Polls, Bengazi-gate, Romney's 47%, Harry Reid & DNC Part 2

In this post:

1. Polls

2. “The 47%”

3.  “Bengazi-gate” & “Bumps in the Road”

4. Harry Reid & “the Face of Mormonism”

5. DNC Part 2

Polls

While we do need to keep working on the election, I’ve read a number of articles about how biased (oversampling Democrats) some of the recent polling (& media) is, how the undecided historically always break for the non-incumbent, how Romney's continuing to grow his lead over Obama among middle-class & Catholics -- both decisive demographics.  Sept. 23 – one poll commentator said that “the only area Romney is beating Obama is the economy & deficit.”  Isn’t that only the most important issue before us (“it’s the economy, stupid”)?

For the first time this week (Sept. 28), Romney is now polling higher than Obama on handling foreign affairs.  And enthusiasm among Obama's 2008 supporters is waning.  So we don't need to be overly distraught.  The Romney campaign internal polling shows things much more favorable. 

CNN actually ran a reasonable 1-hour biographical documentary on Romney, including his mission in France (interviewed him & companions), his subsequent Church leadership, Bain, race against Kennedy, governorship, Olympics, family, etc. 

Romney and “the 47%”

The Dems have made much about Romney’s off-the-cuff comments at an LA fundraiser, in a surreptitious video.  They take it out of context to claim he won’t care about the 47% who are die-hard Obama supporters who are hooked on entitlements, expect handouts and don’t pay taxes.  What he was talking about was his campaign strategy – that his campaign is pitched to those who are persuadable, not those other 47%.  Obama also targets his pitches, and both only go to non-battleground states to raise money, not campaign – that’s got to be over 70% of the electorate that Obama doesn’t “care about” in the campaign.  Romney’s always spoken of improving jobs for everyone, getting more off welfare, and that he would care about all Americans as president.  But the Dems are desperate for fodder, with their poor record.

Anyway, who cares how much Obama tells us he cares more about all Americans than Romney?  What has he done for them with this stagnant economy, joblessness, deficits & debt?  What would he do with 4 more years besides more of the same – “forward?”  As opposed to what Romney has shown he has done and can do?  As the scripture says, “...shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:18-20)  Obama has said it’s a choice between 2 fundamentally different paths – right, his is full of “bumps in the road.”

Ryan said that Obama placed us on a path to decline.  Contrary to Obama’s claims, we don’t have an undertaxation (of the wealthy) problem – even with Obama’s proposed tax increases on the wealthy, it wouldn’t pay 1/5^th of the deficit.  The problem is spending.  The best way to address loopholes to be eliminated is not now but openly in Congressional debate – unlike Obamacare’s backroom deals.  [For all of their demands of seeing all our cards on the table, when have they shown theirs?  No budget for 3 years, “we have to pass Obamacare to see what’s in it,” etc.]

Consider all of Obama’s unkept promises (halve the deficit, close Guantanamo, no lobbyists, openness, unemployment never more than 8%, less divisiveness,...).  Romney, on the other hand, as Massachusetts governor made and kept some 100 specific promises.

George Will pointed out that in the recent jobs report, for every job created, 4 dropped out of the workforce.  The actual unemployment rate is over 11% -- depression-level. 

Coki Roberts said that the DNC dwelling on abortion is over the top.

Democrats are the “party of inclusion”???  More the party of pandering and buying off one special interest group after another.

Mia Love (Black Republican running for Congress in Utah) on Huckabee said that this president judges his success by how much money he gets out to communities, not how many fewer are dependent. 

Here is a hillarious video of a 1-sentence (long) summary of Obamacare, by Barbara Bellar, a candidate for Illinois State Senate.  Also on this site are videos of Matt Damon and Jon Voight discussing their disillusionment with Obama.

http://www.conservativevideos.com/2012/09/obamacare-summed-up-in-one-sentence/

“Bengazi-gate” & “Bumps in the Road”

Interestingly, right after my last post (where I discussed drone repercussions & failed Islamic world diplomacy) came the news of the Bengazi embassy killings, which appear to possibly have some linkage to our drone killing of the Al Qaida #2 in Yemen.  Another indication of Obama's failed foreign policies, and lousy response.  On top of no time for Netanyahu when they're on hair-trigger about Iran's nukes -- but after all, campaigning, fundraising, TV appearances & golf are more important to our narcissistic, self-promoting CINC.

The liberal media was all over Romney for his clear and forthright statements shortly after the events.  But he has been borne out, and the Obama administration clearly shown either misleading or inept in blaming it for days on spontaneous reaction to a stupid video, rather than organized and planned terrorism coinciding with 9/11.  They just couldn’t bring themselves to admit that the great healer and uniter hasn’t brought an end to hatred of America and terrorism and made them all love us, unlike Bush.  The political fallout so near an election would be too damaging (and it has been – for the first time Romney is now polling higher than Obama on handling foreign affairs).  And apologizing repeatedly for our first amendment rights – something Obama seems to do well, but never getting the results he expects.  Naïveté and appeasement have never boded well in history for dealing with thugs.  Of course eventually it just became too undeniable, and Obama practically verbatim quoted Bush after 9/11, that “terror won’t dim our light,....and we’ll bring justice to them.”  Amazing what clarity an election thrusts upon him.  

But the lax security at Bengazi, unawareness of the administration and/or unheeding of expressed concerns, is probably symptomatic of Obama’s notorious skipping of many of his daily national security briefings.  Perhaps he just feels he knows better, doesn’t like to deal with such matters, feels now due to his persuasive powers they do love us, or if we don’t use the terms “war on terror,” it will just go away, etc.   And, as many liberals, he unqualifiedly praised the Arab Spring popular democratic uprisings, discounting the concerns of many conservatives of the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic fundamentalists/jihadists who would hijack them, and opportunistic terrorists.  Obama continues to lead from behind on Syria, Iran, etc., just as he would have America do in his (and his father’s and mentors’) vision of a lesser America.

And of course the all-sensitive State Department (US Embassy in Cairo & Secretary Clinton) said “We condemn efforts to offend believers of all religion.”  Really?  Like “The Book of Mormon” musical, or attacks on Romney’s religion by Bill Clinton et al, or attacking Catholic religious practice, or those hicks (e.g., Tea Party) who “cling to their religion”?  Yes, liberals are great champions of tolerance and accommodation and sensitivity when it comes to really vicious guys that threaten you physically.  They are basically just cowardly bullies that take advantage of religious temperance/restraint of those who don’t threaten physical violence.  They reward bad behavior and punish good.  And for all their espousal of First Amendment free speech rights, odd that the maker of the said video has just now been taken into custody, after years of probation issues.

Obama called the recent Middle-East events a “bump in the road.”  That’s the exact terminology he’s used about the recession lack of recovery.  To him all these are just irritants distracting us from the road to utopia.  Unfortunately, he’s driving us down some very bumpy roads, and there’s no confidence they will get less bumpy or head us in the right direction.  We clearly need a new driver to take us on a different road.

The Dems seem to bounce from one issue to another and ignore or forget information.  Romney lays out a 59 point economic plan in the primary campaign, and they say his convention speech is not specific/detailed.  They say no one knows him or feels comfortable w. him, despite the various biographical testimonials at the convention, etc.

Obama complains of lack of details in Romney’s plan??!  And “Hope and change” was specific?  Or his current plans?

Biden’s response to “are you better off than 4 years ago was “Osama bin Laden’s dead, and GM is alive.”  And?  Flat 8%+ unemployment, 26 million Americans (more than ever) unemployed/underemployed, longest & slowest recovery in history, staggering debt, no budget, government expansion, huge increase in food stamps, personal net worth dropped over 30%, gas prices doubled, ....

Harry Reid & “the Face of Mormonism”

Of all the high profile Mormons in public life to say that Romney has “sullied” the religion, and is “not the face of Mormonism,” Harry Reid should be one of the last to cast that stone.  If Reid is truly embarrassed to have Romney associated w. his faith, if he thinks that he (Reid) better represents the faith, or is envious that another Mormon not of his political conviction is getting more visibility for his faith, let him consider these things before he embarrasses himself, his fellow Mormons, and his party. 

I believe the LDS Church espouses finding joy and happiness in life – if a typical picture of Reid is worth a thousand words, what joy and happiness is there in this sourpuss, or his typical sour demeanor?  Granted, Romney is seen as somewhat stiff and business-like compared with more schmoozy/charismatic politicians (a difference between style & substance), although his moments of lightness, humor and others’ accounts of his private life clearly eclipse Reid’s.  And the eyes are the window of the soul – many have commented on the warmth in Romney’s, whereas I see coldness and bitterness in Reid’s (the press chose the most saintly-looking one below that I've ever seen).  The Church espouses keeping ourselves healthy and fit – again, compare this picture w. any of Romney & his regular regimen of exercise, and family recreation, and lifesaving.  The Church espouses honesty in all our dealings, and believes in the commandment not to bear false witness, yet Reid accuses Romney without merit of not paying ANY taxes for the last 10 years – after he’d already released 2 of those years’ returns, and certified taxes all the other years, and tax rates paid. 

The Church promotes fiscal responsibility and self-reliance, and avoiding government doles.  As leader of the Senate, Reid hasn’t passed a federal budget for the last 3 years, despite House budgets passed there, has been accessory to consecutive trillion-dollar deficits (increasing the national debt 50% in 4 short years), as well as unprecedented expansion of government doles (food stamps, other entitlements, reduction of work requirements, growing unemployment, etc.).  Romney is against all of those things, saying we measure success not by the number receiving welfare, but the number we get off welfare & gainfully employed. 

The Church promotes service, and Romney has served faithfully a mission, as bishop & stake president, as Olympics president, governor without pay, etc.  I don’t know the details of Reid’s service, though I don’t believe his Church service compares w. (and certainly doesn’t exceed) Romney’s, and he has/had a law firm (my brother who worked for it for a while had a less-than-favorable opinion of Reid) & been senator.  The Church promotes civility and harmony, and apparently Reid is the Democrat attack dog, and has been totally uncompromising w. the House or Senate Republicans.  Romney was able to work harmoniously with a much larger Democrat majority in the Massachusetts legislature. 

The Church speaks out against gambling, but Reid promotes and benefits by it in Nevada.  Romney’s positions on abortion and gay marriage are much more in alignment with Church positions than Reid’s.  Both believe in caring for the poor and needy – Reid just believes it ought to be paid more out of confiscatory taxation rather than freewill offerings and promoting self-reliance and work/jobs (there are clear Church doctrines on free agency, and the Book of Mormon does speak against oppressive taxation).  And while the Church is not monolithic politically, there is a clear majority (I believe over 70%) who are Republican, which may say something about the alignment of Church values with political values.  Reid is a member of a party that booed God in their convention, and attacks the religious practice of Catholics, etc.  Most Mormons can’t fathom Reid’s cognitive dissonance.

So when Harry Reid says that Romney isn’t the face of Mormonism, or has sullied the religion, how, specifically, and how in the world can he think that he (Reid) better represents it?  Maybe in his own mind according to his liberal interpretation of Mormonism – that of course would go along with liberals’ liberal interpretation of the Constitution that LDS doctrine holds is divinely inspired.  Sounds like Reid has just about as much evidence to support this outrageous claim as he did his claim that Romney paid no taxes for the last 10 years.  The vast majority of Mormons I know are much more embarrassed that Reid is a Mormon.  And up until now, almost every non-LDS I know has been unaware Reid is even a Mormon – maybe Reid’s a bit ashamed of his religion, or relishes his acceptance by fellow liberals as he distances himself from his faith.  Romney on the other hand gave a great speech on “Faith in America” 4 years ago.   

Newt Gingrich said that Reid says anything including lies for power – a despicable person, and a reason for the stalemate in government.

DNC Part 2

Michelle Obama – “We’ve come so far, we can’t afford to turn back now.”  I’d say we can’t afford not to turn back – economically and otherwise.

The Hispanic keynote speaker referenced his mom making the sign of the cross & saying “God be with you” whenever he left the house.  Seemed like a gratuitous, out-of-place religious reference in what was otherwise an often religion-hostile convention.  He spoke of investing more in education for the future – that’s all we keep doing is throwing more money at the teacher unions, and what do we get in return?  More of the same lousy results, college grads who can’t find jobs to pay off staggering college loans that grow due to more money being thrown at them, etc.  It would seem it’s more than just how much money we throw at the problem.  He had the audacity to say Romney doesn’t understand how college kids will be successful/start a business – Romney knows all about that, much better than Obama, and how to create jobs for those college grads, unlike Obama.  He says Romney would dismantle the middle class, but it’s under 4 yrs of Obama that it is suffering more than any other segment of society.  What universe are they living in?

Michelle Obama had a theme of love (copied from Ann Romney’s?).  She said being president doesn’t change who you are, but reveals it – yes, and we’ve had quite a revelation about who Obama is, and it seems to line up with his autobiography, which is really scary – see “2016.”  She said we need to reach back and give others the same chance we had – then we shouldn’t leave them generational debt more than we had.  “We’ve got to keep going to fix this – we’ve got so much more to do.”  Exactly – what they have done has stalled the economy, put is into deep debt, and there’s no indication they know how to fix it – the more they do, the worse it gets.  Of course with their team of leftist theoreticians and no practitioners, and an “amateur” (Bill Clinton’s term) at the helm, what should we expect?  “For Barack, there’s no such thing as ‘us’ and ‘them.’”  Funny, I could have sworn I’ve heard all kinds of class warfare rhetoric, talk of those who “cling to their guns and religion,” divisive political rhetoric and uncompromising (the only ones who are expected to compromise are the Republicans). 

She spoke of Barack’s patience, wisdom, courage & grace.  Right -- we’ve seen his patience w. those who don’t go along with him, his working with Congress, his wisdom in dealing with the economy & foreign affairs, his courage in standing with allies and against despots, and his gracious acceptance of responsibility rather than blaming shortcomings on others.  “Surely we can keep on sacrificing for our kids and grandchildren” – then why leave generational debt, and have unions so intransigent on demanding their full benefits?   “Surely we can give everyone a chance at that great American dream” – not w. over 8% unemployment, inflation, foreclosures, no way of paying college & national debt, etc.  “How hard you work matters more than how much you make.”  They should practice what they preach, and there might be less class warfare, and welfare.

Chris Wallace pointed out that all of the programs and professions she mentioned were government.  And I note that Obama has only spoken of creating 1 million manufacturing jobs – Romney speaks of creating 12 million jobs in all sectors.

Bill Clinton.  “Obama put us on the long road to recovery. [yes, the long vs. short road]  He doesn’t hate the Right as much as they hate Obama. [No, we say he’s a nice guy, and just like you we say, an “amateur,” “in over his head,” misguided Leftist policies, etc.  Christians practice loving the person -- not their errors -- much more than liberals do, as evidenced by the visceral hatred and thuggery they practice]  We focus on solving problems and not fighting all the time.  [But they never solve the problems or they’d be out of business – they keep exploiting them.  And they didn’t fight Bush?  Or fight tooth & nail for Obamacare?]  Republicans don’t compromise. [And Democrats do?  It takes 2 to tango]  One reason to re-elect Obama – he’s still committed to constructive cooperation.  [Commitment and practice/ability are 2 different things, and historically, every 2^nd term president’s 2^nd term has been worse than the first.  Romney, on the other hand, has demonstrated ability to work effectively and accomplish with an 85% Democrat Massachusetts legislature.] 

I’m proud of the job the national security team’s done for America.  [Proud of handling of Iran, Syria, Bengazi-gate, secrets leaked, anti-American sentiment, tipping the Taliban on our withdrawal schedule, ....?]  In Tampa, the argument was, we left a total mess, he hasn’t cleaned it up fast enough, so let’s fire him.  [Much of the mess was due to the last 2 years of totally Democrat controlled Congress, the Dodd-Frank bill, and some excessive spending by Bush.  Obama hasn’t cleaned it up at all, and no improvement in sight, in fact deficits/debt, foreign affairs, etc. are worsening – that’s why we need to fire him.]  Obama laid the foundation for a long recovery.  [Yes, for a very long recovery, if any recovery at all with the looming fiscal cliff due to continuing to kick the can down the road.  He’s called the deficit/debt long-term problems only.  What’s his definition of long, and what is the point of no return despite any delayed ultimate consequence?]  Most people just don’t feel the recovery yet – if you renew the president’s contract, you will feel it. [Yes, more “hope” that never came to fruition in the first term, and we’re supposed to keep holding out for more based on nothing more than a couple smooth-talkers, and one (Bill) a certified liar?]

Clinton went into some questionable job “arithmetic” under Democrat vs. Republican administrations.  Even giving him the benefit of the doubt for the moment, the problem, as stated before, is that Obama’s demonstrated economic and bipartisan record in 4 years doesn’t come anywhere near any of his Democrat predecessors. 

Bill claims the Republican plan kills Medicare by 2016, whereas Ryan points out his plan actually saves it.  The Democrat approach will make it, social security and many other entitlements go bankrupt, kicking the can down the road without reforms, implementing Obamacare, etc.  He said the Obama plan reduces the debt 4 trillion in 10 years.  And we’re supposed to believe that, after Obama promised to reduce the deficit by half in his first term, but actually doubled it?  He harped on how Republican policies increased the debt before Obama – is that supposed to justify Obama making it much worse?  Clinton said he believes these things with all his heart.  And we’re supposed to believe the heart of the guy who lied to us & Hillary about Monica?  Ann Romney’s heartfelt testimonial of Mitt was much more believable.

John Kerry.  “America already is exceptional [Obama hasn’t thought so], and has an exceptional president” [exceptionally bad, yes]. 

Biden.  “They don’t understand that people just want a chance to learn skills for a job.”  [Right, and when there are no jobs waiting for them, no thanks to Obama, after an expensive education, what good is that?  And maybe Obama’s sole focus on college (liberal) education ignores other vocational training.]

The DNC video emphasized “we endure” – that’s right, that’s the only hope Obama really offers, is to endure this lousy situation that he can’t improve.

Obama.  “Biden’s the best VP I could have hoped for. [Pretty poor judgment or low expectations]  I spoke 4 years ago of hope – tested by war, economy, gridlock.  This is the clearest choice in a generation – 2 different paths/visions for the future [amen!].  Ours is to build a stronger middle class [already shown he can’t, and Mitt Romney says & has shown he can].  RNC talked about what’s wrong w. America [no, just what you’ve done with it] but no plan [hah!].  The same old stuff – tax cuts & deregulation – we’ve tried that, we’re moving forward [no we’re not – we’re stuck in a morass and about to go over a cliff].  I never have told you the path would be quick and easy [??? “If I haven’t turned it around in my first term, I’ll be a one-term president”].  The path may be harder, but it leads to a better future [yes, a socialistic utopia].  I’ll create 1 million new manufacturing jobs in the next 4 years [Romney’s goal is 12 million new jobs].  We need to keep investing in wind, solar, coal [I thought coal was out?  Oh, yes, like we need more Solyndras!] 

The choice is to gut education [no, just the teacher unions, and institute parent trigger laws in all the states] or recruit 100,000 math & science teachers over 10 years.  Low cost student loans.  He ended wards in Iraq [Bush’s surge facilitated that], Afghanistan [a mess there] & OBL is dead [Bush facilitated].  My opponent and his running mate have no foreign policy experience [Obama had none when elected.  Romney has dealt with many countries in his business, Olympics, mission, good friends w. Netanyahu, etc. And his stated approach is vastly better than Obama’s].  Romney visited the Olympics & insulted our closest ally [who sent Churchill’s bust back, abandoned/insulted Israel, pulled the missile defense plug on Poland, etc., etc.?] 

We’ll reduce the cost of health care [right – he promised a $2,000 reduction in premiums, and independent analysts have show a $2,500 increase.  Just like his promise to cut the deficit in half, and he actually doubled it.  Take everything he says and turn it 180 degrees to know the truth.  He promised hope, and more people than ever are hopeless now.] 

[Here he goes into a series of statements out of character, for gratuitous effect.  He’s also lately tried co-opting Romney’s critique of China’s unfair trade.  And love of the military.]  “We are endowed by our Creator with rights – not entitled to success, but earned.  We also believe in citizenship – obligations to one another – our destinies are bound together [collective salvation].  America is about what can be done by us, not for us [very Kennedy-esque, but also very far removed from Obama’s actions].  It’s not about me [you know he thinks it is] – you did that.  Like Lincoln, I’ve been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that there was no where else to go.  [We know Lincoln, he was a great Republican friend of ours, and Mr. Obama, you’re no Lincoln].  Reminds me of the scriptures, that ours is a future of hope [yes, such a religious person.  And 4 more years will be years of only hope and no realization].  Keep our eyes on the horizon knowing Providence is with us [a change from his usual anti-exceptionalism?]  God bless the U.S.  [Right, after most voted to take God out of the platform, and after sitting 20 years in Rev. Wright’s church where he preached “God damn America!”]

Spin

Chris Wallace – Obama never explained how the next 4 years will differ from the last 4. 

Brit Hume – several falsehoods like that his opponents say if government can’t do everything, it should do almost nothing.

Charles Krauthammer – one of the emptiest speeches on the national stage.  No specifics – only vision.  Romney had a 5 point plan.