The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

[Kepler]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

In this day and age, some believe what we need are people willing to step on toes and speak directly to the issues. Whether he truly does that and/or is effective is a different question but I think some are happy at the appearance of somebody that doesn't measure every word against opinion polls.

You know what they say about sincerity. Once you can fake that you can fake anything.

Every politician has a carefully groomed image. "Aw shucks John Wayne moral compass" was Reagan's. "I feel your pain" was Clinton's. "Abrasive straight shooter" is Christie's. It is all studied, artificial, focus-group tested, and marketed. We will never have any idea what these people actually think. The only thing we actually know about them for sure is there is something so deeply wrong with them they would want to be president.

I've only seen two politicians who I actually believed WYSIWYG. Bernie Sanders and Ron Paul. And even they are vamping very exaggerated character traits.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

So can someone help me out with Chris Christie here? What's the draw?

To the point, straight forward, speaks his mind, and can step on others toes periodically. To me he seems like a typical New Yorker. The weird thing is that people usually don't think much of New Yorkers and their brashness/rudeness. In this case and for this Republican, it seems to be the majority of the making the man. Go figure.

People want leadership, and Chris Christie is that. In the absence of leadership, they'll listen to any vocal diarrhoea that steps up to the mic, like Obummer.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

By the way I thought Ann Romney's speach was great last night.

 

[geezer]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

that was the whitest bunch of whiteys that have ever whited.

You should be aware, if you watch MSNBC, that you fell for a very careful setup. It's not a coincidence that the five speeches they cut from their coverage yesterday were all delivered by minorities.

It's funny watching the other party tying themselves in knots over this. Today's talking point is that the GOP has so many "delegates of color" simply because they're all racists. Having minority delegates and convention speakers is a new strategy to disguise their racism...

It's a little tiring.

 

[Kepler]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Today's talking point is that the GOP has so many "delegates of color" simply because they're all racists. Having minority delegates and convention speakers is a new strategy to disguise their racism...

This is hardly a new perception. There was an SNL parody campaign ad in the 1980's where several interviewees all said something like, "I'm a single mom... and I'm a Republican." Each speaker was a woman, a minority, working class, etc. Then there was a pan out with an enormous crowd saying "We're all Republicans!", and other than the three or four speakers positioned tactically in front every other person was a middle aged white guy with a suit and briefcase.

It's not about accusing all Republicans of "racism," it's about the perception that the national party is beholden to one narrow constituency which happens to have so much money it can shout down everybody else.

Race doesn't matter anymore. The Republicans will take really rich black guys' money just as easily.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

You should be aware, if you watch MSNBC, that you fell for a very careful setup. It's not a coincidence that the five speeches they cut from their coverage yesterday were all delivered by minorities.

It's funny watching the other party tying themselves in knots over this. Today's talking point is that the GOP has so many "delegates of color" simply because they're all racists. Having minority delegates and convention speakers is a new strategy to disguise their racism...

It's a little tiring.

1. So by having 50% minority speakers, the GOP clearly must be expecting a HUGE take in the minority vote. This election is likely over.
2. Nobody has ever watched MSNBC through a commercial break. EVER.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

This is hardly a new perception. There was an SNL parody campaign ad in the 1980's where several interviewees all said something like, "I'm a single mom... and I'm a Republican." Each speaker was a woman, a minority, working class, etc. Then there was a pan out with an enormous crowd saying "We're all Republicans!", and other than the three or four speakers positioned tactically in front every other person was a middle aged white guy with a suit and briefcase.

It's not about accusing all Republicans of "racism," it's about the perception that the national party is beholden to one narrow constituency which happens to have so much money it can shout down everybody else.

Race doesn't matter anymore. The Republicans will take really rich black guys' money just as easily.

If the Republicans are exclusively the party of "the rich" and "the rich" are "the 1%" then where do the rest of their votes come from?

Yesterday's answer was "stupid people" which is hardly a way to win them over to "your" side!

 

[aparch]

Do you mean Romney ver. 08 running in '08, or Romney ver. 12 running in '08?

In a sense that's unfair, as Romney's basic philosophy has remained unchanged all these years. He's an Opportunist.

Haha! I think it was a soft spot for the kid from Michigan to do well. I hate how polarized the parties get while spouting off about "bipartisanship" and othe buzzwords.

I don't give a sh** what party they're for (Repub/Democrat) as long as they support what I want them too.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Haha! I think it was a soft spot for the kid from Michigan to do well. I hate how polarized the parties get while spouting off about "bipartisanship" and othe buzzwords.

I don't give a sh** what party they're for (Repub/Democrat) as long as they support what I want them too.

Then unless you truly have no brain, you might as well always write yourself in.

 

[aparch]

Then unless you truly have no brain, you might as well always write yourself in.

I could, but it would be an invalid vote. I'm not 35 yet.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

I could, but it would be an invalid vote. I'm not 35 yet.

Then perhaps a house of Congress.

 

[Bob Gray]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

By the way I thought Ann Romney's speach was great last night.

I thought it was pretty good. I was expecting her to talk a little more about things about Mitt and some of the challenges they've gone through. Some of the stuff I've read about how committed he was to stay with her and support her through the tough times with MS is powerful stuff, but maybe she felt that was a little too personal to throw out there at a convention.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

You should be aware, if you watch MSNBC, that you fell for a very careful setup. It's not a coincidence that the five speeches they cut from their coverage yesterday were all delivered by minorities.

It's funny watching the other party tying themselves in knots over this. Today's talking point is that the GOP has so many "delegates of color" simply because they're all racists. Having minority delegates and convention speakers is a new strategy to disguise their racism...

It's a little tiring.

I was referring to the crowd/delegates, not the speakers. I was flipping while I watched to see how each station (cable news stations) was covering it.

Each network showed a whole lot of white people.

You're not insinuating that MSNBC is making the GOP look like it lacks diversity, are you? I believe that the GOP makes the GOP look like it lacks diversity.

Attendees also appear to be mostly nerds, dorks and geeks. This is NOT exclusive to the GOP though. I suppose someone has to go to these things, but I just couldn't be a part of such a dork-fest.

 

[Kepler]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Attendees also appear to be mostly nerds, dorks and geeks. This is NOT exclusive to the GOP though. I suppose someone has to go to these things, but I just couldn't be a part of such a dork-fest.

I'd actually say the GOP convention is the most "normal" looking of all of them. Lots of guys with big hats and dumb smiles fresh from the used Chevy showroom floor. Lots of older women who have had too much work done and who are still shopping at "Forever 21." Lots of eagle scouts with Flanderseque blank looks. Basically, a Promise Keepers rally without the black people.

Half the Dem convention looks like Aaron Sorkin filmed a United Colors of Beneton ad at Stanford. Everybody 21-30 has perfect teeth, rosy cheeks, and that Tracy Flick rictus smile that makes you edge towards the door. The other half looks like Al Lewis.

The Libertarian convention is the most bizarre. The Lone Gunmen pick up the chess club and go to Comic-Con.

 

[geezer]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

I was referring to the crowd/delegates, not the speakers. I was flipping while I watched to see how each station (cable news stations) was covering it.

Each network showed a whole lot of white people.

You're not insinuating that MSNBC is making the GOP look like it lacks diversity, are you? I believe that the GOP makes the GOP look like it lacks diversity.

Attendees also appear to be mostly nerds, dorks and geeks. This is NOT exclusive to the GOP though. I suppose someone has to go to these things, but I just couldn't be a part of such a dork-fest.

I actually haven't watched a minute of it. I barely have time to read the whole internet every day at work let alone watch TV while I could be out in the garden or splitting wood in the evening.
So yeah, I'm not into political conventions either. I am into analysis of media coverage and the spin they put on things.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

The Libertarian convention is the most bizarre. The Lone Gunmen pick up the chess club and go to Comic-Con.

It very well could be the rise of a new movement, especially if many motivated, fiscally conservative Gen-Y people out there are able to gain some momentum. Granted there's a large hurdle in the highly gullible yet concentrated baby boomers who will only trust the big three for media.

 

[bronconick]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Conventions seem like an anachronism at this point. They don't really pick the Presidential candidate or the VP at them anymore. It's basically a few nights of free advertising now.

 

[Bob Gray]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Conventions seem like an anachronism at this point. They don't really pick the Presidential candidate or the VP at them anymore. It's basically a few nights of free advertising now.

Agreed. Unless there is a particular speaker I'm interested in hearing, I almost never watch. It's like purposely exposing yourself to hours of political advertisements. I'd rather mow the lawn or something.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

Conventions seem like an anachronism at this point. They don't really pick the Presidential candidate or the VP at them anymore. It's basically a few nights of free advertising now.

That's the outsiders' viewpoint, granted.

However, having worked in several industries that have regular, periodic insider gatherings, the political conventions don't look all that different to me than any other professional gathering. People get together from around the country for a big party and call it "work."

You stay in a hotel or convention center for a few days, attend a few speeches and presentations, have drinks and dinner with folks from around the country who do the same thing you do, build connections and relationships that often prove very fruitful going forward. I've met people at gatherings whom otherwise I'd only have known from a few e-mails and phone calls; which allows me (and them) to explore mutually-beneficial networking opportunities.

 

[jmh]

Re: The 2012 Presidential Election Part I - The guns of August

People want leadership, and Chris Christie is that. In the absence of leadership, they'll listen to any vocal diarrhoea that steps up to the mic, like Obummer.

You have that at least half backwards. Christie is full of **** like no other politician I know.