Objective review of the US 2012 Presidential and Congressional general campaign

[Karl Henning]

Can't I objectively state as fact that all recent US presidents have immediately betrayed their base as soon as they're elected?

I should say instead that the recent Primary processes force prospective candidates to play to their "base," and that what the "base" demand of their candidate is impossibly unrealistic for general governance.

[snyprrr]

I should say instead that the recent Primary processes force prospective candidates to play to their "base," and that what the "base" demand of their candidate is impossibly unrealistic for general governance.

Why aren't 'normal' people ANYONE'S base?? hmm

[Sef]

Irony?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-rVVRZoC8

Time to inject some humo(u)r....

[mahler10th]

I watched some of the Republican Convention.   
The feeling in UK media is we like Obama, even though he once called  David Cameron a 'lightweight' (and rightly so).  I know Obama may be held to task for much of Americas economic and social (unemployment) difficulties, but on the International stage he is one American President I for one will always admire.
Romney, on the other hand, is a World nightmare waiting to happen.  Why can't the republicans field ANYONE who has at least 'something' of a common touch, and someone who is not, in fact, a fundamentalist Christian (or in Romneys case, of a certain Christian flavour.)

[Gurn Blanston]

I watched some of the Republican Convention.   
The feeling in UK media is we like Obama, even though he once called  David Cameron a 'lightweight' (and rightly so).  I know Obama may be held to task for much of Americas economic and social (unemployment) difficulties, but on the International stage he is one American President I for one will always admire.
Romney, on the other hand, is a World nightmare waiting to happen.  Why can't the republicans field ANYONE who has at least 'something' of a common touch, and someone who is not, in fact, a fundamentalist Christian (or in Romneys case, of a certain Christian flavour.)

I know, it's sad, innit? There was a time when the Repubs fielded distinguished, intelligent men vs the Dems ass-clowns. Now the roles are, in a sense, just the opposite. 

[kishnevi]

Here's a question - why does the thread title have the word 'objective' in it? It seems anything but that.

It's Todd's fault.  When I started this thread, I simply adapted the title he came up with when he started the GOP Primary thread.

[Todd]

It's Todd's fault.

But my original thread was completely objective, neutral, and, dare I say it, wholesome!

[Brian]

Romney, on the other hand, is a World nightmare waiting to happen.  Why can't the republicans field ANYONE who has at least 'something' of a common touch, and someone who is not, in fact, a fundamentalist Christian (or in Romneys case, of a certain Christian flavour.)

There is some debate as to whether Mormons qualify as Christians - they worship Christ, but in many academic and non-Mormon circles they're viewed as an entirely different faith.

[ibanezmonster]

Yeah, Mormonism is quite different from fundamentalist Christianity, although I guess they can be vaguely similar.
That's why a lot of (the bad type of) rednecks are facing a dilemma- vote for the Mormon or the black guy! 

[Mirror Image]

I watched some of the RNC the other night and I couldn't figure out whether these people speaking on stage were just some random wannabe comedians or actual comedians. Whatever the reality of it may be, I laughed my ass off. Very funny stuff.

[mc ukrneal]

Romney, on the other hand, is a World nightmare waiting to happen.  Why can't the republicans field ANYONE who has at least 'something' of a common touch, and someone who is not, in fact, a fundamentalist Christian (or in Romneys case, of a certain Christian flavour.)

He's not a fundamentalist christian - actually far from it. Put him next to an actual fundamentalist christian and you would see the difference.

[The new erato]

That actually doesn't make it less scary.

[Karl Henning]

Why aren't 'normal' people ANYONE'S base?? hmm

Now, that would be telling ....

[Brian]

That actually doesn't make it less scary.

Speaking of scary things and American religious fervor, read this book.

[asin]1400032806[/asin]

[snyprrr]

Ron Paul gets TSA'd on his own private plane? wtf?? Is this what happens when you f with the party bosses?

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/political-potpourri/2012/aug/30/tsa-detains-interrogates-ron-pauls-family-and-aids/

[Todd]

Put him next to an actual fundamentalist christian and you would see the difference.

Most Mormons are indeed rather different from Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians.  (I dare say that many people here are viewing Fundamentalists and Evangelicals as the same, and they are not quite the same.)  Perhaps my view of Mormons is colored by the fact that I have had a not insignificant number of Mormon neighbors, friends, and coworkers most of my life.  When I was a child, my parents bought a new house in a new development that was essentially built by Mormons for Mormons, including home designs purposely friendly to large families, in the hopes of living in a quiet, safe area with good schools.  Well, that's what happened.  In my experience, most Mormons are exceptionally unexciting folks.  They have tended to be well educated, hard working, personally humble and conservative folks who rarely even curse, let alone drink or engage in other ill behavior.  (Sometime the odd profanity slips out, I have noticed.)  With the exception of young men performing their missions, they rarely if ever talk about their religion or proselytize.  Sure, there are the ultra-conservative types, but there are in every religion.  I'll leave the finer points of theological purity (are Mormons Christian or not?) to those interested in such things, but Mormons are no more or less noxious than members of other religions.  Fortunately, the campaigns have not focused too much on religion, though it's pretty easy to find rather odious commentaries on Mormons online. 

[drogulus]

     P.T. Anderson will make a movie with Daniel Day Lewis as Mitt Romney.

     The title is not set, so we are free to speculate.....

     There Will Be Carried Interest

     I Drink America's Milkshake

     The Mittster

     Hard 800 Million

[Florestan]

what the "base" demand of their candidate is impossibly unrealistic for general governance.

Hear, hear!

(*pounds the table*)

[eyeresist]

I just read the transcript of Eastwood's famous stool speak. It's, er, disappointing.

[Florestan]

I just read the transcript of Eastwood's famous stool speak. It's, er, disappointing.

He was better at shooting the bad guys than he is at demagoguery...