THE BIG FAIL: Obama Said That “Some Of The Businesses We Encourage Will Fail” But His Investments With Taxpayers’ Dollars Have A Dismal Record Of Success

Today, Obama Said “Some Of The Businesses We Encourage Will Fail.” OBAMA: “Today, there are thousands of workers building long-lasting batteries and wind turbines and solar panels all across the country. Jobs that weren’t there four years ago. And sure, not all technologies we bet on will pan out. Some of the businesses we encourage will fail. But I promise you this, there is a future for manufacturing here in America. There’s a future for clean energy here in America. And I refuse to cede that future to other countries.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At A Campaign Event, Green Bay, WI, 11/1/12)

OBAMA TANKED MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON FAILED COMPANIES

A123 SYSTEMS: In October 2012, Taxpayer-Backed A123 Systems, A Maker Of Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries For Electric Cars, Filed For Bankruptcy. “A123 Systems Inc. (AONE), a maker of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, filed for bankruptcy after failing to make a debt payment that was due yesterday. The company listed assets of $459.8 million and debt of $376 million as of Aug. 31 in Chapter 11 documents filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware. Chapter 11 is the section of the Bankruptcy Code used by companies to reorganize.” (Dawn McCarty and Craig Trudell, “Electric Car Battery Maker A123 Systems Files Bankruptcy Papers,” Bloomberg Businessweek, 10/16/12)

ABOUND SOLAR: Abound Solar Was Given A $400 Million DOE Loan Guarantee For “Plans To Open A Massive Solar-Panel Plant In Tipton,” Indiana. “Abound Solar Inc., a Loveland, Colo.-based manufacturer that plans to open a massive solar-panel plant in Tipton, has raised $110 million from investors and closed on a $400 million government loan guarantee to increase its production capacity, the company announced Tuesday.” (“Abound Solar Completes Financing For Tipton Plant,”Indianapolis Business Journal, 12/15/10)

• In July 2012, Abound Solar Announced It Would File For Bankruptcy And Lay Off 125 Employees. “Abound Solar, which filed for a Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, had said last week that it planned to shut down and would lay off 125 employees.” (Caroline Humer, “Abound Solar Files To Liquidate in Bankruptcy,” Reuters, 7/2/12)

AMONIX SOLAR: In July 2012, “Amonix Solar Manufacturing Plant In North Las Vegas, Heavily Financed Under An Obama Administration Energy Initiative, Has Closed Its 214,000-Square-Foot Facility 14 Months After It Opened.” (Hubble Smith, “Amonix Closes North Las Vegas Solar Plant After 14 Months, Heavy Federal Subsidies,” Las Vegas Review-Journal , 7/18/12)

• Since Obama Took Office, Solar Company Amonix Has Received Over $20 Million In Combined Stimulus Grants, Tax Credits, And DOE Funding. (The White House, Accessed 11/1/12; Department Of Treasury, Accessed 11/1/12; Department Of Energy, Accessed 11/1/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Obama’s Defense Priorities: Wrong For Ohio

Obama’s Defense Budget And Inaction On Sequestration Threaten Ohio Jobs

Obama’s FY2013 Defense Budget Would Result In The Loss Of 794 Jobs Across Ohio, Including 209 Full-Time Positions And 485 Part-Time Positions. “According to a news release from the Ohio Adjutant General’s Office, ‘The net result of the proposed Air Force reductions and National Guard mitigation efforts involving Ohio is that 794 total jobs will be lost throughout the state. Of that, 309 are full-time positions and 485 are part-time positions.’” (Ted Hart, “Air Force Proposes Job Cuts In Ohio,” NBC4i, 3/7/12)

OBAMA’S DEFENSE PRIORITIES THREATEN JOBS ACROSS OHIO’S AIR FORCE BASES

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base – Dayton, Ohio

Today, Obama Will Campaign In Dayton, Ohio Where His Defense Cuts Threaten 452 Jobs At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will appear at a rally Tuesday in Dayton at Triangle Park, 2500 Ridge Ave — their first joint appearance at an Ohio campaign event this election cycle.” (Joe Hallet, “Obama-Biden Dayton Venue Announced,” The Columbus Dispatch , 10/19/12)

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Will Lose 452 Positions Under Obama’s FY2013 Budget. “Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will lose 452 positions among active-duty and civilian ranks this year and next, part of a cost-cutting reduction of approximately 10,000 positions across the Air Force, defense officials said Tuesday. The 445th Airlift Wing, the unit at Wright-Patterson that flies C-17 transport aircraft for the Air Force, will see a net gain of 57 positions among weekend and full-time reservists, the Air Force said.” (John Nolan And Barrie Barber, “452 Positions To Be Cut At Wright-Patterson,” Dayton Daily News , 3/6/12)

• The 452 Positions Include 162 Active-Duty Military And 235 Civilian Positions. “The 452 positions — 290 civilian and 162 active-duty military — to be eliminated at Wright-Patterson this year and in 2013 include the base’s net loss of 235 civilian positions previously announced by the Air Force in November and January. The job cuts will affect the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Institute of Technology and the base’s Band of Flight musicians, among others, base spokesman Daryl Mayer said.” (John Nolan And Barrie Barber, “452 Positions To Be Cut At Wright-Patterson,” Dayton Daily News , 3/6/12)

• The Civilian Positions Being Eliminated Involve Intelligence, Surveillance And Reconnaissance Operations. “The bulk of the civilian positions being eliminated involve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, Mayer said.” (John Nolan And Barrie Barber, “452 Positions To Be Cut At Wright-Patterson,” Dayton Daily News , 3/6/12)

Wright-Patterson Drives $4.7 Billion In Business, 27,000 Direct Jobs, And An Estimated 35,000 Off-Base Jobs And Accounts For 14 Percent Of The Gross Domestic Product In The Dayton Area. “The huge military installation just outside Dayton is a full-throated, super-charged engine driving an estimateia: 

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Look Out The Window

As Obama Travels Across The Country In A Last-Minute Bid For Votes, America’s Middle Class Deserves An Explanation For His Failed Policies

 

“Sometimes All President Barack Obama Has To Do Is Look Out The Window To Get A Firsthand Look At The Country’s Economic Woes.” (Julie Pace, “Rough Economy In Clear View For Obama On The Road,” The Associated Press, 10/2/12)

OVER THREE YEARS OF OBAMA’S FAILED POLICIES HAVE LEFT THE MIDDLE CLASS IN A SQUEEZE OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS

“Obama, Who Came Into Office Promising To Bolster The Middle Class And Reduce Inequality, Has Presided Over A Turbulent Economy That So Far Has Done Neither.”“Analysts call continuing high levels of joblessness a prime factor in the income and wealth declines that have continued for most Americans even after the recession ended. Obama, who came into office promising to bolster the middle class and reduce inequality, has presided over a turbulent economy that so far has done neither.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

• “The Tepid Pace Of Job Creation Looms As Perhaps The President’s Biggest Political Vulnerability As His Re-Election Campaign Enters Its Final Weeks.” “The tepid pace of job creation looms as perhaps the president’s biggest political vulnerability as his re-election campaign enters its final weeks. The unemployment rate had been stuck above 8 percent for 43 consecutive months before falling to 7.8 percent in September. Still, nearly 5 million Americans have been out of work for six months or more.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

• “[T]he President’s Policies Have Failed To Ignite Anything Close To The Robust Jobs Growth Needed To Overcome The Horrific Losses Caused By The Downturn.” “The aggressive series of actions helped construct a floor under the most severe economic collapse since the Great Depression, many economists agree. Yet, the president’s policies have failed to ignite anything close to the robust jobs growth needed to overcome the horrific losses caused by the downturn.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

The Washington Post Headline: “Census: Middle Class Shrinks To An All-Time Low”(Carol Morello, “Census: Middle Class Shrinks To An All-Time Low,” The Washington Post , 9/12/12)

“Far From A New Dawn Of Broad-Based Growth, America’s Middle Class Decline Is Getting Worse.” “Second, the hollowing out of America’s middle class – still politely described as median income stagnation rather than ‘decline’ – is accelerating rather than slowing. According to the US Census last week, the US median household is 4.8 per cent poorer now than at the start of the recovery in 2009. Median incomes have now fallen to the pre-internet level of 1993. All of the gains of the Clinton years have been lost. The decline in the past three years follows a 3.2 per cent drop during the recession, which itself followed a shrinkage during the 2000-2007 cycle. Far from a new dawn of broad-based growth, America’s middle class decline is getting worse.” (Edward Luce, “The US Economy Is Still In A Sorry State,” Financial Times, 9/23/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: The Math Doesn’t Work

Obama Claims He Has A $4 Trillion Deficit Reduction Plan But The Obama Campaign Admits His Math Comes Up Short

OBAMA CLAIMS “THE MATH WORKS” BUT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN DOESN’T “EXACTLY DISAGREE” WITH ANALYSIS THAT SHOWS IT DOESN’T

CLAIM: Yesterday In Ohio, Obama Said Of His Plan “The Math Works” For His Alleged Plan. OBAMA: “I’ve got a plan that will actually create jobs, a plan that will actually create middle-class security. And unlike Mr. Romney, I’m proud to talk about what is actually in my plan because my plan adds up. The math works. If you want to take a look, go to BarackObama.com/plans.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Cleveland, OH, 10/26/12)

REALITY: CNN’s Erin Burnett Fact Checks Obama’s Deficit Plan Again And While “The Obama Campaign Did Not Exactly Like Our Analysis But They Also Didn’t Exactly Disagree With Us.” CNN’s ERIN BURNETT: “The plan doesn’t exactly add up. Inside the glossy it says, President Obama’s plan reduces the deficit by more than $4 trillion over the next decade but how he’s going to do it, well that’s still a bit of a mystery. Of course, the Obama campaign did not exactly like our analysis but they also didn’t exactly disagree with us.” (CNN’s “Out Front With Erin Burnett,” 10/26/12)

• CNN’s Erin Burnett: “Does It Add Up To The President’s Promise Of Cutting $4 Trillion From The Debt? Well, No.” CNN’s ERIN BURNETT: “But does it add up to the President’s promise of cutting $4 trillion from the debt? Well, no. The nonpartisan CBO analyzed this budget and concluded and I’ll quote them: ‘Over the 2013-2022 period, the cumulative deficit that would result from enacting the President’s budget – $6.4 trillion (or 3.2 percent of GDP) – would be $3.5 trillion larger than the cumulative deficit projected under current law.’ So, that’s $3.5 trillion in new borrowing they have to pay for before they even start the $4 trillion in cuts.” (CNN’s “Out Front With Erin Burnett,” 10/26/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Third Quarter GDP Report Indicates The New Obama Normal: Stagnation

THE THIRD QUARTER GDP REPORT CONFIRMS AN ANEMIC RECOVERY UNDER OBAMA

The First Of Three Estimates Of Growth For The July-September Quarter Sketched A Picture That’s Been Familiar All Year: The Economy Is Growing At A Tepid Rate…” “The first of three estimates of growth for the July-September quarter sketched a picture that’s been familiar all year: The economy is growing at a tepid rate, slowed by high unemployment and corporate anxiety over an unresolved budget crisis and a slowing global economy.” (“US Economic Growth Improves To 2 Percent Rate In Q3 On Higher Defense, Consumer Spending,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

National GDP Grew By 2 Percent In The Third Quarter. “Real gross domestic product — the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States — increased at an annual rate of 2.0 percent in the third quarter of 2012 (that is, from the second quarter to the third quarter), according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.” (Press Release, “National Income And Product Accounts – Gross Domestic Product: Third Quarter 2012 (Advance Estimate),” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, 10/26/12)

The Average GDP Growth For 2012 Thus Far In The Year Trails That Of 2011. “And the 1.74 percent rate for 2012 trails last year’s 1.8 percent growth, a point GOP nominee Mitt Romney will emphasize.” (Christopher S. Rugaber, “US Economic Growth Improves To 2 Pct. Rate In Q3,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

• “Growth Was Held Back By The First Drop In Exports In More Than Three Years And Flat Business Investment In Equipment And Software.” (Christopher S. Rugaber, “US Economic Growth Improves To 2 Pct. Rate In Q3,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

• “Growth Was Held Back By The First Drop In Exports In More Than Three Years And Flat Business Investment In Equipment And Software.” (“US Economic Growth Improves to 2 Percent Rate In Q3 On Higher Defense, Consumer Spending,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

• Sectors That Previously Drove Growth In The Economy “Are Now Fading.” “While growth remains modest, the factors supporting the economy have changed. Exports and business investment drove growth for most of the recovery, but are now fading. Meanwhile, consumer spending has ticked up. And housing is adding to growth after a six-year slump.” (“U.S. Economic Growth Improves To 2 Percent Rate In Q3 On Higher Defense, Consumer Spending,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

• “Weaker Business Investment Held Back Growth…” “Weaker business investment held back growth in the third quarter, a sign that companies are hesitant to spend amid broad uncertainty over policies in Washington and slowing demand from abroad. Nonresidential fixed investment, a category that includes business spending on structures and equipment, fell 1.3% during the third quarter, compared with a 3.6% gain the prior period.” (Jeffrey Sparshott and Eric Morath, “GDP Rises 2%, Helped By Consumers,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/26/12)

• “Since The Recovery From The Great Recession Began In June 2009, The U.S. Economy Has Grown At The Slowest Rate Of Any Recovery In The Post-World War II Period.” (“US Economic Growth Improves To 2 Percent Rate In Q3 On Higher Defense, Consumer Spending,” The Associated Press , 10/26/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Obama Focused On ObamaCare Instead Of Fixing The Ailing American Economy

Doubling Down

Posted October 24, 2012

Obama Focused On ObamaCare Instead Of Fixing The Ailing American Economy

In Des Moines Register Interview, Obama Has No Regrets That He Focused On ObamaCare Instead Of The Economy. DES MOINES REGISTER: “Yes, that begs a question from us, Mr. President. Some say you had a super majority in your first two years and had this incredible opportunity, but because of what you were talking about, as you were running, you had to go to get ObamaCare done. Do you have any regrets taking on some of the economic issues, some of the issues that we’re talking about for your second term, that when you had the chance, so to speak, during your first — do you have any regrets that you didn’t do that at that time?” OBAMA: “Absolutely not.” (President Barack Obama, Interview With The Des Moines Register, 10/23/12)

OBAMA IGNORED CALLS FROM TOP ADVISERS TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY INSTEAD OF OBAMACARE

In January 2009, “The Vice President Begged Obama To Make His Early Presidency About Jobs” Rather Than Health Care. “As a pure political proposition, Axelrod advised Obama to dedicate himself to the economy and maybe education, that perennial political winner. Now Axelrod suddenly had reinforcements elsewhere in the new administration. At a meeting in January 2009, the vice president begged Obama to make his early presidency about jobs. The people who’d given him his mandate would understand that times had changed, Joe Biden said. ‘They’ll give you a pass on this one.’” (Noam Scheiber, The Escape Artists, 2012, p. 140)

• During A January 2009 White House Meeting, Biden “Railed That The Government Was In No Fiscal Shape To Pursue A Health Care Overhaul” That Year. “At one January meeting to discuss the budget, Mr. Biden railed that the government was in no fiscal shape to pursue a health care overhaul this year – to the dismay of many present and others who heard about it.” (Mark Leibovich, “Speaking Freely, Biden Finds Influential Role,” The New York Times, 3/28/09)

Throughout 2009, Then-Obama Senior Advisor David Axelrod Advised Obama To Focus On The Economy While Then-Chief Of Staff Rahm Emanuel “Begged” Obama Not To Pursue Health Care Reform. “At various points, Vice President Joe Biden, senior advisor David Axelrod and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel advised the president to focus entirely on the economy and leave comprehensive health care for another day. ‘I begged him not to do this,’ Emanuel told me when I was researching my book about Obama’s first year in office.” (Jonathan Alter, Op-Ed, “Barney Frank Makes A Misdiagnosis On ObamaCare,” Bloomberg, 4/19/12)

• Obama Insisted That ObamaCare Be A Year One Priority, “Even Waiting A Year Or Two Was Out Of The Question.” “Still, the man with the most important vote was unmoved. Obama told his aides that if he couldn’t reform health care, another generation would pass before a president tried again. Even waiting a year or two was out of the question. ‘The president’s view was, yes we had to deal with the economic emergency at hand,’ said a White House aide. ‘But if we didn’t move on health care in the first few years, we’d probably never be able to get it done.’” (Noam Scheiber, The Escape Artists, 2012, p. 141)

“[E]ven After Winning The Presidency, Obama Was Loath To Accept That The Economy Was Singularly Important” And Disregarded Calls From Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner For It To Be The Immediate Focus. “But even after winning the presidency, Obama was loath to accept that the economy was singularly important. During a conference call with several senior adies early in the transition, Geithner remarked to his new boss that ‘your signature accomplishment is going to be preventing a Great Depression.’ … Even so, Obama’s response was slightly jarring. ‘That’s not enough for me,’ said the president-elect.” (Noam Scheiber, The Escape Artists, 2012, p. 15-16)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Obama Fails On College Costs

In Des Moines Register Interview, Obama Claims He Made College More Affordable, But A Newly Released Report Shows College Costs Continue To Rise

Obama: “I said that we would make sure to make college more affordable — we have.”(“President Releases Transcript Of Register Interview,” Des Moines Register , 10/24/12)

UNDER OBAMA, COLLEGE COSTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE

In The Past Year, Average In-State Tuition For Four-Year Public Colleges Increased 4.8 Percent. “Average published tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year colleges and universities increased from $8,256 in 2011-12 to $8,655 in 2012-13. The 4.8% increase in tuition and fees was accompanied by a $325 (3.7%) increase in room and board charges for students living on campus. At $9,205, room and board charges account for more than half of the total charges for these students.” (“Trends In College Pricing 2011,” College Board, 2012-13)

• “Room-And-Board Charges Grew By A Comparable Amount, Raising The Full Cost For Students Living On Campus To $17,860.” (“Latest College Cost Hikes Modest, But Still Bite, College Board Figures Show,” The Associated Press , 10/24/12)

In The Past Year, Average Tuition For Public Two-Year Colleges Rose 5.8 Percent.“Average published in-state tuition and fees at public two-year colleges increased by $172 (5.8%), from $2,959 in 2011-12 to $3,131 in 2012-13.” (“Trends In College Pricing 2011,”College Board, 2012-13)

Sandy Baum , Senior Policy Analyst At The College Board : “ The Burden On Students Is Rising.” “‘The burden on students is rising. The federal government cannot and will not continue their (subsidies) at the same rate,’ Baum said.” (Kathleen Kingsbury, “College Costs Stall As Borrowing Falls, Study Says,” Reuters, 10/24/12)

Due To A Decrease In Pell Grants, “The Average Family Is Now Paying $960 More Per Year For A Public College Education Than It Was Three Years Ago, A 49 Percent Increase In Net Costs.” “Overall, federal grants declined to $49 billion last year, after doubling from $26 billion in the fall of 2008 to $52 billion for the 2010-2011 school year, according to the College Board. Policy changes, falling enrollments and economic conditions are all factors behind this drop. A significant cause was the end in 2011 of a three-year experiment that allowed students to qualify for two Pell Grants per calendar year and attend school year-round. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has said the decision to cut the program was made in order to sustain the Pell’s maximum grant at $5,500 amid budget deficits. As a result, the average family is now paying $960 more per year for a public college education than it was three years ago, a 49 percent increase in net costs, the College Board said.” (Kathleen Kingsbury, “College Costs Stall As Borrowing Falls, Study Says,” Reuters, 10/24/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: They Said It! Former Dem State Chair Says CO Is Worst Swing State For Obama

Former State Chairman Of The Colorado Democrat Party Says Colorado Is “The Worst (Swing) State” For Obama

Floyd Ciruli, Former State Chairman Of The Colorado Democrat Party: Colorado Is “The Worst (Swing) State” For Obama. “‘He should be doing better and he isn’t,’ said independent pollster Floyd Ciruli, a former chairman of the state Democratic Party. ‘It’s the worst (swing) state of the bunch for him; isn’t that amazing? It’s the place we thought he could use as a model.’”(Nicholas Riccardi and Kristen Wyatt, “Once Obama Country, Colorado Now Razor-Close,” The Associated Press, 10/24/12)

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THE BIG FAIL: What They Are Saying …

Romney Qualified As Commander-In-Chief In The Face Of Obama’s Desperate Attacks And Empty Promises

 AFTER THREE DEBATES, OBAMA HAS FAILED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT HE IS QUALIFIED FOR FOUR MORE YEARS AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

CNN’s John King: “Three Debates. The Trend Line Is Moving Governor Romney’s Way.” CNN’s JOHN KING: “Three debates. The trend line is moving Governor Romney’s way. In all nine toss-up states, Governor Romney was in a stronger position this morning than he was the day before the first debate, and we have two weeks to election. Now, the movement Romney’s way is now slowed, but it’s still moving Romney’s way. If it keeps moving Romney’s way, even at the slow pace it is right now, he will be the next President of the United States.” ( CNN, 10/22/12)

• VIDEO: CNN’s John King: Trend Line Is Moving Governor Romney’s Way

MSNBC’s Chuck Todd: “The President’s Got Bigger Problems Than Just Disqualify Mitt Romney Now. The President Has To Re-Qualify Himself For A Second Term .“MSNBC’s CHUCK TODD: “Look, the president’s got bigger problems than to just disqualify Mitt Romney now. The president has to re-qualify himself for a second term. I think they’ve made that decision. I think that’s why you see the closing argument style of advertising that they have. That’s being unveiled today. It’s Obama candidate to camera. You look at the president’s closing statement last night. I think they now realize that they don’t have — two weeks is not enough time to have the conversation with voters that they want to have. He missed his opportunity. He blew it in that first debate. If the president tactically, if they lose this election, tactically, the biggest mistake will be the president’s performance in that first debate because it gave him the room to do that.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 10/23/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Voters Wonder Where Obama’s Vision Is For Country As Well As His Facts

ROMNEY HAS BETTER VISION FOR THE COUNTRY THAN OBAMA

CBS’s Charlie Kaye: “In the @CBSNews Instant Poll, 65% say Romney won on the issue of the economy. 34% say Obama won on the economy.” (Charlie Kaye, Twitter Feed, 10/16/12)

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “Look at this. 58%, 58% of debate watchers say Romney would better handle the economy, 40% say President Obama would. That’s issue number one.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/17/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “59% say Romney would do a better job on the deficit, 36% say President Obama would do a better job on the deficit.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/17/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “We also asked who would better handle the issue of taxes. 51% say Romney. 44% say president Obama.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/17/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “49% say Romney would better handle health care, compared to 46% for president Obama. 49-46.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/17/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “We also asked who seemed to be a stronger leader. 49% said Governor Romney, compared to 46% for President Obama.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/16/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “We also asked who spent more time attacking his opponent. 49% said President Obama. 35% said Governor Romney.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/16/12)

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “45% say Romney answered the questions more directly, compared to 43% for President Obama.” (CNN’s “Debate Night In America,” 10/16/12)

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Salena Zito: “I’m sorry but all day every reporter was talking about the Obama Team saying Obama would talk about his vision. Yet not once, not once did he.” (Salena Zito, Twitter Feed, 10/17/12)

CNBC’s Larry Kudlow: “You know I still don’t know what President Obama’s economic growth vision is, I don’t think he outlined it. You know I think Obama was a pretty good counterpuncher tonight. He had a lot more energy going, there’s no question about that. Both these guys had a lot of energy going but at the end of the day, I still don’t know what the president is intending if he’s reelected. I don’t think he made the case. I don’t think he provided a vision. I think he was mostly a counterpuncher and Mitt Romney wouldn’t let him have the counterpunch without the counter-counterpunch. So in that sense it’s a push but I still don’t see what the Obama case is for reelection. I just don’t see it; I didn’t hear it from him.” (CNBC, 10/16/12)\

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Fact Checking Obama At Debate #2: 13 Lies And Counting…

An Assortment Of Obama’s Lies During The Second Presidential Debate

 

LIE #1: OBAMA MISCHARACTERIZED HIS RESPONSE ON LIBYA

THE CLAIM: Obama: “The Day After The Attack, Governor, I Stood In The Rose Garden, And I Told The American People And The World That We Are Going To Find Out Exactly What Happened, That This Was An Act Of Terror.” OBAMA: “Secretary Clinton has done an extraordinary job. But she works for me. I’m the president. And I’m always responsible. And that’s why nobody is more interested in finding out exactly what happened than I did (sic). The day after the attack, Governor, I stood in the Rose Garden, and I told the American people and the world that we are going to find out exactly what happened, that this was an act of terror. And I also said that we’re going to hunt down those who committed this crime. And then a few days later, I was there greeting the caskets coming into Andrews Air Force Base and grieving with the families.” (President Barack Obama, Presidential Debate, Hempstead, N.Y., 10/16/12)

THE FACTS: The Washington Post ‘s Fact Checker: Obama Did Not Say “Terrorism” In The Rose Garden And “It Took The Administration Days To Concede That That It Was An ‘Act Of Terrorism’” Unrelated To The Video. “What did Obama say in the Rose Garden a day after the attack in Libya? ‘No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this nation,’ he said. But he did not say ‘terrorism’-and it took the administration days to concede that that it was an ‘act of terrorism’ that appears unrelated to initial reports of anger at a video that defamed the prophet Muhammad.” (Glenn Kessler, “Fact Check: Libya Attack,” The Washington Post’s The Fact Checker, 10/16/12)

THE FACTS: Politico ‘s Mike Allen: In The Rose Garden, Obama Said “Very Generally, We Will Not Let Acts Of Terror Go Unpunished.” POLITICO’s MIKE ALLEN: “There’s going to be a bunch of fact checks, but just to do a fact check here. When Governor Romney said that Obama had been slow in calling the Libya attack terrorism and the President said ‘oh wait a minute, in the Rose Garden, the day after, I referred to an act of terror’, Candy Crowley stepped in and said that he was right. It’s actually arguable. And I’m looking at the transcript of that White House event the day after and he started by referring to them as selfless acts, which is casted very differently than the sort of very planned action that we now have. Later toward the end, he makes a reference to 9/11 and he says, very generally, we will not let acts of terror go unpunished. So that’s going to be an arguable point.” (Presidential Debate Wrap-Up, Politico Live, 10/16/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Obama Claims To Have Made College More Affordable, ButStudent Loan Debt Continues To Burden Grads Under His Watch

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT, THE AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR THE CLASS OF 2011 HAS INCREASED YET AGAIN TO $26,600

Two-Thirds Of Graduates From The Class Of 2011 Have Student Loan Debt, With An Average Of $26,600, An Increase Of Five Percent From Last Year. “We estimate that two-thirds (66%) of college seniors who graduated in 2011 had student loan debt, with an average of $26,600 for those with loans. The five percent increase in average debt at the national level is similar to the average annual increase over the past few years. (“Student Debt And The Class Of 2011,” The Institute For College & Success, 10/12)

• “It’s The Latest Snapshot Of The Growing Burden Of Student Debt And It’s Another Discouraging One.” It’s the latest snapshot of the growing burden of student debt and it’s another discouraging one: Two-thirds of the national college class of 2011 finished school with loan debt, and those who borrowed walked off the graduation stage owing on average $26,600 – up about 5 percent from the class before.” (Justin Pope, “Average Debt Up Again For New College Grads,” The Associated Press, 10/18/12)

“Ohio Students Who Borrowed For College And Earned A Bachelor’s Degree In 2011 Graduated With An Average Of $28,683 In Student-Loan Debt.” “Ohio students who borrowed for college and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2011 graduated with an average of $28,683 in student-loan debt, which ranked seventh highest in the nation for the second year in a row, a new report finds.” (Encarnacion Pyle, “College Debt Of New Ohio Graduates Rises 3.5%,” Columbus Dispatch, 10/18/12)

• That’s “8 Percent Higher Than The National Average Of $26,600 And A 3.5 Percent Increase Over What Ohio Students Who Graduated In 2010 Owed.”“That’s nearly 8 percent higher than the national average of $26,600 and a 3.5 percent increase over what Ohio students who graduated in 2010 owed on average, according to the report by the Project on Student Debt.” (Encarnacion Pyle, “College Debt Of New Ohio Graduates Rises 3.5%,” Columbus Dispatch, 10/18/12)

• “And Like The Previous Year, 68 Percent Of The State’s 2011 Graduates Left School With At Least Some Student-Loan Debt.” (Encarnacion Pyle, “College Debt Of New Ohio Graduates Rises 3.5%,” Columbus Dispatch, 10/18/12)

New Hampshire Has The Highest Student Loan Debt, With An Average Of More Than $32,000 Per Student, While Pennsylvania Is Second With An Average Of $30,000 Per Student. CNBC’s SCOTT COHN: “Much of the debt is concentrated here in the northeast. Connecticut is the fifth highest debt totaling nearly $28,000. Rhode Island is fourth at just over $28,000 per graduate. Number three is Minnesota with more than 70% of the graduates there in debt, averaging just under $29,000 and Pennsylvania average student debt is just under $30,000, and the most indebted state is New Hampshire, with more than $32,000 in average student debt. Three-quarters of the graduates in New Hampshire have student loans.” (CNBC, 10/18/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: Even Democrats Oppose Obama’s EPA Regulations AgainstCoal In Pennsylvania - Obama’s Energy Bust

After Four Years Of Broken Promises And Higher Energy Costs, America Has Been Left With No Real Energy Policy

OBAMA HAS NO ENERGY POLICY

NBC News’ Chuck Todd Said There’s “No Issue That Has Been … A Bigger Bust For The President Than Energy Policy In General.” MSNBC’s CHUCK TODD: “Very quickly, president’s going down to Miami to give an energy speech. Nia, you’ve been with me, I feel like, on the front lines covering the president from the day he took office. There is no issue that has been a, I guess, a bigger bust for the president than energy policy in general. There’s a lot of, we can come up with a lot of excuses as to why, but boy, it’s just like you can’t – he’s made no progress.” THE WASHINGTON POST’s NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON: “No, he’s made no progress. I remember covering him on the campaign and he would talk about, you know, turning these manufacturing plants into wind turbine plants and it seemed to work then, but, you know, in terms of the reality and on the ground actually success during his presidency, absolutely none.” (MSNBC’s  “The Daily Rundown,”  2/23/12)

In June 2011, Obama Said He’s Failed On Energy, Saying His Energy Policy Is Just A “Hodgepodge.” OBAMA: “Our energy policy still is just a hodgepodge, and for all the progress we’ve made, we’re not where we need to be in making sure that this is an energy-efficient economy that is running on all cylinders.”(President Barack Obama, Remarks By The President At A DNC Event, Miami, FL, 6/13/11)

• Obama: “We Haven’t Had An Energy Policy In This Country That Makes Sense And Frees Ourselves From Dependence On Foreign Oil.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks By The President On The American Jobs Act, Millers Creek, NC, 10/17/11)

OBAMA WAS WRONG TO REJECT THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE

“In A Politically Explosive Decision,” Obama Rejected The Keystone Pipeline, Delaying A Tough Choice Until After The November Elections. “In a politically explosive decision, President Barack Obama on Wednesday rejected plans for a massive oil pipeline through the heart of the United States, ruling there was not enough time for a fair review before a looming deadline forced on him by Republicans. His move did not kill the project but could again delay a tough choice for him until after the November elections.” (Ben Feller and Matthew Daly, “Obama Rejects Canada-Texas Oil Pipeline-For Now,” The Associated Press, 1/18/12)

Via: GOP.com

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THE BIG FAIL: “This Is A Symbol Of Where America Is Going”

Taxpayers Are Paying Millions For Workers At An Electric Car Battery Factory That Has Yet To Produce A Single Battery

WORKERS AT A BATTERY MAKER THAT RECEIVED $151 MILLION FROM THE STIMULUS SPEND THEIR DAYS PLAYING BOARD GAMES AND WATCHING MOVIES

Watch The Story From Holland, Michigan’s WOOD-TV Here

Workers At Stimulus Funded Battery Plant “Have So Little Work To Do That They Spend Hours Playing Cards And Board Games, Reading Magazines Or Watching Movies.” “Workers at LG Chem, a $300 million lithium-ion battery plant heavily funded by taxpayers, tell Target 8 that they have so little work to do that they spend hours playing cards and board games, reading magazines or watching movies. They say it’s been going on for months.” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,” WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

• “‘There’s No Work, No Work At All. Zero Work,’ Another Current Employee Said. ‘It Is What It Is. What Do You Do When There’s No Work?’” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,” WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

Taxpayers Have Spent $7 Million Paying The Idle Workers. “A Target 8 analysis of federal records shows taxpayers spent $7 million to train workers and have paid more than $700,000 for workers’ health and dental insurance.” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,” WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

• 40 Percent Of The $133 Million Spent By The Company So Far Has Gone To Foreign Companies. “The company has spent $133 million so far, most for construction and equipment, records show. About 40% has gone to foreign companies — mostly to Korea, a Target 8 analysis shows.” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,” WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

• $533,000 From The Stimulus Award Was Spent On The Groundbreaking Ceremony. “The company also spent more than $533,000 of that federal grant for the groundbreaking, records show.” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,”WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

“[Workers] Say The Last Of The Materials Needed To Make Battery Cells, Including Chemicals, Was Shipped Back To Korea.” “They say the last of the materials needed to make battery cells, including chemicals, was shipped back to Korea. It’s not clear if that includes any of the $1.8 million in materials paid for with that federal Recovery Act money. Workers say they made test battery cells, starting late last year, perhaps 100,000 or more, and that they did a good job. They say they produced perhaps 4,000 a week. But, they say, that worked ended for the most part last December.” (Ken Kolker, “Volt No Jolt: LG Chem Employees Idle,” WOOD-TV [Holland, MI], 10/18/12)

Via: GOP.com

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