CHARLOTTE — Senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett spoke to Virginia delegates Thursday morning reiterating the Democrats' case for the re-election of President Barack Obama.
"This convention has given us a chance to speak directly to the American people about what kind of mess the president inherited, how he has moved our country forward and his road map to the future," Jarrett said to a room full of delegates during a morning breakfast.
Jarrett briefly touched on issues like job growth and women's rights, and Obama's efforts to recover the auto industry.
Jarrett told delegates about a conversation her 86-year-old mother had with her 26-year-old daughter and said women should have the right to choose what happens with their bodies.
She said her mother told her daughter: “I did not think you were going to have to fight the battles that I fought 50 years ago. That is not what I expected for your future."
On the auto industry, Jarrett said: “At the time, it was not the most popular decision but our president does what he believes is right. He does not put his short-term political interests ahead of you."
Jarrett said the qualities that Obama possesses are important as president.
"Character matters. Integrity matters. Telling the American people the truth matters. Putting your country first ... matters."
"I want to make sure that we have a president that is looking toward the future. Who is moving our country toward the future where we have a long-term sustainable healthy country, where our children can thrive and reach their dreams."
Jarrett was one of several speakers making the case for Obama.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Virginia businessman and former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana addressed the group.
Malloy delivered what he called a personalized message to delegates.
"If this budgetary plan that Paul Ryan has rolled out and that Mitt Romney has endorsed ... If that comes to bear in Virginia, the progress that has been made will become dissipated."
"Do not think that they’re only going to pick on the middle class in a place like Connecticut or New York. They’re coming for your place as well."
Malloy said there are three reasons to vote for Obama: "You have a sister, you have a mother or you have a daughter."
He also added: “Or, you have a brain.”
I admit to not being a financial wizard. I did not say that Romney was paying 2x taxes. However, I do know that corporations are taxed at something like 35%. So, the corporation is paying 35% on its profits. Therefore, the profit is already being paid to the government at the tune of 35%. Then, if you sell your stock which has doubled and is worth $2000, you may capital gains tax on $1000---but your profit would have been greater if the corporation was not paying 35% on its profits., Therefore, your profits are being tax twiced. Once at the corporate level and once on the personal income level. Is this really that hard? I'm pretty sure that Romney has contributed to charities beyond the Mormon church-but I really don't care.
Individuals pay capital gains tax on stock if stock rises due to the market - not whether or not the company is profitable. Company profit is one variable that plays into stock price. Stock price is determined by the market - not the company. The company may ASK for a given price, but the market determines the price. The company doesn't pay the difference between the initial value and your sell value, the trading markets do. Company profits do not pay the investor the difference. The incremental gain on a company's stock value is in ADDITION to it's initial value, therefore it is new money and has not yet been taxed. Your logic is tortuous. And, pls name one corporation that is actually paying 35%. Tax bracket and effective tax rate are two totally different things (like manufacturers retail price and the actual retail price you pay),
Valerie, please tell us why the White House did not tell us the truth about Libya? Why did it claim the movie was the reason for the attack? Why did Susan Rice go on all the Sunday talk shows and tell us it was a spontaneous attack? Why didn't it tell us for two weeks that Al Queda was involved? Yes, Valerie, the truth does matter.
I'd love to have a discussion and learn something, but as I said, you bring nothing, no facts, no data, nada. Only an opinion based on some story you heard but can't prove.
I see you quickly changed the subject away from Romney’s taxes. But regardless, instead of politicians choosing to show a united front, here we go again with SOME of them blaming Obama for the Libyan mob attacks against the embassy. And who just happens to be leading this charge? Mitt Romney and the Chairman of the Republican Party, Reince Priebus. Surprise, surprise.
The subject of this article is "The Truth Matters". Do you not think that the Libyan attack is very significant? Have you read the details of this attack? It was not a mob attack. It was orchestrated. Al Queda was involved. Almost all the media -and-even the White House is now acknowledging this. It is also being acknowledged that the White House knew within 24 hours--and yet for 9 days it was denied. Did you see the CNN reports on this? They reported on Stevens' journal which indicated he was fearful. They reported this a few days ago. While the ethics of the securing of the journal by CNN is questionable, no one is denying its accuracy. Romney's taxes have been released. There is no arguing that he is an extremely wealthy man. However, he paid his taxes. Yes, they were manipulated and he did not claim all charitable contributions so that he would pay a higher tax rate. What is wrong with that. Your mad because he paid more than he owed. He has come out quite publicly saying that he wants to get rid of loopholes and lower everyone's tax rate. What else is to say? The truth matters and the White House is lying about LIbya. Why?
So now we have a new conspiracy theory about the attack on our Libyan embassy. Let me guess, Obama knew about this impending terrorist attack and did nothing....because........what would be the motive for him to not act??? Anyone? Does Obama secretly like al Qaeda? Would an attack on our embassy help him win reelection? Seriously? Have you guys lost all your marbles? Diplomacy requires a careful, measured response--as a LEADER (Mitt, take notes now) you don't go running your mouth about an incident UNTIL YOU HAVE THE FACTS. Get that? UNTIL YOU HAVE THE FACTS. Libya is a country we are trying to stabilize and strengthen relations with in an area of the world that is quite anti-American. Why should anyone from the US run their mouth about it being a terrorist attack before they know for sure? Those guys that killed our people are toast--if not already. We take care of our own but we do it in a diplomatic way. Nice try...surely you guys can do better than this garbage.
Romney did not lie. He made the decision to not claim all his charitable deductions in order to support something that he had said earlier. He had said that he paid no lower than 14% and, because of his charitable deductions, his tax rate would have fallen to 13 something %. So, he made a decision to keep his word. Is that what you call a lie? Janet, The Libyan issue is a very serious one. For almost two weeks the White House blamed the video when it was clear that it was not a mob assault. The video was a red herring. There is video of the assault which shows no mob--only people with rpg's. I have neither seen nor heard reports of a conspiracy theory to attack the embassy. Where did you hear that one? CNN did report that Stevens was fearful. That does not indicate a conspiracy theory. The gaffe here is not Romney's. The White House lied. They could have said simply that they weren't sure, but instead they first said it was a result of the video, then it was an opportunist attack, and, now , finally they are admitting that it was a terrorist attack. As far as "careful measured responses", what do you think of Obama's announcement of bin Laden's death and the leaks from the White House on that issue? A Pakistani doctor who helped us is in dire straits, as a result of these leaks. No telling how much actionable intelligence was lost as a result of Obama's victory lap.
I read the Nation article and I understand what the writer is saying. However, I have no problem with it. I am not a Mormon. I know a handful of Mormons and I admire every one of them. I admire their commitment to their church and their service to it. I will also admit that I find the religion a little "different". I also know that my family gives generously to church. It is the biggest recipient of our charitable donations. The church, in turn, uses the money to support local organizations that feed people and provide emergency assistance. From time to time, the church houses the homeless on cold nights. Of course, some of the money is naturally used to support the church itself. That is important to us. The church could not exist without donations. I assume the Mormon church is the same. I just don't see the problem here.
This information is from Kessler's column in the Washington Post: 2005: $77,315 to charity out of income of $1.66 million (4.6 percent) 2004: $2,500 out of $207,647 (1.2 percent) 2003: $3,400 out of $238,327 (1.4 percent) 2002: $1,050 out of $259,394 (0.4 percent
Sometimes change is good people - it's not about democrats or republicans, it is about common sense.
I have read all the articles. By the way, the "Bain Bailout" did not involve taxpayer money. Big difference. WAPO gave the claim 3 Piinocchoio's when Biden used it to accuse Romney. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/bidens-incorrect-claim-that-a-bain-bailout-cost-american-taxpayers/2012/09/03/b349eab8-f5db-11e1-8b93-c4f4ab1c8d13_blog.html
Sorta like when the right screams 'small gov't'! But has no problem with gov't deciding on women's health decisions by enacting legislation that in effect is monitoring every pregnancy to assure the 'right' outcome is achieved.
He will go down in history as the worse president in the history of our great country. It's time for a true leader. It's time to move on.