Having followed the political scene in this country since 1964, few things surprise me. Newsweek running an anti-Obama story did. British historian Niall Ferguson writes a damning article on Obama as he calls for his defeat:
Unemployment was supposed to be 6 percent by now. It has averaged 8.2 percent this year so far. Meanwhile real median annual household income has dropped more than 5 percent since June 2009. Nearly 110 million individuals received a welfare benefit in 2011, mostly Medicaid or food stamps.
Welcome to Obama’s America: nearly half the population is not represented on a taxable return—almost exactly the same proportion that lives in a household where at least one member receives some type of government benefit. We are becoming the 50–50 nation—half of us paying the taxes, the other half receiving the benefits.
Go here to read the rest. The panicky and outraged reactions in the comment boxes from many of the regular Newsweek readers who rely on it to preach unadulterated Leftism are a hoot to read.
Some belated payback by the MSM for Obama’s shunning of them? I’m sure more than a few media egos were wounded when Stephanie Cutter delightfully said it was as important for Obama to go on Entertainment Tonight and morning talk shows to chat about his favorite superpower as it is to have WH press conferences. They’ve carried water for him all these years and this is what they get in return? Being put on a par with the Morning Zoo guys? (Actually, I think most of them ARE on a par with the Morning Zoo guys, but we know they all see themselves as the second coming of Edward Murrow.)
Anyway, a great article by Ferguson. I have read several of his books (“Empire” and “The War of the World” are fine works) and he is always worth reading. It’s too bad in this case that News Weak is seldom read outside dentists’ offices these days. But you know that cover is causing grand mal seizures over at Daily Kos 🙂
Does this mean Newsweek is no longer part of Obama campaign apparatus?
Anyhow, RACISTS!!!
I think this is a good issue to buy to boost sales. Maybe Newsweek will print more such articles. If so, it might get contagious.
OK, Donald I am putting this in the “WAAAAAYYY Too Good To Be True” category, but will you take a look at this:
“A poll conducted by Illinois-based pollster and political strategist
Michael McKeon found Obama leading Republican Mitt Romney by 49 percent
to 37 percent in Cook County, the home of Chicago. That puts him ahead
by a far thinner margin than expected in a county he should be winning
handsomely.
Cook is the most Democratic leaning county in the state. It is also the most populous.
Those numbers do not bode well for the president. ”
Can I permit myself to dream, just for a moment? I very seriously doubt that Obama will lose Illinois, because, as we all know, the dear departed vote in Cook County and they always vote Dem, but just imagine…..If I saw Illinois turn red on the electoral map, my ticker would give out on me. I would simply lie down on the sofa and wait for the angels to take me. But it would be a happy death. 🙂
I saw that today Donna. It is hard to underestimate just how unpopular Governor Quinn is in Illinois. Last week he was booed so intensively at the State Fair that it looked as if a riot was going to break out. Illinois is reeling under increased state taxes, a fiscal meltdown and a very lousy economy, and a lot of that is rubbing off on Obama. Do I think Obama will lose Illinois? Probably not. Do I think it might be close? Yes.
Too bad it’s in Newsweek.
Graffiti in an interstate truck stop bathroom stall has more readers.
“Too bad it’s in Newsweek.
Graffiti in an interstate truck stop bathroom stall has more readers.”
That’s probably why Newsweek ran the story, Dale.
If he can’t win by 40 percent in Crook County, he is toast. Also: at least ten million people live pretty near to Crook County, in several states — and THEY are watching the meltdown of Illinois.
Its funny considering what I have been reading lately about Newsweek being on the verge of total collapse due to its rigid, unbending left-wing ideological partisanship.
Albert Gore, who was then much less disoriented than he is now, lost Tennessee in 2000. He had stood as a candidate in six elections therein and in only one was held to less than 60% of the vote. Bilge Clinton managed to carry Tennessee twice. Until comparatively recently, Illinois was the most competitive state in the country in presidential elections. It would be sweet if Illinois flipped the President the bird.
Donna V. “It’s too bad in this case that News Weak is seldom read outside dentists’ offices these days. But you know that cover is causing grand mal seizures over at Daily Kos” LOL
“It is hard to underestimate just how unpopular Governor Quinn is in Illinois. Last week he was booed so intensively at the State Fair that it looked as if a riot was going to break out.”
The booing was done, NOT by ordinary fair attendees, but by members of AFSCME ticked off at his efforts to reduce pension, health care and other benefits for state employees and retirees. AFSCME is currently almost two months past the expiration date of its last contract with the State and they are still negotiating with no end in sight. No one will comment on the record, but reportedly the State is insisting upon what amounts to a 10 percent pay cut for unionized employees, plus closures of several State facilities. Needless to say this has AFSCME members hopping mad.
What’s even more interesting about this situation is that this push for rollbacks/givebacks in the union contract — which seems to go way beyond anything Scott Walker, organized labor’s devil incarnate, ever asked for — is being pushed by a DEMOCRATIC administration, run buy a man (Quinn) who until he became governor, had a reputation for being a populist gadfly who stood up for the “little guy.” However, Quinn and other Democrats are betting that this stance will win them more support among the general public than it will lose them among members of government employee unions.
I can tell you Elaine that Quinn’s brilliant idea on teacher pensions, shift the bankrupt system from being a state responsibility to local property tax payers, is as popular as poison in a small county like Livingston. As the failed Special Session last week in the legislature indicated, Quinn can’t get this rubbish through a General Assembly dominated by his party. I don’t know about Springfield, but in my neck of the State Quinn is cordially despised. One of the interesting features about the poll showing Obama doing poorly in Cook County in comparison to 2008 is Quinn’s dismal ratings in Cook County.
“I wouldn’t bet the farm that Romney has a shot in Illinois. He’ll do much better in the suburbs and Downstate than John McCain four years ago. But a shot at winning Illinois? Not yet.
Also, notice Gov. Quinn’s ratings. Not good at all. The person who probably should be worried is Gov. Pat Quinn, not President Obama.”
http://capitolfax.com/2012/08/20/um-probably-not/
which seems to go way beyond anything Scott Walker, organized labor’s devil incarnate, ever asked for
Wisconsin and New York are the two states whose public sector pension plans are closest to being actuarially sound. Illinois is at the bottom of the pile.