1 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:45:49am

The party of nothing shows you... NOTHING!

2 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:45:50am

There is no way one of the speakers fails to place an empty chair on stage at the Dem convention.

3 The Left  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:45:54am

Heh. this isn't going to get old anytime soon.

4 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:46:33am
5 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:47:04am

re: #2 Decatur Deb

There is no way one of the speakers fails to place an empty chair on stage at the Dem convention.

It would be perfection if it was the POTUS himself, but that won't happen. It will be someone else instead.

6 Kronocide  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:47:19am

Go Ahead. Sit in my Chair.

7 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:47:36am

That meme, they built that!

8 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:47:51am

re: #5 Lidane

It would be perfection if it was the POTUS himself, but that won't happen. It will be someone else instead.

Yup. just sit it there and ignore it.

9 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:48:10am

Charles Johnson

Its not like the Republican Party doesn't have a platform, even if its a really bad one. So I really don't get it.

10 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:48:19am

After an entire week of Republican speeches and talking points, everyone is talking about an empty chair.

That is either completely pathetic or deviously brilliant.

11 Kronocide  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:48:24am

re: #3 The Left

Heh. this isn't going to get old anytime soon.

This is epic LULZWIN. We're just gettin this beyatch warmed up.

12 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:48:37am

Might explain why McCain wanted to attack the Ottoman Empire...

13 Bulworth  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:49:04am

re: #9 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson

Its not like the Republican Party doesn't have a platform, even if its a really bad one. So I really don't get it.

Someone at the Dem convention, in prime time, should just read from the GOPteabag platform.

14 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:49:47am

re: #13 Bulworth

Someone at the Dem convention, in prime time, should just read from the GOPteabag platform.

Now, that would result in the American people actually hearing what they support and stand for. Better just to make empty promises of tax cuts and rainbows.

15 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:50:05am

re: #10 Kragar

After an entire week of Republican speeches and talking points, everyone is talking about an empty chair.

That is either completely pathetic or deviously brilliant.

More to the point, an entire week of Republican speeches and talking points designed to try and convince people that the GOP wasn't a bunch of angry white guys yelling at an imaginary version of Barack Obama.

Oops.

16 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:50:27am
17 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:50:34am
18 dragonfire1981  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:50:36am

Shouldn't the chair be white?

19 Kronocide  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:50:46am

Charles,

I would rename it "The New Platform of the Republican Party: A mid century traditional wooden chair. With an imaginary boogeyman in it."

20 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:51:52am

re: #18 dragonfire1981

Shouldn't the chair be white?

We need to check its provenance.

21 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:52:06am

re: #18 dragonfire1981

Shouldn't the chair be white?

White birch. Afraid of global warming, wrapped in paper and used to make popsicle sticks.

22 AK-47%  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:52:57am

Lyin' like Ryan!

23 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:53:24am

re: #22 Expand Your Ground

Lyin' like Ryan!

A lying sack of Mitt.

24 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:54:38am

Republican chair is awol--last seen at Chippendale's

25 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:55:53am
26 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:55:56am

Image: Eastwooding-1.jpg

27 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:56:37am

re: #24 Decatur Deb

Republican chair is awol--last seen at Chippendale's

The platform has been tabled until its return.

28 Coracle  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:56:43am

Here's the thing. Romney can't win on his own record or his own ideas. He has to win on tearing Obama. Much of the firepower of the RNC was devoted to showing how Obama = Fail rather than Romney = Success.

The fact we-the-country are talking mostly about unoccupied furniture and old movie stars means that the primary message of the RNC was largely ineffectual outside the core believers.

29 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:57:03am

re: #25 Lidane

[Embedded content]

That doesn't surprise me. Part of me thinks he found out that Clint was supporting him, wanted a chance to meet him, and thought it would be a swell idea to let the old man address the crowd which could have worked if they had actually looked at what Clint planned to say.

30 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:57:13am

Meanwhile, Trump is talking to his hair, "THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME!"

31 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:58:03am

re: #5 Lidane

It would be perfection if it was the POTUS himself, but that won't happen. It will be someone else instead.

I don't know about that. If Obama can do a mike drop on Jimmy Fallon's show, he's capable of a chair bit.

32 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:58:13am

re: #30 Kragar

Meanwhile, Trump is talking to his hair, "THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME!"

Ha- Yeah I bet Trump's thinking, "Really I would have been just as surreal as Clint, why didn't they let me do this?"

33 jaunte  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:58:53am

re: #24 Decatur Deb

Republican chair is awol--last seen at Chippendale's

Looks unstable to me
Image: rightwingchair.jpg

34 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:58:57am

re: #27 wrenchwench

The platform has been tabled until its return.

Could you couch that in better language?

35 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:59:38am

To be fair, the empty chair thing isn't exactly original. The Romney Campaign has been doing it for months.

Image: a_560x375.jpg

36 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 10:59:50am

When Clint said, "Let me talk to the chair," they thought he wanted to speak to Reince Priebus.

37 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:00:18am

re: #36 wrenchwench

When Clint said, "Let me talk to the chair," they thought he wanted to speak to Reince Priebus.

Best.

38 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:01:03am

re: #37 Decatur Deb

Best.

I'm still trying to top the Ottoman Empire...

39 Destro  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:01:09am

Invisible Obama is still more real than a visible Romney.

40 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:01:40am

It was stirring when Dolan said to "Put on the armoire of the Lord".

41 abolitionist  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:01:58am

The chair is a distraction from the TPGOP platform and candidates.

42 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:02:03am

re: #39 Destro

Invisible Obama is still more real than a visible Romney.

If you look closely, Invisible Obama is in every picture of the RNC

43 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:02:24am

re: #36 wrenchwench

When Clint said, "Let me talk to the chair," they thought he wanted to speak to Reince Priebus.

That is a note perfect Tweet.

44 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:02:30am

re: #40 Decatur Deb

It was stirring when Dolan said to "Put on the armoire of the Lord".

Ah that's another thing. They were planning to use this convention to try to reach out to Catholics. I really don't think they succeeded in doing that.

45 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:03:05am

So, when they were thanking the chairman(Preibus) they were acutally thanking Obama?

46 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:03:37am

re: #43 Mattand

That is a note perfect Tweet.

Don't mind if I do...

47 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:03:56am

re: #42 Kragar

If you look closely, Invisible Obama is in every picture of the RNC

48 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:04:18am

re: #44 HappyWarrior

Ah that's another thing. They were planning to use this convention to try to reach out to Catholics. I really don't think they succeeded in doing that.

Because their message is pew.

49 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:04:25am

re: #32 HappyWarrior

Ha- Yeah I bet Trump's thinking, "Really I would have been just as surreal as Clint, why didn't they let me do this?"

What's really sad is that if the rumors were true, Trump's hackneyed "you're fired" bit would have been a step up from what Eastwood did.

50 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:04:26am

re: #13 Bulworth

Someone at the Dem convention, in prime time, should just read from the GOPteabag platform.

That might be kind of fun, actually.

51 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:05:03am

re: #48 Decatur Deb

Because their message is pew.

Girl, you are on fire today.

52 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:05:36am

re: #51 Mattand

Girl, you are on fire today.

Look closely at his profile...

53 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:06:01am

re: #51 Mattand

Girl, you are on fire today.

Thnx

(Click my nic.)

54 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:06:04am

Oh good lord, I'm dying here

'Honey Boo Boo' Ratings Top the Republican National Convention

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, TLC's controversial reality show about a self-proclaimed "redneck" family and their Toddlers and Tiaras daughter, hit another ratings high Wednesday night.

The fourth episode of Honey Boo Boo pulled in just shy of 3 million viewers at 10 p.m., according to Nielsen overnight ratings, growing 30 percent from last week's 2.3 million haul.

In the demo, Honey Boo Boo did even better. The half-hour series' showing among adults 18-49 bested all other cable outings for the night -- including coverage of the Republican National Convention -- to pull a 1.3 rating.

55 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:06:21am

re: #48 Decatur Deb

Because their message is pew.

Praise the lord and pass the puns.

56 b_sharp  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:06:37am

re: #51 Mattand

Girl, you are on fire today.

He's one ugly girl.

57 Destro  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:07:20am

I am trying to figure out if the new symbol of the GOP is the wall or an empty chair?

58 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:07:48am

re: #52 wrenchwench

re: #53 Decatur Deb

DAMN YOU, MISLEADING GENDER INTERNET NICK NAMES!!!!

59 Tigger2  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:07:51am

re: #16 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Invisible Obama is awesome if I tweeted I would have to follow it.

60 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:08:35am

re: #49 Mattand

What's really sad is that if the rumors were true, Trump's hackneyed "you're fired" bit would have been a step up from what Eastwood did.

I know right? I heard about that on Monday or whatever right before they canceled it and thought it was probably the lamest thing they could do to get a rise from the audience. Hell, when I heard it would be Clint, I thought it could be interesting because Clint's actually been an elected official before and has been acting long before I was born so he knows how to deal with audience. "That" though was probably the most weird thing I've ever seen in politics and bear in mind I live in the state that had "Macaca". I feel bad for Eastwood more than disgust because he made himself into a joke. Still don't get why a man with his views is supporting Mitt. Free country after all though.

61 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:08:49am

re: #58 Mattand

re: #53 Decatur Deb

DAMN YOU, MISLEADING GENDER INTERNET NICK NAMES!!!!

Had to select a nic in haste. Got some very gallant welcomes in minutes.

62 Big Steve  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:08:58am

Know I am in a minority here but I liked Clint's speech. He just simply does not think the President has done an acceptable job. He is not a racist, he is a social moderate....he just has a political opinion. His empty chair reference was no more annoying than Garry Trudeaux childishly constantly drawing President Bush as a feather.

63 PhillyPretzel  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:09:06am

re: #58 Mattand

I am in that category myself. :)

64 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:09:16am

re: #58 Mattand

re: #53 Decatur Deb

DAMN YOU, MISLEADING GENDER INTERNET NICK NAMES!!!!

There are no women on the internet, and all the children are FBI agents.

65 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:09:28am

re: #58 Mattand

re: #53 Decatur Deb

DAMN YOU, MISLEADING GENDER INTERNET NICK NAMES!!!!

You know about Stanley Sea, right?

66 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:09:45am

re: #61 Decatur Deb

Had to select a nic in haste. Got some very gallant welcomes in minutes.

Were any of them independently wealthy?

67 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:10:34am

re: #66 Mattand

Were any of them independently wealthy?

Oddly enough, yes. (Lookin' at you, Hoops.)

68 Destro  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:10:49am

re: #54 Kragar

Oh good lord, I'm dying here

'Honey Boo Boo' Ratings Top the Republican National Convention

To be fair the GOP could not tell the difference between the two programs. They kind of look alike.

69 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:10:51am

re: #65 wrenchwench

You know about Stanley Sea, right?

No, and since I just extracted my foot from mouth, I should probably check.

Charles Johnson's a dude, right?

70 PhillyPretzel  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:11:16am

re: #69 Mattand

lol

71 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:12:29am

re: #62 Big Steve

His empty chair reference was no more annoying than Garry Trudeaux childishly constantly drawing President Bush as a feather.

Quayle was the feather because he was considered a lightweight. Clinton was drawn as a waffle. Both Bush presidents were blips (i..e, points of light) but Dubya wore a lot of hats.

HOWEVER, that sort of thing goes over in print, and Trudeau has a long history of using it as a plot device. Talking to an empty chair doesn't work when you do it live.

72 Digital Display  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:12:42am

re: #66 Mattand

Were any of them independently wealthy?

I was leaning against the wall looking cool hitting on Deb the first day..
It wasn't pretty! *wink*
Hiya Lizards!

73 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:13:18am

re: #68 Destro

To be fair the GOP could not tell the difference between the two programs. They kind of look alike.

Honey Boo Boo was the more intellectually robust and honest program.

74 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:13:24am

This should be fun:

75 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:13:38am

re: #62 Big Steve

Know I am in a minority here but I liked Clint's speech. He just simply does not think the President has done an acceptable job. He is not a racist, he is a social moderate....he just has a political opinion. His empty chair reference was no more annoying than Garry Trudeaux childishly constantly drawing President Bush as a feather.

I don't think anyone has a problem with Clint being disappointed with Obama. The problem is he delivered a rambling tirade to a piece of furniture, as if he had just chugged a gallon of cough syrup.

76 erik_t  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:14:46am

re: #75 Mattand

I don't think anyone has a problem with Clint being disappointed with Obama. The problem is he delivered a rambling tirade to a piece of furniture, as if he had just chugged a gallon of cough syrup.

I've had uncles and grandfathers deliver very similar, uh.... oratories, but I would never ask them to stand in as the face of a national party.

It's not even funny. It's sad. It was legitimately uncomfortable to watch.

77 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:15:28am
78 erik_t  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:16:21am

re: #74 Lidane

I like how even Invisible Obama has a teleprompter.

79 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:04am

re: #75 Mattand

I don't think anyone has a problem with Clint being disappointed with Obama. The problem is he delivered a rambling tirade to a piece of furniture, as if he had just chugged a gallon of cough syrup.

Nor is anyone here calling him a racist for it either. Really, when I heard about Clint Eastwood's statement on gay marriage not that long ago, I was really awestruck because here's a man from my grandfather's generation sounding very reasonable on this issue. The other thing though is that Eastwood was blasting Obama for continuing in Afghanistan when his candidate of choice has criticized the administration for not doing more there and he got the unemployment numbers wrong too. Clint's still one of my favorites and I really hope that this isn't remembered as well as the Man With No Name trilogy because those are some awesome westerns and this is coming from someone who doesn't like westerns much.

80 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:13am

Senate Candidate Assumes Women Must Be ‘Talking About Shoes’

on the campaign trail, Smith suggested that the only thing two women might have to talk about is shoe shopping. Approaching two women at a campaign stop, Smith called them “girls,” then added:

SMITH: What are we talking about here, two girls together talking?

WOMAN: We’re talking about the power of petite women.

SMITH: My guess would’ve been you were talking about shoes.

Youtube Video
81 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:30am

re: #76 erik_t

I've had uncles and grandfathers deliver very similar, uh.... oratories, but I would never ask them to stand in as the face of a national party.

It's not even funny. It's sad. It was legitimately uncomfortable to watch.

I'm a bit of a hypocrite, as in I've made a few cracks about it today on Twitter. But yeah, that's what the issue is.

I also am wondering if there was a lot of hands-off with this incident. According to the NYT, Romney personally invited Eastwood to speak. I get the feeling that they are two guys who haven't heard the word "No" in a long time.

82 Big Steve  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:39am

re: #71 Lidane

Quayle was the feather because he was considered a lightweight. Clinton was drawn as a waffle. Both Bush presidents were blips (i..e, points of light) but Dubya wore a lot of hats.

So what is his icon for President Obama? (honestly asking, haven't read Doonesbury in years)

83 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:40am

re: #77 Lidane

Save a seat for me.

LOL

84 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:17:54am

re: #78 erik_t

I like how even Invisible Obama has a teleprompter.

I like how every member of the Romney campaign was wishing Clint had used one.

85 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:18:25am

re: #69 Mattand

No, and since I just extracted my foot from mouth, I should probably check.

Charles Johnson's a dude, right?

Yup. The ponytail's a dead giveaway.

86 Decatur Deb  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:18:52am

Too much post-convention euphoria. BBL

87 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:19:51am

Ryan Chides Empty Chair For Failing To Prevent Custer Massacre

also hints responsibility in cane chair mutiny

88 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:20:12am

You know how it acme across actually when I think about it? It was like my late grandfather. Great guy and like Clint, a Korean War vet going off on one of his tangents. Now, me, my brothers, and my mom found them endearing because that's our grandpa up there but we would be embarrassed if he went up in front of the whole country and did that. Clint's not a bad guy but the whole thing just came out as the internet memes have shown as if Abe Simpson came to life and gave a speech.

89 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:21:29am

re: #88 HappyWarrior

You know how it acme across actually when I think about it? It was like my late grandfather. Great guy and like Clint, a Korean War vet going off on one of his tangents. Now, me, my brothers, and my mom found them endearing because that's our grandpa up there but we would be embarrassed if he went up in front of the whole country and did that. Clint's not a bad guy but the whole thing just came out as the internet memes have shown as if Abe Simpson came to life and gave a speech.

90 PhillyPretzel  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:21:29am

According to yahoo last night's talk to the empty chair has a name Eastwooding

91 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:21:33am

re: #79 HappyWarrior

Nor is anyone calling him a racist for it either. Really, when I heard about Clint Eastwood's statement on gay marriage not that long ago, I was really awestruck because here's a man from my grandfather's generation sounding very reasonable on this issue. The other thing though is that Eastwood was blasting Obama for continuing in Afghanistan when his candidate of choice has criticized the administration for not doing more there and he got the unemployment numbers wrong too. Clint's still one of my favorites and I really hope that this isn't remembered as well as the Man With No Name trilogy because those are some awesome westerns and this is coming from someone who doesn't like westerns much.

Unforgiven is one of my favorite movies of all time, partly because of a scene near the end of the film. Clint is threatening the town after they've killed Morgan Freeman's character. In the background, ever so fuzzed out, is an American flag flapping in the night breeze.

I've always interpreted that as a nod that America, while a great country, can be as flawed as most of the characters in the film. Could just be me, though.

92 Digital Display  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:21:52am

re: #75 Mattand

I don't think anyone has a problem with Clint being disappointed with Obama. The problem is he delivered a rambling tirade to a piece of furniture, as if he had just chugged a gallon of cough syrup.

Back in 2008/2009 I posted a movie review every Saturday Morning.
I sure caught Hell with my Clint reviews. It was like touching the 3rd rail of American acting.
He is the same guy in every movie. No depth of Character IMO. Doesn't matter if it was Million dollar baby or in Grand Torino or Unforgiven.. Same guy, Same Character

93 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:22:46am

re: #92 Digital Display

Back in 2008/2009 I posted a movie review every Saturday Morning.
I sure caught Hell with my Clint reviews. It was like touching the 3rd rail of American acting.
He is the same guy in every movie. No depth of Character IMO. Doesn't matter if it was Million dollar baby or in Grand Torino or Unforgiven.. Same guy, Same Character

Yeah, I can see that. Tom Cruise falls in that category as well.

94 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:23:32am

re: #93 Mattand

Yeah, I can see that. Tom Cruise falls in that category as well.

The classic example is John Wayne.

95 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:23:43am

re: #82 Big Steve

So what is his icon for President Obama? (honestly asking, haven't read Doonesbury in years)

I don't know. From what I understand, Trudeau has never been able to choose an icon for Obama.

96 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:24:13am

re: #92 Digital Display

Back in 2008/2009 I posted a movie review every Saturday Morning.
I sure caught Hell with my Clint reviews. It was like touching the 3rd rail of American acting.
He is the same guy in every movie. No depth of Character IMO. Doesn't matter if it was Million dollar baby or in Grand Torino or Unforgiven.. Same guy, Same Character

I think he's a better director than actor. Thought Flags of our Fathers was one of the more underrated WWII flicks. Maybe not an all time great but I thought it deserved more accolades than it got.

97 Bulworth  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:24:32am

The thing with the 'disappointment' meme being promoted by the GOPteabag is that the issues with which the opposition party would be disappointed would just change based on whatever Obama had failed to do. If OBL were still alive, for example, they would claim they were 'disappointed' that Obama was allowing OBL to remain free and wasn't prosecuting the war on terror sufficiently, etc.

On the other hand, I have a hard time believing the GOPteabag party is upset about unemployment. All they've done in Congress is pass anti-abortion bill, and multiple votes to repeal the ACA. And remember they don't want the Fed doing anything about unemployment either.

So I call Bullshit on the 'disappointment' meme.

98 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:24:36am

Important Omissions From Romney’s Convention Speech

0 mentions of Financial Reform
0 mentions of Climate Change
0 mentions of Immigration
0 mentions of Romneycare
0 mentions of Afghanistan or Syria
0 mentions of Social Security
0 mentions of Veterans

99 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:24:40am

re: #90 PhillyPretzel

According to yahoo last night's talk to the empty chair has a name Eastwooding

#Eastwooding

100 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:25:31am

re: #94 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne

The classic example is John Wayne.

Yep. Like him in the Searchers and The Quiet Man but Wayne's acting really doesn't do anything for me. I really like the method actors that trained with Strasberg. Huge DeNiro fan here and Al Pacino too.

101 Bulworth  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:25:34am

re: #98 Kragar

Important Omissions From Romney’s Convention Speech

0 mentions of Financial Reform
0 mentions of Climate Change
0 mentions of Immigration
0 mentions of Romneycare
0 mentions of Afghanistan or Syria
0 mentions of Social Security
0 mentions of Veterans

Iraq? War on Terror?

102 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:25:51am

My parents spent a week at the RNC and all they got me was this stupid meme...

103 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:26:57am

re: #101 Bulworth

Iraq? War on Terror?

No mention of Iraq and from what a link I saw earlier, Billy Kristol was none too pleased with that.

104 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:28:05am

re: #100 HappyWarrior

Yep. Like him in the Searchers and The Quiet Man but Wayne's acting really doesn't do anything for me. I really like the method actors that trained with Strasberg. Huge DeNiro fan here and Al Pacino too.

Johnny Depp is someone who I admire as an actor. You could make the criticism that all of the characters are "off" to a degree, but still different in a lot of respects. Still say his best role was Ed Wood, with Donnie Brasco a close second.

105 AK-47%  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:28:13am

re: #62 Big Steve

Know I am in a minority here but I liked Clint's speech. He just simply does not think the President has done an acceptable job. He is not a racist, he is a social moderate....he just has a political opinion. His empty chair reference was no more annoying than Garry Trudeaux childishly constantly drawing President Bush as a feather.

I can even accept parts of that, I just did not see them making the point that Mitt could or would do a better job...

106 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:28:42am

re: #103 HappyWarrior

No mention of Iraq and from what a link I saw earlier, Billy Kristol was none too pleased with that.


Kristol Blasts Romney For Ignoring Afghanistan, U.S. Troops In Convention Speech

The United States has some 68,000 troops fighting in Afghanistan. Over two thousand Americans have died in the more than ten years of that war, a war Mitt Romney has supported. Yet in his speech accepting his party’s nomination to be commander in chief, Mitt Romney said not a word about the war in Afghanistan. Nor did he utter a word of appreciation to the troops fighting there, or to those who have fought there. Nor for that matter were there thanks for those who fought in Iraq, another conflict that went unmentioned.

Leave aside the question of the political wisdom of Romney’s silence, and the opportunities it opens up for President Obama next week. What about the civic propriety of a presidential nominee failing even to mention, in his acceptance speech, a war we’re fighting and our young men and women who are fighting it? Has it ever happened that we’ve been at war and a presidential nominee has ignored, in this kind of major and formal speech, the war and our warriors?

107 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:29:22am

Oh ad algorithms, why must you be so cruel? ;)

108 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:30:21am

re: #104 Mattand

Johnny Depp is someone who I admire as an actor. You could make the criticism that all of the characters are "off" to a degree, but still different in a lot of respects. Still say his best role was Ed Wood, with Donnie Brasco a close second.

Donnie Brasco was a great role because it's one of those rare acting roles where a guy is portraying two people basically. Because remember he's "Donnie Brasco" aka FBI Agent Joe Pistone. I think that one movie has one of Al's more underrated ones. I felt downright sorry for his Lefty character. One of my favorite acting roles of all time though has to be DeNiro as the young Vito Corleone.

109 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:31:55am

re: #106 Kragar


Kristol Blasts Romney For Ignoring Afghanistan, U.S. Troops In Convention Speech

I can't stand Kristol because of his overly hawkish bs but he has a point there."What about the civic propriety of a presidential nominee failing even to mention, in his acceptance speech, a war we’re fighting and our young men and women who are fighting it? Has it ever happened that we’ve been at war and a presidential nominee has ignored, in this kind of major and formal speech, the war and our warriors?"

110 R.M, Ramallo  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:32:13am

I liked "In the Line of Fire" with Clint and Malkovich.
Anyway, I didn't detect any racism, I just felt uncomfortable seeing Clint Eastwood as an old man.
I mean, Clint Eastwood is the character you look for when you watch his movies. After all, I don't want to see Charles Bronson in a romantic comedy.

111 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:34:12am

ROFLMAO

Image: 3yk8Q_Oe00SFmuYL8xPZyw2.png

112 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:34:23am

re: #110 OhNoZombies!

I liked "In the Line of Fire" with Clint and Malkovich.
Anyway, I didn't detect any racism, I just felt uncomfortable seeing Clint Eastwood as an old man.
I mean, Clint Eastwood is the character you look for when you watch his movies. After all, I don't want to see Charles Bronson in a romantic comedy.

Charles Bronson and Katherine Heigl in Old Love. Just razzing Bronson, haven't seen him in too much but he was from the same part of Pennsylvania as my mom's parents and had a similar ethnic background and his father was a miner too, and Danny the Tunnel King is after McQueen's Hilts my favorite character in the Great Escape.

113 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:34:29am

re: #110 OhNoZombies!

I liked "In the Line of Fire" with Clint and Malkovich.
Anyway, I didn't detect any racism, I just felt uncomfortable seeing Clint Eastwood as an old man.
I mean, Clint Eastwood is the character you look for when you watch his movies. After all, I don't want to see Charles Bronson in a romantic comedy.

Youtube Video
114 dragonath  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:34:35am

re: #110 OhNoZombies!

After all, I don't want to see Charles Bronson in a romantic comedy.

Aha!

Youtube Video
115 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:34:50am
116 R.M, Ramallo  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:36:41am

re: #114 dragonath

Noooooo!!!

117 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:37:35am

Whoever created this feed is hilarious. I want to know who's running it:

118 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:38:56am

re: #62 Big Steve

Know I am in a minority here but I liked Clint's speech. He just simply does not think the President has done an acceptable job. He is not a racist, he is a social moderate....he just has a political opinion. His empty chair reference was no more annoying than Garry Trudeaux childishly constantly drawing President Bush as a feather.

He did that at the DNC?

His speech was bizarre and goes to the incompetency of the RNC that would allow an non-vetted speaker on the biggest night of the entire Romney campaign.

119 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:39:20am

Charles Bronson in Lola

"A middle aged writer of pornographic novels meets and falls in love with a sixteen year old school girl. This alone is cause for concern but when the couple get married and move to America, the trouble (and fun) really begins."

120 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:39:32am

re: #51 Mattand

Girl, you are on fire today.

Upding just for the 'Girl' remark.

// Sorry Decatur

121 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:39:47am

The empty chair in the room - why everyone ignores Romneycare and his term of office as governor of Massachussetts. Everyone would have to have collective amnesia to ignore that Romney's health care reform plan formed the basis for the PPACA.

Everyone would have to ignore that the GOP proposed the individual mandate nearly 20 years ago and it was a central plank to personal accountability and responsibility as to get more Americans insured. Now? They're running against themselves because they've decided that because the guy across the aisle got their proposals enacted, it must be overturned on rather dubious grounds considering that most courts have previously held that Congress has the power to tax, and that health care is interstate commerce (to say nothing of promoting the general welfare).

122 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:39:59am

re: #98 Kragar

Important Omissions From Romney’s Convention Speech

0 mentions of Financial Reform
0 mentions of Climate Change
0 mentions of Immigration
0 mentions of Romneycare
0 mentions of Afghanistan or Syria
0 mentions of Social Security
0 mentions of Veterans

on the other hand, they demonstrated that dumping on obama would be a top priority for a romney administration

123 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:40:51am

re: #117 Lidane

Heh. You can tell the Jets fans among that crowd by: (1) the ones who have the bags over their heads; (2) the ones who are Tebowing and they know it. /

124 Jadewater  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:41:25am

re: #111 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

ROFLMAO

Image: 3yk8Q_Oe00SFmuYL8xPZyw2.png

lol

Sometimes I love memes.

125 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:41:38am

re: #122 engineer cat

on the other hand, they demonstrated that dumping on obama would be a top priority for a romney administration

Funny that given that they whine when someone even mentions a failed Bush policy even though they too blame Bush when it suits their goals. And Mitt is still whining about Jimmy Carter, a man who left office before my parents even married.

126 sagehen  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:42:10am

re: #2 Decatur Deb

There is no way one of the speakers fails to place an empty chair on stage at the Dem convention.

Each of them Deb. All of them except POTUS.

A dining table chair. An adirondak, a Shaker, a Laz-E-Boy, an ergonomic desk chair. A barstool.

127 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:42:12am

I'm sure this will go over well with the Romney campaign, especially since Bernanke is a Republican:

128 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:42:50am

re: #118 blueraven

He did that at the DNC?

His speech was bizarre and goes to the incompetency of the RNC that would allow an non-vetted speaker on the biggest night of the entire Romney campaign.

not to mention that it begs all of us non-republicans to put words into the mouth of empty chairs representing romney and ryan

"what's that you say, empty chair ryan? it's not fair for people to check up on your claims? they should just believe everything you say because you have such pretty blue eyes?"

129 Jadewater  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:43:39am

re: #117 Lidane

Whoever created this feed is hilarious. I want to know who's running it:

[Embedded content]

Me too.

130 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:43:42am

re: #127 Lidane

I'm sure this will go over well with the Romney campaign, especially since Bernanke is a Republican:

[Embedded content]

Bernanke is part of that administration whose name can't be mentioned except when we're accusing Democrats of blaming it for legitimate reasons. So ergo he doesn't count but yes I trust Bernanke's judgment far more than I do Mitt's when it comes to economics. Mitt can take his precious private sector experience and shove it.

131 Jadewater  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:45:15am

I hope this invisible obama person keeps tweeting through to the election. It would be an amusing way to follow whats going on.

132 R.M, Ramallo  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:45:43am

BBL.
I have to meet the kids at the bus stop, drop them off at grandma's, and begin to drink mass quantities of...anything, to get the image of romantic Bronson or Bronson and a 16 year old girl out of my mind.
Gross.

133 sagehen  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:46:14am

re: #38 wrenchwench

I'm still trying to top the Ottoman Empire...

"I thought he said Cher!"

134 Bulworth  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:49:36am

So Obama's invisible but he's a soshulist trying to destroy America and a Chicago thug giving more welfare and food stamps to blah people and oh how disappointed we are with high unemployment and the war in Afghanistan which Obama being an Islamicist appeasing wussy is trying to shorten before Victory by setting deadlines for our troops to come home.

Yeah, makes sense.
/

135 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:52:50am

Ann Romney for one wasn't particularly enthused by Clint's performance. And staffers weren't exactly thrilled either.

The Romney campaign tried to spin Dirty Harry's rambling monologue/foray into vaudeville as an unexpected delight, "Judging an American icon like Clint Eastwood through a typical political lens doesn't work. His ad libbing was a break from all the political speeches, and the crowd enjoyed it." However, Ann Romney was not very enthusiastic, telling CBS Early Morning , "He's a unique guy and he did a unique thing last night." And when she was asked if she was surprised, "I didn't know it was coming," and then changed the subject, "Again, I can tell you we're grateful for everyone's support and especially grateful for what a great night it was last night."

Unique is probably the best and most charitable way of seeing that performance.

And it will likely not be repeated - except to mock it in about a week's time - at the DNC.

136 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:52:55am

re: #134 Bulworth

Those observations that the speech sums up the entire GOP are very, very astute.

In other words, a guy who doesn't really support GOP positions speaking on behalf of the GOP and angrily ranting at an imaginary Obama who doesn't exist.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the essence of Modern American Conservatism.

137 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:52:56am

re: #134 Bulworth

So Obama's invisible but he's a soshulist trying to destroy America and a Chicago thug giving more welfare and food stamps to blah people and oh how disappointed we are with high unemployment and the war in Afghanistan which Obama being an Islamicist appeasing wussy is trying to shorten before Victory by setting deadlines for our troops to come home.

Yeah, makes sense.
/

To be fair to Eastwood, I don't think he believes that but the RNC audience that was eating up his every word sure does. Here's another problem with Eastwood's speech though. He basically doubled what the unemployment numbers were. Not trying to say unemployment is good right now but 12 million is different than 25 and they should have looked at his prepared remarks if they had that number in mind and should have just advised him to say something more subtle like unemployment remains high. Another weird part was Eastwood saying something to the effect of we don't need a lawyer as president. Well, Clint, all due respect but the man you're supporting for president is a lawyer too and so have 25 of the men who have been president including some of our greatest ones. I mean a cheap jab at lawyers is always good for a laugh I guess but this one really reeked of Mitt claiming that Obama spent too much time at Harvard.

138 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:53:12am

Factcheck:Muslim Prayer Service at the DNC?

139 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:55:05am

PSA. Just in case. Dementia is not a laughing matter.

140 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:56:29am

re: #136 Renaissance_Man

Those observations that the speech sums up the entire GOP are very, very astute.

In other words, a guy who doesn't really support GOP positions speaking on behalf of the GOP and angrily ranting at an imaginary Obama who doesn't exist.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the essence of Modern American Conservatism.

Sadly, yes. I mean Clint doesn't have to support Obama's re-election. If he feels he hasn't done a good job but why say you don't give a shit about gays being able to marry when you're giving a speech on national television in support of a man who supports banning it everywhere (not just states having the choice) or that you don't like what happened in Afghanistan all the while Mitt talks a tough game on Iran and has in the past criticized the strength and muscle of the president's Afghanistan policy. Clint's entitled to his opinions and to support whoever he wants but I don't get why he's supporting Mitt. He really seems like Gary Johnson would be more his type.

141 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 11:58:49am

re: #139 Gus

PSA. Just in case. Dementia is not a laughing matter.

The thing is, I doubt Eastwood is demented. The vast majority of people like that, ie. who are angry at Obama and support the GOP despite not actually agreeing with any of the GOP positions, aren't demented. They just believe one or two of the Conservative cult lies.

Even if you don't watch a lot of FOX, even if you don't listen to Limbaugh, the Conservative cult media is incredibly pervasive. You'll know someone who knows someone who does. You'll hear something repeated in the regular media uncritically. Only a lunatic believes all the conspiracy theories and all the deranged Obama hatred that exists in the media bubble of the right. But lots of Americans believe one or two of them.

And that is what will win the GOP the election - enough lies repeated endlessly so that one or two stick in the national consciousness.

142 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:02:30pm

re: #141 Renaissance_Man

The thing is, I doubt Eastwood is demented. The vast majority of people like that, ie. who are angry at Obama and support the GOP despite not actually agreeing with any of the GOP positions, aren't demented. They just believe one or two of the Conservative cult lies.

Even if you don't watch a lot of FOX, even if you don't listen to Limbaugh, the Conservative cult media is incredibly pervasive. You'll know someone who knows someone who does. You'll hear something repeated in the regular media uncritically. Only a lunatic believes all the conspiracy theories and all the deranged Obama hatred that exists in the media bubble of the right. But lots of Americans believe one or two of them.

And that is what will win the GOP the election - enough lies repeated endlessly so that one or two stick in the national consciousness.

I'll go a step further and propose that he might not be misinformed or stupid either. I know it seems hard for a lot of people to imagine that some smart well informed people just have different ideas.

143 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:03:40pm

re: #141 Renaissance_Man

The thing is, I doubt Eastwood is demented. The vast majority of people like that, ie. who are angry at Obama and support the GOP despite not actually agreeing with any of the GOP positions, aren't demented. They just believe one or two of the Conservative cult lies.

Even if you don't watch a lot of FOX, even if you don't listen to Limbaugh, the Conservative cult media is incredibly pervasive. You'll know someone who knows someone who does. You'll hear something repeated in the regular media uncritically. Only a lunatic believes all the conspiracy theories and all the deranged Obama hatred that exists in the media bubble of the right. But lots of Americans believe one or two of them.

And that is what will win the GOP the election - enough lies repeated endlessly so that one or two stick in the national consciousness.

Perhaps. But I'm seeing a lot of idiots on Twitter joking about dementia and Clint Eastwood.

144 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:04:03pm

Romney Campaign Embraces Eastwood’s Speech: ‘Classic,’ ‘Descriptive,’ ‘Spoke From The Heart’

Yeah right, like they had any other choice. What were they going to do? Come out and say "What the fuck was that shit, Clint?"

145 Bulworth  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:04:08pm

re: #142 Killgore Trout

I'll go a step further and propose that he might not be misinformed or stupid either. I know it seems hard for a lot of people to imagine that some smart well informed people just have different ideas.

So saying the number of unemployed people is double what it actually is isn't misinformed?

146 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:04:52pm

re: #145 Bulworth

So saying the number of unemployed people is double what it actually is isn't misinformed?

It's just a different idea.

Also, OWS.

147 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:06:43pm

re: #142 Killgore Trout

I'll go a step further and propose that he might not be misinformed or stupid either. I know it seems hard for a lot of people to imagine that some smart well informed people just have different ideas.

Good Lord KT. It is not hard for people to think someone would support Romney, but to suggest that the whole Eastwood episode is not extremely bizarre is just being obtuse.

148 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:08:30pm

re: #142 Killgore Trout

I'll go a step further and propose that he might not be misinformed or stupid either. I know it seems hard for a lot of people to imagine that some smart well informed people just have different ideas.

The problem is that most people do think of Eastwood as a smart, well-informed guy. That's not the guy who showed up on stage last night, for whatever reason.

And as predicted in the 8 minute mark of Eastwood's speech, no one is talking about how Romney made his case of why he should be President. They're talking about how Dirty Harry went off the rails.

It's a bit harsh, but channeling your inner Abe Simpson for 12 minutes is the wrong way to say "Make my candidate President."

149 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:08:32pm

re: #145 Bulworth

So saying the number of unemployed people is double what it actually is isn't misinformed?

It's the old saying. One is entitled to an opinion but not their set of the facts. If Clint seriously wants to claim there are twice as much unemployed people as the Department of Labor's statistics suggest, I would like to see him prove it and I trust DoL a lot more than Clint because this is what their job is. It's not his opinions that people have taken fault with. Plus acting as if Afghanistan is Obama's fault alone while ignoring that his own candidate of choice has blasted the proposed drawing down of troops there and eventual withdrawal shows a disregards for the facts. And on a lighter note, disparaging the president as a lawyer while Mitt is a lawyer too.

150 Coracle  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:09:33pm

re: #142 Killgore Trout

I'll go a step further and propose that he might not be misinformed or stupid either. I know it seems hard for a lot of people to imagine that some smart well informed people just have different ideas.

Sure. Nothing in his speech really counters that proposition. However Clint chose a crappy vehicle, and didn't give one of the better performances of his career. At least not one good enough to move anyone not already in the Republican tank.

151 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:11:43pm

re: #145 Bulworth

So saying the number of unemployed people is double what it actually is isn't misinformed?

As I've noted before political speeches, advertisements, press releases etc ofet contain lies and misinformation for public consumption. That's why I keep trying to tell people that Obama doesn't even believe his own campaign ads and neither should anyone else. I don't know Clint, or know what he does or does not know.

152 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:13:23pm

re: #147 blueraven

Good Lord KT. It is not hard for people to think someone would support Romney, but to suggest that the whole Eastwood episode is not extremely bizarre is just being obtuse.

Sorry, I didn't watch it. I was curious what he might do but from the reports it didn't seem like a serious speech. I'm not that interested.

153 erik_t  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:13:35pm

I'd love to stay and chat, really, I'm sure it'll be super fun and interesting but I gotta go chase the Fairy. BBL.

154 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:13:42pm

I hate to admit it, but I agree with Bill Kystol (gag).

It is very disturbing that someone wanting to be Commander in Chief of the US military failed to mention our troops in Afghanistan in any way.

not even a God Bless, or a thank you...nothing.

155 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:14:18pm

re: #152 Killgore Trout

Sorry, I didn't watch it. I was curious what he might do but from the reports it didn't seem like a serious speech. I'm not that interested.

then stop commenting if you dont know what you are talking about.

156 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:14:35pm

I have no problem with the idea of Clint giving a speech at the RNC. It could have even been entertaining and captivating. He knows how to read lines and come up with something memorable -as he's done with so many characters over his storied career. It could have been a huge advantage as a lede to Romney's acceptance speech.

That wasn't the performance he gave. It was a train-wreck in motion and cringeworthy in many respects, not the least of which is that so many people - pundits, politicians, and lay viewers alike - are focused on Clint more than the acceptance speech by Romney.

#Eastwooding is the new #Tebowing. And I'm sure that there are some at the RNC who wished that they had gone with #Tebow - and so too are some Jet fans (because he can't seem to find the end zone).

157 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:14:39pm

re: #151 Killgore Trout

As I've noted before political speeches, advertisements, press releases etc ofet contain lies and misinformation for public consumption. That's why I keep trying to tell people that Obama doesn't even believe his own campaign ads and neither should anyone else. I don't know Clint, or know what he does or does not know.

What does that have to do with getting the unemployment numbers wrong? The NYT is reporting that basically Clint went off-script against everyone's wishes. If he's going to erroneously quote unemployment numbers, how is that the fault of Obama's ads?

158 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:15:08pm

re: #154 blueraven

I hate to admit it, but I agree with Bill Kystol (gag).

It is very disturbing that someone wanting to be Commander in Chief of the US military failed to mention our troops in Afghanistan in any way.

not even a God Bless, or a thank you...nothing.

Romney doesn't believe in military service or experience. Anyone who is really important would have gotten into business.

159 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:15:19pm

re: #155 blueraven

then stop commenting if you dont know what you are talking about.

Tolerate my diversity.

160 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:16:53pm

re: #159 Killgore Trout

Tolerate my diversity ignorance.

No

161 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:18:12pm

re: #148 Mattand

The problem is that most people do think of Eastwood as a smart, well-informed guy. That's not the guy who showed up on stage last night, for whatever reason.

And as predicted in the 8 minute mark of Eastwood's speech, no one is talking about Romney made his case of why he should be President. They're talking about how Dirty Harry went of the rails.

It's a bit harsh, but channeling your inner Abe Simpson for 12 minutes is the wrong way to say "Make my candidate President."

Exactly. Clint had a point, and one that likely needed to be told by someone like him. They could have scored big with it. A moderate conservative, someone outside the current political scene with wide appeal who could cut through all the social conservatism and make a case to moderates. It was in there, but it got lost. The point was to reach out to social moderates that are fiscally center or center right and say:

I get it, we all wanted to believe in Obama and had great hopes we wish he could have fulfilled. What the country needs is a turnaround specialist. Mitt is a turnaround specialist a good businessman and a fine family man. Give him a chance.... he can't do much worse and I believe he can do better.

That is what he was trying to say. I don't agree with it, but I can see how that idea will pull some independents. But that is not what anyone is thinking about today. The message was lost. All anyone remembers is an empty chair and a bit of a sad rambling legend of the screen.

162 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:18:18pm

re: #158 Kragar

Romney doesn't believe in military service or experience. Anyone who is really important would have gotten into business.

163 gwangung  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:18:43pm

re: #159 Killgore Trout

Tolerate my diversity.

That's not diversity. That's stupidity.

And that I won't tolerate.

164 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:18:51pm

re: #159 Killgore Trout

Tolerate my diversity.

You're throwing up a quasi-strawman that people who are criticizing Eastwood and his incoherent speech can't deal with the fact he's for Romney. That's not diversity.

165 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:19:35pm

re: #144 Kragar

Romney Campaign Embraces Eastwood’s Speech: ‘Classic,’ ‘Descriptive,’ ‘Spoke From The Heart’

Yeah right, like they had any other choice. What were they going to do? Come out and say "What the fuck was that shit, Clint?"

Exactly. What other option did they have?

166 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:19:51pm

re: #157 Mattand

What does that have to do with getting the unemployment numbers wrong? The NYT is reporting that basically Clint went off-script against everyone's wishes. If he's going to erroneously quote unemployment numbers, how is that the fault of Obama's ads?

I have no idea what the political strategists planned. Just a gimmick to get people to tune in? Generate publicity and headlines the next day? Maybe but I don't think factual accuracy or persuading well informed undecideds was the reason for Clint's performance.

167 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:21:06pm

re: #166 Killgore Trout

I have no idea what the political strategists planned. Just a gimmick to get people to tune in? Generate publicity and headlines the next day? Maybe but I don't think factual accuracy or persuading well informed undecideds was the reason for Clint's performance.

Exactly what was the reason for his "performance"?
Seems to me it was to create a buzz. It did, and it backfired.

168 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:21:12pm

re: #166 Killgore Trout

I have no idea what the political strategists planned. Just a gimmick to get people to tune in? Generate publicity and headlines the next day? Maybe but I don't think factual accuracy or persuading well informed undecideds was the reason for Clint's performance.

Then why bring up Obama not believing his own ads? It has nothing to do with Eastwood's speech.

169 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:21:47pm

Yeah, in public they're not going to say it looked awful. Heck even after the infamous Palin-Couric interview, to the press McCain's team spun for Sarah just as Mitt's team will for Clint, perhaps not as much because Mitt doesn't need Clint as much as McCain needed Sarah for obvious reasons. I bet that Mitt's advisers are really regretting having Clint speak because it totally distracted from their candidate's speech. Between now and the debates, this was the chance for the largest audience to get an idea of who he is and what he's all about. And it's been upstaged by an empty chair.

170 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:22:38pm

re: #168 Mattand

Then why bring up Obama not believing his own ads? It has nothing to do with Eastwood's speech.

Because shut up.
/

171 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:23:02pm

re: #165 Lidane

Exactly. What other option did they have?

The mystery speaker was actually supposed to be Bruce Willis. However at the last minute his people called and informed us that Mr. Willis was unavailable due to some emergency however they also represented Mr. Eastwood who would be happy to fill in. Regrettably the empty chair and Clint did not have sufficient time to rehearse and get to know each other's timing.

172 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:23:13pm

re: #168 Mattand

Then why bring up Obama not believing his own ads? It has nothing to do with Eastwood's speech.

You are falling for KTs framing...that Obama doesn't believe his own ads. There is no evidence of this, nor should there be.

173 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:23:29pm

re: #135 lawhawk

Ann Romney for one wasn't particularly enthused by Clint's performance. And staffers weren't exactly thrilled either.

Unique is probably the best and most charitable way of seeing that performance.

And it will likely not be repeated - except to mock it in about a week's time - at the DNC.

After Clint's speech, the camera panned to Ryan and his wife who were clapping much less enthusiastically than they had at the beginning before Clint opened his mouth.

174 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:24:06pm

re: #168 Mattand

Then why bring up Obama not believing his own ads? It has nothing to do with Eastwood's speech.

Because the speaker doesn't always believe what he/she is saying.

175 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:24:51pm

re: #172 blueraven

You are falling for KTs framing...that Obama doesn't believe his own ads. There is no evidence of this, nor should there be.

Falling for it, no. Questioning a non-sequitir, absolutely.

176 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:25:56pm

re: #173 Sionainn

After Clint's speech, the camera panned to Ryan and his wife who was clapped much less enthusiastically than they had at the beginning before Clint opened his mouth.

Ann Romney is just describing it as unique and we appreciate all the support we have. I really don't think this speech turned out the way they wanted it to.

177 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:26:02pm

re: #166 Killgore Trout

See Petero's comments above. They were trying to repackage Romney as a turnaround specialist who could get America back on a path of economic growth and prosperity. To do so, they needed to convince independents and/or some Obama voters that Obama was a good shot, but he hasn't gotten the job done as well as hoped for and that Romney can do better.

Eastwood could have been that kind of speaker - heck, turning that GM commercial into a plus in the GOP convention (after some on the right wing castigated him for doing the commercial) would have been quite the trick after all.

But Eastwood went off message and it became wrapped in incoherence.

178 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:26:02pm

re: #172 blueraven

You are falling for KTs framing...that Obama doesn't believe his own ads. There is no evidence of this, nor should there be.

Another shocker: Harry Reid doesn't really believe Mitt paid no taxes for 10 years.

179 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:27:14pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Factcheck:Muslim Prayer Service at the DNC?

I heard Rush blathering about this the other day. Figured it wasn't true.

180 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:27:16pm

re: #174 Killgore Trout

Because the speaker doesn't always believe what he/she is saying.

If you watch Eastwood's speech, there's no question he believes what he's saying. Your Obama example makes no sense, other than to introduce a little Magical Balance Fairy to the discussion.

181 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:27:30pm

re: #178 Killgore Trout

Another shocker: Harry Reid doesn't really believe Mitt paid no taxes for 10 years.

You dont know what Harry Reid thinks. Also, Reid is not Obama.

182 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:27:44pm

re: #177 lawhawk

See Petero's comments above. They were trying to repackage Romney as a turnaround specialist who could get America back on a path of economic growth and prosperity. To do so, they needed to convince independents and/or some Obama voters that Obama was a good shot, but he hasn't gotten the job done as well as hoped for and that Romney can do better.

Eastwood could have been that kind of speaker - heck, turning that GM commercial into a plus in the GOP convention (after some on the right wing castigated him for doing the commercial) would have been quite the trick after all.

But Eastwood went off message and it became wrapped in incoherence.

I had hoped he was going to give a serious speech. I would have been very interesting in hearing it but it looks like he decided not to do that. Oh well, it looks like a wasted opportunity.

183 nines09  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:27:49pm

re: #173 Sionainn

After Clint's speech, the camera panned to Ryan and his wife who was clapped much less enthusiastically than they had at the beginning before Clint opened his mouth.

Someone should have had a camera on Ann and Mitt the entire Eastwood ramble.

184 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:29:06pm

re: #178 Killgore Trout

Another shocker: Harry Reid doesn't really believe Mitt paid no taxes for 10 years.

I can say this for certain though. Paul Ryan knows for sure Obama had nothing to do with the closing of the GM factory in Janesville.

185 abolitionist  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:31:12pm

re: #169 HappyWarrior

[snip] I bet that Mitt's advisers are really regretting having Clint speak because it totally distracted from their candidate's speech. [snip]

I've suggested that may have been the intent.

186 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:31:31pm

re: #178 Killgore Trout

Another shocker: Harry Reid doesn't really believe Mitt paid no taxes for 10 years.

looking for the mythical balance fairy again?

face it: nobody lies like a republican

187 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:32:06pm

Both Parties Do

no they don't

188 lawhawk  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:32:55pm

Romney aides ducking responsibility on who allowed Clint to go on - and then off-script.

“Not me,” said an exasperated-looking senior adviser, when asked who was responsible for Mr. Eastwood’s speech. In late-night interviews, aides variously called the speech “strange” and “weird.” One described it as “theater of the absurd.”

Finger-pointing quickly ensued, suggesting real displeasure and even confusion over the handling of Mr. Eastwood’s performance, which was kept secret until the last minute and offered an off-key message on the night that Mr. Romney accepted the Republican presidential nomination.

A senior Republican involved in convention planning said that Mr. Eastwood’s appearance was cleared by at least two of Mr. Romney’s top advisers, Russ Schriefer and Stuart Stevens. This person said that there had been no rehearsal, to the surprise of the rest of the campaign team.

But another adviser said that several top aides had reviewed talking points given to Mr. Eastwood, which the campaign had discussed with the actor as recently as a few hours before his appearance. Mr. Eastwood, however, delivered those points in a theatrical, and at times crass, way that caught Romney aides off guard, this person said. Mr. Eastwood even ignored warnings that he had exceeded his time.

Mr. Stevens, in an interview, said he would not discuss internal decision making but described Mr. Eastwood’s remarks as improvised.

189 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:32:57pm

re: #187 engineer cat

Both Parties Do

no they don't

True. It's just another BS (i.e. "Both Sides") argument.

190 AK-47%  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:34:01pm

re: #178 Killgore Trout

Another shocker: Harry Reid doesn't really believe Mitt paid no taxes for 10 years.

Harry did what he had to do: he kept that albatrosss hung around Mitt's neck...it is not going to go away.

191 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:35:13pm

re: #184 blueraven

I can say this for certain though. Paul Ryan knows for sure Obama had nothing to do with the closing of the GM factory in Janesville.

Probably. I also suspect he knows his own budget proposal is full of shit and would be an economic disaster if ever enacted.

192 HappyWarrior  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:35:17pm

re: #185 abolitionist

I've suggested that may have been the intent.

My cynical side is thinking that's a possibility. More likely to me is that they really do want to try to illustrate their candidate as a decent guy who isn't some out of touch dick and probably hoped that Eastwood and then Rubio's introduction would do that. But as I said, that's a possibility too because after working with Mitt, they know his limitations and personable isn't Mitt, it's just not.

193 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:38:17pm

re: #185 abolitionist

I've suggested that may have been the intent.

That seems like a huge gamble to take with your boss's run for POTUS. However, given how this campaign is being run, it's not out of the question.

These are the same people who are admitting that they have no qualms about running easily debunked lies in their messaging.

194 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:38:38pm

Very few people actually believe their own bullshit. It's the true believers like Ron Paul and Michelle Bachman that really scare me.

195 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:39:45pm
196 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:40:16pm

After numerous attempts and many candy bars later, I finally figured out the "lift and pull here" on a Hershey's chocolate bar.

197 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:41:20pm

"Chair, you so crazy!"
"..."
"DON'T YOU BACK TALK ME!"

198 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:42:28pm

re: #196 Sionainn

After numerous attempts and many candy bars later, I finally figured out the "lift and pull here" on a Hershey's chocolate bar.

Its a great day!

Right up there with "Hey, I can turn the shower on and let it get warm before I get into it. GREATEST IDEA EVER!"

199 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:42:57pm

another LOL because it's friday.

Image: QCSw2abJIkmTqnSg2xdU2Q2.jpg

200 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:43:13pm

re: #196 Sionainn

After numerous attempts and many candy bars later, I finally figured out the "lift and pull here" on a Hershey's chocolate bar.

One word: chainsaw.

201 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:44:07pm
202 sizzzzlerz  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:44:26pm

I surprised that no one has brought up the fact Clint starred in a movie musical "Paint Your Wagon" where he sang the song "I Talk To The Trees" with its immortal lyrics:

I talk to the trees
But they don't listen to me
I talk to the stars
But they never hear me

Replace trees with chairs and, well, the song sells itself!

203 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:44:33pm

re: #194 Killgore Trout

Very few people actually believe their own bullshit. It's the true believers like Ron Paul and Michelle Bachman that really scare me.

democrats are forever forlornly trotting out rebuttals to republican lies on the faint hope that anybody will notice. the idea that anybody cares about actual reality is one of the biggest problems democrats have in election campaigns

204 wrenchwench  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:44:41pm

re: #198 Kragar

Its a great day!

Right up there with "Hey, I can turn the shower on and let it get warm before I get into it. GREATEST IDEA EVER!"

I have one of those single-knob-operated shower controls. If I have my back to it, for the life of me I can't figure out which way to turn it to make the water hotter. It's a special kind of dyslexia.

205 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:45:30pm

#Eastwooding has gone global:

[Link: www.stumbleupon.com...]

206 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:48:15pm
207 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:48:24pm

Silly man...it came from god.

208 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:48:33pm

re: #199 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

another LOL because it's friday.

Image: QCSw2abJIkmTqnSg2xdU2Q2.jpg

"A five-year-old child would understand this budget proposal. Someone go out and get me a five-year-old child!"

209 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:49:32pm

re: #207 darthstar

Silly man...it came from god.

[Embedded content]

The tides come in...the tides go out...repeat.///

210 b_sharp  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:49:50pm

Eastwood was hired by the DNC to throw a monkey into the wrench of the RNC.

He pulled it off.

211 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:49:52pm

re: #206 Lidane

[Embedded content]

I don't see an actual quote where Romney uses those words.

212 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:50:07pm
213 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:50:34pm

re: #182 Killgore Trout

I had hoped he was going to give a serious speech. I would have been very interesting in hearing it but it looks like he decided not to do that. Oh well, it looks like a wasted opportunity.

How would you know? You didn't watch the speech.

214 b_sharp  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:50:37pm

re: #209 Petero1818

The tides come in...the tides go out...repeat.///

You can't explain that, but we did build that.

215 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:51:44pm

re: #214 b_sharp

You can't explain that, but we did build that.

Yep. National Journal said that's what he said but doesn't provide an actual quote so it must be true.

//

216 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:51:46pm

someday romney's crack about obama promising to stop the rise of the oceans might come back to bite them in the ass as it's played to remind people of how lightly republicans took the threat

as rush limbaugh's mansion in florida is slowly inundated...

217 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:51:48pm

Obama reddit AMA update: Obama answers a planted question in his AMA by a user account 4 hours old. Nobody notices/cares.

Profile created mere hours before minutes after the AMA was announced, and literally six seconds before asking a well written, paragraph long question (approximate typing speed assuming it was typed after creating the account? 1570 wpm)
Created a profile 5 minutes 39 seconds after the AMA going live, when servers were having a fit.
Asked question explicitly requesting ways to recruit the youth that Obama relied on last election (many of whom are disillusioned with him, for all the reasons she presents herself as being subject to)
Is literally only 1 of 10 questions answered.
asked by one hmlee who (according to some internet detective work):
has only one comment in her history, total
Posted a blog entry supporting Obama
lists herself as working/having worked as an intern at the Department of Justice

So, is it possible that she heard about it on her own, created an account, and typed up an eloquent question that is a PR man's wet dream all within less than 6 minutes? Yes, it's possible. It's just not particularly likely.

Outrage!

218 b_sharp  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:52:02pm

re: #213 Sionainn

How would you know? You didn't watch the speech.

He knew you were going to say that.

219 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:52:03pm

BTW, the GULF of Mexico isn't an ocean...just saying.

220 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:52:22pm

re: #214 b_sharp

You can't explain that, but we did build that.

Just imagine, before the interwebs these TV moments lived on only in the libraries of networks long forgotten.

221 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:52:54pm

re: #213 Sionainn

How would you know? You didn't watch the speech.

Besides, Romney's not a turn around specialist...he's a reach around specialist.

222 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:53:32pm

Romney Requests Presidential Debate To Be Held With Empty Chair

will explain his lack of policies to it

223 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:53:35pm

re: #213 Sionainn

How would you know? You didn't watch the speech.

8.5 minutes of Clint ad libbing to a chair doesn't sound very serious to me. I suppose I could watch but I'm just not that bored today.

224 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:53:51pm

re: #222 engineer cat

Romney Requests Presidential Debate To Be Held With Empty Chair

will explain his lack of policies to it

He'd lose.

225 darthstar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:54:20pm

re: #223 Killgore Trout

8.5 minutes of Clint ad libbing to a chair doesn't sound very serious to me. I suppose I could watch but I'm just not that bored today.

It's as serious as the Romney/Ryan campaign is about policy.

226 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:54:34pm
227 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:54:39pm

re: #224 darthstar

He'd lose.

Not if he Used Clint as his phone a friend buddy

228 engineer cat  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:54:50pm

re: #224 darthstar

He'd lose.

it can be said with certainty that the chair would make fewer unforced errors

229 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:55:10pm

I'd like to see Romney start to debate an empty chair, then see Obama sneak on stage and sit down while Mitt's back was turned.

230 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:55:24pm

re: #200 Mattand

One word: chainsaw.

Heck no! Those things scare me!

231 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:55:25pm

re: #223 Killgore Trout

8.5 minutes of Clint ad libbing to a chair doesn't sound very serious to me. I suppose I could watch but I'm just not that bored today.

I know one thing. I'm pretty bored with this whole skit already. Seriously. Obama isn't going to win over Clint Eastwood talking to a stool. A lot of people loved it. Everyone needs to move on.

232 Killgore Trout  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:56:25pm

re: #231 Gus

I know one thing. I'm pretty bored with this whole skit already. Seriously. Obama isn't going to win over Clint Eastwood talking to a stool. A lot of people loved it. Everyone needs to move on.

I new outrage is always just around the corner.

233 Petero1818  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:57:01pm

re: #231 Gus

I know one thing. I'm pretty bored with this whole skit already. Seriously. Obama isn't going to win over Clint Eastwood talking to a stool. A lot of people loved it. Everyone needs to move on.

Disagree. The point being everyone is talking about something other than Mitt's speech. That is worth a lot in an election. Clint is a distraction. Which is fine until Harry Reid starts talking about tax returns again on Tuesday.

234 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:57:04pm

DNC Commercial: an empty chair, Obama walk up, has a seat "I'm here and ready to talk any time the GOP wants to have a real discussion instead of just talking into empty space."

235 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:57:36pm

re: #232 Killgore Trout

I new outrage is always just around the corner.

Breaking! Romney asks where the water came from!

236 b_sharp  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 12:58:13pm

According to some unnamed journalist the following was said. 'He then asked, according to a journalists' pool report of the visit: “Did the water come from the sky, or the rivers, or the ocean?”'

That doesn't strike me as an unreasonable question. If, as in the report, he was viewing a flooded area, the question would simply be asking if the torrential rains by themselves were responsible for the flood, or did some engineering fail somewhere leading to water from the ocean or river being the cause.

I think the question may have been more specific than it has been presented. I doubt this is a d'oh moment.

237 gwangung  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:00:21pm

re: #236 b_sharp

According to some unnamed journalist the following was said. 'He then asked, according to a journalists' pool report of the visit: “Did the water come from the sky, or the rivers, or the ocean?”'

That doesn't strike me as an unreasonable question. If, as in the report, he was viewing a flooded area, the question would simply be asking if the torrential rains by themselves were responsible for the flood, or did some engineering fail somewhere leading to water from the ocean or river being the cause.

I think the question may have been more specific than it has been presented. I doubt this is a d'oh moment.

Ah, that seems more reasonable.

238 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:01:02pm

re: #233 Petero1818

Disagree. The point being everyone is talking about something other than Mitt's speech. That is worth a lot in an election. Clint is a distraction. Which is fine until Harry Reid starts talking about tax returns again on Tuesday.

People are working today or watching soap operas. Most people will just say "I heard Clint Eastwood did something weird at the RNC last night." The majority of Americans either don't know who Harry Reid is and a good 50 percent don't care about what he says.

239 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:01:34pm

re: #236 b_sharp

According to some unnamed journalist the following was said. 'He then asked, according to a journalists' pool report of the visit: “Did the water come from the sky, or the rivers, or the ocean?”'

If nothing else, it just looks horrendously bad when coupled with his "durr hurr, I don't care about the planet I care about you!" crap from yesterday. It underscores that republicans are an absolute disaster for disaster victims.

240 blueraven  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:03:20pm

Repeal Obamachair!

h/t...a dish reader

241 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:03:34pm
242 Lidane  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:03:42pm

re: #231 Gus

I know one thing. I'm pretty bored with this whole skit already. Seriously. Obama isn't going to win over Clint Eastwood talking to a stool. A lot of people loved it. Everyone needs to move on.

Thing is, this was supposed to be Mitt Romney's moment. The guy's been running for POTUS for the better part of the decade, finally gets the nod, and is set to have his moment in front of the world where he accepts the nomination for President from his party. The only takeaway from that night that everyone is talking about is Clint Eastwood yelling at an empty chair.

That's huge. A nominee for a major party has been upstaged and overshadowed by an empty chair, and right before the incumbent POTUS goes into his convention. This should be the time when Romney is the center of attention for his speech, and he has to compete with Invisible Obama and Old Man Yells At Chair for press.

243 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:04:27pm

re: #239 Interesting Times

If nothing else, it just looks horrendously bad when coupled with his "durr hurr, I don't care about the planet I care about you!" crap from yesterday. It underscores that republicans are an absolute disaster for disaster victims.

"logic algorithms have computed that touring disaster site is rated as highly probable human behavior for Job_President@US. Execute tour routine."

244 Interesting Times  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:05:06pm

re: #242 Lidane

Plus this:

245 Varek Raith  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:05:38pm

Mitt Romney Calls United States A ‘Company’

Heh.

246 Kragar  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:06:52pm

re: #245 Varek Raith

Mitt Romney Calls United States A ‘Company’

Heh.

Mitt can't wait to fire Americans who don't meet production goals.

247 Mattand  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:07:26pm

re: #242 Lidane

Thing is, this was supposed to be Mitt Romney's moment. The guy's been running for POTUS for the better part of the decade, finally gets the nod, and is set to have his moment in front of the world where he accepts the nomination for President from his party. The only takeaway from that night that everyone is talking about is Clint Eastwood yelling at an empty chair.

That's huge. A nominee for a major party has been upstaged and overshadowed by an empty chair, and right before the incumbent POTUS goes into his convention. This should be the time when Romney is the center of attention for his speech, and he has to compete with Invisible Obama and Old Man Yells At Chair for press.

Spot on. It's been less than 24 hours since this happened. It's a little early to call a moratorium on Chairgate yet.

248 Sionainn  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:11:40pm

re: #236 b_sharp

According to some unnamed journalist the following was said. 'He then asked, according to a journalists' pool report of the visit: “Did the water come from the sky, or the rivers, or the ocean?”'

That doesn't strike me as an unreasonable question. If, as in the report, he was viewing a flooded area, the question would simply be asking if the torrential rains by themselves were responsible for the flood, or did some engineering fail somewhere leading to water from the ocean or river being the cause.

I think the question may have been more specific than it has been presented. I doubt this is a d'oh moment.

I agree...although I did find the headline amusing. It's the same thing Fox News does on a regular basis.

249 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:13:11pm

re: #140 HappyWarrior

Sadly, yes. I mean Clint doesn't have to support Obama's re-election. If he feels he hasn't done a good job but why say you don't give a shit about gays being able to marry when you're giving a speech on national television in support of a man who supports banning it everywhere (not just states having the choice) or that you don't like what happened in Afghanistan all the while Mitt talks a tough game on Iran and has in the past criticized the strength and muscle of the president's Afghanistan policy. Clint's entitled to his opinions and to support whoever he wants but I don't get why he's supporting Mitt. He really seems like Gary Johnson would be more his type.

Because Clint knows Johnson didn't and doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hell...

250 sagehen  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:14:13pm

re: #242 Lidane

Thing is, this was supposed to be Mitt Romney's moment. The guy's been running for POTUS for the better part of the decade, finally gets the nod, and is set to have his moment in front of the world where he accepts the nomination for President from his party. The only takeaway from that night that everyone is talking about is Clint Eastwood yelling at an empty chair.

That's huge. A nominee for a major party has been upstaged and overshadowed by an empty chair, and right before the incumbent POTUS goes into his convention. This should be the time when Romney is the center of attention for his speech, and he has to compete with Invisible Obama and Old Man Yells At Chair for press.

What the Morning Joe people were freaked about is that Romney's speech was supposed to start just after 10 because that's when the TV audience suddenly doubles. All those people just tuning in got... a rambling Clint Eastwood who'd gone 8 minutes over on what was scheduled to be a 3-minute thing. Ooops.

For low-information voters just starting to pay attention to the campaigns, this was their first impression of Romney.

251 Gus  Fri, Aug 31, 2012 1:18:33pm

re: #242 Lidane

Thing is, this was supposed to be Mitt Romney's moment. The guy's been running for POTUS for the better part of the decade, finally gets the nod, and is set to have his moment in front of the world where he accepts the nomination for President from his party. The only takeaway from that night that everyone is talking about is Clint Eastwood yelling at an empty chair.

That's huge. A nominee for a major party has been upstaged and overshadowed by an empty chair, and right before the incumbent POTUS goes into his convention. This should be the time when Romney is the center of attention for his speech, and he has to compete with Invisible Obama and Old Man Yells At Chair for press.

Well yeah. I didn't say it was a good moment either. In the end this whole skit upstaged Romney and Romney made a weak speech. I highly doubt any of this will sway any swing voters. The war mongering by Romney will likely scare off at least 1/2 of independents especially the Paulian types. It was a big mistake IMO. Of course it could have been worse had that nut Donald Trump was going to be there. Worst part of the finale was Romney making jokes about climate change and all the sabre rattling.


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