Romney: ‘47 percent’ remarks were ‘completely wrong’

Romney: ‘47 percent’ remarks were ‘completely wrong’

By Philip Rucker and Vanessa Williams, Friday, October 5

FISHERSVILLE, Va. – Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is disavowing his controversial remarks dismissing “the 47 percent” of Americans who don’t pay federal income taxes, saying in an interview Thursday night that the comments were “just completely wrong.”

“My life has shown that I care about 100 percent, and that’s been demonstrated throughout my life,” Romney told conservative commentator Sean Hannity on Fox News. “And this whole campaign is about the 100 percent.”

Six reasons Mitt Romney won the first debate

Six reasons Mitt Romney won the first debate

Posted by Aaron Blake on October 4, 2012
Most everyone agrees: Mitt Romney won the first debate of the 2012 presidential election on Wednesday.
A CNN/Opinion Research poll released after the debate showed 67 percent of viewers thought Romney won, while just 25 percent said the same of President Obama. And a CBS poll showed 46 percent of undecided voters said Romney won, compared to 22 percent who said Obama won.
While Romney’s workman-like performance may have lacked one single big moment, there were a lot of reasons he came out ahead.
Below, we expound upon six of them:

1. He controlled the format: For better or worse, moderator Jim Lehrer largely let the candidates sort out the debate themselves, essentially broaching broad topics and letting the candidates duke it out on their own terms — with almost-endless rebuttals. This format favored Romney. Romney’s campaign went into the debate with an attack mindset (as most candidates who are behind do), and by allowing all those rebuttals, Lehrer gave Romney a chance to execute. He did. Obama wasn’t as focused on attacking, which works less

Wrong Wrong Wrong

What Mitt Romney Got Wrong About the 47 Percent

Posted by: Joshua Green on September 20, 2012

Mitt Romney’s videotaped remark to wealthy supporters that 47 percent of Americans “believe they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name it” and that “my job is not to worry about” people who won’t “take personal responsibility and care for their lives” was pretty stunning any way you look at it.

It cements the impression of Romney as someone who cares only for the rich. It shows a contempt for others who had previously existed only in Democratic attack ads. It writes off half the nation. And it diminishes and undermines the substantial tradition of conservatives who do care about helping the less-fortunate. In this way, Romney’s self-revelation illuminates a troubling shift within the Republican Party that he has now come to embody.

President Obama’s real opponent in 2012

President Obama’s real opponent in 2012

Posted by Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake on September 18, 2012

With total television ad spending on the presidential race now having crested $500 million, the real fight on the airwaves is not between President Obama and Mitt Romney but rather between President Obama and a cavalcade of conservative-aligned outside groups, according to an analysis of ad buy information provided to the Fix.
As of Friday evening, Republicans had spent $314 million on ads with Romney accounting for just 27 percent ($86 million) of that total. Democrats had spent $277 million on ads with Obama accounting for 80 percent ($222 million) of that total.

Top Iraqi Leader Call His Death Sentence ‘Unjust’

Top Iraqi Leader Call His Death Sentence ‘Unjust’

By OMAR AL-JAWOSHY and MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ
Published: September 10, 2012

BAGHDAD — The vice president of Iraq, a prominent Sunni Muslim who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in a trial conducted in absentia, denounced the verdict on Monday as “false and unjust,” depicting the court’s finding as “an acquittal, confirming my innocence.”
The verdict on Sunday coincided with a wave of bombings and insurgent attacks that claimed at least 100 lives, making the day one of the bloodiest in Iraq since American troops withdrew last year.

Obama edges Romney in August fundraising

Obama edges Romney in August fundraising

By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Sep 10, 2012

President Obama's campaign raised $114 million in August, edging Mitt Romney's haul of $111.6 million and ending the Republican's three month winning streak in the money race.

"The key to fighting back against the special interests writing limitless checks to support Mitt Romney is growing our donor base, and we did that substantially in the month of August," said Jim Messina, Obama's campaign spokesman.

Ryan V.P. debate prep intensifies

Ryan V.P. debate prep intensifies

2012/09/08
Posted by
CNN Political Producer Shawna Shepherd

San Ramon, California (CNN) – With the vice presidential debate five weeks away, Republican Rep. Paul Ryan will hold his first all-day prep session this weekend, campaign aides say.

The Wisconsin lawmaker will convene with aides in Oregon on Sunday, which has been described to reporters as the first of many sessions where they will discuss likely debate topics and counterpoints.

– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

Romney vs. Obama: For the Economy, It Really Doesn’t Matter Who Wins, Ritholtz Says By Morgan Korn | Daily Ticker

Romney vs. Obama: For the Economy, It Really Doesn’t Matter Who Wins, Ritholtz Says
By Morgan Korn | Daily Ticker
2012/9/6

From now until Nov. 6, voters will be hearing a lot about the economy. President Barack Obama will be defending his economic record over the last four years. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will be touting his proposals to revive the economy. But how much control do presidents really have over the economy? A president's economic record could be tarnished the moment he (or she) moves into the White House and one's economic legacy could be a factor of well…luck.

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/shot+dead+victory+party+with+video/7190079/story.html#ixzz25cJGgPqw

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech

By Jan Ravensbergen, Christopher Curtis, Monique Muise and Charlie Fidelman, The Gazette September 5, 2012 6
MONTREAL - A 62-year-old suspect is in police custody Wednesday after a shooting late Tuesday night as premier-elect Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech.

Marois was whisked from the stage by bodyguards at the Metropolis theatre and returned a few moments later unharmed.

Montreal police said the man was “quickly apprehended” after approaching the back of Metropolis, penetrating a vestibule and opening fire.

“For us this is a homicide investigation,” Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière said. (Listen to audio clip describing suspect.)

Democratic National Convention Fashion

Democratic National Convention Fashion

September 5, 2012,By WSJ Staff

Frst lady Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew heels during her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday night.
Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese sleeveless pink dress with a blue hemline detail to deliver her

Mitt Romney at GOP convention: Turn the page on inept Obama

Mitt Romney at GOP convention: Turn the page on inept Obama

Originally published: August 30, 2012 7:57 PM
Updated: August 31, 2012
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TAMPA, Fla. - Lifted by a show of Republican unity that once seemed so distant, Mitt Romney plunged into the presidential campaign's final 67 days focused more than ever on jobs and the economy, and depicting President Barack Obama as a well-meaning but inept man who must be replaced.
"America has been patient," he told the nation. "Americans have supported this president in good faith. But today, the time has come to turn the page."
Obama, who will hold his own convention next week, served notice that he will use his powers of

US election: Ann Romney tells of her Welsh roots

US election: Ann Romney tells of her Welsh roots
29 August 2012 Last updated at 07:37 ET Help
The wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has spoken of her south Wales roots at the US Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

Ann Romney described how her miner grandfather in Nantyffyllon was determined to prevent his family going down the pit, and saw "hope and opportunity" in the US.

She spoke as her husband was officially selected as the Republican nominee for this year's US presidential election.

GOP angling for Catholic votes

GOP angling for Catholic votes

In a bold move, the Republican Party invited Cardinal Timothy Dolan to close out the national convention, and he accepted.
August 26, 2012
Priests are in the praying business, and political conventions long have invited men and women of the cloth to seek God's blessing on their deliberations. But in asking the leader of the nation's Roman Catholic bishops to close out next week's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., with a benediction, the GOP is not so subtly angling for Catholic votes and seeking to capitalize on the hierarchy's disputes with the Obama administration. Instead of lending his presence to the proceedings, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York should have followed protocol and allowed a local and lower-profile cleric to do the honors.

To be fair, Dolan expressed a willingness to offer a prayer at the Democratic convention as well. He insists that his participation in the Republican proceedings is not a partisan gesture. The cardinal's spokesman said that, before accepting, Dolan told convention organizers that it was standard church practice for the local bishop of the

Romney Wants Bernanke to Go but One of His Top Advisers Doesn’t Seem to Agree

Romney Wants Bernanke to Go but One of His Top Advisers Doesn’t Seem to Agree

By Bernice Napach | Daily Ticker
2012/8/24
He's been chairman of the Federal Reserve since February 2006, appointed by President George W. Bush and reappointed by President Barack Obama.
Some say Ben Bernanke helped to save the U.S. economy during the financial crisis that hit just months after he took over leadership of the Fed. Others say his policy of zero interest rates has failed to revive an economy which continues to grow too slowly to push unemployment below g 8 percent while hurting the

'Fiscal cliff' plan will send US into recession: CBO

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'Fiscal cliff' plan will send US into recession: CBO

By Paul Handley (AFP)2012/8/23
WASHINGTON — The US Congress's budget analysts said Wednesday that current plans designed to slash the budget deficit after January 1 will plunge the country into recession and push up joblessness.
The Congressional Budget Office said the poison-pill political deal on the budget last year -- sharp cuts to spending and tax increases that will hit household finances -- will cause the economy to shrink by 0.5 percent next year.
It would also likely send the unemployment rate to 9.1 percent by the second half of 2013, from the current already-high 8.3 percent, the CBO said.
The plan -- known as the "fiscal cliff" because of the sharp return to recession widely foreseen -- would succeed in cutting some $500 billion from the budget deficit, forecast at $1.1 trillion for this fiscal year.
But the current growth trajectory of about 2.25 percent would abruptly halt under the current law, the

Man, 31, due in court in alleged Obama threat emailed to FBI

Man, 31, due in court in alleged Obama threat emailed to FBI

TAGS:national/world

August 22, 2012 (FEDERAL WAY, Wash.) -- A Washington state man accused of making an email threat against President Barack Obama and brandishing a shotgun at officers who came to his door is scheduled to appear in federal court.

Embattled Rep. Akin apologizes again in new TV ad

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Embattled Rep. Akin apologizes again in new TV ad

Aug 21, 2012
By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY
Amid growing GOP pressure to quit the Missouri Senate race, Rep. Todd Akin has recorded a new TV ad seeking forgiveness for his controversial comments about "legitimate rape."
"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize," Akin says in the ad. "As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them."

STORY: GOP cuts support from Akin

The ad was first reported this morning by Politico. More from Akin's script:

All roads lead to Rome

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2012/8/20

All roads lead to Rome

By Kathleen Parker, Published: August 17

“Under a democratical government, the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abased, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.”

— Edward Gibbon, “The History of the Decline and Fall
of the Roman Empire”

The period of the American Revolution coincided with publication of Edward Gibbon’s “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” (1776), and ever since we’ve been vigilant for signs that the United States was following in Rome’s footsteps.

Our tax-charity index: Romney gives 31%, Obama 42%

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Our tax-charity index: Romney gives 31%, Obama 42%

August 17, 2012|By James Rainey
Mitt Romney is really sick of talking about his taxes. But he won’t release more than two years of returns (the 2011 return is said to be on the way), so people are going to keep asking for more.

On Thursday in South Carolina, Romney took the bait of a reporter’s question to talk about his taxes, certainly against the fervent wishes of Republicans, who would love to see the issue firmly tabled. “Over the past 10 years, I never paid less than 13%,”

Sarah Palin won’t speak at Republican National Convention

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Sarah Palin won’t speak at Republican National Convention

Palin, 2008’s fiery Republican vice presidential nominee and Tea Party favorite, may not even attend the Tampa event, party boss Reince Priebus says.
BY KRISTEN A. LEE / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012
It’s official: Sarah Palin will not be bringing her brand of political red meat to the Republican National Convention this month.
“Everything I said at the 2008 convention about then-candidate Obama still stands today,” she told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren. “This year is a good opportunity for other voices to speak at the convention and I’m excited to hear them.”