The ONE & ONLY 2012 Politics/Election Thread

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Republicans vote for all the legislation you listed IN DROVES.

The anti smoking campaign, and WHO started it. Ill post more on the other civil liberties violations that the Dems have shoved down our throats; after I grab a cup of coffee
http://books.google.com/books?id=GmN...UQ6AEwCA<br />

[Mooosman]

A person who voted for BHO because he didn't like Palin, even though McCain was BHO's opponent, is beyond informed or rational calculation.

Why?

While normally I will agree that voters look to the actual opponents to make their decision rather than the VP choices (ie: Obama v. McCain), in 2008 I could see it as a valid concern of voters to look at Palin more closely than the usual VP pick, because of McCain's advanced age.

Let's not forget that McCain was in his 70s, and statistically far more likely to keel over during his term than the 40-something Obama. The prospect of having a President Palin should something happen to McCain could have been a concern to some voters.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Palin > Biden fer daizzzz

[zukiphile]

Why?

Because if you like the policies McCain was offering, BHO isn't a better option than Palin.

Same for Mondale v. Reagan. If you like the policies Mondale was offering, Reagan isn't a better option than Ferraro.

[2.0T_Convert]

Because if you like the policies McCain was offering, BHO isn't a better option than Palin.

I consider BHO more likely to veto any attempts to define marraige at a Federal level than McCain or any Republican. So I won't vote for any Republican with a realistic chance.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

I consider BHO more likely to veto any attempts to define marraige at a Federal level than McCain or any Republican. So I won't vote for any Republican with a realistic chance.

This is where I have a problem with the GOP. They need to get their collective heads out of their asses on a few key social issues. Id go on about it, but I already did once today

[A.Wilder]

Voted, No to amendment 1 after work today. Looks pretty close right now with 56% yes. I would be surprised if it does not pass considering the timing of the vote (same day as republican primary).

[kenny301]

Palin > Biden fer daizzzz

Comedy

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Comedy

CSB

[2.0T_Convert]

Comedy

Someone on Facebook posted a status as Hillary/Biden 2016.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Someone on Facebook posted a status as Hillary/Biden 2016.

Nobody in their right mind would chose Biden as their running mate again. That guy has diarrhea of the mouth, and is a liability.

[adoniram7]

Nobody in their right mind would chose Biden as their running mate again. That guy has diarrhea of the mouth, and is a liability.

Actually, every time Biden says something "embarassing" it's usually just that
he's speaking truth to the actual position the Dems are taking behind the scenes,
but won't say publicly!

This last gaff on gay marriage is one of many.

On a serious note, I wouldn't be surprised is he has a form of Alzheimers or dementia.
And he's a genuinely likable person.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Actually, every time Biden says something "embarassing" it's usually just that
he's speaking truth to the actual position the Dems are taking behind the scenes,
but won't say publicly!

This last gaff on gay marriage is one of many.

On a serious note, I wouldn't be surprised is he has a form of Alzheimers or dementia.
And he's a genuinely likable person.

Thanks for confirming my point, as I was definitely speaking from a bipartisan perspective. To the contrary as a Republican I hope someone DOES choose him as their running mate

As far as him being "likable as a person"; do you know him personally? Because many times politician's real life persona is quite different from their public persona. Ex. I happen to KNOW former Senator, and congressman Robert Torecelli from New Jersey (aka "The Torch"). He's a very likable, down to earth guy in private; I always felt his public persona was not very likable tho.. just sayin.

[Mike!]

The Biden running mate choice was interesting. Usually running mate choices display some form of electoral advantage... geographic, establishment/experience, demographic, etc.

I suppose Biden did have many more years in Washington than Obama himself, but Obama wasn't going to lose Delaware without Biden or anything (all 3 electoral votes...). All it screams to me is "don't assassinate me, look who's next in line" Affable as he may be, I'm not sure many people would want him to be running the country.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

I think Biden as president would be great for sound bytes, and shear laughs alone! Could you IMAGINE the things he would say if he were one rung higher on the ladder! :p

[lojasmo]

Affable as he may be, I'm not sure many people would want him to be running the country.

Former chair of both the judiciary and foreign affaires committees in the senate? I think Biden is very qualified. Certainly more than the snowbilly grifter.

[Mike!]

Former chair of both the judiciary and foreign affaires committees in the senate? I think Biden is very qualified. Certainly more than the snowbilly grifter.

I take congressional chairmanships on a resume with a grain of salt. A few past or present chairmen that come to mind include Charley Rangel, Chris Dodd, and Barney Frank.

That said Biden is qualified, affable, and intelligent. He's just not a first choice for the highest elected office.

[adoniram7]

Thanks for confirming my point, as I was definitely speaking from a bipartisan perspective. To the contrary as a Republican I hope someone DOES choose him as their running mate

As far as him being "likable as a person"; do you know him personally? Because many times politician's real life persona is quite different from their public persona. Ex. I happen to KNOW former Senator, and congressman Robert Torecelli from New Jersey (aka "The Torch"). He's a very likable, down to earth guy in private; I always felt his public persona was not very likable tho.. just sayin.

I don't know him personally; however, my first cousin does, and from our
conversations, he spoke positively of Joe. One conversation was when
Obama had first chosen him as his running mate. Said first cousin lives
and works in Dull-aware.

[2.0T_Convert]

I suppose Biden did have many more years in Washington than Obama himself, but Obama wasn't going to lose Delaware without Biden or anything (all 3 electoral votes...). All it screams to me is "don't assassinate me, look who's next in line" Affable as he may be, I'm not sure many people would want him to be running the country.

The choice of Biden always seemed to me as calculated as the choice of Palin. Palin gave old man McCain a younger engergetic running mate and a way to get into with female voters. Biden gave Obama an experienced old white man.

[tbvvw]

Obama chose Biden because he has a political trait that Obama himself does not posses. Biden is an old school politician, knows how to work a room, how to have a friendly, off the record conversation in the congressional offices/hallways of any political, (either side), knows how to make a phone call prior to a vote to try to sway a person, etc. Politicians on both sides of the aisle who've known him his whole career says his informal "behind the scenes" negotiating is as good as it gets. That's what he brings to the table...as a VP.

[SurferbobGolf]

From Obama's Facebook Page:



And video link: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video...legal-16312940

[Mike!]

From Obama's Facebook Page:



And video link: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video...legal-16312940

[Sump]

Politicians saying what you want to hear getting close to an election?

MORE AT 11.

[lojasmo]

Politicians saying what you want to hear getting close to an election?

MORE AT 11.

There is, essentially 50/50 support for SSM. Not really much of a pander.

[Sump]

There is, essentially 50/50 support for SSM. Not really much of a pander.

He's pandering his base for sure as he's lost a lot of those supporters over the past 4 years (if you're going by approval ratings). I would say most if not all of the 50% that aren't for gay marriage are typically on the other side.

(I can't believe that many people are still against it, but I digress)

[barry2952]

[20DYNAMITE07]

Stormy posted this in the funny picture thread...

I lol'd.

[zukiphile]

He's pandering his base for sure...

What BHO said is interesting.

"At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,’’ Obama said ...

-CNN

Emphasis added. Those qualification make me think that Biden's latest comment wasn't planned. If BHO were going to use this shift as part of an well conceived political strategy, he would not have employed that language.

[pentaxshooter]

[petesell]

He's pandering his base for sure as he's lost a lot of those supporters over the past 4 years (if you're going by approval ratings). I would say most if not all of the 50% that aren't for gay marriage are typically on the other side.

i don't see it that way. the support he's lost on the left doesn't see this issue as a priority. those that do, take the repeal of don't ask don't tell as one of obama's greater achievements, and those same people are going to support him in 2012. this issue is NOT a winner for him. SSM matters most among populations that are established in blue states. in swing states like pa/oh/in etc, this is a loser.

imo, he's taking a position of moral leadership on something he sees as a fundamental issue of fairness, and i applaud him for it. i think for most of us, our opinion on this issue has probably evolved as well. i know i don't see this issue the same way i did when i was 20.

[zukiphile]

imo, he's taking a position of moral leadership on something he sees as a fundamental issue of fairness, ...

Or Biden stepped in an issue BHO has been careful to walk around, and BHO has grabbed the nearest stick to scrape it off his shoe.

[Sump]

Or Biden stepped in an issue BHO has been careful to walk around, and BHO has grabbed the nearest stick to scrape it off his shoe.

Yeah ever since his campaign in 2008 he's been careful, always making sure to state something like "I am for equal rights" or something along those lines.

[Mike!]

He's taking an electoral risk by making this statement, so I would argue that it makes it courageous for him to do so. That it took a while for him to get here, and that the timing may not have been voluntary, don't necessarily detract from that.

That said, the risk he took does also have the potential to help him. It was not straight-up shooting himself in the foot. A notion of supporting 'equality' and 'fairness', define them as you will, can turn voters out who agree with you, something which can be just as important as changing people's minds who don't agree with you.

[VarianceVQ]

Yeah ever since his campaign in 2008 he's been careful, always making sure to state something like "I am for equal rights" or something along those lines.

Was that not clear enough? People really need to be spoon-fed every nuance of what that entails?

[petesell]

Or Biden stepped in an issue BHO has been careful to walk around, and BHO has grabbed the nearest stick to scrape it off his shoe.

in an election year, he probably didn't want to touch this, we all know this. i don't think it's as toxic as you make it sound, post DADT.

NC brought the issue to the forefront however, and that state wants to make what might be regarded as an overreach re-rights afforded to civil unions, of which is what obama previously had stated was the reasonable compromise. so biden's big mouth or not, this is a prominent issue today, and the president didn't hesitate taking a stand.