Wow, after reading this report any Republican that don't tow this skewed ideology line, will have a hard time retaining their seat. Trying to speak to these people is worthless, you won't get any where. And of course, Fox News speaks for the Republican Party and especially these folks who rejects facts but embraces innuendo.
When Stan Greenberg and fellow Democratic researchers launched a study of the conservative Republican world's reaction to President Obama, he figured they'd find ample evidence of racism.
They didn't. Not at all.
"Race just wasn't brought up," said a surprised Greenberg on a conference call with reporters Friday. He said that the focus groups were given as much time to talk about race as they could possibly need.
"If there was any kind of a racial element, we thought we'd pick it up. We didn't," said James Carville, who also worked on the report.
And when asked who spoke for the Republican Party, the answer was overwhelmingly: Fox News.
The study was done by Democracy Corps and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and was also authored by Karl Agne and Jim Gerstein.
What drives the GOP base, rather than race, was a genuine belief that Obama has a "secret agenda" to drive the country in a socialist direction, said the authors. These voters want more opposition, not more cooperation.
"They want more opposition," said Carville. "If you don't wanna get primary-ed, there's nothing in this [report] that tells [a GOP member of Congress] to go compromise on anything. Quite the contrary." read more here.....
The Birther Queen is dreaming of deposing President Barack Obama. All I can type is that, "She will remain in a dream....."
Emerging into the dry Southern California sunshine, Taitz -- dentist, lawyer, wife of a software executive, mother of three and a leading proponent of the so-called birther campaign against President Obama -- walks briskly past her law office, which is conveniently beside the dental practice. Inside the law office is a modest conference room with a table, eight chairs, a couple of abstract paintings and a houseplant. It is here that Taitz dreams of deposing the U.S. president, proving that he is a citizen not of this country but of Kenya, maybe, or possibly Indonesia, perhaps even -- who knows? -- that he is secretly controlled by Saudi Arabia.
"My children are so excited . . . that the president of the United States will have to appear in Mom's office in Rancho Santa Margarita," says Taitz, whose English is richly Russian-accented; she grew up in the former Soviet republic of Moldova.
And if the conference room proves too small to accommodate the presidential entourage and she has to travel to Washington to question the man she refers to as a "usurper," that's okay. Taitz will fly pretty much anywhere to make her argument. The ends of the Earth, one senses, would not be too far away.
It's a lot to take on, but she has help; assisting with her legal filings is Charles E. Lincoln III, a disbarred lawyer and self-described "anarchist." Leaving the office, Lincoln gets in the back seat and Taitz maneuvers her Lexus through the tidy "Real Housewives"-type landscape to a bakery with outdoor seating. For five hours she will discuss her legal crusade, eventually moving to lunch at T.G.I. Friday's.
I don't care who you are, in the end after listening to these teabaggers, birthers, right winged extremists, you can not help but wonder do they really want the President killed. All this white noise out here is not good for this country and just rev up the racists and bigots in this country. Case and point, all these people have grabbed either Barack Obama is not a citizen to healthcare to hide behind these excuses to exude how they really feel and it is plainly racist. Saw this on Keith last night and sadly, this is how I feel in the back of my mind. Keith with Dan Savage.
Again, there is no damn reason why anyone should bring a gun to a health care rally. Again, many racists have found COVER of a cause to spout anti-Obama rhetoric. Again, the leaders of the Republican Party have also catered to this heated, rhetoric. Lastly, having a black man at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is driving many racists crazy.
Chris Broughton, the man who brought an assault rifle and a handgun to the Obama event in Arizona last week, attended a fiery anti-Obama sermon the day before the event, in which Pastor Steven Anderson said he was going to ‘pray for Barack Obama to die and go to hell’, Anderson confirmed to TPMmuckraker today.
And does anyone NOW believe that these people are so concerned about health care? They are using an important issue to mask, hide their real feelings. Instead of straight up putting on the white sheet and hood, they hide behind a cause, this time health care.
Do the Republican Party really think this is productive or helpful? Again, when someone ends up hurt, the finger will be pointed at the Republican Party for lack of moral courage and lack of leadership.
There have been some pretty nasty banners waved around by the town hall crowds protesting the Democrats’ health overhaul plans in recent days, but none reaches the level of that held up today in Hagerstown, Md., where Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) sought to sell the reform strategy for a second straight day. “Death to Obama,” one protester had written on “a small, handwritten cardboard sign,” according to The Hill.
This is NO JOKE and again, DANGEROUS. GOP allowing this kind of scare tactics is totally irresponsible.
MSNBC just aired footage of the crowd gathering at the Obama town hall meeting on health care that's supposed to start later today in New Hampshire and pointed out one man in a group holding protest signs with a gun in a holster on his hip. Apparently not a law officer, but a civilian.
Whatever the concealed carry laws in New Hampshire, you have to figure guns not allowed at a presidential event. Right?
Late Update: Also important to note, the gun-toting protestor was holding a sign referencing the Jefferson quote: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants." It's a well known quote from one of the archetypal founding fathers. And in itself it's part of the American heritage, something that echoes with Jefferson's always ambivalent and frequently dilettantish attitude toward political violence. But in the context of these townhall excesses and while carrying a firearm at a presidential event, it's quite a menacing statement, in as much as it is about the need to kill tyrants. -- jmm
I am for gun rights, a gun owner, but I do not understand the logic of anyone carrying a gun to a presidential visit. Can anyone explain that to me?
Yes, birthers are alive and well throughout the health care town hall chaos!!!
The trend of controversial town halls contiuned on Friday when Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) questioned the authenticity of President Barack Obama's birth certificate and referred to a White House "enemies list" at a meeting in Tulsa.
"This is a scary time in Washington," he said. "It's a very frightening time. I see Barack Obama is creating an enemies list of people who oppose this miserable health care plan. I think that's frightening. That's from a guy that can't even show a long-form birth certificate. I think we all ought to be prepared to fight that."
One audience member at the Tulsa Republican Club didn't think that was enough, berating Sullivan for not doing enough to uncover Obama's citizenship, the Tulsa World reported.
The man was shouted down by other audience members after about one minute.
Several Republicans have accused the White House of forming a health reform "enemies list" after it called for supporters to turn in "fishy" information about the health bill.
The White House has denied such charges, saying that press officials only want to respond to anti-health reform rhetoric.
When you can't win on policy, ideals you retreat to nonsense.
Again, these are organized LOBBYISTS and INSURANCE COMPANIES created violence and chaos at these town hall meetings. Especially, when you have these "people" who don't know that Medicare is a government run program, sheesh.
Again, this is not surprising. The way things have been going, someone will eventually get hurt. Republicans, do you even care?
Angry protesters and strong supporters are clashing inside and all around a health care reform town hall meeting in Downtown Tampa. The meeting which was scheduled to begin at 6:00 at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County drew hundreds of people who quickly began to overwhelm staff and event organizers at the front entrance.
As the building filled to capacity, angry protesters stuck outside began to scream, yell, and chant. At one point, those trying to get inside began banging on windows as Tampa Police officers quickly spread out guarding all entrances.
10 Connects photojournalist Kevin Carlson, currently inside the meeting reports at least one fist fight breaking out inside. Some other journalists remain outside.
Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor and State Representative Betty Reed were hosting the event.
UPDATE 7:13pm
Police on bullhorns are trying to break-up the crowd outside the building on 1002 E. Palm Ave.
Watch Rachel Maddow, below who exposes and lays it on the line about the heavy lobby influence in the health care battle:
Again, we have democrats out there talking about health care with NO DAMN BILL. Meaning, they are just TALKING about wanting health care with no talking points to expound on here.
It sucks, don't it.
These lobbyists groups are doing something they have done for years, stoke anger or faux anger at these town hall meetings of congress critters and make HEADLINES of the ANGER in AMERICA. Well, it is working. But I don't fault the lobbyists for doing this. We knew their deal for years, they are not hiding behind a bush, they are out there and have been for decades. They don't give a damn. I fault the Democrats. Yes, the D.C. Democrats.
When my mother called me and asked me about what is Barack talking about in this health care debate, the call took me for a loop. But the reality is that many don't know what he is talking about, nor do they understand what the Democrats are trying to sell or what it means for THEM, since many have health care that they love or are seniors, thanks to Medicare. And the lobbyists are doing a good job. They are targeting seniors who will NEVER give an inch on Medicare, muddy the waters that Medicare is "not a government program", arm them to these town hall meetings and we hear the ridiculous. During the AARP town hall meeting with President Obama, the Obama Adminstration should have been ALARMED at many repeated calls about taking their Medicare away, the misinformation that many did not know Medicare was a "government program", and the lie that is being repeated that the Democrats want seniors to die. Yes, many are believing that. And why should we be worried? Mid-term elections are coming up and SENIORS VOTE.
For all the great things the Obama Campaign and Administration has done and represented, they have ALWAYS been slow off the mark in REACTING. For some, they react too late, this may be one of the times. I am in agreement with Markos, if the public option of the health care reform plan is stripped or dummied down to nothing, it is up to the progressives to KILL THE BILL and come back in a couple of years (if they can):
Qunnipiac has a new poll out on the health care debate and it is not good.
Do you think President Obama's health care plan would increase the taxes that you pay, decrease the taxes you pay, or not make a difference?
Increase: 66% Decrease: 6%
Do you agree or disagree with the following: Congress should approve a health care overhaul plan even if only Democrats support it.
President Obama has pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our federal budget deficit over the next decade. Do you think that President Obama will be able to keep his promise or do you think any health care plan that Congress passes and President Obama signs will add to the federal budget deficit?
Will Keep Promise: 21% Will Add to Deficit: 72%
American voters, by a 55 - 35 percent margin, are more worried that Congress will spend too much money and add to the deficit than it will not act to overhaul the health care system, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. By a similar 57 - 37 percent margin, voters say health care reform should be dropped if it adds "significantly" to the deficit.
These numbers are directly related to the Democrats lack of push back, no bill or specifics and letting the Republicans continue their noise that it will RAISE YOUR TAXES, it will INCREASE THE DEFICIT. That concern is warranted and is settling into the minds of many Americans, especially the independents who are the swing voters, here.
We have a lot going on here. We have teabaggers, birthers, whatever you call them out in force to muddy the message and get on television, it is working. We have our congress critters and the Obama Administration talking about health care reform with no specifics or talking points to hold it up. We have polling numbers coming out, Quinnipiac is not the only firm with eroding numbers, on the health care issue with Americans. We have lobbyists performing shadow dancing with the Democrats to erode or totally destroy health care reform for Americans. Finally, we have D.C. Democrats, many who are so tied to lobbyist monies that they are playing along with Republicans to stall any advancement of the argument for health care reform.
To destruct, attempt to destroy democracy and you know they hate Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Time to get fire up and stomp on these idiots, legally and professionally, of course.
Calling Colorado: Malkin’s Teabaggers Targeting Pelosi in Denver
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday August 5, 2009 5:34 pm
Update: Jeralyn of Talk Left is going to be at the Denver event. Sign up here.
Update II: Zappatero at Square State is spreading the good word.
Update III: ColoradoPols has more.
Frank Kratovil was hung in effigy. Chris Dodd was told to go kill himself. Gerry Connolly says that one Freshman was assaulted, and Brad Miller got death threats.
Nancy Pelosi is showing up to support Diane DeGette and Jared Polis at an event in Denver tomorrow, and the Malkinites are going to be out in force.
If you're in Denver, please show up and support Democrats against the thuggery of the insurance industry-funded GOP astroturfers:
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi will join Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Jared Polis tomorrow afternoon, August 6, for a tour of the Stout Street Clinic in Denver. The tour will be followed by a press conference to highlight critical investments in health care services made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the need for health insurance reform.
Stout Street Clinic Tour and Press Conference Thursday at 2pm Mountain Time 2100 Broadway Denver, CO 80205-2526
Miller will only meet with constituents ONE at a time, by one-on-one meetings, and Congressman make sure you have a metal detector. The "certifiables" are running rampant right now.
Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) will not be hosting any town hall events this August — instead, he’s making himself available to constituents for one-on-one meetings about health care reform — and at least part of the reason is this: His offices have received threatening phone calls, including at least one direct threat against his life.
‘We had no town hall events scheduled for the August recess anyway, but in light of everything that’s happened — we have received a threatening phone call in the D.C. office, there have been calls to the Raleigh office,’ said Miller communications director LuAnn Canipe, in an interview with TPM. The threatening call in question happened earlier this week.
Again, this is dangerous. This is playing with fire. Is this what the Republican Party is about?
As lobbyist-run groups encourage conservative activists to “rattle” members of Congress at local town hall events, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the president of the freshman Democratic class has revealed that “at least one freshman Democrat” has already been “physically assaulted at a local event.” Connolly warned that conservative groups had taken things to a “dangerous level“:
“When you look at the fervor of some of these people who are all being whipped up by the right-wing talking heads on Fox, to me, you’re crossing a line,’ Connolly said. ‘They’re inciting people to riot with just total distortions of facts. They think we’re going to euthanize Grandma and the government is going to take over.”
This is riot antics given to you by the K Street lobbyists, who are feeding on a frenzy of a very small portion of the population.
What has to happen next? Gun shots fired? Or someone seriously injured? GOP you down for these thug tactics? Again, no answer because they are leaderless.
While we are watching these right wing extremists being bused in by lobbyists, "K" Street in D.C.; these organizations are feeding on a underlying racist, hatred from these individuals. This is not only unhealthy but extremely dangerous. Below from Keith Olbermann:
These individuals have been all over television, hell we saw them during the general election campaign. The same types calling Barack Obama a terrorist, "kill him", etc. This type of talk is again, not only dangerous, but a turn off to many Americans, whether you voted for Obama or not.
Now we have these same nut jobs, disrupting health care forums by democrats all over this country, using lobbyist, GOP talking points. I must write, some are so dumb that they are talking about don't take medicare away from me, when medicare is a GOVERNMENT RUN PROGRAM. Hello? Intelligence? Again, does something have to HAPPEN for this to stop?
Unfortunately, those not interested in health insurance reform are disrupting public meetings and not allowing concerned constituents to ask questions and express their views. Many of these opponents who are shutting down civil discussion are organized by out-of-district, extremist political groups, and industry-supported lobbying firms.
This is typical gangster, thug style the GOP is playing with. I hope Democrats around this country are enlisting the local police, they will need it.
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