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An Obama Volunteer Called Us, So We Interviewed Him: ‘Really Afraid’ of the Tea Party, Rising Unemployment Numbers A ‘Good Sign’, & Benghazi a ‘Flare Up That’s Bound to Happen’

Nov. 5, 2012 12:05pm Benny Johnson

Blaze Interview With Obama Campaign Worker: Jobs Numbers, Benghazi, and Tea Party

Photo Credit: AP

An Obama campaign worker from Illinois called me this weekend to try and encourage me to vote. Being a journalist, I decided to interview him about his thoughts on some of the most important issues of the time. He agreed to go on the record and his answers offer a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an Obama fan.

The worker, Paul, is an Illinois resident and is working for the president in his victory office near Chicago. Paul called to ask me to support Obama this election cycle. I politely told him, “I cannot endorse anyone, but if you would like to go on the record I would be fascinated to hear the reasons for your support.” Paul graciously said yes and answered some of our most pressing questions, right from Obama camp HQ.

I began by asking Paul about the state of the economy. He said the president inherited the “storm of the century” economically but that things were “really turning around.” Paul then asked if I had seen the latest jobs report.

“Yes Paul, but it showed unemployment rate rising to 7.9 percent.” In the numbers game this translates to more people out of work today than when Obama took office.

Paul responded saying “believe it or not, that’s a good sign.” He continued: “This means that more people are looking for jobs.” Astonishingly, Paul is not the only one to assume rising unemployment is a good thing. CNN posted this analysis last week:

“The rise, to 7.9% from 7.8% in September, was due to more people entering the job market. Many of those who had stopped searching for work were encouraged enough by the economy to start looking once again.”

This peculiar economic viewpoint has also been adopted by many liberal bloggers as a golden spin on the lack luster jobs numbers delivered this week. The Romney campaign certainly did not follow that messaging, attacking the numbers as ”a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill.”

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – NOVEMBER 04: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Credit: Getty Images

On the topics of foreign policy, Paul mentioned his admiration for the president and how he has dealt with foreign leaders in “an appropriate way.” He also thinks the president showed “a great deal of courage” in killing Osama Bin Laden and has done an “amazing job” around the world.

I then asked about the Libya debacle. On the issue of Benghazi and the murder of four American’s in our consulate, Paul was hesitant. He proceeded in calling the issue a “flare up that is bound to happen from time to time” but admitted that there may have been ”a lack of communication.” Paul insisted again that this “kind of issue” does happen occasionally but the terrorist attack was not “indicative of bad foreign policy or a lack of security attention.”

CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 04: U.S. President Barack Obama Credit: Getty Images

The charred remains of an American consulate security vehicle in Benghazi. Photo Credit: REUTERS

Paul listed other reasons informing him to vote for Obama this cycle, the president’s “inclusiveness” being one of them. The fact that he was “really afraid of tea party exclusion politics” was another. He finally mentioned his disappointment in the Bush/Cheney years as further influencing his opinion towards Obama.

When asked about what we can expect in the next four years Paul said “fair tax policies” and “appropriate foreign policy.” He expects Obama to “engage with both sides of the aisle” and provide four years of continued support for Obamacare.

US President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally in Aurora, ColoradoCredit: AFP/Getty Images

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Comments (111)

hejhog
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:52pm
I find it very interesting that lefties always want to talk about reaching across the aisle. Cooperation, to them, seems to be when everyone else abandons the principles of common sense in order to cave in and ‘do it their way’. Anyone who resists, or interjects actual facts into a debate, is automatically labeled an obstructionist…. or worse. After 4 years of ruling by executive order, does this ‘Paul’ guy REALLY believe that Oblammer is going to reach across anything?

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- fastfacts
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 3:04pm
  Well then you will love these ObamaBots. They are holding “National Dance For Obama Day”…
  
  True, no satire, check it out and see how useless idiots dance: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/nov/dance_obama_day.html
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 3:50pm
  I wouldn’t vote for anyone that espoused “common sense” because policy issues are far more complicated than the everyday world “common sense” is applicable to.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 5:48pm
  I’d be willing to bet in all of AMERICAN History, that no one party of US SENATORS has ever CHANGED THE LOCKS ON the SENATE BOARD ROOMS to keep the OTHER PARTY of SENATORS from discussing a problem. I do know that DEM Legislators ran away from WISCONSIN…don’t know if that was a first or not…but I don’t think ANY group of SENATORS have actually called the lock smith(s) in to lock out the other side – ever. I’d love to know if they had.
  
  And PAUL RYAN is going to have sweet irony knowing that OBAMA tried to embarrass him about his excellent BUDGET when the dope-in-chief had RYAN seated in front of his podium and proceeded to lash out at him. REMEMBER THAT? Of course Obama has YET to have a budget…but how sweet is it that Ryan is on the ticket that defeats him???
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 6:51pm
  The Obama dance video is disturbing cuz it’s portrayed as a way of life in supporting a person instead of mentioning their party affiliation or anything else. That’s how dictatorships and oppressive regimes operate – they deify their leaders. I like a catchy beat but I’m not going to use it to worship a person. The “let’s worship our leader” mentality is what turned me off about Obama and it’s what turned me off about Ron Paul. To me that is a symptom of statism.
  
  Report this comment
- Triple7
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:01pm
  Paul is a drone.
  
  Report this comment
TSUNAMI_22
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:51pm
Tomorrow millions of people will go to the voting booths. I hope everyone has a safe journey and a successful opportunity to drop that ballot in to the slot unmolested.

Make no mistake; I will not be intimidated by any ne-gro’s in New Black Panther jackets, or white-trash oakies in business ties, or anyone else for that matter trying to dissuade me from doing my DUTY as an American. You threaten me in any way and teeth will vanish down your pie-hole.

You mess with either me, or anyone in my family while we’re waiting in line and as sure as **** I’ll make the evening news…..and I’ll be the one they interview.

I’m the most dangerous patriot in the USA because I’m a California Conservative.

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- hejhog
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:01pm
  Best of luck tomorrow. I hope it is completely uneventful, and no confrontations occur. Keep your cool. In the words of Patrick Swayze…, “Just be nice…. Til its time to not be nice”
  
  I’m just sayin…….!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:23pm
  @ hejhog
  
  You’re absolutely right. But don’t cower in the face of oppression or intimidation , either. Play their game; if they ask you for I.D., tell them to pound sand and claim discrimination VERY LOUDLY.
  
  Play their game. Beat them with their own rules. Do NOT be afraid to speak up no matter how hard it seems or how embarrassed you become.
  
  Report this comment
- searcher619
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:30pm
  ” You threaten me in any way and teeth will vanish down your pie-hole.”
  
  Hmmm… sounds like you are contemplating engaging in idiocy. Threats are one thing but assaulting someone is quite another. If someone tries to persuade you to not vote, or worse TELL you how to vote, you simply ignore the coward and vote how you see fit. There is no reason to resort to violence when no violence is being used on you.
  
  Report this comment
- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:48pm
  @ searcher619
  
  If someone so much as touches me with a hand on my chest to stop my forward movement in line…..they start eating enamel. No warnings will be given.
  
  The idiots as you put it, will be the ones that tolerate someone impeding their progress.
  
  I live in the heart of assh*le central. We have had 61 homicides this year so far. I fully expect to be assaulted in some way at the polls. They can eyeball me and slur me with language all they want, but if I get touched, it will be on the evening news.
  
  Planning to defend one’s self against a possible assault is not malice aforethought.
  
  Report this comment
- MrBoneHead
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 4:41pm
  I am with you TSUNAMI_22, You are right on and I wish I could be there to vote with you cause I could watch your back and we would both be on the news and the right side. I wish all the spineless posters/repliers to your post could grow a back bone and take a stand against all the thugs out there. One thing I do not like is a liar and a cheat and Obama and his robots are just that!
  Romney/Ryan 2012
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 6:32pm
  So if you are touched, intentionally or not, you are going to use physical violence before it is ever used on you?? You wouldn’t happen to be a cop would you? Just a plan to resort to violence immediately? That’s what cops do, dude. If you are really that angry and not in jail already then it must be cuz you have a badge and are a member of the largest gang in the world – the gang that silences logical reasoning by using excessive force to punch, tase, and shoot its way to a result that you can live with.
  
  Report this comment
- Conservative-Veteran
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 10:23pm
  I am having a discussion with a relative that is a California Liberal. I just don’t see how a Californian can vote for Obama, considering what he has done to your state with his Dream Act fiat. I am a Minnesota Conservative and me and my family will go to the poll and vote for Romney/Ryan and be part of them winning Minnesota. And, we will vote every democrat out of office from Councilman to President!!!
  
  Report this comment
- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:45am
  @ NOFX
  
  And yet you’re the one with an Anarchist avatar.
  
  No, I’m not a cop, but I’m not a lemming either. Obviously you don’t understand what physical action could be constituted as an assault. All someone has to do is place an unwanted index-finger on your person. At that point you have the right to defend yourself. Don’t try to hand me this “cooler heads will prevail nonsense…..the Jews thought the same thing right before Hitler exterminated them.
  
  Now go on a police cruiser, or something.
  
  Report this comment
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:50pm
They need to get more news sources then just on msm and so watch cable Fox news They could even listen to talk radio with people like Rush, Glenn and other conservative stations as there is a fantastic radio station at midnight called redeye they analyze the truth whether for republican or democrats. Get more opinions and check your own facts for the truth in anything. God Bless America

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- Cavy2see
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:14pm
  Yes…God Bless American’s for getting out of their comfy homes to vote…no matter how long it takes…lines that are long is a good thing…it means that you know your stuff…
  
  Report this comment
DZ-015
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:46pm
It’s going to boil down to the Tea Party versus the Teat Party; the taxpayers versus the give-me-thats.

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- Oneirishman
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:57pm
  Frigging funny, dude. THX!
  
  Report this comment
- Mapache
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:03pm
  While I support the Tea Party, I would think the Teat Party would have a better logo :)
  
  Report this comment
- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:50pm
  Tea vs. Teat! I love it! Kudos to you, my friend =)
  
  Report this comment
Ilikepeople
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:45pm
I’m not really worried about too much, because brothers always fight each other, and that’s why there’s so much turmoil between the U.S and the Mid-East. Yeah see, when you are worried that your time is short (that is you might not be born again in the earth), you start doing things like wearing 50lbs of body armor, or even like the Romans wore. But see most people don’t see the truth, because they don’t have the Father, and they love their little country more than the earth even.

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- Ilikepeople
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:52pm
  I suppose I don’t need to mention to the wise that things are not as you think they are.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:58pm
  And if you couldn’t wear that armor, you’d be chickens like they are in the Mid-East. Maybe the Reverend Wright is correct “America’s chickens have come home to roost.”
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:03pm
  In this age, the truth that isn’t, is.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:08pm
  And even if Mitt Romney gets in the White House, the American military will demand so so much personal protection it will still completely bankrupt the nation.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:15pm
  Now why don’t you tell me again just how much a nation of Christians you are?
  
  Report this comment
- bandi9
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:24pm
  you seem to like to attemp to come across as smart. not workin, your words are jibberish
  
  Report this comment
- ItchyTheClone
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:44pm
  Here is a thought: smoke less pot before you post here. Everyone knows.
  
  Report this comment
- pissantno.10
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 5:53pm
  did ya get your cookies off in that postings took a little longer than usual
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 7:00pm
  @ILIKEPEOPLE, lmao!! Damn dude you are one of the few people I have ever seen hijack and start fillibustering on their own thread. You’re just pumping yourself like a shotgun.
  
  Report this comment
Micmac
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:42pm
He expects Obama to “engage with both sides of the isle” Hawaii?

No proof reader? Sad.

NoBama > MoBama

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Proverbs17-12NLT
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:41pm
Conservatives will never under estimate a large group of stupid people ever again.

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- ItchyTheClone
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:43pm
  I know I won’t. This election (assuming that we win) is just the beginning of the work. In order to prevail over time, we have to make sure that the socialists do not gain any ground. The whole reason that did this time is that we did not beat them down sufficiently. Never negotiate or debate with a socialist. You cannot debate with them because they did not decide to become what they are using logic, but through a mishmash of emotional arguments and appeals to their guilt. You cannot negotiate with a socialist because they will ditch their end of the bargain as soon as it’s convenient.
  
  Report this comment
Tri-ox
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:37pm
Obama’s Army of Illegal Election Workers –

http://frontpagemag.com/2012/matthew-vadum/obamas-army-of-illegal-election-workers/

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Tri-ox
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:36pm
The 2012 election … Showdown in America: Workers vs. the Welfare State –

http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/showdown-in-american-workers-vs-the-welfare-state/

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Jesef
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:35pm
Incredible. No wonder we have 47% dependent on big government. True, working Americans, this is like stage-4 cancer – we have a terminal illness and it will take a mighty miracle to cure it. Heaven help us and Heaven help Romney & Ryan and the true American representatives to turn this ship before we hit the rocks.

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Stelex
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:34pm
This fool represents almost half the populace? Only a Romney landslide will restore any of my faith in the general populace. Just in case I will continue to prepare for the worst I suggest you all do the same.

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- ItchyTheClone
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 2:53pm
  Just in case there is someone reading who is asking “how do I prepare for the worst?”, here is how to get started. The particular disaster that these steps are for is an economic crash where the banks close and then reopen with a devalued dollar. You will not be able to get groceries and your ATM card will not work while the banks are closed. 1) You need to have one month of food stored for your whole family and your pets. 2) You will need one month of cash in hand for stuff like rent and gasoline so you can get to and from work. 3) If you take medicine, you need a supply of that. 4) Anything else you use regularly, and you don’t want to do without, you need a supply of.
  
  Report this comment
myptofvu
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:33pm
If 7.9 % unemployment is a good sign then 54 % should be just AWESOME!

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- rickc34
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:57pm
  Ha Ha Ha, now thats funny, Obama math.
  
  Report this comment
- Sy Kosys
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:28pm
  Even better: ‘The More Americans On Unemployment And Food Stamps, The Better For The Economy.’
  
  http://startthinkingright.wordpress.com/2010/10/08/says-nancy-pelosi-the-more-americans-on-unemployment-and-food-stamps-the-better-for-the-economy/
  
  I nominate the Democratic Leadership in this country for the BDIU award
  
  Report this comment
OhioRifleman
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:33pm
The bullsj1t is strong in this one…

On a more serious note, this is one of those interesting conundrums. This man obviously is either a skilled liar or is a true believer in the party line. From the tenor of his answers, I am leaning true believer; it takes a sycophant to actually believe that someone who operates for reduced government and fiscal responsibility is going to harm millions of people.

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- SchrodingersDog
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:20pm
  He’s just like all the rest, they sit there being fed pablum in absolute awe of a false prophet. I responded to a post on FB the other day referencing Obama’s statement “you didn’t build that, somebody else did that. I get a response from one of the koolaid drinkers asking me if I honestly think he said that, and he assured me it was a 100% lie, that Obama hadn’t said it. And of course all I did to respond was post the 11 second snippet from YouTube and you know what his response was??? Yup, he didn’t have one. Romney will be better than O, but we’ve definitely got the choice of the lesser of two evils. Hopefully Romney will unite the country and pull us together.
  
  Report this comment
twbranch
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:30pm
Another entitled dumbass. When will people really start to give a crap about our country? This moron is so stupid. He is scared of the Tea Party because they will put him back to work by taking his entitlements from him. Lazy bum!

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momrules
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:28pm
People who worship any human being will never be able to see clearly. Paul is clearly kissing Obama’s clay feet.

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banjarmon
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:24pm
PROOF Again that Democrat liberal heads are filled with things a dog would not eat and a cat would want to cover up!!

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- HKS
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:31pm
  Well said.
  
  “Remember Benghazi”
  
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MrKnowItAll
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:22pm
If you want to be President from now on. You better have a U Tube Video of being born Here In The U.S… In these Photo’s,…. Wow! Dang! AHHHHH! Caught him looking Pretty Evil and Devilish.

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- SchrodingersDog
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:23pm
  Those can be faked, just like birth certificates.
  
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biohazard23
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:21pm
There are simply no words to… I mean, can anyone really be that….?

Oh, never mind.

Just shaking my head at the level of gullibility/stupidity on behalf of Dear Leader’s supporters….

On another note, now we know that Encinom’s first name is Paul.

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justangry
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:18pm
Why does he fear the Tea Party? And which Tea Party. The one Ron Paul started in 2007 or the one the establishment/media co opted in 2009?

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- the_system_disconnect
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:30pm
  Ron Paul didn’t start it, people did. And you’d be very very very surprised by how many conservative libertarians who previously identified as republicans actually made up the “2007″ one. A good majority of those who were into the Ron Paul stuff are the same people who are in the Tea Party today.
  
  Holy crap, I hope you can bring yourself to not write in Ron Paul tomorrow. I did in 2008, but I’ll be voting wholeheartedly for Romney this time.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 3:13pm
  Yup, he had NOTHING to do with it. Regardless, it was co opted by the establishment shills. No, I’m not voting for Romney. I could run down the laundry list of everything I hate about the man, but it really comes down to him disregarding the Constitution and thinking our rights come from men in Washington.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 6:58pm
  Classy, operate on anger and hate. Real classy.
  
  Report this comment
00gabooga
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:18pm
Obama will win, this I know, for I get my news from The Daily Show!

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- Michele58
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:07pm
  …For if Mitt wins, and the world turns right, you’ll find Chis Mathews and Geraldo crying all night.
  It’s racist! cries one, Apologize! the other.
  For we love him even more than our mother.
  Our economy a mess, America’s broke
  But we still worship
  This incompetent bloke.
  
  Report this comment
- ItchyTheClone
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 3:00pm
  Nice!
  
  Report this comment
MCON29
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:18pm
Its hard to find anyone in Chicago that doesnt follow him blindly. Come further south in Illinois and Ill show you a completely different demograph.

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- HKS
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:33pm
  Sort of like California, LA north forget it, LA south, not bad.
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:17pm
“The rise, to 7.9% from 7.8% in September, was due to more people entering the job market. Many of those who had stopped searching for work were encouraged enough by the economy to start looking once again.”

So they just admitted that there are unemployed people that are not counted in the statistics.

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- Ixion
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 3:09pm
  Imagine the % if ALL the people that have given up hope and stopped looking entered the “job market” last month. Twenty three million total looking for work. Think that’d make the Dems happy? I think not.
  
  Report this comment
BODYBAG
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:13pm
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

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- gyro
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:19pm
  and waisted it was
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:19pm
  what mind……..he has no clue
  
  Report this comment
- tj1961
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:22pm
  What mind??
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:23pm
  “I cannot endorse anyone” Right you see benny is an unbiased, truthful “journalist” who merely spends every waking misrepresenting the truth to hurt the PRESIDENT as much as possible. But of course he doesn’t endorse anyone. The pitfalls of believing your own BS.
  
  Report this comment
- joeslick
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:25pm
  He never had one to start with…..!
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:06pm
  Funny post JCROOK….you must be looking in the mirror. Idiot.
  
  Report this comment
- SchrodingersDog
  Posted on November 5, 2012 at 1:32pm
  JROOK… He told the caller he couldn’t endorse any candidate, probably did so to gain his trust to do the interview. Anything you read online should go through the filter we call a brain, news isn’t news anymore, it’s a propagandized infotainment revenue stream, been that way for a while. Ask yourself this question, if we had a republican POTUS for the last four years and we just lost an Ambassador and 3 other brave Americans do you think it would at least make the front page on CNN? http://www.cnn.com/ Well it isn’t, and that’s because CNN is nothing but a propaganda tool for the Democratic Party!
  
  Report this comment
Bluefish49
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:12pm
Paul is ready…..for the Zombie Apocalypse….

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doomytram
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 12:10pm
Another mis/dis/ill and uninformed Obozocrat Drone……that doesn’t know come here from sick em.

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