Was the republican convention a waste?

1. 60

   mio cidposted 11 years ago

   Was the republican convention a wasted opportunity to gain on the president?I think except for Ann Romney's participation there was very little accomplished by this convention,the Rasmussen latest poll gives it a 5 point bounce , I suspect the real bounce is about three points once the other polls come out and average it out waiting to see the realclear which is more trustworthy.Will the democrats learn from their rivals' mistakes and have a more successful convention?

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      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I think Romney's speech will prove to be very effective among independents and undecideds.

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      ElderYoungManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Big waste of time.  An embarrassment actually.  What clint actually illustrated in very vivid color was the fear of the decline of white gentile dominance in this country and the world.

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      Xenonlitposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It was not a waste of time in the sense that the American people had a chance to see what a train wreck the Tea Party has made of the Grand Old Party. I wonder how many Republicans wish those clowns would just disappear and give them their party back.
      
      The highlights: Ryan's catastrophic lying and Clint Eastwood appearing to be racist and out of his mind as he talked to an empty chair.

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         mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         you are absolutely right what is left  after the convention not too positive for  the republiclowns.

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   4. 59

      secularist10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      From the party of Lincoln to this. A party of failed and disproven economic theory, empty slogans, hypocrisy and a spastic, denialist attachment to a bygone demographic and geopolitical era. Regressive tax policies, pathological confusion and discomfort with the modern woman, and with an evolving sexual culture, on top of an utterly hollow foreign policy paradigm unattached to the realities of the early 21st century world.
      
      Not that Democrats in the age of Obama are any better, but that's another story.

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         mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         who would've thought W would look like  a contemporary man aware of the change in the times compared to these retrogrades  Romney and Ryan.

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            secularist10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            It's a shame too because both Romney and Ryan are extremely intelligent men. Unfortunately being intelligent does not immunize a person to flawed ideology and philosophy.

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               mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I think if the political reality was different, if Romney and Ryan would be candidates not being hostage to a republican party base dominated by the extremist right wingers, the right wing nut talking heads  and the tea party , they would be capable of governing in a way that puts country first, and even reach bipartisan agreements, but unfortunately that is not the case and although they are intelligent and capable individuals the present political  reality in their party deems them  unable to govern for the benefit of the whole country but  only to the benefit of the one percent.

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      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh come on mio cid, for entertainment value alone the Repub convention was up there.

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2. 66

   innersmiffposted 11 years ago

   All it was was a nail in the coffin for the Republican party as far as libertarians and true conservatives are concerned. Their phony-ness has gone on long enough, and it is time for mass non-compliance in this coming election. Even a vote for Gary Johnson would demonstrate this.

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      mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      From your mouth to god's ears.I hope Gary Johnson outperforms and gets millions of votes

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         PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I would love to see a large percentage of votes for Gary Johnson.  It would be a good thing!

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3. 59

   thelizposted 11 years ago

   Depends on how you vote. If you are a Repub you are probably less than enthused. As a Demo I think it was a huge success and thank God that Clint Eastwood decided to throw in a little performance art to seal the deal.

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      mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      that was a slick move by the big O to send clint to the gop convention and derail it.

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4. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   
   
   I agree with theliz.  It didn't go so well for Romney.  Whoever is in charge of his campaign is incompetent.

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      mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And right after he finished he called the big O to report his success.

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         PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I've been following InvisibleObama on twitter.  Hilarious stuff!

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            innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            There is only one thing I won't stand for . . .
            
            . . and that's making fun of Clint Eastwood.

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               PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               Oh, but you see, Clint was a plant.  Our hilarity is directed at the Romney campaign incompetence!

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               1. 66

                  innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  That's all right then!

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               Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Will you hang us high?

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                  innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  And p*ss on your grave!

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                     mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     this is a little extreme, don't you think?

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                        innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        In The Line Of Fire. Watch it.

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                           Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           You'd say anything for a few dollars more.

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                              innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                              You see, Clint Eastwood don't like you laughin'. He gets the crazy idea you're laughin' at him. But if you apologise, like I know you're going to, I might convince him you really didn't mean it.

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                                 Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                                 Ok, I'm sorry, I'll aplogise in any which way I can.

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                                 1. 66

                                    innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                                    Hereafter, you'll pay a little more respect.

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                                       Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                                       Oh please, Innersmith. Now you're beginning to sound like the Enforcer.

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                                       innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                                       You've gone too far! Now, you're Unforgiven!

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      2. 59

         thelizposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Ha! Loves it!!

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5. 84

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   image from Upworthy Facebook page, funny stuff
   
   

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      mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Colbert already interviewed empty seat.she is not a bad candidate

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      Quilligrapherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Clint Eastwood proved before a national audience that it is possible to debate an empty chair....and lose.
      

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6. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   As usual, President Obama handles this hilarious situation with just the right tone:
   
   http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/s … csp=34news
   
   President Obama wants to make it clear that, in his own words, "I am a huge Clint Eastwood fan."
   
   "He is a great actor, and an even better director," the president said in an interview with USA TODAY aboard Air Force One, on his way to campaign rallies in Iowa Saturday. "I think the last few movies that he's made have been terrific."
   
   Was he offended?
   
   "One thing about being president or running for president — if you're easily offended, you should probably choose another profession." Obama said with a smile. He said there would be no effort to counter with a similar stunt at the Democratic National Convention, which opens in Charlotte Tuesday.
   
   "I think we'll be playing this pretty straight," he said.

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      mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      i bet he was thinking ,offended? i want to give him a hug.

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7. 78

   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   Reviews I've read in media:
   1. Keynote speaker's address full of lies, did nothing to help Romney, mostly paved the way for Christie in 2016.
   2. Ryan's speech riddled with lies and more lies. Even Fox called him out on that.
   3. Romney's speech underwhelming.
   4. Eastwood, brought in as the "secret weapon" backfired bigtime.
   
   The Dems should be able to beat that by simply showing up.

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   1. 72

      Quilligrapherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hey there, MM.  How have you been?
      
      Regarding your item 3., I am surprised no one has challenged Mitt Romney’s hollow promise to create new jobs. He said in his acceptance speech at the RNC, “I have a plan to create 12 million new jobs.” {1} Although that may be welcomed as great news to many, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections released seven months ago in February, 2012, forecasts more than 2 million new jobs a year over the next decade even if he is not elected. “Total employment,” the report says, “is projected to grow by 14.3 percent over the decade, resulting in 20.5 million new jobs.” {2} Again, the obvious fact is that Presidents can not create new jobs in the private sector no matter how much they claim that they can.
      
      Furthermore, there is another prediction in this report that relates to jobs and President Obama’s PPACA.  “One-third of the projected fastest growing occupations are related to health care.” Another economic advantage driven my Obamacare that is getting very little air time. 
      
      {1} http://www.npr.org/2012/08/30/160357612 … nce-speech
      {2} http://bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm

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      1. 78

         Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Howdy, Quill.
         Inspired, as always, by your research prowess, I took the (unstated) challenge to learn about Romney's jobs platform.
         I think you will find that Mr. Romney's plan is both concrete and explicit.
         Leaves nothing up to the imagination or speculation.
         It's all right here:
         http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-v … mic-growth
         
         As to lack of publicity on the care delivery side of Obama's ACA, it is puzzling, yes.
         I have been the vox clamantis in deserto on that for months now. Alas, no one seems interested in hearing about the capacity building side of "Obamacare." The funds to expand and strengthen clinics to serve all these newly insured people. That includes building workforce capacity (as you rightly point out, jobs in healthcare), of course.
         
         For some reason, folks here seem to stick their fingers in their ears when I try to engage them on such realities.
         Perhaps it's because I live in the one and apparently only  state that is NOT wholesale rejecting Obamacare and thumbing its nose at the federal funding it offers at the state and local levels.
         Instead, the Obamacare naysayers appear much more interested in:
         a) Deliberately confusing Medicaid and Medicare
         b) Bemoaning the dirth of doctors who will accept Medicare payments
         c) Swearing up and down that Obama wants to rob old people of their healthcare so that he can provide free care to illegal immigrants.
         
         Although, to be fair, this may be progress. It's been awhile since I heard anyone rant about their personal freedom being violated.
         
         Yours in health and shared prosperity,
         MM

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8. 0

   LikaMarieposted 11 years ago

   

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      Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yep.

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9. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   GOP Convention, Romney Speech Evoke Lukewarm Reactions
   Speech gets lowest ratings of any Gallup has measured since 1996
   by Frank Newport
   
   PRINCETON, NJ -- Last week's Republican National Convention had a minimal impact on Americans' self-reported voting intentions, with just about as many saying the convention made them less likely to vote for Mitt Romney as say it made them more likely to vote for him.
   
   http://www.gallup.com/poll/157256/gop-c … tions.aspx
   
   Poor ol' Mitt can't even get a convention bounce.
   
   

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10. 60

    HLPhoenixposted 11 years ago

    I was happy to see this forum and have been watching the posts... I didn't watch the Convention and kept up on what was happening on the internet.  While I once considered myself a Social Liberal and a Fiscal Conservative, and Definitely Independant (until Independant became a Party) I now, after Regan's Economic Policy failed to Trickel Down, through 3 Republican Presidents... and the Republican's got stuck in the GROOVE of cutting taxes with out any other ideas... and became more and more Certain that they had the RIGHT to take away the Rights of Others... I guess I am now a FLAMING (pun intended) LIBERAL.  That aside, I have a lot of Republican friends who don't care what anyone says INCLUDING the Candidates... they are going to vote for them ...period.  Even though they are on SS, or SSI, or Foodstamps or MediCare... People Voting against their own interests is how the Republicans may just win the election In Spite of the FACTS.

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       Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       There are billions of dollars being poured into brainwashing people to vote against their own self interests.
       Hiding their appalling financial shenanigans behind a curtain of Evangelical self-righteousness.
       Using people's blind faith (and fears and discomfort with the modern world as it is) to get them to vote them in at levels as seemingly innocuous as school board.
       
       Your story of your  friends who are benefitting from the government but voting Republican is scary. Perhaps they are counting on Romney/Ryan to create a job for them? Or is it more of the "I got mine so that's all that matters..." mentality.
       
       Time for people to wake up and think for themselves.

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11. 59

    thelizposted 11 years ago

    As I await the major speeches of tonight I feel like the question has changed for me.  Was it a waste now depends on the final analysis of how the Dems perform tonight.  I'm scared of Betty White!

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       mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The big dog tonight can hit it out of the park and if obama does as good as michelle did yesterday you will see at least seven or eight point bounce out of the convention

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          thelizposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I felt it for sure last night as I listened.  Hope we keep up the momentum.

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             mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             And as the democratic convention ended the comparison was   favorable to the democratic convention even by the fox news crowd , and the republicans are starting to panic because they see this guy and his crew don't seem to" have it".What they are saying now is that they are confident he will do great in the debates"which can be translated as "We think we're screwed"

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                thelizposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Totally agree.  One thing is clear to me after the DNC: you like President Obama, you don't like him, matters not.  He believes in the work he is doing, he cares about the people of this country and he's a gangsta!!!!!

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                   mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                   The republican convention did nothing to advance the cause of their candidate simply because nobody likes him.Obama got a big bump out of the democratic convention because the whole party is united in his support.

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12. 93

    habeeposted 11 years ago

    I think the RNC was so bad that it helped the Dems more than the Repubs. The only parts I really liked were the personal stories from people Romney helped and a couple of lines from both Romneys' speeches.
    
    I think Romney has wasted a great chance. He's a moderate, and he could have helped bridge the division in the nation, but he's gone too far to the right. If, by some miracle, he were to win, would he govern as a moderate, or as a far rightie? I pray that he returns to his actual persona.
    
    Ya see, here's one problem. We moderate conservatives or fiscal conservatives/social liberals have been told over and over again by the hardcore GOP that moderate Repubs can't win. They often point to McCain and Dole to back up that assertion. What will they say if and when Romney loses? They've pushed him pretty far to the right. I honestly believe that, if left to his own devices, Romney would be a good leader.

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       mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If Romney doesn't win the election his political career is over simply because he has nowhere to go.he was once a moderate and he sold out his principles in order to be accepted by the base and the extremists,his new found friends don't really like him or trust him, and after the election the gop will either continue to be controlled by the loons and whither on the vine or be brought back to life by the adults in the party and in neither case is there a place for the etch a sketch man in it.

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          Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Second election in a row where an arguably intelligent, experienced moderate R has chosen a far right running mate and been overshadowed by her/him.
          I see Romney wanting to pull back to center. I believe that is where he's truly most comfortable, not as the mouthpiece for Grover Nordquist and Co.
          
          The races to watch really are the congress and senate races and governorships (although the big kahuna governorship changeover occurred in 2010). Will moderate Rs survive or will the party continue banking hard right?

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             mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Romney's fate is sealed, there is no moving back to the center now,that ship has sailed and if he doesn't win in november we will keep hearing his name but not linked to any kind of political office quest.

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                Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Do mean, perhaps, exposed for hiding money in offshore accounts??
                Maybe there's another whistleblower out there who will be inspired by the guy who just got $1+ million reward from the IRS for outing his clients!
                

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             habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Sadly, I agree with you about Romney.

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13. 62

    Evan G Rogersposted 11 years ago

    The RNC was a waste of TIME, not a waste of a chance to gain on Obama.
    
    In fact, it wasn't a Convention. It was a coronation.
    
    Want to learn how the Republicans willingly break their own rules whenever the establishment feels it will suit their goals? Check out a REAL journalist's analysis of the event:
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKaXqoC4DjE

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       mio cidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       i really wish ron paul would run as a third party candidate so obama would be sure to be reelected.

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          Evan G Rogersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          It's astonishing that anyone can think that Romney could beat Obama.
          
          Romney IS Obama.

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             Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Good to see you back, Evan. IMHO it's a bit of a stretch to say "Romney is Obama."

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