Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-21/friday-news-roundup-domestic
New polls showed President Barack Obama opening up a lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who tried to reshape his message following a damaging videotape from a fundraiser. The Justice Department found that federal agents and prosecutors ignored risks to the public from its "Fast and Furious" operation. And Chicago's first teachers' strike in 25 years ended. David Corn of Mother Jones magazine, Jeanne Cummings of Bloomberg News and Matthew Continetti of The Washington Freebeacon join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
Jeanne Cummings
deputy government editor for Bloomberg News.
David Corn
Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones magazine and author of the new book "Showdown: The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party."
Matthew Continetti
editor-in-chief, The Washington Freebeacon
Friday News Roundup Video
Mother Jones reporter David Corn, who broke the news about the leaked Mitt Romney fundraiser video, discussed why the video had so much impact. "You see Mitt Romney uncut, raw, behind the scenes. And I think everyone wants to see candidates like that to get a sense of who and what they're really like," Corn said. Matthew Continetti, editor-in-chief of The Washington Freebeacon, said the video led to a decoupling of conservative elites from the Romney campaign. Bloomberg Newseditor Jeanne Cummings said the video is important because it's a test of a candidate's likability and compassion.
Comments
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mjquinn46 wrote: "Fast and furious" was ill-conceived and executed even more poorly, and the death of the agent was a tragedy. But is the implication that the bad guys wouldn't have guns at all were it not for fast and furious?"
You miss the point that fast and furious was an evidence planting scheme to prove that American gun dealers were responsible for the majority weapons used in criminal activity in Mexico. The purpose of which was to facilitate the political agenda of banning guns in this country.
Smoot I think Susan page is one of the most fair host I have ever heard. She challenges in such a nice way. Generally challenges without poking needles in someone.
ecgberht wrote:
"You assume a zero sum game. Conservatives want EVERYONE to prosper, but on their own merit and they are willing to accept that some will prosper more than others. Liberals want everyone to have equal outcomes, not equal opportunity. And do not identify "conservative" with the rich. They are not the same. Many of the rich are liberals (just look at every Dem in Congress).
And if you don't think that socialism is a "failed theory", just look at every time it's been tried. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Laissez faire capitalism is just as unrealistic and utopian a pipe dream as wealth distribution and "socialism." The deregulation of the lending industry which allowed the Wild West mentality of Wall Street leading to the creation of mortgaged-backed securities & related toxic assets, allowing anyone and everyone to "qualify" for a housing loan, steering equally-qualified minorities to high-interest/high-risk housing loans...all which almost tanked the free market economy back in 2008 what what happens when you "let the market do what it's 'supposed' to do." The same thing can be said in regards to the economy leading up to the Great Depression. The Free Market is like a child...you don't give it free reign...you guide it and occasionally fine-tune it to make it work. Just as you said: "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Yes the issues are the economy, healthcare, immigration reform, etc. We are part of a global society and leadership isn't just about making business decisions and applying business practices to government. It's knowing what to say, when. Our nation's leader represents us to the world through his/her voice. Mitt Romney's recent interactions show his inablity to practice political savvy and empathy. We were able to see a glimpse of his true feelings about American citizens - as deadbeats, living off the dole, and entitled. I understand the govt is exponentially growing and we cannot financially sustain it. I truly believe in personal accountability and I believe the vast majority of citizens do as well. The question is do you approve of anyone in a position of power who shows true disdain for anyone with lesser power? How does it unite? It only divides. The politicians throw out these numbers to raise the wrath of the listeners and many of us are frantically trying to verify the data. But many don't. The almost militant divisiveness this election is creating is truly frightening.
The listener who called in asking why we cannot have an honest discussion about the implications of growing numbers of people dependent on government payments was spot on. Especially scary is what it will do to Gen-X and the Millennials.
And we Boomers shouldn't automatically think we are safe. Those social security checks need at least a marginally solvent government behind them, not to even get into portfolios based on drawing interest payments. I think this is why so many Boomers and elderly support Romney, even though Obama would probably grow their entitlements more. We know someone eventually has to pay for all this 'free' stuff.
Moderate Republicans are frustrated the candidates are not talking honestly about this issue. Romney botched it, which is a shame for the nation, and now anyone who tries to have an honest conversation about this is written off as some uncaring fat cat. Plenty of us who are struggling are still worried about Obama taking us off the cliff with four more years.
De oppresso liber.
kathleen wrote:
"Smoot I think Susan page is one of the most fair host I have ever heard".
Of course you do.
I am in angst over this election. I am a registered Republican because I believe in the economic philosophy of allowing people to earn to their potential with as little hindrances as possible. When people feel that the money they earn is just going to be “redistributed” by a flawed system they are demotivated to earn anything. This does not mean, however, that I support Mit Romney. His attitude about the working poor, individual’s right to marry; lack of international diplomacy and many other issues make it impossible for me to elect him as President. He does not represent my longing for balance and independence in our government. But my understanding of economics prevents me from supporting President Obama, who clearly supports the government redistribution of wealth. My freedom to vote has been bought with the blood of America’s Veterans. To abstain from voting degrades their sacrifice. So, I have no option that would even remotely represent my views. What is a girl to do?
Beyond The Poli... wrote:
"Laissez faire capitalism is just as unrealistic and utopian a pipe dream as wealth distribution and "socialism."
No one is suggesting Laissez faire Capitalism. The fact is, free markets in this country have never been tried. What you suggest, that you "guide it and occasionally fine-tune it to make it work" results in market-twisting subsidies and paying farmers not to grow.
"The deregulation of the lending industry which allowed the Wild West mentality of Wall Street leading to the creation of mortgaged-backed securities & related toxic assets, allowing anyone and everyone to "qualify" for a housing loan, steering equally-qualified minorities to high-interest/high-risk housing loans...all which almost tanked the free market economy back in 2008 what what happens when you "let the market do what it's 'supposed' to do."
You tell ony half the story. First, regulation and over-sight are not the same. Second, regulations need to be few, simple, and easy to understand. Glass Steagall, which separated investment banking from retail banking, (repeal driven by Republicans, signed by a Democratic President) worked for decades to protect depositors from the excess of the securities markets. It was simple and easy to understand. "Wall Street" did not create Fanny and Freddie. "Wall Street" did not encourage home ownership. Those are not "free market" concepts. So the idea that "free market capitalism" caused the recent unpleasantness is simply false. Sorry.
Have we connected the two types of stories from Afghanistan in the past week? We westerners killed 7-8 women with bombs as they were innocently collecting wood. We also hear of the Afghan attacks on allied soldiers. Isn't there a connection? I would like to hear how many of the Afghans who attack our troops had their mothers humiliated by soldiers who broke into their home in the middle of the night over the last decade, how had many brothers who were wrongly arrested and mistreated in prison (whether mistreated by Afghans or allies), or had innocent friends killed when bombs or missiles suddenly came out of the sky.
Tanya Wieland wrote:
"...This does not mean, however, that I support Mit Romney. His attitude about the working poor, individual’s right to marry; lack of international diplomacy and many other issues make it impossible for me to elect him as President. He does not represent my longing for balance and independence in our government. ... What is a girl to do?"
First, stop listening to Main Stream Media.
On Fast and Furious: "The purpose of which was to facilitate the political agenda of banning guns in this country."
Absolutely. This is why Holder stonewalled for the past year. Plus we still don't have the White House emails, since the IG couldn't go there. Those honest ATF agents and gun dealers who blew the whistle on this shameful political operation really need highest recognition.
Put one of those honest ATF guys in charge of that agency. Better yet make one of them Attorney General. Not another political hack. Holder is dishonorable at best and incompetent at the least for not admitting any responsibility here. Gee whiz, his subordinates let M82 .50 cals walk. What were they thinking?
Democrats were not always like this. Whatever happened to Harry Truman's 'The buck stops here'? Would be nice for someone in this administration take some personal responsibility.
Sorry if this sounds a little heated but I have friends in law enforcement, and I know the sorrow when they lose a brother or sister officer.
De oppresso liber.
ecgberht wrote:
"kathleen wrote:
"Smoot I think Susan page is one of the most fair host I have ever heard".
Of course you do."
Well, she is somewhat skillful in her delivery, but her liberal slant is unmistakeable. It's like she is apologizing that whoever or whatever subject she is addressing has a woefully wrong and misguided approach.
Just about every NPR personality, even the rentals, has that constant, liberal undertone going on the entire time they are speaking. Rehm has it, Melissa Block, Michelle Norris, etc.
I further happen to believe that these peoples' entire social standing and economic well-being is dependent on the steady stream of liberal talking points and positions falling from their lips.
We'll know NPR is a little less of a liberal platform when they have Marc Steyn as a guest host for Diane Rehm.
kathleen wrote:
"Lights went on in Ohio rural folks heads ... I have worked in these rural areas for years...the lights are going on."
Actually the lights are going out, kathleen, because the 7+% in OH and the 8+% nationally of unemployed Americans can't afford to pay their electric bills.
When will you stop making excuses for the failure of the last 3 1/2 years?
That darned LIBERAL Richard Millhouse Nixon. He invented the Earned Income Credit and the Wage And Price Controls during the 70's. The EIC is responsible for much of the 46%ers not actually paying Federal income taxes.
And now that darned conservative Barack Obama has established the personal responsibility requirement that everybody must get health insurance or pay a penalty tax. (Not to mention that liberal Mitt Romney pushed the identical health care program through while governor of Massachusetts.)
Frank Luntz successfully changed the English dictionary in the last couple of years so that the word "entitlement" no longer means "a right established by contract or result of being earned"; he now successfully makes it a perjorative implying that no matter how much a person pays into a system, that person never gains the right to use what was paid for. Imagine the audacity of people buying a theatre ticket and then expecting to enter and view a performance!!
When will we get a middle-of-the-road President?
By the way, don't forget to tune in to Left, Right and Center - maybe that ultra-Liberal Matthew Continetti will be back on the broadcast again as champion of the Left.
Tanya Wieland wrote:
"I am in angst over this election. I am a registered Republican ... "
Well stated Tanya, Thank you. You are not alone. Plenty of good Republicans have been in that 47% at one time or another, including many veterans and working poor. Just because we have faced hard times doesn't mean we expect the government to take care of us.
As for his loutish words, Romney was trying to impress some pampered rich donors. I don't think he really meant what he said; David Brooks has a good column on this in NY Times. Good grief Romney governed well in MA a liberal state. Enacted health care. Hardly the record of a far-right idealogue.
Especially good to hear from a woman on this issue. Not all women are 'Life of Julia' clones.
De oppresso liber.
I was listening to the Friday Week roundup on the 21st of the Sept. and was absolutely appalled to listen to one after another person call in and disparage our President. The only guy who really gave some thought to answer's was Mr. Corn. I don't think even one Democrat had any chance to offer a different opinion regarding the answers that the panel offered. The President is leading in this election. This by most polls published, Democrat or Republican. I have been listening to your Program for the last 7-8 years and this is the first time that I felt like the program was so absurdly one sided. Susan Page was a disaster, she never attempted to clarify to or offer mitigating answers that might give a slightly different cast/version to the listener's opinion. Three against one on this program is not what I want to hear. I want balance, integrity and the truth. I sure will be happy when you return, because you are not afraid to speak up when you feel that the conversation has turned one sided. Please Diane when possible have a balanced program of informed speakers. Sincerely, Mary True
Honest Abe sez:
"By the way, don't forget to tune in to Left, Right and Center"
If that is the radio program I heard one afternoon driving through Indiana, it would be more accurate to rename it "Left, Left, and Center."
The host was clearly a liberal sympathizer posing as a centrist, the left guest was Eliot Spitzer, and the right guest was forgettable, as I have, since he was not able to represent the right.
Another liberal partisan program.
I regard to the video produced concerning the prophet, is it time for the Justice department to investigate this using hate speech as a wedge?
Excellent discussion on the Romney tapes, political elitism etc... at NYTimes.com:
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/douthat-our-revolting-...
It`s almost comical that Mitt Romney and the T-Party/Republicans are crying foul on the secret video. It seems it could have been done by the servers.(restaurant staff)
Isn`t that a hoot? The same people who comprise the 47%,that are continually berated by T-Party extremists.The same folks who T-Party/Republican Florida legislators were trying to reduce their minimum wage from $4.65 to $2.13 an hour. Yes,"revenge is a dish best served cold".
It's funny to see all the conservatives here complaining about David Corn (a liberal) being on the show. To me it's balances out all the extreme right-wing "think tank" conservatives from the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute guests that we always have to suffer through. Thanks David!
Dianediane wrote:
"I was listening to the Friday Week roundup on the 21st of the Sept. and was absolutely appalled to listen to one after another person call in and disparage our President."
Uhh....I was surprised that any calls that were not Obama cheerleaders were let through...so we were both shocked.
"The only guy who really gave some thought to answer's was Mr. Corn. "
Mr Corn is a rabid, professional liberal . Mr. Corn's economic and social standing depends on his daily promotion of leftist policies.
"I don't think even one Democrat had any chance to offer a different opinion regarding the answers that the panel offered."
What? These people covered the democrat positions just fine, why would they need any help?
" I have been listening to your Program for the last 7-8 years and this is the first time that I felt like the program was so absurdly one sided."
Really? You must have totally different standards for partisanship, because this program sounds absurdly liberal to me almost every day. I do not understand why public dollars are allowed to support the democrats so blatently.
"Three against one on this program is not what I want to hear. I want balance, integrity and the truth."
I disagree that the panel and host were anti-Obama - they were most certainly all Obama sympathizers.
Arleen M wrote:
"It's funny to see all the conservatives here complaining about David Corn (a liberal) being on the show. To me it's balances out all the extreme right-wing "think tank" conservatives from the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute guests that we always have to suffer through. Thanks David!"
I don't complain about David Corn, as an extreme liberal "intellectual" whose source of income depends on his radical leftist viewpoints, being on the show. NPR can have whoever they want on.
The usual ratio of libs to cons is one of the following: 3-1, 2-1, or 3-0, like today. Oh, and you have to add Rehm/Page to the liberal side of the scale, so add one more to the left in each formula.
It just needs to be pointed out that no matter how often NPR claims to be centrist, it is not so and the guests and occasionally the guest host prove it.
Again, the false claim of being centrist is only because of the public monies diverted to NPR - once that stops, so will the pretense of of being non-biased.
The listeners already know this, of course. They either like it or not, depending on their preferences.
I don`t have an issue when someone says I`m a Liberal,or I`m a Conservative.My problem comes from the frauds posing as "Fair and Balanced". Especially from folks on the Romney payroll posing as non bias. My local news show calls itself,"Honest,Fair,Everywhere". Yep,pure right wing tripe,at every opportunity .
OK, let's disect what Clifford wrote:
"It`s almost comical that Mitt Romney and the T-Party/Republicans are crying foul on the secret video".
No one is "crying foul" except for the fact that the taping may have been illegal in that, since the fund raiser was in a private home, Governor Romney may have had an expectation of privacy from such tapings without his consent.
"It seems it could have been done by the servers.(restaurant staff)"
Where is your support for that statement?
"Isn`t that a hoot? The same people who comprise the 47%,that are continually berated by T-Party extremists".
This was one comment by Governor Romney four months ago. That does not constitute "the 47% that are continually berated by T-Party extremists". Your attempt to extrapolate to a larger population is dishonest.
"The same folks who T-Party/Republican Florida legislators were trying to reduce their minimum wage from $4.65 to $2.13 an hour".
Complete misrepresentation. SB 2106 was put forward by the Florida Restaurant Association. It died in the Senate Committee. So saying that "T-Party/Republican (your continued attempts to conflate the two are becoming sad) Florida legislators were trying to reduce their minimum wage ..." for the "server who made the secret video" is a complete fantasy.
Yes,"revenge is a dish best served cold".
This economic mess we find ourselves in all started back in 1980 when just before Reagan was elected our national debt was under a trillion dollars then of course Reagan quadrupled that, deregulated the banks (S&L crises) encouraged corporations to offshore leaving America with no manufacturing jobs, encouraged Wall Street to have their own way (JUNK BOND DISASTER ) Iran Contra, intervention in Afghanistan leading to the creation of the Taliban and Osama Bin laden then along comes Bush 1 and his campaign director Lee Atwater (protégé Karl Rove) say anything it doesn’t have to be true to get elected, more deregulation, the rise of Enron and energy derivatives then after Clinton successfully cleaned up the mess adding a deficit surplus we get Bush 2 and perhaps the most inept president the world has ever experienced - two wars, total deregulation, more manufacturing lost, more Wall Street shenanigans, only this time we exported them around the world bankrupting most of Europe, now we find ourselves with another Democrat trying to clean up the Republican mess - the republicans set the house on fire then won’t let the president have any water to put it out! The top three prosperous economy’s in our history were all the result of Democratic leadership! The main reason we are in the mess today is one word “GREED” the republican creed!!!!! Regulated capitalism can work, unregulated capitalism is all about total exploitation of both people and resources – sound familiar?
The Republicans like to say government doesn’t work, and then they get elected and prove the point!
I, for one, am grateful for great reporters like David Corn. NPR's never ending attempt to be "balanced" means that they are inherently unable to address a story as major as the leaked video tape with the full attention it deserves without appearing "biased" (and consequently the coverage has been rather lackluster). Thankfully I can get more detailed coverage from other sources, but I appreciate the fact that at least you had David Corn on your panel this week.
Clifford wrote:
"My problem comes from the frauds posing as "Fair and Balanced".
Only one network makes that claim and that is Fox. Pew Research shows that Fox does present the most balanced news reporting of all the networks, and they are perceived as the most balanced as well. If you have documentation to prove your statement, bring it. But you NEVER do. Instead, we get more blather.
"Especially from folks on the Romney payroll posing as non bias"
Reference please? Of whom are you speaking?
"Honest,Fair,Everywhere"
Is the slogan of the CBS affiliate in Cleveland. CBS is hardly "pure right wing tripe" unless you are a hard-core lefty who thinks MESSNBC is nicely balanced. You just told us a lot about yourself, Clifford.
Circus wrote:
"I, for one, am grateful for great reporters like David Corn. NPR's never ending attempt to be "balanced" means that they are inherently unable to address a story as major as the leaked video tape with the full attention it deserves without appearing "biased" (and consequently the coverage has been rather lackluster). Thankfully I can get more detailed coverage from other sources, but I appreciate the fact that at least you had David Corn on your panel this week".
The only Circus is in your brain if you think NPR's attempt to be "balanced" is "never ending". It can't be "never ending" if it is "never starting"!
I think what you are saying is that the Romney tape deserved "full attention", but the Obama tape ("I believe in redistribution") deserved none? Do I have that right?
News flash......There are people in this Country who think they are "owed" something! I don't care what your political affiliation is, everyone knows someone who is milking the system. While Obama can't take credit for creating this "entitlement" crowd, he is bankrupting this Country trying to buy their votes. Let's give these poor American's everything they need from housing, to food, to health care, to cell phones, etc., etc., etc. All in the name of getting their votes to stay in power. He also panders to some other groups in order to get their votes, gays and illegals. Two more groups that act like they're entitled to something as well. But hello people, what exactly has Obama done for you? (there's them crickets again!) After he's re-elected in Novmember, you expect him to be different than he was in the last 4 years? You're delusional!