Morning Browse

Monday morning attention-grabbers:

• Martin Sheen: Romney is stupid, arrogant
• What's the Matter With Kansas and the Democrats?
• How House Republicans Would Make It Harder to Provide Hurricane Relief
• Ladies, Don't Fall for Moderate Mitt!
• Robert Reich: Final Days, Biggest Issue & the Clearest Choice
• Romney's Charitable Trust: Not Very Charitable
• Fox Shows Why Other Media Outlets Aren't Following Lead on Libya Coverage
• Message About Election from a 97-year-old & her friends (video)

Good reads with my first cup of coffee…

Indeedy!

Sununu, Trump and Meat Loaf for Romney. It says a lot, none of it good - yuk!

Bubba Big Dog (Bill Clinton), Powell and Springsteen for Obama.

Yes indeedy! :)

Rock On, Godless Heathens!

I like the looks of today's forecasts on Five Thirty Eight:

 

Keep your eyes peeled!

Beyond the ongoing estimates, I'm truly dumbfounded that anyone – most especially women – would vote for a candidate who believes pregnancy-by-rape is still a "gift from God." There seems to be a collective boiling rage against women festering within the GOP, almost as strong as their racially motivated hatred of President Obama.

How can we move forward when the right-wing fringes are fueled by rabid hatemongers that vehemently believe those disagreeing with their views are nothing more than Godless heathens?

Pair of Nods

While Ross Perot's endorsement of Romney was hardly a big surprise, Colin Powell's presidential preference was still a bit of a mystery until today.

Colin Powell backs Obama

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday endorsed President Barack Obama for reelection, arguing the president has improved the poor economy he inherited and sharply criticizing Mitt Romney's foreign policy's positions a "moving target."

Frankly, Perot's earlier endorsement of Romney fell rather flat. Who honestly cares what Ross Perot thinks these days? He never held a position within the government, not to mention his popular heyday went out the window two decades ago.

On the other hand, Powell's nod carries a great deal of weight. Although Republican, he is well-respected on both sides of the aisle. He is also known to have an un-jaded view of his own party. More from Politico:

While in the Bush administration, Powell regularly clashed with neoconservatives, some of whom are now advising Romney. Powell said he has "trouble with" some of Romney's "very strong neoconservative views."

Even though endorsements don't truly sway elections, Powell's affirmation in favor of President Obama is significant.

Lipton's View

James Lipton has made several appearances on MSNBC to discuss the current election campaigns and politics in general. For those unaware, Lipton is the longtime host of Inside the Actor's Studio.

According to Politico:

Lipton, who has made appearances on MSNBC to evaluate the debates from the perspective of a drama critic, said his "adventure" to find the Republican nominee's core made him sympathize with President Barack Obama.

"Romney is as elusive as a phantom," Lipton said. "The minute you think you've got him pegged, he disappears in a puff of smoke and mirrors. I think that's annoying to a debater. When you prepare for a debate and somebody else shows up, it's very disconcerting."

I've always enjoyed Lipton's interviews in regards to the acting craft. He's somber, reasonable and sensible and yet has a keen sense of humor. That he has taken a foray into the world of politics is a bit surprising, but hardly off the mark. He seems to have a natural talent for political commentary, and I'm hoping he makes a regular habit of it even after the election is over.

Last Stretch

Was it just me, or did Romney look ill during the last presidential debate?

Whatever the case, POTUS was clearly in command. I don't know if my nerves can stand the two weeks wait for Election Day…

Campaign Plagiarism

Even though they have received a "cease and desist" letter from the creator of Friday Night Lights, Mitt Romney's campaign has continued to use the plagiarized slogan "Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. (America) Can't Lose!"

According to Daily Kos:

As you might have heard, this slogan was actually "borrowed" word for word and without permission from the television program Friday Night Lights, in which the high school football team would chant "Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose!" as a rallying cry.

As you might imagine, this did not sit well with the show's creator, Peter Berg. In fact, Berg was so upset that he penned an angry letter to Mitt Romney, accusing him of plagiarism, saying that his campaign's values were antithetical to the themes of the show, and demanding that the campaign stop using those words and instead come up with its own, original slogan.

The Romney-Ryan campaign has instead doubled down on using the pilfered slogan, and has even started selling merchandise emblazoned with the words.

It's just another example of how Romney does what he damn well pleases without thought to others, despite possible legal ramifications. His sense of entitlement and "better-than-thou" attitude is repugnant and indicative of his true personality and moral values.

Saturday Mish-Mash

Do you think this is just media-hype, or does Gloria Allred really have something up her sleeve?

• Republicans bracing for October surprise as Gloria Allred prepares for Romney revelation

And the Salt Lake Tribune's endorsement of President Obama is surprising considering the Twilight Zone that is Utah, but it's awesome nonetheless:

• Too Many Mitts: Obama has earned another term

In considering which candidate to endorse, the Salt Lake Tribune editorial board had hoped that Romney would exhibit the same talents for organization, pragmatic problem-solving and inspired leadership that he displayed here more than a decade ago. Instead, we have watched him morph into a friend of the far right, then tack toward the center with breathtaking aplomb. Through a pair of presidential debates, Romney's domestic agenda remains bereft of detail and worthy of mistrust.

Therefore, our endorsement must go to the incumbent, a competent leader who, against tough odds, has guided the country through catastrophe and set a course that, while rocky, is pointing toward a brighter day. The president has earned a second term. Romney, in whatever guise, does not deserve a first.

Rock on!

Dim Penchants

Idiocy runs in the family:

• Tagg Romney wanted to "take a swing" at Obama during debate

I don't mean to be petty and churlish, but the statement gives credence to the phrase "idiot son like idiot father." If the unthinkable happens and Romney is elected, he'll deserve just as much respect and deference as he and his right-wing nut pals have always given to President Obama – which is absolutely zero. Because of their deranged slurs and latent racist agenda, Republicans have tainted the sacrosanct respect due the President of the United States whether one agrees with his policies or not. They opened the proverbial door, so they shouldn't expect anything different for one of their own – if that time ever comes.

Can you tell I'm not the type to turn the other cheek?

By the way, my favorite moment of the debate was when President Obama nailed Romney on his Libya posturing. He really thought he was going in for the kill, didn't he? Romney looked like a complete fool. But then again, what else is new?

Take a Look

Eye-opening article:

• What a Vote for Romney Means

Give it a read.

Veep Notes

I thoroughly enjoyed last Thursday's vice-presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. Unlike the first presidential debate, when I did a lot of screaming at the television, the veep-chat set me to laughing several times. More important, Vice President Biden was able to reveal the falsehoods and inherent flaws in his opponent's views with great aplomb.

Right-wing reaction to Biden was typical, mainly because they simply can't defend their own vice presidential candidate and his spotty record. I think my favorite moment during the veep debate was when Biden pointed out Ryan had requested stimulus money for Wisconsin even as he publicly rallied against it. The best breakdown of the interaction: Robert Reich's Super Clear, Super Helpful Review of the VP Debate.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's Obama-Romney rematch, although I have a feeling I'll be screaming at the television again. Which Romney will appear this time – the moderate, the conservative or the tea bagger?

VP Debate Priors

Suggested reading:

• What Everyone Needs to Know Before Watching the VP Debate
• 5 things to watch in VP debate
• Debate Prep: The Many Funny Faces of Paul Ryan
• Debate Question for Paul Ryan: Which of Mitt's Many Sides Are You On?
• Mitt Goes Around, Comes Around (Cartoon)

Short of experiencing a power outage, I'll be watching every minute of tonight's debate.

Go Joe!

Blurbs Et Al

Recent articles and headlines that have caught my eye:

• Romney web site silent on closing tax loopholes
• Gingrich Concedes Romney Wasn't Honest About Tax Plan During Debate
• 7.8 Percent Unemployment News Gets To Mitt At His Home On Island
• Americans' Preference Shifts Toward One-Party Government
• Albright: Romney would get a C on foreign policy

Fast Forward: In regards to Romney’s "foreign policy" speech today, all I can say is he looked anything but presidential (no matter how many flags appeared in his backdrop) and worse, he sounded like a complete and utter fool. He wants to build fifteen new battleships each year to strengthen the navy…Where will the money to achieve such a goal come from? His rich friends or the middle class? As I predicted the other day, electing Romney will undoubtedly ensure the United States entering into another unnecessary war. Does the Republican pissing contest never end? Mitt Romney: Failing the Commander-in-Chief test.

From Daily Kos:

Throughout the campaign, Romney has vacillated between making a fool of himself and engaging in dangerous saber-rattling. Perhaps the reason is that he really doesn't have any foreign policy experience, period. Unless, of course, you count investing in companies that were pioneers in outsourcing as foreign policy experience. Or, for that matter, having accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands. And, while we're at it, let's not forget where he got the money to start Bain Capital.

And finally, Five-Thirty-Eight is currently predicting President Obama will win the electoral vote come Election Day (307.6 to Romney's 230.4 as of today).

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Faux Chicanery & Denial

According to Think Progress:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released an unexpectedly strong monthly jobs report on Friday, finding a dramatic drop in unemployment to 7.8 percent and revised the number of jobs added in July and August up from initial estimates. While for most Americans, the growing economy is good news, conservatives immediately expressed their skepticism in the jobs report’s credibility.

Naturally, the right-wing believes the numbers are all part of a nefarious scheme perpetuated by President Obama:

Meet The Conservatives Who Think Today's Job Numbers Are a Conspiracy

First they felt polls showing President Obama in the lead were fixed, and now new job numbers are nothing more than liberal chicanery.

More reaction from the right:

• Romney lashes out against good economic news
• Conservatives: jobs data phony
• Mailer Misleads Ohioans on Job Losses

What must it be like to live on Planet Denial?

Nightmare Scenario

If Romney manages to fool a majority of the populace and the electorate by Election Day, the United States will be thrust into a world of hurt much worse than the state Bush left us in. Either way you look at it, it's a nightmare scenario. Imaginary tax cuts for the middle class will translate into even more easy bounty for the wealthiest echelons of society, seniors will be forced to pay more for healthcare because of Ryan's plans to slash Medicare and Medicaid, not to mention food stamps and other temporary relief from dire straits, along with a Wall Street being free of most regulations, and less serious attention paid to education and green energy.

Worse, I think a "President Romney" would be only too eager to prove his "power" as commander-in-chief by involving us in another war, with Iran and Syria topping the list of possibilities. Never mind the cost of human lives and billions of dollars – just as long as he is seen as a "bold and decisive" leader. To put it mildly, he is anything but "bold and decisive." He reminds me of Chief Inspector Dreyfus (aka Herbert Lom from the Pink Panther movies), his hand itching at the switch complete with a tic in his eye and a pronounced childlike giggle.

 

 

Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

[During the debate] Romney repeatedly and blatantly lied to the American people about his plans and the President's record. He failed to deliver the specifics that voters deserve to hear, and he doubled down on the same failed policies that hurt the middle class and led to the economic crisis.

God help us all.

Not So Fast

Many political pundits are saying President Obama was off his game during the first presidential debate last night, but I thought he was calm and collected while Mittens was like a deer in the headlights (especially when the camera panned to his face as the President was speaking). The way Romney kept running over the moderator was also very annoying, and his grasp of facts was less than stellar as usual:

At Last Night's Debate: Romney Told 27 Myths in 38 Minutes

Romney's repetition of various phrases which included references to "truth" and "jobs" made little impression, frankly, because he is not credible as a candidate as far as I'm concerned. I was never undecided to begin with, but after last night's back and forth I am more firmly in President Obama's camp than ever before.

One thing I found incredulous is that President Obama didn't fling a few things at his opponent - such as 47 percent among others - but perhaps he's saving it for the next debate.

Thankfully there are still two more to go.