The First 2012 Presidential Election Thread

[imaplanner]

So to stay positive and play the game for a second...

Obama has African Americans voting for him...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories...15.html?hp=l10

Wow....

Wow indeed. but I seem to recall seeing polls showing that Obama has not just big, but huge leads among all minorities and women, and even college educated whites. The only group solidly for Romney is non-college educated white males.

[michaelskis]

Paul Ryan has motivated me to look a bit deeper into P90X as a possible way to change up my workout routine.

I buddy of mine did it the program exactly as witten (90day intense workout) and said that it was a great workout. But 6 months after he completed it, he gained the weight back because it is not a long term sustainable approach. He has since started doing it again, but he has a different maintaince program for after he finishes.

On toppic:
I read more about the details of the Ryan medicare plan and like it. From what I read, the his plan would not affect anyone who today is 55 or older. Then, in 2023, private insurers could bid for seniors' health insurance alongside traditional Medicare. His plan would also offer federal money to cover premiums equal to the second lowest bidder, which would be updated every two years, meaning seniors would always have at least two choices of plans at no cost.

[Blide]

From what I read, the his plan would not affect anyone who today is 55 or older.

This isn't exactly true in that by cutting younger people out of the system there will be no money going to support current beneficiaries. So something will inevitably have to give in that situation.

Then, in 2023, private insurers could bid for seniors' health insurance alongside traditional Medicare. His plan would also offer federal money to cover premiums equal to the second lowest bidder, which would be updated every two years, meaning seniors would always have at least two choices of plans at no cost.

People's concern with this situation is that what the federal government will offer is tied to inflation while medical costs increase faster than inflation. So more of the burden will have to be shouldered by seniors and over time it'll only grow.

Something will obviously have to change with entitlements but I don't think Ryan's plan is a good approach. I'd much rather see the cap removed on FICA contributions and increase it if need be to keep our current system solvent.

EDIT: Just saw this article by the Harvard economist Romney and Ryan use to cite as to why their plan will work. The only problem is that the Harvard economist doesn't think it'll work.

[imaplanner]

This isn't exactly true in that by cutting younger people out of the system there will be no money going to support current beneficiaries. So something will inevitably have to give in that situation.

People's concern with this situation is that what the federal government will offer is tied to inflation while medical costs increase faster than inflation. So more of the burden will have to be shouldered by seniors and over time it'll only grow.

.

Not only that, but with the more healthier people dropping out of traditional medicare and especially by getting rid of the pre-0existing condition prohibition, traditional medicare costs per patient will explode.

[WSU MUP Student]

I just watched the police escort leave to head out to the airport to pick up Romney for a rally in the area later this morning. I am a sucker for stopping to watch things with flashing lights, sirens, and horns. The only thing that could have made it more interesting was a freight train and a stealth jet flyover.

[JNA]

Is you mayor or county executive attending either convention as a delegate ?

Mine is in Tampa.
my fair city newspaper reported his activities on this first day.

[Blide]

This state lost half it's delegates for moving up its primary, so there's like 25 delegates statewide. Not that it really matters since Newt Gingrich somehow won here.

Also Romney selected Rob Portman as his practice debate partner. That certainly doesn't compare to Obama selecting John Kerry for the same role though. Kerry and Romney are remarkably similar.

[Planit]

Well to be fair, the fact checkers went through President Clinton's speech last night and found some dubious claims.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ion/57627036/1

They found the list smaller with less twisting than the speeches in Tampa. The liberal media is to blame right

[michaelskis]

Well to be fair, the fact checkers went through President Clinton's speech last night and found some dubious claims.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ion/57627036/1

They found the list smaller with less twisting than the speeches in Tampa. The liberal media is to blame right

I did not see the speech. How was it overall? In all seriousness, I think that Clinton is an amazing speaker.

[WSU MUP Student]

I did not see the speech. How was it overall? In all seriousness, I think that Clinton is an amazing speaker.

It was long. That's all I know. My wife was watching the convention in the living room and I was watching the football game in the den. It seemed like he was talking each time I came out to make a trip to the kitchen.

[Planit]

I did not see the speech. How was it overall? In all seriousness, I think that Clinton is an amazing speaker.

He did a great job (just as his RNC opponents) in speaking. Saw both. My reference was that 1 had more truth in it than the other.
Sandra Fluke did a great job too. You'll probably see her more often in the public light.

Being politically astute as you are, you probably ought to look it up on YouTube or similar and watch - its 48 minutes long.

[imaplanner]

One thing that strikes me is that it doesn't really matter what he is saying, Clinton seems honest even if he isn't. I find the complete opposite with Romney, it doesn't matter what he is saying - even if he is telling the truth he seems like he is hiding something.

[Blide]

I think Clinton's speech will help drive the Democrats' messaging from here till the election. He was able to single-highhandedly articulate a clear and credible response to nearly everything Republicans have been throwing at Obama and the Democrats. Prior to this, I think Democrats were really struggling with messaging. Now I think the GOP are probably scrambling to figure out how to deal with this since Clinton seems to have blunted many of their favorite lines of attack.

Now I wonder whether Obama can come anywhere close to Clinton's speech.

[Maister]

Anyone see/read yesterday about the claims where Romney's tax returns may have been stolen by a hacker group?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...ns-were-stolen

[WSU MUP Student]

Anyone see/read yesterday about the claims where Romney's tax returns may have been stolen by a hacker group?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...ns-were-stolen

I saw that and as much as I want to see the tax returns, that's not how I want them to come out. I'm willing to bet that it's a hoax.

[michaelskis]

He did a great job (just as his RNC opponents) in speaking. Saw both. My reference was that 1 had more truth in it than the other.
Sandra Fluke did a great job too. You'll probably see her more often in the public light.

Being politically astute as you are, you probably ought to look it up on YouTube or similar and watch - its 48 minutes long.

I already plan on doing it this weekend when I have a chance.

[Maister]

I'm willing to bet that it's a hoax.

That's certainly possible. The Secret Service is treating their investigation as if this was a legit claim, but they pretty much have to treat any claim or threat made by a 'hacker group' as credible.

[michaelskis]

That's certainly possible. The Secret Service is treating their investigation as if this was a legit claim, but they pretty much have to treat any claim or threat made by a 'hacker group' as credible.

I agree that they should be released but not like this.

[btrage]

That's certainly possible. The Secret Service is treating their investigation as if this was a legit claim, but they pretty much have to treat any claim or threat made by a 'hacker group' as credible.

I say get them in the public domain any way possible. If he wasn't hiding something, there wouldn't be the need for the hackers to go digging.

[Tide]

Saw the last 2/3 of Barry's speech. He didn't "say" that much but said it really well. At times I felt like he was backtracking and trying to get away from the things he said 4 years ago in Denver. If he really thought he "needed more time" he should have started that mantra a year ago.

[ColoGI]

Saw the last 2/3 of Barry's speech. He didn't "say" that much but said it really well. At times I felt like he was backtracking and trying to get away from the things he said 4 years ago in Denver. If he really thought he "needed more time" he should have started that mantra a year ago.

We watched it in Canada and afterward there was a nice intelligent (!) discussion about the speech. Up here they disagree that he didn't say that much. Nevertheless, I thought he said more things than he can deliver, but we thought he made it clear the failing party and his party are worlds apart. Vouchercare, laughing at science, bumbling foreign policy, plutocrat...that's enough to say right there. I would have preferred he used Romneycare, but you can't have everything.

[Tide]

ColoGl - you are Canadian? What is the Canadian's affinity and interest in our political process this year? I have seen many a Canadian on twitter comment on the presidential election, and some even volunteering stateside, all almost exclusively for Obama? I honestly would have to search who your PM was, what his (or her) stance was, and I believe that is your issue to deal with not mine.

[Tranplanner]

I honestly would have to search who your PM was

Why, it's Jean Poutine! Everyone knows that

[Mastiff]

Why, it's Jean Poutine! Everyone knows that

I thought poutine was some cheese fries and gravy!

[WSU MUP Student]

I thought poutine was some cheese fries and gravy!

Not cheese fries, but rather cheese curds.... tasty, tasty cheese curds. I make it a point to get poutine each time we go across the border.