++Perhaps it was just the press conference but the week ended badly for President Obama. His statement that the private sector was doing fine gave the GOP an opening that they exploited to full use and appropriately they twisted his emphasis to try and get away from the over-arching message that the public sector has been gutted.
++Saving him somewhat was Romney's response that "the message of Wisconsin is that we don't need more police, teachers and firemen."
++David Axelrod put a good face on the fact that President Obama will be the first incumbent President who will be outspent by his opponents. Right now estimates of GOP and related Superpacs claim over $3 billion will be spent defeating the President.
++The Romney campaign has been spending millions in Michigan while the Obama campaign has spent nothing.
++While attention has been focused on Florida purging voters lists of Democrats,independents and Hispanics, no attention has been paid to Ohio where 1 million voters have been purged from the lists.
++Yes, polls have tightened. Nate the Great says that President Obama has a tenuous advantage that can slip at any moment.
++As if on clockwork, Liz Cheney bobbed up on the Sunday news shows to carry on the family tradition of slandering President Obama. She claimed that Obama leaked intelligence. She was referring to the matter that Eric Holder appointed two attorneys to investigate. Naturally, she was mum about her father leaking the identity of Valerie Plame.
++As I have written this is the time of year Obama hits the big funk but this year is not the time to repeat old patterns.
++We have been here before but this time the money rocket fuel can be used to actually defeat the President.
++Does anyone have the President's back? Interviews with working class people in Ohio indicate that they don't quite identify their better situation with President Obama when the increase in jobs in the state are the direct result of the auto bailout.
++There appears to be the resurfacing of the same complaints by liberals against the President even to the point of suggesting his staff is arrogant.
++This week it is rumored the Supreme Court will rule on the Affordable Care Act. Huffingtonpost today has an excellent piece on the royal mess which will occur if the act is ruled unconstitutional. Some are hoping the Court is aware that over 75% of Americans believe they will rule based on this politics and only 44% approve of the institution as a whole, the lowest ratings they have had for decades. I happen to believe that if the Court overrules Obamacare it will serious damage the President's chance for re-election.
++President Obama to get back in the game needs to lift his rhetoric above his campaign's standard lines about how he rescued the country from Depression, saved the auto industry, got out of Iraq and killed bin Laden. Obviously that's not enough for three years in the office. He needs to outline a vision of the future of the country. His rival is an empty suit, who is campaigning on a return to a past that never was.
++The mood in the country is again foul and it reminds me of 2010. I would like to know what more could President Obama have done in this time. His list of accomplishments trump some Presidents achievements on two terms. If the GOP had passed his Jobs Act, his Teachers Act, His Transportation Acts, we would be discussing the next phase of our development. Unemployment would be down to about 6.7%. But that's the point, the GOP prior to Obama taking office made a pact to destroy this President because Republicans feel they are owed the office. Considering what he has managed to do--without a fully staffed administration, it is a remarkable record.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
June 7th Electoral Vote Update
++Before the polls change again, given the recent political news, what does the Electoral College look like today? www.electoral-vote.com has Obama increasing his lead, despite the horrible economic news. Obama has 305 electoral votes and Romney 214 with 19 ties. The ties are Iowa and Virginia. Romney has picked up Ohio since I last posted electoral-vote.com but I have no idea why because only a Rasmussen poll showed Romney in the lead, while every other poll showed Obama ahead. They say Obama has picked up Missouri, again for reasons I can't fathom and don't believe.
In Senate races, it stands 51 Democrats--47 Republicans and two tied. The Dems have picked up one since last time.
++Huffington Post has Obama at 270 EVs and Romney at 181EVs. Word of caution on HuffingtonPost, because President Obama made fun of Ariana Huffington, the coverage of Obama has turned negative. I guess it's the old adage, "The 1%ers don't like being disrespected." The toss-up states according to Huffington Post are Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Colorado. So, essentially, going by the most recent polls you get close to electoral-vote.
++As one D.C. pundit said,"You may be better off flipping a coin."
In Senate races, it stands 51 Democrats--47 Republicans and two tied. The Dems have picked up one since last time.
++Huffington Post has Obama at 270 EVs and Romney at 181EVs. Word of caution on HuffingtonPost, because President Obama made fun of Ariana Huffington, the coverage of Obama has turned negative. I guess it's the old adage, "The 1%ers don't like being disrespected." The toss-up states according to Huffington Post are Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Colorado. So, essentially, going by the most recent polls you get close to electoral-vote.
++As one D.C. pundit said,"You may be better off flipping a coin."
Random Notes and Observations
++The Wisconsin turnout was 57%. Yes, indeed, the students didn't vote in force like in 2008 because most were on summer vacation and breaks. The turnout was better than 2010 and teetering on presidential levels but voter turnout remains a problem in the United States. This isn't being helped by states like Florida and Ohio purging their voter lists of actual living voters. Don't expect a 2008 turnout this year and that spells trouble for Obama and the Democrats.
++Romney outraised Obama this month by $76.8 million to $60. million. Obama will not have a cash advantage in the general election. Romney and his SuperPac groups have raised $402. million to $340 million. Obama will have the advantage of his organization which has already been working the Swing states.
++The California primaries and the way they are organized probably mean that the Democrats will not take the House. It seems at least three Republicans will sneak through when Democrats had hoped for a clean sweep.
++Mark Halperin said today that he heard that Justice Kennedy voted against the Healthcare Reform Act, which would mean that the Roberts Court would go down as the worst court since the 1920s. This would mean a 5-4 decision eliminating health insurance for millions of people immediately and eventually lead to millions more dropping out of the insurance pool because rates would go up at least 25% in the short term. If your two big decisions are Citizens United and Healthcare decided by 5-4, then you are destined to the ash heap of history and deservedly so.
++Neighbors of Mitt Romney in San LaJolla, California were showcased in the New York Times complaining about Romney's behavior and his car elevator.
++Romney apparently had an interesting hobby when he was in college and graduate school. He used to impersonate highway patrol people. His father had once given him a Michigan Highway Patrol trooper's uniform and as a prank he would put a siren on top of his car and pull people over. A real laugh riot.
++Romney is still hung up on criticism of his days at Bain and as governor of Massachusetts. He still is saying that he inherited the recession and that he was in the middle of the pack--I guess you grade on a curve--47 isn't the middle.
++Romney is accusing Obama having deliberately stalling the economy recovery for his healthcare reform. I seem to remember the stimulus package came first and healthcare later. Romney also accuses Obama of not having a jobs plan, even though I remember that Obama proposed a jobs plan in September and that Republicans refused to allow it to be voted on in the Senate.
++John McCain wants all defense spending to be off-limits to budget cuts. With Defense now taking up 57% of the US Budget, how much more do they need? 60 or maybe 65%.
++Could someone tell me how you have any effect on the national debt when you are campaigning on raising the defense budget and cutting even more taxes for the wealthy? Your problem is a revenue problem, not a tax problem.
++Jeb Bush has come out refusing to be Romney's Vice President and criticizing the GOP for its stance on immigration and taxes. Romney's campaign is blanketing Latino markets with ads blaming Obama for their economic misfortune. However, polls of Latinos show nearly 2/3rds blame George W. Bush for their plight. But the GOP shouldn't worry, Florida, Texas and other states are eliminating Latinos from their polls.
++I guess women in Virginia don't like mandatory transvaginal probes because in the Quinnipiac poll favor Obama 51-35 and overall the state favors Obama 47 to 42.
++In Michigan, EPIC-MRA poll shows Obama leading Romney by 46-45. However, the summary of polls show Obama ahead by 8.
++I leave you with this pithy observation by George Carlin, "The reason it is called the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it."
++
++Romney outraised Obama this month by $76.8 million to $60. million. Obama will not have a cash advantage in the general election. Romney and his SuperPac groups have raised $402. million to $340 million. Obama will have the advantage of his organization which has already been working the Swing states.
++The California primaries and the way they are organized probably mean that the Democrats will not take the House. It seems at least three Republicans will sneak through when Democrats had hoped for a clean sweep.
++Mark Halperin said today that he heard that Justice Kennedy voted against the Healthcare Reform Act, which would mean that the Roberts Court would go down as the worst court since the 1920s. This would mean a 5-4 decision eliminating health insurance for millions of people immediately and eventually lead to millions more dropping out of the insurance pool because rates would go up at least 25% in the short term. If your two big decisions are Citizens United and Healthcare decided by 5-4, then you are destined to the ash heap of history and deservedly so.
++Neighbors of Mitt Romney in San LaJolla, California were showcased in the New York Times complaining about Romney's behavior and his car elevator.
++Romney apparently had an interesting hobby when he was in college and graduate school. He used to impersonate highway patrol people. His father had once given him a Michigan Highway Patrol trooper's uniform and as a prank he would put a siren on top of his car and pull people over. A real laugh riot.
++Romney is still hung up on criticism of his days at Bain and as governor of Massachusetts. He still is saying that he inherited the recession and that he was in the middle of the pack--I guess you grade on a curve--47 isn't the middle.
++Romney is accusing Obama having deliberately stalling the economy recovery for his healthcare reform. I seem to remember the stimulus package came first and healthcare later. Romney also accuses Obama of not having a jobs plan, even though I remember that Obama proposed a jobs plan in September and that Republicans refused to allow it to be voted on in the Senate.
++John McCain wants all defense spending to be off-limits to budget cuts. With Defense now taking up 57% of the US Budget, how much more do they need? 60 or maybe 65%.
++Could someone tell me how you have any effect on the national debt when you are campaigning on raising the defense budget and cutting even more taxes for the wealthy? Your problem is a revenue problem, not a tax problem.
++Jeb Bush has come out refusing to be Romney's Vice President and criticizing the GOP for its stance on immigration and taxes. Romney's campaign is blanketing Latino markets with ads blaming Obama for their economic misfortune. However, polls of Latinos show nearly 2/3rds blame George W. Bush for their plight. But the GOP shouldn't worry, Florida, Texas and other states are eliminating Latinos from their polls.
++I guess women in Virginia don't like mandatory transvaginal probes because in the Quinnipiac poll favor Obama 51-35 and overall the state favors Obama 47 to 42.
++In Michigan, EPIC-MRA poll shows Obama leading Romney by 46-45. However, the summary of polls show Obama ahead by 8.
++I leave you with this pithy observation by George Carlin, "The reason it is called the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it."
++
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Old Pennsylvania Gambit
++The country has paid dearly for the failure of Republicans not to think strategically. But sometimes This can be an advantage in national elections. "The Pennsylvania gambit" refers to the McCain's campaign in 2008 insisting they had a shot at the state even though every poll showed Obama's lead was insurmountable. So they publicly abandoned Michigan, demoralizing Michigan Republicans as well as McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, who vowed to campaign among the union members with her husband Todd. Now after the Wisconsin recall, we have Reince Preibus and the Romney campaign vowing to pour resources and campaign in Wisconsin instead of Michigan. The national GOP now believes Wisconsin is a swing state.
++The exit polls from Wisconsin show Obama has a 54-42 edge over Romney. Remember the students did not vote, partly because of new voter restrictions. But of the Obama voters who did vote for Walker, the chances of Romney getting their vote is slim to none. 10% of the Wisconsin voters were opposed to the recall and voted for Walker. That was an insurmountable percentage for Barrett to overcome. But consider another answer, the vast majority of voters said that Romney's ties to Trump and his work at Bain made them less likely to vote for him. So have at it ,boys, Romney could tour the state with the Koch Brothers.
++Now about that Swing State of Pennsylvania, Franklin Marshall's poll shows Obama leading 48 to 36. Some swing state.
++PPP shows Obama leads in Romney in Florida 50 to 46--that's conditional whether any voters will be left on the rolls after Governor Scott's purge.
++PPP did another national poll which shows Obama 50 to Romney's 42. Pew has Obama up by 7, an improvement of a month ago and CNN has Obama 49 to 46 with an approval rating of 52%. Strangely, all these polls were conducted after the horrible jobs report and do not indicate any softening of Obama's support.
++Much concern has been expressed about Obama cutting back on ads in swing states. The campaign is saving they are keeping their powder dry because they expect a flood of Superpac money going after them in early fall.
++The exit polls from Wisconsin show Obama has a 54-42 edge over Romney. Remember the students did not vote, partly because of new voter restrictions. But of the Obama voters who did vote for Walker, the chances of Romney getting their vote is slim to none. 10% of the Wisconsin voters were opposed to the recall and voted for Walker. That was an insurmountable percentage for Barrett to overcome. But consider another answer, the vast majority of voters said that Romney's ties to Trump and his work at Bain made them less likely to vote for him. So have at it ,boys, Romney could tour the state with the Koch Brothers.
++Now about that Swing State of Pennsylvania, Franklin Marshall's poll shows Obama leading 48 to 36. Some swing state.
++PPP shows Obama leads in Romney in Florida 50 to 46--that's conditional whether any voters will be left on the rolls after Governor Scott's purge.
++PPP did another national poll which shows Obama 50 to Romney's 42. Pew has Obama up by 7, an improvement of a month ago and CNN has Obama 49 to 46 with an approval rating of 52%. Strangely, all these polls were conducted after the horrible jobs report and do not indicate any softening of Obama's support.
++Much concern has been expressed about Obama cutting back on ads in swing states. The campaign is saving they are keeping their powder dry because they expect a flood of Superpac money going after them in early fall.
It's Money, Honey
++You can read all the post mortems about Wisconsin but it came down to $30 million to the Democrats' $4 million. It was a prime example of how Citizens United changed and perhaps destroyed American democracy.
++The Democrats did win back the Wisconsin Senate with John Lehman beating Van Wangaard so all was not loss.
++For Republicans trying to draw national lessons from Wisconsin, forget it. In the exit polls, Obama leads Romney 54 to 42.
++The Democratic primary destroyed their chances of successfully recalling Walker, delaying their ability to re-gear in time. Walker's early spending was seen as determinant in the results.
++36% of union households voted for Walker and Barrett won the women by large amounts. Walker had split his union attacks while keeping collective bargaining for some not all unions, allowing him to split the union vote. And liberals should have learned they are not a majority anywhere in the country.
++But recalls are very tricky. The majority of Wisconsin voters believe that recalls should not be used for policy differences but for direct misdeeds. The fact of Walker being the focus of the John Doe investigation did not seep into the public consciousness. The irony is that after all this the man stands a good likelihood of being indicted. 10-20% of the Democratic voter who went for Walker did so because they do not like recalls.
++Democrats are Monday Quarterbacking this thing by blaming Russ Feingold for not running, President Obama from not campaigning in the state and for Debbie Wasserman's lackluster performance. Personally, I would have loved to see Obama's internal polls through the whole thing.
++Walker's victory was almost entirely based on white males. This doesn't translate nationally. But Democrats should learn one lesson that Republicans now how to win and now have a united ideology. Democrats are still a coalition that has to be managed. This is a strength but also a liability when confronted by an opponent that seeks complete victory. The lesson Republicans take from this is that there is no need for compromise and that a political victory is winner-take all. There is no need to represent all the people--just your donors.
++The week prior to the recall saw Diane Ravitch appear on the Ed Show to talk about what this means for education. The wide gender gap in the Wisconsin recall was based on the fact that women are by far the greatest number of teachers. While Walker left the police alone, he targeted the teacher's unions and his policies will result in 30% pay cuts for teachers. He is purposely eviscerating public education, which Diane Ravitch said is the ultimate goal of the new conservatives. As Diane said, American education has always been in crisis but the American people used to admire their teachers but now there is a systematic plan to "privatize" all public education. And Wisconsin is one of the laboratories for this.
++There were some good signs in organizing. A variety of democratic organizations managed to coordinate efforts well and same day registration took off, providing new voters for the November election.
++There were some dirty tricks. Robocalls flooded the state telling people not to vote. The calls were traced to the GOP phones. Probably the GOP didn't pass the memo that one of their operatives who did the same thing has been sentenced to prison in Maryland. People were told that couldn't vote unless they did in 2010. And there was a door-to-door campaign to tell signers of the recall petitions there was no need for them to vote. But the effect on the turnout and results were negligible.
++Borowitz tweeted last night--"The people have spoken and both their names are Koch." The Koch fortune funded Walker and the astroturf group Americans for Prosperity. For the general election, the Koch Brothers will spend more against Barack Obama than did the entire McCain campaign. So they come out of Wisconsin empowered to continue.
++The Democrats did win back the Wisconsin Senate with John Lehman beating Van Wangaard so all was not loss.
++For Republicans trying to draw national lessons from Wisconsin, forget it. In the exit polls, Obama leads Romney 54 to 42.
++The Democratic primary destroyed their chances of successfully recalling Walker, delaying their ability to re-gear in time. Walker's early spending was seen as determinant in the results.
++36% of union households voted for Walker and Barrett won the women by large amounts. Walker had split his union attacks while keeping collective bargaining for some not all unions, allowing him to split the union vote. And liberals should have learned they are not a majority anywhere in the country.
++But recalls are very tricky. The majority of Wisconsin voters believe that recalls should not be used for policy differences but for direct misdeeds. The fact of Walker being the focus of the John Doe investigation did not seep into the public consciousness. The irony is that after all this the man stands a good likelihood of being indicted. 10-20% of the Democratic voter who went for Walker did so because they do not like recalls.
++Democrats are Monday Quarterbacking this thing by blaming Russ Feingold for not running, President Obama from not campaigning in the state and for Debbie Wasserman's lackluster performance. Personally, I would have loved to see Obama's internal polls through the whole thing.
++Walker's victory was almost entirely based on white males. This doesn't translate nationally. But Democrats should learn one lesson that Republicans now how to win and now have a united ideology. Democrats are still a coalition that has to be managed. This is a strength but also a liability when confronted by an opponent that seeks complete victory. The lesson Republicans take from this is that there is no need for compromise and that a political victory is winner-take all. There is no need to represent all the people--just your donors.
++The week prior to the recall saw Diane Ravitch appear on the Ed Show to talk about what this means for education. The wide gender gap in the Wisconsin recall was based on the fact that women are by far the greatest number of teachers. While Walker left the police alone, he targeted the teacher's unions and his policies will result in 30% pay cuts for teachers. He is purposely eviscerating public education, which Diane Ravitch said is the ultimate goal of the new conservatives. As Diane said, American education has always been in crisis but the American people used to admire their teachers but now there is a systematic plan to "privatize" all public education. And Wisconsin is one of the laboratories for this.
++There were some good signs in organizing. A variety of democratic organizations managed to coordinate efforts well and same day registration took off, providing new voters for the November election.
++There were some dirty tricks. Robocalls flooded the state telling people not to vote. The calls were traced to the GOP phones. Probably the GOP didn't pass the memo that one of their operatives who did the same thing has been sentenced to prison in Maryland. People were told that couldn't vote unless they did in 2010. And there was a door-to-door campaign to tell signers of the recall petitions there was no need for them to vote. But the effect on the turnout and results were negligible.
++Borowitz tweeted last night--"The people have spoken and both their names are Koch." The Koch fortune funded Walker and the astroturf group Americans for Prosperity. For the general election, the Koch Brothers will spend more against Barack Obama than did the entire McCain campaign. So they come out of Wisconsin empowered to continue.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
On Wisconsin
Only the third recall of a governor in American history is being held today in Wisconsin, the culmination of an 18 month struggle that started after Governor Walker decided to strip unions of their collective bargaining rights.
Both progressives and the Right are making this election a milestone in the on-going ideological power struggle in the United States. The polls since April have had Walker leading but as the day of the voting came closer his Democratic challenger Tom Barrett gained strength.
The Democratic organization effort has merged several organizations from the labor unions, who have lost half their strength since the union busting measures, to Organizing for America, the Obama organization. The national Democratic Party got into the game late, with Debbie Wasserman appearing in the state and Bill Clinton appearing in northern Milwaukee on Friday. The key importance to northern Milwaukee is that if it turns out in numbers its predominantly democratic electorate would eliminate any lead Walker had throughout the state. Both progressives and the Right point out President Obama's reluctance to campaign in Wisconsin, although he chose the same tactic during the recall petition campaign.
Scott Walker has raised more money than any state-wide politician because of a fluke in Wisconsin law not limiting the funds that can be raised by a politician being recalled. He has outspent his Democratic competitor by 7 1/2 to 1.
Scott Walker has backed away from his previous claims he will win to warning voters there will be fraud. Even Rinse Penis of the RNC, who came from Wisconsin, warned on the national media about attempts at voter fraud.
Wisconsin? Voter Fraud? In the previous recall elections there were problems with electoral officials doing things --like storing ballots in unsecured places-say their homes.
So what are the chances of voter fraud, not perpetrated by government officials. About the same as you being hit by lightning. In 2008, when Wisconsin had the largest turnout in its history--over 3 million voters, a whopping 70 cases of election fraud were reported. The Attorney General of the state has reported that in non-presidential elections since 2000, the state doesn't get more than 20 cases of voter fraud per election.
So what are the chances of voter fraud? According to the Brennen Center, which studies voter issues, .00002%.
So either Walker has some tricks up his sleeves or he is putting out the excuse if he loses and his lawyers mount an attack on a recount. Both sides are lawyered up for challenges.
While Nat Silver of the New York Times projects a Walker win, it is clear that the Democrats have a great shot at taking back the Senate, which is now tied after the last recall elections. And consider this, a head of a popular union is running for Lt. Gov. While both sides down play the possibility of a split Gov.-Lt. Governor,it is more real than not. That would mean that if and when Governor Walker is indicted, the Lt. Governor would take over.
Yesterday the Department of Justice announced it was monitoring the election in Wisconsin and will have people on the ground.
So, good luck to the people of Wisconsin.
Both progressives and the Right are making this election a milestone in the on-going ideological power struggle in the United States. The polls since April have had Walker leading but as the day of the voting came closer his Democratic challenger Tom Barrett gained strength.
The Democratic organization effort has merged several organizations from the labor unions, who have lost half their strength since the union busting measures, to Organizing for America, the Obama organization. The national Democratic Party got into the game late, with Debbie Wasserman appearing in the state and Bill Clinton appearing in northern Milwaukee on Friday. The key importance to northern Milwaukee is that if it turns out in numbers its predominantly democratic electorate would eliminate any lead Walker had throughout the state. Both progressives and the Right point out President Obama's reluctance to campaign in Wisconsin, although he chose the same tactic during the recall petition campaign.
Scott Walker has raised more money than any state-wide politician because of a fluke in Wisconsin law not limiting the funds that can be raised by a politician being recalled. He has outspent his Democratic competitor by 7 1/2 to 1.
Scott Walker has backed away from his previous claims he will win to warning voters there will be fraud. Even Rinse Penis of the RNC, who came from Wisconsin, warned on the national media about attempts at voter fraud.
Wisconsin? Voter Fraud? In the previous recall elections there were problems with electoral officials doing things --like storing ballots in unsecured places-say their homes.
So what are the chances of voter fraud, not perpetrated by government officials. About the same as you being hit by lightning. In 2008, when Wisconsin had the largest turnout in its history--over 3 million voters, a whopping 70 cases of election fraud were reported. The Attorney General of the state has reported that in non-presidential elections since 2000, the state doesn't get more than 20 cases of voter fraud per election.
So what are the chances of voter fraud? According to the Brennen Center, which studies voter issues, .00002%.
So either Walker has some tricks up his sleeves or he is putting out the excuse if he loses and his lawyers mount an attack on a recount. Both sides are lawyered up for challenges.
While Nat Silver of the New York Times projects a Walker win, it is clear that the Democrats have a great shot at taking back the Senate, which is now tied after the last recall elections. And consider this, a head of a popular union is running for Lt. Gov. While both sides down play the possibility of a split Gov.-Lt. Governor,it is more real than not. That would mean that if and when Governor Walker is indicted, the Lt. Governor would take over.
Yesterday the Department of Justice announced it was monitoring the election in Wisconsin and will have people on the ground.
So, good luck to the people of Wisconsin.
Friday, June 1, 2012
After The Hurricane
++If you caught the headlines at Huffpost, you would think the economy collapsed. Yes, the jobs report was horrible but the economy still gained jobs. We are not back into the Recession/Depression yet.
++Bill Clinton gave a boost to Barrett today in Wisconsin. If you want to see themes that will play out during the national campaign, try to see a copy of his speech, which has been posted on many websites. He makes the case that in those areas of the country which have come back economically, there is a spirit of cooperation, compromise and a desire to find constructive solutions as opposed to the spirit of winner take all, which Walker seems to personify. He spoke of the desires of the wiring and middle class as opposed to the very wealthy. It was one of those speeches where you understood he was a "100% political animal" with a very refined sense of what the crowd wanted to hear.
++The problem with recalls is people really don't like them and prefer to replace the guy they don't like at the next election. Some of that is at play in Wisconsin. While election officials expect a large turnout, early voting is looking a lot like 2010 and that would favor Walker. But the polling says that Barrett after two debate wins has the momentum.
++Meanwhile, since Barack Obama is doomed, the latest CNN poll shows his approval rating at 52 and him edging out Romney 49 to 46. But if you want to be gloomy, Romney is winning today's Gallup and Rasmussen tracking polls 46 to 45.
++The Field organization has Obama winning California 48 to 32. I wonder who the others were voting for.
++To his credit, President Obama can out firing today in Minnesota on the poor jobs report and reminded everyone that the Republican Congress has failed to pass his Jobs Bill he submitted last September. That would have added 1.5-1.9 million jobs and increased the GDP by two points.
++Morning talk shows made the claim that Obama's attacks on Romney as Bain's CEO have failed and are turning off independents. Since today was jobs day,it might seem logical. But when we get to the real event, it may not be jobs which determines the election but what each candidate actually believes. In the case of Romney, we are still waiting to find out what, if anything he believes.
++Bill Clinton gave a boost to Barrett today in Wisconsin. If you want to see themes that will play out during the national campaign, try to see a copy of his speech, which has been posted on many websites. He makes the case that in those areas of the country which have come back economically, there is a spirit of cooperation, compromise and a desire to find constructive solutions as opposed to the spirit of winner take all, which Walker seems to personify. He spoke of the desires of the wiring and middle class as opposed to the very wealthy. It was one of those speeches where you understood he was a "100% political animal" with a very refined sense of what the crowd wanted to hear.
++The problem with recalls is people really don't like them and prefer to replace the guy they don't like at the next election. Some of that is at play in Wisconsin. While election officials expect a large turnout, early voting is looking a lot like 2010 and that would favor Walker. But the polling says that Barrett after two debate wins has the momentum.
++Meanwhile, since Barack Obama is doomed, the latest CNN poll shows his approval rating at 52 and him edging out Romney 49 to 46. But if you want to be gloomy, Romney is winning today's Gallup and Rasmussen tracking polls 46 to 45.
++The Field organization has Obama winning California 48 to 32. I wonder who the others were voting for.
++To his credit, President Obama can out firing today in Minnesota on the poor jobs report and reminded everyone that the Republican Congress has failed to pass his Jobs Bill he submitted last September. That would have added 1.5-1.9 million jobs and increased the GDP by two points.
++Morning talk shows made the claim that Obama's attacks on Romney as Bain's CEO have failed and are turning off independents. Since today was jobs day,it might seem logical. But when we get to the real event, it may not be jobs which determines the election but what each candidate actually believes. In the case of Romney, we are still waiting to find out what, if anything he believes.
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