This week, more attention was given to the race's Vice Presidential candidates, than their running mates. Comments by Vice President Joe Biden about Mitt Romney wanting to put people in "chains" struck a chord racially as members of both parties called foul.
This morning on Meet the Press, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) piled on, calling Biden's statement an "incendiary, over-the-top remark," adding that the general tone of the president's campaign is "way beneath the dignity of the American people."
Maryland's Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley admitted that the Vice President made an "indelicate choice of words," but he defended Biden, saying there is "not a racist bone" in his body.
On the Republican ticket, the political world continues to focus on Mitt Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). Republicans, including Tea Party-backed nominee for U.S. Senate from Texas Ted Cruz (who was a guest on our roundtable) applaud Romney's choice of Ryan and hope that it will make the campaign one based on issues.
"If this presidential race focuses on issues... Republicans win. If it's a battle of personalities, Republicans will lose," Cruz said.
You can watch the entire program on our website including a look at the NBC News Decision 2012 'Road to 270' Battleground Map. Chuck Todd takes us through the states most likely to decide the race in November. (Hint: Keep an eye on Florida)
Also make sure to watch our PRESS Pass conversation with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on the tone of campaign, and his unique take on the Vice President's remarks.
We'll be back next week, live from Tampa, Florida - the home of 2012 Republican National Convention.
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
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What Ted Cruz says only applies to the mininformed on the issues. If the public is informed of the truth, and the economic and social realities of the GOP's plans to gut government and create a ruling class of the Corporate and wealthy elite, then the Romney/Ryan duo doesn't have a chance.
Yet how do we inform the public? The GOP has so much more money to run misguided and untruthful ads and the press, in the name of fairness, allows the lies to be spread. My hope is that more in the press will take a cue from Solidad O'Brien. It is our only hope of informing the public accurately of the positions of the two candidates and their running mates.
We have to get mobilize to tweet @ every place. Today I went to @EWTN. Santorum was there lying and they were going to have a section with Ryan. Both lying, scaring them into believing the Dems are taking away the freedom of religion. So we have to be aware that Catholics are under their agenda. President Obama should get acquainted with the audiences where he is visiting and adjust his speech accordingly to inform them of the truth. The GOP has a lot of speech givers and a lot of representative going to different groups religious and civil.
The questions about chains versus shackles are silly. Even Republicans know that Vice President Biden is not a racist. Shackles seems a far more derisive word anyway. And a joke about a dog on top of a car is such a minuscule part of President Obama's message, yet we talk about it on "Meet the Press." I want some tough reporting like that demonstrated by Solidad O'Brien with Sununu. Right wing folks will accuse the press of being liberal no matter how it bends over backwards to be fair. Without bias, if a candidate is avoiding issues or telling untruths, confront them on that. Democrats will respect you for it as you do it all the time to them. Expect the same of Republicans. You do a disservice to this country when you don't do hard reporting. "Meet the Press" always has been a favorite show and I always have liked David Gregory, but maybe you are just too genial and "polite" a reporter.
Amen Sister!
And considering the state of affairs in our country, we have been in shakles in chains on account of financial policies for over 30 years.
Otherwise how do we account for 20% of the top population an elite who is in complete control of 93% of all the financial wealth of the country? The bottom 80% is sharing the remaining 7%. Doing the math everyone is in credit card debt because salaries are low, not keeping up with the cost of living. We are in chains and it will get worse if the Ryan Plan goes into effect.
When the GOP leadership mentions the phrase " our future" or "our children" they mean their children and the children of the top 10%. The Ryan Plan shows that when they lower the taxes of the wealthy and raising the cost of living and taxes of the working poor and middle class. Program for the poor will be no existent. We will be in shackles.
It is time the chains of regulations hit WallStreet and abuses to stop. It is immoral that they want to build a future for their children on our backs instead of all of us preparing our children for the future.
Republicans were the first to make Biden's statement racial and by doing so are themselves trying to incite people. SHAME ON THEM! We are shackled and chained by the "smarter than everybody" people on Wall Street and the banks. They caused most of our problems and now de-regulating them even more will fix everything? Really?
Does David Gregory have any actual concern in any measure as to his rapidly declining image and status among Democrats? MBC has ruined the image of David Gregory, with Gregory's support. . He was a rising star full of charm and positive spirit and now he's a corporate animatronic mannequin skewing reality and fully complicit in the big GOP Lie Campaign. He is now seen as a fully compromised corporate shill, and still he smiles on as if he were a positively iconic national presence, and not a windup corporate doll.
I totally agree with the exception of being complicit with the GOP. David, You seem to be a graduate of "let them say what they want to say unchallenged then re-report it as fact" school of journalism. You are coming across as a "corporate animatronic mannequin" and I hate to see it because I wanted to e a fan. Every show is starting to sound like a repeat of the last, fluff campaign spokespeople.
Totally agree - it's so frustrating to watch his line of questions that do not call out any obvious lies - he just let's them spew out talking points and moves on to the next question without any challenge.
PS Your show was still better than the first half ABC This Week!
I feel frustrated with David Gregory, especially the way he allowed the Lowry guy to behave last week. He is either very republican, or NBC is pushing him. It is bad enough that I am looking to other Sunday morning shows. The republican way is not the way for the average american person. The problem is getting the word out; what this election really means for the average Joe. What will Romney/Ryan really do, how their way will benefit the rich and corporate people and that their idea for medicare will not work-without elderly putting out a lot of cash.
I am disappointment that the Republican lies are not addressed. The "chain" statement is not as bad as lies, more lies, and more lies. And the reason that Obama has had such a difficult time in office is because the Republicans mad eit their agenda to make his time is office miserable for this year's election. If the Republicans win, Medicare will not be as we know it to be, and that is a fact. No, Ryan's mom and some of the other republicans moms want me hurt int he process because they are getting their Medicare now, and if it does get screwed, it will be okay, because they don't have to live off their Medicaid benefits nor need the insurance. People can sleep on this or be lazy about voting, but if the Republicans get in office, you might as well expect to live on earth in living HELL. People truly know the truth in their heart, and they know that the Romney camp is full of lies and have NO Mercy or Care for middle class and poor Americans. Women, you can forget. They care NOTHNG about you. Ryan has told one lie after another. To tell a lie that Obama caused a plant to close, which the plant that closed was under Bush. Nor is it considered the fact that Obama came in the office when the economy was at the worst.
I am a Republican and I fearfully admit that Mr. Cruz seems way out of his league for national office. His spin to Biden rather than answer the question at hand, twice, was cowardly and made him appear to be a fool. Even Ms. Noonan appeared to be cringing, no doubt, as she faced in person the stark reality of the type of substance-less, slogan brandishing, Palin-Koch, candidates that continue to go far right and quell the voices of traditional republicans like she and I both. When will conservative voices begin to challenge this sort of, bomb throwing, idealogical zealots that are hijacking the party. How can I respect these voices and representatives who won't even stand up to radicals on their own side of the aisle. If radical leftists, on the fringe, threatened to abduct the democratic platform in an election year, I have no doubt, the president would have to publicly disavow such nonsense publicly or die politically and loose the election. Why does my party cower from an energized and misinformed fraction of their base? Miss Noonan, where is your courage? Why is my party afraid to take the truth to it's on constituancy?
Giuliani's couldn't be president of the United States, so he is angry with Biden. He's a lawyer that helps the rich get tax cuts while people like myself, pay more taxes. Giuliani's and Newt are both on the same page. There is no compromise to me made in Washington. WHY? Because the Republicans and Tea Party group won't let it happen. The hate is beyond anything that a human being can resolved. They are so busy trying to suppress votes, and tell lies. I voted for Bush in his last race, but since then I've voted on the Democratic ticket, and I did so and will do so because of truth. If Romey and Ryan would be honest and not the lies, it would make a difference.
Ms. Noonan flipped her hair, with a stern aristocratic face, and went along with the lies. I have not voted Republican since Bush's last run for the office. I would have voted for Cain had he selected another running mate. How can one brag about efforts to prevent people from voting, just to win an office. Sad.
The racist is obviously Biden. When is Joe and Obama going to start talking issues? We are wearing thin hearing the Demos tread water by slamming their opponents with words and lies. Let's hear the candidates talk about getting more jobs, ending unemployment benefits, welfare, and entitlements.
I sure miss Tim Russert... I don't watch Meet the Press anymore. David Gregory is just one more Republican hack.
Jeb, thought you were smarter than your brother., but on Meet the Press you recited talking points. And to all Reps who think we should get over it (GW's disaster -- out small Homeowners Assoc of 264 homes was embezzled — over $60,000) and trashed by first time property mgrs, connected to big developers who wanted nearby parkland for condos. After two years of wrangling and petitions to get our Assoc back, it took THREE YEARS for a Board of good neighbors to get back in the $ black after fines, unpaid bills, no non-profit tax forms, no repairs + 2 other nearby Associations travesties. CNN and media, challenge these folks on such whiny lies!!! David, we like you but missing Tim. You don't challenge these obvious Rep lies, then rush Dems & Obama policies short. Shame!
I had to turn it off after a couple of minutes. I really missed Tim today.