Thread: Ron Paul on the Issues

Obama expands lead on Romney, voters more optimistic

Tue, Jul 10 2012

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during an event on extending the Bush-era tax cuts for middle class families at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 10, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Jason Reed

By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON | Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:02pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama expanded his lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney to 6 percentage points in the White House race this month as voters became slightly more optimistic about the economy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Tuesday.

Four months before the November 6 election, Obama leads Romney among registered voters 49 percent to 43 percent. In June, Obama held a slim 1-point lead over the former Massachusetts governor.

Obama's improved standing was fueled in part by a slight rise in optimism about the future, with the number of Americans who think the country is on the wrong track dropping 5 percentage points to 58 percent.

Obama's approval ratings ticked up 1 point to 48 percent and the number of Americans who disapprove of his job performance dropped 3 percentage points to 47 percent.

The shift follows a low point for Obama in June as economic worries deepened and Romney consolidated Republican support after clinching the party's nomination to challenge him in November. Obama had led Romney by 7 points in May's poll.

"Last month was a particularly bad time for Obama but now the race seems to have returned to its normal position, which has Obama up a few points," pollster Chris Jackson said.

The poll of 1,154 adults, including 885 registered voters, was taken between Thursday and Monday. During the period, a weak labor report was issued on Friday that showed sluggish job gains and an unchanged unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in June.

It also followed a long-anticipated Supreme Court decision late last month upholding Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul. At the same time, gas prices have dropped as the summer driving season gains steam and concerns about the European debt crisis have eased slightly.

'PEOPLE FEEL A LITTLE BETTER'

"It's not like consumer confidence has turned a big corner, but people feel a little better about where they are and where they are going," Jackson said. "Nothing bad has happened recently, and when nothing really bad happens people start feeling more optimistic."

Other national polls have shown a tight White House race, with Obama generally holding a slight lead over Romney. A Washington Post/ABC News poll on Tuesday had the two rivals running dead even.

Romney, a former head of a private equity firm, has attacked Obama's leadership of the sluggish economy, which voters consistently rate as the top issue in the election.

The poll found 45 percent of Americans think Obama's performance on jobs and the economy has been unsatisfactory, and only 35 percent think it has been satisfactory. That is Obama's lowest mark since December.

Obama was rated more positively on every other issue, including healthcare, where he earned positive ratings from 44 percent of Americans and unsatisfactory marks from 41 percent.

Opinions on the healthcare law were split relatively evenly, with 45 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed. The number who opposed the law was up slightly from last month, when 44 percent were against it.

Obama's campaign and his Democratic allies have hammered Romney as too wealthy and out of touch to relate to the everyday concerns of the middle class. Obama underlined that point on Monday by calling for a one-year extension of Bush-era tax cuts only for families earning less than $250,000 a year.

Jackson said Obama has gained some traction with the argument, and with Democratic attacks accusing Romney's private equity firm Bain Capital of plundering companies and eliminating jobs.

"Obama and Democrats at large have found an effective hammer to use against Romney with the Bain Capital attacks," he said. "People think of Romney as being rich and elite and don't see him favorably in that light."
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, conducted over landlines and cellphones, had a margin of error of 3 percent for all adults and 3.4 percent for registered voters.

(Reporting by John Whitesides; editing by Alistair Bell and Mohammad Zargham)

Obama expands lead on Romney, voters more optimistic | Reuters

Related News

• Attacks on Romney for offshore assets, taxes heat up Tue, Jul 10 2012
  
• Obama challenges Republicans to keep tax cuts for middle class Mon, Jul 9 2012
  
• Dismal hiring shows economy stuck in low gear Sat, Jul 7 2012
  
• Jobs report allows Romney to get back on message Fri, Jul 6 2012
  
• Obama knocks China trade policy, Romney on campaign tour Thu, Jul 5 2012

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• Republicans seek drama on Obamacare future
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Related Video

Related: Obama surges in new Reuters/Ipsos poll – the Trail


A cold Turd laying on the side walk should be able to easily beat Obama ... one that is not even steaming ...

1. Thats how screwed up Obama is ... and

2. That goes to show how motivated the Base is on support for Mittens

it aint there... get ready for 4 More Years of Obama

The GOP and The RNC were warned the last go around... Dont give us another John McCain and Low and Behold

Along Comes Mittens ... you just cant make this up

Austin Petersen on RT: Ron Paul Already Has 5 States; Can Be Nominated at RNC

Submitted by P.Au.L on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 08:46
Ron Paul 2012
Nebraska

Listen starting at 7:00

Despite what you've heard, Ron Paul is still in the GOP running.The Republican presidential candidate and his supporters are not giving up thefight and although Paul has conceited that he likely won't win the nomination,the Texas congressman still can have the floor at the Republican National Committee. The Republican National Committee rules state securing five states guarantees an individual time to speak at the RNC. Austin Petersen, director of Freedom Works, says Paul already has the numbers to be nominated at the RNC.

Austin Petersen on RT: Ron Paul Already Has 5 States; Can Be Nominated at RNC | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Romney and the RNC Have Set A Trap - Don't Fall For It !

Submitted by Freedom Now and... on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 23:47
Daily Paul Liberty Forum
DP Original

The trap is Romney's promise to repeal Obamacare. The prey is every American who opposes it!
Romney is a serial flip-flopper and cannot be trusted! He will never keep this promise but will use it to get elected. His word means nothing!

The GOP and Romney campaign are betting everything on Anti-Obamacare sentiment to win them the presidency. This is exactly why they have refused to embrace Ron Paul or his supporters. They don't care about Liberty and they don't keep promises!!!

We must prove them wrong by voting third party if Ron doesn't win the nomination. Romney must be kept out of the White House at all costs!

Please remember the treachery against our delegates and the election process when going to the polls this November. If Romney wins he and the GOP will spend millions in the off-election years removing every Liberty candidate and destroying our movement any way they can!

Please stand together and keep Romney out of the White House! The survival of our movement depends on it!

A Romney vote is a Tyranny vote

Romney and the RNC Have Set A Trap - Don't Fall For It ! | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

I agree 1,000 %

Romney is a Serial Flip Flopper

Pain and Heartache will come often with this critter and his ability to out right lie is only matched by Obama

Romney stayed longer at Bain

Submitted by DeMolay on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 04:44
Daily Paul Liberty Forum

Government documents filed by Mitt Romney and Bain Capital say Romney remained chief executive and chairman of the firm three years beyond the date he said he ceded control, even creating five new investment partnerships during that time.

Romney has said he left Bain in 1999 to lead the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, ending his role in the company. But public Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed later by Bain Capital state he remained the firm’s “sole stockholder, chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and president.”

Also, a Massachusetts financial disclosure form Romney filed in 2003 states that he still owned 100 percent of Bain Capital in 2002. And Romney’s state financial disclosure forms indicate he earned at least $100,000 as a Bain “executive” in 2001 and 2002, separate from investment earnings.

The timing of Romney’s departure from Bain is a key point of contention because he has said his resignation in February 1999 meant he was not responsible for Bain Capital companies that went bankrupt or laid off workers after that date.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/07/12/gove...

Romney stayed longer at Bain | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Ben Swann: Update on the plurality of States dispute, and clarification.

Submitted by Furious Primate on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 15:37

Delegates

"An update on the 5 state plurality issue and the Ron Paul campaign. I have been in contact with a number of people and here is what I know so far:

1. Paul has a majority of delegates in at least 7 states. Colorado (but many are uncommitted), Nevada (which unless a judge intervenes will probably be considered bound), Massachusetts (where the GOP de-credentialed delegates), Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Louisana (which has a combination of bound and unbound delegates, unbound are Congressional District delegates the vast majority of which are Paul's)


2. If you look at Rule 40 in the RNC rules, it requires a plurality of at least 5 states in order to have a name entered into nomination.


3. Apparently "bound" states like Nevada cannot enter Paul's name into nomination because they are "bound" to Romney. Again, this issue is VERY QUESTIONABLE since the RNC does not consider any delegates bound... and this isn't even in a round of voting. Plus, the RNC rule 40 makes NO distiction between bound and unbound.. simply says a candidate needs a plurality of delegates from at least 5 states.


4. Winning Nebraska's unbound delegates would give a 5th unbound state to Paul's column.


5. Federal lawsuit to declare all delegates unbound is still pending


6. Delegates at the RNC could argue that their "binding" is ONLY to vote for a candidate in the first round and has no weight on whether they place a name in nomination.


Lastly, and perhaps most importantly.. the rules of the 2012 Republican National Convention won't be decided until the RNC, therefore it will be up to liberty delegates to wage their strategy and influence the convention as best they can."

From Ben Swann's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BenSwannRealityCheck

Ben Swann: Update on the plurality of States dispute, and clarification. | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Obama Campaign Suggests Mitt Romney Could Be A Felon

Submitted by thedayfreedomdie on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 20:03
Daily Paul Liberty Forum
DP Original

Could this be the end of Mitt Romney?!

Obama Campaign Suggests Mitt Romney Could Be A Felon



Obama Campaign Suggests Mitt Romney Could Be A Felon | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

We Are Free!

Submitted by PatriotEyes on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 18:35
Daily Paul Liberty Forum
DP Original

No matter what happens, WE ARE FREE!, No matter which Banker wants to enslave us, WE ARE FREE!!, No matter which leaders instill fear into us, WE ARE FREE!!, No matter who holds us at gunpoint, WE ARE FREE!!, No matter which TSA agent violates our minds and bodies, WE ARE FREE!!, No matter who takes down our Websites, OUR Parties, Our Voices, WE ARE FREE!!, Doesn't matter if they nuke us, Shoot Us, WE ARE FREE!!, If they attack us in Tampa, no baton, Tear gas, No gun, no UN soldier, will Kill us, Liberty can't die, Liberty never dies!!, No breakdown, no fear, WE ARE FREE!, Let them knock down our doors!, let them know how mighty Liberty is, WE ARE FREE!!

Let them know THAT LOVE IS OUR VERY EXISTENCE, LET THEM KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO LIBERTY WILL NEVER BE SILENCED, NO MORE LIES!, NO MORE CEO BONUSES!!, NO MORE APOLOGIES!!, NO MERCY!!, LET THEM KNOW THAT THE ENERGY OF THE UNIVERSE/GOD INSTILLS US WITH FREEDOM, AND CONSCIENCE!!, LET THEM KNOW "THEY" HAVE AWAKEN THE SLEEPING GIANT, AND HAVE LEFT US WITH A TERRIBLE RESOLVE!!, LET THEM KNOW WE ARE THE FUTURE!!,
LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR NATION AND THE REST OF HUMANITY ARE INDIVISIBLE IN THE FACE OF LIBERTY!!

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LET THEM KNOW.... WE ARE FREE!!

PRESIDENT RON PAUL 2012!!!

We Are Free! | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Christian Science Monitor

Will Ron Paul pull off one last delegate surprise? (+video)

Ron Paul supporters in Nebraska appear on the verge of winning a plurality of delegates from their state to the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla. That could lead to him getting 15 minutes to address the convention audience.

By Peter Grier, Staff writer / July 9, 2012



In this February 2012 photo, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks during a campaign stop at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Does Ron Paul have one last surprise to pull on the Republican establishment prior to August’s GOP convention in Tampa, Fla.?

Well, perhaps we should ask whether the forces of Ron Paul have one last trick up their collective sleeve, as opposed to focusing on the Texas libertarian himself. That’s because Paulites in Nebraska appear on the verge of winning a plurality of delegates from their state to the Tampa confab.

If they manage to accomplish this feat at their state convention this upcoming weekend, then Representative Paul will have won a plurality of delegates from five states, since his supporters have already captured the largest share of delegate votes from Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, and Minnesota. Under Republican National Committee rules, that means he’d qualify to have his name officially placed in nomination, and he’d get 15 minutes to address the convention audience.
QUIZ: Know your US presidents? See if D.C. Decoder can stump you!

That would be 15 minutes of air time that the forces of presumptive nominee Mitt Romney would find difficult to control. For this and other reasons, Paul supporters are rallying their social media forces to urge on their Cornhusker fellow believers.

“The meeting in Grand Island [Nebraska] on July 14 is going to be a showdown,” begins a post on the Daily Paul website. The author goes on to encourage Nebraskan Paul supporters to follow the model that worked in Maine – challenge voting machines, hire sheriffs for security, and so forth.

Wow, sounds like an interesting time, doesn’t it?

Paul’s success in organizing in Nebraska appears to have already created fissures within the state’s GOP. As the Nebraskan political blog Leavenworth Street noted last week, Mr. Romney won 70 percent of the vote in the state’s May presidential beauty contest. Paul took 10 percent.

But that vote was nonbinding. By out-organizing Romney’s people at county conventions, Paul’s folks now have a majority on the GOP State Central Committee.



Romney’s people at county conventions, Paul’s folks now have a majority on the GOP State Central Committee.

“Aren’t you proud of that Nebraskans?

You have the opportunity to embarrass the Republican candidate, potentially screw up the opportunity to elect Romney over Barack Obama, and allow the Paulites to take over the platform committee and insert whatever Ron Paul plans (that voters have rejected) into the GOP platform,” wrote contributor Street Sweeper on the blog.

Hmm. Guess they’re a Romney person. The factional dispute has become heated enough that current state GOP chair Mark Fahleson has abandoned his plan to become a Republican National Committeeman and has announced he’ll stay in his post until the end of 2013.

This averts the Paul-establishment warfare that might have broken out over the selection of his replacement.

What does Paul think of this?

He’s not publicly saying.

The official Paul campaign website makes no mention of the Nebraska dispute. Instead, it’s looking forward to a rally that Paul is planning in Tampa on Aug. 26 at the University of Florida’s Sun Dome.

“We have the Sun Dome rented, and we have plenty of room for a lot of people to come.... This is a very important event for us,” says Paul in a video to supporters posted on the site.

Paul goes on to stress that he needs lots of people to show up to help “validate” his libertarian message.

“It really is important that our numbers are there. If we can’t get but 200 people, our views aren’t validated,” he says.

Frankly, it sounds as if Paul is looking at the rally as his own mini-convention, where he’ll showcase his anti-Federal Reserve, anti-intervention-overseas views. In that sense, he could view it as more important than actually getting his 15 minutes of fame at the convention itself if his name is placed in nomination. The rally will be longer, after all: It runs from noon to 6 p.m.

Plus, given the bored reporters that will be sitting around Tampa waiting for news to break out, it’s a pretty sure bet that it will receive extensive, and free, media coverage.

QUIZ: Know your US presidents? See if D.C. Decoder can stump you!

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Will Ron Paul pull off one last delegate surprise? (+video) - CSMonitor.com