REUTERS/Jim Young
By pretty much any measure, the first night in Charlotte went well for the Democratic Party. Getting particularly high marks by the pundits were Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, and First Lady Michelle Obama. In fact, the speech by Mrs. Obama prompted this reaction from MSNBC's Chuck Todd:
From my floor vantage point: Michelle Obama owned this convention in a way I didn't see anyone own Tampa. She is clearly personally beloved
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) September 5, 2012
And then there's reaction from the Romney-Ryan campaign.
"On the first night of President Obama's convention, not a single speaker uttered the words 'Americans are better off than they were four years ago.' Instead, there was a night full of tributes to government as the solution to every problem, even going as far as to say that 'government is the only thing that we all belong to.' But government belongs to the American people - not the other way around - and the American people will hold President Obama accountable for his record. Our country deserves real solutions and a plan to turn our economy around. Mitt Romney offers a clear alternative to President Obama's record of disappointment and failure."
-Andrea Saul, Romney Spokesperson
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Nice speaches tonight. New versions of those heard 4 years ago. Had the administrations policies worked, we would not be needing pep talks, we'd be hearing about results. Lilly Ledbetter act- window dressing- women are still only getting 75 percent of men's pay. The auto bailout- done on the backs of the workers who gave up pay and benefits and financed by the rest of us. Healthcare reform- my premiums are up by over 30 percent from 4 years ago and I now have to have a higher deductible to afford healthcare. Women's privacy and choice- when you want public sector dollars to pay for your choices, they're no longer private choices. Being middle class is the american dream???? I want my kids and grandkids to aspire to become more than average, much more than average. I want a president who sets the bar higher.
"American" is always capitalized.
Women who duck the overtime, stay local for their family life instead of accepting the career building business trvel, and are working reduced hours, job sharing, and are in and out of the workforce due to mothhood, are not able to earn at the same rste. Ms.Ledbetter's theorywas just having the same job title or something close to the same job description as men should entitle her to equal pay. The Supreme Court of the United States didn't see it that way.
The auto bailout was done on the backs of the tax payers, and the restructuring that favored the unions over the former stock and bond holders (and I was one of them) had our legal rights stripped from us in this out of bankruptcy federal government forced restructuring.
t see it that way,
Lilly Ledbetter's case failed on a statute issue, not the merits of the case. The auto companies have paid back their money with interest. Unlike the $10,000,000.00 bailout that Bain Capital took from FDIC in 1990. The GOP has been bought by Corporate Giants, Superpacs, Iman Norquist, Adelmen, etc., they are not interested in the average American families, they have their own agendas and it is not me or you. All the GOP is interested in trickle up economics. The GOP gets their marching orders every Wednesday morning and its not in the Capitol. No I will not support a government that has been bought by those that do not have the American peoples' interest first and foremost. Mrs. Obama's speech was brilliant!
I am better off now than 4 years ago. I couldn't get healthcare for my daughter because of a blood disorder and now she can't be denied insurance because of this condition.
As for the auto bail out, are you saying that it would be better if they would have went bankrupt?
How much are they paying you to spam the same comments on lots of boards? Least you could do is spell check before spamming. It makes it way less obvious. Cool story though, bruh.
David Tavens, you are aware that not one republican voted for Lilly Ledbetter aren't you?? As long as "public sector" dollars pay for your Viagra, don't worry about covering birth control. Had there been no auto bailout your talking point would be the workers who lost their jobs under this administration. Were you this analytical the last eight years? They really sucked. I'm sure republican ineptitude is acceptable to you.
I hate to be a party pooper but I think I've seen the movie before. Same old sthick; bigger gov't, more spending, more redistribution of wealth, more incompetence, more talk and broken promises. They're saying that America is heading in the right direction with 8.3% unemployment, $4.00 gas, $6T in added debt, $16T on the national debt, 23 million Americans unemployed and millions more underemployed, more people than ever before on foodstamps and welfare. 4 more years of more of the same? NO THANKS.
As I said over on Chris Matthews, we're all better off than we were four years ago...
Dick Cheney is no longer president, and neither is his ventriloquist's dummy...
And Cindy, you've talked about having money--while hollering about the price of gas--and yet you don't sound like a happy camper...
A lot of us don't have money, and we're in better spirits than you are... Might be a lesson there...
Why don't you go take a bubble bath and get your nails done?
As a matter of fact I am. Cabbie the point is under Barack Obama I can't make my first Billion & it's very depressing. I'm actually losing a lot of money and I can't create more jobs for my business because of all the over-taxing and over-regulations. We're all just surviving but not thriving, we desperately need Mitt Romney to SHOW US THE MONEY. The Romney/Ryan ticket is a whole new ball game, a chance of a lifetime but we have to give them a shot to succeed.
Give them a chance and crime will rise and our children and grandchildren will be dumber wifebeaters and rapists will go free.There is no way I would ever vote for that. The gop led by Paul Ryan would not put a budget on the hopuse floor. The party of no killed our AAA credit rating, stomps all over civil rights and does nothing for our military when they come home from the wars they start. The gop wants to tear down all aspects of democracy and dictate what we do in our everyday lives. This only weakens us as a country.Long live the USA. With Gods help, the gop will be defeated despite their reign of oppression, hatred of human rights, the Constitution of the United States of America. This is the land of the free home of the brave and all you can do is try to destroy it with hate and division. The President of the United States is black, get over it . The gop is a white supremeist organization just like Hitler and you know what that lead to.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy....
Chance of a lifetime? And government regulations are keeping you from growing your business and creating more jobs? Man, have I got a business opportunity for you...
You should check into one of the multi-level marketing operations like Melaleuca (Romney's financial co-chairman, Frank Vandersloot made half a billion, honest). They've got a lot of 'em here on Planet Utah.... You can get zanged by Xango, renewed by NuSkin, or repatriated by Usana... And lots more...
What? Not interested? Then go a pay a consultant to tell you to quit making excuses.. There's a reason those regulations exist, and the operations I just detailed--all of them scams with a near non-extistent probability of success--operate because Mitt Romney's buddy, Utah's senator-for-life, Orrin ("Clarence Thomas was smeared") Hatch has gutted many provisions of the Pure Food and Drug Act in his role as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee...
Leave your common sense behind and hop on Brother Elmer Romney's traveling evangelical show....
MomKay GM didn't pay back what they were lent, they took TARP money as a second loan to pay off the stimulus money they borrowed. They played a shell game to confuse people like you. They still owe the American public over 50 billion dollars.
Yes America is always capitalized, but only someone with no reading comprehension would focus on that part of a blog.
Mrs. Obama's speech was very eloquent, she is a very likable person. I just don't agree with what her husband is trying to do to the country.
really @David Tavens...you want a president that set's the bar higher...when your guy romney said that American youngsters should only get the education they can afford...not what they someday may be able to afford or pay back...what they can afford...like the first lady stated...when you pass through the door of prosperity...don't slam it shut...hold it open for the next guy....
The GM story is that the US government went $85 billion into the hole purchasing 60% of the new GM stock and now worthless warrants to buy more stock. The restructured IPO stock price is now down to less than half it offering price, the warrants are useless, and the tax payers have lost $50 billion. Only Chrysler, who took loans only, paid back all of the loans and interest, and are fee of government interference. And, of course, Ford Motor Company steered free of government money and control, said thanks, but no thanks to Obama's offers, and are doing right fine, that you very much!
Wake up people...stop parrotting the Dems talking points and those of the liberal media talking heads. Do some research, and get a grip!
had republican presidents policies worked you and none of us would be in thisnigger hole we are in now, but dont worry, its a democratic president now and next yr and we always fix the mess republicans leave behind
how my word got changed i have no idea, i never wrote that word ni...er but its there, my word was what comes out of a butthole but somehow magically it got changed
Vanessa Gary Walker
GOP is no more acceptible to me than the Dems are. Facts are not taking points. I want you to have access to birth control and when you can't afford it, I'll gladly match you up with someone that will pay for it out of their own pocket. They'll do it privately and won't pass the cost on to those who don't support your right to choose. Certainly you are aware that birth contrl is used for more than just preventing pregnancy- not sure what other conditions viagra treats.
Just curious, do you think that if we ever lived in a world where birth control wasn't covered by insurance that the women's movement would step up and pool their resources to provide it for those that coldn't afford it? Do you think think that if we lived in a world where the work that planned parenthood does was not partially funded by federal dollars that the womens movement would pool their resources to provide those services for those that could not affor it?
An amazingly successful first night (amazing because these are, after all, Democrats). More emotion, humanity and inspiration than the entire 3-day GOP snoozefest. A brilliantly run show. The Dems look like winners again and Romney/Ryan, desperately bogged down by their records and statements, already look like also-rans.
You can't blame the Republican's for being somewhat muted in their emotions as the people on the Gulf Coast were hurting from Issacs wrath, Michaelin. And the state of the nation is nothing to be cheering every minute about as the giddy Democrats are doing, with their proclamations of promises kept, instead of broken, and promises to do more if given a second chance! And a very "fat chance" that would be.
John Stewart and the teams of the Daly Show had it right last night. The new motto is "Yes We Can, BUT"
cry me a river Keith, they were muted cuz they had nothing to say, except for mouthing labels, personal attacks, shoot the messenger, hate, lies, they had plenty to say about that, so the only time they were muted at the republican convention from Isaac was when it came to policy, plans and emotion, how convenient my friend and since ur an active commentator now that things are so much better, i bet the reason ur not blogging much is cuz ur suffering from carpal syndrome from all the posts you wrote against GWB for the whole 8 yrs of total disaster and failure, or did u even write 1 post telling him what a failure you thought he was
I am better off than I was before Obama Presidency. I have health insurance, no more pre existing due to hip replacements which were five years old at that time without ever a problem. I went two years with no insurance. Our insurance rates on Med Advantage came down considerably this year. I liked McCain but I don't think anyone could have brought us out of the hole Dubya put us in.
You will be kissing that Medicare Advantage goodby next year if Romney isn't elected, BJ...and under Medicare prior to ObamaCare you would not have been denied coverage and payment for services rendered. But starting next year the $216 billion for Medicare Advantage coverage goes away, as it is planned for use in financing ObamaCare.
That's a load of crap & you know it. Stop listening to the lies & do a little research dude.
Grandpa doesn't listen to the lies. He manufactures them...
Refute it...its in the (Un)affordable Care Act legislation, which Ms. Pelosi was so proud of saying "...you have to pass it before you can know what is in it." I've read it, I know it is there, you obviously haven't.
And are you telling me that Medicare previously had pre-conditions for health care enrollment? Read the Medicare handbook, and cite me where it says that!
Can't do it, either of you, can you?
I had a little problem explaining the concept of a "straw man" to Grandpa.
He still doesn't get it even as he lights another one on fire and proclaims victory for the "I didn't say what I said crowd, and anyway you're a jerk even if I did."
I'm trying to remember who had that one-liner last night about "Mitt's promises come with an expiration date."
Lyin' Ryan wants to replace Medicare with a voucher system that would have seniors try to purchase private medical insurance instead of participating in the government program.
Only he's been pinned down, and now he's walking the story back faster than he is his marathon figures.
And we still haven't seen Mitt's tax returns, and there's the issues of how his vulture capitalism used leveraged buy-outs to wreck havoc on healthy companies and ship jobs overseas. And early on, he required a Federal bailout of his own and Bain still made obscene profits.
Go pedal your snake oil to the other old farts at the senior center....
Well done, Cabbie...like Michelle, you hit it (and him) out of the park.
Let me fix your erroneous statement for you, Willard:
"You will be kissing Medicare as we know it goodbye next year if Romney/Ryan are elected".
Ahhhh...there...all better.
Well, Cab Driver, seems to me the Romney/Ryan plan is to renew Medicare Advantage (which itself is a private health insurance option to traditional Medicare), keep both as options for Medicare recepients or soon to enroll as Medicare recepients for age 55 and over individuals, and provide those two options plus a voucher system for those under age 55 when they come eligible to enroll in Medicare.
The "strawman argument" is the one you just put up, that Ryan wants to REPLACE Medicare with a voucher system.
Get real!
For all your pontificating, Willard, you really don't seem to know where you boy stands on the issue, do you?
Oh...look! More supporting source links...I realize thats outside the realm of comprehension for you Keith, but get used to it...what do you have? Oh...nothing but an opinion. OK...Je comprends.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/aug/16/barack-obama/does-paul-ryan-want-turn-medicare-voucher-program/
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/04/05/172015/paul-ryan-vouchers-medicare/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/opinion/Krugman.html?_r=1
http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/106298/guide-to-medicare-debate-romney-ryan-obama-voucher-premium-support#
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/poll-paul-ryan-medicare-vouchers.php
@B J people like Keith are the messengers of lies, because any normal moron would understand that the party that has hated Medicare and SS couldnt possibly now be the party to save it, so if they cant get this common sense fact right, they cant possiblly get much else right either, because they have a desire to turn things on their head claiming that the CHAMPIONS of Medicare are now the destroyers of it and that the Destroyers are now the champions, how much more delusional can a party and a people get, with retards, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
when it becomes popular they will claim they are the party to champion upping the MINIMUM WAGE.. also, champion women's rights, civil rights, union rights, voter rights, and that the GI bill was their idea and masterpiece, except for Eisenhower who championed the interstate highways, tell me what other idea or plan did the retard party ever have...oooopss, im wrong, they did have a few...ill trickle on you economic policy, supply side, supplied to the 1%, and now they have another, we are doubling down on supply side to the 1%, and those retard policies led America into 16trillion of debt..thats the retard party for you in the last 70 years, any retard want to dispute it, please do, i cant wait to hear from a million of you, telling me how wrong i am, and of course offer facts to prove it, right?
Better be careful Keith...if your "popularity" on these blogs gets any lower, we'll have to put a "-" sign in front of the number.
You're hovering extremely close to that now...
...
The Republicans got seriously pwned and they know it. The First Lady completely destroyed W. Mitt without even mentioning his name.
Michelle Obama Signed, Sealed and Delivered it tonight. And she looked phenomenal as well.
I think they know that the Dems hit it out of the park tonight but cannot bring themselves to say so. Who really cares what Limbaugh and trump think!! They have not had an original thought in years. I take that back, Rush has had thought, he is trying to think of what pain pill to take tonight because he sees Romney going down the tubes!! Sleep tight Rush
All the dems have to do is keep running that clip with Ted Kennedy spanking Mitt Romney. how he flip flop on everything
and the rnc sent an quick response about how unfair it was....lol means it worked!
I LOVE THAT!!!! Well, atleast he hasn't changed in THAT asspect, STILL flip flopping and STILL has THAT plan he won't share with the rest of us!! Haha!!
FIRED UP READY TO GO!!!!! OBAMA! OBAMA!! OBAMA!!!
Yes, being middle class is the American Dream. It stems from a time when "middle class" was something to aspire to. People were realistic enough to know they weren't going to be John D. Rockefeller or Joseph P. Kennedy. It was a time when "middle class" was a respectable term, and it meant that your kids could have a chance, a better one than you had, and that their kids could do even better.
Your kids may aspire to become more than average, but Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will work hard to keep them from achieving all that's possible for them. They guard their upper class status jealously and don't want you - or your kids - to attain a status that might allow them to marry their kids. However, they do want you to think you can attain their status; that's how they get you to vote for them.
I see...your argument is to aim low, vote Democrat Party, Cheryle. How honest of you!
Excuse me, but what is lower than making up @!$%# to get elected? They don't dare let Mitt speak from his heart, 'cause he'd blow the whole election for the republicans.
If she could aim her argument low enough, she'd plant it right between your eyes, Keith.
You don't seem to be liked here any more than all the other blogs you've posted on. You are really sailing into uncharted waters, aren't you?
Was für eine Überraschung!
David Tavens ^ Jealous.
Michelle Obama spoke TO us rather than AT us. Ann Romney should learn from this.
It wasn't "just trust me that my husband is a nice guy and vote for him." It was "vote for my husband...and here's WHY you should." She presented a case, talked about accomplishments, communicated the fact that the President's policies are for setting a foundation for future generations rather than instant gratification.
But most importantly, she spoke TO us rather than AT us. She DIDN'T mention Mitt Romney once, yet she still managed to completely destroy his "I'm just a normal guy like you" pitch. How? She laid out all of their struggles with debt, health care, etc...which is what normal people really have to worry about day to day. She made a more convincing case of having more in common with average folks than their opponent.
The response sounds like predictable butt hurt sour grapes.
For a party named after the Constitutional Republic of the United States; the ghoul is that at a time when our society needs the strong government that we are for Afghan and Israel; were every citizen is afforded health care, and where the cost of that friendship has stripped every American an unmeasurable deficit, where we continually poor money foreign nations; building them up, the Republican party is ripping apart the that Republic and the government which unites the republic; and ripping apart the American Dream; while this snake; yea snake, because he is hiding his money dares to present his two face to the American people. Mitt Romney, prefers to deny the Federal Government the income tax; the very tax that funds the Federal government in his work to sustain a united Republic. Mitt Romney may be a wealth man, but he is a loser. True where his treasury (foreign banks) there lies his heart; and that to elevate a philosophy; his run has nothing to do with the American people or our society; it's about spreading that loony philosophy. Every man in the Latter Day Church is consider himself a saint or a prophet; which think is he? Maybe he should ask that question; practically all of his charity has been to his religion; little if anything has he done for the American Society, and or for "The People". His is a conspiracy.
The Romney spokesperson comment "But government belongs to the American people - not the other way around" makes no sense. So, Democrats want "the American people belong to the government"? What does that even mean? It has no basis in logic or reason Government is there to help people by building roads and highways, protecting them with policeman and fireman and the military, by providing education to its children, and now, yes, to provide healthcare for those who couldn't afford it before or were denied because they had pre-existing conditions. Government seeks to help people, not own them. It is Corporate America, like Mitt Romney, that is trying to own the American people by taxing the poor and the middle class so that the millionaires and billionaires and corporations can have a tax cut.
Anything Mitts camp says will be sour grapes. They don't like the fact they were out done, out shined and out classed by a WOMEN!
That is such a lame response by a spokesperson. They want to play the "look at what you didn't get done" game while pretending to not know why nothing has gotten done. The sad part is there are just possibly enough morons that believe their bs, he could just end up winning. I'm hopeful that President Obama pulls it off.
@David Tavens: regarding your point about health insurance premiums; if you check your premiums from 2004, I imagine they were 30% less than those in 2008. The reality is that health insurance is increases are out of control and the ACA is an attempt to reduce those costs by enlarging the insurance pool. Of course, another way to slash 30% from healthcare insurance costs would be to move to single payer so we didn't have to worry about profiteering insurance companies making money on every denied claim.
Additionally, middle class doesn't equal average. Being middle class in America makes you a 1% in relation to the other 6.7B people on the planet and owning a home, having financial security and good schools for your children creates possibilities for greatness for everyone-and that's the American Dream.
Whaaaat was Romney's spokesperson watching?? Obvisously NOT the DNC!!! There were plenty speaking to FACT America IS BETTER OFF THANKS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA!! Also what they reminded us of was FACT that Republicans have refused to help our President and more importantly THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!
WE ARE FIRED UP AND READY TO GO F-0-R-W-A-R-D!! and THEY WILL KNOW THIS!!
A AWESOME CONVENTION, AWESOME SPEAKERS THAT REACHED US, NOW WE'RE READY TO REACH OTHERS!!!
obama!! obama!!obama!!! 4 more years!! 4 more years!! 4 more years!!
vote!
vote obama in, hindering republicans & blue dogs out of congress and senate!!
vote!!!
This is the president who delivered the security of affordable health care to every single American after 90 years of trying. This is the president who brought Osama bin Laden to justice, who ended the war in Iraq and is ending the war in Afghanistan. This is the president who ended “don’t ask, don’t tell” so that love of country, not love of another, determines fitness for military service. Who made equal pay for equal work the law of the land. This is the president who saved the American auto industry from extinction, the American financial industry from self-destruction, and the American economy from depression. Who added over 4.5 million private sector jobs in the last two-plus years, more jobs than George W. Bush added in eight. GOV PATRICK
And this is the President that will defend women's healthcare!
Still the Republicans are in denial. There were definitely mentions of exactly how much better off we are now than four years ago. What is wrong with the Republican campaign managers? Why do they seem so deaf and obviously distracted? It's getting really funny to hear their blatant lies. It's like they are not even able to discern reality and make sensible comments at all. I feel really sad for the people who aren't watching this convention. This is a great moment in American History. I am sorry some people are missing it, due to misdirection. Mrs. Obama is the most graceful, eloquent and communicative First Lady I have ever seen in my life.
Wow...that's how you take down an opponent with a silk glove...."being President doesn't change you, it reveals who you are"...very strong and moving speech.
This was an incredible night with powerful, intelligent speeches. The diversity in that hall sends an inclusive message. The state of Illinois is very proud of First Lady Michelle Obama & Cong. Candidate Tammy Duckworth tonight.
Lawrence O'Donnell & Co.:
I love your coverage of the DNC tonight with the rest of my favorites on your panel! Tonight, you were discussing Stacy Lihn's moving speech about her lovely daughter with the life threatening heart problems. Someone on your panel mentioned that she, her daughter, could now be "the face" for the necessity of Obamacare. Then someone else commented on who could possibly be the face for the Republicans on this same issue.
I thought that the Grim Reaper would be eerily appropriate. Let's get that sobering image on billboards across the nation, ok? Thanks!
Mike C.
Spokane, WA
This was an incredible night filled with powerful, intelligent speeches. The diversified group of people at the convention was a statement in itself. As a resident of Illinois, I am very proud of First Lady Michelle Obama & Cong. Candidate Tammy Duckworth tonight. Four more years!
I thought her speech was Rumi-esque, she kept it real. The whole convention so far seems good-hearted.
Repuklicans don't have any real solutions or a plan to turn our economy around! Their plan, the rich get much richer and the poor and middle class could go to hell! They just struck down any of the things President Obama tried to pass to make things better yet they have the nerve to say, President Obama's record of disappointment and failure!! Ha!!! They have some nerve! They are the despicable party and could care less about America or Americans!
They really just couldn't wrap their sorry heads around the complete unification of tonight's convention!
Stick a fork in the GOP/TP!
Their done!!!