To understand the current ‘debate’ about party ID levels in 2012 polls, check out this chart below the fold. You can’t understand what’s going on without it. Read More
Amidst the tempests of late September, the 2012 campaign this last week was hit by a thunderclap of schadenfreude, as the Republican Party, which has been using baseless claims of voter fraud to disenfranchise voters around the country, was itself embroiled in a scandal involving voter registration fraud. The story centers on a firm called Strategic Allied Consulting employed by the Republican National Committee to do voter registration work in Florida and other states. And the man behind Strategic is someone longtime TPM Readers will definitely remember: Nathan Sproul.
Now, before going any further, let’s clarify one point. Voter registration fraud is not vote fraud. The first is relatively common in the US and the later is extremely rare. And while both are criminal offenses and should be they are apples and oranges when it comes to affecting the outcome of elections. Read More
Another poll of Ohio shows Obama ahead by 9 points. And early voting is about to start in the state.
I just found out a friend of mine has been deeply involved in putting this together: Half the Sky Movement: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.
Check it out.
First, thanks for a whirlwind of comments and feedback on TPMPrime, our new membership section debuting in October. We’ve — I personally — have been gratified and greatly appreciate the response and interest. In case you haven’t seen our discussion so far, here’s my announcement of TPMPrime (what it is, why you should join) and then the follow up post on price.
TPMPrime officially opens its doors on October 15th. And tomorrow, the 1st, we start our launch membership drive.
Here’s how it will work. We need to launch with as many members as possible. So for the next two weeks we’ll be offering only our annual membership ($50). (Later in the month we’ll be introducing a monthly membership rate as well.) Everyone who signs up in the first half of October will be a “Launch member”. No special privileges but a permanent recognition that you were that at the beginning to help us get Prime off the ground. As Mitt Romney might say, “You Built That!”
Remember back in the GOP primaries when, to hear the contenders tell it, Obama was a callow, unvetted pretender who wouldn’t last one punch to his glass jaw during a debate?
Yeah, back then it was all about proving to the GOP base that you were the guy to deliver that punch. Romney had to talk the talk, too, if for no other reason than to fend off Newt Gingrich, whose whole candidacy was premised on throwing the haymaker that would expose Obama for the whole world to see.
All of which makes Romney’s recent effort to lower expectations for the debates more than a little amusing. Check out the big-talking Romney of the winter and spring here.
Monday has arrived. Membership sign-ups for TPMPrime start today. Click here to sign up right now.
TPMPrime officially opens its doors two weeks from today, Monday, October 15th. Today we’re kicking off our two week membership sign-up drive. Everyone who signs up during this period becomes a “Launch Member”. No special privileges just a permanent recognition that you were part of launching this new part of our site. As Mitt Romney might say, You Built That! Having as large a membership base as possible at launch is critical to the success of TPMPrime and the entirety of TPM. I truly hope you can join us today. It means a great deal to me and every member of our organization.
What’s TPMPrime? What’s it cost?
Forget all that just sign me up? Click right here.
If you have any further questions, please email TPMPrime (at) talkingpointsmemo.com
TPM Reader JL looks at Mitt’s challenge going into Wednesday nights debate …
I fear (well, hope, actually) that Mitt’s folks are misreading the main lesson of presidential debates. I think the lesson is not that it’s all about zingers. I think the lesson is that it’s all about demeanor. Think about Al Gore’s sigh, Richard Nixon’s sweaty face and Bush the elder’s not-so-furtive glances at his watch.
Thanks to everyone who’s signed up for TPMPrime already today. Click here to sign up right now.
Are Romney’s struggles dragging down GOP Senate candidates across the country? It looks like they are.