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23 Apr 2011 21:32

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Politics: Obama’s getting blamed for gas prices — and he doesn’t like it

  • Every time gas prices go up like this, like clockwork, suddenly politicians look around and they discover high gas prices. And they’re shocked. And they get in front of TV and say we’ve got a three-point plan to bring gas prices down to $2 a gallon. Then when gas prices go down, nothing ever happens.
  • President Obama • Complaining about the drama that seems to follow every time gas prices go up — particularly in terms of how it affects him. Bro’s pretty upset about the fact that he’s getting the short end of the gas-price stick in the polls (which have drooped significantly since March), but he’s not afraid to shift the blame. “That’s $4 billion of your money going to these companies when they’re making record profits and you’re paying near record prices at the pump,” he said in his weekly radio/interwebs address. “It has to stop.” Of note here: George W. Bush went through a similar bit of drama halfway through his presidency. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Apr 2011 10:51

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U.S.: Obama’s declining book sales = 70% drop in income in 2010

  • $1.7M the amount the Obamas made in 2010, according to their tax return, released Monday
  • $454k the amount in taxes the First Family paid, roughly 27 percent of their total income
  • $5.5M the amount the Obamas made last year, when Barack’s books sold better source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Mar 2011 13:16

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Politics: Orly Taitz endorses Trump for President

  • really? Donald Trump has employed a daring, if unscrupulous political strategy in courting the birther movement. Basically, he’s trading in whatever mainstream credibility he has to corner the market on a vociferous, single-issue base.
  • Orly! Orly Taitz, birther maven and former California Secretary of State candidate, endorsed Trump on her blog, calling him “THE PRESIDENT WE OUGHT TO HAVE NOW, ASAP.” As you can tell from the caps-lock, she’s deadly serious. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Mar 2011 20:07

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U.S.: Obama completely sidesteps Bradley Manning treatment question

  • With respect to Private Manning, I have actually asked the Pentagon whether or not the procedures that have been taken in terms of his confinement are appropriate and are meeting our basic standards. They assure me that they are.
  • President Barack Obama • Saying something so bewildering about the treatment of Bradley Manning that he forced us to post something unrelated to Japan. “I can’t go into details about some of their concerns,” he added, “but some of this has to do with Private Manning’s safety as well.” Wow. He really said this? On the plus side, at least it’s far enough on his radar that he’s actually saying something about it. But it would’ve been nicer had he said something like this: “I don’t like our treatment of Bradley and have asked the Pentagon to adjust.” That’s what our president should’ve said about that naked guy our government is holding in Quantico brig. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Feb 2011 20:39

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Politics: Obama on Libya: World’s “one voice” needed against injustice

  • The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters.
  • Obama • Speaking out finally (and directly) about the situation in Libya. Obama, who is the first president ever to meet with that Gaddafi weirdo, says that he plans to do anything to protect American citizens stuck in Libya during a time of crisis. While Obama has offered to use a full range of options to deal with the crisis, sanctions will only go so far. U.S. sanctions were only $665 million last year, while aid was less than $1 million. Hence why there’s a humanitarian crisis right now. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 12:51

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U.S.: The Republican Presidential field narrows as in-or-out time nears

  • NO Senator John Thune will not run for President in 2012 source
  • » The Republican field thins: The handsome young Senator from South Dakota (who was arguably the most President-y looking Republican) has decided he’ll return to his present job in 2012, serving his second term. It’s wholly likely Thune simply saw the writing on the wall as to his own electability, but will the Presidency be an easy grab for any challenger? This comes in concert with Mike Huckabee’s recent remark that Obama will be “tough to beat” in 2012, as well as voicing happiness with his current job at Fox News, leading some to think the former governor may sit this one out as well. Right now Mitt Romney is rubbing his hands together knowingly as he enjoys a celebratory cupcake.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

06 Feb 2011 12:35

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U.S.: Happy 100th birthday Ronald Reagan, in number form!

  • This is like Christmas for some people. Ultimately, Ronald Reagan was a great leader and one still widely-respected among conservatives as the kind of leader they still wish they had. Now, we’re not going to go so far as to turn the guy into a saint, but we will note that he was ultimately better for the American people than not. Above is one of his most famous political ads, “It’s Morning in America Again,” from this pretty awesome L.A. Times package about the dude. Below, a quick analysis of his approval rating throughout his presidency.
  • 67% the highest popularity that Ronald Reagan had as president, reached three times – once in 1981 and twice in 1986
  • 41% the lowest popularity he garnered, back in 1983; he neared that level again during the Iran-Contra scandal in 1987
  • 60% his popularity rating after leaving office; to compare, Democratic icon Bill Clinton had 67 percent source
  • » Fluctuating, but never fading: One interesting note about Ronald Reagan’s presidency is that while he’s gained a high degree of legendary status among conservatives, as a president, his popularity had numerous highs and lows. However, he never reached the nadir of folks like Jimmy Carter (who left office with 34 percent approval) or George W. Bush (who left with 24 percent approval – the same low Richard Nixon reached when he left office). He left with respect. Then his legend slowly grew. And that’s where we are today.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

31 Jan 2011 13:40

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Politics: Jimmy Carter thinks Mubarak will leave, Suleiman is more honest

  • If I want to know what is going on in the Middle East, I talk to Suleiman. And as far as I know, he has always told me the truth.
  • Former President Jimmy Carter • Never fearful to weigh in on current events, Carter claimed that he’s had more useful interactions with the newly-appointed Vice President of Egypt, Omar Suleiman, than with his boss, saying that Hosni Mubarak talks “like a politician.” Carter also guessed that Mubarak “will have to leave,” a sentiment that might be a cold comfort for the Egyptians who want neither Mubarak, Suleiman, nor anybody positioned in the current regime to be left in power.  source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jan 2011 21:43

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U.S.: Obama to Arizona memorial: “Gabby opened her eyes”

  • This may have been one of Obama’s best speeches as president. Certainly at least a little jarring to hear cheering at a memorial for the fallen, but the way he was able to bring context to a terrible event really hit home. The way he spoke about the tragedy brought tears to quite a few sets of eyes, and it’s definitely good to see a major political figure speaking above the never-ending debate that it seems like everyone’s been sucked into over the last few days. It feels like a spark that had been missing for a while just came back. Again, though, it’s sad that this was the event to bring a speech like this out of him. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Jan 2011 10:43

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Politics: Ninth circle of hell? Michele Bachmann may run for president

  • Nothing is off the table. The congresswoman is excited about her first trip to Iowa this year.
  • Rep. Michele Bachmann’s chief of staff, Andy Parrish • Suggesting that Bachmann may be interested in running for president in 2012. And you thought Sarah Palin was bad … (thanks apsies) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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