Obama outspends Republican campaigns by millions

By JACK GILLUM and STEVE PEOPLES

CHICAGO (AP) — With Republicans locked in a contentious and expensive primary, President Barack Obama has spent a small fortune in recent months to build and maintain a campaign operation that is larger, more diverse and more focused on November's general election than any of his opponents' organizations.

Republican contenders like Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have surely been watching their expenses during their primary elections: millions here for ad spending, millions there for travel, rallies and consulting fees. What's left keeps the lights on, the phones ringing and the staff paid.

But Obama, who faces no serious challenger for the Democratic nomination, has sunk his cash into an expansive brick-and-mortar operation with offices in nearly every state.

His campaign has spent more than $135 million on operations through February, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Election Commission records.

That's about $3 million more than all his GOP challengers combined.

I wonder if any sitting president has ever spent this much in the past, must be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, that we are not aware of. And, the campaign has not started yet, or has it?

SMI

Checking out my Twitter and Facebook and my Emails this morning. A lot of Anti-Obama cartoons and articles, Only "575 Days Left for Obama" one of the Facebook entries. One predicts "a record turnout of voters this time," all seem optimistic that Obama will be a one-term president, 2012 election will be a victory for the GOP.

But, not one mention of WHO is going to be the victor. Not one email promotes or has anything positive to say about a potential candidate.

Anti Obama cartoons are cute, anti Obama material is interesting reading, but, realistically has no value.

I remember some years ago, a friend of mine, a builder, was planning to purchase a building, tear it down, and erect a nicer new building on that lot. He was excited about the NEW BUILDING, had plans for it, renderings, showed them to everyone, he was excited about the NEW, never a mention about the old building, he was concerned about the future.

I would like to read some material about potential candidates, start promoting them, get the word out about them. Present conditions are good for a "Third Party" candidate to snake in. Where are all the PAC groups, why are they not proposing their candidates. It is not too soon, better now than at the last minute.

Michele indicated that her husband did not seem that interested in running again. I don't believe that for a minute. Maybe he will not run and Hillary will sneak in, or maybe even Michele, she is ambitious and motivated and getting exposure, unlike any GOP hopefulls.

It's time for action, not commentary, let the news do that, just don't pay attention to them.

Some Friday Morning Thoughts

I get emails every day "so many days till Obama is gone." There is a Facebook site with the red circle with the line through it, a lot of anti-Obama material.

WHO is going to eject, through getting elected, Obama out of the White House?

Which candidate is the GOP grooming for this big upset? The Mormon? The Opra "wannabe" from Alaska, just who are they grooming, and why do they think he/she can be victorious. Remember, there was NO way Obama could beat Hillary. There was NO way he could win the election. There was NO way he could get Obamacare passed. Yet, he did all of those. Which GOP candidate has all the answers, or any answers, for that matter.

We were told to wait for the mid-terms, a lot of GOP candidates were elected, questionable how that worked out. They apparently told the voters a lot of things they wanted to hear, they got elected, and that apparently isn't what the voters wanted. Just look at the messes some of the states are in.

Closing thought, "Wait for 2016" ........ get the bumper stickers ready, if someone, somewhere doesn't get someone fired up. A part of an interview with Mrs. Obama yesterday on TV showed some "doubt" that Barack even wanted another term. She did. My thought has always been if we give him another four years, that legislation will be enacted lifting term-limits, and he will be in there for life, or longer ............. and the title will be changed from President to Emperor, or some such name, maybe the Ayatollah. The Ayatollah of North America, which may include Mexico and Canada and more .............................

GOP Considers Hiring Ex OSU Coach - TinC

THIS IS A TONGUE IN CHEEK ARTICLE

An undisclosed source recently revealed that Chairman Reince Priebus of the Republican Party is considering hiring ex-Ohio State football coach, Jim Tressel, and bringing him on board as a "recruiter" for presidential hopefuls.


"We did some research, and he seems to draw out individuals with the qualities necessary to become successful politicians. We looked at the players that he had recruited, and more so, how they have turned out, and we are quite excited about bringing Jim on board."

Priebus indicated that the 3.5 million dollar salary was not a problem, but in preliminary conversations with Tressel, his attire was a concern. The party would prefer him in a suit, rather than a sweater vest.

Priebus went on to say, "Jim was quite relieved when we made him aware of "financial backing," that he would have with us, something which he said he has always had in his previous two coaching positions."

Tressel stated, "Hey, it takes money to make winners, and financial backers grease that old wheel which keeps things going. I just wish we could bring Jim and Gordon on board too, they know the score and could be a big help." (Jim Smith the Athletic Director, and Gordon Gee, head of OSU).

One reporter asked the ex-coach if he was interested in the position, to which he replied, "Salary is no problem, but I have a few players I owe a lot to, and if they will let me get involved in fund raising I have some ideas on jewelry sales and such, and these fellas have a leg up on that. Hey, I got nothing else to do, if they want me, they got me. This Walmart job sucks."

GOP - Budget

I've got to dig through details some more, but on surface, it sure looks like the GOP caved on budget.

What do YOU think?

GOP-Controlled House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill

by NPR Staff and Wires

April 7, 2011 House Republicans passed a largely symbolic stopgap spending bill on Thursday, as congressional leaders met again with President Obama to try to hammer out a compromise that could keep the government from a partial shutdown.

The measure passed 247 to 181. But Senate Democrats and the White House have already rejected the temporary fix — which is conditioned on $12 billion in immediate spending cuts — saying they want a bill that funds the government through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Moments after the vote, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) appeared at the White House following meetings with Obama.

"I did ask the president to sign the stopgap measure, and I expressed my disappointment when he suggested he would veto that measure," Boehner said.

Reid said he and Boehner would return to the White House at 7 p.m. for more talks.