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New Obama Email: Campaign Manager Asks ‘Why the Hell Romney Picked’ Ryan? So ‘Corporate Interests’ Will Be a ‘Heartbeat from the Presidency’

Aug. 14, 2012 6:59am Benny Johnson

Jim Messina Asks Why the Hell Romney Picked Paul Ryan in Fundraising Email

Obama Campaign manager Jim Messina

In a fundraising letter that may strike some as offensive, Obama’s Campaign manager Jim Messina ponders “Why the hell” Presidential candidate Mitt Romney would pick Congressman Paul Ryan as his Vice-Presidential candidate? He answers his own question by declaring that Romney’s “calculation” is to “inspire ultraconservative ideologues and corporate interests” to donate. Later he declares that Ryan’s addition to the ticket is a reassurance will cause them to donate since they will have ”one of their own a heartbeat from the presidency.”

The email, which follows another fundraising letter from Vice President Joe Biden, claims supporters can expect “lying, distorting” ads “trashing Barack Obama.” This attack is ironic, given the latest series of pro-Obama PAC ads have blamed Mitt Romney for seemingly killing a man’s wife who had cancer.

“We’re already being outraised, and we can’t afford to fall further behind,” Messina later bemoans, “hundreds of millions more dollars” may flow into the Romney campaign.”

But as we noted yesterday, the alarming language about money is a little misleading. According to Opensecrets.org, the race is a lopsided runaway on fundraising and spending — in favor of the Obama Campaign. In fact, it really is not even close. The Obama Camp has out-raised and out-spent the Romney camp nearly 2 to 1.

Info-graphic: opensecrets.org, based on federal reportings

See the full text of the fundraising email below:

Congressman Paul Ryan is the poster boy for the extreme Republican leadership in a Congress whose overall approval rating is 12 percent. His plan to dismantle Medicare is deeply unpopular with the general public, and especially undecided voters.

You might be wondering why the hell Romney picked this guy. But this is a strategic pick that carries real danger for us.

Here’s the calculation: Mitt Romney doesn’t need or expect Paul Ryan to convince even one undecided voter to cast their ballot for him. That’s not what he’s on the ticket for. He’s there to reassure and inspire ultraconservative ideologues and corporate interests that they will have one of their own a heartbeat from the presidency.

That means tens or even hundreds of millions more dollars for the Romney campaign and the array of outside groups supporting him — and if current trends hold, more than 90 percent of that money will be spent on TV ads — lying, distorting and trashing Barack Obama. Those ads will have more impact on undecided voters than anything Paul Ryan himself does or says.

Mitt Romney is convinced that picking Paul Ryan is a great investment for him. And his campaign is already touting the pledges and donations they’ve received as a result, with fundraising events planned for this week.

We’re already being outraised, and we can’t afford to fall further behind. Our records show that you’re still waiting to make your first online donation — now is the time.

Please donate $5 or more today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Romney-Ryan

More soon.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

–

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Comments (58)

Female
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:42am
How is Paul Ryan from Wisconsin a heartbeat away from corporate America? I genuinely see no connection with corporations in hus background except flippimg burgers big McD connection, serving drinks at a Mexican restaurant, being a trainer at a health club or one time driving the oscar mobile?

What is the connection?

The guy worked hard for what he has attained, jusy like the people in the private sector?

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- Female
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 9:18am
  Spelling errors due to being relly early where I live?
  
  FOUND IT!
  
  They are going after his wife……of course!
  
  She was a lobbyist for ten years prior to marrying him. The clients of the companies she worked for are on the liberals wealth hit list. Yup, she is responsible for the ills and evil corporation her boss assigned to her over 12 years ago. Oh, and she is also wicked for receiving a trustfund from her mother back in 2010. Puff the dragon is doing a hit piece on her and associating her presently w/a guy she use to work with who has gone on to continued success.
  
  If they want to demonize her and cause a loss of votes…why not draw parallels between her background and Hilary’s: political parentage, same college, attorney, blond, married good looking men who had no dads, had money from parents…This could lose some votes for the repubs except the decision to have and raise her 3 kids….
  
  God will this trash ever stop!
  
  ISSUES PEOPLE< ISSUES=ECONOMY STUPID!
  
  Report this comment
- turkey13
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 10:28am
  I would rather have Corporate interest neat the president than the Muslim brotherhood, Alcida, and commies. If Obama had done this in his first year he would have met his statement that unemployment would never go over 8%. Also, Obama was kissing up to the same unions that turned Detroit into a ghost town. That why BMW, Niesson, Toyota, Hynda and M.B. and other Auto MFGs built their new auto plants in the south. They also didn’t have to hire those old UAW workers that stand around all day and bitch about having to work.
  
  Report this comment
- its_time_to_arrest_our_government
  Posted on August 16, 2012 at 11:44am
  we may not be out raising you in cash but we sure do out class you. all the money in the world wont buy you commies more votes
  
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TWO BITS
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:33am
Obama hates r-words like republicans and responsibility, but he loves his personal riches and recreation. While he believes successful people, other than his regime, do not deserve credit for their achievements, I give him full credit for his spectacular failures.

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woodyee
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:32am
He wasn’t filing a complaint. He was emailing a TALKING POINT.

Ain’t gonna matter – Obammy loses by at LEAST a landslide, and if his campaign continues his attack nonsense instead of addressing the issues (still a losing proposition), they will be wiped off the political map!

Stay focused – it is literally Victory or Death!

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EqualJustice
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:26am
What a hyocrite! He gets $38,000.00 a head from his rich liberal friends and instead of spreading that wealth around, he goes to the poor and begs for 5 bucks for HIMSELF?? PATHETIC!

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watashbuddyfriend
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:23am
Ji, I hope you are correct in your assumption! We surely need some of that!

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jespasinthru
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:23am
Ask the average undecided voter, if there really is such a thing at this late stage of the game: Who would you rather have a heartbeat away from the presidency? An intelligent, energetic young man with morals and principles, or a blithering old idiot who is an embarrassment to his office?

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Gregb
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:15am
everything from the obama camp is lies and deception.
Romney and Ryan have high morals and truth on their side.
I am praying that the American public can see through obama’s lies.

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- JUSTANOTHEROPINION
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:39am
  It’s actually not a matter of the American public seeing through the lies Obama puts out. It’s a matter of the American people getting past their own self interests (i.e. the supposed free bees Obama has promised) and save Our nation from certain distruction. God help us. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
  
  Report this comment
AJAYW
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:58am
Democrates the party of slums and living off other peoples work, never met one that wasn’t looking for something for nothing.

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jackact
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:55am
Message to the regime:
Romney picked Ryan because he is the only politician today able to eloquently combine fiscal conservatism with small government conservatism.
There is no bigger threat to the left than a politician that can communicate, effectively, this message to the electorate.
The other reason for Ryans selection is the mortal dagger in the heart the regime will suffer during the vice-presidential debates.
:)

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Diane TX
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:38am
Isn’t that Iranian born woman, Valerie Jarrett, the actual President of the USA? Barry/Barack just does what he’s told to do by her. Muslims good, Christians bad. Welcome to the Islamic Nation of the United States.

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- barber2
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:57am
  Would definitely like to know more about here. She does seem to have a strange and secretive hold over the administration.
  
  Report this comment
- teddrunk
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:25am
  Look at her face, she’s demonic. Seriously, she’s a minion of Satan.
  
  Report this comment
- Rillobymorning
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 10:30am
  She is indeed the de-facto president of the US. He doesn’t make a move without consulting her first.
  
  Report this comment
pirate052
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:33am
Jim Messina besides obama well they are both losers in America

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ColoradoMaverick
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:27am
The chart above tells you all you need to know about Obama’s fiscal policies. He is spending money he does not have, while Romney lives within his means. Thanks team Obama, for shedding some light on your man! Idiots!

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- loriann12
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:53am
  Romney has more campaign money because people like me send in $10 every chance we get. I can sometimes afford $20. I send what I can. Obama made his base the welfare queens, who need their phone more than to have Obama president again. Until Obama can figure out a way to take it off their Welfare Debit card, he’s not going to get money from them.
  
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HKS
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:26am
Like communist being in the white house is better?

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sawbuck
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:23am
Its going to be a long …Next couple of months.

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Abraham Young
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:22am
After forcing corporations to take the bailout money, this is astounding hypocrisy on the part of Obama. We know where he really stands – on the side of communists who can’t stand American exceptionalism.

Whoever Obama is working for, it isn’t American interests. It’s his own agenda first, last, and always.

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dublinthewagons
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:22am
I will donate a one way ticket to a foreign country of Obama’s choice after he is defeated in November.
Can you just imagine the list of presidential pardons after he is voted out.

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- HKS
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:31am
  The congress should wait a little to prosecute Holder so Obama can’t pardon him.
  
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- Female
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 11:34am
  He will want to set-up his palace and seat in Biblical Babylon.
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:17am
Rules For Radicals : Blame your opponent for doing what you are actually doing. The Democrats are following their community organizer’s handbook which is their Bible. Just as Big Brother Government is their one true God.

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- HKS
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:30am
  ditto.
  
  Report this comment
- fiveisenough
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:04am
  You nailed it, Barber!
  
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historyguy48
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:16am
Actually, this is a very well planned, well coordinated move intended to drain more money out of his base while doing yet another attack on his opponent.
With what this President and his party have done to this country their approval rating displays the effectiveness of their propaganda campaign. Most Americans still have absolutely no idea what is going on inside this country and believe this is just politics as usual.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:16am
Incredible is it not the depths of how they believe their own lies?

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NHwinter
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:15am
Is there one civil, mature member of the Obama staff? Their lying, crude remarks have no impact on anyone with a brain. What an embarassment to America. What a pleasure to have Romney and Ryan in the race. They bring back dignity and intelligence.

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- barber2
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:14am
  Agree. Nice to have adults with some class back in the room. Was getting tired of the mob boss value system of the current ” occupants ” of the White House .
  
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- historyguy48
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:38am
  Oh for petes sake! Dear Leader taught Rules for Radicals, all they are doing is following their bible! At all times you must remember that the end justifies the means.
  Truth is irrelevant.
  
  Report this comment
KURT1010
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:12am
And the truth will set you free !

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RightUnite
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:10am
Ooooooohhhhh!! That’s quite the stretch!

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kaydeebeau
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:07am
Ahh the leftists – projection, projection, projection…….That which they claim in an attack of the opponent is always a description of themselves

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MiCurmudgeon
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:06am
Leaders take responsibility. Losers look for others to blame. Obama is a loser.

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olddog
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:05am
Is it Amazing to any of you how absolutely Childish leftist (socialists) act?
And they want to bring the presidency back to their sand box and play some more.

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- fieldwork
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:31am
  Certainly their rhetoric is simplistic but it animates about half this country. Rhetoric aside there is nothing “childish” about their actions.
  
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