John Adams

Magox is the pollster, not me. I'm not going to stop calling someone who thinks we need to amend the US Constitution to define marriage stupid. It's embarassing for him. And I'm going to vote for him--what does that tell you about the opposition?

Economy, foreign policy, social issues--all part of the pot. This year, the economy takes precedence for me, but Ryan's asinine positions (voted for a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage? Jesus Paul, didn't realize you were such a complete idiot...) on social policies are fair game. And as I mentioned above, that's where Obama will drive the wedge for independents. As good as he is on the economy, Ryan looks stupid when cornered on those issues.

You didn't need to explain it. It was clear the first time too.

So wait: People who care about social issues are simpletons but Ryan will help Mitt because he's cute?

This is the counterattack from Team Obama in the battle for Independents--to shed light on Ryan's idiotic social positions. http://www.nytimes.c...ner=rss&emc=rss

To be clear, the issue is not that Romney is losing the independent voter--it's that he needs to dominate this demographic to win. That's why the Ryan addition may help him. I hadn't known Ryan's plan had a grandfather clause for Medicare. That's politically savvy for Florida's sake. Hope the dialog starts to shift to budget and spending...and the polls follow suit.

Obama will win Ohio, Florida, and Virginia but maybe Romney can pull a rabbit out of his hat. Romney has no shot in PA.

I've said for a while that Obama wins this easily and yes, I've never voted for the presidential winner. The polls bear this out...Magox/World is the poll master and can find gems in the polls that show little signs for Romney but even he has to concede that the trend is for Obama right now. The VP pick should give Romney a temporary boost in a few states. We will see if there is a bigger effect. Usually isn't. Romney chose a guy the country needs, but not necessarily one that will help him win.

If you put stock in a debate where the questions are vetted beforehand and candidates don't answer questions but instead give whatever sound byte they pre-prepared, you're a dolt. The days of interesting debates are long gone. They are still good theater. It was fun to see Palin parrot off her practiced speeches even when they had little to do with the question, and they can give a memorable moment here and there. But they are not "debates." Biden and Obama will not fumble away the election in them, that's for sure, and those talking about the floor mopping that Ryan will give Biden underestimate Biden. He will lose on brainpower but I doubt he'll stumble badly enough to matter in the election.

Barring him burning down the building, I am voting for Romney but I do not think he will win the election or Florida. Love Ryan and hope the vetting comes up clean so he can run in 2016. To respond to a point above, I seriously doubt Wisconson is in play.

You guys talking about debates like they matter are nuts. Debates are just speeches. Pols answer questions or don't...then give a speech. Palin couldn't even spell debate and she did fine under the new debate standard..

Still think this seals Flo rida for Obama. Just hope it draws in a few more Independents since Romney's support has not been what he needs with Inependents.

Id guess Ryan helps with Independents nationally, and kills Florida for Romney. Team Obama will run Ryan's positions on Social Security and Medicare nonstop in Florida.

Pretty good piece in the New Yorker about Paul Ryan. Maybe a couple swipes at him but overall, fair. http://www.newyorker...a?currentPage=1 Almost a John Adams quote when he was criticizing Thomas Paine.

The Fox poll is much worse for Mitt. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/09/fox-news-poll-obama-lead-grows-as-romney-support-slips Now down 9 overall, and 11 among independents...all trending to Obama.

According to Fox, Obama is now up 9 points...up from 4. And people are now more likely to identify themselves as Dems than Repubs. Add that to the finding that among Independents, Obama is polling stronger by 11 points. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/09/fox-news-poll-obama-lead-grows-as-romney-support-slips

Yeah, question 1 is a non-starter for me. Knowing that there are 6 pages after that goofball made me shut it down. If it had been the last question, I'd at least have clicked something.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19050139 Closest to some decathlete. Also line up with a couple volleyball and tennis players. Rio 2016.

You're nuts. FoxNews licks Mitt's taint as much as MSNBC does Obama's. Thre was a brief window where American media tried to be unbiased but for most of the history of the USA, the media has been unabashedly partisan. That is certainly the current trend. Fox kills the other news networks by supporting their guys without much reserve. MSNBC does the same and gets no ratings. CNN makes some objective attempt but clearly also left leaning.

Lots have been. Clinton, Father Bush, Reagan (teachers made him switch), Truman, Ford.

Actually, the other posters here are right. It's about making sure the field is level. The US college players wouldn't medal unless the other countries went with amateurs too. If pros can play, the only way to make it fair is to send US pros for the US team.

The other years had no NBA players but you're right. Basketball is a US dominated sport but the world is pretty good. Not everyone is Angola.

Except 2004. The US men's basketball team is capable of losing. They are usually the best team but they are not a gauranteed gold. This isn't 1992.

Christianity, Mormonism, Scientology, Judaism, Islam are all religions. Each has its share of faith-based beliefs that are irrational. That's why they are faith-based. I don't care about a candidate's religion until they start saying things like "I let my faith guide my decisions" ala George Bush. When I hear that stuff, it starts to freak me out because I'd rather that my leaders be guided by reason. Mitt's religion doesn't bother me any more than Obama's. Now if Tom Cruise was running for president...

I'll be getting the Sunday Ticket on PS3 again this year. DirecTV will confirm its availability on the phone but it's not for sale until mid to late August because it undermines their subscription service (but they have to offer it per their contract with the NFL). It was great last year. The only week that sucked, as it always does, is week 1 when it's on free trial and the network gets bogged down.