President Obama waves from his motorcade on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City, May 10
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Daily News: …. Tama Winograd, a member of Studio City/NoHo/Valley Village for Obama, had entered a drawing by the campaign in hopes of winning entry to the fundraiser.
She didn’t win, so instead she held a ValleyForObama.com sign along Obama’s motorcade route on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
“I would’ve fainted seeing George Clooney and the president at the same time,” said Winograd, a Valley Village resident. “I would’ve been a puddle of goo.” 
More here
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Text of the President’s remarks at the George Clooney fundraiser here
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People wait for President Barack Obama’s motorcade in Los Angeles, May 10. Obama was attending a fundraiser at actor George Clooney’s home
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Thanks Squarepeg
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Greg Sargent: The Romney campaign and some on the right are having a grand old time blasting Obama for supposedly saying late yesterday that he ”forgot” about the recession. Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul claims Obama has “now admitted that he’s forgotten about the recession.”
This is an absurd distortion. But it’s worth dwelling on, because it says an enormous amount about what this presidential camapign is all about.
Here’s Obama’s actual quote: “It was a house of cards, and it collapsed in the most destructive worst crisis that we’ve seen since the great depression. And sometimes people forget the magnitude of it , you know? And you saw some of that I think in the video that was shown. Sometimes I forget. In the last six months of 2008, while we were campaigning, nearly three million of our neighbors lost their jobs. Eight hundred thousand lost their jobs in the month that I took office. And it was tough. But the American people proved they were tougher.”
…. What Obama actually said, of course, is that sometimes he forgets about the magnitude of the crisis that hit before he took office and continued into the early months of his term. The irony here is really rich: It’s actually the Romney campaign that is heavily invested in getting voters to forget the magnitude of the crisis Obama inherited.
More here
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CNN link
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Glenn Kessler (The Fact Checker): Mitt Romney’s claim of credit for the auto industry turnaround…. What should we do when a politician keeps repeating a Pinocchio-laden claim — or even makes its worse?
….. Given the likelihood that discredited claims will be repeated — often — in this election cycle, we are going launch a new category called “repeat offender.” We still have to create a graphic, but in the meantime we are going to increase Romney’s Pinocchio rating for his auto bailout claims from Two to Three Pinocchios.
Romney has been consistent on his position that a managed bankruptcy was the best course of action. But he keeps digging a bigger hole for himself when he claims that the path he recommended — which included no public assistance — would have been successful from the start. Both Presidents Bush and Obama rejected that advice, and there is little evidence the industry would have survived without the breathing room provided by public funds.
More here
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Smart 
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1:15: President Obama departs Los Angeles, California en route Reno, Nevada.
2:30: Arrives in Reno.
2:50: Meets with a local family.
3:10: Delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List’.
3:50: Departs Reno, NV en route Joint Base Andrews.
8:25: Arrives at the White House.
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Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address to graduates of Virginia Tech today – CNN have it listed for 12:0 ET
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Hey, I remembered, it’s Friday 
Morning everyone
GM, folks!
great round up Chips. Where is everybody?
We are waddling in, joints creaking!
Morning Pamela, morning everyone
Pamelabrown, #1!
You’re # 1 too, Pamela (same time stamp)!
Oh, ha! I know it was you, tho, as top thread already showed 1 comment …. Second is good.. I like it, specially when 2nd ends up in 25th place later on!
Good morning all.
Congrats on 1st Pamela.
Thanks, Suzette! GM, TOD family.
Anyone else think this week has been a long, strange trip? I’m thinking of “The Grateful Dead” song!
Hi Suzette!
Hi Pam.
#2?
Eleventy-eth ?
Morning to y’all. Off to the C.U. to earn my keep. I put data in fields and other fields get data from…..uuuh…..it’s fascinating. Good to have a nice job in a nice plave though!!! Have a good day folks….
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{CHIPSTICKS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
1st!
Are you Mitt Romney?
dwl. Good one, but I am sure Don would never want to be Willard.
Willard doesn’t seem to want to be Willard.
Good morning everyone
Does anyone else think the Republicans are a set of hypocrites on gay rights?
This morning Joe Scar… is there lamenting that the President did not do or say anything momentous because, the States, Dick Cheney and blah, blah were always for gay marriage – but what Joe and the others do not get and still do not get is that no other President of the United States has ever come out while in office and said he believes gays should be able to get married, am I right or did I miss something?
Suzette, you are fine. They are the one’s with a lot of missing marbles!
Good Friday morning everyone.
They revel in being blatantly stupid and hypocritical.
I wonder when someone will ask if and when Dick Cheney visited North Carolina to campaign against Amendment One?
Yeah. Dick Cheney told his party to stop getting votes on gay wedge issues in 2004.
I wouldn’t be able to say goo-goo, but i entered any ways.
I was over there talking to myself again…I might never be FIRST again:)
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-romney-and-pranks-20120510,0,918743.story
snip/
Romney’s actions make up the whole of his character. And in this case, whether he did it or didn’t do it or can’t remember, he should be, today, nothing less than mortified at the idea of anyone doing what his former classmates told the Washington Post he did.
But sensitivity is not Romney’s strong suit. This is the man who, as a Mormon lay leader, according to a New York Times report, showed up at a hospital once to confront and warn a woman against having an abortion — which her doctors had advised her to undergo — when she was being treated for a dangerous blood clot. And this is the same guy who tied his dog in a crate on the roof of the car for hourslong family road trips years ago. Even there, he couldn’t muster any regret. Asked by ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer if he would transport his dog like that again, he chuckled and said, “Certainly not now with the all the attention it’s received.”
Those gardeners? I’m running for office for goodness sakes!
I find it really hard to believe that Mitt doesn’t remember or that 5 guys would lie about it. They were around 18 years old. If you did something really mean to someone in high school like take a pair of scissors and cut their hair while others held that person down, YOU WOULD REMEMBER. Those things stay with you – whether you were on the receiving end on the going end.
Also, I heard on LO’s show that WaPo has been working of this story for weeks and the Romney’s knew about it. Remember when they gave that interview and Ann caught grief for wearing a $1000 t-shirt? Remember how she kept talking about how Mitt was just a wild & crazy guy, while laughing. And how she said he’s still this crazy guy on the inside…hahahahaha. Well all that was an attempt to give some cover for the story they knew would break big time about the assault on his high school classmate. In addition, it’s being reported that Mitt’s campaign asked some guy who was at the school (I think his name was Stu White but definitely am not sure about the name) to defend Mitt and he refused.
Maybe he doesn’t remember it because he did nasty things so often that one event just blurs into another.
veryslowwriter you hit the nail on the head!!!!!!!!!!
FIRST.
You’re as honest as Mark Knoller, Collegekay!
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-10/obama-versus-romney-offers-a-clash-of-capitalisms.html
We can already see the next six months in American politics: Tit for tat. Blow for blow. You’re Richie Rich. You’re Jimmy Carter. This is what presidential elections have been about since 1800. The only difference is that we have YouTube instead of the Pony Express, so the noise is louder and more constant.
But discerning voters need to understand the deep philosophical distinctions between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama even if they don’t lend themselves to campaign slogans or barbs.
Labels such as “conservative” and “liberal” are worn out. “Right-wing” doesn’t fit Romney, who describes himself as “severely conservative” but isn’t a wing nut. “Left-wing” is an inaccurate description of the president, whose most “leftist” initiative — Obamacare — is modeled on plans proposed by those noted Bolsheviks Bob Dole and Howard Baker.
A more useful distinction may be between venture capitalists and human capitalists.
Ryan, Cantor, etc. — including Romney — are not Republicans, they are Corporatists.
I am now officially using that. I will forever say gop/corporatists when I blog.
Just added this to the post – Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address to graduates of Virginia Tech today, CNN have it listed for 12:0 ET but will check to see if that’s right, I don’t trust their flippin’ schedule! Added links to the post.
The Press is making a big deal, out of Willard the Bully speaking at Liberty University.
Well, who would you rather watch? Willard the Bully, or Michelle the Fabulous?
OOoooooooh Jovie, that’s tough choice!
jovie141, you know me. You know darn well I would rather hear Mitt. Forgive me I did a Mitt Romney. I lied.
Mrs. Michelle Obama…..our FLOTUS
Good morning Chips and everyone else.
Can someone help me with this?
Is it true President Obama could put an end to preventing the interest on new Stafford guaranteed student loans from rising on July 1 from 3.4% to 6.8% with a simple order to his Education Secretary Arne Duncan? What kind of authority does Arne Duncan have to do this?
Thank you and have a nice day
Morning relellit – edited that, sorry, no Firebagger links here! Have a great day.
Thank You chips
I’m still learning. Didn’t mean any harm. I just don’t understand how Arne duncan can solve the problem.
No! Congress is in charge of anything to do with Money.
Why don’t you take your bullshit troll concerns somewhere else.
Don, relellit is not a troll, she’s been on the blog for ages. I only edited because I just don’t want PBO-hating Firebagger sites linked here.
I hear ya. I actually clicked on The Nation this morning. I’m going to take a bath in bleach.
It was so depressing. I need to shake it off since it’s too early to have a margarita.
“I need to shake it off since it’s too early to have a margarita.”
Enlighten me on the Nation? Our team is using a subscription as an identifier to register voters.
The Nation has been a progressive beacon for over 100 years. I have been reading it my entire life and while it’s been easy to boycott new kids on the block like dkos or tpm, The Nation is a progressive institution. I put up with their PL stuff aftrr PBO got elected. I started to ignore the emails.
I could not ignore the article by Eric (?) Kim where PBO ‘s statement wasn’t enough until he pushes harder, for more, right now. PBO was deficient. There was some pushback but the comments were overwhelmingly horrific. They care more about personal affirmation than they do progress, no matter what the destructive cost to real people if PBO loses this election.
Hit send too early. Because I want everyone to make their own decision. The idea of The Nation not existing would be tragic. They are PL and I can’t read them right now. I’m not sure if they are helping or hindering. People have to make their own choices.
57and female I am with you…I stopped reading The Nation awhile back…and since Melissa Harris Perry has her own show I didn’t see the need to continue to get upset The Nation anymore (well for now at least).
Chris Hayes, Eric Altermann. I hadn’t seen Eric Altermann much until a few weeks ago, and he’s PL all the way. The rigidity with which they defy the damage they do is frankly astounding to me. It goes against everything that liberalism means. I cannot abide people living in comfort who ignore the damage they can inflict with rigid views, from any persuasion. But the left should know better.
I apologize to relellit and to you, I went overboard, please accept my apology.
No worries at all Don, I lose my head at least 86 times a day – usually here
Don no problem your apology is accepted. I am an Obamabot. I am very proud of my fellow Chicagoan. I saw this online and got so mad. I trust the professionals here since I’m not one.
Nope. Congress passed a law reducing those loan rates. Congress is the one with the power to stop the interest rates from hiking up. This is not in Pres. Obama’s jurisdiction. If it was, he would have already issued an executive order as part of his ‘We Can’t Wait’ campaign.
utaustinliberal
I thought the same thing; but since I’m no attornery I firgued this was another BS story from a far out lefty who thinks s/he knows more than our President.
If that were true, I’m sure he’d do it.
L3
I thought the same. If it were true; I can say with certainty President Obama would do it because he cares. Unless, there was some type of other condition.
Thank you everyone.
Absolutely not true! The President cannot issue an oder to overturn a law passed by Congress. Only Congress can do that. I used to think that ignorance was the monopoly of the far right, but lately the so called purity progressives have shown that they are just as capable of peddling ignorance as the right wingers.
JP Morgan Loses $2 Billion in Massive Failed Effort to Exploit Volcker Rule Loophole
By Matthew Yglesias
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/05/10/jp_morgan_volcker_loophole.html
Jamie Dimon thought he was smarter than Pres. Obama. I heard this news yesterday. In trying to exploit the rules, they made a huge gaffe that cost them $2B in market trading losses in Q1 and could take an additional $1B to fix. Plus, the numbers and losses for Q2 are expected to be volatile. When Wall Street Reform was going into place and after it had gone into place, I saw Dimon all over the airwaves saying the derivatives market could take care of itself, that Pres. Obama was overcorrecting, that the regulations were an overkill, behaving as though he was smarter than Pres. Obama when it came to issues such as protecting America and the world from another financial meltdown.
Well, hubris goeth before a fall. How’s that humble pie feeling now Jamie? You arrogant twerp.
And All Banks ate against Volcjer Rule, which is just coming online.
Question-? Did Jamie Dimon jump the Gun, because of the Volcker Rule?
Did he think he could bend rules one more time before that rule came online?
Of course he did?
Lawdy,lawd that Jamie Dimon is some businessman.
He’s clearly in the Romney league of businessmen!
Good article Desertflower. Thanks for the link.
Sometimes Alter leaves me scratching my head, and sometimes he gets it right. He got it right today.
My sentiments exactly.
photo/1
Ok. Where is my picture now ? Something in yellow ? nudge,nudge
That was a stunning picture of our First Lady…I see that left a lasting impression on you
Ah ha, if you’re ever first I’ll know what pic you want. Not that you’re ever first
Purrfect.
I love those Obama words. That’s Obama, and that’s the campaign right there.
My Sister works at the Public Library, in Cearwater, Fl. Well, they had a Union Meeting last night, and word has it, they want to Privatize all the Libraries in Florida, State Parks and Rec Centers!
Speechless!
Of course they do! Those folks in FL better be paying attention! My son graduates from hs shortly, and my parents are coming out….they live in FL…I WILL be having that conversation with my dad!!!!
Good! Most Seniors down here are very uninformed and scare easily. Most don’t know what is going on, sadly!
I know. Same thing happens in AZ….why do you think Arpiao is the sheriff? Scared old people.
The “Mitt Gets Worse” video is good.
I like the LGBT poster. Too cool.
Very nice cartoon
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380208_432713046739367_169964663014208_1625553_1756396865_n.jpg
Beautiful cartoon, Squarpeg. that might be my new avatar.
Excellent toon.
Ooooh, LOVE that! Thanks Squarepeg, added it to the post.
This took my breath away.
Chips, you can ban me if you want to. But I don’t come here to hear complaints about President Obama. People know goddamn well what he’s up against, and if some people want to come here and ask stupid ass questions, then they should get a stupid ass reply.
Don, why would I ban you?! All I’ll ask is that you be a little politer to regulars like relellit
Will do.
Don, let me make myself clear. I wanted to challege the guy with facts who took me to that link. I searched and couldn’t find anything.That was why I asked. Being a Chicagoan, I know my ex-senator and President’s heart. But, like I said; I thought perhaps there was a restriction/ condition that had to be worked out first. Or the President was waiting for the right time to drop the hammer.
You’re okay with me Don. That link ran my blood pressure up too.
Hi, fellow Chicagoan!
I actually appreciate your asking the question. What the firebaggers have done is put out the notion that every issue can be handled through executive order, but they are more skillful than that. They make it seem like they have facts to support it. I hear it about closing Gitmo. When you say that Congress refuses to fund the closing despite the fact this PBO has NEVER wavered from wanting it closed, they go through this song and dance that money can be shuffled once the ‘executive order’ is signed. I’ve heard it about some other issues as well, and now the lie about the student loans. This is now an orchestrated, underhanded tactic, meant to fool their followers that all things can be done by King Obama through executive fiat.
I did not realize it was an orchestrated effort until you brought up this up today, so it is something we need to be aware of.
To the dismay of some here, I will occasionally link to something at dKos. However I only link to stuff that I find really positive and useful. There was a diary yesterday on how votes will actually break down on marriage equality and it was really hopeful and useful, so I linked to it. I will always link to Jill Klaussen and the Winning Words Project, who gives phenomenally good information on how to progressively write tweets and effectively frame our message. If possible, before I link to dKos I will see if I can find independent information to link to instead. That being said, good diarists need to know that we support them. It’s tough out there.
So I, for one, am grateful for you asking the question. I also understand and appreciate Chips not allowing links to FDL, which has no redeeming qualities ever. They are worse than the teabaggers in my mind, because they are misusing progressives for their deranged fantasies and are complicit in helping to destroy this country. Which is what I told The Nation this morning and then unsubscribed. I get their emails and usually ignore them, but the b.s. I read today was more than I could stomach.
Hello fellow Chicagoan;
Jane Hamster is a psuedo T-bagger aka firebaagger. Look at who she and Glenzilla hang out with. I rememeber the links posted here about her, the Dragon Lady Ariana, and Glenzilla. I also saw those expense accounts, cancelled Norquist checks, and pictures of them hanging with their uber rightwing friends. Long before I found the Obama Diary I stopped giving them a click; especially FDL.
We don’t have to discuss this and I really don’t mean any harm. I just find it strange Glenzilla hasn’t made a peep about Trayvon Martin. Yet, he is so concerned about justice ; especially Al Awaki and his son. What a FAKE he is. I can’t stand that troll.
GG is delusional. Truly. Hamster is a crook. I get comfortable here and forget the slime that’s out there.
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers and all. Congrats PamelaBrown on #1
Thanks hopefruit…and good morning to you as well.
OFA gets involved in Wisconsin-
The next election here in Wisconsin is coming up on June 5th — and it’s important to make sure your voice is heard.
For the last year and a half, Governor Walker has divided Wisconsin — siding with big corporations and the super-rich at the expense of working, middle-class families. He’s broken our trust in state government: Too many Wisconsin families are out of work, students face crowded classrooms, and working men and women will be hurt by cuts to health care funding.
We can do better. Together, we’ll work to elect Tom Barrett, who will stand up for all Wisconsinites as governor — and that starts with getting the word out now about what’s at stake on June 5th.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/05/10/scott-walker-recall-obama-campaign_n_1508209.html
Warning- Huff puff…
Must Read and pass! http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/newly-released-video-shows-walkers-divide-and-conquer-strategy-against-labor.php?ref=fpa
This little termite, lying POS has to go. WI voters BETTER finish what they so bravely and rightfully started. They WILL NOT like the alternative!
What day is it? It’s Friday! Good morning everyone!
Ahem CTGirl??? How about congratulating me for remembering what day it is????
I am so proud of you!
.
Have you found pics of those 2 gorgeous guys from last night’s dinner ? Remember to include the naughty mats in your post
. You know how the ladies here get (not me but them). Lol!
Thank you CTGirl, feeling very proud of myself too. No pics yet, but it’s probably just as well, there’d be a mass outbreak of fainting around here
These will have to keep us going:
That 2nd pic is a keeper
Oh YEAH. Be still, my heart.
OMG. Good thing I’m getting ready to take a shower. This will carry me through my day:)
I took a COLD SHOWER:)
So, I’m assuming that the third pic is the one PBO was referring to — the one used for the HOPE posters. Hilarious that George was photoshopped out of it. They look so young in the second pic. It’s nice to see such a good, long, consistent friendship between these two mega-watt men.
Hiya PJ, I never realised that was the photo that the Hope poster was based on – cool!
Well I’m just trying to connect the dots, Chips. In PBO’s remarks last night, he mentioned that the iconic HOPE poster was from an event where he and George were on a Darfur panel and that George had been photoshopped out. PBO’s positioning in this pic (and his age) looks about right….
.
From the transcript of the speech last night, that last picture is the one from the “Hope” poster. Wow. I love the second one especially. They’re nearly the same age, too. Very ambitious age group.
My, my, my.
Thanks for posting the “HOPE” pic w/ Clooney. Again, I had no clue that that was where the pic was taken from. Amazing.
that indeed was the main source of the Hope Poster of PBO. If you followed the case between the artist and AP
That dog looks like he’s thinking, “Do you think he brought Bo?”
Bo is great! I know when I have a bad Day, I come Home and give my Black Lab a hug. It helps!
I noticed that cute doggie right away—–a friend of Bo’s no doubt——a Dog For Obama, as are all smart dogs.
Even though the Horrible Knoller tried to make PBO spending extra time at the Clooney festivities a bad thing, I was happy thinking that he must have been having a fun time, enjoying himself with friends and supporters away from the exasperating atmosphere in D.C.
It was a dumb and completely tone-deaf thing for Knoller to say because only a rude, ungrateful person (i.e. Williard) would rush out of an event where people are contributing $12-15 million dollars for your campaign. You have to stay longer than 30 minutes whether you’d want to or not. It’s just the polite thing to do and I’m sure PBO would much rather spend his time mingling with George and friends rather than wasting his time dealing with the dumb press and the even dumber GOP.
Can you start a Snark Todd?
It’d be hard to out-snark the real Todd, Jovie.
So, another one of these Masters of the Universe had his ass handed to him through the derivatives market to the tune of 2 billion dollars, nice, a fool and his money.
teh stupid is breathtaking:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/the_president_dares_to_defy_fr037282.php
From delving for a short minute into the absurdity at The Nation, then clicking on Washingtom Monthly to see the absurdity from the other side — I am beyond astounded.
My two good lesbian friends have yet to acknowledge PBO’s historic statement.
It’s going to be a long campaign season. I need to work today (a lot!) but then I am channeling my energy into the campaign. Every time I feel myself falling into despair I am going to do something concrete and positive to help stop this insanity, reelect my President and retake Congress.
I still have hope, you can’t even say the word gay in front of my elderly dad. He told me yesterday he doesn’t care what “The Rock” (as he calls him) postion is on marriage equality, he’s voting for him any ways. I think I may have some work to do on other family members though. The many people in the AA community have evolved on marriage equality right along with the President. In 2004 Michigan added a amendment to it’s constitution banning gay marriage. In 2010 Detroit elected a openly gay city council president. Fired up and Ready to Go!!!
Yes.. evolving is something I believe everyone should have the chance to do. I’ve told this story once before: When I was canvassing in 2008 I knocked on the door of a very young woman w/ 3 kids who lived w/ her husband & in-laws.. she stated she might vote for Obama.. but her family was against him because he would ‘legalize gay marriage’. I told her.. he might – but so what? Seriously WHO in our country has ever stood long for not having equal rights? This is a battle that will be fought, I told her, no matter who is President.. because we all expect and will fight for our equal rights. For her that rang true also.. and she and I had a very nice chat and I still hope that she ended up voting for POTUS.
So fired up! Did you see Rev. Al yesterday with the dueling AA ministers? Ends up, the anti-marriage equality guy who wasn’t going to support PBO, didn’t support him in 2008 either!
My 72 year old Catholic Dad says he doesn’t know what the big deal is. Why not just let people live their lives – and be accountable for their own actions. I almost fell over.
Eventually you realize that as PBO checks off those things that people claim to be important to them that those things are really secondary to the contempt they have for PBO. They can not be satisfied because they just don’t like him. Maybe it’s racial, ideological, envy; who the hell really knows? It just doesn’t matter what he does or does not do. This is why they always move the goalposts. Their hostility is rooted in the fact that each time one of their issues is addressed they are left with fewer and fewer places to hide or fewer issues to hide behind and that only increases their contempt because it pushes them closer to the day they have to confront themselves with what really bugs them about PBO and they are afraid they won’t like what they discover.
Imagine how the economy would look if the transportation bill was passed………
The GOP need to be held accountable for slowing down the recovery and doing everything to obstruct it in order to gain power.
GM Chipsticks. GM TOD!
Love all the goodies this early morning
BAM! http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-11/obama-winning-investors-by-49-38-against-romney-in-poll.html
Those 21% who claim to “have no idea” who’s better just don’t want to acknowledge that President Obama is the only one with a reasonable plan for the global economy. And those US investors claiming that President Obama’s policies have cost jobs need to be asked how the “job losses” they speak of (given the 26 months of consistent job growth) compare to the 700,000 jobs that were lost each month under policies that Romney is advocating. They are full of it.
LOVE the motorcade pics and LOVE my fellow Americans who show up to give my President LOVE! Have a great day, everybody!
As Mr. AJ says, Mitt Romney is revealing himself to be Matt Damon’s character in “School Ties”: rich, arrogant, priviledged and a nasty bully. Here is a very short piece that sums it all up, including Mitt’s “apology” :
http://www.freep.com/article/20120510/COL04/120510070/Brian-Dickerson-Mitt-Romney-s-memory-the-Cranbrook-incident-and-the-truth?fb_ref=artsharetop&fb_source=home_oneline
Listen up TOD’ers. I hereby call the dibs on all future first posts. You shall mention “reserved for amk” in all your first posts/ by order amk
Um…PBO just re-hired me and sent me a text saying to let y’all know that he doesn’t like that kind of behavior on his diary.
g’morning and a very beautiful happy happy friday to everyone. Am packing! Sold my house fersure.. now all I need is one to go to.. still looking as the one I’d hoped for went poof rather quickly.
Thank you BWD for transcribing POTUS’ words last night at the Clooney shindig.. I woke up thinking about what a magical night that must have been for all involved.. George & Barack, seriously my two favorite men not related to me- too much handsome for one room
Oh! Sherijr! Wonderful! Congrtulations! Hurray!
thank you so much Pamela
Prayer answered….so happy for you. Have a great time with those grandchildren!!!
thank you.. when I told my 4 yr old granddaughter on the phone yesterday I would be coming soon.. she yelled yippee! She made me cry w/ her glee.. I have never seen her in person- so cannot wait.
Awww…I’m so happy for you!
thank you.. I’m just in love w/ her.. shes so smart and chatty
Well good morning all my O ho ho’s!! What a great getting up day once again! Bonnet tip to GGail and Pamela for their up close and personal experience with my guy yesterday (see, I’m not selfish). I listened to Moanin’ Joke this a.m. and was once again, underwhelmed with his sermon from the mount. Today he called himself a top lawyer, a theologian, and a conservative libertarian, all in one hour. Oh well, that just shows us that Lutz hasn’t been able to focus group any effective talking points lately. They’re all over the place.
LMAO @ “Moanin’ Joke.” Please allow me to use this term in my future posts!
no problem hf
Funny, all these guys pay Lutz huge amounts of money to come up with ways to counter President Obama’s message, I think Lutz may have to discount his rates.
They’re working furiously – trying to manipulate polling data; trying to dominate MSM memes and news cycles.It’s disgusting but they won’t succeed.
Dear Chips Darlin’,
I keep getting emails from wordpress with this message: This is an automated message sent by the WordPress.com subscription service. You must confirm your request to subscribe to a WordPress.com site by reading the details below. I know many of the family were having problems with this subscribe/unsubscribe business and I am a little leary. Is this a different issue…should I go ahead and confirm?
Thanks!
Dakota, after I updated once, and listened carefully to all that went on here, I decided to trash any further email notifications. It seems to be working, but on occasion I hit post comment and am told I’m offline, even tho I’m not. Still trying to figure out how to not lose my comment.
Oh flip, sorry about this Dakota, so many people have been having problems. Has anyone else got that email???
I just delete it.
They are hopelessly screwed up but I must say I love being able to see who has commented on my posts in the upper right of the screen so I can continue a conversation with people. This, for me, is far better than email notifications. The only good thing wordpress has done, IMO.
Me
Thanks everyone! I haven’t been having ANY problems with wordpress and I don’t want to start now. I’ll just delete them from now on.
Happy So-Many-First Friday!! Chipsticks, you really put out grrreat pictures today. TOD is just the best, thanks.Be back later..
Gonna get outside today and enjoy the sun and good 5K run. There’s a couple of squirrels and birdies on my running path that are waiting for the latest news from the PBO front. We high-five each other when there’s good news . After this week, I expect we’ll be chest bumping along the trail.
Ha! they might even chirp louder. LOL how cute
Cookemom, I now have this image of you chest-bumping a squirrel, it will live with me forever.
Ok all you smart ppl. Looks as if the financial reform. Just protected the american ppl. with this jp morgan debacle. They are on their own.
How dare they protect the American people? The nerve…….
Any linky redbird ?
No this is a thoght im having because you dont hear the mention of gov help and the media is not reporting it. It looks as though to me that the financial reform stopped the issue of even asking.
Barack Obama Teaches Mitt Romney How Humans React When They Do Something Wrong
http://www.mediaite.com/online/barack-obama-teaches-mitt-romney-how-humans-react-when-they-do-something-wrong/
A highly recommended read especially now that the pox news is on a vengeance hunt.
Thanks for the link, amk. I have to say though… On the same page something caught up my attention. An article about an upcoming book of Mr. Edward Klein. O.M.G. The title is “The Amateur”. One excerpt mentioned in the article says that Bill Clinton disrespects the president and wanted Hillary to primary him in 2012. Hillary was asking why risk everything now, she had the option to run in 2016 and, was mentioning “loyally” because she’s member of the cabinet and eats breakfast once a week with the president. And Klein reports that Bill would have said “Loyalty doesn’t exists in politics”.
I’m still shaking after reading this article. No doubt the book will make waves.
I remember feeling very uncomfortable last year when there were all sorts of comments in the press about a primary challenge, or about possibility that Hillary would be put on the ticket as VP . I just had this uncomfortable feeling that behind the scenes the Clinton loyalists were playing dirty. Maybe I was right…
Sorry to bring this up here this morning, but we all better be prepared before the *** hit the fan. A book about the Clintons vs Obama just before the election ? The media will be all over it. God.
This has already been called a total fabrication, totally false. Author Klein has a history of writing dishonest trash including former books about Hillary and the Kennedys which were full of “psychobabble” as they were described. Whether he had a “source” or not—-I doubt it because the passage did not ring true at all—– there are still some who cannot leave the Obama/Clinton thing alone, cannot let it go——and continually try to stir up trouble and divisiveness in the Dem Party. I don’t think this is going to cause much of anything beyond a one day flare-up, if that. It’s not believable.
Unless this guy serves breakfast as a butler in either the Secretary of States’ home or the White House, then I take all this with a pinch of salt and a shrug of the shoulders.
That said, I wouldn’t be particularly surprised if Bill actually did beg Hillary to primary the President. First of all, there was a lot of speculation when the Clinton people were all over the airwaves touting that President Obama should get rid of VP Biden and replace him with Hillary Clinton. The noise got so loud that it was deafening, even though the President had already affirmed that he was sticking with Joe – plus, VP Biden has done a fantastic job.
Second, they are political animals, and they do play dirty sometimes. I don’t think the President is oblivious to this, and he’s thick skinned. I do think Hillary values loyalty over all, and I also think that if she’s playing coy about a run for 2016 – then she knows she’ll have the entire Obama team ready to work with her if she sticks with this President and supports him while he’s in office. She will only gain if she does this the right way.
Bill Clinton is an egomaniac. He put his needs over his family’s needs. I wouldn’t put it past him and his cohorts to have plotted behind the President’s back – even though they should know better. And I don’t know that he ever really recovered from the beating he took at the hands of President Obama. But, if he wants his wife to be President one day, then he better tighten his ship and stop leaking information (if that’s what he’s doing) and get behind the President, especially since the President is having to clean up Clinton’s mess. He should just accept the fact that President Obama’s legacy will be bigger than the Clinton legacy – it already is.
I can’t find the Chris Matthews segment on MSNBC website ….only the one about the polls….
Did they bury it ?
Is this the poll you were looking for?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ns/msnbc_tv-hardball_with_chris_matthews/#47346234
Or this one?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ns/msnbc_tv-hardball_with_chris_matthews/#47346231
Go to msnbc.com Click on hardball. In the right column click on most viewed. Scroll to what ever clip you want.
I was looking for the segment with Chris on Morning Joke today that was talked about in the previous thread……
Thanks for trying to help me….
Okay, everyone. This is very serious. When things got very heated around here recently, for the most part I skimmed over, did not comment, and did not enter the fray, so to speak. BUT, I did see that SUE DUVALL SMITH was very upset, tried hard to stay above board, yet I have not seen her back here for days now. We know she has health concerns, and works hard with the homeless, and her birdies are very precious to her. I am a little worried Sue may have been hurt by some of things that were said. Maybe she is away, or has visitors, and I missed noting that. But maybe not. SUE: if you are here, and you are reading, please post so we know you are okay? Bless you!
I missed this, what upset her? I will second your statement.. I hope all is well w/ you Sue and that you’re still with us.. your voice is always appreciated
It was the discussion over SSM, and the bible not condoning at all. Maybe someone more clever than I am can help you find that thread. I feel like it was near the one with BWD”s letter to PBO. Hugs, have a ton of fun PACKING!
having nooo fun packing at all
feeling a tad apprehensive.. but still happy.
I wish her well and hope she comes around as POTUS has.
Sue posted yesterday. Said she loves the President, but didn’t agree with him on his gay marriage stance. Said she would be praying for him and gave love to all. Hope to see her posting again soon.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this. Yes I really hope she comes around, she is a full hearted person and so kind to everyone, I like to believe that she’ll see the true humanity and goodness of POTUS’ stance.
Thank you, PJ, I am on so randomly I know I miss a lot, and seldom have time when I am not so damn tired to go back and read everything. And I never did get a fancy little box which makes me as cool as y’all, so I even miss comments on my own posts. Sue, you will always be part of our family here, we love you. I had better get moving, it is the birthday of the lady I care for, and a good day is ahead, I hope so anyway! Bye everyone, will peep in and out! Love you, Chips!
Good point, Pamela. Here’s another request–let us hear from you Sue.
Hi Pamela,
I believe Sue was upset at PBO’s decision to come out for SSM – not at the heated discussions that took place prior to that. Her last post suggested that she was going to “pray for PBO.” Sue is very religious and she seems to have difficulty keeping religion and law as separate entities. That’s the impression I got. I may be wrong. I would really love for her to remain her and continue to post!
This is one of the downsides of that bully pulpit moment. I was a bit ambivalent about the timing of his announcement (anticipating this kinda hurt from his loyal base, who have religious objections). That’s why I was a bit harsh on bwd and chips for ignoring the political reality of the issue
But the reactions in the past 2 days and the subsequent mittbot tamasha assures me the fallout would not be that great. I am sure Sue will be back. After all she knows that the life has many disappointments.
She made one comment yesterday so I suspect she is at least reading TOD. It is obvious that she believes in her heart that gay marriage is immoral and a sin. I was impressed, however, that I didn’t see anyone attack her for her obviously heartfelt beliefs. I’m sure it is uncomfortable for her that most of us see it as a civil rights issue and not a moral issue. I believe that the Scriptural passages that are used come from Leviticus, which also states that adulterers should be stoned to death and people should be killed for eating shellfish. I believe the Bible can be a guide, but must be understood through the prism of historical context. I was raised Jewish, and was encouraged in my synagogue and at home to question and discuss, which was the basis of the Talmud. Although there is plenty of dogma in Judaism, this approach to religious identity was the foundation of my liberal soul. I am grateful to the rabbis with whom I had many interesting conversations, and my wonderful parents who, although devout, were strengthened by being able to question.
I was born 11 months after my 11 year old sister died of an aneurysm. My mother went on a spiritual journey where she looked at all religions from Buddhism to Catholicism and all Christian denominations and Christian Science. Her journey brought her back to Judaism. I was taught from as early as I could remember to at the very least respect Jesus as a great prophet, to take to heart and action his words of love and tolerance. That the whole world would be better off if we all respected all religions. She did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, which led to fascinating discussions and reading about the historical and contextually spiritual meaning of the Messiah.
Sue was obviously very upset with PBO’s statement. The needs of the country and the world are diverse and complicated and interwoven. We must remain open-minded and accepting of Sue’s beliefs, as well as celebrate the symbolic burden that was lifted off many of our brethren who have lived as second class citizens. There is room for love for all of us. Sue prays for us all with deep sincerity and I for one welcome the strength of her love.
This is a lovely comment.
Thank you for your heartfelt compassion, 57!
We really are a family here. I dearly love all of you. We don’t just say stuff, we get to know each other. What a gift this place is.
Thanks 57andfemale for this beautiful comment. My family is deeply religious. They still can’t figure out what happened to me because I am not religious at all. Like Sue, members of my family always tell me that they are praying for me. In turn, I respect their deeply held Christian beliefs. What has not changed is the love we share for one another.
I’m not religious at all. I am spiritual but I doubt that many would accept the spirituality that I believe. I believe my mother would have. She died when I was 21 and my dad a few years before that. But what they gave me in those short years has been invaluable.
My mother did, however, want me to marry a Jewish boy. She did say that she would support anything and everything I did (I was artsy and unconventional with a gay brother who came out to my parents in the late ’50′s). It was the only thing she wanted from me.
I’m married to a lapsed Catholic. I would assume, however, that she would have embraced the goodness and huge heart of the man I married. My South side Chicago husband and my ‘artistic’ gay brother were the best of friends with never a cross word between them. It was singularly the greatest joy of my life to have them love each other as they did. My brother was 15 years than I. He died December 5, 2000. At least he never had to face the GWB presidency.
In terms of Sue’s comment about praying for PBO — there are so many right wing Christians who throw that around to veil their prejudice. Sue truly means it and I love her and respect her for it.
I am confident Sue will be just fine.
Redstate blogge busts politico trying to blame black voters for amendment-one
North Carolinian voters on Tuesday’s Amendment One vote banning same-sex marriage:
African-Americans voted 2-1 in favor of the North Carolina amendment banning gay marriage Tuesday, but the White House is betting that black voters there and beyond will stick with the president, despite broad
resistance to legalization.
…and that’s it. There’s no backup for that at all in the article. The question is of some interest – African-American opposition to California’s same-sex marriage laws gave social conservatives a completely unexpected victory on 2008′s Election Night – but if there are actual exit polls publicly available then I have yet to see them. For that matter, ABC Newsreported today (May 10, 2012) that there was no exit polling in North Carolina for Amendment One. At all.
see whole article here
http://www.mediaite.com/online/redstate-blogger-busts-politico-trying-to-blame-black-voters-for-amendment-one/
aristac – this 2-1 statistic is not even based on actual NC votes on Tuesday, but was taken from polls done in 2009 and 2011! How do I know that, the RITTENBERG Report used the exact same figure yesterday in one of their tweets and when I challenged them to provide the source for their data – they could not provide the data from actual votes cast in NC, but instead cited two separate PEW polls – one from 2009, and the other from 2011. Here’s a snippet of our conversation:
When I challenged them and they had no way of refuting my points – they then tried to change the subject and gloss over the point.
Apparently, the MSM was given the orders to just spread the false claim that Black people voted 2-1 in favor of the amendment – not based on any actual data from the votes, but from poorly sourced polls going back to 2009!!!
That’s why I no longer believe most statistics I see cited in the media – because they are preying on people’s inability or unwillingness to delve into the data. The media is spreading false information to divide and confuse voters, not to inform.
Keeping them honest (unlike the teann bs). Go hf.
It’s so interesting that the MSM and the PL never mention blacks as part of PBO’s base in ordinary discourse. But as soon as the issue of LGBT rights come up, blacks suddenly become this HUGE powerful influential force that can make or break equality for LGBT.
Never mind that we’ve had 42 non-Black Presidents, Supreme Court and Congress (House AND Senate). Never mind that the state/local legislatures are dominated by non-Blacks. Never mind that the US population is 78% non-Black. Never mind that the largest megamedia platforms (Print and TV) are dominated by non-Blacks
Yet somehow, the focus is on the 12% mostly powerless Black people who can’t even get police officers to tell the truth after a 17 yr old teenager gets shot much less determine which LGBT civil rights are legalized.
It’s quite laughable, yet disturbing at the same time.
HF, that is what the article is saying, that their is no proof to the numbers. I just post a piece of the article.
Yes, I know – thanks.
I was just trying to show you exactly where the false figure originated from and how the MSM decided to use it to spread a meme about Black voters and Amendment 1. Funny that a Redstate blogger of all people decided to go after Politico for this.
Amen HF, Amen,
Hopefruit, I hope you meant 43 and not “42 non-Black Presidents.” Unless, of course you subscribe to the idiotic notion that Bill Clinton was the first Black President. But then again I know some people who insist that Abe Lincoln was really Black.
I will try to find the actual numbers that I read at dKos. I do remember that of the three counties that had the most AA’s, two of those counties voted against Amendment 1. The amendment passed because of overwhelming support in the rural, white counties.
Here was another statistic that struck me: In 2008 90% of CA AA’s voted for PBO. 58% of AA’s voted in favor of Prop 8. So quelle surprise — AA’s can walk and chew gum at the same time and factor in many issues in their vote. In 3 years, we have seen the fastest shift on views of marriage equality of any issue in recent history. Are there MORE AA’s who are willing to help elect Romney and more RWNJ’ than there were in 2008? Seriously? As evidenced by the anti-marriage equality preacher on Rev. Al yesterday, this guy didn’t support PBO in 2008 and he REALLY isn’t going to support him in 2012. So what’s the difference?
I’ll try to find the actual info. But this is my clear recollection of what I read over the last few days.
My impression: By all means, Republicans. Focus on turning AA’s into Romney votes. Please.
57, I remember the diary you’re referring to on DKOS – because I wrote it!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/09/1090039/-The-Media-s-Scapegoating-of-Black-Voters-President-Obama-in-NC-Amendment-1-Vote
Ha! THANKS!
“because they are preying on people’s inability or unwillingness to delve into the data”
Many people should take not of that statement
that should be note
Nice job!
Well done hopefruit! The current U.S. media is totally toxic! Sadly, it’s this mis-information that shape people’s views about politics.
LOL.I wish I could stay, and read some more of these good links, but the backyard looks like a wheatfield………..
Eva Longoria is on The View speaking out for President Obama. Said this is the most critical election, that she is mostly concerned with 2 communities, women and Latinos. She said everything she’s heard from the other side makes her wonder what year it is, what era—-someone suggested 1948 maybe. Joy asked what would happen if Willard chose Rubio for VP, if that could change allegiances in the Latino community. She said her job will be to inform that community that they just can’t blindly vote for a name, that they need to be aware of Rubio’s history and policies which are not in their interest.
Amen Ms. Longoria,
She’s a great spokesperson for President Obama. Elizabeth must have been quite intimidated.
Elizabeth is an airhead.
Mahalos for that, dotster! It’s so encouraging when we see brilliant people, out and about, who are working to help our Nation instead of destroying it.
Eva is fabulous!
You know what dotster3, beginning March of this year, my premium for Senior citizens supplemental health insurance wen’t down $36 a month. I understand this is a result of the ACA. Besides, since last year, I’ve been paying half of what used to pay for prescription medication. For me, Obamacare has truly been a financial “game changer.”
Whoopie! Got 75mins. for lunch and am working close enough to home so I could run home and spy on/harass you guys who keep getting firsts.
Happy Friday again, everyone!
Hey VC! Happy Friday!
Same to you, T! Maybe we can touch base on weekend. Gotta run back to work now. ‘Run’ sounds so athletic, so don’t tell anyone that I’m actually taking the car.
“The 150-person event, held Thursday night, brought in $15 million, from both ticket prices — $40,000 per person — and donations of $3 or more that entered donors into a raffle to win tickets to the event, according to the Los Angeles Times. Tens of thousands of donors contributed an average of $23 in hopes of winning a ticket, the LA Times reported, raising almost $10 million for the campaign.”
Woot woot. We all are a fundraising juggernaut. The dinner made $5 mil which is good but not earth shattering. We made the rest. Hurrah for the small guy. : D
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/11/george-clooney-obama_n_1508850.html
This is excellent news! I can’t wait to hear how the two winners and their husbands survived the encounter with those two gorgeous men.
Must read from Shrum
Whoops——here it is
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/227887/obamas-gay-marriage-endorsement-is-a-moral-and-political-win
Just what I thought before he came out and what I’m even more certain of now. This thing will not lose the election and it may very well win them.
Amk for obama I knew i was on to something. Go Potus morgan-chase-regulators-20120511,0,3897661.story
Hey redbird, that link isn’t a link. Can you repost?
How dare Obama serve the people and not our corporate overlords??
Yes ! give me a minute
Here you go liberal Librarian. http://shar.es/2iNNF
I smell another attack for the campaign. Brilliant.
Kharma is a bitch; time for Jamie and others like him to STFU.
Check out this graph on bank mergers since the 90′s
http://imageshack.us/f/35/bankmergers.jpg/
MITT ROMNEY WANTS TO REPEAL DODD-FRANK – (WHO NEEDS THE VOLCKER RULE?)
Rolling back the clock on Wall Street
By Steve Benen
—————————–
Indeed, Romney not only wants to scrap the entirety of Dodd-Frank, created after Wall Street recklessness nearly collapsed the global financial system in 2008, the Republican also wants to eliminate Sarbanes-Oxley, created after the 2002 accounting scandals, including Enron.
At a certain level, this seems like political suicide, though the Republican clearly doesn’t see it that way.
Just four years after Wall Street pushed our financial system to the breaking point, Romney is effectively telling the public, “Vote for me so I can roll back the clock and make things easier on the Wall Street elite.” It’s anti-populism at its most craven.
—————————–
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/11/11659290-rolling-back-the-clock-on-wall-street
Chips, I accidently typed (CC) in front of my email address and got sent directly to moderation. Please rescue me. Thank you Dear.
I’m about to listen to FLOTUS at Virginia Tech.
Hey Chips Chica, I’ll have to head back to work soon, so will you please hurry up and post the ‘heads up’ thread so that I can register ‘FIRST” before I go?
Your BFF, VC
Has FLOTUS spoken at VA Tech yet? I’m on the website and a woman is singing.
Not yet ut.
Ok, can I say that Tweety’s “Let me finish” segment gave me leg tingles?
Completely OT: if you are a fan of Burn Notice, please go vote for the new opening title sequence: http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/fanvote/
Gentle reminder: PBO is also scheduled to give the commencement address at Barnard College (Columbia U affiliate) this coming Monday May 14 at ~ 12:30PM.
Ok…Does anyone see Mark Warner speaking now at VA Tech? That’s the right link right? I’m watching the correct thing?
Hi all.
Yep I was watching that. What a great speech he made. Very warm. Now FLOTUS is on!