Having been promised that Romney would speak at 10 p.m. last Thursday, I tuned in at the prescribed time only to find Mr. Eastwood delivering the most noted performance of the convention. I saw part of Rubio's speech, didn't make it to Romney's, but no worries. The full text is readily available.
Here's something you will not read in that text:
In 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Those dark days were full of trepidation and uncertainty, but we were fortunate enough to have Ann's boundless strength as well as considerable means. Now look how beautifully she's emerged. (APPLAUSE)
Every tragedy is dotted with points of light. After Ann's ordeal, I knew no one should have to face the difficulties of a debilitating disease compounded by the fear of not having access to healthcare. And when I became Governor of Massachusettes, I vowed to myself to find a way to make public healthcare available via private means. (APPLAUSE)
In 2006, that vow came to fruition. (APPLAUSE)
I really believe Romney's heart is in that imaginary script. I really believe that his wife's battle with MS was part of what drove him to enact the Massachusettes Health Care Reform. That would have been a personal and powerful campaign touchstone. It shimmers with truth. Unfortunately for Romney, the GOP has told him in no uncertain terms that he is not allowed to have any part of it.
Authenticity does not come in a jar. You cannot fake it or buy it. The GOP has essentially stolen its candidate's authenticity.
Ann is another terrible tragedy. The truth would have illuminated her in ways all the sentimental stories cannot. Now every American--insured and uninsured--who has struggled with health care costs sees a rich healthy woman who never had to worry about the bills.
Whether or not Romney's forced loss of authenticity will cost him the election is anybody's guess, but his vast swings on pro-choice/pro-life and gun control/gun rights compounded with his refusal to disclose his taxes do not help his case.
Authenticity, Governor Romney, is a terrible thing to waste.
* * *
65 comments:
In a similar fashion, wouldn't it be nice if President Obama came right out and said " I am a socialist. I believe that the rich have too much. I believe capitalism is evil. I am a devoted acolyte of great men like Frank Marshall Davis and Saul Alinsky. I believe that for America to be truly great we must adopt a new social construct, where there are no longer poor, no longer rich, but all are equal in every way. I believe in Woodrow Wilson's dream of a World Government, where the powerful nations do not dictate to the poorer nations, where all people are united as one. I believe the colonialism of the 19th century has been replaced with an economic colonialism. I believe the government is the best means to provide the stenance and fair economic outcome we need. Like John Lennon, I believe America will only reach its true potential when we live with the other people of Earth as one."
Of course that would not get him re-elected either.
Trouble is, Joe, what I wrote is nailed in truth and what you wrote is just another wingnut rant.
If Obama said he was a Socialist he would be lying. Ergo, by definition, inauthentic.
IMAGINE.
Lost Anarchist
Wouldn't it be nice if these big, bullying political parties could just let the candidates speak their own minds? Not just picking on the Republicans. I'm sure it happens on the other side too. But with Romney on healthcare and Rubio on immigration (in favor of allowing citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants but not allowed to brag about it at the RNC...nope, Julian Castro got to do that last night for the Dems), they are the ones getting slammed right now.
Right Wing Huddle
Coach: Whenever anyone says anything thoughtful, just yell SOCIALISM as loud as you can. Got it?
Team: Got it.
Coach: Okay, now let's give it a go--all together--just for practice. Ready?
Team: Ready!
Coach: One. Two. Three ...
SOCIALISM!
Earl, you are right. Message massage goes on in every campaign. But this massive cloak denial of Romney's MASS health care reform--acting like it never happened--is beyond the pale.
Joe, that is a right wing fever dream supported by zero factual evidence.
What you've described is the GOP's cartoon caricature of Obama. If they deigned to look at how he's really governed, they'd see their reflection.
@ Joe-
I find that as a general rule that people who throw Saul Alinsky's name out as a pejorative know nothing of the man Saul Alinsky. They're just repeating his name, parrot-like, because a deeply dishonest gasbag like Newt Gingrich repeats it over and over. His name makes wingnuts think 'foriegn' or 'other'. Because of the sound of it, repeated over and over, wingers think 'Trotsky' or 'Guevara'.
In 1969, Saul Alinsky was awarded the Pacem in Terris Award by the Dicese of Davenport, Iowa. The award is co-sponsored by a number of Catholic organizations and institutions. It is awarded to individuals who are outstanding in their contributions to peace and justice, not only in their own community but worldwide.
Other recipients: John F Kennedy, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Sister Helen Prejean, R. Sargent Shriver, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Recipients of the Pacem In Terris award have between them 6 Nobel Peace Prizes.
MR
"Diocese". I hate typos.
MR
Mea Culpa. I stand corrected.
A tax the rich, redistribute wealth, increased federal spending and governmental interference in the private market policy is not in any way, shape or form, socialism.
Thank you for setting me straight.
Hypocrisy lives in the GOP. I have my mind right now, Boss.
OK. You have convinced me. Romney's an asshole and I'm voting for Obama. I love him now. I, like Michelle, love him more now than I did 4 years ago. How could I have been so wrong. I'm also loving Julian more than Marco. I'm basing that on the fact that Julian has a slightly more humble beginning of life than Marco. It's also impressive to me that Obama is so concerned about one of his followers being struck by lightening, he is moving his speech inside. My mind has been opened and I feel so grateful.
The Tea-GOP know three things, Lies, bigotry and hate! When confronted with facts they resort to one of three things: Ignore, insult or deflect. See above for and example.
Should be "an"
sarcasm, never leave out sarcasm...
VD. I resorted to humor. Why? It's useless trying to stop the liberal orgasm in progress. There's a better chance of making a valid point, when it's time for a smoke.
Oh. OK. Here's a fact. Among young women, Fluke's demo, the unemployment rate is 14.4%. But, abortion is still legal.
redistribute wealth, increased federal spending and governmental interference
Vague, nonspecific, tripe. You need to do a little better than that, my friend.
another little fact
People have the right to choose, for now. The fact is, Obama's health care reform has a whole lot of "pork" in it. The bill in not just about Health Care, although it is hiding under the covers as "heath care". Do you really know what's in the bill? When your girl Pelosi said, " We need to pass it so we'll know what's int it" . Unbelievable that anyone would follow that, but many people are. Crazy.
Just keep in mind, Socialism has NEVER worked anywhere. The people of the world need a free market to progress. If you want something for free, that's your dignity If you believe the government should provide for you, you need to go somewhere else.
I believe everyone should earn / work for what they have. No handouts from the government. On a related matter, our education system is broken. It needs to be fixed as soon as possible, beginning with the teachers. I'm serious.
The fact is: it doesn't matter if people believe Romney is an an asshole, or Obama is an asshole...out problems need to be solved,,,regardless of which side you side with.
In the end, we'll all be on the same side.
Treacherous waters ahead, for everyone.
.
SOCIALISM!
Binary question, Yabu: Was Romney's 2006 Massachusetts health care reform socialism? Yes or no.
"It's useless trying to stop the liberal orgasm in progress."-Bill
coitus interruptus- GOP Policy.
"Just keep in mind, Socialism has NEVER worked anywhere."-Yabu.
Scandinavia. Please collect your parting gifts at the door.
Lennon
Oama himself said he wants to "spread the wealth" right there in Ohio four years ago.
Government debt has increased from 10 trillion in 2008 to 16 trillion this week.
The Government owns a stake in GM and has given preferential "investments" to a number of energy companies -- Solyndra for instance, while penalizing coal companies for instance -- that is interfering in the private sector, where ideas and a "better mousetrap" should win the day. There may be good reason for these government interferences into private capital, but they happened.
The Semi-Government take-over of healthcare, again there may be a good reason, but pretending it is not socialism is a fantasy. It sure is not free enterprise.
The President has stated more times than one can document he wants to tax the rich more. he said "At some point you have made enough money". He wants to increase the "safety net" for the poor and middle class, as he terms it. Imposition of State determined limits on income -- that is the opposite of capitalism.
Taking from the wealthy and giving to the poor, while the Government is investing in private business -- picking winners and losers in the marketplace is exactly the definition of socialism. Sweden agrees, France agrees, Spain and Italy agree, but the modern American Democrat goes into a rage if anyone suggests that is Obama's agenda.
Do not let facts get in the way of a good argument. If it is what yyou believe, why hide from it? Isn't tha twhat your whole post is about?
The Semi-Government take-over of healthcare, again there may be a good reason, but pretending it is not socialism is a fantasy.
And so I'll ask you as well, Joe: since Romney enacted essentially the same reform in MASS, will this preclude you from voting for him? Is Romney a socialist?
As for the gov interventions you detest, man-o-man could I go on based solely on my professional experience. Here's one quick example that shows how much people LOVE gov investment:
Ohio's Third Frontier is the $1.35 billion, 10-year program to energize Ohio’s economy by investing in technologies in five industry clusters, including biomedical.
Ohio voters renewed the Third Frontier bond issue in 2010 by something like 65% for 35% against. Two to one, Joe.
source
Now how hard would I have to dig to find out what sorts of private funding Romney endorsed in MASS? Dunno, but I'm guessing not very.
I really wish conservatives would stop using the word "socialist" in their arguments. 90% of them don't even know what that means.
But here's a little hint. Most socialists think Karl Marx was an idiot.
"coitus interruptus- GOP Policy." I have to hand it to you, EOB. It's almost impossible to leave you speechless. Good one! Erin
Not making a value judgement on the viability of socialism, just asking that the Progressives/liberals of this nation would not run from the label.
Yes, Romney supported socialist ideas.
Funny, I agree with you that the two politicians running for President should proudly wave their true colors. They don't, because it would keep them from getting elected.
Our only difference in opinion is I know and admit my (less than preferred) candidate is a hypocrite.
I love to point these things out
No one liked Bush's bank bail out either (TARP--remember?--signed by Dubya on 10/3/08), but after the Lehman Bros failure, there were not many options.
Was Bush a socialist? Did TARP make Bush a socialist, Joe?
The right has reduced the term to a subjective meaningless battle call.
My other problem with your argument goes like this: where were all these cries of "socialism" over Social Security and Medicare during the Bush years? Or the Clinton years? Why weren't y'all calling farm subsidies SOCIALISM! for years and years?
Where was the SOCIALISM! outrage then? The whole assertion is absurd.
Oh and even though I don't think Romney or Obama is a SOCIALIST!, I thank you for (reluctantly) admitting that in your world, Mitt Romney qualifies as one. The rest of the Right seems to think that if they simply ignore the fact that their candidate pioneered ACA in MASS, it didn't happen.
Enjoy voting for your SOCIALIST!, Joe.
And Bill, do point it out. I'm sure someone will be doing so very shortly at the convention.
Obama and the rest of the country had to find the bottom of Bush's failed economy before turning it around.
Tell me, did Right have so much faith in Obama that they thought the recovery would begin the day he took office?
Now then, I can point something out too.
thank you for continuing to fight the good fight. you give me a little bit of hope for humanity. that is all.
@all
Remember, the Health Care Bill is about way more than health care. It was passed before it was read and analyzed. Fact.
Also, I don't believe the government should force anyone to buy anything. Just the way I feel.
@all
Remember, the Health Care Bill is about way more than health care. It was passed before it was read and analyzed. Fact.
Also, I don't believe the government should force anyone to buy anything. Just the way I feel.
And another link for Bill & Co:
Mr. Ryan requested Obamacare funding for a new "Belle City Neighborhood Health Center" in his district.
SOCIALISM!
"Taking from the wealthy and giving to the poor, while the Government is investing in private business -- picking winners and losers in the marketplace is exactly the definition of socialism."- Joe
Authority from which you speak please.
Lennon
Excellent idea, Yabu. I shall tomorrow cancel my car insurance, remove my truck, car and trailer plates and disregard all the permits I need to pull this year.
With the money I save, I will buy big sugary soft drinks.
Posse Comitatus!
News Flash. God is back in the DNC platform. Did anyone watch Villarawhatever trying to get the voice vote to get God back in? Pretty funny.
Pretty entertaining. You count the votes. start watching this at about 1:50
On this we agree, Yabu, Pelosi is a moron. The general problem is part time clowngresspersons getting CEO pay to do a lackluster, shitty unaccountable job.
I, on the other hand, swim in debt and take abuse from tax collectors for the privilege and joy of hearing an ancient racing engine roar back to life tonight. I oiled the cylinders, cleaned the points with a point file made in the U.S.A., adjusted the valve clearances, added fresh fuel to its grotesquely large weber carbs, etc., etc.
Time for an invoice. And a beer.
I wasn't talking about car insurance, and you should know that. Get in the game. Just remember, people without vehicles will still be required to purchase health insurance. It has absolutely nothing to do with automative insurance. If you don't buy it, you can't drive, but you don't get fined. Think about it, and tell me where I'm wrong. If I don't want health insurance, the government should not force me to buy it. I get sick, I die...my choice, and I don't give a damn what the Left says. I'm in the middle, but the Left is off the track.
You should read the Constitution, and give it some serious thought. It's a great document. The authors thought it through. If you do not believe in the United States Constitution, you should leave the country. I'm not opposed to change, at all, but until someone comes up with something better, I'm sticking to my guns, as a matter of speaking.
@ Erin-
Re the right's "faith in Obama-
I nearly threw a piston(inspired by philbilly, of course) during Mr Romney's address when he rolled his eyes sadly over how hard he had rooted for Mr Obama to succeed. 'If Obama had succeeded, America would succeed.'
Stewart's crack research crew had footage in a New York minute(reliable estimated to be 33 seconds) of Mr Romney NINE DAYS AFTER THE INAUGURATION on Cavuto's Fox show saying 'I hope his failed policies don't succeed'. Think of the lack of logic and self-awareness present in that comment. If Mr Obama's policies succeeded, then by definition they're not 'failed policies'. And after nine freaking days?
Even Bill O'Reilly waited six weeks before trying to bury the President.
Seeing Romney kick off his second Presidential campaign like that made we want to see the President kick his lying ass back to New Hampshire or Massachusetts or California or Utah or Michigan or whichever state this shameless opportunist calls home THIS week.
I'm really looking forward to the debates. Mitt's mouth becomes a WSD (weapon of self-destruction) when he has to improvise or when he goes off script. Remember the devout Mormon offering a $10,000 bet? Who offers a $10,000 bet? You say "I'll bet you a shiny new nickel" or "I'll bet you a buck". Nobody outside of an out of touch and entitled trust-fund tool with absolutely zero self-awareness. Remember Mitt insulting the photo-op family in Pennsylvania? Remember Mitt grasping Rick Perry's shoulder in an effort to intimidate him during a debate? Remember "I like to fire people, don't you?" (I know, context, context), but again utter lack of self-awareness of how his words would be interpreted.
UPDATE: 10:50 PM, 9/5/12. Bill Clinton is conducting a brilliant surgical strike on Romney and the GOP. The room is transfixed. If it weren't for the 22nd Amendment he might still be President.
MR
UPDATE 11:17 PM-President Clinton is going long. Nobody minds.
11:19-The RNC must have cornered the market in stupid hats. There are none to be seen at DNC.
11:25-President Clinton finishes, is joined at center stage by President Obama-it's bedlam. It reminds of waiting for Zeppelin to come back out for their encore in '77.
11:27-Exit stage left. A stunning performance and the most electrifying command of a room I've ever seen. Save perhaps Reagan, the most talented politician of my lifetime and probably since FDR.
11:30-The pundits take over, it's time for DVRd Stewart.G'night.
MR
RE: Yabu-daba-doo
It is said that an infinite number of monkeys on an infinite number of typewriters would eventually recreate the works of Shakespeare.
If the monkeys were shit-faced drunk drunk and gobbling OxyContin like they were jellybeans they would recreate the posts of Yabu.It wouldn't take as long as Shakespeare.
Yabu, stop the charade that you're a centrist. You're not. You're a wingnut.
MR
"You should read the Constitution, and give it some serious thought. It's a great document. The authors thought it through."-Yabu
The U.S. Constitution was a jurist's nightmare cobbled together to insure unity. Were it not for Hamilton, Madison and Jay's Federalist Papers defense it may well have not been ratified. It still has required 27 amendments, the first ten all in one offering by Madison known as The Bill of Rights.
Dearest Yabu,
Read a book.
lost anarchist
Not sure I will vote for Romney.
Not a big fan of Bush or TARP. I wrote many posts at my site against it. Wrote a post last month against farm subsidies.
Not sure what you want
Joe
It's a simple question, Joe. You outlined your definition of SOCILISM! pretty clearly:
A tax the rich, redistribute wealth, increased federal spending and governmental interference in the private market policy is not in any way, shape or form, socialism.
So, is George Bush a SOCIALIST! because he spearheaded the TARP bank bailout, which redistributed wealth, increased federal spending and caused government interference in the private market?
Or when a Rightie does these things, do you downgrade to "not a big fan?"
http://youtu.be/07fTsF5BiSM
No Socialist Democrats to be found at the convention
The comment section is not a feasible format to define/explain 50 years of political philosophy. After all, even the President "evolves" his position in the course of a month or two.
I was and remain 100% against TARP, the GM bailout, and screwing over the bondholders at Chrysler.
Since I am not a blind party sycophant I have written plenty of criticism of Bush and particularly the GOP.
OK, I was WRONG, you are not a socialist, Obama is not a socialist, no Democrats are socialists. Sweden, and France are not socialists. European Socialism does not exist, and Obama does not want to copy it.
Romney murders women and Bain Capital is a front for the Committee of Seven.
We should be good now.
"The comment section is not a feasible format to define/explain 50 years of political philosophy."-Joe
I don't see a request that you write a disertation. Just give one source that supports your assertions that is not a right wing ideologue. Otherwise, while you may not be a "blind party sycophant", you most certainly are a dilettante.
lost anarchist
Erin, HOW DO YOU DO IT? HOW? I've been reading the comments, flabbergasted. But you keep up with this.
I admit, my fave part of your post is the photo of you with the Romney cut-out. CUTE (not the Mitt part).
Signed, Impressed in Massachusetts
Anarchist:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/02/06/we-are-all-socialists-now.html
"But the more we spoke and the more we looked at the data, the more merit we found in the point: without a great deal of fanfare, the America of 2009 has become a more socialist country" and yes, I agree it started under BUSH (hence my issues with Bush) source:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/02/06/the-editor-s-desk.html
I accept your apology.
In fairness to the right, I spotted one very wild hat, fuzzy and red with Obama's face emblazoned on it, perched on the head of a delegate. I figure it was Bootsy Collins' dad.
Off topic, Bootsy just got his high school diploma, way to go, man. Sort of role modelish,no?
Guy's already loaded from being a badass bass player, but goes back to school.
Yabu, I admit to busting your balls, I do carry a worn copy of the Constitution in my ammo bag.
And if the monkeys were gobbling Oxycontin like jelly beans, they would be Rush Limbaugh, professional schill.
Have you noticed how much easier it is to find good looking women among the R delegates than among the D delegates? That point is just as valid as anything the pundits have been discussing. Speaking of pundits. Is anyone else as sick of them, all of them, as I am? Jesus, does anyone, besides themselves, really give a crap about what they think? I'm not just talking about the circle jerk at msnbc, either. I'm including Fox, CNN, all of them. Once in a while they report some actual facts and that's nice but when they're talking with their panels........ Jesus! I mean, c'mon! How many ways can one love Clinton?
Good looking? Not sure. But many of them do look like they just ate a lemon.
Now run along, William. I think there's a beer special at Hooters.
Ya'll be some funny people.
James Old Guy
Plugs is on stage now. Doesn't seem to be a bfd so far.
@philbilly:
"my name is BOOTSY,baby!!!" Just rescued my record collection from storage after 8 years. Bootsy/funk mix disc next-thanks for the inspiration.
@Bill- more of the Democrats have to work for a living than Republicans. Wears you out. And Bill, making fun of the name of a minority member? That's so 1980's GOP.
@Joe-you have a beginning date for your 'socialism' claim? The quote is absolutely meaningless without it.
@Twinkly-Cardboard? I thought it was MORE lifelike than Mitt.
@Yabu-if the founders were so perfect and inspired how come we have 27 amendments? Good thing you're open to change and-modern up-they were human beings, not receptacles of found wisdom. And if you think the government shouldn't force you to buy anything quit paying taxes, because 33 cents of every dollar goes for bombs, bullets and tanks and bombers-unless you're pro-death...
MR
If I remember correctly, didn't something similar to this happen to McCain last time? By the time of the election, I believe he was very confused as to what he was suppose to be for/against.
Just curious if all the libs here thought the Pres fired up anyone besides the base in the hall. I don't remember, MR, making fun of anyone's name.
Although "James Old Guy" does not link it when he comments, he does have a blog.
Although "James Old Guy" does not link it when he comments, he does have a blog.-EO'B
Couldn't fathom the penetrating intellectual analysis. Guess I'll just have to stick with USA Today.
Lennon
A Bill-"Villawhatever"
Short-term memory loss can be treated. See a health care professional.
MR
No intent to make fun of his name. Just didn't remember how to spell it. I never stoop to the making fun of people's names. I have seen some of that here, however. yabu dabo doo? I think it's childish. The mayor of Los Angeles has so many things to be critical of. His name, which is a combination of his real name and his first wife's name, I think, is not one of them. Erin likes his bottom teeth. I noted, somewhere, that if you combine his bottom teeth with Soledad O'Brien's top teeth,you have a world class set of choppers. Almost Obama like.
Evening Bill-
I don't feel any hesitation over making fun of a made-up name.
MR
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