(Nick Anderson via GoComics.com)
__
Via Greg Sargent, Maeve Reston of the LATimes points out that cutely sloganed travel mugs are not going to sway many female voters to Romney’s camp:
… Romney has at times boxed himself in. He has pounded Obama for job losses among women during his tenure, yet rarely acknowledged that many of those cuts were in government jobs that would be sliced further under his proposals, which would shrink government employment by 10%.
__
Though middle-of-the-road female voters tend to be more concerned than conservative women about maintaining the nation’s social safety net and expanding healthcare access, Romney has vowed to repeal Obama’s healthcare law, rein in the growth of programs like Medicare and get rid of government aid to Planned Parenthood. He rarely touts his own efforts to expand access to healthcare in Massachusetts, because the program has become such a liability for him among Republican voters…
__
White House spokesman Jay Carney hinted at that strategy Thursday when asked to address Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen’s comment that Ann Romney, as a stay-at-home mother, shouldn’t be advising her husband on the struggles of working women. Like Obama’s top campaign advisors, Carney was critical of Rosen’s comments, and eager to move on to the more substantive policy debate.
__
“We should also focus on where we disagree,” Carney said, ticking off a series of Republican positions that the White House argues will hurt women. He noted that the Republican budget, which Romney has endorsed, would cut funding for programs that support low-income women and children, including Head Start, the Women, Infants and Children program, and supplemental nutritional aid for pregnant mothers…
And for all that noise & effort, Romney’s well-publicized duck behind his wife’s mommy-skirts was only the second most pathetic family-related pandering by a GOP candidate this week!
Apart from Republicans seeking their natural level (subterranean), what’s on the agenda for the weekend?
Joey Maloney
As I’m listening to some old Aerosmith this morning (great housecleaning music!) I wonder if something like this lies fifteen or so years in Frothy Mix’s future.
Would it be irresponsible to speculate?
(This post void where prohibited, such as at The Agitator.)
Punchy
The spawn just cried herself awake, then polished off 210 mLs like it was in a beer bong. Next, of course, she’ll poop a river and spit up like a geyser. Sigh.
Steeplejack
Hmm. Somehow managed to slide into night-owl mode without realizing it, and now it’s morning. ¡Caramba! Where do the hours go?
Now it’s off to bed for me, with a trip to IKEA with a former coworker planned for the early afternoon. I’m just along for the ride, but I always enjoy looking there. Maybe I’ll get a lamp; I need a new one to go by the computer. It evens out the glare from the monitor and gives me a little light on the keyboard. Been making do without one the last month, and I think I have been getting some eyestrain because of that. Nothing to do with the Balloon Juice site rebuild, I’m sure.
c u n d gulag
What Santorum did was nothing!
I await the first Republican candidate to get a lifetime NRA memberships for the fetus his wife is carrying, right after she notices she’s pregnant!
“I decided to arm my child, so when the arms finally develop, he/she can really be fully armed!
And listen-up, my child – don’t let go of that gun ’til it’s pried from your cold, dead, hand…”
SiubhanDuinne
I’m off to Kennesaw State University in a few minutes for a day-long academic conference. And tomorrow I’m heading the other direction, to have lunch in Athens with several retired professors and their wives. A full and edifying weekend, no doubt, but when I’m going to do the usual Satruday-Sunday chores I’m not quite sure.
ericblair
This whole Rombot campaign is going to be one long Dukakis-in-a-tank moment with every issue that comes along. He can’t possibly take any position except the most looneytunes rightwing one, because his base doesn’t trust him, but it’s obvious that he doesn’t believe in it. And that’s obvious to his base, too, so it’s a long downward spiral.
So fuck Romney. He just wants to be President to put it on his resume, he’s got nothing to say about anything and no connection to anyone outside his own little fucking club of pampered simps. And now I’m all pissed off and haven’t even had my coffee yet.
Shari
Secret Service officers sent home from South American for drinking and whoring. Way to represent the home team.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/14/secret-service-agents-colombia-summit
demkat620
Ah a full day of Softball for the girl child and soccer for the boy.
Outside. In the Pollen. I expect my head to be the size of the moon come monday. We desperately need rain here in SEPA and there isn’t any headed our way.
geg6
I am going to do two of my favorite things early this morning: a haircut and a PEDICURE! I love, love, love a pedicure. Then bra shopping and grocery shopping. Maybe some filet mignon for dinner?
Culture of Truth
The Mustache of Understanding is over Trayvon Martin:
Thomas L. Friedman @NYTFriedman
Just Some Fuckhead
@Culture of Truth: America is also the only country where black men jump around in a Statue of Liberty costume beside the road. This truly is the Greatest Place on Earth.
Elizabelle
Great cartoon.
Off to the Cherry Blossom Parade.
This year, without cherry blossoms. Because spring was so early.
Anya
@Culture of Truth:
WTF!
Linda Featheringill
Hoping that Soonergrunt is okay. His neighborhood had a tornado yesterday and more are expected today.
The various weather services are forecasting a tornado storm today from Wichita, Kansas to Wichita Falls, Texas.
I don’t remember seeing that before. Does that mean that really, really bad weather is expected or that their ability to make predictions is improving?
Matters not. You folks down there be careful. Okay?
Rekster
@Just Some Fuckhead: @Linda Featheringill: But, you know that Climate Change is a Liberal Lie! I think I’ll be holdin on tight here in North Texas today!
Punchy
@Linda Featheringill: I’m in KC, which should be safe, but theyve been predicting REALLY ugly storms just west of here for days. Seems like the real deal.
gnomedad
Why was Roger Ailes named after a rabbit?
kdaug
Birthday party for a friend’s kid at an arcade-thing.
They’ll let you BYOB.
I aim to.
Just Some Fuckhead
@Punchy: Stop gaying it up there in Kansas and Oklahomo.
redshirt
Any Wilco fans here? This post reminds me of their sublime song “War on war”.
There’s a war on!
jeffreyw
Waiting for the hummers to show, haven’t seen the first one yet.
debit
I am going to go grocery shopping, then to look at a bike*, and then into work for a few hours. I hate tax season.
*I honestly don’t know what’s come over me. I am all about the go fast bikes, and yet I have this sudden and inexplicable desire for old English 3 speeds. I don’t have the room or need for another bike. What the hell, man.
Villago Delenda Est
Isn’t this the Santorum daughter who likely will die a painful death within the next few years anyway?
Villago Delenda Est
@Culture of Truth:
I do believe the Moustasche is making a last minute bid to nail down the David Broder Memorial Wanker of the Decade title.
Just Some Fuckhead
@Villago Delenda Est:
Yes, by gunplay.
jeffreyw
I’m liking the Readability addon for Firefox. Saves articles for later, reformats the web page and offers functionality over all your devices.
Currants
Garden!
Just Some Fuckhead
Awesome, Dumbass Hillary RIAAosen has lost Obama one of the Red Staters.
beltane
Like Mitt & Ann Romney, Tom Freidman has enjoyed life as a pampered, coddled member of the 1%. He is about as familiar with the every day lives of normal Americans as I am regarding the lives of Chuvash tribesmen.
All the “Mom” sloganed swag from the Romney campaign is not cute, it is repellent. There is also a good chance the Republicans have long-ago locked up the vote of those women who refer to themselves as “just Moms”.
My local hippie co-op sells a bumper-sticker that says “Every Mother is a Working Mother.” The Republicans would not like that one as it has somewhat soc1al1s1c implications regarding the economic value of caregiving.
beltane
@Just Some Fuckhead: Yes, I’m sure that vote was his for loosing. I’m still not getting the connection between Hilary Rosen and Obama. Is he now personally responsible for the offhand statement of every self-identified Democrat in the country? By this standard, Mitt Romney has personally called me a c**t, a whore and a slut. He needs to apologize for this ASAP or I won’t vote for him.
Southern Beale
WTF I don’t even understand what THIS is about, but Ron Paul just adopted a radical conservative Christian policy toward Israel when he said he would support moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
This is some radical shit straight out of the Armageddonist wing of evangelical Christian America. They want to bring Jeebus back and fucking around in Israel is how they’re going to do it. This is CRRRAZY tinfoil hat shit. Now supported by a supposed “non-interventionist” like Ron Paul?
amk
sick rantorum beat mehmney in firmly kissing the nra’s ass. I pity this vermin’s long-suffering family.
KCinDC
Argh, turned on NPR this morning and whose voice is coming out of my radio? Ross Douthat talking about religion.
Phylllis
Grocery shopping then putting together a glider bench for the side yard. Tomorrow we’ll plant flowers and put the hummingbird feeder out. In between, beer and Braves baseball.
Chyron HR
@beltane:
Now that’s just silly. He’s actually responsible for everyone who doesn’t self-identify as a Republican. (Also for the “secret liberals” like George W. Bush.)
Baud
@beltane:
Every Democrat is responsible for the worst thing any other Democrat says or does. It’s in the rulebook.
eric
@c u n d gulag: in arizona, it sounds like women can sign up each period for a lifetime membership in the NRA…
gelfling545
@geg6: A pedicure is one of life’s finest, simple pleasures.
gelfling545
I’m getting ready to attend the first birthday party of my great nephew, Connor. My great niece, Sophie, who was born last week will be making her social debut there! That beautiful little girl makes me so happy and so sad. She is the first grandchild of my younger brother who passed away in 2006. He would have been so thrilled.
RalfW
@beltane:
“Is he now personally responsible for the offhand statement of every self-identified Democrat in the country?”
Yes. And has been. Since approximately November 5, 1960.
Even or especially if the offending statement happens to also be true.
RalfW
I’m headed off to meet with a couple hundred Unitarian Universalist as we talk Lessons from War and Peace [not the book, but the phenomena of human culture].
I get to co-lead two workshops this afternoon. One on the awesome racial and economic justice work of HIRE Minnesota, and one on the not-awesome work of culture warriors and the friggin anti-marriage amendment.
Hal
I was listening to All Things Considered the day of AnnGate, in other words, less than twenty four hours after the comments had been made, and they were interviewing some reporter for wapo who has some type of women’s issues blog.
She basically said Romney had closed the gap between he and President Obama with women because these comments would make him seem more sympathetic. Closed the gap, less then twenty four hours later.
This was not surprising, since EJ Dione and David Brooks had been on weeks ago, after the whole Catholic Bishop dust up declaring Obama had mad a grave mistake.
I’m thinking of writing to the show and asking Robert Siegel if he and his other testicled partners are ever going to be correct on women’s issues?
samara morgan
@Hal: this morning its still Obama-57% to Willard-38% in the women vote.
AllahP goes there.
Romney Campaign uses new secret weapon at NRA meeting.
Doesnt seem like Mrs. 1% is helping Willards numbers much.
From Caribou Barbie to Stepford Barbie.
The GOP is starting to feel it. If the only demographic Willard can carry in November is white men, he can’t win.
demographics is destiny.
Bruce S
@Hal:
I don’t listen to those bores anymore. Wasn’t a conscious decision. They just lost me. No longer interested in their low-key pandering. I think my overt distaste started when the weekend guy was pimping the Iraq war. NPR is the station for relatively intelligent conservatives who want to add a bit of cachet to their complacency. Studies have shown that most NPR listeners self-identify as “middle of the road” or “conservative” and the bulk of the news-oriented programming does nothing to challenge their assumptions or expand their comfort zone. It’s a warm bath.
Bruce S
Rick Santorum enlisting his 3-year-old as a “life member” of the NRA is a new low point in the GOP Circus. Even for Santorum. The man and his idiot wife are both despicable nutcases.
the fugitive uterus
Mom’s Do Work!*
*with the exception of Ann Romney
rageahol
@debit: happens to the best of us. it’s a phase.
but at least you’re not limiting yourself to go-fast spandax carbon fibre nonsense anymore.
(for the record, i’m a retro-grouch. can you tell?)
the fugitive uterus
why can’t the WH tout what is already available now to people with pre-existing conditions? (pcip.gov) it would certainly boost support for ACA and fight back against some of the demonization and claims that it won’t work. pcip is not perfect, but it’s sure as hell better than what we have now, which is nothing. it’s a plan that is reasonably affordable, in most instances, and not unlike any other insurance plan available.
all they ever mention is the extension of benefits through parent’s insurance to 26 years old. but others benefit, and many others can benefit if they just knew about it.
i read that the program was not as successful as hoped for and they did not have enough beneficiaries. well perhaps if you would tell people about it you’d get a hell of a lot more enrollees!
karen marie
@Joey Maloney: It’s doubtful that Bella will live that long. She’s the one with Trisomy-18. Only one percent of that population reach the age of ten, which makes this “lifetime” membership especially dickish.
Schlemizel
reading Professor Turleys blog & came across this:
http://jonathanturley.org/2012/04/14/profiling-the-profiler-the-unflattering-mirror/
Just f’ing depressing
the fugitive uterus
i don’t have any healthy activities planned for the day except perhaps some yardwork
andy
Helped a friend shop for a car that he needs by monday because friday morning his present car’s frame shattered where the right front wheel and tie rods and suspension is hung. Luckily it didn’t break at highway speeds.
Our town (Brainerd) has cancelled the annual Forth of July parade. Since it’s funded from private donations, the Invisible Hand has decided it’s not worth it this year. Butthurt in our newspaper comment section seems to be running against the decision, but ironically it’s our local “patriots” screaming the loudest. Somehow being the reddest of county seats in the reddest county in the state hasn’t translated into Profits- our unemployment continues to crowd 20% when the rest of the state averages 6%- and local businesses just haven’t been opening their wallets like they used to.
amk
@Bruce S: Mini-me mehmneys are one thing. To use your 3 year old for a political prop is utterly disgusting.
the fugitive uterus
screw Santorum and his use of his daughter as a prop. if he really loves her so much, he should be trying to spend as much time with her as possible while she is on this earth. THAT’S what most good fathers would do, if they could. I’m sure with his money, Santorum could afford to do that instead of running for office.
FUCK THAT BASTARD
gwangung
Working on one of my shows.
You can get a sample here.
And here.
kindness
I think Democrats and the White House are missing an opportunity here. Instead of just saying Rosen was bad they should say:
“I think Rosen was wrong. Ann Romney as a mother of 5 and wife of a powerful politician/Hedge Fund Executive and Morman church Bishop did have a job. She had to organize her families life in circles where that is a full time job. I’m thankful for her. Most women in America do not have to face what Ann did. Her’s is a special position that not even 1% of American women face. No doubt Ann is grateful for the help she was able to afford to bring her through her task. So God Bless Ann. She’s done a fine job raising her children and bringing order to her husband’s rarefied world. That is a job well done.”
It dodges the issue of Obama being mean and points out the Rommeys aren’t like the rest of us heathen masses.
Mnemosyne
@debit:
Come to the dark side, debit. You wouldn’t believe how much more fun this style of bike is to ride in urban traffic than my old hybrid was.
(Though I can’t remember offhand if you’re Mr. Debit or Ms. Debit. If you’re Mr. Debit, you’ll have to go with something more like this ’cause my bike is Ladies Only.)
opie jeanne
Gardening today. Planting carrots and beets and more mesclun. Checking in on my beloved Angels sporadically and hoping they figure it out, and soon.
Mnemosyne
Speaking of my lovely new bike that I adore, there are a few bike shop sales around town today, so I may wander out to find some needed accessories (like a front basket and a back rack). But I also have to finish my freakin’ taxes. Ugh. Not complicated, just tedious.
Mnemosyne
Last thing: James O’Keefe may find out the hard way that taping yourself committing a crime and posting it online means you just provided evidence to the prosecutor. “I did it to prove liberals wrong” turns out not to be a legal defense against criminal activity. Who knew?
Brachiator
@kindness:
There is no issue here except in the minds of some Republicans. Obama, who should not have had to comment on this at all, clearly said that spouses should be off limits. He’s been pretty consistent on this.
On the other hand, Republican pundits have relentlessly derided Michelle Obama since day one.
This is tiresome political theater, the kind in which the GOP just loves to indulge, since it lets them pretend to be hurt even as they spew bile at Obama, the Democrats, women, and anyone else they want.
Hal
@the fugitive uterus:
Rachel Maddow did a segment a couple of weeks ago showing the ban on pre-existing conditions is hugely popular (something like 75% support), as are keeping your children on your healthcare plan, and several other provisions. It’s the overall “Obamacare” law that’s unpopular, and that people have issues with.
FlipYrWhig
I still have a hard time believing that reporters fell for the Republican spin that Rosen was taking a shot at Ann Romney as a stay at home mom as opposed to taking a shot at her as rich, out of touch, and not at all representative of typical women with typical problems. Everything she said was specifically about that. I guess I should stop being amazed at how gullible and lazy the media is.
Mnemosyne
@Hal:
IIRC, every provision of “Obamacare” polls at well over 50% except the mandate (and even the mandate isn’t that unpopular once it’s explained to people). So, basically, Obamacare is like kreplach — people get freaked out at the overall idea even though they like all of the elements in it.
FlipYrWhig
@Mnemosyne: It’s because the thing people actually object to isn’t what’s in the bill, it’s the idea of Negroes and illegals getting free medical treatment on their hard-earned money. No one ever polls that because it’s totally insane, but that’s the source of the distaste for the law (from the right at least).
SarahT
@ geg6 : Pedicure ! Yes ! Thanks for the reminder – Pedicure = hangover cure ! Also, on MTP tomorrow, Gillibrand v Bachmann, “Women and the economy”. Hilarity will ensue.
cckids
@Bruce S:
From what I’ve read about Trisomy 18 (the condition his daughter has), the oldest she might live to be is around the age of 10. And that is if she is one of the lucky 1% of people with the condition. And he’s playing up this NRA bullshit using her, just flat-out using her. You have to wonder what his other kids think. Fucker.
edited to add: what karen marie @50 said.
gregor
Yesterday my wife was cooking when Anne Romney’s speech to the NRA was played on the show the I was watching. Her reaction: who is that from Saturday Night Live?
If you watch it again, it certainly looks and sounds like a parody.
La Caterina
Johannes and I are off to feed the Bklyn Navy Yard cat colony (8 feeding stations!) then grocery shopping, then I start in on all the work I didn’t get done at work this week. Thank Goddess I have a job to pay for all the cat food.