2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumJoe Klein: Obama stumbles? Why the President's Right to Talk About Bain
I suspect that these Bain attacks are working. Indeed, I suspect the reason that the Obama campaignand the President himself in an extraordinary moment at the NATO press conference last weekis so adamant about pursuing this tactic is that it (a) lays the predicate for the anti-Romney campaign to come and (b) has been extremely effective with focus groups. And so, what we may be seeing here is the exact opposite of a stumble.
But are the attacks fair? No and yes. The job losses associated with the private equity brand of capitalism are, in fact, the least important long-term aspect of the story. Its true, contra Krugman today (although Paul is absolutely right about his larger point, the bogus nature of the bankers narrative), that a great many American companies had become stagnant and bloated in the 1970s and that transitions had to be made to keep them profitably, especially in the area of information technology, and these transitions wiped out a lot of middle management jobs but made those companies more productive. Consultants like Bain suddenly became prominent and profitable because they helped companies through this transition.
Romney took Bain to the next logical stepinvesting in companies that Bain improved. There was nothing wrong, and much that was right, about this in each individual case. Romney is telling the truth as he sees it: sometimes these investments didnt work out, but often they did and the profits were huge. Its also true that sharkier sorts, seeing the profits that could be wrung up in debt for equity swaps, jumped into the market in a far less responsible way than Bain had and engaged in the vulture capitalismwell always be grateful to Rick Perry for that termthat has helped to hollow out the economy.
Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012/05/25/obama-stumbles/?iid=sl-main-arenapage
jenmito
(37,326 posts)claiming Obama "stumbles out the gate" and it's being repeated over and over and over on MSNBC and probably everywhere else in the "news." I can't wait for the debates.
Lugnut
(9,791 posts)If what the President is doing is classified as "stumbling" I hope he stumbles his way right back to a second term.
Mr Prez is telling the truth. Some people can't handle the truth.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)Politico's definitely trying to peddle this crap. They are, as Arianna wrongly said about Obama's bin Laden ad, 'despicable!'
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)They can't be trusted.
demgrrrll
(3,590 posts)stumbled by letting the MSM set the tone and the tenor of the campaigns. Kerry paid attention to this type of nonsense and the Bushes rolled right over him like a tank.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)than most here ever do.
Thankfully Obama appointed some Kerry people to run his 08 campaign.
The GOP loves it when we eat our own.
demgrrrll
(3,590 posts)and soul into the campaign for 6 months, walked door to door, called, I can't begin to tell you how hard I worked to get him elected.
that does not mean he and his campaign made the right decisions about how to respond to critical remarks. Does your experience compare?. Why didn't you ask for clarification of my remarks before you decided what my thought process entailed.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)it was a slam on the Senator in praise of the POTUS. Some (not all) here (and in social land) have been throwing shade at Gore and Kerry and boasting how "Obama won't take sh-t" and does things better than Kerry and Gore ever did.
Ok, the POTUS is a dynamic Dem/candidate, but what did Gore and Kerry do to Obama? Nothing. They are trying to help, not hurt Obama and some don't want to see that, but if Obama is attacked, then it must be some other Dem's fault. IDGI
No dis to all you did for Kerry and good for you. Just making an observation of what it here from time to time.
If this post was offensive, apologies, that wasn't the intent. Peace.
demgrrrll
(3,590 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)siligut
(12,272 posts)The MSM just feeds them a skewed view. Wait for the debates and see how they spin that.
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)big time with them and that is why the Obama campaign is keeping it up.
Joe Scar has been talking this line of attack up all week, trying to make Booker some kind of saint. I keep thinking that he is desperate. Say ANYTHING!
There must be widespread PANIC among the repukes!
polichick
(37,152 posts)Fuck those corporate whore Dems who say otherwise.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)are resonating in the swing states. Keep up the fight Mr. President!
Response to Dawson Leery (Reply #10)
politicasista This message was self-deleted by its author.