AP has Baingate now. This is not going away...

[berni_mccoy]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gayxGHH8V9fU3ki-NY19OL-NgLcg?docId=ecbfec91b0d04af38fab5e776c4b01ca

Romney has tried to distance himself from this period in Bain's history, saying on financial disclosure forms he had no active role in Bain as of February 1999. Obama has labeled Romney a job killer in hopes of undercutting the Republican's claim that his private business experience gives him the ability to turn around the struggling economy.

But at least three times since then, Bain listed Romney as the company's "controlling person," as well as its "sole shareholder, sole director, chief executive officer and president." And one of those documents — as late as February 2001 — lists Romney's "principal occupation" as Bain's managing director.

The Obama campaign called the SEC documents detailing Romney's role post-1999 a "big Bain lie." And Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter said the presumptive GOP nominee may have even engaged in illegal activity.

[bluestateguy]

1. They really should have gone with Santorum or Gingrich

Or Huntsman.

But hey, it's not my job to offer the Republican Party advice.

[my2sense]

3. If Romney goes done in flames

they may get a chance at the convention. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a dark horse - Jeb?

[railsback]

5. I don't think Jeb wants to be associated with these dimwits

After all, they came after him with pitchforks recently for stepping out of line.

[Carla in Sequim]

74. And I'm wondering if any 'short list' candidates

would now have second thoughts accepting the VP slot as the Bain attack snowballs(no pun intended but good name for Romney now?).

I myself am ready to see the VP pick get scrutinized to the max! No turning back now!

[krispos42]

10. RON PAUL!!!!!!!

[LadyHawkAZ]

15. Fuck Ron Paul!

[Wind Dancer]

31. Hmmm

I'd rather not!

[LadyHawkAZ]

38. Sorry, orders from EarlG

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=11211

We are, if you'll pardon the expression, screwed.

[shireen]

58. love EarlG!!

[Wind Dancer]

73. LOL!

Too funny! Thanks for the link!

[grantcart]

52. Ron Paul is laughing right now too.

[Scootaloo]

60. Ron Paul doesn't laugh

Ron Paul giggles.

[LadyHawkAZ]

16. I was thinking along the same lines earlier

Either the GOP is now making a practice of not properly vetting their candidates or they've got something up their sleeve. I have been around for awhile now and am betting on the sleeve. They don't exactly have a long history of honesty in politics.

[localroger]

62. That didn't work out so well for them in '08. /nt

[xtraxritical]

67. The RepubliCONS are going to draft John Bohner, you watch.

[Gore1FL]

18. Doubt it.

Hillary was unelectable because of Clinton fatigue. Bill Clinton was a tolerable president and had decent approval ratings. There is no way in hell a Bush running for president is going to be any better.

[KaryninMiami]

28. I hope you are right.

Because I'm worried that the hatred of Obama will inspiration enough to overlook a Bush running. And if this is something they are working on, you can bet that they will do a bang up job selling him to the public.

It really will come down to the independents- regardless of who they run. And being able to overcome the tremendous obstacles they are so brilliant at- rigged voting machines, systematically disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of eligible voters.

But for now, I'll go with your optimism.

[boxman15]

27. A Bush would never get into the White House in 2012.

The American people may not blame the GOP for everything, but they still blame George W. Bush for a lot. He's still unpopular. His brother would not do any good this November.

2016, he might have a small shot. But not now.

[Submariner]

51. Rigged electronic voting machines did it for his brother

nothing stopping them from doing it again.

[Raster]

55. I agree. The bush* wounds have not healed. I believe Jeb is currently undergoing "sanitization"..

...to make him more palatable for 2016.

[hifiguy]

53. If the Repigs were anything like sane Huntsman

would have been the nominee-in-waiting by Feb 1. Instead, he was gone by Feb 1. Nuff said.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

2. "may have even engaged in illegal activity"

No "may" about it. F E L O N Y.

[Quantess]

75. This is the part I don't get.

It looks like he reported truthfully to the SEC, that he was CEO of Bain until 2002.
But then he lied to the public that he did not work for Bain at all after 1999, because it was unseemly as a candidate.

Do I have that correct? He's definitely a liar, but how is it a felony?

[zipplewrath]

77. It's not

I understand everyones fun with this but the guy owned the business but he probably did little more than sign crap. It's dubious it is a felony.

[Quantess]

78. Well, the deal with lying to SEC would be a felony...

But apparently he was truthful to the SEC when he said he was CEO until 2002. That's what confuses me.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

81. Either he lied to the public or he lied to the SEC. If he lied to the SEC

it's a felony. So no, it's not definite that he committed a felony but he may have, depending on who he lied to and he's damn sure lying to someone.

[spanone]

4. k&r...

[backscatter712]

6. I shall enjoy watching Romney get curbstomped this November... n/t

[DCBob]

7. good.. it shouldnt.

it sounds like Romney violated SEC rules.

[WillyT]

8. K & R !!!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

9. The Big Bain Explosion!

[Jessy169]

11. Romney set up for a big fall?

What are the possibilities that there are behind-the-scenes forces at work that recognize the religious right (and assorted crazies) takeover of the Republican Party as a serious threat to our country, and that they have somehow masterfully manipulated Romney into this front-and-center position on the national stage with the sole purpose of crushing him publicly and totally, and along with him all the rotton T-Bagging Christian extremists who are going to be on his coat tails this election? The primary goal, I hypothesize, behind this masterful plan is to once and for all crush the spirit of these Christian extremists who since Reagan or before have sought to gain political power, the better to legislate their versions of morality on the entire USA. I know it sounds far-fetched, but there are some points to consider that might backup my wild and crazy theory. Notable Republican politicians, among them Jeb Bush, have commented on the record that today's Republican Party is too extreme. What about the SC decision to "legalize" the Affordable Care Act -- if that wasn't a knife in the heart of the right-wing Christian/Mormon extremists, nothing was. We do know that many old-school Republicans loathe the T-Party Christian extremist members in Congress and the Senate. And certainly, experience has shown that dragging their religion and whacko beliefs into legislative debates results in nothing but grief for Americans. Maybe I'm just dreaming, but is Mitt Romney already turning out to be one of the worst, if not THE worst candidates that could possibly have been put forward. True or not, I like to think that maybe just a few of the billionaires that have been backing him, and some of the behind-the-scenes powers that have been prodding him forward and encouraging him to make a run for it are secretly part of a plan to crush Romney, and along with him the living shit out the right-wing extremists. Does anybody else get the impression this is what might be happening?

[jmowreader]

13. Except that they're taking Romney out now, it's plausible

Equally plausible is this: the Koch brothers don't actually want Romney to be president because he's not far enough to the right for them (he is very far to the right, though), so they are trying to knock off Romney so they can run a teabagger like Michele Bachmann in November.

In either case, look for Romney to be beating his tin cup against the bars in his cell by October.

[Coyotl]

14. Possibility a Hugh Zero.

They really believe they can buy the Presidency with advertising. Look at how many people are having a Big Mac today even though it might kill them. Romney is the new Big Mac on the right, and they have enough money to sell him. That's reality. Get a grip, face the music, and have some fatty fries and a sugar drink with that burger....

[randome]

24. Bush, Jr. was an admitted disaster for the GOP.

Followed by Palin. Followed by Romney. Do you see the pattern here? There is no 'strategy'. No one is home in the GOP cave.

[Art_from_Ark]

25. bu$h Jr. was a disaster for US

But he was a godsend for the GOP fat cats, because he was able to do their bidding with very little resistance.

[randome]

48. The GOP wants nothing to do with Bush.

They don't even want him showing up for the campaign. Maybe he was useful for a time but that quickly passed. He is toxic for the GOP.

Bush, Palin, Romney. This is the beginning of the end for the GOP.

[Art_from_Ark]

72. We thought Nixon was the beginning of the end for the GOP

But 4 years after Carter defeated Nixon's unelected successor, we ended up with another Republican who was much worse.

[jeff47]

39. Wrong candidate

The wacko Christian faction will say "Well, that's Mormons for ya" and keep going.

If Santorum was the candidate, your theory would work much better.

[lunatica]

56. It could be but only by accident

Romney is obviously a puppet, but he's failing at it.

And I think the Republican party has created the teabaggers and thought they could be controlled. But no one controls Right Wing Religious Whackjobs. They hear a higher voice in their heads.

Welcome to DU.

[trumad]

19. Enjoy your stay.

[trumad]

49. Yeah---poster is worm dirt.

[AllyCat]

50. Oh jeez...my bad. Responding to wrong one.

Thought y'all were slamming bupkus. Thanks for the clarification and will delete.

[bhikkhu]

20. Because the media gives democratic candidates a free pass every time

I can't remember the last time I even heard any criticism of a democrat myself - its like they can do no wrong.

[xtraxritical]

68. You know what he's talking about, he's a troll!

[GarroHorus]

22. You've obviously never heard of IOKIYAR

[ChoppinBroccoli]

26. The Last Time A Businessman Was Elected President...................

....................it was Herbert Hoover. How'd that work out? Must have been pretty good, because I remember hearing that he started something Great. The Great............something or other.

[Blanks]

36. Hoover was an engineer. Not really a businessman.

To be fair; the run up to the great depression (similar to the current economic crisis) was brought on by bad behavior in the free market before Hoover got there.

Granted, he didn't want to do anything for the poor. Which caused a lot of unnecessary suffering, but I don't think it's fair to say that he caused the great depression.

I believe Reagan played a pretty big part in the recession that occurred in the early part of his presidency. However, we weren't talking about actors.

[WCGreen]

41. But then again, he refused to change the course of his presidency after the crash

and Depression set in...

[Blanks]

42. He did a lousy job, no doubt.

My assertion is that he was an engineer. I believe a mining engineer. He had a training beyond just business. I wouldn't really classify him as a businessman.

A lot was learned about bringing a country out of a depression by Hoovers mistakes. Lessons we could be using to make the country more prosperous now. If it weren't for Fox News and the other right wing media who are able to keep the 'good old boys' in opposition to programs that they would benefit from.

[NNN0LHI]

43. To be fair?

I don't think you understand. I am not planning on being fair.

Fuck being fair.

Fuck Ron Paul too.

Don

[Nostradammit]

63. I hate that acronym with a passion.

It's bullshit and should be done away with in progressive circles.

Self-defeating talk like that does us no good.

[demwing]

79. How is it self defeating?

We're mocking the other guys, we don't actually promote the idea that crazy shit is ok, as long as you're a Republican.

[dkf]

23. Just heard Gergen spin that Romney put everything aside to save the Utah Olympics.

Ugh. I hope the Obama team has this story down.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

32. After his disclaimer that he, Gergen, was the beneficiary of Bain through investments & employment.

[boxman15]

33. It sure looks like they do.

The fact that they're going this hard on Romney now tells me that they have a LOT left in the tank to go after him. This is just the tip of the iceberg. And for once, most of the MSM is actually reporting on this, instead of just a select few outlets.

[emulatorloo]

29. Factcheck is doubling down. Backing Rmoney. Ridiculous.

http://factcheck.org/2012/07/romneys-bain-years-new-evidence-same-conclusion/

[boxman15]

35. What the fuck?

Again, their main argument is that Romney couldn't have done this because that would be a felony. What the fuck?

[emulatorloo]

40. They should at least be posting a qualified retraction.

I don't get it.

[berni_mccoy]

45. I've never been impressed with FactCheck...

Called them out on the carpet during the 2008 Primary. They didn't like it very much.

[Angry Dragon]

30. We need to see all of his tax returns

who knows what lies are on those forms

[Kalidurga]

34. Great story

I thought Freepers were going to implode with this story. But, no they have decided to run and hide from it for the most part. They are content that some RW org is calling it all lies.

[Blanks]

37. I'm shocked. I tell you shocked.

They're just circling the wagons. They'll have standard talking points tomorrow.

[xtraxritical]

69. The RepubliCONS keep calling the ACA the "largest tax hike in American history", they just lie.

[AllyCat]

44. I have never been one wanting to see the other side fail so another side wins

But when the voting machines, the media machine, and the money machines are stacked against one guy who is doing a pretty good job, I have no problem seeing the floor fall out from the one who stands to benefit from the rigging.

[berni_mccoy]

46. UPDATE On BAINGATE here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002940596

[GraniteDem]

54. THE BANE FROM BAIN !

THE BANE FROM BAIN (sung to "The Rain in Spain" from 'My Fair Lady')

He thinks he’s got it.
He thinks he’s nailed it.

But his opponents bring up Bain.

He’s the bane from Bain.

What did he do at Bain?
... The bane caused pain.

The bane of Bain caused pain:
Jobs down the drain.

Has hoity-toity house in ’ Hampshire. . .
Hacked hellishly, heartlessly.

This smiley dude thinks his time’s come.

So, once again, who is the bane?

He caused pain for Bain.

And how did he cause this pain?
At Bain, at Bain.
Why was it Bain caused pain?
They had this bane.

’cause bane of Bain caused pain,
The bane may wane.

http://www.amiright.com/parody/misc/myfairladysoundtrack7.shtml

[kitt6]

57. Zimmerman, I mean Rmoney

needs to learn from his criminality for a change. No more getting by!

[librechik]

59. I think AE Stoddard (MSNBC) is right. Americans are too stupid to understand "sole proprietor"

They just won't get the complexity of the documents which claim Romney was CEO, sole financial operator and holder of 100% of Bain stock. Wow, that is too complex even for me.

There is way too much nuance for ordinary voters to evaluate there. We should leave it to AE and friends to make our decisions for us.

[underpants]

64. They may also be so dumb that the swirling stories just causes them to throw up their hands

and say "Forget about Romney"

I would not be surprise if that will be fed into the people's minds by the Obama campaign.

Open big
rope-a-dope while they flail about
CLOSE

[librechik]

66. hope so! overreach is never good for the GOP!

[WinstonSmith4740]

71. Yeah, but...

I agree that America has been "dumbed down", starting with the Reagan years. But I do think, even if they don't understand what a "sole proprietor" is, they sure as hell understand "CEO" and "President". And they still do understand "lying".

[librechik]

82. actually, I was being sarcastic. I always forget the smiley!

welcome to DU!

[WinstonSmith4740]

83. Oh hell, I knew that!

Just putting in my two cents. This gave it away:

"There is way too much nuance for ordinary voters to evaluate there. We should leave it to AE and friends to make our decisions for us."

Nobody but a troll would post that here in seriousness. We're liberals. We have brain cells that function.

And thanks for the welcome back. I had been away for a while, but I'm back and loving it. Missed you all. It's SO nice to communicate with informed people!

[Uncle Joe]

61. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, berni mccoy.

[jaysunb]

65. K & R for good news !

[HipChick]

70. Rob-Me has some explaining to do...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

76. No smoke without fire

The AP may be sensing something?