Photos: President Obama Campaigns at George Mason University

Watts October 5, 2012 at 08:45 pm

A lot of people thought that this week could have been the one-two punch that could really hurt Obama after the debate, but things just spun around again, as unemployment dropped below the always touted make it or break it point of 8%:
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/jobs-news-makes-obamas-case-easier/#more-35589

Barbara Glakas October 6, 2012 at 01:42 am

Unemployment heading slowly and steadily downward, now at 7.8%.

Jonathan Erickson October 6, 2012 at 09:49 am

Watt touted number is that? 22 states have over 8% unemployment pretty good for Obama.

CD October 6, 2012 at 12:07 pm

@Watts - Do you actually believe the true number of unemployment is 7.8?

mick hanson October 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm

GDP is revised down to 1.3% last quarter, unemployment drops because the number of people who were employed according to a government ( Which means they received a call asking them if they are working and said YES) survey soared by 873,000 — the biggest monthly jump since 2003. I am not sure cutting your grass should count as WORK!

Ruth Tatlock October 6, 2012 at 01:43 pm

"Dow ends week at best close in five years"
(13,610)

Will jake October 6, 2012 at 02:15 pm

Cheap dollar, more people out of work since Obama took office. Energy prices skyrocketing. $6 gas in California. Middle East about to erupt. Times are good......

Will jake October 6, 2012 at 02:20 pm

Lets hope we have another mild winter.

Watts October 6, 2012 at 07:49 pm

you are looking at the old numbers for state unemployment and not the new numbers which should correlate to the nationwide drop and, in turn, show less states that that at 8 or above.
Also, the last figures for Virginia were 5.9, so that should be at about 5.7 or lower once the new state breakdowns are released.

Ruth Tatlock October 6, 2012 at 10:08 pm

How did the volatile situation in the Middle East begin?
Invasion of Iraq maybe? Tora Bora = unfinished business way back then.

Lisa C. October 7, 2012 at 09:28 pm

I can't wait until we don't have to listen to Nobama stammering "uhs" every other word whenever he speaks once our new smart, well spoken President takes office in November.

Amelie Krikorian October 8, 2012 at 03:34 am

The unemployment figures do not include people who are working part-time or have given up looking for work. When 50% of the graduating classes this past spring being unemployed through the summer, and Obama making an illegal end-run around Congress to make an amnesty for anyone under the age of 30, I can't see how these unemployment figures are anywhere near realistic. After the election the Bureau of Labor Statistics will issue "corrected" figures.

Dana Monteaux October 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm

I do not understand how anyone can stand back and listen to Mitt Romney and not think that this person whom ever he might be on any given day, and think that he is good for this country. You never know what he is going to say next. I am part of that 47% and very affraid for my family. I do not want him or anyone else to tell me what I can do with my vote or my body. I SOOO Support Pres.Obama.

Paul S October 10, 2012 at 11:01 pm

Dana - Mitt Romney will be GREAT for this country. He's all about creating jobs and reducing the debt - something Obama has proven he's not very good at. He will keep Medicare as is for those 55+ but will introduce private sector options for future seniors (traditional medicare will remain also). One of the authors of the study that the Left claims will raise taxes on the middle class by 5 trillion dollars has rebuked this characterization and says those claims misrepresent his position. Romney's plan will not raise taxes on the middle class as the Obama campaign would have you believe. You have nothing to fear. Romney has always and consistently stated that those in need will continue to receive government assistance under his administration.

Barbara Glakas October 11, 2012 at 12:08 am

Paul,
I must respectfully disagree with you as I believe Mr. Romney has never “consistently stated” anything. He even changed his position on abortion again this week. He said has no plans to support current legislation that threatens women's abortion rights, after campaigning for months that he is staunchly pro-life and wants to repeal Roe V. Wade. That is just one example of how he constantly changes his positions on almost every major issue. If he was consistent at least I could respect the guy for his views (although maybe not agree with all of them). But since he rarely sticks with one position I feel as though I can’t really trust him. The former Governor Romney of Massachusetts and Candidate Romney of 2008 and 2012 are like three different men. How do I know what he will REALLY do if he were to get into office? You may have seen this already but attached is a video showing Romney making a variety of conflicting statements over the years. It’s just a snap shot of his flip-flopping ways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o-HWGk1Qjk

Paul S October 11, 2012 at 01:28 am

Barbara - Thank you for the link, that was an interesting video. Do you think any of it (particularly the comedians) misrepresented Mr. Romney's views or took him out of context (just a little bit)? My theory is Mitt Romney is a good leader who works well with those he needs to get the job done. The Massachusetts legislature was predominantly liberal democrats - he had to move toward them to get anything done for the state. Running for President, he needs the support of Republicans so he moves toward them on the big issue of taxes and reducing deficit. What we end up with is an uncertainty (for some) of who he "really" is. Well, I've been following him very closely the past year and I believe, at his core, he is a conservative. A good conservative, who believes as I do that we have a moral obligation to take care of those less fortunate, promote individualism, opportunity, less government, and a strong defense. Mitt Romney is indeed a shrewd and successful business man. But he is also a loving husband and father who cares for others. His personal story is one of hard work, sacrifice, empathy, spirituality and inner strength. The more I listen to him the more I feel cheated as an American the past four years by the current President who has engaged in negativity and class warfare for the better part of his administration.

Kathy Keith October 11, 2012 at 02:24 am

Let's not forget that there are approximately 61,000 FEWER people in the workforce today than when Obama took office.
Let's not forget that the Obama administration lied to the public for almost 2 weeks after the Benghazi attack. Let's not forget that our intelligence was compromised greatly after the bin Laden mission and that people in all likelihood died as a result of "spiking the football".

Barbara Glakas October 11, 2012 at 11:44 am

Hello Paul,
I have no doubt that Romney is a loving husband and father and such. But I do think he has proven to us that part of his shrewdness is his willingness to change his position on a variety of issues for political expedience, abortion being just one. He has also done so on gun control, stimulus, unions, taxes, immigration, health care, TARP, minimum wage, auto rescue -- you name it. I do not think this video misrepresents his views. One reason I selected to attach this particular one is because it shows Romney himself speaking, not pundits. I have heard him say many conflicting statements on air, not taken out of context. Continued....

Barbara Glakas October 11, 2012 at 11:44 am

....continued...
On the abortion issue alone he has said:  “I will preserve and protect a women’s right to choose.”  “The right next step to preserve the sanctity of life is to see Roe v. Wade overturned.”  “Planned Parenthood, we’re going to get rid of that.”  “As president, I will protect the sanctity of life.”  “Times of decision are moment of great clarity. Before I was Governor, the life issue was just that, an issue. But when responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision I choose life.”  The Roe v. Wade decision was “a case of blatant judicial activism that took a decision that should have been left it the people and placed it in the hands of unelected judges.”  “The actions I'll take immediately are to remove funding for Planned Parenthood. It will not be part of my budget.”  “There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.” Romney, who once supported abortion rights, later said his abortion views would allow exceptions in the case of rape and incest. At the same time he supported a Constitutional Amendment for “personhood legislation,” very similar to Ryan’s “personhood” bill, which giving a fertilized eggs full rights as a human beings and allows no exceptions on abortions. I just think his constant waffling on issues is a major character flaw and I don’t know how I can trust him.

Paul S October 11, 2012 at 12:43 pm

Barbara - I think you are confusing "trust" with the fact you simply don't agree with Romney, particularly on the issue of abortion as you've cited. You are obviously pro-abortion and want him to be more firm in that regard. But I am pro-life, and unfortunately for Romney, it is people like me that he has had the hardest time pulling into his camp. He has won me over with his strong economic arguments, his demonstrated leadership, and his seeming willingness to not fund tax-payer abortions. Plus I don't agree with Obama, Reid, or Pelosi on just about anything. Perhaps an even larger point :-)

Jane Morey Picardi October 11, 2012 at 12:57 pm

Barbara, do you realize the only things you have brought up are women issues? We have had republican presidents since Rowe/wade and they surely have not take away a woman's right to choose. We are not in the dark ages. We've come a long way baby. Face it, Obama has done nothing, and bringing up abortion rights as the issue only? Come on. Women are smarter than that. Taking what mitt said out of context is the liberals only way to fight this thing. Do your self and the country a favor and show that woman can think past this form of political fear. Please.

Barbara Glakas October 11, 2012 at 08:11 pm

Jane,
I suppose the latter part of my last post must have sounded like I was only talking about women’s issues, but I only used the topic of abortion as one example because that is the subject “de jour,” since Mr. Romney made another statement about abortion this last week that conflicted with his former positions. The main point I was making is that I have concerns about Romney’s flip-flopping ways, which is why I also said in my post that he has also changed positions on gun control, stimulus, unions, taxes, immigration, health care, TARP, minimum wage, the auto rescue, and other issues. The video I posted was also about a range of issues, not just women’s issues.

Paul S October 11, 2012 at 11:10 pm

Barbara - Again I must question whether you are concerned about "flip-flopping" or the fact that you simply do not agree with Romney's core positions such as being pro-life and pro-traditional marriage for example. Is Obama also a flip-flopper on his gay marriage stance or did he "evolve" to your satisfaction. I don't mean to argue with you, its just that you claim you don't trust him because he flip-flops (which btw I don't completely agree with), but the truth is you apparently don't support his stated positions (which are spelled out on his website). Again, don't care to argue with you the charges you have leveled against him, only question your "concern" about trusting him when you wouldn't vote for him no matter what. Which is okay by the way, its still a free country.

Mike October 11, 2012 at 11:57 pm

Ruth, if you think that is the beginning I invite you to take a class on Mideast policy (GMU has a very good one).

Mike October 12, 2012 at 12:00 am

Didn't Obama say he was against gay marriage and now he's for it? Obama is not consistent either. Obama is no different than Romney when saying something and doing something else.

VA_in_VA October 12, 2012 at 12:11 am

Paul: The real problem is that Romney has no core.
He is attempting to be all things to all people. I personally know of some that are voting for him because they don't believe he's a conservative, but still rather a Massachusetts moderate simply pulling a rouse over all the tea party and evangelical folks controlling the GOP. To me he has all the makings of the classic used car salesman will to say anything to close the deal. Oh, and I should mention I hate used car salesman.

Barbara Glakas October 12, 2012 at 01:50 am

Paul,
Thanks for your comments. I’m not confused about trust versus facts. For me it is a matter of both. I disagree with him on some facts and I don’t like his flip-flopping, which causes a lack of trust. Moreover, it is hard to know what his “facts” really are due to his continual flip-flopping ways. He’s like a moving target. About the pro-life issue you mentioned, when Romney was Governor, I agreed with his position that Roe v. Wade should be maintained. But now he says Roe v. Wade should be overturned, which I disagree with. My bigger issue is not that he may have changed his mind on just one issue. I understand that people sometimes do change their minds on an issue over the course of years. But Romney seems to have changed his position on a variety of major issues that affect the country. How do I know what he really stands for? Of all the Republicans who ran in the primary, I believe that Ron Paul was the most consistent about his positions and political philosophies. I did not always agree with what he said but he obviously had a strong core, and a strong belief system, which I cannot say about Romney.