President Obama has started running this ad, which is composed entirely of a short statement by the President himself, on camera. The ad starts with Obama facing the camera and saying, “Over the next four months, you have a choice to make. Not just between two political parties, or even two people. It’s a choice between two very different plans for our country.”
Those statements seem to assert that there are only two presidential candidates this year, even though it is clear that Gary Johnson and Jill Stein will be on the ballot in enough states to theoretically win the election. Virgil Goode may also be in that category, although it is not determined yet.
Obama’s statements stand in contrast to President Ronald Reagan, who, during his second term, while touring the Soviet Union, said in a speech that when he had run for re-election in 1984, he ran in a free election that included not only a Democratic Party opponent, but a Libertarian Party opponent and a Socialist Party opponent.
Obama also said on June 19, 2007, in response to a question while on the campaign trail in Iowa, that he was disinclined to participate in a general election presidential debate if he got the nomination. He said it very indirectly. By contrast, Hillary Clinton, asked the same question in about the same time period, said she probably would participate. Here is the text of what Obama said about inclusive debates in 2007.
Thanks to Political Wire for the link.
Has any American President, or any major party nominee ever acknowledged any minor party opponent who wasn’t named Perot, Anderson or Wallace? He’s being entirely sensible. Any adviser who would tell him differently should be institutionalized.
President Taft attacked Theodore Roosevelt during the 1912 campaign. President Truman attacked Henry Wallace during the 1948 campaign. In 1924, President Coolidge didn’t talk about any of his opponents, not even his Democratic opponent, but Republican Party national campaign spokesman that year fiercely attacked Robert La Follette.
No sense wasting money against 3rd party candidates who will not make the slightest dent in the vote between Obama and Romney. The preidential campaigns of Johnson, Stein, and Goode only have relevance for those with delusions of adequacy.
typo: presidential
The Donkeys/Elephants only want 3rd parties and independents in order to have —
DIVIDE and CONQUER —
See 1860 and 1912 and 1992 and 2000 and etc.
2012 is one more BRAIN DEAD Prez/VP election due to the ANTI-Democracy Electoral College — only about 6-8 marginal States – getting the zillion TV attack ads 24/7.
What New Age voter is NOT decided between O and R ???
Some MORON who has been in outer space for the last 4 years ???
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
Personally, I like the Electoral College.
From a historical standpoint, it’s really the last piece of the old Republic that is still standing.
From a political perspective, it takes states like mine and makes it so that people here are free to vote as they choose, without any effect on the election. Obama can’t win Kentucky; it’s mathematically impossible. So, people can vote for Johnson without any hesitation. And with any luck, that’ll get our result above 2%, and give LPKY 4 years of ballot access.
How dare he refuse to acknowledge my candidacy?
# 6 The E.C. is one EVIL minority rule gerrymander part of the ANTI-Democracy U.S.A. regime – H. Reps, Senate, E.C.
Math MORONS love the EVIL — due to being BRAINWASHED by the EVIL rotted public schools about EVIL U.S.A. political history.
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V — to END the EVIL.
Why would President Barack Obama recognize the existance of presidential candidates other than Mitt Romney and himself. The leadership of the Arizona Democratic Party would not even recognize that there were other Democratic presidential candidates besides Barack Obama. Three weeks before the filing period was set to begin for the Arizona Presidential Preference election, the Arizona Democratic Party cancelled their preference election and replaced it with a sham caucus. I have no doubt that if President Barack Obama thought he could get away with it, he would dispense with the Presidential election as well. Barack Obama does not believe that he should have to run in elections against his political opponents. If you do not believe me, just ask former Illinois State Senator Alice Palmer.
Gerard Davis
A write-in candidate for the Green Party nomination for the Arizona State House of Representatives from the Twenty-Fourth Legislative District
So, Robert, whichever major party Presidential candidate you’re supporting doesn’t need my vote.
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#10 Your absolutely right!
typo: You’re
“Recent Obama ad seems to deny the existence of any presidential candidates except Mitt Romney and himself”
Duh??
Has any major party presidential candidates – except perhaps in 1980 with John Anderson and in 1992 with Ross Perot has a major presidential candidate ever acknowledged publicly a 3rd party or independent presidential candidate? Even in 1968, Nixon attempted to ignore George Wallace at least publicly. I’m sure there have been others in modern history but this is not “news.”
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I’m going to smuggle an invisible chair into the debates this fall.
…Breaking news! Wow, I never saw THIS one coming. *eyeroll* Until Johnson gets 15% in the polls and gets on the stage with Obamney in a debate, the ads will just be focused on the two-part monopoly.
The 2 *very different* plans in the ad —
The left liberal- progressive- COMMUNIST plan ???
The right conservative- reactionary- FASCIST plan ???
Gee — ANY lesser of TWO EVILS ???
See 1932 Germany in 1929-1941 Great Depression I.
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.