Obama Missed Too Many Chances

Sunday, October 7, 2012

For Obama supporters, Wednesday's debate was a frustrating exercise as we watched the president let one easy pitch after another go by him without taking a swing that could have let him hit the ball out of the park.

For instance, during the debate over taxes, Mitt Romney continued to make his absurd assertion that he could make his plan to lower tax rates "revenue neutral" by eliminating unspecified "loopholes and deductions." Obama could have turned to him and simply asked, "So which of these deductions and loopholes do you plan to close, governor?"

In the past, Romney has tried to weasel his way out of answering this question, saying only that he'll have to "negotiate with Congress on that" (in other words, we have to elect him and pass his tax reform bill to see what's in it). But nonpartisan tax policy analysts have stated that the only way to make up the revenue would be to eliminate popular tax breaks like the deduction for home mortgages and the child care tax credit.

President Obama did bring up that study, and made a reference that the "arithmetic" didn't add up, but when Romney intimated that his "plan" didn't include eliminating those middle-class tax breaks, he failed to press him to be specific. Romney hates being specific, largely because the more specific he and Ryan get about what they really want to do, the more horrified voters become.

Likewise, the president missed an opportunity to point out Romney's hypocrisy on the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plan. "The president should have grabbed that," Romney said. But Obama could have easily pointed out that Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, voted against sending the final proposal of the Simpson-Bowles commission to Congress. "Their proposal is a serious and credible plan, but I cannot support it," Ryan said at the time. Obama just let that one go by.

On health care, President Obama forgot the wise words of Sun Tzu that the best policy in waging warfare is to "attack the enemy's strategy." Mitt Romney's strategy is based entirely on lying through his teeth.

Remember, this is the campaign that said they weren't going to let the fact checkers dictate to them, and Obama let him get away with some whoppers.

For instance, Romney hearkened back to Sarah Palin's mythical "death panels" when he talked about "an unelected board that's going to tell people ultimately what kind of treatments they can have."

But as fact checkers, including The Associated Press, have pointed out, the health care law "explicitly prohibits" the Independent Payment Advisory Board "from rationing care, shifting costs to retirees, restricting benefits or raising the Medicare eligibility age." So the board doesn't have the power to dictate to doctors what treatments they can prescribe.

Romney also continued to double down on the thoroughly discredited claim that Obama is "cutting $716 billion from Medicare to pay for Obamacare." As the fact-checking site Politifact points out, Obamacare "does not literally cut funding from the Medicare program's budget." They go on to say that "the cuts are from future spending, not the program's current budget" and that 'the spending reductions were mainly aimed at insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries."

This has been debunked so many times by so many fact checkers that for Romney to keep bringing it up is an act of sheer outrageous chutzpah, but I can't imagine that, as commentator David Gergen put it, Obama was caught by surprise by Romney telling a bald-faced lie. And that is exactly what it was.

Romney wasn't expressing opinions upon which reasonable people can disagree. He said things that were factually untrue, and the president let him get away with it.

I don't know what this was all about. Maybe Obama went into this debate assuming he could coast on the lead he has in the swing states. Maybe he thought going for Romney's throat (metaphorically, of course) would look "unpresidential."

He may have thought Romney would do the job for him by saying something egregiously stupid, like dismissing half of the American people again (another thing he inexplicably failed to mention). Maybe he was just unhappy because he was having to do this on his anniversary.

But Obama needs to get his head back in the game here. You give Mr. Etch A Sketch the chance to weasel and lie, he'll take it. Please, Mr. President, don't let it happen again. Next time Mittens serves up a slow pitch, you need to pound it over the left-field wall, then go upside his head with the bat.

Metaphorically, of course.

Dusty Rhoades lives, writes and practices law in Carthage.

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The_AnonymusProfit 7 months, 2 weeks ago

All I hear is blah blah YOU LOST!

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

http://economistsforromney.com/

It would appear the experts on the economy have made their choice.

geoffcutler 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Quite a list.

OldPilot 7 months, 2 weeks ago

If anyone is undecided by this point one would think they have been out of contact with the real world for an extended period of time. This debate, or the next two for that matter, are and should not be the or any basis for making a decision concerning who to vote for in the upcoming election. The candidates positions are or should be common knowledge by now, except Romney seems to change his position on every issue on a daily basis, so who or what is the real Romney? Any guess is good as any other guess. Given that why should the President come out swinging as to anything Romney says. 47%? Oh, gosh, I was wrong! Obamacare? I invented it but now I'm against it! Abortion? I absolutely opposed it but now my opinion has evolved! The debt & budget? No tax increases. Close some unknown tax loopholes. Which ones? That's a secret. Medicare? Let's not even start with the lies. Tax returns? That's a secret too! Right up there with the Ryan marathon! So why should the President even try to rebut every lie, sorry, "mis-statement". They will just change tomorrow: "I was wrong, I mis-stated, I was mis-quoted, I was given the wrong information". Better to sit back and let the clown have the floor: all flash and dance, no substance.

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Has there ever been a president with a thinner resume than Obama? If anyone thinks so, please enlighten us with some specifics as to how you reached that conclusion.

njc17 7 months, 2 weeks ago

You know, for years I have watched this comment ledger, [ the years it has been open] and I note Dusty has quite a history of unique statements and I can't for the life of me figure out if he is all that serious or pulling the public's leg. I have asked numerous people who claim Romney perpetually lies, as they claim he did on the debates, What EXACTLY has he lied about, when did he lie, and NOBODY has given a clear real answer. They LIE about the lies they purport to be reporting on.

Nezumi 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Njc, you could start here, but there are other sites. This details the claims by both candidates: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/oct/03/fact-checking-denver-presidential-debate/

nothingspecial 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Very good chance Mitt would have made mince meat of you too Dusty, especially if you had planned to explain why our President just needs a little more time. Fidel Castro says he also just needs another 4 years or so for things to kick in.

Devout_Heretic 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Mitt essentially said that determination of what "loopholes" to remove should be undertaken by a group taking into account all political leanings. Unlike the way Obamacare was enacted (I'm still trying to figure out what's in it).

Is Mitt right in this ? Well, judging from the 2010 election, slamming through a piece of legislation the way Obismalcare was "just because we could - with a few bribes, blackmails, etc." is not favorable among the American Electorate.

Yes, it needs to get done. But it needs to get done right.

homerunfun 7 months, 2 weeks ago

maybe mr. rhodes should consider that barry soetoro, aka "the marlboro man" life has been one big lie. by the way, smoking in the white house is against federal law......who lies?

dustyrhoades 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Well, that bump didn't last long:

President Barack Obama moved back to a 5-point lead over Mitt Romney, halting the Republican nominee's post-debate momentum. Obama now leads Romney 50 percent to 45 percent in Gallup's daily tracking poll. Romney had seen a big three-day post-debate move in the Gallup daily tracking poll, but today's results signal that his debate bump is beginning to level off. Earlier on Monday, Gallup released results of three days of post-debate, which showed that Romney had tied up the race with Obama in those three days of interviews. It also found that Romney was the biggest winner in the history of the presidential debates. Obama's approval rating — which has swung wildly in recent weeks — also ticked up to 51 percent, above the "safe" 50-percent threshold for an incumbent's re-election. Obama also bumped back up in the Rasmussen daily tracking poll. He is now tied with Romney after trailing by 2 points on Sunday.

The_AnonymusProfit 7 months, 2 weeks ago

You better read more polls dusty

http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/10-8-12%20Political%20Release.pdf

Pew poll

MikeNC 7 months, 2 weeks ago

This also needs to be taken into account: Many poll takers use an over all higher sampling of Democrats in their polling, based on the 2008 election turn out. I do not think the Democrat turn out this time will be as high this time. Diane

OldPilot 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The more I think about it the more I wonder exactly what, not who, Obama was debating. It sure as hell wasn't Romney. It looked liked Romney. It had the same vocal quality and inflections as Romney. But it wasn't Romney, at least the same Romney we have seen up to now. A clone? A robot? A Manchurian candidate? A shape shifter? I don't know. Do you? The man/clone/robot/Manchurian candidate/shape shifter has changed positions so many times we can't keep track. We really have no idea where it stands on any given issue, we know yesterdays position, we know todays position, we have no clue what tomorrows position might be except we know its position will be whatever the audience of the moment wants. One suspects the real Romney is the chap who wrote off 47% of the electorate, the rich guy with accounts everywhere on the planet, the guy whose accountants know every tax haven and dodge there ever was, the vulture capitalist who made China a success, the evangelest who ducked military service spreading the Mormon word in France...all of which is fine and we don't begrudge him a second of his life, success or wealth. But please, don't try to convince us that the real Romney, versus the clone/robot/Manchurian candidate/shape shifter Romney, is qualified to be President, much less Ryan "the wonk marathon-man".

geoffcutler 7 months, 2 weeks ago

10/9/12 WSJ, "Obama Is Urged To Get Tough"

Pew Research Center on Monday releases post debate poll of likely voters showing Romney surge to lead, 49% Romney, 45% Obama.

No doubt Pew not to be trusted any more than Rasmussen.

Courseaire 7 months, 2 weeks ago

This is what I've gleamed from Dusty's opinion piece: The President misses a lot of things, yet they still what him for another 4 years so he'll have a chance to maybe find what he lost - kind of reminds me of Tootles: 1st four years - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLAlc... -- 2nd four years - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpuG2V...

fatboy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

If most people think that NObama missed the first debate, wait until the foreign affairs debate, and te Ryan/Bitem debate. That will be the cherry on the sundae.

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/10/group-warns-of-foreign-fraudulent-donors-to-obama-campaign/

Obama campaign knowingly using illegal foreign donations. Just wait til Eric Holder hears about this.

Middleman522 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Old Pilot and Dusty have had so much Koolade that reality just has no place in their lives. 67 million Americans finally got to see the real Romney that Lame Stream media has been hiding and paraphrasing and they were pleasantly surprised. Unfortunatey you libs had to watch as well and all you have to say is liar. After all of Barry's white lies. This little bump in the road called Libyan Ambassador asking for more security and being turned down so as not to look scared, and campaign money from overseas, are going to look pretty bad after Ryan slaps Gaffer Joe around on stage. Prepare yourselves for the depression that's on the way!! BTW has Romney insulted 25% of the American people like Barry (Catholics)? Has Romney insulted the Jewish Americans in this country? Or the Baptist? What few Military folks that get to vote are 65/30 for Romney! Where do you get your numbers when dreaming outloud?? Just Sayin...

Toda 7 months, 2 weeks ago

"BTW has Romney insulted 25% of the American people", Try 47% of the working class who paid taxes on their measly weekly paycheck as opposed to the luxury crowd who pay no taxes except on Capital Gains => not in NC though for the last 15 years or so ... Since Richard Morgan pushed through that legislation. I'm one of the former middle class and 47% who will not support the Romney Family and their money empire.

CC85 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Monday's poll was comprised of 31% Democrats, 36% Republicans and 30% independents.

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

http://militarytimes.com/news/2012/10/military-times-poll-romney-bests-obama-2-1-100712/

our armed forces have spoken

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

http://economistsforromney.com/

experts on the economy (including 6 nobel laureates) have spoken

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

"I'm one of the former middle class and 47% who will not support the Romney Family and their money empire. "

lets be honest now, did you have any discomfort supporting the Kerry Family and their money empire?

teufelhunden 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Actress Stacey Dash hit with racially-charged attacks after endorsing Romney By Hollie McKay

Published October 08, 2012 FoxNews.com

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

It is time to get your axx off the fence and help Mitt Romney. The Obama campaign has reportedly raised nearly a billion dollars. Imagine the lies they will flood the airwaves with from now until the election. Go online and give what you can. ABC news is currently running a story that I have linked in an above post that shows the Obama campaign is knowingly allowing foreign campaign donations (a violation of federal law) online. This should come as no suprise to anyone. Of course our joke of a justice dept has more important things to do like hassle sheriffs in border states. Imagine that, a billion dollars from people the lefties say would be put in a hardship to get a photo id made.

moonchild7 7 months, 2 weeks ago

President Obama's Popularity has now gone up to 55% according to ABC Pollsters. Mitt's is also up but only to 47%. Gallup has the President at 50%. Joe Biden is gonna cook Paul's gander....but good.

Arestorer 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The bump in the Polls are because the Liberal-Republican Governor of Mass. showed up.. Just wait until the hard Right comes out...Which I dont think Romney really is...But you know his party is going to be pushing him to be more conservative...

Ryan will most likely sound just the opposite of what Romney portrayed..I predict Ryan will keep the middle of the road public from voting for the Romney/Ryan ticket.

Arestorer 7 months, 2 weeks ago

All career Politicians stretch the truth.....

dustyrhoades 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Old Pilot and Dusty have had so much Koolade

It's "Kool-Aid". Not that it matters. Whenever someone starts with that old cliche, I stop reading.

justpassingby2 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Too bad you don't stop writing when YOU pull out some old cliches dusty! Or maybe start over seeing how you pull out cliches like 'must be off his meds' when you realize you have crashed and burned again in the debate game!

Middleman522 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Dusty once again you missed the point! Oh that's right you did not read! You quote polls from your left wing media friends that are so in the tank for this control freak like they were the Bible. Oh I'm sorry, I meant the NY Times in your case. Assuming that Romney was NOT lying like everyone on your hit team said, how can you ignore this difference in approaches. Are you so full of hate for people that don't like killing unborn babies that you can't do math? People that are smart enough to be in the top 1-5% of income in this country, are certainly smart enough to somehow avoid being robbed by a vote buying marxist. Then he has to move down to us, and I know you will squeel like heck. When Socialism starts not working, the next step is Marxism that forces people to go to work and send the money to the King. Does this thought ever pop in your mind? This country was built on Pride of accomplishment and that does not happen taking money from someone else. It comes from having a chance to excel! Buying votes with tax payer money is THE democrat's platform. Period!! Oblaimascare is vote buying. Just like worrying about voter ID but not the military vote. How do you explain that?

moonchild7 7 months, 2 weeks ago

What then do you call CEO's, who steal from their workers and investors?

Middleman522 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Moon if you work for someone, they have control of your pay, and you have control of who you work for. How can a CEO steal something that belongs to the CEO? Who made the investment and pays the bills? Unions were there to protect workers, but now they are there to get partners elected! You are not entitled to anything that you did not agree to! What do you call the death tax? Stealing...???

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

"Moon if you work for someone, they have control of your pay, and you have control of who you work for. How can a CEO steal something that belongs to the CEO?"

Now, you've gone and done it. Moon will never grasp that. You see to HER its all about HATE and GREED! Obviously you didn't get the memo, "the CEO didn't build that"

Jason 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Very firm in his convictions:

http://live.drjays.com/index.php/2012/10/09/watch-mitt-romney-debate-himself/

Jason 7 months, 2 weeks ago

http://www.politifact.com/personalities/mitt-romney/statements/byruling/false/

Jason 7 months, 2 weeks ago

"Economists Prefer Obama — Except When They Prefer Romney" http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/economists-prefer-obama-except-prefer-romney-174526372.html

Middleman522 7 months, 2 weeks ago

You libs have got to be proud as peacocks knowing that Your President has been beating his drum all week to save BIGBIRD. Kinda makes me tear up a little. I marvel at his constitution!!

Jason 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Those damn liberal media types! "We built some capital over four decades, based on straight shooting, nonpartisan political analysis and commentary. The new reality of American politics compelled us to spend some of that capital. Neither of us has any regrets. Nor do we believe we’ve become partisan in any way. We reached a conclusion we believe is accurate." http://www.brookings.edu/research/interviews/2012/07/31-interview-partisanship-mann

JimHeim 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Romney targets Big Bird (by name) and Obama targets bin Laden. Says it all.

fugitiveguy 7 months, 2 weeks ago

It may be Big Bird that Obama wants to talk about (better than the debt, the economy, libya/state dept debacle, campaign finance law violations, dismal debate performance) but he and you Jim have never looked more Mickey Mouse.

moonchild7 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Romney was the first one who told 60 MILLION VIEWERS that he was "Firing Big Bird" and without blinking an eye. It was just his way of making people believe that when he starts also SHUTTING DOWN the SAFETY NET for millions of Americans they'll not be so shocked. After all, his opening salvo of how he'll "govern" is to GET RID of both Jim Lehrer and Big Bird. People laughed but Mitt is one UNFUNNY man.

Thatcher 7 months, 2 weeks ago

MC7-- Romney said his view was to determine whether it was appropriate for the U.S. to borrow 40 cents out of every dollar spent to fund any program/agency, including PBS (which includes Big Bird and Jim Leher, whom many believe are one in the same). So let me ask you: should the federal government borrow 40 cents of every dollar to fund PBS? If so, why? Cheers!

geoffcutler 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The president isn't missing his chance to make the campaign about Big Bird. Even PBS is asking him please stop. Maybe Americans should ask him to stop. We're the paying the price for his economic plans. We're the ones now paying the price for the middle east now falling apart. We're the ones paying for a scandal emerging on the death of our Libyan Ambassador and four others. He wanted to tell us it was about protesters and a movie trailer. Now he wants to talk about Big Bird as his poll numbers and the world comes apart. Serious president with your interests at heart? You decide.

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Obama Missed Too Many Chances

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