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TAKE THE PLANET’S PRESENTIAL ‘SURVEY’ (OF SORTS) … YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ROMNEY AND OBAMA … PLUS, MOPPING UP ON THE ‘NATIONAL PASTIME’ AND OTHER SPORTS NON-SEQUITURS

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012) — No, we didn’t post on Friday. No, it was not the preemption of an April’s Fool’s stunt. No, we weren’t kidnapped. No, we didn’t “sell out.” No, “they” didn’t “get to me” (whatever that is supposed to mean). No, we didn’t walk away and leave all you chicks floundering in a world where you have little chance, because the odds are stacked against you — as government tries to ensure.

No, we actually were … well, THE PLANET will spare you the details. Suffice it to say we have been engaged in a delightful combination of R&R and presidential politics from the inside, with a ringside seat afforded to few, with reason. With that in mind, we present a PLANET survey.

This isn’t a poll of your father’s making. We present communications to us, received today, from the two presidential campaigns that will go toe-to-toe in November — Romney for President and the Committee to Re-elect Obama. Our poll has no questions. It consists of today’s messages, which we invite you to read and then share. Share what? Share your reactions on this choice, because one of these two men will gain (or regain) the Oval Office. It won’t be a third party candidate (unfortunately). It won’t be Sara Palin (thank God). It won’t “none of the above.” You will choose between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

From the Obama camp, we received a note from Sen. John Kerry:

—– 00 —–

Dan —

When I was the Democratic nominee for president in one of the closest and toughest elections in history, a group of billionaires did something unprecedented:

They wrote million-dollar checks to fund lies about my service on what were called “Swift Boats” in Vietnam — and in so doing, they turned the boats my crewmates and I served on into a new political shorthand for the most vicious smears imaginable: “swiftboating.”

I wish like hell that the term was retired from the American political lexicon, and returned to its real meaning.

But guess what: Bob Perry, the deep-pocketed funder of the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth,” just gave $3 million to Mitt Romney’s Super PAC.

One man. Three million dollars. And that’s just the start.

I know all too clearly that these guys will do or say anything to win. They’ll stop at nothing. But forewarned is forearmed. Their multi-million dollar smear tactics were new in 2004; in 2012 we know their playbook, and shame on us if we don’t tear it into shreds. Join me and we will stop the “swiftboating” of President Obama.

Fight back by donating $3 or more today at this critical deadline moment.

It takes someone with no shame and a lot of money to get the public to believe a total lie.

Unfortunately that’s what we’re up against.

Let’s be ready for it — let’s fight back.

Please donate $3 today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Before-Saturday

Thanks,

John

Senator John Kerry
Massachusetts

—– 00 —–

From Mr. Mitt, we got this, from his wife, Ann:

—– 00 —–

Mitt
Dan,By now you’ve probably heard that two supporters will get the chance to join Mitt and Tagg in Boston for a baseball game on Patriots’ Day.

This was all Mitt’s idea. He loves meeting supporters at these Day on the Road events. And so do I.

If you win, I’d love to meet you before you head to the baseball game with Mitt and Tagg.

PatriotsDayDeadline

The first winner will be selected after the deadline at 11:59pm tonight.

So donate $3 today to be automatically entered to join the three of us in Boston for Patriots’ Day:

https://www.mittromney.com/donate/patriots-day-with-mitt

Hope to see you soon,

Ann

—– 00 —–

THE PLANET would be interested in your thoughts. So would others who are a bit more connected with the two campaigns, who, we can tell you, will be reading what you write. We can say no more. Be real. Be honest. And no smart-asses, please, or you will be crushed, ejected, then deleted.

As a general note, we would ask to morons, the idiots, the jealous, the misfits crying for their 15 seconds of fame, and anyone not prepared to advance the discussion to take your business to Topix or to the local incinerator. Jump in.

—————————————————————–

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, AND WHY HOCKEY IS THE BEST

We enjoyed the  comments we had in response to our piece on baseball and to Paul Kocak‘s wonderful piece on crashing Game One of the 2010 Whirled Serious. Baseball is no longer The National Pasttime, of course, because there isn’t baseball at all. There is an overproduced, over hyped, overpriced, and underwhelming amusement product that uses a version of “Major League Baseball” as its creative hook. The product exists to extract money from your pockets and for no other reason.

If America can be said to have a National Pastime, it would have to be the National Football League. As far as the players who best earn their salaries these days, it would have to be pro hockey players. THE PLANET has seen many Triple A hockey games in person this year, and we enjoy watching the Boston Bruins (current Stanley Cup champs) on the telly. Without doubt, hockey requires the most conditioned athlete of the four major sports. It has the lung-exhausting quality of NBA basketball (times two) combined with the crunching hitting of football. Throw in the mental aspects, which top anything baseball can produce, and you have the closest thing to honesty for your money. NFL football would be in second place in this regard.

Baseball has become — we discussed that last week. Basketball has been transformed from a team game with players that actually passed the ball around, played defense, and could pass as role models for young people to a sassified, uppity version of ‘gansta ball.’ The clown show that is NBA basketball is the pimped up hip-hop of sports. It tends to attract the same nauseous, ignorant element — you know, the one with the tatoos, the baggy dress, the SouljaBoy twine, the “yo mama” criminal pastiche.

The only time when this cannot be said is when the Boston Celtics win Game Seven of the NBA Championships. Then all is forgiven for about 20 minutes.

We all agree, though, that kids aren’t playing baseball today. ND NO — EVERY KID SHOULD NOT MAKE THE TEAM.

—————————————————————————–

THANK YOU, MY FINE FRIENDS, EVEN IF YOU COME WITH BAGGAGE. FOR THOSE WITH BURDENS, FOR CHARITY’S SWEET SAKE, WE VOUCHSAFE THE TRUNK BETWEEN YOUR ARMS, TO TAKE.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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holy cow
holy cow
12 years ago

no thoughts on the election yet, but I saw new stickers on the berkshire eagle vending machines 75 cents weekdays and 2 bucks for Sunday.

cmon man

Fan Dan Go
Fan Dan Go
Reply to  holy cow
12 years ago

.75 a day for the BB is a sure sign of impneding trouble for the rag. Andy Mick sold his home and hes heading outta town. Circ. is pushing 16,ooo, down from 36,000 not to long ago.

Onto the presidential poll: don’t really know what you’re asking, DV, sounds like reactions, so here it is: the Kerry letter sounds too whiny to me. The Ann Romney letter is more positive and down to earth. Romney the winner.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  holy cow
12 years ago

I don’t think that they will ever get that kind of money for that newspaper! No way!

GMHeller
GMHeller
12 years ago

Why does John Forbes Kerry always insist on re-hashing 2004?
He lost.
He was the far weaker candidate, that’s why he lost.
And by far the more pompous.
(Remember John Kerry’s famous upbraid of a fellow customer at DeLuca’s Market on Beacon Hill: “Do you know who I am?”).
Kerry is complaining because a donor gives Romney’s SuperPac $3 Million.
How many tens of millions of dollars — or will it be hundreds of millions of dollars — are various public employee unions and other labor unions giving to Barack Obama?

tito
tito
12 years ago

Every kid should make the team!

Molly
Molly
Reply to  danvalenti
12 years ago

How about at the Little League level/age group, every kid makes the team as it gives them an important opportunity to be a part of that team along with all that means and the valuable life lessons to be learned from doing that. And when the score is 25 to zip, the 25 run team can put in their “back bench boys” and let them play and have fun and let the other boys root for them to score! And of course, everyone has to come to practice and they get to throw and catch and bat qne BOND at the practice games. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

However, I don’t believe in not keeping score, or each kid has to play a certain number of innings every game, on and on. Those things go to the extreme and part of sports should be the opportunity to learn how to fail at something and get past that – no one will excel at everything in life and it helps them learn how to deal with disappointments. And once they hit the Babe Ruth League (or whatever age – maybe 13?), then no – not everyone gets on the team.

Dave
Dave
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

If your objective is to not keep score of on a ball game, you should have thought of that before you taught the kids to count.

I was a coach for a kids soccer team. In that particular league, the league did not keep score during a game. My words to the kids was everybody played and the main emphasis was to have fun.

Do you think that because we didn’t “officially” keep score, the kids didn’t know how many goals their team or the opposition team scored? Do not bet on that one.

When I was a kid, we were taught to play to win. Something overlooked today. If you lost, you learned to deal with it and move on AND at the next opportunity you got another shot to try and win. What is the point in playing a competitive sport if you do not play to win?

Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Reply to  Dave
12 years ago

Have to agree with Dave. You play competitive sports to win. honestly I think its the Title 9 effect. Girls and women compete in a different way. The feminization of sports. It has slid down the slippery slope to produce the dreaded “don’t keep score every kid plays” effect. As Valenti wrote God help us.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Dave
12 years ago

Dave – perhaps you misread what I said. I said that I do NOT believe in not keeping score and that I do NOT believe in rules that force each member of the team to play a certain number of innings — that those things are over the top and serve no valuable life lessons — in fact, just the opposite. I would like to see all kids accepted to the team to get the benefits of that team spirit, etc., and to perhaps let them play when their team is way ahead. But just being on the team and rooting for your team is a good thing, and certainly the practices are a good thing as well – teaches discipline, etc.

Dave
Dave
Reply to  Dave
12 years ago

No Molly, I did not misread. I beleive that we need to teach kids to keep score and be competitive.

This is probably the first time I have disagreed with what you have written.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Dave
12 years ago

Is this a joke or do you really not know how to read?

Scott
Scott
12 years ago

Political candidates shouldn’t be allowed to take money from anyone they should only be elected by what they get done for society period. Then maybe it wouldn’t cost so much to win elections.

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
12 years ago

Have to agree with Fan Dan Go and Heller, John Kerry sounds whinny to me, ” I actually voted for the $87 Billion before I voted against it”

Silence Dogood
Silence Dogood
12 years ago

Swift Boating like McCarthyism is telling the truth about a democrat.

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Silence Dogood
12 years ago

Ben Franklin What part of Vietnam did your buddy Bush serve? Oh thats right he was too drunk to do his Nationial guard duty!

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

I think you got that from Dan Rather, right Steve? And we saw what happened with THAT! 🙂 Go try to find Dan now – “where in the world is that pompous ass Dan Rather”?

Beacon Hill Mob
Beacon Hill Mob
12 years ago

Romney or Obama, America is screwed either way.

Molly
Molly
12 years ago

Dang it – I missed the deadline! I would’ve liked to have gone to a game with Mitt on Patriot’s Day!

Thank God Kerry didn’t win that election! What a whiner! I’ve always thought he was whacked-out and this letter proves it. Obama has really done little else since he was elected other than campaign! I think he’s addicted to being thought of as a “rock star” and just loves those crowds cheering and can’t stay away! And the nerve to complain about the $3 million when George Soros and Michael Moore and Bill Mauer and yes, mostly the unions, have donated hundreds of millions of dollars! They’re boasting that they will total a BILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGN FUND!!! You can’t even count to a billion in an entire lifetime! And he’s feining outrage at this? I cannot stand Kerry – the epitome of an arrogant, pompous, self-serving ass. So much so that I don’t even like buying Heinz Ketchup anymore! I agree – he lost and he needs to get over it! He lost for a lot of good reasons! “Closest and toughest elections in history”?? I don’t think so…

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

Nancy Yet its OK for the Koch brothers to pay for the Tea party ?

Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

Go Steve! I gotta agree with you here brother

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

How did you make that huge jump from my defending a $3 million dollar contribution WHEN COMPARED TO THE MILLIONS contributed to Obama — to my thinking that the Koch brothers who violated trade agreements with Iran are ok? I did NOT make that leap — you did! And since you did, go take a look at Obama’s big money supporters — you will be equally amazed.

Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

I don’t think the President was boasting about a Billion dollars at all..it was more the pundints who were

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
12 years ago

And do you really believe that the pundits in the mainstream media aren’t given their talking points from the Obama campaign? Really????

Molly
Molly
12 years ago

Deadline is April 9th at 11:59pm, not last night… So I entered to win and hope that I do!!! 🙂

Diogenes
Diogenes
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

Molly, I agree totally with your comments about kerry and o’bama, couldn’t have said it better myself. I haven’t liked Heinz ketchup in years. The flavor is too inconsistent! Will be rooting for you to win! Good Luck!

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Diogenes
12 years ago

Diogenes You do know that that Mrs Kerry was married to a Republican Senator who owned the Heinz corp right?

Diogenes
Diogenes
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

Yes, I did know that. That’s where Mrs Kerry got her money and subsequently, where john got most of his. The “inconsistency” was what I found in john kerry, as well as in the ketchup!

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Diogenes
12 years ago

You’re sounding a bit whiny and shrill Diogenes (and Molly.)

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Diogenes
12 years ago

Heinz takes it’s name from Senator Heinz of Pa, who died in a tragic airplane accident. Nice going dumping insults on the dead.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Diogenes
12 years ago

Whiny and shrill? LOL Why – because I made some points that you don’t have an answer to, and so you accuse of whiny and shrill? Give me a break – either put some facts down or you need to stop whining!

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Diogenes
12 years ago

So because Senator Heinz died in a tragic plane crash, we can never point out that John Kerry gets his money, keeps his senatorial position, and ran for President based upon the money that Senator Heinz made in the Heinz company? WHAT?? I did not say one thing against Senator Heinz! As I said, put some facts down and we’ll debate them and stop with the whiny and shrill and accusations of “dumping insults on the dead” — you are showing your true colors a little too loudly!

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

Steve, there was a time when DV railed against “hysterical women.” Where is he when we need him?

Molly
Molly
Reply to  levitan
12 years ago

And now you sink to “hysterical women” – keep talking as you’re doing a great job all by yourself of continuing to discredit yourself! hahahaha

dusty
dusty
12 years ago

I am not a fan of crooked democratic politics in Mass. However, I see Romney as a man of soft plastic who will morph into anything he thinks he needs to be…until he is elected. Then watch out once he gets the power.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  dusty
12 years ago

Yeah, I have to say that I wasn’t all that pleased with Romney, either – although was big time vs. Obama. But I felt that he just couldn’t relate to “regular people” and wasn’t true to what he believed in. But I’ve been watching him closely and determined that his personality is just a little “stiff” – I think especially coming across to those who don’t really know him. I think he’s been doing much better, too – showing some personality and a sense of humor. I liked him on Leno, and I liked him on Greta last night, too – he did a good job. I also keep watching for inconsistencies and he’s not doing that – he’s very consistent. So although he has my vote anyway as it’s against Obama (and that’s a sad statement), I am getting a lot more excited about him lately, too. I do not like Santorum at all – way too far right wing…

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
12 years ago

Here is the breakdown of party affiliation of the 71 governors of Massachusetts.

4 had no party affiliation.
5 were Federalists.
4 were Democratic-Republicans.
6 were Whigs.
1 belonged to the Know-Nothing Party.
20 belonged to the Democratic Party.
31 belonged to the Republican Party.

The Kraken
The Kraken
Reply to  Ron Kitterman
12 years ago

Ron, was it Romney who belonged to the Know Nothing Party? Seems like a natural fit to me.

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
12 years ago

Dan Looks like your “Blog” has turned into Fox News Berkshire County. Whats next a guest column by Rush?

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

I believe we should make one major change to general election rules.

For ANY candidate, in order to be able to run for re-election, your budget must be balanced.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

I will be voting for Obama. Romney is a fake and Rick who belongs in a sanitarium is a nut. Go Obama.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  Jim Gleason
12 years ago

Jim – and how has that “Hopey Changey” thing worked out so far? What does Obama even have to run on? His healthcare is about to get overturned by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional (and him being a Harvard Graduate Constitutional Law person) – gas and oil prices are through the ceiling, which is exactly where he wants them and has very plainly stated that. No one is reporting on the cost of living — take a look at grocery prices and the price of ALL goods – they are out of sight because everything needs to be shipped! There are still over 13 MILLION people unemployed, and the unemployment rate is still 8.3% with the “true” unemployment rate somewhere around 15%. His policies have not worked! How did Solyndra work out? Costs us billions and continues to do so with zero benefit! He has nada to run on – and you’ve given nothing to state why it would be a good thing to vote for him yet again other than “Romney is a fake and Rick belongs in a sanitarium” – come on!! If that’s the best you can do, then you probably shouldn’t vote at all!

Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

And the current State of the Union is all based on 3 years worth of The Presidents failed policies? C’mon Molly get a grip and read some history to get a bigger picture of the trends over the last 30 plus years… You are ranting like a Fox news watcher

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

I;ve voted in every election since 1979, local,state and federal, and have voted for Republicans in the past, but won’t vote for a nut or a fake.President Obama has done a good job re-starting the economy, the big 3 auto makers are all now making a profit enough to re-hire thousands of workers and unemployment is down.His troubles overseas are a product of the mess of two wars left on him by Blunder, who invaded Iraq based on lies and Obama got us out of there.He will have us out of Afghanistan sooner than later. He’s done a much better job than either Sanitarium or Romney would. Romney put the same form of forced health care into practice in MA, did you forget that Molly?Don’t tell me I shouldn’t vote. If you’re voting for Romney then you should think of doing the thing you suggested I do, not vote at all.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

Maybe Bill Sturgeon can run for President. He claims he’s done everything but be President so he could add that to his resume.

Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Reply to  Jim Gleason
12 years ago

I think he formed an exploratory committee once

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
Reply to  Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
12 years ago

What was he exploring, how to be a radio host?

The Kraken
The Kraken
12 years ago

I won’t be voting for either candidate. Even my ‘vote for the lesser of 2 evils’ philosophy cannot bring me to vote for either one. Romney is just a lying flip flopper and Obama has just been a dissapointment.

Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
Hilly Billy 2 in Ward 4
12 years ago

Dan and the Gang, Barring any new candidate entering the race I will be voting for President Obama’s reelection. After all the gaffes and stumbling Mitt Romney has had, I hope his jokes are not coming from you. The guy could not be more out of touch. Car elevators, humorous story about Dad closing a factory, this Guy is a mess and has no real stance that he can articulate. He blows like the wind.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

Who cares how you Mass people vote, you’ll vote for Obama no matter who runs against him. Hope the rest of the country is smarter and gets rid of the worst President of all times.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
Reply to  CONCERNED
12 years ago

No, the title of worst President of all times belongs, by far, to GW Blunder, a.k.a.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  CONCERNED
12 years ago

Didn’t think that anyone would be able to take that title away from Jimmy Carter, but I agree – Obama has!!

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

a.k.a. George W Bush.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

Anyone but Obama,has not done a good job to say the least.Should have stayed Senator a few more terms.Single A player called up to the big leagues to soon.Romney could do no worst than Obama.Don’t worry you kool-aide drinking Obama supporters,he will get re-elected.God help us all.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

Maybe not Joetaxpayer there are more States than Mass, Obama is the worst EVER and 4 more years would ruin the USA in more ways that you can imagine

The Kraken
The Kraken
Reply to  CONCERNED
12 years ago

Obama the worst ever? Are you kidding me? George W. by far takes that title. And rather than paste fake labels on him (socialist, muslim, not born here, etc.) here are real reasons why George W. Bush was the worst president in history:
THE GOOD: Nothing I can think of
THE BAD:
His 25 point plan that had Fannie/Freddie give loans to everyone who breathed.
No Child Left Behind
Turned a trillion dollar surplus into a 7 trillion dollar debt.
The Valerie Plame affair.
Did NOT get Osama Bin Laden,
Totally mishandled the Afghan war. It should’ve been over in less than 5 years.
Totally mishandled the Iraq war until the final troop surge.
TARP. Yes, that was Bush’s to all the idiots who think Obama signed that one.
THE UGLY:
911 happened on HIS watch.
He completely lied about WMD.
Presided over the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression.

Molly
Molly
Reply to  The Kraken
12 years ago

– Not quite the facts, Dan!

– The give Fannie/Freddie loans to everyone is a Jimmy Carter deal and not a George W deal! The Community Reinvestment Act – 1977 — look it up.

– You’re right with George W. being terrible with the debt. But not as bad as Obama has been! The facts are that when George W. took office, the national debt was 5.768 trillion and when he left office a full 8 years later, it was 10.626 trillion – an avg. of 607 billion a year and about 1.66 billion per day. As I said, Bad! Obama, however, took office with 10.626 trillion in debt and 2 years later, the national debt was 14.071 trillion – an increase of 3.445 trillion dollars in just 735 days! That’s about 5 BILLION DOLLARS A DAY!
– Easy to sit and say the Afghanistan war should’ve been over in 5 years – there is no way to ever “win” that war. However, George W. did a damn good job at keeping us safe, too! I did also notice that Obama pushed to have the Patriot Act recertified for his own use…
– As for Bin Laden, I give Obama credit for this – it’s the ONLY good thing that he’s done. However, they found him through information gained from interrogating terrorist prisoners during the Bush Administration.
– Just how long can Obama continue to try to blame Bush for EVERYTHING! He is the President of the U.S., this is HIS economy that is still tanking, it is HIS inflation, it is HIS oil and gas prices. TIme for him to start answering up and doing something about these problems!

The Kraken
The Kraken
Reply to  Molly
12 years ago

I disagree that there was no way to win the Afghan war. Shoulda gone in, got OBL, and had a valid exit plan.
And Bush did not do a good job of keeping us safe. Are you forgetting 911 already? And his mishandling of 2 wars led to the deaths of many American soldiers. I hardly call that safe, esp. for them.
You complain about Obama blaming Bush but yet try to give Bush credit for info leading to getting OBL. That makes no sense. If the Bush admin had the info then why did they not get OBL? Because they were incompetent, that’s why.
Believe me I am no fan of Obama’s:
THE GOOD:
Got OBL
Handled the Libya situation very well.
Has kept us safe unlike his predecessor.
Trying to end subsidies for oil companies.
THE BAD:
Economic stim package was nothing but spending catered towards unions. Waste of money.
Should have focused on the economy from day one instead of Obamacare.
Spend, spend, spend.
Debt, debt, debt.
Has done nothing about high oil/gas prices.
THE UGLY:
I guess you could put Obamacare here as so many people hate it.
Has never had a real plan to fix the economy.
One final phrase:
Bush broke the economy and Obama doesn’t know how to fix it.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

I agree with you, but most voters are not that informed.Alot believe the BS of the main stream media.Also GW was another lousy Pres. and he got a second term.