MANCHESTER, N.H. -- It's going to be mean and dispiriting, this campaign. We'll be assailed with talk of "European socialism" and "vulture capitalism" -- not "hope" and "change" -- and the months between now and November will seem an eternity. There's no use trying to gainsay or belittle Mitt Romney's victory here Tuesday. Yes, he might have hoped for a bigger turnout. … [Read more...] about Two-for-Two and Game On
Cagle Cartoons: David Fitzsimmons of The Arizona Star on Mitt Romney’s Firing-gate
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Pullback Beginning on Romney Foes’ Bain Attacks?
Is a pullback now beginning on attacks by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and perhaps others on attacks on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for Romney's role at Bain Capital? It sounds that way. Actually, I figured a pullback would begin once I learned that conservative talker (and Ruler of the GOP in some ways) Rush Limbaugh was blasting it. The Politico … [Read more...] about Pullback Beginning on Romney Foes’ Bain Attacks?
Ahmadinejad and Chavez Agree: ‘Our Weapon is Love’ (El Universal, Venezuela)
Is it the United States - and not Iran or Venezuela - that the world's people need to worry about? According to this news account by María Lilibeth Da Corte of Venezuela's El Universal, the arrival of Iran President Ahmadinejad in Latin America has begun with a Venezuelan 'love fest' of sorts, with lots of spicy language about the United States. For Venezuela's El Universal, … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad and Chavez Agree: ‘Our Weapon is Love’ (El Universal, Venezuela)
Amnesia or Forgiveness? American Voters’ Disregard of Ethics Violations
Robert A. Levine 1-11-12 In the current Republican presidential primaries, Newt Gingrich has garnered significant levels of support despite past ethical “missteps.” He was involved in the House banking scandal with bad checks in the late 80s and early 90s. The House Ethics Committee levied a $300,000 fine on him in 1997 for using non-profit organizations for partisan … [Read more...] about Amnesia or Forgiveness? American Voters’ Disregard of Ethics Violations
Yes, It’s Legalized Gambling
And it reflects ills far more insidious than the current GOP presidential contest. A Wall Street Journal analysis of Mitt Romney's days at Bain Capital (1984-1999, the "greed is good" ... "Bonfire of the Vanities" ... pre-dot-gone era) reminds us that investment banking (and the far-too-often vaunted stock market) is simply a legalized form of gambling: The Journal … [Read more...] about Yes, It’s Legalized Gambling
Anti-War Vote in New Hampshire?
After all the demographic slicing and dicing, the final primary figures disclose one New Hampshire result pundits are ignoring: The only two candidates who unequivocally want to take us of out of Afghanistan and most of the Middle East muddle now, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman, together received 39.8 percent of the vote to Mitt Romney’s 39.6 percent. In contrast, Rick Perry, who … [Read more...] about Anti-War Vote in New Hampshire?
Romnevitability
The Romney machine is rolling now. After barely surviving that eight-vote squeaker in Iowa, the Mittster rebounded by throttling the competition in New Hampshire. The man with the granite jaw won the Granite State with a convincing 40 percent of the vote -- equal to second- and third-place finishers Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman combined. Sure, Ron Paul won the independent … [Read more...] about Romnevitability
New Hampshire As Bellwether: Are The Times Changing? [updated]
As expected, Mitt Romney skated to victory in New Hampshire on Tuesday. In the process, he "became the first Republican to sweep the first two contests in competitive races since 1976." New Hampshire was a leading indicator of who would get the nomination and possibly the White House until 1992. That's when Bill Clinton made history by being the first presidential … [Read more...] about New Hampshire As Bellwether: Are The Times Changing? [updated]
Risky Profession: Yet Another Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed
What's a risky business to go into? Apparently one of the riskiest is to be a nuclear scientist in Iran -- since yet another one has been killed: At a time of growing tension over its nuclear program and mounting belligerence toward the West, Iran reported on Wednesday that an Iranian nuclear scientist died in what was termed a “terrorist bomb blast” in northern Tehran … [Read more...] about Risky Profession: Yet Another Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed
Oh Those Silly Republicans: They Were For Capitalism Before They Were Against It
That grinding sound you hear are the tectonic plates of Republican presidential politics shifting. In what direction and how far they shift may determine whether Mitt Romney has a chance of beating Barack Obama in November. That is if he can survive brutal attacks from some of his opponents. Although it was not noticeable, the shift began with the burst of Occupy Wall … [Read more...] about Oh Those Silly Republicans: They Were For Capitalism Before They Were Against It
Is Mitt Romney Now Unstoppable?
Is Mitt Romney now unstoppable? Here's a roundup on this question. … [Read more...] about Is Mitt Romney Now Unstoppable?
Mitt Romney’s Edgy Win
What's interesting about New Hampshire is not Romney's (fairly strong) win but the number of Democratic votes for Romney and the number of independent votes in general. Here's how the Washington Post's Dan Balz sees it: Romney’s campaign advisers are bracing for what they expect will be the nastiest contest yet. South Carolina has a history of negative politics, and the … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney’s Edgy Win
Mutually Assured Destruction
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mutually Assured Destruction
(UPDATED) On Beyond New Hampshire: Why Mitt Romney Is Unemployable & That Includes Being President
Mitt Romney wouldn’t have caught Bin Laden. He would have bought Al Qaeda and fired him. ~ Commenters at DAILY KOS The clashes over class warfare that have bubbled to the surface as the Republican Party scrambles to anoint a challenger to President Obama is a healthy sign that addressing real issues is not completely dead, although the warfare happens to be for the wrong … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) On Beyond New Hampshire: Why Mitt Romney Is Unemployable & That Includes Being President
Great Performers: Mandy Patinkin doing “Buddies Blues” from “Follies”
Many TV viewers have no idea what an incredible performer Mandy Patinkin is. Watch him here doing a live performance of "Buddie's Blues," one of the songs from the masterpiece score of "Follies." The character is having a bit of a breakdown: Here's another great interpretation of this piece, by Danny Burstein: … [Read more...] about Great Performers: Mandy Patinkin doing “Buddies Blues” from “Follies”
Mitt Romney Wins New Hampshire: News and Blog Reaction Roundup
If former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had lost New Hampshire or barely won it would have been a huge news story. In the end, he won and by a sizeable margin. But does this mean he's a shoo in now for the nomination? Or can he be derailed? Is he a candidate who can be appealing to moderates, independents and centrists or has he now moved too far into the Talk Radio Political … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Wins New Hampshire: News and Blog Reaction Roundup
Huntsman Having His Moment ?
Returns from New Hampshire are showing Jon Huntsman in 3rd place, behind Romney and Paul. The question is whether this is his one moment in the sun or if it will carry over. In theory he is well suited to South Carolina but he has not had much of a presence there. I suspect it will be just a flash for Huntsman but I hope he goes futher. His biggest problem as I see it is … [Read more...] about Huntsman Having His Moment ?
Live-Blogging the New Hampshire Primary: Exposing Romney’s Ongoing Weakness
If you’re interested, I’m live-blogging the results of the New Hampshire primary over at my place, looking at the results but also offering some broader commentary about the GOP race. Quick comments: It's all about expectations, as you know, and about that much-overused word, "narrative." And the problem for Romney tonight is that he has nothing to gain and much to lose. … [Read more...] about Live-Blogging the New Hampshire Primary: Exposing Romney’s Ongoing Weakness
BREAKING: Romney Wins New Hampshire
The New York Times, The Washington Post and most major cable news organizations are projecting that Mitt Romney will win the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary -- several say by double digits over number 2, Ron Paul. The New York Times: Mitt Romney has won the New Hampshire Republican primary, projections show, achieving a sweep of the first two … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Romney Wins New Hampshire