Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

As Predicted Democrats Abandoning Obama
Townhall.com ^ | May 26, 2012 | John Ransom

Posted on 05/26/2012 4:05:17 AM PDT by Kaslin

Love is always being able to tell liberals I told you so.

Ok, I don’t know if it’s love exactly, but man it sure does feel good.

A few weeks ago, after West Virginia’s Democrat governor and US Senator both refused to endorse Obama for reelection in 2012, I wrote:

Scores of Democrats running for reelection will defect from Obama before the campaign is done. And scores of Democrat voters will reject him too.

Why? The same reason voters will likely vote to kick Obama out of the White House: self-interest, if not outright self-defense.     

Democrat Governor Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia has announced that he isn’t sure that he will be supporting Barack Obama for reelection.

“Tomblin said in statement released by his campaign that he was a ‘loyal member of the Democratic Party’ but was concerned by fellow Democrat Obama's ‘misguided policies,” reports the Charleston Daily Mail.

I also observed that West Virginia’s newest Democrat Senator, Joe Manchin has been a little more direct about his distaste for Obama.

“If that means I have to break with my party to do what's best for the country,” wrote Manchin in an op-ed in the Gazette-Mail, “I will. If it means I take on a sitting president to protect West Virginia interests, I have and I will.”

Manchin’s bow-shot on SS Obama was returned by advisor David Axlerod on CNN’s State of the Union: "I think he was very candid there,” reported the National Journal. “His concern is about his own political well being. He's running for the Senate in that state. We didn't win the state the last time. It's going to be a tough state for us again, and he's making a political judgment about himself."

Well according to the official tally released today by the RNC, the number of Democrats slapping down Obama isn’t quite yet a score.

It’s only 14.

That will do for now. It’s early.

In an email titled “14 and Counting,” the RNC details 14 Democrats who have disavowed Obama’s “attacks on free enterprise in his campaign.”

The list includes some we already know about, but it also includes some names that should worry Obama- like for example Senator Dianne Feinstein (LIB, CA) who has told Obama to get on with more fertile campaign territory.

From the RNC:

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): "It's Done. … Go On To Other Things Now." "Despite pushback from more than a half-dozen Democrats, the Obama campaign on Tuesday defended how it has scrutinized Romney's business background. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a widely respected member of Congress, stopped short of criticizing the president, but made it clear that the campaign should pivot. 'It's done,' she said. 'Go on to other things now.'" (Cameron Joseph, "Democrats Balk At Obama Campaign's Sustained Attack On Bain Capital," The Hill, 5/22/12)

And also included in the list is former DNC chair Ed Rendell:

EARLIER IN THE DAY: Former Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) Said Obama's Attacks On Free Enterprise Are "Very Disappointing." "And Rendell joined the chorus of criticism of Obama's attacks on finance, whose leaders have written checks to many members of both parties. 'I think they're very disappointing,' Rendell said of the ads attacking Bain." (Zeke Miller, "Is This Obama's Party?," BuzzFeed, 5/22/12)

I’ve reprinted the entire email below.

It’s good stuff, and well-deserved.

Congrats Obama! Keep it up:

Up To 14 Different Democrat Obama Supporters Voice Their Disagreement With Obama's Attacks On Free Enterprise

_____________________________________________________________________

OBAMA SUPPORTER (?) #1: SENATOR JOE MANCHIN (D-WV) DEFENDED FREE ENTERPRISE, SAID MARKETS CHOOSE BETTER THAN GOVERNMENT

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) Defended Free Enterprise, Saying That The "Markets Have Always Done A Much Better Job Than What We've Done In Government." SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): "I believe in the free enterprise system. I believe business and labor have to work together. I think if you have a good business, you'll have good workers and if you have good workers then that's a good place to work. … I think with the balance that we have, the markets have always done a much better job than what we've done in government." (Kerry Picket, "Manchin - Private Sector Better At Picking Winners And Losers Than Gov't," The Washington Times ' The Water Cooler , 5/24/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTERS #2 AND #3: NEW YORK SENATORS CHUCK SCHUMER AND KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND DECLINED TO COMMENT ABOUT OBAMA'S ATTACKS

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) And Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Declined To Comment About Obama's Attacks. "It is one of the most delicate topics within the party these days. Two Democrats with close ties to Wall Street, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, declined to comment on Wednesday." (Nicholas Confessore, "Strategy On Rival's Career Holds Pitfalls For President," The New York Times, 5/23/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #4: FORMER CLINTON LAWYER LANNY DAVIS DEFENDED FREE ENTERPRISE

Former Clinton Special Counsel Lanny Davis Defended Private Equity. "Private equity firms often invest in distressed companies by putting in cash and cutting expenses in order to save a company that is already close to bankruptcy. Sometimes the investment works and the company and jobs are saved. And sometimes, to save the company, jobs need to be cut or wages and benefits reduced." (Lanny Davis, Op-Ed, "Cory Booker Got It Right," The Hill, 5/23/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #5: SENATOR CHRIS COONS (D-DE) SHOOK HIS HEAD "VIGOROUSLY" AS HE REFUSED TO COMMENT ON OBAMA'S ATTACKS

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) Refused To Comment On Whether Obama's Attacks On Free Enterprise Were Within The Parameters Of What Coons Hoped The Election Would Be About. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told The Hill, 'I think the average American … hopes that this campaign will focus on competing visions for how to strengthen our economy, help create jobs and move the country forward. ' Pressed on whether he thought Obama's campaign had operated within those guidelines, Coons paused. 'I'm not going to comment on President Obama's ad,' he said, shaking his head vigorously." (Cameron Joseph, "Democrats Balk At Obama Campaign's Sustained Attack On Bain Capital," The Hill, 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #6: SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): "IT'S DONE. … GO ON TO OTHER THINGS NOW."

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): "It's Done. … Go On To Other Things Now." "Despite pushback from more than a half-dozen Democrats, the Obama campaign on Tuesday defended how it has scrutinized Romney's business background. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a widely respected member of Congress, stopped short of criticizing the president, but made it clear that the campaign should pivot. 'It's done,' she said. 'Go on to other things now.'" (Cameron Joseph, "Democrats Balk At Obama Campaign's Sustained Attack On Bain Capital," The Hill, 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #7: GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK (D-MA) SAID BAIN CAPITAL IS "NOT A BAD COMPANY"

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Governor Deval Patrick Said Bain Capital Is "Not A Bad Company." CNN'S JOHN KING: "You're in a very interesting position this year. I want to start with… You're the governor of a state that Bain Capital calls its global home. It's right up the street in Lowell headquarters." GOV. DEVAL PATRICK (D-MA): "Indeed." KING: "Are they a bad company?" (CNN's "John King USA," 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #8: FORMER CONGRESSMAN ARTUR DAVIS (D-AL) SAID OBAMA IS DOUBLING DOWN ON "EUROPEAN LEFTIST" IDEAS ON FREE ENTERPRISE

Former Representative Artur Davis (D-AL) Said The Obama Campaign's Attacks Follow "The European Leftist Notion That Business Is Fair Only When It Operates In A Sanitized, Risk Free Manner." DAVIS: "It's hard to imagine a more instructive couple of days for those who want to know where the Democratic Party's head is at: its only high-profile African American moderate just got a brushback pitch for leaning in too close to the Independent thought zone; the Obama camp looks ominously like a cult of personality that tolerates no dissent; and the reelection campaign just doubled down on the European leftist notion that business is fair only when it operates in a sanitized, risk free manner." (Artur Davis, "Should Democrats Stop Bain Capital Attacks?" Politico's The Arena , 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #9: SENATOR MARK WARNER (D-VA) CALLED BAIN CAPITAL A "VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS"

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA): "I think Bain Capital was a very successful business." (MSNBC's "Daily Rundown," 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #10: FORMER DNC CHAIR AND FORMER GOV. ED RENDELL CALLED OBAMA'S ATTACKS "VERY DISAPPOINTNG" …UPDATE: RENDELL SAYS HE'S EITHER/OR ON AGREEING WITH HOW OBAMA RUNS HIS CAMPAIGN

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Former DNC Chair/Former Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) Said He Was "Either/Or" On Whether Or He Was With Obama Campaign On Its Attack Tactics. MSNBC's CHRIS MATTHEWS: "Governor Rendell, big question. Are you with the Obama campaign as it's being run right now, or are you against it?" FORMER DNC CHAIRMAN ED RENDELL: "Well … either/or." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 5/22/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #11: FORMER CONGRESSMAN HAROLD FORD JR. (D-TN) DISAGREES WITH OBAMA'S ATTACKS

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Said He Would Not Have Backed Off Mayor Booker's Comments About Private Equity And Called Private Equity A "Good Thing In Many, Many Instances." FORMER REP. HAROLD FORD JR. (D-TN): "I would not have backed off the comments if I were Mayor Booker. I understand him wanting to make the point that legitimate questions can be raised about whether or not at Bain they made bad decisions about certain -overall, I agree with the substance - the substance of his comments on Meet The Press, I agree with, the core of it, I would not have backed them out. Having said that, I understand as a surrogate for the campaign, you have to have one of your key and most eloquent and most effective surrogates at least clarify or bring some context to his statements. But I agree with him, private equity is not a bad thing. Matter of fact, private equity is a good thing in many, many instances." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 5/21/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #12: OBAMA SURROGATE MAYOR CORY BOOKER SAYS HE'S "VERY UNCOMFORTABLE" WITH OBAMA'S LINE OF ATTACK

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Mayor Cory Booker (D-Newark, NJ): "I have to say from a very personal level I'm not about to sit here and indict private equity. To me, it's just, we're getting to a ridiculous point in America. Especially, I know, I live in a state where pension funds, unions and other people are investing in companies like Bain Capital. If you look at the totality of Bain Capital's record, they've done a lot to support businesses, to grow businesses, and this to me, I'm very uncomfortable with." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/20/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #13: FORMER OBAMA ECON ADVISER STEVEN RATTNER CALLED OBAMA'S AD "UNFAIR"

RNC Youtube

Click To Watch

Former Obama Economic Adviser Steven Rattner: "I Think The Ad Is Unfair… I Don't Think There's Anything Bain Capital Did That They Need To Be Embarrassed About.""Former Obama administration auto czar Steven Rattner said Monday that the Obama campaign's renewed attack on Mitt Romney's time in private equity was 'unfair.' 'I think the ad is unfair.' Rattner said. 'Mitt Romney made a mistake ever talking about the fact that he created 100,000 jobs.'…'Bain Capital's responsibility was not to create 100,000 jobs or some other number. It was to create profits for its investors,' Rattner said. 'It did it superbly well, acting within the rules, acting very responsibly,' Rattner said. 'This is part of capitalism, this is part of life. I don't think there's anything Bain Capital did that they need to be embarrassed about.'" (Byron Tau, "Ex-Obama Adviser: Latest Anti-Romney Ad Is 'Unfair'," Politico, 5/14/12)

OBAMA SUPPORTER #14: MAJOR OBAMA FUNDRAISER EXPRESSES A DIFFERENT SENTIMENT FROM OBAMA'S ATTACK ADS

Obama Bundler Don Peebles Questioned Obama's Attack On Bain: "I Think It's Difficult To Attack Or Demonize An Industry And Then Take Money From It." "A top fundraiser for President Barack Obama's presidential campaign expressed disappointment that he is taking money from the private equity industry while simultaneously attacking them to tarnish Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital. Don Peebles, a Miami real estate executive who has raised more than $100,000 for the president's campaign this cycle, told BuzzFeed 'I think it's difficult to attack or demonize an industry and then take money from it.'" (Zeke Miller, "Obama Bundler Decries 'Vilification' Of Private Equity," BuzzFeed, 5/15/12)



TOPICS: Breaking News
KEYWORDS: 112th; bho2012; bho44; buyersremorse; circularfiringsquad; democrats; elections; implosion; obama
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 221-231 next last
To: Diogenesis

Sooooo.

you’d rather have Obama?

that is special.


61 posted on 05/26/2012 9:30:32 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Diogenesis
ONLY RomneyCARE could lose this election.

The only people I hear mentioning Romneycare are self-described conservatives campaigning against Romney.

62 posted on 05/26/2012 9:36:59 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ronin
Agreed. I am getting so fricking tired of this...

Lots of people are. This site has been severely damaged by this nonsense.

63 posted on 05/26/2012 9:39:49 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: jmaroneps37
The coming landslide of defeat for Obama will be HUGE!

I agree. Keep saying it.

64 posted on 05/26/2012 9:41:15 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“Excellent reply by reader annfan_777 Wrote: Anybody who votes for Obama a second time, knowing what we know about him and his reckless policies and anti-American sentiment, is a traitor to America and a complete and utter moron.”

Two things — this all sounds good, but when the chips are down, most Dems WILL vote for Obama, then you add the “virtuous consevatives” who announce they prefer Obama get a second term, rather than to vote for Romney, will stay home and Obama will get reelected.

We can’t count on the Dems not voting for Obama, every sensible conservative and independent must get out and vote AGAINST Obama and the only option is voting for Romney, who will be orders of magnitude better than Obama, and not anything as bad, as some conservatives fear.


65 posted on 05/26/2012 9:42:23 AM PDT by Innovative (None are so blind that will not see.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
" Democrat Governor Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia has announced that he isn’t sure that he will be supporting Barack Obama for reelection."

What a bunch of bull crap. When the time comes you can bet he will be supporting him.

66 posted on 05/26/2012 9:42:53 AM PDT by Spunky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ReformationFan
As if a Third Party candidate would have a chance.
Get real. *rme*
67 posted on 05/26/2012 9:46:27 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

Comment #68 Removed by Moderator

To: MEG33
Unfortunately the polls don’t reflect this..We MUST vote to defeat the Obamanation.

The coming landslide (and it IS coming!) will not be reflected in the polls for various reasons. But I agree we must vote, and we must work hard until November. Part of our task is to be confident and to unnerve the 'Rats with our confidence and our mocking contempt for their leader and platform.

69 posted on 05/26/2012 9:47:11 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Then why is Senator Manchin a Democrat?


70 posted on 05/26/2012 9:49:45 AM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
I see an historic low in voter turnout this November.

Nonsense. Never before in my lifetime has the average American been more aware of how much the actions of government effect their lives and their future. People don't like the way things are and they think government has caused it. They will get out to vote for change.

71 posted on 05/26/2012 9:52:17 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: rogue yam

Bump


72 posted on 05/26/2012 9:53:52 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Diogenesis
...and a vulture corporatist.

You hate Mormons so much that it's caused you to embrace communism?

73 posted on 05/26/2012 9:55:36 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: dagogo redux
Both the Left and the Right have their ideologues.

I am a conservative ideologue. This Romney hatred is something else.

74 posted on 05/26/2012 9:57:33 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: rogue yam
When the dog comes home from freeing itself from a tar pit out by the sheep pen, the last thing most folks want to do is run to hug the dog.

Same here. People stay away from stuff they don't like, or are resigned about. For example, the story line for Conservatives is that the MIttbots, people who have no discernible ideology nor core beliefs, are telling them that they should get over it and vote for Mitt because the other guy is so much worse.

Yet the other guy seems to have virtually the same beliefs as Mitt.

It is entirely reasonable to abstain from making a choice between bad and bad.

75 posted on 05/26/2012 10:01:06 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: ReformationFan
Virgil Goode is looking better and better to me.

Virgil Goode will not come anywhere close to winning a single electoral college vote and you know it.

76 posted on 05/26/2012 10:03:17 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Romney or Obama will both pursue policies destructive to America. The question is, what motivates those destructive policies?

With Romney, it’s ignorance. With Obama, it’s malice.

For me, that’s reason enough to vote against Obama.


77 posted on 05/26/2012 10:05:44 AM PDT by kevao
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl
At this point, with Democrats fleeing from Obama in droves, it looks more likely that Romney will win.

Almost no one who has ever in their life voted for a Republican will vote for Obama this November.

"Reagan Democrats" will vote Romney or not vote.

78 posted on 05/26/2012 10:06:01 AM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: rogue yam

I agree with the landslide. I would add that the landslide, once started, can not be stopped. Obama is going to take down all three Power bases. Congress, Senate and POTUS. This crap about Roomney is just that. I don’t care what he is or does. He has to be better than Obama. Obama is another moron who has the media claiming he is a genius. Just like Hillary. Good riddence to all of them in Nov.


79 posted on 05/26/2012 10:06:44 AM PDT by DrDude (Governor of the 57th State)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Some mayors and governors try to run cities.

Obama is a product of fantasy land fabianistas crazies from Harvard political latte no-consequence war maniacs.


80 posted on 05/26/2012 10:07:13 AM PDT by JudgemAll (Democrats Fed. job-security Whorocracy & hate:hypocrites must be gay like us or be tested/crucified)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 221-231 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson