Topic: 2012 Election

Using the search tool Bingit.io, a producer uncovers a 2012 clip of the hosts deconstructing Rick Santorum's speech patterns. They specifically highlight his habit of inserting the word "why" into sentences as a rhetorical device to force affirmation from the listener. The hosts reflect on how they have been deconstructing the same media tropes for over a decade.

The hosts debate the future of internet governance and the potential for international regulatory regimes to "break the internet." They conclude by sticking to their prediction that Barack Obama will be re-elected in 2012, asserting that the same interests control both political parties.

A 2012 presentation by Carol Davidson of Rentrak reveals that the Obama campaign "rocked" Facebook's privacy policies to ingest the entire social network of the United States. Unlike the 50 million users cited in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the Obama campaign had access to the full network because Facebook had not yet restricted "friends of friends" data access. This "smoking gun" clip suggests a massive double standard in how the media treats Democratic versus Republican data mining.

The 2012 incident where Joe Biden "embarrassed" President Obama by endorsing same-sex marriage on *Meet the Press* is revisited. This forced the President to accelerate his own public "evolution" on the issue during an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts.

PBS journalist Gwen Ifill is criticized for a report on Missouri politician Todd Akin and his controversial comments on "legitimate rape." The hosts argue that Ifill failed to mention that Senator Claire McCaskill, Akin's opponent, was strategically encouraging Akin to stay in the race because he was an easier candidate to defeat. This omission is cited as evidence of bias in public broadcasting.

Representative Frank Wolf of Virginia calls for the 35 witnesses of the Benghazi attack to testify publicly, alleging a government cover-up. The hosts theorize that the Benghazi incident was a botched kidnapping of Ambassador Chris Stevens intended as an "October Surprise" to boost Obama's 2012 re-election chances. They play a clip of Attorney General Eric Holder refusing to assure Congress that their phones are not being monitored.

The hosts discuss the downward revision of job creation numbers for September and October 2012, which were originally released before the presidential election. They argue this vindicates Jack Welch, who was criticized for suggesting the books were "cooked" by the Obama administration. They compare the tactic to previous administrations using security alerts for political gain.

Barack Obama secured re-election for a second term, leading to immediate speculation regarding Joe Biden as a potential 2016 candidate. The stock market experienced a significant downturn following the election results, matching prior predictions of financial volatility.

A viral YouTube video features a four-year-old girl named Abby crying because she is "tired of Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney." The video has become a symbol of national election fatigue as the 2012 campaign nears its end. The discussion critiques the parents for exposing young children to political media to the point of emotional distress.

Rule Nine of the 2012 Republican National Committee rulebook outlines the process for filling vacancies in the event of a candidate's death or withdrawal. The rule empowers the RNC to name a replacement without reconvening a full national convention. Speculation is offered that figures like Jeb Bush could be positioned as alternatives under these specific administrative rules.

The hosts analyze the 2012 presidential election as a scripted "story arc" requiring constant controversy to maintain viewership. They speculate that neither party truly wants to manage the country's economic problems for the next four years, with the Republican establishment potentially looking toward Jeb Bush in 2016. The discussion also touches on the Hillary Clinton camp's interest in a weakened Obama presidency to favor her future prospects.

Speculation regarding the 2012 presidential election suggests that the Clinton family may benefit politically if Mitt Romney defeats Barack Obama, potentially clearing a path for a 2016 run. The current unrest in the Middle East has shifted the national conversation from the domestic economy to foreign policy, forcing the Obama administration to manage a complex international crisis during the campaign's final stretch.

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is campaigning on a platform of ending the drug war, repealing the Patriot Act, and abolishing the IRS in favor of a consumption tax. Johnson is currently on the ballot in 47 states and is fighting legal challenges from Republicans in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. He advocates for an immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan and opposition to military intervention in Iran.

The selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate is analyzed as a potential strategic move to lose the election. Predictions suggest a major economic dislocation will occur after 2012, making the upcoming presidential term undesirable for either party. The GOP is characterized as positioning itself for a "reset" in 2016 or 2020.

The Ulsterman Report, featuring a "military insider," claims the existence of an election contingency plan titled "By Any Means Necessary." The report suggests that operatives within the Obama administration were focused on securing a second term through unspecified high-stakes maneuvers.

Reverend Manning criticizes Mitt Romney as the "worst possible candidate" to face Barack Obama in the upcoming election. He argues that the American public's trust in Fox News was a mistake and predicts that Obama will win and potentially remain "president forever." Manning's rhetoric touches on racial dynamics and the perceived lack of stature of the Republican opposition.

The Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson as its presidential candidate. Johnson, who switched from the Republican primary after being excluded from debates, aims to secure one million votes. The hosts discuss his potential to draw votes from both Obama and Romney, his stance on drug decriminalization, and his more animated campaign style.

President Barack Obama recorded a special introduction for the film "To Kill a Mockingbird" on the USA Network to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The hosts point out that the actual anniversary is months away, suggesting the timing is a political move to influence racial sentiment ahead of the 2012 election. They compare this to other potential film commemorations that the administration ignores.

The hosts predict the 2012 election will be the most expensive in history but will have the lowest voter turnout. They discuss Attorney General Eric Holder's role as Obama's "firewall" and speculate on internal military opposition to the administration.

In a clip from Davos, George Soros discusses the 2012 presidential election, suggesting there is little difference between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Soros predicts the election will be more "civilized" than previous cycles due to the lack of enthusiasm on both sides.