Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-07/friday-news-roundup-domestic
Democrats wrapped up their national convention this week with key speeches by Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren and former President Bill Clinton. Manufacturing and construction spending reports showed continued sluggish growth ahead of the August jobs report. And the Department of Justice approved a New Hampshire voter ID law. Greg Ip of The Economist, Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post and Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
Greg Ip
U.S. economics editor for The Economist and author of "The Little Book of Economics: How the Economy Works in the Real World."
Ruth Marcus
columnist and editorial writer for The Washington Post.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg
Washington correspondent for The New York Times.
Friday News Roundup Video
The panel discussed why Democrats made two last-minute changes to the party's national platform. The revised document mentioned the word "God" and declared Jerusalem the Israeli capital. Ruth Marcus, columnist and editorial writer for The Washington Post, said Democratic strategists didn't read the platform's language on the Middle East well enough before the convention in Charlotte, N.C. New York Times correspondent Sheryl Gay Stolberg said the Jerusalem gaffe was problematic because it's contrary to the Obama administration's foreign policy. Economist editor Greg Ip said the changes were more symbolic than practical.
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
Someone on the Panel (and others) mentioned the last minute platform changes and the fact that it took a couple of voice votes to get the revisions approved.
Have they forgotten the messy disagreements at the RNC Convention last week over changes in Rules ?
See
http://www.policymic.com/articles/13376/ron-paul-supporters-extremely-di...
"Ron Paul supporters at the Republican National Convention erupted in fury Tuesday over decisions that weakened their delegate count and other rule changes that will make it harder for non-establishment candidates in future elections." and "Several members of the Maine delegation walked out of the Tampa Bay Times Forum after the convention affirmed the GOP’s decision to replace 10 of Maine’s 24 delegates."
Conventions rarely go without a few ripples.
Vilifying the rich (wall street, banks, big business, and industry) is so counter productive to repairing the economy, and Obama dare's to go there (and then wonders why he can't get big donors for his re-election bid). The argument that the rich need to pay their fair share really works for those who think they are "owed" something in this Country. And Obama is there to enure the "have-nots" get a slice of the pie they contributed nothing to. Show me someone who's been on welfare for over 10 years, and I'll show you one of Obama's greatest supporters. Show me someone who's been collecting umemployment for over 4 years now and he'll be first in line to defend the man who makes it all possible. (It's not about getting the votes to stay in power, it's because he really cares!) And another one of his base; Illegal Immigrants. Without a picture I.D. requirement, I wonder how many of them will be voting this November? Voter fraud isn't happening, because we don't have the means to catch it without a picture I.D. Nothing like getting votes from citizens of other Countries to stay in power. And just what has he done in the past 4 years for illegals? (crickets chirping) And let's not leave gays out! Last time around it was "one man, one woman", now it's "gay marraige". Did the great enlightened one finally see the light, or does he just need your vote too? Any other groups out there that need a mesiah to lead them to the promised land? It's all about the votes. And the fools who drank the kool-aid!
Cardinal Timothy Dolan's Benediction at the 2012 Democratic National convention, I do not recall anyone commenting but it sounded to me he reamed the democrats a new one, any way you slice it, it was contrary to the entire democrat party platform.
@ HonestAbe a few ripples...really? Nothing like "soft pedaling" what was a major disagreement of opinion in the party. What made it worse is that the chairman didn't know how to handle what was an obvious overwhelming no vote when they had already posted the results of the vote on the big screen (prior) to the vote process being completed? As usual, if the voters don't vote as desired, side step and do what you want anyway. Same as pushing thru legislation that wont pass the house majority vote, just use executive rule. Same deal, different day.
Clint Eastwood on his RNC performance
“President Obama is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people,” Eastwood said. “Romney and Ryan would do a much better job running the country, and that’s what everybody needs to know. I may have irritated a lot of the lefties, but I was aiming for people in the middle.”
http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/09/07/clint-eastwood-rnc-remarks-chair/
No spread sheet at a convention? No wonky? Dang! I'd better not run for President then.
@Kathleen Do you remember this statement?
"we can't have special interests sitting shotgun. We gotta have middle class families up in front. We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."
After saying this he placed how many banking execs and wall streeters (still carrying their money bags from bonuses via bailout) in advisory and cabinet positions. I think I counted 12. Democrats wrapped it up all right - then they put it on America's front porch and set it on fire!!!! Their dirty underwear was showing clear thru the convention and will continue to show thru end of campaign.
jimlee wrote "But my question is this, as a Professional African American why should I vote for Mitt Romney? I look at the Republican party and see no diversity or inclusion.
I too have also have also wondered why there is a lack of African Americans in the Republican party. While it is true that minorities trend more Republican as they become sucessful, with but a few notable exceptions there is glaring absence of African Americans. The individuals that do join must not see or hear of the racial bias that Diane and some comentators believe that is seething thoughout the party.
So I ask again. Why are there not African Americans in the Republican party? Possibly there is a racial reason, but not in the direction normally implied.
@gergoid and jimlee Please consider this: Prior to President Obama being elected it was perceived that African Americans were under-represented and disenfranchised from politics due to racial bias, regardless of party. "Diane and some commentators" believe that racial bias is "seething throughout the Republican party". They love promoting this premise because it benefits them politically. A year ago, it was perceived that a Mormon didn't have a chance at being elected to the office of President and now a Mormon is running as a primary candidate in the Republican party. I believe you are selling the Republican party short on this and that you have allowed someone else to form your opinion. The Democrats would love to paint a picture of intolerance and bias in their oponents because it benefits them when it comes to votes. Think for yourself. The Republican party would benefit greatly from informed and concientous citizens like yourselves. If any party has enlarged the tent this year it is the Republicans. The Democrats, while "seemingly" enlarging their tent by addressing don't ask don't tell, talking about imigration issues and same sex marriage, have actually pushed a whole bunch of people back out of the tent door. Their flip/flop on platform issues at the convention is indicative of this. Consider carefully which tent you want to stand in my friends.
partisan politics wrote:
"When reelection time came their was little doubt he [Reagan] was a leader deserving of four more years".
"Bob Woodward's new book coming out will explain a lot as to why the incredible arrogance of Obama and all the amateurs he surrounded himself with are why he failed so badly as a leader."
pp, the fundamental problem is still the same. I have talked about it here multiple times. America did not elect a Community Leader. They elected a Community Organizer. An Organizer is what they got. Unfortunately the position of "Leader of the Free World" requires a ... well, a Leader - it's right there in the title.
Susan in Durham NC wrote:
"The Tax Justice Network recently released a report estimating that a full one third of the world's financial wealth - between $21 and $32 TRILLION - is now hidden outside of the real economy in the shadow financial system. That is 'lost' money that is undermining both our economy and our democracy and the truly hard thing, in my opinion, would be to bring that money back into the real economy and tax it for the benefit of all."
Yes Susan! Then we could truly see, "from each according to his ability to each according to his need" at work! That is the social justice that we all strive for!
nalcres wrote:
"American Jews will overwhelmingly vote for Obama -- regardless of the platform flap over Jerusalem. And 98% of Catholic women use contraceptives. These are non-issues."
I know, right? Why waste all this time on a vote you can take for granted ... just like the black vote. You don't have to actually DO anything for any of these people. All you have to do is tell them what you WANT to do for them ... year, after year, after year, after year ....
ray in texas wrote:
"the people that won't be helped with a Republican administration."
Correct premises, wrong conclusion.
Companies ARE sitting on mountains of cash. A Romney, pro-business environment will unleash that on the American economy in a flood. I think the 12M jobs Romney talks about are an underestimate. I would see us down to 6% in 2 years with "real" unemployment, counting underemployed and those giving up looking for work which is now somewhere in the 15 to 20% range, falling to single digits.
jimlee wrote:
"I look at the Republican party and see no diversity or inclusion."
That's because Republicans do not pander to Blacks or Hispanics, but both are perfectly welcome to join.
I haven't verified this yet, but someone posted here that there are more Hispanic Republican members of Congress than Democrats. Hmmmm.
@ecgberht - I believe you are correct. The money didn't magically disappear... it is still there, just in the "shadow financial system". Money holders benefit by getting "return on investment". When the odds for good R.O.I decreases then they sit on their money. When they can see that someone (or a political figure or party) is gaming the system and controlling money and business results by falsley propping up or knocking down a business sector, on a national or especially on an international basis, they withdraw from the game and wait until their prospects are better. They take their toys and go home. The withdrawal of funding happened earlier and on a larger scale in President Obama's term than for any other president's term in office. I have been around for 10 presidents now... What killed jobs and the economy is lack of confidence, not lack of money. This lack of confidence was due to mis-management by both legislative and executive branches of government by both Republicans AND Democrats (Dodd / Franks). More than enough blame to pass around there.
I thought one of the more telling moments of the week was the Sean Hannity brief interview of Tom Brokaw on Weds Night of the DNC before Clinton spoke. Tom Told Sean he had known Roger Ailes for a long time and knew what Roger was up to with Fox News. Brokaw said he remembered being called a Communist down South in the 60's covering the Civil Rights Movement; just by the fact they were covering the story.
In light of EJ Dionne's chapter on the History of the Tea Party in his new Book, very interesting moment spotlighting the soul of America at this moment and how it go here. Where I am in North Alabama, most Baptist preachers not only believe Obama is a Muslim, the "know" so.
I hope Drshow comes back to Race and Southern Politics again soon. And a brief comment on last week's show.
Cokie Roberts Husband Steve was on to cover the RNC in Tampa. Among many others it registered with him Condi Rice is some where much further along on immigration reform than Kris Kobach and the GOP Tea Party Platform.
Steve and I have discussed the Haynsworth connection to Nixon and Furman University in UPState, S.C. I hope he and others in the DRshow audience will take a look at my blog, reviewing the opening convocation this year at Marshall Frady's alma mater, where the nephew of Ga. Governor Lester Maddox spoke. The Nephew has evolved but the Tea Party controls Upstate S.C.
waynek929 wrote:
"Don't assume that all Southerners are racists. Visit the new South to see for yourself."
Yes. When I hear statements like, "I have been astonished at the racist comments and hatred aimed at President Obama, including the "N" word, and, not by 'rednecks' waving Confederate flags, but, also, by supposedly well-educated persons that I have known all my life." from southgagal, they are simply not credible. If these people are such racists, why have you "known them all your life"?
Racism is little more than a political tool of the left - and one of the last remaining at their disposal for this failed administration.
Here is an explanation about the position of race-baiters like soutgagal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AbULBAjstBA
HonestAbe wrote:
'Conventions rarely go without a few ripples."
Agree. But at least in the case of the RNC, the majority clearly ruled, to the chagrin of the Paul supporters, to be sure.
In the case of the DNC the majority ruled ... but it was a majority of 1; convention chairman Villaraigosa.
I'm sorry, but one other thought. As Son of a Baptist minister my prescription for all the brouhaha about God and the Democrat Platform is everybody sing along with a googled UTube version of Steve Martin and the Canyon Rangers Atheists Ain't Got No Songs.
Have the Fox Newswomen as reviewed in The Atlantic.com lead the chorus if this truly is an overwhelming Righteous moment in the country.
You may want to take a look at Mississippi native Joe Crespino's In Search of Another Country. The South for all its progress with SEC football still have a big problem when a majority of Southern Baptist preachers in Alabama, even with electing a Black President of the National Convention, are convinced in their gut Obama is a Muslim. The outward racism of the 60's Wallace era has morphed into the Personhood Movement and David Barton apologists of the likes of Baptist Bush Judicial Nominee Charles Pickering of Laurel Ms; coordinated with Reagan Operative Allan Sears in the Alliance Defending Freedom. Jane Mayer was getting at it in New Yorker few months ago on Mississippi Fundamentalist Fischer.
Alejandra wrote:
"I think calling it Obamacare instead of what it really is called (the Affordable Healthcare Act) is a dead giveaway and you are really showing your hand"
No, Alejandra, you show yours, and it is based in ignorance. The term "Obamacare" has become commonplace in the community of Democrats, reported from multiple sources at the DNC this week, for example. I've always eschewed the term, preferring instead ACA or even it's more proper name PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) so as not to be accused of bias.
What it boils down to is this, in the view of the left; if you support the act you can use "Obamacare", if you don't support it, you're "showing your hand". Perfectly consistent, right?!
Keener2 wrote:
"when a majority of Southern Baptist preachers in Alabama, even with electing a Black President of the National Convention, are convinced in their gut Obama is a Muslim".
Wanna show us the stats on what a group of ministers feel "in their gut" ... or is that just something that simply "must" be true 'cause in your twisted mind it makes sense?
Or how about this:
"The outward racism of the 60's Wallace era has morphed into the Personhood Movement and David Barton apologists of the likes of Baptist Bush Judicial Nominee Charles Pickering of Laurel Ms"
Wanna show us the step by step on that "morphing", Keener? You can plagiarize Crespino if you want. The conclusion? Everything white and southern is race-based ... and then ... everything white, period, is race-based. It's complete BS.
ecgberht wrote: I haven't verified this yet, but someone posted here that there are more Hispanic Republican members of Congress than Democrats. Hmmmm.
That was me, although I said more elected Hispanics in office. This info needs some sorting out, this is what I have. The BIG mouth may have over reached.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57505932-503544/at-conventions-go...
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/08/31/al_hunt_don_t_let_the_large...
partisan politics wrote:
" This info needs some sorting out"
It shouldn't be that hard to determine. Would take a little research but there should be a definitive answer to this. Look at each rep and his/her heritage, and count 'em up.
Great speeches by Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton, though the President gets at best a 'B.' He's still trying to win us over with niceness. When he reached out over the isle with an open hand, the Republicans spat in his eye. He needs to remind voters that his opponent, the priveleged son of a millionaire, is a corporate raider, connected to Bain Capital, who helped outsource a great number of jobs, who hides his money in offshore accounts, and withholds his tax records, a great representative for those like the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson who have donated hundreds of millions to his campaign.
Romney is not the one to clean up the mess which has become our economy, caused by tax cuts, deregulation, unfunded military safaris, and outsourcing of jobs over the past 30 years, acccentuated by an amazingly inept GW Bush administration (whose major policies and approaches and supporters are the very same as Romney's own).
President Obama should shed the corporate-democrat middle-ground stance, and tell the country he'll go after the trillions of dollars hidden in offshore accounts and re-set our tax rates to those that worked well during our country's most opulent period of the 1940's through 1970's. And if these mollycoddled millionaires cry foul, he should reply to them like Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, or Jack Kennedy, and tell them to shut their mouths.
I have never heard a so onesided panel in your show ever Diane. When the caller said that ADP shows an addition of over 200k jobs and your panel decides to say that that is not correct it shoed what they were there for. If you have an agency that shows pay checks for jobs those are new jobs. Hello!! Why would we go by a government agency that only records anything if they are getting paid. Also, the explanation that people just stoped looking for jobs is also weak. How can someone just stop looking to survive when the government is not handing them anything. It means they are either doing bussiness on their own and not reporting it. I don't see that amount of people begging around my side of town. Because that's what the explanation tends to show. And one from your pannel went crazy when you told her it could be a racist issue to get rid of Obama. How defensive! But the comment leans more to the truth. Since he got in office it's true the Republicans said he would be a one term president and for that they have been placing all obstacles on him. And not to mention this has been the worst House of Representatives the White house ever had, and less productive of all just for that reason.It's why I could never be a Republican. To them only their party and their donors are worth anything, NOT THE COUNTRY.
John Doe wrote:
"Blah, blah, blah".
I am astounded every time I hear someone from the left complain about Republican "lies" (it's all you heard at the DNC last week) and then read posts like John Doe's. To whit:
"When he reached out over the isle with an open hand, the Republicans spat in his eye."
I give you 'We won the election, we write the bills'
Selling across state lines, tort reform, etc. not even considered in ACA
"the priveleged son of a millionaire"
Romney gave his inheritance to charity.
" is a corporate raider, connected to Bain Capital, who helped outsource a great number of jobs,"
Go ahead, try to substantiate that.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405270230329220457751929395938106...
"who hides his money in offshore accounts"
A blind trust did that for him. BTW, all perfectly legal and that lion of the Democratic Party Ted Kennedy did the same. BTW, Romney maintains that he did not pay any less tax because of his offshore accounts.
"withholds his tax records"
He has released, historically, more than most. You could look it up. And if you are too stupid to find the truth, I'll provide the stats for you. The problem with releasing more, isn't what's in them, it's that it will never be enough. If he releases 5, Dems will want 10. When he releases 10, they'll want 15. BTW, why won't Obama release his college records? What's HE hiding?
"Romney is not the one to clean up the mess which has become our economy"
The left is fond of saying, let's not return control to "the ones who got us into this mess". Well without getting into the fallacy of the premise, why would we return to the ones who have KEPT us in this mess?!
Seriously:
Please see my link earlier in this thread "Why Bob is a racist".
I have consistently noted that, unless the reporter is Black, mainstream reporters will deny the racism that EVERYBODY knows is behind the Republicans hated of Obama.
One must ask the questions would they be as quick in denying the same if he was Jewish, or a woman. One must also ask, as agents of the liberal political correctness social engineering, what is the objective in this conspiracy of silence? Should we place any credence in their reporting? While one of the tenets of the PC'ism is to remember the Holocaust, and attack Germans and others who minimize the actions of the Nazis, Americans are however allowed to dismiss or even deny racism and the legacy of slavery on the psyches of the descendants of the atrocities on both ends.
It was obvious that Diane wasn't buying what they were selling, which is why we love her.