The American Spectator : Mitt & Mop

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Mitt & Mop

By Aaron Goldstein on 1.18.12 @ 6:10AM

Was Mike Huckabee right about Mitt Romney?

When Newt Gingrich criticized Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital, he raised the ire of many conservatives and may have unwittingly mobilized a Republican rank and file now prepared to bestow Romney with the GOP nomination on a silver platter.

Rush Limbaugh called Gingrich’s criticisms “out of bounds for those who value the free market.” Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was even blunter when he said, “What the hell are you doing, Newt? I expect this from Saul Alinsky!” But perhaps the most interesting defense of Romney came from Mike Huckabee, who took aim at both Gingrich and Texas Governor Rick Perry who famously accused Romney of practicing “vulture capitalism.” Huckabee said, “It’s surprising to see so many Republicans embrace that left-wing argument against capitalism.” Yet in 2008, it was Huckabee who in a campaign ad aimed at Romney said, “I believe most Americans want their next President to remind them of the guy they work with, not the guy who laid them off.”

Given that Romney has spent the vast majority of his professional life in the private sector and touts that experience in his bid for the White House, it seems strange that any criticism of that record from his Republican rivals is not only off limits but the equivalent of criticizing free enterprise itself. It is a curious line of argument when you consider that Bain Capital was the recipient of generous government grants, subsidies, and tax breaks and profited handsomely regardless of whether the companies in which it invested prospered or went into bankruptcy. Any business in which one can reap the rewards without suffering the consequences of risk can hardly be characterized as engaging in free enterprise.

Well, if Romney can’t do a better job in making the case for his record at Bain Capital much less answer a simple yes or no question about whether or not he is going to release his tax returns, then I’m afraid Mitt Romney still reminds Americans of the guy who laid them off. So long as Romney continues to defend himself in a cold, technocratic manner, he will simply be no match for President Obama.

Whatever his faults (and there are many), Obama knows how to relate to the issues in human terms. For instance, last month when making remarks concerning minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home care workers, Obama cited the day he spent back in 2007 with a home health care worker named Pauline Beck in an event called “Walk a Day in My Shoes,” sponsored by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). While it is worth noting that President Obama didn’t mention the SEIU’s sponsorship yet somehow I don’t think it would matter all that much to most of the voting public:

When we met, she was getting up every day at 5:00 a.m. to go to work taking care of an 86-year-old amputee named “Mr. John.” And each day, she’d dress Mr. John and help him into his wheelchair. She’d make him breakfast. She’d scrub his floors. She’d clean his bathroom. She was his connection to the outside world. And when the workday was done, she would go home to take care of a grandnephew and two foster children who didn’t have families of their own. Heroic work, and hard work. That’s what Pauline was all about.

And one of the things I remember about Pauline was her patience. She was patient with me even when I didn’t wring out the mop properly or didn’t shake out the sheets before putting them in the laundry bin. But I also remember listening to her talk about the hardships in her life, and she did so without any self-pity. She was glad to be working hard and she was glad to be helping someone. All she wanted in return for a hard day’s work was enough to take care of those kids she was going home to, enough to save a little bit for retirement, maybe take a day off once in a while to rest her aching back.

Each of the folks who are here today has a story like Pauline’s.

And you can be sure that President Obama has a thousand other stories he will tell on the campaign trail. While Obama regales his audiences with the struggles of working people, it is hard to imagine Romney spending a day cleaning a bathroom and doing laundry never mind helping someone in and out of a wheelchair. It is a shame that Undercover Boss wasn’t on the air when Romney was at Bain Capital. Aside from the thrill of seeing Romney struggle to do menial tasks while incognito, it might have given him a better understanding of what day to day life is like for working people. Because as it stands, Romney has no idea what it is to worry about money and so long as he remains insulated from the real world he stands little chance of being elected President.

Of course, nearly everyone who runs for President is wealthy be it earned and/or inherited. Yet some Presidents who came from privileged backgrounds (i.e. FDR, JFK and George W. Bush) were able to transcend their wealth because they had a common touch with the people. Now it might very well be that FDR, JFK, and Bush had these qualities because of their upbringing or possessed them innately and instinctively. It could just be that Romney is simply not emotionally wired to understand the travails of people who don’t travel in his social circle. In which case, it is highly unlikely that Romney will suddenly develop these traits at the age of 64.

Yet if Mitt Romney wants to earn the Presidency it might help him to pick up a mop. Otherwise, President Obama may wipe the floor with him.

About the Author

Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (116) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 6:22AM

Occupy Wall Street is alive and well at AMSPEC.

The basic nexus of all these comments about Romney's wealth is that somehow it was stupid of him to take a chance and join Bain Capitol and learn how to take companies, evaluate them and close down the companies whose business plans were faulty.

Somehow Romney is guilty of a new undeclared crime against humanity. He understands how to create wealth and he got wealthy in the process.

Suddenly, Obama's tales of woes and failure will overwhelm Romney's tales of success.

Perhaps the people will vote for Obama and vote themselves more debt. If they do, they will find themselves poorer in many ways.

A clear choice is manifesting itself and tales of people mopping floors won't win this election.

The working class sees that Washington needs a tune up. It won't happen under Obama and Romney clearly has the skills to make it happen.

For every tale of failure, Romney need only find a tale of success. That shouldn't be hard for Romney.

Jack in Wi.| 1.18.12 @ 7:06AM

Romney and Obama mean that we all will get more.
More Romneycare or Obamacare.
More endless wars.
More endless trillions wasted in the Middle East.
More abortions.
More destruction of our civil liberties and the Constitution that guarentees them.
More exrays and feel ups at airports.
More TSA.
More waste on on the Military Industrial Complex.
More Inflation and destruction of the economy by the Federal Reserve.
More bailouts of the rich and more poverty and and losses for the elderly, poor, and Middle classes.
More government from both of them. Romney is Obama and both are Bush, big government people, destroying our country.

Melvin| 1.18.12 @ 9:04AM

You just described exactly what Obama, and the Justice Dept. is doing.
Not that Bush is without sin mind you, but Obama is continuing and or increasing government in our lives.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 1.18.12 @ 9:35AM

Word

wodiej| 1.18.12 @ 7:22AM

you obviously did not understand this article.

Jack in Wi.| 1.18.12 @ 7:34AM

The same goes double for Newt. He is worse then Romney in that he actully has no common sense. Romney, to his credit, can read a balance sheet. I have long said the only electable Republicans are Romney and Ron Paul. They both poll the best against Obama. Newt has no chance and would destroy the party, if he somehow got the nomination. Well that might be a good idea.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:53AM

shouldn't you be busy defending Scott Walker rather than wasting our time?

Crassus| 1.18.12 @ 10:02AM

Jack signed ten petitions in favor of recalling Scott Walker. He's in the process of trying to get Ron Paul to run for governor of Wisconsin.

Jack in Wi.| 1.18.12 @ 11:19AM

I am a big supporter of Scott Walker and comment for him like I do here one of the worst liberal rags in the country the Milwaukee Urinal.

Jack in Wi.| 1.18.12 @ 11:25AM

PS Another Bush Republican running for President would destroy the Republican Party in Wi. Most of us have had it with such insanity.

W| 1.18.12 @ 7:28AM

Goldstein criticizes Mitt daily. He prefers Newt or Santorum.
Do you want Mitt to make up story like Obama about spending a day at a nursing home, or make up a story like Bubba about seeing black churches burn,or Algore about crawling in the "tall grass" of Vietnam?
Mitt is a business executive and should highlight his expertise and experience, Newt is a policy guy who should stick to big ideas, and Santorum is a GWB clone who should stick to the social conservative ideas.

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 8:57AM

It must be Newt out of the field we have now.
I wish Gingrich would answer his critics (Bain attacks, food stamp president, etc.)....
"do you want a guy who plays nice or a guy who fights to go up against Obama?"

I agree that Gingrich can be self destructive, unpredictable and undiciplined at times. But the other choice is Romney and he is completely predictable. He really is an empty suit who Obama will definitely beat in the general. Perhaps Gingrich doesn't stand much of a chance either but at least there is a possibility he can fire up enough people (see Monday's debate) to the truth of Obama. I fear Romney will tread lightly and speak in platitudes (McCain 2008) as Obama and the media machine roll over our next in line.

The characterizaton of Romney by the media has already begun. A clip of of Romney saying he didn't make much for speaking engagements ($300,000 plus for eight speeches) is already rolling. His tax rate is being played up. His net worth is 275-million. Romney is not like you.

Gingrich has accomplished huge feats in government and politics. He can move the establishment and his agenda and build majorities like no other. If I were Gingrich I would begin playing up Romney's appoinmtments of liberal judges in Massachusetts to appease Democrats. Newt would have never done that. Sure he plays politics with Democrats (on a couch with Nancy, global warming etc.) but he WILL NOT LET THEM WIN as RINOs always do.

W| 1.18.12 @ 9:39AM

Good points, but the polls show only Mitt beating Obama, and Newt and Santorum losing by 10 to 15 points.
Mitt earned his money, he did not inherit like the Kennedys or FDR, or marry money like Jean Kerry, so we should not be afraid to nominate someone who is successful in business.
Look at how other politicians make money. They serve in government and then write a book about their government "service" to make millions, like Hillary, Bubba, Colin Powell, Obama,etc. At least George HW Bush donated all the money from his autobiography to the United Negro College Fund, and I believe Cheney also donated the profits from is book.
Obama will have the same "money" attacks on Newt's 1.5 million from Freddie/Fannie.

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 10:08AM

W:"Good points, but the polls show only Mitt beating Obama, and Newt and Santorum losing by 10 to 15 points."

Screw the polls. They are only a snapshot of today. How can a poll predict how things will unfold or who will gain momentum in the future. The polls said Herman Cain was going to be our nominee...and Perry and Gingrich, etc. Following the polls is why we get McCain and IS THE ONLY REASON ROMNEY IS LEADING NOW.

Inevitability is Romney's only talking point. The primaries have us hog tied as well. I live in Texas and have absolutely no say in primaries and general elections most of the time. After two primaries (NH and SC) the media has us all believing it's over. It's a sham.

Rush is exactly right on this. He says over and over again that CONSERVATISM ALWAYS WINS EVERYTIME IT'S TRIED. And if we are honest about it, Romney is the antithesis of conservatism.

W| 1.18.12 @ 11:42AM

"Screw the Polls" sounds nice but it is a sure fire way to lose. The polls do change depending on the facts, but if polls were useless than the candidates would not be spending money to do their own internal polls. And every candidate does them.

The polls were accurate in Iowa and NH. We will see about SC. SC may be a three way tie, or very close.

The only pure, true conservative who ran was Barry Goldwater in 1964. He did not win. Rush is wrong.

You don't have to believe the media or the polls. It appears the primaries after SC will be important, especially Florida, and it is possible none of the candidates will have enough delegates to win.

The issue is not polls but money. If a candidate loses an primary the contributions drop and he can't continue. We got McCain becaue he won SC, Giuliani did bad in Florida and dropped out, Thompson dropped out, and McCain won the remaining primaries. Blame the voters for picking McCain over Giuliani, Thompson, Huckabe, and Romney, and then blame the voters for picking Obama over McCain.

Mike Hawk| 1.18.12 @ 7:03PM

Giuliani did not run in FL or any other primary on'08. He was never in it. Charlie Crist (remember him??) threw his support to Capt McQueeg just before primary day, other wise Romney might have won that one. It was Romney who dropped his campaign shortly after and defaulted to McQueeg. WHen primary day came in PA it was over. I had a choice of Huckaphoney, Rube Paul, and the Good Senor. I voted for everything on the ballot but the top slot for Pres. What good was it?.

W| 1.18.12 @ 11:22PM

Mike, here are results:
reFlorida Department of State
Division of Elections
January 29, 2008 Presidential Preference
Republican Primary

Official Results

President of the United States
Rudy Giuliani Mike Huckabee Duncan Hunter Alan Keyes John McCain Ron Paul Mitt Romney Tom Tancredo Fred Thompson
Total 286,089 262,681 2,847 4,060 701,761 62,887 604,932 1,573 22,668
% Votes 14.7% 13.5% 0.1% 0.2% 36.0% 3.2% 31.0% 0.1% 1.2%

Go to Florida dept of state website. Giuliani based his entire campaign on winning Florida. In the book "Game Change" Giuliani said Christ promised to endorse him, Christ was a popular governor at the time. Christ then reneged.

Jack in Wi.| 1.18.12 @ 11:24AM

Liar liar pants on fire. The polls show both Mitt and Ron Paul in a statistical tie with Obama. There is a new Washington Times poll out that shows about half of Republicans are against these wars and want more of a non interventionist foreign policy. No warmonger Republican can get elected in this country.

Occam's Tool| 1.18.12 @ 12:01PM

"Liar, liar, pants on fire." Wow. Such biting wit. Sorry, Jack. All of your tergivisations on the safety of the US under a Paul Presidency are sophistic; and the outcome of this will be increasingly etiolated support in the primaries to come, pungent cheesehead.

(Packers SUCK!)

Dai Alanye | 1.18.12 @ 12:24PM

"tergivisations," "sophistic," "etiolated?"

Egad, Sir! You lack the common touch.

W| 1.18.12 @ 1:24PM

"Liar,Liar,pants on fire"
Wasnt there a song in late 60's early 70's with that name?

albert constantine jr.| 1.18.12 @ 4:15PM

I think it was a song in the mid-60s by the Castaways that opened with those lyrics. In the early 70s, Three Dog Night had "Liar", but there were not incinerated trousers in that song that I recall.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 3:11PM

careful now. half of Republicans more likely want the wars ended. guarantee you they were never against attacking Afghanistan....and most supported the Iraq effort when it was initiated. too bad the combination of incredibly bad leadership after the initial battles and essentially traitorous behaviors by Congressional Democrats and the likes of...well...you!......almost completely fubar'd that were it not for the surge Obama is reaping the benefits of.

rhortus| 1.19.12 @ 12:15AM

Remember the "Good Old Days" when the Russians were dieing Afghanistan?

rhortus| 1.19.12 @ 12:14AM

Ron Paul has the best chance of beating Obama. Although I think Obama won't be re-elected, Romney, Gingrich, et.al are too much like Bush43 and McCain to do as well as Ron Paul. Paul will get the votes from all the voters concerned about deficit spending/ debt issues and all those concerned about American foreign polocy of endless wars. Paul will take votes from Obama that other Republicans won't.

L. Ross| 1.18.12 @ 7:44AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin:

I am no lefty, liberal guy. I vote Republican or Libertarian when a guy like McCain runs and I lived in California.

That said, are you aware of the profits that Bain Capital made? 80-120% a year when Romney was in charge. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Loan sharks make that kind of money. None one else does. I'm sorry, but Bain fits the corporate raider template to a T.

Even if you do believe that they were just that sharp, and earned (not sucked out but earned) those kinds of returns, most Americans will not buy it. I know that I cannot imagine a 100% profit margin year in and year out in a large company which was ethical.

Bain is not Google. They didn't develop anything. When you invent something out of whole cloth, you can make enormous sums on your IPO. Barring that, if it looks like a corporate raider and smells like a corporate raider, it probably is a corporate raider.

Finally, that picture of Romney at Bain Capital with all his fellow venture capitalists smilling, holding fistfulls of cash, that alone is probably enough to turn the election against Romney. That will be the only image the democrats will show, and it is a powerful image.

But hey, I'm still part of the anybody but Romney or Paul crowd.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 7:57AM

So, since Bill Gates made 100,000 percent on his investment at Microsoft, somehow he's a crook?

Your statement is ridiculous.

L. Ross| 1.18.12 @ 8:14AM

No sir, it is not.

As I said, IPOs make a lot of money. Because something was developed out of nothing. I guarantee that Microsoft is not making more than 20% profits now that it is a mature company (which is still startlingly high profit). Why do you think I included Google in my example above?

Additionally, by selecting technology companies, we are both referencing the fastest growing portions of our current economy. Bain did not invest in these types of companies. They invested in old fashioned brick and mortar businesses. Businesses that never made stellar profits. Steel mills, box factories, shoe stores. These places don't make 100% profits.

By the way, I never worked at Bain, and they may always have had the best interest of their acquisitions in mind. They may not have intended to suck the companies dry. However, to a casual observer it will appear that they did. And a casual observer is all that most voters are.

Believe me, I am on the anybody but obama team, but I really don't think Romney is our best guy.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 8:21AM

Your concept is ridiculous.

In fact, using your examples of IPO's shows how ridiculous.

Bain picked up companies crippled after their IPO's or those who had bad business plans.

What you are claiming is that because Bain was clever enough to make oodles of money off them, somehow that's wrong.

In fact, it's harder to turn companies around when they are failing than making a company successful from the start.

Your logic is ludicrous and oh so Occupy Wall Street.

Steve| 1.18.12 @ 8:38AM

Hello Bill:

I spent a number of years working with private equity groups. Clearly, you don't understand their business model. They are not in the business of devising a better product or service. They exist to arbitrage their capital availability to companies that are capital starved or deprived, for whatever reason. The basic PE hurdle rate is 35-50% compounded. And they are senior at all times, in all classes: debt, equity, convertible debt, etc. If the portfolio company succeeds, they make oodles. If the company fails, they are senior and the assets protect them.

It's a great model to make money. Nothing wrong with that. But I would draw a clear distinction between a Frank Langone (co-founder of Home Depot) and a Bain Capital financial engineer. PE guys do not fit the mold of heroic capitalists, in my opinion. Let's not set them up as such.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 8:49AM

If Bain had not entered the fray the companies would have collapsed all that much sooner and many would not have made it. That disputes your comment that they do not create a better product or service. The whole underlayment of Capitalism rests on private equity and private capital.

What they did is not illegal. Your major complaint is they were smart enough to make money and protect themselves in the clinches. That takes brains.

You bring up Home Depot. Do you know how many lawsuits there are against Home Depot?

W| 1.18.12 @ 8:16AM

You are a lefty liberal guy if you believe what your wrote.
What is an acceptable rate of return for a company like Bain?
Would you like as president a guy who can make 80% return per year or a guy who adds 5 trillion to the debt in 3 years, or in other words, loses 1.7 trillion per year?

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 9:53AM

....and L.Ross' above post has perfectly demonstrated what Romney will look like when the national Obama Machine is through with him....but it will be even worse.

Check this out...you will see a whole lot of these pictures
http://www.theatlantic.com/pol.....53/#slide9

I think Gingrich would surpass expectations and there are enough people in the country who will not vote Obama under any circumstances.

Hey, we can keep using the establishment template out of our fear of the uncertainty and go with "safe" Mitt (how'd that work out last time?) or we can go with our gut and realize the seriousness of our situation. I hear many people say, "I wish Mitt sounded more like Newt". Well Newt is still in the race and his baggage can be overcome by the sheer power of his ideas and communication skills. If you're going to run Mitt, don't be suprised by the outcome. The same folks who are afraid of Newt will be here complaining about yet another Republican flop and blaming the GOP. The GOP didn't give us McCain, we the Republican voters chose him

JmsA| 1.19.12 @ 10:22AM

Good post, CH.

Dai Alanye | 1.18.12 @ 12:17PM

Romney supporters might not like these facts but Goldstein is 100% correct. Criticisms of Romney as "plastic" and "robotic" are based on this personality lack.

The surprising thing is that after years of work Romney has failed to develop the common touch, although some very slight improvement can be seen from 2008. The main need of a politician is empathy. Once Romney learns to fake that he'll have it made.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 1:40PM

Well, if you are correct, and he is correct, let's start advertising for "Janitor and Poor People Observers" to run for President. I'm sure it will work wonderfully. I don't know why I didn't think of it.

Appleby| 1.18.12 @ 6:26AM

Mitt Romney picking up a mop would be worse than John Kerry in his Elmer Fudd hunting garb in Ohio. Carpenter, stick to your last! What Romney ought to do is explain in plain English what it is he does, and how it benefits the people with the mops.

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 11:01AM

"Can I get me a hunting license here? "

Granny Jan | 1.18.12 @ 7:14AM

It's pretty hard to imagine Obama spending a day cleaning a bathroom and doing laundry never mind helping someone in and out of a wheelchair, at least without Pete Souza's camera trailing behind him.

I watched him say that. It might look convincing on paper...in person not so much and who hasn't heard of the Obama's extravagant ways? I'll bet a $90 wagyu steak birthday dinner at BLT Steak, they have.

Ken (Old Texican) | 1.18.12 @ 7:16AM

Well stated, Appleby!

Yeah Aaron,
and yet you bash Rick Perry at every opportunity; a guy who grew up on a sharecropper farm and knows what a mop (hoe) feels like after ten hours on the business end of one.

Aaron Goldstein| 1.18.12 @ 8:21AM

Ken,

Please cite the articles and blog posts in which I have "bashed" Rick Perry.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:54AM

sorry Ken.....Rick Perry has clearly established that he isn't bright enough to be President. This guy is as slow on his feet as they come!

Ken (Old Texican) | 1.18.12 @ 10:22AM

Aaron,
You have done much nastier. You have continually dismissed him.
I for one think someone/s on Perry's campaign staff should be ashamed.
Look, I'm evidently smarter than any of them...ie:
"Governor, whenever whatever "gotcha" question they throw at you in these so-called debates...begin by stating firmly: "(name), you have posed the wrong question! The question should have been./etc etc etc."

Carnot,

just what sterling background and experience do you bring to a discussion on Governor Perry?

I would really appreciate an honest answer.
See, when you tell us that Perry is dumb...you are telling us Texans that we are dumb. Tell me, how is YOUR dumb broke State doing these days?

...uh, what State is that?
Governor Perry vetoed some 87 dumb bills last year here in Texas.
Uh, he was also in charge of flying planes full of troops into combat. In your mind that is REALLY dumb, right?

Aaron Goldstein| 1.18.12 @ 10:32AM

Ken,

For all your talk of me bashing, dismissing and being otherwise nasty to Rick Perry, you have failed to produce a single article or blog post of mine in support of your argument. If you manage to do so, I will be more than happy to redress your grievances.

Ken (Old Texican) | 1.18.12 @ 11:57AM

Aaron,
I am NOT your research assistant. Read your own darned words... and apologize.

You see, unless PERRY quits... he could be Tim Tebow... in the last eleven seconds.

Heck, he and Gringrich are the only candidates who have actually accomplished stuff we need.

Bottom line, you east coast "pundits" fail to stand up for a fine man....just because he speaks with a Texas accent.

example... Rick Perry has been burned on the coals for his "have a heart" comment. Well, federal law demands we educate illegal alien children K thru 12.
If a particular kid, (and his parents), bust their butts to excell K thru 12...why shouldn't that exemplary kid get in-State tuition to Texas' colleges? Duh!
That's one thing we Texans are proud of supporting...excellence.

Here in Texas, we have zillions of "rich kid foreigner" students in our splendid universities.

Those "rich kids" are part of dictator's families and fellow exploiters of people....world wide.
...Perry should have been allowed to finish his reply to the damned question.

Final analysis, "faint praise" by you guys may have gotten me killed by communists.

I am not amused.

Aaron Goldstein| 1.18.12 @ 12:21PM

Ken,

Just as I suspected. You assert that I have bashed Rick Perry and when I challenge you to back up your argument with facts, you refuse to do so.

Have I criticized Perry? Of course, I have. But I've also praised him as I did in the South Carolina debate on Monday night. On balance, I have been more than fair to Perry. Amongst the GOP candidates, my sternest criticisms have been reserved for Romney and Paul.

Margie| 1.18.12 @ 1:40PM

Ken believes he is Pope of AmSpec.
He thinks he has permission to destroy whomever it is HE wants to without evidence.. just as the Papists of old did.

Ken (The Reprobate) never has to produce proof of his accusations.

How does it feel, Aaron??

Tim the Enchanter| 1.18.12 @ 5:02PM

Margie-
You really need to think about how you are going to answer God when He asks you why you were calumniating His Church (singular) founded by His Son.

Margie| 1.18.12 @ 9:19PM

false premise, kiddo, since the Catholic church isn't HIS church.

The Catholic church is an Apostate Religion and does NOT preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's the Cult of Mary and blasphemous unbiblical teachings. I hope you repent and believe HIS Gospel before it's too late.

"Then I heard another voice from Heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." Rev. 18:4 & 5.

The blood of millions of SAINTLY MARTYRS are on her hands.

W| 1.18.12 @ 11:24PM

The crazy Mullah is on the loose spouting her anti catholic bigotry. Buzz off, Mullah, go play with our snakes.

Margie| 1.18.12 @ 11:31PM

I speak the plain truth, hypocrite. Something which you know nothing about.

Go play with the Pope's ring.

W| 1.18.12 @ 11:39PM

You are a hypocrite, pretending to be a christian and conservative, meanwhile you and your H have been collecting Obama checks of 549 per week since August 2009, while running a business.. Nice Scam. And we have been paying you from our tax dollars to post anti catholic, anti jewish bigotry. You have no shame, charlatan.

We don't need lectures from a liar, hypocrite, and parasite like you, Buzz off Mullah, Go play with your snakes.

Margie| 1.19.12 @ 12:53AM

You keep spreading this lie like a good Papist freak.
God will hold you responsible for every lie.

YOU are the stinking charlatan, filthy liar.

Rev. 21:8.

Margie| 1.19.12 @ 12:55AM

I could sue you for libel you piece of trash.

W| 1.19.12 @ 7:50AM

Explain why the info is posted under your name. Who did it and why? If it is not yours why did you post someone else's private info and invade their privacy by posting someone else ss number and claim number?

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 3:26PM

I was initially a Perry supporter. Once I saw...repeatedly.....how inept he was at distilling complex ideas and formulating half intelligent responses...it was obvious he didn't have a mind capable of wrestling with complexity in...well.....something approaching near real time!

I generally enjoy your posts....so I'll simply chuckle at the reference to what State you hail from...as though that has anything to do with Perry's ability to absorb information and fashion responses quickly.....or even get the facts of his own positions correct.

"in charge of flying planes full of troops into combat" signifies what exactly? in fact, what exactly does that mean? he flew them? he was in tactical command? he was in operational command? he's a great decision-maker? you're speaking to someone who flew off carriers for a full career.....and knows the military well...btw.

"really dumb"? is this even Ken responding? this is not the sort of response I know has characterized your thoughtfulness in the past.

I get it - State jingoism has its place. Perry had his moment(s) and unequivocally BLEW IT. there's no two ways around that FACT. when you're on center stage and there's a limited audition...don't F it up. and that's what Perry did. You don't get it...folks like me are discouraged precisely because hope (to borrow an abused term) had been invested in the man.

I live in Virginia and served in the US Navy around the world. Have a fine TX Day Ken. I enjoyed my visits to Dallas and handle shorts stays in San Antonio...although they really need to shed that entrenched family down there that passes a Congressional as though it were an inheritance from one generation to the next.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 3:28PM

...that passes a Congressional seat....

tsd| 1.18.12 @ 4:53PM

Quick, smart witted comments (rhetoric/BS) that sound cute, but in the end mean nothing seems to be the political flavor of the month. When was the last time you heard a honest well thought out answer come from a politician???

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:16PM

what's that got to do with expecting...no...demanding one?

I'm not asserting Perry is a bad guy or a bad governor. I don't care for the vulture capitalism comment - kinda stupid if you place it in context. I'm drawing observations from his performance through several primaries. in truth, I am really focused on the demands of the environment: these debates accentuate quick thinking of a variety that formulates piercing substance in compact responses. Gingrich has proved adept at this...Perry has not. Gingrich, on the other hand, is amazingly fumble prone once he steps out of the ring.

I agree that most politicians answer questions they were not asked. were one to watch the pundits (the "media") these days one would observe pretty much the same event/response mechanism. the game used to be taking the same figures as the opposing view and weave them into a different storyline. today...the game is simply to ignore any contradictory information...or fabricate/message information altogether. isn't it ironic that in the information age......the entity that has died first is the authority and integrity of information itself?!

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:18PM

uggghhhh

- weaving

- massaging

Ken (Old Texican) | 1.18.12 @ 5:17PM

OK Carnot,
Thank you for your service, and comments accepted at face value now.
I'm merely frustrated with Perry's campaign staff.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:21PM

you're not alone. too late on this go around. it was all lined up for him but he couldn't deliver from the git go and that is what he had to do.

enough! moving on to figuring out why most of these candidates only care about themselves.

wodiej| 1.18.12 @ 7:39AM

Great article.

Bottom line: do you want a liberal or conservative as the GOP nominee? Do you want someone who is more like Gov. Sarah Palin or someone more like a Wall St. banker who is nothing more than a suit? 90% of Romney's campaign is financed by Wall St. See it here:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pre.....=N00000286

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:23PM

so...are you influenced by political advertising?

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 7:49AM

Rush led the bogus establishment charge that any criticism of Romney’s chainsaw Bain tactics was equal to criticism of capitalism. This paints the GOP as a Party whose brand is a greed-is-good-mentality, no mater what the human consequences or sleazy methods used.

Romney purposely gamed the bankruptcy laws, used federal pension bailouts, and treated employees as statistics instead of like human beings. This is not moral conservatism, which frowns on this cutthroat behavior and provides the Dems ammunition to use against our nominee and all the down-ticket Republican candidates -- not good for conservatism Rush.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 8:00AM

Bain went after companies that were crippled in an effort to prop them up and make money.

The government did that with GM and lost over 54 billion, perhaps more. The public will never know the truth.

Somehow, Bain using private funds to make more money is evil when in fact, they actually created jobs.

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 8:24AM

Bill
Were those jobs they created all in the USA or China too? And conservatives should be against the GM bailout that BTW used some of the bailout money to build cars in China and Brazil, which is also creating jobs but not here -- we are losing it.

Romney is a too-big-to-fail Wall Street globalist in spades and loves money over the country. Besides exactly how does one make millions on companies you buy that go south -- please explain?

W| 1.18.12 @ 9:43AM

Vote for Obama who is clearly your candidate.

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 10:29AM

W.
No -- if I have too I may vote for Mitt ; do not understand your reasoning at all.

W| 1.18.12 @ 1:39PM

Kade,
Just read your posts for example:

"Romney purposely gamed the bankruptcy laws, used federal pension bailouts, and treated employees as statistics instead of like human beings. This" is not moral conservatism..."

This is the language of the left, sweeping generalizations that sound nice but not backed up with any honest facts of the entire record.

If you like Obama, be honest and say so, and vote for him. But you are pretending to be a Republican or conservative to give some credibility to your opinions.
How do you "game" the bankrupcty laws? Have you analyzed all the bankruptcy filings of the affected companies and analyzed the balance sheets? Do you think the bankruptcy judges and bankruptcy trustees in the case were involved in this conspiracty to "game?"

If you have to lay off employees to cut costs to keep the company alive, does it make you feel better and morally superior to "feel the pain" of the employees? How about when Obama took over GM and dealers lost franchises, employees lost jobs, and bondholders lost money, were these treated as stats or people?

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 11:41AM

Citizens who accept social security are creating jobs in China since social security payments are made on borrowed money.

Are they somehow bad?

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 11:59AM

We should not be borrowing from communist China -- they own us and now have political influence. The Founders would be aghast at the selling our sovereignty to foreign powers and what passes for conservatism today.

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 12:50PM

Yet the Tea Party and freshmen Republicans we ushered in are slammed in the harshest ways for endorsing not raising the debt ceiling. We are the reason the economy has not recovered.

This is why I have all but lost hope for the future of the U.S. But I will not give up fighting for it and praying for a miracle.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 1:41PM

You're totally avoiding the point.

Jeremiah Smirking| 1.18.12 @ 8:01AM

I had forgotten about the "looks like the guy who laid me off" line. With apologies to Seinfeld, "that's gold, Aaron!" Newt's the guy who will embarrass Obama. Mitt's the guy who will bend over. They may both lose to him, but if it happens, I'd rather it be with the Obama called out for being the wussy half-man failure-as-a-human-being he is.

CrackerHound| 1.18.12 @ 10:14AM

Well said Jeremiah...

Clint| 1.18.12 @ 8:02AM

We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges For The Ruling Elites' Frontman Mittens Romney.

These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.

Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

JKS| 1.18.12 @ 8:56AM

Did your alarm not go off? You're late...Seig Heil! Your mom just called, breakfast is ready. Time to leave her basement.

Clint| 1.18.12 @ 8:16PM

We Hear You Already Serviced Bibi This Morning Israel Firster Bibi Butt Boy ?

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On The Israel Firster Bibi Butt Boy.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:57AM

and you are an isolationist with no strategic thinking abilities tucked into your simple-minded view of the world.

just the same...Stan Laurel for President! We need a fossil leading the country!!!

Clint| 1.18.12 @ 8:18PM

Learn The Difference Between Non-Interventionism & Isolationism, Israel Firster Bibi Butt Boy.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On The Other Israel Firster Bibi Butt Boy.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 8:24PM

they mean the same thing in the Paul lexicon.

Crassus| 1.18.12 @ 10:06AM

Yada, yada, yada.

Clint| 1.18.12 @ 8:25PM

Bibi, Bibi, Bibi Butt Boy.

he Tea Party Rebellion Steps On The Another Israel Firster Bibi Butt Boy.

Calvin | 1.18.12 @ 8:13AM

Obama picking up a mop FOR A DAY?
Does anybody believe that he would know one end from the other?

chuck| 1.18.12 @ 5:52PM

LOL, I could just picture the skinny bastard trying to clean the floor with the handle, while getting slapped up side the head with the wet mop!

Thanks for the laugh!

bill| 1.18.12 @ 9:10AM

Mitt Romney is a "big government MA moderate." His records:
-pro-choice
-pro gay marriage
-pro gun control
-pro climate change
-ROMNEYCARE
He has some private sector experience, and I agree that is a plus running as a GOP nominee, but in the general election, he will have hard time convincing voters his records in the Bain Capital, comparing his success and failure.
Romney will not win in SC because he lacks statesmanship and consistency.
As the speaker, Newt Gingrich created 11 million jobs, while Rick Perry created 1 million jobs in TX, the 13th largest economy in the world with over 25 million people.
I'll pick Gingrich over Romney because Gingrich has charisma and leadership. Gingrich will shred Obama in the debate.
Please VOTE Newt Gingrich!

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 3:35PM

Gingrich is a trainwreck waiting to happen. and...the dirty secret is.....he is way more liberal than Romney! I'm an uncommitted voter at this point.....oh btw.

it never ceases to amaze me how folks confuse easy 2 minute blasts at these silly debates for full expositions of a candidate's position. Moreover, I find the whole idea..encouraged and nurtured by Gingrich...that the issue/election reduces to an ability to debate Barak Obama insanely insular. yes Newt...two debates and you will win the mind and hearts of millions. all the bad calls...all the self-serving, personally aggrandizing transgressions...all the ideological waffling....all the attacks on fellow Republicans (i.e.., their conservative ideas)....all forgotten cuz Newt Gringrich recalls what Andrew Jackson may have stated. IS HE NUTS?

Ross Kaminsky | 1.18.12 @ 9:43AM

Aaron, the idea that Romney profited without taking risk is ridiculous. If they made more money than you think they "should" have, maybe they were just better at navigating risk than others. Also, although I haven't dug into the details, there must have been plenty of deals which lost money. You, like Romney's other opponents, are cherry-picking stories which fit your narrative.

Separately, on the issue of cutting jobs, I don't think that hurts Romney as much as others think it does. He's running for president and his job will be to cut GOVERNMENT jobs and I hope he does it with a vengeance.

bill| 1.18.12 @ 10:00AM

Mr. Kaminsky,

Average public sector employees make over $200,000 in salaries and benefits, with our tax dollar money, while average private sector workers make $60,000 including salaries and bonuses.
You do the math.
Who are looting this country? It's obvious, the public sector employees.

Aaron Goldstein| 1.18.12 @ 10:28AM

Ross,

If Bain made money regardless of whether the companies in which it invested succeeded or failed and did so while obtaining generous government grants, subsidies and tax breaks then how can it be said that Bain took a risk?

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 10:56AM

Any citizen in the country who owns a house gets tax breaks and subsidies.

They are incentives used to prop up industries.

Right now a battle is raging around Washington, D.C. about where the Redskins training camp will land and the subsidies and the incentives and promises of tax breaks are flying. Is the owner of the Redskin somehow evil for taking what's offered?

How is Romney and Bain evil for taking advantage of what is available? If they didn't they wouldn't be very bright.

Whether those subsidies are offered is not up to Bain, but up to local and state and federal governments.

As far as risk, there is always risk whether you get subsidies or not.

Just look at the housing market. The public took the risk at the end, but while the party was going on the public loved it. Now the bill has come due.

Public subsidies are not always bad but they should always be looked at with suspicion.

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 11:29AM

You are right Aaron they did not take a risk.

And you are really describing a corrupt and crony capitalist system that the well-connected game -- subsidies, special tax breaks, grants, bankruptcy procedures, bailouts, etc for the Wall Street honchos, not for Main Street. The too-big-to-fail bailouts by Congress and the monopoly money Fed also fit into this category.

Both Parties do not want Bain Capitol scrutinized because this unsavory capitalism may wake the sheepie up. Rush instinctively knew this and tarred Newt with the broad brush of attacking capitalism – ridiculous.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.18.12 @ 11:44AM

The system has been inspected over and over.

The public is not as stupid as you believe and they observe what is happening.

However, the tax breaks on individual homes most likely dwarfs any money Bain got in subsidies.

Are the homeowners going to vote against a company who is doing precisely what they are doing?

That doesn't make much sense but maybe you're right.

Tommy Frisco| 1.18.12 @ 12:11PM

Aaron,
Excellent point, Aaron. And, if there is no risk, how can that be considered free-enterprise capitalism?

I also want to know how many companies failed after Bain Capital imposed more debt on them just so Bain could receive dividend recaps. Maybe Ross will gather that information for us.

Kade| 1.18.12 @ 3:16PM

And, if there is no risk, how can that be considered free-enterprise capitalism?

And you have made an even more excellent point Tommy.

Tommy Frisco| 1.18.12 @ 11:19AM

"the idea that Romney profited without taking risk is ridiculous."
Yes, Ross, that is ridiculous, but not in the way you're thinking. Protecting one's investment is wise, but using the federal government and bankruptcy law loopholes to protect your investment and ensure a profite is not what most of us consider capitalism, free enterprise or ethical.

"I haven't dug into the details." You really should do your homework before you start defending Romney and his business practices.

"his job will be to cut GOVERNMENT jobs" Why should we expect a liberal-moderate, north-eastern, blue-state RINO to cut jobs in the Federal Government? When has a candidate like Romney ever done that?

When was the last time a candidate, focusing his campaign on being a successful businessman, was elected to POTUS? Correct, Herbert Hoover. How did that turn out for us? Did he help the economy or did he induce trade wars? Wasn't he such a failure that we got FDR for three terms?

bill| 1.18.12 @ 9:56AM

Please help Gov. Scott Walker (WI).

Hello, America!

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) and the big labors have been recalling Gov. Walker, in favor of bureaucrats and the big labors.
Gov. Walker implemented reforms and balanced the budget, projecting surplus and prompting efficiency and transparency in the public sector.
That infuriated the bureaucrats and big labors, and they are causing chaos in WI, disrupting Gov. Walker's reform initiatives.
We must help Gov. Walker and fend off big labors and DGA efforts to ousting Gov. Walker from the office.
Do not let those liberals win.
We must act now. Everybody should contribute and help Gov. Walker hold onto his office, and stop the big labors and DGA.

JimH| 1.18.12 @ 10:21AM

There exist what are known as vulture capitalists. They buy into companies which may be experiencing difficulties. They take an active part in running them. And in running them they load these companies with debt and sell off assets. This generates short term returns for the investing company but makes it unlikely that the company invested in survives. If the company fails and goes bankrupt those left holding the bag are the creditors, employees, pensioners and the communities to which the failing company pays taxes. There are allegations that under Romney, Bain Capital engaged in this practice with some of the companies it invested in. I don’t know the truth of this. What does seem pretty clear is that regardless of the success or failure of the companies Bain Capital invested in, Bain itself did remarkably well. From the standpoint of a Bain shareholder would this be wrong? Is that all which matters for to a conservative?

The Bruce| 1.18.12 @ 10:59PM

Well, JimH, what you failed to mention is that the companies Bain invested in WERE failing (going bankrupt) prior to their arrival.

In most cases, the companies were saved and became prosperous again. Some had to lay off workers, some didn't.

Others were simply beyond repair (sometimes the patient just can't be saved) and shut down.

Imagine for a second that Bain existed in 1920 and tried to go in and save the Horse and Buggy-whip industry. How do you think that would have turned out? Sometimes the market for your product or service simply ceases to exist.

The Bruce| 1.18.12 @ 11:10PM

And, JimH, sorry to be so curt with you. It's just that I've been dieing to watch this new movie, "Back to the Future" on my shiny new Beta-max VCR. The company that sold it to me said it would be the next "big thing."

I have the time, too, as I can't seem to find the head-cleaner for my new 8-track tape player by Sound Design, a company that Radio Shack assures me will be here for the long haul.

(Disclaimer, anyone under 40 might not get the sarcasm... sorry )

Controse| 1.18.12 @ 11:51AM

Well Mr. Goldstein maybe Democrat sob stories will carry the day. They probably will unless Mr. Romney takes the offensive. If it is sob stories the electorate wants, Mr. Obama, or whoever he is, has generated millions of them as communist policies and practices always do. Mr. Romney is not an aggressive fighter. That is why he will lose.

martin j smith| 1.18.12 @ 1:42PM

So if the Republican Party wants to beat Obama Romney who is tied to Romney Care should be challenged on that --I mean who is fooling whom here. There are many issues which Romney can be mopped with so why is he being pushed huh ?

bill| 1.18.12 @ 2:38PM

Ron Paul's Hypocracy:

In the SC debate, Ron Paul decried American Judicial System and Black suffrage.
He has become the father of black liberation theology. He's "talking black" and trashing America. He's a liar. Since SC has a large number of black voters, he was just trying to get their endorsements. Ron Paul miserably failed, and is pathetic. I do not trust him any more.
There is nothing wrong with the American Judicial Sytem. It's fair and balanced. It rewards redemption and hard work. Blacks don't believe in justice and liberty, they seek big government and freebies. They consider themselves the victims, and treats Whites to be the agressor. This is a "pious balony." Here are the facts: Majority of blacks are uneducated and unemployed, and live on welfare and poverty, and committ 90% of all crimes. Blacks are incarcartaed in a higher number than Whites, logically. Also, 2/3 of blacks being incarcarated are repeated offenders, and they are threats to our community.
In my humble opinion, it's just politics. The truth is that poverty does not stir crime, it's lack of education and moral character that prompts violence. Majority of blacks are lazy and seek food-stamps, instead of paychecks.
GOP must expel Ron Paul, and he can join NAACP.

rhortus| 1.18.12 @ 7:02PM

Politics is full of cheap shots- as in Huckabee's comment. Perry and Gingrich have destroyed their credibility with me. I'm not a Romney supporter but these comments are beyond the pale. As for the "common touch" well that is just another subjective assertion. Go back to school and read "IF" by Rudyard Kipling.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if/

Bob| 1.18.12 @ 7:37PM

AHA! Now we know why Willard the Rat won't release his tax returns. Willard has not paid any taxes on his OFFSHORE loot stashed away in the Cayman Islands. His tax returns will show no federal, state and local taxes paid on his ill gotten gain overseas. AHA! again...Willard the Rat is also Willard the Tax Cheat! Bye Bye President wannabe Willard the Rat/Tax Cheat/Flim Flam Man. Who's left...Speaker of the Blouse, Oh No Not Again!

The Bruce| 1.18.12 @ 10:47PM

Ill gotten gains? Please explain. Do you have some financial information on Willard to which the rest of us (and the media) aren't privy? Do tell, Bob.

Or are you just another "hate the rich" whiner? Go back to your tent in Manhattan.

Dixon| 1.18.12 @ 8:24PM

If mittens gets the nomination I will vote for him as enthusiastically as I voted for Ford, Bush I, Dole, Bush II (re-election), and the white RINO, McCain.

Mitt is inarticulate, uninspiring, untrustworthy, and unable to defend core Conservative principles and values. That is my view now.

I want Newt to stay in the race to help me change my view of Romney...maybe even help me change my view of Newt.

The Bruce| 1.18.12 @ 10:43PM

Preach it. I'll be doing the same.

No matter who wins the Republican nomination, he gets my vote. All of them (and yes, even Paul) would make a better president (overall) than Øbama.

The Bruce| 1.18.12 @ 10:41PM

The author wrote, "And you can be sure that President Obama has a thousand other stories he will tell on the campaign trail."

Of course he has a thousand other stories, all of which he simply fabricated. Does anyone honestly believe that then-Senator Obama spent the day in 2007 scrubbing floors and doing laundry with an in-home care provider???

POST American| 1.18.12 @ 11:40PM

---------------------FINAL WORD-----------------------

Romney is a Globalist.

He's for ---open borders
-----------------carbon taxes
--------------------'a--bore--shun'
-----------------------mandatory injections
-------------------------'Banker Bailouts'
---------------------------NAFTA/GATT
------------------------------Sanctuary cities

He scripted 'Obama-care'.

He's ANTI 2nd Amendment.

He's been SILENT on the matter of
psychopathic PRIVATE USURY owning
our central bank.

He refuses to make an issue of the
overturn of the US Constitution and
Bill of Rights with the unfolding police
state ---and esp, the recent passage of
NDAA1031.

He has said nothing of substance on the
matter of the UNELECTED, foreign,
private banking and EUEGNICS borg
U.N. assuming the role of 'world authority'.

He has made NO MENTION whatsoever
of our finishing off Globalist-RED China
sellout and TREASON OP.

Cut to the case:

------------- ROMNEY IS ONE OF THEM-------------

Brian| 1.19.12 @ 3:16AM

Talk Radio Honchos need to disclose if they ever invested with Bain. Same with columnists.

POST American| 1.19.12 @ 8:46AM

---------------------FINAL WORD P.S.------------------

Viz a viz Huckabee--

In this the 11th hour, as the Globalist's
4 decades on RED China sellout and TREASON op
consolidates ----nice guys don't finish last
---but are, instead, being deployed to finish
us off.

REALLY

------------------Beyond HUAC 2012

Tom| 1.19.12 @ 1:29PM

To all you good people: you might want to check into Romney and his family spending the day(s)helping families in Southern California who lost their homes to fire. I suspect there are others, and if you think Obama has a heart for little old ladies I suspect you may want to dig a little deeper!

The Obama Timeline | 1.19.12 @ 6:58PM

Obama (like Clinton) knows how to fake sincerity and caring; Romney does not.

1389AD | 1.22.12 @ 10:29PM

Romney won't pick up a mop. He thinks he can buy all of the endorsements and other support that he needs. In other words, he's corrupt:

http://1389blog.com/2012/01/22.....s-corrupt/