jerseyhoya wrote:DONALD TRUMP appears to be endorsing NOOT tomorrow

Really think I might need to reregister Independent of Mitt doesn't win the nomination

Let's face it, it's getting pretty close to the point your closer to a conservative dem than a Republican anyway.

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:McDonnell is one of the most popular governors in America though.

Because he's the consummate politication and hasn't done anything too extreme while in office that would create a backlash here, i.e., job disapproval ratings. And his approval ratings are typically tied to him rather than his policies... the polls that ask about whether Virginians approve of the majority of his policies typically show a greater than 10% drop.

Most people don't know what their governor actually does. If they're happy with how things are going and he has a 2/1 approval rating in a swing state and he's not doing anything too extreme and is the consummate politician, those seem to be arguments against his creepiness/being a liability as VP.

You're missing my point. I really don't know how to state it more clearly. Dude has baggage, from his prior absurd statements to anti-gay policy decisions to his longtime political affiliations (Pat Robertson). He can get away with it here, especially when the VA Dem Party didn't have a ready-for-primetime candidate in 2009, but probably can't get away with it on a national level.

His biggest brag line is balancing the state budget (which is required by our constitution), and he only pulled that off by relying heavily on federal stimulus dollars and borrowing against the state employees' pension plan. This time around, he's proposed cutting education spending to pay for his complicated transportation package but is still increasing the overall budget... small government conservativism for ya.

So let Romney tap him as a VP candidate. He brings credibility in a swing state (kinda), but at the expense of adding more religious nutjobbery to a GOP ticket that'll already be rife with it. That'll really woo the moderates.

Everyone in politics has baggage. Our current president attended a church where the pastor shouted about hating America an awful lot, and had one of his first political events at the home of a domestic terrorist. That stuff usually doesn't matter too much unless it's really bad or if the politician is inept. Live boy/dead girl, or something that cuts directly against the argument you're trying to make like adding Palin to the ticket damaging the argument from McCain that Obama wasn't ready to govern on day one. And if he can get away with it in maybe the most important swing state in the country, that points to the baggage not being quite so heavy. Hell the ticket probably needs more religious "nutjobbery" considering Romney's religious affiliation.

McDonnell's biggest problem I think is that he's a boring white guy.

The Nightman Cometh wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:DONALD TRUMP appears to be endorsing NOOT tomorrow

Really think I might need to reregister Independent of Mitt doesn't win the nomination

Let's face it, it's getting pretty close to the point your closer to a conservative dem than a Republican anyway.

I'm further from a conservative Dem than almost anything else.

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:CNN and Drudge suggesting Trump's endorsement may go to Romney. Can you feel the excitement building?

Fox & Friends was seriously discussing Trump as being a viable independent candidate. They thought the announcement is that he isn't endorsing anyone to keep his options open.

The latter is entirely possible given the level of Trump's narcisism. The former is beyond hilarious.

He could have had impact on the race as a third party candidate if he attempted a vanity run. He wouldn't have been viable in the sense that he could have actually won, but he could have picked off enough voters to swing the election one way or the other. I doubt he could have won as many votes as Perot, but even a few percent could make a difference. The direction he would have swung it would depend on if it was 2000 Trump calling for nationalized healthcare and higher taxes on the rich or 2011 Trump ranting about birth certificates and whatnot. I'm sure the Romney people feel like Mitt taking one on the chin and coming out with Trump today is probably worth lowering the odds of Trump's ego telling him to get into the race as an independent and screwing up Romney's chances of beating Obama.

jerseyhoya wrote:

The Nightman Cometh wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:DONALD TRUMP appears to be endorsing NOOT tomorrow

Really think I might need to reregister Independent of Mitt doesn't win the nomination

Let's face it, it's getting pretty close to the point your closer to a conservative dem than a Republican anyway.

I'm further from a conservative Dem than almost anything else.

*fiscally conservative

Is there anyone out there who really thinks that the consequences of the Citizen's United decision has really been good for American politics? Aside from the campaign consultants who are raking in the cash?

I mean, even the plutocrats must be realizing that there are some very wealthy lunatics who have nothing better to do than to make large campaign contributions in order to keep the spectacle that is the Republican Presidential nominating process going aren't doing anyone any favors.

TenuredVulture wrote:Is there anyone out there who really thinks that the consequences of the Citizen's United decision has really been good for American politics? Aside from the campaign consultants who are raking in the cash?

I mean, even the plutocrats must be realizing that there are some very wealthy lunatics who have nothing better to do than to make large campaign contributions in order to keep the spectacle that is the Republican Presidential nominating process going aren't doing anyone any favors.

Would it be better if Adelson was funding a 527 or 501c4?

From an article about the woman who asked Obama about her unemployed husband during the web town hall:

"Obama expressed surprise during their exchange that Darin Wedel was out of work, saying that the word he was getting from industry was that fields like semiconductor engineering were in demand and Darin Wedel should be able to get a job. Obama also said he found the situation "interesting," a comment Republicans have subsequently used to attack the president by suggesting he's out of touch with the concerns of the unemployed."

As opposed to say, oh, I don't know, Mitt Romney who would have told her that he isn't worried and neither should she because her husband has the safety net of unemployment insurance to fall back on. I wonder how Mrs. Wedel, who is a Republican, feels about social programs right now.


Here is the whole article:

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-helps-woman ... 30675.html

jerseyhoya wrote:

The Nightman Cometh wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:DONALD TRUMP appears to be endorsing NOOT tomorrow

Really think I might need to reregister Independent of Mitt doesn't win the nomination

Let's face it, it's getting pretty close to the point your closer to a conservative dem than a Republican anyway.

I'm further from a conservative Dem than almost anything else.

Are you more similar to a Maine senator or to the president of the university of Oklahoma? Or not really like either?

traderdave wrote:From an article about the woman who asked Obama about her unemployed husband during the web town hall:

"Obama expressed surprise during their exchange that Darin Wedel was out of work, saying that the word he was getting from industry was that fields like semiconductor engineering were in demand and Darin Wedel should be able to get a job. Obama also said he found the situation "interesting," a comment Republicans have subsequently used to attack the president by suggesting he's out of touch with the concerns of the unemployed."

As opposed to say, oh, I don't know, Mitt Romney who would have told her that he isn't worried and neither should she because her husband has the safety net of unemployment insurance to fall back on. I wonder how Mrs. Wedel, who is a Republican, feels about social programs right now.


Here is the whole article:

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-helps-woman ... 30675.html

So by asking her to send her husband's resume to him, thereby ensuring that his name will be repeated in the media, and in turn ensuring that some company will offer to hire him (if only for the free advertising)... he's out of touch?

Is anyone outside of the Hannity/Rush/Noot crowd actually trying to make that LOL-bad argument?

That article also points out that the wife wants Obama to limit the number of visas given to highly-skilled foreign workers. Brilliant. So instead those highly-skilled foreign workers will advance competitive businesses in those foreign countries and compete with US companies.

We want highly-skilled workers in this country. Period.

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:That article also points out that the wife wants Obama to limit the number of visas given to highly-skilled foreign workers. Brilliant. So instead those highly-skilled foreign workers will advance competitive businesses in those foreign countries and compete with US companies.

We want highly-skilled workers in this country. Period.

If we had highly skilled workers who fit the categories, I assure you that they are first in line for the job. H1B Visas are a bitch to manage and very expensive. The fact is that for jobs where you want the best in the world, you need to look around 'the world' to get the skills. We are not talking guys who carry sheet rock to the third floor or gals working the customer service lines. Besides, we want those people in the US working on US based projects. I am not talking about smart people, I am talking about elite thinkers. Step up and compete, there are jobs for you just waiting.

BTW, H1B workers generally cost MORE then American workers, so it is not like we get some back water discount on these people and the processing/sponsoring costs are tens of thousands of dollars. Companies are sure they have the right person before the process, which can take over a year, ever begins.

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:Is anyone outside of the Hannity/Rush/Noot crowd actually trying to make that LOL-bad argument?

I thought this was such a good question that I tried to find an answer thinking that if it ws the Hannities and Rushes of the world it could easily be ignored. However,

"At a rally in Eagan, Minn., on his way to a nighttime rally in Las Vegas, Romney did not mention the three other GOP contenders. Instead, he mocked Obama for recently telling a woman that he found it hard to understand how her husband, an engineer, could not find a job (Obama cited high demand for engineers). "Is he so detached from reality? Does he not understand what's going on in America?" Romney said."

traderdave wrote:

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:Is anyone outside of the Hannity/Rush/Noot crowd actually trying to make that LOL-bad argument?

I thought this was such a good question that I tried to find an answer thinking that if it ws the Hannities and Rushes of the world it could easily be ignored. However,

"At a rally in Eagan, Minn., on his way to a nighttime rally in Las Vegas, Romney did not mention the three other GOP contenders. Instead, he mocked Obama for recently telling a woman that he found it hard to understand how her husband, an engineer, could not find a job (Obama cited high demand for engineers). "Is he so detached from reality? Does he not understand what's going on in America?" Romney said."

lol awesome. Obama's peeps have to be licking their chops at a campaign with either of these clowns. Romney is the GOP's version of the 2004 Kerry ticket.

That's straight out of the GOP playbook: Hit the person with the same stick they plan to hit you with, except do it harder and try to do it first. It helps inoculate Mitt against Obama saying the same thing about him, which I'm sure he plans to do given how filthy rich Mitt is.

Also, Mitt's father was born in Mexico (true) and I think Mitt might be a mexican spy sent to allow all the mexicans across the border to steal our jobs. He may also be a terrorist or the anti-Christ, but I'm not sure about those.

thephan wrote:

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:That article also points out that the wife wants Obama to limit the number of visas given to highly-skilled foreign workers. Brilliant. So instead those highly-skilled foreign workers will advance competitive businesses in those foreign countries and compete with US companies.

We want highly-skilled workers in this country. Period.

If we had highly skilled workers who fit the categories, I assure you that they are first in line for the job. H1B Visas are a bitch to manage and very expensive. The fact is that for jobs where you want the best in the world, you need to look around 'the world' to get the skills. We are not talking guys who carry sheet rock to the third floor or gals working the customer service lines. Besides, we want those people in the US working on US based projects. I am not talking about smart people, I am talking about elite thinkers. Step up and compete, there are jobs for you just waiting.

BTW, H1B workers generally cost MORE then American workers, so it is not like we get some back water discount on these people and the processing/sponsoring costs are tens of thousands of dollars. Companies are sure they have the right person before the process, which can take over a year, ever begins.

this is basically correct.

when you hire someone on a H1B, you also have to put out an ad for a certain number of months saying that you're hiring this foreigner. it's basically a wanted ad for domestic applicants. an H1-B is really, really difficult to get and if your company sponsors you for one it means you're really talented and have a unique skillset. and the process can take a lot longer than a year.

thephan wrote:

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:That article also points out that the wife wants Obama to limit the number of visas given to highly-skilled foreign workers. Brilliant. So instead those highly-skilled foreign workers will advance competitive businesses in those foreign countries and compete with US companies.

We want highly-skilled workers in this country. Period.

If we had highly skilled workers who fit the categories, I assure you that they are first in line for the job. H1B Visas are a bitch to manage and very expensive. The fact is that for jobs where you want the best in the world, you need to look around 'the world' to get the skills. We are not talking guys who carry sheet rock to the third floor or gals working the customer service lines. Besides, we want those people in the US working on US based projects. I am not talking about smart people, I am talking about elite thinkers. Step up and compete, there are jobs for you just waiting.

BTW, H1B workers generally cost MORE then American workers, so it is not like we get some back water discount on these people and the processing/sponsoring costs are tens of thousands of dollars. Companies are sure they have the right person before the process, which can take over a year, ever begins.

Oh I was never suggesting anyone to the contrary. I was only responding to the lady's ridiculous (and xenophobic) assertion that highly-skilled foreign workers shouldn't be getting jobs in our country.

You also need to have a lot of internal disclosure about the process and budgetary information. You need to post this information somewhere accessible by all employees. It all comes down to how solid your process is, how good your lawyer is and how bloody hard the spec is to meet. We have several H1B employees. They are worth their weight as they pretty much are the best of the best in their field. China has a few excellent state sponsored treasures, that they augment with an army of better then average researchers, just shear numbers, to perform the basic research and experimentation. It is amazing to see brute force research and development, but if you have a giant pool of people to put to the task it is sort of a pink, fleshy version of multitasking.

If and when US citizens are found with promise, they are, for very technical and specialized positions, groomed and guaranteed very good jobs if they can take the pressure of world class R&D. It is their ticket to write. They get every opportunity through internships to prove themselves, then companies make a position for them. It is, as I said, cheaper then the visa process.

That said, we are not talking semi-conductor engineers. One of the difficulties there is that I am pretty sure that there is only one production chip foundry left in the US, which I think was an ear mark in New Hampshire. Almost all of that work is done in Asia primarily in China and Singapore with Japan doing some heavy lifting for specialty engineering. Design work is and can be done in the US, but a lot of the final engineering and manufacturing is done elsewhere. I think that with the state of the world economy, insourcing is attractive for that role, but the economy is also battering that sector in general (look at PC sales figures for 2011) between rapid changes in consumer approaches to technologies and general commoditization.

I couldnt believe she asked him to dance after he said he'd look at her husbands resume