Republican Majority

I received a phone call from this very nice man, stating he was from the Republican Majority Campaign, so I knew he wanted to do a survey, and I assumed ask for money.  I don’t think I said what he wanted me to say.  More after the jump…

The Obama Show: State of the Union 2013 Edition

This was the first major speech that I missed our pathetic excuse for a leader give since his first election.  Quite frankly, he’s got nothing new to say, and after giving commentary in red, I realized just how vapid he thinks the American people are.  Okay, so he might be correct, thinking they’re stupid.  They did just reelect him, after all.  However, he’s got no mandate to govern, having received just over half the vote – and govern isn’t really his thing, when he can just campaign for another four years.  He’s drawn the battle lines, if you will, and he makes it obvious in this speech that he has no real ideas, but rather wants to paint his political opponents (particularly those in the House) as the detractors/legislative hijackers.  He hit the high points.  Immigration, gun laws, and the economy.  Nothing new there.  He did have a few “new” bits, but nothing of real substance. 

This was a typical speech.  Change a few of the words, and I’m sure you heard everything in one of his stump speeches last fall.  He used “I” 34 times, “my” 19 times, “fair” twice, “bipartisan” three times, “Democrats/Republicans” four times, and “both parties” six times.  I struck out his sob stories and self-congratulating ramblings.  This thing is a behemoth (19 pages in Word), and not for the faint of heart.  Reading it is easier than watching it, but it takes longer.  However, my television’s mortality is at stake if I watch him, so I’m sure my Vizio breathed a sigh of relief when it learned I wouldn’t be viewing the buffoon this time. 

Read at your own risk, after the jump…if you dare.

In Theaters 13.01 - 'The Hobbit' and Oscar Bait

 

   

Election 2012 Autopsy

Well, that didn’t go well.

I’ll admit it, I didn’t see it coming down to this.  I saw this as an incredibly tight race that we’d still be waiting on results for.  I did figure it would be Ohio that we were waiting for, but to see those results so soon was a death knell for the Romney campaign.

I put no stock in exit polls, and quite frankly I’m too numb to even break them down.  What’s most telling about this election, however, it how wrong all the polls were.  Real Clear Politics (RCP) showed the president leading Romney 48.8 to 48.1 going into the election.  So many people said that those polls were skewed too heavily in favor of the president, because they over-sampled Democrats, when historically, there would be heavy Republican turnout.  But it appears that that RCP average was right-on when it came to support for Romney, but underestimated support for the president by 1.6 points.  That’s big in a national election.  State by state, it’s a different story.  States are hard to gauge.  Just look at the last election.  Some states were off by nearly eight points, so crunching that data was kind of a nightmare.  But to see it break the way it did was jaw-dropping.  It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Romney would carry Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, Obama was likely to carry Michigan and Nevada.  Questions still lingered about New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Colorado; and Ohio was anybody’s guess.  Plus, seeing Romney make a Hail Mary campaign swing through Pennsylvania had many pundits guessing too.  But there was just a sense of pessimism that permeated the mood when Pennsylvania went blue.  When Wisconsin followed suit, it got really glum.  But what was most surprising was seeing the break for the president in Virginia and Florida.  Sure, the microscope was on Ohio, but to see both of those states with Obama in the lead had many (even me) puzzled.  Then things just went from bad to worse.  New Hampshire went blue, as did Colorado and Iowa.  And then the networks called it (and probably had to take horse tranquilizers to contain their glee).

I never had Romney winning this thing.  It would have been nice, but I just didn’t see that happening.  In fact, I didn’t see a Republican beating him, period.  However, what I truly didn’t see is the ease at which he did it.  I saw this thing coming down to Ohio or Wisconsin.  I even thought it was possible for Romney to pull a Gore and win the popular vote.  In the end, however, I was wrong – mostly.  Did I or did I not call New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada for Obama?  Yes, I got Colorado, Iowa, Virginia, and Florida wrong, but what polls indicated smooth sailing for them going into Tuesday?  What really irritates me is what I attribute to false optimism on the part of so many Republican operatives.  Karl Rove, George Will, and the Colorado University political science professor that has predicted every election in the last twenty years, Ken Bickers, were all wrong – and in a big way.  I loathe the idea that one of these thinkers was outdone by the likes of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, but it’s true.  Nearly every poll showed Romney taking Florida, she said Florida would go to Obama.  It did – by 0.6 points.  Vexing, to say the least.  It’s not that I think Democrats were understating their optimism.  I really don’t think they had a clue it would break this way, I think they were just hedging their bets.  After all, Romney had only prepared a victory speech.  Obama had prepared two speeches.

I don’t want to drone on and on about what did what to who and when, so I’ll treat this like a frequently asked questions (FAQ) list.  Then I’ll have a follow-up analysis.  (Full disclosure: I wrote this throughout the day, and it became lengthy, so just bear with me.):

Why did President Obama win reelection?

• $1 billion.
• As Rush Limbaugh brilliantly put it, people would rather vote for Santa Claus than vote to be their own Santa Claus.  That’s really what it boils down to.  When people weren’t voting along party/partisan/racial lines, they pulled the lever for the guy they thought would give them the most free [stuff].
• He focused small, went negative, and compromised his alleged principles to utilize political action committees.  Bain, binders, and bailouts. 
• Power of the incumbency – though, his is probably the weakest case for that argument in history.  He did have a bully pulpit, however. 
• A media embargo on the Benghazi story.  If this had happened under a Republican administration, this would still be running circles on all the media outlets.  But since this was an epic foreign policy failure and a huge cover-up that made the administration look bad at a vulnerable point, the proverbial wagons were circled, and the story buried.
• The death of Osama bin Laden.  Even though it can’t be attributed directly to him, he received most of the credit for getting the infamous terror leader.  That one killing closed a chapter in American history, and Obama seemingly just happened to be in the room to photo-bomb the occasion.
• Bill Clinton.  Somehow Obama gleaned some mojo from the former president.
• I’ll just say it: he’s black.  Black Americans traditionally vote Democrat, but the last two election cycles, they’ve had someone who just happens to share their shade of melanin to vote for – and apparently that boosts turnout. 
• He didn’t expose his leftist agenda for the next four years.

Why did Mitt Romney lose?

• $1 billion.
• A hostile media.  Sure, you could argue that they were more fair to him and Paul Ryan than they were to John McCain and Sarah Palin, but the fact of the matter is, when they were dissecting Mitt Romney’s tax returns and his resume with Bain Capital, they should have been covering Benghazi, Fast and Furious, and Solyndra.  Palin, among others, have called out the media in protecting Obama and attacking Romney early on, likening Romney’s uphill battle to trying to un-ring a bell.
• Trying to be too many things to too many people.  He may have had a sterling resume and be empathetic to boot, but apparently the electorate likes to focus on small things.  He’s rich.  He took big risks in business that didn’t always pay off.  He put the family dog on the roof of their car in the ‘80s.
• He’s a Mormon.  I guarantee you more people voted for Obama because Romney is a Mormon, than voted for Romney because Obama is black. 

Did the Republicans nominate the wrong guy?

• Charles Krauthammer pointed out that we had a weak field from the get-go.  Of them, however, Mitt Romney appeared the most presidential.
• This is how I would have called the other potential nominees against Obama:
• Rick Santorum v. Obama: 42/57
• Newt Gingrich v. Obama: 41/58
• Ron Paul v. Obama: 38/61
• Sarah Palin v. Obama: 41/58
• Donald Trump v. Obama: 31/68
• Rick Perry v. Obama: 42/57
• Tim Pawlenty v. Obama: 44/55
• Michele Bachmann v. Obama: 41/58
• John Huntsman v. Obama: 40/59
• Herman Cain v. Obama: 41/58
• If we had nominated someone other than Paul Ryan for vice president, this is the way I see it having gone:
• Romney/Rubio v. Obama/Biden: 49/50
• Romney/Rice v. Obama/Biden: 44/55
• Romney/Pawlenty v. Obama/Biden: 47/51
• Romney/Portman v. Obama/Biden: 49/50
• Romney/Jindal v. Obama/Biden: 47/52
• Romney/Ayotte v. Obama/Biden: 46/53
• Romney/McDonnell v. Obama/Biden: 48/51
• Romney is not a typical Republican, and nominating someone from the Northeast is always a bit shaky, but he moved right, and that was a smart move.
• Repeatedly, in the primaries, Romney was hammered on being the godfather, if you will, of ObamaCare.  But repeatedly, he refuted that claim and pointed out that his was a state-level mandate, not a federal government takeover of the healthcare system.  He wasn’t the perfect guy to run against Obama on that issue, but he was able to run effectively enough.
• All of that said, was there someone else who could have run a better campaign than Romney? 

What is going to happen over the next four years?

• Continued unrest in the economy and a feeble at best stock market.
• A moral compass adrift.
• A deadlocked, partisan Congress with a president unwilling to compromise.
• An EPA run rampant with out-of-control regulations against coal and other fossil fuels.
• Soaring energy prices. 
• Continued unrest in the Middle East, and a destabilized Iraq and Afghanistan.
• A complete transformation of our healthcare system – for the worse.  And higher premiums.
• Executive orders to boot.  Congress is still deadlocked.  Expect liberal policies to flow freely in this form.
• Who knows, really?  If Putin, Chavez, and Castro wanted Obama to win reelection, that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the world. 

Where do Republicans go from here?

• Don’t give up.
• Don’t let the Democrats make the rules, and don’t let them define us on their terms.  This notion that we’re not an inclusive party is [malarkey].  Ours is the party of Condoleezza Rice, Nicki Haley, Bobby Jindal, Susana Martinez, Marco Rubio, Mia Love, Allen West, J.C. Watts, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Kelly Ayote, Tim Scott, and Ted Cruz.  If you don’t know who all those people are, it’s because the media doesn’t want you to realize that the Republican Party welcomes people from all walks of life.  Oh, and this notion that if you’re gay, you can’t vote Republican; also [malarkey].  Ever hear of the Log Cabin Republicans?  Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean that you’re also attracted to big government, over-regulation, higher taxes, and a weak military.  Sure, the Republican Party is traditional, and their stance on marriage reflects that.  But they also back the notion of letting states decide.  I personally see homosexuality as a sin, but that doesn’t mean I’ll keep them from joining my party.  (I’ll admit it, this bullet point was more of a rant/bunny trail.)
• Take back the Senate in two years.  I said it this year, and I’ll keep the mantra going forward in 2014.  The Senate is about as corrupt as political organizations come.  It is stacked with crusty politicians who have reached the pinnacle of their careers and all they desire now is to hold onto what power they have for as long as possible.  (And yes, this includes both sides of the aisle.)  Ditching Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader is paramount and should be the number one agenda of the RNC going into the 2014 midterms.
• Don’t compromise your principles.  Compromise can be a respectable thing, but not at the expense of your principles.  You saw this on the Democrat side during the ObamaCare debate.  Allegedly pro-life Democrats compromised on abortion to get the bill passed.  As a result, the party is all but devoid of principled elected officials now.  It gets old seeing the Republicans block measures along party lines or pass bills in the House only to see them ignored or defeated in the Senate, but if the Party is passionate about something (like ending ObamaCare), they should vote their principles.
• Don’t forget your constituents.  You came into the political sphere with their votes.  You can exit just as easily.
• Don’t forget the Tea Party.  Sure, it seems like they didn’t quite show up in 2012 like they did in 2010, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with.  Ignoring them will do you no good.
• Reach out to the Ron Paul crowd.  It’s true – the man is a kook.  However, what his rabid followers stand for has more in common with the Republican Party than that of the Democrat Party.  Yeah, they may spit in your face – have you ever had a conversation with a Paulite? – but the gesture will not go unnoticed.

It’s true.  The results put me in a funk.  But I was headed that way before November 6^th.  When President Obama was elected in 2008, I began to see a shift in the country.  Yes, America wanted a change, and that’s just what they got.  But the shift hasn’t been for the better.  Instead, it’s been away from personal responsibility and the ideals that shape the American dream.  It’s been in the other direction actually – where a culture of dependency has emerged, and people long for the easy way out.  This is why you saw the emergence of the Occupy movement – not that they’re a force to be reckoned with like the Tea Party, but it’s just indicative of where we are as a society.  We’re on a short road to becoming more like Greece after this election.

Mitt Romney put up a valiant effort, and while there may have been missteps along the way, his campaign was about as flawless as it could have been.  If half the focus had been put into vetting President Obama as was put into vetting Romney, we may not be where we are today.  However, dwelling on the treasonous acts of the media, the disastrous track record the president has on the economy, and the scary thoughts of the future; the fact still remains that he won – just like I said he would.  It would be easy for me to go home and commit some serious carbicide (cheese fries would be my weapon of choice), but I will not do so.  That would give fuel to the fire. 

Disappointed, I am.  Surprised, I am not.  This is not over, though.  The battle may be won by the other side, but the war is not lost.  I will not surrender the American dream to the leftist ideologues who see America and capitalism as the problem.  It may be an uphill battle for years to come, but it is one that I look forward to fighting.  Eradicating liberalism is one of my life goals, and I intend on accomplishing that sooner rather than later.

I just spent several paragraphs dispelling the notion that a different outcome was possible and what to look forward to in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.  It may get ugly, but I have a hope that transcends the petty nature of politics: my faith in Jesus Christ.  God alone knows what will transpire, and He has a plan for why the election went the way it did.  I may not see it now – like much of His will – but I am steadfast in the knowledge that it is all for His glory.  It was very encouraging to see this sentiment reflected on Facebook and other social media today, after the anger/depression/anxiety/sugar highs wore off.  If you’re still mad about the election, don’t be.  Look to the One that controls eternity, not just the next four years.

2012 Election - Final Prediction

Well, the day is here.  The day I’ve waited for for four (yes, I realize that sounds funny).  Unfortunately, it’s with a heavy heart that I post the following prediction.

I don’t want this to be the reality, but I fear it will be.  I pray that I’m wrong.  I don’t think I’ve ever wished more that I will be wrong, but my gut says this scenario will likely play out.  (Again, thanks to Real Clear Politics for the create-your own map.)

Firstly, though I predict Obama will squeak by a win with the electoral college; it’s almost a certainty that he doesn’t achieve 50% of the vote.  Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t even win the popular vote.  If I had to make a prediction, I’d say that Romney ends up with 48.6%, and President Obama gets 48.5%.  It’ll be that close.  (Though, the fact that I’m breaking this down into decimals shows just how unaware the voting populous is.  This should be a Romney landslide – not because he’s Romney, but because he’s not Obama.)

Second, the reason I predict the map above is due to many reasons.  I took a look at the state by state polls last go-around, and they weren’t very encouraging.  Yes, the enthusiasm is in favor of the Republicans this go-around, but I just see major problems arising for the Romney-Ryan campaign in Ohio and Wisconsin – and they have to pull one of those states to win.  Organized labor (read: unions) are a well-organized, unofficial arm of the Democrat party, and if they can’t outright win the election for their candidate, I see them stealing it for him.  Sure, Wisconsin showed promise with the recall election of Governor Scott Walker, but I don’t see that as enough force behind Romney; despite Wisconsin being Paul Ryan’s home state.  I’ll call both states for Obama, at 49/48. 

I really thought Romney had a chance at this.  That first debate was a knock-out, and he made it through the other two just fine.  Momentum was in his favor.  However, with that blasted storm, Sandy, and the treasonous cover-up by the media over the Benghazi atrocity, Obama stopped the bleeding.  Sure, he looked “presidential” during the storm, but he’s made a mockery of the office in his first term, and an 11^th hour blitz to repair that image somehow worked. 

Regardless, if President Obama is reelected, as I predict, he’ll lack the mandate to lead effectively – not that what he’s been doing the last four years can be classified as “leading”.  If Hillary steps down as Secretary of State, Senator John “F-ing” Kerry is likely to be nominated.  Just sit back and imagine that for a moment.  If you thought Obama’s first term was an assault on the Constitution, our liberties, your wallet, and the American way of life; just wait until the next four years.  With the Senate likely to remain under Democrat control and the House under Republicans’, the gridlock will be perpetuated.  Obama will go on an executive order spree to get his far left agenda passed, since he knows he’ll have no chance of getting it through Congress.  The debt will explode – as if $16 trillion weren’t enough.  Oil prices will skyrocket.   Tomorrow morning, if the newspaper headlines read “Obama wins reelection”, the stock market will tank.  If you’re unemployed, finding a job will get harder.  Oh, and your taxes will go up.  I’m not typically a doomsdayer – I leave that to Glen Beck – but I truly believe that reelecting President Obama will be detrimental to this nation.  Can we survive four more years of him?  Yes, but it won’t be pretty, and it will be an even bigger hole that we need to crawl out of.  Oh, and just imagine if some idiot decided to [for fear of Janet Napolitano, I’ll refrain from using a particular word, and just say “elevate Joe Biden to the presidency].  Can you imagine that?  I’m no fan of Obama, but I’d rather have him than Joe Biden. 

I’m done rambling.  This is the way I see it happening.  Tell me I’m wrong.  Tell me it will break big for Romney.  Tell me I can go to bed tonight with closure and a smile on my face. 

I pray that I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.

Election 2012 Prediction

The debates are over, and we're two weeks away from the finish line.  I've decided to post my predictions. (Thanks to Real Clear Politics for the handy create your own map tool!)

This is how I see it actually playing out.  Organized labor in Wisconsin is going to have a huge impact on this election.  I think they'll win/steal the election for Obama, thereby giving him another four years.  Same scenario in Ohio.  I don't see Romney surging enough to pull Pennsylvania either, despite it being coal country.  Nevada and Iowa aren't game changers, but I think the SEIU will help Obama win in Nevada and Iowa's increasing liberalism will help tip the scales in the president's favor.  Also, the tanking stock market seems to indicate an Obama reelection.

However, despite all of this.  I don't see the president pulling over 50% of the vote.  In fact, there's a chance that we have a repeat of the 2000 election, where Romney could win the popular vote - as all the polls currently point to - but lose the electoral college.  Either way, I'm calling the election for Obama. 

But...

There's still a chance that Romney could pull this one off.  Wisconsin is crucial.  If people will wake up and smell the fermenting economy, Romney could win this.  He can win without Ohio, Iowa, and Nevada.  I don't see Nevada swinging into Romney's territory.  If the people were stupid enough to elect Harry Reid again, I doubt they'll smarten up and elect Romney.  Wisconsin, however, has showed clear promise.  The recall election of Governor Scott Walker proved that the union powers can be fought.  So if Wisconsin goes to Romney, I see Ohio going to him as well.  Iowa is kind of a 50/50 shot.  I also find it intriguing that the polls are heavily skewed towards Democrats.  So, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Obama doesn't pull the numbers the polls suggest he will.  I'm hopeful that this is the scenario that plays out on election night, but if it does, just prepare yourself to party like it's 2000.  You know Ohio and Wisconsin will be teeming with DNC lawyers if Romney pulls off a victory in both states. 

Presidential Debate, Round 1

I’m not really looking forward to this.  Don’t get me wrong, I think that Romney’s got this one in the bag.  Obama is a robot, and he’s got nothing to run on, and Romney is a good speaker and debater.  The media will declare Obama the winner and say that he overcame obstacles and a tough debater like Romney, but that Romney is out of touch and too wooden or something.  It’s so predictable.  And I’m watching this on my local Fox station, for the record.  It’s 8:00, let’s get this over with.  Oh, and the format is a work in progress…

Hello, Shepard Smith.   Obligatory intro.  Obama won the coin toss.  This one is going to be on domestic policy – where Obama is clearly weak.  Jim Laher is moderating, and now giving the other obligatory intro.  He’s kind of a dinosaur, and most likely part of the liberal color guard.

And now here are the candidates. 

The Economy: Segment 1, Jobs

What are the major differences between the two, and how would they go about creating jobs?

O: Obligatory well wishes to Michelle, since it’s their 20^th anniversary.  And right into the Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (henceforth to be known as “DWS”) talking points.  Light attack on Romney, and back to the talking points.  He’s talking a lot faster than usual.  No teleprompter. 

R: Obligatory congratulations to the president on his anniversary, and light joke.  A little shout out to Ohio.  Energy independence, trade, education, balanced budget, small business.  “Trickle down government.”  Nice. 

JL: Respond to “trickle down government”.

O: Specifics.  Education.  Hiring teachers.  Oh, yes, more union dues to the DNC.  Energy independence, but invest in wind and solar.  Yes, more Solyndras.  Tax cuts. 

R: “Middle income families are being crushed.”  I really can’t commentate on this.  This guy is nailing it.  “I’ll get that pipeline in from Canada.”  “No tax cut that adds to the deficit.  Underline that.”  I don’t think he stuttered or said “uh” once.

O: He’s been talking taxes for about 18 seconds, and he’s said “uh” three times.  Oratory extraordinaire.  Seriously, I have trouble not counting the “uhs”.  I’m not speaking professional, but for the love of goat, where do these people get off on the idea that he’s God’s gift to the speaking world?  And why does he keep driving this idea that it’s bad to give the military $2 trillion? 

R: “Virtually everything he just said about my tax plan is inaccurate.”  “I will not reduce the taxes paid by high income Americans.”  He’s addressing the president directly.  The president really has yet to look at the governor while speaking to/about him.  “For me, this is about jobs.” 

O: “It’s math, it’s arithmetic.”  Really?!  You clearly failed that.  Ugh.  DWS talking points.  He’s a robot.  “We should go back to the rates we had when Bill Clinton was president…”  Wow.  Can’t run on your record, so you dig up the past.  “Donald Trump is a small business.”  Really?  Where is this guy coming up with this [malarkey]?  Now he’s moved on to education.

R: Now he’s throwing facts at him.  You can’t handle the truth!

O:  I can’t listen to this guy any more.  Now he’s back to Clinton.  This is your election, not his!  Disaster, at best.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly delusional. 

R:  Okay, I like that he’s kind of taking the gloves off, but he’s a little annoying with the butting in.  Granted, he’s right.  I’ll allow it, because he’s still throwing out facts.

JL:  Question 2: “What are the differences…how would you go about tackling the debt in this country?”

R:  “I want to lower spending…I’ll eliminate all programs that borrow money from China to pay for.”  “The president said he’d cut the deficit in half…unfortunately, he doubled it.” 

O:  Now the DWS talking points on debt – “two wars on a credit card”, “emergency measures to avoid a Great Depression”.  Blah, blah, blah.  He’s trying to establish a record, but it’s sounding more like excuses.  Bowles-Simpson Commission – whose advice you still haven’t taken.  “…to move forward.”  Way to throw in that catch phrase.

R:  “You’ve been president for four years.”  “I don’t want to raise taxes on people.”  “You raise taxes, you kill jobs.” 

JL: “In order to reduce the deficit, you have to have revenue.”

O:  “The oil industry gets $4 billion a year in corporate welfare.”  Yes, make big oil the villain.   How did he go from tax cuts to education?  Now Medicade?  Stay on topic!  Is your chip malfunctioning?!

R:  Oh, snap.  He just called him on the array of topics.  Totally called him out on the oil industry subsidies versus the subsidies the president poured into green energy.  “I’ve been in business for 25 years.  I have no idea what you’re talking about [as far as getting a tax break for opening a factory overseas].”  “Medicade. I don’t know how you got to that.”  “Let states do this.” 

JL: Segment 3: Entitlements “Do you see a major difference between the two of you on Social Security?”

O: And he wants to shift focus to Medicare.  “My grandmother died three days before I was elected president.”  What does this have anything to do with the topic?!  The question was on social security, not Medicare.  Infuriating. 

R: Oh, yeah.  Totally call the president out on Medicare.  Am I the only one that thinks that the president is afraid to look at the governor while he’s speaking? 

O: Turning Medicare into a voucher program.  I fail to see the problem here.  Oh, yes vilify the insurance companies.  “health care economists” “my grandmother” “AARP”  I’m so confused.  Now he’s propping up ObamaCare, saying the insurance companies will benefit and seniors will suffer. 

R:  $716 billion from Medicare.  I’m so glad he keeps hitting him on this.  “We’ve got to make sure the program is there for the long term.”  “I believe in competition.”

O: Now he’s back to propping up AARP. 

R: “Could we stay on Medicare?”

JL:  Regulations.

R:  “Regulation is essential.”  “Regulation can be excessive…out of date.”  Dodd-Frank.  I think the president is getting testy. 

O:  Blames “reckless behaviors”, then says he fixed Wall Street.  Now he’s rambling on and on…

R: “I wouldn’t designate five banks as too big to fail.” 

JL: New segment, health care.  “Governor Romney, you want ObamaCare repealed.  Why?”

R:  Another shout out to a swing state.  Not a big fan of him doing this, but I know why he’s doing it.  I can’t commentate.  Facts.  “It has killed jobs.”  “Craft a plan at the state level.” 

O: Talking points we’ve been hearing for the last four years.  I’m so bored with you.  “I had five seconds before you interrupted me.” 

JL: “Your five seconds went away a long time ago.”

R: “We didn’t raise taxes…we didn’t cut Medicare…we didn’t create board to tell people what treatments they could get…the CBO says 20 million people will lose their insurance.”  Again, facts.  Such inconvenient things…for Democrats. 

O:  Wow.  He’s trying to blame ObamaCare on Romney.  Really?  Oh, there he goes.  Shout out to Cleveland Clinic.  Giving Ohio love.  What is he talking about?  Oh, the board.  Sorry, he lost me with all the blah, blah, blah.  “Health care costs have gone up, it’s true.”  So, you lied? 

R: “The government is not effective at bringing down the cost of anything.”  This is fascinating.  Sorry…I’m really fixated on how Obama can’t look Romney in the eye.  Two second maximum.  He either looks down or looks at the moderator.  I know.  This is my something shiny moment, and it’s detracting from what Romney is talking about – which is dead-on, as far as the government board not being ideal – but it says a lot about a man who can’t look his opponent in the eyes.  The eyes are a window to the soul.  What should I infer here?

O:  He’s talking, but he’s not saying anything. 

R: “What we did in Massachusetts is a model for the nation, state by state.”

JL: New segment, the role of government: “Do you believe there’s a fundamental difference in the way you view the mission of the federal government?”

O:  Blah, blah, blah.  Oh, shout out to Abe Lincoln.  He’s basically saying that Lincoln was a big government guy.  Really?!  Education.  “Let’s hire another 100,000 math and science teachers.”  Again, shout out to your union buddies. 

R:  “Every school district, every state should make their own decisions.”  Wow…I’m loving this.  He’s totally invoking the Constitution.  Great stuff.  “The path we’re taking is not working.  It’s time for a new path.”

O: Am I supposed to take a shot every time he says “Democrats and Republicans”?  Did you really just say, “This is where budgets matter.”??????  Really?!  Your Senate buddies haven’t passed a budget in what is tantamount to eons.  The budget that you presented didn’t get a single vote in Congress.  You live outside reality.  Oh, I’m supposed to take a shot when he says, “One of the things I did, as president…”  Right. 

R:  “Mr. President, as president you’re entitled to your own house and your own airplane, but not your own facts.”  Zing!  Pretty sure that was lost on him.  Come on.  Stare the governor in the eye for five whole seconds, Mr. President.  I dare you. 

JL: “Many of the legislative functions of the government are in paralysis due to partisan gridlock…what would you do about it?” 

R:  “…not because we’re going to compromise our principles…”  Democrats don’t know about principles.

O:  “I will take ideas from anyone…”  NO YOU WON’T.  Period.  End. Of. Story.  “You have to have a plan.”  What’s yours?  Just stop.  I’m done with you.  Not that I was ever not done with you, but I’m done with being civil.  Stop talking.  Now.  I’m going to type something that I’ll regret.

JL: Closing statements, Romney won the toss, he chose to go last.  Smart. 

O:  Oh, there’s the multiple state shout outs (North Carolina, Minnesota, and Ohio).  Oh, there’s the DWS talking points.  “I’d fight every single day for the American people…I’ve kept that promise.”  Well, hopefully the American people will relieve you of duty in a few weeks.

R:  No real commentary necessary.  Basically he’s saying, don’t reelect the president unless you’ve loved the last four years. 

I’m not going to commentate on the after proceedings.  I don’t really want to elaborate any further.  I’m going to call this one like I would a football game.  Speculate however you want.

Obama 6, Romney 34

The Democrat National Convention Commentary: Day 3

I’m joining commentary coverage late, as it’s 6:27pm.  I’m currently waging a war on my own apartment, but that’s a story for later.

Let’s just get this over with.  I hope the next four hours fly, because I’m ready for this pathetic excuse for a political convention to be over.

Okay, PBS, let’s get to actual convention coverage instead of fawning over the president and Democrats in pre-taped segments.  Par for the course, I realize, but I’m bored with this attempt at balance.  Though, Mary J. Blige’s set wasn’t sounding so great while you were carrying that, and the race-baiting “reverend” that was speaking before her, I could have done without.  Until they have a real guest in the box or start carrying a speech on the floor, I’m checking out.

One little note, though.  Am I surprised that the spin machine is really downplaying this move from stadium to arena?  For the uninformed – which doesn’t really include my audience – President Obama was supposed to deliver his acceptance speech at the Carolina Panthers’ Stadium – or as everyone else knows it as, the Bank of America Stadium.  It was a combination of bad marketing on the part of that name and the fact that the enthusiasm gap between 2008 and 2012 couldn’t be much greater that facilitated the move.  They’ll blame it on the weather, but it’s bad publicity that’s the real culprit.

Another little note, because I’m still bored with the PBS coverage/propaganda.  Yesterday, the convention “voted” to include “God” and “Jerusalem” in the platform.  The nays were very vocal.  That’s very telling about this party.  What’s even more telling is that they had to hold a second vote to recognize God and Jerusalem in the first place.  This party is obviously hostile to those of the Christian and Jewish faiths.  Which begs the question: why in the world would Jews continually vote for Democrats.  With all the hostility toward the Catholic Church, why would Catholics even contemplate voting for these people?  This anti-Christian, anti-Semitic party really needs a reality check. 

PBS is still bloviating.  They’re talking to “presidential historians” now.  I’m out. 

It’s 7:00, and PBS is actually joining coverage.  I guess they had a late News Hour or something.  No clue.  Regardless, they joined Caroline Kennedy mid-speech.  Could she be any more bland?  Remember what I was saying about Democrat speakers being robots?  Yeah, that’s happening again tonight.  Hello, Jesse Jackson.  She’s been droning on for the past five minutes, and I didn’t detect an ounce of enthusiasm. 

Yikes.  Poor former representative Gabby Giffords led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance earlier in the night.  Good for her.  Too bad she had to be escorted by the lamprey known as DWS.  I’m just surprised that Democrats 1) know the pledge, and 2) include the “under God” part.

Now former secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, has joined the PBS commentators.  Is it sad that this party is clinging to the past so badly?  She looks like she just crawled out of a coffin.  And isn’t it sad that she’s the go-to person in the Democrat Party for national security?  Bored.  I almost give credit to Judy [Woodruff] for asking Albright about the alleged lack of support for Israel.  Naturally, Albright is spinning it, saying Obama is a staunch supporter of Israel.  False. 

Former governor of Michigan  Jennifer Granholm – and current Current TV host – has the crowd surprisingly riled up.  Pretty sure she was doing lines of coke before this speech.  Holy cow. 

Eva Longoria just took the stage to try and inject a little attractiveness into this convention.  Too bad she’s a left wing hack and can’t really break out of her slutty character.  What makes celebrities think that we should listen to them about political issues?  Now she’s railing about paying her fair share.  What’s with these Hollywood hacks that like to preach about paying more, but don’t?  No one is stopping you, Eva, from paying what you believe is fair?  And she’s done.  She’s pretty attractive, but her politics make her lose points in that arena. 

Now the governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, has taken the podium.  Didn’t someone give this guy the dress code?  Lazy.  “He brought the wrong agenda to Massachusetts, and he’s the wrong guy to be President of the United States.”  So moving Massachusetts from #50 in job creation to #26 is the wrong agenda.  Oh, yes.  For Democrats, that’s wrong.  They’re renowned for wrecking economies.  Uh oh.  He’s bringing up gun licenses.  Isn’t that taboo here?  “That dog don’t hunt.”  Couldn’t you find a better catch phrase for the lemmings to chant?  I’m incredibly bored with this charlatan – trying to appeal to Midwesterners.  Fail.  He’s kind of reminding me of Cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies.  I’m surprised he’s using such bold language about taking out Osama bin Laden.  Too bad that that’s about the only legitimate accomplishment of Obama’s presidency – which you can’t really attribute to his leadership. 

Now, former governor of Florida, Charlie Crist – turncoat and Marco Rubio’s floor mop.  “I didn’t leave the Republican Party, it left me.”  Really?  “…Reagan would have been too moderate for today’s GOP.”  Really?!  Oh, let’s just talk common ground.  Again, I’ll translate.  “Common ground” to a Democrat means “taking ground from the GOP.”  When I look at this guy, I see a weasel.  Well, this is a first for the televised portion – the Gulf oil spill.  Talk about a political maneuver.  Obama tried to destroy the oil industry with that disaster.  Like his ole buddy, Rahm Emanuel, said: you don’t let a crisis go to waste.  Why doesn’t this guy just ask, “Can’t we all just get along and sing kum-bi-yah?”   

And now, failed presidential candidate, gold-digger, and Senator of Massachusetts, Mr. Ketchup Queen, er, um, John Kerry.  Oh, there it is.  “An exceptional country does care about the rise of the oceans…”  Knew he couldn’t get far into a speech without spewing Al Gore’s talking points.  Now he’s on to anti-war talking points and blame games.   Oh, yeah, because Mitt Romney wouldn’t have given the order to take out Osama bin Laden.  “Ask Osama bin Laden if he’s better off than he was four years ago.”  Backfire – yeah, President Obama screwed him too, but he’s a terrorist, not a citizen of the country Obama was elected to lead.  Now he’s propping up the “success” in Libya.  Right, because handing a country over to the Muslim Brotherhood is a “success.”  I’m so bored with this notion that Romney isn’t qualified to lead because of his lack of foreign policy credentials.  Really?  Where were Obama’s foreign policy credentials four years ago?  Now he’s saying that Mitt Romney is a flip-flopper.  Well, you are the authority on flip-flopping, aren’t you, Senator?  Oh my goat.  Get this pompous windbag off the stage.  He just made a Sarah Palin joke.  That’s how obsessive this party is.  It can’t let go. 

Okay, I had to take a phone call, so I missed the end of Senator Ketchup’s, doh, Kerry’s speech, as well as the first part of the interview with Bob McConnell, Republican governor of Virginia.  I’m surprised that PBS is giving time to the counter argument.  He’s not saying anything that he didn’t say last week, so I’m going to take a break for sustenance. 

For the love of goat.  How many times can one convention play I Got a Feelin’ by the Black Eyed Peas?!  Fail at both conventions.  That song was a lead-in for Dr. Jill Biden.  “…being a teacher isn’t what I do; it’s who I am.”  And probably a NEA pawn too.  There you go.  Prop up his religion.  He’s allegedly a Catholic.  This party has some serious ground to attempt to reclaim with Catholics.  Short and relatively sweet.  I don’t buy it, but it wasn’t divisive per se.

Now an introductory video for Joe.  This ought to be an evolution of hair plugging.  This video is dragging on and on.  Hopefully this means his speech will be shorter.  Unlikely.  You know what would have been better?  A sizzle reel of his greatest speech moments, culminating with his “put ya’ll back in chains” moment. 

And here he is.  Let’s see if he can top Clinton for awfulness.  Ew.  Did he just called Jill “kitten”?  Ugh.  Normally, I’d think it was cute, but it’s usually gross with Democrats.  Wow.  Really?  He just got his nights mixed up.  Twice.  He must be off script.  It was Tuesday night, when Michelle spoke, Joe.  This speech is a drag.  He’s trying to be solemn, but it’s coming across as sedated.  He sure doesn’t have the crowd riled up.  I’m so bored with this speech that I just trolled the other networks to see if anyone was carrying it.  Naturally, NBC is the only one.  I want to laugh at the points he’s brining up about the president’s character and his drive, but it just sounds depressing.  “[Romney] was willing to let Detroit go bankrupt.”  They did go bankrupt, Joe.  After we poured billions into them.  He says Romney would have approached the auto industry “the Bain way.”  I fail to see what’s wrong with that scenario.  They went through a managed bankruptcy anyways – after the bailout.  “Conviction, resolve, Barack Obama – that’s what saved the automobile industry.”  Really?  Wow.  That’s so lame.  I’m so distracted by Joe’s wattle.  He looks like he should belong in the PBS box.  Now we’re back to bin Laden.  As if that’s the administration’s accomplishment.  The SEALs and our intelligence agencies are the ones that got it done, they just did the obligatory thing and asked for the presidential go-ahead.  “…the finest warriors in the history of the world.”  – and only tepid applause.  This is so sad.  How much can you milk that one event for political gain?  And now he’s got them on their feet.  “Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.”  He’s really playing up this courage aspect.  Pretty sure Hillary has more [cajones] than Barack.  And now we’re on to DWS’s talking points, and the age-old “war on Medicare” that is prevalent at every single Democrat convention. There’s the mention of the Simpson-Bowles commission again.  When will he mention that Obama rejected that plan as well?  Apparently I missed the outsourcing talking points from DWS.  She must have saved it for this convention instead of giving excerpts of it throughout her appearances on [P]MSNBC.  Same thing with “DREAMers.”  Oh, this ought to be good.  He’s ripping Republicans on their term, “culture of dependency.”  And he completely missed the point.  Finish it up, Joe.  I’m bored.  “You deserve a president who will never quit on you.”  And now I want to make a Brokeback Mountain reference, but the idea of doing so kind of grosses me out.  Bored.  “We see a future…where one isn't forced to live in the shadows of intolerance.”  Was that a gay baiting or race baiting?  Not really following you, Joe.  And now he’s back to solemn, talking about taking care of our veterans.  I’m glad he’s not trying to make this partisan, but I think he’s trying (and failing) to cry, not trying to keep himself from doing so.  And he’s finally done.  It wasn’t as pompous or self-congratulating as Clinton’s, but just as misguided and unsatisfying. 

Now, who’s the warm up for President Kardashian?  (Yes, that’s a Rush reference, but it’s so perfect.)  Oh, so the warm-up act is Senator Dick Durbin from the always-politically pure state of Illinois.  He’s just hitting talking points.  I’m going to get more sustenance.  I love how he brought up the DREAM act that he authored, but can’t celebrate the success of this president in getting it passed.  Instead, he ursurped the checks and blances of our government and issued an executive order to enact it.

Now, a video about Obama and the past, narrated by George Clooney.  How lame.  This video is so awful.  It’s downplaying Barack, and emphasizing Michelle, Joe, and Bill [Clinton].  I want to throw things at the television already.  If that’s indicative of how this speech is going to go, pray for my television, it’s just the messenger. 

And here’s Michelle to introduce him.  A peck on the cheek?  That’s it?  She’s done more for your campaign than you’ve done in the last two.  Probably didn’t poll well to go all Al Gore on her.  Let’s see how abysmal this can get.  He’s been speaking for a few minutes and it’s almost as if I can predict every single word that he’s going to say.  It’s uncanny, really.  And now we’re on to DWS’s talking points.  Wow.  I realize conventions cover the same ground over and over again, but this one just seems like it’s so much more repetitive than the Republican counter-arguments last week.  Maybe it’s because there’s no ideas floating around this convention, but just defense and distractions.  He’s ripping on Republicans wanting tax cuts and to roll back regulations.  Why are those things bad?  Boring.  Where’s the plan for the next four years, Mr. President?  There hasn’t been even a notion of what you’d do with a second term.  You just keep saying, “we’re not done yet”, but what exactly are you not done with?  Wrecking the economy, stamping out the constitution, and stacking the Supreme Court with activist judges?  Okay, he just laid out a short “plan” that sounded oddly like what he said four years ago.  Are we going vintage here?  And there’s the outsourcing comment.  He’s DWS’s [pawn].  “Three proud words – Made in America.”  Obviously, you don’t come with that label.  Yeah, I just went there.  Oh my goat.  I’ve heard this speech a thousand times before.  Your writers need fired.  I’d get mad at this broken record, but this is so expected that it’s sad.  He’s propping up what he’d do with energy for our country, and morphing it into an environmental cause.  “…in this election, you can do something about it.”  I thought the last election was going to stop the rise of the seas and begin healing out planet.  That didn’t happen?  Oh, and back to energy.  You’re so in love with the idea of jobs?  How about green-lighting the Keystone Pipeline?  Yeah, didn’t hear that option floated here.  Now we’re on to education – you know, so we can hit all the notes that he’s hit in the same speech a thousand times before.  Where is something new?  Not that I really expect it, but the American people deserve better.  “…leadership that is tested and proven.”  Proven failure on nearly every level.  Bored.  Michelle doesn’t look very inspired.  Now we’re on to foreign policy.  “Our commitment to Israel’s security must not waiver.”  Way to court the Jewish vote.  You’ve got a lot of ground to make up.  “My opponent and his running mate are new to foreign policy.”  Guess what, Barack, I’d trust them any day with our foreign policies over you.    “…without insulting our closest ally.”  ARE YOU^%$#@! KIDDING ME?!  The Winston Churchill bust, anyone?!  Now we’re on to fiscal policy.  So bored with his logic.  Now he’s on to knocking Congress and alleging that Republicans just want to give tax breaks to their “millionaire friends.”  Come on.  I can’t even type any more, that’s how bored I am.  I’m pretty much auto-tuning him out.  It’s kind of a defensive mechanism.  “We’re not entitled to success.  We have to earn it.”  I guess success is the only thing that you think we’re not entitled to.  “We don’t think that the government is the source of all our problems.”  Well, Mr. President, I agree with President Reagan.  And last time I checked, he has an insurmountably better track record than you.  “The election four years ago wasn’t about me.”  Really?  Tell that to Samuel L. Jackson, who only pulled the lever for you due to your race.  I’m so bored here.  He’s hitting all of the obligatory points to get the crowds on their feet.  Must mean he’s almost done.  And still, there’s no real plan in sight.  Instead, he’s just playing to the demographics he needs to win – Hispanics, women, and gays.  “I’m no longer just a candidate.  I’m the president.”  And thank God we have a system that allows us to get rid of you.  At least, we have that system until (if/when) you get reelected, you decide you don’t like it and issue an executive order to get rid of it.  Still bored.  Wrap it up.  It’s 10:00pm, and the last 40 minutes has been nothing but a broken record/compilation of sound bytes from the last four years.  Now, the sob stories.  For the love of goat, could politicians not use these?  It’s political emotional whoring, and it’s ineffective.  Okay, he’s wrapping it up I believe, so I’m going to already write this speech’s obituary. 

This was a sad attempt to rile the base.  Maybe it worked, but a lot of words don’t win over those with an ounce of intelligence (i.e. anyone that’s not in that room).  Thirty-eight minutes of nothing but promising to fulfill promises he made four years ago.  And now they’re playing Brooks & Dunn’s Only in America.  Don’t ruin that song for me. 

It’s finally over.  I actually feel pretty good for the Republican Party coming out of this convention, because the Democrats had nothing to offer.  Basically, it was a “reelect us and we’ll make more speeches and hate on Republicans more.”  There was nothing of substance, and the whole atmosphere was so much less classy than what went on in Tampa.  Plus, this was almost as if it were the “old” party.  No youthful spirit, and a bunch of has-beens making speeches about accomplishments in former administrations.  There’s no record for Obama to run on, and if people would just use their brains, they’d see that reelecting him would be disastrous for our country.

Mitt Romney can win this thing.  It’s certainly possible.  I’m optimistic about his chances.  However, I’m also a realist, and see that this nation is teeming with idiots.  This should be Romney’s race by 20 points now, and a landslide on election day, but unfortunately it’ll be close down to the finish.  I still hold out hope.  I won’t be one to just sit on the sidelines and watch my country go down the tubes.  Is Romney perfect?  No, certainly not.  But after this convention, he’s clearly a better alternative to what this party in Charlotte has to offer.  This week has been tough.  If you stuck through it with me, I applaud you.  I apologize if you found some of the content off-putting or offensive, but let me assure you – this was the censored/restrained version. 

Thanks again, folks.  Good night.

Romney/Ryan 2012.  

The Democrat National Convention Commentary: Day 2

I’m already depressed.  It’s 5:59pm, and I’m dreading what’s about to come on the television.

Oh, so the wattle and the NYTDB take offense to the term “pundit”?  They prefer “analyst”.  There’s already an angry voice spewing at the podium, but he must not be very important – you know, like most everyone that has spoken thus far at this convention.  I’m bored listening to these “analysts”, so I’m checking out until I have someone else to direct my commentary towards. 

And here’s AFL/CIO president, Rich Trumka.  This ought to be lackluster…at best.  “Mitt Romney doesn’t know a thing about hard work or responsibility.”  Yeah, because being a governor or running the Olympics comes with no responsibility.  I didn’t know that organizing a union was a “fundamental human right”.  Where do these people come up with this?  Oh, and the class warfare has already started.  I don’t remember angry little men giving speeches last week in Tampa.  Pretty sure that’s a prerequisite to speak here – that, or if you’ll speak about abortion rights.

Now the Democrat Senate candidate from Wisconsin, Representative Tammy Baldwin, is in the PBS box hitting all of Debbie Wasserman-Shultz’s (henceforth, known as “DWS”) talking points.  “Work hard and play by the rules…level playing field…hard-working middle class families.”  Seriously, the robots have synchronized early tonight. 

Oh my goat.  It’s Nancy “Stretch” Pelosi!  Yikes.  She is just plain scary, and it looks as if “…the future of our party, the hope of America.”  No, madam plastic.  A win for your party is a loss for the country.  “President Obama has focused on jobs from day one.”  When was the last time his jobs council met?  Now she’s hitting the talking points.  DADT, ObamaCare, equal pay…the usual suspects.  “When you go to the polls, vote for Medicare.  Vote for President Obama.”  Do we really need to cover this material again?  Now she’s doing the same line for social security.  Now the same line about “women’s rights”.  “It’s just plain wrong.”  Lemmings, this convention is full of. 

Now we’re back to the box with Rep. Baldwin and the talking heads.  Bored. 

Now, Democratic women Senators.  Diane Fienstein (CA), Barbra Boxer (CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and others.  They’re all being trotted out to the instrumental version of Katy Perry’s Firework.  Where’s Claire McCaskill (MO)?  Hmm?  Maybe she’s out trying to salvage a campaign she’ll probably still lose, even though she’s running against a loose-lipped opponent.  Going back to attractive women in politics.  If this sampling is any indication, Republicans own the field of hot women in politics.  Only three of nine of these women are but moderately attractive.  But I won’t dwell on looks, because you’re supposed to be looking at what’s on the inside.  If that’s the case, there’s a bunch of angry little men up there, again.  Barbra Mukulski (MD) was the spokeswoman for the group, and she’s got a wattle as well.  Just listening to her talk is vexing. 

Caroline Kennedy is joining the PBS box, talking about how Uncle Teddy [Kennedy] is at the convention, guiding them.  She says that she’s found that people are engaged on the issues.  If that’s the case, there’s no way her man, President Obama, can get reelected.  He’s got nothing to run on.  She’s actually a terrible commentator, er, um, analyst.  Monotone, unexciting, and bland.  She’s not hitting DWS’s talking points…yet.  So I have to give her partial credit.  She must not have been briefed.  Oh, there’s a “on the side of working families”.  Knew she couldn’t go the whole interview without caving. 

Jennifer Sanchez is performing, and it’s a nice break from the talking heads in the PBS booth.  Too bad this American Idol winner has to stoop to performing to this crowd.  And now they’re cutting back to the talking heads. 

Now the PBS box has the keynote speaker from last night, mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro.  Let’s see if he goes from likable to angry little man without the smooth transition again. 

Now, the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards.  This ought to be depressing.  Oh, she just couldn’t resist the media-created Todd Akin controversy.  She’s not as unattractive as her NARAL counterpart, but her words are just as awful.  Okay, she’s not nearly as funny as she thinks she is.  “President Obama understands women.”  Does that mean he’s a woman, because no man understands women.  Period.  (Pun intended.)  She doesn’t exactly have the crowd riled up.  It’s more obligatory cheers than fired up.  Do the Democrats really think that having women renowned for abortion rights speak here will help win them votes?  And there’s the biggest cheer, for her mother, Ann Richards.  Should have seen that coming.  This was probably among the most deceitful speeches so far in this convention.  She barely mentioned anything about what Planned Parenthood stands for, which is nothing short of infanticide.  Instead, she tried to sell the idea of her organization being primarily for cancer screenings and birth control – not abortion, which is the real mantra of the organization. 

Judy [Woodruff] is actually kind of taking it to Mayor Castro on “reproductive rights”. Basically, she asked him why the Democrat party doesn’t seem open to a pro-life candidate.  And Gwen [Ifill] followed up with bringing up his Catholic background.  He’s waffling.  Basically he just said that Catholics are pro-choice, and now he’s walking that comment back.  I don’t think he’s comfortable with this conversation.  He’s sweating.  And the NYTDB just saved the mayor from further waffling and changed the subject back to the economy.  Bad interview, Mister Keynote. 

Now a veterans video.  This ought to be as close as patriotic as this convention gets.  I took a break during this, but the last two speakers, both veterans, were almost non-partisan.  I can appreciate that, but I don’t think they realize that taking care of our veterans isn't a subject President Obama owns.  Everyone in their right minds would want to do that.  They should take another look at his stance on the military.  Like, how cutting the defense budget would seem like a good idea. 

Now, Gov. Deval Patrick is joining the talking heads in the box.  I think the NYTDB is getting irritated that no one is going to give him a straight answer to his question, “What’s going to be the most important legislative accomplishment of Obama’s second term.”  And now the wattle is following up with whether Gov. Patrick thinks Mitt Romney is a felon.  Really, people?  Come on.  Break.

Sister Simone Campbell – executive director of NETWORK, a nun, and Ryan budget-hater – is now at the podium.  I love how she’s talking about compassionate acts but it’s morphing into government control.  “This is part of my pro-life stance, and the right thing to do.”  Sorry, Sister.  There’s no such thing as a pro-life Democrat any more.  We’ll welcome you to the Republican Party when you see that government control will never be as good as the compassion you advocate.  Oh, and when you stop knocking a budget that seeks to save this country’s future. 

Now, Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago is joining the PBS box, talking about campaign finance reform.  I knew we couldn’t go a whole convention without the Koch brothers being mentioned.  I find the Democrats to be at the height of hypocrisy on this issue.  Rail against super PACs, then embrace them.  Bored.  “Republicans didn’t vote for President Obama’s budget.”  Neither did Democrats, Rahm.  Now he’s talking about Republicans wanting to rewrite history.  Really?!  Look at how presidents [F.D.] Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Clinton are revered in history books, while diminishing the successes of Reagan and [G.W.] Bush.  Get real, Rahm.  What a tool. 

Bill Butcher, a brewery owner, is now at the podium.  This is the Democrats’ attempt to prop up their small business credentials.  Short speech.  I figured he’d rail against Romney.  Fortunately, he didn’t.  He’s just misinformed about the president being on his side. 

Now, California Attorney General, Kamala Harris – probably the most attractive woman to speak thus far.  Now watch her ruin whatever attractive qualities she has by spouting DWS’s talking points.  I love how she’s railing about the housing crisis while not accepting the notion that it was her party that created said crisis.  Oh, now she’s on to railing on Wall Street.  Attractive, you may argue, she is, but she’s also a pawn. 

Now a video about immigration.  It’s propping up executive orders.  I have a serious issue with this.  If he’s just going to ignore the laws regarding immigration, what other laws is he going to ignore and issue executive orders to change? 

Benita Veliz, an illegal immigrant, is now at the podium.  Nothing against her, but get in line to do the immigration thing the legal way.  Oh, so the illegal immigrant was just here to introduce Cristina Saralegui, from Telemundo.  No wonder I’ve never heard of her.  Could this Cuban look any more Aryan?  Was that too far?  I think the Democrats are worried that the Republicans have lost their monopoly on Hispanic voters.  Hence, Castro, Veliz, and Saralegui.  I’m bored.  Did she just say, “He helped create a Second Great Depression.”?  If so, I’m sure she didn’t mean to, but she’s right.  Let me translate for you all.  “Comprehensive immigration reform” to Democrats means “amnesty” and “open borders” for the rest of us.  Now she’s railing on Arizona’s immigration laws.  Have I mentioned how much I love Jan Brewer?  Yikes.  That was just lackluster. I couldn’t understand half of it – because half was in Spanish.  Lame.  There was nothing in her speech about learning English, like her Republican counterparts championed last week. 

Now, the president of Carmax, , is at the podium.  And he just blamed Bush.  I’m taking a break.  I wish it was to self medicate, but it’s just not the case. 

And now a video on the auto industry.  This ought to be wrought with inaccuracies.  Yep, slamming Mitt Romney’s op-ed in the NYT.  Seriously, where is the mention of the Chevy Volt?  Where’s the mention of how GM and Chrysler actually did go bankrupt, after the bailout?  Yeah, inaccuracies.  Where did they dig up these pawns.

Who’s this Karen Eusanio.  Oh, naturally, a UAW member.  I assume she’s here to introduce someone?  “President Obama didn’t think about the polls or the politics.  He thought about the people.”  Sorry, honey.  All that Democrats pay attention to is polls and politics.  And there’s Michelle.  I guess she’s not here to introduce anyone.

Okay, maybe she was an opening act for Bob King, UAW president.  Labor leaders speaking at a convention just seems like a conflict of interest.  But then again, unions are just money laundering operations for the Democrat Party.  And now, we’re going to rip on Bain Capital.  It was only a matter of time.  Since when are labor laws, strong unions, and collective bargaining “basic human rights.”  Is this a fantasy event?  Where’s the cosplay?   Now he’s ripping on Wisconsin.  Why?  I think Gov. Walker is doing a phenomenal job taking on the overgrown behemoths that you represent. 

Oh, this ought to be good.  Former employees of Bain Capital – also known as political pawns.  Bored.  This is such a joke.  Speaking of jokes, there’s Joe Biden.  And this is a cyclical double negative.  I don’t hate Mitt, but I hate him.  Really, folks?  Oh, they have beer in the stands.  I’m envious.  Can you tell that I’m easily distracted from the political pawns that will be discarded after the election?  Yikes!  There’s Al Franken, doing his best Jack Nicholson as the Joker impression.  Scary. 

Now, back to the talking heads.  The NYTDB is still upset that the convention hasn’t taken his advice.  I don’t think he realizes that this actually reflects bad on Democrats.  I doubt that’s his intent.  Now the wattle says that we celebrate the auto bailout.  We do?  News to me.  Oh, so this was just a transition into a rant about Clint Eastwood.  Typical liberal.  Bored.

Oh my goat.  This ought to be just awful.  Sandra Fluke (aka, slut) just took the podium.  How long until she mentions Rush Limbaugh?  Oh, so now she’s fear mongering.  Oh, there it is.  Not by name, but it only took her a minute.  But she’s back to fear mongering.  She’s in good company.  “…forcing us to endure invasive ultrasounds.”  What is invasive about an ultrasound?  And there’s the media-created Todd Akin controversy.  That only took two and a half minutes.  This broad is a robot.  Pretty sure she got a makeover before this.  How does it feel, Miss Fluke, to whore yourself out to the Democrat party?  After the election, you’ll be discarded like a form of birth control you advocate.  Too far?  Too bad.  I have no respect for a woman who doesn’t respect the unborn.  Plus, activists don’t do it for me.  Finally, it’s over.  Eight minutes too long. 

Jim Sinegal, former CEO of Costco, is taking the podium.  His warm-up act will be very easy to follow.  Very easy.  Yes, read into that.  I know I sound like a chauvinist, but I really don’t think these women can be demeaned any more than they’ve demeaned themselves by their own words.  Mr. Sinegal’s speech is lackluster.  Monotone, uninspiring, and misguided.  Hahahaha!  One of the delegates is asleep!  Classic! 

And now, Elizabeth Warren, Senate candidate from Massachusetts - and 1/32 American Indian?  “I never dreamed I’d be the warm up act for President Bill Clinton.”  How deep do I need to read into that?  (Yes, I know, there were several double entendres in there.)  Oh goat.  “The system is rigged.”  We’re going to go there, then?  Bored.  There’s the “fair share” comment.  Lame.  Now she’s saying Mitt Romney would raise taxes.  Isn’t it your party who wants the Bush tax cuts to expire?  I think she’s got a sick fantasy of Obama fighting for her.  The way she’s describing his alleged taking on of the big banks, it’s a little disturbing.  Have I mentioned that I’m bored?  And there’s the equal pay reference. Beating a dead horse, anyone?  She just invoked Matthew 25:40.  How about the Democrats look up Exodus 20:13?  Where is the person with the stage hook?  This has been going on for far too long. 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa just stepped up to the podium.  He’s here to introduce former president, Bill Clinton.  I find his presence here fascinating.  Naturally, here to scout out interns, er, um, prop up his wife’s 2016 run, er, no, why is he here? 

Why is he getting such an ovation?  This should be a cake walk for him.  He doesn’t like Obama, but lying through his teeth is second nature to this guy.  I do find it ironic that Vice President Joe Biden isn’t speaking tonight.  Probably because he doesn’t have a chance of holding a candle to Rep. Paul Ryan’s speech a week ago.  “I want to nominate a man who’s cool on the outside, but burns for America on the inside.”  Again, how am I supposed to read that?  “In Tampa, a few days ago, we heard a lot of talk.”  Not as much hot air as we’re getting here in Charlotte.  One of my sources just told me that if throwable objects were available, they’d be hurled at the television set.  And he’s just warming up.  Yikes!  There’s his and Hillary’s spawn!  And there’s the tell – licking the lips.  So, Republicans are the party of hate?  Right.  This guy is a comedian.  Biting his lip now.  Is that another tell?  “What works in the real world, is cooperation.”  Right.  “Cooperation” to a Democrat means “Republicans caving to their tantrums.”  “He is still committed to constructive cooperation.”  Really?  Wasn’t it Obama that said that “elections have consequences, and [he] won”?  Now he’s heaping praise on Joe Biden and his wife.  “…more partners and fewer enemies”?  Are you kidding me?  Turn your back on Israel and the UK and embrace the Muslim brotherhood?  That’s making us safer?!  I’m so bored.  He’s droning on and on about partisanship in Congress.  Really?  Republicans left Obama a mess?  Last time I checked, the Democrats were in control of Congress starting in 2007.  Who left the mess for whom?  “Are we better off than we were when he took office?”  NO! NO! NO!  Anyone with half a brain knows that.  Don’t try to spin this.  We’re not impressionable interns.  “No one could have repaired the damage he found in just four years.”  Maybe not, but what he could have done, was attempt to stop the bleeding.  Instead, he ripped any band-aid that was on the mess off and sunk the knife deeper.  Did you see the national debt top $16 trillion?  That’s not leadership, that’s abject failure.  I’m so done with this bloviating douche bag.  “The auto industry restructuring worked.”  Before they went bankrupt?  If this guy was Pinocchio, his nose would be in the Atlantic Ocean by now.  And that’s just from this speech.  Gaffe.  “It will cut your gas price in half, er, it will cut your gas bill in half.”  What, bringing up the fact that gas prices have doubled since Obama’s inauguration is a touchy subject?  Wrap it up, Bill.  (TWMS?)  I’m bored, and if you don’t end this lie-fest, I’m going to start chucking my shoes at my television.  I have size 16 shoes, and I like my television.  Don’t make me do it.  Oh, man.  Now he’s just getting to ObamaCare – a term he calls “derisive.”  Aptly labeled.  And just a news flash, over half of Americans favor repeal.  It’s a poll.  You should take notice.  And now he’s taking on Ryan’s Medicare plan.  He is going to crash and burn.  This is making no sense.  And I don’t think anyone in the convention hall is following him either.  They’re just mindlessly cheering.  Because, I mean, it’s Bubba, baby.  This is the stalest argument in the Democrat playbook – and right out of DWS’s talking points.  How many times can you say “end Medicare as we know it”?  And now he’s on to the work requirement for welfare.  Why are we supposed to trust him when he says, “Here’s what happened.”  Did we believe him when he told us what happened with Monica – the first time?!  I love how he’s taking credit for welfare reform, when it was Newt Gingrich and the House Republicans that dragged him kicking and screaming to the table to do so.    For the love of goat.  Now he’s on to debt.  “We’ve got to deal with the debt…What has the president done?”  ADDED TO IT BY $5 TRILLION DOLLARS!  He didn’t even take the advice of the Simpson-Bowles commission!  How many times is PBS going to cut to Rahm “The Fake Tan Rat” Emanuel?  I’m fuming here.  Listening to this guy talk reminds me of how much I loathed him when he was in office.  I was 15 when he left office.  I was raised right and was politically smart from a young age.  Why?  Because I wasn’t indoctrinated in public school.  “We simply cannot afford to give the reigns to someone who will double down on trickle down.”  Seriously.  Get this guy off the stage.  “If you want every American to vote, and you think it’s wrong to change voting procedures…”  Because the Democrat party would never partake in voter fraud.  The fact that I’m still writing infuriates me.  Finally.  It’s over.  The vile man is leaving the stage.  Really?!  Did Bill just bow to Barack?  Taking a cue from our current president, eh?  Get these two idiots off the stage. 

I’ve muted the talking heads.  This was a terrible speech.  Oh, don’t doubt me – the Democrats and their willing spokespeople in the media probably loved it and are [self-gratifying] in the press boxes.  But I loathed every minute of it.  Anyone who buys any of this pathetic excuse for a president’s [malarkey] really needs to see a psychiatrist.  The whole night was a train-wreck.  Worse than last night.  I hate to imagine what’s in store for the finale tomorrow night.  I look forward to it being over.