What Does John McCain Think of Mitt Romney?

In his own words, too! I dig the 60s/70s wacky music track, particularly the tuba at the end, after Mitt Romney's artificial laughter.

Mitt Romney Consistant on Gay Marriage. . .Since He's Been Running for Office

Image from source, TPM.

I find it amusing that in the wake of President Obama's pro-marriage equality announcement, the right is trying to paint him as a "flip flopper." Because immediately after the "turning your opponent's strength into a weakness" ploy, their favorite tactic is to paint their opponent with their own weakness. It's the "I'm rubber, you're glue" gambit. Mitt Romney isn't just known for flip flopping, it pretty much defines him. Pick an issue, and he's been on both sides of it. Sometimes more than once.

I wasn't happy with Obama's previous stance on the issue of gay marriage. But I've grown to grudgingly accept that politicians--no matter how well intentioned--have to hedge. As distasteful as it is, they have official policy positions, and wink-wink, nudge-nudge, what I really think positions. George W. Bush was on board for some serious gay bashing in his campaigns, but allegedly wasn't really homophobic behind the scenes. At least President Obama has been pro-gay rights, even if it took him a while to have his private opinion square with his public one.


[Excerpt]


Romney: I’m Consistent On Gay Marriage … ‘Since Running For Office’

Mitt Romney responded to President Obama’s personal support for the legalization of gay marriage Wednesday by reaffirming his opposition to legalized same-sex unions of any kind, and suggesting Obama is a flip-flopper for “evolving” his stance. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Mitt Romney vs. Mitt Romney

This is awesome.

Rick Perry Flip Flops on Constitutionality of Medicare

"Here's the book I writed." Image from
ThinkProgress

I'm already spectacularly underwhelmed with the "savior" of the 2012 GOP Presidential race, Rick Perry. So far, he seems kind of dim. He has that undeserved confidence thing that George W. Bush had. But he doesn't seem like an affable dunce, he seems like a dick. Plus, he's got that dominionist uber-Christian thing going for him. All of these things make me a bit verklempt. I have long ago lost any confidence in my fellow Americans, as to whom they can be won over by. But I'm hopeful that Obama's team can adequately spotlight things like this most recent flip flop. Perry wrote Fed Up! only a little over a year ago. But he is at turns suggesting that people read it, and also contradicting what it says. Clearly, there isn't much substance here. I just wonder if a public that could (sort of*) elect Bush twice, might not make the same mistake again.

[Excerpt]

Rick Perry Flip Flops On Medicare, Claims He ‘Never Said It Was Unconstitutional’

When Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) released his book Fed Up! in late 2010, one of his main critiques was that, over the past 50 years, the federal government has misconstrued the Constitution to establish “the massive programs of Medicare and Medicaid.” Now that he’s running for president, Perry is trying to sing a different tune on Medicare. . .

Read more at: ThinkProgress




* The 2000 election was decided by the Supreme Court, by way of Katherine Harris. The 2004 election may have been goosed by Ken Blackwell. I remain unconvinced that W. legitimately won either election. Call me crazy.

Barack Obama: Republicans Take Pride in Being Ignorant

WOO-HOO! Now that is the kind of statement I like to hear from my presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee! Sure, it's obvious, but how often does someone as prominent as Barack Obama say it out loud?

One thing I'm sick of when it comes to politics of late, is how people--conservatives in particular--glom onto a two or three word phrase, or an object, and then beat it to death. I'm speaking of flip flops, purple fingers, purple heart band aids, and the like. Right now it is tire pressure gauges, because Obama said that correct tire pressure saves gas--which it does.

Of course there is more to Obama's energy plan than that, but by waving their gauges, and repeating "tire pressure, tire pressure!" they're going to try to make you think otherwise. Don't fall for it.

[Excerpt]



Obama Slaps Back on Tire Gauges

Speaking in Berera, Ohio, the Senator offers a strong defense of his comments about tire inflation being an effective conservation tool. Watch video above.

“They think it is funny that they are making fun of something that is actually true… It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.”

Source: Time

McCain Flip-flop in 10 Seconds

OK, it was over two days, but still.

Worst Anti-Obama Ad Yet: Both Ways Barack

Negative ads are here to stay, we all know that. But what do you do when the message you're trying to get across--in this case that Barack Obama has often changed his positions--is a weakness your own candidate possesses? John McCain has famously changed his positions on nearly everything since his 2000 run.

Let's face it, all politicians change positions, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, changing your mind is a good thing. Sometimes holding fast--staying the course, if you will--is a bad idea. Even the conservatives' prime example of flip-floppage--John Kerry voting for the war before he voted against it--had a reasonable explanation. The reasoning behind it just couldn't break through the buzz. The conservative media succeeded in branding Kerry as a flip-flopper.

Will it work this time? Will the very loud conservative media drown out all rational discussion again? Will John McCain continue to get a pass on his own, numerous flip flops? Hard to say. But the following ad, in my opinion, is so transparently stupid, it isn't going to change a lot of minds. It barely rises to the level of a local political ad, let alone a national one. My two cents.

[Excerpt]



Conservative Group to Air Anti-Obama Ads

An independent conservative group that worked on behalf of President Bush in 2004 is planning to begin broadcasting nationally next week a commercial that attacks Senator Barack Obama as a flip-flopper.

Read more at: New York Times

John McCain Gives Away. . .Flip Flops?

Image from Arkansas103

John McCain likes to call the press "his base," and they seem to like it a lot. They go to barbecues at his house, they get special treatment on his bus and plane. And they get little gifties from the candidate. But why would the McCain campaign give away little flip flops? I mean, come on.

[Excerpt]

Are beach flip-flops (the foot kind) from John McCain a smart idea?

This morning, aboard John McCain's Straight Talk Express jet, one of the Arizona senator's favorite traveling companions -- Steve Duprey, who co-chaired McCain's Republican primary effort in New Hampshire and has been hanging around ever since -- handed out little customized bottles of McCain sunscreen.

News reporters on the plane also received yellow-and-blue flip-flops printed with the message "McCain ... Another Day at the Beach. . ."

Read more at: Los Angeles Times