"You didn't build that"... Democrats are failing to spine-up!!! Damn it.

[Zalatix]

http://www.newsmax.com/newswidget/obama-build-that-comment/2012/08/02/id/447419?promo_code=EC70-1&utm_source=spectator&utm_medium=nmwidget&utm_campaign=widgetphase1

WaPo: 'You Didn't Build It' Comment Damaging Other Democrats

President Barack Obama’s weeks-old comment that business owners “didn’t build that” by themselves is haunting him and fellow Democrats on the campaign trail.

Wherever Obama goes, a local paper or TV station seems to drag up the comment and get local entrepreneurs to trash his statement.

It happened in Colorado when Obama visited this week. “I did build my business, Mr. President, you didn’t,” Martin Mendez of Splash Publications told Denver’s CBS affiliate.

Uh, Martin Mendez, you didn't build SHIT without the help of your workers.

And if Government went away, what you did build would have been wiped out within days by criminal gangs.

Why aren't the Democrats blitzing the airwaves with this?

[MADem]

1. Release the tax returns. Your concern is touching.

That story broke on 31 July. I haven't heard jack shit about this guy whining. I did hear about this idiot--who starred in a rMoney commercial--having his stupid comments shoved back at him, though:


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/star-of-romney-my-hands-didnt-build-this-ad-received-millions-in-government-loans-and-contracts/

The New Hampshire Union Leader’s John DiStato today reports that in 1999 the business in question, Gilchrist Metal, “received $800,000 in tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority ‘to set up a second manufacturing plant and purchase equipment to produce high definition television broadcasting equipment’…” In addition, in 2011, Gilchrist Metal “received two U.S. Navy sub-contracts totaling about $83,000 and a smaller, $5,600 Coast Guard contract in 2008…”

The real irony here is that the New Hampshire Union Leader is a newspaper that sits to the right of Attila the Hun.

If they're uncovering/reporting this kind of shit, that suggests that Mittsy is not universally tolerated, never mind loved by the far right.

[dkf]

2. So you want all Democrats to argue that business owners really didn't build much?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. That's not what he said and you fucking know it. nt

[FBaggins]

26. It wasn't what he *meant*

It's hard to argue that it isn't what he said.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

28. "If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher

somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don't do on our own. I mean, imagine if everybody had their own fire service. That would be a hard way to organize fighting fires."

Now this is what I replied to:

"So you want all Democrats to argue that business owners really didn't build much?" And I stand by my reply. It's just mire RW garbage by that particular poster.

[FBaggins]

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

I'm familiar with the context... and I know what he meant and agree.

That doesn't change the fact that he flubbed the line.

Just as importantly, it's clear that when he's supposed to be running to the center, he's still trying to shore up the base. Other democrats (who aren't in the same position), will understandably avoid it.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

32. He did mess up but no one is being asked to defend a badly worded line.

What the Democrats constantly fail to do is convince voters that we are in this together and that has nothing to do with communism. In the context presented by Elisabeth Warren this can be achieved. What the poster I replied to said was based on the 'Pukes talking points. Democrats need to frame the debate period. Keep talking about bridges and roads and people will understand.

[Zalatix]

36. What's wrong with pointing out that businesses require workers to build them?

What exactly is a hardware store going to sell without sales people, or the workers who built the hardware?

If I were Obama I would pick out one of these right wing stores, sniff out a non right-wing worker (or a construction worker, if people really want to get pedantic), put them on a podium next to me, and say in public, "The business I stand before would not even be here without the hard work of people like THIS. THESE people built America, just as SURELY as the owner of this business. I challenge the GOP to say this isn't so."

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

37. There's nothing wrong with that. I pointed this out to my former boss. A man

who could barely send out an email without my help. I was just pointing out what Obama actually said.

[Zalatix]

34. They didn't build ANYTHING without the help of workers and you know that.

[cali]

4. newsmax??? you're using newsmax the ultraright wing piece of shit, to criticize dems?

wow. just wow.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. Newsmax? You have got to be shittin' me. And the veil inevitably drops....

[dionysus]

10. now you've gone and pissed off West...

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. If Dr. West, like the OP, is using rightwing sources to trash the president, then I'm glad he's.....

pissed. This really is deja vous. It's like they either get so bold that they don't care about the sources, or they get desparate. This OP reeks of desparation. Romney's on the ropes over his tax filings and hidden assets, and we're being treated to fuckin' Newsmax as a credible source for news at DU?

[cali]

12. my thoughts exactly.

[Xyzse]

6. The thing is, the Democratic response is confusing.

Unless they create a simplified message that they can all get in to, it is not going to work.

Their current method of countering is to bitch at the business owners and show where their taxes went. However, that effectiveness is limited since their minds are stuck at the "We Built Our Business from the Ground Up". When they are stuck at the "You Didn't Build That" since they parsed the quotation to mean their business rather than the infrastructure that helped them succeed, it really has a hard time to gain any sort of traction.

My suggestion, attack elsewhere and emphasize that due to their @sshattery, infrastructure has suffered. Which will only make building new businesses harder. Go for what is needed to be done, in regards to roads, education and so forth to help businesses open. Then differentiate what they want to cut.

Sadly, explaining how services help them is too complex for some to grasp. I am not sure how to simplify though much more than I usually do.

I will confess, I am not sure exactly what to do, all I know is they have to simplify and make it clear and concerted.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. I think your concern is misplaced. Anyone who buys this, wasn't voting for Dems to start with.

[Xyzse]

11. You're probably right.

Currently most people I know are going to vote Democratic any how.
I do know some that are voting against Obama, with them, there is no way to change that at all.

Still, I must state, that I don't want to be completely insulated from other point of views as I do not want to have another unwelcome surprise like 2004 when I really thought that Kerry would win. I don't want to feel that shell shock again, SO, if there is any chance to address this dumb attack line of theirs effectively, I would like to know it. As for now, the method of just attacking the business and telling them what they didn't build makes me feel uncomfortable, but that's just me.

I also must say that it has suffused the ad-world. I find it ridiculous but I can see how those who are not completely informed could get swayed. Let's just say, I am not as self-assured of an Obama victory as some are.

So, I'd appreciate a quick and easy shut down to some one who would say such a thing to me. Currently, all I can say is that they took it out of context and he was not talking about the business but the infrastructure that helped get it going. That is as simple as I can get it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. Finally! You Better Believe It!

[dionysus]

9. newsmax? FFS dude, you're slipping.

[Zalatix]

35. I don't have a list of known right wing rags.

[ProSense]

13. This is

bullshit RW spin. I mean, what's the point of using a RW site to criticize Dems and engage people in refuting it?

How is this different from: I got this e-mail from a RW friend. Is this true?

DNC Plans To Turn Small Business Attack Tables On Romney

On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee plans to join the Obama campaign with a stepped up response to the “you didn’t build that” attacks on the president by Mitt Romney and the GOP.

DNC spokesperson Brad Woodhouse emailed a broad outline of the Democraic pushback plan to reporters late Tuesday night, which the party says will include on-the-ground events in states and a national conference call targeting what the DNC called Romney’s “failed record and failed policies” on small business “as well as President Obama’s record as a consistent advocate for small businesses.”

Based on the outline, many of the Democratic attacks will focus on Romney’s time as governor of Massachusetts as well as his time at Bain Capital.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/dnc-plans-to-turn-small-business-attack-tables

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. Thanks for posting this. Hopefully, this will lessen the OP's "concern".

Newsmax? Really?

[dionysus]

17. very concerning... you know what happens when i get concerned?

boxin! PUT UP YER DUKES!1!1!

[Tarheel_Dem]

18. Don't taze me bro! I'm gettin' really concerned about your concern. I wish the Obama/Dem bashers

would find a new clearinghouse for their anti-Obama/anti-Dem propaganda. The one they're using really sucks!

[kctim]

16. Losing argument

Business owners pay taxes that contribute to those commons.
Nobody from government was the one spending 18 hour days building the business.

All business owners understand that it is our government that makes their business possible and that it is the business owners hardwork and sacrifice that builds their business.

Trying to convince people to look at what their taxpayer dollars have given them instead of what their hard work has produced for them, is pointless.

[YoungDemCA]

20. It's not pointless...

People pay taxes to the government in exchange for services that benefit them. How is that a "losing argument?"

[kctim]

24. How?

Because business owners also pay taxes for those services.
AND
Because your are asking people to place hidden benefits ahead of the actual blood sweat and tears they actually experience.
You ever hear a ball player thanking Rawlings for making the ball they hit over the fence? Neither have I.

[Quantess]

19. Unrec because it is Newsmax.

[Robb]

21. Newsmax? What, the National Review didn't have anything to say on the matter?

[dionysus]

22. you better believe we'll hear about it if they do....

[Tarheel_Dem]

23. +1000. Lots of "concern" on this issue from the usuals, who don't mind the source.

[lunatica]

25. Newsmax is a Republican leaning rag

So is the Washington Post.

[RonnieAyatollah]

27. A bit of satire regarding the "You didn't build that" meme.....

A little bit of humor I spun over on facebook. Made quite a few people chuckle. Hope you enjoy!

[link:[IMG][/IMG]|

[arely staircase]

30. what is romney hiding?

Must be something really bad.

[SidDithers]

33. Newsmax?...

what's next? The Weekly Standard?

Sid