Please, Media, ask Mitt: “Where Do You Stand on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?”

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Obama for America Deputy Campaign Manager Stephanie Cutter issued the following statement in reaction to the Romney campaign’s series of answers on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:

 “It’s troubling that Mitt Romney’s campaign still can’t get their answer straight on where Mitt Romney stands on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which gives women greater ability to enforce in court their right to fair pay. From the six seconds of silence six months ago when they were first asked this question, to a top aide’s walk back of a statement last night that Mitt Romney wouldn’t have supported the law when it was passed, the Romney campaign is making what should be an easy answer extremely complicated. But, for millions of women, there is nothing complicated about it. As the President said last night, this is not just a women’s issue, it’s a family issue and an economic issue. Three weeks out from an election, the American people need a clear and final answer on whether Mitt Romney would have signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act into law – and whether or not he would sign the Paycheck Fairness Act that President Obama has been fighting for.”

As with his hidden taxes, Mitt only reveals anything when he’s under pressure to do so. On issues, either policy or personal, where he and his campaign don’t want to be swayed into doing something, even political embarrassment isn’t sufficient to compel them. But they will yield some ground on that, under pressure. The media is, as a group–if not passive–unproductive about investigations in this vein. This is one where the campaign press really ought to be able to get Mitt to say where he stands on this landmark law mandating equal pay for women.

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How PBO Won Debate #2

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I thought tonight’s tilt was a clear win for President Obama. On temperament, on substance, on connecting with the voter questioners, he was dominating and persuasive. And Romney’s utter failure of clarity on Libya gives a great set-up for the president leading in to the third and final contest, where the two men will be seated at a table in front of Bob Schieffer discussing foreign policy. Below is my Twitter feed from during tonight’s debate, from the end of the evening, on down to the beginning.

Tweets
Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
Wow, what a diff bet Debate 1 & 2! PBO was dominating, tough&strong while Mitt was testy&unappealing. A clear win for the Pres! ‪#obama2012‬

David Wilk ‏@dwilk
Chris Matthews: “‪#Romney‬ is like the guy who won’t turn off his cell phone in the plane” accurate and telling. Arrogance of monied power.
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
Ann Romney looks stricken. ‪#Obama2012‬ ‪@ofadebates‬

Michelle Goldberg ‏@michelleinbklyn
Is it just me or was that debate as bad for Romney as the first one was for Obama?
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Andrew Sullivan ‏@sullydish
Mitt’s answer to easiest question imaginable was so sad. He boasted of universal healthcare as sign of his compassion. ‪http://thebea.st/V7xk8A ‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

27mDan Froomkin ‏@froomkin
Big finish for Obama, hanging Romney on his 47 percent comment, and no time for rebuttal
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Ryan Chapman ‏@chapmanchapman
Great last question, really. Condenses all those ads & speeches into one response. ‪#debates‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

mmichaelhirsh ‏@michaelphirsh
Whoa. Obama saves his 47 percent ref for last … smart, effective. And no chance for comeback. He wins, no question.
Retweeted by Philip Turner

The New Yorker ‏@NewYorker
RT ‪@tadfriend‬: Obama is better when he gets angry, as he did on the LIbya question. Romney is worse. ‪http://nyr.kr/S2kXql ‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd
Romney hasn’t been same since the Libya question and “act of terror” mistake
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Ted Strickland ‏@Ted_Strickland
The contrast between the President & Romney is stark & the POTUS made it crystal clear in tonight’s debate he is the choice‪#TeamBarack‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
‪@ofadebate‬ ‪#Obama2012‬ In addition to being smarmy tonight, Mitt’s been really boring. His answers are dull. PBO’s been sharp by comparison.

ben schwartz ‏@benschwartzy
“Please proceed, governor” is the new “fuck you.”
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
‪#Obama2012‬ ‪@ofadebates‬ Is there still time for the 47% to come up? Please . . .

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
“Self-deportation.” Mitt won’t own the expression.

Angela Baker ‏@bakerac1
yes! ‪@RomneysBinder‬ is already a ‪@Twitter‬ handle
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Andrew Rice ‏@riceid
Romney makes finding qualified women for executive jobs sound like taking an arduous expedition into the rainforest
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
Mitt’s little tantrums show him in a very unappealing light.‪@ofadebates‬ ‪#Obama2012‬

rachelsklar ‏@rachelsklar
YEAH KATHERINE FENTON! ‪#LilyLedbetter‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
“Binders full of women.” Huh? Mitt’s not making sense. ‪@ofadebates#Obama2012‬

Howard Fineman ‏@howardfineman
Mitt balanced the budget of the Olympics with federal money
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
“Of course they add up.” That’s a statement that should come back to haunt Mitt. ‪@ofadebates‬ ‪#Obama2012‬

John Aravosis ‏@aravosis
Woah, Romney’s numbers just plummeted to rock bottom among CNN’s insta-focus group while he was interrupting Candy.
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Russ Gordon ‏@CDNz1
‪@philipsturner‬ ‪@OFADebates‬ I was thinking selfish pouty child.‪#Obama2012‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Taegan Goddard ‏@politicalwire
Romney doesn’t do testy very well. The trend lines are sinking fast on CNN…
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Brent Colburn ‏@cbrentcolburn
At least he isn’t just interrupting the President–its the moderator, too–that coolness under pressure ‪#RealRomney‬
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
“‪@thegarance‬: Mitt Romney’s debate message to America: I do what I want, to hell with the rules. ‪#debate‬” It ain’t pretty.

Andrew Kaczynski ‏@BuzzFeedAndrew
Candy Crowley will not be Jim Lehrered.
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
Mitt’s coming off as a condescending jerk. ‪@ofadebates#Obama2012‬

Markos Moulitsas ‏@markos
I like this Obama much better.
Retweeted by Philip Turner

Philip Turner ‏@philipsturner
PBO’s on his game. Mitt seems weak, and smarmy, Also, tried gaming Candy Crowley, but she wouldn’t have it. ‪@OFADebates#Obama2012‬

 

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Stunning Video on Sensata, Company Currently Suffering the Bain Treatment

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I’ve been hearing about Sensata, one of the many manufacturing companies that Bain has wrecked, and that they’re closing their Freeport, Illinois plant and moving the jobs China. This video, made by the union of the United Steel Workers, tells the whole story from the workers’ POV in about six minutes. For a briefing on Sensata, here’s coverage from editorial writer Chuck Sweeny in the Rockford Register Star (IL). Unlike many of the wreckages created by Bain that have been covered during the presidential campaign, Sensata is unique in that the workers there have not all lost their jobs yet. Unbelievably, they have found themselves training some of their Chinese replacements. The end is supposed to come later this year, not until after the election. Watch the video, and bring a tissue.

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Demolition Derby on Debate Day/Part II

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Afternoon update to my morning post on the latest fact-check from Glenn Kessler at The Washington Post debunking Romney’s unsupported and dishonest claim that he’d create 12 million jobs in four years. Kessler gave Mitt’s claim the dreaded “Four Pinocchios” after which the Obama for America campaign released the following statement by National Press Secretary Ben LaBolt:

“In yet another instance of Mitt Romney’s campaign not telling the truth, it turns out that the numbers behind his ‘jobs plan’ just don’t add up. For months, Romney has pledged to create 12 million jobs over his first term—a number economists project will be created under current policy—but the numbers he’s cited for his claims aren’t based on evaluations of his plan and are ‘squishy’ at best. Mitt Romney thinks he can run out the clock by not coming clean about policy details, but the American people deserve the truth about his plans. And the truth is that economists have concluded that the severe cuts he would make like education, research and development, manufacturing and infrastructure could eliminate 1 million jobs and shrink economic growth by 1 percent.”

The supporting sources for his tax ‘plan’ have never squared with his rhetoric and claims. Turns out the same is true of his jobs ‘plan.’ This pretty much tells the full tale of the Romney campaign–claims not supported by evidence or the truth. Just 3 hours till debate time, it’s so clear that President Obama must indict Romney for his athletic and ambidextrous falsehoods and deceptions. Do it tonight, please!

 

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Demolition Derby on Debate Day

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If President Obama does as well in demolishing Mitt Romney in tonight’s debate as the material I’ve found online so far today does it could be a very good night for DEMs and the president.

In the Plum Line this morning Greg Sargent points to an analysis by his Washington Post colleague Glenn Kessler debunking the notion that Mitt Romney’s jobs plan would create 12M jobs over the next four years, documenting in fact that it’s all built on a bogus foundation. It’s amazing that the Romney campaign would point reporters to material that doesn’t actually support their case. What did they imagine–that no one would be reviewing the sources?

In addition, the Obama campaign offers this incisive video of President Clinton demolishing Mitt Romney’s tax cut fictions.

I will be away from my desk a large part of the day, but will add to this post or do additional ones before the debate tonight as I find more material in the above vein.

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President Obama to Floridians at 3:35 PM: From “Severely Conservative” to “Severely Kidding”

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Just got this fresh videotape from the Obama campaign of the president mocking Mitt’s sudden and false concern for the middle class, Medicare, teachers, and his disavowal of the $5B tax break for the wealthy that’s still on his website. It’s as if PBO says Mitt’s trying to induce amnesia throughout America, about what he campaigned on for the past 18 months, and about what the previous Repub admin did to the country (leading us into an unnecessary war; neglecting an American jewel city, New Orleans; and the worst financial disaster in 70 years).

Videotape and transcript below.

 

“Now, what does he have to say this new version of Mitt Romney about all the things he’s actually promised to do as president? Tax breaks for outsourcers? Never heard such a thing. Saying we should cut back on teachers? Doesn’t ring a bell. Don’t boo. Vote. Kicking 200,000 young Floridians off their insurance plans. Who me? And when he’s asked about the cost of his tax plan, he just pretends it doesn’t exist. What $5 trillion tax cut? I don’t know anything about a $5 trillion tax cut. Pay no attention to the $5 trillion tax cut on my website. Look, Governor Romney thinks we have not been paying attention for the last year and a half. He is going to say whatever it takes to try to close the deal and he’s counting on the fact that you don’t remember that what he’s selling is exactly what got us into this mess in the first place. So Florida, you got to let him know we remember. We know full well that if he gets a chance, Governor Romney will rubber stamp the top down agenda of this Republican Congress the second he takes office and we cannot afford that future.”

 

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Romney-Ryan Ticket Spends the Day** Before the VP Debate Discussing their Abortion Stance

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From the Obama Campaign comes a round-up of all the unflattering coverage of Mitt’s jitterbug over abortion policy, first raised in a conversation yesterday with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register (covered earlier by me in Mitt’s Serial Dishonesty, this Time on Abortion & Women’s Health). While the Repub campaign spent the day assuring religious conservatives that he remains firmly anti-choice, DEMs pointed out for the benefit of all voters just how destructive a Romney presidency would be for women’s health and women’s freedom. I bet this is going to come up in the Biden-Ryan debate tomorrow night, because of the really extreme legislation that Paul Ryan has co-sponsored in the House, including bills with the odious Todd Akin, Mr. “Legitimate Rape,” who made himself notorious by expressing his belief that women supposedly lie about being raped, to give them access to abortion. Here’s that extensive round-up from the Obama team, with many examples of Mitt being called out for his false moderation, with links and headlines.


The Reviews Are In: Mitt Romney’s Abortion Dishonesty Gambit Backfired

 Just four weeks before the election, Mitt Romney thought he could pull the wool over women’s eyes by not telling the truth about his extreme anti-choice agenda. But his gambit backfired and, in the process, Romney reminded women across America about his extreme positions:

 Associated Press: “A day after Mitt Romney downplayed his plans to fight abortion, social conservatives on Wednesday offered the Republican presidential nominee a not-so-subtle reminder of his pledge to do ‘everything in my power to cultivate, promote, and support a culture of life in America.’”

 New York Times: “Perhaps Mr. Romney just meant he did not know of any specific bills that would restrict abortion. But he might want to check in with his running mate, Paul Ryan, who co-sponsored the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,’ and helped introduced the term ‘forcible rape’ into the national conversation.”

 Politico: “For the third time in a week, Mitt Romney has taken a prominent U-turn on something that’s supposed to be a matter of fundamental principles.”

 Talking Points Memo: “Perkins said the Romney campaign called him soon after Romney’s remarks were published by the Des Moines Register and assured him it didn’t represent a shift by Romney from his support for pro-life issues.”

Huffington Post: “‘I have looked him in the eye and talked about this issue, [and] I absolutely believe in my heart and know that he is personally committed to a pro-life agenda as president,’ [Governor Chris] Christie said. ‘If you trust me on this issue … I know what his agenda is. I know what he believes. I know that he stands for a strong pro-life agenda.’”

The Fix ‏@TheFix  So Romney and Ryan have spent the entire day before the VP debate talking about the ticket’s abortion position? http://ow.ly/enzfc **

 Robin Abcarian ‏@robinabcarian At stop in FLA, Ryan says no daylight between his position on abortion and Mitt Romney’s. Ryan supports personhood and rape redefinition.

Josh Marshall ‏@joshtpm  Just last year Mitt pledged to ‘advocate & support’ law banning many abortions. http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/269984/my-pro-life-pledge-mitt-romney …

Joy Reid ‏@TheReidReport Unreal. Un… Real …. Romney Reiterates: ‘I’m A Pro-Life Candidate’ http://huff.to/T65wuv  via @HuffPostPol

Click through to see more of today’s headlines on this latest example of Mitt Romney’s false moderation.

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Mitt’s Serial Dishonesty, this Time on Abortion & Women’s Health

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I just got off an Obama campaign conference call for journos and bloggers with Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, and Stephanie Cutter of Obama for America. The two women pointed out that Mitt’s unabashed dishonesty was on full display yesterday when he told the editorial board of the Des Moines Register that “no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.” Soon after, his spox Andrea Saul reversed course, telling National Review that Romney would “of course” support “pro-life” legislation as president. Then, she sent the AP a statement saying Romney would be a “pro-life president,” though she gave no details about what that would actually mean in terms of the law. Whew, what a dizzying whirl of spin!

In fact, as Richards and Cutter explained, Mitt has promised to sign laws overturning legal abortion and to appoint judges who would rule Roe V. Wade unconstitutional. It’s just one more sign of how dishonest Romney is that he’s trying to hide what he really believes, but as they said, “there’s no hiding when you’re president.” The two emphasized that they don’t believe he’s changed his mind on these issues, instead he’s just trying to soften and blur the hard edges of them. What’s more, if he were to be elected, the radical right-wing of the Repubs would have their way in the House of Representatives, a caucus that has sponsored and voted on a great many anti-choice bills.

They added that despite Ms. Saul’s attempt to downplay the significance of Mitt’s lie to the newspaper, it’s not going to work, because these are issues of fundamental concern to hundreds of thousands of women, and men. Richards concluded her remarks with a reminder that every dollar spent on family planning saves $4 down the road, in avoiding unintended pregnancies. Last, in an email associated with this call, the Obama campaign shared the hardline pledge that Mitt took last June in an exchange of correspondence with anti-abortion groups. You may click through to read Romney’s pledge.

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