Patterico's Pontifications

9/7/2011

The Obligatory GOP Debate Overhype Post [And Open Thread!]

Filed under: 2012 Election — Karl @ 9:46 am



[Posted by Karl]

The Week neatly rounds up all the conventional wisdom you need about tonight’s GOP presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.  Viewers will get their first real look at the putative frontrunner, Rick Perry, an infrequent but reportedly solid debater.  Perry will come under rhetorical fire from chief rival Mitt Romney, as well as those who want the NotRomney slot, e.g., Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul.  After all, these candidates will not want to “pull a Pawlenty’ by backing away from their offstage critiques of Perry.  Jon Huntsman will likely target Romney also, although any buzz he got from his tax plan may evaporate with the news that he has a touch of laryngitis.  All concerned will have nice things to say about Reagan while at his library.

However, if no one pulls a Pawlenty, folks ought to watch solely for the entertainment value, if any.  As political scientitsts John Sides and Brendan Nyhan will tell you, a presidential candidate who hopes to change the dynamic of a campaign in a debate is likely to fail.  Candidates will spin their performances and those of their rivals.  Much of the establsihment media — and the blogosphere — will pretend it matters, because they have space to fill.  Absent the unforeseen, I will have a difficult time getting worked up over it.  This is why I am a bad blogger.

–Karl

UPDATE BY PATTERICO: Consider this your open thread. I just came in on the debate right when they asked Perry about Social Security. Perfect timing. And I liked his answer. It sounded like straight talk.

189 Responses to “The Obligatory GOP Debate Overhype Post [And Open Thread!]”

  1. This is why I am a bad blogger.
    –Karl

    I strongly disagree. I don’t say it often enough, but your posts are always substantive and deserve respect.

    I agree about the debates. I still don’t understand how the “election cycle” began to extend 2 years and more before the actual election. Idiotic to get sucked into that. I think Perry jumping in later than the rest was great. I’d love to see one or two more strong contenders step in even now. Barring a huge mistake by one of the bigger names, this debate will be meaningless.

    Stashiu3 (601b7d)

  2. Thanks. When I say I am a “bad blogger” in this regard, I mean that playing along with the spin, maybe taking a position in favor of some candidate, would probably be better from a traffic perspective. On Twitter, my claim would be hashtagged #humblebrag. 😉

    Karl (f07e38)

  3. I just wish that Rick Santorum was replaced by Gary Johnson. I hate the idea that the libertarian wing of the party is represented by crazy uncle Ron Paul.

    Kevin M (4eb9c8)

  4. It is not possible for me to care less about this debate.

    Karl is as bad of a blogger as epwj is a mentally healthy person.

    JD (e143f5)

  5. Karl is as bad of a blogger as epwj is a mentally healthy person.
    Comment by JD — 9/7/2011 @ 10:27 am

    All due respect to Karl, but nobody is that good a blogger. Nobody. 😉

    Stashiu3 (601b7d)

  6. I can’t get excited about the debate tonight either mostly cause I’m not in the mood to subject myself to Ron Paul

    I didn’t sleep super-well last night

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  7. Cough cough

    I’ll keep in mind that if Reagan weren’t popular, some candidates would claim they have no interest in governing like he did.

    Of course, these days, even Obama claims to be a return to Reagan, which I find endlessly amusing.

    I’m very interested in this debate, though I know it’s mainly going to come down to attitudes and tones rather than depth.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  8. The only way this debate could matter is if one of them gets up there and calls Reagan a socialist/communist/collectivist

    JD (e143f5)

  9. Looks like this debate may be Bachmann’s last chance for legitimacy and Rick Perry’s one to lose.
    http://loop21.com/content/five-things-know-about-gop-california-debate

    Nichelle (ba0bef)

  10. Comment by Stashiu3 — 9/7/2011 @ 10:30 am

    I don’t know; Karl is damned good!

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  11. This debate is going to BLEED excellence.

    Book (c7b6c5)

  12. Actually, that is why you are among the finest bloggers.

    sarahW (fd5a41)

  13. “The Republicans’ refusal to respond to the president’s proposal on jobs is not only disrespectful to him, but to the American people” who will be watching the NFL at about the time any Republican could possibly respond.

    A. Weiner (d1c681)

  14. ” those who want the NotRomney slot, e.g., Michelle Bachmann ”

    Michele is the hired gun. See her Stacy McCain clip recounting Jonathan’s two-man assault on the Philistines?

    Again, the Not Romney simile only works for the candidate who offers the same appeal, the same conformity, bloodless competency without the downside of Romneycare, et al.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  15. If the President had a serious Job Proposal to advance before the Joint Session, he should have made it in the SOTU appearance in 2009, 2010 at the latest.
    Whatever he says this week, this year, and next year, is just election tripe, and he’s a very poor fish-monger.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  16. Thanks, all.

    gary,

    Actually, the NotRomney simile totally works. My use of NotRomney stems from the pre-Perry stage of the campaign. Romney was the front runner; others vied for the NotRomney slot, which was not necessarily limited to guys like Pawlenty or Huntsman.

    Now that Perry is the putative front-runner, we could think of the race as Perry vs NotPerry. That’s a fair, arguable point. I haven’t yet adopted that nomenclature because: (1) Perry is sufficiently new/unvetted that he could implode; (2) Romney has the resources to fight a long campaign, which means any stumble short of implosion by Perry could still cause the race to revert to the basic dynamic of Romney vs NotRomney (a congested more conservative field).

    Thus, you can either substitute NotPerry for NotRomney in the main post or take the bigger view that I do, which is that Perry hasn’t shown enough to warrant that switch of nomenclature yet. Tonight’s debate is part of that consideration, even if it likely isn’t meaningful to the overall GOP campaign.

    Karl (f07e38)

  17. Here’s a pre-debate transcript with answers from all candidates to all questions:

    What will you do about jobs?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    What will you do about the economy?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    How do we extricate this country from two wars?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    How will cutting taxes fix everything?
    It will mean fewer taxes.

    What about education?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    How will you help fix Medicare?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    What would you do about the sudden surge in urban crime?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    What do you say to those who complain that you have found ways yourself to avoid paying taxes?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    Larry Reilly (915319)

  18. Larry Reilly is not funny.

    Me, I’ll be watching old episodes of “The Wire” on TiVo.

    carlitos (49ef9f)

  19. Thank you for the JournoList talking points, Mawy.

    JD (318f81)

  20. How do we extricate this country from two wars?

    How about we offer a cease-fire if they’ll take you off our hands?

    (Buggering optional.)

    Darth Venomous (a0b6a2)

  21. Larry O’Reilly likes diddling kiddys.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  22. JD, the ironic part is that the DNC talking point answer to each question is, “I want to raise taxes.”

    Sigh.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  23. Typical DNC talking points approach by Brian Williams.

    Round 1… Romney has Perry on the ropes… Perry, some swelling under his right eye, is saved by the bell.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  24. I’m liking this debate more than I expected. Lots of energy on stage. Newt ripped the Politico moderator a new one a few minutes ago and all the candidates clapped in unison along with the audience. The candidates are, each and everyone, trashing Obama much more than each other.

    elissa (d992ac)

  25. I don’t think Romney had Perry on the ropes.

    I do think Perry was unprepared or unwilling to address criticisms of Texas (# of uninsured, # of low-wage jobs, etc) head on. But it may be that strategically, Perry wanted to spend his debut putting out his talking points and not playing defense.

    Karl (37b303)

  26. Top five least biased questions that will be asked of the GOP candidates tonight:

    5. “Have any of you stopped beating your spouses yet?”

    4. “Most of you have said you have questions about the theory of evolution. Very well. Do any of you believe in the theory of gravity? Or does Jesus just hold everything down himself?”

    3. “You’re all evil liars. Prove me wrong in the next 30 seconds or less.”

    2. “Most of you have openly embraced the tea party. Maxine Waters says the Tea Party can go to hell. Why do you all hate black people?”

    1. “Just moments ago as you entered the stage, Ms. Bachmann, we took the liberty of kidnapping all the children you’ve supposedly adopted, put ’em in a school bus that’s traveling down the 405 freeway right now, and told them we’ll bury ’em alive Chowchilla-style unless you agree to strangle on-camera this puppy we have right here from the nearby pet adoption center. Which do you choose?”

    qdpsteve (f1c59f)

  27. Lots folks on Twitter liked Newt ripping Harris & Williams for pitting candidates against each other. But M. Malkin pointed out that Newt is simply trying to make the debate safer for the squishier candidates. Both kinda valid.

    Karl (37b303)

  28. A classical musician on Twitter notes the Reagan tribute was scored with music from the soundtrack to “Cruel Intentions.”

    Stay classy, MSNBC!

    Karl (37b303)

  29. Damn, Perry just laid it down.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  30. Perry is evil. Discuss.

    Republicans boil puppies and torture kitties. Prove me wrong.

    JD (318f81)

  31. Wish I had been onstage when John Harris asked how to have a debate about entitlements without scaring seniors. Would have told him part of the solution would be John Harris and Brian Williams being as tough on Dem scare tactics as they’re being to the GOP candidates tonight.

    Karl (37b303)

  32. Perry is evil. Discuss.

    Basically.

    I’m sure it will have an effect. It sucks up all the oxygen to talk about anyone else. Romney handled it brilliantly, letting Bachmann and Santorum hit Perry very hard (frankly not very honestly, IMO) and then make an easy insult of Obama.

    Good night for Romney, but Perry is the leader in the room, and the rest of them are feasting on ankle.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  33. being as tough on Dem scare tactics as they’re being to the GOP candidates

    Excellent point. Though Romney seems to directly disagree with you.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  34. Perry getting around to defending Texas, but doesn’t look comfy doing it.

    Dustin,

    Yeah, Mitt a real profile in courage on enetitlements.

    Karl (37b303)

  35. You hate immigrants. Why?
    You want to have old peole living in the gutter eating stale moldy bread. Aren’t you ashamed?

    JD (318f81)

  36. Larry Reilly gives us this brilliant bit of snark:
    Here’s a pre-debate transcript with answers from all candidates to all questions:

    What will you do about jobs?
    I’ll cut taxes.

    So just what is the reporting about Obama’s proposal tomorrow? Oh let’s see …

    Obama will propose a jobs bill consisting of at least half tax cuts. So once again Larry Reilly proves he’s the stupidest troll on the Internet.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  37. Why did these idiots agree to this debate?

    All of them are suckers. Perry even had a pretty good excuse to avoid this crap. Would the democrats let Rush Limbaugh moderate their debate?

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  38. Yeah, this reminds me a lot of the same tough detailed questioning Obama got on his past jobs and government positions in debates back in 2008. Remember when they kept asking Obama “if you could go back and really take a position on all those issues you voted present on, in retrospect how would you have voted”? You don’t?

    elissa (d992ac)

  39. Why did they wheel in a hispanic man? Just to ask a question about immigration in a hispanic voice?

    PATHETIC.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  40. Perry should’ve done a better job calling bullsh*t on Brian Williams crapola about graduation rates in Texas. SecEd Arne Duncan tried that and had his azz handed to him, after someone raised the subject of the sorry state of affairs in Illinois.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  41. I am actually kinda angry that they showed up to this debate, Elissa. We all knew it would be a nonstop demonization. Those candidates that have played into it have lowered themselves in my estimation.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  42. Sorry Karl and Dustin… Romney has Perry on points at this stage.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  43. The SEIU commercials are cute.

    JD (318f81)

  44. I would give $1000 bucks to anyone in that room who would use the old “fake sneeze/bullsh*t cry” after one of these ridiculously biased questions. And they’d have a lot to choose from.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  45. Romney has Perry on points at this stage.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku /blockquote>

    I don’t understand what this means.

    But Perry has Romney on entitlement honesty, which is not a surprise, is it?

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  46. Hey Karl… when did Romney defend enematitlements?

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  47. One comes to a soccer scrum lik this, and a debate breaks out,

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  48. Comment by Dustin — 9/7/2011 @ 6:17 pm

    That would be hilarious.
    The many faces of BHO debating among itself, with questions being fed by El Rushbo!
    It wouldn’t get any better.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  49. Reform SS… that’s what the peeps want.

    Perry can’t claim to be King Reformer, when he’s trying to cajole money from the feds to fight wildfires, after he cut the state budget for that.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  50. Until you get a balanced budget amendment – cappin’ it, cuttin’ it, and gettin’ a balanced budget amendment in DC, you will finally start gettin’ the snake’s head cut off.

    Blue state elites are rolling their eyes in disdain while pushing away that uncomfortable flutter in their collective guts as they think, Dear God, please, not him.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  51. Though I think it’s clear Romney is coming out ahead from this debate.

    He’s a great politician, and he’s a smooth debater. Perry is not on that level, clearly.

    Though frankly everyone on that stage realizes Perry is the front runner and the only credible candidate at this point, so he’s kinda taken 90% of the attacks. It’s hard to come out of that format looking super.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  52. Dana, Perry is only going to get hit 100X harder now. He’s refusing to back down on spending, and I think the establishment knows he actually means it. Both parties are scared to death of this.

    He’s actually sterling on that issue, so it’s a smart strategy.

    But Perry was a jackass to even show up to this debate. MSNBC? Seriously?

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  53. “Propes”, Gov. Perry?

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  54. Dustin-I see it differently. Sure, lots of these questions are Dem talking points and come across as hostile, but they’re going to come up over the next 14 months, regardless. This stuff is what’s on voters’ minds. The team R candidates have to win over a lot of Indys and also some moderate Dem voters. And our candidate has to be able to stand up to that kind of questioning and have good answers no matter how unfair it seems.

    elissa (d992ac)

  55. Again, Romney hit the highlights – and scored points – as he talked about the changes we need to affect to re-invigorate this economy. He appeared to daze Perry with that, as Perry stumbled through an inelegant compliment to Big Zero for bustin’ a cap in bin Laden’s azz.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  56. “Larry Reilly is not funny.”
    He’s not very bright, either.

    SPC Jack Klompus (07a5ab)

  57. Comment by Dana — 9/7/2011 @ 6:29 pm

    Who said that?

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  58. Dustin,

    Perry brings to the table what Romney doesn’t: the every-man. That’s a huge appeal and one that Romney, no matter how many photos of him washing dishes on Thanksgiving, can do. To the professional pols and intellectuals, he might offend; yet the fact of the matter is, to the average joe, to those in flyover country and people who just want to see a smart person who is clearly capable and competent to do the job, that’s enough more than enough. He elicits a sense of solid strength and integrity, thus a willingness to trust in him.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  59. Though frankly everyone on that stage realizes Perry is the front runner and the only credible candidate at this point, so he’s kinda taken 90% of the attacks. It’s hard to come out of that format looking super.

    If he can’t take friendly fire, he’s not up to what’s in store.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  60. Your opponents are insane, crazy, and inane. I agree. Discuss.
    You are anti-science idiots. Questions?

    JD (318f81)

  61. AD @6:36,

    Governor Perry said it.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  62. John Harris should be embarrassed. Ashamed.

    JD (318f81)

  63. 61…My kind of candidate.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  64. liberals don’t embarrass easy, JD.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  65. And our candidate has to be able to stand up to that kind of questioning and have good answers no matter how unfair it seems.

    Comment by elissa — 9/7/2011 @ 6:33 pm

    That’s a fair point, and only one candidate is managing to do so in this debate. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one guy attacked by so many people at the same time, with what I see as democrat talking points.

    The only one who isn’t really fighting Perry is Romney (who is smart enough to sit back and let others fight for him).

    Again, Romney hit the highlights – and scored points – as he talked about the changes we need to affect to re-invigorate this economy.

    I guess. It seems pretty bland to me. I think Romney is going to say the basic stuff he needs to look ok, but is not acting like a leader. He’s not saying anything that might make anyone uncomfortable. The highlight from the evening is Romney whining about scaring grandma with honesty about social security. Perry called a lie a lie, though.

    Perry stumbled through an inelegant compliment to Big Zero for bustin’ a cap in bin Laden’s azz.

    Yeah, Perry screwed that up. He’s not nearly the smoothest guy on stage, but I do think he’s right that Obama somehow managed to do the right thing on a few aspects of his foreign policy.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  66. He elicits a sense of solid strength and integrity, thus a willingness to trust in him.

    He seems just this side of GWB in respect to eloquence. It’s going to be an interesting primary season.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  67. If he can’t take friendly fire, he’s not up to what’s in store.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 6:36 pm

    Fair enough.

    And there’s only one guy on that stage who has taken it, so I guess you’re agreeing with me.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  68. Col. Haiku,

    Romney didn’t defend entitlements, but his answer on how do we talk about them was not a profile in courage.

    Perry’s aswer on AGW was pretty wobbly; he’ll need to brush up.

    Romney is the smoother debater at this point. Of course, referring to the original post, I also acknowledge that really doesn’t matter much.

    Karl (37b303)

  69. Again, the peeps want reform of SS, not the threat of burning it to the ground. We want to win this thing.

    To bad Gingrich has so much baggage… the man has a lot to offer.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  70. to too

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  71. Perry’s not a politician – this is why he is different from others

    Thank God for that

    EricPWJohnson (c5f1fc)

  72. The American People aren’t looking for smooth.
    We elected smooth last time, and we’re not going to make that mistake again.
    They (I) want someone who can bring a rational world-view to the job, who has a credible history of executive accomplishment, and knows how to walk and chew gum at the same time.

    It would help (pet peeve time) if it was a guy who didn’t walk around with his hands stuffed in his pants pockets all the time (see 2009 video of BHO walking almost anywhere, hands stuffed into his pants, and shoulder hunched forward), and could stand up straight without an arrogant tilt to his head.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  73. Heh, Colonel, I agree re the lack of eloquence. Perhaps that will hurt him as it’s too much of a reminder of Bush, and yet, I think because people are in such a state of fear regarding the economy and state of disgust at our political leaders, that his down-to-earthness and simplicity (as in, cut-to-the-chase manner), might be the very tonic they’re looking for. Nothing smooth, polished, deft. Just matter of fact, here-it-is directness.

    He’s a quite a contrast to Romney, that’s for sure.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  74. And there’s only one guy on that stage who has taken it, so I guess you’re agreeing with me.

    Yes, we can agree while the patient bleeds to death.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  75. He seems just this side of GWB in respect to eloquence. It’s going to be an interesting primary season.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 6:41 pm

    Perry is clearly stumbling. I won’t lie about it.

    But look at where he’s stumbling. On real issue that he’s actually thinking about and responding to. He’s not spitting out a talking point he’s been memorizing for years.

    America has a choice between this Romney guy who has been running for president, professionally, for the better part of a decade, and a man who is being attacked for putting conservative concepts to work as a leader that entire time.

    Perry looks tired. He looks like he probably didn’t prepare as much for this debate as the others. He didn’t memorize as many answers.

    Fine.

    But they are talking about Perry’s actions. Real things Perry’s been doing for the past many years as his chief rival did nothing.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  76. Perry’s aswer on AGW was pretty wobbly; he’ll need to brush up.

    Do you really believe the majority of citizens care about AGW these days – aside from the leftys beating the tired drum?

    Dana (4eca6e)

  77. Damn, I am sick that Newt trashed his reputation and continues to be sort of an a-hole. Because he’s definitely the smartest human up on that stage and knows more about governing and legislation and foreign policy than anyone else on that stage. I hope he plays an important role in the next Republican administration somewhere.

    elissa (d992ac)

  78. I also acknowledge that really doesn’t matter much.

    Comment by Karl — 9/7/2011 @ 6:43 pm

    I’ll take your word for it. I’m pretty worried about it, to be honest.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  79. elissa,

    Just told the hub something similar: I hate myself for admiring him. Ugh.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  80. Crissy is a foaming frothy raging asshate.

    JD (318f81)

  81. Nice job on the capital punishment question, Rick Perry! Strong finish.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  82. Well he could have spoken of the climategate scandal, out of England, that undergirded the whole push for green energy and cap n trade, but that might conversational Sanscrit for this audience

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  83. I wish I had Gov Perry’s cell phone number. Anyone know anyone that might have access to Gov Perry?

    Steve Schmidt is a turd.

    JD (318f81)

  84. Dustin… you got real cash money on Perry? You seem “invested”, shall we say.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  85. Col., I think he’s just sticking up for a Favorite Son!

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  86. Haiku, my reasons for supporting Perry are very easy to understand. I have long explained I want the someone with experience. A reelected (successful rather than failed) governor. A conservative who shows some kind of principles. Someone who is electable.

    That test has been applied and let me directly to:

    Mitch Daniels.

    But Rick Perry passes that test a lot better than the other candidates.

    Romney fails on all counts. I would only vote for him as some kind of last resort. He simply isn’t prepared for the office, and I just don’t trust him.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  87. I dare anyone to watch MSNBC right now. MadCow, Sharpton, Schultz, O’Donnell, and Robinson.

    JD (318f81)

  88. Dr. Evil, yes I agree, JD.

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  89. And yeah, Drew, I do think Perry deserves a little sticking up for, as does Texas, which also was bashed mercilessly and dishonestly this evening.

    Texas is conservatism in practice.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  90. Dana–Back when he was Speaker we attended a fundraiser at which he was the draw and keynote. Newt always has an amazing command of facts and an excellent, pleasing, well modulated voice from which he presents his thoughts. That’s a great combination for a pol. I don’t believe Newt used notes at all the night we heard him speak and answer questions for over 40 minutes (except for a list containing a few local names he needed to acknowledge).

    elissa (d992ac)

  91. Romney fails on all counts. I would only vote for him as some kind of last resort. He simply isn’t prepared for the office, and I just don’t trust him.

    That is just kind of sad, in more than one respect.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  92. elissa, he is – after all – a History Professor.
    And, I think he would make a dynamite SecState.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  93. JD–Is the MSDNC crew taking turns with the Obama inflatable doll or are they all jumping it at the same time. I refuse to watch.

    elissa (d992ac)

  94. Comment by Dustin — 9/7/2011 @ 7:01 pm

    What little I’ve seen of Gov. Perry, I like.
    Unfortunately, not having cable, I couldn’t watch the MSM’ers beclown themselves; but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of opportunities for same in the future.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  95. Romney was not a failed governor, not by a long shot, Dustin. He didn’t run for re-election… is that what constitutes failure? Or is it the whole RomneyCare thing that you’re being fed?

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  96. I dare anyone to watch MSNBC right now. MadCow, Sharpton, Schultz, O’Donnell, and Robinson.

    I fell asleep and woke up to that. Yeccch.

    I saw Al Sharpton was upset about Perry’s answer about G’low [Galileo] being overruled by the other scientists.

    Patterico (f724ca)

  97. Rick perry sunk his candidacy tonight, according to Scary Larry. He desperately wants it to be so. They all do.

    They actually are giving advice to the DNC.

    JD (318f81)

  98. I thought he called him Galeo, P, but regardless, it was pure idiocy.

    JD (318f81)

  99. That is just kind of sad, in more than one respect.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 7:06 pm

    That’s not an argument.

    I was expecting you to retort how Romney is actually electable despite my view that he isn’t.

    But why would you trust a guy who spent the night evoking Reagan, when he specifically explained he is not hoping to return to Reagen leadership?

    On core principles, Romney is simply not trustworthy?

    What’s sad about my recognizing it? Why insult me for speaking the truth? You’ve acted like I’m some sort of shill hack here, but I’m not. I’m honestly trying to select the most capable candidate. I simply can’t trust Romney with power.

    His preparation for the presidency was what? Laying people off and making money at Bain? Not good enough. Especially in light of the disaster to MA’s health care he is responsible for. He made MA more liberal. I do not trust him.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  100. RomneyCare…
    His problem is his being unable to explain that the mandate in RomneyCare is legitimately within the Police Powers of the State, but is not enumerated within the U.s.Constitution for the Federal Govt.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  101. Romney was not a failed governor, not by a long shot, Dustin. He didn’t run for re-election… is that what constitutes failure?

    He had a negative disapproval rating. It was so bad he didn’t even bother running.

    And I’m not being “fed” anything. I’m not repeating anyone’s talking points, and if you think I am, you are delusional. A lot of conservatives, basically all of them who have a brain, realize Romney is not one.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  102. Dustin… I have someone I’m leaning toward, because I share many values with him. But I at least am keeping an open mind re: Perry. Romney has done nothing that I’m aware of to deserve the animosity you seem to have for him.

    And if Perry is the nominee, I will hold my head high and enthusiastically vote for him. I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree, but I remain troubled by your take, as you are a level-headed, well-intentioned kind of guy.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  103. I just watched 11 seconds of MSNBC’s post-debate analysis. For you.

    Here, I’ll prove it: Sharpton actually said that Perry would be hurt in the primaries because he called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and young people don’t know what that means or something.

    Does O’Donnell take his skin off at night and iron it?

    Then, they went to Matthews and I was out.

    Ag80 (9a213d)

  104. sh*thead Matthews with his usual, fevered take on Romney’s “Mormon” issue.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  105. Lawrence O. had his balls shorn by the late Cathy Seipp… he’s never recovered.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  106. Laying people off and making money at Bain? Not good enough

    It would be a refreshing change when talking about the Dep’t’s of Energy, Education, Labor (start with Hilda), Agriculture, Housing & Urban Development, Health & Human Services, Interior, Transportation, and an entire grab-bag of alphabet agencies.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  107. sh*thead Matthews with his usual, fevered take on Romney’s “Mormon” issue.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 7:14 pm

    That’s disgusting. It’s not an issue at all, though I’m sure the democrats would love nothing more than to force Republicans to evaluate Romney’s ‘weirdness’ (I don’t think he’s weird).

    If Romney were the front runner tonight, that’s what this debate would have been like. Instead it was Perry.

    The MSNBC plan is to take the most electable Republican candidate, and get as many competitors to attack him.

    I think it’s fine to expect our candidates to be able to take a lot of fire, but I do not think it makes much sense to go to this debate and validate the credibility of this organization.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  108. Yes, Drew, exactly what the doctor ordered in terms of the federal bureaucracy.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  109. It would be a refreshing change when talking about the Dep’t’s of Energy, Education, Labor (start with Hilda), Agriculture, Housing & Urban Development, Health & Human Services, Interior, Transportation, and an entire grab-bag of alphabet agencies.

    Comment by Another Drew – Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks!

    That’s a good point. That’s basically the sole reason to elect Mitt. He’s good at looking at an organization and cutting out all the bloated crap, making it profitable. That’s great.

    He would be great in a House oversight capacity, I suppose. He definitely need to be subordinate to someone with principles we can count on, day in day out.

    Here’s the bottom line: America is robbing her own future. It’s going to take tough love. It’s going to take a leader who is willing to be the bad guy, at least a little, and explain that we need cuts to goodies.

    Romney just can’t be counted on for that.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  110. Well, this doctor spent the afternoon in the dentist’s chair getting pre-lim work for a crown, and I’m starting to come down now.
    I think I’ll watch some mind-numbing TV, take some more ibuprofen in a few hours, and go to bed.
    But, carry on.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  111. Look, we are all voting anything but barack ,,,,, the rest is cahhfeee talk. Much like 2008, anything but bush.

    S. Carter aka J-Z (8d652e)

  112. #110, How much by the way? Did you do a root canal first? or just a post n core with the requisite grinding?

    S. Carter aka J-Z (8d652e)

  113. But we need someone who can beat Obama, JZ.

    The Anything But Bush crowd failed because they nominated a dishonest man, John Kerry, and folks decided they just didn’t trust the flip flopping politician.

    Anyway, Ace of Spades has a great analysis of this debate, and I think he captures my sentiments. Perry fell short of what I was hoping for.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  114. Dana & Dustin,

    No, I don’t think people care much about AGW, but if Perry brushed up just a bit, the press will give up (because they know pwople really don’t care either).

    As for the impact of the debate, just ask yourself how many casual voters even knew it was on?

    Karl (37b303)

  115. Rick Perry was not totally on his game. I wonder if being up at dawn this morning, flying over 100,000 acres of scorched earth that we call Texas
    had anything to do with it.

    Of course, Romney had the last few days to prepare while Perry was doing what governors are elected to do; handle a disaster.

    The count in my county alone? 45,000 acres burned, 878 homes lost, 5,000 people displaced and in emergency shelters. No reason that a governor dealing with any of that should look tired.

    retire05 (467925)

  116. Romney- No convictions.
    Huntsman- No balls.
    Perry- No brains.
    Gingrich- No credibility.
    Cain- No anchovies.
    Paul- No way.
    Bachman- No chance.
    Santorum- No chance in hell.

    Big winner- Galileo Galilei.
    Big loser- Charles Ponzi.
    Honorable mention- Ronald Reagan.

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  117. Dustin, do you think maybe Perry has other things on his mind beside this stupid debate?

    What did you expect him to say on “climate change?” Did you want him to name the names of those scientists that have gotten wealthy on that scam, like Hansen?

    He said all he needed to say; there is no proof gw is caused by man and there is no reason to destroy our economy based on unproven science.

    End of story.

    retire05 (467925)

  118. One the Todd Cameron Willingham case

    This is a typical distortion. Willingham killed his children during Ma Richards tenure and had waht was it 14 years of appeals – with 11 some say 15 minutes to go Perry’s office receives and partially hand written fax with errors and inconsistencies from the innocence projects recently hired arson investigator saying that Willingham couldnt have set the fire.

    There was not time to even get the fax to the governor nor time to access whether this was worthy of stopping the execution

    So it went forward

    Where further the duplicitious of the media and certain Forensic Commission Board Members was to hire an investigator and if you look online at the document – they document to instruct Dr Craig Beyler was to find out what went wrong – not IF something went wrong

    Additionally the Forensic Science commission noteably did NOT ADDRESS THE FAX the governor DID receive

    Because it would not have passed any scrutiny as anything other than a boiler plate protest against the death penalty

    EricPWJohnson (c5f1fc)

  119. Sorry about the grammer submitted it before adding even more bad grammer

    But the gist is – Perry’s Judges didnt convict this guy – the democrat governors appointed the Judge and the numerous appellat judges who time after time upheld Willinghams conviction.

    All Perry did was to follow the law

    EricPWJohnson (c5f1fc)

  120. EricPWJohnson, never mind that the guy, Barry Scheck, is the guy leading the Innocence Project. Just a bit hypocritical, don’t you think, considering he was one of the lead attorneys who got O.J. Simpson off?

    Now people are claiming Willingham was just a really nice guy but forget to mention he beat his wife so badly she lost the baby she was pregnant with.

    retire05 (467925)

  121. Comment by S. Carter aka J-Z — 9/7/2011 @ 7:26 pm

    No root canal, not that much damage.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  122. B-but the woman deserved it honestly Gaia is displeased that her agent has been executed.

    /Sarcasm obviously

    DohBiden (d54602)

  123. Dustin, do you think maybe Perry has other things on his mind beside this stupid debate?

    Of course. It’s sad that it’s come to this, where our system disfavors those with great responsibilities. Legislators like Mccain are contenders. Active leaders can’t keep up with both the 14 month campaign and their responsibilities.

    Perry’s been good in debates before, but I’ll leave it to him to prove what he’s made of. He’s going to have to do better, IMO. One big difference between his Texas debates and the national ones is that there is so much BS in the national debates.

    Is it stupid to expect Perry to have a memorized little answer about global warming and evolution? In a way, no. He’s playing a stupid game, but he has to play it smart.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  124. I’m willing to cut him a fair amount of slack, against this whole fusilade of jokers,Even with all the preptime, Romney doesn’t impress, I liked Newt’s pivot on the Fed question,

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  125. As for the impact of the debate, just ask yourself how many casual voters even knew it was on?

    Karl, I think a whole lot more casual voters knew it was on than if the WH hadn’t made such a messy spectacle with the scheduling snafu. That was a terrific gift of publicity to the Republicans.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  126. The Mormon by default.

    Perry seemed to be doing just fine, looking presidential and all. Then he opened his mouth.

    Bachman should fold.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  127. Brian Williams is a smarmy bastard.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  128. Oh look SpartacBS is back.

    Beat your meat lately?

    DohBiden (d54602)

  129. Yes, our WH looks more and more like Palestinians, who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

    Or, as Casey Stengel would say:
    Can’t anyone here play this game!

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  130. Republicans want people to die. Discuss. And if they don’t die on their own, they will murder them. True.

    I think the take-away from tonight is that MSNBC proved to the world how rabidly partisan they are.

    JD (318f81)

  131. We must save Gaia by removing the infection that is poisoning her – all six-billion of them.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (64cedc)

  132. retire05

    I agree the expert that the forensic Commission hired that the anit death penalty crowd is using to discredit Perry – Dr Beyler who didnt state that Willinghan – didnt/couldnt have set the fire – he just said that the investigation was flawed and also made no effort to show how the fire started especially since the gas and electricity had been cut a week before for non payment – eh there goes the wiring and gas thingy

    Dr Beyler was hired by the attorneys representing the Austin Professors Parents who’s brillant son died in a house fire – this Austin Professor was lighting lots of candles according to witnesses and smoking hash when his house burned – Beyler said a walmart Halogen lamp caused it

    Walmart kicked his butt in court

    EricPWJohnson (c5f1fc)

  133. It really was ridiculous, JD.

    There’s no excuse for it. It was shameless. Every single one of these guys is a jackass for showing up.

    Fox News is drastically more fair.

    “Tell me how do you sleep at night with all the innocent people you’ve personally executed?”

    “Tell me why do you want to shut down social security and take food off Grandma’s table?”

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  134. Oh for the sake of f@ck

    JD (318f81)

  135. That was not meant for you, Dustin, but I am also pretty sure you know that.

    JD (318f81)

  136. Of course, JD.

    LOL.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  137. Well it’s Air America TV, so one can’t be surprised by the ambush but the setting at the Reagan library, had enough cognitive dissonance, to bring back Zuul

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  138. cognitive dissonance

    You got that right, the actual Saint Ronnie would be polling less than Huntsman with today’s Republican base.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  139. I noticed that Mitt was pretty mild towards Perry. For example, Mitt explained he would rather see the Gardisil mandate in place over Texas, just Romney wishes the legislature did it.

    Which is consistent with Romney’s philosophy and rather generous to Perry. Romney comes across in the debate as above the fray, focused on Obama, while Perry defends himself from every other direction.

    So I’m surprised that Romney’s campaign is already hitting Perry very hard on the debate. I think Romney’s campaign is going as far as to lie, actually. Did Perry claim he would abolish Social Security? I thought he just didn’t like the current ponzi scheme system, and wanted to fix that.

    This ad comes across as from that kook who showed Paul Ryan pushing that lady off a cliff.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  140. Oh, my— look who is back. Someone must have posted bail.

    Simon Jester (9797e2)

  141. “Conservatives won’t be able to reform SS if the public believes the effort reflects hostility to the program…”

    I’m paraphrasing Ramesh Ronnuru, who, I think, is spot on. Calling it a “Ponzi scheme” would qualify as somewhat hostile.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  142. make that Ponnuru…

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  143. How many current workers are needed to fund 1 recipient right now, Colonel?

    JD (318f81)

  144. Well no big surprise, that’s like Romney trying to portray himself as an Independent in the ’94 Senate race, for his trouble, the Kennedy team
    (using the Globe) skinned him like one of those
    hairless cats.

    ian cormac (d69b60)

  145. spurty is on what
    passes as “the attack” for
    his sorry, lib azz

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  146. You tell me, JD. I didn’t say there was no truth to the way Perry characterizes SS. I say it’s not a productive (read:winning) strategy.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  147. Phuck off Spartypoo.

    Why is it that the Al Sharpton and La Raza pimps of the eworld always shriek racism? This is an Open Thread after all.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  148. Sporty’s back. Someone’s restraining order is working. Good for him and/or her.

    Ag80 (9a213d)

  149. Calling it a “Ponzi scheme” would qualify as somewhat hostile.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku

    It’s the truth.

    “Conservatives won’t be able to reform SS if […]

    You mean the ponzi scheme nature of it? Yes, how are we going to reform that. How, specifically, is Romney going to reform that?

    He isn’t. He does not take the issue very seriously. Entitlement reform requires a real leader who can stomach spending a little political capital to tell the freaking truth.

    Perry passed the test. Romney is attacking him for it with democrat talking points.

    Mitt Romney should primary Obama.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  150. Drat, Dustin… Perry be playin’ in the Big Leagues now.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  151. What’s Perry’s plan to restore America’s economy, Dustin? Hmmm?

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  152. I mean, who isn’t “somewhat hostile” towards the way our entitlements are impossibly unfunded right now?

    We’re stealing from our kids.

    Yeah, I am cool with a leader who is hostile to that.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  153. oh, taht’s right… you “trust him” to get out of the way. I’m afraid he must do a little better than that.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  154. I tend to not be bothered by people speaking the truth

    JD (318f81)

  155. You try selling that to Main Street, Dustin, and we’ll have our azzes handed to us.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  156. I think it is always a winning strategy to avoid difficult topics because the Dems will demagogue them, and in the process, insult main street Americans by assuming they could never handle the truth.

    JD (318f81)

  157. If you think older folks will grin and eat a turdburger and then be refused any federal teat to wash it down, I don’t think you’re thinking it through. Feeling righteous in your rightness, won’t necessarily win the war, folks.

    Just colonel’s humble opinion.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  158. Drat, Dustin… Perry be playin’ in the Big Leagues now.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 8:26 pm

    This schoolyard taunt stuff is stupid.

    Perry is doing more than playing. He’s headed back to his job.

    You know… that thing Romney doesn’t have?

    Romney actually started his governorship years after Perry did. He failed and was unpopular at the end of his term. He didn’t run for reelection. He clearly would have lost badly had he tried. He left awful policies behind that made MA worse.

    There’s a reason Perry is headed back to the state he’s running, and Romney is headed back to show debate preparation studio and fund raisers.

    Do we want a system were we elect the guy who plays politics like a professional sport?

    Isn’t that a big part of what ruined America?

    We need actual leaders with principles. I freely grant that Romney is the fancier politician. But there’s a reason he’s not a governor and Perry is.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  159. you gotta close the deal, folks. What constitutes the truth to you, ain’t necessarily going to ring true with older voters… and there are a helluva lot of baby boomer voters.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  160. Goodnight, folks.

    JD (318f81)

  161. There goes Leno with the tax cuts for the rich lies and how Obama is a secret rethuglican.

    And Bachmann is being villified for doing away with the DOE which is right.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  162. Dustin, it amazes me that a guy who lost to “Huckabee” thinks he can beat Perry…

    EricPWJohnson (c5f1fc)

  163. My humble attempts at humor seem to rile you, Dustin. Take a look at your posts and tell me if they aren’t more than a little filled with invective toward Mitt Romney.

    Perry and his supporters will have to man-up, cuz it’s going to be tough out there.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  164. oh, taht’s right… you “trust him” to get out of the way. I’m afraid he must do a little better than that.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku

    Why the sarcastic mockery?

    Perry has been running Texas for over a decade. While he’s certainly not the only person involved, he has consistently led the way on keeping government out of our hair. He’s vetoed intrusive policies. He’s consistently called for cuts to spending.

    Of the state’s budget that the state actually has control over (rather than unfunded federal mandates), Perry has reduced spending. He’s kept regulation predictable and reasonable.

    You act like I’m just taking it on blind faith that Perry is opposed to intrusive governing. That’s ignorant.

    Perry hasn’t been perfect. The Gardisil mandate, even with the opt out, is not perfect.

    But it’s a solid record anyway.

    There’s the thing, Haiku: Romney’s the guy asking me to trust him, with a fancy and well run political campaign. Perry has a record to look at.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  165. May the best man – or woman – win. As I stated, if Perry is nominated, I will vote with head held high and with enthusiasm.

    Given your “misgivings” and opinion of Romney, I can’t see you doing anything but sitting it out if he wins the nom.

    Goodnight!

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  166. Colonel the idiot your talking to supports Scozzymasturbater.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  167. My humble attempts at humor seem to rile you, Dustin. Take a look at your posts and tell me if they aren’t more than a little filled with invective toward Mitt Romney.

    Perry and his supporters will have to man-up, cuz it’s going to be tough out there.

    Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/7/2011 @ 8:38 pm

    Of course it bugs me to see a nominal conservative support a jackass like Romney.

    And I have never hidden my distaste for Romney. Frankly there are very few politicians I like. I don’t like Perry, for example. But he’s got a great record. What’s Romney got? The word of a man with no core principles. Conveniently gauged by the polls. Shifting with the wind.

    School yard taunts are pathetic. We’re talking about the future of this great country. This isn’t professional wrestling.

    Anyway, I do not care if you have a problem with my comments. Romney can’t take the heat. His attitude of being above the fray is a carefully staged prop. That’s why his campaign had to lie about Perry just after the debate.

    They have no honor, frankly.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  168. Oh I thought you were talking to EPWJ so sorry.

    Dustin your right.

    The NJ teachers unions need to make sacrifices.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  169. For anyone who might be interested–aggressive protesters and supporters duel it out at Ryan Rotary Club speech in WI. 11 removed by police. 3 Arrests were made. Ryan calls it the new normal.

    “How are you going to put food on my table and help me support my family? You think it’s OK to cut taxes?” a woman protester said.

    “Get a job,” someone else yelled out.

    “How is this seen as effective? I’m kind of curious at how one sees this as an effective way to advocate your ideas,” Ryan said.

    “I’m being arrested because I spoke out against my congressman,” the protester said as she was being removed.

    “Shut up,” an audience member said.

    http://www.wisn.com/politics/29098163/detail.html#ixzz1XJU7sryd

    elissa (d992ac)

  170. Given your “misgivings” and opinion of Romney, I can’t see you doing anything but sitting it out if he wins the nom.

    First, it’s getting silly seeing you attack me over and over. I provide my rationale. I’m not calling on you to ‘man up’ or otherwise being silly here.

    While I would vote for Romney vs Obama, I think Romney wouldn’t win. For one, he definitely alienates a lot of conservatives. I worry a third party would be much more viable than if Perry were the nominee. For another, Romney is a flop flopper with no real reason for being our nominee. No ‘hey, look how great a job I’m doing as governor’ type argument. So Obama would demolish him.

    I think Romney’s inability to really fight anyone to his face makes him look a bit like T Paw, too.

    So in a way, Haiku, I think you’re again making my case against Romney. You personally see a lot of conservatives sitting out? I was more optimistic. Maybe you see something bad about Romney I missed.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  171. Can someone give proof Demint is a theocrat?

    DohBiden (d54602)

  172. Anyway, hyperbole aside, of course Romney would be a huge improvement over Obama. That’s pretty damn obvious.

    I know I’d be constantly irritated with his performance. I doubt he would be anywhere near the Bush 43 level.

    But that’s not the choice we’re presented with. We’re choosing between a fancy politician and the guy who actually says something true once in a while.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  173. We should reform our Social Security like they did in Chile.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  174. I thought Perry was not very well prepped, though I understand he has other priorities with the wildfires. Newt will never get the nomination, but, he should be gracious enough to be an advisor/mentor to the eventual candidate. But, to sum up tonight, I steal a line from Ben Howe: I would walk through fire to vote for day old roadkill to beat Obama.

    sybilll (8b78bb)

  175. To those obots who oppose nuclear power would you have us use coal plants then?

    Or just accept rolling borwnouts?

    DohBiden (d54602)

  176. I accepted a rolling borwnout once. I won’t do that again. 🙂

    Ag80 (9a213d)

  177. This is about the 3rd debate where a raft of comments go like “Newt was great and knows his stuff, but he’ll never get the nomination.”

    How many more times before the “… but he can’t win” starts sounding old? We need competence, effectiveness and outside-the-box thinking if we’re to get out of the mess we’re in. Newt offers all that. Sure, he made an ill-considered remark and displeases handlers, but he is what he is and it is genuine. We could do worse among those on the stage.

    You DO know that the thing about him dumping/cheating on his dying wife isn’t true, don’t you?

    Kevin M (563f77)

  178. And Perry is of course right about it being a Ponzi scheme, but he needs to explain to folks what that is, Ponzi being long dead. Something like:

    “A Ponzi scheme is when early participants get paid by later investors, but sooner or later there aren’t enough new investors to keep it going.”

    Or

    “The first group of elderly got SS without paying anything in. The WWII generation put some in and got a whole bunch more out. The Boomers put in about as much as they’re going to get out. But the generation paying for the Boomers retirement is half their size and when it’s Gen X or Gen Y’s turn to retire there isn’t going to be a lot left to go around.”

    But explain it. “Ponzi” doesn’t cut it.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  179. I got video of Perry in a San Diego appearance after the debate. For those interested, here it is.

    Bradley J. Fikes (f2f103)

  180. Things stay as they are, game over for the TEAs. Social Security is NOT a Ponzi Scheme, the fabric of America knows it and would NEVER vote for it. I Would have LOVED Obama to run against a TEA just for the sheer stark choice of it. Fox can’t even touch the debate topic this morning, but continue their relentless campaign against him SURPRISE! It’s a chuckle. Obama 2012!

    tifosa (0736c6)

  181. btw, I’d be shocked if America let’s the R’s in the audience, who broke into applause at the sheer MENTION of executions, choose a president.

    tifosa (0736c6)

  182. So, tifosa, those evil people will not be allowed to vote? Your ALLCAPS is really cute, you must be really excited.

    JD (318f81)

  183. Dustin… in the colonel’s defense, he was running a high fever after getting two intra-muscular shots during his yearly physical. colonel was falling in and out of what passes for lucidity for him.

    ColonelHaiku (c7aeaa)

  184. Oh well. Debate’s over. Now we get to look ahead to another “shovel ready” Obama speech.

    Might want hip waders too. I expect that one to get deep (and not in the sense of “introspective”).

    rtrski (c69273)

  185. Let’s hope that this was like a preseason football game for Perry. He got to see where his deficiencies are and work on them. The question is, does he think he didn’t do so hot? If the answer is no, he’s got major problems.

    Gerald A (7d960d)

  186. Comment by ColonelHaiku — 9/8/2011 @ 5:29 am

    No hard feelings. You got your guy, I’ve got mine. We’ll hash it out until the primary is over, and then we’ll beat the crap out of Obama.

    Dustin (b2fb78)

  187. How can tiffy be “shocked” over anything?
    I refuse to believe that his nerve endings are connected to anything.
    We should strap him in to Old Sparky and prove the point.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (eb769c)


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