US Presidential Election 2012

So Ryan asked for some dollars to stimulate jobs etc? That's enlightening! When he gets in, he's gonna give it back I s'pose, as he sensibly saved it for his country!

Yeah Ryan was well caught out there- and not once but twice- and in his own hand written words he asked for it because it would 'stimulate growth and jobs.'

ps how come a Scots and an Oz hobbit are the onty two stuck this out to the end? Where are the UShobbits gone? They're the ones with the bloody vote!

Sorry guys, I got tired of listening to the debate and decided to catch the end of the Orioles game. That might not have been the best idea though since it ended up going for 13 full innings and ended just after midnight local time (almost five hours after it started). Still, the O's persevered and now we have a chance to win the series in the afternoon game today.

While Rome burned, hmmm?

I imagine asking this question of Eldo and my Son.

Who do you think should be President (or Prime Minister)?

Eldö: Lengthy essay on all the why's wherefores backed up with quotable varied reliable sources.


My Son: "Who gives a fuck anyway!* " {{{*NOTE: not a question, a pure statement of disinterest! }}}

I'm a product of my misspent youth (spent being bookish and then studying political science)!

had to scroll back four pages D: and I really wanted to join in xD well, Eldo I think shares my point of view on Romney, so that's okay

I just say, you can have Elmo as president, as long as it isn't Mitt Romney!

I'm sorry my post here aren't more.. serious and erm... well spoken..


OH SNAP!

Pettytyrant101 wrote:
ps how come a Scots and an Oz hobbit are the onty two stuck this out to the end? Where are the UShobbits gone? They're the ones with the bloody vote!

This particular hobbit had a night out long planned, but taped the debate as it was obviously going to be very entertaining, and will be watching it tonight.

Ah well out on the buckie Halfwise- that is perfectly acceptable reason- I assume you were just getting yourself in the proper state for dealing with politicians so you can make a fuller better choice upon watching (by swearing at them both and the mod loudly and throwing things at the tv)

Just watched the debate on the time delay setting on the palantir. My thoughts are not as extreme as most of those I've seen both here and in the general media.

• I think a large part of the reason Martha Radditz (or however it's spelled) came off as a better moderator is simply physical proximity. It's a lot easier to control a conversation from 5 feet versus 50 feet.

• I was impressed by both their grasp of 'facts' and 'statistics'. More on why those are in quotes later, but just marshalling that amount of information and having it roll off the tongue is a commendable feat for both of them. They were clearly better prepared than the presidential candidates, though in fairness their schedules are much lighter.

• They were constantly contradicting each other with 'facts' and 'statistics', and I don't think many people are competent to judge who was really right in these cases - in fact it's hubris for most people to think they can. What we can do is go to the fact checker websites, (with a spoon full of blind faith) and see what they say. As far as I can see it's a dead heat.

• Biden was more combative, but I think Ryan kept his composure and don't think he really suffered in comparison.

I'd call it close to a tie.

Wait, what? Romney didn't actually say that, did he? That's a bit much to believe.

Fake edit: Seems it came from a satire site.

http://www.freewoodpost.com/2012/02/29/newest-gop-attack-on-women-just-say-no-to-tampons/

why do you write fake edit, no one would know it was fake

(no, I can't believe he would actually say that, but on the other hand.. he says a lot of weird, messed up stuff, like poor big bird)

It amazes me how closely people outside the country follow our election cycle. The fact that a teenager from a Nordic country is busy digging up Romney quotes and a Scot is watching vice presidential debates while a significant fraction of the US population might be confused about who is Mormon and who is Muslim shows that something is seriously askew.

Well look at the financial crisis- America makes an arse of their banks and the whole world goes into recession.
9/11 happens in response to decades of US foreign policy and our soldiers are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan- what America does effects everyone.

Ifa crazy religous nut with right wing policies and a foriegn policy that looks more likely to start WW3 than solve anything is about to get in we like to know.
It is more worrying that Americans themselves dont seem to pay much attention however.

Norc wrote:why do you write fake edit, no one would know it was fake

'Cause I don't want to mislead anyone, but I'm too lazy to go back and actually reorganize the post so the sentence flow coherently in a single paragraph.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:It is more worrying that Americans themselves dont seem to pay much attention however.

If you really want to worry, just take a look at the voter turnout rates in recent Presidential elections.

Actually so long as it's the right people it may be a good thing. I think those who are more informed are more likely to vote.

To some extent I agree, but I think it's more accurate to say that those who care are more likely to vote. Some people care because they are informed, but there are plenty of other reasons to care, not all of them positive ones IMO.

everyone should care about the election, it affects everyone, but everyone should also know who's head of EU and UN. Just saying. It's facts that are important.

A little frustrated right now: Romney is claiming good energy policy will bring gasoline prices down. Obama is saying he wants to push renewable energy, but refuses to say that part of that the formula to encourage renewable energy is to make non-renewable less appealing. Should be taxing gasoline and using that to apply to renewables.

Watched 2mins of the debate then went outside to watch the grass grow. Seems to me whoever lies the best wins. 2 religious people and they don't no that lying is a sin. To hell with them. Don't care who wins as long as it isn't Romney.

Good analysis. This debate didn't feel as solid to me, didn't get a strong sense of trust from either one either.