Movie audiences find anti-Obama doc '2016'

DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer

Sunday, September 2, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It wasn't backed by any Hollywood movie studio. Reviews were mostly negative. It premiered in Houston, not Los Angeles or New York. And yet despite the unconventional release of "2016: Obama's America," the movie is now among the most successful political documentaries of all time — and it doesn't show signs of cooling down ahead of the presidential election.

The conservative film exploring the roots of President Barack Obama's political views surprised the film industry when it took in $6.5 million to land at No. 7 at last weekend's domestic box office ahead of three new releases: the Joseph Gordon-Levitt action flick "Premium Rush," the Kristen Bell comedy "Hit and Run" and the Ashley Greene horror film "The Apparition."

That makes "2016" the most successful conservative documentary of all time. It's also the sixth overall highest grossing political documentary behind four Michael Moore movies and former Vice President Al Gore's environmental film "An Inconvenient Truth." It all adds up to a remarkable triumph for an indie film that circumvented the liberal waters of Hollywood.

The film has continued to do well during the slower weekday period, especially considering that it's been up against the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Since last weekend, it earned an additional $6.6 million for a total of $13.1 million, placing No. 3 at the domestic box office on Thursday. This weekend, the film expands from 1091 screens to nearly 1,800.

Distributed by Salt Lake City-based Rocky Mountain Pictures, "2016" is directed by Dinesh D'Souza, a former staffer for President Ronald Reagan who is now president of King's College in New York and author of several books, including "The Roots of Obama's Rage," the basis for "2016" that claims Obama's beliefs are rooted in the anti-colonialism of his late father, a Kenyan academic who was largely absent from the president's life.

The film premiered July 13 on one screen in Houston and slowly expanded over the past month to 1,091 theaters in such cities as Nashville, Tenn.; Baton Rouge, La.; Denver; Phoenix; Wichita, Kan.; and Washington, D.C. MJM Entertainment's Mark Joseph, who is handling the film's marketing, attested that "2016" had to be promoted differently than typical Hollywood fare.

"You can't just throw up your star on Thursday night on a talk show," said Joseph. "That's not how this works. The traditionalist audience needed to hear about the film much sooner than what Hollywood is used to doing. It's also important that they heard about it from people that they trust and admire. It's a different way of engaging the audience."

Joseph and the film's co-director, John Sullivan, launched a stealthy campaign for the film that attracted the attention and support of right-wing superstars like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Buzz for the movie simmered over the summer, bubbling up last weekend before the Republican convention kicked off Tuesday.

"Timing is everything," said Greg Mueller, a conservative strategist whose public relations firm is promoting "The Hope and The Change," a film about voters who formerly supported Obama that debuted Tuesday at the Republican convention and is now available on DVD. "Timing is everything in politics. It's even more important in political documentaries."

"Fahrenheit 9/11," director Michael Moore's assault on President George W. Bush, opened at No. 1 with $23.9 million in June 2004, averaging $27,558 in 868 theaters. It went on to become the top-grossing documentary ever released with $119.1 million domestically, a world away from "2016's" haul so far.

While the release of "2016" just before the Republican convention and its portrait of a gloomy future if Obama is re-elected might make the film feel like an hour-and-a-half-long political ad, the "2016" filmmakers said they only received funding from private investors, not the Republican party, and the movie's proceeds aren't headed to Mitt Romney's presidential bid.

"We wanted none of their involvement," said Gerald Molen, the film's Montana-based producer who previously worked on such mainstream Hollywood movies like "Days of Thunder" and "Jurassic Park," and who won an Oscar for "Schindler's List" in 1993. "It wouldn't have made sense to do that." He added that the film's estimated $2.5 million budget only came from about two dozen donors supporting D'Souza.

Hollywood has long been inspired by the political process, and such an affinity usually burns brighter during election season when audiences are attuned to politics, whether it's through recent fictional fare like the USA miniseries "Political Animals" and the Will Ferrell comedy "The Campaign" or Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which came out before the 2004 election.

Alex Ben Block, a senior editor at The Hollywood Reporter doesn't think that "2016" will usher in a new era for right-wing films, but he believes the unexpected success of the conservative film might encourage likeminded filmmakers to carve out a similar path in landscape that was previously dominated by more liberal filmmakers like Moore. Ultimately, Block said moviegoers will vote at the box office with their dollars.

"'2016' has succeeded, but it's going to be very hard to duplicate," said Block. "These things are driven by politics and passion. They're driven by people who are trying to be noticed and make their point. It's a powerful combination when you have a documentary that can be both commercial and have a point of view."

Although "2016" has obviously found fans, most critics haven't been kind to the film. Newsday's Rafer Guzman called it an "attempt at character assassination." The Arizona Republic's Bill Goodykoontz deemed it "an exercise in preaching to the choir." The Los Angeles Times' Betsy Sharkey lambasted "2016" for being a "sluggish film" whose "outrage falls flat."

"I think '2016' has a nice gimmick because it purports to show what the future will look like right there in the title," said film critic Ben Mankiewicz, who dismissed the film as an actual documentary and is unsure what its unexpected success means for the film industry. "I think it is another reminder of how many people in this country find Obama so shockingly unlikesome that they are seemingly ready to believe the most nonsensical theories about him."

Many of the assertions D'Souza makes in the film to support his point that Obama's presidency is an expression of his father's third-world political beliefs don't hold up, including that Obama removed a bust of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill from the Oval Office because Churchill represented British colonialism and that Obama has "done nothing" to impede Iran's nuclear ambitions. And there are other instances where the film takes liberties with the facts.

"I don't necessarily agree with everything that's in the movie," said Arthur Hobbs, a retired engineer who caught a Monday matinee of the film in Los Angeles with his wife after reading about it online. "But I do think that we really don't know everything about Obama, even after he's been in office for four years. I think that's why we needed to see this movie."

Molen said he expected the bad reviews. The filmmakers, who plan to expand the film to even more cities in the coming weeks and keep it in theaters until early October, aren't fazed by any negative reaction. They just hope now that conservative audiences have found "2016," perhaps left-leaning moviegoers will be curious enough to buy a ticket.

"My wish is that people see the film and make an informed decision," said Molen. "I would love people to see the film and come out of it saying, 'I need to know more. I need to find out more about this country and what we're designing for our kids, grandkids and great grandkids.' I just want this film to spark an interest in people to find out more."

Associated Press writer Beth Fouhy contributed to this story from Washington.

More like this story

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

A dozen Rich Donors? The same message the 1percent. The Rich want the gullible to take this hook line an sinker. I would not be surprised to See the Koch Brothers, and Carl Rove in the thick of the production of this. Like I have said before run down to Wally World and pick up a copy for $19.99, so I can buy it at your Garage Sale next summer at .50 cents. Rob

eileen10 8 months, 3 weeks ago

.25 cents tops.And that's pushing it.

JCLifer 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Anti-Obama? Where does the AP come up with these headlines. The movie was a DOCUMENTARY that tells the story of Obama's background.
Obviously the folks who voted for the first black president were so enamored by the civil rights slant they wanted to see, they were totally duped into thinking that Obama was interested in civil rights too. Boy were we all operating on false beliefs!

The movie exposed the truth and the agenda of Obama. Things make sense now. Not right or wrong, just depends which way you think our country should go.
Go see the movie and make up your own mind. I did.

cimarron 8 months, 3 weeks ago

watched "Becoming Barack" recently. Some interesting insight...

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Thanks for the critique J C lifer. Rob

charlie414 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Just saw the film last night! I am a staunch Democrat and Obama supporter! The entire film just showed how angry the producer is. It totally exposed all the Tea Party screw ups for what they are - RACISTS!!! Obama will be re-elected - then some right-wing nutjob will probably take him out... I hope and pray not but I can see I happening!

JCLifer 8 months, 3 weeks ago

What Tea Party screw-ups did the film expose? Please elaborate your thoughts here. Thanks

MO4LIFE 8 months, 2 weeks ago

This is a right wing propaganda film put out by the Tea Party Patetics. ThE Refuglicand are running the whole campaign on lies about Obama that have been debunked numerous times but they just keep on saying them which is why Obama will win another term.

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Any specific lies in the film? Which lies are you talking about?

John 8 months, 3 weeks ago

That's right. I never thought I would find myself agreeing with RobHunterJohnson until now. It is stupid for anyone to bother and watch something before they comment on it. It is absolutely genius to take what someone else has to say about when they probably haven't seen it either. I think it is wonderful and brilliant that the liberals in this country are basing their information on thier candidate from only his campaign parties and not bothering to view any other data.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Traverse 808, how about this, Mitts new side kick Ryan, he cant even get his time right on a marathon he ran. He only missed it by an hour, We don't need people in the position these guys want, to be story tellers. We already had a weapons of MASS DESTRUCTION fable a couple of terms back. Rob

John 8 months, 3 weeks ago

That's correct too. Again I agree with RobHunterJohnson:

Sadam Hussein never killed hundreds of thousands of his people with gas. Why, it just didn't happen. . . . gosh who would believe all the footage and photos of all those dead bodies. They are just pure fiction. You just can't trust eye-witness statements, photos, videos, and sworn testimony. . .

connor 8 months, 3 weeks ago

And somehow forgetting the US has 50 states and instead claiming 57 is such a little thing compared to remembering a marathon time ya know. Especially for a President.

John 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Why would you say that? I stuck up for him. Everyone should ignore anything they don't want to read and then they should attempt to write intelligently about something they have not seen.

And we all know the photos and videos were shopped. Why Hussein never killed hundreds of thousands of his people. Gosh, Rob really has it correct.

Ignore facts, ignore anything written that might disagree with you. THAT is the way to learn by golly.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Embellishment of 57 state? Rob

connor 8 months, 2 weeks ago

youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws

just place the usual ht-tp and w-w-w stuff in front.

jetelect61 8 months, 3 weeks ago

This guy Obama has got zero history on record, but yet everybody bieves his word, pretty scary. Good case for history repeats itself. I don't beive a single word this man speaks, but I haven't sucummed to the slant, or drank the cool aid. We a complete American history to follow if we want prosperity back. Its all in black and white, just have to read and figure out how it worked. This guy had nothing to do with it. H ewill in fact talk us all further away from it. You want to know what it was and when? Look at the late 40's, 50's, 60's and mid 70's history and tell your friends we need to go back to it, and I mean economics, nothing else folks. The answer is not big government is it, NO. What was it. The longest run of prosperity for the middle class we ever had. Was it because the 1% didn't have all the money, NOPE. They always will. I t was healthy industry, cheap oil and jobs, not hand outs or taking someone elses money. That is the only way it works....

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

How do you convince everyone to buy USA? Rob

JCLifer 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Gotta get the quality up above what the Japanese and Koreans are building, and drop the price down below what the Japanese and Koreans are selling it for.

It really is that simple.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Braun, the story teller in chief was Bush 2, coached by CARL ROVE , American CrossRoads. Just Remember tomorrow is Labor Day, you kids are not working in a coal mine or textile mill. The 40 hour week was never a constant it was earned, the holidays were not there nor vacations, health care, pension, Medicare,or social security. All these things were earned for us by generations before us, and it is our job to protect them. I do not feel the Republicans have our backs , because the actions they are trying to take. Romeny accepts Ryan's position or he would not have asked him to be VP. The movie is right propaganda. Open your eyes. Rob

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Wish I had only a 40-hour week. That would be nice.
So many folks are working 2 or 3 jobs just trying to feed their families. And the Democrats want to raise taxes even more? How can we work any harder and more hours to pay for Obamacare, pay higher taxes, pay off the trillions and trillions of dollars of debt Obama has buried this country under?

Things are so bad and getting worse. We need to turn this country around.

JCLifer 8 months, 3 weeks ago

I wish Hillary would run. She would be great! A real democrat would be so much better than the anti colonist.

online_editor 8 months, 2 weeks ago

I removed some comments that contained personal insults toward other participants. Please remember to keep discussions civil and issue oriented, per our policies available for review via the link below. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

J C Lifer, Hilary was my choice in 2008, I think we would have had Hillary care it would. Have been a more suitable plan. The Tax Cuts Bushs and Obamas have been th biggest contributor to the DEBT. I am still forced to choose the lesser of two evils , and that is Obama. I am better off than I was 4 years ago, my 401 k hit principle in the summer of 2008, and the rest is historic loss. Obama came on the scene and it was a mess. They should have let these big bankers fail, but we would have destroyed our economy? Regulation of these monsters is required, they still have not done enough, and Romeny / Ryan want to Lesson Regulations more? Thanks Rick Rob

MO4LIFE 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Hilary Care would of been accepted from day one. Its the skin that bothrs refuglicans whether any of you want to admit it or not!

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

HillaryCare would not have been accepted. However, Hillary has valuable experience, has made valuable contacts, and she knows how to work with people. Furthermore, she LOVES the United States of America, and would work to strengthen it, not rip it apart to get revenge to the evil empire for colonizing the rest of the world.

Skin has nothing to do with it. Go see 2016 and you will see the TRUE, documented Obama. He is no friend of the Democrat- he is just using the Democrats as his tools to achieve the twisted dreams of his father.

You are being DUPED, dude! Open your eyes!

And no, I do not think Romney is God's gift for what ails this once-great country. However, he is by far the best choice over Obama. Way much better choice. He may not be a Christian either, but at least he is an American who loves his country.

Deuce67 8 months, 2 weeks ago

The one thing that both parties still have is freedom of speech.. 2016 was made using the limited information we know about your " transparent president" But what really matters is the .. More people are out of work, he has spent more money and the deficit is at its highest point.. For two years of his 3.5 year term he had his democratic party in house to pass all his policies and we are still in a mess.... He blames it in inheriting the mess from bush.. He ran for the office, he paid a lot of money, he knew what the economy was .. He did not inherit this economy, inherit is when an old aunt dies and you get stuck with a few unwanted cats and rugs... He asked for, he made promises and he FAILED .. All my himself... He predicted if he could not ( that showed he was weak) if he could not fix the economy he would be a one term president) ... He did not fix it and he needs to admit it and relinquish his role like a man... Like it one not the first time you voted to show your was not racist, this time you'll not vote for him to show your not ignorant...

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

When Did. Obama get everything he wanted? Health. Care is aIl I can think of at the moment, I did watch Bush for 8 years and disagreed with him on almost all, I do not like all of Obama policies, but the Republicans in a blink of an eye will gut everything. Romeny said over the weekend he going to straighten out this mess, but he won't cut the Defense budget? Where will he start, why don't you tell all of us. The Republicans could not make a budget work for 2013 and the next problem is around the corner. To fix it you need compromise something the Tea Party has refused to do to date. I am waiting! Thank the union for bringing you this long weekend! Rob

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Obama will have the freedom he needs to accomplish much more during his second term.

Insight 8 months, 2 weeks ago

So, when do you want the purges to commence? "Enemey" within? You have to be joking.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

What kinda of car you driving, and where did the end profit go? RSoob

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Why are we in Afghanistan spending billions of dollars and getting hundreds of our service men an women killed?

John 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Because Obama didn't follow through on the promise that they very first thing he would do was bring our troops home. Instead, he signed an agreement to keep a military presence there for another 10 years.

John 8 months, 2 weeks ago

To baptize the dead; One of many reasons they are not a Christian religion.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Braun, I am a proud memeber Local 562, and I am not in the least bit scared for my livelyhood! I will tell you what I am scared of that is Romeny dimantling your Social Security, Medicare, and your Health Care. You sound bitter about Unions? So Sorry that your feelings got hurt somewhere along the path of life. 1/2 my carreer in the NON UNION, and 1/2 in the UNION. I can tell you about the Non Union, but you already know, I knew what the Union was about from the other side and I had no problem stepping over when the door opened for me. You still did not answer my question about your car? I drive Bow Ties for the most part, almost always GM, by your answer I am led to a--ume you dont drive AMERICAN, and are not concerned about it. It is time we become concerned about buying AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS, I look at labels constantly sometimes, you just have to buy the stuff, but you can land your end profit here in America with a little thought! My Dad was in the 15th USAAF in Italy, did you know that 500 guys lost their lives to stop BMW? Something to think about. Have a good Labor Day and remember who brought it to YOU. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Sorry but up to the election the discussion will revolve around Social Security, and Medicare with or with out you. Please keep posting, because you are helping my cause GREATLY. If Romeny and Ryan were on the page with me, I would be fighting for them, but they are not! Rob

FussyOno 8 months, 2 weeks ago

I'm sick of hearing the words "union hack" what does that mean, anyway? I am a union member who has worked hard all my life in the hot sun and freezing cold to provide an infrastructure for you to drive on and buildings for you to receive medical diagnosis in. I saw a long time ago that non union employers were not providing retirement or medical care for my family. I personally know individuals who worked for non union contractors in Jeff City for 30+ years who have nothing to show for it but social security. No pension. That is the future for a republican regime... except: no social security. And whenever I ask any of you what your alternative plan is, you have no answer. It's just cut everybody off and let the chips fall where they may. For security I will vote Obama Biden 2012. I don't need my wife and I cut off at our age.

FussyOno 8 months, 2 weeks ago

You must not have read my post correctly. Your response is typical republican obfuscation. But I will give you another succinct example although you obviously are hopelessly out foxed and full of limbaughburger. My brother in law used to criticize my union membership making a joke out of it. I had not seen him for some time and we met at a family get together. He apologized to me and stated he had joined the IBEW. His reason: "I just realized I had no pension and no future with that non union contractor'' You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and are obviously a union busting promoter with no real concern with an every day working man's plight.

eileen10 8 months, 2 weeks ago

When mormon couples are married in the temple their given special under wear to protect them from the outer world. Kind of like magic drawers. Each ward has a fortune teller who sees into the spiritual world . Any wonder why I high tailed it out of that place? Women haven't got much say in anything. If the husband wants to have se 5 times a night the wife has to oblige. Joseph Smith was nothing more than an over seed story teller and thats where poligimy started. Smith said he was visited and was told to take several wives to populate the species so to speak and only certain male members were awarded this honor. Excuse me whike I puke. They also believe the mark of Cain was God turning him black hence black people were not allowed to hold office and were looked at as though they were evil and due to the out cry of many people the church decided to change and allowed blacks to hold ofiice but don't kid yourself. It's merely a cover.As far as their concerned their the only true religion and everyone else is wrong. I didn't add that the out cry about blacks was from other religions. Amarried couple are "strongly encouraged" to have large families to produce more mormons of course. The one good thing I can say is that they do stress family closeness so family is important . After death mormons believe the husband , wife and children will continue to be a family and if the family is in good standing with the church they will continue to have children and each couple ingood standing will be Gods with their own world . They also believe in marriage after death as the children grow to adult hood and it's crazy how people can believe this stuff but they have the book of mormon, the pearl of great price so if you want to read things get those two books. Talk about an eye opener. When I left the church a letter was sent to me and I was told the baptism I had was no longer in effect. I know what your thinking for those of you who are reading this. YA! Their fricken crazy!

eileen10 8 months, 2 weeks ago

The letter x was removed from my post in a couple of places.

eileen10 8 months, 2 weeks ago

More than likely I'll have people pounding me over the head for a few things I said. Well. Pound away. I in no way dislike them but I do feel sorry for the unsuspecting members because it's brain washing . The people I knew in the mormon church were good people. They don't have two heads or anything but most of what they believe comes from the book of mormon and what the church leaders tell them. The higher ups of the church are what I refer to as the not good guys. It's about money and power and their good at what they do. Bad for us good for them.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Braun, I suggested BUYING AMERICAN PRODUCTS, and I hope you don't represent the TEA PARTY. I got this feeling you do, I to will be VOTING for President OBAMA, because I to need SECURITY. Gas prices, I have put on over 500,000 miles on since 95 for work. So DRILL BABY DRILL, and then let EXXON sell that Alaskan Oil to CHINA? I got UNEMPLOYED last Friday, so don't tell me about UNEMPLOYMENT! Under BUSH 2, I had the most UNEMPLOYMENT of my entire career. If they are expanding the IRS good for the Goverment, my TAX rate was 17% last year, and I did not make millions at a tax rate of 13%, maybe the IRS can figure out who needs to pay a little bit more. I am willing to pay my fair share' how about you Braun? I do want 4 more years, because the economy is holding its own, it may not be improving at the rate you want, but it is not free falling like back in 08! Politics is about COMPROMISE, something the Tea Party is not willing to do, and until we get some Congressmen who are willing to work together it will be more of the same! Vickie Hartzler has taken more in Farm Aid than I have made in my entire career as of 2009(Google Hartzler/Sawyer) so you tell me about these G-Greattttt Republicans that you support. Thanks for your time BROTHER. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Braun, How we gonna pay for all these trillons of DEBT? Like I said I am willing to pay my part, and How about BRAUN? The tax cuts are the biggest contributer to the DEBT, so how we going to pay this back, I am asking? Your Mantra is very much the same chant as the Tea Party? I ve got mine you get yours! Well I have mine to, except for the security part with Social Security, Medicare, and Health Care. You ask about Obama, he's got kids back on insurance until they are 26, when I was that age and had a medical I would go see old Doc Klebba and pay him until the bill was complete, same with St Marys. I do not agree with everything the Democrats do, but they are the better choice at this time. Iraq Bushs biggest mistake, the real war was in Afganistan, there was no weapons of mass distruction in Iraq, Saddam was a cool Poker Player, the only thing I saw was a pickling truck used in the oil fields, I think it was shown as a mobile lab at one point. Mass Disinformation was both their charm. What did that cost in Human life, and years of occupation on a credit card. I did not support that war from the get go. don't get me wrong I supported the troops, but the fight was again in Afganistan. Bring the troops home now! Bin Laden is dead! Romeny Syria and Iran, what is his stand going to be, I can already tell you. In all Fairness those 2 percentages, can you tell me they are Fair? I do not have to list what I do on my taxes, but I give, and he must just must give more? The IRS needs to be enlarged to find all those slackers with off sh re accounts, and then maybe they could catch this up on their backs instead of ours. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Braun, that was what I was saying in 2003, what about your kids and Grand kids? This past May Rand Paul (KY) presented budget 2013 to senate, google it? He can fix the mess in 5 years? 16 of these good senators voted for this.. Go take a look see what they are up to! if he got 16 to do go for this in May, just wait until they get control. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Braun, how about we cut the money and the benefits off to all present and past Congressmen? Do you think that would work? Nothing special, he is educated and he has seen a different position in life. Personel security there are two definitions to that, I will comment on my over $300,000.00 I have involved in Social Security. How about you? I did not pay in to watch the Republicans dismantle it. How about a pee test for all? I have been complying since 1984 for me to deposit the bulk of that Social Security! How about Mitts health plan in Mass? The way I see it he butcherd Company after Company? Fiat bought Chrysler, Fiat closed down Fenton, they build the same truck in Mexico, and sell it for the same price here in the good old USA? The American people are fools to let this scenario happen over and over? Johnson controls made car seats in Jefferson City what happen to them? Its a recycle center now? Maytag? The list can go on and on. Eventualy there will not be anybody to by the product? The best way to stop it is to not condone them by purchasing their products. That is how the division in the wealth is happening. Rob

spelchek 8 months, 2 weeks ago

"LOS ANGELES [LIBS] (AP [LIBS]) — It wasn't backed by any Hollywood [LIBS] movie studio. Reviews [LIBS] were mostly negative. It premiered in Houston, not Los Angeles [LIBS] or New York [LIBS]."

spelchek 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Now if Comedy Central will create a cartoon called Lil Obama to mock his administration during his campaign and we can get Oliver Stone to put out a movie called "O" we still won't be even when it comes to liberal demagoguery of Republican candidates. This movies is getting zero support and is successful, the libs have a massive media machine to spread their material and is still mediocre in their successes...this won't stand.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

And Obama will be the incumbent President on November 7, 2012. Hey did spck have a good Labor day? Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Disappointing about North Carolina, right to work? I resided there in 1984, and there was $ 6.33 an hour difference for the same job as in Missouri! Some of our Repbublican Legislators want to bring that to Missouri? Klan and Nazis? Chemicals in our water? Coal is the dirtiest by far, all over your car on the parking lot, bad taste in your mouth, makes you wonder. How about lead, everything that ended up inside the gate died, if it stayed to long. (Animals) and tailing ponds ran all the way down the valley? I dont know what goes by Jefferson City, but it sure makes me wonder! Have you ever seen what comes in and out of sewer treatment? Why do you think all that equipment sets on the hill on W Main? The old are not going to loose their Medicare, but at this point I do not want vouchers either, how about you? Buying power is disapperiing whether you like it, or not. it will continue until the corperations bring those jobs home! Did you read Rand Pauls budget? CUT Social Security by 40%, Medicare is done, ect, and it will be cured in 5 years. 16 of those CLOWNS voted for this? 16 of them! That is almost 20% of the US Senate? If we keep going out to the tree an voting these folks in, Democrats and Republicans will be in deep -----. Romeny the business man, or Romeny the Butcher, if you buy up companies and dismantle them? Well enough said. Rob

Sequoia 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Federal spending under Obama has increased by the smallest percentage of any president since Truman.

Check it: theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/03/obama-most-fiscally-conservative-president-in-modern-history/254658/

Obama's not a big spender, as this chart plainly shows. Don't be a sucker, Braun. You're falling for it. Don't buy the lie. Obama is the most fiscally conservative candidate in the race.

dokeus6 8 months, 2 weeks ago

This is hilarious. She posts something from the Washington Post like it written from the bible. If i would have posted a reply to her with something from the Washington Post she would have said that it was a leftist leaning liberal agenda newspaper. What a joke!!

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

dokeus6, Everything is a circle and now Grace has gone as far to the right as to come all the way around to the Left with Washington Post quote! Will she compromise soon! Rob

dokeus6 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Typical Republican, Flip Flop Flip Flop.

Sequoia 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Great response. Very persuasive, Braun. You'll learn soon enough you need to bring it like you mean it if you want to hang with Sequoia. Don't you realize I posted data from the Atlantic Monthly, not the DNC? Why don't you deal with the data, instead of just calling me a liar? Numbers don't lie, dude.

And again, the WaPo does the same Republican monkeying with the numbers: They rank the presidents by looking at spending as a percentage of GDP. Of COURSE Obama's spending is going to be a higher percentage of GDP than other presidents, because the Recession caused GDP to drop. So, Obama's regular, conservative spending looks big against the low GDP that he couldn't do much about.

That's what's going on here. Again, no one on this board or in any media outlet has cast any shadow of a doubt on the data in the Atlantic article I posted.

And the WaPo hasn't been a left-wing rag for years. Didn't they have Bill Kristol doing opinion pieces at one point? Bill Kristol, the wrongest pundit of all time... the man who gave us Sarah Palin?

Sequoia 8 months, 2 weeks ago

The Post actually found three pinochios for an article by Rex Nutting of MarketWatch.

I haven't seen anything challenging the numbers in the Atlantic article I posted.

If you want to attack the article I DID post, instead of an article I didn't post and haven't read, why don't you give that a try?

The fact is that the whole line about "Obama is a big spender" is a lie. The fact is that the Romney/Ryan budget would cause a huge increase in the deficit.

Don't be suckers, y'all. Obama is the true conservative.

MO4LIFE 8 months, 2 weeks ago

why don't you get some articles from somewhere other than all of the Frightside stories from Refuglican Sources!

eileen10 8 months, 2 weeks ago

I'm with you Sequoia. You spoke the truth.

Sequoia 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Well, when we're talking about the federal budget, everyone is a big spender. And, yes, he spent a good chunk of money at the beginning of the recession. So did Bush. We had to.

But where Obama had control, he hasn't spent a lot. That's in the article I posted. That's the truth.

As for your Cato article, it makes a big error that a lot of conservative "think tanks" use to show Obama's spending as higher than it is. It compares spending to GDP, and uses that ratio... but that's misleading, because the Great Recession caused GDP to go down during Obama's first term. He didn't cause the Great Recession, but when you analyze his spending numbers AS A PORTION OF GDP, it looks worse than it is because GDP is low during the recession. That's how the Republicans fudge the numbers.

I mean, read your own article. He spends a lot of time saying "Obama looks pretty good," then he says "I don't want my Republican friends to be too angry with me" (that's a direct quote) before cooking up one final chart that shows Obama looking bad.

Here's your own guy's final word: "We can presumably say Reagan and Clinton were comparatively frugal, and we can also say that Nixon, LBJ, and Bush 43 were relatively profligate. As for Obama, I think his tugboat is pushing in the wrong direction, but it’s only apparent when you strip out the distorting budgetary impact of TARP."

His "tugboat is pushing in the wrong direction," and that's "only apparant" after you monkey with the numbers? That's what you hang your hat on? Did you even read the whole thing? And even in his final analysis, there are more Republicans who come out "relatively profligate." Your own article doesn't even support the idea that Republicans are fiscally conservative!

Look, I heard a guy on the radio today describing how the graphs of various economic indicators in 2008 and 1929 look exactly the same. But whereas the 1929 lines kept falling throughout the 30s, the federal spending in 2008/09 caused the 2008 lines to flatten out. The credit is due to Obama and Bush. Federal spending saved us from another Depression. That's the truth. We could have done better (we should have bailed out the homeowners, not the banks directly), but what we did helped.

If House Republicans hadn't stonewalled Obama's jobs bill and hadn't caused the debt ceiling crisis in an effort to discredit him and make him a "one term president," (which you'll remember they explicitly stated was their goal), we'd be even better off.

Obama dealt with the crisis in a responsible way. Not perfect, could have been more aggressive, but everyone should thank God that the Tea Party wasn't in charge... we'd have austerity, much larger unemployment, no auto industry, etc.

Obama is conservative. The "conservatives" are radical. It sounds weird, I know. But we live in weird times.

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Ypu don't pay for everybody's health care for free.

asb 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Brauny you're being quite rude. First of all, Bush inherited a nearly $0 deficit, while the President inherited a whopper. Second, the majority of the present deficit comes from one source, Bush era tax cuts (yes, approved by both parties) mostly for the wealthiest, and until these are adjusted or let expire, the deficit will continue to grow (unless you just shut down the whole government like the Teaparty wishes). Most of the remaining chunk of the present deficit comes from two wars never budgeted. 20,000 new IRS staff may not bring in as much as they'd cost (I'm not sure they wouldn't) but cutting loopholes, subsidies and non-enforcement would substantially reduce the deficit. Third, with about one-third of new businesses typically failing each year, with or without federal loans, what is your bone with the alternate energy and tech loans? Are you a coal miner, or oil man/woman? Fourth, and finally, you call the President an utter failure, but you're wrong. He has, among other things, kept our economy from completely collapsing in the face of constant attempts by the hijacked GOP to completely shut down government, to convince the public that government is evil, and to prevent any program or budget effort by his administration from seeing the light of day. Your spelling and style sign you as a poster who used to have another name, but I'll leave that mystery to others.

asb 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Golly you're right, all budget balances are a result of income vs spending. It's the income part that the Bush era tax cuts hurt. Yes, Bush era tax cuts gave me a little too, but a very disproportionate amount of cuts went to the top incomes. Without changes in those cuts, the teaparty gets it wish; slash and burn. The teaparty says it only wants to reduce government, but its actions speak shut-down. The President has done what every modern nation does to level a massive recession, spend against the future. Why would he want to hinder the economy? Why would any sane person want to? Is this the Obama-as-destroyer-of-America bit again? Obama has done well. Your hatred of him is scarey and unjustified by any reasonable measure, leaving you with only monsters in your head and propaganda from the FRight Wing Nits as justification.

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Obama hates the United States. He is trying to bury it in debt to retaliate for colonizing other parts of the world.

Littleinvestor 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Everytime you pay a health insurance premium, a doctor bill, a lab bill or a hospital bill, part of that bill goes to pay for bills other people did not bother to pay or could not pay. It is estimated this hidden tax amounts to up to 30 percent of every health dollar spent. We have had national health insurance for decades, paid for by a tax none of us voted on and none of our elected representatives voted on. It was voted on only by accountants for hospitals, doctors and the like. The Affordable Care Act is a mess, poorly written, does not have enough cost controls and needs to be amended, but at least it is honest about where the money is coming from.

JCLifer 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Time to give it a rest. Bush has been gone for nearly four years. Obama should have gotten things turned around by now. He is a one-term president. He said unemployment would not go above 8%. Well it did and it has for most of his term. The voters are the bosses. If Obama can't do the job, it is time to replace him. He hasn't accomplished much of anything he promised. He doesn't even like the United States. Said he will side with the Muslims. He is very bad for our country. We gave him a chance and he has blown it badly.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Thanks Little investor, President Obamas plan is not the best, it is a GREAT START, and I to am tired of being charged for something I have not recieved whether it is goods or service. It is a fine time to start, When I was in the NON UNION, I had contractors without insurance. "Most of the guys wifes work for the state" "They will not insure my heart condition, so I will not carry insurance on the business or you guys". These are both local contractors still in business today? It is time they figure out how to insure these employees. Thanks again Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

Lets do some math Braun, for conversation 5 trillion to Bush 2, and 5 trillion to Obama, I want to know about the 6 trillion that is missing? I have to also assume you are on Social Security, you drive a foreign car, and you do not like UNIONS. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 2 weeks ago

4.899 trillion =5 trillion, 5.373 Trillion = 5 trillon, That makes 10Trillion and please tell me about the 6 trillon (=16Trillion) so many are refering to? This is not personal, I do not care about you or what you do, but there is a group that is not concerned about anything or anyone behind them. We have to pay for what we get, I want to pay my fair share, nothing more or less. If they would give me my $300,000 in social security I would take it, and you would never hear from me again. That would sure leave alot of them in a pickle, but who cares! I buy American I wish everyone would, it does not have to be union, but it is a consideration. If I cannot buy American I shop for a name where the end profit ends up here in the good old USA. I am not one of those folks, I have mine, you get yours, And Romeny did not climb to the top of the pile being NICE. Unions, I'm sure they were not happy with the Charlotte pick, but when it boils down to to the VOTE, we do and we will! I am here till the election ask Grace. Rob

online_editor 8 months, 2 weeks ago

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