt may not even be paying taxes but has smart accountants that are getting him refunds from the government. It is probably that giving a real income figure would make it more real that he is in the 1%.
It’s a good guess…..and much more I’m sure….
If they think that taking the birther route will distract people from the issue, they are sorely mistaken. They won’t get away with it
Oh, man, I am three threads behind, I suspect i will never catch up, but, very glad to be home, kitty in my lap, and TWO whole days off! VaHoo!
Hi y’all!
Let’s see if this works:
God Bless this amazing man! THANK YOU, VP BIDEN! Love you!
I LOVE JOE. He’s the real deal. A man with a big heart and an honest soul. A loyal man who is serving our President brilliantly.
Just think about all the hard work he’s done on the details of implementing the Recovery Act. All the work he’s done on the drawdown in Iraq. All the interference he’s run with the Senate. All the work on violence against women. I could go on and on but you certainly get the picture.
I love and appreciate VP Joe Biden. I have followed him since my early career. He is a decent and wonderful match for POB. I also believe that they both have a deep respect for each other. They are friends as well as POTUS and VPOTUS, In fact, just last recently, POB introduced VP Joe Biden as his friend. It was a tender moment.
I Love Joe Biden, our beloved VP.
Me too. I think this President and VP are closer and so respectful for one another as compared with past administrations. I think it is great !! I know that PBO gets along with many people but I cannot see that kind of rapport with Hillary. I also think Jill Biden and Michelle have done great work together and cannot see that happening with Bill Clinton. It would be too weird having a former Prez being a VP spouse. He would not fit into that role even if he tried.
HZ, in that article Rahm says they formed a deep bond as a result of all they’ve been through together. Crisis after crisis, trial after trial. I see a lot of respect and affection for one another. I bet they both mentor each other, which is very, very special.
And what I love about the relationship between Joe and the President is that – if you listen carefully – when Joe is interviewed, he starts out using the first person (“I did this”) but then very quickly changes it to “We did this,” etc. To me, that means that President Obama is confident enough to not only let Joe get totally involved in issues and take his own credit, but so much so that Joe has no problem taking credit – before he remembers to share it with the boss. Ha ha.
Hope you followed that, since I wasn’t very succinct!
Co-Sign. During the 2007/2008 primaries my first pick was Joe Biden, but after IA or the next contest he bowed out. VP Joe Biden is the only Senator who is not a millionaire and raising just enough probably to get re-elected. Unlike so many in Congress, he does not serve to get rich and be a millionaire.
Joe was my first pick, too, very early in the primary cycle. I lived in New Jersey most of my adult life and watched Joe on Philly stations all the time, since they covered his efforts as a Senator on behalf of Delaware. Plus, I’m Irish and fell in love with his storytelling a long, long time ago!!!
We need Joe Biden as VP; President Obama needs Joe Biden as VP —- someone absolutely solid with a clear view of reality and a willingness to straight talk. Every President needs someone they can trust to tell them the real story and who has the President’s best interests as #1. We love Joe!
Love me some Joe Biden!
My point exactly. Shallow, empty out of touch with normal people…99% of us aren’t in his stratosphere. Disconnected.
“Ahhhh….shucky ducky as the man would say!” – Herb Cain.
– Is it wrong that I kinda miss him? LOL.
You know, Vero, we all need our stress releases. Mine is a finely crafted Manhattan. If nothing else, Herbert was comic relief of the finest sort.
Completely off topic, but I know I’m in my winter mode when I watch college football ALL DAMNED DAY LONG. Don’t watch American football the rest of the year; but get me to the bowl games and the NFL playoffs and I’m there. Sad in a way, yet comforting.
And, also, too — Nelly still makes music? Who knew?
I with you LL, I only watch the Rose Bowl contest and Super Bowl.
LL you are too funny.
Don’t feel bad. I literally had to FORCE MYSELF to go work outside on an absolutely gorgeous day! In the 70′s…sunny skies…the kind of day we here in Phoenix wait all summer for! And I had to drag my ass outside
I did…I got stuff done in the yard…and it was wonderful! I think its winter hibernating mode. Or, as I call it…Winter midriff spread..
New post here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/30/partners-3/
Must read
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/12/30/video-dear-gop-this-is-who-you-trust-and-admire-really/
I listened today as Chris Matthews ticked off reasons why people would vote against President Obama in November. They included “voting against the guy who is the source of all the divisiveness.” And by “the guy” they mean President Obama, not the GOP guy(s) and gal(s) who obstructed him at every turn and who thought it should be Priority One to make him a one term president. That’s right, Matthews opined that people would vote against the president in order to avoid future rancor against… the president.
He also listed the rabid anti-Obama types, of course, as well as the independents who will swing back to voting Republican, plus the disaffected, disappointed Dems who will either vote against him by voting for someone else or not vote at all. In addition, there are fewer new voters who, as was the case in 2008, would be compelled to vote for that brand new, exciting candidate (because there are none); and let’s not forget the disenfranchised.
Chris Matthews is so bored with himself and his job. He and his coworkers have to manufacture controversy to make their employment palatable.
And we are devoting a lot of talk about the Vice President spot on the 2012 ticket. First of all there is not a change and there won’t be any changes. The media is trying to create controversy for the Democrats. It just a ploy to divide the votes. Now that we reconciled our differences in 2008 they are not happy.
Just why would President Obama give himself an unnecessary headache by replacing VP Joe Biden.
If HC could be VP the media would give her all the credit and none to President Obama.
The reason HC handlers are pushing the VP slot is because she will run 2016. They are trying to position her. She wants the presidency, rather her people wants it for her.
Just donated again to Barack Obama campaign. Now I’d better get busy deciding what to wear to dinner with the two of them!!!!!
Here is an article that might help to explain why Mitt Romney is not releasing his tax information. He is probably only paying 14% to 15% on taxable income.
Crooks and Liars – http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/no-mystery-about-romneys-taxes-and-tax-plan