May 8, 2012 - Pensito

Voters: Obama More Likable Than Romney

May 8, 2012 Buck Banks

61% to 33%

Of U.S. registered voters say Barack Obama is more likable than Mitt Romney. Obama also leads on perceived leadership and caring, and ties Romney on managing government and issue agreement, according to Gallup.

Prez Campaign Like a ‘Handjob in a Bangkok Bathhouse’

May 8, 2012 Buck Banks

The people who work for the wire services and the news networks are physically incapable of writing sentences like, ‘This election is even more over than the Knicks-Heat series.’ They are required, if not by law then by neurological reflex, to describe every presidential campaign as ‘fierce’ and ‘drawn-out’ and ‘hotly-contested.’ … But this campaign, relatively speaking, will not be fierce or hotly contested. Instead it’ll be disappointing, embarrassing and over very quickly, like a hand job in a Bangkok bathhouse. And everybody knows it. It’s just impossible to take Mitt Romney seriously as a presidential candidate. Even the news reporters who are paid to drum up dramatic undertones are having a hard time selling Romney as half of a titanic title bout.

— Matt Taibbi, writing in Rolling Stone magazine.

Half of Americans Favor Same-Gender Marriage

May 8, 2012 Buck Banks

50%

Of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid — down slightly from 53% last year, but still the second highest in Gallup’s history of tracking this question.

Santorum’s Non-Endorsement Endorsement of Romney

May 8, 2012 Jon Ponder

Email is insufficient for some things — like breaking up a romance, quitting a job and this:

Rick Santroum sent an email to his supporters on Monday night announcing that he would back Mitt Romeny for the presidency and that everyone needs to support “our nominee” to defeat Barack Obama. In a long explanation, which is also posted on his website, Santorum says that he spoke to Romney last week and received assurances that “family and its foundational role in America’s economic success” are also important to the former governor, too. He also says that he’s “comfortable” with Romney’s foreign policy positions and that he’s convinced Romney will repeal Obamacare if elected, so don’t worry about all that stuff I said about him being a terrible candidate…

It’s slightly telling that Santorum chose to make the endorsement in writing, rather than in person, as most failed politicians do. There may be a time in the not-too-distant future where the two rivals publicly make amends, but doing it in this way allows Santorum to stand behind the party while keeping Romney honest.

Day: May 8, 2012

Voters: Obama More Likable Than Romney

61% to 33%

Of U.S. registered voters say Barack Obama is more likable than Mitt Romney. Obama also leads on perceived leadership and caring, and ties Romney on managing government and issue agreement, according to Gallup.

Prez Campaign Like a ‘Handjob in a Bangkok Bathhouse’

— Matt Taibbi, writing in Rolling Stone magazine.

Half of Americans Favor Same-Gender Marriage

50%

Of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid — down slightly from 53% last year, but still the second highest in Gallup’s history of tracking this question.

Santorum’s Non-Endorsement Endorsement of Romney

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.