That is a great ad. I’m not sure I love the “widely smiling” Obama shot with the words about the job loss. I think it would be better if that Obama shot was a stressed/panicked/overwhelmed Obama. The way it is now the ad makes Obama look sinister or that he doesn’t care. That’s an unnecessary overstep in my mind. Obama cares….he’s just wrong. If you make Obama a cartoon version of himself by juxtaposing two images out of context, to make it appear that he’s laughing while people are unemployed….you run the risk that people might react negatively to the ad. If you simply demonstrate that he’s incompetent/overwhelmed, it’s hard to argue with that or take offense to it.
Massachusetts Conservative Says:
And this, folks, is how we’re going to win Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
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Obama has already ceded these states by his bad economics, the question is, will we give it back by nominating a bad candidate like Bachmann, Cain, Pawlenty, or Palin.
See this is where i think the GOP tends to go wrong. If you demonize Obama, there will be backlash. He’s very well liked as a person. He’s not well liked as a president. Making claims that “he doesn’t care” isn’t going to win you any favors. First of all, almost no one believes that he doesn’t care…He’s just inept. Don’t argue against the person, argue against the results.
Somebody has to make this case and make it stick. If the voters are going to make the leap to replace a sitting President, there has to be a compelling case made to them. If another GOP candidate can wrestle from Romney the narrative that he/she would be the most effective to take Obama on over the economy and win, then more power to them.
I’m looking at the list. I’m not seeing a more compelling candidate than Mitt on this issue.
Romney is helping the GOP quite a bit, even if he doesnt win the nomination. Does anyone think he would accept a VP spot if offered? Every ad he has put out is SOLID. Good stuff for sure.
10. Completely agree. The guy has a balanced temperament. It’s hard not to like that.
BUT: He championed healthcare reform instead of job creation, leveraging the economic crisis to ram through a single-Party agenda on the whole country that had little or no bearing on the crisis at hand.
He forced the country to buy fire insurance after a flood. If another crisis hits us, what’s the next item on Nancy Pelosi’s list?
Huckarubio….returns Says:
June 30th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Romney is helping the GOP quite a bit, even if he doesnt win the nomination. Does anyone think he would accept a VP spot if offered? Every ad he has put out is SOLID. Good stuff for sure.
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I doubt it, consider who it would be if he didn’t get the nomination….. Frankly, I don’t see anyone besides Romney who is capable of taking on Obama and winning (or at least not the current crop of players).
Massachusetts Conservative Says:
Do you think Huckabee would accept a VP job if offered? Because I think that is a distinct possibilty if Mitt fails the social Conservative primary.
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Huck seems to playing for that already by his actions. Notice how he has backed off some on Romney and even said he is electable…. In 2008, Huckabee tried to get on the ticket with McCain and might have had he not over played his hand. Give credit to Huckabee in one way, he is diffidently shrewd. He knows his best chance of becoming president some day is to be on the ticket. Does anyone question if Romney wins the nomination, that the VP (depending on who it is) will have a leg up next time around.
Gotta say, I’m super impressed by Romney. I was *not* a fan last time around, but this campaign has just been note-perfect. I hate the idea of our candidates chewing each other up in a primary while Obama campaigns unscathed. If Romney is to be the nominee, let’s get him through undamaged.
20/21 I am not sure if Huck would accept the VP if offered to him…more importantly though I cant see Romney offering it. Rubio is clearly the best choice for VP. He brings hispanics, floridians, and conservatives to the table. I’m not sure Huck even has that much value. The other issue is that there would be alot of ads quoting huck and romney from 07/08 as they tore each other to shreds.
I think this is a good ad. No one with any sense is going to believe that these factories were somehow booming prior to Obama taking office. But the takeaway message is that, as the ad succinctly points out, Obama isn’t working. He doesn’t have the solution to our economic problems.
I also think that focusing on Allentown is very savvy. Does anyone else remember the Billy Joel song, Allentown? It’s all about growing up in the prototypical Rust Belt, Middle American town, where you go to school, do well, get a job in steel, etc. Allentown is symbolic for the decline of the American economy. And it’s in Pennsylvania, which is the sort of state that Democrats have to win in order to get to 270.
love the “isn’t working” verbage. it makes you think that he sucks in two ways. that he is working literally and that in general he is not working a president.
I have to say… I haven’t been a Romney fan since before the 2008 campaign, but he’s running a near pitch-perfect campaign right now. The ‘wingers who are shrieking and moaning about cap and trade, abortion, health care etc. don’t get it – there is one (and only one) issue in this election right now, and that’s the economy. Everything else is secondary.
I’m coming around. The man (and his campaign) is convincing me.
Holy ****! Can you say ROMNEY REVOLUTION. I’m not a romney fan, but if he keeps at it like this…and can convince me that he is sincere about the issues i care about….he may be our best chance to win. And i wouldn’t be surprised if it is the biggest landslide election since Bush in 88. He’s not gonna win 49 states…the days of 49 state landslides are over. But he could very well win 40 states. I was thinking that Romney couldn’t win a state like PN for us, but i think i was wrong. I think romney can win any state that is in play. That doesn’t mean he would or he will…but he has a shot at every state that is in play. Whoever is advising romney this time, is better than whoever did it last time. His ads are better…his performance is better…and he is avoiding the stupid mistakes of 08. Mainly his attack ads against other GOP candidates. There’s nothing wrong with attacking the opposition party, but you can’t attack potential allies and think that it isn’t gonna bite you in the butt.
I think your statement is very accurate. Except that to people like me, abortion will always be #1. I just need him to convince me that he won’t do like reagan and bush did with the courts. Appoint moderates that will end up supporting the current court position on abortion. And unfortunately his judges record isn’t that great. So what can he do to convince me? I don’t know the answer to that…but it is very unlikely that i would support him in the primary for that reason alone. However, i could see myself supporting him in the general election…very hard. Especially if he picks the right VP. Make no mistake, i’m voting for the republican nominee….it’s just gonna be the difference between hardcore rally the troops support…and holding my nose and doing it for the country.
Nice to see people start warming up to Romney and seeing what so many of have seen for years about him. This man is truly sincere, loves America, and wants to see her become a prosperous nation again.
#33. I was thinking the same thing about a landslide election. Frankly, I think if Romney is the nominee, I believe that states that Obama won with LESS than 60% of the vote will be in play. Independent voters will swing heavily for Romney over Obama, and I image conservative Democrats will go for Romney as well.
That means states like WA, OR, MN, WI, and IA will be in play. I already do believe that Romney can win NV, CO, NM, NH and PA in addition to FL and OH.
You’re right, this could be a landslide election if we play our cards right and nominate Romney. The fact that he’s going after Obama and ignoring the other candidate speaks a lot about his campaign strategy.
Mass, I’ve been saying that all along. The key to stopping abortion is right in the home. Why are we not teaching our daughters and sons about Chasity before marriage? It takes more than a ‘purity ring’ given in some ceremony. It takes constant teaching in the home by parents. It also takes living the example.
Easily the best ad of the three recent ones. Very well done. I even like the multi-meaning “Obama isn’t working” theme.
My one concern for my fellow Rombots- whom I love dearly- is that running against the President from the very beginning, 7 months before primaries start, is a risky strategy I think. Assume Mitt does get the nomination….. I think Americans are going to be weary of 18 months of constant negative campaigning.
The biggest problem with a communist dictatorship (for me at least) is not the poverty that inevitably follows. It is the loss of freedom, the injustice, and killing of innocents. So to my mind, your two questions in #37 really aren’t connected. No I would not take an anti-abortion communist dictatorship, and yes, protecting innocent lives is more important than the size of my checking account.
It’s not an issue of the “type” of government for me. I know as someone who studies the word of God, that ALL human governments fail. But how fast they fail, and why they fail are important. Most people don’t see the biblical connections to why our country is having issues now. It didn’t start with our politicians becoming more liberal. It started with abortion. And many people also don’t realize that the rise in homosexuality(open homosexuality) in our country isn’t a result of our schools or changes in our society, it is a result of our country becoming Godless, and no longer having the ideals of a christian nation. It is the christians in this country that have failed. Anyone who is not a bible believing christian has an excuse for the failures of our country. But christians haven’t done their jobs in evangelizing, in supporting charitable causes, in putting stronger pressure on our politicians to end the slaughter of the unborn(which God HATES) etc.
If the question is, would i support a conservative who happens to be pro-choice…or would i support a communist who happens to be pro-life, then that is an oxymoron. Because for one, a socialistic society, or a communist society…always ends up as anti-God and ant-christian. Abortion would become a part of it either way. But if a conservative person happens to be pro-choice, i would work hard to convert them…rather than voting for the other person.
Is it always black and white? No…but it should be. And luckily enough in this country it is the liberal party that is pro-choice. I don’t have to make that distinguishment at this point. Now on the other hand, if Romney were headed toward a win…but i wasn’t convinced that his policies would be any different than obama’s…i wouldn’t have any reason to support him. Getting rid of someone isn’t enough if they are replaced by someone that is the same. In that case i would vote 3rd party. Luckily, i believe Romney is a billion times better than Obama.
“Nice ad. Mitt’s making the right decision to go after Obama rather than his opponents in the primary. Let the others do the mud slinging.”
There’s a third alternative….. He could sell himself in a positive campaign, and save the negative stuff for later. While this is a good, effective ad, cycle after cycle shows that Americans get weary and disgusted with all the negative campaigning.
Negative campaigning is like a spice. Use it sparingly, and it improves the dish. Make it the centerpiece and use to much, and it destroys the dish.
I see it it differently MWS. (what a surprise, no?)
First, Obama needs to be knocked down. Like I said, he deserves it.
And his record is fair game…it would be harmful if these were personally attacking him. But his record needs to be pounded into the heads of the electorate.
If he could switch to humor after a while that would do it…ridicule is the deadliest type of negative.
Face it, the media has given him a pass. I hope Mitt continues to beat him up.
He will be a much softer target for our nominee in the fall of 2012.
Right on! That’s exactly the truth. My nephew is getting back today from smuggling bibles into China. A communist country that is becoming more and more capitalistic every day. But their ideal government is support capitalism but keep religion out. That’s what i hate about china. Every communist country is either like China or WORSE. Most are anti-capitalism…but ALL of them are anti-christian.
#40: Regarding your comment about “open homosexuality” and our society, so I take it you prefer a society in which 3-5% of its citizens are forced into shameful hiding for their entire lives, for something they cannot change about themselves? That is your idea of humanity?
The other risk Mitt is running- if this continues as his singular theme- is that his prospects for victory will rise or fall with every month’s jobs report. Unemployment figures are very difficult to accurately predict. If Mitt keeps this up, an unexpectedly good report at the end of October could lose him a close election.
Has anyone thought of the factors that LEAD to abortion?
(1) Underage sex
(2) Unprotected sex (lust-driven, rather than meant for families)
SO THIS is where Chrisitans have failed most egregiously. Even if abortion is illegal (which it SHOULD be), these two things will continue to happen regardless.
Why? Broken homes. Broken families. Misguidance of youth.
Why?
Poor urban communities, corrupted by vice and fathers imprisoned for drug use. Poor parenting.
Churches and community organizations need to clean up the trailer parks and the projects.
I would settle for higher taxes and NO abortion. As long as the government itself wasn’t socialistic. I’m talking about a government that doesn’t create social programs with that tax revenue, but instead uses it for military and infrastructure. But as soon as it becomes socialistic….it doesn’t matter anymore because it will always find an excuse to kill the unborn.
I came into this cycle wanting ‘anybody new’ for the R nominee. I got on the Cain wagon early, flirted with Pawlenty, still curious about Perry, but I’m now feeling like Romney could be the one. I like the ads, love the “Obama’s Not Working” theme, and like the idea of Romney debating Obama on the economy. My biggest concern is still what he would do to repeal or otherwise get rid of Obamacare, if he would do anything at all.
I disagree with the idea that there should be no restrictions on acting out sexually in public in this country. I’m POSITIVE a majority of Americans feel that people should be able to control sexual urges in order to comply with societal norms. It is radical to believe otherwise.
Abortion works against children, homosexuality is a move against children, and our public education system is a hindrance to the education and well-being of our children. Liberalism is truly a suicide mission that works against our culture and our society.
#46 — You should know that one of the many reasons why the economy is NOT improving is because of Obamacare. It is creating way too much uncertainty with small businesses which are reluctant to hire because of it. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Obama is strangling the economy with his dictatorship. He’s made contracts seemingly worthless (see the auto bailout and how the investors got screwed), he willfully defies the courts (a la the moritorium), and his backdoor regulation of cap and trade through the EPA only remains and everpresent threat.
I cannot see the economy turning around at all while Obama remains in office.
Willard Rockefeller Romney is once more changed man.
Economy is the only way he will go.He doesn’t even pretend to be conservative anymore.
But mark my word,he will change again,as soon as Alaska Huricane wind hits him and his consultants and focus like a ton of brick.
They are playing losers game,first comes FIRST,the nomination.
The Crony Capitalist Romney would be destroyed and decimated by Chicago
thugs.He’s the wrong guy to talk about economy.
His record as governor is very bad.Massachusetts was #47 in jobs creation.
I can see devastating ads showing how Mitt made his fortune through LBOs
during 1980′s and who and how was involved in “Golden Parachutes”.
I can see ads depicting Romney as a Crony Capitalist in bed with baaaaad
Wall Street Banker crooks who brought this country to a meltdown and
stole trillions from the Main Street in the process.
Sarah Palin will make these ads if needed,not Obama.
It will never get to that.
“I disagree with the idea that there should be no restrictions on acting out sexually in public in this country. I’m POSITIVE a majority of Americans feel that people should be able to control sexual urges in order to comply with societal norms. It is radical to believe otherwise.”
To quote my favorite movie, what it God’s holy name are you blathering about? There are plenty of restrictions on “acting out sexually in public,” and they’re not controversial in the least. You can’t wander around naked in public. You can’t fornicate in public. And so on and so forth.
As far as controlling sexual urges, yeah–hence the restrictions I just mentioned. You have to control your urges until you’re behind closed doors; once you’re in private, go nuts.
If you’re one of those bigots that believes that somehow being a non-closeted homosexual is tantamount to “acting out sexuall in public,” then you’re simply a hateful nutjob. There are plenty of gay people that flaunt their sexuality, sure. But there are tons of straight people that do likewise. It’s called being slutty, and it’s certainly not unique to any one sexuality. However, until one violates public indecency laws, we have certain freedoms of expression in this country. If you’re insinuating that the government should regulate manner of dress and other manners of personal expression that are current protected by our civil liberties, then the party of small government isn’t the place for you.
MWS– I agree that continuing on like this for 18 months would be tiring on the public and perception would change from, “He’s right! Obama has done nothing for us!” to “Enough with the negativity already, I’m depressed enough as it is!”
I think this early in the game not many of the general public is going to be exposed to this, but that said, he definitely should start churning out some positive message ads like “this is what I did before…” or the “I believe in America” stump speech he has. He needs to find the right mix, like you said.
This is ad gets me pumped. If done right, the type of stuff his campaign has already come out with should work really well during the general election, barring a quick economic recovery.
56 How kind of you to ask. I am addressing the argument that homosexuals are biologically driven to act sexually upon those of their same gender and that they cannot resist it even if it is counter to societal norms or culture. Aggressive sexual impulses that “cannot” be curbed can co-exist with a moral and orderly society IF they remain private and are only practiced by a minority. Once these behaviors are proselyted and promoted amongst children in the schools, and the traditional family based on the caring for and nurturing of children is debased and equated with “adult” centered relationships focused primarily on personal sexual gratification, society is breaking down. The children take the first hit, as always. American is different. It is founded on conservative Christian-Judeo morals where personal restraint is taught in order that the nurturing of children is valued above raw sexual gratification in any of it’s deviant forms. It is no small factor in the great success, prosperity, excellence and freedoms America has showcased since it’s beginning. And which are now, very obviously, in decline. Agreed?
#61: If you want to talk about the children… the children who are the most damaged with respect to the issue of homosexuality, are the gay children of parents like you.
After hearing from wateredseeds and Liz today, I am done with this website and this party for the time being. Goodbye.
I think abortion is barbaristic (?) behavior. A civilized culture would not engage in it. Adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality, also uncivilized behavior. You disagree? The “anything goes” mentality is prevalent now, but you must admit that as you lower protections and standards for the nation’s children, the consequences are predictable. And we are witnessing them daily.
#63: That’s a really insightful response, Liz. Bigoted against what? Small-mindedness? General hatefulness? Your trademark insubstantive flippancy? Sure.
In terms of being a “hater,” I really hate it when folks such as yourself insinuate the gay people should live closeted lives full of shame, and shriek that any public discussion of homosexuality is somehow “proseltizing.”
MWS: Your point is well taken about voters’ long term tolerance for negativity. Some of this is probably necessary. First it is necessary to establish the narrative of what’s gone wrong, is going wrong, then pivot to the solution. This is sales in general. First establish the need, then pivot to the solution to the need.
If the positive case can be as compelling as the negative one . . . .
No i don’t. Like I said, it is the christians in this country that have failed. Non christians have no responsibility towards our nation becoming godless. I would prefer a society where we have the freedom and decency to accept people as long as what they are doing isn’t harming others. But that also means supporting my freedom to evangelize to them. Like i said, it is the godlessness that precedes the rise in homosexuality. Homosexuality is largely brought about through a combination of genetics and circumstance. Biblically it was brought upon the canaanites as a curse from Noah. The bible shows homosexuality as being genetic. But God still regards it as sinful(because all sex outside of marriage is sinful, and they can’t be married in His eyes because he created woman for man). But the absolute last thing that we should be focused on is creating gay bashing laws. We have no need to force them back into the closet. We do have a need to show them the kindness and love that we are to express towards all people.
See, Liz, the reason I’m ‘flailing’ is that you’re much more interested in making sarcastic, generalized posts than actually articulating what you mean. What do you mean by “acting out sexually in public”? What do you mean by “we can control our thoughts and our bodies”? What public behavior, precisely, are you talking about?
71 interesting. I would equate homosexuality to obesity in that sense. Oftimes born with a predisposition, but what you consume (physically or mentally) is the other portion of the equation. Christian bashing, gay bashing, it’s a tough call to say which is more egregious in the world today.
I am impressed. If the economy remains the issue, obama loses and romney wins both the nod and the general. He i simply owning the economy issue and the others are just letting him. honestly there does not seem to be anybody capable of knocking him off of his game right now. still very early though.
I have to agree with MWS. If Romney becomes Mitty-one-note, and that one note is a monotonic drone about a lousy economy, you run the risk of people getting tired of it.
I checked back on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign ads. That was the last time we had a stagflation inducing, incompetent Democrat in the White House. Here is a site where you can view them all.
This is their general synopsis of Reagan’s ad campaign:
Ronald Reagan’s television spots were not particularly artful. The centerpiece of the campaign was a conventional biographical ad tracing Reagan’s career and crediting him with reducing California’s deficit while lowering taxes. The ad’s main purpose was to show that Reagan—best known to the public as a movie actor—was also an effective governor.
The rest of Reagan’s ads were simple but effective variations on the central question he put to voters: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” A variety of attack ads reiterated the main problems of the Carter administration: high inflation and the hostage crisis. One spot,credited to “Democrats for Reagan,” included a clip of Ted Kennedy shouting, “No more Jimmy Carter!” during the primary campaign. An unusual negative spot featured Nancy Reagan lambasting Carter for his “vacillating” foreign policy. Though it is common for advertising to feature a candidate’s family members, spouses rarely appear in attack ads.
So Reagan mixed positive messages about himself and his record with negative ads attacking Carter. Romney would be wise to learn from Master Gipper.
“it’s a tough call to say which is more egregious”
Ummm…does it matter which is more egregious. If they are both WRONG than we should condemn both.
While we have no biblical account of Jesus himself addressing homosexuality(though he did address sexual behavior), i think it is a situation where we can say that Jesus surrounded himself with sinners…and loved on them. And in turn many of them turned away from their sinful behavior to follow him. I would think that he would have the same attitude towards homosexuals.
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”-Romans 5:8
It’s the WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS part that is important. I’m a child of God, but i still sin. Condemning homosexuals for their sin is hypocrisy because we ALL sin.
Again, no talk about this anywhere on Fox News or Talk Radio. All we get is: “Mitt Romney…snore. Can’t we get a candidate who is willing to take it to Obama”.
Liz, you owe me a new laptop. I just spit Coke all over it when I read your comment instructing Win to have an open mind.
Although I understand wateredseeds’ position and respect his opinion, I’d have to agree more with Metro’s & Win’s opinions on this matter.
In any case – back to the original topic at hand – I think this is a very effective ad coming from Romney. He should use it again when/if he secures the nomination, except broadcast it on TV rather than just using it as a web ad. Also, I agree with others that he needs to have more positive ads, as well. While negative ads can be (and typically are somewhat) effective, too many of them can turn off public sentiment. You want to motivate people to vote for you, not make them so depressed that they say, “what’s the point?” and don’t come out to vote at all.
“a candidate who is willing to take it to Obama” is code for “a candidate who is willing to attack the liberal media and still expect to get fair coverage in the election”
#69 That’s an interesting way to approach it. Traditionally candidates start positive- focusing on creating their own brand or image- and only later turn negative- trying to redefine the opponent. Perhaps Mitt’s new way will work, if that’s what he’s doing. The danger- as Telly hopes above- is that he simply beats Obama up for the benefit of someone else who focused on his own brand.
#69 That’s an interesting way to approach it. Traditionally candidates start positive- focusing on creating their own brand or image- and only later turn negative- trying to redefine the opponent. Perhaps Mitt’s new way will work, if that’s what he’s doing. The danger- as Telly hopes above- is that he simply beats Obama up for the benefit of someone else who focused on his own brand.
Metro, don’t leave from one bad thread. I know homosexuality has been a sensitive issue for you since the last election cycle. Not all republicans treat the topic the same way.
So true. I’m very libertarian on the issue. I don’t believe government should have a role in marriage at all. Anyone should be able to marry anyone, as long as it is consenting and everyone is of age.
One thing i don’t get though…what was offensive about any of the things i said regarding homosexuality? None of my posts were derogatory, hateful or condemning of homosexuality. If anything, i was condemning the behavior of most christians regarding this issue.
[...] Releasing net-ads is one thing. Holding a press conference outside the gate of a plant that was shuttered one year after Obama visited it touting his “stimulus” package is quite another. Doing it on the same day that Obama is holding two fundraisers in the same state is really getting in the President’s face in a big way. [...]
Hmmmm…i’m pretty sure that’s the point. Romney just needs to throw in some positive stuff about himself every few ads, but otherwise these ads are very effective.
Is it ok if we discuss Marcus Bachmann calling gays Barbarians?
Is it ok if we discuss the views of Marcus Bachmann who is Michele Bachmann’s number 1 adviser?
Or do we lay off Marcus because even though he is an adviser..he is a husband of a candidate?
It doesn’t matter what “we” do in this case. I guarantee you that this will become part of the campaign against Bachmann in a Romney/Bachmann race, in which Romney stays above the fray but his surrogates attempt to frame her as a snake-handler. And it will work, because of quotes like this. Mark my words: there is no way Michele Bachmann becomes the Republican nominee. Rick Perry, on the other hand, could go the distance.
Michele Bachmann was never going to win the nomination, that’s not even her intentions.
She is an establishment pawn playing a game, but it isn’t going to work.
From Pella:
Scott Conroy of Real Clear Politics: “I gave Palin a chance to tell the organize4palin folks to stop & go home, instead she encouraged them. Would be odd if shes decided not to run…”
even I was surprised at how many people have moved to Iowa just to work for her campaign. People have put their lives on hold and are working full time organizing this state at their own expense. Governor Palin said she appreciates the effort.
We may have the best organization of all the candidates here in Iowa. T-Paw might have a slight edge, but his campaign lacks a candidate and is running out of cash.
Governor Palin hasn’t spent a penny yet. I think she is the only candidate that inspires people in this way, as this is going on in all the early primary states.
I know that as Palinista’s we can sometimes come off as braggadocios and may seem unbelievable (or deluded)to some who don’t follow Governor Palin closely. I apologize for that. We are just very confident that she will run and we know that when she does, she will dominate.
Allentown actually got a bad reputation from that Bill Joel song. It’s unfortunate because the Lehigh Valley is actually coming back. Lots of people from NYC are buying property in Pennsylvania and commuting to work in the city to avoid the high property tax and buy homes at reasonable prices. Tech jobs, services, health care jobs are all there.
It’s true that manufacturing is a shadow of its former self and won’t be dominant again though, and it’s gotten worse under Obama.
That’s not so much a joke, as much as it is the truth. Look at Obama. The cult of personality is a huge factor. Does Palin inspire some of that? Yeah, but to a much lesser degree. She has a lot of people that “like” her. But how many people are zealots for her? Probably not many more than most other politicians. Obama was a big exception to the political class personality cult. Look at Reagan. He was the closest person to achieving that kind of status from a conservative viewpoint…and yet, it was his substance that drove people even more than his personality. But that’s why Palin fails. She has the personality, but not so much on the substance. Reagan was an acquired taste. Obama….he’s the very definition of a personality cult. In fact, you could expect him to have cool aid laced with cianide for that fateful day when he has to leave office. He’ll ask his people to “do what’s right” and end their lives knowing that they are martyrs for the good cause. I kid a little there…but it’s not that far off.
With regard to marK’s and MWS’s comments about Romney going overboard with negative ads, remember, he did begin his campaign with plenty of positive, uplifting spots, such as this one:
I think he has done exactly what marK advocated: formed an optimistic message about himself, while strategically going negative when opportunities present themselves.
Include me with those who stated that Romney has gradually won them over with his stellar campaign this time around.
The ad you link creates a desire to vote for Romney but Romney’s latest ad merely creates a desire to vote against Obama.
Both of them are good but I believe the person who will win this primary will do so by inspiring the American people to believe in a future that is better than today. While there is a place for the ad from today, I think the Romney focus should be positive.
100 – Right. It is still very early in this campaign. It is clear that the Romney people want to avoid Romney being overexposed too early. They think that was a problem last time. The way to do that right now is to focus the campaign on Obama and not Romney. There will be plenty of time to talk about Romney over the next year and a half.
What ever happens in the primary, or whatever you think of Romney what he is doing helps the entire republican party, its future candidates and even those who are predisposed against Romney.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Nice ad. Mitt’s making the right decision to go after Obama rather than his opponents in the primary. Let the others do the mud slinging.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:24 am
That is a ridiculously good ad.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:24 am
That is a great ad. I’m not sure I love the “widely smiling” Obama shot with the words about the job loss. I think it would be better if that Obama shot was a stressed/panicked/overwhelmed Obama. The way it is now the ad makes Obama look sinister or that he doesn’t care. That’s an unnecessary overstep in my mind. Obama cares….he’s just wrong. If you make Obama a cartoon version of himself by juxtaposing two images out of context, to make it appear that he’s laughing while people are unemployed….you run the risk that people might react negatively to the ad. If you simply demonstrate that he’s incompetent/overwhelmed, it’s hard to argue with that or take offense to it.
But overall all, a great ad.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Good stuff. America’s candidate. Keep turning up the heat, there is P-L-E-N-T-Y of material out there.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:25 am
P.S. Obama does not care. I think we’ve already established that.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:34 am
I don’t know how Obama’s counters this kind of stuff from Romney in a general election. Saying it ‘would’ve been worse’ is a losing theme.
It will be very difficult for the Obama team to disqualify Romney with economic messaging like this running against them.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:35 am
If Obama cared he would be involved in the issues of the day more directly.
Great ad by Mitt. And this, folks, is how we’re going to win Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Massachusetts Conservative Says:
And this, folks, is how we’re going to win Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
=================================================
Obama has already ceded these states by his bad economics, the question is, will we give it back by nominating a bad candidate like Bachmann, Cain, Pawlenty, or Palin.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:47 am
8
Or Perry. Don’t forget. Perry will NOT play well in the suburbs, especially among women.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:48 am
See this is where i think the GOP tends to go wrong. If you demonize Obama, there will be backlash. He’s very well liked as a person. He’s not well liked as a president. Making claims that “he doesn’t care” isn’t going to win you any favors. First of all, almost no one believes that he doesn’t care…He’s just inept. Don’t argue against the person, argue against the results.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I’m glad I’m not Obama…
June 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am
10
Mitt has made this clear time and again: “He’s a nice guy. But he just doesn’t understand how to grow jobs.”
June 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I have no doubt that Obama cares.
The problem is, he thinks you should give people fish insteading of teaching them how to fish…
June 30th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Somebody has to make this case and make it stick. If the voters are going to make the leap to replace a sitting President, there has to be a compelling case made to them. If another GOP candidate can wrestle from Romney the narrative that he/she would be the most effective to take Obama on over the economy and win, then more power to them.
I’m looking at the list. I’m not seeing a more compelling candidate than Mitt on this issue.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Romney is helping the GOP quite a bit, even if he doesnt win the nomination. Does anyone think he would accept a VP spot if offered? Every ad he has put out is SOLID. Good stuff for sure.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Oh, and putting PA into play is huge.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:59 am
10. Completely agree. The guy has a balanced temperament. It’s hard not to like that.
BUT: He championed healthcare reform instead of job creation, leveraging the economic crisis to ram through a single-Party agenda on the whole country that had little or no bearing on the crisis at hand.
He forced the country to buy fire insurance after a flood. If another crisis hits us, what’s the next item on Nancy Pelosi’s list?
(That’s how I’d go after him.)
June 30th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Wow . . . that’s a great ad. Very focused and you got to love the multiple messaging of “Obama Isn’t Working.”
June 30th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Huckarubio….returns Says:
June 30th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Romney is helping the GOP quite a bit, even if he doesnt win the nomination. Does anyone think he would accept a VP spot if offered? Every ad he has put out is SOLID. Good stuff for sure.
======================================================================================
I doubt it, consider who it would be if he didn’t get the nomination….. Frankly, I don’t see anyone besides Romney who is capable of taking on Obama and winning (or at least not the current crop of players).
June 30th, 2011 at 10:04 am
15
I do think Mitt would accept a VP job if offered. He said he wanted to run with McCain in 2008.
Do you think Huckabee would accept a VP job if offered? Because I think that is a distinct possibilty if Mitt fails the social Conservative primary.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:11 am
Massachusetts Conservative Says:
Do you think Huckabee would accept a VP job if offered? Because I think that is a distinct possibilty if Mitt fails the social Conservative primary.
=======================================================================================
Huck seems to playing for that already by his actions. Notice how he has backed off some on Romney and even said he is electable…. In 2008, Huckabee tried to get on the ticket with McCain and might have had he not over played his hand. Give credit to Huckabee in one way, he is diffidently shrewd. He knows his best chance of becoming president some day is to be on the ticket. Does anyone question if Romney wins the nomination, that the VP (depending on who it is) will have a leg up next time around.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:13 am
This is a good ad…It isn’t showing Obama’s lack of concern so much as it’s showing how disengaged he is…..
June 30th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Great ad. Slightly diminished by the ridiculous Aquafresh logo at the end.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Gotta say, I’m super impressed by Romney. I was *not* a fan last time around, but this campaign has just been note-perfect. I hate the idea of our candidates chewing each other up in a primary while Obama campaigns unscathed. If Romney is to be the nominee, let’s get him through undamaged.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
20/21 I am not sure if Huck would accept the VP if offered to him…more importantly though I cant see Romney offering it. Rubio is clearly the best choice for VP. He brings hispanics, floridians, and conservatives to the table. I’m not sure Huck even has that much value. The other issue is that there would be alot of ads quoting huck and romney from 07/08 as they tore each other to shreds.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am
25
I think Mitt will consider Rubio, but remember, he is only 40 years old and only has 5 months in the Senate.
I think Jindal is the perfect fit. But Huckabee could be a good choice if the primary gets bloody and draws out long.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:41 am
I think this is a good ad. No one with any sense is going to believe that these factories were somehow booming prior to Obama taking office. But the takeaway message is that, as the ad succinctly points out, Obama isn’t working. He doesn’t have the solution to our economic problems.
I also think that focusing on Allentown is very savvy. Does anyone else remember the Billy Joel song, Allentown? It’s all about growing up in the prototypical Rust Belt, Middle American town, where you go to school, do well, get a job in steel, etc. Allentown is symbolic for the decline of the American economy. And it’s in Pennsylvania, which is the sort of state that Democrats have to win in order to get to 270.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Maybe someone already pointed this out but it seems quite significant.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/58077.html
sc is going to remain a primary it appears.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
amazing ad. you really get the feeling that obama is asleep at the wheel.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:47 am
love the “isn’t working” verbage. it makes you think that he sucks in two ways.
that he is working literally and that in general he is not working a president.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Classic:
June 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am
I have to say… I haven’t been a Romney fan since before the 2008 campaign, but he’s running a near pitch-perfect campaign right now. The ‘wingers who are shrieking and moaning about cap and trade, abortion, health care etc. don’t get it – there is one (and only one) issue in this election right now, and that’s the economy. Everything else is secondary.
I’m coming around. The man (and his campaign) is convincing me.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Holy ****! Can you say ROMNEY REVOLUTION. I’m not a romney fan, but if he keeps at it like this…and can convince me that he is sincere about the issues i care about….he may be our best chance to win. And i wouldn’t be surprised if it is the biggest landslide election since Bush in 88. He’s not gonna win 49 states…the days of 49 state landslides are over. But he could very well win 40 states. I was thinking that Romney couldn’t win a state like PN for us, but i think i was wrong. I think romney can win any state that is in play. That doesn’t mean he would or he will…but he has a shot at every state that is in play. Whoever is advising romney this time, is better than whoever did it last time. His ads are better…his performance is better…and he is avoiding the stupid mistakes of 08. Mainly his attack ads against other GOP candidates. There’s nothing wrong with attacking the opposition party, but you can’t attack potential allies and think that it isn’t gonna bite you in the butt.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:18 am
32,
I think your statement is very accurate. Except that to people like me, abortion will always be #1. I just need him to convince me that he won’t do like reagan and bush did with the courts. Appoint moderates that will end up supporting the current court position on abortion. And unfortunately his judges record isn’t that great. So what can he do to convince me? I don’t know the answer to that…but it is very unlikely that i would support him in the primary for that reason alone. However, i could see myself supporting him in the general election…very hard. Especially if he picks the right VP. Make no mistake, i’m voting for the republican nominee….it’s just gonna be the difference between hardcore rally the troops support…and holding my nose and doing it for the country.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:22 am
Nice to see people start warming up to Romney and seeing what so many of have seen for years about him. This man is truly sincere, loves America, and wants to see her become a prosperous nation again.
#33. I was thinking the same thing about a landslide election. Frankly, I think if Romney is the nominee, I believe that states that Obama won with LESS than 60% of the vote will be in play. Independent voters will swing heavily for Romney over Obama, and I image conservative Democrats will go for Romney as well.
That means states like WA, OR, MN, WI, and IA will be in play. I already do believe that Romney can win NV, CO, NM, NH and PA in addition to FL and OH.
You’re right, this could be a landslide election if we play our cards right and nominate Romney. The fact that he’s going after Obama and ignoring the other candidate speaks a lot about his campaign strategy.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:22 am
Great ad.
Keep aiming the fire at Obama. (he deserves it.)
This will weaken him greatly for our nominee to easily destroy him.
Obama is toast.
Extra crispy.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:24 am
#34: Just out of curiousity… how far into third world economic status would we have to fall before abortion was not your #1 issue?
Would you prefer a communist dictatorship in which abortion was outlawed, over America?
June 30th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Mass, I’ve been saying that all along. The key to stopping abortion is right in the home. Why are we not teaching our daughters and sons about Chasity before marriage? It takes more than a ‘purity ring’ given in some ceremony. It takes constant teaching in the home by parents. It also takes living the example.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Easily the best ad of the three recent ones. Very well done. I even like the multi-meaning “Obama isn’t working” theme.
My one concern for my fellow Rombots- whom I love dearly- is that running against the President from the very beginning, 7 months before primaries start, is a risky strategy I think. Assume Mitt does get the nomination….. I think Americans are going to be weary of 18 months of constant negative campaigning.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Metro,
The biggest problem with a communist dictatorship (for me at least) is not the poverty that inevitably follows. It is the loss of freedom, the injustice, and killing of innocents. So to my mind, your two questions in #37 really aren’t connected. No I would not take an anti-abortion communist dictatorship, and yes, protecting innocent lives is more important than the size of my checking account.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:34 am
37,
It’s not an issue of the “type” of government for me. I know as someone who studies the word of God, that ALL human governments fail. But how fast they fail, and why they fail are important. Most people don’t see the biblical connections to why our country is having issues now. It didn’t start with our politicians becoming more liberal. It started with abortion. And many people also don’t realize that the rise in homosexuality(open homosexuality) in our country isn’t a result of our schools or changes in our society, it is a result of our country becoming Godless, and no longer having the ideals of a christian nation. It is the christians in this country that have failed. Anyone who is not a bible believing christian has an excuse for the failures of our country. But christians haven’t done their jobs in evangelizing, in supporting charitable causes, in putting stronger pressure on our politicians to end the slaughter of the unborn(which God HATES) etc.
If the question is, would i support a conservative who happens to be pro-choice…or would i support a communist who happens to be pro-life, then that is an oxymoron. Because for one, a socialistic society, or a communist society…always ends up as anti-God and ant-christian. Abortion would become a part of it either way. But if a conservative person happens to be pro-choice, i would work hard to convert them…rather than voting for the other person.
Is it always black and white? No…but it should be. And luckily enough in this country it is the liberal party that is pro-choice. I don’t have to make that distinguishment at this point. Now on the other hand, if Romney were headed toward a win…but i wasn’t convinced that his policies would be any different than obama’s…i wouldn’t have any reason to support him. Getting rid of someone isn’t enough if they are replaced by someone that is the same. In that case i would vote 3rd party. Luckily, i believe Romney is a billion times better than Obama.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Tarheel,
“Nice ad. Mitt’s making the right decision to go after Obama rather than his opponents in the primary. Let the others do the mud slinging.”
There’s a third alternative….. He could sell himself in a positive campaign, and save the negative stuff for later. While this is a good, effective ad, cycle after cycle shows that Americans get weary and disgusted with all the negative campaigning.
Negative campaigning is like a spice. Use it sparingly, and it improves the dish. Make it the centerpiece and use to much, and it destroys the dish.
Mitt can’t keep this up for the next 16 months.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am
I see it it differently MWS. (what a surprise, no?)
First, Obama needs to be knocked down. Like I said, he deserves it.
And his record is fair game…it would be harmful if these were personally attacking him. But his record needs to be pounded into the heads of the electorate.
If he could switch to humor after a while that would do it…ridicule is the deadliest type of negative.
Face it, the media has given him a pass. I hope Mitt continues to beat him up.
He will be a much softer target for our nominee in the fall of 2012.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am
39,
Right on! That’s exactly the truth. My nephew is getting back today from smuggling bibles into China. A communist country that is becoming more and more capitalistic every day. But their ideal government is support capitalism but keep religion out. That’s what i hate about china. Every communist country is either like China or WORSE. Most are anti-capitalism…but ALL of them are anti-christian.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am
#40, Ignore my second question and answer the first.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:39 am
#40: Regarding your comment about “open homosexuality” and our society, so I take it you prefer a society in which 3-5% of its citizens are forced into shameful hiding for their entire lives, for something they cannot change about themselves? That is your idea of humanity?
June 30th, 2011 at 11:39 am
The other risk Mitt is running- if this continues as his singular theme- is that his prospects for victory will rise or fall with every month’s jobs report. Unemployment figures are very difficult to accurately predict. If Mitt keeps this up, an unexpectedly good report at the end of October could lose him a close election.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:45 am
I know families are out of bounds when it comes to talking about the candidates, as well they should be here on RACE42012.
..However we are going to need a ruling from Kavon on what the boundaries are in talking about Marcus Bachmann.
Marcus Bachmann is the husband to Michele, and is Michele true “Chief of Staff” in Michele Congressional Office.
There will be many stories coming out about Marcus Bachmann views on Homosexuality and how much money he truly has made off the government.
I won’t mention the name Marcus Bachmann again if I’m told to by alll of you….
…..But Marcus Bachmann will be in the news…heavily for the next 7 months.
We in Minnesota have a clear picture of the Bachmann’s…and soon you all will to.
Just let me know….is Marcus Bachmann’s views and speeches of those views fair game?
June 30th, 2011 at 11:46 am
On the abortion note…
Has anyone thought of the factors that LEAD to abortion?
(1) Underage sex
(2) Unprotected sex (lust-driven, rather than meant for families)
SO THIS is where Chrisitans have failed most egregiously. Even if abortion is illegal (which it SHOULD be), these two things will continue to happen regardless.
Why? Broken homes. Broken families. Misguidance of youth.
Why?
Poor urban communities, corrupted by vice and fathers imprisoned for drug use. Poor parenting.
Churches and community organizations need to clean up the trailer parks and the projects.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:48 am
44,
I would settle for higher taxes and NO abortion. As long as the government itself wasn’t socialistic. I’m talking about a government that doesn’t create social programs with that tax revenue, but instead uses it for military and infrastructure. But as soon as it becomes socialistic….it doesn’t matter anymore because it will always find an excuse to kill the unborn.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:48 am
I came into this cycle wanting ‘anybody new’ for the R nominee. I got on the Cain wagon early, flirted with Pawlenty, still curious about Perry, but I’m now feeling like Romney could be the one. I like the ads, love the “Obama’s Not Working” theme, and like the idea of Romney debating Obama on the economy. My biggest concern is still what he would do to repeal or otherwise get rid of Obamacare, if he would do anything at all.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:49 am
I disagree with the idea that there should be no restrictions on acting out sexually in public in this country. I’m POSITIVE a majority of Americans feel that people should be able to control sexual urges in order to comply with societal norms. It is radical to believe otherwise.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Abortion works against children, homosexuality is a move against children, and our public education system is a hindrance to the education and well-being of our children. Liberalism is truly a suicide mission that works against our culture and our society.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:52 am
#46 — You should know that one of the many reasons why the economy is NOT improving is because of Obamacare. It is creating way too much uncertainty with small businesses which are reluctant to hire because of it. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Obama is strangling the economy with his dictatorship. He’s made contracts seemingly worthless (see the auto bailout and how the investors got screwed), he willfully defies the courts (a la the moritorium), and his backdoor regulation of cap and trade through the EPA only remains and everpresent threat.
I cannot see the economy turning around at all while Obama remains in office.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Liberalism seeks chaos and disorder. In that sense, Obama is the ideal face of it.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
#52: Are you addressing the topic of “open homosexuality,” i.e., coming out? Or something else?
June 30th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
#49: I thought unprotected sex was what Christians wanted. They fought to keep us from having access to contraception.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Willard Rockefeller Romney is once more changed man.
Economy is the only way he will go.He doesn’t even pretend to be conservative anymore.
But mark my word,he will change again,as soon as Alaska Huricane wind hits him and his consultants and focus like a ton of brick.
They are playing losers game,first comes FIRST,the nomination.
The Crony Capitalist Romney would be destroyed and decimated by Chicago
thugs.He’s the wrong guy to talk about economy.
His record as governor is very bad.Massachusetts was #47 in jobs creation.
I can see devastating ads showing how Mitt made his fortune through LBOs
during 1980′s and who and how was involved in “Golden Parachutes”.
I can see ads depicting Romney as a Crony Capitalist in bed with baaaaad
Wall Street Banker crooks who brought this country to a meltdown and
stole trillions from the Main Street in the process.
Sarah Palin will make these ads if needed,not Obama.
It will never get to that.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
“I disagree with the idea that there should be no restrictions on acting out sexually in public in this country. I’m POSITIVE a majority of Americans feel that people should be able to control sexual urges in order to comply with societal norms. It is radical to believe otherwise.”
To quote my favorite movie, what it God’s holy name are you blathering about? There are plenty of restrictions on “acting out sexually in public,” and they’re not controversial in the least. You can’t wander around naked in public. You can’t fornicate in public. And so on and so forth.
As far as controlling sexual urges, yeah–hence the restrictions I just mentioned. You have to control your urges until you’re behind closed doors; once you’re in private, go nuts.
If you’re one of those bigots that believes that somehow being a non-closeted homosexual is tantamount to “acting out sexuall in public,” then you’re simply a hateful nutjob. There are plenty of gay people that flaunt their sexuality, sure. But there are tons of straight people that do likewise. It’s called being slutty, and it’s certainly not unique to any one sexuality. However, until one violates public indecency laws, we have certain freedoms of expression in this country. If you’re insinuating that the government should regulate manner of dress and other manners of personal expression that are current protected by our civil liberties, then the party of small government isn’t the place for you.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
MWS– I agree that continuing on like this for 18 months would be tiring on the public and perception would change from, “He’s right! Obama has done nothing for us!” to “Enough with the negativity already, I’m depressed enough as it is!”
I think this early in the game not many of the general public is going to be exposed to this, but that said, he definitely should start churning out some positive message ads like “this is what I did before…” or the “I believe in America” stump speech he has. He needs to find the right mix, like you said.
This is ad gets me pumped. If done right, the type of stuff his campaign has already come out with should work really well during the general election, barring a quick economic recovery.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
56 How kind of you to ask. I am addressing the argument that homosexuals are biologically driven to act sexually upon those of their same gender and that they cannot resist it even if it is counter to societal norms or culture. Aggressive sexual impulses that “cannot” be curbed can co-exist with a moral and orderly society IF they remain private and are only practiced by a minority. Once these behaviors are proselyted and promoted amongst children in the schools, and the traditional family based on the caring for and nurturing of children is debased and equated with “adult” centered relationships focused primarily on personal sexual gratification, society is breaking down. The children take the first hit, as always. American is different. It is founded on conservative Christian-Judeo morals where personal restraint is taught in order that the nurturing of children is valued above raw sexual gratification in any of it’s deviant forms. It is no small factor in the great success, prosperity, excellence and freedoms America has showcased since it’s beginning. And which are now, very obviously, in decline. Agreed?
June 30th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
It looks like the only way I’m going to break through is just to lay it out there…
….so here it goes.
Is it ok if we discuss Marcus Bachmann calling gays Barbarians?
Is it ok if we discuss the views of Marcus Bachmann who is Michele Bachmann’s number 1 adviser?
Or do we lay off Marcus because even though he is an adviser..he is a husband of a candidate?
Need a ruling.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Win, I suspect you are a bigot. You also come across as a hater. Just saying.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
#61: If you want to talk about the children… the children who are the most damaged with respect to the issue of homosexuality, are the gay children of parents like you.
After hearing from wateredseeds and Liz today, I am done with this website and this party for the time being. Goodbye.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
I think abortion is barbaristic (?) behavior. A civilized culture would not engage in it. Adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality, also uncivilized behavior. You disagree? The “anything goes” mentality is prevalent now, but you must admit that as you lower protections and standards for the nation’s children, the consequences are predictable. And we are witnessing them daily.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Goodbye Metro. We can control our thoughts and our bodies. It’s liberating, actually.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
#63: That’s a really insightful response, Liz. Bigoted against what? Small-mindedness? General hatefulness? Your trademark insubstantive flippancy? Sure.
In terms of being a “hater,” I really hate it when folks such as yourself insinuate the gay people should live closeted lives full of shame, and shriek that any public discussion of homosexuality is somehow “proseltizing.”
June 30th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Metro, I hope you return soon.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
MWS: Your point is well taken about voters’ long term tolerance for negativity. Some of this is probably necessary. First it is necessary to establish the narrative of what’s gone wrong, is going wrong, then pivot to the solution. This is sales in general. First establish the need, then pivot to the solution to the need.
If the positive case can be as compelling as the negative one . . . .
June 30th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Win, if you stopped flailing about you might find out we agree on 99% of the things you are howling about. Time to step back for a minute.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
45,
No i don’t. Like I said, it is the christians in this country that have failed. Non christians have no responsibility towards our nation becoming godless. I would prefer a society where we have the freedom and decency to accept people as long as what they are doing isn’t harming others. But that also means supporting my freedom to evangelize to them. Like i said, it is the godlessness that precedes the rise in homosexuality. Homosexuality is largely brought about through a combination of genetics and circumstance. Biblically it was brought upon the canaanites as a curse from Noah. The bible shows homosexuality as being genetic. But God still regards it as sinful(because all sex outside of marriage is sinful, and they can’t be married in His eyes because he created woman for man). But the absolute last thing that we should be focused on is creating gay bashing laws. We have no need to force them back into the closet. We do have a need to show them the kindness and love that we are to express towards all people.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
“Adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality, also uncivilized behavior.”
Homosexuality is ‘uncivilized behavior’? And you have the gall to call OTHER people bigots? You’re truly a disgusting person.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
See, Liz, the reason I’m ‘flailing’ is that you’re much more interested in making sarcastic, generalized posts than actually articulating what you mean. What do you mean by “acting out sexually in public”? What do you mean by “we can control our thoughts and our bodies”? What public behavior, precisely, are you talking about?
June 30th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
71 interesting. I would equate homosexuality to obesity in that sense. Oftimes born with a predisposition, but what you consume (physically or mentally) is the other portion of the equation. Christian bashing, gay bashing, it’s a tough call to say which is more egregious in the world today.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Romney is demonstrating successfully that he can take on obama like nobody else can.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-to-visit-shuttered-pennsylvania-steel-plant-to-attack-obamas-jobs-record/2011/06/30/AGo1tAsH_story.html
I am impressed. If the economy remains the issue, obama loses and romney wins both the nod and the general. He i simply owning the economy issue and the others are just letting him. honestly there does not seem to be anybody capable of knocking him off of his game right now. still very early though.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I have to agree with MWS. If Romney becomes Mitty-one-note, and that one note is a monotonic drone about a lousy economy, you run the risk of people getting tired of it.
I checked back on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign ads. That was the last time we had a stagflation inducing, incompetent Democrat in the White House. Here is a site where you can view them all.
This is their general synopsis of Reagan’s ad campaign:
So Reagan mixed positive messages about himself and his record with negative ads attacking Carter. Romney would be wise to learn from Master Gipper.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
64. Have thicker skin. This site is better and our party is better with people like you in it.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
In the middle east, both Christians and homosexuals have it tough.
Win, I’m going to save you the horror of engaging further with a “disgusting person.” You would definitely benefit from an open mind.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
74,
“it’s a tough call to say which is more egregious”
Ummm…does it matter which is more egregious. If they are both WRONG than we should condemn both.
While we have no biblical account of Jesus himself addressing homosexuality(though he did address sexual behavior), i think it is a situation where we can say that Jesus surrounded himself with sinners…and loved on them. And in turn many of them turned away from their sinful behavior to follow him. I would think that he would have the same attitude towards homosexuals.
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”-Romans 5:8
It’s the WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS part that is important. I’m a child of God, but i still sin. Condemning homosexuals for their sin is hypocrisy because we ALL sin.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
There are some things a mind should not be open to.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Again, no talk about this anywhere on Fox News or Talk Radio. All we get is: “Mitt Romney…snore. Can’t we get a candidate who is willing to take it to Obama”.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Liz, you owe me a new laptop. I just spit Coke all over it when I read your comment instructing Win to have an open mind.
Although I understand wateredseeds’ position and respect his opinion, I’d have to agree more with Metro’s & Win’s opinions on this matter.
In any case – back to the original topic at hand – I think this is a very effective ad coming from Romney. He should use it again when/if he secures the nomination, except broadcast it on TV rather than just using it as a web ad. Also, I agree with others that he needs to have more positive ads, as well. While negative ads can be (and typically are somewhat) effective, too many of them can turn off public sentiment. You want to motivate people to vote for you, not make them so depressed that they say, “what’s the point?” and don’t come out to vote at all.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
CF
“a candidate who is willing to take it to Obama” is code for “a candidate who is willing to attack the liberal media and still expect to get fair coverage in the election”
June 30th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Watered,
#69 That’s an interesting way to approach it. Traditionally candidates start positive- focusing on creating their own brand or image- and only later turn negative- trying to redefine the opponent. Perhaps Mitt’s new way will work, if that’s what he’s doing. The danger- as Telly hopes above- is that he simply beats Obama up for the benefit of someone else who focused on his own brand.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
83,
I don’t think #69 was mine. LOL.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Watered,
I just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss Watch’s interesting point……
June 30th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Watch,
#69 That’s an interesting way to approach it. Traditionally candidates start positive- focusing on creating their own brand or image- and only later turn negative- trying to redefine the opponent. Perhaps Mitt’s new way will work, if that’s what he’s doing. The danger- as Telly hopes above- is that he simply beats Obama up for the benefit of someone else who focused on his own brand.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Metro, don’t leave from one bad thread. I know homosexuality has been a sensitive issue for you since the last election cycle. Not all republicans treat the topic the same way.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
“Liz, you owe me a new laptop. I just spit Coke all over it when I read your comment instructing Win to have an open mind.”
There did seem to be some irony lost on someone there, no?
June 30th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
88,
So true. I’m very libertarian on the issue. I don’t believe government should have a role in marriage at all. Anyone should be able to marry anyone, as long as it is consenting and everyone is of age.
One thing i don’t get though…what was offensive about any of the things i said regarding homosexuality? None of my posts were derogatory, hateful or condemning of homosexuality. If anything, i was condemning the behavior of most christians regarding this issue.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
[...] Releasing net-ads is one thing. Holding a press conference outside the gate of a plant that was shuttered one year after Obama visited it touting his “stimulus” package is quite another. Doing it on the same day that Obama is holding two fundraisers in the same state is really getting in the President’s face in a big way. [...]
June 30th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
91,
Hmmmm…i’m pretty sure that’s the point. Romney just needs to throw in some positive stuff about himself every few ads, but otherwise these ads are very effective.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Is it ok if we discuss Marcus Bachmann calling gays Barbarians?
Is it ok if we discuss the views of Marcus Bachmann who is Michele Bachmann’s number 1 adviser?
Or do we lay off Marcus because even though he is an adviser..he is a husband of a candidate?
It doesn’t matter what “we” do in this case. I guarantee you that this will become part of the campaign against Bachmann in a Romney/Bachmann race, in which Romney stays above the fray but his surrogates attempt to frame her as a snake-handler. And it will work, because of quotes like this. Mark my words: there is no way Michele Bachmann becomes the Republican nominee. Rick Perry, on the other hand, could go the distance.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Romney has no interest in attacking bachmann yet.
June 30th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Michele Bachmann was never going to win the nomination, that’s not even her intentions.
She is an establishment pawn playing a game, but it isn’t going to work.
From Pella:
Scott Conroy of Real Clear Politics: “I gave Palin a chance to tell the organize4palin folks to stop & go home, instead she encouraged them. Would be odd if shes decided not to run…”
even I was surprised at how many people have moved to Iowa just to work for her campaign. People have put their lives on hold and are working full time organizing this state at their own expense. Governor Palin said she appreciates the effort.
We may have the best organization of all the candidates here in Iowa. T-Paw might have a slight edge, but his campaign lacks a candidate and is running out of cash.
Governor Palin hasn’t spent a penny yet. I think she is the only candidate that inspires people in this way, as this is going on in all the early primary states.
I know that as Palinista’s we can sometimes come off as braggadocios and may seem unbelievable (or deluded)to some who don’t follow Governor Palin closely. I apologize for that. We are just very confident that she will run and we know that when she does, she will dominate.
June 30th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Allentown actually got a bad reputation from that Bill Joel song. It’s unfortunate because the Lehigh Valley is actually coming back. Lots of people from NYC are buying property in Pennsylvania and commuting to work in the city to avoid the high property tax and buy homes at reasonable prices. Tech jobs, services, health care jobs are all there.
It’s true that manufacturing is a shadow of its former self and won’t be dominant again though, and it’s gotten worse under Obama.
June 30th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Billy Joel*
June 30th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
“I think she is the only candidate that inspires people in this way, as this is going on in all the early primary states.”
Jim Jones inspired people a lot, too.
I kid, I kid…
June 30th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
98,
That’s not so much a joke, as much as it is the truth. Look at Obama. The cult of personality is a huge factor. Does Palin inspire some of that? Yeah, but to a much lesser degree. She has a lot of people that “like” her. But how many people are zealots for her? Probably not many more than most other politicians. Obama was a big exception to the political class personality cult. Look at Reagan. He was the closest person to achieving that kind of status from a conservative viewpoint…and yet, it was his substance that drove people even more than his personality. But that’s why Palin fails. She has the personality, but not so much on the substance. Reagan was an acquired taste. Obama….he’s the very definition of a personality cult. In fact, you could expect him to have cool aid laced with cianide for that fateful day when he has to leave office. He’ll ask his people to “do what’s right” and end their lives knowing that they are martyrs for the good cause. I kid a little there…but it’s not that far off.
June 30th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
With regard to marK’s and MWS’s comments about Romney going overboard with negative ads, remember, he did begin his campaign with plenty of positive, uplifting spots, such as this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz3XgYLqCjg
Look at the title: “Believe in America”.
I think he has done exactly what marK advocated: formed an optimistic message about himself, while strategically going negative when opportunities present themselves.
Include me with those who stated that Romney has gradually won them over with his stellar campaign this time around.
June 30th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
99.
I think you would be surprised at the people who support Governor Palin because of her record and policy positions, i.e. substance.
Don’t fall for the false narrative. You may be ignorant of her record, but don’t assume she doesn’t have one. It is stellar.
She didn’t garner an 88% approval rating as governor by being a “personality”. She did it by hard work and what she got accomplished.
She was a transformational figure in Alaskan history and has set the the state on a path of financial stability for decades to come.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
#100 Anthony Dalke,
The ad you link creates a desire to vote for Romney but Romney’s latest ad merely creates a desire to vote against Obama.
Both of them are good but I believe the person who will win this primary will do so by inspiring the American people to believe in a future that is better than today. While there is a place for the ad from today, I think the Romney focus should be positive.
June 30th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
100 – Right. It is still very early in this campaign. It is clear that the Romney people want to avoid Romney being overexposed too early. They think that was a problem last time. The way to do that right now is to focus the campaign on Obama and not Romney. There will be plenty of time to talk about Romney over the next year and a half.
July 1st, 2011 at 4:22 am
What ever happens in the primary, or whatever you think of Romney what he is doing helps the entire republican party, its future candidates and even those who are predisposed against Romney.