(Video) Karl Rove and Dick Morris: Consequences of Promising Rain in California

(Video) Sheldon Adelson: When The House Doesn't Win

(Video) Candy Crowley 'truth' controversy: When the truth is inconvenient

(Video) Jim Lehrer debate performance: moderating in moderation

(Video) US Election 2012: when the future is not so easy to read

(Video) US Election 2012: when the future is easy to read

(Video) Voter ID's: Sarah Silverman on Voter Id

(Video) Romney election 2012 campaign: election 2012 already over

(Opinion) Mother Jones Romney Video: Mother Jones Video insight into Why Mitt Romney cannot win

Due the election being too close to call, Mitt Romney may become president, but  mother jones video recording Romney's comments at a private fundraiser reveals why he might not. Romney comments regarding fellow American reveal an attitude that should shock very little due to the ideas of the republican platform and the numbers indicating that Mitt Romney will have to rely on his republican base and the majority of independents to win. However what is wrong is not Romney’s analysis of his chances of winning, but his attitude to fellow Americans who will vote for the Obama/Biden ticket.

Romney cites his belief that almost half of his fellow American will never vote for him as they believe that government should ‘take care of them’ and see themselves ‘victims’[1]. Romney continued his assessment of fellow Americans set to vote for Obama by citing a large number(47 percent) of Americans who do not pay income tax  and  are ‘government dependent’ with regards to  healthcare and housing[2]. 

With this knowledge, Mitt Romney sees that this group will never vote for him as the republican platform of ‘low taxes doesn’t connect’[3] and he cannot ‘convince them (that) they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives’[4]. To remedy this Romney suggests that he should appeal for the votes of independent voters who may vote reasons more to do with ‘emotion’ than rational thought[5].

Politicians are prone to gaffes but mitt Romney looks like he’s trying to break a political record in an age where people like Romney who made their money in finance aren’t exactly the flavour of the month. Romney has actively expressed his intention to ignore 47 percent of the electorate based on their views about government and possibly income status. The point of an election is to win as many votes as possible, so effectively giving up on 47-48 percent  of fellow Americans is suicidal to any hopes Romney had to become president.

Mother Jones infiltration of Mitt Romney closed door fundraiser revealed not only Mitt Romney’s attitude to Obama voters but his cynical approach to politics. While it would be foolish to suggest that Romney is the only politician guilty of having a cynical outlook on the American electoral process, it is strange that Mitt Romney would be so pessimistic in one of the very few elections in American life where the electorate are open to argument.

While congressional races favour the incumbent to the point of criminality, presidential elections tend to be open to argument as people are open to a vision of America that appeals to them which further condemns Romney practically in the video that the republican platform is rather limited.

However, while Romney expressed a rather pessimistic view of the American electorate, his point citing Americans that will not vote for vote for him does have a kernel of truth.as according to a poll taken by Gallip, 20 percent of voters will not vote for Romney because of his wealth and neither will 37 percent of democrats and a notable 19 percent of independents[6].

In sum, Mitt Romney was never going to able to market himself as a man of the people due to the fact he is rich and how he made his money but the mother jones video revealing an honest Mitt Romney stating his honest thoughts about the electorate  reveals the cold and calculating logic many voters have suspected Mitt Romney of having.

 

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[1] D. Corn, 2012, secret video: Romney Tells Millionaire Donors what he reall thinks of Obama voters, http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser

[2] E. MaCaskill, 2012, Mitt Romey stand by gaffe but says case not elegantly stated,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/18/romney-secret-video-government-dependent

[3] D. Corn, 2012,  secret video: Romney Tells Millionaire Donors what he really thinks of Obama voters, http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid

[6] F. Newport. 2012,  Mitt Romney’s Wealth Costs Him With One in Five Voters,  http://www.gallup.com/poll/155627/Mitt-Romney-Wealth-Costs-One-Five-Voters.aspx

(Video) Adelson investment in Romney: Romney best investment in town

(Video) Mitt Romney Comments on US Embassy attack: when you don't go on the offensive

(Opinion) US Election 2012: Why Obama Is The Best Pick For The World

There are many reasons to elect both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney for the highest office in the land, but one firm reason to elect Obama for four more years as commander in chief is that as far as foreign policy is concerned, he has been close to flawless. While we haven’t seen much of mitt Romney abroad, however, the little cameo of his foreign policy tour gave pause for thought as he insulted allies by breaking “the golden rule of state visits and general etiquette when in home of others: do not, at all costs, insult the host” [1].

This is not to say that Mitt Romney is fit for office due to a couple of blunders in the press as many politicians have made the same mistakes, but in the international context defined by its quick pace and a perpetual state of flux, Mistakes like this among less friendly company can lead to international disputes.

Romney got a little taste of this when he  foolishly compared Israel’s economic development with Palestine’s and concluded that Israel economic dominance was down to ‘cultural’ superiority (completely overlooking decades of conflict) while controversially calling Jerusalem “the capital of Israel”, a major stick in the crawl of past negotiations  between Israel and Palestine leaders[2]. Palestinians response to Romney’s comments were scathing to say the least with a senior Palestinian official describing Romney’s comments as “a racist statement” and openly questioned Romney’s ‘knowledge’ of the “region and its people”[3].

While Romney was talking at a fundraising event, it reveals certain ignorance from Romney for not expecting the eventuality of his comments to reach the wider public as when a potential president speaks; the world pays attention due the United States having it fingers in so many pies. Mitt Romney doesn’t help own case as his views on  Russia threaten to set US-Russia relations back four years by recognising Russia as a major “geopolitical foe”[4].

The Obama administration have done some great work in thawing relations between the US and  Russia with regards to nuclear counter-proliferation  which, with a Romney presidency, would become frosty with some haste due to republicans favouring a missile defence shield in Europe, a policy  strongly opposed by former and current  Russian  president Vladimir Putin[5].

In sum, while Mitt Romney mistakes abroad are not going to harm him considering the bigger picture, it does reveals a truth that every country but the US is prepared to admit, a U.S. president amenable to negotiation is much better than a U.S president who isn’t.

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[1] The carnage report, 2012, Mitt Romney negative favourable: no surprise, http://thecarnagereport.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/opinion-mitt-romney-negative.html

[2] Quoted by H. Sherwood, 2012, Mitt Romney ‘providence’ comment in Israel outrage Palestinians, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/30/mitt-romney-israel-economic-success

[3] Ibid

[4] R. T. Buchanan, 2012, Mitt Romney issues ‘inadmissable’ threat to Russia, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/mitt-romney/9512295/Mitt-Romney-issues-inadmissible-threat-to-Russia.html

[5] J. Marson and L. I. Alpert, 2012, Putting on U.S. vote: Obama ‘Genuine’, Romney ‘Mistaken’, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577635113013597198.html

(Video) Mitt Romney: Mitt for Sale

the young turks share their take on the 'real convention'.

(video) Rick Santorum RNC speech: Can You Really Shake Hands With The American Dream?

The Young Turks share their take on a string of strange hand metaphors during Rick Santorum's speech at the Republican National Convention.

(Opinion) Mitt Romney negative unfavorables: No surprise

It will never be a easy running for president but you know your campaign is in trouble  when the only bright spot in the week is receiving the backing of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood[1]. According to a poll by the Pew Research Centre, Mitt Romney, for the sixth time in 9 months, has had negative ratings with regard to his personal image[2].

While there were signs of improvement in his favourables due to a 26 point gap between his favourable and unfavorables were cut down to 7 but in the last month, the gap has grown again by 8 points[3]. Compare Romney’s favourable rating to Obama’s and a 13 point difference emerges in favour of Obama, despite the President’s unfavourable numbers being on the high side for an incumbent[4].

These numbers were collected before Romney’s disastrous foreign tour where he managed to break the golden rule of state visits and general etiquette when in the home of others: Do not, at all costs, insult the host. Winning an election is hardly a walk in the park but its damn near impossible with favourable/unfavourable ratings like this.

However this is no surprise as the democrats have done fantastic job as painting Mitt Romney as rich, tax dodging plutocrat. Prominent democrats have toured TV shows and took to the floor of congress demanding that Romney reveals his tax returns with Democratic senator of Nevada Harry Reid publicly accusing Romney of not paying his taxes for the last decade[5].

While it’s not all good, it’s not exactly all bad either as Romney remains a competent fundraiser and despite his worrying favourable/unfavourable numbers, he still has a chance to become president in an election that is going to be too close to call.

In sum, it has been a horrible week for Romney and a horrible six months for his favourable/unfavourable ratings but the best news in the Romney camp is probably  lies in the fact that Britons and Palestinians don’t vote in US national elections and popularity don’t necessarily correlate progress in the polls that matter.  

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[1] Belfast Telegraph, 2012, Clint Eastwood Backs Romney For President, http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/us-election/clint-eastwood-backs-mitt-romney-for-president-16193809.html

[2] Pew Research Centre, 2012, Romney’s personal image remains negative, http://www.people-press.org/2012/08/02/romneys-personal-image-remains-negative/

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] S. Mehta, 2012, Harry Reid, Mitt Romney Trade Sharper Barbs Over Taxes, http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-harry-reid-mitt-romney-trade-sharper-barbs-over-taxes-20120803,0,3256490.story

(Video) Romney Brain fart: Why You Don't Compare The GDP Of Two Countries In 'Disagreement' While You're In One Of Them

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney cracks one off the top as he compares the GDP of Israel and the occupied territories and puts it down to 'culture'.

(Opinion) Romney tax returns: The Heat Is On!!

It's official, according to Gallup polling, 54% of American want Mitt Romney to release his tax returns, so do  53% of independents. Democrats, who have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity when it came to attacking republicans, now have hit the major shows piling pressure on the Romney campaign to respond with denials.

Prediction 1: Obama Will Win Election 2012

Despite less than encouraging poll numbers, a discontented base, and a shot economy, Barack Obama, probably by a close margin, will win election 2012.

WHY?

While you can rightly argue whether Barack Obama has done good job as the president of the United States, but even Reince Priebus, head of the RNC, recognizes Obama’s unmatchable talent for political fundraising[1]. In election 2008, Obama broke records in political fundraising by raising $744 million, which meant he was able to outspend his rival John McCain, whose funds were limited due to him accepting public funds[2]. This made all the difference as Obama was able to outspend McCain at a crucial juncture in the election with Obama spending $136 million while McCain spent $26 million in the same period[3]. While campaign funds it aren’t the only factor to consider in winning an election it definitely hands a major advantage to the candidate who can raise more funds than his competitors. 

It allows a candidate to reach ad markets his rivals can’t and even allows the given candidate the ability to be a real threat in states considered to be sewn up by his/her rivals. This advantage belongs to Obama’s campaign in the 2012 election as he has raised more funds than mitt Romney, the republican’s top fundraiser, by a three to one margin[4].Obama is already using his advantage in the knowledge that his appeal, in comparison to  election 2008, has waned. The Obama campaign plans to be competitive across the board, allowing him to fight effectively in swing states and states that usually voted republican, states which previous democrat candidates couldn’t because of a lack of funds[5]. 

This means that Obama avoids the democratic strategy of putting “all their marbles on a couple of states”[6]. its also a key reason why the Obama campaign “are opening offices, airing TV ads and building up campaign machinery in(red state territory such as) the upper South, in Rust Belt Midwestern states and across the Southwest”[7]. The money advantage carries over into the parties as the DNC has raised and spent more money than the RNC which found itself bargaining with the republican presidential candidates to help tackle it’s $21 million debt[8]. This allows the DNC to back Obama as he attempts to pass his needed and wanted jobs bill by launching attack ads that promote parts of Obama’s jobs bill while blaming Republicans for slowing down its passing through the senate in states considered being key in the election[9]. 

Money aside, many suggest that how Obama does in  Ohio could decide whether he will have second term or will go down in history as a one term president. Poor numbers in the polls has Commentators openly wandering aloud about whether Obama’s ‘coalition’ African-Americans, Latinos, young people, and women can seal victory for him in 2012 as they did in 2oo8[10]. but recent polling suggests that despite the tangible dislike of his presidency, he still trumps his republican rivals. A poll taken by Quinnipiac University regarding voters in Ohio, a key swing state that sealed George bush reelection in 2004, has Obama four points ahead of republican front runner mitt Romney despite their discontent about his administration with 51% dissatisfied with the ‘handlings’ of his ‘duties in the white house’ and 49% of Ohio voters indicating that Obama ‘don’t deserve a second term in office’[11] .In sum, Presiedent Obama will have second term due his money advantage and despite the palpable dislike of his presidency, voters will vote for Obama because he represents a better choice to the republican alternative.

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[1] M. A. Memoli, 2011, RNC chairman says Obama is a great fundraiser, bad president, http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/13/news/la-pn-rnc-obama-funds-20110713

[2] A. Matsui, 2008, Obama campaign fundraising totals nearer $750 million, new records show, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/12/obama_campaign_fundraising_tot.html

[3] Ibid

[4] E. Carmi et al, 2011, the 2012 money race: compare the candidates, http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/campaign-finance

[5] P. Nicholas, 2011, Obama Strategic edge: cash to campaign everywhere, http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/07/nation/la-na-obama-states-strategy-20111107

[6] Ibid

[7] Ibid

[8] Associated Press,2011, RNC may sponsor debates in exchange for help on debt, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/us/politics/03debates.html

[9] A. Joseph, 2011, DNC ads push Obama’s jobs plan,  http://influencealley.nationaljournal.com/2011/11/dnc-pushes-obamas-jobs-plan-in.php

[10] D.Balz, 2011, does Ohio hold the key to Obamas’ 2012 hopes? http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/does-ohio-hold-the-key-to-obamas-2012-hopes/2011/11/08/gIQAVhis0M_story.html

[11] P.Steinhauser, 2011, Poll: Obama Advantage in Crucial battleground state?, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/26/poll-obama-advantage-in-crucial-battleground-state/