Romney Slips and Tells the Truth: Politics is Only for the Rich

Only super-rich people should run for office, says super-rich candidate
Politics • Views: 28,296

There was no way I was going to wake up at 5:30am to see this morning’s GOP debate; but it looks like Mitt Romney managed to go tone-deaf again, suggesting that only very rich people should run for office in America.

Mitt Romney suggested in today’s debate that only rich people should run for office, and then quickly celebrated the fact that he’d forced a rival to take out a loan against his house.

Romney said his father, Michigan Governor George Romney, had told him, “Mitt, never get involved in politics if you have to win an election to pay a mortgage.”

“If you find yourself in a position when you can serve, why you ought to have a responsibility to do so if you think you can make a difference,” he recalled his father telling him. “Also, don’t get in politics if your kids are still young because it might turn their heads.”

A few seconds later, he bragged about his run against Teddy Kennedy.

“I was happy he had to take a mortgage out on his house to ultimately defeat me,” he said.

And some of you wonder why Occupy Wall Street exists. Romney was only stating the obvious, but we’re supposed to play along and pretend it isn’t true.

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104 comments
1 _RememberTonyC  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:28:46am

Teddy Kennedy was rich too …

2 FreedomMoon  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:30:04am

I really love these Freudian slips. When you pass gas all day long, a little bit of diarrhea every once in awhile is bound to spill out. (a la “corporations are people too, my friend!” and “I’m running for office for pete’s sake, I can’t have illegals!”)

3 NJDhockeyfan  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:31:23am

“If you were to go back in history and take every president, you’ll find that the numerical value of each letter in their name was equally divisible into the year in which they were elected. By my calculations, our next president has to be named Yellnick McWawa.”
~ Cliff Clavin

4 Political Atheist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:32:11am

Would it not be interesting to require a President’s finances be split off into a blind trust fund?

Perhaps including a couple years after leaving office. Maybe Senators too. Just seeing how that effects who wants to run would be a telling indicator of our system.

5 SpaceJesus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:32:44am

Our system doesn’t prove that the cream rises to the top, it just proves that shit floats.

6 jaunte  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:37:22am

Gus just tweeted this:
Newt: “I’m Not Rich”

Not rich? This past summer, Gingrich had to file the financial-disclosure form required of presidential candidates. It revealed that he has a net worth of at least $6.7 million and that his income was at least $2.6 million in 2010. That’s about 65 times the income of the average family of four in the United States. That puts him well into the top 1 percent (about $520,000 a year or more) and close to the top 0.1 percent.

Compare Newt (close to top 0.1 percent) to Romney:
Net Worth: $202 million

7 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:37:51am

“Yeah, I got beat in the election, but I had to make him take out a mortgage to beat me!”

Sounds like the kinda boasting you hear at a bar after a few drinks from the guy who’s sporting a couple dozens bruises and a black eye, slurring about how he may look like shit, but “you should see the other guy.”

8 jaunte  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:39:30am

$42.9 million in his IRA.

9 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:41:18am

Well, you either have to be rich, or have the backing of the rich. One way or another, wealth is required.

What’s more annoying about his statement is the whole sanctimonious “I’m doing this for you” attitude.

10 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:42:56am

re: #8 jaunte

$42.9 million in his IRA.

Here’s Romney’s personal finance report for 2010. (PDF)

It’s almost mind boggling.

11 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:43:28am

And one of the idiots commenting on the post says this:

Many of our Founding Fathers wrote that the sorts of people who should serve in politics and government are the sorts who already have their financial house in order, because that way they would be less tempted by all that cash floating around. This would lead to only rich serving (which is bad), but there are merits to the argument.

Yeah, sure, if you ignore reality. Where is this mythical place where people who already have a lot of money go “You know, I’ve got enough. I don’t need more.” It sure as hell isn’t the US in this time and place.

12 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:43:42am

re: #1 _RememberTonyC

Teddy Kennedy was rich too …

Yes, but he knew what it was like to be poor and black.

13 HAL2010  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:44:01am

Could we give Ron Paul a shout out when he deserves one?
I would class this a an “Epic Win” moment. Suck it, Newt.

14 Tumulus11  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:45:34am

. Mitt decided to run for President because he never had a mortgage, the children had left home and he had no plans to do anything important.

15 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:45:52am

re: #12 Alouette

Yes, but he knew what it was like to be poor and black.

And remained morally consistent throughout his career. Before he died Teddy Kennedy was the same man who debated Mitt Romney. By that time, Slick Mitt had already morphed into some other political creature.

16 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:46:06am

re: #11 Obdicut

And one of the idiots commenting on the post says this:

Yeah, sure, if you ignore reality. Where is this mythical place where people who already have a lot of money go “You know, I’ve got enough. I don’t need more.” It sure as hell isn’t the US in this time and place.

So, the “argument” is that only the rich can run for office because they won’t be tempted by bribes and gifts? Whatever he’s smoking, he ought to share with the rest of the class.

17 Stanley Sea  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:46:50am

re: #6 jaunte

Gus just tweeted this:
Newt: “I’m Not Rich”

Compare Newt (close to top 0.1 percent) to Romney:
Net Worth: $202 million

Yah, I go to Greece and Hawaii in one year.

18 Sionainn  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:52:14am

In this same debate this morning, Santorum said, when asked why we couldn’t live with a nuclear Iran, “They are a theocracy that has deeply embedded beliefs that the afterlife is better than this life.” My irony meter just exploded.

19 rwmofo  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:52:42am

This would likely be a non-issue if we were talking about a democrat named Corzine - or something.

“The Democrat has now dedicated more than $120 million of his own money in his campaigns. He spent a combined $100 million on successful bids for U.S. Senate in 2000 and governor in 2005.”

Apparently he couldn’t buy a victory against Chris Christie, however.

Maybe he needs to set a little aside for his legal team based on the MF Global disaster.

Wouldn’t it be amusing if Corzine ended up sharing a cell with Blagojevich? Heh.

20 ThomasLite  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:53:45am

re: #19 rwmofo

and how is that particular MBF relevant here?

21 Political Atheist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:56:51am

re: #19 rwmofo

This would likely be a non-issue if we were talking about a democrat named Corzine - or something.

“The Democrat has now dedicated more than $120 million of his own money in his campaigns. He spent a combined $100 million on successful bids for U.S. Senate in 2000 and governor in 2005.”

Apparently he couldn’t buy a victory against Chris Christie, however.

Maybe he needs to set a little aside for his legal team based on the MF Global disaster.

Wouldn’t it be amusing if Corzine ended up sharing a cell with Blagojevich? Heh.

You have pointed out the necessity for the thing nobody will really try to do-Separate wealth from politics, which is no less potentially hazardous than failing to separate religion from politics. Keating, Madoff, Wright, Gingrich… Congressional insider trading.

22 Surabaya Stew  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:59:41am

re: #19 rwmofo

One could just as easily have brought up Meg Whiman from the GOP; a failure of a CEO (eBay) that spent over 100 million of her fortune on a failed race. Just proves that cash can’t buy everything, if you’re a lousy campaigner.

23 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 10:59:52am

re: #21 Rightwingconspirator

heh ,,, I wonder if theres a way to find out if anyone that has served in congress in the last (oh, lets say 30 years) has left that august body significantly poorer as opposed to significantly richer

24 albusteve  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:01:47am

re: #23 sattv4u2

heh ,,, I wonder if theres a way to find out if anyone that has served in congress in the last (oh, lets say 30 years) has left that august body significantly poorer as opposed to significantly richer

unpossible

25 Idle Drifter  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:01:52am

I don’t have a problem with wealth. I have a problem with people abusing their powers within positions of government to become more wealthy.

26 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:05:07am
And some of you wonder why Occupy Wall Street exists.

I thought it sprang up because some antisemitic Paulistas and anonymous internet thieves wished it to life. At least I was told so by some here. Are you sure you are not one of those folks? *eyes Charles suspiciously*

27 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:05:40am

re: #15 Gus 802

And remained morally consistent throughout his career. Before he died Teddy Kennedy was the same man who debated Mitt Romney. By that time, Slick Mitt had already morphed into some other political creature.

I’ll give him that, and I’m not a fan. But the man didn’t go from 100% pro-choice and pro-gay rights to 100% opposed to both positions in less than a decade, or over his entire life.

Romney may not be a clown, but he’s something more loathsome.

28 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:05:42am

re: #19 rwmofo

This would likely be a non-issue if we were talking about a democrat named Corzine - or something.

Why do you think so?

29 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:06:28am

re: #19 rwmofo

…and? Seriously, that wealth is endemic in politics is not in dispute. What we’re doing is laughing at Mittens for admitting as much on live TV, then going on to brag that he forced Ted Kennedy to take out a mortgage on his house in order to win.

30 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:06:51am

re: #24 albusteve

unpossible

I dunno

Some of these dolts don’t have the common sense to limit what they take to “legal” contributions and get greedy. If (when) caught, it ends up coting them
their seat
legal fees
jail time

Poorer, poorer, poorer

31 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:07:38am

re: #26 Sergey Romanov

Oh, and terrorists. I forgot that one.

32 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:07:55am

re: #30 sattv4u2

Duke Cunningham?

33 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:08:11am

re: #19 rwmofo

This would likely be a non-issue if we were talking about a democrat named Corzine - or something.

“The Democrat has now dedicated more than $120 million of his own money in his campaigns. He spent a combined $100 million on successful bids for U.S. Senate in 2000 and governor in 2005.”

Apparently he couldn’t buy a victory against Chris Christie, however.

Maybe he needs to set a little aside for his legal team based on the MF Global disaster.

Wouldn’t it be amusing if Corzine ended up sharing a cell with Blagojevich? Heh.

Corzine aside — who is someone I never trusted since he became governor of NJ — this is not necessarily a one-sided partisan issue. This rhetoric from Romney could very easily be used against him by a fellow Republican during the primary and have no doubt that it will. The fact that millionaires and billionaires are buying their way into public office is a problem we’ve faced for decades now and is growing increasingly worrisome — regardless of who wins or what party. Romney’s probably only speaking the truth in that politics has become a game that the rich can play since they’re the ones that can easily afford the time off required to run for office and use their own personal wealth to bolster their chances. Using Corzine as an example to silence the debate serves no purpose.

34 Political Atheist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:08:49am

re: #30 sattv4u2

That guy with $100,000 cash in his freezer… Probably wound up poorer. The only way to do that is get caught I suspect.

35 allegro  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:09:12am

re: #25 Idle Drifter

I don’t have a problem with wealth. I have a problem with people abusing their powers within positions of government to become more wealthy.

I’ll take it a step further to include abusing their powers to enable others to become more wealthy by legalizing predatory practices.

36 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:10:48am

re: #32 funky chicken

Duke Cunningham?

The list is long and not confined to political party nor geographic region

37 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:11:08am

re: #31 Sergey Romanov

Oh, and terrorists. I forgot that one.

You also forgot the rapey stabbers!

38 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:12:01am

re: #34 Rightwingconspirator

That guy with $100,000 cash in his freezer… Probably wound up poorer. The only way to do that is get caught I suspect.

Yes ,, that was my point

Keep it to “legal” contributions and you’ll leave all the richer

39 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:12:11am

re: #37 Alouette

You also forgot the rapey stabbers!

That one goes without saying!

40 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:12:34am

re: #13 HAL2010

That was last night, correct?

41 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:12:34am

And there’s a big difference between being rich and running for office and being rich and thinking that only rich people should run for office. Obvious conclusion is obvious.

42 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:12:51am

#30,,, coting = costing, btw (too late to amend it)

43 HAL2010  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:13:18am

re: #40 funky chicken

I believe so yes

44 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:16:18am

re: #33 Gus 802

I think there are more Democratic politicians in the House and Senate who are millionaires than there are Republicans.

It is not at all a partisan problem. It is why the ‘left’, the Democrats, are still wildly corporatist.

45 HAL2010  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:16:51am

Go Huntsman!

“Huntsman: ‘Mitt Romney Criticized Me for Serving My Country’

Jon Huntsman is following through on his Saturday-night comments that he would “have a hard time voting against Obama.” Sunday morning, Huntsman said Romney “has criticized me for serving my country” when Huntsman was the ambassador to China. “The nation is divided, David, because of attitudes like that,” Huntsman said to applause from the audience.”


Check out the third clip down.

46 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:17:20am

Did anybody watch this morning’s debate? I had toilets to scrub. Damn, maybe Gingrich is right. I need me some of them lazy ghetto kids over here.

///

Nah, I’d rather scrub toilets than listen to Romney lie and Gingrich repulse and Santorum preach.

47 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:18:22am

re: #46 funky chicken

Did anybody watch this morning’s debate? I had toilets to scrub. Damn, maybe Gingrich is right. I need me some of them lazy ghetto kids over here.

///

Nah, I’d rather scrub toilets than listen to Romney lie and Gingrich repulse and Santorum preach.

What time can you get here??
/

48 HAL2010  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:18:38am

re: #46 funky chicken

Did anybody watch this morning’s debate? I had toilets to scrub. Damn, maybe Gingrich is right. I need me some of them lazy ghetto kids over here.

///

Nah, I’d rather scrub toilets than listen to Romney lie and Gingrich repulse and Santorum preach.

Saw it, Huntsman and Paul the far superior ones. Newt bashed Mittens.

All round good times.

49 Winny Spencer  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:19:09am

re: #48 HAL2010

Saw it, Huntsman and Paul the far superior ones. Newt bashed Mittens.

All round good times.

Paul was dreadful, as always. In terms of both content and presentation.

50 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:19:22am

re: #1 _RememberTonyC

Teddy Kennedy was rich too …

I was going to say. Teddy Kennedy was not exactly broke.

51 Olsonist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:19:33am

Yes, we are obliged to have rich politicians. It’s interesting that a lot of them don’t start out rich.

So I think Romney’s inadvertent confession can be read another way. Ignore the salary. There’s other goodies to be had. No, there are no Mr Smiths that go to Washington. But sadly there’s no better way. The electorate has to see through the fog of elections.

52 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:19:50am

sorry, i don’t differentiate between the sorts of santorum

//

53 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:20:12am

re: #44 Obdicut

I think there are more Democratic politicians in the House and Senate who are millionaires than there are Republicans.

It is not at all a partisan problem. It is why the ‘left’, the Democrats, are still wildly corporatist.

I don’t know what the exact figures are. I thought it was roughly split between the two. Might be more in number on the Democrats side while the Republicans attain a higher net worth. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) remains the richest at this time. In any case your point still stands. The “1 percenter” make-up in congress is actually 50 percent in congress. I suppose we could ask the question if being rich actually makes for a “bad” congressman.

54 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:21:32am

re: #20 ThomasLite

and how is that particular MBF relevant here?

Democrat + financial malfeasance = what Mitt said was no longer stupid. Or something.

55 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:21:47am
56 albusteve  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:22:46am

re: #55 Gus 802

More of that here at Opensecrets.

Congressional Members’ Personal Wealth Expands Despite Sour National Economy

WS has done relatively well…the two entities move in unison

57 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:23:04am

And here.

Millionaire Candidates

That even has election results.

58 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:23:43am

re: #56 albusteve

WS has done relatively well…the two entities move in unison

The STOCK Act never went anywhere. Again. Oh well.

59 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:23:46am

re: #55 Gus 802

More of that here at Opensecrets.

Congressional Members’ Personal Wealth Expands Despite Sour National Economy

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) tops the list with holdings exceeding $303.5 million. Issa (pictured right) is followed by a fellow Californian, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), with $293.4 million. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) places third at $238.8 million.

John Kerry,,, accumulating wealth one rich damsel at a time!

60 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:24:20am

re: #45 HAL2010

Thanks for the link. Here’s my favorite part, where Romney and Gingrich defend their (100% accurate and true, IMHO) negative ads about each other:

Gingrich angrily asserted his ad campaigns that have called Romney a “liar” are true and a “predator” and said that Romney’s former company, Bain Capital, “looted” companies. Noting that it’s strange that Gingrich has been attacking the media and Romney for constantly attacking Gingrich and is doing the same thing, moderator David Gregory turned to Romney and asked why he hasn’t stopped the negative ads. Romney asked what exactly is false about the ads, saying that Gingrich had been forced out of his speaker position.

I’d be comfortable calling Gingrich a liar and a predator also, BTW. Romney wins this one because I don’t recall his ever being forced from his leadership position or being forced to pay $300,000 in fines for corruption. LOL

Hey, Barack Obama is a lucky man, and thank God he’s a decent president.

61 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:25:19am

re: #53 Gus 802

I suppose we could ask the question if being rich actually makes for a “bad” congressman.

I think it creates a barrier and a problem for them. Try as you might, you can’t really image how gut-wrenching it is to worry about paying rent. Hell, I’ve experienced that relatively recently— within a decade— and already it’s a more distant memory. I can’t re-experience the feeling, I can just remember and, as it were, empathize with my past self.

This leads, I think, to a lot of politicians, even those who rose from poverty, assigning a myth to themselves, of how they endured it bravely and worked hard to get out of it, and everyone else can too. When telling our own narratives, we tend to overlook our luck, and we tend to rewrite our emotional history to make ourselves look better. It’s human nature.

There’s also the need, in the US, to pretend that someone working three jobs is ‘uniquely American’, that it’s somehow a good thing on some level, instead of a crying shame. Does it say a good thing about the person that they’re willing to do that for their kids? Sure. Does it say something terrible about our country that someone has to do that for our kids? Yes. But a lot of people nodded along with Bush when he admired the woman for working three jobs, rather than actually sympathizing with her about how fucking hard it was. She wasn’t asking for admiration, she was asking for help, and he just didn’t get it.

62 HoosierHoops  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:26:04am

re: #50 SanFranciscoZionist

I was going to say. Teddy Kennedy was not exactly broke.

The Kennedy’s..One of the richest political families in the history of the US.
I think Bobby was the best of them all.. He really, despite riches beyond the imagination, really made his political mission statement to work for the 99%.
The working and poor had no greater hero and friend…

63 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:26:36am

re: #59 sattv4u2

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) tops the list with holdings exceeding $303.5 million. Issa (pictured right) is followed by a fellow Californian, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), with $293.4 million. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) places third at $238.8 million.

John Kerry,,, accumulating wealth one rich damsel at a time!

Hey! That’s Republican money! …Heinz //

64 limewash  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:27:12am

Good lord, can’t stand Romney and I know a few friends who are libertarians who can’t stand him either but I think I’m more annoyed right now Ron Paulians. As a person who has a fund time reading and looking at reddit the politics page has been taken over by Paulians and I’m so tired of it. Andrew Sullivan and Glen Greenwald is just as silly as well. Was it like this in 2008? -_-

And here’s something interesting Ta-Nehisi Coates on Chuck Todd’s claim that Ron Paul voted for the national MLK day and Gingrich did not. Which is false claim.

[Link: www.theatlantic.com…]

If you read the comments, the Paulians came it I tried to justify why vs. just a fact check of if you voted for the holiday or not. *sigh*

65 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:27:18am

re: #51 Olsonist

Yes, we are obliged to have rich politicians. It’s interesting that a lot of them don’t start out rich.

So I think Romney’s inadvertent confession can be read another way. Ignore the salary. There’s other goodies to be had. No, there are no Mr Smiths that go to Washington. But sadly there’s no better way. The electorate has to see through the fog of elections.

There are no Mr. Smiths anymore because rich pricks like Romney can flood the airwaves with ads, send out millions of fliers, and bombard folks with emails 24/7, while Mr. Smith will be lucky if he can get the local grocer to mug for a campaign photo before Mitt rolls in with a TV crew to tell folks about how this “small business owner” will benefit so greatly under his new tax plan. Mittens boasts that he had to get fellow rich prick Ted Kennedy to take out a mortgage in order to win an election. Mr. Smith would be lucky if a mortgage on his house covered a single TV ad.

Major political parties no longer run Mr. Smiths for anything than local office, and even then only for “safe” seats, because doing so elsewhere requires an investment that likely won’t pay itself back.

66 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:28:01am

re: #63 Gus 802

Hey! That’s Republican money! …Heinz //

Well,,,Kerry was trailing Issa in wealth, so he just married Teresa to Ketchup!

67 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:28:23am

re: #62 HoosierHoops

The Kennedy’s..One of the richest political families in the history of the US.
I think Bobby was the best of them all.. He really, despite riches beyond the imagination, really made his political mission statement to work for the 99%.
The working and poor had no greater hero and friend…

68 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:28:43am

re: #66 sattv4u2

Well,,,Kerry was trailing Issa in wealth, so he just married Teresa to Ketchup!

[Throws tomatoes at Sat.]

//

69 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:28:55am

re: #61 Obdicut

I think it creates a barrier and a problem for them. Try as you might, you can’t really image how gut-wrenching it is to worry about paying rent. Hell, I’ve experienced that relatively recently— within a decade— and already it’s a more distant memory. I can’t re-experience the feeling, I can just remember and, as it were, empathize with my past self.

This leads, I think, to a lot of politicians, even those who rose from poverty, assigning a myth to themselves, of how they endured it bravely and worked hard to get out of it, and everyone else can too. When telling our own narratives, we tend to overlook our luck, and we tend to rewrite our emotional history to make ourselves look better. It’s human nature.

There’s also the need, in the US, to pretend that someone working three jobs is ‘uniquely American’, that it’s somehow a good thing on some level, instead of a crying shame. Does it say a good thing about the person that they’re willing to do that for their kids? Sure. Does it say something terrible about our country that someone has to do that for our kids? Yes. But a lot of people nodded along with Bush when he admired the woman for working three jobs, rather than actually sympathizing with her about how fucking hard it was. She wasn’t asking for admiration, she was asking for help, and he just didn’t get it.

Hey now, we should be thrilled that that woman has three jobs! Most folks are lucky if they can find one! She’s a hero to us!

70 Lidane  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:28:58am

re: #20 ThomasLite

and how is that particular MBF relevant here?

Because there are rich Democrats too! That means that Romney’s not a craven, pathetic asshole anymore, don’tcha know!

///

71 BongCrodny  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:29:13am

re: #10 Gus 802

Here’s Romney’s personal finance report for 2010. (PDF)

It’s almost mind boggling.

From manta.com:

“Quest Educational Foundation in Naples, FL is a private company categorized under Lecture and Seminar Bureaus. Our records show it was established in 2001 and incorporated in Florida. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of less than $500,000 and employs a staff of approximately 1 to 4.”

How awesome is it that a company with an annual revenue of less than $500,000 can afford to pay $35,771.37 to Mitt Romney for a speaker’s fee?

72 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:29:34am

re: #69 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Heck she probably has AC, a refrigerator and a cell phone.

//

73 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:29:58am

re: #68 Gus 802

[Throws tomatoes at Sat.]

//

57 varieties of them???

74 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:30:05am

re: #70 Lidane

It’s kind of a weird trolling attempt, since the headline really clearly says “Politics is only for the rich”. Not “Except for Democrats, they’re the brave penniless sons of the soil”. It just says ‘politics’.

75 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:31:44am

re: #74 Obdicut

It’s kind of a weird trolling attempt, since the headline really clearly says “Politics is only for the rich”. Not “Except for Democrats, they’re the brave penniless sons of the soil”. It just says ‘politics’.

Exactly. And you know. I saw that you Kennedy’s name that’s making the news recently. Frankly, I’m a little offended by that. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m troubled with these political dynasties regardless of parties. I mean, who is this guy besides have the name, Kennedy?

76 Political Atheist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:31:54am

re: #74 Obdicut

It’s kind of a weird trolling attempt, since the headline really clearly says “Politics is only for the rich”. Not “Except for Democrats, they’re the brave penniless sons of the soil”. It just says ‘politics’.

It’s a fine example of how a correct observation takes some in the wrong direction. The money and craven access to it is the problem, not the partisanship it pays for and supports. Kind of reminds me of an arms maker supplying both sides of a war.

77 HoosierHoops  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:35:58am

re: #67 SanFranciscoZionist

Freaking awesome song..Thanks

78 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:36:13am

re: #75 Gus 802

Exactly. And you know. I saw that you Kennedy’s name that’s making the news recently. Frankly, I’m a little offended by that. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m troubled with these political dynasties regardless of parties. I mean, who is this guy besides have the name, Kennedy?

It’s become just another family business

Bushs, Kennedys, Pauls, Daleys ,,, ect ect

79 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:36:33am

re: #75 Gus 802

Exactly. And you know. I saw that you Kennedy’s name that’s making the news recently. Frankly, I’m a little offended by that. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m troubled with these political dynasties regardless of parties. I mean, who is this guy besides have the name, Kennedy?

Think that was one of things that turned me off so much in the election after Teddy’s passing, the reference to his Senate seat as “The Kennedy Seat.”

80 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:37:12am

Tony Blankley died.

81 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:37:34am

Meanwhile, Yehuda Levin, The Craziest Rabbi In The World, has denounced Mitt Romney’s ‘decades long pro-homosexual record’.

Mitt: There’s something for everyone.

82 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:38:08am

re: #81 SanFranciscoZionist

Meanwhile, Yehuda Levin, The Craziest Rabbi In The World, has denounced Mitt Romney’s ‘decades long pro-homosexual record’.

Mitt: There’s something for everyone.

Poor Mittens.

//

83 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:39:26am

re: #79 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Think that was one of things that turned me off so much in the election after Teddy’s passing, the reference to his Senate seat as “The Kennedy Seat.”

I’m just glad Caroline came to her senses soon enough not to run. She’s never expressed any interest in running, I think Teddy’s passing just sent her slightly off kilter.

84 HoosierHoops  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:39:52am

re: #80 Gus 802

Tony Blankley died.

I’m sorry to hear that…RIP Tony..
I saw some old footage of Tony Snow the other day..He was a good man..

85 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:40:42am

re: #75 Gus 802

Exactly. And you know. I saw that you Kennedy’s name that’s making the news recently. Frankly, I’m a little offended by that. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m troubled with these political dynasties regardless of parties. I mean, who is this guy besides have the name, Kennedy?

[Link: www.theage.com.au…]

kinda has a Ron Howard-ish look

86 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:42:52am

re: #85 sattv4u2

[Link: www.theage.com.au…]

kinda has a Ron Howard-ish look

Thanks. Well, at least he’s from the same district so that’s one plus.

87 Targetpractice  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:43:54am

re: #78 sattv4u2

It’s become just another family business

Bushs, Kennedys, Pauls, Daleys ,,, ect ect

Growing up, I remember how it was unique in US history that John Adams and John Quincy Adams were the only father and son to have been sitting presidents. Then ‘00 came and Dubya got elected. Now it seems that, with each passing election, there’s whispers about how this son or that daughter may be considering running for their daddy’s old seat.

88 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:45:47am

re: #81 SanFranciscoZionist

Meanwhile, Yehuda Levin, The Craziest Rabbi In The World, has denounced Mitt Romney’s ‘decades long pro-homosexual record’.

Mitt: There’s something for everyone.

Now that’s funny. I have to wonder who told Romney he had to do the 180 to be a candidate at the national level. I think it was Rove, and in around 2004, because that’s around the time Romney 2.0 appeared on the scene. Right after that some of Jeb Bush’s top advisors signed on with Mittens, and the die was cast. I maintain that it was terrible advice, and the fact that he took it makes me very leery of Mr. Romney’s judgement, not to mention his character. It also makes me believe that Romney sees the electorate as a bunch of boobs who can be lied to and lead around like cattle.

89 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:46:12am

@CapehartJ Jonathan Capehart
RIP, Tony Blankley. We rarely agreed, but he was always a gentleman and a sartorial genius.

90 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:55:50am

Hmm.

On FOX, Tony Blankley called Soros “a Jew who figured out a way to survive the Holocaust”
June 04, 2004 4:28 pm ET
0 Comments

On Hannity & Colmes on June 3, Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley joined the show’s co-host Sean Hannity and other right-wing pundits in attacking financier, philanthropist, and political activist George Soros. Blankley’s attacks on Soros included calling Soros a “left-wing crank,” “a Jew who figured out a way to survive the Holocaust,” “a robber baron,” “a pirate capitalist,” and “a reckless man.” As Media Matters for America reported on June 4, attacking Soros as a means of discrediting Senator John Kerry has become a key strategy of the Republican National Committee.

Had he moderated his rhetoric in recent years? I’ve never heard of him before, but that passage came up on google.

91 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:59:11am

Hmmm.

The GOP primary voters reflect this helter-skelter search for leadership. And I predict that when the general electorate is engaged in the general election campaign next year, the independents and some Democrats will reflect the same desperate confusion and search for the right kind of leadership for these treacherous times. But what kind of candidate is most likely to make sense of the terrible events and forces that weigh down our country; be capable of vividly describing our plight and what needs to be done; and convince the public that he or she has the intelligence, courage, experience and sheer willful capacity to force events favorably to America’s historic interests and needs?

As I have chosen to phrase that question, the question answers itself. It is the GOP candidate currently at the top of the polls — my former boss, Newt Gingrich.

[Link: www.creators.com…]

RIP, but he and I wouldn’t have gotten along very well.

92 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 11:59:23am

re: #90 funky chicken

Hmm.

Had he moderated his rhetoric in recent years? I’ve never heard of him before, but that passage came up on google.

He was well to the right that’s for sure — and rather acerbic and reactionary at times. He used to appear on the McLaughlin Group almost every evening. I saw his death mentioned in Twitter by Lawrence O’Donnell, Milt Shook, and Jonathan Capehart.

93 Political Atheist  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:04:51pm

OT

Paged some macro shots of moving water this morning.

Image: Dan_7930-1.jpg

94 sattv4u2  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:05:30pm

re: #93 Rightwingconspirator

OT

Paged some macro shots of moving water this morning.

Image: Dan_7930-1.jpg

It;s ,, the BLOB !!!!

95 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:16:18pm

Lull in Strikes by U.S. Drones Aids Militants in Pakistan

WASHINGTON — A nearly two-month lull in American drone strikes in Pakistan has helped embolden Al Qaeda and several Pakistani militant factions to regroup, increase attacks against Pakistani security forces and threaten intensified strikes against allied forces in Afghanistan, American and Pakistani officials say.

96 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:22:52pm

some conservatives like to bash paul and buchanan because it comes easily.

97 sagehen  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:33:45pm

re: #23 sattv4u2

heh ,,, I wonder if theres a way to find out if anyone that has served in congress in the last (oh, lets say 30 years) has left that august body significantly poorer as opposed to significantly richer

If you stretch the time frame a bit… Gerald Ford.

98 funky chicken  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 1:33:04pm

re: #95 Gus 802

Lull in Strikes by U.S. Drones Aids Militants in Pakistan

WASHINGTON — A nearly two-month lull in American drone strikes in Pakistan has helped embolden Al Qaeda and several Pakistani militant factions to regroup, increase attacks against Pakistani security forces and threaten intensified strikes against allied forces in Afghanistan, American and Pakistani officials say.

It’s time to leave the region. Let China stabilize them, if they care.

99 Ojoe  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 1:46:02pm

I despise Romney and all politicians.

Every time I listen to one, Obama included, I feel very manipulated.

100 Ojoe  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 1:48:08pm

re: #98 funky chicken

What if we gave free dynamite to both the Shia and the Sunni in Iraq, for instance?

Now I know that’s politically incorrect to say, but I sure do think it.

101 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 2:08:20pm

re: #89 Gus 802

@CapehartJ Jonathan Capehart
RIP, Tony Blankley. We rarely agreed, but he was always a gentleman and a sartorial genius.

The stuff funky_chicken posted above completely belies that claim.

102 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 2:09:46pm

re: #101 publicityStunted

The stuff funky_chicken posted above completely belies that claim.

True. But I’m not sitting here keeping score and a little black book on everyone.

103 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 2:19:07pm

re: #102 Gus 802

But I’m not sitting here keeping score and a little black book on everyone.

Research of that depth isn’t remotely required in this case though :) (and I’ll just leave it there, due to the whole “thou shalt not speak ill of the dead” thing).

104 Gus  Sun, Jan 8, 2012 2:23:10pm

re: #103 publicityStunted

Research of that depth isn’t remotely required in this case though :) (and I’ll just leave it there, due to the whole “thou shalt not speak ill of the dead” thing).

No problem. I never agreed with him on just about everything. Just trying to put out an olive branch so to speak. That of course doesn’t always work.


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