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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: Soul Crusher on August 14, 2012, 07:38:50 PM

Title: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago" (Hatefest 2012)
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 14, 2012, 07:38:50 PM
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/243697-romney-comes-out-swinging-against-obama-in-tough-new-speech



Great FNG speech today.   Screw that ghetto gutter rat Obama for his burn every bridge campaign so far.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 14, 2012, 08:19:24 PM
Cancer Ad Just the Beginning: Obama Super PAC Ready to Launch More 'Incendiary' Ads
Weeklystandard ^
Posted on August 14, 2012 10:50:25 PM EDT by chessplayer

On May 27, 2012, National Journal's Major Garrett told MSNBC's Chris Matthews that the super PAC aligned with President Barack Obama, Priorities USA, is ready to launch "incendiary" ads, including ones that relate to "suicides" and ones "too emotionally powerful to be used in television ads."

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 14, 2012, 08:36:46 PM
Team Romney and team obama have BOTH been in the gutters.   Rememebr the ad where obama was quoting mccain?  they literally laughed and called it 'persuasive art'.

Now mitt is upset about it?  It's american politics, and both sides are dirty as hell here.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Fury on August 14, 2012, 08:39:24 PM
Team Romney and team obama have BOTH been in the gutters.   Rememebr the ad where obama was quoting mccain?  they literally laughed and called it 'persuasive art'.

Now mitt is upset about it?  It's american politics, and both sides are dirty as hell here.

Do you ever not try to rationalize something Obama does. Shut the fuck up already, dickhead.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 14, 2012, 08:41:24 PM
Team Romney and team obama have BOTH been in the gutters.   Rememebr the ad where obama was quoting mccain?  they literally laughed and called it 'persuasive art'.

Now mitt is upset about it?  It's american politics, and both sides are dirty as hell here.

And acusing Romney of murder?
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 14, 2012, 09:02:15 PM
yep, that was wrong of team obama to do that, definitely. 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 14, 2012, 09:06:17 PM
Cancer Ad Just the Beginning: Obama Super PAC Ready to Launch More 'Incendiary' Ads
Weeklystandard ^
Posted on August 14, 2012 10:50:25 PM EDT by chessplayer

On May 27, 2012, National Journal's Major Garrett told MSNBC's Chris Matthews that the super PAC aligned with President Barack Obama, Priorities USA, is ready to launch "incendiary" ads, including ones that relate to "suicides" and ones "too emotionally powerful to be used in television ads."

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...


the best part is that I don't think this ad has even been on the air yet

Repubs have played it hundreds or probably thousand of times for free and in spite what you think of the ad it's going to effect some people

same goes for all the bullshit that Romney and his affiliated PAC's do

don't forget that people like this vote and for both sides

Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 14, 2012, 09:08:22 PM
And acusing Romney of murder?

Obama didn't accuse Romney of murder

come on man

you're not really a lawyer
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 03:10:55 AM
Obama didn't accuse Romney of murder

come on man

you're not really a lawyer

Yes they did. Watch the ad. 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 04:33:15 AM
1.  Obama is completely in the gutter on this one

2.  Romney's been there... so him bitching is a punk move.  Just say "It's gutter politics, but we're both doing it.  Let's get a beer!"
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 06:22:18 AM
1.  Obama is completely in the gutter on this one

2.  Romney's been there... so him bitching is a punk move.  Just say "It's gutter politics, but we're both doing it.  Let's get a beer!"


Yes - but Obama is supposed to be hope and Change remember?   


So now obama's best argument is Romney will kill you and put you in chains? 



LMFAO! 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 09:17:15 AM
(http://static.thepeoplescube.com/red/gallery/supercommissar-maksim-a34/cory-booker-groupthink-tpc-i4171.jpg)
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 09:55:21 AM
Yes they did. Watch the ad. 

No they did not but hopefully Repubs will keep giving this ad free publicity
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 09:58:04 AM
No they did not but hopefully Repubs will keep giving this ad free publicity

STFU - watch the ad.    They directly imply that the woman losing her inasurance was the cause of her death and mitt Romney "does not care about what he has done" 



Only a farthest leftist hacks believe the excuses from obama in this.  Even most demos say this ad is gutter trash.   
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 09:58:21 AM
Yes - but Obama is supposed to be hope and Change remember?  
So now obama's best argument is Romney will kill you and put you in chains?  

it's been 4 years of seeing obama isn't hope and change.

Now, if you intend to stay on that little island, good luck in November.  You repeat "obama didn't give us the change he promised" while repubs trumpet "We made sure the congress did nothing for 2 straight years!"

Joe sixpack is going to be told by obama that a do-nothing congress prevented him from enacting the rest of his hope/change plan.  Of course, repubs will argue it, til tape of them actually promising to do as little as possible emerges.  

Dumb shits.  They're snatching defeat from jaws of victory.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: MCWAY on August 15, 2012, 10:02:24 AM
STFU - watch the ad.    They directly imply that the woman losing her inasurance was the cause of her death and mitt Romney "does not care about what he has done" 



Only a farthest leftist hacks believe the excuses from obama in this.  Even most demos say this ad is gutter trash.   

When Wolf Blitzer dismembers Bill Burton (of the Priorities USA PAC) by pointing out the flagrant falsehoods, you know this whole thing is a bunch of bull.

- Romney wasn't at Bain, when the plant closed.
- The plant would have closed years sooner, had it not been for Bain.
- The guy was offered a BUYOUT (which likely would have included health insurance) but didn't take it.
- His wife had insurance.
- The plant closed FIVE YEARS before his wife died.
- The guy had insurance from his subsequent job.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 10:03:33 AM
STFU - watch the ad.    They directly imply that the woman losing her inasurance was the cause of her death and mitt Romney "does not care about what he has done" 



Only a farthest leftist hacks believe the excuses from obama in this.  Even most demos say this ad is gutter trash.   

I watched it and no one accused Romney of "murder" and certainly Obama didn't accuse anyone of murder

PACs speak only for themselves

You're totally in favor of that so change your diaper and stop crying like a baby
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: MCWAY on August 15, 2012, 10:06:09 AM
I watched it and no one accused Romney of "murder" and certainly Obama didn't accuse anyone of murder

PACs speak only for themselves

You're totally in favor of that so change your diaper and stop crying like a baby

But, when you take money from the PACs, that says, at the very least, you have little problem with their message.

Why doesn't Obama turn down the money or condemn the ad? For the same reason he didn't turn down the million dollars from Bill Maher, despite all his misogynistic statements about Palin, Bachmann, et. al.

He needs the cash.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 10:07:19 AM
I watched it and no one accused Romney of "murder" and certainly Obama didn't accuse anyone of murder

PACs speak only for themselves

You're totally in favor of that so change your diaper and stop crying like a baby

Yes he did - seriously - WTF is wrong w you. 


"Mitt Romney does not care what he has done"      is what the ad says right after saying the woman died from losing insurance. 



you are beyond a joke at this point. 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 10:07:28 AM
he just said romney doesn't care.

Also, this is a super PAC - while obama should have declared the ad crap - Mitt didn't call the anti-obama false obama ads to be crap either.

Put in your tampon and accept it - both sides are uing superpac LIES to defeat the other.  Obama/romney both have their hands dirty.  Period.  Either one who cries about the other is just a whiner.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 11:52:19 AM
Yes he did - seriously - WTF is wrong w you. 


"Mitt Romney does not care what he has done"      is what the ad says right after saying the woman died from losing insurance. 



you are beyond a joke at this point. 

you must be the only lawyer the planet who doesn't know the definition of the word "murder"

Disregarding the fact that no one is accusing Romney of murder in this ad, Obama is not even responsible for this ad so Repubs look like idiots blaming obama for the content

Also, Romneys first ad of this campaign (which he is fully responsible for since it was paid for by his campaign and not a PAC) completely lied about Obama and attributed words to him that are not his words so he doesn't have a leg to stand on.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: MCWAY on August 15, 2012, 11:54:59 AM
he just said romney doesn't care.

Also, this is a super PAC - while obama should have declared the ad crap - Mitt didn't call the anti-obama false obama ads to be crap either.

Put in your tampon and accept it - both sides are uing superpac LIES to defeat the other.  Obama/romney both have their hands dirty.  Period.  Either one who cries about the other is just a whiner.

The claim that Romney doesn't care asserts that Romney is responsible or knew of what happened. HE WASN'T WITH BAIN, when that plant closed.

Plus, if this guy were so concerned about insurance, why didn't he take the buyout, when he had the chance?
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: MCWAY on August 15, 2012, 11:57:39 AM
you must be the only lawyer the planet who doesn't know the definition of the word "murder"

Disregarding the fact that no one is accusing Romney of murder in this ad, Obama is not even responsible for this ad so Repubs look like idiots blaming obama for the content

Also, Romneys first ad of this campaign (which he is fully responsible for since it was paid for by his campaign and not a PAC) completely lied about Obama and attributed words to him that are not his words so he doesn't have a leg to stand on.


Ummm.....one former Obama campaign worker and one CURRENT campaign worker are associated with this PAC and with the guy in this ad.

Yet, you're naive enough to believe that Obama is clueless as to what's happening.

You notice how he ain't turning down the money, despite supposedly not being associated with the PAC.

Obama is supposed to be Mr. Civility, lecturing people to talk in a way that "heals, not in a way that wounds". Yet, he's accepting campaign cash from comedians that call conservative women all manner of nasty names and accuse Romney of being responsible for the death of a steelworker's wife.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 12:44:24 PM
Ummm.....one former Obama campaign worker and one CURRENT campaign worker are associated with this PAC and with the guy in this ad.
Yet, you're naive enough to believe that Obama is clueless as to what's happening.

You notice how he ain't turning down the money, despite supposedly not being associated with the PAC.

Obama is supposed to be Mr. Civility, lecturing people to talk in a way that "heals, not in a way that wounds". Yet, he's accepting campaign cash from comedians that call conservative women all manner of nasty names and accuse Romney of being responsible for the death of a steelworker's wife.

Ummm...... 100% irrelevent and you know it

Obama is only responsible for the ads that he pays for and puts his name on  (you know, like that first Romney ad)

If you have a problem with PACS expressing their own opinions then go complain to the Supreme Court

Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 12:52:39 PM
The claim that Romney doesn't care asserts that Romney is responsible or knew of what happened. HE WASN'T WITH BAIN, when that plant closed.

I dont see that assertion.   Mitt probably doesn't give a shit.  Doesnt mean he is being blamed.

But where in the ad does the dude say "mitt killed my wife"?  Is that just an inference we make on our own?
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 12:53:31 PM
Ummm.....one former Obama campaign worker and one CURRENT campaign worker are associated with this PAC and with the guy in this ad.

So? 

I used to bag groceries with a produce clerk who later beat up his wife, years later.   
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 12:53:58 PM
I dont see that assertion.   Mitt probably doesn't give a shit.  Doesnt mean he is being blamed.

But where in the ad does the dude say "mitt killed my wife"?  Is that just an inference we make on our own?

Which is the point of the ad, geeez you can't be that thick
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 02:01:02 PM
Which is the point of the ad, geeez you can't be that thick

'the point'?   i didnt reach that conclusion watching.  Dude never said that.  He just said mitt doesn't care.  might be true, i dunno.

If mitt was responsible for the death, the dude damn sure would have said "Mitt's actions definitely killed my wife".

but he never said that.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 02:04:05 PM
'the point'?   i didnt reach that conclusion watching.  Dude never said that.  He just said mitt doesn't care.  might be true, i dunno.

If mitt was responsible for the death, the dude damn sure would have said "Mitt's actions definitely killed my wife".

but he never said that.

Bullshit.   You are lying your ass off AGAIN


He said mitt doesnt care about WHAT HE HAS DONE! 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 02:05:26 PM
'the point'?   i didnt reach that conclusion watching.  Dude never said that.  He just said mitt doesn't care.  might be true, i dunno.

If mitt was responsible for the death, the dude damn sure would have said "Mitt's actions definitely killed my wife".

but he never said that.

Then why even make the ad? What purpose does it serve? You fucking know what was implied, but you choose to argue for the sake of arguing
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 02:13:13 PM
Then why even make the ad? What purpose does it serve? You fucking know what was implied, but you choose to argue for the sake of arguing

The man clearly says "MITT DOES NOT CARE WHAT HE HAS DONE" 

What does that mean? 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 02:29:29 PM
The man clearly says "MITT DOES NOT CARE WHAT HE HAS DONE" 

What does that mean? 

it sounds to me it means like Mitt doesn't care

definitely doesn't sound like "Mitt murdered my wife"

I know you see and hear things that don't actually exist so god only knows what you think you heard or saw

Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 02:32:45 PM
it sounds to me it means like Mitt doesn't care

definitely doesn't sound like "Mitt murdered my wife"

I know you see and hear things that don't actually exist so god only knows what you think you heard or saw




Oh bullshit   - WHAT DID ROMNEY "DO" THAT HE DID NOT CARE ABOUT THAT WAS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THE DEATH?
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 02:32:54 PM
it sounds to me it means like Mitt doesn't care

definitely doesn't sound like "Mitt murdered my wife"

I know you see and hear things that don't actually exist so god only knows what you think you heard or saw




We already know the "story" this guy told in a stretch at best. So what is the point of the ad? I think I'm going to make an ad about someone who had a family tragedy and lost their job after the stimulus that was supposed to keep unemployment in check and say that Obama doesn't care what he's done
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 02:34:52 PM

We already know the "story" this guy told in a stretch at best. So what is the point of the ad? I think I'm going to make an ad about someone who had a family tragedy and lost their job after the stimulus that was supposed to keep unemployment in check and say that Obama doesn't care what he's done


 ;D 

Maybe we can tie Obama to Whitney Houstons drug addiction and death. 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 02:38:12 PM
We already know the "story" this guy told in a stretch at best. So what is the point of the ad? I think I'm going to make an ad about someone who had a family tragedy and lost their job after the stimulus that was supposed to keep unemployment in check and say that Obama doesn't care what he's done

the point of this ad, like all political ads of this nature, is to make you not like the guy.....in this case Romney

you'll find the same point in all the anti-Obama ads

that's it
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 02:38:54 PM
the point of this ad, like all political ads of this nature, is to make you not like the guy.....in this case Romney

you'll find the same point in all the anti-Obama ads

that's it

Well I don't need to see any ad's to know I don't like Obama
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 02:41:37 PM
the point of this ad, like all political ads of this nature, is to make you not like the guy.....in this case Romney

you'll find the same point in all the anti-Obama ads

that's it


LOL!!!!


So if I come up with an ad blaming Obama for the death of Steve Jobs making him look like he was responsible that is ok just if its meant ti make him look bad?   
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: 240 is Back on August 15, 2012, 02:42:27 PM
'persuasive art'

both sides do it.  neither side should bitch about it.
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 02:47:42 PM
(http://thepeoplescube.com/red/download/file.php?mode=view&id=13597)


Obama doesn't care what he's done because he is gay
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 02:58:07 PM

LOL!!!!


So if I come up with an ad blaming Obama for the death of Steve Jobs making him look like he was responsible that is ok just if its meant ti make him look bad?   

it might make him look bad to a moron such as yourself but it would mostly just make you look stupid since there is no connection whatsoever with Obama and Jobs
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 02:58:47 PM
it might make him look bad to a moron such as yourself but it would mostly just make you look stupid since there is no connection whatsoever with Obama and Jobs

That's not what he says
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 03:00:00 PM
Well I don't need to see any ad's to know I don't like Obama

same goes for me and Romney/Ryan

I guess the negative ads are wasted on both you and I
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 03:02:04 PM
it might make him look bad to a moron such as yourself but it would mostly just make you look stupid since there is no connection whatsoever with Obama and Jobs

And there was no connection Romney and this womans' death. 



Checkmate - you lost. 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 03:05:56 PM
That's not what he says

?
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 03:13:30 PM
And there was no connection Romney and this womans' death. 
Checkmate - you lost. 

Romney certainly didn't murder her if that's what you mean but then no one ever accused Romney of that either
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 03:16:17 PM
Romney certainly didn't murder her if that's what you mean but then no one ever accused Romney of that either


LOL  - than what did mittens have to ashamed of related to her death? 
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Straw Man on August 15, 2012, 03:19:23 PM

LOL  - than what did mittens have to ashamed of related to her death? 

I think the husband said Mitt didn't care so I assume he's not ashamed of anything

You should save some of your "stupid" energy for the Paul Ryan ads that are about to start showing up

Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 15, 2012, 03:24:25 PM
I think the husband said Mitt didn't care so I assume he's not ashamed of anything

You should save some of your "stupid" energy for the Paul Ryan ads that are about to start showing up



No - the husband said mittens "DOES NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT HE HAS DONE"
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago"
Post by: Kazan on August 15, 2012, 04:37:05 PM
?

Why the ?, Obama and Biden are out there trumpeting creating all kinds of jobs
Title: Re: "Get your campaign out of the gutter and go back to Chicago" (Hatefest 2012)
Post by: Soul Crusher on August 17, 2012, 03:55:55 AM
Obama's Betrayal
By Michael Gerson - August 17, 2012

 
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WASHINGTON -- In the innocent, bygone days of February, President Obama told NBC News that the campaign would get negative against him, but provided this assurance: "I think that you will be able to see how we conduct ourselves in the campaign. I think it will be consistent with how I conducted myself in 2008 and hopefully how I have conducted myself as president of the United States."

Not since Gary Hart urged reporters to follow him around because "they'd be very bored" has an assurance been more of an indictment. The Obama campaign has targeted and intimidated Republican donors on an Internet enemies list. It has engaged in the juvenile mockery of Mitt Romney's singing. It has suggested, without evidence, that Romney may have committed the felony of falsifying FEC documents. It has speculated, without proof, that Romney has avoided paying taxes. When Joe Biden engages in racially charged hyperbole, he is awkwardly but accurately reflecting the spirit of the 2012 Obama campaign.


 
But the most vivid accusation (made by a closely associated PAC and embraced by the campaign itself) is that Romney's ruthless business practices were responsible for the closing of a firm, the loss of a couple's health insurance, and thus the death of a woman from cancer. Except that Romney wasn't connected to the closing of the firm, the woman continued to have health insurance from another source, and her cancer was diagnosed five years after the plant shut down.

Which represents the crossing of an ethical line. If the conduct of the Obama campaign team were universalized, candidates would no longer require any evidence to accuse one another of complicity in a death. To accept this as a new political norm would be to define defamation down.

Obama's defenders assure us that everyone does it. But not everyone does this. It is one thing to exploit a misstatement; another to exploit a tragedy. It is one thing to mischaracterize a federal waiver; another to accuse an opponent of being the Angel of Death.

For the Obama campaign, this is not an aberration; it is a culmination. The demonization of Romney is a main element of its strategy, pursued by Obama's closest associates and former employees, not by loosely affiliated partisan groups. Deniability is not even remotely plausible but it doesn't remotely matter. Even when exposed, the Obama campaign never retracts, never apologizes -- convinced that the news cycle will quickly erase inconvenient memories.

It seems to be working, at least for the moment. Obama's recent polling gains are mainly explainable by Romney's rising negatives, particularly among independents. Even as political journalists point out distortions by the Obama campaign, they tend to praise its boldness, coordination and momentum. And each new controversy succeeds in distracting attention from Obama's economic stewardship.

There is, however, some collateral damage. Obama increased the turnout of young voters in 2008 by more than 2 million over the previous election. But the level of trust by young people in public institutions, including the presidency, has been declining. Youth interest in politics has waned. Some of this is a function of understandable economic discontent. But apart from the most partisan, what young voters have had their sights and spirits lifted by the current campaign? Having introduced a generation to political idealism, Obama seems intent on taking it back.

Ronald Reagan expressed distrust of government while paradoxically improving its image and standing. Obama has placed boundless faith in government while trust in public institutions has declined to all-time lows. It is the legacy of Obama's liberalism: expanding the state while helping discredit the political process.

The Obama campaign is veering toward antinomianism. Since it regards its own motives as pure, it feels it can dispense with the normal rules of accuracy, civility and decency. So we get the political methods of Spiro Agnew combined with the moral self-regard of Woodrow Wilson. It is not an attractive mixture.

Speaking in Canton, Ohio, a week before the 2008 election, Obama said, "Some of you may be cynical and fed up with politics. A lot of you may be disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what has been asked of Americans throughout our history. I ask you to believe."

I am admittedly a sucker for rhetorical idealism. But it can't be a small thing, a typical thing, a trivial thing, to ask for belief and then betray it. 

Copyright 2012, Washington Post Writers Group

Related Topics: Obama administration
 
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