Symmetry required it: 2012 american general election thread #2

One of the things I've often thought about is if the postwar domestic political climate would have been at least a little less volatile if FDR had coddled Hoover a bit instead of saying shit like "I'm not Jesus Christ -- I will not resurrect Herbert Hoover." Hoover had great sway over Robert Taft and that isolationist wing of the GOP.

basically no two 20th century presidencies have more myths, shibboleths, and cliches stuck to them than Carter and Hoover.

Franklin D. Roosevelt blasted the Republican incumbent for spending and taxing too much, increasing national debt, raising tariffs and blocking trade, as well as placing millions on the government dole. Roosevelt attacked Hoover for "reckless and extravagant" spending, of thinking "that we ought to center control of everything in Washington as rapidly as possible." Roosevelt's running mate, John Nance Garner, accused the Republican of "leading the country down the path of socialism".

yeah this is fucking hilarious.

wait - not even kennedy and reagan?

Obama has a head start on the 21st. (xxpost)

Most liberals I know are cool on Carter's presidency -- at least I don't hear much praise or defense of it -- but revere him for his post-presidential exploits and for being such a loveable kind-hearted old man.

Seriously the Romney campaign is just throwing stuff on the wall to see if anything sticks

Gonna be a cwazy fall

photo avails of romney rolling up his sleeves and pitching in at the Cigna boardroom in Hartford

He's kindhearted only when not uninvolved with politics, in which he's as obtuse, irascible, and ungrateful as usual.

I'm waiting for someone to produce a convincing fake Kenyan Obama birth cert

(or start peddling them on the Romney/Ryan campaign site for $2K a pop)

"You guys probably loath Carter as much as we do George H.W. Bush."

ha we don't have your hysterical contempt for the defeated bro

eh I think your average dem cares about carter as much as your average republican cares about hw, which is 'not really very much'

it's a personal thing but Poppy Bush is so less loathsome than Carter.

I want my mass murderers to be less sanctimonious, I suppose.

I don't even think it has to be a personal thing, lotsa reasons to believe hw wasn't as bad as carter

Well, even as a yellow dog Southern Democrat, I know which one-termer born in 1924 I'd kick it with.

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/cmsimages/articles/2005_Articles/Cotta_2/Cotta_Carter_55_600.jpg http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01384/Bush_Snr_and_Pups_1384851i.jpg

and of course:

http://gawker.com/5942058/pizza-shop-owner-who-bear%20hugged-obama-facing-boycott-threats-from-angry-republicans

Pizza Shop Owner Who Bear-Hugged Obama Facing Boycott Threats from Angry Republicans

i wouldn't fuck with that dude honestly

The mission of the Van Duzer Foundation is to assist families and individuals in St. Lucie County Florida, who are experiencing financial and personal hardship brought about by unforeseen crisis or tragedy.

http://thevanduzerfoundation.org/

Not only did he hug Obama but he selflessly helps the sick and the poor. So that's two errors in judgement to Republicans. This guy is a small business owner, and a boycott could really hurt him. Yelpers are really going to town with the single-star reviews. It sounds like he's helped a lot of people in Florida, hope they got his back, and hope he gets through this ok.

the right of the people to pizza and bear hugs, shall not be infringed.

can a piano fall on Bob Woodward already?

Wow

People want to fuck his shit up because he hugged Obama, really?!

And is an announced republican voting for him.

You break the rules of the tribe, the tribe will come back at you.

There should be a Kick a Florida Republican in the Nuts booth at every (blue) state fair. Hell, at every state fair; just say he's a Florida Republican who's voting for Obama.

Here's the big takeaway from August's fundraising numbers: The president, despite his own warnings, will almost assuredly raise more money than Romney this presidential election. Obama and the Democrats have now raised $689 million this election cycle. Romney and the GOP have banked $613 million. Obama, who like Romney rejected public funds for the 2012 election, is on track to match or beat his record-setting haul of nearly $750 million in the last election, but will likely fall short of the $1 billion once suggested by anonymous Democrats.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/romney-losing-presidential-campaign-donations

That's not counting Super PACS, though?

in soviet russia super pac counts you

I'm under the impression Super PAC money doesn't count at all towards these totals, since the candidates aren't supposed to coordinate with the SP or whatever. Isn't all of that more or less mystery money?

Money? What money? I don't know anything about any Super Pac money, whatever that is.

fwiw the article linked does note that its omitting super pac money, just thought the piece was a good counter point to the omg romney outraised obama for three months straight coverage weve been seeing, and while super pac money is def a big deal on a dollar for dollar basis i dont think anyone considers it as effective as cash given directly to the campaigns

graphz http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/09/11/obama_s_election_lead_it_s_because_the_economy_s_doing_well_not_despite_economic_problems_.html

ok let's kick this one around

http://www.samefacts.com/2012/09/humor/wanted-a-reason-for-preferring-romney-and-ryan/

Wanted: a reason for preferring Romney and Ryan
by James Wimberley

Brad Plumer discovers that poll respondents preferred Obama to Romney in ridiculous scenarios :

In a ship in a storm, who would you rather have as captain, O. or R.? (Obama won 46 to 43)
Who would you prefer to have care for you if you were sick, O. or R.? (Obama won 49 to 36)

It’s not too difficult to imagine situations, involving beer, Stetsons and barbecues, in which one might prefer G.W. Bush over Barack Obama. But here’s a challenge to RBC readers:

Construct a scenario in which your personal preference would be Romney over Obama, or Ryan over Biden.

Josh says:
September 11, 2012 at 8:38 am

Ryan over Biden: Who would you prefer to see in a gay porn video?
Reply

Andrew Laurence says:
September 11, 2012 at 9:34 am

Or a straight porn video for that matter. Good call!
Reply

I need advice on how to squirrel away millions of dollars off-shore--Obama or Romney?

There are probably lots. Relevant to the presidency, maybe not.

i think if i was lost with a broken ankle somewhere in utah i'd rather have romney go ask for help

"if you don't get rid of 300 pounds of jello by the end of the day, your boss will fire you...but you can only invite one man, and his extended family, to help"

Meanwhile:

http://www.katu.com/politics/Pilot-killed-in--169328636.html

Don't panic!

Construct a scenario in which your personal preference would be Romney over Obama

Advice on dressage horses?

Hiding money in an offshore account?

Reminiscing about Michigan trees?

determining the proper height of trees

Communicating with moisture vaporators.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpshttdIbC1qeslf7o1_500.jpg

Also: any scenario involving rubber gloves.

"LET ME SEE YOUR FUDGE"

AP: Paul Ryan To Begin Airing TV Ads For His Wis. House Seat

lool

I was wondering if he was running for that as well.

Symmetry required it.

When was the last time that happened, Lloyd Bentsen?

Didn't Biden run for the Senate again in 2008?

Lieberman.