"If you've got a business, you didn't build that."

[tonyz]

I just read Mark46th's comments and agree. Moreover, my .02 below.

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Rather than pursuing the more difficult task of proving that the president is a "Marxist" (which, in my opinion, requires actual research rather than "duck tests"), why not pick the low hanging fruit by reverse engineering the president's policy preferences and rhetoric within the framework of American political philosophy?

IMO, now, that is potentially fruitful (pun intended) and something that even I might understand.

Originally Posted by Sigaba

MOO, the president is leading Romney into a trap when he says that this election is a debate over narratives.

At present, Americans are more interested in here and now solutions than in the big picture questions.

I also found your earlier comments to be interesting.

Is this not another election that offers the very real opportunity for the candidates to illustrate bold policy differences ? To date, has Obama supported policies that exacerbate or actually address our undeniable economic problems?

To another of your points, if Romney can exit from the convention with not only a running mate, but with, for example 10 solutions to obvious matters of national concern (my gosh it, can't be that difficult - tax policy, energy, healthcare, and immigration policy alone, should yield 10) he would do himself some good.

MOO, Romney had better define himself - fast - before the Obama crowd does.

For example, the Obama camp has already labeled Romney a felon - when Romney probably hasn't even met a felon. While in reality, Obama has had actual felons as supporters, friends and acquaintances - at least in the not so distant past.

Obama is "cool" - Romney is competent. Unfortunately, in this day and age cool trumps competent in the "minds" of too many. Culturally, that is a real challenge for Romney.