Tuesday Open Thread [9.18.12]

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"All campaigns have their ups and downs, but the last three weeks for Mitt Romney have been about as brutal as we can remember for any presidential candidate, especially this close to the election. First, the biggest speech of Romney's life got overshadowed by the Clint Eastwood stunt. Then came President Obama's significant bounce in the polls after the two political conventions. After that, Romney found himself on the defensive for his reaction to embassy attacks in Egypt and Libya. Next, Politico reported about infighting and disorganization inside the Romney campaign. Finally, all of these events were capped off yesterday by the surreptitiously recorded video of Romney..." "What is so potentially deadly about this video is the timing, because it comes as the Romney campaign was already viewed to be behind and in crisis. Back in late July, we wrote that the presidential contest had entered halftime with Obama leading, 14-13. Now after the 3rd Quarter (the Ryan pick, the conventions, and post-convention period), Obama has scored two uncontested touchdowns, bringing it to 28-13. And now we head to the 4th Quarter (the debates)."

The Polling Report [9.18.12]

More polling. Less days until the election. And the race remains the same: President Obama is a clear favorite in the swing states and in the electoral college. We have new polls out of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Virginia, and the polls just confirm what we had previously knew. Here is the map, which is unchanged:

‘Bulo To Discuss Most Intriguing November Contests on Today’s Al Show.

Today, from 10-12. I'm counting down my tentative Top Ten Most Intriguing Delaware Races. Your feedback has definitely proven helpful, both in determining which races to include, and in determining the order. I'll be writing a couple of lengthy pieces about these races in the next few days, but if you want a sneak preview, tune in today at 10, WDEL-1150 Newsradio on your AM dial. Hey, maybe we'll also talk about that John Atkins fella.

The Romney Gaffe To End All Gaffes?

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Unflippinbelievable!  Could he really be this stoopid?
During a private fundraiser earlier this year, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told a small group of wealthy contributors what he truly thinks of all the voters who support President Barack Obama. He dismissed these Americans as freeloaders who pay no taxes, who don't assume responsibility for their lives, and who think government should take care of them. Fielding a question from a donor about how he could triumph in November, Romney replied: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax." Romney went on: "[M]y job is is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

A DIY “Most Intriguing Races For November” Thread

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What do you think will be Delaware's most intriguing races this November? I've come up with some early nominees. I'd like you to share your thoughts on my choices and on races that you think I've overlooked.  At some point soon, I'll be writing a detailed analysis of my top 10, but I'm not ready yet. Help me focus! Click through for my initial list: