Obama starts his campaign, calls Romney a threat to the middle class

[KingOrfeo]

Story:

COLUMBUS, Ohio--President Obama officially kicked off his reelection campaign Saturday afternoon by blasting the economic policies of Republican Mitt Romney and pronouncing the prospect of his election a threat to the middle class.

Speaking before a crowd of about 14,000 at Ohio State University, Obama said the former Massachusetts governor stands for trickle-down economics and would “rubber-stamp” the economic proposals of the Republicans in Congress.

A successful investor and business executive, Romney has drawn “the wrong lesson from those experiences,” Obama said.

“Gov. Romney doesn’t get that maximizing profit through whatever means necessary,” Obama said, “might not always be good for the average American.”

Obama admitted to "setbacks" for the country as it emerged from a major recession, and said the economy still faces "headwinds" that will require a "sustained, persistent effort" to fully recover.

But he cast Romney as a tool of an unpopular Republican Congress that he said would restore the very policies that led the nation into financial crisis, contrasting that with his vision of moving the nation "forward," the new slogan for his campaign. His two events Saturday are in the home states of the leading House Republicans.

"We have come too far to abandon the change we fought for these past few years. We have to move forward to the future we imagined in 2008, where everyone gets a fair shot and everyone gets their fair share and everyone plays by the same rules," Obama said.

Obama has been openly making the case for his reelection for more than a year now, in official trips and public events focused on his agenda before Congress and efforts to revitalize the economy.

But Saturday’s first rally had an all-new, unabashed campaign feel to it, complete with the introduction of a new banner theme, the use of jumbo screens to debut campaign videos and unveiling of a new stump speech.

And it was the first time Obama has spoken Romney’s name several times in one address, calling him out directly on a range of issues from ending the war in Iraq to cutting taxes on the wealthy.

Befitting the new stage of the campaign, Republican spokespeople offered a counter-narrative to Obama’s story.

"Now the president has to run on his record,” said Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. “And he will have to explain to the American people why his vision for bigger government, more spending and higher taxes will work over the next four years when it hasn’t worked in the past 3-1/2 years."

Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said Obama’s economic policies have “failed Ohio families and demonstrated that this president does not have what it takes to get our economy moving again.”

Before Obama arrived, Ohio campaign directors taught the crowd how to call friends and promote the president, which many of them did on the spot, via cellphone. Marching band members played Lady Gaga. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland loudly declared Ohio “Obama territory” during one of the warmup speeches.

First Lady Michelle Obama said that her husband is “awesome.”

Appearing in a sleeveless dress of the exact sky-blue hue as the new “Forward” campaign signs, the first lady urged supporters to give a little of their time to the campaign each week to spread the message.

“Barack knows what it means when a family struggles,” she said. “What you need to know, America – those are the experiences that have made him the man, and the president, he is today.”

The president’s new stump speech focused heavily on that difference in his personal story and that of Romney, son of a governor who has earned millions.

Obama took credit for progress on goals outlined in 2007, of drawing down troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, tackling the healthcare crisis and tracking down terrorists.

He homed in on the challenges still facing the country, while sounding a refrain that the country has come too far under his leadership to “turn back now.” And he echoed themes of the 2004 Democratic National Convention speech that launched his national career.

If people ask what the campaign is about in 2012, Obama said, "You tell them it's still about hope."

"I still believe we have more in common than the pundits tell us," he said. "We're not Democrats or Republicans, but Americans first and foremost."

The Columbus crowd of 14,000 was modest compared to some of Obama’s 2008 audiences, and his rally later in the day at the Virginia Commonwealth University was expected to be somewhat smaller.

Campaign strategists say that isn’t the point this time around, as a sitting president’s ability to draw a crowd is no big deal.

The point now is to persuade voters, especially those in crucial swing states like Ohio and Virginia, that he deserves more time.

One of the new videos featured the South Carolina supporter who started the chant, “Fired up, Ready to go!” during the 2008 campaign.

Obama promised the same kind of grass-roots effort as four years ago, one that will be crucial when Republicans will have an advantage in spending from outside groups.

"They will be spending more money than we've ever seen before," he said. "Ads that exploit people's frustrations for my opponent's political gain."

The key question, Obama suggested, was not whether Americans were better off than they were four years ago.

"Won't we be better off if we had the courage to keep moving forward. That's the question in this election," he said.

As he left, the crowd picked up a vintage chant from the 2008 campaign.

"Fired up, ready to go!" they shouted, as campaign strategists looked on, smiling.

 

[eyer]

...where everyone gets a fair shot and everyone gets their fair share and everyone plays by the same rules.

And lemming utopians everywhere tingled...

 

[TexasWife25]

I admit, he overuses the word "fair", I'm honestly sick of hearing it.

However, I'm baffled that somehow "fair" has become a bad word. A socialist/commie/marxist word.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I admit, he overuses the word "fair", I'm honestly sick of hearing it.

However, I'm baffled that somehow "fair" has become a bad word. A socialist/commie/marxist word.

Well, the RWs already put so much effort into poisoning the word "liberal" . . . "fair" just takes it to the next level. Next up: "Justice".

 

[koalabear]

Well, the RWs already put so much effort into poisoning the word "liberal" . . . "fair" just takes it to the next level. Next up: "Justice".

Stalin,Marx and Mao's favorite words. It worked out great too.

 

[Peregrinator]

Well, the RWs already put so much effort into poisoning the word "liberal" . . . "fair" just takes it to the next level. Next up: "Justice".

Stalin,Marx and Mao's favorite words. It worked out great too.

Ahahahahahaha!

 

[renard_ruse]

Well, the RWs already put so much effort into poisoning the word "liberal" . . . "fair" just takes it to the next level. Next up: "Justice".

I'm all for justice. That is, punishing people who commit serious crimes, including capital punishment for convicted murderers. Justice is cool.

 

[TexasWife25]

Stalin,Marx and Mao's favorite words. It worked out great too.

 

[koalabear]

Ahahahahahaha!

Fuck off merc.

 

[Sean Renaud]

I admit, he overuses the word "fair", I'm honestly sick of hearing it.

However, I'm baffled that somehow "fair" has become a bad word. A socialist/commie/marxist word.

Because even though you're awake enough to recognize it the brainwashing got to you as well. Just read your second paragraph and then your first. You, deep down, believe, fair is a bad word which is why you're tired of hearing it.

This is the power of Republicans.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I'm all for justice. That is, punishing people who commit serious crimes, including capital punishment for convicted murderers. Justice is cool.

Give Rove & Co. five years to work on "justice" and you'll forget the word ever meant anything like that.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Hard to figure how Romney would be a bigger threat to the middle class than Obama has been.

 

[TexasWife25]

Because even though you're awake enough to recognize it the brainwashing got to you as well. Just read your second paragraph and then your first. You, deep down, believe, fair is a bad word which is why you're tired of hearing it.

This is the power of Republicans.

You don't think Obama uses the word fair too often when he speaks?

 

[eyer]

I admit, he overuses the word "fair", I'm honestly sick of hearing it.

However, I'm baffled that somehow "fair" has become a bad word. A socialist/commie/marxist word.

The problem lies between social democrat political (governing) philosophy - which dictates a utopian "fair" - totally conflicting with evolutionary (natural) philosophy where "fair" is totally unknown.

Socialists simply remain "baffled" because no matter how hard you try to legislate that life is "fair", life - in fact - can never be "fair"...

...but you desperately want to eat your utopianism and Darwanism, too.

Kindergarten (or below) used to be the place where Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me was instilled as "fair" knowledge...

...and then by 3rd grade most folks who still retain their common sense remember the upgrade to Life's not fair, kid.

The tots who declined to evolve past their utopia of a fingerpainting world then are the governors today who're dead set on forcefully incorporating their "art" against nature which still rules that it's impossible for any government of imperfect men to define what "fair" truly is.

Some may deem that "baffling"...

...most sane types simply deem it stupid.

Which clearly explains why Obama has intentionally chosen "fair" as his template...

 

[aqwertyuiop]

No one but idiots believe a thing Bozo says anyway. It doesn't matter.

 

[Sean Renaud]

You don't think Obama uses the word fair too often when he speaks?

I'll admit I don't listen to every single speech he gives because frankly you usually have a fair idea of what he's about to say but no I don't. And I stand by the fact that anybody who does has fallen for the Republican branding that fair is a bad idea.

 

[KingOrfeo]

...but you desperately want to eat your utopianism and Darwanism, too.

No. No lefty or liberal or centrist I ever heard of sympathizes with Social Darwinism.

 

[Peregrinator]

Fuck off merc.

http://www.puppetrymuseum.org/images/12Pinocchio-Baker.jpg

 

[Frizzle_Fry]

Hard to figure how Romney would be a bigger threat to the middle class than Obama has been.

He is the same guy Obama is...another big money, corporate puppet, line toeing party hack, only this time he is on team red. Elect either of them and you will get more of the same ol' bullshit.

But unfortunately there are a lot of partisan hacks ready to vote for them because their daddy and grand daddy voted Rep./Dem. and that's how they are going to vote.

I watched a JFK documentary last night, and I though it funny that a Democrat in the 60's would be considered a right wing extremist today. I leave with some quotes from his inaugural address to ponder.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"

"We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed."

"Let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

"the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God."

 

[KingOrfeo]

Hard to figure how Romney would be a bigger threat to the middle class than Obama has been.

He would be, easily, if Obama is right in saying that Romney "stands for trickle-down economics and would 'rubber-stamp' the economic proposals of the Republicans in Congress."

Would you dispute that Obama is right about that?

 

[NeverEndingMe]

obama is a socialist fucktard. those that support obama want more welfare and are lazy

 

[eyer]

No. No lefty or liberal or centrist I ever heard of sympathizes with Social Darwinism.

There's truly no need for the redundancy of starting any of your posts off with a , dude...

 

[NeverEndingMe]

There's truly no need for the redundancy of starting any of your posts off with a , dude...

where are the jobs that obama has created? McDonalds...Wal Mart?

obama is a failure, and those can see it if they don't buy into the bull shit obama is shoveling

 

[Frizzle_Fry]

He would be, easily, if Obama is right in saying that Romney "stands for trickle-down economics and would 'rubber-stamp' the economic proposals of the Republicans in Congress."

Would you dispute that Obama is right about that?

Yea I would....show me where government regulation has improved commerce for anyone except the most elite inside crowd. Hasn't done a very bang up job so far...Don't believe me? Try and start a cab company in NYC...

 

[NeverEndingMe]

does your wife increase your allowance every year?

Does it bother you that your wife supports you?

http://www.puppetrymuseum.org/images/12Pinocchio-Baker.jpg