Obama sets sights on Romney in attack
WASHINGTON — Reality has smacked Mitt Romney in the face.
President Barack Obama used the power of the presidency Tuesday to ring the general election's opening bell, declaring in no uncertain terms that he and his mammoth organization are ready to take on Romney—whether the presumptive GOP nominee is ready or not.
And despite what he may say, Romney is not.
The former Massachusetts governor, who won Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington D.C. primaries Tuesday and is on track to claim his party's presidential nomination, is facing a challenge of historic proportions. Just one Republican—Ronald Reagan—has defeated a Democratic incumbent president in the last century. And Romney faces an incumbent with five times more staff, 10 times more money, and the world's greatest bully pulpit.
Using that platform Tuesday, the president criticized Romney by name at the annual meeting of The Associated Press, saying his likely opponent supported a "radical" GOP budget plan he characterized as "thinly veiled social Darwinism." He accused GOP leaders of becoming so extreme that even Reagan, one of the party's heroes, would not win a GOP primary today.
The president's critique came just one day after his campaign launched a TV ad in six general election battleground states that suggested that Romney stood with "Big Oil." And it all comes amid a Democratic effort to paint Romney as part of a Republican Party that Obama's party is casting as too conservative for the country.
Romney hit back after he won primaries, telling cheering supporters in Milwaukee that the president has become "a little out of touch" after "years of flying around on Air Force One, surrounded by an adoring staff of true believers telling you that you're great and you're doing a great job."
Added Romney, "You know, out-of-touch liberals like Barack Obama say they want a strong economy, but in everything they do, they show they don't like business very much."
With that, the contours of the general election were set—and the attack lines unveiled.
Each candidate cast the other as too extreme for the center of the country—speaking directly to the independents who play a critical role in general elections because they determine who wins close races. The number of independent voters in America has swelled. That means they are a top target for both candidates in what Republican and Democratic operatives alike anticipate will be a close election for reasons that include the country's increasingly polarized nature.
As the incumbent, Obama has a built-in advantage and a huge head start. He has spent months wooing the center of the electorate even as he worked to fire up his Democratic base.
Romney has a ton of ground to make up. And, even though he's been eager to shift his campaign to focus on fundraising, building and advertising for the general election, he doesn't have the luxury of doing that in earnest just yet.
His stubborn Republican opponents, inspired by anti-Romney skepticism from the right flank of the party, aren't letting him. And that means Romney will continue—for a while at least—to be at least marginally distracted by an intra-party contest whose outcome has never really been in question.
Tuesday night's victories did little to persuade his overmatched Republican rivals to quit the race.
"The clock starts tonight," chief Republican rival Rick Santorum told supporters gathered in his home state of Pennsylvania, which hosts a GOP primary April 24. "After winning this state, the field looks a little different in May." He predicted his comeback sometime that month, a claim that is both frustrating and somewhat laughable for a growing number of Republicans across the country mindful of the real challenge Obama represents.
Ron Paul, too, is pledging to stay in the race, and Newt Gingrich on Tuesday issued a statement insisting he was "committed to carrying the banner of bold conservative colors all the way to Tampa."
It was a reference to the party's national nominating convention in Florida this summer, where Romney would accept the nomination should he secure the 1,144 delegates needed to win.
Despite the GOP primary distraction, Romney is trying hard to look ahead—no matter how daunting the view.
At the end of February, the president's re-election campaign reported $84.7 million in the bank compared with Romney's $7.3 million—all money raised for the primary. Obama has more than 530 paid staff compared with roughly 100 for Romney. And Obama already has staff distributed in almost every state in the nation, while Romney's team is concentrated in Boston and a handful of primary states.
In recent days, Romney's team has tried to start preparing to tackle the challenges. Aides visited Washington to recruit staffers in hopes of hiring them as soon as the campaign has enough general election money. The campaign recently alerted donors to prepare to raise general election dollars.
Mindful of the need to keep at least one eye on the primary fight, Romney sent a message to Republicans set to vote April 24 in a series of contests: He hasn't forgotten them.
"Tonight, I'm asking the good people of Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island to join me. Join me in the next step toward that destination of Nov. 6, when across America we can give a sigh of relief and know that the Promise of America has been kept," he said. "The dreamers can dream a little bigger, the help wanted signs can get dusted off and be put in the front yard, and we can start again."
Romney cannot fully start again, however, for a little while longer.
Apr 6, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.
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Oh dear, I'd heard it was her Dad's purse.
Apr 6, 2012 at 1 p.m.
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Sarah...Barbara Bush had her purse STOLEN in Argentina while eating in a restaurant. Her sister, Jenna, reportedly was working there as an intern for UNICEF. Nice twisting of the situation.
Apr 6, 2012 at 12:53 p.m.
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Sarah...did they take 13 friends with them? And nobody but nobody is as bad as Obama.
Apr 6, 2012 at 9:59 a.m.
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Well said donnaw. Well said!
Apr 6, 2012 at 9:50 a.m.
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This arrogant narcissistic guy has got to go! Obama thinks he was made King. What a loser!
Apr 6, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.
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This week, Obama announced that "Unlawful Presence Waivers" would be granted to anyone illegally in the U.S. if they can show they are a relative of a U.S. citizen. Bingo, instant amnesty. No Congress needed.
Couple that with the Department of Justice jihad against any state that would require voter identification at the polls and what do you get? Undocumented Democrats tipping the scales in November in swing states like Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Florida.
Apr 6, 2012 at 7:21 a.m.
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This is precisely why we need and independent in Madison and Washington free from democrats and republicans. They will represent the people and not their party the special interest or any individual. Democrats and republicans are the last gasp of the old establishment trying to hang on to what they know is their last chance at power. And sooner or later the American people will wake up and when they do democrats and republicans will finally be finished.
Apr 6, 2012 at 5:32 a.m.
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Latest Obama scandal....the $1 million over the top conference in Vegas for GSA. Even CNN has come down on the administration's oversight of this group. Also Obama's daughter took 13 friends and 25 secret service on Air Force One for a spring break in Mexico. Can you imagine the left's outcry if one of Bush's daughters did this? Had enought yet folks? This arrogant president just doesn't get it. He is so busy campaigning and putting down the supreme court he doesnt have a clue.
Apr 6, 2012 at 3:25 a.m.
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I have never seen a chin like Obama's in this picture on any President before.
I'll vote for anybody but Obama.
Apr 6, 2012 at 12:56 a.m.
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vatoloco don't feed the trolls with multiple accounts.
Apr 5, 2012 at 8:55 p.m.
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http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/...
Apr 5, 2012 at 6:13 p.m.
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More distortions/conflict with FOX as a news source:
http://www.boreme.com/posting.php?id=328... in 2008.
Apr 5, 2012 at 5:50 p.m.
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I wonder how much has George Soros given and is giving to the Obama gang of thugs. The Koch Brothers can't hold a candle to him.
Apr 5, 2012 at 5:46 p.m.
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BTW kay, are you familiar with this story? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWcqxrQg...
FOX news is on record in a court case that it is not illegal to distort the news. They capitalize on that bit of advice regularly. Keeping sponsors and viewers happy. Cheers!
Apr 5, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.
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Kaysbrew -- you are right about FOX being #1. They know that to appeal to the market, they better support your opinions, whether based on facts or fantasy. They are proven liars -- like posting video of police handling a crowd in FL or CA as the backdrop for the protests in Madison last Feb/March. Priceless.
Apr 5, 2012 at 5:21 p.m.
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Well Koch_Bros this is precisely why I have had it with democrats and republicans there either far right or far left the last gasp of the old establishment that should be in the glass case I mentioned. This is why we need the new generation to be free and independent of democrats and republicans.
Apr 5, 2012 at 4:22 p.m.
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I'm convinced Pres. Obama was tipped off by Kagen on the Court case for Obamacare causing the complete breakdown this week. Most of the Democrats have spend the last mouth putting their index finger between their lips and move it up and down repeatedly. Unglued, unhinged, unstable, whatever you want to say. Obama is failing.
Apr 5, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.
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@kay- Bush lost the election 6 months after gas was $4.00 per gallon. You remember, shortly after the financial collapse in 2008 that we are still trying to overcome.Not buying it nor are most people who watch and listen to more that one source of news.I will say that Bush had nothing to do with gas prices, OPEC gets a little greedy every one in a while, but Obama isn't driving the prices either.
Apr 5, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.
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That’s right Koch_Bros as long as it’s not a democrat or a republican that would be ok with me. Democrats and republicans should be put in a glass case that reads” Break GLASS IN THE EVENT OF A COLD WAR” democrats and republicans are the last gasp of the old establishment a bye gone era that ended with the fall of the Soviet Union. This is a new era we need politicians to get with the times. The time has come for a new generation of politicians to rise up and be independent of republicans and democrats and make the old establishment respect the rights of the American people and the State of Wisconsin. I say America for Americans and Wisconsin for Wisconsin independent and free of democrats and republicans. This is from and independent American.
Apr 5, 2012 at 4:03 p.m.
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That's all Obama has done since day one. Denigrate Alinsky style. He won't and can't run on his record.
Apr 5, 2012 at 4:01 p.m.
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When you repeat the truth, Alinsky playbook to denigrate your opponent..with parrot talk for example. Seems you Gandalf have the problem with reality, not me. Can't argue with the truth, so you lash out verbally. It's typical.
Alinsky student, well done.
Apr 5, 2012 at 3:56 p.m.
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lol - you two are too funny. $4.00 per gallon until Bush acted and was $1.81 when he left office and Alinsky? Really? Keep trying.
Elite liberals vs Fox news. The most trusted news network for a reason. lol MSNBC - 600 viewers tops.
Apr 5, 2012 at 3:07 p.m.
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Gandalf Apr 5, 2012 at 2:59 p.m Still citing that flawed study?
Apr 5, 2012 at 3:04 p.m.
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@kaysbrew- Read below about gas prices. You stated that they were $2.00 per gallon when Bush was president.
2008money.cnn.com/2008/06/08/news/economy/gas_prices/Cached
Jun 8, 2008 – Gasoline rose to a milestone mark Sunday as the national average ... The average price is $4 a gallon or more in 14 states and the District of ...
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:43 p.m.
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kidsfirst
FOX is #1 for a reason. We have plenty more on Democrats BLAMING Bush for $2.00! $2.00 how outrageous!!!!!! It's all the Presidents fault.
Democrats cry, whine, blame, and get away with lies. NBCMSNBC fake Martin tape, ABC edits video, CNN debates for 2 days what Zimmerman really said.
If the media did their jobs with Obama like they did with Nixon..done deal, this election would be over before it starts. FOX is #1 because they do it. The left love people like you kidsfirst. They love that you don't go elsewhere for your brain functions. I do, I watch Ed Schultz (insert laugh track) and Rachel Maddow. As long as I can stomach it lets say. Then I go do my homework and guess what? In most cases, they lie! Cover up or just don't tell you what's happening in the world because like WEAC being outed on their 2011 survey - they hide the truth. Or try to.
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:38 p.m.
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or maybe the /s
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:37 p.m.
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OOPS. FORGOT TO ADD THE :)
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:36 p.m.
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NoLeftist Apr 5, 2012 at 2:04 p.m. We have a WINNER of the JAW DROPPER of the day.
Even the most devout lefty knows that there is no record to run on.
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:32 p.m.
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poobah Apr 5, 2012 at 1:33 p.m.
I can't disagree with you here!
Newt reminds me of that somewhat popular kid in high school. He always ran for student council, never won, and couldn't figure out why.
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:20 p.m.
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When gas prices were rising under President Bush, there are video recordings of FOX broadcasters emphasizing how little a President can do about oil costs. Now, they pin the problems on President Obama. . . . Like I said, talk about crybabies and whiners. Obama has made many sound and reasonable efforts to find solutions -- not seeing much from the right except criticism.
Do you really think that shifting the cost of healthcare to individuals will have any impact on the double digit increases in healthcare costs for the past two decades? This has been going on for a very long time. I have correspondence with legislative leaders that dates back at least 13 years. We have a cultural problem that needs to be addressed.
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:13 p.m.
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kay - you apparently have a totally different news source. FOX??
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:04 p.m.
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Obama doesn't need to attack anybody: he can run on his record!
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.
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That's right Feduptaxpayer as long as it is not a democrat or a repubublican.
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:53 p.m.
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kidsfirst
you've got to be joking. Obama had a full house and crammed through the most unpopular of laws without any interference from the GOP. They had no power. 2010 was the people rising up against that tyranny. His failure, Barak's failures are everywhere to be seen in the economy today. 2-1/2 years of high unemployment, double gas prices, failing housing market, poor still more poor then ever, and above all the wars he has created on the American people. War on Cambridge cops, war on home owners, war on moms who need to drive kids around, war on young americans wanting to go to college and can't get loans, war on our healthcare system, war on the individuals who work hard and are successful. How dare you be successful!!!
LOLOLOLOL - he's in trouble and he knows it.
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:41 p.m.
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kay, fed up, et al. Literate and attentive citizens know that the goal of the GOP was for Obama to fail no matter the cost to their constituents. Obama nearly lost the support of his constituents by working so hard to get compromise and solutions both sides could agree to support.
`````` Now, he is on! I say forget the GOP- we will vote them out of office. TeaParty members have proven themselves to be childish whiners who want what they want or they will not budge. Talk about crybabies. If they can't get everything on their list, they work hard to prevent others from moving a workable agenda forward. Recall Walker and every other obstructionist until we can have people in office who genuinely care for the electorate, not Mr. Corporate money bags.
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:33 p.m.
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"Newt Gingrich's health care think tank files for bankruptcy" [ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/U... ]
Headline of the day! Any think tank associated with Newt was intellectually and morally bankrupt the minute it incorporated!
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:31 p.m.
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In a liberal's eyes, any money you are allowed to keep is a "giveaway" because all money is the government's in the first place: it decides how much you get to keep. Thus, if the government used to take 40% of your income under threat of imprisonment and then only took 34%, that is a "giveaway."
Not a difficult concept, which is why liberals are attracted to it.
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:09 p.m.
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Well Romney may have won the primary but just remember we got a long way to November and a lot can happen between now and then. This also does not guarantee that anyone is a shoe in to win this election.
Apr 5, 2012 at 1 p.m.
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Cynical,
Please expound on your thinking. I don't see where Romney has stolen from the poor to give to the rich. In fact, from what I have studied about his time as Governor, he did the opposite.
Apr 5, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.
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Barak
stealing from the poor and middle class and giving to the government.
Apr 5, 2012 at 12:44 p.m.
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Romney: stealing from the poor to give to the rich. A reverse Robin Hood.
Apr 5, 2012 at 12:44 p.m.
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Third_Eye, "hope and change" is what people that can't see beneath the surface would summarize as the basis of his campaign... The brilliance of his campaign had nothing to do with hope or change, but with very sophisticated behind the scenes strategies. Obama's strategists out-maneuvered Hillary's campaign at almost every turn. And it now appears Romney's campaign is terribly unprepared to deal with the superior strategists in the Obama campaign.
Apr 5, 2012 at 11:54 a.m.
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President Obama's impressive campaign performance in 2008 was based on his hope and change agenda.
In 2012 their is no hope to be hyped and the change has been to the negative.
President Obama's downfall in the 2012 campaign will not be lack of money or organization, but the economy and his arrogance.
Economic issues will hang heavy over the 2012 Presidential race. Instead of offering an alternative idea, President Obama chooses to respond with arrogant statements like "radical", and "social darwinism" which will not help his cause.
Based on the present unemployment/gas prices/inflation issues, if the election were held today a 'dead man' could defeat Candidate Obama.
Apr 5, 2012 at 9:59 a.m.
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Hey, Barak - run on your record....oh wait, you can't. Doesn't really matter, we all feel it. At the grocery store, at the pump, at the unemployment line, paying our utility bill.
Apr 5, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.
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The Obama machine turned in one of the, if not the, most impressive campaign performances in the 2008 Democrat presidential primary. This strategy of painting Romney as a conservative is brilliant. It forces Romney to deny being too conservative at the same time he is required to appear to be conservative enough to head off Santorum in the last half of the Republican primaries. If he doesn't deny Obama's charges it appears to voters that he is not ready to handle the pressure of the general election. The Obama machine strategy puts Romney between a rock and a hard place. Another brilliant strategy by the Obama machine.
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