Father John Misty - Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings

I started checking out some Father John Misty stuff on Hype Machine tonight. I'm really grooving to FJM. The music sounds like a cross between Fleet Foxes and The Kills. Two bands that I love.

Dean Chambers Predicts Romney Wins 301 Electoral Votes

Remember this after election day. On October 28th, Unskewed Polls tells us that Mitt Romney leads President Barack Obama in 9 out of 11 swing states. Dean Chambers only has Obama leading in Michigan and Pennsylvania. In the real world, Romney is getting killed in the swing states. The TPM poll tracker averages out the major polls. The TPM numbers have Obama leading in ten swing states. Romney leads in Florida by 0.5 and North Carolina by 1.9.

Chambers calls the election for Romney. That is unsurprising for someone who accuses pollsters of having a liberal bias. That might explain why Chambers called Ohio for Romney. The Obama campaign is openly bragging about how they have Ohio in the bag. Anyone who calls Ohio for Romney shouldn't talk about other (real) pollsters being bias.

Tea Party Nation Denies Global Warming

Tea Party Nation blogger Alan Caruba tells us the message of Hurricane Sandy.

Long ago, the cartoon character, Pogo, famously said, “We have met the enemy and it is us.” The enemy, I would suggest, is President Barack Hussein Obama, his many shadowy, unaccountable “czars” influencing energy policies, his Cabinet Secretaries of Energy and the Interior, and the rogue Environmental Protection Agency that is set to unleash regulations that will destroy the economy, aided and abetted by the nation’s environmental organizations.

That’s Hurricane Sandy’s message to America.

I'm glad that Caruba is keeping things classy by mentioning Obama's middle name negative manner.

We had the hottest July in United States history.

The average temperature last month was 77.6 degrees — 3.3 degrees above the average 20th-century temperature, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported on Wednesday. July thereby dethroned July 1936, which had set the record at 77.4 degrees, the agency said.

NASA reports that shows the shrinking of the ice cap. Older ice is melting faster than new ice is being created.

Caruba writes that the Earth is actually cooling. Caruba states that climate change science has been disproved. Caruba fails to explains the science or even bother linking to a conservative think tank.

This suspension of common sense is worsened when our President goes on television, as he did last Friday on MTV, to say “I believe the scientists, who say that we are putting too much carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and it is heating the planet and it is going to have a severe effect.” This is literally junk science, long since debunked by legions of scientists who know that carbon dioxide has nothing to do with the Earth’s temperature. The planet has been in a cooling cycle since 1998.

I remember sweating my ass off being out in the Florida heat for more than five minutes during the summer. In Caruba's reality, the planet is experiencing a cooling period. Energy companies set up bogus think tanks to deny global warming because they feel that regulations will cut into their profits. What is Caruba's excuse?

Sandra Fluke GOTV in Florida

Feminist activists Sandra Fluke was at the University of Florida helping get out the vote for President Obama. Rush Limbaugh lives in Florida. Why isn't he at GOTV Republican rallies? Don't tell me it is because Limbaugh is a nonpartisan journalist.

Michele Bachmann Laughed At By Her Constituents

So much for Michele Bachmann having credibility with her constituents. In a debate, Bachmann's Democratic opponent Jim Graves challenged Bachmann to stop attacking Obama and start providing solutions to Medicare. Bachmann told the audience she never does "political speech." The result was laughter.

Bachmann responded by saying she had a “very significant investment in the future” because of her five biological children and 23 foster children. The congresswoman described the federal debt as a “moral problem” that she was fighting against.

“I have very much been part of the solution and it’s insulting to say it’s political speak. That’s one thing I do not do, is political speak,” Bachmann added.

In defense of Bachmann, the audience might have laughed at Graves if he made such a statement. People are wise enough to know that politicians do "political speak."

Bachmann's Medicare position is a little more complicated. She isn't against the idea of vouchers. Her constituents are telling her that they can't afford the extra cost that a voucher program would bring.

WALLACE: What do you tell people nearing retirement who say I can’t afford to pay more of my own healthcare costs out of pocket? Which is what the Ryan and Republican Study Committee plans would do.

BACHMANN: And I understand that. I put an asterisks on my support, I put a blog posting up that said just as much. That is my area of concern, I support this bill with that proviso. … One position that I’m concerned about shifting the cost burden to senior citizens. Seniors are saying, look, I’m not in a positon to be able to handle that. I also share that real fear, that’s why I put that asterisks out there. [...]

The Ryan Medicare voucher plan is a political loser for the Republican Party. We now see the Romney campaign running from Paul Ryan's plan. I'm amazed that they didn't figure this out before they put Ryan on the ticket.

Photo of the Day (Hurricane Sandy Edition)

An scuba diver in the New York City subway. I'm speechless.

Update: a reader correctly points out the photo it's a fake.

Marsha Blackburn On American Motors

AMC was known for having ugly and unsafe cars. Because of their major stockholder being assassinated and financial problems,AMC went bought out by Chrysler. AMC no longer exists. However, that hasn't stopped Rep. Marsha Blackburn from accusing President Obama for being responsible for AMC jobs being outsourced to China.

CHIRS JENSING (HOST): Let me ask you about some of the things going on on the campaign trail, and there’s a controversy about Mitt Romney telling voters that jeep is going to move production to China. According to the company that’s entirely false. Is he lying about that?

BLACKBURN: Oh, well, I don’t know. I haven’t talked with with the campaign staff about that. I will say this. For workers in the auto industry, across the board, whether it is GM, whether it’s Nissan, whether it’s American Motors, individuals are very concerned about the impact of regulation that the EPA and OSHA and other federal agencies are heaping on our manufacturers.

Everyone misspeaks from time to time. I don't expect Rep. Blackburn to be perfect. What bothers me is that Miss Blackburn seems to have no interest in educating herself on if Mitt Romney's accusation of auto industry jobs moving to China. Blackburn seems more interested in talking points.

Romney has been using constant attacks against China. I don't believe for a minute that Romney is going to stop companies like Wal-Mart from outsourcing jobs to China. Romney has focus group his China attacks and wants to play on Asian xenophobia. Romney doesn't have a policy to deal with China stealing patents or price-fixing the yen. Romney has talking points.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Like A Hurricane (Sandy Edition)

This seems like a perfect song for Hurricane Sandy hitting the Northeast coast. Here is a picture of the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Gizmodo has been keeping constant updates on Sandy. The page has been going down because of heavy traffic. Images from space reveal the terrifying size of Sandy. I have been through hurricanes in Florida. I have seen nothing as big as Sandy.

I hope all our readers in the Northeast are safe. If the authorities tell you to evacuate, please do. Don't risk trying to ride Sandy out in an area below sea level.

Joss Whedon Endorses Mitt Romney

Not Really. Whedon's parody political ad urges Americans to vote for Mitt Romney. The reason being is only Romney has the vision to bring on the zombie apocalypse.

Realistically, I doubt Romney is hip enough to have ever watched The Walking Dead. If Romney was actually hip he wouldn't accept an endorsement from Meat Loaf.

Strategic Allied Consulting Voter Fraud

Congressman Bobby Scott has asked Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate Strategic Allied Consulting. The Republican voter registration firm is under investigation in Florida and Virginia. Holder is not known as a fearless lawman. I have doubts of Scott's letter carrying much weight.

Attorney General Holder, We are writing today to urge the Department of Justice to conduct a multi-state investigation to determine if a pattern of voting registration irregularities related to Strategic Allied Consulting are connected and constitute a broader conspiracy of voter registration fraud. Our inquiry is prompted by the recent media reports that an employee of Pinpoint, a subsidiary of Strategic Allied Consulting, was charged in Rockingham County, Virginia with 13 counts of destruction of voter registration applications, disclosure of voter registration information, and obstruction of justice. We note that in addition to its Rockingham County operation, Pinpoint is reportedly operating in at least five other jurisdictions in Virginia: Chesapeake City, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, and Virginia Beach. We also note that prior to drawing a paycheck from Pinpoint, the charged individual was under the direct employ of Strategic Allied Consulting. As you are aware, Strategic Allied Consulting is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and faces more than 200 allegations of voter registration fraud including registration of the deceased. Allegations of voter registration fraud by Strategic Allied Consulting also have been raised in Arizona and Colorado. The number of allegations in a multitude of locations would seem to suggest something more than the isolated acts of "a few bad apples." While the Republican National Committee and five state committees have severed their relationship with Strategic Allied Consulting, we are concerned that the alleged illegal practices may be continuing under its subsidiary Pinpoint. We respectfully request the Justice Department to assume the responsibility and conduct its own investigation, given the mounting evidence that one company may have been engaged in a similar multi-state effort to commit voter registration fraud. We believe the circumstances warrant a broader federal review. We look forward to your favorable response. Sincerely, James P. Moran Gerry Connolly

Robert C. Scott

Nine counties in Florida reported receiving fake voter registration forms from Strategic Allied Consulting.

Strategic Allied Consultants claims the issue stemmed from one employee, who was fired on Sept. 15, but county election officials claim the fraud was more widespread, stretching across counties that are more than 500 miles apart.

"I don't subscribe to the theory that this was the action of one single individual who was able to get into more than half a dozen counties from one end of Florida to the other," said Paul Lux, the Okaloosa County Election Supervisor.

Lux said that out of 2,200 forms that Strategic Allied workers submitted, he and his staff have found about three dozen that appear to be faked. Some have signatures that do not match the names; others are only partially completed and a handful of forms have addresses that do not exist, he said.

"The problem is when you pay someone to do something like this, it kind of lends itself to what do you do to get paid?" Lux said.

Strategic Allied Consulting is run by Nathan Sproul. His firm was hired by the Republican Party of Florida. Unsurprisingly, Gov. Rick Scott was been less than vocal in calling out Sproul and SAC.

Pressed by reporters on how these developing concerns might damage the credibility of Florida Republicans, who have promoted repeated voter purge efforts as supposed proof of their commitment to the integrity of elections, Scott sidestepped.

"My focus is on making sure that I tell people all the time, that in our state, I want people to go register to vote," Scott said, according to the Herald. "They need to go talk to the candidates. When you’re running for office, when you’re in your community or in your state, vet the candidates, get involved, pick your candidates, support them, and then go out the vote. That’s where my focus is."

Scott has signed controversial voting laws. Scott has limited the number of early voting days. Scott did this all in the name of stopping voter fraud. When a Republican voter regristration firm is cited for voter fraud Scott's lips are sealed.

Obama 'Today is Election Day in Florida' Ad

President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama urge people in Florida to go out and vote. Early voting has started today. You can go to Gotta Vote to find out where you can cast your ballot.

Fell Good Story of the Day

Chely Figueroa is a former homeless woman that sought shelter at Metropolitan Ministries. Figueroa is no longer homeless and is now working at the Metropolitan Ministries cafe The Box. Figueroa is the winner the Tampa Bay Lightning's "Community Hero of the Year" award.

"There are thousands of people who donated money who don't know me, who believe in me," Figueroa said. "That gave me motivation to believe in myself."

Congratulations to Ms. Figueroa.

Quote of the Day

"My party, unfortunately, is the bastion of those people -- not all of them, but most of them -- who are still basing their positions on race. Let me just be candid: My party is full of racists, and the real reason a considerable portion of my party wants President Obama out of the White House has nothing to do with the content of his character, nothing to do with his competence as commander-in-chief and president, and everything to do with the color of his skin, and that's despicable."

Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff.

Wilkerson was responding to John Sununu's statement that Powell only endorsed President Obama because he is black.

Early Voting in Florida

Early voting in Florida is from October 27th until November 3rd. You can go to Gotta Vote to find out where you can cast your ballot. Go out and vote.

Update: Gov. Charlie Crist will be at Tampa's Platt Library to kick off the Obama campaign's Gotta Vote drive.

Quote of the Day

"Hey girl, not to brag, but our supporters include Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Meatloaf and many other artists from the 99 cent cassette bin."

Paul Ryan Gosling, the parody Twitter account.

Mitt Romney Sings With Meat Loaf

The most humorous part of the presidential campaign has been the lame celebrity endorsements Mitt Romney has received. Several celebrities that the Obama campaign wouldn't let within 100 feet of the president have flocked to endorse Romney. What better way for has been celebrities such as Ted Nugent, Jenna Jameson, Kid Rock and Jeff Foxworthy to get another 15 minutes of fame. For Romney, nothing screams conservative values quite like people that have made porn and are well-known for their drug use.

I wonder what Romney is going to think after the election. There is a chance Romney will be surfing on Youtube and see himself singing with Meat Loaf. Will Romney think this magic campaign moment was when he showed the American people how presidential he was? Will Romney think that he could try out for American Idol? More likely, Romney will Etch A Sketch this duet out of his reality and pretend it never happened.

Mike Watt- Against The 70's

An all-star line-up with legendary punk rock bassist Mike Watt.

Mike Watt - Bass

Eddie Vedder - Vocals & Guitar

Gary Lee Connor - Lead Guitar

Dave Grohl - Drums

Krist Novoselic - Organ

Carla Bozulich - Backing Vocals

More On the Obama Ground Game

I outlined to Peter Schorsch how President Barack Obama has a superior ground game to Mitt Romney. The graph above provided in Molly Ball's article tells how far Mitt Romney is lagging in campaign field offices.

David Gergen reported the Ohio "Romney field team looked like a high school civics class." Ball reports of similar disorganization with the Virginia Romney offices.

Only about a mile down the road was the Republican office, a cavernous, unfinished space on the back side of a strip mall next to a Sleepy's mattress outlet. On one side of the room, under a Gadsden flag ("Don't tread on me") and a poster of Sarah Palin on a horse, two long tables of land-line telephones were arrayed. Most of the signs, literature, and buttons on display were for the local Republican congressman, Frank Wolf. A volunteer in a Wolf for Congress T-shirt was directing traffic, sort of -- no one really seemed to be in charge and there were no paid staff present, though there were several elderly volunteers wandering in and out. The man in the T-shirt allowed me to survey the room but not walk around, and was unable to refer me to anyone from the Romney campaign or coordinated party effort.

These basic characteristics were repeated in all the offices I visited: The Obama offices were devoted almost entirely to the president's reelection; the Republican offices were devoted almost entirely to local candidates, with little presence for Romney. In Greenwood Village, Colorado, I walked in past a handwritten sign reading "WE ARE OUT OF ROMNEY YARD SIGNS," then had a nice chat with a staffer for Rep. Mike Coffman. In Canton, Ohio, the small GOP storefront was dominated by "Win With Jim!" signs for Rep. Jim Renacci. Obama's nearest offices in both places were all Obama. In Canton, a clutch of yard signs for Sen. Sherrod Brown leaned against a wall, but table after table was filled with Obama lit -- Veterans for Obama, Women for Obama, Latinos for Obama, and so on. The Obama campaign uses cell phones exclusively, while the Republicans use Internet-based land line phones programmed to make voter calls. Every Obama office has an "I Support the President Because..." wall, covered with earnest paeans to Obamacare and the like.

The signs are that Obama is crushing Romney in early voting and made strides in absentee balloting. I said it before and I say it again. This election was over a long time ago. Obama is going to get a second term.

No More Bromance With Rubio & Mourdock

I asked if Sen. Marco Rubio still hearts Richard Mourdock. Turns out Rubio is distancing himself from Mourdock.

"It's unfortunate," Rubio told reporters. "That's an issue that's very painful, very personal. I can't think of anything more horrifying than a rape that ends in a pregnancy. It's just a horrifying thing. It's a reminder of how careful folks need to be when they talk about that issue and how sensitive we need to be to victims."

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Cue the Air Supply music.

Write A Caption: Romney Blimp

If you are thinking the Hindenburg you are not far off. The Orlando Sentinel reports that this blimp crash landed in Davie on Sunday evening.

Quote of Day

"The President of the United States just scooped up my daughter Ella Joyce into his arms. — with Michelle Todd at Ybor City Historic District."

Peter Schorsch, on Facebook.

That has to be the coolest Facebook status update I've seen.

Update: Peter has a picture of the President with his daughter Ella Joyce.

Glossary - Shout It From The Rooftops

You can get the latest updates on Glossary tour dates from their Facebook page.

You Don't Own Me PSA

The Lesley Gore classic You Don't Own Me is used this PSA urging women to vote. Senate candidates Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock have said outrageous and scientifically false things about rape. Republicans federally and in the states have passed increasingly restrictive anti-abortion laws. Lesley Gore urges women to vote to protect their reproductive rights.

Does Marco Rubio Still Heart Richard Mourdock?

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock decide to stupidly follow the same path as Todd Akin. Mourdock said this incredibly offense remark about rape during a debate.

“I struggled with myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something God intended to happen.”

God intended for rape? What is wrong with these people.

Someone who thinks that Mourdock is more fit to govern that President Obama is Marco Rubio. Sen. Rubio made a campaign ad with Mourdock. Rubio told Mourdock in the ad, "I'm proud to be with you."

In the ad, Rubio and Mourdock say that the federal government should fiscally govern like Mitch Daniels. As Office of Management and Budget, Daniels took the Clinton surplus and created the Bush deficit. Mourdock and Rubio have a strange idea of fiscally sound governing.

Update: Sen. John McCain tells Anderson Cooper he may toss Mourdock under the bus.

ANDERSON COOPER: Do you still count yourself in [Mourdock's] corner?

JOHN MCCAIN: It depends on what he does. I think it depends on what he does. If he apologizes and says he misspoke and he was wrong and he asks the people to forgive him, then obviously I’d be the first. You know, as I said, I’m not sure how big a – mistakes that I have made, but in the years I’ve been around – I’ve made a few, Anderson, and I’ve asked for people’s understanding and forgiveness when I own up to it. It’s when you own – when you don’t own up to it that people will not believe in you.

Horrible Use of Anonymous Quote

Chris Moody makes a good point on Twitter. Why is Politico giving a senior Obama administration official for this quote.

Asked whether the president believes the late night host is funny, a senior administration official told reporters Wednesday: "Sure. He does."

Bob Woodward using Mark Felt as an anonymous source during the Watergate scandal is understandable. Felt was a whistle-blower serving in the FBI. President Richard Nixon would have sought to ruin Felt if he found out Felt's identity. What political risk is this senior Obama official concerned about by stating that Obama finds Leno funny?

The Bush administration used the media by being quoting anonymously to further false information and political payback at Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame. The White of the past two administrations are using the media anonymously to pump garbage stories. President Obama doesn't want to talk publicly about drone strikes. Obama has no problem having his staff anonymously tell The New York Times how awesome drone strikes are.

If the media got administration officials on-record they would be less likely to lie if their names are attached to the quotes. For instance: if an Obama official can't publicly say that the President finds Jay Leno funny then chances are Obama doesn't watch Leno. No one under the age of 65 years-old finds Jay Leno amusing.

Bill Clinton's Latest Ad For Obama

The Obama campaign brings out the Big Dog for their latest ad. Clinton's approval rating was 69 percent before the Democratic National Convention. Why didn't President Obama listen to Rush Limbaugh's advice and not use Clinton on his campaign.

Early voting For Ohio

Here are the times for early voting in Ohio.

Early vote in-person at the following times:

Oct. 2nd – Oct. 19th: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Oct. 22nd - Nov. 1st: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Nov. 2nd: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The last three days of early voting:

Nov. 3rd 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nov. 4th 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Nov. 5th 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

You can type in for Ohio address at GottaVote to find out where your early voting site is.

The Obama Ground Game

I wrote before about my doubts about. Mitt Romney's ground game. President Obama has a huge lead over Romney in early voting.

Obama had a lead of 53-42 percent among the 17 percent of the surveyed registered voters who said they had already cast their vote.

Like many other polls, the rolling Reuters/Ipsos poll has shown a tight race since shortly after the two candidates met for their first debate on October 3. The two met for their third and last debate on Monday and most surveyed voters said the face-off did not change their view of either candidate.

Former Reagan staffer David Gergen has more bad news for Republicans. Romney's Ohio operation is a mess.

In the pivotal state of Ohio, for example, the Obama campaign has three times as many offices, often captained by experienced young people. By contrast, a major Republican figure in the state, throwing up his hands, told me that the Romney field team looked like a high school civics class.

Ouch.

Seasick Steve w Alison Mosshart - Write Me A Few Lines

Dan Magnusson is the drummer that absolutely slays his kit. Alison Mosshart of The Kills is the female vocalist.

Vote No on Amendment 3

Former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos was running for the U.S. Senate. Haridopolos wanted to show the tea party set how much he hated taxes. Haridopolos proposed limiting how much tax revenue Florida could collect. The Republican controlled Florida legislature and the Constitution Revision Commission. Haridopolos succeeded in getting Amendment 3 on the Florida ballot.

STATE GOVERNMENT REVENUE LIMITATION.—This proposed amendment to the State Constitution replaces the existing state revenue limitation based on Florida personal income growth with a new state revenue limitation based on inflation and population changes. Under the amendment, state revenues, as defined in the amendment, collected in excess of the revenue limitation must be deposited into the budget stabilization fund until the fund reaches its maximum balance, and thereafter shall be used for the support and maintenance of public schools by reducing the minimum financial effort required from school districts for participation in a state-funded education finance program, or, if the minimum financial effort is no longer required, returned to the taxpayers. The Legislature may increase the state revenue limitation through a bill approved by a super majority vote of each house of the Legislature. The Legislature may also submit a proposed increase in the state revenue limitation to the voters. The Legislature must implement this proposed amendment by general law. The amendment will take effect upon approval by the electors and will first apply to the 2014-2015 state fiscal year.

Voters are up in arms over Gov. Rick Scott's education cuts. Teachers have gathered protest the cuts. Haridopolos only wants the "minimum financial effort" spent on schools. If lawmakers decide more spending is needed for schools, it would have to be approved by a super majority vote. The short answer is Haridopolos' amendment would make it nearly impossible school spending to increase.

The U.S Census Report found Florida is next to last in education spending per pupil.

Lowest per-pupil spending Utah - $6,064 Idaho - $7,106 Arizona - $7,848 Oklahoma - $7,896 Tennessee - $8,065 Mississippi - $8,119 North Carolina - $8,409 Nevada - $8,483 Florida –$8,741 Texas - $8,746

Florida has passed tax cuts under governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott. There is no state income tax. Florida taxpayers are hardly spending too much on education. Vote no on Amendment 3.

Is Charles Krauthammer Ever Honest?

Charles Krauthammer's view on calling presidential debates is about as trustworthy as Dick Morris. Krauthammer declares Mitt Romney the winner. Krauthammer says that all Romney had to do is show up.

”I think it’s unequivocal — Romney won, and he didn’t just win tactically, but strategically. Strategically, all he needed to do was basically a draw, he needed to continue the momentum he’s had since the first debate, and this will continue it. Tactically, he simply had to get up there and show that he’s a competent man, and somebody you can trust as commander-in-chief.”

Krauthammer is a man who helped further the Bush administration's bogus case of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Former Office of Special Plans staffer Karen Kwiatkowski wrote that Krauthammer was using talking points fed from Pentagon neoconservatives.

I suspected, from reading Charles Krauthammer, a neoconservative columnist for the Washington Post, and the Weekly Standard, and hearing a Cheney speech or two, that these talking points left the building on occasion.

The height of Krauthammer's chutzpah is when in 2004 he declared in 2004 that President George W. Bush won the war in Afghanistan.

President Bush put in place a military campaign that did in two months what everyone had said was impossible: defeat an entrenched, fanatical, ruthless regime in a territory that had forced the great British and Soviet empires into ignominious retreat. Bush followed that by creating in less than three years a fledgling pro-American democracy in a land that had no history of democratic culture and was just emerging from 25 years of civil war.

Krauthammer wrote in 2009 that President Barack Obama was committed to losing the war in Afghanistan. Krauthammer penned this masterpiece after Obama's West Point speech.

I would therefore defer to their judgment and support their recommended policy. But the fate of this war depends not just on them. It depends also on the president. We cannot prevail without a commander in chief committed to success.

And this commander in chief defended his exit date (vs. the straw man alternative of "open-ended" nation-building) thusly: "because the nation that I'm most interested in building is our own."

Remarkable. Go and fight, he tells his cadets -- some of whom may not return alive -- but I may have to cut your mission short because my real priorities are domestic.

Has there ever been a call to arms more dispiriting, a trumpet more uncertain?

I would love someone to ask Krauthammer how could Obama lose a war Bush won. The Charles Krauthammer archives is the gift that keeps on giving.

Krauthammer can't even tell on the history of a war still going on? There is no reason to trust his opinion on the outcome of a presidential debate.

Write A Caption

Look who is more happier to be at the debate.

Quote of the Day

"I highly approve of Romney's decision to be kind and gentle to the retard."

Ann Coulter, on Twitter, after the third presidential debate.

Ann Coulter is the Paris Hilton of political punditry. Like Hilton, Coulter will do anything for attention. Coulter is also proof that it is nearly impossible to get kicked out of conservative media. Fox News welcomes Coulter, Dick Morris and Oliver North on their programs. Sex scandals and federal indictments don't bother Fox News if the person in question is willing to bash Obama. Ann Coulter passes that requirement with flying colors.

Superchunk - Package Thief

This is one of the few videos that I actually enjoy watching. The use of puppets is sheer brilliance.

Romney's 'Come On Our Website' Answer

Bob Schieffer asked Mitt Romney how he would pay for increased military spending. Romney's answer was hysterical.

SCHIEFFER: Let me get — I want to try to shift it, because we have heard some of this in the other debates.

Governor, you say you want a bigger military. You want a bigger Navy. You don’t want to cut defense spending. What I want to ask you — we were talking about financial problems in this country. Where are you going to get the money?

ROMNEY: Well, let’s come back and talk about the military, but all the way — all the way through. First of all, I’m going through from the very beginning — we’re going to cut about 5 percent of the discretionary budget, excluding military. That’s number one.

SCHIEFFER: But can you do this without driving deeper…

(CROSSTALK)

ROMNEY: The good news is (inaudible). I’d be happy to have you take a look. Come on our website. You look at how we get to a balanced budget within eight to 10 years. We do it by getting — by reducing spending in a whole series of programs. By the way, number one I get rid of is Obamacare.

There are a number of things that sound good, but frankly, we just can’t afford them. And that one doesn’t sound good and it’s not affordable. So I’d get rid of that one from day one. To the extent humanly possible, we get that out. We take program after program that we don’t absolutely have to have, and we get rid of them.

Romney's answer is to look at his campaign website. I have been to Mitt's website. It most certainly doesn't tell you how Romney would pay to massively increase military spending. How can any conservative believe in this man enough to vote for him is enough to me.

Debate Poll: Obama Wins Big

Obama crushes Mitt Romney in the CBS News post-debate poll.

BREAKING: CBS NEWS INSTANT POLL Who won the #Debate? OBAMA: 53%; ROMNEY: 23%, TIE: 24% (Margin of Error: 4%; Sample Size: 521

Fewer Horses and Bayonets

President Barack Obama rightfully mocked the empty rhetoric of Mitt Romney's proposal to increase military spending.

Live Blogging the President Foreign Policy Debate

I will be live blogging the presidential debate on Twitter at @pushingrope. Feel free to tweet me your observations.

The Crowley Report tweets, "Apparently Sheldon Adelson and his wife are at the debate."

Observation: A lot of people will skip this debate because of baseball playoffs and Monday Night Football.

8:47 News flash to people: members of both parties have already written their press releases on how their candidate won.

9:21 Just how dumb is Romney. MT @stevebenen Syria is not Iran's "route to the sea." Syria and Iran do not share a border, Iran has a coastline.

Bob Graham & Patrick Murphy

Amanda Terkel reports that Bob Graham will be campaigning with congressional candidate Patrick Murphy today. If Democrats are pulling Graham out then Allen West's seat is still in play. The polling for this race has been all over the place.

Binders Full of Women Dance Remix

Someone made a clever remix of Mitt Romney's "binders full of women" moment. There is also the most profanity-laced moments from President Obama reading from his book.

Glenn Hubbard Must Not Become Treasury Secretary

Glenn Hubbard is a political hack of epic proportions. It would be a disaster for America if Mitt Romney won the presidency and appointed Hubbard as Treasury Secretary or chairman of the Federal Reserve. Hubbard has argued for the Federal Reserve raising interest rates during the the economic downturn.

Hubbard served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during the beginning of the Bush administration. Former Treasury Sec. Paul O'Neill told Hubbard that the surplus needed to be used to shore up entitlements.O'Neill also warned that the surplus would disappear with the tax cuts Hubbard was drafting. Hubbard has convenient amnesia about the conversations O'Neill had with him.

HUBBARD: "I don’t ever recall Paul O’Neill sharing that observation at the time. I will say that early on in the Bush campaign for president, while he was still governor, Social Security reform was an issue that came up in any discussion of budget surpluses. However, it was Governor Bush’s conclusion that, politically, using the surplus for Social Security was not likely to happen."

O'Neill told Ron Suskind of the level of Hubbard's hackery in the book "The Price of Loyalty." Hubbard pushed for tax cuts after the September 11th attacks shook the financial markets and the likelyhood of America paying for war in Afghanistan.

"I believe that any large tax cut proposal that is not a product of consultation with Democratic leadership will begin to unravel the fragile trust and bipartisanship we are currently experiencing," Weinberger wrote. After opposition from O'Neill, Greenspan and former Treasury Secretary Bob Rubin to acting before facts about post-Sept. 11 economic effects became clear, a cut of $48 billion was passed six months later. But an internal administration debate about whether the Sept. 11 attacks should be used to carry forward a partisan agenda had begun.

Hubbard is an extremely unpleasant man who wishes to hide his ties to the financial sector. This scene from the movie Inside Job should give people pause about Hubbard serving again in government.

Hubbard worked as an adviser for Goldman Sachs. Hubbard co-wrote a study with then Goldman Sachs economist William C. Dudley that urged for selling toxic derivatives for mortgages.

“The capital markets have helped facilitate a major transformation of the U.S. mortgage financing system over the past 25 years. … The result has been a dramatic decline in the cyclical volatility of housing activity.”

The short answer is Hubbard and Dudley were encouraging Goldman Sachs to sell garbage mortgage-backed securities to their investors and then bet on mortgages to go bad. The investors lose money, but Goldman Sachs makes a killing.

An example of how big of economic hacks are Hubbard and Dudley. The stupidity of this would be laughable, if it wasn't for the 2008 crash.

“This use of derivatives leads to improved economic performance,” they wrote, insisting, “The capital markets have also acted to reduce the volatility of the economy. Recessions are less frequent and milder when they occur.”

Is there anything this man hasn't been wrong on? Hubbard is now going around claiming Mitt Romney will explain the tax base and create 12 million jobs in 4 years. Hubbard and the Romney campaign are adding the numbers of jobs from three studies to come to the magic number of 12 million. One study says that if China starts honoring U.S. patents it would create two million jobs. Good luck getting China to do that.

If Romney wins, Democrats need to block Hubbard from ever getting confirmed to head Treasury or the Federal Reserve. There isn't a more greedy, fantasy-based and incompetent economist out there. Hubbard is unfit to serve in government.

RIP George McGovern

Bob Dole delivers a wonder eulogy for George McGovern in the pages of the Washington Post.

When I learned that George McGovern was nearing the end of his remarkable life, I couldn’t help but think back to the day in June 1993 when both of us attended the funeral of former first lady Pat Nixon, in Yorba Linda, Calif. After the service, George was asked by a reporter why he should honor the wife of the man whose alleged dirty tricks had kept him out of the White House. He replied, “You can’t keep on campaigning forever.”

That classy remark was typical of George, a true gentleman who was one of the finest public servants I had the privilege to know.

McGovern warns President Barack Obama about waging war in the Middle East.

The TB Outbreak Cover-Up

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Gov. Rick Scott to not the AG Holley State Hospital in Lantana. AG Holley was Florida's only state-run tuberculosis clinic. Scott was obsessed with privatizing Florida's health care system. An ideas about privatization saves money goes out the window when the numbers of TB outbreak are revealed.

At that point, a disease that can cost $500 to overcome grows exponentially more costly. The average cost to treat a drug-resistant strain is more than $275,000, requiring up to two years on medications. For this reason, the state pays for public health nurses to go to the home of a person with TB every day to observe them taking their medications.

It is estimated that 3,000 people during a two year time span in the Jacksonville area contracted TB. Duval County failed to to heed the advice of the CDC.

At the end of the first Epi-Aid in 2009, the CDC’s high-priority list was 440 names long. Finding them was important, because a high percentage were testing positive, some with the contagious, active form of the disease. Without treatment, they could make many more people sick.

Apparently, that’s exactly what happened.

On its return trip this year, the CDC found its high-priority contact list as of April had grown sixfold to 2,488 people, a daunting number for a cash-strapped public health agency to track down and monitor. And so within the high-priority list, it created a “hot list” of must-test contacts.

CDC epidemiologist Dr. Kiren Mitruka had investigated both outbreaks. By June 20, her frustration was clear.

Since (the Duval County Health Department) currently has no epidemiologist or data manager focusing on TB issues, something we recommended and funded after the 2009 Epi-Aid as well, it will be very important to ensure any funding we provide for that purpose is clearly designated,” she told Florida officials

“As we saw during our return tech assist earlier this month, work to date has only been able to identify 25 contacts from the outbreak investigation ‘hot list’ …”

Duval County did not have a person qualified to screen for TB. The reason was the health care budget cuts by Gov. Scott and the Florida legislature. The Scott administration's response was to cover-up any news about a TB outbreak. Former Scott spokeman Brian Burgess made the rare mistake of using his public email account. The Scott administration have used private email accounts to skirt Florida's Sunshine law.

It was Burgess who in July accidentally used his state email account — rather than the personal account he preferred to use — to direct Department of Health communications staff that it was “time for some serious debunking” of The Post’s July 8 report on Jacksonville’s TB outbreak.

What he most objected to was the argument that the state intentionally had kept the outbreak under wraps until after the closure of A.G. Holley.

He also repeatedly has objected to the use of the word “outbreak,” a word he associated with disaster movies, not illnesses that affect several hundred people. Burgess said the word “cluster” should be used to describe Jacksonville’s problem. However, the CDC’s emails and reports all use “outbreak.”

This is what happens when conservative ideology takes precedent good governing.

The Liberal Media

I'm so glad the press pool took time to play some hard-hitting flag football with Mitt Romney's campaign staff. I look forward to Michelle Malkin expressing her outrage.

Marco Rubio Mocks Lilly Ledbetter Act

Sen. Marco Rubio's fails to answer why Mitt Romney and his fellow Senate Republicans refused to support the Lilly Ledbetter Act. The law gives women the right to equal pay. Senator Rubio sees a fiendish conspiracy afoot.

“But just because they call a piece of legislation an equal pay bill doesn’t make it so,” he added. “In fact, much of this legislation is in many respects nothing but an effort to help trial lawyers collect their fees and file lawsuits, which may not contribute at all whatsoever to increasing pay equity in the workplace.”

It's interesting that Rubio has such a dislike for trial lawyers. Rubio made $1.2 million working for Broad and Cassel. Rubio couldn't tell Jim Secede what he did at the law firm.

... When Rubio first entered the Florida Legislature in 2001 he was making less than 100,000 a year. But by the time Rubio left in 2008 his income shot up to more than $400,000, including a $300,000 a year salary from the law firm Broad & Cassel.

The I Team asked Rubio if he would have been hired by the firm if he hadn't been selected speaker of the House?

"It's hard to tell with a hypothetical," Rubio said. "I certainly would have worked somewhere. I had made a career of working at big firms up until last year when I went out on my own."

During the four years he worked at Broad & Cassel, Rubio was paid $1.2 million. When Rubio was asked if he was worth it, he laughed. ...

"Well you would have to ask them," he said. "I hope I was."

It must be hard making $1.2 million for a part-time job. No wonder Rubio hates trial lawyers so much.

Rubio obviously doesn't hate trial lawyers. Rubio will use the lame trial lawyers talking point because he can't defend Romney ducking the Lilly Ledbetter question.

Help Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Youngstown, Ohio has come under siege from angry conservatives. The reason being is conservatives are mad that St. Vincent de Paul president Brian J. Antal did not approve of Paul Ryan using his charity's soup kitchen for a photo-op.

"We're a faith-based organization," he said. "We are apolitical because the majority of our fundingis from private donations. It's strictly in our bylaws not to do it. They showed up there, and they did not have permission. They got one of the volunteers to open the doors. [...] The photo-op they did wasn't even accurate. He did nothing. He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall."

Actually, Ryan did something. He washed clean dishes. Ryan put on an apron to wash the cleanest dishes I have ever seen.

Ryan actually got approval from Juanita Sherba, St. Vincent de Paul's dining hall coordinator. She regrets her decision.

"It was the phoniest piece of baloney I've ever been associated with," she told The Vindicator. "In hindsight, I would have never let him in the door. [...] They couldn't have cared less. The advance man said Paul Ryan wanted to come and talk to our clientele, but he didn't."

Paul Ryan talking to homeless people. I believe that when I see it.

You can help many hungry people in Youngstown, Ohio by sending a check.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 224, Youngstown, OH 44501

Peter Schorsch, Stop Worrying

Peter Schorsch asks if President Barack Obama should give up on Florida. The answer is absolutely not.

Romney has pulled money and staff out of Missouri to help win Florida. Obama has campaign offices in Florida that have been up and running for two years. Romney has had trouble getting his Florida offices off-the-ground. The result has been Democrats making improvements in absentee voting. Organizing for America have brought in people from out of state to help phone bank for early voting. The Obama campaign has an excellent ground game. They know how to win Florida since they have done it before.

The Romney campaign was rather disorganized with getting their regional offices up and running. I don't know how many times I have been by the Romney campaign office in Temple Terrace during the summer and seen it empty. I go into coffee shops and see OFA people phone banking for Obama. I don't see people holding Romney signs or have Romney-Ryan bumper stickers on their cars. There definitely is an enthusiasm gap between Obama and Romney.

Given there usual three point margin of error in polls, Obama and Romney are tied in Florida. It would be foolish for Obama to pull up stakes now. I'm sure Peter remembers Rudy Giuliani pulling his campaign out of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina to try to win Florida. That didn't workout well for Rudy. Panic is not a good way to run a campaign. Steve Schmidt panicked and told John McCain to pick Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The Obama campaign has been successful shrinking to electoral college map. Romney needs to win Florida. Obama doesn't. If Obama abandons Florida, Romney can free up resources to contest another swing state. Obama would hurt his chances to win the general election by giving Florida to Romney.

There are also the down ballot candidates. Bill Nelson appears to be safe. But why take the chance. Democrats could pick up seats in the House. Obama would have more political power if he made Republicans lose seats. He won't have super-majorities or even the House. However, the less tea party Republicans he has to deal with the better.

There are several good reasons for Obama to fight to win Florida. There are no good reasons for Obama to cede a swing state he has won before to Romney. If Romney wins Florida, he would have paid a steep price with no guarantee of winning the general election. If Obama wins Florida he gets a second term.

Peter needs to stop pulling an Andrew Sullivan and calm down.

Friday Cat Blogging

Stewie the Cat comforts baby Connar.

CSI: Rick Scott

Gov. Rick Scott staged another one of his fake "Let's Get To Work" days. This time Scott played make believe in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime lab in Orlando. This the money quote from the regional office spokeswoman Susie Murphy.

"We don't have him working on a real case because he's not an analyst and the evidence has to be able to be presented in court," said Susie Murphy, spokeswoman for the regional office.

When Bob Graham did his work days it was folksy. When Scott does it he makes children run to their parents.

Van Morrison - Almost Independence Day

Van Morrison is hands down my all-time favorite male singer. I can listen to this song forever.

We May See the Florida Legislature in Court

Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled that the Republicans in the Florida legislature will have to testify about how they drew the district maps.

But in a complicated decision, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis this month stated that there is a reason to allow some questioning since it involves the "essential right of our citizens to have a fair opportunity to select those who will represent them."

"Frankly, if the compelling government interest in this case does not justify some relaxing of the legislative privilege, then there's probably no other civil case which would," wrote Lewis in his Oct. 3 ruling.

Republicans in the legislature argues that transparency would hurt their ability to legislate. That is a rather odd talking point.

"The depositions would interfere with the core functions of a coordinate branch of government and are calculated to chill the freedom of action and deliberation within the legislative branch," states a court brief filed Monday.

It is somehow against "freedom" for citizens to question how their elected leaders make new district maps. The GOP legislature must really think their constituents are stupid.

I would be happy with computers drawing up districts into square and contour blocks. Get with of gerrymandered rad districts. Ditto gerrymandered red districts and repealing civil rights legislation that create heavily black and Hispanic districts. We would get districts that are a better reflection of mainstream America. Both parties would have a fit if these changes were to happen.

Bill Clinton & Bruce Springsteen Campaigning For Obama

Former President Bill Clinton and Bruce Springsteen appeared at an campaign rally in Parma, Ohio. Clinton and Springsteen came out to pump-up voters for President Obama and local Democratic candidates. That is all good and fine, but how can Springsteen and Clinton compete with the star power of Jeff Foxworthy and Kid Rock on Mitt Romney's side?

WMNF Interview With Ayele Hunt

Ayele Hunt is the organizer of I Am Choice. The rally in St. Petersburg encourages people to vote. Local Democrats Kathy Castor, Rick Kriseman and Jessica Ehrlich will speak at the event. The highlight of the rally is feminist icon Gloria Steinem making an appearance.

Hunt organized I Am Choice to make citizens aware of Amendment 6 of Florida ballots. This blog has urged voters to vote no on Amendment 6. If it becomes law, Amendment 6 would put more needless restrictions on women seeking an abortion. Hunt pointed out, in her WMNF interview, that Florida operates under the Hyde Amendment. Federal money for abortions is only in the cases of rape, incest or the women's life is in danger due to the pregnancy.

Information on I Am Choice rally.

GOTV Rally When: October 20 Where: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Time: Doors open at 11:30 AM

Shorter Bill Nelson: Don't Mess With My Cow

The funniest part of last night's Senate debate was Connie Mack constantly going after Bill Nelson's cows. Mack went after a property tax cut for cows on an owner's land. Nelson owns cows. Whether or not you think the tax cuts should be law is a worthy discussion. However, this has to be the first debate I've seen where cows became a heated issue. Mack twice went after Nelson's cows. Nelson finally had enough. Don't fuck with a man's cows.

Nelson responded that his family has pastured cattle on the land for 60 years. The second time Mack brought it up, Nelson shot back, "Not only has it been a cow pasture for 60 years, why don't we ask him why he takes two homestead exemptions, which is directly contrary to the Florida Constitution?"

Sonic Youth - Kotton Crown

The most beautiful song by Sonic Youth. Anyone hear if Sonic Youth has officially broke-up?

Jay-Z: The Power of Our Voice

Mitt Romney has the endorsements of Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Jenna Jameson, Jeff Foxworthy, Lindsay Lohan and Dave Mustaine. Did the Romney campaign go to a Celebrity Rehab casting call and ask if anyone wanted to support Mitt?

President Barack Obama has Jay-Z speaking eloquently about how President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign restored hope in many Americans in the political process. Republicans diss government and then ask you to vote them into government. That sales pitch is like a restaurant owner telling you his food tastes like shit and you should spend your hard-earned money to eat at his establishment.

Obama spoke of government making lives better. What is the point of electing people to office that say government will do nothing for you. This isn't about government doing everything. The choice between Obama and Romney is a Democrat that will try do to something vs. a Republican that doesn't care about 47 percent of America.

Mitt Romney expresses disgust that 47 percent of Americans feel entitled to food. Do you really think this man gives a damn about you?

Tagg Romney Wants to Punch Obama

Tagg Romney appeared on the Bill LuMaye Show. Tagg Romney said he wanted to punch President Barack Obama.

Bill LuMay: “What is it like for you to hear the president of the United States call your dad a liar? How do you react to that?”

Tagg Romney: “Well jump out of your seat and you want to rush down to the debate stage and take a swing at him.”

If Tagg Romney wasn't the son of a presidential candidate he would likely be getting a visit from the Secret Service. I somehow doubt the privileged Tagg has ever been a serious fight in his life.

The lack of respect conservatives have for Obama is fine. I have no problem with conservatives disagreeing with Obama's policies. Openly speaking about committing assault on the President of the United States is insane. We live in a world where Gabby Giffords was shot by an insane maniac. This is not funny when someone gets hurt.

Bill Nelson & Connie Mack Debate

I will be live blogging the Bill Nelson-Connie Mack debate on Twitter at @pushingrope. You can watch the live stream here.

Nuns On the Bus Ohio

It shows the lack of empathy the so-called Christians of the tea party have for the disadvantaged. Nuns on the Bus are anti-abortion. However, they also support Medicare, living wage, education, food and housing. Somehow this offends the tea party and they hold up signs saying that these nuns are going to hell. This doesn't surprise me. Remember when conservatives cheered when Ron Paul says sick people should be denied health care.

Wolf Blitzer: But Congressman, are you saying that society should just let him die?

(Cheers from the audience.)

America needs to have a discussion about members of a political movement that actively cheers the death of sick fellow citizens. Enough is enough.

Binders Full of Women

People have been making fun of Mitt Romney's sexist-sounding "binders full of women" comment on Twitter. There is now a Binders Full of Women parody blog on Tumbler.

Update: The internet is having photoshop fun with Romney's "binders" comment.

Update: John Kerry is mocking Mitt Romney on Twitter.

Dick Morris Declares A Winner

You will be shocked to learn that Dick Morris declared Mitt Romney the winner of last night's debate.

"It seals his momentum and will lead to a big win."

In other news: Dick Morris declares Enron stock hot and that the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series this year.

Quote of the Day

“She committed an act of journalistic terror or malpractice last night. If there were any journalist standards, what she did last night would have been the equivalent of blowing up her career like a suicide bomber. But there aren’t any journalist standards anymore. And she’s going to be praised and celebrated, probably even get a raise, give her another half hour on that show she hosts.”

Rush Limbaugh, on Candy Crowley moderating the debate.

Limbaugh accuses Crowley of being an irresponsible media figure. Yet, he has no problem comparing Crowley to a suicide bomber. Limbaugh's hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Portishead - It Could Be Sweet

I love Beth Gibbons' voice. She is folk singer at one moment and torch singer the next.

President Obama's Closing Statement of the Debate

President Obama hits. Gov. Romney on the infamous 47 percent statement.

Devastating Moment for Mitt Romney

Bless Candy Crowley for correcting Mitt Romney on his false assertion that President Obama did not call the Benghazi attack an "act of terror the day after the attack.

Obama in the Rose Garden.

"No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation."

This is what happens on national television when Romney continues to distort the truth and tragedy for political gain. Sooner or later, he was going to get busted for it.

Update: Taegan Goddard compared Romney to Gerald Ford on not knowing what Obama said on the embassy attack.

Romney was most effective when pointing out what Obama promised and what actually happened over the last four years. He scored many points But he lost most of them by not knowing his facts on what President Obama said the morning after the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya. Obama acted like a president in the exchange while Romney was much less. It was Romney's Gerald Ford moment.

Benjamin Kirby sees Romney's Benghazi moment has a huge failure.

For the record, I saw the Romney crash-and-burn moment as him saying the words, "Am I incorrect in that regard?" as Candy Crowley shut him down on Libya and what was said by President Obama.

Live Blogging the Debate

I will be live-blogging the debate on Twitter at @pushingrope. Feel free to tweet me during the debate.

Why Bernanke Is Doing QE3

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is begging Congress to do something about unemployment.

Our assessment and that of the research literature is that the polices we've undertaken have had real benefits for the economy, that they have provided some support, that they have eased financial conditions, and help reduce unemployment. All that being said, monetary policy, as I've said many times, is not a panacea. It's not by itself able to solve these problems. We're looking for policy makers in other areas to do their part. We'll do our part and we'll try to make sure that unemployment moves in the right direction but we can't solve this problem by ourselves."

The Do Nothing Congress went on recess without resolving unemployment for military veterans. Republicans killed the Veteran Jobs Corps bill. If Republicans don't want to create jobs for veterans coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq then what hope is there. Republicans also don't want Bernanke to enact QE3.

Mitt Romney

In a speech to New York City donors on Friday, Romney said in reference to QE3 that the course for America was to foster economic growth, not print more money.

"We're not going to have to look for the sugar high that comes with QE3 or QE4 or QE5 or QE6," Romney said, according to Bloomberg. "The real course ahead for America is to encourage the growth of our economy, not just to go out there and print more money."

I wonder if Romney paid attention to his economics courses when he got his MBA. Quantitative easing is the Federal Reserve buying assets, such as mortgage-backed securities, from major banks. The theory is the influx of cash in the market will help the economy and create hiring. Fiscally speaking, Bernanke is throwing a Hail Mary because Congress refuses to take action on unemployment. Republicans don't want to pass stimulus packages or QE3. There policy on unemployment is literally tax cuts for the top 1 percent and doing nothing else.

Tea Party Nation to Allen West's Rescue

Tea Party Nation sent out this fundraising letter for its supporters.

Dear Patriot,

I was afraid this would happen. A new poll reports that Allen West is now trailing his liberal opponent by nine points!

It seems the relentless and overwhelming deluge of negative ads is taking a toll on Allen's campaign.

The Democrats are absolutely determined to destroy every single black conservative running for office this year. We must fight back hard and do it NOW!

Please make an urgent contribution of $25, $35, $50, $100, $250 or more to help us reelect Congressman Allen West and all the other black conservatives who have been targeted for destruction by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the ultra-rich liberal Super PACs.

While this poll of Allen West's race was conducted by the Democrats, I'm told that other surveys also show that Allen is in the fight of his life.

This is VERY, VERY bad news.

These polls serve as a signal to every leftist activist in America and every America-detesting multi-millionaire out there that Allen West can be beaten.

They show that a black conservative can be ruined if you simply spend enough on horrible negative attack ads.

And it will convince the liberal Democrats to launch more waves of attack ads against black conservative candidates.

We have to help reverse this tide. We must stand up to these smear campaigns. We need to defend Allen West, Tim Scott, Mia Love, and Vernon Parker.

What the Democrats are doing is vile and despicable. But they will keep it up as long as they believe they can win.

Allen West needs help. What happened to America is a center-right country? What happened to voters wanting to hear an unfiltered conservative? Bad ass Allen West needs helps. Wow.

Quote of the Day

“Our country might have been better off if it was still just men voting. There is nothing worse than a bunch of mean, hateful women. They are diabolical in how [they] can skewer a person...I do not see that in men. The whole time I worked, I'd much rather have a male boss than a female boss. Double-minded, you never can trust them.”

Janis Lane, president of the Central Mississippi Tea Party.

A politically active women who is against women having the right to vote. No hypocrisy there.

Questions on Voting in Florida

Voting in Florida has become more confusing. Thanks to the changes made by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida legislature. The League of Women Voters have set-up a hotline to answers questions voters may have.

Need help? Call the League of Women Voters of Florida's Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-855-FL-VOTER (1-855-358-6837).

Matt Taibbi on the Romney-Ryan Tax Plan

Rolling Stone columnist Matt Taibbi says the Romney-Ryan tax plan should be laughed at for its lack of seriousness.

“I think what he did — and he got heavily criticized for laughing and bringing this mocking tone to Ryan’s whole presentation — but I think that is what has been missing all along from the coverage of this campaign,” he explained. “You should bring contemptuous laughter to this whole thing because it is not serious. That is the real problem with it. It is not even that it is cynical and it is nefarious, it is just not serious.”

I'm surprised that Romney and Ryan haven't promised to give a pretty magical unicorn to every American.

Two Cow Garage - Been So Long

This might be the finest country song written in the past decade. Micah Schnabel wrote this when he was a teenager. It is interesting to hear Schnabel's voice before years of cigarettes and PBRs.

Amendment 8

The Florida legislature has placed Amendment 8 on the ballot.

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution providing that no individual or entity may be denied, on the basis of religious identity or belief, governmental benefits, funding, or other support, except as required by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and deleting the prohibition against using revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.

Proponents of the amendment claim that religious freedoms are being trampled. What they fail to mention is that if Amendment 8 is approved, the Republican-controlled Floridida legislature will be allowed to give money to religious institutions. So much for the separation between church and state. Last time I checked, Florida is a state.

There was the tax-funded Life Force Arts and Technology Academy. The legislature didn't mind given state dollars through vouchers to the school. The school provided children with a horrible education.

Opened to serve a low-income Clearwater neighborhood and advertising classes in computers and modern dance, Life Force had begun pushing Hubbard's "study technology," which critics call a Trojan horse Scientology uses to infiltrate public classrooms.

And while Life Force students and teachers worked in poorly stocked classrooms and teachers went unpaid, the bankrupt school funneled tens of thousands of dollars more to Islam's business interests than she told the bankruptcy court she would charge.

"There can be no accountability when this kind of stuff goes on," said teacher Tim Roach, who said he was fired from Life Force last month after criticizing the school. "It's the students who are going to suffer."

The First amendment grants the freedom of religion as a right. The First amendment also states that government isn't in the business of imposing religion on its citizens. Vote no on Amendment 8.

Deficit Has Gone Down Under Obama

The Treasury Department announced that the federal deficit for 2012 is $1.089 trillion. The federal budget shortfall for last year was $1.297 trillion. You can see by the chart made by Steve Benen that the deficit has gone down under President Barack Obama.

The Republicans cry about the stimulus. There were massive layoffs across the country. The Congressional Budget Office reports that the stimulus created 3.3 million full-time jobs. The stimulus was a one-time spending package. The Bush tax cuts, TARP bailout, Iraq war, and Bush's refusal to fight with his own party on yearly pork spending have had long-term effects on the deficit.

Paul Ryan wasn't crying about deficit reduction during the Bush years. Ryan was helping craft these massive spending bills in the Budget and Ways and Means committees.

David Stockman Hammers Mitt Romney

Former Reagan budget director is no fan of the way Mitt Romney made money.

Except Mitt Romney was not a businessman; he was a master financial speculator who bought, sold, flipped, and stripped businesses. He did not build enterprises the old-fashioned way—out of inspiration, perspiration, and a long slog in the free market fostering a new product, service, or process of production. Instead, he spent his 15 years raising debt in prodigious amounts on Wall Street so that Bain could purchase the pots and pans and castoffs of corporate America, leverage them to the hilt, gussy them up as reborn “roll-ups,” and then deliver them back to Wall Street for resale—the faster the better.

There is a great scene in Wall Street where Gordon Gekko tells Budd Fox that he makes nothing. Yet is very rich.

Gordon Gekko: The Richest 1 percent of this country owns half our country's wealth. $5 trillion. one-third of that comes from hard work, two-thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulated, widows and idiot sons, and what I do, stock and real estate speculation. It's bullshit.

Gekko: You got 90 percent of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules pal.

Stockman says the system that Gekko talks about and Romney profits from is corrupt. Stockman should know because he was in the leverage buyout business.

That is the modus operandi of the leveraged-buyout business, and in an honest free-market economy, there wouldn’t be much scope for it because it creates little of economic value. But we have a rigged system—a regime of crony capitalism—where the tax code heavily favors debt and capital gains, and the central bank purposefully enables rampant speculation by propping up the price of financial assets and battering down the cost of leveraged finance.

So the vast outpouring of LBOs in recent decades has been the consequence of bad policy, not the product of capitalist enterprise. I know this from 17 years of experience doing leveraged buyouts at one of the pioneering private-equity houses, Blackstone, and then my own firm. I know the pitfalls of private equity. The whole business was about maximizing debt, extracting cash, cutting head counts, skimping on capital spending, outsourcing production, and dressing up the deal for the earliest, highest-profit exit possible. Occasionally, we did invest in genuine growth companies, but without cheap debt and deep tax subsidies, most deals would not make economic sense.

Don't believe Mitt Romney's campaign rhetoric about him being a job creator.

Quote of the Day

Amanda Carpenter should talk to Litbrit. She blogs at TSA News Blog. Litbrit will not travel on a plane because of the TSA patdowns. Litbrit is also no fans of intrusive anti-abortion laws.

In Carpenter's mind, women that don't want a large medical object shoved inside of them want a stranger to fondle them in a security line. That makes absolutely no sense.

Ed Gillespie on Romney's Abortion Position

"What the governor has consistently said is that he thinks Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and this is something that should be left to elected representatives, to the people through their elected representatives."

Ed Gillespie, Mitt Romney campaign surrogate.

I somehow doubt women will feel more comfortable having elected officials such as Todd Akin and Paul Ryan decide whether women are worthy of having an abortion. Akin and Ryan do not believe women should be allowed to have an abortion in cases of rape and incest. Vice-President Ryan and Senator Akin would be extremely harmful for women's reproductive rights.

Debbie Crowder Endorses Patrick Murphy

Debbie Crowder is the wife of Martin County Sheriff Robert Crowder. Sheriff Crowder ran and lost to Allen West in the Republican primary. West dissed Crowder by refusing to shake his hand during a St. Lucie County GOP meeting. This was yet another childish display by Allen West. Debbie Crowder has not forgetten that moment.

Debbie Crowder has endorsed Patrick Murphy.

“How will a man who could not extend his arm out for a simple handshake to his fellow Republican and the 20-year sheriff of Martin County be able to reach across the aisle to get things done in Washington?” Debbie Crowder writes.

Can any Allen West supporter name a bill he has sponsored and passed? West has no interest in governing. West is in Washington to appear on Fox News and grandstand. The man is utterly unserious about his responsibilities as a lawmaker.

Cheap Trick - ELO Kiddies

The first Cheap Trick album is their best. It never took off because it was too weird for mainstream radio.

The Downtown Tampa Market

The Downtown Tampa Market makes a successfultransition from Fridays. bit.ly/WahGIN twitter.com/TB_Times/statu…

— Tampa Bay Times(@TB_Times) October 15, 2012

The Downtown Tampa Market is on the 600 to 700 block of Franklin Street. The market is open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Downtown Market looks like fun and hopefully I can go check it out soon. Support Mom & Pop businesses.

Jason Thompson Makes Birther Joke

“We have the opportunity to send Obama back to Chicago– or Kenya.”

Jason Thompson, son of Republican Tommy Thompson.

Can we get any more racist? Notice that the crowd laughs at Thompson's birther remark. Fox News stays away from birther conspiracies. The Supreme Court will not hear Orly Taitz's insane challenges to the president's birth certificate. Yet, it is considered perfectly normal in Republican circles to question and mock the president's citizenship.

These people are clowns unworthy of governing this country.

Mitt Romney Campaign Lies About Unemployment

Mitt Romney campaign surrogate Rob Portman double down on Paul Ryan's false claim that unemployment is higher today than when President Obama took office.

TAPPER: ‘That’s how it’s going all around America.’ This has been weak economic recovery, without question. but it is a recovery. and unemployment is going down, as a factual matter. Why would Congressman Ryan, in defiance of facts, suggest otherwise?

PORTMAN: I think that what he was saying was the truth: unemployment is higher today than when the president took office. Unfortunately, in the meantime, we’ve created net zero jobs, Jake.

This chart shows just how bad unemployment was when President Obama took office. The Bush administration suffered several months of unemployment. The stock market crash caused massive layoffs.

The unemployment rate today is 7.8 percent. Employment has slowly improved. Portman, Ryan and the Romney campaign will not be honest about it because they're strategy has been to be the anti-Obama. The Romney campaign isn't about selling hope. No one looks at Mitt Romney and becomes inspired.

Email Updates From the City of Tampa

You can sign up to receive email updates on the latest that is going on with Mayor Buckhorn, the police department construction projects and other City of Tampa-related events.