Someone said Rove's REAL target is the Senate - Romney is a diversion....

[Junkdrawer]

Starting to look less ridiculous every day....

[BlueToTheBone]

1. I believe it.

If we lose the Senate, the President is completely stymied.

[southernyankeebelle]

77. Well not unless they can overcome the veto.

[Curtland1015]

2. I just can't bring myself to believe they'd give a chance at the presidency a pass.

They didn't spend THAT many millions of dollars as a "front". They wanted the presidency and they're failing.

I also think people assume Rove has more power than he actually does. Especially nowadays.

[LynneSin]

8. Why? That's what they did in 1996

Clinton was way too popular to beat even as the GOP threw mud like crazy at him.

Bob Dole was a throw-away candidate - the GOP wanted to keep control of Congress.

[Curtland1015]

17. They wanted Congress AND the Presidency.

Maybe they didn't think they'd have the best chance, but they're never going to NOT TRY.

That would be crazy.

[nanabugg]

65. That's why i hve been saying we need to make the "liar" meme fit for all GOP

They are the party of the selfish, soulless, mean, racist, warmongering.

[LynneSin]

3. I knew that even BEFORE Romney imploded

Romney is nothing more than a filler candidate to bide the GOP's time to takeover in 2016. The powers to be with the RNC figure if they can reclaim the senate and built their control over congress that by the time 2016 comes around they can have their viable candidate on the ticket and control EVERYTHING just like the glory days of 2001.

Romney is one of those types of delusional people that would run for president every single time because somehow he believes he deserves the change to run. 2012 was a safe year to just let Romney have his chance because they know Obama will be difficult to beat and hopefully come 2016 the Romneys will just fade into the sunset.

[randome]

7. Right. Just like Palin was a 'filler candidate' in 2008.

Open your eyes, people! This is not optimism speaking. The GOP is self-destructing. The time for fear is long past.

[LynneSin]

16. I wouldn't count the GOP out just yet

They tend to get extremely nasty when their backs are up against the wall.

[randome]

18. Of course don't count them out. Drive more and more stakes through their hearts!

But we need to see things as they really are. This is not some sort of master plan. They are dissolving/self-destructing/falling to pieces -choose the phrase that sounds best. That is reality.

[madinalabama]

59. Agreed - Let em all implode

Lot's of merit to this!

[Ebadlun]

73. I think also they understimated Obama

They assumed the economy would do their work for them and all they had to do was show up. They also seem to genuinely believe that Obama is the hapless Dem candidate of old, not the Chicago badass he actually is.

[mucifer]

4. Except that the senate races aren't trending their way right now.

Elizabeth Warren and Ben Nelson are doing well.

I'm thinking if enough people get too pissed at rmoney they might vote libraterian or they just might not vote at all. A few might vote for our President.

[LynneSin]

14. Don't forget Missouri - that was a GOP pickup for the longest time

But I still think the senate is more important than the White House in regards to the GOP.

[loyalsister]

52. The senate has done a lot of rearranging since 2000

We had Jean Carnahan who picked up Ashcroft's seat from '02 - '04. In '04 Talant took it. McCaskill picked it up in '08.
Bond retired in the same year and Blunt took over.

I really hope that Todd Aikin is going down.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

71. Just some slight correction on the dates

Carnahan took Ashcroft's seat in 2000

Talent took Carnahan's seat in 2002

McCaskill took Talent's senate seat in 2006

Blunt took Bond's seat in 2010

[loyalsister]

74. Thanks

I was pretty clumsy with the dates and was too lazy to look them up. lol

[Viking12]

23. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is leading in recent polls to hold Herb Kohl's (D-WI) Senate seat

Rock on Tammy!

[a kennedy]

26. This would be huge.....

tommy's got name recognition.....I think it's going to be a tough fight....but come on Tammy.

[mucifer]

32. I really don't think she has more name recognition than Tommy Thompson. nt

[Viking12]

40. I think you misread...

s/he said tommy has name recognition but go Tammy

[mucifer]

48. Oh sorry

[a kennedy]

69. I think you might have misread my post.....

I said Tommy's got name recognition NOT Tammy.

[Andy823]

5. I am one of those

I have always thought that this whole republican circus, and letting the worst clown win, was all about knowing they weren't going to win the WH, but want to continue to control the house, and maybe win the senate. If they could do that, then the next four years would be the same old thing with republicans preventing anything from getting better so they could take back the WH in 2016.

[newspeak]

58. yeah, nothing like blaming the president for jobs

when you're doing everything in your power to make sure it doesn't happen by not passing job bills. Then, they go on the telly and spout BS about the president not creating jobs. If they take the majority it will just be the same old shite.

So, i see the repugs care more about winning and power than about the majority of american people or this country. selling their soul to any global corporation for some bucks and power, are they still considered americans? because it sure looks like they don't give a damn about us or this country-only their agenda.

[loyalsister]

78. maybe...

In my hopeful moments.... I think that maybe they could keep the senate and even win a seat. If they miraculously gained some in the house and hold on to the presidency, it would be the slap in the face that would finally get republicans to join reality and stop acting like childish fools. That's definitely a high bar, but why not engage in optimistic thoughts now and then.

I am sure that there are some elements out there who will spend the next four yrs trying to deny Obama a highly successful presidency, just in case they don't get the presidency.

[Fresh_Start]

6. I've been feeling that way for a couple of months...

I gave Obama money but I gave several times that to candidates in close senate races.
We must hold the Senate!

[ProSense]

9. Look, we're winning:

Internals show Senate Democratic candidates ahead in Indiana and Wisconsin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021361735

[Skidmore]

10. I can see that.

Which is why we need to work on all levels this election.

[randome]

11. Rove doesn't have shit. He is an imbecile.

Unless you think Palin was a feint to prepare us for Romney who is a feint to prepare us for... Jesus, do you believe in the Loch Ness monster, too? Open your eyes! Celebrate the ruin of the GOP with the rest of us!

[ReasonableToo]

51. Crazy like a fox

They didn't want WH in '08 and don't want it now. Hence McCain/Palin and R/R. They wrecked economy and left Obama holding the bag. It's not fixed yet so they don't want it back yet AND they are getting everything they really want from Pres Obama: Holder not going after any war criminals or wall street, we have Republican healthcare plan that gives more customers to insurers, new nafta for pacific that favors corporations over citizens, indefinate detentions, Guantanamo still open, spying on citizens, militarized police, privatized for-profit prisons, doesn't stand with unions, for-profit education, jailing whistleblowers, coup in Honduras, Xl Pipeline, state-sponsored physical assault at airports, voter suppression, still no real investigation of 911, kept Geitner and others in place, still prosecuting young adults for marijuana use - which he did when young, going after medical marijuana ...

On the plus side he's not pursuing DOMA, seems empathetic, and...

[randome]

53. The real rich with their millions don't give a shit what happens in an election.

They are traveling the world, sipping margaritas on the beach. All this other stuff you mention is important and needs to be addressed but I do not at all see Obama as giving 'the rich' what they want. He is trying his damnedest to increase their taxes so the country doesn't go into default.

[ReasonableToo]

70. Uh...yeah they do b/c these are for-profit enterprises

Spying on citizens- for profit
Insurance - for profit
Vouchers to charter schools - for profit
Prisons - for profit
War for oil - for profit
Dropping bombs from drones - for profit
XL pipeline - for profit (not jobs)

Bonus - guess who makes money when teachers are evaluated based on kids test scores...Murdoch & co

[reflection]

76. Yeah, I'm where you are.

There's no way they would write off the WH, in my opinon. The ability to pick SC justices is too important. I think they just are running out of viable demographics and ideas that can be defended. The bloom is off the Rove Rose.

Now obviously I'm just another armchair clown looking at it from a layman's perspective, but I think the deference given to Rove at this point is undeserved. I'll grant you that back in the day, he was quite effective.

[JaneQPublic]

12. And yet "sure GOP candidates are trailing in...

...MA, WI, and MS.

Hows that plan workin' for ya, Karl?

[DefenseLawyer]

13. Right. A horrible candidate at the top of the ticket is the key to victory.

Sorry, it's still looking pretty ridiculous.

[randome]

20. Any day now, the master plan will be sprung!

Another decade or so, when we have let our guard down maybe...?

[Junkdrawer]

21. Google "rove senate 2012"

Lots and lots of articles.

[ProSense]

22. Exactly,

and here's a thought for those who believe Rove is a genius manipulator: Maybe the BS meme in the OP is to take the focus off the shitstorm that Romney created for himself.

[randome]

24. Or simply fear.

We should be pointing out that reality is not as scary as some believe.

[Junkdrawer]

28. Ya got me. I'm just a troll...

Or I could be one of those, what did Rahm call us, Professional Leftists who can just imagine an Obama presidency with a Republican House and Senate.

[ProSense]

31. I said no such thing

I think Rove is an ass who shouldn't be promoted as anything but!

To clarify even further the OP meme referred to is the one being push by Rove and his allies. Now unless you take ownership of the meme, it's damn clear my comment didn't refer to you.

[robinlynne]

34. not really. Everyone is ignoring election fraud from 2008 because Obama won. There is a sophism

abounding (including here on DU) that Obama's presidency shows that the 2008 election was honest and real.

[ProSense]

46. I doubt that.

No one has ignored election fraud since 2004. There have been two hard fought elections won by Democrats since then, 2006 and 2008. The 2010 election was mostly driven by the tough policy choices that served to depress turnout.

Still, what does a meme that Rove is focusing on the Senate and Romney is a distraction have to do with election theft?

I mean, if he's going to steal the election, why not steal the Presidency?

Wouldn't that provide more cover down-ticket?

[robinlynne]

67. You sort of just proved my point. We "won" and yet 13 Democratic Congressional candidates

filed complaints calling for election theft investigation in 2008, and you do not seem to be aware of this.
You ignore it because obama won.
I don't know the stats for 2010; I'm sure they were worse than 2008.

Obviously if Rove can create a "close race" they will take the presidency.
If they take the Senate and keep the House, the consequences could be worse.

Remember this current Congress will investigate any election fraud in the Congressional races. or not. the Dem Congress let it go. As did you.

Do you really think prop 8 passed in California by counting the votes? the votes were counted by ES&S, as they will be in most of the country in 2012.

the private corporations are more entrenched, not less so, since 2004.
HAVA was created in 2000 to privatize and computerize our elections. This federal government did nothing to change that or even to staff the EAC.
(left Bush appointees in charge. Now there are no Commissioners)

[Junkdrawer]

56. Exactly. The whole Anti-Electronic Voting Machine movement started after the 2002 election....

when several in-the-bank Democratic Senate seats flipped on election day with flimsy cover stories.

[robinlynne]

66. Even the paper ballots are counted by computer. 80% of all votes are counted by computer programs

using proprietary software which belongs to a private right wing corporation. the ES&S (Diebold) technicians are allowed inside the vote counting rooms.
it is not just electronic voting machines. It is absentee ballots mailed and received by private corporations. Early voting not accounted for, and lumped in with absentees so you can not verify the number of early votes cast or analyze that data. purges. and more.

[ibegurpard]

15. All the more reason to channel this energy downticket

Mitt speaks for more than himself...

[magical thyme]

19. Certainly we need to focus as much as possible on Congress

Hold the senate and take back the house.

I don't much care what Rove thinks he's doing. The bottom line is the ugly mindset of the GOP is being revealed for all to see. Time to sieze the moment and go for broke. We need to control all branches of government to turn this country hard left and get back to the real "center" and keep going from there...

[justice1]

25. Constituents that aren't happy with the presidential nominee, are going to be less likely to vote.

The republicans lack of enthusiasm could help Senate Democrats in tight races, in November.

[gollygee]

27. I don't know

He isn't really rallying people for a strong turnout. I know an awful lot of republicans and they don't seem to excited to vote for him. I have to think some of his expected voters are going to stay home, and if they're home, they're not voting for any other republicans either.

[robinlynne]

29. makes so much sense! When Obama won last time, noone paid attention to stolen congressional seats.

13 Dem congressional candidates filed formal complaints about election theft. The Dem Congress decided not to investigate......
So the public does not know if, how, where, when it happened. Surely more to come.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

30. I'm not convinved of that. Rove's math sucks.

The general election is supposed to be about the presidential candidate leading the party and energizing the base to vote and undecideds to decide.

Do you do that by having your point man constantly sticking his foot in his mouth, insulting the electorate and looking as electable as a pile of cow dung?

If anything rMoney will loose the undecideds and possibly cause some republicans to just stay home on election day.


The only way to pull off a win is by stealing the vote through voter purges: a treasonable hanging offense in my opinion.

[robinlynne]

41. voter purges are one componenet of the election fraud. There are many many more. 80% of American v

votes are counted via outsourcing to a private corporation ES$S, which purchased Diebold.

[alcibiades_mystery]

33. Except he's also failing miserably in that regard

McCaskill, Warren, Nelson, all up in recent polls.

[Junkdrawer]

43. From your lips to God's ears...But if I were to look for Election Fraud this year...

I'd focus on the Senate races.

[alcibiades_mystery]

55. Tester, Kaine, both up, though thinly

The plan seems dumb, if diversion was the plan.

[BumRushDaShow]

35. Rove's "TheMath™" lacks Clinton's common sense "Arithmetic™"

[Cali_Democrat]

37. It's a trap!

[randome]

47. I can hear Admiral Ackbar's tone in your post!

Mostly because of The Big Bang Theory. I never saw the movie, thank God.

[1StrongBlackMan]

38. I think that's called ...

"After Whist" (Bid Whist card players know what I'm talking about).

Yes, Rove's REAL target is the Senate ... Now that it's clear that the gop is unlikely to get the presidency. It's called face saving.

But I could be convinced of that if his superpac's spending report (prior to this pronouncement) reflected a 3-5 to 1 spending gap between Senate races and romney.

[loyalsister]

39. That makes total sense

Think what they could have done if they had had the senate. Not only that, he is probably focusing on getting the meanest candidates he can find elected.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

42. They're not doing great on that front at the moment though

They're in danger of losing Brown's seat in MA, Wisconsin seems to be getting away from them and Baldwin may well retain Kohl's seat, an otherwise certain win in Missouri is now in question because of Akin, the Senate race in INDIANA (of all places) is in play. Things could change, of course, but, for the moment, their Senate dreams may be dying.

[reformist2]

44. Actually, Romney is so toxic he's probably going to hurt down-ticket candidates.

Every Senate candidate in the country is going to be asked whether they agree with Mitt or not. Mitt has damaged the entire party brand, because he confirms everyone's worst fears - that they are an elitist party that look down on everyone else.

[porphyrian]

45. What Senate seats are up this election? n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

49. Link to list of Senate seats up

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/2012_elections_senate_map.html

I know here in PA, Casey is a shoo-in against a weak teabagger. In fact, Casey was running ads for awhile here in Philly and has all but ceased even bothering.

[Junkdrawer]

50. Map

http://www.270towin.com/2012_senate_election/

[newspeak]

54. as I told my MIL

i don't give a shite how many commercials they put on the telly, the ONLY thing that counts in this election is voting for the politicians that will help mainstreet. you can put all of the negative BS you want out there, but my family and I only care about who's going to support the majority of americans, especially americans who are really hurting today. So, we won't be voting for any repugs, especially teabaggers.

[madinalabama]

57. always conniving

Rove is a slimy idiot who is always conniving.

[unblock]

61. that has ALWAYS been the republican target. they always knew obama would be very difficult to beat.

frankly the economy isn't bad enough to be a real problem for obama.

republicans are trying like hell to get mileage out of the fact that we haven't recovered to pre-shrub debacle levels, but the reality is that we are NOT in a recession and the stock markets have essentially completely recovered. unemployment remains higher than we'd all like, but it's not ridiculously high and it's moving in the right direction.

this is NOT the kind of economic backdrop that generally unseats incumbents.

moreover, obama is, if nothing else, a formidable campaigner and he has some brilliant strategists on his team.


but in order to win congressional elections, you need the top of the ticket to be at least viable. people don't turn out if they're turned off by the presidential race. so they they need to run someone, even if they know he's lose, and to keep him seeming viable so people will turn out to vote for him, and while they're there, vote for the senate races (and house races as well, though that's less of an issue).

they don't need rmoney to win, they only need him to remain in the hunt, then spend big time on a few key senate races.



not that it matters all that much. we'll have legislative gridlock unless democrats control both houses AND restrict filibusters. short of that, republicans will continue to obstruct to whatever extent they can.

[Blue_Tires]

62. I've been saying that since the primaries

Concede the re-election, but control both houses and keep Obama "boxed in" -- Especially since they had some candidates who were real threats, but somehow ended up with Romney/Ryan?? (lolz)

[w8liftinglady]

63. which is why I have been focusing SO much on Paul Sadler in Texas.

He is getting the attention of the moderates here.Cruz is losing them.

[Ganja Ninja]

64. Sounds like excuse making to me.

In any case they aren't doing so well there either.

[kurt_cagle]

68. I thought that at one point

Less and less so as the campaign drags on. Money wise the tide is beginning to shift - there's a lot of neutral corporate money right now that originally promised checks to the GOP when they figured that Obama was vulnerable but that now are recognizing that Romney's self-destructing. Bribes ... er, campaign contributions ... are pretty meaningless if they end up going into the losing candidate's pockets. Romney's coat tails are fraying like bad burlap, which means if anything that the down-ticket races are now facing a headwind because of who's at the top of the ticket.

Romney will win the Fundamentalist base, and the Texas oil zillionaire contingent, but he's alienating just about everyone else, including the Libertarians who should have been easily in his pocket. That's not strategy - it's just ineptness.

[kentuck]

72. However...

A lack of support for the top of the ticket will usually cause a drop-off in support for the bottom of the ticket. Instead of trying to win the Senate, perhaps Rove should be concerned about holding on to the House?

[NYC Liberal]

75. Rove is not a omnipotent genius.

He's fucked up a lot over the years and doesn't run great campaigns. He just relies on lies, cheap political stunts, and in many cases fraud, to "win".

No, Romney is exactly who he and the Repubs wanted and he's imploding. They're just incompetent.

[nichomachus]

79. Has anyone else seen the Citizens United ads?

Locally, we have a guy running against the GOP incumbent.

The incumbent is Mary Bono, a right-wing carpetbagger. The Democrat is a doctor who seems like a nice guy. He's running a positive campaign and while he attacks "Washington," he hasn't trashed Bono.

The other night, I was watching Jeopardy, when this disgusting attack ad against the doctor came on. It was done in grainy black and white -- pretty much cheap horror film style. The whole theme was that Nancy Pelosi was an evil witch -- she had even been photoshopped to look like the wicked witch of the west, and the doctor was photoshopped to make him look like Nancy Pelolsi -- and that a vote for the Democrat equaled a vote for Pelosi. Every once in a while, the whole frame of the picture would quiver back and forth. A film maker once told me that this is a technique (I forget the name) to introduce spookiness into the film.

At the end, the disclaimer came that "This was produced by no candidate or party. It is the product of "Americans for a Better California" or "California for A Better America" or some feel-good crap like that.

So, basically, Mary Bono gets to keep her money in the bank while her surrogates trash the Democrat and she can claim that she ran a positive campaign.

Thanks, Supreme Court -- fascist bastards