Elections matter. They matter for our prosperity, they matter for our freedom, and they matter for our future. On November 6, our nation will make a critical choice. Through their visions and voices, American presidents set the course for our great republic.
In 2008, our nation chose a candidate for president who offered hope and change and bold promises that his policies would lead us out of the economic doldrums and build a stronger economy. Now, almost four years later, we are still waiting for those promises to be fulfilled. The American dream is fading fast for too many.
President Barack Obama's prescriptions of more taxes, more debt, more burdensome regulations, and a federal takeover of health care have not helped to fix our economy. They have made it much, much worse. In fact, Barack Obama's policies have resulted in record unemployment, lower take-home pay for families, record deficits and debt, and the weakest economic recovery since the Great Depression. America and her citizens deserve better, and we cannot allow this downward spiral to continue.
In my conversations with South Carolinians from across the political spectrum, it is clear we must change directions to get our country back on track and restore the American dream. Whether it is the cashier in the Newberry grocery store, my neighbor who stopped me while cutting the grass, or my good friend who came up to me at church just last week, South Carolinians know that Barack Obama has not delivered on his promises. They all told me, "We must defeat Barack Obama in November."
The last few years under President Barack Obama have been trying and troubling for our entire nation. His tired, big government policies have failed us. We cannot afford more broken promises. We need a new direction. We need a new president.
Mitt Romney is the president our nation needs. He is a family man and a businessman. He spent his career saving failing businesses and creating jobs in the private sector. Then, he saved the 2002 Olympics and brought pride to America. As governor, he balanced his state's budget, cut taxes, and fostered job creation. Mitt Romney is uniquely qualified to be president at this critical hour in our nation's history. On November 6, Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan will present the American people with a clear choice between Barack Obama's failed policies and the ideals of free enterprise, individual opportunity, and limited government.
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will encourage job creation and help American families get back on their feet. Their policies will increase domestic energy production and eliminate job-killing regulations, so that energy will be both affordable and more reliable. They will work to ensure that every family has access to great schools, quality teachers, and affordable, effective higher-education options.
Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan will repeal and replace Obamacare with real reforms that control costs and improve care, instead of increasing premiums and adding to our national debt. They will immediately cut spending and stop waste, making government smaller, simpler, and smarter - and less costly for taxpayers.
Americans are a determined, hard-working and proud people, but we are now a nation struggling under the weight of unemployment, poverty, and debt caused by President Barack Obama's policies. While we are disappointed in the president, we have never lost faith in each other, and we know that with capable and courageous leadership, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will restore America's greatness.
Just like my parents wanted the best for me, I also want the best for my four children. I serve as Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party because I want them to know the same American dream that I knew and my parents knew. Today, our country is at a crossroads and the existence of that American dream is threatened like never before. We can do better. We can change. It starts with making Mitt Romney our next President of the United States of America.
Rachel Campbell
7:19 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Stop with all the falsehoods. Iwatcdrd the NRC,,Romney and Ryan, especially Romney knows nothing about foreign affairs, Obama has create more jobs in his 4 years than Bush did in 8. He might be good father and man,pulled the Olypics off, but we don't need another rookie in the Whie house. The mud slinging has to stop.oh yes, Anne's love story was great but who needs it. The whole convention was melachy,from a registered Independent
stanley seigler
7:59 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
what lies...GOPs only state the facts...and OJ didn't kill nicole and ron...and i just saw a pig fly by...
now for a lie:
re: MITT's 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/07/mitt-romney-expensive-olympics-federal-funding
[CLIP]
As Romney chastises the president for pointing out that successful business ventures benefit from a larger social compact and accuses critics of pining for "free stuff," Romney is simultaneously touting an Olympic effort that, more than any other in American history, succeeded thanks to public investment—some of it sunk into questionable projects of marginal value to the Salt Lake games.
"The $1.5 billion in taxpayer dollars that Congress is pouring into Utah is 1.5 times the amount spent by lawmakers to support all seven Olympic Games held in the U.S. since 1904—combined," Donald Barlett and James Steele reported for Sports Illustrated in 2001. Those numbers were adjusted for inflation. [end clip]
sad OJ probably believes he didn't kill nicole...GOPs actually believe their 'FACTS'...
JoSCh
4:11 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
How is Romney a "rookie"? He was the governor of Massachusetts.
I ask that same question when morons call Obama inexperienced too. Both are well educated and accomplished in both the private sector and in public service.
Ron Kelderman
9:44 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Yes Rachel keep drinking the cool-aid.
Rusty Inman
8:10 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Like the two men who comprise the Republican presidential ticket, Chad Connelly, in this column, serves up a buffet of revisionist history, misleading statements, outright lies and prevarications that would make the devil himself blush. And, like them, he does so knowingly, glowingly and with an enthusiastic smile.
Readers, of course, are not given the space needed to give a point-by-point rebuttal of Connelly's laughable tome, especially given the volume of speciousness he puts into play. I've spent an hour trying and, while refuting and pointing out the hypocrisy of what he writes is child's play, refuting it and pointing out the hypocrisy of what he writes in the space allowed is nigh on impossible. So, I'll just finish with the words of a journalist who, in 2005, similarly gave up on his attempt to rebut in any detail the virtually infinite contradictions of George Bush's ridiculous plan to privatize Social Security: "It's impossible to make chicken salad out of this chicken {well, you know the word that goes here]."
stanley seigler
8:44 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
Michael Thomas
9:29 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hmmm...I have read Mr. Connelly's article 3 times & find no lies.His statements are clear, precise & accurate regarding Barak Hussein Obama and the situation our nation is in at this time. His support of Romney is fine and he explains why he does so in a logical,& reasonable manner. I cannot understand the frothing at the mouth in remarks by others toward his article.
Mimi
10:00 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Micheal I have a bridge to nowhere to sell you obviously you lack the insight or ability to distinquish fact from fiction. The Mittster and Ayn Ryan have offered absolutly NOTHING to solve the problems the country faces. The only thing we have had to endure for 4 years from this obstructionist protect the rich at all cost Party is lies, distortions, hatred, division and down right unAmerican behavior. I know that in history the entire party would have been rounded up and shot for treason. It is uncomprehensible that anyone would condon this bad behavior. These people posing as Republicans are not worthy of this country's loyalty. They have held this country hostage, enacted harmful, hurtful bills, block any resolutions that would of help this country, caused a downgrade of our credit, total exempt themselves from their contribution of the mess we are in. Mitt Robme and Ayn Ryan are nothing but pen holders for Grover Norquist (who the heck elected him) and corporate greed. Austerity for all except those at the top of the income. PATHETIC Kick the whole fracking party to the curb.
Rusty Inman
10:22 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
You outed yourself, Michael, when you, with frothing intent, included the president's middle name. You told us something about your [lack of] character. And you know what I'm talking about, don't you? Don't you? Admit it, Michael. Admit that those who include the president's middle name in their remarks have a reason for doing so and that the reason is the reinforcing of a false and disgusting and racially-tinged narrative that implies the president is not fully American.
It also means that you are not to be taken seriously in any kind of serious discussion.
There are false insinuations in the second paragraph and the first of many outright falsehoods is found in the very first sentence of the third. Despite what you think and the GOP lies about, President Obama has not "prescribed more taxes." Rather, he has introduced nearly 20 tax cuts. As to "burdensome regulations?" Name them. As far as many of us are concerned, he has not been aggressive enough regulating Wall Street. Romney/Ryan would be even less so, putting us into the same position we were before the GOP-led recession dropped us to our knees in 2008. And then there is "the federal takeover of health-care," which does not exist. Not a single fact-checking group of any repute has found such a charge acceptable. Sorry, just saying something is so doesn't make it so.
And that's just the beginning of the misrepresentations...
JoSCh
4:16 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
So you're not going to admit it?
Coward. Embrace it.
Michael Thomas
11:04 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
The discussion was on Mr. Connelly's article & my reply addressed it. Mimi & Rusty are apparently hyper-sensitive types and ought to take a tranquilizer. Nothing I wrote merits them going for my jugular. One statement from Rusty puzzles me...Why is he upset when when I mentioned the president's middle name? It is his name, I didn't misspell it or place it out of context. I believe he used it when he was sworn into office...sort of like John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Jonhson, William Jefferson Clinton. Again, I understood this forum is for the Connelly article and intend to confine my remarks to it.
Shawn Drury
11:27 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Michael please. That's a dog whistle and you know it.
Gretchen
11:33 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
There is no sense in getting "into a pissing match with a skunk" Michael. You are right, but you can talk and talk and talk and these narrow minded SHEEPLE will never open their eyes. We need a LEADER in the White House ...and we obviously don't have one. He only leads from "behind."
Rusty Inman
1:40 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
My reply addressed your issue and was to the point---I noted the first of any number of falsehoods and misleading statements in the Connelly column. As you know from reading the media reports today, Ryan's speech was filled with them and Connelly's column reflects the same. One notes that you have not chosen to rebut my points. Were I you, I wouldn't try, either. It's a losing proposition.
Let me suggest one more time what you know to be true: Your use of the president's middle name was a very thinly-veiled attempt to reinforce a false, disgusting and racially-tinged narrative that depicts the president as being something "other" than American.
If you are confining your remarks to the article, then do so and leave the racist insinuations out of them. But you will have to do so with someone else. The discourses on this board are often tense and conflictive, but seldom are the more base instincts of the posters exhibited. What you said was offensive and I'd prefer you confine your comments to others and not to me.
Shawn Drury
11:46 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Gretchen, Can you give me some examples of the type of leadership you would have liked to have seen from Obama?
I'll start. He turned the entire health care debate over to Congress. That was his issue--it's named after him, for goodness sake--yet he let people like Max Baucus define the terms. No one voted for Max Baucus to be president.
stanley seigler
12:58 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
mentioned on another PATCH thread: GOPers seldom fact check instead use personal attacks to make (well not really make) their point...
another GOP tactic is to make wild unsubstantiated accusations; and when asked for backup/examples, never respond...
hope gretchen will be the exception this time around...
Rusty Inman
2:15 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
What I find interesting about your take on the president turning "the entire health-care debate over to Congress" is the inherent corner into which you paint the president by seeing it suchly.
He is oft-accused of not working with Congress, though congressional Republicans made it clear from the beginning of his presidency that they were not going to work with him. Now you posit that he turned the entire health-care debate over to Congress. Hence, he is either inappropriately authoritarian or abdicative of his responsibilities.
The record indicates any number of meetings---both in the White House and on the Hill---in which the president met with congressional leaders of both parties and members of several congressional committees. He worked the phones constantly, particularly in the days leading up to the final vote, and releases of his personal records substantiate that. There is nothing to indicate that he did not do what most presidents have done per their own policy-making legislation---pat heads, twist arms, soothe, threaten, take a stand, compromise, yada, yada.
Few of us were particularly happy with Max Baucus' role as the president's point-person, but being the point-person hardly implies that one defined the terms of the bill---much less one as long and complex as the ACA.
But I am interested in GOP/Tea Party examples of the president's "lack of leadership." Apart from substantive examples, it's just a cliched talking point.
Michael Thomas
1:16 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
With Stanley's explanation of GOPers tactics on PATCH, I am wondering if the responses sent my way today came from GOP types. Mimi? Rusty? Are you GOPers? Stanley's definition fits you like a custom made glove. What say you?
Rusty Inman
1:48 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hey, Michael, we're quoting the fact-checkers and you can't respond.
The fact-checkers say the speech was filled with lies and misrepresentations, the Connelly piece is filled with the same ones, we noted them in response to your statement, and you have yet to rebut. If we are making "wild, unsubstantiated accusations," then tell us what they are. Michael, are you listening? We gave you the examples. Now, rebut them or shut your computer off.
But, again, don't rebut them to me. You crossed a line you shouldn't have and, along with your inability or unwillingness to rebut the facts we offered, it has cost you any credibility you might have brought to the table.
Shawn Drury
2:46 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
@Rusty...I'm thinking really about the summer of 2009. Obama turned the health care legislation over to Congress and when they came home for summer recess their constituents raised hell. It was at that point Obama realized he had problem politically and by his own admission he botched the communications side of the health care debate.
The arm-twisting and cajoling that you describe (and obviously occurred) took place after he lost control of the messaging.
Obama had a majority of 59-40 in the Senate and a solid majority in the House. The health care debate should not have dragged out nearly as long as it did. It should have been a slam dunk. The matter of public health care has been debated since Truman and Obama spent time re-hashing many of the same arguments, all but apologizing for trying to pass it on moral grounds. He wasted time on the issue.
Further, the debate was not transparent--as we were promised it would be--and much of the bill was practically written by the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries. We don't hear them complaining about this legislation much, which is telling.
I suspect that deep down the reason many Republicans are complaining about Obamacare is because they know it's a massive accomplishment that will help the president in many corners of the electorate--though not here in SC.
Mimi
3:14 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I agree with you Shawn about too much time being spent on the healthcare, however I think the thing you exclude is that some Democrats wanted a single payer, universal health care. The only reason that Obama put this version of healthcare up was because it was DESIGNED by Republicans and the heritage foundation I think he believed it was a proposal that he could get both parties to support being as they had supported it in the past. Obama spent too much time trying to compromise with the Republican party that had already come to the agreement that they would not support ONE bill presented by this President no matter who sacrificed. The only interest they have had since day one is the Tax gifts for the rich, nothing else concerns the Republican party hence the reason we have spent more time on Abortion bill then I can even count. I am tired of the hatred, venom, disrepect, divisive, adolescent behavior of the Republican Party all in my opinion is pure hatred of a black man in the white house. You would think that if President Obama was so terrible with all the money supporting the Republican witch hunt they could at least attack him with factual information. I have come to the conclusion that Obama must be the purest, most honest politician on the planet simply due to the fact that the Republicans can't seem to tell the truth about anything.
Rusty Inman
10:04 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I certainly don't disagree that the administration's messaging per the ACA was neither well thought-out nor flexible enough to quickly adjust to changes both in the bill and the public's attitudes toward it. Indeed, I think messaging has been a problem for the administration for four years.
But I disagree that the need for arm-twisting arose only when the messaging fell apart. If you look at the record, he had to twist as many Democratic arms as GOP arms.
Actually, Teddy Roosevelt initiated the first real push for health-care reform on such a grand scale, an initiative that I began researching about five years ago and found fascinating.
And, I don't disagree about the hand of the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries in constructing the ACA---much of which, when you think about it, was probably necessary. Which has always made me wonder exactly why the GOP was so opposed to it.
JoSCh
10:33 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Why the GOP was so opposed to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-A09a_gHJc
George Grace
3:37 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
1500 people showed up for the free health clinic conducted recently in Columbia.
The ACA was a compromise, needed to get the votes necessary to pass it. It has good provisions, but if we all are smart enough to give Obama a Democratic Congress (Senate and House) besides a second term, my bet is that the ACA will come up again, for expansion, maybe a single payer system (my dream.)
Mimi
4:08 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I can only hope George that you are correct. Never should anyone's health be able profits. We are the richest country on the planet yet we spend more on health care than any other country. Most of the cost is for profits for both Big Pharma and the health Insurance Industries. You have to wonder why is it that American's pay 10 times more for prescriptions than any other country??? Why is it that the Venerans Administration negotiate cost of prescriptions, yet medicare can not?? When Medicare part D was created it was done so to create a windfall of profits for big Pharma had nothing to do with covering our seniors the cost to the goverment for medicare should have already been enough to cover both care and drugs. The failed Republican Ayn Rand policies have caused more harm to this country and its people than any terrorist could of hoped for. We must stand together as Americans and reject this ideolog take over of our lives. Modern day slavery
stanley seigler
4:31 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
single payer, universal health care, the dream of all compassionate 'christians'...BO-care (ACA) a step in that direction...sad it takes so many steps to promote the general welfare envisioned by the founders...
oh/and it provides cheaper improved quality than our current system...
Ken
5:45 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
"we are still waiting for those promises to be fulfilled."
You know, if the republicants in congress had not become the party of "no", blocking every positive piece of legislation brought to the table by democrats, things might have been better. Instead they chose to become the most obstructive group of legislators in history because they would rather have the entire nation's economy collapse rather than work with the democrats to make things better.
Michael Thomas
7:51 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I believe Obama had 2 full years of a Democratic controlled Senate & House of Representatives. Republicans were virtually helpless until the 2010 elections when they gained the House. Since then it seems to be almost bi-partisan stance against against Obama's desires. Many Demo's became Moderates after the 2010 elections and haven't given Obama, Reid their support as fully as before.
Robert Kelly
9:06 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
The GOP depends upon distortions to make their case. If they can't argue honestly, it makes you wonder about the truth of the matter. Yes, Obama has not delivered on everything he promoted. Should we ask why? Did Mitch McConnell's statement that the "most important" thing to the GOP was to make sure Obama was a one term president have anything to do with the filibusters which paralyzed the first two years of the Obama administration? Since the 2010 election the GOP has controlled the house, so nothing progressive has come up for a vote. George Bush left this economy in free fall. GOP policies created the housing and unemployment catastrophes, and GOP obstinance has prevented solutions. Republicans totally knuckled under to Grover Norquist and boxed themselves into an untenable position for finding solutions. Why would representatives in a democratic republic sign onto the pledge of someone who is not responsible for anything? I blame the GOP partisans who came to the table with unrealistic preconditions for making an actual solution unattainable. We have problems with priorities and cash flow. How could responsible elected officials come to the table with a part of the solution not even negotiable? Our taxes are not really so bad. They are lower than any other developed country, yet in the face of economic problems, the GOP has decided that taxes are the MOST important issue. I think it would be better if the government created PRODUCTIVE work and started priming the pump.
George Grace
10:54 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
"Our taxes are not really so bad." True, but the sad fact is we get so little for what we pay. Wars.
stanley seigler
11:14 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
we address the wrong issues...spending/taxes are NOT the issues...inefficient bureaucracy is...and neither party addresses it...they (we) play the stupid game of either increasing taxes or cutting spending...
JoSCh
10:34 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Well said Stanley.
Joseph Robert
12:12 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Chad, based on your praise of Romney, do you like all people that LIE to the American public?
How can you trust them? Or, does the GOP overlook TRUTH when their POLITICIANS are being paid off by millionaires and billionaires?
Based on their Convention speeches, Romney-Ryan should change their campaign slogan from “We believe in America.” to….“We believe in LYING to America.”
Read about Romney’s many Lies:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/fact-checking-mitt-romneys-acceptance-speech-at-the-gop-convention/2012/08/31/70c3d8de-f31f-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_blog.html
http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-romneys-deficit-vow-lacks-specifics-004029587--politics.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-08-31/mitt-romney-fact-check-republican-convention/57467252/1
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/aug/30/convention-tampa-story-mitt-romney/
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120831/OPINION01/308310017/-1/SPORTS13/Another-View-We-re-seeing-campaign-able-just-ignore-facts
Romney and Ryan CANNOT be trusted to lead America!
stanley seigler
1:36 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
re: Read about Romney’s many Lies:
poor misguided, uninformed, soul...dont you know factcheckers lie...
the only factual way to tell if MIT (most pols) lies: old indian (i think) say: 'watch lips, lips move, they lie...'
the only honest, reliable, sources are; fox, rush and ann...
reg
11:11 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Oh, the words of an Amway salesman mean so much. http://www.blufftontoday.com/bluffton-opinion/2011-06-03/two-new-leaders-head-two-parties#.UGhg8k1G-NY
stanley seigler
12:17 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
reg's link say:
[CLIP] 'He’s a big “family values” guy, codespeak for wanting the world to go back to the days of daddy at work, mommy in the kitchen, and Dick, Jane, and Sally playing outdoors with the family dog'
family values guys:
Jerry Sandusky a registered GOP, susan smith's step dad a GOP official, Arnold Schwarzenegger, david vitter, john ensign, eteETC
now w/o doubt i could name just as many DEM sinners (starting with slick willie)...
the point/ opine: the DEM are far less hypocritical about family values and sinners...
further:
[CLIP] 'Jim Clyburn, spoke about real South Carolina families, the kind that really exist...spoke about the need for leadership in Columbia that works for, and not against, its people. He spoke about the need for quality education, health care and jobs. He knows what he is for, and he knows what he is against...He is against the incompetence of the present administration, and a Legislature that has done nothing for families since January, instead wasting time with trivial matters such as liquor licenses, gambling, light bulbs, collard greens...'
oh/and :)...'Family Values' GOP guys Spend Three Times As Much As Dems At Titty Bars...That's according to a study by the Association of Club Executives, an organization that represents the 4,000 "gentlemen's club" owners in the U.S