Congratulations to re-elected President Obama.
You can see full results on WRAL’s site here: http://www.wral.com/news/political/page/11679961/?group=top_races
And specifically for Vance County here: http://www.wral.com/news/political/page/11679961/?group=vance_county
Congrats to all the candidates for a hard working political season.
The Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, the USS New York, was commissioned three years ago today. Some 6,000 spectators turned out for the ceremony held at the retired aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, now the Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York Harbor. The New York is special in that 7½ tons of steel in its bow came from beams salvaged from the wrecked World Trade Center. The New York can carry a landing force of 800 Marines, along with needed aircraft and landing equipment. The ship’s crew numbers 360. Most recent figures show U.S. shipbuilders delivered $21.8 billion worth of new ships and repairs in a year. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.
A Republican Autopsy (it’s a grisly job, but someone has to enjoy it):
How did he do it? With unemployment at nearly 8% and a sluggish economy, a black man with a funny name managed to defeat a scion of plutocratic America. Amazing. Since WWII only the amiable dunce Ron Reagan (R, Space) was re-elected with a comparable unemployment rate. The fraudulent Romney, unmoored to any moral or ethical foundation, would do anything to win the election. But Romney had many disadvantages, the greatest of which was his weak grasp of the truth. His pool of lies would swamp the Great Salt Lake. But there are other reasons. Allow me to enumerate:
1. First, Romney tried to sucker the (easily duped) tea party crowd (“I am severely conser-
vative!”); after the Tampa convention he birthed the myth of moderate Mitt.
2. Concerning the convention in Tampa, the false narrative about “you didn’t build it.” The whole convention was like some stupid inside joke. Nobody got it.
3. His rash, half-cocked response to the murders in Benghazi.
4. Claiming that Russia was our main geopolitical threat. Gosh, I miss the Cold War!
“I’ll reset the reset!” Take that Putin! On a similar note, all but promising a ground war in
Iran and/or Syria. One war at a time, stupid. Who knows what he wanted to do in Afghanistan?
5. During the second debate, rather than getting into a serious discussion about North Africa, Romney decided to get into a silly argument about semantics. The bully couldn’t help himself.
The cool Obama, gleefully watching his prey writhe, said only: “Continue, Governor”.
6. Mitt’s incredibly oblivious disconnect to the American people (my personal favorites: “I have friends who own NASCAR teams!”, “Cheesy grits”, “I like firing people.”). Whata jerk.
7. Promoting tax and budget plans clearly unbalanced and designed to help his corporate masters.
8. Trying to bully anyone who didn’t kowtow sufficiently (this worked in the first debate, later less so when the moderators saw what his game was).
9. Completely underestimating the rationality of American women.
10. Nominating for vice-prez, a man who wanted to gut social security (probably kissing off the peninsula of flowers, this is still being decided).
11. Suggesting that the auto industry should be allowed to go bankrupt (good-bye Ohio & Michigan). His lies about Chrysler moving to China propelled the Chrysler management to give its workers the day off to vote.
12. Did I mention healthcare? The one good original conservative idea he ever had, he repudiated.
13. Blaming gun violence on single mothers (did anyone note the inherent racism in this statement?).
14. His Olympic tour wherein, barely off the airplane, he insulted our closest ally.
15. In the third debate, agreeing with and complimenting the President’s foreign policies.
16. By “designating China a currency manipulator on day one,” Romney would begin a trade war between America and China, presaging a new Cold War. Romney seemed to beg for conflict at every turn. Didn’t he realize that after a decade of war, .America was a little warred-out? Can’t imagine any of his boys enlisting. Different priorities, I suppose.
17. Suggesting that the fastest growing demographic in the country go self-deport itself.
18. And what is easily the most mind-blowing greatest gaffe in American political history, Romney’s speech to a room full of fellow travelers stating that he is unconcerned with 47% of the electorate. I think that’s the ones that sealed it.
Obviously, it’s not merely a matter of Romney’s calumny and incompetence. Much credit goes to President Obama, who recognized the evil threat early and devised a masterful campaign to take down the swine. Taking a page from the 2004 Bush versus Kerry presidential campaign, Obama conducted an intensive barrage on Romney’s character and business background. The timing was exquisite. Eastwood’s echo had barely subsided in Tampa when questions about Romney’s economic patriotism were raised. Fortunately, the arrogant Twitt could not believe that any rational voter would not swoon at the smallest glimpse of his Romneyness and made no adjustments to his all-economy-all-the-time campaign strategy.
Good move America. I’m proud of you. You didn’t fall for it. Laura Ingram was right: the Republican party needs to shut down.
My work here is done. Publius retires until 2016 (go Hillary!). Back under the bridge
What you said in #5 really sums up his whole persona. The bully couldn’t help himself.