When You Learn They’re Not Ready | TPM Editors Blog

“Politics is hardball. Everything is, in some sense, fair. But campaigns are also a prism into the judgment and steadiness under pressure of a person who would be president. This was amateur hour for the opposition campaign last night, reminiscent of John McCain’s rash call four years ago to cancel the presidential debates and the campaign itself to deal with the unfolding economic crisis. There was nothing ignoble or dishonorable about McCain’s suggestion. It just showed a certain rashness that was widely viewed as unpresidential.

Romney’s moment was quite different — rash and shameful. Not worthy of a president. Crass, undignified and troubling on many levels.” via When You Learn They’re Not Ready | TPM Editors Blog.

“Many women are shut out and silenced” – Salon.com

If you’re a woman, take a moment and think about what your life could be like in a few short months. If you’re a man with a woman in your life (which should be all of you), take a moment and think about what your life could be like in a few short month.

“During this campaign, we’ve heard about the two profoundly different futures that could await women—and how one of those futures looks like an offensive, obsolete relic of our past. Warnings of that future are not distractions. They’re not imagined. That future could be real.” via “Many women are shut out and silenced” – Salon.com.

Mitt Romney Accidentally Confronts A Gay Veteran; Awesomeness Ensues

 

I think this kind of candor is essential in this election. Here is a link to a really emotional video that captures a conversation between a gay veteran and Romney.

Mitt Romney Accidentally Confronts A Gay Veteran; Awesomeness Ensues.

Ryan’s Speech Contained a Litany of Falsehoods – NYTimes.com

 

This reminds me of what a teenager would say after knowingly bending or omitting the truth:  I wasn’t lying, I just didn’t tell you the whole truth.

I might also add, that this article is itself falling into the same trap. If the author (or editor) truly believed the punchline of this story (that the whole truth needs to be presented rather than lies by omission), they would be better served to say “Republican & Democratic election campaigns both twist the truth.” After all, this article references both campaigns. And I’m not sure falsehood is the right word either.

“The growing number of misrepresentations appear to reflect a calculation in both parties that shame is overrated, and that no independent arbiters command the stature or the platform to hold the campaigns to account in the increasingly polarized and balkanized media firmament. Any unmasking of the lies or distortions, the thinking goes, rarely seeps into the public consciousness.: via Ryan’s Speech Contained a Litany of Falsehoods – NYTimes.com.

As Republican convention emphasizes diversity, racial incidents intrude – The Washington Post

While Harper Magazine calls the Republican outbursts “nativism,” I am far more inclined to agree with The Washington Post’s accurate assessment that recent outbursts at the Republican convention constitute pure vitriolic racism:

“On Tuesday, convention organizers ejected two attendees after they reportedly threw peanuts at a black CNN camerawoman and told her, “This is how we feed animals.” Organizers called the conduct “inexcusable and unacceptable.”

via As Republican convention emphasizes diversity, racial incidents intrude – The Washington Post.

Romney gaining buzz among women on Facebook – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs

Wait, maybe I’m missing something? Just because facebook women are talking about Romney, why are we supposed to think they’re saying good things? Or that they accurately indicated their gender when signing up for an account? That they’re not being sarcastic?

I think that there is a lot of potential in analyzing socio-cultural trends vis-a-vis facebook, but it’s going to take significantly more nuance than was used here.

Romney gaining buzz among women on Facebook – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs.

Poll: 0 percent of blacks for Mitt Romney – Mackenzie Weinger – POLITICO.com

This surprises no one:

“President Barack Obama continues to beat Mitt Romney among African American voters with a staggering 94 percent to 0 percent lead, according to a poll released Tuesday.”

via Poll: 0 percent of blacks for Mitt Romney – Mackenzie Weinger – POLITICO.com.