155 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

Updated! This is an update of an earlier post see here.

There are reasons candidates win elections and there are reasons candidates lose elections. Mitt Romney lost this one.

Here’s why.......

1.            Occupy Wall Street
2.            War on Women
3.            Hispanic Voters
4.            African American Voters
5.            AARP Fight
6.            ObamaCare Victory
7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden
8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech
9.            Auto Industry Bailout
10.          The Tea Party Movement
11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue
12.          Horatio Alger Myth
13.          Frightened Senior Citizens
14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments
15.          Cayman Islands Account
16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal
17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich
18.          Medicare Cuts
19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse
20.          The 47% Comment
21.          The Middle Class
22.          Evangelicals
23.          Term “Welfare Queen”
24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan
25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol
26.          Tax Returns
27.          Corporate Greed
28.          Do-Nothing Congress
29.          Ann Coulter
30.          Gay Marriage
31.          Foreign Policy
32.          Abortion
33.          Malia and Sasha
34.          Right Wing Extremism
35.          YouTube
36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle
37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”
38.          Climate Change Denial
39.          Arab Spring
40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton
41.          Immigration Issue
42.          Bain Capital
43.          John McCain
44.          Seamus the Dog
45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death
47.          The 99%
48.          Too Negative
49.          Koch Brothers
50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”
51.          Phony Voter ID Laws
52.          Oil Company Ties
53.          Opposition to Green Energy
54.          Support of Nuclear Energy
55.          American Dream of Home Ownership
56.          Sheldon Adelson
57.          End of Iraq War
58.          Sarah Palin
59.          Fox News
60.          Iran Sanctions
61.          Offshoring Jobs
62.          Chris Matthews
63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan
64.          Outsourcing
65.          George W. Bush
66.          Union Members
67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)
68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards
69.          Birther Conspiracy
70.          Basketball Ability
71.          Housing Market Stabilization
72.          Gov. Scott Walker
73.          Veiled Racism
74.          Gulf Oil Spill
75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent
76.          Oprah Winfrey
77.          Seal Team 6
78.          Citizens United Decision
79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance
80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre
81.          Facebook Sharing
82.          The 1%
83.          Ron Paul Snub
84.          Business Banking Regulations
85.          Mars Curiosity Rover
86.          George Clooney
87.          Small Donors
88.          Stiff Persona
89.          Libyan Attack Comments
90.          Donald Trump Endorsement
91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument
92.          24 Hr News Cycle
93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker
94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip
95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser
96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique
97.          Carl Rove
98.          Super PAC’s
99.          Michele Bachmann
100.        Term “Death Panel”
101.        Offshore Accounts
102.        Newt Gingrich
103.        Angry Looking
104.        Netanyahu
105.        Reverse Military Cuts
106.        House Speaker John Boehner
107.        Support of Coal Industry
108.        Union Members
109.        Rush Limbaugh
110.        Corporate Greed
111.        EPA Regulations
112.        Teachers
113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo
114.        “I love to fire People”
115.        Stimulus Plan
116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
117.        Cash for Clunkers
118.        War on Women
119.        “We Built It” Slogan
120.        Campaign Infighting
121.        No Specifics
122.        Term “Marxist”
123.        Media Bias Claim
124.        Bill O’Reilly
125.        Saturday Night Live
126.        Fair and Balanced
127.        Stock Market Recovery
128.        Al Franken
129.        Robert Reich
130.        Voter Suppression Act
131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
131.        Term “Appeasement”
132.        Day One Promises
133.        The Norquist Pledge
134.        Nathan Sproul
135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law
136.        Cato Institute
137.        Anti-Mormon Bias
138.        Free Enterprise System
139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book
140.        Bush’s Record
141.        Atheist Ayn Rand
142.        School Vouchers
143.        Romney’s Car Elevator
144.        Offshore Drilling
145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s
146.        Insult Government Workers
147.        Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra
148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter
149.        Likeability Factor
150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)
151.        Conservative Doctrine
152.        Michele vs. Ann
153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy
154.        Buyer’s Remorse
155.        Strategic Allied Consulting, Inc.

Copyright Bob Oedy 2012. All Rights Reserved.

154 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

There are reasons candidates win elections and there are reasons candidates lose elections. Mitt Romney lost this one.

Here's why in my opinion:

1.            Occupy Wall Street
2.            War on Women
3.            Hispanic Voters
4.            African American Voters
5.            AARP Fight
6.            ObamaCare Victory
7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden
8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech
9.            Auto Industry Bailout
10.          The Tea Party Movement
11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue
12.          Horatio Alger Myth
13.          Frightened Senior Citizens
14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments
15.          Cayman Islands Account
16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal
17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich
18.          Medicare Cuts
19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse
20.          The 47% Comment
21.          The Middle Class
22.          Evangelicals
23.          Term “Welfare Queen”
24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan
25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol
26.          Tax Returns
27.          Corporate Greed
28.          Do-Nothing Congress
29.          Ann Coulter
30.          Gay Marriage
31.          Foreign Policy
32.          Abortion
33.          Malia and Sasha
34.          Right Wing Extremism
35.          YouTube
36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle
37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”
38.          Climate Change Denial
39.          Arab Spring
40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton
41.          Immigration Issue
42.          Bain Capital
43.          John McCain
44.          Seamus the Dog
45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death
47.          The 99%
48.          Too Negative
49.          Koch Brothers
50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”
51.          Phony Voter ID Laws
52.          Oil Company Ties
53.          Opposition to Green Energy
54.          Support of Nuclear Energy
55.          American Dream of Home Ownership
56.          Sheldon Adelson
57.          End of Iraq War
58.          Sarah Palin
59.          Fox News
60.          Iran Sanctions
61.          Offshoring Jobs
62.          Chris Matthews
63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan
64.          Outsourcing
65.          George W. Bush
66.          Union Members
67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)
68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards
69.          Birther Conspiracy
70.          Basketball Ability
71.          Housing Market Stabilization
72.          Gov. Scott Walker
73.          Veiled Racism
74.          Gulf Oil Spill
75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent
76.          Oprah Winfrey
77.          Seal Team 6
78.          Citizens United Decision
79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance
80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre
81.          Facebook Sharing
82.          The 1%
83.          Ron Paul Snub
84.          Business Banking Regulations
85.          Mars Curiosity Rover
86.          George Clooney
87.          Small Donors
88.          Stiff Persona
89.          Libyan Attack Comments
90.          Donald Trump Endorsement
91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument
92.          24 Hr News Cycle
93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker
94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip
95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser
96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique
97.          Carl Rove
98.          Super PAC’s
99.          Michele Bachmann
100.        Term “Death Panel”
101.        Offshore Accounts
102.        Newt Gingrich
103.        Angry Looking
104.        Netanyahu
105.        Reverse Military Cuts
106.        House Speaker John Boehner
107.        Support of Coal Industry
108.        Union Members
109.        Rush Limbaugh
110.        Corporate Greed
111.        EPA Regulations
112.        Teachers
113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo
114.        “I love to fire People”
115.        Stimulus Plan
116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
117.        Cash for Clunkers
118.        War on Women
119.        “We Built It” Slogan
120.        Campaign Infighting
121.        No Specifics
122.        Term “Marxist”
123.        Media Bias Claim
124.        Bill O’Reilly
125.        Saturday Night Live
126.        Fair and Balanced
127.        Stock Market Recovery
128.        Al Franken
129.        Robert Reich
130.        Voter Suppression Act
131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
131.        Term “Appeasement”
132.        Day One Promises
133.        The Norquist Pledge
134.        Nathan Sproul
135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law
136.        Cato Institute
137.        Anti-Mormon Bias
138.        Free Enterprise System
139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book
140.        Bush’s Record
141.        Atheist Ayn Rand
142.        School Vouchers
143.        Romney’s Car Elevator
144.        Offshore Drilling
145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s
146.        Insult Government Workers
147.        Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra
148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter
149.        Likeability Factor
150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)
151.        Conservative Doctrine
152.        Michele vs. Ann
153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy
154.        Buyer’s Remorse

Copyright 2012 Bob Oedy All Rights Reserved

Who Is Joe The Plumber???

In tonight’s final presidential debate "Joe the Plumber" was invoked by Senator McCain over and over. It was the Republican's last ditch effort to reach out to America's dwindling middle-class. The one group he ignored in all the other debates.

“Let me talk to you Joe the plumber” he said staring in to the camera. McCain looked angry tonight. He was clearly agitated and rolled his eyes often. He seemed frustrated by Senator Obama’s coolness under pressure. While Obama focused on economic issues, McCain focused on how his feelings were hurt during the campaign. He wanted Obama to take the bait about Sara Palin not being up to the task of the presidency. Instead he was gracious and calm. McCain looked foolish defending her credentials.

McCain said at one point “free trade with Columbia is a no brainer.” I was so glad to hear Obama counter by explaining that the violence against union organizers and workers has got to stop in that country.

McCain tried again to invoke the spirit of Joe the plumber. If your name is Joe and you’re a plumber, you don’t need me to tell you your screwed. John McCain has been endorsed by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. an anti-worker group that opposes prevailing wage laws. The good news is the ABC picked a losing candidate once again. This debate is over. Barack Obama won hands down.

Sounding The Economy Alarm

Suddenly everyone is talking about how bad the economy is doing. Most American workers have felt it at the pump or the grocery store. Many of us have been cutting back on nonessentials since the first rumblings back in May. Today however a noticeable change has taken place. The President of the United States of America has pushed the panic button. Even Senator McCain got in on the action by suspending his campaign and canceling Friday’s debate. I’m pretty sure he’s going to regret that move.  

On the television and radio the economy is the topic of the day. Here in California the Governor is threatening lawmakers with cutting their pay for not passing budgets. Mayor Villaraigosa is talking about a 120 million dollar budget deficit.  What has really changed in the last few days? The answer is…. President Bush pushed the panic button.   

I remember while on vacation in Tahiti in 1994 a woman from Club Med rang the church bell as a joke. Suddenly villagers ran out into the streets to see what was happening. The rope, just hanging there was too tempting to pass up. She was the center of attention. She said she didn’t expect it to be that loud. That’s what this reminds me of. 

President Bush has never shown much mastery of domestic issues. Like his father before him he always tried to convince a weary public that the economy was expanding, when all indications were that it wasn’t.  If he seemed out-of-touch it was because he was optimistic when everyone knew better. Remember his astonishment at hearing gas would soon hit $4 per gallon. Imagine an oil-man being unaware of the price of a gallon of gas. Everyone else was only too familiar with the pain at the pump. 

This time however is different. He looked more like a sweaty Richard Nixon than a calm John F. Kennedy. His insistence that the market would suffer without passage of his bailout dared naysayers to dig in their heels to find out. 

A friend emailed his congressman to express his opposition to the bailout. I did the same thing. In fact I called the congressman’s office as well. If you took the Presidential Address as a call to action I would like to hear from you. I’m glad I made my son watch the Presidential Address. This was an historic event. Presidents don’t usually risk an all out panic. 

Presidential Address Marks Panic

Munching on Bagel-Bites and tator tots we watched what just might be the most historic primetime address by the worst president of all time. 

George W. Bush looked nervous; almost in a panic as he stared into the teleprompter reading his canned lines. His forehead and nose were crinkled like a guy on a sunny beach with no sunglasses. 

Bush accepted zero responsibility for eight years of runaway spending and wholesale deregulation of financial markets. There was no apology. He blamed you the American worker for purchasing homes you could not afford. He blamed faulty lending rules and greedy mortgage bankers. Everyone is to blame it seems but his administration. 

He issued dire warnings about what could happen in the coming weeks to American workers if his plan was not put in place.  “The entire economy is in danger right now,” he warned. “Millions of Americans could lose their jobs.”  Money market funds could evaporate, banks could stop lending, stocks could tumble, the value of your house could disappear, seniors stand to lose everything they have, unless that is………. you give 700 billion dollars to one man with the power to do with it as he sees fit, with no oversight.  That’s his plan. No really. That’s his plan. I’m not making this up….. 

This was not the cocky, angry George W. Bush we’ve all come to expect. This was a tense Bush, with out something to fall back on like “patriotism” or “the war on terror.” “The market is not functioning properly” he added. “Not passing this emergency plan would cost more later.”  

More than 700 billion dollars? I doubt it. 

This is the same guy who warned us about the weapons of mass destruction. The same guy who told us the energy spikes in the weeks before the Enron scandal were caused by California not building enough power plants. The same guy who said, “You’re doing a heck of a job Brownie.” Either he’s the boy who cried wolf or the emperor with no clothes. Either way, you can’t trust him. 

Democratic Debate at Kodak Theatre

Crowds outside Kodak Theatre were very enthusiastic leading up to the debate. Folks arrived early to stake out a spot in view of the cameras. Wolf Blitzer and other political pundits were busy giving reports for television. The debate was projected on a large screen for those not fortunate enough to get a ticket. Members from various unions were there to support Hillary Clinton including AFSME, Bricklayers and Electricians.