Pres Obama Standing Firm on Tax Increase for Wealthiest Americans

Are Republicans going to come to the table with President Obama next week willing to deal or they going to be stubborn to maintain tax cuts for the wealthy?  Jury is out on that one but if the GOP doesn't want to lose seats in 2014, they had better be willing to forget about keeping tax cuts and loopholes for the wealthy.  Obama is correct that the first order of business should be to extend the tax cuts for those making under $250,000 which should never be held captive for the wealthy.

Don't think most Americans after they have seen the amount of money that wealthy Americans poured into this election mostly for Republicans are in much of a mood to let the tax cuts and loopholes stand for them.  Why should the 2% of Americans pay a tax rate that is less than teachers.  Forgot that the GOP is not fond of teachers via their candidates in 2012.  Romney paid a 14% last year but bet his tax accountants are quickly going to send in an amended return now that he is not going to be President to reduce his tax rate even further and take off all donations.

Time for Republicans to drop the obstructionist tactics of the last four years and work with the President for the American people not the Republican Party.  Will guarantee that some House Republicans in close races in 2012 who plan to run in 2014 will be challenged by good candidates if they don't get on board and quit obstructing.  Too many Republicans are set to bolt the Party if they keep up their obstructionism and go help Democrats.  

House and Senate Republicans have a chance to prove their are putting Americans over Party by actions not rhetoric.  Their rhetoric is cheap -- we want to see compromise and tell the Koch Brothers, Rove, and Grover Norquist to sit down and shut-up along with the pundits.  

Is Rush Limbaugh the titular head of the Republican Party Again?  Even the fact there is that suggestion shows that today's GOP is more concerned about the right wing media and what they think along with donors then they are what is best for all Americans.  The attacks have continued on this President and now extended to Chris Christie because he put his State over Party politics are shallow and mean.  

The hatred is alive and well today on Twitter from the right.  Is it true that some Twitterers are being instructed to be vile and nasty from Rove and the Koch Brothers through a Koch organization?   Personally believe the Kochs have been bad for America as they have used their money to take over the Republican Party and want to take over America.  They were stopped this time as they lost the Presidency and the Senate.  Time to stop them completely in 2014 and take back the GOP House from them along with a lot of State Houses.

Obama has offered the olive branch so the ball is in the GOP court.  Will be watching what happens next week in the meeting.  Don't have high hopes for the GOP to compromise for the American people.  Hope I am wrong but right now I would say it is a lot less than 50% they will cooperate.    

Good speech for the President laying out what is ahead:                                                                      

Obama sticks to guns on tax increase for wealthiest Americans
By Tom Curry, NBC News national affairs writer 

Updated at 2 p.m. ET -- At a campaign-style event at the White House Friday, President Barack Obama invited congressional leaders to the White House next week for talks on how to avoid spending cuts and at least some of the tax increases scheduled to occur in January. But he insisted that tax increases on the wealthiest Americans must be part of any deal.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NBC's Brian Williams anchors President Obama's first post-election appearance, in which he calls on Congress to work with him to avoid the fiscal cliff and get the economy moving again. 

In a statement at the White House, Obama indicated he will meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner next week "so we can start to build consensus around the challenges that we can only solve together." The president was referring to $64 billion in automatic spending cuts that will take effect in January if a deal cannot be reached. Those cuts are mandated by the Budget Control Act that Obama signed into law last year. Advertise | AdChoices In his first White House appearance since defeating Republican Mitt Romney in Tuesday's election, Obama said he was "open to new ideas" to avoid what is known as the “fiscal cliff.” But he also dug in his heels by insisting that additional revenue be part of the solution. “We can’t just cut our way to prosperity,” he said, adding that he would insist that “the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more in taxes” – a line that drew applause from the group of supporters standing behind him on stage. Obama defines "the wealthiest Americans" as single taxpayers earning more than $200,000 a year and couples with annual earnings in excess of $250,000. And he claimed an election mandate, saying, “On Tuesday night we found out that the majority of Americans agree with my approach.” ---- 

Obama also repeated many of the themes of his re-election campaign speeches in Friday’s remarks – such as his view that more federal infrastructure spending is needed. Obama did not take any questions.  

Read More at:  NBC News

Outrageous Smears by MItt Romney

After reading this article, I am struck at the low class actions of Mitt Romney during this crises in the Middle East.  It reinforces the decision that a lot of Republicans are making to support President Obama not Mitt Romney.  Know we have been criticized from a lot of areas on line, but after watching Romney this week, I am more committed to supporting President Obama then ever before.

Obama was very cool under pressure this week reminding me of President Reagan.  Romney opened his mouth very quickly and continued to trash the President the next morning.  Presidential candidate  Reagan and then Vice Presidential candidate George HW Bush stood with President Carter when the rescue of the hostages failed as all Americans being on the same page.  That was class of Reagan/Bush versus no class of Romney/Ryan.

This article says it all:

Outrageous Smears
Sep 14, 2012 | By ThinkProgress War Room 

Mitt Romney Continues Smear Campaign Against the President 

On Tuesday evening — the evening of September 11th — as violence was still unfolding in Libya, Mitt Romney issued a statement accusing President Obama of “sympathizing” with those who murdered four Americans, including the American ambassador to Libya. After the full scope of the attacks including the deaths of four Americans became clear, Romney then held a press conference Wednesday morning during which he doubled down on these false and outrageous smears against the president and other members of his administration. The Romney campaign’s official talking points even blamed the president for the attacks. 

Here’s how the fact checkers at the Associated Press assessed Romney’s claims:
“The gunfire at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, had barely ceased when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney seriously mischaracterized what had happened in a statement accusing President Barack Obama of “disgraceful” handling of violence there and at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. [...] 

“In fact, neither a statement by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo earlier in the day nor a later statement from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered sympathy for attackers. The statement from the Cairo Embassy had condemned anti-Muslim religious incitement before the embassy walls were breached. In her statement, issued minutes before Romney’s, Clinton had offered the administration’s first response to the violence in Libya, explicitly condemning the attack there and confirming the death of a State Department official.” 

In a widely circulated photo, Romney was seen walking away from the podium at his press conference, which was ostensibly about the murder of four Americans, with a smirk on his face. 

Romney Roundly Criticized 

The criticism of Romney was swift and severe. 

Members of the media were not shy about underscoring the seriousness of what they viewed as a major misstep. NBC News political director Chuck Todd called it a “bad mistake.” Former Reagan speechwriter and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan said, “I don’t feel that Mr. Romney has been doing himself any favors.” Time’s Mark Halperin called Romney’s actions “the most craven and ill-advised move of 2012.” Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter said politicizing a national tragedy was “not just dumb but a sign of desperation.” 

But it wasn’t just the media who were attacking Romney for injecting politics into a crisis. Republican foreign policy experts got in on the action, variously saying Romney was an “utter disaster,” “not presidential,” and “not ready for primetime.” One even referred to the blowup as Romney’s “Lehman moment,” a reference to the moment in September 2008 when Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign went off the rails after McCain declared that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and ensuing market crash. 

Editorial boards across the country have also been savaging Romney:

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “That baseless criticism calls into question not only his judgment but also his sensitivity, sense of decency and even his humanity.”

• The Virginian-Pilot: “Romney’s vile assertion…is so far beyond the pale, so far beyond the bounds of American civil discourse that the Republican candidate should be ashamed of himself.”

• Reno Gazette-Journal: “Romney’s statement was ill-considered, ill-timed and politically opportunistic.”

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “inexcusable…vile…untrue”

• Kansas City Star: “Romney’s inflammatory foreign policy accusations — reiterated on Wednesday — serve no one, especially in light of the tragic deaths.”

• Raleigh News & Observer: “criticism of the president so hasty and poorly informed that it reeks of political opportunism amidst a deadly crisis”

• Charlotte Observer: “shameful…inaccurate and inappropriate”

• Washington Post: “A discredit to his campaign”

• New York Times: “An extraordinary lack of presidential character”

• Los Angeles Times: “An outrageous exercise in opportunism.”

• Boston Globe: “His statement was offensive on many other levels…Romney’s actions raise more doubts about himself than Obama.”

• Miami Herald: “Profoundly inappropriate”

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Yes, it was sad and pathetic to see such callous and uninformed statements from politicians who couldn’t wait until they had the facts to use an international incident for political gain.”

Even one of Romney’s own top advisers told the New York Times that Romney “had forgotten the first rule in a crisis: don’t start talking before you understand what’s happening.” 

More Smears from the Romney Campaign 

Despite the withering criticism from all sides, the Romney campaign has continued to launch new attacks on the president even as our embassies continue to be under siege from angry mobs:

• The attacks were caused by Obama’s alleged but non-existent “apologies” for America.

• Obama’s weakness, “equivocation” and “mixed signals” invited the attacks, a charge repeated by Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan today.

• That President Obama was to blame for the murders and they would not have happened if Romney was president.

BOTTOM LINE: Rather than follow the example of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush who refused to politicize the Iran hostage crisis during the 1980 campaign, Romney has instead chosen to inject politics into a national tragedy and ongoing crisis.

President Obama Speaks about Shooting in Aurora CO at the Midnight Showing of 'The Dark Knight'

Would be willing to bet that most people at the event didn't have the full details of this horrific tragedy because of how early you have to get to campaign events when the President is speaking.  They are applauding the President and his visit at the beginning of the event as they came to see the President.  Some are criticizing these people for applauding the President at various on-line sites but once the audience discovered what had happened the mood in the room shifted.  Shame on those trying to make this political.
Both campaigns have suspended their ads in Colorado and their campaigns as the Nation comes to grips with this tragedy once against caused by a long gunman
Hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and to the family of the shooter who also is comprehending their son was responsible for this carnage.  
The President said that today should be a day of prayer and reflection and has ordered the flags flown at half staff because of this tragedy.  

Obama Courts the Military/Veteran Vote

Most of my adult life was spent around the military, first as a civil service employee of the Air Force, and then as a spouse of a former Marine and civil service engineer for Air Force Materiel Command which took our family from coast to coast in various assignments.  When he retired, he became a Government contractor so you could say we know a lot of military and civil service with all the moves.   When I talk to military, civil service, and Government contractors, I am amazed that they are saying what I have been saying about Romney.  They don't like him or respect him.  

When Mitt Romney decided to demonstrate in favor of the draft, he had no intention of going in the military because of the strings his family pulled with the Mormon Church to send him on a mission to that 'dangerous' country of France for his 3-year mission.  They made sure he would never be drafted with a three-year mission.  None of his sons served in the military but he compared their missions and working on his campaign to the same as serving in the military.  He apologized later when it became an issue but it is still the fact he said it and probably what he believes.  Don't know a person who would equate public service to the military.  It is not even close.

Michelle Obama has taken a lot of hits from Republicans including from me but I have to say that I admire the work she has done with the military and their families.  You hear little about it but she has shown since she became First Lady how much she cares not just during the campaign season but all the time with her visits and outreach to the families of active military and veterans.  Have heard it discussed by different women whose husband's serve or have served about how much they admire what she has done and is not looking for publicity.  I thought her idea of a White House garden was a good one and she is right about obesity of children.  

She has grown in the position of First Lady -- I was wrong about Michelle Obama and the type of First Lady she would become.  We (including myself) should have given her a chance to find her way as it had to be overwhelming.  She has turned into someone I don't agree with philosophically on issues but she has brought her style and put her own imprint on the position of First Lady.  A lot of military families will attest she has been good for their cause and that is good enough for me.

Most people I know with military ties around the Country don't like Mitt Romney or Barack Obama and are looking at 3rd Party candidates Former Republican NM Governor Gary Johnson who has the Libertarian nomination, and toward the Reform Party who has not held their Convention but one of the strongest candidates is former Republican LA Governor Buddy Roemer who cleaned out the corrupt Democrat Governor of LA when he won his election after serving in the House.  Strike you odd that two former Republican Governors are looking at 3rd parties because of the way they were treated by the establishment Republicans starting with the RNC Chair.  

It says a lot about the Republican nominee when you have members of the military and veterans giving President Obama a bigger percentage of the vote in polling.  The reason the military and veterans went to Senator McCain is that he was one of them having been a POW during the Vietnam War.   Time will tell if Military and our Veterans will vote for Obama in larger numbers then Romney but don't be shocked if that happens.  

Obama Courts Veteran Vote Posted by: CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian May 25th, 2012 WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama rarely misses an opportunity to talk about the help his administration is offering to military veterans and their families. “We will care and serve our veterans the way they've served us,” Mr. Obama said at a recent campaign event out west. His message may be grounded in policy but in this election season it’s also about the politics. His re-election campaign is actively courting veterans who have traditionally supported Republicans. "It's door-to-door, person-to-person, grocery store-to-grocery store. Letting people know the president's record on his policies to veterans," said Beau Biden, an Iraq veteran and the vice president’s son, who is part of the campaign’s grassroots effort “Veterans and Military Families for Obama.” In 2008, President Obama lost the veteran vote to Senator John McCain 55% to 45%. But the demographics are shifting and Democrats sense an opportunity. In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll Mr. Obama leads Romney among that group 44% to 37%. (snip) The killing of Osama Bin Laden has also won over some former critics. That’s part of the sales pitch Democrats are making, that President Obama has been tough on terrorists and that he ended one war and is winding down another. They’re also getting help from First Lady Michelle Obama, who has long promoted help for veterans and their families. While White House aides insist her work is not political, she did join the president in a web video promoting the new campaign. Excerpt:  Read More at CNN

Governor Fallin Statement on President Obama’s Visit to Cushing

President Obama is to land in Oklahoma City later this afternoon in time to attend the OKC Thunder versus LA Clippers pro basketball game tonight, and then make a trip to Cushing tomorrow which is the hub for the southern part of the Keystone Pipeline.

There is a reason that a lot of us believe Governor Fallin is the best Governor we have had and this press release shows her class plus getting her message across.

The OK Governor takes on Obama and his Administration for their obstructionist agenda on the northern part of the Keystone pipeline in this Press Release from her office and not sugar coating a thing.  This is one reason she is so refreshing as Governor after eight years of a Democrat Governor caretaker in office.  Governor Fallin is not afraid to say what she thinks and continually stands up for the people of Oklahoma.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

March 21, 2012 

Governor Fallin Statement on President Obama’s Visit to Cushing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin issued the following statement today regarding President Barack Obama’s visit to Cushing, Oklahoma, where he is scheduled to discuss energy policy: 

“I am pleased that President Obama is able to make his first visit to the great state of Oklahoma this week and to personally see the good work going on in Cushing. The TransCanada pipeline to be built there will connect Oklahoma to oil markets on the Gulf Coast, resulting in the creation of more than 1,000 Oklahoma jobs. This project will help to bolster our energy industry and security for years to come.

“I am glad the president supports the construction of the pipeline connecting Cushing to the Gulf. Impeding the progress of something which is so obviously beneficial to both the economy and the energy security of the United States would have been nothing short of irresponsible. 

“Unfortunately, President Obama and his administration are practicing exactly this kind of obstructionism on the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have carried oil from the Canadian oil sands and several U.S. markets to Cushing. As a result, the United States must go without the hundreds of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment that would have otherwise been available to stimulate our economy. Just as importantly, the administration’s decision undermines U.S. energy security and alienates our closest trading partner, Canada.

“I hope that while President Obama is in Oklahoma he takes some time to listen to our citizens, many of whom work for the energy industry which he claims to support. I think they will tell him that – far from supporting the responsible domestic production of American-made energy – his administration has undermined it at every turn. Rather than embracing the truly remarkable technological breakthroughs that have resulted in the discovery of an additional 100-year supply of natural gas, the president and the EPA continue their hostility to basic and time-tested practices like hydraulic fracturing. The president and his party in Washington continue to support an aggressively anti-energy agenda that will severely hamper the American economy and put the United States at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of the world.

“In Oklahoma, we recognize that the energy industry is an important ally in job creation and economic development. We believe that American energy is a resource, not a hazardous waste. My great hope is that some of that attitude will rub off on our president, who has lost his way on energy policy and so many other issues.” 

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Political Cartoon By Michael Ramirez - September 02, 2011