Objective review of the US 2012 Presidential and Congressional general campaign

[kishnevi]

Methinks this may be a flip.  I'm awaiting the flop.

Actually, the way I chart these things, he's already flipped (during the primaries, to get conservative votes), and this is the flop.  Only question is, if he'll flip again.  Perhaps he'll end up doing a triple axel ending in (to keep to figure skating terminology) a death spiral.

[eyeresist]

They've been showing Joss Whedon's Dollhouse down here. I was amused by the plot device whereby the scion of a wealthy political dynasty turns himself from alcohol-soaked wretch into an ambitious politician - thanks to being brainwashed by an evil corporation

[The new erato]

Actually, the way I chart these things, he's already flipped (during the primaries, to get conservative votes), and this is the flop.  Only question is, if he'll flip again.  Perhaps he'll end up doing a triple axel ending in (to keep to figure skating terminology) a death spiral.

Talking Heads: Making Flippy Floppy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM8wIi2aE48

Ev'rything is divided
Nothing is complete
Ev'rything looks impressive
Do not be deceived
You don't have to wait for more instructions
No one makes a monkey out of me

[Karl Henning]

"Bounce till you ache."

[Karl Henning]

When you're right, you're right.

Normally, a president presiding over 8% unemployment and in a country that sees itself on the wrong track wouldn't stand a chance. But then a candidate with Mitt Romney's shortcomings, including his failure to ignite much enthusiasm within his own party, wouldn't stand a chance, either.

The combination of the two explains why this election remains close . . . .

[drogulus]

Sure, it's always right to pander.  That's been known since at least Cicero's time.  That doesn't make for an especially compelling speech.

     Context matters in this case. It always matters, of course, but particularly when one party attacks various groups which have sought the protection of the other party. Should teachers support the Dems? Yes, of course they should. Should Dems support the teachers? They have to and they will.

     Bill Clinton is the most powerful weapon Obama has. He can go anywhere in the battleground states and destroy the Romney arguments. The Repubs are going to pay a price for making the Big Dog their favorite Dem.

[Todd]

Should Dems support the teachers? They have to and they will.

Except maybe in Chicago.  Nah, not even there.  The Democratic Party is the party for public employees, you're absolutely right.

You're right about Clinton, too.  It would be best for the Republicans if he were not campaigning.  I guess he's in Florida today.  I assume Ohio will get some visits, too.  Obama is lucky to have him, and smarter than Gore was in using him.  This is a twofer for old Bill, too: get Obama reelected (most likely) and lay the groundwork for Hillary in 2016 at the same time.  Assuming, of course, that she wants to run. 

 

[snyprrr]

I promise I will not say that this whole embassy thing is a total set-up. I mean,... come ON! Hasbara much?

[Todd]

I promise I will not say that this whole embassy thing is a total set-up. I mean,... come ON! Hasbara much?

I'm sure it will strongly influence the massive Libyan-American voting bloc.

[Karl Henning]

I'm sure it will strongly influence the massive Libyan-American voting bloc.

Mitt well and truly jumped the camel there.

[Karl Henning]

And no, 2012 is not 1980, part 974: From Nate Cohn again, perhaps the most extensive piece yet debunking this flawed historical parallel. As Cohn notes, Reagan did not trail Carter all the way through, and unlike Romney he received a big convention bounce that foreshadowed his eventual win. As previously noted, what this comparison really shows is that the Romney campaign thinks it needs a theory of the race that explains why he's not winning yet.

Of course, it's simply that Mitt is no Reagan, too.

RTWT here.

[Todd]

Of course, it's simply that Mitt is no Reagan, too.

Aside from the charisma, political skill, public speaking ability, and deftness at campaigning, I'd say Mitt's pretty close to the Gipper.

(Is it too soon to start contemplating 2016?  Hillary v Jeb, anyone?)

[Brian]

I finally listened to Bill Clinton's DNC speech. I was too young to really notice his presidency (was 11 when he left), so I'm 20 years behind the rest of the world noticing, but: god, that man is a great, great talker.

[Gurn Blanston]

I finally listened to Bill Clinton's DNC speech. I was too young to really notice his presidency (was 11 when he left), so I'm 20 years behind the rest of the world noticing, but: god, that man is a great, great talker.

No doubt about it. I saw both of his convention acceptance speeches, and even though I didn't agree with his politics, I was mesmerized with his delivery. One of the great public speakers of our time, actually.

[eyeresist]

No doubt about it. I saw both of his convention acceptance speeches, and even though I didn't agree with his politics, I was mesmerized with his delivery. One of the great public speakers of our time, actually.

Clinton against Bush Jr would have been quite a contest, not intellectually of course, but who could out-folksy the other? The whole thing would have turned into a Mark Twain skit.

[ibanezmonster]

I finally listened to Bill Clinton's DNC speech. I was too young to really notice his presidency (was 11 when he left), so I'm 20 years behind the rest of the world noticing, but: god, that man is a great, great talker.

One of my middle school teachers met him once and she said he had a strong ability to compartmentalize; when he shook her hand and talked to her, it was as if she were the only person in the room.

[Brian]

Clinton against Bush Jr would have been quite a contest, not intellectually of course, but who could out-folksy the other? The whole thing would have turned into a Mark Twain skit.

Bush Jr had a bit of the slowpoke in him; I can't see him improvising. Apparently most of Clinton's best lines were improvised. Now, you know who fits your post? Clinton against Huckabee. Good lord that would be fun to watch.

[Todd]

Bush Jr had a bit of the slowpoke in him; I can't see him improvising.

I think it depends on the context for Dubya.  From what I've read, he was very affable and charming and effective one-on-one.  In public he didn't seem quite as effective.  But was any of that calculated?  Hard to say, and while it's certainly true Dubya was not one of the intellectual titans to occupy the White House (you know, like Jefferson or Madison or Wilson), my guess is that he's probably not quite the fool his critics and enemies make him out to be.

And Clinton and Huckabee, man, that's just too damned much Arkansas folksiness for me. 

[ibanezmonster]

Bush Jr had a bit of the slowpoke in him; I can't see him improvising. Apparently most of Clinton's best lines were improvised. Now, you know who fits your post? Clinton against Huckabee. Good lord that would be fun to watch.

For me that would be like watching the Heat and the Thunder in the NBA finals- fun to watch, but I kind of like them both, so I'm not sure who I'd want to win.

[Brian]

I saw today that 40% of Republicans have a negative opinion of Michelle Obama. Really? What exactly does she do, anyway? Grow a vegetable garden, get children to exercise, touch the queen, be black... I'll be charitable and say it's the royalist element.